2015 End of the Year Survey!!

The End of the Year Survey was created by Jamie from The Perpetual Page Turner. You can find all the questions and the link up here!

I mean...what?

Wasn't it just January?

The older I get the faster the years go by...

Let's close up 2015 shall we?

-- Number of Books Read

Between 165 and 170. There's a handful that I never tracked on Goodreads for one reason or another. I was just in the zone and didn't bother with it at times or... just whatever. So I don't have a 100% accurate count. Oops!

-- Number of Rereads

11

-- Genre Most Read From

Contemporary

1. Best Book Read In 2015:

I'd say Him by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy gave me the most feels all around of a mixed variety regular book wise. When it came to graphic novel/comics hands down The Sculptor by Scott McCloud (Sorry but you will see this book listed a whole lot in here)

2. Book I Was Most Excited About & Thought I Was Going To Love...But Didn't:

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas

With this one I discovered that the book isn't always better than the movie. Bummed!

3. Most Surprising Read (Good or Bad)

The Sculptor by Scott McCloud

This was my first dive into the world of graphic novels. I've read plenty of comics over the years though. This was definitely a good, good, good surprise. My heart still hasn't fully recovered!

4. Book I Pushed The Most People To Read (And They Did)

I'm not usually the pusher, I'm generally the pushee. I mention here and there books I'm loving to friends but I never get all "OMG YOU GUYS A HAVE TO READ THIS NOW!!" But I love having it done to me! :D

5. a). Best Series Started In 2015

Steelheart (Reckoners #1) by Brandon Sanderson 

So technically I haven't finished this book yet and probably won't by the end of 2015 since I felt the very strong need to do a Harry Potter reread in December, but this is by far my favorite start to a series that I began in 2015!

b.) Best Sequel Of 2015

Witches Be Burned (Magic and Mayhem #2) by Stacey Kennedy

I need the next book. Now! This series is steamy, action packed and full of magic and all your favorite paranormal creatures! Witches, werewolves and vampires ...oh my!

c.) Best Series Ender of 2015

Sentinel (Covenant #5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

I finished a number of series this year and this one was long overdue. The thing with JLA is though, she always seems to end a series perfectly. Loved this series!!

6. Favorite New Author Discovered In 2015

Marissa Clarke! She writes really great stories with brilliant characters that have such fun dynamics. I will definitely be reading anything she writes in the future.

7. Best Book From A Genre I Don't Typically Read/Was Out Of My Comfort Zone:

The Sculptor by Scott McCloud

I'm going with this one again not since I feel like it was out of my comfort zone, which it wasn't, but because I hadn't ever read one before and it's left me feeling like I need to add more into my tbr for the future!

8. Most Action Packed/Thrilling/Unputdownable Book Of The Year:

This one is really hard because I read a whole lot of paranormal series in the first half of the year and most of them were pretty action packed but I guess I'm gonna go with...pretty much any book in the Penryn and the End of Days series. They really had me on the edge of my seat!

9. Book Read In 2015 I Am Most Likely To Reread Next Year

I am a huge believer in the fact that books can almost be even better the second time around. I'd most likely want to reread...hmm...decisions, decisions.

Chance of a Lifetime (Anderson Brothers #3) by Marissa Clarke

What can I say, my new top book boyfriend is definitely worth the reread...sigh!

10. Favorite Cover Of A Book I Read In 2015

11. Most Memorable Character Of 2015

Gen Richards from Chance of a Lifetime. She was my first blind main character and she really touched my heart :)

12. Most Beautifully Written Book

The Sculptor by Scott McCloud

Before I read it a couple of days ago I probably would have thrown something else in here. This is a book that will rip your heart out and then shove it in your face and be like "see what I'm doing to you?!?!" And yet it does it so beautifully that I'm like "yes please and will you do it some more?"

13. Most Thought Provoking/Life Changing Book In 2015

Rolling in the Deep by Rebecca Rogers Maher

Though I wouldn't say this book is "life changing" it definitely had me thinking. It's a really good story with a very "be careful what you wish for" kind of a feel to it.

14. Book I Can't Believe I Waited Until 2015 To Read

The problem with this question is that, I'd say 95% of the books I read this year were ARCs. No exaggeration. So when I dug super deep to some of the books I read at the beginning of the year I'd say Deity through Sentinel of the Covenant series. I had always been pretty "meh" about them and in full on procrastination mode but when I finally reread the first half and went all the way to the end they finally clicked with me and I burned through them!

