ARC REVIEW: Abby and the Cute One (Backstage Pass #5) by Erin Butler

Title: Abby and the Cute One
Series: Backstage Pass #5
Author: Erin Butler
Publisher: Entangled Crush
Published: November 16th 2015
Format: eARC | Pages: 172
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Source: Publisher
★★★★ (4/5) Stars

Erin Butler | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

He's cute. He's famous. And he could ruin everything...

Every member of Seconds to Juliet has a girlfriend-except for Nathan Strong. Now the band's manager is leaning hard on "The Cute One" to play the role of the band's heartthrob. With the band's sales in decline, it's up to Nathan to keep the fans' fantasy alive.

The plan is to stage a fake relationship and a fake breakup, and then let the fans fight to be the one to mend Nathan's broken heart. Just one problem. There's another girl in the picture-one Nathan can't stay away from. In private, Nathan's stealing kisses with the band's new opening act, Abby Curtis.

If they're caught, no one wins. Abby will be fired, and the band might not recover the success they need to survive. But even with the pressure mounting, Nathan and Abby can't stop themselves from stealing one more touch, one more kiss. And it's only a matter of time before it all falls apart.

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've been following the Backstage Pass series from the beginning. Even though the last two books weren't exactly my cup of tea, I still knew I wanted to see this series through to the end. Though there were a few cheesy moments here and there, I couldn't be more pleased with how this series came to a close. It made me fall in love with each one of the guys from Seconds to Juliet all over again and it was hard to put down.

I was so excited to finally, finally get to know something about Nathan. He's been the most mysterious. I mean, besides the fact that he's "The Cute One" it's really hard to get a read on his personality to this point. If you'd asked me before reading this book, I'd have told you Miles was totally my S2J guy all the way. With Ryder nipping closely at his heels of course. But since getting to know Nathan I'm a Strong girl all the way! He is just so sweet and genuine and adorable. He has this tremendous heart and actually made me cry at one point when he does the sweetest and most thoughtful thing in the middle of the book for a couple fans. I had been slowly losing my heart to him up to that point, but once it happened I was a total goner.

Abby was the perfect girl for someone as thoughtful and giving in nature as Nathan was. I loved how down to earth and grounded she was. And especially the fact that she was every bit as talented, probably even more so, than the guys were. How she knows she has this gift with her voice, but instead of it inflating her ego or having her be driven for fame, she just wants to connect and make people feel the passion that music can inspire. These two are just cuteness overload and perfect together.

One thing that each and every author in this series did perfectly the same, was inspire the deep, deep hatred that I felt towards S2J's manager, LJ. The guy was slime. No. Worse than slime! Ugh I could not stand sitting her in each and every book watching him manipulate and threaten these young men in his power hungry ways. And watching each one of them believe his words. With each book I was hoping at first he'd be fired, but then as the series went on I was picturing bad things happening to him. And liking it. Sigh. I was really hoping he'd get killed off by the end of the series, but alas...that didn't happen. But I feel like Erin Butler got me to hate him the most. She really brought out his evil side! And I couldn't have been more pleased with how she handled the situation.

Sure, like I said, there were moments of real cheese, but they're 16 years old. I remember things being cheesy and overly dramatic at that age. Regardless, I really thought the romance was sweet and loved the connection between Abby and Nathan.

I had such a fun time reading this last book in the series and now that it's happened I'm sad to see it go. Thank goodness Erin Butler came along to finish it up. This was my first time reading one of her books, but after reading this, it definitely won't be the last! 

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

ARC REVIEW: Anya and the Shy Guy (Backstage Pass #4)

Title: Anya and the Shy Guy
Series: Backstage Pass #4
Author: Suze Winegardner
Publisher: Entangled Crush
Published: July 14th 2015
Format: eARC | Pages: 183
Genres: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Source: Publisher
★★★★ (4/5) Stars!

