Book Review: War of Hearts by S. Young

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

War of Hearts is a Paranormal Romance written under the pen name of Samantha Young; S. Young. This is the first book in the True Immortality series.

The story follows Thea Quinn, a girl with unique ability that are mysterious to the world. This ability are somehow valuable to the paranormal society - but she has no idea why. At the same time, she is running from her step father, who knew about her ability and torturing by experimenting with her blood.

Conall MacLennan, the Alpha and Chief of Clan MacLennan (warewolf), will do anything to protect his clan. When her sister are sick and can only live for a few months left, he does not hesitate when a mysterious man offer to cure his sister in exchange of Thea Quinn - capture alive.

I am not a fan of Paranormal Romance, but for the first half of the book, I cannot put the book down. It is full of actions and adrenaline rush scene. A strong and fierce heroine, a handsome and a true leader, what's not to like? However, the second half of the book was too slow for me. The fun really go down the hill when enemy turn to lover happened. The transition was logical but kinda sudden and therefore are flat.

Plus point, I love the world that the author has created. It is very well-thought and original. The history of the paranormal society was really interesting.

I recommend this book if you are into paranormal romance.

Thank you to Samantha Young for including me in her review team list, and providing a free copy for an honest review.

Book Review: Things We Never Said by Samantha Young

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

Things We Never Said is the third book in Hart's Boardwalk series, by one of my favorite author: Samantha Young. But this is a standalone novel, even though the characters from the other book are somewhat related. This book was published in May this year. I know I am late in reviewing this, but life gets in my way. 

I read this book few months back, but it is still fresh in my mind. 

The main character is Dahlai McGuire. She is a metalsmith and own a shop in Hartwell, Delaware. Michael Sullivan is Dahlia past lover, back in her hometown. I love that the book start with how Dahlia and Michael met for the first time. Then it fast forward to the present (when they are not together anymore) and you slowly learnt things that happened, and why it happened that way.

In the beginning of their relationship, Dahlia & Michael struggle with so many obstacles. It is so sad and filled with heartache. This led to many bad decisions, and it effects Dahlia relationship with Michael and also her family. However, after 11 years being apart, life takes a turn once more and Dahlia finds she is back in her hometown.

"The truth was I must have been sleepwalking through life all this time because whenever Michael appeared, I was suddenly wide awake."

What I love in this book was the chemistry between Dahlia and Michael is so strong from the very beginning of this book. All the things happened during their teenage years gave me angst. I am so sad for them, I wish some of the things was not happening. Dahlia also portray a strong independence woman throughout her life. I also love how supportive some of her family members are, especially her father. 

I would highly recommend this book if you are into second-chance romance.

Thank you to Samantha Young for including me in her 2019 review team list, and providing a free copy for an honest review. 

Book Review: Fight or Flight by Samantha Young

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I have really high expectation for this one. The premise is so interesting (Enemies to lovers romance? YES, PLEASE). Samantha Young is one of my favorite author, I've never given her novel rating below than 4 stars! However, I'm quite disappointed with this for few reasons. 

I'm going to start with what I like first. (1) main character - Ava is a strong female character. Her best friend - Harper is a bad ass character too. I really adore their friendship. (2) Enemies to lovers romance (of course). (3) The cover is gorgeous.

My problem with this book:
1. I hate the male main character - Caleb Scot. Alpha male, successful career, possessive - when will author get tired of this? Because I hate it. I usually can look past the character flaws when the author developed the story (or their past history), but nope. Nope for Caleb "bastard" Scot. I think his past is not fully developed, that is why I'm having a hard time looking past his flaws.
2. I can only see Ava & Caleb connection through their sexual desire (70% of their activities is sleeping with each other, sooo). Nothing else. I can't really feel the love.
3. The freaking ending of the book. [SPOILER ALERT] Ava was really mad with him for rejecting her and because he said something that really hurts her. But, when he surprise her by secretly booked a plane seat together (it's supposed to be sweet as this is how they first met) and then apologize to her, she immediately forgive him and proceed to have sex with him in the plane's toilet. Really? What the hell.

4. The weird spelling of the Scottish accent.

I gave this book 2 stars on goodreads. 

Thank you to Penguin Random House & Samantha Young for providing a copy for an honest review.

Book Review: As Dust Dances by Samantha Young

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

As Dust Dances is the second novel in Play On series by Samantha Young. Although it's book 2 in the series, it can be read as a stand alone. Play On series has unrelated characters, only connected with the theme of "Arts Industry", which is so cool in my opinion. Also all stories setting are in Scotland.

Skylar Finch can't really handle the fame of being a famous pop-rock star. One day, when a bad tragedy happened in her life, she ran from her band and disappear for a long time. The story start with Skylar being homeless and alone. Until she meets Killian O'Dea. An Artist & Repertoire Executive from a label in Glasgow.

The first half of the story mostly flashback to what happened to Skylar before she fled from everyone of her past. This is when Killian and Skylar get to know each other and build great connection. However, due to their situation, they can't really have a love relationship. Forbidden romance? Yes, please!

The romance between Skylar & Killian is a slow-burn, and the build-up is just so amazing. The sexual tension between them just making me crazy, and when it happens it's so perfect and beautifully emotional.

"I love you. I love you more than I love anyone." 

I love the relationship portrayed between Skylar and her mom, Angie. Every time Skylar talk about her mom, I can't help but to shed some tears. I can really feel all the sadness that Skylar went through, I am sad for her, for what happened to her & her mom. I have a soft spot for a mother-father-daughter relationship in a book, it gives me all the feels.

All in all, I loved As Dust Dances! I adored Skylar & Killian. I would recommend this book to all the people who read romances. I also loved that this book remind us that no matter how lost we are, we can always find our way back.

"You started out with a pure, whole soul and life took hits at it. It charred it, bruised it, and sometimes even smashed it to dust. But there were ways to hold on to it and to even piece it back together in new ways. To add patches of light to a shadowy bruise, to stitch a crack with a little thread of joy." 

There is a minor trigger warning for rape in this book.

Thank you to InkSlinger PR & Samantha Young for providing a copy for an honest review.

Book Review: The Fragile Ordinary by Samantha Young

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

The Fragile Ordinary is a coming of age YA Contemporary. If you know me, you know Samantha Young is one of my favorite author. Thus, I'm not surprised I enjoyed reading this so much. The novel is narrated by a girl name Comet Caldwell (1st person POV), who is a very shy and socially awkward. A girl who prefer to be stuck in books rather than socializing with people around her. The 2nd main character is Tobias King, the new mysterious boy in town who go to the same school as Comet.

The thing I loved the most about this novel is the character development especially on Comet's. It was so well built. At the end of the day, it's about finding your true-self, accepting all the flaws & quirks, and to see the good things layer by layer, not only on the outside. Comet learnt that sometimes we can't change the situation, but we can only accept and see the good things in it.

The relationship between Comet & Tobias is freaking sweet - they started as a best friend before they become lovers, which I really like as I have a thing for best friend to lover romance. Best friend to lover is everything, urgh.

If you read most of Samantha Young novel, you know she will give that unexpected plot twist. This was what I'm looking for while reading The Fragile Ordinary, and wow that twist is so unexpected I cried. I cried for Tobias, I cried for Comet. I'm so sad by it as I really thought that there is still hope, but nope. It just crushed my heart.

Minus one star for the weird slang / spelling from Stevie and his crew. It's hard for me get into and I feel that it's unnecessary.

Thank you to Harlequin Teen, InkSlinger PR & Samantha Young for providing a copy for an honest review.