The One You Fight For (The Ones Who Got Away #3) by Roni Loren

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How hard would you fight for the one you love? 

Taryn Landry was there that awful night fourteen years ago when Long Acre changed from the name of a town to the title of a national tragedy. Everyone knows she lost her younger sister. No one knows it was her fault. Since then, psychology professor Taryn has dedicated her life's work to preventing something like that from ever happening again. Falling in love was never part of the plan...

Shaw Miller has spent more than a decade dealing with the fallout of his brother's horrific actions. After losing everything―his chance at Olympic gold, his family, almost his sanity―he's changed his name, his look, and he's finally starting a new life. As long as he keeps a low profile and his identity secret, everything will be okay, right?

When the world and everyone you know defines you by one catastrophic tragedy...

How do you find your happy ending?

Source: advance e-galley provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review


The One You Fight For follows yet another survivor of the Long Acre High School shooting. Taryn along with Liv, Finn and Rebecca from the previous books were brought back together by a documentary in which they participated. Since then we've come to know how they've coped since the shooting.

Taryn is definitely interesting because of the unique way she has chosen to move forward with her life. As a professor who has done extensive research into sociopathic behaviour she hopes to put her work to good use. Since her life was spared she wants to make sure that everything she does makes a difference and brings about positive changes. But she's always gingerly towing the line between being the dutiful daughter and letting her creative side break through. 

At the other end there's Shaw who's life was upended by the shooting because of his relation to the killer. Though he didn't pull the trigger he's carried the guilt and shame of what happened. His life fell apart and his future took on a far different trajectory than what he was destined for. He moved away for a while to escape all the unwanted attention and was convinced to come back to Austin to start up a business. 

This isn't necessarily a case of opposites attract but two people at opposite ends of the same tragedy.. Somehow Taryn and Shaw work. Honestly, I'm surprised by Taryn's ability to compartmentalize all these facts and details and look past all the ugliness that surrounds their association to each other to fight for a chance with Shaw. This is why I find her so interesting - she really is one surprise after another. There's so much working against them least of all people's reactions to their friendship. But what might drive them apart is the one thing that they have in common: that they've continued to be defined and imprisoned by this one event. Perhaps their union is the catalyst to help them recover the parts of their identity and lives that went to pieces. 

I couldn't get enough of Taryn and Shaw's chemistry but mostly it was their complicated situation that kept me tuned in. It was enough to make me fidgety. And then there's the tragedy itself that has forever marked these individuals. I'm fascinated by how Loren relays these individuals' experiences reminding us that the effects don't just stop because the horrible thing is over. They last forever, there's no escaping that and each one of these friends has dealt with it in their own manner. 

As with the first two books in this series, The One You Fight For is a highly addictive read. It overwhelms with emotion, squeezes your heart and also offers a glimmer of hope to hold onto.

~ Bel

Fall (VIP #3) by Kristen Callihan

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The first time I met Jax Blackwood things went a little sideways. 

In my defense, I didn’t know he was Jax Blackwood—who expects a legendary rock star to be shopping for groceries? More importantly, a blizzard was coming and he was about to grab the last carton of mint-chocolate chip. 

Still, I might have walked away, but then he smugly dared me to try and take the coveted ice cream. So I kissed him. And distracted that mint-chip right out of his hands. 

Okay, it was a dirty move, but desperate times and all that. Besides, I never expected he’d be my new neighbor. 

An annoying neighbor who takes great pleasure in reminding me that I owe him ice cream but would happily accept more kisses as payment. An irresistible neighbor who keeps me up while playing guitar naked–spectacularly naked–in his living room. 

Clearly, avoidance is key. Except nothing about Jax is easy to ignore—not the way he makes me laugh, or that his particular brand of darkness matches mine, or how one look from him melts me faster than butter under a hot sun. 

Neither of us believes in love or forever. Yet we’re quickly becoming each other’s addiction. But we could be more. We could be everything. 

All we have to do is trust enough to fall. 

Source: advanced e-galley provided in exchange for an honest review

Man, talk about a meet-cute borne out of fantasy. I don't know about you but if I came across my favourite celebrity crush I don't know that I'd kiss him with the intent to distract him so I could take the last tub of mint chocolate chip ice cream out of his hands. To be fair, Stella isn't aware that she's kissed Jax Blackwood, the sexy and troubled lead singer of Kill John. At least not until later but there was a good reason for her cunning. A massive snowstorm in the city meant she had to have all her basic food groups. They walk away from each other - Stella with ice cream in hand - and think they'll never see each other again. But wait! Stella is contacted to house sit for someone while they're away. She's not aware whom she's housesitting for but her new neighbour is none other than the mystery man she kissed and then she finally puts all the pieces together.

I think of Stella as someone who's just kind of floating along. She has an unconventional job and to be honest, I'd never heard of such a thing but it makes sense. It became a lightbulb moment for me. Callihan touches on several issues from social awkwardness to anxiety to depression. If you've read the previous two books in the VIP series you know that Jax had tried to commit suicide two years before and that the aftermath left the band shaken and off-kilter. Jax strives on a daily basis to work through his feelings, doing everything he can to manage his mental health. Callihan purposefully stayed away from details about his suicide attempt and instead chose to focus on his recovery. Fall is a little more personal to Callihan and I admire that incorporated some of her own experiences with her mental health. She gave us a character actively working to understand his illness and take care of himself is positive encouragement to any reader, especially for anyone who lives with the same struggles.

The friendship between Stella and Jax has become such a bright point in their lives. Stella has never felt the love of a family and Jax who created his own family with his band have contrasting experiences but at the heart of it, they both want to feel that intimacy with someone they can trust and who will look out for them. Their approach to finding that is different but they undoubtedly find each other's company comforting, safe and most importantly, true. 

I enjoyed Fall immensely because Stella's quirkiness played well with Jax's rock star moments and his always coy and flirtatious moves. They have such a great vibe together. You know I can't resist a cheeky guy and I love Jax's nicknames for Stella and his humour. There are appearances from the rest of the band and their significant others including many funny instances with Scottie, the band manager. I'm picky about my rock star romances and only a few authors do it for me, Kristen Callihan being one of them. She has created a sexy, beautiful romance that shows how powerful human connection is in helping us to be stronger, better and feel that we belong. 

~ Bel

The One Real Thing by Samantha Young - Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

Welcome to Hartwell, a quiet seaside escape where uncovering old secrets could lead one woman to discover the meaning of a love that lasts…

While Doctor Jessica Huntington engages with the inmates at the women’s correctional facility where she works, she’s always careful to avoid emotional attachments in her personal life.  Loss and betrayal taught her that lesson long ago. But when she comes across a set of old love letters in the prison’s library and visits the picturesque town of Hartwell to deliver them to their intended recipient, she finds herself unable to resist the town’s charm—and her attraction to the sexy owner of a local bar proves equally hard to deny.

Since his divorce from his unfaithful ex-wife, Cooper Lawson has focused on what really matters: his family and the boardwalk pub they’ve owned for generations.  But the first time Jessica steps into his bar, Cooper is beyond tempted to risk his heart on her.

Yet as their attraction grows hotter and Jessica remains stubbornly closed off, he begins to realize it will take more than just passion to convince her there’s only one real thing in life worth fighting for…

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Review:

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Source: e-galley provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

Many of you are aware of Samantha Young through her On Dublin Street series. Though I'm still working my way through them it was a no-brainer that I'd have to check out her new endeavor. Set in a small town where everywhere you turn is a friendly face ready with a warm greeting, The One Real Thing has a different vibe to it that made me wishing I could visit it myself.

Jessica is a hardworking doctor at a women's prison where she stands out among her peers because of her generous compassion towards all the inmates. She has this inherent belief that no one is truly bad, they just happen to do bad things. At the prison, she discovers a series of hidden letters within a book written by a former inmate. These letters and the tragic story that is relayed through them, have an unexpected effect on Jessica, ultimately inspiring her to find the intended recipient. Before she can back out of it, she makes Hartwell her getaway destination so she can deliver those letters and get some R&R. Away from her stressful job, Jessica finds solace in the calm and friendly seaside town. It's not until she runs in to Cooper that she understands what has been amiss. Jessica and Cooper are older and jaded having been through their fair share of disappointment. She has spent most of her life trying to "fix things" as a doctor and hide away behind her career, while he has always been the one taking care of things. Pursuing a relationship is a big gamble for both of them since they both come with baggage.

