Monday, July 27, 2015

Release Week Blitz for Lia Riley’s INSIDE OUT! Review and Giveaway!!!


You guys, I'm so excited to be part of this Release Week Blitz!  This is a series you NEED to get into NOW!  And I have a special treat for you today - the publisher has offered up an extra PRINT COPY for me to give away to a lucky commenter!!!

INSIDE OUT by Lia Riley (July 28, 2015; Forever Trade Paperback; Off the Map #3)
Love is their best adventure yet . . .
Talia Stolfi is deeply in love with the brooding Aussie surfer who stole her heart-but their infrequent letters only get her so far. While she fulfills her dream of being in the Peace Corps, a dangerous condition jeopardizes her life . . . and threatens to shatter her heart.

After nearly losing Talia forever, Bran Lockhart sailed to the stormy seas at the ends of the earth. Deep down, he knows that all roads worth traveling lead back to the beautiful California girl with the sunny smile. There's no denying that he belongs with her, but to have her by his side means Bran must dare to do something he's never done before: hope.  Everything they've fought for has come down to this moment. Can Talia and Bran discover the courage to claim their future and learn that sometimes, in order to earn true love, you need to venture off the map?

Buy the book!

About the author:
After studying at the University of Montana-Missoula, Lia Riley scoured the world armed only with a backpack, overconfidence and a terrible sense of direction. When not torturing heroes (because c'mon, who doesn't love a good tortured hero?), Lia herds unruly chickens, camps, beach combs, daydreams about as-of-yet unwritten books, wades through a mile-high TBR pile and schemes yet another trip. She and her family live mostly in Northern California.

Social Media Links:


Thanks to Grand Central Publishing via Netgalley for the free review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Did I like this book?

As you  might have gathered by now, I am a huge fan of this series, so it feels needless to say that yes, I did like this book.  In fact, I adored this book!  I thought that "Inside Out" was the perfect culmination to the series, making me feel all the warm and fuzzies for this couple. 

"Inside Out" opens with Talia working in Malawi as a Peace Corps volunteer.  Almost immediately it is apparent that she is struggling - she questions if this career path was a mistake, and if so, how can she give up on it when she's wanted it so long and given up so much to get this opportunity?  Bran is in Antarctica, following his own dream, and communication is very sporadic.  How can they possibly make this relationship work?

Bran and Talia are not the type to give up without a fight, though!  One thing I love about these two is that when one is hitting rock bottom, the other is fully committed to helping them sort their junk and get their head on straight.  This happens fairly often throughout the series, but while in the first two books Talia and Bran had their share of arguments and misunderstandings, in "Inside Out" they seem to have already outgrown some of the more petty stuff they'd encountered in the beginning of their relationship.  They're no longer jealous (much) when the other receives unsolicited attention from an ex or a stranger.  Their problems stem more from Talia's disorder or deciding where to live and work.  It's pretty amazing to read, actually - just like a real life couple, but hotter!

Will you like this book? 

Damn straight!  If you've followed Talia and Bran throughout this series so far, I don't see any reason why you won't love "Inside Out".  And if you're a New Adult aficionado and you haven't tried this series yet, I can't say it enough - go read it now!  It's definitely got the Roxy stamp of approval!

Will I read more by this author?

The answer to that would be an unequivocal "yes"!!!  I see that Riley's next series is a Contemporary Romance with a small town feel - looks fabulous, and I can't wait to get my grabby hands on it!

My rating:

Here's some more info on the other books in the series:

UPSIDE DOWN by Lia Riley (May 12, 2015; Forever Trade Paperback; Off the Map #1)
If you never get lost, you'll never be found…Twenty-one-year-old Natalia Stolfi is saying good-bye to the past-and turning her life upside down with a trip to the land down under. For the next six months, she'll act like a carefree exchange student, not a girl sinking under the weight of painful memories. Everything is going according to plan until she meets a brooding surfer with hypnotic green eyes and the troubling ability to see straight through her act.

Bran Lockhart is having the worst year on record. After the girl of his dreams turned into a nightmare, he moved back home to Melbourne to piece his life together. Yet no amount of disappointment could blind him to the pretty California girl who gets past all his defenses. He's never wanted anyone the way he wants Talia. But when Bran gets a stark reminder of why he stopped believing in love, he and Talia must decide if what they have is once in a lifetime . . . or if they were meant to live a world apart.

