Hey guys! Can you believe that it's already February 2017??? This year is already flying by, which means I've had to really pick up my reading pace! If you don't follow me on Goodreads (Catheryn Bolick), and if you haven't seen my reading goal in my Instagram bio (@thebooklioness), my reading goal for this year is 30 books, and in the month of February I read four books.
Uncovering Officer Smith by Sheena Hutchinson
The Practice Boyfriend by Christina Benjamin
The Christmas Gift (The Geneva Project Prequel #1) by Christina Benjamin
The Floating Stone (The Geneva Project Prequel #3) by Christina Benjamin
I ended January by starting Seraphina's Awakening by Sheena Hutchinson, and I hope to have that read within the next week or so. I will also be reading the sequel, Seraphina's Initiation, to review before its release date on February 20th. I most likely will be reviewing both of these in the same post! If there are any Red Queen fangirls/fanboys out there, I have pre-ordered King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard, which releases on February 7th, so I will definitely be reading that as soon as I receive it in the mail. And I also hope to get to Destiny (Book 4 in The Geneva Project series) by Christina Benjamin at least started by the end of this month. I'm sadly having to avoid binge re-reading the first three books in The Geneva Project series and the first two books in the Red Queen series, even though I wanted to be completely re-immersed in the worlds before reading the new releases.
That's all for now! I will see you all in my next review! Stay fierce, book cubs!
Love,
The Book Lioness
February 1, 2017
January 29, 2017
Review: "The Practice Boyfriend" by Christina Benjamin
Goodreads Synopsis:
Practice makes perfect...or so she thought.
Nobody likes Cody Matthews, including Cody Matthews. And why should they? He got his high school girlfriend pregnant and then almost killed them both while driving drunk. That’s why he’s perfect for Hannah. She’d never fall for someone like him.
Hannah Stark is a high school senior with a resume of straight A’s. She’s never stepped a toe out of line. But that’s also why she’s never had a boyfriend. While all her classmates are counting down the days until graduation, Hannah is dragging her feet. She can’t believe she’ll be leaving her adolescence behind without ever taking a chance to be wild and free. That’s why she’s set her sights on Harrison.
Harrison Cohl is everything Hannah wants to be. Gorgeous, wealthy, popular and wild. He’s also notorious for the legendary masquerade ball he throws every year. And this year Hannah is determined to be invited. And have Harrison as her date.
Her plan is crazy. But she’s convinced she just needs a little practice to make her high school résumé perfect.
Rating:
5 out of 5 stars!
Review:
Okay, so apparently my reading streak is two for two for freaking AMAZING books this year! To be completely honest, I read this book in only a day and a half, not giving myself any breaks to stop and write down or mark any of my favorite quotes, so I apologize that I don't have that section in this review!
I, in all honesty, did not expect this book to be as amazing as it was. I'm fairly sure that this was the first contemporary book that Christina has written, so I was just expecting it to be another light, fun young adult romance read with cliche quotes and a sappy, happy ending.
I COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE WRONG!
What I got instead was a plot-twist-filled, suspenseful, sexually frustrating, tempting, tense (both romantic- and action-wise) book that kept me utterly hooked. At moment, I caught myself holding my breath because of how drawn into the book I was. And, let me just tell you now that the ending will have you gripping your e-reader or physical book for dear life until the very last sentence.
Congratulations, Christina on yet ANOTHER fantastic book!
(I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review).
Recommend?
Yes, but, as with the previous review, for MATURE audiences only due to strong language and sexual references, as well as an intense scene near the end of the book.
Practice makes perfect...or so she thought.
Nobody likes Cody Matthews, including Cody Matthews. And why should they? He got his high school girlfriend pregnant and then almost killed them both while driving drunk. That’s why he’s perfect for Hannah. She’d never fall for someone like him.
Hannah Stark is a high school senior with a resume of straight A’s. She’s never stepped a toe out of line. But that’s also why she’s never had a boyfriend. While all her classmates are counting down the days until graduation, Hannah is dragging her feet. She can’t believe she’ll be leaving her adolescence behind without ever taking a chance to be wild and free. That’s why she’s set her sights on Harrison.
Harrison Cohl is everything Hannah wants to be. Gorgeous, wealthy, popular and wild. He’s also notorious for the legendary masquerade ball he throws every year. And this year Hannah is determined to be invited. And have Harrison as her date.
Her plan is crazy. But she’s convinced she just needs a little practice to make her high school résumé perfect.
Rating:
5 out of 5 stars!
Review:
Okay, so apparently my reading streak is two for two for freaking AMAZING books this year! To be completely honest, I read this book in only a day and a half, not giving myself any breaks to stop and write down or mark any of my favorite quotes, so I apologize that I don't have that section in this review!
I, in all honesty, did not expect this book to be as amazing as it was. I'm fairly sure that this was the first contemporary book that Christina has written, so I was just expecting it to be another light, fun young adult romance read with cliche quotes and a sappy, happy ending.
I COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE WRONG!
What I got instead was a plot-twist-filled, suspenseful, sexually frustrating, tempting, tense (both romantic- and action-wise) book that kept me utterly hooked. At moment, I caught myself holding my breath because of how drawn into the book I was. And, let me just tell you now that the ending will have you gripping your e-reader or physical book for dear life until the very last sentence.
Congratulations, Christina on yet ANOTHER fantastic book!
(I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review).
Recommend?
Yes, but, as with the previous review, for MATURE audiences only due to strong language and sexual references, as well as an intense scene near the end of the book.
January 27, 2017
Review: "Uncovering Officer Smith" by Sheena Hutchinson
Welcome to the first post of 2017! Today I have a review over Uncovering Officer Smith by Sheena Hutchinson, book two in the Discovering trilogy (the review for book one, Disovering April, can be found in an earlier section of my blog).
Goodreads Synopsis:
John Smith has been hurt before by a mysterious blonde that tumbles out of his cop car. Since she stomped on his heart, he's made sure he'll never feel that way again. He has developed two rules: Never more than one night and never a blonde.
The nerdy and conservative Becca Swanson has a plan for her life: college, law school, and rule the world. Nothing and no one will get in her way. That is until she wakes up in a stranger's bedroom with no recollection of the night before.
This one tumultuous night caused these two to cross paths. Becca is everything John told himself he didn't need. Smart, sexy, and -- blonde. When she becomes the victim of one of his cases he finally can't deny the connection anymore. Worst of all, he's beginning to fall harder than ever before.
It throws his rules and her plans out the window. Could it have been fate? Or will it become the biggest mistake either of them has ever made?
Favorite Quotes:
"They all want to be the one to change me--I'm not a dog. I can't be tamed." -John
"There's something sexy about a man in uniform." -Becca
"It seems no matter how far guys knock us down, friends can always throw you a rope and help you up again." -Becca
"Could it possibly be that friends are our soul mates?" -Becca
"You can try to hide behind all those books, Becca Swanson, but I see you. I've always seen you." -John
"I'm John f***ing Smith, notorious bachelor, self-declared workaholic, and heartbreaker extraordinaire." -John
"Hate is just unrequited love." -Bedford
Rating:
5 out of 5 stars!
Review:
If my first read of 2017 is any indication of how this year is going to be for me, I cannot wait! Besides being filled with steamy romance, this book also contains a subplot filled with suspense and mystery that keeps you invested in the story from beginning to end.
As for characters, Rebecca Swanson is probably one of the most relatable that I have ever read about, from her academic determination to her refusal of sex to her severe depression at a point in the book, even to her struggle with addiction. The way Sheena approaches the topic of alcoholism within the plot feels very raw and real, and it shows just how difficult recovery can be, though it IS possible with support from one's family and friends.
Just for some basic information on the two main characters, Rebecca and John, read below:
Rebecca is a student at North Commons University to study law. She is most often called "Becca", "Becks", or "Becky". Her roommate Megan ("Meggie") is also her best friend. SHe spends all her time doing schoolwork, swearing off any and all relationships, claiming them to be a distraction.
John is a sexy police officer who knows it, very well. After a blonde-haired, green-eyed beauty broke his heart, he swore himself to eternal bachelorism, turning out a new girl from his apartment every morning. He never lets them get too close, since they are just pickings from the bar where he works part-time as a bouncer.
I really enjoyed this book, especially because of the different range of emotions and scenarios that Sheena incorporates into the book. There were never really any slow moments, something always there to keep the plot rolling, which is something I greatly appreciate in books.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Recommend?
Yes, but only for MATURE readers due to sexual references and some sexual/intense scenarios, as well as alcoholism.
Goodreads Synopsis:
John Smith has been hurt before by a mysterious blonde that tumbles out of his cop car. Since she stomped on his heart, he's made sure he'll never feel that way again. He has developed two rules: Never more than one night and never a blonde.
The nerdy and conservative Becca Swanson has a plan for her life: college, law school, and rule the world. Nothing and no one will get in her way. That is until she wakes up in a stranger's bedroom with no recollection of the night before.
This one tumultuous night caused these two to cross paths. Becca is everything John told himself he didn't need. Smart, sexy, and -- blonde. When she becomes the victim of one of his cases he finally can't deny the connection anymore. Worst of all, he's beginning to fall harder than ever before.
It throws his rules and her plans out the window. Could it have been fate? Or will it become the biggest mistake either of them has ever made?
Favorite Quotes:
"They all want to be the one to change me--I'm not a dog. I can't be tamed." -John
"There's something sexy about a man in uniform." -Becca
"It seems no matter how far guys knock us down, friends can always throw you a rope and help you up again." -Becca
"Could it possibly be that friends are our soul mates?" -Becca
"You can try to hide behind all those books, Becca Swanson, but I see you. I've always seen you." -John
"I'm John f***ing Smith, notorious bachelor, self-declared workaholic, and heartbreaker extraordinaire." -John
"Hate is just unrequited love." -Bedford
Rating:
5 out of 5 stars!
Review:
If my first read of 2017 is any indication of how this year is going to be for me, I cannot wait! Besides being filled with steamy romance, this book also contains a subplot filled with suspense and mystery that keeps you invested in the story from beginning to end.
As for characters, Rebecca Swanson is probably one of the most relatable that I have ever read about, from her academic determination to her refusal of sex to her severe depression at a point in the book, even to her struggle with addiction. The way Sheena approaches the topic of alcoholism within the plot feels very raw and real, and it shows just how difficult recovery can be, though it IS possible with support from one's family and friends.
Just for some basic information on the two main characters, Rebecca and John, read below:
Rebecca is a student at North Commons University to study law. She is most often called "Becca", "Becks", or "Becky". Her roommate Megan ("Meggie") is also her best friend. SHe spends all her time doing schoolwork, swearing off any and all relationships, claiming them to be a distraction.
John is a sexy police officer who knows it, very well. After a blonde-haired, green-eyed beauty broke his heart, he swore himself to eternal bachelorism, turning out a new girl from his apartment every morning. He never lets them get too close, since they are just pickings from the bar where he works part-time as a bouncer.
I really enjoyed this book, especially because of the different range of emotions and scenarios that Sheena incorporates into the book. There were never really any slow moments, something always there to keep the plot rolling, which is something I greatly appreciate in books.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Recommend?
Yes, but only for MATURE readers due to sexual references and some sexual/intense scenarios, as well as alcoholism.
January 1, 2017
Review: "Between Faded Lines" by Allison R. Naumann
Synopsis:
 |
| Cover Art by Allison R. Naumann. |
Bright Castor plunged in darkest age,
The fighters fall in blackcoat rage.
Their ruler's image dark and cold:
One changed, one lost, one saved, one bold.
One chosen from Celesti brought,
Well veiled and kept, her worth known naught.
With gold the darkness will she purge,
Her faith alone shift river's surge.
Commander Black Hawk stands at Castoria's helm, the cowering world subject to his will. But when Empress Circe charges him to capture the one person who could annihilate his future empire, he unintentionally provokes forces beyond his control. Torturous visions combined with devastating losses drive Black Hawk between the fades lines of two opposing paths. He must choose one--or fight destiny to his grave.
The ancient war betwixt the Stars and the Fallen is rising.
Meet the Author:
Allison R. Naumann lives in Texas with her family and chickens. Dreaming up fantastical stories has always been a joy to her, and she began to put her ideas into writing and drawings when she was eight years old.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mikelcelestsky
Rating:
Five out of five stars. I would give it six out of five stars, but I don't have the authority to break the rating scale.
Review:
Think of Star Wars, Star Trek, and modern YA dystopian novels. Now, imagine what their *theoretical* child would be like, except all the characters are human (as in, no aliens). To me, that is exactly what this book is, and I loved every page of it. From the prologue in the bigging to the very last word, I was transported to another galaxy, living the lives of the characters that shared point-of-views throughout the story. There were evil characters, there were good characters, characters who didn't know if their side was good or bad, and a character who stood on the line between choosing to be good or bad. I fell in love with every single one of them (except two specific ones, ahem, Allison, you know who I'm talking about). The story is primarily told from Commander Black Hawk's point-of-view, but almost as much, it is told from Mikel's point-of-view, both of whom are struggling to discover who they are and what they are destined to become, both of them fighting their fate for various amounts of time. I have to say, the ending left me breathless, and I was so stunned that I couldn't even cry. This is the first book in the Living In the Shadows series, and the second book will be out sometime in May, according to the author. All I know is that I am not going to mentally be stable until I have my copy and can learn more about this new and exciting world.
That's it for this book review! If you'd like to know anymore about this series, contact Allison or myself, and if you would like to see anything else incorporated into my book reviews, comment below or shoot me a direct message on Instagram.
Happy New Year, my Book Cubs!
XOXO!!
Catheryn // The Book Lioness
Five out of five stars. I would give it six out of five stars, but I don't have the authority to break the rating scale.
Review:
Think of Star Wars, Star Trek, and modern YA dystopian novels. Now, imagine what their *theoretical* child would be like, except all the characters are human (as in, no aliens). To me, that is exactly what this book is, and I loved every page of it. From the prologue in the bigging to the very last word, I was transported to another galaxy, living the lives of the characters that shared point-of-views throughout the story. There were evil characters, there were good characters, characters who didn't know if their side was good or bad, and a character who stood on the line between choosing to be good or bad. I fell in love with every single one of them (except two specific ones, ahem, Allison, you know who I'm talking about). The story is primarily told from Commander Black Hawk's point-of-view, but almost as much, it is told from Mikel's point-of-view, both of whom are struggling to discover who they are and what they are destined to become, both of them fighting their fate for various amounts of time. I have to say, the ending left me breathless, and I was so stunned that I couldn't even cry. This is the first book in the Living In the Shadows series, and the second book will be out sometime in May, according to the author. All I know is that I am not going to mentally be stable until I have my copy and can learn more about this new and exciting world.
That's it for this book review! If you'd like to know anymore about this series, contact Allison or myself, and if you would like to see anything else incorporated into my book reviews, comment below or shoot me a direct message on Instagram.
Happy New Year, my Book Cubs!
XOXO!!
Catheryn // The Book Lioness
December 31, 2016
2016 Wrap-Up | January 2017 TBR
Merry (belated) Christmas to all of you who celebrate it, happy holidays to those of you who do not, and happy early New Years!
Yes, I know it has been five whole months since I last made a blog post. Yes, I know I've neglected my Youtube channel. Do I regret it?
Absolutely not.
This year has been so AMAZING for me in terms of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, such as:
I hope to have Between Faded Lines by Allison R. Naumann reviewed on here by the first week of January since I just recently finished it. On my To-Be-Reviewed list is Uncovering Officer Smith by Sheena Hutchinson and College Rules! by Sherrie Nist-Olejnik, PhD and Jodi Patrick Holschuh, PhD (sent to me by Blogging for Books), so those have top priority. I have four more books also on my review list, but all of them are a part of series that have releases in February, so I'm saving those so I can do a series binge (three of the books are within the same series, so it seems worth it to just do a huge bundled review)! xD Also, in 2015, I read I'll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan AND ABSOLUTELY FELL IN LOVE! So of course, when I found out that there was a sequel, I bought it, but I have yet to read it, so I will be, hopefully, re-reading I'll Be There and its sequel, Just Call My Name.
Yes, I know it has been five whole months since I last made a blog post. Yes, I know I've neglected my Youtube channel. Do I regret it?
Absolutely not.
This year has been so AMAZING for me in terms of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, such as:
- Visiting New York City in late May/early June
- Attending the Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts in the discipline of vocal music during the entire month of June
- AND LET'S NOT FORGET GOING TO FREAKING HAWAI'I DURING THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 23-30 FOR A BAND TRIP AND GETTING TO PERFORM AT THE PEARL HARBOR MEMORIAL IN COMMEMORATION OF THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOMBING OF PEARL HARBOR
Anyway...
Since I have gotten to do so many things outside of the world of books, I did only read 28 books this year, but I beat my personal goal of 25 books, knowing full well that this year was going to be crazy. Speaking of those 28 books, let's get on to those, shall we?
THE 27 BOOKS I READ IN 2016:
- Between Faded Lines by Allison R. Naumann (review to come)
- Imprinted by Andrea Michelle
- All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
- A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines
- The Crucible by Arthur Miller
- The Awakening by Kate Chopin
- How To Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster
- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
- Sunrise by Mike Mullin
- The Crown by Kiera Cass
- Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare
- A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen
- AP World History Crash Course by Jay Harmon
- Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
- A Separate Peace by John Knowles
- Cruel Crown by Victoria Aveyard
- Hunted by Abi Ketner/Missy Kalicicki
- Discovering April by Sheena Hutchinson
- Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
- The Martian by Andy Weir
- The Geneva Project: The Timekeeper's Daughter by Christina Benjamin
- Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard
- Shiver, Linger, Forever, and Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater
- Silas Marner by George Eliot
- The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
In January of 2017, there are not any sequels being released (or anything of the like), so I will not be re-reading any books this month for that purpose, but I know I will be reading an ARC of The Practice Boyfriend by Christina Benjamin (one of the sweetest and kindest authors I've ever met).
This book will be released on January 24th, and I'll be releasing more information (like the cover reveal) as well as a spoiler-free review that I will have posted before the release date so that you all can have an idea if you would like to read it (I'll also have the pre-order links posted, for your convenience).
I hope to have Between Faded Lines by Allison R. Naumann reviewed on here by the first week of January since I just recently finished it. On my To-Be-Reviewed list is Uncovering Officer Smith by Sheena Hutchinson and College Rules! by Sherrie Nist-Olejnik, PhD and Jodi Patrick Holschuh, PhD (sent to me by Blogging for Books), so those have top priority. I have four more books also on my review list, but all of them are a part of series that have releases in February, so I'm saving those so I can do a series binge (three of the books are within the same series, so it seems worth it to just do a huge bundled review)! xD Also, in 2015, I read I'll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan AND ABSOLUTELY FELL IN LOVE! So of course, when I found out that there was a sequel, I bought it, but I have yet to read it, so I will be, hopefully, re-reading I'll Be There and its sequel, Just Call My Name.
That's all for now you guys! If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe by email or with your Google account, and make sure to follow me on my social media platforms. As always, if you have any comments or requests, feel free to post them on any of my social media platforms!
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So much love to all of you during this holiday season, and many thanks for all of your support!
💚💝 The Book Lioness 💝💚
July 17, 2016
May & June Wrap-Up/July TBR
I have missed you all so much! Please don't riot for the fact that I haven't posted since the beginning of May! I have been CRAZY busy with a trip to New York City, Governor's School for the Arts, visiting family up in Michigan for the Fourth of July, getting everything ready for band camp (which starts tomorrow!!!!!!!), working full-time at a doctor's office, taking an online class for Personal Finance, and completing three summer packets to prepare me for my junior year of high school. Not to mention the fact that I just got a beautiful one year-old Siamese cat that I have named Belle (favorite Disney princess, for the win)! Anyway, this whole paragraph was meant to explain why my "Read" list is going to be so small. So, let's get this over with...
Books I Read
Books I Read
- "A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen
- "Lady Midnight" by Cassandra Clare
- AP World History Crash Course
- "The Crown" by Kiera Cass
- "Sunrise" by Mike Mullin
July TBR
Before school starts back on August 5th, I have to read:
- "How To Read Literature Like A Professor" by Thomas C. Foster, and
- "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain
I'm also hoping to get to the review copy I received from Allison Naumann of her book "Between Faded Lines" (Living in the Shadows, Book 1) but I will have to see how crazy it is trying to finish all of my school work!
I hope all of you amazing, wonderful people are having a safe and blessed summer! If you have any requests for posts, feel free to email me anytime at thebooklionessblog@gmail.com!
Much love,
Catheryn
May 3, 2016
March and April Wrap-Up!
Books Read:
- The chapter of John in The Holy Bible
- Part 4 of The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
- Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
- Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater
- A Separate Peace by John Knowles
- The Timekeeper's Daughter by Christina Benjamin
- Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
- Silas Marner by George Eliot
Important Updates:
- On March 12th, I turned sixteen years old!!
- I am officially attending Governors School for the Arts for their choral program as a soprano!
- I attended the first annual SE-Ya Book Festival on March 11th with my school's book club (our librarians and club sponsors are the founders of SE-YA), and it was absolutely AMAZING! I'm attaching a ton of photos below :)
I.W. Gregorio and me
Julie Murphy and me
Courtney C. Stevens and me
Ruta Sepetys, David Arnold, ,and Adam Silvera
Jasmine Warga and Courtney C. Stevens
Jasmine Warga and me
David Arnold and me
Ruta Sepetys and me
Katie L. McGarry and me
Katie Cotugno and me
Katie L. McGarry, an author that I can't remember the name of, Helene Dunbar, and Katie Cotugno
Katie L. McGarry and the Unknown Author
Katie L. McGarry and the Mysterious Author Lady
Helene Dunbar and Katie Cotugno
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