PREVIOUSLY ON MustReadBooksOrDie #1 - IT'S BEEN ONE WEEK SINCE YOU LOOKED AT ME...

Welcome to our One Week Birthday! It has officially been ONE WHOLE WEEK since we took the plunge and started MustReadBooksOrDie! We hope very much that you enjoyed the reviews and read along posts we have done so far. We had a great time reading the books together, and writing about them. We are ecstatic to keep going and sharing the book love with everyone.

If you got the Barenaked Ladies reference in the title, we love you! If you didn't, well we still love you!

Here is a recap of what has been going at MustReadBooksOrDie:

Received for Review: 

On Me, In Me, Dead Beneath Me by Alessandra Torre. Alessandra was looking for reviewers and graciously accepted our request to review her book. Find that review here. It comes out April 17, 2013. (A little birdie might have mentioned the possibility of a new cover in the near future. We'll keep you posted!)

Behind the Scenes by Kathryn White. We couldn't pass up this review request because 1) famous people 2) family drama and 3) Australian setting and Australian author! Perfect right? Comes out in April and review coming soon!

Read Along #1:

Gone Girl was our Read Along Book 1. It is one that really is a lot of fun to read with someone you know so when you get to a particularly crazy part (and it has many) you can text #*$^@#%*@&#^%*@ to someone who understands!
Part I is here, and Part II is here. Part III and IV coming soon!

Reviews: 

Documentary by AJ Sand. Two words: Kai White. Read about him, know him, love him! Review can be found here.

Give Me Love by Kate McCarthy. Our first Australian setting/author combo and we LOVED it! Female rocker and a huge cast of loveable alpha males. Check out this review here.

One Week Girlfriend by Monica Murphy. Last but not least, we have the review for this here. Loved this book and are looking forward to April 9th when Second Chance Boyfriend comes out!

Weekly Memes: 

Feature & Follow Friday Meme hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read. This is a fun blog hop that features a blog and asks everyone a fun question about books! And to follow, obviously! We discovered a lot of fun blogs this week and hope to keep doing this one! Our post is here.








Happy Easter everyone and enjoy this beautiful day reading a good book

- Shelley & Courtney @ MustReadBooksOrDie! 

REVIEW: ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND BY MONICA MURPHY (DREW + FABLE #1)

Temporary. That one single word best describes my life these last few years. I’m working at a temporary job until I can finally break free. I’m my little brother’s temporary mother since our mom doesn’t give a crap about either of us. And I’m that temporary girl all the guys want to get with because I give it up so easily. According to the rumors, at least.

But now I’m the temporary girlfriend of Drew Callahan, college football legend and all around golden guy. He’s beautiful, sweet—and he’s hiding way more secrets than I am. He’s brought me into this fake life where everyone seems to hate me. And everyone seems to want something from him. The only thing he seems to want though is…Me.

I don’t know what to believe anymore. All I know is, I think Drew needs me. And I want to be there for him. Forever.

**Mature situations and sexual content - recommended for ages 17+** 

Paperback, 155 pages

Published January 10th 2013 by Monica Murphy

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We read this book separately, right before starting the blog, but we both loved it. In preparation for the release of Drew + Fable #2 - Second Chance Boyfriend (expected April 9th), we wanted to do a review of One Week Girlfriend.

**Courtney** 5 Stars

Shelley, I am a complete sucker for the "Big man on campus guy (With Heavy Emotional Issues)/Down on her luck girl" romance. (Well...I guess it doesn't take much for me to get attached to a book boyfriend) Add in emotionally unavailable parents with enough baggage to load a moving truck and you have One Week Girlfriend. And that cover..*fans myself*..loved it. 

1) Drew. Drew makes me swoon. On the outside, he is the perfect guy. Good son, good at football, good at school. But he never lets anyone close enough to find out what his secrets are. He's ashamed, he's downtrodden, and he needs Fable's help to go home and spend a week with his parents for Thanksgiving. What are his secrets? Why does this guy who seems to have everything need to hire a girl to pretend to be his girlfriend? 

