Promises Hurt by Elle Brooks Review Tour

Promises Hurt By Elle Brooks

Published August 2, 2014

Synopsis

I wasn't planning on falling for Ethan Jamison, hell I wasn't planning on our paths ever crossing. He’s the most popular guy at school and a complete player. Me; I’m the perpetual good girl, trying to carry out one last request. But when you make a promise, how far do you go to see it through? 

~ Blair

It’s a running joke that I’m a terrible liar, if only people knew the truth. My whole life has been spent making excuses and deflecting questions. I was pretty good at it until Blair Thomas entered my world. She saw through the mask that everyone is so willing to accept. She makes me want to tell her all my secrets, but can she promise to keep them?

~ Ethan

Excerpt

I look down at my cell and it’s 4:54pm. No sign of Ethan. No text to explain. What a douche. I mean, okay so I needed to be here anyway to collect books, but that’s not the point. He didn't know that. I can’t stand people that make plans and then break them without warning. It takes two seconds to send a text.
I’m packing up my things when Ethan Jamison barges through the library doors. He’s panting like he’s out of breath and his eyes are frantically scanning the almost empty room. Then they land on me. I stand completely frozen, mouth gaping like a total moron. Of freakingcourse it has to be that Ethan. He makes his way over, and the sound of his boots echoing through the otherwise silent room awakens me from my dumbstruck state. Emily’s letter flashes in my mind and I feel instantly embarrassed. Like, somehow he knows about it, which of course, he can’t, but I’m still panicking.  
He stops a few feet short of my table and looks a little unsure. This isn't the cocky Ethan Jamison that struts around school thinking he’s god’s gift. It’s thrown me a little.
“Hey, um…I’m Ethan,” he says, looking down at me. He lays his guitar case down at his feet and then adjusts his backpack on his shoulders. “Are you the tutor, I mean, sorry…are you Blair?”
I never realized how tall he actually is up close and personal. I’ve seen him play at a gig for about two seconds once, but he was on a stage, so of course he’s gonna look taller than everyone else. Emily and I have only stalked him at a distance. His blue eyes are boring into mine and I'm just standing there. Staring. Like an idiot. He shifts his weight and I realize he’s asked me a question. I still haven't replied. Shit.
“Er…yeah, I’m Blair, nice to meet you. I was just about to go, I thought you weren't coming. You’re late.” The last part comes out all pissy like I'm mad at him.
An amused grin starts to form; his mouth pulling up slightly at one side and the boy has dimples—real life honest-to-god dimples.
I shake my head and practically bark out, “I’ve been waiting for you for almost a half hour. If you’re gonna be late when we meet, you could at least give me a heads up?” Oh my god, why the hell am I telling him off?
His smile widens and he’s not even trying to look sorry. He drops his backpack on the table and takes a seat.
“Yeah, I had practice and it ran over. Steve has a no phone rule, so it’s kinda hard to let you know when I don't have my cell.”
Steve is the music professor; he’s got the new age hippy vibe going on and makes all his students call him by his first name. I pull my chair back out and take a seat. “Okay. Well, um, let’s just get started then.”
I look up and his eyes are zeroed in on my chest. What a complete douche, he’s already ogling my boobs. I cough twice and raise my eyebrows in a ‘what the hell, my eyes are up here’ stare, and his cheeks immediately redden.
“Shit, no, I wasn't checking you out! I mean…um, I wasn't staring at your…fuck, well I kinda was but I mean, shit; I was just trying to read what your shirt says.”

Holy crap, this guy’s more awkward than I am. 

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My Review

I honestly don't know where to start with this book. When I started reading it, I thought Oh no this is going to be one of high school YA books that no way was I going to be able to connect with the characters. But I will have to tell you I was surprised to be proven wrong and then yes I ended up emotionally upset. 

The book starts out with Blair making a promise to her best friend Emily that she would be ok... Fast forward 3 years Emily dies leaving Blair a letter. In it has a bucket list that is not finished and Emily leaves Blair with the responsibility of finishing the bucket list. That is touching and heart breaking for anyone to deal with but the story isn't about Blair and Emily (I thought it was going to be)... It is the story of Blair and Ethan.

Ethan, OMG that boy deals with so much crap, I feel for him. Blair is the only one who sees him for him. She has to deal with tons of high school bullshit but both of the stick it out and love each other. He is dealt some heavy blows both figuratively and actually. Emily is his saving grace and gives him something worth living for. 

Blair grows while being with Ethan, she often feels bad for moving forward and living while Emily died. She spend most of her high school with Emily while she was sick and missed out on most of her high school experience. Being with Ethan she learns that moving forward isn't about forgetting Emily it is about living and enjoying life. 

Blair and Ethan become serious and things seem to look good for them. They love each other but like any story there has to be a misunderstanding which leaves to poor choices and heartache. 

I hate ruining stories, but I do have to warn you that Elle Brooks does leave this with an epic heart wrenching cliff-hanger. I won't lie I almost threw my kindle across the room and woke hubby up because i was so pissed. Pissed because I couldn't keep reading( I am one of those who love to hate cliffhangers).

