Ellie Reads All the Books: ARC

Book Blogging #2: How to Get Review Copies of Books (ARCs)

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I started this new feature on my blog with advise on books and blogging with my post on How to Get Free Books last week.

Today I want to tell you more about the services of NetGalley and Edelweiss as a way to get free books in exchange of reviewing them online.

I have been using NetGalley for over a year now and I’m very happy with it. It’s very easy to use. Basically you register there and request the books you want to read. I after you’ve read them you have to provide feedback and it’s desirable to publish your review on your site/blog, Goodreads or other platforms for readers and on booksellers sites (Amazon, B&N, ect.).

Now, the tricky part is the approval of your requests. Initially, I was often declined, since my blog was new, I didn’t have many reviews posted there or elsewhere. As a good way to start, I’d suggest that you check out the Read Now section which lists books free for download. It’s important to provide feedback on the books received regularly, even if you didn’t like the book. I, personally, try to maintain my request/review ratio around 60%, though it’s better to be keep it higher than that.

People often go overboard with requests because initially they don’t get many approvals and then suddenly they get far too many review copies to be able to go through them.

The publishers providing copies of their titles for review have different criteria for approving reviewers. Some don’t approve request outside US at all, the UK publishers also provide titles only to UK-based bloggers.

Edelweiss offers the same service but I have more difficulties with it. As an international reader based in Bulgaria, I can't really use the search option. The only way for me to see the titles available for review is through the email they sent me every week.

This site works in a slightly different way than NetGalley. You have to register with the site and provide some general information about you/your blog but when you request a specific book, you also write a short note explaining why you want this particular title. I get the feeling that Edelweiss offers more YA titles, while NetGalley gets more adult and romance titles but this is pure speculation on my part based on personal observations.

So far, Edelweiss is not working very well for me and I get more rejections than approvals there and very often I don’t get any response. Still, I check regularly the title offered for review and place my requests when I see something that I like.

Here is some useful tips for you on how to request ARCs:

- Start with Read now books (there such sections both on Netgalley and on Edelweiss)

- Don’t be shy when requesting, you never know when you will be approved, at the same time

- Go only for books you really want to read, otherwise you will loose the desire to review them

- Provide honest feedback regularly

- Don’t depsair if you get declined often.

- Sing up for the site’s newsletter, it’s a great way to learn for a limited-time only read now books

Lately, I’ve noticed that some of the companies organizing book tours and promotional events also offer copies of books for review.

- InkSlinger PR

- Xpresso BookTours

- AToMR Book Blog Tours
- IndieSage

Note: I will be writing a seprate post on PR companies prganising book tours, blitzes, etc. soon (I hope)

Now, if you are a blogger, it’s good to have a section on the blog with your Review requirements/criteria. In this way authors can send you copies of their books for review. I’m swamped with books to review at the moment and I recently went back to work fulltime, so I’m not accepting review requests. I did make an exception recently, since the blurb of the proposed book intrigued me and it ended being a wonderful surprise (Complicated Creatures by Alexi Lawless).

That's pretty much all I have gained as personal experience in requesting and reviewing ARCs. Feel free to ask any questions you might have and I'll try to answer them to the best of my abilities and knowledge. Your own thoughts and tips on requesting and reviewing ARCs are most welcome!

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Teaser Tuesday 56

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Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Here are the rules:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) or a few more “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

My teaser this week comes from Breakable (Contours of the Heart #2) by Tammara Webber. It's a companion novel to Easy (Contours of the Heart #1) and it releases on May 6. I was lucky to get an ARC and just finished it. It's an emotional NA story which complements book 1 in the best possible way.

But I wasn't fine. I was anything but fine. That night had shattered me. I'd walled myself in to keep from breaking further, but no defense will protect you from every possible pain. I was just as breakable as everyone else - the girl in my arms included. But I could hope. I could love. And maybe, I could heal.

Breakable (Contours of the Heart #2)

Synopsis

He was lost and alone. Then he found her.

And the future seemed more fragile than ever.

As a child, Landon Lucas Maxfield believed his life was perfect and looked forward to a future filled with promise — until tragedy tore his family apart and made him doubt everything he ever believed.

All he wanted was to leave the past behind. When he met Jacqueline Wallace, his desire to be everything she needed came so easy…

As easy as it could be for a man who learned that the soul is breakable and that everything you hoped for could be ripped away in a heartbeat.

Anne Calhoun

Review: Jaded by Anne Calhoun

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Title: Jaded (Walkers Ford #2)Author: Anne Calhoun
Date of publication: 4 Feb 2014
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Author's links:
Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

My rating: 3.5 stars

Synopsis

They can’t hide from desire….

After life as a cop in Denver leaves him burned-out, Lucas Ridgeway returns to Walkers Ford, South Dakota, to serve as their chief of police. He’s hoping to start over with a clean slate and avoid any emotional entanglements—even after his next-door neighbor kisses him senseless. Alana is passionate, dedicated, and most importantly leaving town soon. So why not have some fun?

Alana Wentworth comes from a larger-than-life political family, yet all she wanted was to be a librarian. Then after an embarrassing marriage proposal from Mr. Not-For-Her, she jumps at the chance to live her dream for a few months. She wasn't supposed to get involved with the community—or sexy, troubled Lucas. But when the time comes for Alana to put Walkers Ford behind her, she’s not ready. And Lucas may not be ready for her to go….

My Review

This was my first book by Anne Calhoun. After reading some great reviews of her other works by my GR friends, I had some pretty high expectations. For the most part they were met and I enjoyed the book, just not as much as wanted to.

This book is the second installment in Walkers Ford series but can be read as a standalone. It's a small-town romance and I have a love-hate relationship with these stories. Sometimes they work really well for me, other times - they are a complete disappointment. This one falls in the middle, I enjoyed it, but didn't love it.

I liked the main characters, though the heroine came as annoying at times. She struggled to live up to the expectations of her family (which btw, were impossibly high), and the same time she was so resigned to not being good or glamorous enough. She kept putting herself down and tying to convince herself and the others that she was happy the way things were - with her being in the background, doing everything to please the others, not acknowledging what she wanted and going for it.

I liked Lucas better. He was closed off and distant in the beginning and, yet his good heart always shone through his armour. It was Alana that made him feel again, her presence in Walkers Ford and in his life gave him back the will to care for the others.

Their relationship started as no-strings-attached sex and gradually it became indispensable for both of them. I very much enjoyed the slow build up of their feelings.

The flow of the story was good, just a bit slow in the middle. Ms Calhoun created convincingly the small town atmosphere, all the supporting characters were well built and complemented the story of Lucas and Alana.

I felt let down with the ending of the story. I loved the happy end for Lucas and Alana but I found the transformation of Alana's sister and mother too good to be true. The sugary sweet ending didn't fit the realistic tone of the rest of the story.

I found the writing style subtle and a bit subdued, very much in tone with the nature of both Lucas and Alana. There was no major drama or dark secrets in this story, just normal issues and difficulties ordinary people face.

Overall, I liked both the story and the writing and would love to read more of Ms Calhoun's work.

Amazon.com Widgets

Anne Calhoun

Teaser Tuesday 45

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Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Here are the rules:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) or a few more “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• Be careful not the include spoilers!

This week's teaser comes from Jaded by Anne Calhoun. This is the second book in Walkers Ford series but it can be read as a standalone. It is a small town romance between a librarian (big city girl) and the local chief of police. It sounds cliche but I'm 40% done and so far it's nothing like it. This is my first book by Anne Calhoun and I'm really enjoying it.

I want to share two teasers this time - one for her and one from him. Enjoy!

"I'm a librarian. Nothing exciting happens to me." - Alana

"No expectations. Just take what she is giving you. Don't ask for more. Hope it what burns you. Not disappointment." - Chief Ridgeway

Jaded (Walkers Ford #2) - Anne Calhoun

Synopsis

They can’t hide from desire.…

Amazon.com Widgets

A. L. Jackson

Review: Come to Me Quietly by A. L. Jackson

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Title: Come to Me Quietly (Closer to You #1)
Author: A. L. Jackson
Date of publication: 7 Jan 2014
Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult

Author's links:
Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

My rating: 3 stars

Goodreads Blurb

Aleena Moore is content with her life. She has goals and dreams and an easy smile. She also has a secret she holds locked inside.

Jared Holt believes he doesn’t deserve to love or be loved. He destroys everything he touches. Haunted by the mistake that shattered his life, he’s fled from the memory of that pain.

Jared doesn’t know why he’s compelled to return, but finds himself drawn back to the place where it all began. The exact place where it ended. When he runs into his childhood best friend, Aleena’s older brother Christopher, he agrees to share Christopher and Aleena’s apartment while he looks for a place of his own.

Aleena is no longer the little girl Jared remembers from his past and evokes feelings in him he never wanted to feel again. Terrified of destroying her, he fights to keep her away. But her touch is something he can’t resist—the touch that sealed his fate.

Their pasts are intertwined and their futures uncertain. The only truths they know are the secrets they whisper in the night.

My Review

This story was a fairly typical New adult romance following all the cliches of the genre. As a fan of romance I don't mind certain tropes even though they are predictable. I enjoy them when they are well done. Here we have the sister falling for her big brother's best friend combined it with the virgin heroine trying to save the bad boy (tattooed and riding a bike) with a tragic past. It is bound to angst-filled and engaging but it didn't work very well for me.

What I liked was the writing style of Ms Jackson - emotional and intense, very powerful at conveying the deep and conflicting emotions of the characters, Jared in particular. He was the best thing in this story. His guilt, his inner torment, his feelings for Aleena and his reluctance to give in to them, they all felt real and convincing. I could related to him the most from all the characters. He made me angry off with his hesitance to act and his self-loathing was too much, yet there was development in his character, he came to realize and accept certain things and this made him even more realistic as a character.

I didn't particular like or dislike Aleena. She was just bland, unremarkable. She had loved Jared since they were children and she was ready to stand by him and help him cope with his past when they met again as adults. She was defined solely through her love of Jared and I didn't get much of her personality. Everything in her past and present was related to him in one way or another.

I am not a big fan of contemporary stories where the romance part takes paranormal dimensions - one look and they are soulmates for life. I felt that the feelings Jared and Aleena had for each went into the direction of the supernatural, meant-to-be reality which was somewhat annoying.

I found the whole book too long. The middle section was focused entirely on the character's inner monologues and became repetitive. Nothing really happened, just Jared and Aleena going on in circles about their feelings.

I was mostly disappointed with the secondary characters and the lack of depth in their portrayal. Christopher, Aleena's brother and Jared's best friend was instrumental to the story development (he brought Jared back int their lives and he was the one who made him leave) but felt more like a plot device than a real person. There was no story with him - he embodied very cliches of the college guy in NA books - a player, going for easy girls, no job or real studying going on. He was oblivious to anything besides his own life which consisted pretty much of girls and parties.

The story doesn't end with a cliffhanger which I greatly appreciate. There are lot of things to clear out for Jared and Aleena and their story will be continued in book 2 which comes in July 2014.

Amazon.com Widgets

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Review: The Emperor's Blades by Brian Staveley

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Title: The Emperor's Blades (Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne #1)

Author: Brian Staveley
Date of publication: 14 Jan 2014
Genre: Epic Fantasy

Author's links:
Website / Facebook / Goodreads

My rating: 5 stars

Goodreads blurb

When the emperor of Annur is murdered, his children must fight to uncover the conspiracy—and the ancient enemy—that effected his death.

Kaden, the heir apparent, was for eight years sequestered in a remote mountain monastery, where he learned the inscrutable discipline of monks devoted to the Blank God. Their rituals hold the key to an ancient power which Kaden must master before it’s too late. When an imperial delegation arrives to usher him back to the capital for his coronation, he has learned just enough to realize that they are not what they seem—and enough, perhaps, to successfully fight back.

Meanwhile, in the capital, his sister Adare, master politician and Minister of Finance, struggles against the religious conspiracy that seems to be responsible for the emperor’s murder. Amid murky politics, she’s determined to have justice—but she may be condemning the wrong man.

Their brother Valyn is struggling to stay alive. He knew his training to join the Kettral— deadly warriors who fly massive birds into battle—would be arduous. But after a number of strange apparent accidents, and the last desperate warning of a dying guard, he’s convinced his father’s murderers are trying to kill him, and then his brother. He must escape north to warn Kaden—if he can first survive the brutal final test of the Kettral.

