Review: The Animal Under the Fur

The Animal Under the Fur by E.J. Mellow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've killed more people more years than I've been alive. And I'm twenty-six.

Clearly, with an opening like that, I was hooked immediately!

I've been wanting to read this since I heard what it was about and saw the GORGEOUS cover, so of course when I got it delivered to my kindle at midnight, I DEVOURED it! And loved every single second of this crazy ride!

"Just so we're clear," she says, her voice barbed wire, "I don't like you. I don't like your methods, and if you get in the way of me completing this mission, I will not hesitate to remove the one thing from your body that I know gives you your sole reason for existing."
I cock a brow. "I'm flattered you're even thinking about my thing, sweetheart."
My head being slammed to the conference table and my arm twisted to a near breaking point catches me off guard.
"And whatever you do," 3 hisses in my ear, her impressively strong grip tightening and making me grunt against the pain. "Do not call me sweetheart, honey, or babe ever again." With a final push, she lets go and stalks from the room.

THOSE TWO! THE BANTER AND HIGH SEXUAL TENSION all throughout the book was killing me! Ahhhh!!

Its in this moment, with her milliseconds away from trying to kill me, that I realize why I found her so intriguing before. Leave it to me to be attracted to the craziest chick in the room.

So this follows Nashville/3 and Carter who are both highly trained assassins, thruster together to complete an extremely important mission. Set in the beautiful Mexico, this story unravels an explosively fast paced, action packed plot, and a scorching, heart bursting romance. I couldn't stop reading!

We stalk each other, two animals in the small apartment.
"You know," he says, "there's other ways to work through issues than with violence."
I clock my head to the side. "But so much less fun."
"And here I thought you were allergic to fun."
"Not this kind," I say before going for his throat, but he knocks away my arm. We trade blow after blow, circling and circling.

It's told in dual POVs, giving readers a chance to explore these complex minds. Both of these characters have a heart breaking past, and I really enjoyed seeing them VERY slowly start to trust one another and open up. These two go head to head more often than not. They absolutely HATE each other, almost from the first moment they meet. Once they meet and the plot starts to unfold, it's extremely addictive and hard to put this one down. I loved their banter and their relationship!! Especially towards the end!! So much amazing, brilliantly done character development!!

"I thought, if life liked to play such violent games, why shouldn't we build a shield from it?"

I can't begin to express how perfectly LAYERED these two are and the sparks that fly when these two meet, my heart was pounding! I was up at bizarre hours of the night reading, because I was so invested in their relationship and needed to know what happened! And Carter? I'm still swooning over him!! A new book boyfriend for sure. While he is a bit of a jerk, particularly in the beginning, I fell for him, hard!

Besides the characters, I loved the plot as well! It's engaging, fast paced, and reminded me so much of James Bond/Nikita type of story. So cool!! And super badass!!! Just what I needed to read! The writing was fantastic, and I can't recommend this one enough!! Absolutely loved every second!! Don't miss out on Carter and Nashvilles story!

All we ever have is the present. The past and future are nothing but intangible stretches in time. One we can't change. The other we can't touch.

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Review: Dark Matter

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

***NEW FAVORITE****

DROP EVERYTHING AND READ THIS BOOK IMMEDIATELY!!!

Can I give this more than 5 stars? It feels too petty for a book like this to receive a mere 5 stars. It deserves all the stars in the galaxy and more.

Wow!!! I am so blown away!! I haven't felt this way about a book is a long time and it feels so good! I'm in love with everything about this. I couldn't sleep without thinking of it, I couldn't stop reading and when I was forced to put it down, my mind didn't stray too far from this story as it's ALL I WAS THINKING ABOUT! It's heart pounding, action packed, and extremely thought provoking

No one tells you it's all about to change, to be taken away. There's no proximity alert, no indication that you're standing on the precipice. And maybe that's what makes tragedy to tragic. Not just what happens, but how it happens: a sucker punch that comes at you out of nowhere, when you're least expecting it. No time to flinch of brace.

I'm not too sure what I can telling you without giving away anything big but I will tell you this: it's about a man who ponders what his life would have been on the road not taken. One night, he's wrenched away from his wife and son and thrown into a different world that's not his. And he'll do anything to get to back to the people he loves. That's all I'm telling you. Go into this without knowing anything and you won't be disappointed!!

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.

