180 Seconds by Jessica Park

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Synopsis:
Some people live their entire lives without changing their perspective. For Allison Dennis, all it takes is 180 seconds…

After a life spent bouncing from one foster home to the next, Allison is determined to keep others at arm’s length. Adopted at sixteen, she knows better than to believe in the permanence of anything. But as she begins her third year in college, she finds it increasingly difficult to disappear into the white noise pouring from her earbuds.

One unsuspecting afternoon, Allison is roped into a social experiment just off campus. Suddenly, she finds herself in front of a crowd, forced to interact with a complete stranger for 180 seconds. Neither she, nor Esben Baylor, the dreamy social media star seated opposite her, is prepared for the outcome.

When time is called, the intensity of the experience overwhelms Allison and Esben in a way that unnerves and electrifies them both. With a push from her oldest friend, Allison embarks on a journey to find out if what she and Esben shared is the real thing—and if she can finally trust in herself, in others, and in love.

There are no words!!! I loved everything about this book! Jessica Park is a favorite of mine because she has this ability to write characters that jump off of the page centered around plots that are so refreshingly unique! I definitely have a bit of a book hangover after reading 180 Seconds!
I found it so interesting that the whole story begins with a social experiment and centers around it in some way, shape, or form. It was a refreshing way to tell a story combined with the social media aspect that came with the character of Esben. I love how this particular author uses social media in her books to further plot and help readers further understand the characters. It is easier to understand the type of person that Esben is while reading about his time as a social media star. He was a beautiful character and I loved how he wanted to focus on and encourage postivity in the world. It was wonderful to see a character that was genuinely good and trying to make the world a better place.
I loved all the characters in this book but I have to say that Allison was my favorite character. I related to her on a deep level because I saw commonalities between her and myself. I could understand why she kept those around her at arm's length. She didn't want to get attached only to risk getting hurt when she didn't meet the expectations of others. I saw the beauty in her when she is first introduced in the book and my love for her grew the more I came to know about her as the book progressed. 
The 180 second social experiment that Allison gets roped into in the beginning of the book has got to be my favorite part of the book! I love the progression that happens and the emotions that Esben and Allison each show along with the reactions of each of them in turn.
What an amazing story with so many amazing messages throughout! I devoured the words from start to finish! This is a book that helps you to see that there is good in the world but also trial and sadness. It reminds you that even when you have gone through pain, like the characters in the story you have the strength to get back up and decide what to do moving forward. This book broke my heart and mended it again so many times in the best way. I was devastated when I reached the end because I wanted to read more. I would highly recommend it to anyone!

 

Roommates With Benefits by Nicole Williams

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Synopsis:
Soren Decker. He’s the epitome of the “bad boy, good man” persona. The best of both worlds. The worst of them too. He’s the type of guy most girls wouldn’t mind sharing a confined space with, except my new roommate isn’t all swagger and chiseled abs.
He’s bossy. Messy. Cocky. Infuriating. Doesn’t believe in personal space. Has no qualms about roaming the apartment with a loincloth-sized towel cinched around his waist. Seems under the delusion he’s my personal protector (refer back to infuriating). He plays college baseball and holds down a part-time job—I don’t know where he finds the time to get on my nerves.
We have nothing in common . . . except our attraction to one another. And in six hundred square feet of shared space, the tension only has so much room to grow before one of us gives in to temptation. But really, what chance do a couple of young kids chasing their dreams in the big city have of making it?
Since Soren claims I know squat about sports (he might have a semi-point), here’s a stat for him—one in a million. That’s our odds.

I was worried about reading this book because of the title. I thought that it might end up being a smut fest with hardly any plot. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised! The story focused more on the growth in the relationship between Soren and Hayden from roommates to something more.

I loved Soren! He was supportive, sexy, and respectful. I love books that have a love interest that is a genuinely good guy rather than the tortured bad boy. I feel like a lot of books out there focus more on the bad boy so this book was refreshingly different. Soren had an edge to him but it was due to his masculinity and sex appeal rather than him having sex with anything with female anatomy or breaking the law. I kind of wish that I could have heard his point of view in the book. I think that it would have made for an even more interesting story.

I had a bit more trouble understanding and liking Hayden. She was sweet and determined but
I feel like she gave more and worked harder when it came to relationships in her life that were toxic rather than giving more effort in relationships that had more meaning. Speaking of toxic relationships...Soren warns her about it and she keeps making excuses for the person. I had a hard time believing that she couldn't see that that particular person was a skuz bag. It was written all over them. Soren only needed to hear a description of the person and he could see it. There were other ways in which she was naive and it just seemed ridiculous that she didn't understand the way that things are in a big city. It seemed like common sense to me. 

Another thing that I appreciated about this book was that both of the characters were good, clean cut individuals. It seems that too often there are books where the female lead is "innocent" and the male character is not. I loved that Nicole Williams wrote characters that were both this way. It added an interesting element to the story that I feel other books out there don't have.

Overall, I felt that the book was refreshing and if you are looking for a book that is written well and a bit different then you should read it!

Nicole Williams is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of contemporary and young adult romance, including the Crash and Lost & Found series. Her books have been published by HarperTeen and Simon & Schuster in both domestic and foreign markets, while she continues to self-publish additional titles. She is working on a new YA series with Crown Books (a division of Random House) as well. She loves romance, from the sweet to the steamy, and writes stories about characters in search of their happily even after. She grew up surrounded by books and plans on writing until the day she dies, even if it’s just for her own personal enjoyment. She still buys paperbacks because she’s all nostalgic like that, but her kindle never goes neglected for too long. When not writing, she spends her time with her husband and daughter, and whatever time’s left over she’s forced to fit too many hobbies into too little time.

Nicole is represented by Jane Dystel, of Dystel and Goderich Literary Agency.

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Low Over High by J. A. DeRouen

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Synopsis:
I fancy myself a purveyor of truth, a sifter of lies, a cutter of bullshit. It’s not a gift, but rather, all skill, honed to a razor’s edge after one too many trips down the rabbit hole.

Some may dismiss my talent as misplaced and misguided cynicism, but they’d be wrong. Cliches about hope and faith in mankind are concocted unicorn farts, an effort to keep the dreamers dreaming. Experiences don’t lie—people do.

While I’m not proud of the circumstances that led me to this way of thinking, I respect the journey. The road to enlightenment can be dark and foreboding, but the destination makes it all worthwhile.

But funny thing about the past—it’s a defiant child refusing to stay in time out. No matter how deeply buried, it can always pop up when least expected, and sink its fucking claws into the flesh of your heart. No, not my heart—I no longer have one. I foolishly gave it away years ago, but I still feel the ripping in my chest as I fist the crumpled note left on my porch.

I’ve avoided this day, ran from it, for the past eight years.
And still we meet again.

But to truly understand … to feel my dread and fear my future as I do, it’s important to know what happened in my past.

Or who…

My name is Marlo Rivers, and this is my story of corrupted love.

The synopsis of Low Over High really caught my attention. I wanted to know more about this character who called herself a sifter of lies. I feel like the synopsis didn't exactly fit with what I learned about the character throughout the story. Although I feel that the prologue and synopsis of the book are showing the reader what Low becomes after everything that takes place in the book.

I loved the banter between Low and Ever! It made me laugh and made me interested in what either of them would say next. They had an interesting relationship that started out rocky but became more as the story progressed.  I thought that their relationship was beautiful albeit flawed. It seemed like Ever had a foot out the door the whole time. 

I feel that the characters made some bad decisions in order to cope with what they were dealing with that led them down even worse paths. I'm not saying that they deserved what happened to them but I didn't understand why they didn't follow their gut feeling about a certain character in the story that they were friends with. 

This was a really good book and my second book from J. A. DeRouen. She writes in such a way that you are transported into the story and have to keep reading to know what happens to the characters that she has made you care about. I would highly recommend this book! 

Roots and Wings by M. Mabie

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Synopsis: 

Welcome to Wynne, population 3,401.

No billionaires. No professional athletes. No celebrities.

In this small town, current events are pondered in mirrors at the local salon or around crowded tables at the diner, and there’s a new couple to gossip about. A rough and tumble woman who works in her dad’s garage, not yet ready to spread her wings, shows the new guy in town what it’s like to finally have roots.

It’s your run-of-the-mill, sexy, Astro van driving dentist meets smart-ass, bass fishing tomboy in a story of real-life romance.

Low on drama. High on love.

Pull up a chair and stay a while.

So...I'm not going to lie. I saw this cover combined with the title of the book and it immediately got my attention. Then I read the synopsis and thought that the idea of a dentist and a tomboy sounded odd enough that I had to read it to see what would happen.
This book was fine. It was a cute story with little to no drama as stated in the synopsis of the book. While I appreciated that, it began to get boring after a little while. There wasn't really anything happening other than the relationship between the two main characters progressing. I thought that this book would have been more unique considering the fact that Mutt was a tomboy. While she was an interesting character, this was not the case.
I did feel that the chemistry between the main characters was written well. I could feel the tension between the characters at certain points in the book.

 

I Don't by Ella Fox

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Synopsis: 
Done.
Finished.
Kaput.

Whatever you want to call it, the bride-to-be won’t be at the church on time.

Walking away from her fiancé was the hardest thing Ava has ever done. After all, the sexy and charming Mateo is everything she's ever wanted—and more. But she needs to protect herself—and her heart—before it’s shattered once and for all.

Mateo has no choice but to let her go. His woman needs space, and he loves her enough to give it to her—no matter how much he hates it. The only thing keeping him sane is the certainty that their separation will be short-lived.

Ava thinks it’s over, but she’s about to find out that Mateo will stop at nothing to turn her “I Don’t” into an “I Do.”

I Don't is book one of the Enamorado (In Love) series. Each book will feature one of the Cruz brothers and can be read as a standalone.

This book was just okay for me. I didn't love it and I didn't hate it. I liked the characters and enjoyed the fact that they were from Spain. It added an interesting element to the story with the characters speaking both Spanish and English. 
I felt that the story needed more pages in order to develop more. I didn't understand certain characters actions because they didn't get enough time in the book to develop. I also didn't understand the reasoning behind Ava's anger towards Mateo. I felt that the author didn't do into enough detail in her explanation for the "break-up". It didn't make any sense to me which led to feelings of frustration for me. 

Paper Fools by Staci Hart

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Synopsis:
Aphrodite knows love — just don’t ask her to figure out her own mess.

Rather than deal with her sticky love life, she toys with the hearts of unwitting humans. It’s a little game she plays, and the stakes are high. Lucky for her, she’s just found the perfect match.

Lex is everything Dean needs, but he can’t have her.

It doesn’t matter that her eyes speak to a long forgotten part of him, or that her art and poetry touch his shredded heart. She’s off limits — crossing that line would implode his band and everything he’s ever cared about. There’s only one option: stay away from her, no matter the cost. Even if the price is his heart.

Dean is everything Lex wants, but she can’t take the risk.

The second she meets him, she knows her heart is in danger. She’s convinced it’s only attraction that has her hung up on the dark, quiet lead singer, but with every day that passes, she knows it’s more. It’s just that she can’t put her heart on the line. She won’t — love has never been worth the sacrifice.

If only they knew they were just pawns in a much bigger game. And in the game of love, Aphrodite never loses.


I had some reservations about reading this book. I read the synopsis and thought that it sounded amazing but I wasn't sure hoe the author could make the gods/goddesses of Olympus work in tandem with a romance story between two humans. I obviously decided to read it because it sounded too good to pass up. I am so happy that I did!!!

This book was amazing! I loved how I got to read the different points of view not only from the characters that were on earth but also from Aphrodite as well. I loved learning about the world of Olympus from the author's point of view. I thought that Staci Hart made that world different enough that it was refreshingly new to readers. I found it particularly interesting that the gods would hold competitions between two of them at a time in order to discourage discourse between them on a regular basis. 

This book was just so refreshing! I'm not going to lie. I have read books with a similar story line to the parts of the book that take place on earth between Lex and Dean.  The thing that made the book so unique was adding the gods and goddesses into the mix. Getting to take a peak into that world and knowing that they are attempting to manipulate things in the lives or mortals makes this a book that I didn't want to put down! 

If you are looking for something new and unique, I promise that you won't regret reading this book!!! Staci Hart nailed it!!!

 

Extraordinary You by Lacey Dailey

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 Synopsis:
 Remarkable, exceptional, amazing, astonishing, astounding, sensational, stunning, incredible, unbelievable, and phenomenal.

All of those words can be used to describe extraordinary and all of those are words that Brenna Baker would never use to describe herself.

Brenna Baker starts off every school year with the same challenge from her dad: Be extraordinary. She doesn’t know what it means to be extraordinary and if we’re being honest, she doesn’t really care either. She is perfectly fine in her bubble of solitude and spending her days holed up in a library with a sleeping, old woman.

Her attitude takes a complete turn the instant Jude Davis, a military brat, walks into her life shouting at her. Jude is everything that Brenna is not. He is outgoing, brave, and loves a good adventure. The moment Brenna laid her eyes on him, she knew that he was different, but even so, that didn’t stop the heat that spread through her body and the butterflies that erupted in her stomach.

At the start of her senior year, Brenna is presented with another challenge. Only this time, it’s not from her dad. It’s from Jude. He presents her with a bucket list and the challenge to complete everything on it before graduation. The only rule? They have to complete everything together.

Oh, and #21 on the list? Be Extraordinary.

I liked the relationship ship between Jude and Brenna and the lack of drama to the story. It is refreshing to read a book that doesn't need drama to move the story forward. I don't think that there are many books like this anymore. The majority have characters with tortured pasts or characters that have issues.

I loved the explanation of Jude's nickname for Brenna. I already enjoyed the use of the nickname because it was unique but I was surprised to find out how deep and meaningful it was. By far my favorite nickname in a romance story!!!

The only issue I found with the story is that it dragged on at a certain point. I found it hard to pay attention and keep reading even though I enjoyed the story.  I feel that it could have been shortened and still been good. I didn't need to read more about their love for each other or the dates that they went on. It had already been established that they were completing the bucket list and that they cared deeply for each other.

I wasn't that surprised by the reveal about Brenna's father but was shocked by the twist that had to do with it. I don't feel that any hints were dropped regarding this so it didn't make a lot of sense to have the story go in that direction. I was frustrated because everything that led up to that point was believable. 

I also found it frustrating that there was no resolution to Jude's issue by the end of the story although I was more understanding about that. It could have been the author's choice to leave things that way because not everything in life gets wrapped up with answers being given.