Maria

Not bad but not great either. The second book in the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a slight improvement from the first one but it still fails to deliver anything more than a slightly cheesy rendition of two people addicted to each other in rather odd circumstances.

The second book, while a tad better than the first one, lacked any real conflicts and events. It actually took a while for me to even get through it because I did not feel like I had to keep reading to find out what happens next. And on top of that, nothing of great importance happened until about half-way through the book. The first half consisted of the two main characters, Anna and Christian, trying to figure out their rather obsessive relationship with each other. It rarely happens that I don't feel jealous of the main heroine's romantic relationship with her significant other in the book and that's what happened here. Christian actually rubbed me the wrong way, his possessiveness and rather overly emotional nature repelled me.

On that note, the book became a little bit better once we started finding out why Christian is the way that he is. However, in my opinion, I found that this took a little too long to happen and everything before that wasn't that exciting. And I am the epitome of hopeless romantic, but all the relationship stuff was too much, even for me. I would have liked to see a better balance of both romance and action because the romance was trying a bit too hard for me and it completely overwhelmed any of the action that occurred.

Moving on, the dialogue was also on the cheesy side and for this reason hard to read at times. I mean, who talks like that? I get that these two people are madly in love with each other but in reality, people who are romantically involved don't talk like that to each other. However, at least the writing style was okay because it made for a smooth and quick read.

In addition, the smut was mediocre at best. The variety of the sexual scenes was good but that didn't make up for the lack of variety in the word usage. It would have been nice to see a broader range of appropriate vocabulary, which would have made for a more exciting read.

One thing that saved this book for me, was the character development. While the characters might not have talked realistically to one another, they were three dimensional and I could picture them being a real person as I was reading. Even though Anastasia Steele really didn't capture my interest as a person and I couldn't relate to her whatsoever, I can't deny that there were many layers to her and we got to see more and more as the book progressed. There wasn't just one side to her. Christian as well, we were able to see the depths of him and get a glimpse into his soul.

All in all, Fifty Shades Darker delivers a rather mediocre portrayal of two people obsessively in love with each other. And although the plot drags and disappoints, the characters manage to stand out as individual personas. With all the media attention this book has gotten over the last few years, it still leaves a lot to be desired. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick read and doesn't care about a lack of a real plot or the amount of cheesiness that can be packed into 500 pages.

Believe me when I tell you- this is probably the best book I have read all year! J.A Redmerski delivers another mesmerizing book in the incredibly exciting series, In the Company of Killers. I was actually a little hesitant to read this book, especially after reading the synopsis because Niklas has never been one of my favorite characters in the book. But I am so glad I did. He needed his own book and it blew me away.

First of, can we take a moment to ponder just how complex Niklas is? I mean, after reading the previous books I just thought he was an asshole, plain and simple. But now he is human to me. I can understand why he is the way that he is. From being forced into a life he didn't choose just because he loved his brother to being betrayed by that same brother, all I can say is ‘wow'. It all makes sense now. And how could you not love his rough exterior, even when that exterior is hiding a heart of gold? So many layers- love it, love it, love it. Redmerski is a master at writing 3- dimensional characters and Niklas definitely didn't disappoint.

Another thing that this book did beautifully was it brought just the right mix of action and romance, even though most of the romance occurred in the midst of all the action. Normally, this is a hit or miss for me but she is a master at this skill. Nothing seems out of place and the story flows effortlessly. Not only that, but it astounds me how she comes up with such a twisty, messed-up plot that I can't stop thinking about days after finishing her books. I honestly hope these series never end because they are my favorite series by far. Hands down.

Also, how unique is it that the chapters consist of different perspectives from all the major characters in the story? Extremely unique and so tastefully done. It adds to the excitement and the anticipation of what's going to happen next. I love that personal touch.

Going back to the complexity of the characters, it is also amazing how they progress and change as the story develops and things they haven't foreseen happen. Now, in book five, all the characters have come a long way and they have changed immensely and in many ways. And it's all a result of what happens to them and how they deal with it or don't. However, at the same time, they are still fundamentally true to themselves and who they are and I don't find myself questioning whether or not a certain character would act like that or not in a particular situation. I love being able to follow their development, especially from inside their head. Bravo, Redmerski! Bravo!

All in all, this book is one of a kind. It is filled with everything from romance and action to sex and horror. And even though it's the fifth book in the series, it's just as good as the previous ones. What a talented writer, I will definitely read all her other books and will be anxiously awaiting the next book in this series. Everybody should read this book because it has something for everyone! You can take my word for it.

What a great way to end the series! Usually I'm so disappointed by most series' endings, but this one was great. It tied everything together and it just made sense, in a good way. I think I actually like this book better then the second one and I am pretty happy with how things ended. Hopefully there will be a continuation from these series, I want to know what happens to all the characters after their adventures in this book.

Let me begin by praising the plot. Outstanding- throughout the whole book really. But in this one, it once again moved at the perfect pace. I did not get bored whatsoever and the only reason I took a break was because life got hectic and then I was trying to get into a roleplay on Tumblr that didn't work out.

Further on, I have never been a fan of the “friends-to-lovers” scenario but here I was glad for it. I liked Maya with Rafe but it just felt right, when she started seeing Daniel in a whole new light and started distancing herself from Rafe. Honestly, I was cheering them on the whole time and I couldn't get enough of their interactions with each other. This book showed me that some relationships burn out, even in books and I'm glad she didn't keep forcing Rafe and Maya's relationship. And the characterization? Top notch, as always. Although I did like the focus on Maya and Daniel. What a great pair.

Usually, I would say that such a basic writing style takes away from the whole book but not in this case. I like how it was precise and to the point, without adding anything extra. It was easy to get into the action and to picture the scenes in my head as they unfolded in the book. I loved Armstrong's writing style and will definitely pick up all the rest of her books sometime in the future.

Now, let's get to the reason why I loved this book immensely more than the previous one in the series. First of, I can now see how The Calling was dragging a little, especially with them being stranded and trying to find their way home. The plane crash was definitely necessary to the plot, but the plot seemed to drag without any significant characterization happening or anything else for that matter. With that said, it was still a great book and for that reason I am not changing my rating on it. However, this book was much better and more diverse and exciting.

I was mostly satisfied with the ending, although I would have liked to see Armstrong take a little more time in letting us know what happened after their adventure ended. I mean, I was looking forward so much to the epilogue and was a little disappointed with how short it was. Maybe this means there will be a continuation of Maya's story in the future? I certainly hope so. But still, it could have been a little longer and I would have felt much more satisfied. Also, why couldn't we get a little more of Daniel and Maya at the end too? I wanted to see their blossoming romance more than what was offered to us at the end of the book.

All in all, the third book in the Darkness Rising trilogy blew me away. The previous books were good as well, although the second one was worse for me than the other two. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick read and also wants an adventure-packed story with a bit of a supernatural twist. Oh, and the romance doesn't lack there either.

The second book in the Darkness Rising Trilogy was another home-run for me and I honestly can't say which book I liked more, the first one or this one. Usually, I prefer books with more romance but in this case, I didn't mind the lack of romance for the majority of the book and it blew me away- just like the first book in the series had.

To begin with, the thing I loved most about this book was the amount of action that was in it. For the majority of the book that's all we got- action. And although usually I prefer some romance in there as well, in this book I didn't mind it at all. It seemed fitting to the plot line and the action was done so beautifully that it took my breath away and kept me on the edge of my seat. Also, the end of the book makes up for the lack of romance earlier,so it ends up being worth the wait.

