ARC Review of The Empty Jar by M. Leighton

Goodreads Summary:
Three months touring Europe. 
Romantic. Dazzling. Unforgettable. 
The trip of a lifetime.

But some lifetimes are shorter...

We couldn’t have known it would work out this way.
No one could. No one could’ve guessed that something so beautiful could be so tragic.

But it is tragic.

Yet so, so beautiful.

That’s what sacrifice is—beauty and tragedy.
It’s pain and suffering for something or someone you love.

And this is the ultimate sacrifice. 
One stunning act of true love.

This is our story.

Our true love story.

My Review:
Prepare yourself before you read this book. It will do more then pull on your hear strings. It will break you and inspire you at the same time. Love is such a beautiful thing, sometimes it is taken for granted, this story will remind you that tomorrow is never a guarantee. This is Lena and Nate's tragic love story. A story that begins and ends in such a beautiful place. It reminds us all of the petty things that don't matter when it comes right down to it. That what matters most is the love between two people even in the darkest of times. When there is no hope, love shines. That is Lena and Nate. Two people who have loved each other for a decade and have been given this impossible obstacle. One that surely no good can come out of, right? Nate and Lena have some hard times ahead of them but, out of those hard times love is always there, always growing. 

This is not a fantasy. These are two people going through the most real and terrifying thing that they can. They are not pondering divorce or worried about themselves. They are two people willing to give up their lives for each other. This is the kind of love we hope to have at least once in your life. If you are looking for a lot of drama and love triangles this is not the book for you. This one is about a pure love between two people. A love that is romantic, heartbreaking, and beautiful at the same time. 

Nate has to be one of the strongest men I have ever read about. The decisions and things he is faced with during this time are insane. There are times he doesn't keep his cool, when he breaks down that are hard to read about. There is so much not knowing in a situation like this. He does it with great strength.

Lena...omg what can I say about this beautiful, selfless, strong woman. To do what she did knowing what was going to happen. I don't know how she did it. As a nurse myself, knowing to much about medical conditions and what they bring can be terrifying. She did it with grace and because of that beauty came from a tragic situation. I know this all sounds cryptic but, I will not give anything away in this one. One part in particular with Lena will be with me forever. At the end when she see's herself in the mirror...that whole section broke me. I had to stop reading for a minute to compose myself. When you get there you will understand. 

I know this review makes this book sound like a sobbing mess. The truth is, it is a very real and very sad book. You will cry. It will be ugly crying. In the end you will know love and that true love can come out of a bad situation and people live through it. It is not easy, it is messy, but in the end it is beautiful. I am a nurse so maybe this effected me more. I have seen this story in real life. I have seen death. It hurts every time. It takes a very brave person to write a story like this. Great job M. Leighton. You need to hear that! And people you need to read this book!

Just some gifs because words can't aren't enough...

True love...

Stuff gets real....

Vacations

More love...

Me the last 50% of the book

In the end love will always win...

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Title: If I Was Your Girl

Author: Meredith Russo

Series Number: 1

Release Date: May 3, 2016

Goodreads Summary:

A big-hearted novel about being seen for who you really are.

Amanda Hardy is the new girl in school. Like anyone else, all she wants is to make friends and fit in. But Amanda is keeping a secret. She's determined not to get too close to anyone.

But when she meets sweet, easygoing Grant, Amanda can't help but start to let him in. As they spend more time together, she realizes just how much she is losing by guarding her heart. She finds herself yearning to share with Grant everything about herself--including her past. But Amanda's terrified that once she tells him the truth, he won't be able to see past it.

Because the secret that Amanda's been keeping? It's that she used to be Andrew.

Will the truth cost Amanda her new life--and her new love?

If I Was Your Girl is a universal story about feeling different--and a love story that everyone will root for.

My Thoughts:

This sounds like a book that is right up my alley right now. Not sure why, I just am drawn to it. 

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Goodreads Summary:
Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.


What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.



My Review:
Ok I admit, I was drawn to this book only after I saw the movie preview for it. I know, crazy right. This one pulls at the heart stings hardcore. It fills you with hope only to have your heart smashed...more then once. I was so drawn to Lou. She is that slightly awkward girl who lives to the beat of her own drum. She has an out of the box fashion sense and is satisfied with her life. Her family is having money issues so she takes a new job being a companion/caregiver for a disabled man. As you can imagine this is quite the change for Lou. She has never done it before but, feels she would do well if given the chance. Will has not had it easy either. He has went from an active life loving man to a wheelchair bound quadriplegic. This is absolutely devastating to him. Lou tries so hard to be the light that he needs in his life. To give him some kind of life. Will she be able too?

