August 2015 Wrap Up

I think I'm still sort of in a bit of a slump, but I did finish a book much earlier than last month. Also...I've set myself a new personal goal to see if I can get to 50 books. If I make it to that 50 and still have enough time in the year I might bump it again to 75. I only set it for 25 this time because I'm used to not reading very fast at all!

Let's get on with the wrap-up then! This month I've read 2 books.

Book #1: Romance by the Book by Jo Victor

For a smart woman, Alex is pretty clueless. She wants the truth, but she’s looking in the wrong place. She wants love, but she’s not looking at all. If only Cam didn’t keep disrupting her life, Alex might be able to find some answers. After all, it’s not as if Cam is interested in her. Which is probably a good thing, since Cam is even more infuriating than she is charming—and she’s got plenty of charm. On the other hand, Rosamund, Cam’s ex and Alex’s professional rival, is definitely interested in Alex, but can she be trusted? Alex doesn’t even realize the historic house she’s staying in is haunted. Perhaps a little supernatural help will lead Alex to uncover the secret of a love story hidden for over a century, and to solve the greatest mystery of all—the truth hidden in her own heart.

I received this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review. I loved it and gave it 4/5 stars because for a bit during the middle-end (about 60-70% of the way through) I kind of hit a dry patch. For the rest of my review, see the actual review I posted!

Book #2: Atlantis by David Gibbins

From an extraordinary discovery in a remote desert oasis to a desperate race against time in the ocean depths, a team of adventurers is about to find the truth behind the most baffling legend in history. The hunt is on for...ATLANTIS. Marine archaeologist Jack Howard has stumbled upon the keys to an ancient puzzle. With a crack team of scientific experts and ex–Special Forces commandos, he is heading for what he believes could be the greatest archaeological find of all time——the site of fabled Atlantis——while a ruthless adversary watches his every move and prepares to strike, but neither of them could have imagined what awaits them in the murky depths. Not only a shocking truth about a lost world, but an explosive secret that could have devastating consequences today. Jack is determined to stop the legacy of Atlantis from falling into the wrong hands, whatever the cost. But first he must do battle to prevent a global catastrophe.

I was given this book by a friend after I finished Will Adams' The Alexander Cipher. She said she thought I would like it because it ran on a similar sort of track to the previously mentioned book. She....was right. I enjoyed it very much, including the twists I didn't see coming. There are some things that you would expect to happen that don't, and then some things that you wouldn't expect to happen that do. I loved this book and am glad I managed to finish it.

Review: Romance by the Book by Jo Victor

This book was given to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review. It was published on June 9th, 2015 by Bold Stroke Books. It has 292 pages.

For a smart woman, Alex is pretty clueless. She wants the truth, but she’s looking in the wrong place. She wants love, but she’s not looking at all. If only Cam didn’t keep disrupting her life, Alex might be able to find some answers. After all, it’s not as if Cam is interested in her. Which is probably a good thing, since Cam is even more infuriating than she is charming—and she’s got plenty of charm.

On the other hand, Rosamund, Cam’s ex and Alex’s professional rival, is definitely interested in Alex, but can she be trusted? Alex doesn’t even realize the historic house she’s staying in is haunted. Perhaps a little supernatural help will lead Alex to uncover the secret of a love story hidden for over a century, and to solve the greatest mystery of all—the truth hidden in her own heart.  - Goodreads.com

Alex has always wanted to go to England. She receives a letter in the mail saying she's been awarded a scholarship to go study a famous poet believed to be a lesbian. I have wanted to go to England, too, so I understand her excitement when she gets the chance to go. She is not expecting the things that happen to her when she gets there.

I loved the way Ms. Victor wrote the book. It was difficult to put down my Kindle the entire time I was reading. She wrote it in such a way that I just had to know what happened next. Though some of the reveals were kind of...obvious? I felt like even if you hadn't read the synopsis, you'd have known Cam was going to make a move on Alex, or was at least going to think about making a move. 

Did anybody actually like Rosamund? She immediately rubbed me the wrong way with how her only interest seemed to be not in what she could do for people, but how they could get her more money or fame. She is exactly the kind of person I avoid at all costs when I can. She was still well written and a great antagonist for Alex. 

Over all I rated this book a 4/5. It was wonderfully written and I loved the story. This is one of the books that I would read again when I finally clear out my giant (~575 books including my Kindle) TBR pile.