Another thing that I really enjoyed was the progression of Daniel's and Maya's friendship. I honestly didn't think their friendship could get any stronger, but I was wrong. Because of the dire situations and circumstances they have to face, their bond gets even stronger and it was a joy following this progression. Usually, I prefer to read about romantic relationships as opposed to friendly ones but in this case I loved every second of it. It made the lack of romance easier to handle.

Aside from Daniel and Maya's relationship progression, all of the character development was amazing. We finally got a good look into all the characters as intricate human beings, even though the point of view was Maya's. It makes me want to be friends with this wonderful group of people who always have each other's backs.

As I've mentioned before, I didn't really like the lack of romance throughout the majority of the book but the action packed plot and Maya's and Daniel's friendship made up for that. When we finally did get to the romance in the end, it was more intense and I felt it very strongly- it just felt so real.

And yes, there was a cliffhanger at the end. But that didn't really bother me as much in this book. I do want to know what happened next but I am satisfied with where the plot took me in this book. It would have been nice to have some more questions answered but I am content with how the book ended and what was revealed. So, it seems there's really nothing about this book that I dislike.

All in all, I recommend this book to anyone who loves action and adventure. Also, anyone who loves reading about the supernatural will enjoy this book as well. But seriously, read this book- you won't regret it!

This book was terrific, from beginning to end. The plot was captivating in all aspects and I will definitely be reading Armstrong's other books. I thought this book was actually going to be too short but it seemed just the right length without being too drawn out.

To begin with, I will mention the only thing I didn't quite love about this book- the style of the writing. I was actually going to give this book four stars instead of five for that matter but because everything else about this book was perfect, I had to go with five. What I particularly didn't like about the writing style was that it was a bit awkward, the wording of the sentences in some places. Once I got used to it, it was fine, but before that I had a hard time understanding who certain things were happening to and whom the author was talking about. Now, this wasn't a hard thing to get used to by any means- after a few chapters I didn't even notice it anymore.

On the other hand, the thing I loved most about this book was the fast-paced and very intriguing plot. It wasn't drawn out and it didn't drag, it moved at the perfect pace. And within that plot, it had something for everyone- from romance to adventure, therefore I believe anyone could enjoy this book. Originally, I would prefer a book with a little more romance then adventure but in this case I really didn't mind because it was the perfect balance and it was executed beautifully all throughout the book.

Another thing that blew me away in this book was the whole idea of skin-walkers. Maybe that's because it's my first book with them ( I haven't read that many books yet) but it definitely left me fascinated about this topic. And they turn into big cats? How fucking awesome is that? Love it, love it, love it.

In addition, the characters were a good representation of real people because they included what the main character, Maya, was feeling and thinking. And because the book was from her perspective, that was good. I got to see somewhat into her head. A very unique aspect of this book in particular, were the flashbacks and I really enjoyed reading those. It gave me a better sense of how things actually happened, instead of just taking her word for it. Also, they showed us what happened in the past and how it led up to what's happening in the present moment. And the relationship between Rafe and Maya was so freaking adorable, I couldn't take it. I can't wait to see what happens between them in the next book. Also, I want a friendship like Daniel and Maya have, okay? Seriously, what a strong bond.

All in all, this book was truly enjoyable and I will be continuing her series shortly. Whether or not I will need to read a different book before continuing, I am not sure. I recommend this read to anyone who enjoys some fantasy but still wants to feel like the world created by the author is possible in real life. Also, fans of both adventure and romance will dig this book as well.

This was my first Nora Roberts novel and although I came in with no expectations whatsoever, I have to say- I was a bit disappointed. I thought that the smut aspect of it would exceed most other books but I was wrong.

To begin with, the story itself wasn't bad but it wasn't great either. Maybe it's because I don't care much for fixing houses but I found myself feeling distant and withdrawn from the main story line. For this reason it didn't maintain my attention whatsoever and I found myself putting this book down many, many times. I even waited months to finish the last chapter, just because I didn't care that much what happened to the main characters or how the story ended for that matter.

Further on, the pace of the story was a bit too drawn out for my liking. I wanted more action but instead things happened way too slowly and we only got further into solving the mystery towards the end of the book. That's not to say that I don't like romance, I love romance, I would have just liked to see a more equal amount of romance to mystery. Instead, the real action began way too far into the book and before that all we got was romance between the main two characters.

Also, the smut was adequate, that is all. It didn't blow me away or make me want to keep reading, it was just....eh. The reason for this was because it seemed a little too vague, even to the point where I had to reread certain parts because I had a hard time understanding what exactly was going on at some points. I like when smut is not too vulgar and not too vague either and this book just didn't do it for me in that aspect. I don't know whether or not I will try another Nora Roberts novel in the future, we will have to see.

The only redeeming quality I found in this book was the character development and how real the characters themselves seemed. I especially liked that the two main characters had little quirks and hobbies and everything else that actual people have. Cilla was the handyman, the one who's passion was to remake houses, while Ford's was to create comics. It was also unique because the stereotypical traits of a woman and a man were reversed in this case. This made for an interesting dynamic between them and it made the book more enjoyable.

All in all, this novel was okay. However, I would not recommend it to anyone because I think there are many other books out there that are much more worth your time.

I wasn't really sure at all what to expect with this book. To begin with, it has been one of the most talked about books for a long while and since I've had so much success with Twilight in the past, I thought I'd take my chances with this book as well. Although, for me, nothing can replace Twilight because that book and movie will forever have a special place in my heart. I gotta say, I liked it. That's it- nothing more, nothing less.

For beginners, this book has a lot of raw and deep emotions, especially between the two main characters, Anastasia and Christian. For this reason alone, I gave the book four stars and not three. I could feel the chemistry between them and I loved how intensely protective Christian was of Anastasia, even if he particularly wasn't attractive or alluring to me as a man. The book went into depth to describe what each person was feeling and that made it much more interesting to read overall. Also, the little parts about her inner goddess and the other thing going on in her head were really interesting and unique to this book.

However, the plot definitely wasn't one of my favorites. In my opinion, it lacked any real conflict except for the relationship drama that went on between the two main characters all throughout the book. It missed any real central conflict. I mean, it did have a central conflict that ran a good length of the book but in my eyes it wasn't an actual conflict where something bad happens or some kind of obstacle occurs. Instead, the events failed to keep me on the edge of my seat. This book can be summarized in one phrase- a steamy story about two people obsessed with each other- that is all. And this makes for a rather disappointing plot. Don't get me wrong, I love romance and undying love between two characters but even for me- I would have liked to see some other things happen as well.

The vocabulary and grammar of this book were on the easy side and it made for an overall smooth, quick and easy read. The sentences although simple, flowed nicely and weren't choppy either. The smut was nice as well, although it wasn't fantastic because words tended to be repeated in different sex scenes. And there were A LOT of sex scenes. In my opinion, this made for a steamy book without any real meat in it.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants an easy and quick read that is full of steamy scenes but doesn't want to go through the roller-coaster of reading about any real tragedies or turn of events. Also, if anyone is expecting (like I am) and is feeling particularly horny lately, this book is for you- trust me. You'll thank me later.

Although I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it wasn't as good as the previous two, at least in my opinion. My favorite was the story of Ellie and Javier, even though I despise Javier immensely. This book just didn't have as much raw emotion as the other one did and maybe there was just a little too much action in it for me and not enough romance.

First of all, let me begin by stating that I love the story that Halle has created and although I love some characters more than others, they are all beautifully brought to life and always stay true to who they are, in every situation. I think this is part of the reason I hate Javier so much, because of how incredibly realistic she made him and how nonredeemable he has become, up to this point in the book.

