These books give me so much anxiety, but they’re like crack! I seriously can’t look away. The plot ‘twist’ revealed in this one was super predictable from the moment they boarded the ship, but that’s okay.

Kayla drives me absolutely INSANE. She’s the most reckless and ridiculous character possibly ever. Like she’s sick, having memory issues, knows there is something physically wrong and still insists on rushing in, following, ignoring requests for her to stay put. They have to physically restrain her to keep her from rushing out and putting other people’s lives at risk! I get that she wants to help, but she just doesn’t know when to step back and let more experienced people take the reins. Even thinking that their little ragtag band of an academy team (that specializes in information gathering FYI) should somehow be the ones responsible for a full take down and money recovery because she doesn’t want to hand the info off to the authorities and not get the thrill of the takedown?? Wtf is wrong with the girl.

After: yep, finished in a day lol. I didn't really care too much about the actual plot line (the bad guys on the cruise ship), but man oh man, the personal stuff MORE than made up for it. Whew. I'm gonna need a cold shower now lol. Especially that one chapter. Yeah, you know the one. Yowza.

Putting the rest in spoilers, because I want to talk about some stuff...don't click it if you haven't read the book yet or unless you really want to know everything that happened lol.

Spoiler

I'm glad the "lady cramps" now seem to be explained by her illness. That was icky. I enjoyed the sexy times (very much) but I had a problem with how she portrayed them. Kayli had sex with 2 guys within 24 hours of each other and neither used protection, but it was okay because he pulled out or he was snipped or she started her period (supposedly) already? That's not okay. That's not how things should be portrayed in a book aimed for young adults (I'm considering 18-25 ya here). Show some responsibility please!

Okay, that stuff aside...the chapter with Corey and Raven kissing zomg I almost squealed out loud but contained myself. (Good thing since I was at my sister's orchestra concert hah!) That was some good stuff right there. And I am sooooo glad she went there! I can't wait to see how that plays out. Also, I'm glad they're finally off that boat.

I almost forgot about the marriage at the end!! That was totally unexpected. I *really* can't wait to see how that works out (or doesn't).

Finally, in the last Ghost Bird book, Kayli & team showed up at the camp right? I was really looking forward to seeing her side of it in the next Scarab Beetle book. Is the timeline off? Maybe it'll be in the next book? I hope so. And OMG PLEASE FIND WIL FOR EFF'S SAKE!!

Before: I always say that I'm going to take my time reading these to make them last, but then I get the email that my preorder is available and I'm like "naaaahhh....reading now!!" :) So I'll probably be done with this by tomorrow and then destined to wait again.

Just finished rereading Hoax by C. L. Stone, which is the 5th book in her Scarab Beetle series. This book picks up where Accessory leaves off, so Kayli and Blake are still stranded on land while everyone else is on the cruise ship trying to help Ethan. Now not only does Kayli need to find and stop the investor, she has to find a way back on to the boat and back to her Academy guys. Give this series a try, it is addicting!

Oh yeah baby!

Too much fluff, not enough explanation. Unrealistic acceptance from the guys, their strong personalities just willingly giving the heroine everything with no questions asked. It's not the characters she has built in the previous novels. I expected a little resistance before agreeing, not just rolling over and giving in with no second thought and having the guy from the other team explain to them all at once so we didn't get their reactions until afterwards was a huge cop out. Extremely disappointed. And of course, GET AN EDITOR!

Another addicting story to the series!!

Best book in this series by far...

Hoax has really kicked this series up a notch and has quickly become my favorite so far. I love the direction this author is steering towards and I'm anxiously awaiting for the next book release.

OK... The 5th book in The Scarab Beetle series didn't do much for me. Maybe because there's been quite a while since I read the previous 4 books and the momentum is just simply gone. I had forgotten the 'group' chemistry and happenings. I guess it's always the risk factor with series.

I always loved Raven's character. I have something for book-Russians. Exotic... yet not really because Russians are just across the border from me and plenty of them in Estonia. So, that would allow me to always put a critical eye to the Russian characters in books- are they well done or not. Raven is.

The only, and I mean the only, bit I loved about this book was Raven and Corey's development. That was truly and utterly HOT! Raven and Corey are extremes to each other in terms of their personalities but I could see them working out so so so well. I think I'm actually going to highlight this section in the book and read it again... that was intense! :D

Other than that, as said, I had forgotten the stories 'crime' line and the momentum was just gone for me and I skipped quite a bit of 'pondering' bits in the book just to get the lowdown and move on.

Will I read the next book or will I stop with the series here? I wouldn't not know the answer to this.

Oh my gods! This book rocked. I couldn't put it down so I stayed up all night to read. I can't wait until the next book comes out.

I highly recommend this series as well as the authors other series. You won't be disappointed.