8 Weeks by Bethany Lopez (Review + Giveaway)

Genre:	Contemporary, Romance, New Adult
Publication Date:	March 24, 2014
Pages:	268
Published By:	Author
Website	8 Weeks on Goodreads
	Bethany Lopez Website
My review copy:	From Author in return for honest review in event

Where to get:

Synopsis

Is eight weeks enough time to earn back the love of someone you've betrayed...the only one you've ever loved?

Shelly has been in love with Cal since they started dating in eleventh grade. Despite everyone saying that the odds were against them, they got married after graduation and built a life together. Now, six years later, she is faced with the ultimate betrayal. Devastated, her first instinct is to call it quits…

After a drunken binge at his best friends’ bachelor party, Cal betrays the one person who has always been there for him, his wife, Shelly. Terrified and realizing she might divorce him, Cal must come up with a way to prove to her that his love is true…

Cal asks Shelly for eight weeks. Eight weeks to convince her that their marriage is worth the fight. Will Shelly be able to trust him again, or will their marriage end the way many others do when faced with opposition… In divorce?
(Goodreads)

Quotes

  The only man I'd ever loved, who I'd always trusted implicitly, had just made a mockery of everything I'd thought and felt over the last six years of our relationship.
  I was in shock.

  "I'm sorry, I don't want to make it harder, and I don't want to fight with you," I implored.  "But I will fight for you, Shelly.  Give me a chance to."

  I missed him.

  I missed us.

  I missed sex.

  Seriously... I missed the joy and comfort that came along with giving yourself fully to the person that you love.  The utter abandon that came with having sex with that person.

  After the events of the last week, I had to admit that things weren't looking good for "Team Cal."

My Thoughts

Heartbreaking & Heart Melting...

   The only question in my mind upon completing this book is why have I not read anything by this author prior to now?!  8 Weeks was like nothing I have ever read before, and I was absolutely blown away.  Bethany Lopez writing brings up so many feels and she has easily found herself a spot within my favourite authors.  Though this book appears to be about infidelity, it is about so much more.  IT's about true love, the mistakes we make and how even when something seems hopeless, there is always hope to be found.

  What I loved most about this book was how original the plot was.  So often books are based around the start of a relationship that is bound to be the truest love ever.  8 Weeks was a love to rival all other that already had a solid foundation, and for the first time really has to work for it.  Right from the start I could tell that I was going to be pulled in, as Bethany Lopez wasted no time in getting everything started.  There is never a moment where some sort of emotion wasn't being pulled to the surface.  The pacing was perfect and easily kept my attention, pulling me to the next page even as I started a new one.

  My heart went out to Shelly.  She seems to have nothing but love for Cal and right from the start you can tell how devastated she is.   Lopez painted a women who's heart only had ever belonged to one man, and you could feel her world crumble when the one she always trusted betrayed her.  As far as I am concerned Shelly was one strong woman, I admire her and her strength.  Even as her heart was breaking she tried to do what was right.  I also admired her for holding strong in her decision and trying to move forward.  This is a woman who's world has fallen apart and even with strong friends, who wanted her happiness back but wasn't sure it was ever possible.  Her reactions and actions throughout this book were outstanding and made my heart go out to her.  Shelly is the type of character that you can feel for, and with Lopez's writing you feel that she is as real as any friend you have ever had.

  Cal is the kind of guy that you want in your life.  Yes, this book is about how he screwed up but he's so much more than one mistake.  One mistake that you question throughout the book.  No one knows what really happened even Cal, there is merely circumstances that point to an answer that is not proven.   To start I wasn't sure I would be able to route for him, and hope that he got Shelly back but I did.  I hoped that he would be able to prove that his love for her was true and that no other could be to him as she was.  Cal never considered just lying and owned up to what he thinks he did even when he knew he would lose everything.  His attempts to pull Shelly back in were meaningful and even when it seemed they were failing, he just tried to find something deeper.  Now, I am not saying he didn't deserve to have to do everything he did, because he did.  I just think that his efforts are what will give people the ability to love him, not loathe him.

