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Book Review: Bountiful (True North #4) by Sarina Bowen

Oct 18, 2017

Bountiful by Sarina Bowen

Pages: 315
Publish date: October 20, 2017
Publisher: Rennie Road Books
ASIN: B075PGFW9N
Purchase: Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

No last names. No life stories. Those were the rules.

Once upon a time a cocky, copper-haired tourist sauntered into Zara’s bar. And even though she knew better, Zara indulged in a cure for the small-town blues. It was supposed to be an uncomplicated fling—a few sizzling weeks before he went back to his life, and she moved on.

Until an accidental pregnancy changed her life.

Two years later, she’s made peace with the notion that Dave No-Last-Name will never be found. Until one summer day when he walks into her coffee shop, leveling her with the same hot smile that always renders her defenseless.

Dave Beringer has never forgotten the intense month he spent with prickly Zara. Their nights together were the first true intimacy he’d ever experienced. But the discovery of his child is the shock of a lifetime, and his ugly past puts relationships and family out of reach.

Or does it? Vermont’s countryside has a way of nurturing even tortured souls. The fields and the orchards—and hard-won love—are Bountiful.

Bountiful:

I received an e-arc of Bountiful by Sarina Bowen in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way influenced my thoughts and feelings about the book.

For the last year I have been reading; 1. More Romance and 2. More Sarina Bowen. So when I was given the change to read an early copy of Bountiful – I took it. I read the first 3 books in the ‘True North’ series a couple of months ago and really fell in love with the characters. And with doing that I was introduced to Zara – and her baby. It had been a mystery the whole series who the father was – and we finally found out.

Bountiful follows Zara, the mother of the beautiful little redhead girl, who fell pregnant after a fling – and she didn’t tell anyone who the father was. But it wasn’t like she knew his name. It’s been two years and Zara is living the life of a single mother – until Dave comes into her life. Dave hasn’t forgotten about Zara and when he finds his way back to her town – Dave is hoping that she is still there. What he didn’t know is that he had a daughter waiting for him too.

Throughout this series, I was dying to find out who the father was of Zara’s daughter and gosh did it make this book interesting. I really enjoy Zara both as a protagonist and as a mother. The reader is able to see her through other character eyes before this – and now finally the story is told through her.

I felt that Zara really grew throughout Bountiful. At the start, she is both hesitate with Dave being back and letting him into their lives. But she also has some strong feelings for him. What I loved about Zara was that she did care so much about her daughter – and she was first.

I have a love-hate relationship with Dave. For the most part, I really enjoyed him. But there were things that just didn’t sit right with me throughout the novel. It took quite a while for Dave to get used to the idea that he had a daughter, but as Bountiful went on – the reader is able to see his thoughts and feelings change.

Bountiful really explores the notion of family and I loved seeing Zara and Dave come together and show this to their daughter. Obvious it’s hard, a fling turning into something more. But I liked the way that Sarina Bowen dealt with it. In saying that, I did wish I got more scenes with the three of them together.

There was no denying that Zara and Dave had a connection. And with the way that Sarina structured the book out – it did emphasise that. The reader is able to see their feelings before, and then take us two years later and see what has changed between them.

I also really enjoyed seeing all the characters that we have come to know and love. It’s really nice having a book where everyone that was once hurt, be happy. They are as much of Zara’s family as those that are blood-related to her.

Speaking of Zara’s family, I had many laughs and angry spiral through me when her family was about. There was some good eggs – and some bad ones. But, I liked seeing the different reactions of those that are related to her.

Overall, Bountiful is about family, friendship, and love. It explores family and what you have to give up for it. Love and how it can change the way you look at life. Zara and Dave come together to not only look after their daughter but themselves. If you want a beautiful read that focuses on family, new parents and some sexy time – then this book is for you. It’s fun, heartbreaking and warms your inside all at the same time.

Have you read Bountiful by Sarina Bowen? What did you think? Are you planning on reading it? Have you read any of the True North series? Let’s Chat!

Bookish Boyfriends of 2017

Oct 13, 2017

I am always one for a bookish boyfriend – seriously most of the time, I fall in love with the love interest with the protagonist. So today I thought I would share some of my favourite bookish boyfriends so far in 2017. Most of the books have been published this year, however some I’ve just read this year. Like always these are in no particular order.

Arcus from Frostblood by Elly Blake: Arcus is the typical mysterious guy that hides behind a hood. He projects a not so nice attitude, but as the novel goes on you begin to find out why. While he is a feature character in Frostblood, he isn’t exactly present in Fireblood – hopefully, that changes in book 3.

Lazlo Strange from Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor: Lazlo is the guy that wins my heart. I adored his love for books and learning and finding out more. Lazlo is very innocent and I loved seeing that, it’s rare that we see a male character in YA that is obvious to the world and how things work. Lazlo character development throughout the novel was excellent and I am hanging to see where his character goes. He is my perfect bookish boyfriend.

Blake Riley from Goodboy by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy: Ah, what to say about Blake? I love him. Yes sometimes he is s shithead, but I adore the love that he has for his family, his teammates and eventually Jess. His funny, crazy and just put a massive smile on my face.