My Review

I don't read fantasy that often but I have read and enjoyed George Martin's A Game of Thrones and Tolkein's Lord of the Rings series. I picked this book after a friend of mine left it a raving review on Goodreads. Thanks, Litchick :)

It is difficult to review a book that you loved and didn't have any complaints about, still I will try to be as objective as possible in my assessment.

I read a lot of romance, mostly contemporary and it is relatively easy for me to relate to the characters since their stories are mostly realistic. It is quite different with fantasy. For me a true sign of the writer's mastery is the ability to make the readers connect with character whom we know don't exist and are not real. And I have to admit that I felt pretty close and deeply involved with all the main (even some of the supporting) characters in Mr. Staveley's book. I even cried a bit at the death of one character in a particular, it was a very emotional moment, beautifully presented. (Mr. Stavely, you won't follow George Martin in this direction, will you?)

It is an amazing first book in an epic fantasy series. It starts slowly, creating a complex world, ruled by ancient and new gods and goddesses, an empire in turmoil after the murder of its ruler. This is the story of his heirs - two sons and a daughter and their struggles to fulfill their father's will.

The narration flows smoothly alternating between Kaden's, Valyn's and Adare's storylines. The focus is on the boys mostly and I wish Adare was given equal attention, though the final plot twist related to her was rather shocking and attention-grabbing. They are evolve but it is more pronounced with the two brothers. It is a coming-of-age story story for both of them where they grow up through enduring hardship and pain. Kaden lives in a monastery and Valyn is training with elite military forces, yet their stories mirror each other in may ways.

There were a number of plot twists that kept me on the edge the entire time I was reading the book. To say that the plot is interesting would be an understatement, it's captivating, engrossing, utterly absorbing. The story is even more powerful due to the wonderful writing style of the author. The world building is also very well done. We are thrown into a violent by ordinary people and supernatural creatures.

There is a dictionary of terms in the end of the book which comes handy and you can also check out a beautiful map of the Annur's empire on Brain Stavely's blog.

My review can hardly do justice to this amazing fantasy. This book goes straight into my list of best reads of 2013. I strongly recommend it to all fans of the genre and to anyone interested in reading a magical story about the fight between good and evil.

Amazon.com Widgets

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Review: Three Broken Promises by Monica Murphy

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Title: Three Broken Promises (Drew + Fable #3)
Author: Monica Murphy
Date of publication: 31 Dec 2013
Genre: New Adult, Romance

Author's links:
Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

My rating: 2 stars

Goodreads Blurb

Commitment. That’s what I really want from Colin. Ever since my brother, Danny, died in Iraq, Colin’s done so much to help me, including giving me a job at his popular restaurant so I can leave my crappy waitressing job at the strip joint. But lying in bed with him every night to comfort him from his horrible nightmares isn’t enough anymore. I know he feels guilty about Danny’s death, about not going to Iraq, but I can’t keep living this double life.

I love him desperately, but he’s got so many demons, and if he can’t open up to me now, then he’ll never be the real partner I need him to be. I gave him a month, and now I’m out of here. If he truly loves me like he says, he knows where to find me.

My Reveiw

I really enjoyed the first two books in series One Week Girlfriend (my review) and Second Chance Boyfriend (my review) which told Drew and Fable's story. Colin and Jen were introduced in them and I was curious to see how they will work as a couple. Unfortunately, I found their story disappointing.

Colin came off as alpha male when he was first introduced - confident, self-assured, successful businessman, protective of Fable, even though she was an employee of his. He seemed strong and mature for his age. In this book I felt like we met a completely different person. He was indecisive, held back by his sense of guilt and failed obligation. He was closed off in his head, attracted to Jen, yet feeling unworthy of actually being with her. His solution to go for a friends-with-benefits sort of relationship was a sing of of his weakness to risk being open about his feelings and to go for what he really wanted.

I didn't like Jen very much, either. She acted immature and made really poor decisions on numerous occasions. She got into one bad situation after another, both in the past and in the present and her total lack of common sense and poor judgement was frustrating.

