Review: Where the Road Takes Me by Jay McLean

ISBN: 9781477849408
Format: E-Book
Source: ARC from author
Series: Stand-Alone (maybe)
Released: February 10, 2015
Length: 323 pages
Goodreads  |  Amazon

     SUMMARY

Chloe has one plan for the future, and one plan only: the road. She’s made a promise to herself: don’t let anyone in, and don’t let anyone love her. She’s learned the hard way what happens if she breaks her rules. So she’s focused on being invisible and waiting until she can set out on the road—her dream of freedom, at least for a little while.
Blake Hunter is a basketball star who has it all—everything about him looks perfect to those on the other side of his protective walls. He can’t let anyone see the shattered pieces behind the flawless facade or else all his hopes and dreams will disappear.
One dark night throws Chloe and Blake together, changing everything for Blake. For Chloe, nothing changes: she has the road, and she’s focused on it. But when the so-called perfect boy starts to notice the invisible girl, they discover that sometimes with love, no one knows where the road may lead.

     REVIEW

It's been a while since I've been in the blogging game consistently, but anyone who's anyone knows I am a Jay McLean Fangirl of the most obsessive kind. I've read every one of her books, and if you haven't tried at least one, this is me telling you that you should. Where the Road Takes me was McLean's first stand-alone novel (which may or may not stay stand-alone... just sayin'...). I was thrilled for a new McLean book, but nervous at the same time. I'd read her first four books which were all part of a series (More Than series) and loved them, and I knew Where the Road Takes Me was going to be pretty different. Not only the fact that I would be reading about different characters, but the entire feel of the book would be different since it was an entire story in one book, not four.

When I got my ARC copy a couple weeks before release time, I hunkered down and finished that baby in two days, which is a mean feat for me these days since I've slowed down on my book intake in recent months. I was sucked right in by Chloe and Blake's story and read almost three-quarters of it on the first day.

Jay's writing, in general, is great, and while I do sometimes have my issues with it, she has steadily progressed in her skill as a writer and it's been a privilege to watch that happen over the course of five books. In WtRTM, she did not fail to deliver and I was so glad that, even with as different of a story as it was, I still fell in love with it all.

I found myself boohoo-ing through the better portion of the book, as tends to happen when "McLeaning", and Chloe's story really broke me. Chloe was not always a likable character and sometimes hard to understand or identify with. With that being said, I always appreciate an author who doesn't create perfect characters who never make mistakes or don't have flaws. So for Chloe's flaws, I commend you, Ms. McLean. And the few Blake had, too. But Blake = <3, so it was easy to ignore his faults.

As with some of her other books, sometimes the plot in Jay's books can get a little funky, leaving you wondering what the heck is going on until it picks back up and fixes itself, but one flawless characteristic that is common among all (now) six of her books is her ability to make me adore her characters. Especially her supporting characters (ahem, Josh) and make them feel like a family I am privileged to be a part of for a short while.

I did feel as though the ending was a bit rushed which took away from the story for me a bit. We saw years of Chloe and Blake's life go by before the epilogue even came and I wished we could have gotten a deeper look at those scenes rather than an overview.

Either way, rushed ending notwithstanding, I fell in love with Chloe and Blake, Josh and Blake's mom, Chloe's entire family... it was hard to let them go at the end of the book, and when I heard trickles of rumors that there may be another book, well, needless to say I was thrilled. I can't wait to hear more on that, and the other books she has in the works.

     THE BREAKDOWN

RATING: ★★★★ - 4 stars!

I don't think a book needs to be perfect to be great. I have come across various issues with many books, McLean's included, and still found reasons to adore them, just like I adored Where the Road Takes Me. Sometimes her stories veer into the cheesy, sometimes the endings are rushed. Sometimes the shocking scenes seem a bit unbelievable. But never have I not fallen in love with a protagonist or supporting character presented to me by that woman or not been touched by her words and ideas and the relationships she creates.

She has a passion for what she does and even more than that, she is a great person which, to me, makes all the difference. Those of you who've stopped reading books by "authors behaving badly" understand the exact opposite of that spectrum and when an author is behaving like an amazing human being, they deserve all the respect and attention in the world. So hey, give Jay McLean a try and you might just thank me if you look past the occasional typo and delve deeper into the worlds and relationships of Jay McLean. I think you'll find something worthwhile there if you do.

Happy Reading!

A.

Book-to-Movie-Review: If I Stay by Gayle Forman

I went to see this movie (1) because the preview made me cry when I saw it at TFIOS premiere, so duh and (2) I'm such a dedicated blogger that even though I didn't love the book, I knew I needed to tell the world how the movie held up.

I mentioned a few times over the last few weeks that I've been having this crying issue - nothing has been making me cry. That is until I read Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins last week and it cured me! So at first I was afraid I was going to leave this movie dry-eyed and heartless, just like I'd been with every book for the past month.

I obviously didn't realize that I had nothing to worry about on the crying front. I was a fuckin mess.

     IT STAYED PRETTY CLOSE TO THE BOOK
I'm quite forgiving when it comes to book-to-movie adaptations when things are changed or moved around for the sake of the adaptation being smoother or portraying a feeling or a message better. I hate when things are totally changed around, but I can forgive when the necessary things are moved around.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that If I Stay the movie stayed rather close to the book. Not much was actually added in or changed - it was more like a lot of the tiny less important details were left out. For example, Kim's crazy mom, while amusing, wasn't necessary and was left out of the movie. A couple of other minor things but nothing that changed the story.

