BLOG TOUR: All Your Perfects, Colleen Hoover (July 17, 2018)

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“Sometimes when people change, it’s not always noticeable in a marriage, because the couple changes together, in the same direction. But sometimes people change in opposite directions.”

Every once in a while we all need one of those rip-your-heart-out-cry-through-a-whole-box-of-tissues kind of book and Colleen Hoover’s yearly releases always provide this for me. Even though it was very different from her previous works, I highly enjoyed WITHOUT MERIT—but if you prefer the heartwrenching romance aspect of CoHo’s work…she’s back in full force with her newest release.

And DEAR LORD keep a box of tissues close and well-stocked because you’re going to need it.

 

“If you only shine light on your flaws, all your perfects will dim.”

The 411: Quinn and Graham have a perfect love story, but their unique connection is threatened by their imperfect marriage. The memories, mistakes, and secrets that they have built up over the years are now tearing them apart, day by heartbreaking day. The one thing that could save them might also be the very thing that pushes their marriage beyond the point of repair. So do they risk it? Is their history worth saving?

ALL YOUR PERFECTS is a profound novel about a damaged couple struggling with a relatable issue – infertility – whose potential future hinges on promises made in the past. In Colleen Hoover’s inimitable style and brilliant narrative voice, this heartbreaking page-turner asks: Can a resounding love with a fairytale beginning survive a lifetime between two imperfect people?

For as much as I read, I haven’t read a lot of books about infertility, and this book was certainly a deep dive into the pain couples go through when they’re struggling to get pregnant. The book is from Quinn’s POV and the sorrow and pain she feels is palpable. There were many parts where I was physically hurting from A) how much I was crying and B) simply by empathizing with her character.

We alternate between present day Quinn and Graham and when they first met. The difference is so striking and really a testament of how quickly something like infertility can derail a marriage. As per typical CoHo, Graham is a complete dreamboat and gives some magnanimous speeches that had my poor little heart fluttering. The climax of the book is a scene so incredibly heartbreaking and, ultimately, uplifting that I’m convinced no one else could have pulled this book off other than Colleen.

I have loved every single one of Colleen Hoover’s books and there hasn’t yet been one that didn’t make me cry uncontrollably. I like that her books aren’t just sex, sex, sex (not my cup of tea), and they always have intense stories and a conflict that tackles an important subject.

MY RATING:  ✰✰✰✰✰
RECOMMENDED READING: Colleen Hoover’s entire catalog (obvi), but also Lauren Layne, and Christina Lauren.

Thank you Atria Books for including me on this tour and for my galley.

COLLEEN HOOVER is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Slammed, Point of Retreat, This Girl, Hopeless, Losing Hope, Finding Cinderella, Maybe Someday, Maybe Not, Ugly Love, Confess, November 9, It Ends with Us, and Without Merit. Colleen has won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance three times—for Confess in 2015, It Ends with Us in 2016, and Without Merit in 2017. Confess was adapted into a seven-episode online series. In 2015, Colleen and her family founded The Bookworm Box, a bookstore and monthly subscription service offering signed novels donated by authors. All profits are given to various charities each month to help those in need. Colleen lives in Texas with her husband and their three boys. Visit ColleenHoover.com.

Colleen will be hitting the road on the ALL YOUR PERFECTS tour! See below for all the dates, and hopefully see some of you at the Minneapolis stop!

  • 07/17: Denver, CO, 7:00 PM | TATTERED COVER BOOKSTORE | Tickets
  • 07/23: Portland, OR, 7:00 PM | POWELL’S BOOKS | Call store for details: 503-228-4651 or pre-order
  • 07/24: Seattle, WA, 7:00 PM | THIRD PLACE BOOKS | Tickets
  • 07/25: San Francisco, CA, 7:00 PM | BOOK PASSAGE | Tickets
  • 07/26: San Diego, CA, 7:30 PM | WARWICK’S | Tickets
  • 07/27: Phoenix, AZ, 7:00 PM | CHANGING HANDS BOOKSTORE | Tickets
  • 07/28: Los Angeles, CA, 4:00 PM | THE RIPPED BODICE | Tickets
  • 07/29: Dallas, TX, 6:00 PM | HALF PRICE BOOKS | Information
  • 08/02: Atlanta, GA, 7:00 PM | EAGLE EYE BOOKS | Tickets
  • 08/03: Asheville, NC, 6:00 PM | MALAPROP’S BOOKSTORE/CAFE | Tickets
  • 08/04: Cincinnati, OH, 5:00 PM | JOSEPH-BETH BOOKSELLERS | Tickets 
  • 08/05: Chicago, IL, 3:00 PM | ANDERSON’S BOOKSHOP | Tickets
  • 08/06: Detroit, MI, 6:30 PM | SCHULER BOOKS & MUSIC, Okemos | Tickets
  • 08/07: Minneapolis, MN, 7:00 PM | BARNES AND NOBLE/Edina | Call for more details: 952-920-2124
  • 08/08: Kansas City, KS, 7:00 PM | RAINY DAY BOOKS | Tickets
  • 08/09: Austin, TX, 7:00 PM | BOOK PEOPLE | Tickets
  • 09/17: New York, NY, 7:00 PM | THE STRAND BOOKSTORE | Tickets

BLOG TOUR: Heart Land, Kimberly Stuart (July 17, 2018)

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Summer is the perfect time to spread out a blanket on the beach and pick up a fluffy, feel-good romance. HEART LAND by Kimberly Stuart is the book you need this summer. Think, Sweet Home Alabama: The Midwest Version. So basically, Sweet Home Iowa. As an Iowan myself, I jumped at the chance to read a book about Iowans, set in Iowa, and written by an Iowan. Go Hawkeyes.

The 411: Grace Klaren has finally made her dream of living in the Big Apple and working in the fashion industry a reality. But when she’s unexpectedly fired and can’t afford the next month’s rent, Grace does something she never thought she’d do: she moves back home.

Back in Silver Creek, Iowa, Grace is determined to hate it. She rails against the quiet of her small town, where everything closes early, where there’s no nightlife, where everyone knows each other. She’s saving her pennies and plotting her return to New York when she almost runs over a man who’s not paying attention at a crosswalk. It turns out to be Tucker, her high school sweetheart whose heart she broke when she left ten years ago. They reconnect, and Grace remembers why she fell for him in the first place.

And her career begins to turn around when she finds a gorgeous but tattered vintage dress at a flea market. She buys it, rips it apart seam by seam, and re-creates it with new fabric, updating the look with some of her own design ideas. She snaps a picture and lists the dress online, and within a day, it sells for nearly $200. Suddenly, Grace has her ticket out of here.

But Grace can’t fight her growing feelings for Tucker. Sometimes when they’re together, Tucker paints a picture of what their future could be like, and it feels so real. And when she finally gains the funding to move her new business back to New York, Grace must decide where home really is—will she chase her long-held New York dream, or find a new dream here in the heartland?

Ok. So I LOVE books that are set in Iowa or have characters from Iowa. But they always seem to follow this kind of narrative: Main Character is made for more than their small town. They move to the Big City where they are finally able to blossom and grow. Personal growth stories are always great to read, but this kind has always left a bad taste in my mouth. What’s wrong with small towns? What’s wrong with staying in your small town? Some people may need to go to the Big City, I’m not denying that. But not everyone does. Some of us can flourish just fine in our small towns. And I’m over-the-moon that HEART LAND doesn’t fall into this type of story.

I think this is also part of the reason why I didn’t find Grace all that relatable for the first few chapters. Her feelings of superiority over her hometown and her classmates who stayed there were upsetting at first. Stuart made me love Grace, her passion, and, ultimately, her love for Silver Creek.

Now can we talk about how dreamy Tucker is?! I’m not gonna lie, in Sweet Home Alabama, I was all for Patrick Dempsey over Josh Lucas (sorry.) In HEART LAND, there’s not really a prominent triangle but Tucker plays the Josh Lucas character and he wins. He just wins.

