Synopsis:
Wren Connolly thought
she'd left her human side behind when she dies five years ago and came
back 178 minutes later as a Reboot. With her new abilities of strength,
speed, and healing—along with a lack of emotions—Wren 178 became the
perfect soldier for HARC (Human Advancement and Repopulation
Corporation). Then Callum 22 came along and changed everything.
Now
that they've both escaped, they're ready to start a new life in peace
on the Reboot reservation. But Micah 163, the Reboot running the
reservation, has darker plans in mind: to wipe out the humans. All of them.
Micah has been building a Reboot army for years and is now ready to
launch his attack on the cities. Callum wants to stick around and
protect the humans. Wren wants nothing more than to leave all the
fighting behind them.
With Micah on one side, HARC on the other, and Wren and Callum at odds in the middle, there's only one option left...
It's time for Reboots to become rebels.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:Recently, I read Reboot by Amy Tintera. I loved it. As soon as I
finished the book, I started the next book in the series, Rebel. I just
had to know what happened with Wren and Callum. While I enjoyed Rebel, I
didn't like it nearly as much as I liked Reboot.
Don't get me
wrong, I did really enjoy reading Rebel. I thought it was an interesting
sequel. Howeer, there was just something missing from the book. I'm not
sure what it was. I think part of it was the duel points of view threw
me off. I wasn't expecting that at all because in the first book, it was
just from Wren's point of view. Also, there wasn't nearly as much
action as the first book. I found myself becoming bored at times, and my
attention started to wander to other things. While this book did have
some action, it was more focused on relationship dynamics, whether that
be humans versus Reboots, or in Wren and Callum's personal lives.
There
were also things that I really loved seeing in Reboot. I enjoyed seeing
Wren and Callum grow as characters. I loved seeing a more softer side
of Wren that the reader didn't get as much of in the first book. It was
interesting watching her learn how to deal with her feelings, and
process emotions in a healthy way. Even though it was really off putting
at first, after I got into the book a little bit, I also enjoyed
Callum's point of view. It was interesting being inside his head, and
watching his character growth. I think out of all the characters in the
series, he's the one that grew the most.
Even though I didn't
enjoy it as much as Reboot, I really liked Rebel. I thought it was a
great finale to this duology. I especially loved the way the author
wrapped everything up. I own another series by this author, the Ruined
trilogy, and will probably start it sometime soon. I can't wait to read
more books by Amy Tintera.
I give Rebel: 3.5/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://www.amytintera.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amytinterabooks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amytintera
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amytintera/
Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/amytintera/
Tumblr: http://amytintera.tumblr.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5768611.Amy_Tintera
I received this book from the publisher, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Synopsis:
Five years ago, Wren
Connolly was shot three times in the chest. After 178 minutes she came
back as a Reboot: stronger, faster, able to heal, and less emotional.
The longer Reboots are dead, the less human they are when they return.
Wren 178 is the deadliest Reboot in the Republic of Texas. Now seventeen
years old, she serves as a soldier for HARC (Human Advancement and
Repopulation Corporation).
Wren’s favorite part of the job is
training new Reboots, but her latest newbie is the worst she’s ever
seen. As a 22, Callum Reyes is practically human. His reflexes are too
slow, he’s always asking questions, and his ever-present smile is
freaking her out. Yet there’s something about him she can’t ignore. When
Callum refuses to follow an order, Wren is given one last chance to get
him in line—or she’ll have to eliminate him. Wren has never disobeyed
before and knows if she does, she’ll be eliminated, too. But she has
also never felt as alive as she does around Callum.
The perfect soldier is done taking orders.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:
To catch up on books that I've owned for a while and am behind on
reading, I decided to start listening to audiobooks. It has been a life
saver for my reading goals this year, especially when I'm working on
things around my apartment. I've owned the Reboot duology by Amy Tintera
for a long time now, so I decided to get the audiobook of the first
book in the duology from the library, and read it that way. I'm so glad I
finally read it. I loved it.
