Swoon Thursday #12

Who doesn't love a good swoon?
The ladies over at YA Bound have created this hot and fun meme!
If you want to join in here's all you need to do.
From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling and your stomach fluttering?

Then pick a smaller portion of your swoon and tweet it, just don't forget to add the #YABOUND Hashtag to your tweet!

I feel so privileged that I have had the opportunity to read Apollyon early.  Jennifer L. Armentrout is one of the most talented authors out there and to date there has not yet been a book of hers that I have not loved. 

Apollyon is the fourth book in her Covenant series and is due to be published April 9th 2013.  I am not allowed to publish my review until after February 15th but I can say that this book does not disappoint.

Because of my love for Alex and Aiden I just had to share a little moment of swoon between these two and seeing as how Jennifer has already posted a teaser from this scene I don't feel like I am giving too much away...

Clothing hit the rock bed and there was a second, too long, of silence, and then water stirred in the pool, bubbling even more.  Pulse pounding everywhere, I twisted toward him and lost my breath and my heart all over again.

Aiden stood there like a god.

So much taller than me, water grazed his navel.  White foam lapped at the ribbed planes of his stomach, and I was struck by the image of Poseidon rising from the ocean.

Poseidon had nothing on him.

He glided through the fizzing water, hands out to his sides.  I had to tip my head back to meet his gaze.  "Hey," I said.

Once side of his lips curved up.  "This probably isn't a good idea."

"Why?"

"I have a feeling I'm going to be very distracted here in a few seconds." He reached out through, finding the band that kept most of my hair up.  "Actually, I'm already distracted."

What is your swoon worthy moment this week?

Feel free to leave your links below so that I can check them out and if you are a new follower be sure to let me know so that I can come and check out your blog in return!

Waiting on Wednesday #13

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

This is a perfect way to highlight books that we are waiting patiently to be released... it is also a sure-fire way to watch your TBR pile grow!

I will not lose another person I love. I will not let history repeat itself.

Vincent waited lifetimes to find me, but in an instant our future together was shattered. He was betrayed by someone we both called a friend, and I lost him. Now our enemy is determined to rule over France’s immortals, and willing to wage a war to get what they want.

It shouldn’t be possible, none of it should be, but this is my reality. I know Vincent is somewhere out there, I know he’s not completely gone, and I will do anything to save him.

After what we’ve already fought to achieve, a life without Vincent is unimaginable. He once swore to avoid dying—to go against his nature and forsake sacrificing himself for others—so that we could be together. How can I not risk everything to bring my love back to me?

Expected Publication: May 7 2013
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads

Why am I so eagerly awaiting this release you ask?

First... the cover. Holy crap it is beautiful.  All of the covers from this series have been outstanding.

I can't wait to see how Kate and Vincent end up.  Just to throw an extra kink in the chain, there is a novella that is due out on April 2nd, Die for Her, which is from Jules' POV.  It appears he is finally professing his undying love for Kate... What will this mean for Vincent?  I really love Vincent and Kate but I don't want Jules to be broken hearted either.  This can only mean one thing, tears.

What is your Waiting on Wednesday?

Feel free to leave your links below so that I can check them out and if you are a new follower be sure to let me know!

Review: The Evolution of Mara Dyer

Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.

She can’t.

She used to think her problems were all in her head.

They aren’t.

She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets.

She’s wrong.

Title: The Evolution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer ~ Book 2)
Author: Michelle Hodkin | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website
Publication Date: October 23 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 1442421797
Length: 546 Pages
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon US / Amazon UK

Source: Purchased (Kindle Edition)
Cover Love: Love it! Every cover in this series is amazing.  There are no underwater scenes but it is spooky how fitting it actually is.
Point of View: 1st person, following Mara 

My Rating: 5 Stars

As soon as I completed The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer I started to prepare myself.  The dreaded Sophomore Slumps, The Middle Child Syndrome... whatever you want to call it I had braced myself for the worst because it is rare that the second book in trilogy lives up to the first and even more rare that it surpasses the first.

Now that I have finished The Evolution of Mara Dyer I am sat wondering why I ever allowed myself to worry. 

“If I were to live a thousand years, I would belong to you for all of them.  If we were to live a thousand lives, I would want to make you mine in each one.”

The Evolution of Mara Dyer was amazing... if not more amazing than The Unbecoming.  Normally I try to write my reviews immediately after finishing a book but in this case I have had to force myself to wait.  I needed time to process everything I had read and to be honest it took me a couple of days to start something new, this rarely happens.

My emotions were on high alert for this entire book.  I thought that The Unbecoming was suspenseful but man... it has nothing on book two.  Even now, days after finishing it I am having trouble coming up with a way to put everything out there in this review.  I just don’t want to ruin any part of this book for anybody who will be reading it.  It is definitely one that you are best going into with as little idea about the events so that you can thoroughly enjoy it first-hand. 

I want to first give further praise to Michelle Hodkin.  She is absolutely amazing.  The writing is flawless and leaves you guessing all the way through.  Even though we are in Mara’s head you will find yourself second guessing what is happening and you will even stop and wonder if it is even happening in the first place.  I mean how is that even possible?  We are in Mara’s head how can we not have all of the answers as to what is happening?  How?  It is because the writing is phenomenal.

“Everyone is a little crazy. The only difference between us and them is that they hide it better.”

This book gave me the creeps, but in a great way of course.  What frightened me the most you ask?  That spooky, scary as heck doll.  I hate dolls.  Every single time this doll came into the scene my heart started racing.  Plus there are crows falling from the sky, crazy people, stalkers, mental hospitals... *shiver* Creeptastic to the max and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

“The people we care about are always worth more to us than the people we don't.  No matter what anyone pretends.”

I mentioned in my review of The Unbecoming that I love Mara’s family and these feelings have not changed.  I love how they are doing everything they can to be there for Mara.  They appear to have no clue at what is really going on and even though you want to scream at them to really stop and listen to her I wouldn’t expect them to do anything differently.  And Daniel...

“My brother cleared his throat.  "I wish she knew that I think she is the most hilarious person on Earth.  And that whenever she's not home, I feel like I'm missing my partner in crime."

