Wolves & Roses
Christina Bauer
(Fairy Tales of the Magicorum #1)
Published by: Monster House Books
Publication date: October 31st 2017
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

“If Janet Evanovich teamed with a young adult, fairy-tale author like Marissa Meyer (the Lunar Chronicles) or Alex Flinn (Beastly), the result might be something like Christina Bauer’s Wolves and Roses.” –Blue Ink Review
Seventeen-year-old Bryar Rose has a problem. She’s descended from one of the three magical races—shifters, fairies, or witches. That makes her one of the Magicorum, and Magicorum always follow a fairy tale life template. In Bryar’s case, that template should be Sleeping Beauty.
“Should” being the key word.
Trouble is, Bryar is nowhere near the sleeping beauty life template. Not even close. She doesn’t like birds or woodland creatures. She can’t sing. And she certainly can’t stand Prince Philpot, the so-called “His Highness of Hedge Funds” that her aunties want her to marry. Even worse, Bryar’s having recurring dreams of a bad boy hottie and is obsessed with finding papyri from ancient Egypt. What’s up with that?
All Bryar wants is to attend a regular high school with normal humans and forget all about shifters, fairies, witches, and the curse that Colonel Mallory the Magnificent placed on her. And she might be able to do just that–if only she can just keep her head down until her eighteenth birthday when the spell that’s ruined her life goes buh-bye.
But that plan gets turned upside down when Bryar Rose meets Knox, the bad boy who’s literally from her dreams. Knox is a powerful werewolf, and his presence in her life changes everything, and not just because he makes her knees turn into Jell-O. If Bryar can’t figure out who—or what—she really is, it might cost both her and Knox their lives… as well as jeopardize the very nature of magic itself.
FAIRY TALES OF THE MAGICORUM

1. Wolves And Roses (Fall 2017)

1.5. Moonlight And Midtown (Spring 2018)

2. Shifters And Glyphs (Fall 2018)
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Loving Kalvin (The Kennedy Boys #4) by Siobhan Davis
Goodreads Summary: A friends-to-lovers second-chance romance from USA Today bestseller Siobhan Davis. Standalone with HEA and no cliffhanger. 

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.
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: Kalvin Kennedy has only had one girl in his heart; Lana Taylor. When they bump into each other at the University of Florida, Kal knows he has to win her back. Lana still remembers the bittersweet moment when she wrote the letter to Kal asking him to leave her alone. When she seems him in Florida, she doesn't know what to do. Staying away doesn't feel like an option...

The dual perspectives highlight different viewpoints. It shows us so much more insight into the story of Lana and Kalvin and also as to why it is this way. The author could've made their story simple, but Siobhan Davis makes sure it isn't too easy and the complications are realistic rather than overly drawn out and dramatic.

Lana's perspective helps readers understand why she made some bad decisions in earlier books, and showcases how she is dealing with the consequences and public backlash of them. Kalvin has really grown up since we last saw him, and it's so nice to see how much these two mean to each other, the amount they care about each other, and how hard they'll fight for each other.

Faye and Ky make brief appearances in Loving Kalvin as "phone call buddies", this may be Lana and Kalvin's story but we can't forget the couple that kicked off this series. I can't wait to see where Siobhan Davis goes with Saving Brad, which I'm sure will be a tale to rival Faye and Kyler's in levels of "I love you but let me pretend to hate you for the sake of it".

Loving Kalvin gives Lana and Kal the spotlight they deserve as they must work through their issues in order to get the best of one another. This tale of romance is one to have you swooning as you see what Kal will do to win back the only girl that has ever, and will ever matter to him.
Purchase Location: ~I received an e-ARC from the author and willingly reviewed it~
Edition: e-ARC
Buy the book: Amazon
Recommended for: Fans of great romance books.

Ragdoll (Detective William Fawkes #1) by Daniel Cole
Publisher: Harlequin Australia
Goodreads Summary: A body is discovered with the dismembered parts of six victims stitched together like a puppet, nicknamed by the press as the 'ragdoll'.

Assigned to the shocking case are Detective William 'Wolf' Fawkes, recently reinstated to the London Met, and his former partner Detective Emily Baxter.

The 'Ragdoll Killer' taunts the police by releasing a list of names to the media, and the dates on which he intends to murder them.

With six people to save, can Fawkes and Baxter catch a killer when the world is watching their every move?
Rating: 5 Stars
Review: A six in one murder; the police discover a body comprised of six body parts from other bodies stitched together. It's a race to find out who the bodies belong to. A list from the murderer nicknamed The Ragdoll Killer contains six names and days they are due to die. And to top things off? The last name mentioned is none other than Detective William-Oliver Layton-Fawkes.

Ragdoll is a multi-layered story of past, present and future. We begin with a prologue which seems to have little relevance to the story until later on. There are a few clearly marked flashback chapters which seem puzzling, but are a sly way of building foundation and backstory for the events that transpire later on.

Wolf has a complex character. We only see one side of him at a time, one opinion of him (including his own). As the puzzle becomes more complete and we finally know where to put those mysterious pieces, a clearer picture of Wolf emerges from the shadows. He is a man changed by much including abandonment and loss.

