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Conklin's Blueprints by:Brooke Page

                   All covers....3.5-4 Stars

This book was highly recommended to me so I had really high expectations, but in all honestly it fell short I just couldn't love it like I wanted to.

Here's the blurb:


Recent graduate Becca Stine’s all to perfect and predictable life went spiraling out of control when her supposed childhood friend committed the ultimate betrayal. Following college, Becca attempts to bury the pain by retreating into a dangerous lifestyle with her best friend, Jamie Rae. She decides it’s time to grow up after being irresponsible, broken, and out of control. To Becca’s horror, her only option is to return to her hometown of Grand Rapids. Worried she will forever live in the shadow of her prominent family’s notability, Becca decides moving is her only opportunity to get her feet back on the ground. With her best friend in tow, Becca reluctantly heads home to attempt to live her ideal life.
Little does Becca know the owner of the architecture firm she lands a job with has an intriguingly mysterious son. Tyler Conklin is infatuated with Becca, yet is apprehensive about a public relationship because of his hidden baggage. Not wanting anyone to know about his slight obsession with her, their potential relationship must be kept a secret. Will Becca put up with Tyler’s untold story for long? Will she tolerate being his secret?

****

I could really sympathize with Becca and her insecurities, she just let everyone walk all over her. Tyler was like a boy trapped in a man's body, he had so many positive qualities but they really didn't shine through until over half way through the book. I wanted to feel their chemistry more and I did, towards the end which I loved fist pump for Becca! Anyways, all in all a good read and I'll read the next one but I'm not jumping into it right away. 

This is the authors debut novel.

Reading...The Thrill Of It by: Lauren Blakely

I just started this book today. I read the prequel several months ago. This has been on my Kindle for a while and I 'm anxious to read this series.

I still need to review which I will have done by the weekend! :)

Reading...Allure by:Lacey Weatherford

Reading...ARC of Beautiful Addictions by:Season Vining

Review...#VIP by:M.Robinson

I can't even rate this book because I don't know if I loved it or hated it. First off, I have said I hate cheating so going into this book I knew there would be cheating involved.

Sebastian was an only child and grew up with two girls (sisters) and his best friends. He loves them both but is especially drawn to one of them. He grew up with wealth and love. His parents are best friends with their parents and they would love nothing more for Sebastian to grow up and marry one of the daughters. Both daughters love Sebastian but the one he's attracted to makes it known. For fear of hurting the other girl this is a secret he holds on to.

Ysabelle grew up in the projects with a prostitute for a mother who doesn't care for her at all. She is dirty, not fed, sleeps on a mattress her mother uses with costumers and is essentially invisible. Her mom is always high, drunk, and selling herself to which Ysabelle has seen and heard. Once she turns sixteen she runs away to Miami to start a life there, where she starts her career as an escort (VIP).

I can't write this review without writing some spoilers, which are below.

*******

I really liked Sebastian in the beginning, he was confused and young. I could of cared less that he cheated on his high school girlfriend with Olivia. He was a teenager that couldn't figure out his emotions. Sure he could be selfish but what teenager isn't. As he got older and knew his feelings for Olivia he needed to confront Julia and poor Olivia pleaded with him to do so, but he couldn't bring himself to hurt Julia, so again he is forgiven. I figured he's just really trying to be a nice guy and he would eventually come clean and explain to Julia how much he loved her, but a more sisterly love, that never happened. Tragedy strikes and he finds himself wanting Julia to take away his pain and leaning on her. They eventually marry have a child and everything is wonderful...until he meets Ysabelle who looks exactly like Olivia.

So when Olivia and Ysabelle were physically described in the book I knew where this was heading. I did think it may have come out that they were long lost sisters but it didn't which I am grateful. I started to really hate Sebastian he starts having this emotional affair that eventually turns physical and still lives this wonderful life with the "love of his life," while Ysabelle is suffering over her feelings for him and not seeing anyone else. He becomes controlling of her time and schedule so he is the only man she's seeing while resuming to normal at the end of the day.

In the end this is one time I wish the H/h didn't get their HEA. I wish Ysabelle would have gotten hers after leaving VIP with someone else. What is Sebastian going to do, leave his son and move to Turks and Caicos? Or does he expect Ysabelle to up and leave her new home and life? I loved how Ysabelle finally told him off and took off. I just wished it would have ended differently, Sebastian got off way too easy. 

I do commend M.Robinson for this book and her debut novel. It was well written and well thought out. I loved the back story and first half of book but the more it went on I just couldn't sympathize anymore with Sebastian.

Review...Collared By The Cowboy by:Susan Arden

Arc provided.


 I'm not rating this book because it was just okay, I didn't love it or hate it.

Brandon is a Dom that owns a sex club while still maintaining his family ranch. After being scorned by his ex he's had quite the dry spell not even wanting to partake in his kink and getting lost in work. No one has interested him and he's not willing to throw himself out there again...that is until he sees her.

Mia is finishing up grad school and needs an awesome thesis to land her a job far away from this town. She decides to do a case study on woman's sexuality and uncover the world of BDSM. What she doesn't realize is just how much she craves it too. Now working with Brandon,they decide the best way to learn is to practice.

I think this book had a lot of potential. I just thought some of the lines were corny and Brandon bottomed out pretty quickly. I liked Mia's feistiness and sass. It was just a little to fast for me to fall in love and not feel the chemistry.

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read.

#FSOG official trailer!

On YouTube now...I think they make a good Christian and Ana...Remember how we all felt about Edward and Bella.

http://www.fiftyshadesmovie.com/

Review...#NeverMe by:Kate Stewart

I was given an ARC of this book from the author...5 plus stars, I loved it!

Here is the blurb:

I was a thief of men…a whore.

Not the conventional type that got paid for sex. I was the girl you talked about in your sad inner circle. The girl you shielded your boyfriend from as you cleverly covered him with your body when I came near.

I was a threat to you.

Keeping him safe in your grasp was smart.

One week...one incredible week was all it took to forever change me.

I was NEVER going to be you … until I met HIM

Sounds good right?

This book was so much more than that blurb. 

Nadine (h) is a selfish girl, she uses men and tosses them out when she's done; always pursuing the taken ones. She gets a thrill from it and treats it like a game. She is beautiful and knows it. After graduating college her wealthy father gifts her some money, so she pays off her debt and decides to take a road trip to see the ocean with Rory her best friend (her only friend) and her mind set to try and leave her ways behind. That is until she meets him and they start a little game of their own.

Spencer (H) takes a trip with his closest friends to take a break from work pressure and caring for his alcoholic father. He spots a girl running into the ocean fully clothed and he is captivated by her and her beauty.

The two groups form a tight bond quickly spending their week together in Florida and New Orleans. Things start to heat up between Spencer and Nadine and she finds herself breaking all of her rules.

I don't want to write too much more and spoil it but this book was truly amazing. You got to see a nineteen year old girl grow mentally and mature to a woman. You slowly begin to like her, and I'm telling you in the beginning I thought I would hate Nadine. But just like her character she grows on you and the author does a great job of portraying that.

I'm not a big fan of instant love...like after a week or a few days the characters are madly in love. A few months I can do but this book worked for me because the love grew with the characters. I also love a little angst in a book and this is just what it was, a little, not too much where I wanted to throw my Kindle out the window and stop reading but just enough to keep me going and intrigued. 

I highly recommend this book and already told my fellow reader friends about it.  

Thank you to the author for providing me a copy of this wonderful story.

Reading...#VIP #MRobinson

Going into this with an open mind. I know it's about cheating which I hate but I want to support this author and I've heard good things about this book, so here I go.

Read...#NeverMe #KateStewart

 

 

I was provided an ARC from the author. 5  amazing stars!

Review to come.

Finished and slacking...

So I finished ARC of this book and still deciding my rating.

I've been slacking this past weekend, I was away and not on top of reviews. I will post my reviews soon. I just started another ARC...Never Me by: Kate Stewart

 

On sale...

     Both $2.99 on Amazon! I five starred them both.

 



Finished...Tamed by:Emma Chase

                             5 stars! It was just what I wanted...quick, easy, fun read and it makes me want to read Tangled again loved it!

Finished...Conklin's Blueprints by:Brooke Page

4 stars...will review soon

Starting!!

Whats next...

Currently Reading and enjoying.



Next in line and...

This is an ARC.

Review...The Vitamin D Treatment by: Julia Bramer

 3.5 stars
 Here is the blurb...

