The First Kiss Hypothesis by Christina Mandelski Review + BLOG TOUR + GIVEAWAY

The First Kiss Hypothesis by Christina Mandelski

Welcome to my stop on the First Kiss Hypothesis by Christina Mandelski blog tour! Thank you so much to Chapter by Chapter Blog Tours for including me in the tour, as well as providing me with a free copy for review! Nora and Eli are absolutely so cute as best friends in the beginning of the book, and you ca definitely see the tension between them the instant we get a glimpse into Eli's perspective in the second chapter. When Nora is being taught how to drive by Eli, their relationship is so sweet and precious, I absolutely could not wait to see how their relationship would unfold as the book went on, and I was not disappointed. The scene when Nora and Eli go tot he beach party is so cute - you can definitely see Eli getting a little jealous over a certain Texan who is trying to get Nora's attention. After a certain event leaves Eli broken over the rest of his lacrosse season, we can see the tensions rising amongst him and the situation that is occurring with our friendly neighborhood Tex. The entire book flowed so well, and was written in a way that makes their reader feel as if you were sitting next to Nora and Eli for their entire journey. I really loved the way that the author was able to challenge Nora and Eli's relationship through sports, injuries, colleges, and other potential boys that Nora could have chosen throughout the book. Eli's mindset throughout the novel was also very interesting to see, as we see him transform from best friend to something more, but not before he makes a mistake that could cost him everything that he has been working for in the end. If you're looking for a quick read that is easy to love and hard to put down, this is definitely the book for you! I highly recommend this book to fans of Operation Prom Date and It Had to be You, both novels published by Entangled Teen Crush.

Title: The First Kiss Hypothesis

Author: Christina Mandelski

Publication Date: November 6, 2017

Publisher: Entangled Teen Crush

Nora Reid believes scientific laws control everything, even love. With her grandparents’ epic first kiss story cemented in her brain, Nora develops a hypothesis she’s determined to prove:for each person in the world, there is exactly one other person, and at first kiss, they’ll experience an immediate and intense reaction.

But after four years of zero-reaction kisses, she comes up with a new theory: maybe that pesky crush on her stunningly hot best friend Eli Costas is skewing her results.

She needs to get rid of him, and fast.

Eli Costas is an injury-prone lacrosse star with a problem—the one chance he had at winning over the girl next door resulted in the most epically sucktastic first kiss ever. And now she’s…trying to get rid of him? Hell no. It’s time to

disprove her theory and show her exactly what she’s missing.

Game. On.

Disclaimer: This book contains a stunningly hot lacrosse player who isn’t above playing dirty to win over the stubborn girl-next-door of his dreams.

Purchase Links:

Amazon | Amazon Australia | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

Christina Mandelski was born in South Florida, where her love of reading was cultivated in a house full of books. Stories like The Little House series, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, Island of the Blue Dolphins and The Secret Garden, filled her imagination and fueled her dreams to be a writer. That dream came true when her first young adult novel, THE SWEETEST THING, was published in 2011, and she’s beyond thrilled about her upcoming series for Entangled Crush. Chris lives in Houston with one handsome husband, two beautiful daughters, and two freakshow cats. She has a

fondness for the beach, her family and friends, and she still loves to read (especially curled up with a good cup of coffee!) She also enjoys shopping, traveling and eating, especially cake. Always cake. When she’s not doing these things, you can find her holed in a cozy spot with her laptop, writing. Visit her at www.christinamandelski.com.

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Giveaway Details (US):

The giveaway is for: The First Kiss Hypothesis Prize Pack, including: 

* A Mug

* A blueberry pie scented candle

* 2 lacrosse-themed hair ties

* An assortment of book related stickers (Silver Springs, Emory, chemistry pun, LAX, etc) from Redbubble

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It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover Review