Daniel Cole has breathed a dark twisted story to life. Each character is different from all others. Moments in their heads help us understand who they are and why they act a certain way. Ragdoll is an amazing premier to the series and I'm looking forward to reading the next books. So far, this series is full of suspense, mystery, and the ever looming question of what happens next.
Purchase Location: ~I received a copy from Harlequin Australia via NetGalley and willingly reviewed it~
Edition: e-book
Buy the book: Book Depository
Recommended for: Fans of thrillers and haunting serial killers.

The Servant Boy by Reesha Goral
Goodreads Summary: The Servant Boy highlights the adventures of Zayne Shah, a young man who lives through the most horrific disaster his village, Saidpur, has ever seen. An epidemic has unknowingly raged through Saidpur and is taking the lives of umpteen folk before his eyes. Zayne is determined to find a cure to the mystery, at whatever the cost may be, even if that cost is a price he cannot presently afford.

Zayne goes through a series of ups and downs as he takes you with him, embracing life through vivid details, all of which include paradoxes that anyone from any walk of life can relate to: life and death, happiness and grief, love and envy, friendship and animosity.

Although The Servant Boy is a multicultural novel, and will appeal to those that will enjoy learning about the colorful and vibrant culture of Pakistan, it will also enchant those who enjoy mystery, fantasy, adventure, friendship, and romance. There is something in the novel for everyone.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Review: Zayne Shah is a Mullazim, a lowly servant to a rich family. He works for a girl named Asiya and her relatives, however Asiya is the only girl Zayne has ever loved. But they are no longer children, and one day Asiya marries another man. If this wasn't bad enough, their village suddenly encounters a mysterious disease which kills many young women. This enigma calls to Zayne, and he will stop at nothing to solve the mystery.

This book certainly isn't what I expected, though that isn't necessarily a bad thing. At first, I thought the love story would go one way, yet it went so differently. Assuming this is simply a tale of servants becoming lords was definitely wrong on my part too, for The Servant Boy is much more than that; it is mystery, romance and success.

Intrigue and mystery slowly creep into the book, so quiet it takes you a moment to shout in surprise as they yell "boo!" in unison. It's yet another thing I didn't know I'd be in for; a solid mystery story much like the ones featured in the thrillers I so love to read.

There are only a few characters we get to know well, but even those we know in passing have developed identities within the constraints of a second viewpoint. Those who mean more harm than good aren't painted as villains, but rather complications in the pathway of good.

Reesha Goral brings you a lovely tale set in Saidpur, Pakistan. This book taught me a lot about their culture and though I think a glossary could've been used rather than brackets the rich vibe of a different culture lives its lively life in The Servant Boy.
Purchase Location: ~I received a copy from the author and willingly reviewed it~
Edition: e-book
Buy the book: Amazon
Recommended for: Fans of mystery and unexpected romance.

Keeping Kyler (The Kennedy Boys #3) by Siobhan Davis
Goodreads Summary: The captivating third book in the Kennedy Boys series concludes Faye and Kyler's love story.

Nothing or no one will keep them apart…

Kyler Kennedy is in the wind.

Shocked and upset, he has taken off on a solo mission—to track down his mom’s ex and demand answers.

Faye understands what it’s like to have your world turned upside down. Determined to support her boyfriend, she gives chase, yet nothing could prepare her for the ugly truth. Ky has always been plagued with inner demons, and as he falls apart, Faye finally discovers what he’s been hiding from her—from everyone.

When serious accusations arise, Kyler’s future hangs in the balance. But Kennedys stick together in times of crisis, and they rally around him now.

At least there is nothing to prevent Faye and Ky from being together. They go public with their relationship, but not everyone is thrilled for them. Bitter enemies reappear, and fresh battle lines are drawn, but Faye is ready to fight back.

No one is taking her new family from her.

Especially not a manipulative ex.

With time running out for Kyler, Faye takes matters into her own hands.

But when you play with fire, you risk getting burned.
Rating: 5 Stars
Review: "Why does it take the threat of loving someone to make you appreciate them the way you should?"

Set directly after the events of Losing Kyler, Keeping Kyler sees Faye and Kalvin teaming up to find Ky. Told from the dual perspectives of Kyler and Faye, this style creates an interesting contrast. The Kennedy family aren't in the clear yet, with many enemies still out to get them. A combination of mystery, romance and intrigue, Keeping Kyler won't disappoint.

"Your scars, your flaws, your fears, your pain - they're mine too."

Faye and Kyler have both endured so much, but it doesn't stop now. They still have many challenges to get through and must rely on each other to surpass the pain. Trauma has tainted them both, but they are survivors through and through. Step by step, they build foundations of trust with those around them and walk down the long road of recovery hand in hand.

"I feel like I'm breathing for the first time in years."

At one stage there is a momentary pause in the avalnche of discord, a reprieve as the Kennedys relax and begin normal habits again. But soon we are reminded that the story isn't over yet, and there's more to come. A murder, arrests, past revelations... All will be revealed at a cost not all may be willing to pay.

"He's here. He's alive. He's mine. He's all I'll ever want. All I'll ever need."

Faye and Kyler are more in the spotlight, their relationship a welcome change from all the drama. They've both grown so much since they first met and I love the development each has received from Siobhan Davis. Keeping Kyler concludes Faye and Kyler's story peacefully as justice is finally served. The Kennedy Boys is a scandalous kiss you want to pretend never happened but can't stop thinking about.
Purchase Location: ~I received a copy from the author and willingly reviewed it~
Edition: e-ARC
Buy the book: Amazon
Recommended for: Fans of NA Contemporary Romance.

