Silence by Natasha Preston

Oakley Farrell hasn’t spoken in over a decade. At age five she stopped talking and no one seems to know why. Since she refuses to speak Oakley only has one friend, Cole Benson. Cole and Oakley have been friends their whole lives and have formed their own way to communicate. When forced to face the past Oakley has to decide wither to remain silent or speak out.

Silence is a book that I am going back and forth with… I'm on the fence about how to really rate it. Silence is written in dual Pov changing between both Oakley and Cole. Oakley wasn’t my favorite character. I didn’t hate her but I definitely didn’t love her. She was strong in some ways but overall pretty weak. When she does go into why she isn’t talking I did overall like the reasoning behind it. As far as a character that doesn’t speak goes she was pretty interesting. I did think that for how mature she was about her personal issue she was far too immature about others. As far as Cole’s character went I was head over heels for him. I thought he was funny, charming, and definitely swoon worthy. I liked that he was more than just a love interest that he was a great friend. Even though we got a lot less chapters from his point of view I found myself loving his side and the way he spoke way more. It was his sweetness though that really won me over. Their relationship was the biggest plus of this book. I enjoyed that we got so much back story and build up of their relationship. It wasn’t just a “hey they’ve been friends forever so that why they should be together.” It was how relationships should be: starts off as a friendship, explores that for awhile, then builds to something more. So I appreciated that it wasn’t insta love. As far as sub characters the only few that I want to touch base on. Julian (the bully), her cousin with the stupid name, and her parents. I wish we would have gotten more interaction with her mother and father and gotten more out of them. The other two I really hate, Julian and her cousin. Julian was set up to be this horrible mean bully, but all he did was be creepy then convenient. I hate random thrown in characters and he was the epitome of one. Her cousin was as equally as pointless and dumb. Overall I felt no real connection to any character except Cole.

The thing that has me torn though was the flow of the story. In the beginning the story is slow, and this isn’t my problem… In Silence case I can respect the slow start. It really made me connect more with the story and characters (aka Cole). But I still found myself wanting more out of it. I felt like the first part of the book is a two star rating (goodreads). The meaty middle of this story is what I fell hard for. I liked when the families went on vacation, I liked the sweet little dates, and the late night hang outs. I enjoyed getting to see our leading couple fall for each other. It'll give you a toothache it was just so sweet. This had me thinking the middle section of this book would be rated a solid 4 stars (goodreads). It was the ending of this book that has me annoyed. How everything plays out had me so mad. It’s clearly not a spoiler that ya girl Oakley eventually talks, and from then on out it had my blood boiling!!!! I can’t even tell you why I’m so mad either, because it would be giving out spoilers. All I can say is that the last few chapters took this book from a 4 star read to a 1. The ending could have been what it was but the way it was laid out and presented was a huge no in my book. It felt like the ending given was just so there could be a follow up book. I personally wanted this to be a standalone and play out the complete opposite of what it did... But like I said even if the ending is what it is the way it went down…. No. I’m not ok with it. It was rushed and slammed. Silence  isn't a long book and could have handled 30 more pages to make it something more. I wish the romance in this book would make up for the ending but sadly it didn't. I felt this book was just the sweeter version of Speak and it could have been similar and yet had something that made it standout.

5/10 Stars 
-Angela  

Sisters of Shiloh by Kathy Hepinstall, Becky Hepinstall Hilliker

"Joseph and Thomas are fresh recruits for the Confederate Army, daring to join the wild fray that has become the seemingly endless Civil War, sharing everything with their fellow soldiers—except the secret that would mean their undoing: they are sisters." -Goodread Synopsis 
 
Libby is a young wife who constantly worries about the fate of her husband, Arden, while he is at war. She moves back home with her parents and siblings while Arden is away to keep her mind from wandering. Even though Libby's love for Arden is strong her sister doesn't feel the same way. She seems to see him as a distraction. When Libby's worst fears happen she has to leave to pick herself up and find strength in her lose. She thinks she can find peace in killing a one Yankee a year for every year he was alive.

Once Josephine figures out about her sisters crazy plan she fears she will never see Libby again if she doesn't go along to keep a watchful eye on her The two devise a plan and decide to dress as men, and soon find themselves in the army. The majority of the novel takes place with the two hiding out in a camp. Libby and Josephine have very different struggles while being there. One doesn't want to take someones life while the other seems to be thriving off of the idea.   

If that isn't complicated enough Josephine starts falling in love with a fellow soldier. While Josephine struggles with wither to stay loyal to her sister or to reveal her true gender Libby is battle her own ghost... Literately; she keeps seeing vision of her dead husband. The two sisters are night and day from each other which was a big positive to this story. I will say I did prefer Josephine to Libby. This being said I felt neither character had a ton of development going on. The ending of this book did surprise me as it went in a different direction than I thought. 

It was nice having this book to break up my reading between Ya books... Since I do mainly (almost only) read YA/NA books I did find this one a littler harder for me to get into. If you're into war books and want something that has a deeper meaning this book would be a good pick for you.

7/10 Stars 
-Angela 

My Life with the Walter Boys by Ali Novak

Jackie lost her whole family in a car accident and now must move from New York to Colorado and live with the Walter family. She's going from living in the big city to a small town, from private school to public, and from having one sibling to twelve. She thought she was going to be the one who hated being there but it seems that the 12 other children hate it even more.

I picked up My life with the Walter Boys so I could have a sweet light December read. I got exactly that.

As Jackie tries to adjust to her new life, school, and friends it seems like two of the Walter boys have taken an interest in her. Cole the swoon worthy-ex jock-womanizer. Alex mister geek-charming with a super sweet side. Coming between two brothers was the last thing she thought she would get herself into when she was transplanted into her new life, but now she will have to figure out who and what she wants to do.

Jackie was a character that I had to grow into. I really didn't like her "no risk" attitude at first but by the end the way I felt towards her had completely changed. Cole was for the most part what you thought he would be. Boob jerk turns sweet guy. Alex was the one that surprised me. Wont say why but he was a lot different than I first figured. This book is heavy on the love triangle aspect, but it is well written so it was enjoyable to read. It wasn't my favorite one but it was still really fun to read. I didn't like how Alex was so one sided and didn't want to listen and I didn't like that Cole always seemed to be leading Jackie on. At some points Jackie made me want to pull my hair. and punch her in the face. Like stop acting so stupid!!!

What I did really like was even though it was heavy on the love tri (I do love them but I still want more) is that she still had it so that Jackie did things and built relationships with all the boys. The way she has that set up was really cute and unique too. I think if there was a love triangle involving two brothers that this is what it would be like.Overall awkward....

 The setting of this story though common was still nice. I like the struggles laid out in front of everyone and for the most part how they played out. There were so many great moments in this books. I think the pranks pulled were the major highlights to this story. The part where they steal her clothes while she's in the shower had me rollin. Even with the minor complaints I threw into this review I really did enjoy reading this. The only thing that really bothered me was the ending. I wanted so much more. No, it wasn't a bad ending, but it was just an ending. There was just something missing about it and I can't quite place my finger on it. I heard a rumor from a GR friend that there will be a sequel and I was so happy to hear about that, because I need more!!!

This wasn't the best book I've read in 2014 but it was far from the worst. It would fall in the middle with a lot of other mid stars. Excited to continue this series if she does do a follow up.

6.5/10 Stars 
-Angela 

(My Life BookDepo)

Bad Romeo by Leisa Rayven

When Cassie Taylor met Ethan Holt at acting school, sparks flew. She was the good girl actress. He was the bad boy about campus. But one fated casting choice for Romeo and Juliet changed it all. Cassie and Ethan's romance seemed destined. Until he broke her heart and betrayed her trust. Now the A-list heartthrobber is back in her life and turning her world around. 

The more I think about Bad Romeo the lower I want to rate it... I normally go into a review knowing what star rating I'm going to give it, but in Bad Romeo's case  I'm just going to wait till I'm completely done with the review before I decide anything.

With a cover like this I had high hopes for the book. I found Bad Romeo entertaining enough that I wanted to finish it, BUT there are also A LOT of things about it I hated.

The story follows two main characters Cassie Taylor and Ethan Holt. My main problem with the stories starts right there... With Cassie. At the start of this story she is a strong sassy leading lady, but as the novel continues, in both present and past tense, she became BEYOND annoying. When she is originally introduced I loved her. She seemed like she could hold her own against the leading tough guy Ethan. Cassie ending up spending 90% of the book begging (yes begging) for him to give her the D. 

She was so whiny and childish. Yes, some of her sexual commentary was funny and did give me a good LOL now and again but after 300 pages of her groveling for him to have sex with her I was just over it. I like up front ladies but it was just too much. Now on to Ethan. I liked present day Ethan a million times more than past Ethan. If you read this book you would probably think my reasoning for it is because present Ethan is swoon worthy and sweet... but you'd be wrong. It would be because he no longer went on and on about how much of an asshole he was. He spent WAY, WAY too much time talking about how he was a dick. WE GET IT YOU'RE SUCH A TOUGH GUY WITH A HORRIBLE PAST. (Just like every other Ya hottie.) Bad boy-don't want a girl friend-attitude was cute maybe the first 5 times you said it. Once again his character got really old fast! Present Ethan though; I'd take him any day of the week. I did really enjoy his characters verbiage and the way he brought about banter. The main and one of the only things I liked about the characters is that their relationship is more "realistic" because it's not rushed. They spent years building what they have (good or bad) as the book follows their 6 year journey.

"Think about it, Taylor," he says as he leans forward. "If Romeo thought he loved Rosaline and she broke his heart, why wouldn't he be terrified of Juliet, considering his connection to her is a hundred times stronger?" I raise my eyebrows. "Maybe he's brave enough to think it's worth the risk."

As far as the plot went, it was a little weak. The time-line does bounce between present day, six years earlier, and a few dairy entries. I found for the most part that the diaries entries were a little pointless. I got why they were there, I just didn't think they severed a real purpose. The back and forth between past and present never seemed to bother me however. The main point to the story is that Ethan apparently did Cassie wrong. Not just once, but twice. So in present time he is fighting to win her back. This is another issue I had with the book. It is only slightly suggested what the first thing he did to her was... the second item isn't even blinked at in this book. I like as much as the next book reader to use my imagination and draw my own conclusions now and again, but sometimes I just want you to flat out tell me what happened. I wouldn't of minded waiting for book two too get the second answer BUT for the love of mike just flat out tell me what he did too her, don't just blush at it then move on. The story was dragged out for way too long. This book is just over 400 pages and it could have been around 250-300.

As far as positive feedback, the things I did like about this book were: some of the phrases Leisa used to describe scenes and situations, the few actual romantic moments, the way the title was brought into play, and the steamy scenes were well written.

"When he looks at me with eyes full of agony and saltwater, I feel like I'm drowning" 

Like seriously, you can't just write short, sweet little phrases like that, but then give us very little of anything else. Other than the handful of nice items I liked, I overall wanted more out of this story. I was promised a romantic tale of star-crossed love lost, but what I got was a short stop ending with not even half answered questions.

Will I be continuing this series? Maybe. I mean I would like to know what happens in the long run... But then again I might just google it.

