DNF&Y [2] - The Official Launch!

DNF&Y is used to explain why I gave up on certain books, and what about them just didn't work for me. What I didn't like about something, might be what you love, so it helps to share your thoughts even when they're negative! If you would like additional information, please click on the DNF&Y tab at the top. If you want to join, you can link up at the bottom!

♡

Replica (Replica #1) by Lauren Oliver
Sarah Drew & Erin Spencer (Narrators)

Synopsis (via Goodreads):
Lyra

From a distance, the Haven Institute, tucked away on a private island off the coast of Florida, looks serene and even beautiful. But up close the locked doors, military guards, and biohazard suits tell a different story. In truth, it is a clandestine research facility where thousands of replicas, or human models, are born, raised, and observed.

But when a surprise attack is launched on Haven, two of its young experimental subjects—Lyra, or 24, and the boy known only as 72—manage to escape. As they make their way through a new and menacing environment, they meet a stranger named Gemma, who has embarked on a perilous quest of her own. And as Lyra tries to understand Haven’s purpose, she uncovers earth-shattering secrets that will change the lives of both girls.

Gemma

Gemma has been in and out of hospitals her whole life. A sickly child, she has grown into a lonely adolescent whose life is circumscribed by home, school, and her best friend, April.

But after she is nearly abducted by a stranger claiming to know her, Gemma starts to investigate her family’s past and discovers her father’s mysterious connection to the secretive Haven research facility. Hungry for answers, she travels to Florida, only to stumble upon two human models, or replicas, 24 and 72—and a completely new set of questions. As Gemma tries to unravel the mysteries of Haven, she learns terrible truths about herself and her family that will threaten to destroy everything she loves.

Two girls, two stories, one novel.

While the stories of Gemma and Lyra mirror each other, each contains revelations critically important to the other story. Their narratives can be read separately or in alternating chapters. 

DNF after the first hour of the audiobook.
*I'm going to quote part of the author's note because I really like what she says!

"The minor variations in the novel reflect the belief that there is no single objective experience of the world. No one sees or hears the same thing in exactly the same way, as anyone who has ever been in an argument with a loved one can attest. In that way we truly are inventors of our own experience. The truth, it turns out, looks a lot like making fiction."

I really enjoyed Lauren Oliver's Delirium; however, I haven't read any of her other books until now. I was looking forward to losing myself in another uniquely beautiful beautiful world, but I never made it outside of walls of Haven. Honestly, I didn't even make it to Gemma's part of the story.

I read reviews about the concept for this book, and I believe it's two books in one, but I still don't know how it works. I borrowed the audiobook from my library, so I didn't have to figure out the logistics of the pages and chapters. (If you've read this book and can explain it to me, please do!)

I didn't get very far into this one because it starts at a snail's pace. I felt bogged down by details that I didn't completely understand. I know with stories like this, you need a lot of background information, but I didn't care for how it was presented to me. I listened to it for about an hour, but never felt a connection with the characters. I'm not entirely sure I knew what was going on, and I image it would have been explained later, but it just wasn't for me.

If you would like to read a different perspective, try Kelly (Diva Booknerd)'s review on Goodreads!

This is the only DNF&Y for me this month (since the original post), and I can't wait to visit everyone that links up!

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1) by Marissa Meyer

Narrated by Rebecca Soler

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Sixteen-year-old Cinder is considered a technological mistake by most of society and a burden by her stepmother. Being cyborg does have its benefits, though: Cinder's brain interference has given her an uncanny ability to fix things (robots, hovers, her own malfunctioning parts), making her the best mechanic in New Beijing. This reputation brings Prince Kai himself to her weekly market booth, needing her to repair a broken android before the annual ball. He jokingly calls it "a matter of national security," but Cinder suspects it's more serious than he's letting on.

Although eager to impress the prince, Cinder's intentions are derailed when her younger stepsister, and only human friend, is infected with the fatal plague that's been devastating Earth for a decade. Blaming Cinder for her daughter's illness, Cinder's stepmother volunteers her body for plague research, an "honor" that no one has survived.

But it doesn't take long for the scientists to discover something unusual about their new guinea pig. Something others would kill for. 

“Vanity is a factor, but it is more a question of control. It is easier to trick others into perceiving you as beautiful if you can convince yourself you are beautiful. But mirrors have an uncanny way of telling the truth.”

I want Rebecca Soler to narrate my life. I thought she did an amazing job when I listened to the audiobook for Heartless, so I didn't think twice about requesting the audiobook for Cinder from my library. She has such a wonderful range of voices, and I'm never confused by who is speaking. She. Is. Incredible. The story is fabulous on it's own, but her voice really awakens the characters in my head.

I loved Cinder. I should have read it ages ago when it first came out, but now I get to read the entire series without a wait! I guess silver linings and all that jazz, but... it was a wonderful read regardless of when I read it, and it's sure to be one that I read again. The writing was phenomenal, and Marissa Meyer's twist on Cinderella was breathtaking and beautiful. Cyborgs! There were cyborgs and robots, a futuristic world with new rules, and a plague. Meyer really went above and beyond with the creativity of her world and characters. I never felt like I was somewhere unfamiliar, it was just someplace I hadn't been before, but knew all about.

Cinder made me feel so much. There were times when I was horrified and so very angry, and other moments my heart broke for these characters. My emotions were all over the place with this one, and I felt compelled to give hugs to some and stab others repeatedly.