My throat tightened.  Do not cry.  Do not cry.

"I wish she knew that she's really Mom's favorite--"

I shook my head here.

"--the princess she always wanted.  That Mom used to dress her up like a little doll and parade her around like Mara was her greatest achievement.  I wish Mara knew that I never minded, because she's my favorite too.”

Who wouldn’t want Daniel as a brother?  He is so supportive of Mara and he never gives up on her.  He has become friends with Noah and trusts him wholeheartedly.  He helps Noah and Mara spend more alone time together when her parents want to keep her under lock and key.  He knows that being with Noah is helping Mara even though he doesn’t truly understand why they need each other so badly.

“You can't hurt me the way you think you can.  But even if you could?  I would rather die with the taste of you on my tongue than live and never touch you again.  I'm in love with you, Mara.  I love you.  No matter what you do.”

Now on to Noah... of course if you read my review of book one you will know that Noah is my new book boyfriend.  I repeat my earlier statement that every fictional boy to come after these books will be judged by the Noah standard.  I didn't think it was possible but I have actually fallen even further for him now.  He really opens up in The Evolution.  We learn so much more about him and as always he is there for Mara when she needs him.  He knows how to be there but not in a way that is overbearing.  I. Love. Noah. Elliot. Simon. Shaw.

“The boy is destined for greatness, but with you, he is in danger...You must leave him. This is what I have seen."

"I can't," was all I said to her, and quietly.

"Then you will love him to ruins," she said, and let my hands go.”

And the ending?  Holy Christ on cracker.  Seriously it should be illegal to end a book like that when the next is not out for a year.

So now... we wait.  The Retribution of Mara Dyer is due to be published on October 22, 2013.  Simon & Schuster has announced that there will be no ARCs (advanced reading copies) released.  They do not want there to be any spoilers leaked before publication and I completely understand that.  There are too many questions that will need to be answered and I for one would rather not accidentally find something out.   

What does this mean then?  It means that we will all be finding out the end together which is actually really cool.  I for one have already asked for October 22 off from work.  I know I will need to start this right away... my only decision now will be if I stay up till midnight when it gets put on my Kindle or do I wake up really early on the morning of to start it.  Decisions... Decisions...

“They rattled my cage to see if I'd bite. When they released me, they'd see that the answer was yes.”

MORE QUOTES FROM THE EVOLUTION OF MARA DYER

Book Blogger Spotlight: Aestas Book Blog

Hey everyone! Thank you, Christine for having me on your blog today! My blogging name is Aestas, I'm from Canada and I'm seriously addicted to books!

When and why did you become a book blogger?

I grew up on books (my parents never let us have a TV in the house) so I was always an avid reader but at around 15 years old we got our first TV and I pretty much stopped reading and spent the next several years catching up on movies, TV shows etc that I never got to watch growing up.  Honestly, I probably read like 6-7 books per year tops during that time (I still shudder to think of all the time I wasted!)... but then, in late spring 2011, I started reading again.  It started with Twilight... and I was hooked.  I wanted neeeeeed more! So then I went on to all the big paranormal romance series (Night Huntress, Fever, Black Dagger Brotherhood, Dark Hunter, Immortals After Dark, Lords of the Underworld etc etc) and that was around the time I discovered Goodreads.  Purely by chance... and then once I started getting into indies and contemporaries (starting with Fifty Shades, Beautiful Disaster, and Thoughtless + Effortless), I began to write a few thoughts down with each book and eventually they turned into reviews...

About a year after that I decided to start my blog and I've been very blessed to have a wonderful group of readers who love the same books I do, love talking about them, sharing recommendations etc.

At the end of the day, I really just love books, love talking to people who love books and love pimping out the books I love so blogging just made a lot of sense :)

How did you come up with the name of your blog?

It started out as my user name on Goodreads and since people already recognized "Aestas" from my reviews there, I figured it would make most sense to keep the name. Its not my real name, but "Aestas" is a name that has very important meaning to me, so in a way, its a part of me.

What is your favorite thing about blogging?

Definitely meeting so many new readers who love the same books as I do and sharing the excitement and thrill of discovering amazing new reads.  I love that blogging opens things up so much more than just talking about book with your friends.  Through my blog, I've made friends in pretty much every corner of the world.  People I'd never have met otherwise.  Also, I've had the opportunity to help other people find books they love.  Both of which are wonderfully, amazing feelings.

What do you find the hardest about blogging?

I had to learn a lot of HTML and CSS coding for my website since I didn't use a blog designer and my wordpress theme was highly modified.  So that was challenging.  Also, I'd say just keeping up with the constant flow of book news to pass on, new reviews etc is the most time consuming of it.  I've almost become surgically attached to my phone now :P

Does your blog participate in any weekly features and if so which is your favorite?

No, I'm not part of any external features except for the occasional blog tour.  I do host weekly giveaways though and usually post a few reviews per week. I'm also starting to run 'events' throughout the year (like the December Author-a-thon event which just finished featuring 22 days of favorite Authors and Giveaways).

What has been your favorite moment since you became a book blogger? Which review, interview or giveaway have you been most proud of?

I'd say my favorite moments have been seeing quotes from my reviews on various author's websites or being thanked in the acknowledgements of a book. Those are pretty big moments for me.

And I'd say I'm most proud of having organized the 22 Authors-22 Days-22 Prizes Author-a-thon event this December. I was so honored and thrilled to have had so many incredibly talented authors on board for it.

What kind of genres do you enjoy reading and reviewing the most?

Romance is by far my favorite genre (specifically contemporary and paranormal). I'm always looking for books that make my heart race, have a beautiful love story and a happy ending.

What is your favorite individual book or series? What makes you love it so much?

My favorite series is The Bronze Horseman Trilogy by Paullina Simons. It is without a doubt, the most well-written, most intense and most incredibly beautiful and heart wrenching yet heart warming love story ever told. Its unforgettable and incomparable.  Its in a league all on its own. 

Who is your favorite fictional male character, why and from what book or series are they from?

