Tijan

This was an emotional read, but sometimes you just need to read a book that makes you feel, and this is one of those books. In the story you follow Mackenzie, whose twin sister has just committed suicide. This loss has shattered her world, and she has a lot of trouble processing it all, especially when her family isn't handling well and shuts her out when she needs them the most. That night she is left staying with strangers and accidentally gets into Ryan's bed, but it turns out being with Ryan is the one thing that gives her sanctuary from the grief she is feeling. The emotions are raw in this book but the romance helps lighten the mood, a great balance. It is truly a realistic view on suicide and how it affects those that are left behind. It's about learning to process your grief and put your pieces back together, even if it takes a long time. It's also an important lesson that how you view others isn't always how they view themselves. The book is beautifully written and it's one those that you just can't stop reading because you're so engrossed in the story. This was the first book I've read by Tijan, but I definitely plan to read more!… (more)

Quickie Review: (May contain spoilers, be responsible in reading this review)

Enemies was a truly fantastic read! I had so much fun reading this one. And reading it made me realize how much I have truly missed reading this author and I definitely need to read her more often. She especially writes such solid angst and it delivered so well on the page. And a FAMILY FEUD....YES sign me up. I actually had no clue going into this book that it had those aspects. The blurb was a bit different than what the story actually was. But despite that I really had a time of my life with this book. They both had such great personalities and seeing them find common ground and get to the truth behind the conflict between them was just right. The only issue that I had with this book was the third act conflict. It was just a bit weird, and the heroine should have done a grovel too in this one. She did some wrong too so it would have been nice if she had done some redemption as well. Overall, I had a blast with this book and was beyond entertaining and if you love contemporary enemies to lovers====READ THIS ONE!! I promise you won't have regrets!… (more)

From the beginning you are immersed into this world where you survive to live another day by doing what you must and able to take orders. We have Girl/Carrie/Canary/Ash (all the same person just different identities so let’s stick with Ash) Ash who has entered this dark world of her own decision determined to find her sister. Ash has seen quite a bit of murder, torture, hit men, and everything in between and she has survived to keep living another day. When Raize wins her in a poker game she is actually relieved because he has a certain level of respect for her and her ability to be able to read people and tell when they are lying or telling the truth. Raize has been this ultimate force that many are scared of, some want to be him while others just want him. He is a ruthless killing machine for the Russian mob and he knows how to play the game well. He wasn’t expecting to feel anything for Ash other than a simple attraction or respect, yet one day things change and he knows he has to have her by his side. In a world full of chaos and murder these two find some sort of Norma lacy and peace with each other, but their world is about to crumble down around them. Many people want them dead while some want them to work for them, can they survive their missions or are they doomed from the start? Will they be each other’s weaknesses or their greatest strength? With so many variables in play and os many enemies on the move can they keep fighting to survive? There are so many twists, turns, ups, and downs that keep the reader glued to the pages waiting to see what will happen next and things you can’t even guess what will occur. I thoroughly enjoyed this read as it had everything from action on every page, steam that had you melting, and amazed at the courage that Ash kept finding time after time. Ash and Raize were not a traditional couple but they always made the best of their situations that they could and they created a world where their team could not only survive, fight, win, but also always depend on each other.… (more)

Jess is a parole officer. Trace is Mafia. They meet at a hockey game and are attracted but Trace sees her badge and is turned off. Jess knows nothing about him. But neither can stop thinking about the other. Trace keeps coming back to Jess no matter how many times she warns him off. When war breaks out, Jess gets caught in it. Will Trace give up the family? Will the two of them be able to see past the outer facades down to the people they are?

I enjoyed this book. It is a wild intense ride from the beginning to the end. I liked Jess and Trace. While their hands may be tied in society, in their own world they take it slow and make it finally work. There are questions I have. Not about Trace and Jess, but about her parents' past, about Leo and Bear (family friends) and how they fit in and why they lie to Jess. I'm not sure if Bear got what he deserved but Leo definitely did. I also have questions about Trace and his best friend Ashton--what's their history? Why does Ashton do what he does? There are so many story lines to follow here. I just hope the last line of the book is not true (there's more questions on that.)

I look forward to reading the sequel to this book. I hope some answers are given.… (more)