There's more to Jessica's story than meets the eye and it's a sad one that's held her back emotionally. In a way, it takes a village to help Cooper and Jessica find their way to each other. It's a close-knit community of people who look out for one another. I like how Young has set potential storylines in TORT through some of the other characters in town, one of them being quiet bookstore owner, Emery. I admired how Jessica's slow connection to the elusive young woman was played out. There's definitely something in her backstory that I hope gets explored in a future book. This particular storyline also showcased Jessica's amazing patience and empathetic nature which made her my personal hero. The only character I didn't take to immediately was Bailey, one of Cooper's friends and the owner of the bed and breakfast where Jessica stays. The two of them become instant friends which is great, it's just that her personality came on a bit too strong for me. Regardless, I was relieved that Jessica was experiencing a beautiful companionship. As for the man of the hour, Cooper ... yeah, he's gorgeous, he's resourceful, he's a no-nonsense kind of guy but the BEST thing about him is that he was not once intimidated by Jessica's credentials. That kind of a man is a keeper! And the two of them make one hot couple! As for the rest of the locals, they're lovely and welcoming - I was starting to feel like Hartwell was home myself!

The One Real Thing will bring on all the feels. At first the synopsis sounds like it has all the makings of a Lifetime movie but I think it surpasses that initial impression. I thought that the hidden letters would take center stage in the story but they're only the catalyst that gives Jessica that push to snap out of her solitude. It's always fun to read about a community that not only charms its way into your heart but also heals what's been hurting for so long. I think everyone comes to a point where they question what they're doing, if they're happy, if it's worth it. Jessica and Cooper are no different so it's a delight to watch them dance around each other until they get their acts together. Sure, The One Real Thing is a lovely romance but it's also an ode to finding yourself in all the chaos. 

~ Bel

About the author: 

Photo source: Goodreads

Samantha Young is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the On Dublin Street series, including Moonlight on Nightingale Way, Echoes of Scotland Street, and Fall from India Place, as well as the standalone novel Hero. She resides in Scotland.

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Excerpt:

Why did it feel like having sex had complicated things so much? Usually sex was complication-free for me.

But before that night I’d been completely sure that Cooper was interested in exploring something more with me, and now I was freaking out that his interest would wane now that he’d had me.

I shook my head slowly. “No. It was good.”

He scowled, his arms tightening around me so much there wasn’t an inch of space between us. “It was better than fucking good, Jessica.”

I scowled back and pushed at his chest for some breathing space. “Well, I’m sure you’d know all about that.”

“What the fuck does that mean?”

“You use the word ‘fuck’ a lot.”

“It’s a good fucking word.”

I was tempted to laugh at how disgruntled he sounded and he seemed to catch my amusement because his hold on me eased.

“What’s going on in your head, Jess?”

I thought about evading this conversation. I’d never had to have an adult, open conversation with a man about sex. However, I realized, somewhat reluctantly, if I wanted something more with Cooper Lawson I was going to have to give him more than I was used to giving.

I couldn’t change his past, but I could figure out what it was he wanted in the future by just being honest and asking the question.

“You still want something with me, right? This”—I gestured behind me to the table—“it wasn’t just about sex.”

“No,” he said. “It’s not just about sex.”

As I heaved a sigh of relief, he let go of my waist to cup my face in his hands, dipping his head down to mine so our noses almost touched. He stared deep into my eyes and I shivered. I felt like he was trying to see right into my soul.

“I’m in this for the long haul, Doc. I was before you walked into my bar tonight, but now, after the best fucking sex of my life, after how wild that was, there’s no way I’m letting you walk out of here without me.”

And there he went doing it again.

His words resonated deep within me along with giving me that deep, sexual belly flip of arousal.

My fingers curled into the top of his biceps. “Best sex of my life, too,” I murmured. “It stunned me a little. Confused me . . . I thought maybe . . . you . . . this was old hat for you . . .”

He gave me a crooked grin. “You think I make a habit of fucking women in my bar.”“You could,” I said. “You are definitely a man who could pull that off.”Cooper threw his head back in laughter and I pressed my body deeper into his to feel his joy.

And then he wrapped his arms around me and hugged me.

Just as I’d suspected, he was a really good hugger.

When he pulled back he was smiling gently at me. “You’re the only woman I’ve had in my bar.” He let me go only to take my hand in his. “No one sits at that table anymore.” He gestured to the scene of the best sex we’d both ever had. “It’s now a shrine.”

“You can’t do that!” I was mortified at the possibility of people finding out why there was a table in Cooper Lawson’s bar that no one was allowed to sit at.

“I can. It’s my bar. I think I’ll even carve ‘Coop and Doc were here’ on it.”

Finally getting that he was joking, I made a face. “Funny.”

“You’re slow on the uptake tonight,” he teased.

“My brain was just frazzled by the orgasm to beat all orgasms.”

He squeezed my hand. “You up for more brain frazzling?”

I shivered at the thought. “Definitely.”

His eyes darkened. “Let’s go back to my place.”

Exhilarated by the prospect, I followed him, and it wasn’t until we’d stepped outside the bar into the cool night air that I said, “I don’t suppose you know where my panties are?”

“I do, actually.” He led me to the back of his bar to the parking lot. A dark-colored GMC was the only truck there.

“Um . . . could I have them, please?”

He stopped me at the passenger side of the truck, pressing me up against the car. “Why?” he whispered against my lips before he kissed me deeply. He came up for air a few seconds later. “You’re not going to need them where we’re going.”

The nagging pressure between my legs increased. “You are so very, very good at stringing the exact right words together.”

He kissed me again.

“You’re just good with your mouth in general,” I murmured.

Cooper grinned and brushed his lips over mine. “In the truck, Doc.” 

Giveaway:

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Steadfast (True North #2) by Sarina Bowen

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Source: advance egalley provided by the author in exchange for an honest review 

She’s the only one who ever loved him—and the only one he can never have.

Jude lost everything one spring day when he crashed his car into an apple tree on the side of the road. A man is dead, and there's no way he can ever right that wrong. He’d steer clear of Colebury, Vermont forever if he could. But an ex-con in recovery for his drug addiction can’t find a job just anywhere.

For Sophie Haines, coming face to face with the man who broke her heart is gut-wrenching. Suddenly, he’s everywhere she turns. It’s hard not to stare at how much he’s changed. The bad boy who used to love her didn’t have big biceps and sun-kissed hair. And he’d never turn up volunteer in the church kitchen.

She knows it’s foolish to yearn for the man who returned all the heartsick letters she wrote him in prison. But the looks he sends her now speak volumes.

No one wants to see Sophie and Jude back together, least of all Sophie's police chief father. But it's a small town. And forbidden love is a law unto itself. 


You know, I fell happily in love with Bittersweet, the first of the True North books. There's just something so inviting about the setting. While reading it, I became curious about Jude, one of the farmhands who carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. Steadfast brings his story to life. 

After spending time at the farm, a place that had become a safe haven for him, Jude finally makes the return home to Colebury. Everything that could and did go wrong happened here. Before he left, he was involved in an accident that left one man dead who was his girlfriend Sophie's brother. The accident also revealed Jude's drug addiction that he'd been hiding from everyone including Sophie. When he went away to prison he cut off all ties. Returning to his hometown is a precarious undertaking because he has to face all his demons head on while attempting to stay clean. Sophie who was left completely shut out and bewildered is unprepared to see him again. The accident changed her life dramatically. Now that Jude's back in town he can no longer evade her and she plans on getting answers whether he likes it or not. What she doesn't expect is just how much she still loves him despite all the things that went wrong.

I have a personal reason for reading this: I have known someone in my life who suffered from addiction and in reading Jude's story I hoped to develop some understanding of what it was like for this person. Even a small glimpse into this world spoke volumes to me. Steadfast, though not the type of book to go in-depth into drug addiction and rehab, does give you a good enough sense of the daily struggle of staying clean. Jude wages an internal war every single day, a war that's fought by his mind repeating mantras telling him that he can stay healthy and his body that will forever crave that bliss. Bowen presents his struggle in an accessible way by headlining each of his chapters with a craving meter. There's no going with the flow as sanity is a premium. As for Sophie, I have to admit I was a bit perplexed by her. A part of me couldn't get over that she would still be in love with him and that's only because of the dynamics involved. Their relationship has the ultimate baggage which is why their attraction felt a bit uneasy for me. Then again maybe they're the only two people in this town who get each other and with a history as intense as theirs, it would be hard to ignore their feelings. The subplot dealing with the accident is more than intriguing and I found myself getting excited about where that was leading.

I'm amazed by the endless ideas Sarina Bowen comes up with for stories. She is seriously talented. As with Bittersweet, Steadfast features other characters that add richness to the story such as the warm and welcoming Shipley family. If only we could all have the Shipley's as neighbours and friends! There's also the unexpected kindness that Jude receives from a stranger showing that not everyone will hold his past against him. Steadfast is heavier but it's terrific none the less. You want to champion the guy who's making inroads in repairing the damage he has caused, redeeming himself in the process. Who doesn't love a second-chance story where forgiveness heals and one feels worthy of people's love again? Here's to you, Jude and to the many others who are also rebuilding their lives one day at a time.

~ Bel

Before Hadley by J. Nathan

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What's worse than a cocky new guy at school? A cocky new guy with a killer body and the attention of every female at school. Hadley can tell the minute she lays eyes on Caynan that he's someone to avoid. He may have looks and charm, but he's also got heartbreak written all over his pretty face.

Unfortunately for Hadley, Caynan has his sights set on her. She's the one girl who doesn't want him. The one girl who's turned off by his charm. The one girl who challenges him like no other. And, though she couldn't possibly know the truth about him, she seems to be the one girl who really sees him.

But with Caynan, things aren't at all what they seem. His secrets have secrets and everything out of his mouth straddles the line between truth and fiction. He knows better than to get involved with anyone, especially with his time limited in the new town, but he just can't seem to get Hadley out of his mind. Too bad for him, secrets never remain secrets for long.

  

Before Hadley is about a high school romance with all the potential to go well but ends up disastrously before it even has a chance to get off the ground.

Hadley and Caynan meet at a party. With his drop-dead good looks and that British accent, it doesn’t take long for all the girls at his new high school to notice him and want to stake their claims on him. Hadley however is unimpressed, pegging him for the über cocky type and he proves her correct. So she can’t fathom why when he could get with any of the other girls at school, and she clearly wants nothing to do with him, he zeroes in on her. They seem to have this flirty-teasing vibe that works for them. He continues to ask her out and she responds with sarcasm; it’s a beautiful thing! When she finally relents she’s surprised to see that she actually has fun with him. The biggest revelation is that he notices and appreciates details about her that none of her other boyfriends have ever noticed. As for Caynon, she makes him want to be a better man yet he’s walking a thin line because for reasons beyond his control, he’s being a deceitful prat. He is not who he claims to be yet when he’s with Hadley he feels most like himself. He works double-time to hide as much about himself as possible while still throwing out nuggets of truth to alleviate his guilt. When his duplicity is finally revealed, it’s game over. Hadley’s heart is broken into a million pieces and Caynan’s life is shattered.

I didn’t expect a time jump with each of them carrying on with their own lives. Hadley has trust issues – understandable, and Caynan wants a redo. He’s managed to turn his life around and is bent on winning back the girl. I was in Hadley’s corner for most of it, especially after Caynan attempts to return into her life. I absolutely understood how Hadley’s trust has been damaged and how she can’t outright forgive him. None of it is easy and Caynan has to work so hard, much like when he chased after her in high school except this time there’s they both carry heavy hearts. 

I requested this title simply because it was by J. Nathan. I liked her previous book, Since Drew that I read last year and I’d forgotten than she can write some heavy stuff but still sprinkle lighter moments in between. Trust is the central issue in this story along with the power of forgiveness, if and when it’s given. I wasn’t sure how she would wrap things up, whether there’d be any reconciliation and I liked that that was up in the air. Those two themes along with the angst and romance make Before Hadley another enjoyable read.

~ Bel

Did I Mention I Love You? by Estelle Maskame

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When sixteen-year-old Eden Munro agrees to spend the summer with her estranged father in the beachfront city of Santa Monica, California, she has no idea what she’s letting herself in for. Eden's parents are divorced and have gone their separate ways, and now her father has a brand new family. For Eden, this means she's about to meet three new step-brothers. The eldest of the three is Tyler Bruce, a troubled teenager with a short temper and a huge ego. Complete polar opposites, Eden quickly finds herself thrust into a world full of new experiences as Tyler's group of friends take her under their wing. But the one thing she just can't understand is Tyler, and the more she presses to figure out the truth about him, the more she finds herself falling for the one person she shouldn't – her step-brother.

Throw in Tyler's clingy girlfriend and a guy who has his eyes set on Eden, and there's secrets, lies and a whole lot of drama. But how can Eden keep her feelings under control? And can she ever work out the truth about Tyler?

