Review ~ The Wright Brother ~ Marie Hall #COYER #ShelfLove

The Wright Brother by Marie Hall
Release Date: September 19, 2014
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Gifted
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #COYER, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
From the moment I opened my eyes I could only see the world in shades of gray. There was no noise, no sound, nothing. Deaf and colorblind, I was a loner. My world was bleak, silent and empty, until her. Until I met my neighbor, Elisa Jane Adrian. I want her. I need her. The fractured part of me feels whole when she's around. Like the world isn't so dark, isn't so blea, and so still. I know it's impossible, but when I look at Elisa I swear I can see color, can hear the gentle inhalations of her breath. I know she feels it too, this magic, this desperate desire...

I first saw him when I was three. Julian Wright was different than any other guy I'd ever known. He sees the world in a way I know I never will. But he intrigues me. The way he looks at me with his sea green eyes, how he hypnotizes me with his smile.

It's dangerous these feelings I have for him. Reckless and stupid. I'm so much older than him, I know better. And I'll fight these desires, no one will ever know how I feel. I'll even pretend to myself that I'm not as hooked on him as he is on me.

I'll move away to Ireland, I'll forget him, but that's the thing about the Wrights, they have a way of getting under your skin, into your soul, and no matter the time or distance, once a Wright sets their eyes on you, there's no going back...ever.

Whoa! Elisa and Julian's story kept me tied in knots. But y'all know I'm a believer in things working out the way they're meant to - just like Elisa's mom - so despite having my doubts at several points, I was ecstatic at where Elisa and Julian ended up.

Elisa and Julian have known each other almost their whole lives. Well, at least Julian's since he's 2 years and 5 months younger than Elisa. Julian, one of a set of triplets, is different though. He's deaf. And colorblind. But that doesn't keep he and Elisa from being close. They develop their own way of communicating and are together a lot. An event takes Julian and his family away for awhile but the return and it's then Elisa begins to question her feelings for Julian. She can't feel an attraction to him, can she? He's younger. And - well his brothers, at least, are like her brothers. Thus begins the back and forth, push and pull relationship between them.

Elisa, although I liked her and understood her reservations about Julian, she made me want to smack her on the back of her head. She was so clueless sometimes, not taking into consideration Julian's feelings or how her action would affect him. Julian I loved. He's broody, artistic, but considerate and romantic. And no matter what he held out hope for he and Elisa.

The journey for these two was rocky and full of angst. Thee were missteps on both sides but usually Elisa's. But I enjoyed witnessing them grow and mature - and realize what they had together was special and worth fighting for.

Thanks to Berls for this special read! I'm sorry it took me so long but it was worth the wait. :)

On a side note - as I typed the synopsis I realized it made it seem like maybe part of this story is from Julian's POV. It's not but his feelings are clear. :)

**#COYER Review ~ Her Mad Hatter ~ Marie Hall**

Her Mad Hatter by Marie Hall
Kingdom Novels #1
Release Date: July 7, 2012
Genre: Fairy Tale Retelling, Contemporary Romance
Source: Freebie from Amazon
Rating: 3.5 Bookworms

Synopsis
Alice is all grown up. Running the Mad Hatter's Cupcakery and Tea Shoppe is a delicious job, until fate -- and a fairy godmother with a weakness for bad boys -- throws her a curveball. Now, Alice is the newest resident of Wonderland, where the Mad Hatter fuels her fantasies and thrills her body with his dark touch.

The Mad Hatter may have a voice and a body made for sex, but he takes no lovers. Ever. But a determined fairy godmother has forced Alice into Wonderland -- and his arms. Now, as desire and madness converge, the Hatter must decide if he will fight the fairy godmother's mating -- or fight for Alice.

First of all, I have to admit to never having read Alice in Wonderland. *gasp* But I am familiar with the story and the characters. Despite not having read it, I quite enjoyed this twist on the original.

Mad Hatter is cursed and he must find his mate before the insanity of Wonderland consumes him. His fairy godmother, Danika, has been trying to find his mate but has been unsuccessful - until now. However, it remains to be seen if Hatter and Wonderland will accept her. Hatter has been burned too many times and he's jaded about love. He vows not to give the new Alice a chance. But she is different from all the others before her.

Alice has been in love with the Mad Hatter since she was 13. He appeared to her, spoke with her. Of course, no one believed Alice so she eventually stopped talking about him. But now she's ended up down the rabbit hole and according to Danika she has 3 days to make Hatter fall in love with her.

While I liked watching as Alice and Hatter got acquainted, I would've liked a little more depth. I know this is a novella but a little more in the way of character development would have enhanced the story. Also, I found myself having to really focus on Hatter's ramblings - trying to decipher his riddles. This slowed me down. I liked the world building a lot. Ms. Hall's description of Wonderland, the doors to anywhere, the changes made at Hatter's whim, were fascinating. And the romance between Alice and Hatter was sweet.

I found my introduction to Ms. Hall's Kingdom series pleasant. And I'm eager to read them all.

**#COYER Summer Vacation Update #2**

Oh goodness, I moved even slower this week. I only read Her Mad Hatter. Well, that's not all I read, but all I've read for COYER. ;) Hopefully, I'll do better next week.

So far I've read:

What I'd like to get read this upcoming week: