All Chained Up (Devil's Rock #1)
   by: Sophie Jordan

Publication Date: March 29, 2016
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC provided via Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 384 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3/5 stars

There are bad boys and then there are the men of Devil’s Rock . . .

Some men come with a built-in warning label. Knox Callaghan is one of them. Danger radiates from every lean, muscled inch of him, and his deep blue eyes seem to see right through to Briar Davis’s most secret fantasies. But there’s one major problem: Briar is a nurse volunteering at the local prison, and Knox is an inmate who should be off-limits in every way.

Knox feels it too—a shocking animal magnetism that drives him to risk his own life to protect Briar’s. Paroled at last, he tries to resist her. She’s too innocent, too sweet, and she has no idea what Knox is capable of. But a single touch can lead to a kiss—and a taste . . . until the only crime is denying what feels so right . . .

“When the prison doors are open, the real dragon will fly out.”—Ho Chi Minh

 

 

This is my first adult novel by Sophie Jordan, but having really enjoyed her NAs, I was really looking forward to giving it a try! I definitely enjoyed this one, but I can't say it's a new favorite of mine or if I'll plan to reread it again. I really liked the premise of Briar and Knox falling for one another, after having met in prison (it reminded me a bit of Sarah and Michael from Prison Break!). However, I felt I didn't get to know Knox's character well enough and instead I had trouble buying their emotional connection. It's very physical and while I am all for sexy times, that's kind of all we got from them.

 

I do understand that Knox has served 8 years in prison and obviously that changes a person. However, he was so hard to read and almost too tough. I think seeing him interact with his family a bit more, maybe would have helped, as his loyalty to his family and outrage over what happened to a family member is what landed him behind bars in the first place. He was also super hot and cold with Briar and I had trouble with that. I didn't feel as if he wanted more than sex with Briar. I know that he felt that was all he could offer her, but it still just didn't really work for me. I can see it up to a point, but then it just got a bit old.

 

There was a surprise chapter thrown in that originally jarred me, but after I realized what was happening, I thought it was a cool set up for the next book. I am definitely hoping for more of a connection there between the characters.

 

Briar's sister Laurel wasn't my favorite either and while I get that she was looking out for her kid sister, I do think she should have handled the situation with Knox a bit better. I wasn't a fan of how that went down and how magically she decided at the end that they should be together and that she realized she was wrong.

 

Overall, I felt Briar and Knox's relationship wasn't developed as well as it could have been, as it really made me feel he was just using for her sex and that was the only reason he kept coming back. I get that physical, primal attraction but I just needed more to really buy into it. I also felt certain parts dragged at times and while I was still interested, I did find myself fading a bit while reading.

 

Reign of Shadows (Reign of Shadows #1)
   by: Sophie Jordan

Publication Date: Feb. 9, 2016
Publisher: Harper Teen
Genre: Fantasy
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: e-ARC received via Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 304 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

Seventeen years ago, an eclipse cloaked the kingdom of Relhok in perpetual darkness. In the chaos, an evil chancellor murdered the king and queen and seized their throne. Luna, Relhok’s lost princess, has been hiding in a tower ever since. Luna’s survival depends on the world believing she is dead.

But that doesn’t stop Luna from wanting more. When she meets Fowler, a mysterious archer braving the woods outside her tower, Luna is drawn to him despite the risk. When the tower is attacked, Luna and Fowler escape together. But this world of darkness is more treacherous than Luna ever realized.

With every threat stacked against them, Luna and Fowler find solace in each other. But with secrets still unspoken between them, falling in love might be their most dangerous journey yet.

With lush writing and a star–crossed romance, Reign of Shadows is Sophie Jordan at her best.

 

 

When I first heard about Sophie's new series, I was immediately in. I adore her writing and she can write some seriously swoony romance! I enjoyed Reign of Shadows, loved the characters, and definitely loved the blossoming romance.

 

Luna was such an awesome heroine for me. She has been in hiding in a tower because of her identity as the lost princess. However, there's definitely more to it than that. It was quite the surprise to me, so I obviously won't spoil it. She is practical above all, which I really appreciated. She knows her guardians won't always be there with her, so she is determined to prove that she can take care of herself. Her guardians naturally worry for her, because of the darkness and the deadly dwellers that roam the lands. We don't know much about them or how they came about. Are they a product of the Eclipse? Were they once something else? We also do not know what brought the Eclipse on either. I am hoping we will find out more in the sequel though.

 

After sneaking out, Luna finds herself helping three others her age. Fowler has traveled a little ways with the others, but is very much a loner. He has his reasons for that, which I do understand, so he was hard to like at first because of how prickly he was. I do love grumpy heroes though, so it ended up working because I liked seeing Luna thaw his frozen heart. I called who he was pretty quickly though even though the big reveal isn't until later on.

 

This book was definitely a darker fantasy. Jordan does not hold back in certain aspects and they really hit me hard. You can see the desperation of those living in this world and the lengths they would go just to survive. It's truly horrific.

