Sanzana's Top 10 Reads of 2014

Hot damn. It's almost 2015 (it felt so weird typing that). Jena asked me to do a top 10 of all the books I read this year and goodness, I hate ranking books, so these are in no particular order...kinda. So for any authors who were ranked "low" or weren't ranked at all, I just wanted to say that if I could, I would add every single book. So without further ado, here are my top ten reads: 

Cosway, L.H. "Six of Hearts" 

There was just one thing in this book that I loved so much to death. It was when Jay did this magic trick with and egg and butterflies. It was one of those rare moments where I was doing exactly what the female lead was doing, left in shock and awe. Love. Love. Love!

Barbetti, Whitney. "Ten Below Zero"

Stunning, tear-jerker, emotional, what did this book NOT make me feel? Emotions that I didn't even know existed in me through this one book (this was before I read Unravel but I'll get to that). There is one quote in this book that will always stay with me in my soul: "Be broken Parker." He grabbed my face in his hands, forcing me to look at him. "For fuck's sake. Be broken and be okay with it. Be okay that I know." 

Martin, Lex. "Dearest Clementine"

This book was the second book I read that introduced me to NA novels and I owe much of my life to Lex because she started it all. So thanks girl. Anywho, the book, I just loved Clem and Gavin together a lot. Gavin is not only a sexy hot RA, but he's a musician, and that get's me wet almost instantly (sorry fellow friends on FB, I should have warned you about that). I kiss my paperback goodnight occasionally. 

Read, Calia. "Unravel"

Mind-fuckery at it's best. It's an amazing book. This is the most recent book that i've read that...I think I might have cried unexpectedly. I don't even know why i cried at the end of the book. Maybe I was confused, or maybe it's because of what the book "unraveled" in the end. I heard book two is coming soon with explanations so, I can't wait to read that. I will devour it. 

Berg, J.L. "Within These Walls"

Oh, Lailah's "wish-list" was literally awesome and everything about this book was sweet and romantic. I loved the ending to this book as well. It was so good, I went and bought a paperback of it so yeah. P.S. she ends up with her hot doctor. 

Daniels, J. "Where I Belong"

What didn't I love about this book? I have yet to get a paperback of this!! This is one of my favourite second chance novels. And cute, baby Nolan I freaking adored him. But most of all, Benjamin's very dirty (but glorious) mouth. Mmm. Can I have seconds of that?

Moore, Addison. "Sugar Kisses"

This book had three of my favourite things I like in a book; a college romance, a baker, and steamy scenes involving food. Enough said. I kinda need to get this book too in PB. (Wish-lists it on Amazon).

Hoover, Colleen. "Ugly Love"

Ohh this book. I love feeling the cover of this beauty (AND IT'S BLUE)! You KNOW if Nick fucking Bateman wants to potentially star as the lead male in this book for a movie, YOU FUCKING KNOW this is an amazing book. UGH GOD! Please let Nick's dream come true! I will go to an opening show just to watch this! 

Bennett, Sawyer. "Uncivilized" 

 I want to meet this author in person and ask them where they get their sexy inpirations from. This wasn't the first book by Sawyer that had me changing my underwear. But mannn, this book. So raw.So primal. So...uncivilized. ;)

Marcoe, Caylie. "Choose Us"

I felt wrong not to add a YA novel in my top 10, and this book, I really quite enjoyed. I feel like I can't relate with characters in YA reads anymore, but this had the cute steaminess I loved in a regular NA novel. This is sort of like...a bachelor tv show, only one of the girls and the bachelor have history. SO. Yeah. Go read it.

Novels that didn't make top ten, but are still worth mentioning:

• Bad Romeo - Leisa Rayven
• Be My December - Rachel Brooks
• Can't Go Home - Angelisa Stone
• Illusion - J.S. Cooper (this should totally get a picture for it)
• Broken - Lauren Layne 
• Once Upon a Billionaire #4 - Jessica Clare (I love this series so much. They're standalones, by the way). 
• Their Virgin Secretary - Shayla Black (Not one, not two, but THREE sexy males in bed with one girl. Yes, i'm an extremist). 
• Screwdrivered #3 - Alice Clayton (Part of the Wallbanger series. I loved who the female lead ended up with and I LOVE how he took me by surprise).
• Darker Water - Lauren Stewart  

Jena's Top Ten Reads of 2014

It was a hard decision because I read a lot of good books this year. But I stuck to books only published in 2014 (for the most part) and one book in a series. Otherwise I might have picked two or three series and been done!! These are in no particular order .. So here we go!!