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A 2015 Read

So I couldn't decide between two. One is more on the serious side and the other makes me laugh.

"And don't think for an instant that I wouldn't do terrible, unspeakable things if it could save someone I love." -- The Fiery Heart (Bloodlines #4) by Richelle Mead

...and...

Unbelievable. Every girl at this college would cut her frickin' arm off to help me out. But this one? Runs away like I just asked her to murder a cat so we could sacrifice it to Satan. -- The Deal (Off-Campus #1) by Elle Kennedy

16. Shortest and Longest Reads Of 2015

Shortest: The Rules According to Gracie by Stefanie London 100 pages

Longest: The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin 527 pages

This might not be 100% accurate there was about 10 or so books that were listed as "unknown" when I pulled up my shelf and I didn't feel like clicking through to each one to find a page number on a different edition. Plus there were a few novellas that I didn't count.

17. Book That Shocked Me The Most

Everything I Left Unsaid by Molly O'Keefe

It was F bomb inducing. But in the best  way possible. Just wow.

18. OTP Of The Year! (I Will Go Down With This Ship!)

CHANCE AND GEN FROM CHANCE OF A LIFETIME!

Sigh. I just...I can't even. I can't. I really, really just can't. Sigh.

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year:

Jill and Adrian from the Bloodlines series. Even though when you dig back as far as the Vampire Academy series and it probably starts out more as Jill crushing on Adrian I love how it blossoms into this really sweet sibling-like relationship

20. Favorite Book From An Author I've Read Previously

Deity (Covenant #4) by JLA

I've had a real sort of Love/Hate thing going on with this series in the past. When I finally opened up (and finished for once!) Deity towards the start of this year the book completely flipped my reading world upside down and made me feel things I never thought I would both for that series and some characters. Thank goodness for that book!

21. Best Book Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation/Peer Pressure

The Bowler University books by Megan Erickson. And it wasn't even really like oh my gosh the pressure was on! I'm pretty sure my friend Jessica just said "you need to buy these books" and I was like "Okay" *goes to Amazon* I'm seriously an easy pushee. Don't take much convincing if I like your typical reading choices!

22. Newest Fictional Crush Of 2015

Chance Anderson from the Anderson Brothers series by Marissa Clarke. Like, to even get to the heart of why he's my one and only true love (of the moment at least) would be super spoilerific and we wouldn't want that now would we? He's perfection. That is all.

23. Best 2015 Debut Read

Have I read a debut? Ugh... This is already taking me a while because I can't seem to keep it short and I don't wanna dig so I'm gonna say I haven't... (though I probably have with the amount of ARCs I've read :/ oh well)

24. Best World Building/Most Vivid Setting This Year

The Final Empire (Mistborn #1) by Brandon Sanderson

The man is a genius!

25. Book That Put A Smile On My Face/Most FUN Read

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes

As a huge fan of The Princess Bride this is a must read. Even better if you get the audiobook version narrated by Wesley himself and lots of other cast members and behind the scenes people! Love!!!

26. Book That Made Me Cry

Hi! I'm a wuss...and lots of books have made me cry.The Sculptor was the most recent. Bawled like a little baby!

27. Hidden Gem Of 2015

Finding Perfect by Kendra C. Highley

It was a sweet and adorable YA romance. 

28. Book That Crushed My Soul

The Sculptor...are you sensing a pattern yet?

29. Most Unique Read Of 2015

Limbo (The Joy Valentine Mysteries #1) by Amy Andrews

A girl who works at a funeral home making up and preparing the deceased for funerals...and can see and speak to ghosts,  an ex-cop turned private detective, a brothel madam, an excommunicated priest and so much more. Plus it has a real noir feel to it. Amy Andrews surprised me with this one! One of the reasons I'll always say "yes! gimmie!" when I see one of her books.

30. Book That Made Me The Most Mad (Not Necessarily Because I Hated It)

This is really hard because a whole lot of books ticked me off in 2015 both in good and bad ways. I guess I'll go with Mine (Club Sin #7) by Stacey Kennedy. I didn't like the directions and actions of a couple of the characters and felt they weren't "acting like themselves" if that makes any sense. I almost wish I had left the series to be done with #6. Kind of.