 

Fowler and Luna's romance definitely offered us some hope though. Fowler didn't want to depend on anyone ever again, much less let him feel something for another girl. However, Luna's pure heart and goodness isn't something he can ignore. She is resilient and a bit stubborn too, which made me appreciate her all the more. Oh and there's kissing. Which is always a win.

 

I will go ahead and say this book does end with a cliffhanger. I am definitely anxious for the sequel and hope everything will sort itself out because NO SOPHIE JORDAN YOU CANNOT DO THAT TO ME.

 

Swoon Thursday is a weekly event hosted by YA Bound.

Here's what you do:

From the book you're currently reading, or one you just finished, tell me what made you swoon. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering. Shout it out on twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments or grab the button above and share it on your blog.

 

This week I am swooning over Sophie Jordan's Wild and sweet baby Jesus this book is smoking hot!!!!

"A groan rumbled out from him, and before I knew it he had fist in the back of my hair, too. He didn't hurt me. He simply held me prisoner, his unyielding fingers tangled in my hair, trapping me as much as I trapped him, our bodies twisted up in each other."

"He crouched in one quick motion, wrapping an arm around my waist and lifting me off my feet so that our fused mouths were level. No me standing on tiptoes or him bending down. He kissed me back. No. More than that. He took over. Kissing me with lips and tongue and faintly scraping teeth."

 

Wild (The Ivy Chronicles #3)
    by: Sophie Jordan

Publication Date: Nov. 18, 2014
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC received via Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 288 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

A good girl goes fabulously bad in the final book in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan’s sexy New Adult romance series, in which three Ivy League suite-mates seek higher knowledge of just how far they can go.

Months after her boyfriend dumped her, Georgia can still hear the insults he hurled at her. Boring. Predictable. Tame. Tired of feeling bad, she’s ready to change her image, and go a little wild. What better way to prove her ex wrong than a hot night of sexual adventure at the secret campus kink club?

In the shadowy den of the kink club, she unexpectedly runs into Logan Mulvaney, her friend’s little brother. A player extraordinaire too hot for his own good, he may be younger, but the guy is light years ahead when it comes to sexual experience. Now he’s telling her to go home—“good girls” don’t belong here!

Georgia is tired of having others define her. She’s going to teach Logan a lesson he won’t forget—one white hot, mind-wrecking kiss . . . that leads to another . . . and another . . . and. . . . Realizing she’s way in over her head, Georgia runs.

Only Logan won’t let her go. Everywhere she goes he’s there, making her want every inch of him. Making her forget who she is. Who he is. And just how wrong they are for each other.

 

 

I have been waiting for this book ever since I met Sophie at a signing early this year and she told me who Georgia's love interest was! I was floored! In the very best way! I never would have paired these two up together, but I'm so glad she did! I can't decide who my favorite boy is: Logan or Reece! The Mulvaney brothers are smoking hot and incredibly sexy, so I am quite jealous of Pepper and Georgia.

 

At first I was afraid this book was going to go in a very different direction, especially with the knowledge we would be seeing more of the kink club this time around. I didn't want to read a NA BDSM, so I'm thankful Jordan just used the club as more of a setting for Logan and Georgia, than to actually go too in depth with that lifestyle. From the very first night Georgia stepped into the club, it's been all about Logan. She never thought she would feel the things she does for her friend's younger brother, and she is terrified of what those feelings actually mean.

 

I had a hard time with Georgia's character. She was really very infuriating with the way she kept Logan at arm's length. Every time she let him down, it killed me inside. He's such a good guy and he genuinely wants her for her, not who her mother thinks she should be. Instead of listening to her heart, Georgia constantly lets herself get dragged down by all the reasons she shouldn't be with Logan, thus ruining so many chances together. That was the hardest part for me. I wanted her to shut out the world and turn off her brain and just FEEL for once. We finally get that, but it's not until late in the story. All her life Georgia has lived under the control of her mother and wants to make her happy. However, it isn't right that her mom places so much pressure on her to make her proud. I was glad when Georgia finally stood up for herself and said enough is enough. She's 20 years old and has to make her own decisions and mistakes. She doesn't want to go back to the way she felt before with her previous boyfriend of 4 years, whom she felt no passion for. Logan is dangerous to her because he opens up the floodgates of all these emotions and wants and desires she's never had before.

 

I loved Logan. Seriously. OMG. For an 18 year old, he is incredibly mature and confident for his age. He has had to grow up at a young age, not having anyone to really take care of him, save his older brother, as he had to help take care of his disabled, alcoholic father. I love that Logan knows what he wants. He wants Georgia, but he's not going to push her.... at first. He wants her to realize on her own that there's something there between them that they should explore. Oh, they do some exploring alright... Holy cannoli, was this book hot! Between the intense sexual tension and the actual sex scenes, I thought I was going to combust. Logan is no inexperienced innocent that's for sure. He's got quite the dirty mouth and the way he takes control is really very hot.

 

We get to see the gang from the previous books too and I really liked that. Jordan does such an amazing job developing their friendships, but most of all, I love how in this book she captures that bittersweet moment when they realize their lives are moving forward in different directions. Change is inevitable and it doesn't always have to be a scary thing. This is a very real thing college students experience towards the end, so I'm glad she incorporated this into the novel.

