Blog Tour Book Review and Tour Wide Giveaway: Let Me by Cecy Robson

I'm so excited to once again be a part of the fabulous Cecy Robson's book tour. All of her books are simply amazing and this series and in particular, this book, is no exception to that fact.

Cecy is an amazing writer and her work truly deserves all the praise it has received. 

Let Me is beautiful, emotional, and a must for all fans of Cecy and in this genre in general. Truly, this is a favorite of mine, it was just spectacular. 

Published: April 19, 2016

Series: Book Three in the O'Brien Family Series

Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Author (in exchange for an honest review)

Tour LINK

Book Description:

Once he was broken beyond repair. Now this MMA contender is fighting to be a better man—for her. RT Book Reviews proclaims that the O’Brien Family series from award-winning author Cecy Robson “has the hottest brothers ever!” And in Let Me, it is Finn’s turn to discover how love can heal the deepest wounds.

A mixed martial arts star on the rise, Finn O’Brien dismantles his opponents with brutal precision. And yet beneath his fierce persona, Finn is raw from a trauma he’s buried for years . . . until the day his deep-rooted rage erupts and lands him in court-mandated therapy. Finn’s not one to bare his soul, but if talking it out means meeting beautiful women like Sol Marieles, he’ll give it a shot.

Sol is working toward her masters degree in psychology, and already she feels like she’s in over her head. With an important internship on the line and a scary family situation demanding her attention, the last thing Sol needs is Finn around to distract her. The man is ripped and seriously sexy yet it’s his troubled side that warns her to keep her distance. But their attraction is intense, and he clearly has the heat to see how far and fast their passion takes them.

Alone, Finn and Sol have been fighting to find happiness in their lives. Together, there’s no stopping them as they face their greatest challenges—not in the ring, but in their hearts.

*Amazon*B&N*iTunes*Kobo*

About the Author:

CECY (pronounced Sessy) ROBSON is the new adult and contemporary romance author of the Shattered Past series, the O’Brien Family novels and upcoming Carolina Beach novels, as well as the award-winning author of the Weird Girls urban fantasy romance series. A 2016 double nominated RITA finalist for Once Pure and Once Kissed, Cecy is a recovering Jersey girl living in the South who enjoys carbs way too much, and exercise way too little. Gifted and cursed with an overactive imagination, you can typically find her on her laptop silencing the yappy characters in her head by telling their stories.

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Devastatingly beautiful, heartbreakingly romantic and emotional, Cecy Robson's third book in her O' Brien Family series just might be my favorite yet. 

Rough, raw, heartbreaking, and sure to make your insides quiver with both rage and love, this book was truly something else.

Cecy know how to tackle hard subject matters and even though they can be difficult to get through, she always makes her characters stronger and better for having gone through them. I knew Finn's story was going to be a tough one and she didn't disappoint. I also knew it would be a beautiful one. One full of hope and promise and she didn't disappoint there either. 

A story truly full of all the right things, all the wrongs ones, and all the ones in between. One about second chances, love, and redemption and one, you don't want to miss out on. 

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Review: Paper Towns by John Green

Title: Paper Towns
Author: John Green
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Speak (September 22, 2009)
Source: Borrowed
Genre: YA Contemporary
My Rating: 3 Stars


Book Description:
Who is the real Margo?


Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs into his life—dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge—he follows. After their all-nighter ends, and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues—and they're for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees the girl he thought he knew...

*Amazon*B&N*

I'm going to be honest and say that I had really high expectations for this read and because of that I might have been slightly biased when I started reading this. I loved The Fault in Our Stars and I guess, because of that love, I sort of expected all Green's reads, to live up to my love for it.

That was probably my first and second mistake. I should have known better but, live and learn right?

Not to say I didn't like this read, because I did. In fact, it had a lot of really good messages, quotes, and bonds of friendship that left me smiling many times while reading. But it also seriously lagged in so many places that I found myself wanting to skim through them rather than read them. This read would pick up only to tapper off again and along with the tapering of action in the story, my attention also tapered. I found myself pushing through to get to the end and then the ending was...flat. A let down of sorts 

I don't know. Maybe it was just me reading this at the wrong time in the wrong frame of mind or maybe it was my high expectations when I picked it up, either way, I found myself very disappointed with this read. I liked it but also felt indifferent to it many times and because of that, I honestly don't know what to rate this read. 3 stars because the writing was good when it was good or two stars because I feel so letdown and unemotional about it when I was expecting a really good emotional read?

For now, I'm leaving this unrated until I can really ponder about it more and really get a read on my feelings for this. Maybe I'll feel different hours from now, or even weeks. Then again, maybe not.

(edited review to rate)

WoW Pick of the Week!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It is a chance to share those new releases were are super anxious to get our hands on and read.

I am a huge CoHo fan so it's no wonder I'm excited about her release coming up in August, yes sadly August, months away but I'm posting about it anyways because it's CoHo people!

She truly is one of the few authors I read in this genre anymore for whatever reason. Even though I know I will get lots of angst and more than likely lots of drama, I can't help myself, I love her anyways. 

So what about you, are you a CoHo fan?

Book Description:

Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up. She graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid everything in Lily’s life suddenly seems almost too good to be true. 

Ryle is assertive, stubborn, and maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant and has a total soft spot for Lily; and the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head, but Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his no dating rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place. 

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan, her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened. 

With this bold and deeply personal novel Colleen Hoover delivers a heart-wrenching story that breaks exciting new ground for her as a writer. Combining a captivating romance with a cast of all too human characters, “It Ends with Us” is an unforgettable tale of love that comes at the ultimate price. 

Review: In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters

Title: In the Shadow of Blackbirds
Author: Cat Winters
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Amulet (April 2, 2013)
Source: Purchased
Genre: YA Historical/Paranormal
My Rating: 4 Stars


Book Description:
In 1918, the world seems on the verge of apocalypse. Americans roam the streets in gauze masks to ward off the deadly Spanish influenza, and the government ships young men to the front lines of a brutal war, creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion. Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black watches as desperate mourners flock to séances and spirit photographers for comfort, but she herself has never believed in ghosts. During her bleakest moment, however, she’s forced to rethink her entire way of looking at life and death, for her first love—a boy who died in battle—returns in spirit form. But what does he want from her?


Featuring haunting archival early-twentieth-century photographs, this is a tense, romantic story set in a past that is eerily like our own time.

*Amazon*B&N*

Cat Winter's Never ceases to pull me right into the very heart of her stories with their rich historical detail and their feisty heroines who are anything but the norm. 

Always set in a time of our world that was both fascinating in it's advances and prehistoric in it's ideas and technology, and every bit as horrifying as it is captivating, her debut novel In the Shadow of Blackbirds was every bit as good as her latest releases.

Having read all of her books out of order, I can say that I truly haven't noticed the difference between her first or her third, they are all well written, well plotted out and well done.

This was such a good read. The right amount of mystery, intrigue, and just a hint of romance (set in the past) that left me on my toes and turning the pages.

With a paranormal aspect that was every bit as good as the horrific historic, this really was a fabulous read good for any time of the year. 

Review: The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye

Title: The Crown's Game
Author: Evelyn Skye
Series: Book One in the Crown's Game Series
Published By: Balzer & Bray (May 17, 2016)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Historical/Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!


Book Description:
Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia—and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the Tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side.

And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the Tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.

Raised on tiny Ovchinin Island her whole life, Vika is eager for the chance to show off her talent in the grand capital of Saint Petersburg. But can she kill another enchanter—even when his magic calls to her like nothing else ever has?

For Nikolai, an orphan, the Crown’s Game is the chance of a lifetime. But his deadly opponent is a force to be reckoned with—beautiful, whip smart, imaginative—and he can’t stop thinking about her.

