{Book Review} Wrong Bed, Right Guy (Come Undone #1) by Katee Robert

I really wanted to like this one because it has a lot of the tropes I love. Unrequited love!!!! Y'all, it's my favorite. But I just could not get into these characters. Ok, I take that back. I could not get into Elle. I liked Gabe! I like Nathan! I did not like Elle. This book starts out with Elle climbing into bed with her boss. Except it's not him she's seducing, it's his brother, who has blown into town. Normally I'd be all about that in a book but for some reason it just did not work for me this time. I'm sad about it. I think my issue with it is that Nathan (Elle's boss) didn't give her any reason to think he was interested but yet she sort of broke into his place at night to climb into his bed! Consent, man.

I spent a lot of time yelling at Elle. Every single thing Gabe did seemed to be not good enough for her. Because of his appearance (hello tattooed dude) Elle judged him. She also judged herself for being attracted to him, all because she had history with "bad boys" and it never turned out well. I get that, mostly, except she kept on and on about it and Gabe did nothing but try over and over to prove himself to her. Every little thing that went wrong, Elle blamed Gabe for. Of course he wasn't perfect and made mistakes, but compared to how Elle treated him he was fine, in my opinion. It made me crazy. There were times that I really wanted Gabe to walk away and be done with her.

Like I said, I really wanted to love this because I'd heard rave reviews about Katee Robert books but I just could not.

{COMING SOON} The Rake by Melanie Marchande

I’ve had it up to here with billionaires.
Devon Wakefield, founder of a billion-dollar sleaze empire, is certainly no exception. He doesn’t see the problem. I might be the most successful matchmaker in the business, but even I can’t find a partner for somebody who founded a “dating website” populated exclusively by dirtbags and lowlifes looking for some kind of illicit action. Sure, he puts on a classy front, but how the hell am I going to convince anybody else that’s who he really is, when I don’t believe it myself? He’s not going to stop until he gets what he wants. And this time, what Mr. Wakefield wants is a bride. But what kind of woman would fall for a man like that?

Our heroine, Cassie, is a matchmaker. Not just any matchmaker, THE BEST. The last thing she wants to do is take on Devon Wakefield as a client, but eventually he wins her over...but he turns out to be an even more difficult client than she anticipated.

In this scene, she's trying to get him to talk about his preferences, so she can find just the right woman. She has a photo book of glamor shots for people who have trouble articulating what they want, because picking their favorites usually helps her get a good idea of what they like - but Devon manages to derail the conversation....

-

I reach into a desk drawer and pull out the binder labelled “Women.” Yeah, yeah. Like I said, I do feel kind of gross about it. But it’s a living.

I make a serious effort to soften my tone as I push the binder across the desk to him. “Why don’t you go ahead and pick out some of your favorites from these shots? That’ll help me get a better sense of who I should be looking for.”

He glances at me, a little suspiciously. He thinks this is some kind of test. I don’t know why he’s so determined to work with me, but I should probably try to tone down the judgment, in the interest of professionalism. Even if he does have almost exactly the personality type I was expecting.

As he flips through the pictures, a little too quickly, shaking his head a bit, I wonder if this is going to work at all. If he can’t give me some concrete idea of what he’s after, besides this centerfold bio bullshit - I mean, I’m shocked he didn’t put “likes long walks on the beach” on there - I really can’t help him. I can’t even try. He’s too guarded. And maybe that’s a little bit my fault, but really. What matchmaker wouldn’t balk at this task?

“You know, I always used to wonder if gynecologists get desensitized,” he muses, out loud. His finger’s marking the halfway point in the binder, but he’s not really looking at the pictures. “I always thought, what a terrible sacrifice that would be to make. Who would choose that profession? I mean, if you didn’t like vaginas to begin with, that’d be one thing…”

“Here’s a hot tip,” I cut in. “Don’t open with this conversation on a date.”

He chuckles. “We’re not dating, Cassandra,” he says, glancing up at me with sparkling eyes. It’s all I can do not to acknowledge the little flutter in my chest.
God damn it. Why does he have to be the sexiest client I’ve ever had?

“I know that,” I snap. My patience has already worn thin; he has that effect on me. “Do you have a point, or did you just want to see how many times you could get away with saying vagina in a business meeting?”

“This is hardly a traditional business meeting,” he points out, catching his lower lip between his teeth for a brief moment and then releasing it. “Vaginas are kind of central to the whole thing.”

“That’s two.” I raise the appropriate number of fingers. “I think you broke the world record. Can we move on?”