Where We Belong by K.L. Grayson

Oh my goodness ... this book. I discovered the wonderful K.L. Grayson and signature *twirls* when she graciously gave away some ARC's. I devoured this book! It was just phenomenal and emotional and well written. I loved it and cannot wait to see what else comes from her in 2015!!*cough cough* ... Levi ...

He Saved Me by Whitney Barbetti

I discovered Whitney's books when I saw her on a takeover. I saw all this ranting and raving about Ten Below Zero and I thankfully saw I needed to read He Found Me first. Then I had to wait impatiently for He Saved Me and man was it worth the wait. It was my favorite of her series ... But I have a feeling Mira and Six's book, Six Feet Under, might become my new favorite!!! 2015 is already shaping up to be an awesome year!!

Finding Dandelion by Lex Martin

Finding Dandelion is books two in the Dearest Series and I just loved it. I loved Dearest Clementine also, but what can I say .... Gavin is great, but mmm, mmm, Jax!!! This books is filled with confidence and sass!! This is another series that has an awesome book coming out in 2015. I cannot wait for Kissing Madeline. And what can I say .... Lex Martin is an awesome author who really shows the love to her adoring fans!!!

The Saint AND The King by Tiffany Reisz

I heart Tiffany Reisz something hard. Her books are dark and sexy and challenging and religious all at the same damn time. These books just make my heart race just thinking about how it feels to read the words she graces us with. It is poetic and funny and so amazing. I can't say enough about these books and to have them BOTH in one year .... *sigh* ... it makes my heart happy. There are only two more books in the series so it's hard to be excited about them coming out in 2015. *sad face*

Unfinished by Shae Scott

I discovered this book when I first started signing up for Read to Reviews. I'm so excited that I did this. I loved this book and I was devestated to find it was a two part story. BUT books two, Indelible, comes out soon and I clap my hands for joy at the thought of reading the resolution. Too many books have this lack of commuication between the characters, but not this one. The leading lady was open and ready for anything. And what can I say, I love friends to love stories!!! Gah!! So good!

Striking Distance by Pamela Clare

I love a good suspenseful romance and Pamela Clare really has an exceptional series. Her I-Team series are all great reads and I would recommend starting from the beginning. This book is one of my favorite because it is a really emotional read and it is just different than a typical happy ending to a book. Her books are few and far between so I try to cherish them when they finally come out. 

Play by Kylie Scott

There are a lot of rock romances out. A LOT!! Kylie released her Stage Dive series this year and I love them all, but book two was the best. Mal was such an eccentric character that I wanted to come and be eccentric with me. Have you noticed the drummer is always a little crazy in a rock romance ... I love it. Play is book two in the series and is my favorite. Book four, Deep, is set to come out in 2015 ... Just one more reason to love 2015 already!!

Rome by Jay Crownover

This is book three in the Marked Men series and there was just something about Rome that really did it for me. Maybe it was the lead lady Cora who made me love the story. But a lot came together in this story from the other stories. I, also love Rule's book, so maybe I like this because I get a little bit of both Archer brothers.Woo Hoo!! Once again, I love this whole series and book six, Asa, is set to come out in 2015. Keep your eyes out for it!!

These Days Series by Renee Ericson

This is kind of a cheat because it is three books in one. BUT you can buy as one so I'm counting it as one. It is all one story spread out over three full length novels. Book one starts as a new adult/young adult story but moves to them when they are a little older, about mid-twenties. It was a second chance story and I loved it. I would definitely recommend this series!!!

Honorable Mentions:

I have to mention these because I loved them and I can't end this without at least letting you know how awesome they are!!!

