Charlotte “Lottie” McAlister is in the zone. She’s ready to take on the next chapter of her life, and since she doesn’t have a man, she’ll do what she’s done all along. She’ll take care of business on her own. Even if that business means starting a family.

The problem is, Lottie has a stalker. The really bad kind. The kind that means she needs a bodyguard.

Enter Mo Morrison.

Enormous. Scary.

Quiet.

Mo doesn’t say much, and Lottie’s used to getting attention. And she wants Mo’s attention. Badly.

But Mo has a strict rule. If he’s guarding your body, that’s all he’s doing with it.

However, the longer Mo has to keep Lottie safe, the faster he falls for the beautiful blonde who has it so together, she might even be able to tackle the demons he’s got in his head that just won’t die.

But in the end, Lottie and Mo don’t only have to find some way to keep hands off until the threat is over, they have to negotiate the overprotective Hot Bunch, Lottie’s crazy stepdad, Tex, Mo’s crew of frat-boy commandos, not to mention his nutty sisters.

All before Lottie finally gets her Dream Man.

And Mo can lay claim to his Dream Girl.

Some scenes contain sexual contents that may offend sensibilities of readers.

Lottie (for those who do not remember Lottie, she is Jet's sister starred in "Rock Chick Rescue") is a very successful stripper. She loves her life. She is not ashamed of her job and neither will she apologize for who she is. But seeing all the "Rock chicks" meeting their "dream men", Lottie is feeling lonely and she is set on having a baby by herself. But it is not her most urgent problem. A creepy stalker is making threats. Smithie being Smithie, he decides to call in Hawk's commando and hence Mo meets Lottie.

And when these two meet, chemistry is off the roof... 

So by now you probably know that I am a sucker for everything Kristen Ashley releases. And this one did not disappoint. Even though it is a "novella", trust me when I say it is long enough to be a solid 253-pages book.

There isn't much action in this book since I felt like it was mostly installing the Dream Team series. But we were still graced with hot steam moments between Lottie and Mo. I mean, I just fell in love with both of them.

“I make you mine, officially,” he continued, “no one ever has you again, Lottie, but me.”

Lottie is a woman I'd love to be: self-assured, strong, smart, savvy, beautiful, sassy. She is such a gorgeous woman, almost perfect, with so much love to give but she has no one (yet) to give it to. Enter Mo. (sigh). He is perfect in all his imperfections. Mo has been raised by an amazing woman (which explains why he is close to perfection) with four sisters, so he kind of understands women (or at least he tries his best). He is not much of a talker but he is a total observer. He had been in service and brought back internal scars that never fully healed.
From the beginning, you could tell they belonged to each other. They completely balance each other's personality. Mo is very quiet (hence the title) while Lottie is super cheerful and talkative and they just fell for each other at first sight.

“She’s under your skin,” Hawk murmured.“She’s not under my skin. I sleep on her couch. I guard her. But when this is over, she’ll be in my life. My choice? For the rest of it. So that’s not under my skin. She’s just going to be a part of me.”

Their love story was cute, perfect and so much fun. I laughed... a lot. I can't wait to have more of this "Dream Team". I also loved getting glimpses of Jet, Eddie and their kids. So cute, my heart couldn't take it!

“Mistake number one.He watched her dance.Mistake number two.He left her sightline when she was exposed and needed to know he had her.Mistake number three.He let it slip his mind she was tangled up with the Rock Chicks.Mistake number four.He also forgot her stepfather was a lunatic.”

Anyway, you probably understood that if you are a fan of Kristen Ashley as much as I am, this one is also for you. You have everything you need: alpha male, gorgeous girl, hot scenes, danger... Less action than in her other books but I am sure she will come back with more of it in the second book of the series.

Have you read it? Please leave a comment to let me know your thoughts on this book :) 

They may not be made for each other, but animal instincts are impossible to ignore.

Madisyn Drake is a rare breed of cat shifter…a loner, unpredictably wild, and emotionally distant. A recent betrayal has left her ready to sharpen her claws on the next man she sees…until a prowling wolf with steel-gray eyes and a brooding dark edge challenges her distrust. No matter how fully he satisfies her touch-hunger, Madisyn’s not ready to open up again, even if it is oh so gratifying.

Bracken Slater has earned his reputation as an indomitable predator. Once broken by grief and guilt, Brack is feeling alive again, thanks to the heady scent of this independent feline. Convincing her that they’re meant for each other is going to take more than branding Madisyn’s beautiful neck. She’s not interested in joining an unfamiliar pack, much less answering to an alpha. But when threats from both their pasts take shape, their unexpected destiny may be the only thing that can save them.

Some scenes contain sexual and violent contents that may offend sensibilities of readers.

Bracken Slater hasn't had it easy since the shooting that killed his whole family and left him injured.  Saying that he is changed and a bit damaged is an understatement. He only lived for revenge but when he exacts revenge, he is left with nothing but a void in his heart and a coldness that leave him wondering about his place in his pack.

Madisyn Drake is an independent woman who works in a shifters shelter. She helps loners to relocate. Unfortunately, one of her relocated loner brings troubles on her doorstep. While she was "enjoying" herself in a nightclub, she ends up being cornered by three female bears. Even though she manages to get the upper hand, she knows it is only the beginning. And because she is Makenna's friend, she is also under Mercury's protection and Bracken is on her case.

Barely after dropping her home, he realizes there's more to Madisyn than what she shows. Before he gets the chance to explore it, he gets carjacked. Just as Bracken is about to lose consciousness, he feels the mating bond pulling at him... with Madisyn. Maybe he has now found a new purpose? But convincing her that he wants her for who she is will be more complicated than he anticipates. Add some angry bears who have a beef against Madisyn and Bracken is in for some excitement... and us too!

