Alienated by Melissa Landers

'TWO YEARS AGO THE ALIENS MADE CONTACT.
Now Cara  Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.
Handpicked to host the first ever L'eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get her free ride to her dream college, she will have inside information about the mysterious L'eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara's block following is about to skyrocket.
Still, Cara isn't sure what to think when she meets Aelyx . Humans and L'eihrs have almost identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn't seem more alien. she is certain about one thing though; no human boy is this good looking.
But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class.
Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn't just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life - not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.'



This has been 100% a cover buy! I mean look at this beauty! I can never say no to an amazing cover and my shelves are full of pretty books. This one certainly doesn't disappoint its as beautiful inside as it is on the outside.

I saw it all over my goodreads and Instagram for some time and I am glad I finally managed to read it myself. People have been comparing the book to the tv series Starcrossed but while I was a big fan of that series, I think the similarities are very small.

Cara has been offered the chance of a lifetime, to host an exchange student from another planet. How can you say no to that? But while her parents are absolutely behind this idea, a lot of people in Cara's life are quite the opposite. Like her boyfriend Eric, who is probably the first one to voice his dislike. But Cara goes ahead anyway and signs all paperwork, good on her!

Aelyx, the exchange student/alien, is probably the most beautiful boy Cara has ever seen. But he isn't at all like us humans. He is cold, uber intelligent, doesn't like being touched, doesn't quite understand the human way of relationships, doesn't like human food... The list goes on.

But Cara being the great host that she is, keeps trying to find a way to make his stay as pleasant for him as possible, starting with finding Aelyx human food that he can stomach. Very slowly a friendship starts to blossom between the two. While her friends at school seem to distance herself more and more from her, not only does her relationship with Eric break but her friendship with her best friend Tori starts to show some damage too.

Cara forever the loyal friend stands by Aelyx, but he has a big secret to hide. And while they get closer, he starts to feel guilty about the things Cara doesn't know.

More and more people start to demonstrate at their school and things start to take a bit of a nasty and scary turn for them. But nothing stops them from developing feelings for each other.

I don't wanna give to much away in fear I might spoil this amazing book for someone. And I absolutely loved it!!! Its one of those books that just proves why I love this genre. Its such a lovely, easy read.

You would think reading about aliens would make you cringe a little, this should be so far fetched it shouldn't be this good. But quite the opposite. Melissa made this really believable, not just for fans of aliens but for me too. And this is certainly the first book I have read on the subject, now I cant wait for more to come in the next book.

I can't wait to find out more about L'eihr in the next books. I love what Melissa has done here. I love how advanced the planet is, how they posses so many things that we would very much need here on earth, the cure for cancer being one that's close to my heart. Those advances come with a massive price though and the price is love. L'eihrs control all aspects of reproduction, even cloning people, nobody falls in love and has a child on L'eihr, believing that us humans aren't as far advanced because we are ruled by our feelings alone. L'eihrs only allowing the strongest and the most intelligent to reproduce. Gets you thinking for sure...

What I really enjoyed is the way their relationship develops, its not your typical undying love at first sight kind of book. It all happens in a rather gentle and slow way, which again makes it much more believable. You watch them develop a friendship at first, which changes them both and also their perspective of each other. I found this very sweet and enjoyed watching them grow together as well as becoming stronger individuals.

I can't recommend this book enough. It's just beautiful. Easy flowing and unmissable, I couldn't put it down. Even forgot I had food in the  oven and almost burned it because I was to busy reading, whoops! If you like YA and paranormal then you will love this. If you don't yet, pick this one up and you will love it too.

Queen of tomorrow (A Stolen Empire Novel, book 2) by Sherry D. Ficklin

'Sophie—now Catherine, Grand Duchess of Russia—had a tough first year at Imperial Court. Married at sixteen to Grand Duke Peter, heir to the throne, and settled in their own palace, things are finally looking up. As a new day dawns, she thinks only of securing her future, and the future of their country, during one of the greatest political upheavals of her time. Fighting desperately against forces trying to depose the Empress Elizabeth and put the young Prince Ivan on her throne, Sophie soon finds herself in the middle of a war brewing between her beloved Prussia, and her new empire. But even as she navigates the fragile political landscape, she quickly realizes that she has only begun to discover the tangled web of deceit and infidelity woven over the lavish court of Oranienbaum Palace.