I seriously will forever read anything this author ever writes. She's an auto-buy for me now! "Oh, my stars!" The story is fabulous, too. (Yes, I know I said this earlier, but it's worth repeating.) I was so invested in the characters and engaged in their struggles and triumphs. I thought something might be something while I was reading it (vague, I know), but the reveal was nicely done. I cannot wait to see where the story goes from here! I have so many questions, but more importantly, I want to immerse myself in this world again.

Should you read this? Yes! Absolutely! Are you free right now? 😁

My Weekly Pull [9] & Stacking the Shelves [5]

My Weekly Pull is something I will be doing every Wednesday to show which comics I had pulled for me that week! If you're into comics, or you're looking to start, please join me! Leave a link in the comments if you decide to do your own post. I would love to stop by and check it out!

I know it's not Wednesday! My son recently turned four, so we've been spending a lot of time together as a family (J took off for an entire week), and my posts have been few and scattered. It's Friday, so technically these are still the comics I got this week, but I wasn't able to get them on Wednesday. 😁

Hit-Girl #1 by Mark Millar, Ricardo Lopez, Kim Jung Gi

Amazing Spider-Man #796 by Dan Slott, Mike Hawthorne, Alex Ross

Astonishing X-Men #8 by Charles Soule, Paulo Siqueira, Mike Deodato

Black Panther Annual #1 by Christopher Priest, Daniel Acua, Brian Stelfreeze

Daredevil #599 by Charles Soule, Ron Garney, Dan Mora

Incredible Hulk #713 by Greg Pak, Greg Land

Infinity Countdown Prime #1 by Gerry Duggan, Mike Deodato, Marcos Martin

Tales of Suspense #102 (of 5) by Matthew Rosenberg, Travel Foreman, Yasmine Putri

Venom #162 by Cullen Bunn, Will Robson

I still don't know how Spider-Man breathes in that mask. You'd think he'd want his nose or mouth exposed instead of re-breathing all of his own air. I doubt he has some sort of air filter in there. Yuck. See Daredevil? He's blind, but at least he can breathe normally! I guess I never noticed, but Black Panther seems to have the same problem as Spider-Man. Is it for anonymity? I don't think it's to protect that area of their face. 

I don't know if I'm going to read Hit-Girl, because that's one Jacob wanted to read. It seems too violent for me. Infinity Countdown Prime is what follows the end of Guardians of the Galaxy. I'm curious where the story will start! Tales of Suspense is getting interesting! I love those three.

Reading any new comics this week?

♡

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews. This meme is for sharing all the books you’ve added to your shelves throughout the week.

Library:

Caraval (Caraval #1) by Stephanie Garber

All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater

NetGalley:

Song of Blood & Stone (Earthsinger Chronicles #1) by L. Penelope

Before I Let You Go by Kelly Rimmer

Giveaway:

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory (won a giveaway at GReads!)

Thank you, Ginger! Eek! The Wedding Date! I've heard such wonderful things about this book!

I am so excited to read all of these! I don't know where to start... Have you read one? Which book should I read first? Let me know!

Cinderella and the Geek by Christina Phillips

Synopsis (via Goodreads): I'm not looking for love or a Happily-Ever-After because I know how that ends. I just need to concentrate on my degree and look after myself. But there's something about my boss, Harry, I can't resist. It's crazy since he's so hot and smart it should be illegal.

And then, just like Cinderella, I have my night at
the ball and a midnight kiss, and for a week all my sexy daydreams come true. That fake date changes my life in a way I could never imagine. It turns out, Harry wants me too.

But I’m off to pursue my dreams, and he’s taking his business to the next level. There’s no way this fairytale has a happy ending, but that doesn’t keep me from wishing for it. 

I hold open the door for Alice. As she walks outside, her perfume dives straight to my dick. Don’t even think about rising to the occasion. Too late.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Also, the quote I used may have changed or been altered in some way, but I am quoting from what I received.

This one started off so well, until my eye started twitching (which it is still doing). In all fairness, I don't think the eye-twitching is in any way related to Cinderella and the Geek, but the book was responsible for a ridiculous amount of eye-rolling. Alice was so insecure, and I absolutely hated how many times she called herself "ordinary," because she didn't look like a model or have perfect hair every day. There is nothing wrong with wearing your hair in a ponytail if it's what you want to do. 

"He’s the most gorgeous guy ever, and me, well, I’m so ordinary it’s not funny."

Like I said, it started off well. I enjoyed the information about Blitz and The Plains of Exitium. I love RPGs and wish they had gone into a little more detail. Obviously that wasn't the focus of the book, but it would have been a bonus. Watching Alice and Harry come together (after working closely for nearly a year) was fun at first, but their insecurities and cluelessness really started to grate on my nerves. It felt like they were purposefully misreading things just to be difficult. I really wish they had just spoken their thoughts out loud, and maybe confronted some of their ever-present concerns, but no. Things have to completely fall apart before anything can be done about it.

I did like certain aspects of the book. For example, the first time they're intimate with each other is from Harry's perspective. Normally these things are told from a female's view, and it was nice to see how a guy would react in that situation. Those scenes were brief and scarcely detailed compared to other books I've read, but they were sweet and endearing. 

