Divergent by Veronica Roth

Synopsis

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.
Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

 

Review

What can I say about Divergent? I found Divergent probably a year ago. I happened to read the first 5 chapters at the local bookstore one day while I was killing time. I was only planning on reading the first chapter, and ended up not being able to put it down. I was considering buying the book that day, but ended up walking away from it. A few months later I finally bought the Kindle version....but it sat on my Kindle while I continued to put more books in front of Divergent in my read order. 

 

Finally when I realized that the movie was coming out soon, I wanted to make sure I read the book before the movie so I kicked my butt in gear and got reading. I fell in love again. I read through it fairly quickly considering my busy schedule currently. Probably about a third through the book I realized that I loved it more than The Hunger Games. Divergent is constantly compared to The Hunger Games and The Hunger Games has been getting continuously high ratings. So realizing that I love Divergent more than The Hunger Games is crazy. 

 

I finished the book the night before my husband and I went to the movie and I love the story. My husband said it best after watching the movie, "I love The Hunger Games, but I think I love Divergent more. Divergent just seems to have more substance." The characters just seemed to be more real and there seemed to be more story behind the revolution. I feel like because the revolution started in the first book that there will be a lot more storyline for the next two books. 

 

Overall, I absolutely loved Divergent and I can't wait to dig into the rest of the series now. 

 

Purchase Links

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Divergent-Veronica-Roth-ebook/dp/B004CFA9RS/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395878620&sr=1-7&keywords=divergent

 

Amazon:   http://www.amazon.com/Divergent-Veronica-Roth/dp/0062024035/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1395878620&sr=1-7

Gabriel's Redemption by Sylvain Reynard

Synopsis
From the author of the New York Times bestsellers Gabriel’s Rapture and Gabriel’s Inferno comes the epic conclusion to the captivating romantic trilogy.

Professor Gabriel Emerson has left his position at the University of Toronto to embark on a new life with his beloved Julianne. Together, he’s confident that they can face any challenge. And he’s eager to become a father.

But Julianne’s graduate program threatens Gabriel’s plans, as the pressures of being a student become all consuming. When she is given the honor of presenting an academic lecture at Oxford, Gabriel is forced to confront Julianne about the subject of her presentation—research that conflicts with his own. And in Oxford, several individuals from their past appear, including an old nemesis intent on humiliating Julia and exposing one of Gabriel’s darkest secrets.

In an effort to confront his remaining demons, Gabriel begins a quest to discover more about his biological parents, beginning a chain of events that has startling repercussions for himself, Julianne, and his hope of having a family.

Review
"Gabriel's Redemption" was the third installment of the "Gabriel" series. When I read "Gabriel's Inferno" and "Gabriel's Rapture" I flew right through them. I had a lot of issue getting through "Gabriel's Redemption" as fast as the first two books. The first half of the story went very slowly for me, but after that midway mark, I finally got into the story a lot more. I can't really put my finger on what it was that made it a slow read for me, but by the end of the book I really enjoyed it. I felt like it was a great end to the series. A friend of mine had read it prior to me finishing and she kept asking me where I was at, because she said that she wanted to know my reaction to the end. I won't spoil it for anyone, but I will say very close to the end of the book I wanted to throw the book across the room and never finish reading it because I didn't want the series to be ruined for me....but I stuck it out and I ended up very happy with the ending.

Purchase Links
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Gabriels-Redemption-Inferno-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00CDUVUP4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1395877970&sr=1-1&keywords=gabriel%27s+redemption

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Gabriels-Redemption-Inferno-Trilogy/dp/0425266516/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1395877970&sr=1-1

Cage (Corps Security) by Harper Sloan

Synopsis
**Warning** This book is intended for a mature reading**

"Alpha heroes you'll want to kidnap and keep, heroines to root for, and sizzling love scenes with emotional punch." Carly Phillips, NY Times Bestselling Author

Greg Cage was born to protect. While growing up, he was his mother and sister’s shield against the world… until he failed. For the last decade, he has carried that guilt and need for vengeance around… until it was stripped from him. Now, with his best friend getting married and no longer needing his protection, he is even more lost, completely adrift, and desperate for some control. All he has ever known was how to protect: his family, his friends, and his country. Can he go against everything he has ever known, and give up that control?