When a strange and delicate alliance forms between the young couple, she glimpses a future of happiness, only to see it lost in a moment at the hands of those who still seek to end her life—and prevent her reign. Out of favor with the empress and running out of options, Sophie will have to sacrifice her own innocence on the altar of Russia if she is to save the nation, and herself. To survive, she will have to do the unthinkable, betray those closest to her and become something greater and more dangerous than she ever imagined she could be… a queen.'


Considering I have stumbled upon the first book by accident and downloaded it for free on kindle, I have seriously enjoyed it. So I was very eager to start the 2nd book in the series, even tho this isn't my usual genre. But who knows this might even convert me to another genre... As if I need any more books on my tbr pile ;)

Now the Grand Duchess Catharine, Sophie is determined to be kind to her people and be ruled by her big heart. While Peter, her husband and the prince, seems to be slowly loosing his mind, and everyone already fears their country will be ruled by a mad king in the future. 

Only through tricking Peter, in book 1, was their marriage consumed and instead of Peter Sophie spend her wedding night with Sergei. All that is expected of her is to produce an heir. And she finally finds herself with child, Sergei's child. But the news bring out a slightly different Peter, who up until then had a mistress which he paraded in front of everyone. But while Sophie is finally pregnant, new problems arise as the empress now decided to make a treaty with Austria instead of Germany. And Sophie will have to start plotting again to find a way to stop this. 

Sophie finds herself and her unborn child in danger. And things take a nasty turn for her. The Empress also starts to show her true coulours. Once on Sophie's side, she seems now to completely stand against her. Trying to destroy Sophie's big heart in any way possible.

When Peter falls ill Sophie finds herself in even bigger danger and she needs to use her strength, intelligence and heart to not only survive put prepare a better future for herself. 

Once again this book is very intriguing. Many twist and turns and surprises. And I absolutely admire the Dutches. No matter what's happened to her she is staying true to herself. Where others would have let their fate change them, she stays calm and true to her heart. She has amazing strength, where most would pack, run and hide facing even half of what she is facing, she stands her ground and always finds a way to change things for the better. 

Peter is the most confusing one in this book. I have learned to dislike him after book 1 and was very surprised when he showed a slightly different side of himself, only to take another huge turn straight after. 

Surprisingly it's the Empress tho that is the true evil in Sophie's life. 

Of course there is also the matter of Sophie's heart. Her love, Sergei, is always by her side when ever possible. But jealousy comes into play in places. And when Sophie's first love Alexander returns to court, could Sophie's heart be swayed again? Plus there is the new addition, Grigori, her loyal personal guard, who is mostly in the background but probably my favourite new character in the series. 

I adore these books. And this one certainly didn't let me down. It continues at the same speed as the first one, surprising me at every corner. A good book doesn't reveal its end half way through and this one doesn't give anything away and not only that but it leaves you wanting more. What is next for Sophie, and how will she deal with everything next. Weather you are a fan of historical fiction or not, this one is worth a read. It's not only a lovely, quick read but it is also very easy to follow. Where some historical books might put one of because we didn't know much about the history at first, with this one you don't need to be an expert. All you need to know is already written in the book. I for one am a big fan now. 

Also one more thing needs mentioning... how beautiful are the covers?? I must totally admit I buy a lot of books because of their amazing covers, and this is once again one of them. So so pretty!

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini (Starcrossed #2)

'Tasked with descending to the underworld and killing the furies so that the Scions can stop fighting amongst themselves, Helen must endure hellish torture whenever she goes to sleep - she wanders around the various levels of hell with no idea how to complete her task, and she's beginning to suffer from extreme exhaustion. Helen carries on with her mission, and for the first time meets another person down in the shadowy underworld: Orion, descended from Adonis and with the power to control desire, he is the heir to the house of Rome and an outcast. He's also kind of hot. Confused by her conflicting emotions but glad to have an ally in hell, Helen begins to realise the enormity of her task...'