Rain Check by Gypsy Rae Choszer, Bad Romeo by Leisa Rayven, Stepbrother Dearest by Penelope Ward, Affliction by River Savage, Just a Little Crush Renita Pizzitola, Owning Violet by Monica Murphy

RELEASE BLITZ: Club Prive - French Connection Vol. III

 

 

I'd given Gavin everything, including my trust, and I'd thought we'd worked past our problems here in Cannes. Then I saw him kissing Alizee… The trip to France that was supposed to bring them closer together keeps tearing Carrie and Gavin apart, this time thanks to Alizee Padovani. Carrie wants the lies to stop, but when her journalist friend, Pierre, tells her she can't confront Gavin without putting innocent lives in danger, she finds herself caught in a web of deceit. What she doesn't know is that being quiet might be just as deadly. Everything comes to a head for Carrie and Gavin in the final installment of M.S. Parker's exciting French Connection series. You won't want to miss it!

* AMAZON US * AMAZON UK * BARNES & NOBLE * iBOOKS *

M. S. Parker is a USA Today Bestselling author and the author of the Erotic Romance series, Club Privè and Chasing Perfection. Living in Southern California, she enjoys sitting by the pool with her laptop writing on her next spicy romance. Growing up all she wanted to be was a dancer, actor or author. So far only the latter has come true but M. S. Parker hasn't retired her dancing shoes just yet. She is still waiting for the call for her to appear on Dancing With The Stars. When M. S. isn't writing, she can usually be found reading- oops, scratch that! She is always writing.

* FACEBOOK * TWITTER * TSU * WEBSITE *

Bad Romeo by Leisa Rayven Review

Rating: Sanzana: 4.75/5 Stars  Jena: 4.5 stars

Synopsis:

     When Cassie Taylor met Ethan Holt at acting school, sparks flew. She was the good girl actress. He was the bad boy about campus. But one fated casting choice for Romeo and Juliet changed it all. Like the characters they were playing, Cassie and Ethan's romance seemed destined. Until he broke her heart and betrayed her trust. Now the A-list heartthrob is back in her life and turning her world around. One touch at a time. 
     Cast as romantic leads once again, they're forced to confront raw memories of the heartbreaking lows and pulse-pounding highs of their secret college affair. But they'll also discover that people who rub each other the wrong way often make the best sparks.

**Received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Review:

Sanzana's Review

      Oh. My. Ever. Loving. God!!!! Where do I even start with this book? When I first heard about this book on Goodreads and read the summary, I was hooked! And suddenly, I was starving for this book and wouldn't settle for anything else. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC and was not disappointed with the content in this. There were so many scenes that got my heart beating irregularly and my gasping for breath. And if you know what i'm talking about, well, that shit hurts (a good hurt though). 

This review contains spoilers, but if you want to pre-order this book, links are down below. 

     This book focuses on two characters, Cassandra (Cassie) Taylor and Ethan Holt. It switches back and forth from the present day to six years ago. It starts off in the present where Cassie and Ethan are cast as the two main leads. While Ethan is mesmerized to see Cassie in such a long time, Cassie is wary and still hurt from what Ethan did to her. Cassie and Ethan both attended The Grove as aspiring actors and well, I have to say those two are an interesting pair.
    
     You see, Ethan may come off as hot and sexy, but he is definitely not the manwhore I was expecting to read about. In fact, he really isn't a manwhore at all. Ethan is very reserved and exclusive to his classmates with the occasional "fuck-off" vibe.  And he's very, very intense. Most of my sighs were because of him.

     And Cassie, well, she's just trying to fit in and at the same time keep herself composed while being around Ethan (which of course doesn't work because she literally cannot keep her hands to herself).

     It doesn't help that they're being cast as the main leads to Romeo and Juliet. And when their acting prof asks them to try to do something "realistic but tasteful" and to create the "illusion of nudity" during the marriage scene, well. Cassie may have gotten a taste to how wonderful orgasms can be. 



     Just wow. I can't with these two and their chemistry hitting off the charts. But like I said, their relationship is an interesting one. Ethan holds back from their pending relationship, which drives Cassie crazy, lust crazy or love crazy. Maybe both. Every chance they get to makeout, one backs away. And because of what happened six years ago, Cassie is dead terrified of what Ethan is offering, a second chance. 

     I remember while reading this, I could help but think, "God, I really hope when I date someone, he'll be as intense and loving as Ethan." And even if he was an asshole for a good chuck of the book, it was the end that really got me. 

