A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Published by Bloomsbury USA Childrens in May 2016

Another review from the Cassie's Babblings archives!  I re-read this series in anticipation of book 3 coming out May 2.  I forgot how much this book tore my heart out.  I may have had something in my eye at the end of this book... I hope you enjoy!

"Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two." -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
There are no words to describe all 626 pages of this book. It left me quivering like a pool of jelly on the floor. Sarah J. Maas really knows how to dig into the reader's chest and rip out their heart.

When I first started seeing the #TeamRhys hashtag, I thought "Oh noo. That is not going to happen to me."  Well. It did. I am 100% #TeamRhys. Especially while I'm over here in the corner bawling my eyes out. The next book cannot come fast enough.  If you like kick ass female characters with amazing world building, this series is for you.

Disclosure: I purchased my own copy.

Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts

Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts
Published by Berkley Books in November 2010
Bride Quartet #4
All Time Favorite

"As the public face of Vows wedding planning company, Parker Brown has an uncanny knack for fulfilling every bride's vision. She just can't see where her own life is headed. Mechanic Malcomb Kavanaugh loves figuring out how things work, and Parker is no exception. Both know that moving from minor flirtation to major hook-up is a serious step. Parker's business risks have always paid off, but now she'll have to take the chance of a lifetime with her heart..." - From Goodreads

Will you like it?
I really think Parker's story is my favorite.  Anyone who knows me in real life knows that I love my planner and carry it around with me everywhere I go.  She seems the most unwilling to open herself to love, and when she finally does it's a beautiful thing.

Disclosure: I own the physical book, but I borrowed the audiobook from my local library.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Published by Bloomsbury Children's in May 2015
A Court of Thorns and Roses #1

Another review from the archives!  I'm rereading this series in anticipation for book 3 coming out May 2.  It's also very interesting to go back and reread after reading book 2.  Such a different take on Tamlin after that.  Enjoy!

"When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever."

Will you like it?

I wish I could give this book more than five stars.  I loved the premise of the book even before I read it (Sarah J. Maas wrote it, how could it be bad?!), and I was not disappointed.  There are too many things to gush about.  I love Feyre.  She's not willing to be run over by some arrogant faerie.  She also takes care of her family, and puts her own needs and wants second.  

Tamlin.  There were several times I needed to fan myself after reading certain passages.  He is gorgeous, brooding, and powerful.  Everything a High Lord should be.  (*Disclaimer: I definitely feel different about him after reading book 2, but decided not to change that on here.)

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts

Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts
Published by Berkley Books in April 2010
Bride Quartet #3
All Time Favorite

"With the support of her friends, Laurel McBane’s dream of attending culinary school came true. Now, she’s repaying their kindness by creating extravagantly luscious tiers of cakes and other confectionary delights that add the perfect touch to their clients’ weddings.

As for romance, the low-key Laurel has had a mega crush on Parker’s older brother, Delaney Brown, since childhood. But she’s convinced that the Ivy League lawyer is still out of her reach. When Laurel’s quicksilver moods get the better of her—leading to an angry, hot, altogether mind-blowing kiss with Del—she’ll have to quiet the doubts in her mind to turn a moment of passion into forever…"- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
I love how feisty Laurel is in her own book.  She knows what she wants and doesn't take any crap doing it.  If you love weddings or romance, then this series is definitely for you.

Disclosure: I own the physical book, but I borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library.

Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts

Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts
Published by Berkley Books in October 2009
Bride Quartet #2
All Time Favorite

Another review from the Cassie's Babblings archives!  Planning my own wedding made me really want to read this series again, and I'm glad I did!

"In Bed of Roses, florist Emma Grant is finding career success with her friends at Vows wedding planning company, and her love life appears to be thriving. Though men swarm around her, she still hasn’t found Mr. Right. And the last place she’s looking is right under her nose.

But that’s just where Jack Cooke is. He’s so close to the women of Vows that he’s practically family, but the architect has begun to admit to himself that his feelings for Emma have developed into much more than friendship. When Emma returns his passion—kiss for blistering kiss—they must trust in their history…and in their hearts." -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
If you love weddings and romance this series is for you.  The audiobook is great!  When I don't know what else to listen to, I know I can always pull one book from this series and I will enjoy it.

Disclosure: I own the physical book, but I borrowed the audiobook from my local library.

Vision in White by Nora Roberts

Vision in White by Nora Roberts
Published by Berkley Books in April 2009.
Bride Quartet #1
All Time Favorite

I'm reposting this review from the Cassie Babblings archives.  I've started to relisten to these audiobooks at work, just for something to listen to.  I also want to be real about what I'm reading.  I don't want to only post about the hottest new releases.
Enjoy!

