Review: The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine

The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Publication Date: December 31, 2013

Rating: 2 stars

Source: eARC from Edelweiss

Summary (from Goodreads):

Wren Caswell is average. Ranked in the middle of her class at Sacred Heart, she’s not popular, but not a social misfit. Wren is the quiet, “good” girl who's always done what she's supposed to—only now in her junior year, this passive strategy is backfiring. She wants to change, but doesn’t know how.

Grayson Barrett was the king of St. Gabe’s. Star of the lacrosse team, top of his class, on a fast track to a brilliant future—until he was expelled for being a “term paper pimp.” Now Gray is in a downward spiral and needs to change, but doesn't know how. 

One fateful night their paths cross when Wren, working at her family’s Arthurian-themed catering hall, performs the Heimlich on Gray as he chokes on a cocktail weenie, saving his life literally and figuratively. What follows is the complicated, awkward, hilarious, and tender tale of two teens shedding their pasts, figuring out who they are—and falling in love.

What I Liked:

I'd say that the beginning, the first part of this novel, was truly the only part that I really enjoyed. You know why? Because Wren and Grayson had not met yet. It wasn't mushy gushy and self-pitying yet. You know what book this one reminded me of? The Infinite Moment of Us, by Lauren Myracle. Go check out my review for that one. You'll notice similarities.

This book begins by introducing us to each character, separately. This book is split into Wren's perspective, and Grayson's perspective. I like this. Both characters are very unique, and I like that we get to read from both of their perspectives (even if I hated their thought processes). 

So, basically, Wren is sad because everyone thinks that she average. SHE thinks that she is average. She's quiet, she's not NHS-material, she's not Harvard material... she's just average Wren, feeling sorry for herself, totally defined by her average class rank. Grayson is all mopey because he got kicked out of his fancypants private school because he used to run a term paper business. Or something. Something unethical that had to do with term papers. 

That's the beginning. Constantine does a great job of characterizing each character. That doesn't mean I liked them or anything. 

What I Did Not Like:

I really just want to direct you to my review of The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle... but I can't. But seriously, they are so so so similar, and I hated that book. I mean, even the heroine's names are the same. I'm not accusing either author of plagiarism or anything, but I hated The Infinite Moment of Us, and I hated this book.

I strongly dislike insta-love, and I'm sorry, but this book was a bunch of insta-love BS, in my opinion. Wren saves Grayson via the Heimlich maneuver, and suddenly, both of them are imagining themselves all over each other. I. Hate. This. No. No no no. Insta-love at its finest. You don't decide that the person you saw for like, a minute, is perfect and wonderful and all you can think about. No. Not like that.

Next thing. Wren is such an airhead, in my opinion. You think you're average, girl? Yep, you're right. You so are. Average in class rank, average in social life, average in intelligence - but seriously. She's so stupid sometimes, I just want to smack her and wake up some of those brain cells. Where are you thinking of applying to school, Wren? I hate when people don't know this. You shouldn't be a junior, or even a senior, and NOT KNOW. You should have some idea of what you're interested in, and some idea of a school to apply to. If you don't, in my opinion, then you're just being lazy. You don't WANT to think about college and degrees and jobs. You're scared of the future, and also, you're lazy. This is my opinion, you all, not cold hard facts or anything. Also, I'm not saying you should have a life plan or anything.

Grayson is so stupid as well. I mean, why would you put your academic integrity, your record, etc., on the line, for small amounts of money?! I mean, the money really is small, compared to the career you COULD have if you went to a great school and didn't tarnish your record by doing something as disappoint as selling term papers. WHY ARE PEOPLE SO STUPID. And the other thing he did/does. STUPID. IDIOT. I am unforgiving when it comes to these flaws and actions. Just... no.

I found the whole plot of this book POINTLESS. It's all about the romance. Mushy gushy yucky in-your-face-all-the-time romance. I really don't want to read a book that has the characters thinking about the other CONSTANTLY. Like, that's the only thing each of these two would think about. Wren Wren Wren. Grayson Grayson Grayson. Yuck yuck yuck.

