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Only a Breath Apart by Kate McGarry || A Cute YA Read for all the Hopeless Romantics

 Only a Breath Apart

 by: Kate McGarry

Rating: 3.5 stars

Published on: January 22nd 2019

Summary: Bestselling author Katie McGarry’s trademark wrong-side-of-the-tracks romance is given a new twist in the gritty YA contemporary novel, Only a Breath Apart. 

Jesse Lachlin is cursed.

So the town folklore says, but while Jesse’s had his fair share of tragedy, the only curse he believes is in his grandmother’s will: in order to inherit his family farm he must win the approval of his childhood best friend, the girl he froze out his freshman year, Scarlett Copeland.

Scarlett Copeland is psychic.

Glory Gardner tells Scarlett she has hidden psychic abilities, but Scarlett thinks Glory is delusional. What is real is Scarlett’s father’s irrational fears, controlling attitude, and the dark secrets at home. Scarlett may have a way to escape, but there’s a hitch: she’ll have to rely on the one person she used to trust, the same boy who broke her heart, Jesse Lachlin.

Each midnight meeting pushes Jesse and Scarlett to confront their secrets and their feelings for each other. But as love blooms, the curse rears its ugly head… 

My Review: 

**A huge thanks to Netgalley and Tor Teen for an advanced copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own** 

This book is very cute. As a recent fan of Kate Mcgarry’s work (Say You’ll Remember Me being a recent fav that I highly recommend!! *swooning*) I have to say this book very much lived up to all my cutesie YA romance expectations. 

 Scarlett and Jessie are both characters that are damaged for two completely different reasons and yet you cannot help but route for them as the navigate the hardships life has put in their paths. 

“Pain is what makes you grow, it’s what makes you mature, it’s what helps lead you to the path you are meant to be on. If everything is good all the time, there would never be change.” 

 Jessie is a complete southern cutie and is hopelessly a bad boy who gives off the mess with me and your heart will for sure get broken vibes and with that combo I couldn’t help but fall head over heals for him!! Also the snug t-shirt with long rise jeans look... ya you could say I was feeling this Jessie character... Also the way he truly cared for Scarlett and her best interests and didn’t try and make decisions for her or get overly involved in her issues showed that he really valued her choices and her voice. That was something I feel is not show enough in male YA characters and I really respected Jessie for giving Scarlett that much needed space.

“Do you want me to walk you home?” he asks.
“Do you want me to go home?”
“Scarlett, there are two times that I can breathe in deeply without wincing in pain, and being with you is one of them. If I could, I’d keep you here forever.”

 Scarlett was also a doll and you could help but ache for and love at the same time!! She was often forced to shove her emotions down and to keep a picture perfect appearance in order to hide the hardships and issues she was facing at home-- it was because of this that her nickname “ice princess” was born. But really Scarlett was so much more than who she appeared to be and I couldn’t help but be furious with those who were the reason for her holding back especially because she was really sweet and strong and I loved her temper because I was like yes girl same let your temper flare as well as your sass because that is me!!

“It’s as if the sun has melted off her outer shell and has revealed the girl I once knew, and a woman I want to get to know.” 

 Scarlett and Jessie were the friends to love type of relationship that I don't often find myself swooning over but you couldn't help but feel like these two were destined to have something going on here! They both needed to just get over themselves because once those two started confiding in one another they could actually realize there was someone out there who could understand them as well as give each other the peace they both are desperately searching for. 

“Are you in love with her?”…
“I think I was born in love with her.” 

 Overall I really enjoyed the relationship between the two the journey of them starting off as childhood friends, then breaking apart due to Jessie shutting her out, to then reconnecting after all the time of seeing one another from afar... it was all very angsty and I loved it!! With the push from a psychic named Glory and a complicated deal in which Jessie is lead to believe the key to keeping his land is Scarlett the two are forced to cross paths once again and ahhh just loved it!!

 The only reason this isn’t a 5 star read is because I feel like there was a bit of repetition with the conversations and discussions in this book. Like the amount of times the words “my land” or “this land is a part of me” were uttered was a tad ridiculous like if this book was made into a drinking game we’d all be a little tipsy by the time the end of this book came to a close. Also the fact that every time Glory opened her mouth it would be like a complete monologue from a play and I was like damn I think we get it shorter sentences please! 

 However overall Only a Breath Apart was a very sweet extremely emotional (I mean dang this book made you feel ALL the emotions!!) book that I highly recommend to readers looking for a book that tugs on the heart strings and also makes you route for two broken people to find peace in each other! 

.5 

So what do you guys think? Adding this one to your TBR? Already read it? LMK in the comments below!

-BubblyBooks 

 

Books I will Sell my Soul for for a Chance to Read!! (AKA my most anticipated 2019 reads)

  Okay so you know what they say... new year NEW BOOKS PEOPLE!! Ahhh this is equally exciting and also stressful because balancing the books I want to read (aka books already on my TBR) with books that are just now coming out this year is so very hard!! Ugh I simply do not have the brain capability to make these decisions therefore I am simply resorting to my handy trustworthy method I’ve relied on for years... winging it.

