I liked the idea behind this one as corporate social media wars are definitely a relevant topic in today's times. I mean just look at the3.5 stars
I liked the idea behind this one as corporate social media wars are definitely a relevant topic in today's times. I mean just look at the frenzy over Popeye's chicken sandwich after their back and forth quips with competitor Chic-fil-A. And while at times while reading this book, I struggled with some of the business aspects of the story, I did like the two main characters and thought they had good chemistry together. Overall it was, well, a cute read!
Not too long ago Big League Burger was just a small hamburger restaurant in Nashville owned and run by Pepper's mom and dad. It seemingly found success overnight and quickly added new locations, and is now one of the top fast food franchises in the country. Even though Pepper is busy with school and swim team, she also helps run the social media accounts per the request of her mom. (but shh, it's a secret as the rest of the world doesn't need to know the online voice of Big League Burger is just a teenager)
Jack feels like he lives in his twin brother's shadow but he still always tries to do the right thing by helping out at his parents' deli. He is livid when Big League Burger rips off the recipe for his family's grilled cheese sandwich with special sauce. This means war. Twitter war, to be specific, as he's going to use the deli's Twitter account to give Big League Burger a piece of his mind. Shenanigans ensue and Pepper and Jack are going to spend a lot of time trying to one up one another. But maybe there's also time for a little romance too!
So it's probably going to sound like I have more complaints about this book than anything, but I really did like the story. The biggest problem for me was trying to just go with the story and not take it too seriously rather than question how realistic it was that a teenager was running a social media account for such a gigantic company. Jack's situation made more sense because it just was a mom and pop operation. In general I had a difficult time understanding Pepper's mom as it was hard to get her motivations at times. Many of the questions I had regarding her end up being answered by the end of the story, but in some ways it felt like it was too little too late.
I liked how the story alternated between the perspectives of Pepper and Jack and thought they were pretty well-developed lead characters. It truly is mind boggling how much of a role social media plays in our lives now versus when I was a teenager and the internet was just becoming a mainstream thing. Overall, the author did a good job writing a modern, young adult romance.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review!...more
This turned out to be an okay read, but I was hoping for more. There were elements of the story I liked and others I didn't. I think the the biggestThis turned out to be an okay read, but I was hoping for more. There were elements of the story I liked and others I didn't. I think the the biggest problem for me was I wasn't all that interested in Alex although I'm not quite sure why that was the case. He just kinda fell flat and I actually would have preferred if the story would have followed Isa the entire time instead of alternating between her and Alex. I was way more invested in her family life rather than her romantic life.
High school students Isabelle Warren and Alex Rosario first meet while riding on the subway train. And despite the fact they live in NYC with a population of I don't know how many millions of people, they keep running into one another on the same train. What are the odds? (actually pretty good when you are reading a romance) Isa is half Cuban and has dreams of becoming a dancer. She comes from a wealthy family, but her home life isn't all sunshine and rainbows. Dominican-American Alex isn't living a life of privilege like Isa. His father is controlling and wants Alex to excel in sports, however Alex wants to be a poet.
So this is one of those slow burn romances that takes place over the course of a couple years. While I thought both Isa and Alex were likable people, I was pretty indifferent about the romantic aspects of their relationship. For me this worked as a better straight up fiction story rather than a romance. I give the author credit for giving the story some substance instead of just churning out a fluffy teen romance. Both characters had interesting backstories, but I do wish I would have clicked better with Alex. In no way am I saying he was a poorly written character, it's more of a case of as a reader you aren't always going to connect with every character in a book. Had I cared more about him, this probably would have been a much better read for me.
I appreciate the author's attempt to explore serious subjects in this young adult romance. If that is the type of thing that interests you and/or you like stories with diverse characters, you might want to check this one out.
I won a free copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway but was under no obligation to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
The two main characters in this book are pretty likable people. However, I just could not buy into the romance. I needed something more.2.5 stars
The two main characters in this book are pretty likable people. However, I just could not buy into the romance. I needed something more. Maybe angst. Pining away for each other. More conflict. Something to liven the story up because it was dull.
Jess is close to 30 years old and has just moved to London. She'll be staying in a Notting Hill home at a fraction of what it would normally cost to rent. One of her four roommates is Alex, a man who has given up a career in law to study to become a nurse. Jess feels an instant attraction to Alex and feels disappointed when she finds out he is hooking up with their other roommate, Emma. Well, the lease is for a year, this might be an awkward living situation.
Do not be fooled into thinking this is a holiday read because even though December is in the title, this is a story that follows both Jess and Alex over the course of a year. The Christmas season isn't that big of a factor in the story so you can read it anytime during the year.
The story starts off with promise as it was obvious Jess was attracted to Alex and it seems he feels a bit of a spark between the two of them as well. There appears to be a good conflict right off the bat with Alex sleeping with the other roommate but somehow the story just loses steam and quite frankly is pretty boring. I'm not that picky when it comes to romance novels, I basically just want the lead characters to have good chemistry. Alex and Jess liked each other but there was hardly any excitement and nothing that had me rooting for them to get together. Perfectly nice, normal people but it was a pretty dull look into their lives.
This one just didn't work for me, and it was a disappointment to say the least because I had really been looking forward to reading it. Maybe other readers will have better luck with this book.
I won a free copy of this book in a giveaway but was under no obligation to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinion....more
I'd been wanting to read a Christina Lauren book for awhile now so when I saw this one at the library I decided to finally take the plunge. I3.5 stars
I'd been wanting to read a Christina Lauren book for awhile now so when I saw this one at the library I decided to finally take the plunge. I had a few problems with the writing but overall I did enjoy the book. I definitely am interested in checking out other books by the writers. (Yes, Christina Lauren is actually a the combined pen name of two writing partners.)
