Review: Uncharted by Julie Johnson

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This book gave me all the feels. I was happy. I was sad, and I even shed tears. Uncharted was an emotional rollercoaster that I didn’t expect. This is not a book full of fluff. It’s dark and raw. You can’t help but cry. Julie Johnson pulls no punches, she goes there without even flinching.

The details were incredible and it really feels like your experiencing the pain that the characters are going through. The story isn’t rushed. It takes its time and allows for you to experience the moments and the struggles. For example, there was one scene in particular that I had to stop and take a breather because I felt the physical pain that one character was going through.

Uncharted is a story about strangers who survive a plane crash and end up stranded on an uninhabited island. It’s a story about survival. It’s a story about love. It’s a story about finding yourself and having strength. It’s full of unexpected plot twist.

Although I spend the majority of reading the book holding my breath and close to tears, I really enjoyed this story. It was something that I’ve never read before, and also something that I will never forget. I feel like I could read it again sometime down the line.

I was a little upset when it ended, because there was so much more story to tell. And I do hope that Julie writes more because I wanted to know what happens to Violet and Beck next.

Characters

Violet was great character. I appreciated her drive and reasoning for wanting to escape her town. I do wish that there was a little more mentions of her father in the latter half of the book. He was mentioned a lot in the beginning, and I had hoped that he would have a stronger influence throughout the whole book.

It was interesting to see Beck and Violet grow from sort of enemies to eventually friends who literally have to count on each other to survive. Both Violet and Beck brought so much to the relationship and were a great team.

I do want to take a brief moment to mention the supporting characters. I won’t get into much details because of spoilers. But it is worth mentioning, that although they had a small presence and few scenes they left a lasting impact. I felt a connection to them.

Final Analysis

Unchartered is full of angst. Tissues are a must while reading. It’s a strong story with strong characters. 

Review: The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor

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First mistake, I started reading this book before I was heading to bed. I'm one of those people who gets scared very easily. After the prologue, rather than sleep with one eye open, I thought it was the best idea to continue reading during the day. This was definitely a welcomed departure from my usual reading and yes it made me look over my shoulders a couple of times but so glad that I took a chance because it was definitely a page-turner.

This isn't one of those books that I really can dive into and give you details because I don't want to take away from the experience by revealing anything that could take away from your experience. You will see from the intricate plot that author paid attention to detail as well as has a gift for storytelling bringing the readers characters that you will be intrigued be absorbed by. Leaving me a little scared with the covers pulled up to my eyes (I jumped to the ceiling at the faintest sound of boo) challenged and haunted my thoughts of her gorgeous story, pushing me to grip the pages, eagerly anticipating the answers to this haunting thriller. 

Told through dual perspectives of the past and present, the author gives the reader a well balanced story that feeds you all that you need to know that fuels your hunger for more to get the answers you crave to find out. That ending was so unexpected and just wrapped up this book brilliantly. There isn't one character in this book that didn't have some relevance to the plot intricately and that's pretty fantastic. Even though this doesn't follow into the usual genre that I read, there was something that piqued my curiosity to just go for and I'm so glad that I did. Overall, I thought it was a great story to dive into and are recommending to add it to your tbr.                                                                                                            

Review: Almost Adulting by Arden Rose

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I was familiar with Arden Rose before picking up this book. In 2015, I never missed a video of hers. I was a dedicated fan. Unfortunately, I stopped watching her YouTube channel.  Nothing big happened. She didn’t stop being entertaining, it’s just that I got so behind on her videos that I didn’t even bother to catch up.

Flash-forward a couple of weeks ago, I wanted to see how she was, so did a quick Instagram search. I quickly found out that she had written a book. And since I’m a passionate read, I obviously had to read it. So I purchased it.

And it’s a privilege to say that, Almost Adulting feels very much like an Arden Rose video. Her humor is very present and it’s almost as if she’s sitting down talk to you. It’s enjoyable. It’s quirky. It’s relatable.

It’s hard to categorize this book as a definite guidance into the scary adult world because it’s not. Arden doesn’t necessarily tell you what to do because she’s still figuring it out. And also, because there is not one correct way for how to adult. You sort of figure it out as you go.

What Arden does is she provides you with advice and tips that had helped her. For example, she dedicates a whole chapter to “creating the perfect apartment without wads of cash or buckets of tears”. In the chapter, she doesn’t say that by doing this it was make adulting easier; she also doesn’t tell you the correct way to create your perfect space. That’s up to the reader.

This was a surprisingly empowering and uplifting book. Arden provides many positive tips about why it’s okay not to be okay and finding that special someone. It’s also very sex positive and body image positive.

Final Analysis

Almost Adulting is sort of like a memoir but also sort of like guide to adulthood. It features quirky, empowering, and relatable commentary. It’s not a book that’s going to hold your hand and walk you through adulthood, because it’s something that you figure out on your own. However, it does squeeze your hand and say, “You got this and are going to make it.” 

Review: The Lost Rider by Harper Sloan

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Summary

In Lost Rider, the first Western romance in New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Harper Sloan’s Coming Home series, an injured rodeo star encounters an old flame but will she be just what he needs to get back in the saddle?

Maverick Austin Davis is forced to return home after a ten-year career as a rodeo star. After one too many head injuries, he’s off the circuit and in the horse farming business, something he’s never taken much of a shine to, but now that it’s his late father’s legacy, familial duty calls. How will Maverick find his way after the only dream he ever had for himself is over?