2) Fable. This poor girl can't catch a break, either. I really, really liked her because when the going got tough, she just kept going. She's the one who is used to taking care of everyone else.  I liked how she stood up to some people. Had me cheering for her, but when she doesn't stand up to another I just want to smack her. But I guess if I could get the characters to do what I wanted or thought they should, the story would be downright boring!

3) Shelley, Marshmallow....M-A-R-S-H-M-A-L-L-O-W...didn't know that word would someday break my heart, but Monica Murphy---major kudos to you for that one. I know you want to find out what this means, so why don't you go ahead and buy the book to find out. I even linked it for you! Because that is ALL you're getting from me on the subject! 

4) Adele. Adele the singer made me love this name. Adele the step-mom made me hate it. Ugh, I despise this woman, and hope that she will get knocked down a notch or five off her high, country-club frequenting, horse. Me, bitter? Never!

5) Loss. This story centered a lot on loss, whether it be for loss of innocence, trust, life, faith, belief in love. I could probably go on and on and on, but then I would somehow spoil it and that would be a shame. 

This might seem a little bit vague, but I really am trying not to spoil the story. While you probably will figure out how things are going to mostly go, it didn't make it any less heartbreaking when it finally happened. Just saying the names Drew and Fable sound good together, don't they? What did you think?!?

**Shelley** 4 Stars

Courtney, this could've easily been a cliched romance novel: the rich jock and the local poor girl meet and eventually fall for each other. Nothing could be further from the truth. 

1) Drew. Gosh he seems wonderful. He's a considerate jock, a good son to a cold father, and an attentive fake boyfriend. Yep. Fake. Boyfriend. He's a good guy -- but not without flaws (why did he think Fable wouldn't be offended when he first propositions her--I'd feel like a prostitute too!).

2) Fable. I love that she's a little rough around the edges and can handle herself in uncomfortable situations (the shopping trip!). She absolutely refuses to take crap off of anyone and is fierce in her role as protector for her brother and Drew. She has this spunky, tough exterior but, boy oh boy, does she have a tender spot for the special boys in her life. I love her quips--she has some great lines.

3) Marshmallow. Courtney, I will never think of this word the same. :) The End.

4) Trust. I see this as a huge issue in this novel. Both Drew and Fable have significant problems trusting others. Obviously if you have trouble trusting say a family member who is supposed to take care of you and love you, how do you learn to trust a complete stranger? How do you allow yourself to be open to the opportunities of friendship and love if you've long felt deeply betrayed by the people who are supposed to protect and support you? 

5) Adele. This woman is evil, disgusting, and slimy. She is the epitome of evil stepmothers monsters. I felt like I needed to bathe after the final scene with her. What a horrible, horrible human being. 

6) The quotes at the beginning of the chapter. What a was a nice touch. They really connected to what was going on in each chapter and I appreciated the extra effort it must have taken to find that perfect quote for each chapter. Thank you, Monica Murphy!

7) The rainy alley scene. It seemed so magical. I still remember it weeks after reading it. The writing in this scene and many others was so wonderfully descriptive--it fed my overactive imagination.

My only real dislike? 

The cliffhanger. UGHHHHH!!! You are killing me Monica Murphy. Killing. Me.

So, while this could've easily been a cliched college romance, it wasn't. Instead you have a female protagonist that swoops in to save the day. You have a male who feels legitimate shame. And by the end, you have the start of a relationship that could be healing. I look forward to seeing where these characters end up.

FEATURE & FOLLOW #142-HOSTED BY PARAJUNKEE & ALLISON CAN READ

Friday Feature and Follow hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee

Featured blog: Insightful Minds Reviews & Book Sniffers Anonymous

This week's Question:

Q: Tell us about the most emotional scene you’ve ever read in a book – and how did you react?

A: **Courtney**

I would have to say every other scene from My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. I have a sister 2 years younger than me and we are very, very close, so that book meant a lot to me. I have never sobbed so hard in my entire life while reading a book like I did in that one. 

A: **Shelley**

One of the first ones that comes to mind is from Barbara Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible (after one of the sisters is killed). The reaction from the remaining sisters and the mother is heartwrenching--it's told in a way that's like watching a movie scene unravel in slow motion; you can practically see their collective breakdowns happening right before your eyes. It never fails..when I reread that particular section I do the silent teary thing. 

REVIEW: THE GIRL IN 6E BY ALESSANDRA TORRE

I screw men for money. Not literally, think phone sex operator with a 15 megapixel web cam thrown in. They tell me their deepest, darkest fantasies while paying me $6.99 a minute.

What would possess me to engage in such a business? Throw in a tortoured past, 24/7 murderous thoughts, and a desire to keep the innocent people of my small town safe.

I was contained, out of the way, sexcamming my way to utter obscurity until HE came along. A twisted client armed with a targets name. Annie. And in that name, everything changed. 

(Warning: This book contains explicit sexual references, and should not be read by anyone under the age of 18.)

**ARC received from author in exchange for an honest review**Expected publication 4/17/13**

**Courtney** 4 Stars     

1) The tone. I think of it as dark, sexual and borderline psychotic, which is exactly how DeAnna describes herself. It could easily turn people off within the first 25% or so with very graphic situations, so if that is not your thing, be prepared. In all honesty, I was preparing myself to be disappointed after I started because I kept thinking "Where on earth is this going." *Hiding now* BUT I was intrigued (use that word way too often) and curious. If you keep going, like me, you realize that these web cam scenes are not the main focus of the story like I first thought, but provide a true insight into the real world. Sometimes it sucks....ya know. 

2) Camming. This girl hasn't had contact with ANYONE in 3 years, but lives her days doing sex chats on a webcam and is quite successful at it. I really thought a lot about the human condition during this one, as cliche as that sounds, and about the things we don't know about the people we are closest to. DeAnna is living proof of this with her past, specifically with her mother, and Carolyn who we meet late in the story realizes this in a big way. 

3) Her urges. DeAnna talks a lot about having murderous thoughts. This is her motivation for literally locking herself in her apartment and not coming out, ever. Another dip into evaluating the human psyche, and you focus less on what she makes her money doing, and really wondering about her. Torre does a great job of detailing this and when I finally figured it out, I read the entire passage with my hand over my mouth. Poor DeAnna. I might act a little cray cray too if I went through what she has.

4) Jeremy. Good guy, but I kinda liked that this wasn't a romantic story. I think if their story had been anymore than it was, it would've made the whole thing too over the top. 

5) Mike. I am choosing NOT to reference him by his online userID! Hah! I really liked him by the end because he really had DeAnna figured out, even when she thought her walls were impenetrable. 

I had trouble with switching point of views. I was a bit confused for the first 1/4 or so and had to double back a few times to figure out who was speaking. I got the rhythm eventually, but it did take a little effort. I, like you, do not want to post anything that might be spoilery, but I absolutely loved the twists and turns that I didn't expect. Unexpected love for this book.

 **Shelley** 4 1/2 Stars

I think I just experienced reader whiplash. What I thought was happening at the beginning did NOT-- definitely did NOT-- prepare me for the ending.  Let me try to do this …try to form coherent thoughts and sentences without giving away too much. I really really want to hash this out. Talk and talk and talk about all these thoughts and questions swirling around in my head but I don’t want to spoil anything so here are my thoughts:

     1) Courtney, I agree that the tone was dark and was so fitting for the subject matter.  If anyone would’ve seen me reading the first few pages they would’ve seen my mouth hit the floor many times. I remember thinking something along the lines of “um, WHAT??!!!”  I think we might’ve even messaged each other that sentiment at the beginning of our reading. If you are thinking the same thing, I promise you—stick with it! Once I sunk myself into the story, I was not put off by the darkness and I didn’t feel that it weighed me down or distracted me; it felt right.

2)  Camming. Well that’s a world I was completely unfamiliar with. I’ve never read a novel tackling this subject area and became quickly intrigued by all the protagonist’s insights and observations about her clients.  Congratulations to Torre for exploring this sexual underworld in a way that felt honest and real. The entire sexcam aspect of the novel could’ve easily been sleazy or slimy but it became evident, quickly, that this was not the aim.

3)   Her murderous thoughts. Maybe I’m not as widely read as I thought I was (scratch that—I’m definitely not as widely read as I’d like to be) but I don’t think I’ve read someone with an urge so overwhelming that she hasn’t been in public in years.  It was fascinating to read about the protagonist’s struggle to process and deal with the how’s and why’s of these urges.

