Hell Hath No Fury by Annabelle Anders | Release Blitz

Title: Hell Hath No Fury
Author: Annabelle Anders

 
Genre: Regency
Publisher: Blue Tulip Publishing

 

Most London Misses are looking to find a husband, Cecily Nottingham wants to get rid of one.

 

To keep the money, he has to keep her as well…

Cecily Nottingham has made a huge mistake.

The marriage bed was still warm when the earl she thought she loved crawled out of it and announced that he loved someone else.

Loves. Someone else.

All he saw in Cecily was her dowry.

But he’s in for the shock of his life, because in order to keep the money, he has to keep her.

With nothing to lose, Cecily sets out to seduce her husband’s cousin, Stephen Nottingham, in an attempt to goad the earl into divorcing her. Little does she realize that Stephen would turn out to be everything her husband was not: Honorable, loyal, trustworthy…Handsome as sin.

Stephen only returned to England for one reason. Save his cousin’s estate from financial ruin. Instead, he finds himself face to face with his cousins beautiful and scorned wife, he isn’t sure what to do first, strangle his cousin, or kiss his wife. His honor is about to be questioned, right along with his self-control.

Amid snakes, duels and a good catfight, Cecily realizes the game she’s playing has high stakes indeed.  There are only a few ways for a marriage to end in Regency England and none of them come without a high price. Is she willing to pay it? Is Stephen? A ‘Happily Ever After’ hangs in the balance, because, yes, love can conquer all, but sometimes it needs a little bit of help.

 

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“Stephen!” she gasped, shocked by what he seemed intent upon doing. “What on earth are you doing?”

He  looked up at her, smiling lustily. “Nothing.”

And then he went about his business.

Not in a million years had she ever imagined allowing a man to do… this!

And with his mouth no less!

“Oh, my God! Stephen, you are wicked,” she said, feeling quite wicked herself as she grasped the sides of his head.

He was not to be deterred. His tongue stroked and sucked in much the same way he’d done with her mouth, causing a new multitude of sensations to spiral inside of her.

He paused only a moment to look up at her.

“Surrender, Cecily.” He said. Giving her a lazy, sensual smile, “And prepare to die.”

A little about the music in the trailer…

The song for the trailer was written by myself and my sister, Marcie Stanley. Marcie’s beautiful voice is featured while she plays the piano… Due to illness, Marcie doesn’t perform much anymore so it was very special for me to be able to use the song that we wrote together, over twenty years ago.

The Song is titled “Disposable Relationship.”  I have a few tweeks for the lyrics to fit Stephen and Cecily’s situation.  Next time Marcie is up to recording I’ll change them to this:

For you, I would have done anything.

For you, can NOT have my soul.

For once you looked at me with empty eyes, the consequences… began to roll…

You’re a disposable relationship, damn the ton I’ll see your body gone. I’m throwing away a piece of my heart with you.

with the ash and the chamber pots of my life… you’re going down and I won’t cry… anymore…

Married to the same man for over 25 years, Annabelle Anders is mother to three children and two Miniature Wiener dogs. After owning a business and experiencing considerable success, she and her husband got caught in the financial crisis and lost everything; their business, their home, even their car.

At this point, she put her B.A. in Poly Sci to use and took work as a waitress and bartender.

Unwilling to give up on a professional life, she simultaneously went back to college and obtained a degree in Energy Management.

And then the energy market dropped off.

And then her dog died.

We can only be grateful for this series of unfortunate events, for, with nothing to lose and completely demoralized, she sat down and began to write the romance novels which had until then, existed only in her imagination.

She is happy to have found her place in life.

Finally.

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I write under the name ANNABELLE ANDERS and my first book, Hell Hath No Fury released on 7-7-17.   I love the date!

