Category Archives: Book Review

Let It Burn by Ruth Cardello Release Blitz

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Release Blitz, Let it Burn by Author Ruth Cardello

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Let It Burn

The Barrington Billionaires, Book 4

By Ruth Cardello

let-it-burn-available-now

BLURB

His questions will put her in danger.

Her love will set him free.

Billionaire Andrew Barrington walked away from the lavish lifestyle he was raised in to serve as a Marine. Until recently, he would have said he’d made the right choice. A tragic set of events, however, has him not reenlisting and emotionally hitting rock bottom.

Helene Franklin is visiting her uncle as part of an extended vacation in Aruba. She trades her bikini for an office job when he says there is trouble brewing at his clinic and asks her to keep an eye out for anything unusual.

Every Marine needs a mission. To appease his family, Andrew heads to Aruba to track down what he believes is a wild goose chase. Expecting to discover nothing, he meets a quirky, irresistible virgin who is just about to turn his whole world upside down.

What will they gain and what will they lose when they both decide to. . .let it burn?

MY THOUGHTS

I’ve always love books written by Ruth Cardello. This one is a really great addition to the series.

At first, I’m not really sure how I felt about Helene. I kinda dislike her but she proved me wrong along the way. I like when characters prove me wrong about what I think of their character. So yeah, Helene is now among my favorite heroines from a Ruth Cardello novel.

Like always, how the novel talks about family touches me. I love how Helene helped Andrew to find his way back to his family. I also love seeing how the Barrington family, most especially Sophie develop into a better family than they were before the start of the series.

While Helene helped Andrew find his way back, I also enjoyed reading how the two of them helped each other realized their dreams and the things that would make them truly happy.

And though this is a romance novel, for me it’s more about family, facing your fears, growing up as a person and fighting for your dreams. Of course, the romance aspect of it was also really really great and romantic and that’s why that felt like the icing on the cake.

I can’t wait to read more of the Barrington brothers and the other families surrounding this series.

four star

 

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY

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BOOK LINKS

iBooks | Amazon |Barnes and Noble|Kobo |Google Play|AmazonUK

let-it-burn-cover

OTHER PUBLISHED BOOKS BY RUTH CARDELLO

The Legacy Collection

Also available in audio

Where my billionaires began.

Book 1: Maid for the Billionaire (Free Download)

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Nook | iBooks | Kobo| Google

Book 2: For Love or Legacy

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book 3: Bedding The Billionaire

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book 4: Saving the Sheikh

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

Book 5: Rise of the Billionaire

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book 6: Breaching the Billionaire: Alethea’s Redemption

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book 7: A Corisi Christmas Novella

Amazon US | Amazon UK

The Andrades

Also available in audio

A spin off series of the Legacy Collection with cameos from characters you love from that series.

Book 1: Come Away With Me

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book 2: Home to Me

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book 3: Maximum Risk

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book 4: Somewhere Along the Way

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book 5: Loving Gigi

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Recipe For Love: A Hot Andrade Christmas Novella

Amazon US | Amazon UK

The Barrington Billionaires

A new, seven book series about the Andrade’s Boston cousins.*

Book 1: Always Mine (Free Download)

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play

Book 2: Stolen Kisses

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play

Book 3: Trade it All

Amazon US | Amazon UK | iBooks | Nook | Kobo | Google

Book 4: Let It Burn

iBooks | Amazon

A Billionaire for Lexi

Amazon | iBooks | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Google Play | AmazonUK

Other Books

Taken by a Trillionaire

J.S. Scott, Melody Anne, and Ruth Cardello

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play

The Temptation Series

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play

Gabe ( 7 brides For 7 Brothers)

iBooks I Nook I Google I AmazonUS | AmazonUK | Kobo I Paperback

*Look for a linked Barrington Billionaire series set in the same world, written by Jeannette Winters (my sister) and Danielle Stewart (my niece).

You won’t have to read the other series to enjoy mine, but it sure will make it more fun. Characters will appear in all three series.

