Cloud Walking by A. Meredith Walters

(Find You in the Dark series, book 1.5)

While Clay and Maggie were falling apart…

Daniel and Rachel were falling in love.

Rachel Bradfield has loved Daniel Lowe for most of her life. She has had to sit quietly by while he throws his feelings away on a girl who doesn’t deserve them. Rachel knows she can be everything he needs.

Daniel has always known Rachel was special. She is one of his best friends. But what Daniel doesn’t realize is that the girl he has known forever might just be the one he really wants.

Love pulls two people together, while tearing two others apart. As Daniel and Rachel discover the beauty of first love, their best friend loses her heart to the deepest darkness. Unable to hold Maggie together, Rachel and Daniel find out that love doesn’t have to hurt and that it can change your life.

*The author gifted me an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

“Love has a way of consuming you. Making you lose all focus. But it could also lift you up and make your life that much better. Make you feel like it was the only thing in the world you needed.” – Daniel

Cloud Walking is a novella in the Find You in the Dark series and should be read after Find You in the Dark due to spoilers. 

This review is going to be short and sweet – much like Cloud Walking. I am so glad A. Meredith Walters gave us the opportunity to get inside the minds of Daniel and Rachel, and see firsthand how they turned a life-long friendship into something so much more.

Daniel, Rachel, and Maggie have been best friends since they were all knee high to a grasshopper. While Maggie and her boyfriend, Clay, are touched upon in Cloud Walking, they aren’t the focus; Daniel and Rachel are. Rachel has been in love with Daniel for as long as she can remember, but refuses to voice those feelings. Instead, she sits back and watches him date a girl who doesn’t deserve him, and lets Daniel walk all over her feelings. Daniel has always loved Rachel – in a best friend sort of way. Except lately he’s been seeing her in a different light. He doesn’t see her as just his best friend Rachel anymore; he sees her as a beautiful girl that would do anything for him – and he would do just about anything to kiss her. But does he want to chance it and risk losing her friendship forever?

I have been a huge fan of A. Meredith Walters ever since I read Find You in the Dark. Her writing style flows wonderfully, and she has a way of really making you connect with her characters. When I found out there would be not only a sequel to Find You in the Dark, but a short novella about Daniel and Rachel as well!? I think it’s sufficed to say, I was one happy girl.

I loved seeing the relationship between Daniel and Rachel evolve from friendship to romance on a firsthand basis. Sure, we got a little bit of that in Find You in the Dark, but it was from Maggie’s POV – we were on the outside looking in. In Cloud Walking, we finally got to see what was really going on in both of their heads while they wrestled with their overwhelming feelings for each other. It also really showed me that Daniel felt just as strongly about Rachel, as she did about him; in Find You in the Dark, that wasn’t horribly clear. It seemed a little one sided to me, at least up until the night at the cabin.

I said this was going to be a short review. Well, I guess I’m a liar so I’ll try to wrap this up. As I stated earlier, I would highly recommend reading Find You in the Dark before this novella, because it will give away spoilers. I adored Cloud Walking, and I think it was nice to have a feel-good romance to break up the angst-driven books in this series that showcase Clay and Maggie’s relationship. Plus, best friend romances are my absolute favorite – Christ on a cracker, I just love them! This was a great, quick read that shows us love shouldn’t hurt, it should make you feel wonderful…whole…damn it, it should make you feel like you’re cloud walking! ;)

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A Beautiful Lie by T.E. Sivec

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(Playing with Fire series, book 1)

He saw her first, but his friend made the move.

She settled for the safer choice, but her heart knew the truth.

They love, they crave, they lie.

Garrett McCarthy, Annabelle Parker, and Milo Roberts were as close as friends could get. They shared in each other’s joy during graduations, promotions, and engagements. They consoled one another through heartache and loss.

When one of the friend’s life is cut short, it’s up to the two left behind to pick up the pieces and find out the truth – no matter the cost. As they slowly start to uncover the nature of his deception, and the very powerful people behind it, they begin to question everyone and everything, including themselves.

Everyone has secrets – some do it for love while others do it for power. Those secrets can change perceptions, alter reality, and sometimes destroy lives.

What do you do when you find out your whole life has been a lie?

Tara Sivec never ceases to amaze me. I fell in love with her writing after reading the Chocolate Lovers series, and was as giddy as a kid in a candy store when I found out she was writing another novel. That being said, I was a little nervous when I found out it wasn’t going to be anything like her previous books – I mean, the woman is freaking hilarious, how could I read something of hers and not want it to be funny?! Well, let me tell y’all something; this book doesn’t need funny and not once did I think to myself, “Man, I really wish this had some of her inappropriately hysterical humor in it.” You know why? Because it’s absolutely fucking perfect.

The story of Garrett, Parker, and Milo is one fueled by secrets, deceit, and guilt, then lit on fire with passion, what if’s, and so much sexual tension I wanted to jump into the story, smack both of them and yell, “JUST DO IT ALREADY, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, JUST PUT YOUR P IN HER V!!”Now, as much as I clearly wanted both of them to give into their desires and push their consciences aside, I feel like the sexual build up was absolutely necessary in this novel. They are both wrestling with a huge cloud of guilt; how could he betray his deceased best friend by sleeping with his former fiancée? How could she be disloyal to him and sleep with his best friend since childhood? It’s this constant tug of war between their heads and their hearts that kind of rips you apart a little.

Oh, and when they do finally give in to each other…holy mother of God; it’s everything I wanted it to be and so much more! If every author gave me a scene like that after a lot of sexual tension and word foreplay, I would never, ever complain about having to wait for shit to go down. It was that good!

The characters were easy to love, and the storyline and writing were both flawless; just when you think you have it all figured out, Tara unveils a new layer of deception that you probably never even saw coming. I know I didn’t. My heart broke for not only Parker, but Garrett as well; as more and more of the pieces started to fall into place, you could feel him questioning just how much of his friendship with Milo was real. How could he not have seen past his façade to see the monster that he really was? It’s the mother load of deceptions that will leave you slack jawed…or wanting to punch him in his stupid face. Yeah; definitely wanting to punch him in the face.  

A Beautiful Lie just reiterates why Tara Sivec is absolutely one of my favorite authors. Her writing sucks you in and doesn’t let go until the very last word of the very last page. Well, actually longer than that considering I thought about this book for days after I finished it. She effortlessly transitioned from the humorous brilliance we were all used to, to something…well…beautiful. While I don’t normally love stories written in third person, I understand why Tara did it. We needed to see exactly how both of them reacted not only to certain situations, but to each other. We needed to feel the chemistry and the want between these two, and I think it worked impeccably. This torrid love story coupled with the air of mystery, and a healthy dose of angst left me absolutely, 100 percent satisfied. 

And in case you're interested, here are my casting picks for Garrett and Parker:

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Shattered by Elizabeth Lee

Alyssa Boyd had big plans. Big plans that included getting the hell out of the little town she’d grown up in with her two best friends. When she decided it was time to let one of them know her true feelings for him; a change of plans resulted in a tragic turn of events. Now, Alyssa is left alone to find her way out of the darkness that an untimely death has left in its wake.

Jesse Vaughn was never good at letting people in. He’d learned a long time ago that it’s easier that way because people leave, or unfortunately, die. The one person he wanted to let in doesn’t want him anymore. The only problem is he can’t stop thinking about her. Jesse returns to the childhood home he left behind with one goal in mind…to convince her that they should be together.

When Jesse finds Alyssa she’s not the same girl he left behind. She’s wild, reckless and hell-bent on not giving Jesse a second chance. Lucky for Jesse, his stubborn streak has always been a mile-wide and he’s not about to give up on her.

When your life has been shattered can you really pick up all the pieces and move on?

*I was gifted a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

So, Elizabeth was sweet enough to provide with a copy of Shattered to review on my blog, and then you know what I did? I put off reading it. Not because I was trying to be a dick, or I didn’t have any interest in it; I pride myself on not being a dick and I had it listed on my TR shelf on Goodreads before she gifted me the copy. So what made me hesitant to start this novel? The inevitable feeling of heartache. I mean, the synopsis lets you know that things don’t work out great – she loses both of her best friends. I needed to get myself in the right state of mind for Shattered and thankfully I did, because it is an incredible story of love, loss, letting go, and finding happiness when you feel like you don’t deserve it.

I felt immediately bonded to Alyssa, mainly because I’m a country girl myself. Riding on 4-wheelers, going mudding, “booze cruising” on dirt roads, having a guy put the moves on you in the bed of his pickup truck…check, check, check, AND check. I loved her character and felt so much for her. The scenes where she shut out the world and went into auto-pilot broke my heart, and the overwhelming guilt she battled with over Garrett’s accident just made me want to pull her into a huge hug. When she was picking up glass off the road that night – my heart broke and so did my tear ducts. Sure, she frustrated me at times with her stubbornness towards Jesse, but that’s when I reminded myself that she is only in high school and let’s face it, we were all pretty damn stubborn and stuck in our ways in high school.

