Review: On Dublin Street by Samantha Young

Title: On Dublin Street
Author: Samantha Young
Pages:322
Series: On Dublin Street #1
Date Published: December 31st 2012
Publisher: NAL Trade
Jocelyn Butler has been hiding from her past for years. But all her secrets are about to be laid bare…

Four years ago, Jocelyn left her tragic past behind in the States and started over in Scotland, burying her grief, ignoring her demons, and forging ahead without attachments. Her solitary life is working well—until she moves into a new apartment on Dublin Street where she meets a man who shakes her carefully guarded world to its core.

Braden Carmichael is used to getting what he wants, and he’s determined to get Jocelyn into his bed. Knowing how skittish she is about entering a relationship, Braden proposes an arrangement that will satisfy their intense attraction without any strings attached.

But after an intrigued Jocelyn accepts, she realizes that Braden won’t be satisfied with just mind-blowing passion. The stubborn Scotsman is intent on truly knowing her… down to the very soul.

1 star of five

This book just didn't do it for me, it had stellar ratings and reviews and the blurb had me hooked but unfortunately  I was disappointed. 

Characters

Josephine: Jo is a young woman living in Dublin, she has a tragic past she escaped, a lot of money and is very beautiful but she has never realized this.
One day she meets a super hot guy called Braden, that later turns out to be a millionaire, who is instantly attracted to her but she turns him down. After some more encounters between them they make a contract a la "Fifty Shades of Grey" and decide to become sex buddies for three months.
The blurb claims that Jo is "intrigued" and very "in lust"  but every time he wanted to have sex   Jo didn't even want him touching her, at first I found that totally understandable, but after half a page of Jo turning Braden down she suddenly couldn't wait to take his clothes off??(this process of from hate to lust was repeated way too many times) I just didn't feel the chemistry between Jo and Braden, at least on Jo's side it felt that any guy would do for her and she was with Braden just because he was there.
I would also like to point put that being disrespectful to both men and woman, doesn't make you a strong female, neither is yelling to a person unfortunately a lot of authors think it does and they make their female leads like this and Jo was one of those, I don't care if you have a trauma, that's not an excuse for bad manners. 
Braden was ok. I liked his dynamic with his friends and family. Another point in his favor was that his life wasn't a mess, it was actually very stable. I liked this since a lot of male leads seem to be tortured by horrible pasts or very immature; Braden's problem with love was a very common one and he moved on in his own way and actually wanted to commit after getting to know Jo better. What I didn't like is that he doesn't understand the word no (no Braden not every woman wants you).

The Writing

I found it very lacking. I mean they lived in Scotland yet there was no Scottish slang except for Braden saying wee a couple of times, they could have been in the Us for all I knew!!
I didn't feel the romance of the main couple I was more interested in Braden's sister's love life that the main story. The sex was nothing new and it felt forced.
Another thing that bothered me was Jo's situation after her parent's death, if they took the time to leave her money it means that they were planning ahead but why not include living arrangements for your kid, my parent's didn't leave me a fortune in their will but they did specify who I would live with if they died while I was still a minor.

Final thoughts

As you can see this book wasn't for me, but I encourage you to give it a chance maybe you will love it.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? (1)

This is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey where you share what you just started reading.

This Monday I decided to read:

Title: Legend
Author: Marie Lu
Pages:320
Series: Legend #1
Published: November 29th 2011
Publisher:Putnam Juvenile
What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

glitter-graphics.com

I originally got this book at the beginning of the year but I couldn't get past the first 30 pages, so I put it back in my to read pile and this week I decided to give it a second chance.

 Wish me luck reading this!

Review: Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

Title: Jekel Loved Hyde

Author: Beth Fantaskey

Pages:282

Published: May 3rd 2010

Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books

Series: -

Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents rules; especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father's office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she's tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be the key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship.

To improve her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen's sanity. Maybe his life. But Jill's accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and compels her to risk everything, even Tristen's love just for the thrill of being . . . bad.

The Story 

This book is inspired by the classic “Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson. But instead of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde being the same person in the book we have Jill Jekel and Tristen Hyde.

Jill and Tristen never interact much, but they are attracted to each other but when their teacher tells them about a prestigious competition they decide to team, use their excellent knowledge in chemistry and take advantage of their last names and try to recreate the formula described in Stevenson’s novel. They both have things to gain, in Jill’s case it’s the prize money, $30.000 that could help her pay for college; for Tristen recreating the formula could mean curing himself and being able to live, but how can he find the cure to a problem that even his father a world famous psychologist doesn't believe  exists? 

The Characters                                                                       

                                    

Jill: when we first meet Jill she is going through a hard time since her father has just been murdered and the investigation reveals he was involved in shady dealings due to stealing things from his job; due to her husband’s death Jill’s mom enters a severe depression. All these events make Jill feel helpless and she often comes out as whiny but considering all that has happened to her I think we can forgive her this type of behavior. Fortunately throughout the book Jill overcomes her problems and starts to enjoy life once more.

Tristen:  He is the bad boy that moved from England but he has his reasons for being that way. His mother disappeared but he is convinced she is dead, he hears voices in his head and suffers from blackouts and when he regains consciousness he finds out that during the blackout he committed acts of violence.  Tristen’s grandfather was convinced that the Hyde’s are descendants of the original Mr. Hyde and this is what causes them to be violent and to Tristen will do whatever it takes to prove and solve his “condition”.

The Writing                                                                                                                                                

 This is one of my favorite retellings so far it is very well executed since you can see elements of the original book yet it has unique elements. Although the pace of the story is a bit slow it worked well for this book.

The story is told in both Jill’s and Tristen’s point of view. This is an element I liked because we could see the way they were both dealing with the contest and all the things happening in their lives. I especially like Tristen’s POV since he was the one with a monster in his head as well as seeing how he dealt with it plus I loved seeing his feelings for Jill develop.

Final thoughts                                                                   

As far as retellings go it’s a good one, mind you not the best but I would recommend you read this book on a rainy day

Super Six Sunday (1)

Super Six Sunday is an original bookish meme created from Bewitched Bookworms and inspired by “Top Ten Tuesday” from The Broke and The Bookish . 

This weeks topic is books that made me cry:

Number one : "Roar and Liv" by Veronica Rossi.
 I just love their relationship and after the events in "Through the Ever Night" this e novella  makes me so sad.

Number two: "If You Find Me" by Emily Murdoch.

What I love about this one is how it show all the things we do for love and this book isn't about romantic love it's about the love a girl has for her sister.

It breaks my heart thinking about all the things Carey had to go through because if her mom.

Number three: "What Really Happened in Peru" by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan.

This might seem a bit odd since most of the book is very amusing and funny. At first I was happy about reading it since I had just broken up with my boyfriend and I needed some humor, but then I read the following quote “He'd learned his lesson a long time ago: Even in the midst of heartbreak, you could still find yourself laughing.” and I just couldn't stop crying but I have to agree with it.

Number four: "Dark Triumph" by Robin LaFevers

At first I didn't like Sybella very much, however after finding out about her family and all the things she had done and seeing how much she hated herself it made me want to hold her and tell her that she deserved to be loved.

Number Five: "The Shades of the Moon" by Susan Beth Pfeffer.

I loved the way the series concluded, I really did, I found it very realistic but I can't help feeling awful because it ended with so much hopelessness.

Number Six: "Escape from Eden" by Elisa Nader.

The only thing I can say is that the thing they did to the people in Edenton is one of the most unforgivable crimes in this world. This book was so well written tha apart from making me cry, it kept me from sleeping for a couple of days.

Stacking The Shelves (1)

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course e books! It is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

Lets start with the books I bought:

                        

                   

 

This e book you can read for free: The Night After I Lost You

I have to thank my family for all the gift cards they gave my for my birthday and last Christmas.

Feature & Follow Friday (1)

This Weeks Feature Follow is Reading Nooks.

This is my favorite reading spot located in the living room of my apartment. It's the couch located next to the window and my main bookshelf.
Feel free to show me your favorite reading nooks.

Review: Through Glass by Rebecca Ethington

Title:Through Glass
Author: Rebecca Ethington
Pages:325
Date Published: September 2oth 2013
Series: Glass #1

Everyone remembered the day the sky went black. The day the sun was wiped from the sky. They remember the wind as it brought in the darkness; the way the earth shook and everything changed.

Everyone remembered the screams as the darkness ate those who were out in the open, those who had surrounded themselves by light, and those who made noise.

Everyone remembered the voice from the sky and the way food disappeared.

At least, that’s what I hoped. I hoped that there was an ‘everyone’ that would remember because I am not sure how many are left, how many survived. Or if anyone did.

I hoped that I wasn't alone.

I remembered that day.

I remembered because it was the day I became alone.

It was the day that everything was perfect until the monsters took it away. Then the house went silent and the birds stopped singing. It was the day when everyone disappeared, everyone except the boy, the only person I have seen in two years.
The boy I talk to through the glass.

The Story 

Words can’t describe how amazing this book was it totally blew my mind away.

The book starts with Alexis being nervous about the return of Cohen, her neighbor, friend and the object of her affections for the last few years but Cohen has made it clear he only likes her as a friend. A few days after his return from college Cohen finally admits his feelings for Alexis and everything seems wonderful until Cohen goes to his grandparent’s house to prepare for a date with Alexis, her parents and brother are going out and the worlds seems perfect but that  day is the day the Ulama invade and everything changes.

Now Alexis lives in a world where she can’t leave her house, make any type of noise and light are forbidden and t he only way she can communicate with Cohen is through a window.

The book shows us Alexi’s life for the years following the invasion.

The Characters 

Alexis: She is the narrator of the story and is sixteen years old when the book starts. At first I didn’t like her because she only thought about how Cohen didn’t like her and how she decided to follow him to college but as the story progressed she grew on me because I felt her hopelessness when she thought there was nothing she could do about her situation but I loved how she regained her spirit and will to survive when she found a way to fight back.

Cohen: He is Alexi’s neighbor and crush who just returned home from the University of Cincinnati. What I liked about him was how he realized that he lived Alexis, it wasn’t insta-love, it actually took many years of friendship, leaving for college and seeing her again for him to realize his feelings for her, this felt very realistic to me. I liked him overall especially for the way he treated Alexis and supported her even when he couldn't speak or be with  her

The Writing

I loved how this book developed not only was the plot full of surprises, the whole world building and concept of the Ulama was very well executed.

The book was very chameleonic. At first it felt like I was reading a contemporary YA instead of a paranormal YA,  it’s beautiful, scary and dark  at times in a way that I read it all in ones sitting.
Final thoughts

Loved this book it gave me more than I expected. My only complaint is that it ended with a cliffhanger.

Rating 4.5/5

Wishlist Wednesday: Just_a_girl_ by Kirsten Krauth (1)

Wishing on Wednesday is a weekly book blog hop hosted by Dani @Pen to Paper where we’ll post about one book that has been on our wishlist for some time – or recently added – and which we can’t wait to get our hands on.

Title: Just_a_girl
Author: Kirsten Krauth

Pages:265
Publisher: University of Western Australia Publishing
Release Date: June 1st 2013

just_a_girl tears into the fabric of contemporary culture. A Puberty Blues for the digital age, a Lolita with a webcam, it’s what happens when young girls are forced to grow up too fast. Or never get the chance to grow up at all.

Layla is only 14. She cruises online. She catches trains to meet strangers. Her mother, Margot, never suspects. Even when Layla brings a man into their home. Margot’s caught in her own web: an evangelical church and a charismatic pastor. Meanwhile, downtown, a man opens a suitcase and tenderly places his young lover inside.

just_a_girl is a novel about being isolated and searching for a sense of connection, faith, friendship and healing, and explores what it’s like to grow up negotiating the digital world of facebook, webcams, internet porn, mobile phones and cyberbullying – a world where the line between public and private is increasingly being eroded.

I wish this book was available in my country but unfortunately it's not.

Waiting on Wednesday: Horde by Ann Aguirre (1)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. 
This weeks Book is:

Title: Horde

Author: Anne Aguirre

Pages: 432

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Release Date: October 29th 2013

The horde is coming.

Salvation is surrounded, monsters at the gates, and this time, they're not going away. When Deuce, Fade, Stalker and Tegan set out, the odds are against them. But the odds have been stacked against Deuce from the moment she was born. She might not be a Huntress anymore, but she doesn't run. With her knives in hand and her companions at her side, she will not falter, whether fighting for her life or Fade's love.

Ahead, the battle of a lifetime awaits. Freaks are everywhere, attacking settlements, setting up scouts, perimeters, and patrols. There hasn't been a war like this in centuries, and humans have forgotten how to stand and fight. Unless Deuce can lead them.