     4)  Jeremy and Mike. They both added a distraction and relief to the suffocation of her apartment and the intensity of the action. I appreciated Torre’s light touch with these two characters but there were definitely times when I wish I would’ve known more; however, I agree that if this had been too romance-y it would’ve taken the story in a completely (and maybe unwelcome) direction.  

    5)   Pacing. This book practically read itself.  Sometimes I am put off by quick reads because I feel that too many plot points are rushed or underdeveloped but I rarely felt unsatisfied while reading this one. I found myself having to stop and take a breather because of the twists and turns . I think I texted Courtney at least 3 or 4 times with O.M.G. moments simply because my anxiety levels had reached the upper atmosphere and I needed a sympathetic ear!  **C Jumping in here - I so could not have said this any more perfectly than you just did! **

    If you are easily offended or a delicate flower, this is probably not the book for you.  Since I am neither of these, I enjoyed it! It was so original and not at all what I expected (in a good way).  If Alessandra Torre ever decided to revisit these characters I would not discourage her (hint, hint). 

Alessandra Torre is an exciting new author who astonished the publishing world with the success of her first novel, Blindfolded Innocence. Initially self-published, the intriguing romance and erotica title quickly rose to the top of the charts on Kindle and Amazon and attracted the interest of major publishing houses. Currently available on Kindle, iBookstore and Nook, Blindfolded Innocence will be available in print in 30 different countries through Harlequin Publishing in June 2013.

Torre’s captivating story about a young intern’s sexual awakening has won praise and rave reviews from numerous critics, bloggers and book reviewers, including the acclaimed Dr. Laura Berman. In her recent article “35 to Read After 50″ in Everyday Health, Dr. Berman recommended Blindfolded as a must-read for book enthusiasts searching for a new fix after Fifty Shades of Grey. The book has also received high marks from readers on Goodreads and other literary web sites where fans frequently remark they can’t wait for a Blindfolded sequel!

Momentarily stunned by the book’s rapid success and loyal following, Torre is currently at work on a thriller that will be released in the next two months as well as a sequel to Blindfolded. From her home near the tranquil warm waters of the Emerald Coast in Florida, she devotes several hours each day to various writing projects and interacting with her fans on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Happily married to her “best friend” and with one son, she loves watching SEC football games, horseback riding, reading and watching movies.

Email her at alessandratorre4@gmail.com
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 * Follow her on twitter
 * Fan her at www.goodreads.com/AlessandraTorre
 * Follow her on pinterest

READ ALONG: GONE GIRL BY GILLIAN FLYNN PART I

 

So Courtney, I can see through our messages back and forth on Twitter that we need to take a time out...a breather, if you will, to talk about Gone Girl. Where to begin? For me it started out slow and I don't think I fully appreciated all the attention to detail because I was eager for the action; but, now I can see that this story is going to unravel slowly and I'm really enjoying the little trail of breadcrumbs Gillian Flynn is leaving us.

Some things I am pondering: THE LIES!!! What are the lies and why is he lying? WHY. IS. HE. LYING? I'm very suspicious of Mr. Nick Dunne but surely it can't be that easy. He can't be the culprit of whatever the crime is, can he?? Or...can he?!!

And little Miss Amy. Why didn't she ever just speak her mind? Why all the filtering of reactions in her brain? Why all the trying to be the perfect wife? I just want to shake her and tell her that it is okay to nag, to be mad, to have inappropriate responses to your husband. He's your HUSBAND...if you can't be yourself with him, than WHO can you be yourself with?

The family members on both sides: WEIRDOS.

And the sick 40-something volunteer who hits on Nick while they are searching for Amy. GROSS.

As you can see, Courtney, this novel has me all sorts of riled up (in a good way) and I cannot wait to hear what you are thinking.

Shelley! So! I just got caught up to you! Here we go! 

The detail is the reason I was glad that we are reading this slowly together. I just knew that it was going to take a little more "effort" if you will, to get into and stick with it. I am so glad we did! We're what - 28% in, and there are sssoooooo many questions that have been unveiled it's not even funny. 

