Walking Disaster (Beautiful #2) by Jamie McGuire

Finally, the highly anticipated follow-up to the New York Times bestseller Beautiful Disaster. Can you love someone too much?
Travis Maddox learned two things from his mother before she died: Love hard. Fight harder.

In Walking Disaster, the life of Travis is full of fast women, underground gambling, and violence. But just when he thinks he is invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.

Every story has two sides. In Beautiful Disaster, Abby had her say. Now it’s time to see the story through Travis’s eyes.

4 Stars
I received a copy of Walking Disaster courtesy of Netgalley and the publisher.

I read Beautiful Disaster awhile ago, and I'm not sure if it was the other books I'd read before/after, or just my state of mind at the time, but Walking Disaster totally redeemed any misgivings I had! Maybe it was because we got to see everything from Travis' view, I don't know, but it was pretty hot! I didn't understand his rage, or why he was such a man whore, but lord did I still want him as my fictional boyfriend! Travis may be a walking disaster, but good hell, this romance sure is beautiful.

~Mandy

From Ashes by Molly McAdams

When Cassidy Jameson's best friend Tyler took her to Texas with him when he left for college, she was expecting his cousin, their new roommate, to be a Stetson-wearing cowboy since his family owned a ranch; not this incredibly gorgeous guy with a husky Southern drawl that seemed to make the world stop whenever she looked at him. Because of her past, she's only ever trusted two men in her life, Tyler and her dad whom passed away when she was six. But there's something about Gage that draws her to him in a way she can't explain, only problem? He's always telling Tyler that he doesn't want Cassidy living there and sees her as nothing more than his little sister.

Gage Carson was excited his cousin Tyler was coming to live with, and go to college with him. When he'd called to ask if he could bring his friend Cassi with him, Gage didn't care. Gage had heard about this mysterious friend since they were kids and felt like he already knew her. Nothing would prepare him for watching her jump out of Ty's Jeep though. Not only was Cassi the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen, but there was something about her that within seconds of meeting her, made Gage want to protect her, and make her his. Too bad Tyler made it a point to remind Gage on a daily basis that he was dating her and she was completely off limits.

For a year and a half, Gage and Cassidy dance around their feelings for each other as Tyler continues to keep them apart; until one day Tyler unknowingly pushes her right into Gage's arms. With Tyler unable to keep lying to them, they finally start a relationship both have been craving since their first meeting. But when an accident and disaster sends her back to Tyler and California, will Cassidy be able to come face to face with the demons from her past to live a life she and Gage deserve; or will the fact that she once again ran to Tyler be the final push that ends Cassidy and Gage for good?

Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual situations and language.

3 Stars
I received a copy of From Ashes courtesy of the publisher in exchange of a review.

Cassidy has a screwed up home life, and wouldn't be able to function had it not been for her best friend and life line Tyler. He has saved her in more ways than he probably knows, and decides to take her to Texas with him, when he goes to college. They end up moving in with Gage, and the sparks between Cassi and Gage are instantaneous. The problem? Tyler is in love with Cassidy, and is waiting for her to see that she feels the same towards him.

I really liked From Ashes, but often times felt the story was a little unbelievable. Not that I'm an expert on child abuse, but the extreme levels that Cassidy experienced, even coming into contact with a doctor and teachers, I just can't believe she made it as long as she did in her house, and didn't turn out completely inept with dealing in reality. That aside, the romance was spicy between Cassidy and Gage! I couldn't get enough of him, maybe because he was a true southern boy, or just because he was so hot! The main flaw he had, communication issues, seems to be a general thing between males and females. At the end of the day tho, we ended up with a happy ending, and I do love a fairy tale romance.

~Mandy

Blaze (or Love in the Time of Supervillians) by Laurie Boyle Crompton

Blaze is tired of spending her life on the sidelines, drawing comics and feeling invisible. She's desperate for soccer star Mark to notice her. And when her BFF texts Mark a photo of Blaze in sexy lingerie, it definitely gets his attention. After a hot date in the back of her minivan, Blaze is flying high, but suddenly Mark's feelings seem to have been blasted by a freeze-ray gun, and he dumps her. Blaze gets her revenge by posting a comic strip featuring uber-villain Mark the Shark. Mark then retaliates by posting her "sext" photo, and, overnight, Blaze goes from Super Virgin Girl to Super Slut. That life on the sidelines is looking pretty good right about now...

4 Stars
I received a copy of Blaze courtesy of the publisher in exchange for a review.

BAM! I LOVED Blaze! I'm not one for comics, aside from the Marvel and DC comic cartoons, but damn! Blaze was fun and sassy and unique! POW! I read this book in one sitting, and was laughing several times throughout. The idea of a chick doing comic books based on her experience with a boy, Mark the Shark, was genius! What better way to get back at a man whore? Had one of my friends done something to shame me the way Amanda had done to Blaze, I probably would've shanked the bitch, but I guess it all worked out in the end. Blaze was a true super hero, and some of the girls could learn a thing or two from her. I will definitely look forward to more from Laurie Boyle Crompton!

~Mandy

City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments #3) by Cassandra Clare

To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters - never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City - whatever the cost?

Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the final installment of the New York Times bestselling trilogy The Mortal Instruments.

4 Stars

In the third book in this series, the story comes to a head with a huge battle between Valentine and the Shadowhunters and Downworlders. More information about Jace and Clarissa's past comes to light. Yay! No more incest! The book ends with literally everyone living happily ever after, so why are there books 4 and 5? I am going to find out!

~Kat

18 Things by Jamie Ayres

Can eighteen things save a life?

Olga Gay Worontzoff thinks her biggest problems are an awful name (after her grandmothers of course) and not attending prom with Conner, her best friend and secret crush since kindergarten.

