[I-Hate-Myself DNF] Where Sea Meets Sky by Karina Halle

Where Sea Meets Sky
by Karina Halle 

A new adult novel that perfectly captures the existential angst of your early twenties with raw wit, fresh insight, and true feeling from a critically adored USA TODAY bestselling author.

Joshua Miles has spent his early twenties spinning his wheels. Working dead-end jobs and living at home has left him exhausted and uninspired, with little energy to pursue his passion for graphic art. Until he meets Gemma Henare, a vivacious out-of-towner from New Zealand. What begins as a one-night stand soon becomes a turning point for Josh. He can't get Gemma out of his head, even after she has left for home, and finds himself throwing caution to the wind for the first time in his life.

It's not long before Josh is headed to New Zealand with only a backpack, some cash, and Gemma's name to go on. But when he finally tracks her down, he finds his adventure is only just beginning. Equally infatuated, Gemma leads him on a whirlwind tour across the beautiful country, opening Josh up to life, lust, love, and all the messy heartache in between. Because, when love drags you somewhere, it might never let go even when you know you have to say goodbye.

AMAZON | GOODREADS 

Yup. That's exactly how I feel right now. 

Because it's Karina Halle & freaking love her but I just couldn't get into this book. I literally FORCED myself to read but it's like my breain just went - NOPE. So yes. That's a DNF... :/

[DNF Mini-Review] Under Different Stars by Amy A. Bartol

Under Different Stars
by Amy A. Bartol 

All she wants is a home, but can she find one...UNDER DIFFERENT STARS 

Kricket Hollowell is normally not one to wish upon stars; she believes they’re rarely in her favor. Well versed at dodging caseworkers from Chicago’s foster care system, the past few years on her own have made Kricket an expert at the art of survival and blending in. With her 18th birthday fast approaching, she dreams of the day when she can stop running and find what her heart needs most: a home. 

Trey Allairis hates Earth and doubts that anyone from his world can thrive here. What he’s learning of Kricket and her existence away from her true home only confirms his theory. But, when he and Kricket lie together under the stars of Ethar, counting them all may be easier than letting her go. 

Kyon Ensin’s secrets number the stars; he knows more about Kricket's gifts than anyone and plans to possess her because of them. He also knows she’s more valuable than any fire in the night sky. He’ll move the heavens and align them all in order to make her his own. 

When everything in their world can be broken, will Kricket rely upon love to save her under different stars? 

 GOODREADS

Although Under Different Stars had an incredible beginning with very likable & overall badass heroine, I would have to say that unfortunately I was not able to finish this one. 

I liked Kricket. Really did. Her ability to be strong & witty no matter what the situation is and actually surviving the world with having to depend on anyone is impressive. But somewhere in between the insta-love, aliens, and overall strange world, I lost interest. So disappointing.

[DNF Book Review] Unteachable by Leah Raeder

Unteachable
by Leah Raeder

Maise O’Malley just turned eighteen, but she’s felt like a grown-up her entire life. The summer before senior year, she has plans: get into a great film school, convince her mom to go into rehab, and absolutely do not, under any circumstances, screw up her own future.

But life has a way of throwing her plans into free-fall.

When Maise meets Evan at a carnival one night, their chemistry is immediate, intense, and short-lived. Which is exactly how she likes it: no strings. But afterward, she can’t get Evan out of her head. He’s taught her that a hookup can be something more. It can be an unexpected connection with someone who truly understands her. Someone who sees beyond her bravado to the scared but strong girl inside.

That someone turns out to be her new film class teacher, Mr. Evan Wilke.

Maise and Evan resolve to keep their hands off each other, but the attraction is too much to bear. Together, they’re real and genuine; apart, they’re just actors playing their parts for everyone else. And their masks are slipping. People start to notice. Rumors fly. When the truth comes to light in a shocking way, they may learn they were just playing parts for each other, too.

Smart, sexy, and provocative, Unteachable is about what happens when a love story goes off-script.

 GOODREADS 

I don't want to be the person who rains on everyone's parade and be that one outcast that didn't like something, but here's my opinion: this book sucks.

I'm actually kind of sad that I didn't like it. I actually tried to like it too. Feed myself chocolate to trick it into happy mood and listen to awesome music.. But hope, still didn't. And actually couldn't finish it. 

