Review: Broken by Lauren Layne

Broken (Redemption #1) by Lauren Layne
Publisher: Random House Flirt
Publication date: September 2nd 2014
My rating:  4 stars 
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Lauren Layne’s New Adult novel tells the story of a girl with secrets, a guy with scars, and a love that could save them both... or destroy them.

When Olivia Middleton abandons the glamour of Park Avenue for a remote, coastal town in Maine, everyone assumes she’s being the kind do-gooder she’s always been. But Olivia has a secret: helping an injured war veteran reenter society isn’t about charity—it’s about penance. Only, Olivia’s client isn’t the grateful elderly man she’s expecting. Instead, he’s a brooding twenty-four-year-old who has no intention of being Olivia’s path to redemption . . . and whose smoldering gaze and forbidden touch might be her undoing.

Paul Langdon doesn’t need a mirror to show him he’s no longer the hotshot quarterback he was before the war. He knows he’s ugly—inside and out. He’ll do anything to stay in self-imposed exile, even accept his father’s ultimatum that Paul tolerate the newest caretaker for three months or lose his inheritance. But Paul doesn’t count on the beautiful twenty-two-year-old who makes him long for things that he can never have. And the more she slips past his defenses, the more keeping his distance is impossible.

Now Paul and Olivia have to decide: Will they help each other heal? Or are they forever broken?

My Thoughts:

I’m a huge fan of Lauren Layne because she shines in writing witty, chemistry laden romances guaranteed to tug at your heart!  I loved the first in this series, Isn’t She Lovely, so I was thrilled to have Olivia’s story. Even though she was technically the cheating girlfriend (not as bad as it sounds, I promise) I felt bad for her.

Olivia is trying to escape and redeem herself for a mistake that cost her longtime boyfriend.  Taking a job as a caretaker for an injured veteran satisfies her need for penance and to get away from all her friends, but Olivia doesn’t really know what she’s gotten herself into.  Thinking she’ll be caring for an old injured man, she’s shocked when she finds out that she’s the paid companion to a hostile man just a few years older than her.  Paul has horrible jagged facial scars on one side of his face and an injured leg, but that doesn’t hide the fact that he is gorgeous, and in spite of his horrible attitude Olivia is intensely attracted to him.

Paul is an ex-soldier suffering from a major dose of survivor’s guilt.  His only purpose in the world at this point is to provide for a fallen teammate’s spouse and sick daughter. So when Paul’s father makes sticking with his new caretaker/companion for three months a requirement for keeping his payments and house, he has to make nice with Olivia instead of scaring her off like he’s done with all the others.  He’s a smidge less hostile to Olivia.  And I do mean just a smidge!

Paul is “rude, angry and generally unpleasant” but even so there is combustible sexual tension between these two!  He had no idea Olivia would be around his age and beautiful.  She’s exactly the type of girl he’d date before his injury and facial scars, and it unsettles him. Plus, Olivia gives as good as she gets and doesn’t tip toe around Paul with pity.  She was blunt and rude right back, and it stunned him, spurred him onto rising to her challenges, and making positive changes.  Soon Paul is coming back to the land of the living while falling a little more for Olivia every day.  But he’s afraid once her time is up and once she realizes she could do better than a washed up, scarred vet, he’ll be alone, and the difference is, this time he cares.

Paul was moody, broody and sometimes downright cruel in his treatment of Olivia! He’d act like a petulant child and one of his tantrums was a completely disproportionate, over-the-top reaction to Olivia’s supposed transgression.  I wanted to knee him, good and hard for Olivia a couple of times! But then I thought about being in his head.  Paul was depressed and angry, and he had pretty much cut himself off from socialization, so some of his reactions were not coming from a mentally well-adjusted person.  Olivia is the first person he was actually opening up to in a very long time, so I could understand how a relatively small matter would come off as a huge betrayal to Paul. Thankfully, Olivia recognizes this to some degree and cuts him a break. 

Olivia and Paul’s interactions were the: “I hate you, I hate you, but really I want to tear your clothes off and ravage you!” type.  Paul’s rough, gruff and uncivilized manner was completely tantalizing to Olivia!  That dark and dangerous vibe he broadcasted was completely sexy! 