Suze Winegardner | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

It’s always the quiet ones…

Anya Anderson doesn’t just need a big break, she needs any break. Living on the streets doesn’t leave a girl many options, so when she scores a gig reporting on the Seconds to Juliet tour, she jumps at the chance to earn enough money to sleep somewhere safe. And the paycheck will get bigger—and keep her off the streets for good—if she can dig up dirt on Will Fray, the irritatingly hot “shy guy” of the band. 

Problem is, Will Fray isn't who everyone thinks he is. In fact, he’s not Will at all. Matt, Will's identical twin, is actually the guy onstage, reluctantly covering for his brother while he’s in rehab. To make matters worse, Matt’s being shadowed by a cute reporter with troubled eyes determined to get the scoop. On him. And he's having trouble finding the willpower to keep his distance…

But if the secret gets out, it won't just be his head on a platter—it’ll be the whole band’s. 

This Entangled Teen Crush book contains steamy make out scenes, graphic language, and a love story so hot your copy may spontaneously burst into flames. You’ve been warned.

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'll start this off by saying that when I first started Anya and the Shy Guy I felt pretty disappointed. While Anya and Matt's story was great and I did end up enjoying it...that was actually the problem. It was Anya and Matt. If I'm reading a series I tend to avoid blurbs of subsequent books in the series because I always like to be surprised with what's going to happen next. I went in expecting to read the story of an adorably shy boy band member coming out of his shell. Or even get inside his head and see how he coped with being in the spotlight and being so shy. Instead I ended up with a not-so-shy twin trying to pretend he was so. Even now that I've finished and enjoyed it as much as I did, there is still some lingering twinges of disappointment.

I think what I loved the most about this book was Anya's character. She really tugs at your heart. Abandoned and homeless since she was fifteen it was hard to not fall under her spell. She's spunky, sweet and strong and has a huge heart. The girl even made a few tears escape me at the end of the book. She had such a heartwarming and inspiring story. 

I feel kind of bad saying that I was disappointed because, truly, Matt was a really fun character. It was never anything on him, he just wasn't what I was expecting. I liked how he couldn't help but be himself, Matt, whenever he was around Anya. How this guy who seems very confident and bold would end up being tongue tied almost and a bit cheesy when he was trying to be smooth and charming with her. It left me cracking up on occasion the things that'd come out of his mouth that would...not....go over well with her.

As always, it was also very awesome to see the rest of the guys from Seconds to Juliet again. See them at their worst and at each others throats and yet in the end they still all come together and you see that bond that's as strong as any real family. See them support and look out for one another.

Overall, once I really got into it, this addition to the Backstage Pass series was a lot of fun. It was sweet, the romance was beyond swoony and it was a quick read that was hard to put down. I can't wait to get to Nathan's story and watch the final member of the band fall in love. 

ARC REVIEW: Daisy and the Front Man (Backstage Pass #3) by Rebekah L. Purdy

Title: Daisy and the Front Man
Series: Backstage Pass #3
Author: Rebekah L. Purdy
Publisher: Entangled Crush
Published: June 16th 2015
Format: eARC | Pages: 323
Genres: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Source: Publisher
★★★ (3/5) Stars!

Rebekah L. Purdy | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Hell hath no fury like a fangirl scorned…

When Daisy Morris finds out she’s spending the summer with her dad, bodyguard for Seconds to Juliet—the hottest boy band around—she knows it couldn't be more perfect. But not because she’s a fan. Oh, no. Because ever since front man Trevin Jacobs completely humiliated her by standing her up for homecoming, Daisy is out for a little revenge. Yup, Trevin Jacobs is goin' down...

When one of his bandmates bets Trevin he can't make Daisy—the gorgeous but surprisingly ice-cold daughter of their bodyguard—fall in love with him, it’s a bet he can’t resist. Sure, Daisy won’t give him the time of day for reasons he can't understand, and her dad’s hell-bent against his little girl spending time with a superstar. But the terms are set, and Trevin is determined to make Daisy fall…hard.

