The Edge of Happiness {a review}

Now you may be thinking, Laur you've talked about The Edge of Happiness before! You're correct, I have talked about it in my February Anticipated Releases, in my January Top 5, and also in my most recent weekly wrap up. 

So why am I talking about it again? Well in those posts I just focused on the book description, and telling others to read the book! Here I can at least share a bit more about the book, as well as quotes I loved, while also doing my best to avoid spoiling the book. Plus when you find a book you love, you talk about it. Sometimes ad nauseam. Sorry, not sorry. 

First and foremost, we need to discuss the fact that The Edge of Happiness is the debut novel by Kristin Turnage, and it releases TODAY! Oh, and also, there are four more books coming in The Edge series.  You already know I'm giddy about that. I get to stay with these amazing characters! Now I just need to be patient as Kristin writes the books.

After reading the book, I feel that there should be a content warning for bits and pieces of the story. There are sensitive subjects related to mental illness that occur. So know that going into the story. If you want specifics, please send me a message on instagram or facebook.

Also, if you are an emotional person (like me), have tissues on hand. Just trust me on that. I mean I went through quite a few in the first five chapters, so yeah. 

If you've read the description of the book, then you know that Cassie is struggling with events that have happened in her life. We don't know the full story of what sent Cassie into this spiral, but she's hurting. And now, her Dad is sending her to stay with family that she doesn't know. At least it's better than the alternative that his Dad's girlfriend (Jennifer) was proposing. 

Upon arriving in Oaks North Carolina, Cassie is immediately introduced to her Aunt and Uncle. It's a bit overwhelming, but with her dad by her side it's a bit more manageable. Which is understandable because we're always most comfortable with those we know. We can let our shield down a little bit.

The hug scene with Aunt Katie, in chapter 2, warms my heart. And yes, it may have made me tear up a bit.

Her arms wrap around me and squeeze me in all the right places, a true mother's hug. I feel my muscles relax and my heart fill with warmth.

We all need that sort of hug from time to time. A true mom hug just feels different. It's as though you feel the love coming through. It's everything.

More introductions are made, and Cassie now knows her cousins Tyler and Josslyn. I also like how Josslyn and Cassie immediately bonded, and that Josslyn felt that she could be herself around her new cousin. It was an instant connection between the pair, and Cassie's circle started to take shape.

Josslyn convinces Cassie to run to the grocery store with her, and it is there that she meets Ryan (and Mac). There is an immediate attraction for Cassie and Ryan. Probably more so on Ryan's part though. More than that attraction though, there is an immediate connection. It's like two missing pieces finding each other.

That meeting, at the grocery store, set the stage for everything that happens next.

A few days after Cassie arrived in town, she finds herself at a birthday party for Mac. After a little time passes, all these new faces become a bit too much, and Cassie goes to find a quiet place. Ryan finds her, and asks "Are people too much sometimes?" He understands her. He sees her. 

This group that Cassie now has, is amazing. They've all connected in a deep way. Even though Cassie hasn't told them her past, they love and accept her for who she is. Cassie in turn repays that to them. Whether it is helping with a wedding, making their favorite foods, being a shoulder to cry on, etc, it's her way of giving of herself.

Another thing that I love his how Cassie wants to learn. She doesn't want anyone to do things for her. She wants to learn how to do it. Whether it is setting up a fishing pole, baiting the hook, working at the farm, working in her Aunt's store, whatever. Teach her, and she's good to go.

After a particularly rough day for Ryan, Cassie plans a surprise for him that she pulls off with the help of their friends. She doesn't want anything from Ryan. And this quote sums it up nicely.

"We all have shitty days. We all get in moods where we don't want to be around people, and just want to be left alone. But we also have those days where sometimes it's nice to know there's ice cream and spaghetti waiting for you. It's nice to know someone sees you struggling, and doesn't try to bombard you with questions."

Once that Ryan realizes she doesn't want anything from him (except for him to be happy), he relaxes a bit. They spend time just hanging out and watching movies.

