Stone Cold Touch (The Dark Elements Book 2)

Stone Cold Touch is the 2nd in the Dark Elements series and it packs a punch from the beginning. We pick up where we left off: Roth got sent to the pits (my heart) and Layla and Zayne are left with the aftermath. Layla has a new life to navigate and to top it all off, her powers start to morph and change in unexpected ways. Her relationship with Zayne is able to reach new heights because she suddenly can kiss him without consequences!And in and even bigger twist of events: Roth comes back with news that could be Earth shattering. And through a series of unfortunate events and plot twists, I give you the ending!Layla and Zayne have always had an intriguing relationship but it could never go too far because they couldn’t kiss. That was debunked after being there for Layla after Roth was sent to the Pits. The thing is is that you want to root for them—they work together. They are wholesome, tender, sweet, compassionate. Everything you could think of in a picture perfect relationship is Layla and Zayne but this is my second time reading the series and I have to say that it was this book that I really didn’t want Layla to be with Zayne, and I felt it early on!Layla and Roth on the other hand have my flipping pages like it’s no body’s business. They’re exciting, electric, beautiful, and ignite some series fires. Roth really plays you in this book and it’s hard to not hate him for about 90%—but stick it out! I think what I loved most about Roth is that he literally walked through fire for her (see the Pits) and that’s not something that Zayne could ever live up to.Stone Cold Touch was heart breaking, and wonderful, and full of oh my god moments. It was everything and nothing. A great follow up to the first!5/5!

This book is about locating the bad guy. It seems as though something or someone is wrecking havoc in the school causing a change in many of the students. The havoc brings together Layla, Zayne and Roth to find out what’s going on and to stop it. While trying to solve the problem, there’s a bit of tug of war with Layla’s heart strings as she struggles with her feelings for both guys.I’m happy for Layla and Roth. Wait no, I’m happy for Layla and Zayne. Apparently, I’m just as torn as Layla. I couldn’t decide either. That is I until I realized Zayne was a better choice, then I was back to Roth. The return of Roth was fantastic. His banter and sarcasm and quick comebacks are perfect. One of my favorite parts was when Maddox said (to Roth) “You think you’re cute? Roth’s response was “Nah, I think I’m sexy.” He makes plenty of comments like this that I find wonderfully funny and sexy. As much as I like Zayne, I still feel like a relationship with Layla is not good for either of them. Abbot clearly doesn’t like Layla, which leads me to wonder why is Layla still living with them. Many of the Wardens don’t like her, making her stay awkward. She’s practically ignored by everyone but Zayne. Zayne is like lightness. He’s sweet, familiar, just as sexy, and he loves Layla and has loved her for some time. At this point I would tell Layla to dump both guys. She needs to get away from them and figure out who she is.

“Love is a strange creature one thinks one has a grasp on and understanding of, only to discover later that it was only the barest taste of the real thing.”“There were many risks, but as my heartbeat skipped, I realized that half demon or not, life was full of risks and I was tired of not living - of not trying.”This is the second book of The Darkest Elements series and it picks up 2 weeks after the events of White Hot Kiss. Roth is in the pits of Hell and Layla is trying to find a way to move on with her life. Then strange things begin happening at Layla’s school and all of a sudden Roth shows up with news. It seems that the ritual they were trying to stop in WHK wasn’t actually stopped and they believed that a Lilin had been created. What follows is shenanigans, angst, love, drama, heartbreak and a h*ll of cliffhanger.I never bought into it when Roth was telling Layla that she had just been a way to pass the time when he had been topside before. It still hurt when he said the things that he did to Layla in the guise of pushing her away for her safety, but it didn’t feel like he meant it because of his body language. Layla, of course, totally bought it. But then again, she’s never been in a relationship, she’s naive and has no idea how to handle things. So, while I was frustrated that she didn’t see it, I also understand.I wasn’t happy when Layla moved on and tried to have a relationship with Zayne. The fact that her feelings for Roth persisted and she had to continuously remind herself of Zayne whenever she was with Roth was a huge red flag to me. I know that Layla loves Zayne but I don’t believe that she was ever IN love with him. I think the same thing applies to Zayne’s feelings for Layla. I believe that he truly cares for and loves Layla but I don’t believe that he was ever actually IN love with her. And it will alway irritate me that he never showed his feelings until there was actually competition in the form of Roth. I still like Zayne, but as I’ve said before I don’t love him in this series. For me it’s always been Roth and Layla. They’ve been my OTP from the beginning and the events in this book were just a road block in the way of that relationship.Now I want to bring up Abbott for a minute. I wasn’t thrilled with him in the first book and this one made me absolutely loathe him. He tries to come off as enlightened and accepting at the beginning but when it really comes down to it he’s just like most of the other Wardens. Seriously, I wanted to reach through the book and punch him. Dez and Nicolai really stepped up in this book and showed their true characters, which made me adore them.The last 25% of this book is so fast paced and full of information that it floored me. And the ending! That was definitely an oh sh*t moment for me and made me want to dive right into the last book.“Something else occurred to me then. Zayne would lock me in a room to keep me safe if he thought there was even a hint of danger in the air. Roth…yeah, he’d tried to get me out of the way, but he wouldn’t shelter me. He would… he would just let me be.”“I love you, Layla. Do you hear me? I’ve loved you since the first moment I heard your voice and I will continue to love you. No matter what. I love you.”

After finishing White Hot Kiss I tore this book apart at the speed of a fully fledged hurricane. I needed to know what was happening! Thankfully, this book picks up just after where White Hot Kiss left off and let me tell you I LOVED IT. I wasn’t expecting to love a series about Gargoyles this much, but it’s such a snappy and original concept I couldn’t help myself!There is a lot of suspense and tension building as the plot thickens around Layla and new supernatural elements are introduced to add an extra level of drama. As always Armentrout’s writing is fun, engaging and just enjoyable to read. Plus we get some more depth on the side characters around Layla, Zayne and Roth which really helps add context and meaning to the decisions they make.Overall this is an excellent sequel to White Hot Kiss and has gotten me really excited to read the final instalment Every Last Breath as soon as possible!

This second installment picks up where it left off in the first one. There are quite a few surprises in store.Zayne, Layla and Roth are stuck in this love triangle. I have mixed feelings about Zayne. He is a good enough chap and a good friend, but he comes up short when it comes to really standing up for Layla. Roth on the other end is a case of "what you see is what you get". His sense of humour and his sarcasm are the highlights of this book besides the plot itself.There are new developments which leave Layla confused and hurt, but nothing is as it seems. Meanwhile, strange things start to happen and getting to the bottom of them isn't that easy. Just when Layla thinks that she can have everything that she dreams of, everything is turned upside down. Her life takes a turn for the worse. Big Time! The treatment she receives is shocking. When it comes to it, will Roth or will Zayne prove to be the one?There are plenty of suspense and surprises along the way. It ends with a cliffhanger and I can't wait to see how it all ends. I like Zayne, but there is something about Roth that makes me root for him. I guess all will be revealed in the finale.

Layla cant have Zayne and even so he cant quite decide if he is loyal to Layla or to the Warden Order that he has been born into its still obvious he is tied strongly to Layla as a part of his family. Growing realisation for Zayne that he feels more for Layla than he ever wished to voice. truly it is a tough one for him and for Layla who doesnt feel she fits in there, even though she is half Warden. there are some things that come to light that help to change Layla. yep I really loved this character.meeting Roth shows her a way forward that she still isnt sure she wants. I like Roth, hes a good character. Sort of perfect guy. Layla finds her way with some of her growing abilities and begins to gain some confidence. its gradual which i like, feels more real, although none of this is real but makes me feel it is. Good writing. I read this a while ago but i just loved this whole series and Zayne, Layla and Roth.

Oh my goodness, Stone Cold Touch was another amazing book in this incredible series. I could not put this book down and I read it in a single day. I loved Layla and Roth so much. The story was incredible, the pacing perfect and I just had to know what happens next.The worldbuilding and the story were so unique and really kept me guessing. But for me the highlight of this book was the characters. I just love the characters in this series so much - I think that I may have my new fave OTP. I really loved so many of the characters and the tension between Layla, Roth and Zayne literally climbed of the page.I would definitely recommned this whole series, and I will be rereading Dark Elements in the very near future.

Ok I say this a lot but what an amazing book!!Jennifer has such an amazing talent when it comes to keeping the plot going at a steady but exciting pace while also making sure your heart is in your throat.My heart broke for Layla and how she is treated and man does she need a break. Does she pick zayne or roth????? Girl have them both!!!And that cliff hanger??? Yep..That happened and now I'm going straight into the final book.