Losing Kyler (The Kennedy Boys #2) by Siobhan Davis
Goodreads Summary: Condemned to repeat the sins of the past...

Faye thought losing her parents was the most devastating thing to happen to her, but she was wrong. Her uncle’s scandalous revelation has sent her into a tailspin, leaving her questioning her entire existence.

Everything she believed is built on a lie.

And the one person she shares a passionate, soul-deep connection with can’t be there for her.

Faye and Ky can’t be together. It’s forbidden. Though they are determined to avoid replicating their parents’ mistakes, caving to their feelings is as tempting as the apple in the Garden of Eden.

Ky had sworn off girls until Faye bulldozed her way into his life. Now, she’s his whole world, and their forced separation is crushing him. Once his manipulative ex resurfaces—hell-bent on ruining the Kennedys—he’ll do whatever it takes to protect his loved ones including turning his back on the one person he can’t live without.

Then tragedy strikes and all bets are off.

But is it too late?

When Faye needs him and he isn’t there for her, guilt and hurt threaten to obliterate their love. As they start to rebuild their fractured hearts, another sordid family secret is uncovered, and Faye worries Ky may be lost to her forever.

But can you truly lose someone if they don’t want to be found?
Rating: 5 Stars
Review: The Kennedy family is in a state of turmoil. As towers of secrets crash to the ground, everyone is affected and the place becomes an emotional wreck. Faye tries to help out but she too is getting put through a heavy spinning washing machine, a frenzy of thoughts trying to drown her. When tragedy strikes yet again, the Kennedys are left reeling in the aftermath. Will things ever be the same?

"I've never felt more alone or more jaded in my life."

Faye's character is so blunt and genuine, I have to say she's one of the best female leads I've ever met simply based on personality, and that's not something I say lightly. She makes her fair share of mistakes too, but what I say is special about her (perhaps this is easier to achieve in the contemporary genre opposed to fantasy, but still) is that she's definitely human, she's not unnaturally perfect. Reading through her perspective makes all the difference to my love of this series.

"I keep my lips sealed and hope it doesn't come back to haunt me."

Secrets, secrets galore! This is one messed up family. Perhaps a little too much so. But Siobhan Davis keeps it in perspective and has an uncanny knack for controlling the drama, making sure it hits at the perfect moments. There are just a few moments throughout the books where big bombs hit, but the impact lasts. A small patch in the middle got boring, but it receded quickly into more drama.

"It has a finality that scares me half to death."

Losing Kyler really kept me on edge as I would have sudden moments of terror that Kyler would run away, my heart beating away crazily like a butterfly trying to get out of its cage. There were links to book one that I hadn't noticed, but they created more impact in a subtler way which made all the difference in the end. All the ideas in this series are skilfully woven into a masterful tapestry of enjoyment. Losing Kyler is the best Siobhan Davis novel to date, and the pure, unadulterated emotions that flow through this book affected me so much.
Purchase Location: Borrowed From Library
Edition: Paperback
Buy the book: Amazon
Recommended for: Fans of contemporary romance.

Flawed (Flawed #1) by Cecelia Ahern
Publisher: HarperCollins
Goodreads Summary: Celestine North lives a perfect life. She's a model daughter and sister, she's well-liked by her classmates and teachers, and she's dating the impossibly charming Art Crevan.

But then Celestine encounters a situation in which she makes an instinctive decision. She breaks a rule and now faces life-changing repercussions. She could be imprisoned. She could be branded. She could be found Flawed.
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: 

It was the most perfect moment in my life. 
It was the last perfect moment in my life.

Celestine North lives in a society of perfection; no errors of judgement, no compassion, and perhaps no humanity. When she makes a decision out of love, she finds herself thrust into a world she hasn't seen before. Even her connections can't save her from this one, and she must fight for her rights and navigate through turbulent, dangerous waters. But who can she really trust when everyone has motives?

I really want to give this book more stars, I really do. But it's too much like some other young adult books for me to feel like I can do so, but I tell you as a fellow reader that this is a 5/5 book. Celestine and Art's relationship ends when I expect it to, and I can easily guess many of the 'mystery' parts of the book, though some took me completely by surprise which I love. A few leads were left open to the next book.

When you see something, it can't be unseen. I know, deep down, that this evening I have learned something that can never be unlearned. And the part of my world that is altered will never be the same.

Some parts of the story, I absolutely adore. Events, quotes, actions... They're nothing short of truly amazing. The ending leaves you wanting more, and although I believe I know where the things they want to find are, we won't find out for sure until Perfect. While reading Flawed I thought a lot about instant love in Young Adult books. Flawed has a slight touch of it, but the second part completely swung it around.

You're a child who has found herself in a situation that is so much bigger than she is, and has no idea what to do.

Every character in Flawed has at least two sides, and to almost all, Celestine is just a pawn in their power game. But then there is Carrick, the silver prince whose intentions are never a given and disappears/reappears as fast as lightning. I can't help but be intrigued by him, curious as to who he really is and what he wants with Celestine. Juniper is also a mysterious character to me, there's more about her that needs to be revealed. Flawed is a true Young Adult masterpiece, yet another beautiful dystopian tale.
Purchase Location: ~I received a copy from HarperCollins NZ and willingly reviewed it~
Edition: Paperback
Buy the book: Book Depository
Recommended for: Fans of Matched by Ally Condie.

