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Book Review – After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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After I Do: A Novel
<—- WOW!!!!! What a wonderful book!!!! EASILY one of the best books I’ve read this year. Easily a 5 star read (plus?), in my opinion. And EASILY one of my all-time favorites. I will never forget this one, and what it did to my heart. It put me through the ringer, but perfectly so. Nothing contrived, nothing over-the-top, nothing eye-rolling. Just… good (and bad) emotional perfection.

The original cover. 🙂

This book was RICH!!!! Rich in realism, rich in intensity, rich in emotion, rich in angst, rich in growth, rich in it’s pacing, rich in it’s eloquent words… Just. Plain. RICH.

Mind you, yessssss…. this one is not just “rich” in the quality sense. It’s actually quite pricey. Not a bargain book by any standard. But I one-clicked it on that blurb alone, and chose it as my “next” when a few from our reading group chimed in saying it was awesome…

Sadie: Would like to second (or third or fourth by now) After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It was so good! It came highly recommended and didn’t disappoint. Pricier than indies and not lendable (got mine from the library) but very good.

Britton: It was fabulous

Sadie: if you are married, it’s a must read! I’ve been on a high all week!

Billie: I went on a Goodreads quote liking spree because I can’t stop thinking about this book! Anyone who is married can totally relate to this book and these characters. Easy 5-stars for this one!!

Maryse: This will be my next!

…and I don’t regret paying that price one bit. Worth every penny, and is exactly what I look for when I want to be consumed by a book.

Maryse’s Book Blog: I chose my next book (from my latest TBR LIST), and I’m LOVING it!! “After I Do” by Taylor Jenkins Reid. So far, wonderfully written and explored and it’s totally breaking my heart. Sooooo real. Powerful. Visceral. Definitely not a bargain book, but I’m glad I one-clicked this one. My heart, though, not so much.

Maryse’s Book Blog: Holy moly this one’s good. 🙁 <— sad

Kristi: Maryse, Erin read this and was RAVING about it. She loved it so, so much!

Erin: Yay!! Maryse, I LOVED this one. Ugh…I went through so many feelings with them.

Maryse’s Book Blog: This one… Ooooof!! Okay u can be my support.

Erin: I am here!! Great story. Totally real! I was in a major funk after this one. What % are you? 1

Maryse’s Book Blog: 30%

Jules: Lover this one too!

Susan: I was debating about getting this one but after reading the awesome posts, think I may be one-clicking!!!

Summer: I want it so bad but it would take most of my monthly book ” allowance”
12 hours ago · Like

Stephanie: Worth every cent!! I absolutely loved this book. So emotional…the kind that you feel deep down in your bones because it’s soooo relatable! This one has been with me all week!

Maryse’s Book Blog: Ugh!!! Oooohhhhhhhhhhhh! ROAR!! evil Sorry… Having a “moment”. Still loving.

Maryse’s Book Blog: Oh. neutral hehe.

Stephanie: This book requires some hand holding for sure!

Sadie: Still thinking about it! One of my faves of 2014 for sure. The emails….

Maryse’s Book Blog : Half way point and I’m not even close to being sleepy. This one may be an all-night for me. It’s been awhile. Love it!2

Maryse’s Book Blog: Yessssssses eek the emails. My heart. And then…

Sadie: That one line!

Diane: I cried my eyes out with this one, it is pricey but it was at my library

Maryse’s Book Blog: Okay you know what!??? OMG I LOVED IT!!!!!!! LOVED!!! 5 stars ohhhh yes! I ended up falling asleep, but with the lights on, and then I woke up, and finished it. Pretty much a straight-shot read for me (unputtdownable except for the part when I finally conked out). But WOW. So happy I read this one!!

Sadie: Yay! “Wow” was actually my review in goodreads LOL. Several of us can’t stop talking about it since last week. Loved the line about “what a beautiful thing to have been…what a sad thing to be.”

Maryse’s Book Blog: OH MY GOD YESSSS!!!! I highlighted that with a “WOW!!!” LOL!!!! My gooooodness where did this book come from?!!! I am just blown away by it’s intensity and it’s emotion, and it’s REALISM, and it’s angst but not over-the-top-angst but still… ANGST. And the growth, and the realizations, and it just… it all made so much sense and I FELT it so deep.

Sadie: Yes!!! It made me cry. So honest and relatable. It’s no coincidence that I’ve been extra nice to my hubby since last week PS – loved the grandma and brother too.

Diane: Her other one looks great too (Forever, Interrupted: A Novel)

Kodi: Im on page 136, and I have to put it down now. I feel tummy troubles coming on. You might find me in the bathroom for a big portion of the day. With my book!

Maryse’s Book Blog: LOL!!!!!! I felt those tummy aches reading this one, too. Oh yes. And butterflies! And more aches. And more butterflies.

Pure reading entertainment for those of us that love a good love story, but that enjoy working for it, every step of the way. And I don’t mean that in an arduous or hard read kind of way. Working for this love story isn’t going to exhaust you. It will exhilarate you. Adrenalize you. Excite you and devastate you, and back again (and not necessarily in that order). It is laden in realistic moments. Moments that you can feeeeeel deep inside your heart, and your stomach, along with the characters.

That initial crush. That “first kiss”, and the subsequent, hour-long kisses after. That first time.

I really didn’t think there was a too soon or too late. I was so confident about Ryan, so confident in myself, that something about it seemed foolproof. As if I could already tell that we were so good together we couldn’t mess it up if we tried.

And that brought me both an intense thrill and a deep calm.

That first I love you.

But then he said, “This is good, isn’t it?”

I turned toward him. “Yeah,” I said. “It is.”

“No,” he said to me. “This is, like, perfect, what we have. We could get married some day.”

*dreamy sigh*

The eventual newlywed bliss. The plans for the future. And then… the married-life issues. Big soul-deep love and turmoil.

We don’t say anything. I think of how much I want to scream at him. I think of how I wanted to scream at him last night, too. I think of how much I’ll probably want to scream at him tomorrow. I can only imagine he’s thinking much of the same. And yet the air between us is perfectly still, uninterrupted by any of our thoughts.

The stupid stuff. The important stuff.

“I’m sorry,” he says.

“No, me, too,” I say. But I don’t really know what I’m even sorry for. I feel as if I’ve been sorry for months now without a reason. What am I really doing wrong here? What is happening to us?

The resentments. The ultimatums. The rituals. The sweet things that you look forward to each year. The monotonous things that you dread, each day. The giving in. The letting go. The not letting go. And then the letting go… almost completely.

All I know is that this might, in fact, be the end of my marriage. It might be the end of something I thought had no ending.

And this is where the story really gets going (and let me tell you, I was already IN from page one), so you can imagine…

Yep. Once that “part” in the blurb kicked in, I thought I’d be ready for it:

When Lauren and Ryan’s marriage reaches the breaking point, they come up with an unconventional plan. They decide to take a year off in the hopes of finding a way to fall in love again. One year apart, and only one rule: they cannot contact each other. Aside from that, anything goes.

But instead, my heart was BREAKING. That is the kind of emotion that this author injects into her characters. They can go from bored and wishing for anything else but this (you’ll feel it, exactly so), to acceptance and even a certain secret thrill at the new changes they are about to embark upon (you’ll feel that too), to utter devastation, and complete sense of loss in the blink of just a few words. Or just a few moments alone. <— and this will just about break you.

Ryan starts laughing. He actually manages to laugh. “I don’t know why I’m laughing,” he says, as he gains his composure. “This is the saddest moment of my life.”