 

I really loved this book though. As crazy as Georgia made me, I still wanted her and Logan to get their act together and let themselves just see where the wind takes them. That epilogue had me grinning from ear to ear and I'm really sad this series is over! We've come full circle since the first book in the series and gotten closure for all our characters, and I couldn't have asked for anything more than that.

 

Hidden (Firelight #3)
   by: Sophie Jordan

Publication Date: Sept. 11, 2012
Publisher: Harper Teen
Genre: Fantasy
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: Borrowed from Library
Page Count: 260 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Jacinda was supposed to bond with Cassian, the "prince" of their pride. But she resisted long before she fell in love with Will—a human and, worse, a hunter. When she ran away with Will, it ended in disaster, with Cassian's sister, Miram, captured. Weighed down by guilt, Jacinda knows she must rescue her to set things right. Yet to do so she will have to venture deep into the heart of enemy territory.

The only way Jacinda can reach Miram is by posing as a prisoner herself, though once she assumes that disguise, things quickly spiral out of her control. As she learns more about her captors, she realizes that even if Will and Cassian can carry out their part of the plan, there's no guarantee they'll all make it out alive. But what Jacinda never could have foreseen is that escaping would be only the beginning....

Loyalties are tested and sacrifices made in the explosive conclusion to Sophie Jordan's Firelight trilogy.

 

 

Finishing this series has been a long time coming for me. Having read the first book in early 2013, I then reread it later in the year along with the second book. I have been keeping my eye out for this book to show up at one of my libraries ever since. Imagine my surprise (and delight!) to finally find it sitting on the shelf. As packed as my reading schedule is, I knew I wanted to make time to see how things concluded with Jacinda, Will, Cassian, Tamra, and Miram. While I enjoyed the final book in the series, I do feel it was a bit rushed and that we only skimmed the surface of some major events.

 

I am a big fan of Sophie's writing and she definitely didn't disappoint in pulling me back into the story. I easily picked right back up where we left off and that was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, as I was afraid too long had passed between books. The book takes off running with Jacinda and crew initiating a rescue mission to save Cassian's sister, Miram, from the dreaded enkros (scientists who capture draki for research and study). It is said that once captured, no draki has ever escaped the enkros.... Jacinda certainly has her work cut out for her, but she feels obligated to do this, as Miram is the one who got captured because of her and Will's plan to leave the pride for good. Jacinda's time in captivity, while short-lived, is one I would have liked to read more about. I wanted to know more about the enkros' plan, what they hope to accomplish with the draki, etc. We didn't quite get the depth I would have liked, especially being one of the most intense parts of the book.

 

Jacinda has a lot going on in this book. She feels the guilt of Miram being captured, as well as being bonded to Cassian and his emotions when her heart belongs to Will. She is constantly afraid of how Will is feeling and doesn't want him to think she has changed her mind in regards to their plans of leaving. She is constantly reaffirming her feelings for him, which I thought to be a bit unnecessary, as I never saw there being a true love triangle between her, him, and Cassian. Aside from that, the stakes are now much higher than they ever were and feels she must follow through with everything before she can truly separate herself from the pride. I understood her need to do this, but it only served to frustrate Will, which in turn frustrated me. He feels as if she will never be able to leave like they planned and this really causes some tension between them. I felt he was acting a bit selfishly, especially with him knowing she would never be able to be free with him, until she made sure everything was taken care of. Don't get me wrong- I love Will. He's a good guy and has gone to great lengths to help Jacinda and her pride. I have been rooting for them from the beginning and we get plenty of tender moments with them in this book.

 

I really liked seeing how close Tamra and Jacinda have become. Before, the sisters were at odds, Tamra jealous of her sister's ability to manifest and her coveted role as the pride's fire breather. Now that Tamra has found herself and her place in the pride, her and Jacinda's relationship is much stronger and I liked seeing these two together. I really like the direction Jordan went concerning Tamra, her love life, and her future with the pride.

 

While this wasn't my favorite book in the series, I am grateful that Jordan tied up loose ends and concluded all major plot threads from the previous books. Some were done hastier than I would have liked, but I am thankful she didn't leave any unresolved. The end was a bit bittersweet for me, concerning one character in particular's storyline, but I understand that it was probably for the best given everything that had happened. 

 

I love that Jordan took a chance and created the draki race. It was something different and fresh and I enjoyed reading about their world and the dangers that came with being such a creature. I will miss these characters, but I'm glad to see their story has come full circle and I was satisfied with the way it all ended.

 

Tease (The Ivy Chronicles #2)
   by: Sophie Jordan

Publication Date: May 27, 2014
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided via Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 320 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

What happens when a girl who always calls the shots meets a guy who's too wild for even her?

A born flirt and good-time party girl, Emerson has never had a problem finding a willing guy. She's always chosen her hookups carefully, and she's never broken her three cardinal rules:

Never let them see the real you.
Never fall in love.
Always leave them begging for more.