Okay so...I won't be answering most of these questions because I just have no answers for them. I mean like for question 1 I've been off and on hiatus mode so much this year that it's hard to remember when I've visited someone's blog for the first time. And with the stuff related to my blog I don't like reading what I write so I never have favorite posts. Hardly do discussions because I babble too much as it is. And I don't pay attention to numbers and/or visits to my blog/posts. Frankly the only time I know for sure how many people visit is if there's a comment. I'm just not into numbers. This is all for fun. So...sorry I'm being fail with this portion. I'll try to do better next year. Promise!

1. New Favorite Book Blog I Discovered In 2015

2. Favorite Review I Wrote

3. Best Discussion/Non-Review Post

4. Best Event I Participated In

5. Best Moment In My Bookish/Blogging Life In 2015

6. Most Challenging Thing About My Blogging Or Reading Life This Year

My health has been wonky this year so I haven't been as motivated as I would've liked to have been.

7. Most Popular Post This Year (By Views Or Comments)

8. Post I Wish Got A Little More Love

9. Best Bookish Discovery (Book Related Site/Book Store/Etc)

10. Reading Challenges I Completed (Nearly In Some Cases) In 2015

So I finished my Goodreads challenge of 150 books. Woo!

I unofficially attempted the Series a Month challenge and I did pretty good the first half of the year then it all went to crap haha. I think that's pretty good for ME though.

Once again, I attempted to make my way through Pop Sugar's Ultimate  Reading Challenge 2015 and was very pleasantly surprised with how far into the list I made it and I only used one book for two different answers. But I got 34 out of 50 books read on that list and I am extremely pleased to have made it through more than half that list. It was a tough one! Hoping they have another creative list like that for 2016 as well! (My list here)

1. A Book I Didn't Get To In 2015 But Will Be A Priority In 2016

Illuminae. The hype is very real and I have it...I just haven't opened it yet. YET! Thinking it'll be a January read for sure!

2. Book I Am Most Anticipating In 2015 (Non-Debut)

Passenger (Passenger #1) by Alexandra Bracken

3. Most Anticipated 2016 Debut

The Love that Split the World by Emily Henry

4. Series Ending/Sequel Most Anticipated

I'm horrible and have no clue if there's anything to put here. I feel so out of the loop lately LOL there's probably quite a few!

5. One Thing I Hope To Accomplish Or Do In My Reading/Blogging Life

Get good. (Seriously. I hope to keep up better in 2016!!)

6. 2016 Release I've Already Read And Recommend To Everyone

The one and only release of 2016 that I've already read (since I cut myself off from ARCs) is 

Forgotten Promises (Lost Boys #1.5) by Jessica Lemmon

I really, really loved it. I mean it probably won't be for everyone I realize. But it's a good redemption story that's dark and has heavy and tough subject matters. I devoured it in one sitting though. But if you look for it, you do need to realize that if you're squeamish or can't deal with super heavy stuff this will not be for you.

So I guess that wraps up my 2015 bookish/blogging life. Sorry if I got really rambly at times. I can't seem to help it! I hope you all had a fantastic year and hope the one to come will be even better!

xoxo

Weekly Haul #73

Stacking the shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. It's basically a way in which we get to show off the lovely new goodies we got over the past week/month however you decide to do it.

It's been a while since I've done one of these! See...I told you I could say no if I ever put my mind to it. LOL Anyway. Let's just get into what I've picked up lately shall we?

Seconds by Bryan Lee O'Malley

Explorer: The Mystery Boxes by various writers and artists

Saga: Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan (Writer) & Fiona Staples (Artist)

So I'm kind of on this graphic novel/comic book kick currently. So I wouldn't be surprised if you see a lot more things like this in the future!

90s Playlist (Romance Rewind #1) by various authors [Anthology]

Royal Marriage Market by Heather Lyons

Any Given Christmas (Sugar Shack #2) by  Candis Terry

(I know Christmas is officially over but I wasn't ready to let go yet when I snagged this one!)

So that's it for my tiny haul this week!

Since this will probably be my last post for 2015...I think?

Probably!

Anyway.

I hope the rest of your 2015s are awesome I'll see you all in 2016!!

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor (Friday Harbor #1) by Lisa Kleypas

Title: Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor
(Christmas With Holly)
Series: Friday Harbor #1
Author: Lisa Kleypas
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Published: April 11th 2010
Format: Paperback | Pages:  224
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Holiday
Source: BookOutlet
★★★✩ (3.5/5) Stars!

