Blood Fury by J. R. Ward 3 ✭

Title:	Blood Fury
Author:	J.R. Ward
Publisher:	Ballantine Books
Series:	Black Dagger Legacy
Genre:	Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy
Publish Date:	January 9, 2018
Sold by:	Random House LLC
Pages:	442
Ages:	18+

Rating: ✭✭✭

I'm sitting here with a cup of tea and not in the meme way that anyone who is under 30 would immediately assume. No, I'm trying to cut back on coffee. I drink too much, but I love the whole flavor that makes coffee what it is. But sometimes you just hit a point and enough is enough. I feel like that is this Black Dagger Legacy for me. I love the world and the characters. I love how easy you can just pick up one of these books and just roll with it. Just enjoy the blend of old characters and new characters. The setting is like the aroma of coffee. It just feels like home. But when you have too much coffee you become jumpy, maybe cranky, and dissatisfied in the end. That is where I am at.

I like the idea of what Ward is doing. Making this series about multiple people and getting some new blood in with old blood. I love the family value themes in each of these books. They're more than just a super dramatic romance story. These are good books. They deserve to be picked up off a shelf and read for sure. I just don't know how I feel about the two couples per book thing going on. I don't think I have read any other books with authors doing that. So that is really cool. I feel like Ruhn and Saxton's story was short and worked good. It brought enough to the table to feel right sharing with another couple. Novo & Peyton had a good story too. I think the story arc that they went through was good. I just wish there was a little more. Maybe more of Peyton's fun side that only came out when things were going well with him and Novo. Just a bit more. 

I want to say that this feels like two novellas that take place at the same time and so they were put together. That isn't a terrible thing. I like it. I just wish there was a little more feeling. A little more depth. Just a little bit more. 

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Blood Vow by J.R. Ward 4 ✭

Title:	Blood Vow
Author:	J.R. Ward
Publisher:	Ballantine Books
Series:	Black Dagger Legacy
Genre:	Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Publish Date:	December 6, 2016
Sold by:	Random House LLC
Pages:	472
Ages:	18 +

Rating: ✭✭✭✭

The Black Dagger Legacy really is a thing before this spin-off series came up. You still have people who bring up the original characters in forum posts and book clubs. They are characters that you can't forget. They stick with you. Those characters and the intense storylines are why I keep buying Ward's books. It is a Legacy on its own. I feel like this is important to bring up, now that I am two books deep into the spin-off series. I am seeing how Ward is continuing the world while bringing something new. It seems like each book with being half and half. Half some of the new recruits storyline, and half of the old crew storyline. 

I liked Rhage and Mary. I still do. I believe there is a book of theirs that I have not read yet in the OG series. I think it takes place before this book. So I am missing some stuff. I haven't read the OG series from The King and anything after. So this was a perfect way for me to catch up. I got to see how their relationship has changed, and how they have their new little addition. The complications that happen while they are trying to adopt little Bitty is a good family problems story plot. BTW, Bitty is my cats' name... So anyways. The OG brotherhood has all been together for a while, so having these normal problems showing up in their lives and getting to see them is nice. Butch and Marissa, it was the space that happens between married couples sometimes overtime. Rhage and Mary it is the child and adopting crisis.

I am not sure if I like the split between the two groups. They sort of feel split from each other completely. I don't feel the closeness between the new recruits like you feel from the brothers. I mean they're a "brotherhood" and I don't feel that bond between these recruits at all. I don't know if it is because they haven't developed enough story yet, or if its because so much of the writing is focus on something not related to them at all. Maybe if the book was longer. I don't know. I felt the same way with the last book. This is what sticks me in the 3 stars to 4-star feeling. I go for 4 because the writing is good.

Um so to finally get to the two characters this book is suppose to be about... They are good characters. Elise reminds me of Beth I think from OG. Axe is unique. He is a little goofy at times, and completely dark at times.

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Forever and Always, Lara Jean by Jenny Han 4 ✭

Title:	Forever and Always, Lara Jean
Author:	Jenny Han
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster
Series:	To All the Boys I've Loved Before
Genre:	Young Adult, Social & Family Issues, Contemporary
Publish Date:	May 2, 2017
Sold by:	Simon & Schuster
Pages:	337
Ages:	13 & up

Rating: ✭✭✭✭

I read this book in half of a day. It was the easiest read of them all. The finale to the series tackles the end of high school for LJ and Peter. Every relationship in senior year struggles with if they should stay together while they go away to college. LJ and Peter are no different. LJ has changed so much from the start, much like any girl in a long-term relationship. Your whole world revolves around each other. So when LJ doesn't get into the same college as Peter, shit starts to go downhill fast. Thankfully we are over Gen after two books, but Peter is still an emotional child I feel like. He really didn't change at all as a book character, but I am not completely upset about that. I say that because LJ even comments about it herself about him not growing up. He really acts like some boys would act in all the situations of the books. So I am not upset, I just don't like how the book wraps up with the last 10 pages or whatever it was. Put it this way, you will be on your seat till the end waiting to see what their decision is.

