Sophie Reads YA

#RockMyTBR 2017 Challenge

Review: The Start of Me and You (The Start of Me and You #1) by Emery Lord

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The Start of Me and You
Series: The Start of Me and You #1
Author: Emery Lord
Published June 29th 2017 by Bloomsbury Children's Books

Goodreads Synopsis
Can you plan happiness?

It's been a year since Paige's first boyfriend died in a swimming accident and it's time she rejoined the real world.

So she makes a plan:
1. Date a boy (long-standing crush Ryan Chase seems like the perfect choice)
2. Attend parties (with best friends by your side: doable)
3. Join a club (simple enough, right?)
4. Travel (might as well dream big)
5. Swim (terrifying. Impossible)

But when she meets Ryan's sweet but so nerdy cousin, Max, he opens up her world and Paige's plans start to change. Is it too late for a second chance at life?

Brimming with characters so real you feel you could pick up the phone and call them, The Start of Me and You will prove that it's never too late for second chances. Perfect for fans of Rainbow Rowell, Jennifer Niven and John Green.
Goodreads

Review
The Start of Me and You covers Paige coming to terms with her grief after the loss of her boyfriend a year ago, and starting to let herself be open to the possibilities of new relationships. When the new school year starts, she doesn't want to be remembered as the “The Girl Whose Boyfriend Drowned", so she makes a plan of attack, of five different things she wants to do. She wants to go on a date, go to parties, join a club, travel, and swim; the last being the most scary and difficult one to face. The club she joins is the Quiz Bowl, and she meets the cousin of her crush, Max, and he's cute and fun, and so sweet, and might be the person with whom she can explore school, and life, and get through the next year.

The first book I read by this author I had to DNF because I disliked it so much, so was a bit apprehensive about reading this one when I realised I had it on my book shelf, but I found myself pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. Paige, as a main character, was so much better than Vivi, and I really found myself appreciating her and what she was facing so much more, because of her character. She felt both guilt and anger over the death of her ex-boyfriend, especially when they had only been together two months, and everyone was treating her like a pariah because he died. She has her whole group of girl friends around her, who are fantastic, and the relationship with Max was so well done. It started as a tentative friendship, weaving its way into more and more and both felt vulnerable at times to let the other in. It definitely suited this kind of story, and I'm overjoyed that there's going to be a sequel coming out this year. This book has made me willing to get over my hatred of When We Collided, and try more of Lord's books!

Dates Read:

September 6-7, 2017

Rating
4 Stars

Kiersten White

Waiting On Wednesday: The Camelot Betrayal (Camelot Rising #2) by Kiersten White

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2020 New Release challenge

ARC Review: Kingdom of the Wicked (Kingdom of the Wicked #1) by Kerri Maniscalco

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2020 New Release challenge

ARC Review: The Redemption of a Rogue (The Duke's By-Blows #4) by Jess Michaels

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The Redemption of a Rogue
Series: The Duke's By-Blows #4
Author: Jess Michaels
Published October 13th 2020 by The Passionate Pen LLC

Goodreads Synopsis
The next steamy historical romance from USA Today Bestseller Jess Michaels.

Imogen Huxley was already questioning her decision to seek out a lover at a notorious brothel, but never more so than after she witnesses a murder! She flees for her life and runs right into the arms of Oscar Fitzhugh, a mysterious club owner. She has no choice but to take his offer of protection while he tries to save her life. The passion that comes with that protection is just a bonus.

Oscar Fitzhugh was at the brothel investigating the death of his former mistress. He’s one of the infamous by-blows of the Duke of Roseford, but he cut himself off from that life long ago. Now he lives his life, trying desperately to keep everyone around him at arm’s length. But Imogen is too intriguing not to protect and seduce.

Danger is at every turn, pleasure in each touch. But as they circle ever closer to a future that could be everything they’ve ever needed, the murderer looking for Imogen is also coming nearer. If he finds them, all will be lost.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

The final instalment in The Duke's By-Blows series, we now follow the eldest Roseford Bastard, Oscar Fitzhugh, as he uncovers a plot to kidnap and kill women, with an important Earl at the forefront, and literally runs into a young woman in need of his protection. Imogen Huxley doesn't want to be in the notorious Cat's Companion brothel, but following her husband's death, and her mistreatment by her in-laws, she needs to find a protector somehow, and this seems to be the only option open to her. When she witnesses one of her late husband's noble friends admitting to murdering a prostitute, and being involved in more heinous crimes, she needs to hide, and Oscar is just the person to help her. Both want something out of the arrangement, and stopping the Earl is just one step towards that. However, they need to have their heads straight, and not let emotions run riot, otherwise both might lose more than they are willing to give.

I have loved each and every one of these books, and as soon as we met Oscar and Imogen in the previous book, The Matter of a Marquess, I knew I needed to read their own story. Imogen has been dealt a hard path in life, and is falling more and more as the days go by. She has no one to turn to, not even her best friend Lady Aurora Lovell, and being a witness to a murder makes life so much worse. Meeting Oscar is like a dream, and even though she sometimes feels like a prisoner under his protection, she knows he means well, and the chemistry between them is a soothing balm to it all. Oscar, on the other hand, is gruff and aloof, keeping his true self hidden behind thick walls. He's been hurt by love in the past, and doesn't want to suffer again, but there's something about Imogen that intrigues him, and he doesn't know if he can stay away from her. They were truly perfect for each other, and the way their chemistry developed into lust and romance was everything I could've asked for. Seeing them both before and after the events we witnessed in book 3 really helped us to understand their characters, and the conclusion to this series was wonderful! I can't wait for Jess' next work!