Anyway, my novel is an edgy Regency Romance. I say ‘ edgy’, because it’s a little off the beaten path. Whereas most heroines in Regency Romances begin the story NEEDING a husband, my character, Cecily, needs to get rid of one. The man she married (an earl)  turned out to be a complete and utter toad (not literally! LOL)

My QUESTION FOR THIS GIVEAWAY is: Does it bother you that the hero is not the man she is married to in the beginning? E-mail your comment to andersannabelle@gmail.com  along with your address and I’ll send you a Hell Hath No Fury Tasseled Bookmark. (First 20 Respondents) Please include the name of the group or blog you are responding from 

I look forward to discovering your thoughts on this concept!

Situation Momedy: A Very Special Episode in Toddlerdom by Jenna Van Oy | A Book Review

I got this book from Library Thing.  I signed up for this because the word "Momedy" got me at first glance. I wanted to read something hilarious.

This book is about Jenna Van Oy's real life experiences raising two toddlers. Her story is a riot. I am not a mom yet, but I can relate to her stories because I have three nephews and one niece and I have seen them grow up. I used to live with my two nephews so I have first-hand experiences to some or most of the author's adventures and misadventures with manipulating yet cute toddlers. What I specially remember was how sweet, funny and cute they were. Especially Kuya, the eldest of my nephews. He would pick flowers growing outside the church and give them to us girls--my mom, his mom, me and another lady who happens to sit on the same row with us. The lady was so surprised when she got the flower. We explained to her that he gives flowers to all girls. Isn't he the sweetest?

I really enjoyed this book and has learned a lot from it. I am confident that I would be able to use the advice from the author on how to raise kids, especially toddlers in a way as to help them discover things on their own yet guide them to become persons of good character. What I like about this book is it's not claiming to be an absolute or the correct way to raise kids. In fact, the author encourages every parent to raise their kids the best way they know they can.What this book aims is to help parents realize that they are not alone in their struggle in raising their kids to be good and productive future citizens. The author also reminds every parent to find humor in all the unlikely situations with their little devils. Treasure these moments for time flies fast and then they will soon be on their own. Toddlerdom is the best of the formative years of these young ones. The best time to inculcate values and shape their characters. The best time to be involved in their growth.

I give this book 4/5 diapers. This is the funniest and most engrossing self-help book I have ever read and I am not even the direct market for this book as I don't have kids yet. I am looking forward to reading the rest of Jenna Van Oy's books. Her humor is just so natural and putting them into writing just translates smoothly. The humor was not lost in translation.  

My kids tend to be the problem and the solution to my rough days. They're the cause of my chaos as well as the cure. Isn't that wonderfully oxymoronic?

- Jenna Van Oy, Situation Momedy: A Very Special Episode in Toddlerdom - 

Bernie and the Lost Girl (The Universe Builders #0.5) by Steve LeBel | A Book Review

I got this book from the author when I signed up for his newsletter. It took me a while to read this. Finally, I have gotten to it and I felt like this story was too short. I wished it were longer.

The title of this book reminds me of a Lego toy. I think it has something to do with the word "universe builders".  I have three nephews and one niece and they love playing with Legos. They build whatever suits their fancy and tickles their imagination. As it turned out, this story is not too far from my assumption about Legos. The only difference is instead of using blocks in building, the characters in this book build universes with moons and planets.

This is a fascinating story about a world of gods. Of young gods going to school to learn how to build universes. And like humans, not all of them are adept or skilled at universe-building. Universe-building is not a natural gift for every god. Young gods had to study to be able to learn how to do it. Bernie, the main character in this story is one great example. He is not good at universe-building. He is actually struggling in school. And what's harder is he has to measure up to his father who has won an award in universe-building. A father who left them to pursue his career further.

As I said, this story was too short for me. I wanted it to be longer. I wanted the author to explore more on the world where Bernie and the rest of the gods live. To expound more on their day-to-day lives. What really fascinated me about this story is that these gods, as I've mentioned are just like humans, they too have their own fears. One is not to go beyond the edge of the plateau where they live. It is an unknown world beyond the plateau. Even the forest is a place very few venture into. 

