Review- Because of Low

Because of Low by Abbi Glines

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


In Abbi Glines’s debut novel, Breathe, Sadie may have fallen in love with the teen rock star, Jax Stone, but readers fell head over heels for Marcus Hardy. This is his story…

Marcus Hardy had hoped to enjoy a year away at college while he put the summer he’d rather forget behind him. But instead, he’s jerked right back to the coastal town of Sea Breeze, Alabama due to a family crisis. His sister needs help dealing with their mother who is mentally falling apart. The only bright spot to returning is the fascinating red head that sleeps over several times a week. The problem is she's sleeping in bed with his new roommate, Cage Watson.

Willow “Low” Foster needs a place to live. Running to Cage’s apartment every time her sister kicks her out isn’t exactly a long term solution. Juggling her courses at the local community college and a part time job doesn’t produce excess income. But Cage has a new roommate and suddenly sleeping over at her best friend’s apartment isn’t such a bad thing.
Even though Cage seems a little territorial where Low is concerned, Marcus finds time to spend with Low without upsetting his roommate. Cage may sleep with every hot female in his path but he’s still under the disillusion that when he’s through sowing his wild oats, he’s going to marry Low. Marcus intends to change that assumption. When Marcus’s plans come crashing down, he’ll have to choose between Low and his family. Because once the truth comes out.... there’s no other choice. (Product description)

Low is a homeless older teen who gets to stay with her single mother sister when she babysits. The other nights to goes to Cage’s place. She’s been left to her own devices to care for herself. She does not trust anyone, except Cage. Since meeting Marcus, she begins to wonder if it is possible to find someone who will stay by her side.

Marcus, still reeling from last summer, is moody and upset over what he lost… until Low knocks on his door. He is immediately smitten but takes a step back after Cage, his new roommate, claims he and Low are going to get married. Marcus decides to take his chances with Cage and pursue Low. Until he believes that Low has committed the ultimate betrayal.

Even though you want to hate Cage for his behavior, he redeems himself by the way he cares for Low. He drops everything to be there for her when she needs him. She’s the only person he wants to care for.

Abbi Glines does it again. She weaves a story where nothing is as it seems. Once you think you have things figured out and know where everyone stands, she changes it up on you and you have to figure it out all over again. There is sweet and tender romance. There is heart break, betrayals, and misunderstandings. These are basically kids dealing with situations that most adults cannot handle. The characters were relatable and you understood their reactions. They were flawed and could admit that they were, which makes them even more lovable. It was also nice to see Jax and Sadie from Breathe. They are woven into the novel without becoming their own side story. I truly enjoyed the book and it will be placed on my favorites shelf to be read again.
Because of Low is great for young adult readers. There are sexual references but no actual content.

I own it.
I recommend for 13+ YA and Adult
5/5 GoodReads: It was amazing!

Review- Forever Mine

Forever Mine by Elizabeth Reyes




Seventeen-year old Sarah’s life is turned upside down when her single mom is sent to jail. She’s forced to move, leaving behind everything she’s ever known, including her best friend Sydney. Lost and bitter in a new school, her one goal is to save money and move back home. Then she meets Angel Moreno. 

Enigmatic but gorgeous, Angel is almost too good to be true. Except for one thing, his archaic belief that guys and girls can never be “just friends”. The problem? Sarah’s best friend Sydney is not a girl. 

With their unexpected romance intensifying to places neither ever experienced, how long can Sarah keep Angel in the dark about the guy waiting for her back home? (GoodReads & Amazon Descriptions)






This brought back the feelings and memories of your first love. The insecurities, the joy, the angst, the butterflies. While I did like Sarah, she seemed to be a little too timid and trusting. She did need to come clean about a few things long before she did. I can understand not wanting to give 100% disclosure on your entire life on your first date. However, that's no excuse for not coming clean.


Angel. What can I say about Angel? *sigh* He is your typical HS big man on campus. He hasn't had a steady girlfriend... he hasn't needed one or wanted one. Then Sarah comes along. She bring out the protective and alpha male side to Angel.  (I think it's because he is a guy and know how guys think...) He is very wary of any male showing any type of interest in Sarah.  He might not have always behaved the best but let's not forget how most guys are at 17. 

I believe Elizabeth Reyes wrote an excellent first novel. It was fun and (mostly) light-hearted. She laid the foundation for continuing the series on the Moreno Brothers.

