Review: The Forever of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen

The Forever of Ella and Micha
by Jessica Sorensen
Series: The Secrets #2
Publisher: Grand Central
Publication date: May 28, 2013
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher in exchange for unbiased review
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository
*purchases through buy links support this blog

Ella and Micha have survived tragedy and heartbreak. When they're together, anything seems possible. But now they are thousands of miles apart, and managing their long distance relationship will put their love to the test. Ella is back at school, trying hard not worry so much about her future. But with her father in and out of rehab, she's having a hard time making it through the days. All she wants is Micha by her side, but she refuses to let her problems get in the way of his dreams. Micha spends his days touring the country with his band, but deep down he knows something is missing. Being away from Ella is harder than he thought it would be. He wants her closer to him-needs her with him. But he won't ask her to leave college, just to be with him. The few moments they do spend together are intense and passionate, but it only makes it more difficult when they have to part. They know they want to be together, but is wanting something enough to get them to their forever?

I adored The Secret of Ella and Micha, book one of the Secret series and was excited to delve into The Forever of Ella and Micha. While I felt the tale could have ended with book one, Sorensen provided a heartwarming, gut wrenching sequel and once again had me swept up in the story of Ella and Micha. Three word review: breathtaking, bittersweet, intense.

The tale picks up with Ella in college and Micha miles away touring with his band. Managing the long distance relationship, her father’s rehab and her own fragile emotional state have Ella confused, and fearful of dragging Micha down with her messed up psyche. The tale that unfolds is intense, heartbreaking, beautiful and raw.

Ella struggles and finds growth in this novel. I am so glad that the author chose to have Ella seek professional help, and appreciate its focus in this novel. So often the characters are left to their own devices and this more realistic approach may one day impact a reader. Despite her issues and her struggles I connected and wanted her to be happy. She is so much stronger than she gives herself credit for. Micha is smexy, and just oozes with swoon-worthy goodness. He has his own issues, and sometimes I think his happiness centers on Ella too much. I do respect that he accepts her; mood swings and all. He has patience with her, and makes career decisions with her in mind. He doesn't push her, even when it hurts him not to. Family is present in this novel but this time we see some growth and healing. Both Ella and Micha have great best friends. I really like how supportive Lila and Ethan are. True friends indeed, they aren't enablers and speak out when necessary. The two work in tandem to help the couple and I cannot help but hope a little something is brewing between them. 

Sorensen has this way of wrapping you up in her characters so that you feel their emotions. Despite how impossible the relationship seemed, you couldn't help but root for them. When they are together the world seems brighter. They are the couple you notice in a crowded room from the sexual tension to the devotion you see as they gaze at it each other. There were painful moments, romantic moments and hot sexual moments that melted the words as I read them. Sorensen touches on depression, anxiety, dysfunctional families and alcoholism. She doesn't gloss over them, or try to magically fix them; instead she weaves a realistic and educated thread into her tale. I devoured this in one sitting with its dual POV’s and closed the book with a sigh and a smile.

I recommend reading The Secret of Ella and Micha before reading The Forever of Ella and Micha, although this would work as a standalone. Fans of Beautiful Disaster will love the series. The Temptation of Lila and Ethan is the next book in the series due out in October 2013 and I am excited to read their story. 

Four cups of coffee out of five

Coffee Pot Reviews: The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden and Someone to Love

 
Welcome to Coffee Pot Reviews! These are short and sweet reviews done in the length of time it takes my coffee pot to brew! I have a few New Adult books to share with you today..enjoy and stick around for a cup of mocha coffee! 
New Adult books contain mature content and are not intended for readers under 18 years of age.  

The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden
by Jessica Sorensen
Series: The Coincidence #1
Publication date: December 13, 2012
Genre: New Adult Contemporary
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon

There are those who don’t get luck handed to them on a shiny platter, who end up in the wrong place at the wrong time, who don’t get saved. Luck was not on Callie’s side the day of her twelfth birthday when everything was stolen from her. After it’s all over, she locks up her feelings and vows never to tell anyone what happened. Six years later her painful past consumes her life and most days it’s a struggle just to breathe. For as long as Kayden can remember, suffering in silence was the only way to survive life. As long as he did what he was told, everything was okay. One night, after making a terrible mistake, it seems like his life might be over. Luck was on his side, though, when Callie coincidentally is in the right place at the right time and saves him. Now he can’t stop thinking about the girl he saw at school, but never really knew. When he ends up at the same college as Callie, he does everything he can to try to get to know her. But Callie is reserved and closed off. The more he tries to be part of her life, the more he realizes Callie might need to be saved.