Buy the book!

Read my four star review here!
SIDESWIPED by Lia Riley (June 30, 2015; Forever Trade Paperback; Off the Map #2)
It was only meant to last the summer . . .
Talia Stolfi has seen more than her share of loss in her twenty-one years. But then fate brought her Bran Lockhart, and her dark world was suddenly and spectacularly illuminated. So if being with Bran means leaving her colorless SoCal life for rugged and wild Australia, then that's what she'll do. But as much as Talia longs to give herself over completely to a new beginning, the fears of her past are still lurking in the shadows.

Bran Lockhart knows that living without the beautiful girl who stole his heart will be torment, so he'll take whatever time with her he can. But even though she has packed up her life in California and is back in his arms for the time being, she can't stay forever. And the remaining time they have together is ticking by way too fast. Though fate seems determined to tear them apart, they won't give up without a fight-because while time may have limits, their love is infinite . . .

Buy the book!

Read my four star review here!

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Saturday, July 25, 2015

Review: "Walking on Trampolines" by Frances Whiting

Tallulah de Longland,' she said slowly, letting all the Ls in my name loll about lazily in her mouth before passing judgement. 'That,' she announced, 'is a seriously glamorgeous name.' From the day Annabelle Andrews sashays into her classroom, Tallulah 'Lulu' de Longland is bewitched by Annabelle, by her family, and their sprawling, crumbling house tumbling down to the river. Their unlikely friendship intensifies through a secret language where they share confidences about their unusual mothers, first loves, and growing up in the small, coastal town of Juniper Bay. Their lives become as entwined as Annabelle's initials engraved beneath the de Longland kitchen table. But the euphoria of youth rarely lasts, and the implosion that destroys their friendship leaves lasting scars and a legacy of self-doubt that haunts Lulu into adulthood. Years later, Lulu is presented with a choice: remain the perpetual good girl who misses out, or finally step out from the shadows and do something extraordinary. And possibly unforgiveable. It's not how far you fall, but how high you bounce.

Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the free review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Did I like this book?

This is weird, but I really don't know!  I'm feeling quite conflicted with this book.  When I finished reading, my first thought was, "What was the point in that?"  And honestly, for me there wasn't much of one.  Basically this is a walk in Tallulah's shoes through most of her young life.  We get glimpses into her mother's mental instability and a close up look at her friendships with Annabelle and Duncan.  We are introduced to Annabelle's parents and become familiar with their eccentricities.  We meet Tallulah's first love, Josh, and get to see how charming and utterly dickheadish he can be.  There are some other characters, as well as an island and a dog, but mostly I just wanted to know where the heck this story was going.  And in the end, I just wasn't emotionally connected with Tallulah enough to care.

Will you like this book?

I think this depends on your ability to connect with Tallulah.  The writing is excellent, and some of the secondary characters are memorable, but overall, if you don't fall in love with Tallulah, you'll probably feel the same way I did, because she really carries the whole book on her shoulders.

Will I read more by this author?

Possibly.  Like I mentioned before, the writing is great, and that is the main element that will draw me to a particular author.  I guess it will depend on whether the synopsis of future books by Whiting appeal to me.

My rating:


















Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Review: "The Truth About Alice" by Jennifer Mathieu

Everyone knows Alice slept with two guys at one party. But did you know Alice was sexting Brandon when he crashed his car? It's true. Ask ANYBODY. Rumor has it that Alice Franklin is a slut. It's written all over the bathroom stall at Healy High for everyone to see. And after star quarterback Brandon Fitzsimmons dies in a car accident, the rumors start to spiral out of control. In this remarkable debut novel, four Healy High students—the girl who has the infamous party, the car accident survivor, the former best friend, and the boy next door—tell all they know. But exactly what is the truth about Alice? In the end there's only one person to ask: Alice herself.







Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group via Netgalley for the free review copy in exchange for my honest review.

I read this book ages ago, and I feel like I should apologize for not writing a review sooner.  Not sure what happened, why I got sidetracked, but whatever the reason, this book has stuck with me since the day I started it.

This is one book that every teenager should read.  It shows just how easy it is for the rumour mill to spin out of control.