--

LINKS

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25391834-the-rake
iBooks Preoder - https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-rake/id991344891?mt=11&uo=6

{Review} Streamline by Jennifer Lane

Streamline by Jennifer Lane
Goodreads - Twitter - Website
Format: Paperback, 460 pages
Published March 27th 2012 by Omnific Publishing

Seems like Leo Scott has it all: looks, brains, and athletic talent. He's captain of his high school swim team with a bright future in college and beyond. But Leo has secrets. His mother's crippling car accident has devastated his family and left Leo to deal with his father's abuse, battered and alone.
Leo's girlfriend Audrey Rose is poised for her own share of success. As one of Florida's top high school swimmers, Audrey dreams of college swimming stardom. But there's an obstacle to her glorious rise to the top. Her number-one supporter -- her father -- is in prison for murder.
Part murder mystery, part tale of young love in a military family, this gripping story takes readers on a journey from Pensacola to Annapolis. Leo and Audrey must band together to rise above the adversity they encounter and find their true selves in the process. When everything's on the line... streamline.

Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Drug abuse, Mental and physical abuse, Teen sex

I'm not even sure where to begin with this one. Streamline is such a heart tugging, sweet story with a bit of mystery.  Leo is a great kid but he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. He's constantly worried about his family and his girlfriend. There's this great need in him to fix things for everyone. It's hard to see him go through some of the stuff he does. Especially with his father.  Audrey is a sweet and supportive girlfriend. She definitely has way more stress in her life than a teenager should. Between worrying about Leo and her own family, plus her swimming career, phew it's a lot. Even though the story is about Leo and Audrey both, I feel like he is really the 'star' and that's ok with me. I don't normally connect with a teenage boy when I'm reading but I did with Leo. Streamline is not an easy read. When I say that the reason is because there is physical, mental, and drug abuse, teen pregnancy, suicide. It's a lot to take in and I had to read it in starts and stops until I made it to the middle of the book. At that point things started moving so fast I didn't want to stop. I had to know what would happen next. If I had to say there was one thing I didn't like about Streamline it would that at the end of the book I'd have liked a look at everyone in the future. But really, that is such a small thing in the grand scheme of things. Streamline hit all of my 'feels' and I loved every word of it. 
Just as a side note, it's on sale for $2.99 for kindle right now. I'm not sure how long it will last!
Purchase: Amazon - B&N

{Book Review} Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Publication Date: April 22nd 2014
Publisher: by Broadway Books
Author Twitter - Author GoodReads

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer?

What. In. The. World. This book!!!!! I've read so many comments about how messed up it is and how the ending is ridiculous. I've had a million theories as I've read. I've thought about it constantly. It's shocked me left and right. It's made me never want to get married. Ever.  There were parts where I guessed what was happening, other bits that blew me out of the water. The writing was fantastic. I felt everything these characters felt. Kudos to the author.  The only complaint is the way it ended because now I'm just trying to figure out what happens next.  I'm giving it five stars because I feel like I can't go any lower. When a book messes with your head this much it deserves the top rating. Good gracious.  Yeah, never getting married.
These are my personal observations and thoughts regarding this book. Any and all books blogged about here are paid for with my personal money unless otherwise specified within the review. If you have questions please feel free to contact me.

{Book Review} If I Stay (If I Stay #1) by Gayle Forman

If I Stay (If I Stay #1)

by Gayle Forman

Published April 2nd 2009 by Dutton Books for Young Readers

Just listen, Adam says with a voice that sounds like shrapnel.
I open my eyes wide now.
I sit up as much as I can.
And I listen.
Stay, he says.

Choices. Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones: Stay true to her first love—music—even if it means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind?

Then one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it's the only one that matters.

If I Stay is a heartachingly beautiful book about the power of love, the true meaning of family, and the choices we all make.

This was a really quick read for me, as I'd heard it would be. If I Stay was beautifully written. 

Normally I'd have gotten bored with a book that spent most of it's time in one location, only giving me random bits about Mia's life before. But not with this one. 

My only "complaint" is I would have liked more scenes with Mia and her family. But otherwise, absolutely stunning. The character development was lovely. I felt as if I was seeing everything through Mia's eyes and that kept me entranced. I laughed, I swooned, I cried (a lot). Great read!

{Book Review} Clipped Wings by Helena Hunting

Clipped Wings by Helena Hunting

Publication Date: Mar 4, 2014  Publisher: Gallery

An emotional love story that follows the touch-and-go relationship of Hayden and Tenley; two young people who desperately want to love and be loved but are afraid to completely let go of their pasts. As Hayden and Tenley navigate their newfound but slightly unstable relationship, they want to trust each other, but Hayden is hiding a dark and shameful past that he doesn't ever want Tenley to find out about. And Tenley has secrets of her own that could make Hayden run away forever. When Tenley asks Hayden to put a beautifully elaborate tattoo across her back, the two form what they thought was an unshakeable bond. But when Tenley's past shows up on her doorstep, will Hayden stand by her side...or run?

Contemporary, Romance, Angst, Series

Adult content

I don't know that I have the appropriate words needed to talk about how beautiful a book Clipped Wings truly is. I'd read it in it's original form, as Twilight fan fiction so I was eager to get my hands on the published version. Sometimes you never know what changes (if any) are made when a fan fiction gets pulled offline and picked up by a publisher. That doesn't really bother me, I have to admit, because I like revisiting 'old friends'. 

