Melpomene

Review: Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman

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This was my first TBR star book of the year! I am so happy with choosing this one. I’ve been wanting to read this for a while now. They’ve been sitting on my shelf for way too long.

When you look at the cover of this book you think pirates, right? Since I don’t read descriptions, I assumed pirates. Well, that’s not exactly what this was about…and yet it was.

Blackhearts is about a boy and a girl. It’s about a boy longing to be free of the land around him and live on the sea. It’s about an orphan girl who’s biding her time till she is able to leave and find her mother’s family.

This is definitely more romance than anything. Edward “Teach” Drummond spent the last year living on the sea and returns home a changed man. He’s being forced into a marriage not of his choosing with a girl who is utterly ridiculous in all ways. He tries to make his father listen to him but to avail.

Anne Barrett has been living a half life. She was born for better things but without the funds to make that happen she is stuck as a maid in the Drummond house.

Slowly Anne and Teach are drawn to each other even knowing the cards are stacked against them. But it was sweet watching them try. So many times I thought the worst was going to happen but it didn’t. Everything seemed to be falling into place for them…until the rug was swept out from underneath them.

This book was a breath of fresh air for me. Another book to add to my teen rec list. It was a sweet romance tucked underneath intrigue and excitement. The conclusion had me face palming in a “Now I get it,” type or reaction. I really should read the synopsis sometimes. 🙂

~Melomene

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Review: Regretting You by Colleen Hoover

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I tried something new with this review. I asked my daughter, we’ll call her Sassy, to buddy read it with me. She’s 17 and hates romance but because of the mother daughter relationship I wanted her to try it. Her reactions are italicized. This is the second CoHo book I’ve given to her. Her first was Slammed and she was so mad at the main character for being so immature and not thinking of the hero and his circumstances. So I was super excited to see how she’d react with these two. Sassy usually reads fantasy that has a minor focus on romance. So watching her read a straight up romance makes me smile. I’m waiting for the day she comes to me and asks to read another of my books. But I won’t hold my breath.

Regretting You was written from both the mother and the daughter’s points of views. This intrigued me. And seeing that the girl is a newly 17 year old, I was curious if her actions would be something Sassy would agree with, or not. I went in without reading the blurb and I’ve very glad I didn’t. And because of that, I felt all the emotions had a quite a few gut kicks. Mothers and daughters aren’t without their dramas and this had plenty. This gave me Slammed feelings all over the place. Both had to deal with feelings they never anticipated on having and I felt EVERYTHING. Moms protecting their daughters from hurt is the right thing to do but they shouldn’t lie. That makes things worse and brings more hurt. However, daughters should also not make things harder for the moms in trying situations.

If you have an older teen daughter, then I recommend you buddy read this with her. I had Sassy stop after a few chapters and give me her first impressions. Let me preface by saying that Sassy is a very independent girl. She’s never been boy crazy and won’t change for one. What you see is what you get with her. She is very straight forward and has no patience for shenanigans. So saying that her reactions were quite funny would be an understatement. She’d come out and yell at me for the behavior of characters I had no control over. I’m like, “Blame Colleen! I didn’t create them!”

My favorite was when she came out after the first sex scene, which was mild, and said, “That was the most disgusting thing I’ve ever read.” I died. I don’t even know how she handled everything else. But I’m guessing she skipped some parts, since she never said anything.

She was mad and disappointed in Clara’s behavior quite often. “No amount of guilt justifies those actions.” As a mom, I’m happy about that because I’d to think if she were faced with distressing circumstances that she would react differently. She’d be more level headed.

First impressions:
-It was better than Slammed.
-Clara was stupid teenager.
-I can see Colleen’s sarcasm in each character’s personalities. She was probably like that as a teenager.
-I like how she writes the boys. I like them more than the girls. Just like Slammed, I liked Will more than Lake.
-Morgan made silly mistakes but all in all she did the best she could with the circumstances she was dealt with.
-How could a mom of boys write a mother/daughter relationship so well?!
-The end(no spoilers) was super cute and sweet.
-I’d totally wear an orange prom dress.
-When is she writing that fantasy? I’m still waiting. I’d read that in a heartbeat.

Thank you, Colleen, for writing a book that I could share with my daughter. Thank you for giving us new topics to talk about.

