Book Review : Easy Virtue by Mia Asher

From Goodreads:

Love is selfish...

My name is Blaire.
I'm the bad girl.
The other woman.
The one who never gets the guy in the end.

I'm the gold digger.
The bitch.
The one no one roots for.
The one you love to hate.

I hate myself too...

Everyone has a story. Are you ready for mine?

    

                 My Thoughts:


     Okay...

    Deep breaths...

    Very deep breaths...

    One.. Two..three.. Inhale . Exhale. *slowly gathering my wits..and sanity?!*

    My gawd. Where do I even start? This.. This book... no words-WOW! I loved Arsen so much that when I heard Mia Asher's going to release another book? I squeeee!!! Plus that VERY engaging teasers?! Myyyy ohhh myyyy! I counted the days till release date!

     I know and I'm sure this one's going to be EPIC!  Guess I am never wrong, because Easy Virtue was very good.

       The blurb clearly described  Blaire White ,  a woman to loathe for ...but I'd say after reading  this book? That I don't despised Blaire, I feel sorry for her.  The way she viewed love ( if she ever believed such a thing? ) was just sad. Well, blame it on  the childhood she had and the way her parents treated her. She thought love can hurt her, so she shut it out and associate everything with material possession. Blaire became the "material girl" .. the social butterfly . Men can have her , use her however they wanted  ...IF they can afford her! Sounds like a .... you get what I mean? Oh she  knoooows it ... she walks , she talks and thinks that way.

“I’m Blaire White after all.

I don’t wallow.

I don’t cry.

I move on.

I forget.

I discard … or get discarded.

I’m a survivor.

I’m resilient.

I will always have the last say in what goes on in my life. I’ve gone through too much not to. And if that means maybe getting involved with someone who is actually willing to pay me to sleep with him at the expense of feelings, so be it.

I don’t care.”

Until she met both Ronan and Lawrence.... Both guys  that  each sides of her wanted. Part of her, the "good  Blaire " , the one she was trying to suppressed,  wants  that  chance to a simple , pure happiness...a chance to love. Ronan made her feel much.   Like a coward ... she ran.


Then  there's Lawrence and his millions of dollars...  Can the other side of her,  the " selfish Blaire" ever resist this?  Can she ever deny that magnetic pull?   With the  seduction of glitz ... glamour  and all the worldly things  within her reach, she was enslaved. After all, She. Is. Blaire.


Call it a love triangle , but can Blaire really choose?  Between Ronan owning  her heart and  Lawrence owning   her body?  Tough. Choice.


    I love how this was written. Yes, so many feels . Yes , angsty.  And yes! yes! Sexy times! You, Mia  really knows how make me blush?! Don't forget the way you described everything?! Boom , boom , pooooowwww!!!! Well, why  am  I even surprised? I've been expecting that, and boy! you did not  disappoint me!


I am definitely rooting for Ronan but then after that " Lawrence POV " , hmmm, well, my loyalty was quite stirred. There was really something going on, right there!

So, this is getting interesting! I am getting all warmed up... Wide eyed and totally focused , so flip, flip pages .... UNTIL....

  Hooolllyyy ...whhh-aaaat?!!! No.no.no..noooooo! *tries... desperately tries to flip...flip..the pages of my e reader..* Nooooo! Noooo more?!! Whaaaat in the name of all things unholy are you trying to do to me, Ms. Mia Asher?! What have I done to deserve  this kind of punishment?!!! Why me??? Why?! Why?! Whhhhy?!! 

Wait.. Wwwwwaittttt! This  is not standalone?!

   My. Gawd. This is why it is REALLY important to do research , people! Research! Research!  Hah! Research my arse!  Hee hee!  There's no research -research when it comes to Mia Asher. Her books ?  Insta-buy , insta-clicked ! Forget about going through that ... Argggh ! Cringe-worthy cliffy?! After all, I am a glutton for punishment when it comes to Mia Asher books.


  Love. Loved this book. Though, I hate ...  hate that epilogue!  But, hey Mia! I love. love . love you! Just don't prolong my agony please?  Hurry, hurry, write , write.. write!  Need that sequel , ASAP!



                I'm giving this book:

         5 Wowwwwwww -wooow Stars!

Book Review : The Young Elites by Marie Lu

From Goodreads:

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all. 

