Review Wednesday: She Regrets Nothing by Andrea Dunlop

Title: She Regrets Nothing
Author: Andrea Dunlop

1st Date of Publication: February 6, 2018

ISBN: 9781501155987
# of Pages: 374

Genre: Adult Contemporary

Age Rating: 17+ (Language and Some Sexual Content)

Buy on Amazon

Book Description:
In the tradition of The Emperor’s Children and The House of Mirth, the forgotten granddaughter of one of New York’s wealthiest men is reunited with her family just as she comes of age—and once she’s had a glimpse of their glittering world, she refuses to let it go without a fight.

When Laila Lawrence becomes an orphan at twenty-three, the sudden loss unexpectedly introduces her to three glamorous cousins from New York who show up unannounced at her mother’s funeral. The three siblings are scions of the wealthy family from which Laila’s father had been estranged long before his own untimely demise ten years before.

Two years later, Laila has left behind her quiet life in Grosse Point, Michigan to move to New York City, landing her smack in the middle of her cousins’ decadent world. As the truth about why Laila’s parents became estranged from the family patriarch becomes clear, Laila grows ever more resolved to claim what’s rightfully hers. Caught between longing for the love of her family and her relentless pursuit of the lifestyle she feels she was unfairly denied, Laila finds herself reawakening a long dead family scandal—not to mention setting off several new ones—as she becomes further enmeshed in the lives and love affairs of her cousins. But will Laila ever, truly, belong in their world?

Setting: New York City, NY
Point of View: 3rd Person - Laila Lawrence

Goodreads Rating: 3.27

My Rating: 2.75

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: It looks like a city. It could easily be New York City, which is a typical city that authors write about.
View on Title: Who is she? What does she do that she doesn't regret? Is it something people normally would regret?

Pros:

• When I was reading the description of this novel, it seemed really interesting. Who wouldn't want to read a novel about a small-town girl who had a family that was powerful and popular in the big city? It had a pauper to prince kind of feel to it as the main character, Laila has never known the lavish New York City life that her cousins live.
• I gave this review a 2.75 because I did manage to finish it, but it required me to map out and be intentional in making sure I finish it. Some books I am unable to do so, but I managed with this one.

Cons:

• I felt like this novel fell short of what it could have been. I really struggled to finish this novel, but I persevered so that I can give you an honest review.
• The drama in the novel seemed super superficial, and you can see the dark path that Laila goes down just by being associated with her extended family. I feel like that was a realistic depiction of what fame and money can do to someone.
• Since I have been to New York City, I know there is so much you can do there, but the lack of setting made it difficult to focus since it made the novel seem so bland. I've read similar novels that were far more entertaining and better written than She Regrets Nothing.

Critics' Reviews:

"Dunlop’s smart and suspenseful debut follows the lead of Katie Crouch’s Abroad (2014) and Jennifer duBois’ Cartwheel (2013), but delves more deeply into the repercussions beyond a shocking incident during a year abroad. Dunlop richly evokes the heady emotions of friendship, lust, and betrayal." —Booklist
"Readers who follow New York trends will enjoy the stories of fashion, clubs, and restaurants Dunlop builds to a gripping climax while delving into questions of family, loyalty, lust, wealth, power, and betrayal." —Library Journal
"A sharp, glittering story of wealth, family, and fate and one’s woman search to find her place in it all." —Buzzfeed

Andrea Dunlop's Website:

https://www.andreadunlop.net/

 

Other Recommendations:
Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll
Whisper Network by Chandler Baker

New Release Review: The Betrothed by Kiera Cass

Title: The Betrothed (The Betrothed #1)

Author: Kiera Cass
1st Date of Publication: May 5, 2020

ISBN: 9780062291639
# of Pages: 320

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Society

Age Rating: 13

Buy it on Amazon

Book Description:
When King Jameson declares his love for Lady Hollis Brite, Hollis is shocked—and thrilled. After all, she’s grown up at Keresken Castle, vying for the king’s attention alongside other daughters of the nobility. Capturing his heart is a dream come true.

But Hollis soon realizes that falling in love with a king and being crowned queen may not be the happily ever after she thought it would be. And when she meets a commoner with the mysterious power to see right into her heart, she finds that the future she really wants is one that she never thought to imagine.

Setting: Kingdom of Coroa (Fictional)
Point of View: 1st person- Lady Hollis Brite

Goodreads Rating: 3.06

My Rating: 4.00

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: The cover is absolutely gorgeous. The young woman is breathtakingly beautiful and seems pretty ladylike.
View on Title: I wonder who is betrothed to the king and what that looks like.

Pros:

• This book hasn't been getting the greatest reviews because people are either not reading the story and saying it's basically The Selection or they are comparing it to The Selection. The Betrothed is an entirely different book in its own right and needs to be judged as such. It is meant to be a tale of what it is like to grow up as a noble in a kingdom rather than a rags-to-riches tale like The Selection.
• The Betrothed is to be a little more suited for an audience slightly younger than The Selection. Personally, I think there is less teenage girl drama than The Selection because Hollis keeps a close circle and she really isn't competing with anyone.
• I like how this is a story about a young lady who is careful and just happens to accidentally catch the attention of the newly crowned King Jameson who has been trying to find a wife to become the new queen.
• I think a lot of young teenagers can relate to Hollis as she just wants to have a good time. She's witty and a great conversationalist, which she uses to her advantage.
• There was a twist in the story I wasn't expecting, but it added some depth to the story.
• I found it interesting how this novel touched on how politics happen between two different countries, especially ones that are somewhat at odds with each other.
• This story is great if you're looking for a short and fun read. I felt like I breezed through this tale.
• I am someone who doesn't like love triangles. This technically contains a love triangle but it didn't feel like it was really one. I think there was a clear indication and not much confusion for Hollis to choose between the two men.

Cons:

• There is not very much character development in most of the supporting characters, except for Delia Grace and Valentina, and you can't really relate or truly like the male characters, such as Jameson and Silas. I think this intentional for Hollis' journey because this is about Hollis learning about who she is and who she wants to be.
• Hollis' character seems fairly flat until you get to the last third to quarter of the book. It really started getting more interesting then and you can really see Hollis grow and have real conviction.

Critics' Reviews:

“Fans of The Selection series will anxiously await the second installment of this duology to learn Hollis’s fate." —School Library Journal
"A headstrong heroine whom Cass’s loyal following will champion." —Publishers Weekly

Kiera Cass's Website:

http://www.kieracass.com/

Other Recommendations:

The Selection by Kiera Cass
Eve by Anna Carey
The Jewel by Amy Ewing

New Release Review: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games #0)
Author: Suzanne Collins

1st Date of Publication: May 19, 2020

ISBN: 9781338635171
# of Pages: 517

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Society

Age Rating: 15

Buy on Amazon

Book Description:
It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the 10th annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to out charm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He's been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined - every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute... and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.

Setting: Panem (United States in the future)
Point of View: 3rd person- Coriolanus Snow

Goodreads Rating: 3.98

My Rating: 4.00

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: Birds are very symbolic in The Hunger Games trilogy. Snakes are also very symbolic in literature as being deceptive while birds represent freedom so I was excited to see what that would represent.
View on Title: It's honestly a mouthful and can be difficult to remember when you first see it. It actually took me several times of looking at the title on different occasions when I was telling friends after it was first announced. That doesn't mean I don't love the title. I think it's pretty clever once you read the book.

Pros:

• I didn't know exactly what to expect when it comes to this book, but overall I really enjoyed it. It wasn't as good as The Hunger Games trilogy but it was definitely worth the 10-year wait. It is and should be read as its own book rather than as part of The Hunger Games series.
• I loved the angle that Collins took for The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. You only see President Snow as this heartless and cold leader in The Hunger Games trilogy, but Collins did an excellent job in really humanizing President Snow as an 18-year old student who goes by Coriolanus. You can see his personal struggles outside of the Hunger Games, which makes you want to continue reading and get the answer as to why he became such a heartless and cold antagonist that you see him be in the trilogy.
• When I first read the synopsis, I was really interested to see how Snow was a mentor to tributes when he was born as a Capitol citizen. It makes sense that since it's only the 10th Hunger Games that it still is in the experimental phase. It's interesting to see how the Hunger Games morphed into what they are in the trilogy and how Coriolanus Snow had a hand in a lot of it pretty early on. You can clearly see the struggle of young minds (not just Coriolanus) wrestling with and trying to figure out what is deserved versus being cruel.
• The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes also doesn't disappoint in all the symbolism and irony through the use of Greek mythology, especially when it comes to the characters.
• If you read The Hunger Games series, so many of the questions you have revolving around President Snow, Katniss, and their connection make so much more sense in this novel.
• Whether you read The Hunger Games series or not you will not be missing out because you don't know you're missing it. If you do read both the prequel and the trilogy you, you really gain more of an appreciation for Suzanne Collins's writing.
• You really see how the Hunger Games become what it is from the experimental phase, why it is called the Hunger Games, and why the Capitol sees it as necessary.

Cons:

• If you're looking for more fun read, then you should be cautious toward this book. It is much darker than The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. It seems to be more on the dark level of Mockingjay.
• This one is more of neutral point...This novel also opens the door to more questions that can be answered in another novel, such as Tigris and Snow's fall out. If I was Collins, I would definitely write a prequel with Haymitch and incorporate the fall out there for reasons I can't explain without spoiling the pieces of The Hunger Games trilogy.

Critics' Reviews:

"It’s been a decade since Mockingjay, the final book in the Hunger Games trilogy, was published and fans are going to be thrilled with Suzanne Collins’ unexpected prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. This novel has been under serious lockdown, so all that can be said until May 19 is that it begins on the day of the reaping for the tenth annual Hunger Games, and an eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is mentoring the underdog tribute from District 12. Prepare to read this in book one sitting because you won’t be able to put it down." —Amazon Book Reviewer

Suzanne Collins's Website:

http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

 

Other Recommendations:
Divergent by Veronica Roth
The Maze Runner by James Asher
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Life Update (Summer 2017-Spring 2020)

Yes, you saw that right. It has been about 3 years since I have posted an update. I had to step away for a multitude of reasons and had a lot of healing in order to be where I am today. Life has been such a roller coaster and I was on a downslope for a really long time. Now I am at the point of an uphill, despite it being quarantine.

Home
The last time I updated you all. I didn't actually have an actual home yet, which was tough and I almost went back home in Scranton, PA. Thankfully, I preserved and really have made a life here in the Pacific Northwest. I lived in Federal Way, WA, for a year and a half where I dealt with a lot of hardship with an abusive narcissistic boyfriend. I managed to get out of that situation a little over a year ago and have been on the road to healing a few months before that.
Now I live close to the water in Tacoma with my two cats that have completely opposite personalities. My tortoiseshell tabby, Calypso, is more like a dog and responds when called. Arlo, my long-haired cat, is very much like a cat in that he is completely antisocial with pretty much everyone. He just started being friendly with me, but I only think that's because I am the one feeding him. I should also be getting a gecko very soon, too, so I am really excited to add to my little family of animals.

Work
My last update told you that I was working as a travel bank teller/member service member but that ended up not panning out. That's okay though because I got a job as a technical writer/instructional designer which is so much fun. I am always learning so many new things by working with all kinds of companies. I still work for the same company and I work from home so it's nice to be able to travel to visit family and other places.

Traveling
Unfortunately, the last two years have not had a ton of traveling but I did do a small trip to Portland, OR, soon after moving to the  Pacific Northwest and a couple trips last summer (2019). The church I have been attending since moving here had a mission trip to Liberia, which I joined. That was such an experience and I am glad that I went on it. I've always wanted to do a mission trip and felt like this was an excellent first mission trip. I also got to take my brother and sister on a trip to the beach when I went to visit my family. That was a really fun trip that felt rejuvenating.
Fortunately this year despite the Coronavirus, I have a few trips planned. In August, I am heading to Hawaii for a week, which has been on the top of my list of places to visit. That would mark state #26 out of 50!
I am currently planning a trip to France just to dip my toes to see what it may be like if I end up doing a Europe tour later on.

Reading and Writing

I haven't been reading and writing as I wanted to over the past 3 years since I have been doing so much, but I have done some of both. I have been staying very up-to-date on my favorite authors and have been reading all of their newest books. I have even gotten to meet Veronica Roth who wrote the Divergent series, which I partially wrote about in my senior thesis. I thought that was pretty cool that I was able to meet her. I almost got to see Veronica Roth again in April and was hoping to see Suzanne Collins near the around same time, too, but Coronavirus changed that. I am also looking forward to more authors to come visit the Seattle-Tacoma area in the future.

Other Fun Stuff
Even though I lacked traveling in the last year, I marked something off my bucket list, which is scuba diving. That was such an experience and I am so excited that I live in an area where I can do that. Because of Coronavirus, not many people are out and about diving so I haven't been doing it as often as I like.

