Full Blooded by Amanda Carlson [review by Sharon]

Author: Amanda Carlson
Series: Jessica McClain
Number: 1
Number of pages: 322
Publisher: Orbit
Date published: 6 September 2012
Buy on: Amazon, Amazon UK
Rating: 3 stars


"Born the only female in an all male race, Jessica McClain isn’t just different—she’s feared.

After living under the radar for the last twenty-six years, Jessica is thrust unexpectedly into her first change, a full ten years late. She wakes up and finds she’s in the middle of a storm. Now that she’s become the only female full-blooded werewolf in town, the supernatural world is already clamoring to take a bite out of her and her new Pack must rise up and protect her.

But not everyone is on board. The werewolf Rights of Laws is missing text and the superstitious werewolves think that Jessica means an end to their race. It doesn’t help when Jessica begins to realize she’s more. She can change partway and hold her form, and speak directly to her wolf. But the biggest complication by far is that her alpha father can't control her like he can the rest of his wolves.

When a mercenary who’s been hired by the vampires shows up to extract information about the newly turned werewolf only days after her change, they find themselves smack in the middle of a war and there's no choice but to run together. When it’s up to Jessica to negotiate her release against her father’s direct orders, she chooses to take an offer for help instead. In exchange, Jessica must now swear an oath she may end up repaying with her life"

Review:

Will you look at that? As some of you might say, we have nothing new here. Nothing we haven't seen before in other Urban Fantasy books. And you’d be right. However, let me assure you that in the next book you learn new things that make this book worth reading if only so you can read the rest of the series. 

But this one is worth reading on it's own accord too. 

First of all, this series is a great example as to how the author is writing each and every book with the thought of the total series plot. Yes, each book has a plot of its own. But they all add up to the great plotline and I love it. 

Much thought was put here, and I appreciate it so much I can't even start to explain it. This book focuses mostly on character development, defining the various relationships and explaining a little about the werewolves' world and their folklore.

This is the foundation for books to come. And while weak on it's own (hence, 3 stars) I am happy to say I appreciate it much better after reading the next two books. 

It has been a while since I read the books, so I'll try my best to write for each of them a well explained review.

Shall we start then?

The World Building : as I already mentioned, the focus here is on the werewolves world. There are other sects of supernatural, but as this book focus on Jessica discovering her wolfish side the book focus mainly on the furry kind. Being a shifter is something genetic, and is passed down from father to son(shifters have only male off-springs). The wolves live in packs around the globe, with each one having an Alpha. Also, most wolves are alpha born. Some wolves also have a special talent- like running or healing faster. Jessica is the daughter of an Alpha, and the only female ever born to a shifter. A prophesy claims that she will be the end of the wolves, if she turns out to be a shifter. Till now (25 years) she has shown no sign of that. But at the first chapter she makes her first change, which in turn, causes a war among the wolves as of them, obviously, fear the prophesy. However, the wolves are not the only ones that hunt Jessica down. 

The Characters : Most characters that forge Jessica's inner circle are introduced here. Some of them we get to know better than others, some give us only a vague feeling of who they are and others are just passing by to say hi. 

Jessica- the books are told from her POV, and she's a great character. She's loyal, smart, stubborn, and rational. She manages a good balance between being one the takes action but always thinking and learning. And yes, more often than most she tries to do the right thing. She yields quite a lot of power, and she stumbles around while she tries to figure things out. Her wolf is a character of her own.

Tyler- aka Jessica's twin brother. He's very protective and loyal, he's smart and charming, strong and very reliable. He also has some prejudice regarding other sects and how werewolves are superior which is fun to see as he keeps on having to overcome them. 

Danny- this British flirtatious overly smart mouthed werewolf that provides lots of comic relief as well as smart remarks. 

