"Suddenly Royal" by Nicole Chase

Release Date: April 23, 2013
Publisher: Self-Pubbed
Pages: 464

From Goodreads: "Samantha Rousseau is used to getting her hands dirty. Working toward a master’s degree in wildlife biology while helping take care of her sick father, she has no time for celebrity gossip, designer clothes, or lazy vacations. So when a duchess from the small country of Lilaria invites her to dinner, Samantha assumes it’s to discuss a donation for the program. The truth will change the course of her life in ways she never dreamed.

Alex D’Lynsal is trying to keep his name clean. As crown prince of Lilaria, he’s had his share of scandalous headlines, but the latest pictures have sent him packing to America and forced him to swear off women—especially women in the public eye. That is, until he meets Samantha Rousseau. She’s stubborn, feisty, and incredibly sexy. Not to mention heiress to an estate in his country, which makes her everyone’s front-page news.

While Sam tries to navigate the new world of politics and wealth, she will also have to dodge her growing feelings for Alex. Giving in to them means more than just falling in love; it would mean accepting the weight of an entire country on her shoulders."

When I learned that this book was "The Princess Diaries" meets "The Prince and Me" I knew that I had to read it (those things being two of my most favourite things from my teenage years). However, after having finished it, I must admit that I don't think that it lived up to its potential in the slightest- not bringing anything new to the table.

My largest complaint of this book is that I felt that very little happened- not until the 92% mark did I feel like anything really happened. Essentially all the characters did when they arrived to Lilaria was hang out in the palace (and maybe an estate or two) and go out every now again (where they would be continuously hounded by paparazzi). Both of the characters had so many interesting things about themselves that I think that could have played huge roles, livening up the storyline, but didn't (for instance, Sam's graduate schooling).

Furthermore, I found that the characters descriptions were somewhat misleading. Alex is described as trying to "keep his name clean"- this implies that he is known for getting in trouble every now again, as we have seen so many royals struggle with over the years. However, that is anything but the case- he's a Prince Charming to the nth degree. I think that it would be better if he were a bit of a bad-boy as it would shake the storyline up a little bit. Sam wasn't much better, despite priding herself on being independent, she does fall for Alex almost as soon as she meets him.

All in all, as becomes evident, despite my complaints I did enjoy the book enough to finish it. That being said, I think that the few hours of escapism that it provided me with was fairly superficial (I know that days, if not hours, after finishing it I will remember very little of the storyline as nothing truly grabbed me about it)- it's a bit too similar to what's out there for my liking. That being said, I do think that Nicole's other books sound interesting, her "Flukes" and "Mortal Obligation" especially, and I will be adding them to my TBR pile.

Rating: 3/5

"Obsession" by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: May 31, 2013
Publisher: Entangled
Pages: 370

From Goodreads: "He’s arrogant, domineering, and... To. Die. For.
Hunter is a ruthless killer. And the Department of Defense has him firmly in their grasp, which usually doesn’t chafe too badly because he gets to kill bad guys. Most of the time he enjoys his job. That is, until he’s saddled with something he’s never had to do before: protect a human from his mortal enemy.

Serena Cross didn’t believe her best friend when she claimed to have seen the son of a powerful senator turn into something... unnatural. Who would? But then she witnesses her friend’s murder at the hands of what can only be an alien, thrusting her into a world that will kill to protect their secret.

Hunter stirs Serena’s temper and her lust despite their differences. Soon he’s doing the unthinkable—breaking the rules he’s lived by, going against the government to keep Serena safe. But are the aliens and the government the biggest threats to Serena’s life… or is it Hunter?"

As Jennifer L. Armentrout's "Lux" series is one of my most favourite YA series, I was beyond excited when she announced that she was releasing an adult book set in the same world. I was further excited to learn that the book would be told from an Arum's perspective, us only having been previously familiarized with the Luxen's point of views. After having finished it I am glad that she made the decision to jump make the jump between the two genres (not the mention the two races), but overall I can't help but wish that it was more.

Admittedly I found Hunter and Serena to be far too like Daemon and Katy for my liking, him, arrogant, cocky, and domineering, her, doesn't take "no" for an answer, questions authority at every turn, and so forth. As such, I can't say that I like Hunter more than Daemon, as many others have professed, as I do find him to be a carbon copy, to a degree, of Daemon. I think that it would be interesting for her to write a softer or subdued male lead, perhaps not unlike Hunter's brother Lore.

Furthermore, while I did understand the foundation behind this world (the war between the Luxen and the Arum, the DoD and their control, the black-haired stranger with grass green eyes), I can't help but wonder if those who had not read her young adult series would be able to understand it quite as well. It seems to me that the world is much better explained/ ferreted out in her young adult series, whereas in this book it is more so superficial, not truly scratching the surface of all that there is.

That being said, as previously mentioned, I do appreciate the fact that she showed us an Arum's perspective. After meeting Hunter, seeing his struggles, seeing his growth, and whatnot, I can't help but question everything that I had ever thought of this world- clearly the Arum aren't the "bad guys" that we were always lead to believe that they are. Therefore, who are the bad guys, the DoD?

All in all, despite my complaints I did enjoy this book and I am excited by the prospect that this could perhaps be expanded into the series, should Jennifer choose to do so (after all, there are some very big revelations in this book, revelations which could very well destroy the world that we have come to love)!

Rating: 3/5

I received this book from the publisher to read and honestly review. I was not compensated in any way for said review.

"Secret for a Song" by S.K. Falls

Release Date: June 3, 2013

Publisher: Self-Published

From Goodreads: "Saylor Grayson makes herself sick. Literally.

She ate her first needle when she was seven. Now, at nineteen, she’s been kicked out of college for poisoning herself with laxatives. The shrinks call it Munchausen Syndrome. All Saylor knows is that when she’s ill, her normally distant mother pays attention and the doctors and nurses make her feel special.

Then she meets Drew Dean, the leader of a local support group for those with terminal diseases. When he mistakes her for a new member, Saylor knows she should correct him. But she can’t bring herself to, not after she’s welcomed into a new circle of friends. Friends who, like Drew, all have illnesses ready to claim their independence or their lives.

For the first time, Saylor finds out what it feels like to be in love, to have friends who genuinely care about her. But secrets have a way of revealing themselves. What will happen when Saylor’s is out?" 

This book is without a doubt the best self-published book that I can recall having ever read before- it becomes evident that author S.K. Falls did a lot of research into almost every element in this book, from the various illnesses that the characters had, to the impacts of alcoholism, and whatnot. Furthermore, this is also one of the most unique New Adult novels that I have read to date- it truly is a beacon in the genre, in my opinion, not following any of the tropes that many of us have begun to tire of (broken girl haunted by her past, stemming from an encounter from a male, bad-boy male, covered in tattoos and snark, who quickly sweeps her off of her feet in their love/ hate relationship, the eventual falling into one another's bed, where they stay for much of the novel, the girl's secrets being revealed, tearing them apart, them coming back together in an almost perfect way). That being said, despite my praise, I don't find myself as grabbed as I had hoped to.

I personally can't pinpoint exactly what it is that I find off with this book, I'm not quite sure if it was too hyped for my liking, therefore resulting in me being a bit disappointed in it (almost every reader who I know who is somewhat critical has given it 5 stars), if it were a bit too short for me to draw any real connection to it (despite it being near 500 pages, you will fly through it, devouring it within a few hours)- not once actually having the opportunity to feel the FEELS (something that is essentially unheard of for me), if it hit too clsoe to home, or something else (perhaps outside influences impacting my opinion). 

Another strength of this book, which should not be overlooked, are the secondary characters. They are second to none- some of the best secondary characters that I can recall having read in a long time. While they don't get too much of a spot in the limelight I do think that each of their personalities was well ferreted out, Zee especially. 

For me, personally, it has all of the makings of the perfect New Adult novel, however, it doesn't quite deliver on that promise- however, I think that other New Adult fans will be extremely satisfied with it- especially those fans of "heavier" New Adult novels (those not for the faint of heart), such as "Hopeless" by Colleen Hoover or "The Sea of Tranquility" by Katja Millay. After having finished this S.K. has risen to the top of my "Must Read" authors list and I will be reading her previous releases ("Fevered Souls" and "World of Shell and Bone") and any future books that she may pen. 

Rating: 3/5

I received this book from the author to read and honestly review. I was not compensated in any way for said review. 

"Spirit" by Brigid Kemmerer

Release Date: May 28, 2013
Publisher: K Teen
Pages: 301

From Goodreads: "With power comes enemies. Lots of them.

Hunter Garrity just wants to be left alone. He’s learned the hard way that his unusual abilities come at a price. And he can’t seem to afford any allies.

He’s up to his neck in hostiles. His grandfather, spoiling for a fight. The Merrick brothers, who think he ratted them out. Calla, the scheming psycho who wants to use him as bait.

Then there’s Kate Sullivan, the new girl at school. She’s not hostile. She’s bold. Funny. Hot. But she’s got an agenda, too.