Author Jeannette Winters

Book 1: One White Lie

iBooks | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |AmazonUK

Book 2: Table for Two

iBooks | Amazon | Barnes & Noble| AmazonUK

Book 3: You & Me, Make Three

iBooks | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | AmazonUK

Book 4: Virgin for the Fourth Time

iBooks | Amazon |AmazonUK

Danielle Stewart

Book 1: Fierce Love

iBooks | Amazon | AmazonUK | Barnes & Noble

Book 2: Wild Eyes

iBooks | Amazon | AmazonUK| Barnes & Noble

Book 3: Crazy Nights

iBooks | Amazon |AmazonUK | Barnes & Noble

Book 4: Loyal Hearts

Amazon | AmazonUK

ABOUT AUTHOR

ruth-cardello

Ruth Cardello is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She was born the youngest of 11 children in a small city in northern Rhode Island. She spent her young adult years moving as far away as she could from her large extended family. She lived in Boston, Paris, Orlando, New York–then came full circle and moved back to Rhode Island. She now happily lives one town over from the one she was born in. For her, family trumped the warmer weather and international scene.
She was an educator for 20 years, the last 11 as a kindergarten teacher. When her school district began cutting jobs, Ruth turned a serious eye toward her second love- writing and has never been happier. When she’s not writing, you can find her chasing her children around her small farm, riding her horses, or connecting with her readers online.

Connect with Ruth

Website: www.RuthCardello.com

FaceBook: www.facebook.com/RuthCardello

Twitter: @RuthieCardello

Email Notice of New Releases:ruthcardello.com/contact/

HAPPY READING!

https://www.facebook.com/JoandIsalovebooks/

Her Darkest Nightmare by Brenda Novak

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Her Darkest Nightmare (The Evelyn Talbot Chronicles, #1)Her Darkest Nightmare by Brenda Novak

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

my thoughts

THE HUNT FOR A SERIAL KILLER
Evelyn Talbot knows that a psychopath can look perfectly normal. She was only sixteen when her own boyfriend Jasper imprisoned and tortured her—and left her for dead. Now an eminent psychiatrist who specializes in the criminal mind, Evelyn is the force behind Hanover House, a maximum-security facility located in a small Alaskan town. Her job puts her at odds with Sergeant Amarok, who is convinced that Hanover is a threat to his community…even as his attraction to beautiful Evelyn threatens to tear his world apart.
BEGINS WITH AN ESCAPE FROM HER PAST
Then, just as the bitter Alaskan winter cuts both town and prison off from the outside world, the mutilated body of a local woman turns up. For Amarok, this is the final proof he needs: Hanover has to go. Evelyn, though, has reason to fear that the crime is a personal message to her—the first sign that the killer who haunts her dreams has found her again. . .and that the life she has so carefully rebuilt will never be the same…

my thoughts

I fell in love with Brenda Novak’s writing the first time I read a book of her which was The Hanover House. I don’t think I ever enjoyed reading a psychological thriller as much as I enjoyed this one. Brenda Novak definitely knew what she was doing when she wrote this. I was almost at the edge of my bed gripping at the pages (figuratively since I read an ebook copy) and was both nervous and anticipating as I delve into it. It was an intense read. There were moments that I need to take a pause because I was not really sure I’m ready to face what will happen next.

At the end of the book, I was even torn. I felt like something was wrong with me because I hoped there was something more about Hugo. I could even see where Evelyn’s fascination in all these was coming from.

Of course, the romance aspect of the story was like just an icing on top. I would have enjoyed reading it even without it but I must admit it made everything better.

After reading this one, I’m sure now a fan of this author’s work.

View all my reviews

Taking Charge (Lone Star Burn #4) by Ruth Cardello

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Taking Charge (Lone Star Burn)Taking Charge
by Ruth Cardello
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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blurb

Lucy Albright never wanted her family’s Texas ranch, but now it’s in foreclosure. She’s already lost so much she can’t bear the thought of losing one more thing. Lucy learned the hard way not to accept help from a man when there are strings attached, so she’ll do whatever it takes to save the ranch on her own terms—even if that means launching an online business marketing high-¬tech sex toys.

