REVIEW: Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry

Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Only a Breath Apart is another stunning YA romance from Katie McGarry. This standalone centers upon Jesse Jameson is in line to inherit the land that's been in his family for generations. He's been in love with next door neighbor, Scarlett Copeland since childhood, but he's distanced himself from her because he wanted to protect her and a dark, family secret.

Scarlett has some dark secrets of her own, namely that her overprotective father is violent, and unpredictable--physically abusing her mother with the potential for more violence to Scarlett and her younger sister. The years of mental and emotional torment have left Scarlett isolated and dreaming of graduation and hopes that college might finally be the opportunity for her to break free. She is still deeply hurt by Jesse's action their freshman year; however, following the death of his grandmother, they seem to be on a destined path toward each other. Jesse's passion is to inherit and tend the Jameson land----there's just one catch: to prove his maturity, he has to win Scarlett's approval and her father's. But when Jesse finds out that Mr. Copeland is abusing her, he must decide what truly matters most: his family's land or helping the girl he's fallen in love with.

McGarry has the knack for writing page turning YA romances which also bridge important real word issues such as abuse and trauma. The relationship between Scarlett and Jesse is honest and heartfelt while being an excellent example for the kinds of relationships young adults should aspire to build. I loved every tenderly, crafted word of this book.

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REVIEW: Say You'll Remember Me by Katie McGarry

*Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Teen for an ARC in exchange for a fair review*

Expected publication: January, 30, 2018

Publisher's Summary:  When Drix was convicted of a crime--one he didn't commit--he thought his life was over. But opportunity came with the new Second Chance Program, the governor's newest pet project to get delinquents off the streets, rehabilitated and back into society. Drix knows this is his chance to get his life back on track, even if it means being paraded in front of reporters for a while.

Elle knows she lives a life of privilege. As the governor's daughter, she can open doors with her name alone. But the expectations and pressure to be someone she isn't may be too much to handle. She wants to follow her own path, whatever that means.

When Drix and Elle meet, their connection is immediate, but so are their problems. Drix is not the type of boy Elle's parents have in mind for her, and Elle is not the kind of girl who can understand Drix's messy life.

But sometimes love can breach all barriers.

Fighting against a society that can't imagine them together, Drix and Elle must push themselves--Drix to confront the truth of the robbery, and Elle to assert her independence--and each other to finally get what they deserve.

__________

McGarry pens another fantastic realistic romance with plenty of depth.  She excels at character development, introducing two teens who couldn't be more different.  Drix, falsely convicted of a crime but determined to make the best of his second chance.  Elle, the govenor's daughter, tired of being paraded around like a prize poodle, wanting more from her life than being the eye-candy on her father's political campaign.  Fate brings them together and McGarry takes care of the rest.  What I always love about her stories and characters is the realistic, polarizing attraction between characters that are an unlikely fit. 

I loved the sheer experience of reading this narrative.  I gobbled up every word. Shed some tears at the end and now count the days until the next McGarry release.

Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: Bourbon Kings #2 & #3 by J.R. Ward

The Bradfords hold the upmost tier to high society and a bourbon empire; however, the apparent suicide of the family patriarch is starting to look more and more like murder…

No one is above suspicion—especially the eldest Bradford son, Edward. The bad blood between him and his father is known far and wide, and he is aware that he could be named a suspect. As the investigation into the death intensifies, he keeps himself busy at the bottom of a bottle—as well as with his former horse trainer’s daughter. Meanwhile, the family’s financial future lies in the perfectly manicured hands of a business rival, a woman who wants Edward all to herself.

A lot happened in Book 2, but I found the pacing and the whole drama of it all too much. Honestly, it was like being stuck in an a combination between a Dynasty and a Dallas episode. Who shot JR?--er, no what happened to William?

I don't love this family, the setting or the characters but I kept reading because I want to know what happened and IF anyone in this familly might have a happily ever after.

The audiobook was a HUGE disappointment. I really disliked the narrative performance and found the use of character voice inflection distracting and a bit silly.

Final rating: 3 out of 5 stars

At first, the death of William Baldwine, the head of the Bradford family, was ruled a suicide. But then his eldest son and sworn enemy, Edward, came forward and confessed to what was, in fact, a murder. Now in police custody, Edward mourns not the disintegration of his family or his loss of freedom . . . but the woman he left behind.

Lane Baldwine was supposed to remain in his role of playboy, forever in his big brother Edward’s shadow. Instead he has become the new head of the family and the company. Convinced that Edward is covering for someone else, Lane and his true love, Lizzie King, go on the trail of a killer—only to discover a secret that is as devastating as it is game-changing.

As Lane rushes to discover the truth, and Sutton finds herself irresistibly drawn to Edward in spite of his circumstances, the lives of everyone at Easterly will never be the same again.

The final stretch! I was relieved to find out whodunnit but albeit surprised by the big reveal. I won't spoil it for those planning to read but it was a bit of a jolt. I'd figured out much of the other big reveal toward the end. It was nice to see Richard get the boot and for Gin to have an epiphany.  Lane and Edward were less interesting for me and I really felt that Max wasn't done justice with the storytelling.

