Hurricane Season by Nicole Melleby

𝒰𝓃𝒸𝑜𝓃𝒹𝒾𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃𝒶𝓁 𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒!

𝘍𝘪𝘨, 𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘹𝘵𝘩 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳, 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘯. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯. 𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘢 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦-𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘰 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳, 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘤 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘮. 𝘏𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘯𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴. 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘍𝘪𝘨 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳’𝘴 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴, 𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘍𝘪𝘨’𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘶𝘱 𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭, 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘍𝘪𝘨 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘪𝘵 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳.

𝘈𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘍𝘪𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳’𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺’𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘤𝘺. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥, 𝘢 𝘤𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘺 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘯𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘣𝘰𝘳, 𝘍𝘪𝘨 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 . . . 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺.

Synopsis copied from Amazon.ca

“For Fig’s dad, hurricane season brings the music”.

“For Fig, hurricane season brings the possibility of disaster”.

My own description would not do this breathtaking middle grade justice! The written synopsis gives you a peak at everything you need, without giving spoilers.

5 out of 5 stars!… No, scratch that! 10 out of 5 stars.

You think the cover is absolutely stunning, right? Wait until you dive in! The guts of this story! How else can I put it…. you will fall in love!

There is so much emotion packed into this novel. My heart is still so full and warm from the moment I set it down.

Fig loves her father unconditionally, but hates herself when she feels anger towards him. This is completely understandable with the situation she faces. She wants more then anything to understand her father better. To know exactly where his brain goes on the “not so great” days.

Her father knows things are not perfect but is almost blind to just how bad it really is. He loves his daughter, double that!… But it’s not until things start to unwind that he realises just how bad it’s got. He will stop at nothing to make things right, to make things better!. They may not ever be “normal” or “perfect”, but he’s willing to work as hard as he needs to make it their kind of “normal” and their kind of “perfect”.

Fig and her dad are not alone! Between Fig’s best friend and the most wonderful, softhearted neighbour that just moved in. They will succeed!.. They have to succeed!

This will be a forever favourite!

Nicole Melleby has absolutely blown me away with her fantastic writing! I can not wait to see what more hits the shelves by her.

Published by Algonquin Young Readers on May 7, 2019.

Genres: Middle Grade | LGBT | Realistic Fiction |Contemporary

Thank you so much to Thomas Allen & Son Ltd. for sending me this copy for review. Hurricane Season has quickly become one of my top favourite middle grades!

And of course thank you all for reading.

Your Fellow Book Worm

-Nichole

The Field Guide To The North American Teenager by Ben Philippe

Advanced readers copy

Norris Kaplan is an extremely witty black french Canadian teenager. Enjoying his typical teen years in Montreal, Canada. Until he was plucked from his comfortable home of Montreal and moved to hot Austin, Texas.

Already unhappy with having to deal with all the changes of the move and not to mention the heat! Starting at a new high school was no dream either.

Along with Kaplan’s snarky teenager remarks that may get him in trouble, he starts catalogue everyone he meets. Nothing wrong with that… right?….at least he has some entertainment until he gets to run home to good ol’ Canada.

Until one day he meets Aarti, a girl he just can’t seem to place in any category.

Starting to think maybe his new life isn’t that bad. Norris begins to open up to the thought of staying in Austin.

But on prom night Norris makes a huge mistake and realises its time for him to stop hiding behind his sarcastic demeanour and make things right.

“It’s not that you can’t have an opinion. You just need to have less of them. People won’t always know when you’re joking”.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Ben created the perfect high school setting!

I felt as if I was plucked from my adult life and placed right back into the drama that was high school. This is not an easy environment to create, but Ben constructed it perfectly.

Cataloguing characters, groups, seasons, etc. really brought this field guide to life.

I would be lying if I didn’t say there wasn’t times that Norris didn’t drive me crazy. But I mean isn’t that sort of the point when it came to him as the main character?

Without giving names I will confess there is one character that really found a way into my heart. She is a huge reason for me devouring this book!

Oh and the humour!… absolutely hilarious. Constantly giggling to myself to bursting out laughing. Yet also having some truly serious moments, that you can’t take too lightly.

This is a such a fun, quirky read that deserves all the love.

