Review ~ Legal Ease ~ Lori Ryan

Legal Ease by Lori Ryan
Sutton Capital #1
Release Date: April 18, 2013
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 3.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #BloggerShame, #COYER, #2016HW, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
This steamy contemporary romance has characters you'll fall in love with and a twist you'll never see coming. Dive on in to Book One of the Sutton Capital Series and fall in love!

Kelly Bradley is convinced she doesn't need to worry about falling in love when she comes up with her plan to marry Jack Sutton. She's dated so many great guys over the years, but hasn't fallen in love once. Not with any of them. It just isn't in the cards for her. So, when she approaches powerful, sexy Jack Sutton and proposes a temporary marriage-of-convenience, she's not on bit concerned that her heart will be on the line.

Jack Sutton is used to having control over things, having things go his way. Things in his life aren't supposed to spin out of control. But Kelly Bradley flips his world upside-down and has him wanting more than he'd ever thought he would have. And, just when he realizes he wants a real marriage with Kelly, Jack finds himself racing to save the woman he loves.

Before Jack and Kelly know it, not only are their hearts on the line, but Kelly's life is, too.

Legal Ease was a satisfying romance. It incorporated a marriage of convenience trope which I enjoyed, a little suspense, and a little humor. It all combined nicely for a sweet story. 

Jack is in need of a wife to keep control of his family's company. Kelly is in need of money. She becomes privy to Jack's situation, thanks to Jack's nosy assistant who happens to be a friend of Kelly's, and takes matters into her own hands from there.

I liked both Jack and Kelly. Jack is a good guy who wants to find a love like his parents had. He's smart, hard-working, and honest. Kelly is plucky, clever, and intelligent. Although the romance evolved quickly between the two, I still liked it. The suspense element was a little weak. I'd figured it all out and the resolution was too tidy for my tastes. I did enjoy meeting the other players in this series though and look forward to seeing more of them.

Despite the romance moving quickly and the suspense not fully delivering, I still really enjoyed Legal Ease and plan to continue the series. It was a sweet romance!

Blogger Chick Chat Review ~ Pent Up ~ Damon Suede

Pent Up by Damon Suede
Release Date: November 20, 2015
Genre: Adult, M/M Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased on nook
Challenges: #2016HW, #ShelfLove, #TakeControlTBR
Rating: 3.5 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
PENT UP: Mix business with pleasure and take cover.

Ruben Oso moves to Manhattan to start his life over as a low-rent bodyguard and stumbles into a gig in a swanky Park Avenue penthouse. What begins as executive turns into personal wrking for a debonair zillionaire who makes Ruben question everything about himself.

Watching over financial hotshot Andy Bauer puts Ruben in an impossible position. He knows zero about shady trading and his cocky boss lives barricaded in a glass tower with wall-to-wall secrets and hot-and-cold-running paranoia. Can the danger be real? Is Andy for real?

What's a bullet catcher to do? Ruben knows his emotions are out of control even as he races to untangle a high-priced conspiracy and his crazy feelings before somebody gets dead. If his suspicions are right, Andy will pay a price neither can afford, and Ruben may discover there's no way to guard a heart.

***

Me: I finished Pent Up, so we can discuss. I'll let you start this time.

Lexxie: I haven't completely finished Pent Up yet...I find it very slow, and I'm not sure I like all the jabs at 'white rich people'...Like there's a score to be settled

OK, I've finished...
3.5 stars
I think this was less good than Hot Head...
And mainly, I think that's because Ruben and Andy were just the two of them for most of the story - it felt like that made the characters underdeveloped somehow. The twist at the end wasn't really a twist, either - even if I hadn't thought of it, I wasn't overly surprised, you know?
Actually, the more I think about it, the more I feel like this read almost like a YA, but with characters who were in their late thirties/early forties...

I'm waffling between 3-3.5 stars...
I'm going to have to read Hot Head.

It did kinda seem like the characters were underdeveloped a bit. I mean, we meet Charles and Andy's assistant (who I really liked but can't remember her name) but it was pretty much just the two of them.

