#I also got 3 months of kindle unlimited for free which was a nice surprise because I didn’t read that offer when I bought it ��

[lucky13-452]

To survive where I live, you have two options. You can be a Normal—a cheerleader, jock, member of the debate team, or on the yearbook committee. You pretend everything is normal. Or you can be crew. You insult us? We hurt you. You hurt us? We really hurt you. And if you f*ck with us, we will end you. My name is Bren. I'm the only female in the Wolf Crew—the best, fiercest, and most dangerous crew there is—and we have a rule: There's no falling in love. Well… too late.

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We are more than friends, more than family, we are Crew.

I just finished Crew and I am screaming right now! Crew was amaze-balls! I cannot even begin to tell you how much I loved this book.

I don't usually read contemporary I more of a supernatural/paranormal and fantasy reader. Over the last few years I have come across people saying how much they love Tijan as an author. I have read so synopsis and I knew that I just had to at least give one book a try but I always put off getting one. Even when I got a free e-copy of the first book in her ya series, Fallen Crest (which sounds really good by-the-way) I still didn't read it, then I purchased Davy Harwood by Tijan (as an ebook) but I still haven't read it and that book is paranormal I mean right in my wheel-house. Then this spring I purchased a paperback copy of Evil, another Tijan paranormal and I have yet to read that one. I know I have serious booknerd problems.

I think I hyped-up the author too much in my head and I was a little scared of a let down. However when I was able to receive a 3-month free subscription to Kindle Unlimited and I known Crew had just released in August plus I really wanted to read that book I knew I had to go for it and OMG! The love I have for this book knows no bounds and it's the first in a series, that means I get to live in the story and I love that. Tijan has created a story that is so compelling I didn't want to put the book down. I lived in every single moment and felt everything that Bren was feeling so deeply.

Bren... I love her so much. Bren has had to grow-up quick having to deal with a sick parent and a dysfunctional family where as a child she was an adult. Bren grew-up so fast but she has survived if only barely. Bren is not a nice, sweet caring person, her childhood made that impossible, she has flaws, amazingly big flaws, yet Bren does care strongly and deeply for her Crew. If you leave her to herself and leave her crew alone then Bren isn't a problem but she doesn't take any shit and if you start something Bren will be there to finish it and I love it. She learned early own that she was going to have to stick-up for herself and she doesn't hold back.

Then there is Bren's big brother Channing who I assume is a character from the Fallen Crest series considering this is the same world and that Fallen Crest is the next town over. Channing who was apparently a hellion when he was younger has grown-up. While he also had a crappy and therefore now leads a life that isn't exactly innocent he is trying with Bren, trying to be the brother/parent she should have had. He is trying in his own way to repair the relationship he has with Bren while he isn't the best of parents he is therefore her when she needs him. Now because of this I can't wait to read Fallen Crest I just know it's gonna be good.

Can we just talk about Cross... my god, that boy. Cross is such a complex character and I love him with all that I am. Cross isn't the good guy but he isn't a bad guy either, he isn't loud or smug, he doesn't show off. Cross has been there for Bren for a very longtime. They are best friends who know each other who are there for each other when it isn't crew business and it's normal business. They orbit each other, they are so close and Bren really needed someone like that in her life. Cross is lethal but only when it is called for, he is dangerously smart and has a violent nature like the rest of them but he is still a decent guy who wants to be there for his crew and his best friend.

I love the plot, Crew isn't about gangs, they aren't gangs. It's about a group of friends who protect each other from everything, they are a safety-net, people who have your back and care about you no matter what. They would do for you as they would do for themselves. It's about being there for someone when they don't have anyone. The whole story was told from Bren's point of view and we get to see how a person becomes part of a crew. Her life is told in flashbacks and some very real and important issues come up. The closeness that they all have, Bren's willingness for survival and the climaxes all kept me riveted to the seat. There were mellow parts then bam! everything is in utter chaos. So much happens, so much information is revealed and I could help but wonder what else can happen after that then something else dramatic happens... I just lived for this book. I will be purchasing a printed copy of Crew now, it was just that good.

