Acid by Emma Pass

• Received for review
• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Corgi Childrens (25 April 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0552566144

2113. In Jenna Strong’s world, ACID – the most brutal, controlling police force in history – rule supreme. No throwaway comment or muttered dissent goes unnoticed – or unpunished. And it was ACID agents who locked Jenna away for life, for a bloody crime she struggles to remember.

The only female inmate in a violent high-security prison, Jenna has learned to survive by any means necessary. And when a mysterious rebel group breaks her out, she must use her strength, speed and skill to stay one step ahead of ACID – and to uncover the truth about what really happened on that dark night two years ago.

Cover- Love the colour scheme, and the sexy, strong, kick-ass girl is a perfect match for our heroine.

Oh boy.  Where do I start?  I genuinely don't think I have the words to adequately describe how much I enjoyed reading this one.  But I have to give it a go.
As soon as I picked this book up- I was hooked.  I didn't want to stop for anything.  Dystopian fiction isn't normally a 'go-to' genre for me, I find it very hit or miss.  But Acid captivated me from the very first page, right up to the last.  It's non-stop action.  And the world was so well developed- the futuristic world of komms and c-cards, eFics and rotos.  Where Britain is being run by a police force that came to power through a time of economic crisis.
It reminded me of a V For Vendetta/Hitler's Rise to Power mash up.
I LOVED that it was set in a dystopian Britain, known as Independent Republic of Britain.  The other dystopian novels I've read, are all set in the US.  For example, Divergent, is a dysopian Chicago.  So it was refreshing to read about a possible futuristic Britain.  Terrifying, but brilliant. 
Jenna is the perfect protagonist.  Strong.  Independent.  Likeable.  I loved that she goes through so much, and yet you don't see her bawling her eyes on on every page.  You definitely grow to not only like, but respect her.
The romance element was perfect.  It definitely takes a back burner and isn't over done.  It's not the focus of the story, but definitely adds something.
My one and only issue, and it's nothing major, it didn't ruin anything for me, and that's the 'terrorist' group NAR that used violence to fight against ACID, we don't really find out enough about them.  Especially the groups leader.  I was left with a few questions regarding them.
Over all, this has become an instant favourite of mine.  I didn't want it to end, I could have kept turning pages for days to come.
Can't recommend highly enough.
5/5 stars.

Buddy Read Group Discussion: ACID by Emma Pass

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Sphere (17 Jan 2013)
• Language: Unknown
• ISBN-10: 0751548529
• ISBN-13: 978-0751548525

When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her reluctance to join the tight-knit community raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet unassuming, Katie is determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events leads her to begin to let down her guard.

Despite her reservations, Katie gains the courage to start a relationship with Alex, a widowed store owner with two young children. But dark secrets intrude on her new life with such terror that she’s forced to rediscover the meaning of sacrifice and rely on the power of love in this deeply moving romantic thriller.

Cover:  Despite this being the movie cover, which I normally don't like, I love this one.  I think it's because one, I love cute, romantic covers, and two, I freaking love Josh Duhamel. Mmm.

I find Nicholas Sparks reads very hit or miss.  But I wanted to read this one because I LOVE the look of the movie, again with the Josh Duhamel.
I wanted to see the movie at the cinema, but no one else wanted to go, so I have to wait for the dvd so I read this ti tide me over.  I really enjoyed it.
It was romantic but did also have it's darker side, tackling the issue of abuse.
The romance between Katie and Alex was really sweet, but for me it seemed to jump to 'love' really quickly.  I would have liked a tad more build up.
The chapters in Katie's abusive husband Kevin's point of view were really dark and twisted, and I think Nicholas Sparks really portrayed the mind set of a possessive, abusive and insane husband.
Over all I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, and while it wasn't my favourite Nicholas Sparks reads it was definitely one I enjoyed more.
4.5/5 stars.

June 2013 Reading Wrap Up

Booking Through Thursday

Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Booking Through Thursday and a different question is posted every week.

So, Fourth of July here in the USA … Do you ever read books that could be considered patriotic? Rousing stories of heroes? History? Brave countrymen & women doing bold things?

What would you recommend if somebody asked you for something patriotic–no matter what your country?

Be as specific or as general as you like?

I actually live in the UK :)

Nothing actually springs to mind for this one.  I do read books about heroes but nothing that stands out as patriotic.

It's probably because I read a lot of YA/NA paranormal/contemporary fiction.

The Elephant Girl by Henriette Gyland

• Received for review
• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Choc Lit (7 July 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 178189020X

Peek-a-boo I see you…
When five-year-old Helen Stephens witnesses her mother’s murder, her whole world comes crumbling down. Rejected by her extended family, Helen is handed over to child services and learns to trust no-one but herself. Twenty years later, her mother’s killer is let out of jail, and Helen swears vengeance.

Jason Moody runs a halfway house, desperate to distance himself from his father’s gangster dealings. But when Helen shows up on his doorstep, he decides to dig into her past, and risks upsetting some very dangerous people.

As Helen begins to question what really happened to her mother, Jason is determined to protect her. But Helen is getting too close to someone who’ll stop at nothing to keep the truth hidden …

Cover:  I really like the beautiful orange colours on this one, and the relevance of the elephant pendant.

I really enjoyed this romantic thriller/mystery.
I don't want to say too much about the plot because it may spoil it, and obviously half the fun is uncovering the mystery.
But I loved the pacing.  I was hooked from the very beginning and I wanted to learn who killer her mother along with Helen.  I had plenty of suspicions but was kept guessing.
Helen was such an interesting character.  When she was five her mother forgot to give her her epilepsy medication, resulting in a fit, as her mother is murdered.
The family secrets and drama were fascinating, and just as you think there can't possibly be anymore secrets...bam! There are.
I liked that Helen's feelings came across as very realistic.  There are times where she's so angry she plans to kill the person accused of her mother's murder.
The cast of supporting characters were equally interesting.  The halfway house with ex prisoners- the adorable, shy Lee, the force of nature Charlie, and the sweet old lady Fay that went to prison for Helen's mother's murder.
The romance aspect was perfectly done.  I really rooted for Helen and Jason.
I enjoyed this much more than Up Close.
4.5/5 stars!

Immortal Beloved by Cate Tiernan

Received for review
Paperback: 400 pages

• Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks (1 Sep 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1444707019
• ISBN-13: 978-1444707014

Nastasya has spent the last century living as a spoiled, drugged-out party girl. She feels nothing and cares for no one. But when she witnesses her best friend, a Dark Immortal, torture a human, she realizes something's got to change. She seeks refuge at a rehab for wayward immortals, where she meets the gorgeous, undeniably sexy Reyn, who seems inexplicably linked to her past. 
Nastasya finally begins to deal with life, and even feels safe--until the night she learns that someone wants her dead. 
Cate Tiernan, author of the popular Sweep series, returns with an engaging story of a timeless struggle and inescapable romance, the first book in a stunning new fantasy trilogy.

Cover:  Love this atmospheric and relevant cover.

I loved this book.  I was totally hooked.

The whole concept of immortals and magic was excellent.

I felt this whole book was unique.  Nastasya was a fascinating protagonist.  The fact that she's over 400 years old, finding out where she's been, what's she's done, gave the story so many layers.  Seeing that she may not have always been good, made wrong decisions, been unfeeling, and we're able to sympathise with here.  I liked that her past wasn't revealed all at once, but rather we got to see more of her gradually, piece by piece, while she also started to remember her past.

River's Edge- rehab for immortals was such a fantastic idea, and seeing Nastasya start to find herself and discover who she wanted to be was brilliant.  As well as meeting the other immortals there.

There is a romance element but it's more introduced in this book, and going to develop in the next two books.  Both Nastasya's and Reyn's past make it complicated for them to be together, but their chemistry/love-hate was amazing.  I can't wait to see how their relationship develops, as I think they could become one of my favourite fictional couples.

The writing style was unique, I loved Nastaya's voice, she was witty and sarcy, and made me laugh more than once.

I loved every second of this.

I highly recommend it and can't wait to move onto book 2.