I thought I wasn't going to like a slow paced book
590942
This book was absolutely stunning. I thought I wasn't going to like a slow paced book, however, the added detail that happened during the events of the Trial of Garrosh Hellscream made everything a lot better.
3464946
This book was so not what I expected at all. I'd seen it mentioned a lot this year, but after reading the Goodreads description, I was unimpressed. It just didn't sound appealing to me at all. But then came a lot of End of Year Surveys and Top Ten Books of 2012, and I saw this book all over the place. I figured for it to be getting that much love, it had to be better than it sounded, and I decided to give it a chance.

From the very beginning, the first couple pages, it was clear to me that I really, really liked Hazel. Even though she is terminally ill with cancer, she has a sense of humor that can't be beat. I found myself chuckling a lot at things that came out of her mouth, and I found myself often forgetting that she was, in fact, sick, until the next mention of her cannula came up.

Augustus was easily my favorite character. He was just so swoon-worthy and romantic, but also hilarious and sarcastic. From the start, I really liked his interaction with Hazel. They just had a relationship that was so believable but still really enjoyable to read. I never found myself rolling my eyes or getting aggravated with them. I really loved their chemistry.

There was a twist at the end that while I sort of saw it coming, it wasn't blatantly predictable, and I liked it. It changed the way I expected the story to go, which was nice. I am also glad that a prediction I made for the ending did not come true. I definitely thought it was foreshadowed and would not have been happy with it, so I'm glad that it didn't happen the way I thought it would.

I did find myself with some questions left over at the end of the story, but I think that that was realistic. The whole story was very realistic, and in life, you don't always get the answers you want, and you don't always get a happy ending. I thought that was appropriate here.

Overall, I really, really loved this book. It was so beautifully written, a realistic look at the way cancer affects people's lives. I found my heart going out to the characters for their struggles, but moreso loving how they continued to live their lives and not let their cancer define them. I would definitely recommend that everybody read this book, and I will definitely be reading more John Green. I easily give it 5 stars!
2463838
Honestly, I didn't think i was going to be entertained while putting this togther. but I was...
1125083
When it first started I didn't think I was going to like the book. I don't like to give less than 5 stars and cringe even when having to give 4 stars. With a cover that good, I was sure it had to be better. I read a lot of Historical Christian novels and had just come from a Colonial time period. I wasn't ready for this era in the early 1900's I guess. Then as the story went along, I started to channel Downton Abby to picture the characters. That's a TV show that I really enjoy. If you do too, you will get into this story.

As a young child Brook and her mother were in a terrible accident where her mother was killed. Right before dying she gave her to another woman to raise and take far away so her family couldn't find her. Now that woman has died as well. Brook has known for awhile that she is not the daughter of the Prince of Monaco as she's been told. Even though her Grandfather loves her, the Prince never has. She asked her friend Justin to look deeper into some of the correspondence that her own mother had had with her in the carriage, thinking there may be a clue to who her real family is.

Justin is a Duke. He and Brook have been friends since children, but his feelings are changing to a different kind of love. Knowing he cannot marry her unless she is also from royalty, he is relieved when he finds her true family and that she's a Baroness and every bit as titled as he is. He would have done all he could to be able to marry her anyway - he just hasn't told her.

But there is a reason that Brook's mother had wanted her to be hidden, and it comes out little by little once it's revealed that she is the lost heiress and she's accepted by her family. The momentum builds and builds, to the point where I didn't want to put it down. It's so well written that I felt I really knew the characters and how they felt in each situation. I kept looking at the extra characters to see who might be in the next book, but reading the description of the next book on Amazon I'm not sure there's a carry over. I'd like to hear what happens to Brice. I really liked the strong Christian faith woven all throughout the book, with many scriptures applied. It kept it grounded. I highly recommend this book and can't wait to read the next!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Bethany House - Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html
4749572
I wasn't sure I was going to like it. A bit slow in the beginning but then I couldn't put it done. I felt I was part of the family.
3196395
This is a book that I put off reading after I had bought it because I thought it would be boring.  Well, was I ever so wrong.  It is a great book with a good story and fast enough pace to keep it interesting.  You will not regret reading this outstanding book.
2045754
I didn't expect myself to like this book since I'm not a paranormal romance fans but I enjoyed it.

The book started out abruptly with no proper explanation of what is a Psy and what is a changeling. It basically left me hanging out there wondering what the hell of a book am I reading. The Prologue could have done a better job at explaining them instead of just the Silence Code.

It took me quite a while before I get into the book. After 40% of reading, I finally got into the story and it doesn't bore me as much as the beginning.

The ending is nice and I felt joy for Sascha and Lucas. I really love the changelings.
4576983
I didn't think I'l like these books. The characters were teens, and I'm way beyond that, but I was drawn in quickly. It is scarey to think this could happen anytime. Can't wait for the next in the series!
3312232
I thought the book was slow to start but once I got about 1/3 of the way in I was hooked.
1715149
This book surprised me. I didn't think I was going to like it, but OMG it was really good. The characters were fantastic, and the banter was great. Looking forward to the next book.
973423
I was not ready for this, but that didn't make it bad book.
2568513
I thought that the book flowed beautifully and it didn't just sink your feet in knowing what wasn't going on.
632052
I must admit that I was not a fan at the beginning. The book started off rather slow for me. However, I'm that person that when I start something I have to finish. The book doesn't have chapter numbers so I can't really tell you when the change happened for me, but I'm glad I stayed with it. Really good read. I gave four stars for the slow beginning.
3738011
I didn't think I was going to like this book. It seemed a bit pretentious at first but it is really a very sweet love story about a middle aged woman who learned to love and accept herself with the help of a wise, kind gentleman and a confused but insightful young girl.
2389260
I looked at this book not knowing exactly if I was going to like it, but I thought I would try it away. Boy, am I glad I did! I liked the characters and really felt like I knew them, the plot was somewhat original and followed its own rules, and the action was fast-paced enough that I didn't feel it lagged in spots. One of the things that I really liked is that it didn't feel like it took place in the past even though it did. I have always preferred books to be more contemporary and this book felt that way. I really enjoyed the friendship/relationship between Moira and Edwards (Keenan) and the pace was very natural. I would definitely recommend getting this book, and I am definitely going to be picking up more!

Thanks to NetGalley and Penner Publishing for providing an advanced copy which I voluntarily reviewed. This review is also posted on Goodreads and NetGalley..
2960966
This was a slow starter and I was starting to wonder when it was going to heat up. I am more used to books dropping me straight into the action ,and patience is not something I have in abundance so I was getting a little fidgety wanting it to get going,and then it did. I wasn't sure about Suzanne at first she seemed a little ordinary and not that interesting but that changed as I read more, her father Don was a monster who had some how got away with killing people at random so it seemed. I would say that this is not a book for anyone who is going to get upset by quite graphic descriptions but it is well written and quite different to anything else I have read recently. I am so sorry that this was the authors last book before her untimely death and that she died before it was published. I think she wrote a winner and I hope other people enjoy it if they stick with the slow start and are prepared for some unpleasant scenes it is a good read. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in return for an honest review.
1475937
I was actually really surprised by this book. I didn't think I'd like it, but I really did!