Clipped Wings was one of the first fan fiction stories I read and it has stuck with me since. It's hard to write a review for a book that you absolutely love and adore and not give too much away. Clipped Wings is packed with raw emotion and a lot of angst. I know that's not everyone's cup of tea but I love a touch of heartichoke mixed in with my eventual romance and spiciness. And let me just say that the spice and the romance are both there in spades. 

Ms. Hunting does a gorgeous job with both of those. Hayden is that guy you want to hug and heal. Tenley is that girl you want to see fit in her own skin and grow as a confident person. Both of these characters have had some really terrible things happen in their lives. They definitely make you want to bawl your eyes out a time or two. The writing in some scenes is so powerful I found it effecting my mood. I was a roller coaster ride up until I finished reading. This is not a complaint at all, but almost a compliment that a story could make me react so strongly. The changes that were made in the book, compared to what I remember when I read it as FF are great. I believe they definitely strengthened my love for Hayden and Tenley, as well as the secondary characters. 

I really wish I could be more specific because so many things occur that are important to the overall aspect of why I loved the book. Since I can't do that, here's a small list of stuff I loved: The Kitten, Hayden's passion for artistry, as well as hard exterior/soft interior, Tenley's strength and calm nature, Friendships between the small group of characters, Raw emotions and the slow slide into love, Cupcakes!!

Things I did not love: That cliffhanger! But that's ok because I've moved on to Inked Armor and I get to love up on more of Tenley and Hayden. I have to admit that I received a copy via NetGalley through the publisher but I was not having any part of that and bought my own copy with my own money so I could have it in print. That's how much I love this series.

{Book Review} REAL by Katy Evans

REAL by Katy Evans
Published April 8th 2013 by Smashwords Edition
GoodReads

A fallen boxer.
A woman with a broken dream.

A competition...
He even makes me forget my name. One night was all it took, and I forgot everything and anything except the sexy fighter in the ring who sets my mind ablaze and my body on fire with wanting...
Remington Tate is the strongest, most confusing man I've ever met in my life.
He’s the star of the dangerous underground fighting circuit, and I’m drawn to him as I've never been drawn to anything in my life. I forget who I am, what I want, with just one look from him. When he’s near, I need to remind myself that I am strong—but he is stronger. And now it’s my job to keep his body working like a perfect machine, his taut muscles primed and ready to break the bones of his next opponents...
But the one he’s most threatening to, now, is me.
I want him. I want him without fear. Without reservations.
If only I knew for sure what it is that he wants from me?

It's no secret that I really love when the male lead in a book is hard and tough and hard headed and just...frustrating beyond belief. I don't know what it is about that but I love it.

Remington is definitely that personality type. I never knew what he was going to do next and I couldn't really get into his head, even when he began to open up to Brooke. This is in no way a complaint. Though Remington could be frustrating I enjoyed slowly learning about him.

Brooke is such a juxtaposition when you consider Remington. She's classy and lady like. Not the kind of girl you'd think would be interested in a boxer. Then again, I don't know that I would have thought he'd be interested in her either. But I always enjoy it when the male and female lead are entirely opposite but somehow still 'work'.

There's good chemistry between the two, which is always a plus when reading a romance heavy book. I liked that it wasn't solely about the romance though. There's back story on both Remington and Brooke, which made them more well rounded characters and the book a lot more 'real' (no pun intended).

REAL is a good book and I enjoyed Katy Evans style. I'm curious to see how the rest of this series goes.

{Book Review} Frenched (Frenched #1) by Melanie Harlow

Frenched (Frenched #1) Melanie Harlow

Published March 16th 2014

When Tucker Branch, playboy heir to Branch Bolt and Screw, screws and bolts a week before their wedding, Mia Devine wants nothing more than to crawl under her newly monogrammed sheets and plan a funeral for her dignity. But her friends convince her that bitter tastes better when it’s drowned in Bordeaux, so Mia grits her teeth and packs her bags, determined to make the best of her luxurious Paris honeymoon—alone.

She never planned on meeting Lucas Fournier. The easygoing bartender’s scruffy good looks and less-than-sympathetic ear annoy her at first, but when she takes him up on his offer to show her around the city, she discovers that the romance of Paris isn’t just a myth. The last thing Mia needs is another doomed love affair, but since she only has a week, she figures she might as well enjoy la vie en O with Lucas while she can. But each day—and night—with Lucas is better than the last, and suddenly her heart is telling her this is more than a rebound fling. Is it just the seduction of Paris…or could this be the real thing?

I don't know why but I really this type of plot. Girl jilted, finds love with someone else. Of course that someone else is ten times hotter than her ex and the chemistry is off the charts. Frenched was a pretty quick read for me because of that very story line.

Mia is a character I could see myself being friend with. Lucas is that guy that makes you stutter and swoon because he's so smooth and sexy. I laughed a lot and the hotness was pretty far up the charts.