The development of all the characters were epic, especially in this book, and it was amazing to see how all their different journeys changed who they were on the inside as well. However, I would have liked to see a little more romance in this one, even though I know it was more so because of the story line, I just felt like that was missing a little.

Again, the is writing flawless ,as always and super easy to read and I found myself getting into the book and not noticing how fast the pages flew by. Because I work now, I am not able to read as much as I'd like but reading on the train is a big help, as long as I make sure not to miss my stop.

I can't wait to read the next book, now, because again Ellie and Camden are together and I always loved them. I definitely ship them more than Javier and Ellie, especially because Camden and Ellie bring out the best in each other and Javier just drags Ellie down, making her believe that she can't be good even if she tried. I am excited to see the dynamic of all three of them in the next book though, and how their relationships progress.

What I didn't like in this book was that even though it was mostly action, the book felt slow at parts and was lagging. And even when it was a bit slow, it seemed the romance wasn't there to fill the slow pace. Or maybe it's just because I despise Javier so much and want him gone, so I didn't enjoy his private moments with Ellie. Also, what was up with that cliffhanger at the end? It made me a little bitter, not going to lie. And even though I do want to read the next book, it didn't really make me all the more eager to start it right away. In some books I really don't mind cliffhangers but in that one I did, not entirely sure why.

All in all, this book was terrific and although it missed the mark at some points, for me, I still had a great time reading it and enjoyed it very much. I recommend this book and series to anyone who likes adventure, enjoys the occasional love triangle and isn't uncomfortable with some smut now and then.

Wow, I thought Redmerski's In the Company of Killers series couldn't get any better but I was wrong. She is a master at writing dark/romance/suspense novels and I can't believe I have to wait for the next book in these amazing series. Well, I am happy that there is another book, especially since this one left of with a bit of a cliffhanger at the end but I was never a patient person.

Let me just begin by saying that as much as I loved Fredrik's story in the pervious book, this one topped that for me. Partly because I missed Izabel's and Victor's story but also because it was nice to see so much interaction between all of the amazingly developed characters, especially in such an interesting and at the same time infuriating setting with another horrifying character introduced in this book, Nora. Oh, Nora. I hate her but I also love her because she added so much intrigue and depth to the other characters that she was very much needed in this book, at least in my opinion. Also, I loved how we got to follow each character as they developed and changed and were molded by the secrets they revealed, with their past laid out on the table for everyone else to see. I don't think any of them remained the same, they all progressed or regressed in some significant way.

The stakes were higher and this book was on a whole new level. I loved that each character was forced to reveal a part of their past that we didn't know anything about by confessing their secret to Nora. It made them even more three-dimensional and they literally jumped off the page at me. I could feel everything they were feeling, and their emotions were so complicated and intense and I just loved it, I couldn't get enough. This book swallowed me whole and didn't spit me back out until I was done.

Of course, the writing was flawless, as it always is with Redmerski's books and it was a very smooth read all the way through.

And as angry as I am by the abrupt cliffhangers (yes, more than one) at the end, I still think the book ended in a perfect place, I'm just not used to having to wait for the next book since most of the books I read this year have been out for a while already and the sequels too.

I am so glad that I'm going to end this year with a bang, since this is probably the last book I will read in 2014 and it was by far one of the best. I just hope my next year's books will be just as amazing as this year's have been. This year has opened me entirely to the wonderful world of books and now I am literally hooked. I have become much less picky about the books I read and for this reason I am willing to give almost all books a chance, since so many have pleasantly surprised me in the past.

Anyways, I recommend this book to anyone who loves amazing and complicated characters along with those who love books full of suspence and thrills that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This book of the series didn't have as much smut as the previous ones but that didn't make it any less amazing or sexy. I recommend this book to everyone!

I wasn't sure about reading this book because I really disliked Javier but I am so glad I read it. I even loved this book much more than the first book in The Artists Trilogy, it just seemed deeper and more emotional to me.

If I wasn't sure about Karina Halle before, I absolutely love her as an author now. Not only is she very good at getting across emotion, which we saw through Ellie's mind, she is also good at action scenes and you feel like you're in the scene with the characters as the scene is unfolding.

Also, why is this book recommended to be read after the first book in The Artists Trilogy? I would have probably enjoyed it more if I had read it before the first book. I mean, there is some history mentioned about Ellie and Javier in the first one but we don't really know in more detail what happened between them. This would have just given us some more background information, and we would have had an easier time understanding why Ellie was so reluctant to love again after him and planned on conning Camden in the beginning. I am never listening to those “recommendations” again.

In addition, I loved how messed up their relationship was. It was so intense, heartfelt and didn't feel forced whatsoever. I mean, I still don't like Javier but at least I understand more of why he did what he did. And I don't think that Ellie's relationship with Camden was as intense but there are still two more books in the series so I guess we'll see what happens. At this point I am leaning slightly towards Javier as who I like more for Ellie.

I actually read this book like 5 days ago but since I'm a working woman now, I wasn't able to write a review until now. Safe to say, this book blew the previous one out of the water and I think anyone who likes intense relationships with plenty of smut will enjoy this book immensely and should give it a chance. I am definitely reading the rest of the books in the series soon because now I'm curious to know what happens to Ellie and if she ever finds her one true love.

Oh yeah, and the writing- flawless. Easy to read and hard to put down, even though it was on the shorter side in terms of length. Still, it was full of feeling and I got deeply invested in the story. In one word- it was a terrific book!

(ARC provided via NetGalley for an honest review.)

I can describe this book in in one word: cute. No, it wasn't one of those books that will leave an everlasting impression on me for the rest of my life but it was pleasurable to read just the same. Plus, the fact that it takes place in a very wintery part of the world goes along with the Christmas mood and it's a fitting book to read for this time of the year.

To begin with, the writing was good and flowed smoothly in addition to very well structured sentences and a wide array of vocabulary. Short books are already way too short, there's nothing that ruins them more than spelling or grammar mistakes so kudos to the author on that note.

On a less positive note, when I first began reading this book, I had a hard time feeling the chemistry between Melanie and Joe just because it seemed a little forced to me. However, after I got a little bit more into the book I warmed up to them and their chemistry seemed to flow a little more naturally. I guess this is also partially why I didn't finish this book in one day. Well, that along with my never ending search for a decent job- which I found by the way, FINALLY!

Moving on, the plot as well fell just a bit short for my liking. Maybe it's the fact that I have read some books with very exciting and jumping-off-the-edge-of-the-cliff kind of plots lately but it just wasn't enough excitement for me. Don't get me wrong, it was still far from what I would consider boring, I just wish it would have been a little more adventurous is all.

With that being said, I loved how deep Masters ventured into the minds of the two main characters. Not only were the chapters being written from their personal perspectives very fun and amusing to follow but they also added a very personal touch. I loved that, just for that I would be willing to read more of the author's works. Although with my new job, I will have far less time to read. Oh well.

Also, I should point out that I didn't check the genre of this book before I requested it and just thought that it would be a romance novel with some smut in it. Unfortunately, it had no smut in it whatsoever. Although that didn't take away from my experience of the book, I have to make a mental note to myself that I have officially turned into a horny, sex-craving reader who loves those kinky sex scenes. Yep, how interesting. I almost wish there were some because I would have liked to see that private moment between Melanie and Joe, whom I grew to adore by the end of the book. I guess anything to make the short book just a little bit longer. Although, her film crew really annoyed me- I wouldn't have minded less of them.

