Review: Reckless

Author: SC Stephens 

Publisher: Galley Books 

Pages:546 

Rating: 5+ Stars

Synopsis:  Can love survive when life gets reckless?

When the band hits it big, Kiera and Kellan must ask themselves: Can their love for each other withstand the constant pressure of superstardom? The friendships they've formed, the new family they've found, and the history they've forged will all play a part in helping them navigate the turblent waters of the band's exploding popularity. A greedy executive hell-bent on success. a declining popstar looking for an edge, and a media circus that twists lies into truths are just some of the obstacles the lovers will have to overcome if they are going to remind together. Fame comes with a price--but will it cost Kiera and Kellan everygthing? 

Review:WOW! Very much like the first two books, I have absolutely NO idea where to even begin with discussing this book.I am absolutely in love with this series! Its been a couple of days since I've finished reading Reckless and I cannot seem to get the characters or the story out of my head! 

This book did not come up short in anyway. True to SC Stephen's writing style, this book is filled with so much emotion. As with the first two books, this book made my heart race, it frustrated me, it gave me a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach, and it made my heart sink. With this being such an intense, gut-wrenching roller coaster ride, I don't think that I'll ever be able to say how much I've loved this series! 

This book begins right where Effortless leaves off, and the beginning is so wonderful. After seeing Kiera and Kellan go through so much, its nice to see them get to have a nice moment, although it doesn't last. As with the first two books, there are more challenges and obstacles that keep popping up for these two. The main thing with this book is that it really makes you question the price of life in the limelight and all of the baggage that comes along with it. 

I absolutely loved all --well most of--the characters in this series. There were a few in this book that I really didn't care for, for some obvious reasons. 

Starting with Kiera, in Thoughtless, I really didn't like her at all. By the time that I reached Reckless, I loved her! She has truly come a long way, and has matured so much.She is so much stronger than I have ever given her credit for, and there are good reasons behind all of her actions. I finally feel like I do understand her. 

Kellan, is just Kellan. I don't know how much more I can say that I love him! Its just way too easy to fall in love with him. While he almost always breaks my heart, he makes me swoon after him moments later.*Sighs*

One thing that I really enjoyed with Reckless is how much SC Stephens has expanded on the backstory of some of the other characters. For being as crude and highly inappropriate as he is, I actually like Griffin, and he's really grown on me. I especially like him with Anna, and I always had a smile on my face when I was reading parts that concerned the two of them. They're so perfect for each other. 

I also really love Jenny and Evan together. I think that was absolutely perfect matching,  its impossible not to like either one of them. I'm so happy with where they've ended up. 

Finally, I've always had such a soft spot for Denny. He really is a good guy, and again its so hard not to like him. I loved that he was able to maintain his friendship with Kiera and Kellan, amd I'm also really happy to see him happy with Abby. They're perfect. 

SC Stephens ....the plot and the conflict that are present in this book really drove me just about to my breaking-point. There were times when I was just ready to put the book down, and give myself a few minutes before I picked it back up again. There was just so much angst and tension, that I was just about ready to fling my book at the wall. There were instances, when I was literally just laying there looking at my book , with my jaw open. There were things that I could not believe happened , and truth be told, I'm still a little shocked about it. 

As I was starting out with this series, I really wasn't too sure and it took me some time to get into it. Once I was into it, that was it. All of these characters and their stories are so compelling, and the emotions are so real, that you feel you're right there along side them. I have never been so enamoured with a story before. I will never be to say enough good things about these books. 

Review: Effortless

Author: S.C Stephens 

Publisher: Galley Books

Pages:482 

Rating: 5 Huge Stars

Synopsis: After being caught in the middle of a love triangle which led to a devastating betrayal, Kiera pledges to learn from the mistakes she'd made. She was determined to never again inflict that kind of pain on anyone, especially the soulful, talented man who held her heart.But life offers new challenges for every relationship, and when Kiera's love is put to the ultimate test, will it survive? Love is easy...trust is hard.

Review: I wasn't sure if it was possible, but I think I might have liked this book more than Thoughtless! As with Thoughtless, this book was absolutely heart-wrenching. S.C Stephens is such a powerful writer! Every emotion that her characters experience, her readers are left feeling the exact same thing! Writing with that kind of intense emotion, its hard not to like the book! Also, this was the first book that made me cry! 

The main issue in this book is how to learn and deal with trust. Kiera and Kellan are finally a couple, but that means that they both have so much that they have to work on. Kellan leaves for a tour with the band leaving Kiera at home to finish up her schooling. For Kellan, he has to learn to trust Kiera while he's away in terms of how their relationship started. For Kiera, its Kellan's reputation as "man-candy", that she has to trust.In comparison to the first book, I actually really like Kiera so much more. She seems to have matured some, and is not quite as annoying as I once thought. If it is even possible, my love for Kellan has just deeped. How else can I sum him up?