But every front man should know never to trust a girl with a pretty face…

This Entangled Teen Crush book contains adult language, sexual situations, and seriously hot boys. It may cause swoony daydreams involving a certain super-cute front man.

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've had a very love/hate type of experience with this book and I'm pretty conflicted on how I feel about it now that I've finished. On one hand it made me laugh, swoon and even tear up a bit. Yet on the other hand, well if I'm being honest, I wasn't feeling it and had moments that I wasn't sure I wanted to go on. I fell head over heels in love with the first two books in this series. But that's the problem when you have multiple authors contributing to a single series. Sometimes it works very well and others it kind of doesn't. Everyone has their own style and so there's that chance of a lack of consistency. So while the first two books were seamless and perfect and they flowed together as if they were coming from the same person, this one was more like a loose annoying thread that you tug and tug on until you realize it's come free and started to unravel and come apart from the rest.

I took major issue with two events in the very beginning of this book and it really set this negative tone over the rest of my reading experience that I just couldn't shake. First of all for all people concerned in this story, Trevin Jacobs basically humiliates Daisy in the prologue by standing her up for homecoming. It's very public. We're talking news and everything. And yet as the actual chapters start her mother tells her she's taking off to Italy with her boyfriend for a few months and she was going to be spending the summer with her dad. Which ties into my second issue with the book...

Conveniently, Daisy's dad just so happens to be the bodyguard for Seconds to Juliet. Really? First, what mother in their right mind would send their teenage daughter off to tour with a band after one of it's members broke her heart basically for the entire world to see? I just do not buy into that at all. But even more perplexing was the fact that her bodyguard absentee father would not only be okay with it but he actually says the line, "You'll be living every girl's dream this summer." As he's leading her over to the tour buses to meet the guys. *Crickets* It was all just way too convenient. Way too easily fit into place. Girl gets humiliated wants revenge and the opportunity is just handed to her to have access to seeking it.

Rough start? Yeah. You could say that.

Like I said though it wasn't all bad. There were moments when I was cracking up from all the banter. Not just between Daisy and Trevin but with the rest of the guys too. So it had its moments that had me really pulled in.

So what kept me reading?

I think what I actually liked most about this book was the fact that we finally get more of Will and Nathan. The two guys who up until now haven't really made appearances in the books. In Daisy and the Front Man though, both Will and Nathan seem to form a real bond with Daisy and so you get to actually see them really interact with not only Daisy but the rest of the guys from S2J as well. Now my thoughts are more like I'm looking forward to Will and Nathan's books as opposed to what I had been thinking which was to refer to them as those other two guys in the band. Sorry Will and Nathan!

And when I gave it a chance the relationship between Daisy and Trevin was pretty sweet, when it wasn't frustrating and way too easy and convenient.

In the end I'm glad I made it all the way through because it did have it's moments. I think I've just been so excited for Trevin's book because I've really liked him up to this point. So when it started off so rough for me it was hard to shake that disappointing feeling. I wanted so much more for him because he's like the S2J glue and a really great character. This just wasn't that more that I wanted. Hopefully I'll have better luck with the last 2 guys books.

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

ARC REVIEW: Mia and the Bad Boy (Backstage Pass #2) by Lisa Burstein

Title: Mia and the Bad Boy
Series: Backstage Pass #2
Author Lisa Burstein
Publisher: Entangled Crush
Published: May 19th 2015
Format: eARC | Pages: 181
Genres: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Source: Publisher
★★★★★ (5/5) Stars!!!

Lisa Burstein | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

This good girl’s about to meet her match…

Ryder Brooks is living the dream—he’s famous, loved by millions of girls, and miserable. All he really wants is to write his own music, not Seconds to Juliet’s sugary sweet pop. In order to do that, though, the “bad boy” of the band will have to play by the rules. And that includes behaving with his new—and super cute—über-good-girl tutor.

Mia Reyes is in fangirl heaven. Tutoring her favorite member of her favorite band? It’s a dream come true…until it turns into a complete nightmare. Ryder is nothing like she thought. He’s crude, arrogant, and pretty much a total jerk. And the worst part? She’s roped into pretending to be his girlfriend so that no one finds out he’s being tutored. Fake kisses, plenty of PDA, and even sharing his hotel room…

But sometimes even the baddest of bad boys needs a little redemption.

For exclusive news, teasers and BOY BAND fun like The Backstage Pass Series Facebook page!

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 has been such a fun series so far. I mean, I realize it's only two books in but with 5 books from 5 different authors you never know what to expect. The only one of the 5 authors I'd ever read any books from before this was Ophelia London, so it was a bit worrisome reading and falling in love with the first book, being by her, and not knowing for sure if I'd get that same vibe as I continued the series. Writers all have different styles and was I going to like the rest of them? Well in the case of Lisa Burstein, and Mia and the Bad Boy at least, I feel like this is going to be my favorite book in the series. I've become an instant fan of Lisa Burstein and can't wait to read more of her books.

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about Ryder. As the infamous bad boy of Seconds to Juliet, Ryder can be...well, kind of a jerk. Once you read this book and really get to know him however, it's easy to see that he doesn't just act the way he does simply to be a jerk, it's more of a defense mechanism and there are deeper issues there. Ryder has been let down constantly in his past and his story is a sad one. Even though I was unsure of him when I started this book it didn't take long for me to realize that it's very easy to lose your heart over this guy. Trust me, I did. He may be a bad boy but he's got a beautiful and good soul. Oh wow, am I the smitten kitten or what?

I think what I loved most when it came to this book was Mia's character. She is so sheltered and innocent in so many ways and yet she was still just your typical teenage girl, boy band crush and all. She's also funny, sweet and wickedly smart. She was exactly the kind of YA heroine that I love to read about.

The relationship between Ryder and Mia was sweet and angsty and incredibly swoon worthy. Not only was Mia the perfect girl to tame the bad boy, but Ryder had a lot of positive influence on Mia as well. I loved seeing how much she changed by the end of the book. Well both of them really.

What I really love though, is how these books make me get in touch with my inner teenage self. The nostalgia of having that boy band that I just couldn't get enough of. Having all their posters on my walls, buying all the magazines, going to concerts, though I won't name my boy band obsession because that will age me haha. But I'd definitely have been a S2J fan if they existed and Ryder would absolutely be my guy! I can't wait to get to know the rest of the guys better and continue on with this series. The first two were amazing and I can only hope that that will continue on with the rest!

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

ARC REVIEW: Aimee and the Heartthrob (Backstage Pass #1) by Ophelia London

Title: Aimee and the Heartthrob
Series: Backstage Pass #1
Author: Ophelia London
Publisher: Entangled Crush
Published: April 14th 2015
Format: eARC
Genres: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Source: Publisher
★★★★★ (5/5) Stars!!!

Ophelia London | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

He never noticed her before, but now she’s all he can see…

Miles Carlisle is every teen girl’s fantasy. His rugged good looks and exotic British accent have helped catapult his boy band, Seconds to Juliet, to super-stardom. But after two disastrous and very public breakups, Miles isn’t interested in dating just any girl; he wants The One. And the only girl he’s interested in is not only his best friend’s little sister―and off-limits―but won’t even give him the time of day…

As a kid, Aimee Bingham had a huge thing for Miles…until he made fun of her for always tagging along. Now that she’s outgrown both him and her pigtails. the prospect of spending two weeks on tour with the childhood crush who broke her heart isn’t exactly enticing. Except now Miles seems interested. Very interested. And no matter how hard Aimee tries to resist him, her crush is definitely making a comeback.

But everyone knows that falling for a heartthrob is a backstage pass to heartbreak…

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!

Have you ever read a book that was so sickeningly sweet and cute in so many ways and yet also filled with so much tension that through a good portion of it the only thing to run through your head was a chant that just kept going on and on, over and over like a broken record? Kiss her. Kiss her. Kiss her! And then when that magical moment finally happens you were sure that the results of such a tender moment, an achingly sweet kiss would surely cause you to combust? This book is all of that and more for me. And that first kiss between Aimee and Miles is the result of this paragraph and me having to pause, set my Kindle aside and put that kiss into words as I try to come down from that high you get, that romance high, when you're ready to burst from the sheer swooniness of it all. Oh how there is sometimes nothing on earth like a good young adult romance. I'm just barely past the halfway mark as I'm writing this right now but I could swear that my heart already feels like it's consumed in flames, and has been, since pretty early on.

I feel like Ophelia London did a really good job at capturing the teenage voice. Aimee's character was absolutely adorable. She has this sort of sweet innocence about her and I thought it was cute how often and how easily Miles could make her blush. I swear to you I was grinning every time. She was so much fun. I loved the fact that she was around before Miles got famous and was crushing on him long before he became the Heartthrob. Her crush/attraction to him felt more genuine and sincere that way. She was the best friends tag along little sister. I love those kinds of romances.

As for Miles, well, swoon worthy doesn't even begin to describe him. Is it creepy that even at my age I'd be a part of the Miles High Club in a heartbeat? Yeah, I didn't think so either. This guy was so, so sweet and funny. Oh and British. Did I mention the British thing yet? Sigh. Yeah, there's just something about a cute British boy with a guitar. The thing about Miles is that he's flawed and he's coping and dealing with things he's done in his past and battles internal demons on a daily basis and I think watching him struggle to control certain things within himself internally just made me fall all that much more for him.

It's books like this one that really go to show that sometimes a very innocent and sweet YA romance can be a million times hotter and more swoon worthy than anything I could read in something more adult or NA. For example that kiss I was talking about in the opening of my post? That's all it was. A simple kiss, granted it was a long one though. It wasn't some heavy make out session with roaming hands and tongues. It was just a sweet, innocent kiss and yet the feelings it inspired were almost overwhelming. Maybe it's just the fact that they remind us of those wonderful and intense feelings associated with first love. The kind that make you feel like you can't breathe and are almost painful in a good kind of way. Aimee and the Heartthrob did an amazing job of expressing those feelings. Especially since it alternated points of view so we got to see both sides of the relationship and seeing Aimee through the eyes of Miles made my heart...well throb for lack of a better word.

I'm very excited to read books about the rest of the boys in Seconds to Juliet. Especially Ryder who it looks like is coming up next. He kind of seemed like a huge jerk through a lot of the book but the way he comes out in the end has me thinking that he's got a few redeeming qualities in there somewhere. Though I am kind of nervous at the same time because Ophelia London did such an amazing job opening up this series and I notice that it's going to be a group effort. I've never read anything before by Lisa Burstein, who is doing Ryder's book, but I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Basically I adore this book to pieces and I highly recommend it to anyone who would love a very cute and very sweet YA contemporary romance. Trust me, by the end you'll want to be part of the Miles High Club as well! I think I used innocent and sweet way too often in this post but I don't even care. Give it a read and you'll see!

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

Top Ten Tuesday #48 [Freebie!]

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke andthe Bookish!

This week's topic is...

Well it's freebie week this week and I had been trying to come up with something all on my own but for some reason my mind kept straying to negative thoughts (i.e. "Top Ten Books I Wish I Could Forget/Unread") yeah...I'm not sure where that came from. So I went through the list of all the past posts to find one that I hadn't done yet and so many of them jumped out at me but when I saw the one I picked I couldn't resist. It was harder than I thought too but I had some fun with it ;) I chose...

Top Ten Books I'd Give A Theme Song To

A couple of these picks were all in fun because the thought made me giggle. I'm such a dork! I'm sure you'll be able to figure them out once you see them! These are all just my opinions and feelings so I'm not saying they'll be dead on but I have my reasons for each one. Let's get to it shall we?

