Stealing Home by Becky Wallace

“Fight for your dreams, even if it means breaking a few rules.

Seventeen-year-old Ryan Russell has life perfectly planned. If she keeps up her hard work, one day she’ll take over the family business: owning the Buckley Beavers, a minor league baseball team, and become one of the only female General Managers in the sport.

But when the newest member of the Beavers, child-phenom Sawyer Campbell, shows up, Ryan’s carefully laid plans are thrown a major curveball. Sawyer is far more charming than the arrogant jocks she usually manages, his ambition rivals her own workaholic nature—and he’s completely out of bounds. Fraternizing is against every rule in the Beaver’s handbook.

Then Ryan’s divorced parents butt heads over the future of the Beavers, and her mom plans to sell her shares to a business group known for relocating teams. If this happens, Ryan’s dreams of becoming GM disappear. In a bid to save her future, she partners with Sawyer to use his star power to draw in sponsors who will keep the team in Buckley. But the more time she spends with him, the more impossible it becomes to play by the Beaver’s rules, and she can’t afford a strikeout on the path to her dreams.

Full count with two outs, Ryan’s one pitch away from losing the whole ball game.” - taken from Goodreads.com

When I started this book, I wished I had a free day to have read it all in one sitting. I loved Ryan and Sawyer’s story and couldn't wait to find out the ending. Brought together by their love of baseball, Ryan's determined to hold Sawyer at arm's length. Rule number one is no fraternizing with the players. When both their worlds are turned upside down, Ryan fights to keep her dream alive even if she hurts Sawyer in the process. What I adored about the story is the ending. I cannot wait to see what this author writes next. 

Visit Becky Wallace's website.

Vow of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson (Dance of Thieves book 2)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first book in the series, Dance of Thieves, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

“Kazi and Jase have survived, stronger and more in love than ever. Their new life now lies before them―the Ballengers will be outlaws no longer, Tor's Watch will be a kingdom, and the two of them will meet all challenges side by side, together at last.

But an ominous warning mars their journey back, and in their rush to return to Tor's Watch, just outside the fortress walls, they are violently attacked and torn apart―and each is thrust into their own new hell.

Unsure whether the other is alive or dead, Kazi and Jase must keep their wits among their greatest enemies and unlikeliest allies. And all the while, Death watches and waits.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I wish I had the time to devour this book in one setting but dragging the story out was good for me too. Kazi and Jace's happily ever after is short-lived when they arrived back at Tor’s Watch to find it has been taken over by an unexpected enemy. Without spoiling the story too much, be aware the Kazi and Jace are apart for much of the book. The ending was fantastic and my favorite characters from The Remnant Chronicles make an appearance. A great ending to the series. 

Visit Mary E. Pearson’s website.

I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo

“Desi Lee believes anything is possible if you have a plan. That’s how she became student body president. Varsity soccer star. And it’s how she’ll get into Stanford. But—she’s never had a boyfriend. In fact, she’s a disaster in romance, a clumsy, stammering humiliation magnet whose botched attempts at flirting have become legendary with her friends. So when the hottest human specimen to have ever lived walks into her life one day, Desi decides to tackle her flirting failures with the same zest she’s applied to everything else in her life. She finds guidance in the Korean dramas her father has been obsessively watching for years—where the hapless heroine always seems to end up in the arms of her true love by episode ten. It’s a simple formula, and Desi is a quick study. Armed with her “K Drama Steps to True Love,” Desi goes after the moody, elusive artist Luca Drakos—and boat rescues, love triangles, and staged car crashes ensue. But when the fun and games turn to true feels, Desi finds out that real love is about way more than just drama.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This wasn't my favorite Maurene Goo novel but granted, I did read her newer stuff first. I love how Desi Lee believes that with the best-laid plans, anything is possible, including love. What I couldn't believe are the absolute lengths that Desi went to in order to make Luca fall for her. At times, I wanted to scream at her to stop her foolishness because it kept turning into a disaster. The best part of this story was the fact at the end that Desi learns that sometimes the best things in life don’t go according to plan.

Visit Maurene Goo’s website.

Evermore by Sara Holland (Everless book 2)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first book in the series, Everless, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

Check out Book Series Recaps for a refresher of the first book.

Please visit the Recaptains blog if you need a refresher of the first book.

“Time is a weapon only she can wield.”

