My Life with the Walter Boys (My Life with the Walter Boys, #1) by Ali Novak Review

This is a spoiler-free review! My Life with the Walter Boys is now available to stream on Netflix.

To be completely honest, I watched the Netflix adaptation prior to reading this book, and when I found out that the author is officially writing a sequel, I knew I had to jump on this book before season two or the sequel were available. After Jackie's parents and sister tragically pass away in a car accident, she is forced to move in with her mother's friend and her literal soccer team of boys on a farm. True to my nature, I automatically started rooting for the older, more mysterious brother that is essentially a Conrad Fisher variant living in Colorado. I will always support the older brother in literally any scenario, especially when they are introduced in what is essentially a slow-motion realization.

When Jackie discovers the exact details of her new life -- living with twelve boys -- she is understandably shocked and has a rough introduction to the family. Many of the boys do not give her the warmest welcome, and some are downright wild in their treatment of her, especially Isaac, who is borderline sexually harassing her for a decent portion of the book. If I was her, I would literally lock myself in my room if I had to move from New York to Colorado. The number of twins in this family is absolute insanity -- there is not one, not two, but three sets of twins in this family and I was left just as confused as Jackie when learning everyone's names.

I cannot truly believe Jackie does not own a pair of jeans... surely there was a pair she needed for something... at least a themed party. There are fifteen people in this house now that Jackie has arrived, and yet this entire sports team of a family seems to only have two bathrooms, which is absolutely diabolical -- please build more bathrooms! Jackie does not catch a single break for almost the entire book as this gang of boys literally commit war crimes against her from the second she steps foot on their property. She lost her entire family in one second and they cannot even give her time to settle in before they are torturing her on a daily basis.

Cole... the boy who can do no wrong in my eyes. He is brooding, he is older, and he is absolutely the correct choice for Jackie, no matter how many people insist that Alex is the boy she should choose. Much like Jeremiah from The Summer I Turned Pretty, Alex throws tantrums like no tomorrow when he does not get his way, and is clearly jealous that Cole attracts a lot of attention from everyone, but especially from Jackie. There is quite literally a point in the book where Jackie compares Alex to a puppy... take that as you will.

This book was honestly a blast to read -- as a young adult romance, it keeps the reader entertained while still touching on more serious topics without allowing them to overtake the narrative. I have been in a bit of a reading slump, and this book truly had me getting back into the groove of things with its wholesome story and a fun love triangle. All of the characters acted their ages and the author did not make literal high schoolers act like mature thirty-year-olds, which was refreshing because you expect teenagers to act like teenagers. One thing that did tend to get to me was the fake cursing the brothers would do -- aka "What the fudge" and other childish replacements -- considering multiple characters do not censor themselves.

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the Netflix adaptation was pretty spot on with the plot and events that occurred in the book when translating it to the screen -- there are obviously some differences and not everything is able to fit in, but the essence of the story is definitely present in the show. Some scenes in the book that I loved did not make the cut in the show, and I can only hope that in season two, they revisit some of these scenes and work them into the plot.

If you are looking for a quick romance read that is a mix of much-loved classic cliches and self discovery, My Life with the Walter Boys is just the book for you. For fans of Float by Kate Marchant, readers will be thrown into a story that is more than romance.

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The Witch Collector (Witch Walker, #1) by Charissa Weaks Review

This is a spoiler-free review!

Yet another free iBook that has proven itself to me... love a good fantasy read, and the dynamic between Raina and Alexus was exactly what I was looking for in my next read. The premise reminded me a lot of The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh in the sense of an unexpected bond. I absolutely loved the use of sign language throughout this book, and the author did a great job incorporating Raina's use of signs and her perspective in communicating with others who do not know the language.

A decent amount of this book spends its time with Raina and Alexus riding throughout the forest and hiding away from attackers, while building upon their relationship as they began to get to know one another. There were times where this began to make the story seem to lag, but I was personally so invested in their dynamic that I was able to push through and read through those sections relatively quickly.

The magic and lore in this series seems very interesting -- I only wish that the author spent more time diving into the background of it in order to expand upon its importance. Raina would touch upon the basics as she expanded her abilities, but I felt as though we could have been provided with more information. Especially considering that we really do not start learning about the specifics until we are well into the story -- at least at the halfway mark. That being said, the integration of gods, magic, and tales grabbed my attention and kept me inclined to see this story through.

Side characters provided important discoveries and developments as Raina and Alexus became more acquainted with each other. Nephele, Raina's older sister, was a major plot device for her initial distain of the Witch Collector we grew to love, and the Prince of the East had a similar aura comparable to The Darkling from The Grishaverse by Leigh Bardugo. The other side characters played some important roles, but I found myself wanting more of the romance in those instances. I definitely believe they added a lot to the story, but they were not drawing my attention as much I had hoped.

