Tuesday, 20 January 2015

LIFE CHANGING READS #2: HOW KRISTA & BECCA RITCHIE RESTORED MY FAITH IN NA GENRE

LIFE CHANGING READS is occasional blog feature in which I talk about books that recently (or in the past) had a big impact on me and left me in the state of slight addiction in one form or another.


If you asked me couple of weeks ago what I thought about New Adult genre, I would tell you that this genre was practically dead to me and attention-worthy NA novels were only very rare almost extinct species. I was truly struggling with NA novels in 2014. I even got to the point when I deliberately avoided a book if it was labelled as NA novel. Nothing surprised me, nothing hold my attention and all narrators annoyed me. There was 99% success rate of me hating or DNF-ing NA novels that I read last year.

Then, two weeks ago, Krista and Becca Ritchie entered my life. I picked up Addicted To You, first book in their Addicted series and I was pleasantly surprised. I fell so hard in love with writing, characters and story itself that I decided to put all my ARCs aside and marathon whole Addicted and Calloway Sisters series together. Let me tell you, book-wise, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Books by Ritchie twins have everything I used to love about NA novels. Complex and flawed but unique and lovable characters. Highly addictive storyline with right amount of deep emotions. Great balance between angst, steam and comical relief. I am fan for life. (I have a special review post ready to go live in week or two where I will review whole Addicted series. I can't wait to share my thoughts with you all!)

What is a lesson I learned? When written by right authors, NA genre is still alive and kicking. And when it comes to my tastes, Krista and Becca Ritchie are definitely right people for it. Thank you Krista & Becca for making me believe in NA genre again!

HAVE SOMETHING SIMILAR HAPPENED TO YOU? WHAT AUTHOR/BOOK/SERIES HELPED YOU TO RE-EVALUATE YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO GIVEN GENRE? HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT NEW ADULT GENRE? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU :)

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Lucia @Reading Is My Breathing

Lucia is 29 years old passionate reader and reviewer who enjoys talking about all bookish things. Currently she lives in Prague, works in business industry and dreams of starting her own publishing company. Her weakness? She can never say no to cake, coffee or good novel.
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stacyhgg 28p · 535 weeks ago

Great Post!
I think many people were feeling this way last year. I know my 3 co-boggers and I were at the end of our sanity with NA for awhile. I was thinking if I have to read about another tragic backstory, with dead or abusive parents I just may vomit on my iPad. But there have been a few Authors that have restored or let me maintain my "faith in the genre."
Mia Sheridan (all her novels)
Colleen Hoover (Ugly Love & Maybe Someday)
Penelope Ward (My Skylar)
A.L. Jackson (Come To Me Quietly)
are all novels that are labeled NA and written phenomenally IMO.
I haven't had the pleasure of reading anything by Krista & Becca Ritchie but I have heard wonderful things about them so they are on my TBR. I can't wait to see your reviews!

My recent post #SexyCowboy ~ One to Leave by Tia Louise ~ Blog Tour + Signed Giveaway!
1 reply · active 535 weeks ago
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Siiri · 535 weeks ago

Aw yay, Lucia! I was on a pretty good NA wave still when Addicted series came out, but I'd probably have lost my hope in the genre if it wasn't for Krista and Becca, Colleen Hoover and Samantha Young (the last of them still has some cheesy storylines, but her books are so full of family and the right type of angst and such a cute and funny banter and hot guys and adorable girls; I just love her books still!) and oh yeah! You're 100% on about the complex and lovable and flawed and unique characters, because there are very few characters that come close to the Addicted gang and are still so very real and lovable. In my opinion, these characters could have gone very wrong, but Krista and Becca did them justice and I'm just so so so in awe and in love with these books. So happy to have you in this fandom, cutie!
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1 reply · active 535 weeks ago
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Wattle · 535 weeks ago

Oh interesting. I haven't heard of these novels before, and I must admit I've read a few good NA novels, the rest though...not so awesome. So I'm going to take your advice and check these ones out! :)
My recent post Book Review: Emma by Alexander McCall Smith
1 reply · active 535 weeks ago
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Kristen Noel · 535 weeks ago

Oh my gosh! The SAME thing happened to me with them. I've never found an NA book or author that I'm absolutely crazy about. They all seemed the same, too much drama, etc. But then I read Addicted to You and I was blown away! They're totally a game changer for me! So glad to see that I'm not alone! :)
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Abby · 535 weeks ago

I think Addicted and Calloway Sisters series made me cry a buckets of tears already. I love the authenticity and boldness of each characters. They very dynamic, emotional and honest. I love love love the bond among all the characters. These kind of books are very rare and I am so happy that KB Ritchie's books came into my life. <3
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Bec · 535 weeks ago

NA has seemed to disappear a little bit. I remember it wasn't that long ago that it seemed to be in every corner of the blogosphere, now I rarely hear about it. It got a bit of a bad rap because of a few titles. There were some great NA stories out there.

I've heard about this Addicted to You books but have never read them! Might need to change that one day :)
My recent post Review: Heart of the Dragon’s Realm by Karalynn Lee
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bluekaren 41p · 535 weeks ago

I feel the same way, about contemporary romance. I don't read too much NA because it falls into that genre a lot. Just a romance, is just not my thing. Then I found Layla Hagen's books. She writes NA romance and it is just heartwarming. The way the genre is suppose to feel.
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iskultripscans 74p · 534 weeks ago

I've heard so much about these two! I'm so picky when it comes to NA so that's why I haven't really bothered yet, but god, all these praising reviews make me want to just give in already. I definitely will esp. since my co-blogger, Aimee, loved their books, too!
My recent post Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
1 reply · active 534 weeks ago
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Christy @ Novel Ink 76p · 534 weeks ago

These sisters are amazing! I've loved every book that I've read by them and I'm so excited to read more!
My recent post ARC Book Review | The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand
1 reply · active 534 weeks ago
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myreadingdress 91p · 534 weeks ago

SERIOUSLY so many close blogging friends of mine love this series. AND NOW YOU TOO! I'm feeling the pressure. I caved and totally promised them that 2015 would be the year that I marathon the series. I actually read like 70% of A2Y last year during exam period AND THEN I FORGOT TO FINISH IT. Insane. I don't know what's wrong with me sometimes hahaha

BUT YOU LOVED IT. IT RESTORED YOUR FAITH IN NA. That's enough for me!!!!
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mollymortensen 59p · 534 weeks ago

Yes I totally agree with your past assessment of NA books. I've found they just throw lots of sex in a YA book. I'm glad you found a NA book to change your mind! I'm not really one for angst and steam so they probably aren't for me though.
My recent post Top Ten Books on my Might Read List
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melanieymr 70p · 534 weeks ago

I swear, all my bloggy friends are in love with these ladies' books. I NEED TO JUMP ON THIS BANDWAGON OF AWESOME! I don't read a lot of NA because most of them just follow the same recipe, but this seems like a lovely exception :D
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readingbookslikeaboss 35p · 533 weeks ago

Great post, Lucia. I have only read Addicted to You but it wasn't for me. However, I've felt the same way you did about the NA genre. I haven't gotten to the point where I've wanted to completely give up on it, but I have begun to tire of most NA books. I don't require new and unique storylines for NA because most are tropes anyway, but I do want the characters and writing to be strong which is what I think a lot lack. Glad that you found some books that you loved!!
My recent post Book Review – Kaleidoscope Hearts by Claire Contreras
1 reply · active 533 weeks ago

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