Vernal by Randi Cooley Wilson A Book with too Much Romance

Book Synopsis

Serena has a bright future etched in stone. 
Tristan has a dark past that haunts him. 
Together, they have a love that can never be.
Sheltered, and unable to escape her bloodline, Serena St. Michael has spent the last two years training at the Royal Protector Academy. Struggling with a dark past, Tristan Gallagher’s current assignment is to protect a lifetime of secrets. One chance encounter will change everything. Serena must decide if she will follow her heart, forsaking all she’s ever known and risking a future worse than non-existence. Tristan will break every rule to save Serena, even if he can’t keep her. In their world of darkness, one love will ignite an ancient war. When pasts collide with the present, and secrets are revealed, will love be enough? Or will one lie destroy it all?
When you’ve hidden behind a mask for so long, would you reveal yourself for love? Vernal, the first novel in The Royal Protector Academy series is a dangerously exciting and darkly romantic tale that will take your breath away. Vernal - Goodreads

My Opinion

2.75/5.00 Stars

I should just post my rough draft as it is because I am out of words. Ha-Ha-Ha!

Moving on to the actual review...

I requested this book from NetGalley a long time ago. The premise sounded promising but I got lost along the way. I had to face the same problem I usually find in books like this one. The romance took over the entire plot. :/

While reading Vernal, I learn that it is a spin off series starter. Nothing wrong with that; although, for a new comer like myself, things were not 100% clear. Little details were offered regarding the world and plot. From what is presented, the setting, the magic system and its background seemed interesting. And this is unfortunate because, just like the characters, the story had a lot of potential.

Speaking of characters... I thought there is going to be more about exploration and build up when the romance element entered the scene. As in, how the protagonists connect and try to figure out this inexplicable connection/attraction they feel about each other. Instead... Bam! Everything ruined by the sex. They spend more time talking about and being intimate than knowing each other. Then, that whole "I am super possessive and inexplicable jealous alpha male. Everything you do is wrong and I own you" and "I am a strong woman capable of anything but I cannot live without you and I am owned by you and you are the only male who can tame me" was not my style. They looked like decent characters and had good qualities here and there but.... In the end, they got overshadowed by the romance and nonexistent plot. Also, there was not a concrete reason why Serena is special and has to become the next ruler.

All in all this book was not for me. Like I use to say, this was not my cuppa tea because of too much sugar was added. It was not what I expected at all.

[I gave it such a high rating because it had enough to keep me entertained and not DNF (do not finish) it.]

This is my sole opinion. ^_^

I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Genre: New Adult, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Urban

Language: Heavy

Sexual Content: Heavy

Violence: Heavy

Drugs/Alcohol: Heavy

P.S. 

• You can check out my latest post -->HERE<--  

Confess by Colleen Hoover The Book with the Art of Confession

Book Synopsis

Don’t miss #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover’s beloved novel about risking it all for love—now an Awestruck original series, coming soon to go90.com and the go90 app, available for iOS or Android.
Auburn Reed is determined to rebuild her shattered life and she has no room for mistakes. But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn’t expect to become deeply attracted to the studio’s enigmatic artist, Owen Gentry.
For once, Auburn takes a chance and puts her heart in control, only to discover that Owen is hiding a huge secret. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything Auburn loves most, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it—but can she do it?
With her moving and compelling prose, Hoover “will pull heartstrings in this second-chance love story” (Booklist). Confess - Goodreads

 

 

My Opinion

3.50/5 stars.

This is the second book by Colleen Hoover I've read - my first being Ugly Love. To be honest, I picked up this book because I heard that there is going to be a TV show coming up. I saw the first two episodes and I was hooked to the story; thus, I thought I should give the book a try. (Plus the leading actors looked good together.)

So... I read the book after I saw the TV show and I do not regret that. In my opinion, the book and the TV show complete each other... But enough about the show and let's talk about the book.

My overall impression... It is an unique story and real but not flawless. The story flowed nicely. The characters fit together splendidly driving the action of the story quite well. Owen and Auburn have a great chemistry; although, chemistry is not the equivalence love. From Owen's perspective, I was able to understand the romance by the end of the book due to past circumstances - and if you read the book, you know what I am talking about. Not so much from Auburn's perspective. From her point of view, Owen sometimes was quite the creep. Do not get this wrong. I liked him. He was the sweet, good, and honorable guy. The things he said sometimes to Auburn, without her knowing what connected them, should have made her run away a little...

I understood what the author tried to do but she relied to much on the "fate" concept and not so much on the power to make a decision, to take action in your life. That left the story unresolved - literary - and underdeveloped. It felt rushed leaving plenty of room for a novella or a second book... Which... I wouldn't mind if it means that I will have a better resolution.

Despite the sad parts, there are a lot of funny scenes too.

