The Grove Series - A.R. Breck

Ruminations of an Insomniac..

I have to start this review with a trigger warning of sorts.. The author does include trigger warnings in the synopsis of both books (which can be found at the very bottom of this review). 

Reapers and Roses (Book 1)

A.R. Breck seriously took me off guard with this one.. A story, seemingly poised to be another standard enemies to lovers high school romance, took on a life of it's own before my eyes. She hits raw marks and dives into deep issues, giving a voice to silent victims. Sure, there are trope-y elements. But she fluidly blends them with hard hitting realities. The one that stood out to me most, weaving its way through chapter after chapter, was the stark difference between life above and below the poverty line. 

Easton and Rose are the most unlikely of pairs, making their clash feel of epic proportions. They have counteracting determination, and in several places I wasn't sure if they'd have a HEA or actually kill each other. They are fire and ice, Superman and kryptonite. 

"Because I'll keep you afloat. I'll save you, little Rose. Just like I've been saving you since day one." - Easton Malone

The thing is, fire melts ice. Making it seem like a completely different substance. And kryptonite? While most would argue that it is Superman's greatest weakness, it's also the thing that essentially makes him equal. His heart ties him to humanity, but the kryptonite brings him down from his pedestal, making him human. And if anyone can tame a Reaper, a Rose growing through adversity just might do the trick.

Thorn in the Dark (Book 2)

Fair warning, the cliffhanger that Book one left off on was outright brutal. I'm super thankful I waited until both were released to read this duet, because not knowing would have killed me. But now, I have all the answers!

Book two picks up, exactly where the first left off. I'm talking, the same moment. With Rose immersed in an unimaginable struggle, and Easton swooping in as her protector. This half of the story is brimming with even more hard reality hits. It's a delicately crafted image of strength and support, pulling one out of darkness. But also serves as a heartbreaking nod to addiction, duty, and loss. Saturated with deep-seated notes of coping before healing, too. 

“I bring the darkness, and you, Rose, you’re my ride or die. I was so lost in the unknown, and you woke me up. I ran right into your sharp edges, and you woke me the fuck up. I always thought no matter what blew in our path, we would conquer it. Is this where it ends? Is this where we end?” - Easton Malone

The journey Rose and Easton took me on was one I didn't expect. I found myself wading through frustration at their dynamic. I sat with tears running down my face as character arcs peaked, and realization hit. I held my breath as broken souls spoke words they never imagined they would utter. Throughout these pages, I wanted to wrap each person in a hug. And give them a snack. Because that's what moms do when things go wrong. And, much like Disney princesses, it seemed to me every one of them are in desperate need of a decent mother figure. Alas, I imagine their story would be different if that was the case. And I don't think I would change it (most of it - I still haven't recovered from that one part. With the transport. You'll know the one..) for anything. 

I invite you, to dive into the darkness of Easton and Rose's world for a while. Don't say I didn't warn you.. It's graphic, and it's brutal. But it's so worth it. 

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 8/10 (guy's got some serious damn issues) 

Flow: 9/10 

Plot: 9/10 (it has all the makings of a 10, but left me questioning some details) 

Overall: 9/10

Currently available on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited).

Synopsis:

Reapers and Roses 

Rose
When my mom told me we were moving to the Grove, I thought it was a joke.
Our family, one of the wealthiest in Woodbury, moving to a dump like the Grove?
Well, I guess that's what happens when you lose everything.
Now we're shoved into the house the size of a shoebox and I can literally feel the darkness seeping in around me.
But then, I meet someone with a darkness that even I can't compete with.
They call him the Reaper.

Easton
Darkness has consumed me my entire life.
I've known nothing but death and destruction, using my fists to control the beast within me.
Then, after yet another win in the ring, I find my Rose.
A little ball of light, I think.
But no, her eyes hold the familiar darkness that calls to me.
Alone, I live with my demons.
Together, we will conquer them.
Welcome to hell, baby girl.