And then his voice breaks and the tears fall from his eyes, and he truly look at me for maybe the first time in a year. He repeats himself, slowly and deliberately. “This is the saddest moment of my life.”

*oooooofffff* Did you feel that? Punch to the gut, right there. Oh yes. I was crying. So many intense moments like that, my friends (in good and bad emotional ways), but so intense. SO REAL.

You must read this!!!!

So that’s all I’m going to say about this one. I won’t tell you how it ends, or the realizations the characters have as they attempt a go at new lives (new futures), but I will tell you it’s pretty much unputtdownable. The sense of family and friends provides comedy amongst the deep moments of pain and desolation. A sense of comedic relief and hope through the moments of alone.

My heart is truly broken. And I know that even if it mends, it will look different, feel different, beat differently.

From the varying bits of advice (and each one valid in it’s varying truths), to analyzing their own childhoods, to seeing their families with a whole new eye, it seems as if every facet of adult life is tested (and awesomely so). From the bittersweet flashbacks, to the new experiences. The mistakes (past AND present). The truths. The cognizance.

It’s stunning, really, what I can do to myself with only a misunderstanding.

The growth.

This story is simply stunning in it’s exploration.

The pain and the joy are locked together, tightly bound.

It went there. It took risks. It did (and said) things that I wondered if they could recover from. And it did so because it was exploring real issues. Real love. Real life.

5 stars PLUS!

I HIGHLY recommend this! If you’re in a book slump? READ THIS!! It’ll get you out of it. If you’re on an awesome book roll? Read this! You’ll continue it! 😀

P.S. This book is one of THOSE. One that has the most (and the best) most relevant, touching, believable, realistic thoughts and quotes, EVER!!!!

P.P.S. Here are my notes, just to give you an idea (and that was when I had enough of me available to actually write a note). Most of the time I was just too busy sighing, roaring, or crying to stop and note it. 😉 :

Whoa! SO crazy to hear THAT.

Ooooooof!!!

Wow.

ROAR!!! What an a$$!!!!!

Wow.

Wow… from emails of *spoilers*… to this.

WOW!!! My heart. How exquisitely, poignantly, viscerally worded.

Wow…

Heartbreaking…

Hahahahahahahhahahah!!!!! Funny!!!!!

*snort*

Wow. Just WOW!!!!!!

MUST READ!!!!

P.P.P.S. I have SO many favorite quotes in this, each one equal to me in it’s poignancy but here’s just one more that I couldn’t help but post. No worries, it’s not a spoiler… just so beautifully painful. Such a real thought, and I had to highlight it.

That man who stood on the steps of Vernal Fall and told me he couldn’t live without me… I wonder what he’s doing right now, living without me.

*sob*

➔➔➔  Looking for more of my must-read recommendations? Browse my 5 star and 4.5 star and 4 starreviews. 😀

➔➔➔ Love this author? Check out more of my Taylor Jenkins Reid features and reviews on my blog!

Latest Paranormal & Contemporary Romance Book Releases – July 15th 2014

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Happy new release day!! A few on this one that are big on many TBR lists, like The Book of Life: A Novel (All Souls Trilogy) (a long time in the making, and in the waiting, but it’s finally here!), and that one to the left (Tamed (The Tangled Book 3). So many of us LOVED Drew’s dirty mouth and mind. 😉 And Shame on Him by Tara Sivec (this looks like a steamy-fun series!).

Also —> Make sure you take a look at the bargain book/reader recommendations below. Not a huge list like Friday’s (of course), but this one looks extra angsty-good. And I. Mean. ANGSTY. Heartbreaking, and heart-wrenchingly intense.

ALSO!!! —-> Don’t forget to check out last night’s “Early-bird New Releases” post, ’cause I’m getting some great feedback on some of those, too! Like the book about the blogger that makes a point out of discovering a male author’s true identity (and meets him at a book convention) and Kendall Grey’s latest release (mob book). I’m hearing it’s awesome, too! 😀 Oh!! And uber-popular fanfic “Dusty” (at least book #1) has finally been released on Amazon. It’s on that list, too!

And for those of you that missed my Sunday post, it’s my TBR LIST!! 30+ books!!! “My latest TBR List – These just might rock my world, and I want to read them SO bad!” <— Tons of awesome reader comments about which one I should start next, and I’m about to break into it tonight. 😀

P.S. Let me know if I’m missing any or if you loved any (from this list or elsewhere).

P.P.S. Don’t have a Kindle? No problem! Amazon offers various free Kindle apps and a free Kindle Cloud reader for any and ALL of us to use. You can either use the free Kindle App for your smartphone, tablet, AND your desktop computer (just like you’re using a Kindle, but right through your web browser <— No need to download anything! :D )

BARGAINS (NOTE: bargain priced when I added them, but prices can change on Amazon, so make sure to check before you finalize your order).

  • 53 Letters For My Lover by Leylah Attar <— this one sounds ANGSTY!!!! “…the perfect wife, the perfect mother, the perfect daughter. For thirty-three years, she has played by the rules, swallowing secrets, burying dreams and doing whatever it takes to anchor her family. Shayda Hijazi is about to come face to face with the one thing that can rip it all apart, the one thing her heart has always been denied: love.” And then she meets “Troy Heathgate”…. “Now Shayda is flying free and Troy has found the one thing that centers his soul. But even as they beat the odds, Shayda is diagnosed with cancer and faces a painful dilemma. On the one hand is the man who makes her feel gloriously alive and on the other, her children, and a husband ravaged by the past.“
  • Puddle Jumping by Amber L. Johnson <— UNCONVENTIONAL LOVE STORY ALERT!! recommended by Cynthia: “This week I read a sweet and amazing book: “Puddle Jumping” by Amber L. Johnson.  It’s a short and beautiful love story about a very special boy and an amazing girl that loves him unconditionally. The author writes from the heart and it’s a world she is well versed in.” From the blurb: “Their bond is cut short due to her accident prone nature and they go their separate ways. Years later, they meet again and Lilly learns that there is something special about the boy she once knew, but she has no idea what it all means. And she’s not sure if she’s ready to find out.“
  • Wrecking Ball by B.N. Toler <— Nancy found out this one today! Cheryl says: “Finished Wrecking Ball. Well-written, multi-faceted emotional read. Dear God, I need to take a break from these emotional reads or invest in Kleenex stock ;)” From the blurb: “Sometimes all it takes is one moment, fleeting as it may be, to crush what was once strong and indestructible, like a wrecking ball. Now Sophia has left and as she rediscovers herself, Brandon is left holding the shattered pieces of their lives, trying to figure out how to put them back together. “
  • Life After Taylah by Bella Jewel <— Stephanie found us this deal! Oooooooh YES!!! I remember this blurb from a month or so ago’s list. 😉 “A love affair. Champion Motocross Racer. Bad boy. Married.” Yep… also hovering in my TBR list!
  • Kismet by A.E. Woodward <— Kate recommends this one: “Have you read Kismet by A.E. Woodward yet? Oh my land. All sorts of nasty tears coming from this girl. LOL SOOOO worth it though. An incredible read.” From the blurb: “Her husband, daughter, and unborn baby. . . all gone in a flash. The life that she’d come to know, gone before she ever really got to live it. With a broken heart, she deals the only way she knows how, by shutting it all off. No communicating, no feelings, just pure nothingness.“
  • Pulse (The Pulse Series Book 1) by Deborah Bladon <— Jenn recommends this author’s series: “Have you gotten into any of the series’ by author Deborah Bladen? Right up your alley, they are great!” Here’s a direct link to all of her books, and they do look good!
  • Flat-Out Celeste (Flat-Out Love Book 3) by Jessica Park <— latest release from this author! P.S. I absolutely LOVED book #1. Here is the Flat-Out Love Series Reading Order and here is my review of #1: Flat-Out Love.
  • If I Break by Portia Moore <— Janet recommends it saying: “I have to recommend this one. It has a vibe like one we were all reading last week. Read the description, but be careful of spoilers in the reviews. You need to go in blind.” <—- Eeeeeeep!!! I know what book you’re talking about (Is it this one? Rainfall by Melissa Delport). Thank you for this, Janet!!!!
  • Embracing My Submission (The Doms Of Genesis Book 1) by Jenna Jacob <—  Oh a DREAM-man Dom… “Haunted for years by dreams of a savage, amber eyed Dominant with lips so enticing my soul ached in frustration and lust. None of the Dominants at Genesis, my local BDSM club ever stirred me in such blistering ways. While I tried to fill my submissive desires vicariously through interactions at the club, I attempted to convince myself it was enough. But it wasn’t. My dream Dom made certain I hungered for more…”
  • Savage Kind of Love: Prairie Devils MC Romance (Outlaw Love) by Nicole Snow <—- BIKER BOOK ALERT! Recent release and so far tons of great reviews! Looks promising!. 😀

