Speed Review - Let's Go!

So I read a lot of books in a month...week...sometimes multiple books a day. And I can't write a review for every book I read (because who would read them all, really). But I thought since I have read so many books lately, I'd do a speed review - just a quick note of stars (cough cupcakes) and a quick opinion blurb. Let's commence, shall we?

City Love by Susane Colasanti

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I was on a small town girl meets attractive city guy binge and this looked like it would hit the spot. While entertaining, I personally found the voices a little immature and the characters one dimensional. A fun beach read but not much more.

2 Cupcakes

The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey

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A fantasy and action fueled adventure, great for fans of the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series by Laini Taylor and the Grisha trilogy by Leigh Bardugo. The world is dark and deep and the characters are well developed. A little predictable, but overall an entertaining and satisfying read.

4 Cupcakes

Getting Lucky Number Seven by Cindi Madson

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A cute friends to something more story. I thought the dialogue was witty, the romance authentic, and it was well paced. Nothing too complicated but an overall swoon-worthy, entertaining read.

4.5 Cupcakes

The Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Step

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The political world but with magic. Cold Burn of Magic has a great main character with a developed, interesting, dangerous world. I enjoyed the war between the houses and the problems it creates, and how the main character is related to and deals with those problems. A fun read and I look forward the the sequel.

4.5 Cupcakes

Across the Distance by Marie Meyer

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Again, another friends to romance story (told you I was on a binge), this one with my second favorite twist - he's a rising musician. This book deals with some heavy stuff. The chemistry between the characters is good and the plot is happily-ever-after predictable.

4 Cupcakes

The Heir by Keira Cass

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I liked the Selection series (not loved) and thought I'd give The Heir a try. Eadlyn drove me nuts from the start, and although she grows throughout the story, I never could really get into her voice and character. Fans of The Selection will no doubly enjoy this second generation tale, but it wasn't for me.

3 Cupcakes

Born of Defiance by Sherrilyn Kenyon

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I love the League series, it's probably my favorite of Sherrilyn's many series, and this is no different. I loved seeing the Andarion world and really getting into the nitty gritty of a warrior's society. Readers learn something new about old characters in every new book and this was no different. I thought the trauma and abuse was really thick, though - not that it wasn't apt or told well. I just feel really bad for all the characters in this series. Sheesh. Could be read as a stand alone but I highly recommend the rest of the series.

4.5 Cupcakes

End of Days by Susan Ee

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I read Angelfall and World After a while ago and fell in love with this apocalyptic killer angel world. I loved Penryn and her will to keep fighting. I loved Raffe and their chemistry and his internal conflict to follow his duty or his heart. The world Susan Ee creates is deep and interesting and gritty and I thought this was a great conclusion to the series.

5 Cupcakes


Well, I hope this little Review Roundup was helpful. Check out all of these recent releases for yourself!

Happy Reading!

Jasmine

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Speed Review - Let's Go!

Days Like This by Danielle Ellison - Review

Sometimes the only thing standing between fear and hope is you.

Almost a year ago, nineteen-year-old Cassie Harlen had a lot to deal with. A stack of college acceptance letters waiting for answers, a proposal from the boy next door, and a mother whose most recent bipolar episode left Cassie hurt and confused. Tired of cleaning up the messes caused by her mother's disorder, of resenting her mother for not being there, and scared of being trapped by an inevitable future—which included marrying Graham Tucker—Cassie did the only thing she could think of to keep from ending up like her mother: she left.

Graham never knew why Cassie walked away. He woke up one morning and she was gone—along with the life that he’d created around her. After eleven months, Graham has a new plan for his future. One that doesn't involve Cassie Harlen.

When Cassie's mom nearly burns down her house, Cassie’s forced to return home. Back to a mother she’s tried to ignore and the guy she’s been unable to forget. Graham doesn't know how he's going to spend the whole summer living next door to the person who broke his heart without letting those old feelings push through to the surface.

Neither does Cassie.

---------------------------- Amazon, B&N, Goodreads ----------------------------

A romantic, heart-wrenching read. I loved that this story was as much about Cassie having to come to terms with resenting a person that she also loves as it was about a boy-next-door love that seems to be a thing of the past. While I found Cassie and Graham's love authentic, well developed, and heartbreakingly romantic, I need to give a shout-out to Danielle Ellison for really highlighting the struggles of living with someone with a mental disorder and the highs and lows that come with that situation.

I liked the dual point of view, especially since Cassie's character is so wrought with emotional turmoil. While I never felt that her feelings weren't authentic or believable, sometimes Cassie's stubbornness and masochistic habits got a little too much for me, personally. I found Graham's voice refreshing in comparison to Cassie's, though both clearly bear the consequences of hasty decisions and fear. Both Cassie and Graham's voices are believable and I loved reading about their past relationship from each of their memories. They were a nice, homely balance to all the drama happening in the present. I also liked seeing Cassie's mother from both Cassie and Graham's perspective - I thought it showed nicely the way in which mental disorders can be experienced from in the home and observed from outside it.

A fairly quick read with a lot of depth. A story about learning to love people - even yourself -  even when it seems impossible.

Check out Days Like This and Danielle's other books here: http://www.danielleellison.com

Danielle Ellison spent most of her childhood reading instead of learning math. It's probably the reason she can't divide without a calculator and has spent her life seeking the next adventure. It's also probably the reason she's had so many different zip codes and jobs.

When she’s not writing, Danielle is probably eating cookies, fighting her nomadic urges, watching too much TV, or dreaming of the day when she can be British. She has settled in Northern Virginia, for now, but you can always find her on twitter @DanielleEWrites.

Happy Reading!

Jasmine

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Days Like This by Danielle Ellison - Review