WoW: To All the Boys I've Loved Before

 

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Expected publication: April 15th 2014 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control in this heartfelt novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Summer I Turned Pretty series.

What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them…all at once?

Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

I've not read a lot of YA lately, but this sounds really good. Jenny Han has a great reputation, and a lot of her books are on my TBR list.

 

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

 

**This meme is hosted by Breaking the Spine. **

 

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Book Review: Making Faces by Amy Harmon

 

Making Faces by Amy Harmon

5++ Stars

Victory is in the battle...

I've been a book hangover for a few days now. I'm floored by the authenticity, heart, and strength of this book. Amy Harmon has poured her heart and soul into every page. Not only do you feel for the characters, route for the true hero, and fall in love with a broken but still gorgeous MC, you discover that true beauty, strength, and love comes from the inside.

 

 

"I think people are like that. When you really look at them, you stop seeing a perfect nose or straight teeth. You stop seeing the acne scar or the dimple in the chin. Those things start to blur, and suddenly you see them, the colors, the life inside the shell, and beauty takes on a whole new meaning."

Fern was plain in high school. She wasn't drop dead gorgeous like her friend Rita. Instead, she deals with curly hair, braces, and glasses. Smart and the hopeless romantic, Fern can't help but fall in love with gorgeous Ambrose. Ambrose is the town hero with athletic ability, stunning singing voice, and of course a body and face to match.

“Do you think there's any way someone like Ambrose could fall in love with someone like me?” Fern caught Bailey's gaze in the mirror again, knowing he would understand. “Only if he's lucky.”

 

 

Then there is Bailey, Fern's cousin and best friend. Bailey suffers from MD. And even though it restrains his ways of life, he keeps a positive attitude and brings much joy to those around him. He's brilliantly smart, hilarious, and not afraid to speak his mind.

 

After they graduate from High School, Ambrose and four of his friends venture off to war. Only, one comes back. Only Ambrose. With many emotional and physical scars.

 

 

I wrote your name across my heart, so we could be together , so I could hold you close to me, and keep you there forever.

The characters are amazing, yet beautiful flawed.

Fern is one of my favorite contemporary heroines. She is strong & beautiful (inside and out), yet she is suffering from 'ugly girl syndrome.'

 

And seeing Ambrose slowly open back up to his friends, come out of his war shell:

 

 

“I've seen those books you read. The ones with the girls on the front with their boobs falling out and the guys with the torn shirts. You read smutty romance novels and quote scripture. I'm not quite sure I have you figured out.” “Scripture comforts me, and romance novels give me hope.” “Oh, yeah? Hope for what?” “Hope that I'll be doing more than quoting scripture with Ambrose Young in the very near future.” Fern blushed furiously and looked at her hands.

 

 

Harmon create the perfect blend of emotional and inspirational. The heavy moments are peppered with light ones. From swooning and chuckling along with the characters to feeling your heartbreak and tears in your eyes, this story will take you on an amazing journey.

 

I already want to curl up in a cozy corner, dive back into the world of this small town, and experience the heartache, joy, swoon, love and heroism all over again. If I had to recommend one book for you to read this Holiday season -- heck, this year -- I would recommend Making Faces.

 

I'm giving away an e-copy of this book as a part of my birthday celebration. Click the banner on the left side of this page, if you're interested in entering.

 

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Stacking the Shelves [13]

Meme is hosted by Tynga's Review.

 

So excited for my haul this week:

Welcome to Sugartown by Carmen Jenner

A is for Alpha Male by Laurel Ulen Curtis

Thief by Tarryn Fisher

Dark Lover by J.R. Ward

A Different Blue by Amy Harmon

Greed by Fisher Amelie

 

Also, I'm hosting my first giveaway here at Book Beatsin honor of my 23rd birthday. You can win an e-copy of Making Face by Amy Harmon or Vain by Fisher Amelie.

Click here to jump to the rafflecopter.

Link up your StS below and be sure to enter the giveaway if either of those books appeal to you.

Have a good Saturday.

 

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Follow Friday [8] & A Birthday Giveaway

This meme is hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read

A: The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall -- I enjoyed the book, but the movie just blew me away. With a powerful and emotional storyline, this is easily one of my favorite movies.

If you'd like to follow me here at Book Beats, you can do so through Bloglovin, GFC, or Linky. Be sure to leave your link below, so I can return the favor & see some really great movie recommendations.

Also I love connecting with book lovers on twitter and goodreads. If you do too, feel free to add me:

Twitter: @BookBeats15

Goodreads: Friend Me

Also, today -- the wonderful day of the 15th -- is my 23rd Birthday. To Celebrate, I'm deciding to have my first ever giveaway here at Book Beats. Nothing too crazy, but I've read some really amazing books lately, and think that others should have the chance of reading them too.

-This giveaway is only open to those who can receive e-books via amazon.

-I'll e-mail you within 48 hours if you win.

You can win your choice of Vain by Fisher Amelie or Making Faces by Amy Harmon.

They both were 5++ heart exploding stars for me.

Vain by Fisher Amelie

OR

Making Face by Amy Harmon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have a great weekend :)

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Stacking the Shelves [12]

Hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

 

I know I'm a little bit behind with this weeks StS. November has been really good to me with book finds/purchases. So I had to share some of the books that I've recently added to my shelf these past few weeks.

 

ARCs:

Sempre (Forever #1) by J.M. Darhower

Unique plot. Amazing Writing.

See my review here.

 

Bought:

 

Days of Blood & Starlight by Lani Taylor

Daughter of Smoke of Bone (review here) was one of my favorite book read this year. Cannot wait to dive into the beautiful, enchanting prose of the second.

 

Easy by Tammara Webber

So many fabulous reviews about Easy.

 

Point of Retreat (Slammed #2) by Colleen Hoover

I couldn't resist buying this even though I've not read the first one. Have to get my hands on a copy of Slammed soon.

Reflected in You (Crossfire #2) by Sylvia Day

I do believe, ladies, it's about time I meet Gideon Cross. Am I right?

Don't worry, I'll read Book I first.

Tiger's Curse by Collen Houck

This has been on my TBR list for a while now. So when I saw it on sale -- had to snatch it up.

 

 

Ebook (Loan & Bought):

 

Flat-Out Matt by Jessica Park

I read Flat-Out Love last November. So it only makes sense that I read Matt's story this November.

Ceaseless (Existence #3) by Abbi Glines

Time to finish this series.

Review of Predestined - here

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Mixed reviews on this one. But thought I'd check it out myself.

 

Well there you have, my haul. Leave your link below and I'll be sure to hop by your StS. Hope you have a great weekend and week.

 

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Book Review: Sempre by J.M. Darhower

 

Sempre (Forever Series #1) by J.M. Darhower

| Amazon | Goodreads |

4.5 Forever Stars

First Love. Family Secrets. The Power of Hate verses Forgiveness.

Sound like your kinda story, yet?

Now add...

Italian Mafia. Slave Trade. Danger. Sacrifice.

Sempre has everything needed to be gritty, intense read.

Haven and Carmine are two teenagers from opposite ends of the dangerous mafia world.

Carmine, born into a wealthy Mafia family, lived a life of privilege and excess.

While...

Haven, a second-generation slave, was isolated in the middle of the desert, her days full of hard work and terrifying abuse.

Carmine's father, Vincent, buys Haven. And it's like lighting strikes for the two teens.

"Colpo di fulmine. The thunderbolt, as Italians call it. When love strikes someone like lightning, so powerful and intense it can’t be denied. It’s beautiful and messy,cracking a chest open and spilling their soul out for the world to see. It turns a person inside out, and there’s no going back from it. Once the thunderbolt hits, your life is irrevocably changed.”

Carmine hates the world. Always acting out, fighting, and drinking, it's all his rich father can do to keep him out of serious trouble. But when Haven enters his home and life (and Colpo di fulmine strikes), he begins to change.

Haven has only known the life of masters and torture. Carmine begins helping her adapt, heal, learn, and grow. As there worlds collide trouble begins to brew, and while both teens yearn for freedom:

nothing comes without a price—especially not freedom.