        

PARANORMAL

        

CONTEMPORARY

                          

A few “early-bird” releases…

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Sundays and Mondays are getting to be exciting “release” days. Of course Tuesday remains the biggie, but it’s always fun to check out what snuck in early. 😉

Like:

  • Word Play by Amalie Silver <— JUST RELEASED! This is the one that Fabi was excited about and mentioned a couple of days ago! It’s about a writer (writing under a pen name) and the blogger that makes it her mission to uncover his identity!!! Nooooo… it’s not me. Mind you… there are at least two authors that have me VERY curious, but I’ll let ’em be. 😉 But someone just told me my blog was mentioned in this book. How very cool!! 😛 “During a chance meeting at a book convention, Michael and Monica form an instant connection. And soon, an industry rivalry becomes something else entirely. But as Michael starts to let his guard down, he doesn’t realize that the person he’s learning to trust may be hiding secrets of her own.” <— DUN DUN DUUNNNNN!!! TK just said: “LOVE this book!!! Funny, witty, sexy – the whole package!!” and Stacy agrees: “It’s a hilarious book! I absolutely loved it.”
  • Rise Up Volume One: Indie Authors Against Cancer–A Benefit Collection by Elle Michaels, Andrea Randall, Michelle Pace, Melissa Brown, Angelisa Stone, Remy Landon, Lindsey Paige, Mary Smith, Sarah Dosher <— And another new release!! An anthology with books by so many of our fav authors: “Rise Up Volume One: Indie Authors Against Cancer–A Benefit Collection” —> “100% of the proceeds of the Rise Up anthology (volumes one and two) will go directly to Stephanie and her family to help them on this unexpected leg of their journey together.“
  • Chasing Perfection Vol. 1 by M.S. Parker <— He’s a talent agent, and a buttonhole! <— Okay, that was supposed to say “butt” not button, but apparently my autocorrect is as PG as I am. Tee hee!!! I’m goin’ with it. 😉
  • The Seduction 4 by Roxy Sloane <— and this one. This is the final installment of this series, so I can’t read the blurb… but maybe someone here was waiting for it?
  • Ricochet: Renegades, Book 3 by Skye Jordan <— MILITARY HERO!! “After a tragic incident in Afghanistan leaves Master Sergeant Nathan Ryker the only man standing in his tight-knit team, he spirals into an alcohol-and-sex induced escape” and then of course… he meets her.
  • Whiskey Prince by Toni Aleo <— Heir to his family’s famous whisky company, but an ultimatum is issued. “With six months to get married, the reclusive Declan spots Amberlyn across a lake and instantly feels the need to know her.”
  • Fated for Love (Love in Bloom: The Bradens, Book 8 ) Contemporary Romance by Melissa Foster <— Girls weekend out at a ranch and “…she realizes the ranch is owned by sinfully sexy, and dangerously rugged, Wes Braden–the subject of her late-night fantasies.”
  • Maybe Maby by Willow Aster <— I LOVED this author’s other standalone book (True Love Story) and I’m hearing this one is wonderful, too! “I’m 28 and everyone has left me. I have no friends. My boyfriend left. My mom died, so technically she left me too. I hate my job.  I get this overwhelming ‘oh my God, is this what my life is gonna be?’ feeling and I want to die. Curl up and die.  And since I don’t feel my heartbeat fading or my breathing getting even slightly faint, I panic that I’m gonna have to live.“

Kandace: I just read Maby Baby by Willow Aster in one sitting. I LOVED it!! Seriously girls, you need to add this one to your TBR!

Summer: Mine mine mine thanks for posting she is one of my favorites!!!

Alyssa: You are killing me Maryse!!!!

Donna: Finished it yesterday. ..loved it! Coen, Coen, Coen….just saying….

Sadie: Sorry ladies. Coen is mine. Really enjoyed this one!

  • Flat-Out Celeste (Flat-Out Love Book 3) by Jessica Park <— released in May but it’s on super-sale today!! Here is the Flat-Out Love Series Reading Order. I absolutely LOVED book #1!!!
  • Innocents (Dusty Book 1) by Mary Elizabeth, Sarah Elizabeth <— Jody just found us this new release saying: “Dusty innocents by Mary and Sarah Elizabeth just went live yesterday. I read it on fan fiction a few months back and LOVED it!!!!! Definitely a recommendation for fellow readers. Be warned though, not a light read!!!!“
  • The Decimation of Mae (The Blue Butterfly Book 1) by D H Sidebottom <— Gorgeous cover and WOW! I have NO clue what this one’s actually about, by the blurb, except I know it’s a dark ride by the warning. “***WARNING*** This story doesn’t contain hearts and flowers, it doesn’t even contain the word ‘love’. It isn’t for the fainthearted, nor those who want romance and happy ever afters. It’s dark, in fact it goes beyond the dark realms of misery and despair. It makes your heart suffer, it will beat you down and it will still demand more from you. Yet it is still a story of hope and courage. Friendships develop and understanding digs deep, whilst acceptance and surrender give way to reverence and sacrifice. It contains disturbing scenes of sexual violence, cruelty and torture. It also includes self-harm, pain addiction and brutalisation. Please bear this in mind before purchasing this book. Thank you. ****
  • Night Fury: Second Act by Belle Aurora (just released!) and here’s the first one: Night Fury: First Act
  • Hot-Blooded: An ‘Ohana Novel by Kendall Grey <— “Blake Murphy is an assassin working to infiltrate a new Hawaiian cartel. His investigation reveals that Keahilani, the sexy surfing instructor he pegged as an informant, is much closer to the drug ring than he thought. Passion ignites between them in the bedroom, but their ironclad ties to opposing interests pit them against each other everywhere else.” <— Jamie says: “Hot-Blooded by Kendall Grey should definitely be added to that list. It’s not like her other work, which is fantastic BTW, it’s different, more edgy, more suspenseful and twisty turny.“

            

My latest TBR List – These just might rock my world, and I want to read them SO bad!

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Time for me to organize my own personal TBR list, but I’m gonna share it with y’all in case anyone wants to follow along with me, or pipe up about their favs that are listed (or not listed). 😀

In theory, making this list is supposed to help keep me at least somewhat organized in my upcoming reading, and re-“find” those older treasures that I keep losing in the book-finds-frey. 😉 I say in “theory”, ’cause we already know all about my *squirreling* issues.

But these are the books that I absolutely want to read, and I didn’t skip, on purpose.

They simply got “lost” in my Kindle app. And/or… these are the new ones that have blurb-jolted me in recent “new release/bargain finds lists” and again… I’ve since “lost” them in the mix of new “finds”. So I’m backtracking through my Kindle app and through all of my recent “finds” lists and I’m pullin’ ’em back up, here.

These, to me, I *think* (fingers crossed) have the potential to be “the best of the best” in my TBR list. Whether it be the honest sounding, heartfelt recommendations I’ve received, that super-promising crazy-catchy blurb, or the author already has that great track record, I have a feeling I will be in reading-heaven with these.

P.S. They aren’t officially “in order” as I choose depending on my reading mood: 😉 And luckily for me, there are a bunch of different genres to choose from below. But most importantly? They all appear to have a strong romance theme which is VERY important to me.

P.P.S. Some of these are from my past “published  TBR lists” (like this one and this one) but I’m actually thrilled to say, I put a really big dent in those! I read the majority of ’em, so these actually DO keep me in line! 😀 In fact, I’m just finished “Neanderthal Seeks Human” by Penny Reid, Rainfall by Melissa Delport and will be finishing up “The Promise” by Kristen Ashley (and all were on my TBR list!).

P.P.P.S. Of course, in all actuality, I’ve easily got closer to 50… maybe even more like 100 books on my TBR list. ;), so this is just a sample of the ones that I just feel like I HAVE to read for my own reading-needs.

Coming Home by Priscilla Glenn <—  SLOW BURN ALERT!! Perfect example of one that I ABSOLUTELY am dying to read, and yet it keeps getting lost in my Kindle downloads. With that many awesome reviews, and no bad reviews, what the heck am I waiting for, right? And then… I received comments like these: Jennifer: “Just read Coming Home, beautiful story loved every minute of it. 5 star read.” Jean: “… did want to mention just finishing up Coming Home…..ahhh……what a great book!  It’s got that nice slow build-up we love, and the characters in this book are just so real and loveable….highly recommend it when you find the time to squeeze it in!! You should really read Coming Home after this one because it will make you feel much better….seriously….I am not kidding!“, Cindy: “Coming Home was such a good book! You will like this one! I got the charge… the jolt!! woo hoo! You will love him! Seriously swooning over Danny!” and Kristina: “A total 5 star read for me. I would rate it up there with Asher’s Voice & Left Drowning. I laugh, smiled & ugly cried my way through the whole damn thing! Ooh, and it has a major secret / twist that kind of propels the first half of the book. Seriously, for me this book was perfection.” <— *shakes head* Yep. This is next. READ!! My Book Review

After I Do: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid <— ANGSTY MARRIAGE ALERT!! The blurb alone had my attention. “They decide to take a year off in the hopes of finding a way to fall in love again. One year apart, and only one rule: they cannot contact each other. Aside from that, anything goes.” And even though it’s not bargain priced, I couldn’t help but one-click it when my fellow readers started piping up: Jules says: “Loved! This book has a real feel to it. A must read if you’ve been married for a long time. Made me think about my own marriage.” Sadie: “I just finished After I Do and cried multiple times! So good.” READ!! My Book Review

Eversea (Eversea #1) by Natasha Boyd <— FAMOUS ACTOR ALERT!!! Have been wanting to read this one for months!! Maybe even a year now? In fact, I believe the series is complete, and I can dive in with glee! You know me, I love falling in love with a famous actor and being the “normal” girl, so this is gonna be right up my alley. “Suddenly face to face with the man who played the movie role of her favorite fictional character, Jack has Keri Ann yearning for everything she has previously avoided …” Plus… the reviews!!! THE. REVIEWS!!!!! Awesomeness! Cheryl: ” I LOVED movie star Jack!!!  So got me out of my book rut!!!” and Teresa: “Eversea was one of my favorites this year.” and Day: “It was like an out of body experience for me reading that book.” and Ashley: “OMGeeeee!!! I just finished Eversea and what an amazing read!!! Maryse, please tell me you know when the sequel is coming out-I don’t know how long I can wait! I need to know what happens…and soon! What a love story that I cannot get enough of! Highly recommended and now I am searching for more reads like this” <— LOL! Pooooor Ashley (but lucky me that I don’t have to wait!!). 😀 READ!! My Book Review

Heat by R. Lee Smith <— DARK ALERT!!! This one comes up sporadically. It’s almost kind of, “unknownish” but when I get a recommendation for it? OH. EM. GEE!!!! I think this’ll freak me out! Mag: “Did you read HEAT by R. Lee Smith yet?  The darkest.  Unbelievable. The darkest book I’ve ever read:  This features 2 stories; a criminal alien who comes to earth to kill humans to harvest them for drugs and the alien cop who is chasing him down. Each kidnaps  a woman to help them meet their goal.  The relationship between the criminal and his captive is un-freaking believable.  It is BAD!.  He is the most evil thing ever…and yet, I find myself rooting for him.  And the cop, I’m rooting for him too.  This book is not for the faint of heart.  It is plot  driven and it is long!  I stayed up night after night until 3am even though I had to get up in 2 hours to go to work.  When I finished it, I started it again immediately.  It is cracktastic!” <— WHOA!! Right? And then Allgiff said: “It is so dark that it is not a book for everyone. After I read it, I started it over immediately. I have yet to find a book that can stand next to it in the dark/horror erotic/romance. Everyone, stop what you are doing and check it out. If you are a dark read fan, you won’t regret it.”

Bastian’s Storm: Surviving Raine Book 2 by Shay Savage <— ALPHA-MALES/FIGHTER ALERT!! YES but of COURSE!!! I missed it’s release (at least, the ability to read it) ’cause I was in the midst of a Book Bash frenzy, but I *did* get to hang out with the Savage boys (“Bastian” & “Evan”) at Book Bash, so it was like I was “living the book, live”. LOL!! Nahhhh not really, ’cause they were just sweethearts (and not so much bad-asses). *giggle* But now I’m home, getting back into my routine and finally able to get to this book! It was one of my most highly anticipated reads this year considering how much I loved Surviving Raine. The reviews so far are awesome!

Unbeloved (Undeniable Book 4) by Madeline Sheehan<— BAD-ASS BIKER ALERT!!! Another one of my highly anticipated upcoming reads this year that I missed out on, upon its release ’cause of my wonderful Book Bash frenzy. I was reallllly curious about how this trio was going to work out (I’ve always been a Jase girl as bad as that sounds, so I’m already on a “team”) 😉 and now I finally get to read it. And Jean loved it! “Oh and I finished Unbeloved today…..sigh….just love this series and Madeline Sheehan! Best MC series ever! So sad that I’m done now and have to wait for the next one!”

