Review: Stripped by Brooklyn Skye

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Summary/Cover Image from Goodreads:

“I like you.” His voice is low and soft, which I don’t deserve. I look away, down the rutted parking lot.
“Don’t... waste those words on me.”
He touches my cheek. “You just need someone to show you.”
“No.” I ease back again. “I don’t. So please, Torrin, stop trying to swoop in and save me. I don’t need saving.”

College freshman Quinn Montgomery will do anything to avoid the mistake her sister made—killing herself over a boy. But when she is forced into nude modeling at a local college to support her family after a bankruptcy, she begins to crack, just enough to let Torrin, the university’s top varsity oarsman, see that the real Quinn is not as feisty and unapproachable as she wants everyone to think. But letting someone in comes at a steep cost and, it turns out, Torrin is connected to Quinn’s family in more ways than she could ever imagine.

Review:

As soon as I first heard about this one, I knew I had to read it. It sounded amazing. Plus anything labeled as a New Adult is instantly added to my wish list these days. Luckily, Stripped by Brooklyn Skye proved to be the perfect afternoon read. It had drama, twists, and a whole lot of steamy romance!

Stripped starts the story of Quinn Montgomery, a college student who would do anything to distance herself from her last name. Her family used to nearly be perfect, but then her sister died, her father got fired over a shifty business deal, and her parents were left 100% broke. Now looking for a job to pay for her tuition, she lands a gig modeling in a college art class. Quinn knows it's not perfect, but she figures that she can just suck it up and deal with it. However, everything changes when she meets Torrin. He's amazing and kind and he just seems to get her. The only problem? Quinn refuses to let people in, no matter how great they may be. What will happen? Only time and more pages can tell!

To be honest, Quinn was a frustrating main character. Because of her family's problems, she tended to close herself off from the world, and only pick the worst possible choices for herself. Yeah, I could understand this, but still all I wanted to do was tell her it didn't have to be that bad, that she could still be happy. Thankfully, she started to figure this out as the book went on thanks to the help of Torrin, a super hot and nice guy with problems of his own. I always loved seeing moments between the two of them. They usually provided a good laugh or two as well as some pretty awesome "AWWW!" moments. The variety of side characters were also great additions. I loved Quinn's college friends as well as the surprising addition of some people from her past.

The plot in this was pretty basic and predictable. However, it didn't bother me that much, as the characters and emotional development provided to keep me interested from start to finish. I loved how Brooklyn focused on family drama in this one. As mentioned before, it did drive me crazy to see how much Quinn shut the world out because of it, but it also turned out to be dramatic and interesting to read about it. I also liked the little twist at the end. I saw it coming from about 5939839 miles away, but it still managed to shock me in some ways.

In all, Stripped is another great addition to the new adult genre. I can't wait to see what Skye has planned next!

Grade: B+

Stripped (Amazon, BN, Goodreads) is now out!

Source: Author for blog tour

About the Author: 

Brooklyn Skye is just your average awkward girl who's obsessed with words. She grew up in a small California town where she quickly realized writing was an easy escape from small town life.

Website / Twitter / Goodreads

***GIVEAWAY***

As part of the blog tour, one signed paperback copy of Stripped (US only) or one e-book copy with authorgraph (INT) is up for grabs! 

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Game. Set. Match. Blog Tour: Jack Harrison Character Profile

As part of the blog tour for Game. Set. Match. by Jennifer Iacopelli, I have a character profile for Jack Harrison, one of the main characters in the book. So without a further ado...

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You don't have to be a genius to be a sports agent, but Jack Harrison is just that, a genius. After graduating high school at 16, he finished Harvard in three years while starring on their tennis team. He followed that up with Harvard Law. Jack is brilliant, savvy and does his best to help his little sister navigate the shark infested waters of the professional tennis circuit. When an unexpected attraction crashes into him full force, will he allow himself to love, despite all the obstacles in the way?

Myers Briggs: INFP

Idealistic, loyal to their values and to people who are important to them. Want an external life that is congruent with their values. Curious, quick to see possibilities, can be catalysts for implementing ideas. Seek to understand people and to help them fulfill their potential. Adaptable, flexible, and accepting unless a value is threatened.

