Easy - Tammara Webber

*3.5 stars* Love the cover! For a change shows exactly, how I imagined the characters to look like.

A decent chick- lit ya novel. Nothing ground braking, but left me feeling warm inside. A rather typical novel of a naive girl leaving all behind and follows the boy of her dreams blah-blah. Of course, the fairytale doesn't last long. What I liked about this book, was the overall idea of teaching girls to take care and stand for themselves. You never know, where a potential threat may come from! Emphasis was on the developing and maturing, overcoming your inner demons and just being there for each other.

There really was no ohmygodwhathappensnow-feeling, but I was okay with it. It was easy to read and all the characters were very human. I even liked Kennedy. Of course he was a total nutsack xD, BUT at the same time, he felt so totally real. *sigh* Girls holding together and standing for each other was heart warming. There is always a chance of something happening, but what matters is how you deal with it. There's nothing like great friend in the time of need.

The ending was anticlimactic. It was obvious a mile away. I much more liked the slow pace of hidden past revealing itself. I also hope, that there will be no sequel. The story of Jacqueline and Lucas is finished. Anything more would only be unnecessary and empty drama.

Barely Breathing - Rebecca Donovan (the Breathing #2)

* 4.5 stars*

 Barely Breathing continues six months after the events in The Reason to Breath.

The plot was intense and so were my emotions while reading it. I could literally feel myself tensing up. I have been reading this series for over a long period of time, but it's one  of these kind of books that won't leave your mind even after a long period of time. 

What captivated me with this book was the authenticity of the feelings. The drama was done realistically, full of emotions. I was at the edge of the set most of the time gnawing my nails off and no major events weren't even happening jet. The way Rebecca Donovan delivers feelings is very emotional.

Emma just doesn't feel like your average teenage heroine. No emotional and dramatic fits, just... Emma. Calculating and a very feet on ground attitude. And then seeing her change 180 degrees, and releasing her inner anger, in second becoming a force of destruction was awe-inspiring.

The only thing making me feel a little less than 5 stars full of love, was again the ending. It's only natural that all these accidents and drama is catching up with her and making her do all kind of stupid things. I can understand all of this. But I just can't take this noble-idiot-syndrome, it makes me gnash my teeth.

Still, overall I liked this book a lot. Different from the first one. Fresh and interesting, yet still managing to keep the original feel to it. Can't wait for the third book, Out of Breath! We don't even have a release date yet :( , but I'm sure, I'll read it at the first possible chance!

Feature and Follow Friday #2

Feature and Follow Friday is an awesome weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee. Every week the choose a featured blogger with questions to answer to everybody. A wonderful way to meet other bloggers and discover blogs! Share the love!

This weeks question:

What hyped up book do you think was worth all the talk? 

I would have to agree with a lot of you and vouch for The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins!! It left me breathless and awed. It was my first Dystopian novel and just, wow! So worth all the hype. (But only the first book. And second a bit maybe. But the third one should have never happened.) For more details, see my review.

Leave me a comment below to let me know of your thoughts or a link to your own post and I'll be sure to check it out. And don't forget to follow, I always return the favour as well! 
 

The Charm - Alana Siegel (Olivia Hart and the Gifted Program #1)

*5 stars* I don't like to give a perfect score. But this time I did.

Again, a huge thank you for the author for providing me with a copy in exchange of a review! A pretty cover and intriguing synopsis made sure, that I fell for the book from the first look!

The beginning was slow. The characters were introduced properly, before we got into the deeper action, but at times it felt too unnecessarily draggy. About halfway through the book, we finally got to some action. I really liked, how all the discovery was set up and Olivias complete obliviousness. Her thorough bafflement made me smile, cute! And even though I'm a sucker for a good romance, it was refreshing to have a storyline were the impossible love was not the main focus. There was just enough romance to keep me rooting for the shy couple. Cutecutecute!