  8 Weeks is a read that I will positively revisit.  I loved the characters, the plot and how everything played out.  I honestly had no idea what way things were going to go until the moment Lopez revealed it.  You want it to work out but every moment and every new date, you hope that one thing will happen but the opposite always seems to.  This is the type of book that will stay with you long after finishing and the characters including the secondary ones will be ones that you wonder what happens to them when the book finishes.  I highly recommend this read to fans of New Adult, Adult and contemporary romance lovers.  I myself will be looking into getting my hands on everything I possibly can that Bethany Lopez has published.

About the Author

Award-Winning Author Bethany Lopez began self-publishing in June 2011. She's a lover of all things romance: books, movies, music, and life, and she incorporates that into the books she writes. When she isn't reading or writing, she loves spending time with her husband and children, traveling whenever possible. Some of her favorite things are: Kristen Ashley Books, coffee in the morning, and In N Out burgers.

Bethany Lopez is represented by Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary Agency.

Find Her:

Goodreads ~ Instagram ~ Twitter

Website ~ Pintrest

Giveaway

Bethany has donated an ebook of choice!!

Open INT!!!

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guest Post by Katherine Owen Discussing Tally Landon in the "Truth In Lies Series"

Grief arrives in such unexpected ways and moments. I can't decipher if it's the remembering that is more painful or if the incessant worry of not remembering everything about her that might be worse. 

You can't really hear heartbreak. It is remarkably silent but excruciating all the same.  

Because the death of a loved one--that loss--is like a bacteria your body never really rids itself of. It's always there, just waiting to re-ignite and burn through you all over again.

You know what they say about air and water when it comes to fire, don't you? She asks. Now, I'm curious. She hasn't spoken for the last ten minutes of the drive. What? Too much air blows our the fire. Too much water destroys it.  

 

Guest Post

Book fans loved This Much Is True, the first book in the Truth In Lies series, and my foray into
New Adult Fiction (a newish genre that deals with characters between the ages of 17 and 26).
Along with that embrace and love for This Much Is True came the most complicated, either-you-
love-her-or-you-hate-her character in Talia “Tally” Landon.

To that end, Tally Landon has to be the most complex character I’ve written. After two books,
I’m not sure that me, as the writer, or readers completely get where she is coming from and why
she is the way she is.


So I thought I would spend some time discussing my most complex, polarizing character, Tally
Landon, and tell you a little about my process and where she comes from.

Tally is a product of my imagination. I write from a character-based perspective, meaning the
main characters tend to drive my writing and where it goes. I basically see them—how they
dress, how they talk, how they act long before I write the story down. I tend to know what their
pain is as much as where their happiness comes from just by envisioning them in my mind. For
me, the writing process is convoluted. It can take weeks, sometimes months, of thinking about
how the story should go—in imagining these characters—before I get anything worthwhile down
on paper.


When I first imagined Tally, she was an artist when she meets up with baseball star Lincoln
Presley. The first few drafts for a class I was taking at The Writers Studio, and then later, when I
was attempting to write this novel, showed Tally as this innocent girl meeting this very famous
guy.


But it was boring. Trust me. I’d seen it a thousand times in New Adult Fiction, which is probably
where the inclination to write such a story came from in the first place, but after some careful
evaluation,  I decided we didn't need another story like that. At least, I wouldn't be writing it.
So, I started asking more what-if type of questions to further flush out my story concept. What if
she was becoming famous in her own right? What if she was also an athlete of sorts? I was
excited about the contrasts developing with this concept and finally settled upon the idea of a
love story between two rising stars—one—a ballerina, and the other—a baseball player.
Talia Landon. And Lincoln Presley.


I loved exploring the differences between ballet and baseball, where even gender tended to play
a role in how things worked out with these two. The often difficult choices these characters
made for their chosen professions became clear, where even the nuances of how the money
awarded in one sport didn’t necessarily transfer to the other created these stark differences
between them. I also learned just how hard these athletes work as well as how much they had
to sacrifice in their private lives to make it.


The emotional side with these two very talented people led to this inevitable connection
between them partly because they discovered they harbored the same fears—failing and falling
and losing—these same fears that tended to stifle them so much of the time.


Those fears started to resonate with me and the writing of this story. What would Tally do? What
would Linc sacrifice in his own way to be with her? I wasn’t exactly sure until I got deeper into
the writing of the story where I’d also begun to explore all of that goes along with the trappings
and triumphs of fame. So. All these factors started to come together in the writing of this first
book, This Much Is True. I knew I had some incredible characters to work with, and I was just
hoping to do the story justice by then.


In this first book, This Much Is True, Tally Landon is so self-absorbed and, at times, so hell-bent
on self-destruction in all these unexpected ways that she quickly becomes a polarizing
character for readers, which made her intriguing to write about. In the opening scene, Tally is
just 17 and experiences such profound tragedy. My goal was to have readers empathize with
her in those first few pages but also recognize her dark side.


To this end, Tally is more than a little lost, partly because of her age and what has recently
happened to her.  In one of the early scenes, her best friend Marla drags her to a party, where
Tally meets Lincoln Presley, whose star is already on the rise. She proceeds to lie to him about
who she is, and how old she is, because Tally Landon is in a survival mode. Lying is her coping
mechanism. It’s always worked for her in the past and lying allows her to maintain a distance
and keeps her from getting emotionally attached.


Tally’s singular goal was to escape her tragic story and concentrate solely on ballet. Right away,
after Linc and Tally met, both seemed to realize that the other represented a complication—a
complication neither one was ever able to deny again.


Tally was strong in so many ways but vulnerable in others, although she rarely allowed others to
see this in her. And yet, Linc saw this in her right away. He was ultimately bound to her—bound
to protect her—from the very moment they first meet. Tally's interactions with Linc showed her
secret desire for being loved for herself, of being wanted and liked, instead of just being admired
or sought after for her most famous talents.


One of my favorite scenes to write was when he cooked for her. Tally had a thing about food.
She denies herself food quite a bit throughout the novel. There are hints that she’s fought off
Anorexia the year before.


Even so, Linc nurtured and took care of her from the start, but Tally was having it. Her heart was
locked down, and she would not give it away. Linc seemed to hold the key to her heart, but it
took supreme sacrifice on both their parts in order for them to ever have a chance at finding
their way back to each other.

Tally’s vulnerability and darkness as well as Linc’s strength and lightness seems to keep
readers reading to find out what happens.

I mean, how often in a love story would two talented people in their own right with ballet and
baseball be written about? I hadn’t read a story like that, and I wanted to write it.

As it was, most readers loved This Much Is True and demanded more, so I wrote a second book
about them, The Truth About Air & Water, and released it in late August of 2014 almost a year
to the day since This Much Is True’s release.

So. If you like your love stories a little dark with so much angst that reading the book will have
you drinking wine and popping Advil at regular intervals, you might want to read my work.
Just so you know; I'm busy writing a third book about Linc and Tally titled Tell Me Something
True, right now, because my fans want even more of these two. If all goes according to my
convoluted plan, it will be out in late May 2015.

The Truth In Lies series has become a series, despite my despising series. All the novels follow
these two main characters as they struggle with fame and an epic love that sometimes seems
as bent on destroying them as much as it does on building them up.

Okay, maybe, that perspective is just mine. I don’t know. You tell me. Read the book, This
Much Is True.