With supposedly secret powers rippling to the surface everywhere around him, Hunter knows something ugly is about to go down. But finding out what means he’ll have to find someone he can trust…"

Brigid's "Elemental" series quickly became one of my most favourite series last year, with a cast of amazing (not to mention swoon-worthy) characters, an intriguing storyline quite unlike anything I had ever read before, and a heart-pounding, fast-paced plot. However, after having finished this book I must admit that I didn't feel like this book quite lived up to its predecessors- that it lost a lot of the magic that I had come to know and love.

My largest complaint of this book is the love interest, Kate. Unfortunately she rubbed me the wrong way from the get-go and I was unable to shake those feelings as the story progressed. I felt that she was overly manipulative and I couldn't connect to her on any level (nor could I even dredge up much sympathy when her past was revealed).

Furthermore, while Hunter has always been one of my most favourite characters, I felt that he couldn't carry a book on his own. My most favourite parts of this book was when one of the Merrick boys was incorporated in one way or another- for instance, when Hunter and Gabe were verbally sparring with one another or when Michael thought of Hunter as little more than another one of his younger brothers (Michael, in my opinion, was the shining star of this book).

That being said, despite my complaints I cannot wait for the final two installments in this series- I have no doubt that Brigid will be able to impress where this book faltered, finding that Merrick magic that we have all come to know and love.

Rating: 3/5

I received this book from the blog tour host to read and honestly review. I was not compensated in any way for said review.

On My Wishlist

On My Wishlist is a great event that was created by Book Chick City. It is now hosted by Sarah over at Workaday Reads! 

It's where you list all of the books that you desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. I thought that this was a fantabulous idea so I thought I would join in!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Title: "Blackout"
Author: Robison Wells
Release Date: October 1, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 352

From Goodreads: "Laura and Alec are trained terrorists.
Jack and Aubrey are high school students.

There was no reason for them to ever meet.

But now, a mysterious virus is spreading throughout America, infecting teenagers with impossible powers. And these four are about to find their lives intertwined in a complex web of deception, loyalty, and catastrophic danger—where one wrong choice could trigger an explosion that ends it all."

"Drowning in You" by Rebecca Berto

Release Date: April 5, 2013
Publisher: Self-Pubbed

From Goodreads: "Secretly crushing

Crushed by a tragedy

Charlee May’s been crushing on Dexter Hollingworth since she was fifteen. Five years later, a horrific skiing disaster at Mason’s Ski Lift Resort leaves her millionaire dad critically injured and her mom dead at the hands of Dexter operating the lifts. Charlee is suddenly the sole caretaker for her little brother while their world falls apart.

Dexter couldn’t be more different from Charlee. He’s tattooed, avoids exclusive relationships and his Dad has a fair share of illegal dealings. With Dexter’s reputation, almost everyone believes he planned the Mason’s skiing disaster.

And after all these years he’s still crushing on Charlee May, the girl who’s too good for him.

When this cruel twist of fate ties Charlee’s family and Dexter’s reputation together, Charlee and Dexter wonder if their feelings are reciprocated, while Dexter discovers his dad is trying to steal the May’s millionaire fortune.

But like an addiction, one look, one touch, one taste—they’re hooked no matter the consequences."

With the last couple of months I have consumed more New Adult than what is probably healthy for one person. During that time I have, unfortunately, only encountered a few that have really moved/ impacted me and I am sad to say that that did not move me. While I do appreciate that this book was a tad bit different than what we typically see in New Adult, it wasn't near as much as I had hoped for- especially with the characters (Why do they always have to be tatted bad boys from the wrong side of town? Why can't they be kick-ass, tatted up female from the wrong side of town?). That being said, despite being somewhat of a cookie cutter character I did still quite like Dexter- I found that he was like an onion, we were constantly learning more about him as his layers peeled away and he truly did want to make Charlee happy.

Another complaint that I had was the writing style- I was never fully about to emerge myself into the storyline as every time I was about to something would pull me out of it. Overall I found the writing to be fairly chopping and lacking in any sort of description (the dialogue especially). Furthermore, there were at times instances where I was confused as to whose POV the story was being told in and/ or confused as to what exactly was going on (I did have to reread a number of different parts of the book to make sense of it)- I think that a more thorough editing could do wonders for the book.

All in all, while this book didn't quite work for me, I do think that diehard New Adult lovers will enjoy it- with a bit different storyline that we are used to seeing, a "bad boy" who is so much more, and characters that you can find yourself relating to a fair bit. Furthermore, despite my complaints I will read any future books from Rebecca.

Rating: 3/5

I received this book from the tour provider to read and honestly review. I was not compensated in any way for said review.