 However I have complied a list of books I simply cannot get my hands on fast enough... also I can not stop thinking about them... their plot lines are CONSUMING me I need to know the fates of my fictional ships here people! It is essential to my mental well being.

 Any who enough rambling and on to the list!

 (FYI this list is not in any order of which book I’m anticipating the most its just which book happened to come to mind first *wink*)

1. The Wicked King by Holly Black

 I dont think you all understand my severe NEED for this book. Like I think I might just very well die from all the overthinking I’ve done about what could happen in this book and I just need it immediately!

2. King of scars by Leigh Bardugo

Leigh Bardugo... need I say more? 

3. Wicked Saints by Emily Duncan

A books full of dark twisted characters and murders plus its YA fantasy... yup yup yup reading this. 

4. Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

5. Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry

Got an ARC of this (which I should be reading BTW hahahahaha *eyes shift nervously*) however this looks adorable and will hopefully scratch my need for some good YA contemporary romance! 

6. The Kiss Thief by L.J. Shen

 You all know how much I love LJ Shen so of course I’m reading this because to not would be a betrayal against my very self. 

7. Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas

No cover yet :( 

 AHHH ANOTHER SJM BOOK I AM FREAKING OUT and will OF COURSE be reading this!! I am also dying for another ACOTAR’s book.... so fingers crossed I don’t die waiting for that book as well.

8. Her Royal Highness (Royals #2) by Rachel Hawkins

 After finishing Hawkins first book in this series, Royals which I enjoyed IMMENSELY (very funny and light with some rom-com vibes a fabulous combo) I cannot wait for Hawkins companion novel featuring a f/f romance!

9. The Beholder by Anna Bright

 A book thats basically a combination of The Selection + The Bachelorette + Cinderella YAAS PLZ!

10.  Trick (Foolish Kingdoms #1) by Natalia Jaster

 I know I know this book is already published but this doesn’t diminish my utter need for it. A jester playing a dangerous game who develops feelings for a princess who is not so easily tricked!! Ahhh so many books to read and such little time!!!


 Okay. Okay. So now I can freak out a little about how many books I want to read vs the reality that I will most likely read not even half of them (as is my reading patter nowadays *sigh*) But any who what do you guys think? any of these books on your TBR? Find some new ones your dying to read? LMK in the comments below!!

-BubblyBooks 

Book Review: Au Pair by Emma Rous

 Hello hello fellow readers! So glad to be getting in the swing of things by starting off the year with a great read! The Au Pair was the perfect rainy day light mystery that gives just enough to keep you intrigued and not ready to put the book down!

 Also so grateful to be starting off the year on top of my ARC game! Starting off strong and hopefully will not fail miserably with posting review copies on time as is the curse that comes with being a MOOD READER and not being able to control my impulses. I mean seriously I cannot stop myself from reading a book I’m feeling at the moment in exchange for a book I seriously need to review. Its awful. Hence why I’m trying to work on that this year.

 2019 do your thing and try not to let me down.

   

The Au Pair

by: Emma Rous

Published on: January 8th 2019

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

summary: A grand estate, terrible secrets, and a young woman who bears witness to it all. If V. C. Andrews and Kate Morton had a literary love child, Emma Rous’ The Au Pair would be it.

Seraphine Mayes and her twin brother Danny were born in the middle of summer at their family’s estate on the Norfolk coast. Within hours of their birth, their mother threw herself from the cliffs, the au pair fled, and the village thrilled with whispers of dark cloaks, changelings, and the aloof couple who drew a young nanny into their inner circle.

Now an adult, Seraphine mourns the recent death of her father. While going through his belongings, she uncovers a family photograph that raises dangerous questions. It was taken on the day the twins were born, and in the photo, their mother, surrounded by her husband and her young son, is beautifully dressed, smiling serenely, and holding just one baby.

Who is the child and what really happened that day?

One person knows the truth, if only Seraphine can find her.

My Review: 

  The Au pair was a dazzling little mystery that I simply tore through and could not put down! It was storming like crazy when I decided to pick up this book and the weather combined with this spine tingling tale keeps you wanting more! A book purely made from that of a readers DREAM! 

 The Au Pair is a book that switches between two POV’s; thats of Laura the family's Au Pair from the 90’s who mainly took care of Edwin, the couples son, and Seraphine who’s POV takes place in modern day and involves her trying to discover the secrets her family that are since long buried. Both characters are rather intriguing but I must say I enjoyed Serapine’s a bit more only because I was drawn in more to the mystery and shockingness that was surrounding her every move! The border line scary stalker things that occurred just about made my little head explode!

  Also I found the whole family dynamic from Laura’s POV to be a little messed up (and by a little I mean A LOT) Ruth, Edwin’s mother would constantly be scampering off to events with Uncle Alex leaving little Edwin without his mothers attention for at least a few hours a day, sometimes she would simply disappear for days at a time. Edwin’s father was also at work most of the time so really his main care taker became Laura at almost all times of day. Not to mention Ruth’s often dark mood swings thrown into the mix. All of this combined made for a quite distorted house hold if not in the quietest of strange ways. This combination of eeriness with the devastating discovery regarding summer born twins had all the makings to creep me out just enough to keep me fully enthralled and turning the pages for more!

