Review | Shine Your Icy Crown by Amanda Lovelace

Title: Shine Your Icy Crown Author: Amanda Lovelace Date of publication:  26th, January 2021  Print length:  ebook, 160 pages Genres: Adult, Poetry, Feminism, Fairy Tales, Nonfiction, Mental Health Trigger Warnings: Child Abuse, Toxic Relationship, Sexual Assault, Eating Disorders, Mental Illness, Self-harm, Sexism, Suicide, Trauma

“Make them rue the day they underestimated you.”

This is a story about not letting society dictate the limits of your potential. it’s time to take back your power & realize that you don’t need a king in order to be a queen.

    I was pleasantly surprised when I have found this book on Netgalley in the read now section. I was so grateful to have found it and be able to read it. I knew I had to get the copy straight away! I highly enjoy reading poetry; I read Amanda Lovelace's poetry books before and I did like them a lot. I read "The princess saves herself in this one", "The witch doesn't burn in this one" and "The mermaid's voice returns in this one" and I loved all three (some poems more than others, but I overall found the books to be great). In my opinion, Amanda Lovelace is one of the best contemporary poets and from which I am most excited to read from.

    I do really enjoy her writing style. Her poems are packed with a lot of feelings. Each and every poem open your eyes to the world. Amanda Lovelace has a magical way with words. The illustrations are gorgeous, adding a visual side to the poems. I did highly enjoyed how every other poem was dedicated to a sister, and to the reader. Even though I do not have a sister, I had a fictional one while I read this book. Or so it felt like to me!
    

    I do love the themes of these poems. It encourages feminism and gives a fresh perspective on fairy tales. It is emotional, sensitive, and covers everyday problems in a very original way, bringing them under the spotlight. It empowers women and supports equality. It brings a fresh perspective on modern poetry and it reads like a story, having some narrative in the poems (some being indirectly connected to the rest).

    I would very much recommend reading this book in one sitting. It is a quick read and I think it was designed to be read all at once. I didn't have the possibility to finish it all at once this time around, and I think that took part of my enjoyment, but I do plan to reread it when I have more free time. This is a book for everyone, but if I were to only pick one category of readers it would be young women as they can most benefit from this book in my opinion.

 ★★★★

Originality 5/5, Writing 4/5, Illustrations 5/5, Emotion 4.5/5, Enjoyment 4/5, which equals 4\5 stars.

A week in the life | January 18th to 24th of January 2021 - Getting back into reading?

I don't know about you, but I love watching reading vlogs and weekly study videos or life updates. I enjoy seeing how others are spending their time and what they do to achieve their goals. It motivates me and gives me ideas of how I can improve myself. Unfortunately, I do not feel comfortable with putting my face all over the internet, so I thought it would be a nice idea to put this concept into writing. As I have been absent for quite a while now, and I took a shot trying to have a blog on a different platform, I'm not sure how much engagement I'm going to have here. I still want to have these posts regularly as it is a way of documenting my life and my growth as well as a way of keeping me accountable to read. Either way, even if no one ever reads these posts but me, I will feel accomplished to have written them. My main reading challenge for this year is to read 52  books. I have never read so many books in a year. Will this be the year when I surpass all my reading habits and expectations? I think the most I ever read is 35 books in a year, and that happened a while back. In the last few years I barely reached 30 books. 52 books seem like quite a challenge and commitment right now.

Let me make a small introduction about the week ahead and what I am currently reading. This is project submission and examination week, and the end of my first semester at university. Also, because I started reading quite a few books lately and I still have books I have been reading for a while, I would love to finish at least two books. I do think it's something manageable to accomplish. I would also like to write my post before I start reading another one, but I don't want to force myself to do that as I am quite busy. It is one of my intentions, we'll see how it goes. You can find in the picture below the 5 books I am currently reading.

Monday, 18th January:

9:20 am - Good morning, World! It's Monday morning and it's the beginning of a very busy day. I didn't get around to read this morning as tonight we need to hand in the code of the project and tomorrow night is the deadline for the academic report. I went to bed at around 2:30 last night, so the hour I could have used for reading I spent in bed wishing for sleep. That sounds like the typical student life to me... There's no time to lose so let's get into what I need to finish today: I need to enter a team meeting, check the last changes of the code, finish a post and go out with a friend. Hopefully, I can also squeeze in some reading. My best guess now is to try and make a schedule for the day and do my best to stick to it as much as I can.

