Badly Behaved - Meagan Brandy

Bookworm and Insomniac- Dual Review

Ramblings of a Bookworm..

I am proud to say that 90% of the times that I read a book, by about 25-30% in, I'm able to guess the endings, and I'm usually pretty spot on. Badly Behaved falls into that 10% category that always leaves me baffled, my eyes darting over the words frantically trying to weave together what is going on.

With characters deeper than many I've read before, a plot that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, and a social class that always leaves me dumbfounded, I am completely in awe of Jameson's story.

"Who really cares to hear what’s on your mind when it’s not of benefit to the one forced to listen? No one, that’s who." - Jameson Filano

I had no idea what I was getting myself into when diving into a book about the lifestyles of the rich and the privileged, but I can wholeheartedly say that I was not disappointed. Once again, Meagan Brandy has hit it out if the park.

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 10/10 
Flow: 9/10
Plot: 10/10
Overall: 10/10

Ruminations of an Insomniac..

I went into this book, completely unaware of what to expect. And even a quarter of the way through, I found myself questioning "where is she going with this?" But Meagan is an expert weaver of worlds and this book is no exception. I put my trust in her storytelling and was rewarded with an amazing ride.

At first, I wasn't sure of her intent with this story, she said herself that she specifically chose not to trope it so the reader sort of goes in blind. But it holds so many facets that I'm not really sure she could have, even if she wanted to. The dynamics Meagan bridges between Jameson and the rest of the cast are all so vast and beautiful.  As with many of her arcs, hard issues are delicately balanced with witty characters. And each one has their own deep history, as we all do outside of book worlds.

"Like an acrobat on a tightrope, I balance like a pro, never allowing myself to fall over the dreaded 'did you hear about the Filano's daughter' line." - Jameson Filano

Suffice to say, I can deeply recommend this story. It had a lot of unexpected turns and several wide-eyed, what-was-that moments. Even the big "Aha" I had, wasn't the end of the curveballs here. Take a ride with the crew from Badly Behaved. Fair warning though? Bring a hair-tie, convertible hair sucks.

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 15/10 😉 (I can't explain this, you'll just have to read it)
Flow: 8/10
Plot: 10/10
Overall: 10/10

Currently available on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited).

Synopsis:

I’m a Monet.
A chameleon.

I’m whatever I must be.

And what I must be is a flawless daughter, a skilled socialite, and the perfect prize to the man who signed along the dotted line.

Not that I’m complaining.

I’m all for a contractual agreement, a quick and clean catapult into the next phase of rich girl life. One that takes little thought, less effort, and zero devotion.

It’s exactly what I want.
An impassive life.
A calculated future.

Or, it was until the lights went out, darkness took over, and I learned what it meant to live.

To feel.
To fall.
But everyone knows what thrives in the night burns in the light and flames were among us.

There is no escape.
No turning back.
No ending within my control.

My mother always says our choices determine our consequences.

𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.

Tarnished Crown - Caitlyn Dare

Ruminations of an Insomniac..

Once again, I found myself at the edge of my seat. In her continuation of the world of the Gravestone Elite, Caitlyn Dare spared no detail. There is a few points that I will admit definitely need the warning provided in the synopsis, but I felt they were critical to the tone of the story. Starcrossed feels like incomplete terminology for Bexley and Mia. But in this world, where decisions are rarely their own, it fits better than anything else I can come up with. 

This second book shows us more of Mia's capacity but also had me shaking my head at her, like a parent witnessing the antics of a child with misplaced confidence. That said, she has progressed from fickle to calculated; weighing her decisions, following her gut more than her heart. And Bexley, dear Bexley. I have to say that he disappointed me in parts of this book. I understand his choices, but that doesn't mean they weren't unfortunate. But fear not, I sincerely feel that he was merely biding time, through those choices.

"We are but pawns in his game, and as I'm learning, the price of dissension is sometimes far greater than the price of submission." - Mia Thompson

The cliffhanger on this one left my heart racing, for many reasons. I'm so deeply grateful to Caitlyn for releasing Gravestone in the manner that she has. Because absolutely cannot wait to read the conclusion of this trilogy soon. If Shattered Legacy was the foundation, Tarnished Crown is the framing. And I can't wait to see this house completed, in all it's glory. In the meantime I'll be over here, mulling over the countless possibilities of the conclusion. Granted, I'm not sure anything will actually prepare me for what's to come. 

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 8/10

Flow: 10/10

Plot: 9/10 

Overall: 9/10

Currently available on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited).

Synopsis

Waking up the morning after the night before, Bexley soon realizes his life will never be the same.

He’s Electi now.

One of them.

Everything that Mia despises.

She says she’s done, that his betrayal is too much of a burden to bear, but Bexley refuses to let her go.

When Mia wakes up the morning after the night before, she realizes she has two choices: accept her fate or fight.

She’s stronger now.

Unwilling to submit.

Determined to uncover the truth.

But to defeat the devil sometimes you have to walk through hell. Even if you risk losing the one person you really care about.

As the lies and secrets pile up around them, will Bexley be able to protect the girl he’s falling for...

Or will he lose himself and Mia to Gravestone’s dark history for good?

Tarnished Crown is the second book in the Gravestone Elite trilogy. It contains mature content that some readers may find disturbing. You have been warned.