The whole aspect of teacher/student affair is great. I love sneaking around part just as much as anyone else but I think that the actual writing and characters is what set me off. The beginning was sooo beautiful! Carnaval, two people experiencing something they have never experience before, and just that feeling of being alive. 

But then we get to know them. 

Maise.. She is so rude. First thing when she meets someone? thinks if he wants to f*** her. Oh wait, he's around her age. So friends? No, she says "I'm not looking for friends". I understand that she grew up with a horrible mother but seriously. Grow up. 

That's another thing she does too. Talks about how "She's stuck between age where she's not a teenager anymore but not old enough to drink".. That's what pissed me off the most. Sheplays grow-up. Even when she went to Evan's house, she mentioned that it was a glimpse into grow-up life. Ughh that's one word I don't EVER want to hear again. 

Maybe she's just not very smart. When someone says "I like that you're kind of fucked up, because I'm kind of fucked up.", what do you have to say to that? Ummm... thanks for compliment? I'm glad we're both fucked up?

Well there's also Evan.. That man is just straight up creepy. I can see how a 30 year old can be attracted to an 18 year old but when it says that he just stares at her, I don't wanna know. 

Hmm I think that's pretty much it. Still sad that I wasted my time on this and really wish I liked it. But nope. On to the next one.

[DNF Book #Review] Crash by Nicole Williams

Crash
by Nicole Williams

Jude Ryder and Lucy Larson are this generation's Romeo and Juliet: Explosive. Sizzling. Tragic.

A steamy summer encounter with bad boy Jude means trouble for Lucy. Her sights are set on becoming a ballerina, and she won't let anything get in her way . . . except Jude.

He's got a rap sheet, dangerous mood swings, and a name that's been sighed, shouted, and cursed by who knows how many girls.

Jude's a cancer, the kind of guy who's fated to ruin the lives of girls like Lucy—and he tells her so.

But as rumors run rampant and reputations are destroyed, Lucy's not listening to Jude's warning. Is tragedy waiting in the wings? 

AMAZON | GOODREADS  

DNF @ 50%

... 

I couldn't do it. I just couldn't continue do this to myself with this horrible writing, ridiculous characters, and boring setting. Now, I do have to say that I listened to Crash as an audiobook so that might be one of the reasons why I really did not like it. 

Here's 2 statuses that I made myself write:

@20% - "He looked at me like I was weird. Maybe it's because I just went from being Caucasian to Tomato Red" <--- like WHO The F says that?

@45% - "BEWARE!! The thoughts of DNF'ing this book is upon me... :/"

I mean don't get me wrong, I love romance just as much as the next girl but it didn't click for me. Their conversations seems unnatural and the way they met was pretty ridiculous. & don't get me started about Lucy! Her personality was a complete turn off and I did not find her likable at all. 

I think the breaking point for me was when Jude was getting irritated with one of the girls that he hooked up with & Lucy was getting nervous that he's gonna get violent on her. STOP RIGHT THERE.If he's such a great guy, would he really want to be projected as a woman-beater? I'm sorry but that's what I ended up getting from that chapter. 

Overall, I'm sure there are people that will enjoy this book simply because of the nice-girl-and-bad-boy-who-can't-have-each-other factor but it made me lose interest. fast.

[Mini Book Review] Feed by Mira Grant

Feed

by Mira Grant

The year was 2014. 

We had cured cancer. 

We had beaten the common cold. 

But in doing so we created something new, something terrible that no one could stop. The infection spread, virus blocks taking over bodies and minds with one, unstoppable command: FEED. 

Now, twenty years after the Rising, bloggers Georgia and Shaun Mason are on the trail of the biggest story of their lives - the dark conspiracy behind the infected. 

The truth will get out, even if it kills them.

GOODREADS 

“The difference between the truth and a lie is that both of them can hurt, but only one will take the time to heal you afterward.”

What point in the book do you stop reading it and just say: "Mkayy well that was something" and move on to the next one? That's how Feed was for me. 

I'm familiar with Mira Grant's writing and can definitely say that I a big fan. With her world-building and incredible scientific theories, she's definitely on my approved list of authors. But I'm not even sure why this one didn't work for me. It might have been because it was an audiobook and I found MC very annoying or it might have been that the topic of politics does not interest me very much. 

Either way, mixing journalism with zombies was a fresh idea and I applaud Grant for this but Feed was not for me and I DNF'd it at about 52%. Maybe gonna have to try later with an actual print copy...