Spoken For {by Robin Jones Gunn and Alyssa Joy Bethke}

Title: Spoken For

Author: Robin Jones Gunn & Alyssa Joy Bethke

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Say Yes to the Love Story of Your Life. A great romance was set in motion before you were born. A relentless Lover is pursuing you, and He has made His intentions clear. He wants you to be His forever. How will you respond to the One who longs for you to be His with your whole heart?
In Spoken For, Robin Jones Gunn and Alyssa Joy Bethke speak to your heart about what it means for you to belong to Christ, who you are because of His love, and how that affects the way you live. Drawing on biblical promises and their personal experiences, these two friends share what it’s like to live out God’s unfolding love story.
You are not up for grabs. You are spoken for.

I loved this one. This was a sweet and touching book that will surely make you think about you and your life, if not completely change it. If you've read any of Robin's books, you know that she has a knack for writing deep, touching stories. And this may be Alyssa's first book, but I think she did an excellent job.

These were the chapter titles in this book, and the topics that Gunn and Bethke cover. Each chapter was filled with such truth and honesty. I loved the personal anecdotes from each of them. They were candid and honest, and each put so much of themselves into this book, and it shows. Their personalities shone through, and you will laugh and cry as you read along with their experiences.

This book has an amazing message that, frankly, I think all young (and even not-so-young) girls need to hear. It is so relevant, in today's culture and with the things that teens face, and this book is exactly the light in a dark world that young girls need. 

I received a free copy from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.
This review can also be found on   

Robin Jones Gunn: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Goodreads

Alyssa Joy Bethke: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest 

Freak of Nature {by Julia Crane}

Title: Freak of Nature

Author: Julia Crane
Series: IFICS #1

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Donate Body to Science. Check.When seventeen-year-old Kaitlyn checked the box, she never suspected she’d have her life–and her body–stolen from her. She awakens one day in a secret laboratory to discover that her body is now half-robot and is forced to hide her own secret: that she still has human emotions and a human mind. If the scientists who made her find out, they’ll erase what remains of who she was.
Kaitlyn finds an unlikely ally in Lucas, a handsome, brilliant scientist who can’t get over the guilt he feels knowing she was once a vibrant, beautiful young woman. He never expected a science project to affect him the way she does. As he tries to help her rediscover her past, he finds himself falling for the brave girl struggling to find her place and acceptance between the human and computer worlds.

This was an interesting concept. I mean, a human turned part robot? I was definitely intrigued. And while this was still fairly interesting, it wasn't quite what I had hoped for, and I was felt feeling a little disappointed in the execution of such an amazing concept.

Kaitlyn had chosen to donate her body to science, not thinking that she would die at seventeen, or that "science" would choose to turn her into a cyborg. But when she wakes up after the accident, that's what she is. The company and the people who made her stripped her of all her own feelings and emotions...except that it didn't really work. Kaitlyn can still think for herself, and has feelings--especially for cute scientist, Lucas. But if she lets them know that she has still retained her personality, they would take it away. So, she hides it.

I was left feeling like so much more could be done with this concept than just the romance aspect of it. Kaitlyn finds herself falling for Lucas, but she doesn't even know what that means, really. Nor can she let him know, because he's one of the scientists. Lucas finds himself falling for Kaitlyn, but she's a robot. She has no feelings, or humanity. Or so he thought.

I mean, I can kind of understand the romance, but at the same time, I couldn't. At least on Lucas's part. I mean, the only thing he could say about her was that she was beautiful. Like, that doesn't build a relationship. Then, the other parts of her that I suppose attracted him to her, like her intelligence and amazing combat abilities, weren't her. They were the computer inside of her. I can understand a relationship building after he realized she still had thoughts and feelings and emotions, but I didn't like the basis of this relationship.

As far as the characters themselves, I couldn't really connect with any of them. I mean, obviously Kaitlyn's part cyborg, but even beyond that. Any personal issues that were brought up, such as their pasts, seemed out of place. There was no connection to any of the characters, and I found that I couldn't really bring myself to care about them. However, I did like some of the decisions Kaitlyn made at the end, and for this reason might consider reading the second one.

This does bring up interesting questions of humanity, and how far one can go to remove it. It did keep my interest, which is saying something. And I did enjoy it well enough. But ultimately, I felt let down by a story that could have been so much more.