Scoring Wilder by R.S. Grey <— TEACHER-STUDENT ALERT!!! And I’m hearing not tooooo crazy, but just enough of everything to make it a fun, sweet, perfect read!!! Sounds just right for me! “He’s a professional soccer player, America’s favorite bad-boy, and has all the qualities of a skilled panty-dropper. … Not to mention Liam is strictly off limits. Forbidden. Her coaches have made that perfectly clear.” Anna recommended it! “I just finished Scoring Wilder and totally loved it!  Just a straight-up good college romance with a super sexy hot guy and a pretty kick-ass main character.  Good stuff!”and Dee said: “66% into Scoring Wilder and LOVING IT :P”

Frenched by Melanie Harlow <— JUST PLAIN AWESOME LOVE STORY ALERT!! ’Cause come on. I’ve been told it’s not too… “anything-crazy”, but just has that awesome romance feel. I already know it’s a “conventional” contemporary romance-winner! Cheryl: “Just finished reading Frenched and it’s novella Yanked. Beautifully written love story that was sweet with some angst thrown in there!!” and Julie: “Sweet, sexy, fluffy fun – just what I needed!… there is a sequel… called Yanked and the blurb has me worried but I can’t wait to read it!” and Candy says: “Frenched was great. Yanked made me want to junk-punch Lucas.” <— well, I’m sorry but THAT just makes me even more excited to read it. :D!!! Means he was an idiot and I love when that happens!!! READ!! My Book Review

The Life You Left by Carmel Harrington <— ANGSTY MARRIAGE ISSUES ALERT!! Marriage angst with sort of… a paranormal twist? Married mother is suddenly left by her husband… ‘Sarah, I’m not coming home tonight. If you love me, you will give me the space I need… Tell the children I love them.’ but then… “… it turns out she isn’t quite as alone as she thought she was. When her beloved childhood friend, Edward, comes back into her life, Sarah thinks she’s finally been thrown a life line. There’s just one problem with Edward: no one else can see him.” <— eek Comfort form a ghost? A memory? What!?? YES!!

Lock & Key (The One-Eyed Jacks MC Book 1) by Cat Porter <— BIKER BOOK ALERT and it’s got great reviews so far! “I was allegedly South Dakota’s most famous Old Lady. Fifteen years ago I had survived my Old Man’s murder and swore to myself never again. Never again surrender my heart. Never again sacrifice to the Club. But that all changed in one night. I came home and crashed into him, and my past and present blew up in my face.” <— Yep! Sounds goooood and Peju recommends it! “…another one that is similar and really good is lock and key by cat porter”

Letters Home by Rebecca Brooke <— MILITARY MAN ALERT!! He enlists in the army right out of college and she’s all alone… and then something happens? “… she’d been floored when her boyfriend, Nate Lewis, enlisted during their sophomore year of college. At the time, she’d been concerned with what that meant for them as a couple, but in the years that followed, they’d learned to adapt to the logistics of an army relationship. But when life throws her a curve ball, how will she cope?“<– GAH! These are already so angsty right from the start with that heart wrenching long-distance love, laden in danger and loneliness. Totally one-clicked that one!

Breathe by Kristen Ashley <— UNREQUITED LOVE ALERT!! I’m a sucker for a girl pining for a “hero” for years, and this one IS that. She’s a librarian and he’s a cop and she’s got a BIG crush. “For years, Faye has had a crush on Chace Keaton, but the gorgeous cop has always been unattainable. She’s resigned to live contentedly with only her books for company-until Faye suddenly meets Chace alone in the woods . . .” Mariel says: “OMG Maryse!!!! Breathe is soooo goood.. :’) I’m crying.. I’m usually hard to crack but it’s amazing!!!” and Kristin agrees: “Breathe by Kristen Ashley will rock your socks off!!! So good!!!” READ! My Book Review

Too Consumed (Consumed Series Book 2) by Skyla Madi <— MMA FIGHTER ALERT!!! I LOVED book #1, and this one has a TON of great reviews, too soooooooo??? Why haven’t I read it yet? *sigh* Jodi loved it! “Maryse, I just finished the newly released Too Consumed from Skyla Madi. It’s the follow up novel to Consumed and I loved it!!” Nikee, too! “My favorite MMA fighter after Travis! I loved this series! I even have Seth’s shirt.” I’m craving a bad boy fighter, big time, too. P.S. Book #3 (Forever Consumed (Consumed Series Book 3)) is out too. I need to catch up!

In Your Corner (Redemption) by Sarah Castille <— MMA FIGHTER ALERT!!! And while I’m at it, I need to read book #2 after “Against The Ropes” which I consider one of my all-time FAVORITE MMA fighter books. Intense alpha, but kind of hilarious, too. I think ’cause he’s such a grump, and kind of clueless but I LOVE HIM!!!! LOL!!!

God Shaped Hole: A Novel by Tiffany DeBartolo <— INTENSE READ ALERT!!! Bought this one back in November 2013 and I still can’t believe I have’t read it yet. This is an all-time emotional-read favorite, and considering how much I loved this author’s other standalone book, (and I mean LOVE!!) I really need to get on this! Why haven’t I read it yet? Julie is in the sam boat as me! “I immediately purchased God-Shaped Hole in and out of print paperback but I still haven’t read it. Dunno. After being gutted by HTKARS I’m a little terrified of this author. Will eagerly wait for your review and then I’ll dive in, emotions and tear ducts be damned.” <— LOL Julie, sorry I haven’t helped ya out yet. 😉 BUT!! Marina loves it: “So I’m at the 55% mark and wow, I LOVE this author! There is something about her characters. They are witty and quirky and so interesting. And I agree her books are like art. I bookmark pages just because I love her descriptions or dialogue… I fear that I will need to be scraped off the floor in the end. I need her to write more books!!” Elizabeth: “The characters and story have stuck with me – months later – a sign of a good book :)” and Alicia loves it, too: “Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on this one, Maryse! I read it a while back and it was SO GOOD!!!”

Ugly Love: A Novel by Colleen Hoover <— CASUAL SEX & HEARTBREAK ALERT!! I’m hearing angsty but MUCH more adult than her past books, and I can’t wait to see what twisted road this awesome author leads us on. It’s not out yet, but it will be in the next few weeks (August 5th!!) “Never ask about the past. Don’t expect a future. They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all. Hearts get infiltrated. Promises get broken. Rules get shattered. Love gets ugly.” <—- Oooooooooh!! Goosebumps!! READ!! My Book Review

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green <— CRY ALERT!!!! Yep. I know. *pok pok* ME <— CHICKEN. I’ve said it before and I’m still right there. There have been tooooooo many sobby faces after this one and I’m scared! And now the movie’s out, and I’m officially the one that will have only read it after the movie. BUT! I haven’t watched the movie yet, either, ’cause, you know. Crying. 😉 Jordyn cried: “I’ve only ever cried about one book, and when i did, i was bawling! i couldn’t help myself and it was so realistic too. I’m just… baah! so heartbreaking….” and Anonymous did, too: “This book is so moving, it’s one of the few books I’ve cried over, this is in my top 10, hands down.” And Anna loved it! “The Fault in Our Stars is the first book I’ve ever read that can elicit a physical reaction from me any time I just think about it. Augustus Waters will always feel like a real person in my life.”

Accidentally on Purpose by L.D. Davis <—OFFICE ROMANCE/ALPHA-JERK ALERT!! Sounds like the ultimate tumultuous love triangle and I hear HE (her boss) is an absolute alpha-jerk. Almost unforgivable so, so that means… for ME!!!! This is an old one, but has had consecutive releases since (here’s the Accidentally Series Reading Order), and I think it’s a complete series now. Lindsay says: ” This series will give you major anxiety but it is so worth it. I’m reading the third book of Accidentally on Purpose.  This is a fantastic read!  It’s giving me the feeling I had when I read the first book.” and Amy says: “*oomph* Ovary puncher, that first book…” <— *snort!!!* Yep. For me. Sara says: “Oh my gawd! Accidentally on purpose kept me up reading until 5am. It was sooooooo good. Had me all twisted up inside. It’s a must read!” and Corrie agrees: “I can’t believe there is a sequel to Accidentally on Purpose!!  If you have not read it yet, do it!!  If it’s anything like the first book, you will not see the twists and turns coming and when they happen you’ll think, “what in the heck?”” and then Tracy: “a huge surprise with a twist that knocked me on my ass” <— so I like that kind of *ooomph*. What the heck am I waiting for??