4/10 Stars 
-Angela 

(Bad Romeo Book Depo) 

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Lou Clark knows lots of things. What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job and that might not be the only thing in her life that will be changing. Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world.

“You only get one life. It's actually your duty to live it as fully as possible.”

Going to start this review off by saying that if you don't want to have your heart torn from your chest and crushed into a tiny little pieces then don't pick up this book. I kept seeing people say "Now this is a book", and figured it was a lot of hype. NO, NO it wasn't just a lot of hype. If you follow me on goodreads than you know all this month I've only (well mainly only) been reading books suggested to me from friends on there. Me Before You was suggested to me at least ten times.

Me Before You is a story surrounding two main characters, Will Taynor and Lou Clark. Lou is just average. She is barely floating through life. Long time job, rocking a steady boyfriend, and just above average taste in clothes. Will Taynor was a successful business man. Constantly traveling, being active, and enjoying his above average life. This all changes when Lou is laid off work and Will is in a major accident leaving him a quadriplegic. After these events happen you'll more than likely be thinking the same thing I thought, "wow I know exactly where this cliche love story is going", and just like me you'll more than likely be wrong. 

Lou is struggling with what and who she wants to be. At 26 she really has no aim in life. She finds herself at a job center which offers her the chance to be a sort of caregiver to Will. Will is the definition of a broken human. After two years of having no control over his life he has just given up hope. After a shocking plot twist Lou makes it her goal to make Will happy and is determined to have him wanting to live life again. As they set out to travel and make the most of time their feelings for each other change and turn into something way beyond friendship. 

“All I can say is that you make me...you make me into someone I couldn't even imagine. You make me happy, even when you're awful. I would rather be with you- even the you that you seem to think is diminished- than with anyone else in the world.” 

The plot of this story does start out slow. I was worried when I got over 150 pages in and the book was still that same pace. Once getting closer to the end I saw why it was that way. This story builds to something so amazing. I wish I could come up with a better, more lyrical word than "amazing", but I don't think they've invented a word yet to describe the end of this book. The twist, that I didn't see coming, in the middle set up this book to be something beyond comparison or even words. It was something I had heard about but never had the chance to read about. The middle and end of this book made the time I spent reading it so meaningful. The end of this book had me on the floor balling my eyes out. Not kidding... at one point I went to the bathroom to get a tissue and just sat on the floor and cried. 

Not only did Me Before You make me sob, it made me think. It had me thinking hours after putting it down. It has some amazing moral questioning factors thrown into this wonderful love story. It will make you wonder how far you would be willing to go to make the person you love happy. Once it got closer to the ending you'll see what's about to happen... You wont be shocked in what's about to happen, and it wills still manage to shatter you. I thought I wouldn't be happy with how she chose to end it, but the ending was perfect. I don't think it could have gone any other way. This is a book of the purest most selfless love. I don't know when the next time will be that I will get to read a love story quite like this. 

THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ OF MUST READS. One of the best novels ever recommended to me. Thank you. 

10/10 Stars
-Angela   

(Me Before You BookDepo) 

Losing It by Cora Carmack

Bliss Edwards decides the best way to deal with the problem of her virginity is to lose it as quickly and simply as possible and have a one-night stand. This plan fails when she freaks out and leaves the gorgeous guy alone and naked in her bed with an excuse that no one would believe. The plan fails even harder when she finds out that the man she left is now her new theatre professor. 

Okay so I'm gonna start off by saying that I know I'm going to be in the minority here with my rating... but whatever. Losing It to me was just so/so. I read the whole book in about two hours because it is a really short and quick read, which was nice. I think my main problem with the book though was that I read it after I read Unteachable... so now every time I read a book with a girl who falls in love with her teacher I will forever be comparing it to that book. Unteachable set the bar so high that it'll be near impossible to pass. If I would have picked up this book first I probably would have given it a higher rating. 

The characters however are lovely. Bliss is realistic and believable. She going through the same hurtles anyone her age would go through. Garrick, the professor, was about the same. He sound sound super yummy and could say Sup to me in a bar anytime... BUT their insta-love was a little to much for me to get behind. I felt like there was enough time for them to be dropping L-bombs, but there was nothing behind it to support why they were actually saying it. It didn't feel like the two had any build up, or really even got to know each other before they started saying it. 

I just didn't feel the chemistry between the two of them like I was hoping. The story however does flow smoothly through out and has a great pace. The really isn't much world building (which isn't uncommon for these types of books). I like the sub characters. I like how Cora didn't do a typical class and more of a play and how that all tied the story together. 

My main problem with this book was it's predictability. Everything that happened I saw coming. I never didn't know what was going to happen. Every thing from how they met to how it ended, I knew the play out few pages before hand. The other thing that irked me was the cover of the book... This might seem silly to some but I think most book lovers can agree... I HATE when book covers have people on the front that DON'T match the description of the people in the story... I just don't get it. Like I said, maybe that's just me. 

I'm probably judging this book a little more harsh than I should, because there is no doubt that Cora Carmack  is a talented writer. I will pick up her books in the future and will more than likely like them more than this. Losing It was just in the wrong reading place at the wrong reading time for me. 

5/10 Stars 
-Angela 

(Losing it BookDepository)

Slammed by Colleen Hoover

After the unexpected death of her father, 18-year-old Layken is forced to be the rock for both her mother and younger brother. Will Cooper is the attractive, 21-year-old new neighbor with an intriguing passion for slam poetry and a unique sense of humor. Within days of their introduction they go on a heart-stopping first date, only to be slammed  with a shocking revelation that puts their new relationship to a sudden halt.
 