I lick my lips nervously, noting the way his eyes follow the motion of my tongue, and I finally accept that in spite of myself—in spite of the fear—I’m ridiculously attracted to him. Attracted in a fierce, animalistic way that I’ve never felt ever.

And Olivia’s irreverent rebuttals draw Paul in like a magnet! They couldn’t seem to keep their lips or hands off each other! Oh my!

Lauren Layne once again impresses with Broken. Paul and Olivia’s romance was filled with passion and heart, and was a pure pleasure to experience!

 

Connect with Lauren Layne:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

Review & Giveaway: In Her Wake by K.A. Tucker

In Her Wake (Ten Tiny Breathes #0.5) by K.A. Tucker
Publisher: Atria Books
Publication date: September 1st 2014
My rating:  4 stars 

Before you knew him as Trent in Ten Tiny Breaths, he was Cole Reynolds—and he had it all. Until one night when he makes a fatal, wrong decision…and loses everything.

When a drunken night out at a Michigan State college party results in the death of six people, Cole must come to terms with his part in the tragedy. Normally, he’d be able to lean on his best friends—the ones who have been in his life since he could barely walk. Only, they’re gone. Worse, there’s the shattered body of a sixteen-year-old girl lying somewhere in a hospital bed, her entire life ripped from her because of a case of beer and a set of keys.

Everyone assures him that they know it wasn’t intentional, and yet he can’t ignore the weight of their gazes, the whispers behind his back. Nor can he shake the all-consuming guilt he feels every time he thinks of that girl who won’t so much as allow him near her hospital room to apologize. As the months go by and the shame and loneliness festers, Cole begins to lose his grip on what once was important—college, his girlfriend, his future. His life. It’s not until Cole hits rock-bottom that he can begin to see another way out of his personal hell: forgiveness.

And there’s only one person who can give that to him…

******Major spoilers if you have read Ten Tiny Breathes******

In Her Wake is Trent/Cole’s story before he meets up with Kacey in Miami, and it’s a sad one.  My heart definitely went out to Trent and you really don’t realize how much he suffered until reading this novella. His story underscored what I felt in Ten Tiny Breathes, Trent and Kacey were meant to be. The accident marks a definite before and after for both Kacey and Trent.  Life was so utterly changed after the accident and I doubt anyone could relate to just how tragic and profound those changes were except for Trent and Kacey. 

Trent suffers from major survivor’s guilt, because even though he wasn’t the driver of the vehicle that killed everyone, he was supposed to be the designated driver of the night and then was unable to fulfill his duties after drinking anyhow.  Instead of calling a cab or waiting it out the house they’re at, his best friend, Sasha, says he’s fine to drive when in fact he’s drunker than Trent.  I completely sympathize with his mistake because I probably would’ve trusted my friend’s word, too.  If he said he was okay to drive I would’ve assumed that he wasn’t drinking and got in the car to drive home.

Trent wakes up in the hospital and finds out the extent his error cost everyone. He’s lost his two best friends, four others are dead, and sixteen year-old Kacey is in the hospital suffering from major injuries. Trent struggles with resuming the life he had before the accident and instead basically checks out until he hits rock bottom landing him in the care of Dr. Stayner.  The unconventional doctor we’ve met from previous books aids him to see that in order to move on, Trent needs to figure out how to forgive himself for being human.  What amends will he have to make to do that? 

Even before this counseling Trent was fixated on Kacey, checking on her to see if she’s coping.  When she’s clearly not dealing well, he makes it his mission to become a sort of guardian angel, looking out for Kacey’s well-being.  Watching out for Kacey becomes more than just his way of making “amends”, though.  He’s fallen for her from afar.

I really had no idea the scope of Trent’s involvement in Kacey’s life in the years after the accident, and she had no idea of his presence at all. Lucky for her on a couple of occasions that he was looking out for her! 

Trent’s novella gives additional insight into Ten Tiny Breathes that I think fans will appreciate.  I went back and re-read portions of TTB while reading this novella to refresh my mind and then after finishing In Her Wake to remind me of their HEA.  K.A. Tucker added more depth and heart to an already beautiful story!

