tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post1888414407203966739..comments2024-03-28T06:23:05.651-04:00Comments on Ivy Book Bindings: Mini-Reviews: One & Only by Viv Daniels and Through the Smoke by Brenda NovakKeertanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071392026876644282noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-66461924375390143442013-12-09T17:37:05.005-05:002013-12-09T17:37:05.005-05:00I recently DEVOURED One & Only after hearing s...I recently DEVOURED One & Only after hearing such rave reviews--pretty sure I read it in one day. I loved it for all the reasons you mentioned--it's such a fresh take on the same old, same old that many NA books have resorted to. And the thing is I love the concept of NA--college setting, trekking out without the parentals to hold you back, more mature, grown-up romance-- so it's is great when you come across a NA that GETS IT RIGHT. I'm with you--I sincerely hope this is the direction all NA will eventually head. And I can't wait to read Hannah's book next:)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07026974627724672435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-29976149141025460642013-12-03T23:36:00.174-05:002013-12-03T23:36:00.174-05:00Both of these sound really good, Keertana. I have ...Both of these sound really good, Keertana. I have to admit I'm really nervous about the romance in One & Only because of Dylan being involved with her half-sister! Nooooo!!!<br /><br />I've read a few historical romances and really enjoyed them. I'm definitely going to check this out. <br /><br />Great mini reviews! :)Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682335183798720529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-42428065501091006222013-12-03T22:41:19.489-05:002013-12-03T22:41:19.489-05:00I'm thinking that One & Only should be my ...I'm thinking that One & Only should be my gateway into NA books. I adored Peterfreund's Killer Unicorns duology and am eager to read more of her books. I'm not entirely sold on how NA only seems to be contemporary, but seeing such a positive review from you means I really should (and most likely will) give this one a shot. :)<br />And you're right - certainly no harm in enjoying some fluffier reads for fun. I'm going to try out Milan's historical romances first I think, but if they go well then I'll foray deeper into this genre, I'm sure.Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03052456915027241479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-46227879161973026272013-12-03T16:38:22.295-05:002013-12-03T16:38:22.295-05:00Both books sound really good and I've been wan...Both books sound really good and I've been wanting to check out the authors :) Great reviews!Synchronized Readinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10795947190263766678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-56926661367823129672013-12-03T06:53:35.050-05:002013-12-03T06:53:35.050-05:00WOW. Just WOW. I've been avoiding NA books lat...WOW. Just WOW. I've been avoiding NA books lately since the last few I read were all too similar, superficial with romance and sex scenes being the sole focus. I'm so glad there's FINALLY an NA book that not only focuses on romance, but also develops the relationships with friends and family! I also like how this offers an insight into characters applying for internships and interactions with professors. <br /><br />Oohh I LOVE historical fiction! I definitely need to read more books featuring strong protagonists :)<br /><br />Lovely reviews Keertana!<3Shirleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15660299375972501570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-50668136132431917702013-12-02T17:45:48.044-05:002013-12-02T17:45:48.044-05:00Marlene, Fangirl is wonderful - such an authentic ...Marlene, Fangirl is wonderful - such an authentic representation of college life! - and Unteachable is perhaps the only student-teacher forbidden romance I've enjoyed. It's also unapologetic in its portrayal of its characters, which makes it one of the better feminist reads I've come across as well. I hope you enjoy all these New Adult finds!(:Keertanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01071392026876644282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-11187586672832606982013-12-02T17:24:58.064-05:002013-12-02T17:24:58.064-05:00It's great to hear about NA making strides to ...It's great to hear about NA making strides to create relatable relationships between characters; whether the ties between them are familial, friendly, or romantic, it's clear, strong characterization will only support these different types of relationships in an authentic way. I now have a growing list of NA titles to check out because of this change. These include: Fangirl, Unteachable, and now, One & Only. This is totally new to me, because I've been turned off by NA for a while now. So, like you Keertana, if NA continues to go in the direction of character depth, I can totally get behind it 100%. Through the Smoke also sounds pretty great. I've been wanting to reach for a historical with a slow-burning romance in it. Now, I have an option! Wonderful reviews, hun!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12274355208601978550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-8905769703517119082013-12-02T15:58:29.363-05:002013-12-02T15:58:29.363-05:00I'm glad to see that you enjoyed both books Ke...I'm glad to see that you enjoyed both books Keertana. Out of the two I think One & Only would be my sort of book, I was kind of put off, when I read half-sister, but I'm glad to see that Daniels dealt with this relationship really well. Great reviews once again! :)Jasprithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11346050783201302967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-13929458420429474082013-12-02T15:41:38.346-05:002013-12-02T15:41:38.346-05:00I have to admit that between the two, I would prob...I have to admit that between the two, I would probably get Through the Smoke. I do like guilty pleasure reading and I need one about now. :)Melissa (Books and Things)https://www.blogger.com/profile/00074452958853212024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-3437764990541171662013-12-02T15:32:45.206-05:002013-12-02T15:32:45.206-05:00YES YES YES "What makes One & Only such a...YES YES YES "What makes One & Only such a spectacular novel, aside from the fact that the messy romantic relationship is dealt with in a tasteful manner with little to no angst or drama, is the fact that the relationships drawn up throughout the story are authentic and realistic to this age group." I was incredibly worried to pick this book up, because I hate cheating and reading about one character being in a relationship that drags out, is always a turnoff. But Daniels managed to tackle the situation realistically without unnecessary drama. And as you said, I just LOVE Dylan and Tess together. Their connection is so palpable. I GET it - why they wanted to be together so much, where sometimes I don't. GREAT review, and thanks for reading this one b/c it's these thoughts that made me confident I'd like it too. <br /><br />THROUGH SMOKE - I've also read this one, and while I liked it, I struggled with the classic comparisons. Still the romance was fun, and overall the book was indulgent and enjoyable. Lauren @ Love is not a trianglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15388832613855107816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-28226484099140297942013-12-02T15:12:18.984-05:002013-12-02T15:12:18.984-05:00Oy! It seems that there have been several NA novel...Oy! It seems that there have been several NA novels with surprising depth lately. I think we should start a petition. Authors shouldn't do this, it's messing with my worldview. ;)<br />All jokes aside, though, I'm glad to see this genre restored and revived in a way.<br /><br />Through the Smoke also sounds wonderful, with these two characters with different backgrounds and the slow build-up. I am very, very curious. Also, I'm a romance junkie these days.Maja (The Nocturnal Library)https://www.blogger.com/profile/14276646316400863181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-76874888339768604352013-12-02T10:04:39.150-05:002013-12-02T10:04:39.150-05:00One & Only sounds fantastic Keertana, you had ...One & Only sounds fantastic Keertana, you had me sold at the mention of a drama and angst free relationship. That's the one thing I dread when picking up an NA novel - the over the top emotional drama. I've read a few lately that have been different though, so I'm hoping we'll see that trend continue as the genre grows and expands. I'm definitely adding One & Only to my list, thanks so much for the wonderful review!Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14199685365145765394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-4027060579435646092013-12-02T08:17:27.725-05:002013-12-02T08:17:27.725-05:00First off, I have to say that I do believe your mi...First off, I have to say that I do believe your mini reviews are actually more thorough than my real reviews. They're amazing, Keertana! I'm SO excited to see you enjoyed ONE & ONLY, too. I've avoided most of the NA genre because I felt like it settled on a platform of lust and sex, but this one sounds a lot more fulfilling. I'd definitely read more NA if they were all like that!Melissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.com