Age: 23

Birthday: April 1st

Height: 6’2”

Born: Chicago, Illinois

Occupation: Sports Agent

Achievements:

Graduated High School at 16

3x All-American at Harvard University (Tennis)

Graduated Harvard Law at 20 years old

Song: Big Enough - Taddy Porter

About Game. Set. Match.:

Nestled along the coastline of North Carolina, the Outer Banks Tennis Academy is the best elite tennis training facility in the world. Head Coach, Dominic Kingston has assembled some of the finest talent in the sport. From the game's biggest stars to athletes scraping and clawing to achieve their dreams, OBX is full of ego, drama and romance. Only the strong survive in this pressure cooker of competition, on and off the court.

Penny Harrison, the biggest rising star in tennis, is determined to win the French Open and beat her rival, the world’s number one player, Zina Lutrova. There’s just one problem, the only person who’s ever been able to shake her laser-like focus is her new training partner. Alex Russell, tennis’s resident bad boy, is at OBX recovering from a knee injury suffered after he crashed his motorcycle (with an Aussie supermodel on the back). He's hoping to regain his former place at the top of men’s tennis and Penny’s heart, while he’s at it.

Tennis is all Jasmine Randazzo has ever known. Her parents have seven Grand Slam championships between them and she’s desperate to live up to their legacy. Her best friend is Teddy Harrison, Penny’s twin brother, and that’s all they’ve ever been, friends. Then one stupid, alcohol-laced kiss makes everything super awkward just as she as she starts prepping for the biggest junior tournament of the year, the Outer Banks Classic.

The Classic is what draws Indiana Gaffney out of the hole she crawled into after her mom’s death. Even though she’s new to OBX, a win at the Classic is definitely possible. She has a big serve and killer forehand, but the rest of her game isn’t quite up to scratch and it doesn’t help that Jasmine Randazzo and her little minions are stuck-up bitches or that Jack Harrison, Penny’s agent and oldest brother, is too hot for words, not to mention way too old for her.

Who will rise? Who will fall?

Told from rotating points of view, GAME. SET. MATCH. is a 'new adult' novel about three girls with one goal: to be the best tennis player in the world.

About the Author:

Jennifer Iacopelli was born in New York and has no plans to leave...ever. Growing up, she read everything she could get her hands on, but her favorite authors were Laura Ingalls Wilder, L.M. Montgomery and Frances Hodgson Burnett all of whom wrote about kick-ass girls before it was cool for girls to be kick-ass. She got a Bachelor's degree in Adolescence Education and English Literature quickly followed up by a Master's in Library Science, which lets her frolic all day with her books and computers, leaving plenty of time in the evenings to write and yell at the Yankees, Giants and her favorite tennis players through the TV.

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Blog Tour: Twisted Perfection by Abbi Glines (Review!)

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Today, as part of the blog tour for Abbi Glines's Twisted Perfection, I have a review for the book. So without a further ado...

Summary/Cover Image from Author's Website:

Life outside of her house was a new experience for Della Sloane. The dark secrets of her past weren’t something she ever intended to share with anyone. They would never understand. No one would ever get close enough to find out. There was always a chance she’d go crazy sooner than they expected…

Woods Kerrington had never been one to be attracted to fragile females. They seemed like too much work. He wasn’t in it for the work just the pleasure. A night full of naughty fun had been exactly what was on his mind when he’d laid eyes on the hot little number that didn’t know how to pump gas and needed some help. 

What he didn’t know was she was as fragile as they came.
The carefree girl who spoke her mind and didn’t care what the world thought of her was more breakable than he could ever imagine…

Review:

Ever since Woods Kerrington was introduced in Fallen Too Far, I've been secretly obsessed with him. There's just something so sexy and compelling about him. I always loved when he made an appearance in a scene. Therefore, when Abbi announced she would be writing a book about Woods, I was SO EXCITED. I couldn't wait to get a look into his head and -more importantly- to see him finally fall in love! Luckily, Twisted Perfection was everything I had hoped it would be and much, much more!

