Most Anticipated March Releases!

I did a post like this last month and really enjoyed picking my top releases for the month so I thought I'd continue doing it this month! 

Just a couple things: 

I'll include a brief synopsis of most of the books listed but if it's part of a series I'll leave out the synopsis to avoid spoilers.

Books marked with a "~" are ones that have been sent to me to review.

These aren't in any particular order and there are only 4 books this month.

1. The Great Hunt ~

When a giant beast starts terrorizing the people in her fathers kingdom Princess Aerity must give up her chance at true love and offer her hand in marriage as a prize to the first man to take down the beast. 

Honestly the synopsis isn't enough to make me want to read this book but its by one of my new favorite authors so of course I have to pick it up and give it a shot! 

Release date is March 8th 


2. Wink Poppy Midnight

I have no idea what this book is about, even the Goodreads synopsis doesn't offer much insight. BUT Jesse (on booktube) was talking about this earlier this month and when he showed the cover I just knew I had to add it to my list! 

Release date is March 22nd




3. Shades Of Darkness 



As far as I can tell this is about a girl trying to escape her past at a new High School, only to have bodies start piling up left and right. There may be magic? A strange darkness she has to battle? I'm not sure but I'll find out!

Release date is March 8th



4. Lady Midnight 

Shadowhunters. 
In. LA. 
The end. 

I already have my copy of Lady Midnight, I was lucky enough to be able to go to a release party and get it signed but I have not read it yet! As soon as I get my hands on the Shadowhunter Academy novellas then I'll start this beauty!




Not near as long a list as last month but lets be honest, I took way to long to write this post and I almost didn't do one this month. So I guess 4 is better than none? 

I will be better next month! 

Maybe. 

Until next time, 
Ginger 

ARC Review of The Year We Fall Apart

The Year We Fell Apart   

By Emily Martin

Stars: 3

Source: EW

Release Date: January 26th 2016

If Harper could take back all of the mistakes that she has made in the past year she would do it in a heartbeat. Earning a reputation as the schools slut, getting kicked off the swim team, distancing herself from her family. She'd take it all back. But the thing she regrets most is Declan. Messing up their friendship, destroying their relationship. Turning away from him when he needed her the most. 

But now Declan is home from boarding school and he makes it almost impossible to ignore him and the choices that she's made. 

Is it too late to move forward or will the past catch up with her before she's ready to confront it? 

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"In the tradition of Sarah Dessen..." That is why I picked up this book... Let's just say I WOULD NOT compare this to Sarah Dessen... At all. 

This book started off great, it had everything I wanted when I picked it up, (somewhat) unrequited love, family dynamics, new and old friendships, summer! 

The middle kept me going, it was fast paced, had witty commentary and even a teeny bit of mystery to it. 

The ending... The ending was just... Just there! One minute I'm reading and the next I'm sitting there wondering if I missed a chapter (or three).  

Spoilers ahead! Turn back now or continue at your own risk! 

*Please keep in mind I did read this as an ARC and the finished copy may be more... complete. If you had read the finished book and know something I don't PLEASE let me know!*

What the hell? 

The loose ends in this book are enough to make me that fringe purse I've been eyeing at Target! (What? The 70's are coming back baby!)

First off Harper's Mom, is she going to die? Be okay? Make a miraculous recovery and climb Everest? 

Does Harper even care? 

While I didn't want her mom's cancer to be the focal point of the story it would've been nice if Harper showed a little bit more emotion and concern for her dying mother! 

But no, that's too much to ask for!

Then there's her "best friend" Sadie. What. A. Little. Bitch. 

She's always dragging Harper out to party, dumping her the second she finds a guy to hook up with and then by the time she's ready to leave she's too drunk to drive. On top of all that she doesn't give an eff about Harper's mom or the fact that she should be home spending time with her family. Nope she just wants a ride somewhere and then she's gone, off doing god knows what. 