The only thing that was "added" in was this weird fight between Mia and Adam. I mean, don't get me wrong, the fight scene was great, Adam was awesome and rude and an asshole, just like they were trying to pull off, but I don't remember anything like that from the book at all. Mia and Adam were more passive aggressive and Adam in the book was a sweetheart but he could be a dick, too. Otherwise I was pretty pleased with how close the adaptation was.

     THE ADDED BONUS OF MIA'S AND ADAM'S MUSIC
We get to heard "Adam's" music!!! Sometimes when a book has a musician as one of its main characters, albums are made in partnerships with one or two real-life musicians, (e.g., Jodi Picoult, Colleen Hoover). The music is often good, but it's nothing like what we fall in love with on the radio or from our favorite underground artists. In the If I Stay movie, Adam's music comes to life - and it is awesome!

We see him rockin' and rollin' and his voice is even pretty great. Now I did absolutely no research whatsoever as far as the music goes and who wrote it or if Jamie Blackley was the one who was singing, but I suspect it was. I could be wrong, but I'm just guessing here. I have no idea, but I know that it was one of my favorite parts of the movie watching Adam sing on stage and getting to briefly be a part of what he loved.

It was also really awesome seeing/hearing Mia play. Now I also did zero research about Mia's music but I suspect Chloë Grace Moretz was not the source of that wonderful sound. It was mesmerizing though, and beautiful. The cello music was enough to have me tearing up at times. Definitely these were my favorite parts.

     ITS A SHAME THAT THE ACTING WAS... JUST OKAY
This Chloë Grace Moretz girl... she looks familiar to me... and she's got quite a lengthy filmography, but I hadn't ever heard of her before this movie. I think she was a good Mia, but she just didn't really do it for me. She was so clean cut (which yes, is like Mia, but the emotional parts [except for one particularly difficult one] I felt should have been more raw) and sometimes I felt like I was just watching a movie, not like I was part of it. It's just like when reading a book and no one wants to be reminded that they are reading a book, ya know? I hope that makes sense.

Jamie Blackley (Adam), quite the opposite of Moretz's performance, was pretty perfect. What a brilliant portrayal of that character! He just tore my heart right up. Plus seeing him up on stage was hot and he looked like he really belonged there. Contrary to the case with the rest of the cast, Blackley was pretty much flawless.

The parents were cute, quirky, funny, and it was hard not to love them, but acting was a bit awkward. I didn't feel much chemistry between the actors other than between Mia and Adam. OMG I forgot the grandfather. He killed me. He was amazing. And he killed my heart. But overall, it was just alright acting-wise.

     I'VE FINALLY DISCOVERED WHY I DIDN'T LOVE THE BOOK
Finally! After reading If I Stay, and after having not shed one single real tear (my eyes got watery, that's about it) I knew a lot of my blogging pals were going to be wondering what the hell was wrong with me. I know so many of you who sobbed and sobbed over the book and I started wondering what was wrong with me, too.

But the movie kept doing this really annoying thing that I realized the book (kind of) did! Every time a really sad part was happening, it would suddenly rip you from that scene and flashback to some random part of Mia's life, or vice versa - we'd be watching a particularly touching flashback then suddenly jump back to Mia in the hospital. It was hard to connect with it when the transitions seemed to be at inopportune times and not very smooth. My sister and mom even commented to me at one point during the movie, "OMG, why do they keep doing that!?" I wondered that myself. I assume it was some kind of technique to get the emotions all over the place, and for the movie it kind of worked (I mean I was a mess either way, even if it was annoying), but with the book it made it really hard to connect.

Also, I've decided I didn't like how focused the book and movie were on the romance. Is this listed as a romance? Probably, but based on the way the story starts, I felt like it should have been more even, with just as much time spent on Mia's family, friends, music, school, boyfriend, etc. So maybe I'm being picky because this probably is listed as a contemporary romance, but I wish it'd been a bit more contemp and a little less romance.

     THE QUESTION YOU'VE ALL BE WANTING TO ASK: DID I CRY?
F*** yeah I cried. Like a damn baby! I shed about one measly tear for the book while reading it. I cried almost from beginning to end with the movie. Even with the choppy, poorly-timed transitions and Moretz's slightly less than stellar emotional scenes, I was a wreck. A freaking wreck. I remember at one point, I thought I was going to lose it - like not be able to hold in my ugly cry anymore and start sobbing and making strangled noises in the back of the theater. It was rough - really, really rough. The movie connected me to all of the feelings that I was totally missing while reading the book.

RATING: ★★★★ - Enjoyed it!

I really liked this movie. The book was alright for me (I rated it 3 stars) but nothing to write home about. I wanted to feel something when I read it and finally after seeing this movie, I do! Everything I wanted to cry over, wanted to rage about, I got the chance to while watching If I Stay in theaters. It was well done, the actors, while not amazing, were great, the music was fantastic, and I fell in love with this story once and for all. I actually left the theater wanting to read Where She Went which I'd written off after finished If I Stay and not loving it. I might actually pick it up!

Did you go see If I Stay this past week? What did you think? Were you like me, blubbering like a baby regardless of the small annoyances? Or did you find it not up to your expectations? Did you read the book first or did you not bother? Loved it or hated it? Let's talk about this book and movie!

A.

Review: We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

ISBN: 9781471403989
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased
Series: No, Stand Alone
Released: May, 2014
Length: 240 pp
Goodreads  |  B&N

     SUMMARY

A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.
We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from National Book Award finalist and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart.

Read it.
And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

     REVIEW

By now I'm sure you've heard all the hype surrounding We Were Liars. Look at the blurb up there ^^^. The end of it specifically says "and if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE." That's basically been everyone's MO who has read this book and reviewed it. No one will talk about it. When I was looking the book up before I read it, it was very nearly frustrating that I couldn't get any information on it other than whether it was good or not. Obviously not that I don't want to even remotely give anything away, I completely understand those reviews and why they were so vague. So I'm going to keep this really, really short.

We Were Liars is beautiful, haunting, poetic, sometimes strange. It spoke to my soul, telling me things I'd never heard before but somehow understood completely. That might sound like I've gone off the deep end, but you will understand once you read the book. It has a real "classic" feel to it that was like being in a dream and even sometimes a nightmare.

Disclaimer: I've see a lot of reviews by people who didn't like We Were Liars for various reasons. The story can be confusing at times. It's slow. It's dramatic. At times it is hard to even like the MCs, even when you understand the feelings being portrayed. And you will have absolutely no idea what is coming (unless you're like my sister who says she guessed what was going to happen like 2/3 of the way through the book, but I still don't know how).

Like I said, this is a slow book. It took me a while to really get into it but every time I picked it up, I was captivated by Cady's and the Liars' story. I loved this book so much that I finished it, then decided to re-read it the next day. That's all I can say to you without giving any of the plot away. I'm going to go cry in a corner now kbye.


     THE BREAKDOWN

RATING: ★★★★★ - Absolutely loved it!

I adored We Were Liars. After a bit of a reading slump and reading some things I just wasn't really into, WWL really surprised me. It was just fantastic. There's a very high chance that this will be a book I re-read over and over for years to come - it is just that dear to me.

Have you read We Were Liars? What did you think? I've heard from tons of people who loved it, and I can't wait to discuss this one with you, but I really want to hear from those of you who didn't like it. Other than it being slow and rather confusing until you realize what the heck is going on, what didn't you like about it? Can't wait to hear from you all!

A.

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

ISBN: 9780525425632
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased
Series: Anna and the French Kiss #3
Released: August 14, 2014
Length: 339 pp
Goodreads  |  B&N

     SUMMARY

From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.
Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

     REVIEW

Check out my status updates down there. There a was whole lot of OMG-ing while I read this book. both out of swoon and heartbreak and what the frig, oh and one tiny moment of Harry Potter. I'd been waiting for ages to get my paws on this book, along with the rest of you I imagine. Anna and the French Kiss was one of my absolute favorite books last year. Lola... eh not so much a favorite but a good addition to the Anna world. I think I just liked being in Paris :)

Isla starts out kind of the opposite of Anna and Lola. In Isla things are pretty freaking awesome at first: funny, interesting, swoony. Then of course, as you can tell by my updates, eventually things take a turn for the worse. This book built me up and broke me down like no other.

I've had this weird problem where I've barely been able to cry at anything - sad, happy, real life, fiction. My eyes sometimes get a little wet but nothing has been able to move me to actual tears - until Lola. I cried pissed off, furious, heartbroken tears and a few ridiculously happy ones. Stephanie Perkins fixed my tear ducts! Or my heart! Or both! She's a miracle worker!

As always, Perkins' writing is impeccable, and she's so funny I can't even stand it. She makes me feel like I'm in Paris, in this world, in love all over again. I re-read Anna before I read Isla and tried to pay particular attention to Josh and even though I always liked him and thought he was amusing, broody little guy he was, I never knew he could do the things he did to my heart.

Alright, I'm past the point of being able to write a rational review. I'm full of too much swoon. I'll just say that Isla was PERFECT and it was everything I wanted and then some (especially at the end there OMGGG!!) and I really wish Perkins would just continue writing about these characters.


     THE BREAKDOWN

RATING: ★★★★★ - Absolutely Loved it!

Since I have nothing coherent to say about this book: I will just remind you how much I loved it. It was amazing and perfect in every way. It was everything I wanted from a finale to a much loved series and more. I just have one thing to mention: can we petition to get Meredith her own story? Please. I just love her and I want to watch her fall in love too. In ROME!

What did you guys think of Isla? I loved her, I loved Josh, I loved Paris, I loved everything. I see a lot of people didn't like it because it was centered around a lot of teenage "drama" but I thought that was perfect because I know I was dramatic as hell when I was their age and I really, really identified with the characters in this story. I'd love to know what you thought!

A.

Leo by Mia Sheridan

ISBN: 9781490339979
Format: Kindle eBook
Source: Purchased
Series: No, Stand Alone
Released: November, 2013
Length: 191 pp
Goodreads  |  Amazon

     SUMMARY

Evie and Leo met in foster care as children and formed a bond of friendship. As they grew, their bond turned to love, and they vowed to make a life together when they turned 18 and were no longer a part of the system.
When Leo unexpectedly gets adopted as a teen and he moves to another city, he promises Evie that he will contact her as soon as he gets there and come back for her in a few short years. She never hears from him again.
Now eight years later, in spite of the odds, Evie has made a life for herself. She has a job. She has friends. She's content. Then a man shows up out of the blue, claiming that her long lost love, Leo, sent him to check up on her. The attraction between them is undeniable. But, should she trust this sexy stranger? Or is he keeping a secret about what his connection to Leo is really all about and why Leo disappeared all those years ago?

