A Peek In The BiblioBin #143

Welcome to our Stacking the Shelves post! Stacking the Shelves (or as we like to call it, A Peek in the BiblioBin) has been created by the lovely ladies at Tynga's Reviews.

Stacking the Shelves is a way for bloggers to share what books they have won, received for review, bought from the bookstore, borrowed from the library or friend, etc.


For Review:

A Match Made On Main Street (Briar Creek #2) by Olivia Miles 
(Grand Central Publishing/NetGalley)



From The Publisher:

The One That Got Away by Bethany Chase (sent to us by Ballantine Books)


Borrowed:

Divide and Conquer (Cut & Run #4) by Madeleine Urban & Abigail Roux

The Rosie Project (Don Tillman #1) by Graeme Simsion


Purchased:

A Forbidden Rumspringa (A Gay Amish Romance #1) by Keira Andrews

The First Three Rules (My Brother's Keeper #1) by Adrienne Wilder

The Resolution of Callie & Kayden (The Coincidence #6) by Jessica Sorensen/ebook

You Only Get So Much by Dan Kolbet/ebook

A Good Debutante's Guide To Ruin (The Debutante Files #1) by Sophie Jordan/ebook

The Ever After of Ella and Micha (The Secret #4) by Jessica Sorensen

* * * *

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Temptation of Lila and Ethan comes a story of change, hope, and unbreakable vows.

The day Ella has waited for is just around the corner. It's the day she'll marry Micha, the love of her life, the light that guided her out of the darkness. It looks like it will be the perfect Christmas-until an unexpected package arrives with a harsh reminder of Ella's past. Suddenly Ella doesn't feel as confident about her future. Can she really have a "happily-ever-after" if she's never even seen one?

Micha will stand by Ella no matter what she's going through-though he worries that she might leave him standing at the altar again. When he's offered a once-in-a-lifetime chance to tour with his favorite bands for three months, Micha knows he can't leave Ella behind. But can he ask her to uproot her life to join him on the road?

Now Ella and Micha must find a way to balance their fears, their dreams, and their love . . . if they ever want to hear wedding bells.

Christmas came early for me! Of all of Sorensen’s titles, this series is my favourite (The Coincidence coming a close second) and with the way the previous book ended, I was desperately hoping for a happy ending for Ella and Micha.

I’ll try not to have too much spoilery here – at the end of The Forever of Ella and Micha, he was left waiting for her on the beach on the day of their wedding. She didn’t show up and Micha got into a panic as Ella has a history of running away. Ever After picks up from that point with Micha finding Ella in their house in tears because she realizes that as much as she wants to marry him, she also wants their dysfunctional families to be present. Micha is definitely relieved and also so willing to giving her what she wants, what she needs. They along with their friends Lila and Ethan make the road trip back home not knowing exactly what they’ll find, but hoping that being with their families brings some sort of comfort.

As I read Ever After, the one thing that kept running through my mind was how much patience Micha has for Ella. She’s constantly struggling with all her insecurities and pain. Coming home may have been her idea but it’s still a scary prospect for her to have to face where she came from - a very unhappy home life that included a mentally ill mother and a drunk father.  Micha himself doesn’t have very many good memories but the good ones are all centered around Ella.  The homecoming becomes more tense when a box containing her mother's journals is delivered to Ella from her grandmother. Ella starts reading them in hopes of understanding her better so she can get closer to the person her mother used to be. As she reads the journals, she worries it could drag her to a very dark place. But what’s hopeful this time is that Ella doesn’t shut Micha out completely, trusting him enough to confide in him. The last thing Micha wants is to have her shut down so he gently encourages her but never pushes her. Between flashbacks and breakthroughs, it’s comforting to see Ella become braver about expressing her thoughts and feelings. The flashbacks also show for just how long Micha has loved her and wanted to protect her.

  

Ella and Micha didn’t have the most ideal situation growing up. Yet they’ve both managed to carve out a path for themselves away from their painful past. This new path consists of trust, healing, support and most importantly, unconditional love. They don’t have it all figured out – who does? But they’re doing creating their life their way and they’re doing this together.

