Lil'pad Library

This Series as a whole is an easy 5 stars! Continue down for reviews of each book :D

Addicted to You│Addicted, Book 1 - 4 Stars

I liked addicted to you, but I unfortunately started this series while waiting for Kill Switch by Penelope Douglas to arrive at my house. This was a book that I was really looking forward to, therefore Addicted to you became a filler read. Looking back, I wish I would have read it as its own long term project. After finishing it, I lacked a desire to continue on, but I obviously picked it back up eventually. Overall it was an easy, quick read that I did enjoy. I’ve never really read a book that didn’t have this moment of clarity that everything will be ok. Lily and Lo were constantly fighting an uphill battle, as a reader I couldn’t have predicted how things would shake up. The problems they faced cannot simply disappear overnight. I loved the contrast. Addicted to You was made to show that their life isn’t a fairy tale and that hard things take time to fix. As I said, I was more invested in another series when I picked this up, but there is something magical about these people. I eventually did find my way back to the series. 

Ricochet│Addicted, Book 2 - 4 Stars

It took me 2 months to finally pick up Ricochet. Not only was I not convinced that I really wanted to continue on, but a lot of people would say Ricochet is their least favorite book in the line up. Not only am I confused at why they hate it, but I’d rank it above Thrive. The lack of Loren definitely wasn’t my favorite, but seeing the journey of Lily Calloway over those 3 months was something that we couldn’t skip over. It needed its own book because it was one of the biggest trials that the series faced. Obviously we want the fluffy, sweet romance that Lily and Lo have, but their story simply isn’t pretty. That’s the honest truth. It is a shorter book, so we don’t have to commit to 500 pages of Lily struggling, it’s a perfect 250 pages. Just long enough to make us feel what she’s feeling and truly get excited for Loren’s return. 

Addicted for Now│Addicted, Book 3: 5 Stars

When I finished this book, I knew I was in it for the long haul. We get to see Lily and Lo reunite, which is great, but now there are new challenges that come along with reuniting. The way they fight for each other and are each other's safe place is something I haven’t seen in a book before. As of October 27th, I’ve read 63 books this year. I have yet to find another book or series that contains a couple like them. They are so resilient throughout all of the trials and tribulations they went through together. Absolutely loved this book. 

Kiss the Sky│Calloway, Book 4: 5 Stars

Richard Connor Cobalt ladies and gentlemen. I’m in love with this man. He’s my favorite character in the whole series. His intelligence, his looks, the way he speaks, the way he treats Rose, and some much more. Everything about him is just perfection. Don’t get me started on him and Loren’s bromance. It’s everything. Then there's Rose. She’s everything. She is such a strong, independent, beautiful woman. I’m in love with the two of them together and separately. I loved the whole concept of this book being about their reality show, it was so fun to read but I wanted to bash my head into the wall at times. But that’s what a good book does! It makes you feel all sorts of things. Overall, this book is a masterpiece. Cabollway is my favorite couple hands down. 

Hot House Flower│Calloway, Book 5: 5 Stars

Where do I even start? Daisy and Ryke have my whole heart. Cabollway might be my favorite couple but Hot House Flower is my favorite book of the ten. I know some people are ify about this couple, but I’m obsessed with them. When Ryke was arrested, the screaming match between Loren and him nearly killed me. When he ran for 3 miles to the hospital with Daisy in his arms. Stop it right now. He never checked her pulse. He just ran. It ripped my heart out of my chest. It is disgusting how much I love them. I’d say the majority of people would claim that Long Way Down is the best Raisy book, but Hot House flower just has a special place in my heart.

Thrive / Addicted│Book 6: 3.75 Stars

I have mixed feelings about Thrive. I loved Kiss the Sky and Hot House Flower, but I feel I read Thrive pretty fast. I skimmed a lot of extra banter, but there are several moments that live in my head rent free. When they found Loren in the kitchen, that was gut wrenching. When Lily and Rose found out they were both pregnant at the same time. I was scared but so excited for them. Overall I’d say that thrive is a good book for people who enjoy reading novellas. You know the story that we’re following already, but here’s a new perspective and some extra information. I didn’t not enjoy reading it, it was just the one I skimmed the most. I would still recommend reading it if you want the full experience. 

Addicted After All│Addicted, Book 7: 5 Stars

I was so excited to read this book. We would finally see Rose/Connor and Lily/Lo become parents. It was so fun to watch play out. Rose having Jane in the limo and Connor delivering her was a moment where you find yourself gasping for air when it’s over. You don’t even realize that you’ve been holding your breath the whole time. I was gutted to close this book for the final time, knowing that Some Kind of Perfect would be the last time I read from Lily and Lo’s perspective. This book was so amazing, there are no perfect words to describe it. 

Fuel the Fire│Calloway, Book 8: 5 Stars

Ugh how I missed Cabollway. I loved Fuel the fire so much. For so many reasons. Let’s start off with the fact that Connor deserves the world to be outed the way he was. It was so hard to see Rose and Connor try to stay strong but at times lose their bearings. They tried hard to cover it up, but knowing that the world is trying to prove that you don’t love your partner has got to be the most intense heartache. It broke my heart to watch them cry and hold each other in the closet, trying to hold it together. They are such strong people, it was so hard to read. This book reminded me how much I loved them. I never forgot, but Fuel the Fire only cemented them as my favorites. 

Long Way Down│Calloway, Book 9: 5 Stars

DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED. Long Way Down and Hot House Flower are easily my top 2 out of 10. This book freaking gutted me. Between Daisy having fertility obstacles and Adam’s accident, this book was the one that choked me the worst. I nearly cried finishing it, the line about Daisy being able to sleep for 10 hours really got me. The core six watching the sun at the end all together was so beautiful. They all truly got what they deserved. Raisy are truly soulmates like Cabollway and Lilo. Daisy and Ryke are the definition of the grumpy sunshine trope, and I’m here for it. I’m here for it all day long. All year long. For the rest of my existence honestly. Such an amazing book.

Some Kind of Perfect│Calloway, Book 10: 5 Stars

For some reason this book took an entire month to get to my house, BUT IT WAS SO WORTH IT. The amount of babies born in this book has got to be some sort of record, but it was so wholesome. Getting to watch everyone with their families and watch all the kids grow up was so precious. Watching all of the kids' personalities mature and come to light was so fun to see. They truly are all the perfect combination of their parents. Closing this book hurt, but I can’t wait to read the Like Us series. :D

I have never read a book that hit me the way this did. Going into the series, this was the book that made me want to read it. (I thought Kill Switch was a standalone at first) This series has changed my life and the story of Damon is something I will never shut up about. Is he screwed in this head? Oh totally. But I find myself relating to his emotional outlook on life. People don't judge anger the way they judge sadness. Being sad makes you weak and him cutting off that part of his emotions, was eye opening and completely devastating to read. The love he had for winter was something I've never seen in another book. Penelope Douglas isn't afraid to write about what other authors might stay away from. As messy as their love story was, Damon would let the world burn for Winter. He never knew how to express his love for her without having to prove to others and himself that he was worthy of love. We see him in a different way than in the first 2 books. I never truly hated him since I knew going into the series that he had an amazing story and redeeming arch but that doesn't mean I went into his book believing he's a good person. I was going to need a lot convincing to love him the way I loved other characters. He made many decisions that were extremely hard and uncomfortable to see play out. I thought his book would look a lot like Corrupt and Hideaway. The occasional out of pocket joke from him and the cocky, cold personality to remain in tact. I mean, I did get that but we finally get to see into his brain and understand that he's not the heartless monster we thought he was. His love for Winter as a boy was so pure, true, and right. But when he couldn't save her from everything, it really took a toll on him. He then blamed himself for her disability and took it upon himself to protect her from anyone else that wasn't him. He felt he owed it to her to save her from anything and everything. It didn't always look that way, but he never forgot her or lost the love he felt. He could try anything to get into her head but all he really wanted was to put her in his pocket and hide her from the world. Let's be real though, Damon needed Winter more than Winter needed Damon. She was put in his life to save him from his demons and rewrite the ending of their story together. I will never shut up about this book. Ever. Thank the lord we never left the fountain.

Restore Me is a masterpiece! I invested in the Shatter Me series over the summer and I've slowly made my way through every book and novella up until Defy Me. Every time I pick the series back up I'm reminded of why I love it. First of all, Kenji is my favorite character. He is the best friend we all want and deserve. I very rarely laugh while reading and he had me rolling every other page. Restore Me combines so many aspects that I love into one book. Juliette is such an amazing, headstrong female with a point to make to the world. Warner is just.. no words. The man is so fine. The way he talks about Juliette had my heart melting. He may not always do things correctly 100% of the time but he does work hard to be the best version of himself for her. The banter in the book is absolute gold. The plot twists were so unpredictable. This book is a 4.5/5 for me. If I rated every book 5 stars, then my ratings wouldn't be super helpful. Overall, I cannot recommend this series enough.

Side Note: I can't be the only one who thought Kenji was a little fruity right?