Book Review – Page 18 – Talk Nerdy Book Blog

June 25, 2014

T

Series: A Modern Fairytale*

Release Date: June 15th, 2014

Synopsis:

Burned by an unreliable source, Savannah Carmichael, returns to her hometown of Danvers, Virginia with her once-promising journalism career in ruins. Given the opportunity to get her skin back in the game by writing a patriotic human interest piece, Savannah turns her attention to the town hermit, Asher Lee, a wounded veteran who returned to Danvers eight years ago, and hasn’t been seen since.

After an IED explosion in Afghanistan took Asher’s hand and disfigured half of his face, he’s lived a quiet life on the outskirts of Danvers where the locals respect his privacy … that is, until Savannah Carmichael comes calling in a borrowed sundress and a plate of homemade brownies. When Asher agrees to be interviewed by Savannah, he starts feeling things for the beautiful reporter that he hasn’t felt in years.

Misfits in small-town Danvers, Savannah and Asher create a bond right away, touching each other’s hearts in ways neither though possible. When a terrible mistake threatens to drive them apart, they’ll have to decide if the love they found in one another’s arms is strong enough to fight for their hard-won happily ever after.

Ending

 HEA

Representation

• A main character who is partially blind and had part of one arm amputated due to serving in the US Military

Possible Triggers

• PTSD
• Death of family
• Grief
• Sexual assault
• Violence
• Gaslighting

Safety Rating: Safe

• No cheating
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 5/5 stars

*Each novel in the series is Standalone

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Defy (Defy, #1) by Sara B. Larson

By Sarah

In 4-stars, Book Review

June 23, 2014

D

Series: Defy

Release Date: January 7th, 2014

Synopsis:

A lush and gorgeously written debut, packed with action, intrigue and a thrilling love triangle.

Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king’s army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince’s guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can’t prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she’s sworn to protect?

Ending

  Cliffhanger

Representation

• POC main and side characters

Possible Triggers

• Allusion to rape
• Death of family
• Grief
• PTSD
• Violence (Blood, gore and use of fire)

Safety Rating: Safe

• No cheating
• No OW
• Does have OM
– The Heroine’s best friend is in love with her
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does not have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4.75/5 stars

(more…)

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Waking Up in Vegas by Stevie Kisner

By Sarah

In 4-stars, Book Review

June 18, 2014

W

Series: Standalone

Release Date: May 23rd, 2014

Synopsis:

What’s your name, Beautiful?
Never mind. It doesn’t matter, and I won’t remember it, anyway.

I’m Tack Morgan, and I’m Las Vegas Magazine’s Sexiest Man. I’m the host of the most listened-to morning drive-time show on Vegas’s FM dial.
I’m also in therapy for sexual harassment.
My therapist is the one making me write this. The doc says it’ll help me put things into perspective.

To be clear, I don’t have sexual harassment issues. I have sexual frustration issues.
And it’s totally not my fault.
That responsibility rests squarely with the person I’m being accused of harassing. I see her each and every weekday morning at the ungodly hour of 6 a.m.

Funny. I used to think that was the best time of the whole day. I lived for starting my mornings so early, not seeing my bed until many, many hours later.
Unless it was for recreation.

At the risk of sounding cocky, I recreated a lot.
Sex is my sport of choice. Or at least it was, until Jen waltzed through the station door and announced she was my new morning-show co-host.
I swear, she’s developed some sort of pheromone-canceling ESP that follows me around everywhere and cockblocks me at every turn. I haven’t gotten laid in… too long.

Honestly, I haven’t been keeping track.
Actually, yes, I have.
It’s been two months.

Coincidentally, that’s exactly how long Jensen MacKenzie has been my co-host.
I don’t think my balls can get any bluer.

Ending

 HEA

Representation

No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia

Possible Triggers

• Makes light of sexual harassment
• No OTT sad parts

Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions

• No cheating
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Does have OW
– The Hero’s POV is the only POV, so before he meets the Heroine he’s with OW (no details though)
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does not have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4.75/5 stars

(more…)

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Dorothy Must Die (Dorothy Must Die, #1) by Danielle Paige

By Sarah

In 4-stars, Book Review

May 5, 2014

D

Series: Dorothy Must Die

Release Date: April 1st, 2014

Synopsis:

I didn’t ask for any of this. I didn’t ask to be some kind of hero.

But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado – taking you with it – you have no choice but to go along, you know?

Sure, I’ve read the books. I’ve seen the movies. I know the song about the rainbow and the happy little blue birds. But I never expected Oz to look like this. To be a place where Good Witches can’t be trusted, Wicked Witches may just be the good guys, and winged monkeys can be executed for acts of rebellion. There’s still the yellow brick road, though – but even that’s crumbling.

What happened? Dorothy.

They said she found a way to come back to Oz. They say she seized power and the power went to her head. And now no one is safe.

My name is Amy Gumm – and I’m the other girl from Kansas.

