Friday, July 31, 2020

Book Review and Giveaway for Flock by Kate Stewart


FLOCK
by KATE STEWART

Can you keep a secret?
I grew up sick.⁣

Let me clarify.⁣

I grew up believing that real love stories include a martyr or demand great sacrifice to be worthy.⁣

Because of that, I believed it, because I made myself believe it, and I bred the most masochistic of romantic hearts, which resulted in my illness.⁣

When I lived this story, my own twisted fairy tale, it was unbeknownst to me at the time because I was young and naïve. I gave into temptation and fed the beating beast, which grew thirstier with every slash, every strike, every blow.⁣

Triple Falls wasn’t at all what it seemed, nor were the men that swept me under their wing. But in order to keep them, I had to be in on their secrets.⁣

Secrets that cost us everything to keep.⁣

That’s the novelty of fiction versus reality. You can’t re-live your own love story, because by the time you’ve realized you’re living it, it’s over. At least that was the case for me and the men I trusted my foolish heart to.⁣

Looking back, I’m convinced I willed my story into existence due to my illness.⁣

And all were punished.


REVIEW: 5 RIDDLE-FILLED STARS
"The fantasies of a masochistic heart are much better than any experience with the real thing."

WORD OF THE DAY: Unconventional
This is the kind of book that you need to go in blind - highly recommended. This is a book about discovery and you can't discover if you know anything. This is a SPOILER FREE review. Just know this is my favorite book of Kate Stewart's to date....and that's saying something. 

Here’s the scenario: You’re sitting on the couch, probably laughing at me because I’m pacing in front of you, trying to calm down enough to not scream at you to READ THIS BOOK. Ok? That’s how this is gonna go. I'll probably be scatterbrained and shooting from the hip because my mind is being pulled in so many different directions but SO MUCH happened but you can't discuss anything because it can potentially spoil things. So sooo good. 

With Flock, Stewart provided me a dose of clarity and confusion mixed with absolute confidence in a story I couldn't put down. To be able to spin a story like this...I can't even imagine where one's mind goes while writing things like this. Shrouded in mystery, with just enough stringing along that I couldn't look away. I felt like the morsels of information were the tastiest when accompanied with questions - and boy, did I have a ton of those!! I absolutely loved this journey I was on, all the while being confused AF discovering a whole new world right with Cecilia. 

"Maybe for now, I should just listen to the voice of reason in my head, instead of the addict in my heart."

By 8% in, I was hooked. Meeting Cecelia and her guys of summer was an adrenaline rush, and it felt as if I were in her shoes - her spot. I loved how she was written. Bad ass with a side of insecurity and innocence - but she had a moral side to her that I could very much appreciate. Not to mention a mouth that made me smile!! That girl had sass!!

I love that Cecelia fought her 'moral' side. I love that there was a mental block for her - one that she personally had to scale. There was a wave of critical thinking that encompassed this entire story, almost a shift from the ‘norm’ that one would automatically fall in step with. This was pivotal to the book, and I for one cannot wait to read the second book to see how it all plays out. Absolutely fantastic....I can't stop thinking about it.

I loved meeting the guys of Ravenhood. All of them. They all had very different personalities, and the lessons learned and the discussions had were all very insightful and had me nodding my head in agreement many times. I craved time with them and watching them all interact with not only each other, but with Cecelia as well, had me hungry for more in all aspects - and to top it off, it was all so very hot. No lie. There was so much mystery and so many secrets that I was confused - not gonna lie, but it all fell into place and left me with some aha! moments.

"I'm a psychiatrist's wet dream."

I found myself constantly looking to see how much time I had left in the book, because I didn’t want it to end. I was entranced the entire time I was reading and wanted nothing more than to sit here all day and get caught up in this world of intrigue and confusion that was coming to life all around me, but I am so glad I got to explore it right alongside to her. Confused as she was, I was too. As enamored as she was, I was too. As angry and heartbroken as she was, I was too. I was right there with her.

One of the things Stewart afforded me was simply applying a deeper meaning to seemingly inconsequential things, things to think about, actions to watch with a skeptical eye. Her words are always thought provoking with an implied possible meaning, but this time she took it a bit father than I've read from her before. I love that she keeps me looking beyond the norm and into possibility. So fucking good!!!!

I held my breath the entire time I read. I looked left and right, underneath clues and over them. She had me guessing and second guessing the whole time. I’m excited to see how the prologue plays into the story because while it did entice, it also caused confusion and curiosities to play out in my mind. All I know is Exodus is definitely a necessary and highly anticipated read!!

When your love can handle night and day, light and dark, rainy days and sunny days, broody....and loving? You know your heart has found its landing spot. This book showcased that perfectly. I love, love, love rainy days - this book proved that to me. But those days with sunshine are all the more brighter and sweeter. I just need....more.

"I played with fire, and now I'm singed beyond recognition."
~BEE








~MEET KATE STEWART~

Kate Stewart lives in Charleston, S.C. with her husband, Nick, and her naughty beagle, Sadie. A native of Dallas, Kate moved to Charleston three weeks after her first visit, dropping her career of 8 years, and declaring it her creative muse. Kate pens messy, sexy, angst-filled contemporary romance as well as romantic comedy and erotic suspense because it's what she loves as a reader. A lover of all things '80s and '90s, especially John Hughes films and rap, she dabbles a little in photography, can knit a simple stitch scarf for necessity only and does a horrible job of playing the ukulele. Aside from running a mile without collapsing, traveling is the only other must on her bucket list. On occasion, she does very well at vodka.

~CONNECT WITH KATE~

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COPY PURCHASED FOR GIVEAWAY
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14 comments:

  1. Oh My Goodness, hooked and addicted at 8% sounds like EVERYTHING I should be reading. Incredible review. Can't Wait to join the Ravenwood World!!

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    1. It was insanity, Chassity! It literally hit me immediately.

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  2. I love books like this. Was intrigued when I saw snips of it on Facebook.
    Great review!

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  3. Oh my gosh!! Great review Bee. You got me even MORE intrigued with the book. I can't wait to read this and chat with you.

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    1. Well, thank you SO much, Bunny!!! I really hope you love it. It will hit you HARD though...be prepared.

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  4. Excellent review my friend. Spot on!

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  5. Ok, I skimmed your review because I want to read this book, but go in blind so I don't know much. I had someone else tell me I MUST READ THIS DUET. Just skimming your review I KNEW I wanted to read it! I've never read any of her books. I had to check and I only have two on my Kindle. This sounds like a good one to get me going!

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    1. You know I'm always spoiler free, Chris. I never give anything away...I can promise you that. I can't wait to hear what you think when you read this one.

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  6. Love this review! I just started this last night and I can't wait to continue reading tonight!

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    1. I just finished this book and OH.MY.GOD!! There were so many times I was tempted to message you for you to hold my hand as I finished the first half of this story. It had EVERYTHING I need for a book to enrapture me completely. I kept slowing down my reading because I loved every minute of it. I'll probably be just as slow with Exodus.

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  7. Such a great review! Thank you for being thorough without leaving spoilers!! I’m about to dive into Exodus and I’m a little scared but HAVE to know what happens!!

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