review: Elect by Rachel Van Dyken

Elect by Rachel Van Dyken

Series: Eagle Elite #2

My rating: 4/5

DRC provided by NetGalley for an honest review

Published: 12.10.2013

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Summary –

Would you die for the one you love?

Nixon Abandonato made his choice. And now he has to pay the price. Tracey is the love of his life, but being with him has made her a target of his family's enemies. The only way to keep

Trace alive is convince the world she means nothing to him.

Trace Rooks has fallen irrevocably in love with the son of her family's sworn rival, and she knows in her bones nothing can tear them apart. Until Nix suddenly pushes her away and into the arms of his best friend... But Trace isn't ready to give up on a future with Nix--and if he won't fight for them, she will.

In the end, a sacrifice must be made. A life for a life. For what better way to cover a multitude of sins than with the blood of a sinner . . .(Thanks to GoodReads.com for the summary)

My Thoughts –

I think the concept for this series is amazing. I absolutely loved Elite and therefore loved Elect as well. The conspiracies, love triangles and kick-ass characters make it fracking awesome.  Check out my review of Elite!!

I am Team Chase all the way, just to let you know. I’m not fond of Nix – he’s a douche.

So the big mob baddies come to town, people die, family secrets are revealed, and the real culprit is found out. In the midst of all of this, Trace and Chase become closer. I think Chase is good for Trace, but she only really sees Nix. I kind of think Trace is a dumb-ass for not seeing how she has this great guy who’s been on her side from day one and goes for the d-bag.

This a good read, and for the fact that I love the series so much I gave it 4/5. For me, if it had been in another series or a different book – I think I would have given it a 3. The story seemed to jump around a lot and seemed rushed at times. I like the different POV’s but at times, it didn’t feel like they all flowed well with one another.

Great job – I look forward to the next installment of the Eagle Elite series!!

review: Elite by Rachel Van Dyken

Elite by Rachel Van Dyken

4 of 5 stars

Published 4/14/13

DRC provided by NetGaley

For Tracey Rooks, life with her grandparents on a Wyoming farm has always been simple. But after her grandmother's death, Tracey is all her grandfather has. So when Eagle Elite University announces its annual scholarship lottery, Tracey jumps at the opportunity to secure their future and enters. She isn't expecting much-but then she wins. And life as she knows it will never be same . . .

The students at Eagle Elite are unlike any she's ever met . . . and they refuse to make things easy for her. There's Nixon, gorgeous, irresistible, and leader of a group that everyone fears: The Elect. Their rules are simple. 1. Do not touch The Elect. 2. Do not look at The Elect. 3. Do not speak to The Elect. No matter how hard she tries to stay away, The Elect are always around her and it isn't long until she finds out the reason why they keep their friends close and their enemies even closer. She just didn't realize she was the enemy -- until it was too late.

---

When I won the annual Eagle Elite College Scholarship lottery, I was thrilled. After all, my grandma had just died and I wanted to take care of my aging grandpa -- he couldn't be a farmer in Wyoming forever. And graduating from Eagle Elite meant opportunity.

But I wasn't counting on meeting Nixon.

Nor was I counting on the rules of the Elect.

1. Do not touch The Elect.

2. Do not look at The Elect.

3. Do not speak to The Elect.

And worst of all? Don't discover the secret they hide, because in the end, you may just realize... it's about you.

*This is a New Adult Book, blood, violence, cursing, sexual references, and drug use. Not recommended for those under 17.* (both summaries from GoodReads.com)

My thoughts -

Whoa. Just whoa. This book was intense and after reading the teaser chapter for book two, aaahhhhh - I want it now!!! This story has elitist collegiate snobs, douche bag bullies, forbidden romance, love triangle, domineering alpha males and mobsters. Could it get any better?

My favorite character is of course....Chase. Just love him to death. I like the fact that he was nice to and cared for Tracey before everyone found out who she was. Nixon was my least favorite. He was an ass-hat. I think he's a controlling, jealous hot-head who thinks he knows what better for everyone than they do themselves. I know that he's known and thought of her since they were little, but I think they might be better off as friends.

Those kinds of guys just need to be bitch-slapped sometimes, you know? Tracey was a bit too naive. How could she not know what her family was into. Has she never heard to the wonderful thing we call Google? Had she never used it before Eagle Elite. Did she always just go along with what everyone tells her?

I thought this story was great. It is fast paced, unique, and interesting story. I liked the chemistry and the relationships between all of the characters. The mob aspect is quite intriguing and I look forward to the next book in the series. Seriously, I'm really really looking forward to it:) When does it come out again???

review: The Bet ~ Rachel Van Dyken

The Bet by Rachel Van Dyken

4 of 5 stars

DRC provided by NetGalley

"I have a proposition for you..."

Kacey should have run the minute those words left Seattle millionaire Jake Titus's mouth. Instead, she made a deal with the devil in hopes of putting her past behind her once and for all.

Four days.
She could do four days!
But she wasn't counting on Jake’s older brother Travis being there to witness their farce of an engagement.
One thing is for certain.
One brother is right for her.
One wants a lifetime.
And one is in league with the devil.
She should have gotten Jake’s signature in blood.

(Summary provided by GoodReads)

My Thoughts -

I liked this story a lot. I enjoyed the teasing between Kacey and Travis and I adored how the brother's family loved Kacey so much.

Kacey was a big push over when it came to Jake, but a total hard-ass when it came to Travis. I kind of wanted to smack her when she agreed to do the things she did for him. Travis was always there to rescue her when the situation turned awry. Jake was a d-bag, a big big d-bag. I really felt Travis was my favorite person in the story - beside Grandma, she was a hoot!

I felt this was easy to read, fast paced and all around a great story. The love scenes were hot and the chemistry between Travis and Kacey was intense. I want to read Jake's story next - I have a feeling that might be 'pee your pants from laughing' worthy.