The other plot - the subplot - deals with Grayson and his dishonest business. Not the term paper one, but another one. You'd think he would have learned his lesson by now, when he got kicked out of his old (fantastic) private school. Wait, excuse me - I mean, he was asked to leave. Whatever.

Ugh I cannot even finish this. Maybe this one should get one star. Whatever. I really don't like this book. Count me out for contemporary romance novels, at least for some time. 

Would I Recommend It:

Ehhh, no. There are better YA contemporary romance novels out there. Heck, there are better contemporary novels out there in general. Don't waste your time on this one. No offense to the author, publisher, etc., but this one was a bit painful.

Rating:

1.5 stars -> rounded up to 2 stars. This one wasn't for me, not by a long shot. I can't say I'm completely giving up on YA contemporary romance, but I know it's not my favorite genre. Surprise.

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Book Blitz and Giveaway: Stir Me Up by Sabrina Elkins

Welcome to the Stir Me Up book blitz! I'm pleased to participate in this promotional event. I have not read this book, but I have heard so many great things about it! I feel like so many people read it a few months ago, and loved it. Enjoy the post, and good luck with the giveaway!

Stir Me Up by Sabrina Elkins

Publisher: Harlequin TEEN

Publication Date: October 1, 2013

Summary (from Goodreads):

Cami Broussard has her future all figured out. She'll finish her senior year of high school, then go to work full-time as an apprentice chef in her father's French restaurant, alongside her boyfriend, Luke. But then twenty-year-old ex-Marine Julian Wyatt comes to live with Cami's family while recovering from serious injuries. And suddenly Cami finds herself questioning everything she thought she wanted.

Julian's all attitude, challenges and intense green-brown eyes. But beneath that abrasive exterior is a man who just might be as lost as Cami's starting to feel. And Cami can't stop thinking about him. Talking to him. Wanting to kiss him. He's got her seriously stirred up. Her senior year has just gotten a lot more complicated…

Available from:

  

About the Author:

Sabrina Elkins, author of Stir Me Up, has also worked as a journalist, movie copywriter and prep cook. She graduated from USC and currently lives with her husband and three children in the greater Los Angeles area.

Sabrina loves hearing from her readers, and encourages you to visit her at www.sabrinaelkins.com, on Twitter @sabrina_elkins, Facebook at elkins.sabrina, and Goodreads.

   

The Excerpt:

Julian’s in cutoff sweats and no shirt and he’s trying to reach from the weight bench where he’s seated to the door handle of the small fridge, which is just a few inches too far away from him. From my hiding spot by the doorway, I can see his surprisingly V-shaped bare back, and the rise of muscle that runs from his shoulders to his neck, and the cut of his arms. I clear my throat and he turns. 

Okay, there are guys who are utterly ripped, like bodybuilders. That’s not Julian. He’s not stacked like a bodybuilder. He’s just… buff, in this way, in this utterly sensual way. Like his pecs aren't huge and bulging, they’re just pronounced enough. His chest, like his back, is broad and his body tapers in at the waist, leading to another hint of a V-shape pointing down from his hip bones, and above this the shadowy lines of a six-pack. He sees me. 

“Hello.” 

My insides clench. Suddenly, I can’t look at him. “Can’t sleep?”  

“No. I figured I might as well do something useful.”

“But now you’ll have to get your wheelchair all the way back up to the house.”

I glance at him and catch him studying me. “Yeah, I guess I will.” 

Probably on account of his injuries, Julian is stretching out his left leg and leaning back on the bench instead of just bending the leg and sitting normally. This is what’s giving me such an amazing view. Of his sweatiness. The sweat has dampened his hair, it’s filming his skin. There are a handful of scars on his chest, and with his head back a little like it is, my eye can trace the line up those scars in a kind of zigzag pattern. 

I gulp down some air and hope he can’t hear it. But he must, because that curve at the corner of his mouth deepens a little. 