     REVIEW

Coming off the high of Sheridan's Archer's Voice, I convinced myself I would read anything and everything ever written by Mia Sheridan. I freaking loved Archer's Voice and I was convinced I'd love Leo, too. The premise was so intriguing (just like AV), so unlike anything I'd come across in the NA genre so I was expecting big things.

I noticed right away that Leo felt pretty rushed in the beginning (just like in AV), but I kind of forgave that because I'd loved the last one and hadn't minded the rushed beginning by the time I'd gotten to the end. Unfortunately, things didn't really get too much better as I'd hoped.

The story surrounds itself around about a guy, Jake, who shows up claiming to know Evie's childhood friend/love Leo (whom she met in foster care and lost touch with years and years ago) and that Jake tracked Evie down because he was doing Leo a solid (plus a whole lot of other things that I won't spoil that do make the premise more interesting). Getting into the story, I had a hard time believing some of the things that were happening and though it was easy for me to figure out what was going on, I didn't necessarily like how it got to that point.

My main issue other than a rushed story and some awkward dialogue was that Jake, the male lead, is basically Christian Grey without the contract thing. This wasn't a BDSM story but Jake was the embodiment of over-aggressiveness, possessiveness and controlling edging on the point of unhealthy. I hate those relationships. I'm all for reading about real (yet healthy) relationships with a bit of jealousy or fighting or a tad bit of possessiveness (because we can all admit that being possessed by a sexy man can be hot), but not this. It was like Christian forcing Anastasia to eat and work out and accept expensive gifts all over again. It was just a huge turn off.

Overall I just couldn't get into it because this was supposed to be a romance and the romance completely turned me off, which sucked because the back story, while somewhat unbelievable, was cute and sad and melted my heart.

     THE BREAKDOWN

RATING: ★★★ - It was OK

Leo wasn't a bad read, but it surely was no Archer's Voice. The romance was overdone and the controlling over-possessive male lead totally turned me off. The subplot regarding Evie's past life was cute and sad and really touching when it was all said and done but I just couldn't enjoy this one as much as I really, really wanted to. Luckily Archer's Voice came after Leo so Sheridan's writing obviously improved somewhat. Anything she comes out with next I might give a try but I definitely won't be reading the Leo companion novel, Leo's Chance.

Have you read Leo? What did you think? And have you read anything else by Mia Sheridan? I've loved one of her books and felt kind of meh about another so I'd love to hear what you guys think of this author before I try something else. Can't wait to hear what you have to say!


A.

Charade by Nyrae Dawn: "Tiny Dancer" is Not a Term of Endearment!!

ISBN: 9781480213982
Format: Kindle eBook
Source: Purchased
Series: Games #1
Released: October, 2012
Goodreads  |  B&N

     SUMMARY

Nineteen-year-old Cheyenne tries to portray the perfect life to mask the memories of her past. Walking in on her boyfriend with another woman her freshman year in college threatens that picture of perfection.

Twenty-one-year-old Colt never wanted college and never expected to amount to anything, but when his mom's dying wish is for him to get his degree, he has no choice but to pretend it's what he wants too.

Cheyenne needs a fake boyfriend to get back at her ex and Colt needs cash to take care of his mom, so they strike a deal that helps them both. But what if Cheyenne’s past isn’t what she thought? Soon they’re trading one charade for another—losing themselves in each other to forget about their pain. The more they play their game, the more it becomes the only thing they have that feels real.
Both Cheyenne and Colt know life is never easy, but neither of them expect the tragedy that threatens to end their charade and rip them apart forever.

     REVIEW

I went on this crazy New Adult romance kick after reading a now-favorite series of mine (More Than This by Jay McLean). I was craving more of the emotional high that the More series had left me on so I went off on a quest to find something similar to read. Based on reviews and general buzz around the NA community, apparently Nyrae Dawn was the way to go. Sigh... Maybe I just picked the wrong book?

I can start by telling you the things I did like about this book: I loved the fact that this was an interracial romance. The MC, Cheyenne was a minority, with dark skin and all that, while Colt was white. This might not be important to most people, but being a minority myself, it's just nice to have that happen once in a while without anyone making it a big deal in the story.

I also liked that Colt was a bad boy - not in the brooding bad boy stereotype sense that is flooding YA/NA right now, but a real bad boy. Tattoos, a little bit of a "wannabe gangsta", didn't want to really care for college, doing some shady things on the side. He wasn't perfect and I enjoyed that. Now, let me be clear, I'm totally not okay with drugs and I don't typically date boys who have probably been to jail before, but I liked the fact that Colt was more than just a cliche. He really had some problems.

Unfortunately those things were not enough to make me really like this book. I felt that it moved a bit fast right from the beginning. It's only a 213 page book so I guess I should've expected that but maybe if it had been a bit longer, it would've been a lot less awkward and rushed.