**Reapers and Roses contains mature themes and triggers that might make some readers uncomfortable. Foul language, criminal activity, drug use, physical and sexual abuse are included in this book.**

Thorn in the Dark

Rose

I thought I had life figured out.

Until I crashed into the brink of tragedy.

That peak in which you teeter on the line of sanity versus insanity.

The moment where you look forward and see darkness, then look over your shoulder and see more darkness.

Pain is probably down either avenue I choose, but which one will keep me intact?

Which one will make me crumble?

How many times can tragedy happen to a person until they break for good?

One, two, three...

Easton

I grew up in darkness.

I thought I knew what It's like to walk through life shrouded in a world without light.

Pain never mattered much, because it's all I've ever known.

She walked into my life like a sharp thorn that I knew would bleed me dry.

I was okay with that, as long it was her that was by my side.

I never realized that the darkness I lived in wasn't dark at all.

I never really knew darkness.

Until tragedy on top of tragedy strikes and I feel like an atomic bomb ready to detonate.

How long will it take?

Three, two, one...

**Thorn in the Dark contains mature themes that might make some readers uncomfortable. Foul language, criminal activity, drug use, physical and sexual abuse are included in this book. Please proceed with caution.**

The B-Side - B. Harmony

Ramblings of a Bookworm..

I have one complaint about B. Harmony's debut novel - there was an ending, and I didn't want it to end. Beautifully written with dynamic characters that made my heart melt, The B-Side is going to become my new staple feel good book.

As a music lover myself, the parallels and the references to music made my heart soar.  I had an incredibly hard time picking just one quote, but finally settled on this one (since my other top choice was about two paragraphs) :

Our lives are an infinite playlist, every moment together is a new song, and it just gets better the longer we listen.

Enough drama to keep you intrigued, enough sweet to give you a cavity, and enough music to make you want to dance, I would (and already have) recommend this novel to everyone I can.

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 9/10 *for each.. since there's 2.

Flow: 10/10

Plot: 9/10 

Overall: 9/10

Currently available on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited).

Summary

When I read the roommate wanted ad, I thought my sister was encouraging me to live with an insane person. As it turns out, he isn’t insane, he’s sexy and one hundred percent my type. Living with him will be the ultimate test of my self control.
When the combination of our love of music and my overwhelming need to take care of him meets jealousy, sparks fly. His heart may be damaged, but nothing is beyond repair.
Now all I have to do is convince him that I’m in this for the long haul, not just this moment.

Tyler
I may look like the happy-go-lucky gay guy with a big smile and more punny tees than one person should probably own. But it’s just a shield to protect my heart, the one that has been torn apart by the people who were meant to love me most. The last thing I’m willing to do is risk the tattered shreds on my new - straight- roommate. Sure, he’s sexy as sin and has a love of music that rivals my own, but all that is just grounds for a new friendship. Nothing more. Right?
Yet, every moment we spend together tests a little bit more of my self control. When it turns out my roommate is not as straight as I once thought, I have to decide if this is one playlist I should listen to.
Will we have our own love song, or will this just be another broken-hearted ballad?

The B-Side is a low-angst, roommmates-to-lovers, MM Romance novel. Featuring punny t-shirts for every occasion, killer playlists, meddling family and friends, and a happily-ever-after.

Glass Heart Broken - Lindsey Iler

Ruminations of an Insomniac.. 

The anxiously awaited (but 1000% worth the patience) second half of Marek and Palmer's story is HERE! And Lindsey killed it with this one. I struggled to put this one down when real life things needed to be done. Rife with suspense and just the right amount of darkness, the Glass Heart series are my favourite Lindsey books to date. 

The people and places this book have been painted in my head. It played out like a movie as I read. It saturated my mind. To the point that when Lindsey did what she does, and threw a curve ball in there, I physically gaped at the page. More than once through this novel. Marek and Palmer's story is one that you must simply lose your self in for a while.