I loved this story and cannot wait for the second book... because I need to know what happens next. My heart can't take the waiting. 

Overall this is a great first book. I look forward to reading more from Elle Brooks even though YA isn't my go to genre I know that I will be putting Elle Brooks on my buy list. 

I Rate this book 4 out 5 Genie Lamps

* I received copy of this book in return for my honest review 

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Review GAME.SET.MATCH by Jennifer Iacopelli

GAME.SET.MATCH By: Jennifer Iacopelli 

Description

Nestled along the North Carolina coast, the Outer Banks Tennis Academy is the world's most elite training facility. In this pressure-cooker environment, futures are forged in blood and sweat, and dreams are shattered in an instant.

Penny Harrison, a rising female star, is determined to win the French Open and beat her archrival, Zina Lutrova. But when her coach imports British bad boy Alex Russell as her new training partner, will Penny be able to keep her laser-like focus?

Tennis is all Jasmine Randazzo has ever known. The daughter of two Grand Slam champions, she's hell-bent on extending her family’s legacy and writing her own happily-ever-after...until her chosen Prince Charming gives her the just-friends speech, right before the biggest junior tournament of the year, the Outer Banks Classic.

With a powerful serve and killer forehand, newcomer Indiana Gaffney is turning heads. She’s thrilled by all of the attention, especially from Jack Harrison, Penny’s agent and hot older brother, except he keeps backing off every time things start heating up.

With so much at stake, dreams—and hearts—are bound to break.

My Review

Never thought that a book about Tennis would make me want to pick up a racket and start training... I live in NC and I really want this OXB Training Academy to be real as If I was 20 years younger and played tennis this is where i would want to go.

GAME.SET.MATCH is a fast paced book which centers around three very talented female tennis players Penny, Jasmine & Indy. Penny is the tennis star, Jasmine trying to live up to her parents, and Indy the new girl. They each have their own issues with guys but the story is mostly about Penny and Alex(tennis's bad boy). 

I was drawn to each of the girls and couldn't put the book down i had to know what was going to happen next, between the tennis action, performance jitters, drama (love and tennis drama), and of course budding friendships. 

I think that Penny is just wonderful her and Alex are the main focus relationship wise in this book, and you won't be disappointed. You just want Penny to relax and take a chance on Alex, even if he doesn't deserve it. 

Jasmine & Indy have their drama but that is because they are both so good and with Jasmine thinking that Indy is out for Ted (her best friend and crush) and her spot as number 1. Enter cat fight, and then punishment in the form of doubles. 

When it comes to favorite character I have to say that Indy originally caught my attention in the first couple chapters but I ended up being on Team Jasmine, even though she is kinda snotty at times she seems to have a lot going on then you would think. 

GAME.SET.MATCH is the first book by Jennifer Iacopelli and I can't wait to read more. I do have to say that I hope that Jasmine and Indy either have a combined book or their own books because I would love to read more about OBX Tennis Academy

I Rate this book a 5 out of 5

You can buy GAME.SET.MATCH at the following Amazon Barnes & Noble

Review Beneath the Twin Moons of Haldae by Angela Yseult

Beneath the Twin Moons of Haldae By: Angela Yseult 

A Young Adult Sci-Fi Shifter Romance.

Trainee observer Zaren was never supposed to set foot on the fifth planet of system 59, let alone have contact with the indigenous population. In fact, any contact is grounds for her immediate dismissal from the program. Zaren has dreamed of being an observer for as long as she can remember, and she knows the rules well. But when her observation vehicle crashes, she finds herself in dire need of help.

Kris has been sent by the Elders of his village on a solo journey into the woods. He needs to choose a single animal to shape-shift into. Only then will he be recognized as a man by his people. Only then will he be allowed to return to care for the last member of his family, his gravely ill sister, Elea.

When Kris finds Zaren fighting for her life, he doesn’t hesitate for a second to save her, even though she’s a stranger, even though he can’t understand her – and even though he risks exile if she discovers he is a shifter.

As they trek through the woods in search of Zaren’s lost shuttle, they learn more than they ought to about each other, and also about themselves. But they will both have to return to their own kind eventually… How will they explain themselves to their people without losing everything? More importantly, what will they do when they have to say goodbye?

(40.000 words)

My Review

The Characters in this book are young and just stepping out in the world.

 Zaren was to observe but not step foot on the planet her observation vehicle crashes on. She is saved by Kris who is hiding a secreat he is forbidden to be let known... They must trust each other in order to get Zaren home problem is will she want to leave and how can the protect themselves from the secrets they are trying to keep to save each other. How safe will half-truths and lies keep them from those they answer to?

Angela Yseult writes a very fast paced book which follows the accounts of  both Zaren and Kris. Written in two points of view (both Zaren & Kris's) and goes back and forth between the present and the past in a way that is fulling and not at all confusing and very easy to follow. Over all this is a great young adult book with enough going on to keep you reading more.

* I received this book from the author for my honest review.

I rate this 4 out of 5

You can by this book on Amazon