I think I had a hard time getting into the story because I didn't understand what was going on...which is part of the story - and I found the terminology *ahem* very male. I'm guessing that's Damon's style and I liked it once I got used to it.

Once I hit a certain point in the book though, I really liked Ruben and Andy. They seemed to fulfill something that was missing in each other's lives.

What did you think of the plot? It certainly had my head spinning...I was like Ruben in believing Andy was making it all up.

I did enjoy the plot a lot, and you're right about Rube and Andy helping each other find more meaning in their lives. And I have to say they were pretty courageous to live out that attraction, as they both thought they were straight.

And I had to smile at your 'male terminology'...that is definitely true.

I can't put my finger on why exactly, but I enjoyed this less than Hot Head.

I think my favorite character was Cilla! She took their relationship in stride, and she also didn't really take any shit from Tibbett.

It certainly did take a lot of courage to act on their attraction. And I loved Ruben's inner thoughts when they first kissed...about how it just felt so right.

The plot was great in that Suede kept me just as confused as Ruben was. When all was revealed, I was all "OH!" And I also think that what was going on and how they both handled it did much for developing their characters.

LOL That male terminology...seriously. But even "bulls-eye face" was something I hadn't heard before. But it worked. And looking at other reviews, this is signature Suede?

Cilla was awesome! "Honestly, Herb," she scoffed at him. "I'm not a child." She might be my favorite character too. But I really liked Hope as well. (THAT is Andy's assistant's name)

What did you think about the 12 steps being used? I liked how he [Ruben] got stuck on moral inventory and meeting Andy and going through all they went through helped him, I think.

One other thing...I liked that Ruben's last name is Oso. He is kinda a big bear...he can be fierce but also soft.

Hey, did you see Pierce Brown is going to be at BEA?

Omg!!!
Fangirling
I know where to use my front of the line pass!

LOL Lucky you!! That's what I get for procrastinating!

I thought it was kind of sad that Ruben never learned Spanish...And at the same time, I can totally relate, as only my two oldest kids speak Norwegian.

Oh, I thought it was sad too but I also understood his parents' desire to be "American"...

And I totally want to look up some of the things Andy said to Ruben in Spanish ;)

ME TOO! Plus, Andy was going to teach him!

Yup, that was awesome
And Hope was great, the way she and Ruben bonded over AA was really well done! 

I really liked that as well. Again, showed the type people they were since they were loyal and faithful to those tenants.

I wish there would have been more of a backlash for Ruben after Peach died, though...

Yeah, I though about that too. He didn't even tell Andy!

And of course you're right, the way the steps were used, and how Ruben was stuck on the fourth said a lot!
And I also liked that Ruben didn't try to make Andy stop drinking to help himself

Me too. What Ruben said was true...he had to live in the world and the world is a place where people drink and there are other temptations...I figure that's part of the process for an addict. But I also thought it was interesting that Ruben could see through to the reasons Andy drank since he's an alcoholic.

Yeah, there were many aspects to the story that come back to me now, because I'm chatting with you about it.

I love how it works that way!

Do we have a lot more to say about Ruben and Andy?
I can't really think of much...apart from that I did enjoy the story, even if it wasn't among my favorites

I guess I don't have anything else to say except that in talking about it with you, I did decide on a 3.5 star rating.

It anchored my 3.5 rating, too.

I really love doing buddy reads!
Hey, I'd somehow missed your comment on the 'jabs at rich white people'...I agree that it was a little irritating but then, Ruben later kinda explains that...how he'd always felt like he didn't fit in, even with his family and that he always thought money would make things better...so I lumped it into character building.

My final thoughts...
Pent Up was my introduction to Suede's writing and rather than the humr I was expecting, Suede served up a nice mystery alongside a nice romance. Suede's style took a little getting used to for me. I didn't know/understand all the phrases or references he used, especially those there were definitely male. But I got looked them up. :) Suede also wove in a lot of cloak and dagger/red herrings. It all mixed together for an engaging story that kept me guessing until the end.