Macy Sorensen's life appears to be in order as she is working as a pediatric resident at a hospital and is newly engaged. However, she has never truly gotten over her first love, Elliot Petropoulos. Something happened years ago and she hasn't seen or talked to him since. She unexpectedly runs into Elliot one day and that brings up a whole lotta feelings. He was her best friend, her everything but he also broke her heart. Looks like Macy must fully confront the past if she wants to truly move on. The book alternates between Macy as an adult and Macy as a teenager.
I didn't know until after I was already done with the book that the authors write Young Adult fiction as well. I thought adult Macy lacked maturity at times. It's quite common in women's fiction to have a main character who has a messy personal life but something about her just seemed different. I really don't know how to describe it other than I think their YA background came thru too much in the adult Macy.
Overall I did enjoy the story and I did like Macy and Elliot's interactions with each other, both as teenagers and as adults. There was a bit of a fan fiction type vibe to their love story in that it could be cheesy at times and melodramatic. However, there were some good touching moments in the book which made it a worthwhile read. This was probably more of a 3 star read but once I got all the background info on the big, bad, terrible thing that happened years ago, it went a long way into helping me understand Macy as a character so I bumped the rating up a half star.
Maybe not quite at the same level as some of my other favorite romance reads but it still held my interest and I look forward to checking out more books by Christina Lauren....more
This is one of my favorite romance reads of 2019. I just had so much fun rooting for the two characters to get together and thought they had4.5 stars
This is one of my favorite romance reads of 2019. I just had so much fun rooting for the two characters to get together and thought they had really good chemistry which is so key in a romance novel. I thought the premise for this one was pretty clever as the two characters share an apartment but have never met because of their different work schedules. They communicate with notes left around their flat and text messages.
Tiffy Moore is fun and has a bit of an outlandish style. She is also out of an apartment and having a hard time getting over a recent breakup. Leon, works the night shift and is in desperate need of some extra cash to help his brother out. He decides to get a roommate for his one bedroom flat. He enlists his girlfriend to interview potential roommates and feeling not threatened at all by Tiffy, she selects her to live with him. Given the flat only has one bedroom, Tiffy and Leon will be using the same bed to sleep in but because of their different work schedules and with Leon spending the weekend with his girlfriend, they will never be around each other in person. (This sounds like a completely weird premise, but trust me, the author somehow makes this work). With brief notes left in the apartment for one another, they somehow start to develop a friendship. And well, I guess you will just have to read the book to find out more.
It didn't take long for me to really get into the story and characters. It's like everything just clicked right away and I could just sit back and enjoy where the story was headed. While I would say overall the story takes on a lighthearted tone, there are some serious issues explored, mostly in regards to Tiffy's relationship with her ex. It's one of those enjoyable reads with a little bit of substance to elevate it from just another generic romance.
Very happy to have read this one! Highly recommend this book if you love a good romance....more
This is the 2nd book in the Uptown series but it can easily be read as a standalone novel. This is a cute romance with the story revolving around aThis is the 2nd book in the Uptown series but it can easily be read as a standalone novel. This is a cute romance with the story revolving around a community garden. I definitely enjoyed the book but it's not the type of story that is memorable. Basically if you are the type of reader who is always reading a romance novel, this is a safe choice. However, if you only occasionally read something in the genre, I think there are better ones out there for you to pick from.
Space is a valuable commodity in New York City and Magda Ferrer has been tasked with selling her uncle's home and a lot nearby. Magda is eager to prove herself in her new career field which unfortunately means upsetting the people who have been using the lot as a community garden. Tyson Yang finds himself in the middle of all this and wants to help his friends keep the garden. Looks like Magda and Tyson will be going toe to toe. (among other things, wink wink)
So Magda and Tyson had good chemistry which is such a necessity in a romance novel. Their romantic scenes are a bit hot and steamy, so if that's not your thing, maybe take a pass on this book. I liked how the author chose to use a community garden as part of the plot because it added something different to the story. This was a really quick read which might be part of the reason it just doesn't feel like there's substance to the story. It's one of those books in which I don't really any complaints but I'm not going to say it's a must read either.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review!...more
I rarely read historical romances so it was nice to switch things up for a change. I did love how the author incorporated the women's3.5 stars
I rarely read historical romances so it was nice to switch things up for a change. I did love how the author incorporated the women's suffrage movement in England into the storyline. I also thought the two lead characters had good chemistry together which is my main requirement in a romance novel.
The year is 1879 and Annabelle Archer has just been accepted into the University of Oxford. A pretty big deal considering she will be among the first group of female students ever to attend the prestigious school. She is part of the women's suffrage movement and a key mission of the group is to recruit men of important stature to help with the cause. Annabelle has been tasked with persuading the Duke of Montogomery, Sebastian Devereoux, to go against the queen and lend support to the suffrage group. As if this wasn't going to be challenging enough, Sebastian also doesn't seem to think very highly of Annabelle. Or does he?
Given I typically read only contemporary romances, I have to say I really enjoyed how the time period enhanced the story as it provided even more obstacles for the two to overcome on their way to romance. Without getting into spoilers I do like how the author addressed the differences in their social classes and how that would have been a huge issue back in Victorian England. While I definitely enjoyed the romance elements of the story I did like how it feel like I was getting some history bits thrown in there as an added bonus.
One of my small criticisms of the story is I felt the ending was rushed. Some more development there would have been greatly appreciated.
Overall, a good romance that I feel comfortable recommending to anyone who loves the genre.
I so wanted to like this one, I really did. Unfortunately the premise just didn't work for me. I usually am willing to go with the flow2.5 stars
I so wanted to like this one, I really did. Unfortunately the premise just didn't work for me. I usually am willing to go with the flow especially when it comes to romances but for whatever reason this one drove me nuts. For the most part I liked the two lead characters, but I just wish their journey to love could have been different.
