Showing posts with label must reads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label must reads. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Seventeen-year-old Sky realizes life might not be exactly what she thought it was after she meets Dean Holder. A guy whose reputation rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. Sky struggles to keep Dean at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on invading every part of her life. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.

It is a wide known fact that Colleen Hoover is my favorite author, and has never let me down. With Hopeless she continued to keep me happy. I feel like I say this every time I write a review for one of Hoover's books but the only way you should really go into one is by knowing the bare minimum. The people who have reviewed her books have constantly done one thing that still amazes me... The have continued to keep her plot twist a secret. You know good and well that if you have a goodreads account that you have gone to read a review (and it wasn't hidden due to spoilers), have read something on it you didn't want to know, then gotten so mad that you saw it that in the long run it ruined the book for you... I have NEVER had this problem with her books. SO AGAIN THANK YOU for keeping up the mystery!!! Just like with other Hoover reads I started Hopeless thinking it was one thing and then it turned out to be another. 

We start the story with our leading lady Sky, who I just loved. She is a home schooled jungle freak who is starting out her first year in public school. Her adoptive mother has kept her pretty sheltered from the outside world. She has no phone, internet, and they don't even have a TV. This leaves her pretty cut off from the outside world. Her main friend and connection to the real world (up until school) is her best friend Six. Sadly once Sky enrolls into school they find out Six study abroad was approved and that she will be missing most of the year. But never fear Dean Holder comes into the picture and helps ease the terribleness that is high school. Since he also has quite the reputation following him, the two hit it off. She also becomes friends with the moron homosexual that is the amazing Breckin. Both Sky and Dean's characters are amazing! Sky is just as strong and stubborn as Dean. Dean is charming and is more than swoon worthy. And as I was saying, Breckin OMG, what an amazing sub character!!!! Every character in this book is spot on. Her mom, her friends, her new man, all perfect.

As far as the plot goes...It's just WOW. The first half of this book is a little more steady, but definitely not boring. The first half is all about the building of Sky's world and her new relationship with Dean and how her life has been living with Karen, the women who adopted her after her mother passed and her father has given up on her. This is all leading up to the "big reveal(s)". Yes, because there are a few. First is the way (don't worry I'm not about to spoil you) the title comes into play. The title of Colleen's books are always so on point, but I think as of right now Hopeless is my favorite title of hers. When it is revealed why it has that name my mind was BLOWN... TWICE! But she doesn't stop there, she has a bunch of tiny (though a little predictable) twist near the end as well... BUT the big reveal that happens between those two... JUST OMG!!! It comes out of nowhere! And when it happens you'll probably have to re-read it, because I know I was like "wait a second did that just happen... no really did they just say what I think they said... no way... omg yes



Because Y'all I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!!!!!! SAYING MY MIND WAS BLOWN WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT! Like where on earth did this come from! And just like that everything in the story clicks and your world is crushed! Colleen seriously knocked my socks off! Just crazy... 

So you're probably wondering why I didn't give this a perfect rating... For two simple reasons. Dean does become a "convenient" character. And you will see what his purpose is pretty early on. The second reason is that after that HUGE EARTH SHATTERING reveal happens you will have everything for the most part figured out. All that being said, Hopeless still is a must read! The relationship is so sweet, the plot is just as strong, and that one big twist makes up for any of the tiny other ones that you see coming. I don't think Colleen Hoover can write a bad book. 

9.5/10 Stars 
-Angela 

Saturday, December 13, 2014

"Under Known" Series and Stand-alones

We are constantly getting messages on Goodreads, Facebook, and Instgram asking us bookish related questions. Some of the most common things we are asked is "what is your favorite series?", "I'm just getting into reading again what do you recommend?", "what is something really good too read that isn't as highly known?", and other variations of these. So we decided to put together a list of our favorite book series, stand-alones, and series that we think would be good to start off with. All the series below we gave 4.5 or 5 star ratings too (9.5/10). If we have reviewed them all you'll have to do is click on the titles and it will take you straight to the review on our blog or to the review on our Goodreads.


Series

 
The Kricket Series by Amy Bartol 
Kricket Hollowell is kidnapped and is taken back to Ethar to face crimes her parents committed. That's not the only thing that's waiting for her when she returns. This is a new series with only one current book out, Under Different Stars. The cover for the second book Sea of Stars was just released. This is one of our favorites this year and if the cover doesn't pull you in then there is probably something wrong with you.


 
The Dark Elements Series by Jennifer L Armentrout
Layla just wants to be normal but being half demon half gargoyle with a kiss that can kill kind of makes that hard. Layla will have to decide which side she wants to fall on, good or evil. The Dark Elements series currently has only two books out and that is White Hot Kiss and Stone Cold Touch. Please don't let the names or the covers keep you from reading them. 




The Blackcoat Rebellion Series by Aimee Carter   
Kitty Doe can either spend her life as a III in misery and sell her body to get by or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country. If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked and surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstance. She will be forced to leave her life behind and suffer what comes with being famous. This series currently has two books out Pawn and Captive.