Thank you so incredibly much to HarperCollins Canada for sending this hilarious read my way.

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Release Date: January 8, 2019

And of course thank you all for reading!

Your Fellow Witty Book Worm

– Nichole

Thank you HQN Books

A Huge Thank You to Harlequin Books (HQN Books)

HarperCollins Harlequin team (HQN Books) sent 3 new romance novels my way. That are all coming out so very soon!

*** Please note these are not my official reviews, I have taken the synopsis’ from amazon.ca for the purpose of this post.

Flare Up (Boston Fire) by Shannon Stacey

Published by Carina Press on January 29, 2019

Nursing a broken heart while everybody around him seems to be drowning in happiness has Grant Cutter wondering whether staying with Engine 59—or even Boston Fire—is in his future. It’s tempting as hell to pack up what fits in his Jeep and hit the road. But then a 911 call brings the woman who shattered his heart back into his life, and he knows he won’t ever be able to fully leave her in his rear-view mirror.

For a few months, Wren Everett had thought the nightmare of her past was behind her and she might live happily ever after with Grant. Until she got the phone call letting her know the time her ex had spent in jail for assault hadn’t cooled his temper or determination that she belonged with him. Cutting ties with Grant was the hardest thing she’d ever had to do, but it was also the only way to keep him safe.

Now that Grant is back, he’s not letting Wren push him away again. And even with the trust issues between them, Wren dares to hope she and Grant might have a future together after all…if they’re willing to fight for it.

The Object Of Your Affections by Falguni Kothari

Published by Graydon House on February 19, 2019

Two best friends rewrite the rules of friendship, love and family…and change everything they thought they knew about motherhood

Paris Kahn Fraser has it all—a successful career as an assistant district attorney, a beautiful home in New York City, and a handsome, passionate husband who chose her over having a family of his own. Neal’s dream of fatherhood might have been the only shadow in their otherwise happy life…until Paris’s best friend comes to town.

Naira Dalmia never thought she’d be a widow before thirty. Left reeling in the aftermath of her husband’s death, all she wants is to start over. She trades Mumbai for New York, and rigid family expectations for the open acceptance of her best friend. After all, there isn’t anything she and Paris wouldn’t do for each other.

But when Paris asks Naira to be their surrogate, they’ll learn if their friendship has what it takes to defy society, their families and even their own biology as these two best friends embark on a journey that will change their lives forever.

Stroke Of Luck (Sterling’s Montana) by B.J. Daniels

Published by HQN Books on February 19, 2019

He’s hoping to bury the past. She’s ready to settle the score.

The Sterling Ranch’s season opening isn’t going so smoothly. With the ranch’s lodge full of guests and a Montana blizzard threatening, Will Sterling needs help—and he needs it fast. So when his childhood friend Poppy Carmichael agrees to lend a hand, he’s grateful for a second chance…and more enticed by the woman she’s become than he cares to admit.

For Poppy, it was supposed to be a retreat full of horse rides and hoedowns—with a side of showing Will what he’s been missing all these years. But as the snow deepens outside, the guests’ suspicion and mistrust turn sinister inside, catching Will and Poppy in the cross hairs.

Weathering the storm in each other’s arms is all too easy for Will and Poppy, but will a confrontation with a killer mean their reunion is short-lived?

Keep your eyes out for these reads, hitting shelves very soon!

Thank you again to HQN Books for sending these my way.

And of course thank you all for reading.

Your Fellow Book Worm

-Nichole

The Perfect Girlfriend by Karen Hamilton

Advanced readers copy

“YOU’VE NEVER READ A LOVE STORY AS TWISTED AS THIS!”

Sweet Juliette loves Nate!

Nothing in the world will stop her from being with him. Not even Nate breaking up with her, 6 months ago….

I mean who does he think he is? Doesn’t he realise what he just gave up?

Juliette knows she has met the love of her life. She will go to any length to be as close as possible, at all times. She even started working as a flight attendant with the same airline Nate works for.

Nate is just clueless and Juliette will show him! He will be hers!

“Stick to the plan, fail to plan, plan to fail”.

5 out of 5 stars

Such an easy, brilliant read!