Anyone who has read Sorensen’s books knows full well that there’s a lot of angst, loss, and upheaval. On the flip side, there’s also passion and that tiny little glimmer of hope that expands as her characters push through. That’s exactly what she has delivered here. If you’re new to her writing, welcome and enjoy the crazy ride!

~ Bel

The Ever After of Ella & Micha (The Secret #4) Launch Day Blitz

My love affair with The Secret series by Jessica Sorensen started way back with The Secret of Ella and Micha. Right away I was hooked by the story of these two misfits who are meant for each other. So of course I'm totally excited about the release of The Ever After of Ella and Micha because gosh darn it, these two deserve to be happy! 

Read on for the excerpt below and then enter the fantastic giveaway!  

~ Bel


The day Ella has waited for is just around the corner. It's the day she'll marry Micha, the love of her life, the light that guided her out of the darkness. It looks like it will be the perfect Christmas-until an unexpected package arrives with a harsh reminder of Ella's past. Suddenly Ella doesn't feel as confident about her future. Can she really have a "happily-ever-after" if she's never even seen one?

Micha will stand by Ella no matter what she's going through-though he worries that she might leave him standing at the altar again. When he's offered a once-in-a-lifetime chance to tour with his favorite bands for three months, Micha knows he can't leave Ella behind. But can he ask her to uproot her life to join him on the road?

Now Ella and Micha must find a way to balance their fears, their dreams, and their love . . . if they ever want to hear wedding bells.

Buy Links

B&N    I    IndieBound    I    Amazon    I    iBooks    

About the author

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessica Sorensen, lives with her husband and three kids. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

Website    I    Facebook    I    Twitter    I    Goodreads

Excerpt

“Baby, come on. Let them be. They deserve a beautiful wedding not an elopement in a tacky fake church.” Lila glides her hand up the front of his chest, stands on her tiptoes, and kisses his neck. Then she whispers something in his ear as she plays with his hair.

I’ll admit they make a cute couple, especially now that Lila has this whole grunge thing going. Her blond hair is chin length and streaked with black that matches Ethan’s hair. She’s wearing jeans and a tank top that aren’t name brand like everything she used to wear when we were living together. Her style goes well with Ethan’s laidback look: his plaid shirt and faded jeans and a pair of sneakers that he’s probably owned since he was sixteen. And Lila’s average height allows her to nestle her head against Ethan’s chest comfortably. Looking at them with the sunlight and my house in the backdrop, I find myself wishing I had time to draw them.

After a lot of kissing and whispering in Ethan’s ear, Lila convinces him to stop complaining and he begrudgingly agrees that Vegas is a ridiculous idea and that Micha and I should get married in Star Grove.

“A week is not a lot of time to prepare a wedding,” Lila declares, pulling her sunglasses over her eyes. “Not a real one with decorations, flowers, dresses, tuxes, and guests. God, I wish we had more time to plan this.”

“And I wish you wouldn’t take any time to plan it,” I say, and when she frowns I sigh. “Sorry, I’m just not into wedding stuff.” I round the car to the passenger side of the Chevelle, trailing my finger across a few dings and chips in the black paint that were put there when Micha intentionally crashed it into the snow bank.

Micha opens the driver door and steps back so Ethan can climb into the backseat. “It doesn’t matter what kind of wedding we have,” he says, “just as long as Ella’s there with me. In fact, we don’t even need dresses and tuxes. We could even be naked and standing in my backyard and I’d be okay.” He winks at me over the roof of the car. “As long as we’re together, I’ll be happy and being naked would just be an added bonus.”

This makes Lila giggle as she ducks her head and hops into the backseat with Ethan. I push the seat back, get in the car, and shut the door, then pull the visor down to block the sunlight.

Micha adjusts the driver’s seat before he closes the door and starts the engine. “So is everyone ready for this?” He looks around at the three of us, but when his eyes finally land on me I know he only really cares about my answer.

It takes me a second to answer and he notices my hesitation and his expression starts to fall. But even though my throat feels dry I manage to say, “Of course.” My voice trembles a little.

“Okay then.” Giving me a small but slightly forced smile, he backs down the driveway and drives toward the highway, toward home where all of this started. Where Micha and I first met, first talked, first played, kissed, fooled around, danced, said I love you.

Where Micha and I began.

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Temptation of Lila and Ethan by Jessica Sorenson Launch Day Blitz & Giveaway!

One of Bel's favorites – Jessica Sorensen has a new book out today that she wants you all to read!  So check out the great blurb & excerpt below and don't forget to enter to win!

 
The Temptation of Lila and Ethan by Jessica Sorensen (May 6, 2014; Forever Trade Paperback; $12.00)

On the surface, Lila Summers is flawless: good looks, expensive clothes, and a big, beautiful smile. But a dark past and even darker secrets are threatening to bubble over her perfect façade. She'll do anything to keep the emptiness inside hidden – which leads her into situations that always end badly. Whenever she hits bottom, there's only one person who's there to pull her out: Ethan Gregory.
Ethan set the rules a long time ago: he and Lila are just friends. He doesn't do relationships. Although his tattooed, bad boy exterior is a far cry from Lila's pretty princess image, Ethan can't deny they have a deeper connection than he's used to. If he's not careful, he could be in serious danger of becoming attached – and he's learned the hard way that attachment only leads to heartbreak.
When Lila falls farther than she ever has before, can Ethan continue to help as a friend? Or is he also getting close to falling…for her?

About Jessica Sorensen:

Jessica Sorensen is a #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who lives with her husband and three kids in Idaho. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

 
Check out this excerpt:

 
"Why do you think it's so hard to be alone?" Lila asks, struggling to keep her eyes open as she gazes out at the night sky through the cab window.
I'm turned sideways in the seat, with my knee up, so I'm facing her, even though she won't look at me. I lost count of how many shots we had hours ago and I can barely comprehend how we got to a cab—stumbling, laughing, as she rubbed her hand up the front of my jeans. No, that can't be right, can it?
"I think being alone is fan-fucking-tastic. . . well, maybe . . .sometimes . . ." I mumble, draping my arm on the back of the seat. I stare at her for a moment, taking in her bare skin in the moonlight. I want to touch it. Lick it. Even bite it.
I'm bursting with sexual energy and I channel it to my foot on the floor, bouncing my knee. There's something different about tonight, something out of the ordinary, this strange need
to keep getting closer to Lila. It could be the alcohol. Or it could be something else, but there's no way my tequila-soaked mind is going to reach any sort of answer.
Lila turns her head toward me, her pupils wide and shiny. "Why are you staring at me like that?"
I keep tapping my foot on the floor, trying to think of a better answer than the first one that pops into my head, but I can't find one. "Because I'm thinking about you."
She glances at the cab driver, a thirtyish guy wearing a baseball cap, and then her gaze lands back on me. She sucks her lip into her teeth and I have to bounce my knee faster or I swear I'm going to fucking lose it. "Thinking what about me?" she asks, looking wary, interested, and exhausted.
Don't say it . . . "I was thinking about what it would be like to lick you . . . or bite you . . . either one really." It seems like I should regret it as soon as I say it, but regret is nowhere in my
reach at the moment.
Her breathing quickens and her voice comes out shockingly unsteady for someone who has sex so much. "Then do it."
I blink, wondering if I heard her right through the massive amount of alcohol consuming my thoughts. "What?"
She holds my gaze steadily, even though she seems really nervous, her voice trembling. "Then bite me. Or lick me…whatever you want."

 
Don't forget to enter the giveaway below and you could win one of 10 copies of The Temptation of Lila and Ethan with a signed bookplate!

~Shel


  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Forever Young Blog Tour

Happy Tuesday everyone! It's an especially happy day because not only are we featuring four fantastic authors, you also have the chance to participate in another great giveaway thanks to our friends at Forever Romance! 

So grab a warm beverage and get cozy.  Enjoy and good luck!

~ Shel, Bel & Nat

MASQUERADE by Nyrae Dawn (January 7, 2014; Forever E-Book; 9781455576333; $3.99)

A biker. A tattoo artist. A love to last a lifetime.  

Maddox Cross has always had to be tough. When his father went to jail for murder, the teenager took care of his sister and mother. Now on his own and working security at a night club, Maddox wants to become a tattoo artist-a dream that comes closer to reality when he falls for the hottest, most tatted woman he's ever seen. She's wild and beautiful, and Maddox will do anything to be with her.

Bee Malone came to town to open up her new tattoo parlor, Masquerade. Since being kidnapped as a young girl, Bee has had trouble getting close to anyone. But when she meets Maddox, she sees that under his hard biker's body is the sensitive soul of an artist. What starts out as a sizzling one-night stand soon becomes so much more.

Bee wants Maddox to join her tattoo business, but letting him into her life means revealing all her most intimate secrets. And as the past begins to intertwine with her present, Bee fears their love may not be as permanent as their ink . . .

Bio:

Writing has always been Nyrae Dawn's passion. Nyrae gravitates toward character-driven stories. She loves going on emotional journeys with characters whether it be reading or writing. And yes, she's a total romantic at heart and proud.

Nyrae resides in sunny Southern California with her husband (who still makes her swoon) and her two awesome kids.

When she's not with her family, you can be pretty sure you'll find her with a book in her hand or her laptop and an open document in front of her. Nyrae also writes adult romance under the name Kelley Vitollo.

Visit Nyrae:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Where you can buy her book:

Amazon

B&N

Bookish

iTunes

THE DESTINY OF VIOLET & LUKE by Jessica Sorensen (January 7, 2014; Forever E-Book; 9781455576524; $2.99)

Luke Price's life has always been about order, control, and acting tough on the outside. For Luke, meaningless relationships are a distraction-a way to tune out the twisted memories of his childhood. He desperately wishes he could forget his past, but it haunts him no matter what he does.

Violet Hayes has had a rough life. When she was young, she was left with no family and the memory of her parents' unsolved murders. She grew up in foster homes, living with irresponsible parents, drugs, and neglect, and trying to fight the painful memories of the night her parents were taken from her. But it's hard to forget when she never got closure-and she can't stop dreaming about what happened that tragic night. To make it through life, she keeps her distance from everyone and never allows herself to feel anything.

Then Violet meets Luke. The two clash instantly, yet they can't seem to stay away from each other. Although they fight it, they both start to open up and feel things they've never felt before. They discover just how similar they are. But they also discover something else: The past always catches up with you . . .

Bio: The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessica Sorensen, lives with her husband and three kids. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

Visit Jessica:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Where you can buy her book:

Amazon

B&N

Bookish

iTunes

SONG OF THE FIREFLIES by J.A. Redmerski (February 4, 2014; Forever E-Book; 9781455555048; $3.99)

THE TRUTH WILL SET THEM FREE  

Brayelle Bates has always been a force of nature. Even as a child, Bray's wild and carefree spirit intimidated everyone around her. The only person who's ever truly understood her is her best friend, Elias Kline. Though every fiber of her being wants to stay with Elias forever, Bray can't bear the thought of him discovering her agonizing history. She's done everything she can to keep him at arm's length, including moving away. But their undying bond was too strong a pull to deny, and Bray couldn't survive without him. Now she's back home with Elias, and things have never felt more right-until one night changes everything.

Elias vowed never to be separated from Bray again. So when she decides to flee in a desperate attempt to escape her fate, Elias knows he must go with her. As the two try to make the most of their circumstance, taking up with a reckless group of new friends, Elias soon realizes there's a darkness driving Bray he can't ignore. Now in order to save her, he'll have to convince Bray to accept the consequences of their reality-even if it means losing her.

Bio:

J.A. Redmerski, New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author lives in North Little Rock, Arkansas with her three children, two cats and a Maltese. She is a lover of television and books that push boundaries and is a huge fan of AMC's The Walking Dead.

Visit J.A. Redmerski:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Where you can buy her book:

Amazon

B&N

Bookish

iTunes

UNDONE by Shannon Richard (February 25, 2014; Forever Mass Market; 9781455544691; $6.00)

Things Paige Morrison will never understand about Mirabelle, Florida:  

Why wearing red shoes makes a girl a harlot

Why a shop would ever sell something called "buck urine"

Why everywhere she goes, she runs into sexy-and infuriating-Brendan King

After losing her job, her apartment, and her boyfriend, Paige has no choice but to leave Philadelphia and move in with her retired parents. For an artsy outsider like Paige, finding her place in the tightly knit town isn't easy-until she meets Brendan, the hot mechanic who's interested in much more than Paige's car. In no time at all, Brendan helps Paige find a new job, new friends, and a happiness she wasn't sure she'd ever feel again. With Brendan by her side, Paige finally feels like she can call Mirabelle home. But when a new bombshell drops, will the couple survive, or will their love come undone?

