Pieces of a Life by Jewel E. Ann Review and Release Blitz!

 

Pieces of a Life, part one in an all new duet in the Life series by Jewel E. Ann is now live!

 

The summer before fourth grade, Colten Mosley moved into the house across the street from mine, and we became inseparable.

He played the piano and baseball.
I had a penchant for dead things while at the same time imagining what it would be like to kiss Colten.
We were filled with curiosity and overly active imaginations.

We were also forbidden to be more than friends.
But that didn't stop us.

Weeks before graduation, he annihilated my heart, and it's been seventeen years since the day I knew I'd hate him forever.

Now he's back in my life--a single dad and a homicide detective looking over my shoulder while I perform autopsies as one of Chicago's most gifted forensic pathologists. Then fate throws us a curveball.

Colten saves my life, but he can't erase the images that now keep me awake at night. And I can't explain them.

Am I still the girl he's always loved? Or nothing more than pieces of that life?

Review:

Omg!!! That ending!!!

 This book… I’m a little speechless right now, so hopefully I can get my brain to cooperate and formulate some words! 

I have read books by Jewel E Ann before and loved them. She’s an incredible writer. She writes complex characters and builds great worlds with incredible storytelling. This book is definitely no exception. Colten and Josie are going to stick with me for a while, and that’s with only reading half of their duet so far! I love having the back story of their childhood together. I love the snippets of memories of then and now. I am desperate to know more about each of them and their times apart. I need to know especially more about Josie and why she is the way she is. 

I have so many mixed feelings about young Colten but adult Colten… I’m here for. I love his dedication. I love that he’s her ride or die, no matter what. 

The first half of this book was good. I was entertained. I enjoyed the childhood friendship between the two characters and the ‘what do we do now’ thing that happened after their reunion. 

But the last half of this book… omg. I couldn’t stop reading.  It’s suspenseful, dramatic, creepy, engaging, so many different things. 

I’ll finish my review by saying I am on THE EDGE of my seat (and maybe my sanity LOL) waiting for the next part of their story to come out. 

I need it now. 

Please! 

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo!

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Pre-order Memories of a Life releasing 9/27

https://books2read.com/u/4DPeYk

 

Meet Jewel E. Ann

Jewel is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author with a quirky sense of humor. When she's not saving the planet one tree at a time, you can find her role modeling questionable behavior to her three boys, binge-watching Netflix with her husband, and writing mind-bending romance.

Connect with Jewel

Website: https://www.jeweleann.com

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Tatted Stars by Catherine Cowles Release Blitz and Book Review!

“Hayes and Everly, together, are an unstoppable force. This small-town, suspenseful romance was absolutely unputdownable!"

— LJ Shen, USA Today bestselling author

Tattered Stars, an all new beautifully heart wrenching romance and first book in the Tattered & Torn series from bestselling author Catherine Cowles is available now!

Be brave. Just for sixty seconds. Twenty breaths.

One night changed them both forever.

Their lives shattered, beyond repair, with jagged edges and pieces askew.

Now, Everly has a chance to make things right. To bring healing to the place where everything fell apart. But it means facing the family her father almost destroyed, and the boy with the dark eyes—now grown—who still haunts her dreams.

Just one breath away from having your life ripped out from under you.

The last thing Hayes wants is another reminder of all the ways he failed sixteen years ago. When Everly drives back into Wolf Gap, his only mission is to get her to leave. For his family’s sake, and for his own, those demons need to stay buried for good.

But everything about this woman is a surprise, from her spine of steel to the sanctuary she hopes to create with the land her mother left behind. And Hayes is powerless to stay away.

As a careful friendship sparks into something more, someone watches. And they’ll do anything to tear it all apart…

Review: 

Every time I go to type something about this book, whether it was a social media post, pulling it up on Goodreads, or even beginning this review, subconsciously I end up writing Tattered Scars. I know the title is Tattered Stars and I love that title for this book, but I think the scars would’ve been appropriate too. Both of our main characters, Everly and Hayes, have some mighty big scars though most of them are invisible. These scars have made such an impact on the people they have become, in good ways and in ways they are trying to grow from. I’m glad that the title is Tattered Stars though because scars would focus on the negatives these characters have endured and they are so, so much more than that! They have pulled themselves through some of the worst things a person could possibly experience and come out on the other side beautiful, strong, incredible people. The visuals I get reading their story in the mountains of Wolf Gap made me visualize the stars there at that little cabin in the woods and I can only imagine how breathtaking it would be. I am familiar with the small town life so I can easily picture so many things the author pointed out about small town living and how difficult it can be to come back from preconceived notions and ideas of someone, not even based on their own actions but actions of their family members. Everly comes back to her small town after escaping for years and has a large battle on her hands to find the peace she so desperately deserves. Hayes is the first to show her his animosity and his uneasiness about the reminders she brings of the worst time in his life. This is a story of Everly’s survival and her battle for peace and that niggling little piece of hope she so desperately tries to hold on to. It’s a story of Hayes working through so many emotions, trauma and family relationships, while feeling this pull that he can’t explain. There’s so much to this story that I can’t even begin to write all about it without giving any spoilers away, so I’ll just end with this. I was invested from page one with these characters. There was the perfect level of suspense to keep me flipping the pages as quickly as I could. The character development of not only Hayes and Everly was incredible, but I fell in love with all (well, mostly all, some… *rage*) the people of Wolf Gap, especially all of Hayes’ family members. The writing of this story was superb and if you’ve read anything by Catherine Cowles before, this book is no different than her others- incredible! I hope you’ll take the time to check this one out. *Thank you to Catherine Cowles and the Social Butterfly PR group for allowing me to read an early copy of this story in exchange of an honest review- I am so happy to provide it!

Fall in love with Everly and Hayes today!

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About Catherine Cowles

Writer of words. Drinker of Diet Cokes. Lover of all things cute and furry, especially her dog. Catherine has had her nose in a book since the time she could read and finally decided to write down some of her own stories. When she's not writing she can be found exploring her home state of Oregon, listening to true crime podcasts, or searching for her next book boyfriend.

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The Enigma by Jodi Ellen Malpas Book Review and Release Blitz!

The Enigma by Jodi Ellen Malpas is now live!

A fatal blend of revenge and desire.

After leaving her fiancé at the altar and quitting her job as a Miami cop, Beau Hayley stumbles through life, feeling only resentment. Injustice. Loss. Her mom's death was called an accident. She's not convinced. Grieving, she becomes numb to everything except the constant, biting pain of heartbreak and hate. She can see no light. Until she meets James Kelly, a man who seems as damaged as she is, inside and out. And yet despite his twisted, cold façade, he stimulates feelings. Pleasure. He is a respite from her own flaws. A complete mystery.

And impossible to resist.


James Kelly has only one objective. Find the men who murdered his family and kill them all very slowly. But the web of crime and deceit leads him to Beau Hayley, the daughter of the notorious FBI agent who pursued him relentlessly until her death. Beau is not what James expected, and past the darkness that shrouds her, he finds a glimmer of light. Light is addictive. An escape. Beau might be the key to James's mercy mission, but with dire consequences. So he has to decide--leave her breathing and risk exposing himself, or kill her and continue his mission, still unknown.

Still The Enigma

Two tortured souls playing one deadly game. But who will survive?

 

Review:

Y'all. I have been anxiously awaiting reading this book as soon as I learned about a new book coming in this series. I recently read the first book in this series called The Brit and I was crazy about it. I knew Jodi Ellen Malpas would make this book, The Enigma, exactly on par with the previous one and I WAS RIGHT.

This book has so much darkness, brokenness, deceit, tragedy, murder, questionable acts... but it also has so much love and redemption and a strong pull for the underdog! It's rare I'd call someone like James Kelly an underdog, but the world has made him into the person he is and he's responded in the only way he knows how. The exact same can be said for Beau Hayley. Man, what a crappy set of cards she's been dealt. I can't imagine how I would put one foot forward after a fraction of the things she's gone through, but she does it. She doesn't think she does it well, but the fact that she's still living and breathing and moving and believing... she is inspiring!

