ARC Review: After the Game by Abbi Glines

I have to admit that I had no idea what to expect with After the Game when I started this book. I have read and loved books by Abbi Glines, but I have also read and really disliked books by her as well. The Field Party series is one that I have both loved and disliked, so I just wasn't sure what I would get here. While this book still doesn't compare to the first in the series for me, I did like it better than the second book. Technically After the Game can be read as a standalone story, but I really wouldn't recommend it as I think you will lose some of the experience if you just jump in here. The backstory is mostly explained, but these characters are set up from the very beginning and I think the reader gets a better idea of where they have been and where they are going if you have read the first two books in the series before starting here. 

Riley fled Lawton after accusing the town's golden boy of rape when no one believed her. But now that Rhett is off at college and her grandmother needs help, her family makes the decision to return for Riley's senior year. The town still hasn't forgotten all that she accused Rhett of though, and the reception she receives is less than friendly. But the town's current golden boy and quarterback of the football team Brady offers Riley some kindness when he finds her and her daughter in need of some help. Soon he begins to question everything he thought he knew as he gets to know Riley and her little girl. 

After the last book, Brady had a lot of redeeming to do and I really felt like he did. There were still times that I struggled with his character, but I did see growth and change and that made a difference. I also liked Riley a lot. She was strong and great with her daughter, and I loved her for it. She definitely had a good head on her shoulders, especially with everything that had happened. I felt like these two worked well together, and I liked them for one another. I wasn't entirely captivated by them the way I was with Maggie and West, but I did like them. 

I will say though that there were a few things that didn't work for me here. They might be minor spoilers, so please stop reading if that is something you would like to avoid. The first thing is the fact that Rhett got off with no consequences for what he had done. I understand forgiveness was a big deal, but I just wasn't okay with nothing happening to him. The second thing was how abrupt this one ended, and the fact that there was no epilogue to give us any kind of glance into the future. With them leaving school soon and heading off to the real world, it really felt like things between them were tentative at best and that they could be heading in different directions. I really wanted more and I felt like the reader was left hanging a bit. It wasn't a cliffhanger really, but it definitely felt unresolved. Overall, this was better than the last book but still nothing like the first. I am hoping that maybe Abbi will write more in this series and we can see how things are a bit down the line for these characters.

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ARC Review: Under the Lights by Abbi Glines

It is so hard for me to write this review. I honestly could not wait to read Under the Lights by Abbi Glines. Not only is Until Friday Night one of my favorite reads of last year, but it is one of my favorite books ever! I love this world that Abbi created, but honestly Under the Lights was so disappointing that I almost didn't finish it. This book felt nothing like the first one, and I am so sad that a book I was greatly anticipating let me down like I felt this one did. 

This story centers around Willa, Gunner, and Brady. They were all friends as children, but things have changed for all of them as they have grown older and choices they made altered the paths they were on. But as secrets start to be revealed, all of them will have to face the truth, even if it means losing each other forever. 

Part of my problem here was the fact that we got all three POVs for these characters, and it just felt like too much. It wasn't necessary and just seemed to muddle the story for me. I also felt like this book was so slow and drawn out, yet when it came down to it the relationship here felt rushed. I don't know how exactly that was possible, but it happened here. The characters were immature and their actions were often times over the top. While the first book felt genuine and so real that I loved everything about it, this story felt as though it was constant drama and immaturity. Things got to the point of being ridiculous and it just felt forced. I also really dislike how Abbi's books have a tendency to make every girl in them out to be so awful, even the heroines to some extent. That is definitely thAmae case with this series and it was more apparent than ever here. I don't know why she seems to need to make them all out to be different versions of the stereotypical mean girl or horrible human beings in general, but there were very few exceptions to that here. 

Overall, I am just really upset with how things went here. I had been so excited for this book, and I really had to force myself to finish. If it wasn't for my absolute love for the first book in this series, I really think this would have been a DNF for me. There were so many times I wanted to stop reading, but I just kept hoping this one would get better. I will continue this series as I do love the world she has created, but this one just wasn't what I had been expecting or hoping for at all. I also had several issues with Abbi's recent Rosemary Beach book Up In Flames. I am hoping that she gets back to what her writing used to be as it seems like her newer books just aren't working for me like her past books have. It makes it hard to take a chance on her books when the price is so steep for them as well. I do think that Abbi is a talented writer, but unfortunately her books seem to be really hit or miss for me with me either loving or hating them.