I am a bit biased regarding Suzanne Wright. I love everything she does. I read pretty much all her books. I love her Mercury and Phoenix packs series. Even though the stories are a bit similar, I just fell in love with every character and every couple. I am so not ready to ever say goodbye to her series.

We met Bracken and Madisyn in the previous books but nothing had ever happened between them and nothing hinted that anything could've happened and yet, it did happen. And it was explosive. Their mating was much different than any other meeting. We knew from the beginning that they were mates and so did they. However, the mating bond did not click straight away. Being a pallas cat also means that Madisyn doesn't trust easily and Bracken has changed a lot.

Bracken is much more intense than any other males in any of these series. He is cold and full of anger. But never with Madisyn. Never with her. With her he is super sexy, super protective, honest and yet, a real romantic. I just fell madly in love with him. He embraced what happened to him. He did not fight his demons but rather embraced them.

I loved how fierce and protective Madisyn is. She does not comply to anything: pack, hierarchy, mate... She does not care for it. If people cannot take her as she is, she doesn't want to be part of their lives. And I loved her for it. I totally have a crush on her. She is just amazing and strong-headed. Forget about damsel in distress because she is no princess. I want to be her, haha!

There are lots of actions in this book. Madisyn knows how to attract ennemies.  The only thing I struggled with is Madisyn's animal: a pallas cat. I didn't know what it was until I looked it up... and I was quite surprised and a bit taken aback. The more I read, the more I got used to it and tt was funny how Suzanne Wright played with the grumpy side of her cat but still... I really don't think pallas cats are appealing in any way (sorry, not sorry).

And of course, we got to see our favorite former couples!!! I was so happy. The other negative point is I feel like Suzanne Wright is including all the former couples in her new books and yet, I feel like these couples are not going on with their lives. Nothing major is happening to any of them, which frustrates me a bit. But otherwise, I can't say anything bad about a Suzanne Wright's book.

My only piece of advice is to read it. RIGHT. NOW. It is just amazing! But you should definitely read the other books of the series beforehand. They are really easy to read and they are also amazing! 

Aelin has risked everything to save her people―but at a tremendous cost. Locked within an iron coffin by the Queen of the Fae, Aelin must draw upon her fiery will as she endures months of torture. Aware that yielding to Maeve will doom those she loves keeps her from breaking, though her resolve begins to unravel with each passing day…

With Aelin captured, Aedion and Lysandra remain the last line of defense to protect Terrasen from utter destruction. Yet they soon realize that the many allies they’ve gathered to battle Erawan’s hordes might not be enough to save them. Scattered across the continent and racing against time, Chaol, Manon, and Dorian are forced to forge their own paths to meet their fates. Hanging in the balance is any hope of salvation―and a better world.

And across the sea, his companions unwavering beside him, Rowan hunts to find his captured wife and queen―before she is lost to him forever.

As the threads of fate weave together at last, all must fight, if they are to have a chance at a future. Some bonds will grow even deeper, while others will be severed forever in the explosive final chapter of the Throne of Glass series.

Some scenes contain sexual and violent contents that may offend sensibilities of readers.

The events of this book occurs after Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn.

Kingdom of Ash is divided into two parts and each one of our heroes are on their own quest.

Rowan, Elide, Lorcan and Gavriel are still looking for Aelin who has been kidnapped and is being tortured by Maeve.

Aelin and Fenrys are trying their best to survive what Maeve has planned for them.

Lysandra and Aedion are trying to keep the illusion that Aelin is still among them while leading their army.

Dorian and Manon are trying to unite the witches and make Manon their rightful queen so they can follow them into the upcoming battle.

/!\ This section may contain spoilers /!\

Oh my! I was kind of preparing myself for this one. I knew it would be emotionally intense. And yet, I was not prepared enough. I am not even sure to know where to start. This book was long, I am not going to lie. However I read it in barely three days because I couldn't put it down. Be ready for some actions with battles on battles on battles! (alright, I have to admit that sometimes it was a bit long to read but anyway) Such an emotional rollercoaster, honestly! So many things happening with so many different characters and yet, it’s all linked. 

Let's start with Aelin because obviously everyone wants to know what happened to her after the awful ending of Empire of Storms. Aelin has been tortured for months at the hands of Maeve and Cairn. The torture is not only physical but also psychological. When Sarah J. Maas describes the tortures Aelin went through, it is most definitely hard to read about it. I would advise against reading this book for people who are a bit sensitive to "torture scenes". I could just feel Aelin's helplessness. She could not do anything against what was done to her. It just feels like a never-ending nightmare. Fenrys also lives his own nightmare. I just felt so bad for the two of them.
Even though we know that Aelin will be released, the wait is so painful and the moment she was released, she looked so broken. I just couldn't take it. I mean, we all know Aelin and how strong and full of sass she is. And yet, when she was running away and begging for her friends to let her out of this iron mask, she completely broke and I just broke with her too.
Rowan wants what is best for Aelin but he struggles to know how to be close to her again. She is a whole new person with everything that happened to her and she is scared of what everyone expects her to be. But Rowan was just perfection even though I felt like he was a bit erased in this book. 

I really liked how Sarah J. Maas grew Dorian's character throughout this story. His new found abilities made him quite interesting. I have to admit that he gave me a few scares here and there. She gave him a true depth. Unfortunately he also becomes mean and cold, which implies that his romance with Manon was a bit weird. I was rooting for them at the beginning but then it just turned cold. She gave him everything and he just turned it down. He used her and her body. Yes, it was interesting when he found this "dark side" of his and Manon was kind of helping him with it, kind of like with a protégé but still, it doesn't mean he has to be a d*ck all the time. 