11:55 am - The project meeting is done and I can't help but be extremely grateful for my team! We worked well together. Now I am scared to have another team... I did start planning for February and for the new term, as well as for blog posts and reading I want to get done. I don't have many holidays, so I need to make the best of the time I have. Now I'm going to take a lunch break and start working on the report until I go out for a walk.

9:20 pm - I am the PROCRASTINATION QUEEN! But at least I got a bit of reading done, a chapter of "The kiss thief" by L.J. Shen to be precise. I also did enjoy myself on a walk and meeting a friend I haven't seen in a while. I also found out I passed one of my classes today, so it made me feel less bad for not putting in all day of work. Despite that, the load of work I still have to finish until tomorrow is high. Guess I'm going to have another white night with loads to study, but if I'm lucky I will be able to sleep-in tomorrow morning! Today was a great day.

Tuesday, 19th January:

7:30 pm - I feel like I haven't done much today, but I did finish most things for the project. I'm exhausted and the meeting is still going. I finished almost everything I had on my to-do list, but didn't get any reading done.

Wednesday, 20th January:

11:00 am - Things are finally slowing down a bit. I could get the morning off today to have some me-time. Have I read anything yet? Well, not really. I've been watching tv, chilling,, and moving around, but I feel much better now. I really needed this time off. I still need to finish some project work, but I think today will be a smooth day. I think I can get some reading done too at some point. Now I want to finish a few things before starting work on the presentation. I'll catch up with you later.

9:00 pm - Did I read anything today? No, no I didn't. I am almost done with the project and I started a reading journal which made me feel great. Now I need to also read more to fill it up.

Thursday, 21st January:

11:20 am - I did end up reading quite a bit last night before I went to sleep. I read around 50 pages of the Kiss Thief by L. J. Shen and I have mixed feelings about that book. I also got to watch an episode of Jane the Virgine, a TV show I love so far, even though I watched only a few episodes. As the end of term is fastly approaching and I don't have any resits this term, things started to slow down and I can start focusing on creating a sustainable schedule for the next period of my studies to also have some time to read and relax. I can finally have a chill tea and reading day in bed! It will probably happen during the weekend as today and tomorrow are project examination days and I need to prepare and be present and active in multiple meetings throughout the day. I am pretty confident I can squeeze in a bit of reading today, so let's see how much I can read. Hopefully, I can finish a book, but that's quite ambitious as I am quite a slow reader.

2:53 pm - Ok, I might get more tasks to do, than I would like. I like helping people, but sometimes I should probably say no. Especially when it doesn't align with my goals, but what if it aligns with my personality? I like studying, it's part of who I am and used to be, so why not help others by giving them extra exercises. But coming up with those exercises and solving them might take quite a bit of my free time this weekend.

8:44 pm - I am watching a movie with my mom tonight and I like it a lot. We are watching Julie & Julia starring at Meryl Streep. It was great movie. It makes me want to cook something, even try a new recipe. (When I cook I rarely follow a recipe)

Friday, 22nd January:

11:00 pm - Today was quite a busy day, but I am quite happy with what I managed to accomplish. I did watch some tv shows, the project is done, and now I can finally start relaxing. The week finally came to an end and I can start catching up on sleep!

Saturday, 23rd January:

8:00 pm - It was such a wholesome day today! I finally found the time to disconnect from everything for a few hours. I'm also really tired and tomorrow I will have quite a bit of work to do. The rest of my plan for tonight is to read and relax. I have my tv on watching HGTV as background noise, I might put on some music instead if it bothers me while reading. The only thing missing is a hot drink and a blanket and I'm good to go.

Sunday, 24th January:

11:40 am - I am so happy I spent last night reading! I stayed up until midnight reading Kyra Radcliff's book and I love it. I am deeply and madly in love with it.  I feel I can appreciate it much more now, then I would have were I to read it earlier this year. In the last few months, I changed quite a bit: my way of thinking changed, my taste changed and I start to notice that my personality is changing too. I do appreciate this book much more now. I have 3 chapters left of the book and I think I can finish it today. I will also try to squeeze in some other activities. I still need to figure out a few things for university. I also logged into my Netgalley account for the first time in many, many months, and I did request some titles. The one I'm most excited to have found in the reading now section is a poetry book by Amanda Lovelace. I read some other books by her and I love her poetry. I would love to read that one today as well as I usually go through poetry quite quickly. I want to also start planning out in advance my next period of classes, as the timetable is out by now. So, I might do some bullet journal layouts today just so it will be easier for myself to keep organized when chaos breaks loose again ( aka I get super duper busy and I feel like doing nothing and it takes a toll on my sleep). Let's see how much I can end up doing because I have quite a big to-do list as you can see. 