I loved the writing. The writing was very fast paced and direct. It's so action packed that I found myself glued to my book, I couldn't get through the pages fast enough..but at the same time I wanted to soak it all in and absorb everything that I was reading. My mind was racing right alongside our protagonist, Jason and his desperate search to get back to his life. There were times when I was terrified, my heart hurt for him, and then swooned over the love he felt for his wife. This is a love story that transcends universes. However, as much as I LOVED the romance in it, it's also a lot about self discovery.

"As long as I'm with you, I know exactly who I am."

How many times if our own life have we wondered about a decision? Struggled on choosing differently? What would have happened if we picked a different choice and how would that affect who we are today and the life we lead? This book seriously messed me up in the best way!! And it's backed up with such great evidence that I found myself googling at 5AM, with burning eyes from lack of sleep: is Dark Matter real?( For your future information, it is in fact real, HOLY CRAP I KNOW)

Honestly, just read this .

It's worth all the enormous hype it's received and more. I am so ridiculously pumped for the movie. This played out in my mind as a movie, and I'm so happy that it's actually happening! This is book that will stay with you for years to come. Absolute and utter BRILLIANCE

We're more than the sum total of our choices, that all the paths we might have taken, factor somehow into the math of our identity.

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Review: Whatever Life Throws at You

Whatever Life Throws at You by Julie Cross
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

*4.5*

AWWWW THAT WAS SO SWEET!!!!

"You are intimidatingly handsome. I'm just now getting used to looking at you."
"And you are intimidatingly pretty."

Really loved this one! It follows 17 year old Annie who's father become a baseball coach set to train super hot 19 year old Jason Brody! It's a story about baseball, romance, family, and self growth. And it's got an extremely sexy pitcher who has officially been added to the book boyfriend list like Jason Brody, can you be more perfect?! *drools*

I don't know when this happened, but I know for sure tonight I've developed a big fat crush on Jason Brody, and unfortunately there's a club forming and membership is growing with every inning he pitches.


So obviously I loved the romance between Brody and Annie. The way they meet is hysterical and I was dying of laughter and butterflies so many time during this book! But initially, they don't really hit it off. On the surface, he seems as if he gets around all time, he's apparently an "ex convict" and somebody she should stay clear off. But in reality, he's not a bad guy AT ALL! And I loved how they became friends first and got to know one another before jumping right into it. It was an extremely well developed relationship. Clearly, they have a spark and mutual attraction immediately but Julie Cross took the time for the characters to build a friendship and then have it turn romantic and it is literally the CUTEST THING EVER! THE BANTER, the text messages!! Ahhhh!!! And it has that summer romance feel too it, that just makes you SWOON!

But they hide their relationship because she's the coaches daughter, and he's on his way to becoming Rookie of the year. It's a very sweet romance and it has that forbidden tone to it.

"I think you're a good person," I say quietly, before slipping the bed to retrieve my clothes. He exhales, and his eyes meet mine.

"All I know is that I want to be the person you and your dad think I am.Maybe even more than I want to be a great pitcher."

I also LOVED the BASEBALL aspect!! Baseball is one of my favorite sports so it was really cool to read about her describing the game, watching Brody play and work his way up. It was very intense and some of the highlights of the story for me (next to the romance of course)

Pressure is just that-pressure. It's all in your head. It has nothing to do with what you can or can't do.

Another part that I loved was how important family was. Annie's relationship with her father is truly something special and was really great to read about. I loved all that she learned from him and how they were there for one another. And her friendship with Lenny was really nice to see too!

The only thing that frustrated me as I was reading it was this constant "age" mention and how kept being brought up! He's only about 2 years older! It's really not a big deal but I guess her being in high school,I can see how it's a big deal to her. But as a 24 year old, i was like "it's not that bad, why do you keep talking about it?!" Annie continues to strive not to look like a child to Brody, but like seriously he's not THAT much older that you! I can see from her perspective but it was still a little annoying to read. I did appreciate her character growth though and that ending was ADORABLE!!!

Overall this is a great summer romance book to get lost in and you've got to meet Jason Brody!

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Review: Archer's Voice

Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

How do you teach a man who has lost everything, not to fear it happening again?

STOP EVERYTHING AND READ THIS BOOK!!

