Dual Reviews: The Girl From Everywhere & The Leaving Season

Hey, everyone! These two reviews are sooooooo long overdue. Mostly because one of them, I had trouble finishing it properly, but since I wanted to do a dual review post instead of two separate ones, the other has been put on hold too from publishing it. Apologies for not having put these up sooner, but better late than never, right? ;) Let me know what you thought of them, if you have read them, or if you plan to read these novels sometime in the future :) Without further ado, here are my thoughts:

Review: This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

Title: This Savage Song (Monsters of Verity #1)

Author: Victoria Schwab
Published: July 5th, 2016 by Greenwillow Books
Read: June 27th to July 7th, 2016
Add It: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review*

There’s no such thing as safe.

Kate Harker wants to be as ruthless as her father. After five years and six boarding schools, she’s finally going home to prove that she can be.

August Flynn wants to be human. But he isn’t. He’s a monster, one that can steal souls with a song. He’s one of the three most powerful monsters in a city overrun with them. His own father’s secret weapon.

Their city is divided. Their city is crumbling.

Kate and August are the only two who see both sides, the only two who could do something. But how do you decide to be a hero or a villain when it’s hard to tell which is which?

Reading Roundups | #1

Hi, friends! Even though I got back on track with reviews for a long while (at least on Goodreads), I've been seriously lacking in that department this past month and, as you may have noticed, even longer on le blog. I've kind of lost the mojo for long reviews, so I figured, why not just talk about the books I've read lately in a few sentences and fit them into different categories. This will probably be the review style for most of the books from now on, though the categories will very likely vary with each post. If I have any insightful or interesting reviews that I've read about these books or if I have a longer review written on Goodreads, I'll just link those to go with it. Sounds good? Hah, I sure hope so! Here goes:

Mini Reviews: The Last Time We Were Us & Autofocus

Hi, friends! It's been ages since my last reviews. There were quite a few very stressful months since I had to finish le thesis and graduate, but now I can try to get back on track with blogging since I'm all done with university [whooo *throws confetti*]. I hope you've all been reading great books and are thoroughly enjoying your summer! Here are two YA contemporary novels which I'll share my thoughts on today. Feel free to let me know what you've been up to and/or reading in my absence :)

An Open Letter to Krista and Becca Ritchie

As the era of the original Addicted series books being published comes to an end in a few days, this is the time a bunch of us from Fizzle Force, a fandom for Krista and Becca Ritchie and the brilliance that is their books, have decided to take it upon us to say our farewells to these books and characters. It has been a wonderful journey that has spun over the course of almost three years. You are all well aware of my undying love for this series, so naturally this post is a little more personal than what you may be used to on this blog, but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless. And if you haven't read these books yet, maybe I'll be able to convince you with my lengthy rambles and grateful, emotional tears.

*I added some of my favorite edits that I have made into this post to illustrate my points and/or make the post easier to read since we all know that long essays are hella boring to read even when they're written through tears like the following post was. All graphics are linked to my Tumblr, so you can easily go and see the graphic sets as whole if you're interested in seeing more of these characters/situations.

Halsey Book Tag

Hi, friends! I feel like doing a tag post today and since my friend Lisa tagged me on her tumblr to do the [queen] Halsey book tag, I reckon it's the perfect time to jump right into writing one. This tag was created by the Paper Riot squad [original post here] and you can read Lisa's post here. Alright, let's get right to it! (✿◠‿◠)

Mini Reviews: The Conspiracy of Us & A Darker Shade of Magic

Hey, loves! Since two sequels for some of my most anticipated books of the year are coming out this month and early next month, I thought I'd publish my [revamped] reviews from last year and tell you why I loved them so much. Can't wait to see whether we agree or not on these particular reads if some of you have already read them! ♥ (ˆ‿ˆԅ)✨

A Creature of Habit? Maybe, Maybe Not!

It's been a long, long time since I last crafted a post that wasn't a review or a blog tour post, but here I am, ready to conquer le world blogging habits. What I have discovered this past year is how much my reading and blogging habits have changed throughout time and it's quite fascinating to look back and compare the past and present. I'll share some of my blogging and reading quirks below, but, if you have any as well, feel free to leave your reading and blogging habits that have changed throughout time in the comments! (✿◠‿◠)

Review: Assassin's Heart by Sarah Ahiers

Title: Assassin's Heart (Assassin's Heart, #1)
Author: Sarah Ahiers
Published: February 2nd, 2016 by HarperTeen
Read: December 9th to 18th, 2015
Add it: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review*

In the kingdom of Lovero, nine rival Families of assassins lawfully kill people for a price. As a highly skilled member of one of these powerful clans, seventeen-year-old Lea Saldana has always trusted in the strength of her Family. Until she awakens to find them murdered and her home in flames. The Da Vias, the Saldanas’ biggest enemy, must be responsible—and Lea should have seen it coming. But her secret relationship with the Da Vias’ son, Val, has clouded her otherwise killer instinct—and given the Da Vias more reason than ever to take her Family down.

Racked with guilt and shattered over Val’s probable betrayal, Lea sets out to even the score, with her heart set on retaliation and only one thought clear in her mind: make the Da Vias pay.

With shades of The Godfather and Romeo and Juliet, this richly imagined fantasy from debut author Sarah Ahiers is a story of love, lies, and the ultimate vengeance.

I'd like to say that gorgeous covers don't allure me in, but they do! As soon as I read the blurb to match this beautiful piece of art, I knew I wanted to get my hands on it asap. This debut is a thrilling ride that's bound to capture the hearts of many readers. Lush with world building and a decent plot that's immersed with mythology, spiced with The Godfather's and Romeo & Juliet's influences, Assassin's Heart made for quite a thrilling read.

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Long Way Down by Krista & Becca Ritchie

Hey, my darlings! I'm so glad to say that I'm slowly finding my reading (and blogging) mojo again and of course I couldn't pass up the opportunity to participate in what are my favorite blog tours ever to do. Addicted series, as most of you know, is my favorite series ever and I can't believe that it's coming to an end soon what with the last book and epilogue book left to publish. It's so bittersweet, but I'm very excited to see what kind of pain the twins are going to put us thourgh ✨(っˆ‿ˆ) ♥

Today I have a super fun and adorable post for you and of course it was inspired by Coballoway (are any of you actually surprised? Hah) (✿◠‿◠)  I hope you enjoy where Krista and Becca have taken Ryke and Daisy today, and yay for the rest of our favorites appearing as well! PS. You can follow the rest of the tour here for more fun posts and to increase your chances of winning.

Dual Review: Every Last Word & For the Record

Hi, my loves! Long time no talk, eh? As you know, for the past year, I've been struggling with a huge, huge blogging slump + work and uni have been keeping me hella busy, but lately I've been feeling the urge to blog and I especially felt that as I was filling out answers to a tag that my friend Lisa tagged me to do. Can't wait to share it soon! Next week I'll be back with a blog tour for my favorite series in this entire universe, but today I have a dual review for you and I can't wait to see if we share any common thoughts（✿＾▿＾）

Dual Review: Most Likely to Succeed and This Is One Moment

Hey, lovelies! As you've noticed, this blog is being updated very randomly these days. After I got all my exams done at the beginning f June, I had to do an internship and, after that was over, I have been working almost every day since July. Now that I have a small break before uni starts back up next week, I thought I'd tell you a little bit about the two ARCs I've read this summer and very much enjoyed as well (◡‿◡✿)

Review: PS I Still Love You by Jenny Han

Title: PS I Still Love You (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #2)
Author: Jenny Han
Published: May 26th, 2015 by Simon & Schuester
Read: June 6th to 8th, 2015
Add It: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter.
She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.
When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?

In this charming and heartfelt sequel to the New York Times bestseller To All the Boys I've Loved Before, we see first love through the eyes of the unforgettable Lara Jean. Love is never easy, but maybe that’s part of what makes it so amazing.

I decided to not write a review right away, but it probably wasn’t the brightest idea, because now I’m mainly just ... indifferent. PS I Still Love You was one of my most anticipated books of the year. I have screamed my love for To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before on all my social media accounts, direct conversations irl and online, text messages—basically everywhere possible. Unfortunately the strongly positive feelings have managed to vanish some after reading its sequel.

Review & Playlist: The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler

Title: The Summer of Chasing Mermaids
Author: Sarah Ockler
Published: June 2nd, 2015 by Simon Pulse
Read: May 7th to May 10th, 2015
Add It: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

The youngest of six talented sisters, Elyse d’Abreau was destined for stardom—until a boating accident took everything from her. Now, the most beautiful singer in Tobago can’t sing. She can’t even speak.