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen. 

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

                   My Thoughts:

     Marie Lu ! Marie Lu! Marie Lu!! Anything Marie Lu, I loooove!!! 

     I was beyond happy and excited when I finally had this book in my hands. Not solely because I adoooooored the author BUT a SIGNED copy?! Yes! By freaking , freaking amazing M. Lu!!! Could it be possible to fangirl this much for an author? Yeeshhhhh! 

      I fell in love with Ms. Lu's writing when I discovered and read her previous series, The Legend trilogy. It was ..I'm-Lost-For-Words kind of Wow! I'm a little bummed when I finished the last book because... well, what's life after Day and June? I admit, I got a little clingy with the characters. Yup, Ms. Lu is THAT good! So, when she announced that she's going to start with a new series, I marked my calendar and count the days till release. Until.. Now! It's here!!

      I'm not afraid to "raise the bar" with this series. And as always, I was floored! The setting , the characters, the story..everything was perfect. The way the author wrote it, wow! It's picturesque. From the colorful , elaborated  intricate clothing ( the masquerade!! ) , up to the well described places , even the creatures ! Breathtaking!! All that  and more inside this book!

I loved all the characters! Even the most hate-worthy Terren, I  truly, truly love to hate!  Adelina , Oh I love her , she's one complex character. She was  torn between the goodness  she believed she has and that very tempting , powerful darkness within her. I felt her struggles and she fought hard , but there's always two opposing forces , good ...evil...and sometimes the "in between". Adelina had to make a choice... to fight  or to flee... to trust or to betray? A choice that  will change everything.

What's Adelina's next move? That I don't know! Everything was unpredictable and the twists and turns every now and then? Wow! I never  saw that one coming!  Love, loved it!


....And then , what's a great heroine without her equally awesome hero? Enter Enzo!! A banished Prince.


Out to take back his crown, he gathered and trained all these promising malfettos  to enhance and control their powers. Together, they are stronger.. together..if they stick to their plan. Can they trust Adelina?  Can she trust them? Can she trust herself?

I love the Enzo - Adelina  moments! I just wish there are more of "them" , it was like, that's it?! I want more! There is definitely something going on between them and it's making me Squeee! That scene on the rain? I wish I can elaborate but it would scream SPOILERS!! ...Again, it's SQUEEEE!!!  It was one of my favorites, of course!






Overall, I love how the story goes even though that ending nearly killed me! Yes, I'm going to warn you, it's a CLIFFHANGER !!! I was .... *sobs*  It can't be!! But , hey! let's hope for the best to come! Book two , I need you, desperately!

                I'm giving this book :
      5 Marie Lu Amazingsauce Stars!

My Review : Maybe Not by Colleen Hoover

From Goodreads : 



Colleen Hoover, the New York Times bestselling author of Maybe Someday brilliantly brings to life the story of the wonderfully hilarious and charismatic Warren in a new novella, Maybe Not.

When Warren has the opportunity to live with a female roommate, he instantly agrees. It could be an exciting change.

Or maybe not.

Especially when that roommate is the cold and seemingly calculating Bridgette. Tensions run high and tempers flare as the two can hardly stand to be in the same room together. But Warren has a theory about Bridgette: anyone who can hate with that much passion should also have the capability to love with that much passion. And he wants to be the one to test this theory.

Will Bridgette find it in herself to warm her heart to Warren and finally learn to love?

Maybe.

Maybe not. 

                     My Thoughts :

      Another amazing book from my all time fave Ms. Colleen Hoover! Maybe someday is one of my top fave reads this year ,so when this novella finally came out, I was doing the happy dance!!

      I love the funny , sweet and loyal Warren! I love those epic pranks! I was really hoping that he too, will find his happily ever after because he deserved it. He did find it but ...have to struggle and fought ( in a very funny and my-oh-my sexy way!) just to get the girl! Yup, he doesn't need to look further because that "girl" happens to be  his infuriating, angsty...and did I say bitchy room mate?! Oh, that's right, Bridgette "the roomie" who doesn't have the facial muscle to smile?! Yup. The angry chick.  But. Not. Until. Warren.


“You did smile, Bridgette, and you need to own it, because it was fucking beautiful.”

