Complicate Me Review

Author: M. Robinson

Genre: Romance, Mature, Coming of Age

Rating: 5 Stars

Our first kiss was our beginning and in some ways our end.

I just know that after M. Robinson finished this novel, she smirked at her manuscript, smoked a cigar and thought, "let me give my readers hell". And hell she brought. The most wonderful kind of hell. Complicate Me was simply a stunning literary work. It was authentic, captivating and heartwarming while still being brutally tragic and raw. Complicate Me encapsulates the beauty, pain and happiness of life. 

She would tell me later in life that nothing calmed her more than my arms around her, and if I had known that then, I would have held her every time she looked at me with sadness or disappointment. And maybe it could have helped heal the wounds that I cut along the way.

In this little town of Oak Island, the story of Alex and Lucas begins. Now I know what you are all thinking; another romance story, sigh, what is new? And I am here to say that Complicate Me is refreshingly new, original and kick ass. Alex and Lucas have been best friends, soulmates, and each others salvation since birth. Complicate Me begins at the end and goes through the chain of the events that lead to a heartbrokenly powerful moment. Most importantly, Complicate Me felt like an out of body experience as I vividly lived through someone else's story. It taught me to live. 

“You’re a good girl, Alexandra. That’s what makes you my Half-Pint. You’re the calm to my storm. It’s always been that way,” he paused to let his words sink in. “You’re my refuge.”

Being best friends, one would assume things would come easy for Alex and Lucas. It becomes blatantly clear that this is not the case. Alex is born a few years after Lucas and her three other best friends, Jacob, Austin and Dylan, and because of that she has always been seen as "the baby". As they all begin to grow up, Alex struggles to break out of their image of her. Mostly, she struggles to show Lucas that she is conscious and mature enough to see the impenetrable bond between themselves. Lucas struggles with accepting that Alex will not always be his brown-eyed girl. 

I was slapped in the face with my own hurricane. The winds turned against me and I didn’t even fight it. I let it take hold. I deserved it all.

There are so many turns and obstacles that both Alex and Lucas have to face. What sets this novel apart from others is its theme. Not only are we in the search for love but also comfort with being ourselves. Ultimately, it is a coming of age story, trying to find your place in the world and accepting everything that you are. Every character in this novel is constantly evolving and growing through their life experiences. M. Robinson shows both the happy and the dark moments, creating a constant rollercoaster ride of emotions. I was on the edge of my seat through out this reading experience (I still am from the ending...on to book 2). 

I loved picking on her as much as the other boys did. I believed it was in my blood to do it. My dad picked on my mom relentlessly, and my grandfather did the same with my grandmother. It was a Ryder trait. If we didn’t pick on our girls, then we didn’t love them enough. My dad constantly reminded my mom that the day he stopped picking on her would be the day he stopped loving her.

M. Robinson creates a great romance novel and ultimately a great life novel. The characters were all so dynamic, witty, intuitive and just plain fun. There were moments where I wanted to become part of their family; they are literally SQUAD GOALS! The plot is simple yet complex at the same time, having a lot of substance and depth to it. Ultimately, I just loved, LOVED, Complicate ME. I would honestly not change one thing. 

“One day I’m going to fall in love and he’s going to love me fearlessly. He’s going to protect me and fight for me. He won’t care about what anyone thinks, because he’s not a dummy like you are. We’re going to be happy because all you need is love."

There is something about love stories that bloom from childhood that always tugs at my heart. I think it is the truest form of love; it is a time where we are too young to be dishonest with ourselves, where society's expectations haven't hammered down on us, and we are unabashedly free. Complicate Me, at its core, is liberating. I loved and hated reading it. 

I love every single thing about you. I love you because I need you. I love you because there is no me without you. I love you because I can’t stop loving you, and I would be lying if I said I had tried.

Find this novel on Amazon and Goodreads.

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Black Lies Review

Author: Alessandra Torre

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Dark

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Alessandra Torre once again surprises everyone with a dynamic and complex story of love, devotion and decisions. This summer, Hollywood Dirt was released and to be brutally honest, it didn't live up to my expectations from such a authentic author! This right here, reading Black Ties, restored my faith in Alessandra Torre. She has an epic craft of creating the most original and entertaining love stories out there. It is an ingenious craft. 

The synopsis remains intentionally vague and indistinct. For this reason, my review will take on the same theme. I beg anyone planning to read this to go into to blind. Having a blank slate makes the reading experience so much more vibrant and enjoyable. It is like going to a horror movie and knowing what will happen; it takes off the edge factor.... You REALLY don't want to lose the edge factor with this novel. 

“You been hurt?” 

“Not yet.” 

He stared at me so steadily, an odd emphasis placed on the words, as if he was giving his heart to me with both hands, certain that it would lead to his demise.

At the age of 29, Layanna is placed at the pinnacle of her life, she loves two men wholeheartedly. Now some people would justifiably say that is not a good enough excuse for "stringing" along two men. However,  Alessandra Torre takes us into this world of greyness, a world where everything isn't as seems. One has to maintain their wit in the hopes of not being too disillusioned. More than being a good read, the novel is a real life game between reality and abstraction. 

“Yeah. I couldn’t even tell you where I’ve been. Everything…” he grew quiet. “Everything fades unless I’m with you.” It should have been a compliment. Instead, it felt more like a prison sentence. A statement of fact. 

I didn’t respond.

The characters were all so complex and evolutionary. The development is phenomenal and really bring together the ending (can we call it an ending with that prologue though? who knows...). They were all so distinct, flawed and human. Torre personified human ambitions and faults through her characters, adding substance and complexity to Black Lies. 

“Why’d you leave with me?” Open curiosity in his eyes. Like any woman needed to explain running off with a billionaire. “I figured you should have one night you didn’t have to pay for.” 

His eyes smiled. “I like paying.”

 I was honestly enamoured throughout Black Lies. It pulls you into the core and everything else around ceases to be real. I was hypnotised and spellbound. I really recommend this novel for anyone who loves romance and is willing to have your mind challenged, if not, misled. 

“I loved you. I still love you. Even when I hate you, I love you. I always will. I’m not a smart man, but I know that."

Find this gem on Goodreads or Amazon!

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Before We Were Strangers Review

Author: Renée Carlino
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 5 stars

We both cried together, surrendering to the reality that we had to accept. 

I have been so scared of reviewing Before We Were Strangers by Renée Carlino for some particular reason. Maybe it's the fact that it affected me so much that every time I think about the novel, I want to burst into tears. This is not a normal reaction. It is also not a rational or explainable reaction. It is what it is. And Before We Were Strangers is definitely brilliant.

Friends forever might have been a tired expression, but when he asked, it was like music or poetry. I knew it meant something else. I knew it meant I need you in my life.

Matt and Grace met in NYU at what was arguably the best time of their lives. They were both artists with strong pasts. They became fast friends, creating such a unique and poignant bond that almost nothing could tarnish it. Both leaned on each other and complemented each other on a physical, emotional and psychological level. This is hard to achieve. It is even harder to create such a distinct and raw relationship in a novel; Renée Carlino achieved it all. 

Three seconds doesn’t seem like a long time, but when you’re gazing into someone’s eyes, it’s long enough to make a silent promise.

The operative word used previously was "almost" when stating that few things could have endangered Matt and Grace's relationship. There were a few instances where their relationship was tested and pulled. What I loved most about this story was the authenticity and rawness in the conflicts. It felt so authentic, mimicking real life and its struggles. This makes the reader relate to the issues presented. It makes you care. It makes you feel. It makes you think and question your own life. While reading, thoughts popped up like; I am truly happy? I am living to my most potential? When I look at myself, am I the person I wanted to be? These are simple thoughts but the fact that someone else story could make me question my own was a bit unnerving. 

Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash.

A truly great novel doesn't need flash, glitter or a production. It just needs to break the barrier between the reader and touch the heart. Great novels makes you feel. I state this a lot in my reviews, but its the truth. Feeling reminds us we are human, we are vulnerable and susceptible to the world. Before We Were Strangers felt like drinking wine after a long day. The writing was poetic and basically flowed across the page,as if a song and dance was going on.  The plot remains haunting beautiful, tragic and so so raw. It was gut wrenching and somber. The characters.... were not characters in the manner where you know they are fictional. Before We Were Strangers felt like a glimpse into the genuine lives of two individuals and the world around them.

