Book Review : Aflame (Fall Away #4) by Penelope Douglas

Aflame
Fall Away #4
Penelope Douglas
New Adult; Contemporary Romance
Ebook
21st April 2015 by Penguin 

Goodreads Ratings : 4.4/5
My Rating : 5/5

From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Bully, Until You, Rival, and Falling Away comes the sizzling conclusion to the Fall Away series. 

The tables have turned. Now I have the power—and it’s his turn to beg…

Everyone wants to be me.

Maybe it’s the sway of my skirt or the way I flip my hair, but I don’t care. Even though their attention is the last thing I crave, I just can’t stop. I dominate the track, the speed rattles my bones, and the wind and the crowd screams my name.

I’m her. The girl driver. The queen of the race. And I’m surviving—something he thought I’d never do.

They all still talk about him. Did you see Jared Trent on T.V? What did you think of his last race, Tate? When is he coming back to town, Tate?

But I refuse to care too much. Because when Jared does come home, I won’t be here.

Tatum Brandt is gone. I’m someone new.

From Goodreads

Aflame is the last book in the Fall Away series.

Last book = Absolute ending

Last book = No more Jared, Tate, Madox, Fallon, Jax and Juliet

Last book = I have to let go of the series

I AM NOT READY FOR THIS !

/cries

Fall Away has been one of my favourite new adult series ever. Having to let go of this series got my heart breaking. I didn’t know this was the last book until I reach the Epilogue and everything just clicked. That’s when the feels hit me right in the core.

But on the bright side, Penelope wrote the most perfect ending for this series. Everything is so perfect it got me grinning so wide. I couldn’t ask for more. I’m happy with how it ends. I’m happy for Jared and the gang because they deserve that. They deserve all the happiness in the world.

This is embarrassing to admit but I love angst. Angsty stories will always have a place in my heart. I love to feel the pain, the heartbreak, and all the feels the characters are going through. I want it to hurt. I don’t know why but it feels good. It feels like I am breaking it too. And Aflame has the perfect amount of angst. There are a few scenes in this book that scream angst and they got me clutching my heart because they are all brilliantly written. Kudos to you, Mrs Douglas.

I went all AWWWWWWW when Jared, Madox and Jax surround their younger little sister Quinn. I want to see it in my own eyes so bad. Why do they have to be fictional /sigh.

Maybe this series doesn’t have to end yet. Maybe there’s going to be a novella on Quinn and her insanely protective, awesome and hot brothers. How about that, Penelope ? /wriggling eyebrows/

“I’m never letting you go again, Tate,” I whispered, almost desperate. “I’m your friend forever, and if that’s all I get, then that’s what I’m taking, because only when you’re here”—I took her hand and placed it on my heart—“do I feel like my life is worth a damn.” 

― Penelope Douglas, Aflame

Book Review : Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Fangirl
Rainbow Rowell
Young Adult Contemporary
Paperback, 433 pages
10th September 2013 by St. Martin's Griffin

Goodreads Ratings : 4.20/5
My Rating : 4.5/5

Cath is a Simon Snow fan. Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan, but for Cath, being a fan is her life—and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.
Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

From Goodreads

I just finished reading this book like an hour ago and now I’m staring blankly at my laptop screen for almost 10 minutes now, not knowing where and how to start.

/takes a deep breath/

Okay, first thing first, if you said you’re not in love with the cover art, youre lying to urself. THE COVER ART IS SUPER CUTE AND BRILLIANT AND IT HAS THE PERFECT  COLOUR SCHEME AND THE AWESOMEST FONTS. I just have to give a credit and one huge shiny star to the cover art.

/takes another huge breath/

I’m having a hard time doing this review actually because EVERYONE loves Fangirl. Like literally every single person that has read this book. Don’t get me wrong. I like Fangirl. Adores it even. But I wouldn’t go as far as giving this book 5 huge shiny stars. There are a few flaws that disturbs me but overall, Fangirl is brilliant.