Jesse – well, Jesse was a little bit country, a little bit bad boy, and a whole lot of sexy…all rolled into a nice romantic package. I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with alpha males; it’s weird, some of them I love, and some of them I hate. Jesse had a bit of an alpha personality, but he was vulnerable at the same time and after everything he had been through, you could easily see why. I absolutely love Jesse and Alyssa, and there is one moment in particular that sticks out in my head as the cutest, sweetest fucking thing ever. Two words: chocolate milkshake. (You didn’t really expect me to tell you the meaning behind that did you?!) Read it and I guarantee you’ll agree with me!

I loved that the story alternated between Alyssa and Jesse’s POVs, and past and present. I think it was necessary for the past and present to see how close these three really were before the accident. I really appreciated it because it gave us time to see just how great of a friend Garrett was…and he sounded pretty damn easy on the eyes, too! I’m convinced Elizabeth somehow read my mind and found out that a huge weakness of mine is a country boy in a flannel button down shirt, jeans, and a baseball cap…whew, so sexy.

Shattered is a wonderful novel that shows the unbreakable bonds of friendship, rekindled romance, and learning how to pick up the pieces of a shattered world and make it whole again. Elizabeth, thank you so much for gifting me a copy of your book and I’m fairly certain you and I are supposed to be best friends or something. Why? Because of this one line: “I’m not sure how good my coordination was at that point, but I knew one thing…when Luke Bryan told you to ‘shake it,’ by God, you shook it.”  You said it, girl – you always shake it for Luke Bryan!

PS – For those of you who have never seen sexy Mr. Luke Bryan shake it himself on stage…you’re welcome ;)

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Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

(Catching Jordan series, book 1)

What girl doesn’t want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn’t just surrounded by hot guys, though – she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys and that’s just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university.

But everything she’s ever worked for is threatened when Ty Green moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he’s also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan’s feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart’s on the line?

WARNING: This review does contain a spoiler! Check yourself before you wreck yourself...

I don’t think anyone realizes how excited I was to read this book. I love football. No; love doesn’t even describe it. I fucking LIVE for football season. My dad was a football player, my brother was a football player; I grew up going to my brother’s games every week, going to Chiefs games on Sundays, KU football games on Saturdays, and watching games/highlights on Sunday and Monday nights. I've been in a fantasy football league for the past five years. It’s in my blood. To me, there is nothing better than putting on your favorite player’s jersey, drinking beer, eating incredibly unhealthy food, and cheering on your team with your friends and thousands of other people. Now maybe you have an idea of how much I love football…and because of that, maybe I set my expectations for Catching Jordan too high. Way too high.

The short of it: Jordan is a girl and the starting QB for her high school team. She wants a college scholarship to play D-1 football. Ty Green shows up and gives her competition for her position, and makes her weak in the knees. That is, until she finds out her best friend and teammate, Sam Henry, has been keeping a pretty big secret from her.

I just didn’t really buy into any of this. Now, before you start throwing flaming bras at me and calling me an “anti-feminist”, let me explain. Can a girl play middle school and/or high school football? Sure. Can a girl play D-1 football? As a kicker, maybe; as a quarterback…I don’t believe so. I’m not saying there aren’t girls capable of being great quarterbacks, but the chances of a D-1 school taking a chance on a girl are slim to none. And a school like Alabama with a top 5 football program offering a girl a full-ride scholarship just wouldn’t happen. Sorry. It just wouldn’t. I know, I know, this book is fiction but I just couldn’t ignore the little voice in my head saying, “Are you kidding me?! How is anyone supposed to buy this??”

I also wasn’t a big fan of Jordan or Henry. Jordan was arrogant, rude, and too much of a dude for my liking. I have nothing against tomboys, not a damn thing. But tomboys are still girls. Jordan didn’t ever seem like a girl to me. She was also an extreme hypocrite. She constantly talked shit on the cheerleaders for being sluts, bimbos, whatever else…and then she goes and gives up her virginity to Ty almost immediately. Honey, I don’t think you should be looking down on anyone for their sexual escapades because you aren’t a nun yourself. Speaking of that, the stereotypes in this book grated on me. Cheerleaders are automatically sluts in Jordan’s eyes and when one of them actually knows about football, Jordan acts like Hell froze over. I was never a cheerleader, but I was on dance team in middle school and high school; just because I’d rather dance than play football doesn’t mean I’m a bimbo who knows nothing about anything other than opening my legs. The stereotyping just really bothered me.

 I was never rooting for Henry. Not once. His actions pissed me off, and the fact that he was proud of being a “man-slut” didn’t help his cause. He just came off as selfish, and that made me prefer Ty over him, no doubt about it.

The saving graces in this book, IMO, were Marie, Carter, Carrie, and JJ. They are the sole reasons that kept me from giving Catching Jordan one star. I’ve seen a lot of really positive reviews, so I guess I’m in the minority with my feelings towards this book, but it just really wasn’t my cup of tea. I wanted to like it; I really, really wanted to like it. I just didn’t. 

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That Wedding by Jillian Dodd

(That Boy series, book 2)

The gorgeous engagement ring on my finger mimics my happiness.

I feel so sparkly, glittery, and full of promise, because I absolutely know he’s that boy.

The boy I want to marry. My prince. My happily ever after.

But then our pastor starts asking lots of questions.

His parents say I haven’t dealt with my past.

I have horrible wedding disaster dreams.

I can’t find the perfect dress.

I have to manipulate him to get my way.

My old boyfriend asks me to run away with him.

My best friend says I’m going to ruin everything.

And forever starts to sound like a really long time.

Which totally freaks me out and makes me question everything I know.

Should best friends get married?

Will my past affect our relationship?

Are my horrible dreams a warning?

Will I ever find a dress?

Could his sexiness be clouding my judgment?

Am I going to ruin everything?

Or is it just a case of cold feet?

And then I have to decide. Am I willing to give up on true love forever, or am I going to listen to my heart and marry him?

“Don’t brides know that white wedding cake and an open bar are the only two reasons people go to weddings?” – JJ

I started reading That Wedding on October 4^th. I was the maid of honor in a wedding on October 6^th. After seeing my best friend since 3^rd grade get married, and almost feeling like I was there for JJ and Phillip’s wedding, I think it’s safe to say I am going to encourage all guys to steer clear of me for a few weeks; this girl may or may not have caught wedding fever and I think my pupils have been replaced with hearts. Don’t worry, I’m busy working on a cure to fix it so I’m not walking around like a lovesick puppy; but while I’m busy doing that, enjoy my review of That Wedding!

I thought I loved Phillip in That Boy, but sweet mother of all that is holy…I love him even more after reading That Wedding!! I am usually partial to the bad boy or more rebellious guy in books (and real life) but Phillip made me veer into the other lane and fall hard for the “good guy”, no doubt about that! He is the perfect balance to JJ’s personality, and I mean could he be more perfect?! He’s incredibly sweet, he loves football and drinking beer, and he definitely enjoys a nice roll in the hay; yep, I’ll take him! ;)

JJ grated on me a little bit towards the middle of the book, specifically her night at Kegger’s. I just wanted to reach into the book, shake her and yell, “Do you realize what you’re doing?!? YOU ARE ENGAGED TO MR. PRINCE CHARMING! SNAP OUT OF IT, HOMEGIRL!!” Luckily, she came to her senses and grew up towards the end of the book, which put her back in my good graces. Their night on the swings made me tear up and was absolutely one of my favorite moments from both books combined; it’s just plain perfect.

In all honesty, there are just too many things that made me this book wonderful so I’ll just list a few of my favorites:

1)     Naughty Dream Week

2)     Freebies: if you’ve done it with a guy in the past, it doesn’t count against you (I have always been a strong enforcer of the freebie rule)

3)     JJ’s spider freak out; more specifically, her ramblings on what the spider was thinking/planning

4)     The STD story (I really thought I was going to die from laughter)

5)     The fuzzy socks

6)     Their actual wedding day

7)     The tradition of kicking off the holiday season with a trip to KC to shop and see the Plaza Lights (I’m from Kansas, and my family has been doing that exact same thing for as long as I can remember; shopping, dinner, and the Plaza Lights the weekend after Thanksgiving)

I really liked That Boy, but That Wedding took Phillip and JJ’s relationship to a whole other level and I just absolutely loved it! It will make you swoon like you did over your very first crush, grin like the Joker (only not creepy…I feel the need to stress that; NOT CREEPY), laugh your freaking face off, and maybe even shed a few tears. It’s an incredible book, and I absolutely cannot wait for That Baby! This is definitely a series that you need to read now! Just a fair warning though: it may cause you to turn into a huge, googily-eyed, lovesick mess of a woman but trust me…it’s worth it!