I became acutely aware of everyone around me carrying on, living life. I was static, standing on the platform, watching train after train go by, wishing I knew which one to be on.

Matt and Grace fought fate and ended up together at the end. The fact that they conquered all odds is heart warming. I really, really enjoyed this novel. It just made me wonder and hope... 

She was perfect . . . poetry in motion—the evidence of a life burning well and bright.

Find this novel on Goodreads and Amazon! 
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Not You It's Me Review

Author: Julie Johnson

Genre:Contemporary, Romance

Rating: 4 Stars

“I can’t imagine there’s any man on earth who would regret kissing you.”

As I read more and more contemporary romance, I begin to feel disappointed in myself for thinking novels like 50 Shades of Grey were a great novels (besides the erotica). As the years continue and romance novels move back to Romance instead of Sex, I feel grateful. Don't get me wrong, sex is a huge part of most relationships, but it is not everything. I loved Not You It's Me because it had the perfect balance of both. First of all, Julie Johnson has a name that is just made to be published. I don't know why I find this important but it is! 

I might have given my heart to this novel.I can tell a novel is great from my body's response to it. There were shivers going through me. My body was saying; Yes, MORE of THIS! A novel is great, in my opinion, when it unifies not only your mind but your body, your soul. There is a certain magic in that that I rarely encounter. 

“You’re one of those weirdos who plays chess against himself, and lays awake at night thinking through strategy, and has a first edition of The Art of War on his bookshelf, aren’t you?” I shake my head in faux-exasperation. “I have a strict rule against dating men like that. I don’t want to be the Luke to anyone’s Yoda, you know what I’m saying?”

Not You It's Me is a story about two individuals, Gemma and Chase, brought together from years of pain, anger and disappointment. Gemma Summers is a 29 year old art curator, who is too scared of showing her art, her soul, to the world. Chase Croft is the soon to be CEO of Croft Industries, crushed by the pressure of expectation and duty. During a basketball game, their worlds combine and set in motion a chain of events that end in their happiness. 

“Stop looking at me like that, Gemma,” he says, his voice so low, it sounds like a threat. Probably because it is one. “Like what?” I ask defensively, my eyes locking with his. “Like you’d like to see what not dating me entails.”

Not You It's Me is a beautifully simple story. That is what makes it so special; it allows the reader to explore emotions rather than plot. I was a completely endearing story about struggle and love. The plot could be easily predicted but that didn't take away from the story too much. However, the ending felt too rushed; it could have been developed better to end on a stronger note. But the characters really did make up for it. Both major and minor characters made the novel flow naturally and realistic. I couldn't help but relate to their issues, laughing at their jokes, and crying alongside them.

“I know how it feels to be disappointed by family — by the people who are supposed to love you unconditionally. It’s a betrayal of everything that makes us human.

Find this on Goodreads and Amazon

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The Darkest Minds Review

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Genre: Dystopian, YA, Romance

Rating: 3 stars

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken is one of the most original stories to come out in 2012. The boom of dystopian novels brought upon a series of similiar, if not same, novels in the genre with the same very obvious formula. It is a very acclaimed genre, however, the amount of unoriginal stories makes dystopia very tedious and repetitive. The true founders of dystopia are George Orwell with 1984 and Margaret Atwoods' The Handmaid's tale. These two novels revolutionised the literary world and set the standard for great dystopian and Post Apocalyptic novels. 

Alexandra Bracken might have broken the tedious cycle with the Darkest Minds. This was not romance placed in a futuristic world or a contemporary forced into the distinct genre. The creativity, passion and work from Bracken placed into this novel makes The Darkest Minds are household name. The world is meticulously dark and despondent. The societal values, rules and guides are authentic and genuine, making the story all that more believable and enjoyable. With these factors, Alexandra Bracken has created a work that reminds reader why they continue to read dystopian novels.

With that said, its time to get to the tough part. The Darkest Minds had everything I needed to love it, but this didn't occur. I liked and respected it but throughout the whole reading process I felt disconnect from the general plot as it lacked a goal or aim despite the great world building and writing style. The beginning of the novel was stellar; seeing the children camps from inside created an intense atmosphere that pulled you into the story. However, as the novel progressed and the main character distanced herself from the camps, the plot lost a lot of heat and halted my personal progress from liking to loving. Three fourths of the novel became a cat-and-chase road trip between 4 young teenagers. Slowly, the Darkest Minds loses its strength and dulls in comparison to the first few chapters. 

