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You and Tequila
One tequila, two tequila, three tequila… Score!
Cassel Bailey's life hasn't exactly turned out how she planned. Between the tragic death of her parents, a brother that practically despises her, and working her way through nursing school alone, she's learned to stay guarded, relying only on herself and her friends for love and support. Over time they’ve become her surrogate family. So when one drunken night at the bar lands her in bed with her close friend, Will Tanner, it threatens to change their otherwise platonic relationship forever. Life as she knows it suddenly begins spinning out of control as she struggles to understand her conflicted emotions.
Guided by her authoritative best friend, Tina, and her quirky next-door neighbor, Rita, Cassel must decide between fighting to keep her friendship with Will alive, or going with Plan B and risking it all for something more.
Just when she thinks she knows what she wants, Cassel is bullied into caring for a patient that, unbeknownst to her, played an important role in her sad past. The stunning secret this person reveals about her former lover, Dane, threatens to open up previously healed wounds and leads Cassel to question not only the career she loves, but where her heart truly lies. Everything she thought she knew about life, love, and promises is shattered like an empty bottle hitting the floor.
One thing is for certain, when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade... when life gives you limes, you grab some salt and a bottle of tequila and learn to take it one shot at a time.
Cassel Bailey's life hasn't exactly turned out how she planned. Between the tragic death of her parents, a brother that practically despises her, and working her way through nursing school alone, she's learned to stay guarded, relying only on herself and her friends for love and support. Over time they’ve become her surrogate family. So when one drunken night at the bar lands her in bed with her close friend, Will Tanner, it threatens to change their otherwise platonic relationship forever. Life as she knows it suddenly begins spinning out of control as she struggles to understand her conflicted emotions.
Guided by her authoritative best friend, Tina, and her quirky next-door neighbor, Rita, Cassel must decide between fighting to keep her friendship with Will alive, or going with Plan B and risking it all for something more.
Just when she thinks she knows what she wants, Cassel is bullied into caring for a patient that, unbeknownst to her, played an important role in her sad past. The stunning secret this person reveals about her former lover, Dane, threatens to open up previously healed wounds and leads Cassel to question not only the career she loves, but where her heart truly lies. Everything she thought she knew about life, love, and promises is shattered like an empty bottle hitting the floor.
One thing is for certain, when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade... when life gives you limes, you grab some salt and a bottle of tequila and learn to take it one shot at a time.
- GenresRomance
354 pages, Paperback
First published April 11, 2013
1 person is currently reading
532 people want to read
About the author
Crystal Donahue
3 books89 followersCrystal Donahue has been fortunate to live all over the US, including but not limited to Arizona, Hawaii, and Georgia but she currently resides near the Iowa/Illinois border with her hard-working husband, three beautiful (yet excessively rambunctious) kids, their mischievous cat, and one super spoiled dog. Crystal is a procrastinator of epic proportions, finds humor in almost everything, loves sarcasm, and loathes washing dishes.
A 2004 graduate of Western Illinois University, Crystal has held several unique jobs in her life such as driving a Zamboni, being a relay operator for the hearing and speech impaired, and as a pediatric home health nurse. In the fall of 2020 Crystal was diagnosed with a large and aggressive tumor in the right frontal lobe of her brain. With the support and love of her family, friends, and doctors she beat the odds and is currently cancer free and living her best life.
A 2004 graduate of Western Illinois University, Crystal has held several unique jobs in her life such as driving a Zamboni, being a relay operator for the hearing and speech impaired, and as a pediatric home health nurse. In the fall of 2020 Crystal was diagnosed with a large and aggressive tumor in the right frontal lobe of her brain. With the support and love of her family, friends, and doctors she beat the odds and is currently cancer free and living her best life.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 8, 2013
I have done it AGAIN! I found another debut that is smart, fun and fluffy! So another great book. If you enjoy your chick lit this is definitely for you. The story of Cassel Bailey is fun and at times real life real! She lost her parents and her brother Jamison practically despises her. I won't give away why, but I find out why he has never been close to her. Cassell (sounds like Castle) is working through nursing school. She had a live in boyfriend, Dane, who cheated on her, so of course she trusts NO man! She has great friends who love and support her. One of them is Will Tanner, he is Dane's former best friend. When she wakes up after a tequila shooter bender in her bed with Will next to her, she freaks.
Cassel has a great BFF Tina, who is so funny and a "tell it like it is" girl. Then there is Rita, her wacky 40something neighbor who takes care of her cat and just uses her key wen the mood strikes. There is the funniest scene when Rita unlocks the door and Cassel is in the tub and is naked and has no clothes with her.