Then Shaw comes along. A hottie from the wrong side of the tracks, he's immune to her flirtatious banter and come-hither smile. After rescuing her from a disastrous night at a biker bar, he doesn't even try to take her to bed—he calls her a tease and sends her home instead. Unable to resist a challenge, or forget the sexy, dark-eyed, bad-boy biker, she vows to bring him to his knees.

But instead of making Shaw beg, Emerson finds herself craving him. For the first time in her life, she's throwing out her rule book. Suddenly, she's the one panting for a guy she can't control—a guy who won't settle for anything less than the real Emerson and who forces her to do things she's never imagined, including facing a past she thought she'd buried.

A guy who just might leave her wanting more. . .

 

 

After having read and loved the first book in the series, Foreplay, I couldn't wait to continue the series! I really like Sophie's writing style and she does a great job of developing relationships between her main characters. I didn't quite like Tease as much as Foreplay, but I did enjoy watching party girl Emerson snag herself a man!

 

Pacing: Emerson and Shaw's relationship felt well-paced and certainly not too rushed. He helps Emerson out of a less than desirable situation, thus igniting an attraction that neither one are strong enough to deny.

 

Storyline: Emerson has always been known as a party girl. Going out on the weekends and hooking up is her MO and everyone at school knows it. Now that her best friends both have boyfriends, she is definitely feeling the sting of loneliness. However, as lonely as she is, she thinks falling in love is a loss of control and Emerson doesn't lose control. Meeting Shaw throws her off balance, as she is attracted to him. Shaw seems to be popping up wherever she is lately, as he went to high school with Reece, Pepper's boyfriend. Emerson isn't looking for more with anyone, but Shaw isn't easily deterred....

 

Characters: Emerson carries some demons from her past, which in turn dictate a lot of her actions in the present. I felt for her, as I can't imagine the betrayal she felt from her the person she trusted most of all. Because her mother did not believe her when she came to her, their relationship is severely strained. However, until Emerson lets go of the past and in turn her fears, she will continue down the same path as she is now. Shaw plays a large role in helping negate this, but she does not make it easy for him. She plays the part of a party girl and makes it look like she's easy, but she's always been in control of her actions and her environment. Shaw crashes into her life and will not give up on getting her to admit she feels something for him too.

 

I really liked Shaw. He has just gotten back from being deployed in the Marines and has witnessed the death of his cousin. He has tended to keep to himself, which is natural after feeling like he wasn't able to protect his cousin. Breaking the news to his cousin, Beth, about her brother was not easy and now there is a tension between them as well.

 

The only reason he ended up at Maisie's bar is to scout for prospective clients. Maisie's is a biker bar and Shaw wants to open his own shop for custom bikes. He sees Emerson and instantly knows she doesn't belong there. I like how chivalrous Shaw is. He didn't have to help Emerson, especially after how she behaved, and yet he did. He sees through the 'princess' act and recognizes that she has no one else and still helps her. She doesn't want to feel for him, but she does- he's persistent and doesn't give up on her easily.

 

We get to see Reece, Pepper, and Georgia again in this book! I loved seeing Reece and Pepper so happy together. Pepper and Georgia are great friends to Emerson and I'm glad Jordan put such a focus on that friendship. I'm really looking forward to Georgia's story, it will be interesting to see how she tries to shed her good girl image to spice things up!

 

Final Thoughts: While I enjoyed this, I do feel a few things could have been expanded upon a bit more. I didn't feel like I got to know Shaw quite as well as I did Emerson, and I would have liked a bit more from him. I also feel the storyline with his cousin, Beth, didn't get quite resolved. We saw Emerson speak to her about Shaw, but we don't really know if anything came of it.

 

I do like that we got to see Shaw finally break down Emerson's walls and I give him mad props for being as persistent as he was. Most guys would've abandoned that chase way before. They have delicious sexual tension and Jordan knows her way around a good love scene! This isn't an overly original storyline by any means and that might bother some people who are getting burned out on New Adult contemps, but for me, Jordan's writing is just that engaging and I can't wait for the next book in the series!

 

 

 

Unleashed (Uninvited #2)

by: Sophie Jordan

Young Adult Science Fiction/Dystopian

Expected Release: Feb. 24, 2015

 

What if the worst thing you ever did was unforgivable?

Davy’s world fell apart after she tested positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome. She was expelled from her school, dumped by her boyfriend, abandoned by friends, and shipped off to a camp that turns HTS carriers into soldiers. Davy may have escaped, but the damage has already been done. The unthinkable has happened. Now, even worse than having everyone else see her as a monster is the knowledge that they may have been right about her all along. Because Davy has killed.

On the run from government agents, Davy is rescued by Caden, the charismatic leader of an underground group of rebels. Despite Caden’s assurances that the Resistance is made up of carriers like her, Davy isn’t sure she can trust them. Then again, she doesn’t even know if she can trust herself . . . or her growing feelings for Caden. But if she doesn’t belong with Caden and his followers, is there anywhere she can call home?

 

 

I thought being labeled a killer and losing everything—my future, family, boyfriend, friends—was the worst thing that could ever happen to me. It’s not. Finding out they were right. Finding out that’s exactly what I am?