     Just two words everyone. Ethan's Letters. Everything Ethan didn't say between the six years they had apart was...well, it brought me to tears okay. It made me realize how wonderful Ethan really is and well, it just made me love him even more. If any man wrote the words over and over again like Ethan did, I would just, GOD, I would give my life up for them and just do everything in my existence to be with that one person. My words sound too prettied up, but I am being honest.

     I'm not even sure if I loved Ethan's words or Leisa's because as you all know, I have a thing for words and anything written on paper or text (written beautifully, of course) will be the death of me. Even though the character's on-and-off feelings made me frustrated, this was still a great book. I loved it especially because of the fact that it involved a Shakespearean play because I've read every single one of his playwrights. 

     Just a heads up, Ethan and Cassie's story will be told in 2 books, Bad Romeo and Broken Juliet. There will also be a standalone story that features Ethan's sister, who becomes a close friend of Cassie's when she was in drama school.

     The cliff-hanger in this book, shouldn't be called a cliff-hanger because it does end fairly well and doesn't leave you screaming in agony for more (which, by the way, I really appreciated). 

     Oh and by the way, I would like to note that Ethan comes across Cassie's diary and...let's just say Cassie goes all out with the explict details she'd just love to do to Ethan. Having Ethan read that was a mortifying scene but then, then a couple of chapter's later, Ethan says this one line that has me gasping. 

Hope you guys enjoy this as much as I did!

- Sanzana <3

Jena's Review



     I loved this book. This is like two romance genres in one. You get a little contemporary romance and a little bit of new adult romance. What more could you ask for? For it to be hilarious .... DONE!!! This book is funny. For people who loved Wallbanger, they will love this book. For people who thought Wallbanger was a flop on the humor, they will love this book, because it is so successful.

      Let's just start with the female lead Cassie ... Cassie is hilarious as her adult self. It is so interesting to be able to meet Cassie as an adult then flashback to freshman Cassie and see how much she has changed. She was so innocent and naive and said words like "oh fluffer" .... Hahaha!! But six years later we see how much of a potty mouth she has gained and how much of a transformation she has made. I love it ... let' just take a moment to see some of her humorous lines:

           "He looks at me for a few more seconds before frowning like he’s trying to calculate how many watermelons will fit in a Winnebago."

           "Just thinking about our almost-kiss has my girl parts all excited. I don’t have the heart to tell them we’re going to die without ever experiencing an orgasm. It would depress them too much, and I really can’t afford to have a sad vagina."

           "Just thinking about him sexing me up, pretend or not, is enough to make my vagina start slow-clapping in anticipation."

      But don't worry, the lead, Ethan, is pretty funny himself.

           We stand there for a few seconds before he thrusts one of the cardboard cups at me and says, “Oh, shit. This is, uh … this is for you.”
           I take it and hold it up to my nose. “What is it?”
           “It’s an I’m-a-dick-achino.” I try to stop the smile that lifts the corners of my mouth.
           “Huh. Smells like plain old hot chocolate to me.”
           “Yeah, well, it turns out they were out of dick-achinos. I offered to make some more, but they said I was overqualified.”

     If you want a somewhat damaged asshole guy who falls for a girl; if you want a guy fighting hard for a second chance; if you want to laugh and feel all the feels ... well then this is it!!

      Throughout the story we know that something huge happened that really changed Cassie and hurt her severely and while I don't want to give away any spoilers, you don't find out what it is. It is a cliffhanger. I've never finished a book and went to go turn the page and it never turned on my kindle ... *cue freak out* "WHY WON'T IT TURN THE PAGE!??!?!?!?!" But it's ok. I loved it that much. Because the sexual tension in this book is phenomenal. I've never been so excited by reading about all these kisses. I love it. I. LOVE. IT!!! The towards the end when we Ethan starts giving his spiel ... it is so sweet and just feels so good.

          “Cassie, look at me.” When I hesitate, he puts a finger under my chin and tilts it up until I’m looking at him. “I just need you to know that the second you’re ready to try again with us, I’m going to kiss the hell out of you. I’m going to kiss you until you see stars, and hear angels, and can’t stand up for a week. I hope you realize that.”

          "Is this what being in love feels like? Overwhelming gratitude that the other person is with you as you share something astonishing? Knowing that the most astonishing thing they can share is themselves?"