“Can you come here a minute?”

The Giveaway:

Win 1 of 3 stockings filled with holiday candy, chocolates, a hand-crafted Christmas charm bracelet and $10 Amazon gift card. Open Internationally. Void where prohibited.

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Release Day Blitz and Giveaway: Proxy by Mindee Arnett

Proxy by Mindee Arnett

Book 0.5 of the Avalon series

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Publication Date: December 3, 2013

Official Summary:

If you need something stolen from any star system in the Confederation, you need look no further than the Shades. Jeth Seagrave and his band of teenage mercenaries have been making a name for themselves for being able to steal anything—and for disappearing before anyone is the wiser. 

Their latest job, a jewel heist on Grakkus, should be no different. But when Jeth's boss replaces a key member of his crew just before takeoff, and Jeth discovers a betrayal within his own ranks, he begins to suspect that not everyone is going to be coming back from his job alive.

Proxy is an action-packed introduction to a world like nothing readers have seen before.

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About the Author:

Mindee Arnett lives on a horse farm in Ohio with her husband, two kids, a couple of dogs, and an inappropriate number of cats. She’s addicted to jumping horses and telling tales of magic, the macabre, and outer space. She has far more dreams than nightmares. She's the YA author of The Nightmare Affair (Tor Teen), an urban fantasy series about a girl who is literally a nightmare and must use her skills to solve a murder, and the forthcoming science fiction series, Avalon (B+B, 1/21/2014), where Jeth and his teenage mercenaries need to pull off one last big job in order to earn their freedom.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr

The Excerpt:

The thrill of the job never got old. Jeth Seagrave lived for it. For the way the anticipation sent electricity pulsing through his veins, making his blood burn hotter, his heart beat harder, and sharpening his senses until he felt like something more than human. A superhero from one of the ancient myths of First Earth, perhaps.

You’re no hero. The automatic thought skidded through his mind, barely registering. No, he wasn't. He was a thief. One of the best.

And that was all that mattered. Never mind that he was only sixteen. Never mind that most of his crew was even younger. Together they were an unstoppable force, a gang of teenage thieves their adult marks never saw coming. The thrill pulsed harder inside him, and with an effort he focused on the nav monitor in front of him. They would be entering the patrolled zone around the planet Grakkus soon.

To his left, Celeste piloted the Debonair forward, her hands steady on the control column. Jeth would've preferred to pilot this job—he would prefer to pilot every job—but he and Celeste took turns. All of the members of the Malleus Shades held specific roles that played to their strengths. Celeste’s forte was counterintelligence, particularly the art of distracting marks. Jeth’s was strategy, and he typically took point on every job. But when it came to piloting, he and Celeste were equally matched.

Jeth drew a breath, still struggling to focus. He couldn't help it. The upcoming job was the most challenging, complicated one they’d taken on yet. The target was located in a vault at the top of a tower only accessible through the emperor of Grakkus’s personal bedchambers—not some insignificant politician or petty crime lord, but an emperor. Pulling it off would be like flying a spaceship through a solar storm without getting fried. A grin threatened to break on his face. The job was going to be fun, and with a payout well worth the risk.

At last the nav computer flashed an indicator that they were heading into the patrolled zone.

Celeste glanced at him, her dark eyes narrowing. Straight black hair hung in a blunt cut down to her shoulders. “Are you going to turn on the stealth drive or what?”

“I’m thinking about it.” A part of him didn't want to. The so-called stealth drive was brand new and untested, at least by the Shades. If it didn't work, things were going to get a whole lot more interesting real quick. And if it did work, well, then things weren't going to get interesting. He couldn't decide which he preferred.

In the end, Celeste made the decision for him, reaching over to a switch on a sleek new section of the control panel. Jeth sighed. It was the right thing to do, of course, and there would be plenty of risks to be had once they landed.

Or it might not work properly, he thought, examining the nav monitor once more. Best not to blindly trust some newfangled technology. Within minutes he spotted a blimp on the monitor, a patrol to their starboard. The ship was far off, but within range to scan them.