10:00 pm - I did start reading the poetry book I told you of. I did not yet get around to finish reading any books just yet, but I am quite positive I will finish at least one in the next few hours. For this week this is the last update. See you again soon!

24h Catch-up Readathon Announcement

I started to fall behind with my reading for February so in an attempt to try and catch up I decided to host a 24-hour readathon. I will dedicate myself to reading and blogging for that whole day and hopefully, I will be able to make considerable progress with reading. I will host some reading sprints throughout the day on Twitter. 

When is the readathon? On Tuesday, February 16th from midnight to midnight in your time zone.

Who can join this readathon? Anyone who has the time to read alongside me is welcome to join.

What should you read during this readathon? You can read anything you would like as long as you do your best to read as much as time allows you. I am going to read this readathon to get close to finishing some books and depending on how it goes starting others. I might also decide on DNF ing some books I already started. You are welcome to read books from any genre that you started before the readathon or during the readathon.

A small bonus: I think it would be fun if you were to leave in the comments how many pages and or books did you manage to read during this readathon. Share your experience with us!

Would you like that I host this kind of readathon more often? I am thinking of making one each month so I keep on track with my reading.

Review | Black River Quiver by Alexa Riley and Jessa Kane

Title: Black River Quiver Author: Alexa Riley, Jessa Kane Date of publication: 2nd, May 2018  Print length: ebook, 98 pages Genres: Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Novella Trigger Warnings: Kidnapping

Morgan is just looking to have a fun spring break until her workaholic mom brings along her new boyfriend. But when she ditches the two of them she ends up lost in a swamp, ankle-deep in mud, and facing down a gator the size of Godzilla.

Rixen has been praying for God to send him his angel, his rightful mate who will live with him in the swamp and bear his children. When he finds the strawberry-blonde beauty before him in danger, de doesn't hesitate to save her. Then claim his reward.

WARNING: Okay, so, um, this is amazingly terrible. This is so over the top, it’s on top of over the top. This book is on the level of ridiculousness that surpasses all our stunts before this. You know what happens when we team up with Jessa Kane…but this is hands down the best/worst we’ve ever done. And we’re so proud we could wrestle a gator. Spoiler: There’s a lot of animal wrestling ahead. Grab your overalls and bug spray, we’re going in the bayou. 

I have read two other books by Alexa Riley: one I loved, the other was okay, but maybe not the book for me. I went in this book expecting to get a steamy romance and a fast read and to some extent I did. I really wanted to like this book...however, I ended up cringing quite often while reading this story.

I felt like the plot was lacking. I can't say there was something that impressed me in any way. However, I did enjoy the ending. For me, that was the best part of the book. By then I think I accustomed myself to the style and direction of this story. I like happy endings and seeing family dynamics and we got to see this at the end of the story. I do believe that everyone should have their own choice, but I didn't have the feeling that Morgan did completely have that. I did like the photography aspect of the story, however, just having a state-of-the-art camera in very good shape because a tourist forgot it or dropped it in the swan is a bit of a stretch. I felt like there were parts in this story that make absolutely no sense.

There was some character development in the story, but not enough for my liking. The hero manages to get over some of his insecurities and the female protagonist learns more about herself. However, I didn't like the female character. I consider her quite naive and easily manipulable. In my opinion, she had a week personality. The characters weren't reliable and I would cringe whenever Rixen would call himself 'daddy'. The fact that he talked himself down into believing he's unworthy and ugly is a big turn off for me. I didn't like his possessiveness, I found him to take it a bit too extreme. I do like when a man wants to protect his girl, but Morgan wasn't even his in the beginning and I am quite against the whole "I am a man, you are mine; carry my children" concept. The fact that Morgan was a virgin didn't add anything to the story. Maybe this is a sign that novellas aren't the best piece of literature for me, but I did have mixed feelings about the characters of this book.

Atmosphere: I did enjoy the atmosphere and landscapes. It's the first book I read that was set in the Everglades and I really like the descriptions of the place. The writing was good, easy to get through, even for a non-native English speaker. However, the writing didn't stand out in any way to me. The intrigue felt flat to me, sadly I felt like the story was lacking the plot.

