Pages

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Book Review: Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour

Can you believe that we are in the middle of August?  I can't...not only Summer flew by (which makes me wicked sad) but this year is flying by too quickly.  Who's with me?

By anyways, let's get back to today's topic and review another book, because with Summer I get really behind on review books...don't blame me, wait, blame me, I just get really lazy during summer.  I just want to suck up the sun and read. lol

Let's do this:

Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour

18667779


From GoodReads:
A wunderkind young set designer, Emi has already started to find her way in the competitive Hollywood film world.
 Emi is a film buff and a true romantic, but her real-life relationships are a mess. She has desperately gone back to the same girl too many times to mention. But then a mysterious letter from a silver screen legend leads Emi to Ava. Ava is unlike anyone Emi has ever met. She has a tumultuous, not-so-glamorous past, and lives an unconventional life. She’s enigmatic…. She’s beautiful. And she is about to expand Emi’s understanding of family, acceptance, and true romance.

------------------------------------------------------------------
This book, first of all it was like nothing I had read before but at the same time just like another contemporary, you know what I mean?  

Emi, she is out going, friendly, works in the film industry designing movie sets and she has an ex-girlfriend that plays with her heart too many times and she is just done with her.  She is ready to move on from her and find her way to better things.

One day, Emi finds a mysterious letter from a silver screen legend that leads her to Ava.  Ava is a mystery that Emi wants to uncover and she just head over heels to find out everything about her.  She wants to find her and once she finds her, she decides that she wants to help Ava find out about her past.  While she sets her mind to find help Ava find out about her past, the two find themselves growing closer and closer.  

Emi also finds herself in charge by herself, for the first time, of a movie set.  It's her dream and she is ready to prove herself to everyone, including herself that she can do this one project before she goes off to college.  

Ah, I don't want to give out any more, but read so you will know if Emi proved herself on the set of this new movie.  And of course, find out what happens between Emi and Ava, because quite a few things happen between those two.

I loved reading this book, it was surprisingly, a light read but with quite a few twists and that was the kind of book I really enjoy. 

Do I recommend it, of course and I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars so I really recommend it, right?

XOXO,


Nelia

Book Review: Wonder by R. J. Palacio

Why did it take me so long to read this book?  Can someone explain it to me?  I have no freaking clue.  And the best part?  This book has been on my bookshelf for years...just there looking at me and saying: Read Me!!!  Read ME, PLEASE!  And I would take it down and put it back up after a few days.  But, I finally read it, mostly because I knew there was a movie coming out this year (don't blame me lol) but I read it, right?  Right...let's get to it:


Wonder by R. J. Palacio

11387515

From GoodReads:
August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?

R. J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is accessible to readers of all levels.



------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So, Auggie is ready to start 5th grade, it's the first time is going to be around kids, because he has been homeschooled his whole life, but he is ready...or so he thinks.  His has a facial deformity and he has have multiple surgeries his entire life, but he really wants to just be a regular kid who is in school studying like everyone else, but can he be?

Of course not, not only is Auggie the new kid, he is also the new kid with a face that is deformed, which causes most of the kids to make fun of him or to not even acknowledge him at all.  Life has never been easier for Auggie and he has made himself a hard shell for these types of things but been a big school with dozens and dozens of kids looking at you the way they do and talking about him?  It is hard.

Luckily for Auggie he ends up make just a couple friends and from there things get a tiny bit easier but something else happens and then something else happens...Auggie's year at Beecher Prep is nothing like he planned it to be but he also teached Auggie and all its students there a few life lessons.

I really recommend reading this book, yourself, your kids and everyone in between.  Why? Because it will make you laugh, it will make you cry but I really think the main thing that will teach you, is to be kind to one another.

5 out 5 stars and I cannot wait to watch the movie too!