I felt for Manon throughout this book. I was not a huge fan of hers when she was first introduced in the Throne of Glass series. And yet, I learned to love her and her Thirteen. Unfortunately this story doesn't end well for everyone. The Thirteen's deaths affected me so much. I felt so bad. Even worse than bad. I cried so much during this scene, I felt like I was never going to get through it. I had to put the book down to take a break. 

Many of the secondary characters became much more important than I would've thought at the beginning, especially Yrene (you'll understand once you read the book). I liked that the end was not just about Aelin because it would have been way too predictable. Chaol and Yrene were really cute together. It seemed like they drew their strengths from one another. 

I liked that Elide was a strong female character. However the way she handled things with Lorcan were a bit... too much. I mean, I totally understand that she was pissed off by his actions at the beginning. But even Aelin forgave him and Elide was not capable to do so. Worst, she kicked him down when he was already more down than down. He tried his best to make up for what he'd done (kind of like Chaol in Tower of Dawn). I really discovered a new face of Lorcan and I really fell for him. He tried his best through his actions to make things right. He offered his support and took an oath to Aelin. I almost liked him... alright, I think I actually really liked him in this book. 

Now let's talk about Aedion and Lysandra. I am not fully sure on what to say about the two of them. Aedion was such an as*hol*. Honestly he was abusive to Lysandra to the point he kicked her out when it was freezing cold, snowing and she was naked. Who on Earth does that?! I understand that he is pissed off at Aelin's plans but why would he take his frustration out on Lysandra who is only playing the part that has been asked of her? I would've never, ever forgiven him, no matter if we died tomorrow. I wanted to punch him so hard! Lysandra could do better and she should have had better. She shouldn't have ended with him. I hate that his character ended up being abusive. In the first books, he reminded me of a little boy who only wanted his cousin back. Now, I'm ashamed for him. 

The only thing I felt for for Aedion was how short his reunion with his father was. I was so frustrated for him. We'd been waiting for this reunion for ages and I was so disappointed that it ended so suddenly with Gavriel's death. Honestly, what was that?!

I was so happy to see more of Nesryn and Sartaq. I just loved them. I basically just love the whole Sartaq's second family. The ruks sounded so interesting. I felt like they were an equivalent to the Thirteen wyverns. 

In a really twisted way, I could admire Maeve. I said in a (really) twisted way. She is a really strong female character and she is ambitious.

This book was mostly psychological. Sarah J. Maas really focused on how the characters felt, all their hopelessness. Hopelessness is truly the main motto here. It is a really, really dark book, which is expected considering how Empire of Storms ended. You can feel the despair of every character throughout the final battle. They've been dragged from battles to battles and they are just over-exhausted.

Anyway, yes, this book is really long. No, it is not the best book. Yes, some scenes could have been better. But this book is the end of the Throne of Glass series and I will dearly miss all the characters. This book made me cry so much... to the point I got a headache. I cried for all my beloved fallen characters but also for the end of this amazing series. How I’m going to miss it!

From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie... and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.

Some scenes contain sexual and violent contents that may offend sensibilities of readers.

Celaena is now the King's assassin. Even though she despises him, nothing will stop her from gaining her freedom even if it means killing people and endangering her life. She agrees helping her ennemy destroying he rebels. But the more murders he asks her to commit, the more she questions who these people really are. When she is confronted with someone of her past, she has to act now before it is too late. Or maybe it already is...

OH! MY! This book... and this ending! I think I need a few minutes to collect myself and know what to write down.

Okay...I am sorry I didn't write the review before but I just needed to read the next book because I just couldn't wait. I had really enjoyed reading the first book. I found the story quite original and the characters were all very different but driven by something. Anyway... I do not really know how to review this book without saying too much and spoiling you so I will try to be extremely careful and I will probably stick to describe the characters and their evolution. Just let me tell you that this book contains many actions and twists and you cannot possibly be ready for it. It is a full rollercoaster and your head will be spinning at the end of the story. And the end... it is not really a cliffhanger but it is for sure quite some twist!

Celaena does not care that she should now be faithful to the king as she only sticks to her convictions and beliefs. She is not perfect, that is for sure but she is strongly loyal to her ideas and to the people she considers her friends. But even though she seems fierce and tough, she is also vulnerable when it is time for her to stand for something. The more she kills for the King, the more she questions herself. Does she really want to gain her freedom out of murdering innocent people? 

I have to admit that I was really not a fan of Chaol as I didn't get the chemistry between him and Celaena. I mean, I just didn't feel anything for these two characters together. However in this book, it changes. They both develop a relationship and I liked seeing Celaena so carefree and Chaol so passionate for someone else than Dorian. Chaol turns to be a perfect, sexy, sweet and protective guy. But I have to say I was disappointed that nothing more would happen between Dorian and Celaena because for me, they were just perfection together. 

In this book, the friendship between Celaena and Nehemia slowly unravels because of their own beliefs. Nehemia wants nothing more than stand for her country and for her people even if it means endangering her life but Celaena is scared. She is scared for her life but also for everything she built here.

But after a dreadful event, Celaena becomes really different from the first book. She becomes darker, blood-thirsty and terrifying...

Okay, I need to stop now or I will want to tell you everything. So you probably understood that this series is really a must-read. I found the first book nice but kind of slow sometimes and a bit too predictable. However I feel like it is only getting better and better.

Criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker has been offered wealth beyond his wildest dreams. But to claim it, he'll have to pull off a seemingly impossible heist:

Break into the notorious Ice Court

(a military stronghold that has never been breached)

Retrieve a hostage

(who could unleash magical havoc on the world)

Survive long enough to collect his reward

(and spend it)

Kaz needs a crew desperate enough to take on this suicide mission and dangerous enough to get the job done - and he knows exactly who: six of the deadliest outcasts the city has to offer. Together, they just might be unstoppable - if they don't kill each other first.

Some scenes contain sexual and violent contents that may offend sensibilities of readers.

Unfortunately I didn't really enjoy this reading. It took me over two weeks to read it when usually I could read a book in less than 3 days. Everyone kept talking about this book on Bookstagram and how awesome it was. But I didn't feel like that at all. I thought it was slow and I didn't like any of the characters maybe because I couldn't identify to any. I mean they are outlaws so it may be normal to not really like them and yet, I felt frustrated because they were all selfish and I couldn't sense their feelings. Their relationships were so neutral that it bothered me. I think the only charcaters I kind of liked or felt like I could enjoy were Matthias, Nina and Inej. 

The universe created by Leigh Bardugo is really complex. I read 95% of the books in English and yet, I really struggled with this one. There are many information that are sometimes useless, such as the names of the bars or each business in Ketterdam. It also took me a while to understand the connection between the characters and to remember their names. Some moments I was not sure I understood what happened so I had to go back, re-read the scene before I could keep on reading, which annoyed me a bit. Let's say that this is not a book that you read to relax, haha!

I also didn't really like that it ended on a cliffhanger. When it is a series that I really enjoy, I don't really mind but here I want to read the next book just to know what will happen even though I didn't enjoy much the first book. 

However, the story was really original. It is not like anything I have ever read. After the first part, there are some actions that make us want to know more, which probably explains why I didn't give up on the book at the beginning. I also liked that the more the story keeps on going, the more secrets are revealed about each character and secrets the reader absolutely does not expect. I liked to read about their hopes because - even though they are thieves and thugs - they dream a better life than the one they have. 

Anyway, you should probably give it a try but be aware that the beginning is slow and some scenes are violent. As for me, I will try to give it a try to the second and final book of this duology :)

A bad boy with something to prove. A woman with a mission. The race of their lives. The love of a lifetime.

I don’t think his parents expected him to live up to his name—Racer Tate—but once he felt the adrenaline rush behind the wheel, he was addicted.

He's the fastest, fiercest driver around.

Scouting new talent brings me to his doorstep...

but his smile sends me to my knees.

The sexy, mysterious Racer Tate is not the kind of man a girl like me falls for. He's secretive, reckless, elusive. But his proximity pushes me beyond reason, and his kiss....

This is our last chance to win, and he is our only hope. I'm supposed to watch him—make sure he doesn't get into trouble. But it's an impossible task. And now the one in heart wrenching, toe-curling, soul-crushing trouble is me. Because when your heart belongs to someone, their truths become your own, and their secrets become your salvation...or your curse.

He says he wants me. He says I'm the One. But he also thinks he'll break my heart, one piece at a time until it's gone.

Some scenes contain sexual contents that may offend sensibilities of readers.

This book can be read as a standalone novel

Meet Racer Tate, a very well-known illegal car racer (I know, his name just fits perfectly). He is an adrenaline-junkie. Racing is his passion. He is the best. He knows it and everyone knows it. He expects to live his life fast and hard and alone. But it is not what Life itself planned for him. Not when a woman just scratched her car into his. When Racer sees his little "crasher" for the first time. He is hooked..

Lana is desperate. She needs a new F1 driver NOW. Their last driver just gave up in their race in Australia and their race team is just falling under. She needs a good driver but above all, she needs hope. Her father is sick and his last wish is to win F1 championship but his dream is going further and further. Lana has one mission: traveling wherever she has to in order to find the best driver. What she didn't expect was to crash her car (maybe more bump into) in a Cherry Mustang. As if she didn't already have enough. But when she sees the guy behind the wheel, she cannot help but feeling something. Something that she denied herself a long time ago. And she has no idea how bumpy her journey will get...

OH! MY! GOD! Oh my God, Oh my God! I was so impatient to get my hands on this book and now that I am done with it, I already want to re-read it just to enjoy the ride even more.

For those who know the Real series, you know that Racer Tate is Remington and Brooke's son. And I would like to say "like father, like son". Racer is intense, protective, possessive, cocky, arrogant, caring, charming, loyal... It could go on and on. I just fell in love with him. He barely catches glimpse of Lana and he is like "She is the woman I am going to marry". I mean, who couldn't possibly fall for that, right? But even behind all his cocky attitude, there is an ugly truth. A truth that may scare Lana away, a truth that may make him want to keep her away.

Lana Heyworth is a woman who had quite a tough start in life: her boyfriend died, her mother left them, his dad is sick and doesn't want any treatment, their race team and dream are falling apart and she is the baby girl of the family with three older brothers. I loved how loyal and fierce she is. She will stick to her family, no matter what. She will make her dad's dream her own to help him in his last days.

I loved their love story. It was steamy hot. You will probably need a cold shower after that. 

But even though I really liked this book, I felt like there was something missing. The story seemed rushed all the time. Lana didn't want to date Racer as long as he was their driver and I would've loved to see a bit more of chasing. I also would've liked to see their love grow and feel every bit of it. Their feelings were not enough developed, especially towards the end. Anyway, I think you got the point: the story could've gone more in-depth in the characters' past and feelings.

My favorite book in this series will definitely be Legend.

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for four years and then be granted her freedom. Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilarating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her ... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead ... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

Some scenes contain violent contents that may offend sensibilities of readers.

Celaena Sardothien is barely seventeen and yet, she is the best assassin. Everyone has one day heard of her. Yet, after one betrayal she ends up in Endovier salt mines where no one lasts more than a year. Everyday she survives. She keeps her head up no matter how many times she gets whipped. But she knows she will never make it out alive. That was until a surprised bargain may save her life.

This year, the infamous king has decided to organize a competition where the best fighters in the world - may they be prisoners, ex-soldiers or guards - will fight. At the end of this competition, the winner will be the king's assassin for four years before being granted freedom. 