The faith factor was also an unexpected and not completely unwelcome aspect to HEART LAND. Tucker and Gigi are both devoutly religious, to the point where Grace teases them about praying and church. Grace’s journey back to Christianity and finding faith in her life again is another part of the journey she goes down during her time in Silver Creek. If you’re looking for a Christian book that isn’t preachy, HEART LAND is perfect. And if religion is something you’d rather not read about, it’s a small enough part of the story that you should still be able to read with no problem.

About the Author: Kimberly Stuart has always treasured a good story and a good laugh. When she’s not engrossed in the charming chaos of motherhood, Stuart writes stories that are intended to make readers laugh often and cry once—maybe twice. Kimberly resides in Des Moines, Iowa, with her fantastic husband and their three wily children.

MY RATING:  ✰✰✰
RECOMMENDED READING: KEEP HER SAFE by K.A. Tucker, KISSING GAMES by Tara Eglington

Thank you Atria/Howard Books for including me on this tour and for my galley.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound

Books I’ve Acquired Recently #1

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Book mail is one of my favorite things in the world. There’s nothing better than getting packages, but packages of books are even better.

Here is a collection of books I’ve gotten recently, one by request and the rest by the goodness of these publisher’s hearts. I appreciate all of you so much—thank you for continuing to support me.

Let’s start at the top. Goodreads links for more detailed synopses are embedded.

SADIE by Courtney Summers
– 9/4/2018, wednesday books –

Sadie hasn’t had an easy life. Growing up on her own, she’s been raising her sister Mattie in an isolated small town, trying her best to provide a normal life and keep their heads above water. But when Mattie is found dead, Sadie’s entire world crumbles. After a somewhat botched police investigation, Sadie is determined to bring her sister’s killer to justice and hits the road following a few meager clues to find him.

I have been hearing nothing but rave review after rave review about this book. The words “twisted” and “messed up” have been thrown around and let’s face it—that’s entirely my cup of tea. Thank you Wednesday Books for sending me a copy.

Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh
– Speak –

 At just seventeen years old, Mariko is promised to Minamoto Raiden, the son of the emperor’s favorite consort—a political marriage that will elevate her family’s standing. But en route to the imperial city of Inako, Mariko narrowly escapes a bloody ambush by a dangerous gang of bandits known as the Black Clan, who she learns has been hired to kill her before she reaches the palace.

I thought the original cover for this book was stunning, but I absolutely love the redesign as well. And when I saw the preorder incentive for SMOKE IN THE SUN was a copy of the new paperback, it was even more a reason.

The Darkdeep by Allie Condie & Brendan Reichs
– 10/2/18, Bloomsbury –

When a bullying incident sends twelve-year-old Nico Holland over the edge of a cliff into the icy waters of Still Cove, where no one ever goes, friends Tyler and Ella – and even ‘cool kid’ Opal -rush to his rescue…only to discover an island hidden in the swirling mists below.

If you pitch something to me as The Goonies meets Stranger Things, it’s going to rocket to the top of my TBR. Just sayin’. This was another book I missed out on at BEA due to so many other things happening, so thank you muchly Bloomsbury for sending me this galley.

Enchantée by Gita Trelease
– 2/5/19, Flatiron Books –

When smallpox kills her parents, Camille Durbonne must find a way to provide for her frail, naive sister while managing her volatile brother. Relying on petty magic—la magie ordinaire—Camille painstakingly transforms scraps of metal into money to buy the food and medicine they need. But when the coins won’t hold their shape and her brother disappears with the family’s savings, Camille must pursue a richer, more dangerous mark: the glittering court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

This is one of my most anticipated 2019 releases and I cannot be more pumped to start this. Thank you Flatiron Books for sending me a galley.

MUSE OF NIGHTMARES by Laini Taylor
– 10/2/18, Little Brown –

In the wake of tragedy, neither Lazlo nor Sarai are who they were before. One a god, the other a ghost, they struggle to grasp the new boundaries of their selves as dark-minded Minya holds them hostage, intent on vengeance against Weep.

