Waiting on Wednesday: RED QUEEN by VICTORIA AVEYARD

This book, if you read my most anticipated reads of 2015 (which if you haven't you can read here) will come as no surprise as it was featured on there. I just adore the sound of this book it definitely puts me in the mind of The Selection trilogy by Keira Cass, which I loved so hopefully I love this just as much. It has also had some pretty amazing reviews so basically roll on February so I can get my little mitts on this book!

RED QUEEN by Victoria Aveyard

To be released on the 10th February (US) 12th February (UK)

Published by Orion/Harper Teen

"The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of

those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?"

BUY THIS BOOK HERE*, HERE AND HERE

FALLING KINGDOMS by MORGAN RHODES

Falling Kingdoms
by Morgan Rhodes
Published: December 2012
Publisher: Penguin
Genre: YA, Fantasy
BUY THIS BOOK HERE

The best way to describe this book to you is that it is a YA equivalent of Game of Thrones. It is so epic and amazing that you will be left amazed by the character progression and the beginnings of a huge series. I knew about 20 pages in that I would love this book and it certainly didn't disappoint.

When I had this book for Christmas I knew that I wanted to read it as soon a possible because it is everything that I love about fantasy, you have duel perspectives, battling countries and fantastically written characters.

Whilst this book tends to focus more on the characters than the world building, there is never a lack of any aspect. I knew exactly what to picture when the author was writing the scenes but I think that is because it takes the backdrop of many classic fantasy stories and nothing is totally unimaginable despite the mutterings of magical elements. Thats right, theres magic in this book as well!

The magic element was probably my favourite, it wasn't the main plot but I can tell that it will in the end be the most important factor in this series, the hints and then the stories were super interesting and The Kindred and The Watchers were unique and like nothing I have read before.

Now lets talk about characters... Cleo is one of the best characters I've read about, she is independent, head strong, a little reckless and full of passion. I throughly enjoyed her segments and I think that she has such a strong voice, despite everything that happens she remains strong and I think I may love her slightly.... Magnus is a very intriguing character, I really can't make my mind up about him and to be honest I don't think he can make his mind up about himself. He is mean and reckless and totally like his father but then on the other hand he is nothing like his father because he does feel remorse, but he still does all of these things anyway so does the fact that he feels remorse make any difference? AH I don't know, but this is why I love this book so much because no character is as black and white as they originally seem, they are complex and real. Jonas is again very complex, he wants to avenge his brother but he also has a softer heart and I think that makes him so much more dangerous and so much more threatening to the surroundings, he is also incredibly clever and brave and I think in the second book he will really come into his own.

I can't really say anymore without spoiling anything but I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is too threatened by the size of Game of Thrones, or who finds the GOT series a bit dense because this is everything that is good about GOT but in my opinion even better because there aren't as many characters, the world is not as complex and the writing flows so well that it makes it a super quick read.

5/5 STARS

*affiliate link used

2015 BOOKISH RESOLUTIONS

A new year, a new me. Or so the saying goes... whilst I don't believe that anyone fully changes on New Years Eve, I do enjoy setting particular goals I would like to achieve in the new year. 2015 is set to be a massive year for me personally but I almost never follow through with personal resolutions so instead I will set some goals for my reading instead.

1. In 2014 I set myself a goal of reading 30 books, which I achieved before mid year and so increased it to 45 and then just let myself see how many more I could read. I ended up reading 80 books which I am very happy with. This year I even debated not setting a Goodreads goal, but when the time came along I decided that I wanted to put my goal to 50 books, I feel like this is manageable because it is just under a book a week so hopefully it will be okay, however, I won't mind if I have to reduce the goal, its not set in stone or anything, but I feel happy.