Then Conner is killed in a freak boating accident and Olga feels responsible. When she downs an entire bottle of pills to deal with the emotional pain, her parents force her into counseling. There, her therapist writes a prescription in the form of a life list titled 18 Things. Eighteen quests to complete the year of her eighteenth birthday.

All she has to do is fire-walk, try out for the cheerleading squad, break a world record, and err . . . go on her first date. Good thing Nate, a new hottie in town, enters her life with perfect timing. He brings the fun factor to her list and helps her discover the beauty and strength inside herself, then complicates things by falling in love with her.

But there's more to Olga’s quests than meets the eye and when her therapist reveals a terrifying secret, her world is shaken.

There’s only one thing she knows for certain: her choices won’t just affect her future, but all eternity.

4 Stars
I received a copy of 18 Things courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher.

18 things is the 5th or 6th book I've read from Curiosity Quills, and I have loved every one! As with all the books before it from this publisher, 18 Things is unique and original. Olga experiences her first broken heart, in the form of her best friend dying, and her being unable to save him. And before she gets to tell him that she loves him. Olga goes thru a year of ups and downs, with the saving grace coming in the form of Nate.

I just loved the characters in 18 Things! They were real, had a sense of humor, and I of course appreciated the Star Wars references. The grief Olga experienced after losing her best friend Connor broke my heart, but the idea of the list was a great way to help her heal, and I enjoyed the variety of ways that were on it. I guessed there was a twist at the end, but I was questioning my guess until the last chapter. Let me be clear tho, this book wasn't predictable! I saw there was possibly a sequel, and I'm really hoping that's the case!

~ Mandy

The Venetian Affair by Dana Mitchell

When cool, reserved Helene Stoddart dons a mask in magical Venice, it changes her life forever. Her identity protected, she succumbs to a night of wild lovemaking with gorgeous Italian, Gabriel Venier. Convinced she'll never see Gabriel again, Helen returns home to Australia, where an old family scandal sees her hunted by the paparazzi. Then Gabriel arrives, looking for the mystery woman he can't forget. But the Helen he encounters is withdrawn, arctic, nothing like the gorgeous, sensual woman seared into his memory. Despite Helen's reluctance, Gabriel makes time for them to get to know each other, and for slow, delicious seduction …

3 Stars
I received a copy of The Venetian Affair courtesy of the publisher in exchange for a review.

There is just something about books set in Australia that snag me from the synopsis! The Venetian Affair was no different. Helen is in Italy, on tour singing with a couple girls and ends up performing at a club that Gabriel happens to spot her in. He just has to know her and have her! Helen has a secret tho, one that she doesn't want Gabriel to find out about, so she agrees to spend the night with him, under one condition- she gets to keep her mask on and the lights off. Sparks fly of course, and neither of them is the same after. Gabriel ends up on a mission to find Helen, and luckily he does, back in Australia!
I could in no way put myself in Helen's shoes, and wondered about the way she handled things at times, but I really liked the way her and Gabriel connected! The chemistry between the two was volatile at times and scorching at others, which I really appreciated. And who doesn't love a HEA? I finished this one with a smile on my face!

~Mandy

Undressed (The Manhattanites #1) by Avery Aster

Content Warning: due to graphic sex scenes, strong language, suggestive themes, mature humor, and just about everything your mother ever told you not to do--including wearing a see-through dress, this novel is for adults only.

Milan's notorious playboy, Massimo Tittoni, seems to have everything--Lamborghinis, exotic women, palaces throughout Europe and business success. Ramping up his fabric company to go global with a new apparel brand, he ruthlessly stops supplying fabrics to the American client who inspired the collection. But once they meet, what's he willing to give to get her in his bed?

Upper East Side designer Lex Easton will be damned if she'll let an Italian stud muffin knock her down. So what if she named her favorite vibrator after him. With Fashion Week approaching, she'll do whatever it takes to secure the fabrics she needs to become the next Diane von Furstenburg-- even sleep with her rival. But when she arrives in Europe the paparazzi chronicles her every move and she finds herself in a situation never imagined. Lex’s Louboutins stilettos are dug in deep to win this war. All’s fair in love and fashion!

Avery Aster's super-glossy debut novel is loaded with passionate escapism, pitting American ambition against Italian tradition. Erotic romance fans who appreciate extended sex scenes, witty banter and glamour mustn't miss Undressed.

Inside Scoop: Though the hero and heroine remain monogamous, their Prada-wearing friends indulge in a ménage a trois and other fashionable sexual fun and games.

ABOUT THE MANHATTANITES:

It's a series of full length novels focusing on relationships. Each book may be read as a stand alone and features a HEA w/ closure for the couple's story. If you've enjoyed TV shows like Girls (HBO), Dirty Sexy Money (ABC), and The Bold & the Beautiful (CBS) then you'll love this series. Avery's characters are over the top. They have raunchy sex, speak their minds and the plots are twisted. (In a good way!)

4 Stars
I received a copy of Undressed courtesy of the author and publisher in exchange for a review.

When I received an email from Avery Aster herself, asking me if I could handle a book that contained scenes so hot they were scorching and panty dropping, I replied with an enthusiastic "OF COURSE!" She even went as far as to almost call me out on my reads of late being sort of 'vanilla' and more HBO vs Cinemax. I couldn't agree more. So I took on her book, bearing in mind I was going to be experiencing a more raw version of Sex and the City. Well, let me tell you, Carrie and Big have NOTHING on Lex and Massimo!

Undressed delivers funny, vibrant, witty characters, not to mention the strong and sexy female roles. The story, fun banter, and make you blush sex scenes held my attention, and for that, I gave it 4 stars. There were a few moments that seemed a little inconsistent, and not very believable, but for the most part, the hotness of the book made up for it. I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment!

~Mandy