Alice and Harry were choking on unspoken thoughts and feelings, and I was continuously trying to give them a mental Heimlich maneuver. I finished the entire book, but I lost hope about halfway through. The story was interesting enough to make me want to see how everything played out, but even that was anticlimactic.

(I will be posting My Weekly Pull later this week! My son turned four, so we've been doing family stuff the last few days. I'm really behind on everything, but I don't mind! I love spending time with my kiddos. Also, FOUR. MY BABY! 😭)

The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, #1) by Holly Black

Narrated by Caitlin Kelly

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Of course I want to be like them. They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.

And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.

In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself. 

“Because you’re like a story that hasn’t happened yet. Because I want to see what you will do. I want to be part of the unfolding of the tale.”

Oh, wow. The beginning of this book is brutal, and that's just the first unexpected twist to the story. I never knew what was going to happen next! Almost everything Jude decides to do is a surprise, and it wasn't often I was able to guess her next move.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story for The Cruel Prince. It's different, but in a good way. There's a love interest, but there's not. There's a good family dynamic, but there's not. Good friends? Yes and no. You never know what you're going to get from page to page, because the rules of the game are constantly changing.

It was interesting to see how two mortals would survive in Faerie (twins!), even though they were practically raised there from a young age. Humans are the equivalent of toys, and it doesn't matter who your "daddy" is. They have the same problems as other mortals, so they cannot eat faerie food, they're susceptible to compulsion, and their only advantage is that they can lie without consequence.

A little more character development and background information of the secondary characters would have been nice, but it didn't detract from the overall story.

It's so hard to review this book, because I feel like every small detail could clue you in on something big that happens, and I want you to be as surprised as I was! All I can say is: READ THIS NOW (and then we can talk about it 😉).

Unrelated: If you want to participate in the next DNF&Y, it's going to be posted on the last day of the month (February 28th). You'll be able to link up on here!

Mini Reviews [2] Argyle Fox, The Song of Achilles & Binti

Argyle Fox by Marie Letourneau

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Argyle Fox, with his signature style, wants to play outside on a springtime day, but the wind is wreaking havoc with his fun and games. As soon as he builds a card tower, climbs into a giant spider web, or takes up his pirate sword, here comes the wind: Woosh!

Mama Fox tells grumpy Argyle that if he thinks long enough, he will come up with something to do. Following his mother’s suggestion and inspired by her knitting, he works all the pieces of his day together and creates the perfect solution.

The story of Argyle teaches that failure is often a path to success and celebrates perseverance, creative thinking, and an old-fashioned springtime activity. 

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

I read this with my son and we both really enjoyed it! I love that the story allows Argyle Fox to make mistakes and learn from them. His mother cautions him in the beginning, but (like most children) he's determined to try despite her warning. 

We're always telling our son to think about things. We ask a lot of questions to try and encourage him to find his own solutions. Why did that happen? Where does that come from? It's so fun to watch his little mind come up with answers. Mama Fox doesn't just give her son a solution, but tells him to think of one, which he eventually does.

I did have two minor issues with the book, but only because they didn't really make sense. One of the examples was a soccer ball being blown into a tree by the wind, but I've personally never experienced a spring breeze with such force. The other illustrations were more believable. The second thing was Argyle Fox wrapping his new idea and labeling it "Top Secret." The next page has him running outside with the package, but then it's open and he's using it, so why wrap it at all?

It's an incredibly cute story about a child that needed to fail in order to succeed. 

♡

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller,
Frazer Douglas (Narrator)

Synopsis (via Goodreads): The legend begins...

Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the kingdom of Phthia to be raised in the shadow of King Peleus and his golden son, Achilles. “The best of all the Greeks”—strong, beautiful, and the child of a goddess—Achilles is everything the shamed Patroclus is not. Yet despite their differences, the boys become steadfast companions. Their bond deepens as they grow into young men and become skilled in the arts of war and medicine—much to the displeasure and the fury of Achilles’ mother, Thetis, a cruel sea goddess with a hatred of mortals.

When word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, the men of Greece, bound by blood and oath, must lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of a glorious destiny, Achilles joins their cause, and torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows. Little do they know that the Fates will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice.

Built on the groundwork of the Iliad, Madeline Miller’s page-turning, profoundly moving, and blisteringly paced retelling of the epic Trojan War marks the launch of a dazzling career.

"No man is worth more than another wherever he is from."

When I think of Achilles, I think of Brad Pitt and his exposed buttocks. I know, right? It's literally the only thing I can remember about that movie. 😅🤷 

I love reading books that contain elements of Greek mythology. We've all heard of Helen of Troy, Achilles, and the battle that lasted 10 years. This was better. Madeline Miller has created a beautiful story about hope and understanding. She also shows us how one man's pride can impact thousands, and yet he's able to continue down a selfish path of destruction. 

The Song of Achilles had me raging on the inside. The unnecessary violence, the treatment of girls and women, and how male lovers were ignored and not openly accepted. I wanted to smash people in the face and show them what righteous anger looks like. 

Chiron is usually my favorite character whenever he's included in a story, and this time was no different. The few years that Patroclus and Achilles spent with him was my favorite part of the book. I hated when they had to leave, and wish they could have just stayed with him forever.