Jack Nolan is no stranger to relationships and this is one of those rare times in his life he is actually single. He meets event planner Hannah Mayfield at a bar and he is instantly attracted to her. Hannah can't deny Jack is handsome and charming but because she has been unlucky in love she just doesn't want to fall for him because it will lead to her heart getting broken again. Jack is a journalist and his boss tells him he needs to write an article about how to lose a girl. Well that stinks because Jack doesn't want to treat a woman poorly , and definitely not someone like Hannah . Now Hannah has a dilemma of her own as her boss doesn't think she has what it takes to plan weddings for the company. Perhaps if Hannah brings a date to a company event she can change the mind of her boss. So in a nutshell, Jack and Hannah will be dating each other but neither one knows the other person is in the relationship to further their career. Sound crazy? Yeah it is!
So this book has been compared to the movie How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days and because I have never seen the film (am I the only person who doesn't find Kate Hudson all that funny and charming?) I don't know if that's a fair comparison. Regardless, I just couldn't get on board with Jack's storyline because it didn't fit in with his supposed nice guy character. For me the story would have worked better if Jack hadn't fallen for Hannah right away. Maybe I would have been more willing to believe in what he was doing. Plenty of other women out there to choose from Jack, why not pick one of them to pull this stunt on instead of the woman you actually like?
For the most part I did like Hannah as a character and appreciated how the author explored in the story how Hannah is biracial. It gave some substance to this romance novel. And speaking of romance, there are definitely some steamy scenes in the book. If graphic language isn't your thing, you will want to pass on this book.
Had high hopes for this one going in but it got out of control too early on and just never fully recovered even with a decent ending. Maybe other readers will enjoy the story, but this one just wasn't for me.
I won a free copy of this book in a giveaway but was under no obligation to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinion. ...more
This is my third Christina Lauren book and I really did think for awhile this would end up being my favorite. The story had potential but I'm leftThis is my third Christina Lauren book and I really did think for awhile this would end up being my favorite. The story had potential but I'm left feeling underwhelmed. The longer the story went on, the less I felt invested in the two romantic leads which is a major bummer when you are reading a romance novel.
Tate Jones is eighteen years old and is on vacation in London when she meets Sam Brandis. She falls in love with him. The story then jumps to fourteen years later and that's all you are getting from me in terms of a synopsis. I didn't bother reading the publisher's synopsis ahead of time and I think going in blind made for a better reading experience. I'm not saying anything really shocking happens but it was nice to be caught off guard a few times.
I enjoyed the London scenes and thought Tate and Sam had good chemistry. I guess the problems start after the action leaves London. From this point on everything in the story feels underdeveloped. There are characters that feel so underutilized I was left thinking what is the point of inserting them into the story? I don't have a problem so much with the actual plot, it is the execution that left me feeling disappointed. The writing duo of Christina Lauren churns out 2-3 books a year and in my opinion this book felt rushed and needed a bit more attention before publication.
My 3 star rating indicates I thought this book was okay and I don't regret reading it, but I do wish I would have enjoyed it more.
I was in the mood for a good romance and this one delivered! I liked the chemistry between the main characters and I really loved how the authorI was in the mood for a good romance and this one delivered! I liked the chemistry between the main characters and I really loved how the author worked a Renaissance Faire into the storyline. Made the story a little more unique.
After getting dumped by her boyfriend and losing her apartment, Emily goes to Maryland to help out her sister who is recovering from a bad car accident. Emily's niece is wanting to participate in the town's Renaissance Faire but she can only join if she has an adult chaperone present, so of course Emily is roped into becoming a volunteer. But Emily actually finds herself having a good time as she meets others in the group and learns her role in the Faire. However, there is one person who just bugs the crap out of her, Simon, a schoolteacher in charge of the volunteers. He dismisses just about everything she has to say pre-Faire, but while the event is going on, it's like he magically turns into a charming, human being and Emily quite enjoys the mutual flirting that goes on between them. But once the Faire is over, is Simon going to go back to his rude self, or is there potential for a real romance?
I actually had much more fun with the Renaissance Faire theme than I expected prior to reading. That's not really a time period I'm all that drawn to normally, but it was interesting reading the ins and outs of putting an event like this together. I did like Emily even though she might not be the most original character ever given the whole "recently lost boyfriend, moved to a new town, and feeling lost in life" isn't exactly uncommon in romances. I thought Simon and Emily had good chemistry together which to me is the number one thing I need in order to like a book in the romance genre. Overall, this was a cute story with a few touching moments and I definitely recommend it if you are a fan of the genre.
Thank you to First to Read for providing me with an advance digital copy! I was under no obligation to post a review and all views expressed are my honest opinion....more
It's not very often I will read something involving ghosts but the synopsis sounded interesting so I rolled the dice and took a chance on3.5 stars
It's not very often I will read something involving ghosts but the synopsis sounded interesting so I rolled the dice and took a chance on this one. Thankfully my gamble paid off and I thought this was a pretty cute historical romance. Always good to step out of your reading comfort zone from time to time.
It's 1875 and you aren't going to find many people who have a kind word to say about Alva Webster. Even though she had been living in Europe, gossip about her and her marriage still found its way across the Atlantic Ocean. After the death of her abusive husband, she has returned to New York with the hopes of restoring, Liefdehuis, a mansion in desperate need of repairs. However, rumor has it ghosts haunt the home and not many people will even go near it. Professor Samuel Moore is highly interested in checking the place out for research purposes but Alva is wary of the idea and him. Perhaps he can charm his way into her heart.