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ARC Review: Up In Flames by Abbi Glines

Up In Flames is the fourteenth story in the Rosemary Beach series by Abbi Glines. I would recommend reading these in order for full enjoyment, but this could be read as a standalone if necessary. Honestly I will admit that I was pretty skeptical going into Up In Flames. It is no secret if you are familiar with this series that Nan is one of the most hated characters from any series ever, but I was intrigued to see if she would ever redeem herself. Unfortunately this book was a mess and I ended up having a lot of issues with the story itself rather than Nan's character. 

Nan is the villain of Rosemary Beach and she is tired of always coming in last. Every guy in her life that she has ever been interested in has always taken what he wanted and given little in return. Just when she thinks she has found someone she might have more with, she realizes that he will never feel the same for her and has no intention of settling down. So she heads to Vegas where she meets a man unlike any she has met before. But soon Nan finds herself caught between two men and in a situation she never expected. 

I found that I didn't hate Nan here like I had in the previous books. With that being said, I also never felt like she redeemed herself or made any progress. She was still pretty much the same self centered high maintenance girl that felt sorry for herself and the situation she was in. I felt like a bit of that was karma, but mostly was due to how she treated others. Yes at times I did feel for her, but honestly I just didn't see any progress or growth here. I wanted more of her story and what made her tick, but we didn't really get that here. For this being Nan's story, it became much more about something else entirely rather than about Nan and that was disappointing. I also felt like while there was some attraction between her and the men in her life, I just wasn't feeling the connection with either of them and it all felt so forced and unrealistic. 

This book felt sloppy and all over the place. Things would change at the drop of a hat that felt unbelievable and characters would think one thing and then all of a sudden think the exact opposite. Their opinions were so back and forth that I just never really felt like we knew who any of them were, and I couldn't relate or feel invested in any of them. There were so many egos and so many secrets and lies, and I never felt like any of them actually cared about anyone but themselves. I don't know that I would really consider this book a romance as there was so much else going on and it didn't really feel like we got a romance here. It's hard to really go into much here so as not to spoil the story, but I will say that there was just so much over the top crazy drama going on and I felt like Nan's love life sort of got lost in all of that. While I thought that things were going one way, Abbi Glines did surprise me by taking this story in a completely different direction. It was one that I wasn't on board with at all, and I was left feeling like this story was just too much and not in a good way. While I have had mixed feelings on some of Abbi's books before, I have never felt like they were as much of a sloppy mess as this one felt like. It just seemed like she was trying to force this crazy story to happen, and it didn't work for me at all. While I have genuinely enjoyed the majority of this series, sadly Up In Flames was not one of them. I felt like I needed to finish this book and see Nan's story through, but honestly this is one that I would have quit reading if it wasn't part of the Rosemary Beach series. There were some cute moments between Nan and her nephew Nate, but those moments were not enough to redeem this one to me.

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ARC Review: The Best Goodbye by Abbi Glines

The Best Goodbye is the newest addition to the Rosemary Beach series by Abbi Glines. While this book is number 13 in the series, it is easily read as a standalone. I would really recommend reading these in order if possible though since the characters are interconnected and Captain is introduced earlier in the series, giving readers a glimpse at his life before this book. I really enjoyed this book, and I was so glad that this story was wrapped up in one book with no cliffhangers. So many of these characters have been given multiple books and while it is nice to get more of them, I am very impatient when waiting if there is a cliffhanger involved. So those that are impatient like me will enjoy that Captain's story is complete at the end of The Best Goodbye. 

River "Captain" Kipling has been working for years for a crime boss, and he has finally left that world behind him. Though he is out and retired, he is finishing up launching a restaurant for his boss before he trains his boss's nephew to take over. But everything changes when he begins to notice something familiar about the redheaded waitress at the restaurant. Her laugh reminds him of a past that he has tried to move on from. The more he tries to avoid Rose Henderson, the more he finds himself drawn to her. 

