Originally posted here on April 30, 2016

(http://www.markbenjaminbooks.com/my-journal/book-review-edgewood)

I'm happy to have read this. Especially seeing as how I'm a virgin (again) when it comes to all things in the review world. This is a really great novel. The book description is already great, but trust me, the novel is astoundingly better. I'm happy to have gotten the chance to read Edgewood by Karen McQuestion (even her name is catchy hehe).

The main characters grow on you from the very beginning: Russ Becker, the protagonist; to his love interest, Mallory; the rude-boy, Jameson; and the shy (for a reason) Nadia. The story unfolds as Russ learns his unique ability after the strange "astronomical" event happens to him, and how he gels with the rest of the teens as he plays catch-up to learning how to use his newfound powers. As the plot develops, an organisation called the Associates (who apparently want world domination) and another called the Praetorian Guard (who apparently want to stop the Associates) comes into the picture. I liked the fact that you, as the reader, doesn't really know whom exactly the evil ones are (kinda), which adds an element of mystery and intrigue in the book. The dialogue and actions of the main characters were believable for their ages, and the action scenes appropriate for the targeted age range.

An issue for me however was how Russ treated his nephew, Frank, at times. Though at the end he became a better uncle at least. Frank's mum (Russ' sister, Carly) was also a pain until she stormed into a room like a banshee to what she thought was saving the day. I can't remember the last time I went from disliking a character to loving them in just a few pages (zero to one-hundred real fast!). Finally, to what I thought was a mild plot error, Nadia could track Russ when he was in an unknown location but couldn't seem to do the same when he took a walk outside his house in the nigh?!. Perhaps this means that Russ is getting more powerful? A reader can only hope!

Overall, this was a fun and exciting read, which took less time for me to finish than you could say, "I want the next in the series!" Not only that, but I believe more mature readers would enjoy this book. I sure did!

Would I recommend it? Most definitely!
Would I read it again? Absolutely!
When my daughter Leia reaches an appropriate age would I let her read it? Without a doubt!

That's why I give this book a 4/5 in my ratings. Now, go out there and grab yourselves a copy!

My Favourite Lines
The field beyond glowed with fragments of something, like someone had tipped over a charcoal grill the size of a water tower. The embers glowed blue and gold, beautiful like jewels. I got closer and noticed the glowing chunks were different sizes but that overall they formed a swirling pattern that covered the entire field. ----> I liked the imagery described here. A lot.

As if not hearing me, she continued the discussion, going in a different direction entirely. I've noticed that girls do this a lot. ----> This statement just shows how funny some of the characters are. Karen McQuestion catches this really well.

I held my hands firmly against him and focused all my thoughts and energy on the connection between us. We were two separate people linked now by skin and bone and blood and energy. ----> Another wonderful description.

"We create the reality we want to believe. One child thinks he has the meanest parents in the world. His brother thinks they're strict but fair. Which one is right? Is the second one downplaying it or is the first one a whiner? So much of life depends on your perspective." ----> I found this philosophical enough for a young adult to mull over. Great!

Cassady is with Teagan who is a friend from her youth. Six months earlier Cassady’s brother Jason had died and she having problems moving on. Teagan has won passes to a Demi Jade concert. Cassady is to start an internship for the CEO of Chambers and Brit for the summer. Teagan gets mad at Cassady and goes to the arena where the concert is to be held with both tickets on her. Gage was a singer and played the guitar , he was the warm up act before the concert. Gage comes to the table Cassady is at and agrees to have a drink . Cassady was drunk and left with Gage but he would not take advantage of her in that state.

I loved this story a guy who has morals and did not take advantage of someone who is drunk who is throwing herself at him [ is there still such men ]. I loved the characters in this story especially Cassady and all the twists and turns she goes through to try to heal from Jason’s death and be her own person. Also Gage and how really sweet he was. I recommend.

I received an ARC of this story for an honest review.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For Mature Readers: 18+

Truth & Temptation is book three in Riley Edgewood’s Summer Love series, but it can be read as a stand alone. This book was smoking hot!

Teagan is my new favorite protagonist. I love the fact she’s flawed and very aware of all of her imperfections. You have to love a character who is self-aware AND acts to fix the things she can. Plus, this girl has serious backbone. No matter what the obstacle, she managed to lift her chin and press on. Teagan is like Cinderella with attitude. Love her!

I loved Alec too–he can be my book boyfriend any time! His heart makes him the perfect man. Sure, he has his issues as well, but he cares so deeply. His ‘station’ in life doesn’t define him. If anything, he works hard to be better than his financial status.

The villains in this story are truly despicable. A person expects their family to love them and watch their backs not sharpen the blade and plunge deep. Edgewood did a great job depicting people who were hateful and just plain selfish.

The best thing I loved about Edgewood’s story is how she twisted the standard tale of someone from the wrong side of the tracks. It’s not a story of a gold digger. And, it’s not a story about someone delighted they’ve hit the jackpot. The girl from the south side of the tracks doesn’t want fame nor fortune. She does want to keep her own bootstraps attached and see how far she can go on her own. That is so admirable.

Be prepared when you read this book. The scenes in Truth & Temptation are vivid (they almost burnt a hole in my tablet). I loved how Edgewood wrote them. They were well-written without an ounce of cheese (smile). The graphic details did what they should do in any well-developed story–move the story along.

Truth & Temptation is a page-turner. I read it in a little under two days. Now, I need to read the rest of the series!

I highly recommend this book to anyone (over the age of 18, please) who wants a good read and doesn’t mind a little ‘edge’ to the story.

**I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review**

Tegan's best friend is Cassady. Cassady's boyfriend is Gage. Vera is another friend. Cassady knows how messed up Tegan really is. Tegan starts a new job on Monday. She's going to work at Chambers and Brit, an equity firm. Tegan goes home with a man she calls Frank. She won't let him say his real name and says her name is Cindy. Tegan is in a messed up place in her life. Her grandparents don't treat her with any love. Her mom left her with them as a newborn, but she does have two loyal friends and Alec. She grew so much in this story that her character was absolutely awesome. Alec was a rich man, but he really didn't act like one. He was smart, kind, sweet, and loyal. He would help anyone he could. He had some things from his past, but with Tegan's help, he grew a lot also. He was a great character, as were others in the story.

This book had an excellent plot and overall story. I highly recommend it.

Teagan Walker takes a chance with Alec Chambers and goes him with him on a Friday night.  They do not know each others real names.  Not until Monday morning when she has to tell him who she really is and hopefully keep her job as his assistant.

She has never been honest with anyone the way she starts to be with him.  When he lets her start over with a clean slate, they grow closer because they are honest and up front.  Alec is still interested in her and reeling from her running away from him over the weekend.  He proposes they give it a try.

Teagan is not sure what to do.  She has trust and self esteem issues that she can never get past.  Suddenly with this new job and a man in her life, she wants to get over those hurdles.  Can she learn he has her best interests at heart?

Alec wants to reassure her he wants her just he way she is.  He finds her attractive, charming, real, sexy and so much more.  Can he convince her he knows the real her?  Can he prove he can be trusted?

Another great novel for this Summer Love series. Each one is so unique, but with a great OTP to root for!  I found this story compelling and very honest.  I loved the characters and the ability to see the development happening as I read.  I give this amazing book a 5/5 Kitty's Paws UP!

***This ARC was given free from Netgalley.com and its publishers for review purposes only.