Oh gosh, just ONE?? That's a little cruel you know. How am I supposed to just pick one?? Ok, I can't do it. Here are my top three (contemporary romance heroes).

Alexander Barrington (The Bronze Horseman - Paullina Simons).  God, he is just perfect. The depth to which he LOVES Tania is just so incredibly powerful that no words but the author's can truly do it justice. But his character is embedded in my heart. All I have to do is just THINK about any one of the scenes from that story and I get choked up with emotion. He is my #1 book hero.

Gideon Cross (Bared To You - Sylvia Day).  To me, Gideon is just the epitome of a tortured, complex, flawed hero. And watching him work SO hard to be functional in his relationship with Eva just melts my heart in ways I can't even describe. I have so much love for him!

Kellan Kyle (Thoughtless - SC Stephens).  Do I really need to explain this?? He's Kellan Freaking Kyle :p Its just not possible not to LOVE Kellan. Hot as f*ck rock star who is 100% head-over-heels in love with his girl. He is just the perfect yum.

I'm sorry, I can't pick just one between those guys. I just can't! Please don't make me! *begs*

Who is your favorite fictional female character, why and from what book or series are they from?

Ohhh you're killing me here with the whole "just having to pick one" thing. I have to pick three as well, sorry! (and these are also only contemporary romance).

Tatiana (The Bronze Horseman - Paullina Simons).  Tania went through the biggest character growth I've seen from any heroine. Seeing her journey from this shy teenager in love with a soldier to a kick-ass, strong woman and mother who would literally cross the world on foot to rescue the love of her life just touched my heart in a way few other characters have.

Dusty  (Games of the Heart - Kristen Ashley).  I'm a big fan of functional characters (tortured and messed up, sure, but functional and non-stupid) and Dusty pretty much is about as functional a heroine as you can get. She's laid back, upfront with her feelings, not afraid to stand up for herself but with a heart of pure gold. Its kind of impossible not to love her character.

Eva (Bared To You - Sylvia Day).  Eva is another of my favs because of how real she felt. She was scarred by her past and had many insecurities and flaws but I just loved how understandable they all were and I sympathized and respected every decision she made along the way.

Who are your favorite three authors and why?

Paullina Simons ~ She is seriously just gifted beyond all reason. Her words just speak directly to your heart.

Kristen Ashley ~ Again, her writing style and Alpha males are just phenomenal!

ColleenHooverALJacksonSherrilynKenyonSCStephensSylviaDayAliceClaytonCJRobertsTinaReberELJamesTraceyGarvisGravesKatjaMillayJamieMcGuirePriscillaGlennSamanthaTowleJRWardDONTMAKEMECHOOSE!!!!!!!!!!!

If you could turn one book or series into films, what would you pick and who would you cast as the main characters?

A part of me is scared by films. I'm scared that they won't get it 'right', you know?  That they'll mess up a key line, take out an important scene I loved, change the story etc... I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing the movies that are being made right now from some of our favs books but at the same time, I've got a measure of worry.  I guess for that reason, I'm happy if my top favs stay only as books.

However, if they WERE to get made into books, my biggest hope (apart from an unchanged storyline) would be that they always cast unknown actors/actresses in the main roles.  I want to see someone that I don't 'know' already in the role so that when I look up on the screen, I see only my fav character, not an actor/actress that I'm used to seeing all over the tabloids.

What books are you most looking forward to in 2013?

Reckless (Thoughtless #3), Entwined In You (Crossfire #3), Grounded (Up In The Air #3), Walking Disaster (Beautiful Disaster #2), Wethering the Storm (The Mighty Storm #2), the new CJ Roberts book and the last Slammed book.... there are probably more I'm missing here but these come to mind first.

Paper books or ebooks?

Heh. Both. *guilty look*. I read eBooks primarily but I buy all my favs in paperback for my shelves. I just love having them up there even though I rarely actually read the paper books.

Where is your favorite place to read?

Curled up on my couch with a blanket, hot chai tea and my dog :)

Milk chocolate, white chocolate or dark chocolate?

Definitely dark!

Coffee, hot tea or hot chocolate?

Chocolate chai tea. Its my 'reading' drink. Second to books, its my greatest addiction!

Would you like to give any other details about yourself? How can others find you around the web? Such as Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, etc...

Blog:  http://aestasbookblog.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aestasbookblog
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AestasBookBlog
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5604583-aestas-book-blog
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/aestasbookblog/

Swoon Thursday #11

Who doesn't love a good swoon?
The ladies over at YA Bound have created this hot and fun meme!
If you want to join in here's all you need to do.
From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling and your stomach fluttering?

Then pick a smaller portion of your swoon and tweet it, just don't forget to add the #YABOUND Hashtag to your tweet!

It is official.  I love this series.  I love every single thing about it.  I love the story.  I love the characters.  I love the mystery of it all.  I love Mara.  And most of all... I love Noah Elliot Simon Shaw.

If you have not yet read this series then please (I am begging you on bended knee) trust me when I say you need to.  It has completely blown me away.  Please feel free to check out my REVIEW if you have any doubts at all.

Shall I mention again how much I love Noah?  I do believe he has ruined me for all of the future fictional boys I planned to fall in love with.  From here on out they will all be judged against Noah and sadly most will be found wanting.

“I'm not into kissing," I blurted, my eyes darting back to Noah's.

Noah's mouth tilted into the smallest of smiles. "Oh?"

I swallowed thickly, and nodded.  "Someone poking their tongue in someone else's mouth is stupid.  And gross."

“Have you kissed many boys before?" he asked quietly.
His question brought my mind back into focus. I raised an eyebrow.
"Boys? That's an assumption."
Noah laughed, the sound low and husky. "Girls, then?"
"No."
"Not many girls? Or not many boys?"
"Neither," I said. Let him make of that what he would.
"How many?"
"Why—"
"I am taking away that word. You are no longer allowed to use it. How many?"
My cheeks flushed, but my voice was steady as I answered. "One."

