ARC Review: Dead To You by Lisa McMann

Title: Dead To You
Series or Stand-alone: Stand-alone
Author: Lisa McMann | Website
Available: Now
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Contemporary
Source: Amazon Vine








Synopsis via Goodreads:


Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was just seven years old. Now, at sixteen, he has returned to his family. It's a miracle... at first. Then the tensions start to build. His reintroduction to his old life isn't going smoothly, and his family is tearing apart all over again. If only Ethan could remember something, anything, about his life before, he'd be able to put the pieces back together. But there's something that's keeping his memory blocked. Something unspeakable...

Quotable Quotes:

“Feels like I'm in a play and I don't know all my lines.” 

My thoughts:


Oh my! This book managed to tear my heart in two in just 256 pages. An abducted child is reunited with his family many years after he disappeared. You would expect all rainbows and sunshine, but this is not the case. This novel was ridden with angst. I don't usually enjoy angsty YA, but it felt right in Dead To You. Angst was almost necessary. These characters had been through so much. I loved watching this family heal, then shatter, only to heal again.

I applaud McMann for writing a YA novel from the point of view of a teen boy. Not only did she write it, she did an amazing job at it. Such a rarity in YA unfortunately. We really need more male protags. This book is shorter than most, but still encompasses the depth and detail of a much longer novel. I was completely invested in Ethan's story. I loved the characters even when I didn't agree with their choices. The plot was fast paced and the suspense kept me reading. I didn't want to put this book down. The ending is a killer. I hope she plans to write a follow up because I'm dying to know what happened next.

My Rating:

ARC Revew: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Title: Under The Never Sky
Series: Debut!
Author: Veronica Rossi | Website
Available: Now
Genre: Dystopian
Reading Level: YA
Source: Vine










Description via Goodreads:


Aria is a teenager in the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction. 

As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators, and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe, Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food and even human emotions. 

They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom she considers a barbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love - one that will forever change the fate of all who live UNDER THE NEVER SKY.


My thoughts:


Under the Never Sky is another up and coming dystopian release that seems to be building all kinds of hype. After my not so great experience with another dystopian title, that was also recently released and greatly hyped, I was worried Under the Never Sky would be another fail for me. I adore dystopian so I hoped this wouldn't be the case. Imagine my anxiety when after 50 pages I still wasn't enjoying this book (that was supposed to be so full of awesomeness) much at all. I just didn't get it. Where was this world they were living in? What was going on? What is a realm and why do they have them? To say the world was confusing would be a HUGE understatement. Then it clicked, and I spent the remainder of my time reading Under the Never Sky in complete and total love. I'm so glad I didn't toss this book on the DNF pile.

Under the Never Sky alternates between two points of view, Aria and Perry. * cue dreamy sighs and swooning * They don't really talk much about the why's or how's the world came to be in the shape it is because they don't know. Some of the human population also has abilities that I initially mistook as something a little more magical and fantasy appropriate because of the use of the word Seer. As I read, I discovered this was not magic and more likely the adaption of humans overtime due to the new and most definitely not improved environment they were forced to inhabit. At least that was my take. This combined with the confusing world and strange language is where my initial confusion and inability to really connect with the novel stemmed from. Thankfully once that was all cleared up I was left with nothing but smooth reading.

Other reviews I've read call Aria unlikeable. I didn't find this to be the case. I really enjoyed her. She finds herself forced out of the enclosed facility she calls home in order to cover-up some crazy behavior by one of the powerful resident's son. She is forced into the scary world nicknamed The Death Shop. It is there she meets Perry who will need her help to break into the home she was just exiled from. Perry isn't exactly the nicest guy to be around initially, but like Aria he is under a lot of stress and seems to think it is her fault. They find themselves on a dangerous journey across the devastated world they call home. She is overwhelmed with concern for her mother who left on a mission and hasn't made contact in an unusual amount of time. Girl has a lot on her mind!

Perry kind of encompasses an awesomeness that is difficult to put into words. He is the epitome of protective badass, and I might be in love. While reading it is hard to picture him as an 18-year-old boy. He has experienced so much loss and devastation. I loved that there was no insta-love between him and Aria. He actually commented on her offensive "Dweller" odor on more than one occasion. Even though he thought she smelled bad, I could see why they were perfect for each other from the start. Their romance is reason enough to pick up this book.

Under the Never Sky also contains a fascinating cast of secondary characters you won't want to miss. I won't go into detail on each, but will say they are beautifully unique and add a layer of depth to this complex world.

While I didn't love Under the Never Sky like I did The Hunger Games or Divergent, it is a solid read and one I think most dystopian fans will definitely enjoy. I did feel the introduction to Aria's world could have been better. The world and language took quite a bit of time to get used to and unfortunately distracted from my initial enjoyment.

Will I continue this series? Heck yeah! The ending sets us up perfectly for the next installment without leaving us hanging (too much). I'm sure I'll devour the next in the series much easier now that the world building that slowed down book one is out of the way. 


Parental POV : Under the Never Sky does contain violence and sexual situations. They also briefly talk about menstruation and fertility. Boys might find this is an ick factor. With that said, I felt Veronica Rossi handled both topics tastefully. Mega kudos for her!

My Rating:

ARC Review: Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey - Blog Tour

Title: Dragonswood
Series: Wilde Island Chronicles #2
Author: Janet Lee Carey | Website
Available: 1/5/2012
Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: YA












Synopsis via Goodreads:

Wilde Island is in an uproar after the recent death of its king. The uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans is fraying, and a bloodthirsty witch hunter with a hidden agenda whips villages into frenzies with wild accusations. Tess, a blacksmith’s daughter from a tiny hamlet near the mysterious Dragonswood, finds herself caught in the crosshairs of fate when she is accused of witchery and has to flee for her life along with her two best friends. 

Not even Tess’s power to see the future can help the girls as they set off on their desperate journey, but she keeps having visions of a man wielding a sword. And when she finally meets him, Tess has no idea how to handle the magnetic attraction she feels for him, or the elusive call she hears from the heart of the Dragonswood. 

In this epic romance, an ancient prophecy comes true in a way neither dragon, fairy, nor human would have predicted.

My thoughts:

Dragonswood satisfied a craving I wasn't even aware I had. Obviously my book diet has been seriously lacking fantasy lately. I just didn't realize how bad until I started reading this enchanting novel.  Tess takes readers on an incredible journey. I found myself staying up late at night because I just couldn't bring myself to put her captivating tale down. The magical combination of a historical setting, dragons, fairies and romance had me falling in love at first page.


I absolutely loved Tess. She craved an independence that women during her time didn't typically have. Instead she was forced to live in fear with her mother and abusive father. Who would of thought being accused of witchcraft and forced to flee could be so liberating? Tess is a strong and admirable character. She stayed true to herself throughout the book and as a reader I appreciated this. The secondary characters were also a pleasure. I wish the dragons would have had a little more time in the spotlight. The few scenes where they spoke or interacted with the characters were without a doubt my favorites. I just have so much love for those scaled beasts ♥ 


I found the pacing of Dragonswood to be wonderful until the end. The ending just seemed a little rushed and the writing didn't flow as nicely as it did throughout the majority of the novel. I also had difficulty with the epilogue. Tess seemed to have a different "voice". I'm not sure if this was to help reflect the time that had passed and how she had changed. It just didn't feel like I was reading from the POV of the same girl I'd just spent almost 400 pages with. 


While the ending could have been smoother it didn't in any way squash the massive amount of love I have for this wonderful book. I still found Dragonswood an absolute delight to read! I highly recommend it and hope to read more by Janet Lee Carey very soon.


While visiting Janet Lee Carey's website I discovered Dragonswood is technically the second book in the Wilde Island Chronicles. I wasn't aware of this little bit of info when I first started reading. I haven't had the pleasure of reading the first novel, Dragon's Keep. I don't feel reading out of order made Dragonswood any less enjoyable and never really felt like I was missing anything. 

My Rating:

Review: Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Title: Enclave
Series: Razorland #1
Author: Ann Aguirre | Website
Available: Now
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Dystopian
Source: Publisher










Description from Goodreads:


WELCOME TO THE APOCALYPSE 

In Deuce’s world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups–Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember. 

As a Huntress, her purpose is clear—to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She’s worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing’s going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce’s troubles are just beginning. 

Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn’t like following orders. At first she thinks he’s crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don’t always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth. Her partner confuses her; she’s never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as using his knives with feral grace. 

As Deuce’s perception shifts, so does the balance in the constant battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat only due to their sheer numbers, show signs of cunning and strategy… but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. Despite imminent disaster, the enclave puts their faith in strictures and sacrifice instead. No matter how she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she’s ever known.


My thoughts:


I had heard so many amazing things about Ann Aguirre's books and kept meaning to give one of her series a try. When I heard she had a dystopian/post-apocalyptic series coming out I knew that would be a perfect place to start. When I discovered the book also contained zombieish creatures I knew it was definitely going to me my very first Ann Aguirre book.


Enclave throws readers into an underground world with a social structure that the characters accept, but will terrify readers and leave them thinking what if. What if this happens in my lifetime? What if my children grow up and have to live in a world like the one in this book? Enclave is frightening, but oh so addictive. Needless to say the world building that happened in Enclave is amazing! I was seriously impressed. With the page count just shy of 300 this is an excellent testament of Ann Aguirre's talented writing skills.


Main character Deuce is certifiably badass. I would not want to be on the receiving end of an ass kicking from this chick. When Fade enters the picture you know I was in immediate love. Dark, brooding, and mysterious are top three requirements for book boyfriend, and I have a feeling that these are characteristics MC Deuce also appreciates. I loved that they could kick zombie butt and then have these intense connections after. These two rock the chemistry hard.


Loads of action, conspiracy, and double crossing. Life inside the enclave is scary enough, but wait until you see what is happening outside. The book ends with the perfect setup for the next in the series. Enclave is an amazing dystopian debut and one that can easily hang with the big boys of the genre. Plus there are Freaks *cough* zombies *cough*. I'm of the school of thought that a mindless flesh eating being always brings a little something special to a novel. If you agree or are a reader fiending for a new dystopian novel, give this one a go. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

My Rating:

Review: Children of Paranoia by Trevor Shane- Blog Tour

Title: Children of Paranoia
Series: 1st in a trilogy
Available: Now
Author: Trevor Shane | Website
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Dystopian/Thriller
Source: Publisher












Description from Goodreads:


ALL WARS HAVE RULES

Rule Number One: No killing innocent bystanders.

Rule Number Two: No killing anyone under the age of eighteen.

BREAK THE RULES, BECOME THE TARGET

Since the age of eighteen, Joseph has been assassinating people on behalf of a cause that he believes in but doesn't fully understand. The War is ageless, hidden in the shadows, governed by a rigid set of rules, and fought by two distinct sides-one good, one evil. The only unknown is which side is which. Soldiers in the War hide in plain sight, their deeds disguised as accidents or random acts of violence amidst an unsuspecting population ignorant of the brutality that is always inches away.

Killing people is the only life Joseph has ever known, and he's one of the best at it. But when a job goes wrong and he's sent away to complete a punishingly dangerous assignment, Joseph meets a girl named Maria, and for the first time in his life his singleminded, bloody purpose fades away.

Before Maria, Joseph's only responsibility was dealing death to the anonymous targets fingered by his superiors. Now he must run from the people who have fought by his side to save what he loves most in this world. As Children of Paranoia reaches its heart-in-throat climax, Joseph will learn that only one rule remains immutable: the only thing more dangerous than fighting the War...is leaving it.

My thoughts:

Children of Paranoia is a book that made me think thriller more than dystopian. The world is basically the same as it is now for the “civilians” clueless about the secret war going on around them. If you are involved in the war you spend your time either assassinating the enemy, gathering Intel on the enemy, or hiding from the enemy. It will have readers biting their nails and reaching for an antacid. This is one of those high-strung reads that barely leaves you a moment to breathe. The first night reading I actually said I must put this book down or I'll have nightmares. The next night I decided screw the nightmares and kept reading until I was done. Talk about stressful! Trevor Shane has created a world that will leave readers emotionally spent, but begging for more. 

As I mentioned the pace of this novel moves quite quickly. The world building was pretty darn amazing and will have you obsessing about why this crazy war is happening in the first place. Character development was also really well done. Joseph and Maria are the characters we get to know best. Their romance happens quickly. I know not everyone is a fan of characters that seem to fall in love at first sight, but for Joseph and Maria it worked. Unfortunately their romance comes with serious consequences. I don’t want to give away too much, but the plot twists that surround the two really threw me for a loop. I never saw it coming. This is a novel that is anything, but predictable.