~Melpomene and Sassy

Don’t forget to grab a copy! It’a also FREE on KU! https://amzn.to/38tJQr1

Review: Where Winter Finds You by J.R. Ward

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Blessed are those who believe in all that two hearts aligned achieve. For once united, no matter where winter finds them, they will always be warm.

After the emotional distress of The Shadows, I was ready, and yet not, for this story. I saw it coming for a few books now but I was not fully prepared for what this book was gonna bring. When I finished chapter one with tears in my eyes I just KNEW that this was gonna be a doozy. And I couldn’t wait. So I grabbed a box of tissues, got comfortable and dove right in.

Everyone seemed to get their HEA but not Trez. He’s been floating in and out for a while now. The pain so great. He avoids everyone because his pain seems to bring them all down to his level and he doesn’t wanna do that. When he first met Therese and she was the spitting image of his Chosen, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. It was an instant shock to his system. Come to find out, it was the same with as well.

Therese is trying to make a life for herself and doesn’t need any handouts or distractions. But there’s just something about Trez that she can’t put her finger on. There’s more to the Shadow than she thinks. But while she tries to distance herself, the fates have another thing in mind.

I needed this book. Diehard fans need this. I am so happy that J.R. Ward gave us what we wanted. There were so many scenes that tugged at my heart and had me reaching for those tissues. Family is the theme all throughout this book. An unbreakable familial bond, weaved together with love. My heart is truly happy. If you believe in happily ever afters, then you definitely need to pick up a copy of Where Winter Finds You.

~Melpomene

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Review: All Fired Up by Lori Foster

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This series was wonderful. I’m so happy I rediscovered Lori’s books.

I love the way she writes her characters. The men are protective without smothering. The women are strong but know when to ask for help. It’s the perfect balance. I wish more romances were written like this.

This story actually tugged on my heart a bit. Mitch finding his half brothers and being welcomed into their lives was hard for him. But they broke him down. He wasn’t used to being able to rely on anyone so they was a hard lesson. And finding Charlotte made that a little bit easier.

Charlotte has always been like a sister and daughter to the Crews. When she meets Mitch she’s instantly drawn to him. When she finds out that he’s part of the family, her heart realizes that she should probably let him bond with his brothers and step back. But that pesky heart doesn’t agree with that.

This book had everything I liked in a romance, sweet love, tension, family and a bit of excitement. If you’re looking for a romance like this, then I highly recommend to grab this series.

~Melpomene

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Quick review: Archenemies by Marissa Meyer

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Another epic and exciting edition to the Renegades series. Once I started there was no way I could put it down. This series is definitely on my YA list.

Nova is living a double life and it’s about to catch up to her I fear. But everything isn’t always black and white. I see both sides. She is trying to do what she feels is best but she her actions aren’t always turning out as clear cut as she hoped. There’s a fine line between heroes and villains and she’s dancing all over it.

I do enjoy watching her and Adrian dance around each other. It’s sweet. They’re both clueless. I’m just waiting for things to come crashing down around them though. You know it’s gonna happen.

Buy the end the book this world has been thrown for a loop and you are desperate for more ASAP. The climactic ending had me clutching my kindle tight. I’m still crossing my fingers it all works out.

I’m so happy I waited till right before Supernova’s release day to read this. This would’ve been torture to wait longer.

~Melpomene

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Quick review: Stealing Her by Rachel VanDyken

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Pins and needles. That’s how I was feeling as I was reading. I knew something was going to happen but I just had to hold on and wait for it. This reminded me of that movie “While You Were Sleeping” but yet it’s different.

I adored this book. I never read the blurb so I wasn’t sure what I was getting into. Rachel did a fabulous job at keeping me reading and connected. I just couldn’t stop! And then it ended and I’m feeling lost… I mean, how could she leave us like this‽‽ Doesn’t she realize that we want EVERYTHING and we don’t wanna wait for it‽‽ These characters have so much more to show us.

I am truly satisfied with this book and how this series has started. I’ve read practically everything Rachel has written but only her Eagle Elite books have left me feeling this way, until now. My heart is all a flutter of emotions. Give me more!!

~Melpomene

Click the pic to buy! It’s also FREE on KU!

Review: Fast Lane by Kristen Ashley

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For those who don’t know me, I love Kristen Ashley. HARD. When I hear she has a book coming out, I clear my schedule and get ready. And when the book arrives, whether ARC or release day, everything gets dropped and my family can eat cereal for all I care. Luckily my hubby loves her almost as much as I do, so he totally understands.

