PLBR Book Reviews 2018 - ELLES BOOK BLOG

ELLES BOOK BLOG

THE COUSINS BY KAREN M. MCMANUS

12/25/2020

Young adult mystery and thrillers are my guilty pleasure and McManus slays the genre! I love a book that not only keeps me interested but surprises the heck out of me just like this one!

Rating: ★★★★
Release Date: December 1, 2020
Genre: Young Adult Mystery and Thriller
Series: None. Complete standalone.
Pages: 330 pages
Format: Hardcover. Purchased.

Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah Story are cousins, but they barely know each another, and they've never even met their grandmother. Rich and reclusive, she disinherited their parents before they were born. So when they each receive a letter inviting them to work at her island resort for the summer, they're surprised . . . and curious.

Their parents are all clear on one point--not going is not an option. This could be the opportunity to get back into Grandmother's good graces. But when the cousins arrive on the island, it's immediately clear that she has different plans for them. And the longer they stay, the more they realize how mysterious--and dark--their family's past is.

The entire Story family has secrets. Whatever pulled them apart years ago isn't over--and this summer, the cousins will learn everything.

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS BY WENDY LOGGIA

11/9/2020

This is my first Holiday read of the year and I am so excited because it was a winner! All I Want for Christmas is a sweet, clean, young adult romance with all the holiday cheer!

Rating: ★★★★
Release Date: November 3, 2020
Genre: Young Adult, Holiday Romance
Series: None. Complete standalone.
Pages: 240 pages
Format: eBook. ARC from the publisher.

This sweet and magical romance about a girl who has just one wish--someone to kiss under the mistletoe--is the perfect holiday escape!

Bailey Briggs is counting down the days to Christmas: she lives for holiday music, baking cookies, going on snowy sleigh rides, and wearing her light-up reindeer ears to work at Winslow's bookstore. But all she really wants this year is the one thing she doesn't have: someone special to kiss under the mistletoe. And she's 100 percent certain that that someone isn't Jacob Marley--athlete, player, and of questionable taste in girlfriends--and that Charlie, the mysterious stranger with the British accent, is the romantic lead of her dreams. Is she right?

This will be a December to remember, filled with real-life Christmas magic . . . and, if she stays on Santa's nice list, a wish that just might come true.

LIES YOU NEVER TOLD ME BY JENNIFER DONALDSON

8/30/2020

Lies You Never Told Me is a thrilling read with a dramatic twist that shocked me completely! While the book wasn't really what I was expecting, I did enjoy the novel.

Rating: ★★★★
Release Date: May 21, 2019
Genre: Young Adult Drama and Thriller.
Series: None.
Pages: 335 pages
Format: Paperback. Purchased.

Gabe and Elyse have never met. But they both have something to hide.

Quiet, shy Elyse can't believe it when she's cast as the lead in her Portland high school's production of Romeo and Juliet. Her best friend, Brynn, is usually the star, and Elyse isn't sure she's up to the task. But when someone at rehearsals starts to catch her eye--someone she knows she absolutely shouldn't be with--she can't help but be pulled into the spotlight.

Austin native Gabe is contemplating the unthinkable--breaking up with Sasha, his headstrong, popular girlfriend. She's not going to let him slip through her fingers, though, and when rumors start to circulate around school, he knows she has the power to change his life forever.

Gabe and Elyse both make the mistake of falling for the wrong

BE MY BRAYSHAW BY MEAGAN BRANDY

6/1/2020

Meagan Brandy captures Captain's tortured soul with so much clarity readers can feel his struggles. I loved this man and I never wanted the story to end!

Rating: ★★★★★
Release Date: June 3, 2020
Genre: Enemies to Lovers. Slow Burn. New Adult.
Series: Brayshaw series #1 (should be read in order)
Pages: 400 pages
Format: eBook. ARC

“Cross one, cross all.”

That’s the Brayshaw way.

She should have realized this before sliding into our world with secrets too big to bury.
She didn’t and now the target is on her back.

The day her lies came crashing down, I should have forced her out.
Instead, I locked her in, and with the promise I would never be hers.

I resisted, fought against us.
I caved.

I tasted what became my newfound favorite flavor and fell hard for the little liar.

WHEN SHADOWS FOLLOW BY CALLIE RAE

4/26/2020

When Shadows Follow by Callie Rae is an amazing debut and I can't wait for the second book! This is not a standalone so expect a cliffhanger.

Rating: ★★★★
Release Date: March 19, 2020
Genre: New Adult. Romantic Suspense.
Series: The Cherry Creek series #1 (not a standalone)
Pages: 213 pages
Format: eBook. Purchased.

Blend in. Stay quiet. Survive.

Fallon Blake is starting her senior year in a new town with the goal of sliding through to graduation unseen. Despite her attempts to lay low, she makes a snap decision to act when the king of Cherry Creek High School, Jesse Callaway, gets jumped at a party.

Now, fearing Fallon needs protection from the mess she threw herself into, Jesse refuses to let her recede back into the shadows. Little does he know, with each lingering glance, or brush of his hand, he is reigniting a fire within Fallon that burns her to the core. Every gentle touch scorches the scars on her fragile heart.

As sparks fly between them, Fallon fights to snuff them out. How can she trust her own judgment when it failed her horrifically before? But when the past catches up with her, Fallon is left with two options. Confide in Jesse... or run.

ONE OF US IS LYING BY KAREN MCMANUS

2/6/2020

One of Us is Lying is a great young adult mystery and thriller! I remember trying to read it when it was first released and not really enjoying it but I'm so glad I picked it up again!

Rating: ★★★★
Release Date: May 30, 2017
Genre: Young Adult. Mystery and Thriller.
Series: One of Us is Lying series #1
Pages: 359 pages
Format: Hardcover. Purchased.

The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars, One of Us Is Lying is the story of what happens when five strangers walk into detention and only four walk out alive. Everyone is a suspect, and everyone has something to hide.

Pay close attention and you might solve this.

On Monday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention.
Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule.
Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess.
Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing.
Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher.
And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High's notorious gossip app.

Only, Simon never makes it out of that classroom. Before the end of

FAKE IT 'TIL YOU BREAK IT BY MEAGAN BRANDY

2/4/2020

Fake It 'Til You Break it is one of the BEST young adult romances I've read in a long time. With every book Meagan Bandy proves her skill. I LOVED this one and highly recommend it.

Rating: ★★★★★
Release Date: February 5, 2020
Genre: Young Adult Romance. Fake relationship.
Series: None. Complete standalone.
Pages: 325 pages
Format: eBook. ARC.

Fake.
That’s what we are.
That’s what we agreed to be.

I thought it would be harder, convincing everyone our school’s star receiver was mine and mine alone, but we played our parts well.

So well, the lines between us began to blur until they disappeared completely.

The thing about pretending, though, someone’s always better at it, and by the time I realized my mistake, there was no going back.

I fell for our lie.
And then everything fell apart.

It turned out, he and I were never playing the same game.

THE LAST WITNESS BY CLAIRE MCFALL

1/6/2020

This is a haunting young adult thriller with a killer twist NO reader will see coming! While I wish it was a paced a little faster I can't rate it any lower because of that UNIQUE ending!

Rating: ★★★★
Release Date: January 7, 2020
Genre: Young adult mystery and thriller
Series: None. Complete standalone.
Pages: 272 pages
Format: eBook. ARC.

One year ago she survived...but being the last one standing has consequences.

Heather agrees to go camping with Dougie and his friends because she's desperate to get closer to him, and a secluded beach sounds like the perfect place. But the trip takes a sinister turn that brings Heather's plans to a violent end.

One by one, the group begins to vanish.

A year later, Heather knows she's just lucky to be alive. And now, people are asking for answers, or else she will be the one to take the blame.

A chilling psychological thriller from unflinching and award-winning writer Claire McFall.

REIGN OF BRAYSHAW BY MEAGAN BRANDY

10/3/2019

I would like to give a standing ovation to Meagan Brandy for this novel. She was written a killer ending to Maddoc and Raven's story with so many twists and turns I thought I would cry!

Rating: ★★★★★
Release Date: October 3, 2019
Genre: New Adult Romance.
Series: Brayshaw High #3 (must be read in order)
Pages: 400 pages
Format: eBook. ARC.

“Trust only those who earn it.”

A sentiment I follow without direction but holds more consequence than ever before.

One decision, five lives, three futures.
This is what’s at stake.

One night, one choice, four broken Brayshaws.
That is where we’re headed.

Unless I stop it.
I 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 to stop it.

I have to remind him of what he’s chosen to forget.

My town. My choice. 𝘔𝘺 ending.

THE DAY SHE CRIED BY K. WEBSTER

7/4/2019

The Day She Cried is an emotional bully romance. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. I felt some things too rushed and would have liked them to be explored more.

Rating: ★★★
Release Date: October 17, 2017
Genre: YA Bully Romance
Series: None. Complete standalone.
Pages: 286 pages
Format: eBook. Borrowed from Kindle Unlimited.

She was my first love.
She was my first hate.
The very sun in my world tried to burn me alive with her lies and cruelty.
Until I dimmed her light for good…
Or so I thought.

Now she’s back.
Cracked. Broken. Lost.
And for the first time in a long time, I feel free.
Free from our past. Free from my present that suffocates me. Free to destroy her future.

Her misery is my music.
Thrilling. Invigorating. Intoxicating.

For so long, all I’ve done is hate her.
So why do I love her?

FOREVER AND NEVER BY ELLA FIELDS

6/27/2019

Damn! This book took me on an emotional roller coaster. I didn't know if I could ever pick my jaw up off the floor! The angst is CRAZY GOOD. I highly recommend this one!

Rating: ★★★★
Release Date: June 26, 2019
Genre: YA/NA Romance
Series: Magnolia Cove #2
Pages: 284 pages
Format: eBook. ARC.

Lars Bradby was supposed to be my forever.
That was before we found out he would become a father at the tender age of eighteen.

For years, he’d watched me.
For months, he’d wanted me.
For weeks, he’d chased me.

Relentless and infuriating, he turned my stubborn heart into something pliable and weak.
Sly and honest, he worked his way into my life as though he’d always planned to be the focal point of it.

In love and naive, even when our future seemed bleak, I believed in us.
Heartbroken and desperate, I tore my bleeding heart from my chest, wanting only the best for him.

THE TROUBLE WITH YOU BY L.A. COTTON

6/19/2019

The perfect enemies to lovers romance for new adult/ya romance lovers! I really enjoyed reading The Trouble with You and I know it will be a big hit among those who enjoy bully romances!

Rating: ★★★★
Release Date: June 19, 2019
Genre: Young Adult/New Adult Crossover romance.
Series: The Rixon Raiders series #1 (can stand alone)
Pages: 364 pages
Format: eBook. ARC.

From the author of the Wicked Bay series, comes an angsty YA/NA enemies-to-lovers romance. Cocky football players, school rivalry, and the girls who get in their way. Get ready … The Raiders are coming!

Hailee Raine only has to survive one more year.
One year of life in her football obsessed town.
One year of nauseating school spirit.
Just one more year of her cruel step-brother Jason; and his cocky, arrogant, football-playing friends.
She hates them. Especially, Cameron Chase, the guy she thought was different.

Cameron Chase has the world at his feet.
He has it all; good looks, talent, and the charm to go with it.
He has colleges lined up at the door, all wanting a piece of Rixon Raiders star wide receiver.
Until something threatens everything he's ever worked for, and only one person can quiet the war raging inside him.

THE REBEL OF RALEIGH HIGH BY CALLIE HART

6/16/2019

While I liked the idea of this book, the execution was lacking. The author threw so many issues at us but never resolved them. It made for a very frustrating read.

Rating: ★★★
Release Date: April 27, 2019
Genre: New Adult. High School. Bad Boy Romance.
Series: Raleigh Rebels #1 (can stand alone)
Pages: 377 pages
Format: eBook. Borrowed from Kindle Unlimited.

* The Rebel of Raleigh High is the first book in the Raleigh Rebels Series. Please be advised, this book comes with a trigger warning. Intended for readers 17+ *

Silver

Hit me.
Kick me.
Hurt me.
Hate me.

There’s nothing that the students of Raleigh High can do to Silver Parisi anymore. Over the past year, she’s had to endure more pain and suffering than most people are asked to bear in their lifetimes. She’s a pariah, an outcast, a ghost. She’s also never been one to take shit lying down, though…despite what half the football team might say.

PRETTY RECKLESS BY L.J. SHEN

6/12/2019

L.J. Shen has started this series with a bang and you don't want to miss it! If you enjoy angst, bully romances between highschoolers this is your book! While these kids are technically teens, I consider the novel to be New Adult!

Rating: ★★★★
Release Date: April 21, 2019
Genre: New Adult. High School. Bad Boy Romance.
Series: All Saints High #1
Pages: 362 pages
Format: eBook. Borrowed from Kindle Unlimited.

From USA Today bestselling author L.J. Shen comes an intense, high school enemies-to-lovers romance with a twist.

Penn

They say revenge is a dish best served cold.
I’d had four years to stew on what Daria Followhill did to me, and now my heart was completely iced.
I took her first kiss.
She took the only thing I loved.
I was poor.
She was rich.
The good thing about circumstances? They can change. Fast.
Now, I’m her parents’ latest shiny project.
Her housemate. Her tormentor. The captain of the rival football team she hates so much.

TWO CAN KEEP A SECRET BY KAREN MCMANUS

5/31/2019

This is an awesome young adult, murder mystery and thriller novel! I was a little worried that her second novel wouldn't live up to her debut, but am happy to say it's just as good!

Rating: ★★★★
Release Date: January 8, 2019
Genre: Young Adult. Murder Mystery.
Series: None. Standalone.
Pages: 336 pages
Format: Hardcover. Purchased.

The New York Times bestselling "must-read YA thriller" (Bustle) from the author of One of Us Is Lying!

Echo Ridge is small-town America. Ellery's never been there, but she's heard all about it. Her aunt went missing there at age seventeen. And only five years ago, a homecoming queen put the town on the map when she was killed. Now Ellery has to move there to live with a grandmother she barely knows.

The town is picture-perfect, but it's hiding secrets. And before school even begins for Ellery, someone has declared open season on homecoming, promising to make it as dangerous as it was five years ago. Then, almost as if to prove it, another girl goes missing.

Ellery knows all about secrets. Her mother has them; her grandmother

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