The ending is completely unexpected and 100% heart wrenching. Oh my goodness I get teary just thinking about it! I'm sending you my therapy bill, Mr. Shane. It also sets us up for the next book in the trilogy perfectly. Not a cliffhanger really, but it has left me pining for what is to come next.

Children of Paranoia does contain some pretty brutal scenes, but with a book starring assassins I’d consider that a given. I’m pretty squeamish when it comes to violence and came through my reading experience mostly unscathed ;) Children of Paranoia is a book that took me outside of my normal reading “comfort zone” and entertained me more than I thought possible. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys books with lots of action.

My Rating:

ARC Review: Variant by Robison Wells - Blog Tour

Title: Variant
Series: I freaking hope so!
Author: Robison Wells | Website
Available: Now
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Sci-Fi












Description from Goodreads:

Benson Fisher thought that a scholarship to Maxfield Academy would be the ticket out of his dead-end life.

He was wrong.

Now he’s trapped in a school that’s surrounded by a razor-wire fence. A school where video cameras monitor his every move. Where there are no adults. Where the kids have split into groups in order to survive.

Where breaking the rules equals death.

But when Benson stumbles upon the school’s real secret, he realizes that playing by the rules could spell a fate worse than death, and that escape—his only real hope for survival—may be impossible.

My thoughts:


First thought after finishing Variant? WOW! This is a book that was going along at a nice steady pace and suddenly the author throws in a plot twist that could literally ruin all he has created, but it doesn’t. It worked and I loved it! I always admire authors who are willing to take risks when writing, and Robison Wells took a big one when he went the direction he did with Variant. Will everyone who picks up this book think it worked? Probably not, but I dug it big time. 

I adored main character, Benson (even though his name makes me think of that show from the 80’s). After a life in foster care he finds himself excited about receiving a scholarship to attend an exclusive boarding school. Then he arrives and discovers it was very much to good to be true. He finds himself locked up and isolated from the outside world by a huge wall, and a ruthless security team that is composed of students. Crazy part is the other students seem to accept their fate. Benson on the other hand focuses on escape. This leads him to uncover just a few of the secrets the school is hiding, and let me say those secrets are crazy!

My only complaint is the ending left me confused. The action kicks up several degrees as the conclusion becomes imminent. I felt the writing just didn’t flow in the last few chapters like it had over the rest of the novel. I had trouble keeping up with what was happening and whom it was happening too. Then the final chapter had my jaw hitting the floor. They should have slapped a cliffhanger warning on the cover of Variant because it is a biggie. I’ll assume this is a series debut because of End of Book One stamped on the last page along with the massive cliff edge I fell off on page 375. If it isn’t be warned I might cry. I’m a girl who needs closure and the lack of it in Variant is a cruel form of torture.


Even with the kind of crazy ending and cliffhanger (FYI I hate them) I still loved this book. It was unpredictable and a fab mix of mystery and action. The world building was top notch, and the character development was also pretty amazing. I’m giving this one a very strong 4 kitty rating and highly recommend giving it a read.

I also have to say Yippee for another male main character in Young Adult! As mom of an almost teen boy I’m always on the lookout for male protags. While Variant does contain violence and mentions that sex is against the rules once or twice, I’d have no issue with allowing my tween son to read it.

My Rating:

Follow the Variant Blog Tour!

ARC Review: Just Your Average Princess by Kristina Springer - Blog Tour

Title: Just Your Average Princess
Series: Nope
Author: Kristina Springer | Website
Available: October 11th
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Contemporary/Chick-Lit










Description via Goodreads:


Jamie Edwards has loved everything about growing up on a pumpkin patch, but ever since her cousin Milan Woods arrived, things have really stunk. Jamie can’t imagine it was easy for Milan to leave her life back in Los Angeles and move to Average, Illinois, population one thousand. But it’s kind of hard to feel sorry for her since (a) Milan’s drop-dead gorgeous; (b) she’s the daughter of two of Hollywood’s hottest film stars; (c) she’s captured the attention of everyone in town, including Danny, Jamie’s crush since forever; and (d) she’s about to steal the title of Pumpkin Princess right out from underneath Jamie!


My thoughts:


I started this book after dinner one evening and managed to finish it in the matter of just a couple of hours. It was such a quick and cute read! The dialogue contained a generous amount of wit and snark. As a fan of both, it heightened my enjoyment of Just Your Average Princess even more. I really enjoyed Kristina Springer’s style of writing as well as the cast of characters she created in Just Your Average Princess. 

Jamie’s country girl innocence was a nice change of pace from other main characters I’ve encountered recently. It also created quite a few funny (at times just straight up awkward) moments between her and her worldly cousin, Milan. The meat of the story revolved around why Milan was sent to Average, Illinois to work at Jamie’s dad’s pumpkin patch, and why Milan seemed hell-bent on making Jamie feel beneath her. I was quick to pick up on Milan’s jealousy of Jamie’s normal life even though Just Your Average Princess's MC was oblivious. As for the reason Milan is sent to small town USA.  You’ll have to read to find out.

Just Your Average Princess is a great book to pick up this time of year. With the pumpkin patch in fall setting it will definitely help get readers in the mood for autumn festivities. 

My Rating:

Follow the Just Your Average Princess Blog Tour!

Review & Giveaway: Left Neglected by Lisa Genova (Blog Tour)

Title: Left Neglected
Author: Lisa Genova
Available: Now
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Fiction












Synopsis via Goodreads:


Sarah Nickerson is like any other career-driven supermom in Welmont, the affluent Boston suburb where she leads a hectic but charmed life with her husband Bob, faithful nanny, and three children—Lucy, Charlie, and nine-month-old Linus. 

Between recruiting the best and brightest minds as the vice president of human resources at Berkley Consulting; shuttling the kids to soccer, day care, and piano lessons; convincing her son's teacher that he may not, in fact, have ADD; and making it home in time for dinner, it's a wonder this over-scheduled, over-achieving Harvard graduate has time to breathe.

A self-confessed balloon about to burst, Sarah miraculously manages every minute of her life like an air traffic controller. Until one fateful day, while driving to work and trying to make a phone call, she looks away from the road for one second too long. In the blink of an eye, all the rapidly moving parts of her jam-packed life come to a screeching halt. 

A traumatic brain injury completely erases the left side of her world, and for once, Sarah relinquishes control to those around her, including her formerly absent mother. Without the ability to even floss her own teeth, she struggles to find answers about her past and her uncertain future. 

Now, as she wills herself to regain her independence and heal, Sarah must learn that her real destiny—her new, true life—may in fact lie far from the world of conference calls and spreadsheets. And that a happiness and peace greater than all the success in the world is close within reach, if only she slows down long enough to notice.


My thoughts:


Having read and loved Lisa Genova’s debut novel, Still Alice, I jumped at the chance to read her newest release now available in paperback! While I don’t feel I connected with Left Neglected quite the way I did with Still Alice, I still found Sarah’s story engrossing and informative. 


Sarah goes from an overachieving mother of three, to a woman oblivious to all things on the left because of her choice to use a cell phone while driving. Now she is facing an unknown future. She could overcome the little known about disorder, Left Neglect, or spend the rest of her life having to remind herself to “scan left” and to take in the entire room. 


I enjoyed Sarah’s voice. She was a very sarcastic main character and managed to make light of many situations that would have easily reduced me to tears. She also has three children who just warmed my heart. There is a side story happening involving her oldest son, Charlie, and a possible case of ADD that leads to some amazing scenes between him and Sarah. There is also husband Bob who I really liked. I felt his emotions and reactions to the changes in their lives, as well as the reactions of their children, were very believable. I liked that they reacted exactly how I expect your average family would when faced with a similar crisis.


After Sarah's accident her mother becomes a part of her life again. Sarah is bitter and angry over events in their past that seemed to have led to almost an estrangement between the two. The interaction between Sarah and her mother causes this book to become so much more than a story of simply healing physically. There are emotional scars here like you wouldn’t believe! It gives the plot quite a bit of depth and prevents it from becoming weighed down by the medical side of things.


Having read so many mixed reviews of, Left Neglected, I was worried going in. Thankfully this was unfounded because I truly enjoyed the time I spent reading. While it didn’t pack the emotional punch of Still Alice, it was still an intense and heart wrenching (sometimes heartwarming) story of survival and adapting to a new way of living. 


I would definitely recommend Left Neglected especially if the topic of traumatic brain injuries touches you on a personal level, or if you’re just fascinated by the workings of the human mind. Lisa Genova has a real gift for story telling, and I look forward to more novels from her in the future.

My Rating:

Lisa Genova on the web:

Website | Twitter

Giveaway Details:

I have one copy of Left Neglected up for grabs courtesy of Gallery Books!

Open to residents of the U.S

Leave a comment with a way to contact you to enter (email/Twitter/etc)

Ends August 5th

Source: Provided by publisher in exchange for my review

Review & Giveaway: How to Seduce a Scoundrel by Vicky Dreiling

Title: How to Seduce a Scoundrel
Series: Book #2
Author: Vicky Dreiling
Available: Now
Genre: Historical Romance
Reading Level: Adult
ISBN: 9780446565387
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Description via Goodreads:

When Lady Julianne Gatewick realizes the rake of her dreams thinks of her as practically his sister, she decides it's time to get even. The charming Marc Darcett, Earl of Hawkfield, is every lady's fantasy, but he's determined to evade virgins and their matrimonial traps - especially his best friend's sister.



Hawk reluctantly agrees to be Julianne's guardian for the season, but he's having trouble resisting his gorgeous ward. Worse still, she's taunting him by flirting with every scoundrel in London - and he's sworn to protect her! Certain she's learned her tricks from the authoress of that scandalous publication "The Secrets of Seduction", Hawk sets out to uncover the writer's identity. But he never expects to find the formerly angelic Julianne behind the mask - and between his sheets.



My thoughts:


After reading and falling in love with Vicky Dreiling’s debut novel, How to Marry a Duke, I couldn’t wait for her next release. Having become familiar with main characters, Julianne and Hawk, over the course of the first book, I was eager to see the direction the author took with their forbidden romance.


Julianne is younger and more naive than what I’m used to in a historical romance main character. I think this really showcased her role as the younger, and sometimes coddled, sibling of a very overprotective older brother. As a reader, I appreciated how much room this gave her to grow. I did enjoy her strong and stubborn nature. I have difficulty relating to female character who err on the side of weak minded, and was thrilled Julianne was anything but. I really grew to adore her over the course of the novel, and felt having her write a sinful pamphlet advising others on how to land a man suited her mischievous nature perfectly.


As for love interest Hawk, I don’t think he is a character all readers will enjoy. He was completely blind to Julianne’s feelings, and inadvertently hurt her on numerous occasions. Having spent his life looking at her as his best friend’s little sister, seeing her as a grown (and beautiful) woman was an adjustment. For me, I truly enjoyed watching him reform from Hawk the notorious rake to the man he becomes at the conclusion of the novel. I thought the chemistry between him and Julianne was spot on. There was very little about this couple I didn’t enjoy.


Hawk’s aunt Hester was probably the highlight of How to Seduce a Scoundrel. Her eccentricities and advice for the young women seeking a husband were priceless. Novels need more characters like her. She made me laugh out loud on more occasions than I can count. I just loved her!


Aside from enjoyable characters, the storyline of this novel was a good one. I enjoyed watching “The Secret of Seductions” form from initial idea until the upheaval its publication causes. I love how fresh and unique Vicky Dreiling’s ideas are. It really makes this series something special. She also has such a fun writing style, and I love the wit that encases her dialogue. She really gives historical romance a fun and feisty edge!


Vicky Dreiling’s series is a must read for all fans of historical romance! While How to Seduce a Scoundrel can easily be read on its own, I highly recommend reading the series in order. 

My Rating:

Books in this series:

Vicky Dreiling on the web:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway:

I have 3 copies of How to Seduce a Scoundrel up for grabs courtesy of Hachette Book Group!

To enter please leave a comment with a way to contact you (email, Twitter, etc.)

Open to residents of the U.S & Canada

No P.O Boxes please

Book ships directly from publisher

Ends 7/22

FYI: Vicky will be signing at Katy Budget Books in Houston, Texas on July 30th with Sophie Jordan. Anyone thinking of attending? I’m going to try my best!