“Push your boundaries, that's what they're there for.” 

It's currently 2:10 in the morning... I finished Slammed over 30 minutes ago... And I just stopped crying. I went into Slammed ONLY knowing that this book involved slam poetry. I've never even read the synopsis too this story (after reading Ugly Love I knew that when it comes to Hoover books you have to go into it blind). The odd thing is of all of Colleen's books, I own this one I've had the longest and I'm just now reading it. I HATE MYSELF FOR THAT!!!!

I would never believe that this was Hoover's debut novel. It's so strong that I assumed it was a 4th or 5th book. Nope. She never fails too incorporate something new and unique into her writing, if it's paintings, music, or even poetry she really has a style all her own. There are only three writers I will drop everything I'm  reading to pick up their work... That's John Green, Jennifer Armentrout, and Colleen Hoover.

Slammed follows the story of new Michigan transplant, Lake, as she is forced to start a new life her senior year of high school. After her fathers untimely death her mother can't afford to keep them living in Texas. First day in the new place Lake's brother befriends the boy next door... Introducing Lake to Will. The charming, handsome, and sweet poet.

The characters in this book feel so real! Lake and Will are written too perfection. Lake, though mature for her age has the same immature moments as the rest of us. Will is just so sweet, speaking in a way that will have you swooning all over the place. Both their love towards there family captured my heart 200%. Both characters physical appearance is described just enough to give you and idea then left you to make your own decision. As the characters develop in the story the story itself grows into something so hard to capture in words. I thought that the insta-lust that happen right away was going to ruin this book for me. But at the end I realized that this story might have involved love but it's not the love you except. I wish I could explain that more but it's the only way I can say it. It about a deeper kind of love than just being with someone. The sub characters like Eddie and the baby brothers are PHENOMENAL. Colleen has it so they are sub characters that manage to shine so much light without ever over powering.

The plot has this pace between fast and medium, and it was at a rate I'd never experienced before. Then of course there's the whole poetry and music aspect that was put into this story. It's what takes Slammed to the next level. The poetry is introduced in the first handful of pages. I didn't know how I was going to feel about it... BUT WOW. Seriously the first poem had me in tears and they only got better from there. The quotes from The Avett Brothers are perfect placed and were just a nice little treat at the start of every chapter. Like I said, this is a story you need to go into blind, therefore I can't, even though I want to, go into more detail. This book started strong and then had me a blubbering mess by the end. I don't know if I should be mad or thankful that Colleen is constantly finding new ways to tear my heart out of my chest. I don't think I've ever not been a mess at the end of one of her books.

This story made me laugh a hundred times, and cry at least five. Slammed is one beautiful, quotable, and poetic line one after another. Slammed touched me on such a personal level and I probably cried harder than most. This book is a must read, and definitely made it's way into my all time favorites.

10/10 Stars 
-Angela 

(Slammed Book Depository)

Golden Son by Pierce Brown

Golden Son continues shortly after where Red Rising left off, Darrow, a rebel battling to lead his oppressed people to freedom from the overlords of a brutal elitist future built on lies. Embedded fully in with the Golds ruling class, Darrow continues his work to bring down society from within. 

"...So it's pride."
"It's always pride."
"Pride is just a shout into the wind."
He shakes his head, voice deepening. "I will die. You will die. We will all die and the universe will carry on without care. All that we have is that shout into the wind-how we live. How we go. And how we stand before we fall." He leans forward. "So you see, pride is the only thing..."

Red Rising took me by surprise... Way way by surprise. Golden Son did the same and then some. I have no idea where Pierce Brown came from and I really don't care. Golden Son puts Red Rising too shame! Everything I wanted too get out of book one and didn't till the end you'll get out of the entire book two. Golden Son is none stop action! 

There were a lot of politics in this book and I would usually be turned off by this but not in this case. Darrow navigates his way through all of the plotting and plans of others in ways that nobody expects. In a way that I've never read before. Darrow is a character unlike anyone else. He isn't the only character in this book that you'll be falling for. Servo is a character you can't ignore. Easily one of my all time favorites. Lorn is another strong and ballsy character, and constantly telling it how it is. Friends become enemies, enemies become friends. Characters I don't even want to mention will have you freaking out.

The plot of this story is just action, unlike the first which was a lot of info dumping and world building, Golden Son is just nonstop the whole time. Until the last page you'll be on the edge of your seat. I started this book at 6pm and ended it at 8pm... It was that captivating.   Instead of the story being held in one solid location reads will get to see and experience more of universe. More second books suffer from "second book syndrome", but this wont be a problem when you pick this up. There's so much suffering, pain, and sorrow pushed into this book.

This novel had me freaking out and wanted to flip tables until the ending... because that ending... that ending is world shattering. I CAN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME MY BRAIN ACTUALLY CRIED OUT IN PAIN BECAUSE A BOOK SHOOK ME SO HARD.

 Intense, brutal, heart-breaking, The Red Rising series isn't one you're going to want to miss. I could go on for days about plot, characters, and my love for what this series turned out too be but this is something you need to enjoy yourself. I find it so hard to find books I can recommend for guys but I will no longer have to struggle with a book to mention.

Comparing this book to Ender's Game and The Hunger Games makes complete sense, but at the same time Golden Son is in a class all of it's own. 

Take everything you love in books, throw in a bitchin ending, gore for days, and a touch of Star Wars and you'll get Golden Son. 

10/10 Stars 

-Angela 

Ignite by Lily Paradis

After her father’s untimely demise in a mining accident and her mother’s abandonment, Lauren Lindsay is no stranger to loss. Becomes self sufficient Lauren has learned to worry about one person only and that is herself. That all works her step mother passed away asking Lauren to take care of them in her will.