Declan from Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer: Can he be mine? Please. Like the female protagonist, Declan is hurt and feels like his alone in life – like he doesn’t have someone to talk to, that there isn’t someone that cares. Declan has this demeanour about him that creates this façade, and people only see him for that. And he acts to that. He thinks that because people see him that way – he should act that way.

Kash from The Ship Beyond Time by Heidi Heligi: Kash, Kash, Kash. Can I please have him? I loved his smoothness – if that is world. He can come into any situation and just know the right thing to say. I loved that Kash spoke so many different languages and even though he didn’t like speaking about his childhood – tried to stay close to his roots.

Cas from Avenged by Amy Tintera: Talking about Cas. In Ruined he is a ‘weak’ male protagonist compared to other YA male leads. But, in Avenged he finds his voice. And it was great to see. I loved Cas’s character arc, I love seeing him grow into a King. He has to make some hard decisions throughout the book and sometimes he makes some stupid ones. But I loved seeing him grow.

And that is it for this post! Who are some of your bookish crushes for 2017? Do we share any that is the same? Who are you looking forward to seeing more of? I cannot wait to hear yours. Let’s Chat!

Book Review: Fireblood by Elly Blake

Oct 3, 2017

Fireblood by Elly Blake

Pages: 304
Publish date: September 7th, 2017
Publisher: Hachette Australia
ISBN: 9781473635203
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU – QBD

Against all odds, Ruby has defeated the villainous Frost King and melted his throne of ice. But the bloodthirsty Minax that was trapped inside is now haunting her kingdom and everyone she loves. The answers to its demise may lie to the south in Sudesia, the land of the Firebloods, and a country that holds the secrets to Ruby’s powers and past….

Despite warnings from her beloved Arcus, Ruby accompanies a roguish Fireblood named Kai to Sudesia, where she must master her control of fire in a series of trials to gain the trust of the suspicious Fireblood queen. Only then can she hope to access the knowledge that could defeat the rampaging Minax – which grows closer every moment. But as sparks fly in her moments alone with Kai, how can Ruby decide whom to trust? The fate of both kingdoms is now in her hands.

Fireblood:

I received a free copy of Fireblood by Elly Blake from Hachette Australia in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way influenced my thoughts and feelings about the book.

This review will contain spoilers from Frostblood; book 1 in the saga.

I started off the year right with Frostblood and when I found out that book 2 was coming out a couple months later – I was so excited. And while I didn’t love Fireblood as much as book 1. I still really enjoyed it.

Fireblood picks up not long after we left Frostblood. We see that Ruby is really struggling with her time at the Frost court. The people of the court don’t like her, she can’t spend the time she wants to with Arcus, and she is struggling with the powers within her. But when she finds out there is a way to stop the Minax – she goes out to find it. Even if it means leaving Arcus behind.

Accompanying Ruby on this trip to Sudesia, is a Fireblood named Kai. But when she must enter a series of life or death trails to gain the trust of the Fireblood Queen – things start to get heated.

Ruby really grew throughout Fireblood, which is one of my favourite things to see in a novel. When character development is the pinnacle of the story. While at the start of the novel and even in the first book, Ruby is really struggling with who she is. But throughout Fireblood we start to see her accept that. There were things that Ruby did throughout Fireblood that really annoyed me to bits, but I liked to see her learn from them.

I hated that we did get to see much of Arcus in Fireblood. He was one of my favourite characters in Frostblood, and I wanted to see how he was dealing with being King. Although we did see some of that, he was out for most of the book. In saying that I did like what we did see. I find that Arcus wears his heart on his sleeve, and in Fireblood we see that. The reader is able to see how much he cares for both Ruby and his people. We see the hard decisions that a King has to go through.

Kai – what can I say. I wasn’t the biggest fan of him. I felt that he was too up himself, that he believed that he deserved the world. While reading Fireblood I really wanted to like him, but I just could not do it. I liked the strength that he gave Ruby, the lessons that he taught her. I liked that he made Ruby believe in herself. But, I really don’t care what happens to him in the long run.

I went into Fireblood believing that there was going to be a love triangle – and while it wasn’t really the way – it was still there. If you know me well, I hate love triangles, there aren’t many books with them that I end up loving. So when I read the synopsis for Fireblood, I was really upset. However, it wasn’t as strong as I expected. Which made me very happy.

Yes, Ruby and Kai had a connection, because he is one of the first Fireblood that Ruby has really seen and connected with. She is able to learn so much about her powers, and herself. But, I felt that he cared more about himself than others.

Ruby and Arcus had some really hard times in Fireblood and I hope that they continue to be there for one another in Nightblood. I love their connection and how much they do care about one another.

I feel in love with the world of Elly Blake when I began Frostblood, but we really get to find more about the world in Fireblood. All the info wasn’t dumped on us at the one time, it was slowly weaved throughout the book. Not only were there things that Ruby knew, but she also learnt so much. And it was great to learn that along with her.

Overall, I really enjoyed Fireblood by Elly Blake. I was engaged and turning page after page. I didn’t know what was going to happen next most of the time – which was fantastic. Fireblood explores falling in love, fighting for who you are and believing in yourself. It explores coming-of-age, finding your place and believing in what you. Fireblood takes you a journey and I really don’t want it to stop.