When I had to leave early from BEA and missed Laini’s signing for this book I was seriously bummed. So when I opened this package and saw this book, I make no apologies for making a pterodactyl squawking noise at work. STRANGE THE DREAMER was one of my most pleasant surprises of 2017 and I cannot wait to dive back into a world of Weep and see how Lazlo rescues Sarai. Thank you thank you thank you to LBYR/The Novl for sending me a galley.

Grace and Fury by Tracy Banghart
– 7/31/18, Little Brown –

Serina has been groomed her whole life to become a Grace–someone to stand by the heir to the throne as a shining, subjugated example of the perfect woman. But when her headstrong and rebellious younger sister, Nomi, catches the heir’s eye, it’s Serina who takes the fall for the dangerous secret that Nomi has been hiding.

Pitched as The Handmaid’s Tale for this generation, I cannot wait to start this. I also recently got the UK hardcover in a book subscription box and the international cover is so gorgeous. Thank you LBYR/The Novl for sending me a finished copy!

#MURDERTRENDING by Gretchen McNeil
– 8/7/18, Freeform –

Welcome to the Near Future, where good and honest citizens can enjoy watching the executions of society’s most infamous convicted felons, streaming live on The Postman app from the suburbanized prison island Alcatraz 2.0.

I’m about a third into this and I cannot describe how intrigued I am. This book is delightfully twisted and surprisingly graphic for YA. And I’m holding my breath for the swerve because I KNOW it’s coming. Is it also sad that I can completely see Tr*mp doing this, too? *le sigh* Thank you Disney Book Group for sending me a galley and a finished copy.

Camp Valor by Scott McEwen
– 7/1018, St. Martin’s Press –

When Wyatt gets framed for a friend’s crime, he thinks his life is over. But then a mysterious stranger visits him in jail with an unusual proposal: spend three months in a secret government camp and have a ten-year prison sentence wiped clean.

This will be my first foray into McEwen’s work minus watching American Sniper, which wasn’t exactly my cup of tea. I will definitely give this a try because I’ve heard wonderful things about his writing, but I’m not convinced it’ll be the book for me. Thanks so much to St. Martin’s Press for sending me a finished copy.

Campfire by Shawn Sarles
– 7/17/18, jimmy patterson –

While camping in a remote location, Maddie Davenport gathers around the fire with her friends and family to tell scary stories. Caleb, the handsome young guide, shares the local legend of the ferocious Mountain Men who hunt unsuspecting campers and leave their mark by carving grisly antlers into their victims’ foreheads. The next day, the story comes true. 

I’m a horror buff and this sounds all kinds of awesome. I’m loving all these horror novels coming out even before Halloween. Thank you jimmy patterson books for sending me this finished copy. That cover is wonderfully terrifying.

What We Were Promised by Lucy Tan
– 7/10/18, Little Brown –

After years of chasing the American dream, the Zhen family has moved back to China. Settling into a luxurious serviced apartment in Shanghai, Wei, Lina, and their daughter, Karen, join an elite community of Chinese-born, Western-educated professionals who have returned to a radically transformed city.

I read this book in one sitting and was so pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Historical fiction isn’t really my thing, but WHAT WE WERE PROMISED has all the things I like: beautiful writing, family/political intrigue, and (kind of?) a love triangle. Thank you Little Brown for sending me a finished copy. Tan will definitely be on my radar.

BLOG TOUR: The Last Time I Lied, Riley Sager (July 3, 2018)

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the last time i lied blog tour | fantastic flying book club

“Everything is a game, Em. Whether you know it or not. Which means that sometimes a lie is more than just a lie. Sometimes it’s the only way to win.”

Riley Sager is becoming one of my favorite thriller novelists. Last year, I absolutely devoured his debut thriller, FINAL GIRLS, and when I saw he was coming out with a new novel, I knew I had to get my hands on it—which makes me even more excited to be included on the blog tour for THE LAST TIME I LIED. Folks, I loved FINAL GIRLS, but I thiiiiiink I might have loved this even more.