     True, they were poles apart, happy , outgoing Warren and grouchy Bridgette?! The contrast. The contrast! Well, I totally believe that opposite attracts! And my oh my! I loooove the love-hate-lust-love-and everything in between! It was pure fun ...and oh! Warren, Warren and the things he can do? His 'Thor -like" capabilities?!

     Uh-oh! Not that kind of  Thor! But , hmmm... that massive, powerful..hammer of his?! Hee hee! I definitely know where this is going!

"Don't do that again, " she says, angry and breathless,

Her voice makes me wince. "You started it, " I say defensively.

Did she? I can't remember. It might be mutual.

"You  kiss  like you're trying to resuscitate a dead cat, " she says disgusted.

"You kiss like you are the dead cat. "
She pulls her knees up to her chest and wraps her arms around them. She looks extremely uncomfortable in silence, so it doesn't surprise me  when she spits another insult.

"You probably fuck like a limp noodle. "

"I fuck like I'm Thor. "


   Okay. Thor and his hammer? Where are we?!  See? I can get easily distracted.. with that hammer , errrr, Warren?


    W-A-R-R-E-N.... Vaaavaaavooom! Hawrrrr !! <------Hawwwrr ( Hawt + Rawwrr!! ) I begun to compare this novella from CoHo's other books, and yes! For me, this one's the steamiest sexy time! Woohoo! You just made me super happy ( and hot&bothered uh-oh! Whoopsie!) with that one. Keep it up, Ms. Hoover! Like, up ..UP!! *naughty grin*

Overall, looooooove everything! Perfect banters. I love Warren's internal monologue! Funny, funny pranks. Omg! That hemorroid cream?! LOL! That's you way of marking ..your territory?! Waaaaaay to go Warren! *claps hands*


And the Warren-kind-of-swoons?! Super cute, just the way I expected him to be. Asshole or not, you are oh-so-adorable, Warren. *le sigh*

A round of applause for the amazing Ms. Colleen Hoover! Can't wait for more !!



               I'm giving this book :

              5 Amaaaaaazing Stars!

My Review : My Lea by E. Mellyberry

From Goodreads:

A simple girl.

A broken guy.

One horrible incident.

When Lea Amelia landed her feet in San Francisco for her overseas study, her idea of freedom was simple, like eating junk food ten times a day, sitting in front of the TV in her PJs, or going out late with her friends without the need to check in with her mother constantly.

Then she met Andrew Jaya, her brothers’ best friend. A twenty-two-year-old guy whose physical appearance looked like he was crafted straight from God’s heavenly hands, but possessed a past as bleak as if it was drawn by Evil himself. A conflicted guy who wore sadness like nobody’s business beneath his mask, a perfect-looking mask she slowly peeled away.

He was also the guy who hurt her.

Suddenly, everything about her was no longer simple.

Andrew Jaya had convinced himself that not feeling was good for him. He'd been doing it splendidly for almost his entire life. But that was before his best friend’s sister stepped into his life and ruined it. After weeks of knowing Lea, all of those warm and wonderful feelings he’d long ago denied to himself started to reappear. Problem was, the brighter the light, the bigger the shadows that came with it.

His traumatic past refused to let him go.

When the unthinkable happened, the easiest thing to do was to run. But life often proves that the easiest way is usually the hardest.

                   My Thoughts :

  ******e-ARC was provided by the author for an honest review**********


       Congratulations Ms. E. Mellyberry for your  debut New Adult  novel! I feel very proud I've met you through Goodreads and eventually , became friends! ( really, really good friends! )

       When she offered me this book for read and review, I was beyond willing and happy to do it. You might think that I'll be biased  since Melly and I were good friends?  Uhmmm, so here's the thing : I'll temporary put our friendship aside  ( Sorrrrrry M! ) and write a proper, unbiased, fair , impartial review.  Here it goes :


       Now, where do I begin ?  Okay, the writing.  I love how she wrote it. The words were free flowing ..and alive, like I'm hearing words  and not just reading it. I also love that Asian vibe, even if the setting was in  San Francisco , USA but the fact, that  very familiar "Asian-ness" were being mentioned, like, rice, rice cooker  and even the Asian-Mom-strictness?! I knooooow, I am Asian, a Filipina  and  reading  this, it feels like home. I love that feeling.