XOXO,


Nelia

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Book Review: Fallen Heir by Erin Watt

Eheheh...So, I was one of the lucky ones to get an early copy of this book and I just want to start to say THANK YOU to the authors for send it to me and allowing me to be totally ruined by the Royals again :)

If you haven't started to read The Royals...you are totally missing you.  If you are like me and love some romance with some lots of drama, then The Royals are the series for you.  I started reading them last year, by reading book 1 as a buddy read right before book 2 came out and OMG, once I was done?  I needed that 2nd book right away, Thank God, book 2 was coming out in only two afters after I finished.  Needless to say I devoured that book and then was book hangover for a while. lol  Book three come out a few months later and now book four is here and I was so ready for it, more than ready.  So, let's get to the review.  But first let me leave your with the link for the review of the first book: Paper Princess

This will be a spoiler free review...let's do it.


Fallen Heir by Erin Watt

33807229

From GoodReads
These Royals will ruin you.

Easton Royal has it all: looks, money, intelligence. His goal in life is to have as much fun as possible. He never thinks about the consequences because he doesn’t have to.

Until Hartley Wright appears, shaking up his easy life. She’s the one girl who’s said no, despite being attracted to him. Easton can’t figure her out and that makes her all the more irresistible.

Hartley doesn’t want him. She says he needs to grow up.

She might be right.

Rivals. Rules. Regrets. For the first time in Easton’s life, wearing a Royal crown isn’t enough. He’s about to learn that the higher you start, the harder you fall.
 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How do you feeling being inside Easton's head?  This is the book that we have all wanted and desired, right?  But seriously, how do you feel?  I'm speechless, that's for sure.  We all knew that Easton had some demons and needed some help, but damn, I never thought that he was this dark and so...I don't even know if I have the right word to describe him yet.  

Let me back up, Easton is on his Senior year of high school and he cannot wait to be done with it, literally.  He doesn't think he should waste that much time studying, so he just gives enough effort to get a passing grade.  The only thing he wants out of his Senior year is to have fun and be with as many girls as he can, he is a Royal, right?

What he didn't imagine was meeting a new face at school this year, Hartley Wright and for her to ignore him and not wanting anything to do with him.  Ah, but he is not one to give up, so he makes it a challenge to win her over and make her fall for him.  But, he never thought during that process he was going to be the one falling for a simple girl with hidden secrets, someone who he is willing to do so much more than he realizes.  

But is Hartley ready to let Easton in?  And is Easton ready to really grow up and face life?

And be ready for another cliffhanger as only Erin Watt knows how to do...but be prepared because this one is like nothing you have ever imaged and I'm still speechless and don't know what to do with myself.  WHAT am I going to do?  I need the next book NOW.. ;( 

5 out of 5 stars for sure...Royals have ruined me and I won't have it any other way.

Easton...Hartley...my heart is aching.

XOXO,

Nelia

Monday, August 14, 2017

Book Review: The Irish Getaway by Siobhan Davis

I'm pretty sure by know you have heard me talking about the Kennedy Boys series, but if you haven't yet, please do me and yourself a favor and start this series, because it's all the drama and yummiest you need in your life, trust me!  It's the contemporary series of the moment and Siobhan doesn't disappoint you with all the drama, romance, hot guys and twists after twist in these books.  I can't get enough of this family and I hope she doesn't stop writing books about all of them and maybe a more :)

Of course, this is a novella, so it's book 3.5 of the series so don't spoil yourself and start from the beginning, here is my review to the first three books; Finding Kyler, Losing Kyler and Keeping Kyler and now let's jump to this one.

The Irish Getaway by Siobhan Davis

35616618


From GoodReads:
It’s the summer before they start college, and Faye and Ky are visiting her home turf together—it’s Ky’s first time in Ireland, and her first trip home since her parent’s tragic death. 

After a blissful three weeks on their own, they welcome the rest of the Kennedy clan when they arrive on Irish soil for the vacation of a lifetime. 
Watch the sparks fly as family emotions run high and the Kennedy boys’ party up a storm, creating mayhem and madness wherever they go.


---------------------------------------------------------------------

So, Faye and Ky go to Ireland a few weeks ahead of the whole family just to spend some alone time and it's just what they need.  They get just the right amount of time alone they needed to get to know Faye's home land and her friends.  They visit just a few places together, because they leave the most touristy ones for the whole family.  And they spend lots of time together with her friends, getting to know them.  But they also get to spend lots of down time alone doing nothing, which brings them together even more.