“What should I do?” A hint of panic colored Celeste’s voice. They had never before flown so boldly through a patrolled area.

“Hold course,” Jeth said, not taking his eyes off the blimp. So far the patrol ship hadn't given any sign that it had spotted them.

“You sure you’re right?”

“Aren't I always?”

Celeste snorted. “Do you want an honest answer?”

“Nope. I prefer my own version of the truth.”

“Right.” Celeste tightened her grip on the controls. According to the instructions they’d received from their employer, who owned the Debonair, the stealth drive worked best when the ship maintained a constant speed and course. Any sharp turns or drastic acceleration or deceleration could turn up on a system scanning for thruster signatures, stealth drive or no.

Maybe it was for the best that Celeste was piloting, Jeth realized. He would've been tempted to test the theory of what constituted “drastic.”

They passed out of range of the patrol a few minutes later, and Jeth sat back in the copilot’s chair, folding his arms across his chest as he tried to ignore his disappointment. They flew within range of three more patrols but moved past them without incident, finally breaching Grakkus’s atmosphere.

Once through, Celeste headed for their rendezvous point, an isolated forested area a few hundred kilometers outside of the capital city. Beyond the bridge’s main windows, the first rays of sunlight were breasting the horizon, heralded by a swath of purple, pink, and vermilion.

At last Celeste set the Debonair down on a large stretch of tall grass the color of seaweed. She powered off the engines and turned on the auxiliary, which would keep the shipboard systems running, including the stealth drive. It wasn't likely that anyone would spot them out here—the place was well off the main thoroughfares, not to mention how inhospitable the swamp surrounding them was—but Jeth decided not to point that out.

Celeste stood and stretched, the movement languid as if she were part cat. The dark, fitted clothing she wore aided the illusion. “So, what now?”

Jeth checked his watch, which he’d synced to Grakkus time. “I say breakfast or lunch, whichever works, and then a couple hours’ R and R. The setup man’s not due to arrive until fourteen hundred.” They’d had to get here early to avoid being detected during landing. The stealth drive hid them from sight, but it couldn't disguise the sound of the engines or the wind raised by the thrusters.

“Think I’m going to shower again, before—” Celeste broke off as a voice echoed over the ship’s comm system.

“Um, Boss? We sorta have a situation. You might want to get down to the common room.”

Jeth blinked, all his disappointment from their unadventurous journey vanishing in the space of a single breath. It wasn't often that Will Shady sounded nervous.

Wondering if maybe the ship was on fire, Jeth turned and headed off the bridge with Celeste quick on his heels. They arrived in the common room on the deck below moments later. Jeth stopped in the doorway, surveying the scene. There wasn't a fire. There wasn't anything amiss at all, as far as he could tell. Shady was sitting on one of the sofas, his attention focused on the 3D projection from his portable gaming system, a wave of bloodthirsty robots coming at him, each one falling to his simulated gunfire. The comm unit he’d used to radio the bridge sat discarded on the sofa beside him, in danger of being swallowed by a cushion.

Jeth approached him. “What are you doing?”

“Practicing,” Shady said, not looking up. The scowl on his face as he let off a triple blast, drilling a robot right between its bulbous black eyes, made his features look distinctly leonine, the appearance aided by his shaggy mane of blond hair. Shady’s assigned role in the Malleus Shades was ordnance officer.

Jeth put his hands on his hips. “We’re not going to be shooting anybody on this job. And please tell me this wasn't the thing I needed to see.”

Shady shook his head. “Nope. It’s in that storage locker.” He pointed to the row of lockers along the wall across from them. “The one in the middle.”

Jeth arched an eyebrow. He considered pressing Shady for more, but knew there wasn't much point. All the crew dealt with prejob nerves in different ways, and once engrossed in his ritual video game, it was hard to get Shady to concern himself with anything else.

