Review: Still Me (Me Before You #3) by Jojo Moyes

Still Me (Me Before You #3) by Jojo Moyes
Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books
Publication Date: 30th January 2018
My rating: 4.5 stars 

Louisa Clark arrives in New York ready to start a new life, confident that she can embrace this new adventure and keep her relationship with Ambulance Sam alive across several thousand miles. She is thrown into the world of the superrich Gopniks: Leonard and his much younger second wife, Agnes, and a never-ending array of household staff and hangers-on. Lou is determined to get the most out of the experience and throws herself into her job and New York life within this privileged world. Before she knows what's happening, Lou is mixing in New York high society, where she meets Joshua Ryan, a man who brings with him a whisper of her past. In Still Me, as Lou tries to keep the two sides of her world together, she finds herself carrying secrets--not all her own--that cause a catastrophic change in her circumstances. And when matters come to a head, she has to ask herself Who is Louisa Clark? And how do you reconcile a heart that lives in two places?

Oh man this book was just absolutely brilliant! I know a lot of readers felt as if it was the end for them, with Me Before You and honestly, I felt like that too, I felt as if I was betraying Will and his memory, by continuing this journey with Lou. But just like Will, Lou was such a big character, that I wanted to go on following her, to experience her journey with her. Once again it wasn't smooth sailing for Louisa, she had got an incredible opportunity to stay and work in New York, the city that never sleeps, she had the chance to explore new things and become her own person, it was what Will would have wanted right? It took me a while to warm up to the Gopnik's, the family that Louisa would be staying with, they were completely loaded and so I really wanted Lou to take note of what Nathan was saying, just because you were working for them and had become Mrs. Gopnik's friend, it didn't mean that they couldn't get rid of you when they felt like it. Also, I wasn't the biggest fan of Mrs. Gopnik, I really couldn't understand her at times, I know that she did find herself in a tough situation, with no real support system, but I just couldn't stand her. And then when the big turn of events did come around, I knew my gut feeling of not being able to trust her had been right all along. 

But as they say one friendship lost is another gained right, so I was thrilled that Lou was able to find a confidant in the least expected of places. Once again with Still Me, Lou had a lot to learn and discover, who did she want to be and want with life were daily struggles for her, and with things being all over the place with Sam, I could see how it could be a confusing time with Lou, I at times didn't know what would be the right path for Lou to take. But again, I loved how despite her struggles, Lou didn't quit and go home, she pushed through having her life being turned upside down overnight and walked around with a smile on her face. And this is what I love the most about Lou's character, things may have hit the fan, but Lou's resilience and attitude always bolsters her. I know if I was in Lou's shoes I'd just want to stay in bed all day and never get up. But things weren't always doom and gloom, there was of course Lou's family, who were a delight to be back with again, with their witty personalities and charm, they bought so much fun and laughter to the story. And of course, there was Lou herself, who probably without realising it, bought so many laugh out loud moments. 

Still Me wasn't without a great set of new characters, they were vivacious, bubbly and absolutely charming, every time Moyes brings in characters that you can't just help but love and want to be around. Lou really has come a long way in Still Me, from the girl that we first met in Me Before You, thank you Ms. Moyes for giving us the chance to experience such an incredible journey with such a wonderful person as Lou!

  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jojo Moyes is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of After You, Me Before You, Paris for One and Other Stories, The Horse Dancer, One Plus One, The Girl You Left Behind, The Last Letter from Your Lover, Silver Bay, and The Ship of Brides. She lives with her husband and three children in Essex, England.  

I was a massive fan of this series, so I'm very pleased to share a giveaway with one lucky winner of Still Me, sorry guys this is for US entrants only. Good luck everyone! 

Review: Final Siege by Scarlett Cole

Final Siege (Love Over Duty #2) by Scarlett Cole
Publication date: January 30th 2018
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
My rating: 4 Stars
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | TBD

 

IN THE LINE OF FIRE…

Former SEAL Malachai “Mac” MacCarrick is all about the future he’s created with his Navy brothers in Eagle Securities, taking assignments in the most dangerous places, and doing things no one but ex-military would attempt. But when an urgent phone call brings his troubled past—and the woman he once loved—into the present, it’s a chance to redeem himself that he can’t refuse.

STRAIGHT TO THE HEART…

An investigative journalist researching an explosive story, Delaney Shapiro tells herself she got over Mac—and his role in her brother’s death—a long time ago. But the first moment she sees him at her bedside in an overseas hospital, she knows it’s not true. Every moment together rekindles the desire that once burned between them, and now that she’s a target for an emerging Russian arms dealer, Mac won’t let her out of his sight. To protect her, he’ll risk it all—including his life…

My Thoughts:

Mac and Delaney were each other’s first love, a love they thought would last forever, but everything went to hell fourteen years ago.  Mac had no hope he’d ever get a second chance with Delaney, but that all changes when she’s injured in another country and asks for him.  Now that’s she’s opened that door again, he’s not letting go especially when it seems Delaney’s investigation has gotten her into a world of trouble.  He’s just the man to help Delaney, being a retired Navy SEAL now operating an elite security business with his teammates.

Delaney blames Mac for the tragic death of her brother, Brock, but deep down she’s never got over him.  Fourteen years later she realizes that blaming Mac for the whole thing isn’t fair, but she can’t let that hurt and blame go.  Now after calling for Mac’s help, though, they’re forced into close quarters and she must face the truth of the past and the old deep feelings for Mac she’s tried to suppress for so long.  

