YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

Give in to the Glamour…

Sixteen-year-old Ryann Carroll has just run into the guy who saved her life ten years ago. You might think she'd be happy to see him again. Not exactly. She's a bit underdressed (as in skinny-dipping) and he's not supposed to exist.

After her father's affair, all Ryann wants is to escape the family implosion fallout and find a little peace. She also wouldn't mind a first date that didn't suck, but she's determined not to end up like her mom: vulnerable, betrayed, destroyed. Ryann's recently moved back to her childhood home in rural Mississippi, the same place where ten years earlier she became lost in the woods overnight and nearly died.

She's still irresistibly drawn to those woods. There she encounters the boy who kept her from freezing to death that long ago winter night and was nowhere to be seen when rescuers arrived. He's still mysterious, but now all grown-up and gorgeous, too. And the more she's with him, the greater the threat he poses to Ryann's strict policy-- never want someone more than he wants you.

Seventeen-year-old Lad knows the law of his people all too well: Don't get careless and Don't get caught. It's allowed his race to live undetected in this world for thousands of years, mentioned only in flawed and fading folklore…

Lad's never been able to forget about Ryann since that night ten years ago. When he sees her again, his fascination re-ignites and becomes a growing desire that tempts him to break all the rules. He's not even supposed to talk to a human, much less fall in love with one.

And the timing is atrocious. The Assemblage is coming, the rift between the Light and Dark is widening, and mysterious celebrity fan pods are becoming more and more widespread and influential. Lad may have to trade his own chance at happiness to keep the humans, especially Ryann, blissfully unaware and safe.

Starting today. Hoping it's better than the one I've just read. Not in the mood for OTT romance.

Opening chapter sets a nice tone. Hints of romance, but credible.

27%-up to ch10. There are cliches but not off putting at the moment.

50%-up to ch18. (view spoiler)[ Not sure I'm totally convinced by the relationship between Ryann and Lad. However, good to see his family haven't kicked her out when he's injured. Am still convinced certain characters that we've met know more about this group. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

69%-up to ch22. Trouble! Surprisingly, this is okay.

Ch3

(view spoiler)[it's... odd so far. Not really sure how I feel about the main character or about "Lad". Is he fae or something? (hide spoiler)]

81%-up to ch25. (view spoiler)[ suspected Gran was linked in some way, but I hadn't quite made that link. Wonder if she'll meet Lad's father. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Completed-review on home page. Kind of cute. Some obvious elements, but enough good bits to keep me entertained.

Ch9

This is definitely starting to get interesting.

(view spoiler)[ I love the contrast between Nox and Lad, though I'm uncertain at this stage whether Nox can be trusted. Lad seems pretty genuine at least.

I wonder if Ryann's grandmother is like Lad, or from the same group of people. The fact that she was supposedly taught everything by her husband and came from the forest seems to say she is. (hide spoiler)]

Ch10

KNEW IT
(view spoiler)[Ryann's grandma is definitely the same species/race/whatever as Lad :| (hide spoiler)]

Ch17
(view spoiler)[So we get to see Lad's people for the first time now! Wonder if they're communicating telepathically or if it's something else c: (hide spoiler)]

Ch18
(view spoiler)[I bet Nox is Lad's cousin. Would explain a lot of things :| (hide spoiler)]

Ch23

(view spoiler)[Knew it. Her grandma IS an elf. And she was probably engaged (or betrothed, whatever) to Lad's father :|

Still suspicious of Nox. Bet he's a dark elf.

That tea though... is it really a good idea to introduce it if you can't be guaranteed access to the special water? (hide spoiler)]

Ch27

(view spoiler)[
I love that it's essentially "tea to the rescue" XD (hide spoiler)]

Finished!

(view spoiler)[Okay seriously, what the heck was with that epilogue. Everything is all fine and then Lad's father is dead? Wtf. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 4
(view spoiler)[ got to know more abot ryanns everyday life. Her friends seem nice. I wonder how it will play out later. I liked the scene with Nox something tells me its gonna be a nox vs lad thing (hide spoiler)]

Ch 12
(view spoiler)[ so lad and nox are related im guessing. I think gran is a fae and that ryann would be part fae because of that. Lad and ryann are suepr cute together. I think nox might even be like a dark part of lad (hide spoiler)]

Ch 22
(view spoiler)[ the saol tea is a hit. I think the elves are going to hate her selling it. Nox is the dark elf cousin. Has to be. So is the senator a dark elf. Also. Wtf is a fan pod. I dont get them at all (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ i liked it. I dont read many elf books. It was kind of predictible to be but im not sure where the next one will lead but ill definitely continue (hide spoiler)]