It's a long book, but definitely worth it. It's starts off with them as children, we see their friendship begin, and then we get to watch as they discover a deeper love for each other. All of this happens while training and knowing that war is inevitable. It's been Achilles' destiny since birth, and not something he is able to escape. 

♡

Binti (Binti #1) by Nnedi Okorafor
N.K. Jemisin & Robin Miles (Narrators) 

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Her name is Binti, and she is the first of the Himba people ever to be offered a place at Oomza University, the finest institution of higher learning in the galaxy. But to accept the offer will mean giving up her place in her family to travel between the stars among strangers who do not share her ways or respect her customs.

Knowledge comes at a cost, one that Binti is willing to pay, but her journey will not be easy. The world she seeks to enter has long warred with the Meduse, an alien race that has become the stuff of nightmares. Oomza University has wronged the Meduse, and Binti's stellar travel will bring her within their deadly reach.

If Binti hopes to survive the legacy of a war not of her making, she will need both the gifts of her people and the wisdom enshrined within the University, itself - but first she has to make it there, alive.

“My father didn’t believe in war. He said war was evil, but if it came he would revel in it like sand in a storm.”

I'm pretty sure I'm one of the few people that didn't like this book. I actually thought about not finishing it, but the audiobook was only two-ish hours, so I stuck with it. The story wasn't bad, it was just... there. I felt like I was watching someone do laundry (with dangerous aliens, obviously), while it was narrated in my head. I didn't feel anything for Binti and her struggles. What she went through was terrible, so I expected to feel horrified, but there just wasn't an emotional attachment for me.

A lot of the science went way over my head. She was talking about numbers and equations that made zero sense to me. She's a brilliant and talented woman, so understandably some of her language would match that intelligence. Speaking of language, the writing is beautiful (even the parts I didn't fully understand).

My Weekly Pull [8]

My Weekly Pull is something I will be doing every Wednesday to show which comics I had pulled for me that week! If you're into comics, or you're looking to start, please join me! Leave a link in the comments if you decide to do your own post. I would love to stop by and check it out!

Kick-Ass #1 by Mark Millar, John Romita, Olivier Coipel

Amazing Spider-Man Annual #42 by Dan Slott, Cory Smith, Mike Hawthorne

Amazing Spider-Man Review Your Vows #16 by Jody Houser, Nathan Stockman, Ryan Stegman

Despicable Deadpool #294 by Gerry Duggan, Matteo Lolli, Daniel Warren Johnson

Falcon #5 by Rodney Barnes, Joshua Cassara, Jay Anacleto

Marvel Two-In-One #3 by Chip Zdarsky, Valerio Schiti, Jim Cheung

Ms. Marvel #27 by G. Willow Wilson, Nico Leon, Valerio Schiti

Old Man Hawkeye #2 (of 12) by Ethan Sacks, Marco Checchetto

Punisher #221 by Matthew Rosenberg, Guiu Vilanova, Clayton Crain

X-Men Blue #21 by Cullen Bunn, Jacopo Camagni, Arthur Adams

I'm behind on a few of these, but I'm trying to catch up tonight! Kick-Ass and X-Men Blue are new for us, but Jacob really wanted to read the Poison X crossover, and I think he's always been a fan of Kick-Ass. I believe it's going to be a female this time, so that's new! (All of this is speculation based on the cover, and all I know for sure is that it's a new person.)

There are a lot of Hulk variants out there right now, but only a few we've liked. However, I really have loved all of the covers for Amazing Spider-Man Renew Your Vows! There's just something about them!

I don't know if Ms. Marvel will be a comic I continue reading. I was going to read the most recent issue and then the new one before making a final decision. I'm just not as invested in her story right now as I would like to be. J really likes Falcon, but it wasn't one I got super excited about either. It's very, er, political at first, and then it gets weird. I don't know, maybe that's your thing!

Anyone else reading comics this week? Find anything new? Let me know!

DNF&Y [1]

It doesn't happen often, but there are times when I just cannot finish a book. As a reviewer, what are you supposed to do? Do you review the part you read? Do you completely remove the book from Goodreads like it never happened? Do you acknowledge it with a label and then forget about it?

I feel bad when I can't finish a book, especially when it's for a blog tour, or an author personally asked me to read and review it. However, I refuse to continue reading something that I'm not enjoying. Life is just too short, my friends.

I want to use this post, DNF&Y, to explain why I gave up on certain books, and what about them just didn't work for me. After talking with Karen from For What It's Worth, I decided to list my reasons for not finishing a book, but also include links to reviews by people that may have had a more positive experience. I feel like that lessens the negativity surrounding this type of post, and allows it to end on a positive note. To quote Karen, "Personally, I find those reviews more helpful. What you don't like might be what I love."

We're all different people. We have different likes and dislikes, and that's why I love books. There is literally something for everyone, and we're not limited to just one person's ideas. We are able to pick and choose books that make us happy, read stories that change our lives, and we get to share our thoughts with the world. Occasionally, those feelings are bad, but I don't think they need to be ignored.

♡

King (King, #1) by T.M. Frazier

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Homeless. Hungry. Desperate.

Doe has no memories of who she is or where she comes from.

A notorious career criminal just released from prison, King is someone you don’t want to cross unless you’re prepared to pay him back in blood, sweat, pussy or a combination of all three.

King’s future hangs in the balance. Doe’s is written in her past. When they come crashing together, they will have to learn that sometimes in order to hold on, you have to first let go.

Warning: This book contains graphic violence, consensual and nonconsensual sex, drug use, abuse, and other taboo subjects and adult subject matter. Although originally slated to be a standalone, KING is now a two part series. 

DNF after the prologue and first chapter. *possible spoilers

This DNF is mostly my fault. I didn't read the synopsis or the warning at the end until after I had started the book. I saw all the raving reviews, and a few of my friends suggested it to me, so I just started reading it without giving it a second thought.

I am disgusted with this book. Rape is not a topic I want to causally read about. It's not okay. Yes, it is rape (she's drunk/drugged and he thinks her vagina is payment for a tattoo he did), because he didn't ask her if she wanted to have sex. He flips her over and does what he wants when she clearly cannot coherently say anything. Then he almost kills her! He gets so caught up in his own orgasm, he nearly chokes her to death. He actually has to check to make sure she's still breathing.

It gets worse. He then calls his friend into the room and tells him to "take care of it." After a brief conversation, the friend asks if he's "done with it," referring to the still unconscious girl, and leaves with her slung over his shoulder. The asshat implies that his friend doesn't mind his "seconds," so she's likely going to be raped again.

I could not continue to read this book. The language was overdone in the beginning, and I can't keep reading something that casually throws rape into the story like it's not a big deal.

If you want to read a more positive review, check out Jessica's thoughts from Peace Love Books. She didn't post the review on her blog, but it can be found on Goodreads.

♡

The Dating Debate (Dating Dilemmas, #1)

by Chris Cannon

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Nina Barnes thinks Valentine’s Day should be optional. That way single people like her wouldn’t be subjected to kissy Cupids all over the place. That is, until her mom moves them next door to the brooding hottie of Greenbrier High, West Smith. He’s funny, looks amazing in a black leather jacket, and he’s fluent in Harry Potter, but she’s not sure he’s boyfriend material.

West isn’t sure what to make of Nina. She’s cute and loves to read as much as he does, but she seems to need to debate everything and she has a pathological insistence on telling the truth. And West doesn’t exactly know how to handle that, since his entire life is a carefully constructed secret. Dating the girl next door could be a ton of fun, but only if Nina never finds out the truth about his home life. It’s one secret that could bring them together or rip them apart.

Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book is not for anyone who has to get in the last word, but it is for all book nerds, especially those who live next door to so called unapproachable gorgeous guys. There’s no debating the chemistry. 

DNF at 35%

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Bookish girl, Harry Potter references, and a neighborly romance--all things I thought I would love about this book. However, everything felt forced. The quips and snarky comments, the conversations between Nina and West, and even the Harry Potter references themselves. At one point West compares Nina to Luna Lovegood, but it just doesn't make sense.

I love that Nina was confident and always wanted to tell the truth regardless of the consequences, but she was also incredibly pushy. She threw her thoughts and opinions around like no one could possibly feel differently. It was like she was too perfect at times. She never argued with her family, always did her chores without complaint, constantly thought of others, and even played matchmaker.

I'm not sure I've noticed this with other books, but the author never actually explains what the characters look like (at least not during the 35% I read). This doesn't necessarily bother me, it's just something I noticed. I know some people enjoy thorough descriptions.

In the end, I didn't feel like there was a natural flow to the story. It seemed to jump around, and at times was even hard to follow the thoughts of one person. It also felt like they tried too hard to be "bookish". If Nina and West are supposed to be crazy book people, I'm sure they could have found other books (not just HP) to talk about.

If you would like a different opinion, try Angelica's review from The Book Cover Girl, or Michelle's from Book Briefs.

♡

HeartShip (Full Hearts, #1)
by Amy Jo Cousins

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Some mistakes are worth making.

Benji never meant to catfish a hot, college football player in Minnesota when he met a fellow anime fan online. But when @joshfortytwo announces he’s coming to Miami for a spontaneous visit, Benji is pretty sure the left tackle (whatever that is) expects to meet a cute girl in a bikini, not an aging twink hoping to finally get his life together when he finishes massage therapy school.

Josh doesn't let himself wonder about questions like:

• why don't you want to ask @princessglitter if she's a girl?
• why don't you tell your friends that you can't hang on Sunday nights because you've got a date to watch anime with your new BFF?
• why do you call it a date?

He just knows he needs to escape from the stress of having been injured just before the bowl game, and @princessglitter has somehow become his best friend.

But when Josh's secrets and Benji's sex appeal smash together for forty-eight scorching hours, they're going to feel the heat from Miami to Minnesota. 

DNF at 16%

I received an e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

I tried reading this last night but gave up after a couple of chapters. I thought maybe I was too tired to enjoy the story, so I tried it again today. Unfortunately, this book just wasn't a good fit for me. I had trouble following their Twitter conversations, and kept getting the two of them mixed up. There were also a lot of terms that went right over my head. Like the characters, I watch anime, but I was still slightly lost. Jack seemed to pick up the terminology pretty quickly, but that meant I lost the explanations from Benji.

I don't know if it was the writing, the characters, the story, or a combination of all three, but I couldn't get very far into this book. HeartShip may not have worked for me, but I plan on reading another book by Amy Jo Cousins in the future. I've heard wonderful things about her written romances!

If you'd like to see a different opinion, read Catherine's review on Goodreads! 