       I love the characters specially the heroine ,Lea , she has the BIGGEST heart of all! I cannot find fault in her except that she is just too good to be true! Is she a Martyr ? A Saint ? Or Both?  Our hero, Andrew, on the other hand, was something else! I know he's both troubled and "trouble'. And I can't even imagine how  could our sheltered good girl , Lea could  instantly be attracted to this "something else Andrew" ?!  Ahhh, maybe that "bad boy" vibe, Lea?  Oooh, forget that he looks so damn good !

" Ahh. My God! Her mouth stayed open, but mute, stuck between A and O vowels. It felt unnatural as the creature standing in front of her. Saying that he was handsome would be an understatement of the year...

Word emphasis: Perfect.  "  <--------Me: 'nuff said. If Andrew's standing in front of me right now ...

    So, let's just say... it all started with a "big crush", being attracted is perfectly normal. They are both single. Away from home.  And yes freedom to explore every single possibility! Next : Getting to know each other.  Andrew was all sweet , with all that flowers thing ( swoony! ) then suddenly became a different person when he, out of nowhere freaked out! Over a photo session?! ( Because "something" triggered from his "dark" memory! ) If I were Lea, I would think twice ?!  But then, Lea was not me! Lea is Lea. Period. This. Lea. *No words*


    It has been  established from the start that Andrew was in battle with his inner demons. What exactly are those? That , I waited oh-so-slowly...  oh-so painfully ! I want to know, I want to know! Many times , I was so tempted to take a peek on the later chapters ( to cheat?! Uhm, no! fnd out! ) ...or better yet, ask Ms. Melly! ..but I hold my tongue...or better yet hold my itchy fingers not to send her a message!

          Darn! There is no shortcut here but to move along....

      I enjoyed those cute, funny and sexy banters / encounters  between them.  That dinner and Lea's short , short black dress?! Priceless! I chuckled , giggled and smirked?! Really, Andrew?! Telling a girl, that she looked fat in that dress?! Waaaay to gooooo, Cassanova!!!

     
        Soooo.. it looks like there's DEFINITELY something going on between these two....I can already feel my "swoon" building up! Until..... until THAT thing happened! Wha-wha-what-the %^&@ <insert curses here!> ?!!! I was.. I was.... *no words*  I was shocked. Devastated. I ...I...don't know what to think?! All I can feel was my heartbeat racing this fast and my hands trembling! Nooooo waaaaaay!!!!!!!!!!!! No... no... no....Nooooooooooo!!!! It's doomed!!

         Ohhh how I haaaaaate Andrew after that!! How could he?! How could he ?!! Tortured, broken, troubled or what??? That was just soooo wrong!!!!!!!!!! And Lea? Lea...Lea... Lea.... always the golden girl. Tsk. Tsk.Tsk..

       Oh my freaking Melly? What came into you??? Do I really know you????  Apparently, I do not. And this even made  me loooove you even more! Keep on doing something like this, I don't mind if you give me a nervous breakdown! Haha!

      Overall, I LOVE everything. THAT ending, those two words from Andrew? Loaded. Will it be a happy ending? Or another bumpy journey  ahead? THAT ....is something I'll be looking forward to!


      To my fellow readers, if you want something  unforgettable and takes the word "angsty" into a different level , you don't need to wait that long ! Release date : November 11 th. Go grab your copy!
   

         
                 I'm giving this book :

             5  Angsty , Angsty  Stars!

My Review : Jake Undone by Penelope Ward

From Goodreads:
Nina Kennedy was alive…but not living…until she met him.

Planes, trains, heights…you name it, Nina was afraid of it and led a sheltered life ruled by irrational fears and phobias. When she moves to Brooklyn for nursing school, that life is turned upside down, as she develops an intense but unwanted attraction to her gorgeous roommate, who’s pierced, tattooed and just happens to be the smartest person she’s ever met.

Behind Jake Green’s rough exterior and devilish smile, lies a heart of gold. He makes it his mission to change Nina’s outlook on life. When he agrees to tutor her, they forge a bet and the stakes are high as Jake forces Nina to face her demons. He just wasn’t expecting to fall hard for her in the process.

What Nina doesn’t realize, is that Jake has been living his own private hell. Once he drops a bombshell, will their love survive it?
               My Thoughts:

     Meeeeeeeeee ohhhhhh Myyyyyyyyy!  What can I say?! Penelope Ward and her boys?! Perfect book boyfriends!! Me, Likey VERY..VERY MUCH!