Did I Mention I Love You is the first book in the phenomenal DIMILY trilogy, following the lives of Eden Munro and Tyler Bruce as they try to find their way in an increasingly confusing world.

Here’s the thing: I’ve been in a reading slump of sorts, the kind where it’s hard to get into a book so it takes me two or three times as long to get through one rather than my normal day or two. Thanks to Did I Mention I Love You? the is slump over! 

Eden is every bit the bitter daughter who’s so angry at her father for walking out on her and her mother years ago. Now he invites her to stay with him and his new family in LA for the summer to possibly reconnect. She's not yet at that point where she can forgive him. I got why she was upset and had every right to be but I also thought she was being a brat at times. I mean, come on. She's there for the summer, give the guy a chance before completely shutting him out. When she meets Tyler, the oldest of her three step-siblings, he’s not welcoming or civil. He’s downright nasty and hostile towards her. If I thought Eden was bitter, Tyler is 10 times worse. He has attitude, gets in trouble with the law, he’s into illegal things and he’s in a dysfunctional relationship with his girlfriend.

Poor Eden is stuck in this mess having to make the most of the less than ideal situation. Thankfully, she’s making some friends even if this circle of friends includes Tyler. Their constant partying is different from what she’s used to at home, however, she’d rather be goaded into doing that than having to stay home and make nice with her dad. The time with them provides ample opportunity for her to study Tyler’s idiosyncratic behavior and abrasive personality. She studies his relationship with his brothers, his mother and his girlfriend. She knows there’s something that’s fueling his need for the hard partying and reckless conduct. The harder she looks, the more she finds herself falling for someone that she absolutely, most definitely should not fall in love with.

DIMILY pushed my wiggy button many times. It’s not just the fact that they’re step-siblings so any kind of attraction between them is both hopeless and impractical. It’s also that Tyler is a mess and for Eden to even remotely consider anything with him is simply bad judgment. The guy needs an intervention, not a distraction as Tyler likes to label Eden. For him, a distraction is a welcome relief from what’s ailing him but it’s unfair to put that kind of expectation on her. I think it’s a testament to Maskame’s writing that despite their imperfections and at-times deplorable actions, I care about these two and want so many things for them. I want Tyler to get better, I want Eden and her father to mend their relationship, and yes, I even want Tyler and Eden to find happiness together.

Without realizing it, I was sucked into DIMYILY. I was genuinely surprised to discover that I'd become so emotionally invested in Eden and Tyler. I have no idea when it happened, just that I am. I do like that Maskame doesn’t give them a clean resolution and that they may still be screwing up but they’re doing the best they can under the circumstances. These are flawed, complicated and troubled young people for whom I want better futures. I hadn't realized this was a trilogy until I'd finished it and now I'm beside myself waiting for the sequel!

~ Bel

We All Looked Up by Tommy Wallach

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Before the asteroid we let ourselves be defined by labels:

The athlete, the outcast, the slacker, the overachiever.

But then we all looked up and everything changed.

They said it would be here in two months. That gave us two months to leave our labels behind. Two months to become something bigger than what we'd been, something that would last even after the end.

Two months to really live.

In his remarkable debut, Tommy Wallach has delivered an impactful and thoughtful story on how we as humans can simultaneously be significant and not, and when it all comes down to it, it’s over in a blink of an eye. Despite the gloom that hangs over it, this book has plenty of lighthearted and eye-opening moments.

It opens with Peter, a gifted and popular athlete who has begun to question his status. During one of his classes, his teacher poses a question that jars him. It essentially makes him question his own existence and what his experiences have taught him or brought him so far. Sure he has the hot, popular girlfriend, he’s well liked, he’s on his way to a good school, but what does it all really mean? Whatever his teacher brought up in class has stirred something within Peter that launches him on a soul-searching expedition.

Eliza is the girl who was happiest when she was under the radar. Then Peter happened to her the year before and her reputation took a major hit. A friend suggested that she should just use that reputation to her advantage and so she went with it, going from barely seen to being known all over but for all the wrong reasons. She has her own problems – a terminally ill father and a mother who left the family. Her salvation has been photography where capturing images in black and white is a language that she can understand. I have to say, I enjoyed the description of how she related to the pictures and what they meant to her.