2. As for the book buying, well that is something that definitely needs to be tackled, I expanded my collection by two whole bookcases this year, which is frankly ridiculous. I will not put myself on a book ban because I never stick to those and instead just think about the books I wish I could be buying and then binge when the ban ends and that defeats the whole object. Instead, I will place a limit, so for example if I were to buy 5 books at a time I will need to make sure I have read at least 1 or 2 before I consider buying anymore. Also, I will make sure that I read a lot of reviews and opinions before I buy a book I am unsure about rather than just buying it anyway and either being disappointed or it never getting read. There have been a few instants where I have purely only brought something because I saw one good review on it and then it ended up siting on my shelf unread for months and months.

3. Work on my blog more often and write reviews as soon as I have read the books instead of waiting a few months and then having to try and remember what I thought about them.

4. In 2015 there are a few books on my shelves that I definitely want to read, because they have been there for a while. They are...

• Gone by Michael Grant
• Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
• The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Braken
• The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon 
• The Kings Curse by Philippa Gregory 

5. I would like to read more graphic novels this year, I have enjoyed all the ones that I have read but I am often put off by the price so hopefully if I buy less novels I can buy more graphic novels.

That is about it, I can't think of anymore, the book buying will definitely be stunted because I will (hopefully) be going to university in September and will be living on a student budget, so it will be a case of buying food or buying books... I think we all know which is more important.......(books) I kid, I kid...

Happy new year!

MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASES OF 2015

As it stands these books are from authors that I have either read books from before, part of a series that I am reading and paperback releases. However, throughout the year when people start talking about debut books or authors I have never heard about I get excited and want to read them as well and put them on my wishlist, so perhaps this list will need updating throughout the year, but as of right now here are my most anticipated releases of 2015, in no particular order. (Also I cant believe it is 2015, I feel like 2014 literally flew by)

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas

May 7th 2015

Feyre's survival rests upon her ability to hunt and kill - the forest where she lives is a cold, bleak place in the long winter months. So when she spots a deer in the forest being pursued by a wolf, she cannot resist fighting it for the flesh. But to do so, she must kill the predator and killing something so precious comes at a price ...

Dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of a faerie, Feyre discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jewelled mask, is hiding far more than his piercing green eyes would suggest. Feyre's presence at the court is closely guarded, and as she begins to learn why, her feelings for him turn from hostility to passion and the faerie lands become an even more dangerous place. Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse, or she will lose him forever.

This is probably my most anticipated book of 2015. I love Sarah J Maas I think she is a brilliant writer and it will also be incredible to have another story whilst we wait for the next Throne of Glass book!
Buy here

Bloodlines: The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead

February 10th 2015

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives.

After their secret romance is exposed, Sydney and Adrian find themselves facing the wrath of both the Alchemists and the Moroi in this electrifying conclusion to Richelle Mead's New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series. When the life of someone they both love is put on the line, Sydney risks everything to hunt down a deadly former nemesis. Meanwhile, Adrian becomes enmeshed in a puzzle that could hold the key to a shocking secret about spirit magic, a secret that could shake the entire Moroi world . . 

This is the final instalment of the Bloodlines series, I am taking it slow and currently am on the fourth book as I wanted to pace myself so that I can read Silver Shadows next month so I am ready for this book. I love this series I think its incredible, the writing is incredible and Mead has such a fluid writing style. Although on a side note, these books have the worse covers ever, they probably put so many people off from reading it!!
Buy here

Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke by Anne Blankman 

April 21st 2015

The follow-up to Anne Blankman's fantastic PRISONER OF NIGHT AND FOG, an explosive, fast-paced thriller set in the shadowy and dangerous world of Nazi Germany. The girl known as Gretchen Whitestone has a secret: she used to be part of Adolf Hitler's inner circle. More than a year ago, she made an enemy of her old family friend and fled Munich to live in Oxford, posing as an ordinary German immigrant. Her love, Daniel Cohen, is a reporter in town, and Gretchen is content. Then a telegram sends Daniel back to Germany, and her world turns upside-down when she learns that Daniel is wanted for murder. To save him, she must return to her homeland and somehow avoid capture and recognition by her former friends, the Nazi elite. And as she and Daniel work to clear his name, they discover a deadly conspiracy stretching from the slums of Berlin to the Reichstag itself. Can they dig up the explosive truth and escape in time - or will Hitler discover them first?