I loved Lou. I think something about her caring nature towards Will and her ability to tell him how it is without being a total witch was what did it. She tried so hard to help Will see the good in life. that with her help she could make him happy. Will has a secret, a secret he tries to keep from Lou but, eventually the truth comes out. Even if you don't want it to. 

I am a nurse so this book really hits home for me. To me it is about as true a story as you can get. Someone struggling severely with their diagnoses and someone who loves them trying to help them see that life is worth living. It is a battle I see everyday. There was something about this book that just drew me in and made me hope. It is definitely worth reading and I can't wait for the movie!

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. It is hosted by Tynga's Reviews. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

e-ARC

Goodreads Summary:
Three months touring Europe.
Romantic. Dazzling. Unforgettable.
The trip of a lifetime.

But some lifetimes are shorter...

We couldn’t have known it would work out this way.
No one could. No one could’ve guessed that something so beautiful could be so tragic.

But it is tragic.

Yet so, so beautiful.

That’s what sacrifice is—beauty and tragedy.
It’s pain and suffering for something or someone you love.

And this is the ultimate sacrifice.
One stunning act of true love.

This is our story.

Our true love story.

Purchased

Goodreads Summary:
Jax Flynn’s life just went from bad to worse. He was already sharing his body with a demon named Azirak, but after killing its mate… Well, shit got real. Now the demon has taken control of Jax’s body and everything he cares for is at stake, including Samantha, the girl he loves. Yeah, that’s not going to happen. It’s time Jax showed everyone what he was really made of.

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. It is hosted by Tynga's Reviews. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

ARC's

Goodreads Summary:
Kellan Boyd always gets what he wants—except that one infuriating city girl who bumped into his new chick magnet sports car, dared to call him a jerk, and basically threw his pity check in his face.

Fast forward three months later. When Ava Cross suddenly knocks on his door in the middle of a storm, soaking wet and in dire need of help, he’s determined to settle old scores and finally get her between the sheets where she belongs.

Ava knows Kellan is a complex man with a dark past and a wild reputation he can’t deny. Forced to stay, Ava begins a desperate search for the truth about the one man she wants to despise and quickly discovers that the passion she feels for him isn’t just deep…it’s dangerous to her heart.

Kellan is a beautiful distraction. When the traps of her own weakness stand in the way, Ava is faced with one choice only: peel off the layers of a man who is a wild cowboy at heart.


Author’s note – Beautiful Distraction is a full-length standalone novel with no cliffhanger. Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

Purchased

Goodreads Summary:
Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.


What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.

Goodreads Summary:
Adrian sul’Han, known as Ash, is a trained healer with a powerful gift of magic—and a thirst for revenge. Ash is forced into hiding after a series of murders throws the queendom into chaos. Now Ash is closer than he’s ever been to killing the man responsible, the cruel king of Arden. As a healer, can Ash use his powers not to save a life but to take it?

Abandoned at birth, Jenna Bandelow was told that the mysterious magemark on the back of her neck would make her a target. But when the King’s Guard launches a relentless search for a girl with a mark like hers, Jenna assumes that it has more to do with her role as a saboteur than any birth-based curse. Though Jenna doesn’t know why she’s being hunted, she knows that she can’t get caught.

Eventually, Ash’s and Jenna’s paths will collide in Arden. Thrown together by chance and joined by their hatred of the king, they will come to rescue each other in ways they cannot yet imagine.


Set in the world of the acclaimed Seven Realms series a generation later, this is a thrilling story of dark magic, chilling threats, and two unforgettable characters walking a knife-sharp line between life and death.

Goodreads Summary:
Cassie O’Malley has been trying to keep her head above water—literally and metaphorically—since birth. It’s been two and a half years since Cassie’s mother dumped her in a mental institution against her will, and now, at eighteen, Cassie is finally able to reclaim her life and enter the world on her own terms.

But freedom is a poor match against a lifetime of psychological damage. As Cassie plumbs the depths of her new surroundings, the startling truths she uncovers about her own family narrative make it impossible to cut the tethers of a tumultuous past. And when the unhealthy mother-daughter relationship that defined Cassie’s childhood and adolescence threatens to pull her under once again, Cassie must decide: whose version of history is real? And more important, whose life must she save?


A bold, literary story about the fragile complexities of mothers and daughters and learning to love oneself, The First Time She Drowned reminds us that we must dive deep into our pasts if we are ever to move forward.

ARC Review of Beautiful Distraction

Goodreads Summary:
Kellan Boyd always gets what he wants—except that one infuriating city girl who bumped into his new chick magnet sports car, dared to call him a jerk, and basically threw his pity check in his face.

Fast forward three months later. When Ava Cross suddenly knocks on his door in the middle of a storm, soaking wet and in dire need of help, he’s determined to settle old scores and finally get her between the sheets where she belongs.

Ava knows Kellan is a complex man with a dark past and a wild reputation he can’t deny. Forced to stay, Ava begins a desperate search for the truth about the one man she wants to despise and quickly discovers that the passion she feels for him isn’t just deep…it’s dangerous to her heart.

Kellan is a beautiful distraction. When the traps of her own weakness stand in the way, Ava is faced with one choice only: peel off the layers of a man who is a wild cowboy at heart.


Author’s note – Beautiful Distraction is a full-length standalone novel with no cliffhanger. Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18. 

My Review:
I knew from page 1 that I was going to like this book. The tension between Kellan and Ava is evident from their first meeting. You gotta love the intense first encounters. We then fast forward a few months and Ava and her friend are on their way to a concert in Montana. Unfortunatly for them, they get caught in a terrible storm. Ava leaves the car to try to find help and the house she finds is none other then Kellan's. They one man she never wanted to see again. I was torn right away about Kellan. I couldn't tell if he was a nice guy or not. It seems that these two are destined to come together like a severe thunderstorm. There are secrets brewing. Things that could ruin everything. Will they survive this or will the storm destroy them? 

I went back and forth with Kellan. Sometimes I loved him. Like he melted me. Other times I wanted to smack him. I guess that is the making of a great character. I feel like I got emotional whiplash from these characters! Kellan is convinced he will get Ava to sleep with him. I think he was a little unprepared to get such a fight from her. She obviously finds the guy attractive and wants him. I am glad she didn't just give in and sleep with him. The chase and tension was what made the story so enjoyable. I was excited for when it actually happened though. It was bound to be an intense crazy experience!

J.C. Reed has managed to blow my mind yet again with her awesome writing. This quickly became one of my favorite books from her. Be sure to go get your own copy!

iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Amazon

ARC Review of Brave Enough by M. Leighton

Goodreads Summary:
Is she brave enough to give her heart to a man she only thought she knew? 

He was the most charismatic man I’d ever met. Strong, tough, brave. Bold as hell. Something told me Tag Barton could have anything—anyone—he wanted...and he wanted me. It didn’t matter that he was wrong for me in practically every way possible. It didn’t matter that my father would hate it. 

I couldn’t resist him. Even if I’d known who he really was and what he was really capable of.

When he suggested we pretend to be engaged, I thought he was the answer to all my problems. He wasn’t. And, in his wake, he left nothing but scorched earth and me, just another casualty of my father’s war.


Can I believe him now when he tells me he loves me?  Or is he nothing more than a beautiful, breathtaking lie?

My Review:
Can I just say, who doesn't want to fall in love in a Vineyard?! Weatherly needs an escape from her life. She fees like she has little control over it. So she goes to her families vineyard to get away. What she doesn't expect to find is a distraction. A very hot and willing distraction. Tag has been working on the Vineyard forever with his mom. His mom isn't doing very well so he has taken on more. They both kind of fall into each other hard and fast. They both need an escape and they find that in one another. Will these two survive as feelings start to spark and secrets begin to unravel?

These two have some pretty hot moments. Right away, from the first time Tag laid his eyes on Weatherly in the bath tub he was forever changed. I mean how romantic does could it get?! I now have a fantasy that involves a vineyard around dusk. Seriously, what a romantic place. These two do a pretty dang good job of distracting each other. Unfortunately life always catches up with you. Which is also usually a bad thing.  I so desperately wanted Weatherly to take control of her situation. To tell her Dad what she wanted and that she was going to do it with or without him. 

This is a fun quick read. You will be sucked in immediately with the love between Tag and Weatherly. It is also swoon worthy so you better hold on to your undies or you may lose them!

ARC Review of Flamecaster by Cinda Williams Chima

Goodreads Summary:
Adrian sul’Han, known as Ash, is a trained healer with a powerful gift of magic—and a thirst for revenge. Ash is forced into hiding after a series of murders throws the queendom into chaos. Now Ash is closer than he’s ever been to killing the man responsible, the cruel king of Arden. As a healer, can Ash use his powers not to save a life but to take it? 

Abandoned at birth, Jenna Bandelow was told that the mysterious magemark on the back of her neck would make her a target. But when the King’s Guard launches a relentless search for a girl with a mark like hers, Jenna assumes that it has more to do with her role as a saboteur than any birth-based curse. Though Jenna doesn’t know why she’s being hunted, she knows that she can’t get caught.

Eventually, Ash’s and Jenna’s paths will collide in Arden. Thrown together by chance and joined by their hatred of the king, they will come to rescue each other in ways they cannot yet imagine.


