This book had been popping up everywhere for me, and I'll be honest, the cover really caught my eye, and when I read the synopsis it was 3 Stars
This book had been popping up everywhere for me, and I'll be honest, the cover really caught my eye, and when I read the synopsis it was enough to intrigue me, so I picked it up.
All Kim and Jeff Sanders wish for is that that their daughter, Hannah, has a wonderful and memorable sixteenth birthday party. Yet, what Hannah wants for her party and what her parents want for her party are two very different things. What Hannah actually ends up getting is nothing like anyone involved was expecting.
This story is told from the POV of four characters, Hannah, her parents (Jeff and Kim), and Lisa (the mother one one of the party-goers).
Kim is an extremely involved mother, and from the beginning her rules and expectations are very clearly laid out. Her children are extremely well behaved and they know exactly what is expected of them. As involved and doting as Kim is with her children, the same cannot be said for her relationship with her husband, Jeff. Some past events have put quite a strain on their marriage and it has resulted in them growing further apart.
High school has really began to start looking up for Hannah. While she does take school seriously, and maintains good grades, Hannah has found herself friends with two of the most popular girls in school, Lauren and Ronnie. In addition to this, she also has a new boyfriend, Noah. Determined to solidify her status with the popular girls, Hannah does whatever it is that she can to ensure that her party is a success and one to be remembered.
What should have been a night of girls eating pizza, gossiping, much to the expectation of Hannah's parents and the rules that Kim has laid out. The girls have a much different idea of what kind of fun they would like to have. That's when things to awry. What should have been a nice of innocent fun turns into a complete nightmare.
Going into this book, I really did not read any reviews. I went for the synopsis and that was enough to tell me that I would be interested in the book. I enjoyed the first half of the book and it was really holding on to my attention, but as the story progressed, I kind of felt that I wasn't quite as interested in the story anymore. The very ending of the book though, I did quite like that, and it made me continue to think back to the rest of the sorry, and really made me want to evaluate Hannah's character even more.
Overall, I kind of felt a little bit let down. There are so many secrets and past indiscretions, that are made to seem so super serious, but when you find out what they are, it kind of really just lets you down. This kind of links to how I felt about the ending of the story as well, its as though things were just completely rushed. The author springs up something big at the end of the story, but it doesn't really quite feel as though it has been resolved and I really found myself just wondering, "okay, but what happened."
Overall I did enjoy the book, and the writing was good, but I just wish that there was a little but more oomph when it came to some of the secrets that were being revealed. ...more
When I read the synopsis of this book, I knew that it was going to be one that I was really going to enjoy reading, and I was right. I have to admitWhen I read the synopsis of this book, I knew that it was going to be one that I was really going to enjoy reading, and I was right. I have to admit that when I found out that this book was told from alternating perspectives, I didn't know how well it would work out, but it turns out, it was perfect for this book and it was just what it needed. I also have to admit that the title of the book captivated me as well. Burying Water, I wasn't entirely sure what to make of it, and I couldn't quite figure it out. Once I've made my way through the book, it becomes painfully cldar, and it really is an apt title.
This is Water's story, except the only problem is that Water really doesn't remember much of her own story. After a horrible accident that has left her almost for dead, Water is determined to find out what has happened to her, and why she survives. I really enjoy that aspect of this book, the plot was perfectly paced and it kept me thinking throughout reading. To wake up after something so horrible has happened to you, and to not remember anything at all about your past, it is hard to image what that would be like. The plot flowed really well, and the alternating past and present really helped to tie the story together well.
Though, the thing that I really think made the book were the characters. The eccentricities of some of them Ginny really made the story come that much more to life. Alex/Water is not who she looks like on the outside. If anything can be gained from her, its that not to judge a book by its cover. There are times when I wanted to take her and shake her, but you really do find out that she is an incredibly strong young woman, and you have to have respect for her. Jesse, just ugh, its so hard not to like him. He really is a good guy, even though people are choosing to believe otherwise about him. The things that he does for Water, and the way that he behaves and acts around here is just....*swoon*. Ginny really takes the cake for me though. I love that old, crochet woman. She is everything that you might not like in a person, and she is certainly not easy to get along with at all, but at the exact same time, that's the reason that you just like her. She's set in her ways, and no one is changing her mind about anything. Ugh I just can't find the right things to say about her, other than I enjoyed her so much.
If you haven't read this book yet, you certainly need to. Its quite different from anything that I've read in a long time, and its a book that keeps your attention and holds on to it, until the very last page. ...more
I cannot believe that Gideon and Eva's story is finished. As much I was looking forward to this book, and loved this book, I'm so sad that its allI cannot believe that Gideon and Eva's story is finished. As much I was looking forward to this book, and loved this book, I'm so sad that its all over.
So, of all of the books that I've read so far in the series, this one was my least favourite. That's not say that I didn't enjoy the book, I did, butSo, of all of the books that I've read so far in the series, this one was my least favourite. That's not say that I didn't enjoy the book, I did, but it just didn't have that level of enjoyment for me. I know it was only a novella, but I wish that there would have been a little bit more meat to this story.
This story is told through the perspectives of Max and Sara, who are absolutely adorable together. As the story begins, there are quite a few things that have taken place previously to the start of this book. The major thing being the baby. I was a little bit surprised with some of the details right from the start, and I wish that as readers, we would have gotten the chance to be a part of a little more.
Much like Christina Lauren's other books, the writing in this one is every bit as comical, witty, and enjoyable. There are a couple of definite laugh-out-loud moments. There were times when you just cannot help but feel for poor Max and Sara. Try as they might, with all of the changes they are really just working on getting themselves back to where they were before the baby.
Overall, I did enjoy the story and being able to see these in characters in a new way, as parents. I also just have to say that I really love George. There's just something about them that's not to love. There were a few things that I wasn't too happy with. Not posting as they're spoilers. I felt in some ways that this was really rushed, and I wish that there was just a bit more to the story in points. The ending was also a little to abrupt for me, but it wasn't too much of an issue.
If you've enjoyed this series, then definitely check out this book, its a good addition and a nice, quick, enjoyable read :) ...more
Lately I’ve been on a huge Beautiful series reading spree. I’ve just gotten so sucked into the world and drawn into the characters that I4.5 Stars
Lately I’ve been on a huge Beautiful series reading spree. I’ve just gotten so sucked into the world and drawn into the characters that I just had to find out what was going to happen next. With each book that I move onto, I always start with the thought “will I enjoy this book as much as the previous?” The answer is most definitely yes! I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel with having the same book series, with each new book focusing on a different main couple, but I really enjoy that aspect about this series.
With all of that said, I think that it’s safe to say that Beautiful Player is so far my favourite book in the series. This book is Will Sumner and Hanna Bergstrom’s story. It really is no secret that Will is a fairly well known player, who schedules his meetings with women to satisfy his needs, that is, until he meets Hanna. Hanna is unlike Sara and Chloe and there is just something about her that manages to change Will’s mind about women and makes him rethink everything he has ever thought about women before.
When Hanna first comes on the scene, I really wasn’t too sure what to think about her. It was a little early on, but she just felt so much different from Sara and Chloe. Hanna is a 24 year old nerd, who spends the greatest amount of time in a lab, and that’s where she is most comfortable. That is, until her parents begin to worry about her. I was mostly unsure about Hanna in the beginning because of being super nerdy, but as it turns out, it was just one of the reasons that I loved her. I admired her so much because she just really did not care at all what anyone thought, and said whatever thought just crossed her mind, regardless of who was listening to her. She is so comfortable in her skin, and I sometimes wish that I could be that way. Even when she is speaking to Will, she is open about everything. If I was crushing on a hot guy for that long, I don’t think I would ever have been able to be that way. One other thing that I loved so much about Hanna is just how she just rambled on, about almost everything, and she had an answer for just about everything too.
♥ Oh, my God. Did you just use an O-chem reference to tell me Aaron looks better from the back than the front?
When I read Beautiful Bastard, I thought Bennett was hot. Then I read Beautiful Stranger and I was like okay, Bennett is hot but Max, he has the whole British thing going on, which made him hot in a completely different way. Then, there was Will, and he was just it for me. Will is a complete player, but in a nice way. He is open about what he wants and the women that he has been with, all the expectations of what was to be were laid out, and those did not include commitment. Given his background with women, something which Hanna knows all too well, she decides that this would be benefit for her to have a teacher, to teach her everything that she needs to know. I’ll just say right now, that I wish Will was my teacher. It was so much more than though, once things began to get much more serious, the way that the he thought about her, and spoke about her, it was enough to make anyone swoon.
♣ All that is rare for the rare.
As with the other two books, I really enjoyed the writing style, and it flowed perfectly. The other books were enjoyable and funny, but there were some parts in this book that just had me laughing out loud. This story was just so perfect and it had the perfect mix of heat, humour, and romance. The only thing that I wasn’t too fond of, was there was one part near the end, that I kind of felt was a little bit predictable, but it kind of worked, and it really wasn’t too much of an issue, that took away from enjoying the book. If you haven’t checked out this series yet, then I highly recommend that you do. I had my hesitations about reading these books, just based on what I’ve heard, but it really did not affect it for me at all. If you’ve not checked out Beautiful Player, then I definitely suggest that you do. It was a great read, that will you laughing, and swooning, and will not leave you bored. ...more
The premise for this book is that Max, Bennett, Will, and Henry are off to Las Vegas to enjoy a long weekend forMy rating for this book is 3.5 stars.
The premise for this book is that Max, Bennett, Will, and Henry are off to Las Vegas to enjoy a long weekend for Bennet's bachelor party. Things are off to a pretty normal start, until Bennet gets a lap dance, when sends him into a frenzy, not only for himself, but for Max as well.
I took this book for what it what, a nice, quick, read. It was really fun to just be able to be one of the boys for the night, and to have the chance to see what goes on inside their heads. Bennet and Max's interactions and escapades with Will and Henry were hilarious!
I also really adored how much these men care for their women and that they would stop at nothing, not even ridiculous excuses from spending just an hour with their lovers. The ending of the book was just so perfect!
The only negative thing about this book was how quickly I got through it. I spent my time reading with a huge grin on my face, and laughing through everything. If you find yourself looking for a quick, light-hearted and fun read, I'd definitely suggest picking this book up!
I don't even really know where to begin with this one. I knew that it was going to be a quick read, and I love when series have novellas like this.
I don't even really know where to begin with this one. I knew that it was going to be a quick read, and I love when series have novellas like this.
When I first read Beautiful Bastard I really wasn't too sure what I was going to think about it, given all the mixed reviews that I had ended up reading, but as it turns out, I really enjoyed it. Not that there was anything wrong with the ending, but I'll just said that I am so glad that Christina Lauren decided to put out this novella.
Beautiful Bitch picks up right where Chloe and Bennet ended their story in the first book. There was not too much left unresolved, but this novella really answers some questions, and I'm so glad that we were able to get to know Chloe and Bennet better. I was hooked the minute I began reading, and I made my way through this, quick. The entire premise is Chloe and Bennet recounting the events of the last year and what has taken place over the course of the relationship this far.
Its true, Bennet Ryan is a massive asshat, but its just so hard not to like him. He really isn't the sort of man that you would think would be that great at having a relationship, but then he just completely shocks you. He is just so open with his feelings towards Chloe and he really goes to all lengths just to be able to spend any kind of time with her.
♥"My mother always told me to find a woman who would be my equal in every way."♥
I adore Chloe, she is such a smart, witty, quick character, who as she is described "gives as good as she gets." This series relationship is still something new for her, and there are times that you can tell just exactly how she is feeling but she is not always the best at saying it. It is very difficult to not get drawn into their chemistry, and you can see right from page one of this novella that these two are completely destined to be together.
♥"It feels like you take my home with you when you go."
There is just so much to like about this couple and these series, that I could just gush forever. I'm curious to see what happily ever after does to Chloe and Bennet ;)
Beginning this book, I knew exactly what I was getting into. Part of the reason that I wanted to read this book was to know what it would be like to Beginning this book, I knew exactly what I was getting into. Part of the reason that I wanted to read this book was to know what it would be like to be inside Christian's head (it was kind of interesting experience) and to see the world of the novel through his eyes.
I am going to admit that it was quite entertaining to be inside Christian's head, as there really is a lot that is going on in there. Some things were a little bit surprising, but having read Fifty Shades of Grey first, it kind of makes a little more sense. I must admit that while I was reading this book, I half expected there to be an "Inner Goddess", and I was partially right. Christian really does seem to favour a certain part of his male anatomy, and it is very clear through some of his inner dialogue.
Another positive that this book had was that it allowed reads to perceive Ana in a very different way. Through her eyes she was showing reads a very self-deprecating character who really didn't think too highly over herself. Seeing here through Christian's eye's though, it completely changes and it is very obvious to see how much he does care for her. As well, I was also looking forward to seeing where he went some nights, or what he was thinking himself, rather than having Ana gauge his reactions, and a lot of times, it seemed as though she was off and made him sound so much harsher than he actually was.
With that being said, there are a few things that I did have issues with. One thing that I noticed was there EL James really likes to repeat a lot of phrases, and metaphors. Christian, while talking about Ana, seems to repeat a lot of very similar feelings to himself, over and over. Mid-way through the book I was slowly starting to get a bit peeved at it, and I just wanted him to tell her what he was thinking. It was a bit lack-luster in that sense. Even the writing in some places seemed very generic, and almost rushed. After putting out FSOG, while still keeping through to the story.
Overall, it wasn't my favourite read, nor would it be placed in a top 10, but it wasn't terrible. If she does put out the other two novels from Christian's POV, I will read them, because I'm hooked enough in the story, that I want to know what he is thinking about certain events unfold for him. If you were a fan of the FSOG series, then I would definitely recommend picking this up and giving it a read.