“I’ll stop the world for as long as you need, Palmer.” - Marek Hawthorne 

Marek Hawthorne is so beautifully broken. And Palmer Weston , the gold that melts to fill the cracks. Their chemistry is raw and electric. Like lightning striking a beach, it's dangerous and you never know what the result will be. But what comes out of the sand is always beautiful, even when it's startling. 

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 9/10 

Flow: 10/10

Plot: 10/10 

Overall: 10/10

Currently available on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited).

Synopsis:

LIES SECRETS MAYHEM

The campus of Glass Heart Academy will never be the same once we're through with it.

Palmer

They tried to break me, but they underestimated my strength. 

When Marek says things aren't always what they seem, I don't want to believe him. Now, I know the dark truth in his words. As a participating player in this wicked game, how do I know who to trust when It seems our past is doomed to repeat itself?

Marek

Cruelty is my love language, and Palmer's ready to make me pay for it. We both know we shouldn't want what's right in front of us. 

Will she accept the dark, broken pieces of me, or will she always watch over her shoulder, waiting for my blade to take pieces of her she doesn't know are exposed? While we try to find ourselves in each other, darkness continues to follow us, setting off a series of events no one is prepared for. What will be the cost of exposing the truth that haunts us?

Royals of Arbon Academy - Tate James & Jaymin Eve

Ruminations of an Insomniac..

This one’s been a long time coming. I wanted to read The Princess Ballot, before it was even released because I had seen a teaser of it in the back of another book. But knowing it was a 3 part story, from Tate James and Jaymin Eve, I held off until the series was complete. You see, I have fallen victim to their epic, wtaf-just-happened cliffhangers before. And with this story, I knew I would need to read it straight through.

Rife with intricacies and page turning details, this trilogy was amazing. From the first page to the last, the story moved. Painting pictures of vivid characters and breathtaking settings in my mind, Tate and Jaymin held me captive. I was enchanted by the charming balance of innocence, bite and strength in Violet, and intrigued by the juxtaposition of her leading men. Tall, dark & scary vs dark honey, in both hue and sweetness, how does a girl pick a favourite?

“If you think I’m about to pat you on the back, like the rest of your sycophants, you have another think coming… You’re not Robinson Crusoe.” Violet Spencer

Roll the trio together with a robust cast of secondary characters, some intense twists, a few secrets, and some truly page turning NA content, this trilogy literally has it all. And no one could have written Violet’s story quite like these two co-authors. Suffice to say, it’s a badass story, wrapped up in a royal purple bow.

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 9/10 (both 😉) 

Flow: 9/10

Plot: 9/10 

Overall: 9/10

Currently available on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited).

Synopsis:

You have been chosen.

Those four words change Violet Spencer’s whole life, when against staggering odds, she's selected in the "princess ballot."

Arbon Academy is affectionately known as the school for Royals. Only the rich, powerful, or heir to a throne gain entry ... except for the one scholarship student accepted every five years. It's a worldwide lottery, and one that Violet entered without giving it any serious thought.

But the media got it wrong and Arbon Academy is much more than a simple college for future leaders.

It’s a dark world of politics, intrigue, and dangerous guys who will stop at nothing to get their own way. Despite her best efforts at remaining off the radar, Violet finds herself a pawn between two of the most powerful monarchies in the world.

Prince Rafe of the Switzerlands and Prince Alex of the Australasias are bitter enemies both on the soccer field and in the political arena. Monarchies rule the world now, and every waking breath is a competition for the princes.

Control the ball.

Control the world.

Control Violet.

Whether it's through love or hate, someone will ultimately win.

*This is book one in a dark college romance. It includes a-hole princes, nasty princesses, and one chick who will take none of their sh!t, all the while doing her best to make it out alive. HEA guaranteed. Eventually. 17+.

She's my last chance. 