Overall, I think this book just wasn't for me. I know there are people who enjoyed this book and I can see why: the writing wasn't bad, the atmosphere was enjoyable, the sexy time was there, but it personally made me feel uncomfortable every now and then. If you are 18 or older and you think you will enjoy this story go ahead and read it, unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend it.

 ★★

Character Development 3/10, Atmosphere 5/10, Writing Quality 5/10, Plot 2/10, Intrigue 2/10, Logic 2/10, Enjoyment 4/10, Overall 3.28/10, which equals 2\5 stars.

February 2021 | Reading plans

After taking a fairly long break, starting university, making some fairly big changes in my life, I decided to return to creating a reading plan for the month. I realized I enjoy its predictability and it helps me not waste as much time deciding what to read from many more books. I also really like to see what other people are planning to read, so I think it's a great combination. I hope you will enjoy this post!

In February I decided to take join Clueathon, a readathon based on the board game Clue. I decided to build my TBR on those prompts. Even though I doubt I will be able to finish reading so many books and keep up with my studies, I will do my best to read as much as time allows me to. The challenges for this readathon are:

1. Courtyard: Read a book with blue on the cover

I read a book by this author in the Autumn of last year and I liked it a lot. I can't wait to start this new series. This book follows the romance between a sexy, single dad and his reluctant live-in nanny. This book is different as I have never read a story with this type of plot, and I can't wait to get around to it!

2. Billiard room: You would never see us playing sports, read a book about someone who is different from you / a diverse read

I loved the first book in this series. A Strange Hymn by Laura Thalassa is the second book in the series, and as it's a fantasy romance it's perfect for this challenge. It follows a siren and the Bargainer, the Night King, and a man of many mysteries. I can't wait to get back to this world, to this story, and to these characters! It will most likely be one of my favorite books of this year and for sure of the month!

3. Study: Read a historical fiction

I did start this book at the end of January, I read the first 3 chapters and I must admit I am highly intrigued. I usually don't read historical fiction, but I very much think I will love this one. It seems to be fast-paced, fascinating, and I am already hooked. Might be because it has a rebellious heroine, and it involves pirates. I saw this book on Jess's (from PeaceLoveBooks) favorite books of 2020 and I glad I picked it up. I can't wait to read more of it!

4. The hall: Read a big book

Another historical fiction, I'm starting to wonder what I'm thinking. I did highly enjoy the first book in the series but never got around keep reading the other two books. For me, this is a big, intimidating read, and, even though I might not get around to finishing it this month, I really want to read it in the near future.

5. Lounge: Read the group book / come to one of the lives

As I already have quite a big TBR and I am not a fast reader I will aim to enter one of the live shows.

6. Dining room: Read a short/fast read, a book you will eat up

I loved loved loved the first 3 books in this series! Erin Watt is, in my humble opinion, an amazing writer duo. I can't wait to read this book and not just because this will be a fast short amazing read!

7. Ballroom: Read a book with a beautiful cover

I own this book, I like the cover, it's romance. I completely forget anything else about this book. Maybe it will be one of my new favorite books? Have you read it? Did you like it?

8. Conservatory: Read a book with nature on the cover or that includes an animal

I liked the cover and the title. Do I know more about this book? Well, not really, but I do want to read it and find more that way. To me, it looks like a cute, sweet romance between a city girl that moved to the countryside and a boy living there.

9. Library: Free choice

For those who know me, it's a fact that I almost never listen to audiobooks. Surprise surprise, I picked this book because I could find the audiobook for it. I did start listening to it already and it's light-hearted, fun, and exactly the type of book I'm in need of. Can't wait to write a review for it. And who knows, maybe it will get me into audiobooks? Recommend me some more audiobooks below and I might try them next month.

10. Kitchen: Weapon on the cover

To be completely honest, I missed reading Jennifer L. Armentrout's books. I liked everything I read by her so far (I thought Obsidian was ok and didn't like how long it took me to get through it, but adored everything else I read by her) and I must admit; this book scares me! And it's long. Will I get to finish reading it this month? Maybe not, as I will probably prioritize some other books on this TBR, but it would be great if I get to at least start it.

I must admit that I am more excited about some of these books than others, some I did started already and read the first few pages (under 5%). I would also like to finish some of the books I have already started too, but we'll see how well I can manage my time. What are your reading plans for the month?