Bio:

Shannon Richard grew up in the Florida Panhandle as the baby sister of two overly protective but loving brothers. She was raised by a more than somewhat eccentric mother, a self-proclaimed vocabularist who showed her how to get lost in a book and a father who passed on his love for coffee and really loud music. She graduated from Florida State University with a BA in English Literature and still lives in Tallahassee where she battles everyday life with writing, reading, and a rant every once in a while. Okay, so the rants might happen on a regular basis. She's still waiting for her Southern, scruffy, Mr. Darcy, and in the meantime writes love stories to indulge her overactive imagination. Oh, and she's a pretty big fan of the whimsy.

Visit Shannon:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Where you can buy her book:

Amazon

B&N

Bookish

IndieBound

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Destiny of Violet & Luke Launch Day Blitz & Giveaway

We are ecstatic to be a part of the launch day blitz for the latest from mega-awesome author, Jessica Sorensen. As a special treat, Forever/Grand Central Publishing is sharing with us an excerpt from the book. (Bel is doing a happy dance right now!)

THE DESTINY OF VIOLET & LUKE by Jessica Sorensen (January 7, 2014; 9781455576524; $2.99)

Luke Price's life has always been about order, control, and acting tough on the outside. For Luke, meaningless relationships are a distraction-a way to tune out the twisted memories of his childhood. He desperately wishes he could forget his past, but it haunts him no matter what he does.

Violet Hayes has had a rough life. When she was young, she was left with no family and the memory of her parents' unsolved murders. She grew up in foster homes, living with irresponsible parents, drugs, and neglect, and trying to fight the painful memories of the night her parents were taken from her. But it's hard to forget when she never got closure-and she can't stop dreaming about what happened that tragic night. To make it through life, she keeps her distance from everyone and never allows herself to feel anything.

Then Violet meets Luke. The two clash instantly, yet they can't seem to stay away from each other. Although they fight it, they both start to open up and feel things they've never felt before. They discover just how similar they are. But they also discover something else: The past always catches up with you . . .

Bio: The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessica Sorensen, lives with her husband and three kids. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Luke

She reaches for my fries with an undecided look on her face. “So I have a question.”

“Okay…”

“About you.”

I slowly chew my food. “I’m not really sure I want to hear your question now.”

She picks a pickle off of her burger, pulling a repulsed face. “Well, I’m still going to ask it.”

I grab a handful of fries from the tray that’s on the table between us. “Go ahead and ask but it doesn’t mean I’ll answer.”

She props her elbows onto the table with her burger in her hand. “Why haven’t you ever talked to me before? I mean, we’ve walked past each other probably a hundred times, but never so much as acknowledged each other and then suddenly you’re stalking me.”

I pick up my soda and sip from the straw. “First off, I’m not stalking you. I just can’t seem to get rid of you.”

“You didn’t have to stop to pick me up.”

“Yeah, I did.”

“Why? You don’t know me—you’re in no way obligated to help me.”

“I know, but I wanted to.”

“Why?”

I shrug, setting my drink down. “Why not?”

She gives me a funny look, like I’m the most confusing person in the world, when really she should be looking at herself like that. “I don’t get it. Why would someone like you help someone like me?”

I open up the bun of my chicken sandwich to pick the tomato off. “What do you mean someone like me and someone like you?”

She points at me. “You as in a football player who has friends.” Then she points at herself. “And me as in the loner girl who could probably kick your ass.”

I choke on a laugh and my mouth full of food almost shoots out of my nose. “You could not kick my ass,” I cough, and then take a swallow of my drink.

She scans me over while scooping up some fries. “I beg to differ. I think you’re not as tough as you try to look.”

“Do you really?” If only she knew what really lay inside me. “Because most people think I am and for a good reason.”

“I think it’s all for show,” she replies nonchalantly and I can’t tell if she’s being serious or not. “I think that deep down you’re just a softy.”

“Are you trying to pick a fight with me right now?” I set my sandwich down on the tray and crack my knuckles. “Because I’m not going to fight a girl.”

“That’s such a typical guy answer.” She hurries and takes a drink, but I detect a hint of a smile before her lips wrap around the straw.

“You know what I think?” I cross my arms on the table and lean in, cocking my head to the side as I observe her closely. “I think you like arguing with me and that’s why you’re bringing this up.”

Her shoulders lift and descend as she takes a bite of her hamburger. “Maybe, but maybe I’m being serious.”

“You know that as a football player I have to tackle guys, right? It takes strength to do that.”

“Maybe you just run, though,” she counters. “Maybe you’re just good at running.”

The way she says it reminds me so much of my past and it’s like a kick to the stomach. “Maybe I’m not, though. Maybe I suck at running.” I sound choked and I decide it’s time to cut this conversation short, my brain seeking that potent taste of Jack and Tequila mixed with nicotine. I glance at my watch, pretending to check the time. “I just remembered that I have to meet Kayden somewhere in like a half an hour, so I’m going to have to take you back.”

She balls up the wrapper for her hamburger, acting nonchalant, but her shoulders are stiff. “Sounds good to me. I was done anyway.” She seems irritated and I have no idea why, other than she seems to be able to read through my bullshit and test me, which most people can’t and won’t even try. I’m supposed to be a closed book. A mystery. That way no one can see who I really am. It’s the way I’ve been living for years and it’s comfortable. Not ideal, but nothing is ideal.

We don’t talk as I collect our garbage and then walk next to her as she limps out to my truck. I try to offer her my arm and open the door for her, but she denies my offer, moving to the opposite door and pushing it open.

During the car ride, she barely says two words to me. I should be happy about it. That way there’s no room for sudden questions and statements that will set me off, however I find myself missing the bantering thing we had going and the way she pushed my buttons. By the time I drop her off, all I want to do is ask her to stay, talk some more, let me get to know her. But I don’t understand why. I’ve never wanted to get to know anyone before. I’ve never even been out on a date. Each woman I’ve been with, I’ve only been with once. Just sex. That’s all it’s ever about. And I’ve never wanted anything more.

Until now.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Forever/Grand Central Publishing has a fabulous giveaway to celebrate the book release. Enter below for your chance to win. Good luck and happy reading!

~ Shel, Bel & Nat 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Temptation of Lila and Ethan by Jessica Sorensen

* * * 1/2

On the surface, Lila Summers is flawless: good looks, expensive clothes, and a big, beautiful smile. But a dark past and even darker secrets are threatening to bubble over her perfect façade. She'll do anything to keep the emptiness inside hidden-which leads her into situations that always end badly. Whenever she hits bottom, there's only one person who's there to pull her out: Ethan Gregory.

Ethan set the rules a long time ago: he and Lila are just friends. He doesn't do relationships. Although his tattooed, bad boy exterior is a far cry from Lila's pretty princess image, Ethan can't deny they have a deeper connection than he's used to. If he's not careful, he could be in serious danger of becoming attached-and he's learned the hard way that attachment only leads to heartbreak.

When Lila falls farther than she ever has before, can Ethan continue to help as a friend? Or is he also getting close to falling . . . for her?

My first thought as I read Temptation was that I had no idea how screwed up Lila was. There was no real indication of this in either of the Secret books. We knew she had a strained relationship with her family but what is revealed here is horrifying.  Mommie and Daddy Dearest are not warm and fuzzy people, not to Lila, and not to each other. They are the ultimate dysfunctional family. Ethan is faring no better with his own problems.  His abrasive manner and womanizing mask his guilt from a previous relationship that he can’t let go of. 

Lila repeats her cycle of abusing pills, sleeping around and calling Ethan to bail her out of trouble. For two people who try so hard to avoid close attachments, they have become somewhat co-dependent on one other. They don’t like to admit out loud how much they want each other because it would confuse their already bizarre friendship. Besides, they’re too screwed up to know exactly what they want.

When Ethan recognizes that Lila is headed down a bad and dangerous path, he has her move in with him so she can get well and he can keep an eye on her. It’s surprising behavior coming from someone who is normally so abrasive and elusive. But he can’t stand by and watch Lila destroy herself. He helps her come off her pills and teaches her how to become more independent.  As their friendship line gets blurry, he also has to look to his past and make peace with it. That’s it. No more running away from what needs to get done for these two.

Of all Sorensen's books so far featuring troubled teens, Temptation was harder to get through because of how heavy it is. Aside from featuring the worst kind of parenting imaginable – so not my favorite - Lila's self-destructive behavior is hard to endure and Ethan's guilt over his past has held him back for so long. Still, things do manage to turn around after a lot of painstaking steps forward and back. That's one reason I always return to Jessica Sorensen – she always manages to give her characters hope.

~ Bel

The Redemption of Callie & Kayden (The Coincidence #2) by Jessica Sorensen

* * * *

The dark secret Kayden has kept hidden for years is out. Worse, he's facing charges for battery. The only way he stands a chance against the charges is if Callie speaks up, something he'll never ask her to do.

Callie knows Kayden is going back to his dark place and desperately wants to save him. But saving him means admitting her secrets aloud. Callie and Kayden are stronger than they think, especially when they're together. Together they move forward, face their demons, and finally start to heal from their traumatic pasts.

It’s pretty much out there that I adore Jessica Sorensen. I fell in love with her Ella & Micha series and the previous Callie & Kayden book left me in such a state that I was almost mad at her for that. Almost. The Redemption of Callie & Kayden did not fail me.

The events in the last book left Kayden fighting for his life in the hospital and Callie a complete mess. Picking up the pieces aren’t as easy. In Coincidence the two of them danced around each other so beautifully even if Callie was slightly awkward with the attention from Kayden. 

In Redemption, there’s so much pain and guilt, they don’t even know how to behave around each other. Kayden is worse off feeling hopeless and broken. All his insecurities are magnified so much that believes he’s no good for Callie and he doesn’t deserve her.  Callie is devastated to see Kayden spiral down and talk about getting a back bone! She stands up to him and reminds him that she still loves him no matter what.  She realizes that the only way to help Kayden heal and move past this means coming face-to-face with hers. She needs to be just as brave as she is demanding of him.

Everything that I love about Sorensen’s books is still here. It’s an uneasy ride for the two of them but once again with their friends Luke and Seth, they make progress. The chemistry between them is still there and I won’t lie, I enjoyed it. Aside from that, it’s how Sorensen addresses both their issues with sensitivity and honesty that makes this another winner.

~ Bel

Breaking Nova (Nova #1) by Jessica Sorensen

* * *

Nova Reed used to have dreams-of becoming a famous drummer, of marrying her true love. But all of that was taken away in an instant. Now she's getting by as best she can, though sometimes that means doing things the old Nova would never do. Things that are slowly eating away at her spirit. Every day blends into the next . . . until she meets Quinton Carter. His intense, honey brown eyes instantly draw her in, and he looks just about as broken as she feels inside.

Quinton once got a second chance at life-but he doesn't want it. The tattoos on his chest are a constant reminder of what he's done, what he's lost. He's sworn to never allow happiness into his life . . . but then beautiful, sweet Nova makes him smile. He knows he's too damaged to get close to her, yet she's the only one who can make him feel alive again. Quinton will have to decide: does he deserve to start over? Or should he pay for his past forever?

Jessica Sorensen has created a comfortable little niche for herself when it comes to writing fragile characters so damaged by horrifying events in their lives who are struggling to pick up the pieces.  Having read her previous books I kind of had an inkling of what to expect. Even with many similarities, Breaking Nova is undoubtedly the bleakest story of hers I’ve read.  

Nova and Quinton are interesting enough characters that kept me tuned in though I wouldn’t consider them as charismatic as other characters Sorensen has created. Both of them have suffered painful losses – Nova’s boyfriend committed suicide, Quinton’s girlfriend and his cousin were killed in a car crash in which he was the driver.  Neither has been able to move on, each feeling unworthy of forgiveness and love. Sound familiar? The differences are that this time around, Sorensen doesn’t offer up solid friends who look out for our protagonists. Instead, they’re as messed up as Nova and Quinton. I absolutely did not care for Nova’s best friend, Delilah or Quinton’s cousin Tristan and his roommate Dylan. They were more interested in getting high and drunk rather than do something with themselves. It’s especially hard when Quinton admits that he knows he could be much better, that he wasn’t always a “screw up” who spends his days lost in his room, aimless and hopeless. Nova has all the potential in the world but gets mixed up with Delilah and her mess.