Ranch manager David Harmon has a reputation for being a cowboy with a heart of gold. Even if she refuses his help, down-and-out Lucy is the kind of woman he’ll do anything to protect. And while David may not know much about Lucy’s naughty side business, that won’t stop a cowboy from doing something he’s set his mind to.

With the ranch threatened by a scheming neighbor, Lucy can’t help but keep David around. Their attraction may be undeniable, but will the spark between them burn her entire future to the ground?

my thoughts

David is one of the characters in this series that I was really curious about and was looking forward to reading the story ever since book 1. And I’m happy that the way the author wrote His and Lucy’s story dd not disappoint.

I like the progress and the flow of how their relationship was build up. I almost felt like I was in the story myself and witnessing it first hand. And like most of Ruth’s books, I enjoyed the life lessons it shared or reminded me off.

I’m not really a pet person but I was highly fascinated with David’s job. I even wished I was there to witness it first hand and maybe experience the same thing. His character’s patience was very inspiring while Lucy being both stubborn and tough inspired me in a different way. I enjoyed how they have overcome their struggle to reach their happy ending.

The appearance of other characters from the previous books was a bonus. I can still say that Mason is still my favorite character in the series and I enjoyed his appearance in here. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

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Paper Castles by Terri Lee

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Paper Castles by Terri Lee

Paper CastlesPaper Castles by Terri Lee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

BLURB

Where do you go when you find out everything you wanted isn’t what you need?

Savannah Palmerton picks up a brush and heads to an art class, desperate to find a piece of the girl she used to be, before the country club dances and the boring dinner party conversations. In 1963 the country is still playing in her innocence, but there are rumblings beneath the surface. The fabric of America is just beginning to fray around the edges. So it is in Savannah Palmerton’s life.
Love, betrayal and family secrets create a lethal cocktail that has Savannah’s world unraveling at her feet. Set against a southern backdrop of garden parties and civil rights marches, Paper Castles is a sultry mix of sweet-tea and murder. Sex and secrets.

Paper Castles is the best kind of love story. Where a woman must first learn to love herself.

MY THOUGHTS

A few chapters into the book, I feel like walking away from it. “Great, another cheating story,” was what I thought. And cheating is not really my cup of tea. But as this is a book I was requested to review, I thought I should at least try to read half of it before telling the author this book is not for me.

But I was surprised. It’s not what I judged it to be. Somewhere by the end of the chapter at 30 percent, Savannah had my respect and I was now set to see this book to its end. And things went even more unexpected after that. I am surprised by the turn of events. The issue of diversity and legalities was handled well by the author there was no way to not enjoy the story. The last time I enjoyed a 60s story like this one was when I read Danielle Stewart’s Flowers in the Snow.

I like how the author pictured the black issues. And I loved Neenie’s character so much. Each character was also developed well that you can feel where each of them was coming from. That said, I can’t even fault Angela for feeling the way she did.

Technically speaking, I like the writer’s style. Every event goes smoothly. I don’t know if this is her first book but I can tell that the author did a magnificent job at it.

All in all, I have a great time reading this story. I was even a bit emotional at some point and the romance aspect was well blended too. I will be looking forward for more of this author’s work in the future.

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The Barrington Billionaire World Book 3 by Ruth Cardello, Danielle Stewart and Jeannette Winters Reviewed

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The Barrington Billionaire World Book 3 by Ruth Cardello, Danielle Stewart and Jeannette Winters Reviewed

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Trade It All by Ruth Cardello

Lance Barrington’s priority is business, not pleasure. Only one woman has ever been able to turn him inside out: Willa Chambers, his sister’s best friend. Forbidden. Scandalous. Unforgettable.

They’ve spent the last ten years trying to forget one night.

