Blog Tour: A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro (Review + Giveaway!)

Hello Guys! It's Rin Here and welcome to my tour stop on A Study in Charlotte (by Brittany Cavallaro) Blog Tour. Make sure to enter the giveaway at the end of this post to win 1 of 10 finished copies of A Study in Charlotte! For more information about this tour, visit the tour page right here. This tour is hosted by The Fantastic Flying Book Club. Hope you enjoy!

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A Study in Charlotte (Charlotte Holmes #1) 
by Brittany Cavallaro
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Series: Charlotte Holmes #1
Genres: YA, Mystery, Contemporary, Retelling, Fiction, Romance, Thriller

goodreads | amazon

Rating:

The last thing sixteen-year-old Jamie Watson–writer and great-great-grandson of the John Watson–wants is a rugby scholarship to Sherringford, a Connecticut prep school just an hour away from his estranged father. But that’s not the only complication: Sherringford is also home to Charlotte Holmes, the famous detective’s enigmatic, fiercely independent great-great-granddaughter, who’s inherited not just his genius but also his vices, volatile temperament, and expertly hidden vulnerability. Charlotte has been the object of his fascination for as long as he can remember–but from the moment they meet, there’s a tense energy between them, and they seem more destined to be rivals than anything else.

Then a Sherringford student dies under suspicious circumstances ripped straight from the most terrifying of the Holmes stories, and Jamie and Charlotte become the prime suspects. Convinced they’re being framed, they must race against the police to conduct their own investigation. As danger mounts, it becomes clear that nowhere is safe and the only people they can trust are each other.

Equal parts tender, thrilling, and hilarious, A Study in Charlotte is the first in a trilogy brimming with wit and edge-of-the-seat suspense.

"Just this morning, she'd chased me from her lab, wielding her violin like a weapon. Tomorrow night we might be sharing a cell. Tonight? Tonight, I was getting punch."

I had a lot of fun with this book. I had a few good laughs and never-ending smiles as I read on about these two. A Study in Charlotte is a retelling of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson as their descendants Charlotte Holmes and Jamie Watson  try to solve a murder that they are being framed for. 

Both Holmes (Charlotte) and Watson (Jamie) are both great characters. I couldn't help, but love their skills at solving crimes and how great they both are at doing it--though not perfect. 

Charlotte is a very complex character with so many personality traits. James had already caught my attention from the first page. Together, they are a fantastic crime solving duo as thick as thieves. In this book, we get these two unique characters who will definitely bite back with twice the intensity.  

This plot had an edge to it that I really liked. It had wonderful concepts, a bit of fluff and a bit of aghast here and there. Some parts really hit a spot in my heart. The pacing wasn't too slow and moments did speed up more than others. 

Charlotte's drug usage was very emphasized. It was everywhere. She had problems and as I got deeper into the book, I liked that I actually got to know her more and that she wan't just a hardcore drug user who looks a bit goth and is very antisocial. She had personality. 

I am rating this book a total of 4 stars out of 5 stars, because the plot was well thought through and mysterious, the characters were snarky, and the writing flowed well creating a wonderful debut.

Waiting on Wednesday #30: Beast

Hey Guys! It's Rin here!
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme created and hosted by Breaking the Spine.

Beast

by Brie Spangler

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Genres: YA, Retellings, Contemporary, Glbt, Fantasy

Expected Publication: October 11th 2016

find this book on

goodreads | amazon

Tall, meaty, muscle-bound, and hairier than most throw rugs, Dylan doesn’t look like your average fifteen-year-old, so, naturally, high school has not been kind to him. To make matters worse, on the day his school bans hats (his preferred camouflage), Dylan goes up on his roof only to fall and wake up in the hospital with a broken leg—and a mandate to attend group therapy for self-harmers.

Dylan vows to say nothing and zones out at therapy—until he meets Jamie. She’s funny, smart, and so stunning, even his womanizing best friend, JP, would be jealous. She’s also the first person to ever call Dylan out on his self-pitying and superficiality. As Jamie’s humanity and wisdom begin to rub off on Dylan, they become more than just friends. But there is something Dylan doesn’t know about Jamie, something she shared with the group the day he wasn’t listening. Something that shouldn’t change a thing. She is who she’s always been—an amazing photographer and devoted friend, who also happens to be transgender. But will Dylan see it that way?

I love retellings. Period. But you know what I love more about retellings? When the author takes the story and creates their own twist on the story. This story has to do with GLBT and transgender. I have only read one diverse book in my whole life and I would love for this to add to this list. I REALLY, emphasize on the REALLY want to get to know both of these characters.   

tell me: what are you waiting for?