There are other characters as well, but I either can't or don't have much to say about them ;)

The Plot : as I said, this book while being a great debut is somewhat weak. It shows lots of potential (that is being delivered later), and it has great foundation. Amanda Carlson's world is fairly interesting. A few good points I liked:


1. Jessica has some steamy sex with someone, just because the two of them feel like it. 
2. There is relationship here, family love and support. Jessica has a female friend (though, she doesn't appear much in the book)
3. There is this guy Jessica meets, and let me tell you he is a fine piece of meat. OMNOMNOM. 


A review copy was kindly provided by Orbit through NetGalley. Thank you!

Hot Blooded by Amanda Carlson [review by Sharon]

Author: Amanda Carlson
Series: Jessica McClain
Number: 2
Number of pages: 336
Publisher: Orbit
Date published: 23 April 2013
Buy on: Amazon, Amazon UK
Rating: 4 stars

"It hasn't been the best week for Jessica McClain.

Her mate has been kidnapped by a Goddess hell-bent on revenge --- but Jessica is playing for keeps.

Because she's the only female werewolf in town...it comes with its own set of rules...and powers.

Aided by two vamps, two loyal Pack members, and one very reluctant human, Jessica must rescue her man while coming to terms with what being a wolf really means.

All in a day's work for a girl.

The second novel in the Jessica McClain series is a full on action adventure featuring one angry Goddess and plenty of monsters, demons, and a few newly risen beasties..."

Review:

Here, Jessica tries to save her mate. Escorted by two vampires, two werewolves and one angry human, Jessica sets out to save Rourke from one sadistic and vengeful goddess.

May I just say I LOVED this book.

There is a fair share (the lion's share) of world building here. We encounter demons, bats, mermaids (of sorts), spiders, ants, magic, and a little witch's potions. Furthermore, we learn of the system- the hierarchy between the sects and who controls and enforce laws on all the sects, we also learn how one achieve the status of a goddess. There is more character development as we get to know some of them better.

There is lots (!!) of action, for those of you that like fighting scenes, some hard decisions are made and some new alliances are forged.

There are only few things to complain about, but complain I shall-

First of all, the romance; Jessica and Rourke had a brief encounter before he was kidnapped. Thus their relationship didn’t develop much. As the whole book si about saving him from the goddess, you can guess how much development can possible be here (almost none).

Secondly, while I appreciate information and good dialogues as much as the next person. When a killing scene takes too long because everybody is too damn busy with talking you can guess how irritating this might become.

Thirdly, in case you find yourself not liking this book and consider a drinking game- each time someone threatens to kill someone else you are most welcome to drink. Considering, of course, that you'll take small gulpes or you have a high tolerance for alcohol. Another option is drinking each time someone threatens to kill the human. Or whenever a vampire says that something is impossible to achieve. Both will get you happily drunk quite fast, so still don't use a strong drink.

One thing I really loved is that we learn more about the prophecy and that Jessica grows into her own power.

A review copy was kindly provided by the publisher through NetGalley. Thank you!

This review is also on BookLikes, GoodReads

Cold Blooded by Amanda Carlson [review by Sharon]

Author: Amanda Carlson
Series: Jessica McClain
Number: 3
Number of pages: 336
Publisher: Orbit
Date published: 8 October 2013
Buy on: Amazon, Amazon UK
Rating: 4 stars

"Jessica arrives back in town to find her best friend missing and the most powerful witch in the country is blaming her for it. But before they can move to save her, the group is attacked.

On the run, Jessica and Rourke head to the mountains. Several surprises await them, but in order to save her father they are forced to leave for New Orleans early. Arriving on the Vampire Queen's doorstep unexpectedly, and bringing trouble on their heels, the Sects are thrown into an all out war. The vicious skirmish ends up forcing the vamps and Jessica to fight on the same team.The Vamp Queen ends up owing Jessica, but what Jessica doesn't realize is just how soon she'll have to cash it in.."

Review:

This book has a lot of running around, a lot of things happening. And I think a war is coming soon. The demons wants Jessica, other sects wants Jessica. Some sects support Jessica. And it all comes back to the vampire queen. 