What do you do when you cannot finish a book? Let me know in the comments! Also, if you have you a few books you were unable to finish, and you want to participate in this post, just leave a link below so I can check it out!

Astonishing X-Men (#1-7) by Charles Soule

Astonishing X-Men (#1-7) by Charles Soule, Jim Cheung (Illustrator)

Synopsis (via Goodreads): ONLY THE X-MEN CAN SAVE US! An ancient evil is attacking the world's most powerful minds. It will have them by the time you finish this sentence, and a moment later, it will have us all. A band of X-MEN discovers the truth behind the threat, but there is no time left. PSYLOCKE, OLD MAN LOGAN, BISHOP, ARCHANGEL, FANTOMEX, ROGUE and GAMBIT will attempt to save a world that hates and fears them. Why? BECAUSE THEY ARE THE X-MEN. From blockbuster writer CHARLES SOULE and joined by a roster of superstar artists beginning with JIM CHEUNG. ASTONISHING X-MEN. It's the X-book you need.

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I wasn't going to read this one, but again Jacob insisted. I guess I should trust his judgement, because he clearly knows me well! Once I started these, I read them all pretty quickly. The very first issue is full of action and a slight overload of information. There are so many things happening all at once, and I absolutely loved it!

I've always been intrigued by Psylocke, so it was interesting to see how she would be portrayed in this comic. As expected, she kicks ass. Overall, it's an odd but awesome group of X-Men. I enjoy the banter between Rogue and Gambit (which is why I'm also reading their comic), and I don't often see Mystique and Fantomex. Bishop was new for me, too. I've seen him in one of the X-Men movies, but never in a comic. He is a very complex character. If I'm not mistaken, he's from the future and has the ability to jump through time. This knowledge allows him to scan events as they happen and cross reference them against future outcomes. He doesn't just see how it can effect the current reality, but every potential reality. Oh, and he can absorb energy and project it from his body. It's insane.

As for this series, it's a literal mindfuck (because they go to the Astral Plane). I never knew what was actually happening to the characters, and it gets pretty trippy. At the end of the seventh issue, something really shady happens, and now I don't know whether or not to believe it's real. It could be an illusion, or someone pretending to be something their not, and I'm not entirely sure where the story will go from here.

Fantomex! I cannot believe he willingly makes a certain decision, but I was enjoying his time spent with Mystique. They would be an unusual couple, and I think it'd make a wonderful comic! Raven needs a little love in her life.

Begin Again (Again, #1) by Mona Kasten

Synopsis (via Goodreads): He makes the rules. She breaks them all.

A new start. It's the only thing keeping Allie Harper going, when she packs up her life and moves across the country to Woodshill, Oregon. She's about to start college, desperate to leave the ghosts of her past behind her. Even if that means never talking to her parents again.

Now the hard part - finding an apartment before classes start. Just when it seems she'll have to live out of her car, Allie visits one more place. It's beautiful. With one exception: can she stand being roommates with campus bad boy Kaden White? Sure, Kaden is sexy with his tattoos and careless attitude, but he's also an arrogant jerk. With nowhere else to go, Allie moves in.

The first thing Kaden does is make a set of rules. Either Allie obeys, or she's out:

1. Don't talk about your girl problems.
2. Keep your mouth shut if I bring someone home.
3. We will NEVER hook up.

Easy enough, thinks Allie. Who would want to get involved with a brute like Kaden? But the more she gets to know him, the more she sees beyond his gruff facade. He, too, is harboring some painful secrets. For Kaden and Allie, it gets harder and harder to ignore the sparks between them. And the lines between the rules start to blur-

Begin Again is a beautiful romance that shows us just how possible it is to start over. To find freedom in heartbreak and love in the most unlikely places. 

"At this moment I could not only imagine the freedom that I’d been longing for—I felt like I had achieved it, like it was filling me. The energy of life tingled through my body; I didn’t even feel my muscles ache anymore. A slight breeze tickled the ends of my hair. I was breathless."

Begin Again was originally published in German, and I’m so glad they decided to translate it. The night I started this book, I could not put it down. I kept telling myself “one more chapter”—because you know how that goes—but the story stayed with me even when I wasn’t reading. It didn’t take long before I was fully engrossed again, housework completely forgotten.

Obviously, we know Kaden’s rules are doomed to fail, and it was so much fun watching them crumble. He’s also a hypocrite when it comes to his rules, something he freely admits. He can break them whenever he wants because, after all, they’re his. Kaden has been upfront about being difficult from the beginning, but it’s clear he uses that personality as a shield against the world. He has demons to deal with, but so does Allie.

Allie is forced to confront her problems far sooner than she would have liked, largely because her mother is truly unhinged. If I were Allie, I would have disconnected my phone service long before arriving in Woodshill. She may have been her mother, but she was anything but nurturing. I don’t care how much money someone throws at you—your child should always come first. Thinking about Allie’s parents honestly makes my stomach turn.

The scenery in this book is absolutely beautiful. I loved the moments when Allie and Kaden go hiking—some of my favorite scenes happen off the trail—and it made me want to lace up my boots and go climb a mountain. Those moments felt like where they truly connected: no distractions, just the two of them and nature.

I also adored the secondary characters and desperately want to be best friends with all of them. They were wonderful, supportive people, and both Kaden and Allie clearly needed those friendships. I really hope we get to see more of them in the future.