Fangirl tells the story of a twin sisters (Cath and Wren, but mostly Cath) who are in their freshman year of college. New friends, new environment etc. This is somewhat relatable to me which it kinda reminds me of my first time in college. Truth be told, I had a hard time liking Cath in the first place. Her anxiety irritated me. I understand what it feels like to have a new environment to settle in, being homesick and all that (I even say ‘I don’t belong here’ in my head on a daily basis during the first 2 weeks of college. It was like a mantra of some sort lol) but she’s just too much. She doesn’t socialize. She eats protein bars instead of proper meals everyday simply because she’s too shy to ask where the cafeteria is. WHO DOES THAT ?! But as the story unfold, Cath grew on me. I like her even. So that’s not a problem anymore.

Another reason why I cant give this book a 5 star rating is because of the relationship between Cath and her mother.  It doesn’t end right. I want to know whether Cath will ever forgive her mother and stuffs but it just ends that way and im not satisfied.

I think the best part of this whole book is how there are a lot of conversations going on rather than paragraphs and paragraphs of descriptions. I have to admit here, books with excessive description lines bore me. Oh and another best part is the romance.

OH MY GOD THE ROMANCE GOT ME LIKE

 ALL. THE. FREAKING. TIME.

LEVI IS WONDERFUL. HE’S ALL SMILES AND RAINBOWS AND SUNSHINES AND BUTTERFLIES AND ALL THE SUGARY SPICE. I CAN TALK ABOUT LEVI ALL DAY. HE’S THAT GOOD.

And and and I like it so much when Levi calls Cath ‘sweetheart’. It’s like I could imagine/hear how sweet and soft his voice would be when the word rolls out of his mouth. (it’s like I’m the one he called sweetheart lol ok no)

Just read this

“Levi was all smiles and fond glances. “Sweetheart, get the door. I’ve got this.”

Cath pressed her fingertips into her temples. “Did you just call me ‘sweetheart’?”

He grinned. “It just came out. It felt good.”

And this

'Levi moved his arms around her waist until he was holding her properly. Then he pushed his mouth into her hair. "Read to me, sweetheart."'

And this

“Levi smiled gently and shrugged. “I’m not angry, sweetheart.”

EEEEEEEEEPPPPP !!!!

/faints/

Cath writes fanfiction on Simon Snow. Basically a yaoi between Simon and Baz. Which is a bonus for me because I love fanfics. I read a FREAKING LOT of EXO and 1D fanfics. Fanfics are awesome. Fanfics are life. End of story.

Overall, Fangirl is one awesome book. How Rainbow Rowell managed to write 3 stories in one book (the actual Cath story, the original Simon Snow and Carry On, Simon) totally amazes me. She’s just that good a writer.

Would I recommend it ?

Totally ! If youre looking for a light read yet you still want to be attacked with feels and tingles and squeals, Fangirl is a perfect book for you.

 “Happily ever after, or even just together ever after, is not cheesy,” Wren said. “It’s the noblest, like, the most courageous thing two people can shoot for.” 

― Rainbow Rowell, Fangirl

p.s. i had a hard time choosing which quotes to put down here. They are all so good !

Book Review : The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

The Girl on the Train
Paula Hawkins
Thriller
Paperback, 319 pages
15th January 2015 by Doubleday

Goodreads Ratings : 3.92/5
My Rating : 3/5

'Gripping, enthralling - a top-notch thriller and a compulsive read' S J WATSON, bestselling author of Before I Go To Sleep

Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She’s even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. ‘Jess and Jason’, she calls them. Their life – as she sees it – is perfect. If only Rachel could be that happy.

And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough.

Now everything’s changed. Now Rachel has a chance to become a part of the lives she’s only watched from afar.

Now they’ll see; she’s much more than just the girl on the train… 

From Goodreads

I can see why people are comparing this to Gone Girl. Its got the same basic storyline—the whole issue of a problematic woman went missing, the husband was suspected etc. But it ends at that. The rest is different. The main reason I pick this up actually is because of the hype its been getting, the whole is-this-the-next-Gone-Girl considering they have the same genre, psychological thriller. Gone Girl is amazing and the plot twist just got me right in the head. Which, I was expecting the same to happen with The Girl on the Train. Unfortunately, not so much.

I have to admit that I’m not an expert on this genre. However, I’ve read a lot of Sidney Sheldon’s books to appreciate thrillers and mindfucked plot twists.

This book is narrated in the first person POV which alternates between 3 characters namely Rachel, Megan and Anna with Rachel being the biggest part of the story. All 3 women are related in some ways.  Each person has a story to tell, and has secrets to be kept hidden. It all revolves between the lives of 5 people; Rachel, Anna, Megan, Tom (Rach’s ex husband, Anna’s current husband) and Scott (Megan’s husband).