Basically, the last book has left us with a warning regarding the underworld, and here Jessica tries to figure out what she should do while dealing with one missing friend, one angry witch, some crazy stupid dudes, a father that might just die if no one is careful, a new born (very hungry and very angry) vampire, one plotting vampire queen and one Hotter than Hot, absolutely and McSteamy and McDreamy all rolled into one in the form of a mate. 

Jessica and Rourke are getting to know each other better, they both know they have lots of work to do- Jessica is a moving target, she's powerful but young and Rourke is much older than her and had been alone for a long time. Which is why they have lots of compromising to do- Rourke finds the tender balance between protecting Jessica and trusting her to fend for herself? Jessica realizes that every decision she makes affects them both and most often consults him and learn from his experience. 

I have to admit, these characters are quite growing on me and I can't wait for the next book. 

I'm willing to bribe whoever I need in order to get my hands on an early version of the next book. 

A review copy was kindly provided by Orbit through NetGalley. Thank you!

This review is also on BookLikes, GoodReads

Addicted for Now by Krista and Becca Ritchie [Review by Sharon]

Author: Krista and Becca Ritchie
Series: Addicted
Number: 2
Number of pages: 324
Publisher: K.B. Ritchie
Date published: 22 August 2013
Buy on: Amazon, Amazon UK
Rating: 5 stars

"He's addicted to booze. She's addicted to sex...staying sober is only half the battle.

No. More. Sex. 

Those are the three words Lily Calloway fears the most. But Loren Hale is determined to be with Lily without enabling her dangerous compulsions. With their new living situation—sleeping in the same bed, for real, together—Lily has new battles. Like not jumping Lo’s bones every night. Not being consumed by sex and his body.

Loren plans to stay sober, to right all of his wrongs. So when someone threatens to expose Lily’s secret to her family and the public, he promises that he’ll do anything to protect her. But with old enemies surfacing, Lo has more at stake than his sobriety.

They will torment Lily until Lo breaks. 

And his worst fear isn’t relapsing. He hears the end. He sees it. The one thing that could change everything. Just three words. 

No. More. Us. 

New Adult Romance recommended for readers 18+ for mature content"

Review:

For this review and more visit my blog The Accidental Reader

Here is the thing about Ktista and Becca Ritchie, their first book tore me apart. The second left me bleeding and the third, the third healed me while leaving a huge ugly scar. And I'm thankful for all of it. Actually, I can't wait for the next books in the series.

I am not a masochist. Not even a little. Or at least, I thought I'm not until I met the Ritchie sisters. Seeing Lo & Lily's journey broke my heart. It was a sad, beautiful, hopeful journey.

Addicted for Now ends with a satisfying ending, and still leaves much to be desired. I am not ready to say goodbye just yet, in a way, I wonder if I ever will. But that's what rereads are for.

I'll try to make sense. But I promise nothing.

I would start with the writing, it's good. It's very good. Full of harsh truths and wisdom. The first and second books are solely from Lily's POV. But we get Lo's POV as well in third book. And both voices (Lo's and Lily's) are solid so much so I am sure I could tell them apart. There is more, please don't hate me. But not many female writers can write a good guy's POV. Same to be said of male writers and female POV. But Lo's voice is good and realistic.

The guys in the addicted books are just as real as the girls- in words, behavior, feelings. Everything.

As for the characters- Rose is my favorite. And Connor is the type of alpha male I really love and respect, maybe because he's not really alpha, but more of a gamma. So you can imagine how excited I am for their book to be released soon (24th January 2014). 

That aside you need to understand something about the characters- they are complex, human. They are not very likeable. Sometimes I wanted to hit them hard, other times I was tempted to yell in frustration because they annoyed the hell out of me. They have faults, many many faults.

And yet, I love them. I feel like I met new-old friends. Each one stand on their own. 
Lily is supportive, perspective, slow, weak, dependant, true to herself, slowly she becomes stronger. She finds her strengh but she stays fragile. She is determined. 
Lo is an A-hole, he's selfish, protective, strong willed, understanding, twisted anf broken. 
Ryke is brutally honest, he's a busy body that shoves his nose in other people's business. He's caring and knows no limits. 
Daisy is full of fire, she takes dangerous risks all the time, she's mature for her age. She is honest and smart, she's cool and tries to please everyone. 
Connor is super smart, he's vain and hardly lets anyone in. He's an manipulator and almost nothing is beneath him in order to get to the top. Still, he has principles. He notice everything, he collects information and use it for his own benefit. He's a manipulator. But also a true friend, and a caring boyfriend. 
Rose is smart, cold, composed, she can hurt people with her words very easily, she's full of pride, competitive, she loves without limits and support those she care for. She's fragile, insecure and self confidant. She's a fighter.

And that's exactly the thing. We get to know the supporting characters just as well as the main ones. Each relationship is complex. Nothing is easy. There is no black and white- just like the covers of the books, it's crystal clear but it's also very grey. Each relationship is different and fucked up in her own way, while still being oh so right.

I can't talk about the plot- because each book is long and lots happen. If in the first book we see how Lily and Lo become a couple and slowly, painfully spiral to rock bottom, then the second is about them being apart. Starting recovery. And learning to relay on others. The third is about relaying on each other, finding balance and intimacy, fighting their addictions together. Finding support in friends, family, each other and themselves. It's about screwing up, it's about falling and getting up. Keep trying. It's about finding their way, facing the demons, learning limits, facing the truths, accepting them and move on. It's about learning from mistakes, learning to forgive. Even to the things you think are unforgivable. It's about forgiving yourself.
Seeing Lo and Lily supporting each other when, even with tough love when needed was heartwarming. I love seeing the two of them growing up. 

The truth is, after this book you can stop reading the series. It's satisfying. Personally, I don't want to. I want to see all the journey. I want each and every book to come out already so I can read them. Yet, I don't because then I'll have to say goodbye. I can only hope that once this series is over, Krista and Becca Ritchie will write something new. Just as good if not better.

This review is also on: GoodReads, BookLikes

Ricochet by Krista and Becca Ritchie [Review by Sharon]

Author: Krista and Becca Ritchie
Series: Addicted
Number: 1.5
Number of pages: 260
Publisher: K.B. Ritchie
Date published: 1 August 2013
Buy on: Amazon, Amazon UK
Rating: 5 stars

"As a sex addict, Lily Calloway must do the impossible. Stay celibate for 90 days. 

Cravings and fantasies become her new routine, but while Loren Hale recovers from his alcohol addiction, Lily wonders if he’ll realize what a monster she really is. After all, her sexual compulsions begin to rule her life the longer she stays faithful to him. 

Progress. That’s what Lily’s striving for. But by trying to become closer to her family—people who aren’t aware of her addiction—she creates larger obstacles. When she spends time with her youngest sister, she learns more about her than she ever imagined and senses an unsettling connection between Daisy and Ryke Meadows. 

With Lily and Lo’s dysfunctional relationship teetering and unbalanced, they will need to find a way to reconnect from miles apart. But the inability to “touch” proves to be one of the hardest tests on their road to recovery. Some love brushes the surface. Some love is deeper than skin. 

Lily and Lo have three months to discover just how deep their love really goes.

------

Includes the first chapter to the sequel Addicted for Now.

Companion to the Sequel: A full-length New Adult Romance that continues where Addicted to You left off. As a companion novel, it bridges the gap between the first and second book. It is highly recommended to be read beforeAddicted for Now."

Review:

Ricochet is a weird book. 
Mainly because the love interest is missing. After the events in Addicted to You, Lo is in rehab and lily started therapy. For the first time they can remember, they are separated for 90 days. 
More over, they hardly talk to each other because of Lo's rehab program. 

