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Category: YA Contemporary

Book review: The Glass boxes in which we live, by B. Sylvie

| Gifted | romance |

Rating: 4 out of 5.

A beautiful and emotional romance, very relevant and updated with recent world issues and which really brings out important elements of family, race and cultural diversity. The story is told in alternating timelines between the present and the past, which gives us a deeper insight to the backstory of the two main characters.

I like Alienor’s point of views the most, I was able to relate to her even though there is a big age difference between us, I went through similar experiences in my life (not only the fact I am also divorced) while moving around between America and Europe throughout my life.  I found it hilarious her comments of the cultural differences and difficulties she encountered. Alienor has these two kids, Alex & Ben, that were funny and adorable. I really admire Alienor’s character, being a single (recently divorced) mom of two moving to a different country alone with her children takes a lot of courage, and you can see that she puts her family first always. 

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I love the romance between her and Wesley, and how these two are so different yet their dialogues were so captivating. Wesley is able to make his way into my heart, just by the way he loves her family. I was rooting the entire time for these two to end up together.

My favorite quote: ” YOU have all the colors of love. You have the colors of our love” 

You can check out more about the book and the author here.

Book review: Beyond Forever, by Annie Woods

. tata.lifepages | Gifted | YA Contemporary |

Rating: 5 out of 5.

I took my time into reading the third and final book of the Angelheart saga, I didn’t want it to end! I loved the third book even more than the previous books, I felt attached and connected to the characters and didn’t want to let them go.

The story reads like a beautiful fairy-tale, it will make you weep and trust me I did. The author often does a recap of the previous books in the series, which I think is great for readers who want a quick refresh to remember all the details and could potentially also be useful for someone picking up the series in the middle.

Book #3 Angelheart Saga

I am overjoyed by how diverse the plot is, it includes a variety of modern day concepts, such as cultural and genre diversion and a lot of FEMALE EMPOWERMENT! Erica is such a strong and independent female character. She is her own woman, fighting for her love, for her friends, for freedom of love, for her career, and for what she believes in. Although, my favorite character is Prince Sasha, you guys know I can’t resist charms, he is very romantic and sweet, I rooted for him all the way. It truly makes us wonder about true love and first love, which would your heart go for?

photo by @tata.lifepages

The author really brings out this feeling for doing whats right and good in the world. There is so much respect and altruism, making us readers wonder how much good a person can do in life, if they really put an effort to it. The ending gives a hint of a possible upcoming spin-off to the series which I am definitely looking forward to! ❤
 You can check out more about the book and the author here.

Book review: Forever Disguised, by Annie Woods

. tata.lifepages | Gifted | YA Romance|

Rating: 4 out of 5.

This second book from the Angelheart saga got me hooked from the beginning! I was craving to know what happened to the characters since book 1 ended in a cliffhanger I couldn’t wait to read the sequel. I fell head first into book 2, in order to finally solve the mystery that was driving me crazy. The author started with a whirlwind of emotions from the main character; a teenager girl yet such complex situations that surround her and trouble her, that most readers can of-course related to. The story reads fast paced, the MC got herself falling in love again, living the unexpected surprises life throws at her, but still caring and having time for her friends from the start, helping them with their own dilemmas.

Such an adorable cover! 🙂

“To her surprise her heart flip-flopped at the sight of him, “Can he look any more like a surfer commercial dude? Erica thought, trying to quell the hammering in her chest.”

The author introduces some new characters in this sequel, showing new and real relationships which are easy to connect to. I love how diverse this story is, genre wise as well as relationship-wise. The MC feels this pull towards her friends that she must try to help, from gay acceptance, adapting to college and insecurity, moving to another city, etc. All of this put together into a suspenseful plot of royal heritage, murder and even life in an isolated religious cult. I find the suspense the most interesting part of the story. I am amazed at how the author was able to bring together all of these things happening in parallel. This trilogy is the opposite of a slow-read. The pages fly in your hands.

photo by @tata.lifepages
I will keep following Erica, who I have grown dearly found of, through her life saga on the next book for sure! 🙂 You can check out more about the book and the author here or the amazon page here.

Book review: Stepping Stones by Elizabeth Morgan

. tata.lifepages | Gifted | Contemporary Romance|

Rating: 5 out of 5.

I read this book in two sittings and the only reason I didn’t read it in one is because my boyfriend wanted me to turn off the light to sleep! 😛 The story reads super fast paced, I didn’t want to put it down!Elizabeth writes beautifully, I was pulled in to her words which flow so fluid and gently! The story brought me cozy feelings of Christmas over a warm fire, opening gifts, smell of cookies. It was such an adorable read, full of emotion and family coziness. It also hit home for me, I felt super connected to what the MC, Margaret, was going through by leaving her fiancee before the wedding…. (yes readers, years ago I also left my fiancee).

Such an adorable cover! 🙂

“What was my big reason for running away and not marrying William Taylor?”

I absolutely loved the book, it shows us how difficult it is to make life changing decisions as well as how sometimes the person you are looking for your whole life has been in front of you this entire time. I was in love with both Adrian and William and every time they appeared in the story I would feel butterflies in my stomach. The story shows us how important family is, which also really connected to me since I’m living far away from my parents and really miss them. Overall, it was a delightful read, with a beautiful happy ending that leaves you smirking and completely satisfied at the end.

photo by @tata.lifepages
"My gaze wandered over the curve of his cheekbones and the soft angle of his jaw. Faint lines creased the side of his mouth, and a few rested under his eyes. He looked older - obviously - but he still looked like my Aidy, my best friend, my foster brother. It was so strange seeing him after all these years. I wanted to see his smile. I wanted to hug him, but then the thought of the last conversation we'd had, and I wanted to punch him instead."

You can check out more about the book and the author here or the amazon page here.

Book review: First came forever, (Book 1, Angelheart saga) by Annie Woods

. tata.lifepages | Gifted | YA Romance |

Rating: 4 out of 5.

This book was a delightful surprise! The story is beautifully written, it began with what seemed like an insta-love trope, between two young adventurers; a mysterious guy and a geeky girl. They met in a historical place in Camboja and from that point onwards it was love at first sight. The connection they felt to each other during their trip was so strong that it brought them together to the USA, where they began and set their new lives. Their purpose was to in the future accomplish some good for the children in need that they encountered on their trip.

That’s when the unexpected started to happen. The story was developed to a point that we were constantly surprised with unforeseen plot-twists! I couldn’t put the book down because I was so eager to find out what was going on. If you enjoy a dramatic spectacle like me, where we are encountered with curve ball after curve ball you will definitely enjoy this read. Royal meets girl, political goals come into play, an unknown person lurking in the shadows plotting against them, high school dilemmas – fitting in, new friends, defending gay rights and to top it off, a hot guy to mess with her head. All of these twists intertwined with the regular teenager’s life issues; essays, sports, complicated parents, which the author presented fast-paced, making it very interesting chapter by chapter. Since this is the first book in a trilogy (you can check out the other books in the saga here), it ends with a cliffhanger, full of last minute surprises and questions to be answered in the next book, which I will start right away! 🙂

photo at @tata.lifepages