Top 10 Lists - New Adult

This weeks Top 10 list is New Adult! NA is a big genre and when we were discussing what should be included it became apparent we all had lots. We decided that this week we would do our list a differently, each of us will pick our own top 10 :)

Shaz's Top 10

Beautiful Disaster - Jamie Mcguire - Goodreads

Travis & Pidge (Abby) College couple, battling inner demons, just damn good together. If you haven't read this book, you need to. It's a staple in a romance book lovers diet.

Gabriel's Inferno - Sylvain Reynard - Goodreads

Oh Professor Emerson, he absolutely seduced me. This is a beautiful story that captures a love that's both free and forbidden between Gabriel and his comely student Julia. 

Forbidden - Tabitha Suzuma - Goodreads

This book is taboo, and not for all. Only to be read if you can keep an open mind. Devastating and amazing, this book broke me.

Sweet Fall - Tillie Cole - Goodreads

A struggling Carrillo brother and a girl who is breaking on the inside, this story of love and life is beautiful and emotional and somehow manages to be both fractured and elegant.

Archer's Voice - Mia Sheridan - Goodreads

Big fat ugly cry and an amazing ending, this book just does so much to a reader. So many feels.

Sweet Filthy Boy - Christina Lauren - Goodreads

One night in vegas, a wedding and moving around the world? What? So good! A great story about the after effects of one wild night.

At Any Price - Brenna Aubrey - Goodreads

A girl needs money so what does she do, she sells her virginity of course! It's not quite as simple of course this book has all the drama as well as being hella hot. I'll have an Adam Drake please.

Until Lilly - Aurora Rose Reynolds - Goodreads

Cash and Lilly are such an amazing couple, they deserve the happy Mayson BOOM, but they've had a difficult start. These two (and their kids) are adorable!!

Keeping King - Anne Jolin - Goodreads

Peyton & Jayden both have their own secrets, they are both solitary people by choice and they're both awesome individual, but together, they're EPIC.

Souls Unfractured - Tillie Cole - Goodreads

Flame and Maddie, the single most effed up couple I've read in a long time, but they're so damned good together. I rooted for these two as a couple and as people from page one.

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'SHAZ'S TOP TEN'

Louise's Top 10

The Same Deep Water - Lisa Swallow - Goodreads

Sweet yet sad love story. Lot's of secrets, and hidden pain. Profound and moving. 

The Edge of Never - JA Redmerski - Goodreads

Another sad but incredibly moving story of a girl finding herself and what she wants in life. With the added bonus of a gorgeous travel buddy. Huge tear jerker but amazing conclusion. 

Hopeless - Colleen Hoover - Goodreads

A story that will stay with you forever. Painful secrets and pasts. New love and hugely shocking reveals. Another cry your eyes out awesome CoHo treat!

Black Box - Cassia Leo - Goodreads

Ultra sad, yet beautiful story. All about fate and the way it can work it's magic on people who are meant to be together. Although the journey there can be devastating. Massive tears, yet feel fantastic ending!

Becoming Calder / Finding Eden - Mia Sheridan - Goodreads

This 2 book story was incredible. Typical Mia Sheridan epic story. Kids brought up in a world away from modern life. Never knowing any different. Never realising how badly they were treated. Truly beautiful people with hearts of gold. Lots of shockers, and gasping. Tears, and sadness. But incredible.

Kyland - Mia Sheridan - Goodreads

Another Mia Sheridan favourite. A gorgeous heartwarming story of Kyland and Tenleigh, who are living each day waiting to finish high school, so they can get out of the hole they live, and start fresh at college, living on the wrong side of the tracks, trying to survive life when their lives are literally lacking even basic necessities. Sad, and emotional. Plenty of tears before the fantastic ending. 

Confess - Colleen Hoover - Goodreads

Lots of secrets and twists, CoHo style. Gorgeous art and confessions make this a unique and gripping story. 

At any Price - Brenna Aubrey - Goodreads

A unique and different twist on romance. Billionaire game mogul pays gorgeous game blogger slash med student, for her virginity. Sounds odd, really isn't. It's sexy, exciting, gripping, and intense. Loved every minute of it. 

Making Faces - Amy Harmon - Goodreads

A truly emotional tale of loss, and change. Seeing beauty beneath the surface, and finding a soulmate through friendship. Beautiful and heart wrenching. 

The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller - L.B. Simmons - Goodreads

A girl enters college with her mask on. Beneath the mask is a girl who has endured pain and hurt in many forms. That hurt hasn't finished coming yet. Her mask helps her through everything. Until she meets some friends who want to know her without the mask. 

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'LOUISE'S TOP TEN'

Jennifer's Top 10 

The Same Deep Water - Lisa Swallow - Goodreads

Phe has hit the bottom and is ready to end it all when she meets Guy. Guy is a unique man who is hiding secrets of his own. Will Phe be able to keep her strength when the truth comes out?

Some Like It Wild- M. Leighton - Goodreads

-Laney is a preacher’s daughter set on a course headed straight for a life that closely models her parents. Jake is a heartbreaker who is constantly on the move. When these two meet, there is plenty of sparks and action.

Wild Reckless- Ginger Scott - Goodreads

-Kensington had a perfect life all planned out until her family life begins to unravel. With no one else to turn to, she turns to Owen, the town’s bad boy. Will they be able to save each other, or will they just let the recklessness take over and destroy them both?

Boys of Summer-C.J. Duggan - Goodreads

-Take a group of well-known men called the ‘Onslow Boys’ add in a young woman working at their favorite hangout and you get one hell of a summer.

Last to Know- Micalea Smeltzer - Goodreads

-A wonderful story about a young couple falling in love for the first time. The only problem is one of them isn't being completely truthful.

The Deal-Elle Kennedy - Goodreads

-A novel about finding love in an unexpected place. Sometimes love is right under your nose.

Just a Little Crush-Renita Pizzitola - Goodreads

-Brinley is a good girl who focuses all of her time on her studies. When a bad boy from her past shows up and pursues her, will she keep her good girl image, or give in to temptation?

The Vincent Brothers-Abbi Glines - Goodreads

-Carefree flings, hot romance, seduction, and heartbreak are on the agenda in this story about two people doing what they can to get what they want.

3:AM Kisses- Addison Moore - Goodreads

-Baya is a freshman at college who is excited to show her brother that she is grown and does not need to be treated as a kid. There’s only one problem: she is undeniably attracted to her brother’s roommate.

Fallen Crest High-Tijan - Goodreads

-Samantha had just gained a whole new family, including two very popular and arrogant step brothers. A story of secrets and seduction.

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'JENN'S TOP TEN'

REVIEW (Louise) - Double Down - Emma L Smith

TITLE - Double Down

AUTHOR - Emma L Smith

Synopsis:

Double Down:

1. (In blackjack) double a bet after seeing one’s initial cards, with the requirement that one additional card be drawn

2. Strengthen one’s commitment to a particular strategy or course of action, typically one that is potentially risky.

Bec thought she had the perfect life. A husband, baby on the way. Until one day, everything changed.

Aron had one certainty. Bec was the one for him. Except she wasn't the one for him.

A short story about love.

My Review:

So I'll start by saying, this is a short story, but it's not like the normal short stories I have read in the past. 
I don't normally read many short stories, or even novellas all that often, as I'm always worried I won't be able to become totally invested in a story that will end sooner than I would like. But this was nothing like most short stories I have read. It didn't even feel like a short story. 

Double Down actually spans over quite a few years, but focusses on the important moments of those years.
It's a love story that actually shows that love at first sight can exist, it's not just a cheesy thing that you see in old romance movies. It's something that can hit you, hard, and at the completely wrong time in your life. This is what happened to Aron. When he saw Bec, he didn't expect to feel the way he did, and could do nothing about it. And even over the space of many years, he still felt just as strongly for the woman he couldn't have. Even as circumstances continued to change. 

Aron knew straight away, that he wanted her, she completely consumed his every thought. But she wasn't his to have, and he couldn't stand having to be near her, when she couldn't be his. So he did the right thing and left, cut ties and disappeared. Not that it stopped him from thinking of her. 

This is a short story, and I'm not going to summarise anymore as I'll end up telling too much of the story, and spoiling it. But although it may be short, it's definitely not lacking in content. There was nothing missing even though it was shorter than average, and was full on gripping from beginning to end. I think I must have gone through so many emotions, my head hurt. From full on welling up, to stupidly happy, it was a perfectly satisfying story. In fact, I would say this book is absolutely perfect if you just want to pick up something quick, easy reading, and the writing style is spot on. I felt completely gripped and sucked into this story. I just wanted everyone's lives to turn out perfectly without anyone getting hurt. That's the kind of characters that are in this story, and I absolutely loved the conclusion of this story!!

*NOTE - This book contains NO cheating, if that is an issue for you. You're safe with this book. ;)

5 HUGE Stars.

Double Down is currently FREE on Smashwords click here to purchase.

REVIEW (Heather) - Double Down - Emma L. Smith

TITLE - Double Down

AUTHOR - Emma L Smith

Synopsis:

Double Down:

1. (In blackjack) double a bet after seeing one’s initial cards, with the requirement that one additional card be drawn

2. Strengthen one’s commitment to a particular strategy or course of action, typically one that is potentially risky.

Bec thought she had the perfect life. A husband, baby on the way. Until one day, everything changed.

Aron had one certainty. Bec was the one for him. Except she wasn't the one for him.

A short story about love.

What I thought?

So this is a new author to me, first book I've read by Emma L. Smith.   To be honest, I didn't even read the synopsis I just felt like reading it because it was a short story and I want to reach my goodreads goal.    I'm glad that I read it. It was such an emotional, touching, love story.  The story line was well-written. The main characters Aron and Bec I really like. Even though it's a short story I would love for it to continue and read more on Aron and Bec.    

I'd recommend this book to anyone that wants a quick read. If you like love stories or romance then go and read it.

Parts of the story I liked:

"I don't think I can do it without you Aron. Are you okay with... y'know...being in there?"

"Shit man. This is well and truly CATFUed."

"Because I'm so in love with you that no matter how hard I  try, I can't stay away. I know I'll never be Devon and that thought drives me fucking crazy. I'll never be him. I'm not as decent or as honest. I'm not as focused or as educated. I'm not driven or dedicated. I'll never be him. I don't have anything to offer you like he did. I don't have a career or even a proper plan. Every day, I'm just floundering around in the hope I'll make it to the next. But there is one thing I'm sure of. Every single day of my life, I'll do everything I can to make you feel for me, even a fraction of what you felt for him. I'll rub your feet when they're sore, buy you chocolate when you crave it, run you a bath at the end of a long day. I'll throw myself down on the train tracks if I thought it would make you smile. I'll fight to the death every single day to make you happy. I'll do whatever it takes, even if I know deep down that you'll never love me the same way. Because my world doesn't turn without you in it. If you'll let me anyway."

Star Ratings:

Plot- 4.5/5 stars

Characters- 5/5 stars

Heat-1/5 stars

Writing Style- 5/5 stars

Overall rating - 4.5/5 stars

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Double Down is currently FREE on Smashwords click here to purchase.

REVIEW - Not Negotiable (Trident Security #3.5) - Samantha Cole.

TITLE - Not Negotiable (Trident Security #3.5)

AUTHOR - Samantha Cole

Synopsis:

Shelby Whitman beat cancer several years ago, but the resulting physical and emotional damage left her feeling like less than a real woman. The comfort she found in the BDSM community brightened her world again, however, she kept the Doms at a distance. Play was fine. Relationships were not. And that was fine until Master Parker caught her eye. Now, her cancer has returned and she refuses to be a burden to anyone...especially the one man who has crawled his way into her heart. 

Parker Christiansen has craved the perky sub for as long as he can remember, but Shelby has refused to negotiate a scene with him and he has no idea why. When he finds out she is secretly going through chemotherapy, he insists that she move in with him. She needs a Dom to take care of her and he is more than up for the task. 

Can Parker convince Shelby that he loves her no matter what and if they only have this time together, they should make the best of it? 

My Review:

I love how each book Samantha Cole writes in this series is about a different couple. This is Shelby and Parker's story. It's a short story.  This book is a little different then the others because there is no one coming for either of the main characters, no violence. Even though there isn't really any action happening in that way, it's still a good book.   

Parker is an architect builder contractor , has his own  company called New Horizons.   His father doesn't approve anything he is doing.   His brother  Dave wants to go to the Covenant (private BDSM club) because he was curious about the lifestyle. Shelby wore different colored wit to match her outfit every time she came to the club because of her thinning hair and being cancer free for 6 years.  Parker took him as a guest and Parker stepped away for a few minutes and when he returned Dave slapped Shelby in the face.  Parker felt really bad and apologized and took Shelby home.   Two weeks went by and he didn't see her at the club, he asked the guys and they said she asked for some time off.   Shelby wasn't expecting him , she was expecting her medicine to come so she opened the door. The guy showed up with her medicine and Parker was in shock that Shelby has cancer.  This is when Parker became very concerned for Shelby and wanted to help her.  He was attracted to Shelby for a long time and she never wanted to play at the club with him. He is determined to find out why she won't play with him.  

*You'll have to read the story to find out what happens next* 

Parts of the story I liked:

"You've been in the lifestyle for years, Shelby. You know damn well we're a close-knit community. Nobody says they want to help because they feel obligated to. They say it because they care and know if the situation is reversed, you'd be there for them. They love you, baby. You're family to everyone at The Covenant. Why don't you see that?"

"Parker Christiansen hadn't just gotten under her skin, he had burrowed deep into her heart, where she knew he would remain until the day she died-whether that was in the near future or fifty years from now."

"The fact that I think those words every day around you, tells me it's the real thing. I love you, Shelby, and I want to spend the rest of both of our lives proving it to you."

"Sitting up, he lifted the gold collar embedded with a rainbow of colored gems, I knew as soon as I saw it that it was perfect for you. The stones will match whatever wig and outfit you want to wear to the cub. And it will still be beautiful on you whether you stay bald or your hair grows back. He paused. Actually it will be you who makes the collar beautiful. Will you wear it, Shelby? Will you be my sub for however long we have together?  Her eyes filled with tears as she touched his wrist.Yes, Oh, yes. I love, Master. For however long we have together, I'll be your sub."

