*~* REVIEW of Since You've Been Gone by Mary Jennifer Payne *~*

Title: Since You've Been Gone
Author: Mary Jennifer Payne
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Reviewer: Natalie
Buy Links: Release Date is February 17th 2015
Also posted on: Goodreads

*~* Synopsis *~*

Is it possible to outrun your past? Fifteen-year-old Edie Fraser and her mother, Sydney, have been trying to do just that for five years. Now, things have gone from bad to worse. Not only has Edie had to move to another new school she's in a different country.
Sydney promises her that this is their chance at a fresh start, and Edie does her best to adjust to life in London, England, despite being targeted by the school bully. But when Sydney goes out to work the night shift and doesn't come home, Edie is terrified that the past has finally caught up with them.
Alone in a strange country, Edie is afraid to call the police for fear that she ll be sent back to her abusive father. Determined to find her mother, but with no idea where to start, she must now face the most difficult decision of her life."

*~* Review *~*

I dont read many young adult fiction books but really enjoyed this one. Mary does a great job in grabbing your attention and holding it. On to my character review....

Edie is a very smart, and loyal daughter that is always the new girl. She loves her mom so much that she will follow her anywhere she goes to keep them both safe. Anytime she gets close to anyone they end up moving again. She misses having a real friendship, boyfriend anything that resembles a relationship period. She has no family close and an aunt is Ireland so she is quite lonely. They are always running from their past that always seems to find them no matter where they go. Will they ever find a safe place?

There are many characters in this book that I can speak about but I will just touch on a few. Jermaine is the outcast of the school, Imogen is the shy odd one, and most of the other girls are either bullies or just rude as hell.. lol Imogen was the first to welcome her to her new school and Edie notices right off that this girl is just not her type of friend. Then she runs into the "Mean" girls" or should I say they run into her?!! Ugh After making it through her first day she just doesn't know where it will lead. New School, New City, New Country, New People etc.. She just doesn't know what to think yet. Jermaine well I'll let you find out for yourself about this lil sweetheart..

This story was very real in many ways. Between the bullying, loss, abuse and relationships, this story is quite riveting. Since You've Been Gone will keep your interest and you wont want to put it down!! I would like to read more of her work.. Five stars have been granted :)

*~* REVIEW of Less than Nothing by R.E. Blake *~*

** RECEIVED THROUGH NETGALLEY FOR AN HONEST REVIEW**

Book: Less Than Nothing

Author: R.E. Blake

Series: Less Than Nothing 

Genre: Contemporary, New Adult 

Also posted on: Natalie :) 

*~* Synopsis *~*

Sage’s life as a teenage runaway in San Francisco is simple: Snatch a few hours of sleep on park benches and bus stops; dodge perverts, predators, and cops; and make enough as a street musician to eat. But her world flips upside down when she meets Derek – hot, tattooed, and charming, a singer from Seattle whose looks and talent take her breath away.

What begins as a reluctant partnership quickly develops into a cross-country race against time - and awakens a hunger in Sage that’s unfamiliar and exciting.

As they travel from coast to coast, Sage and Derek pursue their dream, only to discover that they can never run far enough to escape the demons from their pasts.

Less Than Nothing is the breakout debut NA novel from USA Today bestseller R.E. Blake that critics are buzzing about and readers can’t put down. Sage & Derek's story continues in More Than Anything (book 2) and Best of Everything (book 3).

*~* My Review *~*

Wow this book was awesome. 

Sage was such a strong character as a teenage female street performer. I really loved he attitude and her strength. She really makes you proud of her and envious of her ability to deal what life's handed her. Most of us couldn't handle living on the street and hustling to eat everyday. 

Melody is Sages only friend and freakin hilarious. She really helped Sage in so many ways and comedy relief helped us all. Lol

Derek is the sexy male character in this book. He is also a street performer yet so brave, sexy and talented. If it wasn't for him Sage may be right where he found her. 

This book was definitely different from my norm. That being said I really enjoyed this book and can not wait til the next one. Five stars have been granted :)

*~* REVIEW of Love Discovered in New York by Danielle Allen *~*

Title: Love Discovered in New York
Author: Danielle Allen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Reviewer: Natalie :)


*~* Synopsis *~*

The Rebel

Mya Washington is a rebel. Or at least, that’s what her family has always said. As the youngest of a set of triplets, she has always been the more rebellious of the three…even though she never considered herself a rebel.

Outspoken? Yes.

Rule Breaker? Sometimes.

Trouble Maker? Nev—occasionally.

Growing tired of being typecast and misunderstood, Mya moves to New York looking for a fresh start away from the life she grew up in and out of the shadow of her older sisters. Striking out on her own may have put a strain on the family dynamic, but it's the new beginning Mya was looking for.

But after the unexpected death of her mother, she is blindsided yet again by a wedding invitation she didn’t see coming. Her father’s upcoming marriage only cements the wall she’s put up around her heart. Because if her father could be such an utter disappointment, why should she even attempt to open up to any man?

Enter Colton Davis.

*~* Review *~*

I loved this book because each and every character is so well thought out. They each are special to the story and described perfectly but I'll stick to the main ones. Ha ha

Mya is an independent, open minded, triplet. I really enjoyed her because she reminds me of myself a bit. Shes spunky and doesn't stand for any bull.

Colton is a sexy, tattooed, entrepreneur. I was hooked from the first moment Mya laid eyes on him. Yummmm.. I loved him because he was sexy, alpha (not too alpha), and passionate.

The chemistry between these two was amazing. You are always so anxious for them to reunite but they're both stubborn.I'm always amazed at how awesome an author Danielle is. Her writing is detailed and tantalizingly. The romance is always intense and leaves you wanting more. I can not wait to read the other sisters stories. Five MEGA gold stars have been granted :)

*~* REVIEW of You Make Me by Erin McCarthy *~*

                                                       Title: You Make Me
                                                       Author: Erin McCarthy
                                                       Genre: Contemporary Romance
                                                       Reviewer: Natalie :)
                                                       Buy Links: Amazon B & N

*~* Synopsis *~*

The guy she wants…

Growing up on the coast of Maine with a revolving door of foster siblings, Caitlyn Michaud spent one intense and passionate year falling in love with her foster brother, Heath. Then he left without a word. The betrayal devastated Caitlyn and made her vow to forget the compelling bad boy. But forgetting his sensual touch and their deep all-consuming friendship is easier said than done.

Isn’t the guy she needs…

Determined to move on, in college Caitlyn has risen above her small town impoverished roots and has joined a sorority, reinvented her appearance, and landed the right boyfriend. Pre-law major and frat president, Ethan, is thoughtful and always laughing, and he makes her feel happy, calm. He also gives her the social acceptance she craves.

But the perfect world she tried so hard to attain is ripped apart when Heath appears one night out of nowhere. Caitlyn remembers all the reasons why she loves him, even if they don’t make sense to anyone but her. Out of the military, Heath is as brooding and intense as ever, and he is determined not only to win her back, but to exact revenge on everyone who kept him from her…

And when one love allows her to breathe, but the other feels as essential to her life as air, how does she choose between them?

*~* Review *~*

I really liked this book. I love the push and pull in the relationships.

Caitlyn thought she had it all figured out until everything changed. Cat is that annoying girl that can't make up her mind. I liked her because she wanted everyone to be happy and would sacrifice her own happiness to do that.

Ethan was a cool guy but he made me mad at times too. I liked that he was sweet on Cat and treated her well.

Heath, well he's my favorite. I'm sure he will be yours too. I loved him because he was so intense and loving. He would do anything for Cat and did. His main goal in life is to be with her and make her happy. 

*~* Breakdown: Cover Reveal & Excerpt *~*

This is Amy and Nate's story from the very beginning...

Amy Porter has had a thing for her twin brother’s best friend since she was a teenager. After being considered “one of the boys” throughout her childhood, he’s the first guy to look at her and see past the tomboy she used to be. Unfortunately, he’s also completely off-limits. She does her best to move on as the years go by, but it’s not until her life takes a drastic turn that she finally accepts the fact that they aren’t meant to be. However, as her world crumbles around her, Nate always seems to be close by to help her pick up the pieces.

Nate Miller knows that Amy is the one girl he can never have. No matter how badly he wants her, he won’t risk destroying his friendship, or the promise he made to look out for her when her brother goes overseas with the Marines. As life continues to get in the way and keep them apart, the only logical choice is to give up… but giving up is the last thing he wants to do.

With so many obstacles stacked up against them, can they find a way to make it work or are they headed for a breakdown?

*~* Excerpt *~*

“Why are you here?” Amy asks, as if only just now realizing that I’m lying in her bed next to her.

“I was worried about you. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“I didn’t want you to see me like this,” she groans, burying her face in her pillows. “I’m such a mess. Please don’t look at me.”

Lifting myself up on my elbow, I reach over and gently grab her chin, tilting her face toward me. For the first time since I got here, her beautiful eyes rest on mine.

“You’re gorgeous,” I tell her, brushing my thumb across her damp cheek. “You’re always gorgeous, Amy. This is no exception.”

And it’s true. Her hair is mussed up from sleep, her eyes are red and puffy from crying, and she doesn’t have a stitch of makeup on, but she still takes my breath away.

Her bottom lip quivers, and a tear escapes down her cheek. “I’m a whale.”

I have to suppress a grin at how adorably self-conscious she is, despite the fact that she’s nowhere close to resembling a whale. If it weren’t for her very round midsection, you wouldn’t even know that she’s pregnant. I lower the blanket and rub my palm over her swollen belly. “You’re perfect.”

A weak smile touches her lips as she turns and nestles her head back into the pillows, finally relaxing against me. I lie back down and curl her body into mine, spreading my fingers across the curve of her stomach. It feels harder than I expected, and I absentmindedly rub lazy circles over the surface.

I’m drifting between awake and asleep, exhausted after having such an early morning, when I suddenly feel a flutter beneath my hand.

“Whoa.” I jerk back, staring at her belly with wide eyes. “Are you okay?”

Amy giggles. “It’s just the baby kicking. She moves around a lot when I’m trying to sleep.”

I carefully put my hand back, resuming the motion. Within a few seconds I feel it again.

“This is crazy,” I whisper in amazement, completely absorbed in the tiny, gentle movements happening inside her. “She’s a little acrobat.”

Half asleep, she mutters drowsily, “She likes you.”

That inadvertent declaration hits me with such force it sucks the air right out of my lungs. It burns through all the other bullshit taking up space in my head until only one thought remains, and I’m left with a sense of absolute clarity.

In this moment I know that I want her to be mine.

I want them to be mine.