PAPER PRINCESS By Erin Watt

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

PAPER PRINCESS By Erin WattPaper Princess by Erin Watt
Series: The Royals #1
Published by EverAfter Romance on 4/4/16
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Pages: 370
Format: Ebook
Source: Reviewer Purchase
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

Ella Harper is a survivor―a pragmatic optimist. She’s spent her whole life moving from town to town with her flighty mother, struggling to make ends meet and believing that someday she’ll climb out of the gutter. After her mother’s death, Ella is truly alone.

Until Callum Royal appears, plucking Ella out of poverty and tossing her into his posh mansion among his five sons who all hate her. Each Royal boy is more magnetic than the last, but none as captivating as Reed Royal, the boy who is determined to send her back to the slums she came from.

Reed doesn’t want her. He says she doesn’t belong with the Royals.

He might be right.

Wealth. Excess. Deception. It’s like nothing Ella has ever experienced, and if she’s going to survive her time in the Royal palace, she’ll need to learn to issue her own Royal decrees.

Short and Sweet

Ella is a teenage girl who has been living alone after her mother’s death, and is working multiple jobs to survive. Ella’s main goal is to graduate from high school and go to college. Everything changes when Callum Royal a friend of her deceased father (who Ella has never met) tells her that he is her legal guardian. Ella moves in with Callum and his five sons who all seem to hate her and now Ella has to learn to survive in this new environment.

My Thoughts

~ Ella has had a hard life, she’s never met her father and after her mother’s death she resorts to stripping to pay the bills.

~ Ella is funny, intelligent, and strong. She dealt with different situations that came her way the best way she could, from rumors, mean girls, and the boys ignoring her and trying to make her life hell.

~ In the beginning the Royal brothers were hard to like because they were stand offish and weren’t even giving Ella a chance. As the book went on and the boys relationship with Ella progressed I found myself liking them and wanting to see more of them.

~ The romance was hot and I think that was because of their love hate relationship. Ella and Reed had a good dynamic.

Overall

This was such a good book, once I got into it I couldn’t put it down it was so addicting! I’m ready for Broken Prince to release to see how different events will play out especially after the ending of this book. I would DEFINITELY recommend this book, but if you plan on reading this book I would suggest waiting until Broken Prince is out because it feels like the wait is so long.

SmileRatingsSmileRatingsSmileRatingsSmileRatingsSmileRatings

 

WANDERLOST By Jen Malone

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

WANDERLOST By Jen MaloneWanderlost by Jen Malone
Published by HarperTeen on 5/31/16
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 352
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

Aubree can’t think of a better place to be than in perfectly boring Ohio, and she’s ready for a relaxing summer. But when her older sister, Elizabeth, gets into real trouble, Aubree is talked into taking over Elizabeth’s summer job, leading a group of senior citizens on a bus tour through Europe.

Aubree doesn’t even make it to the first stop in Amsterdam before their perfect plan unravels, leaving her with no phone, no carefully prepared binder full of helpful facts, and an unexpected guest: the tour company owner’s son, Sam. Considering she’s pretending to be Elizabeth, she absolutely shouldn’t fall for him, but she can’t help it, especially with the most romantic European cities as the backdrop for their love story.

But her relationship with Sam is threatening to ruin her relationship with her sister, and she feels like she’s letting both of them down. Aubree knows this trip may show her who she really is—she just hopes she likes where she ends up.

Short and Sweet

When Aubree’s older sister Elizabeth gets in trouble, Aubree has to go to Europe impersonating her sister and take over her job as a tour guide. Right from the start things don’t go as planned when Aubree leaves her phone and a binder full of information on tour stops on the plane, and when the tour company owner’s son joins the tour unexpectedly.

My Thoughts

~ I felt a little bad for Aubree, she was put in a difficult position. She had to drop everything and leave the country to help her sister when she’s never even left the state of Ohio.

~ I loved the senior citizens they were all nice and had different personalities and we learn more about them over the course of the book. They were also nice and understanding and helped Aubree out a lot, I think they also helped her grow over the course of the book.

~ The locations that the tour group visits were portrayed vividly it feels like you could be with them going around Europe.

~ Sam, Aubree’s love interest in the book was nice, funny, and charming. I loved him from the moment they had their first phone conversation.

Overall

Wanderlost is a contemporary that’s funny and a great read for the summer. It also has a strong message which the senior citizens helped Aubree learn. I would love to see another book or novella maybe about Aubree and Sam’s relationship and how it progresses when they’re back in the states. I would recommend this book and its a perfect time to read it now because its summer!

SmileRatingsSmileRatingsSmileRatingsSmileRatings

 

 

I WAS HERE By Gayle Forman

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I WAS HERE By Gayle FormanI Was Here by Gayle Forman
Published by Speak on 1/26/16
Genres: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 304
Format: Paperback
Source: Reviewer Purchase
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

When her best friend Meg drinks a bottle of industrial-strength cleaner alone in a motel room, Cody is understandably shocked and devastated. She and Meg shared everything—so how was there no warning? But when Cody travels to Meg’s college town to pack up the belongings left behind, she discovers that there’s a lot that Meg never told her. About her old roommates, the sort of people Cody never would have met in her dead-end small town in Washington. About Ben McAllister, the boy with a guitar and a sneer, and some secrets of his own. And about an encrypted computer file that Cody can’t open—until she does, and suddenly everything Cody thought she knew about her best friend’s death gets thrown into question.

Short and Sweet

After Cody’s best friend, Meg commits suicide, Cody decides to discover what led Meg to do what she did. Cody goes to Meg’s college to pack up her belongings and realizes she didn’t know much about Meg’s life in Seattle.

My Thoughts

~ The main plot was Cody coming to terms with Meg’s death. Cody feels a lot of grief because she didn’t know Meg was suicidal.

~ When Cody gets to Seattle for Meg’s stuff she finds an online forum and some emails on Meg’s computer. These things start Cody’s exploration of the truth behind Meg’s suicide.

~ I don’t know how to feel about the romance because Ben was in a relationship with Meg first and I don’t know it was just weird. I mean is it okay to date your best friend’s old flame?

~Towards the end Cody started to put her life in danger, and I was trying to figure out what she thought she had to gain by doing this.

Overall

The ending to me was a bit anti-climactic, and I still didn’t know where the relationship was going. The message in the book is clear and I would recommend it, it addresses the topic of suicide well and how it affects those close to you.

SmileRatingsSmileRatingsSmileRatingsSmileRatingsHalf

THE KISS OF DECEPTION By Mary E. Pearson

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

THE KISS OF DECEPTION By Mary E. PearsonThe Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
Series: The Remnant Chronicles #1
Published by Henry Holt and Co. on 7/8/14
Genres: Action & Adventure, Fantasy & Magic, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 497
Format: Paperback
Source: Reviewer Purchase
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

In a society steeped in tradition, Princess Lia's life follows a preordained course. As First Daughter, she is expected to have the revered gift of sight—but she doesn't—and she knows her parents are perpetrating a sham when they arrange her marriage to secure an alliance with a neighboring kingdom—to a prince she has never met.
On the morning of her wedding, Lia flees to a distant village. She settles into a new life, hopeful when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deception abounds, and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—even as she finds herself falling in love.

Short and Sweet

Princess Lia does not like traditions. Lia escapes from her arranged marriage by taking off to a nearby village. Lia is making a new life for herself as a barmaid. Everything seems to be going fine until two men enter the bar, one is the prince she left at the alter and the other is the assassin sent to kill her.

My Thoughts

~ The book is told from all three characters points of view. All three did a beautiful job as narrator.

~ Lia was an intriguing character. She had a vast knowledge in languages which she used to her advantage. She was also brave and stood for what she thought was right.

~ We get to see the men the same way Lia did, and we got to learn their names, as Rafe and Kaden.

~The most interesting aspect of the book was that we didn’t know who was the prince or the assassin.

~I thought I would be able to guess who was who but in the end I was totally wrong.

Overall

The Kiss of Deception was an amazing book. The story is captivating once it gets started. I definitely liked this book, and I can’t wait to continue on with the series!

SmileRatingsSmileRatingsSmileRatingsSmileRatings

THE MARKED GIRL By Lindsey Klingele

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

THE MARKED GIRL By Lindsey KlingeleThe Marked Girl by Lindsey Klingele
Series: Marked Girl #1
Published by HarperTeen on 6/7/16
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 400
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

When Cedric, crowned prince of Caelum, and his fellow royal friends (including his betrothed, Kat) find themselves stranded in modern-day LA via a magical portal and an evil traitor named Malquin, all they want to do is get home to Caelum—soon. Then they meet Liv, a filmmaker foster girl who just wants to get out of the system and on with her life. As she and Cedric bond, they’ll discover that she’s more connected to his world than they ever could’ve imagined…and that finding home is no easy task.

Short and Sweet

Liv is a filmmaker living in LA. While filming Liv notices three teenagers who seem out of place. Cedric is the prince from a realm called Caelum. Cedric and his friends are stuck in LA after coming through a portal from Caelum after his kingdom becomes under attack by a man named Malquin and creatures named wraths. Cedric and his friends now need to find a way home with Liv’s help.

My Thoughts

~Liv knew what she wanted she had goals. During some parts of the book I felt as if she wasn’t using her common sense.

~ I don’t know what to say about Cedric. He was focused on getting home but he was pretty worried about Liv’s safety too and I don’t know if that was for his own motives to get home or if he genuinely cared.

~ I was not a fan of the romance at all I was not feeling it. Cedric was already engaged to Kat, and then liv starts to develop feelings for him knowing this. I just feel like it won’t end well for the three of them.

the-grinder no nope smh head shake

~ Kat was an okay character she wasn’t bad but she wasn’t great either.

~Merek was probably the most annoying character in the book. It was like having a group of optimist and one pessimist on the side just spreading a cloud of negativity.

~ At one point the group finds out that someone has been betraying them and I feel like only a few characters were using common sense and not trusting the betrayer but the other characters were acting like it was okay. Ugh!

latelateshow facepalm james corden

Overall

I liked this book but I thought it was missing something. It was interesting to see how Liv would help Cedric and his friends get back to Caelum. I would read the sequel mainly because this ended in a cliffhanger.

SmileRatingsSmileRatingsSmileRatingsSmileRatingsHalf

THE WINNER’S CURSE By Marie Rutkoski

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

THE WINNER’S CURSE By Marie RutkoskiThe Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
Series: The Winner's Trilogy #1
Published by Square Fish on 3/3/15
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Historical, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 384
Format: Paperback
Source: Reviewer Purchase
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

They were never meant to be together. As a general's daughter, seventeen-year-old Kestrel enjoys an extravagant and privileged life. Arin has nothing but the clothes on his back. Then Kestrel makes an impulsive decision that binds Arin to her. Though they try to fight it, they can't help but fall in love. In order to be together, they must betray their people . . . but to be loyal to their country, they must betray each other. Set in a new world, The Winner's Curse is a story of rebellion, duels, ballroom dances, wicked rumors, dirty secrets, and games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

Short and Sweet

Kestrel is the daughter of a general, and she has two choices get married or join the military. In this empire the Valorians have enslaved the Herrani. When Kestrel goes to an auction and buys a slave, she doesn’t realize the problem with what she has done until it’s too late.

My Thoughts

~ My favorite thing about Kestrel is how intelligent and strategic. She was also good at getting situations to turn in her favor.

~ Arin was also smart, he knew how to achieve his goals without getting caught.

~ The book is also told in both Kestrel and Arin’s point of view which was interesting, because we get to see what’s going on in their heads and what they’re planning.

~ I liked the relationship dynamic between Kestrel and Arin, it was always shifting. Their relationship also took time to develop.

Overall

I thought this was a great book and I can’t wait to read The Winner’s Crime. I’m interested to see what happens next especially after what happened in the end. I would definitely recommend this book!

SmileRatingsSmileRatingsSmileRatingsSmileRatings

WILD BLUE YONDER By Megan Tayte

I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

WILD BLUE YONDER By Megan TayteWild Blue Yonder by Megan Tayte
Series: Ceruleans #3
Published by Createspace Independent Pub on 5/16/16
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 320
Format: Ebook
Source: Author
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

When Scarlett Blake chose life-after-death as a Cerulean, she expected to grieve for all she left behind: her boyfriend, her best friend, her mother, her home. But at least Cerulea, her heaven, would be... well, heavenly. Right?
Wrong.
The world in which Scarlett awakens is very far from her idea of a utopia. Picturesque, sure, and serene. But there can be no paradise within the unforgiving walls of a prison, be they of cold, hard stone or beautifully blue water.
Now Scarlett faces her hardest decision yet: be a good, dutiful Cerulean, or be true to herself and fight for freedom.
And if she can find a way to escape, what then? Can she finally reunite with her lost sister? Can she save Sienna from the murderous Fallen? Can she evade her destiny with the Ceruleans?
Can Scarlett Blake ever reclaim her life-before-death... or must she let go of all she loves?

Short and Sweet

Life-After-Death is not what Scarlett expected it to be. Scarlett is now in Cerulea, and this heaven is more like a prison. Scarlett’s main goal is to find her sister, Sienna. To find her sister, Scarlett must decide if she should be a good Cerulean and follow the rules, or escape and regain her freedom.

My Thoughts

~ It was interesting to finally have Scarlett in Cerulea. We get to meet the other Ceruleans, and learn more about them and their history.

~ I think that Scarlett’s struggle to adjust to Cerulea is understandable. She had to leave her friends and family behind and then to be told she couldn’t see them was a pretty big blow to her.

~ I loved Jude in this book! It was nice getting to more about him and where he’s from. At one point I was liked the idea of him and Scarlett being together, but after learning why they couldn’t be together my heart broke for him.

~ Ahh the search for Sienna… Sienna is an interesting dynamic especially because we don’t know much about her except that she’s with the Fallen.

Overall

So far this is my favorite book in the series! I loved that we got to know more about the Ceruleans, and a lot more of Jude! The ending was really good and I’m ready to see what’s going to happen in the next book!!!

SmileRatingsSmileRatingsSmileRatingsSmileRatingsSmileRatings

VALENTINE WITCH By Shay Roberts

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

VALENTINE WITCH By Shay RobertsValentine Witch by Shay Roberts
Published by Snowfire Press on 2/6/16
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 36
Format: Ebook
Source: Reviewer Purchase
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

Isabelle, a college student who grew up in the Amazon jungle, is half-Fae. Her unique appearance draws constant scrutiny and her emotions are wildly powerful. Valentine’s Day is a stressful time for her because it usually ends in disaster. Izzy keeps souvenirs of her romantic misadventures in a heart-shaped box, all symbols of hope and heartbreak. But perhaps this year will be different because she’s working on an unusual class project with her secret love …

Luke, who grew from an annoying boy into a handsome, athletic man. As Valentine’s Day approaches, Luke delivers devastating news to Isabelle, confirming her worst fears about the upcoming holiday. Desperate, Izzy turns to …

Millicent, a dangerous love-witch living on a mysterious island with a historic past. Millicent offers Izzy a devil’s bargain in exchange for happiness. But when the deal goes awry, Isabelle experiences a Valentine’s Day unlike any other.

 

Short and Sweet

Isabelle is half-Fae which means everything can be controlled by her emotions. Izzy emotions can be either good or bad, good in the fact that they help her in her surroundings and bad because if something breaks Izzy’s heart she can die. Izzy decides to go to a witch to help her remove her feelings for her crush Luke, because one wrong move with Luke can end Izzy’s life.

Overall

I loved this novella more than I thought I would! I thought it was so interesting that Izzy could die just from a heartbreak and it explains why she was so guarded. I also liked getting to see some of the other Heartblaze aspects in this book. Luke was just so sweet and I loved the connection that Izzy had with him. I Loved the ending it was so cute and I was just smiling the whole time. I would love to see both of these characters in another book. I love all of Shay Roberts books, and the novellas are just helping me stay patient for the next Heartblaze book!

CHRISTMAS WITH THE VAMPIRE By Shay Roberts

CHRISTMAS WITH THE VAMPIRE By Shay RobertsChristmas With The Vampire by Shay Roberts
Published by Snowfire Press on 12/18/15
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Paranormal, Romance
Pages: 37
Source: Reviewer Purchase
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

Beatrix, a daring college student, can’t believe she gets to spend Christmas traveling alone in Europe! But her excitement fades when a terrifying natural disaster strikes, trapping her in a remote Gothic village at the mercy of…

Augustin, a gorgeous Czech vampire with sad eyes and a tragic past. The holidays have profound significance to Augustin. He seeks to share his secrets with Beatrix, whose parents never celebrated Christmas, and soon she gets caught up in an extraordinary yuletide adventure.

Augustin becomes consumed by Beatrix and demands more than just a confidante. Much more. So Beatrix must fight him with the only weapon she has…her heart. But will that be enough to survive the night in the arms of an immortal? If not, her first Christmas may be her last.

Short and Sweet

While traveling alone in Europe during her Christmas break, Beatrix, gets lost and ends up trapped in her rental car from an avalanche. A police officer shows up and gets her out and takes Beatrix to the nearest small town in the Czech Republic. After the storm lets up Beatrix decides to explore and that’s when she ends up meeting Augustin.

Overall

A Christmas novella that does a beautiful job expressing the loneliness some people feel during the holidays. I really liked that though Beatrix and Augustin spend a short amount of time together it was something that Augustin could enjoy, because he’s lonely most of the time. This is a novella so it was pretty short but I’d love to read more about these two!

SmileRatingsSmileRatingsSmileRatingsSmileRatings

 

WHERE SHE WENT By Gayle Forman

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

WHERE SHE WENT By Gayle FormanWhere She Went by Gayle Forman
Series: If I Stay #2
Published by Speak on 4/7/12
Genres: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 304
Format: Paperback
Source: Reviewer Purchase
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

Ever since Mia's decision to stay - but not with him - Adam's career has been on a wonderful trajectory. His album, borne from the anguish and pain of their breakup, has made him a bona fide star. And Mia herself has become a top-rate cellist, playing in some of the finest venues in the world. When their respective paths put them both in New York City at the same time, the result is a single night in which the two reunite - with wholly satisfying results.

Short and Sweet

Adam, an infamous bad boy rocker, has been in an emotional and mental state since his girlfriend, Mia Hall left him. Three years later chance brings Adam and Mia together for one more night and we follow these two around New York for 24 hours. During their time together Mia and Adam get to talk about what’s really important.

Quotes

~ “I needed to hate someone and you’re the one I love the most, so it fell on you.

Overall

Adam’s journey in this book is the main focus. Adam definitely needed the time with Mia to finally understand his feelings and deal with the pain she caused him three years ago. I enjoyed Where She Went more than If I Stay. I was on Adam’s side every single page and almost resented Mia at times for hurting him so much.  I liked the way that the story came kind of full circle, and Adam did get his closure, even though it came through finding out things that certainly hurt. I would definitely read more books by Gayle Forman in the future.

SmileRatingsSmileRatingsSmileRatingsSmileRatings