Awkward by Marni Bates

My Edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 259
Series: Smith High #1
Genre: YA, High School, Romance
Publish: Dec. 27th, 2011
Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis:

I’m Mackenzie Wellesley, and I’ve spent my life avoiding the spotlight. But that was four million hits ago…

Blame it on that grade school ballet recital, when I tripped and pulled the curtain down, only to reveal my father kissing my dance instructor. At Smith High, I’m doing a pretty good job of being the awkward freshman people only notice when they need help with homework. Until I send a burly football player flying with my massive backpack, and make a disastrous–not to mention unwelcome–attempt at CPR. Just when I think it’s time for home schooling, the whole fiasco explodes on Youtube. And then the strangest thing happens. Suddenly, I’m the latest sensation, sucked into a whirlwind of rock stars, paparazzi, and free designer clothes. I even catch the eye of the most popular guy at school. That’s when life gets really interesting… 

Review:

Mackenzie had a normal life. She tutored a hockey star, helped anyone with homework, oh, and she’s a klutz.

An unfortunate incident happened and it just so been Mackenzie’s luck that it got filmed and put on Youtube.

Now pushed into internet stardom Mackenzie is trying to navigate how to be famous and not lose herself completely in the fame.

Mackenzie was hard for me to like in a way. She had a quirk and she tended to babble. After halfway through the babble started to get annoying. Some of the things that happened it the book didn’t overall feel like the story was connecting.

I didn’t quite feel the connection of Logan and Mackenzie. Or Mackenzie with anyone really.

I liked the plot. Just wish it was more detail in certain areas.

House of Royale by Jaymin Eve

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 268
Series: Secret Keepers #4 (Finale)
Genre: Fantasy
Publish: Sep. 9th, 2018
Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis:

Avalon has always felt different and alone. The ocean, along with the friends she’s made under the water, is the only constant in her life. She comforts herself with the notion that alone is at least safe. There’s no one to hide her extraordinary abilities from, to hide her dreams of living beneath the crashing waves forever. 

Then Xander comes for her, reluctantly, judging by his snarly attitude. But, attitude aside, he draws her into a fantasy world, one filled with family and friendship and … the home she’s always craved. 

He gives her the smallest glimpse of perfection, only to then inform her that it’s not a world she can have. Political issues in Royale will make her time there temporary. 

Her time in Royale and with Xander. 

She will stay until the very end, though. If there’s one thing that she’s determined to prevent, it’s Laous getting his hands on the starslight stone. A stone which is keeping two worlds alive and functioning. 

A happily ever after might not be in the cards for her, but she’s determined to make it happen for her friends. 

Even if it’s the last thing she does. 

Don’t miss the stunning conclusion to the Secret Keepers series.

Review:

I love the ending. Lexen and Emma are still my favorite couple. I’m happy that it ended good. I don’t know if it’s my favorite from this author but it’s up there on my list.

Pain by Jane Washington and Jaymin Eve

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 392
Series: Curse of the Gods #5 (Finale)
Genre: Reverse Harem, Fantasy
Publish:
Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis:

Willa Knight: The saviour of both worlds, or the destruction of everything?

Sometimes history lies, and the tales of Minatsol and Topia are no different. Since the birth of Topia, Staviti has woven a web of deceit around the truth of Creation, striving only to maintain his power while destroying anything that gets in his way. Now, Willa and the Abcurses are determined to strip back the layers, to uncover the truth, and to understand the true nature of the two worlds before it’s too late. 
The only problem? 
Any wrong step in their quest to restore balance might have terrible repercussions. Every single being—living or dead—might have to pay the price. 

This is a full novel, 90,000 words. Book 5 of 5 in the Curse of the Gods Series

Review:

• 

I don’t know why but it seemed to take forever to finish this series. A series I had loved.

The last two books just dragged for me. I feel like Willa lost her mojo after book 3. She was as funny. I didn’t quite like how she lost almost all of her clumsiness even though the authors wrote why she did in the plot line. I like clumsy Willa. I really hated that she was written out of that. She wasn’t as funny as she was in the first three books.

• 

Now the quotes that came from this book are awesome. I loved a lot of quotes. My favorite was probably …

But this holy man did not appear even slightly awed by us; instead he regarded us in the same way he did everyone he passed.

So beautifully written ladies!

I didn’t mind the ending. I actually really liked the end. It was the journey to get there that I didn’t fully love. But alas I made it through.