And I really liked the idea of the Gifted. Not even as unique, but so well thought through. The pace felt exactly right. Not too rushed or slow.  The characters rocked as well. Justin really was intense, and the friendship between Jamie and Olivia ♥ The ending left me wishing I had the sequel called The Retreat already! It's said, that hope is for fools, but I REALLY hope, that someday, the #2 book in the Olivia Hart and the Gifted Program series becomes available for ARR as well! Much love!

Feature and Follow Friday #1

Feature and Follow Friday is an awesome weekly meme I just discovered, hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee. Every week the choose a featured blogger with questions to answer to everybody. A wonderful way to meet other bloggers and discover blogs! Share the love!

This weeks question:

What hyped up book do you think was not worth all the talk?

For me it would be the Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor. I remember being really excited and waiting to read it. The cover was beautiful, synopsis awesome and reviews on GR made it shine in a golden glory. And then I read it. For three long months I read it. Painfully, a bit by bit. Waiting, wishing for it to get better. *sigh* (My review)

Leave me a comment below to let me know of your thoughts or a link to your own post and I'll be sure to check it out. And don't forget to follow, I always return teh favour as well!

My Life Next Door - Huntley Fitzgerald

*4 stars*

I really enjoyed it! A nice, easy storyline of a first love. No endless drama and tiring love-triangles. Sweet story about family and career.

It was this kind of book, which while reading seemed really good, but after finishing it's hard to remember exactly, why? The whole adorableness seemed to be centred around the readers emotions. The problems seemed really realistic and searching for the solution together and growing up was pretty life-true. The awkwardness and unfamiliarity of a budding relationship made me smile, Sam and Jase were cute! I think the clever use of our feelings against us made a simple story rise out from the rest.

I could really picture the Garrets household, with all their scattered toys and outgrown lawn. Yet something in that pictures gives off a  warm, comforting feeling. They had each other and it was more important than anything else. Samanthas mother was a strong contrast. Seeing her get more and more distant and dedicated to work. I hate guys like Clay. At least he was easy to see through.

My another favourite relationship was the one between Tim and the Garrets. It was awful seeing him fall into a deep hole, unable to climb out. Reading about Tim and the help coming from the most unexpected sources, gave me so much hope! I wonder how many families are there, like his? His parent were despicable, gah. I hated their guts!

The only thing about the book, which bugged me a little, was the ending. It just kinda... ended? So many loose ends and it felt rushed. I would have liked to know, what happened to Nan, to the rest of the Garrets, to Tim. I felt a bit let down, that after a great tale I was left without a satisfying finish. But I still dare to recommend it! A couple of days read, a tale without exaggerated drama, realistic take on parents and children relationship and finding your own place in the world.

Seduction and Snacks - Tara Sivec (Chocolate Lovers #1)

*5 stars* A wonderful must-read! I laughed, I giggled and I held my stomach as tears of mirth ran down my face. Literally. 

It's thoroughly an adult book, dealing with unexpected pregnancies, raising kids and at the same time trying to maintain at least some social life. The story was sweet and beautiful. I don't remember laughing my ass off like this, at a book. Ever. It was witty, funny and sexy as hell and I could just see everything happening before my eyes while reading.

"As soon as I took eleventy-billion home pregnancy tests, after drinking a gallon of milk so I would have enough pee for all of them, I realized I needed to hunt this guy down. Of course, this was after I Googled "milk and pregnancy tests" to make sure I didn't just spend thirty-seven minutes of my life staring in horror at positive pregnancy tests littered all over my bathroom that may or may not be correct because pasteurization messed with the hormones in your body and created a false positive."

And lets just say Gavin was extremely adorable. Already four, he was a big boy running around and yelling obscenities.  Hilarities ensue.

 "Papa says your friends Johnny, Jack and Jose maded you sick. Friends shouldn't do stuff like that, Mommy. If Luke maded me sick, I'd punch him in the nuts!" "Gavin! Come on, we don't say things like that," I scolded him. "Fine," he huffed. "I'd tickle him in the nuts." Jesus Christ on a waffle cone. There's a reason why some animals in the wild eat their young.