Seeking quiet solitude, Elyse accepts a friend’s invitation to Atargatis Cove. Named for the mythical first mermaid, the Oregon seaside town is everything Elyse’s home in the Caribbean isn’t: An ocean too cold for swimming, parties too tame for singing, and people too polite to pry—except for one.

Christian Kane is a notorious playboy—insolent, arrogant, and completely charming. He’s also the only person in Atargatis Cove who doesn’t treat Elyse like a glass statue. He challenges her to express herself, and he admires the way she treats his younger brother Sebastian, who believes Elyse is the legendary mermaid come to life.

When Christian needs a first mate for the Cove’s high-stakes Pirate Regatta, Elyse reluctantly stows her fear of the sea and climbs aboard. The ocean isn’t the only thing making waves, though—swept up in Christian’s seductive tide and entranced by the Cove’s charms, Elyse begins to wonder if a life of solitude isn’t what she needs. But changing course again means facing her past. It means finding her inner voice. And scariest of all, it means opening her heart to a boy who’s best known for breaking them ...

It’s the hardest ever to write a review for a book that has blown your mind in every way possible; climbed its way into the deepest parts of your heart and soul. How could I ever do justice to this inspiring story, its amazing, well-fleshed characters, a beautiful narration, magnificent setting and so, so much more?! The Summer of Chasing Mermaids was initially one of my most anticipated books of 2015, but it has easily become one of my favorite books ever!

Review: Fuel the Fire by Krista and Becca Ritchie

Title: Fuel the Fire (Calloway Sisters, #3; Addicted, #3.1)
Author: Krista and Becca Ritchie
Published: April 2nd 2015
Read: April 2nd to April 4th, 2015
Add It: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks

Protect your family. At all costs.It’d take the impossible to hurt Connor Cobalt, even for a moment.
Protect your family. At all costs.At twenty-six, his narcissistic tendencies have made room for the people he loves.
Protect your family. At all costs.And he loves Rose. But when his love is threatened, when his greatest dreams with her are compromised — what is the cost then?
Protect your family. At all costs.Love will guide his choices.

*does not contain any spoilers, but discusses the importance of the novel and a few characteristic aspects*

Fuel the Fire is a brilliant, important book and not only for the fact that Connor and Rose’s characters are explored in more depth or that it’s darker, a thousand times more emotional than Kiss the Sky (which was already really emotional for me regardless of its humorous tone). It’s for the fact that this book is so much more important than just these two characters that I have come to love and adore more than anything in any literary work to date.

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Fuel the Fire by Krista and Becca Ritchie

Hey, my loves! Today I get to share a tour post to promote my most anticipated book of the year. I have been waiting for this book even before it was announced that there was more on the way, because in my heart of hearts there is no way I want Rose and Connor's story to ever end. Today's post is a pretty special one and in my opinion the best tour post on this blog for the Addicted series to date. I love that Krista and Becca go along with my crazy ideas and I can't thank them enough for creating this below because it's seriously just so epic! Proceed with caution though, because this is the kind of hangman you have never seen before ;) Enjoy!

Mini Reviews: Perfect Couple, Finding It, Trial by Fire, Sinner

Hey, guys! It's been so long since my last review. I'm all done with exams, yay! Now I have a week long break before spring semester starts. Going to re-energize and hopefully get some commenting done. I hope you've all been wonderful! *hugs* I was going to write full reviews for all of these, but I decided to write a post with multiple mini reviews instead. Let me know what you thought of these books :)


Title: Perfect Couple (Superlatives #2)
Author: Jennifer Echols
Published: January 15th 2015
Read: Nov 29th, 2014
Add It: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review*

Can your heart be put to a popular vote?

As yearbook photographer, Harper is responsible for capturing those candid moments that make high school memorable. But her own life is anything but picture perfect. Her parents' bitter divorce has left her wondering what a loving relationship would look like. And ever since the senior class voted her and star quarterback Brody the “Perfect Couple That Never Was,” her friends have been on her case to ask Brody out.

Brody doesn’t lack in female admirers, but Harper can't see herself with him. He seems confused about why they were matched together, too. They’re total opposites—the last people in the world who would ever be compatible, let alone the “perfect couple.” Yet ever since the class paired the two of them, they've found themselves drawn together--first by curiosity, then by an undeniable bond.