#2016HW Challenge Progress Report ~ #TakeControlTBR Challenge Wrap-up

Wow! The first quarter of 2016 is over! And I'm doing well in my #2016HW Reading Assignment Challenge. 

As a recap, I challenged myself to read 2 books per month. 

Here's my Report Card for Jan-Mar:





January Reads:

3-Stars

4-Stars

February Reads:

5-Stars

4.5 Stars

March Reads:

3.5 Stars

5-Stars

First quarter 2016 Grade: A+




The Take Control of Your TBR Pile Challenge was a month-long challenge for the month of March. I had challenged myself to read the following books:




Listen to:
 
Read:
 

I ended up reading/listening to a total of 8 books. Here is the list:

Listens:
Friction
Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night

Reads:
Hope(less)
The Stars Never Rise
All Lined Up
Pent Up
Play With Me (not on the list)
Real (not on the list)

I am almost done with Always and a quarter of the way through First Last Kiss. Also, I read 2 books that I didn't put on the list because, well, I just couldn't dictate everything I was going to read! ;)  Despite having planned for this challenge, I ended up with fewer reads because of a beta read that took more time than anticipated and squeezing in another beta read that wasn't planned. Still, I think I did pretty well. ;)

Are y'all participating in either of these challenges? How'd you do??

My TBR List Review ~ The Stars Never Rise ~ Rachel Vincent

My To-Be Read List is a meme hosted by Michelle @Because Reading. I think it's a fabulous idea because it gets y'all in the game and it helps me knock off some of the many, many books on my TBR list. You're more than welcome to join in the fun! I've included the basic rules below but you can click on the graphic above to hop over to Michelle's site where you can find all the details. 

Here's how it works:
On the first Saturday of each month, I will make a post with three books from my TBR List (these books can be already on your ereader or bookshelf OR books you might want to purchase) and add your link on the linky that will be provided on Michelle's post. Y'ALL will help me choose which book I will read next. The following Saturday, I will announce which book won. Then the last Saturday of the month, I'll post my review.

Fun, right?!?

***

The Stars Never Rise Rachel Vincent
The Stars Never Rise #1
Release Date:
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Source: Received as an ARC from the publisher at RT 2015
Rating: 5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2016HW, #BloggerShame, #ShelfLove, #TakeControlTBR
Goodreads

Synopsis
Sixteen-year-old Nina Kane should be worrying about her immortal soul, but she's too busy trying to actually survive. Her town's population has been decimated by soul-consuming demons, and souls are in short supply. Watching over her younger sister, Mellie, and scraping together food and money are all that matters. The two of them are a famiy. They gave up on their deadbeat mom a long time ago.

When Nina discovers that Mellie is keeping a secret that threatens their very existence, she'll do anything to protect her. Because in New Temperance, sins are prosecuted as crimes by the brutal Church and its army of black-robed exorcists. And Mellie's sin has put her in serious trouble.

To keep them both alive, Nina will need to trust Finn, a fugitive with deep green eyes who has already saved her life once and who might just be an exorcist. But what kind of exorcist wears hoodies?

Wanted by the Church and hunted by dark forces, Nina knows she can't survive on her own. She needs Finn and his group of rogue friends just as much as they need her.

Y'all. This book. THIS. BOOK. It was sooo good. And once again, I'm speechless at the awesome I've had sitting on my shelf for almost a year. If y'all haven't read this yet, I highly encourage you to snap to it. GO! (okay, you can finish reading my review first :) )

This is gonna be a review where I gush a lot but don't say much. The premise is fantastic - original and fresh - at least, I've read nothing like it. There were several moments of gasps, "holy..."s, and "oh"s with events and plot twists I didn't see coming. There was even a line where I stopped and told my daughter, "This is why you're gonna love this book," and then read the line to her. The story is well plotted and well crafted, and the characters are fully realized. I felt I was right alongside them in all they experienced. And one thing I really appreciate about Rachel Vincent's YA...it's YA but feels so mature.

Nina - I adore her. There were a couple of characters who referred to her lack of intelligence. I never saw anything to make me think she lacked smarts but I would absolutely want her on my team. She is courageous in the face of danger and terror and fierce in her love, protection, and loyalty.

