Fallen Too Far

I read this a few months ago. And I need to say for the most part, I am not a contemporary YA reader. Nothing against the genre, I'm more of the supernatural genre. But in October I read my friend Komal's awesome novel Impossible - SIGH - and was like I could read more like this. Komal suggested Abbi Glines and the first book I picked up was Fallen Too Far.

To want what you’re not supposed to have…

She is only nineteen.

She is his new stepfather’s daughter. 

She is still naïve and innocent due to spending the last three years taking care of her sick mother. 

But for twenty-four year old Rush Finlay, she is the only thing that has ever been off limits. His famous father’s guilt money, his mother’s desperation to win his love, and his charm are the three reasons he has never been told no.

Blaire Wynn left her small farmhouse in Alabama, after her mother passed away, to move in with her father and his new wife in their sprawling beach house along the Florida gulf coast. She isn’t prepared for the lifestyle change and she knows she’ll never fit into this world. Then there is her sexy stepbrother who her father leaves her with for the summer while he runs off to Paris with his wife. Rush is as spoiled as he is gorgeous. He is also getting under her skin. She knows he is anything but good for her and that he’ll never be faithful to anyone. He is jaded and has secrets Blaire knows she may never uncover but even knowing all of that…

Blaire just may have fallen too far.

Wow.

Hello.

I'll have another of Rush. I mean I can't wait for the sequel, which is coming out soon, by the way.

Blaire has had a crappy high school career, dealing with her dad leaving, sister dying, and mom suffering from cancer and dying. But when Blaire goes to sunny Florida to see her dad for the first time in a long time, she's not all that surprised to discover he's not there and that his step son, Rush, is there. He's not pumped about her being there but he does give her a place to stay.

Rush is rude, but is nice to Blaire at off moments. He defends his sister's poor behavior. And though, he doesn't want to admit it, he is very attracted to Blaire.

Blaire and Rush do try and stay away from each other and try to deny the growing attractions, which typically ends with Rush being a jerk to Blaire. But then the ending happens. I just felt bad for Blaire, like really, how much more can this girl take? And her dad is crap.

As for the sexual content of this book. Steamy and pretty explicit. Hello, Rush.

Lark by Erica Cope!

So guess what I bought today?! My dear friend Erica's debut, self-published, wonderful novel, Lark! Between Komal, Erica, and I, we have been blowing up all social medias with this gem!  On to my

The last time she checked, Mia Carrington was pretty sure that she was a normal girl with a completely ordinary life.

She goes to high school, has a crush on the gorgeous and mysterious new boy in town, and has strange dreams that she can’t help but feel are real somehow.

Okay, so maybe she’s not all that normal after all.

A freak accident changes Mia’s life forever when she is thrown into another world and left to deal with the revelation that she is the daughter of the King of the Light Elves. Throw in an ominous prophecy predicting that Mia will break a curse unleashing the Dark Elves on the world and well, things don’t look too good.

There is danger lurking at every corner in this strange world and Mia isn’t sure who she can trust…
The only thing she is certain of is that the Dark Elves know about her, and they will stop at nothing until they have her.

On to my review! I have had the pleasure of reading this novel twice, before any of you. I am bragging now so when E becomes world famous I can come back to this post and be like: HAH! Proof! 

Miss Mia has a hidden birth story among elves. Elves - OK - let's start there. Erica started building up a world for me. A world with a history, customs, secrets, style of language, clothes, etc. I even learned to swear in elvish. A good fantasy book is based on a good world.

Now there is Grey. Sigh. I loved him from the beginning and Erica brutally pops my bubble. And refuses to unpop it. But I fell for Greyson because he's real. OK not, like real he's walking through my front door, real. But I can picture him and can vividly see how he would react to Mia, the king, Jacoby, etc.

Erica's novel, though an installment, wraps up at the end. Yes, it leaves me wanting more, but I am someone who likes bows on her books. I want most of the loose ends died up, people safe, and know there is more coming for me. That's my comfort level, and Erica provides that.

Wait, I should talk about Mia! Mia isn't your bold and sassy or your meek and milk. She possesses all of those qualities. She develops throughout the book, even though she goes to school in wonky weather and is a quiet cheerleader (inside joke with the author - be jealous.)

In closing. Go out, buy it. You can buy it here. Also Barnes will be carrying it soon.

What Do You Think Makes a World Great?

So while The Owens Legacy: Redemption sits waiting for me and my dream walker novel sits waiting for me to pick TOLR up again, I started a new WIP. Yeah. I know it doesn't make much sense, but this WIP has been bouncing around in my head for a little while (at least since summer). So I am putting it down on paper.

It's a dystopia (I'm aware that the trend has died out, but when the idea is there, you go with it).

But I want all of you to go back to your Dystopia phase. I was hoping you would tell me what you think makes the world well-rounded. For the dystopia's world to be believable, what components do I need to include and fully develop?

Put it down.

Thanks!