But is there a wrap up? A light bulb turning on over Harper's head leading up to the last chapter? A moment when Harp realizes that a toxic friendship is the last thing she needs in her life right now? 

Nope. 

Because she's too focused on Declan. 

The ENTIRE book revolved around 'will they, won't they'. Will they talk? Will they get back together? Does he still love her? Can he forgive her? 

It was like Ross and Rachel times ten minus the actual romance. 

I'm all for romance but deal lord... 

To top it all off, I hated Harper as a character... 

In the beginning it wasn't that big of a deal but as the book went on and she continued to make 'mistake' after 'mistake' (silly me I tend to call those patterns or choices if you tend to do it OVER AND OVER AGAIN) and never learned from them... I got so frustrated! 

You ruined your reputation by making out with someone else's boyfriend so instead lets hook up in the back of a car with a guy you barley know. 

You got too wasted to see right from wrong so lets do a shot! 

You couldn't drive yourself home from the party last night because you drank too much and your friend had to come and get you but let's go out tonight and do it all over again. 

You're probably wondering why in the hell I gave this book 3 stars when I obviously didn't like it I'll just clarify. 

It wasn't awful. While I didn't like some of the characters (surprisingly the side ones weren't that bad) or the plot (if you can call it that) I really did enjoy the writing.

In fact if the ending hadn't of had all those loose ends I probably would've given it 4 stars.  

Emily Martin is a debut author and I'll actually be on the lookout to see what she has coming out next. 

Let me know if you read this one and how you felt about it! 

And if you're reading this part... Thank you for sticking around and reading that revi- rant. You deserve a gold star!

Until next time, 
Ginger 

In compliance with FTC guidelines I am disclosing that this book was given to me for free to review. 

My review is my honest opinion.  

ARC Review of "Shallow Graves"

Shallow Graves  

By Kali Wallace  

Stars: 3

Source: EW

Release Date: January 26th 2016

Breezy doesn't remember who killed her. Or how she ended up in a shallow grave a couple of blocks from her house, in the backyard of a house that's for sale. She doesn't know why she's waking up after a year of being 'dead'. She doesn't know why the man who dug her up is now laying dead next to her. She doesn't know why she has to remind her heart to beat. She doesn't know how she can pick murderers out a crowd. And she doesn't know why her touch kills them. But while she searches for answers she realizes she isn't the only one with supernatural abilities and that there are people out there whose soul purpose in life is to hunt people like her. 

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I have such mixed feeling about this book. When it first started I was hooked. I hadn't read anything about this so I went in blind, and the first couple of chapters were amazing. But then it took a weird turn and left me a little disoriented. 

I loved the idea behind Breezy's story. She was murdered and now she hunts murderers. It reminded me of a much, much darker version of Kimberly Dertings "Body Finder" series. 

But when it turned into 'crazy cult hunting monsters' it lost me. It almost felt like two different books with two different plots mashed up together. 

I would've liked it so much more if it had stayed on the same track as the first couple chapters. But from the second she entered the 'church' I kept having to force myself to finish it. 

It went from what I thought was a book about murder and justice to this weird occult train wreck. 

Personally (if you couldn't tell already) this wasn't a book for me. 

I'd be interested to see what else the author has coming out but I wouldn't recommend this book.  

Until next time, 
Ginger 

In compliance with FTC guidelines I am disclosing that this book was given to me for free to review. 

My review is my honest opinion.

Waiting On Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. 

Here is my selection for the week:

Big and sweeping, spanning the refined palaces of Osfrid to the gold dust and untamed forests of Adoria, The Glittering Court tells the story of Adelaide, an Osfridian countess who poses as her servant to escape an arranged marriage and start a new life in Adoria, the New World. But to do that, she must join the Glittering Court. 

Both a school and a business venture, the Glittering Court is designed to transform impoverished girls into upper-class ladies who appear destined for powerful and wealthy marriages in the New World. Adelaide naturally excels in her training and even makes a few friends: the fiery former laundress Tamsin and the beautiful Sirminican refugee Mira. She manages to keep her true identity hidden from all but one: the intriguing Cedric Thorn, son of the wealthy proprietor of the Glittering Court. 