    This is my second book from Ms. Ward and I  admit, I have  developed  some "mild addiction"  . Well, If you consider "mild" as : Me ,reading this ...then once in awhile  checking out her other books?! ( And one-clicking?! Darn! )  Yes. MILD ...still the word?! Hee hee!


    For the adoring fans of Ms. Penelope Ward, you know exactly what I mean! .... for the newbies, look at what you been missing?! This!


    Lemme, me tell you a little something about this book...  ( a little forewarning though,   "mild"  fangirling ahead. Hah! )



    Blink. Blink. <----That's a  normal  eye , blinking .   My eyes  after I met  Jake Green?  Bliiiiink . Bliiiiiink.. Oh-so-slooowly. Hellooooooooooo....Flirty eyes! Yes! One of the many body reactions I had for Jake Green!

Who is Jake Green?  Well...

GORGEOUS....

PIERCED...

TATTOOED.... and..... Take note :

the SMARTEST person!!!! ( as per Nina's statement and mine too!!! )  <------- Where on earth can you find ALL that attributes in one guy?!

Oh! ...and it never stops there ! Here's more  reason to love Jake:

"Behind Jake Green’s rough exterior and devilish smile, lies a heart of gold. He makes it his mission to change Nina’s outlook on life. When he agrees to tutor her, they forge a bet and the stakes are high as Jake forces Nina to face her demons.."

   So... same question still stands : Where on earth can we find a guy like that???? The answer is , NOWHERE but inside a Penelope Ward book! I just love the characters she created. You know they are not real ( which is a bummer! )  but still , deep inside , you want them to exist. ( like, really ..really exist!!! )

   The moment I opened this book, I dived inside the story right away.  I felt Nina's fears ....and  felt Jake like she did. My! The attraction was just BOOOM! There was really  that SOMETHING  about Jake's presence that will either  make you :  catch your breath...or not breathe at all!  Oh, there's even a  word for that, it's called FANGIRLING, ladies, fangirling!

  ....And I loooove how  Ms . Ward   wrote that SOMETHING !  (Take note: How Jake ate his banana! )

"He continued to devour the entire batch until the plate is bone dry....He ran his finger repeatedly across the plate licking the last remnants, which cause my insides to tingle.
     I suddenly wished I were wearing the plate. "

   Now, you see, how a lowly banana  can make   Nina  wished  she was wearing that particular plate???   ( And me wishing, I'm the banana?! Whoopsie! ) Oooooh my! Trouble. Trouble. He looks like trouble...and Nina  doesn't need any of that when she has her own  troubles to deal with.  But can she really stay away when Jake was practically her room mate? Moreover, when all the circumstances leads her to him? Oh, there's also a word for that : DESTINY. Destiny! *dreamy  sigh*

     I love the creative ways Jake did to help Nina deal with her phobias. It was the swooniest too! That stuck-inside-the- elevator scene?  , add up that playlist? Awwwwwwww-worthy!  Those bat Origamis too ? Me. Melt -melt!

     So, the chemistry between these two were  LOUD and CLEAR.   Then why oh why?!  NO ONE's making the first move????

"My heart hasn't beat the same since I laid eyes on you, Nina. Ever since that day, my entire life has been about doing everything in my power not to want you like this..because I don't want to drag you into my fucked up life."

Arrgh! See?? This is when the "Penelope Ward signature angst" takes over!!! .....and it's torturous!! But I . LOVE. IT!( Strange-strange! )

      Yes, Torturous. Like, waiting helplessly  for that "something" to happen ?  I keep telling myself that I can handle this..I can handle this.... then .... the moment of truth! All I could utter are these words, 'This. Is. Bad... This is just... just .. just...not happening!!
 

   

    The feels! The feels! There's no stopping now! It was a roller coaster ride of emotions.  I have no choice but to hold unto my dear heart and hope that I can go through this up to the last page.

    The string of events were perfectly placed and presented.  That ending? I could not ask for more.
     I  sighed , cried, smiled... such a beautiful, amazing story !  Sending my full applause to the wonderful Ms. Penelope Ward!

 
                      My Rating:

      5 LA-LA-LA-LOOOOVE STARS!!!!