The hook for me was at the end of "chapter 5" (there aren't really chapters, just altering viewpoints), and he said "It was my fifth lie to the police. I was just starting." HELLO! I wasn't aware that any lying was going on! I will repeat: WHY. IS. HE. LYING!! The fact that this weirdo can remember that is really something. I also think it might be way too easy for him to be the kidnapper, but his weird facial expressions at inopportune moments and overall inappropriate reactions to any and all emotion really isn't shedding him in a good light. 

The altering viewpoints are really taking me on an emotional roller coaster. He makes me think "Oh, he's not so bad. That's why he did that," until he thinks something creepy. Amy's past thoughts make me feel bad for her so I'm like a spectator at a tennis match with the back and forth whiplash of feelings. 

Nick's sister Go is creepy. We haven't seen a lot of her in the last little while, so I am wondering if there is something to that. Amy's parents are weird too and clearly messed her up with their children's stories based on "Amazing Amy" making her the perfect daughter. 

I am focusing in right now (and I am THE WORST at guessing endings of anything really, just ask my husband) on the anniversary scavenger hunts. I think we have to pay special attention to those...Just Sayin'! 

That little conversation with the weird lady that hits on him is going to bite him on the butt hard core later. 

**Read along! Let us know what you think! We'll be back at about 50% for another **PAUSE** in the story for some reflection. Maybe you'll be sending some "WHOA!" messages too! 

     

REVIEW: DOCUMENTARY BY AJ SAND (DOCUMENTARY #1)

Documentary by AJ Sand (Documentary #1)

Dylan Carroll, an ambitious college student filmmaker still reeling from the death of her brother, may have just stumbled onto the opportunity of a lifetime.

Musician Kai White is in the middle of a public relations nightmare, and he may be keeping a secret that could turn things around. His manager/publicist wants to create a web series aimed at cleaning up his image. There’s also a promising offer at stake if Dylan can abide by the rule of staying strictly professional, and if she can figure out what Kai is hiding.

But Kai and Dylan already have an undeniable connection, and when they are together, they discover that rules are pretty easy to break. It's battling your own demons that's much, much harder.

As Dylan gets deeper into Kai's world, capturing his life on film, she'll learn that some secrets are so big, they are kept even at the expense of a career.

And that a person's story is often nothing like it appears from the outside.

440 PAGES.

***
Author's Note: There's more than one book. No idea when I'll release it.

New Adult/Mature Teen; therefore, the content is unsuitable for readers under age 17. Contains sexual situations, language and violence.

Kindle Edition, 440 pages

Published January 26th 2013 by Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

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****Shelley****5 stars

The Love:

Well, Courtney, what’s not to like about this book; I mean seriously?  Let me count the ways that I loved this one:

1)  The story. I guess I’d describe it as a story of love, loyalty, self-discovery, and healing. But! that description makes it sound so sappy.  So, you know in an alternate universe I’m a badass surfer/rocker chick, right? Well this novel happens to incorporate many aspects of that persona: badasses, rockers, and surfers.  While the main story focuses on the complexities of the relationship between Dylan and Kai, the badasses, rockers, and surfers help add to the tension, beauty, and comic relief of the story.

2)  The length of the book and the writing. I’m a girl who likes a good book to never end. Some may be turned off by a lengthy story but if it’s a good one, I’m okay if it never ends. Documentary was exactly the length that it needed to be—if it had been shorter, it would’ve felt too rushed. AJ Sand took the time and space to really develop the characters and provide details that made you feel like you were standing in the space with them. It wasn’t bogged down with too many superfluous details or scenes that were too drawn out. I also thought the dialogue between characters felt natural.

3)  The locations. With my day job being permanently landlocked, I don’t travel for 10 months out of the year. I’ve haven’t been to most of the locations mentioned in the novel, but after reading it I feel compelled to visit them all. This novel was begging me to hop on the next plane to Hawaii when I finished it.

4)      The Erica story. I won’t spoil anything but I was sufficiently intrigued and hooked into finding what was up with her. Knowing that we’ll get an entire novel dedicated to exploring the plight of this character more than delights me. (As does the promise of a story on Wes).