So while ghosts are an aspect of the story, it wasn't the only thing going on, In my opinion the romance was the strength of the story as Alva and Samuel had good chemistry together and I loved their banter back and forth. I don't normally read many historical fiction books taking place in the 1800s, and I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed reading about this time period.
My only slight criticism about the book is I felt the dialogue at times was too modern. A few times during romantic scenes, I would find myself questioning if certain words or phrases were realistic sounding for that time period. I could be wrong though and it's not like it truly affected my overall enjoyment of the story.
I think there's a little something for every type of reader with this book. If you like romances, the 1800s time period, and/or ghosts, consider checking this one out as it's a cute and enjoyable read!
Thank you to St. Martin's for sending me an advance reader's copy! I was not obligated to post a review and all views expressed are my honest opinion....more
I have mixed feelings about this book and am not quite sure if 3 stars is a tad bit generous. I wasn't in love with the character or story as much asI have mixed feelings about this book and am not quite sure if 3 stars is a tad bit generous. I wasn't in love with the character or story as much as so many other readers were but yet I still wouldn't mind checking out the second book in the series.
Lara Jean Song is sixteen years old and lives with her father and two sisters. Her mother died years ago and she along with her older sister, Margot, have helped raise their younger sister, Kitty. Lara Jean has loved five boys in her lifetime and has written deeply personal letters to each guy. She has the letters sealed and addressed but would never send them out because it would be mortifying if each guy knew what she truly thought of them. Uh oh, guess what happens?
In theory this should have been a book I loved but it just wasn't a winner for me. One of the main problems I had was I just didn't connect with Lara Jean at all. I agree with others who have said her maturity level didn't really seem to match someone in their junior year of high school. There was just something off and I was never able to fully identify with her. And for the vast majority of her interactions with Peter I was pretty bored. But despite some of my issues with the story, I am curious about the second book. I guess to sum up my feelings I would say the book was decent but I really wish I would have loved it as much as other readers. I'll keep my fingers crossed that I will find the second book much more enjoyable....more
Once again I am impressed with the author's ability to tackle tough subjects that certainly have been featured in countless other books, but3.5 stars
Once again I am impressed with the author's ability to tackle tough subjects that certainly have been featured in countless other books, but yet she presents them in a way that feels like a fresh new take. While this was my least favorite out of the three books of hers I have read, I still think it is worth reading especially if you enjoy women's fiction.
Quinn and Graham are a married couple who first met under rather unfortunate circumstances. The story goes back and forth between the past and everything that led to them getting married, and the present time in which things aren't so rosy in their marriage.
I thought the alternating timelines was an interesting and effective way to tell the story because you keep wondering what the heck went wrong with this couple. They seemed so happy in the past and yet something is obviously wrong now and that makes you want to keep reading. Even though the book is round 300 pages, it was a super fast read for me.
And that brings me to my only criticism of the novel, there seemed to be something missing. I am in the minority with this opinion because so many people absolutely loved this novel. But to me I felt like there was more to Quinn and Graham's story that I just wasn't getting. It felt like I was getting the novella version of their lives rather than the full book, if that makes sense. This was more of an issue for me in the present day story than the past. I thought Quinn was a well-developed character but I struggled a bit with fully understanding Graham. And because of that I just wasn't 100% fully invested in their love life. I rooted for them but this wasn't a perfect romance read for me. It was very good and had some really touching moments, but it didn't hit amazing level like it did for so many readers.
I still enjoyed the book though and definitely recommend as most people loved it....more
The strength of this one was much more the romance than the mystery and suspense elements of the plot. I didn't like this one as much as I did theThe strength of this one was much more the romance than the mystery and suspense elements of the plot. I didn't like this one as much as I did the first novel in the series, but I am interested in reading the third book. These are pretty light, easy reads and I do like the whole 1930s town near Hollywood setting.
This is the second book in the Burning Cove series but can easily be read as a standalone. However, some characters from the first book make appearances in this one so your reading experience is enhanced a bit if you start at the beginning.
Adelaide Blake is working at an herbal tea shop in the seaside resort town of Burning Cove. She came to town a few months ago having just escaped from a mental institution. She doesn't want to be found which is why she is going by a different name. Given she witnessed something horrific right before she escaped, starting over seems like her best option. But some people have different plans for Adelaide and she's going to have to figure out a way to outsmart the ones who want to silence her. Maybe the handsome widower Jake Truett who is a customer at the tea shop can help Adelaide. (wink, wink)
I was way more invested in the Adelaide/Jake storyline rather than her past and everything related to the sanatorium. It was too far-fetched for me although to be fair a book like this isn't really meant to be analysed to death. I do wish though it would have been more of a cheesy but fun read rather than veering into cheesy bad territory. Even though I didn't care for this one as much as the first book, I still like the concept of the series and how Burning Cove is this place where women go to escape their pasts and hopefully move on to a brighter future. Will definitely check out the third book as the series has a little bit of everything I enjoy including mystery, romance, and Old Hollywood glitz and glam.
Enjoyed this one but I think certain storylines were not developed to their max potential because the story bounced around too much between3.5 stars
Enjoyed this one but I think certain storylines were not developed to their max potential because the story bounced around too much between different characters. This is one of the few times I will say the author easily could have added some more pages to the story as a few of the endings felt a bit rushed.
Sisters Daisy and Beatriz Davenport were raised by their aunt Stella after their mother died. Daisy and Bea are all grown up now and live in the picturesque town of Cape Sanctuary.
Bea divorced her famous rockstar husband a few years back and is busy raising their young daughter. She wouldn't mind pursuing a relationship with an old friend, but her ex is back in town and that might put a wrench in her plans.