That’s worse.

 

 

 

 

A good girl goes bad in the third and final book in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan’s sexy New Adult romance series—where three Ivy League suite-mates testing their boundaries as they seek higher knowledge of just how far they can go.

 

Months after her boyfriend dumped her, Georgia can still hear the insults he hurled at her. Boring. Predictable. Tame. Tired of feeling bad, she’s ready to change her image, and go a little wild. What better way to prove her ex wrong than a hot night of adventure at the secret campus kink club?

 

In the shadowy den of the club, she unexpectedly runs into Logan Mulvaney, her friend’s little brother. A player extraordinaire too hot for his own good, he may be younger, but the guy is light years ahead when it comes to the opposite sex. Now he’s telling her to go home-”good girls” don’t belong here!

 

Georgia is tired of having others define her. She’s going to teach Logan a lesson he won’t forget-one white hot, mind-wrecking kiss . . . that leads to another . . . and another . . . and. . . . Realizing she’s way in over her head, Georgia runs.

 

Only Logan won’t let her go. Everywhere she goes he’s there, making her want every inch of him. Making her forget who she is. Who he is. And just how wrong they are for each other.

 

 

 

Sophie Jordan is an international and New York Times bestselling author whose books include historical romances and the Firelight series. When she’s not writing, she spends her time overloading on caffeine (lattes preferred), talking plotlines with anyone who will listen (including her kids), and cramming her DVR with true-crime and reality-television shows. She lives in Houston.

 

 

  

50 First Times: A New Adult Anthology
   by: Julie Cross, J.Lynn, Molly McAdams,, Hannah Moskowitz, Lyla Payne, Roni Loren, Andrew Shaffer, Cole Gibsen, Myra McEntire, Carrie Ryan, Mark Perini, Sophie Jordan, Lisa Desrochers, Tracy Wolff, Lauren Layne, Alessandra Thomas, Melissa Landers, Gennifer Albin, Melissa West

Publication Date: Feb. 25, 2014
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Genre: Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 350 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

You always remember your first time...

Whether it's the couple who decides not to go through with it, the two boys who finally aren't ashamed, the newlyweds whose wedding night could very well be their last night together, the deaf pair who have no choice but to take body language to a new level--or, of course, the two young lovers fumbling and laughing, getting everything wrong. These are the memories that will never fade.

Join nineteen fantastic authors as they pull back the curtain and give you a peek inside that one intense moment in their characters' lives when everything changes and nothing will ever be the same again.

Featuring stories from some of the hottest names in New Adult, Young Adult, and Romance including New York Times Bestselling authors J.Lynn/Jennifer Armentrout, Molly McAdams, Sophie Jordan, and Carrie Ryan.

NOTE: These stories are works of fiction. If you want to know about our first times, you'll have to buy us a pet monkey first.

 

When I first saw all of the amazing authors featured in this anthology, I knew I had to have it! It had some of my very favorites in here, as well as some I've been wanting to try! Being a NA lover, I knew I would enjoy these novellas and for the most part I did! There were a few that weren't my kind of stories, but I still appreciated that this book included some diversity in it as well. A few others just fell short for me, as novellas are tricky to write. There wasn't enough development and a few were kind of ridiculous plot-wise. But then there were the ones I want to hold tight and never let go of! I wish those ones could have been made into feature length novels, because I desperately wanted more!

One such book was Melissa Landers' Under the Seryn Moon. I absolutely adored that this was not a contemporary and instead told of an arranged marriage between two tribes. Lyra has been forced to marry Kai, prince of the Seryn tribe, after her father's lost the war. She is a peace offering and nothing more. Kai surprises Lyra with his thoughtfulness and his tenderness. He wants to make her feel comfortable in a place foreign to her and where it is his right to take her as he pleases, he does not. He is kind and asks for her permission and I just really loved the undertone of this one. There are no declarations of love, instead there is the promise of a love to come and I really liked that.

Another favorite was J.Lynn's Believe in Me. I LOVE Ollie! He was such a great side character in Wait For You so naturally I was psyched for him to get a novella! I also love Brit, Avery's friend, so seeing them together was a pleasant surprise. I really like that Ollie and Brit were friends first and then turned into something more. Ollie and Brit have always teased each other, but things are different now, as Ollie realizes he really does care for her. He is a different guy with her and wants to be good enough for her and I loved seeing that sweet side to him.

Crash by Sophie Jordan was another that made an impact on me. We first met Hunter in Foreplay, so it was nice to see his story. After not getting the girl, his friends insist on taking him to a strip club, which is funny in its own right because Hunter is more of a straight and narrow guy. He is focused on school and went from one serious relationship to having something with Pepper. His friends think he needs to loosen up and live a little, but that's just not Hunter's style. Too bad one night at The Kitty Cave ends up being a far better one than he ever imagined. Brooke is doing whatever it takes to get by and pay her tuition. Following in the footsteps of her mom and sister, she knows stripping will bring in more cash flow than her job at a burger joint. The only problem? This isn't Brooke. She's not cut out for the world of groping, horny men. Seeing Hunter in the crowd, she is immediately drawn to him. He doesn't act a fool like the other men, but instead just watches her with this intensity that does not go unnoticed. She thinks he's too good for a trailer park girl like her and even though he is persistent about getting her number, she doesn't see the point because she knows he won't call.