I am in love with Archer and Bree's relationship

"What are you doing here?" I asked.
You don't like thunderstorms, he answered.
I titled my head, confused. You walked a mile in the rain because I don't like thunderstorms?
He heisted a second, looking away, frowning slightly. Then he looked back at me and said simple, yes . He paused, his expression pained. I know I'm probably the last person you want to see right now, but I just thought if I sat on your porch, you wouldn't be scared. You wouldn't be alone.

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!! I've been struggling with forming words to convey how SPECIAL and BEAUTIFUL this story is..it's about two broken people coming together through love and learning how to hold one another up and balance fear with love.

Sometimes an understanding silence was better than a bunch of meaningless words.

We follow 23 year old Bree, who is going through a heartbreaking past and decides to start fresh a small town. She runs into Archer who has an EXTREMELY tragic past himself..and that's where the story really begins. It's about their developing relationship. And all the trails that come with falling in love. They slowly open up to trust one another and Ahhhhhh I don't want to say too much without spoiling it!!!! But it's simply BEAUTIFUL, and one of my favorite love stories of all time.

I didn't know enough to dream you, Bree, but somehow you came true anyway. How did that happen? He rubbed his nose along mine, pausing and then pulling back. Who read my mind and knew exactly what I wanted, even when I didn't?
I breathed out, smiling around the lump in my throat. I smiled against his lips and said, "I feel the same way. You're my dream too, Archer. Just as you are."

I felt so many different emotions as I read this... I was happy, sad, frustrated then very very happy again. It's captivating, different, and shows the power of love and how it can change lives.

As I stood there holding onto him, it occurred to me that not all great acts of courage are obvious to those looking from the outside.

The writing. The characters. The plot. EVERYTHING was flawless and addicting. It was raw and BEAUTIFUL. That's really the thing that continuously comes through my head: BEAUTIFUL. HEARTBREAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL IN THE BEST WAY.

Since I had met him, it had occurred to me that it would probably be amazing what we could all see and hear if we would just shut our mouths and stop trying to constantly hear our own voice as

I fell head over heels in love with Archer. Literally boyfriend goals. He goes through SO MUCH development that by the end of this book I was crying tears or HAPPINESS. I love him SO MUCH!! And I couldn't get enough of his relationship with Bree!!!! Ahhhhhhhh *clutches heart*

Someday when we're old and gray, I'm going to look at you lying in bed beside me, just like this, and I'm going to look into your eyes and know that it's only ever been you. And that is going to be the great joy of my life."

I feel like this review is such a mess. I have the physical copy and it's downloaded up on my kindle with SO MANY quotes highlighted and favorite parts. I'm already craving a reread. I am so in love with this book and every one needs to read it. Absolute and utter BRILLIANCE. I can't wait to read more from Mia Sheridan!!!

And her love slips quietly around me, holding me, anchoring me, reminding me that the loudest words are the ones we live.

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Review: Pucked

Pucked by Helena Hunting
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

*4.5*

"I'm so pucked. There'd better be a support group for hockey hookers. I'm going to need it after tonight."

I WANT AN ALEX WATERS!!!

*fans self*

This story follows Violet, who's sworn off hockey players after getting her heart broken, and Alex who's the incredibly sexy captain of her stepbrothers hockey team. Violet goes to one of the home games with her parents to support her stepbrother and then meets Alex at the bar. Their attraction is instant, which then leads to what was supposed to be a one night stand. But Alex isn't like that and tries to pursue a relationship with her. They slowly fall in love but there's the problem of the scrutiny of the media and they've perceived Alex to be somewhat of a player.

"I thought we were meeting at the coffee shop?"
"I thought we could walk over together."
"And you didn't want me to stand you up?"
His smile is lopsided, one dimple popping out.
"Something like that."
"I could still run."
"You could try. I'm pretty fast if I'm chasing after something I want."
The butterflies flitting around in my stomach reached tornado level flutters.

Ahhhh ALEX WATERS!!!! He's so sweet, caring, determined, and ridiculously sexy with his SUPER MC! Violet is awkward, funny and crazy weird in the best one. She just says things without thinking and it's absolutely hilarious to read! She had me cracking up!

"Sorry." He massages my scalp.
"S'okay. I've been reading a lot of Dom-Sub stuff in my book club lately."
Hair pulling isn't even close to the same thing. It's not like he's tied me up and makes me call him Sir or Master.
"I'm sorry, what?"
"Nothing. Never mind. It's not important."