“Jules Ember was raised hearing legends of the ancient magic of the wicked Alchemist and the good Sorceress. But she has just learned the truth: not only are the stories true, but she herself is the Alchemist, and Caro—a woman who single-handedly murdered the Queen and Jules’s first love, Roan, in cold blood—is the Sorceress.

The whole kingdom believes that Jules is responsible for the murders, and a hefty bounty has been placed on her head. And Caro is intent on destroying Jules, who stole her heart twelve lifetimes ago. Jules must delve into the stories that she now recognizes are accounts of her own past. For it is only by piecing together the mysteries of her lives that Jules will be able to save the person who has captured her own heart in this one.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Picking up immediately where Everless ended, Jules continues her journey to find a way to stop Caro before it's too late. The way this story ended came as a complete shock to me. I wasn't expecting the twist that came at the end. My only regret is that I didn't pick up the second book sooner. 

Visit Sara Holland’s website.

Rebel by Marie Lu (Legend book 4)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first three books in this series, Stop! I don’t want to ruin one of my favorite stories for you.

“Respect the Legend. Idolize the Prodigy. Celebrate the Champion. But never underestimate the Rebel.

With unmatched suspense and her signature cinematic storytelling, #1 New York Times–bestselling author Marie Lu plunges readers back into the unforgettable world of Legend for a truly grand finale.

Eden Wing has been living in his brother’s shadow for years. Even though he’s a top student at his academy in Ross City, Antarctica, and a brilliant inventor, most people know him only as Daniel Wing’s little brother.

A decade ago, Daniel was known as Day, the boy from the streets who led a revolution that saved the Republic of America. But Day is no longer the same young man who was once a national hero. These days he’d rather hide out from the world and leave his past behind. All that matters to him now is keeping Eden safe―even if that also means giving up June, the great love of Daniel’s life.

As the two brothers struggle to accept who they’ve each become since their time in the Republic, a new danger creeps into the distance that’s grown between them. Eden soon finds himself drawn so far into Ross City’s dark side, even his legendary brother can’t save him. At least not on his own . . .” - taken from Goodreads.com

I loved the first three books in the Legend series even though Champion broke my heart. That book still has the best ending I think I will ever read. Needless to say, I was ecstatic to get my hands on this unexpected gift of a fourth book that takes place roughly one month after the epilogue from Champion.

Without going into too much detail, this book centers around the Wing brothers and their lives in Ross City. Eden is now a young man who is seeing the injustice around him and Daniel who no longer knows how to relate to his brother. And yes, June does play an integral role in the story. Once again, Marie Lu spends a fantastic ending for fans.

Visit Marie Lu’s website.

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin (Serpent & Dove book 1)

“Bound as one to love, honor, or burn.

Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned.

Sworn to the Church as a Chasseur, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. His path was never meant to cross with Lou's, but a wicked stunt forces them into an impossible union—holy matrimony.

The war between witches and Church is an ancient one, and Lou's most dangerous enemies bring a fate worse than fire. Unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, a choice must be made.

And love makes fools of us all.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I got to say that I love a good enemy to lovers plotline and this book absolutely blew me away. Thankfully, I had a free day where I could finish the second half of this book in one sitting. A witch being forced to marry a witch hunter made for a great slow burn romance as well as individual journeys of self-discovery for both Lou and Reid. Comic at times with great supporting characters, true friendships, and several unexpected reveals, this is easily one of my favorite reads of the year. Lou and Reid are definitely one of my favorite book relationships of all time. I cannot wait to see where the story goes next. 

Book two, Blood & Honey is due out on August 31, 2020.

Visit Shelby Mahurin’s website.

Sword and Pen by Rachel Caine (The Great Library book 5)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first four books in the Great Library series, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you. 

“With the future of the Great Library in doubt, the unforgettable characters from Ink and Bone must decide if it's worth saving in this thrilling adventure in the New York Times bestselling series.

The corrupt leadership of the Great Library has fallen. But with the Archivist plotting his return to power, and the Library under siege from outside empires and kingdoms, its future is uncertain. Jess Brightwell and his friends must come together as never before, to forge a new future for the Great Library . . . or see everything it stood for crumble.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This is the fifth and final book in The Great Library series. After the four previous books, I had become extremely invested in all of the characters. At over 12 hours in length for the audio version, I had a hard time hitting stop. Readers/listeners will be eager to see and all this story finally ends. A great masterpiece for sure.

Visit Rachel Caine’s website.