I cannot believe this is Karen’s fist novel. She was meant to write!

I know that Juliette is deranged and really you shouldn’t be rooting for her but Karen wrote her character so so well. I found at times I was feeling bad for her and the situation she was in. That is when you know you have discovered an amazing author, when they can make you feel, even for the “bad guys” in the story.

This book was so intense! Just when I thought I had figured out where the story was going a twist was thrown in. This happened multiple times throughout the novel. Karen’s writing constantly had me stretching my brain, so many incredible shifts in the story! Yet even with the fast pace, exciting story I kept up throughout. Karen’s writing was so smooth and flawless.

I am excited to see what Karen creates next!

“I don’t believe that opposites attract; I’m sure it’s a myth”.

Thank you so incredibly much to HarperCollins Canada for sending this riveting read my way.

Publisher: Graydon House

Release Date: December 31, 2018

“Revenge is a dish best served cold, and mine is going to be frozen”.

“If you love someone, set them free. If they come back, they’re yours, If they don’t, make them”.

And of course thank you all for reading!

Your Fellow Book Worm

– Nichole

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”.

Stand-alone Books

Oh where or where are you?….

I recently uploaded a Bookish Thoughts video on my BookTube channel talking about stand-alone books.

Now please keep in mind these thoughts you are about to read are just my own. I may be completely off on my opinion. This is all in fun and I am just ranting my head off. Feel free to jump in with your opinion on the subject, perhaps you will make some strong points and will sway my opinion to the better. Maybe you agree?… Perhaps you will think I am crazy and just shake your head at me. It’s all good… as it’s all in fun!

Has anyone else noticed how so many books coming out are the 1st in a new series?… Is anyone else becoming over whelmed with their never-ending, slowly talking over the world TBR list?

I find myself searching more and more for stand-alone books. I don’t see them too often anymore especially when it comes to certain genres, such as Fantasy.

I understand that authors become passionate about the worlds they create and want to carry them on. Yet sometimes I just want to be able to consume a book, capturing the whole entire world and story line in just that one book, then hold it near and dear to my heart.

Now don’t get me wrong there are so many duology’s, trilogy’s and series that I love and can’t get enough of. Then there are some books I think one would have been enough… or why can’t more books that come out be just a stand-alone.

Now I honestly don’t know much of the author world or publishing world. Sometimes seeing so many new series being released makes me wonder if it’s the passion I talked about above with the world an author created or has it become more of a money hungry theme. Are authors pushing out books because they are excited to tell the whole story they have been building up in their head for years?, is it all about more money?, are they feeling pressure from publishing companies to carry on with it?…. Do you know? Because I don’t. Maybe it’s a mix of it all?….. Hmmm.

I also find a lot of books currently on my shelf that are the first in a new series are from book subscription boxes. Getting me hooked and wanting more, knowing I will need to pick up the second book. Where then the company will of course create a special edition box with the second book when it releases.

Just so many series to read!!!!!!…… Oh the anxiety … haha. Boy I sounds so dramatic.

Could it be the book community I am consumed in just doesn’t talk much about stand-alone’s and perhaps there are so many amazing ones out there I am missing out on?… Uh Oh .. I may be adding to that never-ending list again.

Thank you all for taking the time to read my crazy book nerd rant.

Your Fellow Book Worm

-Nichole

https://www.instagram.com/nichi.i_readpastmybedtime/

And Then You Were Gone by R.J. Jacobs

Advanced Readers Copy

“How can you save someone else if you can’t save yourself…”

Emily Firestone finally has a handle on her future. Struggling for years with her bipolar disorder, she is now in control and dominating every aspect of her life. A great job, a place to call her own, and an incredible boyfriend, Paolo.

When Paolo wants to whisk Emily away on a weekend sailing trip. The perfect get away in his eyes. Just the two of them… on the water. Emily accepts, who could resist this marvellous mini vacation.

The weekend starts off perfect. Until the next morning when Emily wakes all alone. Paolo is nowhere to be found. Emily doesn’t understand, he is an amazing swimmer. There is no way he could have drown.

Once Emily’s feet are back on dry land her desperate search for Paolo is well underway.

