Book Review: Someone To Love by Addison Moore

Someone To Love by Addison Moore

Description from Amazon:
New Adult - Contemporary Romance
*Intended for mature audiences 17+* Sexual situations 
Someone to Love is a light, sexy read that is far more naughty than it ever is nice.

What happens when two people who don’t believe in love, happen to fall madly into the most beautiful relationship they could ever imagine? A train wreck.

When twenty-year-old Kendall Jordan transfers clear across country to Garrison University, the last thing she’s looking for is a one-night stand. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what, gorgeous, Cruise Elton offers. 

Kendall has long since come to realize that love is an illusion that never lasts, and Cruise couldn’t agree more—but something deep inside her wants him all for herself. So, Kendall devises a seat of the pants plan to “play the player” and proposes that Cruise tutor her in becoming a female version of himself, Garrison University’s own playboy. 

Real feelings begin to emerge, and neither Kendall nor Cruise know how to classify them. Everything they once thought they knew is redefined as they discover, in one another, Someone to Love.

My Review:
I read Someone to Love in one day. I simply couldn't put it down! I really had a blast with Kendall and Cruise, from their banter, the hilarity of thought and conversations that took place, and most of all, watching as they come to the realization they have feelings for each other.

Ms. Moore's writing is enthralling, flirty, and comedic from start to finish. I have to say, I really think that she has made a great debut into this genre. While I enjoy her characters in her YA novels, I like the grown up feel of this book. The build up is there, the anticipation grows in succession but isn't overdone, and there is a climax. It has all of the right attributes for a good read great read. 

My Rating: 5 Stars  ★★★★★
I definitely suggest this book for a fun, light read. I look forward to more adult books by Ms. Moore. 

Review- Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris

Synopsis from Amazon:

With her knack for being in trouble's way, Sookie witnesses the firebombing of Merlotte's, the bar where she works. Since Sam Merlotte is now known to be two-natured, suspicion falls immediately on the anti-shifters in the area. Sookie suspects otherwise, but her attention is divided when she realizes that her lover, Eric Northman, and his "child" Pam are plotting to kill the vampire who is now their master. Gradually, Sookie is drawn into the plot-which is much more complicated than she knows...

My Review:

I can keep this very short and sweet...I couldn't finish it! I breezed through the first eight or so books in this series, enjoying each one better than the last. Then I hit Dead in the Family and was bored to tears, but saw it through to the end. I couldn't get past the first three chapters in Dead Reckoning. There is something about Ms. Harris' writing style that seems to have gone missing in the last few books. Not that I'd rank her at the top of her field anyway, but now the writing has gone from bad to worse. The creative stories were what kept this series afloat (IMO) but when I can't manage to even get sucked in that way, it is time to say good-bye to this series. I won't be reading the one that just came out this May or the last one that releases next year. I think that had she have wrapped up the series around book 8 or 9, all would have been well. These characters' stories have been stretched out far too long. 

My Rating: 1 Star

Review- Fifty Shades Freed by E.L.James

Synopsis from Amazon:

When unworldly student Anastasia Steele first encountered the driven and dazzling young entrepreneur Christian Grey it sparked a sensual affair that changed both of their lives irrevocably. Shocked, intrigued, and, ultimately, repelled by Christian’s singular erotic tastes, Ana demands a deeper commitment. Determined to keep her, Christian agrees.

Now, Ana and Christian have it all—love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of possibilities for their future. But Ana knows that loving her Fifty Shades will not be easy, and that being together will pose challenges that neither of them would anticipate. Ana must somehow learn to share Christian’s opulent lifestyle without sacrificing her own identity. And Christian must overcome his compulsion to control as he wrestles with the demons of a tormented past.

Just when it seems that their strength together will eclipse any obstacle, misfortune, malice, and fate conspire to make Ana’s deepest fears turn to reality.

