REVIEW – Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

At twenty-two years old, Sydney has a great life: She’s in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her best friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers Hunter’s cheating on her–and she is left trying to decide what to do next.

Sydney becomes captivated by Ridge, her mysterious neighbor. She can’t take her eyes off him or stop listening to the passionate way he plays his guitar every evening out on his balcony. And there’s something about Sydney that Ridge can’t ignore, either. When their inevitable encounter happens, they soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one…

Original music created for Maybe Someday by musician Griffin Peterson can be accessed through the website listed in the ebook and paperback.

BFF A and BFF K Duo Review

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BFF K’s Initial Reaction

This may be my most favorite ‘book experience’ EVER! I love music and I love reading. The thought of pulling both of those together made me very excited and this didn’t disappoint! I fell hook, line and bridge for Ridge and Sydney’s story. Being able to read about their shared experience and then listen to the songs ‘they wrote’ was an amazing, multi-sensory experience. The story is heartwarming, angst-filled and surprising. Griffin Peterson has somehow put not only the words of the songs to music, but captured the essence of the story in every song. Everything about Maybe Someday is incredible.

BFF A’s Initial Reaction

“There are only twenty-six letters in the English alphabet.  You would think there would be only so much you could do with twenty-six letters.  You would think there were only so many ways those letters could make you feel when mixed up and shoved together to make words.”

Those twenty-six letters, formed into words, immersed in the thoughts and feelings of Ridge and Sydney, mixed with the lyrics and music,…all of these things combined made the perfect experience when reading Maybe Someday.

 

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More About the Author:

Colleen Hoover’s love for writing began in 1985 when she was five years old. Her first story was titled “Mystery Bob” and was a huge hit with her mother, who was really good at faking interest.
Colleen continued to write short stories for friends and family until December of 2011, when she decided to write a long story she titled, “Slammed.” She self-published SLAMMED to Amazon in January, 2012 and it hit the NYT’s bestsellers list in May, 2012. She has since signed with Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, and now has six NYT’s bestsellers. Colleen prefers to be called a writer, as the term “author” still terrifies her and makes this feel like a job with expectations. She doesn’t work well under pressure and hopes writing will always remain fun and exciting.
Colleen’s newest novel, UGLY LOVE, released August 5th, 2014. She is currently working on a new novel, CONFESS, which she is writing as fast as she can before she wakes up from this crazy dream.

You can follow Colleen on Instagram and Twitter @colleenhoover. You can also find her on her blog at www.colleenhoover.com where she holds a daily book-a-day giveaway, or on her very active Facebook page at www.facebook.com/authorcolleenhoover where she loves to give away more free stuff when her husband isn’t looking.

Colleen also wants the world to know that writing short biographies in third person is incredibly awkward.

REVIEW – Losing Hope by Colleen Hoover

Hopeless was Sky’s story. Now, in Losing Hope, we finally learn the truth about Dean Holder.

Haunted by the little girl he couldn’t save from imminent danger, Holder’s life has been overshadowed by feelings of guilt and remorse. He has never stopped searching for her, believing that finding her would bring him the peace he needs to move on. However, Holder could not have anticipated that he would be faced with even greater pain the moment they reconnect.

In Losing Hope, Holder reveals the way in which the events of Sky’s youth affected him and his family, leading him to seek his own redemption in the act of saving her. But it is only in loving Sky that he can finally begin to heal himself.

BFF K’s Review

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As soon as I finished Hopeless, literally as soon as I finished! I 1-clicked Losing Hope. This is Hopeless from Holder’s POV. Although you know the story, seeing it through Dean’s eyes and understanding his motivations and internal dialogue gives the story a whole new perspective. I adore both of these books and can’t imagine one existing without the other. Just when you think you can’t love Holder (or Sky) any more…..there’s Losing Hope!

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(Only a 3 because you know the story from Hopeless, but the emotions are still there!)

