Review: One Wedding Two Brides (Spoiler Review)

One Wedding Two Brides by Heidi Betts

Publisher: Entangled: Amara

Published: July 23rd 2018

Date Read: July 22nd 2018

Format: E-book ARC

Pages: 263 pages
Challenges: Netgalley Challenge, Goodreads Challenge

ISBN #: 1640635955

Jilted bride Monica Blair can’t believe it when she wakes up next to a blue-eyed, smooth-talking cowboy in the middle of nowhere and with a ring on her finger. It had sounded like a great plan at the time. Get married, get revenge, and get her money back. So why is she cleaning out stables and trying to keep her hands off the hot cowboy helping her? Ryder Nash would have bet his best Stetson that you’d never see him walk down the aisle. But when the city girl with pink-streaked hair and a frog tattoo hatches a plan to expose the conman who married his sister, no idea is too crazy. And even though Monica might be the worst rancher’s wife he’s ever seen, he can’t stop thinking about the wedding night they never had. What was supposed to be a temporary marriage for revenge is starting to feel a little too real...

 

 First off, I want to say thank you to the publishing company for sending me this book for review. Second, with my new review style, this book will be the first review I post with spoilers. I really wanted to love this book, but sadly I didn't. Which is really sad because I thought I would love it.

The plot is suprub and not like anything else I've ever read, but the thing that really took away from this story is the beginning. I couldn't get past how crazy it really was.  The first chapter really drove me nuts. It was a total mess! Spoiler alert...when I started reading this one, I was excited, like I said above, I loved the plot idea, but as I started reading I was totally lost, I found myself staring at my Kindle and was thinking the whole time, what in the world am I reading?

 After the first couple chapters, I did finally figure out what was happening and started to short of enjoy the story, the writing style is what really got me throughout the whole story though. It really needed better editing. Even then I still wanted to enjoy the book so I continued to read. By the end I was in the middle with my feelings. I liked it, but I didn't love it! This book could have been so amazing, but it felt rushed and jumbled.

All in all before writing this review, I had to sit and really think about what I wanted to say. I will say this though, I think the author really needed to take some more time with her characters, more time with the back story and development. I loved the plot idea, I loved where the book could have went. I just didn't enjoy the execution.  Please remember, not every book is for every person! Some of you might enjoy this book. These are just my thoughts on this one!

All in all I'm giving One Wedding Two Brides an Ali's Bookshelf rating of...

Plot: 20/20

Writing: 10/20

Creativity: 15/20

Characters: 15/20

Ending: 8/10

Cover: 10/10

 

 

 

 

Mini Review: Love on the Lifts

Title: Love on the Lifts
Author: Jill Santopolo
Publisher: Speak
Date Published: Jan 22nd, 2015
Pages: 208 pages
Format: Paperback
Genre: Young Adult
Date Read: Feb. 6th to the 9th
ISBN #: 0147510937

Pick your path to find the perfect guy in this personalized romance set on the ski slopes! A book version of The Bachelorette! What better way to spend your vacation than on the slopes? In this unique romance, the reader’s in the driver’s seat—creating her own path through the narrative and ending with one of eleven different guys. By making selections at the end of each chapter, the reader decides who will be her perfect match. It could be the athletic ski instructor, one of the adorable twin brothers in the lodge, or the sweet guy with the broken leg by the fireplace. Finding your dream guy couldn’t be easier, and it all takes place against the snowy backdrop of a romantic ski resort. And if not all readers are looking for love, there are other options: to hang with your sister, make new friends, or spend some time alone. But any way you slice it, every reader will have their love on the lifts!

When I first picked up this book and realized what kind of book it was, I was brought right back to my school days and remembered how much I enjoyed reading these books. Love on the Lifts is a choose your own path book and it was a fun and fast read. Though at the same time, there really wasn't much of a story there as most know about choose your own path books, you yourself are the main character. 

Though I must say I enjoyed reading this book all the same and did end up going through each path just to see where it would take me.  There really isn't much that I can say about this book other than it is well written for this type of book and in the future I wouldn't mind reading other books by this author. 

If you're looking for a fast read, something that is fun and easy, then Love on the Lifts is a great choice. As it did make me laugh a few times and even at a few points I wasn't sure which path to take. 

I'm going to give Love on the Lifts a...

Here at Ali's Bookshelf we accept books in exchange for a honest review. The book above though I bought for myself . I also use Amazon Affiliate links at times.

I Got A Little Lost Reading The Lost Boy

Review: The Lost Boy by Greg Ruth

Alright, so I did this review a little bit different, I actually created a vid for the review.  Below you will find that video and more of my thoughts and rating of this graphic novel. 

