Title: Archangels Enigma

Author: Nalini Singh

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

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Oh Lordy I do love me a Guild Hunter book. Honestly, have you ever considered out of all the books which one you would choose above all? if you could actually go inside, live in and be a part of a world? Because I have, and this is it! Out of everything I have ever read, I would live in these Guild Hunter books. I love this world, I love the characters, I love the conflict. I want to be an Angel. I want to dive into these books and drink in everything I can. I want in with this crowd!

I will be honest here and say that when I found out the next book was Naasir’s I was disappointed, I didn’t see him as a main character in the previous book. But I eat my words! This book was SO well put together that I just can’t even *FAN-GIRLING*. Naasir’s story was everything it needed to be, I am struggling to find a fault here. We got his love story. And while the relationship between Naasir and Andromeda was the main focus, Nalini Singh managed to include all the other main characters we want to see – without it having a direct effect on Naasir’s story. I don’t know if that makes sense? An example. Naasir is like a son to Demetri, we all know this, so while Demetri is not actually in this book, there is enough reference to him in Naasir’s memories that you can feel him through the whole story.

Naasir is funny, and playful and just built so well. Nalini Singh is an exceptional talent. I can’t tell you what Naasir is, that would spoil the surprise, but I can tell you that he is an amazing character. One of a kind, and simply, refreshing. Naasir is written with a childlike quality to him. The simplicity of his character so relatable and fun. It’s easy to be drawn to him. He definitely was not what I was expecting. And I mean that in the best possible way.

Andromeda. Bring on another bad ass warrior chick! Oh wait, she’s an angelic scholar.. huh, she’s an angel warrior-scholar who kicks ASS! I love Nalini’s heroines! Every time! No weak woman here guys, just some seriously bad ass ladies who know how to kick ass, and look pretty doing it. Andromeda is the perfect blend of sweet and tough. She is young and innocent but so strong and smart at the same time. Having grown up in Charisemnon’s court she has seen far too much hate in the world, but she has never let it stand in her way. She knows where her heart, mind, and loyalties lie. And I never had to question her motive. She is a superbly built new character who was the perfect fit as Naasir’s mate.

Nalini Singh has managed to build on her already established characters, and create new ones in this story, I can honestly say it felt so good to read, like catching up with old friends. While we have a new Archangel awakened – an ancient at that – and a war still going strong. The cascade is causing all sorts of problems for angels all over the world. As a side story through this book we float in and out of New York, just to stay in touch with Raphael, Elena and the rest of the Seven. I may be extremely hopeful but I do feel as though Illium’s book is being set up in this. I was under the assumption (I can’t tell you where this info came from because it was a while ago now) but I thought Venom was up next. But I could be wrong – Am probably wrong – As in this book we watched Illium go through the changes the cascade is causing on his body. We even get an epilogue of Illium at the end of the book – that really had me on the edge of my seat! As one of the most loved characters in this book series, no one wants to see anything bad happen to our Bluebell. So it was really nice to get a good dose of him in this book and hopefully that means we will get a Bluebell book in the near future.

The Guild Hunter books are my favourite Paranormal books – ever – if you haven’t figured that out yet, I am practically singing from the rooftops about this book. It has made me SO happy! I love everything about these books from the layered construction of the world and the strength of the characters to the beautiful cover art. The plot lines are always new and exciting, and things are always developing. When I finished Archangels Enigma I automatically wanted to pick up Angels Blood and start again from book one. I can’t quite explain the emotion these books hold. But they are such an enjoyable read that I would recommend them to anyone, even those who don’t often like paranormal fiction. I am so glad I got bored one day and picked up Angels Blood out of the paperback bin at my local book shop. I have truly loved every second I have spent absorbed in this world.

Thank you Nalini Singh, please don’t ever stop writing.

Title: Before We Were Strangers

Author: Renee Carlino

Genre: Romance

Rating: 2 stars

Publisher: Atria Books

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“I was static, standing on the platform, watching train after train go by, wishing I knew which one to be on.”

I have been trying to figure out exactly what I can say about this book. I hate writing low reviews, I really do. But sometimes it just is what it is.

In saying that, I didn’t hate this book, but I didn’t particularly enjoy it either. Which is sad because I really, really wanted to love this book.

A few things in this book really bothered me, I had NO idea of when this book was happening. Throughout the whole thing, I just couldn’t get a place on a timeline. With only 15 years between the present and the past it felt to me as though the author had gone to far back. I know now after the mention of Jeff Buckley’s death that the past was in fact 1997, making the future 2012, but this book was released in 2015, so to me it just felt off.

Secondly I can’t stand miscommunication, so much time wasted over nothing. Really just have a conversation! This relationship was so back and forth, so on and off that it left my head spinning, and my eyes somewhere in the corner after they rolled out the back of my head.

Then we have our lead characters. Matt I liked enough to keep reading, although throughout part three of the book I did want to slap him. With the exception of a few situations where he was a dick I did like him as a whole. But Grace, I didn’t like, I found her flighty and indecisive. She was never comfortable enough to speak her mind and her decisions were flaky and disappointing. She needed to do more, fight more, be more. Her character was just weak.

Honestly, just the whole back and forth; I can’t be with you, but let’s make-out anyway, kinda thing. It was mind numbing. These two fight, but in the next sentence are spontaneously making out? I get it! You’re in love, but seriously? If you’re going to fight, then do that! Stop going from one extreme to the other, I’m getting readers whiplash here!

