Review : Falling For You by Lisa Schroeder

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: January 1, 2013
Pages: 355
Source: Own
 

The Story:

Affection turns to obsession—and love means both devastation and redemption—in this gripping novel from the author of I Heart You, You Haunt Me.

Rae’s always dreamed of dating a guy like Nathan. He’s nothing like her abusive stepfather—in other words, he’s sweet. But the closer they get, the more Nathan wants of her time, of her love, of her…and the less she wants to give.

As Rae’s affection for Nathan turns to fear, she leans on her friend Leo for support. With Leo, she feels lighter, happier. And possessive Nathan becomes jealous. He’s not about to let her go. And with danger following her every move, Rae must fight for the life and love she deserves if she’s going to survive.

via Barnes & Noble

Rating: TWO Gold Stars!!!!

My Review: 

Tag Line:

Love found her. Now it won't let her go.

Opening Line:

At last I can breathe.

Plot:

The plot of Falling for You was decently laid out. The pacing was a little slower than I expected. To be honest, what made Falling for You 's rating suffer was my disappointment with the climax. For once, I wanted blurb predictable. I wanted the psycho, obsessed ex-boyfriend to be the murderous stalker I knew he had in him. Although, at first I thought the pacing steady considering what I hoped it would boil and blow up to become. However, when the plot conflict volcano finally exploded, it felt unspectacular so it made the pacing seem to drag (if that makes any sense at all).

Character Breakdown:

Rae Lynch - What I enjoyed about Rae's character so much is that she wasn't the weak, thirsty-for-love teenage girl I assumed she would be. Sure she had insecurity and wanted to be wanted, to be loved but it wasn't to the point that she remained in an abusive relationship out of some misguided need to fill a hole her parents didn't. It's nice to read a story that circles closely to matters I can relate to in real life but without the same exact mistakes being made.

Nathan - Perfect stalker ex material! Sexy, mysterious, confident, selfish, and so on. Nathan had so much potential! I was so disappointed I could see him in his Super Saiyan (Dragonball Z nerds will get this reference; in other words, his 100%, max potential).

Overall, I didn't hate Falling for You, it simply didn't do enough for me. I think Falling for You lost a star in rating for the lackluster finale showdown. Had there been some full-fledge stalker, obsessed ex insaneness with violence and psychological thrill and blood, my rating for would have definitely gone up. Still, Falling for You is not so bad that I would dissuade anyone from reading it. If you're bored or waiting between release dates then maybe give Falling for You a try.

***Check out Lisa Schroeder's website for more information about her and the Falling for You: HERE

Happy Reading!

Review : On The Fence by Kasie West

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Publication date: 7/1/2014

Pages: 304

Source: ARC

The Story:

For sixteen-year-old Charlotte Reynolds, aka Charlie, being raised by a single dad and three older brothers has its perks. She can outrun, outscore, and outwit every boy she knows—including her longtime neighbor and honorary fourth brother, Braden. But when it comes to being a girl, Charlie doesn't know the first thing about anything. So when she starts working at a chichi boutique to pay off a speeding ticket, she finds herself in a strange new world of makeup, lacy skirts, and BeDazzlers. Even stranger, she's spending time with a boy who has never seen her tear it up in a pickup game.

To cope with the stress of faking her way through this new reality, Charlie seeks late-night refuge in her backyard, talking out her problems with Braden by the fence that separates them. But their Fence Chats can't solve Charlie's biggest problem: she's falling for Braden. Hard. She knows what it means to go for the win, but if spilling her secret means losing him for good, the stakes just got too high.

- Barnes & Noble
 

Rating: THREE GOLD STARS!!!!!

My Review: 

On The Fence is the definition of summer read. So much so that I wishes I had read it during the

summer. But I suppose it worked out perfectly, since being reminded of warmer weather in 7 degree frozen tundra of NYC was a gift.

In On The Fence , we follow Charlie Reynolds as she navigates through a new world of discovering womanhood and falling in love for the first time. Charlie is fierce, independent and clueless about being a girl . . .  let alone  She feels more at home with the boys and in the thick of sports. 

Living with three older brothers and a single Dad doesn't make being a regular girl easy. Charlie grew up with roughhousing, gritty sports and "boyish" pranks being the norm. And she never questioned it until another speeding ticket and her father's punishment of her having to get a job makes her question it all. 

After Charlie begins working at a clothing store where she is forced to experiment with "girly" clothes and makeup, her eyes open up the world beyond being the Tomboy. To make things even more interesting a guy, who is so different than the athletic ones she is used to being around, wants to do more than be her teammate. Is love in the cards for Charlie and the new guy?

A new love interest isn't the only thing keeping up Charlie late at night though. Charlie's mother died in a car crash when she was younger but nightmares of her death keep Charlie awake at night. Insert another guy, the boy next door, and a shared fence line. Charlie and Braden have known each other since she was four years old. But he has been holding a secret about her past that her mind blocks out. What will his deception mean for their friendship?

On The Fence is a quick, light read, perfect for a lounging on the beach. 

*** Check out Kasie West's website for more information about her and On The Fence: HERE 

*My review on Goodreads  |  Amazon

Happy Reading!

Review : Unearthly by Cythnia Hand

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Release Date: January 4, 2011
Pages: 435
Source: Own

The Story:

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.

via Barnes & Noble

Rating: FOUR Gold Stars!!!!

My Review: One word: LUMINOUS

Yes! Simply, yes! I loved Unearthly so much that as soon as I finished reading it, I jumped on my computer and scoured the internet for Cynthia Hand's author event. In fact, that is how I learned about the existence of RT Booklovers Convention and ended up in Los Angeles (first time in California ever!) back in April 2011.

Character Breakdown:

Clara Gardner - Clara's character is nicely written. I may not be able to relate to her much (not being part-angel and all) but she is a likable and believable character. She is not annoying or docile. Clara is the right mixture of feminine, strong and teenage girl. I especially appreciate how adapt Cynthia Hand was at relaying Clara's emotional struggles to the readers. Clara's emotional scope is multifaceted and realistic.

Tucker Avery - *Swoon* Tucker is exactly my kind of guy. He is a cowboy, boy-next-door and fighter all wrapped in one. Tucker is wholesome, loving, funny and has just the right amount of attitude. I am Team Tucker all the way! Don't believe me? Look at the gadgets on The Tattered Page, I have a sticker that says so! :)

Christian Prescott - Christian . . . Oh, Christian. Hmm... Well,  have to admit, at the beginning I was not a big fan of the love-triangle contender, Christian. But . . . he does grow on you. I mean, he is the man of Clara's dreams and all. Literally. So, that at least grants Christian a second look. He is handsome, popular, athletic, rich and has particular affinities *cough cough* of his own.

Plot:

The plot . . . I think my love of the book is reliant on the characters more so than the plot. The plot isn't exactly the most original or unique but it is well laid out and flows. *I am not mentioning anymore details because I feel the blurb has given enough away* The angel lore and such aren't simply thrown into the mix but is stitched into the story seamlessly. I appreciate not having all the information dumped on me in one scene.

Overall, the writing of Unearthly is phenomenal. The storytelling sucks you into the world of angels and love triangles and divine plans. Unearthly deserves a 4-star rating without a doubt! If you haven't already picked up the Unearthly trilogy, I suggest you stop what you are doing and get on it!

Here is one of my favorite quotes from Unearthly:

Tucker: "I didn't ever think you were a freak. I think ... I thought you were magic or something. I thought that you were too perfect to be real." [Page 332]

Clara: "He loves me. Inside his head, his every thought and reaction was born of love, love inside and out, crazy, irrational (and sure, a bit lustful) love. He loves me, and that's also what terrified him when he saw me light up like a Christmas tree. He doesn't know what I am, but he loves me." [Page 340]

***Check out Cynthia Hand's website for more information about her and the Unearthly: HERE

Happy Reading!