Title: The Lost Boy
Author: Greg Ruth
Type: Graphic Novel
Published: Graphix

Some mysteries are too dangerous to leave alone . . . Nate's not happy about his family moving to a new house in a new town. After all, nobody asked him if he wanted to move in the first place. But when he discovers a tape recorder and note addressed to him under the floorboards of his bedroom, Nate is thrust into a dark mystery about a boy who went missing many, many years ago. Now, as strange happenings and weird creatures begin to track Nate, he must partner with Tabitha, a local girl, to find out what they want with him. But time is running out, for a powerful force is gathering strength in the woods at the edge of town, and before long Nate and Tabitha will be forced to confront a terrifying foe, and uncover the truth about the Lost Boy.

 

This Time it’s the Human’s Causing Trouble

Review: Fade Out by Rachel Caine

In a Glance: This time it’s the human’s causing trouble, will there ever be a normal week in Morganville?

Title: Fade Out
Author: Rachel Caine  
Publisher: Allison and Busby

Format: My own paperback

Pages: 345 Pages

ISBN #: 978-0-7490-0749-2

Morganville is pretty normal in this visit for a change as it's human drama, rather than vampire drama that dominates. Eve's been cast in the town play, alongside Oliver and an annoying new character called Kim who instantly rubs Claire up the wrong way. Events continue to unfurl and in time it's clear that Kim's little video project is not all it's cracked up to be, in fact, it's a lot more! Throw in a crazy vampire computer out for revenge and it is, on balance, a pretty normal few weeks in Morganville.

Review: Dark Halo by Christopher Kokoski

Review: Dark Halo by Christopher Kokoski

IN A GLANCE: This book really surprised me!

Title: Dark Halo
Author: Christopher Kokoski
Publisher: BlackWyrm Publishing
Format: Paperback
Pages: 322 pages

In a town besieged by shadowy, demonic forces, a father races against time to save his family. Thirty-five-year old Landon Paddock has deserted his wife and daughter, abandoned his business, and secluded himself in his late parent's southern Indiana ranch. But he's barely lapsed into a drunken coma when a mysterious, winged stranger appears during a violent lightning storm, chasing him out into the maddening night with his estranged 15-year old daughter. As layer after layer of reality is dissolved by a series of violent encounters, the only way to survive might be for Landon to band together with the family he destroyed to make one last stand against a sinister army of unthinkable magnitude. Hope, family and redemption lay in the outcome.

 Dark Halo isn't like any other angel book I have read before and I have read a lot of angel books.  Yes I have a few things that I didn't like about it but all in all its a great book.  In the beginning Dark Halo grabs you by the collar and doesn't let you go till the end.  Yes it does seem a bit rushed toward the end like the author just wanted it to end, but the action and the plot are beautifully written.

I do think there is a bit to much fighting though, there are points in this story where I just wanted something else to happen than just the fighting, don't get me wrong I love fights with good vs. evil, but to much sometimes is to much.

I will say I love the family in the book, the way the author tells this story it really makes you want to root for them and cheer them on as they go through the story.  Even though I was rooting for this family, I think some more character development was needed.  I needed some more back story for the characters.

I really loved the writing for this story, the author really has a way with words and I would read more books by this author. 

All in all this is a good story and would recommend this book to readers who love action packed books.

What is she doing here? Veering toward the section of the street where the woman had disappeared, Landon looked up at the midnight sky, The Nothing that swallowed everything, half-suspecting a giant winged dog to swoop across his vision. He glanced back at the truck. Frank's pasty-white face peered out at him through the sliding window, frowning. Landon turned around, faced the alley and tried not to think about leaving his daughter passed out in the Ford. Frank would take care of her. He'd meet up with them later, when Katie was safely in St. Mary's, and the nightmare was over. He stopped that mouth of the alley, wary to rush in blindly. What is she doing here?

So I would give Dark Halo a Ali's Bookshelf

 

 Plot: 17/20

Characters: 18/20

Writing: 19/20

Creativity:  19/20

Ending: 5/10

Cover: 10/10

88 out of 100 = 3 1/2 Puppy Rating

Review: Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black

Review: Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black

IN A GLANCE: Different with a great plot, but it fell a little flat for me.

Title: Dance of Shadows
Author: Yelena Black
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
Format: Ebook
Pages: 447 pages (Hardcover)
ISBN #: 1599909405
 

Dancing with someone is an act of trust. Elegant and intimate; you're close enough to kiss, close enough to feel your partner's heartbeat. But for Vanessa, dance is deadly – and she must be very careful who she trusts . . . Vanessa Adler attends an elite ballet school – the same one her older sister, Margaret, attended before she disappeared. Vanessa feels she can never live up to her sister's shining reputation. But Vanessa, with her glorious red hair and fair skin, has a kind of power when she dances – she loses herself in the music, breathes different air, and the world around her turns to flames . . . Soon she attracts the attention of three men: gorgeous Zep, mysterious Justin, and the great, enigmatic choreographer Josef Zhalkovsky. When Josef asks Vanessa to dance the lead in the Firebird, she has little idea of the danger that lies ahead – and the burning forces about to be unleashed