There is just so much that is going on in this book that made me swoon, and get butterflies in my stomach. I'm sure that I read most of this book with a huge grin plastered on my face.

If you haven't checked out this series yet, you NEED to! It is most definitely worth the read and you will not be sorry!  :) 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? This is an excellent way to plan out your reading week, and to have fun and see what others are reading as well. 

This is hosted  by Book Journey

This week I'm reading:

Synopsis: After being caught in the middle of a love triangle which led to a devastating betrayal, Kiera pledged to learn from the mistakes she'd made. She was determined to never inflict that kind of pain on anyone, especially the soulful, talented man who held her heart. But life offers new challengers for every relationship, and when Kiera's love is put to the ultimate test, will it survive? Love is easy...trust is hard. 

I cannot seem to put this book down! I had a bit of a hard time getting into the first one, but the minute I did, I was hooked. If you've not checked out this series, you definitely have to!! 

What are you reading?

Review: Thoughtless

Author: S.C Stephens

Publisher: Galley Books

Pages: 544

Rating: 5 Stars  

Synopsis: For almost two years now, Kiera's boyfriend, Denny, has been everything she's ever wanted: loving, tender, and endlessly devoted to her. When they head off to a new city to start their lives together--Denny at his dream job and Kiera at a top-notch university--everything seems perfect. Then an unforeseen obligation forces the unhappy couple apart. Feeling lonely, confused, and in need of comfort, Kiera turns to an unexpected source--a local rock start named Kellan Kyle. At first, he's purely a friend she can lean on, but as her loneliness grows, so does their relationship. And then one night everything chances...and none of them will ever be the same.  

Review: Ah! I don't even know where to begin with this book. I don't think I have ever read a book that was as much of an emotional roller coaster as this book was! 

Initially, I had a bit of a hard time getting into the book, and I thought about putting it down, and just try to read it a different time. But stuck it out, and by the time I hit page 100, and that was it, I was hooked!

Thoughtless is the story which revolves around a love triangle which is unbelievably intense. Kiera and her boyfriend of two years, Denny move cities. They move in with an old friend of Denny's, Kellan Kyle who is a local rock star. The connection between Kiera and Kellan is almost instant and you can feel it radiating immediately. After things get rocky with Denny and his job, things with Kiera and Kellan just grows so intensely. Their passion and their connection is so strong. There is SO much tension in this book. I can't even begin to describe how much I loved it! 

I had a bit of a hard time liking Kiera. I wanted to, but there were times when I just wanted to shake her., and just ask her what the hell she was going!  For a good chunk of the book, she kind of annoyed me, but she was tolerable. There were just some parts in this book where I wanted to take it and just throw it against the wall--but I was never able to put it down. 

Kellan, I don't even know where to start with him. I'm pretty sure I was swooning over him at the same time Kiera started. He's just one of those guys who it was almost impossible not to like, it made you wish he were real... He was definitely flawed and he had his issues, but I loved him! Cheating was such a huge theme in this book, and its something that I'm not too comfortable with, but S.C Stephens just made it work, and you know that it absolutely just had to be that. 

S.C Stephens has a really wonderful writing style. She is extremely detailed, and when you're reading, you're right in the world with the characters. All of the emotions that were present in the book, you definitely felt them. I don't think I have read anything just felt so real. All of her scenes were passionate, intense and HOT! 

If you have not read this book, you MUST! 

I cannot wait to get started on Effortless, and to find out what's next for Kellan and Kiera! 

Review: Beauty From Surrender

Author: Georgia Cates

Publisher: Georiga Cates Books

Pages: 

Rating: 4 Stars

Synopsis: How do you move on when he's every song you sing?After Laurelyn Prescott walked away from the love of her life, she returns to Nashville to pursue the only dream she has left. Determined to find a distraction from the pain of losing Jack Henry, she immerses herself in her music. But with her old life comes old acquaintances and new expectations. When Laurelyn refuses her record producer's outrageous demands, she finds herself without a career--until an unforeseen opportunity presents itself. From there it's a rocket ride straight to the top where Laurelyn finds the success she's always dreamed of.Will it be enough to bring her the happiness she so deserves, or will the absence of Jack Henry leave her wanting more? 

Jack Henry McLachlan never expected to fall in love with Laurelyn Prescott--but he did. After he foolishing let her slip through his fingers, he spends three months searing for her, but their reunion doesn't come easy. The woman he finds isn't the same one who drifted away without a goodbye. No longer an insecure girl on an Australian adventure, this Laurelyn is a successful musician with a promising career. Her dreams are becoming a reality, and Jack is terrified his American girl won't have a place for him in her new life. With only a month to convince her otherwise, will it be enough time to make her visualize a life beyond the glitz and glamour, a life that includes him? 

Review: I had just heard about this series, and I ended up getting this first book, and I read through that in no time at all, and I loved it! I was upset at how it ended with a cliffhanger, and I really thought that  I was going to have to wait ages for the sequel. It ended up coming out yesterday, and I've already got it finished! 

