Shiirleyy's Bookshelf has migrated to Dear Shirley ! I will continue to post book reviews but there will also be a lot of personal and travel-related posts :)

Mini Reviews: Breathless by Brigid Kemmerer & Tormenting Lila by Sarah Alderson

15 Jul 2013

by Brigid Kemmerer 
Publisher: Kensington Teen
Release Date: April 30th, 2013
Format: ebook


Too many secrets. Not enough time.

 Nick Merrick is supposed to be the level-headed one. The peacemaker. Since it’s just him and his three hotheaded brothers against the world, that’s a survival tactic.

 But now he’s got problems even his brothers can’t help him survive.

 His so-called girlfriend, Quinn, is going quick as mercury from daring to crazy. Meanwhile, Quinn’s dancer friend Adam is throwing Nick off balance, forcing him to recognize a truth he’d rather shove back into the dark.

 He can feel it—-the atmosphere is sizzling. Danger is on the way. But whatever happens next, Nick is starting to find out that sometimes nothing you do can keep the peace.

FANTABULOUS.
That sums up this novella perfectly. :)

Nick has always been my favourite Merrick brother; while the all the brothers had to deal with drama after drama occurring in their lives, Nick was always the calmest and most level-headed of them all so I guess he stood out. I never liked Nick and Quinn in Storm/Spark as Quinn always, without fail, annoyed the living hell out of me with her over dramatic reaction and completely unnecessarily rude attitude towards Gabriel. (Okay, so maybe Gabriel was being a douchebag but STILL. NO ONE MESSES WITH GABRIEL!!) However, I think my hatred for Quinn diminished a tiny bit after becoming acquainted with her home life and relationship with Nick. Now, instead of hating her, I pity her.

Adam is a character I found immensely intriguing :) I’m looking forward to learning his backstory and of course, I hope he’ll play a bigger role in the upcoming sequels! I also genuinely hope Nick will eventually be able to sort out his feelings and resolve all complications in his life at the present time. No matter what, I STILL LOVE YOU NICK<3
A massive thank you to Kensington Teen for providing a copy of Breathless for review!



Tormenting Lila
by Sarah Alderson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: July 1st, 2013
Format: ebook

When Lila and Alex sneak off for a romantic weekend away, Lila’s hoping she’ll finally have a chance to work on Alex’s resolve. 

 But just as things start heating up news reaches them of a serial killer at loose on the island and it isn’t long before their intimate weekend away is interrupted. 

 A mind reader, a projector, a protective older brother and a serial killer. One of them is going to find Lila first. She's hoping it's the serial killer



Sarah Alderson’s back with another exciting story for us die-hard Alex fans! Reading Tormenting Lila made me realise how much I’ve missed Alex since Losing Lila last year….I’m so glad to be reacquainted with some of my favourite characters (though honestly, I was hoping for more Alex hotness!) 

 Just like with every other book by Sarah Alderson, I was grinning from ear to ear the whole time. I loved the reappearance of every character, and it was hilarious to see Jack's reaction whenever Alex and Lila are together :) I’ll have to admit, there isn’t much of a plot in this (even for a novella), but it was an entertaining read nonetheless.

 I liked meeting Ren and Jesse, the main characters in The Sound & I absolutely cannot wait to read The Sound now! :)

9 comments:

  1. Eeep! I haven't read any of these novellas yet but I'm planning to soon. Especially Tormenting Lila, I've missed the gang so much! Hopefully I could squeeze them in in my schedule for the week. Lovely mini reviews, Shirley! ;)

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  2. Ahhhhh Shirley!!!! I need to read both of these! I read Hunting Lila and LOVED it, but I still need to read book two and this novella, I so love Alex and Lila together. And I'm sure Jack's reaction to them in this one is hilarious. Gotta love big brothers:) So excited to see Adam and Nick together too!

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  3. I've missed Alex (and Lila too, I guess) so much, which is why I was so disappointed in Tormenting Lila. Nothing really happened, nothing significant, and nothing was resolved betwen the characters. Alex and Lila still let Jack tell them what to do, their relationship is nice, but still full of guilt and not very ballanced and so on

    As for Nick, i really enjoyed his story and the direction it took. I can't wait to read the full novel.
    Thanks for sharing, Shirley!

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  4. I had issues in the past with Quinn, as well, Shirley. She was extremely annoying and the way she's described, completely unattractive in personality & looks so I always wondered what Nick saw in her. I guess we figured that out now. My feelings did change towards Quinn after reading the novella. I felt like you did, pity for her. I hope she matures a bit and gets some happiness as well in the next book.

    I still need to pick up the Lila novella but I can't wait to get more Alex & Lila! :)

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  5. Ahhhh Shirley! Totally jealous. I have no idea if I'm going to read either of these considering I don't have a Kindle, iPad or any way to read ebooks besides my computer, and well, I have issues with that. XD

    So jealous though! Beautiful reviews as always my dear. <3

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  6. Shirley, I'm so intrigued my Tormenting Lila. I haven't heard of the series, but even the faults you mentioned have me intrigued (and that's saying something!) I think both sound pretty good, actually. Wonderful reviews, girl! :)

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  7. Shirley I didn't realise that Ren and Jessie were character from The Sound! I think I must have been so happy to be back with Alex even though it was for a brief moment! It was so much fun having some favourites pop by too! And I adored Nick in Breathless too, I can't wait to read his full story! Wonderful reviews Shirley! :)

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  8. I loved Adam's character in Breathless too! I'm definitely looking forward to finding out more about him in the rest of the series. And I really must pick up Tormenting Lila soon. Plotless or not, I just want to visit Alex and Jack again. ;) Great reviews, Shirley!

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  9. Wonderful reviews :) I love the Elemental series but I still need to read Breathless. I have read Losing Lila but not Tormenting Lila <3 Alex.

    Sharon – Obsession with Books

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