"Everafter" by Nell Stark and Trinity Tam

Everafter by Nell Stark

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Everafter is the first book in the series by the same name, written by Nell Stark and Trinity Tam. It begins by introducing Valentine Darrow, a medical student and Alexa Newland, a law student as soulmate lovers. Valentine wants to marry her lover and is all consumed with how to propose to Alexa when she is attacked by a vampire and nearly killed. Valentine survives but now she is consumed with a craving for blood and an obsession to find her attacker. Alexa’s love for Valentine runs so deep that all she wants is to give Valentine everything she needs to stay alive. But, Valentine’s appetite is too much for Alexa, as a human. So, Alexa risks everything for Valentine. Valentine and Alexa’s relationship is stretched but endures impossible odds.

The authors chose to make half this book Valentine’s point of view and the other Alexa’s point of view. It was written well enough that I wasn’t bothered by this shift. I felt the authors used it effectively.

Throughout the book, you see Valentine’s struggle to learn about her new life all the while doing so with her one true love. I was touched by the great love that Alexa has for Valentine. The sacrifice she made to support her true love is amazing!

Definitely a great read! I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

View all my reviews

"The Four Agreements" by Miguel Ruiz

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Miguel Ruiz

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This was a different book from my normal reads. I read this book on the recommendation of a friend. I've given it 3-stars because 2.5-stars is not an option. On a whole, the book has some great advice and some good points.

• Speak with integrity!
• Don't take things personally.
• Don't make assumptions.
• Always do your best.
• Happiness is a choice.
• Accept and love yourself.

However, growing up in the church, learning from the Bible as I have, this is a no-brainer. If you have read the Bible, this book could be summed up by reading John 13:34; “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Or, Ephesians 4:2-“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Or, Romans 12:10 “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” The goal is to love one another and to be like Jesus. However, it was refreshing to read from another source other than the Bible and get the same message that the Bible has drilled into me over the years.

The main thing I had trouble with was the author’s over-simplifications made and the over explaining! It seemed that he explained every single point, regurgitated and simplified more, and then explained again. On an intellectual level, this left me bored. Understanding FIRST explanation, I decided to skim the book.

Some people may require multiple examples to be broken down into the most simplistic of terms. If you are one that needs bite-sized pieces of a self-help book, then this will be a good read for you.

View all my reviews