You also see how LJ's father getting remarried affects their family. How Kitty feels, which you could probably guess if you read the previous book. Really it is about Margot's reaction, and how the three sisters interact. To be honest, you can see how the conflict there would start. Margot didn't seem impressed with Ms. Rothschild in the least. So her being so far away and the other sisters getting to know Trina, there is bound to be conflict. Kitty is a very vocal person, and with her love for Trina, there was going to be some issues.

The sisters' relationship in this book doesn't have a big focus like the previous books. But I want to tip my hat to the writing for this. Yes, this is a romance, but in a way, these are also sister books. Book One, Lara Jean's connection to Margot and the stresses she has trying to not destroy her relationship with her. Book Two, her and Kitty seem to form a new bond and are closer than the first book. Kitty is invested in LJ and Peter. Book Three, Lara Jean is so stressed with a college that she isn't thinking about everyone before herself. She is trying to not think about her college worries, by baking away every day. So yes, the sister's aspect falls off a little, but I am not upset because this is Lara Jean's story. It is about her this time. 

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P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han 5 ✭

Title:	P.S. I Still Love You
Author:	Jenny Han
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Series:	To All the Boys I've Loved Before
Genre:	Young Adult, Contemporary Romance, Social & Family Issues
Publish Date:	May 26, 2015
Sold by:	Simon & Schuster
Pages:	353
Ages:	12 & up

Rating: ✭✭✭✭✭
Jenny Han has continued Lara Jean's story in the most adorable and total Lara Jean way possible. At the time of my review, Netflix IS going to make a sequel. It deserves it in my opinion. This saga is just so perfect. I will watch the hell out of it.

Since the story is a little changed from the first book to the movie, I can see how the second book will be changed. Although, I don't see it really having to change much. I mean, really what was changed was some character backstory. Who was a first kiss and how, how they all know each other and just a little more background? It's why you can read the books and watch the movie so easy. Again, I am predicting that the book and movie will complement each other just like they did before.

Lara Jean and Peter are actually dating in this book, for real this time. It is sweet and fun. However, Lara Jean has a lot of trouble with the fact that Peter still talks to his ex, Gen, all the time. This is a very real situation. I had a similar one when I was 16. The boy is trying to be friends with the ex, but also trying to still be your boyfriend. You want to hate that he isn't 100% only loyal to LJ, but really if he was able to ditch his ex so easily, what kind of person would that make him? Right so, with that in mind, there is VALUE to this book, other than it being a teen love. Also, another love letter recipient and LJ start getting close. LJ is in a confusing time with her boyfriend always being with his ex, and getting this new fresh attention from a new boy. It is a really confusing time for her. Again, this plays out so natural that you can read right through it so fast.

Another aspect of this story other than the total teen triangle is the affect dating has on a family. Yes, you see this in the first book. The first book was Margot relationship and its effect. This is how LJ's relationship/friendships affect their whole family. How it changes interaction with a sibling and even the parent. There are different ways that LJ father changes for a couple of scenes just because of events that have happened, however, her father isn't there too much to really see that impact. It's more about Kitty. Kitty has been attached to both her sisters' boyfriends. I can relate my little sister still remembers and adores my one ex. She knows nothing of the problems we had, but to her, he was just the best.

I love these characters. I love how the story is playing out. I hope with the final book Peter starts acting like he is growing up because I feel like the progression for him is stagnant. We will see. Always and Forever, Lara Jean is next. I'm hoping to enjoy this one as much as the others.

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To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han 5 ✭

Title:	To All the Boys I've Loved Before
Author:	Jenny Han
Publisher:	Simon & Shuster Books for Young Readers
Series:	To All the Boys I've Loved Before
Genre:	Young Adult, Romance, Social & Family Issues
Publish Date:	April 15, 2014
Sold by:	Simon & Schuster Books
Pages:	368
Ages:	12 & up

 Rating: ✭✭✭✭✭

My sister and I have been talking about this movie non-stop for a week. She's in her early 20's and I just turned 33 this month. I am a reader, and she really isn't. So I grabbed the book set on Amazon. I got it at a steal using coupons and stuff, $13. For example, there is currently a coupon for $5 off a $20 paperback purchase, which is one of the ones I used when I got my books. I got a set for me and my sister. I'm pretty sure she is going to read these books. She already said she would so that is her Christmas Present.

So I am a big fan of the movie, and I can say, so far, I am a fan of the first book just as much. There are definitely changes between the book and movie. However, it doesn't really make one better than the other in my opinion. They just sort of enhance each other in different ways. It's like the movie Serenity and the show Firefly to me. They are essentially the same story, just done a little different from the same people. You can really see the actor's from the movie fitting in these rolls of the book. I've watched the movie I think three times and just finished the book. All in a couple weeks. This book is definitely something that can be read multiple times, just like the movie.

This book is supremely relatable to a young girl and her first crushes. You get to hear from Lara Jean's perspective of her past major loves that she has moved on from. You get to see more of each individual boys letter that she has written. Jenny Han has done an amazing job of making you understand what Lara Jean is feeling and has gone through. It is believable and realistic. I mean, hell, I still remember mine. I remember all my crushes and my absolute love and the ridiculously embarrassing love letters I wrote to those boys. I can't wait for my daughter to read these when she hits that age because I think these are a sweet way to see another person going through the motions of multiple strong loves. I remember my mom talking to me about boys when I was a kid, and it was embarrassing and I didn't even want to relate to my mom. I feel like as a mom now, who was a boy-crazy teen, I can see these (and the movie) being a really good way to talk to my future teen daughter.

Other than the basic breakdown of the book. I don't have much else to say. I think it is an amazing book. I am really happy that I got this book set. I plan on reading the next book now. As a mom, I would recommend this. To the mom, and to the teen. 

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After the Game by Abbi Glines 5 ✭

Title: After the Game

Author: Abbi Glines

Series: Field Party

Genre: Teen & Young Adult, Social & Family Issues, Contemporary Romance

Publish Date: August 22, 2017

Pages: 352

Ages: Teen  

Rating: ✭✭✭✭✭

This is a fantastic series that helps you believe in yourself right along with the characters. It helps you gain a strength from inside that could be hard to find. So far every book in the series has built very strong characters that have had to grow and change from very tough or complicated issues in their lives. Each story touches on something that can happen to anyone. Previous books showed us a character grow past a family death, another that dealt with a teen suicide, and all the while these characters manage to find best friend and love. I think this is an excellent series and as I am invested three books in, I will be continuing to follow if there are more.

This book has the PERFECT TITLE and Cover to go with this storyline to date. Not just for this book for Brady and Riley but the teammates and girls to this point. You definitely can read this a stand alone and understand everything that has happened in this world. However, I would recommend reading from the beginning because Brady has changed so much from the start of the series with how he handled his cousin Maggie entering his life. Granted he was just a side character in the first and second book, he was a constant character so reading the whole series to the same feeling I did at the end of this is a MUST. What I mean by that is that at the end of this book, you feel complete. This could end as a trilogy and it would make sense and you would be happy with how everything turned out for these friends. It leaves you looking forward to their future and what could be to come for them. I am not just writing like I am in fan girl mode. I am a mother, and this is a series I wouldn't mind my daughter if she were a teen to read. I would have confidence that it would positively affect her.

About the book itself and Not the series, this was a wonderful way for the good ole boy Brady to finally get a clue to how the world really works. While he is getting to know Riley and how harshly this town has treated it begins to change him. It's like someone is peeling one of those painful face masks off. You know the ones that leaving you with this burning, searing hurt, but after you heal you feel fresh and renewed. Like that one thing can turn you into a completely new person. That is exactly how the chain of events in this book affect Brady. Riley also goes through a decent change from being completely closed off to the world so that her painful past won't happen again. She can't live like she did before and let this town hurt her again, especially because that would hurt her little daughter. Things change for her though, and she learns to be a friend again, and to have a friend and how much that could mean for her and her baby.

This was an amazing book, that came with new relatable struggles for these teens in this town. I have enjoyed reading about them so far, and again, I look forward to the future for them. This is a book series that I without a doubt would read over and over again. It can help you get over a very tough situation because it helps remind you that someone might have it worse, and maybe you need someone to help you get through that. And that it is ok to need someone.

I was so blessed to get an ARC copy of this book from the publisher. I couldn't be more thankful to read this beautiful story.

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