My Review:

I like the way this story wrapped up at the end. I very much enjoyed the POV from Christian as a child, as well as when he first met Ana. Again, the sex is hot, blah, blah, blah. Finding different locations to do the deed seems to be their thing. Ana's curiosity of the "lifestyle" that Christian has given up for her, sends him mixed signals. She sets some ground rules of things she will and will not do, and they meet in the middle for a suitable compromise for how far their kinky f*ckery will go. 

My issues with this book:

The gasping, the frowning, the biting of the lip, over and over and *yawn*

There is one particular instance where Christian literally says he "wants to beat the sh*t out of her"...what is sexy about that? Nothing! That is called domestic abuse. There is a time and place for the kink, and his reaction to a situation was over the top and very serious when he said he wanted to beat her. There is nothing erotic about that. Sadly, Ana convinces herself that he is justified in his response because of his dark past. I found that to be even more disturbing, the fact that she justified it. To me, that screams of a woman battered and broken. Not what the author intended, I'm sure. 

There is a situation that takes place where someone is in serious danger and another person comes to their rescue. I don't want to give away any spoilers. The quickness of resolve was incredibly unrealistic and made the scary situation seem like nothing because the author skimmed over it, wrapping it up in a neat little package. That wasn't the only scene where something supposedly monumental happens and is rushed to resolution too easily. Life isn't that easy. We are expected to believe that a twenty-eight year old guy is a self-made billionaire, is drop-dead gorgeous, wants someone as plain as Ana, and is willing to give up his lifestyle for her...that much I can accept. But, don't throw the main characters into a dire situation and with the snap of their fingers it is over. Totally unrealistic. 

Mercurial: the author's favorite word...again in this book. Please, someone buy her a thesaurus!

I would have enjoyed this trilogy much more had it not been for the repetition of words and phrases. It definitely could have been edited better, but I will give the author credit for keeping my interest. I devoured all three books in less than five days. It's not going to win any awards for exceptional writing, but the story holds its own. 

My Rating: 4 Stars

Review- Fifty Shades Darker by E.L.James

Synopsis from Amazon:

Daunted by the singular tastes and dark secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a Seattle publishing house. 
 
But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposes a new arrangement, Anastasia cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and Anastasia learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven and demanding Fifty Shades.
 

While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Anastasia must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her, and make the most important decision of her life.

My Review:

Whew! The hotness continues, though I was disappointed because the title Fifty Shades Darker lead me to believe that the BDSM scenes were going to get darker,but instead, it was referring to the darker side of Christian. Not that that is a bad thing, just not what I was expecting. The story takes more of a romantic turn, all hearts and flowers as Ana would say. 

I liked the fact that Ana stands her ground on a few things, really challenging Christian. A man so used to power and control over every aspect of his life is suddenly questioning things because of this bossy little girl he is so smitten over. It's endearing to watch their relationship bud into something more than a sexual contract. Again, you sense where the entire story is headed. 

I liked learning more about Christian's past, his relationship with Elena, and his adoptive family. He opens up to Ana in ways he never has before; exposing some of the rawest parts of his past that molded him into the man he is today. Little by little, as Ana begins to understand where he is coming from, she reassures him of her love, something he can't wrap his head around because he feels he is unworthy of love. It is a constant and very redundant conversation that plays, "I love you. I will never leave you. You are mine." A few times is enough to pull the point across that he has severe abandonment issues and needs constant reassurance of her love, but it gets to the point where you roll your eyes because it is just too much of the same stuff being said. 

The sex scenes were hot. The descriptions are sometimes overused, but not to the point of annoyance. One thing that is overused, okay two things: His gray eyes, yes we get it, the guy has gray eyes. And, the word mercurial ...how many frigging times can she use that word?! I now loathe that word. 

I keep coming back for more of Mr. Grey because there is still a lot to figure out about him. Stay tuned for my review on the last book in the series.

My Rating: 4 Stars (loss of one star for the overuse of certain words and phrases over and over and over and over).

Review- Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

Synopsis from Amazon:

When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.
 
Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.

Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.