I hate all the characters. There, I’ve said it. I truly hate all the characters in this book. This is a book where you just cant trust anybody. And that’s how I felt about everyone in this book. Nobody can be trusted. Nobody has the purest heart. Nobody is kind enough to at least be respected. Everyone is just, so…. suspicious ??? To make it worse, Rachel and Megan’s behaviors are both so irritating that there were times where I just want to close this book and be done with it.

The Girl on the Train is said to be full of suspense, dark and mysterious. Amazingly enough, the book did give me some creeps, but I am a scaredy-cat by nature so that doesn’t really count lol. It’s not entirely full of suspense though as the whole book is quite slow-paced. There are some surprising and thrilling scenes, but most of the time it is too slow that I had to force myself to finish it. It is, however, very depressing. Right from the start till the end.  It was all so dark, brooding and tiring.

Thrillers are famous for their plot twist and mindfucked ending. As for this book, the ending is surprising, you can almost say “I didn’t see that coming”. The way everything was revealed  though, didn’t satisfy me enough. A ‘scene’ happened along the way—which I have to say, if it were made movie, this ‘scene’ is gonna be thrilling. I can almost imagine it in my head.

The book over all for me, isn’t ‘’un-put-down-able” as some would say. But its okay enough. The ride isn’t entirely enjoyable, but I survived.

Would I recommend it ?

If youre into thrillers and fucked-up characters then this might be it for you.

“Who's to say that once I run, I'll find that isn't enough? Who's to say I won't end up feeling exactly the way I do right now-not safe, but stifled? Maybe I'll want to run again, and again, and eventually I'll end up back on those old tracks, because there's nowhere left to go. Maybe. Maybe not. You have to take the risk, don't you” 

― Megan Hipwell, The Girl on the Train

Book Review : Beautiful Secret (Beautiful Bastard #4) by Christina Lauren

Beautiful Secret
Beautiful Bastard #4
Christina Lauren
Ebook, 400 pages
14th April 2015 by Gallery Books

Goodreads Ratings : 4.33/5
My Rating : 3.5/5

AN UPTIGHT BRITISH EXECUTIVE. AN ADVENTUROUS AMERICAN NEWBIE. A SEXY INTERNATIONAL SCANDAL IN THE MAKING.

New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author Christina Lauren’s Beautiful and Wild Seasons series hook up in Beautiful Secret for an erotic intercontinental romp that celebrates the best of both worlds!

When Ruby Miller’s boss announces he’s sending her on an extended business trip to New York City, she’s shocked. As one of the best and brightest young engineers in London, she knows she’s professionally up to the task. The part that’s throwing her is where she’ll be spending a month up close and personal working alongside—and staying in a hotel with—Niall Stella, her firm’s top urban planning executive and The Hottest Man Alive. Despite her ongoing crush, Ruby is certain Niall barely knows she’s alive…until their flirty overnight flight makes him sit up and take notice.

Not one for letting loose and breaking rules, recently divorced Niall would describe himself as hopeless when it comes to women. But even he knows outgoing California-girl Ruby is a breath of fresh air. Once she makes it her mission to help the sexy Brit loosen his tie, there’s no turning back. Thousands of miles from London, it’s easy for the lovers to play pretend. But when the trip is over, will the relationship they’ve built up fall down?

From Goodreads

So, Beautiful Secret.

Niall Stella and Ruby Millers.

The anticipation was real ok. 

When i was first introduced to Niall in Beautiful Beloved, i was ecstatic ! Like I just knew, hes going to be as amazing as Bennet, Max and Will. And he is !

But i have to be honest tho. This isnt the best from Christina Lauren and im slightly disappointed because i love their books so much. Theres a lot of things in this book that got me went all, 'eh ????' This book is just so different from the rest of the series i have to say. One being that Niall is a closed-off, reserved kind of guy -- so different from the whole Bennett, Max and Will attitude. The other is Ruby. 