Parts of their relationship do become rather intense and physical. Because of this and other mature situations, this book is for the Mature YA reader (I'd say 17ish and up).


I own a copy of the book
I would recommend for 17+ YA and Adult
5/5 GoodReads: It was amazing!

Review- Beautiful Disaster

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend America, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the charming college co-ed. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his charms, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’ apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match. (GoodReads & Amazon Description)

I loved this book. I know I shouldn't, but I do.Abby was basically a strong independent woman who had a rough childhood and has moved across the country to get away from her past. She knows what she wants and what is acceptable. While Travis (I'll get to him in a second.) may not always act appropriately, Abby calls him on his bad behavior and learns to forgive as he learns self-control.

OK- Travis, Travis, Travis... as much as I should not like his beyond Alpha Male behavior, I must confess that he is one of my favorite heroes. (If not the favorite.) He is rude, crude, possessive, takes no prisoners and no holds are barred. He has always done what he needed to do to survive and makes no apologies for it. While he has a tendency towards violence, he NEVER directs it towards Abby. (Not that this is an excuse) But most of those he acted out towards knew is disposition and tendencies, yet they poked and prodded until he snapped. Because of his childhood, Travis doesn't think he is capable to care for a woman, let alone love one.

While there are many aspects of these characters and their relationship that are far from the ideal, however, it works for them. After learning more about each other and the events that shaped their character, they come to a deeper level of understanding, knowing that no one is perfect and both people must work to improve the relationship.

Overall Jamie McGuire's "Beautiful Disaster" was an awesome read that was heard to put down. I've had it for 8 days and already read it twice. This is NOT is typical lovey-dovey bubble gum romance. This is deep and hard hitting but, boy, does it hurt so good!

I own this book.
I would recommend this for 17+ YA and Adult
5/5 GoodReads: It was amazing

Review- Taking Shots

Taking Shots by Toni Aleo


In this standout debut novel from Toni Aleo, we see how insecurities from the past can effect our future. Elli Fisher has been hurt, emotionally and physically, by former loves and her family. After overcoming a medical issues, she stood on her own for so long that she doesn't quite know how to trust others and believe that their intentions are honest... which is where Shea Adler comes in. He is smitten from the beginning but has a difficult time getting past Elli's insecurities. He uses all the tools a his disposal to win her- his wit & charm, his sister, and her friend.


Elli is a real woman... she's not blond and a size four! I can actually put myself in her shoes because she is real. She's had major issues that she tries to keep hidden but, like the rest of us, her problems surface more often than she would like.

Shea... what can I say about Shea. He is what we all hope (and dream) a professional athlete can be. He's hot and sexy. He's charming and sensitive. He's shy and humble. He's confident and knows what he wants, he wants Elli.

This was an awesome read. The pacing was nice and even. You felt anxious for Elli & Shea to get where you wanted them to go but it wasn't rushed. I've read some books where the h/h fall in love and are engaged within a week. Like that's realistic. "Taking Shots" has the feel of a real life romance with all it's ups and downs. Shea and Elli also show real emotions. They laugh. They cry. Most importantly, they have fun together (like at the Dance-Off at Shea's condo... you'll know when you get there). There is also a great side story between the best friends.
It is a slightly longer book, which I enjoy, as a can finish a Harlequin size novel in less than a day sometimes. This took me two.

All in all, an awesome book. One of my favorite. Cannot wait for "Trying to Score" to release in April 2012.

I own this book.
I would recommend for Adult.
5/5 Stars- GoodReads: It was amazing!

Review- Perfect Chemistry

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles


"A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers.

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created "perfect" life is about to unravel before her eyes. She's forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for?her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.

In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart."    Amazon product description.

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On the first day of school in Chemistry, Alex and Brittany look at each other through the eyes of prejudice and stereotype. As the year progresses, they slowly start peeling away the layers of their public persona and begin to see the true person underneath. Mixing their two worlds seemed insurmountable but their strength, determination, and faith in each other overcame the odds.

Awesome book! I cried. I laughed! (the bathroom scene during the wedding had me laughing so hard I was crying) I felt sorrow, pain, and rejection. I was delighted and happy to see two teens rise above it all. This book had it all.

I own a copy.
I would definitely recommend it for Mature YA and Adult Contemporary!
5/5- GoodReads: It was amazing