After Ugly Love, I was expecting more from Colleen Hoover since she has such a beautiful writing style.

Overall, this was my cup of tea. And, if it happens for you to be a fan of Colleen's let me know what is your opinion on this book, the Confess TV show, and her other books.

 

This is my sole opinion. ^_^

 

Genre: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary, Fiction

Language: moderate

Sexual content: heavy

Violence: moderate to heavy

Drugs/Alcohol: moderate to heavy-ish

 

P.S.

Feel Free to check out my Confess show info -->HERE<--while admiring the TV show inspired book cover below.

Cheater by Rachel Van Dyken With More Depth than the Title and Synopsis Let You Believe

Book Synopsis

Lucas Thorn wasn’t born a cheater. All it took was a single moment—say, a certain disastrous incident on the night before his wedding—and boom. Reputation destroyed forever and always. So now he owns it. He has a lady friend for every night of the week (except Sundays—God’s day and all), and his rules are simple: No commitments. No exceptions.
But a certain smart-mouthed, strawberry blonde vixen is about to blow that all to hell.
Avery Black has never forgiven Lucas for cheating on her sister. And suddenly being forced to work with him is pretty much a nightmare on steroids. Of course, it does afford her the opportunity to make his life as difficult as possible. But no good revenge scheme comes without payback. Because he didn’t become the Lucas Thorn without learning a few things about women.
Now Avery’s lust for vengeance has turned into, well, lust. And if Lucas stops cheating, it’s definitely not because he’s falling in love… Cheater - Goodreads

 

My Opinion

3.65/5 stars

Are you in a mood for a quick romance? Well... This is one of them. And do not be fooled by the synopsis, there is so much depth to the story. Ahhh... I want to use "and" again... I think the synopsis together with the title are kind of misleading . Yes, the guy practices polygyny (= one male having more than one female mate). Yes, he cheated (observe the past tense here). Also, all his "lady friend for every night of the week" gave their consent for this type of relationship and knew from the beginning that there are other women. Oddly enough - in a good way -  Lucas wants companionship and offers companionship to these women, not just sex.

This story is more about two people who, by fate, meet again and reconnect. They receive a second chance to confront the truth about their past and feelings for each other. 

What bothered me the most were the parents. Lucas and Avery were unable to say no to them. And they were so... soooo... or how the naughty side of me wants to actually say it... ANNOYING as f. I say no to my mom even when she is telling me to eat bread even though I am masticating bread in that very moment. :)) I value my mother's opinion very very very much but I will be unable to accept her to control me the same way Lucas and Avery are controlled by their parents.

And Lucas' parents! I am only going to say this: Come! On! He is your son. He is more important than your BFF's.

Also, take in consideration that they, all the parents, appear briefly through the book and are used as a tool to drive the story to an end. 

Other than that, they seemed nice enough. (^_^) :D

Ha-Ha-Ha!

I liked this story a lot. It was sexy, sweet, and bitter due to so much heartache. Cheater came this close - B L A N K  S P A C E  B L A N K  S P A C E - to reach the complexity of Gabriel's Inferno (Goodreads) by Sylvain Reynard.

This was my cuppa tea.

 

This is my sole opinion. ^_^

I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Language: mild to heavy
Sexual content: heavy
Violence: mild
Drugs/Alcohol: moderate
 

Confess by Colleen Hoover Gets a TV Show on April 4th, 2017

 

Hello-Hello, Book Nerds! If you haven't heard yet, Colleen Hoover's book Confess was turned into a TV show. Check out the promo poster below. Isn't it gorgeous? *_*

 

 Ryan Cooper as Owen Gentry and Katie Leclerc as Auburn Reed 

The first two episodes are already out and you can watch them for free on GO90 - Confess.

What are you waiting for? Go watch it! I already watched them twice already. As a side note, Colleen has a cameo appearance in the first at the art gallery event.

All the episodes, seven in total, will be available on April 4th, 2017 - aka this coming Tuesday. 

So far, I am intrigued. The show has potential. Cute. Romantic. And Dramatic. It made me want to read the book.

Yes, I have yet to read the book. Like I said, I am planning to.  There is still time until Tuesday.

To form your own opinion, I post the trailer down below plus the book description.

 

 

Book Synopsis

Auburn Reed has her entire life mapped out. Her goals are in sight and there’s no room for mistakes. But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn’t expect to find a deep attraction to the enigmatic artist who works there, Owen Gentry.
For once, Auburn takes a risk and puts her heart in control, only to discover Owen is keeping major secrets from coming out. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything important to Auburn, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it.
The last thing Owen wants is to lose Auburn, but he can’t seem to convince her that truth is sometimes as subjective as art. All he would have to do to save their relationship is confess. But in this case, the confession could be much more destructive than the actual sin… Confess-Goodreads