Review: Stone Cold Touch

Title:  Stone Cold Touch
Series:  The Dark Elements #2
Author:  Jennifer L. Armentrout (Website | Twitter)
Age Group:  Young Adult 
Publisher:  Harlequin Teen
Publication Date:  October 21, 2014
Source:  Bought

Every touch has its price
Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could.
But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay… 

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My Review:  Can I just say that I adore this series?  It is one of my absolute favorite reads.  Every time I pick one up, I'm completely caught up in the romance, the humor, and the action!  This story is just so full of tension and I love it.  The thing that's awesome about this novel is that no matter how many horrible or sad things happen (and it happens guys), JLA always throws in a line or two that gets me laughing.  Also: THAT ENDING.  UGH.  

Ya'll know I have to start by talking about the boys.  Normally, I'm not a huge fan of love triangles in novels (they're way over done), but I adore this one.  It just works so well!  The fact that each boy represents a different side of Layla makes it 10x better.  The triangle helps emphasize the struggle that's happening to Layla internally.  Zayne is the long-time crush, good guy, total badass and, yeah, he's freaking amazing.  I like his support of Layla and think they would be fine together...but then there's Roth.  Guys, I'm just going to come right out and say that love Roth.  I want one of my own.  Where Zayne protects Layla, Roth pushes her to become stronger.  Where Zayne ignores the darker sides of her, Roth challenges her to embrace her whole self.  I think that is just so important in their dynamic.  Roth makes Layla stronger by giving her the experiences to test her strength and abilities.  

So....I don't know if you can tell of not but I'm firmly Team Roth.  

Besides the obviously wonderful romantic side of this story, the action and the plot development were amazing.  I felt so terribly for Layla as she began to doubt the only family she'd ever known and even herself.  I just wanted to just into the story and give her a hug because, honestly, things sucked for her for a while there.  I did really like the way she handled it though.  She stayed strong and tried to take the precautions necessary to stop what was happening.  

The end of this book killed me.  I need the third book now.  Like, right now.  Like, three seconds ago now.  JLA has done it once again with a book that had everything in it that she's famous for: romance, humor, tension, and kick ass characters.  Please, just give me the next book now.  

“You’re a pervert,” I said, fighting a grin.

Roth shrugged. “Of all the things someone could call me, that’s hardly the worst.”

“And probably the most true.” 

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