 Meanwhile Sepraphine is trying to puzzle together her origins after her father's death. She often scattered around town in search of picking the brains of the locals, turning up folklore and other twisted tales of how her fate came to be. Slowly she starts to think how she doesn’t seem to quite fit in with it all. This combined with the worries of her brothers and how their slowly starting to think her accusations and discoveries are the makings of a sister gone mad. Throw in a splash of romantic attraction between an old flame and I am completely entertained at this point!! So much so that I don’t even hear the rain crashing on my windows any more! Instead I am thrown into the world of Rous’s mystery and I’m not sure I ever want to come out! 

 The writing is also perfect for this kind of storyline. Rous keeps its light but sharp, easy to read yet tumbled together with a just fast enough plot line to keep you guessing an questioning nearly everything you suspected or thought you knew. This book is truly an intriguing read that is just light enough to make the plot line melt on your tongue and gripping enough that the flavor makes you crave more and more! 

 I highly recommend this read to anyone looking for an intriguing suspense book revolving around a bit of mystery thrown in with twists and turns that will make you question the very sense you thought you had when predicting the plot this book possesses! An easy, fast paced read made more all ages I hope you get the chance to pick up on a perfect rainy day! 

So what are your thoughts? Thinking about picking up The Au Pair? Have any good stormy reads recommendations? Perhaps another thriller you loved? Let me know in the comments below!

-BubblyBooks 

  **A huge thanks to Penguin Random House for an advanced copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own** 

Disney Princess Hair Tag

Hey everybody!! I was tagged awhile back (I think August maybe?) to do this tag by the wonderful Mandy @BookPrincessReviews! So sorry it took me so long to get around to it but it is just such a fun tag! So I’m glad I finally made the time to do it!!

The Rules:

• Link back to Kyera’s original post ( Kyera’s Library. )on Kyera‘s Library and Mandy’s post on Book Princess Reviews so we can see all your answers! (Be sure to do this via pingback, we don’t get notified if you just tag our URLs)
• Thank the person(s) who tagged you… show the community some love!
• Obviously, come up with your own wonderful answers!
• Don’t forget to tag others to keep the tag going!

My Answers: 

Best Hair Accessory: Favorite Book Sidekick

 

Book: Abagail Rook from Jackaby by William Ritter - she assists Sherlock Holmes throughout the book!

Princess: Snow white 

Biggest Hair Change: Plot Twist that just totally caught you off guard 

 

Book: The Dazzling Heights by Katharine McGee

Princess: Anna (when her hair started to turn white... WHOA) 

Prettiest Updo/Bun: A book or author with just the most elegant prose 

 

Book/Author: Victoria Schwab 

Princess: Cinderella 

Most Bounce/Body: Book that just bounces between multiple time periods 

       

Book: Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier (So much time traveling fun forgot how much I loved this book!) 

Princess: Merida 

Most Intricate Braid: Favorite plot with multiple story lines 

   

Book: A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab 

Princess: Rapunzel  

Short and Sweet: A book thats just short and sweet 

 

Book: Sweet Little Lies by Sierra Hill (a cutie little short romance that I quite liked) 

Princess: Mulan 

Nicest Half up/ Half down: A book/ character that you had a lot of ups and downs with

 

Book: Aelin from the Throne of Glass series 

Princess: Belle (such a cute half up half down do!!) 

Medium and Manageable: The last book that you felt right in the middle about

 

Book: Song of Blood and Stone by L. Penelope

Princess: Aurora 

Best Bangs: Eye catching cover

 

Book: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black 

Princess: Cinderella 

Long and Loose: Longest book you’ve read this year 

 

Book: Kingdom of Ash by SJM 

Princess: Ariel 

Best Pony: A book that swings from POV to POV 

 

Book: Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor 

Princess: Jasmine 

Stunningly Straight: A book that just made you want to dive straight into the sequel

 

Book: Empire of Storms by SJM (that cliff hanger was just mean!!)

Princess: Pocahontas   

Enviable Curls: A book with twists and turns 

 

Book: Splintered by AG Howard/ White Cat by Holly Black  

Princess: Moana 

Hair Closet to your own: A book you really connected with

 

Book: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black (I just really connected with the character Jude, I saw a lot of myself in her thought process and the way she analyzed challenges) 

Princess: Aura 

TAG YOU’RE IT:

Loretta @Laughing Listener, Aimmee @Aimmee Always, Marie @Drizzle and Hurricane Books, Cait @Paper Fury, @Princess of Pages, @The Artsy Reader,  @Darque Dreamer, and @YAgirl 

And anyone else that want to do the tag!!

What do you think about my answers? Read any of these books? Have different thoughts? LMK in the comments below!

-BubblyBooks