We get to the bottom of her brother and his issue. Also the entire story about her parents and what she does for her niece and nephew every holiday. It was a tear jerker!
Just the right blending of old, new, friendships, family and love. This will appeal to the masses. Dane is always there and I wanted to pinch him so bad. Little frigger needed a kick in the ass and I know who can dish that one out. Calling Will Tanner STAT emergency Doctor Bombay come right away!
One thing is for certain, when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade... when life gives you limes, you grab some salt and a bottle of tequila and learn to take it one shot at a time.
Cassel has a great BFF Tina, who is so funny and a "tell it like it is" girl. Then there is Rita, her wacky 40something neighbor who takes care of her cat and just uses her key wen the mood strikes. There is the funniest scene when Rita unlocks the door and Cassel is in the tub and is naked and has no clothes with her.
We get to the bottom of her brother and his issue. Also the entire story about her parents and what she does for her niece and nephew every holiday. It was a tear jerker!
Just the right blending of old, new, friendships, family and love. This will appeal to the masses. Dane is always there and I wanted to pinch him so bad. Little frigger needed a kick in the ass and I know who can dish that one out. Calling Will Tanner STAT emergency Doctor Bombay come right away!
One thing is for certain, when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade... when life gives you limes, you grab some salt and a bottle of tequila and learn to take it one shot at a time.
November 15, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. I will forever more want to play mud football. :)
May 27, 2013
You and Tequila is a charming, sexy story that I thoroughly enjoyed!! I read this book in one sitting because the characters were so endearing I felt like I was in their circle of friends and I had to know how things ended up for them!
Cassel is an ambitious nurse going to grad school with an amazing group of friends. She lost both of her parents when she was younger and she and her brotherdo not have a close relationship. This makes her grasp onto her friends even more so. She is recovering from an U-G-L-Y breakup from The Asshole himself, as her friend Tina refers to him. Cassel has had to lean on her friends on more than one occasion for love, support, and the necessities that usually come from family. Which explains why when she and the HAWT Will Tanner share a night of passion after one too many tequila shots, she freaks out a little.
When I say Will is a HOTTIE, that is understatement... he is sensitive, great friend, awesome listener, humorous, just passed his Bar exam and is on his way to becoming a successful lawyer, and is yummyliscious!! Bring on the tequila if that is what it takes to get him naked! LOL! Will has been friends with Cassel since college and they know everything about each other... that is until the tequila showdown! Cassel has to decide does she want Will the friend or Will the sex god that made her scream and squeal like no man ever! Easy choice if you ask me, but considering the amount of pressure Cassel feels to keep her group of friends together, I can see where her doubt stems from.
To make matters worse, just when Cassel thinks she has made her decision on which Will she chooses... Dane The Asshole comes back around. UGH!!! As hot as Dane is, I want Will and Cassel to stomp his butt into the ground and scare him out of town... which I am not disappointed in on one occasion. ;) However much I dislike Dane, Cassel once loved him and an interesting conversation with his mother sends her mind and heart into a spiral of emotions.
I give You and Tequila 4 stars on the knock my socks off scale! I loved this story and instantly fell for Cassel and Will both. I could not put this book down because I HAD to know which Will Cassel would choose. Would she fall for Dane's smooth words, would her sympathy over-rule her true feelings for what she really wanted, would Will wait for her to decide or make a decision himself???? You and Tequila is a MUST read... 1-Click STAT!
Cassel is an ambitious nurse going to grad school with an amazing group of friends. She lost both of her parents when she was younger and she and her brotherdo not have a close relationship. This makes her grasp onto her friends even more so. She is recovering from an U-G-L-Y breakup from The Asshole himself, as her friend Tina refers to him. Cassel has had to lean on her friends on more than one occasion for love, support, and the necessities that usually come from family. Which explains why when she and the HAWT Will Tanner share a night of passion after one too many tequila shots, she freaks out a little.
When I say Will is a HOTTIE, that is understatement... he is sensitive, great friend, awesome listener, humorous, just passed his Bar exam and is on his way to becoming a successful lawyer, and is yummyliscious!! Bring on the tequila if that is what it takes to get him naked! LOL! Will has been friends with Cassel since college and they know everything about each other... that is until the tequila showdown! Cassel has to decide does she want Will the friend or Will the sex god that made her scream and squeal like no man ever! Easy choice if you ask me, but considering the amount of pressure Cassel feels to keep her group of friends together, I can see where her doubt stems from.
To make matters worse, just when Cassel thinks she has made her decision on which Will she chooses... Dane The Asshole comes back around. UGH!!! As hot as Dane is, I want Will and Cassel to stomp his butt into the ground and scare him out of town... which I am not disappointed in on one occasion. ;) However much I dislike Dane, Cassel once loved him and an interesting conversation with his mother sends her mind and heart into a spiral of emotions.
I give You and Tequila 4 stars on the knock my socks off scale! I loved this story and instantly fell for Cassel and Will both. I could not put this book down because I HAD to know which Will Cassel would choose. Would she fall for Dane's smooth words, would her sympathy over-rule her true feelings for what she really wanted, would Will wait for her to decide or make a decision himself???? You and Tequila is a MUST read... 1-Click STAT!
June 13, 2013
You and Tequila is a fun story with a few twists that make you wonder how things are going to end up. It will manage to make you laugh, curse at the characters, and maybe even make you think about things that have happened in your own life. The whole cast of characters are easy to relate to and fairly realistic, which really helps the reader become invested in the story. You and Tequila is told in the first person point of view which some people dislike, but it works great for this story.
Cassel, Cass, has issues with how her life has turned out. When she accidentally sleeps with her best friend, Will, after a night of drinking, she has to come to grips with some new situations and the new direction her life is taking. How can she sacrifice her best friend for a chance at some good sex? Is it worth taking the risk and having him walk away like so many others in her life have? These are all things that Cass has to consider as her life takes some drastic turns.
I really enjoyed the realism of the story and situations that Cass went through. It is very easy to relate to her and even to wonder what you would do in a similar situation. There were times I wanted to knock her upside the head for over-thinking things. But since I do the same thing, I had to pause and stop myself. I do hope that Crystal Donahue gives us more books that take some of the supporting characters and give us their stories because we really become invested in a few of these characters and I for one would love to know more.
You and Tequila is story that I do recommend to anyone. It's not overly sexy or sweet. It kind of falls right down the middle with a lot of reader investment in the characters and situations that could happen to any one of us.
http://www.illustriousillusions.com/2...
Cassel, Cass, has issues with how her life has turned out. When she accidentally sleeps with her best friend, Will, after a night of drinking, she has to come to grips with some new situations and the new direction her life is taking. How can she sacrifice her best friend for a chance at some good sex? Is it worth taking the risk and having him walk away like so many others in her life have? These are all things that Cass has to consider as her life takes some drastic turns.
I really enjoyed the realism of the story and situations that Cass went through. It is very easy to relate to her and even to wonder what you would do in a similar situation. There were times I wanted to knock her upside the head for over-thinking things. But since I do the same thing, I had to pause and stop myself. I do hope that Crystal Donahue gives us more books that take some of the supporting characters and give us their stories because we really become invested in a few of these characters and I for one would love to know more.
You and Tequila is story that I do recommend to anyone. It's not overly sexy or sweet. It kind of falls right down the middle with a lot of reader investment in the characters and situations that could happen to any one of us.
http://www.illustriousillusions.com/2...
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May 24, 2013This book was part of a blog tour I received a copy for my honest review
When friends Will and Cass have to many to drink one night they end up sleeping together, this changes everything for the two of them. Jealous friends and exs from relationships threaten to tear this couple apart, can Cassel and Will stay together or do all they have is one drunken night together. First I didn't rate this book because I currently have a love/frustration thing going on with it, I may rate it when I read it next time but for now I just can't decide. I will start off with what I didn't like about this book first, I hated all the jealousy, Will and Cass were adults put your big girl panties on and act like it. What made it worse was that both of them would still talk to their exs, when the phone would go off during a hot and steamy situation they would answer it knowing it was their ex. This made me want to find a stick and poke the character in the eye with it. My big problem was the actions of Cass towards the end of the book, I lost so much respect for her when she did what she did. On to the good when the two of them were not being jealous they had a nice easy relationship. Will was a stand up guy, the scene with Cassels niece was really sweet. I really did like Cass at first, she seemed to be a strong if somewhat confused woman. This book was a frustrating but good read.
When friends Will and Cass have to many to drink one night they end up sleeping together, this changes everything for the two of them. Jealous friends and exs from relationships threaten to tear this couple apart, can Cassel and Will stay together or do all they have is one drunken night together. First I didn't rate this book because I currently have a love/frustration thing going on with it, I may rate it when I read it next time but for now I just can't decide. I will start off with what I didn't like about this book first, I hated all the jealousy, Will and Cass were adults put your big girl panties on and act like it. What made it worse was that both of them would still talk to their exs, when the phone would go off during a hot and steamy situation they would answer it knowing it was their ex. This made me want to find a stick and poke the character in the eye with it. My big problem was the actions of Cass towards the end of the book, I lost so much respect for her when she did what she did. On to the good when the two of them were not being jealous they had a nice easy relationship. Will was a stand up guy, the scene with Cassels niece was really sweet. I really did like Cass at first, she seemed to be a strong if somewhat confused woman. This book was a frustrating but good read.
April 10, 2014
Will and Cass have been friends forever, back in the day they used to double date. Then Will's girlfriend moved away for her career, leaving him behind and Cass's boyfriend cheated on her. Just down to Will and Cass and their group of friends, who are more like family.
Things change one night when they have to much to drink and end up in bed together. Lines get blurred, can their friendship continue? Or did they just ruin it? Cass doesn't know what to do? Should they talk about? Should they move forward? Will helps her decide and they become exclusive. Then Dane, Cass's ex shows up at the worst moment. Things are already rocky between Will and Cass, now with him there its a mess. Can Will and Cass survive being more than friends? Can their friendship survive if something goes wrong?
Over all I enjoyed the book. The characters were well written and likable. I liked Will, he was a nice guy and Cass deserved a nice guy, but my heart belonged to Dane. Once you hear his story, you might think differently of the guy. Yes what he did was wrong, but hindsight 50/50.
This is a quick read, that would be perfect for the beach, lake or pool, or even a rainy day! Hell it's a good book. You'll enjoy all the twists and turns and upheavals.
Things change one night when they have to much to drink and end up in bed together. Lines get blurred, can their friendship continue? Or did they just ruin it? Cass doesn't know what to do? Should they talk about? Should they move forward? Will helps her decide and they become exclusive. Then Dane, Cass's ex shows up at the worst moment. Things are already rocky between Will and Cass, now with him there its a mess. Can Will and Cass survive being more than friends? Can their friendship survive if something goes wrong?
Over all I enjoyed the book. The characters were well written and likable. I liked Will, he was a nice guy and Cass deserved a nice guy, but my heart belonged to Dane. Once you hear his story, you might think differently of the guy. Yes what he did was wrong, but hindsight 50/50.
This is a quick read, that would be perfect for the beach, lake or pool, or even a rainy day! Hell it's a good book. You'll enjoy all the twists and turns and upheavals.
May 27, 2013
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. To view Lo's full review, visit http://fallinginfall.blogspot.com.
You and Tequila was one of the best books I have read in a while! I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I connected easily with Cass, the leading lady. Cass is a nurse, and that is what I aspire to be. This book has some medical terminology, and that was a lot of fun for me to read because I am in the medical field. Another reason You and Tequila is so good is because the love between the leading characters is one every girl in the world would love to have. Cass is caught up in a love triangle with two men who happen to be lawyers! What a lucky girl! I don’t want to give anything away, but let’s just say there is enough drama, heartbreak, and makeups to keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time you are reading this story. The book starts with a drunken mistake after a night full of tequila and ends up being the best decision of Cassel’s life. This is definitely one of those books that when you reach the end, you are very sad. Not because the story is sad, but because it is over. I wish I knew what Cassel, Will, and Dane were up to now!
You and Tequila was one of the best books I have read in a while! I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I connected easily with Cass, the leading lady. Cass is a nurse, and that is what I aspire to be. This book has some medical terminology, and that was a lot of fun for me to read because I am in the medical field. Another reason You and Tequila is so good is because the love between the leading characters is one every girl in the world would love to have. Cass is caught up in a love triangle with two men who happen to be lawyers! What a lucky girl! I don’t want to give anything away, but let’s just say there is enough drama, heartbreak, and makeups to keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time you are reading this story. The book starts with a drunken mistake after a night full of tequila and ends up being the best decision of Cassel’s life. This is definitely one of those books that when you reach the end, you are very sad. Not because the story is sad, but because it is over. I wish I knew what Cassel, Will, and Dane were up to now!
June 16, 2013
"You and Tequila" is quite a read. I absolutely loved this quirky romance novel by Crystal Donahue. The two main characters Cassel and Will were perfect. Riding the roller coaster that is called Loved and be Damned was great. Donahue really captured the spirit of friends taking that leap of faith and moving their relationship forward to new destinations. She was able to depict the worries that friends have when they want to not necessarily stop the friendship but explore being more than friends.
I absolutely loved that Donahue chose the main female characters name to be Cassal, it is so unique just like the character. Cassal has a real hardworking job but does not let that rule her; she still has a social life. It's like what every woman aspires to have; in balance of course. We've all experienced a bad break up and then a new candidate comes along while that ex is still lingering in the background.
