Review: Rock, Rattle and Roll

Rock, Rattle and Roll by Taryn Elliott

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



*Arc provided by Netgalley for a fair and honest review.

This novella from the Lost in Oblivion series was a quick and hot view into the life of Harper and Deacon, post-wedding. On their honeymoon, no less, so you know that it is at least going to be interesting on one area. As you can tell from the title, it does delve into more than just sex though. On that note...

I wish I could say more than this novella was more than just okay. That's all it was for me though, just okay. I am a little over the unplanned pregnancy trope rampant in this genre of books. It was handled slightly differently in this book, which was a good thing though. It added something that makes it stand out a little more. It's hard to write book that stands out despite following the same basic formula, but this author does manage to do that. Interesting characters and good writing make a huge difference.

Anyhoo. If you were already a fan of the great chemistry inspired by Harper and Deacon, you'll dig this novella. It's just enough to keep your appetite going for more of the series.



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Undeniable

3.5 Stars I usually avoid serials like the plague, but the synopsis on this one was enough to make me curious enough to give it a shot. Thankfully, I wasn't disappointed. Too much anyway. Overall, this was a quick and intriguing read. It's only 62 pages, but those 62 pages kept me hooked and that is saying a lot given my attention span. The only major downfall of this for me is the fact that it is a serial. There wasn't really enough time to form any lasting opinions on any of the characters. I didn't get attached to the story of the characters themselves, I just wanted to know what was going to happen. That may work for some readers, especially those who dig the idea behind a serial, but it just frustrates me seeing as how I tend to be more of an instant gratification type person. I assume as the series goes on, we'll get more insight into what makes the characters tick and if the rest are like this, it will be a good ride. That said, I am definitely interested in continuing on with the series. The first book gave me enough that I definitely have the need to know more. Even if it also makes me wish that I could have already had it in a full length novel. That's not really a bad problem to have. Arc provided by Patchwork Press via NetGalley for a fair and honest review

Link to purchase on Amazon-->http://amzn.com/B00JQJ7RB6

I don't know why I keep doing this to myself.

Seeing Stars wasn't bad but it was pretty much the definition of cliché. My eye muscles got a good workout from all of the rolling they did. 

To elaborate some, this is your typical beach read.  There isn't any drama, there isn't much of anything really.  It's just a quick and easy read, to the point that when something finally starts to happen you realize that you are already at the epilogue and wondered what just happened.

On the plus side, if you are looking for something that is quick, easy, and has perfect characters in which everything ends perfectly perfect, you've got it with this one. 

Side note..I've been in a slightly bitchy and cynical mood lately and it's entirely possible that it is affecting my reviews.

But then again, I've been that way for 30ish years, so take what you want from it.

My Rating: 2/5 Stars

Sweet Little Thing

My Rating: 3/5 Stars

Thoughtless reread #1000

   

1000 is probably a slight exaggeration, but whatever. 

Do you have one of those books that you love, but you just don't understand why?  This is one of those for me.  I've probably actually read it 9 or 10 times by now. It gets me every time and I have no clue why. Keira is so unbelievably frustrating.  She's definitely in the top 10 of my I want to slap a bitch list (This may or may not have been because she should have just jumped ship to Kellan after the first time. Guess that would have not made for an interesting book though). And who actually blushes that much?  And Denny.  I hated him too. Seriously dude, man the fuck up. 

 I won't even get into the actual writing on the book.  Oh wait, yes I will.  I avidly, definitely, passionately, violently, madly, (etc) hated the fact that the author seemed to have just went through and found every single adjective that ended in an -ly to use in it. Almost everything about this book just annoyed me to no end.  

So, why do I love it so fucking much?  Really, I want to know.  Anyone? It makes no sense.  And it's just this one in the series too.  I've read all of them, but it's this one--the most frustrating one--that I can't get enough of. 

I guess I'll just blame it on Kellan. I loved him.  Loved.  He was the ultimate damaged bad boy for me. Even now, when I am so far beyond over the whole damaged bad boy scene, he still makes me all giddy with his awesomeness.  Keira doesn't deserve him.  

^ See.  I have a problem.  Oh well, I'll just skip off to finish said 1000th reread and then finish my other books so I can convince myself that I really do have outstanding taste in them. Even though I love, love, love this book. 

My Rating: 2.5/5 Stars

Want to read another NA- College based Romance book with a tattooed, manwhore bad boy who finally meets "the one"?  With said "one" also happens to a complete pushover with personal issues that he can help save her from, while she reciprocates by saving him from himself?  Then look no further. 

You know, I kind of feel bad for authors who are trying to break into this genre. It is SO bogged down by the same type of books, that it has gotten to the point where it is almost impossible to put out something that really stands out. This book wasn't really bad, but when it is just another in a long line of the same story it just becomes boring. There wasn't anything special about it to make me care about anything or anyone. I actually kind of liked it, but there was nothing in there it that will make me remember anything that happened after finishing another book or two. 

I guess I'm saying that if you aren't already completely over reading books like this, you'll probably like it. There isn't really anything overtly annoying (other the aforementioned pushover issues of Ivy), the writing is decent, and Jon isn't a total douchebag.  That's obviously not a glowing recommendation, but if you are one who is over the genre, you'll know that it isn't as bad as it could be. 

*Arc provided by Aspendawn Books via NetGalley for a fair and honest review. 

Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

My rating 4/5 stars. 

Before I start with anything, I just want to say that Colleen Hoover gives good sidekick.  Really. My favorite characters always end up being the secondary characters. 

Maybe Someday wasn't my favorite book by Colleen Hoover, but I do think it is one that is really starting bring her talent to the forefront. She has a talent for making uncomfortable situations more palatable.  I can't say if that is a good thing or a bad thing, but it does make it immensely readable and because of that more relatable.  She always give me that happy feeling when I reach that last page. 

However, at the same time, it also kind of does a disservice by making everything seem... understandable? Okay? I can't think of the proper word for it.  Sugarcoated.  She adds something in there to sugarcoat the situation so you can willingly and excitedly accept what happens. It's the same thing as killing off a side of the triangle. It's a cop-out. That said, I think that it is what should happen in this genre so I can't really fault her for it if I go into the book knowing what type of book I am reading.  So maybe I have more of a problem with the New Adult genre in general more than anything else. 

Based on those two completely different views, I'm obviously kind of torn with my opinions. I didn't care for how the situation between Sydney, Ridge and Maggie resolved itself. For that matter, I didn't really care for Syndey in general. I did not dislike her, but rather I was ambivalent toward her.  However, I loved a lot of this book. I loved Ridge and Warren. They both cracked me up. 

"Sydney: SQUEEEE! Me: If those letters really make up a sound, I am so, so glad I can't hear it."  <-- Totally.  I've made that noise.  It's not pretty. 

I loved the love-triangle aspect of it. I know that I tend to be in the minority in that, but I love the emotions brought out because of them. I loved the idea of the music, even if I didn't care for the music itself. And I loved that even despite the stuff I didn't love, I still finished feeling that I read a good book.  

So, was it a good book? Yes, definitely. Especially for the genre. Colleen Hoover is one of the reasons that NA is readable for me.  Did I wish that I could have gotten more? Yes. Thankfully, she has continually gotten better with every book, so I know that I'll get that more from her soon enough.  So, maybe not someday.  Definitely someday.