January TBR

This are the challenges I drew up for this month. Two of them are romanceopolly challenges and the other 4 are some I would also like to complete this month. I am still hoping I can complete at least 4 of them this month and although it is the middle of the month I would love to push through and read 6 books. So this are my challenges:

1. Read a 5 star prediction: The murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie 3.5/5 stars

2. Read a book that will transport you in the future

3. Read a book that will transport you in the past: Famous Last Words by Katie Alender 4/5 stars

4. Read a book with your favorite animal on the cover in the title or in the story

5. Read a smoking hot erotic contemporary romance

6. Read a new adult book set in college: 3:AM kisses by Addison Moore 5/5 stars

If you would like to complete any of these challenges feel free to do so. I haven't come up with any of this challenges, either. Leave your recommendations in the comments below.

2019 Reading Goals

This year I decided to make it easy for me as I will have more important exams than I am used to and I started to work on some highly important personal projects and as a consequence I will have less free time on my hands so I went for attainable goals that would not put that much pressure on me... Or so at least I hope. So without further-ado, here are my reading and blog resolutions for this new year.

1. Participate in Romanceopoly
I recently discovered a video by one of my favorite booktubers talking about this project and I fell in love with it. I am conscious that my reading is far from being as various as I would like and I hope this challenge would give me the right push to enlarge my reading taste and appetite for lecture. As I mostly read romance and contemporary books I found these challenges to be perfect for what I was looking for.

2. I want to read 24 books this year
I have discovered that the highest amount of books I get to read in a month if I push myself a little is around 6 books, but the thing is that I don't want to force myself to read. Also there are moths when I do not have the time or the desire to read and so the difference is major. Some months I get to devour 6 maybe 7 books and other moths I do not read at all. As a result I consider reading, on average,  2 books each month is something I could do without as much effort.

3. TBR's... are not for me
I am a mood reader. I CANNOT stick to a proper traditional TBR! So what I am going to try what I call "the reading harder challange". Each month I am going to pick with the help of a number generator 6 promts for which I have to pick a book and from those books I have to finish reading at least 2 every month. Maybe this could give me some more liberty in choosing what I read without being too intimidated by the huge amount of books on my TBR. At the end of each month I will update the post in which I have listed the challenges so as to keep track of my progress.

I would also like to try to do kind of a TBR jar challenge where I pick at least one of my reads for the month, but I am not sure that this one will work out by the end of the year. However, I think it's worth the try.

4. More reviews
I like to think that I am critical of the things that surround me, however I do not thing I am very good at expressing my opinion clearly when it comes to that and I would like to improve that. As a result I am challenging myself to write, edit and post at least one review every month.

5. Keep posting
Due to lack of motivation, not reading or having to many things to do at once I tend to neglect my  hobbies and blogging and talking about books is one of them. So I would like to post at least once a week or every other week. That should be doable, right?

Hope you enjoyed today's post. Next I am going to make a list of the top 19 books I'm most excited to read this year and which I would very much hope to read before 2020.

Cramathon TBR

The Cramathon readathon takes place from june 10th to june 17th 2018.This are the reading challenges and my picks for them:

1.A predicted 5 star book - Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

2.A book out of your comfort zone - Pelinul Negru by Ioana Nicolaie

3.A book that has been on your TBR a long time  -  The picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wild

4.A book that is LGBTQ+ ownvoices (yay pride month!) - Leah on the offbeat by Becky Albertalli

5.Something that is not a standard novel (graphic novel, audio, comic, novella, poetry, etc) -  Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Ami Kaufman

6.A book that has your fav color on cover – Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

7.Read 7 books – Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus by John Gray

And then there were none by Agatha Christie. A book review

And then there were none is a book written by Agatha Cristie in 1939 and published in the same year under the name of Ten Little Indians. The story is set is 1930 when ten guests are invited for a stay on Soldier Island, off the coast of England, by someone named U. N. Owen. Each of the guest bedrooms, and the dining room, contains a framed copy of a nursery rhyme, "Ten Little Soldiers," in which each of 10 soldiers dies, one by one; this rhyme turns out to be the framework for U. N. Owen's murderous plans.

 
The narrator is an unnamed omniscient individual, the point of view constantly shifting back and forth each of the ten characters, the story being related in a dark and sinister tone. And Then There Were None is an absolutely phenomenal book. Lots of suspense, mystery and action. This book will, for sure, keep you on the edge of your seat while you try to guess who the murderer is. 