Stella has a pretty big secret but she's not quite ready to break the news to her nieces. Daisy is the practical and sensible one and when a handsome stranger enters her life, she doesn't know what hit her. Oh, and she might have a secret or two of her own.
This story follows the three women and that handsome stranger as they are faced with some tough decisions when it comes to matters of the heart.
This was my first time reading a book by the author and I enjoyed it enough to want to seek out her other books. Sure the story was fairly predictable but isn't that what most readers want when they pick up a romance novel? I liked how this was 3 love stories instead of only one but I do think the story bouncing around between 4 characters was too much and hurt the story a bit. Even though I liked Gabe, it might have helped to eliminate his perspective and just focus on the women. I thought Bea got the short end of the stick when it came to development as even though the author obviously laid some of the groundwork for the eventual conclusion, it still felt very rushed in the end.
I liked how foster care was a subject near and dear to Stella and both of her nieces as well. It was nice to see how the women each gave back to their community. Even though I got frustrated at times with the characters, there's no doubt I wanted them to find happiness in the end.
This might not be an absolute must read romance but it still is a solid read if you enjoy the genre.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book I have read by the writing duo, Christina Lauren, and I loved how this one was more of a lighthearted read compared to LoveThis is the second book I have read by the writing duo, Christina Lauren, and I loved how this one was more of a lighthearted read compared to Love and Other Words. There was humor, and good chemistry between the two leads as they did that whole enemies to lovers thing. Definitely recommend if you are in the mood for a fun romance.
Bad luck seems to follow Olive wherever she goes while her identical twin sister, Ami, always has things go her way. However something horrible happens at Ami's wedding reception and she and most of the guests get food poisoning. Ami and her new husband won't be able to go on their honeymoon so she offers the all-expenses paid trip to Olive. Sounds awesome, right? Well, because Ami was able to nab some great deals and got many things for free, there are certain restrictions put in place by the companies. Basically, Olive is going to have to pretend she is Ami if she wants to go on this trip to Maui. Ethan, AKA Olive's arch nemesis, will also be tagging along and they will have to set aside their anger toward one another and act like they are the newlywed couple.
So the plot sounds a bit ludicrous but I'm always willing to lower my believability standards a bit when it comes to romance novels. Some major coincidences going on as Olive and Ethan kept bumping into people they knew from their home state of Minnesota while they were in Maui. But I just rolled with it and still was able to enjoy the story. The conflicts though between Olive and Ethan did seem much more realistic.
I really liked Olive as a female lead character. She felt normal and relatable. Sometimes writers go to the extremes and make the characters either so perfect or have them be so unbelievably messy you question how they can even function. Olive just struck the right chord and I enjoyed the banter back and forth between her and Ethan.
My only criticism of the novel is I hated how the last chapter switched over to Ethan's perspective. It felt clunky and disjointed. Either stick with Olive for the entire book or the story should have been told from alternating perspectives from the beginning. I liked how things were wrapped up storywise, I just didn't like how it was presented.
Overall, a good read and this is the book that definitely made me see why everyone is in love with Christina Lauren. ...more
A little bit different, but that's part of the reason I liked it so much. This is the second book I have read by the author, and I continue to beA little bit different, but that's part of the reason I liked it so much. This is the second book I have read by the author, and I continue to be impressed with how she tackles heavy issues in her stories. The problems the characters deal with aren't anything new to fiction, but somehow it feels like a fresh and unique approach by the author. And there is always at least a few passages that I end up re-reading and sit and ponder for awhile. She's a talented writer and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
To say Merit Voss has an unusual home life is putting it mildly. Her father had an affair with her mother's nurse which led to Moby, Merit's younger half-brother. Her mom lives in the basement of the church they call home while her dad lives upstairs with his new wife and the rest of the family. Merit's twin sister and older brother are just about everything Merit is not and therefore a big reason why she always feels like an outsider. One day Merit meets Sagan, and well you will just have to read the book to find out what happens next.
I absolutely loved the opening as it caught me completely off-guard. When I picked up the book, I honestly wasn't expecting much more than just a basic young adult novel about a teenage girl who has a crush on a guy. And while that's certainly a part of the plot, there's so much more going on as well. Family dynamics are in full force here and I found it really fascinating each character's relationship with one another. The only reason I gave this story 4 stars instead of 5 is because there were times I felt like the story dragged a bit, but at some point near the halfway mark, I became absolutely riveted and couldn't put the book down.
Definitely recommend checking this one out if you enjoy YA fiction and/or books that tackle tough topics. ...more
With this being the 2nd book by Taylor Jenkins Reid I have enjoyed, she now is in the automatic read category. It didn't take me long to feel4.5 stars
With this being the 2nd book by Taylor Jenkins Reid I have enjoyed, she now is in the automatic read category. It didn't take me long to feel invested in the main character and I absolutely loved how the author chose to tell Hannah's story. Well, maybe I should rephrase that as Hannah had more than one story.
Not quite 30 yet, Hannah Martin has been floating around from job to job, city to city. She decides to move back to the city she grew up in, Los Angeles, and thankfully, her best friend, Gabby, is letting her stay at her house while Hannah searches for a job. A bit of a welcome home get together takes place at a bar and Ethan, Hannah's high school boyfriend, shows up and by the end of the night Hannah can either decide to go home with Gabby or she can stick around and hang out with Ethan. And this is the point when things get very interesting because in life we are filled with decisions to be made and having to live with the consequences. In this book, you get to see how both scenarios play out. So basically the book flips back and forth between everything that happens to Hannah if she goes home with Gabby and everything that happens if she stays with Ethan. Make sense? If it doesn't, trust me, this book is easy to follow.