Dates Read:
October 3-4, 2020

Rating
4 Stars

November

Stacking the Shelves: November 14th 2020

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2020 Beat the Backlist challenge

Review: All the Ways to Ruin a Rogue (The Debutante Files #2) by Sophie Jordan

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All the Ways to Ruin a Rogue
Series: The Debutante Files #2
Author: Sophie Jordan
Published July 28th 2015 by Avon

Goodreads Synopsis
There was once a lady who loathed a lord...

Lady Aurelia hasn't always hated Max, Viscount Camden, her brother's best friend. In fact, as a besotted girl, she thrived under his kind attention—sure that he was the most noble and handsome man in the land. Until her young heart discovered what manner of rogue he really was. Now, though she enjoys nothing more than getting on his last nerve, she can’t deny Max drives her to distraction—even if she tries to pretend otherwise.

...and a lord who was confounded by a lady.

Max cannot recall a time when Aurelia did not vex him. If she was not his friend’s sister, he would stay far away from the infuriating vixen. Unfortunately, they are always thrown together. At parties and family gatherings…she is always there. Infuriating him, tossing punch in his face, driving him mad...until one night, she goes too far and he retaliates in the only way he can: with a kiss that changes everything.
Goodreads

Review
All the Ways to Ruin a Rogue is Aurelia and Max's story, and I couldn't wait to read about them. From meeting them in book 1, and seeing their interactions, but especially at Sodom, I was intrigued, and this one definitely sate my appetite. From the moment she met Max, Viscount Camden, when she was nine, Aurelia has been in love with him. The summer she turned fifteen, she was finally allowed to start dressing like a proper lady, and be a guest at parties, and she can't wait to show Max how she has changed, and how her drawings have developed. Unfortunately, she comes across Max and one of the kitchen maids have a dalliance in the greenhouse, and she's enraged and distraught. Editing one of her portraits of Max to include a small package and devil horns, she gets out her rage, but accidentally left it out where all the guest could see. Being the object of ridicule left Max hating Aurelia, and in the past years they can't stand the sight of each other.

Now that Will and Violet are expecting their first child, Violet is left knowing she needs to marry, or move to the Highlands so that she's not a burden. To have one last hurrah, she visits Sodom, and though she's disguised, Max sees right through it, and it leaves them both with thoughts they'd never expected to have. Max can't bear being around Aurelia, but still cares for her as his best friend's sister, and doesn't want to see her make a bad match, which could easily happen. After the next of many an argument, they end up kissing, and are both left thinking about the other none stop. Aurelia knows she can't have Max, so throws herself at the first suitor that comes calling.

Aurelia and Max were chemistry personified. To everyone but themselves, their arguing and every interaction was clearly tinged with lust and emotion, and it was inevitable for them to get together. But, they kept fighting it, until it got too much, and left them in a compromised position. The way they got together was a bit contrived, and some of their interactions bothered me in how they treated one another, but I couldn't stop myself from wanting them together, and finally admitting their love. Seeing all of the other characters from previous books was a nice addition too, especially the fact that Will and Violet were expecting, and Declan and Rosalie were as in love as ever. Sophie Jordan has definitely become one of my favourite romance authors, and I'll keep reading on!

Dates Read:

May 24, 2020

Rating
4 Stars

#RockMyTBR 2017 Challenge

Review: Changes in Latitudes by Jen Malone

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Changes in Latitudes
Series: None
Author: Jen Malone
Published July 25th 2017 by HarperTeen

Goodreads Synopsis
All Cassie wants is to get some solid ground under her feet following the shock of her parents’ divorce. So when she learns of her mom’s plans to take Cassie and her brother, Drew, on a four-month sailing trip from Oregon to Mexico, she’s stunned. There is absolutely nothing solid about the Pacific Ocean.

Cassie is furious. And nervous. It’s been hard enough keeping Drew sheltered from what Cassie knows about her mother’s role in breaking their family apart, but living in such close quarters threatens to push her anger past its tipping point.

Enter Jonah, a whip-smart deckhand who’s as gorgeous as he is flirtatious. Cassie tries to keep him at a distance, but the more time they spend together—wandering San Francisco, riding beachside roller coasters, and exploring the California coastline—the harder it is to fight the attraction.

Cassie wants to let herself go, but her parents’ split has left her feeling adrift in a sea of questions she can’t even begin to answer. Can she forgive her mom? Will home ever feel the same? Should she take a chance on Jonah? With life’s unpredictable tides working against her, Cassie must decide whether to swim against them…or dive right in.
Goodreads

Review
I remember that I had really enjoyed Malone's previous book, Wanderlost, so when this one was announced, I decided to order a copy and give it a go. In Changes in Latitudes, Cassie is reeling after her parents split, and when her mam announces that she, Cassie, and younger brother, Drew, would be embarking on a four month voyage from Oregon to Mexico to help transport a boat, she can think of nothing worse. She blames her mam for the divorce, and being in close, confined quarters, sounds like a nightmare, but she has to deal with it. While on the journey, they are joined by Jonah and his uncle, and the more time Cassie spends with Jonah, the more their attraction goes, and he might just manage to make the next few months tolerable.

I did enjoy this book, but it was nothing really special. I read it over 2 years ago, and it took me two weeks to get through, and I honestly can't remember that much about it. I know that Cassie annoyed me at first, but then she grew on me as she grew as a character; her and Jonah were cute; and I liked her relationship with her brother; but other than that, it hasn't stuck with me, and has sort of merged with other contemporary books that are fun at the time, but not a book that would be on my favourites list.

Dates Read:

August 4-18, 2017

Rating
3 Stars