{Book Review} Cupcakes and Ink (Clipped Wings 0.5) by Helena Hunting

Cupcakes and Ink (Clipped Wings 0.5)
by Helena Hunting
Published February 3rd 2014 by Pocket Star

Tenley Page is looking for a new start: a new city, a new apartment, a new life. Her plan is to keep to herself and stay focused. But leaving her past behind and starting over isn’t as easy as she thought. And neither is maintaining her solitude. As Tenley settles into her new surroundings, she finds herself drawn to Inked Armor, the tattoo studio across the street. But it’s the gorgeous, dark-haired tattoo artist who captures her interest. There’s something about his severe beauty that captivates her—and not just in her waking hours.
Covered in the ink he inscribes on other people’s skin, Hayden Stryker has made a career out of being a tattooist. He’s got his own business and a tight circle of friends. As far as he’s concerned, that’s all he needs. At least until his aunt, who owns the antiques and used book store across from his tattoo studio, hires a new employee. At first his intrigue is based on physical appeal; hot chick equals something nice to look at. But as he begins to catch glimpses of the fiery personality under the fragile, feminine exterior, his fascination with Tenley grows. Annoyed by his inability to control his fixation, Hayden decides the best way to cure him of the new obsession is to get to know the girl under her skittish façade.
But like the ink he wears as armor, Tenley has the ability to get under his skin and stay there.

Contemporary, Romance, Angst
Series

I'd been anticipating this series for a while! I read it as Twilight fanfiction many many books and stories ago and it has remained a favorite for me.

Cupcakes and Ink is a bit of a prequel novella type thing to whet the whistle until Clipped Wings release. It's a peek into what Hayden and Tinley's lives were like before meeting.

I don't necessarily think it has to be read before starting book 1 of the series but it doesn't hurt. Cupcakes and Ink is beautifully written and tugs at the heart strings -- two things I love when reading a good book.

{Book Review} The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published Date: Sept 30, 2008
Author Twitter - Author GoodReads

When U.S. Marine Logan Thibault finds a photograph of a smiling young woman half-buried in the dirt during his third tour of duty in Iraq, his first instinct is to toss it aside. Instead, he brings it back to the base for someone to claim, but when no one does, he finds himself always carrying the photo in his pocket. Soon Thibault experiences a sudden streak of luck—winning poker games and even surviving deadly combat that kills two of his closest buddies. Only his best friend, Victor, seems to have an explanation for his good fortune: the photograph—his lucky charm. Back home in Colorado, Thibault can’t seem to get the photo—and the woman in it—out of his mind. Believing that she somehow holds the key to his destiny, he sets out on a journey across the country to find her, never expecting the strong but vulnerable woman he encounters in Hampton, North Carolina—Elizabeth, a divorced mother with a young son—to be the girl he’s been waiting his whole life to meet. Caught off guard by the attraction he feels, Thibault keeps the story of the photo, and his luck, a secret. As he and Elizabeth embark upon a passionate and all-consuming love affair, the secret he is keeping will soon threaten to tear them apart—destroying not only their love, but also their lives. Filled with tender romance and terrific suspense, The Lucky One is Nicholas Sparks at his best—an unforgettable story about the surprising paths our lives often take and the power of fate to guide us to true and everlasting love. (SOURCE)

This is another one of those books I read because I saw the movie and loved it. ZAC EFRON! SHIRTLESS. Anyway, that's not the point (but you're welcome for that visual). I often times love a good Nicholas Sparks story. Because I'm a sap like that. Also, because most of this stories are about small southern towns, which is another personal favorite.

I went into this book knowing it would vary from the movie, and I'm ok with that since in most cases the book is much more detailed and gives me the 'more' I need. Because I always want more when it comes to a love story involving a military man. I, in particular, have a soft spot for Marine's (and SEALs, but that's a different post) so Logan having been in the service made me happy.

That part aside, The Lucky One is a really sweet story. I know a lot of people eye roll Nicholas Sparks because he has the same type of story every time. But I don't care! I'm a sucker for a romance of any kind and Sparks always gets to me with his. Sometimes it's hard to read a book after watching the movie, because you have these characters and scenes from the screen stuck in your head. I don't think it distracted me this time though, if anything it was helpful while I read. Logan and Elizabeth were both great characters.

I really enjoyed the setting of the story as well as the pace. 3.5 stars for me!

{Book Review} Mr. 365 by Ruth Clampett

Mr. 365 by Ruth Clampett

Publication date: Nov 19, 2013 Publisher: Clampett Studio Collections
Author Twitter - Author GoodReads

When reality show producer Sophia is assigned to convince Christmas fanatic Will to be on their holiday special, she imagines him to be an oddball momma’s boy wearing a reindeer Christmas sweater. What she doesn’t expect is the handsome, mysterious man who captures her attention, and seems determined to win her heart. Their attraction is undeniable, and as charming Sophia convinces Will to work with her, she slowly unwraps the secrets in his past that make this determined and soulful man still yearn for the childhood he never had. When the chaos of production starts, will Sophia be able to keep her promises to protect Will from being exploited, or will the bitter truth of reality television be a runaway train of disaster for both of them? Join Sophia, Will and his dog Romeo to enter the world of his enchanting holiday house where stars shine indoors and snow is always falling…365 days of the year. (SOURCE)

Contemporary, Adult, Romance
Warnings: Detailed sex scenes

The thing about Mr. 365 that caught my attention was the premise. It was different than anything I've read or heard about. I found myself intrigued and bumped Will's story up on my list of things to read. I'm writing this review long after I read the book and my heart still goes out to him and what he went through.

