{NA Minute Review} Where My Heart Breaks by Ivy Sinclair

{NA Minute Review} Where My Heart Breaks by Ivy Sinclair

If there were a course in screwing up your life, Kate Spivey would get an A+.

Trust is in short supply for Kate at the start of the summer before her senior year of college. Her parents sentenced her to spend it under the watchful eye of her aunt at the famous Willoughby Inn. It was further proof that she was a prisoner in, and not the decision maker of, her life. Nothing she does is good enough to prove that she learned from the mistakes of her past.

Almost immediately, Kate finds that her new summer home holds another person who understands the unfairness of her situation better than most. Reed Black has had his own share of tragedy and regrets, but instead of trying to fight his reputation, he embraced it.

Sparks fly between Kate and Reed, but his mixed signals remind Kate that she needs to watch her step. He is one temptation she can't afford to indulge in, no matter how strong her attraction to him. If she isn't careful, she'll lose more than her heart. (Blurb via Goodreads)

Purchase: Barnes&Noble +  Amazon

{Details} ebook, 182 pages, Published August 29th 2013 by Smith Sinclair Books (first published August 28th 2013). Source: Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 4/5 -- I really liked it!

{Review}

"It sounded like an explosion from the rear of the car, and I yelped in surprise." (page 1, line 1)

A great new adult read for the summer. For Kate it's a second chance, a summer where she can find herself, to learn that everyone makes mistakes but they don't define you, that you can change your life if you want to.

Reed. Hot. Smart. Plays havoc on the heart with his hot/cold, hot/cold treatment. He's my favorite type of guy, a guy with layers, with secrets. I didn't think we saw nearly enough of him.

I loved Kate's BFF Millie. She's awesome. She's the supportive friend, the kick you in the butt if you need it and drive all night to be with you if you need her, friend.

I liked the premise and Sinclair's writing, especially how she used the idea of a story inside a story. I will definitely be reading more by Ivy Sinclair.

{NA Minute Review} Rule (Marked Men) by Jay Crownover

{NA Minute Review} Rule (Marked Men) by Jay Crownover

Opposites in every way . . . except the one that matters

Shaw Landon loved Rule Archer from the moment she laid eyes on him. Rule is everything a straight--A pre-med student like Shaw shouldn’t want--and the only person she’s never tried to please. She isn’t afraid of his scary piercings and tattoos or his wild attitude. Though she knows that Rule is wrong for her, her heart just won’t listen.

To a rebel like Rule Archer, Shaw Landon is a stuck-up, perfect princess-and his dead twin brother’s girl. She lives by other people’s rules; he makes his own. He doesn’t have time for a good girl like Shaw-even if she’s the only one who can see the person he truly is.

But a short skirt, too many birthday cocktails, and spilled secrets lead to a night neither can forget. Now, Shaw and Rule have to figure out how a girl like her and a guy like him are supposed to be together without destroying their love . . . or each other. (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} Kindle Edition, 327 pages. Published December 30th 2012 by Jay Crownover Books. Source: Amazon

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!

{Review} 

"At first I thought the pounding in my head was my brain trying to fight its way out of my skull after ten or so shots of Crown Royal I had downed last night, but then I realized the noise was someone storming around in my apartment." (page 1, line 1)

Rule has an exciting and steamy and emotional storyline, intriguing characters that stick with you and a hot romance. The relationship between Shaw and Rule is sweet and hot and heartbreaking and hard as they both struggle against their parents, temptations, and old habits. It also showed real true love, what it can do, what it can endure.

There was great character development, especially Rule's journey as he learns about love, trust and forgiveness. I loved the way Crownover presented tattoos and other body modifications, as a way for people to claim their own skin. I also adored the secondary characters - Rome totally stole my heart (check out my stop on the Rome book tour here on 1/6) - I'm excited to read all their stories.