I loved how the author had four points of view throughout the whole book until the very end, when Alice gets her say.  It made the book that much more interesting and memorable.  Whether directly or indirectly, each of the four narrators plays a part in perpetuating the rumour involving Alice having sex with two boys in the same night and the subsequent rumour of how she caused the death of Brandon, King of the Town.  All four characters seemed realistic and true to me, but Kelsey was the one who surprised me the most.  She was written amazingly well, and she brought out such intense feelings of disappointment and sadness in me.  I think a lot of people will hate her when they read this book, but I honestly just felt sorry for her - sorry for how her friendship with Alice was breaking down even before the rumours, sorry for what happened to Kelsey herself, and sorry for what she does to Alice to maintain her popularity.  It's just a miserable situation all around.

I found myself really relating to Kurt.  He reminds me of my son!  I only hope that someday my son will feel as comfortable with himself as Kurt is portrayed to be.  That's not to say Kurt is always confident, because he's definitely not when it comes to Alice.  I just admire how he knows he's different but he's totally okay with that, and if people don't want to hang out with him or include him at all, he's okay with that too because he'd rather be doing his own thing anyway.  You rock, Kurt!

And as for Alice?  Where do I even begin?  It's so cool how she's a main character, but we only get to know her through others' eyes until the very end.  Anyway, I just wanted to give her a big hug and adopt her - she's something else!

So yeah, go read this book, especially if you don't mind shedding a tear or two - I'm pretty sure you'll love it as much as I did!














Sunday, July 19, 2015

Three Reasons I Loved the "Insurgent" Movie More Than the Book



I went to see "Insurgent" with my daughter and a friend at the theatre a while back.  It was mere days after finishing the book, so of course I couldn't help compare the two.  Here are some of my thoughts!

1.  There was a LOT they changed from the book!

And I didn't hate it!  In fact, a lot of the changes seemed to make the story stronger.  The plot certainly made more sense to me in the movie version.  Many times while reading the book, I felt so confused.  I even asked my daughter afterwards if she understood everything that went on in the movie, thinking it might have been a bit over her head, and she said, "Yeah, pretty much!"  (She's ten and hasn't read the books.)

2.  The movie had a lot more action!

And that was definitely a good thing!!!  I felt the book dragged in a lot of places while the movie did not.  For example, I really enjoyed the train scene, which was something that the movie folks totally added in.  It was awesome!  Tris and Four kicking some ass, and even Caleb getting a little action - why wasn't that in the book?  Scenes like that would have only made the book better, in my honest opinion.

3.  Miles Teller.  'Nuff said!

He did an incredible job as Peter!  He had the best one-liners, and he totally stole whatever scene he was in.  My daughter at one point during the movie said, "I don't know whether I love him or hate him!"  Exactly!  He's the one you love to hate!



And that, in a nutshell, sums up my thoughts on movie "Insurgent" vs. book "Insurgent". How about you?  Have you read the book and/or seen the movie?  I'd love to hear your thoughts and comparisons!  Come on, don't be shy, leave me a comment and I'll be sure to reply.  Hey, look at that!  I'm a poet and I didn't even know it!


Saturday, July 4, 2015

Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway! "Searching For Always" by Jennifer Probst

BOOK SUMMARY: New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Jennifer Probst sparks a blissful mind-body connection as her “sexy, satisfying” (Kirkus Reviews) new series continues! She’s an expert in helping others de-stress, but Arilyn Meadows is running on fumes. Along with her job counseling singles seeking soul mates at the Kinnections agency in Verily, New York, she’s a yoga teacher, animal shelter volunteer, anger management therapist, and helping hand to her beloved grandfather. No time to find Mr. Right—but after discovering her yogi boyfriend in a compromising asana, Arilyn would rather dog-sit for her honeymooning friend Kate than risk her heart on another downward dog. And when police officer Stone Petty—radiating masculinity and bad-boy attitude—is sent to her for mandatory lessons in cooling off when the job gets too hot, Arilyn vows to ignore his seductive glances and sexy grin. But there’s no halting their sizzling flirtation—a red-hot, high-speed chase that’s breaking all the limits.
I am sooooo excited to be a part of the blog tour for this book today!!!!


Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23492311-searching-for-always




PURCHASE NOW

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1H8ZIPC
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1dbuKsj
Kobo: bit.ly/1KkwJYd
iTunes: apple.co/1Nq4W8O

Jennifer Probst

Author Information

Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.


She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean.

She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, was ranked #6 on Amazon's Best Books for 2012. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team at www.jenniferprobst.com.



Website: www.jenniferprobst.com
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferprobst.authorpage
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenniferprobst
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2965489.Jennifer_Probst

 
Thank you to Gallery Books via Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.


Did I like this book?

This book had me solidly wrapped up in its world for a good two days!  I loved every minute I spent with the two main characters, but it was Pinky, the rat fink Chihuahua, who truly won me over.  Oh yeah, and Devine, Stone's cop partner - I'd love to see him in the next spinoff series!  Shoot, I almost forgot about Arilyn's grandpa - he had some great moments, too!  This series is just full of great characters, and I'd have to say that is its main strength.  I've now read three of the four books, and I just love how the characters are written, the challenges they face, and just the fun vibe they give off.

For example, Stone Petty is just awesome!  I don't really know what more to say, he won me over right from the first page.  There's just something about a manly man, in uniform, no less, that is hard to resist.  But the best part is, he's not all Alpha, all the time.  I think that would drive me nuts.  He's definitely got his vulnerable side, and that's where Arilyn comes in. 

Arilyn is an interesting person.  Honestly, she would probably grate on my nerves if I had to spend too much time with her in real life, but for the course of this book, it was fine.  Although she's not my favourite female of the group - that prize probably goes to Kennedy from "Searching for Perfect" - she's passionate and loyal, and I love how she's got a positive body image.  Plus, she's a great match for Stone, so what more could I ask for?

Will you like this book?

I think any fans of contemporary romance will adore this series!  If you haven't tried it yet, you need to do so, right now - but start with "Searching for Someday", because you won't want to miss a moment of the fun!

Will I read more by this author?

Abso-freakin'-lutely!  I love Probst's style, and I can't wait to see what she comes out with next, but in the meantime, I still need to read Gen and Wolfe's story in "Searching for Beautiful", and the four books in the "Marriage to a Billionaire" series.  Lots of good times ahead, I can just feel it!

My Rating: 3.5 stars!


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Wednesday, July 1, 2015

"Sideswiped" by Lia Riley - Print Release Blog Tour and Giveaway!

I am so excited to be part of the blog tour for the print release of "Sideswiped"!  As you probably know, this is one of my fave New Adult series - it is soooooo good!  In celebration of this release, I also have a fantastic excerpt, my original review, and an extra print copy to gift to a lucky commenter!!!  
SIDESWIPED by Lia Riley (June 30, 2015; Forever Trade Paperback; Off the Map #2)
It was only meant to last the summer . . .

Talia Stolfi has seen more than her share of loss in her twenty-one years. But then fate brought her Bran Lockhart, and her dark world was suddenly and spectacularly illuminated. So if being with Bran means leaving her colorless SoCal life for rugged and wild Australia, then that's what she'll do. But as much as Talia longs to give herself over completely to a new beginning, the fears of her past are still lurking in the shadows.

Bran Lockhart knows that living without the beautiful girl who stole his heart will be torment, so he'll take whatever time with her he can. But even though she has packed up her life in California and is back in his arms for the time being, she can't stay forever. And the remaining time they have together is ticking by way too fast. Though fate seems determined to tear them apart, they won't give up without a fight-because while time may have limits, their love is infinite . . .
And because it's Canada Day, I'm also throwing in a little something extra:  a top ten list of the reasons why I think the "Off the Map" series "Rox" (see what I did there?):