Eventually Cassie finds herself going to the farm with Ryan. There she meets his parents (Caleb and Cora), and gets to help out around the place. While it's hard work, Cassie is enjoying it. When a storm rolls in, and the two are essentially suck in the barn, Ryan asks Cassie to "tell me your story". 

"It's not pretty."
"I don't want pretty. I want yours."

That reply of Ryan's had me nodding my head in agreement. If we want a true relationship with others, we have to be vulnerable and let people know where we are hurting. If we let them know our past, our struggles, together we have the option of overcoming it, of working through it. So yeah, that line was perfection.

You want to know what thought of Ryan's damn near broke my heart? It was this one:

I know that I'm going to be the one that's going to shatter her soul. It kills me but I have no other choice. She deserves more than the asshole I am.

Then later in chapter 28, he thinks this:

I need her to hate me because I can never hate her. No matter how hard I try. It's hard to hate the sun when it shines so beautifully. 

That last part happens after everything that's revealed in chapter 27. So just when Cassie needs Ryan the most he pulls this garbage. UGH. 

Things happen, and I want to smack Ryan. But I can understand why he did what he did.

The conversation between Jace and Cassie, in chapter 34, wrecked me. We got to hear just a snippet of Jace's story, and I can tell already that once he gets his turn, I will need a box of tissues. I'm positive that a couple tissues won't be enough.

"Everyone's broken, sweetheart. We all have our demons that we battle every day. The key to winning isn't about making them disappear. Winning is about knowing what you were and changing for what you want to be."

"Everyone feels fear when they are faced with what they can't forget. You're always going to feel this. It's never gonna go away. The memory will be with you forever. It doesn't matter how much you grow as a person. Your demons will always be there. Always knockin' on the door, but you have the choice if you open the door or not."

So a whole lot of more stuff happens, that I can't discuss because spoilers, and Jennifer appears in town ready to take Cassie home to her Dad. Jennifer drives her back to Trent and Kate's to grab her stuff, but there is a crew waiting to protect Cassie. Time passes and it is at Trent and Kate's house that Cassie and Ryan finally have it out. She gets all of it off her chest. Does she feel better? No. But she feels a bit lighter. She's been holding all of this in.

After some conversation, Cora tells Cassie that "even on the darkest days, we always look to the sky, Sunshine." That line triggered a memory for Cassie, and that opened up information that we didn't have prior. 

I literally gasped when everything came out. GASPED. (okay and teared up because emotions.)

Oh and after that, Ryan made me want to smack him again for his actions with Kayla. Stupid stupid man.

Prepare yourself friends. Because Cassie wrote Ryan a note, and left him a flash drive with videos to watch. My heart. OH MY HEART. I was prepared, but I wasn't. 

I want to talk about what happened in chapter 37, I really do. More so about how sneaky Cora is. Of course I also love that she wasn't the only one in on it. I love this group.

In chapter 38 we get to find out Ryan's story, and why he had everything bottled up. It was interesting to hear everything he's been through, and it helps me to understand him a bit better.

I want to tell you so much more, but spoilers. Just know that this book is worth reading. It's worth the emotional roller coaster that we go on. I hope you do read it. If you do, please come tell me your thoughts.

Please accept my apology for being long winded. It's who I am, and I just truly love this book. Thank you Give Me Books PR for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a review. Congrats Kristin Turnage on publishing your first book! I look forward to reading more of your books in the months and years to come.

Happy Reading my friends,

The Bookish A to Z book tag

It's been a while since my last book tag. I found the Bookish A to Z book tag through the FNM Book Blog (courtesy of Google), and it sounded interesting. After looking at the questions on Ann Marie Swaim's blog, I decided I would participate. No I wasn't tagged, but that doesn't stop me.  Plus these book tags allow you all to get to know me a bit better. 