Nina's new friends, Finn, Devi, Reese, and Grayson are a fine group and are people I'd also want fighting on my side. I barely know they but feel like I've always known them. They, too, are brave and loyal, and embraced Nina, enfolding her into their lives. They all have each others' backs and I have a feeling that's going to be important when they face what's yet to come. Mellie, Nina's sister, is a character I hope to learn more about in the next book. I know she loves Nina and Nina loves her, but I didn't get a real good feel for her yet.

So, fast-paced, brilliantly written story and characters I'm already fully invested in. What's not to love? Nothing. I finished in a day and have already promised to loan our my copy to 4 people (my daughters included). Read it. You won't be disappointed.

Review ~ A Different Blue ~ Amy Harmon #2016HW

A Different Blue by Amy Harmon
Release Date: March 29, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: 99 Cent Purchase on Nook
Rating: 5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2016HW, #COYER B2B, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
Blue Echohawk doesn't know who she is. She doesn't know her real name or when she was born. Abandoned at two and raised by a drifter, she didn't attend school until she was ten years old. At nineteen, when most kids her age are attending college or moving on with their life, she is just a senior in high school. With no mother, no father, no faith, and no future, Blue Echohawk is a difficult student, to say the least. Tough, hard and overtly sexy, she is the complete opposite of the young British teacher who decides he is up to the challenge, and takes the troublemaker under his wing.

This is the story of a nobody who becomes somebody. It is the story of an unlikely friendship, where hope fosters healing and redemption becomes love. But falling in love can be hard when you don't know who you are. Falling in love with someone who knows exactly who they are and exactly why they can't love you back might be impossible.

A Different Blue is a unique story both in its content and in its telling. It explores the elements and experiences we, as humans, perceive as the building blocks of our identity. And it makes you think about whether or not those things really play a part in creating who we are.

"What we believe affects our choices, our actions, and subsequently, our lives."..."What if what you believe about yourself or about your life is simply a myth that is holding you back?"  -Wilson 

Blue Echohawk knows few things about herself. She knows shes striking in looks and that she's talented at wood carving. She knows who raised her. But she doesn't know who she really is - her real name, her real birthday, her real parents. And so she's floating through life, wanting answers, feeling discarded, unwanted...unloved.

"Once upon a time...there was a little blackbird, pushed from the nest. Unwanted. Discarded."  -Blue

Until Darcy Wilson arrives as Blue's World History teacher. (don't worry - it's not that kind of story) He makes Blue look at things - her life, in particular - from a different perspective. They bth end up evaluating things in their lives and end up finding out so much about themselves.

Blue is such a selfless young woman. Of course, the reason behind that selflessness is her feeling of unworthiness. She's lived a highly unconventional life but there was a time when she felt safe and loved. Blue begins a search - I'm not even sure she knew what she was searching for. And sometimes when you find those answers, you have to ask yourself if those answers are worth it.

Wilson - what everyone calls him since his name is a bit embarrassing - is a compassionate guy. He sees something in Blue and he sets out to nurture it. As an aside, I must mention how much I admire his teaching methods - using literature to teach history. Love. While trying to pull Blue out of her shell, both he and Blue find kindred spirits in each other.

A Different Blue tugged at my heartstrings. I laughed and I cried. Blue has suffered - both in her upbringing and her lack of knowledge in who she is. The friendship that blossoms between Blue and Wilson was beautiful to watch. Although I understood his rationale, I did want to box Wilson's ears at times for his actions. But in the end he helped Blue molt and spread her wings - helped her realize she was strong enough to fly - and he was the wind beneath her wings.

There's really nothing A Different Blue I didn't love. I might have choked on Wilson's action or words at time and I might have felt Blue behaved or reacted impulsively - but it all rang true with their personalities and the story. My only regret is having waited so long to read it.

Blogger Chick Chat w/Lexxie @ unConventional Bookviews ~ Me Before You ~ Jojo Moyes

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Me Before You #1
Release Date: December 31, 2012
Genre: Fiction
Source: Paperback ~ B-day gift from Hubs
Rating: 5 Bookworms
Challenges: #HW2016, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.