Melissa Larson will never let anyone hold the reins in her life. She has been the rock in her family for more years than she can remember, and the fight to keep them together is her main priority right now. She has always been fiercely independent and proud. The last thing she will ever do is ask for someone else’s help. But when that choice is out of her control, forcing her to rely on others to save her and her family, and pick up the pieces that are left, will she be able to let someone else be her strength?

The second Greg locks eyes with Meli, he knows that she is someone he needs. Someone he craves. Meli knew the second she met Greg that he would be nothing but trouble and heartache. Her life takes an unexpected turn, and that bitch Fate is back to wreak more havoc on another member of the Corps family.

All hell breaks loose, leaving Greg no choice but to call in a favor. He hooks back up with his old friend Braxxon Breaker from the Breakneck MC. Together, they make sure that nothing threatens anyone Greg loves again.

CAGE is a complete story with a HEA.

Review
Having just come off reading "Axel," book one in the Corps Security series by Harper Sloan, I was extremely excited for this book. I was pleased with how "Cage" turned out. I still liked "Axel" better, but the "Cage" story wasn't just a copy of the "Axel" story, which would have been the easy-out for Harper Sloan.

The story follows Cage and Melissa. Cage is Axel's friend and Melissa is Izzy. Their relationship starts out in a strange way, but witnessing both Cage and Melissa coming to the realization that they are actually capable of loving and being loved is an amazing thing to witness. They have some ups and downs throughout the relationship, and the epilogue was the icing on the cake for this book.

Purchase Links
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Cage-Corps-Security-Book-2-ebook/dp/B00F28ICBE/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1395876611&sr=1-1&keywords=cage+harper+sloan

Axel (Corps Security) by Harper Sloan

Synopsis
**Warning**
This book is intended for a mature reading audience and isn't suitable for younger readers.

Fate hasn’t always been friends with Isabelle West. In fact, fate has been a downright bitch.

Isabelle has learned the hard way how hard life can be when fate isn’t by your side. It can hand you dreams on silver platters, but it can snatch them right back and hand you nightmares. One thing Isabelle knew for sure fate was consistent with was taking away everything she ever loved.

For the last two years Isabelle has been slowly clearing the clouds of her past. Happiness is finally on the horizon. She has a thriving business, great friends, and her life back. All she has to do is jump over the last hurdle…her ex-husband.

When problems start causing her to fear her new life, and memories that are better left forgotten start rushing to the surface the last thing she needs is a ghost from her past to come knocking on her door.

Axel never thought he would look into the eyes of Isabelle West again, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to now. He’s carried his anger for so long he isn’t sure he can just turn it off, but when he is faced with protecting her and an unexpected desire to have her again, life gets a little more complicated.

How will Axel and Isabelle deal when all their cards are put on the table and everything they thought was true blows up in their faces?

*book 1 in the Corps Security series. Can be read as a standalone but each book interconnects. HEA*

Review
OMG! Seriously, I am in love with this series. That is really all I have to say.

But I'll continue anyway....Usually I purchase my books based off of the cover art. It might be a strange thing, but the books I tend to love the most, I love the cover art as well. And something about the font on this cover just doesn't sit well with me.  So when I first heard of this series, I refused to buy it because of the cover art. But then when I continued to here great reviews about 'Axel' and then for 'Cage when it was released...and then again for 'Beck', I decided I actually did needed to read this series. So I bought the series and it sat on my Kindle for a while. Once I finally decided to read it, I seriously couldn't put it down.

'Axel' was super fun and innovative. There were some dark parts in regards to Izzy's ex-husband, but all of the fun and happy parts made it all the better. The novel ended with a smile on my face. And now I'm reading the next book in this series, 'Cage', and the series just keeps getting better. Definitely a must read....even if you don't like the cover art. Haha.

5 Stars

Purchase Links
Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/Axel-Corps-Security-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00DU1GW80/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392084892&sr=1-2&keywords=axel+harper+sloan

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Synopsis
Don’t miss The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, soon to be a major motion picture in theaters August 2013.


When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

Review
It has been a while since I finished this book, so this review won't be as great as I would like it to be. But it is basically summed up in that this is probably the first book I've ever read that I preferred the movie. I just couldn't get into reading this book. Which bothers me because I really wanted to enjoy it. I will try to continue through the series as I already own the whole series, but reading this book has really been a bummer for me. It was slow going and hard to understand for some reason. The book couldn't keep my attention, so it ended up taking me much too long to complete this book. Bummer.