Author you've read the most books from:

This is a tough one. Id say it is a toss up between Aven Ellis, Natasha Madison, and Nora Roberts.

Best sequel

I went back and forth on this one. Ultimately A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas won out.

Honorable mentions to: Wundersmith by Jessica Townsend and Archenemies by Marissa Meyer

Currently Reading

The Wedding Game by Meghan Quinn. It was my Amazon First Reads selection for February.

Drink of choice while reading

Diet Coke

E-reader or Physical Book

Prior to Christmas 2019, I would have said physical. Now though my answer is 100% e-reader. I love my paperwhite.

Fictional character you probably would have dated in high school

Oh gosh I have no clue. (and do you know how long ago high school was for me? egads!)

Glad you gave this book a chance

Fragile Things by Samantha Lovelock

Hidden Gem

On The Edge by Dani Collins

Important moment in your reading life

I really think it goes back to my introduction to books. It was all because of my paternal Grandpa, and those amazing pop-up books he gifted me.

Just finished

I received an ARC of Only One Touch by Natasha Madison, and it was amazing. (review coming soon)

Kind of books I wont read

Horror or anything that is extremely gory.

Longest book you've read

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J Maas

Major book hangover because of

The Edge of Happiness by Kristin Turnage

Number of book cases you own

2 for me, and 3 half sized for my kids.

One book you've read multiple times

Everyones a aliebn when ur a aliebn too by Jomny Sun

It's amazing, and everyone should read it.

Preferred place to read

My couch in our downstairs living room

Quote that inspires you, or gives you all the feels, from a book you've read

Reading regret

I don't have any. 

I mean are there books I wish I wouldn't have given my time to? Yes, I'm looking specifically at you Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks.

Series you started and need to finish

I'll just mention one since most of the series I'm currently reading are works in progress. So with that, I'll say the Nevermoor series by Jessica Townsend. I still need to read Hollowpox. (and I really want to buy the series vs borrowing it from my library.)

Three of your all time favorite books

Excuse me? Choose favorites? How very dare you! Okay fine, I'll toss out a few titles.

• Everyone's a aliebn when ur a aliebn too by Jomny Sun
• The Edge of Happiness by Kristin Turnage
• Bloodmark Saga by Aurora Whittet

Unapologetic fangirl for

Hockey romance novels. Especially those by Natasha Madison and Samantha Whiskey.

Very excited for this release (more than all the others)

At this very moment, I would say Restless Things by Samantha Lovelock. I need to know what happens after that bombshell at the end of Fractured Things.

Worst bookish habit

Reading too fast, and not cherishing the book. Maybe? 

X marks the spot: start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book

Vision in White by Nora Roberts. It's the first book in the Bride Quartet series.

Your latest book purchase

Oh just call me out why don't you. You know I've been buying books when I don't need to be.

I pre-ordered Only One Regret by Natasha Madison. It is the fifth book in the Only One series. Now I just need to wait until October. (unless I can get my hands on an ARC in September. Wishful thinking.) I'm so giddy that Natasha Madison decided to expand the series from 4 books to 8. 

ZZZ-snatcher book (aka the last book that kept you up way too late)

Geez, what did I do to you? I can't help it if I read late at night, and then get so absorbed into the book that I say up until 1 or 2 in the morning. 

There you have it, my bookish a to z.  Have you read any of the books I mentioned? How about the authors? Are you familiar with them? 

Happy Reading,

January Top 5

Hello my fellow book lovers!

Now that January is officially over, I want to take a moment to take a look back and recap my month. I will also be sharing my top 5 reads for the month, and believe me it was very difficult to make that selection.

Let's start with the stats.

In January, I read:

• 19 books, all of which were e-books
• 5,776 pages
• 8 advanced reader copies 
• 1 library e-book
• 10 books I own and/or purchased

My average rating was 3.95 out of 5.

Speaking of ratings, my breakdown looks like this:

• 3 books received 5 stars
• 12 books were 4 stars
• 4 books were given 3 stars

Not too shabby!