I really enjoyed this book because Hannah was an easy character for me to identify with and I couldn't help but root for her. The way I looked at it, I thought the author could do one of two things in regards to how she was going to end the book and I'm happy that she went with the one I was hoping for. Without getting into spoilers, I just love the message of this book and there are some really good moments especially towards the end. I don't hesitate to recommend this one if you enjoy women's fiction and/or romance.
Another really solid, enjoyable read by the author. Kristan Higgins is very skilled at writing characters that you might not necessarily have much inAnother really solid, enjoyable read by the author. Kristan Higgins is very skilled at writing characters that you might not necessarily have much in common with, but yet you feel fully invested in them and root for them on their journey to finding whatever it is that will bring them happiness. That might sound like a simple thing, but I have read so many books lately in which I just felt zero connection to the characters and their storylines. So this one was a pleasant surprise.
Fifteen years ago Nora left the tiny Maine island town she grew up in and studied her butt off in college and medical school. She's working as a doctor in Boston when she's injured in a car accident. She decides to spend a few months recuperating in Maine even though her mother and the town aren't exactly going to roll out the welcome mat for her. But maybe with a little effort on her part, Nora will be able to repair long fractured relationships and build a few new ones as well.
This isn't an overly complicated story but that doesn't mean that there isn't some depth here either. Nora's backstory and the events of her life that shaped her as a person were interesting to read and were what really drove the story. I loved the interactions between her and the romantic lead in the story as well as her female friendships. So many good relationship dynamics in play here. When I first started reading, I wasn't expecting for this to turn into an emotional read but there were quite a few touching moments throughout.
Definitely recommend not just as a good romance read but also if you like books that feature strong female characters. ...more
I'm actually surprised I enjoyed this one considering I'm not the biggest fan of romantic comedies and that's such a big part of this story.3.5 stars
I'm actually surprised I enjoyed this one considering I'm not the biggest fan of romantic comedies and that's such a big part of this story. But hey, the clever title reeled me right in. This wasn't a perfect read but I thought it was cute and provided a nice distraction from real life.
To say twenty-seven year old Annie likes romantic comedies is putting it mildly. It's more like she is obsessed with them partly because she grew up watching them with her late mother. Annie is convinced there is a Mr. Right out there for her similar to the type of character Tom Hanks plays when he is paired up with Meg Ryan. But when a new man enters her life let's just say things don't go quite how she expected.
At times Annie is kinda annoying but overall I did like the chemistry between her and her love interest in the book. The story isn't perfect but it was fun which was all I was really hoping for when I picked up the book. I even found myself having a cheesy grin on my face during the big rom com like scenes near the end. The author set the stage nicely for a second book featuring some of the supporting cast in this one and I would definitely be interested in checking that one out as well. Overall, a decent pick if you like romances and are looking for something you aren't meant to take too seriously.
Thank you to First to Read for the opportunity to read an advance digital copy! I was under no obligation to post a review and all views expressed are my honest opinion....more
This is the third book in the Burning Cove series and while some characters from previous books are part of this story, you could read this as aThis is the third book in the Burning Cove series and while some characters from previous books are part of this story, you could read this as a standalone novel. However, I think the first book is the best in the series so I recommend starting with that one.
Amalie Vaughn had a brush with death during her days as a trapeze artist so she moved to Burning Cove where she purchased a bed and breakfast. Unfortunately, her first guest, Dr. Norman Pickwell, is murdered and given someone else died there not too long ago, most people think the place is cursed. Matthias Jones is investigating the murder but Amalie is not so sure she can trust him and he feels the same way about her. Burning Cove might seem like just a small resort town for Hollywood stars but it sure does see its fair share of danger, but thankfully love seems to be in the air as well.
While I definitely like the whole 1930s nearby L.A. type setting, my interest is starting to wane with this series. This wasn't a bad book, and I did like the plot more in this one than I did with the second book, but there was nothing here that made it even remotely special. This was a quick read but at the end of the day, I think I would rather seek out the next very good or awesome read rather than continue with a series that is just okay. On a side note, I do love the cover for this one, and think it is by far the best out of the three books.
Thank you to First to Read for the opportunity to read an advance digital copy! I was under no obligation to post a review and all views expressed are my honest opinion. ...more
I was a bit worried about this one because I have a mixed track record with the author's books. It certainly didn't help when this one got off to aI was a bit worried about this one because I have a mixed track record with the author's books. It certainly didn't help when this one got off to a slow start but thankfully everything started to come together quite nicely about a quarter of the way in and I ended up really enjoying the story.
Calla is 26 years old and living in Toronto with her mother and stepdad when she receives news that her father has cancer. Even though she hasn't had much of a relationship with him in years, she decides to pay him a visit. While traveling to the remote area of Alaska where her father lives, Calla meets Jonah, a pilot who works for her dad's charter plane company. Conversations with her dad prove to be awkward and not a whole lotta talking going on. When Calla is around Jonah the two of them hurl nothing but cheap insults at one another. Calla's trip is turning out to be a disaster and she can't help but wonder if she should even stick around.
It took awhile to warm up to the characters as they were definitely an unlikable bunch at first. As the story progresses though and you learn more of their backstory, they turn into likable imperfect people if that makes sense. While I enjoyed the romance elements of the story the most, I did feel invested in Calla's complicated relationship with her father. I thought this was a pretty realistic portrayal of people making tough choices in life and then having to live with the consequences, both good and bad. Maybe it's not what I would do in that situation but I could at least understand their point of view.
Overall, a good romance novel with some depth. ...more
Don't be fooled into thinking this is some fluffy, love triangle romance novel. This is a tough read because of the subject matter. If you4.5 stars
Don't be fooled into thinking this is some fluffy, love triangle romance novel. This is a tough read because of the subject matter. If you can mentally prepare yourself for a difficult read, I think it's important to check this one out. If I could hand a free copy of this book to every woman in this world, I would. And to be honest, I think men should read it too as the issues brought up in the book aren't exclusive to just women.
After a rough childhood, Lily came to Boston and has started her own business. She meets Ryle, a neurosurgeon, and sparks fly but it doesn't appear like he wants anything more than a one-night stand. And while Lily is left wondering if there really might be potential for a relationship with the charming doctor, she also can't stop thinking about her first love, Atlas. When Atlas reappears in Lily's life, things become even more complicated for her.
I somehow managed to finish the story without crying but then I go and read the Author's Note and Acknowledgements at the end and absolutely lose it. The book might be fiction but the fact so much of it is based on the author's childhood just really tugs at your heartstrings. It's also why the story comes across as so raw and authentic. I won't go into spoilers but I will say there is great potential here for something to really click with the reader and take something valuable away from the story. I highly recommend reading it. ...more
I'll admit I almost passed on this book because I thought does the world really need yet another modern day retelling of Pride and Prejudice?3.5 stars
I'll admit I almost passed on this book because I thought does the world really need yet another modern day retelling of Pride and Prejudice? Thankfully, I went ahead and read this book anyway and I can honestly say it feels like something fresh and different and not something I have read a hundred times before.
Ayesha Shamsi lives in Canada and is working as teacher even though she has dreams of being a poet. Her cousin Hafsa is younger than Ayesha but she has already rejected numerous marriage proposals. Enter Khalid, who Ayesha kinda sorta likes but also kinda sorta hates because he comes across as super judgmental. But now that he is set to marry Hafsa, Ayesha's feelings towards him don't even matter, right? RIGHT?
It took me a pretty long time to warm up to Khalid and I much preferred Ayesha's parts of the story. I do wonder if I would have liked the book a tad more if the focus would have only been on Ayesha rather than being split among multiple characters. I love how the book featured Muslim characters and the different ways the author was able to weave that into the story really sets this book apart from typical romances. Definitely recommend giving this one a chance even if you feel like you have read one too many modern day retellings of classic books. This one is worth a read in my opinion.
I won a free advance copy of this book in a giveaway but was under no obligation to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinion. ...more
4.5 stars I've read most of Sophie Kinsella's novels (even some that she wrote under the name Madeleine Wickham) and this one ranks right near the top.4.5 stars I've read most of Sophie Kinsella's novels (even some that she wrote under the name Madeleine Wickham) and this one ranks right near the top. It really seemed to showcase all the things I have previously loved in her books but yet also didn't feel something I have read countless times before. The main character clicked with me and I enjoyed her interactions with her family and love interest.
Fixie Farr has always tried to follow her late father's wishes with putting family first. But why should she always be the one pulling up the slack at the family's housewares store when her brother and sister get to do whatever the hell they want? The problem with Fixie is she just can't say the word "no" and everyone likes to take advantage of that fact.
While in a coffee shop, Fixie manages to save the day and a handsome stranger thanks her by giving her an IOU on a coffee sleeve. She brushes it off as a joke, but the more she gets thinking the more she actually considers taking the man up on his offer. He might be able to provide a solution to her problems and get people to stop coming to her because she is "Ms. Fixit".
It was pretty easy to relate to Fixie because most of us have felt like our kindness was being taking advantage of at one point or another. So right off the bat she was an easy person to root for and someone you wanted to be happy. Sometimes with the author's books I feel like the stories and characters can be a little over the top but this one seemed toned down in that respect. It had a little bit of quirkiness but in a fun way and in no way did it hurt the story.
While Fixie growing as a person is certainly a key part of the story, the romance is really what kept me reading. I thought Fixie and her love interest had good chemistry and I liked seeing the ups and downs of their relationship.
Overall, another fun read by Sophie Kinsella! If you have loved her other books, I highly recommend checking this one out.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review....more
I'll admit I was disappointed when I finished this one because I did enjoy The Kiss Quotient and had high hopes this would be a good read as well.I'll admit I was disappointed when I finished this one because I did enjoy The Kiss Quotient and had high hopes this would be a good read as well. Lack of good chemistry is the main issue I had with this book and why it was only an okay read. Once again the author has featured characters that are underrepresented in fiction which is awesome but given romance is such a big part of the story, the fact I wasn't really feeling it, was a significant problem. Other readers really connected with the characters so definitely this is one of those your mileage may vary type reads.
This is the second book in The Kiss Quotient series but can easily be read as a standalone. Some characters from the first book make appearances in this one which was nice although some were "don't blink or you'll miss it" type cameos. It looks like a third book is in the works and after reading this one I have a pretty good guess who will be the main character. Even though this book wasn't my favorite, I still wouldn't mind checking the next book out.
Esme Tran has lived her entire life in Vietnam and is working at a hotel when she is approached by a woman who has an interesting proposition. She wants Esme to come to America and marry her son. The prospect of a better life for not just her but also her family, is why Esme takes the woman up on her offer. But getting the son, Khai, to fall in love with her isn't going to be easy.
I wasn't a huge fan of the premise to begin with as having a green card type plot doesn't seem like the best use of diverse characters. I wish the author would have chosen a different reason for Esme to come to America and interact with Khai. However, the author did attempt to give substance to the characters by featuring such things as Esme's drive to succeed and Khai learning how to deal with his emotions. Like I said before I wasn't feeling much chemistry between Esme and Khai and in general I thought the story needing some polishing up as it didn't quite work for me. It just felt like so many aspects of the story were not fully developed or not developed to their potential is maybe a better way of putting it. Everything felt slightly off with this book. It wasn't horrible, but I definitely walked away wishing I would have liked it better.
Thank you to First to Read for the opportunity to read an advance digital copy! I was under no obligation to post a review and all views expressed are my honest opinion....more
Nina, Nina, Nina. You just didn't really work for me therefore this was just an okay read. I didn't dislike you or anything but given the tough stuffNina, Nina, Nina. You just didn't really work for me therefore this was just an okay read. I didn't dislike you or anything but given the tough stuff you were dealing with in the book, I wish I would have felt more of a connection to you.
This is a story of a woman who has the type of wealth and privilege most of us can only dream of and yet Nina Gregory doesn't feel completely satisfied with her life. When her world falls apart, she really starts to question if she is on the right path to happiness or if she needs to go in a different direction.
It is essential when I read these type of fiction stories with elements of romance that I feel something for the character or otherwise it will never be more than just an average read. With other genres like mysteries or thrillers, I can find the main character completely unlikable and still have a fun time reading the book. The problem with this one is Nina. I don't know how to describe her other than she's just blah. The author gave her a fairly interesting backstory but the way her character was written didn't do much for me. There were only a couple moments with her father and with Caro that made me feel anything at all. I needed more heart to fully enjoy the book and unfortunately it was pretty much lacking in that department.
Botttom line, this was a fairly quick read and it certainly wasn't horrible but yeah, I wish I would have liked this one better.
I won a free advance copy of this book in a giveaway but was under no obligation to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinion. ...more
This was a nice surprise! I really wasn't expecting to like this one as much as I did. I was kinda iffy on whether or not I was going to like theThis was a nice surprise! I really wasn't expecting to like this one as much as I did. I was kinda iffy on whether or not I was going to like the beauty pageant parts of the story but thankfully there were some good moments with that and also the other things going on in the main character's life.
What I loved most about the book was Willowdean wasn't perfect. She could be shallow, cruel, and hypocritical among other things. I found it refreshing to have a protagonist who could act like a jerk. This to me is much more realistic than the usual way YA fiction authors write their main characters. It's like they think if the character is overweight than they can't have any flaws and they become these weird caricatures that don't really resemble anyone I know. It was refreshing to have a main character who lacked self-awareness at times. I look back on growing up and even though I like to think of myself as a good person there were definitely times when I acted in a way that didn't paint me in the best light. For most of us, being a teenager was not always a good time because you are this giant mess of insecurity, raging hormones, and a mind that's not fully developed. And even though you know might know better, you still act like an ass. And big surprise, just because you are overweight doesn't make you immune from being an ass from time to time. So kudos to the author for having a main character with flaws!
I absolutely loved how Mitch factored into the story. I found myself reflecting back to crazy high school love life drama and remember exactly how it felt to be not just in Mitch's shoes but Willowdean's as well. It's not fun on either side of the equation.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read but maybe it's not for everyone. I guess it just depends on how you view the main character. Some of the characteristics of her personality that I found endearing, could be annoying for another reader. Not every book or character works for everyone, but for me this was a good fit. I look forward to watching the Netflix movie and also reading the followup to this novel which features some of the side characters in this book. ...more
I went into this one with low expectations because the early reviews were mixed, but I ended up enjoying the story quite a bit. I wouldn't3.5 stars
I went into this one with low expectations because the early reviews were mixed, but I ended up enjoying the story quite a bit. I wouldn't say the main character is my favorite person in the world, but I did appreciate a glimpse into the life of someone with muscular dystrophy. The strengths of the book were seeing how the character dealt with things most kids her age don't have to worry about as well as seeing how her family was affected as well.
Eighteen year old Maeve loves film making and guys. Unfortunately, most boys her age don't seem to give her a second glance because she is in a wheelchair. However, maybe her luck is changing as one of the actors in her senior film project, Cole, appears to be interested in her. But maybe the chemistry they share will end up amounting to nothing. Or maybe love is in Maeve's future. Who knows? You probably should just read the book to find out!
Maeve is a bit awkward, comes on too strong, and has other flaws just like any other person in the world but I never felt she was annoying, it was more sometimes she made me cringe. I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt when it came to certain situations because I think not knowing what the future had in store for her factored into some of her behavior.
I've been going back and forth trying to decide if Cole needed to be more fully developed as a character or if it was a realistic portrayal of a teenage boy. Maybe it's a bit of both. I just wish I understood him better but then again it's not like when I was in school I ever solved the mystery of teenage boys. Teenagers are weird, that's for sure.
I did enjoy this one even if it wasn't a perfect read.
On a side note, I thought what the author wrote in the Acknowledgments about her brother was beautiful and it made me tear up.
I won a free advance copy of this book in a giveaway but was under no obligation to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinion....more
I had such high hopes for this one and I'm happy to say it pretty much delivered when it comes to everything I want in a romance novel. I liked theI had such high hopes for this one and I'm happy to say it pretty much delivered when it comes to everything I want in a romance novel. I liked the characters, thought the two males had good chemistry, and the obstacles they faced along the way kept the story interesting.
Alex Claremont-Diaz's mother is President of the United States. She is seeking a second term when Alex causes a tabloid frenzy by getting into an altercation across the pond with Price Henry. In order to smooth things over in the press, both men agree to some staged photo ops. They develop an unlikely friendship that turns into something more. But is the world ready for America's First Son and a British prince to fall in love?
I loved the premise for this one and kept thinking throughout the book how awesome it would be if this actually did happen in real life. For the most part I did enjoy the mixing of U.S. politics and the British monarchy although a few times I did question if something was truly realistic. The pace of the story was good and I'm glad the author didn't drag the story out and have a rushed ending which is fairly common in romance novels.
Definitely recommend checking this one out if you are looking for a good romance, enjoy stories with diverse characters, and/or like books that revolve around politics or the royal family.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read a free advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review....more
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