Book Review: Defy - LJ Shen

Defy is the second book of LJ Shen that I’ve read. A prequel to Vicious. If you haven’t read it yet, you can check my review here.  I was excited to read the prequel of the said book since I did enjoyed reading Vicious and Shen’s writing.

Defy is a lot shorter and fast-paced than Vicious. And since I read Vicious first, I kind of know where they’d end up in. I’m actually cool with that. I love witnessing how something will play out even if I know what the out come will be.

I loved how Jamie was portrayed in the story. A lot of “awwwww” moments. He may be just a boy, but at least he acts more like a man. He knows exactly what to say at the right time. On the other hand, Melody is just plain for me. Nothing really special about her. She seems to be a bit bland to me. Not really my type of heroine. Aside from her looks, I didn’t really see what’s attractive of her. there were things that actually happened to her that may have been hard to overcome, but I didn’t quite actually feel her “presence”.

The story was fun to read, but it could’ve been better. Although I had many “aww moment” with Jamie, I kind of feel that something is missing in the plot. Apart from one scene that actually showed them getting to know each other, I didn’t quite feel their “feelings” building up. One moment they were nothing more than prey and predator, the next they were madly in love with each other. But I liked what Jamie did for Melody. Something a book boyfriend would’ve done.

Overall I’d give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. I would’ve enjoyed it more if it detailed their love story more. Maybe I just wanted more of Jaime.

Book Review: A Thousand Letters - Staci Hart

A Thousand Letters is the first Staci Hart that I received. The title and blurb is promising and made me expect some heart-wrenching love story. But neither prepared me on the book itself.

I know the story doesn’t really revolve around it, or at least I’m assuming that it is not the way the author is focusing on. But the father story is what actually strikes me more, maybe because it hits a nerve. I felt more heart broken with Rick’s story than the all the rest. Although the character build up was good. I can’t decide if I like Wade. He is created as realistic as it can get. Not the typical boyfriend you get to meet in your books. Something like a breath of fresh air from all the other book boyfriend we always dream about, which is also the same reason why I can’t love him enough. Maybe I like the way book boyfriends are created in way that we get a glimpse of happy ever after. Something that will give us a glimpse and hope that there is someone out there. Although he did redeem himself a bit in the end but generally, he’s just okay. He’s not so bad, but not enough for me to list him under my book boyfriend. On the other hand, I love the way Elliot was written. I can actually relate to her, being a little bit of a pushover myself. She gave me hope that I can do better. So I was able to connect to her and understood her perfectly. I just wish I could be just as strong as her.

The story in its entirety is just okay for me. The only thing that made my heart break so much was the father. And part of that is because I’m just a sucker for family stories as it is. Although the story didn’t really focus much on that, I guess I just missed the parts that actually reach out to me as a romance novel. I didn’t quite connect to their story. Part of it was because I do not agree with the choices they make and the situation they got themselves into. And part of it was because I feel something missing on their story. It was not built in a way that would make me root for them.

Overall, I’d still give this 4 out of 5 stars just because I love Rick so much. But I’d give it a 3 for romance, because it doesn’t really strike to me as a romance story

Release Day Blitz: A Thousand Letters - Staci Hart

"Lyrical, heartbreaking, and emotionally intense, A THOUSAND LETTERS is a beautiful portrait of an undying love that deserves a second chance."

— Melanie Harlow, USA Today Bestselling Author

A Thousand Letters, an all-new emotional standalone by Staci Hart is LIVE!!!

Sometimes your life is split by a single decision.
I’ve spent every day of the last seven years regretting mine: he left, and I didn’t follow. A thousand letters went unanswered, my words like petals in the wind, spinning away into nothing, taking me with them.
But now he’s back.
I barely recognize the man he’s become, but I can still see a glimmer of the boy who asked me to be his forever, the boy I walked away from when I was young and afraid.
Maybe if he’d come home under better circumstances, he could speak to me without anger in his voice. Maybe if I’d said yes all those years ago, he’d look at me without the weight of rejection in his eyes. Maybe if things were different, we would have had a chance.
One regretted decision sent him away. One painful journey bought him back to me. I only wish I could keep him.
*A contemporary romance inspired by Jane Austen’s Persuasion*

Read Today:

FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2lc28DN
Amazon UK: https://goo.gl/x7nolo
Add to Goodreads: https://goo.gl/SORJXP

About the Author

Staci has been a lot of things up to this point in her life -- a graphic designer, an entrepreneur, a seamstress, a clothing and handbag designer, a waitress. Can't forget that. She's also been a mom, with three little girls who are sure to grow up to break a number of hearts. She's been a wife, though she's certainly not the cleanest, or the best cook. She's also super, duper fun at a party, especially if she's been drinking whiskey.

From roots in Houston to a seven year stint in Southern California, Staci and her family ended up settling somewhere in between and equally north, in Denver. They are new enough that snow is still magical. When she's not writing, she's reading, sleeping, gaming, or designing graphics.

Connect with the Author:

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Website: http://stacihartnovels.com
Newsletter: http://stacihartnovels.com/get-the-newsletter/


Review

A Thousand Letters is the first Staci Hart that I received. The title and blurb is promising and made me expect some heart-wrenching love story. But neither prepared me on the book itself.

I know the story doesn’t really revolve around it, or at least I’m assuming that it is not the way the author is focusing on. But the father story is what actually strikes me more, maybe because it hits a nerve. I felt more heart broken with Rick’s story than the all the rest. Although the character build up was good. I can’t decide if I like Wade. He is created as realistic as it can get. Not the typical boyfriend you get to meet in your books. Something like a breath of fresh air from all the other book boyfriend we always dream about, which is also the same reason why I can’t love him enough. Maybe I like the way book boyfriends are created in way that we get a glimpse of happy ever after. Something that will give us a glimpse and hope that there is someone out there. Although he did redeem himself a bit in the end but generally, he’s just okay. He’s not so bad, but not enough for me to list him under my book boyfriend. On the other hand, I love the way Elliot was written. I can actually relate to her, being a little bit of a pushover myself. She gave me hope that I can do better. So I was able to connect to her and understood her perfectly. I just wish I could be just as strong as her.

The story in its entirety is just okay for me. The only thing that made my heart break so much was the father. And part of that is because I’m just a sucker for family stories as it is. Although the story didn’t really focus much on that, I guess I just missed the parts that actually reach out to me as a romance novel. I didn’t quite connect to their story. Part of it was because I do not agree with the choices they make and the situation they got themselves into. And part of it was because I feel something missing on their story. It was not built in a way that would make me root for them.

Overall, I’d still give this 4 out of 5 stars just because I love Rick so much. But I’d give it a 3 for romance, because it doesn’t really strike to me as a romance story.