This story was so good. There is so much to unpack after the storm I just read through in these characters and this storyline that I am still shaking my head about some things. There are some things in this story that happened that I NEVER would've guessed. There are others I wasn't as surprised by. However, the major surprise in this story didn't go the way I predicted in my head and I love that. 

I feel like this story is left a bit more on a cliffhanger than The Brit was, but not in a terrible way. It wasn't a cliffhanger that leaves you wondering if anyone's alive, will they or won't they, but I am definitely going to be on pins and needles waiting to see how this story ends. 

I cannot wait for The Resurrection. Gimme, Gimme, Gimme!!!! 

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble!

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Meet Jodi

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author Jodi Ellen Malpas was born and raised in the Midlands town of Northampton, England, where she lives with her real-life man, her boys, and a beagle. She is a self-professed daydreamer and has a terrible weak spot for alpha males.

After writing in secret for too long, Jodi exploded onto the scene in 2012 with her debut novel This Man, starring the prolific Jesse Ward. Writing powerful love stories with fierce, memorable characters is her passion - a passion that has taken her on an amazing journey into the limelight of romantic fiction. Her work is now published in more than twenty-five languages across the world.

Find out more about Jodi at www.jodiellenmalpas.co.uk

Connect with Jodi

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Wild North by JB Salsbury Release Day Blitz!!

Wild North by JB Salsbury is out NOW!!! 

Make sure to grab your copy today!

Check out our review on this 5 star read here:

Our review on Wild North!

From New York Times bestselling author, JB Salsbury, comes an angsty new romance with a bossy hero and woman who was born to survive.

To me, he was Grizzly.

To the world, I would learn, he’s someone else completely. 

I should have died on that mountain.  

But he rescued me.

More animal than man, he’s cold, distant, and fiercely territorial. He seems to hate me for simply breathing, and yet, he brought me back to life.

 

After my return to the city, I can’t stop thinking about him. His rough hands, intense glare, and the way he cared for me as if I meant something to him.

He tells me he’s dangerous. That I’m not safe around him. I would eventually understand why he warned me away. But by then it’s too late. My heart is his. 

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End of Day by Jewel E. Ann Review!

 "I loved her which is why the word suddenly feels monumentally inadequate for you. I gave her my love, but you... you took it. You took everything. I never had a choice. You tore into my life... into my heart, wrecking all sense of the man I was before you. Being with you is the best part of my day... every day. You think you're broken, but you're not. And if you were... it wouldn't matter. I love every. Single. Piece of you." - Jewel E. Ann, End of Day

Can we just stop and swoon at two things? This GORGEOUS cover of a book. I love it so much for some reason. And...the quote at the top of this review. I mean, come on! Who wouldn't love a dreamboat who said that to them?!?!

Anyway, I digress! Let's talk a little about this book! 

What an interesting read! I don’t have a ton to say about it because I feel like I’m still processing what I read. There is so much subject matter in this book. 

There’s a lot to think about and consider, like: Jessica Day and the trauma she went through, who she has become and how, the relationship she has with Luke, the closeness of her relationship with her twin brother, Jackson and Jillian and the mess of their new lives in Omaha, the sweet caring of Lillith, the risqué job and attitude of Jillian in the retirement community, oh, and AJ. 

AJ AJ AJ. There is something about AJ that really pulls me in. My heart hurts for him.

 I hate his ex-wife, though in some regards I can’t blame her, especially if safety became a concern. I guess I just feel for the underdog, the wounded warrior. Maybe that’s why I love AJ and Jillian because they both are that in their own regard. 

I’m not going to go into any details about the book because this is just book one of a series and I’m sure I’ll do more detailed thoughts on the series when it’s done, but for now... I’ll say I am definitely intrigued. I am looking forward to reading the next book soon. I have a guess about what’s going on with AJ at the end of this book. I hope I’m wrong about that guess. I hope Jillian doesn’t freak out with whatever he tells her. Something in me really wants the best for all these characters and I hope they get it!

To be continued as I finish this series! 

Happy reading! 

Wrecked Palace by Catherine Cowles Book Review!

"I love you. I think a part of me loved you from the first moment I saw you. Some part of me recognized that you were the one person who could understand me. Who could help me find my way back." - Catherine Cowles, Wrecked Palace

Well, I have to tell y’all... I am not surprised... I loved Wrecked Palace!

 I am so glad I stumbled on this series recently because I have fallen in love with every single story in this series! Catherine Cowles wrote another amazing book, filled with characters that are hard not to love. This book tells the story of Caelyn and Griffin, though you can’t mention them without talking about Will, Ava and Mia.

 I don’t think I’ve ever fallen in love with kids in a story quite as much as I did with these “tiny terrors.” I loved the family dynamics and that this book was so family focused! I loved that we as readers really got to know every member of this family and there was something that drew me in about each of them. Will just broke my heart and made it smile. He is so loving and so protective and tries so hard to hold everything in to protect his siblings, but doesn’t allow himself to be the kid that he is. Ava reminds me of myself. She is quiet, unassuming, a big bookaholic, and an internal thinker and feeler. This doesn’t mean she doesn’t have big feelings, but she usually has to process it by herself before sharing with others. Mia is glitter, rainbows and unicorns. She clearly brings joy and happiness to anyone in her world. All of these kids and how amazing they are are that way in big part because of their big sister Caelyn who’s been the Mom none of them ever had. 

Caelyn sacrifices herself over and over for the family that she loves and her friends who are the best family she’s ever known. She has a heart of gold and like Mia, spreads joy to anyone she can.

Enter, Griffin. Griffin is gruff and quiet and little know anything about him because he prefers it that way. Griffin thinks if he doesn’t open himself up to people, he won’t be hurt again. He lost his family in a tragic, traumatic event that he still has nightmares about years after their loss. He has taken to renovating their family home on Anchor Island, but the house feels...empty, and he feels alone. There's one spark of joy that Griffin has in his life, though... his daily run in's with the Island chef/grocery store manager, Caelyn. 

Then, as they say, the rest is... 

Reading these two characters stories come together was so good. I read this book in 24 hours. I loved the vulnerability Griffin struggled with throughout this story- the possibility of opening himself up to others and potentially getting hurt or risking losing them again. I love Cae Cae's heart. She loves her siblings, she loves her friends, she even loves her no good biological parents, but who loves her? Sure, her friends and family do, but Caelyn is desperately wanting someone who will put her first. The two of them together...

Do yourself a favor and check this book and the whole series out! 

You will not be disappointed!! 

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Hard to Lose by K. Bromberg Release Blitz!

 

Hard to Lose by K. Bromberg is now live!

New York Times bestselling author, K. Bromberg, brings you a romance about love, forgiveness, and living every day to the fullest.

I know finding and signing a military vet to the agency is a long shot--but it'll be good press just letting him try out. That's what I tell my family, rather than admit I can't get the letter he wrote us five years ago out of my head.

But what I tell the bartender in his hometown is a lie. I know veterans protect each other. So I pretend to be a graduate student.

Sparks. Flame. Fire. I accidentally got in too deep.

I didn't expect to develop feelings for Gunner Camden.

And there's no way I can admit to my lies now, not without destroying what we share. So I'll keep faking it.

***

There are two versions of me: before, and after deployment.

Back then I was a screwup kid. I'd lie, cheat, and steal my way out of everything. My only love was baseball.

After I started fighting, I found out there had been another path for me. One that involved my dream. But by then I had seen too much.

The old me was dead, so I put my dreams to rest, too.

Then Chase Kinkade walks into my bar and reminds me that life is meant to live. No regrets.

Fresh. Happy. Hopeful. I can start to see a new dream, with her.

But sometimes things are too good to be true... and dishonesty is the one thing I can't forgive.

Review: 

I  have to make a confession. This is the first K Bromberg book I have read in a while. I was lucky enough to get an early copy of this book and I am so glad I did! It quickly reminded (I’m talking within the first 5% of the book) how excellent a writer K Bromberg is and that I’m definitely going to have to read more of her books again. One of my top favorites is from her, the Driven series. Do your self a favor and check it out if you haven’t!

Enough about that though, let’s talk about Hard to Lose. This story follows Chase, the youngest sister of 3 girls, and Gunner Camden, a war hero who has a lot of trauma in his past. This book is part of a series, but is a complete standalone. So much so that I didn’t even read or feel like I had to read the first book in the series to comfortably jump in to this one. That says a lot, because I don’t think I’ve ever done that before! Naturally though, because of how good this book was, the others in the series immediately went into my TBR piles!

Chase is a sports agent in her family business and is constantly trying to outperform and show her family how efficient and talented she is. This isn’t done in a snobby way at all, more of a younger sibling just trying to prove themself to the older ones. She is highly motivated and attacks the day and her goals with a fire that is beyond impressive. Her go get ‘em attitude I think is one of the things Gunner falls in love with first! That and her overall confidence. Chase is the type of girl that everyone wants to be!

Gunner has created an incredible life for himself after a lifetime of trouble, people who were supposed to love him letting him down, and multiple traumas from his childhood and his time serving overseas. The thing I love most about Gunner’s character is his passion for helping other kids who’ve gone through similar situations as him. He shares his love, his passion, his compassion, to those who need it and deserve it more than anyone but often get overlooked. If a girl doesn’t fall in love with a man like Gunner, I’d have to wonder what’s missing with her!

While I’ve painted the dreamboat picture of Gunner and a fierce picture of Chase, they both have their downfalls. Their chemistry is on fire and you can tell that just through reading their story which is pretty incredible. The fire can burn, though, and sometimes when two people who are both a little guarded with their feelings and not comfortable with being vulnerable get together, they can end up hurting each other. Deceit is something Gunner has said he can’t come back from. Chase didn’t know it at the start, but is now struggling with a major decision on what to do.

The end of this story is angsty and heartbreaking and leaves you wondering how it’s all going to play out. I’ll be honest, it didn’t end the way I thought it would. It ended similarly, but let’s just say I expected the roles to be reversed at the end, but I think it worked out well in the end!

I really enjoyed this story and hope you’ll take a chance on it too!

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Google Play, Kobo, Barnes & Noble!

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Audible: Coming Soon!

Narrated by: Jason Clarke & Savannah Peachwood

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/Hard2Lose

Meet Kristy

New York Times Bestselling author K. Bromberg writes contemporary romance novels that contain a mixture of sweet, emotional, a whole lot of sexy, and a little bit of real. She likes to write strong heroines and damaged heroes who we love to hate but can't help to love.

A mom of three, she plots her novels in between school runs and soccer practices, more often than not with her laptop in tow and her mind scattered in too many different directions.

Since publishing her first book on a whim in 2013, Kristy has sold over one and a half million copies of her books across eighteen different countries and has landed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists over thirty times. Her Driven trilogy (Driven, Fueled, and Crashed) is currently being adapted for film by the streaming platform, Passionflix, with the first movie (Driven) out now.

With her imagination always in overdrive, she is currently scheming, plotting, and swooning over her latest hero. You can find out more about him or chat with Kristy on any of her social media accounts. The easiest way to stay up to date on new releases and upcoming novels is to sign up for her newsletter (http://bit.ly/254MWtI) or follow her on Bookbub (http://smarturl.it/KBrombergBB)

Connect with Kristy

Website: www.kbromberg.com

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Text Kbromberg to 77948 to stay up to date on all things Driven movies and new releases

When We Met by Marni Mann Book Review!

 "I can't recall anything from before my surgery, except for your eyes. They held me like a blanket... I didn't want them to let me go." - Marni Mann, When We Met

After having a little time to think after completing this book, this title may be one of the most appropriate titles to a book I've ever experienced. You'll know what I mean if/when you read this book!!

Anyway...

I really enjoyed this book overall. I loved the characters and the character development. I was invested in how Whitney’s life would go and of course, Caleb’s. 

Part 2 of this book threw me for a loop, though. I didn’t understand why what was happening was happening. I read through most of part 2 confused and wondering how the story was going to end. By the end of the book, it definitely made sense and brought it all together, but I wish there was some way I could’ve known as a reader what was going on. I guess that could’ve altered the ending though or how important the ending was so I get it and like I mentioned, I ended up really liking the book overall. Whitney is the type of character everyone would know and love and want to have as a friend. Caleb is the ultimate man- workaholic, can’t slow down until he falls for the girl who helps him see the real value in life. 

If you can't tell, these characters made this book for me. I love them all so much. 

❤️ This story is definitely worth a read, I hope you’ll check it out!

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Happy reading!! 

Twisted Circles by Claire Contreras Book Review!

"When someone tells you who they are, do you believe them?" - Claire Contreras, Twisted Circles

I love that quote and I love how aptly it matches the whole point of this book. 

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review and I am so thankful I was selected! Since having read Half Truths, the first book in this series, I have been so anticipating this story!! 

Twisted Circles did not disappoint in any shape or form. Similarly to the first book in the series, this book focuses on a group of people connected to the prestigious Ellis University (an Ivy League) as well as a secret society on its campus. This book primarily focuses on Eva Guerra who wakes up without memory of what happened over the weekend. What she does find is two mysterious keys in her backpack as well as being questioned by the police, then asked to do something beyond anything you would've ever expected. This starts Eva off on a quest of trying to find out what happened over the weekend, why she can't remember it, and ultimately gaining more questions than answers. 

 This book is a dual POV story. Most of the chapters are from Eva's perspective, but some of them are from Adam, President of The Swords, a secret society on campus that Eva plans to learn more about. There is so much mystery and suspense in this story, it constantly keeps your attention and keeps the pages turning quickly. It's one of those that you may have to finally force yourself to put down at 1 am so that you can pick it back up again as early as possible the next day orrrr just pull an all-nighter because it's that good and you can't put it down! 

I loved this storyline. Like I mentioned above, it provided the same amount of suspense and excitement as the first book in the series. 

I really enjoyed Eva's character. She was adopted at a few months old and grew up with her adoptive mother, Karen. Eva had a difficult childhood growing up and as she grew, often found herself in and out of treatment at a place called The Institute. Dr. Debbie Maslow has treated Eva since she was an infant and Eva regards Dr. Maslow almost in a maternal fashion. To me, this pulled on my spidey senses because I am already sensing some poor boundaries between doctor and patient, and oh how right I was! I won't go in to detail because this is going to be a spoiler free review, but once you read the book, you will definitely see what I mean! 

Eva seems to have a hard time finding any confidence in herself. It's no wonder given the circumstances she grew up in and what you find out later in the book has happened to her, but it is amazing to see the evolution of her character and how strong she starts to become. Eva goes through quite a bit in this book- there are highs and lows, and while she has to fight some of the defense mechanisms she's developed most her life, she ultimately is able to fight for what she loves. 

Speaking of love, enter... Adam. 