Doodle Review: Every Last Word By Tamera Ireland Stone

[ It's Al Here! ]

Blog Tour: After the Woods by Kim Savage (Review + Dream Cast)

Hey guys! :D It's Rin Here! Today.... *drumroll please* ... is my stop on the After the Woods (by Kim Savage) Blog Tour, hosted by The Fantastic Flying Book Club.

To follow this tour click here. 

I've been really excited to read and review this book, soo here we go!

After the Woods

by Kim Savage  

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Release Date: February 23, 2016

Genres: YA, Mystery, Contemporary, Thriller, Realistic Fiction, Suspense, Horror

find this book on

goodreads | amazon | barnes&noble

Rating:  

Would you risk your life to save your best friend?

Julia did. When a paroled predator attacked Liv in the woods, Julia fought back and got caught. Liv ran, leaving Julia in the woods for a terrifying 48 hours that she remembers only in flashbacks. One year later, Liv seems bent on self-destruction, starving herself, doing drugs, and hooking up with a violent new boyfriend. A dead girl turns up in those same woods, and Julia’s memories resurface alongside clues unearthed by an ambitious reporter that link the girl to Julia’s abductor. As the devastating truth becomes clear, Julia realizes that after the woods was just the beginning.

After the Woods was interesting and a great read. It was this mystery/suspense/thriller story involving these two best friends, Julia and Liv, and their experience after the woods. 

First of all, I loved the very plot of the woods and what lurks within them. 

Julia's character is very likable and she is very easy to care for. I loved her strong, tough, personality as she is introduced. She has a lot to say to people about her living nightmare and more to say to the shrinks that her mom makes her go to. I love how much she doesn't want to give up --refuses to give up and seems to be one of the only people willing to fight back. 

Liv was closed off as one of the characters. She deals with her controlling mother, but she's breaking.  

The book was written in a way where there was more to think about even with all the events happening page after page. There was always something more to learn and to think about whether it be something that I never even thought about or something that I've never heard of before. 

The world is so dark. There was a lot of darkness surrounding this book and the characters in it. Everybody had a dark side and that's one of the reasons why I like this book. 

This story follows a plot of mysteriousness where Julia tries to learn more about what happened in the woods and more about her abductor. She meets friends, builds relationships, and finds out the truth about those 48 hours and what really happened. It's entrapping, mystifying, and something that I won't forget. 

Mid-Life-Reading Update: Superheroes & Bachelors | February 2016

Well guys! It's Rin Here!

It's been a crazy month and I've given up keeping track with my Goodreads reading challenge (3 book behind) *scrunches up face*.  I'm going to gave to step up my game. I have a list of books I have to keep up with. ALSO, was February always spelled with two r's?

Currently Reading | The Glass Sword (#2) by Victoria Aveyard

Publisher: HarperTeen

Series: Red Queen #2

Genres: YA, Fantasy, Romance

find this book on

goodreads | amazon

Mare Barrow’s blood is red—the color of common folk—but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control. 

The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince—the friend—who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.

Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors. 

But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat. 

Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?

Waiting on Wednesday #29: The Crown's Game

Hey Guys! It's Al Here!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme created and hosted by Breaking the Spine.

The Crown's Game 
by Evelyn Skye (The Crown's Game #1)
Publisher: Balzar + Blay
Series: The Crown's Game #1
Genres: YA, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Expected Date of Publication: May 17, 2016

find this book on 
goodreads | amazon

Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia—and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the Tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side.

And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the Tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.

Raised on tiny Ovchinin Island her whole life, Vika is eager for the chance to show off her talent in the grand capital of Saint Petersburg. But can she kill another enchanter—even when his magic calls to her like nothing else ever has?

For Nikolai, an orphan, the Crown’s Game is the chance of a lifetime. But his deadly opponent is a force to be reckoned with—beautiful, whip smart, imaginative—and he can’t stop thinking about her.

And when Pasha, Nikolai’s best friend and heir to the throne, also starts to fall for the mysterious enchantress, Nikolai must defeat the girl they both love . . . or be killed himself.

As long-buried secrets emerge, threatening the future of the empire, it becomes dangerously clear . . . the Crown’s Game is not one to lose.

Eeekkkkkkk! This book sounds soooo good! I read the synopsis and I was blown away! I love reading fantasy's and this story sounds so fun and creative. I also love reading about magic and I have already fallen in love with the characters! The author sounds like such a fun person and I just can't wait until this book comes out! (I especially like the date that is it being published on! It's going to be one cakey day for me!)

thoughts? share and comment down below!