Jeth crossed the floor to the locker in question, wondering where the Debonair had been last. Their employer used the ship for lots of different jobs, and it was possible it had been parked planetside somewhere a wild animal could’ve gotten in. An image of something furry and clawed and with teeth the size of fingers flashed through Jeth’s mind. He wasn't wearing a gun, and he briefly considered getting one before finding out what had Shady so nervous, but then he shrugged and pulled the door open.

There was something alive in there all right, but it wasn't a wild animal. Even still, it took Jeth several moments to come to grip with what it was. Who it was.

The Giveaway:

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Release Day Blitz and Giveaway: Kisses, She Wrote by Katharine Ashe

From award winning author Katharine Ashe, comes an enchanting Christmas novella about a shy but imaginative princess and the rakish Earl who could make all her wildest fantasies come true...

Kisses, She Wrote by Katharine Ashe

Book 1.5 of the Prince Catchers series

Publisher: Avon Impulse

Publication Date: December 3, 2013

Official Summary:

The Christmas season has never been so steamy.

Handsome as sin and scandalously rakish, Cam Westfall, the Earl of Bedwyr is every young lady's wickedest dream. Shy wallflower Princess Jacqueline Sensaire knows this better than anyone, because her dreams are full of the breathtaking earl's kisses. And not only her dreams--her diary too. 

But when Cam discovers the maiden's not-so-maidenly diary, will her wildest Christmas wishes be fulfilled in its pages . . . or in his arms?

The Excerpt:

“At least you won’t be at a significant disadvantage when you wed,” the princess said thoughtfully. 

“Disadvantage?” 

“There is . . .” Her voice trailed off. She looked out the window and tilted her head. Her stance was relaxed. This conversation did not, apparently, agitate her as it did him. 

“Princess?” 

“The thing is, I have never kissed a man,” she said and looked over her shoulder at him. “Will my husband be disappointed to discover that I have no knowledge of kissing?” 

Cam’s throat had gone entirely dry. If she had no actual knowledge of kissing, she certainly had excellent intuition. 

“Why do you ask me?” 

“I cannot very well ask my brother. How horridly embarrassing that should be.” She scowled but her eyes twinkled. 

“You might ask your ladies in waiting, or the Duchess of Lycombe.” 

“How would they know the answer? They are women.” 

He was nonplussed. “Well . . .” 

She turned to him fully. “You and I are friends, so I trust you will answer me honestly. I know you have considerable experience kissing women.” 

His cravat had shrunk again. “Do you?” 

She lifted a single, eloquent brow. She was far too intelligent for him, and far too forthright, and he was far too accustomed to consorting with females of much less acute minds and much baser characters. She was not now flirting with him but making a statement of fact. 

He nodded in silent admission. 

Both brows perked now, like the shimmering feathers of a raven. “So . . . ?” 

“I should think that your husband would be delighted to teach you the finer points of kissing.” And learn a thing or two in the process. 

“I suppose you may be correct about that. Men like to instruct women. I think it makes them feel more in control.” 

He could not hide his amusement. “You don’t say?” 

“Well, doesn't it? You are a man.” 

“Good of you to notice.” 

“Do you like it when you feel in control of a woman?” 

“I like it when a woman feels she is getting what she wants from me.” 

Her fine, expressive eyes widened. Then, slowly, she turned to the pianoforte and began rearranging the music on the stand. Cam studied the clean sweep of her back to her gently curved hips and the straight set of her shoulders. She was not petite, not enticingly round, not anything he had ever desired in a woman. But merely looking at her back and knowing what she imagined of him — of them together — made his heartbeats hard. 

“I should like to give it a try before I marry,” she said without turning around. Her voice was pitched a bit low. “Kissing, that is.” She glanced at him. Her cheeks were ever so slightly pink. 

“Should you?” He suspected where this was going. He’d been the object of countless women’s flirtations. But never this woman. She confined her attentions to him safely in her diary. 

This was a different woman before him now. 

“Yes,” she said. “I think it would be a useful experience to take into marriage. Don’t you?” She turned her hungry gaze upon him...

The Giveaway:

Steal your own Christmas kiss with a $100 gift card to Sephora! Follow Katharine Ashe on Twitter, like her on Facebook, or leave a comment with a diary story of your own to enter for a chance to win!

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Release Day Launch and Excerpt: Bitter Sweet Love by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Welcome to the Bitter Sweet Love release day launch! Happy book birthday, JLA! 

Read my review HERE.

Bitter Sweet Love by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Book 0.5 of the Dark Elements series

Publisher: Harlequin TEEN

Publication Date: December 1, 2013

Official Summary:

In a sizzling prequel novella to her new series The Dark Elements, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout draws readers into the extraordinary, irresistible world of Wardens and demons.

Dez wasn't just Jasmine's crush. A gargoyle Warden like Jas, he helped her come to terms with her destiny—fending off demons and maintaining the balance between good and evil. He was her everything…right until the moment he disappeared without a trace. It didn't help that Jas's father had just announced that she and Dez would one day be mated. Hard not to take that personally.

And now he's back, three years older, ten times hotter, ready to pick up exactly where they left off. But Jas isn't taking that risk again. Dez has seven days to meet all her conditions and earn back her trust. Seven days filled with terrifying danger and sweet temptation. Seven days to win her heart—or shatter it all over again…

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | iBooks

About the Author:

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you've heard about her state aren't true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon

The Excerpt:

Moving lightning fast, Dez shifted and I was suddenly underneath him. His arms were on either side of my head, caging me in. Our bodies didn't touch, but I felt him to the tips of my toes anyway.

                The teasing grin disappeared when I dragged in a deep breath and my chest brushed his. Everything changed in an instant. The playful mood faded, replaced by primal heaviness. Our gazes collided and locked. Neither of us moved. His closeness sent a series of shivers skittering across my skin and made it hard to take slow, even breaths. My body tensed when his gaze dropped to my mouth.

                He tilted his head to the side. “I… I honestly have no idea what we were talking about.”

                “Good. Neither do I.”

                He shifted his weight onto one arm, bring him closer. “Have you enjoyed your trip so far?”

                “Yes.” I felt as if I couldn't get enough air into my lungs.

                “Good.” He lowered his head. His breath was minty as it moved across my cheek and then my lips. “I’m glad.”

                I wasn't really following the conversation and I wasn't sure that he was fully aware of what was coming out of his mouth. I searched my hazy brain for something to say and wet my lips. I-

                The sound that came out of Dez’s chest rumbled through me. A stuttered heartbeat passed and then his lips were on mine. There was nothing slow about this kiss. It scorched my skin and caused my body to stretch tight like a bowstring. The kiss deepened, spinning my senses. I shuddered when his hand curved over my shoulder and drifted down to my waist, his long fingers spreading out under the hem of my shirt, grazing the bare skin of my stomach.

                I gasped, floored by the raw sensations pounding through my blood. My skin felt as if I was about to phase. Maybe I was.

                “Jasmine,” he whispered, the word falling against my lips, and then his body was pressing mine into the mattress, heavy, sweet and hard.

Review: The Scandal in Kissing an Heir by Sophie Barnes

The Scandal in Kissing an Heir by Sophie Barnes

Book Two of the At the Kingsborough Ball series

Publisher: Avon Books

Publication Date: December 31, 2013

Rating: 3 stars

Source: eARC from Edelweiss

***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***

Summary (from Goodreads):

He is the next Marquis of Wolvington…

She is a lady with nothing but beauty and wits…

Together they share a forbidden kiss.

Lady Rebecca is determined to find a husband on her own terms, rather than marry any of the aging suitors her greedy aunt and uncle foist upon her. Her chance comes at the Kingsborough Ball, where she meets several potential grooms…yet no one compares to the dangerously handsome Daniel Neville.