And when Pasha, Nikolai’s best friend and heir to the throne, also starts to fall for the mysterious enchantress, Nikolai must defeat the girl they both love... or be killed himself.


As long-buried secrets emerge, threatening the future of the empire, it becomes dangerously clear... the Crown’s Game is not one to lose.

*Amazon*B&N*

I'm going to be completely upfront with this review and start by saying this book has a lot of elements, from some of my most beloved YA series but at the same time, it is unique and holds its own. 

Set in an almost historic Russia with magic at the surface and a deadly game at the heart, this was a non-stop, heart pounding fun fantasy that was hard to put down. 

Fast paced, detail oriented, and with just a hint or romance, this truly was everything I was hoping it would be. 

With an ending that left me breathless and wanting more, this is one series that is sure to tease, please, and leave those reading on edge for more. 

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

Review: Ruined by Amy Tintera

Title: Ruined
Author: Amy Tintera
Series: Book One in the Ruined Series
Published By: Harper Teen (May 3, 2016)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!


Book Description:
Emelina Flores has nothing. Her home in Ruina has been ravaged by war. She lacks the powers of her fellow Ruined. Worst of all, she witnessed her parents’ brutal murders and watched helplessly as her sister, Olivia, was kidnapped.

But because Em has nothing, she has nothing to lose. Driven by a blind desire for revenge, Em sets off on a dangerous journey to the enemy kingdom of Lera. Somewhere within Lera’s borders, Em hopes to find Olivia. But in order to find her, Em must infiltrate the royal family.

In a brilliant, elaborate plan of deception and murder, Em marries Prince Casimir, next in line to take Lera’s throne. If anyone in Lera discovers Em is not Casimir’s true betrothed, Em will be executed on the spot. But it’s the only way to salvage Em’s kingdom and what is left of her family.


Em is determined to succeed, but the closer she gets to the prince, the more she questions her mission. Em’s rage-filled heart begins to soften. But with her life—and her family—on the line, love could be Em’s deadliest mistake. 

*Amazon*B&N*

Tintera has never failed to entertain with her stories that are every bit as fantastical as they are dark. Always with the right blend of action and romance, and darkness to make them stand out and shine.

Her books are always riddled with the serious as much as they are with the funny lighter moments. Her heroines are always fierce, kickbutt, strong, determined, and they know how to get what they want and Em, is just such a character. From the very first pages, we are thrown right into the very person that Em is. Someone who will be everything her people need her to be while still not losing who she is inside, which is caring, loving, and completely loyal. She can be hard and tough but still retains a softer side despite all that she has seen, done, and been through. 

In other words, Em is the type of heroine I absolutely adore. 

This story isn't completely original but it is something special nonetheless. It is entertaining to the core and was immensely hard to put down. 

I loved every minute of it and ended up devouring it in a matter of hours, sad that I didn't have book two out ready for me to read after. 

I think this will end up being another hit series from this author and I look forward to reading them all. 

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

Review: Summer of Supernovas by Darcy Woods

Title: Summer of Supernovas
Author: Darcy Woods
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Random House (May 10, 2016)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Contemporary
My Rating: 4 Stars!


Book Description:
As the daughter of an expert astrologer, Wilamena Carlisle knows that the truth lies within the stars. So when she discovers a rare planetary alignment, she is forced to tackle her worst astrological fear – The Fifth House of Relationships and Love. But Wil must decide whether a cosmically doomed love is worth rejecting her mother’s legacy, when she falls for a sensitive guitar player hailing from the wrong side of the chart.


Debut author Darcy Woods explores love in all its complexities and how to best honor the loved ones who have passed before us, in a novel packed with both humor and heart. 

*Amazon*B&N*

I read very little anymore from this genre so when I do, I want it to be something adorable, something fun, and most of all, something that will stand out and be noticed.

Summer of the Supernovas is so that read.

Funny, sweet, fast paced, and  packed full of awesome amazing characters this is a love story that is both realistic and sweet with a guy that every girl will want and will definitely make many peoples top ten list this year. 

Woods hit all the right buttons with this one. The ones that made you laugh, smile, get teary eyed, and most of all, the ones that will leave you eagerly and quickly flipping pages because you just can't  get enough of Wil and Grant and their friends. Heck, even Gram was pretty fabulous. 

A fun story perfect for this time of year. One that will leave you with a big smile of your face and a warm happy feeling in your heart. 

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

WoW Pick of the Week!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It is a chance to share those new releases were are super anxious to get our hands on and read.

I have really grown to love this series, oh heck, who am I kidding, I loved it after the first book and I can't wait for book four. I'm so glad I started this series late so I wouldn't have to wait as long for its release. There isn't even a description for it yet and I'm already excited for it.

Summer Must Read List!

I'm trying something different this week, I thought it might be fun to talk about books I want to read in the upcoming months. Not all those fabulous new releases that we all can't wait to get our hands on but instead talk about those releases that have been out for awhile that I have yet to read but keep promising myself I will get to.

In other words, the good old TBR pile.  We all have them, we all love them but sometimes they are so overwhelming it is hard to know what to read and where to start.

So here is my list to myself, a reminder of sorts, of those fabulous books that everybody loves that I have yet to read but truly want to get read by the end of summer. 

I have months to read them so that shouldn't be so hard right?  Before you agree with me, you might want to check my list out, you might be rethinking your answer. 

Some of these are new authors I've been meaning to try or new series from already beloved authors and some are series that I have neglected for way too long and it's about time I gave them some love again. 

So bear with me, the list is a loooooong one.

The first series I've seriously neglected is the Mercy Thompson series. Honestly, I love this series but for whatever reason I stopped reading it after only a few books in. 

I currently need to start book five and I want to get caught up on it by the end of summer. Only five books, that isn't so bad right? *gulp* I can do it!

The next series is one that I know I more than likely won't be able to finish because there are still (insert huge sigh here) 9, yes 9 books I need to read but at the very least I'm hoping I can get a couple knocked out. At least the series is over so I don't have to worry about any new releases right?  This series took my awhile to really warm up to it but I adore it now and can't wait to see how it all ends. 

I adore this series but for whatever reason I've been putting the fourth book off and the fifth will be releasing in only a few months. I definitely have to get this one read. 

So many people loved this when it first came out that I promised myself I would read it and then forgot about it. I finally actually downloaded it to my kindle and will be reading it this summer (hopefully). 

Yet another book that tons of people have loved that I have yet to get to. Hmm, I'm starting to see a pattern here. Maybe I avoid hyped up books because I don't want to be disappointed? 

These two are both trilogies that I loved the first books of and then abandoned somewhere along the way. more than likely just because I didn't have time for them. But I would really really like to finally finish them both and the worst part is, I have all the books for both of them so I really have no excuse.

I would love to jump back into this world. I meant to start book two right after reading book one because I loved it but then I saw that the author went on a writing hiatus and I didn't want to have to wait forever in between releases so I held off. Thankfully the author is writing and releasing again so what better time to pick it back up. 

I love all of Nora's PNR trilogies, even more than her romance books but for some reason I never started this one even though I own all three. Are we seeing a pattern here too? :P

I truly love all of Jennifer's books but for some reason, even though I love this series too, I can only read them in small doses, i.e. not back to back. I have no idea why other than they are heavier and sometimes darker than her YA series she has. Either way, I love Gin and the gang and I do want to read more of them. I'm only on book six and I think there are already fourteen books out. That might be why I'm dragging my feet as well. It doesn't feel like I will ever get caught up on it. :(

This series is one that I don't think is very well known and it's a shame because it is so good! It is funny and fun and so different from other fantasies out there. I try to read them when I want something lighter but still something from this genre and I think it's just about time I pick one up again.