On the positive side, Jen and Colin had great chemistry as a couple and love scenes were hot. I was rather annoyed, though, with the constant going back and forth in their relationship. There was far too much negative thinking and introspection on both parts and not enough actual communication.

What I liked most in this book was the presence of Fable and Drew. She was her sassy, out-spoken self and the episode when Drew gives Colin relationship advise was both funny and spot on.

Despite my disappointment with Jen and Colin I plan to continue with this series. The conclusion of Drew and Fable's romance, Drew and Fable Forever comes out on Jan 14, and Owen's story, Four Years Later, will be released on Feb 25.

Amazon.com Widgets

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ARC Challenge: Week 7

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So, this week read and reviewed only one ARC - Rebel (Renegades #2) by Skye Jordan. It was a light, sexy read, just like book 1 in the Renegades series (my review).

I also finished my review of The Emperor's Blades but per request of the publisher, I will be posting it closer to the book's release on Jan 14.

I want to thank my friends Lexi and Deniz for organizing this challenge. I had fun participating in it and it did help me with dealing with some of my ARCs. I managed to read quite a few of them over past the month and a half, but I also accumulated some great new ones.

ARC

Review: Rebel by Skye Jordan

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Title: Rebel (Renegades #2)
Author: Skye Jordan
Date of publication: 21 Dec 2013
Genre/themes: Contemporary Romance

Author's links:
Facebook / Goodreads

My rating: 3.5 stars

Goodreads Blurb

Sassy, smart, and sexy, former supermodel-turned-tech guru Rubi Russo has it all—looks, money, confidence and freedom. Her life is a whirlwind of fast cars and fleeting affairs—and she likes it that way. With a past like Rubi’s, forever isn’t part of her vocabulary. So when studly Renegade stuntman Wes Lawson wants to take their friendship to the next level, she’s all out.

Raised a simple country-boy, Wes knows the brazen Rubi isn’t his type. But after spending time with her, he discovers she’s everything he’s ever wanted in a woman. To win her wild rebel heart, he’ll have to prove he sees behind her smokescreen to all the goodness she tries to hide. Then it’s just a matter of crushing her fears, shattering her barriers, and convincing her that loving him is everything she’s been missing in her life, too.

Piece of cake.

My Review

This is the second book in the Renegades series Skye Jordan, it delivers the same light and sexy fun as book 1, Reckless. I feel like there is more romance in the story of Rubi and Wes, but there is also more drama, which got just a bit too much towards the end of the book.

This series features the type of romance that I would describe as fairy tale of dream romance. We have these gorgeous and smart and successful, almost perfect people who meet and fall in love. You need to suspend your belief in order to accept their romance and fully enjoy it.

Wes and Rubi start as friends when they meet through their best friends, Lexi and Jax, whom we meet in Reckless. There is undeniable chemistry between them but Rubi is reluctant to act on it because of her fear of abandonment and commitment issues.

Wes is just perfect, even too good to be true, still I loved him. He It was Rubi whom I had difficulty liking enough. I understood her issues, yet it took her far too long to deal with them. Wes was so determinate, confident in what he wanted and it was really frustrating to watch Rubi's hesitation, her going back and forth in her decisions.

I liked the reversal of the traditional roles in romance where the man is a player and he finds a sweet, innocent girl who manages to tame (change) him. In this story it was Rubi who was more sexually experienced and adventurous than Wes. She enjoyed her one-night stands and was not interested in having a long-term relationship. Wes was a more traditional, monogamous guy, going for beautiful, yet ordinary.

They were so wrong for each other, yet they complemented and challenged each other and that made their relationship work so well. It was not just hot chemistry between them, there was admiration and respect, common interests and the need and desire to take care and help the other one.

It wasn't a smooth ride for those Rubi and Wes. Her issues ran really deep, and his ex girl-friend didn't help matters. Still, the drama surrounding their coming together was a bit excessive. I think that their final break-up was unnecessary. It was just one too many obstacles to the happy end.

On the plus side, I loved the presence of Jax and Lexi in this book. They have crucial roles in the lives of both Rubi and Wes and I am really happy with the way their own story was further developed.

My main disappointment with this book was the ending. It felt rushed and I wish it was developed in some more detail. Since, there will be a third book in the series (I didn't get any clues as whom it will be about, but I am hoping it is Rachel and one of the other Renegades), I hope we will see more of Wes and Rubi actually being together as a couple.