Anita has been slowly suffocating under the pressures foisted upon her by her parents. She’s been groomed all her life to have excellent grades so she can enter the top notch schools. There’s no room for anything else including what she loves most – singing and performing. The strict regimen is finally getting to her and she’s slowly drumming up the courage to break from their crushing expectations.

Andy is the kid everyone writes off, including his parents, as he has no interest in school or succeeding. He’d much rather get high and skate all day – the quintessential slacker.  He’s the biggest surprise of all because he’s quite intuitive and somehow comes up with the right thing to say to someone when they need it. Where the others are mostly very serious, Andy brings a certain amount of humor to the story.

Each of these four people fulfills a certain kind of stereotype. By the end of the book, those stereotypes are broken and we see more to them than what we initially saw. All of them notice the asteroid and can sense its importance. Then it’s announced that the asteroid is headed for earth and that only a small percentage of the earth’s population will survive its impact. For those who survive, what’s there to live for? And what does that mean for now? The pending calamity causes each of them to be introspective. This could be their chance to rectify a wrong, reinvent themselves or fight for something they’ve long wanted.

Everyone's emotions run the gamut as chaos and civil unrest follow leading some very irrational events. These four individuals thrown together by circumstances, but who otherwise may not have uttered a word to each other before, must now rely on each other.

We All Looked Up also has an amazing cast of supporting characters too, such as Peter’s rebellious younger sister, Misery, Andy’s volatile friend, Bobo (a bad nightmare waiting to unleash itself), and Eliza’s dad. All of them add so much to the story. But the two supporting people I loved the most were the teacher Mr. MacArthur and the student counselor Suzie O. They have this amazing ability to connect with their students without condescension or hostile admonishment. They just know how to speak to these kids. I would have loved to have had Mr. MacArthur as my teacher!

I’d been seeing We All Looked Up everywhere and had heard so much buzz about it. For me, there was something about the title that spoke of endless possibilities and surprises. And despite the impending end of the world, these friends discovered those possibilities and made the most of their last few weeks. This book gets a solid 5 stars from me and I cannot recommend it enough!

~ Bel

Tommy Wallach is not only an amazing writer but he also happens to be a musician. Check out his moving soundtrack for We All Looked Up.

   

     
   

The Night We Said Yes by Lauren Gibaldi

* * * 1/2

A fun, romantic read, perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen and Susane Colasanti!

Before Matt, Ella had a plan. Get over a no-good ex-boyfriend. Graduate from high school without any more distractions. Move away from Orlando, Florida, where she’s lived her entire life.

But Matt—the cute, shy, bespectacled bass player who just moved to town—was never part of that plan.

And neither was attending a party that was crashed by the cops just minutes after they arrived. Or spending an entire night saying “yes” to every crazy, fun thing they could think of.

Then Matt abruptly left town, and he broke not only Ella’s heart but those of their best friends, too. So when he shows up a year later with a plan of his own—to relive the night that brought them together—Ella isn’t sure whether Matt’s worth a second chance. Or if re-creating the past can help them create a different future.

In alternating then and now chapters, debut author Lauren Gibaldi crafts a charming, romantic story of first loves, lifelong friendships, uncovered secrets, and, ultimately, finding out how to be brave.

The Night We Said Yes is a snapshot of two people’s relationship on two different nights, one year apart.

Ella first meets Matt at a party. He’s new in town and has joined her friend Jake’s band as the new bassist. Jake also happens to be dating her best friend, Meg. When the party is busted, Matt who wants to spend more time with Ella, suggests that rather than squander the rest of the night, the four of them should take the opportunity to just say “yes” to some new adventures. It’s a dare that allows them to feel free and uninhibited. Throughout that night, Matt and Ella fall harder for each other. They date for the next few months until he abruptly leaves town without an explanation to anyone, cutting of contact with all of them.

Fast forward a year later, they’ve graduated high school and are at another party. Here she unexpectedly comes face-to-face with Matt. It’s a very uncomfortable reunion for everyone and Ella isn’t so sure she even wants to share the same breathing space with him. After a few pleas on his part, Ella decides to give in and hear him out. This doesn’t sit well with Meg who feels that Matt should not be forgiven for how badly he hurt Ella and everyone else.  Despite her confusion and hurt feelings, Ella wants answers. She goes with her gut and leaves the party with Matt going against Meg’s opinion. This creates some friction between these close friends.