What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.

***Our Chat***
Spoiler Alert - it is very hard to have a chat about a book and not reveal things. I think we did our best, but if you haven't yet read Me Before You, be forewarned. :D

Lexxie: So, what did you think of Lou and Will? and the whole assisted suicide thing?

Brandee: I adored Lou and Will. They broke my heart, both of them. And it was very interesting to read a book on assisted suicide since Sky did a debate earlier this year (school year) on 'right to die'. I am a proponent of assisted suicide. However, as a parent, my heart went out to Will's parents.
What about you?

They didn't completely break my heart, but I did cry in the very end, when Lou ended up going to Switzerland to show him her support anyway.

And I'm like you, I'm all for it, but it would definitely be difficult to help a child (even an adult one) go through with it. We wouldn't really have to travel, though, it could be done at home.

And I thought the whole 'why aren't I enough' part from Lou was more than a little selfish! She knew Will for six months, and while I do believe they both had very strong feelings for each other, I was a bit mad at her when she didn't even want to speak to him after he told her that he was still going through with it. It truly must be awful to depend on people for every little thing, plus Will was in pain as well.

So did you like Will and Lou? As I was sitting here thinking of that question, I was thinking that I could see where Lou would irritate you. wink emoticonBut I cried so often while reading their story. As you know though, I'm hyper-emotional right now.

Assisted suicide is being debated in Colorado right now. It passed our Senate but hasn't passed completely yet. But yet it'd be very hard to help a child go through with it.

I loved both Lou and Will, and I thought that Lou really grew a lot thanks to working with Will, and asking herself some real questions about her life and what she wanted to do with it. Plus, I think it really helped both her and Will when she told him about what had happened in the maze.

I was happy that Lou went to Switzerland in the end. I did think she was selfish in her reaction, but I also felt her reaction was understandable to a certain extent - realistic, even. I hated that it hurt Will though.

In a way, her reaction was understandable, however, she only did see things from her own perspective, not Will's. And I was so glad when he told her that the last six months - those with her - were the best he had after his accident.

I liked watching Lou blossom. And I was so happy she shared what happened to her with Will. He was able to pull her out of that shell she'd put herself into. It was beautiful to see them both pull each other out. And it was interesting that they were both trying to convince the other to live.

I liked that Will told Lou that as well.

Yeah, because Lou had effectively been not living for longer than Will, she had just been existing.

Do you think Lou telling Will about the maze helped him by letting him see why she was living the was she was?

Yes, because that was a way for her to protect herself - she was with running-man because she didn't really love him, but it was expected of her to be with someone at her age; she had worked at the café because it was safe, and she never wanted to leave the little village because it was safe for her there, with mostly people she already knew and tourists she could steer clear of.

Oh, it absolutely was her way of protecting herself. Ugh! Running man...I hated that he got to the be the one to end things because really, Lou should have dumped him. But I understood.

What did you think of Lou's relationship with her sister?

And how did you feel about her mother's reaction to Lou at the end?

I think she was just so comfortable with that relationship she didn't really care. And I didn't even really mind that he was the one to end it - it was really over in her heart long before that.

That's true. And I'm happy things ended before she was married and 'stuck' there.

The sister was smart in many ways, but she was definitely taking advantage of the situation whenever she could.

It bothered me that Lou's parents were always telling her that Treena was the smart one.

And Lou's mother gasp emoticon- I was not at all understanding where she came from!! What's the biggest sin? 'Making' someone stay alive with medicine, or help them die, or even just let them die so they can be in peace?

Yeah, that's not nice at all, and it was like they didn't even try to understand her, but they were happy to take her money, of course.

Exactly!

And so was Treena, but I guess that's how it works in some families, where every person puts themselves first.

Yes, well the religious side is the reason there's even a debate over assisted suicide. I don't understand it myself. I've said for many, many years that here in the US we treat our pets more humanely than our family.

But Lou's mom...that made me so mad!