Oh, and in case you were wondering…I think my pupils are still hearts. Damn it!

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That Boy by Jillian Dodd

(That Boy series, book 1)

You know, being friends with two cute boys does have its benefits.

There’s Danny. Danny is a golden boy in every way. He has dreamy blue eyes and blonde hair that always looks perfect, even when it’s windblown or been stuck under a football helmet. He’s the boy every girl crushes on. The boy I get into trouble with, the boy I fight with, the hot quarterback no girl can resist, not even me. Being with Danny is like being on an adventure. He has a bright, contagious smile and abs to die for. He’s pretty much irresistible.

Equally crush worthy is Phillip. Adorable, sweet Phillip, who I have known since birth. Phillip has dark hair, a perfect smile, brown eyes, and the sexiest voice I have ever heard. He’s the boy I talk to every night before I go to sleep. The boy who rescues me, the boy who can read my mind, the boy who is always there for me, the boy who tries to keep me out of trouble, the boy who irritatingly keeps getting hotter, and whose strong arms always seem to find their way around me. And when he gives me that grin, I can never say no.

One boy will give me my very first kiss.

One boy will teach me to make out.

One boy will take me to prom.

And finally, one boy will ask me to marry him.

They will both be my best friends.

But only one of them will be the boy I fall in love with.

Only one of them is That Boy.

You what type of romances I love just as much as those driven by angst? The ones where the boy and girl become friends when they are both just knee high to a grasshopper, they grow up together and stay best friends throughout grade school, middle school, high school, college…and then one day they both realize they are in love with each other. Those are the stories that turn me into a huge cheeseball and leave me grinning from ear to ear. THAT is why I love That Boy.

Jayden has two best friends: Danny and Phillip. Danny is the spontaneous, rebellious, smoking hot quarterback that every girl wants to date; Phillip is the more reserved, equally as hot, and so sweet he’ll give you a toothache prince charming of the two, but they were both so protective of Jayden that it made my heart smile. As the three of them grow up together, they start to notice each other in a “more than friendship” kind of way, and eventually one of them proposes to her. Which one asks her to marry him? Does she say yes? What about the other guy? All those questions are answered...but Jillian Dodd makes you wait. And wait. And wait to find out!! The first page starts off present tense with “that boy” proposing to her, but we don’t get her answer AND we don’t know which one it is until the end of the book! Luckily, the wonderful story of these three best friends consumed my attention and made me take my mind of the proposal…well…for a little while, at least!

I loved the way this book was written; each chapter was a significant aspect of Jayden’s life starting with her in 4^th grade. One of the main reasons why I love That Boy is because nothing feels rushed; you see these three characters grow up together from 4^th graders to college students. I have never been a big fan of “insta-romances” because I just don’t really buy into them; I love the stories where the characters come together over time…probably because I am a firm believer that the best relationships stem from friendships *shrugs* I can’t help it! I love seeing a friendship turn into a relationship.

I loved all three of the main characters, although I didn’t really find myself going back and forth between Danny and Phillip as much as I initially thought I would; I was pretty much planted on Team Phillip. I adored both of them, but what can I say? I have always preferred dark-haired guys over blondes! 

The ending was perfection, and when Jayden explains what “that boy” whispered in her ear after he proposed the first time, I melted like a stick of butter on a hot day; mainly because it’s the cutest freaking thing ever but also because he actually remembered that from so long ago!! It’s just adorable. Oh, and any book that references the Kansas City Chiefs definitely gets some points in my book! (Hey, I know they suck but I’ve been a Chiefs fan since birth, so damn it, I roll with them through the good times AND the bad!)

If you want a sweet, light, funny romance, That Boy is your book. It will leave you wishing “that boy” was proposing to you and trust me, you’ll want to jump right into That Wedding. Jillian Dodd, you just plain rock, girl! I said you were one of my favorites after I read Stalk Me., and after I finished That Boy, it only solidified that statement!  Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go round up some hot guys for a game of strip football! ;)

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Stalk Me. by Jillian Dodd

(The Keatyn Chronicles, book 1)

Keatyn has everything she ever dreamed of. Her life is following the script she wrote for the perfect high school experience. She’s popular, goes to the best parties, dates the hottest guy, and sits at the most coveted lunch table.

She’s just not sure she wants it anymore.

Because really, things aren’t all that perfect.

Her best friend is threatening to tell everyone her perfect relationship is a scam.

Her perfect boyfriend gets drunk at every party they go to.

It’s exhausting always trying to look and act perfect.

And deep down, she isn’t sure if she has any true friends.

To add to the drama, her movie star mom’s long-time fan has turned stalker. An older man is flirting with her and telling her they should make a movie together. And she’s crushing on an adorable surfer. Dating a guy like him would mean committing social suicide.

So she writes a new script. One where all the pieces of her life will come together in perfect harmony.

But little does she know, there’s someone who will do anything to make sure that doesn’t happen…

“You're single. I'm single. Let’s mingle.” – Cush

Jillian Dodd, you just might be my new BFF. And that’s real talk! I was looking forward to reading Stalk Me ever since the cover reveal, and you had me hook, line, and nostalgic sinker from page one! Now…I’m going to be honest. I haven’t read That Boy or That Wedding yet. HOLD ON…CEASE FIRE!! I have both of them downloaded on my Nook, but I also have about 30 other books downloaded that I haven’t read yet either. After finishing Stalk Me, I have bumped both That Boy and That Wedding up on my “to-read” list. Needless to say, I loved this book!!!!

Stalk Me follows the story of boy crazy, sixteen-year-old, Keatyn Douglas. She lives a privileged life in Malibu; she’s pretty, popular, rich, and is dating one of the most popular boys in school. The only problem is that Keatyn starts to think that maybe all of the popularity isn’t what she wants anymore; she just wants to be herself without putting on an act to impress everyone.

So, I’ll admit that when I realized what kind of family and background Keatyn came from, I was a little worried that she wouldn’t be a relatable character. Her mom and her mom’s boyfriend are both famous movie stars, she lives in a beachfront house in Malibu, and has a closet that could rival department stores. I am sooo happy to admit that I was incredibly wrong!! Cripes, was I ever wrong! I had my Sander in high school; I was crazy about him at first and then started to question if I was just with him because everyone thought it would be crazy not to be with him. He was a great guy, a popular baseball player and was wonderful to me, but he just wasn’t doing it for me! I looked at him more as a friend than a boyfriend. When Keatyn started to question her relationship with Sander that was the moment I felt immediately bonded to her. I feel you, girl! At some point, you have to forget who everyone wants you to be with, or who everyone wants you to be, and just f*cking be who you want to be and date who you want to date; Screw everybody else!

Now…on to more important things; by that, I mean CUSH!!!!!!!! Christ on a cracker, I am 100% TEAM CUSH! Swoon City, Population: ME! If Cush went to my high school THAT is who I would want to lose my V card to, no doubt. The scenes between him and Keatyn had me grinning from ear to freaking ear…and one scene in particular made me feel like I had a pit in my stomach. I felt like I was in Keatyn’s shoes! I know it’s a good book if I’m so invested in a relationship that I feel like I’m the one going through all the sh*t! I just soooo want Keatyn and Cush together, and the fact that he bought her cowboy boots got him about 1,000 more points in my book. (Anybody who knows me, knows I loooove me a nice pair of cowboy boots!) I am from Kansas, after all! :)

I’m not sure how I feel about the end right now. The reveal of the stalker was something that blindsided me! Literally, I felt like I got sucker punched. Stalk Me is touching, sexy, shocking, and just plain freaking awesome! I am waiting on pins and needles for Kiss Me to be published, because I need more of Keayton’s story in my life! Jillian Dodd, you have become one of my favorite authors with just one book. What does that tell y’all? It tells you that you should definitely read Stalk Me. Like, now. 

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April & Oliver by Tess Callahan

Best friends since childhood, the sexual tension between April and Oliver has always been palpable. Years after being completely inseparable, they become strangers, but the wildly different paths of their lives cross once again with the sudden death of April’s brother. Oliver, the responsible, newly engaged law student finds himself drawn more than ever to the reckless, mystifying April – and cracks begin to appear in his carefully constructed life. Even as Oliver attempts to “save” his childhood friend from her grief, her menacing boyfriend and herself, it soon becomes apparent that Oliver has some secrets of his own – secrets he hasn’t shared with anyone, even his fiancée. But April knows, and her reappearance in his life derails him. Is it really April’s life that is unraveling, or is it his own? The answer awaits at the end of a downward spiral…towards salvation.

“All your life you’re yellow. Then one day you brush up against something blue, the barest touch, and voila, the rest of your life you’re green.” – Nana

Let me start off by saying I did really like April & Oliver, but there were a couple things that held me back from really falling in love with it. We’ll get to those issues later on. As much as I love the happily ever after stories (who doesn’t?!), I have recently realized that I love books that have twisted, f*cked up relationships just as much. Relationships aren’t always unicorns and rainbows; they’re also tornadoes capable of mass destruction. Unfortunately, it seems like April was content with the latter.