The longest book I read was One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London, and it was 424 pages.

The shortest book I read was One Night with the Rebel by Kendall Ryan, and that was 67 pages.

I also read 8 new to me authors! So that's pretty darn amazing.

Amazon First Reads {February}

 🎶 Look at these books.

Aren't they neat.

Wouldn't you think my library's complete?

Wouldn't you think I'm the girl

The girl who has every book? 🎶

Sorry, I couldn't resist. It's what immediately came to mind while opening up the Amazon First Reads page. Speaking of Amazon First Reads, since it's a new month they have new offerings! Once again we have 9 books to choose from, but for the month of February we only get one selection. Which is fine. It just makes me appreciate January and July all the more. (those are the months we seem to get 2 selections.)

For those who are not familiar with the Amazon First Reads program, it is a perk of being an Amazon Prime Member. Each month the powers that be select eight or nine books, and offer them for free download. The majority of the time members can select one book, but every so often they allow us two. Now the hope is that those who download the books will then come back and leave a review. So if that sounds interesting to you, check it out. (I know this available in the continental US, but I am not certain about locations.)

Looking at the options, and I know which book I would automatically choose. It should surprise no one.

Naturally I'm going the rom-com route. 

Therefore my Amazon First Reads selection, for February, is The Wedding Game by Meghan Quinn. I'm telling you now, I will read The Wedding Game in February. I already have another Meghan Quinn book on my TBR courtesy of my TBR Game, so looks like I'll be reading two of her books this month. (or more, who knows!)

Reading the description, this sounds like an enemies to lovers story, and I am here for it. Cannot wait to see how the story goes, and what shenanigans the characters are involved in.

My second choice was Wings of Fury by Emily R King. This fantasy had me stopping in my tracks and making me rethink my original selection. It sounds so good, and if you like Greek mythology I think Wings of Fury will be a good selection for you. Wings of Fury is also looking like it will be a duology, and Crown of Cinders, the second book, will be released in October. 

The other books available for February are:

After Alice Fell by Kim Taylor Blakemore. This is a historical fiction that is set in New Hampshire back in 1865. I just read the blurb, and oooh it sounds like this historical has a bit of mystery/suspense potentially mixed in.

Black Boy Out Of Time by Hari Ziyad is one of the memoirs being offered. It sounds really powerful and moving. If you are looking for a coming of age story and/or an own voices book, grab this one! It's going on my wishlist, so that I can remember to go back and buy it come March 1st.

The Deadly Mystery of the Missing Diamonds by TE Kinsey is your book if you want a mystery! This book is set in London during 1925. 

Infinite by Brian Freeman is a psychological thriller! Oh my word, just reading the description has me on the edge of my seat. Um, I think this one is going on my wishlist also. Yep.

The Psychopath by Mary Turner Thomson is our other memoir for February. Let me tell you, reading the description, wow. Just wow. I cannot believe what she lived through. The Psychopath has me curious, and yes it's been added to my list.

The Speed of Light by Elissa Grossell Dickey is marketed as a contemporary fiction. Now for me, this book doesn't grab my attention. I do like the fact that it is set in South Dakota, and the fact that it is an own voices book, but that isn't enough for me to pick it up.

 

The last option is Agnes's Place by Marit Larsen. This children's picture book is illustrated by Jenny Løvlie. This book was first published in Norway, and has been translated by Kari Dickson. It sounds like a really cute story about friendship and how one person can have an impact on your life. I could see this being a popular school read. Especially during I Love to Read month.

Please tell me which book you chose! If you went with The Wedding Game, I'd love to discuss it with you. Maybe we could even buddy read it. If you selected another of the available books, please come back and let me know what you thought of the book. 

Happy Reading,

Weekly Wrap Up

Happy February my book loving friends!

I ended January by reading SIX books.  Four were full length, and the other two were novellas. If we break it down further 4 were ARCs, 1 was a new release, and 1 was a library book. 