AJ Sand does not shy away from uncomfortable truths and isn’t afraid to plunge us into those. I like that this novel doesn’t wrap everything up in pretty little packages at the end but also doesn’t leave us so distraught that we want to throttle her. Instead she leaves us waiting for her next novel and I’ll be the first in line to get it.

Some of my favorite lines:

• "I didn't watch your movies," Kai said. His tone wasn't cold, but he was holding a challenging gaze on her, like he was testing her response. Dylan shrugged and rested her chin on her palm. "It's okay. I don't like your boy band." Kai  fought against his growing smile. Dylan knew that her answer had charmed him..." (I LOVE HER SASS!)

• Kai was right to place his faith in words, Dylan thought. They were too powerful. They could be like a knife to the soul, lacerating something that could never be fixed...They could destroy you. But they could also make you feel like you could fly, a butterfly freed from a jar, going up and up, until you suddenly wanted to fall back to Earth just so you could hear them again. (I love words about words)

• "Team Dick?" she said, giggling. (I seriously couldn't pass it up)

• And, basically anything Wes said. (I'm a sucker for humor)

**Courtney** 5 Stars

Loves:

1) You are so right! Documentary includes everything that has the ability to make me swoon: rockers, surfers (extreme sports - c'mon), music, and a guy who definitely kicks the standard for book boyfriend up a notch. If you doubt my love for rockers, please refer to our last review! I am a sucker for rock guys, and let me say Kai White is A. ROCK. GOD....I mean guy! I also like me a guy with a little fight in him and his ability to throw a few punches when the situation calls for it...and well, mostly when it doesn't...is totally Kai. They don't dub him "Kamakazi Kai" for nothing. 

2) I really didn't mind the length either. I honestly didn't even notice how many pages it was until after it was done and I saw a post AJ made about "her long ass book" and looked back and saw that yep, it was a really really long book. Being of the Harry Potter persuasion, long books when well written are totally my favorite.

3) The locations. Yes! What college age girl wouldn't jump at the chance to move to Hawaii to do a web Documentary (Hah, see what I did there) on a famous rock star would seriously need their head checked. The locations really help set a tone for the characters and all of their relationships or they did to me. Kai's house did that too, with his seeming inability to ever be alone there were ALWAYS people at his house.

4) Erica. My oh my. I agree that anything about her would definitely be a spoiler land mine, but I have to pour my heart out a little bit more for Kai. His life is so public so everyone he hangs out with of the opposite sex is automatically romantically involved with him. I don't want to spoil the nature of their relationship, but AJ really uses many many outlets to make your heart hurt for Kai.

5) Dylan. She has a lot of struggles too. With trying to do the right thing for herself and everyone else, she really has to find a balance and it is a very interesting journey to see if she gets there. Their love story was a bit of a roller coaster as well for them to get on the same page, but Kai has many tricks up his sleeve to get her to let her guard down...Thank God!

I want to add a last note for family. Big theme, and family is a very big thing for me in many ways, but mostly how just because you are blood related doesn't make you family, and vice versa. Kai and his group of friends are so loyal to each other and I just love stories with powerful secondary characters.

Favorite Quotes: 

"What? I'm allowed to say his name; he's not f***ing Voldemort." - Abel 

"Even though I tell myself I shouldn't do it, I keep f***ing chasing you," Kai said with breathless irritation when he hit the hallway. "I keep doing it." 



**This book and following AJ on Twitter is really how Shelley and I got started talking and reading together and now blogging together so we love it very much. Thanks AJ!!!**

REVIEW: GIVE ME LOVE BY KATE MCCARTHY (GIVE ME #1)

Evie Jamieson, a former wild child, is not only a headstrong, smart-mouthed trouble magnet, she is also a lead singer with a plan. That plan involves relocating her band, including her two best friends guitarist Henry and band manager Mac, to Sydney to kick off their dreams of hitting the big time. 

Jared Valentine is the older brother of Evie's best friend Mac and also the man determined to make Evie his. They strike up a long distance friendship which suits Evie because she's determined to avoid the distraction of love, not only because it doesn't fit in with her plan but because twice in the past it has left her for dead. Moving to Sydney however, has put her directly in Jared's path and he has decided it's the perfect opportunity to make his play.

Unfortunately Jared, co-owner in a business that 'consults' in dangerous hostage and kidnapping situations, makes an enemy who's determined to enact revenge. When this enemy puts Evie in his sights, Jared not only has a fight on his hands to make her his own, but also to keep her alive.

Is accepting the love he's so desperate to give worth the risk to both her heart...and her life?

 

328 pages - Published March 15th 2013

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**Courtney**5 Stars**

I loved:

1) The dialogue. The story is set in Australia and heavily uses Australian slang. I like to think I'm smarter than I probably am so I think I understood it pretty well.

Copper (cop) Cuppa (coffee) <== see why I love these. I would like to incorporate into my own vocabulary, but I'm flakey and probably won't remember. Sigh.

2) The camaraderie. Having a novel with a lot of characters can sometimes be difficult to follow. Here we have Evie, Henry, Mac, Cooper, Jake, Frog, Jared, Coby, Mitch, Casey, Travis, and Tim. Then there are secondary characters of Steve and Jenna (Mac, Jared, Mitch, and Travis's parents), Tate (asshole), and Peter (puppy). They are all very important to the story, and I felt like this one done very well. Usually only a few are present in the dialogue at a time so it kept things from getting jumbled. The relationships were able to be meaningful, especially between Mac, Henry, Evie, and Jared.

3) The band. I am the biggest fan girl I know. If anyone looked in my kindle library they would find a lot of books about rock stars in every capacity I can find. If it says band in the blurb, I will probably buy it. Evie is the lead singer. Not only do we have a book about a band, but a FEMALE led band. Must read right? Right.

4) The romance. Whew, Jared and Evie were on quite the emotional roller coaster. They both have been hurt in the past so it was touch and go with their communication skills. And by touch and go I obviously mean almost non-existent. Assumptions on both of their parts caused more than enough tests on their fledgling relationship and I didn't know which way it was going to go right up until the very end.

5) The twists. Secondary to the love story is when Evie and Jared's worlds collide. It was fast paced and fun and sometimes straight out of an action movie! 

I disliked:

1) There was one chapter at about 80% that was a from a different point of view. I was at first a little bit irritated and thinking WHAT was she thinking. There had been zero POV changes and I was almost confused. But in the end I am glad that it was that way because it might have been more confusing without it. It is just the one time, and it didn't end up hurting the story.

**Shelley** 5 Stars

The Love: 

1) Courtney, I wholeheartedly agree with the dialogue! I like exploring new slang and I find it interesting to try to decipher what the characters are talking about. I don't find it distracting at all. Sometimes I even try it out at work--usually to confused looks or giggles but, whatever, it makes me feel worldly. :)

2) Ahh...the camaraderie: it's really why I mentioned this book to you in the first place. I was literally laughing out loud, in public, while reading this on my kindle. These characters are written with such humor and honesty. I didn't feel that their reactions were far- fetched or outside of the range of normal--and they were such good friends to each other; I really liked that about them. I wanted them all to be my friends.

3) Hot Badass Rocker Girl--what??!!! How awesome is that? I've been waiting for a story like this. She seemed so normal and yet so capable and I wanted to be her. End. Of. Story.

4) I love a good romance and especially loved the text banter between Evie and Jared. It was fun and hot and frustrating (in a good way).  They were both so bossy and strong and funny.I enjoyed seeing them learn how to navigate their personalities and insecurities and hearts. The sex scenes were steamy but written tastefully so if you're looking to see your kindle melt from the sex, and only sex, you might want to delegate this read for another time.

5) I also enjoyed the twists and turns the plot took as Jared's job collided with Evie's life. While it may be outside of our range of normal, that's what fiction is all about, right? Suspend beliefs and enjoy what the author is giving us. I couldn't imagine those things happening to most, if any, people but so what? I enjoyed it.

The dislike:

1) I vaguely remember the POV shift as being a little jarring and agree that in hindsight, it was not a huge distraction and helped explain something that might not have been clear otherwise.

Overall--a great read! I'd recommend it highly and am looking forward to her other novels!