I do have one small issue with the book. I didn’t love how Kaden’s past was revealed. We’re given bits and pieces throughout the story, but then everything comes together all at once at the very end. I think it would have worked better if it had felt more natural instead of rushed. Allie has to face her issues throughout the entire book, while Kaden only gets a handful of chapters to confront his.

Overall, it’s a captivating story that I couldn’t read fast enough.

Side note: I loved the tattoos and the music!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Also, the quote I used may have changed or been altered in some way, but I am quoting from what I received.

My Weekly Pull [7]

My Weekly Pull is something I will be doing every Wednesday to show which comics I had pulled for me that week! If you're into comics, or you're looking to start, please join me! Leave a link in the comments if you decide to do your own post. I would love to stop by and check it out!

 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #19 by Ian Flynn, Dave Wachter
The Amazing Spider-Man #795 by Dan Slott, Mike Hawthorne, Alex Ross
Daredevil #598 by Charles Soule, Ron Garney, Dan Mora
Hawkeye #15 by Kelly Thompson, Leonardo Romero, Julian Totino Tedesco
Infinity Countdown Adam Warlock #1 by Gerry Duggan, Aaron Kuder, Mike Allred

Rogue & Gambit #2 (of 5) by Kelly Thompson, Pere Perez, Kris Anka
Spider-Man #237 by Brian Michael Bendis, Oscar Bazaldua, Patrick Brown
Spider-Man Deadpool #27 by Robbie Thompson, Chris Bachalo, Scott Hepburn
Venom #161 by Mike Costa, Tigh Walker, Javier Rodriguez
X-Men Red #1 by Tom Taylor, Mahmud A. Asrar

The Amazing Spider-Man #795 (Hulk Variant) by Dan Slott, Mike Hawthorne, Dale Keown

Rogue & Gambit #2 (Hulk Variant) by Kelly Thompson, Pere Perez

Whoop! It's a Kelly Thompson and Tom Taylor week! That means Hawkeye, Rogue & Gambit, and now X-Men Red. I can't remember if this is my last issue of Hawkeye, or if there is going to be one more. You guys, some of these are unfairly short-lived! Kate has had a wonderful story, though. I jumped on the All-New Wolverine train a little late, but I plan on going back and getting her earlier issues that I missed. It's sad that her story is also ending, but she's going to be in X-Men Red (written by the same author), so she isn't gone.

The Daredevil cover looks twisted, but in the best possible way. The Spider-Man Deadpool covers are always weird.

The Infinity Countdown is supposed to be what follows All-New Guardians of the Galaxy now that it has ended. Same author, different story. 

They just started doing Hulk Variants for some of the comic covers, and these are two that we're getting! My kid is crazy for the Hulk. He doesn't necessarily read the comics, but he loves the covers and the cartoon Hulk. He'll Hulk Smash things when he gets mad, haha.

Have you started reading anything new? 

Deep (Stage Dive, #4) by Kylie Scott

Narrated by Andi Arndt

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Positive. With two little lines on a pregnancy test, everything in Lizzy Rollins' ordinary life is about to change forever. And all because of one big mistake in Vegas with Ben Nicholson, the irresistibly sexy bass player for Stage Dive. So what if Ben's the only man she's ever met who can make her feel completely safe, cherished, and out of control with desire at the same time? Lizzy knows the gorgeous rock star isn't looking for anything more permanent than a good time, no matter how much she wishes differently.

Ben knows Lizzy is off limits. Completely and utterly. She's his best friend's little sister now, and no matter how hot the chemistry is between them, no matter how sweet and sexy she is, he's not going to go there. But when Ben is forced to keep the one girl he's always had a weakness for out of trouble in Sin City, he quickly learns that what happens in Vegas, doesn't always stay there. Now he and Lizzie are connected in the deepest way possible... but will it lead to a connection of the heart? 

“I'd never needed to know that my sister was a screamer. Never. That Mal was a screamer too just kind of confused me.”

No. No no no no noooo. 😭

I didn't devour Deep like I did the other books in this series. Maybe I don't like bass players? Sadly, I doubt that's the problem. Ben just annoyed the hell out of me. He was so mellow about everything. Dude finds out he's about to have a baby with Liz and he basically does the equivalent of a shoulder shrug. That nonchalant attitude is pretty much how he behaves the rest of the book, too.

I didn't really like how their relationship happened either. All of the secrets and sneaking around, ugh. They were two consenting adults and shouldn't have had to hide their feelings for each other. Ben didn't want to upset his friends, and Liz... she just wanted to make Ben happy. She jokes about stalking him, which he laughs off later, but no...she totally did. It seemed like a tainted romance even in the beginning. 

I don't know why Liz put up with Ben's nonsense. She had her sister and Mal, two people who would do anything for her, and she pined after Ben the entire book. Ben can't decide what he wants, and his apology at the end was rubbish. Liz most definitely deserved better. Oh, and Ben's sister? He should have never, ever let her speak to Liz like that. He didn't even pretend to intervene. 

Halfway through the book I hoped Lizzy would end up with a guy from a different band. His name currently eludes me... Vaughn? I can't remember. He wasn't mentioned very often, but he was obviously attracted to her even though she was pregnant. She only ever smiled around him, and their bathroom scene was more romantic than anything Ben ever did for her. 