I give the book 3/5 Lego blocks. I wanted more from the story. The characters of Bernie, Suzie and Lenny are promising to be very interesting characters. These three are turning out to be young law-breakers, in a good way. It is because, they are willing to break the rules to save someone even if it scares them out of their wits. They are willing to go out of their comfort zones and defy the norm. I like this wild streak they have in common and I am looking forward to the next dangerous and rule-breaking adventures of this trio.

When each child is born, Order and Chaos fight for dominance. For most children, it's a close battle, and the child ends up with only a slight inclination toward one side or the other. This imbalance is what we call the cloud...But for people like you Bernie, your cloud is so strong. When Order and Chaos were supposed to fight for you, Order never showed up.

- Steve Lebel, Bernie and the Lost Girl - 

 

Hale and Gemini (Alder Tales #3) by RS McCoy | ARC | A Book Review

It's live ! RS McCoy's third installment of the Alder Tales is finally out. Congratulations RS McCoy!

This is a re-imagining of the story of Hansel and Gretel. In this case, they are not siblings but rather friends - childhood friends who grew up together.

I have waited for this book to come out. The story just keeps getting better and better-more interesting, more engrossing and more surprising. I just love the surprises that came with this book. Things are looking really really good. Everything seems to be hopeful. But like all good things, they get worse before they get better. My favorite characters in this story had to go through pain, heartbreak and sorrow before they finally find the reason behind what fate had given them. And in the end, it all worked out for the best. Of the three books, this is probably the most hopeful, things are looking up and getting brighter for the Franes. But then again, classic RS McCoy leaves the readers open-mouthed and tongue-tied because something unexpected happened before this book closes. And that makes the readers even more addicted to this story.

Let's talk about Hale and Gemini. Hale is Blossom's third older brother and Gemini is Blossom's best friend. Hale used to comb and plait Gemini's hair when they were younger since Hale is Blossom's default bodyguard. He goes where Blossom and Gemini are. And since Blossom and Gemini are inseparable, Gemini sort of became Hale's adopted little sister. But that kind of relationship changed when they left the Alder forest to runaway from their pains and the reminders of these pains. Unexpectedly, these two were thrown together and in turn formed a bond that is different from what they had. A far stronger bond. Gemini became Hale's companion and the only person who understood what he was going through. And Hale, promised to protect and keep Gemini safe from all that threatened to take her away or harm her.

This book is more than what I was hoping for. It gave me more than I wanted and turned the story into a very fascinating adventure and quest for purpose. Each character started with a mission to find what other purpose s/he has to fulfill in life. Why s/he was given this specific lot and why not the other way around? As the story came to an end, they were answered. At this point in the story, everyone seemed to have found their place and things have sort of fallen into place. Which in truth what every reader expects or wishes for every story but in this case, you never see it coming. I never expected that things will be resolved because the story is far from over. And I understand, because some other issues took their place. New hurdles are to be overcome. This is good news because there is definitely another book. I hope this story does not end with the next book. I think two or three more books will do.

I give this book 5/5 tattoos of trees. I just love how this story is unraveling and progressing. I have no complaints. It is far more than I could ever imagine it to be. I am looking forward to the next three books of this series. Please... RS McCoy let there be more of this series. I am so privileged to have read this series from the start and I am hoping that I would be able to see this through to the end. I will make sure of it. Thank you so much RS McCoy for the ARC. Again, Congratulations! This is absolutely fantastic!

His life was nothing more than the rubble after an earthquake. Each piece was recognizable as something it had been before, but every facet of him was shattered.

- RS McCoy, Hale and Gemini - 

Other books in the series:

Blossom and the Beast (The Alder Tales #1)

Raene and the Three Bears(The Alder Tales #2)

Snow Owl (The Alder Tales #4)

London Belongs To Me by Jacquelyn Middleton | A Book Review

London Belongs To Me 

by: Jacquelyn Middleton

Published Date: October 14th 2016

Publisher: Kirkwall Books

A New City A New Start. Same Old Demons.

Your flight is now boarding! Join Alex Sinclair for a life-changing, trans-Atlantic journey. London Belongs to Me is a coming-of-age story about friendship, following your dreams, and learning when to let go … and when to hang on.