At this, Noah leaned in impossibly closer, the slender muscles in his forearm flexing as he bent his elbow to bring himself nearer to me, almost touching. I was heady with the proximity of him and grew legitimately concerned that my heart might explode. Maybe Noah wasn't asking. Maybe I didn't mind. I closed my eyes and felt Noah's five o'clock graze my jaw, and the faintest whisper of his lips at my ear.

"He was doing it wrong.”

What is your swoon worthy moment this week?

Feel free to leave your links below so that I can check them out and if you are a new follower be sure to let me know so that I can come and check out your blog in return!

Waiting on Wednesday #12

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

This is a perfect way to highlight books that we are waiting patiently to be released... it is also a sure-fire way to watch your TBR pile grow!

When Mallory discovers that her boyfriend, Jeremy, is cheating on her with an online girlfriend, she swears off boys. She also swears off modern technology.

Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in 1962, Mallory decides to "go vintage" and return to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldn't cheat on you online). She sets out to complete grandma's list: run for pep club secretary, host a dinner party, sew a homecoming dress, find a steady, do something dangerous.

But the list is trickier than it looks. And obviously finding a steady is out . . . no matter how good Oliver (Jeremy's cousin) smells. But with the help of her sister, she'll get it done. Somehow.

Expected Publication: March 26 2013
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads

Why am I so eagerly awaiting this release you ask?

I absolutely love the sound of this!  The whole taking a step back from technology would be so very difficult for anybody to accomplish and I am loving the parts of the list we get to see.  I think this will be a very fun book to read.

Oh and the cover... how cute is that?!

What is your Waiting on Wednesday?

Feel free to leave your links below so that I can check them out and if you are a new follower be sure to let me know!

Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

Mara Dyer doesn’t think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can’t remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn’t believe that after everything she’s been through, she can fall in love.

She’s wrong.

Title: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer ~ Book 1)
Author: Michelle Hodkin | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website
Publication Date: September 27 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books
ISBN: 085707363X
Length: 466 Pages
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon US / Amazon UK

Source: Purchased (Kindle Edition)
Cover Love: Do I even need to point out how beautiful this cover is?  Easily one of my all time favorites.  I think it is simply stunning.
Point of View: 1st person, following Mara

My Rating: 5 Stars

This is going to be such a hard review to write.  I don't even know how I am going to string words together in a coherent manner.  I promise that I will try my best but if at the end you find yourself confused please just come away from this review knowing that you must read this book.  Honestly.  Read.  This.  Book.

“No one would know that somewhere out there is a B student with a body count.  And it’s important that you know, so that you’re not next.  Rachel’s birthday was the beginning.  This is what I remember.”

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer was strangely disturbing and hauntingly beautiful.  There is not a single negative comment I can make about any part of it.  I was captivated from the prologue and was immersed in the story until the very end.  I can truly say that I did not want this to end but thankfully I had the second book in the series, The Evolution of Mara Dyer, to immediately start.

“Thinking something does not make it true. Wanting something does not make it real.”

The writing simply blew me away... as in I have no words.  Honestly.  Hodkin has managed to twist reality and there was not a moment where I didn’t find myself questioning what was happening.  There are so many aspects that have been integrated into the story.  Paranormal, reality, family, suspense, psychological issues... the list is endless.  Just when I thought I had figured it all out another twist would be sprung on me.  “Did that just happen?”, “What is going on?”, “Holy crap!”  If you can get through this book without blurting out one of those then I will be highly impressed.

“Fix me," I commanded him. "This thing, what I've done - there's something wrong with me, Noah. Fix it."

Noah's expression broke my heart as he brushed my hair from my face, and skimmed the line of my neck. "I can't"

"Why not?" I asked, my voice threatening to crack.

"Because," he said, "You're not broken.”

Mara is one of the strongest female characters I have ever read.  The trauma she has faced and the brave way that she is facing it all is astonishing.  Of course she is frightened about what is happening to her and she doesn’t understand any of it but throughout it all she still has a sense of humor. 

Her family does everything they can to be there for her and they really do have her best interests at heart.  However, nobody in her family is there for her more than her brother Daniel.  Don’t we all wish we had a big brother like him?  He kept her chin up during the really hard times and always seemed to know what to say.  Her younger brother Joseph was also adorable.

“I was warned about you, you know."

And with that half-smile that wrecked me, Noah said, "But you're here anyway.”

*Warning – I will now be entering into complete fangirl mode.  However, you will not want to miss this... trust me.*  Noah Shaw.  Honestly I could just leave it at simply saying his name because for anybody that has read this book will know exactly what that name alone conjures.  And for those of you who have not yet read it (but will) it leaves just enough mystery to spark your interest.  With all of this said, I of course cannot just leave it at his name. 

“And just like that, I was completely, utterly, and entirely, His.”

I have a lot of book boyfriends.  I am a shameless book hussy that floats from one boy to the next with only a bat of my eyelashes.  But go ahead and ask me who they are.  Go ahead... ask me.  My answer?  Book boyfriends who?  Because right now there is only Noah Shaw. 

“Noah stood slowly, his body skimming mine as he rose. "Today. Tonight. Tomorrow. Forever." Noah's eyes held mind. His stare was infinite. "I was made for you, Mara."

Noah is an enigma.  He is a dishevelled mess, he smokes, he has plenty of girls saying they can be called his one night stands... but what is the truth?  Can you trust what everybody says?  Because soon you find that he is intelligent, trustworthy, charming and witty.  In other words, he has made me swoon like no other before him.  His interactions with Mara are off the chart and these two together are incredible.  There can be no world in which there is Mara without Noah or Noah without Mara in my opinion.  As we saw Noah say just above, he was made for her.  By the end I may as well have highlighted the entire book because there were just so many quotes by Noah that made me fall for him more and more.  No wonder Mara never stood a chance against his charms. 

“I narrowed my eyes at him. “You’re evil.”

In response, Noah smiled, and raised his finger to gently tap the tip of my nose.

“And you’re mine,” he said, then walked away.”