Other books of note:

Field Emotions by Melissa West and Strike Out by Myra McEntire both have athletes as their MC's (Yum!) Field Emotions is the story of best friends becoming something more and finding the courage to admit their feelings to one another and Strike Out tells of a ball player desperate to get a girl that works in the management office. She stays away from ball players and has earned a rep as being the girl no one could get. Ben doesn't see her as a challenge, but instead genuinely wants to get to know her and spend time with her.

I also loved Alessandra Thomas's With The Lights On. Aless isn't afraid to tackle very real, difficult issues that women face and I love that about her stories. Anna suffers from panic attacks and extreme self-consciousness. After being chewed up and spat out for her curvier figure, her life really took a took turn for the worse. Now, she is seeing a great guy named Tal, but hasn't confessed the reason behind her scar or the reason behind her panic attacks. I freaking LOVE Tal. He is a great guy and when Anna does finally come clean, he doesn't judge her or make her feel any less than she should. He accepts her and loves her no matter what. It is a very uplifting, hopeful story and I really liked that.

Julie Cross's Daylight was such a different story and this is one I wish we could have seen more of. Jack is a broken man needing absolution and Audrey is a preacher's daughter who is waiting for marriage before having sex. Audrey is the light that Jack desperately needs and their wedding night is bittersweet, as Jack has to go away, and doesn't know if he will even return. The storyline felt unresolved even though it does come full circle at the end. I liked that it was different in nature and instead of being a steamy story, it had softer, sensual feel to it.

Finally, Love in an Elevator by Carrie Ryan was such a fun story. I think it's every single girl's fantasy to get stuck in an elevator with an extremely hot guy! It wasn't very realistic, but that's ok because I loved how steamy it was!

Overall, this is one I couldn't read all in one sitting. My brain needed time between the novellas to adjust to a different storyline, setting, and characters before being able to move on. Some stories are very similar to one another in the 'first' department, but every author has a different style and I felt most of them stuck out enough for me to truly enjoy them.

 

Uninvited (Uninvited #1)
   by: Sophie Jordan

Publication Date: Jan. 28, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: Science Fiction/ Dystopian
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 384 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan's chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her genetic test proves she's destined to become a murderer.

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

The first in a two-book series, Uninvited tackles intriguing questions about free will, identity, and human nature. Steeped in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan's trademark mix of gripping action and breathless romance, this suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of James Patterson, Michelle Hodkin, and Lisa McMann.

 

Sweet, pretty Davy Hamilton has it all- she's smart, incredibly gifted and talented, and the envy of all her female peers. She is dating the hottest guy in school and together they have big plans for their future. Until one fateful test changes the course of her life completely. Davy's life is thrown into chaos and everything she once knew- is no longer.

 

Wow. You guys. This book completely blew me away! I am a big fan of Sophie's, as she has shown her versatility in writing Young Adult and New Adult. I haven't read any of her Adult novels as of yet, but I have no doubt she rocks those too! I really enjoyed the premise of Uninvited, and I really enjoyed Davy as our protagonist. I don't often get overly emotional while reading books, but at one point I felt such despair for Davy that I found myself tearing up. Upon discovering she has tested positive for HTS, she is completely at a loss. She knows herself and she would never hurt anyone. Yet, there is such a negative stigma attached to the gene. People are afraid of her- her parents included. Her loving boyfriend who she thought would understand and stick by her no matter what ends up being a class A jerk and is more concerned with self-image and preserving his reputation than sticking by her side. Her best friend is not really a friend at all. As soon as she finds out, she goes behind Davy's back to talk about her with Zac, Davy's boyfriend. Tori, the girl who once followed Davy around, is now against her and doesn't want to include her or even be near her.

 

Seeing the alienation and disgust that Davy encounters from her peers is absolutely horrifying. She is forced to endure all of this on the possibility that she might do something to harm someone, despite the fact she has exhibited no violent tendencies previously.

 

Davy was such a likeable character. Even while her world is falling apart, she manages to keep her wits about her. She is strong, but in a very subtle way and I liked that. After being transferred to a new school where she is basically held in captivity with other carriers of HTS, she still manages to  do what she must in order to stay under the radar. I was absolutely shocked by the treatment of these HTS carriers. They are kids for pete's sake! Sure, some of them I would absolutely be wary of- but there are others who are more than they seem.

 

Sean O'Rourke is one of the HTS carriers that Davy happens upon at school. Sean gives off the bad boy vibe and is definitely a mystery. He constantly warns Davy not to depend on anyone but herself, but I think he is trying to protect himself from getting too close to her. As often as he warns her away, he is still there for her when she needs help. I liked that their relationship is very slow building and isn't forced. Considering Davy was in love with her ex-boyfriend, it wouldn't make sense to just have her jump in with Sean. Not that he would have let that happen anyway, as he is so guarded. Yet, she can't deny that he makes her feel safe, as well as recognizes that she isn't a killer. He believes in her and she really needed that from someone.

 

Due to the rising crime and uprisings from those with HTS, all carriers are transferred to detention camps for the safety of themselves and the rest of the world. Again- I was horrified at how these kids were treated. It is a very scary world Jordan has created and I cannot wait to find out how Davy's story will conclude in the sequel!

 

As soon as I opened this book, I was engaged. I liked seeing the normalcy of Davy's life at school and then seeing it all shatter and change kept me reading voraciously to find out what would happen to this poor girl. I really enjoyed this one and I am so glad I picked it up!

Foreplay (The Ivy Chronicles #1)
   by: Sophie Jordan

Publication Date: Nov. 5, 2013
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC received from Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 320 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 5/5 stars

Before she goes after the life she’s always wanted, she’s about to find the one she needs.

Pepper has been hopelessly in love with her best friend’s brother, Hunter, for like ever. He’s the key to everything she’s always craved: security, stability, family. But she needs Hunter to notice her as more than just a friend. Even though she’s kissed exactly one guy, she has just the plan to go from novice to rock star in the bedroom—take a few pointers from someone who knows what he’s doing.

Her college roommates have the perfect teacher in mind. But bartender Reece is nothing like the player Pepper expects. Yes, he’s beyond gorgeous, but he’s also dangerous, deep—with a troubled past. Soon what started as lessons in attraction are turning both their worlds around, and showing just what can happen when you go past foreplay and get to what’s real…

 

I'm going to have the biggest Reece hangover. Err, I mean book hangover. Nope, I definitely meant the first. I'm officially in love with a sexy, tatted, bad boy bartender. Now if only I can snag one of them in real life.... Seriously, you guys. I just devoured this book in the span of a few hours and I currently have butterflies in my stomach. I'm in total swoon-mode. Now, I've read the first two books in Jordan's YA Firelight series, so I already knew she could write some pretty awesome kissing scenes. I have not read any of her adult novels, but after this- I need to rectify that! Not only can she write some seriously steamy scenes, but gosh she can WRITE. This story flowed so seamlessly in my opinion and I really enjoyed the build up between the main characters- the tension between them was palpable and off the charts hot! She has also created an awesome secondary set of characters and I'm quite curious to see who the next book will focus on!

 

Our main character Pepper is desperate to get her best friend's brother Hunter to notice her. She's stuck in that 'oh, she's my sister's best friend' zone and she wants him to see her in a different light. She enlists the help of her two roommates, Georgia and Emerson, to find a way to do this now that Hunter is back on the market. Their solution? Hook her up with a hottie who will rock her world and teach her the sexual ropes. Pepper is our tried and true virgin and is NOT sexually experienced. Now, I know I've said I'm completely over the whole virgin girl/bad boy cliché. And I am. I'm telling you- Sophie is able to pull this off and I didn't find myself rolling my eyes. I rolled with it and it didn't bother me. (Personally, I think it's because Sophie's just that GOOD of a storyteller! You don't get caught up with little nuances like that. You're 100% engaged in what's going on and how Pepper is going to land her man.) I liked Pepper's character for the most part. There were a few times where she really angered me because her naivety was causing her to handle situations poorly. She has grown up with her grandmother, as her parents are no longer in the picture. Yet, Pepper has memories of being with them both and those memories play a larger role in her present than she would like to admit. She's been in love with Hunter for a long time- she knows he's the one she wants and she is determined to get it. Nothing can break the illusion that Hunter is the perfect fit for her. Yet, she never in a million years counted on meeting Reece.

 

Oh, Reece. It's pretty clear from my opening paragraph just how much I love him. He was hard to get a read on at first because he was brisk and a bit gruff, but he does have a vulnerable side, it's just not one he shows very often. Life has made him hard and as much as he makes you think he's the ultimate bad boy- he has one of the best hearts Pepper will find. What starts as a lesson in sexual foreplay turns into so much more....

 

I loved Pepper and Reece together. They just had that white, hot passion that everyone wants to have in their relationships. I was rooting from Reece from the get-go. He saw Pepper long before Hunter did and he wanted her- all awkward and clumsy and sexually inept. I don't ever like a guy who just magically sees the girl in a different light because she's been seen with someone else. That's not cool to me. I did like that Reece called Pepper on her crap. He wasn't going to let her play him and string him along. They had a lot of tender, sweet moments together and I wanted to smack Pepper upside the head. How could she be so blind to what was standing right in front of her?! I get it though. Hunter is the safe, predictable choice. She can see what her life would be like with someone like Hunter. Reece is unpredictable- he is mysterious and closed off when it comes to talking about his home life. Still- there's something pretty incredible about a man who's willing to teach a girl how to land another guy and not ask for or expect anything in return.