I still enjoyed the overall story because of all the other familiar characters. It was nice to learn what was going on in their lives, but I was disappointed with Ben and Lizzy. I just didn't like either one of them. I wanted more chivalry from Ben, and I wish Liz had been less of a doormat. 

Moon Knight (#188-191) by Max Bemis

Moon Knight (#188-191) by Max Bemis, Jacen Burrows (Illustrator)

Synopsis (via Goodreads): A new day is dawning and with it comes an enemy unlike any that Marc Spector, Moon Knight, has ever faced. Moon Knight has always been a protector from the shadows, but this new enemy is looking to extinguish that shadow with blinding light and fire. Get ready for the introduction of Moon Knight's greatest nemesis!

"And I thought it couldn't be possible for me to want to hurt people more."

I know, I know...  I said I wasn't going to read Moon Knight any more because of how dark it is, but peer spouse pressure can be so annoying. Jacob gets so excited when he reads this comic, and he really wanted me to catch up. It was just two more issues, so I didn't see the harm.

They weren't as graphic as the two before it, but they were intense. Max Bemis is the devil. I hate, hate, hate cliffhangers and these were ridiculous. You cannot casually make that your last page of a comic and then disappear for a month.

...and now I read Moon Knight. I'll admit the Egyptian mythology drew me in from the start, and Marc Spector (Moon Knight) is an interesting (very, very complicated) character. He has multiple personality disorder, which means he alone is like four separate people, and they all serve a purpose in his mind. It's twisted and weird, but now I'm hooked. I need to know what the hell is happening at the end of the last issue! 😱

Say You'll Remember Me by Katie McGarry | Blog Tour: Book Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

#SayYoullRememberMe

Hello! Welcome to the next stop on the Say You'll Remember Me blog tour hosted by Inkslinger PR. I'm really happy to share my thoughts on this book with you, as well as an excerpt from the story! Say You'll Remember Me was released on January 30, 2018 and is available at Amazon, B&N, iBooks, Google Play, BAM and Kobo.

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Synopsis (via Goodreads): "Doesn't matter who did it. Not anymore. I did the time. It's over."

When Drix was convicted of a crime--one he didn't commit--he thought his life was over. But opportunity came with the Second Chance Program, the governor's newest pet project to get delinquents off the streets, rehabilitated and back into society. Drix knows this is his chance to get his life back on track, even if it means being paraded in front of reporters for a while.

Elle knows she lives a life of privilege. As the governor's daughter, she can open doors with her name alone. But the expectations and pressure to be someone she isn't may be too much to handle. She wants to follow her own path, whatever that means.

When Drix and Elle meet, their connection is immediate, but so are their problems. Drix is not the type of boy Elle's parents have in mind for her, and Elle is not the kind of girl who can understand Drix's messy life.

But sometimes love can breach all barriers.

Fighting against a society that can't imagine them together, Drix and Elle must push themselves--Drix to confront the truth of the robbery, and Elle to assert her independence--and each other to finally get what they deserve. 

"I hate the word beautiful. Hate it. The word beautiful somehow gives the world permission to make wrongful assumptions about me, like that I don’t have a brain. Beautiful somehow gives men permission to say the phrase as a secret password in my direction, and I should therefore fall at their feet. Beautiful makes people believe they can say anything they want about or to me and that I shouldn’t be angry. Nothing in the universe could be more wrong."

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Also, the quote I used may have changed or been altered in some way, but I am quoting from what I received.

Katie McGarry knows how to tell a story. She's able to capture my attention from page one and never let it go. I was fascinated with Drix and Elle, their friends and family, their lives, and the two totally different worlds they lived in. I was able to relate and make connections with every single character, which is pretty effing amazing.

My heart hurts for Drix and the life he's lived. I cannot even begin to image what someone in his situation has gone through. This particular story might be fiction, but the concept is real. There are too many people suffering and barely getting by, our justice system is flawed, and there are so many kids out there that need help. They need someone to be there for them and help them find a better path in life. Someone needs to believe in them and what they can do. Everyone has something to offer the world, and they shouldn't be dismissed or made to suffer because of past mistakes.  A person can go to jail, serve their time, and come out a better person. They just need to be given a chance.

Elle's dad and his program give Drix that second chance. I wish there were more programs like it in the world. If people cared more about others than themselves, I think we'd live in a very different reality. 

Elle is incredibly strong. She wants to make the world a better place, and she thinks honesty is the only thing that should ever be given. I hated how desperately she wanted to please her parents, even at the expense of herself and her happiness. No parent should ever ask their child to change for someone else. I was so angry every time her mother pressed her to alter her appearance in some way. A parent should just love their child and accept the person they see in front of them. Yes, children need guidance and all that, but they also need to be loved, appreciated, and wanted for who they are.

Drix has a wonderful family, and not all of them are blood related. I ached for Dominic and Kellan, Holiday, Axel and Marcus. I would love for any one of them to have their own story. They've all been through so much in their short lives, and they still try to do what is right and always put family first. It was eye-opening to view life from their different perspectives, and I cannot fathom how a parent could be so cruel or neglectful. 

I thought Say You'll Remember Me was a wonderful story that highlights significant issues in our society. Drix and Elle had very different lives, problems and expectations, but they managed to find love and happiness. Their relationship was passionate, encouraging, and they gave each other what everyone needs: hope.