"This Is Where It Ends" by Marieke Nijkamp

I wan't so sure about this book prior to reading. Yes, I wanted to read it. But I was so scared of all the emotions that I knew would be invoked while reading. Fear, sadness, anger, confusion, anxiety... I wasn't sure if I was ready to read this. I decided to read it anyway and I am so glad I did. Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for allowing me to read the e-ARC of the amazing book This Is Where it Ends by Marieke Nijkamp. 

I think the less a reader knows about this book, the better off they will be. I only knew the basics- this is a book told through 4 different character views over the span of 54 minutes. That is 54 minutes of terror. Here is the description (taken from Netgalley):

10:00 a.m.

The principal of Opportunity, Alabama's high school finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester and encouraging them to excel and achieve.

10:02 a.m.

The students get up to leave the auditorium for their next class.

10:03

The auditorium doors won't open.

10:05

Someone starts shooting.

This explosive, emotional, page-turning debut about a high school held hostage is told from the perspective of four teens—each with their own reason to fear the boy with the gun.

The characters that Nijkamp created in this book are so believable. I could relate and connect with every single one of them. Although this book is a YA Thriller, the words written are beautiful. Such wonderful storytelling from this debut author. 

I highlighted a lot of passages throughout reading. My intention was to share short little blurbs that wouldn't give away the story. But I have decided not to. I want future readers to experience all the emotions of this book the first time they read it. No spoilers. 

This book is dark. It's emotional. It's shocking. It's traumatic. It will be a controversial book, I am sure. It's not easy to read, but you will be so glad you did. 

"This Is Where It Ends" is set to be released in January 2016. Add it to your shelves. You won't be disappointed. It's haunting, yet powerful and unlike any book I have ever read before. 

Happy Reading!

  

David C Riggens' "Boys Of The Fatherless"

David C. Riggins' "Boys Of The Fatherless" is a book that left me wanting more. To start with, this is the author's first book and honestly, while the story is interesting, I felt it was just missing too much.

It seemed like there was so much info crammed into these 90 pages and what was important, what I wanted to know more about, was left out. At times I felt like I was reading a rough draft of a story. I definitely feel that the story is interesting, but just needed more brainstorming, plot analysis, and editing. 

There is not much beyond that to say. The story itself is interesting and I feel like it could absolutely be a great read, but more work needed to be done. A wonderful jump off to a story about coming-of-age, sexuality, and true-to-life experiences. This has all the potential of a good book but was just so-so. 

The ending itself was "to be continued" and I am interested in reading the next short story. This review is not meant to be negative. I do like the book. I just wanted to know more. It seemed to lack the "flow" of a good read. Too choppy and incomplete. 

I give it a solid 3 stars! 

Happy Reading! 

"Down The Rabbit Hole" by Holly Madison

Have I ever mentioned that I love sitting on my couch and watching E! reality shows (and Bravo too- love Shahs of Sunset)? NO? Okay, so it's not that I am embarrassed, obviously, because I am blogging about my love of trashy tv. But it isn't something I would say I am proud of. It all started with the "Girls Next Door" premier in 2005. I was addicted from the first show and I tuned in every week to see what Holly, Bridget, and Kendra were up to. Even when the series ended I watched their individual shows (I still watch Kendra On Top). I was so excited to read Down The Rabbit Hole!

The wait time for both the hardcover and the ebook at my library was months. I wasn't sure if it was a book I wanted to purchase either. The digital audio download at my library had no holds so I decided to give audiobooks another try. I was not disappointed! 

The audiobook is actually narrated by Holly Madison herself so that was a plus. As a busy mother of 3, I wasn't sure I could listen and stay focused to what she was saying while doing things around the house, but it was very easy to listen along. My library's app allowed me to listen on my iPhone like a podcast which was great.

I had read some articles raving about her tell-all book prior. I was very interested but at the same time I thought it was a bit "trashy"  because the buzz seemed to relay that she was dumping all over Hugh Hefner, Kendra, and others. 

However, she was no-holds-barred about her life. While she spilled secrets about Hefner's controlling, derogatory, degrading mannerisms towards women and Kendra's ditsy, outrageous, and over the top publicity stunts she also had no problem telling how she herself acted immoral, back stabbed others, and made poor decisions to try and get ahead in life. 

She had no problem admitting that she was the one who made horrible decisions resulting in severe depression and anxiety. She explains to critics why it wasn't just easy to walk out the mansion front door and never look back due to years of mental and verbal abuse by Heff and others at the mansion. She actually takes responsibility for her actions and worked her ass off to get where she is today. 

There was plenty of juicy gossip too. Crazy after-club sex parties, reprimands from Hefner about the color of lipstick worn by "his girls", and the horrible antics done to her by other girls living at the house. 

The story is Holly's and therefore one sided but I do believe a lot of what she states because she does seem to have a way to back it up and even spills about her immature and insecure decisions that led to or followed the problems. She didn't portray herself as an innocent victim which I commend her for. She didn't candy coat the re-telling of situations even when she was the one who was in the wrong.

Very quick read (or listen) and if you were ever into the shows surrounding the Playboy Mansion I highly suggest reading this. It was very entertaining. I give it 5 stars because I was addicted to her story from the get-go.

So, now you know my love for trashy tv and books about trashy tv. #SorryNotSorry 

Happy Reading!

The Wait...

So I just finished a really good ARC. Like really good. I actually MADE myself read slow so I could enjoy it and suck up every amazing this the author wrote. Reading slow is something I don't think I have ever done. It is a book I would definitely love to read again. To be honest the books I have/would re-read I can count on one hand. 

This was a Netgalley digital arc and the publisher has asked that all reviews wait until the release date, which in this case is August 4, 2015.

So you will have to wait for my review!

On to the next book! 

Happy Reading!!!