Monster in His Eyes by J.M. Darhower <— MAFIA ALERT!!! I ALREADY love this author, and it almost sounds like this might be her best one, yet!”He’s a monster, wrapped up in a pretty package, and what I find when I unmask him changes everything. I want to hate him. Sometimes, I do. But it doesn’t stop me from loving him, too.” Rebecka says: “I love the Mafia/Alpha suspense thriller passion filled story that J.M. Darhower writes. Can’t wait for more Naz in book 2.” and Juliane agrees: “I just finished this book last night and can’t stop thinking about it, so when I saw this I flipped out with excitement. It was almost torture reading this because I want to read the second book sooo bad. Definitely one of my favorite books I’ve read this year.” Tessa: “First off, Monster in his eyes was Omg good.  I read it and it’s intense.  I had one complaint, but won’t say what due to spoilerage.  It ends in a cliff hanger and I think my complaint will feel better after the second book… I think?” and Melissa: ” I read Monster in his Eyes in one sitting.  It was amazing!  She writes the mafia like no one else!” <— Yeah. For me!!!

Bullet to the Heart (No Mercy) by Lea Griffith <— DARK READ ALERT!!! From one of my past lists and still, I haven’t reached it yet, but WANT to read it badly. She’s a trained killer and he lost it all. “Everything was taken from Rand the day a bullet ended the lives of his beloved wife and daughter. He has searched for their killer seven long years and may have her in his hands. Rand has suffered, but now the time has come to make The Collective pay or die trying.” Oh!!!! Jessica is quite convincing! “My ALL-Time favorite Book is Bullet to the Heart. I’m dying for you to get to it. … You will Love this book. It has all your favorite things. An Alpha hero,  kick ass heroine, angst, heartbreak, darkness and light. Promise you will have serious gooseys. The prologue alone will destroy you. Patiently waiting to read your review.” and Victoria agrees: “Bullet to the Heart made me realize as much as I love a damsel in distress, reading about a heroine that kicks serious ass totally ROCKS!” and Drea, too: “Just finished  Bullet to the Heart by Lea Griffith. WOW! This story was amazing and I am obsessed with this series. I can’t wait to read the next one.” (Plus!! Book #2 was just recently released: Arrow to the Soul (No Mercy Book 2))

Years by LaVyrle Spencer <— MOODY HERO ALERT!! Back on the list (it’s been on there for a year or two). My aunt and mom says it’s one of their absolute favorites. My aunt says: “My best book, the one that I wait for years to forget most of it so I can read it again, and again…made me laugh AND sob…”YEARS” by LavyrleSpencer.  Had you mom crying too Maryse.” It’s a historical is probably what keeps me floating when it comes to this book, but then again, every time I’ve read a historical, I’ve loved it. *sigh* Bridget recommends it, too! “Favorite book ever!” and Gracie loved it, too: “Marysee….Years by Lavyrle Spencer is one of my favorite books.  Very good writing and romantic.  I think you will like it.  Sometimes it is nice to read a book of romance without all the explicit scenes.  Please give it a try.” The blurb certainly calls to me. He’s moody, and she’s a a new schoolteacher in town. “… her train is met by a cantankerous wheat farmer named Theodore Westgaard who doesn’t bother to hide his displeasure when he discovers that L.I. Brandenborg is a woman and not the man he was expecting. Westgaard thinks twice about bringing Linnea home to live with him, but he soon realizes that he has no choice.” <— WHOA! That there already seems right up our alley.

Fighting Destiny (The Fae Chronicles) by Amelia Hutchins <— SUPER-AMAZING PARANORMAL ALPHA-FAE BEST SERIES (I think?) EVER ALERT!! LOL!!!! There is someone out there (or  few I should say) that want to beat me right now for still not having read this one, and re-reading these recommendations, I wanna kick my own butt, too!! WOW, how could I delay these any longer? 😉 Check out what Lili said: “Can’t believe you haven’t read Fighting Destiny yet!! Shame on you Maryse! (Just kidding. 😀 ) But seriously, READ IT!! It’s sooooo good.” and Rebecka loves it! “Another that stays in my thoughts…Escaping Destiny by Amelia Hutchins….Abdolutely lovin this whole series!!” and Jamie, too: “This series is fantastic and one of my favs! Anyone who hasn’t read should buy right now. Amelia Hutchins is awesome!” Kristina compares it to some of my FAVS! “Synthia &amp; Ryder are quick becoming one of my fave paranormal couples up there with Mac/Barrons &amp; Kat/Bones :)” and Cynthia says: “I have just finished the third instalment of the fae chronicles couldn’t put them down from book 1. I think it has got to be one of the most amazing series of books I have read yet. It has everything EVERYTHING and more you could possibly want and has left me wanting book number 4 badly. Such a fantastic series the author has just outdid herself with these amazing books I just hope book 4 will be just as amazing. It’s one that you should definitely drop the book your reading now and one click. I think I have developed a girl crush on synthia maybe just a little…. I can’t even compare it to anything I have read before the characters and their relationships with each other forever changing and so complex and all thehot steamy scenes thrown in for good measure. Think that it’s one that you should consider I hope that you love it and the characters as much as I have and do. Think I might go start book 1 again…..“ —> Here is The Fae Chronicles Series Reading Order READ!!! My Book Review

The Mystic Series Set: Books 1-3 by B.C. Burgess <— PARANORMAL ROMANCE ALERT!! I’m hearing the ULTIMATE in a paranormal romance/urban fantasy series. Sherry says: “Read Descension by B.C.Burgess. Made me bawl like a baby. Box of tissue bawl!!!” <— YES PLEASE!!! :D and Jodi agrees: “Love the epic Mystic Series by B C Burgess – book 4 has just been released! Full of magic and intrigue – start with book 1 – Descension.” and Aimee loved it, too: “Finished ‘Descension’ by B.C. Burgess last night and have to say I was surprised at how quickly it drew me into the story. Appears to have at least 4 books in the series and all of them are rated 4.5 stars or better. The story starts out with a girl, Layla, who discovers a secret her mother kept from her until her mother’s death; she was a adopted. She is left clues that lead her to a small town in Portland, Oregon to visit a coffee shop – Cinnia Cannon Cafe to ‘try the best coffee there is.’ In comes Quinn, who happens to know who she is and why she is there. Secrets, villains, sole mates – Oh MY! Although the book left you wondering what’s next, the ending was well done and left the opening for more. Would definitely recommend if you are a lover of paranormal.”

First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson Book 1) by Darynda Jones <— SEXY ALPHA PARANORMAL BAD BOY ALERT!!! I’m hearing this is one of the best funny/sexy paranormal/urban fantasy series EVER!! This has been on my list since back in 2011, and STILL to this day, the ENTIRE series comes highly recommended! Susan says: “Amazingly fun and intriguing, I thought ahh another supernatural series, I’ll give it a try… omg I wasn’t prepared for the complete and total awesomeness this series is. Its SOOO funny, has such a great story, characters, plot, intrigue and sexiness that is Reyes  yumm,! The most bad boy in alpha maleness .seriously  the son of satan! He’s met his match! I laughed, even had tears…. the characters and heart are sooo close…. and the story line is just…. unstoppable! Love it! Can’t wait for more from Darrynda Jones!” and Katie says: “Love love love these books.  Especially since it is book number 6 and she is still keeping the series going well.  It isn’t the same thing over and over like some series can become.” How can I possibly resist this one any longer!!??? Here is the Charley Davidson Series Reading Order

The Bastard (Baddest Boys in History Book 1) by Inez Kelly <— BDB-FEEL ALERT!!! Well… someone used a magic word with me, for this one. And that is “BDB-feel”. Michelle loved it: “Just finished The Bastard.  It’s a great start to a new series by Inez Kelley.  It definitely had that Black Dagger Brotherhood feel with a little Lords Of Deliverance, Fallen Angels, and Lords Of The Underworld series feel as well.  I really like that Kelley has taken figures from history that we should despise but makes us see the men and their stories.  These alphas are going to be all kinds of fun to get to know!  I will absolutely be buying the next book. 😀” and  Fabi says: “I read The Bastard last week and also thought it was really good.  I’ve been shying away from the supernatural books but this one is good.  Can’t wait for the next one.”

The Rosie Project: A Novel by Graeme Simsion <— COMEDY-ROMANCE ALERT!! I hear it’s HILARIOUS, and perfect for a palette-cleanser! Kristen says: “I cannot recommend The Rosie Project enough! Although I love stories riddled with angst and steam, sometimes I just need a break from the roller coaster yah know? 🙂  This book is every bit a satisfying as a bad boy/tear jerker/love triangle, but in a superbly written and refreshingly different way. This should be your next read when you’re craving something different and need a palate cleanser!” and Michelle agrees: “I second the praise for The Rosie Project. I love the drama & angst right sling with all of you, but in between I need some humor or just plain ole’ snarky or something. This fit the bill. If you read the sample &amp; aren’t hooked, I’d be surprised. I seriously peed myself reading the totally new take on romantic comedy. One of my faves this year, so far, and I’m typically a alpha male, biker, rocker, good chemistry girl.. But this worked for me.” READ!! My Book Review

Somebody Like You: A Novel by Beth K. Vogt <— DECEASED MILITARY HERO ALERT!!! And then… while she’s mourning her deceased soldier husband, she suddenly comes face to face with his estranged twin… *gasp* RIGHT!!??? The cover doesn’t do much for me, but with that blurb, and those great-looking reviews already, I think this one might really do something to my heart!

Liberating Lacey by Anne Calhoun <— SHE’S OLDER THAN HIM ALERT!! Not hugely popular, but adamantly recommended by those that have read it. Rebecca says: “Absolutely loved, and He is the sexiest Cop I’ve ever read in a book. And the Uniform and the Handcuffs do make an appearance in some of the sexiest sex scenes that I’ve ever read! Very well written too, there is a Lot of emotional depth to these characters, a lot of Angst, and I felt a very real and honest depiction of feelings.” and Kim, too: “…she knows what she wants unti he shows her more might be possible, in a hot alpha cop kinda way, and she might make him want more too.  Sooo good,” and Stacey recommends it, too: “I have a rec. for a very nice, very sweet, very hot, very non wordy romance!  Liberating Lacey by Anne Calhoun.  This was just a very character driven book, no outside drama, just two people falling in love.  Did I mention it is very hot!?” READ!! My Book Review

Broken Pieces by Riley Hart <— INTENSE M/M ROMANCE ALERT!! I really enjoyed another book by this author and can’t help but want to read THIS one. There are THREE, telling their story and I hear it gets angsty. “Three men who couldn’t be more different…and yet, as their lives intersect they find an uncommon balance that calms the storms inside each of them, and ignites fires hotter than they ever thought imaginable.” Jeanie loved it: “Broken Pieces by Riley Hart is sooo good too!  It doesn’t end with a cliffhanger but there is a part 2 (continuation) in the works.” Melinda, too: “Broken Pieces was SO good. OMG. Highly recommend.” and Jill says a key-word! “I’m 60% into Broken Pieces by Riley Hart (m/m/m) and basically all of the men – two of them especially – fit your description of a ‘hermit’. They all have dark backgrounds and are closed off emotionally and are struggling to open up to the ones they hold close or want to hold close.” <— OH YES! SOLD!!!!

Hot Head by Damon Suede <— <— SUPER-STEAMY M/M ROMANCE ALERT!! SO many in our M/M-loving group appear to L-O-V-E this one!!! Raelene recommends it! “”Hot Head”  by Damon Suede is SOOOOooo hot and a gorgeous love story! Read it now!” “Since 9/11, Brooklyn firefighter Griff Muir has wrestled with impossible feelings for his best friend and partner at Ladder 181, Dante Anastagio. Unfortunately, Dante is strictly a ladies’ man, and the FDNY isn’t exactly gay-friendly. For ten years, Griff has hidden his heart in a half-life of public heroics and private anguish.”

Faith & Fidelity (Faith, Love and Devotion) by Tere Michaels <— M/M ROMANCE FOR NEWBIES ALERT!! Yet another m/m romance that is calling me like crazy and that also seems to have our fellow readers falling head-over-heels. I hear this one is GREAT for m/m newbies (kind of like me, although I can take it… LOL!), but I hear it’s more romance and extreme emotional connection.

Just a few other books on my TBR list (new-ish to me, but these sound SO good and suit all of my reading-moods. This list could easily be another 30 books 😉 ):

  • Room 212 by Kate Stewart <— my reading buddy Amy LOVED it, saying: “Room 212. Oh wow. It’s sooo much more than what the blurb shows. The only thing I can compare the feels to is Avoiding Commitment but not as angsty and – obviously – a different storyline. This was a 4.5 pushing 5 star for me. And I don’t throw 5 stars around often. 😉” READ!! My Book Review
  • Trapped by Beverley Kendall <— broke her heart, left her pregnant and eventually comes back to be a father to his child… (no real recs on this one yet, but it’s calling me).
  • Still Missing by Chevy Stevens <— not romance but definitely kidnappy-scary sounding! Almost 1000 reviews and they are GOOD! So many 5-stars! READ!! My Book Review
  • Move the Sun (Signal Bend Series Book 1) by Susan Fanetti <— I keep hearing how awesome this ENTIRE (and complete) MC biker series is. Jeanie says: “Susan Fanetti’s Signal Bend series is awesome! LOVED Behold The Stars – it’s my favorite of the series.  :)” and Sasha, too! “Thanks to whoever recommended Susan Fanetti’s series. Isaac is my first ever biker book boyfriend!! Am already starting book 3. The books have a Kristen Ashley vibe”
  • Sweet Destruction by Paige Weaver <— hearing verrrrry bad boy angsty!!! “He was a criminal. A thief. He brought hell and damnation with him wherever he went. He hurt and destroyed. He took and gave nothing in return. He was heartache and despair wrapped up in a perfect gorgeous package. Fast cars and fast women were his hobbies. His vices. But he had many. I was one of them. “
  • Sound Advice (Sensations Collection Book 1) by L.B. Dunbar <— By the blurb, gives me that Kristen Ashley feel… “Calling Jess Carter’s clenched jaw and denim-colored eyes part of his standoffish manner was an understatement. His brooding exterior bordered on being downright rude. From the moment I bumped into him, quite literally, our lives began to intertwine in a way that made me question what I wanted.”
  • Love In Rewind (Audio Fools Book 1) by Tali Alexander <— I’m hearing serious Kristen Ashley feel, and from that blurb, I can imagine it! “But when Louis mysteriously starts pushing Emily away, becoming distant and secretive, she is forced to search for the truth among the lies, scandal and heartbreak of his past that threaten to shatter her world. What she finds out will test the strength of her love and her vows to the man of her dreams.“
      

Book Review – Rainfall by Melissa Delport

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Rainfall
Oh WOW! Now THAT WAS intense, and crazy, and exciting and heartwarming and heart-wrenching and soooooo…. wow. I have a lump in my throat. I think it’s my heart. It’s stuck! Unforgettable!!!