Read on for a spoiler-free review AND a giveaway below.

“Two truths and lie, ladies. I’ll start.” 

The 411:  At 13, Emma Davis is sent to Camp Nightingale aka Camp Rich Bitch for the summer. She’s assigned to the Dogwood cabin and is taken in by her cabin-mates, Natalie, Allison, and most importantly, Queen Bee Vivian Hawthorne. Vivian’s favorite game is “two truths and lie” and over the course of the summer, the girls use it to gang up and humiliate each other. The games end, however, when the other three girls go missing one night. As the last person to see the girls, Emma accuses the camp director’s son, Theo, as the culprit.

Fast-forward 15 years and Emma is a hot up-and-comer on the NYC art scene, where she creates lush paintings of forests, (and unknowingly to everyone else) hides three girls in flowy, white dresses. At an art show, Emma is approached by Franny Harris-White, the former director of Camp Nightingale, with the news that she is reopening the camp and wants Emma to return as staff.

Emma returns to Camp Nightingale in the hopes of finally uncovering what happened to her friends, and to face the Harris-White family, who she tore apart with her accusation.

Ok, friends. There were so many swerves in this book that my motion sickness-prone ass was metaphorically spinning by the end. And let me clarify, these were all the good kind of swerves. Here’s the mandatory disclaimer that I am horrible at figuring out twists in books—so it’s no surprise that the ending threw me for a hell of a loop. But it’s an ending that makes sense and is completely satisfying.

Now, the Unreliable Female Narrator is a super common plot line these days and while I do enjoy this trope, I am seriously tired of the is-she-or-isn’t-she-going-“insane” trope. And honestly, I was a little worried that’s where this book was heading at first. Mental illness is involved, but is maaaaaybe mentioned 10 sentences at most. It’s also not often where I enjoy books without some kind of romantic aspect. I don’t need a relaysh to root for, but it definitely helps me feel more invested.

MY RATING:  ✰✰✰✰1/2
RECOMMENDED READING: Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier, Before I Let You In by Jenny Blackhurst

Also, this book is a July pick for Book for the Month club! If you have a subscription, you should definitely add this to your box and if you don’t—you can grab one here.

BUY LINKS
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo | IndieBound | iBooks 

GIVEAWAY

If you’re still here, I’m going to assume you’re here for the freebie (I’m not cocky enough to assume you’ve kept scrolling for my incomparable wit). Dutton is being amazing and offering up 20 hardcovers of THE LAST TIME I LIED for all the blogs on the tour. To get your own copy of the summer’s hottest thriller, here’s what you need to do:

US/Canada only. Winners can only be chosen once per tour (so if you win on another blog, you’ll be disqualified).

Thank you so much to Fantastic Flying Book Club for including me on the tour and to Dutton for my galley. Check out all the other stops on the blog tour here.

Mid-Year Freakout Book Tag

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I’m doing this popular tag via blog because no one and I mean no one wants to watch me on YouTube. So really, I’m saving you from having to gouge out your eyes. You’re welcome. 🙂

Thank you the original creators:
IsThatChami: https://www.youtube.com/user/ReadLikeWildfire
ElyJayne: https://www.youtube.com/user/MidnightBluex

— THE QUESTIONS —

Best book you’ve read so far in 2018:
Picture Us in the Light, Kelly Loy Gilbert

Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2018:
Wildcard, Marie Lu (review in the works!)

New release you haven’t read yet, but want to:
The Poppy War, R.F. Kuang

I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about this book and I can’t wait to dive in.

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year:
Queen of Air and Darkness, Cassandra Clare

The ending to LORD OF SHADOWS nearly killed me and I love this trilogy so much. Please don’t kill my Julian, Cassie.