I hope by now that I have convinced you to read The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer.  If I am unsuccessful and you still do not want to read it then I will consider myself a failure.  The reason I review books is so that I can gush about my love of them so it is a bit ironic that the reviews for books that I love the most are the hardest to write.  Please do not think of this as a ploy to get you to read yet another hyped up book.  Yes there is a lot of hype around Mara Dyer but trust me when I say it is all warranted.  So go ahead and get the book, curl up under the covers and prepare to laugh, be spooked, be swooned off your feet by Noah, be surprised, be shocked and last but not least be entertained.

“You're the girl who called me an asshole the first time we spoke. The girl who tried to pay for lunch even after you learned I have more money than God. You're the girl who risked her ass to save a dying dog, who makes my chest ache whether you're wearing green silk or ripped jeans. You're the girl that I--" Noah stopped, then took a step closer to me. 
"You are my girl.”

MORE QUOTES FROM THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER

Review: The Secret of Ella and Micha

Ella and Micha have been best friends since they were kids. But one tragic night shatters their friendship and their lives forever.

Ella used to be a rule-breaker with fiery attitude who wore her heart on her sleeve. But she left everything behind when she went to college and transformed into someone that follows the rules, keeps everything together, and hides all her problems. But now it's summer break and she has nowhere else to go but home.

Ella fears everything she worked so hard to bury might resurface, especially with Micha living right next door. If Micha tries to tempt the old her back, she knows that it will be hard to resist.

Micha is sexy, smart, confident, and can get under Ella’s skin like no one else can. He knows everything about her, including her darkest secrets. And he’s determined to bring his best friend, and the girl he loves back, no matter what it takes.

Title: The Secret of Ella and Micha (The Secret ~ Book 1)
Author: Jessica Sorensen | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website
Publication Date: October 2 2012 
ISBN: 1939045010
Length: 316 Pages
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon US / Amazon UK

Source: Purchased (Kindle Edition)
Cover Love: Sexy! I love Micha's lip ring.
Point of View:  Alternating 1st person between both Ella and Micha 

My Rating: 4 Stars

What a touching and fantastic book.  Ella and Micha are wonderful characters and the story flowed perfectly.  By the end there is nothing more that you want than to see these two together forever and happy.  They have been neighbors and best friends for almost their whole lives until something happens and Ella decides the only way forward for her is to leave everybody she knows behind.  So she disappears.  For eight months she is gone... until one day she is forced to return home to face those that she left.

“Micha, this is who I have to be otherwise I can't breathe.   Please just leave it alone. That fire might exist, but I want it gone.”

I loved Ella.  She is a strong character and I completely understood her.  She faced a traumatic event and even though running away was not an easy decision, she saw it as her only option.  When she came back home I felt she handled it incredibly well.  She did her best to carry on with the new persona that she had created for herself but once the walls started to crack she let herself experience the feelings she had been trying for so long to push aside. 

“See, the same old Ella still lives.”  He grins…  “She just needed a little push out.”…
“No, she doesn’t.  She’s gone forever.”
“Try all you want, but I’m bringing her back.”

Micha... of course I love him.  He has been trying to find Ella from the moment she left him on that bridge eight months ago.  He loves Ella so much and he was so sweet as he continued to show her how much he cares.  He never gave up and altered his tactics when he saw the way he was going about it was pushing her away further.  He did everything he could to get her to see that there are people that love her and that running was not her only choice.  He was patient and never pushed her.

“I love you, Ella May and nothing will ever change that.  You can push me away -run away – and I will still love you.”

The side characters were also enjoyable.  Lisa is Ella’s friend and Ethan is Micha’s friend.  I really liked their side story and from what I have seen online these two will eventually get their own story, The Temptation of Lila and Ethan.  There is no publication date set as of the time of this review but it does currently say 2013.

“You think that just because you left, it would change how I feel?  Well, guess what?  You're wrong.  I can't help how I feel.”

As for Ella and Micha, their story will continue with The Forever of Ella and Micha.  Thankfully there was no big cliffhanger and to be honest I was actually really happy with the way it ended but it appears there is more to tell of their story.  Again I can’t seem to find a publication date however it does appear that it will also be in 2013.  I would assume that this will be out sooner rather than later.  I am anxious to see how these two will end up and I really hope they will get their happy ever after.

"You're crazy if you think that you can run off and change your identity.  This unfeeling, preppy girl thing you got going on," he motions his hand at my tank top, white frilly skirt, and curly hair, "is nothing but bull shit.  You can't just change who you are on the outside and expect it to change who you are on the inside."

MORE QUOTES FROM THE SECRET OF ELLA AND MICHA

Book Blogger Spotlight: QWERTY

QWERTY
I’m Zuleeza. Because my name is such an uncommon name and it’s a bit hard to pronounce, I have fourteen other nicknames (the last being ‘Zuz’ given by the awesome Oceana).  I’m a Malaysian who currently lives in Australia. I study Biomedical Science because I'm too socially awkward to become a doctor, so I wish to be a researcher instead.

I really suck at introducing myself, am I?  -_-

When and why did you become a book blogger?

Qwerty became a book blog since January 2012 but only from August 2012, I seriously decided to become a book blogger. Previously, there were nothing but reviews on Qwerty until one day, I received an invitation to be a member of Crewel Street Team. I learned a lot about the world of book-blogging from my team members and hey, I thought it’d be cool if I start to do all these promotional stuff i.e. cover reveals, promos, etc and yup, it’s still cool!

How did you come up with the name of your blog?

I was a huge fan of Linkin Park (I think I still am, just not as hardcore as before). I dug all their lesser known songs and I stumbled upon a song called, Qwerty. Well, it isn’t the best song from them by a long shot but I think it’s a cool name for a book blog. It is erm cool, right? (Please say yes, my self-worth depends on it!)

What is your favorite thing about blogging?

If you asked me three or four months ago, I would say ‘FREE BOOKS!’ But now I would say the freedom that it offers. Technically book blogging is like a volunteering job and reading is for me, not just a hobby but a hobby that basically keeps me sane (honestly, Uni life doesn’t allow much time for me to play around). So I really like how there’s no obligation for me to blog unless I already signed up for posts. I can tone down how much time I spend on blogging if I know there’s an exam coming up or an assignment to be due soon and I can start blogging as often as I’d like to once I’m done with Uni stuff! I also got to know so many awesome book bloggers like yourself!

What do you find the hardest about blogging?

Trolls. I may not be the nicest reviewer ever but it still hurts whenever people leave insulting anonymous comments. I mean, if these people disagree with me, can’t they have some balls to reveal who they are and initiate a proper discussion with me?

Does your blog participate in any weekly features and if so which is your favorite?

Currently my blog participates in two weekly features, Showcase Sunday and Cover Characteristics. It’s great that both memes run on the weekends and there aren’t that many bloggers participate in the memes. I try to avoid overly popular memes because if I have time, I’d like to visit all the participating blogs’ post. I can’t really pick which of the two is my favourite; I like Showcase Sunday because it keeps me updated with the new releases, sales, freebies and newly available ARCs. I like Cover Characteristics because I’m a sucker for gorgeous covers, that’s all!

What has been your favorite moment since you became a book blogger? Which review, interview or giveaway have you been most proud of?

I’d have to say my first and up until now, the only author interview. I didn’t know from where I had the courage to ask David Estes to make an appearance and he handled all my ridiculous questions amazingly. David and I have since become good friends. He is without a doubt, one of the nicest authors ever and I wish more people would read his books. The problem is, up until now I don't feel like conducting any other author interviews because I'm afraid it won't be up to the par as my first time.

What kind of genres do you enjoy reading and reviewing the most?

YA, hands down. I also enjoy classic High Fantasy like Narnia and The Lord of The Rings.

What is your favorite individual book or series? What makes you love it so much?

Hmm...I have to go with The Hunger Games (only the first book). I can’t get over that sensation when I first read it. I realized I had stayed up all night only after I finished reading it. I wish I can read it for the first time again.

Who is your favorite fictional male character, why and from what book or series are they from?

Naji from The Assassin’s Curse. He has the sexiest profession ever; blood magician/assassin. I’ll blush IMMEDIATELY whenever I think about him. He is like one of those guys who doesn’t even know that he’s hot. There’s so much mystery about him.

Who is your favorite fictional female character, why and from what book or series are they from?

Karou from Daughter of Smoke and Bone. I seriously considered to dye my hair blue after I’m done with the book. But I don’t want my parents to have a heart attack, so the idea has to be postponed for now. That mid-air fight between Karou and Akiva – I’d sold my Spongebob keychain to watch that scene on silver screen. Now, WHEN DOES THE MOVIE COME OUT?

Who are your favorite three authors and why?

Cynthia Hand because she can write a politically correct version of love triangle in Unearthly series. That’s a superpower.

Maggie Stiefvater because she can write magic. Like, I’d marry her prose if I could.

Laini Taylor because of her pink hairs. Okay, okay. It’s because she notices the beauty in odd and bizarre things. I think her brain is wired differently to be honest.

If you could turn one book or series into films, what would you pick and who would you cast as the main characters?

Renegade (The Elysium Chronicles #1) by J.A Souders. It’d be awesome if I can watch Evie transition on screen.

Gavin: Ben Whishaw
Evie: Bella Heathcote
Mother: Charlize Theron

I know Ben and Bella aren't teenagers anymore but I really enjoyed watching them in Skyfall and Dark Shadows respectively.

What books are you most looking forward to in 2013?

The Pirate’s Wish by Cassandra Rose Clarke
Pivot Point by Kasie West
Boundless by Cynthia Hand
Antigoddess by Kendare Blake

Paper books or ebooks?

For review purpose, I prefer to have e-books so that I can annotate them. But if the book is good enough, I’ll buy the paperback anyway.

Where is your favorite place to read?

On the couch.

Milk chocolate, white chocolate or dark chocolate?

Dark chocolate. But not too dark LOL! Otherwise I also can’t stand the bitterness.

Coffee, hot tea or hot chocolate?

I like all three but if I really have to choose, I’d choose hot tea because it goes with any meals. Make it Earl Grey.

Would you like to give any other details about yourself? How can others find you around the web? Such as Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, etc...

Blog: http://zue-leysza.blogspot.com.au/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/QwertyBookBlog
Twitter: https://twitter.com/QwertyBookBlog
Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/Zuleeza

Review: Up to Me

Happily ever after doesn’t come easy. But for love, it’s always worth the fight.

Olivia finds bliss unlike any she’s ever known in Cash’s arms. He sets her skin on fire and melts her heart right inside her chest. Unfortunately, their happily ever after is short-lived when a shadow from Cash’s past threatens to turn their world upside down.

Dangerous people from his father’s world have discovered that Cash holds information that could put them away for a very long time. And they’re willing to do anything—and hurt anybody—to get it back. Giving it up means Cash must choose between the life of his father and the life of Olivia.

Having nearly overcome her wariness of bad boys, Olivia’s trust is shaken when this new threat arises. Now she finds that Cash is not only a danger to her heart, but his family has associations that are a danger to her life as well. She soon discovers that there are some situations in life where trust is a girl’s only option. And this is one of them. If she’s to live, she must trust Cash with her life. But to Olivia, that’s much, much easier than letting go and trusting him with her heart.

Title: Up to Me (The Bad Boys ~ Book 2)
Author: M. Leighton | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website
Publication Date: January 6 2013 
Length: 288 Pages
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon US / Amazon UK

Source: Purchased (Kindle Edition)
Cover Love: Not a fan.  The cover for book 1 is by far better.
Point of View:  Alternating 1st person between both Olivia and Cash

My Rating: 3 Stars

Hhhhmmm... sadly I have mixed feelings about the second instalment of The Bad Boys series.  I'm not saying I didn't enjoy it because I did, I just didn't enjoy it as much as Down to You.  But there was one thing that really drove me insane... Olivia.

I am not going to hold back at all when I talk about Olivia... she drove me crazy in this book.  She grated on me a little in Down to You but there were so many times I wanted to slap her this go around.  In fact there is one scene where I was so upset with the decisions she was making that I actually had to put my Kindle down and contemplated skipping ahead.  I just can not understand her thought processes most of the time and when I can't understand why a character is doing something it makes me start to question the entire plot.