I liked these characters a lot! I have been waiting for Captain's story, and I knew that it was going to be a bit darker based on what we have previously have seen of him. I have to admit that I was really surprised here though, and while I had some idea of what his past was there was so much more before he started working for the crime boss! I found him really interesting, and with each new piece of the puzzle revealed I fell more in love with him. Rose was really interesting as well, and I liked her instantly. While she did frustrate me at times here, there was so much to admire about her. The chemistry between these two was clear, and I couldn't wait to see how things would turn out when everything was revealed. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It is hard to review this one since there are so many things that could give away the story here. I don't want to spoil anything, and I really think that this is one of those books that is best just experienced without a ton of prior knowledge. I enjoyed seeing the past and present and how things would end up for all the characters involved here. This is definitely one of my favorites from the series, and if it wasn't for Rose constantly jumping to conclusions and running I really think it would have been a five star book for me. I still highly recommend it, especially for those that are fans of the series. Abbi Glines has a way of drawing you right into a book and making you fall in love with her characters, and The Best Goodbye is a perfect example of that! I didn't want to put Captain's story down, and I think that readers are really going to love this book just as much as I did.

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ARC Review: Until Friday Night by Abbi Glines

I really loved Until Friday Night by Abbi Glines. This is one of my favorite books that I have ever read by her, and that is really saying something since I love Rush so much! But there was just something about West and Maggie's story that really spoke to me, and I absolutely loved West's group of friends. I cannot wait for more in this series, and if it continues the way this one started then this could end up being my favorite series yet from Abbi! 

After her father murdered her mother, Maggie's world was forever changed. She shut down to protect herself and hasn't spoken a word since. Now two years later, she arrives in Lawton, Alabama to live with her aunt, uncle and cousin. Though they mean well, they don't understand what she has been through at all. But when Maggie meets the hottest guy in school at a field party she is forced to attend, she finds that West is also experiencing a pain that no one else can understand. When West opens up to her knowing that she won't tell anyone what he is going through, he never expects her to respond. Soon they are closer than ever and their connection continues to grow. Though no one understands what they share, West and Maggie find themselves able to finally forget about the pain as long as they have each other. 

I really loved West and Maggie. These two were so great together. Though I was wondering at the beginning of this book if I would even like West, he quickly won me over. His bark was way worse than his bite, and in his head he was just trying to find a way to cope. He was also trying to protect Maggie from getting close to him in the only way he knew how. But I loved that Maggie was able to see beyond that facade and reach him in a way that no one else could. He didn't have to say anything for her to see that he was in just as much pain as she was. Their connection was strong and natural, and it was one that just continued to intensify the more they got to know one another. I honestly couldn't get enough of these two and I loved that they were able to be friends who confided in one another and it grew to be more.

Honestly this is one of the best books I have ever read from Abbi, but I know that some people will have some issues with it. For me, this story was more about the experience and the feelings that it brought out in me rather than the plot or all the details of the secondary characters etc. This book was about strength and love, growth and healing. I felt everything, and I was invested in this book from the first page. I couldn't put it down, and I devoured every single word. I did notice that besides the adults in the story, Maggie was the only female that seemed to have any redeeming qualities. I also noticed that West, as well as the other guys they were friends with, used girls and didn't think twice. But I really didn't focus on that, because to me that wasn't even close to the point of this book or what I was feeling as I read it. So while I can see where others will have problems with those things, for me this was Maggie and West's story and was about the journey that each of them had to go separately and together and that part to me was perfection. I loved this book and I loved Maggie and West, but I am also really excited to get to know some of the other guys here as well! I really enjoyed seeing the friendship they all shared, and I can't wait to see what happens for them as this series unfolds. I highly recommend this book for Abbi fans, as well as anyone looking for a good new adult story. This one brought out all the feels, and I think a lot of readers will fall in love with these characters just like I did.

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ARC Review: When You're Back by Abbi Glines

When You're Back is book 12 in the Rosemary Beach series by Abbi Glines. Though you do not need to have read every book in this series, you do need to have first read When I'm Gone as that is where Mase and Reese's story begins. All the books in this series are interconnected through the characters, and to get full enjoyment from the series it is best to read them in order if possible. 

