Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Isla and the Happily Ever After
By Stephanie Perkins
Publication Date: August 14th, 2014
Source: Publisher
Series: Anna and the French Kiss #3

From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh.

But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.

Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

This book is finally on sale today! *party time*

This was one of my most anticipated books of the year, and I was so lucky to be able to read an early copy thanks to Penguin! Stephanie Perkins is such a fun and lovely writer and I will continue to always pick up her books in the future!

As you've already seen, I gave this book 5/5 stars just like I gave Lola and Anna! While this book did contain super cute parts just like in the first two that made you squeal and giggle, I will say that it had a lot less of that than the others. Just so you know. Just so you're warned.

To me this romance seemed a lot more realistic. It also seemed more adult than the others... A few of you will agree with me and a few of you are going to shake your heads and yell, "what?! It was instalove!" I disagree. I loved that Stephanie showed what can happen to two teens in love once they are FINALLY together. We got to actually see them go through problems together.

Now, to be honest I would much rather read a sweet and happy book about two adorable people falling in love, like in  like Anna and Lola, instead of two people arguing and come close to falling out of it. But I can appreciate both types of stories.

While I would say that Isla is my least favorite of the three, I LOVED what happened when the whole group met up! It was perfect!

I definitely recommend this book if you love contemporary books, and ESPECIALLY if you have already read the first two!

What did you all think of the book?! What's your favorite of the three?

Lux Consequences - Opal & Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Lux Consequences - Opal & Origin

By: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Published: June 3rd, 2014
Series: Lux #3 & #4
Source: Purchased from B&N

Opal:
No one is like Daemon Black.

When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.

But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.
After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.

Together we’re stronger... and they know it.

Origin:
Daemon will do anything to get Katy back.

After the successful but disastrous raid on Mount Weather, he’s facing the impossible. Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure.

All Katy can do is survive.

Surrounded by enemies, the only way she can come out of this is to adapt. After all, there are sides of Daedalus that don’t seem entirely crazy, but the group’s goals are frightening and the truths they speak even more disturbing. Who are the real bad guys? Daedalus? Mankind? Or the Luxen?

Together, they can face anything.

But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, which side will Daemon and Katy be standing on?

And will they even be together?

Overall, I really like this series. It's not making my favorite list any time soon, but they are definitely fun reads!

I really enjoyed this last book, Origin, mainly because of all of the new exciting stuff! (and boy was it PACKED full too!) New setting, new characters, new enemies, new problems, I loved it. While I really enjoyed the first book, I found books two and three, while enjoyable, to be rather repetitive. That's why I really appreciated Origin! Honestly, the problems that took place in the beginning of the series seem SO tiny now compared to where the characters are now. I appreciate Jennifer L. Armentrout expanding out and including SO much more about the other Luxen and Daedalus!

Excited for my signed copy of Opposition to get here! I saw that it had shipped two days ago! Eek!

What do you all think of the series so far? Have you got your hands on Opposition yet?!

The Book Cake Tag!

*Gasp* Jessica has finally done a tag video!

I know. Seriously. I LOVE doing tags... but seem to never do them? I've seriously been tagged in like 30 videos within the past year that I still need to do.  SOMEDAY. Someday I will catch up and I'll do ALL of the tags!

Also, if you want to add to my endless list of fun tag videos, make sure and let me know somehow! Tagging me on Twitter works really well! :)

I tag you! :D

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Heir of Fire 
By Sarah J. Maas
Publication Date: September 2nd, 2014
Source: Netgalley
Series: Throne of Glass #3

Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy.

While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?

Miss my past reviews?
Throne of Glass book review
Crown of Midnight book review

It's official. I'm calling it. The Throne of Glass series is my new favorite series and it's also my top three favorite reads of 2014. I love everything about this series that Sarah J. Maas has created (and I love her! She is the nicest person and is one of those authors that will actually reply back to you on Twitter)

I thought that the first two were amazing, but this book is my favorite so far. We got to see Celaena face her Fae side and it was so cool! Getting to read about Celaene learn how to control her magic was one of my favorite parts of this book.