My Review:

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. From the start, I found Christian Grey down-right sexy and appealing. Anastasia was funny (her inner goddess) and very quirky at times. I liked the set up for when she and Christian meet, and how their relationship starts out. You sense from the beginning that they are both hot for each other, but it is nice to see how that tension builds. 

My thoughts on the BDSM portion: It was a hot read, enough to whet your appetite for sure. When I think BDSM, I generally think of something a bit more hardcore than what takes place here, but by no means does that distract from the overall hotness of the scenes. Mr. Grey will make you swoon and keep you turning the pages to learn more about him. 

Now for the things that distracted me...I've heard it mentioned that the story line is comparable to Twilight, minus the vampires but add the kink. I have to say, the similarities were incredibly uncanny. I kept rolling my eyes (hmmm, what would Mr. Grey say about that?) because I was dumbfounded at how much it fell in line with Bella's character...why do that? It's been done, very successfully no less, but readers want fresh material. 

I finished this book in two days, hungry for more of Mr. Grey and his Red Room of Pain. Stay tuned for my review on book two.

My Rating: 4 Stars (the only reason it didn't earn 5 was for the lack of character originality).

Movie Review- Hunger Games

Hunger Games- Official Movie Trailer from YouTube

Snyopsis:

Based on the trilogy written by Suzanne Collins, Hunger Games is the first movie in a series. In short, it is a dystopian era setting where the country, now known as Panem, is divided into twelve Districts. They are governed heavily by the Capitol, who objectifies children from each district for their amusement in the annual Hunger Games. Two kids between the ages of 12 and 18 are drawn at random from each District and are sent off to fight to the death. The entire fight is televised for all to witness. There may only be one victor. 

My Review:

As far as books turned movies, this one is by far one of the most on-point, streamlined to the book as I've seen. For those that haven't read the trilogy, the movie stands alone enough to reel you in and make you an instant fan. The action scenes are good, but not overly gory, making it safe for the tween audience. 

The casting for the movie were spot-on in my opinion. Jennifer, Liam, and Josh did a fantastic job portraying the characters of Katniss, Gale, and Peeta. Oh, and let's not forget the lovely Haymitch played by Woody--priceless! 

Getting a full visual of how the Capitol people dress was an experience outside of your most outrageous imagination. I knew they were over the top, but it was really fun to see their makeup and clothing. When there are people in the Districts, such as District 12 from where Katniss and Peeta hail, who suffer daily and don't know the first thing about lavishness or abundance, it was a show of how there literally are two walks of life--no matter how dire the circumstances are in one area of the world, there is another part that is wasteful and ignorant. I thought this illustration was akin to how our world is now. 

My Rating: 

Book Review- Expel by Addison Moore

Expel by Addison Moore

Synopsis from Amazon:

A death.
A war.
Regret.
Heartbreak.
An old enemy. 
A new enemy.
A well-placed boyfriend. 
An ending you won’t believe.

Seventeen year-old Skyla Messenger discovers love is stronger than death and deception. In an effort to rectify those horrible truths Skyla’s life changes forever.

Love and heartbreak become obstacles that overshadow the faction war and in the end may cost her everything.

My Review:

I am please to say that this particular book has recaptured my enthusiasm for this series. After not being overly satisfied with Wicked and Vex, this book was just what the readers needed to be drawn back in. 

Is there still a love square? Yep. Does Skyla make a decision on which boy to be with? Nope, not really, but that is okay for once because you gather the sense that it is coming to its end, answers will be given soon and that makes the waffling acceptable. There are quite a few situations that Skyla finds herself in that I found rather amusing. I enjoyed the humor, quite literally laugh out loud moments at times. Once again, I was captivated by the descriptions, the way the words flowed across the page. 

This book is a long one, so you definitely get your moneys worth. It is a mixed read, full of anticipation on what will happen next, heart ache, the occasional laugh, death, and longing. The ending is unbelievable! Knocks the wind out of your lungs for sure. 

Can't wait for the next installment. 

My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars