Happy Monday, friends! Let’s talk about a few things I’ve read recently! I have to say….these 3 books couldn’t be any more different which pretty much sums up my reading life — very eclectic.
The Deal by Elle Kennedy
About In A Sentence (ish): Hannah, a girl with a crush on a popular football player at her college, makes a deal with Garrett, a hockey player with a reputation, in which he’ll help her get Justin’s attention and she’ll help him pass his Ethics exam so he’ll be able to stay on the team.
Thoughts: I’m super picky about the New Adult romance books I read so I always go into them pretty nervous. This one was soooo addictive and I really enjoyed it! Totally hooked! I love the hate to love trope. It’s one of my faves of all time. Plus the fact it started with the kind of “deal” that it did? I LOVE THAT KIND OF STUFF. When people who don’t mean to fall for each other do…SWOON. I didn’t always love Garrett but his character grew on me and, while he’s not my type, I found their relationship to be something I was so invested in — especially how they grew into a friendship during their study sessions and then into something more. Some of those parts were my FAVE. I loved their banter and their chemistry! I cannot wait to read the rest of the series because I’m so curious about the other guys they feature. Overall, I can’t really explain why I enjoyed this one so much — it was super fun and sexy. It wasn’t anything new or original in terms of tropes or storylines and it was pretty predictable….but none of that mattered because something about the characters and their stories hooked me. So happy to be able to have another New Adult romance I will happily recommend because I only have a few in my arsenal that I truly loved.
Rating:
Invisible Monsters (Remix) by Chuck Palahniuk
About In A Sentence-ish: The main character is a former model with a great boyfriend and career and life in general who is involved in an accident that basically mangles her face and her ability to speak — not to mention her whole life as she knows it. When she meets Brandy Alexander in the hospital, who is one operation away from completing her transition to becoming a woman, she’s urged to leave her past behind and make up a new and better story for herself.
Thoughts: It’s been a while since I’ve read a Chuck book! I’ve read Fight Club, Lullaby and Choke previously so I knew to expect dark and disturbing and unique — and yep this book was certainly that. I read the remix version which was his original vision for this book but it didn’t happen when it was originally published. This version was the same story (with some extra chapters that didn’t really add TOO much tbh) but it wasn’t chronological. You’d read chapter one and then it would tell you to go to chapter 47 and then back to chapter 4 etc. etc. Lots of flipping around. Storywise, it started out slow for me but then I REALLY got into it. All these characters are so intriguing and oh man I didn’t see ANYTHING coming even though after I’m like DUH OMG HOW DID YOU NOT SEE IT. Everything was so messed up and dark and I couldn’t put it down after I really got into it. And like all of the previous Chuck books I’ve read it gets you thinking about all sorts of things in society in between the “OMG SO WILD” bits of it.
Rating
The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye
About In A Sentence-ish: Set in an alternate Imperial Russia, it follows Vika and Nikolai, two teens who have to compete against each other using their magic to impress the Tsar to become the The Royal Enchanter who will advise the Tsar and help keep Russia safe from an impending uprising/war — but there can only be one and the one not victorious will die.
Thoughts: Oooh this YA fantasy book had me racing to finish it!! I loooved the setting of an alternate Imperial Russia and all the settings within it were so transportable whether you were in the city or the country or the palace. Plus the premise was so interesting and the way it played out had me in a frenzy of emotions — that slow cat and mouse game as they used their magic to outdo the other and win while accidentally getting to know one another. SO GOOD SO GOOD. You can read my full review I did over at the Broke and the Bookish.
Rating:
Have you read any of these? What did you think?!
Rachel Lightwood @ Quite the Novel Idea says
I’ve been hearing so, so, so many good things about both The Deal and The Crown’s Game lately. It’s good to hear that even though you’re not a massive NA fan, you still enjoyed The Deal. I’m not a NA fan either so I’ve been putting it off. But looks like I shouldn’t have been! And The Crown’s Game is definitely bumping itself up my TBR. I’ve just heard nothing but amazing things about it and RUSSIA. The other one really doesn’t sound like my thing, but I’m glad you enjoyed it. Looks like you’ve had a good streak recently!
Jamie says
I’ve had SUCH mixed feelings with NA books so it’s always such a great feeling when I find one to love and rec!! It’s so addictive. My sister and I both read it in a day! And omg RACHEL…the setting of Crown’s Game is incredible. And yeah, Invisible Monsters, like all his books, is quite bizarre and he’s definitely not everyone’s cup of tea!
