Review: Wait for You by J. Lynn (Jennifer Armentrout)

Wait for You by J. Lynn

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Traveling thousands of miles from home to enter college is the only way nineteen-year-old Avery Morgansten can escape what happened at the Halloween party five years ago—an event that forever changed her life. All she needs to do is make it to her classes on time, make sure the bracelet on her left wrist stays in place, not draw any attention to herself, and maybe—please God—make a few friends, because surely that would be a nice change of pace. The one thing she didn't need and never planned on was capturing the attention of the one guy who could shatter the precarious future she’s building for herself.
Some things are worth experiencing…
Cameron Hamilton is six feet and three inches of swoon-worthy hotness, complete with a pair of striking blue eyes and a remarkable ability to make her want things she believed were irrevocably stolen from her. She knows she needs to stay away from him, but Cam is freaking everywhere, with his charm, his witty banter, and that damn dimple that’s just so… so lickable. Getting involved with him is dangerous, but when ignoring the simmering tension that sparks whenever they are around each other becomes impossible, he brings out a side of her she never knew existed.
Some things should never be kept quiet…
But when Avery starts receiving threatening emails and phone calls forcing her to face a past she wants silenced, she’s has no other choice but to acknowledge that someone is refusing to allow her to let go of that night when everything changed. When the devastating truth comes out, will she resurface this time with one less scar? And can Cam be there to help her or will he be dragged down with her?
And some things are worth fighting for…

Why do I keep on reading new adult fiction and expecting something new?  So, I'm at the point of insanity according to Einstein I guess.

Characters: I have to say, I keep on reading these books because I have stumbled upon some amazing characters.  I like witty characters that can keep the funny diatribes coming.

While Cameron seems very caring, he lacks in the wit department.  Yes, he did have a few chuckle worthy lines, but he just didn't do it for me.

Also, I'm a weirdo, I will fully admit that, and I started this book from the end, then back to the middle until I reached the end, and then started from the front until I reached the middle.  I didn't find out the physical descriptions of the characters until I was more than halfway done because of this.  This may sound vain, but I wasn't into it as much when I found this out.  Whatever, I can picture the characters however I want in my head, so don't judge!

Avery is kinda a dull character.  She's not funny, and I think some of her actions were really stupid.  But she is kind, which makes me like her.

Plot:  Well at least it didn't start off with a friend dragging the main character to a club to get her to hook up with someone.  But yes, the characters live near each other, the girl has some dramatic past, the boy has some dramatic past that his playfully cocky attitude hides, the girl gets drunk and the guy is there,... But I still will admit to liking it just a bit.  It's a guilty pleasure.

Would I recommend this to a friend?
Ehh, not the best new adult out there but it's ok.  I'd recommend On Dublin Street by Samantha Young or The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski.  While their plots are similar, those characters at least have got some fire and sarcasm.


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Review: Until Fountain Bridge by Samantha Young

Until Fountain Bridge by Samantha Young

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary: An exclusive novella featuring Ellie and Adam, much loved characters from On Dublin Street and Down London Road

Ellie Carmichael has been in love with Adam Sutherland for as long as she can remember. What started as a childhood crush on the protective and best friend of her older brother bloomed into full-blown infatuation over the years. Unfortunately, it also meant full-blown heartache, as Adam refused to fall for his mate's little sister.
But it takes a crisis for Adam to realize he's wasted too much time denying his feelings for her. Unwilling to waste a second more, he decided to make Ellie his, no matter what the consequences. Now happily settled with the woman he's pined after for years, he's about to find out what their ten year courtship was like for her, through the journals she kept during their ups and many downs. And though Adam may have Ellie now, he has no idea how close he came to losing her . . .

Characters: Characters include primarily Ellie, Adam, Braden, and Joss.  If you've read the other On Dublin Street novels, you've figured out that Ellie is an absolute sweetheart and perky, maybe a little too perky for some folks.  But she's much more relatable in this story, something I really enjoyed.  You see her frustrated and hurt as opposed to her usually happy self which was getting a little boring for me.  I love characters with depth, so Ellie in this light was refreshing.  As for Adam, oh what a sweetie but an idiot!  He has moments where he is kind and funny, but he was a tool at other times!  He had his reasons,because he didn't want to lose Braden by dating his sister in the event that things went sour,but he acted so immature sometimes.  I would have been exhausted trying to figure out his deal if I were Ellie, but I'm so glad they get together:)  Just a little side note, what's up with the men in these books loving to get physical and throw punches? I don't like it.

Plot: First, I enjoyed that it overlapped with On Dublin Street's plot.  Well, obviously it had to since they got together during that book, but it was cool to see certain scenes twice.  Again, Samantha Young brings the emotion and lots of tension.  I love the drama!

Writing: How do I always find myself ripping through the pages of her books?  I just love the writing, with the occasion humorous but thrown in there even though neither Ellie or Adam are nearly as witty and audacious as Joss and Braden.  One thing I did think was a little odd was that a few of the journal entries were from when Ellie was pretty young, and it was odd that she was talking of pretty mature content.  And also, who writes diary entries that detailed?  Something I wished there were more of has to be the commentary from Adam.  After each chapter, he barely comments.  I wish he would have laughed at some parts or had more funny and playful lines.

Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, I'm loving Samantha Young's work!  If you're read On Dublin Steeet, you gotta read it!


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Review: Down London Road by Samantha Young

Down London Road by Samantha Young

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summary: Johanna Walker is used to taking charge. But she’s about to meet someone who will make her lose control. Johanna Walker is used to taking charge. But she’s about to meet someone who will make her lose control....