Things are finally beginning to look perfect for Reese. Not only does she have the perfect boyfriend Mase Colt-Manning, but she has also discovered a family she didn't know she had. Reese has also finally found that she isn't stupid and has been able to overcome her dyslexia with the help of Mase and a tutor. But just as things are starting to look up for Reese, she finds herself moving in with Mase where his cousin Aida is far from welcoming. Reese wants Aida to like her and to see that her relationship won't come in the way of her spending time with Mase, but she finds herself wondering what Aida's motivation is as nothing she seems to do makes a difference. Aida's interest in Mase feels more than what it should to Reese, and she begins to see that Aida views her as her competition rather than as her cousin's girlfriend. With Aida stopping at nothing to get rid of Reese, will Mase see what is happening and stop it? Or will Aida and her manipulations ruin everything that Reese and Mase have built? 

I really loved Reese and Mase in When I'm Gone, and I loved them here as well. These two are perfect for one another, and I really enjoy them together. They are hot together and have a ton of chemistry, but they also really love one another and it shows in everything they do. I love the support and encouragement between them no matter what they do, and I think that these two are exactly what the other needs. I have to say though that Mase seemed to underestimate Aida, and even after learning how she felt about him he seemed to sort of allow her to get away with more than he should have. He seemed to be a bit naive when it came to her, and I couldn't believe how easily he would forgive her when it was clear that she didn't mean anything she was saying and that she was only manipulating things further. I have always hated Nan and thought that she was by far the worst character in this series, but Aida might have taken over for her in this book. 

Besides Aida and the crap that went down with her, I really felt like this book seemed to be a filler story. For at least the first half but probably up until about 75% of the way through this one, it seemed like all Reese and Mase seemed to really do was tell each other how much they loved one another and have sex. While some of that is great, I expect more to the story than that. I kept waiting for things to get going besides just the Aida drama, and it took quite awhile to get there. I really enjoyed seeing Captain and getting to know him, and I thought that his story was set up very nicely here. I am really intrigued by his character, and I am looking forward to more of him. While I love Reese and Mase, this book wasn't as good as the first and I was a bit disappointed with how things played out here.

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ARC Review: When I'm Gone by Abbi Glines

When I'm Gone is the newest book in the Rosemary Beach series by Abbi Glines. This book centers around Harlow's half brother Mase Colt Manning and Reese Ellis. While you can read this book without having read the others in this series, I would definitely recommend reading the other books if you haven't. This series is really good, and I loved seeing some of my past favorites pop up in this book. I will warn you that this book does end in a way that leaves you hanging, but it isn't a huge cliffhanger and luckily for us readers we don't have to wait too much longer for the next book!

Having escaped from a lifetime of abuse, Reese Ellis is now living and working in Rosemary Beach. She cleans houses and one day while working she ends up meeting the handsome Mase Manning. While they are both attracted to each other instantly, Reese has always been unable to trust men. But something about Mase puts her at ease and she finds herself leaning on him for help after there is an accident while cleaning. Soon Reese and Mase are growing closer, but Mase is only visiting and must soon return to his ranch in Texas. Can Reese and Mase find a way to see where things could go between them, or will it be over before it ever really began? 

I really liked both Mase and Reese. Reese had been through a ton, and was pretty shy. She didn't really get close to many people, and it was easy to see why. But she was a hard worker and was determined to take care of herself. I was glad to see that she didn't let her issues get in the way of her life, and though she was scared she let Mase in. He was so sweet and patient with her, and I could not have loved him more. Mase was so great with how he helped her and treated her, and you could tell right away that things were different between them. Mase and Reese had genuine feelings for one another, and they also had a lot of attraction and chemistry as well. I was glad that things sort of built slowly for them though, and that Mase was always showing Reese that she was safe with him and how much he cared for her. 

Overall, this was a great book. I always wonder how I will like a new Abbi Glines hero compared to Rush (because who doesn't love Rush!), and yet each time Abbi gives us someone new and just as great in a completely different way. Rush was so easy to fall for, and yet I honestly loved Mase just as much if not more! He is right up there for me, and I really think he might be my favorite. There is just something so genuinely good about him, and I loved him right from the start. It was clear that he looks out for those he loves and that he would do anything for them, and seeing him that way with Reese definitely made me swoon. I will admit that I am still a Nan hater, and she made me so mad in this book. Seriously have no idea what is wrong with her, but I really hope that someone gives her back everything that she has put on others. I am really looking forward to getting more of Mase and Reese as well as the rest of the Rosemary Beach gang, and the next book can't get here soon enough!