In any case, I love my readers. I know every author says that, but do they really?
Thank you, Deb and Bookish, for having me here…
KO
Katherine Owen

Connect with me on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/KatherineOwenauthor
My website is here: http://www.katherineowen.net or here (because everyone should have two
websites or four) http://katherineowenauthor.com
Want to just know when the next release is or get quirky updates every so often? Sign up for my
newsletter here: http://katherineowen.us4.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=6c5fcc0defc1dffaf2c0e46e8&id=cbe55e09d3

Want to talk more often? Connect with me on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/KatherineOwenauthor

Or, Twitter https://twitter.com/KatherineOwen01

I’m a huge fan of Goodreads, too; connect with me here:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/998458.Katherine_Owen

 

The Short Life of Sparrows by Emm Cole (Review + Giveaway)

Emm Cole is an AMAZING Indie Girl that I have had the pleasure of working with

before.  Her book in this event blew me away and I hope you enjoy the review &

take a moment to enter the giveaway for your own chance at this awesome read!!

P.s. Clicking the banner will take you to all of the awesome posts & giveaways

Genre:	Fantasy, New Adult
Publication Date:	September 30, 2014
Pages:	415
Published By:	Author
Website	The Short Life of Sparrows on Goodreads
	Emm Cole Website
My review copy:	From Author in return for honest review in event

Where to get:

Synopsis

Beneath the light of a full moon, the Nightbloods and Seers are dancing. They are dancing as they await another Awakening, a dream that defines every witch’s destiny. 

It doesn’t matter that the coven is cheering and anticipating her turn into womanhood, because Calli doesn’t want any of it. She doesn’t want to see the face of the hired hand Isaiah, nor does she desire the pursuits of a very determined Nightblood as she runs from a future with the Ordinary help. She knows that regardless of whether she taps into forbidden magic or not, an Awakening is rumored to hold ultimate power over the Seer who dreams it.

While the other Seers her age are given to their parties, their enchantments, and the lust of Nightblood suitors, Calli must choose how she'll endure the worst of her visions. There may be a way to survive her sleep, but she's not sure she can defeat the truth that will find her when she’s wide awake. 

Does real love even stand a chance against the darkest of magic?

(Goodreads)

Quotes

  My coven likes to say we were born enchanted, but that's just pretty speak for dysfunctional with a touch of magic.  

  "Well," Lil huffs, "if you decide to encourage gentleman callers, next time maybe you could mention that they rid us of something more convenient, like house spiders or that stubborn patch of crabgrass on the backside of the property."

The message is a distinct one.  It says, if pigs can disappear, so can you.  If only the messenger only knew one thing about me.  I've lived my life always being threatened by someone bigger or stronger    for a good spot to sleep, for a piece of bread, for clothing.  There was a time when the mere sight of a stick or the cracking sound of a strap of leather would have me crawling to hide under something.  Not any more.

  He obviously doesn't know what I'm talking about, but it feels comforting to admit it to someone.  I've never used magic before.  My mother died using it.  Lil and Mildred would be irate with me.  But my anger trumps any punishment Lil would give me.

My Thoughts

Beautifully Crafted!

  This is not my first Emm Cole read.  However, it may just be my favourite and this says a lot!  My first Emm Cole book was Merminia, and as it name gives away it is about Mermaids, my favourite above all else.  The Short Life of Sparrows is more of a witch/wizard read, something I don't pick up often.  However, with Emm Cole's name behind it I was sure I would enjoy it, but I was wrong.  I didn't like it... I LOVED it!

  There was something about the world building in this book that I loved and to be honest this for me was the cement foundation of the book.  People (regular people) know of Nightbloods and Seers, but their world is separate and to me this was something great and I'm not sure why I loved the fact so much.  So often with this kind of book people either live their lives oblivious to Calli and her people, or they are to be feared/executed by others because of their difference.  With this book it was kind of a world within a world, and everyone knew of it but just stayed away from it.  The Nightbloods and Seers world itself was beautifully crafted and unique.  Even for Calli who has grown up there, this world is different.  The pace to go with this building was near perfect.  Admittedly it was a little slower to start but Cole set up a lot in the start, and it was well worth it.

