Booknut 101's Bookworm Haven

Joseph Conrad

"You do know why I'm really here, don't you?"

I shook my head. I didn't. Not anymore.

Amy looked at me sadly, then glanced over her shoulder at the fountain. Something churned the leaves and gave off a sharp, metallic scent. With horror, I realised the liquid in the basin was blood. I scrambled to my feet, but Amy stayed sitting as though nothing were wrong.

She dipped her finger in the fountain and it came back coated red. "Things are about to get so interesting."

A search.

All Mac wants to do is track down Kyle and return with him to Hemlock. But how do you find someone that doesn't want to be found? It's no easy task, and with the Trackers hot on their heels, Mac is running out of time.

A raid.

Mac's ideal reunion is cut short as she and Kyle, along with a group of werewolves, are captured and sent to Thornhill, a rehabilitation camp for young werewolves - a camp shrouded in mystery. As they are assimilated into camp life, the dangers slowly reveal themselves...especially for Mac. 

If she tells those in charge she's a reg (a human) she might never see her friends again. But if she pretends to be one of the wolves, she's playing a dangerous game that may cost her her life.

A living nightmare.

Werewolves begin to disappear. Training regimes test the wolves physically and mentally. Cameras watch their every move. 

And the question remains: will Mac manage to uncover the dark secrets of Thornhill and save her friends before it's too late? 

Hearts collide, alliances crumble and form, horrors unfold and ghosts make their re-appearances in this thrilling sequel that is sure to have you on the edge of your seat!

'"I know nothing about being a shifter. I only just found this out a couple of weeks ago. I'm no leader," I said.

"It's in your blood," he said.

"Really? Because I've had my blood tested and ALPHA never came back in the toxicology."'

I'm going to admit that for the good majority of the first half of the book I was all like:


'Cause let's just face it - some female characters tend to overdo the whole I'm Not Pretty mantra. One minute she's all 'I'm plain and ugly no one could ever possibly think I'm beautiful', and the next:


Not to mention her reaction to any relatively good-looking male in a ten metre radius:


Okay. Maybe that was a little bit of an exaggeration.

The plot line was pretty obvious for the most part.
- Girl moves into town.
- Girl meets boy.
- Girl uncovers town secret.
- Girl and boy go out.
- Girl and boy face danger.
- Girl and boy make out.
- Girl and boy live happily ever after until the next book.

And although cheesy levels went through the roof at times...
(e.g.)'He shook his head. "One day you'll believe me when I tell you how smart, beautiful, and perfect you are."'


...but overall this book wasn't a total waste of time. It just required alot of patience, an open mind and an ability to stomach fluffy, Fanfiction-esque, lovey-dovey scenes and a very annoying main female protagonist.

However that's just my opinion. If you like werewolves, romance and alpha-male fights (where they totally should have had a cheerleading squad!) then this book could be for you :)

'How is one broken thing meant to fix another?

With love.

Yes, love. That was what I was fighting for. That was what I was living for. And maybe, not so tragically, that was what I would die for.

If you asked me, there are worse ways to go.'

Me at the beginning of this novel:


Me during the Nelly & Alexa sister moments:


Me during the Alexa & Kayden scenes:




Me at the end of this novel:




Me for the next week:


Me for the next month:

Rating: 3.7

The Cute Girl Network is a testament to modern day love stories. A graphic novel with a chick-lit twist, it provides a romantic comedy that will touch both the heart and the funny bone!

Although the storyline can tend to become stagnant at times, it's very hard not to like the two main protagonists, Jane and Jack. Their relationship - from the jokes, stumbling, stuttering and the awkwardness to the locked gazes and sweet smiles - is cheesy...and yet weirdly satisfying. Despite its somewhat juvenile format, the novel lends its characters a depth not often reflected in graphic novels. Jane and Jack both deal with issues close to the heart: who to love, if to love, and whether or not love can win despite the odds in today's world. 

So if you're into chick lit, detailed illustrations, or are simply looking for a book to lift your spirits, pick up The Cute Girl Network and give it a try today.

Anaïs Nin

Nicole Krauss, The History of Love 

NA romance is like a packet of Allen's Lollies - sometimes, you'll get a handful of your faves, and sometimes you'll get one or two liquorice flavoured jelly babies which will ruin your day.

Well Love and Skate was definitely not a liquorice jelly baby! (unless you happen to love liquorice flavoured confectionary) Love and Skate is a NA romance with a punk twist, introducing two characters who you will grow to love, root for, and cry over during the course of this novel.

The first of them, being our main protagonist/roller derby gal, Nellie Forrester:

"Yes Mom, I know that I'll never find anybody who loves me with blue hair. That's why I dyed it pink."

Nellie's straightforward personality, wit and charm create a character who has depth and a brain where most female characters only have air and 'feelings'. She has the rare female character ability to see the difference between love and lust - and to only accept the former. With a strength built up from years of heartache and a lack of acceptance from her family, Nellie is ready to take on anything. 

Including Owen Black:

'I stood stunned. She had known me less than a week and had me all figured out. She pecked me on the lips and left me standing there in the parking lot, standing on the line that marked where her car was. But instead of feeling betrayed, I felt freed.'

Owen and Nellie are basically two peas in a pod. With his own skeletons in the closet, Owen has a hard time with trust - something that he admits he struggles to come to terms with on a daily basis. Yet, be ready to throw your fangirl pom-poms up and down, because this tattooed mountain of maleness is...

*drum roll*

Chivalrous!

That's right, ladies! He may have tats, but the guy has more chivalry packed into his frame than most clean-cut guy characters have at the end of a novel. 

Owen and Nellie's relationship spans across a little over 200 pages, and is allowed to grow, and to be explored by the reader in all its facets - good, bad, ugly. And downright adorable. 

So if you like novels about cute guys who meet feisty girls who happen to like playing at roller derbies, you'll definitely like Love and Skate. 

Although, be prepared to do this more than once: