Nash by Jay Crownover Review

Saint Ford has worked hard to achieve her childhood dream of becoming of nurse. Focused on her work and devoted to her patients, there’s no room for love. She doesn’t need a guy making waves in her calm, serene life—especially when he’s the unforgettable hottie who nearly destroyed her in high school. Dark, brooding Nash Donovan might not remember her or the terrible pain he caused. But he turned her world upside down... and now he’s trying to do it again.

Saint has no idea that Nash isn’t the cocky player he once was. Uncovering a devastating family secret has rocked his world, and now he’s struggling to figure out his future. He can’t be distracted by the pretty nurse he seems to meet everywhere. Still, he can’t ignore the sparks that fly between them —or how she seems so desperate to get away from him. But the funny, sweet, and drop-dead gorgeous Saint is far too amazing to give up on—especially since she’s the only thing in his life that seems to make sense.

When Nash discovers the truth about their past, he realizes he may have lost her heart before he could even fight for it. Now, Saint has to decide: is Nash worth risking herself for all over again? (Goodreads summary)

My rating 5 FREAKING STARS

MY REVIEW

This is by far my most anticipated book of 2014. There has always been something about Nash. Don't get me wrong, I loved Rule, Jet, and Rome as well, but Nash always seemed like a milder character. He was intriguing and well, since I am from Tennessee- gotta love the name Nashville. From the moment we meet Saint in Rome, I was so in love with her character. She seemed different that the other girls, and she exceeded my expectations! She isn't Shaw with all her clean-cut beauty and Archer brothers history. She isn't Ayden with all her "legs" and mystery. She isn't Cora with all her wildness and attitude. Saint is in a level all her own. She doesn't have it all figured out, and her own self esteem may be shot, but she is caring and beautiful on the inside. She cares enough to reach out to Nash even though he broke her heart. Now that is a real woman. The whole dynamic with them knowing each other in high school was so heartbreaking. Nash was the young playboy and Saint was the unpopular geek with a school girl crush. This book took me through every level of their love. From fears to dreams. I was a bit annoyed that Saint always jumped to conclusions, but Nash was able to stay be her side and show his dedication through all of her hard times to prove his loyalty. Nash is, i think, the best Marked man. Who can resist a dragon tattoo and those purple eyes. Beautiful story. Can't wait to get my hands on the next book by Jay

Maybe Someday Colleen Hoover

At twenty-two years old, aspiring musician Sydney Blake has a great life: She’s in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her good friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers Hunter cheating on her with Tori—and she is left trying to decide what to do next.

Sydney becomes captivated by her mysterious neighbor, Ridge Lawson. She can’t take her eyes off him or stop listening to the daily guitar playing he does out on his balcony. She can feel the harmony and vibrations in his music. And there’s something about Sydney that Ridge can’t ignore, either: He seems to have finally found his muse. When their inevitable encounter happens, they soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one… (goodreads summary)

My Rating 5 STARS!!!

My review

Let me start of by saying how much of a HUGE Colleen Hoover fan I am. Three years ago, I found slammed on kindle and have been obbsesed ever since. She is like the Nicholas Sparks of New Adult. With the perfect blend of romance, she always brings me to tears, I refused to read any reviews or comments about this book because I wanted to go into this book was a clear head. IT. BLEW. ME .AWAY!

Sydney is obsessed with Ridge and his protectiveness, his disability, and his raw talent. The romance between them starts off so innocent and by the end of the book you are rooting for each one with your hand over your head. Let's see I cried...

Then I read some more and cried again. Hoover always does that to me. She knows how to make a character so emotional that you can feel exactly who they are. oh, and the humor. She can make me laugh and cry at the same time. Damn Hoover you've got talent. Now on to the spoilers....

Now or Never Book Review

goodreads summary

Twenty-one year old Grayson Alexander finally breaks away from an abusive relationship and finds herself free for the first time in three years.

Determined to enjoy her new-found freedom, Grayson is intent on sticking with 'no strings attached' relationships—one-night stands, and steamy sex.

But she didn't plan on Derrick. 

Her attraction to the sexy man in uniform quickly turns into an unhealthy relationship. They both try to resist the pull, but neither can stay away. 

When tragedy strikes, Grayson realizes it's now or never—walk away or make it work

My rating 3 stars

My review

The book started out great, but as the book went on I felt as if Grayson didn't develop well at all. If you are looking for a story with growth and a character who is strong and heroic- this isn't the story for you. She makes this big decision to leave her abusive ex boyfriend, but her fears and trama from a physically and mentally abusive relationship are not show throughout the book. There is one scene where she has a flashback when a man's hand grazes her neck- but that is the extent. After volunteering and being around many women at a safe haven home for battered women- I didn't feel like the character portrayed this abuse well. Then the character kept embarrassing herself- I started to feel so bad for her. She was letting men walk all over her, not standing up for herself, and then basically becoming obsessed with the male love interest. It was quiet sad. Then she automatically accepts his apology for screwing her over and all we get is a little explanation at the end of the book on why he was such a jerk. I didn't feel like his character was well portrayed at all. Quiet jerk. That's what I would call him. THEN I kept waiting for the story to be about her abusive ex who was obsessed with her, but he never showed up. Those types of men don't give up. They stalk and beg and cry for forgiveness until someone is hurt or dead. What happened to him? He just disappeared mid way through the book. The writing style by the author was actually pretty well done- except for the fact that I may have enjoyed it better if it were in first person. There were a few instances where I had to keep rereading because I didn't know who was talking or who was saying what.For a free book, this book was satisfying and pretty sad. I wouldn't say I loved it or was blown away, and I may not read another book in the series unless it is free.
Wait...I forgot to add that Grayson has unprotected sex over and over again. The author would have done well to teach her a lesson. Give her herpes or something to make the story interesting....WTH???

What It Takes Review

(Goodreads summary)

After graduating college, Kelsey Morgan left her small-town Virginia roots to make it in LA. After years slogging in commercials and music videos, her movie career is finally taking off. But she's still miles behind her current costar, and Hollywood playboy, Patrick Lyons. Kelsey does everything she can to avoid Patrick off-set, hoping to not become fodder for the supermarket tabloids that scour the streets for Patrick, trying to get an exclusive look at him and his alleged woman of the week. Kelsey has successfully kept Patrick at a distance, and her reputation intact, until her drunkard brother-in-law Richard threatens to ruin everything by selling her darkest secret to the highest bidder. Now the victim of blackmail, Kelsey has nowhere else to turn but to Patrick's arms. But, can he be trusted? Or will the past destroy them all before she can find out if he's the hero she needs?(less)

My Rating 3 stars

My review

I received this ARC novel from net galley for my honest opinion. What it takes is a romantic novel about a girl afraid to let any man in.Kelsey has guarded her heart after having it ripped apart by her college sweetheart. Down the road, Kelsey is about to become the next big thing in Hollywood.. The novel started out strong with a headstrong heroine who doesn't seem to need a man. After the first few chapters, I became bored. There was scene after scene of what felt like uselessness. Parts that felt thrown in, parts I skipped past, parts that didn't really relate to the story at all. I never felt the spark between Kelsey and Patrick, and kept waiting for another leading man to step in and sweep her off her feet. Literally, I felt more passion for the side characters than the leading couple. (caution: the next part may contain spoilers) I found Kelsey annoying as a lead character. First off, she spent the entire novel whining about how her mom does 'whatever it takes' to keep a man happy, and how she would never want to be like that, but she does it the entire novel! She coddles her brother in law and makes excuses for him time and time again. It was rather annoying when she would give him what he wanted. She claims she doesn't want to be part of the tabloids, but she is an actress. Her secrets will come out sooner or later. The writing was a bit different as well. I believe a romance novel like this reads better as a first person POV, but this one was written in third person. The novel seems to go from third person, but switches back and forth as if the narrator can only tell what Kelsey is thinking in one scene, then suddenly the narrator knows what Patrick is thinking, but not Kelsey. Then the next scene the narrator knows what everyone is thinking. It was rather confusing. A novel like this isn't good when you know what all the characters are thinking and doing at the same time. Then Kelsey has a secret throughout the entire book, but refuses to tell us to the very end, even though the secret is predictable. It would have been better to let the secret out and feel Kelsey's struggles with her secret from the beginning.  Did I like the book? Yeah, it took me a while to finish, but I got there. Was I disappointed? Yes. Would I recommend it? No. This story line could have been great, if it were written differently. 3 stars for a nice try.