This book follows Laurelyn and Jack Henry's relationship, after she has left Australia and has returned back to the States. It begins immediately where the first book has left off. After all that they have been through, it was wonderful to see where they were headed with their future. There were moments when I wondered if they were going to get back together, of it would have been left as a "what-if" kind of a situation. 

There was a lot of ground that was covered in this book, just as there was in the first book. At some points I felt that a bit of the book was slightly rushed, and it could have been spread across a few books. While I did completely enjoy this book, I just really wish that it wasn't so rushed, and maybe not have covered such a large span of time.

I love a good story, especially when it has a foreign man with a hot accent. While I didn't feel quite as emotionally involved with these characters as I thought I would have been, I really enjoyed being immersed in their world. As with Beauty from Pain, this book was a wonderful book to escape with, and it definitely sparks a lot of fantasy. 

I did really enjoy this book, but I had a few problems. There were definitely some things that were left unresolved, and as a result, have left unanswered questions. Of course, I wish that there were more character building, as opposed to character changing. There were also a few moments that I felt were a little bit cheesy. 

Despite some of the issues I had with the book, I still really enjoyed the read. I also enjoyed how Cates chose to end of her series. I really hope that in the future she works on a third book  that will answer some unanswered questions. Overall I would really highly recommend this series to anyone!

Review: Fifty Shades Freed

Author: EL James 

Publisher:Vintage

Pages:592

Rating: 4.5 Stars 

Synopsis: When unworldly student Anastasia Steele first encountered the driver and dazzling young entrepreneur Christian Grey it sparked a sensual affair that changed both of their lives irrevocably. Shocked, intrigued, and ultimately, repelled by Christian's singular erotic tastes, Ana demands a deeper commitment. Determined to keep her, Christian agrees. 

Now, Ana and Christian have it all--love,passion, intimacy,wealth, and a world of possibilities for their future. But Ana knows that loving her Fifty Shades will not be easy, and that being together will pose challenges, that neither of them would anticipate. Ana must somehow learn to share Christian's opulent lifestyle without sacrificing her own identity. And Christian must overcome his compulsion to control as he wrestles with the demons of a tormented past.

Just when it seems that their strength together will eclipse any obstacle, misfortune, malice and fate conspire to make Ana's deepest fears turn to reality. 

Review: For me, this entire trilogy was a huge fantasy and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

In this final book, we're final able to see how Ana and Christian are moving on with their relationship and their life. A lot of this book, we still find Christan and Ana making an effort in trying to learn more about one another. Of course there are arguments and obstacles that stand in the way for Christian especially in coming to terms with realizing how much Ana does care for him.

This was my favourite book in the trilogy. There was more action in this book as opposed to the other two, and it was enough to keep me hooked. One of the only problems that I had with this book, was that I feel like EL James could have probably spread out some of the events in this book a little bit more. There were a few things that were left without answers, but  overall, I'm really happy with the way that James has decided to end her trilogy.

I'm aware of how much slack that this trilogy has gotten. And there were times and some instances, when I thought that the writing could have been better. At the end of the day, I really enjoyed all three books, and James has written a story that was able to entertain me. At its heart, this series is a love story , and one that I'm sure will stay with me,and I will continue to enjoy. 

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly even that is hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming released that we're eagerly anticipating. 

Here is this week's can't wait selection:

Synopsis: How do you move on when he's every song you sing? 

After Laurelyn Prescott walked away from the love of her life, she returns to Nashville to pursue the only dream she has left. Determined to find a distraction from the pain of losing Jack Henry, she immerses herself in her music. But with her old life comes old acquaintances and new expectations. When Laurelyn refuses her record producer's outrageous demands, she finds herself without a career--until an unforeseen opportunity presents itself. From there it's a rocket ride straight to the top where Laurelyn finds the success she's always dreamed of.Will it be enough to bring her the happiness she so deserves, or will the absence of Jack Henry leave her wanting more? 

Jack Henry McLachlan never expected to fall in love with Laurelyn Prescott--but he did. After he foolishing let her slip through his fingers, he spends three months searing for her, but their reunion doesn't come easy. The woman he finds isn't the same one who drifted away without a goodbye. No longer an insecure girl on an Australian adventure, this Laurelyn is a successful musician with a promising career. Her dreams are becoming a reality, and Jack is terrified his American girl won't have a place for him in her new life. With only a month to convince her otherwise, will it be enough time to make her visualize a life beyond the glitz and glamour, a life that includes him? 

Having only just finished Beauty From Pain, I'm really excited that this book comes out tomorrow! I was a little disappointed that the book ended with a cliffhanger, but I don't have too much longer to wait! I'm anxious to see what comes next for Laurelyn and Jack as their story continues. 

What book are you anxious waiting for?