Oh wow I don't even know where to begin. Wow this was hard work. Really really hard work. I was reading and reading and reading and I didn't feel like I was getting anywhere and the story was just going on and on. One thing I found very hard in the first book was understanding the Mythology part of these books. And I think it got harder and harder with the second book. There was random people, myths, fates and other things thrown in here and there and I didn't understand much of it and I couldn't keep up.

So they discover Helen can travel into the underworld in her sleep, which is a rare power between the demigods. The underworld is where the Furies are, who cause members from different houses to kill each other, because of a blood dept from thousands of years ago. And after loosing Hecter to another house, after which he can't be near any of his family, Helen decides that she needs to find the Furies in the Underworld and once and for all get rid of them. Easier said then done. Not only does Helen not have any of her powers in the Underworld but she don't even know where to start looking for the Furies. Sometime she is quite literally stuck for hours. Not only that but she can't control her entrances and exits. So everytime she sleeps she finds herself back there and while she is awake she resembles the walking dead from lack of sleep and pure exhaustion. But could her visits to the underworld have even worse consequences for her?

One night everything changes and Helen, for the first time finds someone else in the underwold. Orion, who not only saves her life the first time she sees him but he also becomes her companion on her decents. Helen feels a pull towards Orion and finds herself getting closer and closer to the boy who she can't get close to in the real world because the Furies would force them to kill each other. Even more reason to find them and beat them once and for all.

And of course there is still Lucas, always Lucas. The one Helen loves but can't be with. He is still a constant in her life. He tries new ways to distance himself from Helen but will it work or will it change him forever? 

Helen's heart is split between the two boys in her life. She loves Lucas but finds herself drawn to Orion too. 

I am still intrigued by Helen and Lucas, I am rooting for them and always hoping they will eventually find a way to be together. And this alone is the reason I have been reading on with this book. Because I have to be perfectly honest, I was close to giving up a few times. Her endless descents into the underworld, and many of those didn't really add anything to the story. It was just that little bit to long. If this book was shortened I think that would make it easier to enjoy. But i am still a fan of the whole idea of demigods and mythology. And I like Helen and Lucas as well as her friends and his family enough to even continue with the next book. The new addiction, Orion, shakes it all up a bit and turns a forbidden love into a love triangle kind of story. In the end I am genuinely glad I have not given up and I stuck witch it till the end. And eventually I will pick up the third book in the Starcrossed series!

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

'When shy, awkward Helen Hamilton meets Lucas Delos for the first time, she thinks two things: the first, that he is the most ridiculously beautiful boy she has seen in her life; the second, that she wants to kill him with her bare hands.

An ancient curse means Lucas and Helen are destined to loathe one another. But sometimes love is stronger then hate, and not even the gods themselves can prevent what will happen next...'

I am not one to reread books at all. There is only a handful I have ever read more then once. But I remember reading this one years back when it was first released and I never continued with book 2 and 3. So I decided to pick this up again. Amazing how much I have already forgotten.

I love the idea of this book, there isn't anything like this. Books about demigods don't come around often. And I really enjoyed the storyline. I sometimes however got a bit confused. Things wasn't always explained very well and I found myself just accepting things as they was written without understanding why it's like this. You know when you find yourself reading words more then actual sentences...?

 I have always been a sucker for forbidden love tho and even tho I am probably to old for these I just can't stay away. So lets just assume its me and I just don't understand enough of mythology to really appreciate this book. I did however love Lucas. I loved his family and all their different strengths and fates. And I really liked Helen. And I will certainly continue with the rest of the books now. I cant help but want to know what will happen between two lovers when everything powerful is in their way. But their pull to each other is undeniable and irreversible. But why cant these two be together? What is really stopping them?

So all in all I love the idea! Really do, just wish I could understand everything I have read...

Breathe (Sea Breeze #1) by Abbi Glines

'Sadie White's summer job isn't going to be on the beach life-guarding or working at rental booths like most kids her age. With her single mother's increasing pregnancy and refusal to work, Sadie has to take over her mother's job as a domestic servant for one of the wealthy summer families on a nearby island.

When the family arrives at their summer house getaway, Sadie is surprised to learn that the owner of the house is Jax Stone, one of the hottest teen rockers in the world. If Sadie hadn't spent her life raising her mother and taking care of the house she might have been normal enough to be excited about working for a rock star.

Even though Sadie isn't impressed by Jax's fame, he is drawn to her. Everything about Sadie fascinates Jax but he fights his attraction. Relationships never work in his world and as badly as he wants Sadie, he believes she deserves more. By the end of summer, Jax discovers he can't breathe without Sadie.'

This book was rather cute. I enjoyed reading it, it was an easy read, one of those you know how it's going to end but you enjoy the ride anyway. It's one of those books you can just pick up and read inbetween two heavier reads. Will probably pick up the rest of the series too and squeeze one in here and there.

You will instantly like Sadie. How could you not, even tho it seem she is on her own in this world, living with a mother that has clearly reversed their job and needs looking after herself, Sadie just gets on with things. She is a very strong teenager where most would crumble. Even at her mothers job, as daunting as it seems, she manages to win every ones heart. And not only catches the eye of her new boss Jax, the very hot rockstar, but also her new co worker.

This can only be describes as a Cinderella story. A rich rockstar falling for the girl that doesn't have any money and hasn't been notices at all before this, the girl who spend all her time looking after her mother and their household.

She will soon discover that Jax isn't just your average rockstar and she will find herself falling for him. But will Jax brake her heart in the process?

I should be way to old for this book. But I love it anyway. And why not, there is no love like your first one. So if you like a light read that's cute and full of heart then this is the one for you!

Queen of Someday by Sherry D. Ficklin

'ONE GIRL WILL BRING AN EMPIRE TO ITS KNEES...

Before she can become the greatest empress in history, fifteen-year-old Sophie will have to survive her social-climbing mother's quest to put her on the throne of Russia - at any cost.

Imperial Court holds dangers like nothing Sophie has ever faced before. In the heart of St.Petersburg, surviving means navigating the political, romantic and religious demands the bitter Empress Elizabeth and her handsome, but sadistic nephew, Peter. Determined to save her impoverished family - and herself - Sophie vows to do whatever is necessary to thrive in her new surroundings. But an attempt on her life and an unexpected attraction threatens to derail her plans.

Alone in a new and dangerous world, learning who to trust and who to charm may mean the difference between becoming queen and being sent home in shame to marry her lecherous uncle. With traitors and murderers lurking around every corner, her very life hangs in the balance. Betrothed to one man but falling in love with another, Sophie will need to decide how much she's willing to sacrifice in order to become the empress she is destined to be.

In a battle for soul of a nation, will love or destiny reign supreme?'


I have stumbled upon this by accident, I liked the cover and it was free on amazon... so why not ey? It is not normally my genre but I am a sucker for a beautiful cover. It is a lovely quick read,  a nice read in between some bigger books, when one hasn't got much time. I was however pleasantly surprised. I couldn't put it down. It slightly reminded  me of the reign at first, which also has a queen that is clever, brave and has a big heart. You can't help but like her and root for her in everything she does. But the Prince was a surprise, he will show his true colours more and more through the book and my feeling towards him have changed a lot between the start and the finish of the book. The princess is really quick in giving her heart away which gives you a slight whipflash. It's a big step up from your usual love triangle that happens in so many books these days. It's almost a little like a soap opera, in a castle, with princess and queens thrown in. However it never gets boring, lots of love, twists, intrigue, lies and much more. Will certainly return to the writer and read the other books in this series. Esp because I have grown to like the main character and I can't wait to find out what happens to her next, where will her heart lead her and what else will be thrown in her way to becoming the queen?

The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

 

 

"Lennie Walker,

Seventeen, wuthering heights obsessed, clarinet player, band geek. Also hopeless romantic, prone to scattering poems all over town and as of four weeks ago, sisterless....

A heart-breaking, heart-lifting, utterly compelling and completely unforgettable novel about first love and first loss"

First thing I notice is... The writing style is going to take a little getting used to, reading words like swashbuckling. I struggled there a little, but only at first. And obviously being very much from a teenagers perspective, while me being rather beyond that. But I do love reading books about young adults, it's the fact it's mostly about someone's first love, and what love is more intense and interesting then that? So here is a book about Lennie, who's interest in boys literally starts at the worse time possible, at a time where she is grieving for her sister. Suddenly all she thinks about is kissing boys. 2 in particular, but while one isn't so easy to figure out, the other one is kind of off limits while being the only one she feels can understand how she feels. 

Through the book we see how a already untraditional family copes with loosing another member. How it changes the dynamics in the house between them and everyone else. We get to read poems and notes that Lennie writes about her feelings and other things, which she always crumbles up after. Those give a rather deep inside into her heart and mind. 

So Lennie finds herself torn between two boys, one who shares her loss and understands her completely and one who only knows her as she is now and who is capable to take her mind of her loss. Playing with fire tho can never end well. 

The true dilemma for Lennie is the timing "I am supposed to be grieving, not falling in love." How can you be happy when your sister isn't there anymore? How can you feel even more alive and awake? Stepping out of her big sisters shadow changes her in many different ways. 

And even while all this is happening there is still the mystery that is her mother, who has disappeared from their life 16 years ago. 

So all in all, after a shaky start, I loved this book. It's beautifully quirky written. It's full of heart, love, loss, life and surprises. It's one of those books that stays with you even long after you have finished it. It shows us that there is no perfect moment to fall in love or right way to move on. I absolutely adored Lennie's rather crazy family. I wanted to live in her house and see the garden. I enjoyed every moment watching her find herself step by step. This is a beautiful story and one I couldn't put down. Can't recommend it enough!

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

 

 

"It's not exactly love at first sight for Tate Collins when she meets the tormented and secretive Miles Archer. They wouldn't even go as far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is a mutual physical attraction that can't be denied. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they might have stumbled on the perfect no-strings arrangement. He isn't looking for love, and she doesn't have time for it - so that leaves just the sex. What they got could be surprisingly satisfying, as long as Tate can stick to the two rules Miles has for her: never ask about the past; don't expect a future.

They think they can handle it, but everything is different when real emotions start to change the equation."

This will be my first ever book review, so please dont expect perfection. And i will have to try my best to not add any spoilers.

I have been interested in blogging for some time, so here I am reviewing my first book and I am glad its this one because if you havent read the book yet then you really really should. I read a lot and this has been by far the best book i have read in a long long time, making me wish i had discovered Colleens books much sooner.

It was recommendet to me by a friend who explained that this book will soon be a movie, a movie that will bridge the gab between the first two fifty shades movies. It already has a teaser trailer that suggests just that too. But boy was my friend wrong. This is nothing like fifty shades. Yet i find myself comparing it to it, sorrt about that. So i fully expected a book full of sex scenes that somehow make me cringe here and there and a guy that i cant decide whether i love or hate or both. But instead off all that i have gotten a book so well written that i have found myself completley falling in love with Miles. And yes Miles himself is incredible, you will love him too. But more then that its the way Colleen makes you feel everything Tate does too. I was laughing with her, loving with her, hoping with her and crying with her. And let me tell you i am not easily broken by a book. What an amazing talent it is to make a readers heart race just as much as the one of her main characters. From the moment they meet, which is in a rather unusual way, i couldnt put it down. And i cant recommend it enough. Yes there is some sex but let me be brutally honest here... its the kind that every women dreams off!!! While Colleen takes you on a roller coaster ride with Miles and Tate you will also get a glimpse of Miles' past and story. Which in itself is a story that can not be missed. Through the whole book I was wondering why Miles wasnt looking for love or was fighting it. And i imagined many different things. None even came close. And its always amazing when you cant predict a book at all... Absolutely amazing.

I am now ready to read more of Colleens books in the hope that they are magic like this one.