One:

Real (Real #1) by Katy Evans

Song: "Iris" by Goo Goo Dolls

So if you've read this then you're thinking "Duh!" I've loved this song since high school and now ever since reading Real I cannot listen to it without automatically thinking about Remy and that scene. No complaints here though!

Two:

 

The Evolution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #2) by Michelle Hodkin

Song: "Change (In the House of Flies)" by Deftones

Ever since reading this series, especially this book in particular, this song makes me think of Noah watching Mara...well, change. It popped up randomly on my playlist while I was reading and I ended up putting it on repeat. It just perfectly fit in with the tone of the book for me.

Three:

Wallbanger (Cocktail #1) by Alice Clayton

Song: "Bang Bang" by Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj

I mean come on! The title fits right? Yeah, it was a stretch and I'm not really a fan of any of them but  maybe just some of Ariana's stuff. 

Four:

Rome (Marked Men #3) by Jay Crownover

Song: "Colorblind" by Counting Crows

This song totally makes me think of Rome and Cora. He likes to say that she is the splash of color in his world of gray (sigh...I know right??) It just fits!

Five:

The Avery Shaw Experiment by Kelly Oram

Song: "Just A Kiss" by Lady Antebellum

This might be my favorite Lady Antebellum song, it's really hard to choose just one. But I don't know it just feels like this book to me. Full of sweetness and possibilities. 

Six:

Ride (Bayonet Scars #1) by J.C. Emery

Song: "Take Me To Church" by Hozier

This can actually apply to the series as a whole. And it's in a roundabout kind of way. This song makes me think of Sons of Anarchy which in turn makes me want to reread the Bayonet Scars series. It would probably apply to any outlaw/motorcycle club type of book but these are the only ones I've read so far.

Seven:

Opposition (Lux #5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Song: "Uprising" by Muse

This song is all about rising up and taking back control which fits in perfectly with the end of this series. Aww I miss those Luxen must reread soon!

Eight:

Archer's Voice (A Sign of Love) by Mia Sheridan

Song: "In My Veins" by Andrew Belle

This song always makes me think of an intense and passionate love and that's exactly what Archer and Bree have. Both of these give me major feels so I found it fitting.

Nine:

Ten Tiny Breaths (Ten Tiny Breaths #1) by K.A. Tucker

Song: "Close to You" by Neon Trees

I can't exactly pinpoint the thing that makes me think that this song fits this book. It's just sort of a feeling I get when I listen to it. But it really makes me think of Trent.

Ten:

Desired (Club Sin #3) by Stacey Kennedy

Song: "S&M" by Rihanna

So I'm not a Rihanna fan...like at all, but I do like this song because of Pitch Perfect and what better song for this entire series than one with this title haha. Couldn't resist throwing that one in there ;)

So it only took me a bajillion hours to come up with a topic and find some interesting and some funny matches. What topic did you go with this week?

REVIEW: Devoured (Devoured #1) by Emily Snow

Title/Series: Devoured | Devoured #1
Author: Emily Snow
Publisher: Touchstone
Published: May 28th 2013
Format: Paperback | Pages: 280
Genre: NA, Contemporary, Romance
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review
★★★★ (4/5) Stars!

Emily Snow | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Sienna Jensen had no plans to return home when she graduated college last spring—after all, her dreams lie in California. But when she discovers her grandmother’s Nashville home has been foreclosed, and the new owner has started the eviction process, Sienna has no other choice but go back to Music City. And she comes face to face with the flawed, gorgeous man she never thought she’d see again. The man who now holds the deed to her grandma’s estate.

When millionaire rock star Lucas Wolfe finds the outspoken redhead glaring at him from across a courtroom, he’s both infuriated and intrigued. He still can't get the night Sienna almost spent with him out of his mind, and the chemistry between them is as undeniable as it was two years ago. He craves Sienna more than ever. And just like everything Lucas hungers for, he’s determined to have her.