Crew was a wild a crazy read that had me on the edge, most of the book, and kept me wanting more. I am totally invested in the characters and so much has happen that I am glued to the story now. My mind is just blown, I need the next book in the series because with the little surprise ending I can't wait to see what the wolves do next because no messes with the wolves, they are Crew.

Overall 5 stars

[ruthlessbookfish]

The Neighborhood by Stylo Fantome

January 17

My Reviews

The Neighbors

Stylo Fantome is awesome. I have yet to read a book of hers I haven’t liked. Katya, Wulf, and Liam are on a wonderful crash course, and we as the readers get to buckle up and enjoy the ride. Stylo knows how to write a twist and an ending. When I got to the final paragraph, I felt like screaming “ Yaas, Katya, Yaas!” I could not wait for The Neighborhood to come out.

The Neighborhood

I had high hopes for Katya and Wulf. I was always Team Wulf. I still had a soft spot for Liam. I am a little disappointed in his choices but I was excited to see where his story was going. We get to meet his brother Landon. I loved Landon. Can he get his own book? 

Wulf, a bastard after my own heart, I loved him the most. He never let Katya off the hook. Katya surprised me. I never thought she would go in the direction she takes the story. She had her own lessons to learn though. I was really happy with The Neighborhood. I look forward to Stylo’s next book.  

**** I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book*****

Title: The Neighborhood

Series: Twin Estates #2

Author: Stylo Fantôme

Genre: Erotic Romance

Release Date: January 17, 2017

Blurb

Things a bad neighbor can do to you: 1. Have loud parties late at night 2. Refuse to mow his lawn 3. Steal your newspapers 4. Rip your heart out and walk all over it Katya Tocci is willing to admit that she may have bitten off more than she could chew. Liam Edenhoff showed her a side of life she'd been missing out on - sex and friendship and tacos. But then he betrayed her. Wulfric Stone taught her that big surprises can come from unexpected places - like from a surly, aggressive, withdrawn bastard. But then he broke her heart. Now one of them wants forgiveness, and the other wants forever. And Katya? She just wants to forget. Who knew neighbors could be so difficult? This story contains scenes of a graphic sexual nature, multiple uses of coarse language, and quite possibly enough confusion to drive a normal person insane. Reader discretion is advised.

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Excerpt

"Have you eaten?” he asked. “How did you get in here?” she ignored his question and asked her own. “I have access to the keys for every building we manage. Are you really meeting that thing for dinner?” he asked again. “Okay, first of all, 'that thing' is a seriously good looking, very successful, and ridiculously nice man – a man who has yet to lie to me and use me,” she pointed out. “Key word being 'yet'.” “And second of all, I know for a fact my lease states you have to give me twenty-four hour notice before you just barge in here. If you come in again without my permission, I'm gonna file a complaint,” she warned him. He laughed. Actually laughed. Something Wulfric Stone didn't do very often. She took a deep breath and looked away from his broad smile. “Please do. I'll direct my HR department to hand deliver it to my desk so I can deal with it personally.” “Are we done here? I have things to do today that don't involve dealing with you,” she snapped. He stepped closer to her. “You might be even funner now than you were before.” “That's not funny, and if you can't realize that, then there is literally no hope for you.” “Ah, implying there is hope.” “Shut up.” “Feisty. I love it.” “I talked to Vieve,” she blurted out. That finally stopped him. “Oh, really,” was all he said. “Yup. Went to your place, had a cup of coffee with her,” she said. That seemed to actually surprise him. “You were in my home?” he checked. “Yes. Apparently, I could've been spending lots of time there. Very generous of you to give me complete access,” she said. He didn't react, though she noticed the tendon in the side of his neck was taut and straining. “Yes, well, I've met you. I knew if you ever showed up, it would be a huge hassle with the front desk calling my office and you calling my cell phone and me having to drive across town. Was just easier that way.” “Sure. Okay.” “And how was the coffee? I have it imported.” Katya stared at the tight tendon for a moment longer. He was so good at putting on a false front, she knew. Looking calm and collected. After all, this was a man who ate million dollar real estate deals before breakfast. But it was all fake. He was nervous. Deep down, she could tell. Being forceful was just his way of barreling through a problem he didn't actually want to deal with – he could just strong arm her into doing what he wanted. No unnecessary awkwardness. That was Wulf's M.O. Yeah, well, my M.O. is to make him feel as awkward as humanly possible. “I can't go to breakfast with you,” she stated, brushing past him and heading down the hallway. He didn't hesitate to follow behind her. “No shit, it's afternoon – it's too late for brunch, even. But that Brazilian food cart is open for lunches now, we're going -” he started, but she waved her hand over her shoulder as she moved into her bedroom.