Gibaldi matches up the events from both nights very nicely with each chapter offering “before” and “now” details into how things unfolded. The backstory was very cute and I couldn’t help but smile as Matt and Ella flirted their way through the night. But I was more keen on their story in the present because of the changing dynamics. These were four tight friends and Matt leaving like that affected them badly. Ella was devastated, Jake was hurt that he’d lost his good friend and Meg had to help see them through the aftermath. Each of them has a different reaction to Matt’s return and whether they're willing to let him back in again. With differing opinions, they’re all forced to have it out about what they expect from each other. Now that they’re moving on to college, things are changing and with some new perspective in place, their friendships are evolving too.

The Night We Said Yes serves up nostalgia for that in between stage of graduating high school and moving on to college. You can't help but reminisce about this short time period where so much happens while you hold on to what's familiar as you put on a brave face to face the unknown. Here best friends grapple with these changes and realize that sometimes even close friends can keep things to themselves because they’re not sure how to share something so personal. And even with that discovery, it's about the friends and memories that are worth holding on to. 

~ Bel

   

     

    

Ten Tiny Breaths (Ten Tiny Breaths #1) by K.A. Tucker

* * * 1/2

Kacey Cleary’s whole life imploded four years ago in a drunk-driving accident. Now she’s working hard to bury the pieces left behind—all but one. Her little sister, Livie. Kacey can swallow the constant disapproval from her born-again aunt Darla over her self-destructive lifestyle; she can stop herself from going kick-boxer crazy on Uncle Raymond when he loses the girls’ college funds at a blackjack table. She just needs to keep it together until Livie is no longer a minor, and then they can get the hell out of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

But when Uncle Raymond slides into bed next to Livie one night, Kacey decides it’s time to run. Armed with two bus tickets and dreams of living near the coast, Kacey and Livie start their new lives in a Miami apartment complex, complete with a grumpy landlord, a pervert upstairs, and a neighbor with a stage name perfectly matched to her chosen “profession.” But Kacey’s not worried. She can handle all of them. What she can’t handle is Trent Emerson in apartment 1D.

Kacey doesn’t want to feel. She doesn’t. It’s safer that way. For everyone. But sexy Trent finds a way into her numb heart, reigniting her ability to love again. She starts to believe that maybe she can leave the past where it belongs and start over. Maybe she’s not beyond repair.

But Kacey isn’t the only one who’s broken. Seemingly perfect Trent has an unforgiveable past of his own; one that, when discovered, will shatter Kacey’s newly constructed life and send her back into suffocating darkness.

Ten Tiny Breaths explores the emotional upheaval of loss, betrayal, forgiveness and the ultimate steps toward healing. Kacey seems like a young woman who is perfectly in control of herself and her circumstances. She takes on the responsibility of raising her younger sister and won’t allow herself to be distracted from that. She channels all of her aggression and anger into kickboxing and keeps everyone else at arms-length.

When they arrive at their new home in Miami, little do Kacey and Livie know that this apartment complex will become a family to them complete with off-the-wall characters. Kacey is forced to learn to get along with them and slowly let people in. That includes her neighbor, Trent who throws her off her game. She’s all cool and tough until he’s around and then she loses control of her senses a bit.

I wasn’t really all that crazy about Kacey initially. She’s hard and purposefully unlikeable though she does try to be nicer for the sake of her sister. It’s understandable why she’s that way but it's still amazing anyone would even try to cozy up to her with that personality, which is why I was baffled by Trent's interest in her. (I eventually picked up on Trent's motives before Kacey worked it out.) Trent and her other neighbor Storm, try to no avail to get her to talk about her past recognizing that she's a ticking time bomb. When things do finally crash around her, it’s almost a blessing in disguise as she’s forced to confront her horrifying loss along with the pain and anger she has bottled up for years.

Kacey and Livie left their past to arrive in Miami with nothing and gain everything through the family they create and the breakthroughs that open the doors to their futures. It ends on a very hopeful note but not before the painstaking exercise of healing and the hardest of all – forgiveness.

K.A.Tucker has built upon Ten Tiny Breaths with a series featuring the characters she has introduced here. It'll be interesting to visit with them in each of their stories to see how they progress and what they make of themselves. The second one, One Tiny Lie, is Livie's story and her time to shine.

~ Bel