All in all, this is a very cute romance story that was just way too short and I felt like it ended just as we were getting to the good part. Also an epilogue would have added a little something to the book as well. I recommend this to anyone wanting a quick romance read that will undoubtedly leave them wanting more without a continuation waiting for them in the future.

A book hasn't touched me this deeply in so long that I don't think I will have the right words to describe just how amazing this book was, in every sense of the word. It was extraordinary.

At first I was reluctant to read this once I found out that it wasn't about Sarai and Victor anymore because their story mesmerized me to my core and I was sad to have to switch to Fredrik's story. But I am so glad that I gave this book a chance because I think I loved his story more than I loved Victor's and Sarai's.

First of, Redmerski will forever be one of my favorite writers because it seems that each book of hers I read is better than the one before it. It's astonishing how she manages to weave a very complex story flawlessly infused with heart and feeling and everything else. This book took me on a very emotional roller coaster ride and I had a lot of what the fuck just happened moments as well. I don't think I have ever been as blindsided by any book like I was by this one. I just didn't see any of that coming, any of it. Totally took me by surprise.

And the writing I can describe in one word: flawless. It flawed perfectly and wasn't overly simplistic and this made for a fast paced read that I couldn't put down for the life of me.

And the characters? I think Fredrik is now my favorite “book boyfriend”. He's just so mysterious and dark and tortured, such a complex character as he jumped out at me from the pages of my Nook and made my heart literally ache for him with everything that he went through in his story. And Cassia as well, a character with so many layers and complexities and it was just perfect, so perfect. I'm so sad that Fredrik didn't get the happy ending he deserved but that made the book that much more real and meaningful because in real life we often don't always get the happy ending we want. I loved that sadness and truthfulness of the book.

And the smut was also phenomenal. It didn't even feel like I was reading smut, it was so masterfully woven into the whole story and felt like it belonged there. Vocabulary was perfect and not too forward without being too vague either. Perfection, as with everyone else about this book.

I doubt any book I read after this will move me as much as this book has and for that reason I am entirely very sad that it ended but I will carry Fredrik's story with me forever. It was that meaningful and deep to me. I think if anyone hasn't read this book before they are missing out because it's the kind of book that has the potential to change our perception and to stay with us long after we finished reading it.

And how astonishing was the plot? Very, I'd say. It had a lot of ups and downs and ups and downs, just the way I love it. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I needed to keep reading to find out what would happen next. And the climax, there are no words. All I can say is that everyone should read this astonishing book and that I will probably read all of Redmerski's books soon because she is a phenomenal writer and knows exactly what I love in the books I read. I just loved every single part of this book and I'm even happier to know that the next installment in the series is also about Fredrik and Seraphina. Such a beautiful yet heartbreaking story, it surpassed my expectations by far.

I recommend this book to anyone and everyone who wants a touching and heartfelt read. So much meaning and depth and emotion can be derived from this book that I think it should be a must-read for anyone who loves suspense and romance in their books.

(ARC provided via NetGalley for an honest review.)

And now I'm a believer. If I wasn't sure about NetGalley before, I am now. I wasn't quite sure about this book when it started, before we got to the kinky parts but that didn't take too long and then it was just smooth sailing from there.

First of, I just have to say that this book was wonderfully orchestrated. It was my first Sub/Dom novel and it didn't disappoint. I wasn't quite sure what to expect but I was more than pleasantly surprised, that's for sure.

I am so glad that I ventured out of my comfort zone and gave this book a chance. The grammar and writing of this book were a little more complicated than I am used to but I like a challenge. I would say it's intermediate level in terms of that and the writing is wonderful.

And India Burke, what an interesting heroine. I don't think I've read a book with a heroine who was as sharp-tongued and bitchy as she was, except maybe Scarlett O'Hara but I read that a long time ago. I loved that she had a mind of her own and reminded me of myself in some parts. What I especially loved is that she stayed true to herself all throughout the book and didn't make any decisions that made me question her character. No, she is definitely a character who's not very comfortable with change or intimacy and it shows in her actions and decisions. And I absolutely loved that, she made the book that much more interesting.

However, India Burke wasn't just your average bitch either, no. She was a bitch in real life who likes to escape into a world of submission on her “lost weekends” and this made her so damn human to me. I mean, how many of us feel the need to escape from our real lives from time to time? To get lost in something and not to have to think about what's going on in our lives right now? For me, it has become reading but there are many other ways that people escape too. Also, we had a really good explanation of her background and why she likes to escape in this manner and why she is the way that she is. Having been a psychology major in school, it's very important for me that books have that foundation. Otherwise it just doesn't draw me in as much.

The only thing I didn't like was the part where she was working because for some reason this part was kind of confusing to me and the writing didn't flow as well as in the kinky/love parts of the book. Maybe it's because I know nothing about the type of work she does and the housing guidelines and what not, especially because there were a lot of those nuances in there and they went right over my head. Fortunately, they were only a small part of the book and I still read over them, trying to understand as well as I could. This shouldn't upset anyone though, because this book is eighty percent romantic/erotic and those parts are amazing.

Sex scenes? Ummmm, absolutely out-of-the-box, imaginative and they blew my mind. I mean, I haven't read any dom/sub books in the past but I'm certain the sex scenes are really good even by the highest standards. And there was a good mix of the sub/dom sex scenes and then the India/Crispin ones as well, which was a very unique twist for me and they both made me hot and bothered. Vocabulary did not lack here either, because it was written in a sophisticated manner but that didn't prevent it from being sizzling and super hot.

And did I mention how we got to venture into India's mind? I loved the first point-of-view and this book masterfully gave us a deep look into the mind of India Burke. I mean, it was almost as though we could see into her soul which I haven't found with any other book before this one. In terms of characters I just wish that we got more background info on Crispin, although who knows, maybe there will be in the next book of the series.

Which brings me to the cliffhanger at the end. Like, what the fuck? I thought this book was a stand-alone. I mean, don't get me wrong, I am glad there's another book and it's needed to tie everything together but I just wanted them to get their happily-ever-after already. That's all. And now I have to wait to know what happens? Ahh. I can't help but be frustrated.

The only other thing that I didn't care for was the name of the book, Personal Geography? I don't get it, I think it wouldn't draw as many people to read this book because the name doesn't do the book justice and isn't a good indicator of what this book is about. I was not a big fan of this but I'm glad I gave the book a shot because I was not disappointed.

All in all, I recommend this book to anyone who wants a unique story with twists that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride. Also, the plot is mesmerizing and people who enjoy smut will love this book. It has a lot to offer.

(ARC provided via NetGalley for an honest review.)

I give this book a standing ovation, I really do. After the last two books I read from NetGalley turned out to be huge disappointments I was really starting to lose my faith in the site but now this book has redeemed it. I am once again a believer and I will continue to use NetGalley, perhaps I will just be a bit pickier when choosing what books to request.

Now let me tell you why this book was phenomenal. In one word- EVERYTHING. That's right. I loved everything about this book. The only thing I am sad and disappointed about with this book is that it's a stand alone and I won't be able to read about Noah's and Kathryn's relationship further. Damn it. Oh well.

To begin with, this is the first romance/erotic novel I've read with realistic dialogue! Yes, finally! The conversations between the characters were believable and I didn't roll my eyes like I have done so often during previous books. Yes, the book is about love and two people falling in love with each other but the author didn't overdo it with the cheesiness and I am forever grateful. There was just enough love in the dialogue between them but not overly so where it was dripping with it.

