Shut Up & Read

The Future of Our Past by Kahlen Aymes My rating: 3 of 5 stars This book has so many good reviews, and I had been looking forward to reading it for a while. But, I had a really hard time getting into the story. It's not that it was bad or badly written, I think it was just too sickly sweet and sappy for me. The "I'm so scared where this is going," "I love you more,", No, I love you more," and "I miss you so much" lines got old really, really fast. What the story came down to was a lot of missing each other, saying I've loved you forever but was scared to tell you, and then ultimately sex and more sex. The story really just needed…a story. I also had a hard time connecting with the characters. I did not find myself caring for them or caring about their lives. Ultimately if the author would have killed them all off at the end, it would have been fine with me. In the end, the book was okay. If you are into sap and sex and no real...

When She Woke by Hillary Jordan My rating: 4 of 5 stars I read The Scarlet Letter many, many years ago. I was going into When She Woke thinking it was a re-telling of The Scarlet Letter, but although the underlying premise was the same, ultimately this was a completely different story from a completely different time. I liked the setting of the world created in this book and how the author did not spend chapter upon chapter describing it. She unveiled her world to us through the telling of the story, which was an interesting way to see it. As for the characters, I had a hard time connecting with Hannah. I did like her more as the story went on, but I never really fell in love with her. Maybe it was the emotional distance that she kept from everyone that kept me at a distance as well. However, I did like how she questioned everything and was always looking for answers. I absolutely hated Aiden, but I think we were supposed to. He was hypocritical, self-centered, selfish…need ...

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher My rating: 5 of 5 stars I listened to the audio of Thirteen Reasons Why, and I recommend that over reading the book. The audio was done by two narrators, a male for Clay and a female for Hannah. The way it was read it was like we could hear Hannah's tapes the same way Clay did. It brought the reader deeper into the story than just reading alone would. I love Clay. The author was fantastic at his conveying emotions and feelings, and he is just an overall nice guy. I love Hannah too. She seemed so sweet but sad. The things leading up to her suicide seem small as single events, but add them all together and they cumulated to drive her into depression and despair. I think the thing that really made this book great was that the characters seemed so real. Hannah could be the girl sitting alone at the back of the diner while you are messing around with your friends. She had such an ordinary life, but somewhere along the way things started goin...

Mobster's Girl by Amy Rachiele My rating: 5 of 5 stars I really enjoyed this book. I only wish it had been a bit longer. It seemed that just when things started getting exciting, there was the end. Although the characters might be a bit cliché (shy, pretty 'good girl' versus handsome 'bad boy'), it works for the story. I love Megan and Antonio and the circumstances surrounding their relationship. They've known of each other their entire lives but have been kept at a distance. This is a classic story of star-crossed lovers, which I immensely enjoyed. The author is a great storyteller, going back and forth between Megan's and Antonio's points of view. With this style, we get to see a bit of both of their worlds. The author kept enough of the story back to keep us guessing but told us enough that we wanted to know more. View all my reviews

The Art of Submission by Ella Dominguez My rating: 4 of 5 stars I have conflicted feelings about this book. The story was excellent, and based on that alone I would have given the book 5 stars. It was fun, playful, kinky, and definitely sexy. So why the mixed feelings…?? Here is what I loved: 1) Dylan – Dylan is your typical rich, sexy, smart alpha male. He was great. I love how his character was written. He liked control of everything, but at times his alter ego got the better of him, making him say and do things he regretted. I do wish we could have gotten a little more into his past. It's hinted on, but there were no details. However, the way this book ended (don't worry, no cliffhangers) made me highly suspicious there is going to be a second book possibly dealing more with Dylan's past. Yay! 2) Dylan's POV – The book was broken up into Dylan's POV and Isa's POV, switching every other chapter. Dylan's parts were pretty much awesome. I lov...

Title: The Seven Keys of Alaesha Author: Samantha Warren Genre: YA Fantasy Page Count: 204 Published: October 1, 2012   Edith Myers has just about had enough. Her first day at a new school and she already has an enemy – Dana Blake, head cheerleader, tormenter, typical prom queen. But when Edith discovers a strange key, she finds herself embroiled in an inter-dimensional war. She and Dana must find a way to work together, or it could spell the end of the other world, and theirs. See The Seven Keys of Alaesha on Goodreads!

Title: The William S Club Author:   Riley Banks Genre:   Adult Publication:   September 8, 2012 Page Count:   326 Availability:   Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Smashwords A beautiful Australian journalist who changed her name and fled her homeland. A billionaire property magnate who dredges up her tortured past. An elite club with a secret they have killed to protect. Sydney is the one place Charlotte Burke swore she'd never return but The William S Club have other plans. Lust, sex, violence, blackmail and even murder, they will stop at nothing to keep their secret hidden, pushing Charlotte and the other players towards their dangerous end-game Q:  When did you first know you wanted to be a writer? A:   I can't remember not wanting to be a writer. Even as a child I loved to write. I was forever crafting short stories starring my friends (some of which they have kept). In school, English was my favourite subject and I always had a book...