  1. Talia - She has issues up the ying yang, but that makes me love her all the more!  I find her 100% relatable, and I think she would make a fabulous bestie!   
  2. Bran - He is, how do the kids say it these days, "hawt"!  Even though he can be a grumpy bastard, that is just one side to his personality.  He is also super passionate about anything he decides to do, and that includes loving Talia.
  3. Settings - Gah, now I'm wishing I traveled more in my twenties!  This series will definitely make you connect with your inner nomad.
  4. Absence of cheese - All that fromage that is so prevalent in today's New Adult genre is conspicuously missing from this series, and you won't miss it one bit!
  5. Parental relationships - Real life is hard, and dealing with even the best of parents is difficult, so I appreciate that Riley was able to portray these relationships in such a realistic way in this series.
  6. True friendships - Mainly I'm talking about Talia's girlfriends.  These are the people who have got Talia's back, no matter what, and I loved them for it. 
  7. Real issues - I won't dish the deets, you'll want to read to find out, but just know that there are many facets to the ongoing plot, from both Talia and Bran's points of view, and they are all dealt with in an extremely realistic way.
  8. Adventure - something that is missing from a lot of my contemporary reads lately, and something this series has in abundance - phenomenal!
  9. Respect - Talia and Bran can throw down with the best of them, but throughout their fights, arguments, and misunderstandings, there is never any doubt about their mutual respect.
  10. A love I want to see through to the end!  'Nuff said!!!
There, if my list doesn't make you want to pick up this series and read it right now, maybe this little snippet will!

Excerpt

An hour later I’m zipping the back of Talia’s wet suit at the edge of the tide line. Moonlight glimmers on the black water. The waves line up perfectly, peeling clean. I breathe deep, savoring the air’s briny tang and the musty smell of decomposing kelp. My awareness is sharpened by anticipation, the five senses amplified by the dark.
Talia shuffles at my side, getting antsy.
“You sure about this?”
“Yes. Well, sure enough.”
Another set breaks. The conditions are choice. If she changes her mind, I might need to have a ride—a quick one.
Maybe two, tops.
“What’s that noise?” She stills. “There it is again. Can you hear it?”
I concentrate and smile when a sound like a wheezing donkey drifts from beyond the breakers. “Fairy penguin.”
“Shut up! There are penguins around here?”
“Sure. In the summer they build burrows in the scrub along the coast. If you stand outside a colony right after sunset, things get pretty noisy.”
“Penguins.” She almost whispers the word. “That’s so cool.”
The wash races over the sand and breaks across our toes. I figure out a plan of attack. “We’ll paddle to the left shoulder where the wave’s less steep. Stick with me, okay?” No one else is out and my voice feels extra loud even though I’m speaking quiet.
“Have you ever been to Rome?” She takes my hand.
“No, not yet.”
“Me neither. But I can’t imagine the Sistine Chapel being more amazing than this.”
Besides the moon, there’s zero light pollution. The Milky Way arches in a dazzling band across the sky’s apex. Individual stars are indistinguishable in the brilliant haze.
“You ready?”
She squeezes my hand in reply.
We paddle out.
“Whoa!” She pushes her chest up to better peer over her board’s tip. Around us the water casts a luminous green-blue light.
“Phosphorescence. Cool, eh? It’s blooming phytoplankton, caused by this marine species of dinoflagellates releasing enzymes that—”
“That’s enough, Sid the Science Kid. Let me retain this fairy kingdom illusion a little while longer.”
“Science is cool, Captain.”
“I never said— Oh, crap!”
Instead of duck-diving under the incoming wave, the water wall pounds her in the face. She breaks through the other side, coughing out a lung.
“We can head back to shore, don’t have to—”
“I’m fine. Please. There’s a wave coming. I can feel the pull. Can you?”
“You want it?”
“It’s all yours.”
I take off on a left break and fly down the smooth face. For a few perfect seconds, I’m right here in the moment. Rational thought is eclipsed and with it the aggravating confusion of having everything: Talia, Tasmania, honors, and still hungering for more like a greedy bastard. I paddle back to her.
“You looked great.”
“That was good.”
She sits, bobbing lightly. “It’s not as freaky out here as I imagined.”
“Fucking hell, Captain. You said you weren’t scared.”
“No, I never did. I’m scared by everything. But I want to do this.”
We’re quiet. A few more waves come but I let them go, happy to be with my girl, the stars, and the radiant water.
Hard not to believe in magic on such a night.
She clears her throat. “About what happened back at the house…if this is going to work, you can’t shut me out. You’re not just a you anymore; we’re an us. We have to be there for each other.”
I bob on my board and drag my fingers through the water. The phosphorescence lights from my touch. Finally I speak. “Karma’s got this mate; he’s on the crew of a Sea Alliance vessel. There’s an opening for a gig, with voyages to Japan and Antarctica.”
“You want to go for it?” I can’t decipher her expression.
I almost say no, but honesty’s easier in the anonymous dark. “Yeah, kinda. But I want to be with you more.”
“Oh, Bran, that’s way too much pressure.”
“What do you mean?”
“Imagine coming home in a few months and I’m all vegged on the couch, watching awful reality television. Will you think to yourself, ‘I could be gallantly defending the high seas but instead I’m attached to this boring anchor’?”
“Life with you is bound to be a lot of things, but boring isn’t the first depiction that springs to mind.”
“But life isn’t always night surfing. I…I can’t compete against a fantasy.”
“I never said you had to.”
“Isn’t supporting the other’s goals a fundamental part of the good girlfriend/boyfriend job description? I mean, say I always wanted to volunteer in Africa? Join the Peace Corps.”
“Do you?”
“I used to toy around with the idea. Now? I’m not sure but I don’t want to close myself off to opportunities.”
“We can travel through Africa someday.”
“Peace Corps is one of my dreams, not yours. I want you to have the freedom to pursue your own happiness.”
“You make me happy.” I strike my words like flint before sucking in a rough breath. “Look, I’m not a guy cut out for the long-distance thing. I hated every second we were apart the last two months.”
“Bran…” She reaches out her hand and I take hold. “I won’t let go.”
“Me neither.” I scrutinize the sky, heart clanging. Everything appears so deceptively still. In reality, the Earth careens through space. Talia and I, we’re little specks of cosmic dust in the grand scheme. It wouldn’t take much to blow away from each other.
“But in the future—”
“I hear what you’re saying and I appreciate the support. But the only future I’m willing to discuss is the one where it’s me and you—together.”
Better to orbit far away from black holes.


My Review:


Bran loves Talia.  Talia loves Bran.  And so they lived happily ever after, right?  Right?!  Wouldn't be much of a book if that's how it went down, and I think it would have been easy for "Sideswiped" to fall victim to the sophomore slump if that's how Lia Riley decided to write it.  Fortunately, this series continues on with the same great writing and realistic characters that I came to love in "Upside Down".

Talia is fortunate to be able to finish her degree in Hobart while Bran works on his  research project, and they are also able to play house together.  While the relationship is still new and there are a few bumps, they quickly get into a rhythm that works for them.  Lurking in the background, however, is the knowledge that Talia's visa will soon run out, and then what?  Not only that, but Talia also realizes that Bran is not completely happy with being stuck in a lab all day - she doesn't want to stifle his passionate spirit.  And not only that, but Talia has the need to go off on her own and spread her wings, too - she needs to see what she can accomplish herself, without riding Bran's coattails.  Bran, meanwhile, comes up with a desperate plan to keep them together, but by holding on so hard, he's inadvertently pushing Talia away.

Ugh, the angst!  I could feel the tension with every page!  Talia and Bran's situation hit quite close to home as I recalled the early stages of my relationship with my husband - newly graduated with no real clue of what I wanted to do with my future, career-wise, but sure that I'd found "the one" I wanted to be with, and knowing somehow that things would work out.  

Talia finally gets to meet Bran's family in "Sideswiped" during the Melbourne Cup, and what a bunch of pompous jerks they are! No wonder Bran wants nothing to do with them!  At least Talia gets an insider's view of what makes Bran tick, and I think it makes her appreciate him all the more.

My one complaint would have to be that there was not much said about Talia's OCD.  It seems like she's been handling her disorder quite well, and while her struggles were mentioned a few times, I thought there would have been more of a focus on that subject.

I'm not sure what else to say except that this, the "Off the Map" series by Lia Riley, is probably my favourite New Adult series of the year, so if you like New Adult and you haven't picked this one up yet, definitely give it a go!

My rating: 4 stars


Buy the book!



About the author:
After studying at the University of Montana-Missoula, Lia Riley scoured the world armed only with a backpack, overconfidence and a terrible sense of direction. When not torturing heroes (because c'mon, who doesn't love a good tortured hero?), Lia herds unruly chickens, camps, beach combs, daydreams about as-of-yet unwritten books, wades through a mile-high TBR pile and schemes yet another trip. She and her family live mostly in Northern California.

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