Ten Days by Olivia Mayfield

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Title: Ten Days

Author: Olivia Mayfield

Genre: Science Fiction, New Adult

Length: 187 pages

Published: 2013

Publisher: Independent

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) Nineteen-year-old Cally isn’t like the others. In her society, the Machine caters to every whim, ensuring people don’t have to leave their pods. But Cally and her best friend Marshal find themselves drawn to how things used to be, when people lived on the surface of the earth and relied upon manpower, not technology. When physical contact wasn’t uncivilized, and love was normal, acceptable, embraced. Cally tries to swallow down her increasing dissatisfaction with the “rules,” as well as her rapidly developing feelings for Marshal, a task getting harder each day.

Then, things start going downhill, fast. Food is spoiled. Air grows musty. The population panics about the dysfunction–is it sabotage? Anarchy? But Cally and Marshal discover the truth: The Machine, the answer to all their problems for longer than anyone can remember, is breaking down. Now, these two have to risk it all to save themselves and the people they care about…before their entire world destroys itself.

My Review:

I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

Ten Days is based off the short story "The Machine Stops" by E.M. Forster. Instead of following Kuno, the story instead follows Cally, a young woman who embarks on a journey with her friend, Marshal, to understand why they are different. We do get to meet Kuno, which is a nice touch, and the author did not change his fate. This was a delightful story, and included hints of romance as both Cally and Marshal learn how to interact as the ancients did.

I can no longer find the link on Amazon for this e-book, so I can only assume it's no longer available for purchase. Hopefully it'll be re-released some day, so others can enjoy it.

Have you read Ten Days? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Make It Right by Megan Erickson

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Title: Make It Right

Author: Megan Erickson
Series: Bowler University (Book #2)

Genre: New Adult, Romance

Length: 384 pages

Published: September 9th 2014

Publisher: William Morrow Impulse

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) Max Payton lives by two rules:Size and strength win any fight, and never show weakness.

When a rash of assaults sends Bowler University for a tail spin, Max volunteers to help teach a self-defense class. One of the other instructors is the beautiful pixie-faced girl he keeps butting heads with…and who challenges everything he thought he knew.

Lea Travers avoids guys like Max - cocky jocks who assume she's fragile because of a disability caused by a childhood accident. She likes to be in control, and something about being with Max makes her feel anything but. But during the moments he lets his guard down, Lea sees a soul as broken inside as she is outside. Trusting him is a whole other problem...

When the assaults ramp up and hit close to home, Lea and Max must learn, before it’s too late, that true strength can come from vulnerability…and giving in to trust is sometimes the only way to make things right.

My Review:

I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

Max Payton was the "villain" in the first book of this trilogy, Make It Count. So getting to see things from his point of view and learning about why he was such a jerk to Kat and Alec. I loved that the majority of the book was through his eyes, though I did enjoy reading through Lea's eyes. The book itself was light in tone, but the romance was great and the sexual tension was heavy early on. Probably the only negative thing that I could say about it was that as soon as the author introduced the attacks on campus, I knew that either Lea or Max was going to get attacked. But the fact that you couldn't tell until right before it happened WHO was going to get attacked made up for it. Definitely a great book for fans of the emerging New Adult genre.

You can purchase Make It Right through Amazon in Kindle format. The hard copy version releases in October 2014.

Have you read Make It Right? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Make It Count by Megan Erickson

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Title: Make It Count

Author: Megan Erickson
Series: Bowler University (Book #1)

Genre: New Adult, Romance

Length: 384 pages

Published: June 3rd 2014

Publisher: William Morrow Impulse

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) Kat Caruso wishes her brain had a return policy, or at least a complaint hot-line. The defective organ is constantly distracted, terrible at statistics, and absolutely flooded with inappropriate thoughts about her boyfriend’s gorgeous best friend, Alec…who just so happens to be her brand new math tutor. Who knew nerd was so hot?

Kat usually goes through tutors like she does boyfriends—both always seem to bail when they realize how hopeless she is. It’s safer for her heart to keep everyone at arm’s reach. But Alec is always stepping just a little too close.

Alec Stone should not be fantasizing about Kat. She’s adorable, unbelievably witty, and completely off limits. He’d never stab his best friend in the back…

But when secrets are revealed, the lines of loyalty are blurred. To make it count, Alec must learn messy human emotions can’t be solved like a trigonometry function. And Kat has to trust Alec may be the first guy to want her for who she is, and not in spite of it.

My Review:

I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

Since Anchor Me, I've been eagerly anticipating Megan Erickson's new book. And she did not disappoint. 

The first in a trilogy, Make It Count made me laugh, cry, and even yell out in frustration! The characters are all typical college kids. The type of drama that they deal with (cheating girlfriend, betrayal, etc.) is completely normal for the age group. 

Kat's insecurities are well-defined and well-written. You can tell the author did her homework on dyslexia to be able to write Kat's character so vividly. I felt like I was actually inside Kat's head and not just reading about her. 

You can tell each character was lovingly crafted to be an important part of the story as a whole. I really enjoyed the witty banter between Kat and Alec - especially some of the more awkward yet funny scenes early on in the story. 

At the end there is a sneak peek from book 2 in the trilogy: Make It Right; which stars Max Payton. As the second book is not slated to come out for a few more months, I'm refusing to read the sneak peek because I know it's going to drive me nuts to sit here and wait for several months to find out the whole story.

You can purchase Make It Count through Amazon in Kindle format. The hard copy version releases in July 2014.

Have you read Make It Count? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.