As far as world-building goes, this first installment certainly sets up the relationships and introduced readers to the lore of the land. My hope would be that the second book dives much deeper into the magic, as this book did a great job diving into the background of the gods and their intricate involvement with each other. I can see the potential that this series has, and I look forward to continuing on with Alexus and Raina's story.

I would recommend this series to those looking to fill the void that Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor has left, and to readers searching for a gateway entrance to the fantasy genre.

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The Rulers (Heartless Kingdom, #0.5) by K.I. Lynn Review

This is a spoiler-free review! The Rulers is currently available for free on iBooks and Kindle.

Atticus has been placed on a time crunch in order to maintain the life he currently lives, and Ophelia may be the solution to all of his problems. After a one-night stand that seems to linger in both of their minds nearly one year after the encounter, their lives are about to be utterly upheaved. I am an absolute sucker for the marriage of connivence trope, especially when the pair have a short history together -- even better when we have a cold-hearted CEO that is in a bind. And with the added bonus of some serous family drama on Atticus's side of the story, I am sure the future installments can only take readers down an interesting path.

With dual perspectives, I enjoyed seeing Atticus and Ophelia's separate lives and the interactions that they shared with one another. Too often in romance books you only see the characters as extensions of their relationship, rather than as individuals who are in a relationship with each other. Ophelia and Atticus share a number of similar traits, but it is clear that they have lived two completely different lives, which I can only imagine can cause them to butt heads in the future.

This was a great set up to the rest of the story, and does not leave the reader on a major cliffhanger, but rather leave the reader with the knowledge that something will definitely happen, it is only a matter of when and how. The end can seem abrupt to some, but I viewed it as a growing point in the series where the development can truly begin to take root. I can see how the side characters will be integrated into Atticus and Ophelia's story, and was pleased with how the author was fleshing out their personalities without abandoning their development in favor of the leads.

Fans of Lexy Timm and contemporary romance with a bit of a kick to it will certainly enjoy this introduction to Atticus and Ophelia's story -- I know I will definitely be finding my way back to this series to see what is in store for this stubborn pair.

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The Starglass Girl (Of Candlelight and Shadows: A Short Story) by Sylvia Mercedes Review

This is a spoiler-free review! You can read my review of The Moonfire Bride on my blog now!

I absolutely loved The Moonfire Bride, and was delighted to find out that there was a companion novella that gives Erolas a short introduction in his perspective. Exploring this pivotal moment from the first installment through Erolas's eyes allows the reader to understand the predicament both Valera and Erolas are in, as the bridegroom and Moonfire bride.

With Valera having such an intense personality seen through her own perspective in The Moonfire Bride, it was nice to see the way that Erolas internally reacted to her response to their wedding. He wants to be respectful of her natural reaction to being put in such a position, but he also has a responsibility that needs to be carried out.

Being able to understand what the goblins say was a major plus in this addition to the duology, considering we are not aware of the translations in the first book. The relationship and concern that Erolas has with the goblins and other creatures exhibits his concern and morals on a greater level, and with the exhibition of his care toward Valera upon her arrival, it only builds upon his good character.

I wish this was longer! I would have loved to explore even more of his mind and the moments after the wedding, especially considering how much we were able to learn about Erolas in this short story. From a publication standpoint, I would definitely recommend reading this after completing The Moonfire Bride, but if read prior, it certainly would not spoil any major plot points.

This story has me excited to complete the duology and see how Erolas and Valera's relationship plays out as more information is brought to light and as they overcome the obstacles in their way. For readers looking for a solid combination of romance and fantasy, Of Candlelight and Shadows series offers a great balance.

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Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon Review

This is a spoiler-free review!

Maddy (omg, twins!) has lived her life bound to her home, allergic to the world on the other side of her bedroom window. After tragedy struck her family, herself, her mother, and Carla are her only source of contact inside her home. When a moving truck brings a new family and a new neighbor boy that spike her interest, Maddy begins to wonder even more about the world she has never lived in. With Olly now in her sight, Maddy has something more to look forward to than game nights and online school.

Looking back and understanding that this book was published in 2015, the poetry that Maddy and Olly are writing to each other and reading definitely reflects the Tumblr-era of teens, and reading it now was like getting whiplash. As a teenager, I can certainly see how Maddy was enamored by Olly, but as a twenty-five year old, I was cringing internally. That being said, it was socially relevant at the time, so I am letting this slide.

Olly's characterization was giving major Augustus Waters vibes in the sense that he was just interesting enough to someone who literally has never interacted with more than two people in their lifetime. In all seriousness, he is a teenage boy was a complicated home life that certainly makes him vulnerable, but I was not drawn to him in the way that Maddy was -- he felt more like an idea rather than a person. However, that certainly changed after the second half of the book, and I believe the author did a decent job in exploring his past, along with his current home life.

Maddy's mom.... she takes overprotective to a new level, so much so that I spent the majority of the book constantly aggravated with her decisions and actions. I definitely did not agree with the way she handled a number of situations, and it felt as though whenever Maddy tried to get through to her, it just went in one ear and out the other. Given the tragedy that she has been through, I was trying to give her some grace, but I simply could not justify some of her over the top decisions. Carla was honestly a much more influential figure in Maddy's life.