Despite some minor weaknesses, overall it was a light fun read with some hot sexy times coupled with sweet romance.

Amazon.com Widgets

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ARC Challenge: Week 6

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As promised, this week I posted my reviews of 2 ARCs - Before We Fall (Beautifully Broken #3) (my review) by Courtney Cole and Masquerade (Games #3) (my review) by Nyrae Dawn.

The first was a rather disappointing read for me but I quite liked the second one. The review of The Destiny of Luke and Violet got left for next week.

I finished just one ARC this week, The Emperor's Blades by Brian Staveley, and it was amazing! I don't read fantasy that often but I really, really enjoyed this one. I will be posting my review of it next week.

I just stared another ARC - Rebel (Renegades #2) by Skye Jordan. I enjoyed the first book in the series, Reckless, and this one is quite fun so far as well. These are light and super hot romance reads.

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ARC Challenge: Week 5

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My friend Lexie over at Fastidious reader started an ARC Challenge 2013 together with Deniz from Closet Geeks and Slow Mo. The challenge is pretty simple - read and review at least one, if possible two ARCs a week and it goes on till the end of this year. Since I am literally swamped with ARCs some of which I requested rather foolishly, I decided to join them.

I am very happy to report that my ARC Challenge went really well this past week. I keep reading a lot of ARCs, though I am a bit slower when it comes to writing the reviews.

This can be named Samantha Young's week on the blog since I published my reviews of three of her books. I already included my review of Castle Hill in the last week's post, but at the time I had it posted only on Goodreads. I wasn't planning on posting it here, since so far I was hesitant to publish my 1 and 2 star reviews on the blog. Now, I have decided to post all reviews (I'll still keep my comments on DNFs to GR only) on the blog.

This review was followed by two 4-star reviews - one for Before Jamaica Lane (my review) and the other for Until Fountain Bridge (my review). The first book is coming out on 7 Jan 2014 and I really enjoyed it.

The second one is an already published novella, as part of On Dublin Street series and I was pleasantly surprised to find it in the end of my ARC of Before Jamaica Lane.

I have finished two more ARCs this week and I hope to be ready with their reviews next week.

Masquerade by Nyrae Dawn

The Destiny of Luke and Violet by Jessica Sorensen

Now, I am thinking about taking a break from Romance and NA and trying some fantasy instead this week.

I just received an ARC of The Emperor's Blades (Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne #1) by Brian Staveley which I requested after reading an extatic review of by one of my GR friends. It would be nice to change my usual reads for a bit, or maybe not...

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ARC Challenege: Week 4

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This was a busy week for me in terms of reading and reviewing. I read two novellas, two full-length novels and I DNFed another novel. I have written reviews for half of them.

I abandoned at 40% Jagged by Kristen Ashley and wrote a very brief review on Goodreads explaining why this book didn't work for me, despite the fact that Colorado Mountains is my favourite series of Ms Ashley.

Castle Hill by Samantha Young was a disappointment for me, so I gave it 2 stars and shared a short review on Goodreads only.

I wrote a full review of Love a Little Sideways by Shannon Stacey which is the seventh book in her series about the Kowaslkis families. It is a nice second-chance love but it is not my favourite of this series.

I still need to write my reviews of the other three books:

Until Jamaica Lane by Samantha Young was a great read which I really enjoyed. It includes the events from Castle Hill and in my opinion their presentation here is much better.

Under Fountain Bridge by Samantha Young is another novella in this series and it tells the story of Ellie and Adam. It is emotional and intense and I totally loved the way their love was presented in retrospect though Ellie's diary entries.

The final book for me this week was Before We Fall by Courtney Cole. Sadly, it was another disappointment for me. I liked the first book in the Beautifully Broken series, If You Stay, and I expected more of this one.

Hopefully, I will be able to finish my reviews of all three this week.

This time I am not making any plans what I will be reading next week. I am thinking of taking a break from ARCs since I have other book to read as well - Bold Tricks by Karina Halle is the first that comes to mind, then Making Faces By Amy Harmon, and 8 more books of the Black Dagger Brotherhood :)