The Watcher by Ross Armstrong
Publisher: HarperCollins
Goodreads Summary: The Girl on the Train meets Rear Window, The Watcher is an absolutely addictive and on trend commercial psychological suspense read, with a captivating unreliable narrator and some powerful narrative twists. She's watching you, but who's watching her? Lily Gullick lives with her husband Aiden in a new-build flat opposite an estate which has been marked for demolition. A keen birdwatcher, she can't help spying on her neighbours. Until one day Lily sees something suspicious through her binoculars and soon her elderly neighbour Jean is found dead. Lily, intrigued by the social divide in her local area as it becomes increasingly gentrified, knows that she has to act. But her interference is not going unnoticed, and as she starts to get close to the truth, her own life comes under threat. But can Lily really trust everything she sees?
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Review: Lily Gullick spies on her neighbours. A bird watcher, she uses her binoculars to look out her apartment window and make up stories about her neighbours' lives. When an old woman is murdered a night after Lily has visited her, Lily realises that she may have more information on the killer. The police don't believe her, so she conducts her own investigation. Her snooping doesn't go unnoticed, and soon she is being watched too. But the truth isn't always separated from lies...

This book is written in an original style. At first it took me awhile to understand Lily's observations, but the more I read the easier it became. The stories and names generated by Lily's mind were nothing short of intriguing. The story is directed at Lily's father and is similar to the daily diary entries suggested by Lily's therapist Helen. The mystery side of the novel is nice, I predicted the outcome early on, however at various points throughout the novel Ross Armstrong managed to convince me that I was wrong, make me doubt my theory to the point where I began believing Lily's thoughts.

Other than Lily, the characters that intrigued me are the siblings, Chris and Nathan. While Nathan has very few appearances and Chris a few more, they have a great symbolism and aid Lily throughout her adventure. They're complex because they have little reason to help and not betray Lily but some cash and sense of respect/loyalty. Chris also sees Lily as someone other than the "crazy girl down the road".

Lily's dad was very influential during his short appearance in The Watcher. After his arrival many aspects of the story are revealed, a lot becomes clearer, plus some of the truth and lies are separated. Lily's personality is partially a health condition as well as her underlying curious personality. The Watcher tells the tale of a woman trying to do the right thing and solve a murder mystery while being branded as psychotic and troubled.
Purchase Location:  ~I received a physical ARC from HarperCollins NZ and willingly reviewed it~
Edition: Paperback
Buy the book: Book Depository
Recommended for: Fans of mystery and slightly crazy characters.

Finding Kyler (The Kennedy Boys #1)
Goodreads Summary: Two fractured hearts and a forbidden love they can’t deny.

You shouldn’t want what you can’t have…

Faye Donovan has lost everything. After her parent’s tragic death, she’s whisked away from her home in Ireland when an unknown uncle surfaces as her new guardian.

Dropped smack-dab into the All-American dream, Faye should feel grateful. Except living with her wealthy uncle, his fashion-empire-owning wife, and their seven screwed-up sons is quickly turning into a nightmare—especially when certain inappropriate feelings arise.

Kyler Kennedy makes her head hurt and her heart race, but he’s her cousin.

He’s off limits.

And he’s not exactly welcoming—Kyler is ignorant, moody, and downright cruel at times—but Faye sees behind the mask he wears, recognizing a kindred spirit.

Kyler has sworn off girls, yet Faye gets under his skin. The more he pushes her away, the more he’s drawn to her, but acting on those feelings risks a crap-ton of prejudice, and any whiff of scandal could damage the precious Kennedy brand.

Concealing their feelings seems like the only choice.

But when everyone has something to hide, a secret is a very dangerous thing.
Rating: 5 Stars
Review: Faye Donovan's parents have died in a car crash. Consumed by grief, she drinks it away. But soon she finds herself leaving her home in Ireland for America; her parents' will states that she should live with her uncle, James Kennedy, whom she did not know existed until that day. Faye is reluctant to move, but soon she finds herself bonding with the boys and enjoying the place. But riches and a perfect lifestyle come at a cost...

Finding Kyler contains a truck load of conflict. Disputes fuel the storyline, and add to the plot like fuel encourages a flame. Although she tries to be, Faye is not excluded from this "rich, upper class" hostility, her heritage and relation to the Kennedys of no help at all. These complications range from teen queen divas to cheating husbands and family issues.

I connected well with Faye. I relate to a lot of her problems and daily struggles. Kyler is moody, one of the "lock everything up and hide behind an emotionless wall" type guys and I see the pain he's endured through Faye's clairvoyant perspective. I think his past with Addison should've been revealed in full to Faye as she told him all about her past. Kalvin is a tease, but there is a gentleness under his facade. I liked Brad's character even when Faye was warned from him.

