Book Review: Crush by Lacey Weatherford

Crush Series - Crush (#1)

Author: Lacey Weatherford

Genre:  YA Romance

Published:  Moonstruck Media 2014

Pages: 332

Rating: 5/5
Read: February 2016

Blurb:

Cami Wimberley has a plan, and that plan includes no room for boys—especially the big time party animal, Hunter Wilder, no matter how handsome and charismatic he is. She’s beautiful, a senior, extremely talented, gets good grades, and is working her way toward her dream college to be a musical theater major. Everything is perfect.

Hunter Wilder does not want a girlfriend—that would complicate his life way too much right now. He especially doesn’t want this girl, Miss-Goody-Two-Shoes, so how come he can’t keep his eyes off her? He tries to keep her at arms length, but fate seems to keep pushing them together. Before long, it’s obvious to everyone they’re crushing on each other. 

As sparks begin to fly, Hunter finds himself sinking deeper and deeper into hot water. Soon he’s scrambling to keep Cami from discovering his dark secret—one that can destroy their entire relationship.

SPOILERS*

Review:
Okay, we can establish that I am an absolute sucker for a good romance novel.  They leave me feeling all gushy inside!

Even though the book was quite cliche, it's important to remember that many people read romance for exactly that reason... we know it will make us feel good.

I enjoyed Cami's character, but I thought Hunter or Dylan had a lot of depth to him.  I enjoyed reading about his unknown struggles and really just wanted to know why he couldn't just be honest with Cami.  Why was the age such a problem?

I loved that the novel had plot twists, and a creepy best friend/bad guy.  I enjoyed the use of a Prologue for further understanding of the plot.  Jordan Henley dies in the Prologue seemingly due to an overdose of meth, however all is not as they seem.  The experience changes Cami for life and she struggles trying to understand whether or not she could have saved Jordan's life.  An example would be simply Cami's lack of enthusiasm when it came to Hunters drug use.  Cami witnessing Jordan's death has changed and cemented her views on using drugs and the murder/or suicide... or overdose served as a sort of mystery for the reader to be included in - at least for me.

Overall I enjoyed the book immensely.  It contained everything to be a very good romance novel, and Crush had sound characters throughout.  I personally will award it the five out of five stars, because it entranced me... the storyline was flawless and even though it was cliche in the terms of a romance novel it still kept myself as the reader on my toes.  This was a great read and I can't wait to get stuck into book two, Smitten.

Favourite Line:

He grinned.  "Just telling it like I see it.  I think even inanimate objects were getting turned on by the intensity rolling off you two.  There are cars in the parking lot that are probably pregnant now." (Ch. 28)

How did you find this book? x

Book Review: Heaven by Alexandra Adornetto

Halo Series- Heaven (#3)

Author: Alexandra Adornetto

Genre:  Romance

Published:  Fiewel and Friends 2011

Pages: 417

Rating: 3/5
Read: February 2016

SPOILERS*

The final book in the Halo Series, I found to be my least favourite.  Yes it ended with cliche as most romance genre novels do, obviously we know as readers how the story will end.  I felt that even though it was a wonderful book, the plot lines didn't quite meet up for me in the end to the trilogy.

MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW!

Xavier suddenly being a half angel... there were no signs, I don't know if it was planned from the beginning to end the way it did but it frustrated me a lot.  Why did Xavier's awesomeness suddenly depend on whether or not he had a supernatural power.  What I loved about his character was that even though he was human and flawed, it didn't matter.  Xavier's character had guts and he strived through the whole series to protect the ones he loved, and after learning and loving him - finding out he was an angel kind of made me feel like the only special people were those with powers.  He could suddenly move the elements but never before had there been any hints.  If anyone can point out some hints in the first two novels I would appreciate that heaps.

I also felt that the final book didn't need to include a college scene... not only was this scene the most boring for me personally but it was unnecessary.  I think they should have stayed with Gabriel and Ivy and protected each other, but not in the middle of a school setting - I don't think the series needed this, but that's just my own opinion.

There were, like Hades, many holes and gaps left unexplained.  Something I personally and I'm sure other high raters of this book would love, is the use of an Epilogue at the end of the novel... I was left wanting to know more about Beth and Xavier's lives together.  Did they manage to have children?  Was Beth pregnant while she was in Heaven?  Did Molly find a man?  Did Gabriel change?  Unfortunately the last novel of the series left a hole in my bookaholic heart which could only be filled by Adornetto filling in the gaps somehow...

Overall I was slightly satisfied with the ending of the series, and left wanting to know more which is not a good thing for a reader to feel.  Hence, I am awarding the final instalment to the Halo Series a three out of five.  The final novel seemed rushed and somewhat unstructured.  There were many things which did not make sense, and were not needed to be included.  

I would read the series again, but only after a couple of years where I may forget some of the series.  I enjoy reading new books because they give my mind a new experience.  I think Adornetto did a really good job with her writing, however the plot especially in the final novel needed to be refined.  Beth's character should be 100% stronger than she started out with and she should have learnt a lesson.  I didn't get that impression from this novel, but I would still read it again for a pleasant read.

My favourite line:

"That is when you need faith the most," Gabriel said.  "Not when everything is going your way, not when you have much to be thankful for, but when there is darkness all around.  He is always there, He is always watching, and one way or another, He will set you on the right path." (Ch. 18)

Book review: Hades by Alexandra Adornetto

Halo Series- Hades (#2)

Author: Alexandra Adornetto

Genre:  Romance

Published:  Feiwel and Friends 2011

Pages: 424

Rating: 4/5
Read: February 2016

Blurb:

What will happen to an angel in Hell?  Jake Thorn and his demons have been banished and Xavier and Bethany settle down to resume a normal life.  But on the night of Halloween, a childish prank goes terribly wrong and Jake is summoned back to the sleepy town of Venus Cove.  Bethany is deceived and like the mythical Persephone she finds herself dragged into the nightmarish underworld of Hades.  While the angels call on higher powers to help rescue Bethany, Jake decides to play dirty and goes after the one thing she loves more than anything.  But to spare Xavier's life, Bethany must make the ultimate sacrifice.  Will she make a deal with the Devil?  And what will happen to an angel in Hell?

SPOILERS*

The second novel of the Halo Series was finally released and published eight years after the first novel.  And I enjoyed this novel probably even more than the first one, though it left my mind reeling with unanswered questions.  Beth had spunk, she got sassier and she was determined... not the way God intended though... I don't think...

The same amount of detail Adornetto used to describe Bethany's surroundings in the first novel, Halo, was used throughout this novel to describe the nightmarish underworld of Hades.

Firstly, Hades is a Greek God, not a place in my understanding but please correct me if I'm wrong.  It's hard for anyone to get across their ideas when it comes to Religion, and Adornetto is no different.  Everyone will have a different idea of what the supernatural look like... everyone will have a different idea of what Heaven and Hell would really be like.  I agree with Adornetto's depiction of Hell, mainly with the idea of the Pit.  This "hell" is exactly what I imagine it would be like.  Living everyday as a soul who is tortured, only to be fixed while the soul sleeps, to awaken and start all over again.  A nightmare!

Now I did absolutely love this book, I thought there were some things that should have changed.  My main issue is that Jake Thorn is a DEMON!  He is almost as low as the Devil himself, yet Bethany thinks in order to save her man she must sleep with him.  Sorry but if I was Beth, I would pray!  I mean she's an Angel!  God would listen to her plea, He has the ability to do anything - that's what the Father is!  Someone to love you unconditionally and for us to turn to not just in everyday life but especially in our time of need.  Angels are flawless, they are designed to be full of faith and to protect human life, according to the book...  Though Bethany did achieve this by giving away her body (maybe) I felt let down by the way the heroine would bend over and allow someone so low to manipulate and change her.  The story needed Beth to be stronger.  I didn't like how Jake Thorns character got me to like him, when he's meant to be scum...  He only wants Beth to love him and even though she can't because it's forbidden... He defied the Devil himself to keep her...  I find it sort of hard to swallow when her love for Xavier is also forbidden...

She did however, definitely grow less susceptible to the Devil's power, but at the same time she changed so much she forgot about her duty to Heaven and to her Father.

For these things I'm giving the book a four out of five, only because it was my favourite, by the use of descriptive words and Beth doing anything to get back to the one's she loves.  The message was to never give up - however it could have been clearer, and should have reflected Beth's purpose as an Angel...  I don't really understand the lack of substance Beth was sometimes given...  Adornetto likely could have given Beth  more substance just by writing in some prayers, or things that Beth as an Angel would do...

I didn't highlight my favourite line from this novel, but overall it was a pleasant read.  Once I sat down to think about it though, some holes unfortunately appeared.

Book Review: Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

Halo Series- Halo (#1)

Author: Alexandra Adornetto

Genre:  Romance

Published:  Hachette Books 2003

Pages: 470 

Rating: 5/5
Read: February 2016

Blurb:

Nothing much happens in the sleepy town of Venus Cove.  But everything changes when three angels, Ivy, Bethany and Gabriel are sent from heaven to protect the town against the gathering forces of darkness.  They work hard to conceal their true identity and - most of all - their wings.  But the mission is threatened when the youngest angel, Bethany, is sent to high school and falls for the handsome school captain, Xavier Woods.  Will she defy the laws of Heaven by loving him?  Things come to a head when the angels realise they are not the only supernatural power in Venus Cove.  There's a new kid in town and he's charming, seductive and deadly.  Worst of all, he's after Beth.  The agents and Xavier must work together to overcome the dark forces - but will Beth survive the battle?

SPOILERS*

Firstly I'd like to point out that I have previously read this series in 2012, and I enjoyed it probably more the second time around as I could understand more of what was going on.

I loved this novel!  I adored the opening chapter, the senses that Beth could feel and notice were very prominent here.  It was interesting to read in a way that made you think about what the air around you might feel like.  I enjoyed how this opened my mind to different senses in my own life - it made me want to look around my own environment in wonder.

I had one issue with Beth's character in this novel...  When the going got tough and Xavier turned away from her she decided to become recluse and hide instead of being the fighter we know her as in the final books.  I believe though that this shows development of her character.

Overall I thought the book was fantastic which is why I want to give it a 5 out of 5 review! I enjoyed it immensely and think most things were addressed and thought through in this first novel of the Halo Series.  I would definitely read this novel again.

My Favourite Line:

"I'm not ready to take you home yet." (Ch. 10)

January Favourites 2016 & We're Engaged? | xoLaashi