This time, however, more than the fate of a single enclave or outpost hangs in the balance. This time, Deuce carries the banner for the survival of all humanity.

I discovered Ann Aguirre's Razorland Trilogy last year and I was instantly hooked. This book is excellent for all Dystopia/ Post apocalyptic lovers. I have been waiting for this book for over a year and I still have to wait for one more month until it is released.

Vampire Origins-Project Ichorus by Riley Banks REview

Title : Vampire Origins-Project Ichorus

Author: Riley Banks

Pages:377

Series: The Strigoi #1

From the Christian Crusades to the war in Afghanistan, the Vampire Origins series seamlessly weaves historical fact with vampire fiction. 

Exploring the origins of five very different vampire tribes - Strigoi, Cambion, Strix, Nosferatu and Bretonnian - the series opens with Book 1 of the Strigoi series; Project Ichorous. 

He slaughtered 30,000 in one night in Jerusalem and impaled 100,000 more in Romania in the 1400s. Now Vlad has discovered a way to enslave humans and rule the world - and this time, the death toll will be catastrophic. 

Only one thing can put an end to his plans - a Strigoi human. And Vlad will stop at nothing to eradicate every last one. 

Scarlett Fraser has no idea she's the very thing Vlad is hunting, or that the castle her dad is renovating is ground zero for Vlad's Ichorous Project and his plans for world domination. 

She can stop Vlad and save the world but she must stay human long enough to do so. 

As Scarlett is about to discover, staying human is a lot easier said than done.

The Story 

Vampire Origins-Project Ichorus is about Scarlett and how she finds herself tangled in vampire affairs. At first I wasn’t sure what to think about this book but I have to say I loved the vampires Riley Banks created.

Scarlett and her family must move to Romania because her dad just scored a job of building a Hotel. Scarlett is one of the two girls in her family and one of four quadruplets, the whole family is very different and Scarlett has trouble getting along with her siblings, especially her younger sister Ruby, who she blames for her mother’s death.

Throughout the story we see how Scarlett’s family becomes involved not only with vampires but also with all types of animal shifters.  Apart from seeing things from Scarlett’s point of view we are told things from the points of view of the other characters.

The Characters 

Scarlett: Is the main character of the story. I loved her, loved her flaws, the way she interacted with friends and family, her emotions. I’m not going to lie she is difficult to like at first since she is a tad rude to everybody especially her sister Ruby, but as the story goes on we are shown that Scarlett just needs her mother and that she hasn’t been able to get over her death.  I think she was written in a very realistic way and the overall development she had in the book.

Lachlan: He is a vampire and one of the bad guys. He was born a vampire not made and was in line for the throne of his clan but he is exiled for turning a human girl into a vampire. 

As a villain I loved Lachlan he is cruel, manipulative, stops at nothing to get what he wants and he has no humanity I was not surprised by this since he has never been human, this last part was the thing that made him so believable as a bad guy he is what he is and nothing and no one is going to change him.

Even though he is a bad guy he is my favorite character.

Alexis and Anastasia: The only remaining members of the Romanov family. The only thing I cans say is that I didn’t expect that but I loved them.

The Writing
 

Riley Banks tells the story in multiple Points of views. At times it is a bit confusing it shows how every character, no matter how small the part, had a very important part in this story.

The way each character was written was very good, they all had personalities and none of them felt like a filler character. This is my only complaint, since at there are many characters the change of point of view was a bit confusing at the beginning characters were great. This book truly captures my interest immediately since the world building was excellent; all the different types of vampires and shifters are very original.

Final thoughts

I would recommend this book to anyone in need of a good vampire story,  yes there is romance but it’s not the main focus of this story.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

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Hello There

Hello everyone, and welcome to my blog my name is Paulina but feel free to call me Pixie (all my family and friends do).
A little about myself

• I just turned 19
• I live in Mexico City but I have also lived in Pittsburgh.
• Although I lived in Pittsburgh I'm a New England Patriots fan
• I'm a freshman in college studying Graphic Design                                                                          

For this blog most of the books I will review/or write about will be Young Adult.

Feel free to contact me if you need suggestions on what to read or if you want to recommend me a book.

Love

Paulina