I also got another tattoo to add to my tattoo collection in memory of a close childhood friend who I lost a little over 2 years ago.
During the quarantine on nice days, you'll find me hammocking at the park with a book and a
blanket enjoying the sun!

Finally, I really did some book housekeeping activities, which include painting my bookshelf to match, stamping my books with a personalized stamper, adding plastic protective covers on my beloved hardcovers, and creating a personal library so that I can help friends find recommendations.

Review Wednesday: Wallbanger by Alice Clayton

*This is a book meant for adults due to some inappropriate content for people younger than 18.*


Title: Wallbanger (Cocktail #1)
Author: Alice Clayton
1st Date of Publication: November 12, 2012
ISBN: 9781623420024
# of Pages: 384
Genre: New Adult, Adult Romance
Age Rating: 17+ (Language, Violence, Sexual content)

Buy it on Amazon

Book Description: 
The first night after Caroline moves into her fantastic new San Francisco apartment, she realizes she's gaining an intimate knowledge of her new neighbor's nocturnal adventures. Thanks to paper-thin walls and the guy's athletic prowess, she can hear not just his bed banging against the wall but the ecstatic response of what seems (as loud night after loud night goes by) like an endless parade of women. And since Caroline is currently on a self-imposed dating hiatus, and her neighbor is clearly lethally attractive to women, she finds her fantasies keep her awake even longer than the noise. So when the wallbanging threatens to literally bounce her out of bed, Caroline, clad in sexual frustration and a pink baby-doll nightie, confronts Simon Parker, her heard-but-never-seen neighbor. The tension between them is as thick as the walls are thin, and the results just as mixed. Suddenly, Caroline is finding she may have discovered a whole new definition of neighborly...

In a delicious mix of silly and steamy, Alice Clayton dishes out a hot and hilarious tale of exasperation at first sight...

Setting: San Fransisco, California in the 21st century
Point of View: 1st Person- Caroline Reynolds 

Goodreads Rating: 4.10

My Rating: 4.25


Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both title and cover
View on the Cover: It seems very scandalous. It seems to matcj the title very 
View on the Title: I know that there is an alcoholic drink called a wallbanger, but maybe it is a play on words with the sex.

Pros:

• The main characters are pretty interesting together. They complement each other.
• Caroline Reynolds is a hardworking interior desinger who is great at her job. She loves to bake in her free time while she listens to her neighbor's good-tasted music. She has had a lot of bad luck with seual partners that she decided to go on an indefinite sexual hiatus.
• Simon Parker is Caroline Reynold's neighbor and he isn't the typical neighbor. He has a very different seual life than the average man, but he hasa good taste in musc and an excellent photographer who gets to travel the world. He has a past that causes him to live this certain lifestyle.
• Together Caroline and Simon are hilarious as they try to play matchmaker with their friends. The entire encounter is exciting and captivating.
• This novel is extremely funny alomst as much as it is sexy. It continues to make you laugh. From the baking jokes to the harem jokes, this novel will make you laugh so hard.

Cons:

• The only thing I wish is that there was more depth to Simon and the other supporting characters. But, this is a series so there should be more characterization.

Critics' Reviews:

"Pure escapism...with a funny cast, snappy dialogue, and plenty of hot and sexy scenes.... Readers of Rachel Gibson and Helen Fielding will enjoy Clayton" -Booklist

Alice Clayton's Website:
http://aliceclayton.com/

Other Recommendations:

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
Perfect Chemistry by Simon Elkeles
Easy by Tammara Webber

Review Wednesday: Reign of Shadows by Sophie Jordan

Title: Reign of Shadows (Reign of Shadows #1)

Author: Sophie Jordan
1st Date of Publication: February 9, 2016

ISBN: 9780062377647
# of Pages: 304

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Society

Age Rating: 13+

Buy on Amazon

Book Description:
Seventeen years ago, an eclipse cloaked the kingdom of Relhok in perpetual darkness. In the chaos, an evil chancellor murdered the king and queen and seized their throne. Luna, Relhok’s lost princess, has been hiding in a tower ever since. Luna’s survival depends on the world believing she is dead.

But that doesn’t stop Luna from wanting more. When she meets Fowler, a mysterious archer braving the woods outside her tower, Luna is drawn to him despite the risk. When the tower is attacked, Luna and Fowler escape together. But this world of darkness is more treacherous than Luna ever realized.

With every threat stacked against them, Luna and Fowler find solace in each other. But with secrets still unspoken between them, falling in love might be their most dangerous journey yet.