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Wow, just... wow. This has to be one of the most gut-wrenching and emotional novels I have ever read in my life. I am in complete and utter shock - my emotions are all over the place, as I have come to finish the novel, I don't know whether I want to scream, cry, or both. This story of Lily and Ryle is deeply emotional, and discusses topics that are at a mature level, but must be discussed in today's day in age. It seriously will make you feel as though you are watching the entire ordeal unfold before your very eyes. Colleen Hoover did such a fantastic job writing this novel, especially about something so personal that she has experienced in her life, as well as countless other women. I have the upmost appraisal for the dedication and emotional status that she had while writing this novel, for it is truly something that everyone should take the time to read and understand the importance of learning the signs of emotional and physical abuse. The novel begins with introducing our main character, Lily Bloom, as she sits atop a rooftop in Boston after her father's funeral, where she meets a neurosurgeon named Ryle, who, at first glance, appears to be the perfect man - stunningly attractive, smart, witty. As we see Lily and Ryle's relationship take off, we find ourselves face to face with a man of Lily's past - Atlas. As her past comes rushing back to her, Lily must deal with starting a business, navigating new and old relationships, and understanding what it means to save yourself instead of waiting for someone to save you. Domestic violence is not something to take lightly, so when Lily and Ryle's relationship turned upside down as the perfect man she had grown to love transformed into one of her worst nightmares, we as readers had to take the journey with her. Just like Lily, we too fell "in love" with Ryle's character, but as time went on, it was apparent that Ryle was not the man he appeared. Colleen Hoover was able to take a story of hope, love, fear, and torment, and showcase the struggles and reality of what physical abuse can manifest to become. Lily finally grew as a person near the end of the novel, understanding that she could not do what her mother had done, and had to save herself from the life she knew she would have, just as her mother had experienced. I highly recommend this novel to fans of Colleen Hoover, as well as The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith.

Title: It Ends With Us

Author: Colleen Hoover

Publisher: Atria Books

Release Date: August 2, 2016

Lily hasn't always had it easy, but that's never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She's come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up - she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily's life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn, and maybe even a little arrogant. He's also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily, but Ryle's complete aversion to relationships is disturbing.

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan - her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.

With this bold and deeply personal novel, Colleen Hoover delivers a heart-wrenching story that breaks exciting new ground for her as a writer. It Ends With Us is an unforgettable tale of love that comes at the ultimate price.

This book contains graphic scenes and very sensitive subject matter.

Marked Beauty by S.A. Larsen Review + BLOG TOUR

Marked Beauty by S.A. Larsen

Welcome to my stop on the Marked Beauty Blog Tour! I would first like to thank Chapter by Chapter Blog Tours for including me in this blog tour, and providing me with a review copy for an honest review - I am so glad to be back once again on another blog tour! I absolutely loved how the author started out the book - it was strong and immediately threw you into the world of Ana and Viktor and the conflicted pasts that haunt them. We are presented with Josh, Viktor, and Sebastian as possible love interests for Ana right off the back, a solid 30% into the book, which I for one loved. Complicated love lives are my weakness in the Young Adult world, and as soon as I sensed the tension between these three boys, I knew I would be in for a treat. I also really enjoyed all of Ana and Viktor's interactions throughout the book, especially in the beginning, such as when they were in the woods together or when they ran into each other at the bookstore. It's these little moments between them that make their relationship progress in such interesting ways. The author does a fantastic job in building the world that our main character lives in as well as creating the unique personalities of each character, distinguishing between the characters and their actions. I have to say that I absolutely fell in love with this book and the world that the characters lived in - it was exciting and suspenseful until the very end. I will definitely be reading more of S.A. Larsen's books in the future! I highly recommend this novel to fans of Hush, Hush and Fallen.

Title: Marked Beauty

Author: S.A. Larsen

Publisher: Ellysian Press

Release Date: October 2017

Uncovering hidden secrets can sometimes kill you . . . or worse, steal your soul.

Anastasia Tate has a secret. She can feel the emotions of others through their life energy auras. Not a welcome gift for a teenager. Especially when a sinister presence begins stalking her.

Viktor Castle also has a secret. He’s tasked with protecting humanity yet cursed by an ancient evil to destroy it.

After Viktor saves Ana’s life, her abilities grow stronger. Drawn together, she senses Viktor has answers to lifelong questions. Only he shuns her at every turn, knowing he has saved her only to put her in more danger.

As Ana struggles with her attraction to Viktor, he tries everything to bury his unexpected feelings for her. But they must find a middle ground. For only together can they combat the dark forces threatening both their lives . . . and their souls.

S.A. LARSEN is the author of the award-winning novel Motley Education, the first book in a fantasy-adventure series for middle grade readers. Her work has appeared in numerous local publications and young adult anthologies Gears of Brass and Under A Brass Moon by Curiosity Quills Press. Marked Beauty is her debut young adult novel. Find her in the land of snowy winters and the occasional Eh’ya with her husband of over twenty-five years, four children, a playful pooch, and three kittens. Visit her cyber home anytime at www.salarsenbooks.com.

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Giveaway Details:
Blog Tour Giveaway:

 One (1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card (INT)

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Release Party Giveaway:

What better way to celebrate a book birthday then by a giveaway! There are many ways to enter, which you'll find below. You can win an iTunes, Amazon, or Starbucks gift card, an authentic Vera Bradley Little Crossbody in Cobalt Tile, an assortment of bookish swag, and even a KINDLE Fire HD 7! The giveaway runs from release day, October 17, 2017 to December 5, 2017. Winners will be announced via social media December 7, 2017.

*No purchase necessary to win*

However, if you have read Marked Beauty or purchase it and read you can earn extra entries by posting a review on any major online retail bookstore and Goodreads! All the information you'll need is in the form below.
BUT there's more...
FOR WRITERS!

Writers who enter can WIN a first five pages critique!


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Black Dawn by Mallory McCartney Review + BLOG TOUR

Black Dawn by Mallory McCartney

I would first like to thank Chapter by Chapter Blog Tours for including me in this blog tour, and providing me with a copy of Black Dawn for an honest review! It is an honor to be the first stop on this bog tour! Is it bad that from the very beginning, I was rooting for Emory and Brokk to get together? I don't know what it was about them, but their chemistry seemed so strong from the first chapter, and while after Emory regains her memories and appears to have a distaste for Brokk, I still held on to hope that they would work it out. Memphis, on the other hand, did not appear to act the way I expected him to. While I understand that he was her childhood friend, he laid this claim on her from the minute they rescued her, even when he was seeing someone else. I really do like the dynamic between the three characters, and each are written so well and unique. You don't get the usual character tropes in this book, you are given characters with attitudes and a sense of individuality. The book is written very well, it is quick paced and is a great read. It definitely is a book that you can read in one day, and is a book that will make you dying for more. As this being Mallory's debut book, I am very impressed and will definitely be reading more! I would highly recommend this book to fans of Catalyst Moon and Blackmoon Beginnings!

Black Dawn by Mallory McCartney

Publication Date: February 14, 2017

Publisher: Clean Reads Publishing

The end of an Empire, the rise of a Queen

Emory Fae enjoys leading a quiet, normal life. That is until two mysterious, and handsome soldiers show up at her apartment, and the life she knew is instantly whisked away. Memphis Carter and Brokk Foster come from the magical and war ridden world of Kiero, and upon Emory's arrival she will discover she is the long-lost heir to the Royal Line and is thrown into the Black Dawn Rebellion with a dynamic role to ignite the rebels and reclaim her throne.

With both men being darkly woven in her past Emory uncovers hidden secrets, a power held long dormant, and will soon realize there are worse things than supernatural humans, love, loss, betrayal, and a Mad King.

Some things are better left in the shadows.

Mallory McCartney currently lives in London, Ontario with her husband and their two dachshunds Link and Lola. Black Dawn is her debut novel, the first in a series. When she isn’t working on her next novel or reading, she can be found dog grooming, book shopping and hiking. Other favorite pastimes involve reorganizing perpetually overflowing bookshelves and seeking out new coffee and dessert shops.

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

 Three (3) winners will receive a signed copy of Black Dawn by Mallory McCartney (INT)

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It Had to be You by Lizzy Charles Review + BLOG TOUR + GIVEAWAY

It Had to be You by Lizzy Charles

Welcome to my stop on the It Had to be You Blog Tour, brought to you by Chapter by Chapter Blog Tours, and Entangled Teen Crush! I would first like to thank Chapter by Chapter Blog Tours for including me in the tour and providing me with a copy of the novel in exchange for a review! Every book that I have read that has been published by Entangled Teen Crush has been so good and so cute, and this book was no exception! I really enjoyed reading about Edel and James, and thought that their story was super adorable and interesting - the prospect of fake relationships is always a plot that ends very interesting. This book was so cute, and I loved how the relationship between Edel and James was able to grow despite what others thought of them. The entire plot twist that I did not see coming was crazy, and I genuinely did not think that they would be able to resolve the problem before it got out of hand. Emma was a great character to hate, especially with what she did to Edel (and her hair!). I am so glad that everything worked out in the end, I will definitely be reading more of Lizzy Charles' books! I highly recommend this to fans of a good contemporary novel and Anna and the French Kiss.

It Had to be You

by Lizzy Charles

Publication Date: May 15, 2017

Publisher: Entangled Teen Crush

James Parson has a problem. His military dad is going to yank him out of his expensive boarding school if James doesn’t prove he’s no longer hooking up, pulling pranks, and charming his way out of consequences. What better way to show he’s now responsible than becoming the committed boyfriend of a U.S. diplomat’s daughter?

Level-headed, book-smart Edelweiss may have traveled the world thanks to her dad’s job, but when it comes to friends and boys, she knows exactly nothing. Newly enrolled in boarding school, Edel is now on a mission to learn it all. James says he’ll help her experience the ultimate high school life—if she’ll be his fake girlfriend. And fake is perfect, because he’s exactly the kind of player she’d never date.

Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book contains red-hot romance, all the feels, and a soul-mate bad boy.

Purchase Links:

Google Play | BAM | Chapters | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

Lizzy Charles writes young adult contemporary romance. She’s a tea fanatic, guacamole expert, and sushi lover. When she’s fixing lunches, dressing kids, or wiping pizza sauce off sticky hands, she escapes to La La Land and imagines all sorts of little love stories. Lizzy loves her daily dose of fitness and is also a RN so she can triage any symptom you send her way. Her best friend from high school is also her husband. Oh and she has a little pup named Professor Lupin who is pretty much the glue to the whole writing operation.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads 

Giveaway Details:

 Prize 1- $25 H&M Giftcard

 Prize 2- $25 H&M Giftcard

Open to US or International (if no H&M near them if international, they will receive a $25 amazon card)

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

Caraval by Stephanie Garber ARC Review

Caraval By Stephanie Garber

Wow. This is definitely one of the best if not the best book that I have read in 2016. I honestly am at a loss for words after finishing this novel. I received an ARC copy of Caraval from BEA this year, and I finally decided to sit down and read it, and I am so glad that I made that decision. I managed to fly threw this enticing novel in just two days, and I could not put it down. The writing was absolutely exquisite, it pulls the reader in as the words are woven into an elegant story full of risks and romance. The world of Caraval is something that you won't find anywhere else in the YA genre - the constant struggle to determine what is true and what is an illusion causes the reader to solve the puzzle alongside the characters that we come to adore and root for. Our main characters are thrown into each others lives and have to band together in order to survive Caraval and win the game before time runs out and what Scarlett wants the most is taken from her without wasting a moment. I absolutely fell in love with the characters in this novel, they were so different than any other character that I have been exposed to, and they each were their own person that had their own goals, and didn't always depend on the other in order to accomplish the goals that they were trying to achieve throughout the story. The twists and turns that are present in the novel are even more full of illusions that I had ever expected, and I was completely mesmerized by how the author was able to weave this world so delicately that everything fell into place just as it should have. This novel is truly made of something that can not be found anywhere else, and I highly recommend it to fans of The Wrath and The Dawn by Renée Ahdieh and Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. Caraval will be available for purchase on January 31, 2017 and will be available for pre-order as well.

Oh, and just one more thing...

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Review

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 

 I absolutely adored this book! Jane Austen was able to create characters that draw you into their lives and make the reader committed to their every move. The plot never dropped - I was always turning the pages and only set it down when I had to. The writing was beautiful, even though it’s been said that this style of writing is hard to understand, I understood every word and was completely immersed into the story. You’ll fall in love with the relationships between the characters and root for their success and cringe in their downfall. I laughed, I cried. People who are already fans of Austen’s work will thoroughly enjoy this story, and will definitely appreciate the novel. These are some of my favorite characters in the literature world, and hold a dear place in my heart. The romance is not overplayed, and isn’t the center of the entire novel, which is refreshing to see. I only had a few problems while reading it, which were that only at one point that the story seemed to drag out a bit, and that it seemed that Elizabeth was allowing people to control her life and what she did. Overall, this book left a huge impression on me, and I highly recommend this novel to anyone who wants to start reading classic novels that are full of intrigue and choices.