The Hunt Series by Andrew Fuduka
Gene is one of the last living humans and is hiding among a world full of vampires. When he wins a lottery that will give him the chance to feast on fellow survivors he will be stuck between a rock and a hard place.
The Hunt Series is a completed Trilogy including The Hunt, The Prey, and The Trap. If you're a vampire fan this series will be perfect for you.





The Sinner's Series by Abi Ketner and Miss
Lexi Hamilton is wrongfully accused of committing one of the seven deadly sins. For her crime she is thrown into the pit to spend the rest of her life paying for her crimes. If that isn't bad enough she has been branded around her neck with a bright blue tattoo. Branded is currently the only book out in this series. Book two Hunted is set to be released next year.





The Murder Complex Series by Lindsay Cummings 
In a world where the death rate is higher than the birth rate Meadow Woodson has been trained to fight, to kill, and to survive. When Meadow meets Zephyr James one of the MC’s programmed assassins thing could take a turn for the worst. Is their meeting a coincidence or part of a terrifying strategy? This is series that has just kicked off but will soon have book two released. The Murder Complex is one of 2014's must read. 
  



The Black City Series by Elizabeth Richards 
When Ash and Natalie find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths. This is a completed series with all three books available to purchase Black City, Phoenix, and Wings are definitely a series we think is more unknown than a lot of others.





Reboot Duology by Amy Tintera
Wren Connolly was shot three times in the chest. After 178 minutes she came back as a Reboot: stronger, faster, able to heal, and less emotional. The longer Reboots is dead, the less human they are when they return. Wren 178 and is the deadliest Reboot in the Republic of Texas. She loves being apart of the HARC program but that could all change when she meets Callum a 22. We both agree 100% on this Duo, it was absolutely amazing! The second book was even better than the first and everything about this series will win you over. Reboot and Rebel was more than we expected. 



The Remnant Chronicles by Mary E Pearson
Lia is on the run. Two men are after her. One was sent to marry her the other was sent to kill her. The first book in this new series The Kiss of Deception will blow your mind. It's set up so you have no idea which guy is which and when you think you have it figured out you're more than likely wrong. One of the biggest twist all year. We can not wait for book two, The Heart of Betrayal to be released.





Fire in the Woods Series by Jennifer Eaton 
When a plane crashes in the woods near Jess’s home, the boy of her dreams falls out of the sky, literally. Boy might not be the right word to describe what he is though. This is a new alien series that we both are very excited for! Fire in the Woods is a super cute and fun read for any alien lover. We have a feeling this book wont stay "under-known" for long.  

 

Altered Series by Jennifer Rush
Everything about Anna’s life is a secret. Her father works for the Branch at the peek of its latest project: monitoring and administering treatments to the four genetically altered boys in the lab based out of their farmhouse basement. But Nick, Cas, Trev, Sam, and even Anna aren't what you think. There are currently two books out in this series and that is Altered and Erased. The third book Reborn is set to come out next year.


Stand-Alones:
 

All Our Yesterdays by




Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma 
Lochan and Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings. Together they have stepped in for their alcoholic mother and MIA father to take care of their three younger siblings. Forced to grow up fast and to handle things kids their age should have nothing to do with, they form a close relationship... So close that they fall in love. By now I know you've heard and seen us rave about this book. Forbidden was a book that we didn't see coming and is hands-down one of the best books we've ever read.


Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for it, so they decide sex is all that can happen. They're only two rules for Tate to follow: Never ask about the past and don’t expect a future. Ugly Love is a not what you think is it, and will leave your jaw dropping from the surprises that are inside. We are so excited to have found out this is becoming a movie. So pick it up before it comes out. 

 

Unteachable by Leah Reader
When Maise meet Evan at a carnival one night, their chemistry is immediate, intense, and short lived which is the way Maise likes it. Things get complicated though when Evan turns out to be her new film teacher and the couple must keep their affair a secret. Unteachable is a steamy heart-breaking novel that neither of us saw coming. 




 
 If you are really into reading Ya/Na then you more than likely have heard or have read these series. If you are new to the genre and are wanting  to get into it but don't realty know where to start these four series are great way to get introduced.

Starters:


 
The Legend series by Marie Lu
Day is a fugitive on the run from the government. June is a young and rising military trainee set to do great things. All Day wants is to bring down the system and to save his family. June just wants justice for her brothers death. A shocking turn of events uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country is willing to go to keep its secrets. This is a complete trilogy: Legend, Prodigy, Champion.


 
The Shatter Me series by Taherah Mafi
Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. When the government no longer sees Juliette as a threat and more as a weapon what lengths are they willing to go to get her to do their bidding. This is a completed trilogy: Shatter Me, Unravel Me, Ignite Me.



 
The 5th Wave series by Rick Yancey 
After the 1st wave there was only darkness. After the 2nd  only the lucky escape. The 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one. Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Cassie needs to stay alone to stay alive, but being alone is easier said than done. With two current books out in this series and a movie in the works, this series is a must have. Pick up The 5th Wave and The Infinite Sea ASAP.

 

The Selection series by Kiera Kass 
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. A chance to marry Prince Maxon. For any other girl besides America Singer this would be a dream, but for her it's a nightmare and one she's about to be living in. The Selection is a completed trilogy that is sure to blow your mind. It includes, The Selection, The Elites, The One.