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Review: Never Too Far by Abbi Glines

Let me start off by saying that I was not sure how much I was going to enjoy this book. I love to read books from a series and I have a major need to see a story through. I very rarely start a series and don't finish it...there is just something that bothers me about not knowing how things end! So of course I had to check this one out to see the continuing story of Rush and Blaire.

I had quite a few problems with this book. The first problem I had was that the story seemed to just rehash the same old thing over and over. A problem would seem to be resolved and the couple would move on only to circle right back. Probably because the only way they really solved any of their problems was through sex. I'm all for some good sex scenes, especially if they are well written and are a natural part of the story. However I felt that the author used them as a way to resolve the issues between the couple without ever really solving any of the problems.

The second problem I had was Rush. He would try to convince Blaire of all the reasons they should be together, only to turn around and make mistake after mistake. I felt like he was way too attached to Nan and was constantly putting her before Blaire. Where was the Rush from Fallen Too Far, who had made the choice that he wouldn't allow his sister and the family to stand between him and Blaire? It just seemed to be a completely different character from the first book to the second.

As for Blaire, I really missed the strong person she had become in the first book. What happened to the girl who would stand up for herself and even go to the point of pulling a gun on more than one character when needed? She just seemed to roll over and take what she could get. Often through this book I wondered why she wouldn't just say something or confront Rush about the choices he was making.

Overall, this book was a let down. It had a lot of problems and inconsistencies from what had been introduced in the first book. It also ended extremely abruptly. Although I'm guessing that the author did that in order to encourage people to buy Forever Too Far (book #3). Hopefully that book will do a better job of continuing the story of Blaire and Rush for the sake of the characters and the readers. The high point of this book for me was Woods (Blaire's boss & friend). He really stepped up to help Blaire and I really loved how his character developed over the course of the book! I enjoyed his scenes from this book the most and I can't wait to read his story in Twisted Perfection!

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Review: Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines

I have to admit that I have never read a book by Abbi Glines before Fallen Too Far. I had heard about her and was anxious to start this book. Having no idea what to expect though, I was pleasantly surprised. I found this book to be entertaining. It was a quick read that kept me from putting it down, because I had to know what would happen next!

Having to sell her house because of her late mother's medical bills, Blaire turns to the father who abandoned her for help. When she arrives at his house, she finds that her father and his new wife have left for the summer on vacation. She is taken in by her stepbrother Rush who makes it known that he has no interest in knowing her. He offers to let her stay long enough to save enough money to be able to afford a place of her own. Although the attraction between them quickly becomes more than either one of them can ignore.

Tattooed, pierced and the sexy son of a rock star, Rush is a total bad boy. He is flawed and has many secrets. He immediately fights his attraction to Blaire, because he believes that she deserves better. He soon realizes that he cannot fight it anymore, and he becomes extremely protective of her.

Blaire is a strong and independent girl who although only nineteen, is older than her years. Having been through the loss of a mother and sister and the abandonment of her father, she hasn't had much of a chance to live a normal life. I found her personality to be fun and quirky despite the hard times she has lived through. She isn't afraid to stand up and protect herself and I loved that about her character.

All that being said, I did have a few problems with this book. I felt like the love story between Rush and Blaire was...pardon the pun...rushed! It just seemed to switch too quickly from nothing to full on. I also felt like Rush let his sister Nan have too much influence over him and the relationships in his life. He refuses for most of the book to even discuss Nan with Blaire, even after Nan continually attacks her. The fact that he (and everyone around Blaire for that matter) is obviously hiding something from Blaire about Nan for the majority of this book bothered me. Why did everyone know what was going on and not one person would clue her in? However, I did enjoy this book right up until the end when it was absolutely heart breaking! How much can this poor girl take? Blaire and Rush's story continues in the novel Never Too Far and I of course have to read it because I am convinced that Blaire deserves to have a happy ending! I also can't wait to see what happens next for Blaire and Rush.

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