Review — The Real by Kate Stewart

 

I LOVE series, I'd rather be curled up on my couch in front of a good suspenseful netflix show than at the movies watching the latest blockbuster. That's how I feel I about books, I like getting attached to a good cast of characters and to follow their adventures books after books.

That being said I learned to appreciate standalones more this year. I love the fact that they're unique stories, that are probably very special for their authors. Sometimes they're even the story of their life, that one book they took years to develop and waited until the timing was right to share with us. That's how I felt reading The Real, like it was a truly special story for Kate Stewart and I'm so thankful she took that leap of faith in her readers and published it.

It's impossible to summarize this novel without spoiling it but I have to admit that not knowing anything while reading it was kind of frustrating at times. I knew that something big was coming but I didn't know what it was and when it would happen and it drove me NUTS.

Now that I've finished it, I have to say that the blurb is perfect and truly represent what this book is about. It's a beautiful stunningly written love story, you get to see all of the stages of Abbie and Cameron's relationship: their meet cute, their first dates, first kiss, first fight, their blossoming love, everything. 

I wouldn't call it a slow burn, it's the opposite in my opinion. It's not instalove, but the heroes are dating from the start of the book, albeit unconventionally. Their first kiss doesn't happen at like 60 %, so yeah I wouldn't say The Real is a slow burn, it's the story of a relationship told with a realistic blend of comedy and angst.

So we get to witness this blissful moments between Abbie and Cameron until of course a big twist happen to shake things up. I absolutely recommend that you don't read spoilers and trust the journey with this one. I'm glad that I didn't, I kind of guessed the twist at some point but I was still SHOOK when it was revealed and I think it's perfect this way because you HAVE TO go through the different stages, you have to fall in love with Abbie and Cameron as separate characters and as a couple. You have to swoooooon at their sweetness and envy the fuck out of Abbie to really "appreciate" that twist ! You have to through everything with both of these very intriguing characters to fully enjoy their story.

The Real convinced me to try Drive when I'll feel in bolder mood. If you enjoy a deep, passionate and emotional love story, if you don't mind not having to wait until the last pages for a first kiss, if you enjoy it when main couples don't spend the entire book fighting their feelings,  this book is for you. If it's not usually your cup of tea please give it a chance, this story is too bold and unique to miss.

The Real by Kate Stewart 

Ebook release date : 04/17/18 (No Preorders)

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Review — Crack duet by L.H. Cosway

"There is a crack in everything. That's how the light get in." Leonard Cohen What a wonderful duet ! Ev is probably the most relatable heroine I've ever read. It's been so long since I've read a book that actually put my feelings into words. It reminded me why I love reading books so much. And Dylan, omg Dylan! This is textbook how you should write a HERO. I'm stunned by the character development, you can really tell that there's 11 years between the two books because the characters really evolved and I loved what time did to Dylan. He realized all of his dreams, but still had Evelyn in his heart and never looked down on her. Not only was he supportive but he also really understood Evelyn's situation and he never judged her. I am not gonna lie sometimes I did judge Ev probably because I saw so much of myself in her and often throughout the book he reminded me of what she went through and how selfless and strong she was. He never made her feel guilty for her choices and wow that's powerful, this is what I call a hero ! The Cracks duet is an epic unconditional love story, that I HIGHLY recommend. There's so much more I want to say but I also really want readers to know as little as possible to savor this beautiful story. 5 stars A Crack In Everything How The Light Get In

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Book Review — Uncharted by Julie Johnson

Uncharted

ARC given in return for honest review

There is nothing I love more than an survival love story. My favorites books are from the Bronze Horseman series by Paullina Simons, I'm a sucker for an epic romance. They're so rare that once you find one you grab it and try to make it last. Big fail! I finished Uncharted in one sitting. It's a page turner, a HIT, an instant 2018 stand out. I was instantly hooked. Julie is such a good writer I knew it because I've read Say the Word and Erasing Faith but Uncharted is on another level. She confirmed her status as a solid writer with this one. 

I absolutely refuse to write in detail what the story is about for one reason: this book is definitely short considering its premise. It's really perfect so I can't complain about this, it's just that if you're used to reading longer books and if you expected this one to be this way you won't be disappointed but you'll definitely be frustrated and will hope that Julie Johnson will hear you silent prayer for a sequel, trilogy or anything with Beck and Violet. And like me once you'll hit 50% you'll start to agonize at the idea of THE book hangover. So if i write a detailed synopsis I'm afraid it will ruin your reading experience, I'm frustrated when reviewers when they do this because I kind of like to know everything there is to know about a romance before I start it to avoid my deal breakers but trust me with this one!

Violet was a delight, she became one of my favorite heroines, she's THAT girl and I knew it from the first chapter . Even though I found the book too short she's one of the reason I can't complain because she's a fleshed out character and an exquisite narrator. She made me laugh so much, she also moved me even though she has the most basic backstory. I prefer it that way because I'm really tired of reading about broken characters with awful pasts I often find myself skipping the parts where they reveal their backstory because it's became so boring to read about drug addict parents or other troubled childhood backgrounds. Violet is an ordinary girl set to live the extraordinary, she left her normal suburban life to live an adventure and she got more than she bargained for and that makes for an intriguing story : how will she adapt ? what are her strengths and weaknesses ? Now that's an interesting premise imho!

Uncharted is told entirely on Violet's pov which is the best choice Julie could've made, most of us readers prefer it that way because you want to know but let's be real you absolutely don't want to know too. The tension, the angst, everything is better with just one pov even if you crave death while reading because you WANT in Beck's head. Beck, we don't know much about him because it's Violet's story and she hates him with the fire of a thousands suns. It makes him even more sexy and irresistible and as the novel progress you find out more and more and he goes from grumpy but sexy asshole to book bae real fast.Both of them just really moved me that's why it's so hard to leave them after one short book. The moment they met and learn each others name ? BEST. They have the best dialogs, crazy good chemistry. It's taboo, I would normally run the other way but like in On the Island with this particular trope, the age gap works and doesn't bother me tbh. Together they have explosive chemistry but what makes it work is the particular bond they formed in their situation. This is the kind of dynamic you can only find with this specific trope and this is why I love it so much. Uncharted is without doubt a must read, please give it a chance and meet these brilliantly written characters, you'll be charmed by their bravery, their humor and their undying hope.

I have to be honest... I have been on a major book slump in 2017. I still read a lot of books but many were DNFs and I can't think of one that gave me a major book hangover and made me passionate enough to beg for an ARC just from reading the blurb. So thank you Julie Johnson, I was starting to lose hope! I think a lot of people will be drawn to Uncharted just reading the blurb and seeing the cover. I wish more authors in romancelandia would understand the importance of a good roll out. I can't be the only one who dislike the trend of hipsters and ken looking obnoxious cover models. Unpopular opinion : you don't sell a sexy calendar , you're selling a couple, a STORY and I wish more covers would reflect this. I refuse to believe i'm the only one thinking this ... This author don't have any tasteless cover but this one is particularly good and perfect for this story. 

Julie if you read this, pretty please with a cherry on top: would you consider developing this story more ? This cannot be it. Take this from a 5 stars story to a 10 stars epic trilogy. Violet and Beck are still out there living their epic journey and we want to know more :)

5 stars 

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