      So cliffhanger or not this is a book you need to be reading. It's got everything you could need or want! Just be prepared to wait for the next book and some answers. Enjoy!!

      I know this review is full of quotes, but I just can't help it ... I loved all these lines!!! And one more just because ...

           "When I’d finally peeled myself away, I was more confused than a straight guy at a transgender beauty pageant."

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Sail by M. Mabie Cover Reveal

Sail

Book Two in The Wake Series

by M. Mabie

Releasing Early 2015

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Synopsis:

This isn’t just a two-year long one-night stand. It’s my life. This is my life. Our life. It isn’t just some careless affair. I’ve made the worst decisions a woman could, but I’ll earn my second chance. She can try keeping all the guilt for herself, but I’m just as much to blame. Loving Casey wasn’t my biggest mistake. Fighting it for so long was. I’ll show her how fearless our love makes me. I’ll protect her torn heart. He still has magic in his eyes. He’s the man who makes me happy. Her voice still brings me to my knees. She says my name like it’s sacred. I live for the day when I’m his. To take care of him. To love him the way he deserves. I can’t wait to be all she needs. I can give her a happy life, security and so much love. Sometimes two ships never meet in the night, but ours did. Sometimes the water is rough. It beats you all to hell until you have no choice but get stronger. Our love story reads more like a tragedy, but to me it’s clean and pure. Let them point their fingers. Without a love like ours, they haven’t really lived. I pity them. I’m a cheating wife and a villain. I am his honeybee. I’m a snake in the grass and I sleep best when I’m lying next to his wife. I want to be his everything. I’m nothing without her anyway. This isn’t even close to over. It’ll never be over.

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Sail is the second book in the continuing Wake Series. For more information on the first book in the series see the link for Bait below.

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Sail Links: Goodreads | Casey's Playlist | Blake's Playlist

Connect with M. Mabie: Website | Amazon | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | tsū

Other Books by M. Mabie: Fade In (Standalone Contemporary Romance) | Bait: Book One in the Wake Series

 

 

COVER REVEAL: Hearts of Fire by L.H. Cosway

We are excited to share with you the cover reveal for HEARTS OF FIRE, the spin-off book to L.H. Cosway's AMAZING book Six of Hearts, which tells the story of Jack McCabe, Jay Fields’ long lost, presumed dead brother. This is a standalone romance scheduled for release on March 9th.

The Circus Spektakulär is proud to present Jack McCabe: Fire-breather, knife-thrower, risk-taker. My uncle lied. I never died. I breathe fire, eat the poison that almost killed me. Crowds come to see me night after night. Men for the spectacle, women for the thrill. I’m an oddity to be stared at and desired. With each flame I spit, I risk my life. I wear scars on my body that will never go away, but the scars inside my head are far more difficult to overlook. My brother doesn’t know the truth, and if I have it my way, he never will. Life was going exactly the way I’d planned until Lille came along. She wanted to run away with the circus, have an adventure, but this world was never meant for her. I try to keep her safe, because she doesn’t know the dangers that are out here on the road. She doesn’t know the monsters that lurk behind the bright lights of the ring. In truth, I could be considered one of them. We were fashioned from different cloths, never intended to mix. So I watch her. I try not to touch, even when her eyes invite me. Join us in the Spiegeltent and let us give you a show. Allow my Lille to draw a picture for you in paint and sweat and skin. The truest love is always the hardest to let in.  

