Blog Tour - Maybe Someday - Colleen Hoover

Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover, published by Simon and Schuster on 18th March 2014

Goodreads synopsis:
Sydney is living in an idyllic bubble - she's a dedicated student with a steady job on the side. She lives with her best friend, has a great boyfriend, and the music coming from the balcony opposite hers is fast becoming the soundtrack to her life. But when Sydney finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her, the bubble bursts. The mysterious and attractive man behind the music, Ridge, gives Sydney hope that she can move on and they begin to write songs together. But moving on is harder than she expects, Sydney can only hope…. Maybe someday…

Review:
It's hard to believe but 'Maybe Someday' is my very first Colleen Hoover book.  I don't know how I've managed to go so long without picking up one of her novels but now that I have, I will definitely be tracking the rest of them down immediately.  I'd heard such great things about her stories and now that I've experienced one first-hand, I just know that I'm going to love them all.

I have to start this review off by commenting on the fact that this book has the most beautiful cover art.  The colours are gorgeous and very spring-like and if I hadn't been offered this one for review, then there's no doubt that this would have caught my eye in my local bookshop.  It's so, so pretty!

The story itself centres on Sydney, who has just found out that her boyfriend of two years has cheated on her.  With her life spiralling out of control, she ends up living with her neighbour Ridge, a gorgeous musician that she's previously only seen from her balcony when she's listened to him play his guitar.  Sydney and Ridge begin to write songs together and soon find that they are attune to each other in so many different ways.  It doesn't take long before they have grown extremely close but the only problem is that Ridge already has a girlfriend.

At the start I wasn't sure if I was going to like the cheating aspect of the story but Colleen Hoover handles it perfectly so if you feel the same don't let this put you off.  I really liked Ridge's girlfriend Maggie and I actually liked her before she'd even physically appeared in the book.  When I finally saw her and Ridge together in the flesh then I was convinced that they made the perfect couple, until their relationship is examined in more detail.  Sydney grew on me throughout the book and I admired the way in which she always tried to do the right thing, even if her attraction to Ridge only kept on growing stronger and stronger. 

The book very uniquely blends the story and the music together.  If you scan the QR code in the front of the book then you can actually listen to the songs sung by musician Griffin Peterson.  This adds another layer to the plot and creates a real emotional connection between the reader and the characters. 

'Maybe Someday' is a really moving, emotional and heart wrenching book which throws up lots of questions about love and life.  I thought it was an utterly gorgeous read and I'm now looking forward immensely to working my way through the rest of Colleen Hoover's back catalogue.    

Trailer: Maybe Someday - Colleen Hoover

Check out this awesome fan made trailer for 'Maybe Someday' by Colleen Hoover. 

Sydney is living in an idyllic bubble - she's a dedicated student with a steady job on the side. She lives with her best friend, has a great boyfriend, and the music coming from the balcony opposite hers is fast becoming the soundtrack to her life. But when Sydney finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her, the bubble bursts. The mysterious and attractive man behind the music, Ridge, gives Sydney hope that she can move on and they begin to write songs together. But moving on is harder than she expects, Sydney can only hope…. Maybe someday…



I'm taking part in the blog tour for this book, so be sure to check back on Monday when I'll be sharing my review.

Blog Tour: Far From You - Tess Sharpe

I'm thrilled to be taking part in the blog tour countdown for Tess Sharpe's debut novel 'Far From You', which will be published by Indigo on 27th March. 

Goodreads synopsis:
Nine months. Two weeks. Six days.

That's how long recovering addict Sophie's been drug-free. Four months ago her best friend, Mina, died in what everyone believes was a drug deal gone wrong - a deal they think Sophie set up. Only Sophie knows the truth. She and Mina shared a secret, but there was no drug deal. Mina was deliberately murdered.

Forced into rehab for an addiction she'd already beaten, Sophie's finally out and on the trail of the killer - but can she track them down before they come for her?

Review:
'Far From You' is an incredible and stunning debut novel from author Tess Sharpe which held me enthralled from start to finish.  I picked this up when I was off sick from work and spent the most enjoyable couple of hours curled up on the sofa, with my nose literally buried between the pages and my attention absolutely riveted on the characters and their stories.  I would not hesitate to wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone, both teen and adult readers alike, because it's so good it would be a shame not to share it with everyone. 

I was completely magnetised by Sophie's story as she attempts to find her best friend Mina's killer.  She's not the most reliable narrator because she is a recovering drug addict whose word is often doubted and questioned, but as we learn more about her, it seems certain that she can be trusted and that she is the only one that can fathom what really happened to Mina and why. 

The story is told from three different time frames, which sounds complicated but really isn't.  The plot was so seamlessly put together that it didn't feel like the narrative was jumping around too much.  Everything slotted into place perfectly and was easy for the reader to follow.  We see present day Sophie struggling to come to terms with the loss of her best friend but then the narrative also takes us back to events preceding the murder which helped in gathering clues about the mystery.

I loved the process of trying to put all the pieces together while reading.  My suspicions jumped around quite a bit and there were several characters that I didn't fully trust but at no point did I guess who was actually responsible.  The book was so intricately plotted that the killer's identity remained a secret to me until the very end.  That for me is a sure sign of a good book!    

Tess Sharpe's incredible writing stirred up lots of strong emotions for me.  I felt a real link to Sophie and I was very emotionally invested in what happened to her.  She has to face a lot and yet she still manages to overcome some big challenges which anyone else may have shied away from.  She's a fantastic main character and although she has her flaws, she never gives up and always sticks to her guns. 

'Far From You' was a real treat to read.  It shows the unquenchable desire of first love as well as presenting an intriguing mystery with lots of twists and turns.  It's one of those books which is sure to cement itself into the hearts of readers everywhere.   


To celebrate the paperback release of 'Far From You', I have a copy of the book to giveaway courtesy of Indigo.  This giveaway is only open to entrants within the UK by request of the publisher.  To enter just fill out the form below.

Giveaway rules.

• There will be one winner.
• Open to entrants with UK addresses only. International entrants may enter, provided they have a UK address to send the books to.
• Please fill out the form completely - especially the required details.
• You do not have to be a follower to enter.
• Deadline for entries will be on 23rd March.
• Winner(s) will be drawn by random.org
• Winner(s) will be contacted via e-mail, and will be given 48 hours to response. Otherwise, a new winner will be drawn.
• Any details will be deleted after use and will not be passed on to any third party. 

 

Review: Sleuth or Dare - Robin Benway

Sleuth or Dare by Robin Benway, published by Simon and Schuster on 27th February 2014

Goodreads synopsis:
Being permanently based in a local New York City high school as an undercover operative has its moments, good and bad, for 16-year-old safecracker Maggie Silver.

Pros: More quality time with her former mark-turned-boyfriend Jesse Oliver and insanely cool best friend, Roux. Getting to spend quality time with her semi-retired and international spy honorary uncle, Angelo.

Cons: High school and the accompanying cliques, bad lunches, and frustratingly simple locker combinations.

But when Maggie's parents are falsely accused of stealing priceless gold coins, Maggie uses her safecracking skills to try and clear their names. Too bad it only serves to bring the wrath of the now corrupt Collective down on all of them. Can Maggie and her "new team" defeat their former allies?

Review:
'Sleuth or Dare' was fantastic and such a fun read.  The second book about Maggie Silver, teenage safecracker and spy, sees her becoming embroiled in a new case which her parents can't help with.  Luckily she has best friend Roux and boyfriend Jesse by her side, as she sets out to prove that her parents didn't steal evidence from the Collective. 

Maggie loves the new people in her life but she's getting bored of nothing exciting ever happening.  Being a spy is in her blood and she misses the danger and adventure that she used to experience on a regular basis.  When trouble comes knocking, she is torn between keeping Jesse and Roux safe and letting them in on her secrets so that they can help her.  Although she is dealing with life and death situations, she also has normal teenage problems to deal with, such as her friend being bullied and her boyfriend wanting her to get to know his family a little better.  If anyone can handle it all though, it's Maggie. 

The story takes on an international slant, when the action moves to Paris.  It was fun to get to know some new characters, such as Ames, Elodie and Ryo and it will be interesting to see if they crop up again in later books in the series.  Ames was a particular favourite of mine and I loved the fact that he and Roux immediately clicked.  Roux deserves somebody special of her own and I think she's finally found that person in Ames. 

Robin Benway is onto a winner with this series.  I don't think I'll ever get tired of reading about Maggie and her life.  This book was fast-paced and exciting with plenty of romance and adventure to keep me gripped and I absolutely loved it.   

Review: Incinerator - Niall Leonard

Incinerator by Niall Leonard, published by Corgi on 30th January 2014

Goodreads synopsis:
London ganglord The Guvnor is in hiding, and Finn Maguire has begun a new life running a boxing gym with his old friend and coach Delroy. But when Finn's lawyer Nicky Hale vanishes overnight with all his money, Finn finds himself in hock to a loan shark with a vicious gang of enforcers. Desperate to track down Nicky and repay his debts, Finn investigates her other clients and soon finds himself engulfed in a web of lies, betrayal, malice and madness, with only his wits and his fists to keep him alive.

Review:
This is the second book in Niall Leonard's YA series about Finn Maguire.  He now co-owns a gym with his friend Delroy and is trying to get his life in order with the help of the money left to him after the deaths of his parents.  Following a nasty encounter with a loan shark, Finn agrees to pay off a debt but finds himself in further trouble when his lawyer Nicky appears to have absconded with the contents of his bank account.  He sets out to investigate her disappearance but things aren't what they seem on the surface and he looks like getting in over his head.

Everyone in the story seems to have a secret or something they want to keep hidden but Finn is determined to leave no stone unturned in his hunt for the truth about Nicky and in his quest to keep Delroy and his wife safe.  Finn is a great central character.  He's had a lot of problems in the past and has been mixed up with some really dangerous people but although he may have made some wrong choices he's very street savvy and isn't someone to back down from a fight.  He won't be pushed around by anyone but has tried really hard to get his life together even with things always seemingly conspiring against him. 

There are some surprising twists in the story which I never saw coming and I had no idea what was going to happen until events unfolded.  The ending was also brilliant and left things on a tense cliffhanger which sets things up nicely for the next book in the series but doesn't bode well for Finn.

'Incinerator' is even darker than 'Crusher'.  There's lashings of blood and beatings and some bits are pretty grim for a YA book.  This is a crime thriller which will keep you on your toes and have you continually looking over your shoulder.  Niall Leonard has definitely conquered this corner of the market with his unique blend of gritty drama and suspense.

Review: Tribute - Ellen Renner

Tribute by Ellen Renner, published by Hot Key Books on 6th March 2014

Goodreads synopsis:
Zara is a mage, one of the elite in a world where magic is power, and the non-magic majority live as slaves. When her slave child best friend is killed for the crime of literacy, Zara seeks revenge by spying for the rebel Knowledge Seekers. She finds her bravery and magical skill tested to the limit when a young Maker, Aidan, is taken hostage in a bid for supposed peace. Surprised by first love, she promises to help him. But before Zara can keep her promise, her secret is discovered. Hunted by her own, she seeks refuge with the Knowledge Seekers. But when you can kill with a thought, can you ever be trusted?

Review:
Tribute’ was a really unusual read but rest assured, it was unusual in a good way.  Steeped in fantasy, Ellen Renner has created a fascinating fantasy world unlike anything else I’ve come across before.  It took me a little while to become accustomed to some of the words and phrases used in the book but there’s a useful glossary in the back pages which definitely helped.  About a third of the way through it all started to click and come together for me and that’s when the story really started to take off.

 

The central character, Zara, is a Mage.  She is part of a society of people who have magic and can control the elements through telekinesis.  They also have the ability to will their mind into the bodies of animals and birds which they can then seize control of.  Zara’s father is one of the most powerful Mage’s alive but she has never forgiven him for taking away one of the few people she’s ever loved.  In spying for the Knowledge Seekers she hopes to right the wrongs done against the non-magical society, who have been enslaved and are at the will of the Mage population.

 

I instantly liked Zara as soon as she was introduced.  She thinks differently about things to everyone else and she’s willing to stand up and fight for what she believes in.  She really grew in character throughout the book and I admired her for many of the tough decisions she has to make.

 

I found all the different factions in the book absolutely fascinating.  As well as those who have magic, there are the rebel Knowledge Seekers and the Makers who live on the other side of the Wall.  They are fighting a continual war against the Mages and are determined to protect their community whatever the cost. 

 

Ellen Renner’s writing made the characters and their world really come alive.  I was immersed in the story and on tenterhooks for most of the last part of the book.  ‘Tribute’ is a brilliant start to the series which is set to continue in August 2014 with ‘Outcaste’.