What to say about Something Wicked… Should I mention how sizzling hot it is? Or maybe how it mixes fictional characters with our very own feelings? Maybe how great the twists and turns are that take us on this crazy ride? I vote yes for all of the above.

First, let’s talk about the one thing that caught my attention more than anything. This book is hot. It’s sexy, blush-inducing, pure deliciousness. Drake and Gabby couldn’t be more opposite. They do jump in there very quickly, but ya know what? It’s okay. It’s all right because the quality of those scenes will make you forget everything before it. Mummert is a pro at grabbing you from the first page, and this one is no exception to that rule.

While I do wish there was more in the way of character background and development, they didn’t feel like total strangers. Not at all. You’ll be on their team and rooting for them, individually and as a pair. They have a few different obstacles to overcome, and it’s very interesting to see how they get through those. The instant attraction and intensity of their connection is undeniable.

It’s no secret that we’re big fans of CM Foss here at Southern Belle Book Blog. She’s feisty, a bit crazy (in the very best way. Always the best way), and she is one of my dearest friends in this book world. Good grief, writing a review for her books though? It’s impossible. There aren’t enough words in the dictionary to describe my love for City Beautiful. She has outdone herself.

This isn’t your generic love story. Not even close. If anything, it’s just about as unconventional as they come, but that’s why I enjoyed it so much. I’m not sure what I’m allowed to say and not say, and the very last thing I want to do is ruin this book for you. So let’s go for vague, yea?

The story of Ivy and Patrick is unique, fun, a bit sad, and a whole lot of romantic. As in, like…a lot of romance. It’s sweet, charming, make your heart pitter-patter romance (within reason). It’s a well-rounded novel that will cause laughter, tears, and major swoon within a few short hours. City Beautiful is a fun read, and before you know it, half of the day will be gone and you’ll be at The End. It’s one of THOSE kinds of books.

That. Was. Spectacular.

Gus is every thing I hoped it would be, plus so much more. If such a thing can happen, I feel like my heart is smiling. I just feel so…complete. Satisfied. Fulfilled. Whatever word you want to use, Gus achieved it all.

I’m going to assume you know about Bright Side, and chances are pretty great that you’ve read it. I don’t need to tell you who Kate is. I don’t need to explain how a fictional character changed all of our lives or made us look at the world differently. Because Kate, her world, and the words that Kim Holden wrote made such an impact on myself and I’m sure all of you, I had extremely high hopes for Gus. No doubt about it, Kim far exceeded my expectations.

Like in Bright Side, Gus goes beyond just a simple love story. It’s bigger than that. It’s friendship. It’s family. It’s loyalty and support. It’s the future and the past meshing in a beautiful way. It’s…it is everything. Amidst Gus’ pain, heartbreak, and devastation that you’ll experience right along with him, he learns what’s important. While the pain lessens, memories last forever. He learns to embrace that important lesson. When he meets Scout, she changes him for the better, as does he for her. They both grow together into something magical. And hot. And funny. And… perfect.

I always make the first sentence of my reviews too difficult. I overthink it, I guess. I try to make sure it grabs you. How’s this:

I LOVED THIS BOOK!

Let’s go with it, yea? I truly do wish I could scream it from every rooftop, telling everyone just how much I enjoyed Fair Game. It was everything I wanted. Well-developed characters, an addictive storyline, and it will evoke every emotion you can fathom. It’s pure new adult at it’s finest. 

These characters grab you from page one. The adrenaline is pumping, you dive head first in as soon as you open the book, and it doesn’t let up throughout the entirety of their story. As exciting as the story was, the characters carried this book for me. Jade is…unfiltered and goes for what she wants. I loved her personality so much. Shep is a cocky rich kid, and he has his eye set on Jade Frost. You won’t be able to help yourself. You’ll get caught up in the game and find yourself head over heels in love with them. They’re explosive, sexy, and just…right. It’s just right. 

The Friend Zone might turn out to be the best book I will read in 2015. After reading The Hook Up, I thought, there is no way Kristen Callihan could write anything I’d love more, but she did. She wrote a book that I read in one sitting and loved so much, I held off writing my review. I wanted to sit and think and reflect. Because it was that awesome. And in the past week, I haven’t stopped thinking about it. 

Ivy and Grey go together like peanut butter and jelly. They are meant to be. They are made for each other. What started off as an awesome friendship, grew to a love that everyone should know. 

The devotion that Grey has for Ivy is astounding. He is protective. He is loving. Before he even met her, he knew he couldn’t live without her. And then once he did, he strived to be the best he could be. No longer is he a manwhore. He is committed from the first text message, even without trying to be. She was it for him from day one. 

Two of Hearts is one of those perfect second chance romances. Why is it one of those perfect second chance romances? I don’t want to give anything away so I’m going to be very vague. It’s perfect because the reason they broke up to begin with, wasn’t anything major. It was more of a misunderstanding. So when they came back together, while they had so many things to talk about, it wasn’t forced. The attraction was still there. The love they had for each other was still there. They just had to work through their issues. 

But I have to say, Dakota and Shane have some of the worst communication skills. Lots of things go unsaid until there is desperation and frustration. Throughout the entire book, I kept yelling, “If you just talked to each other, so many things would be solved!” But then, they wouldn’t be Dakota and Shane. 

Dakota and Shane are one of those couples that didn’t get fully started before they were torn apart. And when they come back together, even though the circumstances are horribly sad, everything they felt is still there. But they need to learn to talk to each other. 

This is the type of book that I feel like I need to just sit and wait to write my review. But I can’t. I need to tell you how good it was. I need to try and put down, into words, how I felt about this book. But the words are all jumbled up in my head, so I’m warning you, it might not make too much sense. 

I know this book won’t be for everyone. I understand that. But Memoir in the Making is a truly beautiful story about two women falling in love. It’s a student and professor who can’t stay away from each other. That spark the first day of school, that turned into an inferno, that they couldn’t put out, even if they tried. And they did try. They both knew there was an attraction. They both knew they shouldn't act on it. But that need, those feelings, got too strong for them to fight and it combusted. And the results, weren’t always easy but as the reader, you knew that this was meant to be. 

The story between Ainsley and Meredith was so natural. From that first meeting until the end of the book, you never felt they didn’t belong together. Even though Ainsley was Meredith’s student, even though there was a very large age difference. None of the obstacles mattered. Nothing was big enough to stop the love. And when it came down to it, it was beautiful. It truly was.  

~Katie