I could go on and on quoting the rest of the book, but that would rather miss the point of the review. The fact is, that I loved it. I read it in a day and would without a thought recommend it to everybody. Well, probably PG14 more likely. Amongst the fun and witty are hidden pretty sharp puns about the "real" life of an adult. So yeah, go for it!!

And there's a sequel! Futures and Frostings is supposed to be released in October. I'm all excited, but also a little nervous. The ending was perfect. I'm not sure I'm up to dealing with some inevitable, but still , downfalls between Carter and Claire. And Gavin is going to grow up! The pouty toddler was at times my favourite! But, I'm excited! I love her style and I'll be sure to check it out!

Beautiful Disaster - Jamie McGuire (Beautiful #1)

*5 stars* I read an ebook edition and have to say I LOVE this cover. More than the other one.

Such a good-mood book.  It made me happy. Regardless of the plot, this emotional roller-coaster decides if I like a book or not. And this one rocked with full speed. I was tearing though the pages, forsaking precious few hours of sleep just to read, moaaar! I even liked the plot, for once with all the drama. Their relationship was crazy, so was their drama. It was intense and sexy as hell.

It was refreshing to meet female character coming from shady background. Abby grew up playing poker with her dad and drinking each other under the table.More than anything she wants to get from anything, reminding her her childhood. But typically, Travis is exactly all that and a lot more. Both had their own demons (and each other) to battle with.

Travis's family, "Six unruly, foul-mouthed and lovable men" like Abby said, made me grin wide. The sweetest type of a real family. Everyone's goofing around, but at the same time they're always there, at your back. I would have loved to hear more of Jim, Travis's father. "You're not the only one with a Poker face." Oh Travis, Travis *million hugs*.

And I just can't help but roll on the floor laughing, when thinking about Parker. He was just so completely and ultimately dumped, repeatedly. The conversations about Parker went on something like, "And Parker? He's not talking to me. Again." Hilarious!

I have to say the ending was unexpected. I almost sprayed out my tea, when I read it. But I guess, I really shouldn't be. It's them after all! Nothing was ordinary.

I also dug up the #2 book. Told in Travis POV. I'm very sceptic about these type of sequels. Seems like a cheap way to carry on. But first we'll have to survive the end of the world. The release of Walking Disaster is scheduled in 2013 after all :)

Game of Thrones - George R. R. Martin (A Song of Ice and Fire #1)

*5 stars* grading a book has never been so easy and impossible at the same time! Winter is coming.

Truly an epic beginning to an amazing journey. The world is dark and sinister and cruel. At start we thrown right into the midst of the action. It was confusing and took some time to get to know the characters. And when finally familiar with all the names, I half thought of returning to the beginning. I'm sure it was full of little things I had now way of noticing. But it was worth it. Out of the shadows shaped out real people with flaws and mistakes.

I loved the universe the author built.  And yes. Even with all the physical, logical and geographical etc. impossibilities and plot-holes. It was awesome! At times it was a bit difficult to follow all the greatgreat uncles and nieces of the main characters and all the classical intrigues between them. It tended to get a bit draggy and outright boring even. But when finally getting back to that seemingly draggy part through another character in the other end of the world with a completely different point of view and then connecting the dots... Let's just say it again. It was awesome.

What really won the was for me was the way the it drew me in and made it believable.(HBOs show might have helped with the image part a bit, but anyways,) The description and style made the environment come alive and gave real emotion to the written words.  I'm hooked.

I could feel the characters developing and changing after every chapter. My personal favourites were the Starks. Winterfell! The idea of direwolves just makes me shiver. In a good way. Especially the discovery of the wolf pups. With the Starks grew up a Snow. "Bastards grow up faster." It's hard, but oddly fitting as well. Lord Snow was another intriguing character. His impossible sense of honour, duty and a secret wish of his fathers love. The wall was a scary place. I loved the bits we were given to see of the world behind. I think he can finally shine there. In his element.

Top Ten Tuesday (#1): Fall TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. I've been keeping an eye on it for ages, yet only now decided to participate.

Not many new books on my list. I've been lazing around for the whole summer and now have some massive catching up to do.

Top Ten Books On Your Fall TBR List:

1. Crushed by Jennifer L. Armentrout. Sounds almost as awesome as the Lux series.
2. Clash of Kings (Song of Ice and Fire #2). Should probably add the whole series. Just finished the first book and I'm completely hooked. Winterfell!
3. Origin by Jessica Khoury.
4. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare (Mortal Instruments #5). For some unknown reason have been putting it off for a while. I loved the first three books, but felt a bit let down by the last one.
5. The Janus Affair by Philippa Ballantine(The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences #2). The first book was hilarious. Poor Wellie, I almost feel bad for him again, agent Braun can be a bit overwhelming xD
6. Seduction and Snacks by Tara Sivec (Chocolate Lovers #1). Recently discovered. I yearn for a good laugh!
7. Auracle by Gina Rosati. So many great reviews and a must-read of 2012, I'll give it a try!
8. For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund. "Inspired by Jane Austens "Persuasion"" and Dystopian? I'm in!
9. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (The Grisha Trilogy #1). I'm  a huge fan of high fantasy and epic, now add YA and it becomes almost a must read!
10. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick. I yearn to read a good chick lit romance without an overbearing drama. This seems to be an exactly, what I'm looking for!

Sweet Evil - Wendy Higgins (The Sweet Trilogy #1)

*3.5 stars* My emotions after finishing: OK. Done. Next! I liked it. Pretty cover. Nothing more.

Once again I was swayed by all the uber-hype around Sweet Evil.  And I still don't exactly see, why? I really should already know better.Yes, a new turn on all the angel-demon-nephilim is cool and all, but we still need some plot as well, besides an awesome idea.

The Dukes were cool. All high and bossy, treating their Nephilim kids lower than humans. And thats all awesome, for the sake of plot, BUT, that was all. Literally. The world was flattened down due to lack of any emotions. Anna bawling her eyes out and sulking leaves me rather nonplussed. I liked her father as well, but the joyful reunion made me roll my eyes. Really?

At the beginning I liked Anna, the ultimate good girl. In her, good and evil met. Her fathers legacy let her extremely vulnerable to all ind of substances. The story of her developing senses and growing pains sounded for once believable. Her character had so much potential, but still, she came off as emotional, as a 5 year old. It absolutely failed to convey any feelings to me. While reading, I felt as touched as a rock. I lost count how many times she decided to do something and at the next moment already forgot about it. Girl!

And then came Kaidan. I was glued to the book reading the first chapters the met. So much tension, so many possibilities. Gaaah! How did it turn out such a cry fest? At least he managed to downplay all the angst.

Crushed - K.C. Blake (The Witch Game #1)

*4 stars* And yet again, another try at ARR. And a very successful one as well.

A rather different take on ''sisters in magic''. The first though that sprag to mind was a mix between Sabrina and the Charmed sisters. Neither turned out to be even a bit similar. The triplets were impulsive and rather egoistic, treating magic more than a game than something important.Through the novel we wittness them grom up and realise the true value of the gifts they have and each other.

The action in Titan High took off quickly, becoming almost an instant page turner. I really enjoyed the unpredictability of it. After reading all kind of books, it gets harder and harder to be taken by a surprise, but Crushed managed it wonderfully. Already from the beginning it drew me completely in. At times it was cartoonishly funny. Almost anime-like. I so imagined Zach frantically spinning around, trying to find a place to spit the "witch concoction". Haaah!

Main characters are fun and different. How often have you encountered pretty and terrorising triplets in their senior year, of whom two are identical "twins"? Already promising. And it gets better. They're all so different. And the hero. He actually manages to hate the girl pretty successfully, not like other sparkly creatures, I might name. Khmkhm.They did change in the midst of the action and were not as fun or impulsive as at first, but I guess that was kind of the point.

The characters were quick. There was no beating around the bush or wallowing over a painfully obvious truths. They actually managed to act like every other sensible character would. Following them was logical. I enjoyed the interaction between the sisters. All of them had their certain role while dealing with each other. So typical and sweet.