Lily copes by crying. She's got Rose's unconditional support and she tries to be a better sister to Daisy. Also, she learns some harsh truths about herself and her addiction. 

While being physically missing most of the book, Lo's presence is stronger than ever because of his unique relationship with Lily. 

They are so Co-dependent on each over, their love so consuming it is hard to know where one begin and the other ends. 

We also get a glimpse to Rose's and Connor's unique relationship, to Daisy's fire and to Ryke's soft side. 

We also get to know better Samantha and Greg Calloway. As well as Jonathan Hale. They are far from being perfect parents, or even dotting one s. But they still all care, they love, even if that love comes through in a wrong way. 

What hurt me was seeing how Rose and Lily were both forced to see the faults in their parents parenting. They understood the consequences, and now were left to fend for themselves and deal on their own. 

"the damage is done. I think we ate old enough to feel the scars of our upbringing. Now we just have to find a way to heal. 

This series describe it so well- being part of a family, with the complexity of each and every relationship within. Trying to find your own place, to know your limits and overcome your fears. To understand your parents are far from perfect, that sometimes they won't hear you while you tell them what you need. and still love them. to know that despite their flaws your family will stand by your side when you need them most, just like they do when everything is OK and you wish to be left alone. To know you are loved

I'm going to sound like a broken record, but the Ritchie sisters have created a wonderful set of characters. So great they feel real. 

P.S. Krista and Becca Ritchie shows different ways of therapy regarding sex addiction. They stress how hard thise addiction is. Because unlike alcohol, a sex addict need to learn to live with his addiction and control it. It is a constant battle. The Ritchie sisters treat the addiction problems seriously throughout the series.

This review is also on: GoodReads, BookLikes

Addicted to You by Krista and Becca Ritchie [Review by Sharon]

Author: Krista and Becca Ritchie
Series: Addicted
Number: 1
Number of pages: 488
Publisher: K.B. Ritchie
Date published: 30 November 2013
Buy on: Amazon, Amazon UK
Rating: 5 stars

"She’s addicted to sex. He’s addicted to booze…the only way out is rock bottom.

No one would suspect shy Lily Calloway’s biggest secret. While everyone is dancing at college bars, Lily stays in the bathroom. To get laid. Her compulsion leads her to one-night stands, steamy hookups and events she shamefully regrets. The only person who knows her secret happens to have one of his own.

Loren Hale’s best friend is his bottle of bourbon. Lily comes at a close second. For three years, they’ve pretended to be in a real relationship, hiding their addictions from their families. They’ve mastered the art of concealing flasks and random guys that filter in and out of their apartment.

But as they sink beneath the weight of their addictions, they cling harder to their destructive relationship and wonder if a life together, for real, is better than a lie. Strangers and family begin to infiltrate their guarded lives, and with new challenges, they realize they may not just be addicted to alcohol and sex.

Their real vice may be each other. 

New Adult Romance recommended for readers 18+ for mature content"

Review:
My name is Sharon and I'm addicted to books. I'm also addicted to chocolate. 

Out of my two addictions I think the first is the less harmful. But that would be a lie- thinking of all the nights I decided to stay in and read instead of going out with friends (luckily, they never resented me for that), thinking of all the times I read instead of doing things I ought to do because I was just so engrossed in a book- I wasn't studying, I wasn't talking to people, I wasn't sleeping. 

While it's not bad, it is not good either. Hell, my room is full of books. I even once half joked that the perfect man will be the one who will build me a house with a big room for all my books, a place where I could read quietly. And if he buys me books that I wanted, I'd love him forever. 

I am by no means an expert in books. But I am a reviewer, and as a result I think I developed a criticizing mind over the years. I speak my mind. 

So believe me when I say that when I read the blurb of this book all I could think of was 'just another NA book'. I mean, don't most of them talk about two people who lead shitty life while trying to find their place in a cruel-cruel world? Well, they aren't. Most NA books try to be about that, but sometimes despite the author's good intentions they relapse into stupidity. 