When the Captain Chaol Westfall offers Celaena the possibility to fight in a competition where she could gain freedom after a few years, she accepts even if it means being the king's assassin. She will fight as the Crown Prince's champion, Dorian.

But when she gets in the castle, she will soon realize that the competitors are not her biggest threat. There is something lurking in the shadows, something that slowly slaughters each fighter and she will have to find out what it is before she is the next one...

This review may contain some spoilers if you haven't read this book

I heard so much of this series and I finally started it. Yay me! 

Let's talk first about this new world that Sarah J. Maas created. As always, Sarah J. Maas has a nice writing and I absolutely liked the storyline revolving around a world that is slowly dying because a king, so greedy with power, destroys everything that may be a threat to his throne. No one talks about magic to the point everyone forgot it ever existed. This world is violent and depressing. No one good lasts very long. Celaena knows about magic. She has already seen it. 

I really enjoyed the storyline because it was original. At least for me. I had never read a story where a young girl is a famous assassin and her only way out of the mines is to serve a king she hates. 

I just regretted that the story around the "demons" haunting the castle was not better explored. I felt slightly frustrated because it could've been better. Celaena took way too long to realize who was beyond the attacks even though it was obvious. However I was really surprised (in a good way) by the outcome between the Duke and Kaitlin. I was not expecting it at all. I cannot wait to read more about that in the next books. 

Personally, I didn't see the use of the love triangle between Dorian-Celaena-Chaol. Maybe I am a bit too old for that (oh nooo!). I mean there was obviously a hot chemistry between Dorian and Celaena but I didn't see anything between Chaol and Celaena. It also doesn't bring anything to the story. 

When she refused to be with Dorian at the end though, I really wanted to struggle her. He loves her, she likes him and nup, she doesn't want to go there. I mean, if you see something you want and this something is the prince who could possibly change everything, you go for it. You don't say "Nah, I want freedom more". You could still be free and in love with a prince. Okay, maybe it's my extremely sappy, cheesy, romantic side speaking but still...

Now about the characters:

I liked Celaena.  She is strong, fierce, proud, smart, loyal, brave... Everything you cannot possibly be in real life (haha!). Despite trying to prove the world she is a fearless assassin, we see glimpses of a past that still haunts her. She has flaws and vulnerability but she is afraid to show them. Even after working in the mines, she remains true to herself and she doesn't hesitate to help other people. 

Chaol... Now I'm a bit confused about this character. I don't know if I like him or not. I know he is supposed to be a withdrawn character, which explains why we probably didn't feel his chemistry with Celaena, and yet I couldn't really bring myself to like him. He plays hot and cold the whole time. He supposedly likes her but he is constantly waiting for her to try to murder them all. But maybe this opinion will change along the books of this series. 

I hated Dorian at first but as I reached the end of the book, I couldn't believe the Dorian from the beginning was the same Doriam from the end. It felt like they were two complete different characters. The first time we read about him, he is cold, spoiled, selfish and a real womanizer. In the middle, there is already a shift as we see he is truly trapped between what his heart wants and what his father wants him to be. He tries to protect Celaena the best he can. I felt sorry for him because his situation clearly is uneasy. Witnessing his growing love for Celaena, I just felt more in love with him. He is ready to do anything that is possible for Celaena. 

Having different POV at some point in this book offers the reader a glimpse of each character's feelings in some situation.

Anyway, if you like a bit of fantasy and a lot of adventures and actions, this book is for you! :)

The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air #1) by Holly Black

Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.

In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.

Someone to love by Melissa de la Cruz

Constantly in the spotlight thanks to her politician father's rising star, Olivia Blakely feels the pressure to be perfect. As the youngest girl in her class, she tries hard to keep up and to seem mature to the older boy she's crushing on, even as she catches his eye. But the need to look good on camera and at school soon grows into an all-consuming struggle with bulimia.

As Liv works toward her goal of gaining early admission to art school, including taking part in an upcoming student show, her life spirals out of control. Swept up in demands to do more than she's ready for, to always look perfect and to succeed, Liv doesn't know who she is anymore. It will take nearly losing her best friend and even her life for Liv to learn that loving herself is far more important than earning the world's approval. 

You'll miss me when I'm gone by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Eighteen-year-old twins Adina and Tovah have little in common besides their ambitious nature. Viola prodigy Adina yearns to become a soloist—and to convince her music teacher he wants her the way she wants him. Overachiever Tovah awaits her acceptance to Johns Hopkins, the first step on her path toward med school and a career as a surgeon.

But one thing could wreck their carefully planned futures: a genetic test for Huntington’s, a rare degenerative disease that slowly steals control of the body and mind. It’s turned their Israeli mother into a near stranger and fractured the sisters’ own bond in ways they’ll never admit. While Tovah finds comfort in their Jewish religion, Adina rebels against its rules.

When the results come in, one twin tests negative for Huntington’s. The other tests positive.

These opposite outcomes push them farther apart as they wrestle with guilt, betrayal, and the unexpected thrill of first love. How can they repair their relationship, and is it even worth saving? 

Love and Other Train Wrecks by Leah Konen

A twenty-four-hour romance about two teens who meet—and perhaps change their minds about love—on a train ride to Upstate New York in the middle of a snowstorm

One train ride. Two strangers.

Noah is a hopeless romantic. He’s heading back home for one last chance with his first love, whom he broke up with when he went off to college.

Ammy doesn’t believe in true love—her parents being prime examples. She’s escaping from a mom who can’t take care of her to a dad who may not even want her. That is, until one winter night when Noah and Ammy find themselves in the same Amtrak car heading to Upstate New York.

After a train-wreck first encounter between the two of them, the Amtrak train suddenly breaks down due to a snowstorm. Desperate to make it to their destinations, Noah and Ammy have no other option but to travel together. What starts off as a minor detour turns into the whirlwind journey of a lifetime, and over the course of the night they fall in love. But come morning their adventure takes an unexpected turn for the worst. Can one night can really change how they feel about love...and the course of their lives forever? 