Siobhan Davis orchestrates a world where dirty secrets can drag you down, similar to the high stakes New York of today. The Kennedys and their high profile name draw a lot of attention, often unwanted although they use the fame to their advantage. Threats spill as an unknown force works behind the scenes to break friendships. This sinister force hides in the background, a mystery waiting to be solved. The mystery is what made me enjoy the book the most because it is a hidden, subtle kind of mystery resembling a burning question waiting to be answered. Finding Kyler explores the tale of a heartbreaking forbidden love in this Upper YA Contemporary Romance.
Purchase Location: ~I received an e-arc from the author and willingly reviewed it~
Edition: e-arc

Quotes: 'True friendship arises from the ashes of separation stronger and more powerful than before.'

'A tortured look contorts his beautiful face. “Am I too late? Have I ruined it before it’s even begun?”'
Recommended for: Fans of contemporary romance.

Highway Thirteen to Manhattan (The Six Train to Wisconsin #2) by Kourtney Heintz
Goodreads Summary: His secrets almost killed her. Her secrets may destroy them both.

Kai is recovering from a near-death experience when she realizes something isn’t right. Her body is healing, but her mind no longer feels quite like her own. Her telepathic powers are changing, too. She can’t trust herself. The darkness growing inside of her pushes her to use her telepathy as a weapon.

Oliver clings to the hope that he can save their marriage, even though he was the one who put her life in jeopardy. As his wife slips further and further away from him, he becomes increasingly obsessed with bringing the man who ruined his life to justice.

The sequel to The Six Train to Wisconsin is a genre-defying tale of love and consequences. Once again, award-winning author Kourtney Heintz seamlessly weaves suspense and paranormal intrigue into a real-world setting, creating characters rich in emotional and psychological complexity.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Review: Kai barely survives a near encounter with death. Her quest to uncover herself drives a bridge between her and Butternut. Jealousy really gets between her relationship with Oliver as she chooses her brother Caleb over him. However, things aren't always as they seem...

I really struggled with deciding between giving this book 3.5 stars and 4 stars. As much as I wanted to give it 4 stars, potentially more, I feel like I couldn't (more on that later). Some aspects of the book were the same as it's prequel, which I liked. However some changed completely so that it is almost 100% contrary to the previous book. I'm still not sure whether I liked these aspects even more or less.

Caleb is still by far my favourite character and I am elated that I got to find out a lot more about him in this volume. His intense loyalty and protectiveness toward his sister shows that he is a good person, and that he genuinely cares. Kai and Caleb share a sibling bond that many don't, and I really value that kind of relationship not just in books but in real life. I also warmed to Alex. One of the reasons I didn't like book one is because I ended up liking Alex a lot more than Oliver who is meant to be the main love interest. Oliver is a kindhearted, decent man at the start of The Six Train to Wisconsin, but even at the beginning of this book he's changed so much and I'm not sure if I find it realistic that he's gone from perfect to a nobody.

By now, anyone can tell that Kai and Oliver aren't going to last (if they did, I would probably be even more cynical about this). Before I was talking about deciding what to rate this book. I lowered my rating of this book because this Kai/Oliver situation of 'I don't know, I might love you but I might love a Fuchs' really annoyed me. It kept coming back throughout the book and I felt that it was unnecessary and pointless. Other parts of the book, such as the mystery definitely appeased me. At first it's hidden away, but even when it comes out into the light shadows surround it.

The storyline didn't advance as much as it should've or as much as the first book, the focus being on relationships of all kids. In Highway Thirteen to Manhattan Kourtney Heintz really tells the tale of falling in and out of love. After everything I've said, I really like the ending of this book and I'm still interested in this series. I definitely have expectations for the third book.
Purchase Location: ~I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review~
Edition: Paperback
Buy the book: Amazon
Recommended for: Fans of romance and magic set in a contemporary universe.

Run by Kody Keplinger
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Goodreads Summary: Bo Dickinson is a girl with a wild reputation, a deadbeat dad, and an alcoholic mom. Everyone in town knows the Dickinsons are a bad lot, but Bo doesn't care what anyone thinks.

Agnes Atwood has never stayed out past ten p.m., never gone on a date and never broken any of her parents' overbearing rules. Rules that are meant to protect their legally-blind daughter, but Agnes isn't quite sure what they are protecting her from.

Despite everything, Bo and Agnes become best friends. And it's the sort of friendship that runs more deeply than anything else. But when Bo shows up in the middle of the night, police sirens wailing in the distance, Agnes is faced with the biggest choice she's ever had to make. Run, or stay?

In Deep (All In #1) by Callie Harper
Goodreads Summary: Chase is an Olympic swimmer going for gold. Focused, driven, intense.

Emma is a blogger going for the scoop and she has the perfect in. She’s gotten herself hired as his physical therapist. With all that intimate time together, the secrets from his past don’t stand a chance.

And neither does she.
Rating: 5 Stars
Review: Swimmer Chase Carter's background is well hidden, and journalists of all kinds would kill for his story. Him being an olympic swimmer favoured for gold certainly doesn't help. Emma Nelson is a physical therapist with a hidden agenda. Intent on getting Chase's story, she pulls some strings and becomes the therapist for his swim team.

I really enjoyed In Deep because the characters each have to face some of their worst demons. Emma changes from being a strictly professional physical therapist to a close friend of Chase's. Chase must learn to trust others, and Emma cannot let the truth ruin her. In Deep is Olympic themed, following the USA Olympic swim team. Besides Chase, we meet a few members of his swim team, his coach, and of course his parents.