Honest to goodness, plain and simple... stupid decisions were made time after time by Olivia.  Gggrrrrrr.....

 “Do me a favor,” he whispers, curling my fingers over the back of his and bringing them to his mouth.  “What?”  His eyes never leave mine as he brushes his lips over my knuckles. “Dream of me tonight,” he says softly.

Thankfully there is Cash and it is because of him that still made me enjoy this book.  I am so thankful that this is a dual POV book so that we can get into his head.  I love him.  He is snarky, loveable, confident, adorable and a complete badass.  I love how much he cares for Olivia and everything he does to keep her safe.  And the sexy times? Hot as ever!

There is a lot more action in this second instalment and another huge twist! I wouldn't say the book ended on a cliffhanger but it was just enough to get you excited for book three.  In the end I would still suggest this series and I will still read the next book when it is released.  If for nothing else I need more Davenport in my life.

“You haven't failed me. You've breathed so much life into my existence. Don't ever be sorry for that.”

MORE QUOTES FROM UP TO ME

Swoon Thursday #10

Who doesn't love a good swoon?
The ladies over at YA Bound have created this hot and fun meme!
If you want to join in here's all you need to do.
From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling and your stomach fluttering?

Then pick a smaller portion of your swoon and tweet it, just don't forget to add the #YABOUND Hashtag to your tweet!

I was SO excited to get an advanced reading copy of Dare You To on NetGalley.  I swear my entire neighborhood probably heard me when the eMail came through.  I am happy to report that I was not at al disappointed... this book is amazing!

My swoon again proves that there doesn't have to be sex or even kissing in a scene to make it swoonworthy.  Oh and have I mentioned how much I love Ryan Stone? 

Her body scratches against the comforter as she moves.  One inch in my direction.  A hesitation.  Then another inch.  My blood tingles with anticipation.  This moment is huge - no doubt.  I'm asking her to lean on me and Beth is actually considering it.

Come on, Beth, you can trust me.

Finally, in a swift movement, she lays her head on my chest and curls the rest of her body around me.  Needs slam into me and if her hand shifts down three inches, she'll know.  I want to touch her, but do I dare? 

Her breath tickles my chest as she whispers, "I like you, Ryan."

I close my eyes and celebrate the words.  She likes me.

"I like you too."  A lot.

What is your swoon worthy moment this week?

Feel free to leave your links below so that I can check them out and if you are a new follower be sure to let me know so that I can come and check out your blog in return!

Review: Down to You

The scorching tale of one girl and two brothers in a love triangle…that’s not.

Olivia Townsend is nothing special. She’s just a girl working her way through college so she can return home to help her father run his business. She’s determined not to be the second woman in his life to abandon him, even if it means putting her own life on hold. To Olivia, it’s clear what she must do. Plain and simple. Black and white.

But clear becomes complicated when she meets Cash and Nash Davenport.   They’re brothers.   Twins.

Nash is everything she’s ever needed in a guy. He’s successful, responsible and intensely passionate. But he’s taken. Very taken, by none other than Marissa, Liv’s rich, beautiful cousin. That doesn’t stop Olivia from melting every time he looks at her, though. With just one touch, he makes her forget why they can never be together.

Cash is everything she’s always wanted in a guy. He’s a dangerous, sexy bad boy who wants her in his bed at any cost. He turns her insides to mush and, with just one kiss, makes her forget why he’s no good for her.

How will she ever choose between them?

Title: Down to You (The Bad Boys ~ Book 1)
Author: M. Leighton | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website
Publication Date: September 22 2012 
Length: 298 Pages 
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon US / Amazon UK

Source: Purchased (Kindle Edition)
Cover Love: Hotness!
Point of View: Alternating 1st person between Nash, Cash and Olivia

My Rating:  4 Stars

Holy hotness... Identical twin brothers who are hot as hell?  Where do I sign up?  This book was a lot of fun to read and man on man were the sexy times (as I like to call them) steamy!

The twins... Nash is the 'good' brother.  He is working for a prestigious law firm, wears suits, goes out of his way to help when needed and is an all around good guy.  Sounds perfect right?  Well not so much, he is dating Olivia's cousin Marissa so not that perfect.  But Nash is everything Olivia 'thinks' she needs in her life.

“I bet he's an actual good guy. The kind that I desperately need in my life. The thing of it is, he'll never be mine because he's a good guy. By nature alone, a good guy would never cheat on his girlfriend, hence the impossibility of anything happening between Nash and me.”

Cash is the opposite.  He owns a nightclub, has tattoos, rides a motorcycle, appears to have girls falling all over him and is an all around bad boy.  He is everything Olivia has dated in the past and is desperately trying to get away from now.  When she goes to work for him as a bartender their interactions are hot, hot, hot... and who could resist right?

“You’ve never ridden a motorcycle before?”
“Nope.”
“What kind of bad-boy girlfriend are you?” I ask in mock dismay.
“Evidently a terrible one.”
I swing onto the bike and grab my only helmet.

“Nah, you just haven’t met the right bad-boy.” 

Olivia *sigh* Olivia...   I did like her don't get me wrong but I feel like she whined a bit too often.  There were just times when I couldn't understand the thoughts that were going on in her head.  Yes Nash is a really nice guy but he is taken.  And yes Cash has the outward appearance of a bad boy but there really isn't a time where I felt he did anything to have Olivia question his motives.  So really can he be classed as the bad boy if he doesn't do anything that would cause you to label him bad?  I just didn't like when she would be with Cash and in her head wishing he was more like Nash.  Maybe this was only something I was picking up on since Cash was always my favorite of the two brothers.  And Cash is not only hot but he is so funny, there were many times he had me laughing but then the next minute he would be so sweet.

“Want me to kick his ass?”
“No, I don’t want you to kick his ass.”
“You sure? Because I specialize in deassholization.”
This time she smiles. “Deassholization?”
“Yeah. Just think of me as the Orkin man of assholes—putting assholes in their place.”
“Well, I appreciate the offer, but he’s not worth it.”
I reach forward to tuck a stray lock of raven hair behind her ear.