Charade was annoyingly predictable and even with a real bad boy as part of the story, I found myself knowing exactly what those two were about to get up to. The writing was a bit awkward, especially the dialogue. The characters kept referring to their relationship (or lack thereof) as a "charade". Like, always. In any context or situation, instead of using "what's going on with us," or "our relationship," or even simply "you and I/me and you," they always were using the word charade. NOBODY TALKS LIKE THAT! It was really annoying and I found myself skimming those passages while rolling my eyes. I didn't feel like I needed to read any more about their charade than I already had.

Oh! Oh! How about the fact that Colt kept calling Cheyenne his "tiny dancer". Okay, fine, it was cute the first few times and funny the next few but when he was referring to her as "tiny dancer" several times during his stream of freaking conciousness like some dramatic inner monologue in which he couldn't repeat her name (she-who-must-not-be-named... the tiny dancer... Cheyenne! *gasp*). It was obnoxious. I couldn't take it. Cue eye-roll and skimming at all of these points.

The only other redeeming quality to this story was the subplot that had to do with Colt's mom. It was touching, surprisingly well done compared to the rest of the book and it definitely had me an emotionally mess for the last few chapters. So kudos to you, Nyrae Dawn, for making me cry. It is literally what kept me from specifically disliking this book.

     THE BREAKDOWN
I thought it would be cool for you guys to see what my reactions were through the book: as you can see, there a grand total of two times that I actually enjoyed something in this one. It was rough.

RATING: ★★★ - It was OK

After a reading a rather fantastic NA romance series, I moved onto this one, hoping it would satisfy my craving for another emotional roller coaster. I suppose since it did make me cry (which is becoming increasingly more difficult as I'm disappointed repeatedly by less than stellar books), it gets points for achieving the goal. But it definitely didn't achieve the goal of making me enjoy it or being one of those books that stays with me for a long time after reading. It was actually pretty annoying and it was hard for me to get past the awkwardness of the dialogue and rushed feeling of the entire story.

I came up with this (asinine) rule ages ago that I'd add half to a whole star if a book could make me cry. This definitely would've been a 2-2.5 star book if not for the pretty decent ending. Thanks to that ending which, while heart-wrenching, was pulled off better in those few pages than the entire rest of the book, I didn't hate it - it was overall just OK.

I don't know that I'd necessarily recommend this one if you're looking for a great NA read, but I've listed some alternate opinions below in case you don't want to take my word for it.

Have you read this one yet? I'm probably just becoming too nitpick-y and jaded to enjoy B+ (and that's being generous) reads like this one. I'd love to know if you also found fault with it or if it was one that you loved?

Also, seriously, maybe I just picked the wrong Nyrae Dawn book to start with - I do hear she's great. If you are a fan, can you recommend something else by her that won't leave me with this bad taste in my mouth?

Get a second opinion!

Mostly YA Book Obsessed [5 of 5 stars]

Book Brats [3 of 5 stars]

Fic Fare [2.5 of 5 stars]

A.

Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan: Feeding my strange fascination with characters that can't speak

ISBN: 9781495390906
Source: Purchased
Format: Kindle eBook
Series: No, Stand Alone
Released: January, 2014
Length: 354 pp
Goodreads  |  B&N

     SUMMARY

When Bree Prescott arrives in the sleepy, lakeside town of Pelion, Maine, she hopes against hope that this is the place where she will finally find the peace she so desperately seeks. On her first day there, her life collides with Archer Hale, an isolated man who holds a secret agony of his own. A man no one else sees.
Archer's Voice is the story of a woman chained to the memory of one horrifying night and the man whose love is the key to her freedom. It is the story of a silent man who lives with an excruciating wound and the woman who helps him find his voice. It is the story of suffering, fate, and the transformative power of love.

     REVIEW

I have a fascination with stories about people who can't (or wish not to) speak. I don't know why, but it all started with this book (and was followed up by Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay and Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover). I think I just love seeing the amazing ways people find to communicate and I realize how much we take our ability to communicate for granted. (Let me also point out that most of those who can speak spend half of our time on social media anyway [me included] so these stories have really impacted my thoughts on that).

Archer's Voice is a love story at its core, but it's also a story about sorrow and grief and how love can heal. I read Archer's Voice a few months ago, and then when I sat down to finally write my review, I was getting all teary eyed and worked up just thinking about it so I had to read it again. It was just as amazing the second time around (except I knew what was coming so I didn't have as many panic attacks).

The romance was...amazing. I was grinning and crying and laughing and screaming and everything all at once, or at least it felt that way, and it was literally perfect. It was so sweet and innocent, but hot and sexy and it was perfect. Have I mentioned that it was perfect? My favorite thing about it was that Archer, the main male character, had been through so much, such horrible tragedy, and maybe he was a little rough around the edges from being shy and afraid, but he was always sweet and perfect and I didn't have to read about a man playing hard to get or being broody for no reason and treating the female lead like crap. No, Archer was perfect and all of the issues that came up in this book had more to do with outside forces than with Archer being an asshole. It was nice to finally read about someone who wasn't an asshole!

The back stories, each character's need to heal, forgive, etc., were so powerful and so beautiful to watch happen over the course of the book. Add in the fact that it was the first book I've ever read that included a character who couldn't communicate in the traditional ways - I was hooked. Freaking hooked from the very first page.

If I had to list any gripes, I'd say that the first few chapters seemed a little rushed. Around the 20% mark of the eBook is when things sort of evened out of perfection took over the rest of the way. That's basically it. Because otherwise, Archer's Voice made me sob like a baby and grin like a fool and it was unique and refreshing and beautiful to see everything unfold.

RATING: ★★★★★ - Absolutely Loved it!

The strange fascination with communicating in nontraditional ways such as speaking out loud aside, Archer's Voice was so unique and fresh, but beautiful and perfect in its own right. I'd definitely never read anything like it so I of course had to read it twice! And it was just as amazing the second time around.

If you're looking for something that will take your breath away, break your heart and put you back together again, you've found the book you've been looking for! Have any of you read Archer's Voice? What did you think? Did you love Archer and Bree as much as I did? I'd love to hear what you thought about it!

A.

Blog Tour Stop - Review: More Than Forever by Jay McLean + Teasers, Excerpt, and Giveaway!

ISBN:
Source: ARC provided by author
Format: Kindle eBook
Series: More #4
Released: July 12, 2014
Goodreads |  B&N
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This is no way swayed my opinion. Scout's honor!*
*Please note this review may contain spoilers for the previous books in this series.*

     SUMMARY

-LUCY-
There is a love so fierce it cannot be measured.
A heart so strong it will never slow.
There is a promise so sure it can never lie.
He promised me that love forever.
Even when it wasn't enough.
-CAMERON-
Forever. Everlasting. Eternal.
There is no measure of time.
No sounds of the ticking of a clock.
Just the rising and falling of the sun.
And our own sense of forever.

But our forever isn't always.

     REVIEW

They say lightning never strikes twice, right? Or something like that. I can't remember if that's a complete and total freaking myth or not, but whatever - I digress. I'm here to talk about books not lightning and freak accidents. The point I'm trying to make is this: after reading one ridiculously amazing book by an author, you think that the next one can't possibly be as good. Nothing can make you feel the way you just felt after reading that book - it's just impossible, right?

Wrong. Said author comes along with another book which effectively blows your mother-lovin' mind. You're like HOW DID THIS HAPPEN!? But you take it for what it is (see above-referenced freak accident) and prepare yourself for the next book which cannot possibly be better than the one you just finished. It just cannot. Math class says the probability is like 1:1,000,000,000,000,000.

Only said author comes out with one more and you're now on the floor sobbing and laughing at the same time and wondering what magical power this author has been graced with, because WHAT?!

Now that's it. This fourth one - it's not going to live up. You're well and truly afraid now because literary genius is not an endless spring from which said author can eternally draw, right? After the delightful surprises that are the first three books, you're not complacent with the idea of just a good novel. You need - you yearn for - another mind-blowing sequel and don't know what you're going to do if you don't get it.

You open up book number four, brace yourself for impact, and BAM. It's happened again. This is when you become 100% positive that said author is a supernatural being and you should probably be afraid and what she is capable of.

I bet you'd like to know who this said supernatural author is, wouldn't you? I'll tell you:
Jay motherf****in McLean (that's actually her middle name. Okay, I'm lying, but how badass would that be?). Author of my favorite NA romance series ever.

The opportunity presented itself to review an ARC of Jay's latest novel, More Than Forever (picture me lounging on my couch with my fiance and an e-mail pops up on my phone from Jay herself. "Have this ARC" she says [more or less] and all freaking hell breaks loose. Just sayin' - I was excited). However, after three wonderful, fantastic, heartwrenching, hysterical, beautiful, A. MA. ZING. novels, I wasn't sure it could happen again. I wasn't sure it could be all of those things and more - but it was.

In her first three books, Jay weaves a continual story of love, friendship, hope, with a heavy dose of reality thrown in. Things are never easy for our friends in the More world but at the risk of sounding cheesy as all hell - Jay shows us that love really can conquer all - but it ain't always gonna be fun, that's for sure. This story continues on in a monumental way in More Than Forever. If you're already a fan of this series but haven't read this book yet, just know that whatever you're expecting out of More Than Forever is moot at this point. Let go of all expectations. Simply expect the emotional roller coaster of a lifetime and to fall in love with Cam and Lucy and friends all over again.

(As always) I laughed as hard as I cried while reading this book (which was hard as f*ck). At times I laughed and cried at the same time. The love I have for this series has yet to be matched by any other NA series I've read to-date. Seriously. I've exaggerated substantially in this post but this is actually not an exaggeration. It's true! (Does this make me the girl who cried "book"? Cause I'm totally okay with that.)

I would also like to let the world know that my heart is broken by the fact that I now have to wait until next year to read the next book in the series. This is obviously a pretty standard practice when releasing books in a series, but Jay, you're magic (see above proof of magical abilities), so um... hook a sista up? No? What if I cry? Still no? Okay, well I guess I'll have to stick with re-reading the first four until book five finds its way into my greedy little hands!

BUY LINKS

Amazon >  http://amzn.to/1que6Fo

iBooks > http://bit.ly/1qrKsUO
B&N > http://bit.ly/1qrKxrB
Kobo > http://bit.ly/1qrK8p3

BOOK TRAILER

READ AN EXCERPT 

"I hate that guy," Logan jerks his head toward Jake and a new kid.

"The new kid? Dylan?"

He nods. "He thinks he owns the school."

"Really?" I glare over at them. "Apparently he kills  it on the basketball court, but I dunno." I shrug. "He hasn't said two words to me. He seems quiet."

"Those are the ones you have to worry about, Cam. The quiet broody assholes get all the girls. Better watch him around that new girl of yours."

I play dumb. "What new girl?"

"Shut up, asshole. You don't think I notice you watching her all the fucking time?"

I lift my chin. "I think if there's an asshole in this entire school to watch out for, it's you."

He laughs and adjusts his cap. "You don't need to worry about me. I'm not into stealing my friend's girls." He shoves his hand in his catcher's glove and smacks my arm with it. "Say the word. Claim her. I promise to stay away and I'll make sure she's untouchable to everyone else."

"I'm not an asshole and she isn't property. I can't own her."

"If that's what you want." He raises an eyebrow. "She's cute. In a couple years she'll be hot. Guys will be all

over her. I'm just trying to help out."
I think about what he's saying, and he makes a good point. Only he's wrong—she's hot now. "Fine. I claim her. She's mine."
His smirk is instant. "You can't own someone, you pig. She isn't property."
I laugh. "Fuck you."
Jake struts over to us. "Ya reckon that new kid Dylan can hang out with us this arvo? He seems like a top bloke."
Logan's gaze moves to me, confusion clear on his face. 
I shrug. He lets out a chuckle before gripping both of Jake's shoulders and shaking him gently. He looks him right in the eye, speaking slowly and clearly. "I have no idea what the fuck you just said."

RATING: ★★★★ 1/2 - Loved it!

More Than Forever is one of my favorite NA romances ever. (I do still hold a special place in my heart for Logan from MTHer but that's beside the point). It was everything I'd hoped for and more while simultaneously shocking the crap out of me and taking me on one hell of a ride.

Have any of you read the first few in the series? How freaking excited are you to read MTForever next?

And for my More-munity pals who've read this one along with me, I know you all agree with me when I say that Jay is freaking magic, amiright? Now we get to bug the hell out of eachother for the next year until the next one. Yay!

The More Series 

More Than This, #1

*Mikayla*
In one night my fairytale ended. Or it may have begun. This is my story of friendship and love, heartbreak and desire, and the strength to show weakness.
*Jake*
One night I met a girl. A sad and broken girl, but one more beautiful than any other. She laughed through her sadness, while I loved through her heartbreak.
*This is our story of a maybe ever after.*

He was right. It made no difference whether it was 6 months or 6 years.
I couldn’t undo what had been done. I couldn’t change the future.
I couldn’t even predict it.
It was one night.
One night when everything changed.
It was so much more than just the betrayal.

It was the Tragedy.
The Deaths.
The Murders.
But it was also that feeling.
The feeling of falling.

BUY LINKS

**LIMITED TIME ON NOOK AND IBOOKS**
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1aIy8Im

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1ryjNn5

iBooks: http://bit.ly/1nVIU2j

Nook: http://bit.ly/1ryi2pZ

More Than Her, #2

For every action there is an equal or opposite reaction." For every choice you make there are rewards, or there are consequences. It was my choice to walk away the first time. And my choice to chase her the second. But sometimes you don't get a choice, and all you get are the consequences.” "Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” Unless that someone is Logan Matthews. Because loving him didn't give me the strength to walk away. It didn't give me the courage to fight for him. And when it was over, all it gave me was a broken heart. 

BUY LINKS

Amazon: http://amzn.to/17FDmnp
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1ryjQz8
iBooks: http://bit.ly/1nVIZD6
Nook: http://bit.ly/1ryikgo

More Than Him, #3

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us." - Marianne Williamson

We live in a world of darkness and shadows,

where monsters hide and aim to ruin.

And they did.

They ruined us and turned our dreams into nightmares.

But now we're back.

And we're fighting.

Not just for us, or for each other, but for our light.

BUY LINKS

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1liA53P

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1ryjUyY

iBooks: http://bit.ly/1nVJ6yC

Nook: http://bit.ly/1ryiPXW

AUTHOR BIO

Jay McLean is the author of the More Series, including More Than This, More Than Her, More Than Him and soon to be released, More Than Forever. She also has two standalones coming soon titled The Road, and Combative.

Jay is an avid reader, writer, and most of all, procrastinator. When she's not doing any of those things, she can be found running after her two little boys, or devouring some tacky reality TV show. She writes what she loves to read, which are books that can make her laugh, make her smile, make her hurt, and make her feel.

AUTHOR LINKS

You can follow Jay on Instagram and twitter @jaymcleanauthor.

You can also find her on her blog at www.jaymcleanauthor.com where you can subscribe to her newsletter and get teasers and updates first and, her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/jaymcleanauthor or her fan group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/moreserieslovers. You can contact Jay directly at jay@jaymcleanauthor.com

All her other social media links can be found below. Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/jaymcleanauthor/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4724550.Jay_McLean

Thanks for stopping by! Make sure you pay Jay a visit and enter below for an awesome giveaway!

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A.

Review: More Than Him by Jay McLean

ISBN: 9781495340604
Source: Purchased
Format: Kindle eBook
Series: More #3
Released: January 2014
Goodreads  |  Book Depository
*Please note this review may contain spoilers for the previous books in this series.*

     SUMMARY

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us." - Marianne Williamson
We live in a world of darkness and shadows,
where monsters hide and aim to ruin.
And they did.
They ruined us and turned our dreams into nightmares.
But now we're back.
And we're fighting.
Not just for us, or for each other, but for our light.

     REVIEW

There isn't much to say about this book that I haven't already said about Jay McLean's previous books in the series. They're amazing, heart-wrenching, hysterically funny... I can't think of words adequate to describe how these novels made me feel. More Than Him was very unique in that the progression of the series took a bit of an unexpected turn - something I'd never experienced in a romance series before: (highlight to read sort-of spoiler) MTHim is a continuation of Logan and Amanda's story from book 2, MTHer. Most romances generally have some sort of happy ending for every book, especially in a series. So the series as a whole kind of blew my mind in that aspect, too - McLean totally took it outside the box.

There weren't as many gasp-worthy moments in this book that broke my heart as there were in the previous book, but for me this was a good thing. There were more swoon-worthy moments in MTHim and that really made the book in my opinion. Jay McLean seriously cemented my love for Logan, the MC, in this one and there is nothing anyone (real or fictional) can say or do to change that.

One of the best parts of this book (and of the series) is that we see more hilarious friend interaction here and I can honestly say I've never laughed so hard at another book as I have over the nonsense these characters get up to. I love them, I love the romance, I love the little lessons hidden in the stories - I love these books!

RATING: ★★★★ 1/2 - Loved it!

The More series is definitely my favorite NA romance series ever. Not only was it one of the first I've ever read which basically introduced me to the genre, but every NA romance I've read since hasn't lived up to the standard. Have you read any of the books in this series yet, more specifically, MTHim? What do you think of the series as a whole, and what do think of Logan now that we've seen who he really is?

Also, be very aware that the next book, More Than Forever, is being released in less than two weeks from today - July 12, 2014. You'll see a review from me some time in July, but trust me - you won't be disappointed!

Happy Reading!
A. 

P.S. In non-More related news, I'm giving away a paperback copy of If I Stay by Gayle Forman. Giveaway ends July 7, 2014, at midnight. Enter below!

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Review: More Than Her by Jay McLean

ISBN: 9781494205942
Source: Purchased
Format: Kindle eBook
Series: More #2
Released: 2013
Goodreads  |  Amazon
*Please note this review may contain spoilers for book one in the series. See my review for More Than This here*

     SUMMARY:

"For every action there is an equal or opposite reaction."
For every choice you make there are rewards,
or there are consequences.
It was my choice to walk away the first time.
And my choice to chase her the second.
But sometimes you don't get a choice,
and all you get are the consequences.

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
Unless that someone is Logan Matthews.
Because loving him didn't give me
the strength to walk away.
It didn't give me
the courage to fight for him.
And when it was over,
all it gave me was a broken heart.

     REVIEW

I managed to read this book in one day (same as I did with the first in the series, More Than This). I think this speaks volumes for the book all on its own considering I usually take a bit more time than that, but don't worry - I'll give you plenty of other reasons why you should go read it.

I went into More Than Her with low expectations - it's about a character from book one that I actually happened to hate. You'd never know it now, but I hated Logan Matthews before reading this book. In the first book, he was arrogant, obnoxious, only seemed to care about himself - oh, and add in that he was a womanizer, screwing chicks left and right like it was his JOB. I couldn't stand him. Logan's lucky he was funny, because didn't think I could deal if he had no redeeming qualities. So then I find out he has a book - which means someone was about to make him settle down right? Correct...ish. Please take that statement with a grain of salt. MTHer is nothing like what you're expecting.

Jay McLean not only manages to completely change my mind about the preconceived notions I had regarding the main character, but she makes me love him, deeply - you know, if being in love with a fictional character is possible.

Not only are there hella plot twists and heart-wrenching moments that simply took my breath away; not only did Jay McLean manage to make me crack up laughing seconds after I finished ugly crying, but she managed to build me up - all the way freaking up - and then knock my ass right down. This book left me an emotional mess and I thank the heavens that I read these books when I did,with the ability to order the next one on my kindle immediately after finishing this one.

Trust me - if you're reading paperback, you're going to need the next one handy. If you're reading via e-book, please have at least $3.00 handy to order the next one the very second you finish this one. This is not an exaggeration. You will thank me for this advice one day.

On top of all of this, I think what Jay did with this book (and the series as a whole) was very unique and perfect for the way things played out. There's a very intense feeling that comes along with reading these books and Jay's fans have formed a very tight-knit "Moremunity" to work out these feelings (because therapists cost too much).

MTHer is my favorite book out of the four in the series, not because of the actual things that happen, but because of the FEELS. I've never been so emotional over a book before. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that if you haven't read any of these yet - please do it now! You won't regret it.

RATING: ★★★★ 1/2 - Loved it!

MTHer is one of my favorite books so far this year! The tiny little issues I had with the book don't even warrant mentioning at this point. Just know that there is basically nothing that can keep you from loving this book if you give it a shot. I adored it and I adore Logan Matthews and one day when I find out where the human manifestation of this beautiful specimen has been hiding himself, he is all mine! DIBS!

Have you read this book or any of the books in this series? What did you think? I bet you loved Logan just like I do! And if you haven't read them, I know you will love him just as much.

Let's talk books!

A. 

P.S. In non-More related news, I'm giving away a paperback copy of If I Stay by Gayle Forman. Giveaway ends July 7, 2014, at midnight. Enter below!


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