  Calli wished things were different.  She had no desire to deal with the pain that came with her "gift."  She also looked at things from the outside.  She didn't want to be a Nightbloods toy, and she respected her aunts wishes to not use her magic like the other Seers... Mostly.  I liked that Calli was all at the same time okay with this and bitter about it.  She was realistic for the most part and I loved the snark and banter that happened when she was around Isaiah.  Rowe is almost the same but it seems that it takes her much less to go off on him.  With that being said I should clarify that Calli is not a cantankerous character, but she is not one to be polite just for everyone else's sake.  I really just enjoyed reading Calli and honestly she's they type of protagonist that I could go back to time and time again.

  I thought Isaiah was going to be a love interest right from the get go.  He's an outsider and that's just something that is not really accepted.  Isaiah isn't exactly normal himself tho.  He's a boy that has had a rough past to say the least and going to the Seers village is his way of trying to change his future.  He's hardened a little but he also has a good heart and really added something to the story.  In a world where magic and secrets rule, Isaiah is a breath of fresh air for Calli and her best friend.  He also is a thorn in Rowe's side.  Rowe is the Nightblood that seems to be bent on gaining Calli's attentions.  He for all purposes seems to be Isaiah's opposite and comes of extremely arrogant.  Though mentioning both of these guys may make it sound like there is a love triangle, there isn't.  Cole did a phenomenal job twisting both of these guys into the story, while keeping a love triangle out of the question.

  This is like no other novel I have read with witches/seers.  I was able to submerge myself in it and devour it faster than I had expected.   There is nothing generic about this book.  From the world to the characters there is so much originality, Emm Cole's writing drew me in, while creating characters that drew me right in.  Though this book is placed in the new adult section I think that mature young adults would have no problem picking this up and loving it.  I can't recommend this book any stronger to any fan of paranormal romance with a touch of darkness.  If you want a read that is different and you can fully submerge yourself into the plot and into the characters don't hesitate to pick up The Short Life of Sparrows.

About the Author

Emm Cole is the author of MERMINIA and KEEPING MERMINIA, a Young Adult Dark Fantasy duology. She is also the author of THE SHORT LIFE OF SPARROWS, a New Adult Gothic Romance.

Emm is a self-admitted night owl who likes sweaters, rainy downpours, crazy prints on socks, way too much coffee, high stacks of books, Johnny Cash & The Rolling Stones at hideous decibels, the ocean, and movie marathons. She thinks her favorite books are meant to be highlighted and the corners of pages with sentimental quotes should be worn. Although a declared perfectionist, she has discovered that being able to laugh at the things beyond her control is in fact the ultimate abs workout.

Her funky imagination tends to be equal parts whimsically pretty and morbidly sinister. Emm believes that every new story she writes should challenge the limits of her creativity further than the last one, and she plans to keep developing unique magical realms, one book at a time.

Find Her:

Facebook ~ Twitter

Website ~ Goodreads 

Giveaway

Emm Cole has kindly donated: 

1 PB copy of The Short Life of Sparrows (US Only)

1 ecopy of The Short Life of Sparrows (INT)

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Breaking Nova by Jessica Sorensen (Review)

Genre:	New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publication Date:	October 7, 2014
Published By:	Forever
Website	Breaking Nova on Goodreads
	Jessica Sorensen Website
My review copy:	Provided by publisher in turn for an honest review

Where to get:

Nova Reed used to have dreams-of becoming a famous drummer, of marrying her true love. But all of that was taken away in an instant. Now she's getting by as best she can, though sometimes that means doing things the old Nova would never do. Things that are slowly eating away at her spirit. Every day blends into the next . . . until she meets Quinton Carter. His intense, honey brown eyes instantly draw her in, and he looks just about as broken as she feels inside.

Quinton once got a second chance at life-but he doesn't want it. The tattoos on his chest are a constant reminder of what he's done, what he's lost. He's sworn to never allow happiness into his life . . . but then beautiful, sweet Nova makes him smile. He knows he's too damaged to get close to her, yet she's the only one who can make him feel alive again. Quinton will have to decide: does he deserve to start over? Or should he pay for his past forever?