Daniel Neville, notorious rake and heir to the Marquis of Wolvington, is in need of a bride, but finding a lady who’s willing to accept his past, is an entirely different matter. When he spies a stunning woman across the ballroom, Daniel believes he’s found her…until scandal erupts around them. How can he convince Rebecca to take a chance on him…and on the love that could be theirs forever after?

What I Liked:

Book one of the series is based loosely on the story of Cinderella (I believe it is - that's what I think, but I don't know for sure), and I believe that this book, book two, is based on the story of Rapunzel! I thought that was so cool! Rebecca was stuck in a tower for two years - everyone believed her to be mad. In reality, she was faking madness to put off getting married, because her aunt and uncle would have arranged a marriage for her long ago.

Well, after Rebecca gets caught at a ball (where she and Daniel meet), she is forced to face marriage. With the prospect of marrying the slimy Duke of Grover thrown in at her, she agrees to marry the title-less Daniel Neville - they will elope. It's a good plan, because Rebecca wants to get out of marrying the Duke of Grover, and Daniel needs to get married to show his uncle (a marquess) that he is quite serious about inheriting the title of the Marquis of Wolvington.

Of course, things don't always go according to plan. Even if they do get married, Daniel and Rebecca will cause great scandal, causing the ton to go in an uproar, angering the Duke of Grover, Rebecca's uncle and aunt, Daniel's uncle and aunt... lots of things could go wrong. And they do.

For the most part, I enjoyed this book. Daniel and Rebecca's relationship is definitely not typical of a historical romance novel. They have it a little backwards - they want to get married first, and then get to know each other, and fall in love. It works, in this book. I didn't always feel the chemistry between these two, but by the end of the book, I could definitely understand that they were in love.

I wasn't super pleased with the plot of this novel - I thought it dragged (see below), but I did finish this novel, so I consider that a success. It was interesting to push me to finish the book - I was invested enough in the story to want to know what happened in the end!

The end was a really nice end. Everything wrapped up extremely nicely. I keep forgetting that this book runs directly parallel to the first one - both books start in the same scene (the Kingsborough ball). Well, the beginning is very cool, and the end of this one is a great ending.

What I Did Not Like:

For the most part, I enjoyed this book, and got through it pretty quickly, but one of the things that bothered me was that this book definitely dragged along, especially in comparison with the first book. I was a little bored at times, and it made it difficult to keep reading. I put this one down several times, because I didn't think I had it in me to finish. 

It's not to say that I wasn't interested in this book - overall, I really wanted to know how Barnes would wrap up this story. Maybe it was the timing in which I decided to read this novel, or maybe it was the novel itself, but it wasn't as interesting - scene to scene - as most historical romance novels that I've enjoyed are. Like, each scene couldn't hold my attention. In general, this book caught my attention, and I enjoyed it, but the specific scenes and events of this novels weren't that interesting. 

Like, I feel like there was a lot of internal monologues, descriptions, contemplation, etc., but not enough dialogue, action, and quite frankly, chemistry/hot scenes. I didn't really feel the chemistry between Rebecca and Daniel until the actual scenes, and then it was an explosion of chemistry.

Also, the dialogue seemed weird. It was almost too modern at times. Like, I understand that the author doesn't want to ALWAYS use stuffy Old English speak, but you can't just insert modern-day slang into a historical romance novel. Keep the anachronisms out of the speech!

Would I Recommend It:

This one is definitely worth the read, if you read the first book and enjoyed it. But I wouldn't mark this one as a MUST-READ-OR-ELSE. It's definitely not one of my favorite historical romance novels of the year, so it wouldn't be a go-to recommendation (like its predecessor), but it's still a good read.

Rating:

3 stars. Not as amazing as the first book, but still a pretty good novel nonetheless! 

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Review: Bitter Sweet Love by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Bitter Sweet Love by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Book 0.5 of the Dark Elements series

Publisher: Harlequin TEEN

Publication Date: December 1, 2013

Rating: 5 stars

Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

In a sizzling prequel novella to her new series THE DARK ELEMENTS, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout draws readers into the extraordinary, irresistible world of Wardens and demons.

Dez wasn't just Jasmine's crush. A gargoyle Warden like Jas, he helped her come to terms with her destiny—fending off demons and maintaining balance between good and evil. He was her everything...right until the moment he disappeared without a trace. It didn't help that Jas's father had just announced that she and Dez would one day be mated. Hard not to take that personally.

And now he's back, three years older, ten times hotter, ready to pick up exactly where they left off. But Jas isn't taking that risk again. Dez has seven days to meet all her conditions and earn back her trust. Seven days filled with terrifying danger and sweet temptation. Seven days to win her heart—or shatter it all over again...

What I Liked:

I will be the first to tell you that novellas are unnecessary and a slight waste of money. Usually, I skip novellas in series, because I think it's a waste of money to pay $2.99 for less than a hundred pages of content - and it's not even printed. Novellas don't continue the plot; their purpose is to give more background or more insight on an event or a character or a mixture of both. And usually, at least one full-length novel will come out before any novellas come out - which is annoying, because many times, novellas are set BEFORE the full-length novels.

Well, I really, really like this novella, for many reasons. I love the background information provided, I love Dez and Jasmine's story, and I love the role and placement of this novella. Armentrout does an amazing job of introducing this new world and series to readers in this novella. She also shows us the progression of Dez and Jasmine's relationship, which is exciting and beautiful. Finally, this novella is made available BEFORE any of the full-length novels are out, which is a really great thing. 

 This novella provided a wealth of information about the world that Armentrout has created. The author does a brilliant job of describing the world, the characters, the paranormal creatures she has created, the rules of society, and so on. I found like, zero plot holes, and when I had questions, they were gradually answered as I kept reading. The world-building is very well-done, as is the character development. Novellas a difficult to write, because you have to cram a ton of world-building, character development, and a plot into a story that should be like, three to four times smaller than a full length novel. That's not easy! But Armentrout did a really fantastic job with this novella. 

Dez and Jasmine's relationship is so near-perfect, in my opinion. Not their relationship, but the manner in which the relationship exists is near-perfect. Dez and Jasmine have a past they have to work through, but they have a present that is steamy and meaningful, and a future that is (hopefully) amazing. Armentrout always has the right amount of hawtness in her books, and this novella is no exception. But I loved how the romance is worked into the plot of this novella. This story is really all about Dez and Jasmine, but Armentrout subtly slips in bits and pieces that foreshadow what is to come in book one. Bravo!

The role of this novella is superb! I usually hate how novellas come out AFTER the first full-length novel comes out. There is no point! I mean, I totally respect every author's work, but like, novellas usually are not necessary to read, to understand the rest of the series. And they always come after the first full-length novel comes out. Which is annoying. What I like about this novella is that it comes out BEFORE the first full-length novel. Therefore, it is actually somewhat necessary to the series. If you read this novella, you get a lot of information concerning gargoyles and gargoyle customs and whatnot. A lot of things will make sense even BEFORE you even read the first book. Which I like!

Basically, this novella is the exception to all of my opinions about novellas. And, as a story, it is a GREAT novella. I enjoyed the story, and I would highly recommend reading this book, especially before the first book comes out. Armentrout does not disappoint!

What I Did Not Like:

I have nothing to say in this section! No work of literature is perfect, but I can't think of anything I didn't like about this novella.

Would I Recommend It:

DEFINITELY! I usually dislike the roles of novellas (I think they're a little unnecessary), but this novella had an interesting role to it. For one, it came out BEFORE any of the full-length novels in this series, which like, never happens. This made its purpose different, because it really is giving us background about the gargoyle world, before reading the actual novels. I like that! 

And I actually have White Hot Kiss - I got it before I got Bitter Sweet Love - but I'm really glad I read this novella before I read the first book (I have yet to read it). So, I highly recommend you pick up this novella, before reading book one. I was sure I'd never say that, but, I did!

Rating:

5 stars. This novella is totally worth $2.51 (or however much you will pay for it). Run, don't walk!

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