House of Leights by Jaymin Eve

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 260
Series: Secret Keepers #3
Genre: Fantasy
Publish: July 10, 2018
Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis:

Maya has never had much to complain about. Sure, her parents are absent a lot, having important jobs in the government, but at the end of the day she has all the material possessions a girl could want. Not to mention a great best friend, and secure spot in the popular group at her school. 

Yet she can never shake the feeling of displacement. Constantly searching for something that’s missing from her life. 

Turns out Maya is part of something much bigger than her human existence, and after a mysterious stranger saves her from an ambush at a party, he brings her into his world. 

And turns her world completely upside down.

Review:

As much as I was excited for Chase’s book, I wasn’t a big fan of Maya. There’s nothing wrong with her, but after Emma and Callie, she seemed to not live up.

I hope the next girl does. Maya seemed a bit bland. I like how she and Chase were fated together though.

I really can’t wait for Xander’s story. I hope this series ends with a bang.

Strength by Jaymin Eve & Jane Washington

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 274
Series: Curse of the Gods #4
Genre: Fantasy
Publish: July 20, 2018
Rating: 4.5 stars

Synopsis:

Willa Knight: Dead? Alive? Damned to a state of eternal bad luck?

Willa and the Abcurse brothers are back, and more determined than ever to stick by each other. Unfortunately, Staviti has other plans, plans that threaten to change the natural order of the worlds—though nobody really understands why. His agenda may very well affect all beings on Minatsol, even those that thought themselves safe in Topia. Even Willa-invincible-Knight. 
Unsure with her new place in the worlds, Willa must follow the Abcurses to their new post: Champions Peak, a secluded mountain far from civilization, where the most powerful sols have been summoned to hone their abilities through direct contact with the gods. 
There is a chance that she might survive her time on the mountain, but it seems like staying alive amidst the powerful occupants of the Peak is the least of her concerns. 
Her real problem is staying on the mountain at all. 

Review:

At first I wasn’t a fan of this book. It took it a bit to get me fully engaged. Willa at first was annoying. Her inner rambling was driving me crazy.

Finally about 30% through it started to pick up.

I didn’t love it as much as the first three books but I still liked it enough. Many plot twists in this I wasn’t fully seeing. But now revealed, I’m surprised I missed them.

Two more books of this series and I will be able to cross it off.

House of Imperial by Jaymin Eve

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 236
Series: Secret Keepers #2
Genre: Fantasy
Publish: June 15th, 2018
Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis:

Callie has spent her life moving towns every four months in a bid to “stay off the grid.” Her only family is a paranoid mother who believes there’s a race of supernatural beings out there actively searching for Callie. A race who could destroy Earth if they get their hands on her. Callie’s never seen one thing to suggest there’s any truth to mom’s insane ramblings, and at the age of eighteen now, she’s grown numb to her reality – she’s never going to have a normal life.

That is, until they move to New Orleans. The moment Callie steps foot into the Quarter, hears the jazz music, feels the soul of the city, the cold shell she’s built to protect herself starts to thaw.

Then they come for her. 

Turns out her mom’s stories are quite real, and whatever happens, Callie’s empty world will never be the same again.

Review:

I love this heroine more than the first one. I actually like this one all around more than the first book.

I’m so happy for her and Daniel. Daniel deserves his happiness after everything.

I like how the heroine who was born of Imperial, lords of the underworld, felt at home in New Orleans. That’s awesome because of the history of New Orleans.

On to Chase’s story, though I really can’t wait for Xander’s.

House of Darken by Jaymin Eve

My edition: Kindle Owned
Pages: 340
Series: Secret Keepers #1
Genre: Fantasy
Publish: June 1st 2018
Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis:

When Emma moves to Astoria, Oregon, she is given two rules: 

#1 – Don’t cross to “their” side of the street.

#2 – Don’t mess with the elites, especially Lexen Darken, top elite and resident bad boy. 

While she finds this both weird and insulting, Emma has no actual intention of breaking these rules – until her guardians go missing. Now all bets are off. Only a single line separates her side of the street from the elites’, and she’s crossing it.

Captured and held by Lexen and his brothers, she learns the rules are in place for a very good reason. There’s a secret world hidden in this small town which goes far beyond the one she knows and understands. 

A world not for humans.

Review:

I do love Jaymin’s writing.

Emma is funny and sassy. I like that though everyone seems to let the elites treat them like crap, Emma doesn’t. Lexen and Emma are adorable together. While at times I wanted the romance to pick up faster, I’m glad it wasn’t rushed.

A great spin on aliens!