Talk Nerdy Book Blog

TagSlowburn Romance

Count On Me (Count on Me, #1) by Melyssa Winchester

By Sarah
In 4-stars, Book Review
November 12, 2014
C

Series: Count On Me*

Release Date: April 19th, 2014

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
There are people that tell you high school is the best time of your life.

They lied.

High school is horrible when you’re like me and you’re autistic.

They think that because I don’t talk and I seem to always be lost in my own world, I’m stupid or deaf. Some even think I’m retarded. i’m none of those things and I don’t like that word.

Just because I’ve got issues, doesn’t mean it’s all I am. There’s a lot more to me, but no one really takes the time to get to know t. St least that’s how it was until Kayden.

Kayden Walker is bad news. he spends his time making people that are different, like me, feel even worse about themselves and he does it with a smile. He’s everything I don’t need in my life, yet he’s the one person I can’t seem to live without.

Underneath, there’s more to him that he’s afraid to let the rest of the world see. I’ve seen it and as I’m finding out, we’re not so different after all.

<strong>Ending</strong>

HFN
<strong>Representation</strong>
• Main character is autistic
• Supporting character has Asperger’s Syndrome
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Psychological abuse
• Allusions to alcoholism
• Warning: The bullying of Bella is detailed and includes intense psychological as well as physical abuse.
• Note: The Hero is a very cruel bully of the Heroine–he is never physical with her.
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<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> Safe
• No cheating
• Kind of OW drama
– The Hero dated-in the past-the Heroine’s main tormentor. But, there was no drama in relation to the OW wanting Kayden back.
• 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: 4.25/5 stars

*Each novel in the series is Standalone

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The Selection, A Series by Kiera Cass

By Sarah
In 3-stars, Series Review
October 3, 2014
T

About the Series

The Selection series has been an awesome adventure and started out as a girl already in love being forced to participate in a competition she wanted nothing with. But throughout these three books, we’ve witnessed America stand her ground for what she believes in, fight for those who cannot fight for themselves, and truly find herself.

The Selection is a series to read again, and lucky us, Kiera Cass is releasing a companion series, continuing America’s story through her daughter in The Heir.

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

Note: The review of the second and third books may discuss spoilers from the first (and second) book(s).

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Reboot, A Series by Amy Tintera

By Sarah
In 4-stars, Series Review
September 25, 2014
R

About the Series

If you like reverse-gender roles (the heroine is the physical badass, while the hero is the one who possesses EQ) and complex heroines, this is the series for you!

The Reboot series uniquely employs the Romeo and Juliet trope by having the heroine be the most accomplished Reboot while the hero is the least impressive (and most human) Reboot. The action, conspiracies, and slow-burn romance make Reboot and its sequel, Rebel, page-turners.

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

Note: The review of the second book may discuss spoilers from the first book.

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The Falconer (The Falconer, #1) by Elizabeth May

By Sarah
In 4-stars, Book Review
September 8, 2014
T

Series: The Falconer

Release Date: May 6th, 2014

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
Heiress. Debutant. Murderer. A new generation of heroines has arrived.

Edinburgh, Scotland, 1844

Lady Aileana Kameron, the only daughter of the Marquess of Douglas, was destined for a life carefully planned around Edinburgh’s social events – right up until a faery killed her mother.

Now it’s the 1844 winter season and Aileana slaughters faeries in secret, in between the endless round of parties, tea and balls. Armed with modified percussion pistols and explosives, she sheds her aristocratic facade every night to go hunting. She’s determined to track down the faery who murdered her mother, and to destroy any who prey on humans in the city’s many dark alleyways.

But the balance between high society and her pirate war is a delicate one, and as the fae infiltrate the ballroom, and Aileana’s father returns home, she has decisions to make. How much is she willing to lose – and just how far will Aileana go for revenge?

<strong>Ending</strong>

 Cliffhanger
<strong>Representation</strong>
No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• Murder (of Heroine’s mother)
• PTSD
• Violence
<strong>Mature Themes</strong>
• Cursing
• Allusions to sex
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4/5 stars

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The 5th Wave (The 5th Wave, #1) by Rick Yancey

By Sarah
In 4-stars, Book Review
September 3, 2014
T

Series: The 5th Wave

Release Date: May 7th, 2013

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker.

Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother-or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

<strong>Ending</strong>

 Cliffhanger
<strong>Representation</strong>
No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• Violence (Blood and gore)
– Weapon violence
– Gang violence
• Death (of parents and children)
• Death camps
• Separation (abandonment) from loved ones
<strong>Mature Themes</strong>
• Cursing
• Allusions to sex, but (see below)
• Sexual activity doesn’t go beyond kissing
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

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Out of Play by Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry

By Sarah
In 4-stars, Book Review
July 7, 2014
O

Series: Standalone

Release Date: August 6th, 2013

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
Rock star drummer Bishop Riley doesn’t have a drug problem. Celebrities – especially ones suffering from anxiety – just need a little help taking the edge off sometimes. After downing a few too many pills, Bishop wakes up in the hospital facing an intervention. If he wants to stay in the band, he’ll have to detox while under house arrest in Seldon, Alaska.

Hockey player Penny Jones can’t imagine a life outside of Seldon. Though she has tons of scholarship offers to all the best schools, the last thing she wants is to leave? Who’ll take care of her absentminded gramps? Not her mother, who can’t even be bothered to come home from work, let alone deal with their new tenants next door.

Penny’s not interested in dealing with Bishop’s crappy attitude, and Bishop’s too busy sneaking pills to care. Until he starts hanging out with Gramps and begins to see what he’s been missing. If Bishop wants a chance with the fiery girl next door, he’ll have to admit he has a problem and kick it. Too bad addiction is hard to kick … and Bishop’s about to run out of time.

<strong>Ending</strong>

HEA
<strong>Representation</strong>
• LGBTQIA+ supporting character
• Native Alaskan main character
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• Drug addiction
• Alzheimer’s
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> Safe
• No cheating
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• 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: 4/5 stars

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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

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
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?

<strong>Ending</strong>

 Cliffhanger
<strong>Representation</strong>
• POC main and side characters
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• Allusion to rape
• Death of family
• Grief
• PTSD
• Violence (Blood, gore and use of fire)
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> 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

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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

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
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.

<strong>Ending</strong>

HEA
<strong>Representation</strong>
• Black main and supporting characters
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• Drug addiction
• Violence
• Blackmail
• Abortion
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> 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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Transcendence (Transcendence, #1) by Shay Savage

By Sarah
In 4-stars, Book Review
February 26, 2014
T

Series: Transcendence

Release Date: February 13th, 2014

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
It’s said that women and men are from two different planets when it comes to communication,  but how can they overcome the obstacles of prehistoric times when one of them simply doesn’t have the ability to comprehend language?

Ehd’s a caveman living on his own in a harsh wildness. He’s strong and intelligent, but completely alone. When he finds a beautiful young woman in his pit trap, it’s obvious to him that she is meant to be his mate. He doesn’t know where she came from; she’s wearing some pretty odd clothing, and she makes a lot of noises with her mouth that give him a headache. Still, he’s determined to fulfill his purpose in life – provide for her, protect her, and put a baby in her.

Elizabeth doesn’t know where she is or exactly how she got there. She’s confused and distressed by her predicament, and there’s a caveman hauling her back to his cave-home. She’s not at all interested in Ehd’s primitive advances, and she just can’t seem to get him to listen. No matter what she tries, getting her point across to this primitive, but beautiful, man is a constant – and often hilarious – struggle.

With only each other for company, they must rely on one another to fight the dangers of the wild and prepare for the winter months. As they struggle to coexist, theirs becomes a love story that transcends language and time.

<strong>Ending</strong>

HEA
<strong>Representation</strong>
No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>

• Child isfatally ill and has travel to the future to be cured. The couple basically loses their child.
• No abuse
• Mild violence
• Trauma and depression (Hero is completely alone after his family died.)
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> Safe
• The Hero is a virgin
• No cheating
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Does have the Heroine pushing away
• Does Not have a separation between the Heroine and Hero
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

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