Saving Her by Alexis Noelle (***)

People lie. Love is meant for fairy tales, not real life. My heart was crushed by a man who promised me everything and then took it all away. He proved to me that you never really know someone. But this man makes me want to throw caution to the wind. I don’t want love, but I do want Mason Brooks.

Love is a fantasy. Something that people convince themselves is real, but it isn’t. I was taught at a very young age that love is toxic. Since then I have learned to need no one. Only my small group of friends is given my loyalty. I have no use for love. Even though I know she's dangerous, she makes me wonder what her touch would feel like. Lacey Hunt is toxic to me.

When two people are irreparably broken can they rise from the ashes?

Can love exist in two black hearts?

REVIEW:  3.5 stars

I was really unsure about this one in the beginning. It felt a bit choppy and just off  but as the book moved on I started to get sucked in. It was a heartbreaking book, but uplifting as well. I knew halfway through this one that I would not like the ending but I kept reading anyway because it did drag me in to the story. This is not a cliffhanger, but its not a true happily ever after either..which really surprised me as most of these books all end with flowers and rainbows. It was worth the read and I feel like it was more like 3.5 stars.  I would have given it a 4 star but the book seemed to be a bit choppy in places, not really fully fleshed out. I think if the author had expanded their interactions a bit more, had more meat to the story it would have come off smoother and more interesting. Overall it was a great book though. 

By the way:  this does not show that its part of a series, but came to find out when I looked at the author page on Goodreads that this was like the second or third book.. some of the side characters already had a book to themselves. So you may want to read those first. not sure of the order since its not listed as a series. 

Richard (Caveman Instinct #2) **

Richard 
My family is divided, some say we were gifted by the gypsies to prosper and know our soul mate, others feel we were cursed. The divide in the family may have a little to do with the gypsies forgetting to mention that when we Silverman find our soul mate we turn into possessive cavemen. 
I also thought it was a gift and was filled with jealously when my cousin Stephan found his other half though he believed it to be a curse. But now it’s my turn, the only problem is Bailey Rodgers thinks I’m crazy, overbearing and egotistical. 
Bailey 
My brother Ethan, my guardian since I was six, was finally loosening the reigns and giving me some freedom. Being vision impaired and the only family left, he sometimes took his role as protector too far. I’d convinced Ethan to let me celebrate graduation with a week-long holiday just friends sun and fun. 
The start of my holiday didn’t start out at all how I had planned when I was kidnapped by a crazy guy telling me I was his soul mate and his to keep forever. Imagine my surprise to learn he is a Silverman and supposedly sane. Richard wants me to give him a chance, but I don’t know if I can handle Richard’s overprotectiveness. I already had that with my brother and I didn’t want it in my relationship. 

REVIEW: **

Not sure why, but I did not like this one as much as the first. The characters didn't really seem to have any real chemistry between them. It just felt flat, uninteresting. The hero seemed a bit harsh, uncaring about what she wanted as well. Yes I understand it was supposed to be "caveman" attitude, but I think it came off more as him not really giving a damn about her. Just did not really like this one. Hopefully the next will inspire more feelings.

Soul of Smoke (Dragonsworn #1) by Caitlyn McFarland (**)

On a hike deep in the Rocky Mountains, Kai Monahan watches as a dozen dragons—actual freaking dragons—battle beneath a fat white moon. When one crashes nearly dead at her feet and transforms into a man, Kai does the only thing a decent person could: she grabs the nearest sword and saves his life.

As the dragon/man, Rhys, recovers from the attack, a chance brush of skin against skin binds him inextricably to Kai. Becoming heartsworn to a human—especially such a compelling one—is the last thing Rhys wants. But with an ancient enemy gathering to pit dragons against humanity and his strength nearly depleted, Kai has just become the one thing Rhys needs. A complete bond will give him the strength to fight; a denied bond means certain death.

Kai is terrified at the thought of allowing any dragon into her mind…or her heart. Accepting the heartswearing and staying with the dragons means sacrificing everything, and Kai must decide if her freedom is worth risking Rhys's life—a life more crucial to the fate of humanity than she could possibly know.

REVIEW: **

I really liked this story initially, but as the book went on I got frustrated with the heroine. She seemed strong and sure of herself at first but then turned into this whiny, wimpy person who drove me crazy. I kept wanting to slap her silly over her attitude towards the hero. I can understand fearing what you don't know, but even after learning the truth she just couldn't seem to woman up and do what needed to be done.  I also did not like the cliffhanger ending. Not sure I will even read the second book.