"Now that you've agreed to be m sub, will you also agree to be my wife? I love you Shelby. I love the children we are going to adopt and raise to the best of our ability. I love the dogs we'll rescue, so Spanky has someone to hang out with we kick him out of the bedroom, so we don't have an audience. And I love every second in time that you are by my side and in my arms where you belong. Marry me?"

Star Ratings:

Plot  - 4.5/5 stars

Heat- 5/5 stars

Characters - 5/5 stars

Writing Style- 5/5 stars

Overall rating- 5/5 stars

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REVIEW - Cadence (Ruby Riot #1) - Lisa Swallow

TITLE - Cadence (Ruby Riot #1)

AUTHOR - Lisa Swallow

Synopsis:

Tegan Hughes joins Blue Phoenix and Ruby Riot on tour, and drummer Bryn isn’t the only one who notices his little sister isn’t a kid anymore.

Jax Lewis is the guitarist for Ruby Riot and the band are rising to success. He’s hot property and loving every minute of his new found fame. Now, he’s on tour supporting Blue Phoenix and living his rock star life to the full. Until Tegan walks into his world and puts the brakes on. 

Tegan Hughes is taking a year out and has her sights set on touring Europe with her big brother’s band. Blue Phoenix drummer, Bryn isn’t happy when his sister arrives unannounced at his hotel in Lisbon, but Tegan isn’t the type of person to take no as an answer. 

With her big brother breathing down their necks, Jax and Tegan attempt to keep a handle on their growing attraction but that proves harder than they thought. Jax is used to getting whoever and whatever he wants and after kissing Tegan once, he knows one thing…he wants more. 

But Tegan isn’t rock star girlfriend material. She has ambitions of her own and refuses to let anything stand in the way of her plans. And when Jax and Tegan’s relationship becomes public knowledge life becomes a hell of a lot more complicated.

Ruby Riot is a spin-off from the Blue Phoenix books but the two series can be read separately. All the Ruby Riot books are standalone.

My Review:

Cadence is book 1 in the Ruby Riot series, and the spin off series from the hugely popular and addictive Blue Phoenix series. 
In Cadence we follow lead guitarist and Ruby Riot eye candy, Jax. Ruby Riot are starting to climb up the Rock Star ladder, and have the most amazing job of being a follow up act for Blue Phoenix on their European tour. Which means we also get glimpses of the Blue Phoenix boys in this book too!! 

Leading lady this time is the feisty, spirited, and totally independant younger sister of Blue Phoenix drummer Bryn, Tegan. 
Tegan is gorgeous, and knows what she wants, not only is she cashing in on the promise big brother Bryn made her, to join a Blue Phoenix tour when she was old enough, but she is also continuing her passion for travelling, and getting to see some of Europe. Well, she was until she bumped into rock's latest pin up, Jax Lewis. 

As much as Tegan wants to avoid getting into anything, withany men on this opportunity of a lifetime. She soon realises, Jax is not just any man. He is incredibly hard to resist, and once he realises Tegan is not like all the other girls, and someone he actually wants to get to know, not just get in her pants, Jax is prepared to pull out all the stops to try and get her. 

As suited as this couple is, and as much as the chemistry sizzles between them. Things are inevitably going to turn a little crazy. Jax is hot property now, and not everyone agrees with him choosing to spend his time with just 1 girl. Cue the ugly side of the rock star life. 

Cadence is a perfect example of trying to make something work, when obstacles are thrown left, right, and centre. But Jax and Tegan are determined to crush them, and prove they can be together despite the obstacles. But the journey to get there is a little crazy, and things get a bit too much at certain points. 

Well for someone who doesn't actually read Rock Romance books, and can count on 1 hand how many she has read, and most of those are the same author, I have to say this series really is for everyone. Not only did author Lisa Swallow crack it with the addictive Blue Phoenix, and had everyone drooling over one of the four gods of the stage, she has now shown she can bring it again, with a younger fresh band. Different issues, obstacles, personalities, and egos. She can handle them all, and have everyone addicted all over again. I don't normally follow the rock star stories, but this is one author I will read absolutely anything by, because she can make any subject entertaining and gripping. Have you coming back for more, and drooling over long hair, even when you don't find long hair attractive!! Her writing is that good!

As this is book 1 in a new and fresh series, it's not absolutely necessary (in my opinion) to have read the Blue Phoenix series first. It helps, but it's not a must. If you haven't read them, and decide to start Cadence, believe me you will soon be hunting out the other series. These characters and their lives are completely addictive, you will even want to read about the random stranger in the back of the tour, just because you have to read everything from this world!

Definitely go check this out today. It's intense, funny, sexy and will leave you wanting more!!
5 huge stars!

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