Also, there are a lot of sex scenes in this book but I enjoyed every last one of them. I loved that they varied from intensity to position...etc. Finally, an author using their kinky creativity. It seems the more I read well written smut, the more I become a sex vixen myself and my boyfriend can definitely appreciate it. Thank you, Cathryn Fox!

And the characters? So much depth to each one of them and I think this is the first time I found myself crying over a book in a long time. Perhaps it had something to do with the down-to-earth plot that still managed to have some adventure in it and didn't disappoint. I could relate to both characters and I loved that they all had their own demons to deal with because let's face it- we are all human beings and are fighting our own battles within ourselves. I loved that we were given background info on why the characters were the way that they were because it added complexity and dynamic to them.

And I loved the changing perspectives. It gave a further insight into the depths of the characters and their inner mind processes and the like. Never did I think that a romance novel could move me like this, especially since it was pretty short and a stand alone. I really wish the author would make a second book to this one, a continuation. Damn it, I want more.

The writing too, was very well orchestrated and I was able to easily follow it without getting bored from it being overly basic.

All in all, this was a terrific book and I will be reading more of Fox's books in the near future, you can bet on that. Also, if my review hasn't convinced you to read this book yet perhaps I should mention that it's super late here, in Chicago, and although I am extremely tired and should probably go get some rest, I had to go downstairs to use our business center's computer and internet because I had to share my positive feelings about this amazing book. My mom took away our internet at the house so now I have to venture outside the apartment and downstairs in order to get it. So yeah, this is the profound affect this book had on me. I recommend this to everyone who doesn't mind smut and wants a heartfelt story that will move them. Loved it, absolutely blew me away.

(ARC provided via NetGalley for an honest review.)

I picked up this book not sure what to expect and I think overall the book was okay. It didn't blow me away in any way but it was somewhat enjoyable for me to read this book.

First of, the story was rather short and there wasn't enough drama in it, in my opinion. It lacked the “wow” factor for me. The grammar and the writing was pretty good and it flowed smoothly. However, it didn't manage to save the mediocre plot.

Further, if anyone has read some of my previous reviews, they would know that I love twisted, messed up and moments that make me go “What the fuck?”. Safe to say there were no such moments like these during this book. I will have to make a note to myself that I like romance, I really do, but I prefer there to be some kind of adventure or interesting stuff that happens and is tied into it. I like a balance but this book was entirely romance and that was a negative point for me.

In addition, the characters were not completely two-dimensional but they didn't jump of the page either. Although we were given a good look into the minds of both major characters, it just came across as tedious and redundant at some points all due to the fact that the plot was lacking in everything but romance. I myself am a hopeless romantic and I love romance but this book was a bit too much, even for me. It might have also had to do with the fact that some of the dialogue was rather cheesy and unbelievable and Tristan's and Mandy's relationship was just way too flawless for majority of the book, except for the moments when they weren't together which lasted for almost no time at all.

Also, call me a pessimist but do men really change? It seems like the plot was just too good to be true and it was a bit “fairy-tale like” (especially the ending). And the ending? It was just way too neatly resolved and all the ends were tied and it didn't make me ponder anything further, after I've already finished the book. I like books that make me think further and challenge my mind beyond but this book did nothing of that sort.

I also have to add that some of the grammar was just overly simplistic and it almost made me think that I could write a book like this, with my limited amount of vocabulary and my rather low amount of books that I've read. And don't get me started on the smut. I appreciate the writer being straightforward and calling things by their right names but I couldn't help but feel that it was just way too redundant and the variety of words used was very limited. This made for sex scenes that were not memorable and become boring/redundant after a while, considering the fact that there were a lot of them all throughout the book. I think it's a first for me in the sense that I was able to stop reading the book in the middle of a sex scene, usually I can't put it down at moments like these and they get me all hot and bothered.

All in all, this book was a let down although I didn't expect much from it anyways. The only people I would recommend this to would be people who want a very quick and easy read and don't mind cheesy either. Is this book really worthwhile? Not at all.

Yay, my first honest book review for a book I got of NetGalley (nifty little site). This book is what I would call a “hot mess”. I haven't given such a low rating to a book before but I have to be honest here, never before have I had such a problem getting through a book. And this book wasn't even that long. It just dragged, because the plot moved at a very slow pace and did not leave me on the edge of my seat.

And did the synopsis say this book is a thriller? I'm wondering what they based that assumption on. In my opinion, this book has no characteristics of a thriller. For one, there was nothing very huge or surprising that happened anywhere in this book. I think the most surprising thing that happened was Adelia snooping in Miles' office but even when he caught her, nothing really happened whatsoever. Perhaps if the writing was more in the moment, we would have felt in the midst of everything but the writing was distant and confusing at times. And what was the first chapter for? I don't understand the significance of it because it seemed completely useless to the whole book.

The writing surely didn't flow at all and for this reason I was fully aware exactly what page of the book I was on and how much of it was still left. And Adelia, don't even get me started with her. Never has a main character annoyed me more. Who in their right mind would marry someone in about a week? I get the whole in love thing, I really do and I have personal experience with that but come on. Really? I rolled my eyes like 50 times during the whole book.

And apart from Adelia, Miles was just as annoying if not more. Was it just me or did the characters seem extremely two-dimensional? I mean, there weren't any quirks about either of them and they just seemed so flat and not memorable in any way.

I think this is the first book that I've ever read that I had such a big problem getting through. I've just been having so much luck with all my books previously and this was a huge letdown, especially because the cover of the book was pretty and I really wanted to like this book.

And then we move on to the plot, which in my opinion left a lot to be desired. I mean, most of the book is Adelia and Miles having smutty sex. And don't get me wrong, I love smut but in this book it just seemed pointless and very redundant. Plus, the variety of words used during the smut was very limited and didn't take my breath away in any way. I think the point where I started liking the book more than previously was when Miles forced Adelia to leave his farm and to go back to her own place. At least at this point things got a little more interesting than they were before and not so “happy, happy” and fairytale like. I wish Ami would have wrote that event sooner into the book because it would have saved the book for me by far.

With that being said, this book is probably the worst that I have read this year and many years previously as well. The plot could have used some work, the writing didn't flow smoothly and I just wasn't feeling it at all. Safe to say, I will not be picking up the next book in this series nor will I recommend this book to anyone. I hope my next book will be much more satisfying and more quality as well.

I have mixed feelings about this book but more of the feelings are definitely positive. I will definitely be picking up the next book in the trilogy soon, probably after I read a few different books after this one. And what's up with the cliffhanger at the end? Ah, it infuriated me so.

To begin with, the writing style of this book is not my favorite but it's not that bad either. It's mediocre for me. After reading two books before this that I absolutely loved, this one fell a bit short. The writing was mediocre because it was a bit choppy for me at some parts. I found there were moments when I had to reread sentences or sections over again because I felt like I read them wrong the first time. It just didn't flow naturally for me, the writing. Although this didn't happen too often, it did take away a little from the book in my opinion.

Also, I would have liked there to be a bit more feeling and emotion in the writing but it seems the author gave just enough, the bare minimum. Being a highly emotional person myself, I thrive on raw emotion in my books and this one didn't have nearly enough. Also, even though the book was written from the perspective of Ellie Watt, I felt like I didn't get quite as deep of a look into her mind as I wanted to. A deeper connection between the heroine and the reader was missing for me. And for this reason I wasn't as on the edge of my seat as I could have been.

In addition, the smut was good but it wasn't great. I liked that it didn't overwhelm the book in any way but the writing itself in these parts could have been a bit classier and done a little more tastefully. I guess it was a little too straightforward for me. I like when there's a bigger array of different words used in a scene like that. It seemed a little redundant to me and the different sex scenes kind of blended together in my mind.