Last month I shared my review of the Secrets of Ella and Micha and told you how much I loved this author's writing style and her ability to capture the emotions of her characters. This novel confirms it..I am in love with this author! Sorensen breathes such life into her characters. I became completely swept up in Callie and Kayden's individual stories and their bittersweet romance. I laughed, I cried, I drained the batteries on my smart phone and the cliffhanger ending is killing me. Sorensen touches on some really painful subjects, and the harsh reality of it was raw, beautiful and thought provoking. If ever two people deserve to find happiness its these too. The Redemption of Callie and Kayden book two will publish on February 28th and I cannot wait! 

Five delicious lattes out of five

Someone to Love
by Addison Moore
Publication date: December 21, 2012
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance 
Purchase: Barnes and Noble/Amazon

Someone to Love is a light, sexy read that is far more naughty than it ever is nice.
What happens when two people who don’t believe in love, happen to fall madly into the most beautiful relationship they could ever imagine? A train wreck. When twenty-year-old Kendall Jordan transfers clear across country to Garrison University, the last thing she’s looking for is a one-night stand. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what, gorgeous, Cruise Elton offers.  Kendall has long since come to realize that love is an illusion that never lasts, and Cruise couldn’t agree more—but something deep inside her wants him all for herself. So, Kendall devises a seat of the pants plan to “play the player” and proposes that Cruise tutor her in becoming a female version of himself, Garrison University’s own playboy. Real feelings begin to emerge, and neither Kendall nor Cruise know how to classify them. Everything they once thought they knew is redefined as they discover, in one another, Someone to Love.

This one started out crazy and I thought oh boy...this is going to be naughty. It ended up being a very sweet romance, with characters who were complex and endearing. I quickly became invested in both Kendall and Cruise once the layers were peeled back. This was fun, and at times very hot! I hated Blair, Cruise's ex and "off with her head" crossed my mind several times. If you love flawed, wounded characters who believe love is only found in fairy-tales then this romance will delight you. Moore brought these characters to life and the tale flowed wonderfully. I will definitely be reading more from this author. 

Four cups of Italian espresso out of five

Today's Stops on the Fiery Hot Reads for Ice Cold Nights Hop 

Check out these awesome posts and giveaways! Each day different blogs will be participating so be sure to check in daily for your chance to win and discover new Fiery hot reads!

Cambria Hebert@CambriaHebert: Tish Thawer

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Courtney Cole: Confessions of an Ali Cat

Anna@Read Between the Lines:Katie Salidas

Jess@Bend the Binding: Cambria Hebert

Jenn@Indie Supporter: Julia Crane

I was interviewed by Lola's Reviews

I was interviewed by Lola @ Lola's Reviews. Be sure and stop by to see what I love and hate about blogging. While you are there take a moment to check out her delightful blog.  

Waiting on Wednesday #34

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme

 hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine

Red Horse
by Alex Adams

Series: White Horse Trilogy #2

Publisher: Atria/ Simon & Schuster

Publication date: August 20, 2013

Genre: Adult/Post Apocolyptic 

Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository

Twenty-seven-year-old Emma Frane is a radio talk-show host in City One. There, asking questions carries a death sentence. Emma has already lost her husband, child, and brother to City One’s primary law. When one of her guests is killed for asking a question casting doubt on City One’s agenda, she’s forced to leave her job. Furious and desperate to flee the collapsing city, Emma sets out on a journey across the world to find the only family she has left and answers from a world that allows her to ask nothing.

I am currently reading White Horse the first book of this dark, gritty post-apocalyptic world and cannot wait for book two.  Look for my review of book one later this month! 

The Forever of Ella & Micha
by Jessica Sorensen
Series:The Secret #2
Publication date: 2013 
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon

Ella and Micha have been through tragedy, heartbreak, and love. When they are with each other, anything seems possible. But the days of racing cars and passionate kisses are gone now that they are thousands of miles apart. Ella continues going to school and tries to deal with her irrevocable mistakes. She constantly worries about how her life will end up, and with her father in and out of rehab, she’s having a hard time making it through the days. All she wants is Micha by her side, but she refuses to let her problems get in the way of his dreams. Micha spends his days traveling the country with the band, but he knows something is missing from his life. Being away from Ella is harder than he thought. He wants her closer to him—needs her with him. But he won’t ask her to leave college, just to be with him. The few moments they do spend together are fleeting, intense, and filled with passion, but it only makes it more difficult when they have to part. They quickly learn that a long-distance relationship is challenging and it tests their love. They know they want to be together, but is wanting something enough to get them to their forever?

I read and loved The Secret of Ella & Micha and cannot wait for their story to continue!

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Coffee Pot Reviews:Unravel Me and Ella & Micha

Welcome to Coffee Pot Reviews! These are short and sweet reviews done in the length of time it takes my coffee pot to brew! Enjoy all of these New Adult reads I have discovered. New Adult is a genre between YA and Adult that features men and woman around college age and under thirty. They contain mature content and may not be for everyone. 

Unravel Me
by Kendal Ryan
Published: September 22, 2012
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon



This novel contains sexual content, foul language and mature situations. 

Psychology student Ashlyn Drake’s neat, orderly life takes a turn for the crazy when she finds the perfect subject for her amnesia thesis – a young man without any memory of his previous life, including the murder he’s accused of committing.  Against all common sense, Ashlyn’s drawn to him like a moth to a flame. Perhaps it’s that he’s so incredibly male, and even handcuffed to his hospital bed he could pass for a cologne ad – Scent de Insanity. Or perhaps it’s because she’s spent too many lonely nights studying. Either way, she’s determined to help him solve the mystery of his past. She begins to unravel who he was before, using his cryptic tattoos, and his paintings that scream of a dark past as her only clues. When she finally learns his secret there’s no telling which one is the real him, the gentle lover she’s fallen for or the troubled man with a dark past.

With Unravel Me, I was immediately drawn into Ashlyn and Logan’s tale. The connection between them was electric and you could almost feel the charge humming through the pages. Logan’s story was fascinating and despite the danger, political incorrectness and sheer madness of it all, Ashlyn is undeniable attracted to him. Despite the facts we were provided, I immediately began rooting for Logan. I felt his pain and vulnerability. While not all of my questions were answered I closed the book deeply satisfied; especially after the hilarious final scene involving Ashlyn’s best friend Liz.  The romance developed slowly out of friendship and respect, but quickly becomes hot, with explicit scenes and foul language. It felt raw and real. I cannot wait to read, Make Me Yours the next book in this series.

Four steamy cups of cappuccino out of five

Ella & Micha
by Jessica Sorensen
Published: October 2, 2012
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Purchase: Barnes and Noble/Amazon


This novel contains sexual content, foul language and mature situations. 

Ella and Micha have been best friends since they were kids. But one tragic night shatters their friendship and their lives forever. Ella used to be a rule-breaker with fiery attitude who wore her heart on her sleeve. But she left everything behind when she went to college and transformed into someone that follows the rules, keeps everything together, and hides all her problems. But now it's summer break and she has nowhere else to go but home. Ella fears everything she worked so hard to bury might resurface, especially with Micha living right next door. If Micha tries to tempt the old her back, she knows that it will be hard to resist. Micha is sexy, smart, confident, and can get under Ella’s skin like no one else can. He knows everything about her, including her darkest secrets. And he’s determined to bring his best friend, and the girl he loves back, no matter what it takes. 

Jessica Sorensen is an author to add to your list, she is incredibly talented and her gift of capturing human emotion and expressing it to the reader just blew me away. From the very first pages, I felt Ella's raw emotions and fears. This is a touching novel of a girl who fears becoming her mother. Who falls in love with the boy next door; the same boy who has been her friend since she was a child. She is a young woman afraid of feeling too much, of letting go and living. It's the story of a boy, now a young man who loves the girl next door; it is a powerful love that consumes him. He fears for her, wants to protect her and above all things wants to see her happy. I fell in love with these broken characters, I felt their emotions and could not put this book down. I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

Five caramel vanilla coffees out of five