I dont like Ruby as much as i love Hanna, Sara and Chloe. I lost my respect to her since the beginning of the book. There's sth about her -- that i cant put into words -- that annoys me. Yeah, shes intelligent and funny and whatever but shes just so..... gosh ive been trying so hard for 2 days to find a suitable word to describe Ruby but i just couldnt find it. I'm sorry but i guess i give up. /sigh/ 

One of the reason why im giving this a low rating compared to their other books is that, I couldnt imagine the whole plot in my head. Like when I was reading the other Beautiful series, i could see where they are all headed. I can even imagine myself on those situations. But with Beautiful Secret ? I just cant. I cant imagine the big picture in my head. I dont even know whats wrong with me. (I'm blaming this on me because everyone else seems to love it but me) ((Theres this one Christina Lauren fan -- the Debookroom owner, to be specific -- she doesnt like Ruby either, so im not the only one with the problem here))

Its sad actually to give this book a rating of 3 (believe me its tough because it's christina lauren we're talking about here) but since i don't fully enjoy it as much as i hoped it would be, I think its well deserved.

p.s. I JUST COULDNT WAIT FOR DARK WILD NIGHT !!! LOLA AND OLIVER ??? IM ALL SET !

Book Review : Crushed (Redemption #2) by Lauren Layne

Crushed
Redemption #2
Lauren Layne
Ebook, 240 pages
14th April 2015 by Flirt

Goodreads Ratings : 4.3/5
My Rating : 4/5

Lauren Layne’s latest novel about the healing power of redemption tells the story of a crush gone wickedly wrong, proving that what you want isn’t always what you need.
 
Growing up in New York, Michael St. Claire never expected to spend his twenties wearing cowboy boots. But that was before he learned about his real father, a total stranger with a family in Cedar Grove, Texas. Once in the Lone Star State, Michael meets Kristin Bellamy, who is exquisitely refined and everything Michael always thought he wanted in a woman. The only problem is that Kristin is dating Michael’s new half brother, Devon.
 
Kristin’s mouthy, curvy sister Chloe has always been in love with Devon Patterson. So when Michael offers to help Chloe break up Devon and Kristin, Chloe agrees to a deal that seems too good to be true. Before long, Chloe finally gets her man, only to make a startling discovery: She no longer wants the guy she had to fight for—she wants the one who stood by her side. 
 
After all he and Chloe have been through, Michael swears he’s damaged goods. Can Chloe convince him that love is worth the risk?
 

From Goodreads

I know ive said it before in my past reviews but i need to say this again. I really really really love Lauren Layne's writing. 

Sex, Love and Stilettos and The Best Mistake are one of my all time favorite series by Lauren Layne, always has been. And its suffice to say that this Redemption series did not disappoint either. The writing style is so very different, though. Where SLS and TBM are all funny, flirty and so contemporary, Redemption is almost the opposite. Almost.

Crushed tells the story of the heartbroken Michael from Broken, how he nurse his brokenheart back to life with the help of the ever so funny and sarcastic Chloe. Gosh Chloe i love her to bits !!!! Shes just so awesome with her cool-ass attitude and witty remarks. All through this book, i was being emphasized on Chloe's crazy curls and that made me picture her as Brave's Merida you know. All through the book. Even on the sexual scenes. Merida the kid. Yep. (I can never watch Brave the same way anymore tsk)

Its been almost a year i think since i last read the first book of the series (Broken) so I have to be honest here about not exactly remembering who Michael is and what role he plays on Broken. But its all good. I like the whole plot and characters and oooooh the ending (the make-up part) !!!! Its not the big gesture kind of ending but its nice and fluffy and cuuuuuuute.

Like i said, this one isnt a disappointment. Totally.

GAHHH I CANT WAIT FOR THE OXFORD SERIES !!! IM PRACTICALLY BURNING FROM ANTICIPATION HERE !!!!

”…I don’t think it’s about who loves you first. It’s about who loves you best. And that’s me.”  - Chloe Bellamy, Crushed

Book Review : Three Weeks with Lady X by Eloisa James

Three Weeks with Lady X
Desperate Duchess by the Numbers #1; Desperate Duchess #7

Eloisa James

Ebook, 384 pages

25th March 2014 by Avon

Goodreads Ratings : 4.10/5

My Ratings : 3/5

Having made a fortune, Thorn Dautry, the powerful bastard son of a duke, decides that he needs a wife. But to marry a lady, Thorn must acquire a gleaming, civilized façade, the specialty of Lady Xenobia India.

Exquisite, head-strong, and independent, India vows to make Thorn marriageable in just three weeks.