2 Stars

Purchase Links
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/City-Bones-Mortal-Instruments-Book/dp/1416955070/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1392083790&sr=1-1

Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/Bones-Mortal-Instruments-Cassandra-Clare-ebook/dp/B0013TXA5Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392083790&sr=1-1&keywords=city+of+bones+by+cassandra+clare

Searching for Someday by Jennifer Probst

Synopsis
First in a sizzling new series from Jennifer Probst, the USA Today bestselling author adored for her “fresh, fun, and sexy” (Romancing the Book) storytelling!

In charming Verily, New York, Kate Seymour has a smashing success with Kinnections, the matchmaking service she owns with her two best girlfriends. But Kate’s more than a savvy businesswoman: She’s gifted with a secret power, a jolting touch that signals when love’s magic is at work. It rocked her when she picked up a strange volume of love spells in the town’s used bookstore . . . and it zapped her again when she encountered Slade Montgomery, the hot-tempered— and hot-bodied—divorce lawyer who storms into Kinnections demanding proof that playing Cupid won’t destroy his vulnerable sister, Kate’s newest client. The only way to convince this cynic that she’s no fraud, and that love is no mirage, is for Kate to meet his audacious challenge: find him his dream woman. Can Kate keep their relationship strictly business when her electrifying attraction nearly knocked her off her feet? Or has the matchmaker finally met her match?

Review
This book was absolutely amazing. This was my first novel read by Jennifer Probst and I must say I so pleasantly surprised by it that I can't wait for the rest of the series to be released and to read other Jennifer Probst books in the future.

The first few chapters were a little slow for me because it was trying to get a few different storylines to come together, but once they came together, magic happened. This novel was just plain fun and witty. Kate and Slade was hilarious together, and seem completely wrong for each other, but reading about how much they both can't stop thinking about the other when they are apart is so touching.

The naughty parts of the book were completely amazing, and were probably some of the best naughty parts I've read in books yet. Even though the story line was pretty similar to other books I've read in the past (and will probably continue to read) it still felt new and exciting. Jennifer Probst is truly a talent. I cannot wait to continue to read more from her in the future.....and to read 'Searching for Perfect', the sequel to 'Searching for Someday.'

And the Epilogue was completely amazing. It was probably my favorite part of the entire book! Love love love it!

Purchase Links
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Searching-Someday-Jennifer-Probst/dp/1476744920/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1392080284&sr=1-1

Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/Searching-Someday-Jennifer-Probst-ebook/dp/B00BSBVIDI/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392080284&sr=1-1&keywords=searching+for+someday+by+jennifer+probst

Easy by Tammara Webber

Synopsis
The New York Times Bestseller by Tammara Webber

Rescued by a stranger.
Haunted by a secret
Sometimes, love isn't easy...

He watched her, but never knew her. Until thanks to a chance encounter, he became her savior...

The attraction between them was undeniable. Yet the past he'd worked so hard to overcome, and the future she'd put so much faith in, threatened to tear them apart.

Only together could they fight the pain and guilt, face the truth - and find the unexpected power of  love.

A groundbreaking novel in the New Adult genre, Easy faces one girl's struggle to regain the trust she's lost, find the inner strength to fight back against an attacker, and accept the peace she finds in the arms of a secretive boy.

Review
'Easy' started out slow but ended up being a great book. There is a lot of back-story to the overall plot, so there needed to be that big build up. I felt like the beginning of the story could have maybe moved along a little faster or had a little more added drama, but about halfway through the story I ended up getting really involved in the Jacqueline - Landon/Lucas relationship.

It more or less ended as you expected. I wouldn't say it was one of the best books I ever read, but it was definitely a worth-while read. There were some really heart-warming parts as well some really heart-wrenching parts.

This was my first Tammara Webber novel and it definitely put me in the position to where I would read more by Tammara. There have been some authors recently that have left me a little under-whelmed and lead me to not reading any of there other work. I would definitely continue to search out Tammara's work based on this novel and give some of her other work a shot.

If you end up reading 'Easy' and enjoy it, there is going to be a second book, 'Breakable', that is described as more a prequel from Landon/Lucas' perspective. That should make for an interesting read.

I would give 'Easy' a solid four stars.

Purchase Links
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Tammara-Webber/dp/0425266745/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1392079406&sr=1-1

Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Tammara-Webber-ebook/dp/B009KUXCFQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392079406&sr=1-1&keywords=easy+tammara+webber