Overall, it was just an 'okay' series for me. I prefer Ward's take on the supernatural to Kentucky bourbon.

Final rating: 3 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: Bluegrass #1-3 by Molly Harper

My Bluegrass Baby makes the first in a trio of books by Harper centered around characters wording for the Kentucky Tourism Commission in Frankfurt. Sadie Hutchins has dedicated her professional career toward being director of marketing only to learn that she has a challenger for the position--hot shot Josh Vaughn.

Sparks fly in this adorable and humorous romance that is just the right amount of Parks & Recreations meets The Office. I always love Harper's characterizations and humor plus the narration of Amanda Ronconi. Sadie and Josh have great chemistry but I loved the quirky other characters too.

What I appreciate most is the author's ability to share the love for her own state in this fun and creative way.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Book 2, Rhythm and Bluegrass focuses on another KTC employee, Bonnie Turkle, an archivist traveling to Mud Creek in order to rescue important items from historic but now defunct McBride Music Hall. On the way, Bonnie's car bursts into flames where she is luckily saved by hunky Will McBride--good Samaritan, mayor of Mud Creek and heir to a legacy he'd like nothing more than to see bulldozed to provide much needed economic growth to his floundering home town.

Bonnie finds evidence of a legendary musical event at the music hall and her plans to turn it into a museum put Mud Creek’s economic future at risk – not to mention the growing flirtation between the two of them. If these two can't find some sort of compromise, then both the town's past and future might be lost.

This one was probably my favorite of the three. I liked the relationship between Bonnie and Will and found the cast of secondary characters the most amusing.  The plot was engaging and nothing beats Bonnie's showdown with the opossum playing opossum in the music hall!

Final rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Readers finally get to see KTC employee Kelsey kick lowlife mooch Daryl out of her life.  Traveling to a secluded hotel for the office winter retreat just might be her excuse to tell co-worker Charlie how she really feels but a storm of epic proportions turns the trip from picturesque Hallmark movie closer to The Shining in a blink of an eye. Used to micromanaging everything, Kelsey isn't sure she can cope with these unforeseen circumstances.

Charlie's jealousy at hotel employee, Luke's obvious interest in Kelsey has tensions on high but just when they finally seem to be on the same page, Kelsey learns facts which make her feels used and betrayed.  Never fear! Turn about is fair play as Kelsey is given a dose of her own meddling medicine by boss, Sadie leading to a happily ever after.

This book in particular was funny. Another opossum meeting and there is nothing quite like trapping co-workers in close quarters to see what's discovered.  This was a fitting end to an endearing series that I definitely want more of!
Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @mollyharperauth


#kentucky #bluegrass #romance #humor #audiobooks #review

COVER REVEAL: Long Way Home by Katie McGarry

"An intoxicating and unforgettable story that kept me glued to the page."

—Kami Garcia, #1 New York Times bestselling author, on Walk the Edge

Seventeen-year-old Violet has always been expected to sit back and let the boys do all the saving.

It’s the code her father, a member of the Reign of Terror motorcycle club, raised her to live by. Yet when her dad is killed carrying out Terror business, Violet knows it’s up to her to do the saving. To protect herself, and her vulnerable younger brother, she needs to cut all ties with the club—including Chevy, the boy she’s known and loved her whole life.

But when a rival club comes after Violet, exposing old secrets and making new threats, she’s forced to question what she thought she knew about her father, the Reign of Terror, and what she thinks she wants. Which means re-evaluating everything: love, family, friends . . . and forgiveness.

Caught in the crosshairs between loyalty and freedom, Violet must decide whether old friends can be trusted—and if she’s strong enough to be the one person to save them all.

Add it to your Goodreads Now!

LONG WAY HOME Pre-Order Links:

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/29kYGo2

Kobo: http://bit.ly/29f7tpS  

BAM: http://bit.ly/298Brtj

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/29e4z8v

iBooks: http://apple.co/29e4F06

IndieBound: http://bit.ly/29aLSkP

And Don’t Miss the First Two Titles in the Thunder Road Series!

NOWHERE BUT HERE

WALK THE EDGE

Katie McGarry Bio:

Katie McGarry was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.

Katie is the author of full length YA novels, PUSHING THE LIMITS, DARE YOU TO, CRASH INTO YOU, TAKE ME ON,  BREAKING THE RULES, and NOWHERE BUT HERE and the e-novellas, CROSSING THE LINE and RED AT NIGHT. Her debut YA novel, PUSHING THE LIMITS was a 2012 Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction, a RT Magazine's 2012 Reviewer's Choice Awards Nominee for Young Adult Contemporary Novel, a double Rita Finalist, and a 2013 YALSA Top Ten Teen Pick. DARE YOU TO was also a Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction and won RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Best Book Award for Young Adult Contemporary fiction in 2013.

Links:

Website: www.katielmcgarry.com

Twitter: @katiemcgarry

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katielmcgarry

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4575371.Katie_McGarry?from_search=true

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/katielmcgarry/

Tumbler: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/katiemcgarryauthor

Instagram: http://instagram.com/katielmcgarry