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More About the Author:

Colleen Hoover’s love for writing began in 1985 when she was five years old. Her first story was titled “Mystery Bob” and was a huge hit with her mother, who was really good at faking interest.
Colleen continued to write short stories for friends and family until December of 2011, when she decided to write a long story she titled, “Slammed.” She self-published SLAMMED to Amazon in January, 2012 and it hit the NYT’s bestsellers list in May, 2012. She has since signed with Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, and now has six NYT’s bestsellers. Colleen prefers to be called a writer, as the term “author” still terrifies her and makes this feel like a job with expectations. She doesn’t work well under pressure and hopes writing will always remain fun and exciting.
Colleen’s newest novel, UGLY LOVE, released August 5th, 2014. She is currently working on a new novel, CONFESS, which she is writing as fast as she can before she wakes up from this crazy dream.

You can follow Colleen on Instagram and Twitter @colleenhoover. You can also find her on her blog at www.colleenhoover.com where she holds a daily book-a-day giveaway, or on her very active Facebook page at www.facebook.com/authorcolleenhoover where she loves to give away more free stuff when her husband isn’t looking.

Colleen also wants the world to know that writing short biographies in third person is incredibly awkward.

REVIEW – Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…

That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past she wishes could just stay buried.

Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.

BFF K’s Review

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Hopeless was my first Colleen Hoover novel. I think it changed my life. It might be one of the only books that I haven’t told many friends about. I had it on the informal ‘best reads’ list that I kept before the blog. But, I didn’t effuse about it on social media or with my friends. In fact, I think BFF A is the only one I even told, ‘you have to read this.’ The funny thing is that I loved this book so much, I just wanted it to be mine. I wanted my thoughts and feelings about the book to stay with me. I didn’t want to share it with others or dissect it, it just wanted it to live in my heart and mind. Weird huh?

After starting this book, I flipped through the pages frantically, all night long, dying to see what would happen between Holder and Sky. I never expected the twists and turns this story would take. Since reading Hopeless, I’ve devoured everything written by Colleen Hoover and never looked back.

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More About the Author:

Colleen Hoover’s love for writing began in 1985 when she was five years old. Her first story was titled “Mystery Bob” and was a huge hit with her mother, who was really good at faking interest.
Colleen continued to write short stories for friends and family until December of 2011, when she decided to write a long story she titled, “Slammed.” She self-published SLAMMED to Amazon in January, 2012 and it hit the NYT’s bestsellers list in May, 2012. She has since signed with Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, and now has six NYT’s bestsellers. Colleen prefers to be called a writer, as the term “author” still terrifies her and makes this feel like a job with expectations. She doesn’t work well under pressure and hopes writing will always remain fun and exciting.
Colleen’s newest novel, UGLY LOVE, released August 5th, 2014. She is currently working on a new novel, CONFESS, which she is writing as fast as she can before she wakes up from this crazy dream.

You can follow Colleen on Instagram and Twitter @colleenhoover. You can also find her on her blog at www.colleenhoover.com where she holds a daily book-a-day giveaway, or on her very active Facebook page at www.facebook.com/authorcolleenhoover where she loves to give away more free stuff when her husband isn’t looking.

Colleen also wants the world to know that writing short biographies in third person is incredibly awkward.

REVIEW- Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she doesn’t think it’s love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.

Never ask about the past.
Don’t expect a future.

They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.

Hearts get infiltrated.
Promises get broken.
Rules get shattered.
Love gets ugly.

 

BFF Duo Review BFF A & BFF K

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A’s initial reaction:

Have you heard the song “I Don’t Dance” by Lee Bryce?

