One True Mate by Julie Trettel: Book 1 of the Westin Pack Novels

Kelsey Adams is alone, and has been since childhood. Running away is all she knows and necessary to preserve her deepest, darkest secret. She can not afford for anyone to get close, or know about the monster within. But when she lands a lucrative job as an administrative assistant to Kyle Westin, CEO of the Westin Foundation, her life changes and everything’s at stake. Can she conceal her growing feelings and her true self from this enigmatic, strong willed man, or will her world fall apart?

Kyle Westin, an alpha male who always gets what he wants, has watched and waited for the little she-wolf he knows is his perfect mate to show any signs of recognition. For two years he endures her unnecessary formality and daily rejections with a patience he did not he possessed. But even Kyle has his limits…. Can he make Kelsey notice him as someone other than her boss and break down the walls she built around her heart? Or will Kelsey do what she has always done — run?

I’ve just read this book twice in two days, Yes that’s right – I did an instant re-read it’s that good!. Even though there’s only 283 pages, I felt there wasn’t enough pages in this book and I could see more happening with this story. Wolf shifters, lone wolves, wolf packs and true mates. I really need to track down the second book of The Westin Pack series – because I know that I will be doing multiple re-reads of ‘One True Mate’ followed by the rest.

-Meredith

Butterface by Avery Flynn

From the series: The Hartigans

It’s true. I’m not what most people would call “pretty” and, well, high school was rough. Fast forward ten years and life is good…

Until a bunch of jerks think it’s hilarious to put the “butterface” (AKA me) on a wedding Kiss Cam with the hottest guy ever—and that old humiliation hits hard.

I recognize him immediately. The sexiest cop in Waterbury and totally out of my league.

But then he kisses me. And we totally forget the room, the crowd, everything.

Then he tells everyone we’ve been dating for months.

Soon everything starts to feel too real, from adorable fights over “necessary” tools to fix my broken porch to surviving a free-for-all dinner with his six siblings to picking up where our last kiss left off.

But there’s something he’s not telling me about why he’s really hanging around, and I’m pretty sure it has to do with my mob-connected brothers.

Because this is not a make-over story, and Cinderella is only a fairy tale…

Girl meets boy but with a twist: she’s from a family of crime and he’s from the Organised Crime branch but there’s a catch – Gina was upfront and honest. But Ford was holding back on why he started hanging out with Gina. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and I was so not ready for the end of Butterface and I need more, though I do have a question.. will Gina ever???
-Meredith

Clean Sweep (Book 1 of Innkeeper Chronicles) by Ilona Andrews

Magic, Vampires, Werewolves, the Alpha-Strain, humans (who are completely in the dark about everything), The Innkeeper and The Inn…

On the outside, Dina Demille appears to be normal. She runs a Victorian Bed and Breakfast in a small Texas town, owns a Shih Tzu named Beast and is a perfect neighbor, whose biggest problem should be what to serve her guests for breakfast.

But Dina is different as she is the Innkeeper and has revived The Inn she has taken over.  The Inn was in hibernation/stasis for a very long time, until Dina came and woke up the Gertrude Hunt Inn. Her broom is a deadly weapon and The Inn is meant to be a lodging for otherworldly visitors, the only permanent guest is a retired Galactic aristocrat…  And now, something with wicked claws and deepwater teeth has begun to hunt at night….

Clean Sweep is book one in the Innkeeper Chronicles – I am really looking forward to the next books in the series.

Now that Gertrude Hunt Inn is open for business, let the fun begin!!

-Meredith

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

BOOK 1 of the Hex Hall Series

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It’s gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie’s estranged father—an elusive European warlock—only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it’s her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

My review
If you love Harry Potter then you’ll love this book and will be up until 3am in the morning not wanting to put it down just like I did! Sophie just like Harry Potter grew up in the human world and well it’s an interesting twist with the boarding school she ends up going to where it’s more like juvie for the supernatural, but the things is that Sophie actually doesn’t know how to do any magic yet. Follow on her journey to making friends, making enemies, getting into trouble, saving her friend, dealing with a boy crush on someone she can’t have and let’s not forget the evil groups that want her and her school mates dead. A fun filled series that I’m eager to keep reading about.

Recomendation
I’m going to say ages 8 and up but I think anyone at an age that can understand the imaginary and loves books about magic will love this book. Also great for Harry Potter fans who love stories about teenage witches and even twilight fans will enjoy the vamipire and other mythical beings elements in this book.

– Crystal

Moon Called by Patricia Griggs

Mercy Thompson Series – Book 1

Mercedes Thompson, aka Mercy, is a talented Volkswagen mechanic living in the Tri-Cities area of Washington. She also happens to be a walker, a magical being with the power to shift into a coyote at will. Mercy’s next-door neighbor is a werewolf.

Her former boss is a gremlin. And she’s fixing a bus for a vampire. This is the world of Mercy Thompson, one that looks a lot like ours but is populated by those things that go bump in the night. And Mercy’s connection to those things is about to get her into some serious hot water.

A slow and steady start which slowly but surely drags you in. A great way to start a series.

There’s some action, magic, fae, and other magical creatures.

The main character is a mechanic and she’ll hold her ground when she needs too. And fight (beware when she starts to fight, you won’t expect it coming).

-Meredith

Red-Haired Stepchild by Jaye Wells

Sabine Kane Series – Book 1

In a world where being of mixed-blood is a major liability, Sabina Kane has the only profession fit for an outcast: assassin. But, her latest mission threatens the fragile peace between the vampire and mage races and Sabina must scramble to figure out which side she’s on. She’s never brought her work home with her—until now. This time, it’s personal…

The acknowledgments and the extras at the end of books are starting to be a major pain in the backside, for me. It leads me into believing that there is more chapters to the story.

Throughout ‘Red-Headed Stepchild’ I kept wishing that I was either beside Sabina to help her out or that I was her.

All I’ve got to do now is to wait for the bookstores to open later this morning (which will be in about 10 hours).

-Meredith

The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo

How would you react if your father asked you to become a ghost bride? Would you agree if it meant a future of prosperity

This would have to be listed as one of my favourite reads for 2017!!!

Though ruled by British overlords in Colonial Malaya, the Chinese Malayans hold ancient customs, values and superstitions close to heart. Set in the sleepy port town of Malacca, this takes us back to the 1880’s and follows the story of Li Lan, our female protagonist and the daughter of a genteel yet bankrupt family with few prospects. Li Lan receives an unusual proposal from a wealthy and influential family – the Lims – who propose she become a ghost bride for their late and only son who recently died under mysterious circumstances. An ancient custom, becoming a ghost bride was said to placate a restless spirit and guarantee prosperity for the bride – but what happens when this restless spirit starts to haunt the potential ghost bride? What happens when rather than following regular protocols to rid a restless spirit from the human world, Li Lan embarks on a journey that leads her to a peculiar supernatural cross over.

Exploring old Malayan folklore, superstitions and intertwining of Malaysian culture with true historical events – this haunting, dark yet fascinating tale kept me turning the page to the very end! I was captivated from the first chapter and I strongly recommend this to fans of Frances Watts’ “The Peony Lantern”

Many thanks to Allen and Unwin Publishers who gave a copy to me as a prize for a competition I won.

This is one great book!!!

-Annie

Because you Love to Hate Me: 13 Tales of Villainy Edited by Ameriie

An awesomely unique compilation of 13 short stories written by brilliant authors from around the world and collaborated with influential booktubers.

I say this is unique as these short stories are from the perspective of misunderstood villains and are written by fantastic authors as challenged by influential booktubers. What I enjoyed most about this book was the short stories that were entertaining as well as the short pieces written by the book tubers when they challenged the authors to write a short story on various themes. The pieces were that good, I can see these booktubers publishing their own books one day. This was one anthology I struggled to pin point a favourite as they were all pretty good, I also found it interesting to see a villain’s perspective as it gives you an idea as to why they were ‘tipped over the edge’ and moved over to the dark side. I would highly recommend this to fans of YA or if any of the noted authors are your ‘autobuy’ author, they wont disappoint in this fabulous compilation. Once again, I didn’t read this from beginning to end – I bounced around various authors starting with my favourites (lol). It’s quite different and a lot of fun to read!!

Edited by international popstar, now writer, Ameriie, the authors who teamed up for this compilation feature: Renee Ahdieh, Soman Chainani, Susan Dennard, Sarah Enni, Marissa Meyer, Cindy Pon, Victoria Schwab, Samantha Shannon, Adam Silvera, Andrew Smith, April Genevieve Tucholke, and Nicola Yoon. The Booktubers: Benjamin Alderson (Benjaminoftomes), Sasha Alsberg (abookutopia), Whitney Atkinson (WhittyNovels), Tina Burke (ChristinaReadsYA blog and TheLushables), Catriona Feeney (LittleBookOwl), Jesse George (JessetheReader), Zo Herdt (readbyzoe), Samantha Lane (Thoughts on Tomes), Sophia Lee (thebookbasement), Raeleen Lemay (padfootandprongs07), Regan Perusse (PeruseProject), Christine Riccio (polandbananasBOOKS), and Steph Sinclair & Kat Kennedy (Cuddlebuggery blog and channel).

Special thanks to Bloomsbury Publishers for sending me a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

-Annie

Hot Blooded by Amanda Carlson

Fast Paced – Action – Adventure!!!

It hasn’t been the best week for Jessica McClain. Her mate has been kidnapped by a Goddess hell-bent on revenge but Jessica is playing for keeps. Because she’s the only female werewolf in town, it comes with its own set of rules and powers. Aided by two vamps, two loyal Pack members, and one very reluctant human, Jessica must rescue her man while coming to terms with what being a wolf really means. All in a day’s work for a girl.

The second novel in the Jessica McClain series is a full on action adventure featuring one angry Goddess and plenty of monsters, demons, and a few newly risen beasties. The old adage of ‘it doesn’t rain but pours’ holds true for Jessica McClain.

Hot Blooded takes you on a fast action adventure, where the main character doesn’t fully grasp of what’s in play. We also get told that there is a prophecy is in play around Jessica and the very little we do know, we find out more when Jessica does.

-Meredith

Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock Series) by Faith Hunter

A great read – 4 stars out of 5 stars

Blurb
Jane Yellowrock is the last of her kind, she is a skinwalker of Cherokee descent. Jane can turn into any creature she desires and hunts vampires for a living. In this story, she is now being hired by Katherine Fontaneau, one of the oldest vampires in New Orleans and the madam of Katie’s Ladies, to hunt a powerful rogue vampire who’s killing other vampires.

My thoughts
I found this book while wondering up and down bookshelves at my local bookstore desperately looking for something to read when I left my book at home. Skinwalker is a fun and very easy read for me. I enjoyed it and it also left me muttering on a few occasions “Why do I have to put this book down when duty calls!?” “Boo.. Work” I really enjoyed this book so much, I want to get know the characters better and how the characters’ relationships continue to grow throughout the series. It’s one series I will invest in – and so should you.

-Meredith