I am so excited for this, the first book was incredible, such a brilliant historical fiction read, it was fast paced, historically accurate with fantastic characters, what else could you need? I hope that we get a similar cover to the UK cover for the first book as I am not a massive fan of this one!

Buy here

Ensnared by A G Howard

13th January 2015

After surviving a disastrous battle at prom, Alyssa has embraced her madness and gained perspective. She s determined to rescue her two worlds and the people and netherlings she loves. Even if it means challenging Queen Red to a final battle of wills and wiles... even if the only way to Wonderland, now that the rabbit hole is closed, is through the looking-glass world a parallel dimension filled with mutated and violent netherling outcasts. In the final installment of the wildly popular Splintered trilogy, Alyssa and her dad journey into the heart of magic and mayhem in search of her mom and to set right all that's gone wrong. Together, with Jeb and Morpheus, they must salvage Wonderland from the decay and destruction that has ensnared it. But if they succeed and come out alive, can everyone truly have their happily-ever-after?

I haven't read the second book in this trilogy because I am waiting for this one to come out so that I don't forget anything, but this is a really interesting dark re-telling of Alice in Wonderland.

Buy here

The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski

March 12th 2015

Lady Kestrel's engagement to Valoria's crown prince calls for great celebration: balls and performances, fireworks and revelry. But to Kestrel it means a cage of her own making. Embedded in the imperial court as a spy, she lives and breathes deceit and cannot confide in the one person she really longs to trust ... While Arin fights to keep his country's freedom from the hands of his enemy, he suspects that Kestrel knows more than she shows. As Kestrel comes closer to uncovering a shocking secret, it might not be a dagger in the dark that cuts him open, but the truth. Lies will come undone, and Kestrel and Arin learn just how much their crimes will cost them in this second book in the breathtaking Winner's trilogy.

I loved the first book and I have been eagerly awaiting this second instalment, after the ending of the last one I cant wait to read this. 
Buy here

Throne of Glass #4 (currently untitled) by Sarah J Maas

September 10 2015

COVER and SYNOPSIS TO BE REVEALED

My new favourite series. I love it so much and I cant wait for this book.

The Heir by Kiera Cass

5th May 2015

Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won Prince Maxon’s heart. Now the time has come for Princess Eadlyn to hold a Selection of her own. Eadlyn doesn’t expect her Selection to be anything like her parents’ fairy-tale love story. But as the competition begins, she may discover that finding her own happily ever after isn’t as impossible as she always thought.

The selection was supposed to be just a trilogy but Kiera Cass decided that the story wasn't finished just yet so I guess these next three books, starting with the Heir, are like a sequel, set in the same world but will different characters although there will be cameos from the original characters (much like the Bloodlines series). Although these books have a few problems I still really enjoy them and cant wait for more instalments and an expansion of the world

Buy here

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

September 10th 2015

This is a world divided by blood - red or silver. The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change. That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power. Fearful of Mare's potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime. But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance - Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart . . .

I think this is my only debut author on this list but I read about this online and couldn't stop thinking about how good it sounds, so I will certainly be picking this up.
Buy here

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

February 5th 2015

Near the little town of Fairfold, in the darkest part of the forest, lies a glass casket. Inside the casket lies a sleeping faerie prince that none can rouse. He's the most fascinating thing Hazel and her brother Ben have ever seen. They dream of waking him - but what happens when dreams come true? In the darkest part of the forest, you must be careful what you wish for...

NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Holly Black spins a dark, dangerous and utterly beautiful faerie tale, guaranteed to steal your heart.

Every Holly Black book that I have read I have really enjoyed and so I think I need to read more of her works and this has had a lot of buzz around it.
Buy here

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan

October 6th 2015

COVER TO BE REVEALED 

Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother's mysterious death, he's lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers. One day, he's tracked down by an uncle he's never met - a man his mother claimed was dangerous. His uncle tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god. The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years. When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision. Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die . . .

I have every book Riordan has published so of course I have to get this as well. He is such a funny writer and I love that he is so historically accurate and knowledgable about what he writing about whilst still having incredibly realistic and relatable characters. He is always a winner in my books.
Buy here

Dark Artifices: Lady Midniha by Cassandra Clare
May 1st 2015

COVER AND SYNOPSIS TO BE REVEALED

After reading the Infernal Devices I have a new respect for Clare and am excited to see an expansion of the Shadowhunter world.

The White Rose by Amy Ewing
October 6th 2015 
COVER AND SYNOPSIS

I loved the first book it really surprised me so I can't wait to read more and see what else happens. I loved the world building of the first book and I can only imagine that its going to get better.

Paperback releases

(these books have already been released I just prefer reading paperbacks)

Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern

May 5th 2015 

Born with cerebral palsy, Amy can't walk without a walker, talk without a voice box, or even fully control her facial expressions. Plagued by obsessive-compulsive disorder, Matthew is consumed with repeated thoughts, neurotic rituals, and crippling fear. Both in desperate need of someone to help them reach out to the world, Amy and Matthew are more alike than either ever realized.

When Amy decides to hire student aides to help her in her senior year at Coral Hills High School, these two teens are thrust into each other's lives. As they begin to spend time with each other, what started as a blossoming friendship eventually grows into something neither expected.

This seems like a really nice summer, light read.
Buy here

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

March 3rd 2015

Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts.

Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him—and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more.

When this first came out, everyone was talking about it and I can't wait to see what all the fuss is about.
Buy here

Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor 

March 26th 2015

By way of a staggering deception, Karou has taken control of the chimaera rebellion and is intent on steering its course away from dead-end vengeance. The future rests on her, if there can evenbe a future for the chimaera in war-ravaged Eretz. Common enemy, common cause. When Jael's brutal seraph army trespasses into the human world, the unthinkable becomes essential, and Karou and Akiva must ally their enemy armies against the threat. It is a twisted version of their long-ago dream, and they begin to hope that it might forge a way forward for their people. And, perhaps, for themselves. Toward a new way of living, and maybe even love. But there are bigger threats than Jael in the offing. A vicious queen is hunting Akiva, and, in the skies of Eretz ... something is happening. Massive stains are spreading like bruises from horizon to horizon; the great winged stormhunters are gathering as if summoned, ceaselessly circling, and a deep sense of wrong pervades the world. What power can bruise the sky From the streets of Rome to the caves of the Kirin and beyond, humans, chimaera and seraphim will fight, strive, love, and die in an epic theater that transcends good and evil, right and wrong, friend and enemy. At the very barriers of space and time, what do gods and monsters dream of ? And does anything else matter.

I haven't started this trilogy yet because I have been waiting for this book to come out in paperback so I can marathon the trilogy.
Buy here

*UK RELEASE DATES AND DESCRIPTIONS ACCORDING TO AMAZON AND GOODREADS*

What books are you anticipating in 2015? 

*affiliate links used

TOP 10 BOOKS OF 2014

I read 80 books this year, which is a personal best, so I'm happy, I also surpassed my initial goal of reading 30 books in May and then increased it to 45 so to read 80 is amazing. I read so many great books this year and not that many rubbish ones so I think 2014 was a success in terms of reading. *These books didn't necessarily come out in 2014*

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas

This is my favourite book of this year and one of my favourites of all time. It was everything I could have wished for, it had fantasy, magic, assassins, brilliant plot and incredible characters. 

Read a full review here
Buy here

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas

If possible this one was even better than the first, I cannot wait to keep up with this series and just see it evolve and get better and better. The fantastical elements were more prominent in this book and I certainly enjoyed it.

Buy here

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

After the disappointment of the first five books of the Mortal Instruments it took me so long to pick up this trilogy, but holy crap, it was incredible and is in my top three trilogies of all time it was incredible, such amazing writing and characters. I would have preferred to have this be the long series rather than TMI but there we go.

Read full review here
Buy here

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

This is a spin off to The Vampire Academy series, and this is legions better than its predecessor, each book gets better and better than before, the writing is much more advanced and the plot is much darker. 

Buy here

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

My favourite contemporary book of all time. I love how the characters are independent and the character progression is something realistic but also exciting. I like that this isn't a love story it is a story about friendship.

Read full review here
Buy here

Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman

A thrilling historical fiction set in my favourite period of history. A winner all round. I think it could have served well as a stand alone actually but it does set up the next book well. It was intriguing to see another side of Hitler that I personally haven't read before.  

 Read full review here
Buy here

Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

Brilliant conclusion. Couldn't have asked for anything else. The characters all ended up in the correct situations, I did feel sorry for Adrian but then he was being set up for being in the spin off series "Bloodlines". 

Buy here

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

If you would have said to me before this book that a Mortal Instruments book would be on my top books of the year list I would have laughed because before this one they just simply were not up to the hype (in my opinion) but it is obvious that after writing The Infernal Devices, Clare had developed her writing and this book was amazing. It was a very acceptable conclusion, although I had issues I basically inhaled this 700+ paged book in less than 24 hours.

Read full review here

Buy here

Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

Another amazing conclusion to a brilliant series that is unlike anything that I have read before. This is not just a middle grade book, it had depth and laughs, you can also learn a lot whilst reading. I think that this should be read more in schools because honestly the lessons you learn about friendship and bravery as well as all about the Greek myths is unparalleled to anything I've read before.

Read full review here
Buy here

The Jewel by Amy Ewing

I was super excited to read this book when I found out about it and for me it did not disappoint, it was exciting, well written and the plot was interesting and the world building was pretty on point. The love interest was a bit naff but I can't wait for the next instalment. 

Buy here

Like these books? Buy now at Wordery*

*affiliate links used

MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME by VARIOUS AUTHORS

I feel like this is many people's 'currently reading' book at this moment in time. This is a collection of 12 short stories from 12 popular YA authors all based in the festive season. I have read many of the authors in this book and enjoyed what I had seen, so I didn't hesitate to pick this up when it came out, I have saved it until this point to really get me into the festive spirt. So in order to be fair I will review each story individually.

Midnights by Rainbow Rowell

I have enjoyed both of the Rainbow Rowell books I have read and so was excited to be kickstarting the book off with this one. I will say it would have made more sense for this to be one of the last as it is set on New Years Eve, but nonetheless, it was an okay story. Due to the nature of this book being short stories I find it super difficult to connect with the characters, I felt like there was hardly any plot driving it and the ending pretty obvious, but then again it is a stereotypical contemporary storyline just quickened up, so really I feel like had this been extended over a proper novel, I would have had far more enjoyment out of it. 

The Lady and the Fox by Kelly Link

I really didn't get on with this story. I just didn't get it. I felt like the author wanted to leave a lot of the story up to your imagination but in a way that totally sacrificed the value of the words and it ended up just being a jumble.

Angels in the Snow by Matt de la Peña

Ah I really liked this one, I felt like it was very real and honest. I want to check out more from this author because I really enjoyed the writing, the characters and all that this simple story had to offer.

Polaris is Where You'll Find Me by Jenny Han

This was probably the most Christmasy so far purely because it was set in the North Pole with Santa and Elves, it had a very 'Elf' feel about it. It got what it needed to do done and I was left satisfied with it.

Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan 
This story made me feel a bit uneasy, not sure if it was the ending or what but it started off to be a nice festive read of a boyfriend doing something kind and I don't know but towards the end it felt kind of ...sinister I guess.