"Wedding photographer Mackensie "Mac" Elliot is most at home behind the camera, but her focus is shattered moments before an important wedding rehearsal when she bumps into the bride-to-be's brother...an encounter that has them both seeing stars.

A stable, safe English teacher, Carter Maguire is definitely not Mac's type. But a casual fling might be just what she needs to take her mind off bridezillas. Of course, casual flings can turn into something more when you least expect it. And Mac will have to turn to her three best friends-and business partners-to see her way to her own happy ending." -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
Honestly, if you like weddings, friendships, and romance this series is for you.  I read this series every year (the audiobooks are great!).  It's like revisiting old friends.  I would recommend x10 this series.

Disclosure: I own the physical book, but I borrowed the audiobook from my local library.

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Published by Bloomsbury USA Childrens in May 2016

"Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two." -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
There are no words to describe all 626 pages of this book. It left me quivering like a pool of jelly on the floor. Sarah J. Maas really knows how to dig into the reader's chest and rip out their heart.

When I first started seeing the #TeamRhys hashtag, I thought "Oh noo. That is not going to happen to me."  Well. It did. I am 100% #TeamRhys. Especially while I'm over here in the corner bawling my eyes out. The next book cannot come fast enough.  If you like kick ass female characters with amazing world building, this series is for you.

Disclosure: I purchased my own copy.

The Villa by Nora Roberts

The Villa by Nora Roberts
Published by Jove in March 2002
All Time Favorite

"Sophia Giambelli has never worried about competition. For three generations, the Giambelli wines have been renowned for their quality-- from Napa Valley to Italy, and throughout the world. The pride of the Giambelli family and a top PR executive, Sophia loves her job-- and excels at it. But things are about to change at Villa Giambelli. Tereza, the matriarch, has announced a merger with the MacMillan family's winery-- and Sophia will be assuming a new role. As a savvy businesswoman, she knows she must be prepared for anything . . . but she isn't prepared for Tyler MacMillan. They've been ordered to work together very closely, to facilitate the merger. Sophia must teach Ty the finer points of marketing-- and Ty, in turn, shows her how to get down and dirty, to use the sun, rain, and earth to coax the sweetest grapes from the vineyard.

As they toil together, both in and out of the fields, Sophia is torn between a powerful attraction and a professional rivalry. At the end of the season, the course of the company's future-- and the legacy of the villa-- may take an entirely new direction. And when acts of sabotage threaten both the family business and the family itself, Sophia's quest will be not only for dominance, but also for survival." -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
There's a reason this book is one of my all time favorites.  It has everything you could want: love, money, greed, betrayal, and sabotage.  And when the ending is finally revealed, your jaw can't help but hit the floor.

Disclosure: I purchased by own copy.

Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts

Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts
Published by Berkley Books in October 2009
Bride Quartet #2
All Time Favorite

"In Bed of Roses, florist Emma Grant is finding career success with her friends at Vows wedding planning company, and her love life appears to be thriving. Though men swarm around her, she still hasn’t found Mr. Right. And the last place she’s looking is right under her nose.

But that’s just where Jack Cooke is. He’s so close to the women of Vows that he’s practically family, but the architect has begun to admit to himself that his feelings for Emma have developed into much more than friendship. When Emma returns his passion—kiss for blistering kiss—they must trust in their history…and in their hearts." -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
If you love weddings and romance this series is for you.  The audiobook is great!  When I don't know what else to listen to, I know I can always pull one book from this series and I will enjoy it.

Disclosure: I own the physical book, but I borrowed the audiobook from my local library.

Vision in White by Nora Roberts

Vision in White by Nora Roberts
Published by Berkley Books in April 2009.
Bride Quartet #1
All Time Favorite

"Wedding photographer Mackensie "Mac" Elliot is most at home behind the camera, but her focus is shattered moments before an important wedding rehearsal when she bumps into the bride-to-be's brother...an encounter that has them both seeing stars.

A stable, safe English teacher, Carter Maguire is definitely not Mac's type. But a casual fling might be just what she needs to take her mind off bridezillas. Of course, casual flings can turn into something more when you least expect it. And Mac will have to turn to her three best friends-and business partners-to see her way to her own happy ending." -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
Honestly, if you like weddings, friendships, and romance this series is for you.  I read this series every year (the audiobooks are great!).  It's like revisiting old friends.  I would recommend x10 this series.

Disclosure: I own the physical book, but I borrowed the audiobook from my local library.