Following this downward spiral isn’t easy and while it was depressing I was also impressed that Sorensen took the story in this direction. Unfortunately not everyone can be surrounded by good people with clear heads to pull them through. And not everyone can swim through the muddy waters in their minds as easily as others. If anything, it was a stark reminder that everyone handles loss and guilt in different ways and some get lost inside themselves more than others. 

In typical Sorensen fashion, we are left with a cliffhanger but a day after finishing it, I can say that Breaking Nova is another winner and I hope that Nova and Quinton get the peace that they’re desperately looking for.

~ Bel

The Coincidence Of Callie And Kayden by Jessica Sorensen

* * * *

*Mature Content - Recommended for readers 17 years + due to sexual content and language*

 There are those who don’t get luck handed to them on a shiny platter, who end up in the wrong place at the wrong time, who don’t get saved.

Luck was not on Callie’s side the day of her twelfth birthday when everything was stolen from her. After it’s all over, she locks up her feelings and vows never to tell anyone what happened. Six years later her painful past consumes her life and most days it’s a struggle just to breathe.

For as long as Kayden can remember, suffering in silence was the only way to survive life. As long as he did what he was told, everything was okay. One night, after making a terrible mistake, it seems like his life might be over. Luck was on his side, though, when Callie coincidentally is in the right place at the right time and saves him.

Now he can’t stop thinking about the girl he saw at school, but never really knew. When he ends up at the same college as Callie, he does everything he can to try to get to know her. But Callie is reserved and closed off. The more he tries to be part of her life, the more he realizes Callie might need to be saved.

Since The Redemption of Callie and Kayden is due out shortly, I thought it would be nice to remember why this series is just another winner from Jessica Sorensen. Her stories are incredibly appealing and she manages to create some memorable characters in her books. The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden is another emotionally charged story, this time about two people who are so damaged that neither feels worthy of happiness or love.

I love how Sorensen sets us up with both Callie’s and Kayden’s point of views. It’s very much the same as with The Secret of Ella and Micha, a formula that works but one she tweaks in this book.  Unlike Ella and Micha, Callie and Kayden do not have an established history together or any sexual tension from the beginning. This time the full on ugly is displayed out in the open with both of them dealing with a lot of pain. For the first time in his life, Kayden wants to feel rather than go through the motions. His seemingly perfect life is far from that. Callie walked in on one of the worst moments of his life and rescued him without hesitation. He can never thank her enough for what she did. And because she did so, he has become curious about her. Who exactly is this quiet girl, known as a “freak” in high school who came to his aid and just disappeared.

For her part, Callie was surprised by what she did for Kayden. After  having witnessed what she did, she realizes that not everyone has a charmed life. She goes off to college a few days after the incident to focus on starting her new life and new identity away from the horror of her childhood and high school. Her past catches up with her when Kayden shows up at her college. With her new friend Seth, she learns to slowly open up and relinquish control so that she can have some normal experiences. It’s hard for her to trust anyone but she’s drawn to Kayden. After seeing him at his worst, she recognizes someone who is as anguished as she is. They’ve both been failed by their families. And as hard as it is to admit the secret that’s haunting them, they also find a strange kind of comfort in their growing friendship. Interestingly both sides wonder how wise it is to pursue their attraction to each other when they’re messed up themselves.

As gutting as some moments were, everything about this book is heartfelt and authentic.  Sorensen deftly handles two very sensitive issues with empathy and intelligence. Reading how Callie and Kayden wade through their emotional turmoil is hard.  I mean, they both need hugs! Neither of their issues are easy and no one has the right answer. But it’s beautiful to see these two people develop a genuine friendship where they become each other’s staunchest supporter. Kayden himself admits that he feels real and truly happy for the first time in his life. Callie is learning to trust and see that not everyone will hurt her. She takes big steps towards having happiness.

I love this book. I’m impressed with how it’s written, how Sorensen has managed to inject so much heart into it. She has given me a new couple to root for. I tell you what though – I am slightly mad at her for leaving me with a hell of an ending. It was so disturbing and intense I don’t think I was able to breathe until it was all said and done. Now I’m desperately waiting for the sequel so I can put my mind at ease.

~ Bel