Top Ten Tuesday #5: 10 Songs We Wish Were Books

It's Rin & Al Here! *wipes sweat off forehead* This is the actually the first time in forever that we brought back Top Ten Tuesday. Well anyway, we (and by "we", that means Rin) started celebrating when we saw that this weeks Top Ten was related to music and books.

Anyway...

Source

1.  Carried Away by Passion Pit

I have about one thing to say about this song. It's light. There's no aghast and it will make you smile instead of cry. I see this song being a romance novel. Really cute, really light, with ALL. THE. FEELS. 

2. Magnets by Disclosure

It's funny actually. Every time I listen to this song, it remind me of The 100 which is really weird because it has nothing to do with it AT ALL. I feel like if this song was a book, it would be kind of dark with a kickass main character.

Review: The Creeping by Alexadra Sirowy

The Creeping 
by Alexandra Siowry
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Pages: 400
Series: None
Genres: YA, Horror, Mystery, Contemporary 
Published On: August 18, 2015

Find On: Goodreads | Amazon

Rating: 

Eleven years ago, Stella and Jeanie disappeared. Stella came back. Jeanie never did.

Now all she wants is a summer full of cove days, friends, and her gorgeous crush—until a fresh corpse leads Stella down a path of ancient evil and secrets. 

Stella believes remembering what happened to Jeanie will save her. It won’t.

She used to know better than to believe in what slinks through the shadows. Not anymore.

This book was a bit hard to rate. I enjoyed the suspense and the overall mystery, but I had a problem with the way things ended. 

The beginning of the book was already an okay start. I mean sure, the main character was a bit of a bitch and sure, some people *cough* *cough* Daniel, were just plain assholes. The only character I seemed to actually like was Sam and at that only to a certain degree, because he was the only person in this whole group of people who wasn't a horrible person on the inside. 

As promised in the blurb, the story was creepy --although not completely scary-- even though I might be crazy for wanting a real monster. The story was a slow to get into, but I had not trouble understanding what was happening and what (ummm really mean thoughts) Stella was thinking about her own sister.

Doodle Review: Where She Went by Gayle Forman

[ It's Al Here! ]

To Be Read | February 2016

February 2016

Review: The Rose Society (#2) by Marie Lu

The Rose Society (The Young Elites #2)
by Marie Lu 
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Series: The Young Elites #2
Genres: YA, Fantasy, Romance
Published On: October 13, 2015

Find On: Goodreads | Amazon 

Rating:

Once upon a time, a girl had a father, a prince, a society of friends. Then they betrayed her, and she destroyed them all. 

Adelina Amouteru’s heart has suffered at the hands of both family and friends, turning her down the bitter path of revenge. Now known and feared as the White Wolf, she and her sister flee Kenettra to find other Young Elites in the hopes of building her own army of allies. Her goal: to strike down the Inquisition Axis, the white-cloaked soldiers who nearly killed her. 

But Adelina is no heroine. Her powers, fed only by fear and hate, have started to grow beyond her control. She does not trust her newfound Elite friends. Teren Santoro, leader of the Inquisition, wants her dead. And her former friends, Raffaele and the Dagger Society, want to stop her thirst for vengeance. Adelina struggles to cling to the good within her. But how can someone be good, when her very existence depends on darkness?

Waiting on Wednesday #28: The Art of Not Breathing

[ It's Rin Here! ]

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme created and hosted by Breaking the Spine.

The Art of Not Breathing 
by Sarah Alexander
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Genres: YA, Contemporary, Mystery
Expected Publication Date:  April 26, 2016

Find On: Goodreads | Amazon

Since her twin brother, Eddie, drowned five years ago, sixteen-year-old Elsie Main has tried to remember what really happened that fateful day on the beach. One minute Eddie was there, and the next he was gone. Seventeen-year-old Tay McKenzie is a cute and mysterious boy that Elsie meets in her favorite boathouse hangout. When Tay introduces Elsie to the world of freediving, she vows to find the answers she seeks at the bottom of the sea.

I came across this book at first because of the title and the beautiful colors that were used in the title. The blurb and storyline interested me to no end and I couldn't help noticing that APRIL 26 IS SOOOO FAR AWAY! I want to know what happened to her brother, Eddie. I want to be able to read this mystery. I want to know what happens between Tay and Elsie. This book seems like it would be a great read and I'll leave it for later to figure out whether or not this book will leave me breathing or not ;)

tell me: are you going to wait on this book with me? any other thoughts?