“I don’t dance, But here I am
Spinning you around and around in circles
It Ain’t my style, but I don’t care
I’d do anything with you anywhere
Yes, you got me in the palm of your hand
Cause, I don’t dance”

This lyrics fit perfectly with this book, because I don’t cry. Well, I do cry, just not when I read. I have never been one to have tears running down my face when a book is in my hand. BFF K is sure I have a heart of stone because books we both read, she will be sobbing.  Me on the other hand, maybe misty eyed or a single tear, but that’s it…until, Ugly Love beautifully written by Colleen Hoover. She wrote this book, had me in the palm of her hand and I cried. No, I sobbed.

Hearing the title Ugly Love, I thought, how can love be ugly? Isn’t love supposed to be wonderful? Full of hearts, cupid, romance, and lust? Ugly Love is absolutely perfect because it describes the most gut wrenching kind of love. Love that is mean, it hurts, it’s scary, it will rip your heart to shreds, but in the end, put it all back together, deepest kind of love. Colleen has a way of pulling you in, completely immersing you in the story to the point I didn’t care what my family was doing, or the fact that I stayed up most of the night to finish it in one day- what a book hangover that was!

K’s initial reaction:

If you’re like me and you’re scared to read this, don’t worry…You’ve got this!

I read so many reviews and comments about how much this book tore people’s hearts out. But, what they all forgot to say is that it is so beautifully written and lovely that it glues the pieces back together tighter than ever. It’s amazing and lovely and actually full of hope and wonderful-ness.

Are you like me and you’ve been a big chicken to start (or finish) this book? Get over yourself. Stop being a baby. Do it. Start now and don’t stop until the absolutely perfect, amazing, phenomenal conclusion.

This is the kind of book that will make you want to shout from the rooftops (and EVERY social media platform) to make sure no one misses out on this story.

Colleen Hoover is a freaking genius.

 

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More About the Author:

Colleen Hoover’s love for writing began in 1985 when she was five years old. Her first story was titled “Mystery Bob” and was a huge hit with her mother, who was really good at faking interest.
Colleen continued to write short stories for friends and family until December of 2011, when she decided to write a long story she titled, “Slammed.” She self-published SLAMMED to Amazon in January, 2012 and it hit the NYT’s bestsellers list in May, 2012. She has since signed with Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, and now has six NYT’s bestsellers. Colleen prefers to be called a writer, as the term “author” still terrifies her and makes this feel like a job with expectations. She doesn’t work well under pressure and hopes writing will always remain fun and exciting.
Colleen’s newest novel, UGLY LOVE, released August 5th, 2014. She is currently working on a new novel, CONFESS, which she is writing as fast as she can before she wakes up from this crazy dream.

You can follow Colleen on Instagram and Twitter @colleenhoover. You can also find her on her blog at www.colleenhoover.com where she holds a daily book-a-day giveaway, or on her very active Facebook page at www.facebook.com/authorcolleenhoover where she loves to give away more free stuff when her husband isn’t looking.

Colleen also wants the world to know that writing short biographies in third person is incredibly awkward.

REVIEW – Slammed by Colleen Hoover

Colleen Hoover’s romantic, emotion-packed debut novel unforgettably captures all the magic and confusion of first love, as two young people forge an unlikely bond before discovering that fate has other plans for them.

Following the unexpected death of her father, eighteen-year-old Layken becomes the rock for both her mother and younger brother. She appears resilient and tenacious, but inside, she’s losing hope. Then she meets her new neighbor Will, a handsome twenty-one-year-old whose mere presence leaves her flustered and whose passion for poetry slams thrills her.

Not long after a heart-stopping first date during which each recognizes something profound and familiar in the other, they are slammed to the core when a shocking discovery brings their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together and the forces that tear them apart. Only through the poetry they share are they able to speak the truth that is in their hearts and imagine a future where love is cause for celebration, not regret.

BFF K’s Review

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Slammed is another Colleen Hoover masterpiece! I was pulled through the book from one angst filled situation to another. The book literally gave me butterflies, like the High School crush kind of butterflies, from beginning to end. Will and Lake are one of my very favorite book couples. Their devotion to their families was inspiring and my heart was heavy at the burdens they both shouldered from such a young age. But, all of those things make them rich and wonderful characters and you will care desperately about how their story ends!

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More About the Author:

Colleen Hoover’s love for writing began in 1985 when she was five years old. Her first story was titled “Mystery Bob” and was a huge hit with her mother, who was really good at faking interest.
Colleen continued to write short stories for friends and family until December of 2011, when she decided to write a long story she titled, “Slammed.” She self-published SLAMMED to Amazon in January, 2012 and it hit the NYT’s bestsellers list in May, 2012. She has since signed with Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, and now has six NYT’s bestsellers. Colleen prefers to be called a writer, as the term “author” still terrifies her and makes this feel like a job with expectations. She doesn’t work well under pressure and hopes writing will always remain fun and exciting.
Colleen’s newest novel, UGLY LOVE, released August 5th, 2014. She is currently working on a new novel, CONFESS, which she is writing as fast as she can before she wakes up from this crazy dream.

You can follow Colleen on Instagram and Twitter @colleenhoover. You can also find her on her blog at www.colleenhoover.com where she holds a daily book-a-day giveaway, or on her very active Facebook page at www.facebook.com/authorcolleenhoover where she loves to give away more free stuff when her husband isn’t looking.

Colleen also wants the world to know that writing short biographies in third person is incredibly awkward.

REVIEW – A Matter of Forever by Heather Lyons

Chloe LilAMOFowrap-2ywhite has struggled for years to find her footing in a series of dangerous and demanding worlds. Creator, first tier Council member, and one of the most powerful Magicals in existence, she was little more than one of Fate’s pawns. But now, Chloe is back home and ready to call the shots. She knows what she wants and who she wants to be.

Except the Elders never got the memo.

Annar and Magical-kind are under attack. The lives of Chloe’s loved ones, and life as they know it, are at stake. Chloe’s the key to taking the Elders down, but they won’t go quietly into the night.

This time, neither will Chloe.

 

BFF K’s Review

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I picked up the Matter of Fate series on a whim and I never imagined that I would become so obsessed that I would dream about these characters and their world. The series is beautifully written. The characters are unique and clever, but relatable at the same time.

I have spent way too many hours trying to think of all the ways that Heather Lyons could end this series. But, I never expected this. OMG. I’m gutted. This book about did me in. I couldn’t stop crying. (Some people in this world are beautiful criers, I am not one of them.) I had to sit up in bed because I couldn’t breathe through the crying snot. I haven’t been this distraught about a book since Bellatrix Lestrange killed Sirius Black in the Harry Potter series. All that being said, the book is fantastic. Don’t let the threat of tears stop you, this book/series is worth every drop!

I also can’t remember bring so invested in the characters in a book. Wow. I didn’t want it to end. I’m satisfied with the ending. Though it wasn’t what I had anticipated, I’m at peace with the conclusion and think all my BFF’s need to read this series! 

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A Matter of Fate Series by Heather Lyons

AMoF Series Banner3-2The series starts with A Matter of Fate. This is the book where I lost my child. Granted, it was only for about 15 minutes and he was found 3 houses down on the neighbor’s trampoline. But, still, I was so engrossed in the book, I lost my 5 year old. The Matter of Fate Series is one of my favorite book series ever, and that’s saying something! I love everything about it! The series is like a combination of Twilight/Harry Potter/Hunger Games/Beautiful Creatures – all the best parts of each of those. There’s magic and a love triangle and the characters grow and change throughout the series. Each book is better than the one before!!!

Series Reading Order:

A Matter of Fate

A Matter of Heart

A Matter of Truth

A Matter of Forever

*Beyond Fate (Jonah’s Novella, I recommend reading it between A Matter of Heart and A Matter of Truth)

rating_5_80This is BFF K’s overall rating for the entire series. They’re all that good!

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 More about the Author:

Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—She’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.