"I can't, I'm busy this afternoon. I have to go shopping for a new stove – don't worry, I'll have the bill sent to you,” she joked, turning around and standing in the doorway to her room. He glared down at her. “Don't be ridiculous. I'll talk to maintenance, we can get a new stove in by the end of the week,” he assured her. “Whatever. I have other plans.” “Tocci, I'm not -” “But how about dinner?” she offered. That seemed to shock him. He stood still for moment, his eyes wandering over her face. Obviously trying to figure out if she was lying. She offered him a big smile, and that just seemed to throw him even more off guard. He finally narrowed his eyes. “If I make reservations, you'll be downstairs on time?” he checked. “No,” she shook her head. “But I can meet you there.” “Bullshit. You'll stand me up, and I'm not wasting my time, sitting around like an asshole waiting for you,” he said. “I won't, I promise. I have … a client I'm dealing with this afternoon. I don't know how long it will take,” she told him. “What about your dinner date with your darling handyman?” he asked. She shrugged. “I'll figure something out, don't worry about it. I'll have dinner with you.” “You promise?” he checked, still glaring down at her. She nodded and ran her fingers across her chest in an X motion. “Cross my heart.” “Fine. But don't fuck with me, Tocci. You won't like it if I have to come and find you. We have a lot to discuss,” he informed her. She nodded. “I'm sure we do. What's the dress code?” she asked. Wulf was a 3-Michelin-stars kind of restaurant goer when it came to dinner dates. “A dress,” he informed her, and then his gaze wandered over her shoulder. She had some clothes laying around on the floor, littered about on the bed. She was gearing up to do laundry. “If you'd like to try on some options, I'd be more than happy to sit and help.” Katya laughed and slid her hands up either side of the door frame. Wulf followed the motion with his eyes, which grew wide when she leaned towards him. “Mmmm, that would be fun, wouldn't it?” she chuckled. “Possibly.” “And it's been a very long time since you've been in my bedroom,” she reminded him. He nodded. “It has.” “And we never got to have any real fun in here, did we?” she sighed, glancing back at her bed. “No. No, we did it not.” “It must make you wonder, though,” she said, dropping her hands and stepping back into the room. “Wonder what?” “What kind of fun Liam and I used to have in here.” There was a split second where she got to see equal parts anger and shock ripple across his features. Then she slammed the door in his face.

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Author Bio

Crazy woman living in an undisclosed location in Alaska (where the need for a creative mind is a necessity!), I have been writing since ... forever? Yeah, that sounds about right. I have been told that I remind people of Lucille Ball - I also see shades of Jennifer Saunders, and Denis Leary. So basically, I laugh a lot, I'm clumsy a lot, and I say the F-word A LOT. I like dogs more than I like most people, and I don't trust anyone who doesn't drink. No, I do not live in an igloo, and no, the sun does not set for six months out of the year, there's your Alaska lesson for the day. I have mermaid hair - both a curse and a blessing - and most of the time I talk so fast, even I can't understand me.

Yeah. I think that about sums me up.

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