I love how they first started off physical, but their was always something more there! And Alex trying to break down Violets walls was the sweetest!

Its intense and charged, and I want it to stay like this between us. I want to want him with this kind of insatiable need forever. But passion fades eventually, and the warm soft balm of love is what keeps the fire burning.

I don't want to say much without spoiling, but this one is STEAMY, FUN, LIGHT, and ADDICTING. I bought this on my kindle and I'll definitely be purchasing the rest of this series! The characters are witty, and I can't wait to see more of Alex and Violet! They're so cute!

The reason why I was torn between giving this a 4 or a 5 is because I felt the ending was a little rushed, I would have liked to see more, but we do get a swoon-worthy epilogue and a ton of more books, so I really can't complain! Definitely pick this one up if you're looking for a very steamy and laugh-out-loud hockey romance!! Alex Waters has officially been added to the book boyfriend list! Still dying over him!!

I take her face between my hands. "This ridiculousness right here-" I kiss her-"is why I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
Her hands come over mine, her smile full of tenderness and love. "I'm so glad you fought for me. You're the best chance I've taken."



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Review: Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy

Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I AM IN A PUDDLE OF TEARS BUT THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING! I LOVE THIS WORLD SO MUCH!!!
*weeps*

BOOKTALK HERE: https://youtu.be/kx0YBT40HrA

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Review: Passenger

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I FINALLY FINISHED PASSENGER!!
*throws confetti*

Its our choices that matter in the end. Not wishes, not words, not promises.

The best way to describe this book is a treasure hunt through time mixed with a little bit of a Pirates of the Caribbean. There's time travel, romance, adventure, and it all ties in together with a nice big bow. We follow Etta, from our time, as she somehow finds herself stuck in the year 1776 with a dashing legal pirate and an adventure that's doomed to change the course of history.

There are rules, but rules may be rewritten if only one hand holds the ink.

Okay, I seriously did REALLY REALLY enjoy this book. For the life of me, I DONT KNOW WHY THIS BOOK TOOK ME SO LONG TO READ! As I was reading it, I loved it, but I couldn't find that drive and motivation to continue picking it up. I read a ton of other books in between, went to many book signings, I even met her and got this book signed, without having finished it yet! Now I have read every single Alexandra Bracken book and loved each and every one but for some strange reason this one took me a million years to read!! I think in the back of my head, I had heard it was a cliffhanger so maybe I avoided finishing it so I wouldn't be forced to wait like everyone else? Whatever the reason is, I truly enjoyed this book and this new world that Alex created.

Love was selfish, wasn't it? It made honest men want things they had no right to. It cocooned one from the rest of the world, erased time itself, knocked away reason. It made you live in defiance of the inevitable. It made you want another's mind,body; it made you feel as if you deserved to own their heart, and carve out a place in it.

It was very very DETAILED and the words were at most times, beautifully crafted and intricately woven, but at other times, it got to be a little too excessive. That being said, while I loved the plot and characters, it was easy to be taken out of the story. Her writing has grown SO MUCH since the Darkest Minds! I really enjoyed it at most times, but it did drag a little bit for me.

I loved the history aspect to the story and the idea of jumping through all these different passenges in time. It was such a unique way to interpret time travel! Very refreshing and not confusing at all! I love that even though, they're going back in time and all that, the calendar keeps moving! So cool!

"I forget myself with you, I forget the rules. I forget every other living soul in this world.Do you understand?"

My favorite part of this story though was THE CHARACTERS! I loved the relationship between Nicholas and Etta! It was so much fun to see that dynamic be explored. This is a girl from our time, falling in love with a boy from 1776 and to make things more interesting, Nicholas is man of color! Back then, this relationship was forbidden to him and I really loved that Alex showed us these two people, born and raised with completely different values and moral come together to work with one another and learn to grow and respect each other and of course, fall in love! It was a very very sweet love story! But then it was heartbreaking too because of the whole "we belong in two different time periods, how could this relationship work?" Just the right amount of angst to get our hearts stopping!

"You cannot fathom the distance I would travel for you."

*swoon*

I'm super excited for Wayfarer! That cliffhanger was a killer!!! I'm so pumped to see how this doulogy wraps up! Can't wait to continue on!

"Look lively," he said. "We've a journey to make."

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