The Redemption of Nixon Thorne - T. Steele

Ramblings of a Bookworm...

Ella Black was so relatable to me, it was insane.  Shy, awkward, anxious... she is me in a nutshell, and I feel like that alone made this book so much more intense for me.  Nixon Thorne has the "bad boy" look down pat, but I swear to god, this man is an angel in disguise.  Despite the tough exterior, he's sweet, caring, and fiercely protective.

"I never met a woman whose eyes could slay me with one look.  Your eyes see me in a way that sometimes I don't like, but it's the raw, honest truth in them that I can't look away from.  You see my worth more than I do." - Nixon Thorne

T. Steele blew me away (yet again).  There was just enough character development to warm your heart, but not so much that it made your head spin.  The plot was thick and caught my attention from the get-go, with twists and turns woven throughout, creating an equally beautiful and tragic story.

An streetfighting ex-con and a quiet girl with hidden demons... what could possibly go wrong, amiright? ;)  For real, though - T. Steele made me feel all the feels with this one.  From grinning ear to ear to covering my mouth in shock to eyes tearing up, these pages covered it all.

Rating

Book Boyfriend: 10/10 (straight up - I need me a Nixon Thorne in my life)
Flow: 9/10
Plot: 9/10

Overall: 9/10

Now Available on Kindle

* Synopsis*

Ella Black
Quiet. Shy. Awkward.
I used to be that bright, fun girl everyone wanted to be friends with, before I had to carry this dark secret inside. The secret that no one knows. Now, I'm ruined. Nothing but ashes of the bubbly, young girl I used to be. I've been running from the past for the last four years, but college will be the perfect, fresh start that I need. Like pushing the reset button on my life. Or so I thought until I met Nixon Thorne.

Nixon Thorne
Ex-con. Streetfighter. Monster.
I thought starting at The University of Oregon would be a new beginning for me. Getting a chance at freedom, a taste of the real world again instead of the four cement walls of my prison cell.
That is until Ella Black stumbled back into my life. She doesn’t remember the boy from high school, the one from the wrong side of the tracks—but I remember her, and I know what she’s hiding. My head tells me to stay away from her. She is the reason I went to prison, after all. But it still doesn’t stop me from wanting to protect her. From wanting to save her. From wanting her. Especially since I’m the only one who knows of the dark past she’s running from.

Rich Boys of Burberry Prep - C.M. Stunich

Ramblings of a Bookworm...

Filthy Rich Boys (Book 1)
#whychoose?  The Queen of this tag strikes again with Rich Boys of Burberry Prep, the wonderful C.M. Stunich.  I can honestly say this bully romance cut me to the core.  When you mix four beautifully cruel souls with one as pure and innocent as Marnye's, you would think she would break, but she is an astoundingly strong heroine who will bow to no one.

What they don't know is that the hardest hearts are forged in fire.  With their cruelty and their jokes and their laughter, they've forged me into something spectacular.

Whenever I read bully romances, I always try and imagine myself in the shoes of the heroine.  I can usually nod along and say, "Yeah, okay.  I guess this makes sense."  However, with Filthy Rich Boys, I found my mind bouncing all over the place.  Just when I thought I had a grasp on things and understood all sides, another wrench was thrown in and I had to start again.

As I do with all the books I read, I determine what my favourite attributes of the "hero" (book boyfriend) are, but I've had a hard time with these reverse harems deciding who my favourite is and ranking the boys.  Is it Zayd with his happy-go-lucky rockstar demeanor?  Tristan with his poise and unflappable psyche?  Creed with his laid back attitude?  Or Zach in all his football playing glory?  (I'll give you a hint: it changed in each book - hell, even multiple times per book...)

Bad, Bad Bluebloods (Book 2)
Nothing can be as sweet as revenge, especially when the revenge is done cleanly and without technically getting your hands dirty.

Revenge is wicked sweet, but forgiveness is a virtue.  Too bad I've never been holy.

I truly admire the strength of Marnye Reed - after the hell she went through freshman year, I don't know if I would ever be able to go back.  But she rose above it all with her head held high, and she quickly became one of my all-time favourite heroines.  Blow after blow, she manages to keep pushing through to the bitter end.