I think Reboot might be one of my
favorite young adult science fiction books that I've read in a while.
Usually when I listen to audiobooks, especially YA ones, I find my
attention wavering. I either miss part of the story line, or get bored,
shut it off, and come back to it. That didn't happen with Reboot. It
kept me intrigued from beginning to end. I started listening to it
before bed, and stayed up way too late wondering what was going to
happen. I finally shut it off and went to bed, but as soon as I woke up,
I finished listening to it. It was action packed. The plot and
alternate depiction of Texas completely fascinated me. I needed to find
out how Wren, Callum, and the others were going to get out of the
situations they were in.
Speaking of Wren and Callum, I loved
the characters in Reboot. I thought it was refreshing to see a strong
female character in a young adult novel. I know it does happen once in a
while, but it seems like a rare oddity, especially with recent
releases. Wren didn't need a man, or anyone for that matter, to tell her
what to do, or to help her. She took charge on her own, and solved her
problems for herself. There's a specific scene at the end of the book in
a lab that I don't want to go into too much detail because I don't want
to spoil it for those that haven't read it. However, in that scene, she
was so kick butt that my jaw literally dropped listening to it. I think
she might be one of the bravest, strongest female leads that I've in a
while in any YA or adult book.
I loved Reboot so much. My only
regret is that I didn't read it much sooner than now. There's a saying
that the right book finds you at the moment it's meant to, and I think
that's what happened with me and this book. I'm going to be starting the
sequel as soon as I finish typing this review. I can't wait to see what
happens with Wren, Callum, and the society in general, especially after
that crazy ending.
I give Reboot: 5/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://www.amytintera.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amytinterabooks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amytintera
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amytintera/
Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/amytintera/
Tumblr: http://amytintera.tumblr.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5768611.Amy_Tintera
I received this book from the publisher, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Synopsis:
What else can a virgin do
when she’s ditched at the altar? Seattle heiress Mackenzie Dupont is
treating herself to a single-girl honeymoon in Mexico and a desire to
relinquish her innocence to a gorgeous one-night stand. Fake names. True
pleasure. But when she wakes up alone, Mackenzie realizes just how much
anger is left in her broken heart.
Suffering a tragic personal
loss, pro soccer player Slade Rodriguez has his reasons for vanishing
without a goodbye. Right or wrong, he’s blaming the beautiful and
infuriating stranger he never wants to see again. They’re both in for a
shock when Mackenzie shows up as his new personal assistant. And they
both have a lot to learn about each other. Because they share more than
they could possibly know, including a common enemy who’s playing his own
games. And he’s not afraid to get dirty.
Now there’s only one
way Mackenzie and Slade can win: to trust in each other and to stop
hiding from the lies they’ve told, the secrets they’ve kept, the
mistakes they’ve made, and the attraction that still burns between them.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:
This year, I have made it a goal of mine to catch up on my favorite
romance author's books. I used to read a lot of romance, but have barely
touched the genre in the past couple years or so until this year.
Rachel Van Dyken is one of those authors. I decided to continue my
reading binge of her books by reading one of her newer releases, Risky
Play. I'm glad I did. I really enjoyed it.
Typically, I'm not a
big fan of instalove stories. However, Risky Play drew me in and
wouldn't let me go. Just something about Slade and Mackenzie's chemistry
made it feel like it was practically rolling off the page. I enjoyed
their witty sarcastic banter together. They had me constantly cracking
up, seeing who could be more petty. Speaking of cracking up laughing, I
also enjoyed Slade's dog. There were quite a few scenes with him that I
loved, but a scene in general that had me losing it laughing that
happened after the dog had an altercation with a bird. I couldn't stop
chuckling for a good five minutes after I read it.
Rachel Van
Dyken handles a mix of her character's emotions very well. Even though
the book was hilarious, it got serious at times as well. I think she
found the perfect balance between the two. What happens to Slade at the
beginning of the book is really tragic. I could feel his emotions when I
was reading, which I think is a sign that the author is doing her job
very well. I went through what he was going through a couple years ago,
so I felt for him. I know how hard that can be to go through, and the
author portrayed those emotions very accurately.
