Review: The Five Stages of Falling in Love

Tuesday 10 February 2015 No comments
The Five Stages of Falling in Love The Five Stages of Falling in Love by Rachel Higginson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a beautiful story of love overcoming all. From the pain of loss comes the hope of happiness and where there was once nothing but darkness comes a light to brighten up the blackest of days.

I'm not known for enjoying emotional romances but I'd heard good things about this book and I decided to give it ago. What's the worst that could happen..... yep, great bit sobbing tears, by the bucket load, I swear it's my age, I wasn't an emotional wreck last year!

Anyway, back to Liz's story and after the prologue, which yes I cried through, I was hooked and read the story pretty much non stop. Anyone who has lost someone close to them will know the stages of grief but this story turns them around and whilst the grief is progressing a love is developing and an unexpected love at that. A new neighbour brings the cycle of grief around and helps Liz to realise that there is life after death.

Ben is beyond sweet as the new, single, and gorgeous neighbour who Liz comes face to face with an hysterical moment with a pool scene thanks to her wayward danger, Abby. Ben is smitten with Liz from the first moment he sees her but knowing the pain and desolation she is feeling, he takes his time getting to know her and slowly but surely creeps bit by bit into her life and her daily routines. I loved Ben's mini speeches throughout this book. How could anyone say no to him? Each and every word that tumbled from his mouth made my heart squeeze with emotion.
“I like you, Liz. I’ve liked you for almost as long as I’ve known you. And every time I spend time with you, I just like you more. You’re an incredible woman that I can’t imagine not seeing every day, listening to your stories, listening to you laugh… listening to the bad things and the good things. I know this freaks you out. And it should probably freak me out too. But it doesn’t. It feels right. You and I feel right. So stay with me for just tonight.
As you can expect, Liz faces many hurdles as she struggles to come to terms with her developing feelings for Ben and together with her four children, she battles her heart and her head in order to make the right decision both for herself and for her children.

For anyone looking for a feel-good book with plenty of emotion then this story will definitely make your year. Be warned though, get your tissues at the ready, between crying and laughing, you will have an emotional breakdown but all in the name of a HEA.

Copy provided by the author, Netgalley & Little, Mark My Words Book Publicity in return for an honest review.

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Review: Rebel

Monday 9 February 2015 No comments
Rebel Rebel by Callie Hart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Question: Do you love your MC books? Do you love your cartel themed books? Do you like your books dark and disturbing? Are you looking for a new alpha to take over your hearts, minds and every other part of your body? If you answer yes to one or more of the questions above then keep reading, Rebel is the man for you and he is more than ready to rock your world.

Anyone who has read the Blood & Roses series has been waiting, excitedly, for this book and I was no different. After reading the first part of Rebel and Alexis/Sophia's story as part of the Owned Anthology, I was desperate to read the rest of this book and to get to know more about how Rebel and Sophia/Alexis met. This story started off fast paced with murder, intrigue and desperation. Alexis's life changed in the blink of an eye, from an uncomplicated life to one of fear, will she be able to find a way out of the shadows that she has found herself firmly placed in as a result of witnessing a murder.

Rebel is a dark and mysterious character. Tattooed and beautiful, he knows that he must save Alexis from the dangers she has found herself in after trying to help his uncle. Determined to locate and save this woman, having been unable to find and save the first woman he went looking for, little does he expect Alexis to capture his heart.

Alexis is frightened, she doesn't know who is the lesser evil from all of the men who have claimed her but there is something in Rebel, something she feels she can trust but will she help him to find vengeance for his uncle's murder or will she return home to her family and boyfriend.

It's not long before Alexis finds out exactly who Rebel is and she is surprised. The man who she initially feared is now turning her head and showing her that he is just a man, a man who is lost and looking for something but is Alexis that something that he needs?

This book had me torn. I loved the story premise, I loved the set up and introduction to Rebel and Alexis's story but at the same time I didn't want to see Rebel's vulnerable and tender side so soon. I wanted him to be mysterious for longer, like we saw with Zeth, and with an edginess that pulled on my darker side and made me want to both hate and love him at the same time. I think I had set him up in my mind to be something different throughout the Blood & Roses series and I wasn't expecting him as he was presented here, despite knowing deep down that he was a good guy and not one that would hurt Alexis. Saying that, I loved the book, the story and where this series is heading. I see no reason why this spin off series can't be as enjoyable and exciting as the Blood & Roses series was and remains to be.

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