I LOVED the new Fae and Demi-Fae characters in this book with Rowan being my favorite. I loved reading about his backstory and I just really liked his character! He has so many layers and I can't wait to continue reading about him! I'm definitely interested in how he is going to tie into the rest of this series!

Okay, so although I really love Rowan, were you guys freaking out a bit though?!
It's insane because during the first two books, I adored Chaol. I really liked Celaena and Chaol together, but after the end of Crown of Midnight... I don't think that they can come back from that. Every time she thinks of him she thinks of her best friend lying dead on a bed. (Real romantic) I feel like that will always hang over them.

Another huge issue is one that Dorian already pointed out and that's that Chaol struggles with accepting Celaena for who she really is, Aelin. It's almost like he wishes that he could just love certain parts of her, but you can't do that. And now, Celaena is embracing her true Fae side even more. She is stepping up and is becoming who she was born to be. She should only surround herself with people that will help her move forward, and not hold her back. I mean she is a QUEEN. She has other people to think about.

I thought that Aedion was another very interesting character. Starting out you naturally hate him because he acts terrible to Dorian and Chaol. But I love that he proved me wrong. I'm excited to learn more about him! (read more of my thoughts about him in the "spoilers" section)

Manon Blackbeak was another new character that was pretty interesting. I'll admit, during her first few chapters I was bored and irritated. I JUST wanted to read about Celaena, but as I read I became more and more engrossed in her story. I read on Sarah J. Maas's blog that she originally wasn't planning on introducing her in the series until the last book, or the second to last book. She just loved her character so much and couldn't put off writing about her. The witches were scary though, and I honestly believe that some of them don't have hearts, but I think Manon does which makes her so interesting. I'm excited to read more about her and Abraxos. HOWEVER, I'm terrified because they are working for the king. I don't want those witches anywhere near my Chaol, Aedion, Rowan, or Celaena!

That ending. Oh man. I don't know how I can I wait until 2015. Until then, I'll continue to look at Sarah J. Maas's Pinterest board to figure out clues for the rest of the series!


*Spoilers*

About Rowan:
I feel like Rowan is really good for her. They are both warriors that have been through so much pain, yet here they are. Celaena started this book out broken and Rowan was there to help mend her. I'm not saying that they will eventually develop a romantic relationship, but there's definitely something there. Perhaps they will just be the best of friends and will always have each others back. Maybe a step beyond that, like parabatai in the Infernal Devices and the Mortal Instruments series. They are bonded now and can even use each other's magic which is super rare! I believe they said that the blood bond is for life, so one way or another, Rowan and Celaena will always be together.

About Aedion: When you find out he is ACTUALLY a really nice guy. WOW. He's very similar to Celaena. It's not just the eyes and that they share some Fae blood, they both have lost so, so much and are forced to serve the disgusting man that took it all away from them.. I'm definitely upset about the way things ended with him, but I think he will be okay. I can't wait for book four for them to finally be reunited!

About Dorain: Dorain, poor, poor Dorian. WHY does the world hate you? He's struggling with magic and he's trying his hardest to hide it from his dad, but it's getting harder and harder for him. His best friend Chaol is now hardly even talking to him.... but then he meets Sorcha. *sigh* Again, why does the world hate you Dorian?

I still can't believe that they just walked RIGHT into the King's trap there at the end. Poor Dorian. They just killed her so quickly. Now his nasty father knows about his magic and Chaol just leaves him there. I'm afriad for Dorian. I really am.

*End of spoilers*


Do you all love this series just as much as I do?!

Change.

Hi guys! This post is going to be a little different today.
I wanted to talk about a few different things. As many of you know I'm taking a semester off of school (maybe two semesters? to make it a full gap year? I'm not sure yet, but I'm leaning towards just one semester off...) anyways, I'm out of school for a few months, so where does that leave me? Some of you might be taking this opportunity to travel (I wish...), some of you might be taking this opportunity to catch up on your massive TBR pile or to knock out a few seasons of a show you've been wanting to watch on Netflix (I wish I could do that too..)

