Carries Book Reviews

Second Chance Christmas by Ellen Butler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Emma Taylor and Major Colton Evans haven’t seen each other in over two years since the two had a huge argument and broke their engagement. When Emma receives a call from the hospital that Colton had been in an accident and she was still listed as his emergency contact she picks him up in the middle of the night and invites him to stay at her place while he recovers.

I actually enjoyed most of this story between Emma and Colton, I’m just not really sure if I would have been wanting Emma to forgive what was said during their argument in the past so easily. Just seemed a line was crossed there and it should take a lot more for the two to work on their issues if they stood a chance together and the story took place over the course of a week or two so in reality a bit rushed.

Overall, a good, quick read with a look into the struggles of a military relationship.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Bound by Kira Saito
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Arelia LaRue and her best friend Sabrina take a job at the Darkwood Plantation for the summer. Arelia really needs the money as things have been tough for her and her Grandmere but Sabrina is along for the fun and to hopefully meet a rich man to marry. Arelia begins to learn about her heritage after meeting her great aunt who has worked at the plantation all her life, the LaRue’s have a long history of being voodoo queens and Arelia’s has always known there was something different about herself since she can speak to the spirits.

My biggest concern with this story was that it was just too predictable. When starting a new chapter or section of the plot I could already see where it was going. Ben going off to the swamp, who Lucas was, all of Sabrina’s actions… my list could go on and on.

Also, I wasn’t really too found of most of the characters. Sabrina was just downright annoying from the start but Arelia could also have her moments of being too judging and harsh which made her a bit unlikable too. Along with some typos and things in the story I just didn’t find myself enjoying this one as much as I thought I would.

Overall, quick read about voodoo and ghosts in New Orleans. Not really one I’d recommend picking up though.

The One by Kiera Cass
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The One is the third book in the Selection series by Kiera Cass. It picks up right where The Elite left off in the second installment continuing with America’s story as she participates in what is known as the Selection where Prince Maxon must choose his next Princess from thirty five hopeful contestants.

I have to say when I started this series my review of the first book sounded rather harsh as I thought a lot of the ideas seemed to be taken from other things. But for some reason the series still drew me in and I did enjoy reading it even with all the faults I had found. By this third book I ended up completely hooked on the story line and the relationships and characters involved.

With each book in the series along with the novellas I think the story picked up and got more focused on the areas that I found lacking with the first. One of my earlier complaints was the lack of focus on the world and the characters but with The One I think the author did a wonderful job explaining a lot that had been left out earlier while continuing the romance.

Overall, Somewhere along the journey I became a fan and would recommend this series now, it did have it’s faults along the way but ended up a completely enjoyable light, fun read.

If You Believe in Me by Natalie J. Damschroder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Amber and Kale fell in love before Kale went off to serve in the military. The two had plans to marry when Kale came home from his service. When months go by without hearing from Kale though everyone including Kale’s parents tell Amber she needs to finally let go and move on but Amber refuses to give up hope.

A wonderful romance novella that switches back and forth between Amber who refuses to give up on her true love Kale and Kale telling his story of just how much he wants to go home to her. Very emotional ride between two characters you just can’t help but feel for.

Overall, lovely story to tug at the heart strings, highly recommend.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Hidden Legacy by Graham Minett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Hidden Legacy starts off telling the story of a young boy committing a horrifying crime to two of his classmates in 1966. The story then jumps to 2008 where we meet Ellen Sutherland, a recently divorced mother of two, who is contacted by an estate attorney to learn she has an inheritance coming from a woman, Eudora Nash, that she has never met or heard of.

This novel weaves a tale between two different stories wonderfully, you can’t help but be pulled in to find out what the events of the past have to do with Ellen and Eudora. Told from several different perspectives you switch between learning of Ellen and her life in 2008 and then going back in time to the events that happened through the years that began from that fateful event in 1966.

Almost a five star read but I felt there were a couple of slow spots and I did figure out the main connection relatively early on although there were some revelations later in the book that I was happy to finally find out too. Would definitely pick up another book by Graham Minett in the future.

Overall, great read, would definitely recommend.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.