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738 Days by Stacey Kade

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

At fifteen, Amanda Grace was abducted on her way home from school. 738 days later, she escaped. Her 20/20 interview is what everyone remembers—Amanda describing the room where she was kept, the torn poster of TV heartthrob Chase Henry on the wall. It reminded her of home and gave her the strength to keep fighting.

Now, years later, Amanda is struggling to live normally. Her friends have gone on to college, while she battles PTSD. She’s not getting any better, and she fears that if something doesn’t change soon she never will.

Six years ago, Chase Henry defied astronomical odds, won a coveted role on a new TV show, and was elevated to super-stardom. With it, came drugs, alcohol, arrests, and crazy spending sprees. Now he's sober and a Hollywood pariah, washed up at twenty-four.

To revamp his image, Chase’s publicist comes up with a plan: surprise Amanda Grace with the chance to meet her hero, followed by a visit to the set of Chase’s new movie. The meeting is a disaster, but out of mutual desperation, Amanda and Chase strike a deal. What starts as a simple arrangement, though, rapidly becomes more complicated when they realize they need each other in more ways than one. But when the past resurfaces in a new threat, will they stand together or fall apart?

Goodreads Summary

Amanda Grace is hailed as the Miracle Girl. She survived for years being sexually and physically abused by her creepy bus driver. She managed to escape by alerting a worker who had come to the creepy man's house to fix something. Chase Henry has hit rock bottom. Struggling to get his acting career back on track while also struggling with his alcohol addiction, he certainly is the not person Amanda thought of when she tried to mentally escape from her cell. Chase Henry represented a familiar sight to Amanda (he was from a teen T.V. show). When Chase's publicist cooks up a plan to make Chase back into Miracle Girl's Hero...well, we all know things are going to go wrong.

I loved Amanda's character. I do think she fairly accurately represented PTSD; I did wish she would try to be a little more brave. She pushed through her fears to acknowledge her attraction to Chase. Chase was more self-serving in the beginning, but I could tell (and was right) that he was an overall good guy who did not want to use Amanda for his own purposes. The supporting characters fit perfectly into the novel by providing background and pushing the plot along. I loved how the author pulled the book together; she made it looks easy, but I'm sure it took quite a while figuring out how all the pieces would best fit together. The romance was intense and sweet. I loved that the author did not bring in a love triangle and merely focused on Chase and Amanda's relationship.

4 Stars


This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Midnight Hour by C.C. Hunter

Sunday, February 10, 2019
After captivating millions across the globe, the Shadow Falls saga reaches its final—and most unforgettable—chapter yet! Prepare to fall in love all over again...

Being a dyslexic witch is a curse in itself, but Miranda Kane’s time at Shadow Falls has helped her harness her magical powers. Now, just as she’s finally mastered them and is preparing to graduate with her friends, a near-death experience threatens to ruin it all.

Miranda awakens in the hospital with a mysterious tattoo that no one can explain. As she struggles to make sense of it – and questions her feelings for a certain irresistible shape-shifter and a hot new guy – the strange markings begin to spread all over her body, leaving her desperate to find answers. But before she can solve that problem, a new one arises: her sister is missing.

Has her sister been kidnapped? Miranda will risk her life to find out. Will she live to share the day she’s worked so hard for with her friends? When the clock strikes midnight, will Miranda make it to her graduation at Shadow Falls?

C.C. Hunter brings The Shadow Falls saga to a spectacular conclusion in this thrilling finale: Midnight Hour!

Goodreads Summary



Miranda is a witch with a death wish (not really, but she gets one anyway). She finds herself in the hospital after an enduring experience that threatens to wreck her graduation plans. She notices an odd tattoo that she knows she did not personally okay. Then she discovers her sister missing and all heck breaks loose. Two men step up to involve themselves (warning: love triangle approaching) and romance winds itself between the mysteries of the tattoo and missing sister.

Miranda was a lot of fun to read about. I loved how the author incorporated dyslexia into Miranda's overall character without letting the disability overpower her. Miranda is a girl who just wants to graduate. She's easy to root for. I hate love triangles and that part of the book wasn't the most fun to read, but I liked how the author deftly handled the strife between the two men and the intensity Miranda experienced being around both of them. I have always enjoyed C.C. Hunter's writing and will continue to!

