I love Niko. I mean I absolutely love him. And Ben the sacrifices he makes will tug at your heartstrings. Ben’s love for Carrie will have you cry but the real and I mean real tearjerker in the end that will have you needing Kleenex galore is Niko and Arianne. Those two show you what first love and pure love is. How one sacrifices for love selflessly.

Arianne, a introverted and lost young woman who is just trying to get through her high school experience with as little pain and humiliation as possible, has a huge crush on Niko. Problem her bully Darla and Niko himself. Arianne, who is bullied in the most degrading fashion by Darla (who I think is a bully to hide her own insecurities), thinks that someone like Niko couldn’t like her. Even as he shows interest she can’t believe it.

Niko. Holy sweet monkeys that boy is just precious. PRECIOUS…He is polite and aloof at the same time. Unhappy and trying to figure out life and why he exists is fading until he is paired with arianne. His angel. The woman who shows him that life is worth existing. Boy does he fall for her. the first woman he falls for in his life or lives so to speak since he is a reaper.

Ben the sweetest guy on the planet is i love with Arianne’s sister and she with him. That is the sweetest thing to see since Carrie is dying. But still his love is unwavering as is his friendship for arrianne. a friendship that is so strong that he sacrifices alot for it. this guy will have you ahhing so much. Such a cutie patooty.

But still Niko as he falls for Arianne and Arianne as he lets Niko are so beautiful. Their love is fierce and they will do anything for one another. This is seen in the end of the book.

A book that shows that love is a powerful emotion that will have you be selfless and get you through anything and have you sacrifice anything for the other to be safe and happy. Such a beautiful story and can’t wait for the next book to see if this love endures. ( )

Won @ giveaway at AutumnReviews.com

Reaping Me Softly by Kate Evangelista
eARC received from Omnific Publishing
Release Date: October 30, 2012
Reviewed by: Middle Sis Jenn
The Sisters Say: Rich and Romantic—a MUST READ!

Kate Evangelista has done it again! I was a huge fan of Taste, so when the chance came to read and review another one of her novels, I jumped! And I am so glad I did—Kate’s story of reapers will captivate and enthrall you! Let Death take you for a ride.

I will go ahead and say it…I will now read ANYTHING by Kate Evangelista. It’s like she dug into my heart and found my idea of the perfect guy and then brought him to life through her words! First there was Luka and Demitrit, and now there is Niko. (Gosh…don’t you just love her names! Kate, you should write a Baby Names book…seriously.) Niko has been a reaper for lifetimes upon lifetimes, but he has found himself questioning his existence, until he meets Arianne. Soon Arianna discovers than Niko is anything but human, and from there, their romance, adventure, and journey begins.

I think writing a great heroine has to be one of the hardest things to do. Swoon-worthy guys, much easier to write, but a heroine that makes you cheer for her? Difficult. That’s one of the reasons I liked this book. Arianne just felt real—even though her life was anything but ordinary, I felt like her responses to death and pain were significant and realistic. She was caring and even though she was tortured beyond belief at school, she still held her head high and tried to look past the hurt. I liked seeing inside her head, knowing her desires along with her pain, and I am really looking forward to the next book. (After the ending, I’m assuming there is a next book)

Don’t
Fear
The
Reaper.

Sorry…couldn’t help myself! So…Niko!

Let’s start with a few words about him:

Brooding (slight drool)
Dark and Mysterious (a little more drool)
Wispy hair (starting a puddle here)
Overprotective instincts (can someone hand me a towel)
Great kisser with racy thoughts (lost all control of saliva)

Now doesn’t he just sound perfect? I agree—super swoon-worthy! I loved Niko. Like I said, it’s like Kate stole him from my head. I love the dark and broody guy with the hair that falls over those rumpled brows as he levels a gaze of steel at you. And I really love the overprotective type that will come to your aid no matter what the situation. Add that to some great kissing scenes, and voila! Plus, he’s contemplative. I really enjoyed his existential crisis because it gave us insight into his mind—what plagues him, what delights him. I do wish there were a few more steamy scenes…I wanted more! Some of the scenes in Taste took my breath away, and I was hoping for them in this book. But, I guess I will have to wait until the sequel (hopefully my steam quota will be met). Needless to say….I’m dying to read more of him!

The story itself was a fun and quick read. I enjoyed the minor characters just as much because they filled out the story. There were some parts where the wording did feel a little off and I had to go back and re-read because it didn’t flow well, but that’s something easily fixed by a little editing. The story itself was quickly paced, and I didn’t feel like there was a slow moment. Now, there isn’t wam, bam type of action like beat downs and car chases and what not, but the action that did take place fit well with the story.

The most interesting part of the story was Death himself. He was a tale of contradictions; feeling yet harsh, caring yet apathetic, domineering yet acquiescing. His words seemed truthful and like a loving father, but I couldn’t help but sense that his words were dripping with danger and deceit. His ambiguity made it hard to tell if he was a good or bad guy, which I loved because that’s the aura of death, right? Is it good or evil? Or is it just…death?

Kate’s writing swept off the page, and in the blink of an eye, I was there with her, in the In Between—frozen in time and reveling in space. She creates a world full of layers--bittersweet love, all-consuming hate, and unyielding power. The lines between good and evil are soaked in oil, ready to catch fire and burn with the strike of a match; and I believe Niko and Arianne have a treacherous road ahead of them.

Don’t let Kate’s world slip softly from your grasp! Order it today, and you won’t be disappointed! ( )

This is the second book of Kate's that I have read and loved. I will definitely be watching for her books and when they come out in the future.

Arianne and Niko are main characters that have great chemistry and are just good characters. Their love story is unique in some aspects and very entertaining. Arianne has a sarcastic humor that I liked. Niko is conflicted, he has a life that isn't know to the general public and trying to balance two worlds.

Kate amazed me with her descriptions. I found them to be unique and they gave me a clear picture of the events in the book. Kate also has a great imagination. This book caught my imagination and pulled me into the story.

There are a few scenes with innuendo but not strong in sexual content. I would recommend to readers 16+. ( )