The trouble is, though they're very attracted to each other and both of them admit this, they have a hard time getting along or even communicating clearly. If they’re the perfect couple, this shouldn’t be so difficult! Soon it becomes clear their class was wrong, and they throw in the towel. But after they walk away, both of them feel so changed from making the effort that they can’t forget each other. What if that means this match made in hell is the perfect couple after all?

It's more like 3.5, I think. Loved the main ship a whole bunch and they are ridiculously cute together. Plus swoony kissing, you guys!!! I didn't connect with the MC, to be honest, and the book was often over dramatic, but regardless, still enjoyable. Echols doesn't shy away from sex talk and sexier themes which is good seeing as it's YA and teenagers aren't oblivious to these things after all. It also has different races when it comes to characters and LGBT themes which is very appreciated. [Highlight to see a slight (?) spoiler] I'm so glad that it didn't have any L-bombs because the book takes place within a week or so and expressing love would have been just too much. DID I SAY SWOONY KISSING ALREADY???

Overall rating: 3.5 out of 5.0
Stars: ★★★

Meet the author

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Thank you to Simon Pulse and Edelweiss for providing an arc. My thoughts are my own 

and in no way did the review copy affect my opinion on the book.

Connor Cobalt's Birthday Extravaganza: Treasure Hunt and Giveaway

Hiiiiiii, my darling friends! Today is one of my favorite days of the year haaa, because it's Richard Connor Cobalt's birthday! If you know me, you all know who he is, but since there's a slight chance you don't know, let me give you some hints ;) He's one of the main characters from the Calloway Sisters series and the Addicted series by Krista and Becca Ritchie. He totally deserves his own birthday celebration event because he's just.. everything tbh! Connor Cobalt is a conceited know-it-all smartass, but he has every right to be since the guy, according to his own words, would be considered a god in some civilizations. He's one of the best fictional characters out there and he's also my bookish husband, which I can prove with a marriage license, so get your paws off my man, ladies, or blood will spill! (jk; .. or not) I hope you enjoy following this treasure hunt event, because I've invited a bunch of lovely, wonderful and amazing people to participate. Before we get to the game (and the giveaway), let me congratulate Connor on his birthday.

End of the Year Book Survey 2014

This year has flown by so fast and I'm really happy that even with such a small amount of books I read, there were some really great books that I can't wait to ramble about. Last year's End of the Year Survey was such a fun thing to do, so I couldn't possibly pass it up this year. Thanks to Jamie @ Perpetual Page Turner who hosts this annual event. I can't wait to see your surveys or end of the year posts if you'r not doing the survey. Link me up and let me know how your reading year was. Without further ado, here's the summary of my reading year.

Number Of Books You Read: 91 (though GR says 86)

Number of Re-Reads: 4 official but tbh it’s way, way more

Genre You Read The Most From: Contemporary (56/91)

Review: Amour Amour by Krista and Becca Ritchie

Title: Amour Amour
Author: Krista and Becca Ritchie
Published: December 12th 2014
Read: December 13 to 16, 2014
Add It: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Love is a circus

"Every day,” he says lowly, “I hold a person’s life in my hands. The circus is based one-hundred percent off trust. I give it all to someone, and they give it all to me.”

The best aerial technique won’t land 21-year-old Thora James her dream role in Amour—a sexy new acrobatic show on the Vegas strip. Thora knows she’s out of her element the second she meets Amour’s leading performer. Confident, charming and devilishly captivating, 26-year-old Nikolai Kotova lives up to his nickname as the “God of Russia.”

When Thora unknowingly walks into the crosshairs of Nikolai’s after-show, her audition process begins way too soon. Unprofessional. That’s what Nik calls their “non-existent” relationship. It’s not like Thora can avoid him. For one, they may be partners in the future--acrobatic partners, that is. But getting closer to Nik means diving deeper into sin city and into his dizzying world.

Thora wants to perform with him, but when someone like Nikolai attracts the spotlight wherever he goes—Thora fears that she’s destined to be just background to his spellbinding show.

This sexy and exhilarating New Adult Romance can best be described as Cirque du Soleil meets the steamy, athletic romance of Center Stage.

Oh, the two wizards that are Krista and Becca Ritchie! Their books have moved and touched the deepest parts of my soul and I will forever hold them dear and close to my heart. After finishing their first stand-alone novel, I can tell you that I found Amour Amour to be exciting, and the circus setting most definitely added to the otherwise fun, humorous and sensuous story.