Book Reviews - The Reading Cat

The Solution to Unrequited - Len Webster

6/15/2018

★ ★ ★ ★

I received an ARC of this book from the author and I voluntarily reviewed it. Thank you Len Webster!

This book helped me fall for Evan. Not fully and completely though. Fight me, I’m still #TeamConnecticut. The feels in this book were amazing and I loved the science aspect of it yet again.

Eight Protons. Eight Neutrons.

Man that’s precious.

We learn more about Evan and AJ’s past, and I cannot wait to see what happens when she gets back to Duke.

The back and forth between Evan and AJ does get tiring at times. Especially since I’m not 100% sold on Evan, which is why I only rated it 4 stars. Landon is mine!

The Theory of Unrequited - Len Webster

6/14/2018

★ ★ ★ ★

I reveived an ARC of this book from the author I voluntarily reviewed it. Thank you Len Webster!

This book was a whirlwind of back and forths between Evan and AJ. It broke my heart how blind Evan is to AJ’s feelings l... and his own. My heart was breaking for AJ through every chapter of this book.

I really enjoyed the science humour in this book. It’s super fresh and great. I wish the “theory of unrequited” was pushed more. Kind of like in An Abundance of Katherines by John Greene. But the nerdiness of it was endearing, and I loved it.

This may get me some backlash, but I don’t like Evan. There, I said it. Not only is he blind to his “best friend’s” feelings, but he’s oblivious to her dreams and how she changes her life for him. That really bothered me, and it’s something I’m bot sure I can get over. #TeamConnecticut (fight me)

I can’t wait to get into the second one to see what happens!

Unveiling Hope - Jeannine Allison

6/14/2018

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I received an ARC of this book from the author and I voluntarily reviewed it. Thank you Jeannine Allison!

This book was EVERYTHING! The feels, the emotions, the interaction between the characters, aye, everything was SPOT ON. (Yes the capitals are necessary).

Jeannine Allison has joined a very VERY small group of authors who have made me cry. The way Allison uses descriptive language to explain hardship and emotion is astounding. She does it so effortlessly and with such grace. It reads fluidly and eloquently.

I LOVED Derek and Sam. They are such beautiful souls and I fell hard for both of them. They’re individual journeys were heartbreaking and their joint one wasn’t easy, but they held onto hope and it was beautiful.

I loved the intermittent letters throughout the book. They were truly special and gave the book another dimension. A beauty by Allison.

Relentless - Elizabeth Dyer

6/13/2018

★ ★ ★ ★

I received an ARC of this book from the author and I voluntarily reviewed it. Thank you Elizabeth Dyer!

What I love about Dyer’s books is how original they are. She will take a classic trope, and turn it on its head. She will create unpredictable plot twists that will make your head spin in the best way possible. This is unlike any cartel book I’ve read before.

I love the characters in this series. They are intelligent, humourous, witty, and down to earth. The needy references coupled with jargon really makes this a fun read. I still love the interaction between Parker and Ethan, and their bickering.

I think that the emotional roller coaster could have been pushed a little more, so that we could feel the despair more, but overall, a book well done by Dyer. If someone is looking for their next original read, this is it.

Survival of the Richest - Skye Warren

6/13/2018

★ ★ ★ ★

I received an ARC of this book from the author and I voluntarily reviewed it. Thank you Skye Warren!

This was my first Skye Warren book. Yes, yes, it’s a travesty. First, I want to thank Warren for writing a book about historic architectural preservation, and about the battle to keep those beautiful buildings up and not torn down to build something disgraceful in its place.

I had high hopes for this book, since Skye Warren is such a big name in the book world, and Warren delivered. The way she describes art and architecture is beautiful and the references to and interpretations of greek myths were insightful and interesting.

I would have liked for the story to pull more emotional investment from me. There are hints to something darker in the novel, and I would have liked to have seen them explored a little more.

Overall though, a great book by Warren, and I look forward to the sequel!

Verona Blood - Lili Saint-Germain

6/7/2018

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I received an ARC of this book from the author and I voluntarily reviewed it. Thank you Lili Saint-Germain!

I HAVE NO WORDS! I couldn’t get enough of Saint-Germain’s words. I couldn’t get enough of the fast paced story. I couldn’t get enough of Avery and Rome.

This is only the second on Saint-Germain’s books I’m reading, but I already see a common denominator. Angst. The author is incredibly talented at writing nail-bitting scenes, and heart-racing plot lines.

What also really appeals to me is that it’s a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliette. So far, it’s done well which is making me really excited! It’s hard to reinvent a story that’s already flawless without being too close to the original, or too corny/cliché, but Saint-Germain is executing her modern retelling beautifully. It’s original, and edgy. I love it.

I simply cannot wait until the rest of this story!!!

Nasty - Callie Hart

5/31/2018

★ ★ ★ ★

I received an ARC of this book from the author and I voluntarily reviewed it. Thank you Callie Hart!

I want to start off with that ending. Hart is extremely talented at writing enticing endings that will leave the readers hanging and begging for more. She is able to surprise us with something we NEVER saw coming. For that I applaud her.

The rest pf the book was good, and had GREAT sex scenes, but lacked spark in regards to the plot. It was missing the oomph I have come to expect from a Callie Hart book. It does take a lot to make my heart race, so that just may be me, but I was left craving more substance. More adrenaline.

However, this does not take away that I love Fix and Sera, and that my friend and I are currently trying to solve the mystery and come up with theories and predictions for the next book. Yes, we are total nerds, but we - or at least I - have no shame when it comes to Callie Hart and her books. So in that respect, the intrigue is maintained!

Overall, good, and continued interest in the series, just was looking for more hart-racing and gut wrenching scenes.

Faults in Fate - Anne Malcom

5/30/2018

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I received an ARC of this book from the author and I voluntarily reviewed it m. Thank you Anne Malcom!

This is why I love PNR. Perfectly executed, and flawless. I loved this so hard and it was a novella! That’s because Anne Malcom is a witch with words *wink*. She puts the reader under her spell and keeps them captive for the entirety of the novel.

I love The Vein Chronicles, and this novella about Isla’s bestie, Sophie, was just as fabulous as their senses of style - which is epic by the way. This story has the same atmospheric aspects as the other books in the series. What I mean is that, even though we follow Sophie and not Isla, and the plot is witch oriented and not Vampire oriented, the same essence comes from reading it; it FEELS like they’re in the same series and that the books belong together. Like two puzzle pieces, or much more paranormal and cool analogy I have no brainpower for right now.

Sophie is such an awesome and entertaining character to follow. It’s her turn to have the spotlight, and I loved every second. Her sass paired with her killer style and wit is what got me. Add a sexy werewolf into the mix, and we’ve got a home run - which is what Malcom’s done if you didn’t catch that.

This book totally got me pumped for the third installment in the Vein Chronicles. If you haven’t started them yet, what are you waiting for?

Chaos and Bloom - A.M. Johnson

5/29/2018

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I received an ARC of this book from the author and I voluntarily reviewed it. Thank you AM Johnson!

Wow. This book... a great evolution of maturity and self-acceptance; discovery and affirmation of self-worth. It’s about how even after the hardest times, we can bloom after the chaos. We can be beautiful, and our roots, or past, is a part of us. It makes us stronger. It has taught us lessons to make us grow.

The musicality and rhythm of the words was so appealing to me. I’m no poetry geek or anything, but I really enjoyed it. I got chills. They made me pause. They made me think. It’s a book to savour and enjoy.

I saw some of myself in this book and even though I’m only at the beginning of my story. I had been praying for an AM Johnson poetry books for ages, and now that it’s here I am so happy, because it’s everything I could have hoped for and more.

Your Rhythm - Katia Rose

5/18/2018

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I received an ARC of this book from the author and I voluntarily reviewed it. Thank you Katia Rose!

If you have yet to pick up a Katia Rose book, shame on you. This is the third book I’ve read of hers, and every time I fall in love with the story. Every time I am impressed. And every time, I find myself wanting to share this book with all my book friends.

First of all, I have to say that I absolutely loved that this book was set in my home city of Montreal. There’s something special about reading a book and being able to know what and where they are talking about. It’s weird how even the slightest details were present. The newspaper guys at the metro stations forcing their papers in your hands, the frigid winds downtown, the importance of places like Metropolis. The frequent “franglais” as we call it, coupled with jouale made this book believable. And she also got somebody else right: Montreal is a music city. We are proud of our music scene here and she was able to transfer that into the book.

I fell in love with the plot and characters of this book. I connected with them almost instantly, and after the first chapter, I knew this book would be a winner. Rock musician romance? Yes please. Poetic commentary on music? Mhmm - chill worthy honestly. There is a certain honestly to Katia Rose’s writing, and you can’t help but fall for it.

One last thing I’d like to mention is Rose’s versatility. The three novels she’s written are all COMPLETELY different from each other yet all great reads. I think this one takes it away as my favourite though.