Ruby wasn't the strongest protagonist. This is not saying that all protagonists have to be instantly strong and brave, because that isn't realistic either. Ruby lacked major character development and the novel suffered from that. She is seen as a leech, first in the camp where her best friend takes punishment for her and on the road where Liam and the others sacrifice themselves to protect her.She is one of the most "powerful" users in the US and yet she refuses to use her power to better her own world. She cowers to danger and runs, figuratively and literally, from the problems in her society. Ruby wasn't the greatest of protagonists but she was kind, loyal, caring and funny at times. The supporting character really made this story phenomenal; I loved them all for all their quirks and all! 

Overall, this could have been a great novel and a game changer. It had a lot of potential but the execution was lacking . Please take into consideration that this is my personal comments and opinions. It might not be accurate an indicator of the novels value and merit! I truly believe a large amount of readers will and have enjoyed this series. Alexandra Bracken does really know her craft and I applaud her for her dedication and work drive.

Find The Darkest Minds on Goodreads, Amazon and Barnes & Noble. 

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Sugar Baby Beautiful Review

Author: J.J.McAvoy

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Dark

Rating: 5 "freely given" stars

Sugar Baby Beautiful by J. J. McAvoy has been taking the book community by storm. Only released on the 21st of August, and its seen an outpour of high reviews and ratings. It makes people wonder, what makes this novel so special? What does it have that can cause such a stir in a community that at most times is critical and apprehensive about most novels. Having my favourite reviewers singing its praise, almost shocked me. This is the moment where I reveal how I judged a book by its cover (I'm sorry but its the first thing you see when you pick up any novel and even though I have been proven time and time again, I still do it). There is a pretty male and female on the cover, which is pretty standard in any contemporary romance. Nothing new , right? Wrong. Wrong in so many ways. 

I can't justify or excuse myself. I entered this book with my own prejudices and judgments, thinking this might be one of those overrated novels. Anyways, now that we have come to the conclusion that I can be an idiot (It really does happen to the best of us), I can get into the review.

Sugar Baby Beautiful is a beautiful story about two broken individuals finding light within each other and also within themselves. It is about coming out of a dark place and still finding a reason to live. It's about compatibility; finding that one person who accepts you flaws and all. Sugar Baby Beautiful might be categorised as contemporary romance, but from what I read and felt, it went far deeper than it has been credited for. It explored the human mind, depression, societies response to such matters, happiness, love, and this self inadequacy that I KNOW we have all felt at some point in time of our lives. J.J. McAvoy effortlessly and artistically approaches dark, and in some societies, taboo subjects.  From my perspective, this novel acted as a mirror, reflecting all my issues, emotions and scars and forcing me to open that floodgate of emotion. 

“Isn’t that the game we’re playing? You tell me to do something, I say no, yet you get me to do it anyway?”

The reader is introduced to Felicity Harper, a woman just trying to deal with life day by day. She lives in an apartment with her best friends, Marc and Chloe; making up her family.  One night, her friends convince her to go to this Sugar Daddy party where she can meet a rich guy and he can provide for her. At first, she is apprehensive about the party, not wanting anything more than sex from her companion. Finally she goes and meets Theo, the owner of the house, and there is instant intense and dark connection between both of them. It felt like two lost souls gravitating toward each other, forming an impenetrable bond. Felicity's music touches Theo and makes him feel, something he hasn't really done for a while. With both of their guards up, they work through their amazing but at times frustrating relationship. When Felicity joins Theo's entertainment company and gala performance, things get a bit REAL. At this point, I can't say any more without ruining the story. But expect the unexpected. There was this point in the novel where Sugar Baby Beautiful transformed from a contemporary romance to dark and uncharacteristically real story. 

The plot...damn...enough said....

The characters... holy mother.....

The last 20% of the novel....shaking my head...

This novel... left me speechless....

“How about Sugar Baby Beautiful?” I replied. He looked confused. “What does that mean?” “I’d like to think it means the kind of beauty even the richest people can’t buy.”

Sugar Baby Beautiful needs to be read. 

You can find this amazing novel on Goodreads, Amazon and Audible!

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