When Adelaide discovers that Cedric is hiding a dangerous secret of his own, together, they hatch a scheme to make the best of Adelaide’s deception. Complications soon arise—first, as they cross the treacherous seas from Osfrid to Adoria, and later, when Adelaide catches the attention of a powerful governor. 

But no complication will prove quite as daunting as the potent attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. An attraction that, if acted on, would scandalize the Glittering Court and make them both outcasts in wild, vastly uncharted lands. . . .

Release date: April 5th 

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The reason I picked this book was because I couldn't stop looking at the cover! It is BEAUTIFUL! Shockingly enough I haven't ever read a Richelle Mead book... Please don't hate me! But I do have The Vampire Academy on my TBR for this year... summer maybe? And once I read/finish that I'm thinking I'll need this book! I went to one of her signing's last year and I need to read at least one of her books before she comes back this year! 

Let me know if you've adding this one to your TBR or what you're waiting for this Wednesday! 

Until next time,
Ginger 

January Wrap UP!

I'm really embracing the snow for this months 'theme' so I hope you guys like it! 

Here's my January Wrap Up! 

1. Sweet Reckoning: The conclusion to Wendy Higgins "Sweet Series". I listen to this one on Audible and I LOVED it. 

2. Shade Me: The first book in the new "Nikki Kill" series. If you like Veronica Mars you will love this book! 

3. See Me: Nicholas Sparks isn't everyone's cup of tea, but dammit, he's mine! I read this book in one sitting! 

 1. Slammed: I've only ever come across one Colleen Hoover book that I didn't like and this was not it! While I didn't give it 5 stars it was without a doubt one of my favorite books I read (listened to) this month. 

2. The Assassin and the Pirate Lord: This was for my TBR Challenge (read a prequel)and it was a quick, fun read. I'm currently reading The Assassin and the Healer so that will be in my February Wrap Up Post. 

3. Sword and Verse: This was a really pleasant surprise for me! I didn't know anything about this book going into it and I flew through it! I'll have a review up later this month. 

 4. The Year We Fall Apart: This book was a hard one for me to rate, I'll go into why in my review (to come) but I just felt like it was missing too much for me to rate it 5 Stars/Snow Flakes. 

5. Smart Girl: This was my first Rachel Hollis book and OMG I laughed so hard I cried! And not just at one part, it was the entire book! It was a super fun, sweet read and I'll be reviewing it sometime next week! 

6. Flat Out Celeste: This is the third book I listened to this month and while it wasn't quite as good as the first book in the series, "Flat Out Love", I really liked seeing things from Celeste's point of view and I loved how it wrapped up everything for all the characters. I haven't read the "Flat Out Matt" yet which is book 1.5 in the series but its on my list. 

1. Shallow Graves: This was one of my most anticipated books of the month and it just fell short for me. I liked the idea behind it but the story itself wasn't enough to hold my attention. I'll also be review this later this month. 

2. I Remember You: Oh how I wanted so badly to love this book. Its been on my TBR since before it was released and I was so excited to read it. Sadly I ended up almost hating this book, along with the characters. I couldn't relate to the MC and the story just dragged on and on. Honestly this one should've been rated 2 Stars and I don't know why I gave it 3 on Goodreads... 

 All of my 1 "Snow Flake" books are books that I DNF. 

1. Elementals: I love stories about modern day witches and I LOVE this cover but the story just wasn't there for me.

2. Thicker Than Water: Another good concept and intriguing synopsis but it just dragged on and on and I couldn't make myself finish it. 

3. The Mystery of Hollow Places: I was actually really excited when I started this book. I went into it blind and it started off with a really interesting couple of chapters but I found myself forcing myself to pick it up and the story started to lag. 

4. Other Broken Things: I'm all for a rebellious teen with an attitude problem but oh. My. God. I hated this MC. I usually make myself read 30% before I DNF but I don't even think I made it past 15% with this book. 

5. A Madness So Discreet: A little back story on this book. I actually met Mindy McGinnis at an event before she ever started writing this book. I overheard her talking about an idea she had for her next book and I was hooked. I immediately inserted myself into the conversation to get the tentative title and possible release date. A year or two later I finally saw it on EW and I was SO EXCITED. Sadly I just couldn't get into it...

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So there's my January Wrap Up! I feel like I had a really good reading month! I think what helped me read SO MUCH and what kept me from falling into a slump is DNF when I felt like it and not forcing myself to push through. Last year I fell into a MONTH LONG slump and it was awful so I'm trying to not let that happen again. 

Let me know what you think and I'll talk to you soon! 

Until next time,

 Ginger  

(Not so) Patiently Waiting On Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. 

Here is my selection for the week:

Taken from Amazon:

The electrifying next installment in the Red Queen series escalates the struggle between the growing rebel army and the blood-segregated world they've always known—and pits Mare against the darkness that has grown in her soul.

Mare Barrow's blood is red—the color of common folk—but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control. The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince—the friend—who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.

Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors. But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat.Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?

Release date is February 9th 2016

I've pretty much been counting down the days until I could get my hands on this book since I finished the first book in the series (The Red Queen). I am such a giant fan of Victoria's writing and her story and her characters that I honestly don't know how I'm going to deal once I finish Glass Sword and have to, yet again, wait 12+ months for more. 

If you haven't read the previous book I HIGHLY  recommend it and I will definitely be picking this up the day it comes out! 

Feel free to leave a link to your WOW below so  I can check it out! 

Until next time, 

Ginger

ARC Review of "Emmy and Oliver"

Emmy and Oliver 

By Robin Benway 

Stars: 5 

Source: Edelweiss 

Release Date: June 23rd 2015 

It's been ten years since Emmy's best friend Oliver was kidnapped. Ripped away from his home, his family and friends, his life. 

Not a day has gone by that Emmy hasn't wondered what happened to him, where he was, if he was okay, if he ever thought about her. 

Now Oliver is back and Emmy doesn't know how to feel. She wishes things could go back to the way they used to be but she knows that's impossible. 

Oliver is trying to adjust to his new/old life and trying to cope with the fact that for ten years his own father lied to him and made him believe that his mother wanted nothing to do with him. 

This heartbreaking, emotional story will tug at your heart strings and leave you with tears running down your face, yet still hopeful and undoubtedly wanting more of Emmy and Oliver's incredible, unforgettable story. 

Amazon - Barnes and Noble  - Book Depository

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I had no idea what this book was about when I started it. In my mind it was a cute contemporary about two friends who fall for each other. 

Within the first chapter I was not only proven wrong by thinking it was nothing but a cute, fluffy, easy read but I was hooked. 

I need to know what happened to Oliver. 

I instantly knew exactly how Emmy felt, waiting years and years with no news, no clues as to what might have happened to him. 

Robin wrote so beautifully and so accurately that it was impossible not to feel every emotion that Emmy felt, to relive every memory, every nightmare.

And her parents, who were (understandably) overprotective, always needing to know where she was, who she was with and when she'd be home. You related to them, you understood their fears and their insecurities because you saw what Oliver's mother went through when he disappeared.    

Then there was Oliver, whose character was so raw and so complex I found myself doubting him being fictional. I could picture every single thing about him from his looks to his expressions to how he moved and walked. 

It was like being introduced to a complete stranger only to find out you've known this person your whole life. 

I hope I'm making sense here and not just rambling... 

In short, I fell hopelessly in love with this story and it's characters. 

Any book that can force me to ugly cry (it's a thing, google it.) is 5 stars in my book! 

Until next time,

Ginger 

In compliance with FTC guidelines I am disclosing that this book was given to me for free to review. 

My review is my honest opinion.