Undone by Her Tender Touch by Maya Banks

Let me just start out by saying that I have been a fan of the Pregnancy & Passion series ever since I've read Enticed by His Forgotten Lover. The last installment however? Not so much. I was really looking forward to Cam and Pippa's story... only to be sadly disappointed. Cam had always intrigued me ever since the beginning. He was such a pessimestic guy! What happened to him?! I had expected to be "dazzled" by him and be able to empathize with his character. Sadly, I did not. As for Pippa... Wow. I wanted to strangle her at times! The author writes her off as this independent, strong, and fierce woman but all I can see is someone who is way too dependent on her friends, rash, and has a temper problem. I could not connect with her character at all. I tried to like Pippa, don't get me wrong, but I stimply could not. Cam was just too wishy-washy and Pippa demanded so much from him when he told her from the very beginning that he did not do relationships. She wants a relationship while Cam wants no strings attached. What will become of them now?

Out of all the problems that I had expected Cam to have, it was definitely not this one. We all knew that from the very beginning, Cam was the one who often frowned upon his friend's relationships with their women. Apparently the reason why is because he had lost his wife and son to some unknown reason all those years ago. I'm not even sure if he ends up telling Pippa what exactly happened. Maybe. But I'm still confused.

Well anyway, Cam has been interested in Ashley's friend, Pippa, for quite some time. Ever since he met her at one of Devon and Ashley's housewarming parties, it's been attraction at first sight. Pippa has also been noticing Cam as well and these two hit off with sparks flying between them. They end up having a one night stand... and things take a turn. Ah, the usual type of scenario right? While reading this book, I ended up being so frustrated with these two that I'm not sure I wanted to continue. Halfway through the book, I still feel no sympathy whatsoever for Cam and Pippa. Pippa annoys me to no end because even though she comes off as this fearless woman who's not afraid of a fight, she's so weak when it comes to Cam. Oh, and don't get my started with Cam. After finding out that Pippa was going to have a son, he starts acting all jerk-like and cold towards her. As for the reason why, it's because he feels that by having a son with Pippa, it would be like replacing the memory of the son that he had lost with his first wife. Talk about a guy who needs to move on!

Overall, Undone by Her Tender Touch did not exactly leave me satisfied. But I'm truly happy that each and every one of the guys had their happy ever after.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for granting me access to read this book!

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman is a story about adventure. It's a story about finding self-worth and an unexpected love in a world where humans and dragons do not get along. Within that world lies our heroine, Seraphina Dombegh, who is both human and dragon. She lives in a world where humans and dragons are at peace with one another... but there is tension in the air when one of the family members of the royal court is found dead. I absolutely love Seraphina and the world that she is bound in! She is fierce, loyal, and extremely intelligent. Rachel Hartman stuns readers with her sightful imagination and world building! If you're familiar with epic fantasy books with dragons in it, you should definitely check this book out. I was fortunate enough to read this book months before it was released. Fans of this genre should not miss out the opportunity to read it once it releases this upcoming July! This is definitely a keeper for me!

One of my favorite aspect about this book was the mystery behind the murder of Prince Rufus and the blossoming romance between Seraphina and Prince Lucian Kiggs. I mean, how adorable can they be? And by that, VERY. Here's a scene that I absolutely found cute between them!

"Have you read Belondweg?"
"I couldn't call myself much of a scholar if I hadn't," he said.
He was so adorable and he made me smiled, but I couldn't let him see.

And can I just say how much I loved it when Kiggs slips and calls her Phina instead of Seraphina? I'm such a sap. Anyway, the mystery beind Prince Rufus' death was the main star of the book. Someone was trying the break the peace treaty between the humans and the dragons by killing the royals! And Seraphina plans to find out who.

In the end, I loved this book and the characters in it. Few of my favorites would be Orma, Seraphina's uncle and music teacher, and Princess Glisselda, Prince Lucian Kigg's fiancee. I know, shocker right? How can Seraphina and Kiggs be together now?! You'll just have to read and find out! The ending was rather bittersweet... but very hopeful at the same time. I guess it will lead us right into the sequel! It can't be the end already, can it? We'll see about that.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books for giving me permission to read this ARC!

Rating: ★★★★★

Romancing the Countess by Ashley March

This review for Romancing the Countess has been long overdue!

I've always had a thing for romance novels where the hero and heroine get a second chance at love. Leah and Sebastian were never supposed to be for one another... but fate tells an entirely different story. Romancing the Countess was definitely a book that I thoroughly enjoyed. It had all the elements that I look for in a romance novel and so much more! If you love this kind of genre, then I urge you to read this wonderful book. With a strong and witty heroine and a dark, brooding, and yet a loveable one at the same time to boot, it is sure to be a winner!

The most heartbreaking aspect about this book was the fact that Sebastian and Leah had spouses that were committing adultery with one another. I mean really, how can you live with yourself? Well... they didn't. I felt for both Sebastian and Leah because little did they know that his wife and her husband were doing "things" with one another. Ugh! Anyway, with the pain still fresh and also old as well, will these two ever be able to find and fall in love again?

Ooh, I love this book! Leah and Sebastian's love story was truly a slow transition from "enemies" to lovers. After her husband's death, Leah didn't want to stay as she was anymore. She wanted to change. And well, Sebastian wasn't exactly too happy about that. You see, Leah's husband happens to be Sebastian's best friend. She actually knew about the affair... but she never said anything. Pride is something after all. But personally? I really think she should have confronted those two instead of letting it go on for so long. Sebastian didn't want the affair to get out in public and cause scandal for his son, Henry. So as a result, he must stop Leah from being herself!

I admit, I did not get why Sebastian was so intent on stopping Leah from finding her true self. But eventually, I believe that Sebastian began to see the light! After that, we started little signs from him that show us how his view of Leah is slowly changing him. He starts noticing her lips at first... and then her real personality! Sebastian ends up falling for Leah, and I mean really fall, by the end of the book. Although towards the middle of the book, Sebastian claimed that he only desired her body... and we all know that that's not love! Leah still has trusting issues, so how exactly is this romance going to work now? Read the book and find out! *wink*

Rating: ★★★★★

Always a Temptress by Eileen Dreyer

When I first started reading Always a Temptress, I wasn't exactly sure how I felt about it. Just that I was really angry at both Kate and Harry. Especially Harry! Just because Kate apparently "betrayed" him when they were younger, he finds fault in her at everything she does. It's the usual misunderstanding where Kate believes that Harry betrayed her and he believes that she betrayed him. But the most surprising aspect of this book in the beginning was of Kate's dark secret... about her marriage to the Duke of Murther. Previously in Never a Gentleman, we knew the relationship between Kate and Harry was a special one. They hated each other, but why?

Ten years ago, Kate and Harry were the best of friends. Well, they were actually more than friends. They were both in love with one another. But because of their social status: Kate, a Duke's daughter, and Harry, the second son of a squire, Harry believed that his dream of marrying her was too high of a dream. Apparently right after, his love for Kate ended due to some unknown reason to the readers and Harry left to go to war. It turns out that Kate's father had lied to Harry, which lead him to believe that Kate had betrayed him. Ugh. Harry why are you so stupid? Another thing that frustated me was the fact that Harry took way too long to redeem himself for Kate. In my opinion, I think Kate should have gotten someone who was much more worthy of her. Oh well!

In the end, through the twists and turns of their relationship, everything fell right into place. I liked Always a Temptress, but sadly it was not my favorite book from the Drake's Rakes series. Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for giving me permission to read this ARC!

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor is a book about demons, angels, and magic. It's about finding out your true purpose in life (well, more like Karou’s purpose) is, reincarnation, and finding the love of your life again. This book is the true definition of star-crossed lovers. Karou was a kick-ass heroine from the very beginning, whose side is with the chimaera (demons), versus Akiva whose allegiance belongs with the angels. A war has been going on between these two races for thousands of years and now the angels are back. Karou and Akiva meet under unexpected circumstances where he attacks and injures her on one of her errands. And there, begins the raveling of Karou’s unique relationship with Akiva.

I absolutely loved this book. It was so heartbreaking and beautifully wrapped in one marvelous package. It almost reminded me of The Night Circus by Erin Morgernstern because this author's prose was that good! I honestly can't comprehend how gorgeous the writing was. The secret to Karou's past was both mind-blowing and so bittersweet. I can't condemn Akiva for doing what he did... but I also can't forgive him for doing that to Karou. I'm really interested as to where Laini Taylor will lead her story next. The ending will definitely leave you breathless and heartbreak because that's exactly how I felt. I refuse to spoil anything further because you will see the greatness of this book when you read it.

Definitely recommended to all YA readers and fans of paranormal romance. I even recommend it to those who hate reading novels about angels because this book will change your mind. I absolutely guarantee it!

Rating: ★★★★★