I was a little worried I’d become frustrated with Delaney for her stubborn stance with Mac over the death of her brother, but the deep connection between them was enough to make it a non-issue. Plus, the story was fast-paced, full of action and twists, so any scenes mulling over feelings of hurt or resentment were short lived and interspersed with touching scenes of the past, and a gradual healing between them.  There was no denying that Mac and Delaney were deeply in love and being around each other again just reignited that love and passion that never truly died. Oh, I do love an emotion filled second-chance romance! Being older, wiser and having more experience made the heat they had in the past even more sizzling in the present!

Mac was amazing with Delaney, so patient with her coming to terms with the past while they tried to make sense of the threats coming her way.  I was happy that Delaney acknowledged early on that she needed to be more reasonable about the blame she heaped on Mac, but that the pain of losing her brother clouded her judgement. 

Final Siege was a thrilling read with filled with danger and suspense, but underneath all that was a steamy, emotionally charged second-chance romance! Loved how it all worked out, and I can’t wait for the next installment!

 

 

ABOUT SCARLETT:
Born in England, Scarlett Cole traveled the world, living in Japan and the United States before settling in Canada where she met her own personal hero – all six and a half feet of him. She now lives with her husband and children in Manchester, England where she's at work on her next book. She is the author of The Strongest Steel.

 

Connect with Scarlett Cole:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

Weekly Recap #21

Hi everyone, with Rachel and I's crazy work schedules, we miss sharing whats going on with us. We used to have a lot of fun with our Showcase Sunday posts, so thought we'd do something regular on the blog, where we share bookish news and life news in general as a weekly recap! We've decided to link our weekly wrap up's with The Sunday Post hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer.

Hi all, I'm finally back, I'm so sorry about the long absence, I got really sick at the end of November, that I couldn't do much, and then we had a holiday planned, and it was a bit all over the place whether  we would be going or not, but we managed to make it. I couldn't even post on here where I was going, as it was meant to be a surprise visit for my cousins in Canada, but we had a great time, even with the freezing temperatures, its was -21 at times! It was definitely nice starting the new year in a different country, as usually when I'm back home, I'm not feeling the beginning of the year. Now that I'm back, I'm hoping to get back to regular posting, my reading is all over the place, so we'll see, but thank you to Rachel, for being such a great friend and dealing with everything whilst I was away! 

WHAT I READ/REVIEWED 

Jasprit:
(Click on title for Goodreads link)

A mixed sort of reading year so far, I had high hopes for Once and For All, but it took me the longest time to read and even then I wasn't a fan. I thought starting the year of with a are-read would be perfect, but I didn't even end up enjoying Kulti as much the second time around, what is wrong with me! 

Rachel:

 (Click on title for Goodreads link)

So I had a pretty good reading week. I rated all of these 3.5 or 4 stars.  Merry and Bright was a short and cute.  Fragments of the Lost started out slow, but I'm so glad I hung in there because it ended up being really good!  Keep Her Safe took a while for me to get into, and was a bit predictable but I ended up enjoying it. Final Siege was a fantastic romantic suspense/second chance romance! I hope to have my review up next week.

BOOKS RECEIVED 
Jasprit 

(Click on title for Goodreads link)

Its been such a long time since I've read something by Ally Carter, I've loved her Heist Society series, so I have high hopes for this book! 

Rachel:

 (Click on title for Goodreads link)

I had UNSUB in my TBR for sometime now but I requested an audio copy once I saw that Brandie over at Running on Words and Wine enjoyed it.  Plus, I saw the Zodiac, a movie about the Zodiac Killer, a serial killer who terrorized the San Francisco area in the late 1960s early '70s, and was totally riveted!  UNSUB is inspired by those events and so I'm really intrigued.  I got a copy of The Sometimes Sisters because I love Carolyn Brown's stories!


NEW TO MY TBR
Jasprit 
(Click on Book for Goodreads link)

 

Mariana Zapata has a new book out! *flails* there's not a lot of information about it so far, but it's out next month and I can't wait 

Rachel:
(Click on cover for Goodreads link) 


 So I've seen 738 Days around for a while, had a few friends read and mostly love it and when the second one came out (which is a standalone), I became interested again.  I requested it from the library so we'll see when I get to it.  I really enjoyed the first Lost Platoon book so I'm eager to pick up Off the Grid. I added it to my TBR so I wouldn't forget, and hopefully I get an ARC. :)

  WHAT I'M WATCHING:

Jasprit  

 

Riverdale was finally back this week, I'm not enjoying it as much as I used to, but it's a show that I just can't stop watching. Also this week's episode what is going on with Chic? he's creeping me out, but I'm liking this newest development! 

Rachel:

Haven't had much time for TV lately but I did catch up on a few episodes of The 100 and I have to say every time I sit down and think I'm just going to watch one episode I have to watch like three! It really is such a good series.  I'm in the second season now.

EVENTS OF THE WEEK

Jasprit 

 

We were lucky enough to visit this beautiful castle whilst in Canada and they had the most beautiful views, it was absolutely freezing, but the views were worth it, you can just see the CN tower in the distance! 

Rachel:

I'm in major baby shower planning mode. It's next Saturday and everything is turning out soooo cute!!  I'm super excited!  Haven't been reading except for audio books at this point.  I HOPE to post a review next week, but we'll see. I'm still sort of sick, not as bad as last week, but still have this darn cough!  I haven't been doing any exercise because it's cold and windy outside, and I want to get better.  As soon as the shower is over I plan on getting myself back on my running schedule.  I miss running, but I need to get over this sickness before I do anything.

How was your week?