Beautiful Disaster (Beautiful #1) by Jamie McGuire

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire


The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend America, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the charming college co-ed. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his charms, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’ apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.


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Since goodreads only allows and rating of 5 stars, I’m reduced to giving Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire 5/5 stars (seriously, it deserves 10 stars). 


Disclaimer: 

Have you ever wrote a review of a novel you loved so much it was hard to place into words the amazing-ness of what you just read? THAT is this review. Enjoy. 


Beautiful Disaster review:

To escape the reputation that was unfairly placed on her in her home town, Abby Abernathy, along with her long-standing best friend America, have set out to attend Eastern University for their first year of college. There, Abby has a relatively strange first encounter with the infamous Travis “Mad dog” Maddox. Unfortunately, as much as Abby would rather stay away from Travis, as well as his outstanding reputation for being both a bad boy and ladies man, America has found herself completely smitten with no one other than Travis’ cousin, Shepley. Forced to either disconnect herself from America or make due with Travis’ existence, Abby agrees to keep peace with the notorious bad-boy on campus. 

That is until Abby decides to make a beat with Travis that may just change everything…


In simple terms, Beautiful Disaster is one heck of a roller-coaster ride between two enjoyable characters who are complete opposites yet completely made for one another at the same time. If I could totally erase my mind and re-read this entire novel again, I would in a heart beat because that is how good it is. Ms. McGuire is a truly a very talented writer and her characters are just so relatable and honest, I doubt anyone could hate them. Both Travis and Abby have their flaws but despite any of it, they are so willing to fight to make their relationship last forever. 


Recommend?: 

Yes! Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire is a beautiful story about two people trying to make a relationship work when all odds are stacked against them. From the first page to the last, the reader is taken on an adventure that will promise to have you overjoyed, crying and even screaming incoherently as these to two characters figure out how to make their relationship work. It is a change, but one that is so worth it in the end. 

**It has been rumored that Jamie McGuire will not be making Beautiful Disaster in a series but is, however, write the entire novel in Travis' POV. 


Special thanks:

I have to credit my sister for recommending this novel to me. If I could kiss her for introducing me to Beautiful Disaster, I would, despite the concern of a restraining order. 

Bared to You (Crossfire #1) by Sylvia Day

Bared to You by Sylvia Day


Our journey began in fire...


Gideon Cross came into my life like lightning in the darkness—beautiful and brilliant, jagged and white-hot. I was drawn to him as I'd never been to anything or anyone in my life. I craved his touch like a drug, even knowing it would weaken me. I was flawed and damaged, and he opened those cracks in me so easily...

Gideon knew. He had demons of his own. And we would become the mirrors that reflected each other's most private wounds... and desires.

The bonds of his love transformed me, even as I prayed that the torment of our pasts didn't tear us apart...
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I give Bared to You by Sylvia Day 5/5 stars for being extremely swoon worthy and truly amazing on this captivating journey between Eva and Gideon. 

Bared to You review: 

After recently graduating and moving across country from San Diego to Manhattan, for a whole new beginning with her best friend Cary Taylor, Eva Tramwell lands the job of a life time at Waters Field & Leaman located in the Crossfire Building. Aside from having to come to terms with the New Yorker life-style, Eva also has to concern herself with her ever increasingly, overprotected mother, who has made it her life goal to interfere with her daughters life at any cost to ensure her safety. If a stalker-like-mother wasn’t problem enough, Eva is in for quite a surprise when she meets mysterious yet sexy Gideon Cross, owner of the entire Crossfire Building! What could be so wrong with meeting Mr. Sexy Cross? Only that he was made it his life mission to possess Eva body and soul at any cost, even if she isn’t to bent on the idea.

Bared to You was recommended to be as a cure for my ever devastating Fifty Shades of Grey depression, which typically happens after finishing the third and final novel,Fifty Shades Freed. Having heard about the many similarities between the two novels, I jumped on the chance to have another go in a world I loved so much. After reading Bared to You, I am happy to announce that this novel definitely filled the void. There are enough similarities between the two novels to help with the Fifty Shades depression yet not enough to feel as though this is a ‘copy cat’ situation. 

Recommend?: 
Yes, yes, yes. This Bared to You was phenomenal and I’m very desperate for the next novel, Deeper in You. October 2, 2012 cannot come soon enough; though rumor has it, it will be released sooner than that. I would definitely recommend Bared to You to anyone who loved the Fifty Shades series especially.

Magic at the Gate (Allie Beckstrom #5) by Devon Monk

 

Magic at the Gate by Devon Monk


Allie Beckstrom's lover, Zayvion Jones, is a Guardian of the Gate, imbued with both light and dark magic and responsible for ensuring that those energies don't mix. But Zayvion lies in a coma, his soul trapped in death's realm. And when Allie discovers that the only way to save Zayvion is to sacrifice her very own magical essence, she makes a decision that may have grave consequences for the entire world.
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**Spoilers have been hidden in white. No need to fret. (just scroll over the white area to see spoiler text)**




I give Magic at the Gate 3/5 stars for being entertaining but lacking certain parts that make this series worth reading. 

Disclaimer about review: 

Quick review because I didn’t enjoy Magic at the Gate as much as the prior ones. I blame a certain missing character who I adore so much.

It would kill me to write a negative review for this amazing series so I’m going to keep it short. 

Deal? 


Magic at the Gate (short but hopefully sweet spoiler): 

If you have read Magic on the Storm, which you probably have, you are aware of the serious cliff hanger at the end. Well, Magic at the Gate picks up right where Magic on the Storm leaves off. Allie, Stone and her lovely father are in for quite a trip in the death realm to find a very important lost soul. 

As I mentioned before, I didn’t really connect with this novel. Though Allie, her father, Stone and the infamous Shamus have returned for another crazy save-the-world-or-everyone-dies journey, I felt it lacked the some of the qualities I loved about this series. 

My main point and a HUGE spoiler: 

(spoiler)

Zayvion

(spoiler)

To continue this review would consist of something along the lines of me saying, “blah, blah, blah I missed this character, blah, blah, blah why did he/she have to return the last few pages? So I will just stop now.


Recommend?: 

Even though I didn’t see eye-to-eye with Magic at the Gate, I would absolutely recommend it. Magic at the Gate really sets the reader up for Magic on the Hunt, which will probably have tons of major kick-a** action. I’m totally psyched now especially because my favorite character does return, you know, the one complained about not being in Magic at the Gate. 

Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky #1) by Veronica Rossi

 

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi


Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered. This was worse.

Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland - known as The Death Shop - are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild - a savage - and her only hope of staying alive.

A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile - everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.


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I give Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi, 5/5 starts for having such a captivating world and being simply one of the best reads of 2012.


*Short review because Under the Never Sky is better without any prior knowledge. No spoilers!*


Under the Never Sky Review: 

Aria and Perry come from two different worlds. 

Aria, is a Dweller and Perry is an Outsider. 

To Aria, Perry is a savage. A person who lives on the outside: diseased, dirty, violent, uncontrollable, no better than animal. 

To Perry, Aria is a mole. Someone who lives in on the inside: weak, pampered, the reason for his suffering. 

Now banished from the only life she has ever known, Aria, with very little choice, must team up with Perry who lives in the world her nightmares are created from. Together they will need to look past their differences and team up a greater cause.


Aria: 

Everything is perfect in Aria’s world. She has her friends, mother and her Realms. Everything in Aria’s world is organized and safe- just the way she likes it. However, when Aria loses her only connection to her mother, she will risk everything in order to be able to hear her voice again.


Perry: 

Perry considers himself to be a living curse. The only real acceptance he has ever had comes from his little nephew, Talon. Except now Talon is gone–kidnapped by the Dwellers. Now the only way to get him back is to team up with one. 


Recommend?: 

Absolutely! ,i>Under the Never Sky was nothing like what I was expecting. Its brilliantly written and the story will have you wanting to come back for more.

My only resolve was that it ended to too soon and now I must wait for the next installment: Through the Ever Night.


Extra treats for reading my review (Qoutes!):



Fun encounter: 

She turned to him, her gaze catching on his Markings. “What do you want from me, Savage?”

“Is that what you call us?”

“You’re murderers. Diseased. Cannibals.” She flung the words at him like curses. “I’ve heard the stories.”

Perry crossed his arms. She lived under a rock. What did she know about anything? “Guess we’re well named, Mole.”



Best scene in the novel, I think. :) 

“Aria, what’s wrong?”

She stood, moving slow and defeated. “I’m dying. I’m bleeding.”

Perry’s gaze traveled down her body.

“It’s not my feet.”

“Did you eat any of those berries?”

“No.” She held out her hand. “You might as well have this . . . ”

Perry closed his eyes and inhaled. Her scent had changed. The rancy Dweller musk was almost gone. Her skin breathed a new scent into the air, faint but unmistakable. For the first time since he’d known her, her flesh smelled like something he recognized, feminine and sweet.

He smelled violets.

He took a step back, swearing silently as it hit him. “You’re not dying. . . . You really don’t know?”

“I don’t know anything anymore.”

Perry looked down at the ground and drew another breath, no doubt in his mind.