4 Stars


This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

All the Way (Romancing Manhattan #1) by Kristen Proby

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

In New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby’s brand new Romancing Manhattan series, three brothers get more than they bargain for as they practice law, balance life, and navigate love in and around New York City.

Finn Cavanaugh is known for being a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom. He owns a successful law firm with his brother and brother-in-law in Manhattan. On the rare occasion that he has down time, he spends it at his home in Martha’s Vineyard. But when Finn’s troubled niece goes to stay with him for the summer in Martha’s Vineyard, he’s reluctant to take time off from work. That is, until he meets his beautiful new neighbor, London.

London Watson is a Tony Award winning actress on Broadway. When tragedy strikes her family, leaving her alone and injured, she flees Manhattan for Martha’s Vineyard. Hoping she can figure out how to pick up the pieces of her life, London is convinced that she’ll never be able to return to the stage. But when she meets the charming young girl next door and her sexy uncle, they soon lure London out of her shell as she finally begins to heal from the wounds of her past.

But when London feels confident enough to return to the spotlight, she’s dealt another devastating blow. Will the newfound love between London and Finn be enough to conquer all? Or will it be over before it has a chance to grow…?
 

Goodreads Summary

I loved this book. School started for me and this book provided the perfect distraction. The author crafted a fun and flirty romance complete with a sexy heroine and a charismatic "hero." London suffered the loss of her parents and potentially the loss of her career. When she meets Finn she has no idea if her life will ever recover from her losses. Finn is the prototypical protective guy. I liked how invested he became in London and how badly he felt for her between her injury (her leg was damaged and prevented her from dancing) and for the deaths of her parents. I felt like these characters were very sincere and sweet towards each other. Kristin Proby created a loving, kind atmosphere.

I liked London's character. She came off as smart, a little quirky, and self-sufficient despite her troubles. I liked the transformation of her character from unhappy to getting a grip on her life and changing her attitude. The romance didn't feel fake or forced. Their relationship developed pretty organically. The author writes very succinctly and evenly. I could vividly picture the scenes and (how I think) the characters would look off the pages. Overall, this is a great beach or vacation read.

4 Stars

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2018 LIVE TO READ

Just Juliet by Charlotte Reagan

Sunday, February 3, 2019
The coming out story that will completely change the way you look at love.

Juliet represents the road less traveled. Will Lena take it?
Lena Newman is 17, her best friend’s a cheerleader, her boyfriend’s a football player, and as far as everyone is concerned, her life is sorted. But that’s before she befriends the new girl. Juliet is confident, slightly damaged, drop-dead gorgeous and a lesbian.

Lena realizes that her interest goes beyond just friendship. She sets off on a path of self-discovery where the loyalty of those closest to her will be tested.

"It feels real without being tedious, and heart-warming without being sappy. It's not all roses, and it's not all doom and gloom. It's great.” - Jon

"Just Juliet is the story I wish I could have given to my parents to read when I was 16 so that they knew what I was going through." - Caro M.

Goodreads Summary

Lena is a girl filled with uncertainties. She isn't quite sure why she and her boyfriend don't have that "spark." She is not sure what career she wants to aim for. When she sees Juliet, she realizes that Juliet may be the key to at least one of those queries. Juliet's and Lena's relationship starts off more as a sweet crush and then gradually develops into something more. I liked that the author didn't make the romance the all-consuming plot point. I liked that the author kept true to Lena's bisexuality. She didn't sideline it or make it fulfill any stereotypes. It's rare to find a good book that accurately portrays bisexuality.

Lena's character was fun and quirky. Juliet seemed to fit into her personality seamlessly. I could picture the two in real life. I liked that true teen struggles were in the book. It isn't easy coming out to your friends, family, or even random people on the street. The author kept in "teenage tone" throughout the novel and the secondary characters were fleshed out and fit the story. I enjoyed the ending and loved the epilogue. I was happy for the characters.

4 Stars



This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