True! And if they want it to be the way it was before, Will would have probably died when he had his accident, or the very first time he got pneumonia.

Yeah, Lou's mom was really over the top! I wanted to smack her! Heap some more grief on your daughter, won't you?

I thought Treena was taking advantage. It bothered me, honestly.

Oh, and Will's mom... what did you think of her?

I'm the smartest, and I have a child... you have to work, Lou, so I can follow my dream, my brain is going to waste *rolls eyes*

*ha* Reading your last comment about Lou's mom made me realize her whole family was a bit selfish.

Her dad was the most supportive - and he really supported everybody! Working long hours, and not being too proud to take the job at the castle after he lost his job at the factory.

I like Will's mom...what we got to know of her. She made some comment about how her relationship with Will had always been difficult and I wondered why. I guess it was just Will's personality. We did have that explained a bit near the end...how he'd been as a child. I didn't understand her relationship with his dad...why all that had happened and why she was dealing with it the way she was. But then, I guess that's a whole other story.

Yes, I did like Lou's dad even if he talked down to her. He was supportive and he still stood by Lou in the end.

I think some children kind of just don't get along with their parents, Will seemed to be one who enjoyed doing the opposite of what was expected of him in some situations. And if he didn't really get along with his mom, it must have been even harder to have to live at home again and depend on his parents after his accident!!

It seemed to me that Will's mom and dad had possibly wanted to divorce before Will's accident, but then, they stayed together afterwards to kind of care for him together? Not sure... That relationship sounded like a very clichéd upper class marriage to me.

*sigh* Will really did break my heart. To have to live like he was - and it not even have been caused by something he did. You know? He was hurt while jumping off a cliff...and I couldn't imagine living life so fully, as he did, and then to end up living a life he hated.

Yes, I did feel their marriage was cliched.

And I felt like Will's dad wasn't as committed to his wife's cause with Will either.
And I think that is a way that this book is very important! To show how difficult it is for someone who leads an active life, at the very beginning, he didn't even want a vacation where he could relax, he wanted to jump from a parachute or something
Then, nothing he could do on his own anymore. That was definitely tough to read about, but it didn't completely gut me.

I agree. It was important to show how unhappy Will's circumstances would make him since there was nothing of his old life he could still enjoy. And he was certainly a thrill seeker.
Yeah, and while he seemed to be excited about the trip to the US, where he could have done some of the things he had done in the past, it wouldn't have been the same. And it was definitely very realistic that he got sick and couldn't go.
Okay, okay - so I'm just a sap. Is that what you're telling me?!? ;P

My final thoughts:
Me Before You is a poignant story in which Lou and Will show each other, teach each other, about living life...convince each other that living is worthwhile but also recognizing that ultimately the choice is, and should be, yours.
I cried over so many things in Lou and Will's stories - the reality that sometimes life is brutally unfair. I could see this story from so many angles - as a mom, as a sister, as a daughter, as a wife. Lou and Will's story ended as I felt it should and yet I'm still thinking, feeling - in profound ways. It certainly left its mark.

Review ~ Off Sides ~ Sawyer Bennett

Off Sides by Sawyer Bennett
Off Series #1
Release Date: February 21, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I also purchased my own copy.
Rating: 3 Bookworms
Challenges: #BloggerShame, #COYER B2B, #2016HW, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
"I'm not sure what possessed me to do it. Maybe it was the impossible expectations I faced, maybe it was my own self-loathing. But I just knew I needed something different to happen. I needed someone... something... to derail me from my current path. Otherwise, I would become lost... a hollowed out shell of a man. So I did it. I approached her, then I pursued her, then I made her mine. And my life was saved..."

Ryan Burnham is the privileged son of a U.S. Congressman and captain of his university's hockey team. While he is on the verge of fulfilling his dreams to play in the NHL, his parents want him on a different course. One he is expected to accept for the sake of his family's public image.

Forced to abandon her music career after the heart breaking death of her parents, Danny Cross exists on the opposite side of the tracks from Ryan. She is struggling to make her own way, working two jobs, attending college part time and volunteering in a homeless shelter. She is on a mission to build her own success.

