Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
St Vladimir's Academy isn't just any boarding school - hidden away, it's a place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them.
Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They've been on the run, but now they're being dragged back to St Vladimir's where the girls must survive a world of forbidden romances, a ruthless social scene and terrifying night time rituals.
But most of all, staying alive.
Rose Hathaway is in a bit of trouble after being on the run with best friend Lissa. When found, they're forced back into the world of St Vladimir's but not without a catch.
To become a true guardian to the elite Moroi, Rose must do everything possible if she wants to protect Lissa. She must sacrifice a great deal in order to serve, including her new tutor Dimitri.
But with everything threatening to get in her way and something sinister happening on Campus, Rose needs to be on high alert, not high on lust.
With exams, new queens of the school, boy problems and a best friend on the brink of madness, could it get any worse? Oh yeah, there's a school dance to attend.
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead, is the first instalment in the Vampire Academy series and let me tell you, I haven't been in love with a series like this since way back in the day to The Morganville series by Rachel Caine.
I literally couldn't put the book down and as soon as I finished reading it I rushed to buy the second one. Now, at first I thought Rose was a bit of a pain but as the story progressed, so did her character and we see so much more of who she really is, as well as all the other characters.
I found this book highly enjoyable, fast paced and full of great humour as well as some shockers. I would highly recommend this series for teens as well as adults, because who doesn't love a bit of YA every now and then?
Although great, there are some slight flaws in the book with how some of the characters whined on, which is the only reason why I will be bumping it down a couple of marks.
I will be giving this book 8/10
The Girl Before by JP Delaney
Jane stumbles on the rental opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to live in a beautiful ultra-minimalist house designed by an enigmatic architect, on condition she abides by a long list of exacting rules.
After moving in, she discovers that a previous tenant, Emma, met a mysterious death there - and starts to wonder if her own story will be a re-run of the girl before.
Emma's past and Jane's present become inexorably entwined in this tense, page-turning portrayal of psychological obsession.
Would you live in a house with pristine walls, works surfaces with state of the art technology and all for a good price?
Would you still stay if you couldn't have no books, music, DVD's, magazines or children for that matter?
Jane is looking for an a place to escape from her past, she wants nothing more than a minimalist life and she thinks she's come to the right place. Though One Folgate Street has something sinister lurking within its walls, and its not until a tragic accident, that the walls start to crumble.
Edward Monkford is a man of many talents. He's charming, sophisticated and very intelligent. Though when things don't go the way he planned, whats the highest price he's willing to pay?
All you have to do, is sign on the dotted line at the very end of the contract, then watch your new life unfold before your eyes...even if it is a little maddening.
The Girl Before by J.P Delaney, is the first book I have ever read by the author and it certainly won't be the last. I loved this book from the get go and it has easily become one of my favourite reads of 2018. I couldn't put the book down, I think since reading The Girlfriend, this was my second book into the world of Psychological Thrillers and I can't wait to read more of its kind!
The whole plot behind the story is brilliant and it works so well. It is enough to make you read until the early hours, just so you can get one more chapter in, even though your eyes feel like they're full of sand. It certainly gave me chills and there's a very creepy feel to the book which I loved.
If there's a book that you need to read next year, I would highly recommend The Girl Before it will not disappoint. The book has since been picked up by Ron Howard for film rights and there is a second book out called 'Believe Me', which I can't wait to sink my teeth into in the New Year.
I will be giving this book an excellent and well deserved, 10/10
Laurie is pretty sure love at first sight doesn't exist anywhere but the movies. But then, through a misted-up bus window one snowy December day, she sees a man who she knows instantly is the one.
Their eyes meet, there's a moment of pure magic...and then her bus drives away.
Laurie has everything planned; the perfect flat, best job and most importantly, Sarah - her best friend. Though what she didn't plan on, was to be falling in love with a complete stranger at a bus stop and spending an entire year searching for him.
Fast forward a year later and he's stood in front Laurie, in the girls flat but as Sarah's new boyfriend. His name is Jack O'Mara and he's the best thing that's ever happened to Laurie Sarah.
Over the span of ten years, problems arise for all three best friends, wine is shared, laughter is made and tears are shed. Though some secrets run deep and they should never resurface.
As Laurie and Jack try to overcome their differences and love for one another, there's only one question to ask.
How many times can you fall in love?
One Day in December by Josie Silver, is the first book that Ms Silver has written under her own name. She is actually connected to one of the best series that I have ever read, yes - you know it! It's The Knight Series. She has written under the pen names as Kat French and Kitty French and I was so excited when I found out that this was the same woman.
I absolutely loved this book so much, it was such a Christmas romance read. I understand that there has been some controversy by some reviewers about the point of view on the romance of the book and its something that I don't agree with at all. I can understand where they're coming from and I respect that, but I don't believe that the main couple in the book are "cheating" they love each other and over the years they have missed their chance and they love each other from afar.
The whole story is great and I can't wait for more by this fabulous author, I'm excited to find out that she has another book in the pipeline to be released this year, so be on the look out!
I will be giving this book 10 out of 10
Lockout by Maya Cross
Who is Sebastian Locke?
Sophia had never felt attraction like that before. Raw. Electric. Irresistible. Swept off her feet by the dashing, enigmatic billionaire Sebastian Lock, she was taken on a journey of self-discovery, taken to places she never dreamt she’d go.
But things are never as simple as they appear. Sophia’s trust is a fragile thing, and Sebastian seems insistent on testing it. He has his own demons to battle, and nobody has brought them to the fore like she has.
Sofia's trust is fragile, Sebastian doesn't seem to care. He loves pushing all her buttons, more so than some and he's testing it at every angle possible.
Though theres something not quite right about Sebastian that Sofia can't grasp, some secret that he's not letting her in on. As Sophia continues to to break his high barriers and try to see who he really is, she's soon asking herself whether she really wants to know.
What does his tattoo mean? Why does he keep pushing her away when he knows everything about her? And who is the woman on his phone?
Sophia will find out about her lover, even when theres red light warnings ahead.
Lockout by Maya Cross, is the second instalment in the 'Alpha Group' series, and I loved it. Its much more in-depth than the first one 'Locked' it feels a lot richer in the sense of the plot and Cross delves deeper into each character to find out what really makes them tick and more about them.
I am thoroughly enjoying Sofia's character, she's nothing short of a pushover, she's very much the opposite. She stands no messing with Sebastian and is willing to go out go her way and behind his back to find out what he's really up to.
It's such a great read and I can't wait to get started on the next one in the series, which I'm happy that it still follows on from Sofia's and Sebastian's story rather than going onto other characters in the book. So much more went off in this book, it goes deeper into the story and you find out more about Sebastian's past.
I will be giving this book 8 out of 10
