Queen of Shadows PRE-PUBLISHING THOUGHTS

So here are some things I'd like to happen in the next book (beware -- SPOILERS from HoF, obviously):
1. Celaena settling things with Chaol.
2. Getting Aedion out of the shithole where he's been locked up and I want a nice, heartwarming reunion between the cousins.
3. Our girl finally killing Arobynn. Muhahaha.

4. My poor baby Dorian. I WANT HIM SAFE AND FAR FROM THAT MONSTER. *sniff* Please, to all writing gods that exist out there, don't let that freaking vile thing turn our precious prince into a Valg. I would die alongside Aelin.

5. Seeing what Ansel's been up to in the witches' kingdom.
6. MORE ROWAN. THERE CAN NEVER BE ENOUGH ROWAN.

7. Seeing the King suffer a long, painful death. I know it's not possible (plotwise) so early on, but still.
8. Manon showing the other heirs and her grandma who's the boss.

Also, please tell me I wasn't the only one shouting "NOOO, YOU TWO GOTTA STICK TOGETHER!" at the end of book 3. Rowan and Celaena are just the epitome of badassery and I love them.

So, sweet and evil Sarah J. Mass, I have faith in you.

Oh, shit.

Review Collide (Collide #1) by Gail McHugh

Description: A missed first encounter…

Colliding with a second chance…

On the heels of graduating college and trying to cope with her mother’s death, Emily Cooper moves to New York City for a fresh start.

While harboring secrets of his own, Dillon Parker takes care of Emily through her grief. Knowing he can’t live without her by his side, he’s sweet, thoughtful, and everything Emily has ever wanted in a man.

Until she meets Gavin Blake—a rich and notorious playboy who is dangerously sexy and charming as hell. Emily tries to deny the instant connection she feels, but Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome is not inclined to let go so easily. Recovering from his own painful past, Gavin will stop at nothing to win Emily over.

This unexpected encounter compels Emily to question her decisions, forcing her to make a choice that will destroy friendships, shatter hearts, and forever change her life.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Genres: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Recommended for: fans of Thoughtless series

Future book in the series: Pulse

My opinions:

Let me start by saying that I first rated Collide with 5 stars. The synopsis hooked me from the beginning and the cover is pure awesomesauce, so you can say I’ve been waiting impatiently for its release. When it came out, I devoured it in less than 24 hours and enjoyed it immensely. But as time passed some issues I overlooked started bugging me and, unfortunately, I reduced my rating with a star. Or more. I don’t know, I’m still considering this. *shrugs*

Collide is a mash-up of Thoughtless series and, if you want, Crossfire series. We have a love triangle. We have the confused girl torn between two different guys. We have the young, possesive, succesful billionaire who is also a playboy. The gay roommate – couldn’t help myself ;) And, finally, we have the New York City scenery looming in the background – another Crossfire common element.

Originality is definitely not a key point to this novel, but the story flows naturally – despite some dumb/oh-my-gawd/holy-shit-kind-of mistakes from the characters. Which brings me to my next discovery.

HOW THE HELL CAN SOMEONE STAND TO BE WITH A GUY THAT MAKES HER FEEL BAD CONSTANTLY, CHEATS HER AND POSSESSES HER LIKE SOME SORT OF OBJECT?!?!?! HOW???? *pulls hair* Phew, okay, enough with the shouty capitals. But seriously, let me develop.

Emily, who loves Dillon and has been with him for almost a year, is so blind to see how her boyfriend really is. Meaning a manipulative, jerk, lying money-lover and a cheating bastard. Pretty much a top-notch asshole/douchebag. Emily frustrated me so damn much with her superficial way of thinking and Dillon got me in Rambo mode every time he tried to turn a situation in his favor, implicitly making Emily feel guilty over some non-sense. Bullshit.

But please let me present you the reason I LOOOOVED at least 50% of this book. He’s known as Mr. Tall, Dark and Fuckable, but society aknowledges him as Gavin Blake. I loved his personality,  his dedication, his loyalty and he’s just awesome book boyfriend potential. He’s driven, ambitious, caring and protective. He wants a family and children, dammit! Yep, holy perfect alpha-male, huh? But he’s also Dillon’s friend and when he sets his sight on Emily, sparks fly and one helluva chemistry is born! Attraction, steamy scenes, confessions… expect them all, my ladies.