I’ve been reading SO much different stuff that it’s helped me have such a good reading year so far!
Rachel Lightwood @ Quite the Novel Idea says
Exactly! I love when you find books the defy your expectations for a specific genre/trope. it changes your whole outlook. Woah, a day? I’m definitely going to pick it up soon then, if it’s that readable. Ahh, I think I’m just going to pick up The Crown’s Game next. There’s so much love for it. I’m missing out!
I love that! It’s good to change up your norm and find new things to love. Comfort zones are good and all, but it’s great to get out there and change it up too.
Erin says
Chuck Palahniuk is one of these authors that I keep meaning to read! Is there one that you would recommend starting with?
Jamie says
I think it’s a good one to start with but you really can’t go wrong with any of the others I’ve read — choke, lullaby or fight club!
Megan says
I just read the Deal and then the other two books in the series. I had no idea that I would root for Dean Hayward- di Laurentes but in the 3rd book, I totally did. LOVED these.
Jamie says
I’m SO excited to get to Dean’s book just to see why everyone is super obsessed with that one!!
Lauren @ Bookmark Lit says
THE DEAL YESSSS. I’m always so happy to see people loving this series! I push it all the time. The second book was my least favorite but still had a good rating from me. The third book though. SWOOOOONNNNN. Favorite.
Jamie says
I keep hearing the 3rd is everyone’s fave!! I’m excited to continue on. I bought them all!!
Brianna Robinson says
I JUST put THE DEAL on hold from the library. I can’t wait to read it. I also think I need to give THE CROWN’S GAME another try. I have an e-arc and wasn’t impressed by the first few chapters. Maybe when I get farther in, I’ll feel differently!
Jamie says
I think it DEFINITELY got better further in! I was just so caught up in their cat and mouse game of trying to outdo each other but also getting to know one another.
Pili @ In Love With Handmade says
I SOOOO AGREE WITH YOU ABOUT THE DEAL! I’m thinking of re-reading it at some point soon!!
I’m so very intrigued about The Crown’s Game, but I’m also a lil concerned about the love triangle!
Jamie says
It’s soosososo good. I was so happy I decided to read it even though I have a hard time with NAs sometimes. Ahhh I can’t explain about the love triangle without spoiling but I did NOT think it was a bad love triangle situation at all.
Cynthia @ Bingeing On Books says
I have heard great things about The Crown’s Game and I can’t wait to read that one. It sounds great. I am so glad that you loved it as well.
Jamie says
I can’t say I had the HIGHEST of expectations but omg it exceeded my expectations so much. The setting was so great and so was the plot!!
Brittany says
I haven’t read the other two, but I’m still so thrilled to see how much you loved The Crown’s Game! Though I do see that The Deal has a character who plays hockey, and I LOOOOVE hockey, so that’s intriguing! Lovely post ^_^
Brittany @ Brittany’s Book Rambles
Jamie says
It was you asking me to be on the tour that made me prioritize The Crown’s Game — I was interested but who knows if I would have gotten to it in a timely manner so YAY YOU!!! You were right about it!
And yeah if you are in the mood for a romance + a hockey player (team) you should def give it a try.
Jessica @ a GREAT read says
Oh nice! Those first two are totally new to me! Though I am really looking forward to The Crown’s Game! Hope you enjoy the reads!!
Here’s my Monday Wrap-up
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower 🙂
Jamie says
Hope you enjoy The Crown’s Game when you get to it! I was so impressed by it!
Geraldine @ Corralling Books says
Eek, I’m glad you enjoyed the Crown’s Game! It sounds so good – I can’t wait till it’s released! 🙂
Jamie says
It was seriously so great! I devoured it! Hope you enjoy it when you get to it!
Alexa S. says
I’m glad you enjoyed The Deal, Jamie! It’s definitely a new adult novel I thoroughly enjoyed and would happily recommend, and the rest of the series is AWESOME. And I’m really excited to pick up The Crown’s Game, because it just sounds super interesting and right up my alley. Glad to see you enjoyed it!
Jamie says
I can’t WAIT to finish the series! The hype was definitely right with it! I’m so picky with NA so I’m happy to find another one I truly love! And I really think you will like the Crown’s Game!! At least I hope so!!
Rachel says
Well… The Deal is going on my TBR list! The only new adult title I’ve read is the second book in the 2B trilogy, and it was surprising how quickly I devoured it.