(Goodreads)

 I didn't always used to think this way.  I used to have hope.  I used to believe in things.  Like when my father told me if I wanted something bad enough that I could make it happen.

I was too weak, or maybe it was too strong.  I honestly don'y know anymore, what's considered weak and what's considered strong.  What's right and what's wrong.  Who I should be.

  I ask myself the same question every day: Why me?  Why did I survive?  And every day I get the same response: I don't know.  Deep down, I know there really isn't an answer, yet I keep asking the same question, hoping that maybe one day someone will give me a clear answer.

Me, I deserve it, because I caused the agony in my past, but Nova, she didn't do anything.  Something happened to her and it fucking makes me ache, like physically hurt on the insideand out.

  Breaking Nova is beautiful, heartbreaking and everything that you would expect from a new adult novel.  Jessica Sorensen expertly wove this tale of heartbreak and finding yourself, even if it means losing yourself in the process.  Around every turn there was a new emotional wave ready to hit you and knock what you thought was going to happen right out of the park.  It was the realistic portrayal of the feelings that each character experienced that hit me the hardest though.  This read was something else that I can't even begin to describe.

  Breaking Nova was not perfect, but it did pull at me in all the right ways.  The plot was like many new adult novels but unlike them in many other ways.  Both Nova and Quinton had a past that had torn them apart and left them feeling empty in a way they felt could never be filled.  It was the way in which they both dealt with their pain, and the way that they fell apart that made it so original.  They both didn't have perfect home lives, and had ways of trying to hide/mask their pain.  The pacing was wonderful and though there were parts I felt were a little bit on the slower side, they were countered by ones that pulled you completely in.  I also seriously appreciated the way this book left off... I can't tell you how without ruining the entire thing but know that it is going to leave you wanting more.

  I can't say that I ever truly connected with Nova, but I did feel for her.  Being honest my heart went out to her and what she had been through, and how she was trying to find herself again.  Nova lost what she thought she would always have, and in the process she lost not only herself but she believed her control.  What I loved about Nova was that she had experienced loss, and the flaws that came along with it felt undeniably real.  Her struggle to find herself and pull her head above water again, felt so real that at times I wanted to hug her and tell her that it would be okay.  She let herself go, doing things she never thought she would, but the growth she made in doing so made her an amazing character to follow.

  Quinton had his own set of scars to deal with and they were more than skin deep.  Being honest I liked him and felt that he was perfect for Nova, but at the same time I knew he wasn't making the progress that she was.  In fact he makes progress, only to seemingly fall deeper into the black hole that he has created for himself.  However, when he is taking some steps forward he was the guy that girls threw themselves at and the one guys wished they could be.  Quinton has so much potential and yet even with Nova shining brightly in front of him, he could not see his way out of his self created darkness.  The moments that him and Nova did have were spectacular and made me long for their romance to pull both of them above where they landed after their loss.  When these two are together you can't help but route for the fairy tale romance and a happily ever after. 

  Breaking Nova was not what I had expected, but it was beautifully written with characters that you can feel for.  There are so many little details that make this read such a memorable one, and I don't believe the word within this review can truly do it justice.  I sincerely look forward to picking up Saving Quinton and hopefully finding the happy ending that I normally don't search for.  This book is filled with angst and for a new adult is lighter on the steamy factor, but I highly recommend this read to previous fans of Sorenson and those that love new adult.

Changing Everything by Molly McAdams (Review)

Genre:	New Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Publication.Date	March 3rd, 2015
Pages:	112
Published By:	William Morrow Impulse
Website	Molly McAdams
	Changing Everything on Goodreads
My review copy:	e-ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Where to get:

Paisley Morro has been in love with Eli since they were thirteen-years-old. But after twelve years of only being his best friend and wingman, the heartache that comes from watching him with countless other women becomes too much, and Paisley decides its time to lay all her feelings on the table.