Between the blade and the heart (Valkyrie #1) by Amanda Hocking

Valkyries have one great responsibility: to return immortals to the afterlife by slaying them. As a Valkyrie, Malin has always known that the balance of the world rests on her ability to carry out orders. But when Malin discovers that her mother spared the life of an immortal who was destined to die, her world is thrown into chaos.

Malin not only wrestles with the knowledge that her mother might not be who she thought—she’s also thrust into the path of a gorgeous blue eyed guy named Asher who needs her help slaying the rogue immortal who destroyed his family. The balance of the world is at stake. And, as Asher competes with Malin’s ex for her love and loyalty, so is her heart. 

As You Wish by Chelsea Sedoti

In the sandy Mojave Desert, Madison is a small town on the road between nothing and nowhere. But Eldon wouldn’t want to live anywhere else, because in Madison, everyone gets one wish—and that wish always comes true.

Some people wish for money, some people wish for love, but Eldon has seen how wishes have broken the people around him. And with the lives of his family and friends in chaos, he’s left with more questions than answers. Can he make their lives better? How can he be happy if the people around him aren’t? And what hope is there for any of them if happiness isn’t an achievable dream? Doubts build, leading Eldon to a more outlandish and scary thought: maybe you can’t wish for happiness…maybe, just maybe, you have to make it for yourself. 

Together at Midnight by Jennifer Castle

What does it really mean to be kind . . . and why does it sometimes feel like the hardest thing in the world to do? High school senior Kendall, who just returned from a life-changing semester in Europe, and Max, who is drifting his way through a gap year before college, struggle with these questions when they witness a tragic accident in New York City during the holiday season. Racked with guilt, the two accept a dare to perform random acts of kindness to strangers. The challenge pulls these two teens, who have a history together from back home, closer and closer as they explore a vibrant city filled with other people’s stories and secrets.

Kendall and Max can’t deny their growing bond, even though they both have other romantic entanglements and uncertain futures. As the clock counts down on New Year’s Eve, will they find themselves together at midnight?

Jennifer Castle’s latest novel is a romantic, thought-provoking tale of human connection and how we find—and make—our place in the world. 

A Taxonomy of Love by Rachael Allen

The moment Spencer meets Hope the summer before seventh grade, it’s . . . something at first sight. He knows she’s special, possibly even magical. The pair become fast friends, climbing trees and planning world travels. After years of being outshone by his older brother and teased because of his Tourette syndrome, Spencer finally feels like he belongs. But as Hope and Spencer get older and life gets messier, the clear label of “friend” gets messier, too.

Through sibling feuds and family tragedies, new relationships and broken hearts, the two grow together and apart, and Spencer, an aspiring scientist, tries to map it all out using his trusty system of taxonomy. He wants to identify and classify their relationship, but in the end, he finds that life doesn’t always fit into easy-to-manage boxes, and it’s this messy complexity that makes life so rich and beautiful. 

A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Sara Barnard

Steffi has been a selective mute for most of her life - she's been silent for so long that she feels completely invisible. But Rhys, the new boy at school, sees her. He's deaf, and her knowledge of basic sign language means that she's assigned to look after him. To Rhys, it doesn't matter that Steffi doesn't talk, and as they find ways to communicate, Steffi finds that she does have a voice, and that she's falling in love with the one person who makes her feel brave enough to use it. 

Beneath the Haunting Sea by Joanna Ruth Meyer

Sixteen-year-old Talia was born to a life of certainty and luxury, destined to become Empress of half the world. But when an ambitious rival seizes power, she and her mother are banished to a nowhere province on the far edge of the Northern Sea.

It is here, in the drafty halls of the Ruen-Dahr, that Talia discovers family secrets, a melancholy boy with a troubling vision of her future, and a relic that holds the power of an ancient Star. On these shores, the eerie melody of the sea is stronger than ever, revealing long-forgotten tales of the Goddess Rahn. The more dark truths that Talia unravels about the gods’ history—and her own—the more the waves call to her, and it may be her destiny to answer. 

Love, Hate & Other Filters by Samira Ahmed

Maya Aziz is torn between futures: the one her parents expect for their good Indian daughter (i.e.; staying nearby in Chicago and being matched with a "suitable" Muslim boy), and the one where she goes to film school in New York City--and maybe, just maybe, kisses a guy she's only known from afar. There's the also the fun stuff, like laughing with her best friend Violet, making on-the-spot documentaries, sneaking away for private swimming lessons at a secret pond in the woods. But her world is shattered when a suicide bomber strikes in the American heartland; by chance, he shares Maya's last name. What happens to the one Muslim family in town when their community is suddenly consumed with hatred and fear? 

Blood and Sand by C.V. Wyk

Roma Victor. The Republic of Rome is on a relentless march to build an empire--an empire built on the backs of the conquered, brought back to Rome as slaves.

Attia was once destined to rule as the queen and swordmaiden of Thrace, the greatest warrior kingdom the world had seen since Sparta. Now she is a slave, given to Xanthus, the Champion of Rome, as a sign of his master's favor. Enslaved as a child, Xanthus is the preeminent gladiator of his generation.

Against all odds, Attia and Xanthus form a tentative bond. A bond that will spark a rebellion. A rebellion that threatens to bring the Roman Republic to its end--and gives rise to the legend of Spartacus....

All That Was by Karen Rivers

A heartrending young adult novel about the complexities of best friendships gone wrong, and the redemptive power of letting go.

Piper and Sloane were best friends. They grew up together, from childhood to first love, and in spite of how different they were, their friendship was supposed to last forever. That is, until Piper caught Sloane kissing her boyfriend—and just days later, Piper was found dead, washed ashore on a beach. Sloane was torn with grief and guilt. How do you make amends for hurting someone you love, if that person is no longer around? And how can you ever move on and love again? Told from alternating perspectives, this is a story about the complexity of friendships, forgiveness, and growing up. 

The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

Seventeen-year-old Alice and her mother have spent most of Alice’s life on the road, always a step ahead of the uncanny bad luck biting at their heels. But when Alice’s grandmother, the reclusive author of a cult-classic book of pitch-dark fairy tales, dies alone on her estate, the Hazel Wood, Alice learns how bad her luck can really get: Her mother is stolen away―by a figure who claims to come from the Hinterland, the cruel supernatural world where her grandmother's stories are set. Alice's only lead is the message her mother left behind: “Stay away from the Hazel Wood.”

Alice has long steered clear of her grandmother’s cultish fans. But now she has no choice but to ally with classmate Ellery Finch, a Hinterland superfan who may have his own reasons for wanting to help her. To retrieve her mother, Alice must venture first to the Hazel Wood, then into the world where her grandmother's tales began―and where she might find out how her own story went so wrong.

Say You'll Remember Me by Katie McGarry

When Drix was convicted of a crime--one he didn't commit--he thought his life was over. But opportunity came with the new Second Chance Program, the governor's newest pet project to get delinquents off the streets, rehabilitated and back into society. Drix knows this is his chance to get his life back on track, even if it means being paraded in front of reporters for a while.

Elle knows she lives a life of privilege. As the governor's daughter, she can open doors with her name alone. But the expectations and pressure to be someone she isn't may be too much to handle. She wants to follow her own path, whatever that means.

When Drix and Elle meet, their connection is immediate, but so are their problems. Drix is not the type of boy Elle's parents have in mind for her, and Elle is not the kind of girl who can understand Drix's messy life.

But sometimes love can breach all barriers.

Fighting against a society that can't imagine them together, Drix and Elle must push themselves--Drix to confront the truth of the robbery, and Elle to assert her independence--and each other to finally get what they deserve.

Winner Take All by Laurie Devore

For Nell Becker, life is a competition she needs to win. For Jackson Hart, everyone is a pawn in his own game. They both have everything to lose.

Nell wants to succeed at everything—school, sports, life. And victory is sweeter when it means beating Jackson Hart, the rich, privileged, undisputed king of Cedar Woods Prep Academy. Yet no matter how hard she tries, Jackson is somehow one step ahead. They’re a match made in hell, but opposites do attract.

Drawn to each other by their rivalry, Nell and Jackson fall into a whirlwind romance that consumes everything in their lives. But when a devastating secret exposes their relationship as just another game, how far will Nell go to win?

Visceral and whip-smart, Laurie Devore’s Winner Take All paints an unflinching portrait of obsessive love, toxic competition, and the drive for perfection.

Some scenes contain sexual and violent contents that may offend sensibilities of readers.

Tiny is the fourth book of The Skulls series by Sam Crescent. I advise you to read the previous ones before reading this one.

Tiny and Eva have been dancing around each other for the past eight years. But after everything that happened and all the women he had sex with, Eva decided to take her distance with Tiny and with the Skulls by flying away to Vegas with her father, hoping she will finally find the force to forget about Tiny.

But the longer she stays away from him, the more she craves his touch and his love. When Tiny finally makes a move, it may be too late… for him. In the shadows, a powerful enemy of the MC is waiting for them and Tiny sees his brothers falling one by one.

Wow! Wow! This book has got quite some actions. Forget everything that was done before! Sam Crescent comes back full force. The Skulls has never been in such danger, trust me! A little preview: all the men are scattered after a run that went bad, no one knows who survived, new villains arrive in town and randomly kill citizens and the compound has been burned to the ground. See what I mean?

In this context, we see the evolution of the ever-growing relationship between Eva and Tiny. Evangeline - also called Eva - has been craving Tiny since the first she saw him. Yet, he always had sexy with other women, never letting her in. When he finally decides to give in, it is the worst night Eva had ever had. She is just tired of this and she decides it is time for her to head back home to Vegas. It is only when she is about to leave that Tiny realizes the intensity of his feelings for her, but isn't it too late?

I loved Eva so much. She is strong, loyal, fierce, honest... She could almost be perfection. She reminds me a lot of Tate but she is just less annoying. She is not scared to defend what she considers as hers.

When everything falls down around her after the bad run The Skulls had, she will stop at nothing to find Tiny and defends what remains of The Skulls. 

Tiny finally decides to do something. I swear this guy deserves to be slapped around a bit. He had Eva for eight long years and he never acted on it. You feel the intensity of each other's feelings but they are both afraid of it. Tiny is very lucky though because Eva gave in really quickly. They may not have been officially together but he always had sex with other women and she just took him back without saying anything. Sometimes the image of women depicted in this series makes me cringe. But at least, Tate and Eva stand their ground.

The difference of age did not bother me much because it did not feel shocking in the story (even though she is 29 and he is almost 50 years old). 

The only thing that bothered me was the number of sex scenes in this storyline. Usually, I am up for some good scenes but there was quite some suspens and the reader mostly wants to know what will happen next. But no, sex scene first. I mean, Tiny does not know who survived but the guy is still having sex with his woman several times a day. I mean, come on! you have better things to do. 

Anyway, you shouldn't miss on this reading ;) 

Némésis est une diabolic, une humanoïde chargée de protéger Sidonia, la fille d'un sénateur. Lorsque le tyrannique empereur Domitrian apprend que le père de Sidonia fomente un complot, il convoque cette dernière à la cour pour en faire un otage. Némésis prend alors la place de Sidonia et se rend à la cour où elle doit aller contre sa nature de tueuse et prend conscience de son humanité.