Twisted Perfection tells the story of Woods and Della. While it appears on the surface that Woods have everything he could possibly ever want, he's slowly falling apart on the inside. He can't stand the girl his father has matched up with, and he can't stand the fact that his father is asking him to risk his own happiness just for some more money and power. Della, on the other hand, is running from her past. She needs a break, an escape. So when she meets Woods one night at a gas station, he seems like the perfect person to get that break with. It's a perfect night, but as it goes, all good things must come to an end, and they do. However, what happens when Della shows back up in Woods's world again? Will everything work out, or get even more screwed up then before? Only time and more pages can tell!

The number one thing I always love about Abbi's books besides the kick ass and swoon worthy romance is the characters, and that was just the case with this one. As mentioned before, I feel in love with Woods in Abbi's previous books, and that love was only increased with this one. He's such a great guy. I loved the way he was with Della, and even though he wasn't always perfect, it made me like him all the more. Della was an interesting character as well. Just like with some of Abbi's other leading ladies, Della has a tragic past, one that really managed to screw her up. However, she didn't let this get her down. Instead, she managed to really shine and come across as an all around great person that I couldn't help but root for. I especially loved seeing her become her own person thanks to Woods's influence. I also enjoyed seeing some of Abbi's past characters pop up as well as the new additions she made.

The plot in this one was Abbi's usual set-up, but I still adored it! I loved the romance between Woods and Della. It was super hot and steamy. Plus I loved seeing Abbi peace together Della's past. It was such a compelling aspect of the book, and I never really knew what new piece was going to be introduced next.

In all, Twisted Perfection is yet another romantic and thrilling book by Abbi Glines, and even though the ending is KILLER, I'm certainly tuning into to Abbi's future books (especially Simple Perfection!)

Grade: B+

Twisted Perfection (Amazon/ BN) is now out!

Source: Author for blog tour

About the Author:

Abbi Glines was born in Birmingham, Alabama. She grew up in the small town of Sumiton, Alabama where she left the summer she turned eighteen. She didn’t get far… she chased her high school sweetheart down to the coast and she’s been there ever since.

Abbi now lives in the quaint southern town of Fairhope, Alabama with her three children and husband Keith (the high school sweetheart she chased after). Her life is never dull and Keith always makes sure there is another “experience” for them to explore.

 Books published by Abbi include The Vincent Boys and the USA TODAY bestseller The Vincent Brothers, Breathe, Because of Low, the USA TODAY bestsellers While It Lasts and Just For Now, The Existence Trilogy that includes the USA Today Bestseller Ceaseless, and The New York Times bestseller and Wall Street Journal bestseller Fallen Too Far and Never Too Far. When Abbi isn’t locked away in her office typing away she is hauling her kids to and from their many social activities. You could say her second job is the Glines Kids personal chauffeur. It’s a rather illustrious job.

Author Links:

Website * Facebook * Goodreads 

Spotlight and Giveaway for My Wolf's Bane by Veronica Blade

Today, as part of the blog tour for My Wolf's Bane, a new novel by Veronica Blade, I have a spotlight for the book as well as a giveaway. So without a further ado...

About the Book:

Different species. Mortal enemies. It'll never work, but they'll die trying.

Autumn Rossi thought she was a normal teenager. Suddenly, she can outrun every critter in the forest, making her wonder if she’s even human.

When the new guy at school, Zack de Luca, witnesses a questionable scene, he unfairly pins her as stuck-up. He acts like he hates her, yet he keeps bailing her out of trouble. Not only is Zack both insufferable and irresistible, he seems to sniff her anytime he gets close.

As passion flares between them, Autumn isn’t sure which is more dangerous: her psycho ex-boyfriend, or falling for Zack — who’s risking his life just by being near her.

About the Author:

Veronica Blade lives in Southern California with her husband and children. By day she runs the family business, but each night she slips away to spin her tales. She writes stories about young adults to relive her own childhood and to live vicariously through her characters. Except her heroes and heroines lead far more interesting lives — and they are always way hotter.

My Wolf's Bane buy link: http://amzn.com/B00B6WUM9U

Author Links: 

VeronicaBlade.com / My Wolf's Bane book trailer / FaceBook / GoodReads / Twitter / Amazon

I also have one paperback copy of My Wolf's Bane to giveaway!

To enter just fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

Official Giveaway Rules:

~ Must be 13 years or older
~ Must have a US mailing address 

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