Lisa Kleypas | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Now a Hallmark Hall of Fame television movie (December 2012), CHRISTMAS WITH HOLLY (previously published as CHRISTMAS EVE AT FRIDAY HARBOR) is the first book in New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas’s new series, which begins during the most magical time of year...

ONE LITTLE GIRL NEEDS A FAMILY 

One rain-slicked night, six-year-old Holly lost the only parent she knew, her beloved mother Victoria. And since that night, she has never again spoken a word.

ONE SINGLE MAN NEEDS A WIFE 

The last thing Mark Nolan needs is a six-year-old girl in his life. But he soon realizes that he will do everything he can to make her life whole again. His sister’s will gives him the instructions: There’s no other choice but you. Just start by loving her. The rest will follow.

SOMETIMES, IT TAKES A LITTLE MAGIC… 

Maggie Collins doesn’t dare believe in love again, after losing her husband of one year. But she does believe in the magic of imagination. As the owner of a toy shop, she lives what she loves. And when she meets Holly Nolan, she sees a little girl in desperate need of a little magic.

…TO MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE 

Three lonely people. Three lives at the crossroads. Three people who are about to discover that Christmas is the time of year when anything is possible, and when wishes have a way of finding the path home… 

For the last few years there's been a movie that I have to watch, usually more than once, once the Christmas movies start hitting the television. It's this adorable movie called Christmas with Holly, on the Hallmark Channel. Part of the appeal for me is the fact that it's set on one of the islands just a ferry ride off from the town I live in, but mostly because it's a cute, sweet and heartwarming story. My powers of observation failed me for the last few years because it wasn't until quite a few months ago, when browsing through BookOutlet and saw the title Christmas with Holly that I realized it was based off of a book by Lisa Kleypas. Of course I couldn't resist getting my hands on it and with it being the Christmas season I finally allowed myself to dive in!

While the basic storyline is pretty much the same as it is in the movie, there's also a lot...a lot that is different. Normally I'm a read the book before I see the movie type of person but since I was oblivious of the book up to this point I've come to the realization that I seem to be loyal to whichever I get to first. In this case that would be the movie. I mean, don't get me wrong this book was fine. But that's just it. It was just "fine" for me. I feel like had I read the book first I would've ended up skipping the movie all together simply because it was based off of this book. Thank goodness that didn't happen!

The thing that rubbed me the wrong way the most was Nolan brothers and just how vastly different they are between the two formats. In the movies Mark, who this first book centers around, is kind of boyishly handsome and he's sweet, like so, so sweet. I absolutely adored him. Then I read the book and he's just so cold and stern almost, very untrusting and way too buttoned up and serious. And the vibe I get from Maggie is that she views him as intimidating. For me, he was extremely unlikable. Well at least before Maggie starts rubbing off on him and he eventually lightens up again and I saw minuscule glimpses of the guy I loved from the movie.

Plus one of the things that had me really excited to read the book version was I liked the dynamic you had with the three brothers. They weren't exactly close and thick as thieves but you could see the way they looked out for one another and there was an easy banter between them. In the book they're almost all indifferent towards one another throughout most of the book. It was a pretty sad discovery.

Both Maggie and Holly were the bright spots of this reading experience. They were exactly as I was expecting them to be, so that was a plus. Maggie is the type of character you'd want to surround yourself with. She's like positivity, optimism and happiness personified. She's been through a lot and even though she has this sad side and has given up on one part of her life you still can't help but feel happy when she's on the pages and spreading hope and, well, the magic that is her. And Holly, well you can't help but fall in love with this adorable little girl who's lost so much at such a young age. I want to pull her out of the book/movie, either one, and protect her and care for her.

Though once again, the timeline in which certain aspects of the story play out were very jumbled and different. The one thing piece of the storyline that captures my heart the most, the reason I watch this movie year after year and get all emotional about is like wham, bam and done in just a couple chapters. I feel like that piled on top of just how different and unlikable Mark was left me feeling quite a bit indifferent to this book. 

I mean, I feel horrible, terrible saying this but...find the movie and watch it. I kind of wish I'd skipped read this one by myself. 

A part of me kind of wants to check out other books in this story and see what happens with Sam and Alex, the two brothers, now that I know there's a whole series. I am really, really curious. But a bigger part of me is telling me that I should just stick with her historical romances which I absolutely love!

It really makes me sad that I didn't love this one as much as I wanted to!

