Reading is Dreaming with Open Eyes

Soo... I've always loved reading.

The Scholastic Book Fair days in elementary school were always my favorite days.

(this happens to me allllll the time!)

Well, I've been reading a lot lately. A LOT.

Thanks to my trusty book BFF, Leslie, I've had a lot of new books to read!

She and I always text back and forth about what we've been reading lately. I love that we have the same taste in books. And that, sometimes, we both read multiple books a week.

Here are some books that I've read recently...

Beautiful Disaster by: Jamie McGuire

Summary:

The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby wants—and needs—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

My thoughts:

I read this several months ago and I absolutely LOVED this book! And once I finished it, I was sooo sad that it was over! The characters and the story line were completely addictive. I couldn't put it down. This book is written from Abby's perspective, but the author is writing a second book from Travis's perspective. And I can't wait!

Slammed by: Colleen Hoover

Summary:

Colleen Hoover writes a romantic debut novel about a family shattered by a sudden death that leads to two unlikely lovers forming an intricate bond. Following the unexpected death of her father, eighteen-year-old Layken is forced to be the rock for both her mother and her younger brother. Outwardly, she appears resilient and tenacious, but inwardly, she’s losing hope.

One young man brings change to all of this. After moving across the country, Layken meets her attractive twenty-one-year-old neighbor who has an intriguing passion for slams. Within days of their introduction, Will and Layken form an intense connection, leaving Layken with a renewed sense of hope.

Not long after a heart-stopping first date, they are slammed to the core when a shocking revelation forces their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together and the forces that tear them apart.

My thoughts:

I read this book and it's sequel (Point of Retreat) in less than 24 hours. I was completely taken by the characters. I shed some serious tears while reading these books. And I fell in love with Will and Layken. Such an emotional story and journey. This is a must read for sure!

Point of Retreat by: Colleen Hoover

(book #2)

Summary:

Layken and Will's relationship persevered through hardships, heartache and a cruel twist of fate, further solidifying that they belong together.  What they don't expect is that the very hardships which brought them together could ultimately be what tears them apart.  

 Layken is left questioning the foundation on which their relationship was built.  

Will is left questioning how to further prove his love for the girl he's given up so much of his life for.

As if doubt isn't enough, the couple find themselves facing an even greater challenge.  One that could change not only their lives, but the lives of everyone who depend on them.

My thoughts:

See above for Slammed.

Crash by: Nicole Williams

Summary:

Southpointe High is the last place Lucy wanted to wind up her senior year of school. Right up until she stumbles into Jude Ryder, a guy whose name has become its own verb, and synonymous with trouble. He?s got a rap sheet that runs longer than a senior thesis, has had his name sighed, shouted, and cursed by more women than Lucy dares to ask, and lives at the local boys home where disturbed seems to be the status quo for the residents. Lucy had a stable at best, quirky at worst, upbringing. She lives for wearing the satin down on her ballet shoes, has her sights set on Juilliard, and has been careful to keep trouble out of her life. Up until now. Jude?s everything she needs to stay away from if she wants to separate her past from her future. Staying away, she?s about to find out, is the only thing she?s incapable of. For Lucy Larson and Jude Ryder, love?s about to become the thing that tears them apart.

My thoughts:

I read this book on Saturday. I couldn't put it down. This book is comparable to Beautiful Disaster! And my heart totally jumped for joy finding this book!! Nicole Williams had me hooked from the very beginning. I was immediately drawn to Lucy's character since she is a ballet dancer. This is another page turner and tear jerker!

Easy by: Tammara Webber

Summary: 

A girl who believes trust can be misplaced, promises are made to be broken, and loyalty is an illusion. A boy who believes truth is relative, lies can mask unbearable pain, and guilt is eternal. Will what they find in each other validate their conclusions, or disprove them all?

When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup two months into sophomore year. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she's single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, and failing a class for the first time in her life.

Leaving a party alone, Jacqueline is assaulted by her ex's frat brother. Rescued by a stranger who seems to be in the right place at the right time, she wants nothing more than to forget the attack and that night--but her savior, Lucas, sits on the back row of her econ class, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. Her friends nominate him to be the perfect rebound.

When her attacker turns stalker, Jacqueline has a choice: crumple in defeat or learn to fight back. Lucas remains protective, but he's hiding secrets of his own. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy.

My thoughts:

I started this book Sunday night and I finished it about 6:30 yesterday evening.  Tammara Webber has this amazing ability to craft these remarkable and hard-to-get-out-of-your-head stories. I was captivated by her writing from page one. And these characters and their stories and struggles felt so real to me. I think I may be falling in love with Lucas! Again, be sure you have tissues on hand!

What books are you reading?!

{All summaries taken from Amazon}