Waiting on Wednesday: Breaking Nova by Jessica Sorenson

Waiting on Wednesday is my weekly post where I obsess over the shiny new books  I cannot wait to read!

 

This week I'm waiting on... Breaking Nova by Jessica Sorenson

 

What they say: Nova Reed used to have dreams-of becoming a famous drummer, of marrying her true love. But all of that was taken away in an instant. Now she's getting by as best she can, though sometimes that means doing things the old Nova would never do. Things that are slowly eating away at her spirit. Every day blends into the next . . . until she meets Quinton Carter. His intense, honey brown eyes instantly draw her in, and he looks just about as broken as she feels inside.

Quinton once got a second chance at life-but he doesn't want it. The tattoos on his chest are a constant reminder of what he's done, what he's lost. He's sworn to never allow happiness into his life . . . but then beautiful, sweet Nova makes him smile. He knows he's too damaged to get close to her, yet she's the only one who can make him feel alive again. Quinton will have to decide: does he deserve to start over? Or should he pay for his past forever?

 

 

 

Why I'm waiting on Breaking Nova:

1. THAT cover!
2. Jessica always provides a great YA/NA angst-fest!
3. The man guy's name is Quinton, what's not to love?

Review: Shattered Promises by Jessica Sorenson

 

What they say: **Mature Content Warning** 17+ for language and sexual content. (A re-imagining of my young adult book, The Fallen Star, told as a New Adult Paranormal).

For twenty-one year-old Gemma, life has never been normal. She knows nothing about her past and has been haunted by the same monsters in her nightmares for the last few months. Unemotional and numb to life, she feels disconnected from everyone. Until the very first day she cries. After that, nothing in her life is the same.

Her emotions slowly surface and she starts experiencing love, happiness, and anger, feelings she never knew existed. But they leave her confused and she doesn’t know whether to embrace them or run away from them.

Her life only gets more complicated when she meets Alex. Sexy, arrogant, and secretive, Alex can get under Gemma’s skin like no one can. Yet she’s drawn to him by an invisible connection she has no control over. She’s also seen him before. In her nightmares.

Every part of Gemma’s mind is screaming at her to stay away from Alex, but every other part of her is begging to get close to him. But the closer she gets, the more she realizes Alex knows more about her than he originally let on.

As secrets about her past unravel, Gemma’s life becomes threatened. She needs to figure out what’s going on, before she winds up dead. But the only person she can turn to for answers is the one person she isn’t sure she can trust.

 

What I say: I read the Fallen Star series a while ago and although I enjoyed it I felt on occasion the tone of the story and dialogue didn't always match the plot. I wanted more detail on Gemma and Alex's attraction and to learn my about Laylen. This is where Shattered Promises comes in. Shattered Promises is basically a more adult version of the Fallen Star story!

 

I definitely preferred the older and sexed up version of Gemma and Alex. It removed a lot of the Twilight PG just-get-on-with-it annoyance. I also liked how Sorenson increased the action and pace in Shattered Promises.

 

In Fallen Star I found Laylen far more interesting than Alex and this interest carried over into Shattered Promises - there's just something about Alex which puts me on edge. Yes, he's swoon-worthy and mysterious and usually I like the brooding, sarcastic type (why HELLO Jace Wayland), but with Alex I often want to take a swipe at him!

 

Gemma, Gemma, Gemma! Well in this fantasy story (both the YA original and the NA reworking) she's really interesting and understated. Every time she's lied to, deceived or comes across another shocking revelation, I found myself routing for her and willing her on.

 

I enjoyed the more adult reworking Sorenson provided in Shattered Promises. As for whether it works across the series in general, well I'll reserve judgement until I've read them all. If you enjoyed the original, then you'll definitely appreciate Shattered Promises.

 

3.5 Stars in my Sky!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Forever of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorenson

 

Waiting on Wednesday is my weekly post where I obsess over the shiny new books

I cannot wait to read!

This week, I'm waiting on... The Forever of Ella and Micha (The Secret #2) by Jessica Sorenson!

What they say: Ella and Micha have survived tragedy and heartbreak. When they're together, anything seems possible. But now they are thousands of miles apart, and managing their long distance relationship will put their love to the test.

Ella is back at school, trying hard not worry so much about her future. But with her father in and out of rehab, she's having a hard time making it through the days. All she wants is Micha by her side, but she refuses to let her problems get in the way of his dreams.

Micha spends his days touring the country with his band, but deep down he knows something is missing. Being away from Ella is harder than he thought it would be. He wants her closer to him-needs her with him. But he won't ask her to leave college, just to be with him.

The few moments they do spend together are intense and passionate, but it only makes it more difficult when they have to part. They know they want to be together, but is wanting something enough to get them to their forever?

• The Forever of Ella and Micha is scheduled for release this week in the US (N.B. This may change as the publication date has already moved several times)!

 

Why I'm waiting on The Forever of Ella and Micha:

1. I loved Book #1 - The Secret!
2. I felt that there was defo more story to be told!
3. Micha defo makes the swoon-worthy BBF list!
4. Anything by Jessica is pretty much guaranteed to be an angst-fest (but in a good way)!
5. The secondary characters are really good!

The Secret of Ella and Micha Review

What they say: Ella and Micha have been best friends since they were kids. But one tragic night shatters their friendship and their lives forever.

Ella used to be a rule-breaker with fiery attitude who wore her heart on her sleeve. But she left everything behind when she went to college and transformed into someone that follows the rules, keeps everything together, and hides all her problems. But now it's summer break and she has nowhere else to go but home. Ella fears everything she worked so hard to bury might resurface, especially with Micha living right next door. If Micha tries to tempt the old her back, she knows that it will be hard to resist.

Micha is sexy, smart, confident, and can get under Ella’s skin like no one else can. He knows everything about her, including her darkest secrets. And he’s determined to bring his best friend, and the girl he loves back, no matter what it takes.

What I say: I liked this story. On on hand it's your typical boy next door story/girl falls for her best friend, but as with all Jessica Sorensen stories there's always more than that.

After a huge loss Ella has run away from home, going from a reckless wild child to a studious stay in type of girl. When Ella ran she left her neighbour and lifelong bestfriend and didn't tell anybody where she was going. Music loving, bad boy Micha has been looking for her for an entire Uni year and is shocked when she suddenly appears back home completely different and distant.

I enjoyed the journey that they both went on in the book, although at times I wanted to slap Ella. I mean seriously you don't draw and then attach a pic of a guy in your dorm room all year if he's only a friend. Do You? Wake up and smell the hottie, love!

Some of the story was really sad and I understood the downward spiral that both of them were on, I just really wanted them both to get their act's together!

3.5 Stars in my Sky!

My fav non-spoilery quotes:

• Everyone's my type. Besides, she could be a stripper and that's definitely my type.
• Why do you have that look on your face? Like you're undressing someone with your eyes?
• She's the only girl that's ever been able to get me this upset. The only girl that's never wanted me.

The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen Review

I know it has been out for a while but...

What they say: There are those who don’t get luck handed to them on a shiny platter, who end up in the wrong place at the wrong time, who don’t get saved.

Luck was not on Callie’s side the day of her twelfth birthday when everything was stolen from her. After it’s all over, she locks up her feelings and vows never to tell anyone what happened. Six years later her painful past consumes her life and most days it’s a struggle just to breathe.

For as long as Kayden can remember, suffering in silence was the only way to survive life. As long as he did what he was told, everything was okay. One night, after making a terrible mistake, it seems like his life might be over. Luck was on his side, though, when Callie coincidentally is in the right place at the right time and saves him.

Now he can’t stop thinking about the girl he saw at school, but never really knew. When he ends up at the same college as Callie, he does everything he can to try to get to know her. But Callie is reserved and closed off. The more he tries to be part of her life, the more he realises Callie might need to be saved.

What I say: I always look forward to reading anything new by Jessica Sorensen because
you can pretty much guarantee to get an angst ridden, emotional read that is both cutting and beautiful. With The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden this is exactly what you get!

Make no mistake, Jessica covers some extremely difficult topics in The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden. Both her leads have suffered and had pretty upsetting childhoods. This both brings them together and draws them apart.

Just when you think Kayden has made a big move forward, you discover another shocking truth about him, and don't get me started on that ending!? I cried. A LOT!!

I was disgusted when I realised what had happened to Callie and totally understand Kayden's response. I think Jessica Sorensen handles these traumatic issues with great sensitivity and both Callie and Kayden were really believable characters.

I'm both excited and extremely nervous for the next instalment.

4.5 Stars in my Sky!

My fav non-spoilery quotes:

• No, I just never wanted to throw them away. Even if they were broken, I still loved them.
• I can do pain. That's the easy part of life. It's everything else, happiness, laughter, love, that's fucking complicated.
• "Don't stop," I whsiper, my heart restless, but sure. "I don't ever want you to stop."