REVIEW: Life and Death (Twilight Re-imagined) by Stephanie Myer

Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined is an additional, non-canon reimagining of Twilight. The book was written and published by Stephenie Meyer in honor of the 10th anniversary of the Twilight franchise. The story is set in an independent, parallel universe in which the most significant difference is that the genders, names and roles of the main characters have been reversed, with only a few exceptions.
The story follows essentially the same plotline as Twilight, but with necessary adjustments and slight changes to the story, dialogue, backgrounds, and personalities of the characters to accommodate the switched gender roles. Life and Death also features an alternate ending from the original plotline. 

I was really excited to read Life and Death since I was a hardcore Twihard. However, I was a little put off at the idea of another Twilight novel as I feel that the series should be left alone.

Towards the beginning I got caught up in who was who. Every time a character was discussed I was trying to figure out who they were in the original novel plus I was trying to notice every little detail that was changed. About a third of the way through the book I realized that doing so was making it extremely hard to enjoy the story so after that I tried to just enjoy the novel as an individual and not as a Twilight rewrite.

After that I actually enjoyed most of the novel. There are parts that I found to be awkward. It's probably just me stuck in society's gender roles but there were scenes that I found weird/unrealistic with the new genders.

I loved that Stephanie changed the ending! I won't spoil it for those that have not yet read it however, I will state that I enjoyed seeing how Twilight would have ended if it had been a standalone.

Overall I would recommend Life and Death to anyone that loved the original Twilight as it provides a new, fresh take on our beloved novel.

Tell me in the comments or on my book Instagram (@ncreads) what you thought of Life and Death if you've read it! I'd love to discuss and hear your opinions.

My rating will be based on Life and Death by itself as if it has nothing to do with Twilight.
Rating:  3.5/5

Link to purchase:
Amazon

REVIEW: Leaving Amarillo by Caisey Quinn
Publication date: March 17, 2015

Dixie Lark hasn’t had it easy. She lost her parents in an accident when she was young and grew up in a ramshackle house on a dirt road in Amarillo with her ailing grandparents and overprotective older brother. Thanks to her grandfather, Dixie learned to play a mean fiddle, inspired by the sounds of the greats—Johnny and June, Waylon, and Hank. Her grandfather’s fiddle changed Dixie’s life forever, giving her an outlet for the turmoil of her broken heart and inspiring a daring dream.

Ten years later, Dixie and her brother Dallas are creating the music they love and chasing fame with their hot band, Leaving Amarillo. But Dixie isn’t enjoying the ride. All she can think about is Gavin, the band’s tattooed, tortured drummer who she’s loved since they were kids. She knows he feels the connection between them, but he refuses see her as more than his best friend’s little sister.

Convinced that one night with Gavin will get him out of her system, Dixie devises a plan. She doesn’t know that her brother has forbidden Gavin from making a move on her-a promise he swore he’d always keep . . . a promise that once broken will unexpectedly change the future for Dixie, Gavin and the band.

Leaving Amarillo is such a quick and fun read. It holds your attention throughout the entire novel.

The chemistry between Dixie and Gavin is amazing. You can just feel the tension between the two of them and it drags you into their little world.

Without giving much away I will state that the back stories of all three main characters is just tragic. As I was reading their stories I wanted to reach out and hug them all. Caisey Quinn did an amazing job making you feel what the characters felt.

I can't wait to find out more about Gavin and his mother in the next novel. I wanted to punch her right in the kisser, she's was so frustrating.

THE ENDING, UGH. I can not wait to get my hands on the rest of Dixie and Gavin's story.

Rating: 4/5

Link(s) to purchase:
Amazon
Barnes&Noble

REVIEW: Confess by Colleen Hoover
Publication date: March 10, 2015

At age twenty-one, Auburn Reed has already lost everything important to her. In her fight to rebuild her shattered life, she has her goals in sight and there is no room for mistakes. But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn’t expect to find a deep attraction to the enigmatic artist who works there, Owen Gentry.

For once, Auburn takes a chance and puts her heart in control, only to discover that Owen is keeping a major secret from coming out. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything important to Auburn, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it.

To save their relationship, all Owen needs to do is confess. But in this case, the confession could be much more destructive than the actual sin.

As an art lover I have to start by discussing the actual art in this novel. It's AMAZING! After finishing the book I instantly looked up the artist. My two favorite things, reading and art combined! How awesome and such a fantastic idea as it just added to the book in such a great way.


The idea itself of people leaving their confessions for Owen to paint is so cool and unique. I love it, such a unique idea.

There's this huge twist in the book, which I won't reveal, that actually shocked me. I wasn't expecting it at all and I thought Colleen did a fantastic job keeping the reader on their toes.

This novel is heartbreaking, frustrating, and utterly amazing. It makes you feel something which is my number one must have in a book.

Once again, Colleen Hoover blew my mind with her fantastic writing.

Rating: 5/5

Link(s) to purchase:
Amazon
Barnes&Noble