This is an author I discovered through one of my best friends and I jsut love her. Her books are both historic and have a slight paranormal edge to them and even though I've only tried one (which I have yet to post a review for, I suck!) I ended up buying all of her books I could find. *insert embarrassed face here* I might have a small book buying habit. 
Her books are usually long which I think is why I haven't picked one up again but they are so well written and so beautifully detailed with amazing settings that they are hard to say no to at the same time and definitely worth the time it takes to read them. 

I keep telling myself I'm going to read this someday. I've had it since it released in 2014 and yet, here is still sits on my kindle. I love Hoover so I have no idea why I haven't picked it up other than I really do have to be in the right mood and mind frame to read her books because they are always so beautiful but so emotional too. 

Even though I've been avoiding this genre like the plague, Nick recommended this one so highly that I went out and bought it. Now I just need to make the time for it. It does look good though doesn't it?

I need to start a new series like a need a hole in my head but so many people loved this one too I couldn't resist grabbing a copy. I do want to read it. Maybe with book two already out I can read this. I think it's only a duology but someone correct me if I'm wrong!

The history nerd in me and the paranormal lover could not resist this one. Especially since most of my blogging friends have really enjoyed it. Again it is a new series I so do not need to be starting but....yeah, I know I will eventually. Maybe this summer is the time.

Another series that has been recommended to me numerous times and I bought all of the books in it because of it. I really am starting to think I might be crazy you guys. Someone please tell me they do this too. 


So there you have it. About a gazillion books in my TBR pile that I still need to read and just a fraction of them are here. But I really truly wanted to make this the year of my TBR pile with less ARCs, blog tours, and author requests and so far I've been doing really well and I've been happier because of it.

If I can just get caught up on some of these great series now and try all these new fantastic authors, it would be even better. 

So what about you guys, do you have any books you are dying to read that have been in your TBR pile for way too long now? Please please tell me I'm not the only one that buys all these wonderful books and then sets them aside and forgets about them. 


Also do any of you recommend some of these? As in, do you second that I should take the time to read them this summer. I don't want to waste my time starting some of these trilogies only to find out they end badly, if that makes sense. 

Review; The Twelve by Justin Cronin

Title: The Twelve
Author: Justin Cronin
Series: Book Two in the Passage Trilogy
Published By: Random House (October 16, 2012)
Source: Purchased
Genre: Fantasy/Dystopian
My Rating: 5 Stars!


Book Description:
At the end of The Passage, the great viral plague had left a small group of survivors clinging to life amidst a world transformed into a nightmare. In the second volume of this epic trilogy, this same group of survivors, led by the mysterious, charismatic Amy, go on the attack, leading an insurrection against the virals: the first offensives of the Second Viral War.


To do this, they must infiltrate a dozen hives, each presided over by one of the original Twelve. Their secret weapon: Alicia, transformed at the end of book one into a half human, half viral—but whose side, in the end, is she really on? 

*Amazon*B&N*

This trilogy is so hard to describe because there are so many things I love about it. While the original concept for it isn't necessarily unique, the author's imaginative way in which he created the virals, The Twelve and the characters in it, are. 

Cronin is a master, hands down, in being able to tell a story riddled with detail, intricate foreshadowing, and the ability to weave a tale back and forth through time that all comes together full circle in a way that only a true writer can. 

Imaginative, engaging, and completely all its own, this is not your usual tale of vampires, monsters, and an apocalyptic world where humans have to fight to survive. 

There is so much more to this story. So much that intertwines and connects that at times, it truly is mind blowing. 

I can't even really say too much other than Cronin is truly a gifted writer and storyteller and if you are looking for something that is like nothing else, then this is the story for you. Something that you have to dissect, and rethink, and re imagine. Something that will keep you on your toes, keep your mind working and thinking and always wondering, then this is the series for you and Cronin is the author for you.