Meet Alex, a recent college graduate from Tallahassee, Florida in love with London, pop culture, and comic cons. It’s not easy being twenty-one-years-old, and Alex has never been the most popular girl. She’s an outsider, a geeky fan girl … with dreams of becoming a playwright in a city she’s loved from afar, but never visited. Fleeing America after a devastating betrayal, she believes London is where she’ll be understood, where she belongs. But Alex’s past of panic attacks and broken relationships is hard to escape. When her demons team up with a jealous rival determined to destroy her new British life, Alex begins to question everything: her life-long dream, her new friends, and whether London is where she truly belongs.

 

I won an Amazon gift card in one of the giveaways which I used to buy this ebook. I had been wanting to read this since I read the blurb. I am happy I bought this  because this was a very enjoyable read. 

Like the main character Alex Sinclair, I too was planning to move to a different city. I first did it about ten years ago and I stayed there for more than seven years. I moved back to my home city because the traffic was too much, it was too stressful and I think I needed a change.  Now, for the second time, I am in another city in a different country. I have planned this for a long time and it is only now that it has come to fruition. I hope, like Alex, everything will turn out for the best for me in this new place. I consider this a change of perspective and starting over. Forget all the misfortunes, just looking ahead with a renewed sense of hope for the future.

Readers like me who have moved to a different city to follow their dreams will surely relate to this story. It resonates with so much familiarity that the story felt like my own. In truth, anyone can claim the story as their own. Alex's story is anyone's story. Whether you have made it big in a city away from home or is still struggling or working to reach a goal or is just starting on building that dream, this is your story too. Alex represents all dreamers and transplants.

This story reminds me of when I was Alex's age. Fresh out of college and filled with hopes and dreams. I remember, I felt like I can do anything. I felt like the possibilities are endless and the world is waiting for me. The world is mine for the taking. And then, reality hit and I realized that it was not that easy. Like Alex's experiences,  there are people who will intentionally and sometimes go out of their way to stop you from reaching your dreams. It maybe out of jealousy or it might just be that they enjoy seeing other people suffer. I have met those kind of people and the best thing you can do is hold on. Keep reminding yourself what you want. Hold on to your dreams and purpose. And most of all, don't forget your values. Remember who you are and what you stand for. Never compromise anything just so you will get to where you want to be faster. There is no shortcut. Everything comes with patience, perseverance, hard work and time.

I give this story 5/5 London play tickets. This story is a great reminder of how we should not give up on our dreams no matter how hard the odds against. I have been in this new city for a week and so far, I have not received any responses to my job applications. But I am not losing hope. In fact, I am feeling so hopeful. The fact, that I am finally here, after some delays, is real proof that this is the best time for me to be here. I am meant to be here and things will work out just as I have hoped for. I am praying so hard for this and now that it is here, I will not be easily discouraged or thrown. I will prosper in this new city just like Alex in London.

Use what you've been through as fuel. Believe in yourself and be unstoppable.

- Yvonne Pierre -

Why not attempt the outrageous, the unexpected? If you don't try, you'll never know.

- Jacquelyn Middleton, London Belongs To Me -

Hale and Gemini (The Alder Tales #3) by RS McCoy | Cover Reveal

 Hale and Gemini

Author: RS McCoy

Genre: Paranormal Romance/Fairytale Reimagining

Cover Designer: Kit Foster Design

Pre-Order: http://amzn.to/2srWOVb

Release Date: July 18, 2017

  

The third son of the Bear Clan, Hale thought he had his life figured out. He had a stunning bride, his iron faith in the Mother, and has spent the last five years training to be the future clan leader. But when his life comes crashing down around him, Hale knows he can’t stay home. 

Leaving behind everyone he’s ever known, Hale is alone with his thoughts as he crosses the Alderwood in search of his sister. Then Gemini—the clan flirt and known gossip—follows him, demanding his protection. She’s just as determined to leave her life behind. Hale doesn’t know what made her leave her sisters or suitor, but he has no choice but to continue with a helpless girl at his side. Neither ever expected just how dangerous the Alderwood could be. 

Oblivious of Hale’s departure, Parson and Raene travel to Terrana to ask political favors in exchange for their clan leader’s freedom, but lingering injuries threaten their arrival—and their lives. They’ll need the help of an unlikely ally if they hope to succeed. 

Rachel McCoy is a Texan living in New Jersey. Between binge-watching MTV reality shows and baking gluten-free treats, she writes paranormal fantasy and science fiction novels. She is the self-published author of the Sparks Saga trilogy, The Alder Tales series, and The Extraction Files. Back when she lived in the real world, Rachel earned a degree in marine biology, which contributed to her die-hard love of manta rays. 

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Serenity (Shelby Alexander #1) by Craig A. Hart | A Book Review

Serenity

Shelby Alexander #1

by: Craig A. Hart

Publication date: October 14th 2016

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Crime

Do You Love Thrillers? The New Shelby Alexander Thriller Series Is Here! Don't Forget To Breathe... A woman dies in his arms...a drug dealer offers him $10,000...a gunman is determined to kill him. And then everything goes to hell.
 
Shelby Alexander is an aging ex-boxer and retired fixer, whose activities often flirted with the wrong side of the law. Looking for a little peace and a slower pace of life, he moved to Serenity, the small Michigan town where he grew up. But trouble follows men like Shelby, and he finds himself embroiled in an underworld of drugs and violence that may prove to be his undoing. The first book in the new Shelby Alexander Thriller Series, Serenity is an action-packed read with a lovingly rendered cast, witty dialogue, and a main character who doesn't know when to quit.

I got this  from the  author. He  was  featured in  one of the  newsletters that  I signed  up for. The newsletter said to just email Mr. Hart if I was interested to review his book. And I did and here I am reviewing it. This review just took a while  to come out  because I  only got the  chance to read the book last month.

This is  the first of a series. And of course, my first to read a book by this author. Shelby Alexander  is  obviously  the  main  character in  this story. He is a  retired boxer. This is how, by some unfortunate event, a  dead   body  was  found on  his  yard  to  be  precise, got   him  started  on  being a  private  detective.  Serenity  is the name  of the town  which to me is a contradiction. It is in no way serene. First a dead body, then a  turf  war between  two  drug-dealing cartels. What's serene in that?

I think  I stumbled on a gem. Craig A. Hart is a good find. I was fortunate that I listened to my instincts to sign up to review this book because this was such a suspenseful read. I felt sorry for Shelby being a greenhorn in private investigation and be  constantly  shot  at. He only just started and it seemed like people  are out  to  terminate  him.  Not a  good omen for a starting PI, right?  Not to mention, he did not on his own volition  decide to be a PI.  He was approached to dig and ask around to find the killer of the dead boy and how it ended up on his property. What's more, he  is now  in close  contact  with  very   shady  characters. The  very same  people who  trusted  him  to   find  the   people   responsible  for  the  death of their sister. Yes, the  dead body in his yard was the sister of the major drug-dealing family  in  Serenity. With  the  danger  he  is  in  becoming  more real  and  deadlier, Shelby  used  the  resources available to him, like his girl friend who works at a bar and a friend who is not from Serenity.

 In the end, it turned out a lot of interests are playing this deadly game. Selfish, very deadly and high stakes are involved and Shelby has to outwit the unknown and faceless enemy to stay alive and save those that are caught in the crossfire.

I give this 4/5 one-cup coffee makers. Though, this was kind of melancholy and dark, I enjoyed reading this book. Mr. Hart is shaping up to be one really good mystery writer. And my favorite author's list has a  lot of  space  for more   mystery  writers  since it's  my favorite  genre. I am  looking  forward to read Serenity Avenged. Another book of  the same   author and also part  of this series. What  other deadly situations will Mr. Alexander get entangled in?   
 

Thank you Mr. Hart for this  worthwhile read.  Looking  forward  to reading  more of  your books, whether in this same genre or not.

There was a hunger inside humanity, a craving for conflict. It was how it pulled itself out of the ooze and rose to rule the planet. It was biology.

- Craig A. Hart, Serenity -

 

Skinny Cappuccino ( A Feel Good Romance) by Alicia M. Kaye | A Book Review

Skinny Cappuccino

A Feel Good Romance

by: Alicia M. Kaye

Publication date: October 27th 2015

Genres: Clean Romance, New Adult, Inspiriational

For twenty-five year old Michelle, starting a café with a gorgeous man was supposed to be fun, exciting and thrilling…until he disappears.

When Clive decides to take time off, for an undetermined amount of time, this leaves Michelle realising how little she knows about running a coffee shop. Her degree in English Literature can only help so far.

If she didn’t have enough on her plate trying to make ends meet, her landlord, handsome Arthur Banks Junior is ruthless and unreasonable. He’s obviously set to bankrupt her but Michelle's not afraid of a fight.

Michelle discovers Arthur has problems of his own. If they could just stop being so antagonistic toward each other and work together, maybe they can help each other out. 

I had this book on my TBR for quite a while. I think I had this last quarter of last year. I have been meaning to read this but failed in the attempt as I had signed up for quite a lot of book tours in the first three months of this year. Finally, I've read it but then, the review took about a month to get posted also. Phew, here goes.

Does any of you love a skinny cappuccino? Is this your favorite drink at you favorite coffee shop? I am not really a coffee-person. If I were to drink coffee and that is due to a necessity or if tea and cocoa have become extinct, then it would be with a lot of milk. There is a local brand which is called "blanca" which I think just fits my taste buds. So, skinny cappuccino, for all other tea-drinkers like me who doesn't care much about anything to do with coffee, is coffee with non-fat milk. I hope you got where the skinny came from.

I give this 3/5 cups of coffee. This was a fun and easy enough read. As easy as drinking a hot cup of coffee or tea. No heavy drama. Just clean fun with some bits of information about coffee. The main character is a woman with strong character. She setup her own coffee shop and when her partner disappeared and left her with a ton of problems, she solved them on her own and even traveled literally and figuratively, outside of her comfort zone. Add in a best friend who is as spirited as she is which gave more color to the story. This is absolutely a feel good romance. I also call this an inspirational romance.

The first few encounters between Mickey and Artie were really awkward and amusing. Their back and forth of trying to antagonize each other was very fun to read. They started like cats and dogs who can't seem to agree but in the end, they were able to help each other get out of their individual financial dilemma. Yes, this ended well and I couldn't be more happy.

One thing more, I love how the book started. It was just hilarious and I couldn't think of a better way. This story started with alarm bells literally ringing. As in--Don't panic. It's just an alarm. That two-liner just had me and I know right there I would enjoy this book.

If I knew security guys were this good-looking and flirty, I'd trip the alarm all the time.

- Alicia M. Kaye, Skinny Cappuccino -

Thank you again, Alicia M. Kaye and AXP Read and Review for the copy.

 

 

Sad Girls by Lang Leav | A Book Review

Sad Girls

by: Lang Leav

Publication date: May 30th 2017

Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Genres: Literary Fiction, Coming of Age

“Your first love isn’t the first person you give your heart to—it’s the first one who breaks it.”

Sad Girls is the much anticipated debut novel from international best-selling author Lang Leav. A beautifully written and emotionally charged coming of age story, where young love, dark secrets, and tragedy collide.

School is almost out for Audrey, but the panic attacks are just beginning. Because Audrey told a lie and now her classmate, Ana, is dead. Just as her world begins to spin out of control, Audrey meets the enigmatic Rad—the boy who could turn it all around. But will their ill-timed romance drive her closer to the edge?

This is my first time to read a Lang Leav. I have heard that her previous books of poetry were a hit. I was so thrilled when I was approved by Netgalley to review this book. This is her first novel. Finally, I will be able to experience her writing prowess.

Which do you want to hear first? Good news or the bad news?