When Willa and Lance are thrown together again, things heat up fast. Loving him almost destroyed her the first time.

This time, will it heal her?

MY THOUGHTS

Trade It All (The Barrington Billionaires, #3)Trade It All by Ruth Cardello

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I like this story because it’s not one of those fast developing romance. In fact, this one has history.  A past that was hunting both the characters. I like how the characters develop throughout the story and how they faced the hurdle between them. I also like how Willa’s friends stood up for her even without her spilling everything.

I also like how the characters get to know not only each other but only their own self throughout the process. I’m just a little hung and wanting to unravel the mystery around the family. Hopefully the next books will give justice to all of that mystery. I’m looking forward to the next one.

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Crazy Nights by Danielle Stewart

Emmitt Kalling isn’t satisfied unless he’s smashing something. It can be a punching bag at the gym or some jerk’s face at the bar. He’s not picky. Since arriving home from his last deployment, he’s itching for some action. But he only finds the same problems he faced before he enlisted.

Evie Pike has been exiled from her budding acting career with few future prospects. On a journey to find her purpose, she discovers her path is only paved with disappointment and the coffee she keeps spilling on her bosses. Feeling painfully unqualified for almost everything, she realizes a chance to hop a plane with Emmitt is like a ripcord on a parachute; she’d better pull it before it’s too late.

She’s desperate to connect. He’s a master at no strings attached. Their attraction is magnetic, but their opinions are polarizing. Will their sizzling chemistry be enough?

MY THOUGHTS

Crazy Nights (The Barrington Billionaires Book 3)Crazy Nights by Danielle Stewart

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book had me in a roller coaster of emotion. I was thrilled, I was confused, I feel sorry and annoyed at the characters too, but most of all I learned a lot from both Emmitt and Evie.

Just like most of Danielle’s books, this story deals a lot about family and their issues. I get where Emmitt was coming from but I also understand how Evie felt the way she did. At some point in the story, I felt like Evie should just give up her ideals and go on with Emmitt’s plan because it sounds better for everybody. But in the end, I was happy she stood up for what she believe in.

I was holding my breath when the news about Emmitt came out. How Danielle weaved and spun the story was so good that even though you may have an idea what might coming next you still find yourself surprised when it finally came.

I love the story of hope, trust, and faith that this story delivers. This for me is the best one from all of Danielle’s contribution to the series. Of course, I’m still looking forward to the next one. Because with Danielle Stewart, every story just gets better and better.

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You and Me Make Three

Shaun Henderson learned young that the best defense is to strike first. It’s perfect in business but not in matters of the heart.

Morgan Pereira had walked away from a high profile position to protect her son. Years later she is given another opportunity to climb the corporate ladder.

Taking the job opens wounds Morgan thought had healed.

If Shaun really does want her, he’ll have to learn that some things can’t be forced. Love plays by its own rules.

MY THOUGHTS

You & Me Make Three: Barrington Billionaire's Series: Book ThreeYou & Me Make Three: Barrington Billionaire’s Series: Book Three by Jeannette Winters

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story started a bit slow for me. At first, I wasn’t really into it but every turn of a page takes me deeper into the story until I find that I can’t put the book down until I get to the end.

I like the added diversity of the story. It gives more feelings and emotions into it. In fact I feel like there should be a book two fo this book three. Because I want to know what happened after they became three. How did Tyler feel about that? How did Shaun develop their relationship? I would like to see how that one build up. Because much as I like the diversity, I feel like it wasn’t really explored. Like Tyler was just there to add as a conflict to the budding romance between Shaun and Morgan. So yeah, another story or maybe a novella starring them would be something that I’ll love to see.

Storywise, it was really good. The first part as I said was a bit slow for me maybe because of the lack of dialogue and too much self-thought. Although I like knowing how characters really think I also like being shown these things through scenes that involved dialogue and interactions. It gets better throughout the story as the characters show you a part of themselves and when you really get into the heart of it, I guess it doesn’t really matter how it started.

All in all, I really enjoyed reading this story and I can’t wait to find more of what happened to the other Henderson siblings.

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The Curse Workers by Holly Black Reviewed

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Title:

Book 1: White Cat | Book 2: Red Glove | Book 3: Black Heart

Author: Holly Black
Narrator: Jesse Eisenberg
Format: Audiobook

BLURB – BOOK 1

Cassel comes from a family of curse workers—people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, by the slightest touch of their hands. And since curse work is illegal, they’re all criminals. Many become mobsters and con artists. But not Cassel. He hasn’t got magic, so he’s an outsider, the straight kid in a crooked family. You just have to ignore one small detail—he killed his best friend, Lila, three years ago.

Cassel has carefully built up a façade of normalcy, blending into the crowd. But his façade starts to crumble when he finds himself sleepwalking, propelled into the night by terrifying dreams about a white cat that wants to tell him something. He’s noticing other disturbing things too, including the strange behavior of his two brothers. They are keeping secrets from him. As Cassel begins to suspect he’s part of a huge con game, he must unravel his past and his memories. To find out the truth, Cassel will have to outcon the conmen.

my thoughts

I read the ebook version of this series several years ago and I fell in love with. I love the unique concept of the mob family as was portrayed in this series. I also loved all the characters. They all have good sides and bad sides to them which you can relate to. The romance aspect was also nicely portrayed. Not too much and just right for their age. It also tells a great story of family and friendship.

This year, I borrowed the whole audio version of the series in the library and I’m happy that I was able to. At first, I felt kinda off with the narrator. Not that he was bad but I was imagining Cassel’s voice a different way. But towards the next books, I slowly get used to the voice of the narrator and enjoyed it. I still find the series very fascinating even though I have read it already years ago. I also still wondered what will happen next as I forgot some of the details already and listening to Jessi Eisenberg give life to these characters paint a more vivid picture in my head.

I fell in love with Holly Black’s writing with this series and I’m planning to read her other books.

Overall rating for audio : Four-half-stars

Overall rating for ebook :images

Ten Lives (The Respawn Saga Book 1) by Christian Terry Reviewed

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Ten Lives (The Respawn Saga Book 1)Ten Lives
by Christian Terry
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

 

 

blurb

After agreeing to hunt down an ancient relic on an alien world, Mike Wesley may have gotten more than he bargained for: the mark of the hero which gives him the ability to respawn after death, ten times.

Now, between the deadly booby traps and the cute, cuddly yet murderous cat creatures that inhabit the world of Kelenia, he’ll need each one of his new lives if he wants to make it back to Atlanta in one piece.

my thoughts

This book was quite exciting and I think gamers would like this book too. For a debut novel, the author did a good job with this one. For a short novel, it was filled with thrill and action. The story and the setting were unique too and I love those aspects of the story.

The only downside of this book was that, since it was short I felt like there are some things that were a bit rushed. Also, I feel like Mike’s character has more to tell than what was portrayed in this book. I kind of like to know him deeper, like what his past has been, why he reacts to his environment, people and events the way he did now and much more. I also wanted to know more about this world they were brought into. But it’s also because of these that I’m looking forward to the next book. I’m hoping that the next one will be longer.

All in all, I can say I had a great time going through the adventure with Mike and Lou and I’m looking forward to getting to know these two and the other characters in the next books.

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Innocence: A Novella by Franny Marie Reviewed

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Innocence: A Novella  (Initiation Trilogy #2)Innocence: A Novella by Franny Marie

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

 

 

my thoughts

Nineteen year old Leanne is a sweet girl that grew up without her father. After her mother dies when she’s thirteen, her older brother raises her. Despite being overprotective, Collin allows Leanne a moment of freedom to party with her friends.

Innocence. It’s precious beyond words, but so easily lost.

A night of fun turns into a nightmare when she is kidnapped by a local gang. Thrown into a living hell, she’s forced to question her life as the gang threatens to rip open old wounds.

Will her life be taken over forever, or can she find her way back to innocence?

my thoughts
This is my first time to read this author. I like the way she told the story. The introduction was quite catchy and will encourage you to read more. Technically speaking, I like the author’s writing. I got an advance reader’s copy so I’m assuming whatever errors – which were very minor – there is was fixed before it was published.

I like Leanne’s character and I’m curious about Collin. Though I can’t say I feel the same way about her friends. And I don’t even understand why she has them as friends. I don’t know if it’s because this is the second book in the trilogy and that I didn’t read the first one but I felt like something was missing in the story. Mostly, Collin’s character. I felt like I didn’t get to know his true character in this book. Add to that was the fact that it was written in Leanne’s POV.

I’ll read the first one and get back to this review once I did. As for now, I can say that this won’t be the last that I’ll read this author’s book.

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The Ones That Got Away by Suanne Laqueur Reviewed

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The Ones That Got Away (The Fish Tales, #4)The Ones That Got Away
by Suanne Laqueur

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

my thoughts

Plenty of fish in the sea. But none like the ones that got away.

Author Suanne Laqueur gives her readers an intimate, guided tour of the award-winning novel, The Man I Love. From the embryonic chapters written over twenty years ago to scenes cut from the final draft, you’ll witness the crafting of an emotional journey and the evolution of the beloved characters within The Fish Tales.

Includes never-before-seen material and an excerpt from Laqueur’s next novel, An Exaltation of Larks.

my thoughts

It’s the first time for me to read a book like this. That said, I’m sort of lost of how to review it.

All I can say is that I have enjoyed the book. I felt like I got to know the characters more after reading this book, specially Will. I also felt like I got a glimpse of the author’s mind with this. Reading it was like watching a mother from the time she got pregnant till the time she gave birth to a baby. And a beautiful baby at that.

I enjoyed reading even some of the scenes that does not really make any sense nor appear in any of her book. It kind of makes me look forward to what might be in store for me as a reader in the future.

Since I love the Fish Tale series, this book is a great bonus to the collection.

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Shoot The Gap (Big Play Novel #4) by Jordan Ford

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Shoot The Gap (A Big Play Novel, #4)Title: Shoot The Gap
Author: Jordan Ford
Genre: Young Adult Romance

my thoughts

Tyler Schumann has always been known as Nelson High’s goofy clown, the guy with the big mouth. But there’s something people don’t know: he’s tired of being in the shadows of his Raiders’ buddies, and he’s ready to do whatever it takes to get the one girl in school he wants to finally notice him: Roxanne Carmichael.

Sammy Carmichael is just one of the guys, known for her mad boarding skills and her razor-sharp wit. But she has a secret, too—a crush on her best friend. It’s a relationship she’s not willing to risk damaging by getting all romantic about it.

When Tyler asks for Sammy’s help, she’s stoked to be able to spend a little one-on-one time with him. Their secret mission will bring them closer together…until she realizes what he’s really after—her sister. Tired of being in the shadows herself, Sammy sets out on a mission of her own to prove that she’s the Carmichael girl he really wants.

But the secrets and lies she discovers as she embarks on her quest could tear her relationship with Tyler to shreds, and Sammy must decide which lies are worth exposing and how much damage the truth will cause.

my thoughts

I feel sort of sad to say goodbye to this series. Jordan Ford’s books have made been dear to me as I read the journey of these characters.

I’ve always like Tyler and I think it’s just fitting to end the series with him. Tyler was mostly seen through the series as a goofy guy and it’s so nice to see a different side of him in this book. With him, along with Sam showed us that it’s not so bad to be true to yourself.

Sam’s strength is so admirable. I like how she stood firm and stood for who she is despite how dysfunctional her family was.

I guess that’s another great thing about this series. We not only get to see diverse characters but we also get to see diverse parents and how they contribute to these youngsters up bringing and shaping their characters as they make their way into the world.

This book is so much more than I expected it and I enjoyed every moment with Sam and Tyler. Praises to Jordan Ford for writing an awesome young adult series.

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