I really enjoyed
Risky Play. It's definitely one of my favorite Rachel Van Dyken books
I've read out of the ones I've read the past month or two. Heck, it
might just be one of my favorites in general. I have an advanced copy of
the next book in the series, Kickin' It. I intend to start it as soon
as I'm done typing this review. I hope I love it as much as Risky Play,
if not more. I definitely can't wait to continue my Rachel Van Dyken
binge reading session.
I give Risky Play: 4/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://rachelvandykenauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelVanDyken/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachVD
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/rachvd/
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4882127.Rachel_Van_Dyken
I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Synopsis:
When family secrets are unearthed, a woman’s past can become a dangerous place to hide…
After
the death of her adoptive mother, Ava Saunders comes upon a peculiar
photograph, sealed and hidden away in a crawl space. The photo shows a
shuttered, ramshackle house on top of a steep hill. On the back, a
puzzling inscription: Destiny calls us.
Ava is certain
that it’s a clue to her elusive past. Twenty-three years ago, she’d been
found wrapped in a yellow blanket in the narthex of the Holy Saviour
Catholic Church—and rescued—or so she’d been told. Her mother claimed
there was no more to the story, so the questions of her abandonment were
left unanswered. For Ava, now is the time to find the roots of her
mother’s lies. It begins with the house itself—once the scene of a
brutal double murder.
When Ava enlists the help of the two people
closest to her, a police detective and her best friend, she fears that
investigating her past could be a fatal mistake. Someone is following
them there. And what’s been buried in Ava’s nightmares isn’t just a
crime. It’s a holy conspiracy.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:
I've
really been into reading mystery/thrillers lately. One of my favorite
things to do lately has been to pop on my headphones, and listen to
audiobooks of them while I do dishes, or generally clean around my
apartment. I had heard great things about Twist of Faith, so I decided
to pick it up. Unfortunately, I really disliked it. I ended up DNF'ing
the book at 45%.
I had such high expectations for Twist of
Faith. It's almost always on Amazon's Movers and Shakers list. I had
also heard great things about it from some Goodreads reviewers.
Unfortunately, it just wasn't for me. I tried listening to the
audiobook, and reading the ebook. Either way I chose to consume the
story, I was incredibly bored. It felt like nothing of great importance
was happening, and the writing style had me wanting to start skimming
the book. I also didn't care about any of the characters, which is very
unusual for me. Usually in a book, I can make a connection to at least
one of the characters, even if they're minor. At a little before 45%,
something very important happens in the story line, although next to no
detail is given about it. When that didn't shock me, or make me feel
again, I knew it was time to give up and move on to a different book.
It
makes me so sad that I didn't enjoy Twist of Faith at all. I know a lot
of people did, but it's apparently just not my thing. I wanted to like
it so much. Unfortunately, I just ended up finding it boring, and
couldn't connect with any of the characters. I'm not sure I will try any
more of this author's books in the future due to how much I disliked
this one.
I give Twist of Faith: 1/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6433471.Ellen_J_Green
I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Synopsis:
Can a feisty four-legged matchmaker help four best friends find the romance of their dreams?
Marney's
9-1-1 emergency help arrives in the form of a rugged, blue-eyed cop.
Now she has the perfect bodyguard to keep her safe during those dark,
steamy nights...
(Synopsis from Goodreads)
My Thoughts:
Lately, I've been on a mission to read as many books off of my TBR as
possible. My TBR has gotten incredibly overwhelming, and due to a few
recent things that have been going on, my reading has slowed down a lot
so far this spring when compared to winter. Therefore, I wanted to read a
few small books to get them off my TBR. I decided to start with The
Sheriff's Secret. It was an okay book.