I am obsessed with these books! I wish I could go back and read them again for the first time. Seriously. These books just sucked me in, and I want to live in them. There are two that I wish they become TV shows or made for TV movies, but then I worry about how they would be portrayed. So I'll just let them live on in my mind.

The first book I read this week was an ARC of The Edge of Happiness by Kristin Turnage. The Edge of Happiness is a new adult contemporary romance that discusses mental health, and healing from traumatic events. While reading the book, I found myself wiping away tears quite a few times. Yes, I'm an emotional person, but there was just something about The Edge of Happiness that had the tears flowing. I love that Cassie was able to find a group of people that took her into their circle. It was almost as though Cassie and these new friends had known each other their entire lives. 

Here is the blurb for the book:

Cassie Davis is the girl you'd look over in a crowd. She isn't the life of the party, she's the DD. The responsible one, the reliable one, the one you can count on. That's who she is. 

When her best friend dies a tragic death on her watch, her life starts to fall apart. The guilt and shame take their toll. Therapists aren't helping and her dad's out of options. That's until her estranged Uncle calls out of the blue, giving her dad the idea of sending her to his small NC hometown for the summer. 

Her goal is to fix herself, to find her happiness somewhere amidst the chaos. But, she's not ready for the smooth talking, gorgeous guy that gets injected into her life. Staying away from him would be best, but when he speaks to her, she feels her hope inside come alive. When he touches her, her world that's full of chaos and confusion, freezes. 

Ryan's someone that's never struggled in the looks department. His wounds are deep and he's not looking for someone to mend them. After his long-time girlfriend cheated on him and ended up pregnant, Ryan doesn't want to get tied down ever again. He wants to live out his life, working on his family's farm, and that's it. 

Parties and unattached sex are his new norm, trying to find happiness wherever he can. That's until her eyes make him feel stupid things in his chest. Ryan doesn't want to give himself to anyone again, but when she smiles, his world lights up. 

When they're both on the edge of happiness, will they risk it all for each other? 

I gave this book 5 stars. It grabbed my attention, and I cannot get it out of my head. I look forward to eventually reading more in this series. Kristin Turnage's first book has made me a fan.

Last year I heard so many people talking about One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London. After seeing it pop up again in the first part of January, I decided to see if my library had it available, and how long the wait would be. Thankfully I didn't have to wait too long, and I was able to dive into One to Watch this week. (I opted to go the library route, and not to buy the book, as the kindle price is too expensive for my budget.)

I adored Bea. She is an amazing woman, and deserves this opportunity presented to her. There were times that I was laughing. There were times where I was irritated on Bea's behalf. There were times I wanted to tell Bea to get out of her head and be open to the possibilities. I felt all the feelings at different times. Also, Bea's stepdad was one of my favorite side characters. He seems like a man who would do anything for those he cares about. 

I don't think I can fully explain the book without spoilers, so here's the info from Goodreads.

Real love...as seen on TV

Bea Schumacher is a devastatingly stylish plus-size fashion blogger who has amazing friends, a devoted family, legions of Insta followers--and a massively broken heart. Like the rest of America, Bea indulges in her weekly obsession: the hit reality show Main Squeeze. The fantasy dates! The kiss-off rejections! The surprising amount of guys named Chad! But Bea is sick and tired of the lack of body diversity on the show. Since when is being a size zero a prerequisite for getting engaged on television? 

Just when Bea has sworn off dating altogether, she gets an intriguing call: Main Squeeze wants her to be its next star, surrounded by men vying for her affections. Bea agrees, on one condition--under no circumstances will she actually fall in love. She's in this to supercharge her career, subvert harmful anti-fat beauty standards, inspire women across America, and get a free hot air balloon ride. That's it.

But when the cameras start rolling, Bea realizes things are more complicated than she anticipated. She's in a whirlwind of sumptuous couture, Internet culture wars, sexy suitors, and an opportunity (or two, or five) to find messy, real-life love in the midst of a made-for-TV fairy tale. In this joyful, razor-sharp debut, Bea has to decide whether it might just be worth trusting these men--and herself--for a chance to live happily ever after.