It has always been up to Johanna to care for her family, particularly her younger brother, Cole. With an absent father and a useless mother, she’s been making decisions based on what’s best for Cole for as long as she can remember. She even determines what men to date by how much they can provide for her brother and her, not on whatever sparks may—or may not—fly.

But with Cameron MacCabe, the attraction is undeniable. The sexy new bartender at work gives her butterflies every time she looks at him. And for once, Jo is tempted to put her needs first. Cam is just as obsessed with getting to know Jo, but her walls are too solid to let him get close enough to even try.

Then Cam moves into the flat below Jo’s, and their blistering connection becomes impossible to ignore. Especially since Cam is determined to uncover all of Jo’s secrets…even if it means taking apart her defenses piece by piece.

Characters: All of the beloved characters from On Dublin Street make an appearance, which was lovely for me.  I know I'm not the only one who gets attached to characters!

Jo: I love this girl.  She's an admirable young woman who is much more than the eye can see.  She seems like a major gold digger, but she's taking care of her brother and mom all by herself so she had motivation to be with a rich guy.  But the thing that I liked about her was that she actually cared about that bloke and wasn't just using him for his money.  Jo is not as snarky as Joss, which stinks because Joss' comments are hilarious and audacious, but I love Jo for her selflessness and compassion.

Cam: I'm happy that Jo finds this guy because he is near perfect.  He can come off as a jerk, but he's a caring softie underneath the tattoos.  What I love most about him is that he treats Cole like a friend.  And of course his playful, funny comments.  I did enjoy that he could also have a more serious and insecure side, making him more human.

Plot: I guess I'm just an impatient romantic but why did these two need to be in relationships prior to meeting each other? I suppose it was to heighten the drama and tension, but they could have gotten together so much quicker!!! 

I stayed up all night and into the morning to finish this baby.  Personally, I love the way Samantha Young can capture my attention by throwing in little curve balls of unexpected drama while making me laugh and smile at the same time.

Just a little warning, this book is either new adult or adult fiction so the content is more mature.  Let's just say some scenes get a little hot and heavy fast.

SPOILER The one problem I did have with the plot though was that Jo wouldn't kill a spider because she thought it was wrong but she allowed others to beat up an abusive person to teach him a lesson.  What kind of a lesson besides hypocrisy is that?

Sequels: This June, a novella about Adam and Ellie comes out;) Then, in 2014 a 

book about new characters Olivia and Nate hits the shelf!!! I'm super excited! And the titles are so cute!

Would I recommend it? Yeah, I love this series! They're a bit heavier and mature, but they still have drama, humor, romance, and hope- my favorites.

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Review: On Dublin Street by Samantha Young

On Dublin Street by Samantha Young

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Actual rating: 4.5 stars!

Okay, so I feel a bit embarrassed to be posting this review on a primarily YA blog, but this was really good!

Just a little caveat, I decided to read this one based on the average rating and the very beginnings of people's review.  I didn't even bother reading the summary until I was 3 chapters away from finishing.  Yeah, the blurb pretty much alludes to erotic fiction... There are quite a few instances where it gets risqué, yet the book was angsty and tension and drama filled romance, my favorite!

Summary:Four years ago, Jocelyn left her tragic past behind in the States and started over in Scotland, burying her grief, ignoring her demons, and forging ahead without attachments. Her solitary life is working well—until she moves into a new apartment on Dublin Street where she meets a man who shakes her carefully guarded world to its core.
Braden Carmichael is used to getting what he wants, and he’s determined to get Jocelyn into his bed. Knowing how skittish she is about entering a relationship, Braden proposes an arrangement that will satisfy their intense attraction without any strings attached.
But after an intrigued Jocelyn accepts, she realizes that Braden won’t be satisfied with just mind-blowing passion. The stubborn Scotsman is intent on truly knowing her… down to the very soul.

Characters: I liked Jocelyn for being sassy, but her stubbornness got very frustrating!  However, she's got legitimate reasoning for keeping up walls.  And I admire that she doesn't try super hard to look good, and she's not tall and stick thin.  And Braden... Seriously, why don't people like him exist?  He starts off really flirty and arrogant, kind of annoying, but it becomes evident that he's a truly devoted and loving person towards the people he cares about;)  He comes off as if he would be very controlling, but he proves to be so much better than desperate for control Christian Grey.  Lastly, the guy's actually very intelligent, not to mention gorgeous.

Ellie, Braden's brother and Jocelyn's roommate, wins for best supporting character.  She was so cheery and sweet, a girl that makes everyone smile.

Plot: So you think you have another 50 Shades, but this actually had a decent plot.  I actually wasn't expecting a couple of the major conflicts.  Again, I want to stress that this was a ROMANTIC DRAMA, not just pages filled with sex (but I'm definitely not saying that the amount of intimate scenes didn't get to be a little too much).  The drama constantly kept my interest.    

Writing: I always find writing of a book in which the other characters speak a different dialect super interesting.  I learned some new Scottish words:) I did find it kind of funny when Jocelyn said something an American obviously wouldn't say, but Samantha Young did a pretty good job of writing an American character considering she's from Scotland.

*To the minds that want to be devoid of profanity, you're in for a treat. Kidding

Genre: This is technically adult fiction but I was having a little debate with myself (don't pretend you don't do it too) about whether or not this was adult fiction or new adult fiction.  The characters acted pretty young, but were older than college age, yet I'll still argue that this can be new adult.

I'm having a dilemma.  YA is getting kinda boring because the most exciting thing to happen is a little peck, but then adult fiction is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum, with explicit sex on every page.  Perhaps I should venture into this new adult genre.

Setting: Samantha Young posted some pictures of the real Dublin Street.  Wow! What a cool looking place.

Book Trailer

 

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