Then, the Kennedys' arrive, the whole entire gang and things go from been nice and quiet to Kennedy crazy.  The first few days go alright, they go sightseeing and do lots of touristy things together, but the moment all the young ones go out at night by themselves things go wild and out of hand.  Well, they go Kennedy wild crazy and you just love how those kids behave and somehow things always work out in the end.  As the days go by, things get more wild and crazy and somewhat dangerous and as always, Kennedy's stick together and help each other.

We get to see the oldest Kennedy brothers more in this novella and get to know them a little more, (THANK YOU SIOBHAN), I freaking loved it so much.  Some crazy and more mysterious stuff happened and I'm dying to find out what it was all about. AHHHHHHHHHHHH.

Kal, if you have had the opportunity to read book 4 and read this one know, you see how Kal got to be Kal in book 4.  But if you haven't read book 4 yet and this one if out, read this one and it will easy you in into book 4 and you won't regret.

Am I the only one that is madly in love with Keaton?  I love that boy, he is soft, sincere, lovely and he needs epic story.  :)

The triplets, Kent...he is the one that worries me the most, the other two?  They aren't so bad and they actually were pretty open to everything in this book, even Keanu opened up a little to Faye, progress, right?

This novella was one word: Perfect.  Crave for the Kennedy boys satified?  Yes.  Drama? Yes.  Hot guys? Of Course?  Mystery? Yes.   

And at the end of it we got so more content than we asked for, I personally couldn't be more happy.

5 out of 5 stars.

XOXO,

Nelia

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Book Review: Saven Deliverance by Siobhan Davis

Time for another book review and this is the last book of the Saven series, if you love Aliens and romance and lots of political intrigue and everything in between?  This series is for you...

As always this will contain spoilers if you haven't read the first four books so don't read it if you haven't.  And here are my reviews: Saven Deception, Saven Disclosure, Saven Denial, Saven Defiance.

Let's get to it:

Saven Deliverance by Siobhan Davis


From GoodReads:
I’ve been lied to and betrayed my whole life.
Revealing the truth is the only thing that matters.
The truth truly will set us free.


With the political landscape shifting in the galaxy, and the tenuous situation on Earth growing more fraught by the day, Sadie knows time is running out to save mankind. Torn between conflicting agendas, she is forced to make difficult choices that lead to bloody battles and situations she’s not entirely comfortable with. 

But this is war, and war means sacrifice.

Ax’s betrayal weighs heavy on her heart and her mind, but it doesn’t override her concern for his welfare. Her desire to protect both the boys she loves is as strong as ever. 

Logan has been inaugurated as the new Saven king, but he’s struggling to cope with the pressure of responsibility and the revelation about who Axton is. His people are strongly opposed to Sadie, but she is his forever love and he won’t do anything without her by his side. Faced with impossible obstacles, he is preparing to make the ultimate sacrifice in the name of love.

When the final battle draws near, and it’s time to fight the enemy head on, who will be left standing? And will there be anything left to fight for?


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sadie and Logan are together and ready to fight and save the mankind, but they know it won't be easy, especially who they have to fight in order to save the rest.

Sadie still cannot believe what Ax did and his betrayal hurts even when she doesn't want it to.  But she is willing to prove both boys that she loves them both, each in a different way and she is going to make them understand how important they are to her.

Logan is the new Saven king, but it's not an easy task, things in Saven is not easy and some of his people are strongly against Sadie, but he is not giving up in proving that she is the right person to be by his side.  He will do anything to prove it, even if he has to make a sacrifice.

Be prepared for lots and lots of actions, but also lots of romance and friendship moments.  And the end will not disappoint you at all. 

Loved how this book wrapped up the whole series, once I was done?  I wanted more and ended up reading another one of it's novellas :)

5 out of 5 stars and I totally recommend this series to anyone who loves some aliens with romance and war and action in it.

What are you waiting for, go read it!!!!

XOXO,

Nelia


Thursday, August 3, 2017

August 2017 TBR

August is here and it's time to decide which books to read, and it's getting harder...why?  Because I have so many books that I want to finish and new books that I want to read and I don't which ones to read first.  AH...this is really a life dilemma, right?  LOL

Let's see which books I have so far on my TBR...

August TBR


1. City of Saints and Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson: Reading this one for Diversity Challenge

33956433

2. The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon: Contemporary

28763485

3. Watch Me Disappear by Janelle Brown: I'm kind in the mood this month for mysteries and thrillers so...

32740062

4. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch: I have been wanting to read this one forever and this is the month for sure.

27833670

5. Invictus by Ryan Graudin: Got this one from NetGalley and the synopsis is SOOO promising. I cannot wait to read it.

33152795

6. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty: I mean there is a TV series and I haven't watch it because I haven't read this book so...I'm going to read it so I can watch, period. :)


19486412

7. Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak: Got this one from NetGalley and love the intriguing synopsis too. Family secrets...yeah.

33357622

8. Loving Kalvin by Siobhan Davis (read and LOVED IT-I even have a review up already lol)

34755754

9-The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson (currently reading-didn't finish this one last month so I'm getting to it now)

21569527

These are the 9 books that I have so far on my TBR for August, 1 I have already finished and I'm already on my second one...I really want to read all of these and read more books too :)

What are you reading this month?  Have you read any of the above?

XOXO,

Nelia

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Book Review: Loving Kalvin by Siobhan Davis

Guess what? It's time for another book review and not just another book review, it's book 4 of The Kennedy Boys and probably one of the favorites of the Kennedy boys too.  Have you started reading this series yet?  If not, what are you waiting for?  Here are my reviews for the first three books which is the trilogy about Fay and Ky and be prepared for a holler coaster, because it is nothing like you have read before. Finding Kyler, Losing Kyler, Keeping Kyler.  You may think it is while you are reading the first book, but stick around and grab that second book because the twists and surprises are there and you will love it...and I'm going to shut the heck up and get to this review because OH MY...this book was everything!!!!


Loving Kalvin by Siobhan Davis

34755754

From GoodReads:
Lana I knew it would end in disaster, but I didn’t listen to reason. I didn’t care. Because I loved him so much. Kalvin Kennedy ruled my heart. Until he destroyed it. Shattered it so completely that I became someone else. Someone I loathed. Someone who repeatedly lied to her loved ones.So, I ran. From him. From myself. Desperate to hide my new reality.But I could only run so far. When he reappears in my life, I’m terrified. Unbelievably scared of facing the consequences of my actions.Never mind that I still love him and want him so badly—there’s too much at stake now.How can I trust him with the biggest secret of all when he’s likely to rip my world apart again?
Kalvin Lana was always far too good for me. Everyone knew it but her. I tried to stay away, but I was weak. And I hurt her. Crushed her until she barely resembled herself. Forced her to follow a path she would never have willingly chosen. And then she was gone.And my world has never felt as empty, as lonely.She begged me to stay away. Not to find her. To forget she ever existed.But that’s like asking me to slice my heart in two and toss half aside. I’ve never believed in fate, but when I rock up to the University of Florida, I’m ready to eat my words.Because she’s here. Like I hoped she would be. And I’m determined to prove I deserve a second chance.


SPOILERS...

Lana and Kalvin's story is the love story that we all wanted and Siobhan didn't disappointed us at all.  She actually gave us more than we asked for.  

Lana, I'm not going to lie, you may start the book not liking her too much after what she did to Kalvin, but slowly and very slowly you warm up to her and start to understand and start to forgive to her.  

Kalvin, he is the same and not the same at the same time.  Am I even making sense?  He has changed on some expects, he is not the playboy that he was before, but he is the same caring Kalvin that we fell in love with.  

Kalvin had to work hard to win Lana back as she blamed herself over and over again for what she did to herself and to Kalvin the most and she just couldn't forgive herself at all and it took forever for her to realize that it was okay to let it go and to give their love and their relationship another change.  And not only that, she had to believe in Kalvin again and believe that he had changed and that he truly loved her and wanted to be with her.  

Not only these two have to work out old issues and secrets and old wounds, they also will have to work out new secrets too.  And also face together their families and friends and everyone in between.

This books gave me so many feelings, good feelings, really good feelings.  Once I started reading I couldn't stop and I now that I'm done I want more of these two.  Thank Go there will be more of the Kennedys and hopefully we will get to see more these lovely characters :)

How many stars?  I would give a million, but the max is 5 and 5 it is!!!!!!  I TOTALLY, TOTALLY recommend this book and all the ones that are out right one.  You will  not regret, be prepared because you will get sucked in and hocked on the Kennedys!  Can't wait for the next one!

XOXO,

Nelia


Tuesday, August 1, 2017

July 2017 Wrap Up

Guys today is the last day of July...HOW did this happen?  This month flew by and this summer is definitely flying way too fast :(

July was an amazing month, there were many sunny days that we enjoyed at the boat, boating, at the beach and when the weather was so so, we took the car and drove to find more hidden beautiful places.  We ate a lot, enjoyed friends and family and I read, I read lots of books, really amazing books.  So, let's talk about those books a little?  Yeah, let's do that :)

July Wrap Up


1. History is all you left Me by Adam Silvera: 4 Stars- This is my first Adam Silvera's book and it was a ride that's for sure. Griffin drove me crazy at times and broken my heart at others, overall?  I really, really enjoyed it.

25014114

2. Night by Elie Wiesel: 5 Stars- I love me some WW2 stories and this one is...no words, just read it.

1617


3. Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han 5 Stars-I read it and loved how Jenny Han wrapped this trilogy up.  And then the end of this month I found out that are making this trilogy into a movie?  What?  YEAH!!!!!! I cannot wait :)

30312860


4. Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple 4 Stars-It was a good story, different point of views and very interesting.

13526165

5. City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare 5 Stars-Now I know why it took me so long to read this book, I didn't want it to end.  I LOVE it, I flew  through this huge book and when I was done?  I wanted more and I couldn't get it out of my head for days and days after it.

8755785

6. We Are The Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson-3.5 Stars-I had heard so many things about this book, but I didn't think it was that amazing, sorry.  It was okay, but that's just my opionion.

27221470

7.  A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman 5 Stars-Now this one? It was funny, sad and sooo good.  Totally recommend it.

18774964

8. Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire 5 Stars-I don't know how it was possible to write such a great story in such a small book, but Seanan McGuire did and I love it.  I cannot wait to read the next book.

25526296

9.  Saga Volume 6 by Brian K. Vaughan 5 Stars-SO GOOD

28862528

10. Saga Volume 7 by Brian K. Vaughan 5 Stars-It just keeps getting better :)

29237211

11. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo 5 Stars- I will admit, I went into this book thinking that it was too hyped and that I will probably not like it.  WRONG, WRONG and WRONG!  I'm SO in love with this book and story line, I cannot wait to read the next book and I don't know why I didn't read it earlier.  Did I mention how obsessed I am with this book? SO OBSESSED :)

10194157

12. The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Person (Currently Reading)- I cannot wait to finish this one, another one of my favorite trilogies that I started a while ago and took forever to continue.  What is wrong with me?  Too many books that is what is wrong with me lol

21569527

13. Loving Kalvin by Siobhan Davis (currently reading) OMG this book is SOOO amazing.  I usually don't like to read two books at once, but once Siobhan sent me this book yesterday I just couldn't put it down.  I read a quarter of it in one siting and would have read the whole entire book if I didn't have to work today lol.

34755754

And that is all the books I read in July, SO MANY GREAT BOOKS, how many?  Definitely 11 and then two quarters of the new ones I read so 11 and half books?  It sound about right, right?  Right!  And I wish I read more, lots of more because the year is going by so quick and I want to read lots of more books :(

What books did you read this month?  Any of your favorites here?

XOXO,

Nelia