Our Alternate Ending by Katie Fox

🌟🌟🌟🌟 out of 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Synopsis:
She was the hot mess who stumbled through his door.
He was the one who gave her a chance.

*****************

When Elle Callihan finds herself on the twenty-sixth floor of the country’s top publishing firm after putting her dreams on hold for five years, she's not about to allow the opportunity to slip through her fingers.

There’s just one problem.

Her new, humorless, this-needs-to-be-done-right-now, jerk of a boss makes her working life a living hell.

With the minutes on his own clock ticking, CEO and certified workaholic, Owen Caldwell, has no time for anything. Not relationships. Not life. And certainly not the connection that simmers between himself and his new assistant.

As the pair work together, their undeniable attraction draws them closer, bringing a realization that sometimes life and the people in it are worth slowing down for. But when Elle is presented with a plot twist she never saw coming, she quickly learns that crafting her own story may be much harder than she initially thought.

Faced with a difficult decision, she has two choices: write the truth or deliver an alternate ending she knows they both deserve. 

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review*

This is my first Katie Fox book but I don't think that it will be my last. She left quite an impression on me with this story. I felt like I had been ripped open and then sewed back together. This type of story has been done before but not with the depth that this book has. From the very first page of this book, the characters dragged the emotions right out of me.
I felt Elle's desperation to find a job at the beginning of the story. I was frustrated for her because nothing seemed to be going right for her especially on the morning that she meets Owen. Owen seemed defeated, like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders but it was difficult to understand why at first. I fell in love with both of these characters straight away even with their faults, which in Owen's case was his tendency towards anger as a way to keep others at a distance. They seemed like good people that were dealing with a raw deal in life. It was a beautiful love story between the two of them and it was clear that they had a deep, meaningful connection and powerful chemistry. 
The author's words and writing style were so powerful! I was able to easily feel the emotions of the characters throughout the story and to connect with it. The story was so emotional, in fact, that I found myself holding back tears at numerous points. When I got to a certain point in the story, I actually had to stop reading because I was crying so hard that I couldn't  see.  That is the mark of a great book! (No, I don't enjoy crying. Lol I want to read books that make me feel something)
My only issue with the story was the end. Now I don't want anyone to think that I didn't like the ending because I did but it seemed a bit forced to me. I was expecting the obvious progression of events and the author did something expected but not expected at the same time. I'd explain but I write spoiler free reviews so you'll just gave to read it and find out for yourself. It truly is a beautiful story and if you love romance that reaches inside of you and squeezes your heart then this is the book for you!

The Boy I Hate by Taylor Sullivan

🌟🌟 out of 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Synopsis:
Samantha Smiles and Renee Montgomery have been best friends for over a decade. They’ve shared laughs, secrets, and a mutual hatred for one person: Tristan Montgomery, Renee's older brother. He was the guy every girl wanted, and every guy wanted to be, and it wasn't uncommon they'd befriend his little sister just to get closer to him. Which was exactly how Samantha became Renee’s saving grace. She was the only girl Renee could trust not to fall in love with her older brother.

Until the one night Samantha spent with him alone, leaving her questioning everything she’d ever known about the blond headed heart-throb.

Years later, Renee asks Samantha to be her maid of honor. With no other option, Samantha is forced to drive cross-country with the focus of their teenage ire.

He was her first kiss.

Her only secret.

Can Samantha survive the trip cross-country with the reckless Tristan Montgomery? The guy who did what he wanted, whenever he wanted, without worry for tomorrow? Or will she discover a different side of him. One that’s sweet, funny, and maybe a little bit vulnerable. And fall completely and helplessly in love for the first time in her adult life with the one man who could cause her to lose her best friend forever? 

I was really conflicted over what to rate this book. It wasn't poorly written and it was likable but I had some issues. I felt like it was a typical second chance romance mixed with road trip romance. I think that if you are going to venture into one of those categories of the romance genre then you have to try something new and fresh to put a new spin on it. Unfortunately, there were no new strides made over the course of this book. It felt like it was the same old thing. Heroine knows hero when they are young, something happens between them, miscommunications happen, and then they both end up being prickly. Six years pass after these events that took place and now they are forced together in order to travel to Renee's wedding. I didn't have any huge problems with the story apart from lack of originality and the unbelievable nature of the feelings between Tristan and Samantha.  They shared one moment together six years ago and they are still pining for each other in present day. I just don't know if I am able to buy that. Maybe if it was established that they each had feelings before the moment happened or that they kept in touch over the six years that they were separated it could have improved the book but I'm not sure. 

Watch Me Follow by Harloe Rae

🌟🌟🌓 out of 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Synopsis:
Creep. Freak. Crazy Eyes.
I've heard it all.
Over the years, they've slammed me with every demeaning name in the book. 
Their taunts warped me like a steady stream of poison.
Anger replaced anxiety as I started believing the cruelty spat my way. 
Until she showed up and changed everything.
Lennon Bennett is pure innocence—warm sunshine breaking apart my stormy existence. 
She's everything good and maybe I can be too. 
For her. With her. Because of her.
Lennon doesn’t know I’m beckoned closer with each breath. 
She isn't aware that I'm completely consumed with her. 
It’s become my sole purpose to protect her, by any means necessary. 
But if she discovers the depth of my obsession, it will be the end of me.
So, I remain in the shadows.
Waiting. Watching. Wanting. 
She'll be my first. My last. My only.

Despite what my rating shows, I was excited to read this book because I thought that it would be really good. The synopsis quickly captured my attention because I tend to like books in this genre. The book began fairly well with Ryker telling how he came to meet Lennon when she transferred to his high school. He was an interesting character and I thought that his point of view would be able to easily capture my attention and interest throughout the book. 
I was so disappointed that not only was this not the case but that there were other issues that I ended up having with this book. I don't mind having characters that are outside of the "norm" because I actually gravitate more towards characters like that but I ended up finding Lennon to be bland, naive, and didn't even believe that she had issues in the first place. She was not believable as a socially inept person. She seemed like she was able to talk to people very easily and why are all of these interested in her? Is she really so attractive that almost every guy she meets want to be with her?! I loved Ryker at first but he also eventually became bland. I was hoping for so much more from him due to his intense nature. 
I think that my biggest problem with the book was that it was not what I was expecting. I know that this can be a good thing but in this case it was not. I thought that the story would have a darkness or more of an edge due to the dark nature of the synopsis talking about being in the shadows and how the taunts warped him. The book seemed to begin this way but then quickly turned into a generic romance where the main characters are attempting to lift each other up and make each other better. However, I feel that the characters were feeding into each other's issues rather than helping each other. I had a hard time with their relationship. I didn't feel like either of them really loved each other because one of them seemed more obsessed and the other seemed like they just wanted attention from the opposite sex. 

Drumline by Stacy Kestwick

🌟🌟🌟 out of 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Synopsis:

Traditions are important. Especially in the South. 
College football. Rivalries. Tailgating. Halftime shows.
Some things just don’t change.
Until Reese Holland shows up with her long legs and no-bullshit attitude to audition for the prestigious all-male Rodner University snare line.
It doesn’t matter how much hazing she has to endure from Laird Bronson, with his narrowed green eyes and arrogant smirk. She wants that damn spot, and she’s more than good enough to earn it. 
She expects there to be tension. Even friction. 
But not sparks hot enough to burn the entire campus down.

I've wanted to read Drumline since it came out for the simple reason of drum lines being amazing! I've always thought that percussion was awesome and actually tried out for them when I joined band in school. Sadly, I didn't get in but I still love watching videos of drum line performances because they really are the heart of any band. I thought that this book might take a page out of the movie Drumline with Nick Cannon but make it better for one simple reason....Reese. 

I loved Reese because she didn't take any crap from anyone. She didn't care that the Drum line was traditionally all male. She wanted to be treated equally and for them to know that she knew that she was talented enough to make the cut. She kicked some major booty! I do think that the author may have taken that character trait a bit too far though. It begin to be ridiculous what she was willing to do to not be seen as weak and helpless. I can't believe the crap that she faced and then kept her silence about it. I would ahve thought that at that point she would have spoken up. The character that stole the show for me was Laird. He had a lot going on and I could see how he would be protective of Reese especially when he found out about something that she had dealt with in the past. He was kind and determined to make the world a better, happier place in his own way. Plus, who doesn't love a guy that plays the drums?! 

I loved the interactions between Laird and Reese. They ranged from funny to downright frustrating. Their chemistry was really well done. I know that there has been talk of insta-love taking place in this book and that is true. I'm not exactly sure why it didn't bother me as much with this book. Their relationship clearly begins as a crazy sexual chemistry which evolves into knowing a bit about each other. I think that by the end of the book it is fairly believable that they would love each other. I think that it honestly comes down to Laird. He has an intensity to him, an alphaness I guess, with a lot of love to give that is what makes their feelings real to me. 

My biggest issue with this book was I didn't feel like there was any actual drumming. It is spoken about but I wanted to feel like I was there on the field as they played a set. I know that at the heart of this book it is a romance but I wanted it to almost take on a Whiplash or Drumline - like theme to it because the movie deal with the difficulty of actually playing and not just the hazing that takes place. 

Betrayal by K.A. Morales

🌟🌟🌟 out of 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Synopsis:

Amber's life changed in a matter of minutes. She went from being a normal teenager to the leader of the Safe Zone. Her main job is to find out why werewolves have taken over Colorado. She would have never thought an outing to Denver would change her life, but to her surprise, her past came back to betray her.

