Friday, June 13, 2014

Review: At Any Turn by Brenna Aubrey

At Any Turn (Gaming the System, #2)
At Any Turn (Gaming the System #2) by Brenna Aubrey
So You Want to Be a Hero?
Millionaire CEO Adam Drake, overcame a tortured past to build his own gaming empire. He’s in complete control of his life. With his new found love for brilliant geek girl blogger, Mia Strong, the last piece of his life is in place. He's at the top of his game.
Your Princess Is in Another Castle.
Until suddenly, she withdraws from him, leaving him in the dark. Something tells him she needs help. But she's too stubborn or scared to ask for it, and the more he tries to take control, the further he pushes her away. He can’t solve this problem by writing a check or a few lines of code.
He’ll have to dig deep and put himself at risk…or risk losing her forever.
This New Adult contemporary romance is intended for readers over the age of 18 due to adult language, sexual content and adult situations.

Publishes in US: April 30th 2014 by Silver Griffon Associates
Genre: NA Contemp
Source: Netgalley
Series? Gaming the System #2
1st book my Review: At Any Price by Brenna Aubrey
 Publishes 2014 by Silver Griffon Associates

Buy it:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | All Romance eBooks | Kobo
Read an Excerpt
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Author stalk away: ~site 
https://www.facebook.com/BrennaAubreyAuthor
https://twitter.com/brennaaubrey
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5824327.Brenna_Aubrey

I wrote a post about negative reviews, and how I don't review if I don't finish, and a very wise blogger pointed out that knowing what a blogger doesn't like can be valuable to publishers and authors too. I think that it also helps my readers build trust that I am not just slapping good ratings on everything I read. I have a knack for picking what I will lack based on synopsis and reviews, but that even fails. Then another blogger mentioned she did a did not finish post and I thought it was a great idea. So, here we go:

    I wanted to read this one because I enjoyed the romance and intrigue in the first book. I am a nerd and I am drawn to nerdy things. I like medicine so I am drawn to that sort of thing, so big time winning when video gaming, blogging, med school, and new adult are all tied into one.

    I remembered Mia being easy to connect with and liking Adam's strong presence and these two things carried over into the sequel. 

DNF: I couldn't get into Adam's point of view. It seemed like he was being a domineering asshole at times, and that is not I think the point. I really believe that he loves her but the way he comes across rubbed me the wrong way. I am sure that there is redemption coming and he will realize where he was wrong but I couldn't get past 23%

That isn't to say that the writing is poor or the characters are poorly constructed, it's personal on my end.

Positive reviews:

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Are you a gamer of any sort?
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12 comments:

  1. I agree with your friend, DNF reviews are just as important. I hate note getting into a character's POV. Sucks.

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  2. I try to stay away from negative reviews where ARCs are concerned, but sometimes they just can't be avoided. Sometimes a readers' personal preferences and an author's style just don't mesh.

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  3. kirstymariejonesstudioreadsJune 13, 2014 at 10:47 AM

    There's no shame in DNF'ing because of personal tastes, to be honest, I would've as well. Domineering guys are just not my thing, and when reading I just get really angry so it's time to leave it, haha. At least you still liked Mia this time around. I'm not a gamer, again, just not really my thing, much to my cousins dismay. She's always trying to get me into it, haha.

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  4. Sorry that this was a DNF for you. That kind of sucks when that happens. And the fact that it happened after you read the first book. Dang. When I start a series I usually hope to finish it. And if I don't, I usually stop with the first book.

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  5. I don't know that this would work for me either. Sorry about the DNF though. I'm definitely not a gamer. I kind of strongly dislike them.

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  6. No not a gamer at all. Wish I was though, my youngest plays Minecraft or some type of game on Xbox and even writes fanfiction for them, but I just can't get into them. I played Scooby Doo and Sponge Bob, but not the games he plays now!

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  7. yup i get it, negative reviews are hard to write i have an issue with them as well and I don't think I have ever did a DNF post myself yet ;/ but great job on this one!

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  8. Yes we do need DNFs. I know that sadly some authors think that if they get a less than a 4 then no one will buy their book. Well I would never buy a book that everyone loved, I'd presume it was fake

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  9. I love your honest reviews and honest opinions! And I agree, it does build trust! I've encountered books that quite a few people loved and for one reason or another (writing style, just couldn't get into the story line or so on) I ended up not enjoying it.


    thanks for your honest feedback!! :)

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  10. Thanks for the honest review, Brandi. Sometimes characters can rub us the wrong way, it's good to know why so another reader can decide if that's for them :)

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  11. I can understand what you mean about not liking to write negative reviews, but people here do value your honesty, and if I don't like something, I will tell the blogger world in hopes they understand I am not trying to fool them into thinking something is better than it really is. I am a gamer when it comes to app games on my Kindle. I am a hopeless phase addict. First came Candy Crush... now I am at the hands of Subway Surfers... I played Sims 2 on my computer a lot for a long time, as well as Zoo and Rollercoaster 3 tycoon... I love my DS and Wii too <3 Ooh maybe I am quite the gamer xD

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  12. Adam and Mia - all I can think of is If I Stay lol


    Sometimes books don't work for everyone. I think sharing your thoughts will help direct the book to the right reader :-)

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