“Aria . . . it’s your first blood.”

Succubi Are Forever (Succubus Diaries #4) by Jill Myles

Succubi Are Forever by Jill Myles


Tasked by the Archangel Gabriel, Jackie Brighton must find two more lost archangel halos before she's free of her deal. But she's not the only one hunting for the immense power the halos bring, and everyone around her has motives - succubi, serim, and vampire. It's a race to the finish line, and only one person is going to come out on top. 

But will Jackie stand tall when even her allies are set to betray her? Noah Gideon is back, and he's never liked taking 'no' for an answer. The mysterious assassin Sophie is helping out, but Sophie has her own agenda. So does Jackie's newest rival, the ancient hetaera Phryne, who wants to use the halos to give a new world to succubi everywhere - one that doesn't involve their masters. 

Every immortal wants those halos, but Jackie's not sure they're worth her life, or Zane's freedom. 

But she might not have a choice...


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I give Succubi Are Forever by Jill Myles 4/5 stars for being so entertaining and captivating and really living up to all my expectations.


My excitement (you probably shouldn’t read this): 

Well, I feel like I have been waiting forever for this novel to be released (not really, it’s been like four months, for me anyways). Still, words can’t explain how excited I was to find Succubi are Forever was released a few days ago. 


Succubi Are Forever Review: 

Action, love, friendship, heartbreak, and death are only a few words that come to mind when I think about the events that happen in Succubi Are Forever . Honestly, after reading this novel, I feel as though I was just put through an emotional rollercoaster that will take me days to overcome. 

In my opinion, one of my favorite features of this series is the friendship between Jackie and Remy. Remy really is the Robin Hood to Jackie’s Batman; It doesn’t matter what kind of situation Jackie has gotten herself into, Remy will always be there to support her no matter what. Now that is a friendship that deserves to be reconginzed. 


Recommend?: 

Yes! Succubi Are Forever was such a lovely novel to read and a nice finale for the whole series. 

Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades #1) by E.L. James

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.

Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.

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 I give Fifty Shades of Grey by EL James, 5/5 stars for being beyond all my expectations and extremely well written. 


My feelings on Fifty Shades of Grey: *skip this is you want to read my review* 

Let me start out by explaining that if you haven’t heart a thing about this novel, you are seriously living under a rock. Fifty Shades of Grey is the new hype right now in popular culture; from skits on Saturday Night Live, to Ellen Degeneres trying to narrate the book, this novel is being talked about everywhere and by everyone.

However, I can honestly say, half the things I have heard about Fifty Shades of Greyare WRONG .

That’s right, wrong. The things people say when discussing Fifty Shades of Grey , had me removing it from my TBR list on many occasions. In order to prevent anymore scare tatics, let’s clear things up:

1.No Anastasia is not hung from a ceiling and whipped with a pancake maker. - A pancake maker? 

2.Christian does NOT turn Anastasia into his dog (resembling the movie Centipede). - This movie was disgusting. Please never mention this again.

3.Fifty Shades of Grey should be considered a step-back in women’s rights. - Ah, please stop. That is ridiculous. If you think this novel will take women’s right to vote and etc away, keep dreaming. 

4.Fifty Shades of Grey deserves to be banned in every library. - Great idea! Let’s start the oppression. 


Fifty Shades of Grey Review: 

Anastasia Steele finds herself in a very interesting situation when she, instead of her friend Kate Kavanagh, is sent to interview the mysterious Christian Grey (CEO of Grey Enterprises Holding INC.) Having never heard of this business guru, Anastasia is in for quite a surprise when she finds he’s more than what she was expecting. Christian Grey has set his sights on Anastasia and has no intentions of letting her go. 

Fifty Shades of Grey is definitely unique. Many times, this novel begs the reader to step out of their comfort zone and into the mind of Christian Grey. Underneath Christian’s cold and driven attitude is someone very scared by the devastating events in his early life. 


Anastasia Steele:

Anastasia Steele is the kind of heroine that needs to be recognized. She is smart, pretty, brave and very strong willed. I was so amazed by how she was able to handle herself throughout this entire novel. Not many people are willing to leave their comfort zones and allow life to take them on journey wherever it may land. Anastasia is by far one of my new favorite heroines. 


Christian Grey:

I found myself able to really connect with Christian and understand why he chooses to live the way he does. Since this was the case, I was able to see through his exterior into the little boy that I knew still existed inside of him; the one still looking for acceptance and love. 


Recommend?:

Yes, yes, YES. Is that enough of an answer? No? You want more? Okay. How about this...this novel will blow your mind apart and make you questions things you never thought you would. A total game changer you want to be a part of. Read it now.