Told from alternating Emma/Chase chapters, Callie Harper knows exactly when to end a chapter and switch to the other POV. She deliberately chooses a voice in scenes featuring both characters. I especially liked Chase's chapters, but I think they could be stronger as I connected a lot more with Emma. I really liked reading this book, but I think the other swimmers could've been featured more as we hardly got to know them.

Callie Harper is definitely a romance writer as her steamy scenes are well written. The storyline of In Deep isn't always unpredictable, however this didn't make me like the book any less. The style used drew me in and kept me reading Chase and Emma's story.
Purchase Location: ~I won an e-ARC of this book from the VBB Vixens Facebook group~
Edition: e-ARC
Buy the book: Amazon
Recommended for: Fans of steamy romance.

The Revelations of Carey Ravine by Debra Daley
Publisher: Heron Books
Goodreads Summary: London in the 1770s is bursting with opportunity. It's a city fuelled by new ideas and new money, where everything is for sale - including entrée into the ruling class.

Making their way in this buccaneering society are Carey Ravine, a spirited young woman of enigmatic background, and her husband, the charming, endlessly enterprising Oliver Nash. Carey and Nash share a historic connection to India and a desperate ambition to better themselves. But as Nash's plans draw them into a restless association of gamblers and secret societies, Carey begins to question what's really hidden behind the seedy glamour of their lives. Her unease grows with the appearance of a mysterious man whose appearance unearths a troubling secret from the past. Carey finds herself forced to investigate the truth behind the stranger's claims­­ - and to confront her own illusions about herself.
Rating: 3 Stars
Review: I didn't love this book. I had to read more than half of it before I started to like it. I don't think it was because of bad writing, more so that I was uninterested in the topic. I thought The Revelations of Carey Ravine would tie into historical fiction, but it didn't really, although having a historical setting.

Regardless of the storyline and plot, I really liked Carey Ravine, or Mrs Nash. The book is told in first person, past tense from her perspective, enabling us to really get to know her. The timestamps of each chapter helped with seeing how much time as passed.

Oliver Nash is nothing but charming. Throughout the book, Carey's revelations give her reason to suspect his loyalty and love. Debra Daley told this part of the tale very well, playing Carey as a middle aged woman very much in love and reluctant to face the truth or accept that she is being lied to.

The second half of the book improved by so much. It's almost as if the two halves were written by different people; the foreshadowing is over and done with, leaving space for plot twists, harder truths for Carey to face, plus a shocking betrayal that slaps her in the face.

I may not have liked The Revelations of Carey Ravine on a whole, but the basic storyline is genuine and interesting. I think the ending is suitable for Carey, not a happy ever after, but maybe it could be, after hard work and effort.
Purchase Location:  ~I received a copy from Hachette NZ in exchange for an honest review~
Edition: Paperback
Buy the book: Book Depository
Recommended for: Fans of books set in historical times.

Court of Fives (Court of Fives #1) by Kate Elliott
Publisher: Little, Brown books for Young Readers
Goodreads Summary: Jessamy's life is a balance between acting like an upper-class Patron and dreaming of the freedom of the Commoners. But away from her family she can be whoever she wants when she sneaks out to train for The Fives, an intricate, multilevel athletic competition that offers a chance for glory to the kingdom's best contenders. Then Jes meets Kalliarkos, and an unlikely friendship between two Fives competitors--one of mixed race and the other a Patron boy--causes heads to turn. When Kal's powerful, scheming uncle tears Jes's family apart, she'll have to test her new friend's loyalty and risk the vengeance of a royal clan to save her mother and sisters from certain death.
Rating: 5 Stars
Review: A story of politics, human rights, beliefs and intrigue, Court of Fives really stunned me. Set in a fantasy world, Kate Elliott uses superstition and elements from the Greek and Roman Empires as a base for her richly described world.

Jessamy is unlike a lot of heroines, because she fights for her family's freedom rather than her own survival. She has a fast, calculating mind which helps her run the Fives.

Kal and Jes' romance is easily anticipated, but their relationship is far deeper than most would think. One thing I absolutely love about Court of Fives is how Kate Elliott takes moments to set up ideas for book two, Poisoned Blade. I'm already wondering what will become of certain characters, and if anything will be done about some things that happened without a backward glance.

I could not stop reading this book. Every word kept me going, hooked, the plot twists are crucial and also set up ideas for further along the track. Jessamy, Kalliarkos, and all the other characters develop as the book goes on and sometimes true intentions get revealed. Court of Gives is a highly addictive fantasy book.
Purchase Location: ~I received a free copy from Hachette NZ in exchange for an honest review~
Edition: Paperback
Buy the book: Book Depository
Recommended for: Fans of fantasy worlds.

The Heir and The Human (Saven #3.1) by Siobhan Davis
Goodreads Summary: Axton’s existence was a lonely one until his mother brought Sadie into his life. Now, she’s the center of his universe, and he’ll do everything in his power to protect her.

But Griselda’s evil plans cast a dark shadow over their love, threatening the future he so desperately craves. With separation looming, Ax is preparing to sacrifice everything for the girl he loves. It’s a high-stakes gamble, and he needs to stay ahead of the game if he’s to outsmart his conniving mother.

Sadie has been his savior.