Set in the world of the acclaimed Seven Realms series a generation later, this is a thrilling story of dark magic, chilling threats, and two unforgettable characters walking a knife-sharp line between life and death. 

My Review:
I have never read anything from this author before. I am probably going to read the previous books now after finishing this one. I really fell into this world. After the first few chapters I was so into it I didn't want to put it down. I do feel like I missed out a little bit having not read the previous series but, I loved Ash and Jenna. They were great characters and written very well. This world has woven in magic, relationships and fantasy all in one. It was a wild ride. Will they survive their journey?

I really enjoyed Ash and Jenna. Their moments together were very interesting. There was a little big of romance in this book but, not a lot. I found myself distracted by the world and everything going on around them. Still they were very interesting characters. There were lots of other characters too that I enjoyed. Like I said I hadn't read the previous series so I am not sure if some from the other books made appearances.

This book was such a roller-coaster ride. So much going on all the time. So many different aspects of fantasy that I was simply soaking up every page. I could truly envision the world as I was reading. The last few chapters were intense. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I obviously have some reading to do before then with the previous series! 

ARC Review of Stripped 2 by H.M. Ward

Goodreads Summary:
There are some relationships that destroy your faith in people. They make you jaded and hard, irrevocably changing you forever. I wish I could say that I hate her, I wish I could walk away and never look back, but I can't... I have to save her. 


The woman who stole my heart and crushed it in her hand disappeared from my life 3 years ago. So when I see her at a bachelor party, half naked, rolling around on the floor with another stripper, I'm shocked. I have to know what cracked Cassie Hale's picture perfect world that landed her in this hellhole, and I hope that I'm not so bitter that I can't help her escape. 






My Review:
YEEEESS!! Jon and Cassie! I love these two. They are one of my favorite Ferro couples. I have missed these two. The little glimpses we get of them in the other Ferro books are such a tease! This is such a great story. Jon and Cassie try so hard to not show their true feelings to each other. I mean it has to be obvious to everyone around them. They both have rocky pasts, including their past together. I honestly wanted to just yell at them to get over it already and love each other!! We finally get more of Cassies story and let me tell you, it is heartbreaking. These two are both the perfect kind of damaged for each other. Will they be able to get over their pasts and let true love win?

I love these two. Seriously. They are so down to earth and dealing with real world issues. They are so obviously perfect for each other. I understand why they are keeping their distance but, they deserve to be happy and I have no idea why they can't see that! So frustrating! These Ferro's will be the death of me, I swear! Jon is not just the playboy everyone thinks. He is actually a pretty decent guy. They also have some pretty sweet moments too. 

I am seriously in love with the Ferro family. Jon is still my favorite one by far. I am so glad we got another book of these two. Honestly I would like another one. I loved seeing them in the other books. We also get to see some of my other favorite characters. This is a must read guys!!

ARC Review of Golden by Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston

Goodreads Summary:
In this epic conclusion to the trilogy, Nat and Wes go on a journey to find the Rift, save the source of magic and defeat the Drau, the pirates, and the RSA—but at a great sacrifice. Wes is dying, and as he's rotting the Drau will let the rot "cleanse" the source of magic, dooming Wes forever. Nat and Wes discover that the source of the magic lies in the Drakon—the key to the Blue, the protector, the soul of the world. But in order to close the Rift, a great sacrifice is needed. Nat must decide to sacrifice her beloved drakon in order to save the world, and to save Wes. In the words of the sylphs, death is life, and now the worlds can be reborn again. 





My Review:
Oh goodness, where to start. This book went in so many directions. I really enjoyed the finale of this series. Nat and Wes have had one heck of a journey so far. It only gets more intense in this book. They have a short amount of time to do it or the world as they know it will end. Wes is not doing well and Nat does not have her Drakon. Between them and their group of allies they must venture into a secret land in hopes to retrieve another drakon. They must rely on each other to make it through this. Sadly not everyone will survive. The war is coming at them head on. Will Nat be able to make the ultimate sacrifice to save her world?

I loved the secondary characters. Wes's group is still together and fighting for them. They are willing to die for each other. They understand the importance of their mission.

Nat and Wes's relationship really takes on a whole new life in this one. They finally realize how much they mean to each other. They truly love each other and rely on each other a lot. They can't make it without each other. They obviously don't have to much time for romance given the fact that a war is waging around them. They do have some sweet moments though. My heart did break for them a couple times given the situation. Nat had to grow a lot to try to accomplish what she needed too. Her willingness to sacrifice was beautiful. 

This book had so many twists and turns. I was on my edge the entire time. Right up until the end. It was a very interesting ending. One that I did not see coming at all. Now is the time to pick this series up if you haven't yet!