Enter Leighton Elizabeth James, an ugly duckling turned beauty from Maverick’s childhood—his younger sister’s best friend, to be exact, and someone whose heart he stomped all over when she confessed her crush to him ten years back. Now Leighton is back in Maverick’s life, no longer the insecure, love-stricken teen—and Maverick can’t help but take notice. Sparks fly between them, but will Leighton be able to open her heart to the one man who broke it all those years ago?

Written in the vein of Diana Palmer and Lindsay McKenna, this Texas-set series is filled with sizzle, heart, and plenty of cowboys!

Review

I'm always super excited to start a new series, especially from an author that I'm reading for the first time. I've been fascinated by her titles and finally had a chance to dive into her The Coming Home series with the first book, Lost Rider. I'm a total sucker for second chance romances, especially whenever there is a chance to reunite with an old flame. You know those are always going to be good.

The book centers around Maverick and Leighton. They practically grew up next to each other. Leighton is your typical girl next door type that blossomed later in life. She had the biggest crush on Maverick if only he would've noticed, you never know how life could've turned out. Maverick had big dreams in his heart that he wanted to go after. Beyond wanting to get as far away from their town and his father,

little did Leighton know behind those big dreams hid some secrets that pushed him further to want to chase them. All she knew was in the process one day her biggest crush lefted, and took her heart with him until one day tragedy brought him back. The question is, will she let the only person who had the key to her heart open it?

Now, this was a great start to the series with this two. There was so much to their backstory that will have their second chance very engaging to read. Leighton represents so many women out there who get their heart broken and go through life guarded. You always wander and your heart secretly hopes for that second chance of if only. In her case, even though Maverick came back to town under crappy circumstances, I'm glad they both had their moment because it needed to happened. Whether or not they came together, they both needed closure and mending.

Maverick coming back was good and bad. The good was that he was able to face his past and deal with obstacles that have been crippling his life. The bad, his life was flipped upside down by his career ending injuries. The only life that meant something was in shambles and he had no idea which direction he was going to go. Lucky for him, life has a way of working itself out. Little did he know everything he was looking for was in the last place he'd expected it.

Overall, I really enjoyed their story. I feel it was a good introduction to the series and are definitely looking forward to see where the series goes. At first I had my feelings towards Maverick and thought he was going to be shallow until you get to know him and grow to really feel for him. I really appreciate seeing such a rugged, tough guy break down his walls. His journey with Leighton was so tough but really beautiful. The familial support and their experiences added to the experience. I have to say this is probably my first dabble in the western romance genre and found it to be surprising enjoyable. Loved the story and can't wait to read on. If you get a chance, add this to the tbr!

Review: Meet Cute

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This was my first time reading a collection fictional stories written by different authors. I’m not counting those read while in college or high school, because that was unwillingly and the majority of those tended to be nonfiction.

I must admit I was a little wary when I first picked up the book. I was scared it would be disorganized or I would favor one story more than the others and only be interest in that particular story. I’m extremely glad I was proved wrong.

I enjoyed myself while reading Meet Cute. For lack of a better term, it was surprisingly cute. Yes, a little unrealistic and instalove at times, but nevertheless, adorable. Each story was unique in its own way, however, just as refreshing as the story before.  They were feel good stories guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face and wanting more.

Speaking of wanting more, multiple of times while read I find myself a little sad that I wouldn’t be able to read about what happened after the characters met each other. They all were set to have great romantic arcs, and I was curious about what their relationships would be like.

It’s hard for me to pick one favorite story, because I truly enjoyed them.  But I will say that The Unlikely Likelihood of Falling in Love by Jocelyn Davies was pretty special. The main character’s family was in it for a brief moment, but it was such a cute and hilarious interaction that I really wanted a whole book about Alex’s family and mystery guy on the subway.

I was also surprised with how diverse this book was. That was amazing. There were many different characters with different races, sexual orientations, and interests.

Final Analysis

Meet Cute is an adorable read filled with lightheartedness and romances that make you smile. Each story is special in its own way.

Review: Geekerella by Ashley Poston

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This was such a cute, refreshing and satisfying book. I couldn’t help but smile while I read. I had a really fun time reading it, and I was very disappointed that it had to end. I could read many more books about these characters.

Geekerella was a modern take on Cinderella. Although, it was a retelling, it was its own story fit with loveable characters and original additions to the classic story. I loved that it was mainly based in the fandom world. It was interesting to see both sides of the coin.

For example, the book is told in dual POVs- Darien, the actor who was cast as Federation Prince Carmindor in Starfield, and Elle, the big time fangirl of Starfield. In Darien’s POV, you get how a celebrity reacts to taking on the big responsibility of an iconic character and dealing with the hardcore fans. In Elle’s POV, you get the reaction to the casting of Darien and experiencing the fandom life and being involved in it.

This book does pull at the heart strings. I was surprised with how many times I almost tear up. For example, Elle’s feelings and passion bleeds through the pages that feels both real and relatable. I related to her a lot as a character. I understood why she reacted the way she did and her feelings towards losing a parent and being deeply into fandoms.

Darien and Elle were adorable together and separately. They were really strong characters and extremely likable. It was so great to see their relationship develop and evolve during their text conversations. However, I would have liked to have more face to face conversations between the two.

It was a privilege that this was my last book of 2017.

Final Analysis

Geekerella is a magical story that leaves you wanting more. The love story is absolutely adorable. And although a retelling, it isn’t doesn’t feel repetitive or boring. It’s original and fresh.