The Sidekicks

 

Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Date: October 17, 2017

Ryan, Harley and Miles are very different people—the swimmer, the rebel and the nerd. All they’ve ever had in common is Isaac, their shared best friend.

When Isaac dies unexpectedly, the three boys must come to terms with their grief and the impact Isaac had on each of their lives. In his absence, Ryan, Harley and Miles discover things about one another they never saw before, and realize there may be more tying them together than just Isaac.

In this intricately woven story told in three parts, award-winning Australian author Will Kostakis makes his American debut with a heartwarming, masterfully written novel about grief, self-discovery and the connections that tie us all together.

I think this book looks great. It’s a book of dealing with life, themselves and others.  Self-discovery is important!   It kind of reminds me of The Outsiders in a way and The Breakfast Club (the movie)..how we are different and yet on the same path.  I have not read this book yet but I think I will eventually.  

Dark Elements by Jennifer L Armentrout

WHITE HOTE KISS {Dark Elements Series #1} – Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher: Harlequin
Publication Date: Feb 25, 2014
Series: Dark Element Series #1
Pages: 400
Age Range: 14 +

SUMMARY:
One kiss could be the last

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she’s anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses.

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she’s crushed on since forever.

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she’s not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn’t an issue, considering Roth has no soul.

But when Layla discovers she’s the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

STONE COLD TOUCH {Dark Elements Series #2} – Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher: Harlequin
Publication Date: Oct 21, 2014
Series: Dark Elements Series #2
Pages: 464
Age: 14 +

SUMMARY:
Every touch has its price

Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could.

But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay….

EVERY LAST BREATH {Dark Elements #3} – Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher: Harlequin
Publishing Date: July 28, 2015
Series: Dark Element Series #3
Pages: 400
Age: 14 +

SUMMARY :
Some loves will last ’til your dying breath

Every choice has consequences—but seventeen-year-old Layla faces tougher choices than most. Light or darkness. Wickedly sexy demon prince Roth, or Zayne, the gorgeous, protective Warden she never thought could be hers. Hardest of all, Layla has to decide which side of herself to trust.

Layla has a new problem, too. A Lilin—the deadliest of demons—has been unleashed, wreaking havoc on those around her…including her best friend. To keep Sam from a fate much, much worse than death, Layla must strike a deal with the enemy while saving her city—and her race—from destruction.

Torn between two worlds and two different boys, Layla has no certainties, least of all survival, especially when an old bargain comes back to haunt them all. But sometimes, when secrets are everywhere and the truth seems unknowable, you have to listen to your heart, pick a side—and then fight like hell…

MY THOUGHTS:
I’m so glad I read all of these books!  The last book Every Last Breath stunning cover caught my attention first as I found out it was the third book in the series so I decided to start off with the first. I was immediately thrown into Layla’s world. Every free moment I had (which was mostly at night since my children come first) I read and read and read. Once I finished the first book, I wanted to know what was going to happen to Layla next. It was on to the second book White Hot Kiss! Once again I was glued to the book at any free moment I had. As it ended, I wanted more but sadly I had to put a hold on the third book from the the library. Within two days, the book was ready for pick up and off I went with my children. Libraries rule!

I was into Layla’s world of wardens and demons. It was an interesting concept of the supernatural side of things. (Think Supernatural, Angel, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.) I could identify with Layla because she was unique and that she didn’t see herself in a positive light until the end of the book.

As I read each book one by one, I understood Layla more and more.  I loved the ending of this book.  It was a roller coaster ride.  The whole series will keep you on your feet and you will not want it to end.  Besides aren’t the covers stunning!  You cannot resist this story.   Go get these series today as you won’t regret it.

(Sorry for the late and short review!  My brain finally realized I needed to get this review done one way or the other!  This series is really good. I really enjoyed them and could not put them down.  So go grab one today and follow this amazing author!   I love all of her work.)  

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