Oh how I wish there was a sequel to this book. Great job Crystal Donahue, great job!
I absolutely loved that Donahue chose the main female characters name to be Cassal, it is so unique just like the character. Cassal has a real hardworking job but does not let that rule her; she still has a social life. It's like what every woman aspires to have; in balance of course. We've all experienced a bad break up and then a new candidate comes along while that ex is still lingering in the background.
Oh how I wish there was a sequel to this book. Great job Crystal Donahue, great job!
May 22, 2013
This book was suprisingly really good and definitely well written. I wasn't quite sure how I would like it from the synopsis on the back, but I really got into the story. Each character was very well rounded and I found myself being Team Will the entire book. Cassel, however was very frustrating at times and sometimes I wish that she would just go for what she wants instead of trying to do the right thing.. The twist with Dane's (Cassels ex-boyfriend) and his mother was another great attribute of the book. I wish that Amanda (Will's ex) would have came into play more, other than just phone calls and text mesaages. It would have been interesting to see how the story would have played out if she was actually there with Will and Cass. If you want to read a book with diverse characters and a love story that many people can relate to, then I definitely suggest You and Tequila.
July 1, 2017
It has been a long, long time since a book caused me to become emotionally invested in its characters. But with this book, I couldn't do anything but read it, and finish it, and not sleep a wink before going to work this morning. I was enthralled.
My favorite part is how most books nowadays are about instant love and affection for someone, but this one was about two friends who've known each other for years, spend some part of every day together, and accidentally trip up and have sex, and that all happens before the first sentence. The journey the main character takes is an interesting and relatable one.
I really enjoyed this and felt I needed to do what I could to help others find this good read.
My favorite part is how most books nowadays are about instant love and affection for someone, but this one was about two friends who've known each other for years, spend some part of every day together, and accidentally trip up and have sex, and that all happens before the first sentence. The journey the main character takes is an interesting and relatable one.
I really enjoyed this and felt I needed to do what I could to help others find this good read.
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May 29, 2013I have to say that I completely related to Cass. I can’t tell you how many times I have fallen under the Tequila spell. I made the mistake of doing the same thing that Cass did when I was younger and sometimes, well sex and friendship don’t always mix.
That being said, I really enjoyed these characters and the relationships that developed. I liked Cass and the book was so realistic to me. Sometimes you read a book and it is baseless fiction, then comes along a book that seems so real that you pause and think of those around you that this could be based on. I loved it and will be keeping this author on my watch list.
That being said, I really enjoyed these characters and the relationships that developed. I liked Cass and the book was so realistic to me. Sometimes you read a book and it is baseless fiction, then comes along a book that seems so real that you pause and think of those around you that this could be based on. I loved it and will be keeping this author on my watch list.
March 11, 2014
This was a sweet friends-to-lovers story. The characters were fantastic and the storyline kept my attention. I found myself really rooting for everything to work out between Cassel and Will as they really did seem like they belong together. The big scene that knocked them apart was killing me until the resolution finally came about. The book did seem a bit drawn out for the amount of story being told, and there were several spelling and grammatical/homophone errors throughout the book which is why I took away a star. But in the end, this is a wonderful story that I'd recommend to anyone looking for a good romance.
July 16, 2013
I enjoyed this. After one drunken night in bed with one of her best friends, Cassel is worried about losing their friendship. She is very confused and not sure what she wants to do, but Will lets her take her time to figure it out. Some of my favorite parts were Will teasing Cassel about tequila and their back-and-forth about the Packers and the Bears. (I live in Packer country.) Very funny. I loved reading about how these two friends and how they attempt to overcome the obstacles that get in their way to become more.
June 4, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. I was rooting for Will to get the girl...there for a little bit it had me convinced that Dane was going to get her back, and I was so mad! Lol...I laughed and cried throughout this book. I would recommend it to any of my romance reading friends!
April 23, 2013
As someone who is not into "romance-y" type novels, I thought this was a really well written and witty story. Once I started, I found it hard to put it down. Great job by a great new author!
May 25, 2013
review to come tomorrow Reading for Blog tour next week :)
September 20, 2013
Fiquei agradavelmetne surpreendida com este livro. Já sabia que iria ser uma leituraleve e rápida mas não pensei que viesse a achar tanta piada a Cass e a will e ao seu romance.
May 1, 2013
A great romance novel that once I started reading I could not put down.
July 24, 2014
Such a cute story!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews