Review: Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick

TITLE: Black Ice

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Genre: Thriller (YA)

Why did I read the book: Once I was done with the Hush, Hush series by the same author, I had to grab her other book i.e Black Ice.
How did I get the book: Goodreads recommendation. Got the kindle from Amazon.com  ,

Watch the trailer here: Black Ice Trailer

BLURB:

Black Ice is New York Times bestselling author Becca Fitzpatrick’s riveting romantic thriller set against the treacherous backdrop of the mountains of Wyoming. Falling in love should never be this dangerous…

Sometimes danger is hard to see… until it’s too late. 

Britt Pheiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range, but she isn't prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants—but these men are fugitives, and they take her hostage.

Britt is forced to guide the men off the mountain, and knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. The task is made even more complicated when Britt finds chilling evidence of a series of murders that have taken place there…and in uncovering this, she may become the killer’s next target.

But nothing is as it seems, and everyone is keeping secrets, including Mason, one of her kidnappers. His kindness is confusing Britt. Is he an enemy? Or an ally?

REVIEW:( Spoiler alert)

Black Ice is one of those thrillers that you go into only knowing the bare bones of the story, just enough to intrigue you with its hints of a suspense and romance, yet the ever-increasing tension and dark twists completely ensnare you in their grasp. I was taken by surprise by how much this story captivated me.

"I blinked my eyes dry, sniffling until I felt composed. I had to be smart. My best tool now was my brain. I had to use this time to evaluate my situation."

Chance meetings can be just that, meeting someone at a point of time and never seeing them again. Yet there are also encounters that bring fast friendships, or even danger.

In Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick, Lauren Huntsman has a chance encounter that changes her life. No one knows where she has gone, and her family is horrified. Yet she is not the only young woman to have gone missing.

Britt Pfeiffer is not worried about some random disappearances. As her class decides to take its break in Hawaii, Britt talks her friend Korbie into backpacking with her in the Teton Range instead. Korbie’s brother Calvin was Britt’s boyfriend, but he suddenly dropped her with no explanation. Korbie doesn’t know what happened, but when she agrees to the trek, Calvin also decides he wants to tag along. Calvin is very experienced in the outdoors, while Britt has only done more rudimentary training. Unsure of how they feel about this unexpected situation, Britt and Korbie agree to meet him at their destination.

Wondering if she can figure out what happened and determined to rekindle their relationship, Britt sees her plans go awry when she and Korbie get stuck on their way up the mountain. Knowing that Calvin is on his way, they are not so much afraid of being on their own, as that they might freeze before he reaches them. Just as they are beginning to lose heart, they stumble on a cabin, where two young men agree to help them. The men seem nice and it doesn’t hurt that they are good-looking. That is until the gun comes out. Suddenly the girls understand the dangers of the mountain in a new way.

Britt knows that Calvin is on his way and will save them. But stumbling upon a body in a hidden trunk, she begins to understand that she and Korbie are in way over their heads. The description of one of the missing girls’ clothing matches the clothes on the corpse. Can they survive long enough for Calvin to find them? 

Becca has given us characters that seem quite real, and the mistakes they make on the way, while a bit sophomoric, seems to fit in with the character and age of the girls. On the surface Calvin seems like the knight in shining armor, but there is something wrong that you can sense from the beginning. Yet Britt has stars in her eyes and misses the strangeness noticeable to the reader.

The beauty of the wilderness shows through as well as the dangers of the weather and the terrain. That they trust, in such a setting, in someone unknown only shows how desperate and afraid the young women were on their own. Letting down their guard in the most inappropriate situation has put them in danger.

“If you have a weakness, you have to work hard to defend it. You can’t be lazy about it.” 

This work takes you into the darkness of a killer’s mind, but the red herrings have you guessing and wondering what is really happening. There is a chilling secret that slowly peels away, revealing the truth about who can be trusted.

 If you enjoy mystery, suspense, and romance you will find this a great read. The danger and beauty create a haunting mystery that even as the truth is revealed stays with you long after the book is done.

My POVs:

Black Ice is the toughest books I've had to review till dates. While I enjoyed the plot, and though parts of it were completely unpredictable and suspenseful, I absolutely loathed the characters, especially our MC, Britt. I kept on reading till the end because I just had to know how it finished, but still I couldn't feel anything except disgust for Britt. Although, I’m starting to wonder if maybe that’s how the author intended it. Let me explain.

Britt is everything you don’t expect a YA heroine to be. She’s highly dependent on the men in her life, previously her boyfriend (now ex) Calvin, who happened to be her best friend’s brother. We see flashbacks of their relationships every now and then, and while there’s no actual abuse, Calvin certainly doesn't treat her very nicely. He cheats on her, he pretends she means nothing to him, and so on. Even though they broke up and it’s been months since she heard from him, all Britt can think about when she talks about her camping trip with her bet friend, is…you guessed it, Calvin. Even though he gives an entirely new meaning to the word ‘jackass’, she’s still infatuated with him and thinks of him as some freaking saint.

Then there’s her BFF, Korbie, who is even dumber than Britt, and even more dependent. Korbie flirts with every boy she sees – not even recognizing if one of them is potentially dangerous. She’s a whiny brat with zero survival skills or survival instinct. But heck, I would've been able to look past that if she was a supportive friend who had Britt’s back. Guess what? She’s not. She puts Britt down at every chance she gets, she didn't even tell her that Calvin cheated on her, and so on. Friend? I think not.

Anyway, the two girls head up to a mountain for a camping trip, which they’re going to spend in a cabin belonging to Korbie’s parents. Calvin will be there too, to keep an eye out for them. But when the girls drive to the cabin, they get hit by an unexpected snow storm and their car breaks down. They stumble to the nearest cabin which is inhabited by two strange young men. They’re hot, so of course the girls immediately call dibs on each one, although by now the “these are bad people with bad intentions” vibe is so high any sane person would've run out of there screaming. But of course they have to wait until Shawn, one of these guys, decides to reveal his utter evilness by pointing a gun in their direction before they decide maybe trying to hook up with them wasn't such a good idea after all.

Let’s jump forward in the story, to the moment where Britt and Mason (the buddy of gun man) are travelling down the mountain, and Britt…falls head over heels for him. 

“There was something about almost dying that made me desperate to feel alive - and Jude’s touch was the only thing that made me feel alive right now.” 

Because one semi-abusive relationship wasn't enough, now she’ll hang out with someone who threatened to kill her as well. Yeah….And then that entire romance/kidnapping/Stockholm Syndrome story is connected to a bunch of unexplained murders taking place on the mountain during the last few years, which was easily the most intriguing part of the book.

All in all…meh. I liked the plot, the whole kidnapping part, the murders, definitely had some suspense. But the characters were so awful I couldn't enjoy reading about them. I want to smack some sense into Britt, and please for the love of all that is holy, I want her to stand up for herself for once. Make a decision on her own. Anything that shows she’s not entirely dependent on any man that crosses her way. 

Set against the harsh backdrop of the Grand Tetons of Wyoming during an unsuspected snow storm,  Britt Pfeiffer and her best friend Korbie are forced to seek refuge from their back-packing trip in a remote cabin, its occupants two handsome, but very secretive guys who have their own dark agendas and Britt has just walked into a situation that is much more dangerous and life-threatening than the raging blizzard outside.

What I loved about this book is that it unexpected in every way. The thriller part of the description is completely true. From the moment that we met the two men, Mason and Shaun, I’m terrified. These kinds of things…they are more true to life than any fantasy or science fiction that I read. Girls get kidnapped, assaulted, raped, all sorts of things all the time so it was terrifying, especially after the initial encounter we have with one of the boys earlier in the novel. It was incredibly surprising. I finished it so quickly because I had no idea what was going to happen next, what twists and turns it would make, and where I would end up. It was incredibly gripping and it kept me turning the pages, easily. In the middle of a book slump, as well. Well done, Becca, for taking me out of that, finally!

While reading I felt Mason's words completely.....
"Go to hell." 
"Sorry, love, but we're already there.”

......this book kinda took me on its way to hell with its fast-forwarding and non-stop suspense facets. 

I also loved the romance! 

“They say that when you're about to die, your life flashes before your eyes. They never tell you that when you watch someone you once loved dying, hovering between this life and the next, it's twice as painful, because you're reliving two lives that traveled one road together.” 

It came from such a random spot and the ending that it took was just…so random. But I loved it. The whole novel I wasn't quite sure who to root for, who the good guy was or who the bad guy was. It was so confusing and made scenes with different boys seems so incredibly complicated. Another reason for me to keep reading. I had to know what was going to happen next, how it was going to end. Its a complete page turner. That always seems to be a mark of a good book, the ability to keep you addicted the entire time, where you keep turning the pages, just one more chapter, just one more chapter, because you can’t stand not knowing what is going to happen next. That is completely accomplished in that novel.

My Favorite Parts: ( Scene between Britt and Mason Jude)

“When you bluff, your left eyebrow twitches. It hasn’t twitched all night. Besides, I already told you I’m going to get you there safely. No need for games now."
I pulled back indignantly. "My left eyebrow does not twitch."
Jude studied me with an idle smile, as if calculating the wisdom of saying more. "When you’re amused, your mouth takes on a mischievous curl." he went on, as if proving his point. "When you’re angry, you press your lips together and three tiny lines jump out between your eyebrows."
I rolled onto my knees and planted my hands squarely on my hips. "Anything else?" I asked hotly. 
He thumbed his nose, struggling not to grin. "When you kiss, you make a purring noise deep in your throat. It’s so faint, I have to be touching you to hear it."
Now I turned bright red. 
"We should kiss again and see what other observations I make," he suggested.” 

“Fat chance after you insulted me!”

And..

Then the confusions in Britt's mind about Calvin: an unforgettable ex/first love and Mason: only person she can take a chance to trust though he's quite intimidating. 

I tossed my head back haughtily. "I know what you're doing. You're trying to cut him down because you're-you're jealous of him!" 
"You're damn right I'm jealous,” he growled. "When I kiss a girl, I like to know she's thinking about me, not the fool who gave her up.” 

VERDICT:

I loved getting sucked into this story, as back-packing, ex-boyfriends, flirting and fun turn into something darker, dangerous and scary. Britt's character goes from being a slightly thrill-seeker with a knack of digging herself into trouble, one who is often pulled out of danger just in time by her sweet, but over indulgent dad or the other men in her life, to someone who realizes she has to take charge-there's no one else to save her this time around. There's a pivotal moment in the book, when she literally realizes she could die, and at the moment the author Becca Fitzpatrick brilliantly begins twisting the story tighter and tighter, dropping clues, upping the tension and danger, all the while Britt is faced with the challenge of saving herself. I couldn't read fast enough to see how this resilient heroine was going to handle herself, but she does and it is awesome.

I can't talk about the story without mentioning the romance of course, one that carefully shadows the suspensefulness of the mystery. The story takes on a edgy note as Britt is held hostage, her captors needing her help to get off the mountain. I was writing down clues, and holding my breath as an undeniable attraction, one that began before she set foot in that cabin, was present. The boundaries kept shifting, and all I could do was follow along with Britt as secret after secret were revealed and feelings exposed. I kept asking myself, just who really is the bad guy, while reading Black Ice and I loved how Becca Fitzpatrick kept me guessing for so long, and then it still doesn't matter because survival is still not assured.

Black Ice is a taunt thriller with a seductive edge, a bridge between dark suspense and romance. A cat and mouse game that kept me on glued until the last page.

Rating: My rating for Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick

My Next Read: I'm really eager to read the Stark trilogy by J. Kenner. Though haven't yet decided on my next read. But Samantha Young's Hero is on my list for next review. Until then, read and love books. Wish you all a happy Weekend.

Amorous Comedy

“I thought of writing a summary about you, but when I finished it was a book.” 

Of course, it’s a game. Life itself is. Do you remember when I said about that one person who was better at these than me- it’s You. Even without knowing You played with my heart and shattered it into million pieces.

You are the best and worst thing ever happened to me.You created me, made me-- the new me.

Now fate has changed its course-- now the game is mine.

And yes, It’s about revenge but I feel pity- pity for your poor soul. You don’t worth my time,my wrath, my desire for revenge. If I wanted I could have destroyed,ruined you enough to make you crawl like once you made me. You know why....because you might have been good but I’m still the best.

Now, I know it was just another feeling that I fell for you cause I hardly knew anyone else. My world was a tiny bit of sphere starting and ending with u,like a planet revolving around Sole. But those days are long gone.

That stupid little girl who mentally designed her own wedding dreams,set the names for the children,planned an eternity together, again the same girl who cried for endless time hiding in the dark or in the shower to wash off the salted cheeks, scrubbed her skin out to remove the last trace of your touch,to forget your scent,prayed to have you safe and hoped to get you back.

She thought it to be another nightmare which would soon be over- which never actually happened. Rather it was a tight hard slap on her face to drag her into reality.

Your last words, “ We can’t even be friends, leave and stay away from me. Even if I don’t get what I want, I’m not coming back to you.”

It’s my thought of revenge that bonded us till now, for three years are nothing-- I’d died everyday waiting for you, and was willing to do so forever. You made me dream and vulnerable, then you broke me and strong. I was burning in hell anyway, all I wished for you to return, and like a phoenix I would be reborn from my own ashes.

Once I wanted you to come back,to knit our future together—our story, ups-n-downs, separation and reunion, to be an inspiration to the whole universe.

But Alas!! Now I feel nothing- no pain,no more sufferings,no torments, or dreams-n-screams, or sleepless nights--all miseries,distresses are over. For you are nothing to me- a bloody nobody.

It’s for your own good I've spared you. Just a little game, and you’re half way to hell. If this continues, destiny has the worst plan for you waiting. You wouldn't die, I won’t let that happen---spilling your dirty blood on my hands, as that would be a favor to you. Instead I’d take you until a step ahead death, bring you back and drag you back through the same path. Again and Again and Again. Till, you beg for death himself- and I, the merciful Satan’s mistress would grant your wish leaving you behind- simply hanging, dripping like a ripped-out soul chained in the pit with Chaos as a guard.

But then again, i ask myself. Are  you even unworthy enough for that???

You, just a fucked-up mundane who had seen  the world with half-shut eyes. A mere fun, little personal entertainment show.

The answer is my revenge didn't end for it had never started in the first place. For you a filthy lucky swine whom I let go thinking as a charity-case,too damn lucky to even deserve my words.

I want you to feel the pain I felt, when you left me weak on my knees without even looking back once.

I want you to burn for every soul you have cheated,destroyed.

I want you to get damaged and unable to think straight just like a living dead.

I want you feel to ache,grief that will eat you from inside making you puke your life out.

Either i know you too well or don’t know at all. I could have crashed you long before cause you’re weak,spineless,easy pick but I couldn't for I was still a fidget and crazily,hopelessly in love with you or at least I thought so back that time.

Things have changed,situations are different, the world is wider. Though I remember every single details of my time with you and without, but I don’t care any more.

Leo – A Leo I’m, we don’t lie,we don’t cry but once I did both- only for you. Again Leo am I, we are strong, we love to play and we play only to win. If you’re still alive consider it as a miracle, though you had lost the game, all your bets have been pardoned.

Those days of--happy ending, made for each other, start-crossed lovers—all  bullshit fictional versions of fairytale,prince charming and white knight, no more exist. Time of facing the real world and surviving, if I’m over you that’s the biggest gift you get from me.

 I've wasted enough of my time,words,emotions for you—it’s time to take them all back. 

Everyone has their definitions for love, I guess mine is burnt along with my soul. Thus, the only guilt I’ll carry to my grave, I might have released you but I killed my love,my heart—a love so precious which could have bloom,enjoying shines and warmth of a whole new range, but stopped before its time because you somewhere crossed its way. 

Like an old, dark monster destroying innocence,beauty just by stepping on it, crushing into the ground.

But these are just all my cravings, even though they might not effects you, for maybe harming the person you once loved is mortifying-- pinches,hurts like a motherfucker.

Pieces of My Mind---- for Heart and Soul are already lost

thought#1
"For the first time I'm confused, confused about you.
Definitely the flirting is a start,but what if you're playing around.
Can't let that happen..can't let you use me again.
I pretend for good, but I do care."

P.S- Even with thoughts flooding my brain, all I want you to 'Be my guest, Be my agent of pleasure'.

thought#2
A series of games start, each one more devious than the last.

But the devil likes to play dirty, and she learns that playing for souls is playing for keeps. The lines between games and reality,heaven and hell, get blurry.
Can she beat him at his own game before someone gets hurt? Or will he leave her soulless, making him the winner, once and for all?

thought#3
We are a match made in Hell. He maybe Satan, but I'm Lilith.

Now that's something to look forward for.

thought#4

I am a girl, of course I want more. I want Prince Charming to ride up on a white horse, and carry me off his castle. Once I get there, I want him to bend me over the throne and pull my hair while he fucks me hard and calls me names.

But the question is Can Prince Charming ever treat me as good as the devil- like the Satan himself??

thought#5
To
That Long-lost Psyche,

I don't know what, when or how things went wrong between us...and we practically end up fighting like crazy bitches for the every chance we get.

Maybe just because U thought I mocked your capability of loving someone. Who knew You could be such silly,unstable procurer??

But with no more scruples left,and the tantrum was making its way up the lost alter,
All You wished to make entire universe kneel down before you.

Stopped, smiled with avenge clearly visible- It was Official You are a Sadist.

If there were any modifications,situations could have been different.
Yet the only way it was riposted:
Turn and walk away closing all the doors behind,

~ The other Shadow Kissed Soul

Game of Souls

“I created you, you came from me. If I don’t exist, you wouldn't exist.” He snapped, pinning her down into the mattress. His hands moved slowly to touch every inch of her skin – as if a holy grail he's got to find.

Realization suddenly started crippling up behind her eyelids.
Not Satan, Not Lilith. She was no more the succubus waiting for the Devil to drag into his lair.
Eve was created from Adam’s rib.They’re part of each other. That’s why She can’t get away, neither can he.
She’s not his subject, he is not her Lord and Master. They’re the same.

Only he can set her heart on fire. With everything spinning around, She can’t think straight any more.

“Yeah, I'll let you set the pace cause I'm not thinking straight.
What are you waiting for?” she thought.

She wonders, Can she trust him again? Maybe this is still a game for him. Maybe he’ll hurt her again.

Obviously he owns her brain but what about the heart?

Oh! How stupid even that was taken much long ago- seven years, to be precise.

For a moment, she could only see the picture of her floating in the infernal pool, numb, half naked with the bottle of Jameson Irish in her hand, staring at the open ceiling of the universe.
She had nearly died once but saved, to be crushed again and again.

She had lose her heart to the monster who had ruined her, ripped her soul apart and eat that for “breakfast”.

Sometimes she wishes to understand him,all his little games but she fails. She believed to be strong enough to make him taste his own medicine but failed again. Can she compete with the Satan himself? He is much better a player- the best,indeed. 

For once she wanted to beat him then again he played well. He always wins.

She lose long before she knew herself, paid with all her heart,body and soul.She is drained, sucked every bit of life from her.

With weak legs, she stood again- maybe this time she can play better with no heart in between.

Try and set him on fire. But Will it be any good? Satan loves fire.

She can never burn him down and hold his hand in the process to castigate herself. 

She can never be saved, never be rescued from his bondage- 

Fading in, Fading out, On the Edge of Paradise,

She might have fallen in love, but his feelings are still denial.It’s just the Game that brought them together.
They started the game but it is her who pays for all, for both of them.

Beautiful Secret by Christina Lauren

TITLE: BEAUTIFUL SECRET
Author: Christina Lauren
Series:  Beautiful series #4 

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Adult Fiction
Why did I read the book: I was Eyeing for this installment of the series since it was announced officially. The whole Beautiful series is a catch that can't be avoided once started with.
How did I get the book: This is not like my usual style though...but I download it from torrent(Epub File) on it's day of release cause I was too impatient to wait for the paperback to fell on my hands. 
Released on: 14th April,2015

BLURB:
When Ruby Miller’s boss announces he’s sending her on an extended business trip to New York City, she’s shocked. As one of the best and brightest young engineers in London, she knows she’s professionally up to the task. The part that’s throwing her is where she’ll be spending a month up close and personal working alongside—and staying in a hotel with—Niall Stella, her firm’s top urban planning executive and The Hottest Man Alive. Despite her ongoing crush, Ruby is certain Niall barely knows she’s alive…until their flirty overnight flight makes him sit up and take notice.
Not one for letting loose and breaking rules, recently divorced Niall would describe himself as hopeless when it comes to women. But even he knows outgoing California-girl Ruby is a breath of fresh air. Once she makes it her mission to help the sexy Brit loosen his tie, there’s no turning back. Thousands of miles from London, it’s easy for the lovers to play pretend. But when the trip is over, will the relationship they've built up fall down?Review:[A warning: this review contains spoilers]

 "You Know whether You gonna like a book or not just reading the first sentence."---- The above line is extremely apt for this book."I'm not saying I bet his cock is massive, but I'm not not saying it,either."
Well I guess there are really few who can resist such banging start.In Beautiful Player, Ruby Miller is a straightforward American, but Niall Stella (yes, Max Stella's brother, whom we first meet in Beautiful Beloved), is a tongue-tied Brit, both are Nerd and introvert plus overthinkers. He's also 30, and recently got divorced from a woman, Portia whom he met as a teenager and been married to for 11 years. Niall is a bit more old-fashioned than the other male protagonists in these novels, and he puts more of a value on sex than they did; what it means to him and how long he will wait, to be sure, before embarking on a sexual relationship with someone.After being in a loveless marriage and an emotionless divorce, his views on love and relationships are all fucked up.  It isn't until he notices Ruby that she starts to change him and loosen him up a little and make him question everything he thought he knew about love.

Ruby, on the other hand, is 23, and although an overthinker, she also can be brash at times.
Though Ruby Miller was born in California, she now works for an engineering firm in London. Proving herself at the respected company will hopefully allow her to one day get the degree of her choice at Oxford. There is one employee with whom she is totally fascinated, yet knows they will never really connect because he is the Director of Planning and she is only an intern.She's had a crush on Niall Stella, 
"For some reason I was unable to call him by only his given name.  Niall Stella was a two-name honor, like Prince Harry or Jesus Christ."
one of the VPs where she has an internship, for FOREVER, and never thought he would notice her - until they are assigned to go on a month-long business trip to NYC together, and Niall eventually starts to take notice.

He was obviously attracted to her and had a connection with her, but he didn't want to have sex with her until he knew for sure he was in love with her.  So they did pretty much everything else instead.  It was kind of weird, he acted like a virgin and it was just odd.  I was just waiting for them to finally get it on!  This was the longest two characters have gone without sex in a Christina Lauren book.
The two main characters in BEAUTIFUL SECRET are poles apart in behavior. Ruby is sociable and her frame of mind is usually not hidden, while Niall has a very difficult time communicating what he feels plus cannot make himself stop thinking about everything for way too long before acting. While I do like an alpha hero if the circumstances are right, how the adorable British citizen behaves endeared him to me from the very first. The past deeply affects him and causes his reactions to be uniquely his own. I found his responses made him even more tempting to me, especially when he verbalized a desire with such conviction. Ruby is a delight in every way, and frankness about all aspects of her life had me applauding her at times. Intimacy between Niall and Ruby is described with some of the most stirringly depicted visuals I have ever read. 

 “Do you want to hang out with me tonight?”  She placed her palms flat on my chest.  “No pressure.  I can go to my room and masturbate to a Ryan Gosling movie, and you can go back to your room and beat yourself up for not getting me topless, but the choice is yours.”

The pictures envisioned truthfully did cause tingles and gasping. Christina Lauren repeatedly makes the heart pound in a good way. BEAUTIFUL SECRET captivates with original imaginings and engaging characters.
With expressive personalities and quick wit, the individuals in this series would certainly be fun to be around.

“I bet you a hundred dollars you have an amazing time and want to reward me with orgasms afterward.”
“I want to reward you with orgasms now.”

 Though they come up with what could be cutting remarks, they can also turn caring in an instant. 
"That I was in love with Niall Stella was only a secret in theory.  He knew it, I knew it.  The fact that the actual words had yet to be said was nothing more than a mere formality."
For me Ruby is indeed a Jewel which Niall gradually learned to value even more than himself and placed properly in his crown of heart,body and soul.They both have pasts and secrets to withhold but finally got out of self-drawn boundaries to explore and cherish each other.
“But if you did, how would you touch me?” she asked, folding the garment neatly before placing it in an open drawer in front of her. I barely had to consider the question before my answer burst forward: “Desperately.” 

I loved this book because of each alternating chapters were written from different POVs (one Niall chapter, one Ruby chapter, etc.), we got to experience all of their emotions. This is my favorite installment yet of the Beautiful series, and I'm hoping there will be more books in the series and that this is not the last of them. Plus as bonus we get some moments with old characters from the series Bennett, Chloe, Max, Will and even George( our cute gay friend).

My Favorite Quotes:

"Girl code, Girl code," she whispered, and I looked down at her, confused. "Your skirt is tucked into your underwear." MY WHAT? (My Favorite part from the book which made me laugh even after I was done with the book)

“I just had an out-of-body experience. Niall Stella just took off my shirt and admired my chest.” 
“Do you need to text someone?” 

“Are you all right?”  he asked, stepping into a pair of track pants.  “It’s not like you to avert your gaze when I’m nude.  In fact, you’re usually quite the leering pervert.”

VERDICT: Well this is the most Romantic book in the whole series and my recent favorite until it get replaced by something more intriguing and as much consuming as this one. If you have read all the other books by Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings, surely you gonna enjoy this one. Beautiful Secret is the best Light-Snack read for this weekend. I stayed up whole night even on a week day to complete the book as I Incapable of staying away from the story of Niall Stella and Ruby Miller, the sensuous,compassionate and extremely swooning couple/Protagonists with several issues of their own. 
My rating for BEAUTIFUL SECRET by Cristina Lauren is 4 SMEXY stars out of five.

You Can get the Book on: Amazon , Barnes & Noble , AudibleAlso in this series: Beautiful Bastard, Beautiful Bitch, Beautiful Stranger, Beautiful Bombshell, Beautiful Player, Beautiful Beginning,Beautiful Beloved 

About this author

Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners/besties/soulmates/brain-twins Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The coauthor duo writes both Young Adult and Adult Fiction, and together has produced nine New York Times bestselling novels. Their books have been translated into 23+ languages. (Some of these books have kissing. Some of these books have A LOT of kissing.)
Lauren Billings (but everyone calls her Lo) has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and before she made writing her full-time job, would spend her days doing nerdy research-type things wearing a lab coat and goggles. She is silly Mommy to two littles, wife to one mountain biking homebrewing scientist, bestie to a shoe-stealer, and an unabashed lover of YA and romance.Christina Hobbs (but you’ll always hear Lo call her PQ) used to spend her days in a junior high counseling office surrounded by teenagers. Married to the cutest boy in school, she has a thirteen year old daughter, is an unapologetic lover of boy bands and glitter, and also likes to steal Lo’s shoes.

My Next Read: Hero By Samantha Young ( Review will be soon put up.) And Review for BLACK ICE by Becca Fitzpatrick will be up too.