January 30, 2018 – Sincerely Karen Jo

Wishing these lovelies the Happiest Book Birthdays!!

The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

PUBLISHED BY FLATIRON BOOKS JANUARY 30, 2018

GENRE(S): YOUNG ADULT, FANTASY

PAGES: HARDCOVER 368

Seventeen-year-old Alice and her mother have spent most of Alice’s life on the road, always a step ahead of the uncanny bad luck biting at their heels. But when Alice’s grandmother, the reclusive author of a cult-classic book of pitch-dark fairy tales, dies alone on her estate, the Hazel Wood, Alice learns how bad her luck can really get: her mother is stolen away―by a figure who claims to come from the Hinterland, the cruel supernatural world where her grandmother’s stories are set. Alice’s only lead is the message her mother left behind: “Stay away from the Hazel Wood.”

Alice has long steered clear of her grandmother’s cultish fans. But now she has no choice but to ally with classmate Ellery Finch, a Hinterland superfan who may have his own reasons for wanting to help her. To retrieve her mother, Alice must venture first to the Hazel Wood, then into the world where her grandmother’s tales began―and where she might find out how her own story went so wrong.

Gone Rogue by Marissa Meyer

PUBLISHED BY FEIWEL AND FRIENDS JANUARY 30, 2018

GENRE(S): YOUNG ADULT, GRAPHIC NOVELS, SCIENCE FICTION

PAGES: HARDCOVER 324

Iko – an audacious android and best friend to the Lunar Queen Cinder – has been tasked with hunting down Alpha Lysander Steele, the leader of a rogue band of bioengineered wolf-soldiers who threaten to undo the tenuous peace agreement between Earth and Luna. Unless Cinder can reverse the mutations that were forced on them years before, Steele and his soldiers plan to satisfy their monstrous appetites with a massacre of the innocent people of Earth.

And to show he’s serious, Steele is taking hostages.

Cinder and Kai, Scarlet and Wolf, Cress and Thorne, and Winter and Jacin all feature in this epic new battle. But it is Iko who must face her deepest fears when she uncovers the truth about her own unusual programming.

Say You’ll Remember Me by Katie McGarry

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PUBLISHED BY HARLEQUIN TEEN JANUARY 30, 2018

GENRE(S): YOUNG ADULT, CONTEMPORARY, ROMANCE

PAGES: HARDCOVER 400

When Drix was convicted of a crime–one he didn’t commit–he thought his life was over. But opportunity came with the new Second Chance Program, the governor’s newest pet project to get delinquents off the streets, rehabilitated and back into society. Drix knows this is his chance to get his life back on track, even if it means being paraded in front of reporters for a while.

Elle knows she lives a life of privilege. As the governor’s daughter, she can open doors with her name alone. But the expectations and pressure to be someone she isn’t may be too much to handle. She wants to follow her own path, whatever that means.

When Drix and Elle meet, their connection is immediate, but so are their problems. Drix is not the type of boy Elle’s parents have in mind for her, and Elle is not the kind of girl who can understand Drix’s messy life.

But sometimes love can breach all barriers.

Fighting against a society that can’t imagine them together, Drix and Elle must push themselves–Drix to confront the truth of the robbery, and Elle to assert her independence–and each other to finally get what they deserve.

The Upside of Falling Down by Rebekah Crane

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PUBLISHED BY SKYSCAPE JANUARY 30, 2018

GENRE(S): YOUNG ADULT, CONTEMPORARY, ROMANCE

PAGES: HARDCOVER 252

For Clementine Haas, finding herself is more than a nice idea. Ever since she woke up in an Irish hospital with complete amnesia, self-discovery has become her mission.

They tell her she’s the lone survivor of a plane crash. They tell her she’s lucky to be alive. But she doesn’t feel lucky. She feels…lost.

With the relentless Irish press bearing down on her, and a father she may not even recognize on his way from America to take her home, Clementine assumes a new identity and enlists a blue-eyed Irish stranger, Kieran O’Connell, to help her escape her forgotten life…and start a new one.

Hiding out in the sleepy town of Waterville, Ireland, Clementine discovers there’s an upside to a life that’s fallen apart. But as her lies grow, so does her affection for Kieran, and the truth about her identity becomes harder and harder to reveal, forcing Clementine to decide: Can she leave her past behind for a new love she’ll never forget?

Reign the Earth by A.C. Gaughen

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PUBLISHED BY BLOOMSBURY JANUARY 30, 2018

GENRE(S): YOUNG ADULT, FANTASY

PAGES: HARDCOVER 448

Shalia is a proud daughter of the desert, but after years of devastating war with the adjoining kingdom, her people are desperate for peace. Willing to trade her freedom to ensure the safety of her family, Shalia becomes Queen of the Bonelands.

But she soon learns that her husband, Calix, is motivated only by his desire to exterminate the Elementae—mystical people who can control earth, wind, air, and fire. Even more unsettling are Shalia’s feelings for her husband’s brother, which unleash a power over the earth she never knew she possessed—a power that could get her killed. As rumors of a rebellion against Calix spread, Shalia must choose between the last chance for peace and her own future as an Elementae.

This intense, richly drawn high-fantasy by the author of Scarletwill hold readers spellbound.

Winner Take All by Laurie Devore

PUBLISHED BY IMPRINT JANUARY 30, 2018

GENRE(S): YOUNG ADULT, CONTEMPORARY, ROMANCE

PAGES: HARDCOVER 336

For Nell Becker, life is a competition she needs to win.
For Jackson Hart, everyone is a pawn in his own game.
They both have everything to lose.

Nell wants to succeed at everything—school, sports, life. And victory is sweeter when it means beating Jackson Hart, the rich, privileged, undisputed king of Cedar Woods Prep Academy. Yet no matter how hard she tries, Jackson is somehow one step ahead. They’re a match made in hell, but opposites do attract.

Drawn to each other by their rivalry, Nell and Jackson fall into a whirlwind romance that consumes everything in their lives. But when a devastating secret exposes their relationship as just another game, how far will Nell go to win?

Visceral and whip-smart, Laurie Devore’s Winner Take All paints an unflinching portrait of obsessive love, toxic competition, and the drive for perfection.

Which of these new releases are you most excited to read? Don’t forget to leave your comments down below.

sincerelykarenjo2

toptentuesdays

This week’s topic for Top Ten Tuesday is – Books I Can’t Believe I Read. I usually pick books I know I’ll enjoy, so there aren’t many books I don’t really like. I’m also never ashamed I read something because if I end up liking and loving it, then that’s what’s really important. That being said, there are plenty of books I’ve read and asked myself “Why am I reading this?” Then thought — “Oh right…because there is something so damn good about this and I just can’t stop!”

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and has been moved to That Artsy Reader Girl since January 16, 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Here are the Top Ten Books I Can’t Believe I Read

(But ended Up Really Loving Them… and I’m Not Ashamed)

Addicted by Zane – My best friend recommended this book and told me that I HAD to read it. She lent me her copy and once I started reading, I was completely addicted…This book is part thriller, part romance, and part erotica. I didn’t think I would like it, but I was thoroughly invested in the storyline and characters. I’ve never read anything so engaging and exciting and had me on the edge. I just can’t believe I read this while a junior in high school. Not only was this my first very adult and very out of my comfort zone novel, but I went to an All Girls Catholic High School too. I mean I read those classics like Rebecca, Jane Eyre, To Kill a Mockingbird and such that dealt with sensitive issues, but they were definitely nothing like Addicted. The entire time I was reading, I remember teenager me feeling a little “guilty” for loving the book.

Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer – I was in college when the first movie came out and I honestly have not heard anything about the books. It was actually my brother that suggested we double date and watch the movie with our significant others. I remember asking why would he want to watch something with teenage vampires. I thought the whole idea was absurd that I didn’t even bother watching the trailer. I was more concerned with my own midterms, papers, and trying to graduate on time. Well, if you’ve been following me, you know how much I love this series. I watched the movie, loved it, and read the books. After poking fun at the idea, I can’t believe I read them all in a matter of days and during my midterms week too. Yes…we all know they weren’t the best books nor were they well-written, but I loved them then, and I still love them now.

Fifty Shades of Grey Series by E.L. James – I was a bit unsure going into this and I’m not a fan of too much sex scenes… but I devoured this series!!! I was a teacher when I picked up the books and every chance I got (during recess, lunch breaks, P.E., and even when the kids were doing classwork), I would pull this out and read it. I can’t believe I was that obsessed, but I actually really like them… so much so that I read Grey and plan on reading the rest from Christian POV.

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Crossfire Series by Sylvia Day – So after I finished Fifty Shades of Grey, I can’t believe I wanted to read something else that was similar. I stumbled on this series and immediately picked it up. I was completely hooked and remember really loving it. But I don’t recall all that much about the books which is why I also featured this in last week’s Top Ten Tuesday post.

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven – I love books that make me cry, but I don’t like going into books knowing I’m going to be sad and crying. That’s why I can’t believe I read this knowing that it would devastate me. BUT… this book was absolutely beautiful and I loved it.. even if it did break my heart.

Menace and Grievous by J.M. Darhower – I’ve been trying to read out of my comfort zone, but I can’t believe I actually read this… and really enjoyed it. It’s a Dark Romance with plenty of graphic violence, sex, and adult situations that may be offensive. I don’t mind it in movies, but it’s something I don’t think I would like reading. That being said, I was very unsure about Menace through most of the book… I was actually a bit uncomfortable, yet I could not stop reading. Towards the end, it was really good… like seriously sooo good that I ended up reading the sequel.

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover – It’s very rare for me to read a book without knowing a little bit about it, so I can’t believe I just went blind with this one… BUT definitely no regrets! I don’t even think there are enough words to express how much I love this book. I didn’t know it back then, but Colleen Hoover would become one of my favorite authors. Still, I can’t believe I read this knowing absolutely nothing. I read part of it during work so there were definitely a few restroom breaks because I didn’t want my coworkers to see my crying.

Ruby Red Trilogy by Kerstin Gier – I’m not really a fan of historical fiction. Don’t judge, but history to me is boring… never liked it in school. But Ruby Red ended up in my book shelves because the cover is so pretty that I just had to have it. Then, I discovered Bookoutlet and found Sapphire Blue and Emerald Green, so I thought why not complete the series… I eventually gave in and decided to finally read them. I’m so glad I did because I could not put the books down. I ended up really loving the series and is now one of my favorites (yes there’s a bit of history but not much).

Sparrow by L.J. Shen – I loved Vicious, so I decided to pick this book up. It’s another Dark Romance and when I read the synopsis — the words kidnapped, caged, and graphic violence should had me running the other way. But nope…There was a part of me that was very curious. I can’t believe that I wanted to read this one and actually finished it. Some parts were a tad bit much for me, but my overwhelming fascination had me glued to the pages. And while I didn’t love it as much as Vicious, I still enjoyed it.

Vicarious and Ferocious by Paula Stokes – I love Paula Stokes, but I’m not too keen on mystery and thrillers. It’s something I love watching, but when it comes to reading, I love adventure and fantasy and ROMANCE. But Vicarious went on sale on Amazon so I bought it just to support Paula Stokes. Months later, I signed up for Netgalley and was obsessed that I requested Ferocious without having read Vicarious. Turns out my obsession would lead me to this amazing duology. I never thought I would like mystery and thrillers… but I actually really do and I love this duology so much! Oh and there is a bit of romance that made me swoon…, but even if there wasn’t, I think this duology is absolutely fantastic!

Have you read any of these books? What did you think? Which books can you not believe you read? Leave your comments down below.

sincerelykarenjo2