Bad, Bad Bluebloods introduced a fifth rich boy to the folds, and he quickly rose to the top of my "favourites" list.  Windsor was witty and a true bright light among the darkness, and I appreciated his addition to the already widely different personalities to the crew of boys.

The Envy of Idols (Book 3)
With five strong, powerful, influential guys by your side, what could possibly go wrong?  I feel like those are the famous last words I muttered to myself as I dove in head-first to The Envy of Idols...  only for my eyes to bug out of my head and my hand to fly to my mouth in shock several times.

If I can melt that outer steel of his, and dig down to what lies beneath... he'll be a fucking firestorm.

The character development in this series was absolutely spectacular.  Watching Marnye grow and shift with all the obstacles in her way, seeing the tough, cold exteriors of the boys slowly melting away to show glimpses of their true selves, it was all something else.  How C.M. Stunich manages to write about six complex and vastly different main characters so flawlessly truly baffles me, and I applaud her immense talent more and more with each book I devour by her.

In the Arms of the Elite (Book 4)
Though the final book in this series was just as tumultuous as the first three, I felt an odd sense of peace as I read through it.  There were just as many gut-wrenching, tear-inducing, heartbreaking moments (if not more to be quite honest because I have a tendency to get attached which makes it that much harder to fight through...), but after watching all the characters grow and change throughout the pages, knowing they were in their Senior year of high school was bittersweet and I felt oddly like a proud parent.

Life is always ticking by, one second at a time, and nothing is over until it's over, but... for now, I'm happy resting in the arms of the elite.

 I found this series to be full of karmic relief, and I couldn't have been more thrilled.  Everyone well and truly got what they deserved - the good, the bad, and the ugly.  I cannot wait for the Idols of Burberry to mix with the Student Council of Adamson in Orientation.  Seriously, no chill over here.

In the end, after very careful consideration, I came to an incredibly difficult decision and crowned...  Zayd as my #1...  I'm intrigued to know who your favourite was, so please let me know!

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 10/10
Flow: 10/10
Plot: 8/10 (legit the only reason is because I had an incredibly hard time getting past the characters being 15 in the first book - legit ended up picturing the whole series as university, not gonna lie...)

Overall: 9/10

Currently available on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited)

* Synopsis *

Break the new girl.
That should be easy, right?
Trash like her doesn’t belong at Burberry Prep.
No, Marnye Reed is going down, and we plan to make a spectacle out of it.
Let’s see who can make her fall in love first.
Bet’s on. Any takers?

***

Take on the filthy rich boys.
They’re the idols of the school, veritable gods on earth.
Old Money. New money. A rising star.
These guys are nothing like the ones at my old school.
I might come from nothing, but I’m determined to be someone, and I won’t let them get in my way.
They say they’ll make my life a living hell; I think they mean to keep that promise.





Break the rich boys.
It’s tricky, but doable.
Jerks like them don’t deserve to rule Burberry Prep.
No, Tristan, Zayd, and Creed are going to pay, and I plan to make an example of them.
Then there’s Zack, the varsity football d*ck. Oh, and did I mention a prince just transferred to the academy? Whatever will I do with those two?
Revenge is wicked sweet; I can’t wait for a taste.

***

Defend ourselves against the charity case.
We’re the Idols of the school, the kings of the campus.
Marnye Elizabeth Reed.
That girl is nothing like the ones we’re used to. We just can’t decide if we hate her … or love her.
She might come from nothing, but she sure is determined to stir up something at the academy.
She says she’ll meet our challenge dead-on; we’ll make sure she regrets that.

Share the new girl.
That won’t be easy, will it?
Especially not while trying to keep our thrones in the Burberry Prep social scene.
Marnye is learning to forgive us; the least we can do is protect her.
Let’s see who can make her fall in love first.
This time, there’s no bet. This time, it’s just our hearts on the line.

***

Take on the filthy rich girls—and do it with the help of the boys.
It’s us versus them, and it’s not going to be pretty.
The king of the school, a pissed-off narcoleptic, a tattooed rockstar, a varsity football player, and a prince.
Five guys to back me up, five boys that give me butterflies.
They say they’ve changed their ways; it’s time to see if they can keep that promise.

Choose between the rich boys.
I’d rather face the Harpies than make that choice.
How can my four years at Burberry Prep really be coming to an end?
No, Tristan, Zayd, Creed, Zack, and Windsor are everything to me right now.
My strength, my passion, my heart, my empathy, my joy.
Love is a cruel master, but I have no one to blame for this but myself.

***

We fell in love with the charity case.
Idols of the school, the kings of the campus, and we’re nothing without her.
Marnye Elizabeth Reed.
This girl has twisted our world upside down, but the Infinity Club is about to knock us all on our asses.
Big money, political ties, family bonds, obligations: shit is going down at the academy.
The rest of our lives, the rest of her life … it all comes down to this one, final moment.

When Shadows Follow - Callie Rae

Ruminations of an Insomniac.. 

Out of the gate, Callie Rae captured my attention. With enough description to give me a movie-like picture in my head, she hit the mark with this story. Filled with the angst we all love, but also a softness that strikes an intricate balance. This read was fast, and I MUST tell you, I desperately need more of this story. 

The characters are full and their paths (both individually and as a whole) are ever changing. I wouldn't necessarily say evolving, but they are letting you get to know them throughout these pages. Almost mirroring an organic, real life friendship. A girl, learning from and overcoming her past. A boy, pushing himself to meet and exceed the expectations he is held to. Jesse and Fallon are a force. Individual storms, converging to become seemingly unstoppable. 

“You can pretend that you can’t feel your racing heartbeat in your toes every time I touch you. But I won’t pretend for you.” - Jesse Callaway 

The sweet under tones of this is what really captured me. Yes, the plot evolved and held my attention thoroughly. Questions were raised, keeping me from putting the book down. But as they began resolving, pieces started falling into place. It was a complex, vibrant look into this world Callie Rae created. And full disclosure, the cliffhanger shook me! I really can't wait for book 2!! 

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 8/10 (I still have so many questions) 

Flow: 8/10 (don't hold me to this, I may update, as this review was written from an ARC read) 

Plot: 9/10 (cliffhangers are mean..) 

Overall: 8.5/10

Currently available on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited).

Synopsis:

Blend in. Stay quiet. Survive.

Fallon Blake is starting her senior year in a new town with the goal of sliding through to graduation unseen. Despite her attempts to lay low, she makes a snap decision to act when the king of Cherry Creek High School, Jesse Callaway, gets jumped at a party.

Now, fearing Fallon needs protection from the mess she threw herself into, Jesse refuses to let her recede back into the shadows. Little does he know, with each lingering glance, or brush of his hand, he is reigniting a fire within Fallon that burns her to the core. Every gentle touch scorches the scars on her fragile heart.

As sparks fly between them, Fallon fights to snuff them out. How can she trust her own judgment when it failed her horrifically before? But when the past catches up with her, Fallon is left with two options. Confide in Jesse... or run.

Will Fallon break the vicious cycle of the past by taking a chance on the future? Or will fear torch any chance she and Jesse could have had?

Keeper - Harloe Rea

Ruminations of an Insomniac.. 

This story reminded me of the embers of a summer fire, smoldering into the early morning but beautiful to watch none the less. A slow-burn, second chance. Decker & Delaney shoot sparks, just like that fire. Harloe Rae shows us just how magical trusting your gut, in a leap of faith, can be. 

A woman with no memory and a man who has pined for her since he was a boy. Disappearing from his life before he got his chance, her blank history finally pulls them back together. But not before they dance around the friend zone, both in denial. Delaney's blank mind, makes way for so many new firsts for her to experience. And Decker, usually stoic and quiet, seems to trip over himself a bit. All for the sake of her setting into her completely unfamiliar, new life. 

"..you gave me butterflies. Something about that bubbling feeling told me to trust you. This has turned out to be my best decision yet. So, always trust the butterflies.” - Delaney Wallace

What would you do if you woke up able to completely reinvent yourself, with no ties to your past? When Decker swoops in, a knight in shining armour, Dell has her answer. But it's never that simple is it? Even if we don't remember it, the past always has the power to come back and haunt us.