I have mostly enjoyed the unexpected conclusion which added even more to the charm of this novel. Agatha Christie herself stated after finishing it that, “Not only is the plot expertly and delicately crafted, but the characters are intensely unique and curious.” The setting was mysterious, the characters’ personality was unique and very different, and the mystery itself fascinating! The constantly twisting narrative line made the best of this original story.

In 2015 And Then There Were None was voted the World's Favourite Christie in a global vote which saw fans from over 100 countries vote, being the most brilliantly plotted mystery of all time. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fast-peaced book they won’t let out of their hands until the end!

Spring challenges

Hi everyone! To mark the beginning of spring, even though the weather hasn't been getting warmer, I decided to do a bucket list which also includes some reading challenges. This is what I came up with, so feel free to participate in any of these, and don't be shy to comment below on any plans you might have for this wonderful season! Also, I will try to come up with a guide that includes books that are suitable for all these challenges as well as a wrap-up of everything I managed to get done at the end of spring. Hope you will enjoy and with no further ado here are the challenges:

Spring reading challenges

1. Read a book with your initials on the cover
2. Read a book that has been sitting on your shelf for over a year
3. Read a book with your favorite color on the cover
4. Read a book with green on the cover
5. Read a contemporary love story
6. Read a book with a text-only cover
7. Read a book rated 5 stars by at least one of your friends
8. Read a book that takes place in spring ( the story doesn't need to happen all throughout spring but it must include or expend over spring)

• Bucket list:
  • go to the zoo;
  • have a 24h read-a-thon (either take part in one or do one for my own)
  • go for a daily run for a week (morning or evening)
  • work out at least 2 a week;
  • go to a farmer’s market;
  • go for a hike;
  • read at least one book a month;
  • go roller-blading;
  • make smoothies;
  • gardening & admire flowers;
  • travel to a new place;
  • read a library book 
    

Top 6 Thursday: Favorite romance books

Hi, guys! Here are my top 6 favorite romance books I've read so far. Hope you will enjoy!

1. Simon vs the homosapiens agenda by Becky Albertally - a review is coming soon

2. Simple perfection and Twisted perfection by Abbi Glines

3. Vampire academy by Reachelle Mead

4. Bitter sweet love by Jennifer L Armentrout

5. By your side by Kasie West - a review is coming soon

6. Unraveling you by Jessica Sorensen

 This is all for now! See you soon with another post! Bye :))

The selection by Kiera Cass. A review

The sebection by Kiera Cass
The first book in the selection series
Genre: Young Adult, Distopian
Review: 4 / 5 stars
Goodreads description:
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Impressions and review:
I found this book to be a very pleasing, fascinating read. We follow the story of America Singer, a young girl who ends up competing for the prince's heart and becoming the next princess. Even though no one sees her as a threat due to her fiery temper and low position in society, she manages to hold her chance in front of all prejudices.
While I can easily admit that this isn't the most complex book in the world, nor the best written story of all, I found it to be very addicting. It is true that I haven't found all of America's decisions and reactions to be appropriate for the time and place she was in, but there were also times when I could have imagined myself as America, doing the same thing, having the same insecurities.
I am not a fast reader, however I have devoured this book as I finished it in only two days. I can highly recommend this book to anyone in search of a fast, enjoyable read. Although, one should keep in mind that this book is part of a series and it sets the love triangle for the next books, so if you don't feel like committing to a series or want to avoid love triangles in books perhaps this is not the book for you.
As for me, while I can understand why this book is not everyone's cup of tea, I am very glad that I have read it and I cannot wait to move on to the next book in the series because as it seems right now I am totally trash for this series.

Top 6 Thursday: Top 6 fictional boyfriends

As to still keep the Valentine's Day spirit alive, I thought it would be a nice idea to do a fictional boyfriends themed Top 6 Thursday. Here it's what I have so far, and please keep in mind that they are in no particular order. Enjoy!
 1. Liam from The boy who sneaks in my bedroom window by Kirsty Moseley

 
2.Woods from the Perfection series by Abbi Glines

3. John Logan from the Mistake by Elle Kennedy

4. Tarver Merendsen from These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Megan Spooner

 5. . Caleb from Beware of bad boy by April Brookshire

 

6. Jesse from Crush by Chrissy Peebles

Honorable mentions:
Rush from The too far series by Abbi Glines

Flynn Cormac from This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman & Megan Spooner

Zayne from The Dark Elements series by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Garrett Graham from The Deal by Elle Kennedy