And each of them would risk everything to help the one person they feel connected too.




J. M. Darhower has pieced together a powerful, emotional story. Sempre is more than a so called "forbidden love," but gives a true definition to the meaning of sacrifice and loyalties.

Written in third person, Darhower lets the reader to become attached to more than Carmine and Haven's characters. And to get a full-scope of the mafia lifestyle from different prospectives. And allows for moments of redemption from different characters, because you begin to understand their motives and reasons.

The plot builds with a steady pace that introduces you to the characters, their lifestyle and issues. But then when you think you understand everything, the plot takes unpredictable turns. Be prepared for gritty, emotional, thrilling, nail bitting, swoon worthy moments. The last half of this book will keep you on the edge of your seats.

The characters, the plot, the emotion. Pick this book up and experience Carmine & Haven's world -- this story of family, hope, and redemption will stay with you long after you've finished.

(Publication Date: November 25, 2013 )

Copy provided by Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books via NetGalley for a honest review.

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Top Ten Tuesday: Sequels I Want

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

 

TTT: sequels we can't wait to get our hands on.

Most of these are already out, but I haven't had a chance to pick them up yet. I'm really backed up with my reading because of school and some other family stuff. Here are ten sequels that I want to pick up ASAP.

Not pictured: Untitled (Maddox Brothers, #1) by Jamie McGuire -- Cause I cannot have a list like this without including at least one Maddox brother.

Well, there is my list. It would amazing if I could get most of these (or the ones that have been released) read by Christmas time. We shall see...


Leave a link to your list and I'll be sure to hop by.




Happy Tuesday!

















 

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Book Review: True by Erin McCarthy

 

True (True Believers #1) by Erin McCarthy

Goodreads | Amazon

 

 

Rory wants to be the best. Especially when it comes to her schoolwork and her premed major. She likes things logical and is bit of a nerd. She hasn't had time for boys or even much of a social life.


That is till she meets Tyler.

"There are a lot of organs packed into our chest and abdominal cavities."

"That's the sexiest thing you've ever said," he teased.

"Really? Then I guess I need to step it up."

"I'd like to hear that. Talk dirty to me, Rory."

I open my mouth wanting to accept the challenge. But nothing came out. My mind went totally blank. We both laughed.

"That's about what I thought," he said. "I guess I'll have to be dirty enough for both of us."

Did I mention Rory's a virgin? And Tyler's your typical bad boy. A bad boy that her "friends" pay to sleep with her. What kinda of friends pay a guy to sleep with you?

Only, he's not your typical bad boy. Not really.

...he withdrew and held out a very battered card. "Da-dum. My library card. Sexy, huh?"

Tyler's smart and enjoys literature. He takes care deeply for his family. And is constantly stepping up when his mom is too drugged up to care. He has to focus on a college degree that will bring him money --- even if he rather major in English.

But of course, he still slings a couple of punches, downs a few beers, knows how to break the ladies hearts, and bit prideful. But most importantly he's sweet, loving, and actually a great guy. He charmed the socks off of me multiple times.

Seriously, where can I meet my version of Tyler?

He cares for his family and seeing him with his little brothers really won me over. They will win you over too. They are super sweet and caring even though they come from a roughier home.

Rory's friends annoyed me at times. But I pushed beyond them and their 'good attentions,' and accepted them. Can't wait to read Jessica's story in Sweet, which is given a brief nod to in this book.

The story is more than your classic bad boy meets sheltered girl. It has many layers and explores the loyalties of family. It addresses serious issues like drugs and the effects it can have on a family, a person, and a relationship. At times even squeezing my heart and bringing tears to my eyes.

I wanted to explain to him that some stories were loud, and some were quiet. His was filled with verbal arguments, slammed doors, heavy metal, and bad mufflers. Mine was one of ... empty house where the most noticeable voice, the one of laughter and encouragement and cheerfulness, had been silenced.

Loved, loved, loved True from beginning to end. The writing and plot just worked for me and I easily flew through this book. And, It easily slipped into one of my favorite spots.

 

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