Before I knew it I was standing and a spotlight had landed on me, alongside Jack’s dark, indecipherable gaze. I stood frozen for a moment, uncertain of what to do. Then Marina was calling me to the stage and my feet were moving, one after the other, the traitorous bastards. Jack held his hand out to me when I reached him and I placed my palm in his. Without realising it, I’d given him my right hand, my dominant hand, and also the hand that had been burned. When he gripped it, I hissed in a tiny breath at the sting. “Sorry,” he murmured, but he didn’t sound sorry. “It’s okay,” I replied as he led me to an upright wooden panel. Taking my shoulders in his big, warm hands, he gently situated me against it, my back flush with the wood. “I hope you’re good at holding still,” he said and his breath hit the side of my neck. “Why?” I practically whispered. He was incredibly handsome, even more so now that I was seeing him up close, and I felt a little drunk on it. The edge of his mouth twitched, like he was holding back a smile. With one hand braced above my shoulder, he leaned in as he replied, “Because, blondie, I’m gonna be throwing knives at you, and I’d really hate to make you bleed.” Again, he didn’t sound like he meant what he said at all. And I didn’t think there was a single pore on my body that wasn’t tingling. I remembered items number three and four on my list: Have sex with a stranger and do something dangerous. Perhaps if I could get Jack McCabe to do me, then I could kill two birds with one stone. I hadn’t noticed before, because I was too busy staring at him, but there was a belt attached to the wood. I stood there as Jack took it and buckled it extra tight around my waist. He gave it a firm tug once he was done and smirked. I’m not sure why, but the action caused me to tremble. I think he noticed, too, because his eyes grew darker, if that was even possible. Surprising me, he placed his flattened out palm to my belly. I had to try my hardest to concentrate on his words rather than the fact that my libido (the little slut) was willing his hand to move lower. “This is your core. Visualise it. Focus on it. Keep your body in this exact position and everything will be fine.” There was the tiniest edge of a smile tugging at his lips and it made me wonder if he was enjoying this, if maybe he was trying to make me nervous. Sucking in a breath, he continued randomly, “You smell like turpentine.” Then he drew up to his full and impressive height and walked to the other side of the stage. I knew I smelled like turpentine, because I often used it to clean my paintbrushes and sometimes the smell got into my clothes. That wasn’t the part that preoccupied me, that part would be the fact that he’d taken the time to smell me, and I didn’t know if I should be weirded out or turned on. Okay, so I knew which option my libido was going for.      

L.H. Cosway has a BA in English Literature and Greek and Roman Civilisation, and an MA in Postcolonial Literature. She lives in Dublin city. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

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♥READ THE BOOK THAT STARTED IT ALL!♥

Six of Hearts

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He Saved Me by Whitney Barbetti

Rating: (Sanzana) 4.95/5 (Jena)4.75 /5

Synopsis:

 Julian
   I’ve come to understand that I’ll always find her. She’s my north star, my sense of direction. In her, I’ve found my home. She tells me I saved her. But the truth is, she saved me.
   But nothing good can ever last. Andra’s keeping secrets. She’s holding something back. I’m trying, desperately, to anchor her. To let me in, to let me help.
  But will all my efforts end up with a ghost of a girl I love?

Andra

   I'm used to disappearing. Vanishing into thin air, without a trace of who I've been or where I've gone.

  But it’s so much harder to do with a broken heart and no hope for a happy ending. Sometimes the only people who can put all the pieces of us back together are the ones we least expect to. That's what Julian did for me.
   Julian found me. But now, all Six wants is to keep me locked up, away from the world, away from the Monster. I can't live like that. It's not living at all. Because I still have unfinished business.

   And I'm going to make sure the Monster gets what’s coming to him.

Sanzana's Review:

This the second book of the HFM series. Please read  book one first before you read this one.

     *Sigh* God, this book was...everything. I devoured this book. I remember talking to Whitney at 1am in the morning and screaming at her about all the events. I loved how Whitney was able was able to tie all the loose ends in this book. Things like what really happened to Andra's mother, a little bit about Six and Mira, and Andra's real father (!!!) This was the perfect conclusion. 

     We begin the story from Julian's POV. And we start off with a scary prologue. Now this prologue is told in the present day, and then the story is told 6 months in the past. That prologue had me worry that there might end up being another book in the HFM series, but rest assured, it has been put to rest. I will say I love reading from Julian's perspective, mostly because he is a writer and speaks a different way, a way I love. And we all know how Julian speaks. 

     We switch to Andra's perspective until the end and we learn that she's in hiding, from Monster. And once Julian finds her, he refuses to leave and spend every moment in that house with her, along with Six and Mira. Andra has never met Mira before, until now. Mira is...well Mira. Snarky, smart, and has a weird fashion sense. She's something else too, but I won't spoil, you'll just have to read it. Mira likes to rial up Andra, and uses her anger to teach her how to fight and defend herself. And what I loved a lot was seeing Mira and Six together. Despite how those two act around other people, Andra notices a different side to both when they're together...they're softer.  