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 8/10 (I found myself wishing to know more about him) 

Flow: 8/10 (slow burn made it challenging for me to stay engaged, the characters made up for it though) 

Plot: 9/10 (I was left with one major question, more based out of curiosity, definitely not a hole) 

Overall: 8/10

Currently available on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited).

Synopsis:

“Will you help me remember?”

That’s the second thing I ask the stranger hovering just outside of my hospital room. To me, Decker Fredric is another nameless face in the crowd. To him, I’m a forgotten girl he hasn’t seen in years. But he agrees to be my crutch through the fog as if we were once friends.

Everything is a blank canvas spreading far and wide in front of me. Any direction I take, my steps stumble over the unknown. Decker becomes the only reliable constant in my life. I lean on him too hard, but he doesn’t seem to mind. His unwavering patience and guidance restore some semblance of normal I don’t recall having.

My attraction to Decker is instant, but he appears indifferent. Until the day his stare holds a bit too much heat. In return, I dare to let my touch linger. Our hugs cling tighter than a simple embrace should. But we have no business defying the distinct line cutting between us.

Decker Fredric was never mine to keep. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting him to be.

Angry God - LJ Shen

Ruminations of an Insomniac.. 

LJ Shen may actually be responsible for my eventual insanity, I'm convinced of it.. I had to read this one twice, before I could form enough words to sit down and write about it. I love everything she writes, I mean I'd probably read her grocery list (okay, maybe not, but I'm sure you get my point). But it's not just that she wrote these stories, it's an acknowledgement of how much soul she pours into her novels. An awareness of the magic that she pours among her words, like glitter. Then, you finally recover from ALL THE FEELS, and you keep finding pieces of LeighGlitter everywhere, just like real life glitter. 3,6,8 months down the road and you trip over yourself, as a "sparkle" somewhere in the world around you triggers a memory of something she wrote.

"I started it before we’d even kissed. Before Jason. Before Arabella. Before everything, there was you.. You came before art. Before life. Definitely before hate.” - Vaughn Spencer 

Anyway.. Angry God. Heaven help me, I can't. Like I said, I had to do an immediate re-read. Because I couldn't figure out what to say. The characters and prose are Marianas Trench deep. It's achingly raw and real, and comes with a laundry list of trigger warnings. But, Vaughn's story couldn't have been told any other way. Anything short of this particular masterpiece, wouldn't have scratched the surface of doing him justice. It broke my heart on an epic scale. But it was okay, because the beauty in the breaking was magnificent. I was utterly in awe of this standalone conclusion (we think?) to the SOS and ASH families of novels.

Vaughn and Lenora are fire and ice. Combined, they become water. Fluid. Unstoppable. Yet I can't actually say they are opposites. Because on a base level, they are essentially equals. Inexplicably talented. Hurt. Undoubtedly self-aware. Hiding. Sort of in denial. Then they crash. A blacksmiths hammer hitting hot iron. Exploding in sparks. But the resulting blade is stunning. Razor sharp. Lethal. This story, and the lives it encompasses, hit the mark in too many ways to count. I urge you to jump into the deep, dark of Vaughn Spencer's mind. You're going to hit sharp edges under the surface and likely come up gasping for air. But every second is 100% worth it. 

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 10/10

Flow: 10/10

Plot: 10/10 

Overall: 10/10

Currently available on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited).

Synopsis:

From #1 Amazon Bestseller L.J. Shen comes a new, emotional standalone about first love, second chances, and overcoming breathtaking losses at a young age.

Vaughn Spencer.

They call him an angry god.

To me, he is nothing but a heartless prince.

His parents rule this town, its police, every citizen and boutique on Main Street.

All I own is a nice, juicy grudge against him for that time he almost killed me.

Between hooking up with a different girl every weekend, breaking hearts, noses and rules, Vaughn also finds the time to bully little ole’ me.

I fight back, tooth and nail, never expecting him to chase me across the ocean after we graduate high school.