Now, Lucas will do whatever it takes to lure Sienna into his bed, even if that means making a deal with her: ten days with him, playing by his rules, and he’ll hand over the deed to her grandmother’s home. Though she agrees to the arrangement, Sienna is conflicted. Because of her duty to her family. Because of promises she’s made to herself and a past that still haunts her. And as Lucas’s game of seduction continues, and Sienna is introduced to his dark, erotic world and even darker background, she realizes that at any moment, she could be devoured.

*This novel contains adult situations and content*

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. At the start of Devoured we meet Sienna as she's having to rush from California back to Nashville. Her grandmother, who raised her, is losing her house in a foreclosure and some big rock star from California has bought it and is in the process of evicting her. As she's in the courtroom glaring daggers into the back of the asshat who is evicting her grandmother, and admiring his backside for that matter, he turns around and she instantly recognizes him. And much to her dismay he recognizes her as well. See things didn't exactly end smoothly the last time she saw him.

This is one of those moments where fate has roundhouse kicked me in the face yet again. Why is he here in Nashville? In the same courtroom as me?

I'll admit that it took me a bit to warm up to this book. I think part of the problem was that I picked it up immediately after finishing Tidal, also by Emily Snow, which I loved and I was still on one of those I-just-finished-a-really-good-book highs and  probably not ready to jump into something else. Nonetheless after  3 or 4 chapters I was intrigued.

The other part of the problem I feel lies with Sienna. I like strong characters. I don't mind a little bit of vulnerability or weakness as long as there's fight in there somewhere. Sienna at the beginning was a major pushover. It showed at the start in the first few pages when she was dealing with her brother, whom she had a rocky relationship with. She allowed him to just walk all over her.Thankfully she showed growth as the book wore on and I myself grew to like her and feel for her. The only person in her life she doesn't shrink away from and allow to bring her down is Lucas.

"You are infuriatingly compliant to everyone around you...except me."

Lucas is 100% alpha male control freak. He's used to getting what he wants, when he wants and how he wants it. Sienna is the one person who tells him no and he hasn't forgotten that. Even after two years seeing her again stirs things in him and he comes up with a plan, he makes a deal with her. She works for him for 10 days. 10 days as his personal assistant so his sister can take time off. 10 days in which she is at his back and call and he signs of over the deed to her grandmas house. Lucas might not appeal to everyone due to his alpha controlling ways but I found him absolutely sexy. Even his name is sexy. Lucas Wolfe. Sigh.

"Oh, we'll fuck, Sienna. Believe me, it's been bound to happen since I first laid eyes on you. But this time it's going to be because you beg me, not the other way around. And when you do it'll be because you're ready to completely give yourself to me."

After great debate she eventually accepts and a sexy little power struggle between these two takes place. Sienna wants to do what she can to save the house, but being this close to Lucas is hard for her. She doesn't want to give in to him and every time she's around him all she can think about his touching and kissing him. Lucas tries so hard to build her up and steel her, get her to stand up for herself, yet at the same time also break down the walls she puts up for him and get her to submit to him. The chemistry between these two is so hot. But just as things start to heat up secrets from the past threaten the hold they have on each other.

It may have taken me a few chapters to get into this book but in the end I enjoyed it quite a bit. I'm dying to get my hands on Consumed I can't wait to see what happens next for Sienna and Lucas. Thank you so much Touchstone for sending me this book to read and review!!

ARC REVIEW: Torn (Torn #1) by K.A. Robinson

Title/Series: Torn | Torn #1
Author: K.A. Robinson
Publisher: Atria Publishing
Published: May 7th 2013
Format: eBook | Pages: 268
Genre: NA, Contemporary, Romance
Source: NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
★★★★✩ (4.5/5) Stars!

K.A. Robinson | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Chloe hasn't had the best life. With a mother who is gone more often than not, she has had to raise herself. After graduating high school, she leaves to start a new life away at West Virginia University with her best friends Amber and Logan, determined to leave her demons in the past. 

On her first day, she meets a stranger who takes her breath away at first sight. Until she met Drake, no one had ever sparked her interest. Now this tattooed and pierced bad boy is all she can think about, no matter how hard she fights it.

Falling for Drake was never part of her plans, but when it happens, things seem to do anything but fall into place.

Dealing with a tragic past, Drake has never cared about anyone else but himself and his band. But when Chloe takes the empty seat next to him in class, things start to change. Instantly drawn to her, he begins to wonder if one girl can take a cold hearted womanizer and change every part of him?

Long hidden feelings are revealed and friendships tested to the brink.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. There is nothing I love more, than a book that inspires intense emotions from me. Whether it be happiness, sadness and yes, even total and absolute frustration. I got so emotionally attached to these characters that when they were completely screwing things up I, in my head obviously, threw my Kindle across the room many, many times. If you were witness to my countless Goodreads status updates then I'm sure you already guessed as much.

I was hooked instantly. Chloe was a bit different from the average female MC. She was a bit more...alternative, for lack of a better word, in her style. She claimed Independence and "I can take care of myself" but the reality of it was she was very dependent on her two best friends Amber and Logan. Logan in particular.

On her first day of college she settles in to her first class of the day that she shares with Logan and when she notices the guy next to her, Drake, she's instantly attracted. What's not to like? Shaggy haired, pierced and tattoos. He screams bad boy. This is also where we first begin to realize that this "best friend" relationship with Logan may be just a bit more complicated than we originally thought. Because Logan notices Drake...noticing Chloe. This was all at about 3% into the book and I could already tell what was going to come of the situation and just knew it wasn't going to be good. Little did I know just how explosive and infuriating it was going to get!

Logan very quickly escalated to stab worthy to me. He was very jealous and possessive and his outbursts really made me nervous at times. It had me so angry because the jerk had 4 years that he's been best friends with her. FOUR YEARS in which he could have said "Hey girl. You. Me. Bed. Wanna?" But no he just allows himself to be secured in the friend zone and then when some other guy comes along and starts sniffing around he completely snaps. He's a complete tool. He only did ONE decent thing in this entire book in my opinion and that was in the last 10%. Still hasn't turned my opinion around on him. But it's a start.

Then we have Drake. Lead singer of a band, total bad boy. Womanizer, pierced, tattooed. Yeah I think I love him. What on earth is wrong with me?! Sigh. Honestly though, he's didn't escape my wrath at all. He has his fair share of moments where I wanted to crawl inside the book and punch him in the junk.

I nodded as tears welled up in my eyes again. "What if I don't want him. What if I want you?"

He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to my forehead. "You can't have me, not like that anyway."

This book tore my heart to shreds. It was one of the few times that I honestly did not think a happily ever after would be at all possible. Every time there would be some incredible high and I'd think "if only things could stay just like this" within moments it would all come crashing down and my heart would break just a little bit more.

I smiled as I wrapped my arms around him. "I'd like that. I'm just afraid we'll hurt each other again."

"We will, I have no doubt. We'll fight and slam doors and then we'll make up. Every couple in the world does it, Chloe. I'm willing to take all that hurt to be with you if you are too."  

"I am," I whispered as he pulled me close and kissed me gently.

Though as absolutely frustrating as this book and it's characters were, I fell in love with it completely and it's taking every ounce of self control I have to sit here and attempt to write this review instead of just diving straight into book two which is now waiting for me. What can I say it's become a favorite I must enjoy torture! I did take half a star away due to the number of times I had to restrain myself from tossing my Kindle. You now how it is.

"I love you, Chloe, so much it hurts"

Now if you'll excuse me. Drake, Twisted and I have a very important date. *Crosses self* Can I admit I'm a bit scared? Well played K.A. Robinson. Well played.