I enjoyed how the author throws the reader right into the fray. The book opens with a prologue where werewolves are attacking and killing people while our main character watches frozen from inside of her home. It was so exciting but terrifying to read about the scene unfolding before Amber's eyes. 
I would have liked a bit more world building because I still have so many questions. Was the werewolf outbreak contained to Colorado or did it spread further? There are hints given as to the state of the government but it isn't made clear. This book reminded me a lot of zombie novels I have read before with the exception of it being werewolves rather than zombies. The explanation behind the werewolf outbreak was interesting but I'm not sure if I completely buy the explanation behind the genetics and reasoning for the infection/cure. If you don't think too much about it then the book is really enjoyable. If not, than this book may not be for you.
I'm not sure if I loved the drama between the main characters because I wanted more of the focus to be on the werewolves. I can see why the author would want there to be conflict between the characters because of how stressful the current state of things are but it got a bit repetitive after a little while. I'm wondering what direction the author will take the next book because it seemed like most of the issues are resolved by the end of Betrayal. 

Shared Stars by V.G. Kilgore

🌟 out of 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Synopsis:

Absence makes the heart grow fonder and, for Ric and Avi, can lead to disaster in SHARED STARS, a murder mystery that’s a cross between 500 Days of Summer and a sexy Nancy Drew.

The young couple falls hard and fast during Roric Finnegan’s time in America as a foreign exchange student, with the impetus of Avelina Flores’s traumatic past with pedophiles and his determination to make them pay. Now back in Ireland, Ric, 16, is living alone in an RV and stalking Tim Maebry, the man who exploited Avi and escaped justice. A despondent Avi is dealing with losing the “beautiful boy,” she credits with her escape from the sexual predators and fending off everyone who tells her she needs to get over the Irish geek. When Tim is found dead in his castle from a vicious clubbing, Ric is accused of murdering him. Avi swoops in from Ohio Township, best friends in tow, to scour the internet and countryside, looking for clues, while the young lovers tell their story of love not lost, but in limbo. It’s the only way to save Ric and find the killer. Unless, of course, Ric is the killer.

*This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

I thought that the portion of the plot of this book that had to do with the sexual predators that preyed on young girls was intriguing. I thought that the book would focus heavily on the fact that Roric and others wanted to bring them to justice which it did but the book also focused on the relationship between Roric and Avi. This made for an odd tone to the story that made it difficult to read. i would have liked for the author to have focused on one or the other to make the story more enjoyable. Focusing on both made me feel like the author glanced over the topic of pedophilia. It made it seem like Avi and the other girls involved were not as impacted as a person can be that survives something like that.  It might have strengthened the book to have had it be a romance wherein one of the main characters was abused in the past. 
I also feel that this book should gave been shortened. I got tired of the flashbacks because some of them didn't even seem to fit with the tone of the story. It was a bit confusing because one minute the focus is on finding out who killed Tim and the next it is all lovey dovey between Roric and Ari. I'm not sure that liked the characters because they seemed immature and their parents seemed to be clueless. I felt like Ari and Roric's relationship was a bit unhealthy. He kept throwing her past in her face and basically blaming the victim. Then he would apologize and everything would be wonderful again. 
There was something else that was confusing to me too. What is up with Avi? Why is she so irresistible to the opposite sex? Does she wear some type of pheromone to attract men to her? It just wasn't realistic for that character to attract the majority of the males in a book. 

Cold Hard Truth by Anne Greenwood Brown

🌟🌟🌟 out of 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Synopsis:

Emmie O’Brien is a former good girl now on the fringe. She spent a crazy year involved with Nick, her mom’s drug dealer; after her arrest she was lucky to go back to her old life. But she’s haunted by the choices she made—first, to be with Nick, and then later, to testify against him. Max Shepherd is a senior varsity hockey player with serious anger issues. His grief over the death of his girlfriend causes him to see injustice wherever he looks. When they meet in community service, Max is drawn to Emmie’s calm energy, but Emmie knows better than to get too close to anyone. When friends of Nick show up seeking revenge, Emmie is forced to come to terms with her past, while Max has to control his protective instincts. They must trust one another, especially when Emmie’s situation takes a dangerous turn.

*This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

I had my doubts about this book but it turned out to have more depth to it than I thought that it would. I thought that Emmie's past was an interesting focal point to the story. I would have liked for the author to have gone into even more detail about it because it seemed so different from what I have seen before. The lengths that Emmie went to for her mother and that fact that she didn't blame her mother at all was saint like to me....or just naive. It was hard to get a complete read on Emmie for much of the story. I wasn't sure if she was in a relationship with Nick or if he was forced onto her. That aspect of the story was confusing and I wasn't sure if it was meant to be or not. I also had a hard time believing the "dangerous turn" portion of the story because in the real world things would not have gone down that way that I know of. I did think that the rest of the danger involved in the story was believable and therefore served to bring more tension into the book. I thought that Max was an interesting addition to the book because he was a flawed knight. He had anger issues that made him act without thinking but he only wanted to help people. He was also not a typical jock which I found refreshing. I enjoy when a character surprises me and doesn't turn out to be who I think they are at first glance.