With that being said, there were also things that I loved about this book, hence why I gave it 4 stars and not 3. For example, the plot was fantastic. I thought it was very wisely done and there were a lot of surprises in this book or moments that made me go “What the actual fuck?”. Aside from all the negative stuff that I mentioned before, the plot definitely redeemed the book for me and for this reason I kept reading. Also, at first I didn't like how we kept going back between present day and the past, through Ellie's eyes but I got used to it and then I actually began to like it. It was just something different that I haven't seen in many books before, even though I haven't read nearly that many books whatsoever.

Yes, the cover was pretty too but it still didn't do the story line justice. I think the going back and forth between her past and present made the most significance when we started to see the relationship develop between Ellie and Camden (present day) and before that it wasn't necessary, although it was interesting to see how she was forced into this life as a con-artist and couldn't stop being one even when she tried. Although, it was weird that when we read about her in the past, she was referred to as “her” and not by name. I understand the significance of her being different back than and still morphing into the person that she was today but I didn't think that was necessary. It actually made it a little impersonal to me at those parts, for that reason and I felt detached from her.

Finally, I love the dark/complicated, “bad guy” characters and for this reason I love Camden. He was just the right amount of dark and light to me that I found him to be realistic and not two-dimensional. I loved how him and Ellie had history already because I haven't read too many books with some background already between the characters in the beginning of the book. And the development of their present day relationship was going at just the perfect pace, not making them fall madly in love with each other right off the bat. I love that both of them are bitter and resentful towards each other in the beginning but then gradually the love outweighs all the negative feelings they harbor towards each other and it makes for a beautiful yet messed-up relationship. Those are the best.

All in all, this book is for anyone who wants a good story to read- full of excitement, romance and a bit of smut. I think teenagers would enjoy this book and people older as well. It was good although it did miss the “wow” factor for me by a bit.

So many feels! I can't even start to try to communicate all the things that this book made me feel. It was a roller coaster from beginning to end and I couldn't put it down. Anyone who hasn't read this series is missing out, big time. I was reluctant to try a book so out of my comfort zone and by an author I've never heard of before but I am so glad that I have. I can't wait to pick up the next one, probably later on today actually.

To begin with, I love how the author writes with so much emotion and depth- in this book especially. Although I loved the first book in the series to pieces, this one topped it for me. I honestly felt like I was Sarai, feeling everything and experiencing everything just as she was, from the beginning to the end of the novel. The story alone was gripping and breathtaking but everything else was top notch as well.

In this book, the main characters are all established for the most part and I loved seeing the progression of Victor's and Sarai's relationship- with both the good and the bad. Their relationship is far from perfect, in any sense of the word and that's just the way I like it. And then there's a twist after twist that just comes at you from every direction and you do not see it coming whatsoever. At least, I definitely didn't. I love those mind-fucks for sure, they make the book so much more exciting. This book is making me emotional just writing about it.

I really liked the way the book wasn't too fast paced but it didn't drag either. It gave just enough, enough emotions and action and it was just perfect in its writing style. I honestly want to read all of Redmerski's books now, and I can't wait.

Also this book ended in a very good place in a way that didn't make me frustrated with a huge cliffhanger but also made me very eager to read the next one to find out how the new story line progresses as it developed after Sarai proved herself . I love that Sarai had to prove herself because it made her a stronger heroine and she developed a better sense of herself now that she has found out what the life she wants actually entails. And I adored being able to follow that progression myself. I loved that she wasn't just a master killer in no time at all and that she still has a lot to learn, although she has managed to prove herself loyal and cut out for the path still ahead of her. It was just more realistic this way than her just placed on killing missions straight away and succeeding in them. Also, this way her relationship with all the other characters has become stronger as she has bonded with them through all her experiences. It made me want to be a part of their little “tight-knit-killing-family.” Where do I apply?

It also had smut, but the smut wasn't overpowering and didn't take away from the plot in any way. If anything, it just gave it a little something extra. It seemed like the author knew exactly how much smut and romance/love to give us and when to move on to something else, before we got too overwhelmed by it or got bored. Action and romance, I now understand how much I love both of these in a book and she wove them both beautifully throughout the story.

I just hope that the next book will either be as equally amazing or even more so. I am not a big fan of reading all the books in a series right after each other but for this book I will make an exception, especially because I'm dying to know what happens next and I can't contain my anticipation at how the story progresses further. Everyone should check out this story, anyone mature enough for graphic scenes and some smut anyways.

I can honestly say I didn't know I could love this book as much as I did. Yes, this book contained loads of smut and very sexually graphic scenes but it didn't take away from the fact that this book was written from the heart, to illustrate a beautiful, yet heart-breaking story. I don't remember the last time I was so enveloped in a story. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about how intense this book was and gripping.

I think that any book that can bring forth so much raw emotion and feelings is one of a kind. And this book did just that, for me. I felt one with Angela, write of the bat and it felt like I was feeling exactly what she was feeling at each moment. This was in part because of how good the writing was. I still can't get over the emotional roller coaster that this book took me on.

I loved that Angela was written so realistically, all her actions stemming from who she was as a person, deep inside. Her reaction to being abducted and the rather fast adaptation she made into the life of “luxurious slavery” depicted the realistic ways in which humans adapt to real life situations, especially when they involve life and death aspects to them or need-for-survival aspects. In order to survive, Angela had to adapt to her life as a slave and she did, even gaining something out of it, her self confidence. It was as if she found herself through the whole experience and realized who she was as a person, at her very core. It was extremely painful to read some parts, especially those that showed her being forced to mature into a woman sexually but it was also an eye-opener because it depicted something that goes on in real life, even today. Although this book was a work of fiction, it's not as far of from the truth as we would like to believe.

This book definitely had the “anti-hero” in the form of Colin and he came to life before my eyes. So complicated, and full of demons, Colin was perfect for the story. The author also touched upon his humanity, or what makes us humans, because she showed Colin also adapting to his circumstances, particularly when he enters Paradise in order to try to find Angela. At the core all human beings have desires, even if those desires are so dark and almost inhuman in every sense of the word. I loved how he was torn between knowing what was right but also giving into what he knew was wrong but felt so right and good. During his experience at Paradise, he battled a lot of inner turmoil and demons that prompted him to act on his instincts and to forget that this place was actually as bad as he knew deep down it was. He definitely enjoyed many aspects of this evil place.

And the dynamic between him and Angela, my gosh- no words can describe the chemistry I felt between these two characters. Each an individual but deeply affected by the other. So much raw passion, I'm not a big fan of a book having so much smut all throughout but this smut I couldn't get enough of. It was like one of those guilty pleasures you know you shouldn't be doing but you can't help yourself because the pleasure that it brings is worth it. This was how this book was to me.

And for the first time, I can say that the ending was perfect, even if it did end up on a pretty positive note. All I can say is that the two characters deserved it, especially after the emotional roller coaster they sent me on for most of this book and what they'd gone through. Field is my new favorite author now because this book has turned me into a believer and made me fall in love with something completely new and alien to me.

I just need to say, this book blew my socks off. There is nothing I dislike about this book and I am very sad that it's the only book about Colin and Angela, although I'll be glad to take the happy ending and run with it. I think if it didn't end well I'd be depressed for days. Ain't that the truth. This book is for anyone who is open to something new, a new experience and isn't uncomfortable with venturing out of their comfort zone, into new territory. It definitely was out of my comfort zone but I'm so glad I decided to give it a try. Definitely one of those books that will leave an everlasting impression on me. Without any doubt.

