Ex-Factor by Elisa Dane
(The Diamond Girls #1)
Release Date: April 22, 2014
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance
Nevaeh Evan’s life is uprooted after her father’s
death, when she moves in with her aunt and cousin, Livvie. Her plan to lay low at her new high school isn’t working. Her friend’s jerky boyfriend keeps asking her out, the guy she likes treats her like garbage, and the thought of tumbling again makes her want to hurl.
So when her aunt pushes her into joining the elite X-FACTOR cheer leading squad, Navaeh goes along with it.
But Nev feels she doesn’t deserve to be happy. Not after what happened the night her father died.
Bodie Scott knows about grief all too well. Critically injured in an alcohol related accident the year before, Bodie struggles with the fact that he’ll never play football again, and he’s so far behind in credits he can’t see straight. That is, until he meets Nev. Haunted by their bloody pasts and wary of a shared future, Nev and Bodie turn to one another for comfort and support, and realize they’re not so alone after all. And when the party scene at school threatens the life of a loved one, the two stop at nothing to keep the past from repeating itself.
Sometimes I struggle with YA books because they're full of too much teenage angst. But I feel like Ex-Factor captured it in an authentic way that I really enjoyed. Insta-love is something that always grates on my nerves, and that was one of my few faults with this novel. The relationship between Nevaeh and Bodie did a one-eighty in a short span. Eventually their relationship became believable, though.
The message in this book touched my heart. It was something that everyone could be reminded of. I think Elisa Dane did a wonderful job at highlighting drunk driving and bringing it to attention. This book had a profound impact, and I loved it. Young adult fans will adore this one.
**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Elisa Dane, Swoon Romance, and YA Bound Book Tours.
Unbreakable by Elisa Dane
(The Diamond Girls #2)
Release Date: June 10th, 2014
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance
Perception is everything to sixteen-year-old Olivia Brown. With her freakishly hot boyfriend, volunteer
work at the local animal shelter, successful beauty channel on YouTube, and well-earned spot on X Factor Cheer's elite level five Diamond Girl team, Livvie's the girl every other girl wants to be. At least, that's the illusion she's aiming for.
But Livvie's seemingly perfect life is anything but. Lying about the bruises her boyfriend gives her, and cowering beneath his raging temper becomes a regular way of life until she unwittingly witnesses her drunken neighbor beating his step-son, the town bad boy, Reid Tate.
For Reid, vulnerability is the enemy. Opening up, and letting people in gives them the power to disappoint. Growing up with a co-dependent mother and an abusive alcoholic father, Reid has endured all the disappointment he can stomach.
But when his pretty, do-good neighbor witnesses his step-dad beat him to within an inch of his life, and not only call the cops, but keeps quiet at school about what she saw, Reid wonders if maybe, just maybe, he's found someone he can finally trust.
As someone who has survived an abusive relationship, I cannot talk about this book enough. It is hell. It isn't sexy. It isn't fun. It isn't worth it. You are worth more than being an outlet for misguided anger. Unbreakable hit the nail on the head about the issue. I am so thankful for this book. My experiences obviously color my reviews a lot whenever abuse is present, and this is one of the few that I was comfortable with and appreciated the approach. It's about damn time.
Reid was swoon-worthy. I'm so glad that he found Livvie. I loved the two of them together. Livvie was one of my favorite characters from Ex-Factor, so I was glad that this book centered around her. I hate what she had to endure, but her story is inspiring. Also, it was such a treat to get glimpses of Nev and Bodie from the first book in the series. I love when authors do that.
I loved Unbreakable. It was a beautiful story. If you're a fan of young adult and you haven't read The Diamond Girls series, what are you waiting for?!
**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Elisa Dane, Swoon Romance, and YA Bound Book Tours.
I write Contemporary YA romance with cheerleaders. Yep. I write what I know, and it's my hope that my stories will not only take you on a romantic journey that will warm your heart, but that you'll find a new respect and interest in the sport of Cheerleading you may not have had before.
Swoon Romance
1 ebook of Ex-Factor & $10 Amazon gift card (INT)
