Monday, April 29, 2013

Five Recent Reads I've loved #minireviews

I really love evangelising about favourite new reads. Time constraints mean I often neglect reviewing so many books I read (oh, man, I am so guilty of this). These five books are recent favourites that I loved and devoured. I've written basic little mini reviews for each one and I so sincerely hope you might find a new favourite here, too :) -- It's been such a great reading year for me so far...



This was refreshingly addictive with a great vibe. 

Mostly, I loved Devan's voice in this. She was so fun to read. This contemporary YA has moving to a new school , getting to know (or not) an estranged mum, a huge musical element (I don't even like musicals-- well, I sometimes like the stories, I just don't like the bits where the people sing, haha--, but I loved this book). 

This was fun and breezy with some high emotional moments to give it some depth. Very much looking forward to Amy Spalding's next book (out later this year!) Ink is Thicker Than Water. 


This series is shaping up to be one of my fave YA dystopians. 


I loved being back in June and Day's world. Despite the very real danger and the stakes rising, there is also a lot of fun to be had. I had forgotten how much I love both June and Day. In particular, Day is such a sympathetic character, layered, tough but sensitive, and he is pitched against his friends and I really felt for him. I really like him, yeah? (haha). 

Things get complicated and loyalties are tested and there's plot twists and a very enigmatic and compelling new Elector Primo, Anden. Who can you trust? There's a bit of a cliffie, but I loved it. It was a punch in the guts kind of ending and I am so hanging out for the final book. 

*I read this with my good friend, Nic. We both loved it and had a lot of fun.


 I love Lisa Schroeder. She is on my auto-buy list of favourite authors.I bought this without realising it is her debut non-verse (regular prose with some poems scattered throughout) book. I also saw mixed reviews before beginning. I am SO happy to say I am on the LOVE side. 

What a completely heart-felt little book this is. My heart broke and I was full of hope and well wishes for our the lovely Rae. I got swept into this story and even shed a tear or two :) Also, Schroeder's prose is just gorgeous. I love her writing and her themes and the way she brought light into darkness.  

Warning: I think both the blurb and the cover of this are unfortunately misleading. It's not a kissy romance book. It's also not about one typical story just dealing with abuse. ALSO the first 100 pages might begin as cliché  but the plot veers right of in it's own unique and unexpected direction. I would love to see more people find this quietly awesome gem of a book.


My first Lisa Kleypas, you guys! This is a historical romance and it was deliciously fun and addictive. I often struggle with this genre, but Kleypas had just the right amount of tension and romance coupled with enough back story to make me actually care for the characters. 

The leads in this one are the kind of antagonistic coupling where they goad each other on in this love/hate kind of thing. She's wild and fun and unpredictable and he's a hot and brooding alpha male type. It's also just a little bit hot ;)


I'll be reading more Kleypas, and very soon.


Oh, mate, I really loved this romantic verse novel from Sarah Tregay. It was fun and cute and swoony and just a delicious rainy-day feel good read. 

From the cover and so many swoony and favourable reviews I expected it to be all that, but I didn't anticipate just how addictive it would be, and how much I would grin and sigh my way through it. So recommended. I read this on my kindle but am itching to buy a copy for my shelves (hopefully a paperback will be released). SO GOOD.    

Have you read any of these? Or are you planning too?

What's a recent new favourite book you've read?

19 comments:

  1. I'm hearing so many great things about The Reece Malcolm List and Falling For You. I have to admit that neither of them were really grabbing my interest, but I think that's changed now :) Great mini reviews, Nomes. I think I need to use this tactic when I'm in a bit of a review slump..

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  2. ARGH! First 'Lisa Kleypas' - welcome to the bandwagon :)

    I'm adding books to my TBR pile after reading this post - pure fabulousness!

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  3. I read the first couple chapters of Falling For You and felt that it was maybe not for me. Now, though, I'm going to give it another try! :)

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  4. I really will have to give that Kleypas a try. The only historical of hers I read was DEVIL IN WINTER, and for the most part, I really enjoyed it.

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  5. I loved The Reece Malcolm list. It was such a perfect mix of cute and serious (with musicals!). I can't wait for her next book. I've heard good things about Love and Leftovers, but haven't read it. I'll have to pick it up. Great post!

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  6. I really enjoyed The Reece Malcolm list and am excited for Lengend to come from the library. Historical Romance can be tricky for me I need it to feel believable, and those are difficult to find.

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  7. You make me want to grab Love & Leftovers : )

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  8. Oh, I ADORED The Reece Malcolm List. It was just really freshing for some reason, and a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to reading more from her. =)

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  9. I hear so much about Lisa Kleypas and Julia Quinn. I need to give them both a try.

    Nomes, which Lisa Schroeder should I start with??

    Yay for Reece Malcolm! :)

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  10. I started The Reece Malcolm List last night and the writing is excellent so far - heard so many good things about it recently :)

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  12. YAY!! You tried your first LIsa Kleypas!! :D
    I hope keep on reading her, I love Dreaming of You, it's like my gold standard when it comes to romance and her two most recent series were pretty good!! :D
    Also, you made the Reece Malcolm List sound really good!

    Thanks for the reviews.

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  13. I'm so happy that you've been on such a great run of books Nomes. I've always been meaning to read more books by Schroeder, but never know what to go for next. But from your mini-reviews I certainly think Falling For You will be next on my list. I too really enjoyed how fresh The Reece Malcolm List was. Great mini-reviews Nomes! :)

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  15. I love Devan and The Reece Malcolm List, and I so need to read Love & Leftovers!

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  16. So many great Lisa Kleypas historicals to still be discovered! Suddenly You and Dreaming of You are right up there for me, as well as Sebastian's story from the Wallflowers series.

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  17. I have heard so many good things about the Reece Malcolm List! And Love and Leftovers sounds awesome, I've been wanting to read more verse novels.

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  19. I've only read Love & Leftovers, but it is a grin and sigh kind of book. I still really need to read Legend, but I keep forgetting. Thanks for sharing!

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