REVIEW: Sleeping with the Boss (Anderson Brothers #1) by Marissa Clarke

Title: Sleeping with the Boss
Series: Anderson Brothers #1
Author: Marissa Clarke
Publisher: Entangled Lovestruck
Published: August 11th 2014
Format: eBook | Pages: 250
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Source: Amazon
★★★★★ (5/5) Stars!!

Marissa Clarke | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

A satisfying category romance from Entangled’s brand new Lovestruck imprint…

Seducing the enemy has never been so tempting…

For the last five years, bookish Claire Williams has been living for the dying. Now that her stint as caretaker is over, she’s off to see the world. She needs quick cash first, so a temp job at Anderson Auctions seems perfect, especially with the unexpected benefits, including the hottest man she’s ever laid eyes—or hands—on. 

Former Marine William Anderson has been burned one time too many. His military training makes him the perfect man to flush out the spy undercutting his family business, but no amount of training can prepare him for the kind of undercover work he’ll have to do when the sexy new temp is implicated. Desire lands them in bed…but duty may cost him his heart.

So I'd been sitting here in a bit of a Anderson Brother's withdrawal of sorts after finishing the final book in the series, Chance of a Lifetime, the other week. I was both bummed because it was over and also beyond delighted that Marissa Clarke ended the series with such a bang. Yet I still wanted more. So as I was, quite literally, swiping through the titles on my Kindle rather quickly and with a rather ho-hum state of mind, all of a sudden Sleeping with the Boss jumped out at me! It was quite a forehead smacking moment because all I could think was "you complete dolt, you bought that months ago and never read it!" Of course then I had a moment where I did a little jig in my chair because...I HAD ONE MORE MOMENT WITH THE ANDERSON BOYS!

Sigh.

I always seem to fall hardest for books or series where you have a family or a group of friends that have really fun dynamics, and this series definitely falls into that category. I feel like not every author can quite do a good enough job separating the personalities in their characters and making them unique from each other. One of the things that makes these Anderson boys so lovable is how different they are from one another. Michael, book two, is the oldest. He's all business, suit and tie, very rigid, schedule everything and everything is precisely in it's place and neat and orderly. Then you have William, this book, in the middle. Will is more of the laid back type. He is serious and analytical in a sense, but also very playful and charming. He's really good with people and knows how to read them. He's a good problem solver which makes him perfect for his security gig. Then there's Chance, book three, the baby. He's definitely the wild one out of the bunch. He's the thrill seeker type, real adrenaline junkie, but he's also incredibly sweet and kind of perfect.

The three of them could not be more different from one another and yet they have this beautiful bond and are really good at leveling each other out. It's beyond hilarious watching them push each other's buttons and tease and get on each other's cases in a loving and good natured sort of way. But they also look out for one another and have each other's backs and have this amazing blind faith in each other's word. They're a very heartwarming bunch.

And the women they all lose their hearts too are just as great as the guys are! I freaking adored Claire to pieces! She's one of those characters where, if there's the slightest possibility that something could go wrong, when Claire is involved it most definitely will go wrong! That girl had me cracking up so much with all the bumbles and moments that probably would've had me horrified and locking myself in my room for the rest of my life with embarrassment if they were to happen to me. But Claire is just kinda shrugs it off and rolls with the punches. She was such an interesting and extremely fun character.

I will say that even though I did have the whole company spy thing figured out instantly, it didn't take away a single bit of enjoyment in the slightest. I still really enjoyed the storyline.

Oh swooniest of swoons, the romance! Will and Claire have this instant heat that was just so delicious. They easily fall into adorable bouts of banter that would leave me grinning ear to ear...and also in desperate need of some cooling off! They were the perfect blend of steamy and sweet.

The bottom line is, if you love funny, witty and sweet contemporary romances filled with the types off characters you wish you could pull out of the book and hang out with in real life, you absolutely need to give this series a try. Each one you read ends up being better than the last. They're quick and easy reads that were impossible for me to put down! I'm looking forward to see what Marissa Clarke has coming in the future because this series has added her to my list of authors I will buy and read anything from!

ARC REVIEW: I Do (If Only... #3) by A.J. Pine

Title: I Do
Series: If Only... #3
Author: A.J. Pine
Publisher: Entangled Embrace
Published: November 16th 2015
Format: eARC | Pages: 208
Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Source: Publisher
★★★✩ (3.5/5) Stars

A.J. Pine | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

A new adult romance from Entangled's Embrace imprint...

Sometimes you have to trust your heart to find out what home really means.

Duncan McAllister is marrying Elaina Tripoli tomorrow. Except--he's missing. Jordan, Noah, Griffin, Maggie, and Miles arrive in Greece for the festivities to find frantic messages from both the bride and groom. Noah and Griffin set off to find Duncan while Jordan, Maggie, and Miles try to salvage what should be a day of celebration before the wedding.

But the Americans have their own baggage. Noah's got a surprise planned for Jordan that has to go perfectly. Griffin's keeping life-changing news from Maggie. And Miles--well, he wasn't looking for love on this trip until a Greek sous chef named Alex rocks his world.

The race is on for Duncan to make it back to Elaina before she decides not to take him back at all. For Noah to make sure his monumental plan goes off without a hitch. For Griffin to tell Maggie the truth without losing her. For Miles to admit that letting himself fall in love is worth the risk.

Happily Ever After waits at the finish line…if the four couples can make it on time.

I received a copy of this book, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating.

I Do ended up being a very pleasant surprise. I got pretty intimidated when I first started and discovered it had seven points of view. Seven. The most I've ever dealt with has been three, so I was worried that it was going to end up being too much or jumbled or confusing or any number of risky things hopping around between so many heads. Honestly though, for this book, it really, really worked.  Even starting this series on book three didn't throw things out of whack either because I never felt lost with any of the characters or their history. Basically I had tons of fun reading this book!

I liked each one of the eight characters that this book shuffles through in varying degrees. A couple were just okay, a few were great and two of them completely stole my heart. But there really wasn't anybody I did not like at all. Alex and Miles were totally my guys. Part of me feels like, since they were the only new couple to this series, meeting and getting together in this book, that maybe it was the newness of them. Seeing the sparks of that first attraction and watching them fall for each other that did it for me. That and they were just so sweet and incredibly sexy! Even though I was intimidated with seven points of view at first, I felt it was such a shame to miss out on Alex's and seeing what exactly was going on in his head as Miles fought his feelings.

I really only take issue on one thing when it comes to this book. Each one of the couples always seemed on the brink of ripping of their clothes and jumping into bed at the end of each of their points of view. Now, it wasn't graphic sex each and every time though, sometimes a point of view would end with a bit, or a lot, of foreplay and then end leaving no doubt what happened after the switch. They're all young and in love, I get it. It's just that the first 10 percent alone was filled with heavy make out sessions and a whole lot of feeling each other up. And lots of leading up to sexual encounters and then switching views. It wasn't terrible, I guess I just wanted more story and conversations and showing me that it wasn't just each other's bodies that had all these people into each other.

One thing this book did a bang up job on was throwing wrenches into everyone's plans. Just when you'd think that things were going to smooth out something would jump out and threaten to rip the couples apart and then it would turn into a domino effect. There were times when I wondered if everyone who came to Greece would end up leaving there happily ever after you know? It was a bumpy but extremely fun ride that's for sure!

Seeing as how I did start this series in an odd place I would love to go back and read the first two books and actually see some of these people get together instead of just hearing about it in the past tense. Something I'll definitely have to do one of these days!

As I said in the beginning, this book truly was a pleasant surprise with 8 solid characters that would easily leave you laughing, swooning or completely frustrated. You could easily read this book on it's own if you haven't read the first two books, although it did leave me wanting to know more details.

Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book!

2016 Reading Challenges I'm Going To Attempt!!

So I have kind of dropped the ball....a lot in 2015. Mostly because I overwhelmed myself with lots and lots and lots and...well you get the idea...ARCs. But I've curbed that habit, sure it took until the end of the year to do it, but I did and in order to breathe some fresh air into my reading life and get me excited and motivated again I wanted to join up with some reading challenges!

I'm really excited to get involved in these especially since the ones I found all involve trimming down that ever growing TBR and the piles of books that I already own!

Tentatively these are the three that I plan on doing (mostly because they were the only ones that I saw so far that caught my eye). So I may just add more to this list yet. These first three that I'm signing up for can easily be hodge podged together and will kill 2 (or 3 in this case) birds with 1 stone so that's also why I picked them!

Each challenge is going to have it's own dedicated page which I will link below and I'm also posting a very tentative list of all the books I will be using to complete these challenges on a monthly or whatnot basis on each of their pages. I say very tentative because, especially in the cases of the series I'm adding, I may not end up loving them as much as I once had/hoped to do.

