3.5 Stars Archives - Page 7 of 16

Book Review: Goodbye Paradise by Sarina Bowen

Mar 22, 2017

Goodbye Paradise by Sarina Bowen

Pages: 266
Publish date: March 21st, 2017
Publisher: Rennie Road Books
ISBN: 1942444362
Purchase: Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

Most people called it a cult. But for twenty years, Josh and Caleb called it home.

In Paradise, there is no television. No fast food. Just long hours of farm work and prayer on a dusty Wyoming ranch, and nights in a crowded bunkhouse. The boys of the Compound are kept far from the sinners’ world.

But Joshua doesn’t need temptation to sin. His whole life, he’s wanted his best friend, Caleb. By day they work side by side. Only when Josh closes his eyes at night can they be together the way he craves.

It can never be. And his survival depends on keeping his terrible desires secret.

Caleb has always protected Josh against the worst of the bullying at the Compound. But he has secrets of his own, and a plan to get away — until it all backfires.

Josh finds himself homeless in a world that doesn’t want him. Can Caleb find him in time? And will they find a place of safety, where he can admit to Josh how he really feels?

Goodbye Paradise:

I received an earc of Goodbye Paradise by Sarina Bowen from the author in exchange for an honest review. This has no way influenced my thoughts and feelings about the book.

Early this year I read Him and Us by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy and feel in love, so when I heard that Sarina was bringing out a new m/m book, I knew I needed it. And while I didn’t love it as much as my previous reads, I still really enjoyed it.

Goodbye Paradise follows protagonists Joshua and Caleb both members of a cult that they have lived with most of their lives. They used to go to school in the local town, but when the leader thought they were learning the wrongs things – he put a stop to that. And now they know no different. Most members haven’t seen the outside world and their lives are intertwined with everything and anything to do with the cult.

But Joshua has a secret – a secret that is deadly not only to him but Caleb as well. For most of his life, Joshua has wanted his best friend but it’s a sin. When Joshua suddenly find himself homeless, things are turned on their head and he doesn’t have anywhere to go.

Joshua was an interesting protagonist. He was quite innocent in most prospects, he didn’t know much about how the world really worked and he was in love with his best friend. I loved that we were figuring out the world with him. He struggled with his feelings for Caleb and trying to work with these feelings and step away from the world that he knew. I loved, loved that Joshua was great with kids

Caleb, on the other hand, knew a bit of the world outside and I loved his interaction with Josh and how he tried to show him how the world really is. However, I did find Caleb annoying at times – if you could say that. I felt that he moved things on quickly even when Josh was hesitant. But, not in an unconsented way just, influenced him in a little but.

The romance wasn’t my favourite, but I didn’t hate it at the same time. I thought it was totally adorable most of the time. They didn’t just have this love, but a deep friendship that I adored. They were best friends. However, I didn’t like the troubles that they have. I felt there was too much unnecessary drama and the tension was just too much at times.

I felt that at times the plot was a little slow and I was waiting and waiting for something bad to happen. However, I did like how Goodbye Paradise was more character driven and how emotions played a big part. These characters have lived a certain life, with certain beliefs are moving away from that is so damn hard.

The writing style of Goodbye Paradise was a hit and miss for me. When we were in Joshua’s perspective, his voice was a lot younger and harder to get a grasp on. However, I understood why his voice was presented this way – he doesn’t have the experience of being in the outside world.

Overall, I enjoyed Goodbye Paradise. It’s not my favourite novel out there, but I loved reading it. I loved falling for these characters. I am trying to slowly read more widely in a readership sense and it was great to see something different. The romance was adorable and although I didn’t always like the characters I do think their arcs were well done. Goodbye Paradise explores the notion of finding yourself, letting go and believing. It’s about falling in love, finding a family and starting new.

Have you read Goodbye Paradise yet? What did you think? Are you planning on reading it? Have you read any other books by Sarina Bowen? Let’s Chat!

Book Review + Giveaway: The Edge of Everything by Jeff Giles

Feb 11, 2017

The Edge of Everything by Jeff Giles

Pages: 400
Publish date: February 9th, 2017
Publisher: Bloomsbury Australia
ISBN: 1408869071
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU – Dymocks

It’s been a shattering year for seventeen-year-old Zoe, who’s still reeling from her father’s shockingly sudden death in a caving accident and her neighbors’ mysterious disappearance from their own home. Then on a terrifying sub-zero, blizzardy night in Montana, she and her brother are brutally attacked in a cabin in the woods–only to be rescued by a mysterious bounty hunter they call X.

X is no ordinary bounty hunter. He is from a hell called the Lowlands, sent to claim the soul of Zoe’s evil attacker and others like him. Forbidden to reveal himself to anyone other than his victims, X casts aside the Lowlands’ rules for Zoe. As X and Zoe learn more about their different worlds, they begin to question the past, their fate, and their future. But escaping the Lowlands and the ties that bind X might mean the ultimate sacrifice for both of them.

The Edge of Everything:

I received an ARC of The Edge of Everything by Jeff Giles from Bloomsbury Australia, in exchange for an honest review. This has no way influenced my thoughts and feelings about the book. Plus stay to the end to win 1 of 2 paperbacks of The Edge of Everything.

The Edge of Everything was one of my most anticipated debuts for this year and I am sad to say that I was disappointed. I wasn’t that it was bad or that I didn’t like it, it just wasn’t what I was expecting.

The Edge of Everything follows protagonist Zoe who has by far had a horrible year. Her father dies in a freak caving accident and her neighbours disappear from their home. Then during a blizzard, strange things start to happened. When she meets X, everything around her changes. X, isn’t an ordinary bounty hunter, residing from a hell called the lowlands. His got 2 jobs, take souls of those who hasn’t been the best of people and not let anyone see him, but that person. But everything changes when he meets X.

It’s been a couple of weeks since I finished The Edge of Everything and I’m still not too sure if I liked the protagonist. Both were hard to really enjoy. Even though Zo, was seventeen I didn’t feel it. She has this childish nature about her, that wasn’t sitting with me well. I loved the way she adores her brother, it was beautiful to see.

I liked X, much more than I did Zoe. His whole life his lived in the Lowlands and he knows nothing about the human world. I adored X, reaction, and interaction with the human world. I had a little laugh here and there. X has had a horrible and harsh upbringing and I liked that we didn’t see this angry person, but someone that is confused.

The Edge of Everything had a very good sense of family. At the start of the novel, we find out the horrible death of Zoe’s father. We know that they haven’t found his body, and this tears the family apart. They haven’t had a great time to grieve and it’s hurting them. However, I loved Zoe’s relationship with her brother. It was beautiful to see and just warmed my heart. I had a sense that her brother was on the autistic spectrum, but it wasn’t really focused upon. And although X doesn’t know who his family is, I liked the sense of family, even comradery.

The romance was my least favourite part of the book. It was pretty much non-existent. However, it was sweet at times, but it went from just meeting to ‘love.’ I think they both work well with each other. Zo and X are completely different, but they were adorable together. X is totally blaza to whatever is going on. I am hoping that the next book will build on their relationship and not jump right into it.

The world of The Edge of Everything was very unique. It’s horrible and intense. And every though we do find out about it in the book, I feel like there is so much more. X lives in a world of disgust and not knowing who you are.

The writing style of Jeff Giles wasn’t also my favourite in The Edge of Everything. I found it too simplistic and felt that at times I was being talked down upon. The world has many layers, I don’t know why the writing couldn’t.

The ending of The Edge of Everythingnonetheless was intense and I loved it. It was actioned packed and I had no idea was on earth was going to happen next. Those last couple of chapters were probably some of my favourites.

Overall, The Edge of Everything was an exciting read. It explores the notion of family and grief. It explores finding out who you are and where you belong. It’s intense, fast-paced and will keep you on the edge of your seat. There is magic, bounty hunters, exploring caves and so much more.

Have you read The Edge of Everything by Jeff Giles? What did you think of it? Where you as excited as I was to read it? Are you planning to continue the series? For those who haven’t read it are you planning to? Let’s Chat!

And now to the giveaway. You can have the chance to win 1 of 2 paperbacks thanks to Bloomsbury Australia! Check out all the information below. Nevertheless, this is only open to Australia residents.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: No Virgin by Anne Cassidy

Feb 6, 2017

No Virgin by Anne Cassidy

Pages: 183
Publish date: November 3rd, 2016
Publisher: Hot Key Books
ISBN: 1471405788
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

My name is Stacey Woods and I was raped.

Stacey is the victim of a terrible sexual attack. She does not feel able to go to the police, or talk about it to anybody other than her best friend, Patrice. Patrice, outraged, when she cannot persuade her to go to the police, encourages Stacey to write everything down. This is Stacey’s story.

No Virgin:

Trigger Warning: There are scenes that include rape, assault, and the aftermath.

I received a copy of No Virgin by Anne Cassidy from Hot Key Books (Allen and Unwin) in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way influenced my thoughts and feelings about the book.

Firstly I want to say, that I have struggled to write this review. Everything that I seem to have wanted to say just didn’t come out right. On the other hand, this book is powerful, heartbreaking and raw to the core.

No Virgin follows protagonist Stacy as she deals with the aftermath of being raped. It’s a heartbreaking journey that’s raw and will slap you in the face. The book begins with Stacy after she has been sexual assaulted, she’s in a bathroom. Her mind reeling with what has happened. She gets up, walks out and is faced with her rapist, he gives her money for a cab and she leaves. Nevertheless, The lead up to her assault is told after her best friends suggest she writes her thoughts, how she feels.

Stacy is a very shy protagonist. She keeps to her best friend, doesn’t tell her family much and also does what she has to, to get through high school. I had a real hard time connecting with Stacy. I am not entirely sure what it was, there was something that separated us. However, I did like Stacy’s passion. All she wants to do is work in the fashion industry, and she has figured out things on her own.

There isn’t much of a relationship between Stacy and her family. She lives with her mum, fourteen-year-old sister and her sister’s kid. However, this family is pretty dysfunctional. Her sister is nowhere near a mother to her son, relying on others around her including Stacy to look after him. It’s hard to see this, to witness someone so young looking after a baby. It’s like the world is on Stacy’s shoulders. All these people need her, but there isn’t many there for her. However, from the little that we do see, her father does try.

The rape scene was… hard to read. I had to step back, put my book down and breathe. I had to try and centre myself. It’s not for the fainthearted. Nevertheless, it was also heartbreaking.

What I liked most about the book was how Anne Cassidy dealt with the aftermath. Stacy wasn’t sure what she wanted to do. How she was supposed to deal with what did happen. If she was going to report him. If she need help. And there is no doubt there are other people that feel this way too.

I always like to read books that explore difficult topics. They are heartbreaking, hard to read and most of the time, take a lot out of me. But, we need books that deal with rape because it’s real. Things like this happen in the world that we live in. And if teens are blind to it, or don’t know it’s going on – they won’t know how to deal with events like this when they do happen.

Overall, No Virgin is under 200 pages, and nevertheless, it packs a punch. It has so much in it, but nothing overtakes. There is the time before and then everything after. It’s hard, raw and real. However, No Virgin is not for everyone. It’s not sugar coated and so it shouldn’t be.

Have you read No Virgin? How did you feel about it? Are you planning on reading it? Also, have you read other books by Anne Cassidy? Let’s Chat!