But neither Thorn nor India anticipate the forbidden passion that explodes between them.

Thorn will stop at nothing to make India his. Failure is not an option. 

But there is only one thing that will make India his—the one thing Thorn can't afford to lose...

His fierce and lawless heart.


The hero of Three Weeks With Lady X is Tobias, the illegitimate son of the Duke of Villiers. Tobias appears in the last two books as a young boy.

From Goodreads

I think its safe to say that i like the second book more than the first one in the series.

Its not that i didnt enjoy it at all. I did, but i cant help to think that its a bit draggy and irritating at some points. Maybe because I was in a rush while reading this since i was going back and forth over this book and my biology book (biology exams coming in two days thats why)

The book was highly enjoyable at first (the rest was still enjoyable but not as much as the first few chapters) and i have a lot of respect towards Lady Xenobia considering shes witty and intelligent. Even Thorn was charming. But something happened within the pages and i got irritated. Their sexual sexcapades annoyed me, specifically. 

On the bright side, I really really really love it when Rose came in. The whole Thorn and Rose thing melts my heart. Guys with kids is a major turn-on, i swear (Reminds me of Drew from Emma Chase's Tangled and his awesome niece awwww)

I think this is just another 'its-not-you-its-me' situation, you know ? Like if I were to read this at a different time and different situation, maybe i would like it better than i did now. 
Who knows?

“His intended probably wouldn't appreciate the comparison, but Thorn had the notion that she was like a rescued hound, one that would adoringly follow her new master in return for some kindness. That was absurd, given that she was as beautiful as a wild rose, with hair like a Botticelli angel. By all rights, she should be arrogantly aware of her dominion over men. But instead she had a desperate look about her eyes, as if she needed saving.

It was a fair trade, in his estimation. Her beauty in return for his protection.”  - Eloisa James, Three with Lady X

Book Review : Four Nights with the Duke (Desperate Duchess by the Numbers #2)

Four Nights with the Duke
Desperate Duchesses by the Numbers, #2; Desperate Duchesses, #8
Eloisa James
Ebook, 384 pages
31st March 2015 by Avon Books

Goodreads Ratings : 4.16/5
My Rating : 4/5

As a young girl, Emilia Gwendolyn Carrington told the annoying future Duke of Pindar that she would marry any man in the world before him—so years later she is horrified to realize that she has nowhere else to turn.

Evander Septimus Brody has his own reasons for agreeing to Mia's audacious proposal, but there's one thing he won't give his inconvenient wife: himself.

Instead, he offers Mia a devil's bargain...he will spend four nights a year with her. Four nights, and nothing more. And those only when she begs for them.

Which Mia will never do.

Now Vander faces the most crucial challenge of his life: he must seduce his own wife in order to win her heart—and no matter what it takes, this is the one battle he can't afford to lose.

From Goodreads

After a stressful physics exam, i decided to unwind myself with a book -- Eloisa James' Four Nights with a Duke specifically, and enjoy it, I did !!! I even finished it in 4hours time (the reading-deprived struggle is real ok)

Its a historical romance (i think???? it was set somewhere in 1800 ) with the whole Duke-Duchess thing going on, as the title itself suggest. Truth be told, i love this book. I love all the main characters -- Mia is secretly a bestselling romance author under a pseudonym (which is cool because on every start of the chapters she wrote notes for her upcoming book), and Evan the Duke is swoon-worthy as well ( or atleast thats how imagined him to be) with an interesting attitude. The fact that they have a history of their own 13 years before they wed each other makes it even more interesting. And their banters are awesome too !!! (i have a soft spot for books with good banters so thats why)

I got hooked from the beginning of the book right till the end, no kidding. Like the moment I finished reading the prologue, i knew i was going to enjoy this one tremendously. I actually went all tingly while reading this and i squealed a lot i swear bcs of the excitement. Of course there are a few flaws, but i love it nonetheless. This book reminds me of Lisa Kleypas' Wallflower series and Sarah MacLean's Love by Numbers because of the whole British ranks, so if youre any fan of Sarah MacLean, Lisa Kleypas and Julia Quinn, youre going to love this book as well (because i did)

"When I call you my duchess, I meant that you were mine to love, to hold, to make love to. That means -- That means everything to me" - Vander, Four Nights with the Duke