Fast Lane was written in a way I don’t think I’ve ever read before. She said she was inspired by Daisy Jones & The Six. While I’ve not read that, I was unsure for what I getting myself into. I’ll admit it took a little bit to find my groove but once I did, I couldn’t put it down.

Lyla and Preacher’s romance spanned decades and I loved every heartbreaking moment. In typical rock ‘n roll fashion, there was a lot going on, but in the midst was their love. It was all encompassing. Preacher’s world revolved around Lyla’s and vice versa. Theirs was a love that hit you in the gut. Listening to her tell their story, I could feel how much she loved him. They made bad decisions, but they made them together. What’s life without a little drama, right?

This book was a true roller coaster of emotions. I had faith that Kristen wouldn’t do me wrong, but I’ll admit it got a little tense a few times. And I can remember the moment. You know what I’m talking about? The moment just when you think all is lost, something happens, and you lose your freaking mind. Let’s just say I’m glad no one was home when I read that part.

In true Kristen Ashley form she brings you up, down, and all around, till you’re a puddle of goo on the floor. I really hope this gets put in audible form. I do believe hearing the voices and all the pain will hit ever harder than just reading. Thank you, Kristen, for going with your gut and giving us a story that is different than what we’re used to, and yet still the same emotional romance.

~Melpomene

Buy Fast Lane https://amzn.to/2nP0krt

Quick Preview: Heart of the Moors by Holly Black

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Seeing as this is a middle grade book, I found myself bored and skimming a lot. It was okay. I’m definitely not the target audience but I do believe that the middles will like this. There was intrigue and excitement but not enough to hold me captive.

It was nice to see more about Maleficent than we usually do. There was a side to her that was new. Her chapters were the best part of this.

The relationship between Aurora and Prince Phillip was portrayed differently than I’d hoped. If I’m being honest, as a romance lover, it actually made me sad for most of the book. Definitely not what I was hoping. I understand, since it is geared towards middle graders, there really shouldn’t be too much romance, but having watched Disney’s Sleeping Beauty movie numerous times, I was expecting a little bit more than what we got.

I normally don’t post suck gloomy reviews, but I know people will be searching for this book so I wanted to give everyone a heads up.

~Melpomene

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Quick review: Where the Blame Lies by Mia Sheridan

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Under the definition of a roller coaster read would be a picture of this cover.

NO SPOILERS!!

Don’t read reviews or posts about it. Go straight to the book and dive in. You don’t wanna know anything!! I’ll admit I did read the synopsis before I read the book, and I rarely do that, but it took nothing away from the story. Nothing could prepare me for what was to come.

I’m still reeling and it’s been a few days since I finished it. I can’t believe the ups and downs this books had. So many theories and only once did I get something right. I don’t remember the last time a book put me through this type of insanity. Was it uncomfortable at times? Heck yeah. Did I ever wanna stop? Definitely not. I needed to know how this ended.

Mia really knocked it out of the park with this. I don’t remember the last time I felt this type of adrenaline rush while reading. My heart was racing like crazy! I’m still all twisted. And emotionally drained. Can’t get it out of my mind.

SYNOPSIS

Abducted.
Terrorized.
Imprisoned.

At nineteen-years-old, college student Josie Stratton was kidnapped by a madman and held shackled for ten months in an abandoned warehouse before she finally escaped her hellish prison.

Eight years later, when the body of a young woman is found chained in the basement of a vacant house, Cincinnati Police Detective Zach Copeland is instantly reminded of the crime committed against Josie Stratton. Zach was just a rookie on the perimeter of that case, but he’s never forgotten the traumatized woman with the haunted eyes.

As more information emerges, the crimes take on an even more sinister similarity. But Josie’s attacker died by suicide. Does the city have a copycat on its hands? A killer who picked up where the original perpetrator left off? Or are they facing something far more insidious?

Josie has spent the last eight years attempting to get her life back on track, but now there’s a very real chance she could be the unknown suspect’s next target. As Zach vows to keep her safe, and Josie finds herself responding to him in a way she hasn’t responded to any man in almost a decade, the investigation takes on an even more complex edge of danger.

As past and present collide, Josie and Zach are thrust toward a shocking and chilling truth. A revelation that threatens not only Josie’s life, but everything she’s been fighting so desperately to reclaim.

~Melpomene

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