Days pass and he is still missing. Emily finds herself starting to slip back into her old ways. Depression slowly taking its tight grip all over again.

Until some evidence comes to light that Paolo may not have drown but murdered.

Now Emily is not only fighting her own mania but trying to clear her name, as she is the number one suspect in the disappearance of her boyfriend.

What will happen next? Will Emily lose all she has worked so hard for?

***

4 out of 5 stars

And Then You Were Gone is a heart pounding, teeth clenching, psychological thriller.

With so many thrilling twists and turns you can’t possibly have an idea what is going to happen next. It will have you gripping to the edge of your seat.

R.J. Jacobs is a psychologist in clinical practise. He also performs PTSD evaluations for veterans. Have you ever heard the term “Write what you know?” That is exactly what he has done, and it couldn’t be more brilliant.

If you are a thriller lover this novel is for you.

Absolutely sensational.

“Being bipolar just means I get a lot done.”

***

Thank you so incredibly much to HarperCollins Canada for sending this fascinating read my way.

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Release Date: March 12, 2019

Photo taken from my Bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nichi.i_readpastmybedtime/

When Elephants Fly by Nancy Richardson Fischer

T. Lily Decker is a high school senior with a 12-year plan: avoid stress, drugs, alcohol, and boyfriends, and take regular psych quizzes administered by her best friend, Sawyer, to make sure she’s not developing schizophrenia.

Genetics are not on Lily’s side. When she was seven, her mother, who had paranoid schizophrenia, tried to kill her. And a secret has revealed that Lily’s odds are even worse than she thought. Still, there’s a chance to avoid triggering the mental health condition, if Lily can live a careful life from ages 18 to 30, when schizophrenia most commonly manifests.

But when a newspaper internship results in Lily witnessing a mother elephant try to kill her three-week-old calf, Swifty, Lily can’t abandon the story or the calf. With Swifty in danger of dying from grief, Lily must choose whether to risk everything, including her sanity and a first love, on a desperate road trip to save the calf’s life, perhaps finding her own version of freedom along the way.

Synopsis copied from Amazon.ca – TRIGGER WARNING: Schizophrenia, suicide, and animal abuse.

I generally enjoy starting off my reviews with a break down of the story, in my own words.

Lets just say with this one I couldn’t….Honestly! I sat at the computer, staring at the screen… and nothing. My words would not do this novel justice. I am still trying to wrap my head around it all. I had to use the synopsis right off amazon.

When Elephants Fly is absolutely breath-taking. I may even go as far to say, life changing.

This novel will truly tug at each and every one of your heart-strings. You will experience all emotions, ones you knew you had and ones you didn’t even know existed.

Nancy is an incredible author, and her knowledge and love for Elephants is impeccable, absolutely inspiring. There is so much detail in this sensitive, yet moving story.

Stunning. When Elephants Fly has got to be one of my absolute favourite reads of 2018. I will always cherish this story.

Please! go out and pick it up now. You will not regret it. It is one of a kind.

Oh and the cover! just beautiful. 5 out of 5 Stars.

Thank you for reading.

Your Fellow Book Worm

-Nichole

WHEN ELEPHANTS FLY

𝒰𝓃𝒸𝑜𝓃𝒹𝒾𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃𝒶𝓁 𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒!

***Synopsis copied from Amazon.ca***

“For Fig’s dad, hurricane season brings the music”.

“For Fig, hurricane season brings the possibility of disaster”.

***Advanced readers copy***

“It’s not that you can’t have an opinion. You just need to have less of them. People won’t always know when you’re joking”.

A Huge Thank You to Harlequin Books (HQN Books)

Stroke Of Luck (Sterling’s Montana) by B.J. Daniels

Advanced readers copy

“YOU’VE NEVER READ A LOVE STORY AS TWISTED AS THIS!”

Oh where or where are you?….

Advanced Readers Copy

“How can you save someone else if you can’t save yourself…”

***Synopsis copied from Amazon.ca*** – TRIGGER WARNING: Schizophrenia, suicide, and animal abuse.

Synopsis copied from Amazon.ca

Advanced readers copy

Synopsis copied from Amazon.ca – TRIGGER WARNING: Schizophrenia, suicide, and animal abuse.