Change The World: Feel Free to Call Yourself A Sexy-Pants Pro-Equality-ist

Dear readers,


Welcome one and all to another session of CHANGE THE WORLD, where I rant about how to make a change and a lovely way to do so. Like spreading the word. Not letting people having the excuse of not knowing about it. Starting a conversation. Raising awareness.

First off, bravo world. Since the August 18, 1920 women in the United States have had the right to vote. Take that patriarchy! *ahem* *clears throat* Before I go on, I know it's Not All Men. So please don't use that argument with me. I know, I know. But it's also not all women. If you believe in equality, then I love you. If you believe if equal pay (not the women, on average, get $0.75 for ever $1.00 men get) then I adore you. If you believe that there is an actual gender gap, then thank you for not letting your eyes glaze over. I appreciate that. Big time.

I think we, as a society, maybe just as individuals, have an idea in our minds of what our lives should be like. And that is totally fine. Seriously. I mean, I want a farm and a garden a a bed a breakfast with an animal rescue on the side. We all have dreams. And that's absolutely fantastic. Seriously, yay you for looking forward to something. It's called motivation. It's when that motivation is derogatory towards a set group of people, whether it be towards a certain gender, sexuality, race, religion, ect, that things get a little crazy and the line between right and wrong get a little blurry.

The fact that people call things like this (rights) women's right, or gay rights (or men's right, or straight rights--though I haven't really heard either of those) frankly gets on my nerves a bit. Aren't women...human? Aren't people who like the same gender..human? Are people who are transexual...human? So...wait...these are human rights. *cue the light bulbs going off*

I'll say it again. I know it's Not All Men. It's also Not All Women.

I rather like the idea of equality. Quite a bit actually. I like the idea of everyone being on the same level, rights wise. I like the idea of having a say when deciding who is going to run my county and make decisions that are going to impact me. I love the idea of people marrying who they love. For love. (I feel like that would make an epic battle cry "FOR LOVE!"). Also have you listened to ARTIST VS POET's song "Sake of Love" (SUCH A GOOD SONG!)

Before you start going all "Well this chick obviously is crazy...feminism *shudders*"

If it makes you feel better, don't call it feminism. I honestly, don't really care what you describe yourself as. Call yourself a sexy-pants pro-equlaity-ist if that really makes you feel better. What I just described to you is my feminism. And frankly, I'll describe myself as a feminist. And yes, *sigh* I shave my legs. Jeez, stop being so stereotypical, y'all.

I'm so in love with love. I'm in love with people with brains and a heart. That's why I believe in equality. Express yourself however you please. Do what makes you happy. Love who you love. Go cast that ballot! Be involved in society! Use that freedom of speech amendment to the best of your ability. You deserve it. Be educated. Read politics and stories with cute romances and for dear lord, smile. Are you frowning? Be happy. 

NOOOOW that I have all that out of the way, let me show you some killer conversation induction clothing. I just recently discovered this website and I waaaant the racerback 'this is what a #feminist looks like' tank. *drools*  /// V i s i t the website

N O W

Let's talk about equality in literature. I freaking love it. I love the girls who don't want to be saved but do the saving, who mess up but move on (Princess of Thorns). I love the girls who fight and save and escape and boys who let that girl bloom. (The Glass Arrow). I love the stories where there is no slut-shaming and people make their own decisions and they aren't afraid (The Devil You Know). I love the stories were girls are kissing girls (Black Iris) and boys are kissing boys (Two Boys Kissing).

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So hello there. You made it to the end of the post. I'm impressed. Tell me your thoughts. On everything. How you describe yourself. How you see the world. Your ideas. Do you have a dream? I hope you do. 

Book Tour: Sideswiped by Lia Riley + Top 5 + Giveaway

SIDESWIPED by Lia Riley (June 30, 2015; Forever Trade Paperback; Off the Map #2)
Goodreads / Amazon / Book 1 / Book 3

It was only meant to last the summer . . .

Talia Stolfi has seen more than her share of loss in her twenty-one years. But then fate brought her Bran Lockhart, and her dark world was suddenly and spectacularly illuminated. So if being with Bran means leaving her colorless SoCal life for rugged and wild Australia, then that's what she'll do. But as much as Talia longs to give herself over completely to a new beginning, the fears of her past are still lurking in the shadows.

Bran Lockhart knows that living without the beautiful girl who stole his heart will be torment, so he'll take whatever time with her he can. But even though she has packed up her life in California and is back in his arms for the time being, she can't stay forever. And the remaining time they have together is ticking by way too fast. Though fate seems determined to tear them apart, they won't give up without a fight-because while time may have limits, their love is infinite . . .

Let's all have a round of applause for the paperback release of book two in Lia Riley's Off the Map series! Today, Lia is going to share her top 5 reading places and snack with us. 

Top 5 Summer Reading Spots + Snacks

1.     Franklin Point (my favorite local beach haunt) with ice cold watermelon

2.     My bed with a cup of tea

3.     My parents’ lake house with a fresh-baked German pretzel

4.     The playground while poaching my kid’s juice box

5.     Airplanes going to fun places with a plastic cup of tomato juice.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Excerpt from Sideswiped 

An hour later I’m zipping the back of Talia’s wet suit at the edge of the tide line. Moonlight glimmers on the black water. The waves line up perfectly, peeling clean. I breathe deep, savoring the air’s briny tang and the musty smell of decomposing kelp. My awareness is sharpened by anticipation, the five senses amplified by the dark.

Talia shuffles at my side, getting antsy.

“You sure about this?”

“Yes. Well, sure enough.”

Another set breaks. The conditions are choice. If she changes her mind, I might need to have a ride—a quick one.

Maybe two, tops.

“What’s that noise?” She stills. “There it is again. Can you hear it?”

I concentrate and smile when a sound like a wheezing donkey drifts from beyond the breakers. “Fairy penguin.”

“Shut up! There are penguins around here?”

“Sure. In the summer they build burrows in the scrub along the coast. If you stand outside a colony right after sunset, things get pretty noisy.”

“Penguins.” She almost whispers the word. “That’s so cool.”

The wash races over the sand and breaks across our toes. I figure out a plan of attack. “We’ll paddle to the left shoulder where the wave’s less steep. Stick with me, okay?” No one else is out and my voice feels extra loud even though I’m speaking quiet.

“Have you ever been to Rome?” She takes my hand.

“No, not yet.”

“Me neither. But I can’t imagine the Sistine Chapel being more amazing than this.”

Besides the moon, there’s zero light pollution. The Milky Way arches in a dazzling band across the sky’s apex. Individual stars are indistinguishable in the brilliant haze.

“You ready?”

She squeezes my hand in reply.

We paddle out.

“Whoa!” She pushes her chest up to better peer over her board’s tip. Around us the water casts a luminous green-blue light.

“Phosphorescence. Cool, eh? It’s blooming phytoplankton, caused by this marine species of dinoflagellates releasing enzymes that—”

“That’s enough, Sid the Science Kid. Let me retain this fairy kingdom illusion a little while longer.”

“Science is cool, Captain.”

“I never said— Oh, crap!”

Instead of duck-diving under the incoming wave, the water wall pounds her in the face. She breaks through the other side, coughing out a lung.

“We can head back to shore, don’t have to—”

“I’m fine. Please. There’s a wave coming. I can feel the pull. Can you?”

“You want it?”

“It’s all yours.”

I take off on a left break and fly down the smooth face. For a few perfect seconds, I’m right here in the moment. Rational thought is eclipsed and with it the aggravating confusion of having everything: Talia, Tasmania, honors, and still hungering for more like a greedy bastard. I paddle back to her.

“You looked great.”

“That was good.”