It's not often I say I wasn't wild about the female lead in a book but there were times Sophia rubbed me wrong. She was incredibly sweet, but I almost felt like she was manipulating Will at times. It wasn't even that I thought she was doing it on purpose because I don't think she was. That aside, I loved the writing and the characters had many redeeming qualities.

When Sophia and Will first meet sparks fly immediately. The only thing is, she's not suppose to get involved with her subjects. It's obvious though, that it'll be impossible for the two to stay away from one another. The description of Will's house really pulls the reader into the story. Once it becomes obvious why he is so into Christmas, it gives Will's character a lot more dimension. At first, everyone assumes he's just a little crazy to be into the holiday year round but it's clearly not true. Sadly, he often gets taken advantage of because of this.

Sophia's dream is to be a producer of documentaries. A reality tv show is just a stepping stone to her goal. Little does Sophia know, not everyone she works with has the same thoughts as she. The project she's shooting is a little different than what she's expecting. Will trusts Sophia, which is hard for him given his past so she's determined to make their time together a success. Things get sticky though, especially with them becoming involved.

Their friendship grows, as does their love for one another. Hearts and trust get broken when things get a little bit twisted. I found myself feeling more sympathy for Will than Sophia. I sort of felt like she should have realized something weird was going on, though that may seem silly. I blamed Sophia a good bit for what happened between the pair. BUT I enjoyed the story, so I guess it's not always a bad thing when a character does things that don't make sense to you. Ruth has a great way with words and I can't wait to read more of her stories.

{Book Review} Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman 
Publication Date: June 1, 1996 Publisher: Berkley
Author twitter Author Goodreads

All Gillian and Sally Owens wanted was to escape from the eccentric aunts who raised them. One would do so by marrying, the other by running away. But the bonds they shared, even into adulthood, brought them back--almost as if by magic. (SOURCE)

Contemporary, (Some?) Romance

Adult content

This is a book that has been on my bookcase for much longer than I can remember. I'd wanted to read it after watching the movie starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, but as always, there are so many books and too little time.

Finally, after deciding I'd waited way too long, I picked up my copy and dove in.
Now, I need  to make it a point to say I should know better than to compare a book to a movie (and vice versa). One would think I'd learned my lesson about this. Alas, I have not.

If I'm comparing Practical Magic the book, with Practical Magic the movie...well, I'm just going to stop myself there because the two are not the same. I love the movie and have in fact, watched it too many times to count. I can obnoxiously quote it. Since this isn't suppose to be about the movie, I'll move along.

Sally and Gillian [I LOVE that name] Owens were orphaned as little girls and forced to live with their two aunts. Since I went into reading this with the aunts already firmly placed in my mind I really expected lots of page time with them. Sadly, while they were mentioned they weren't a large part of the book so that was disappointing. I wish I had been able to get more of the girls time with them. Growing up in a house with two women that never married nor had kids of their own. They were clearly eccentric and I felt like I missed out on a lot. In my minds eye I could see them teaching the girls more but that didn't take place.

I found Sally to be an interesting character. She was very 'mom factor', desiring a more "normal" life. No magic. No witches. No name calling from the other children. She wanted the family everyone else had. From the start, Sally did all of the cooking and cleaning and taking care of everyone. She was completely the opposite of everyone else in her household; an overcompensation really.

Gillian on the other hand, was the 'wild child' of the two girls. She did what she wanted, when she wanted, how she wanted. There was no discipline as she grew up. I felt like she used losing her parents as a crutch and a reason for her behavior. Poor Sally tried to step in and be her mother figure but Gillian wasn't having any part of that. She is a brat. Rude and selfish. If she were a real person, she'd be the child you dread seeing come to visit your house.

I'd have liked to have known who their parents were. Even if it was just one or two paragraphs. I was curious mostly because I wondered how they were connected to the aunts.

Since the book spans Sally and Gillian's childhood, and adult life the reader gets to see Sally find love, marriage and a family of her own. The bulk of the book features Antonia and Kylie as well. In the movie the girls aren't aged as much as the book. They are into young adult age here so you see more of them going through a lot of the things Gillian and Sally went through. Antonia (the oldest via the book) is a lot like Gillian while Kylie (youngest in the book) is a lot like her mother, Sally.

While I enjoyed the writing style of Alice Hoffman, I felt like a lot of the details were too long and drawn out and unnecessary. Her wording is beautiful though.