Now, was One to Watch perfect? No, it had its flaws. But I was able to overlook them and still enjoy the story. Seeing a plus size woman as the lead character, watching her go through this journey to finding herself, and ultimately choosing what is bets for herself, that was what I liked. Now would The Bachelor actually cast a plus size woman as the next bachelorette? I can't see that happening. If it did though, I would totally watch it. I gave One to Watch 4 stars.

My third book for the week was one I discovered because of Instagram. I don't remember who's post it was, but I read the blurb and I knew I had to read this book! There was just something about it that drew me in. Maybe it was how vague the blurb was. I'm not certain, but I am so glad I picked this book up! Full disclosure: I also applied to be part of the review/promo team, and was accepted. They provided me with an ARC of the book.

Fragile Things by Samantha Lovelock is a young adult slash new adult story. As for tropes, this is a dark rich kid romance, that is primarily set in high school.  So if either of those tropes are your thing. Read the book. I will let you know that you have to read this series in order. Fragile Things ends in a cliffhanger, so be prepared for that by having Fractured Things ready to go.

So what is this book about? 

Sometimes what seems most fragile, can't be broken.

Stella 
Poe Halliday was an accident. A chance meeting that changed my life forever.

My mother didn't have secrets; her secrets had her. After she disappeared, I had nothing.

Or so I thought.

When the invitation arrived, the opportunity to learn about my mother's past was too great to pass up. I knew I was taking a risk, but I craved answers. 

Now the dark history of this town threatens to tear me apart.

It's all about him.

I knew this was a mistake.

Poe 
Stella Bradleigh was a distraction. Something to play with when my shadows got too dark.

I spent my entire existence forced to live a life I didn't want. There was only one way out.

Or so I thought.

Meeting the beautiful stranger with the mysterious past, I thought she would be a good time, and then I could just throw her away. 

Instead, she consumed me, and now she's made me question everything I know to be real in my life.

It's all about her.

I knew I was a mistake.

I feel like the Folkestone Sins series would make a great TV show, mini-series, or made for tv movie. Although maybe that's just me wanting to see these characters (and the situations they find themselves in) come to life. Also, I really want to know more about the history of Folkestone! I wonder if Samantha Lovelock will ever go back and give us a prequel? Hmmm, wishful (and hopeful) thinking. As for rating, I gave this 4 stars. 

You shouldn't be surprised to see that Fractured Things is the next book I read. It just makes sense. After all when my jaw dropped at the end of Fragile Things, I knew I had to dive right in to book 2. 

In Fractured Things we picked up right where we left off. And I can tell you nothing because I don't want to spoil anything! 

The book blurb might give you a little insight, but it won't be much unless you've read Fragile Things. 

Stella 
Poe Halliday could have been my everything. The boy who allowed me to dream again.

Over as quickly as it began, one night ended it all with a dark secret spit from cruel and twisted lips.

The secret that stole her from me.

After spending my entire life living with my mother’s demons, I refuse to let them take anything else away from me.

I’m stronger than they think I am, and the only way I can escape this nightmare is to fight.

This time it will be on my terms.

I have to go back.

Poe 
Stella Bradleigh shone like the brightest star. Able to keep my shadows at bay with nothing but her smile.

I’ve been unknowingly living under the same roof as the devil incarnate—the architect of a horrific event kept secret for so long.

The secret that stole her from me.

When she left, my world turned cold again.

From the day she arrived, I knew my heart belonged with hers, and even though I tried to push her away, she became a part of me. The shadows in this town are no match for the ones I carry. I’ll stand by her side and fight.

This time it will be on her terms.

She has to come back.

So from that you know Stella ran. She's off to work things out in her mind, and is trying to come to terms with everything that happened. Is she ready to return to California and the life she was developing there? Or should she stay in New York? After all, this place was home before that letter arrived.