It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins
This was my favourite story of them all because  I feel like it got the Christmas spirit in there without it being overpowering or ridiculous but it was fun and the characters were really well developed considering the short length. I'd be interested in reading a whole novel about these characters.

Krampuslauf by Holly Black
Um, this was okay, I don't really have an opinion on it, I think it worked fairly well as a short story but was a little odd. For me Holly Black's writing is a little touch and go but this was just okay.

What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? by Gayle Forman

This was a nice enough story, the characters were fun, it was a typical contemporary but that's fine. The writing was nice and flowed well, certainly wasn't the worst in the book.

Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by Myra Mcentire
Meh, this was okay but I could have done without reading it. I felt like it was predictable and just a bit too flat.

Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter
Well if this tells you anything I only finished this book last night and yet I can't even remember what this was about. I think this didn't work well as a short story, it needed to be a full length novel, you just couldn't connect with the characters enough to really care about what was happening.

Welcome to Christmas, CA by Kiersten White
I liked this one a lot, it made me feel happy. The characters were all well rounded and interesting, it left you wanting more but not necessarily needing more.

The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
This just didn't work well with the tempo of the rest of the book, it really didn't. There was no dialogue which made it hard to connect with the characters, I felt myself skimming the pages. This would have done far, far better in either a short story book with just fantasy stories or as a long novel.

All in all, I was disappointed with this, it had so much hype around it but for me it just didn't deliver. I didn't feel anymore festive than before and to be honest I felt like the combination of some contemporary and then a random fantasy thrown in just didn't mix well. I felt like a lot of these stories were the same, whilst usually I wouldn't mind reading a stereotypical contemporary, because hey sometimes that's what you're in the mood for, constantly reading the same thing over and over again just with different ethnicities, genders and sexualities got boring and that's why I feel like I lost my patience with this. Whilst I enjoy many of these authors individual books I just don't connect well with short stories in general. Perhaps give this a go if all you read is contemporary and skip the ones that had fantasy elements because as short stories they just did not work well at all.

3/5 STARS

THE LEMON GROVE by HELEN WALSH

The Lemon Grove
by Helen Walsh
Published: February 2014
Publisher: Tinder Press
Genre: Adult, contemporary
 "The story takes place over one week in the heat of Deia, a coastal village on an island off the southeast coast of Spain. Jenn and Greg go for a break to enjoy languorous, hot afternoons by the pool. But the equilibrium is upset by the arrival of Greg's daughter (Jenn's step-daughter), Emma, and her boyfriend, Nathan. Jenn is in her early 40s, loves her husband and her daughter and she is content, to an extent. But when this beautiful, reckless young man comes into her life, she is driven by a sexual compulsion that she's seldom felt since adolescence. The holiday progresses and her world is thrown into tumult as the lines blur between desire and obsession--it is not just the idea of sexual fulfillment that Jenn finds attractive but the suggestion of youth: by Nathan's side, Jenn is young and carefree once again, and at this stage in her life, the promise of youth is every bit as seductive as the promise of passion. What follows is a highly charged narrative liaison that puts lives in jeopardy and percolates with just enough sexual tension to make it impossible to put down." -taken from Goodreads

I only really picked this book up because I have seen it everywhere recently and so I wanted to see what it was about. All I really knew was that the stepmother starts to have an affair with her daughter's boyfriend when on holiday.

I don't really think that this book had much depth at all, I felt like it was just trying to achieve the shock factor but the relationships between the characters were not very well developed and were rushed. The only thing that was fairly well done was the descriptions of the location, but even they were boring.

There was no progression of feelings from Jenn about Nathan, it just sort of happened, it could have been explored with so much more passion and feeling, but it just fell flat. The blurb says that this is a 'highly charged narrative', I honestly don't understand how that can be said when there was nothing of the sorts.

This was quick paced read that lacked anything special. I would give this a miss because even if you are into erotica, even those scenes were rushed and just tacky. I understand why it had such a buzz to it because the plot is so taboo but it could have be done so much better and so much more realistically.

3/5 STARS