Nearly Gone by Elle Cosimano

He revved the engine and I held tight with both hands as the bike lurched forward, We zoomed down streets, leaning into the curves, wind whipping over me. I pressed into his back until all I could smell was the leather tang of his jacket, and all I could taste was the sweet thrill of flying away.

Keeping secrets is second nature to Nearly Boswell. Living in a trailer park outside Washington, DC, with a mom who works as an exotic dancer, she knows better than to share anything that would make her a target with her classmates. Only her best friends know about her obsession with the personal ads, and Nearly hasn't told anyone about the emotions she can taste when she brushes against someone's skin.

Then a serial killer goes on a murder spree and starts attacking students, leaving cryptic ads in the newspaper. Nearly might be the one person who can put all the clues together, and if she doesn't figure it out soon - she'll be next.

Big, dark, scary, and brilliantly plotted, Nearly Gone will leave you guessing until the very end.

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/264BAHL

MY REVIEW

4/5 STARS

If I had to describe Nearly Gone using one word, I'd say edgy.

This book literally had me on the edge of my seat. The plot was so twisty and the mystery sucked me right in. I was racking my brain trying to figure out who the killer was and well... I didn't even come close. The Author is a pro at thought manipulation. She pushed us one way and was quick to pull us back. There was intrigue, romance, thrill, and danger. I wanted a romantic thriller and that's exactly what I got. 

Nearly is addicted to personal ads. Every week she finds herself consumed by words hoping to find a note from her long lost father. It's an innocent hobby that quickly turns into a dangerous game. Before she knows it she is communicating with a killer through the newspaper. Each week there is another clue and each week Nearly is too late... Another person connected to her is murdered. She seeks the help of the police only to end up as the lead suspect with a hot bad boy on her tail. The bad boy, Reece, is a narc. He is sent to follow her and figure out how she is connected to the murders. She knows what he is and vows to steer clear but finds herself caught up in his good looks and his kind heart. In order to get answers they start working together... A swoon worthy romance forms and secrets are revealed. 

I really liked this book a lot. The writing was top of the line and the story kept me glued to the pages. I found the characters to be relatable and well developed. I definitely recommend it to all readers who enjoy danger and good girl/bad boy romance. 

Between the Notes by Sharon Huss Roat Review

When Ivy Emerson’s family loses their house—complete with her beloved piano—the fear of what’s to come seizes her like a bad case of stage fright. Only this isn’t one of her single, terrifying performances. It’s her life.

And it isn’t pretty.

Ivy is forced to move with her family out of their affluent neighborhood to Lakeside, also known as “the wrong side of the tracks.” Hiding the truth from her friends—and the cute new guy in school, who may have secrets of his own—seems like a good idea at first. But when a bad boy next door threatens to ruin everything, Ivy’s carefully crafted lies begin to unravel . . . and there is no way to stop them.

As things get to the breaking point, Ivy turns to her music, some unlikely new friends, and the trusting heart of her disabled little brother. She may be surprised that not everyone is who she thought they were . . . including herself.

Debut author Sharon Huss Roat crafts a charming and timely story of what happens when life as you know it flips completely upside down.

Amazon Link - http://amzn.to/1HlqDa2

MY THOUGHTS:
5/5 Stars

*Received an ARC from Harper Teen for honest review*
This book was everything a wonderful YA read should be... It was unique, quirky, inspiring, emotional, and romantic.

 

This story will suck you in with deep seeded emotions and hold you captive with an intoxicating love triangle. Ivy goes from being popular and well off, to self conscious and poor... Her family moves to the other side of town and she struggles to adjust to the new lifestyle. Her goal is to keep the move quiet and not let anyone find out, but eventually her secrets reveal themselves. It's not an easy journey, but in the end Ivy finds comfort in her new situation.

 

I loved every minute of this read. Ivy's inner battle was frustrating at times, but in the end it was all worth it. She opened her eyes to the what she truly wanted and didn't worry about what anyone else thought. 

 

Team Lennie or Team James you ask? Of course Lennie... I loved him from the beginning. The way he carried himself all big and bad, but cowered to Ivy's little brother, tugged at my heart strings. He was mysterious and caring and quite perfect. James truly didn't have a chance....

 

Overall, It was an empowering a book that all readers should experience. Highly Recommend

Clear rating

 

When Ivy Emerson’s family loses their house—complete with her beloved piano—the fear of what’s to come seizes her like a bad case of stage fright. Only this isn’t one of her single, terrifying performances. It’s her life.

And it isn’t pretty.

Ivy is forced to move with her family out of their affluent neighborhood to Lakeside, also known as “the wrong side of the tracks

Crow's Row by Julie Hockley Review

For college student Emily Sheppard, the thought of spending a summer alone in New York is much more preferable than spending it in France with her parents. Just completing her freshman year at Callister University, Emily faces a quiet summer in the city slums, supporting herself by working at the campus library.

During one of her jogs through the nearby cemetery while visiting her brother Bill’s grave, Emily witnesses a brutal killing—and then she blacks out. When Emily regains consciousness, she realizes she’s been kidnapped by a young crime boss and his gang. She is hurled into a secret underworld, wondering why she is still alive and for how long.