 

Amazon | B&N | iBookstore | BAM | Bookish | Other

 

Ten Tiny Breathes Series:

TEN TINY BREATHS

ONE TINY LIE

FOUR SECONDS TO LOSE

FIVE WAYS TO FALL

 

Born in small-town Ontario, Kathleen published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She is a voracious reader and the farthest thing from a genre-snob, loving everything from High Fantasy to Chick Lit. Kathleen currently resides in a quaint small town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.

 Connect with K.A. Tucker:

                                                

  Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | YouTube | Pinterest | Instagram

Review: Shatter by Erin McCarthy

Shatter (True Believers #4) by Erin McCarthy
Publisher: Penguin Intermix
Publication date: September 2nd 2014
My rating:  5 stars 
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

From the USA Today bestselling author of True, Sweet, and Believe comes a tantalizing New Adult novel about finding love in the most unexpected ways…

Kylie Warner prides herself on being optimistic, but after finding her best friend in bed with her boyfriend and flunking chemistry, her upbeat attitude has taken a dive. Even an impromptu hook-up with her sexy new chemistry tutor only brightens her mood slightly. After all, it’s not like she’ll ever see the tattooed scholar again…

While he’s a whiz at complex equations, Jonathon Kadisch has trouble when it comes to figuring out women. So when Kylie tells him that she’s pregnant after their night of passion, he’s at a complete loss. He’s prepared to be a good father—unlike his own deadbeat dad—but he’s less prepared to fall for the genuine and alluring blonde bearing his child.

With emotions running high, Kylie wonders if Jonathon’s devotion is out of growing love or looming obligation. And when heartbreak threatens to tear them apart, Jonathon will have to fight for the only girl who’s ever made him feel whole…

My Thoughts:

It’s no secret I’ve enjoyed Erin McCarthy’s New Adult series, True Believers, but Shatter is my favorite so far!

Kylie had her world shattered when she found out her longtime boyfriend cheated on her with her friend, Robin.  Not only did he cheat on her, but he tried many times to hookup up again with Robin, while he was still supposed to be with Kylie. Having lost her focus over all the turmoil, Kylie is struggling with her classes and she’s in danger of flunking chemistry.  To help, she’s enlisted the services of a school tutor, Jonathon, a grad student who happens to be a genius.  She expects Jonathon to be the requisite braniac nerd, not the geek hottie she meets with.  They have an easy, fun banter back and forth and even though Jonathon isn’t her usual type, Kylie is completely taken with him both mentally and especially physically.  Jonathon attributes the physical to “the chemistry of attraction”:

“A female instinctively responds to the scent of a male and she is subconsciously drawn to the specimen she thinks will ensure her progeny’s survival.”

Lol! Jonathon was certainly showing his nerd with that comment, but trust, he certainly doesn’t act nerdy AT ALL with what follows! They have a heated and steamy one-night stand (or so they think) and wow, was it ever HOT!! I think Shatter is the hottest book of the True Believers series for sure. And let me tell you, Jonathon doesn’t just put his brain to use with equations and lab experiments! He was very much all about Kylie that night; so very different than her douche bag ex-boyfriend, as you’ll discover. 

Anyhow, this one-night stand turns out to be much, much more when Kylie discovers she’s pregnant.  They don’t know each other beyond that one night of tutoring and passionate love making, but that’s about to change.

Shatter was sweet, heartbreaking, and I felt a realistic take on the situation they faced.  Both Kylie and Jonathon struggle with the repercussions of their one-night stand.  They were very attracted to each other with oodles of chemistry, but doubts surface about any relationship now.  Kylie wonders if Jonathon is truly interested in her beyond the obligation he feels, and some of the doubts created by her failed relationship with Nate color her perspective as well. Also, Kylie has insecurities about her IQ in comparison to Jonathon’s. He’s a genius and she is most decidedly not. I did not like the fact that she sold herself short in that area for much of the book.  Just because someone doesn’t have book smarts doesn’t make them stupid.  Everyone has their own individual strengths, but I think this was something Kylie had to figure out on her own.  In the end, Jonathon and Kylie made a good match because where one lacked, the other excelled.  I think a lot of great partnerships, marriages included, are made up of opposites that complement each other.

Jonathon worried about trying a relationship with Kylie, the mother of his child because if it didn’t work out it would screw up all their future interactions. His father was never involved in his life until he hit college age, and he doesn’t want to be type of father at all.  It could turn into something completely adversarial if things don’t work.  But Jonathon really, really wants it to work with Kylie.  She’s so sweet, generous, and beautiful, and it would be heaven if a little happy family came out of all this.

Jonathon was a completely different male lead than the others, they were manly men, and Jonathon was a geeky genius.  Swoon-worthy for sure, but so very literal and analytical at times, I had to 

laugh!  He was also kind, considerate (most of the time), and very attentive! Yum!

“I never believed in destiny, fate, soul mates. It was illogical to me. Then I met you.—That you and I were drawn to each other not by evolution, but by something that can’t be measured. Love.”

Shatter was my favorite in the series so far, full of tender and HOT moments, but also with realistic situations, emotions, and reactions.  Erin McCarthy captures what New Adult should be, beautifully and with heart! I’m not sure if more are planned in the series, but a girl can hope!

Connect with Erin McCarthy:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Review & Giveaway: Rival by Penelope Douglas

Rival (Fall Away #2) by Penelope Douglas
Publisher: Penguin Group
Publication date: August 26th 2014
My rating:  4.5 stars 
Amazon | Barnes & Noble| The Book Depository

 

 From the New Adult sensation and New York Times bestselling author of Until You

Madoc and Fallon. Two estranged teenagers playing games that push the boundaries between love and war…

She’s back.

For the two years she’s been away at boarding school, there was no word from her. Back when we lived in the same house, she used to cut me down during the day and then leave her door open for me at night.

I was stupid then, but now I’m ready to beat her at her own game…

I’m back.

Two years and I can tell he still wants me, even if he acts like he’s better than me.

But I won’t be scared away. Or pushed down. I’ll call his bluff and fight back. That’s what he wants, right? As long as I keep my guard up, he’ll never know how much he affects me….

My Thoughts:

Madoc and Fallon’s romance was full of a whole range of powerful emotions, both good and bad. Their passionate, young lover’s story was cut short two years earlier when Fallon left Madoc’s life abruptly, causing misunderstandings and intense hurt on both sides.

Madoc and Fallon were thrown together as stepbrother and sister when their parents got married, and suddenly they had to share a house.  They were complete opposites and their relationship was very antagonistic because of their situation. Madoc was outgoing and popular in school, and Fallon was introverted and quiet, especially starting out in a new school with no friends.  Madoc viewed Fallon in the same negative light as her gold-digging mother, so he didn’t exactly treat her very nicely at first. But time changed their relationship.  It wasn’t long before they were sharing nights holed up in her room, entwined hearts in the night while keeping up a façade of distance during the day. Each felt something big and special, although neither was willing to admit it out loud. 

Everything changes when Fallon’s mother discovers their relationship, and sends Fallon away.  Two years pass and during that time both Fallon and Madoc have built up hurt and pain over what each of them think is true. Now Fallon returns to divvy out some revenge on who she thinks are the guilty: Madoc, his father and her mother.  I could not stand the mother!!  She was conniving, lacked any natural maternal protective feelings and instead only thought of herself!  There were some shocking revelations that really showed the depth of her depravity. Blech!

I felt bad for what both Fallon and Madoc suffered, especially Fallon.  When you feel so passionately about someone is gives them the power to hurt you profoundly, so I can understand why they both hated each other so much. Granted this is because they both assumed things, thanks to their parents, but they didn’t know that. Both Madoc and Fallon are so scared to be hurt again so it takes a while to unravel what actually happened, but when they finally sort it out, they’re inseparable. 

Even before that though, Fallon and Madoc’s intense attraction leaks through the hate and leads to many heated interactions! I was happy that they had these combustible blow-outs instead freezing each other out, because it led to the truth. The ending is a little surprising for a couple so young, but I was totally onboard and for it! 