Lauren's first instinct is to run, until she meets Dean Powell.

I finally decided to download this book when I saw they had it free for a day on kindle... Yeah I normally don't like to E read and I really don't like to free download books, BUT I'm waiting on a book shipment from both Barnes and Nobles and Bookdepo, so I figured why not.

I really liked the concept of Ignite. Girls family passes away leaving behind three step siblings for her to take care of. Ignite was creative and, yes it's been done before but not in the way Lily has presented it (at least not that I have read before). The story is sweet and overall it flows well. Something else that I really liked in this book was the way the romance was constantly building all leading up to this one moment. It was again something new and enjoyable.

The characters in this book were too me hit or miss. Lauren was fine, but I had a hard time connecting too her. I think if the series continues she will become a stronger and more like-able character. Either way one moment I loved the girl the next I wouldn't. The sub-characters aka the children in this book are sweet and well written along with realistic. They acted the ages they were...
Then there's Dean Powell..... HE IS WHAT MADE THIS STORY!!! He is a strongly written leading male. I really really enjoyed him. He was the perfect amount of both mystery and romance. Filled with great one liners I was never once let down by his character. His bad-boy past was something new for us to read. I would normally HATE when characters do super fast dramatic character development, but Dean's character wore it well. Didn't hurt that 99% of the time he had me melting off my chair. 

I do wish that the story did take a little more time to focus on  Lauren's relationship with the kids and little less on time with Dean (at the same time I want more Dean, so hard to even explain!). With that being said I'll lead into the few issues I had with this book.

I know Lauren is learning how to do this parenting thing but sometimes I got so mad at her choices and wanted to reach inside the book and throat punch her... BUT by the end I think she was getting way better at the whole "new mom thing". Then there was a slight issue with something said in the book. I can't go too heavy into the real reason this bothered me because I don't want to spoil anyone... But at one point Dean says he doesn't drink because of past issues, and then in one scene in the book one of Lauren's girl friends says Dean shows up to this event every year drunk... It was something so small but for some reason it really stuck with me (I think once you read it you'll pick up what I'm putting down). Then there's the editing issue. There are a few minor ones in this book, nothing to insane, nothing that was so bad that it should keep you from reading it. I know the issue has been brought to Lily's attention and has been addressed in a strong and honest way which I really respect... Link here --> http://lilyparadis.com/?p=893

But back to the posi things... This story heavily relies on the romance and it's a good thing. It's really what carried the story. It's just a sweet little nugget and was something I found myself staying up late to read. If you want a nice wear a big sweater, drinking tea, and curling up for a quick read book this is a book I would recommend to you. If you like romance but find NA to heavy, Ignite would be perfect. Yeah, there are a few pitter patters in the plot, BUT I think as a possible series-cute-romance it hits the nail right on the head. I like that Lily brought so many new items to the table with this book. I look forward to picking up future books by her, and if this series does continue I will be getting the next one.... Gotta know what happens with my boo Dean. 

(edit- After marinating on this review for a few days I actually bumped up my rating from what I orginally had it as. Even with the few negatives I said I really did like this book. And the more I thought it over the more I get excited to see what else Lily gives us.)

8/10 Stars 
-Angela

Never Never by Colleen Hoover & Tarryn Fisher

"Best friends since they could walk. In love since the age of fourteen. Complete strangers since this morning."

Yup that's the whole books description. It's literally the only thing anyone can tell you about it. Never Never has so much mystery surrounding it and I'm sure if you've heard of it you've heard the sentence "WTF DID I JUST READ" following it. 


Never Never is a story surrounding two main characters, Silas and Charlie. They are in the middle of two different classes when they completely forget who they are. They can remember trivial things like what a tv show is, and that Kim K married Kayne but neither of them can remember their own names. I spent 95% of this book saying...

 No, seriously. I was so confused and craving answer until the last three pages... Where bombs start dropping and you start freaking out. The story is written from the two leading characters POVs and switches back in forth through out the whole story. Silas' parts are written by Hoover while Charlie's are written by Fisher. I LOVED THAT!!!! It made it so the characters were very different. I know you've read books and had to stop and question if it's the leading male or female talking. Having two authors with two different writing styles writing from two POVS made this story complete. I was worried when I heard what this book was kind of about that Hoover would let me down... NOPE! Silas was easily my favorite person in the book. Charlie is ok... BUT SILAS!!! LOVED HIM!!!!!! 

The romance in this book was great and didn't take away or overshadow what this story really is. This review isn't going to be long or detailed because I would end up spilling the beans about what happens... because I like everyone else, by the time this book ended was FREAKING OUT about how it was left. And yeah like everyone else I screamed...

HOW CAN YOU LEAVE PEOPLE HANGING LIKE THIS!!!!! IT'S CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT IF YOU ASK ME!!!!! 

The ending was AMAZING!!!! When I got toward the end of the book I thought "hmmm Yeah this is probably going to get like 3 stars" (goodreads ratings) BUT when I got to the last few pages.... Lets just say it became a five star read real fast. Never Never will probably have the biggest WTF and Cliffhanger ending this year... I want to even say what books this reminds me of but I'm scared that will give something away. You just need to download this and read it for yourself....   

I SERIOUSLY NEED PART TWO LIKE MMMMM YESTERDAY!

10/10 Stars 
-Angela 

Black Iris Cover Reveal!!!!!

We here at Southern Read are so excited and honored to be apart of the cover reveal for Leah Raeder's new novel Black Iris. If you don't know who Leah Raeder is she is the author of Unteachable. Which is the novel we choose as our biggest surprise read of 2014. We both read and reviewed that novel for our blog and have reviews posted (Links at the bottom of the page). We absolutely adore her! So again we are so thankful too be a part of this.  