With a chance meeting, their vastly different worlds collide, causing each to evaluate whether they are truly on the correct path to self-fulfillment and happiness. Can their relationship survive? Particularly when others are against them every step of the way. A lot can happen in just ten short days...

I actually received an eARC of this but I took so long to read it, my guilt induced me to one-click it - lucky for me it was 99 pennies when I did. ;)

Off Sides was my introduction to Bennett's work, although she comes highly recommended. (*wink*Lexxie*wink*) This is also Bennett's debut and she, of course, has quite the body of work at this point. So, I'm going to give you a list of what I liked and what I liked less about Off Sides. 

Since I like bad news first, here's what I liked less:

• It's NA - therefore both MCs suffered tragic upbringings in some way.
• It was a bit predictable
• I wanted more - there was a rushed feeling that would have been negated, in my opinion, if the story had been longer.
• Insta-love

What I liked:

• Compelling characters - I really liked Danny's and Ryan's desire to live life by their own rules. They're both intelligent and admirable in their own ways.
• Riveting story - despite it being predictable with those common NA elements, I was still eager to know what came next, would things work out?
• Bennett's writing style - it's inherently readable. It flows smoothly and is nicely paced - very easy to read.
• Dual POV - I'm finding more and more love for this narration style. Getting the POV of both MCs added so much depth to the story and I felt more connected with them both.

All in all, I was impressed with Off Sides. I can see Bennett hitting her stride in her writing and I'm eager to read more from her backlist - meet more engaging characters, learn all about their lives, and fall in love right along with them.

Review ~ Rule ~ Jay Crownover

Rule by Jay Crownover
Marked Men #1
Release Date: December 20, 2012
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Kindle Freebie
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #COYER B2B, #2016HW, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
Opposites in every way...except the one that matters

Shaw Landon loved Rule Archer from the moment she laid eyes on him. Rule is everything a straight-A pre-med student like Shaw shouldn't want--and the only person she's never tried to please. She isn't afraid of his scary piercings and tattoos or his wold attitude. Though she knows that Rule is wrong for her, her heart just won't listen.

To a rebel like Rule Archer, Shaw Landon is a stuck-up, perfect princess--and his dead twin brother's girl. She lives by other people's rules; he makes his own. He doesn't have tie for a good girl like Shaw-even if she's the only one who can see the person he truly is.

But a short skirt, too many birthday cocktails, and spilled secrets lead to a night neither can forget. Now, Shaw and Rule have to figure out how a girl like her and a guy like him are supposed to be together without destroying their love...or each other.

Jay Crownover has been on my *must read* list for quite awhile. After having met her at two different book events, she moved ahead in my queue because she's funny as hell and she lives here in Colorado. Finally...finally, I read Rule, the first in Crownover's Marked Men series, and I found she really knows how to deliver a story.

Rule revolves around two damaged, flawed characters, Rule and Shaw. Rule has spent his whole life blazing his own path, while Shaw always did what she was told and was always found lacking. The only solace and love Shaw ever felt was with Rule's family. Shaw's been in love with Rule since she met him and Rule's been loving every girl he could.

I liked how Crownover brought these two together - both originally and in the present. They each carry around so much baggage it's amazing they can walk. When they're together, sparks usually fly and not always int he good way - at least initially. The dynamic between them was...interesting. At first, Shaw is just trying to keep his family togehter. Then - and I suppose it'd always been this way - she was trying to prove to Rule that he was worthy of love. Eventually, Rule made a mission of showing Shaw she was enough just as she was. And it wasn't always pretty but it was lovely to see.

So this is New Adult - so the usual elements are present. However, I liked what Crownover brought to the table with this story. It was unique and had an added element of danger and suspense. Both Rule and Shaw showed a lot of emotional growth and that was fantastic. Crownover also introduced an incredible cast of supporting characters, all of whom get their own books in this series. I can't wait!

I was very impressed with Crownover's debut. She wrote a story I was loathe to put down and showed a lot of promise. I'm looking forward to reading more from her backlist.