*Also a quick note because I don't want to rewrite everything I just did, I forgot that almost a week back I had signed up for one other reading challenge that I'm adding in to bring the total to 4. But once again it also fits in perfectly with all of the other challenges. 

Also some books I read will overlap into more than one challenge so each list you'll experience quite a bit of déjà vu!

So what do I plan on doing in 2016?

Rock My TBR hosted by The YA Book Traveler

Sign up (here)

My challenge page (here)

Finishing the Series hosted by Bea's Book Nook

Sign up (here)

My challenge page (here)

I'm aiming high and going for Experienced Series Reader with 7 or more series!

Series a Month hosted by Love at First Page

Sign up (here)

My challenge page (here)

Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge hosted by Love at First Page and Gone with the Words

Sign up (here).

My challenge page (here)

I'm hoping to go over my goal of Home Run and actually hit Grand Slam before the year is up but we'll see.

Those are what I have for now. I may add more if I stumble across any other challenges down the road. And if you find any creative or extra challenging ones or have one you think I might be interested drop me a link! You never know and I'd love to see what else is out there at the very least. Good luck with your challenges and TBRs in the year to come and happy reading all!

ARC REVIEW: Chance of a Lifetime (Anderson Brothers #3) by Marissa Clarke

Title: Chance of a Lifetime
Series: Anderson Brothers #3
Author: Marissa Clarke
Publisher: Entangled Lovestruck
Published: November 16th 2015
Format: eARC | Pages: 220
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Source: Publisher
★★★★★ (5/5) Stars!!

Marissa Clarke | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Sometimes the biggest risk is playing it safe…

Gen Richards is tired of living down to her family’s expectation of the helpless blind girl. Resurrecting her high-school bucket list that begins with “kiss a total stranger” seems just the thing until she finds herself in a panty-melting lip lock with her big brother’s best friend. 

Chance Anderson thrives on adrenaline, but Genny’s the one risk he’s not willing to take. His recklessness a decade ago landed her in the hospital and ejected him from her life. He’s bad for her and everyone knows it—especially her big brother. 

Chance reluctantly helps Gen complete her bucket list in order to keep her out of trouble. Running through a freezing fountain, playing Spin the Bottle while fending off a mad horde of stinging insects, and skinny dipping with homicidal attack swans don’t hold a candle to the real danger: falling for the one person he can never have.

I received a copy of this book, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating!

My heart is so full right now. I fell in love with this series and the Anderson brothers from the moment I first picked up Michael's book. They are the perfect blend of humor and romance, with a brilliant set of characters that leaves you constantly wanting more of them. Chance of a Lifetime was the perfect end to this series and I'm so sad to see it be over. About halfway through it really hit me that this is it and all I could think was how in a perfect world Chance and Gen, hell the entire Anderson clan and their women need to be in all the books I read in the future. That is how much I adore them.

For lack of a better phrase, I like to go into a series blind. I don't like to know the details or read the blurbs so everything is fresh and a surprise and I have zero expectations. Gen was the most pleasant surprise all. I don't think I've ever read a book with a blind main character before, at least not that I can recall. Marissa Clarke did a fabulous job at putting you in her shoes. You experience things differently through her point of view and it comes across perfectly and beautifully. Plus it's not hard to sympathize with someone who is strong and capable and only has one small obstacle with her day to day life, she can't see, yet her family treats her as if her lack of sight has impacted her mental capacity. It was easy to feel angry for her and cheer her on as she would take control of her life.

Seeing this amazing character as she blossoms and experiences new things brought on a whole new level of emotional for me. I would find myself tearing up at things we find so simple but are a wonder to Gen. And I loved her curiosity and I would always grin whenever her most used phrase would pop up, "What do you see?" I just adored her.

And I loved how Chance supports her and empowers her. He is such a good guy. He's definitely become my favorite Anderson brother. He treated her like a human and he cherished her. Like I wish I could sit here and gush about all the freaking amazing things that Chance does that concern Gen but...you know...spoilers. Trust me when I say you will lose your heart totally and completely over this guy.

"Nobody needs to lead you two to each other. You'd find each other from opposite sides of the planet."

And the connection and sparks between these two. Oh my freaking word! There was this magnetic, tangible heat between Chance and Gen. Honestly I can say that they shared the most intense first kiss that I have ever read or probably ever will read. Maybe because you experience it with all your other senses, Marissa Clarke has a way with vividly tickling your other senses in this book that's for sure. Just thinking about it makes me want to go read it all over again.