She sits, bobbing lightly. “It’s not as freaky out here as I imagined.”

“Fucking hell, Captain. You said you weren’t scared.”

“No, I never did. I’m scared by everything. But I want to do this.”

We’re quiet. A few more waves come but I let them go, happy to be with my girl, the stars, and the radiant water.

Hard not to believe in magic on such a night.

She clears her throat. “About what happened back at the house…if this is going to work, you can’t shut me out. You’re not just a you anymore; we’re an us. We have to be there for each other.”

I bob on my board and drag my fingers through the water. The phosphorescence lights from my touch. Finally I speak. “Karma’s got this mate; he’s on the crew of a Sea Alliance vessel. There’s an opening for a gig, with voyages to Japan and Antarctica.”

“You want to go for it?” I can’t decipher her expression.

I almost say no, but honesty’s easier in the anonymous dark. “Yeah, kinda. But I want to be with you more.”

“Oh, Bran, that’s way too much pressure.”

“What do you mean?”

“Imagine coming home in a few months and I’m all vegged on the couch, watching awful reality television. Will you think to yourself, ‘I could be gallantly defending the high seas but instead I’m attached to this boring anchor’?”

“Life with you is bound to be a lot of things, but boring isn’t the first depiction that springs to mind.”

“But life isn’t always night surfing. I…I can’t compete against a fantasy.”

“I never said you had to.”

“Isn’t supporting the other’s goals a fundamental part of the good girlfriend/boyfriend job description? I mean, say I always wanted to volunteer in Africa? Join the Peace Corps.”

“Do you?”

“I used to toy around with the idea. Now? I’m not sure but I don’t want to close myself off to opportunities.”

“We can travel through Africa someday.”

“Peace Corps is one of my dreams, not yours. I want you to have the freedom to pursue your own happiness.”

“You make me happy.” I strike my words like flint before sucking in a rough breath. “Look, I’m not a guy cut out for the long-distance thing. I hated every second we were apart the last two months.”

“Bran…” She reaches out her hand and I take hold. “I won’t let go.”

“Me neither.” I scrutinize the sky, heart clanging. Everything appears so deceptively still. In reality, the Earth careens through space. Talia and I, we’re little specks of cosmic dust in the grand scheme. It wouldn’t take much to blow away from each other.

“But in the future—”

“I hear what you’re saying and I appreciate the support. But the only future I’m willing to discuss is the one where it’s me and you—together.”

Better to orbit far away from black holes.

About Lia Riley

After studying at the University of Montana-Missoula, Lia Riley scoured the world armed only with a backpack, overconfidence and a terrible sense of direction. When not torturing heroes (because c'mon, who doesn't love a good tortured hero?), Lia herds unruly chickens, camps, beach combs, daydreams about as-of-yet unwritten books, wades through a mile-high TBR pile and schemes yet another trip. She and her family live mostly in Northern California.

Website // Twitter // Facebook // Goodreads

Review: Anything Could Happen by Will Walton

Anything Could Happen
             // by Will Walton
Published: May 26, 2015
Push Publishing
Goodreads // Amazon
Edition: ARC Format via #booksfortrade

When you’re in love with the wrong person for the right reasons, anything could happen.

Tretch lives in a very small town where everybody's in everybody else's business. Which makes it hard for him to be in love with his straight best friend. For his part, Matt is completely oblivious to the way Tretch feels – and Tretch can’t tell whether that makes it better or worse.

The problem with living a lie is that the lie can slowly become your life. For Tretch, the problem isn’t just with Matt. His family has no idea who he really is and what he’s really thinking. The girl at the local bookstore has no clue how off-base her crush on him is. And the guy at school who’s a thorn in Tretch’s side doesn’t realize how close to the truth he’s hitting.

Tretch has spent a lot of time dancing alone in his room, but now he’s got to step outside his comfort zone and into the wider world. Because like love, a true self can rarely be contained. 

ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN is a poignant, hard-hitting exploration of love and friendship, a provocative debut that shows that sometimes we have to let things fall apart before we can make them whole again.

Will Walton enters the world of young adult with a debut about a boy who falls in love at the wrong time, who as able to watch things unravel and put together the torn strands, and who through it all remains an eternal optimist. In his head, Tretch never ceases his quiet chanting it will get better. He worms his way through coming out, falling in and out of love, finding out what love really means, and exploring a friendship that has the potential to stay steady until the world falls down. In all honesty, this book did draw emotions that were overly enthusiastic or overly drastic. But, this book let me breathe, It gave me hope. it kept me optimistic. It let me smile and chuckle. It drew from me hope. It seems like a bunch of coming out and into stories like to touch on the tragic- and although ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN broached the subject of bullying- it didn't make me gush tears. Which I thoroughly appreciated.

So let's talk plot and characters. Yes?

First off, we're going to have a little chat about why I think Tretch is such a strong and such a dynamic character. I love his optimism. Right off the bat-and I'm talking the first sentence of the book- we know that Tretch is in love with his best friend, Matt. He realizes he is in love with his best friend while sitting in a service at church. Which I found a little amusing. Okay, so through the book Tretch is kind of thinking about how he's going to deal with his sexuality and how he is going to deal with just being him. This is a point that I think is really important. It makes a person look at this book as more than a coming out story, but rather a coming of age story. (ten point to Walton, who seems to write this with the up-most ease) Tretch's family is dealing with lots of stuff just on their own too: death and love and dying and cancer and Christmas and leaving and coming and going and living. No wonder Tretch is so overwhelmed. To relax and just be himself, he dances. To Taylor Swift and Ellie Goulding. (Anything Could Happen-do you see it now?)

Onto who our main boy fancies himself in love with- Matt. Oh, Matt. As sweet as you are, you are so oblivious. Though I can't really blame you. Tretch did an awesome job at only giving himself half of you-and the world- to love. I really do like Matt. Not as much as the boy in love with him. ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN was coming of age book for too. Maybe even just as much as Tretch. Not so much because he was figuring out who he is, but more so because he is trying to learn about girl and family and friendship. Although, for a middle school-high school kid, he's got a pretty good grasp on all three of those already. He is the one who- I think- was the hardest to come out too to Tretch. Because of the whole having a crush thing. I loved their friendship. I love how neither one of them want to let go of it. How they want each other to be happy whether they're with the other or not.

This book is set during winter break.

I think that was the perfect amount of time. I also think that everyone should read this book. Please, please go buy a copy. *puppy dog eyes* It's totally working, isn't it?

Book Look: Marrow by Tarryn Fisher

Book Look: Marrow by Tarryn Fisher by nobentspines featuring high-waisted skirts

Amazon

In the Bone there is a house.

In the house there is a girl.

In the girl there is a darkness.

Margo is not like other girls. She lives in a derelict neighborhood called the Bone, in a cursed house, with her cursed mother, who hasn’t spoken to her in over two years. She lives her days feeling invisible. It’s not until she develops a friendship with her wheelchair-bound neighbor, Judah Grant, that things begin to change. When neighborhood girl, seven-year-old Neveah Anthony, goes missing, Judah sets out to help Margo uncover what happened to her.

What Margo finds changes her, and with a new perspective on life, she’s determined to find evil and punish it–targeting rapists and child molesters, one by one.

But hunting evil is dangerous, and Margo risks losing everything, including her own soul.

My Favorite Translated Work (and it's totally a play)

Dear readers, writers, daydreamers and people with a heart, 

Okay, y'all. Let's talk about beauty. And words. Words in different languages. My favorite words (specifically a play that makes my insides turn to much) that can be read in English. Also this rather cool translation software- -( I'm looking more into, I'll keep y'all updated!) that apparently translated better than Google. *raises eyebrows* Or at least has real people translating it for you rather than a computer. Robot.

I'll begin with my favorite work that is not originally in English. Not surprisingly, I haven't read many. But I did read this one my past year at school and it pretty much stole my heart. Or, specifically, certain characters stole my heart. Who may they be? Leonardo and The Bride.

BLOOD WEDDING by Lorca, a Spanish author who was said to have been killed by a firing squard because of his sexuality, is beyond perfect.

The story depicts that of a Spanish society and a wedding which shouldn't happen. The Bridegroom is kind of a weak little boy, while Leonardo (a man who has been in love with the Bride for three years) is just swoon worthy. Granted, this is the only story where I choose to over look his- erm- less than faithful choices. But, of course, she totally knew what she was getting into. Just saying. Not that that is an excuse. 

     

Blood Wedding // Goodreads // Amazon

One of Spain’s greatest poets and dramatists, Federico Garcia Lorca wrote in many styles but achieved maturity and fame with his peasant plays, Blood Wedding and Yerma, in which impassioned language and imagery accentuate tragic narratives. These never-before published translations unite Garcia Lorca’s masterpieces with two of America’s most gifted poets, Langston Hughes and W.S. Merwin.

The epigrammatic style and unsentimental lyricism of W.S. Merwin heighten the urgency and fervor of Yerma, the story of a woman whose thwarted yearning for a child makes her murder her indifferent husband. Preeminent African-American poet Langston Hughes infuses his version of Blood Wedding—the story of an unwilling bride who elopes with her lover on her wedding night—with the rhythmic intensity and linguistic beauty only a fellow poet could achieve.


Basically what I'm trying to say is you should totally read it. I think there are a few videos of the plays that have been done over the works on YouTube as well.

Top 5: And Here Lie My Favorite Dedications In Books

A lot of times the dedications are one of my top five favorite things in book. You know what? I really should include them in my reviews more. They make me happy. And I think that a lot of times, the dedication really shows who the author is. And that is super important. And dedications like the ones in this post make me feel all the stuff. The inspiration and the awh.

These dedications are followed by some of my favorite words ever written. Doesn't that say something? Something like, this is how a book is supposed to start? I think so. So, without further ado, here are my top five dedications. And no, there is no order. They're all of equal perfection.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin // Goodreads

For the bad girls, and the boys who love them

Remember how I was saying that these dedications preface my favorite books. This is one of my favorite series. Let's just talk about Mara and Noah and how this series is twisted and mind-bending and how everyone everywhere should read it.
Because it's also not only entertaining, but important. The characters are so strong and so real.
And the quotes are swoon-inducing.
"You will love him to ruins." // "I was made for you." // "I must be made of nothing to feel so much."

Zac and Mia by A. J. Betts // Goodreads

For the Zac and Mias. The real ones. 

I actually haven't read this one yet. I sort of just adore the dedication. 

Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel // Goodreads

For my mother, who taught me early on that real ladies can give order, real gentlemen can take them, and real zombies don't eat brains

Oh have I read this one? Oh, yes. Yes I have. And I freaking love it. Zombies in a future that looks a lot like the Victorian past? Oh yes. *giggles* Have I told you about Bram? Because he, according to the dedication, is a real gentlemen. As well as a zombie. Le sigh. That's right. I said it. I'm in love with a zombie. And I wouldn't have it any other way.  

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo // Goodreads

For my grandfather: Tell me some lies.

Ah, another one of my favorite series. I haven't read the last one *hides* and I can't wait to read Six. *flails slightly* *flails not so slightly*

I just adore this dedication. I can't really tell you what it is, but aren't the words just lovely? Yes they are. Me gusta.  

The Devil You Know by Trish Doller // Goodreads 

To all the girls who know what they want. And to all the girls who don't.