Penelope Douglas writes romances that are completely addictive, compelling, and super hot!   Like the previous book, I was completely glued to every page!  I can’t wait for the next, Falling Away which centers on Jaxon, Jared’s younger brother.  He’s turning out to be a very interesting character. I was blown away and disturbed by something he did in the end of this book.  

Favorite Quote:
God, I loved her. There was never anything or anyone I wanted more, and she was mine. When we were fourteen years old she came into my life on the heels of a cruel and self-serving woman, but I would do it all again. Every minute. Every ounce of pain. I would go through it all again to get to her.

Connect with Penelope Douglas:

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

The publisher generously provided a Paperback copy of Rival to one Readers Den follower.  The giveaway is open to US and Canadian Residents only.  Entrants must be 18 years or older. Just fill out the rafflecopter for a chance to win.

Monthly Recap: August

It's been a busy month for both Jasprit and I. Work has been non-stop for me, but fortunately I was able to get away for a short vacation by the beach.  Jasprit has had some weddings, and author events (so jealous!) so sorry if we haven't been around much lately!

Number of Books read:
Jasprit: 3
Rachel: 15

Highest rating:
Jasprit: 4 stars
Rachel: 5 stars
 
Lowest rating:
Jasprit: 2 stars
Rachel: 3 stars

Books reviewed:

Jasprit: 

(click on titles for review link)

Rachel: 

(click on titles for review link)

   

 

Best read of last month:

Jasprit: Last month was a really mixed reading month for me, I wasn't able to read as many books as I wanted, I did start a couple of great ones, but didn't get around to finishing them because of having to return them to the library or because of no time. But one of the books which stood out for me was E.L Freil's Most Wanted, you know when you just need something hot and fun? Well this was that sort of book and it was something I was in the mood for.

Rachel: 

One Plus One by Jojo Moyes.  Such a wonderful, crazy story with so much heart! Loved all the point of views and the narration was brilliant!

Book which surprised me the most: 

Jasprit: Landline by Rainbow Rowell. This book surprised me as I think I was expecting so much more going into this book, but it ended up going in a totally different direction entirely. Not that this book wasn't fun, it was, but maybe not my favourite from Rainbow.

Rachel: 

Bully by Penelope Douglas. Didn't expect to like Jared at all being he was a bully, but he did a 180 for me.

Fictional crush of the month:

Jasprit: Jax Sayer from Most Wanted, this guy was all kinds of hot. Seriously he was able to make a scene change from being a tense one to super hot within a few seconds and that even without saying anything...

Rachel:

I'm sort of getting a mad crush on Atticus O'Sullivan from The Iron Druid Chronicles! He's super smart, resourceful, and I love the way he's been mooning over Granuaile! Can't wait for their romance to finally blossom.  Luke Daniels does an amazing job narrating and I can't imagine not listening at this point.

Three books I'm most looking forward to this month:

Jasprit:
 (Click on titles for Goodreads link)

Everyone I know has devoured a book by Hoover, I'm one of those readers who tends to collect all her books but still haven't read one. Hearing so much praise for her previous books, Ugly Love was the one that I was able to click download on the quickest, so much about this book has me pumped about finally getting around to reading it. Heir of Fire I have had for the longest time, Crown of Midnight left me in a complete wreck, but I am prepared for this book (sort of) and I was a huge fan of The 5th Wave I can't wait to read the next installment The Infinite Sea!

                                            

Rachel:

(Click on titles for Goodreads link)

I'm excited to continue the Iron Druid Chronicles series with Trapped by Kevin Hearne, book five in the series. I'm waiting for my Audible credit to come through to snag it. I loved K.A. Tucker's Ten Tiny Breathes series and I'm hopeful for Burying Water as well. I love the small town romances Jaci Burton has been writing with the Hope series and I can't wait to dive into Hope Burns.

Bookish Photo:

I was able to meet three wonderful authors in the month of August: Leigh Bardugo, Moira Young and Sarah Alderson. Here's a photo of me with Sarah, she's been one of my favourite authors for such a long time, so it was great to finally be able to meet her at a lovely blogger tea!

How was your month of August?