“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” 
― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

Lord of the Flies by William Golding Review

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

This book was insane. You’re thrown straight into the situation of being stranded on an island after a plane crash with a bunch of young school boys, and have to guide yourself through the details that come up immediately in the first chapter. The character development was extreme, to say the least, and the way that all the boys had evolved while they were on the island was truly horrifying. They became something that was unrecognizable as a child, and turned into savages that prayed on each other and fought for the power over all. The author did a fantastic job showing us how the bid adapted to the island at first, but it began to become hard to follow as the story progresses and had me struggling to distinguish between characters at some points. The novel did not go in the direction that I had expected it to go in, but I was also surprised how it turned out in the end. It was refreshing to read a book that was from the perspective of young boys rather than the usual point of view of a teenage girl, which made this book so much more of a read than a simple skim through as many people do. I definitely recommend this novel to those who are fans of classic novels as well as adventure tales and survival books.

“He found himself understanding the wearisomeness of this life, where every path was an improvisation and a considerable part of one's waking life was spent watching one's feet.” 
― William Golding, Lord of the Flies

Every Exquisite Thing by Matthew Quick Review

Every Exquisite Thing by Matthew Quick

I would first like to thank Little Brown for sending me an ARC of this novel along with three other novels by Matthew Quick. This book was so inspiring and eye-opening to me in retrospect to how people feel when they think that no one cares and how sometimes families and people appear to be something when they’re really not. This was my first Matthew Quick novel, and it’s safe to say that I will definitely be reading more of his work very soon. The characters in Every Exquisite Thing are relatable to a wide spectrum of readers and develop beautifully into people who are aware of what they what from the world and what they want from themselves. I loved how we are immersed into Nanette’s life and her mind. This really allowed me as a reader to understand Nanette and her feelings throughout the novel and help me form an idea of who she was in my head. I highly recommend this novel to fans of All The Bright Places, it truly captures the same feel and essence that All The Bright Places brings to the table and goes even further than I imagined. This novel will truly change your perspective on life and how you will see the world.

"And then one day you will look for you in the mirror and you’ll no longer be able to identify yourself - you’ll only see everyone else. You’ll know that you did what they wanted you to do. You will have assimilated. And you will hate yourself for it, because it will be too late."

- Matthew Quick, Every Exquisite Thing

I, Ripper by Stephen Hunter Review

I, Ripper by Stephen Hunter

This book had me pulled in as soon as I read the summary, but did not live up to the expectations that I had for it, which is unfortunate. I really wanted to enjoy this book from cover to cover, but there were parts of the story that slowed down so much that I had to push myself to continue reading. However, that was only two or three times, and the rest of the novel rolled through smoothly and had me sitting on the edge of my seat, awaiting the characters to find clues about Jack the Ripper. Speaking of our dear antagonist, the reveal of the killer was not what I had expected, and I hate to say that I was not as surprised as I had hoped I would’ve been, and had predicted who it was chapters before we were told. The character development throughout the novel flowed very nicely, and the writing was amazing, it truly draws the reader into the storyline. It had an elegance that is hard to find in books these days, and allows the reader to create the scenes of the book inside their minds very vividly. If you’re a fan of anything about Jack the Ripper or are looking for a good mystery, I would definitely recommend reading this novel :)

“I’m far too intelligent to be brave, thank you very much.” 
― Stephen Hunter, I, Ripper: A Novel

The Witch Hunter by Virginia Boecker Review

The Witch Hunter by Virginia Boecker

This book was absolutely amazing. The story was rich with character development and a plot line that never ceased to become anything less that fantastic. I started reading this novel, and then almost 5 hours later I was finished and wanting more. The main characters never become tiresome to read about and have emotions that are easy to understand and do not cause the reader any confusion or have them asking why the character feels a certain way without probable cause. I loved the plot line, especially since I went into this novel not knowing much about it other than the blurb on the back of my ARC copy that I received last year. I’m so glad that I finally got around to reading The Witch Hunter in time for The King Slayer to be released in the next few months, giving me time to bask in the glory that is Virginia Boecker’s writing. This is definitely a book that I would recommend for fans of Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas and Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. The Witch Hunter is full of suspense, action, and of course - romance. However, the romance involved is very well thought out and does not become obvious to you once the novel introduces the potential bachelors for our main protagonist, Elizabeth Grey. The romance is slowly integrated into the novel as their relationship progresses, making it all the more believable for the reader as well as in the story. There isn’t one bad thing I can say about this novel, only that I wish it was longer! The next installment seems so far away, but it is only a few short months until we can travel along side Elizabeth and her newfound gang of friends and companions that she meets along the way.

“I understand the need for deception. I should; I live a life of it. Distasteful, perhaps. But necessary.” 

― Virginia Boecker, The Witch Hunter