The second installment in the Stacy Killain series is just as good as the first one and actually I liked this one a little bit more. Just like the first one, this one kept me on the edge of my seat and once again, the “Game Master” was actually revealed at the very end. If Erica Spindler does this in all the rest of her books, I can't wait to read them all!

This book was very different from the first one and the reason I found this book more exciting is because of the “roleplaying-game-come-to-life scenario”. I loved that idea, especially since I have some personal experience with roleplaying games and I can see how someone might get so caught up in the game and so addicted that it would blur their version of what is real and what is not. Sometimes I find myself getting lost in my roleplaying.

This book focuses on the heroine once again, ex-cop Stacy Killian who moves away from her old life in the hopes of escaping all the hardships that she had endured and starting over. I loved how right off the bat, in the first chapter, Stacy was thrust right back into the life she was trying to escape so hard from. I loved how her being a cop for ten years was more so a way of life than just a job she could easily bounce back from and forget all about. Actually, being a cop is so much a part of her life that she takes on the same job “unofficially” even though she's not even getting paid for it anymore.

The other perspective that it switches into is the perspective of Spencer Malone. I'm not going to lie, I was really rooting for Stacy to finally get the man that she deserves and to “live happily ever after”, at least the way she sees it. I loved their lives overlapping and how their perceptions of each other gradually changed from very negative to overly positive.

Again, Spindler's flawless writing style made me completely oblivious to how much of the book I already read and how much of it I still had to read. The book went by very quickly and another one of hers I couldn't put down to save my life.

And even though there were a lot of possibilities as to who was the real killer and what not, I only found that to be that much more exciting and a unique experience in my opinion. In this one, I was completely fooled by the red herring and didn't guess the actual mastermind of the whole game until I was on the actual page on which it was revealed.

Also, we can see how the previous book's (See Jane Die) events brought Stacy to that point and how it affected her further into this new scenario. The two books were connected but also not connected so strongly that you couldn't read the second without reading the first. Even if you read the second book first, you would still get as much out of it as reading the books in order. Although reading them in order gives you the whole story and that's something you can't beat.

The book wasn't quite as perfect as I wanted it to be because the ending was a bit rushed and once we found out who the ultimate “game master” was, we didn't get a chance for the two main characters to get a little more one-on-one time. There was I think a half of a page for them and then it was over. I was disappointed, especially because the next one is supposedly focused on Spencer's aunt and not on the life of Stacy Killian once again and her budding relationship with Spencer Malone.

In conclusion, this book is a very entertaining read for those who don't mind guessing until the very end and even then being surprised by what just happened and how the book is wrapped up.

This book was probably one of the first dark romance novels I've ever read and it was a great book to begin with. It had a little bit of everything: action, adventure, romance- well actually, there was a lot of romance. It captured my attention from the start and didn't let it go until the last page, and even then it ended with a bit of a cliff-hanger.

First of all, there were very little spelling and grammar mistakes, so that made me very happy because there's nothing that ruins a book more for me than silly little spelling errors and such. It's definitely not a difficult read but it isn't overly easy either.

I love that right of the bat, we get into the action of it all, I'm not a big fan of having to read chapter after chapter waiting for the plot to get moving. In this book, there was no such thing.

Another huge plus of this book was that we get both Victor's perspective and Sarai's from time to time which switched it up a bit and kept me on my toes. In addition, instead of writing the same event and time frame from two different characters' perspectives, the book keeps moving by continuing from where the last person's perspective ended and by going into the next thing that happens after that.

The dialogue was another thing that Redmerski nailed in this book, especially since it flaws smoothly and is believable for this particular situation after taking everything else into account.

I very much loved the gradual development of Sarai's relationship with Victor and because of this it made it that much more realistic and believable. Neither character was in love with the other from first sight, and instead they end up slowly realizing just how much they both mean to each other. I myself don't believe in love-at-first-sight and this definitely made me want to keep reading, in order to find out just how things progress between them and where things end up in the end. Also, considering Sarai's messed up background- it only made sense that she had some issues in the beginning of their relationship. Psychologically, that kind of damage doesn't go away for a long time and we could see instances of her issues and damaged personas all throughout the book. I'm glad that their relationship isn't a “fairy tale” type because how boring would that be?

Can I just say how happy I was that there are more books in the series? Because that cliffhanger in the end, that really made me go WTF? I definitely can't wait to read the next one and it's actually the next book on my to-read list.

I always thought that books with a lot of smut are rather inappropriate and I wasn't really comfortable reading them until I picked up this book, which was very tastefully written. I can honestly say that this book turned me into a believer of dark, romance novels and also made me realize that smut can be written flawlessly, without being overly vulgar and yet not going into overdrive with the dirty language either. In addition, it didn't stretch any one scene for too long and kept flawing gradually from one scene to the next which in turn made it a downright delight to read.

This book is for anyone who loves a fast-paced, “assassin-rescue-the-heroine-plot” with some smut but not overly too much to overwhelm any readers who aren't really comfortable with the sexual situations.

I thought that the second installment in The Selection series was more of the same. It didn't offer that much more than the first one did, except that now America wasn't just focused on her “maybe” feelings for Prince Maxon but also whether or not she would be good at leading the country.

However, I was confused because in a part of the book it seemed that American's indecisiveness, which I found extremely irritating after a while, now not only extended into her feelings for Maxon but also into her feelings about being a princess. At one point her judgement clouded her emotions so badly that she was more focused on the ruling aspect of The Selection as opposed to the being married to a prince part. It was as if all her priorities shifted and she no longer even cared about the way she felt about Maxon in the first place or what had made her stay there so long after she'd thought it would be best for her to leave.

I think in this book my opinion of America changed, from someone who took control of her own life and didn't let anyone walk over her to someone who was very indecisive and it seemed that she lost some of her backbone in this one as well.

Although we finally are introduced to a more serious and pressing issue in this book, towards the end, I felt that this wasn't really fit smoothly into the story and because of this it made it quite choppy. It went from a fairy tale type of Romance novel to a darker/abusive one. It seemed that the three books could have been compacted into two which would have made for a smoother and more intense read in the long run. The first one was fluff and the second book had much worse things happening so it felt out of balance.

I was actually kind of rooting for America to be sent home, just because she was getting on my nerves with the whole indecisiveness and stuff so when that almost happened, I was kind of excited and thought that something exciting would take place but alas, no such luck. Of course, she was asked to stay by Maxon himself and then it made her realize that she can definitely rule alongside him, especially because Maxon believes in her, even though Aspen doesn't. Aspen wasn't very prominent in this book and it seemed to me that she had already distanced herself from him at that point, which didn't sit very well with me, especially since I've always wanted her to end up with him.

I did think that it was good that America finally pissed Maxon of in one way or another because he just always seemed so overly in love with her from the beginning that he didn't find any fault in her whatsoever, although she has a lot. Finally, he realized that she was a human being with faults of her own and not just a girl he was blinded who couldn't do anything wrong.

Again, this book is for the younger generation, in my opinion, and also those people who are really into fairy tales and “happily ever after”. I myself prefer darker and more twisted plots. I might read the next book in the series but it's definitely not up there on my “to read” list whatsoever.

The story of Nick and his wife, Amy, truly captivated me from the very beginning. I only heard of it from seeing the movie trailer on TV and felt a strong desire to read it afterwards. And am I truly grateful that I did.

As I've mentioned before, I like messed up plots and twisted story lines- the more messed up, the better. At least in my opinion. And boy did this book not disappoint and satisfied my sick craving for what-the-fuck-just-happened moments. It also delivered these moments again and again.