April and Oliver were best friends throughout their childhood, but drifted apart after high school. Oliver moved away and went to college while April stayed in New York and worked at her late father’s bar. They went from being best friends to complete strangers, and it’s not until the sudden death of April’s little brother, Buddy, that Oliver is jolted back into April’s life…only he’s not alone. He has his fiancée Bernadette in tow.  Regardless, Oliver attempts to help April anyway he can even if it may appear that he is more anxious to spend time with her than his fiancée. I kind of went back and forth between liking Oliver; at first, it seemed like April was the self-destructive one and Oliver was simply a good friend who didn’t quite know how to deal with her situation. My opinion of him changed about halfway through the book though. He seemed to want April more, but refused to admit it...or act on it…and that made me mad at him. Not because he wanted April, but because he wasn’t honest enough to admit it to himself, and more importantly, to Bernadette. April warned him that she would only cause problems for him, and yet he still couldn’t leave her alone. I didn’t expect him to drop her like a bad habit given their past, but it just upset me that he wouldn’t own up to his feelings not only for his sake, but for Bernadette’s!

Surprisingly, I didn’t dislike April. I knew going into the book that she would be a bit self-destructive, but I didn’t realize the extent…and yet I still found myself in her corner. You learn about the issues she had with Quincy, her father’s partner in the bar business, and you realize why she is so f*cked up. She’s one of those girls that believes she doesn’t deserve a good man because of her past and her dump truck full of baggage. Instead of realizing her worth, she goes back to an abusive relationship with T.J. because she feels like that’s all she’s good enough for; it’s so sad. She was so used to masking her pain that when she was physically hurt, it didn’t affect her. One instance in particular was really disturbing, and I’m sure you’ll know exactly what part I’m referring to once you’ve read this book. I felt for her from page 1 up until the very end, and somehow I felt bonded to her.

Now, I didn’t give it 5 stars for a couple reasons. The first being that I felt so bad for Bernadette and the way Oliver “looked right through her” on multiple occasions that it made me dislike him. The character of Bernadette was so sweetly written and had such good intentions that it broke my heart a little to see her start wondering if maybe Oliver did feel something for April. I probably still would have been upset had Oliver handled things differently with her, but the fact that he continued to hide his feelings from her upset me. I was also hoping for more of a physical connection between April and Oliver, and unfortunately there isn’t much of that; not that I would condone him cheating on Bernadette (it would have made me dislike him even more), but I feel like we only barely scratched the surface of their physical connection, and I would have liked to delve a little deeper.  

All in all, I really liked this book and it is definitely one of the better books I have read recently. I found myself really drawn to both April and Bernadette more than any other characters, which made my emotions play tug-of-war with each other when it came to their relationships with Oliver. Did I want Oliver with April or Bernadette? I don’t think I can answer that, because I haven’t really made up my mind yet. I’ll think on it, while you go out and pick up this book. Seriously. Go now. 

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Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

(The Hunger Games trilogy, book 3)
Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss’s family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans – except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss’s willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels’ Mockingjay – no matter what the personal cost.

In Catching Fire, Katniss and Peeta were sent back into the arena for the Quarter Quell; the twist in the 75^th anniversary was that the tributes from each district would be made up of victors from past Hunger Games. As the only girl to ever win from District 12, Katniss was forced to be thrown back into the arena. The Head Gamemaker was part of the rebellion, and managed to convince all of the victor tributes to do whatever it took to keep Katniss alive. They rescued her from the arena and have deposited her into District 13, which up until now, everyone thought had been destroyed by the Capitol. They have been secretly been building an underground community and have been plotting to take over the Capitol.

While in the arena, a number of districts staged rebellions and are behind the movement to overthrow the Capitol. In an attempt to persuade the remaining districts, Katniss is thrown into the role of the Mockingjay; the face of the rebellion. Through bombings, weapon training, raids, and deaths of loved ones, Katniss attempts to fulfill her personal mission: kill President Snow.

I loved this book, although I must say it was my least favorite of the trilogy. It may have just been because I was upset that it was the last book and that meant this story that I had fallen in love with was actually almost over. Even so, I didn’t find it as good as the first two books.