Now it’s his turn to save her.
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: This review is going to be really short as I don't really have much to say. I really enjoyed this novella which outlined the past in which Sadie doesn't remember but remains branded onto Ax's mind. This story is optional but I recommend it to all that have read the previous books as it gives insight into Sadie's hidden past.
Purchase Location: ~I received a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review~
Edition: e-ARC
Recommended for: Everyone who has read the previous Saven books.

Saven Defiance (Saven #3) by Siobhan Davis
Goodreads Summary: THE TRUTH ISN’T ALWAYS EASY

I’ve promised to protect those I love.
But someone is lying to me.
Will I discover the truth in time to save him?

With war looming in outer space and the Earthen government forced into hiding, the battle for ultimate world domination is only just beginning.

Having accepted her identity, Sadie sets out on a daring quest with her friends, which takes them deep into alien territory. Fraught with tension and danger, the journey is not an easy one, especially when previous adversaries become new allies and cherished friends become suspicious opponents.

As the heirs unite in a bid to restore peace to the galaxy, powerful enemies, determined to exact retribution,surround them on all sides. When hidden agendas and shocking revelations come to light, the fallout is massive.

Sadie’s love life is a tangled, messy affair. While one relationship is embraced forever, another spirals out of control, threatening to destroy everything. Determined to do the right thing, Sadie will fight hard to protect those she loves.

But there are some battles she cannot win.


Rating: 4.5 Stars
Review: Well, I loved this book just as much as the rest of the series far, but found some of it slightly hard to believe. It's a personal opinion though, which is why I'm still going to give it 5 stars at heart.

The Sadie, Axton, and Logan drama really begins in this instalment, and the air is often tense. A lot happens, and Saven Defiance has to have the most fast paced plot so far.

There is heaps more conflict and violence as well, and some very detailed description. Deaths occur, and often it is just a plot twist. A lot of planets are visited, including but not limited to Saven, Earth, and Nerik.

We find out some shocking facts, which both soften and harden the antagonists. Axton is very difficult, proving hard to please and non-compliant. The ending really proves how different he really is.

As for things I personally found hard to believe, firstly a complete personality change based on some news, and secondly "a glowing light shoots out of me" and so on. It's not that I don't believe it, more that my visualization of that kind of bond is different from the author's.

Overall I really enjoyed Saven Defiance and couldn't stop reading. I strongly recommend all books by Siobhan Davis.

Purchase Location: ~I received a free e-ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Edition: e-ARC

Quotes: “We’re together now and always. That’s all that matters.”

"I will love you for eternity, wherever or whatever that may be.”

"He’s unnaturally calm. His quiet assurance seeps into me, cooling my frayed nerves."

"I don’t ever want to leave this place. To ever run from his arms."

"Life is for living. For moments like this."

"Watching him walk away is one of the hardest things I’ve endured. I want to glue him to my side and never let him go. But I know we don’t have a choice. Sacrifice and duty are the name of the game now, and I won’t add guilt on top of his burden. Besides, he is right, I am strong, and I can do this. I straighten my back and loosen my shoulders, as I prepare myself to face whatever awaits me back home."
Recommended for: Fans of Sci-fi and Romance.

Saven Defiance (Saven #3) by Siobhan Davis
Goodreads Summary: THE TRUTH ISN’T ALWAYS EASY

I’ve promised to protect those I love.
But someone is lying to me.
Will I discover the truth in time to save him?

With war looming in outer space and the Earthen government forced into hiding, the battle for ultimate world domination is only just beginning.

Having accepted her identity, Sadie sets out on a daring quest with her friends, which takes them deep into alien territory. Fraught with tension and danger, the journey is not an easy one, especially when previous adversaries become new allies and cherished friends become suspicious opponents.

As the heirs unite in a bid to restore peace to the galaxy, powerful enemies, determined to exact retribution,surround them on all sides. When hidden agendas and shocking revelations come to light, the fallout is massive.

Sadie’s love life is a tangled, messy affair. While one relationship is embraced forever, another spirals out of control, threatening to destroy everything. Determined to do the right thing, Sadie will fight hard to protect those she loves.

But there are some battles she cannot win.

Saven Denial (Saven #2.5) by Siobhan Davis
Goodreads Summary: THE TRUTH HURTS

My mother was right to fear me. 
I’m an abomination. 
And the world should be very afraid. 

Sadie has been kidnapped by the Tor, the vindictive alien race who destroyed Thalassic City. As her past, present, and future collides, her worst nightmare looks set to become her shocking new reality.

A deliberate pawn in leader Griselda’s vengeful game, Sadie is horrified to learn the truth about her heritage and the destiny that’s already been mapped out for her. Refusing to cooperate, she risks paying the ultimate price for her defiance.

Love for Logan is her only motivation to stay alive. Saving him is the only thing that matters—the fate of the world depends upon it. While he may never forgive her, she’s determined to protect him. Until her dying breath.
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: Saven Denial starts right where Saven Disclosure finished, and in this novella we really get the chance to watch Sadie and get to know her on a deeper level. Sadie manages to explore her history, and a past that has never been seen before. The hostile Griselda also features in this book, and we meet some important figures, Axton and Izzy.

This book is a really nice novella, and Sadie has to come to terms with herself, her past, and what she wants to do with her future. Siobhan Davis reveals what is hidden in Sadie's past, and this novella is the perfect way to do so.

I'm finding it hard to write this review without any spoilers, so I'll keep it short. Logan doesn't feature in the book, but this is a key part of Sadie's self discovery. Saven Denial also caused me to question and reconsider what I'd always thought would be Sadie's future. The ending was a little different, and we'll just have to see what's in store for book three.
Purchase Location: ~I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review~
Edition: ebook

Recommended for: Fans of sci-fi, and tales of betrayal.

Saven Denial (Saven #2.5) by Siobhan Davis
Goodreads Summary: THE TRUTH HURTS

My mother was right to fear me. 
I’m an abomination. 
And the world should be very afraid. 

Sadie has been kidnapped by the Tor, the vindictive alien race who destroyed Thalassic City. As her past, present, and future collides, her worst nightmare looks set to become her shocking new reality.

A deliberate pawn in leader Griselda’s vengeful game, Sadie is horrified to learn the truth about her heritage and the destiny that’s already been mapped out for her. Refusing to cooperate, she risks paying the ultimate price for her defiance.

Love for Logan is her only motivation to stay alive. Saving him is the only thing that matters—the fate of the world depends upon it. While he may never forgive her, she’s determined to protect him. Until her dying breath.
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: Saven Denial starts right where Saven Disclosure finished, and in this novella we really get the chance to watch Sadie and get to know her on a deeper level. Sadie manages to explore her history, and a past that has never been seen before. The hostile Griselda also features in this book, and we meet some important figures, Axton and Izzy.

This book is a really nice novella, and Sadie has to come to terms with herself, her past, and what she wants to do with her future. Siobhan Davis reveals what is hidden in Sadie's past, and this novella is the perfect way to do so.

I'm finding it hard to write this review without any spoilers, so I'll keep it short. Logan doesn't feature in the book, but this is a key part of Sadie's self discovery. Saven Denial also caused me to question and reconsider what I'd always thought would be Sadie's future. The ending was a little different, and we'll just have to see what's in store for book three.
Purchase Location: ~I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review~
Edition: ebook

Recommended for: Fans of sci-fi, and tales of betrayal.

Saven Disclosure (Saven #2) by Siobhan Davis
Goodreads Summary: THE TRUTH CAN'T HIDE FOREVER 

To protect Logan, I have no choice but to deceive him.
But I’m not the only one hiding the truth.
Will our love survive all the secrets and lies? 

Enemy alien ships crowd the skies over Earth while the world waits with bated breath. The Saven have been exposed, and where once they were abhorred, they are now championed as our greatest ally and our only possible savior. 

Logan and Sadie have been separated, and the longer he is gone, the more their love is tested by duty, doubts, and deception. 

Sadie and Jarod have infiltrated the highest levels of government, but they are playing a dangerous game. Surrounded by people with conflicting agendas—hell-bent on using her for their own aim—Sadie is confused when the lines between good and evil are blurred. It’s impossible to tell friend from foe, and no one can be trusted. 

When the full extent of the experiments taking place in Sector Twenty is disclosed, Sadie can no longer sit back and watch as the lower classes face a horrific fate. Racing to save her loved ones and mankind, she risks her own safety and the love she’s waited a lifetime for to do the right thing. 

But no one thought to save her from herself. 
Rating: 5 Stars
Review: Unfortunately, I didn't get to read Saven Disclosure as often as I would've liked; otherwise I'd have finished it a long, long time ago. That didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying the book though.

Sadie's story continues as Logan is constantly away. Leaving her in Haydn's care, she is kept guarded and locked up, growing more restless by the minute, longing to find answers to her dangerous questions.

I enjoyed all of Saven Disclosure, but the ending couldn't not surprise me more than every other plot twist in the entire book. I'd figured Griselda had a lot to do with all the problems, and that she'd appear at some point, but that was not what I found out.

Siobhan Davis' writing is a steady, continous flow. She keeps it calm, natural until all of a sudden, she's grabbed you by the throat with an amazing plot twist. I felt her claws every single time, one of many reasons I continue to enjoy her books immensely.

Siobhan Davis is also one of very few authors that writes in present tense. It's slightly different from past tense, but I welcome the change.

While it may not seem like it at first, I assure you Sadie Owens is every bit the badass heroine when compared to characters like Rose Hathaway, Katniss Everdeen, and Celaena Sardothien. Her might lies in determination and a great character development.

For every reader that loves Sci-fi, I cannot stress how much you need to read The Saven Series. Siobhan Davis combines Sci-fi, Fantasy, and Romance into an epic all-in-one must-read.
Purchase Location: ~I received an e-ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review~
Edition: e-ARC
Buy the book: Amazon
Quotes:

"We have each other. That's all we need."

"Equally as potent. Definitely as dangerous. Undoubtedly, wildly unpredictable."

"Oh, on the surface, I appear perfectly fine. Only those who know me well know it's all for show. On the inside, I'm a bleeding, broken mess. And I know I can't go on like this, but I don't know how to fix it."

"But what power am I reclaiming? And Who or what am I breaking free from?"

"I feel pretty much like I deserve all this for allowing myself to believe in love, to trust in it, to think it could cure everything that is wrong with me and the world."

"I vow to never let anyone come between us again. He is mine, as I am his, and I won't allow anything or anyone to separate us again."

"In the overall scheme of things, this omission is minuscule, but try telling Mr. Overbearing that."


Recommended for: Fans of Sci-fi.