REVIEW: Out of Play by Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry

Out of Play by Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Publication Date: August 6, 2013
Source: eARC* via publisher
Rating: 4.5/ 5 stars
Get it: Amazon | B&N | Kobo

She’s all that’s keeping him from falling over the edge…

Rock star drummer Bishop Riley doesn’t have a drug problem. Celebrities—especially ones suffering from anxiety—just need a little help taking the edge off sometimes. After downing a few too many pills, Bishop wakes up in the hospital facing an intervention. If he wants to stay in the band, he’ll have to detox while under house arrest in Seldon, Alaska.

Hockey player Penny Jones can’t imagine a life outside of Seldon. Though she has tons of scholarship offers to all the best schools, the last thing she wants is to leave. Who’ll take care of her absentminded gramps? Not her mother, who can’t even be bothered to come home from work, let alone deal with their new tenants next door.

Penny’s not interested in dealing with Bishop’s crappy attitude, and Bishop’s too busy sneaking pills to care. Until he starts hanging out with Gramps and begins to see what he’s been missing. If Bishop wants a chance with the fiery girl next door, he’ll have to admit he has a problem and kick it. Too bad addiction is hard to kick… and Bishop’s about to run out of time.

My Review

Out of Play by Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry was an awesome YA novel that I had no trouble devouring in one sitting! I throughly enjoyed what Dawn and Perry created with this book because it had very well developed characters, simplistic writing, and just the sweetest romance I could have hoped for and more. 

I adored both of the main characters in their own way. I think, like Penny, it took some time for me to fall for Bishop. This is not a bad thing because it allowed me to truly appreciate who and where Bishop was coming from. I love how connected Bishop was to music and his drumming. I felt that though he struggled with his addiction, it was obvious that he cared for his mom, Gary, Penny, and Gramps. His attitude toward Alaska was horrible, but it was so amazing too see his perspective change along the way. Penny was such a headstrong and independent character I immediately loved from the very start. I totally have a girl crush on her like you wouldn’t believe! I completely admired her passion for hockey, how much she loved and cared for Gramps and how she was determined to do what she wanted even though everyone was pressuring her to do something else with her future. Penny was such a caring and self-less character. She was always looking out for others; I really loved that in her. Penny was a tough girl with a temper who didn't take crap, but can dish it straight back. She worked so hard, gave her all and went after what she wanted. It was crazy awesome how driven Penny was. But what I really loved most about Penny was her struggle with change, how she accepted it, how she realized it wasn’t all that bad.

The romance between Bishop and Penny was really sweet with just the right amount of intensity too. I loved how they first met. It was so hilarious, who knew toolboxes, injuries, and tampons go hand in hand! I was laughing so hard during this first interaction. I was really curious to see where their interactions were going to go and how their individual issues would affect each other. I really liked that Dawn and Perry allowed their relationship to move slowly but surely. It allowed Bishop and Penny to get to know one another but it also allowed me to get to know them as well. I really enjoyed how they connected, how they made each other want to be someone better. I especially loved how Bishop made Penny believe she can do anything she wanted to do and how she made him want to change and not be the person he has become. It was wonderful to see love blossom between them. 

I thought Out of Play was really well written. The flow between Bishop and Penny’s POVs were really smooth. Dawn and Perry totally joined their spectacular writing forces to write this book with lots of passion and I really felt that. It amazes me that this book was written by two people because it was just so well done and so put together. I was really impressed. The dual points of view between Bishop and Penny took on a very addictive quality the second I started the book. I always had to tell myself that I’d only read one more chapter, but ended up reading more and more. I couldn’t put Out of Play down! The book was relaxing but also a refreshing read as well. I was easily swept in. 

The best thing about this book was the focus on change, on finding on what you really wanted and doing what was best for you. I loved that the driving force of this book was the overall message it leaves behind when you finish. 



Overall, Out of Play had a lovely romance, some humor and heartbreak that accompanied the intensity and anticipation throughout the novel. I definitely want more from Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry! 

*Thanks to Heather Riccio of Entangled for sending a copy for review purposes

I was not compensated for my opinion.

REVIEW: Dizzy by Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry

Title: Dizzy
Author(s): Nyrae Dawn & Jolene Perry

     - Website | Twitter | Facebook

     - Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: November 20, 2012
Format: e-ARC*
Rating: 5/5
Get it: Amazon || B&N

Dylan doesn’t do relationships. He and his older brother watched their dad go through hell and back, so they made a pact years ago—no girl would come between the Gibson boys. But his brother sells out. He's getting married anyway. To the sister of a chick Dylan met at a party, who's probably the angriest girl he's ever met. Unfortunately, she happens to be hot, too.

Ziah’s life is upside down—her safe boyfriend turns out to be not-so-safe, and now her sister is getting married before college is over to the older brother of a spoiled, party boy who drives her crazy. And also makes her heart beat too fast.

There’s no denying the attraction, but there's also no denying how much they irritate each other. When they’re thrown together as forced wedding planners, they find an ally in each other--neither wants this wedding to happen.

But instead of putting a stop to the crazy nuptials they find themselves at fittings and cake testing. And maybe even…a few dates?
Dizzy is a novel about what happens when two people who are determined not to fall in love, maybe do anyway. Maybe.

My thoughts, feelings, and reactions.

I love a good romance with a swoony couple that makes me melt and the drama that comes with it. Dizzy by Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry had this down perfectly. They wrote one cute and lovable book that will surely touch the hearts of many. 

We start off with two marvelous characters, Dylan and Ziah, who are brought together through the upcoming marriage of their siblings. Dylan and Ziah don’t have much in common and come from opposite worlds, but these two come together under unpleasant circumstances and without knowing how, these two fall for each other. 

Dylan was a unique character whom I loved from the very start. From the outside, he looked like a rich, spoiled and arrogant guy. Hidden underneath those rough edges is a sweet, down to earth, funny and overall great guy. He was super hilarious and he made me smile and laugh out loud every chance he got. Dylan had trust issues when it came to women so he couldn't commit to one girl, but Dylan never led any girl on. He made sure they knew exactly what he wanted. I love how Dylan still found it in him to support his brother, even when he didn’t agree in the beginning. I understood Dylan and I completely connected with him and felt all the pain and betrayal he felt. I found Dylan to be one amazing guy even with all the issues he had with his parents and his brother’s wedding. Dylan was the type of guy you want to keep and never ever want to let go. 

Ziah was character that made this book whole. Smart and intimidating with a powerful voice, Ziah was truly one force to be reckoned with. This girl can dish it out and she can stand on her own. She was a strong girl and she valued love and family as important things. What I loved about Ziah was her ability to forgive and embrace things and the people who did her wrong. Ziah may look tough on the outside, but she definitely had a fun and loving side I loved as well. I loved how she was relatable, reachable and believable as a character. 

Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry’s writing was absolutely stunning. The writing is clean and well blended. They did a great job of developing the characters to point where I got to know them and feel what they were going through. Dylan and Ziah were set a part from each other and had unique voices that I knew exactly whose head I was in without looking. The drama and obstacles the characters had to face were real and true to the story as well. The overall pacing of the story was perfect where Dylan and Ziah’s relationship grew stronger each chapter. The romance was beautifully written, making my heart ache and swell and race at the same time. It was so easy to invest and wrap myself around the romance, it’s no wonder why I fell head over heels in love with this book. Best of all, Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry made sure to add in the snarky, clever, and humorous moments for a fun, fast, and easy read. 

Dizzy is a must-have, must-read book for any contemporary, romance and book lovers out there! 

*Thanks to Nyrae Dawn for sending a copy for review  

Favorite Quotes:

"MARRIED? What? It's worse than I thought. My brother isn't dying; he's gone bat-shit crazy." location 274

"My heart starts to beat all crazy, which means I'm completely ridiculous because it's just a hand. I take it and land way too close to him. And his blue eyes are too close and his warmth is to close and he smells so, so good." location 901

"Of course she has her hair up again, and I not only have to see that little strand hanging down but also her neck. It's a nice neck. I like kissing necks, and I suddenly want to kiss her. What the hell is wrong with me?" location 956.

"One second I'm trying to get away because she's too easy to be around, and the next I'm trying to find ways to spend more time with her." location 1024

"Cake? She's playing dirty again. Cake is like... Well, let's just say that if someone were to put enough nutrition in cake for me to stay alive and only eat cake, I would." location 1111.

"It's just you and me, Hanes. In a battle to make it home before I die of cake consumption." location 1215