“If he hurt you, he’s worth it.” 

This book did surprise me a lot.  It does end up being a bit more than you would expect going in... there is a massive twist and the story becomes a bit darker as everything starts coming together.  I am excited to start book two, Up To Me because the way this one ended I think the next instalment is going to be chalked full of action and hopefully plenty more of those steamy sexy times.

 “But you don’t get social with your employees,” I remind him quietly.
“I’d make an exception for you.”

His face is getting close and closer. Slowly. A centimeter at a time.
“But it’s your rule.”
“I’ll break it for you,” he whispers.
“No, don’t do that,” I say breathlessly.
“Fine, then you’re fired,” he says just as his lips meet mine.”

MORE QUOTES FROM DOWN TO YOU

Waiting on Wednesday #11

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

This is a perfect way to highlight books that we are waiting patiently to be released... it is also a sure-fire way to watch your TBR pile grow!

It had been three weeks, four days and twelve hours since I’d seen her. Since she’d torn my heart out. If I had been drinking, I’d blame it on the alcohol. It had to be an illusion; a desperate one. But I hadn’t been drinking. Not a drop. There was no mistaking Blaire. It was her. She was actually here.

Blaire was back in Rosemary.

Expected Publication: February 26 2013
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads

Why am I so eagerly awaiting this release you ask?

Just seeing this book cover and reading that synopsis makes me want to squeal like a little girl, jump up and down and clap my hands like a crazy person.  No joke.

I absolutely loved Fallen Too Far and I am so excited that there is not that long a wait until Never Too Far is published.   I am happy to announce that Abbi Glines has recently moved the publication date up two weeks to February 26th.  Honestly can it get any better than that?  Oh wait... what is that you say?  The rumor is this will be dual POV between Blaire and Rush?  *fans self*  Yes... you are right.  That does make it MUCH better.

Seriously. Can. Not. Wait.

What is your Waiting on Wednesday?

Feel free to leave your links below so that I can check them out and if you are a new follower be sure to let me know!

Review: Dare You To

"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....

Title: Dare You To (Pushing the Limits ~ Book 2)
Author: Katie McGarry | Twitter | Goodreads | Website | Blog
Publication Date: May 28 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
ISBN: 0373210639
Length: 304 Pages
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon US / Amazon UK

Source: Direct from Publisher via NetGalley
Cover Love: Hot! I mean look at it...
Point of View:  Alternating 1st person between both Beth and Ryan

My Rating: 5 Stars

In 2012 I was blown away when I read Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry.  I went through every possible emotion while reading it and for sometime after, it was the book that I judged all others by.  I was over the moon happy with the way it ended so when I saw there was a second book I was frightened.  I didn't want anything to go wrong for Noah and Echo.  But then I saw it was following Beth and I was once again overjoyed.  Beth needed her story to be told and she needed to get her happy ending.  But then again I found myself frightened.  Ryan?  Who is Ryan?  Beth and Isaiah are together... they need each other... they love each other... right?

“A sliver of hope sneaks past my walls and I slam every opening shut. Emotion is evil. People who make me feel are worse. I take comfort in the stone inside me. If I don't feel, I don't hurt.”

We of course know Beth already, dyed black hair, torn up clothes, foul mouth and bad attitude.  Now we meet Ryan, well to do family, high school baseball star and eyeing the major leagues.

“You're a lot like that bird in the barn.  You're so scared that you're going to be caged in forever you can't see the way out.  You smack yourself against the wall again and again and again.  The door is open, Beth.  Stop running in circles and walk out.”

Beth's uncle (Scott, her father's brother) has found her and has decided to take her away from the hell that is living with her mother.  Beth of course wants none of this.  She has grown up starving and fighting her way through everything life has thrown at her and she doesn't know how to react when new opportunities are handed to her.  She finds it hard to see past the intense need she has to keep her mother safe.  A mother who is really beyond saving...

Ryan lives in the perfect house, with the perfect family and his perfect pitching future has been mapped out for him since he was little.  At least this is what you would see from the outside.  On the inside his mother and father hate each other, he has an older brother that his been removed from the family by his father and baseball is not his only love.  Ryan loves to create stories and write.  This is not something he has the luxury of doing often as his father has trained him well; it is baseball all the way.

“Beth feels likes this storm. Constant and persistent as a whole, but the more I get close and try to clutch the individual drops of rain, the more the water falls out of my hands.”

I so adored Beth and Ryan.  Even though the circumstances that first bring them together, a dare for her phone number and then a date, is not the best way to start a relationship it seemed to work for these two.  If it wasn't for that dare they would have never met therefore we can put this down as fate.  Ryan falls hard for Beth.  He loves how she lives her life without apology and sees in her the attitude that he wishes he had toward life when making decisions for himself.  There are so many romantic and sweet moments between these two and I refuse to ruin any of them for you.  But I just want to leave it with one word.  RAIN.  When you read the book you will fully understand what this word means... it was the most romantic scene I have ever read.

“My fingers lightly trace her arm and I swear she presses closer to me. I'd love to kiss her right now. Not the type of kiss that makes her body come alive. The type of kiss that shows her how much I care - the type that involves my soul.”

I also loved getting little peeks at Noah and Echo.  As I mentioned before I fell in love with these two so I didn't want their story messed with but it was great to see them pop up every so often as a way of reminding us they are there and still in love.

All of my fears for Isaiah not having his own happy ending faded away when I saw that at the end of the acknowledgements there is a snippet of Crash Into You which will be his story.  There is absolutely no doubt that Isaiah's book will be amazing.  McGarry has proven herself to be beyond talented and her books have a way of drawing you into the story and you find yourself caring like you never thought you could about the characters.  Without a doubt read Pushing the Limits if you haven't already done so and then read Dare You To and make sure to mark your calendar for the release of Crash Into You.  You do not want to miss any of these books.

“How many more of us are faking the facade? How many more of us are pretending to be something we're not? Even better, how many of us will have the courage to be ourselves regardless of what others think?”

 

MORE QUOTES FROM DARE YOU TO