One of the main things I didn’t like about this book was that Peeta was somewhat absent for almost half of it. I’ll be the first to admit that I just love Peeta…love, love, love him! He was kidnapped by the Capitol while in the arena and is being held captive in an attempt to thwart the rebellion. His and Katniss’s relationship takes a hideous turn, and it absolutely breaks my heart. Gale kind of rubbed me the wrong way in this book, and some of his comments he made actually made me wonder if he was glad Peeta was…well…the way he was. He no longer posed as a threat to him securing a relationship with Katniss. Now, I’m biased because as I’ve said in my previous reviews I am a huge Katniss & Peeta fan. I want them together, and for the first time since the first book I really thought they weren’t going to end up together. Do they? Well, I can’t tell you that!

Some parts seemed to drag a little bit, however I did like that Suzanne Collins went into more detail on the lives of Finnick and Johanna, and if it’s possible I became an even bigger fan of Finnick than I was in Catching Fire. I actually did cry a little bit while reading this book, and my heart ached for Katniss on a couple different occasions. The ending was pretty perfect, although slightly bittersweet. I grew so attached to these characters that I didn’t want this mesmerizing story that spanned over three novels to end. Harry Potter has always been my favorite book series, but if The Hunger Games trilogy didn’t surpass it, it’s damn close. Let’s all give a round of applause to Suzanne Collins for this captivating, heart wrenching, kickass trilogy!

***On a side note: one of my all-time favorite lines from a book came from Mockingjay. Here it is:

So after, when he whispers, “You love me. Real or not real?”

I tell him, “Real.” 

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Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

(The Hunger Games trilogy, book 2)
Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol – a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she’s afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she’s not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol’s cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can’t prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before…and surprising readers at every turn.

The story of heroine Katniss Everdeen continues in Catching Fire, and the second book in this trilogy is just as good as the first. Katniss and Peeta defied the Capitol during the Hunger Games when, as the only two tributes left and the rule of both tributes from the same district being declared winners revoked only moments before, they attempt to eat poisonous nightlock berries knowing they won’t allow both tributes to die and leave them without a victor. This clever trick gets them both out of the arena and back to District 12 as they are both crowned the victors of The 74^th Hunger Games. However, in order to avoid dire consequences, they must make everyone…including President Snow…believe it was an act of love that compelled them to act the way they did.

President Snow doesn’t buy it. Not for one second. While Katniss and Peeta are travelling to each district on the Victory Tour, rumors of a rebellion begin to surface and Katniss and Peeta’s act of defiance in the arena is being known as the initial act of rebellion. In an attempt to thwart any and all future problems, Katniss and Peeta are desperate to make everyone believe they were in no way trying to rebel; they are just two teenagers who are crazy in love. This of course means that Katniss will never be able to live the life of her choosing; she knows that she will have to continue a relationship with Peeta with no end in sight. With this being the 75^th year of the Hunger Games, we are introduced to the Quarter Quell; on the anniversary every 25 years, the gamemakers make a change in the rules. The 25^th anniversary every district had to hold an election and vote on the tributes who would represent it; the 50^th anniversary each district was required to send twice as many tributes. What will the change be on the 75^th anniversary? It’s pretty dang shocking!

This book didn’t disappoint at all! I still think the first book was slightly better, but not by much. In Catching Fire, you are introduced to more victors from previous Hunger Games; my favorite by far was Finnick. He’s charming, gorgeous, and adds some comedic relief. The Head Gamemaker from the first book is no longer around and you are introduced to the new Head Gamemaker, Plutarch Heavensbee. I had a weird feeling about him from the moment he met Katniss during the Victory Tour while they were being thrown a dinner party in the Capitol. My questions and/or suspicions were luckily answered at the end of this book, but the cliffhanger at the end was particularly surprising. I have such a love/hate relationship with cliffhangers!

You also get to see Katniss’s feelings towards Peeta blossom and you realize that there just might be real emotion behind their façade. The relationship between Katniss and her best friend Gale goes more in depth, and starts to somewhat present the potential for a triangle romance between Peeta, Katniss, and Gale. I’ve been Team Peeta since the very beginning, and after this book my opinion didn’t waver too much. The writing is just as superb as the first book, and I almost shed some tears during one particular incident involving Katniss and Peeta.

I finished this book in one day and immediately starting reading the final book of the trilogy. Catching Fire was really almost as good as The Hunger Games; it was just as action packed, and set the tone for what to expect with the final book, Mockingjay. It’s just so dang good! It’s also nice to read a book about a girl who is a heroine, and not some lovesick human who is completely dependent on her relationship with a sparkling vampire. (I’m looking at you, Twilight!)

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