How did I feel about the book overall? I'm really not sure, to be honest. There were parts I enjoyed, obviously, since I did finish it. But there was a lot I hoped to read and didn't get in the book. I think my problem definitely was the movie and the book were HUGELY different, so that kept sticking out in my mind. Had I read the book first I don't know what my thoughts would be. I finished reading it days ago and I'm still not sure if I enjoyed it as much as I thought I would.

{Book Review} Season of Second Chances by Brighton Walsh

Season of Second Chances by Brighton Walsh

Publication Date: Dec 5, 2013
Publisher: Carina Press Author Twitter - Author Goodreads

When a storm strands Claire Hanlin in Chicago on Christmas Eve, the last person she expects to come to her rescue is Logan Dawes, the man she almost married two years ago. The chemistry between them is dangerously potent, but with nowhere else to go, Claire accepts Logan's offer to stay with him for the night. Back in the home they shared, surrounded by reminders of Logan and his young daughter, Claire begins to realize how much she misses the family she almost had. After a few cups of Christmas cheer, she falls right back into her ex's arms-even though she knows it means setting herself up for heartbreak all over again. The magic of the season has thrown him together with the woman he's never stopped loving, and Logan's not about to pass up this gift. He's not the workaholic he was two years ago-his family comes first. Now all he has to do is prove it to Claire, before the snow stops and she flies out of his life for good. (SOURCE)

Contemporary, Romance, Holiday

Adult content

Where to start? Can I just...leave a lot of swoony words and nonsense? A whole lot of *flails* *spins* *twirls* *sighs*? Y'all will understand that, right? Especially if I throw in a little "alksjga;skl alkjsd;igufwalkj," right? No? Ok ok. I'll give it a go then.

Season of Second Chances is a holiday novella and there is not much I love more. Yeah, I'm one of those "omg I have to watch every Hallmark Holiday Movie" people. In general, I love novellas and holiday stories but combine them and I'm in h-e-a-v-e-n. Holiday themed stories are always so full of joy, hope and love and sweetness. Novellas give me just what I want, when I want it, a quick story that grabs me from the start  and gets right to the falling in love. This little story did not disappoint when it came to that. I mean, two former loves coming back together at the holidays? *grabby hands*

Claire is stuck in the airport, of all places, on Christmas Eve. Not only is that terrible for most people, but the city she's in is the last place she wants to be. When your ex fiancee lives in said city, it's pretty much the last place you want to be stuck in during the holidays. Especially when you were on your way to see your family. Ugh and omg 'what might have been's and unrequited-ish loves and reconnection always always always get to me. They are my favorite ever.

The last thing Claire expects is to come face to face with her ex. And for him to offer her a place to crash, seriously no. Dude. It's like she's thrown back two years, before things ended between them. The glimpse of the two of them together, the what could have been, is so touching. Logan is a great guy and it's easy to see that he wishes things could have been different. I just wanted to shove him and Claire together and scream OPEN YOUR EYES.

They spend Christmas together, including Logan's young daughter, who Claire had been close with previously. Their time together filled me with squishy love and joy. It gave Logan and Claire hope. Heck, it gave ME hope. Then Logan disappoints Claire when she goes out on a limb for him. There's a lot of miscommuniation between the pair, from their past, to their present. That causes a lot of frustration on both sides of the fence. I wanted to climb inside the book and tell them to talk to one another for goodness sake!! siiiiiigh

SO. I won't spoil it for you but Logan breaks down and goes after Claire (AS HE SHOULD HAVE DONE BEFORE ahem) and I cheered. A lot. It was the ultimate gesture. As if I didn't have reason to like Logan before, this was icing on the cake when it came to him. Claire is one of those characters you feel like you can be besties with so for her to get her happy ending is the best.

I can't say how much I enjoyed Season of Second Chances Brighton is my favorite! Such a joyful and sexy story. I suggest you give it a try.

{Book Review} Faking It (Losing It #2) by Cora Carmack

Faking It (Losing It #2) by Cora Carmack
Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: William Morrow
Author Twitter - Author GoodReads

Mackenzie “Max” Miller has a problem. Her parents have arrived in town for a surprise visit, and if they see her dyed hair, tattoos, and piercings, they just might disown her. Even worse, they’re expecting to meet a nice, wholesome boyfriend, not a guy named Mace who has a neck tattoo and plays in a band. All her lies are about to come crashing down around her, but then she meets Cade.
Cade moved to Philadelphia to act and to leave his problems behind in Texas. So far though, he’s kept the problems and had very little opportunity to take the stage. When Max approaches him in a coffee shop with a crazy request to pretend to be her boyfriend, he agrees to play the part. But when Cade plays the role a little too well, they’re forced to keep the ruse going. And the more they fake the relationship, the more real it begins to feel. (SOURCE)

Faking It is the follow up to Losing It, which I read recently as well. In this installment, "Max" is this sassy, flaming red haired, tattooed rocker chick. She uses all of that to hide behind her vulnerabilities. The life she has in Philadelphia is a bit of a mystery too. She keeps a lot of herself hidden from her parents but when they show up for a surprise visit, Max has to think quickly.
No way will the 'rents be ok with the guy she's dating. They'd never approve of him, and Max needs their support while she tries to get her band off the ground. So instead of letting them meet Mace, she enlists the help of a stranger. Max asks Cade to be her boyfriend for a day, just to put her parents at ease.
Cade is still in a coffee shop minding his own business, nursing his broken heart, when a beautiful girl approaches his table. He's the quintessential "frat boy," according to Max, and the perfect boyfriend in her parents eyes. It doesn't take long for Cade to agree to help this woman he's incredibly attracted to. He also can't help but think that this might be a great distraction from the girl he loved.
The last thing either of them expected though, was to actually like the other. They are really different people, something Max isn't sure she can really get past. Besides, she still has a boyfriend! But her parents absolutely love Cade, "Golden Boy", and you can see Max's mother getting way ahead of herself. Their family has been torn apart by tragedy but Mrs. Miller wants Max to find that perfect guy. If she met her daughters real boyfriend, she'd have had an aneurysm. 
I was worried that the story would feel rushed since I knew Max's parents were not going to be visiting for long. I wasn't sure if they would magically be in love after Mr. and Mrs. Miller went back home the next day. Instead, there was a lot of ups and downs and twists that often made me nervous about the future of these two. One of my favorite things is when a male and female character are extremely different but still manage to make it work. I love the 'opposites attract' theory.
With Max and Cade, their individual personality traits even one another out. Where Max can be rough around the edges, Cade is sweet and caring. He spends a lot of time being there for her in several different ways. Also, their chemistry, it is palpable. Max struggles to ignore it, but Cade dives in head first. That was one of the things about him I could relate to. I'm very easy to read in the way he was. Max definitely keeps things close to the cuff. When she slowly started to open up to Cade, it was nice to see a vulnerable side of Max.
Instead of their time together being over after Max's parents went back home, Cade was still there for Max. Even when she made it hard for him. As Cade falls for Max, he gets frustrated with himself that he can't find someone that isn't already in a relationship. It's hard for either of them to keep from flirting with each other though. And as things with Mace start to get rocky, Max sees more and more what a catch Cade is. 
Still, she pushes him away, thinking once they do one last thing for her parents, Max can walk away from Cade and not look back. Except it's not that easy. The connection they share grows every time they are together. While I won't give away how things end for Max and Cade, I will say that a lot happens to open up both their eyes. They are strong characters separately, but even more so together. I loved their friendship and their blossoming relationship. It was fun, sweet and sexy. 
Faking It was one of the most enjoyable reads I've had in a while. These are my personal observations and thoughts regarding this book. Any and all books blogged about here are paid for with my personal money unless otherwise specified within the review. If you have questions please feel free to contact me.

{Book Review} Down for the Count (Dare Me #1) by Christine Bell

Down for the Count (Dare Me #1) by Christine Bell
Publication Date: Oct 1, 2012
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Author Twitter - Author GoodReads

Truth or dare…
When Lacey Garrity finds her groom in flagrante delicto in the reception hall closet with her bridesmaid, she's saved by her best friend’s older brother—childhood tormentor, crush, and boxing bad boy Galen Thomas. Galen’s solution is both exciting and dangerous. What better way to forget the mess of her life than go on her honeymoon with a hot guy who can’t promise anything beyond today?
…or TKO?
Galen had been counting on Lacey's wedding to put her out of reach—and out of his mind—once and for all, but their steamy Puerto Rican escape is testing all his boundaries. Now that Lacey’s embracing her inner bad girl, Galen is tempted to throw in the towel and claim her for himself. But with the biggest fight of his career on the line and an important business merger threatening to derail Lacey’s resolve, their romance might be down for the count before it even begins. (SOURCE)

I absolutely adored this book! It was short and sweet and I didn't want to put it down. I also didn't want it to end.

I'm such a lover of the "I'm in love with my best friend/brothers best friend/best friends brother" kind of story. I can't even tell you how much it makes me swoon! It's always been one of my favorite tropes.

The reader is dropped right into Lacey's wedding and her finding her new husband with someone else. Oh he's such a jerk! Cheating on her the day of their wedding and making her feel like it's all her fault. Lacey's families company is depending on her marriage to this man working but it's the last thing she wants now that she knows who he really is.

Lacey is devastated and Galen comes to her rescue without hesitation. There's has been a relationship full of childhood teasing and unrequited feelings. She'd always had a crush on Galen but had done everything she could to hide it. She knew he wasn't interested in her; not like that. He barely tolerated her for years. Seeing her as his little sisters annoying friend.

But when Galen whisks Lacey away from the wedding venue, helping her avoid friends and family, she sees a different side of him. He's always been sexy, a little cocky too, but this new sweetness she's seeing in him is huge.

They spend a drunken night talking and getting to know one another better. Galen seeing another part of Lacey, the girl he'd always tried to keep out of his mind. When he makes a joke about them going on Lacey's honeymoon, she jumps at the chance. They wake up the next morning in Puerto Rico with massive hangovers.

Galen begins to help Lacey to see that she's not the woman she thought she was. The one that her husband cheated on because he wasn't satisfied with her. The boxer woos her and makes her realize that she's sexy and desirable. This adventure is making Galen crazy though because he wants so much more from her.

With Lacey trying to dodge calls from her mother and Galen worrying about where his career will go, the two do their best to take advantage of the honeymoon resort. But things go awry [of course!!!] and words get twisted, causing our lovers to part rather painfully. Galen was hard headed, Lacey was stubborn...and I was flailing and just wanting to step into the book and make them kiss.

Sexy, sandy moments on the beach, in a pool, and in their bungalow make a girl fan herself. The heat between them is off the charts. Down for the Count is fluffy, funny, and flat out fantastic. I can't say enough how much I swooned over this adorable story.



This review is based on a book I purchased with my own money. The flails and squees are my real thoughts. If you have questions please feel free to contact me.

{Book Review} Slave (Finding Anna #1) by Sherri Hayes

Slave (Finding Anna #1) by Sherri Hayes
Publication Date: July 28, 2011
Publisher: The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House
Author Twitter - Author GoodReads

Stephan has lived the lifestyle of a Dominant for five years. After several rebellious teenage years, it gave him the stability and control he had been seeking after his parent’s death.
As president of a not-for-profit foundation, he knows what his future holds and what he wants out of life. All that changes when a simple lunch with his college friend and Mentor, Darren, leads him to buying a slave.
Thrust into a situation he never thought he’d be in, Stephan can’t walk away. He is compelled to help this girl in the only way he knows how.
Brianna knows only one thing, she is a slave. She has nothing. She is nothing.
Can Stephan help Brianna realize that she is much more than just a Slave? (SOURCE)

While this is not my first BDSM novel, it is only the second book I've read with a Master/slave aspect. I'm very--- uncertain about M/s on a personal level, but I like to keep an open mind and see what a story brings. I read Slave because it was recommended by someone on twitter. I'm always looking for more novels in this realm so I tackled it with anticipation.

First, I thoroughly enjoyed Sherri Hayes' writing style. She is clear and concise and the emotions through the book were palpable. I felt an easy connection between the characters. Stephan's pain leapt out at me, as did Brianna's.

Overall, I struggled reading the bulk of Slave. I hit a point when I felt like it was monotonous because the story takes place mostly in Stephan's apartment. Brianna is frightening, understandably, to go out in public after what she lived through. For me though, it got to be boring that there wasn't much going on outside of that. I hated that I wasn't more in love with it but I kept reading, hoping things would pick up. Seeing as this is the first in a series, I can see that the bulk of Slave was the setup for a lot to come in the future for these characters. Establishing a connection between them and the reader.

Brianna was intriguing and she is the character that kept me reading when I felt like I may've been losing interest in the story. I became angry that someone had treated her the way they did. That's a good thing though, because if I can't care about a character, what is even the point in reading their story?

Stephan made me feel for him on a different level. He so much wanted to save Brianna from the very beginning. Though I'm not sure he went about it the correct way, he did what he thought was best. I gave him major points for what a great person he was. As a Dom and as a man. In the end it was hard for me to believe he was in love with Brianna though. I felt that he barely knew her, both because she hadn't not been with him for long and she hadn't really opened up to him much until the end of the book. Even then, there was still so little he knew about her.

There was a lot of unanswered questions I'm sure will be covered as the series goes on. I feel like that will be interesting. While I didn't love Slave, I'll probably read the second book to see what happens to these two.


These are my personal observations and thoughts regarding this book. Any and all books blogged about here are paid for with my personal money unless otherwise specified within the review. If you have questions please feel free to contact me.

{Review} conTEXTual roMANce by Killian McRae

conTEXTual roMANce by Killian McRae

Publication Date: July 1, 2012
Publisher: --
Author Twitter - Author GoodReads

My Rating:

Summary: Following a bad marriage and an even worse divorce, Katherine Beck was positive that she was through with love, but it's not over tilda it's over. As notes from a secret admirer move from email to text messages, Katherine finds herself falling head-over-bytes for the enigmatic ShyTextMan one character at a time. (SOURCE)

I actually read this as fanfiction originally but I'm always curious to see the differences of a former fanfic. Sometimes they are drastic, other times not. This is one of the 'not' times.

It's a really cute, short story but it did have some spots that needed editing for typos and such. But really, I'm all about some typos myself so it didn't distract me too much but if you're a stickler about that, it might get under your skin.

As someone that texts a lot, in particular, a significant other, you'll probably smile while reading CR. There's a lot of flirting, a smidgen of 'mystery' in the form of the secret admirer, though I'm sure you'll figure out who he is quickly.

Overall, conTEXTual was a sweet story I enjoyed re-visiting.

These are my personal observations and thoughts regarding this book. Any and all books blogged about here are paid for with my personal money unless otherwise specified within the review. If you have questions please feel free to contact me.