I’ve been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked.

I’ve been trained to fight.

And I have a mission:
Remove the Tin Woodman’s heart.
Steal the Scarecrow’s brain.
Take the Lion’s courage.

Then and only then – Dorothy must die!

Ending

  Cliffhanger

Representation

No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia

Possible Triggers

• Drug addiction
• Violence (Blood and gore)
• Murder
• Slavery

Mature Themes

• Some kissing
• Mild language
• Underage drinking
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

(more…)

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Collaboration (Backlash, #1) by Michelle Lynn and Nevaeh Lee

By Sarah

In 4-stars, Book Review

April 7, 2014

C

Series: Backlash*

Release Date: January 24th, 2014

Synopsis:

This is not your typical rock star romance. For one, the “rock star” is a rapper. And not just any rapper. Trace is the hottest ticket in the music industry right now, regardless of which definition of “hot” you choose.

Taryn Starr is not the girl-next-door who unknowingly meets a celebrity. Known as “America’s Sweetheart,” the reigning country music princess and world-renowned superstar knows exactly who Trace is … or does she?

Their worlds collide when the musicians whose paths were never destined to cross are forced by their joint record label to collaborate on a song. The sparks fly and ignite a fire that blazes hotter with every minute they spend together – for better or worse. One thing’s for certain, the two media magnets can’t deny their explosive chemistry, but will life in the spotlight ultimately bring Trace and Taryn together or force them apart?

This contemporary romance new adult novel is for mature audiences. The language alone would make a sailor blush (the guy’s a rapper, remember?) so 18+ only, please.

Ending

 HEA

Representation

• Black main and supporting characters

Possible Triggers

• Drug addiction
• Violence
• Blackmail
• Abortion

Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions

• No cheating
• Does have OW and OM drama
– An OM in the Heroine’s band wants to date her
– An ex-boyfriend from the Heroine’s high school blackmails the Heroine
– The Hero constantly goes to after-parties with OW who want to sleep with him. One night he gets really drunk and passes out on his bed, he wakes up and finds an OW in bed with him–he’s 100% sure he didn’t sleep with her though.
– A different OW claims that she’s pregnant with the Hero’s child and goes to the media. The child ends up not being his, but it could have been. The Hero met (and slept) with the OW before he met the Heroine.
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does have many separations between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

*Each novel in the series is Standalone

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The Do-Over by MK Schiller

By Sarah

In 4-stars, Book Review

March 26, 2014

T

Series: Standalone

Release Date: October 7th, 2013

Synopsis:

Arrogant womanizer Kyle Manchester hates blind dates; however, when best friend, Brad calls in a favor, insisting Kyle take out his girlfriend’s sister, Kyle reluctantly agrees. Attorney Lanie Carmichael’s appearance is no surprise. She is dowdy, awkward, and dressed in so many layers she resembles a wedding cake, but not in an edible way. Her brazen attitude though, astonishes him, especially when she explains she has no interest in gorgeous Kyle. Lanie Carmichael is in love with Brad, and wants Kyle’s assistance in winning his best friend’s heart.

Kyle gradually accepts, justifying that the mystery of Lanie has sparked his natural, thirsty curiosity. As an ambitious journalist, he also can’t resist the Pulitzer worthy scoop she offers him. However, as Lanie sheds more layers, both emotionally and physically, Kyle begins to examine his life choices, and his true feelings for this enigmatic girl. With Kyle’s support, Lanie begins to unravel the secrets of her past, and the deep pain that has quietly defined her life. As they each learn more about themselves and each other, both question how a relationship built on fraudulent lies between two broken people could ever survive.

Ending

 HEA

Representation

No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia

Possible Triggers

• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Abortion

Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions

• No cheating
• Does have OW/OM drama
– The Heroine fancies herself in love with the Hero’s best friend
– The Hero is a mega player and sleeps around a lot
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4.25/5 stars

(more…)

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Blue Lines (Assassins, #5) by Toni Aleo

By Sarah

In 2-stars, Book Review

March 24, 2014

B

Series: Assassins*

Release Date: December 9th, 2013

Synopsis:

Opposites do more than just attract in Toni Aleo’s latest Nashville Assassins novel about a very bad boy and the good girl he can’t resist.

The instant Piper Allen sees Erik Titov, she wants him—wants his rock-hard body, sure, but the strength and mystery that lies behind that superstar hockey jock demeanor, too. So when he sidles up to her at a bar and slinks his arm around her waist, she’s lost. What follows is the wildest night of her life . . . followed by inevitable heartbreak the next morning. And then, a few weeks later, a very big surprise: two blue lines on a pregnancy test.

Only a check to the head could make Erik fall for a nice girl like Piper. But since their crazy-sexy night together, he’s been trying to forget about her alluring body by falling into bed with every woman in Nashville, and it’s not working. So when Piper shows up at his house with a baby-bomb to drop, it doesn’t take much for Erik to suggest the nuclear option: marriage. While it’s supposed to be all for show, the second they say “I do,” the ice between them starts to melt into sizzling steam.

