The Promise of Rayne by Nicole Deese

4 Stars!!  🌟🌟🌟🌟 “Good character isn't produced overnight; it's grown over many seasons. In the same way you sort the good apples from the bad, the marks of poor characters are just as easy to detect.”  I absolutely loved this book!! It takes so many of my favorite characteristics and makes sort of an all in one! There is romance, family secrets, mystery, forbidden love, self discovery and faith. The characters are wholesome and give you all the good feels.  I love stories that are based around faith, forgiveness and hope without all the fluff. And I really appreciated that this felt like a realistic story from start to finish. I look forward to reading more from this author!

Search and Rescue by Lily Dodd

5 Stars!! 

This was such a fun quick read/listen. Its a short little story about a search and rescue.

Winner of the #SoundsHot Steamy Story Contest, a thrilling romantic novella brimming with raw emotional power - available in audio first! 

I was so shocked when I listened to this. I thought there is no way, short story or not- that this is going to be that good since its so short!! I was so wrong. I was pleasantly surprised with the level of the writer and the characters. I fell in love with these people so quick!! The author did a fantastic job of leading with this story- the breakdown and all the in between. So much so, that I would LOVE another FULL book in this type of setting from this author! 

I totally recommend if you're looking for a quick listen - this one was about 2.5 hours but soo soo good! I look forward to more from this author!!

Trouble at Brayshaw High by, Meagan Brandy

4 Stars!! 

She’s venom in the water. Not the snake itself, but the fatal liquid that floats across the top. No matter where you step, if even twenty feet away, she’s finding her way inside.

OOOF- This book packs a punch! 




Rae Rae is still out here, trying to control everything and making moves and making excuses without telling anyone. She gets herself in a bind quite a few times. I think this whole book she is trying so hard to let love in, but not having any clue what that really feels like she does stupid stuff. By the end of the book I feel she gets closer to making that jump head first into this Bray Boy life though. 



Maddoc was amazing in this book !! No more PUNK- and all HUNK. He has completely fallen for Rae- and nothing else matters. You can feel that through the pages almost to the point where you are like OMG OK - we get it SHE IS YOURS... it gets a little repetitive and you eye roll and just move on because its Mad Dog and you just love him. 

Overall this book was heavy and full of information. I think it had a little bit of Middle book syndrome. I loved book 1 all the "cant put this down" and "on the edge of my seat" feels it gave me. Not to mention the drama fest and all the tea just dripping from the pages, 



I mean it was saturated... with filthy guilty pleasure. 

Book 2 though, it had a ton of twists and turns and almost an overwhelming amount. I got confused a few times but in the end, I think I manged to fully grasp what happened. There were just some things that happened and I was just like WHY DID THAT NEED TO TAKE PLACE. So of course I am over here on pins and needles, needing book 3 like yesterday so I can figure this out!! Still highly recommend this series if you are looking for a guilty pleasure read because, honestly its FULL of it! XoXo

Vicious by LJ Shen

4 Stars!! 

“I loved her when I hated her. And I loved her when I didn’t want anything to do with her. I was so crazy about her, the lines had blurred together. Feelings were mixed, emotions twisted together.” 

Emilia

They say love and hate are the same feelings experienced under different circumstances, and it’s true.Ten years ago, he made me run away from the small town where we lived. Now, he came for me in New York, and he isn’t leaving until he takes me with him.

Vicious

She is a starving artist. Ten years ago, she barged into my life unannounced and turned everything upside down. She paid the price. The woman who knows my darkest secret, and the daughter of the cheap Help we hired to take care of our estate. That should deter me from chasing her, but it doesn’t. So she hates me. Well I dont care- she better get used to it. 

Soooo... at first I thought I was going to hate this book. Because I HATED Vicious AKA Baron. He was a prick- but as usual, a prick with a past that haunts him and makes him so insufferable. He grew on me the more I read but he was extremely harsh and just hard to like. He redeems himself so that made it better for me :P 

Emilia was stupid but also wrapped up in a dream. She knew every decision she was making was a dumb one but she did it anyway. But her dumb decisions, even if they hurt her, made her stronger and her character growth bloomed throughout the book. There were times I wanted to throw my kindle across the room and other times I swooned. It was a great mix of emotions and I enjoyed the roller coaster! Looking forward to checking out the next book in the series!

Sugar and Gold by Emma Scott

5 Stars!! 

“Love and hope,” she said. “That’s life to me. Love for all the good that happens to you and the people you care about, and hope that any pain will be bearable or lessen in time.” 

Nick (Nickolai) was born with a condition that makes him special, a gift he wishes he could give away. Peoples feelings and emotions, he can see, feel and taste them- all around. He roams the US- stays moving so that he can outrun the thoughts and feelings of others. Until he meets her. 

Fiona was trapped- and in a bad relationship she never thought she would break from, until she does. Then finds a new home in Georgia. She makes a new life for herself - one that she is in charge of. She tells herself its time for her to enjoy her life....until a chance encounter with a tattooed stranger changes everything… 

I loved this book! It was very unique, with sort of like a magical realism trope feeling. The whole concept sucks you in because you want to know more about his ability and how it works. I loved the characters and the depth they had. I really enjoyed the story and honestly thought it was a brilliant way to get the reader immersed. 

This is a part 2 I think to the book How to Save A Life- also by Emma Scott. I did read it a long time ago and I know that I loved it- I just cant remember what it was about. But dont let that scare you, because this one can be read as a stand alone. 

Hold tight to your emotions, because they will be heightened in this one!! So many secrets to be revealed and twists to keep you engaged. You wont want to put it down! I love Emma Scott's writing! Highly recommend !!

The Butterfly Project by Emma Scott

5 Stars!! 
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I once read that you fell in love like how you fell asleep: slowly at first and then all at once.”

Zelda, is running from her past- but at the same time trying to make a future. She goes to New York to try and get her Comic Book published. It means the world to her because it is based on something very important to her. One night- she runs into a guy named Beckett, a guy who needs a second change- forgiveness and freedom of his past. 

Emma Scott - You are a Genius! This book was amazing, and so very different! I loved seeing the comic book strips through out the book and seeing how it would change, as the story developed. The characters were swoon worthy and lovable. The Butterfly Project was a story about two tortured souls- Zelda and Beckett, finding love, friendship and something neither of them would have expected. 

This was a 2019 TOP FAV- I recommend this one to the masses :P And all of Emma Scotts books!

A Wish For Us by Tillie Cole

5 Violet Blue Stars!! 
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I think my heart is ready to review this... 



Tillie- Tillie - Tillie cant you see... Sometimes your words just hypnotize me. I swear, I think she is a Wizard when it comes to words...



Its like she takes her time, sprinkling in all the feels... 

A Wish For Us is something that will stick with you forever. I usually give a little preview of what the book is about but Im not doing that with this one. See, I've been needing to read this for a while but, I know how Miss Coles books work. So I put it off for a while but here we are... in the aftermath and I am just so glad I went into this one blind. And for that reason, I feel like you should too. You can thank me later. 

This book wrecked me, but in a good sort of way. It captures you from the start and doesn't let up until the very end. Fair warning- you will cry... or at the very least, you will want to. You will want to snuggle up and have no distractions. You'll be transported into this story, and not want to come out. 

The writing is beautiful, and the characters are filled to the brim with depth. A lot of the story line is based on music and I am a music junkie. So that made it even better for me. And the way Cole writes about the music- took my breath away. There is also an amazing physical condition talked about in this book that I have never heard of and that made this book come alive. Im not telling you what it is- just go read it. I promise you wont be disappointed!! :P

The Fall Up by Aly Martinez

4 Stars!! 
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️



They met on a bridge- it was raining, Levee in her designer shoes and Sam with his cigarette hanging out of his mouth- looking like a dream. She wanted to jump... to fall into nothing... little did she know, she could also fall up. 

Pretty sure this was my first Martinez book. And it didn't disappoint! From the first line of the book, I was hooked. The main characters were lovable and I loved their chemistry, wit and banter.

The Fall up deals with mental health issues and depression. It talks about what happens when we overload ourselves and don't come up for air. What it feels like when we feel the walls close in around us and we think we have it under control- until we don't. Thinking we can do everything on our own without the help or love from others. 

This book made my heart lurch - it was beautiful and it will steal your heart, give you all the feels and leave you wanting more! I highly recommend it :P

Be The Girl by KA Tucker

5 Stars!! 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tucker has done it again! She has crafted a lesson into a story and we all need to hear it. Be the Girl is a book with a story that should stick with the reader for a long time. 

Be the Girl was about a lot of things. It was about starting over, and learning from mistakes. It was about bullying and disrespect. You can try and bury the past... but it always has a way of coming back around.... 

Aria moves across Canada with her mom to go live with her Great Uncle. Its a fresh start for the both of them. You can tell that she has been through something- the more you read- the answer becomes a little clearer. They move in next door to a family who has a son and an autistic daughter. 

This story was something I feel like everyone really should read. Being a teenager for me was hard- but that was a long time ago and I know being a teen these days can be hell. With the internet and technology, social media platforms.. its easy to be bullied because the haters have something to hide behind, and without thinking about it- that makes it easier for people to be shitty. This book brings light to that. 

I really enjoyed the characters each and every one of them. The flow of the book moved nicely and I was able to finish it in one setting because it consumed me. I recommend this one to all!!

The Girl He Used To Know by, Tracey Garvis Graves

4 Stars!! 

"Life isn't easy for anyone. We all have challenges. We all face adversity. It's how we overcome it that makes us who we are.” 

Annika meets Jonathan in College at a chess club meet. Annika is beautiful, but has a hard time with normal social interactions. She is on the autism spectrum, but that doesn't matter to Jonathan, he falls hard and fast for her. Annika works really hard to do her best to cope with her Autism. They have their ups and their downs in the relationship but, for the most part everything seems to be going amazing until something tragic happens and Annika closes herself off. 

The book is told from alternating POVS and Timelines- 1991- Their College Years and then Fast Forward to Present day for them in the book and the year is 2001. We get to see how people reacted to Autism back in the day. It was really sad since there weren't as many cases and it wasn't a well known thing. She gets bullied and talked down to a lot because of it. Jonathan was so great with her a TRUE cinnamon bun! 

They run into each other again one day on the streets and decide to get together to catch up. Annika is finally a librarian which was her dream, and Jonathan is recently divorced. The rest - you'll have to read to find out!! 

This was my first Tracey Graves book and it did not disappoint. I love books that represent real issues and gives a voice to those who may not have one. I absolutely adored Annika, she was so precious and her best friend Janice was literally my HERO. She was amazing. Jonathan was perfection and a joy to read!! 

I recommend this to all!! But - if you liked books like The Kiss Quotient or The Bride Test, you'll enjoy this one for sure! It isn't anything like those, but the subject matter is similar and refreshing! Happy Reading :P

Home Tears by Tijan

4 Stars!!

It is no secret that I am a HUGE fan of Tijan!! I love her writing and ALLLLL the Drama she dishes! I have always been hesitant to read Home Tears because it was one of her lower rated books. But I have made it a point recently to not give a damn about other peoples ratings and just to take a leap and go for it. IM SO GLAD I DID.

This Book was literally like a Soap Opera. We have Dani- who is from a very small town. She always felt like the black sheep in her family which included her mom, two sisters and two aunts. Dani's boyfriend (Jake) ends up cheating on her with one of her sisters- Dani does what she does best- she leaves with out a word.

Fast Forward 10 years and Dani is back home visiting - trying to get over a trauma she just went through. She is dealing with a lot of emotions and trying to change her ways. Her crazy Fam is not happy to see her. They have issues with Dani leaving for so long- most thought she was dead.

I LOVED this book. I could relate SO much to Dani O'Hara and her whole messed up Fam. The drama was flowing STRONG- in Tijan fashion. We get to see Dani's growth, as well as other characters over the course of the book. Jonah was great as well- He was patient and really just went with the flow of things. He was there for Dani and wasn't an ass like most guys tend to be in these types of books.

I recommend all Tijan books - they always have such depth and the writing always sucks you in! Always here for a drama fest :P

The Bride Test by, Helen Hoang

5 Stars!!
“I only want you to be yourself with me.”


Helen Hoang is quickly becoming an auto buy author on my list of Favorites ! Her writing is amazing and her books, are super cute and adorable. They also shine a light on many topics that need to be talked about more. This is an own voices novel- in 2016 she was diagnosed with Autism herself- which inspired the Kiss Quotient and now The Bride Test.

I know most people loved the Kiss Quotient more-BUT- I am a minority and absolutely adored this one!! This book is following a couple of characters who we originally met in The Kiss Quotient. We may only see those characters for a minute- but you cant help but smile once you put the pieces together.

I don't want to say much about the plot- because to me, its such a treat to go into them blind- but I highly recommend these books!! Especially if you have any interest about autism and the autistic community. Hoang writes from experience and its like a breath of fresh air!! I cant wait to see what book 3 will be about and if we get to see all the characters we fell in love with again

Bad Boy Brody by Tijan

3.5 Stars!! 

She was beautiful. She was wild. She was the untamed one.

In Bad Boy Brody, we follow Brody- a really popular actor who is - SHOCKER



A BAD BOY.... 

Didnt see that coming did ya?? 

He one day gets a phone call from his brother and hears him die while on the phone with him. That leads Brody down an even worse "bad boy road." His agent gets him a part in a B movie to try and bring up his ratings and the good movie offers back. 

He takes the deal which will be a true story of how a popular woman rancher Karen Kellerman is murdered leaving behind a husband and step children. Brody shows up to the set and sees a girl (Morgan Kellerman) - who usually is a ghost to everyone else- among the horses. 



Little does Brody know. She has a tragic story of her own. 

I enjoyed this book. Its Tijan- its hard not to get invested in her emotionally driven characters. I thought everything flowed smooth and it was a great story to read. I felt the characters had depth and the story even had a bit of mystery about it. 

My only "little bitty" issue with it was Morgan. She just fell flat a little for me. She lives among the horses and has a relationship with nature that some of us could only dream of tapping into. I loved that aspect, but she came across as dull and kind of boring. She was amazing with the horses and I get that she is supposed to seem sort of skittish like a horse but she just wasn't that relatable and I had a hard time finding a connection with her character. I loved Brody- and thought the side characters were great as well. I just would have liked to see Morgan come out of her shell a little bit more. 

Overall Tijan usually rocks my world with every.single.one of her books so it was still enjoyable and I would still recommend :P 

Ryans Bed by Tijan

4.5 Stars!! 

"My face. My body. My heart -
it all went with her, because she was me.
My twin sister killed herself on June twenty-ninth.
We would've been eighteen the next day.” 

Mackenzie, her twin sister Willow, brother Robbie and parents, have just moved - due to her fathers new job. She doesn't know anyone or anything about the new place they now live. Mackenzie thinks she is just the normal sibling- just average, since her two siblings and parents are all extraordinary. And in Macs mind- shes less than. One day not too long after the move, Mackenzie's life is turned upside down when her twin sister Willow, commits suicide. 

Mac is the one who finds her- and she is completely void of emotion. She cant eat or think- everything seems to be falling apart around her. Then she finds herself in Ryan's Bed, a boy she barely knows. Her parents sent her and her brother to a friends, (Ryan's House) so that they could sort out all the details of the death. She ends up in his bed thinking it was his sisters- because its the only place she feels safe for whatever reason. 

I woke that morning in Ryan’s arms, I felt a little less crazy. I felt a little bit better. And I felt a little more whole.

I absolutely loved this story and the characters. Mac broke my heart the entire book because of the pain and dissociation she has with everything since losing her sister. I love Tijan - and this is one of her best yet. I love the way she writes such gripping characters. The kind you can feel along with. When the MCS are in pain you feel it too- You feel everything. 

Ryan was suchhhh a sweetheart!! I absolutely loved how amazing he was for her and how he was just everything she needed in the moment - no matter how crazy she was, he was right there helping and consoling her! Their chemistry was fabulous! 

This book was not easy to read, its about grief and what goes on in the person left behind after a suicide. There are some dark moments but also happy moments. Its filled to the brim with emotions. I overall- really enjoyed this one and Tijan continues to be one of my top Faves!

Fame, Fate and the First Kiss by Kasie West

4 Stars!!  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I just adore Kasie West- and her ability to tell a sweet, and heartwarming story! And this one did not disappoint! In FFFK, we follow Lacey, a 17 year old, pursuing an acting career. She gets her first big break staring in a lead roll for a zombie movie. She is staying with her dad while she works and is having to sort of homeschool while she works on set. She isn't very enthusiastic about having to work on school stuff in her spare time- because the movie is keeping her pretty busy. In an effort to help keep his daughter on track, Lacey's dad hires a tutor named Donovan. Lacey isn't sure what she thinks about having a tutor/babysitter. She just wants to work on her movie then worry about her senior year. But when someone starts trying to sabotage her roll on set- she starts to take everything, including her school work a little more seriously. I really enjoyed this book!! There was a little bit of everything in here- romance, comedy, mystery, thriller, action etc. It was an all in one, of sorts. I really love how all her characters just flow and you become fully invested in them. Lacey had some major character growth from start to finish. And I really liked Donovan and all of the side characters. I was shocked when someone was trying to sabotage her, and I thought I knew who it was- HA! I was wrong, which was nice because I usually end up figuring out things like that! Overall, Kasie West is one of my favorite YA contemporary writers. Her writing is so good and always clean cut without all the garbage. I love that the most about her!! Kudos! Another winner for West - Totally recommend !

The Year They Fell by, David Kreizman

5 Unforgettable Stars!! 5 friends inseparable as preschoolers, before high school and parties and football. Now seniors in high school, they are all strangers to each other. Tragedy strikes and their parents die in a plane crash- left alone, these 5 only have each other to relate to and lean on.

Josie, Jack, Archie, Harrison, and Dayana AKA- the "Sunnies" have a lot to figure out since being out of each others lives for so long. They have to face what split them apart in the first place. Their answers may just be what they need to forge a new family.

This book was so amazing. The depth of the characters was phenomenal. Each one was so unique and different from the other. We get to know them on a very personal level so much to the point, you actually feel like you know these characters in real life. The writing was a breath of fresh air and just so on point with the subject matter.

This is a book about friendship and love, its heartbreaking and funny all at the same time. The author did such a fantastic job bringing these characters to life. You will surely be able to relate to at least one of the characters in the book. You will get lost in the pages, laugh and cry but its all worth it!!

Overall I totally loved this one and really hope that someone picks it up and makes it into a movie. Its just so good I highly recommend it !! 

Thank you to netgalley for this arc. Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hearts and Bruises by A.M. Brooks

5 EMOTIONAL Stars!! 

Holy..Shhh... WOW- First of all- THIS WAS A DEBUT!! and I am SHOOK. 

I hate that I loved this book so much. I hate the way I feel about toxic characters and the love I have for redemption. Many times I will start to read a character and automatically want to judge them- and then I have to put myself in their shoes- I try really hard to imagine what they have gone through or been through in order for them to have turned into whatever they have become. If I am being completely honest, its way easier to do this with fictional characters than it is to do in real life. Clearly that shouldn't be the case- :P But I usually try to find the good, as little as it may be in the beginning, in every character. Its just something about seeing character growth in someone and seeing how far they have come that just makes me happy!! 

This book broke my heart. I cant explain my feelings about it really well. It messed me up pretty good. MY EMOTIONS were all over the place. All that sounds terrible right? Yeah- but look, when I read, I want to feel, I want to be consumed, entertained and transported. Ya feel me? Well this one did it from the very start! 

The name of this book is Hearts and Bruises. If you are going to read this -

Clue #1 is in the title, this book wont be easy, or pretty all the time. Then read the synopsis. The author gives us a heads up- Like hey, this book may leave a mark because "with love comes pain and with pain comes scars". YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. But omgsh its so worth it. 

We follow Nora, who is in high school and ever since she lost her mom, she has been moving from place to place with her dad. They are on move #12 when they reach CA. Nora never expects to make friends so fast, or to meet Darrian King. The name King says it all!! Nora was everything - I wanted to shake her so much but I did love her!! Darrian well- You HATE to LOVE him. The writing was so amazing for being a debut Im still shook about that! It flowed effortlessly and consumed me! 

You will get mad, you will get sad and prepare to have your heart broke. If you are an easily triggered person this book may not be for you. You'll also probably will want to throw your kindle across the room... like I did :P But seriously- I was running right back to it and picking it right back up. This qualifies as book crack for me. I did not want to put it down and read it in one sitting. So if you are a fan of the following books:

After Series by Anna Todd 

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Fallen Crest Series by Tijan

Bully by Penelope Douglas 

Nero (Made Men Series) by Sarah Brianne 

The Royals Series by Erin Watt

I am pretty sure you will have a hard time putting this one down as well!! I am not comparing this book to those- this one totally holds its own. But I know that if you liked those, and they wrecked your heart like they did mine, then - Hearts and Bruises is for YOU!! If you read it, please come back LETS TALK ABOUT IT!! Happy Reading!! 

Thank you to netgalley for this arc. Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.