Held captive in rural Vermont, she tries to make sense of her situation and what it means. While uncovering secrets about her brother and his untimely death, Emily falls in love with her very rich and very dangerous captor, twenty-six-year-old Cameron. She understands it’s a forbidden love and one that won’t allow her to return to her previous life. But love may not be enough to save Emily when no one even knows she is missing.

 

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1GMfDxI

 

My Thoughts:

5/5 Stars

 

Yes, Yes, Yes! If you like a darker read with danger and sexual tension.... This one is for you!

Emily comes from a wealthy family, but insists on living with the lower class and blending in as much as possible. She lives in a dingy apartment and wears old clothes. Her Walkman is her best friend and her jogs are her escape.

 

When she jogs into the wrong part of town though, and comes face to face with Cameron, her world is turned upside down. He tells her firmly to stay away, but she pushes her luck and ends up witnessing a murder. She is taken to an unknown place and fears for her life... However when she gets there, secrets are unveiled and she comes to realize that maybe Cameron isn't all bad.

 

Crow's Row is one that pulled me in from page one. I had a hard time putting it down and found myself wanting to tell everyone about it. The romance is not a love at first sight kind of thing... It is more like a slow, seductive dance. As the book progresses, feelings do as well.

 

I literally loved every character in this book... I felt connected to them and found myself intrigued by their stories just as much as the leads. Cameron though.... He was my FAVORITE! He was dangerous, dark, mysterious, and protective. He was a book boyfriend that everyone should experience!

Crash Into You by Katie McGarry Review

From acclaimed author Katie McGarry comes an explosive new tale of a romance forged in the fast lane 

The girl with straight A's and the perfect life—that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy family…and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker—a guy she has no business even talking to. But after the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind. 

The last thing Isaiah needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks. But when their shared love of street racing puts their lives in jeopardy, Isaiah and Rachel will have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other.

 

 

Amazon Link- http://amzn.to/1wCHEq4

 

My Thoughts:
3/5 Stars

 

Crash Into You was about a well off girl falling for a boy in the system, with a mom who just got out of prison. Their paths cross when they end up at an illegal street race and are forced to run from the police together. They find themselves with big problems, owing a bad guy a lot of money. Isaiah wants to take care of the debt on his own, but Rachel insists on doing her part. As much as he wants to tell her no and push her away, he can't help but to be sucked into her and an unexpected romance. Together they build a forbidden relationship around secrets and cars.

 

This was a darker read. There was tons of danger and suspense. It was a page turner for sure, but I don't think it was as good as the others. While they brought out a lot of emotion this one lacked connectors. I wanted to connect to Rachel, but something kept me at arms length. Maybe it was the fact that she was fearless one minute and collapsing with a panic attack the next... It was hard to follow her illness and what triggered it exactly. If there was more consistency I think I would have felt more emotion towards her and maybe loved the book even more. However, the romance in this book and the twists and turns made this book a 3 star read!

 

I enjoyed the story and found myself addicted to Isaiah, but definitely craved more when it came to emotion.



True Love Story by Willow Aster Review

Growing up in an idealistic home, Sparrow Fisher is sheltered and innocent. When she meets Ian Sterling, a musician who is rising in popularity, she instantly falls for his charm. They run into each other over the next few months and eventually begin an unconventional relationship. At different places in their lives, Sparrow is off to college in New York, and Ian is traveling the country with the band. When they see each other, all seems wonderful and lighthearted, but when they’re apart, Sparrow is left to wonder if Ian really cares about her the way he says he does, or if she’s just another pretty face to him. Once their relationship steadies, they’re both happier than they’ve ever been, and it’s hard to not get caught up in the magic they have together. Until something so devastating comes to light that threatens to shatter everything they’ve built with each other. True Love Story is a story about the real highs and lows that come with a relationship—happiness, pain, angst, and finding out if love really is enough.

 

Amazon Link- http://amzn.to/1s0aY5o

 

My Thoughts:

3/5 Stars

 

A beautiful story about a raw, emotional heartbreak.

 

Sparrow has the perfect family and a sweet boyfriend. However, when he proposes she can't help but crave the darker, mysterious man -Ian. They run into one another on several occasions and each time the connection grows deeper and deeper. Ian wants to maintain a long distance "situation" with no commitments, but eventually it leads to relationship and a heartbreak...

 

The heartbreak in this book gutted me. I fell for Sparrow and Ian's bond immediately and when I found out what Ian did... my jaw hit the floor. I was furious. Truthfully I wanted to throw the book. My heart ached for Sparrow and I envied the way she stuck to her guns. Even though her heart wanted Ian, she was strong and held him at arm's length.

 

Second chances is the theme of this story. While I loved some parts, others pissed me off. Cheating is never a turn on. When the book boyfriend commits this crime.... I have a hard time finishing the book. Sparrow is gutted and when she gives in, I am at a loss for words.

 

This book to me was not romantic... It was an agonizing roller coaster ride of emotions.

 

The writing was great. The concept was okay.

I recommend this book to readers who don't mind the book boyfriend cheating.