Jack and Lexi never had a typical relationship. After 2 years without speaking, she receives a phone call that changes everything. He unexpectedly asks her to convince the new girl, Bekah, that he's ready to commit. Jack is calling now after everything they had been through because there is another woman. She can't believe it. Follow Lexi in this heart wrenching drama as she relives her past relationship, or lack thereof, with Jack, and not just in her own mind, but to his fiance-to-be. Throw in Bekah's hot brother who always seems to be in the right place at the right time, a past with more secrets to unravel than you can even imagine, and you get a recipe for disaster. Find out what happens to Lexi as she travels to Atlanta to get the closure she so desperately desires from Jack, and how the bumps of life seem to keep getting in the way - Goodreads

I have a weakness for books that have wild emotional ride storyline and would make me understand and relate to the characters involved and this book did it and much more. Everything about it tugged at my emotions. It is the kind of book that looks like I'm riding a roller coaster ride and leave me breathless once I'm done. To say that this book was amazing is just an understatement.

Avoiding Commitment was recommended to me by a friend of mine with a note asking me if I will be on Team Jack or Team Ramsey. I didn't understand what she meant at first because I was only reading the summary at the back but when I was done, I was totally conflicted. 

* May contain spoilers

Jack is  a total asshole. I love and hate him at the same time. I love him for his alpha-ness, his masculinity, his gorgeousness and the fact that when he's with Lexi, he is honest and loving, you will totally swoon over him.  But the other Jack is totally hateful as well. He could be the worst kind of character. A selfish, liar, destructive and manipulative guy who thinks about himself and constantly inflict heartache to Lexi.

Lexi. Girl you made heroes fade in the limelight with your martyrdom. As far as I can remember, I had never encountered a character as dumb as you. The warning signs were all there but you won't do anything about it. Jack had hurt you countless times but you still keep letting him into your life. You could always blame it to good ole love, but that's not a healthy kind of love at all. If you want to really move on with your life, you had to learn how to completely let go of your past.

Bekah. Of all the characters, you surprised me. I always knew that there were something hidden behind that sweet, southern belle facade but I didn't expected it to be this worst. You're one manipulative bitch. You and Jack are perfect for each other.

Ramsey. You appeared mysterious to me. I hadn't really gotten to know you well (hopefully in book 2) but all I can say is you showed promised. You are a total sweetheart and I'm hoping that you did not connive with your manipulative sister's plan.

Words fail to express how my feelings and emotions was subjected to when I read this book. Avoiding Commitment becomes my new favorite. Page after page, it completely exhausted me. Its one of those books that you will love and hate the characters involved. It was filled with so much angst and drama, you can't simply put it down.

So to answer my friend's question, I'm on Team Jack. I know I wrote explicit description of him but I also knew that deep down inside, there's a good reason why he keeps coming back to Lexi.  In every relationship that Jack had, Lexi is the one constant factor. They were never a couple but the relationship that they had runs deep. I do believe that somehow he does care about her and I do hope that he will not avoid whatever feelings he had for Lexi.

I do recommend Avoiding Commitment to those who love reading an emotional roller coaster ride book. You might be throwing things and cursed while reading this book  but don't say, I did not warn you. So read at your own risk and while you're doing that, I will grab and read book two of the series Avoiding Responsibility.

Ella and Micha have been best friends since they were kids. But one tragic night shatters their friendship and their lives forever.

Ella used to be a rule-breaker with fiery attitude who wore her heart on her sleeve. But she left everything behind when she went to college and transformed into someone that follows the rules, keeps everything together, and hides all her problems. But now it's summer break and she has nowhere else to go but home.

Ella fears everything she worked so hard to bury might resurface, especially with Micha living right next door. If Micha tries to tempt the old her back, she knows that it will be hard to resist.

Micha is sexy, smart, confident, and can get under Ella’s skin like no one else can. He knows everything about her, including her darkest secrets. And he’s determined to bring his best friend, and the girl he loves back, no matter what it takes.- Goodreads

The Secret of Ella and Micha had been sitting on my book shelf for a few months already. I was planning to read it right after I got my copy but it was pushed back when new books arrived. There were a number of reasons why I picked up this book. One of which is the cover. The cover was gorgeous and I love that it was in gray-scale with only a pop of blood red as its accent. It makes the book more appealing. I also love the fact that the title was simple but in a way mysterious. It makes you want to discover the secrets they were keeping. But was these reasons enough for me to give it five stars? I don't think so.

Don't get me wrong. The Secret of Ella and Micha was really a good book. Its not your typical young adult romance wherein the formula is too cliche. The whole book was told in two different POV's which made it more interesting. Because as a reader, you always wanted to know what the other one is thinking in a particular scene. So instead of waiting for another book for the other person's POV, it will save more time if they would just be incorporated in one book. The story was also simple and easy. No heavy plot that will tend to make readers confused. It was just told on a personal level and the characters with their own baggage were real and relatable. I loved it for the fact that there was nothing special between the two lead acts. No perfect one and flawed one. No divisions. Both of them are two individuals that are flawed but was able to find each other.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book but it was not enough for me to gave it five stars. Why? because I found it a bit too forced. It would have been much better if there was some sort of a backstory why Ella left. Plus the fact that the tattooed bad boy who sings and write songs and dreams of becoming a rockstar was a character that was too overuse in most romance novels nowadays. I know I love these kind of boys but I would appreciate it  more if there is something that will separate one from the other heroes I've read. But the main thing that got me bugged out though was the "secret" . I wanted to read this book because I wanted to know what their secrets are. I was a bit disappointed that's its not that "big" though. I was expecting something more due to the fact that this is the title of the book.

Nevertheless, I liked The Secret of Ella and Micha. It is a lovely tale about love, lost and acceptance. 

One day while watching the Interstate exit for her dad’s long awaited return, Libby’s life is rocked when Peter Jamieson steps off his tour bus and into her life. After a couple chance meetings with Peter, Libby breaks away from her rule abiding behavior and her life changes course.

Peter longs for normalcy away from the screaming fans who know nothing about the real him. He is amazed to discover Libby has never heard of him or his band. Soon their friendship turns to love. While Peter battles his family's growing interference so he can spend time with Libby, she struggles with her eccentric aunt who turns more bizarre each day.

Their lives are torn apart when Peter's family intrudes and Libby disappears. Peter’s desperate search for her comes up empty. Can they find their way back to each other while the world plots against them? - Goodreads

As what I admitted in my previous posts and base also on the kind of books I've read, I'm a sucker for romance stories that has rock stars and celebrities in it. This is not because I wanted to be famous or something but I just had a thing with these kind of romantic relationships. They are unconventional and so romantic. So when I saw this book up on my  recommendations list on my  goodreads account, I knew I have to read it.

Rock and a Hard Place is a modern retelling of one of my favorite fairy tale of all time, Cinderella. At a young age, Libby lost everything after that tragic accident that took her mother and sister and had cause her father to leave her to a drug seller aunt and abandon her. While Peter, lives on the limelight as one of the member of the hottest band, Triple Threat. It might have the cliched storyline of boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy does everything to get the girl back, it was told in a not so cheesy kind of way. I was expecting a full blown romantic story of an ordinary girl falling in love with a rock prince but it surprised me when what I got was not just a romance story but also a story about hope, survival and finding one's self. 

It was an emotional book to read. It had me gripping my e-reader when something bad happened to Libby. I was doing my best in fighting tears to keep them from falling down. I sympathize with Libby. I felt what she had gone through after that accident. I was beyond happy when she met Peter but was sad when she lost him. I knew that they will going to find each other soon but once again, Stanton surprised me with the last few chapters. I'm not going to tell anything about it because it would be much better if you read it yourself to know what I'm talking about. All I can say is that the last few chapters were perhaps the most romantic scene in this book. It will truly illicit a burst of emotion from you when they met again and what happens next.

Overall, I loved Rock and a Hard Place. Though it was not a long book to read, it will not left you confused and rushed. Angie Stanton was able to create twist and turns that will left you satisfied in less than a thousand pages. This is one of the books can't be easily put down.

With her thirtieth birthday looming, Emma Harrison finds her biological clock clanging and the elusive knight in shining armor yet to appear. She’s running out of options, especially after her gay best friend backs out from being her sperm donor. Of course, there’s always a sperm bank, but Emma fears a donor mix-up might impregnate her with the spawn of Satan.

Resident company womanizer, Aidan Fitzgerald, is used to always getting what he wants, especially in the bedroom. When Emma spurns his advances at the company Christmas party, he's determined to have her no matter what it takes. After Aidan learns of Emma's predicament, he is quick to offer a proposition that will benefit them both. He will father Emma's child, but she must conceive it with him naturally. Not one for hook-ups or casual sex, Emma is reluctant to take him up on his offer, but his charm, coupled with her intense desire for motherhood, wins out.

Soon their baby-making sessions become more than just physical. Aidan can't seem to walk away from her while Emma begins to wonder if Aidan could be the one. But can Aidan leave his past behind to become the man Emma needs him to be? - Goodreads

I'm a sucker for books that portrayed unconventional romantic relationships. So when I saw this book up on The New York Times' Bestsellers list and read the blurb, I knew then that I had to get a copy of this.

The Proposition has got be one of the best romantic novel's I've read this year. It has mixtures of the elements that I want when I read a romance book - humor, sweet, hot and steamy characters and dialogues that will make you grin. I'm not going to discuss further on its plot but basically it is a story of two individuals wanting something from each one and had to make a scheme to make it happen not knowing that it would change them forever. Emma wanted a baby for her own. Being on the age of thirty and a ticking biological clock, she goes to extreme things of having her self knocked up even asking her gay friend to be her donor. Aidan on the other hand is a player whose reputation of bedding different women had become synonymous to his name. He first saw Emma in a party and wanted her right away but was turned down. Having heard, Emma's predicament, he offered to be her sperm donor but the clause is they had to do it naturally. Sounds interesting right?

I got my copy of this book yesterday and started reading it last night. I was instantly hooked and was having a hard time putting it down. I fell in love with the story. It wasn't all about hot, steamy sex but there's a rare blend of humor in it that to some books that I've read sounded "forced" but in The Proposition, you couldn't help yourself but laughed and giggled along with it. I was sucked in by how author Katie Ashley created a perfect romance book story and not bothering to check how much was left or how far I am to the end part. So imagine my surprise  when "To be continued" was the last set of words I've read. Quite frankly, I didn't read any previous reviews about this book because I was so excited to read it right away when I got my copy. I didn't bother to read what other book lovers had to say about this book. I was too caught up with what I'm reading that I literally shouted explicit words when I got to the end part because if there's one thing that I love and hate about reading, it is cliffhangers. And it pained my heart to understand that I have to wait for three months for the sequel.

Overall, I really love this book (cliffhanger aside). I hadn't ready any books from this author yet but I definitely love her style. I'm looking forward for the next book and see what will happen to Aidan and Emma's relationship.

Most high school sports teams have rivalries with other schools. At Hamilton High, it's a civil war: the football team versus the soccer team. And for her part,Lissa is sick of it. Her quarterback boyfriend, Randy, is always ditching her to go pick a fight with the soccer team or to prank their locker room. And on three separate occasions Randy's car has been egged while he and Lissa were inside, making out. She is done competing with a bunch of sweaty boys for her own boyfriend's attention

Then Lissa decides to end the rivalry once and for all: She and the other players' girlfriends go on a hookup strike. The boys won't get any action from them until the football and soccer teams make peace. What they don't count on is a new sort of rivalry: an impossible girls-against-boys showdown that hinges on who will cave to their libidos first. But what Lissa never sees coming is her own sexual tension with the leader of the boys, Cash Sterling.. - Goodreads

Shut Out is a modern-day retelling of Aristophanes’ Lysistrata, a classic Greek play about Lysistrata and her attempt to end the Peloponnesian War by persuading the women of the warring nations to withhold sex from their husbands in order to force peace negotiations. This started a battle of the sexes as both sides try to stand their ground until eventually, the men give in and peace is achieved. Now, why did I knew about it? it was actually mentioned in the book and had played a great role all throughout. I had read Lysistrata way back in high school but to be honest, I can't really remember what it is. 

As a book lover, we have this tendency to compare the author's sophomore book to the debut one to check which is better. This is the sophomore novel of Kody Keplinger after her debut: The Duff. I haven't read The Duff yet so thankfully, I didn't have something to compare of. This could be good on my part because I am not a big fan of this book. 

Shut out again falls into the cliche of young contemporary romance that will somehow reminds you of those pocketbooks you've read in high school like Sweet Valley High and Sweet Dreams Romances. Quite frankly, I don't mind reading cliche high school romances but the fact is if it becomes too common and hadn't offer something new and interesting, it would be disaster.

I really could have like this book. The cover is gorgeous. The blurb sounds interesting. The first few chapters were good but other than that? it was boring. The plot is so predictable and dragging that there were some instances that I just flip over the pages cause I didn't found information that will catch my attention there. Another problem I had on this book was the main drama about sex abstinence so that a war can be resolved. Where's the reality on that one? It all happened hundreds of years ago and it was just mentioned on books but in real life, it won't happen.

Shut out may not be one of the books that will fall easily on my category of "unforgettable ones" I may have stated reasons why I can't rate it a five. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed it reading it.

Emmy thinks her boss Kyle Sterling of Sterling Corporations is a jerk.

So, she sleeps with him.

Emmy tries to put the mistake behind her, but then finds herself snowed in with Kyle. As the snow builds, so does the heat in the house between the two. The problem is that Kyle has a steady girlfriend that he is unwilling to break up with. Emmy cuts Kyle off and starts dating Luke. Even as their relationship takes off, Emmy is finding Kyle hard to shake. He is blatant in his feelings and desires for Emmy, putting her in an awkward situation. She tries hard to resist Kyle, but deep down inside Emmy's motives are shady. When Emmy succumbs to her hidden feelings for Kyle without setting Luke free, devastating consequences ensue.

In addition to her two men, Emmy daydreams about doing violent things to her loud mouthed, opinionated mother.

With some humor and sarcasm, and of course, some tequila, Emmy's world will flip upside down as she deals with the results of "accidentally on purpose" falling for two men at once. - Goodreads

REVIEW

Honestly, I don't know where to start and I don't know how to rate it. I had this book sitting on my shelf for a couple of weeks already. I was so excited to read it because it got positive reviews in Goodreads and it has the elements that I want when I wanted to read a good romance book like love, characters, love triangle, angst, gorgeous cover and intriguing book summary. It was an additional bonus that it was also featured in New York Times bestsellers list. I did read it in the end and divulged it in one sitting however, it was an interesting book to read because it did met some of my expectations and there were some parts that I was not too keen about. In short, this book had me on a loophole

Accidentally on Purpose  had me on a circle all the time. One minute I love it when I got caught up in the story but then boom! something happened but I didn't know where it came from. I also came to loved and hate the main character Emmy. I loved her humor and her constant banter with her mom but I hated her for her choices. She was supposed to an independent and strong woman but I didn't get it why she allowed someone to take control of her life and hurt her in the end. She has got to be the most selfish, stupid character I have ever  read about. I just wanted to slap some sense into her the whole time. With regards to the other two, I love Luke. He was the perfect gentleman while Kyle was a douche bag. At first, I was rooting for Kyle but he got some problems towards the end that it became predictable who will she choose.

Nonetheless, I mostly enjoyed it the whole time. It was an easy read and a good page turner. But whether or not its one of the books that will remain in your heart, it all depends on you as a reader. I would recommend it to readers who loves reading love triangles and romantic issues. 

It's been twelve years since Tru Bennett last saw Jake Wethers, her former best friend and boy she once loved.

Jake Wethers, sexy, tattooed and deliciously bad lead singer, and brains behind The Mighty Storm, one of biggest bands in the world, left Tru with a broken heart when he moved from England to America with his family when they were both fourteen.

Sent to interview Jake for her music column by the magazine she works for, they are both unprepared for the sparks that fly the instant they reconnect. Only, there’s a complication to their instant feelings for one another – Will, Tru’s boyfriend of two years.

Then Jake makes Tru a job offer she can't refuse - travelling the world with him and his band. But taking the job means leaving Will behind, and being on the road with the band means spending an inordinate amount of time with Jake.

Is Tru strong enough to resist the delectable bad boy who once held her heart so completely, or will she willingly risk it all for one night with the worlds most notorious womanizer? - Goodreads

I read this book last month but up until now I can still remember how I was affected by it and how it left me with a smile and a grin in my face. From the gorgeous, sexy and hot cover, the blurb till the last page, I was obsessed and was not able to put it down that I have to stay straight hours just to finish reading it in one sitting.

It all started when I first read Thoughtless and Effortless. I was so in love with those books that I began to devoured romance books that has rock stars as its main characters I've read a couple of them already before reading this but The Mighty Storm occupies the second spot for me (after the Thoughtless series). This book has everything that you need for a good contemporary romance. An unforgettable romance story, drama, jealousy, love triangle, second chances and steamy scenes. Told from Tru's point of view, the story unfolds at a great pace leaving no confusions behind. It has some similarities to the Thoughtless series but can stand on its own. 

I love the characters involved. I can feel their longing and their emotions like my own. Though the topic (cheating) is somehow controversial, it was so well-written that is so much like what is happening in real life. One thing that I also love from this book was the music. Before each chapter, the author incorporates lyrics of a certain song that is somehow related to what was happening or about to happen in that chapter. It's not just a random song but it connotes something that you as a reader wanted to find out. It is a nice twist added that will separate this book from other contemporary romance books out there.

Overall, The Mighty Storm is a fantastic reading experience and Jake Whethers is up there with Kellan Kyle.

It's not everyday that you get to move to New York City and reinvent yourself. I was tired of being boring, predictable Emma Mills. I was convinced that my life would be totally different in the Big Apple.

And I was right.

Jackson Reynard was irresistible and I had no plans on resisting him. Jackson was the epitome of tall, dark and handsome and I was more than happy to let him sweep me off my feet. I expected a summer fling but instead I got a heart-stopping romance. I realized that I had met the love of my life. I just didn't realize that sometimes love isn't enough.

It's hard enough getting over an ex. It's even harder when he becomes Hollywood's next biggest heartthrob and his face is plastered on every magazine cover. But the hardest part? The hardest part is when he thrusts himself back into my life and won't let go of the past.

I survived losing the man I loved the first time. I don't think I'll survive it again. - Goodreads

I am a fan of emotional roller coaster books. I love drama and conflict. I love conflicted characters, angst, mistakes, second chances and steamy scenes. If a book has all of these, then I would be having a hard time putting it down. This was what happened when I had gotten a chance to read this book. I first saw it as one of the books recommended to me on my goodreads account. I was intrigued at the cover, it screams sexiness and reminded me of Avoiding Commitment. The summary at the back promises something too and thank goodness, I was not disappointed.

Love Left Behind is one of the books that just comes out of nowhere and surprises you. I'm not going to divulge anything about its plot but basically it has something to do with a love lost and gained back again. While reading this book, I found myself sympathizing with the main characters involved. Even though, it was a whirlwind romance, I could feel the pain and the heartache that each one of them goes through and all of those emotions that they shared along with their sweet and cute love story. I like the fact that S.H. Kolee did not concentrate mainly on Jackson and Emma alone but she was able to incorporate other characters that made them what they are now. I also like the fact, that it kept me on my toes with surprises you did not expect to happen. Like when you thought, it's a happy ever after and then someone/something comes along that will ruined everything that you started, it has lots of these in this book. Though, it was long, I was not bored with it. Heck, I was not able to put it down!

Overall, it was a fell-good love story and I will recommend if you love an angst-filled romance story. 

For the last four years, good girl Lane has regretted breaking up with Noel Falcon. She thought she was sensible when she told him his dreams of being a rock star would get him nowhere, but now that he's a rock god and her career is stagnant, she realizes just how wrong she was. When Noel hires the marketing company where Lane is an intern, she’s forced to see him again. If she wants to land her dream job as executive within the company, she has to win him over and secure his account. Too bad Noel is still pissed at her for breaking his heart.

When Lane’s company flies her to a Black Falcon concert to gain Noel’s attention, emotions run high the moment she sees him and realizes she’s far from over him. But Noel’s countless trysts with groupies and his cocky attitude make Lane believe he isn’t the same guy she once loved—now he seems to only want her body. Then after Lane discloses she needs him to procure a job, Noel proves he’s a changed man by forcing her to go on the road with him in order to get it.

After Lane reluctantly takes Noel up on his offer, she becomes willing to do whatever it takes to keep him satisfied, even if it means succumbing to his seductive ways. Lane soon finds deception is a dangerous game and she’s not the only one playing. - Goodreads

Aside from the love that I have for bad-ass, tattooed guy with a sweet heart ala Travis Maddox of Beautiful Disaster, I was also in love with musicians most specially rock stars when I read Effortless and Thoughtless. I found this book while I was browsing through my Goodreads recommendations and I devoured it in one sitting.

Rock the Heart was a quick and easy read. From the moment I saw the cover and the blurb at the back, I knew this is what I was looking for to satisfy my withdrawal and craving for another Kellan Kyle. It has everything that you would need your romance book to be in less than a thousand pages. At first glance and well base also on my reading experiences, I was thinking that this would be an erotic or a mature romance book but it was the opposite. The intimate scenes were just moderate and not to "flashy" that's why I would shelved it as a young adult type of book.

Quite frankly, I was having hesitations in reading this book because of the number of pages. I had this book downloaded on my e-reader so when I noticed that it only has less than a thousand pages, I was like "damn". I had this problem with smaller number of pages because I knew that everything will be rush and there would be no room for character development and supporting roles. Rock the Heart did not suffered from this same problem. Though it was short, it was Michelle Valentine was able to incorporate everything inside without leaving room for confusions. There was a good mix of past and present events so that the readers will not left on their own to figure out what had happened in the past that made them the way they are now.

Overall, It was a really good read but I can only rate it with four stars rather than five because I have read rock star romances before and all of the storyline were the same. I had this feeling that something was missing, yet, I could not pinpoint what it is. Even though, Rock the Heart did not offer something new but it was still a page-turner. I wouldn't recommend it if you're looking for something new and original but if you're looking for a book that could satisfy you're sexy and sweet rock star craving, this one's for you.

Life sucks for orphans Callum Tate and Harper Bailey.

Kicked out of their foster homes because they suffer the 'eighteen disease' with nothing but a hundred dollar check from the government and a pat on the back, they're forced to rely on a system that failed them miserably.

So they sit. They sit inside Social Services, waiting for their social workers to call their names and offer them the miracle they know will never come but they sit anyway because they have nowhere else to go, no other options on their very literal and figurative empty plates.

But as they sit, they notice the other. Although captivated, they each come to the conclusion that life is complicated enough without throwing in a boiling tension that can't ever be acted upon because they're both too busy thinking about where their next meal will come from but when their names are called and both are placed on a year long waiting list for permanent housing, suddenly relying on each other seems like a very viable plan B.

And, oh, how lovely Plan B's can be.

Well, except for the psycho from Harper's past that haunts her and, oh, yeah, there's the little issue that neither of them knows they're in love with the other.

Needless to say, Callum & Harper's life just got a bit more complicated. - Goodreads

REVIEW

I had this book in my shelf for a couple of months already. I could still remember picking it out because I was captivated with the summary at the back of this book. It was beautiful and an interesting one. However, it was shelved and pushed back to a "later read" because I was not captivated by its cover. For some reasons, I had a hard time understanding what the cover portrayed. The summary says it was a romance story but the cover looked more like a horror or paranormal type of book. Thus, it just blended in the background and was overshadowed by other books in my shelf that has an attractive book cover. Quite frankly, I began reading it, when I had nothing else to read.

You know the feeling of after reading a book and you're like "Damn! Why didn't I read it earlier?" Well, that's what I felt after reading this book. From the first page till the last, It kept me hooked.The storyline, main characters and supporting ones were put together perfectly and I was having a hard time putting it down. I haven't read any books about orphaned teenagers but this one pulled something inside me. It tugged at my emotional self and I could feel their looses and hardships like it were my own.

This was supposed to be a five star book however what irked me about it was their romance build-up was a bit dragging. They were sparks flying when they first met and they both acknowledge deep inside their selves. But waiting for two years before telling the other one about their feelings was confusing and unbelievable. They were practically living in one roof and married each other (spoiler) though it was for other reason. They could have acknowledge it right away because in the real world, you can't pretend that you are just friends if your actions speaks otherwise. This could have made the book much more relatable.

Overall, I really loved Callum and Harper. They found each other when both of them were lost. They managed to survive in the cruel world that had turned its back on them countless times.They proved that there wouldn't be anything they wouldn't do to make the other one happy. They were soulmates and their's is a great love story.

Sylvia has spent the last 4 years getting over her high school sweetheart. With her friends, she has moved on and started dating a mysterious bad boy. She's content, until she meets the new neighbor. Quinn moved to finish college close to his parents and has his own hurtful past and is looking forward to starting med school. Little do they know that what they each need is waiting across the hall. - Goodreads

I'm a sucker for second chances. That's the reason I got this book because the blurb promises an interesting story to read and it would be a breathe of fresh air for someone like me to read a romance novel about second chances. I don't know why but lately I have fallen into a pattern of reading love at first sight romances. I was a little worried at first because I've read a couple of not so good reviews about this book. Nevertheless, I picked it out and devoured it in one sitting.

Across the Hall started strong. The first few chapters got me on my feet and had piqued my interest. It typically lived up to what I was hoping for and what it promises. But it was just short lived. The second part was where the whole thing goes down for me. The story became too predictable to the point of being boring. At first, I didn't have any problem with the alternating point of view between the two protagonists in every chapter. However, it annoyed me later when I noticed that they just kept on repeating the same events that had happened but in another person's POV. It became too monotonous. I would have preferred for the POV's to start with a different event to have some progress on the storyline rather than repeating the same scene all over again. It was just too much of redundancy to the point of losing interest.

Anyways, Across the Hall is still a good read. There might be lapses and the story was dragging but it kept me entertained. I would definitely recommend it to someone looking for a light and refreshing contemporary read. However, this is not the kind of book you would remember months from now. It's not memorable.

Lena's mother, Annabel, has always been a mystery—a ghost in Lena's past. Until now.

Discover her secrets in Lauren Oliver's brilliant original digital story set in the world of New York Times bestsellers Delirium and Pandemonium.

Lena Halloway's mother, Annabel, supposedly committed suicide when Lena was only six years old. That's the lie that Lena grew up believing, but the truth is very different. As a rebellious teenager, Annabel ran away from home and straight into the man she knew she was destined to marry. The world was different then—the regulations not as stringent, the cure only a decade old. Fast forward to the present, and Annabel is consigned to a dirty prison cell, where she nurtures her hope of escape and scratches one word over and over into the walls: Love.

But Annabel, like Lena, is a fighter. Through chapters that alternate between her past and present, Annabel reveals the story behind her failed cures, her marriage, the births of her children, her imprisonment, and, ultimately, her daring escape. - Goodreads

OMG! Another thing to add to my Christmas Wishlist!

Lauren Oliver did not only promised us Requiem  but she also created another back-story for her bestselling series and this time its all about the elusive Annabel. I blog about these wonders HERE and to those who had read Pandemonium, we now knew that Lena had met her mother under ground while she was helping Lena and Jullian escape. Lena did not recognized her until later and she has a lot of questions for her. 

So for those, Delirium fans out there (like myself). This novella will be released this Dec. 26, 2012. So better mark your calendars and pre-order now.

Eighteen year old Harper has grown up under her career Marine of a father's thumb. Ready to live life her own way and experience things she's only ever heard of from the jarheads in her father's unit; she's on her way to college at San Diego State University.

Thanks to her new roommate, Harper is introduced to a world of parties, gorgeous guys, family and emotions. Some she wasn't expecting yet, and others she never knew she was missing.

She finds herself being torn in two as she quickly falls in love with her boyfriend Brandon, and her roommate's brother Chase. Covered in tattoos, known for fighting in the Underground and ridiculously muscled...they're exactly what she was always warned to stay away from, but just what she needs. Despite their dangerous looks and histories, both adore and would do anything for Harper, including stepping back if it means she's happy.

Her first year away is turning out to be near perfect, but one weekend of giving in to heated passion will change everything. - Goodreads

REVIEW

I finished this book a couple of months ago, yet, I can still remember its story and how it affected me without re-reading. It was like riding into a roller coaster. You have pure excitement, happiness and shocked. It was an intense ride that I can't kept my tears from falling down. There were even moments that I wanted to rip Molly McAdams for creating something that ripped my heart and had me mourning.

The Story:

Harper grew up under the strict rule of a Marine Officer Father she called "Sir" and a bunch of marine boys that never took advantage of her. When she turned eighteen, she went to college across the country to be free from her Dad. There she meet her college roommate that introduce her to a life she never experienced before. She met Chase, her roommate's brother and though he was a jerk to her at first, she begun to develop a crush on him. But she guarded herself from falling to him because he was a player. Through Chase, she met Brandon, Chase's frat brother that seemed to like her and began to court her. Having same feelings, they instantly started dating. But Harper, still can't forget Chase and was torn between her feelings for these two guys. 

Sounds complicated? 

That's just the like 50% of what the book is. The other 50% was what happened after Harper and Chase gave in to a weekend of passion. The roller coaster ride literally starts there. Somehow, I was prepared when something happened between the two of them. I kinda expected it already since this is a love triangle and cheating is pretty much a big factor for this kind of plot to work. But I was not prepared about the second event that shook things up and I was in anguish when something worst happened without giving me an indication or a heads-up.

Brandon was really a nice guy and all. But I fell in love with Chase. I felt his heartache when he can't have the one thing that makes him happy. I felt his pain when he saw them as a couple. I was rooting for him all the way so when he had a chance to be with Harper, I felt his happiness. He can really be a good guy to Harper as well as her knight. He really do love Harper and will do anything for her.  But then that "thing" happened and I cried my heart out and had to ask myself a number of "why's" . I had a hard time recovering from that scene and had to pause and re-read that part to make sure that it really did happened. It was so sudden and unexpected that I found myself gasping for breath and shed tears. I thought that they had their happy ever after but sad to say McAdams had other plans. Nevertheless, I was happy with the ending though. It was not what I wanted to happened but It was what should happen.

This is the first YA Romance book that I shed tears with. I usually had these feelings when I read a Danielle Steel novel but this one made its way into my world. I would recommend that you place a box of tissue when you're reading it because trust me, you would really need it.

Taylor Caldwell can't decide if she wants to kiss her new college roommate or punch him.

On the one hand, Hunter Zaccadelli is a handsome, blue-eyed bundle of charm. On the other, he's a tattooed, guitar-playing bundle of bad boy. Maybe that's why Taylor's afraid of falling in love with him, or anyone else. She doesn't want to get burned, and even though her other roommates adore him, she wants him gone before it's too late.

Hunter himself has been been burned before, but the fact that Taylor calls him out on his crap and has the sexiest laugh ever make him decide maybe love isn't a lost cause. They make a bet: if she can convince him she truly loves or hates him, he'll leave the apartment--and leave her alone. The problem is, the more time they spend together, the less she hates him, and the more she moves toward love.

But when the man who holds the key to Taylor's fear of giving up her heart resurfaces and threatens to wreck everything, she has to decide: trust Hunter with her greatest secret, or do everything in her power to win that bet and drive him away forever. - Goodreads

REVIEW

As I said a couple of times before and with my previous blog posts, I fell in love with Jamie McGuire's Beautiful Disaster. In fact, when I read the blurb at the back of most books I picked out it always involves bad-ass, tattooed and troubled hero and a girl that will change him forever. I don't mind reading same plot over and over again. I just don't like it when it was bad.

So this book started as a good one for me. I picked it out because of its similarities with Beautiful Disaster and the blurb promises good things to happen and an intriguing plot that was interesting. It was good though when it started but after reading 5-10 chapters, I was somehow disappointed. 

For the most part of this book, I was confused. There were some parts or scenes in this book that had me literally shaking my head. One of which is the deal Hunter and Taylor made. Hunter will leave their apartment if she can prove to him that he loves or hates him. Come on?! who makes this kind of arrangement? Another thing is that the character development and the relationship build-up was simply flat. Yes, they both had issues about their past but after it was revealed, there was no indication that one of them had already put their past experiences behind. Even the end part bothered me. I was flipping through the page and then I realized it was the acknowledgement page already and I was like "Is that it?" ugh!

There were so many things that for me didn't add up and didn't make any sense at all in this. Since the similarities with Beautiful Disaster were so vivid, I was hoping that it will live up to the success of BD but in the end, it was just a good read when you're bored or just want to grab a random book but It was not the kind of book that will hooked you up and leave you wanting for more.