I loved this book also. I read it quickly (as per usual with me), and grumbled when it was over. Especially since we ended on another cliffhanger! Silly me thought I could move right into Restless Things, book 3, but that doesn't release until March 25, 2021. Excuse me while I go cry in the corner. Oh and Ruined Things doesn't come out until June. So I'll be tortured until then. Excuse me while I go cry.

After the suspense I was put through with those last two books, I decided to go with something light. I knew that About A Boy by Stephanie Kay would be perfect.  Plus I had an arc of it on my kindle, so why not jump in? Now if you've read my hockey romance series, then you know that I am familiar with Stephanie Kay's writing. I'm a fan. So going into this novella, I pretty much knew what to expect when it came to her writing style, as well as how her characters come across. What I wasn't expecting was for familiar faces to appear. I may have cheered a bit when some of the Strikers appeared.  I also wish that About A Boy was a full length novel, because I want more of the M&Ms. 

If you are looking for a friends to lovers romance, or the shared bed trope, then please pick up this book!

The best of friends, but nothing more. Until now…

Graphic designer Maddie Lanzi is still figuring out her life. Her freelance business is up and sort of running, but something is missing---her best friend. The only constant in her life since birth. Inseparable. Until a year ago.

Pastry chef Marco Marchetti has spent the last year in Paris honing his skill with all things chocolate. Life is good. The only thing that could make it better is having his best friend Maddie by his side. Now he’s heading stateside to make truffles for her brother’s wedding. He’s excited to see his family, but all he really wants is to hang with Maddie. They're even rooming together, just like when they were kids.

When a hotel mix-up turns two queen beds into one massive king-size, he's seeing his best friend in a whole new light. Will a weekend of passion turn into a lifetime together or will Marco be heading back to Paris alone?

Oh and be prepared for the steam in this book. Also be ready to fall for Maddie and Marco. I can only hope that they appear as side characters in future books.  I gave this book 4 stars.

My last book for this week was another novella. One Night with the Rebel wasn't even on my radar until Kendall Ryan announce that she was working on a new hockey series. You should already know that grabbed my attention. So I immediately preordered The Rebel, and then also downloaded this little prequel.

One Night with the Rebel sets the stage for what's to come in The Rebel.  And based on what I read, I want The Rebel to come out NOW. Thankfully my wait won't be too long, as The Rebel comes out at the end of March.

Here's the description, for One Night, if you're curious:

She barged into my life and turned everything upside down. 

We spent one scorching-hot night together, and then she disappeared into the sunset with the golden jock everyone adored. Which makes sense, right? A girl as beautiful and brilliant as Eden Wynn doesn’t end up with a rebel like me.

I expected them to live happily ever after, except that's not what happened.

She's back—and tempting me like no one else has. And while I'm certain I'll only tarnish her shine, I want her. Only her. 

I'd heard the old notion that one night held the power to change everything. I just never believed it. 

Until now.

Is it time for The Rebel to be released? Please? I need to know what happens with Eden, Holt, and Braun! Sigh.  Now I did only give this book a 3 star rating, as I have mixed feelings on it. Yes, knowing what happened in college is important to the storyline, BUT at the same time, I would have preferred more of the current day storyline. Which I know I'll get that in The Rebel, but it is what it is. I still enjoyed the story.

Those are the six books I read last week. I loved them all, and my series obsession is going to hurt me. The wait times between books is TORTURE. Kidding. Maybe. Although it does give me time to pick up another series, and then be giddy on release day, so there's that.  

What did you read last week? Any favorites? Tell me!

Happy Reading,

(note: I realized I didn't say all of the books that were arcs. I was provided kindle copies of About a Boy, Fragile Things, Fractured Things, and The Edge of Happiness in exchange for review. My thoughts about the books are just that, mine. I truly enjoyed what I read, and would have purchased the books regardless.)