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

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

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

Dead of Winter by Kresley Cole (Arcana Novels)

Can Evie convince her rival loves to work together? Their survival depends on it in this third book of #1 New York Timesbestselling author Kresley Cole’s Arcana Chronicles, a nonstop action tale of rescue, redemption, and a revenge most wicked.

Heartbreaking decisions 
Evie was almost seduced by the life of comfort that Death offered her—until Jack was threatened by two of the most horrific Arcana, the Lovers. She will do anything to save him, even escape Death’s uncanny prison, full of beautiful objects, material comforts…and stolen glances from a former love.

Uncertain victory 
Despite leaving a part of her heart behind with Death, Evie sets out into a perilous post-apocalyptic wasteland to meet up with her allies and launch an attack on the Lovers. Such formidable enemies require a battle plan, and the only way to kill them may mean Evie, Jack, and Death allying. Evie doesn’t know what will prove more impossible: surviving slavers, plague, Bagmen and other Arcana—or convincing Jack and Death to work together.

Two heroes returned 
There’s a thin line between love and hate, and Evie just doesn’t know where she stands with either Jack or Death. Will this unlikely trio be able to defeat The Lovers without killing one another first...?

Goodreads Summary

I love this book. Evie is such a dynamic character. She is discovering more about her past (learning that she was more or less a sociopath at one point) and diving deeper into the relationships she has with Jack and Death (Aric). It's fascinating to think that Death was in love with Evie for all those years. That backstory could have made up a few more books (prequels). The plot consisted of trying to defeat the Lovers (incestuous twins) and further developing the relationships between the characters. 

The Arcana is such an interesting and fascinating idea. I love the idea of teens bestowed with individual powers fighting to the death (not the death part, but the other parts are cool!). The descriptions of who is who at the beginning of the book add to the level of intrigue. I wished there was not a love triangle. Ideally, those do not exist though they are prevalent in young adult books. I never knew who I wanted Evie to end up with (as if it was even up to me). The plot was super fast-paced. I finished the book ahead of this one in less than a day. My whole family has found it a fun read! There were so many interesting twists and a few things occurred that I would never have guessed would happen. I can't wait for the next in the series!

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

The Ruining by Anna Collamore

Annie Phillips is thrilled to leave her past behind and begin a shiny new life on Belvedere Island, as a nanny for the picture-perfect Cohen family. In no time at all, she falls in love with the Cohens - especially with Libby, the beautiful young matriarch of the family. Life is better than she ever imagined. She even finds romance with the boy next door. 

All too soon cracks appear in Annie's seemingly perfect world. She's blamed for mistakes she doesn't remember making. Her bedroom door comes unhinged, and she feels like she's always being watched. Libby, who once felt like a big sister, is suddenly cold and unforgiving. As she struggles to keep up with the demands of her new life, Annie's fear gives way to frightening hallucinations. Is she tumbling into madness or is something sinister at play?

THE RUINING is a complex ride through first love, chilling manipulation, and the terrifying depths of insanity.

Goodreads Summary

I loved every aspect of this novel. The main character, Annie, has had a difficult like growing up in Detroit. She wants to reinvent herself and start anew with a young family and two children. She acts as the nanny and also attends the local college. Her room and board is covered as long as she nannies for the children (though the mother mainly only allows her to nanny the older child). It seems like a dream come true, but is it only an illusion? 

The longer Annie is there, the stranger things get. Libby insists on calling her Nanny instead of her name though she denies it when Annie asks her why. Libby seems to recreate trauma Annie experienced in her past. The whole family is strange. There is a difference between "private" and paranoid. The ending was as satisfying as I expected. I loved how Owen, the love interest, stepped up and cared about Annie's safety despite several of her cutting remarks. Annie's caring and compassion for Zoe was apparent; she really cared about her little charge. The author created an atmosphere of tension and suspicion that remained throughout the novel. I can't recommend this book enough.

5 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