As if you couldn't already tell...I am so far beyond head over heels for this book. It was all just so perfect. Does it really have to be over? Are we sure there aren't any Anderson boys hidden away anywhere? No? Sigh....

ARC REVIEW: Tell Me You Need Me (Search and Seduce #1) by Joya Ryan

Title: Tell Me You Need Me
Series: Search and Seduce #1
Author: Joya Ryan
Publisher: Entangled Brazen
Published: November 16th 2015
Format: eARC | Pages: 132
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Erotica
Source: Publisher
★★★✩ (3.5/5) Stars

Joya Ryan | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

A sexy category romance from Entangled's Brazen imprint...

Playing dirty can be the best kind of fun…

Chloe Franklin wouldn't call herself a commitment-phobe, so much as she's allergic to anything long term. She loves the sexy, sweaty and intensely hot hours of the night that come before the sun rises, though. Especially when those nights are spent with Search-and-Rescuer Gage McGraw...

Gage loves his job, but there is one thing he's starting to like more than the rush of a mission--a stacked blonde with a mouth that haunts his dreams. Every time he steps foot in the sleepy town of Beaufort, he hooks up with Chloe. But he's tired of hooks-ups. He wants more.

Just the sight of Gage gets Chloe's blood going. Hot, bothered, and finally naked, she's ready for their night to start. But before he takes her, he whispers what his intentions really are…and then the games really begin.

I received a copy of this book, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating.

This is so hard, because normally I'd be shouting from the rooftops right about now on a major book high from finishing a Joya Ryan book. Unfortunately I'm not doing that with this one. Don't get me wrong I really liked it. I just didn't fall in love with it like I did with all of the previous books of hers I've read. Part of it is me I will admit. I'm having the worst time getting into books period right now. I can't find anything that sinks it's claws in and doesn't let go. So that's on me. But then again, this book was also very contradictory with both Chloe and Gage, in a very frustrating way.

Let me see if I can explain.

I just didn't get their feelings. But not attraction or romance wise, their chemistry and the heat between them was very real and I could see how they cared. First let me make it clear by saying Gage and Chloe have had a mutually appreciated no strings, only when he's in town, strictly sexual relationship. It's been working for years. This time around though Gage starts pushing Chloe for more. For a relationship. But...only when he comes to town in between rescue jobs. It's practically identical to what they have now...just some actual talking in between rolls in the hay.

Now, where this all starts to really irk me, is the fact that he is seriously pushing and almost, in a way, blackmailing her into giving him a chance and opening herself up. She's got her reasons for avoiding that kind of intimacy from watching her parents implode, so she's all messed up in a weird sort of way. So all they do for huge chunks of the book is try to push the other one into getting exactly what they want with their bodies and sexually frustrating the other one. Him wanting more, her wanting just for him to do her.

I mean, there is no denying that these two have combustible levels of heat. And I completely shipped them without a doubt. I just did not get this wall between them. It didn't make complete sense to me or even feel right. Especially how he expected her to bend at everything and yet he wouldn't even consider doing the same to make it happen throughout most of the book.

The other thing that really got to me about their whole situation was this point in the book when Chloe is frustrated with a situation at her restaurant and, after all of the pushing and well meaning manipulation (I'm not saying he's a jerk or anything I actually like the guy) Gage's advice to Chloe is that "you can't force a situation. You just need to relax and let it happen." Um. Hello? Part of me wanted to yell at him to take his own advice. Yet the other half knew if he did that they'd never get anywhere. It just made it hard to get through with both of their nonsensical romance antics.

Chloe wasn't any better. She'd push him away or seduce him into giving in sexually to her "needs'. She'd tell him she needed space. He'd give it and she'd be all internally whiny and pouty about it and then freak out about what she was feeling.

Sigh.

I absolutely wanted to love this one so very much. Most especially because I freaking adore Joya Ryan. Sadly Chloe and Gage left me more frustrated than swooning. I know it sounds like I had a horrible time reading this but I truly didn't. It had it's funny moments and it kept me interested to the end. It was good, I just never completely clicked and fell head over heels in love with it. I will say that I am so, so excited to read East's story though when it comes out. The sparks I saw forming and who I saw them forming with...*whistles* I think they would make for one highly entertaining book!

Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book!