Seriously people look at that cover!!! IT'S STUNNING and it's only making the wait for it harder!

Leah Raeder is a writer and unabashed nerd. Aside from reading her brains out, she enjoys graphic design, video games, fine whiskey, and the art of self-deprecation. She lives with her very own manic pixie dream boy in Chicago. You can learn more about her and see more of her work by visiting her at LeahRaeder.com. 

Wondering what Black Iris is about?? Well we've posted the description below... So after reading it be sure to go and add it to your TBR on goodreads.

"It only took one moment of weakness for Laney Keating’s world to fall apart. One stupid gesture for a hopeless crush. Then the rumors began. Slut, they called her. Queer. Psycho. Mentally ill, messed up, so messed up even her own mother decided she wasn't worth sticking around for.

If Laney could erase that whole year, she would. College is her chance to start with a clean slate.
She's not looking for new friends, but they find her: charming, handsome Armin, the only guy patient enough to work through her thorny defenses—and fiery, filterless Blythe, the bad girl and partner in crime who has thorns of her own.
But Laney knows nothing good ever lasts. When a ghost from her past resurfaces—the bully who broke her down completely—she decides it's time to live up to her own legend. And Armin and Blythe are going to help.
Which was the plan all along.
Because the rumors are true. Every single one. And Laney is going to show them just how true.
She's going to show them all."

Black Iris will be available in both Ecopy (5.99) and Print at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Booksamillion, and Indiebound (15.00). It's also available on all those sites for per-order.

WE CAN NOT WAIT TO GET OUR HANDS ON THIS BOOK!!! 

BUT WAIT! That's not it... We were also provided with an excerpt from chapter one to give yall!

  BLACK IRIS by Leah Raeder  

April is the cruelest month, T.S. Eliot said, and that’s because it kills. It’s the month with the highest suicide rate. You’d think December, or even January—the holidays and all that forced cheer and agonized smiling pushing fragile people to the edge—but actually it’s spring, when the world wakes from frostbound sleep and something cruel and final stirs inside those of us who are broken. Like Eliot said: mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain. In the deepest throes of depression, when sunlight is anguish and the sky throbs like one big raw migraine and you just want to sleep until you or everything else dies, you’re less likely to commit suicide than someone coming out of a depressive episode. Drug companies know this. That’s why antidepressants have to be marked with the warning MAY CAUSE SUICIDAL THOUGHTS.
Because what brings you back to life also gives you the means to destroy yourself.

 LEAH RAEDER YOU'RE GIVING US GOOSEBUMPS!!! 

You can also follow Leah on her many social media pages listed below:

http://www.leahraeder.com/

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

and check out both of our reviews for Unteachable here: 

Angela's Review

Leah's Review 

 Thanks again Leah Raeder and the people at Simon and Schuster the people at ATRIA BOOKS ( a division of Simon and Schuster, Inc.)

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

"Old enough to screw, old enough to crew"

I actually started Red Rising last year and it ended up going in my "DNF/On Holf" list on goodreads. At the time it just wasn't want I wanted to read... BUT seeing as in it's the start of a new year I said I was going to go back to that list and finish every book on it (there's around 11). I am so thankful I did this.

Originally I got about 90-ish pages in and it was just so slow... So this time knowing some of what was going on I powered through the first part of the book and when I hit the second half I wanted to smack myself in the face for even putting it down. If I would have known that the second half of the book would have hit like a train I wouldn't have stopped in the first place. I also, like everyone else I know whose read this, am having a hard time placing this book... Is it Sci-fi? Is it YA or NA? Is it Fiction?... I don't know and I don't care I just loved it. 

I will repeat though the first half of this book is slow. Once I hit the other section I completely understood why. Pierce does an amazing job in world building and setting up the story to have this amazing POW effect towards the end. On to the actual review though.

Darrow is a Helldriver on Mars. He is drilling mines with the hopes that one day people will live on the surface. This world is ruled under strict laws/rules. Darrow is all about keeping a low-pro and just doing what needs to be done. His wife, Eo, however doesn't feel the same way. Disgusted by how the Golds rule she wants to take action to free everyone from the way things are. The relationship between Eo and Darrow is so much more than sweet. I feel a lot of times male writers either hit or miss the mark when it comes to capturing relationships, and Pierce hit the bulls-eye. After several events take place Darrow ends up on the surface of Mars disguised as a Gold. After which he enrolls into an Academy with the goal of rising up in the Gold ranks. 

“I would have lived in peace. But my enemies brought me war.”

 

The Academy however is not what you would think. THIS IS WHERE THE STORY REALLY HAPPENS! THIS IS WHERE I SHOULD HAVE PUSHED MYSELF TO GET... Once he is enrolled all shiz hits the fan. Darrow goes from this mundane kind of boring character and truly transforms into someone that is even hard to describe. Just this off the charts growth. I thought this story was going to take kind of a feeling like The Testing had too it, but I was so so wrong. I was excepting the school to start off norm and then become something insane. What I didn't expect was Darrow's first test to be killing a boy with his bare hands. I didn't expect his character to be thrown into such warfare. I didn't expect all hell to break loose or this story to go from zero to sixty so fast. I know I'm saying "I didn't expect" a lot during this review, and again I don't care, because this book wasn't at all what I thought it was going to be.

The thing Red Rising has going for it besides the complete turn around in plot, was the surprising amount of action. I ended up feeling like I read two books at once. The first half was this world building, low key gem and the second half was this action packed book that could and will play out amazing on the big screen. There are so many surprises and action packed into the last half of this book that I swear I said "WHAT THE F DID I JUST READ" probably 50 times.

Character development was another thing that Pierce mastered, with such grace. If I would have read Red Rising last year it probably would have gone as my "biggest surprise read of 2014", sadly it didn't happen for me then... But thankfully it got my 2015 reading year off on the right foot. Also can't thank him enough for how he ended the book. (it wasn't on a cliffhanger and for once I'm really glad about it.)

Red Rising if you can't tell, took me by surprise and I can't wait to read Golden Son. This is a book you need to experience.

8.5/10 Stars 
-Angela

Fictional Book Boyfriends Pt 2!

Since our first post got so many hits we decided to do this again! 

Like we said last time, we LOVE putting faces to the characters in our books (especially the men). So this is our spin on "dream-cast" or as some call them "fictional book boyfriends". We picked a few titles and show you who we imagined the leading men to be. To see part one just click here. And like all our other post you can click the titles to get to the reviews. 

Rush by Maya Banks 

Man hires women to be his assistant and then pulls her into his provocative world.

 Nick Bateman as Gabe Hamilton
Don't think we need to explain why.


Raw by Belle Aurora 
Girl falls in love with her stalker and the story only get crazier from there. 

Stephen James as Twitch
With all the tattoos and bad boy attitude... Sold!

The Selection Trilogy by Kiera Cass 
35 girls are selected to enter a contest at a chance to marry the prince.

Liam Hemsworth as Prince Maxon

we have no doubt he would make a excellent bachelor.

The Covenant Series by Jennifer Armentrout 
Girl turns out to be more than she seems, and also has to choose between the man she is destined to be with and the man shes forbidden to love.

Scott Eastwood as Seth
Someone bring us a bottle of water... This God Killer is on fire!

Angelas 2014 ReadCap

This is my 2014 end of year Read-cap! I'm pretty sure I forgot a few and that I might have added 1 or 2 from mid-end of last year, it was really hard too keep up with everything. I swear I'll do better next year with keeping track of  everything.  

We have a full post of our top picks, along with the years biggest let downs. 

Click here to see them all. 

Overall 2014 was an amazing year for books, book events, and book to movie adaptions. I'm so excited to start 2015. January first we will have a post up about what's to come for SBSR in 2015. Thank you all so much for making our first year such a success. 

If I have done a review for the books all you'll have to do is click the title and it'll take you straight to the review.

Shatter Me- Tahereh Mafi
Unravel Me- Tahereh Mafi
Ignite Me- Tahereh Mafi
Unite Me- Tahereh Mafi
Half-Blood- Jennifer L Armentrout
Pure- Jennifer L. Armentrout
Deity-Jennifer L. Armentrout 
White Hot Kiss- Jennifer L. Armentrout
Stone Cold Touch- Jennifer L. Armentrout
Obsidian- Jennifer L. Armentrout
Onyx- Jennifer L. Armentrout
Opal- Jennifer L. Armentrout
Origin- Jennifer L. Armentrout
Opposition- Jennifer L. Armentrout
Don't Look Bank- Jennifer L. Armentrout
Wicked- Jennifer L. Armentrout
Wait for You- Jennifer L. Armentrout   

Legend- Marie Lu
Prodigy- Marie Lu
Champion- Marie Lu
The Young Elites- Marie Lu
Hex Hall- Rachel Hawkins
Demon Glass- Rachel Hawkins
Rebel Belle- Rachel Hawkins 

Days of Blood and Starlight- Laini Taylor 
Black City- Elizabeth Richards
Phoenix- Elizabeth Ricahrds
Wings- Elizabeth Ricahrds
Reboot- Amy Tintera
Rebel- Amy Tintera 
Taken- Erin Bowman
Frozen- Erin Bowman
The Hunt- Andrew Fukuda
The Prey- Andrew Fukuda
The Trap- Andrew Fukuda
The Retribution of Mara Dyer- Michelle Hodkins

The Evolution of Mara Dyer- Michelle Hodkins
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer- Michelle Hodkins 

If I Stay- Gayle Forman
Where She Went- Gayle Forman
Throne of Glass- Sarah J. Maas
Crown of Midnight- Sarah J. Maas
Heir of Fire- Sarah J. Maas
City of Ashes- Cassandra Clare
City of Glass- Cassandra Clare
City of Fallen Angels- Cassandra Clare
City of Lost Souls- Cassandra Clare
City of Heavenly Fire- Cassandra Clare
Nowhere- Jon Robinson
Anywhere- Jon Robinson
Altered- Jennifer Rush
Erased-Jennifer Rush
Hush Hush- Becca Fitzpatrick
Crescendo- Becca Fitzpatrick
Silence- Becca Fitzpatrick
Finale- Becca Fitzpatrick

The Scorch Trials- James Dashner
The Death Cure- Jmaes Dashner
Matched- Ally Condie
Crossed- Ally Condie
Reached- Ally Condie
The Raven Boys- Maggie Stiefvater
The Dream Thieves- Maggie Stiefvater
Blue Lily, Lily Blue- Maggie Stiefvater
The 5th Wave- Rick Yancey
Infinite Sea- Rick Yancey
Never Fade- Alex Bracken
In the Afterlight- Alex Bracken 
Enclave- Ann Aguirre
Cinder- Marissa Meyer
Poison Princess- Kresley Cole
A Thousand Pieces of You- Claudia Gray
The Selection- Kiera Cass
The Elites- Kiera Cass
The One- Kiera Cass 
Panic- Lauren Oliver
Delirium- Lauren Oliver
Pandemonium- Lauren Oliver
Requiem- Lauren Oilver
Before I Fall- Lauren Oilver 