But here he is, living with me in a dark, looming castle on the outskirts of London.

A fellow intern. A prodigal sculptor. A bloody genius.

They say this place is haunted, and it is.

Carlisle Castle hides two of our most awful secrets.

Vaughn thinks he can kill the ghosts of his past, but what he doesn’t know? It’s my heart he’s slaying.

Angry God is a stand-alone, DARK High School Romance. It deals with sensitive subjects some may find triggering.

Rosewood High - Tracy Lorraine

Ramblings of a Bookworm...

Thorn (Book #1)

 

Jake and Amalie were so frustratingly broken. All I wanted to do was wrap them both in a big hug whilst simultaneously forcing them together.

Fuck ruling the school, the only person I want to be a king for is her. - Jake Thorn

This bully romance that tugged at my heart strings; a seriously damaged boy who took his pain out on the new girl in town who was simply trying to get over her own trauma and try learning how to live again, not only in a new town, but in a new country.

Beautifully written and with incredible character development for both the hero and heroine, I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have a look into these young people's lives.

Paine (Book #2)

Paine took place immediately following Thorn, and the transition was flawless. Best friends to enemies, Camila and Mason danced around each other for the better part of this book. Avoidance and curiosity, missing but hating each other, I was starting to think they'd never get their stuff together.

"The only thing you can do to hurt me is to walk away. I need you, Cami-Bear, and I'm fed up with trying to convince myself of anything else." - Mason Paine

Even in Thorn, you could see the tension and chemistry between them. Being best friends as well as each others first kiss, these two were meant to be. However, unfortunate circumstances turned Mason bitter and caused him to take it out on his poor, innocent best friend.

With several plot twists woven throughout their journey, along with shocking revelations followed closely by near-tragedy, they were truly an intriguing story to follow.

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 9/10

Flow: 9/10

Plot: 9/10 

Overall: 9/10

* Summary *

She's an English Rose and I'm about to be a thorn in her side.

She doesn't belong here. From the moment she steps foot in Rosewood High— it's clear she must go.

And I'll use my power to get rid of her. The betrayal I'm reminded of each time our eyes lock must end.

She's a lost rich girl, trying to recover from the death of her parents. But none of that is my concern.

This is my life. My rules. My senior year. What I say goes.

And I say she's done.

Until she proves me wrong...

She was my best friend. The person I told my deepest secrets to. But when my world came crashing down, it was all because of her family. 

From that moment, I realized I’d been wrong to trust her. Her big caring eyes and sweet face were nothing but an act as she’d watched on while I tried to keep my head above water. 

That was our past. 

Now, I’ve largely put Camila behind me and moved on with my life. Though it doesn’t explain why she’s always there: taunting me, tempting me, showing me the life I could have been living. 

I should have been laughing when her own world turned upside down. Karma always wins out in the end. But suddenly we’re forced together once again and I have no choice but to remember the girl I’ve tried so hard to forget.

Adamson Academy - CM Stunich

Ruminations of an Insomniac.. 

#whychoose? CM Stunich is the legit Queen of this trope. Her storylines flow and her characters never fail to be fully developed and dynamic (despite there being so many mains in an RH love story).This trilogy is no exception. If you want to get technical, this one has six main characters, with a handful of also thoroughly constructed secondary players. These pages were thick with vivid description and dripping with angst. Striking and delicious balance between slow burn and insta-love because with multiple of connections you can have it all. Blended in is witty banter and a light (but distinct) bully aspect then the icing on the cake came as something this genre doesn't see it a lot of, especially in this age group or format: a murder mystery.

"You can do it first, or you can do it best, and when someone else does it first and best, you'd best just stay in your own lane.” - Spencer Hargrove

I'm going to bite the bullet on this part and say it. Charlotte Carson is an entitled ass. She's every negative thing other generations accuse millennials to be. But then she grows and it's like watching a field of tulips open for the sun. The student council (all five of them) is probably the best thing that could have ever happened to her. Each holding such vastly different appeal, I'm not sure if I could choose either. A broody baker with an adorable secret. Quippy twins that take the 'twin connection' to a whole different level. A self-assured procurer with some serious underlying issues. And their president, the steel trap, consistently in control. Their loyalty to each other is magical and the dynamic each one presents in Charlotte's life is fascinating. I would love to know just how these boys developed the bond they share, but I digress.

“I think you mean psychopath. Sociopaths have trouble controlling their emotions, and are prone to emotional outbursts. Psychopaths don't feel human emotion per se, but are extremely skilled in imitating it.” - Church Montague

I adore these high school reads because they let me live vicariously. They give me glimpses into lives that I couldn't imagine. But mostly because they let me bear witness to young love. In all its splendour, but also with all its flaws and lessons. So, full of five very different loves and one unshakeable brotherhood, this story had it all for me. Yet I must say: after three books, while I couldn't pick a favourite boy, Ranger is my favourite story line. By a landslide.

"Always remember: hug like you mean it, love with your whole heart, and naked-bake something every once in a while." - Charlotte 'Chuck' Carson

I'm so looking forward to reading the crossover CM Stunich is writing (with the Burberry prep kids)! Orientation is due out later this year.

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 10/10 (with 5 of them, how could they not hit every.single.mark?)

Flow: 8/10 (this is probably a preference or perspective deal, but CM's cliffys tend to leave me a little nauseous, they're just super abrupt) 

Plot: 9/10 (I don't really need to explain a 9, do I?) 

Overall: 8.5/10

Currently available on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited).

Synopsis:

Shh, I have a secret. 

The sinfully gorgeous members of the Student Council—Church, Ranger, Spencer, Micah and Tobias—can't ever find out. 

I already get picked on because my father's the headmaster. 

I don't need them to know I’m the only girl, too; I’d rather dress like a boy.

Adamson All-Boys Academy now has its only female student, but I'm not about to be their guinea pig. 

Not when there's a secret at this school nobody is talking about. Not when the last female student here ended up dead.


***THE SECRET GIRL is a 90,000 word lighthearted reverse harem/high school bully romance novel with a mystery/suspense twist. This is book one of three in the series. Contains foul language and sexual scenes; any sex featured is consensual.

Psst, I know a secret.

The same secret that the Student Council—the super-rich, super handsome elite of Adamson All-Boys Academy—knows, too.

Jenica Woodruff, the only girl to ever attend the academy before I showed up, didn't commit suicide: she was murdered.

Now, someone is after me, too, but no matter where I go, the killer follows. My new high school isn't safe, and turns out, neither is my old one.

I'm not a member of the Student Council, but after everything we've been through together, after the horrible things we've seen, I may as well be. These ruthless boys have taken me under their wing.

Church, the fearless leader (and hopeless coffee addict). Ranger, the bada** VP (and naked baker). The identical McCarthy twins (and MMA enthusiasts). And Spencer, the boy who was willing to question everything about himself to fall for me … oh, Spencer.

Murder and romance are both in the air at Adamson; I'm just not sure which one will kill me first.

The secret is out.

I’m officially dating the entire Student Council, but that’s not the only thing that’s outside the norm at Adamson All-Boys Academy.

Nah, I think the murders are a bit more remarkable, although my dad might disagree. He’s not exactly thrilled with my fake fiancé or the other four boys that make my pulse race.

With two current students dead, and three attackers on my tail, it looks like I’m next. The fact that I’m a target isn’t in question, but are the people closest to me involved somehow? Everyone’s a suspect—my family, my classmates, even my new boyfriends.

Okay, that’s it. I’m going to do it: I’m going to attend Adamson in a fucking skirt, and kick some ass.

Follow the clues, catch the bad guys, secure my future. Because, murder-mysteries aside, this is my final year of high school, and nothing lasts forever, right? Not even a forever crew.

***THE FOREVER CREW is a 120,000 word lighthearted reverse harem/high school/murder-mystery romance novel with a bully/suspense twist. This is book three of three in the series (with a fourth book crossover coming, titled "Orientation", that connects this series with my "Rich Boys of Burberry Prep" series). Contains foul language and sexual scenes; any sex featured is consensual.