Setting: Relhok in the future
Point of View: 1st person- Luna

Goodreads Rating: 3.66

My Rating: 3.0

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: Everything is dark and looking dead or at least dying.
View on Title: How are the shadows ruling over the land and people?

Pros:

• The main characters are a very interesting mix. The characters are complete opposites, but the novel makes you continue to question if that's really the case.
• Luna has a sense of duty to protect those she loves and will even do anything that will hurt her. She sees the best in others.
• Fowler is very closed off and refuses to let others see his weaknesses. He has a hidden past but realizes that he needs to hide his past more and more as he finds out Luna's past.
• The idea of Luna being blind is really interesting take on the book. Since she lacks in sight, her other senses are heightened, which is also a proven scientific fact.

Cons:

• There was a lack of characterization, which made the book seem a little slow.
• There was also a lack of depth in the storyline so it wasn't as exciting as it could have been.

Critics' Reviews:
“Effortless fantasy with high romance, REIGN OF SHADOWS keeps you intrigued until the final sentence.” -RT Book Reviews
“Star-crossed romance smolders.” -Kirkus Reviews

Sophie Jordan's Website:

https://www.sophiejordan.net/

Other Recommendations:

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah Maas

Review Wednesday: Beautiful Sacrifice by Jamie McGuire

*This is a book meant for adults due to some inappropriate content for people younger than 18.*


Title: Beautiful Sacrifice (Maddox Brother #3)
Author: Jamie McGuire
1st Date of Publication: May 31, 2015
ISBN: 9781511847506
# of Pages: 270
Genre: New Adult, Adult Romance
Age Rating: 17+ (Language, Violence, Sexual content)

Buy it on Amazon

Book Description: 
Falyn Fairchild can walk away from anything. Having already left her car, her education, and even her parents, the daughter of the next governor of Colorado is back in her hometown, broke and waiting tables for the Bucksaw Café. After every shift, Falyn adds to her shoebox of cash, hoping to one day save enough to buy her a plane ticket to the only place she can find forgiveness: Eakins, Illinois.

The moment Taylor Maddox is seated in Falyn’s section at the Bucksaw, she knows he’s trouble. Taylor is charming, breaks promises, and gorgeous even when covered in filth—making him everything Falyn believes a hotshot firefighter to be. Falyn isn’t interested in becoming another statistic, and for a Maddox boy, a disinterested girl is the ultimate challenge.

Once Falyn learns where Taylor calls home, everything changes. In the end, Maddox persistence is met with Falyn’s talent for leaving, and for the first time, Taylor may be the one to get burned.

Setting: Colorado Springs, Colorado and Eakins, Illinois in the 21st century
Point of View: 1st Person- Falyn Fairchild

Goodreads Rating: 4.08

My Rating: 4.35


Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both title and cover
View on the Cover: Why is the woman's hair on fire? Is she giving up her life?
View on the Title: Can a sacrifice really be beautiful when it's going to cause pain and suffering? What kind of suffering and sacrifice can be beautiful?

Pros:

• The main characters are a really interesting mix.
• Don't let Falyn Fairchild fool you. She is not very nice to men interested in her, but she is really great as a waitress. She is sweet, caring, and extremely hard working to the point where she refuses to take any short cuts for her personal mission, which is to go to Eakins, Illinois.
• Taylor Maddox is the perfect package. He's very attractive, successful, and a hotshot firefighter, or someone who fights extremely dangerous wildfires. He has his eyes set on Falyn and he is relentless in becoming closer to her. It's really endearing to read.
• This book really gets at your heartstrings. Falyn's past has more heartbreak in it than the other Maddox boys' women. Falyn's past truly speaks to why her current circumstances are so drastic from what they could be.
• The mystery compels you to read more. Why does she live a life of "rags" when she grew up in "riches?" Why does she hate her parents so much? Why is she cold toward men who are attracted to her? Why is she dead set on going to Eakins, Illinois?
• The secondary characters really add to the story. They provide a lot of depth to Falyn's character as she sometimes holds back information that is vital to know how the story will unfold.

Cons:

• It seemed like there lacked some depth in Taylor's character. If you don't love Maddox boys, then this series will seem slightly repetitive when it comes to the Maddox men.

Jamie McGuire's Website:

http://www.jamiemcguire.com/

Other Recommendations:

Beautiful Oblivion by Jamie McGuire
Perfect Chemistry by Simon Elkeles
Easy by Tammara Webber