I will start with the good news because I think the bad ones would likely overpower the good ones. Yes, I have a few good reactions to this book. I also want you all to read this whole review, so starting with the bad things will likely lead you to not read through the rest of this post.

The one thing that I could clearly remember was painstakingly rooted to the pages. I was, in some bizarre way, unexpectedly, wanted to finish the whole book. I wanted to get to the end. I wanted to know how all this turned out. And I am giving myself a pat in the back for making it through the last page, even if my subconscious was telling me to just let the book go. I ended up finishing this at 3am. I get an "A" for patience and perseverance.

I also like the concept of a"toolbox". It means we are all like a toolbox. We add in stuff and build on it. The more tools you have, the more you fare in life. This made a lot of sense to me and I am actually thinking of applying this school of thought.

I'm trying to wrack my brain for some other positive things to say.
...
...
...

Sorry, I can't seem to find anything more. Let's just go ahead to the not so positive things I have for this book. First, the lack of emotional connection. That's the most important thing for me. For the author to be able to reach out and touch the readers. To make me feel like I am an active participant in the story. That I have a stake in the outcome of the events and how the characters were changed or evolved in the story. I kept trying to locate that elusive string that tugs at my heart in this but unfortunately, could not find a single thread. I am not sure why. The main character, Audrey, went through something tragic and traumatic, but I just can't seem to empathize with her. In some way, her character even felt disconnected to her own experiences. And until now, I can't seem to fathom why.

Second, how the story ended. I think it was not right. It can't be! Audrey and Rad, didn't feel like two main characters in a story worthy of emulation or inspiring at all. These two did not make amends for all the hurt and pain they have caused. Yes, they never intended everything to turn out so badly and for lives to be lost resulting from their actions or inaction, but I can't seem to swallow that they just let everything be. There was no resolution. I don't think they deserve to be together yet. Rad should have paid the price for what he did or failed to do. And Audrey should have been the one to move Rad to do the right thing. Audrey should have owned up to her part in all of it also. I think their characters have both been tainted because of what happened and the lack of redemption at the end of the story was just so frustrating and horrible. I can't accept it.

Third, I don't know how the characters came to be created but I think they were the worst I have encountered ever. Main characters are supposed to be inspiring and models of transformation and survival. No matter how flawed and how bad they were at the start, in the end there should at least be some kind of "Eureka" moment where one of them inspired the other to be selfless and even offer him/herself up as the sacrificial lamb just to make amends for all the wrong done. I think, there was only one "Eureka" moment in this story and it was for Audrey which turned out to be a false-alarm. In Audrey's moment of clarity, she came to realize the impact and the magnitude of what they had done but then it evaporated just as quickly as it appeared. She resolved that she could not ignore her and Rad's love and their idea of moving on and starting over is just so twisted. Bury everything and just move on. Do these two have a conscience?

Fourth, this story repeatedly talked about love. The real, all-encompassing, forgiving and great love but it portrayed it in such a distorted way that I hope no one will ever mistake it as a good example. I think there are a lot of ways this book could have ended which would have resolved all the questions of morality, values and other factors. A better ending could have saved this and I would have at least felt that all is not totally lost.

And lastly, I simply do not want to comment on the rest of the characters. I think they should have been given more interesting personalities and more exposure. After all, the title did say sad girls, right? Plural. It seemed that this just focused on one sad girl--Audrey. In some ways, some of the characters were bad examples and simply did not help in the formation of the two main characters' well being and outlook in life. 

I am really sorry but I think this book gets 1.5/5 sad faces. I am so distraught to give this rating. It was just sad how this book turned out. I did hear a lot of disappointed reviews about this but I assure you, I was not in any way influenced by them. I tried to be as objective as possible, even though it was easier to just not write a review at all. I think, this book failed me. Maybe like everyone else, I will favor her poetry books better. I have about two of them lined up in my TBR.

You are a toolbox, and you have to add stuff to it and build on it. I think the more tools you have, the better life gets.

- Lang Leav, Sad Girls - 

Thank you again, Netgalley for the review copy.