In the End- Demitria Lunetta
In the After- Demitria Lunetta 
Rush-Eve Silver
Push- Eve Silver
The Winner’s Curse- Marie Rutkoski
The Winner’s Crime- Marie Rutkoski 
Siege and Storm- Leigh Bardugo
Ruin and Rising- Leigh Bardugo
Shadow and Bone- Leigh Bardugo 
The Lover's Dictionary- David Levithan
Every Day- David Levithan
Dust Lands- Moria Young
Rebel Heart- Moira Young
Rising Star- Moira Young
Filthy 1-Megan D. Martin
Filthy 2-Megan D. Martin
Filthy 3- Megan D. Martin
Filthy 4- Megan D. Martin
Pawn- Aimee Carter
Captive-Aimee Carter  

The Chaos of Stars- Kiersten White
Beautiful Bastard- Christina Lauren
Under Different Stars- Amy Bartol
Fire in the Woods- Jennifer M. Eaton
The 100- Morgan Kass
Wallbanger- Alice Clayton
Unteachable- Leah Raeder
The Ring and the Crown- Melissa de la Cruz
Mystic City- Theo Lawrence
The Program- Suzanne Young
These Broken Stars- Amie Kaufman &  Megan Spooner
Beg- C.D Reiss
The Black Mage- Rachel E. Carter
The Jewel- Amy Ewing
Born at Midnight- C.C Hunter
NIL- Lynne Matson
All Our Yesterdays- Cristin Terrill
Taboo Unchained- C.M. Stunich 
The Bodies We Wear- Jeyn Roberts 

Take Me Tomorrow- Shannon A. Thompson
So it Goes- Grace Elizabeth Collins 
Moon Tortured- McKenzie Hunter
Falls the Shadow- Stefanie Gaither
Unremembered- Jessica Brody
The Kiss of Deception- Mary E. Pearson
Gravity- Melissa West
Forbidden- Tabitha Suzuma
The Beginning of Everything- Robyn Schneider
Snow Like Ashes- Sara Raasch
Say Her Name- James Dawson
The Girl in Between- Laekan Zea Kemp
Midnight Thief- Livia Blackburne
Vault of Dreamers- Caragh M. O’Brien
Forsaken- Lisa Stasse
Rot and Ruin- Jonathan Mayberry
Unwind- Neal Shusterman
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea- April G. Tucholke

Under the Never Sky- Veronica Rossi
The Onion Girl- Charles de Lint
Chasers of Light- Tyler Gregson Knott
Will Grayson, Will Grayson- John Green
Paper Towns- John Green
Vampire Academy- Richelle Mead
Alienated- Melissa Landers
The String Quartet- Dan Hupalo
Branded- Abi Ketner
Fire & Flood- Victoria Scott
Labor Day- Joyce Maynard
Winter's Tale- Mark Helprin
The Future of Us- Jay Asher
This is Where I Leave You- Jonatha Tropper
Not a Drop to Drink- Mindy McGinnis
The Murder Complex- Lindsay Cummings
The Taking- Kimberly Derting
We Were Liars- E. Lochart
The Spectacular Now- Tim Tharp

The Book of Ivy- Amy Engel
Unbroken- Laura Hillenbrand
Uninvited- Sophie Jordan
Ugly Love- Colleen Hoover
Maybe Someday- Colleen Hoover 
Everneath- Brodie Ashton
The Truth About Alice- Jennifer Mathieu
Rush- Maya Banks
Fever- Maya Banks 
Burn- Maya Banks 
Keep Me Safe- Maya Banks
Outlander- Diana Gabald
Pushing the Limits- Katie McGarry
Love, Rosie- Cecelia Ahern  
Arclight- Josin L. McQuein
Raw- Belle Aurora 
Love Letters to the Dead- Ava Dellaira

Yup, if you weren't counting, and I doubt you were that was 174 books. 

174 books in one year is insane!!!! In 2015 I'm going to aim to pass that mark... I can not wait to kick off my reading... Just need to figure out what book should be honored with the number one spot. mmmmm choices choices.

My most read author this year was (surprise lol) Jennifer L. Armentrout totaling out with 13. Followed by Cassandra Clare and then Lauren Oliver both with 5. 

My most viewed review was Take Me Tomorrow by Shannon A. Thompson. This book was gifted to me from her. She was so sweet to work with so I'm so glad she got a lot of coverage from it. My next most reviewed posts were both tied in view numbers. Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma and the other one was kind of a surprise to me and that was Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater.

My Favorite Series that ended this year were The Mara Dyer Trilogy Series, The Lux Series, The Mortal Instruments Series, The Selection Trilogy, and The Shatter Me Trilogy. My favorite starts to series (only one book currently out) were Wicked and Under Different Stars. My favorite ongoing series were The Throne of Glass Series and The 5th Wave Series. Favorite Duology was the Reboot Duo. And Favorite Stand-Alones were Unteachable, Ugly Love, Maybe Someday, Raw, and Forbidden. 

I was going to just pick my top four favorites but clearly that didn't work out too well. Anyways...

Thanks again for making this year one of the best. Fingers-crossed that 2015 is even better! Thank you to everyone that has followed us and all the authors who were so kind to trust their reviews in our hands...

But most of all I would like the thank my Co-Blo (I know you hate that word), my partner in crime, the only person who understand my fangirl, and twin Leah for everything she does! Without her this blog wouldn't be possible because we all know I have no computer skills! 
I can't wait to see what the New Year bring for us! 

  I hope you all have a wonderful New Year!

Love

-Angela