“Every part of you was made for me. Your lips were made to kiss mine, your eyes were made to wake up to me looking at you in my bed every morning, and your fucking tongue was made to roll my name off of it. I am more certain of us than I'm certain that I require oxygen to breathe.”

Now don’t get all touchy-feely on me if you’re against the whole insta-love crap, because this one’s done extremely good. Just read and see ;)

“Doll, you're going to get me out of your system as much as I'm going to get you out of mine. It's impossible.”

The secondary characters were amazingly built. Olivia, Emily’s gay best friend and roommate, was my favorite female character. She’s hilarious, wild and carefree, but also protective of the ones she holds close to her heart. I truly adored her.

“Sometimes bad choices bring us to the right people, Emily.”

But there was one tiny little character that isn’t worth mentioning because she ruined a lovely outcome and hurt Mr. Tall, Dark and Fuckable in his past. I’ll just name her Bitch. Well, Bitch, I’ve got some things to say to your selfish ass:  

Or do. Whatever.

Predictability was another issue I overlooked for the sake of enjoying a long-awaited read. Some scenes developed exactly as I expected and that made me cringe several times. Not so many twists and turns, but on the other hand the pace was perfect.

Another thing that confused me was the mixed POV without some announcement. I mean, I was with Gavin one second and then with Emily across the room. But I got used to it so it wasn’t a really big problem – just annoying.

The book ends ends in a cliffhanger, so if you don’t like them I strongly suggest to wait a few more months until the sequel, Pulse, comes out. But honestly, I felt that the story could’ve been easily wrapped up and finished in this book without dragging it. Hopefully, Pulse won’t feel as a filling-book J

“I want the late-night drives, the sunset watching, the screaming, the yelling, and the crying. I know I'll definitely want the make-up sex that comes after all of the screaming and crying. I want the good, the bad, and the in-between. All of it is what's going to make us amazing together.”

Overall, Collide is a good read who will engage you in the story and quite possibly make you love fall in love with some of its characters. The author, Gail McHugh, has amazing potential and for her debut, Collide managed to make me her fan. I recommend this novel to anyone who likes good New Adult books.

ENJOY! ©

Review Thoughtless (Thoughtless #1) by S.C. Stephens

Description: For almost two years now, Kiera's boyfriend, Denny, has been everything she's ever wanted: loving, tender and endlessly devoted to her. When they head off to a new city to start their lives together, Denny at his dream job and Kiera at a top-notch university, everything seems perfect. Then an unforeseen obligation forces the happy couple apart.

Feeling lonely, confused, and in need of comfort, Kiera turns to an unexpected source—a local rock star named Kellan Kyle. At first, he's purely a friend that she can lean on, but as her loneliness grows, so does their relationship. And then one night everything changes...and none of them will ever be the same.

Rating: 5 BRILLIANT KELLAN KYLE STARS
Must read! Must have!

Genres: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Recommended for: fans of New Adult romance and intense stories

My opinions:

Oh. My. God. This book:

May I admit that I love love love this book but I kinda hate it too? I’m freaking overwhelmed and exhausted after that emotional rollercoaster! But you wanna know the reason? The love triangle. No, scratch that. The only reason is Kiera -_-

“What if I don’t choose you, Kellan? What will you do?”
He looked away, a tear rolling down his cheek. “I’ll leave, Kiera. I’ll leave, and you and Denny can have your happily ever after.” He looked back at me. “You wouldn’t even need to tell him about me. Eventually, the two of you…” his voice broke and another tear fell on his cheek, “the two of you would get married, and have children, and have a great life.”
I fought back a sob. “And you? What happens to you in that scenario?”
“I…get by. And I miss you, every day,” he whispered.”

But let me start from the beginning. The book is told from Kiera’s POV, a young woman who follows her boyfriend Denny in Seattle after he graduated and who enrolls at the local University just to be with him. I loooved Denny and his sweet, loyal personality. He’s good looking, intelligent, devoted and charming. Oh, and Australian – always good for a sexy little accent ;) They’re moving in Kellan Kyle’s house, Denny’s best friend from high school, who’s also a sing leader in a famous local band named D-Bags. <---  Does that sentence look a little bit too goody-goody to describe Kellan Kyle? Well then let me try again. Ahem.

HOLY FREAKING HOT (and sexy), SWOON-WORTHY, PANTY-DROPPING-GORGEOUS, INCREDIBLY TALENTED AND FUNNY Kellan Kyle. Yep, that was me having a total fan-girling moment. *sigh*

Kiera is attracted to him from moment No. 1, but she just blaims it on his ridiculuosly good looks. She also gets a new job as a waitress at Pete’s, the bar where Kellan’s band plays. But Denny gets an amazing new job also that forces him to leave in Tucson for two months, leaving Kiera behind with Kellan for a hell a lot of time. And this, my darlings, is where the fun (and pull-hairing) begins... *grins*

“He said I was his heart, and you don’t leave your heart behind. You can’t live without your heart.”

Kiera’s lonely and depressed after Denny leaves and Kellan is right there to comfort her. They start a wonderful easy going friendship that had me swooning over the guy. But when the sparks between them start to flame, I just knew there was going to be an incendiary collision that will leave burning consequences behind.

“We were never innocent, Kiera. How naive are you?”

After a fight with Denny, Kiera makes two decisions that decide her path instantly that – ha, did you honestly think I’ll tell you how the whole story unwraps? Really? No, not this time ladies, because I want you to pick up the book and go through the same emotional-yet-beautiful torture I’ve been through. Muhaha... *grins*

At least the ending was great and left me totally hooked. Heart-warming yet heartbreaking, intense yet light, sexy yet pure and lovely. Loved it!

“I don't know how to let you back in." My heart beat spiked and I closed my eyes when he whispered," I don't know how to keep you out either.”

My favorite character was definitely the godlike swoon/drool/crush/rape worthy Kellan Kyle. He made me laugh out loud and smile all the time. But don’t let that perfectly face of his fool you – he’s broken, lost and hopeless. My eyes watered when he told his story, the little glimpes of pain he expressed shocking me on a whole new level. I just wanted to hug, kiss and protect him like I’d be his momma bear. Regardless, you’ll fall head over your heels in love with him.

“He spoke rapidly in-between his tender kisses. "I love you. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. The women...I was so scared to touch you. You didn't want me...I couldn't take the pain. I tried to get over you. Every time with them, I was with you. I'm so sorry...I love you.”

And Denny, oh dear God, Denny! Sweet, loyal, charming Denny. My heart broke for him time after time, hoping he’ll get out of this mess. But when the lies and insecurities about Kiera started to show, the feelings he must’ve felt left me in a depressed mode. At the end of the book, there was such an intense and emotional slap in the face for him that he just exploded. I wanted to take him under my wing and protect him from all the lies and complots. He didn’t deserve any of that.

“I want to be someone's everything. I want fire and passion, and love that's returned, equally. I want to be someone's heart.”

The secondary characters were, in one word, amazing. I loved the guys (okay, besides Griffin), Jenny, Anna, Kate and everyone else around. They lighted up the mood and pushed me through the confusing feelings I felt over the whole love triangle situation and for that I’ll be always grateful.

“Dude, he's Australian...not a pirate.”

And this is where I stop with my totally-fan-girlin’-rambling and just complain about one thing. One single tiny character I haven’t approached. Kiera.

“There were so many secrets between us now, it was hard remembering a time when things had been simple & easy, when it had felt like pure puppy love. I suppose all love eventually comes back down to earth.”

Who the hell does what she did???? Ruining a wonderful relationship with Denny?? Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all Team Kellan, but alternating between two amazing guys, leading them on and on and being unable to just freaking choose made me want to strangle her 99,99 % of the book. She was annoying, selfish, immature and she didn’t deserve Kellan nor Denny. I really wanted to shake her, slap her, pull her hair – really, anything would’ve worked. She hurt both guys  on countless times and my heart ached constantly for them. But somehow I managed to get through her issues and finish the book (hooray!), because regardless of her personality, this book is a must-read.

S.C. Stephens created complex characters, confusing desires and overwhelming stories in this book. Thoughtless was quite the page turner with all the sexy, steamy scences, heartbreaking revelations and the funny lines that cheered me up completely. An addictive story that will leave you breathless, gasping for more, although the ending doesn’t have a cliffhanger. So I recommend it to everyone who loves a good love triangle and has the patience to finish the book. I guarantee that in the end you’ll love it. <3

“It was heartfelt, it was heartbreaking. It was extreme joy, it was bone-crushing grief. It was fiery hot, it was icy-cold. It was true love sprouting... it was true love dying.

It's like we were both trying to hold onto something that was slipping through our fingers, and we didn't understand why.”

ENJOY!