Me? I'm working. A lot.

I'm taking this break as an opportunity to try and grow my YouTube channel more, priceiswong. I'm finally starting to understand why my teachers tried to get me to understand how important it was to think about what you love to do when thinking about future careers... because I'm at that point. I would rather be doing a job that I love, that pays just a little bit, rather than suffering through some job that I hate, that might offer me just a bit more money. Maybe you've been lucky and you've never had to work at a job that you hated. But I haven't been so fortunate. I'm only 21 years old (I'll be 22 next month!) but I've already worked at a place where just the thought of having to go to work made me want to cry and stay in bed all day. Ya. That bad. Luckily that job is in my past.

I've finally found something that I love to do. Talking about books. I read books, then I talk about them here on this blog, and on my YouTube channel. It's pretty straight forward. I don't make a lot of money through that, but still. I'm doing something that I love.

I also work as a receptionist for a company here where I go to school. I started a year ago, and I work for some really great people. While I'm not exactly passionate about it, it does pay the bills and I'm lucky to work with some wonderful people. When I was hired my bosses knew that I would only be around for a short while until I finished up with school. We were looking at the short term instead of the long term, but it's a wonderful job while I have it. And I know that I'll remain friends with my bosses even after we move away.

I've recently added something else to my list of current jobs. Not only am I working as a receptionist, I'm blogging on this website, vlogging on my BookTube channel, but now I sell makeup. You heard me. Makeup.

Some of you already know that I love makeup alllmost as much as books. No wait. That's impossible.

But I do really love makeup. Ever since I was a little girl I've been begging my mom to let me wear makeup, and in the 6th grade, she finally caved. She allowed me to wear invisible mascara and I just thought that it was the best thing ever!

I was introduced to Younique's products through an old friend of mine. We had played volleyball together in high school and we both played clarinet together in band as well. I was immediately interested when I saw that it was all natural and had such amazing reviews. I was seeing the products on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and even YouTube! I even saw some of my favorite Beauty Gurus talk about it on their beauty channels!

I'm now what they call an Independent Presenter and I even have my own website! www.youniquewithjessica.com

I love that it's all online! Instead of having house parties at the actual hostess's house, it's on Facebook! It's the best! Click here to visit my online virtual party open to everyone! 

So in the upcoming weeks you're going to see some new videos from me involving makeup! I know that some of you are indifferent to makeup and that's okay! You can just skip those few videos! But the rest of you that are always asking about what kind of makeup I'm currently wearing, etc, might be excited! If you ever decide you want to buy anything, you can just go visit my site!

Here very soon you'll be seeing a Beauty Haul where I show you some of the new and exciting makeup I've received! I'm also planning on doing a video trying out the amazing 3D Fiber Lashes! I've seen this mascara ALL over the internet and I can't wait to show you all what it's capable of! It's like wearing false lashes without actually glueing on the lashes! I'm also going to be holding a giveaway for the mascara! Get excited!! And stay tuned for that!

Here is a list of all of the products! Check them out and let me know if you would like me to review any of them for you in future videos!

I've been talking to Jamie from Ermahgerd Berks (Who is also on my team! So exciting!) and we have even talked about doing some makeup tutorials related to books! I'm really excited for that! Let me know in the comments if you have any suggestions for any book related tutorials!

Okay, enough about makeup. Sorry. It's hard to reign in my enthusiasm sometimes...
I just wanted to share this new journey I'm taking!

My goals are to try and grow what I already have in the BookTube community, as well as this new endeavour!

Jake and I have been talking a lot about our futures, and I would love to work at home full-time! (and then finish getting my degree as well of course!) We've also talked about where we want to live... If I want to finish my degree at my current college or maybe transfer... maybe finish online... When we want to buy our first house... tons of stuff! All of this is very scary but exciting! Changes are in store and I hope you all decide to stay by my side through it all!

Change can be scary, but it can be worth it!

July Wrap Up!

I can't believe August is already here! 

I had a really good reading month in July! Mostly that was thanks to the BookTube-a-Thon!

Let me know in the comments what you guys read in July!