Eli Jenkins has a life most guys would kill for: Dream job, countless women, and his best friend, Paisley, to be the girl he can always count on for everything else. But one conversation not only changes everything between them, it threatens to make him lose the only girl who has ever meant anything to him.

When tragedy strikes his family and Eli is forced to reevaluate his life, he realizes a life without Paisley isn’t a life at all. Only now, he may be too late.

(Goodreads)

"I have the pillows propped up just the way you hate them," I offered, still speaking into the phone.
His blue eyes darkened, and voice dropped low. "That sounds perfect."

My breaths came heavily as I tried to find the words to say for her to understand how serious I was about this--about us. I wished I'd thought of something before I came over here and started fumbling my worsd to the point where I was sure I was making it worse.
"I want you, Paisley."

"Are you laughing?" Kristen shrieked. "Are you kidding me? You--ah! Mother Russia!"

"You're perfect," he mumbled. "Absolutely perfect."

You know, I've been waiting for something new to feed my Molly McAdams addiction for a while. And now...here it is. And I've already read it and it's over and it was so great. Yet again, Molly McAdams has written a love story that warmed my heart and set butterflies scattering all through my stomach.

I adored Forgiving Lies and Deceiving Lies. Kash and Rachel were fantastic. But I was actually very interested in Eli in those books. He's not around much, but he's important enough to Rachel (and he DOES show up) so that I wondered about him. And then when we saw him with his girl... yeah. I could totally get behind this story. It's one I was definitely curious about, and it's one I'm so glad Molly McAdams told.

Eli and Paisley are best friends. Paisley loves the crap out of Eli--in a way that's more than friendship--and Eli has no idea. These two together are always amazing. Whether it's when they're adorable best friends or an even more adorable couple, I loved these two together.

I liked Paisley. She was cute. Sure, she waited forever and a half to tell Eli about her feelings, but I still commend her for opening her mouth at all. And not only that, but I think it was great how she stood by her feelings and then went for what she wanted, even though she had to go for another guy. She wasn't sitting around like a sad puppy waiting for Eli to figure things out. I hold loads of respect for this chick who went for what she wanted. 

I loved Eli. Yes, he took a bit to pull his head out of his butt and get into a real relationship with his girl. But he was kind, caring, and so sweet. Throughout this entire story, it is incredibly easy to see how important Paisley is to Eli. He doesn't even try to hide it. The only thing he needed to grow into was the NATURE of that. And...he did. So I can love him all I want.

While I have to admit I didn't bawl my eyes out or anything, this story was a hit to the feels. I felt so much for this couple trying to find their way together--and getting kind of lost along the way, both by faults that were their own and some that weren't. Molly McAdams' writing is addicting, as always, and pulled me through the book in one sitting. Literally. No potty breaks or anything. I FLEW through this book. Written in both Paisley and Eli's POV, there was always something to hold my attention. The only sort-of gripe I have (and it didn't really affect my enjoyment of this book, but it's worth pointing out anyway) was that the story was predictable. That was greatly counteracted by emotion and sweetness, but still.

The romance made my heart so, so happy. I mean, it did drop a couple of times before Eli and Paisley made their way to being a couple, but once they did? DANG. Heck, my heart went all kinds of aflutter several times BEFORE they even figured their stuff out. Because, as I said, these two are super freaking adorable. 

Overall, Changing Everything is a sweet, heartfelt story that deserved to be told. I am so glad we got this little piece of the Forgiving Lies world, and that we got to see Eli and Paisley find their way together. And yes, I am even MORE excited for Trusting Liam now. But when is there ever NOT something making me even more pumped for that book?

Unlike Any Other by Claudia Y. Burgoa {Book Blog Tour, Giveaway, & Book Review}

Unlike Any Other by Claudia Burgoa
Goodreads | Amazon

Paperback 280 pages
Published March 5th 2015 by Claudia Burgoa


AJ

The name AJ Colthurst may not have any meaning to the public eye, but it should, as I’m the daughter of two famous celebrities. Like any superstar, they crave privacy; so much of it, they built a house in the middle of nowhere for us children. As we grew older, we discovered the lies they built as a fort to protect us from the media, ended up causing emotional damage along the way.
I carry a portion of the guilt on my shoulders; the other part I discovered is the separation of my parents. Their unorthodox ways may have driven me bonkers, but knowing they are no longer together is unacceptable.
That’s why I decided to rattle their cage by reminding at least one of my parents of the past and the reason they belong together. They need to remember why their love is so perfect and why they have to fight to keep it alive. Even if it means I have to dredge up some of my own painful memories along the way.

Gabe

Back in the early eighties, I set myself to succeed in the financial world. The first step had been moving to New York City to become a stockbroker, but things didn’t work out the way I had hoped. Instead, I ended up making movies and by the end of the decade, Gabe Colt had become a famous name. The downside to my career of choice: the paparazzi. In order to protect my family and our privacy, I maintained my family away from the circus. It had been for their own good; a decision we had made before we started our family.
However, those past decisions ended up chasing my entire family away and now I’m trying to put the pieces back together along with my little girl.

For what it's worth, I'm sorry. I had no idea, I say. You see, I'm internally damaged. Emotionally dead, no longer among the living when it comes to the heart-to-heart thing. Without a heart, my internal common sense doesn't function and I couldn't see that I was with a taken man. If you choose to shoot me, I don't blame you but know, you'll leave behind...no one to cry for me. 

I created my own veil of protection, the one that became a big brick wall by the time I was twenty-one. It took ten years for me to build ad only days to seal it, isolating myself from everyone.  

Say the F word one more time AJ and I'll put you in a time out. I warn her. The three of them explode into laughter. It's like watching them fifteen years ago when their innocence knew nothing about the fucked up world.

 

I literally fall in love with every single character this author writes about. I've been following Claudia's work since her first novel and have just fallen more in love with each and every book she writes. I can't even describe how much I adore the female protagonist A.J in this novel. She is beyond believable, independent, yet needy at the same time. And Gabe? Well...he is such a great addition to this heart pounding story. 

What I loved most about this book was every single time I thought I knew what was coming, I ended up being completely off. This book surprises you at every turn. The story goes back and forth from A.J or Ainsley's story as to why she walked out on her family (brothers and Dad) three years ago to the story of how Gabe's (Dad) story evolved. A.J & Gabe come together to learn about each other and try to understand each other. It was very heartwarming to see an author depict a father/daughter relationship as the focal point of a novel, instead of the typical boy meets girl that we are constantly reading about.

Claudia definitely uses this book to write emotionally charged scenes on very sensitive subject matter. This book is mature in theme and it is NOT for the faint of heart. That being said, this book is for those of you looking to experience a fantastic book with perfectly woven chapters that just keep picking up in speed and plot points until the bitter end.

The more I read of this book, the more I was afraid to finish it. Since it is the first book in Claudia's new series, I was skeptical as to how it would end. A big cliff hanger? A last chapter that captivates you and infuriates you at the same damn time? Well....I'm not going to say but I will say this: The ending is simply magnificent and it just makes me that much more excited for the next installment in this series.

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About the author:

Bio: 

Born on the mystical day of October 30th in the not so mystical lands of Mexico City, Claudia grew up with a childhood that resembled a caffeine-injected soap opera. Seventeen years ago she ventured to the lands of her techie husband—a.k.a. the U.S.—with their offspring to start a new adventure.

She now lives in Colorado working as a CFO for a small IT company, managing her household filled with three confused dogs, said nerd husband, two daughters wrought with fandoms and a son who thinks he’s the boss of the house. To survive she works continually to find purpose for the voices flitting through her head, plus she consumes high quantities of chocolate to keep the last threads of sanity intact.

Claudia  loves interacting with readers, so go ahead and connect:

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