     Now…Andra pissed me off in this one. With Monster being unpredictable and the world wanting to know what happened to Andra, Six issues Andra to stay confined in the house and not to leave. So what does she do? Goes out anyways. I get it, being cooped up in a house for months is…insane but a part of me wishes that Andra could have taken more time to understand why Six worries and is concerned about her safety. Then again, this wouldn’t be an amazing book if Andra listened to Six, right?

     Just so you know, this book isn’t romance based (kind of why I’m missing 0.5 stars) but it makes sense as to why it isn’t. He Saved Me was about Andra rediscovering everything she was left out from. It was about her finding out the line where her strengths and weaknesses meet. It was about her building the strength to defeat her worst enemy. Rest assured, there is romance (between both Julian & Andra and Six & Mira) and they are just the most bittersweet moments that I truly loved seeing between the two lovers. 

     

These bittersweet moments that I loved mostly involve Julian and Andra. The first time these two met after 4 months of separation, they had sex. And what a way to reunite. But it wasn’t just that. Julian’s presence of just…being there made me feel calm. You have Andra reading on of Julian’s books and Julian typing away for his next (with his super sexy glasses perched up on his nose) and they would just enjoy each other’s company. Julian was there for Andra, even if he didn’t do much. He aided her when she needed it and comforted her. When Mira and Andra were training, Julian was always there for her to lean on. 


     He Saved Me was a great book to end off the 2014 year. I enjoyed it, a lot. I loved learning a lot more about the character’s presented in the book (especially Six and Mira). I will, however, spoil one thing about this…Monster is gone for good.

And TBZ fans...there is a special moment added at the epilogue. I'm so proud of myself for noticing the reference.  

Jena's Review

     This is Whitney Barbetti's third book and I have read them all. I'm here to tell you that this one is my favorite. Hands-down my favorite! In previous reviews I have done of Whitney's books I've discussed that she usually gets to a certain point in her story where a scene comes along and then all of a sudden the book goes from good to effing amazing! There was no point like that in this book. The whole damn book was just fantastic. From the opening prologue to the epilogue I was in-love. Let's call it insta-love. Haha!! 

     From the beginning where we see Julian's frantic looking for Andra and meets Mira to when he walks up to the house. 

          "My blood is pumping, excitement was filling my entire body. I looked up at the house as I approached, feeling my palms sweating. It was magnetic, this reaction. Andra and I were magnets for one another and the closer I moved towards the house, the more intense the pull became."

     Even the basic scenes at the house where Andra and Julian are just talking and sitting in bed together. It is just so romantic and we get to fall back in love with Julian and Andra's love! The focus isn't on all their sexy times ... though they are there. It is about them being with each other and contemplating a future they're not sure when or if they will get. It's very thoughtful. 

          "Sex with Julian wasn't just the meeting of two bodies- it was the meeting of the sum of all our parts: our minds and souls and hearts. It was the most beautiful equation."

          "His gaze as sure, his intentions were so perfectly clear. I knew he loved me, but this look? It was something else. It was a man looking at me as if he saw his future, like he hadn't just followed the path to his destiny-he'd run a marathon to it. And he wasn't tired. Not yet. Not even close."

     You know what we do get .... Mira and Six .... my God do we get Mira and Six. I'm not going to lie ... They kind of stole the show. I, of course, was excited about discovering they were getting their own book. But after this, I can NOT wait for it! It's funny because in He Found Me, Andra is this hard, tough woman. And then you meet Mira and she gives new meaning to being rough around the edges. But the more you see about her the more you want to love her. And love her I did. 

          "We all make choices in life, and some of them are scary ones." "But what I am saying is even if something is scary, even if it hurts, if it's what you want - go after it." 
     We also get a closer look at Six ... and my goodness, while in the past few books he was this dark, almost ominous, presence, in this book we see more of who he is and who he was. How he became a part of Andra's life. It's really just amazing. The answers that were missing in book one are all answered here. And of course the suspense and tension of dealing with the Monster is there and it is great! 

     Whitney's writing is so great because it truly brings you into the story. At no point while reading did I think how this is just a book. I was living a retelling of something that actually happened. I believed it that much. Her writing draws you in on page one and won't let you go until she says she is done. There are tears, chills and laughter. Do NOT wait to buy this book. Enjoy!!

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