I received an ecopy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
This review can also be found on   

Julia Crane:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | tumblr | Goodreads

Vintage {by Susan Gloss}

Title: Vintage

Author: Susan Gloss

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

At Hourglass Vintage in Madison, Wisconsin, every item in the boutique has a story to tell . . . and so do the women who are drawn there.
Yellow Samsonite suitcase with ivory, quilted lining, 1950s...Violet Turner had always dreamed of owning a shop like Hourglass Vintage. Though she knows the personal history behind each precious item she sells, Violet refuses to acknowledge her own past. When she is faced with the possibility of losing the store, she realizes that, as much as she wants to, she cannot save it alone.
Taffeta tea length wedding gown with scooped neckline and cap sleeves, 1952...Eighteen-year-old April Morgan is nearly five months along in an unplanned pregnancy when her hasty engagement is broken. When she returns the perfect 1950s wedding dress, she discovers unexpected possibilities and friends who won't let her give up on her dreams.
Orange sari made from silk dupioni with gold paisley design, 1968...Betrayed by her husband, Amithi Singh begins selling off her old clothes, remnants of her past life. After decades of housekeeping and parenting a daughter who rejects her traditional ways, she fears she has nothing more ahead for her.
An engaging story that beautifully captures the essence of women's friendship and love, Vintage is a charming tale of possibility, of finding renewal and hope when we least expect it.

I loved this book. I don't read a lot of adult fiction, but I enjoyed this one. It was a sweet and easy read, and the vintage element added a lot more fun. I loved getting to know the three characters, and how their lives intertwined because of this store.

Violet owns a vintage store. After escaping a bad marriage, Violet has finally gotten to do what she always wanted. But, she is getting older, and she can't stop her wistful thinking for a family, a child. April is 18-years-old, and pregnant. She buys her wedding dress from Violet's store, only for her engagement to be broken, leaving her to return her perfect dress. Amithi has been married for over 40 years, when she discovers her husband's betrayal. With a grown daughter, no work experience, and all her family back in India, Amithi is stuck. She begins cleaning out her closet, bringing things to Violet's store to be sold off.

Each of the characters were in different stages of life, and also marriage. Yet they were able to come together for each other. Each voice was written uniquely, as to really showcase the differences between the women. The story was written in the present, but with flashbacks. This could have become really confusing, but it wasn't. It was well-done, and really characterized each of the women.

Okay, I might have especially loved that there was an Indian woman in here, and I think Gloss did an exceptional job of relaying the struggles that come with being an Indian woman who leaves her family behind to come here with her husband, as well as the struggles that come with raising a daughter in two cultures. Everything rang true, and I loved the showcase of diversity.

The story may have been considered predictable, but I didn't care, because it was very well done. It was equally full of emotions and humor (drag queens, anyone?). This was an excellent debut, and I will definitely be picking up whatever Susan Gloss writes next.

This review can also be found on   

Susan Gloss:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest | Etsy Shop | Goodreads

Rebel Belle {by Rachel Hawkins}

Title: Rebel Belle

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Series: Rebel Belle, #1

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts.
Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him—and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.
With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more.

I loved this book. I wasn't sure if I was going to, because when I first heard about it, it didn't really seem like my thing. But I'm so glad I read it, because I loved it. It was hilarious, sassy, and just so much fun.

Harper is totally my kind of girl. Which isn't exactly true, because we wouldn't exactly run in the same circles in real-life. In fact, without getting to know each other, we would probably hate each other. But, Harper sarcasm and sense of humor was so much like my own, I was able to connect with her in a way I usually don't with female MC's. 

Images taken from author's tumblr

I also have a weakness for romances thy start where the two actually hate each other. I don't know what it is, but those are actually my favorite (if done well). David was nerdy cute, which is my favorite type of guy (he won me over at Doctor Who tshirt), and although a bit obnoxious, still loveable. Harper and David always at each others' throats was hilarious and just fun to read about. 

I wouldn't say this had non-stop action, but the action parts were well done. This concept of Paladins was different, and I think Hawkins did a very good job executing them. This isn't usually what I read, but I loved it.

This review can also be found on   

Rachel Hawkins:

Blog | tumblr | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads