Review: The Selection

Image from Goodreads

Image from Goodreads

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn’t want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she’s made for herself—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

(Blurb from Goodreads)

———————————————————-

Ok, I’m going to be honest with you here. I’ve been seeing this series everywhere on Instagram. Yes, I totally bought the book based on the cover. But look at it! Beautiful.

I’m glad I did buy it though, I was not disappointed. America is a great character, only a teenager but strong enough not to be pulled down by the competition of the other girls around her. She’s so relatable too. America’s family is a Five aka lower middle class. She does the competition to help her family with no intention of falling for the prince. Honestly, I didn’t even really like Prince Maxon at first either. He just didn’t seem confidant enough. He did grow on me though.

The ending doesn’t leave you feeling satisfied though, but don’t worry, the next few books are already out. In fact, I have book 2 waiting for me to read. So if you’re looking for a new Young Adult dystopian/post apocalyptic read, check out The Selection. Let me know what you think.

My Rating:  4 1/2 stars

Find the bookGoodreads          Amazon

———————————

Guest Post: Laura Donohue

Becoming a Writer

First Sight is the first book I completed, but it wasn’t the first book I ever wrote.  I started writing my very first novel almost ten years ago.  I had a great idea, excitedly told a few people about it, created an outline, starting writing…and never finished it.  I still have my first draft, but I just couldn’t get the storyline to go where I wanted it to.

Long before then, I was always writing something.  Just as some people have loved to read since they were kids, I’ve always loved to write.  Reading is an escape, an adventure, and the perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon.  As much as I’ve always enjoyed escaping in a book, I’ve also always loved coming up with my own stories.

As a kid, I’d write my own pretend stories and articles.  When I was a college student, I enjoyed mostly nonfiction.  You know those students that hated term papers?  I wasn’t one of them!  I have an English degree, and researching, drafting, and coming up with my thesis and argument were challenges I enjoyed.

It wasn’t until after college that I started writing fiction again.  I had so many stories I wanted to get down on paper that it was almost difficult to decide which one to start with.

When I had the idea for Maddy and Travis’s story, I started writing and couldn’t stop.  I’d come home from work and write late into the night.  I’d spend time on weekends, vacations, and even occasionally my lunch break if I had an idea that I just had to get down on paper.

I remember once at a job interview (I’ve been a writer/editor for fifteen years), the interviewer asked what I liked to do in my free time. I said reading and writing.  How’s that for making a career out of something you love?

Have you ever had a book you just couldn’t put down?  That’s how I feel when writing.  I just can’t wait to get the story down on paper to see where it goes.  Nothing is better than watching your characters grow and coming to a satisfying conclusion.

—————————————————-

About Laura Donohue

Laura Donohue pictureLaura Donohue is a graduate of George Mason University. She spent ten years working as a technical writer and editor before publishing her first novel. She lives in Washington DC with her husband and daughter.

Contact Laura Donohue

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

——————————————————————-

First Sight Cover

Maddy Smith writes for a trendy website in Washington DC, has two fabulous best friends, and her own apartment. When a girl’s night out ends with her locking eyes with the handsome stranger across the room, the last thing she expects is for him to show up at her office on Monday morning.

Travis Emerson, her attractive and single new colleague, just moved to town. Although an immediate friendship between Maddy and Travis forms, she soon finds herself wishing for something more. After a misunderstanding between them occurs, not only is her hope for a relationship ruined, but their friendship is in jeopardy as well. Is any chance that Maddy had with Travis over? Or could he possibly be what she’s been looking for all along?

Follow Maddy and Travis on a series of adventures that will quickly have you cheering them on. First date jitters? Not when you’ve been in love since First Sight!

Find the book

Goodreads

———————————————–

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***Book cover and author picture provided by the publisher.***

***I also work for Booktrope Publishing but do not receive monetary compensation from sales of First Sight by Laura Donohue.***

Review: Heat

 

Image from Goodreads

Image from Goodreads

Under a burning sun more than a thousand miles from home, Lynn Stevens is trying to get her life back on track and leave memories of that one fateful night behind. She meets Dan, a young man with strangely erratic behavior and smoldering brown eyes, who is on an involuntary vacation with his parents. In him, she sees her own struggle reflected every time she is starting to get too close.

Dan doesn’t like being touched. But when he sets out to uncover Lynn’s secret, it means he’ll have to tell her some secrets of his own.

‘Heat’ is Lis Lucassen’s New Adult debut novel. This book puts her on the map in the Netherlands as the first-ever NA author from her own country.

(Blurb from Goodreads)

———————————————————-

 I am honored for being able to read the first New Adult book published in Holland. How amazing is that?! And Ms. Lucassen did an amazing job on her debut New Adult book as well.

Heat is the perfect beach read. It’s about two young adults at a resort; Dan is a guest and Lynn works there. Both have their secrets, and both of their secrets are pretty dark. Lynn is working there to get away from her past, and in a way, so is Dan and his family.

This is a contemporary romance and a bit on the dark side. But still, it was a fast and unique read. So if you’re looking for a new summer read, check out Heat.

My Rating: 4 stars

04

***I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.***

Find the book

Goodreads          Amazon

 ————————————————–

Review: Hopeless

Image from Goodreads

Image from Goodreads

Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…

That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.

Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever. 

(Blurb from Goodreads)

———————————————-

So I thought that this was my first Colleen Hoover book, but I totally forgot that I had read Slammed and Point of Retreat a long while back. (Common mistake amongst huge readers like myself.)

I remember when I downloaded this book I had heard somewhere that it was a dark read, and yes it was. If you’re looking for a light young adult read-this isn’t it. It IS of course, very well done, the writing is great, the characters have depth, but it does get dark. I don’t want to say much more about the how or why it’s so dark because I don’t want to give anything away.

I loved Sky’s best friend, Six, and the moments that they have together. It just gives the story the extra push, and some humorous moments as well.

One thing that bothered me a bit was how far the story went. I felt like things just kept getting worse and worse to eventually unbelievable. Yes, I know it’s a book and fiction, but I felt like the story took it a little too far. I felt as though if one of those scenes was missing then it would be more believable. (Again, I’m being vague on purpose.)

That being said, it is a great book. Just make sure you’re in the right mood for it before you start.

My Rating: 4 stars

04

Find the Book

Amazon     Goodreads

Review: Risking Ruin

Image from Goodreads

Image from Goodreads

 

Marisa Tanner’s most important client, multi-billion dollar family-owned Brannon Company, has been sued by nine of its employees for sexual harassment. Marisa is a pro at handling sexual harassment allegations, but will she be able to handle the CEO’s prodigal son as well as she can handle the lawsuits? 

Clients are off-limits and Marisa could lose her law license and livelihood, but Memphis playboy Trip keeps making strong plays for her. 

Their attraction is undeniable and chemistry electric. Can she have her career and Trip, too, or will she have to choose? 

A steamy debut novel by Mae Wood, “Risking Ruin” is a stand alone novel that blends the tone of chick-lit and the sensuality of contemporary romance to create a landscape filled with strong characters in the lush environment of Memphis, Tennessee.

(Blurb from Goodreads)

————————————————————

What a great debut novel by Mae Wood!! I love a confident protagonist, and Marisa was just that. The characters had depth and the story was believable. I had no trouble at all getting lost in the fictional world that Wood created, in fact, I looked forward to picking it up every night before I went to bed until I finished it.

I only have one teeny tiny complaint – the way that Marisa takes her coffee – milky white. I’m fine with this, I love coffee myself, but the words “milky white” where just mentioned a few too many times.

Other than that it was seriously a great read. Fantastic job Ms. Wood!

My Rating: 4 stars

04

———————————–

Find the Book

Amazon  Goodreads

***I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.***