I thought that Addicted to You will be just another one of those, which is why I decided to avoid it at first. I mean, how many times one of my friends complained that the NA genre contain slut shaming?! How many times I made that complaint?! And here we have a book that talks about addiction. SEX addiction. it seemed like a sure recipe for slut shaming, for disaster. 

What made me change my mind?

One of my friends gave this book a high rating. Then this book appeared on NetGalley, I hit the request button and was approved. This means, a copy was provided by the authors in exchange for an honest review. This has not affected my opinion on the book in any way. In the name of full discloser, I have to admit the authors are my friends. But they became my friends only after I became so engrossed with the series. Now, I read this book a few weeks(?) months (?) ago. And it took me so long to review it because I was simply speechless when I finished the book [I immediately continued reading the series]. BTW, you can read my pre-review if you scroll down, just to understand how speechless I was. 

At first I was flooded with so many emotions. Then, I kept reading the series and with each book my ability to speak returned. But in was still incoherent. I think, I hope I am now in the state to review this book, and the rest of the series in the way it deserve.

This is going to be a long review. So be prepared. [if you have no power/will to read it, feel free to PM me and I will send you a short version….or not…the short version is- "Read it because it smart, beautiful, realistic, funny, heartbreaking, thought provoking. Because Lily, Lo, Rose, Connor, Daisy & Ryke are all my friends. Because you don’t want to miss it."] 

First of all, I'd like to talk about the setting of the book- college kids, privileged kids. What I appreciate about the setting is that even though the characters are privileged, their parents practically swim in money, it serves to make their lives easier on the material level. But the problems, the stress, the emotions are all the same, actually their problems are something money can't solve. 

Yes, living is easy when you don't have to pay bills, when you don't have to work and earn money to support yourself. It's easy when you get into college because your daddy is rich.

On the other hand, there are the expectations. The pressure. The need to save face. Money does not guarantee happiness, Sunday morning in the park playing football with dad, Saturday evening sitting around playing cards with the family. It does not guarantee movie nights or happy birthdays. It does not guarantee sweet kisses before bed-time and huge smiles in the morning. 

The story is told from Lily's POV, she's a sex addict, living with her best friend, Lo, who is alcoholic. Their families think they are dating. When we meet them, they are still faking it, but slowly we see how they keep on stretching the line between fake and real, how badly they want to cross that line, how they don’t because crossing it might be a turning point in which they'll have to face their addictions and take responsibility. 

They enable each other, they care about each other, and they worry. But they also know that saying something, anything will be hypocrisy. It is hard thing to watch. 

Slowly, they are spiraling. At first Lily spirals out of control because of her feelings for Lo. Then, they both descend rock bottom so slowly it's terrifying. 

We also meet other characters (that play major roles here and later books). Lily's sisters- Rose and Daisy. And two other friends Connor and Ryke. 

The sex addiction is portrayed very well with Lily's needs, her fantasies, her compulsive behavior without ever showing it as something disgusting, or using it as an excuse for multiple sex scenes. 

I'll be honest; I love Lily & Lo whole heartedly. I loved them in the first book and I love them even four books later. But, they are not likeable. They are selfish, they keep to themselves, and their promises are worth nothing. They are shitty friends, shitty family members. They cheat, they lie- all in order to get what they want, the satisfaction of their addiction. they have built this relationship where they support each other, enable each other. Lily drives so Lo can drink. Lo plays Lily's boyfriend once she finish screwing someone, so the guy would go away. They are weak. Lily is goofy and later on very dependent on Lo. Their relationship is far from healthy. Lo is a selfish asshole that slices into people with words. And still, I love them. I hurt for them. I root for them. I admit that while reading the first book, I thought Lily's & Lo's love is so selfish and wrong that it was hard to understand that they really do love each other. That they need each other like one needs to breath [but I understood that after reading the second and third books]. 

For those of you that wonder, yes, there's slut shamming. But it's one you'll want to see. In the end of the book, Krista and Becca Ritchie mention how they wanted more people to be aware of sex addiction and it's implication. How they wanted people to understand that slut shamming is a bad thing. Lily suffers from slut shamming throughout the series- from herself, from society. 

She feels like she needs to be ashamed of the number of people she slept with, that she needs to be ashamed of her compulsions. Society told her she's disgusting, and her friends tell her that she needs help because she's an addict. The series shows that everyone has a right to sexual freedom, that they can do what they want however and with whomever. that's an important message.

Just a heartbreaking story, that was so beautiful and hopefull. Full of wonderful, deep, round characters. Also, there's great banter and lots of funny moments.


Pre review:

ever had a book break your heart? tear it apart? have you cry so much you hardly see the book and the lines? 

I had a few times, but never like this. I can't explain this level of sadness. 

This book is so realistic, so hunting, such wonderful chatracters each flawed and strong and broken, each different, each so very beautiful. 

The subject is a tough one to deal with, yet, the Ritchie sisters doe it so well. yes, this book is not your average New Adult book, it deals with real problems. I don't think it's right to compare to other books in the genre. For me it stands on it's own. 

I want to say review to come, but truthfully, I'm not sure I'll be able to review much more than what I wrote here. 

Let's just say, I do not do angsty books because so rarely do I feel while reading them. I've been called ice princess and cold hearted more than once by many people. This one has my emotions all over the place, I feel so many things all at the same time I need time to gather myself.

Firefly Hollow by T.L. Haddix [Review by Sharon]

Author: T.L. Haddix
Series: Firefly Hollow
Number: 1
Number of pages: 354
Publisher: Streetlight Graphics Publishing
Date published: 23 September 2012
Buy on: Amazon, Amazon UK
Rating: 3 stars

"Genre: Romance with paranormal elements. 

The mysterious recluse…

Owen Campbell holds himself apart from other people. Badly scarred from emotional wounds that have never healed, he doesn’t expect to find true love or happiness. He remains isolated in a prison of his own making, determined to not let anyone close enough to hurt him again. 

But his willpower is shaken to the core when Sarah Browning enters his world. 

The girl next door…

Sarah Jane Browning is three years into her college degree when a call from home changes everything. Back at the family homestead in the heart of Appalachia, she’s forced to reevaluate her hopes and dreams for the future.

Distraction from her heartache comes in the form of her parents’ neighbor. Whispers about “odd Owen Campbell” abound in their small community, and Sarah’s curiosity is aroused. When she breaks the rules and trespasses onto his land, what she finds is beyond her wildest imaginings."
Review

There are many reasons to love this book- the effortless beautiful writing, the paranormal side that really is just there without making a big deal out of it, the small town setting, even the time period that is mostly felt through things that are missing than being shoved down you throat. 

And still, I can't explain how annoyed I was at this book. You see, both Owen and Sara are really good together. I really loved their interactions when it was just the two of them, but whenever someone else joined to the party I felt the rage coming through. 

Why?
Sara and Owen are just so good…they are smart, kind, funny, the care for others, they are selfless they are Mary & Gary Sue. 

On their own they are OK. They can even be funny. And Sara can take care of herself. If not for one person in this story I probably wouldn't have felt it all that much. 

Sara's sister. I just hated the way she was treated. As if Sara is everything that's good and kind in the world and her sister is not. 

Even their parents acted like that and I was so angry with that. Especially with what happned to her later on. The poor girl was just not the favorite child, and was ignored, neglected and judged for it and her choices in each and every moment of her life. 

I do recommend this book, and I will read the next one. However, I warn you from the Sue syndrome here, and I really hope the next book will be without that problem. 

A review copy was kindly provided by the publisher through NetGalley. Thank you! 

this review also appears on GoodReads, BookLikes