I had NO idea what I was getting into. None. Except for a few comments (some making me VERY excited to read this, and some… well. I misinterpreted a few and I’m glad they weren’t actual spoilers). *phew* Thank you to EVERYONE that did their best to keep mum on the actual contents of this book. Everyone that left a comment in my direction, y’all did so perfectly. I thought I might know too much (at first, going in), but I didn’t, and I got to experience this one in full.

Summer: I just finished the most amazing book! It’s called Rainfall by Melissa Delport. It’s been awhile since I have read a 5 star book. This book has so much emotion. I highly recommend everyone check it out. It was so touching just sucked me right in and what a twist! I can’t recommend it enough to everyone!

Kandace: Summer I finished it this morning and I’m still a hot mess. I loved it!

Summer: Kandace I was so gutted I am still recovering today!

Di-Ann: Just finished and loved it!

Andee: I just finished Rainfall on Thursday — I know you’ll love it! I couldn’t put it down but it definitely wrecked me in the best way.

Janet: MARYSE, I just finished Rainfall. 5 stars–You need to read this one, that’s all I’m sayin

Kandace: Please read Rainfall before you accidentally see a spoiler. This is a perfect book for our group. Blind is the way to go.

Yep! I went into this one, “blind enough”, and then my mind went to work. I had some ideas. And more ideas, and twists and turns and I was right for some, and wrong for others but… no matter what I managed to guess, I was on the edge of my seat for the entire second half, and couldn’t put it down. WOW what a ride!!!

This isn’t going to be much of a review by way of “what this book is about”. I’ll just have you stick with that blurb as I don’t want to accidentally hint at something that shouldn’t be hinted at. Or steer you into any pre-conceived ideas, whether right or wrong when all comes to a head. I remember when Stephanie found it on sale saying: “Be warned! Major angst-filled, emotional drama inside this book!” <— MAGIC WORDS to me!! Sooooooo you know I had to take a look. I posted it on my bargain list saying: “And I think this one’s gonna rock my world. I won’t even try to short form this one. It’s too worth it to read the entire blurb”:

Paige’s father has Alzheimers, and her fiancé is shot and killed in an armed robbery. Paige fights her depression and pulls herself out of the dark place that she has succumbed to, with monumental effort and a new-found determination to live her life to the fullest, doing things that both terrify and exhilarate her.

When Paige meets Adam, the attraction is instantaneous. Adam grew up in an orphanage and has no recollection of his life before the age of six. Paige falls head over heels in love and embraces a happiness she never dreamed possible. Until the day she finds Adam in bed with another woman.

Wanting nothing more to do with him, Paige cuts Adam out of her life, until she receives a mysterious visitor, who reveals secrets about Adam’s past that shock Paige to her very core.

Determined to fight for the man that she loves, Paige finds herself on a journey that will change her life forever.

And boy was I right!!!!! WHOA. That blurb totally jolted me, and this book delivered! It must have been SO hard on the author to write such an intriguing, exciting synopsis, without giving anything away. Pure genius on that! And on how the story comes to fruition, too.

When my friend Kandace told me to read it, assuring me I’d love it, and to go into it blindly, she was right.

Kandace: I just finished Rainfall by Melissa Delport. I LOVED this story. I’ve never read a story like this. Rainfall a unique story that has twist after twist. I laughed! I cried! I felt everything! I highly recommend it. I wish I could tell you more but knowing anything about this story will ruin the experience. Do NOT read any reviews. Go in blind. I promise you all will love it. I could not put it down. Can you tell I’m excited? I’m going to be thinking about these characters for weeks.

Maryse: I WANT TO READ THIS!!!!!! I put it on that latest list and OMG I WANT IT!!! This is MINE tonight. YAY!! I decided!

Kandace: I wish I could watch your reactions as you read it.

If you are like me, and love to experience every surprise, be jolted by every little twist, and love guessing your way through an entire book, in full-intensity, DO NOT read reviews, or comments or anything because ANY little reaction might “mess” with your experience of this intricate, unique love story.

In fact, my own mind and perception of where the story was leading was sort of “messed” with in regards to a few comments left. THANK GOODNESS I misinterpreted the comments, and therefore was still super-surprised throughout, right to the last line.

I LOVED it.

BUT!!! I’ll admit it was a bit of a slow start for me, connection wise. Oh it was interesting RIGHT from the start, but I wasn’t fully invested at first, for a portion of the first half. While the story intrigued me from the beginning, and I was excited to read it, for some reason, I had a hard time meshing with the writing style. The flow, the dialogue, her thought processes. I can only say that it felt a little “rushed”, maybe even a little light or “flat?” by way of her internal monologue (considering the potential intensity of it all).

A little too light (for me) in regards to the difficulties that she was about to take on. A little too nonchalant by way of reader-emotion, and with some of the things she experienced, at first. Oh, she told us… the information and the scenes had enough detail for me not to be confused, and for the story to continue it’s progress… but I didn’t FEEL her that much, you know? I questioned a lot, in regards to the heroine, and found myself skimming slightly, at times.

I was reading on the outside, looking in, but very curious about the story, nonetheless. I had to know what was making everyone freak out!

Cheryl: **% in with Rainfall…unique story. Not sure it’s what I was looking for…

Jackie: Don’t stop reading Rainfall….huge twist at the end and worth it.

Cheryl: Finished Rainfall…OMG, Holy crap, WTF!! Yeh Jackie that was a huge twist- I still can’t believe it!!!  I did say I wanted a story that grabbed me and had angst…be careful what you wish for. Now for something light…

Yep!!!! Keep reading!!! ‘Cause at some point, I became fully invested. I found myself “one with her”, and everything about her life and the story, and my emotions took on a life of their own, together. *ooooooph!!!!*

*skip this next part, if you haven’t read it… I don’t spoil anything, but I give you an idea as to my emotions and even that, I don’t want you to know… for that maximum “going-in-blind” impact*

I was so into it, that the minute I reached the end, I was kind of shaking. Exhilarated, misty-eyed, melancholy, happy, sad, elated, devastated… I was a mess. EVERY feeling, every emotion, was ebbing and flowing through me all at once. LOVED it!! I just spilled it ALL in one fell swoop to my husband and while he guessed a certain thing or two, the main thing? He didn’t. When I told him, I swear I saw him get goosebumps. 😛

Okay now you can come back!!!

And now, I just had to come here and let it out. But how? HOW to review THIS particular tale, without ruining the potential surprises of you? Well, this is as about all I can tell you. 😉 How am I doing? 😛

You guys ready for this? READ IT! Absolutely UNFORGETTABLE, totally entertaining and your heart WILL be consumed!

If you’re in the mood for a jolt-inducing read? THIS!!!!!!!

4 stars for the book as a whole (the writing, my experience of it from start to finish, my 3-star slow-start of a connection but eventual BIG connection to it) and
5 stars for that incredibly unique, exciting, adrenaline-inducing love story! Sooooo…. I guess… that means…

4.5 stars!

June 2017 UPDATE: I loved Rainfall so hard, but originally gave it 4.5 stars. Since I still remember every single thing about this one, and still feel that intensity and ache, and haunt… I’m upping it to 5 stars. Years later and I still feel this book? Yeah. Five stars for sure!

➔➔➔  Looking for more of my must-read recommendations? Browse my 5 star and 4.5 star and 4 star reviews. 😀

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