It started out innocently enough, I began and was enveloped into Amy's diary and then Nick's thoughts as he was going through the whole beginning of this ordeal. I loved how they used a combination of Amy's diary followed by Nick, as he was in present day. I actually found myself looking forward to Amy's witty, little journal entries that made me giggle and also gave me a keen insight into her mind, or so I thought. Also, her being a psychology major who's job was to write personality quizzes really gave her a nice little touch of something extra. I loved those personality quizzes coming through in her journal entries. Those journal entries were so believable, that I could actually imagine myself writing a journal entry of that nature. They was so real and down-to-earth, without trying to hide anything or make the person seem fake in any way. Here, it seemed, she was baring her soul to us. But little did we know.....

When I came to the part where I realized she was fooling us all along, I honestly had to reread that part a few times to make sure I didn't read that wrong. I must have asked myself WHAT IN THE FUCKING HELL like 30 times. It came out of nowhere and left me breathless with a newborn need to find out what happens next, since at this point I had no fucking idea what to expect from this book anymore. It's like the book did a complete 180 and I loved that. Something might seriously be wrong with me but oh well.

This book kept me guessing until the very end, but even then it managed to fool me completely and it left me feeling like a complete and utter idiot for thinking something that was so far of from what really happened in the book. I honestly couldn't breathe at some points, it was so intense.

I am truly glad that I read this book before watching the movie because I don't think I would have gotten this complete “mind-fuck” of an experience if I had. It was just so raw, us being able to venture inside the heads of these two flawed people as they laid themselves out to us and the whole world to see. In addition, I absolutely loved the fact that we (the reader), found out new information as Nick found it appropriate to reveal to us. This made me feel at Nick's mercy and made the book that much more suspenseful.

Flynn's writing style is flawless and yet it's almost as if there is a personal style of each character's own way of thinking and the personal depth of them, who they are at their very core. It was a sophisticated read and yet it also felt very personal and unique to each character.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a book with depth, one that will keep you guessing and thinking about it long after you've put it down. I think mature audiences, who like a good surprise will love this book. Man, did I love this book, definitely one of the best I've read this year and ever in my life. Hands down.

This book pleasantly surprised me. Going into it, I had no real expectations about whether this would be good or not and I ended up thoroughly enjoying it. It wasn't that easy of a read but it flowed smoothly and the story developed naturally.

I found this book in a box that my boyfriend's mom was going to put out for a garage sale and since my Nook was out of battery and I had nothing better to do, I gave it a shot. Little did I know that Erica Spindler would become one of my favorite writers after this random book of hers that I came upon by total accident.

The cover leaves much to be desired in my opinion, especially since it is not a good representation of the complexity of what happens in this book and how all the characters react and adapt to these situations as they happen. To me the cover looks rather dull and because of that the book itself seems like it would be pretty damn forgettable. Of course, I was wrong about that and learned my lesson not to judge a book by its cover. It's all good, lesson learned.

Again, I am a big sucker for books that are written through the eyes of more than one character. In this instance, we see the story unfold through the eyes of the two main characters: Jane Killian and Stacy Killian. I love how their relationship as sisters starts out completely separate and then intertwines together as the book gets moving and the plot thickens.

I didn't really know how completely addicting mystery/suspense novels could be until I dove into this book. It sucked me in and I couldn't put it down. I had to know what happens next and I loved how the killer wasn't revealed until the second to last chapter or so. For this reason, I was on the edge of my seat until the very last page. It's a good idea to hook people this way because I am personally a fan of working out my own theories of who the bad guy is all throughout the book and as more information is revealed I like reworking that theory accordingly. In this case, I only guessed right once I had about 50 pages left and then I had to make sure that I was indeed correct.

I really loved the heroine of this book as well because she's complex and flawed, which makes her that much more human and I was able to relate to her on a deeper level. Her character progresses with the events that happen in the book and it was extraordinary to follow her development all throughout. We are affected by our childhood experiences and it was apparent that her own horrific childhood experience made her the adult she grew up to be, most specifically in the beginning of the book. We begin with Stacy refusing to deal with her emotional issues/baggage and she is gradually forced to deal with them as the book progresses until she comes out of the whole experience at the end as a different person then she was at the beginning.

The reason I gave this book 4 stars as opposed to 5 was because I would have liked to have seen a little more at the end, after she goes through the major betrayal at the end of the book and would have liked more of the thoughts going through her mind after that happens. Because, it seems her world has suddenly come crashing down and then the book kind of cuts of abruptly and we are left wanting more. Of course, there's the next book in the series but the next one focuses on the next part of Stacy's story and only lightly mentions the events of the previous book.

All in all, this book is for anyone who wants a suspenseful, mystery read that will keep you guessing about who the bad guy is until the very end. It's also wonderfully written and not overly simplistic, so people of all ages can read it and enjoy it immensely.

Not going to lie, I kind of rushed into this one. I barely read the synopsis before jumping right into it, mostly because of the pretty cover. Yes, I judged a book by its cover and was quite disappointed. Maybe it's because I'm not a young adult anymore, I don't know, but this book seemed very childish to me. That's not to say I don't enjoy the Young Adult genre immensely, because I do, but this one fell extremely short for me. It seemed many people on my friend's list were reading it and have liked it and I decided to give it a chance for this exact reason.

First of, am I the only one who was extremely annoyed by all the grammar and spelling mistakes I found in this rather short book? I couldn't even believe my eyes, I thought the proofreaders would have done a better job before putting this book out to be published. This issue is rather unforgivable for me because there's nothing that ruins a book more for me than spelling mistakes and improper grammar.

Further on, the writing, in my opinion, was overly simplistic. Like so simplistic that I thought the vocabulary was extremely limited and this book should have been geared toward teens and preteens as opposed to young adults.

The whole fairy-tale, “poor-girl-comes-in-and-makes-the-prince-fall-in-love-with-her plot” was just too naive and uncomplicated for me. I love messed up story lines, the more fucked up, the better. But this one was rather predictable and although once she had the love-triangle going I thought there might be hope yet, once it was clear who she was going to choose, I lost all interest and faith in this book completely.

It also very much bothered me that America, who apparently has been in love with Aspen for over two years or so, just gave up on the relationship so easily, pretty much as soon as she saw Maxon and he started taking an interest in her. I mean, if she actually truly loved him I don't think it would have been so easy for her to just move on and take into consideration the fact that she might start developing feelings for Maxon. I guess that's just from experience but that part wasn't realistic to me. It's like Cass was trying really hard to fit everything together perfectly and therefore her heroine fell short in remaining true to herself, acting instead like any other naive girl who is swept of her feet by the grandiosity of the situation she is thrust upon. I had bigger expectations from America, especially since she seemed different and had known more of life than the other girls.

Also, the book itself was a little too much like a soap opera for me. I mean non of the problems that America encountered in this book were very heart-breaking in any way. Except for Aspen breaking up with her, the rest of it was just girls trying to get Maxon's attention in every superficial way possible. I also didn't like America acting so “whorish” with both Maxon and Aspen (at the same time!), especially because of her love for Aspen that she kept mentioning all throughout the book. It seemed to me that America changed as soon as she arrived at the castle and met handsome Prince Maxon and then was also swept away by the beautiful gowns, grandiose setting and delicious food/entertainment.

This book was definitely not my cup of tea, although I can see younger kids reading this book and enjoying it. Personally, I prefer books that are a little deeper and make me think and ponder long after the book is done. Of course, I did give the next book in this series a chance, especially because it was rather short and a very easy read, although my expectations were much lower this time around.