Book Review: Worth Fighting For by Kirsty Moseley

Review: Worth Fighting For by Kirsty Moseley

(side note: Am I the only one who sings "A Girl Worth Fighting For" from Mulan every time I think of this book?? I've a girl back home who's unlike any other. Yet the only girl who'd love him is his mother)

Holy guacamole, holy guacamole.
I read the first book, Fighting to be Free, sometime in 2011 or 2012, when it was published on Wattpad. It was so amazing and I cried at the ending.
I believe Moseley was going to originally post the sequel on Wattpad, but then she started publishing.
I have been waiting four or five years for this book.

FOUR OR FIVE YEARS.

*****SPOILERS AHEAD*****

I prefer the first book with Jamie on the cover, but beggars can’t be choosers.

Sometimes in life you have to walk away…

Leaving Jamie Cole was the hardest thing Ellie Pearce ever had to do. Somehow, she moved on. She made a new life in a new city with a new man. So when a family tragedy calls Ellie back home, she believes all her old feelings for Jamie - the hunger, the heat, the heartbreak - are safely behind her. But the second she lays eyes on him, the intensity of their connection is as strong as ever.

Sometimes you stay and fight…

Jamie knows pain. He's felt it fighting in the streets, and he felt it fighting to survive in prison. Yet nothing he's experienced has been as painful as the day Ellie left - until the moment she came back. This time Jamie is determined to hold on to Ellie forever. But as much as she still loves him, she can't ignore the dark world he's now a part of. Jamie has enemies. Dangerous ones. And after seeing Jamie with Ellie, they know exactly how to take him out…

*****SPOILERS AHEAD*****

It’s true what they say about having high expectations: you will always be let down.

I can’t believe how disappointed I was with this book. After the long years of waiting, I was beyond excited. I went to class today, took a quiz, went home, and read the book until I was finished.
I should note that I still absolutely adore Jamie Cole. Moseley wrote him perfectly in both Fighting to be Free and Worth Fighting For.
Ellie Pearce was okay. I liked her character more in the first book.

Where should I start with this book?
For starters, the death of Ellie’s dad hurt. He was an amazing character and he loved Ellie and Jamie more than life. I know his death was purposeful for the plot, but it really just sucked.
I liked Toby, Ellie’s fiancé, he was a great character, but her being engaged was a waste of time. In my opinion, the story would’ve been exactly the same with or without it.
I feel like Moseley included the fiancé to show that Ellie matured or maybe to make it seem like she was over Jamie.
Neither were true.
She obviously still loved Jamie and the way she treated Toby/the way she acted a majority of the time just showed her character needed some work.

Ellie and Toby were still together about 75% of the way through the book. Then, when they did break their engagement off, it was like his character and her life in England never even existed. It was ignorant. She immediately jumps on Jamie liked they weren’t apart for three years.

She cheated on Toby. Yes, it was a kiss. Some people say kisses don’t count, but I’m old fashion and it absolutely counts to me.
I hate that she didn’t tell Toby too, she could at least give him that much.

I also despise the fact that Jamie and Toby didn’t meet one. single. time.

SERIOUSLY?

Moseley: if you’re going to make Ellie have a fiancé, you could at least let the two guys meet.
It seemed like Toby had no idea Jamie even existed. They were in a room together like once, I think, during Michael’s funeral.

I can’t fathom why the first half of the book practically didn’t have anything to do with them as a couple. Like yes, I understand it is a New Adult/Romance novel, it doesn’t revolve around them kissing and the reader needs to know what the main characters have been up to. But it just went on and on about the accident and boosts and the reader only gets a glimpse of Jamie and Ellie actually being in the same room every few chapters. 

I would be reading and get so bored that I sat my kindle down and stared at the wall because it was more interesting.

Towards the end of the book, when they were finally together again, it felt rushed. They were back together. BAM. Slept together. BAM. In a car accident and abducted by Jamie’s enemies. BAM. Ellie kills the guy responsible for her dad’s death. BAM. They move out of the town. BAM.

Like. Seriously.
Ellie killing Ed (who was apart of Jamie’s crew) seemed like it was in character. He was about to kill Jamie, he killed her dad. There was a gun and she did what she had to do.
It was the aftermath of the murder that bothered me.
They couldn’t go to the police, I’m not an idiot. But Jamie was just like “we can never talk about this ever.” And Ellie’s like “okay.”
Sure, she ended up having nightmares but it all just didn’t flow right.
If I’m being completely honest (which I am in my reviews, OBVIOUSLY), the only good thing about this book for me was the fact that Jamie and Ellie were reunited and the only reason I cared about that was because it made Jamie happy.
I just… I’m sitting here with Chris as I write this, complaining, and close to tears because of this book.

It’s sad really.

I would recommend Moseley to anyone who loves to read and even people who don’t like to read. I feel like she’s an author that would make someone like to read! I know the sequels are never better than the original, but I had still had high hopes. Really.
The fact that this review is so negative really hurts me as a longtime fan.

Rating?

It kills me to type this, but it would be a lie if I didn’t rate it this way.

And unlike Ellie, I’m all about honesty.

Two and a half out of five stars.

Kaysee Castor

No copyright intended. Use of the material in this book is for an honest review only. I do not own anything here except my opinion.

Book Review: Fighting to be Free by Kirsty Moseley

Review:

Fighting to be Free by Kirsty Moseley

In honor of Worth Fighting For being released tomorrow, December 6th, 2016, I’m going to review the prequel of this fantastic novel by Kirsty Moseley.

My one-sided relationship with Kirsty Moseley began way back in the day, during the thriving days of Wattpad (kirsty1000 anyone??). I quickly read through her books including Nothing Left to Lose, The Boy Who Sneaks in my Bedroom Window, Always You, Free Falling, and, of course, Fighting to be Free.

After she began publishing, I bought the crap out of them. The Boy Who Sneaks in my Bedroom Window was such a hit with me my sophomore year, that I passed it around my English class (and I NEVER share my books, EVER. Only my opinion).

However, Fighting to be Free was the book that took the cake for me.

Fighting to Be Free published cover

Fighting to be Free cover whilst on Wattpad #memories

Jamie Cole has just been released from juvenile detention. Determined to go straight, he tried to cut ties with crime boss Brett Reye--but Brett has no intention of letting him go. Jamie's life is already more complicated than it needs to be, yet when he meets a beautiful stranger at a bar, Jamie knows he's in over his head.

Ellie Pearce has just gotten out of a terrible relationship and isn't looking for anything serious...until she meets Jamie. Their attraction is overwhelming and intense-she can't seem to shake her growing feelings for him, even though she's trying to keep it casual.

But when fate goes horribly wrong and Jamie's family is faced with ruin, he's forced to strike a deal with Brett. Despite his struggles, he wants nothing more than a future with Ellie. That's until Ellie finds out that he's been hiding more from her than she could ever imagine...

*****SPOILERS AHEAD*****

It’s easy falling in love with fictional characters. I mean, how can you not when authors like Moseley write them in the exact way that makes you swoon?

Jamie Cole, for me, is one of the best.

I don’t know if it has something to do with the broken soul, the demons he carries, or the rough childhood he endured. Maybe it is the way that through all the negative, he still manages to be this angel with a soul. He didn’t let those things bring him down.

He worked his butt off so his sister could have a better life. He watched that precious baby die right before his eyes. He gave up his life and went to prison because he wanted to make sure that murdered got what he deserved.

Even through each of these things, he was still an AMAZING boyfriend to Ellie.

I mean, yes he did often put himself in harm's way, but he had reasons.

GOOD REASONS!

It doesn’t get much better than that.

And he’s sweet, aw so sweet.

Moseley writing is like a fine wine; it gets better with age. When she first started out, I’d smack my forehead and complain about how ridiculous some of her characters acted (I’m looking at you Riley!) I’d say the turning point for her was Fighting to be Free.

Ellie and Jamie just worked. Jamie is not a John Doe and Ellie is by far a Mary Sue. These aren’t characters you will be forgetting anytime soon.

Do I have anything to nitpick about this book? No, I can honestly say that NOPE, not a single thing makes me angry about this book. Sure, some of the characters (cough, Ellie’s evil mother, cough) make me angry, but it’s worth it. Moseley makes sure of that!

I hate cliffhangers/books where the couples do not get together in the end. Some say that endings like this are “realistic.” I’m not reading a romance/new adult book for realism though. I will honestly flip to the last chapter and make sure the couple is together at the end. Maybe that’s cheating or maybe that’s pointless, but I DON’T like investing my heart time into a book, just to be crushed and disappointed in the end.

That might make me overdramatic, but OMG, WHATEVER! CALL ME OVER DRAMATIC ONE MORE TIME AND I’LL SET MYSELF ON FIRE.

This book crushed me. Alas, Jamie does not meet Ellie at the airport (we know why, obviously because Jamie is a selfless angel, but Ellie thinks he’s an ass who doesn’t love her) and we’re left reading about a broken-hearted Ellie traveling the world while our baby Jamie is sitting in prison. :(

Back when I read it on Wattpad, the final author’s note states that Moseley is hard at work with the sequel and it’ll be done in the spring when she is finished!

I waited for the sequel… it didn’t come out in the spring. I waited, checked Wattpad, forgot about it for a minute, then checked again to see if it was out yet. Then she started publishing and I lost hope for a short while. I didn’t think she was going to publish it.

Then, as I sat in class one day and Jamie and Ellie popped into my head, I googled it.

I found out Fighting to be Free was being published and then a few short months later….

HERE COMES WORTH FIGHTING FOR!!!!

Broken with waiting for so long, my aching heart could finally beat again! So here I am, writing this review, dying, and waiting for the sequel to be published so I can get my fill of cute little Jamie and Ellie (my otp) and my little heart can go on.

But really, I don’t know if it can go on after this.

Rating?

Four and a half out of five stars.

Kaysee Castor

No copyright intended. Use of the material in this book is for an honest review only. I do not own anything here except my opinion.

Book Review: More Than Her by Jay McLean

Review:
More Than Her by Jay McLean

Ah, More Than series, we meet again. After reading More Than This, I immediately downloaded the next four books of the series. I didn’t care who or what they were about, but if they gave me the feels at least half as much as the first book, then it was totally worth it.

I was not disappointed.

Once again, Jay McLean did what so many strive to do in a New Adult/Romance novel. The book hops back and forth between past pre-meeting, past-post meeting, and present for a while. Easy to understand if you read the title of each chapter (sometimes I was halfway down the page before I realized that this was supposed to take place pre-meeting or something stupid like that).

*****SPOILERS AHEAD*****

More Than Her is book two in the More Than series.

“For every actions, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”
For every choice, you make there are rewards, or there are consequences.
It was my choice to walk away the first time.
And my choice to chase her the second.
But sometimes you don’t get a choice,

and all you get are the consequences.

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength

while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

Unless that someone is Logan Matthews.
Because loving him didn’t give me the strength to walk away.
It didn’t give me the courage to fight for him.
And when it was over, all it gave me was a broken heart.

*****SPOILERS AHEAD*****

We get a short glimpse of More Than Her at the end of More Than This. Here, we learn that the next book is about Logan. Sweet man-whore Logan that is the sole reason for Jakey and Kayla meeting!! As with all other “I-sleep-with-anything-that-moves” characters, at first, I’m a little concerned. Is this going to be another “I only slept with all those girls because I was in love with you!” characters? Then, this beautiful sneak-peak was at the end of the first book:

Logan

If you knew about my past, you’d understand why I don’t let people get too close to me. The people who are supposed to love you don’t always love you back. Sometimes, they hurt you, physically and emotionally. Sometimes they just check out completely.

In my nineteen years, I’ve only loved one person-my dad, or Dr. Matthews, as most people know him. He saved my life. I’ve come close to loving only one other person-or at least I thought it could be love. But I had to kill that idea really fast because you’re not supposed to fall in love with your best friend’s girl.

WOAH. HOLD UP. Best friend’s girl????? But Logan’s best friend is Jake???
That must mean…

Logan is in love with Micky.
Though I could not handle myself if Jake were to lose Kayla, I knew I had to give Logan a chance. He was such a tool in More Than This, but he was Jake’s bestie, I HAD to give him a chance.

I’m so glad that I did.
I have not fallen for a man so quickly since I met Chris (side note: Chris is my amazing boyfriend of five and a half years who I love more than life itself. <3).
The beginning of the book starts with a scene from More Than This (another important reason to read the books in order!) It’s an irritating scene where Micky’s cheating ex-ass proposes to her at a party. Cam (one of the friends from the group Micky went to prom with) notes Logan watching the scene in front of them. He grills him about his feelings towards Micky and he admits that he thinks he loves her.
I have already bit all my fingernails off within the first paragraph of the book.
Cam (who I will review about when Lucy and Cam’s book comes along) quickly sets him straight, telling him about how he and Lucy met and the feelings he has towards the girl he has been with since high school. Logan realizes that he loves Micky like he loves Lucy (who he is really close with) and is relieved when he realizes that he, indeed, is NOT love his best friend’s girl.

Whew. Crisis averted.

Then we get into the super deep sh*t.
Enter Amanda.
Amanda is a girl who went to high school with Micky, she attended her family’s wake and gave her condolences. This is the Logan-Amanda meeting. We learn that Logan was thinking with the head that isn’t on his shoulders, so Amanda quickly knees him in said head. Then we’re thrown into a world of fuckery where Amanda and Logan have one date, one single date. It’s magical. It’s beautiful and perfect and everything meeting your soul mate would be. They make plans to meet again, because obviously.
Then they don’t. 

Amanda thinks: he blew me off.
Logan thinks: I need to be here for Micky. I think I love her.

                                                                                       

Logan is quick to fix the sitch, but then it happens again.
Amanda thinks: asshole.
Logan thinks: I care about Micky, she needs me. I think I love her.

Because this is pre-party (where Cam sets Logan straight about his feelings), Logan promises to call Amanda back, because crap, he really likes Amanda. He also doesn’t understand how he feels about Micky, so he decides he can’t call Amanda. He can’t think of anything to say to her and he knows she’s worth everything.
This is the first selfless glimpse of Logan that we see.
I knew I was SO screwed after that.
From here on out, we’re thrown into a roller coaster of tears and buckets of ice cream. Logan gets kicked out of his frat house for having sex with another frat bro's sister. He ends up moving in with a guy named Ethan and his sister Dimmy… Dimmy is Amanda. Logan and Amanda find themselves in each other’s arms again soon enough.
(Also, important to note that all the characters from More Than This end up going to the same college after high school. It felt kind of unrealistic, but maybe friends really do that? I don't know, I don't have any friends).
They’re happy and everything is working out.

It is mentioned that Logan is adopted. His parents beat the crap out of him when he was younger and when he was taken to the hospital after a particularly horrible beating, his birth parents never came back.
Enter Dr. Matthews who saves Logan from the pain. This is the thing that makes your heart ache about Logan. Behind the sex and gross comments, he is BROKEN. It makes you love him. He has been through so much and all you can do it feel for him!
Logan’s birth father also had another daughter by the name of Megan.

Megan, as in Megan that is Micky’s ex-best friend that was sleeping with Micky’s ex for two years, yeah, that Megan.
It’s a complete smack in the face.
Logan wants to meet her, get to know her. At the end of Micky and Jake’s book, you learn about what happened to Megan after everything that went down with Micky and her family. She ends up on the wrong side of the tracks with some drugs and her (and Logan’s) real dad. Pregnant, beaten, addicted to hard drugs, and suicidal, Megan is admitted when Logan visits her (along with Amanda, Micky, and Jake).

Logan gets Dr. Matthews to transfer Megan to somewhere safer where her (their) dad and Megan’s druggie ex-boyfriend can’t get to her.
This pisses the druggies off, big time.
Finally, after celebrating Logan’s birthday and having tons of happy moments, Logan and Dimmy (lol) make their way back to the house… only to be greeted by Logan’s real dad and Megan druggie ex-boyfriend and another random dude.
They beat the life out of Logan, break Amanda’s arm, and almost rape her before the rest of the gang arrives.
Logan and Amanda end up in the hospital and Logan makes a decision that punches you in the gut.
He leaves Amanda and leaves the country.
And he left my heart there too.

To be honest, Amanda wasn't my favorite heroine. I feel like Logan deserved a lot better. But I loved Logan so much that I ignored hating her.

Rating?
Five out of five stars.

XOXO 

Kaysee Castor 

No copyright intended. Use of the material in this book is for an honest review only. I do not own anything here except my opinion.