Those four words echo in Violet Spencer’s mind, tugging at her curiosity even as rage builds within her.

Arbon Academy was supposed to be a bright new start. An opportunity for greatness, and something an orphan girl could only dream of. For a while there, it seemed to be exactly that. 

But Violet's bright future is suddenly looking dim. Arbon Academy and Prince Alex are nothing but a facade. A trap.

In a sinister world of ballgowns and backstabbing, of perfumes and politics, of indulgent parties and illegal sword fights, Violet now faces the biggest challenge of all. Recovering her shattered heart from the prince who crushed it. 

Supported by her new friends, Violet wants to make Alex feel the pain of his betrayal. Prince Rafe wants nothing more than to help make that happen, but things aren't always so straightforward. 

Don't break tradition.

Don't let them know you know. 

Don't lose your heart... again.

These rules will keep Violet alive. But at what cost?

They're waiting for you.

Those four words should have been a warning. They should have filled Violet with dread. But she was so focused on Rafe's disappearance, she forgot.

The resistance was supposed to be fighting for a better world. A group of freedom fighters formed during the Monarch War, pushing back against laws that would see everyone enslaved. For a while there, they gave hope.

But with power comes corruption. The Society has been quietly amassing the strength and backing to become a real threat, and not everyone wants to use that power for good.

In a world torn apart by the death of monarchs, new leaders rise. Violet dives headfirst into the viper's nest with one singular goal: rescue the stolen prince who possesses half her heart.

With the unwavering support of Jordan at her side, Violet knows she can face whatever the resistance throws at them. Even if she was the intended target all along.

Keep your friends close.

Keep your enemies closer.

Never forget the betrayals of the past.

The end of an era is here.

Playing With Fire - LJ Shen

Ramblings of an Insomniac.. 

LJ Shen is at it again. This time with an unsuspecting heroine. And the colliding of tragedies. Playing With Fire tugged on my compassion. Grace and West may look like an unlikely pair on the service but their slow burn drew me in like cider on a cold day.

Grace Shaw is strength and perseverance personified. While her character served as a reminder of long held insecurities, she is a phoenix in her own right. A determined girl, rising from the ashes of her former self. And when West St. Claire bursts into her life, that path becomes harder to deny.

“I’ve walked through fire before, so I know what I’m getting into ... I’m willing to pay the price.” - Grace Shaw

Brooding and self-assured, West is an unlikely hero with a haunted past of his own. Finding solace in Grace's quiet life is just what this boy's soul needed. Their chemistry is startling and their story had me both crying and cheering. LJ Shen hits the nail in the head with this standalone. Telling another story, packed with power and heart.

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 9/10

Flow: 9/10

Plot: 9/10 

Overall: 9/10

Currently available on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited).

Synopsis:

A broken boy on the path to destruction A scarred girl without direction A love story carved in secrets, inked with pain and sealed with a lie. Grace Shaw and West St. Claire are artctic opposites. She is the strange girl from the food truck.

He is the mysterious underground fighter who stormed into her sleepy Texan college town on his motorcycle one day, and has been wreaking havoc since. 

She is invisible to the world He is the town's beloved bad boy

She is a reject He is trouble.

When West thrusts himself into Grace's quiet life, she scrambles to figure out If he is her happily ever after or tragic ending But the harder she pushes him away, the more he pulls her out of her shell. 

Grace doesn't know much about anything beyond her town's limits, but she does know this: She is falling in love with the hottest guy in Sheridan U. 

And when you play with fire-you ought to get burned. 

Rich Prick - Tijan

Ruminations of an Insomniac.. 

Tijan never disappoints me. This one was no exception. I'm sure it was painfully obvious, but I've been in a bit of a book slump. Not that there aren't hundreds of new books and thousands of older ones to read. And it wasn't that I had no interest in reading many of them. My tbr list is almost embarrassingly long. I just found myself not clicking with stories, finding connection in books like I usually do. But then Aspen and Blaise came along and I felt a shift again. This story, was just so full of real life humanity. It captured me. 

More than just the pretty girl, hiding in the shadows. Aspen is the personification of a daisy. A perfect balance of delicate and resilient determination. She represented hope for me, as I watched her bloom up through concrete. But she couldn't have done that, is Blaise had been anyone but himself. With his larger than life personality masking an unexpected reality, he was so raw and real to me.

"I turned to look out over the place I’d never considered my home. For some reason, maybe it was a gut feeling, one of those hunches, but I knew. Something was wrong." - Aspen Monson

Tijan has always depicted characters with complicated depth, well. Her attention to detail draws a vivid picture in my mind. Not just of what the characters look like, but who they actually are. And the slow burning chemistry between Aspen and Blaise wouldn't have been done justice without that depth. Another Tijan great for the collection. Read it. It reignited my love for characters and their stories, maybe it will help you in some way too.

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 8/10

Flow: 10/10

Plot: 9/10 

Overall: 9/10

Currently available on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited).

Synopsis:

He walked into school on his first day and owned it. I guess that's what happens when you're a prick, rich, and you're best friends with the ruling school's king. 

Also didn't hurt he's drop dead gorgeous.

That's all fine.

I mean, I have nothing to do with them. I'm a loner, invisible, and that's how I wanted it to be. 

I was even proud of it, until I wasn't.

Until I saw a girl kneel before him. Until I couldn't look away. Until he caught me watching. 

His name is Blaise Devroe. 

My name is Aspen Monson. 

He only knew how to get command, and demand attention. I knew how to do everything but that. 

And this is our story.

*Rich Prick is a full 100k standalone. 

Damaged Elite - Waverly Alexander

Ramblings of a Bookworm...

The second installment of the Darlington Elite series shook me just as much as the first; I was definitely not disappointed. This best friends to lovers full of witty banter, suspense, drama... what more could you ask for? I legitimately snort-laughed several times throughout thanks to the heroine, Kennedy's, spunky attitude, as well as the banter between the Elite who are more like brothers than best friends.

"You need to figure out if you're playing on my team or on your own because it's becoming very apparent that we could destroy each other." - Kennedy Prescott

I was hooked from the first line of the prologue. Kennedy and Zach's story was full of ups and downs, with just enough flare to keep you on your toes. The mystery/suspense aspect from the first novel carried over beautifully in this continuation, and I was happy that there wsas still a focus on the whole friend group and what they're all going through whilst not taking away from the main characters.

Waverly has a knack for writing relatable characters, and Kennedy and Zach were certainly no exception. Everything tied together so wonderfully, but I'm definitely keeping my fingers crossed for more; I just can't get enough of the Elite.

Rating

Book Boyfriend: 10/10
Flow: 10/10
Plot: 10/10 

Overall: 10/10

Summary

Zachary Masters

For almost two years, Kennedy has been my best friend—she's laughter and comfort, everything I need but don't deserve. I'm not boyfriend material—not with a past like mine, I'm too much like my father. So I've kept those lines firmly drawn in our relationship. But when the Elite became the target of some shady happenings on campus, I had no choice but to move Kennedy in with me. Now, the closer we get, the more protective I feel, and it scares me. I'll keep her safe though, even if it means agony for me. Even if it means keeping her safe from me.

I'll make her hate me before I hurt her.

Kennedy Prescott

I heard about Zach and his penchant for parties and wild nights long before he stumbled past my dorm room looking for a quick escape from a puck bunny. He’s one of the Darlington Elite—the kings of the campus, and I’m the sarcastic, vegan girl who thought the Elite boys were nothing but arrogant, entitled jerks. And they are, to outsiders. But I’m one of them now, and we look out for each other like a family. Zach and I shouldn’t be best friends, but some forces of nature are unavoidable. He pulled me into his world only to push me away.

If he thinks I’m playing this game, he’s in for a rude awakening.