I love when the dedication is to the readers. Plus this makes the feminist in me all happy because this basically says to all the girls. I don't know. I just like it. Mainly because it feel like this is to me. And doesn't that just make you feel all warm and fluttery inside.
I don't know y'all. It does me.
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Hey, y'all! Do you have a favorite dedication? Tell me all about it. Or if you have a blog- post it and leave me a link! That would be just too cool! Much love.

Books + Flowers : An Unlikely Pairing

Goodreads / Amazon 

June 9, 2015 : Henry Holt and Co

OUR BROTHERS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA by JONATHAN KRANZ

Don't fall, Ethan scrawls in red permanent marker across the rides and signs of Sea Town. Since his brother Jason's death, Ethan can't let go of his big brother.

Don't fall, Rachel reads as she prepares to dump back into the ocean the shells her brother Curtis collected. Curtis had Down syndrome, but that isn't why he plummeted to his death from the Rock-It Roll-It Coaster.Together, Ethan and Rachel are about to discover just how far a man will go to protect his kingdom.With lyrical storytelling, Jonathan Kranz spins an irresistible tale of mystery and grief, guilt and culpability.

Where The Flowers Came From

Why yes I do realize that the pairing isn't overly cohesive. But I also think that it totally works. The light blue of the Mason Jar glass look a lot like the sea water and the wild flowers reflect the fair above the water in a sort of whimsical way. 

I actually kind of love it.

Those I would kill for a little bit of crimson in the bunch. That would be the divine cherry on top of the flower-and-book sundae.

--

So what are you thoughts? And have you read the book yet? Is it good or bad? Top of TBR worthy? And if you haven't, isn't the summary just so intriguing? 

Book Review: The Perfect Bargain by Julia London

The Perfect Bargain by Julia London
eGalley via Entangled Publishing
Amazon // Goodreads

American lass seeks brawny Scot...

As if being newly single isn’t brutal enough, Sloane Chatfield's friends are getting obnoxious about setting her up. When Sloane insists she's waiting for a certain sexy fictional Highlander to come along, her friends surprise her with a trip to Scotland to find her a new boyfriend. She’d rather have a root canal. But if she can find a Highland hunk to “break her heart” before her friends arrive…

In a remote Highland village, Galen Buchanan is struggling to keep the family pub afloat. Everything is falling apart, he’s running out of money, and now there's an opinionated American lass parked at his best table, driving him mad. But then Sloane asks Galen to be her pretend Highland boyfriend...and offers him enough money to save the pub. It’s only for a few days, he figures. What's the worst that could happen? 

Hey there all you lads and lassies! Looking for a short and sweet novel with a modern, real-life, kilt-sporting Jamie Fraser? Want an asshat of an ex, spontaneous romantic proclamations of undying love and a good old dose of the Highlands? Well, you are so very much in the perfect place! Julie London's novel The Perfect Bargain had me giggling and swooning, as well as had the feminist in me cheering (and wanting to punch said ex in the face because hard-working is not cold) on our couple: Chicago born Sloane and pub owning Galen.

Before I go on, let's have a quick moment dedicated to swooning over his name. *swoon*

Okay. I'm finished. For now.

I got an email from Entangled with the opportunity to review this one. This is totally not my usual dabbling is YA or New Adult--or even the occasional Women's Fiction. I'll be honest right now. I didn't realize how very much I needed a break from my hard core cry / swoon / rant-tastic ships. But I needed one. So very badly. And this book was the perfect book for the calm before the storm read. Which you'll learn about the storm later. There will be a rant.

The Perfect Bargain is just so refreshing. You have Sloane, who just got dumped by her ex in the worst way. She goes on a trip to take a sort of break. One thing you learn about her right off the bad is she is a good person. A dedicated person. The fact that what happened to her did indeed happen to her made me angry. But, good lord, did she take in in stride. I know her friends called her a recluse after it all (and honestly, who wouldn't be?) but instead of sulking she did her work. And her work benefits those who need someone to fight for them. And if that doesn't make her a strong character, then what in the world does? I thought she was admirable.

But then you also have Galen. He's sweet and sexy. Also a little sexist in a are-you-joking-or-not kind of way. So although I love him (really, I do) I have a few questions about his view on women. Of course, you also have the final scene of the book where I have to give him major props. I do have issues with him though. However, I'm sure that Sloane will put him in his place.

Sweet, adorable and oh so very delightful, I honestly can't recommend this book enough for those who need something lacking super heavy themes.

Book Review : Broken by A. E. Murphy

Broken by A. E. Murphy
Published April 19, 2014
Kindle Edition
Amazon / Goodreads

Caleb is perfect in every way, almost too perfect and Gwen has never felt so happy. He is hers and she is his. Life can't get much better and their love can't get any stronger. That is until mistakes are made and their world comes crumbling down. She's left alone with no money, no home and a growing person invading her stomach. How will she survive? 

Forced to leave culinary school, the job she needs and the home they made together. Gwen finds a knight in the most unlikely source. Caleb's brother Nathan. A complex man with a phobia she doesn't understand and mannerisms that aren't of this day and age, will she be able to melt his seemingly frozen heart and become his friend? Or will he forever push her away and wallow in his loneliness and self loathing?

My final reaction to this book was somewhere along the lines of oh look, another book that everyone loved that I seem to want to throw against a wall. How peachy. 

My reaction to this book was quite similar to my reaction to TRUE LOVE STORY. The characters frustrated me, but the writing style made up for where they let me down. So, I'll start out with the good.

This book, was in no way, shape or form rushed. Which is fantastic. I really appreciate that. For some reason it seems to me like I've been reading some books where either the plot is hidden in the conclusion or everything is shoved at me at once. So the pace of BROKEN was refreshing and super de duper nice. I also really liked how well all the characters were developed. I knew who they were (even if I wanted to whack most of them with a frying pan) and what they liked and disliked. I knew what made most of them tick. That is awesome.

I also thought that Murphy conveyed the mental illnesses- the extreme phobia and depression- is a pretty decent manner. It wasn't great, but that was more of because I didn't approve of how the characters dealt with any of their issues, rather than the constructing of the issues.

I suppose I'll talk about the issues I had with BROKEN now. Most of the characters and I have a like/ hate relationship. This is all except for the lady who tends to Nathan's house. I really do like her and her reactions to Nathan's irrationality. She is a lot like the one rational thing in his completely screwed up (due to something I can't name) life and heartbreaking phobia. But, still that is no excuse for how he lets his killer mood swings affect the people he cares about *cough* Gwen *cough*

Please excuse that tickle I had in my throat.

But then there is also Gewn, who made me want to punch her more often than not. After having a complete insta-love with Caleb (who made me want to gag), getting pregnant, engaged and then watching Caleb die, she's had her fair share of life throwing her curve balls. And sweet Lord, no one judges that she has more bad days than good days. Her and Nathan together, it was toxic. And there is a super hot type of toxic and then there is the toxic that makes me want to get them both help and hope that they never see each other again.

This 'romance' between Gwen and Nathan is the latter. No me gusta. Nope.

With the ista-love, the toxic love, and the more cringe moments than awh moments, this book didn't connect with me like it did the majority of readers.

Book Look: The Devil You Know by Trish Doller

The Devil You Know by Trish Doller by nobentspines featuring River Island

Review / Goodreads / Amazon

Eighteen-year-old Arcadia wants adventure. Living in a tiny Florida town with her dad and four-year-old brother, Cadie spends most of her time working, going to school, and taking care of her family. So when she meets two handsome cousins at a campfire party, she finally has a chance for fun. They invite her and friend to join them on a road trip, and it's just the risk she's been craving-the opportunity to escape. But what starts out as a fun, sexy journey quickly becomes dangerous when she discovers that one of them is not at all who he claims to be. One of them has deadly intentions.

A road trip fling turns terrifying in this contemporary story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.