ARC: Shoot The Gap - Jordan Ford (The Big Play #4)

Published Date: July 15, 2016

Genre: Romance

Synopsis: Tyler Schumann has always been known as Nelson High’s goofy clown, the guy with the big mouth. But there’s something people don’t know: he’s tired of being in the shadows of his Raiders’ buddies, and he’s ready to do whatever it takes to get the one girl in school he wants to finally notice him: Roxanne Carmichael.

Sammy Carmichael is just one of the guys, known for her mad boarding skills and her razor-sharp wit. But she has a secret, too—a crush on her best friend. It’s a relationship she’s not willing to risk damaging by getting all romantic about it.

When Tyler asks for Sammy’s help, she’s stoked to be able to spend a little one-on-one time with him. Their secret mission will bring them closer together…until she realizes what he’s really after—her sister. Tired of being in the shadows herself, Sammy sets out on a mission of her own to prove that she’s the Carmichael girl he really wants.

But the secrets and lies she discovers as she embarks on her quest could tear her relationship with Tyler to shreds, and Sammy must decide which lies are worth exposing and how much damage the truth will cause.

God, the finale of the The Big Play series had my head reeling. 

Sammy Carmichael is the epitome of something that every girl in high school should be. Smart, funny, and all around nice. Plus, she likes one of the not-so-well-known guys of the school. Don't get me wrong. Tyler Schumann is indeed the class clown and being best friends with Sammy brings a whole new level of hell to the school. The one thing that I enjoyed about this group of friends is that they overlook the popularity status. 

It fades after a while and so when Tyler recruits Sammy in desperate need of some help, she will jump at any chance to be friends with him. 

Roxy and Sammy could not be any more different and as aforementioned, you can tell which is clearly my favorite. Jordan Ford does a fantastic job at creating a unity amongst her characters with revealing revelations and wonderful relationships. 

Though this is the end of the Big Play series for now, Jordan Ford is bound to come up with something even more fantastic. So with a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, The Big Play comes to a thrilling end. 

I could not deal with the ending because well, it was the ending of it all. 

Blog you later, awesome book nerds. 

ARC: The Handoff - Jordan Ford (The Big Play #3)

Published Date: June 9 , 2016

Genre: Contemporary

Synopsis: It’s nearly spring break. Mack is leaving for New Zealand to win back his girl and he asks Finn to do him a favor—keep an eye on his little sister, Layla. Finn has his reservations about the party girl, but he isn’t about to let one of his best friends down, so he agrees. Unfortunately for him, he has no idea what he’s getting into…or the effect this dynamic beauty will have on him.

 
Layla Mahoney likes to party. It’s the only sure-fire medicine for helping her forget the fact that her father’s dead and a new guy has taken his place. But when she’s drunk, Layla has a big mouth…and the wrong friends. Unable to remember what she’s been up to at her various parties, Layla falls into a nasty trap. Thanks to some compromising photographs, Layla is now under the thumb of the person she hates most in this world—her stepbrother, Derek. With Mack gone, she’s forced to turn to someone who’s always kept his distance, a good guy who has never had time for her partying ways. Letting Finn in on her dark and dirty secrets is something she never planned to do, but his tender strength and quiet protection draws it out of her, creating a bond between them that neither saw coming…and a whirlwind of problems that they’ll only survive if they stick together.

You could feel the animosity that rolled off of these two characters right from the beginning. Why the hated each other is self-explanatory due to the fact that they are complete polar opposites. Other than school sports and that they shared a brother/bestfriend, they had nothing in common. 

Though, that makes the best kind of romances. 

When you first met Layla, I am pretty sure you had hate for her. It rolled off of you into the book because of how she acted towards everything and everyone. Personally, I couldn't get rid of her fast enough. But then of course, Jordan just makes you feel real bad for thinking those thoughts in the previous two books. 

Layla is heartbreaking and Finn is heart mending. Together they will make your heart pound at the profound thought that the right person for you can change everything about you. I loved this book to say the least and i think that the best way to get over your hatred for Layla is to read this book. 

Derek is as sleazy as ever and this book will make you shiver with the disgust from him. I swear, I felt like I had to shower after reading his portion. Creepy, annoying, and straight up disgusting. Another thing that I liked about this book is that Layla and Finn are an interracial couples. With all honesty, we have lost that thought and you never really see it anymore in books. Now or before. 

But it is starting to come back. 

With that, I am going to rate this a 4.3 out of 5 stars and even if these books are standalone novels, I urge you all to read from the beginning and fall in love with Jordan Ford. 

Blog you later, awesome book nerds. 

ARC: Rough Water - Melissa Pearl (Song Bird Novel)

Published Date: May 26, 2016

Genre: Romance

Synopsis: Sometimes love is more than a feeling…it’s a choice.

Justin Doyle loves his new wife, Sarah. Deeply. Madly. Passionately.... And he wants a divorce.

A few weeks into their marriage an unforeseen tragedy strikes, bringing their lives to a screeching halt.

For Justin, the loss hits him in deep and profound ways. He is wracked with a guilt which feeds his belief that he has never been—will never be—good enough. Sarah tries to be there for him while she deals with her own sadness, but he pushes her away…to a place neither are sure they can recover from.

The one thing they need most is each other. And it’s the one thing they don’t have.
Can they find their way back to the place they were before? Or is wedded bliss just a fairy tale?

I felt so many freaking emotions while reading this book. If you are looking for your HEA, you'll have to suffer through some heartbreaks which is exactly what I did when it came down to this book. I loved every single moment of this and I love a book that knows how to make me feel. 

The characters have an amazing connection with each other and although I do not know what books they came from from the series, I was glad to meet the MCs of this book. My heart strings were tugged on by Melissa Pearl and I broke down while I read this. So buck up, grab some tissues, and get ready for a long night because you won't want to put this book down.

This was the first Songbird novel that I read but I don't think that I could get enough. So a 4.1 out of 5 stars. 

Blog you later, awesome book nerds.

The Red Zone - Jordan Ford (The Big Play #2)

Published Date: April 21, 2016

Genre: Romance

Synopsis: Mack Mahoney is hot, popular and used to getting exactly what he wants…until he sets his sights on the new girl—Kaija Bennett. She’s an exchange student from New Zealand and attending Nelson High for three months. Mack’s never been one for love at first sight, but this chick has him feeling things he never knew existed within him and in spite of her feisty rejections, he’s determined to get to know her.

Kaija Bennett did not escape her New Zealand high school only to be dragged into the popular crowd at Nelson High. She’s on the run from a past she wants to forget, and the attention of the gorgeous quarterback is not helping. Can she resist his pulling power and keep her secret safe? Or will the dynamic football captain unearth the truth and make her fall harder than she ever has before?

The synopsis tells the whole story. By the, I knew that I was going to fall in love with the characters and the storyline. Let me tell you why.

Highschool will be the death of many students. They aim to please others rather them themselves. They are lemons. Think one way, follow the rest because you don't want to be outcasted. Let me tell you that high school doesn't last. Sure, mean people will always be there but you have to surround yourself with the good people and good memories. Those last a long time.

Kaija is ultimately a runner. She runs from her problems. In every way possible. She even came halfway around the world and boom, she runs into Mack. The ultimate heartbreaker.

Can you handle all of the feels in this book or will you be crying like I was? With a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, I recommend the Big Play stories.

Blog you later, awesome book nerds.