 

I enjoyed Emerson and Georgia, Pepper's roommates. I definitely want to find out more about Emerson, because as Pepper stated- she's not just the party girl she leads everyone to believe. There's definitely a story there that I want to read about. Georgia was a bit more level-headed than Emerson- she has a steady boyfriend that she's been with for awhile, so I'll be curious if she gets a story. Pepper confided in these girls and they were there for her when she needed their advice and I really liked that. I am also curious to read more about Logan, Reece's younger brother. He's a total player and definitely makes his rounds with the college girls. We know that Reece and Logan's family life isn't the best- their father is a piece of work and we get to see how he has affected Reece, but I am curious as to how Logan has been affected by him.

 

Overall, this was such a good read and I didn't want it to end! I am definitely continuing this series and I can't wait to see what's next in the Ivy Chronicles!

Firelight (Firelight #1)
    by: Sophie Jordan

Publication Date: Sept. 7, 2010
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: Fantasy
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: Borrowed from Library
Page Count: 326 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 5/5 stars

A hidden truth.

Mortal enemies. 

 Doomed love.

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her.

 A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki, a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form. Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away;if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.

                         -goodreads.com description

Ok. So technically this was a re-read for me. I read it last year, but I wanted to read it again since it had been so long and I was able to get my hands on the second in the series. I loved it the first time around and I loved it just as much this time! This book was just unputdownable! :) It was also my first book about dragons (draki) and I thought Jordan did an awesome job with it. I didn't feel like it was too cheesy or unbelieveable. She really made it work.

Our main character is Jacinda, who lives with her mom and twin sister in the draki 'pride'. Jacinda is special however. She is the first fire-breathing draki in a long time and is destined to be paired with the pride leader's son, Cassian. All of this does not sit well with Jacinda. She longs to be free to make her own choices.

We meet Jacinda and her best friend Az, as they are wanting to shift into their draki form and fly in the daylight. The problem? They are only allowed to fly at night for fear of exposure by humans or worse, hunters. Well, Jacinda and Az of course get into a pickle and Jacinda is faced with her worst fear: hunters. Hunters who track down her kind for their skin, their blood, and experimentation.

Without giving too much away, Jacinda catches a lucky break, but she is now in trouble with the pride. Her mom insists that it is no longer safe and they flee to a desert town where her mom hopes she will kill off her draki side and become human like her twin sister. The story really kicks off here, as Jacinda struggles to fit in a strange place.

Jacinda is used to be the special one in the pride, where her twin sister, Tamra, was seen as an outcast because of her lack of draki. Now the roles have reversed and Tamra is thriving in their new environment, where Jacinda is struggling. I felt for her because she never wanted to kill off her draki, but obviously didn't have a choice in leaving. Tamra slips in easily with the popular crowd, where Jacinda does not.

But then Jacinda meets Will.  However, this is not the first time that she has met him. As the synopsis above states, he is a hunter. Jacinda knows she should stay away from him, but she can't help that she's drawn to him and he to her. The only problem? Will is the one who can bring out her draki in the dry desert and she knows she can't reveal her secret to him.

Sophie Jordan really knows how to write some good kissing scenes! Let me tell you! Whew! I love the chemistry between Will and Jacinda. Their relationship is smoldering (literally!) They both try so hard to stay away from each other, because they know it's for the best, yet they can't. <3

Overall, this book was fast-paced, had a great romance, and alot of action. It's definitely one of my favorites!


Vanish (Firelight #2)
   by: Sophie Jordan

Publication Date: Sept. 6, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: Fantasy
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: Borrowed from the Library
Page Count: 294 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

An impossible romance.
Bitter rivalries.
Deadly choices.

To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely-guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone.

Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love?

                                         -goodreads.com description

Although I didn't like this book as much as the first, I still found myself flying through the pages. It didn't have the 'second book syndrome' luckily, but I just liked the first one more.

My heart ached for Jacinda. After the ending of the last book, she is now stuck back at the pride, only this time, she's not known as the special one. She is definitely facing the consequences of her actions from the end of the first book. And she is suffering from the loss of Will. You know what they say, "If you love someone, you have to let them go"... She knows she has to move on and forget about him, but he's never far from her mind, even as Cassian makes his move.

Ah, Cassian. We didn't see him a whole lot in Firelight but we do get a lot more of him in this book. Jacinda thinks he is only interested in her because of what she is, not WHO she is. And that is something that really bothers her from the previous novel and into this one. However, Cassian does prove himself and show that he really does have feelings for her and it's because he likes who she is. As attached as I was to Will, I can't help but like Cassian for everything he does for Jacinda to protect her and her family.

Tamra, on the other hand, is finally experiencing everything Jacinda had before and I'm glad for her, to an extent. I understand that she always felt like she was lost in her sister's shadow, but she just came across as a spoiled, whiny teenager.

I don't feel like this book had as much action as the first one, but the pace still moved quickly. As heartbreaking as it was to see Jacinda suffer back under the scrutiny of the pride, it was still neat to see how things 'really' worked there. And what the pride Elders would do to their own if they caused problems.

I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on the third book to see how it all plays out. Who will Jacinda ultimately choose: the hunter she gave her heart to in the desert or the strong, protective draki who would do whatever it takes to help her? Will her and her friends be able to save Cassian's sister from the hunters and the Enkros?