Bienvenue dans un monde où des humanoïdes sont créés pour protéger des personnes hauts placées, où la Science est reconnue passible de la peine de mort, où les Étoiles sont habitées par des populations et la Terre est le pire endroit au monde pour vivre. 

C'est ainsi que nous suivons Némésis, une jeune fille humanoïde, une Diabolic. Un Diabolic est un être doté d'une capacité surhumaine, né en laboratoire dans le seul but de servir une personne à qui il est assigné. Némésis le sait, elle a été créée pour Sidonia von Empyreé, fille du sénateur van Empyreé. Elle mourrait pour elle car elle a été programmée ainsi. On ne lui demande pas de réfléchir, mais d'agir contre quiconque chercherait à faire du mal à Sidonia. On ne lui demande pas d'aimer, seulement de protéger. 

Mais le jour où l'empereur fait parvenir un message à toutes les familles réclamant de tuer tous les Diabolics, la famille van Empyreé se rebelle. Ils simulent la mort de Némésis et la font passer pour une simple servante quand besoin est. Il ne s'agit pas du premier affront de la famille envers l'empereur.

Il est bien connu que le sénateur van Empyreé est l'un des plus fervents défenseurs de la Science, ce qui est interdit par l'empereur qui demande aux populations de vénérer le Vif Cosmos. Lorsqu'il vient aux oreilles de l'empereur que le sénateur comploterait dans son dos, il ordonne que Sidonia soit envoyée au Chrysanthème où elle y séjournera jusqu'à ce que les tensions s'apaisent. Mais la mère a une toute autre idée. Elle va y envoyer Némésis, sa plus grande arme. Elle se fera passer pour Sidonia. Pour se faire, elle devra modifier toute sa masse musculaire afin de paraître frêle et elle devra apprendre toutes les leçons de conduite. 

Entraînée dans un monde régi par la politique, Némésis va devoir survivre dans un milieu dont elle est complètement étrangère, créer des alliances et éviter à tout prix d'attirer plus d'ennemis à la famille von Empyreé. Mais cela est plus facile à dire qu'à faire, notamment quand une Diabolic commence à éprouver une once de sentiments. Sa mission pourrait alors tous les mettre en danger... 

J'ai reçu ce livre avec la box Mille et un livres. Je ne savais donc pas de quoi il s'agissait exactement et la quatrième de couverture ne livrait aucun secret. Je me suis donc lancée dans cette lecture, curieuse. 

Bon alors, on ne va pas se le cacher, le début est long... très long. Il y a des passages que j'ai trouvé assez durs, notamment lors de la "formation" de Némésis en tant que Diabolic alors que ce n'est qu'une enfant. Par moment, je voulais juste fermer le livre et passer à autre chose. Mais je ne suis pas du genre à baisser les bras. J'ai persisté. 

Pour être honnête, les choses sérieuses commencent seulement vers le chapitre 16 du livre, l'action et les péripéties commencent au chapitre 18 et dès le chapitre 20, j'ai été complètement engouffrée dans l'histoire au point de vouloir lire pendant mes heures de travail. 

À partir du chapitre 16, toutes les intrigues politiques se mettent en place et Némésis commence vraiment à réfléchir pour elle. Dans ce livre, chacun sert ses intérêts et c'est ce qui rend tout le fil de cette histoire intéressant. Les alliances se font et se défont. Il y a des trahisons, des histoires d'amour, des complots, des meurtres... On voit des amitiés naître et des complots prendre forme.  

Au début, j'avais beaucoup de mal à accrocher aux personnages. Némésis, ne ressentant aucune émotion, était froide et je ne ressentais aucune empathie pour elle ou affection. C'est difficile de s'accrocher à un personnage qui ne peut techniquement pas ressentir d'émotions. 

Puis j'ai su apprécier la manière dont l'auteur a tissé la découverte des sentiments : la peine, le désespoir, la colère, la jalousie, l'amour, la peur... J'ai commencé à apprécier Némésis quand elle est sortie de sa coquille pour pleinement enfiler le rôle de Sidonia. Elle est loyale, honnête, réfléchie... 

Sidonia, par contre, est un personnage qui m'a plus agacée qu'autre chose. Elle n'apportait pas grand chose à l'histoire. Elle avait une attitude de petite fille et tout le monde la traitait comme tel. Je dois l'avouer, du début à la fin, elle m'a tapé sur les nerfs ! 

Tyrus par contre, j'en suis tombée amoureuse ! <3 Il a quand même légèrement cafouillé vers la fin avec Némésis, mais je serais presque tentée de le pardonner. J'ai vraiment beaucoup admiré toute la machination de ce personnage. Je ne veux pas vous spoiler donc je ne vous en dirai pas plus, mais j'ai vraiment beaucoup aimé la manière dont l'auteur a rendu ce personnage intéressant et fascinant. 

Bref, si vous aimez les livres dont les histoires contiennent de la politique et qui se passent dans un univers dystopique, ce livre est pour vous. Mais soyez prévenus que le début est assez long ! ;) 

So I will probably not be the most objective person because even though I didn't hate the book series, I also didn't like it particularly. I felt like the two first books were very long and very "young", the third was the one I actually enjoyed the most and I didn't have the courage to properly read the fourth book. I passed so many scenes, it shouldn't even be legal, haha!

Anyway, there was a Fallen movie that had been "released" (where? I don't really know; when? a few months ago) and I will let you discover the trailer.

I am sorry but it looks like a very bad B-rated movie. I am not a huge fan of the books series so I was hopeful maybe I would like the movie but it looks like nup! it's going to be as bad as the books.

So what do you think of this trailer? Have you read the books? Did you like them? 

P.S: I don't think there has been an official release date in DVD or on TV so we'll have to be extremely patient... but I wasn't that impatient anyway, haha!