 Jed Carson is an unscrupulous New York City playboy with a dark past who is bored with his life and determined to break away from his overbearing and ruthless father. Searching for a fresh start and new pleasures, he moves to Colorado and meets Olivia Brown, an innocent young woman grieving her parents' recent death, and he wantonly seduces her and teaches her about sex.

A custody battle, pregnancy and murder complicate their sexual relationship and bring the pair closer together, and a seemingly harmless therapy turns their lives upside down and changes them both forever.


I had a hard time rating this book. The writing is great, the story is great, but I didn't connect with the H/h like I have with other books. It was a little too instant for me. I loved all the events that happened and toward the end of the book I was glued to it. I will definitely be reading the next one and I absolutely loved Julia's most recent book Tumbleweed.

Quick, Easy, Fun, Read.....

Any suggestions?

ARC review...From Hate (#1) by: Lily Simon

3.5-4 stars

***Cliffhanger***

Caleb is a arrogant, mega rich, controlling and did I mention British man that has been asked to turn a failing high school around. Francesca is a strong, independent woman that has made it on her own after leaving her controlling parents. And she just so happens to be a teacher at this high school. When Caleb forms his plan for the school he and Francesca do not start off with the greatest relationship.
 
Caleb finds information and secrets on Francesca and blackmails her into a fake relationship in exchange for not exposing her. Little does Francesca know Caleb has secrets of his own. And what happens when Francesca witnesses something she wasn’t supposed to?

I have mixed fillings about this book (partly because of how it ended) and I think with some good editing it could be a great book. I loved the concept but can't say I liked the H. It's hard for me to read a book when I want to tear the characters eyes out. I loved Francesca, although I thought she could have fought a little harder against Caleb's demands. They definitely had great chemistry and the author portrayed that well in her writing.

There was a mistake with the dual POV's, it switched from his to hers but it was still his perspective. That could be a quick fix I just think it was a typo. Also there was a contradiction with the H when he mentions he hates pet names and then uses them on her and she on him. I have said in previous reviews I have a love/hate relationship with cliffhangers. I am eager to read the next book and find out what happens. 

All in all this book kept me intrigued and I thought it was a great first novel.

Review...My Skylar by: Penelope Ward

  4-4.5stars!

 

Best friends Skylar and Mitch have gone through many obstacles, just when they can finally become more than best friends and be the couple they are meant to be another obstacle gets in the way. That's how their life has been. Now it has been five years and Mitch can't get over her, he sees her again and she's with him. Mitch will stop at nothing to get her back...before it's too late for them both.

I really liked this book and if you haven't read Jake Undone I recommend you do before reading this. My Skylar is a standalone but you are introduced to Mitch and Skylar in Jake Undone.

I loved Mitch and Skylar and their passion and devotion to one another. Mitch was the sweetest friend and boyfriend a girl could ask for and because of one mistake everything went to sh*t. I did feel that Skylar should have been honest with Mitch from the beginning, she really pissed me off because everything could have been avoided if she were just truthful. I found myself yelling at her. I actually didn't think Mitch's big "mistake" was really his fault. A lot of times I can guess what's going to happen but when the other POV came in I was shocked! 

I love angsty books but some of this I just thought could have been avoided early on, not only did this book have a lot angst but it was heartbreaking, heartwarming, and pretty funny. 

Recommended along with authors previous books.

Second Chances by: P.J. Fiala

(3.5 stars)

I received a copy of this book for an honest review.

Sam is a fifty four year old widow; her marriage was far from perfect living with a depressed husband most of the time. Gray is fifty five and divorced and was married to a very vindictive manipulative person. They meet when Gray walks into her place of work and is literally stopped in his tracks when he sees Sam. Sam having a very low self-esteem doesn’t think anything of it and is sure it’s not her that’s gotten him all flustered. She soon realizes that he is very interested when he asks her out. They have an instant love connection and attraction towards each other.
They struggle with Sam’s insecurities especially when it comes to Gray’s exes. His ex-wife is still trying to manipulate him and he is still letting her, and then comes an ex-girlfriend that wants to get back together. Gray has to make a choice and fight for the relationship he has with Sam or continue to be manipulated. Sam has to not let her self-esteem get in the way and stop running from everything.

This book is about the struggles of a new relationship and getting a second chance at love. There is also a little suspense thrown in but I’m not giving it away.

I liked this book but I didn’t love it. I thought it was great to read about an older couple finding love. What I had a hard time with was the length of the book, it was really long. I don’t mind a long book but there was a lot of repetition and detail to things I didn’t think were necessary for the story. I was also constantly confused with all the characters trying to remember who was who. All in all a good story and would recommend to someone looking for something different.

He Belongs With Me by:Sarah Darlington

 
  (4 stars)

Arc provided for an honest review


Identical twins (and very different) Clara and Maggie, both grew up with Leo Maddox, heir to his grandfather's world-famous Maddox hotel empire. Leo has been part of their family and considered family by all. Their roles in Leo's life...Maggie (pegged good girl) the best friend and Clara (pegged rebel)the enemy.

Then comes Dean/Robby the very hot bartender and long time stranger (that both girls have crushed over). He's hiding secrets and Maggie is determined to figure him out.

Lines start to blur between love, friendship and foes. Who will they end up with? 

***Spoiler below***

I thought this story was super cute! Although I thought it was primarily Leo and Clara's story, I wish we got a little more of Dean and Maggie. I found myself liking Clara much more because I think I got more of her story. I also wish Maggie and Clara resolved more of their issues. I think they both meant well but made some bad decisions.

I really enjoyed this book and think it would be great if we could get a second fast forward after college from all four POV's.

Thanks to the author for providing me a copy

Review...The Alphabet Game. The Complete Alpha Series: A to X, Y, Z. 4.5 stars!!

4.5 stars!


Here's the blurb...
 
Stella Mulroney is playing a game. It's taken her two years but she finally has an interview at Gregory & Sons, the top London law firm that looks after her stepfather's interests. She plans to discover what her Multi-millionaire Stepdaddy really invests in and bring him down. Unwittingly, she's caught the attention of Hot Alpha Gabriel 'Gabe' Gregory, son of her Stepfather's top Lawyer. He wants to know why Stella has such a need for revenge and would prefer her to channel that fury into a game of his own, 'The Alphabet Game'. After all, his is much more fun to play. With a thoroughly evil bad guy, secrets, lies, murder, twists, turns, hot sex and love, this is a game not to be missed ...
Genre: Erotic Fiction
 
I read these books in a series of four parts and posted each review to goodreads.

Here is part one...A-E (4-4.5 stars)
I liked the idea behind this book a lot! It kept me captivated from beginning to end and I’m curious to find out what happens next. I thought it was a unique concept for a book and an incredibly sexy way to pick out words for letters.

part two...F-K (4 stars)
Another cute story! I love Stella she is sassy and down to earth. Gabe and her continue their exploration with the alphabet and seem to be connecting on a deeper level but neither of them are ready to admit it. Some issues arise that have Gabe caring for her and leaning on him. It does end in a cliffhanger while visiting her step sister in NY. 

***slight spoilers below***

part three...L-K (4.5 stars)
Gabe and Stella continue their game using letters as they try to figure out what their fathers are hiding. As things start to unfold they are finding out more and more things to take them down. Gabe's true feelings are revealed to Stella and she reveals hers as well. Just when things start to be going their way there is another hiccup....
 I really enjoyed part 3 of this series it just really upset me that Gabe just stormed out on Stella leaving her with his dad (of all people) and right after he confesses his love for her.

part four...S-Z (4.5 stars)
This series starts with Stella trying to get over the fact that Gabe left her with his awful father and coming to terms with her pregnancy. She decides to forgive Gabe but make him grovel...and he does. They continue with their game while finding out the secrets to expose Arnie once and for all. Mitch finally tells the truth as to why he kept so close to Arnie all these years easing some tension between him and Stella.

I loved this series as a whole, it was fun, suspenseful, and steamy. I was glad to see Arnie get what was coming to him and see Gabe and Stella get their HEA.

Review...Pushing the Limits by: Katie McGarry

  5 Stars!

Once popular girl Echo was labeled a freak pratically over night. She went from having the jock boyfriend and popular girlfriends to a loner. She only had one friend stand by her. She hides her scars and doesn't know how or remember how they got there. She's trying to just get through her school year without dealing with her scars (physical and mental) or anyone and leave it all behind when she graduates.

Once popular jock Noah is now labeled the girl-using, stoner, loner, bad boy. He doesn't play sports anymore and isn't doing well in school. When Echo and Noah's paths collide they don't realize how much they need each other. Other than an instant connection they are more alike then they believe.

This was one of the best YA books I've read. I couldn't put this book down. It made me laugh and cry and scream at the H/h and their "families." This is how high school is and how people are treated and behave. I could relate to some of the situations and girls described in this book.  I'm not going to write any spoilers but this is a must read. It is a series but no cliffhanger (thank god). The series is based on the secondary characters in this book.

***Highly Recommend***

Read...will review this weekend

My Skylar by: Penelope Ward

Pushing the Limits by: Katie McGarry

Series: The Alphabet Game by: Andie M. Long (ARC)

Cover Reveal...Kill Devil Hills by: Sarah Darlington

Author: Sarah Darlington
Genre: New Adult Romance
Release Date: August 5, 2014
More info: Goodreads

Synopsis:
He’s twenty-four. She’s eighteen.

His life is exactly the way he’s always wanted it to be...stable.
She’s quite possibly the very definition of unstable.

Noah saved her. Georgina never wanted to be saved.

Growing up, Noah Clark was passed from one relative to the next until he finally ended up living with his abusive, alcoholic uncle in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. Thanks in part to the unwavering love and support of his best friend, Ellie Turner, Noah survived those years, escaped his uncle, and grew into the man he is today. Now he runs his own business and lives a pretty normal, no-nonsense life—one where he maintains a high level of control.

Georgina is Ellie’s younger sister. Four months ago, Noah saved Georgie’s life, but he thought that was where his involvement with his friend’s sister would end. Now Georgie has returned home from the recovery facility her parents sent her away to and Noah, still haunted by the night that connects them, can’t stop himself from continuously trying to protect this girl he barely knows. But is he willing to give up all of the control he’s worked so hard to build in his life and risk everything for her? Even more importantly, would she do the same for him?

Dear Clementine (Dearest #1) By: Lex Martin Reviewed on Goodreads May 11th.

Arc provided for an honest review. 5 stars!

Clementine is considered closed off and bitchy but she could care less. She has had a rough go; her parents are absent, she caught her boyfriend cheating on her with her best friend and her professor stalked her freshman year. So staying closed off is what she thinks she wants and needs. She has only two close friends and it took her some time to trust them. She will not date and has no interest in dating until she needs inspiration for her romance writing class.

Gavin is a RA and close to her group of friends and he really wants to help her find her inspiration...so when he offers she accepts even if it means some hot make out sessions. As Gavin and Clem start becoming close her walls start to come down but is she ready for the next step or is this all for her book?


I loved this book! It was so well written and I loved the characters. It had a little mystery, was a little angsty, hot guys, and good group of friends. I'm glad Clem was able to resolve her issues with her ex and move forward as well as get things straight with her brother and Kade. I devoured this book and will definitely be reading the authors next one.

Finding Dandelion (Dearest #2) by:Lex Martin

4.5-5 stars! ARC provided by author for an honest review.

Jax encounters Dani on his twenty-first birthday, they have an instant connection and heat. . After one steamy encounter Jax takes off (with another woman) and leaves Dani. The problem is they don't know each other and how their connected and Dani doesn't expect is to see him again so soon.
 
Jax just so happens to be Dani's roommates twin brother and he doesn't recognize her. Now that Dani knows who Jax is, she's all to familiar with his reputation and his player ways. Her head is telling her to stear clear but her heart might have other plans.

Jax  doesn't know why Dani seems so familiar and why he can't keep her from his thoughts but he has never wanted another girl like he does her...to bad one of his number one rules is not to date any of his sisters friends, or roommates for that matter. 

When they accidentally collide and end up spending Thanksgiving together, will they be able to maintain a friendship? Will Jax get over his player tendencies and trust Dani? Will she be able to trust him and tell him the truth about their one night together?



I really really enjoyed this book. I actually had to get my tissues out at one point. I thought the characters had depth and emotion. I loved and hated Jax at times.

Lex (the author) wrote at the end of her book that she hoped Jax  redeemed himself to the readers and  I say absolutely! There are many books that I don't think the H/h should get redemption but I think Lex did a great job making Jax likable and he did have a lot of redeeming qualities. 

Thank you for another great read. I will post my review for her first book Dearest Clementine. I recommend both.

I am on a roll...so many great books lately!

Reading now

Pushing the Limits by: Katie McGarry

Read...Checked by: Jennifer Jamelli

4 stars!

This book was a nice change of pace. Not your typical love story and HEA. There are two more books so things might change but it does end off with a bit of a cliff hanger.

Here is the blurb:


Callie spends countless hours staring at appliances to make sure they are really unplugged. She wastes obscene amounts of time checking for murderers in various corners of her house and entire sleepless nights performing pointless checking rituals. Then every spare minute is filled with inspecting doorknobs, chairs, floors, etc. for minuscule traces of germs. Oh, and she does all of this as she counts to three over and over again in her head. She does this every day. Without fail. Dr. Blake just doesn't fit into her schedule. Until he does. Until Callie begins to trust him. Until she starts to need him. And want him. And...

If that doesn't grab you?

I loved Callie and Aiden (Dr. Blake). They both have serious issues he's trying to help her overcome an extreme case/illness of OCD while battling his own past demons. He gets her like no one else does and she does have a great support system. This isn't your typical story where she was neglected as a child or brought up in a bad family environment. Her family loves her and supports her and want to help her. This is a story of trust, love, and a little crazy. I've already purchased the second and can't wait to continue their story.

Read...New Leaves, No Strings by: C.J. Fallowfield (ARC)

This book was provided by author for an honest review...4 stars!

I needed to cool down before I wrote this. ;)

 Mia and Lexi are best friends and ready to start new at a University they make a pact to turn over a new leaf. Mia’s going to lose her virginity with no strings attached sex and Lexi is going to try ditching her one night stands and attempt to have a relationship. They both have bad pasts that's made them both afraid to commit.
 
When Gabe enters Mia life she didn’t count on how quickly he inserts himself in to it. He's hot, confident ans sexy and they are drawn to each other like no other. But Mia's fears of attachment cause a constant strain and soon Gabe realizes he wants more from Mia than just no strings attached sex. They both have strong domineering personalities and struggle over control. They fall in love quick but is it enough to keep them together with Gabe's fear of being abandoned and Mia's fear of commitment?

Who thought an 18 and 19 year old could be that experimental? Anyways, I really liked this book but thought there were a few flaws that kept it from being 5 stars for me. The main one being their first encounter together...they had already been pretty sexual so when he saw blood and asked if it was her time of the month I thought that was strange because he had already been up close and personal with her and would have known that, and to me I just thought it was too fast I would have liked more of a build up to their relationship. I also have a love/hate relationship with cliffhangers so I felt frustrated with the ending.

I loved Lexi and can't wait to read more about her as well.  All in all a really good read but be prepared to want the second book ASAP and there are 5 more in the series (hopefully no more crazy cliffhangers)!

Finished...Beautiful Oblivion by:Jamie McGuire

4-4.5 stars!

Cami and Trent (Maddox) grew up together, Cami has avoided him since they were kids. She's always known and heard to avoid a Maddox and that's exactly what she's done...until Trent starts paying her more attention; more than he ever has. He is a known player and doesn't do relationships. Cami is in a relationship with T.J. and this relationship has lots of secrets. While Cami's boyfriend lives in California they try to make the distance work but HIS work keeps interfering. Cami and Trent form a close friendship and bond and soon Cami is confused to her feelings for him. Trent knows what he wants and he'll do anything to have Cami. On top of the secrets Cami has about her boyfriend she also has some serious family issues and over bearing brothers to deal with.

I wanted to be able to give this book 5 stars. I loved Beautiful Disaster so when Jamie was coming out with a series with all the brothers  I was elated, but I didn't quite love it like I did BD. I thought this book was very good and really loved Trent and Cami as a couple but I didn't get that instant chemistry and angst like I did with BD. It was really close to being 5 stars but I guessed the big secret and reveal early on so it wasn't a huge shock to me. With that said I looooove Jamie and think she's an amazing writer and will so be reading about the other Maddox brothers!

This book is definitely recommended!!

July...Reading

   Started today!!


Lots of books to read in July and I still need to review Checked by Jennifer Jemelli.  I have quite a few ARC's to read as well but right now I need a little "Maddox" in my life.