The obstacles in this book are more high-stake compared to other young adult contemporary romances, given the fact that Maddy could quite literally die if she were to step into the outside world, and it is the thing she wants the most in her life. Olly and Maddy's struggles are so complex and hard for mere teenagers to have to live and deal with, and Yoon did a good job at expanding on their inner thoughts and how they processed their own feelings.

I did see the film adaptation when it first came out in theaters, and I vividly remember my best friend and I sitting in the theater wanting to scream after a very particular revelation was made by Maddy. For those who have seen the film or finished the book, you know exactly what scene I am referring to - my blood was boiling.

If you are looking for a contemporary romance, this hits the marks, while still having the touch of sadness that comes with heartbreak in more ways than one. For fans of All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven who are in search of a happier ending, Yoon's standalone may be for you.

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Winter Untold (Summer Unplugged, #3) by Amy Sparling Review

This is a spoiler-free review! You can read my reviews of Summer Unplugged and Autumn Unlocked on my blog now!

Bayleigh is once again obsessing over the fact that her hot racer boyfriend has an ever-growing fan club of girls that surround him at every waking moment. While she was definitely showing signs of maturing in Autumn Unlocked, it felt as though she was regressing in this installment. She is back to being glued to her phone and stalking her boyfriend's tagged photos on Facebook, along with avoiding any and all confrontation to talk about her feelings with Jace.

Meanwhile, Chase, her new neighbor, has moved in and clearly is crushing on Bayleigh while she remains utterly oblivious to every advance he makes. I will say that Chase somehow became the voice of reason in this book and actually gave Bayleigh some pretty solid advice when she expressed her concerns over all of the girls that were posting pictures with Jace. I do wish that there was actually some conflict in this book -- it was mostly one-sided internal hurt on Bayleigh's end, while Jace was completely in the dark in regards to her feeling insecure in their relationship.

Becca's presence is more involved compared to the other books, and she seemed to be the driving force in a lot of Bayleigh's jealous tendencies. She does have her moments, but to put it plainly, Bayleigh needs to chill out before she destroys her relationship with Jace on her own. There are pages and pages of her moping about how many girls will post pictures with Jace, but she literally refuses to do anything about it and only lets her jealousy boil over.

I truly would have preferred some sort of love triangle at any point during this book, just to make the plot more interesting and actually have something intriguing happen with any of the characters. I think I will give the fourth novella a shot before deciding if I want to move forward to seeing this series through, because 11 novellas is pushing my patience just a little bit. Every character -- except Jace -- in some serious need of character development and some frontal lobe formation in the next novella, because the maturity level -- or lack thereof -- is baffling.

If you are looking for a quick contemporary romance read that has low stakes, you may enjoy this seasonal series.

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Autumn Unlocked (Summer Unplugged, #2) by Amy Sparling Review

This is a spoiler-free review! You can read my review of Summer Unplugged on my blog now!

Bayleigh and Jace... oh how I (somewhat) remember your very interesting love story on a farm? Rural town? Bayleigh was banished to stay with her grandparents -- without her cell phone in hand -- after some not-so-wise decisions, which ultimately led to her romance with Jace. I went into this sequel with the hope that Bayleigh gained some critical thinking skills, and to my surprise, she is a touch more reasonable compared to her antics in Summer Unplugged.

With the school year gearing up to begin, Bayleigh is slightly insecure in her relationship with Jace -- he is experiencing an entirely different world compared to her beginning senior year of high school, and the time away from him after spending all summer is taking a toll on her. She certainly has enough time to have her phone confiscated by a teacher and land herself in detention approximately two minutes after gaining phone privileges back, but I would not expect anything less.

Jealousy is running ramped within Bayleigh, and every single time she sees Jace interact with a girl or friend a girl on Facebook, her mind goes to the worst case scenario, which essentially creates a ton of unnecessary drama between them. Most of the "arguments" that Jace and Bayleigh get into are resolved quickly, and honestly I was happy to see both of them using some common sense -- Jace definitely excels in that department compared to Bayleigh.

It was nice to see some additional side characters in this book, and Bayleigh certainly needed some guiding voices to keep her jealousy at bay. Jace continues to be a respectful boyfriend, and has a level of maturity I would not expect to come from a young adult lead. Bayleigh's mother was more involved this time around, and their dynamic has had a drastic improvement, considering in the first book she had Bayleigh sent to stay with her grandparents.

This sequel is a definitive improvement to the first installment, especially with Bayleigh's characterization. Keeping in mind that she is a teenager and has had poor luck with guys, I will give her some grace in the way that she acts, but here is to hoping that she has even more development as the series continues. I am definitely inclined to continue with this series when I have some free time, and they make excellent reads if you are looking for something to get you back into the reading groove.

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