He was introduced to us briefly in Half Truths. I remember reading the end of that book thinking, man, I hope we get Adam's story, and look at that... we did! While we definitely got to get to know Adam a little more in this book, I will say I wish I could've gotten a little more about him. I wish he would've had a few more chapters from his POV, or maybe talked a little bit more about his life before Eva came in to it. I'm not sure what I felt like is missing, and I don't necessarily mean to use the word missing, I think I just wanted more! He seems like such a standup, respectful, thoughtful, and loving guy, you can't not want more of that, am I right? Even though they may have had a rocky start, Adam is a constant for Eva through all the struggles she endured in this book. He is the type of guy you would want to have by your side, helping you, supporting you, encouraging you, and listening to you. When Eva said she needed space, he gave her space. When she needed help but hadn't even thought to ask, he already had a plan in place on how he could help. And it's not only Adam that brought love into Eva's life, but he brought his friends and family which only extended the amount of people who ended up loving on Eva as well. Overall, I just felt like Adam was a star character, a stand up guy and someone I think makes a great partner in a story like this! We’ll forgive him for his only real flaw- a poor attempt at a psycho analysis 😉

Okay, that’s probably enough raving about the characters. I hope I peaked your interest enough in these two characters to want to dive in to this book. I don’t want to go into too much more detail because I’m afraid I’ll spoil something and I want you to have the complete experience when you read this book! It’s different from most other books out there right now and I don’t know about you, but it’s been so good for me to be able to escape the catastrophe that is 2020 and submerge myself into this suspenseful, exciting fictional book world. 

As always- Happy reading, friends! 

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Fighting the Fall by JB Salsbury Review!!

"I always want more. That's my problem. I want to be the girl that a man can't live without." - JB Salsbury, Fighting the Fall

We received an ARC for an honest review, generously provided by JB through Knock Your Boots Off! We are SO grateful to have the chance to read this book and share our thoughts on it... It is a definite DON'T MISS! 5 Star Book for us :) This review will be a little different as both Candace and I are working on it together, you'll get two times the opinion on this book because we both read it and both bow to Jamie and her awesome writing skills!


 




 Chelsea's thoughts:

 Seriously don't know where to begin with this one. JB is at the top of my list of favorite writers in the NA Genre. She never fails to create a storyline where it can break your heart, make you laugh, make you cry, and make you audibly gasp all at the same time. She is so good at character development and really making you feel what those characters feel. Once again, I love that we get the dual POV. I love the dynamic between Cameron and Eve, and hearing their own thoughts. I've loved Eve since Fighting for Flight, so I have been so anxious to finally read her story! It was totally worth the wait :) Wonderful.

 Ok, sorry- just had to get some of my excitement out! I loved this book. My favorite Fighting fella is still Rex, hands down, but Cameron definitely pulled at my heart strings. Ugh. I felt for him. My heart hurt for him and the guilt that he's carried with him for so many years. But the true star for me in this book is definitely Eve. I think I identify with her more than any of the other Fighting leading ladies so far. Her confidence has been rocked by the crappy guys she's had in her past, and Cameron doesn't really help that at the beginning of their 'relationship.' There were so many times where I was seriously shaking my head at her, or Cameron, or both!!

 

 While I was frustrated with both of them at times, I knew they belonged together. They were just good for each other. He could provide that love and support that she really needed, not to mention a family. She gave him something to hope for, something to live for, something to make him smile. Cameron knew once he fell for Eve, he could no longer fight the fall.

 

Candace's Review:

"Falling isn't always failure. Sometimes the biggest victories only happen when we're brave enough to let go and give in to the pull."

Hot DAMN JB Salsbury you've done it again!! I never thought anyone would win my heart over like Blake Daniels did but Cameron Kyle stole it like a thief in the night. My God that man had me panting one minute and wanting to bash his head in with a baseball the next. And Eve Dawson...oh Eve, Eve, Eve I've waited patiently for your story and now that I've had it I swear you are the younger version of myself. We share common likes with the f-bomb!

I love the give and take, the pull and release of this story. We get both characters POV so there's always a balance on Cameron and Eve's stories. Cameron's past is so breathtakingly real and it really tugs at your heart strings. I could not imagine enduring that type of pain...it makes me teary eyed just thinking about it. And Eve, my God that poor girl and the attempt at trying to find true love. I can't blame her or Cameron for "fighting the fall" for each other I mean my God they've both been through so much, who wouldn't be afraid to let someone love them.

There were so many frustrating, heart wrenching, sexy moments throughout this book. I literally could not get enough! I mean that back ally scene...HOLY SH&%$^^$# that was one of the hottest scenes I've ever read...no seriously it is!! And can I say that the song Animals by Maroon 5 just happened to be playing at that particular time and made that scene soooooo much f-ing hotter! WHEW!!

I'm keeping my review short because Chelsea really hits on the highlights of the book but I wanted to put my two cents in because I was head over hells in love with this book. It's my favorite so far in the Fighting Series! Thank you JB Salsbury for being such a badass writer!

My playlist (I know Chelsea does this but I had to add mine for this book!):
1. Chandelier by Sia
2. Animals by Maroon 5
3. Burnin It Down by Jason Aldean
4. Fighter by Christina Aguilera
5. Habits (Stay High) by Tove Lo
6. Centuries by Fall Out Boy

Fighting to Forget by J.B. Salsbury- Review!

"Laughter bursts from my lips as I consider the group of misfits in this room. Parentless, raised by strangers, or conceived under horrible situations, we all found each other. My entire life I've felt like the outsider hiding the shameful feelings that I couldn't explain, but not anymore. In this room, with these individuals, we're equals, sharing in the struggle life set before us and similar in our circumstances. It's as if God brought us together to normalize our feelings and give us each other to lean on, confide in and support in return." 

In Book 3 of the Fighting series, we're introduced to Rex. I've been looking forward to reading Rex's story for a while- he always held an air of mystery whenever he was mentioned in either of the first two books in this series. After reading Fighting to Forget, I can definitely understand why.



***Spoiler alert- read at your own risk!***


Let's talk about Rex. The early parts of Rex's life were terrible. They were devastating, cruel, and traumatic and Rex can't remember any of it. He gets flashes and has nightmares, but can't figure out if they are actual memories or just random thoughts his brain has. Rex's therapist tells him the nightmares have to come from something, probably things his childhood brain regressed, but Rex doesn't want to believe the things in his nightmares could possibly be true, except for her...


Gia is the little girl who was Rex's friend through childhood. She visited him through a crack below the door, especially on the extra challenging nights. Both were treated horribly by parents/foster-parents but Gia always tried to comfort Rex whenever she could. 8 year old Gia was determined to find a way to rescue 10 year old Rex, even if she had to risk herself to do so.

Present day:

Rex is a thrill-seeker. He savors pain because it's the only thing tying him to reality, making him feel alive. He gets a major rush from adrenaline and has triggers when people say certain things to him. He has a temper he can barely keep contained and prefers to keep everyone at a distance because he doesn't want anyone to see the real him.


Mac is starting a new life. She came to Vegas for revenge, but found out that wasn't going to happen. Now, she's searching for peace. Mac has been watching Rex from afar, as a waitress at the bar his band frequents. Mac has a big secret and has information that could make or break Rex, but can't decide if she should risk telling him. Mac wants Rex, more than she's ever wanted anything, and is so close to having him, she is scared to risk messing it up.




Rex finds out what Mac is hiding from him. He's destroyed with this new information. He wants to hurt himself to make himself feel alive, a familiar coping mechanism he's used most of his adult life. It breaks your heart as the reader to witness him fall totally and completely apart. Mac is able to help him some, stop him from doing something severe, but then he pushes her away.

Mac leaves because she can't take the pain she's caused Rex, once again. She stays gone for a while, slowly killing herself, because she believes she's got nothing left to live for without Rex. Luckily, Mac's old roommate is clued in on what she's been up to and reaches out to Rex. Will Rex be able to put aside his issues and try to help Mac? You'll just have to read the book to find out! This was a 5 star read for me!

Playlist (according to JB AND me):

Silent Night by Kelly Clarkson

Goodbye by Seconhand Serenade

Save You by Simple Plan

Taking Over Me by Evanescence 

Your Guardian Angel by Red Jumpsuit Aparatus

I'll Follow You by Shinedown