Sunday, 8 February 2015

Two Quick "YA ROMANCE" Reviews

Last week I was in mood for YA standalones and managed to read two distinct romance novels. One was fantasy story that I added to my TBR recently - Princess of Thorns. The other one was contemporary tale that I was very excited to read and started it as soon as it was released - I'll Meet You There. Here are my thoughts on both books.


             

Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay
Published by: Delacorte Press

Release date: December 9th 2014
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

         
         
Game of Thrones meets the Grimm's fairy tales in this twisted, fast-paced romantic fantasy-adventure about Sleeping Beauty's daughter, a warrior princess who must fight to reclaim her throne.

Though she looks like a mere mortal, Princess Aurora is a fairy blessed with enhanced strength, bravery, and mercy yet cursed to destroy the free will of any male who kisses her. Disguised as a boy, she enlists the help of the handsome but also cursed Prince Niklaas to fight legions of evil and free her brother from the ogre queen who stole Aurora's throne ten years ago.

Will Aurora triumph over evil and reach her brother before it's too late? Can Aurora and Niklaas break the curses that will otherwise forever keep them from finding their one true love?

MY THOUGHTS:


Princess of Thorns was enjoyable read but nothing revolutionary that would sweep me off my feet. Overall, it was quite a refreshing story but it lacked the "x factor" that would make it an epic tale. I would suggest it to all those who are in the mood for quick standalone fairytale retelling story with entertaining characters and slow burn romance.



I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios
Published by: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Release date: February 3rd 2015
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

            
             
If seventeen-year-old Skylar Evans were a typical Creek View girl, her future would involve a double-wide trailer, a baby on her hip, and the graveyard shift at Taco Bell. But after graduation, the only thing standing between straightedge Skylar and art school are three minimum-wage months of summer. Skylar can taste the freedom—that is, until her mother loses her job and everything starts coming apart. Torn between her dreams and the people she loves, Skylar realizes everything she’s ever worked for is on the line.

Nineteen-year-old Josh Mitchell had a different ticket out of Creek View: the Marines. But after his leg is blown off in Afghanistan, he returns home, a shell of the cocksure boy he used to be. What brings Skylar and Josh together is working at the Paradise—a quirky motel off California’s dusty Highway 99. Despite their differences, their shared isolation turns into an unexpected friendship and soon, something deeper.


MY THOUGHTS:


This book. I read it in one sitting and it immediately became my new favorite. I'll Meet You There is one powerful, touching, emotional, heart-breaking, spirit-lifting, goose bumps-giving story with natural characters and slow burn romance that gave me butterflies. It deals with some harsh topics, but I loved loved loved every single word of this book! Josh and Skylar will always stay dear to my heart.


Books like this are reason why I love reading so much. Put everything down, and read this unforgettable novel, guys! One small advice at the end. Do not skip acknowledgements.


(In case you are still undecided whether to read this book or not, check out more detailed reviews at Lily's Book Blog, Lost in Literature or Mostly YA Book Obsessed.)

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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.

Comments (32)

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I'll Meet You There looks really great. I have seen a few rave reviews for it, and it even has a great cover. I have to get this book!
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1 reply · active 528 weeks ago
I was never sure if I should read I'll Meet You There. Now I regret not requesting it for review when I had the chance. Great mini reviews :) I thought Princess of Thorns looked great. Now I know I should push it back for now.
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1 reply · active 528 weeks ago
I've heard ENDLESSLY good things about I'll Meet You There and I SO want to try it someday! I'd like to try the Stacey Jay book too, but it's not very high on my want-list. Gah there are just too many books amirite?!
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1 reply · active 528 weeks ago
I’ll Meet You There sounds absolutely amazing, I’ve only heard good things about it and I’m 100% craving it. I also like a fairytale retelling and keeping in mind that you said it lacked that x factor I’m still really looking forward to reading Princess of Thorns.

Thanks for the great reviews.
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1 reply · active 528 weeks ago
Ooh yesss I've been wanting to read these two for ages! I loved Demetrios' Something Real so I'm quite certain I'll love I'll Meet You There.

Lovely reviews! <33
1 reply · active 528 weeks ago
So happy you loved I'll Meet You There! Yay!
1 reply · active 528 weeks ago
wow those two books sound like good books, happy to see you enjoyed it :D
1 reply · active 528 weeks ago
I really want to read Princess of Thorns because fairy tale retelling! It sucks that it lacked something and so wasn't amazing, but I'm still glad you enjoyed it! I'll Meet You There has been getting a lot of positive reviews recently. I'll have to check it out one day I think.
1 reply · active 528 weeks ago
I thought that I had I'll Meet You There on my TBR list but it turns out I don't D: so I have totally rectified that after reading your wonderful review!
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1 reply · active 528 weeks ago
I've heard great things about I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios, and it sounds really good. I love a slow burn Romance :)
I just read A Different Blue by Amy Harmon and I would consider that one a ultra-slow burn, LOL
Did you read that one? It's absolutely brilliant!
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1 reply · active 528 weeks ago
I initially stayed away from I'll Meet You There because I was afraid it was going to be something I wouldn't like reading (I know, I judged based on the cover) but from you review it sounds absolutely marvelous. I've read Contemporary books like that which have given me life-altering insights (Anatomy of a Misfit being one of them) and I'd love to read another one with the same potential :D
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1 reply · active 528 weeks ago
I've heard endless fantastic reviews for I'll Meet You There and I'm really looking forward to reading it! IT sounds like a really emotional read. It's refreshing that Princess of Thorns is a standalone, although it wasn't exactly stand out. Great reviews Lucia!
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1 reply · active 528 weeks ago
I'm really happy to see a review on I'll Meet You There because I'm reading Exquisite Captive by Heather Demetrios right now! The writing seems really different based on the quotes you gave but I'm really interested. Nice reviews :)
1 reply · active 528 weeks ago
I've seen both of these around & was curious about them. Good to know they're both good, especially I'll Meet You There. Sometimes, I'm in the mood for standalones! Great reviews! Thanks for sharing!
1 reply · active 527 weeks ago
I've heard such good things about I'll Be There - I have to check it out now :) I have a copy of Princess of Thorns somewhere, I have to start on that as well.. Great reviews <3
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1 reply · active 527 weeks ago
I agree with you on Princess of Thorns. It was good and I enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters, but it fell short of epic. I think it was because the ending felt too convenient for me.

I've been hearing good things about I'll Meet you There. I actually own another book by Demetrios, Exquisite Captive, but I haven't read it yet because it didn't get such good reviews.
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1 reply · active 527 weeks ago

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