Biggest disappointment:
Our Kind of Cruelty, Araminta Hall

Biggest surprise:
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood, Trevor Noah

Favorite new author (Debut or new to you):
Helen Hoang (The Kiss Quotient)

Newest fictional crush:
Thomas Cresswell, Stalking Jack the Ripper Series by Kerri Maniscalco

  <— I mean…*heart eyes* (credit: Phantom Rin)

Newest favorite character:
Helene Aquilla, An Ember in the Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir

I admit that I highly disliked her in the first book because she was an obstacle to my Elias-Laia ship, but now I love her for being a bad-ass Bloodshrike, loving her family so much, and I’m really happy she’s taken on a larger role in these books. Also note to Sabaa, please don’t kill her.

Book that made you cry:
All Your Perfects, Colleen Hoover (REVIEW IN THE WORKS!)

Book that made you happy:
Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World, Ashley Herring Blake

Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received):
The Way You Make Me Feel, Maurene Goo

Look at the beautiful pinkness AND the beautiful Asian girl on the cover?!

What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
The Darkest Minds series, Alexandra Bracken

(or at least before the movie comes out)

Favorite Book Community Member:
Book Riot staff + contributors

I’m cheating a little (and I’m a little biased), but this group of people is fantastic. I love working with all you and thank you for keeping me sane on Slack all day.

“PRAY FOR THE WICKED” Snap Judgments

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My friends, in just a few short weeks I will be going to my FIRST EVER Panic! At the Disco concert. And I will be likely going alone because apparently playing kickball is more important than Brendon Freaking Urie. Whatever. More space for my joy. #DontKillMyVibe

Panic released their sixth studio album, “Pray for the Wicked,” today and although I still miss the brilliance of the “A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out” era—I’m still a diehard fan and I am so excited to see them live. I was lucky enough to see Brendon last year when he was on broadway with “Kinky Boots” and I’m sure seeing him in his alt-rock element is going to be a highlight of my life.

I know I will be abusing the replay button on Spotify for this album, but here are my first impression, snap judgments upon first listen…

  1. (Fuck A) Silver Lining

To be honest, I haven’t been a huge fan of this song since it was released a few months ago…I’m warming up to it, but I still think there HAD to be a stronger album opener.
✰✰1/2

2. Say Amen (Saturday Night)

I am still shamelessly in love with this song. And that high note *heart eyes* AND the fact that the video is the prequel to “This is Gospel” and “The Emperor’s New Clothes”…*bows down*
✰✰✰✰1/2

3. Hey Look Ma, I Made It

This is the “Death of a Bachelor” of this album. Heavy on the strings, a tad more lighthearted than their typical fare.
✰✰✰

4. High Hopes

Tied for my favorite song on this album. I’m SO pumped to see this live.
✰✰✰✰✰

5. Roaring 20s

I have a feeling this will be awesome live.
✰✰✰1/2

6. Dancing’s Not a Crime

A super fun song, I just have a feeling I’m going to forget about it as soon as it’s over…
✰✰✰1/2

7. One of the Drunks

Meh. Probably won’t purchase.
✰✰

8. The Overpass

Another meh. Probably won’t purchase either.
✰✰

9. King of the Clouds

This song literally makes me feel like the king of the clouds. It’s so light and airy and what I imagine it would be like being high in song form.
✰✰✰1/2

10. Old Fashioned

Another super fun song, but Old Fashioneds are gross. Sometimes I forget how young he was when their first album was released…
✰✰✰✰

11. Dying in LA

This is what my family and friends would refer to as “Kate Music.” Lyrically depressing, acoustic-y piano goodness. If this song is autobiographical, I’m super sad: “Every face along the boulevard is a dreamer just like you. You looked at death in a tarot card and you saw what you had to do…But nobody knows you now, when you’re dying in LA.” Tied with “High Hopes” for my fave song of the album.
✰✰✰✰✰

This entire album feels a little like Britney Spears’ “Lucky.” Someone goes to LA looking for fame and fortune. They make it big and live a life of luxury. But you don’t know that they cry, cry, cry in their lonely heart THINKING IF THERE’S NOTHING MISSING IN MY LIFE, THEN WHY DO THESE TEARS COME AT NIGHT?!

…excuse me now while I go stream Britney all afternoon.