The Sheriff's Secret was
my favorite book so far in these interconnected novellas. There was just
something that I really liked about the male love interest, Dell. I
can't exactly pinpoint what that something was. I think he's because, in
the end, he doesn't let his past get to him. He learns to trust,
despite everything he's been through. I also loved that we got more of
Charlie. I think he is the cutest dog ever, and love how he matches all
four of these women with their soulmates.
However, there were
also quite a few things I didn't like about The Sheriff's Secret. Like
all of the other novellas in this series, it was over the top cheesy.
There were several scenes that had me rolling my eyes. They were
ridiculous, and completely unrealistic. My other main complaint is that I
didn't like the female main character's actions. Marney drove me crazy.
She really needed to talk to Dell about something important. However,
as soon as she saw him, she didn't stand her ground and talk about it.
Instead, she just kept pushing things aside, which only created more
problems. It drove me insane.
All in all, I thought The
Sheriff's Secret was just an okay book. I did definitely like it a lot
more than the other books in this series. I think I would have liked it a
lot more though had it had a stronger female lead. I only have one more
book left in the series. Even though I haven't loved this series, the
books are so short that I'll definitely be reading the final one.
I give The Sheriff's Secret: 3/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://www.susanmeier.com/
Blog: http://susanmeier.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Susan-Meiers-Books-120647777954747/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/susanmeier1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/296471.Susan_Meier
I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Synopsis:
An intensely powerful
account of a teen, bullied for her port-wine stain, who must summon her
personal strength to survive abduction and horrific abuse at the hands
of a deranged killer.
Sixteen-year-old Sarah Meadows longs for
"normal." Born with a port wine stain covering half her face, all her
life she's been plagued by stares, giggles, bullying, and disgust. But
when she's abducted on the way home from school, Sarah is forced to
uncover the courage she never knew she had, become a hero rather than a
victim, and learn to look beyond her face to find the beauty and
strength she has inside. It's that-or succumb to a killer.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:Close to ten years ago, I read Scars by Cheryl Rainfield. At the time, I
really enjoyed it. It had a huge emotional impact on me. I've had the
audiobook for another one of her books, Stained, for a while. I recently
decided to start listening to it. I'm glad I did. It also had a huge
emotional impact on me.
I enjoyed listening to Stained, if
enjoyed is a word that can be used in this situation. The subject matter
made it incredibly difficult to listen to at times. The author puts so
much detail into what Sarah goes through. At times, it gave me a lot of
anxiety, and I had to step back from the audiobook, take a break, and go
listen to some cheerful music to get my head out of that mindset.
That's not a bad thing though. That means that the author did a great
job of writing a character and situation that the reader is able to
connect to very well.
I think Stained is a book that everyone
should read, as long as they can handle the subject matter. It brings
awareness to a subject that most people don't think about. Sometimes as a
society, we see missing girls on the news, and think "oh, that's
tragic", and move on with our day. Maybe if more people read this book,
they would be more willing to help with search efforts, or just go out
of their way to show support for the family. In this book, the author
details not only what Sarah goes through, but what the family goes
through as well. I couldn't even imagine going through a hell like that.
It will definitely make me think twice about what I can do to help the
next time I see a case like Sarah's on the news. No amount of help is
too small when something like this happens.
I found Stained to
be an impactful book. Even after finishing it, I can't stop thinking
about it. I have a feeling it will be one of those books that stays with
me for years after I read it. My only complaint was that I thought the
money situation that happened was wrapped up in a way that was too
convenient and slightly took some believability out of the story, and
that's a very minor complaint. Otherwise, I thought this book was
incredible. I definitely recommend reading it if you can handle the
harsh subject matter. Just do some research on the trigger warnings
before going into it just in case, and, as Cheryl Rainfield taught me, remember you can always take a
break if it gets to be too much.
I give Stained: 4/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.cherylrainfield.com/
Blog: http://cherylrainfield.com/blog/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.rainfield.fan.page
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CherylRainfield
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BvourdtHwyK/
Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/cherylrainfield/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3305514.Cheryl_Rainfield