My last little peeve with this book was the language. Some parts just did not make sense. Now I have not read anything by Renee Carlino before so I can’t compare her work. But, can someone explain to me how you can pick someone up, have them straddle your waste, then set them on a chair, but still have them in your lap? It just doesn’t compute with me.

So yeah, I didn’t like the flow of this story, I didn’t particularly like the characters in this story. I saw the ‘twist’ -if you can call it that- coming from a mile away. I didn’t feel like there was enough of a follow through, and the ending was all tied up far to nicely for me as well. To many conflicts through out this book went unattended and their were no repercussions for certain characters (Elizabeth) Honestly for someone who could fight so passionately with the love of his life I’m surprised Matt let his ex-wife get away with the things she did. I did however like the context of this book. The idea itself was a good one. But books should leave you feeling full, satisfied. With this book I just felt frustrated. It’s a shame it wasn’t my taste.

“Everything seems better in a memory.”

Title: Until Friday Night

Author: Abbi Glines

Genre: Young Adult

Rating: 4

Reading Age: Young Adult

Publisher: Simon Pulse

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Can someone please explain to me just how exactly I managed to promote this book, get super excited about this book, add it to all my TBR files and recommend it with the blurb attached, and still not once read the blurb myself?!?!?!

Please somebody enlighten me!

Because I somehow went into this book blind.

And it almost destroyed me. (In a really amazing emotional way that really involves no destroying at all)

Abbi Glines new book – Yes please. Nothing else need known. I one-clicked the crap out of this book months ago.

OK, I should let you know that I do have a thing for emotional boys. Men who show emotion does something to me, I think this is why I am more drawn to the male point of view.. Anyway this book was refreshing. I loved it, pretty much for the very reason it has been receiving a few low reviews.

Until Friday night showed up on my kindle the same week as a few other big name books I had been waiting for, and I am ashamed to say I left it till last because I really hadn’t read the blurb and I just assumed it was another girl meets hot jockey boy in Highschool – blah, blah, blah – book. But no. No, it was not.

West is an asshole. At no point in the beginning of this book are you led to think otherwise. He is probably one of the most arrogant, indifferent characters I have come across in not only Abbi’s work, but most books. It’s not everyday that authors allow their lead hero’s to be quite so unlikable. But he is struggling through the likely death of his Father, and while this may not be seen for many as a good enough reason for his behavior, he’s like what? 17 – 18 years old in this book, I mean what can you really expect? He’s feeling alone, he hasn’t told anyone about his dads sickness, the most important person in his life is diminishing before his eyes and he has absolutely no control over any of it. He must feel powerless and sad, so, so, sad. So yeah, I’m gonna give him a break. Personally, I loved him, and his flaws. Those flaws gave West a realism that I don’t think would have been there if he was written with less of an edge.

“Guys who looked like West made girls forget themselves. I had watched it so many times. When you are silent, you can observe so much more. I see others’ mistakes more easily.”

Our heroine in this book is Maggie; beautiful, silent Maggie. This silent female lead seems to be a popular topic at the moment, this being my third or fourth this month with a mute heroine. Anyway, Maggie witnessed the horrific death of her mother and is now living with her maternal Aunt and Uncle. While struggling to come to terms with what she witnessed the night of her mothers’ death Maggie became a selective mute. The reasoning behind this is explained throughout the book. Her silence is what draws West to her in the beginning. It’s easier to talk to someone who doesn’t speak. I don’t want to give out any spoilers here. So I’m just going to say their friendship grows from there. Maggie and West become best friends, they are each others support; helping each other deal with the loss of a parent.

“You’ll hurt. It’s the worst pain. But you’re strong, and you’ll make it through. You’ll have his memory. That wont ever leave you”

As their friendship develops so do the characters. The story mainly focusing on West and Maggie themselves in this book – because each of these boys will get their own story down the line – West becomes dependent on Maggie and their relationship crumbles. I actually got excited when Maggie stood up for herself at this point. When Wests behavior took a turn towards obsessive, I was really proud of Maggie’s reaction. She had watched her parents live through a violent relationship, so to show in Maggie’s story-line how she can not only notice these red flags, but also react to them in a healthy way. It made me happy. I was so glad that Abbi wrote her this way. It showed her strength and self-worth.

“I was there for you when you needed someone. And maybe I’ve become more of a crutch for you. You get angry if anyone gets near me or speaks to me, and that’s not normal. It’s unhealthy. I’ve never given you a reason to be possessive. This thing between us can’t work if you hover over me like a madman.”

But then at the same time this is where I had my only issue with this book. The reason I am only handing it 4 stars. The end felt far to rushed for me. It all happened within a span of two days, that to me was unrealistic and unfortunately kind of dimmed down Maggie’s strong reaction. The book up until this point had progressed well and flowed in a consistent time frame.

Regardless of the hurried finish I loved this book. It was emotional and devastating and I am looking forward to the next one. I just hope West and Maggie feature there, I need to know if West stayed true to his word.

“I don’t want to possess you, Maggie. I want to belong to you”

Until Friday Night was so, so sad. I was crying (sobbing) through the majority of the book. The characters where well written for a young adult book, and the story was easy to read and beautifully written. I do love Abbi Gline’s writing technique. The character development was steady and realistic, they are after all only High School students. The series is said to span out over main group of Football players; Wests best friends. With the next book going to Gunner. I will be keeping an eye out for this next book that’s for sure. If you’re looking for your next emotional read, or maybe you just want to have a good cry then I recommend this book!