Includes a special message from the editor, as well as excerpts from these Loveswept titles: Taking Shots, Trying to Score, and Empty Net.

Ending

 HEA

Representation

No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia

Possible Triggers

• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Objectification of women
• No OTT sad parts

Safety Rating: Not Safe

• No cheating
• Does have OW/OM drama
– The Hero wanted to sleep with the Heroine’s (horrible) twin in past books
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
– The Hero was not celibate during his separation from the Heroine; they met up again 6+ months later.
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

*Each novel in the series is Standalone

(more…)

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Ruin, A Series by Rachel Van Dyken

By Sarah

In 4-stars, Series Review

March 21, 2014

R

About the Series

I’ve devoured this series. I’m crazy in love with Wes and Kiersten’s story! The main theme in the series is fear and conquering the fear fostered throughout all these different characters’ life-altering challenges. But as Wes always says, “Do it afraid.”

The review of the series includes reviews on each of the following books (listed in order of release):

Note: Each book in the series is Standalone (except for the novella Fearless, which is an extended epilogue to the first book in the series, Ruin).

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Half Bad (Half Bad, #1) by Sally Green

By Sarah

In 4-stars, Book Review

March 17, 2014

H

Series: Half Bad Trilogy

Release Date: March 4th, 2014

Synopsis:

“Brilliant and utterly compelling – I loved it. The new Hunger Games, I suspect.” ~ Kate Atkinson, New York Times bestselling author of Life After Life

WANTED BY NO ONE. HUNTED BY EVERYONE.

Sixteen-year-old Nathan lives in a cage: beaten, shackled, trained to kill. In a modern-day England where two warring factions of witches live amongst humans, Nathan is an abomination, the illegitimate son of the world’s most terrifying and violent witch, Marcus. Nathan’s only hope for survival is to escape his captors, track down Marcus, and receive the three gifts that will bring him into his own magical powers—before it’s too late. But how can Nathan find his father when there is no one safe to trust, not even family, not even the girl he loves?

Half Bad is an international sensation and the start of a brilliant trilogy: a gripping tale of alienation and the indomitable will to survive

Ending

  Cliffhanger

Representation

• Main character is bisexual

Possible Triggers

• Torture
• Captivity
• Violence (Blood and gore)
• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Bullying
• Discussion of suicide

Mature Themes

• Allusions to sex
• Sexual fantasies
• Mild language
• Underage drinking
• Drug use in relation to poisoning and drugging of prisoners

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

(more…)

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A Girl By Any Other Name by MK Schiller

By Sarah

In 4-stars, Book Review

March 14, 2014

A

Series: Standalone

Release Date: January 17th, 2014

Synopsis:

Everyone tells him he needs to move on, but how can a man function without his heart?

Ten-year-old Caleb Tanner wants nothing to do with Sylvie Cranston, the annoying weird girl who moves next door to him and gets him in trouble for swearing. But at twelve, they become friends when he teaches her how to hook a fishing line and she shows him the value of a selfless act. At fourteen, he falls in love with her.

At sixteen, she dies.

Or so he’s told. But Cal never believes it. Sylvie has become part of his soul. He knows her like the study beating of his own heart. He’d know if she was dead. Cal looks for her, prays for her and finally, he just waits for her.

Nine years later, she walks into the community college English class Cal is teaching. Only this girl claims her name is Sophie Becker and she doesn’t know him. Cal knows better. He’s determined to get the girl he loves back – and protect her from the danger that took her away all those years ago.

Ending

 HEA

Representation

No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia

Possible Triggers

 • Hero’s father died when he was a child
• Heroine’s mother was murdered and has a turbulent relationship with her father
• Hero still dealing grieving with the death of his best friend (who died when she was 17).
• Hero suffered gunshot wounds when his BFF died
• Hero is also convinced his BFF is alive

Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions

• No cheating
• Does have OW drama (Hero has a friends-with-benefits situation going on)
• Does have a separation between the Hero and Heroine (Neither are celibate, but of course, Hero has a lot of ex-lovers, while the Heroine has only one.)
• Does have the Heroine pushing away
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4/5 stars

(more…)

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CategoryBook Review

The Vixen and the Vet (A Modern Fairytale, #1) by Kate Regnery

Defy (Defy, #1) by Sara B. Larson

Waking Up in Vegas by Stevie Kisner

Dorothy Must Die (Dorothy Must Die, #1) by Danielle Paige

Collaboration (Backlash, #1) by Michelle Lynn and Nevaeh Lee

The Do-Over by MK Schiller

Blue Lines (Assassins, #5) by Toni Aleo

Ruin, A Series by Rachel Van Dyken

About the Series

Half Bad (Half Bad, #1) by Sally Green

A Girl By Any Other Name by MK Schiller

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