Read and Review #15 - At Any Price (Brenna Aubrey)

Title: At Any Price (Gaming the System #1)
Author: Brenna Aubrey
Publication date: 9 December 2013
Publisher: Silver Griffon Associates
Get a copy! Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

Achievement Unlocked: Geek Virgin 

When Mia Strong, proud geek-girl and popular gaming blogger, auctions off her virginity online, she knows she'll make waves. But what she will not be making is a love connection. Her rules are set in stone: One night. No further contact. It's a desperate step, but it's the only way she can go to medical school and pay her mother's mounting hospital bills. 

Difficulty Level: Millionaire CEO 

Adam Drake, the enigmatic auction winner, is a software prodigy who made his first million at seventeen. Now, in his mid-twenties, he's sexy, driven and--as CEO of his own gaming company--he's used to making the rules. Before Mia knows what's happening, he's found the loophole in the rules of her auction. Every stipulation she's made to protect her heart gets tossed by the wayside. She can't tell if he's playing her...or if he's playing for keeps.

My rating:

5 out of 5 starts gaming after reading this book

My review:

PERFECTION.

I was a little hesitant about reading this book when I first saw it. I mean, auctioning your virginity to a bunch of strangers, especially online is really bizarre and risky. There are perverts out there who would do anything to get a good fuck online and that's the scariest thing about the Internet. But okay, I have to read this to see how it goes. 

And I was blown away! 

I mean, there's Mia, gamer and blogger who spends her days playing games, studying, working as an orderly and blog about her games. She's pretty normal actually (because I do that and I don't know how I stay awake most of the time without coffee). She's auctioning her virginity for a good reason and she actually took it rather seriously, going over the rules and making sure her best friend, Heath (a law student I think) deal with the bidders before approving them. 

And in comes Adam Drake, who at the first meeting looked very arrogant, cold and had a hard exterior. Not to mention extremely good looking. In other words...

He also laid down his own rules, outwitting Mia at every turn. He managed to soften up around her, protecting her even. But because of his past, he would shrink away whenever they get too close and that leads to tons of sexual frustration in this story. 

Did I even mention the amount of sexual frustration that goes on in this story!? 

There are shit tons of them and I found myself yelling 'GET IT OVER WITH ALREADY!' every time they tease each other with kisses and touches. The connection between Mia and Adam is so strong but yet I felt like it's not enough. Even to the end I still feel like there's this huge barrier between them even after all their issues are laid out and no secrets are left (at least I hope so).

I am obsessed with this book. I cannot wait for the next one. Some might read this book and think, aww shit that's a whole lot of teasing and sex! But I like the way it's written. Not too much that it becomes tacky. Also, I was frustrated half of the time because I only get to read Mia's POV and I am dying to know Adam's. Maybe in the next book?

Read and Review #14 - Talking Dirty With the Boss (Jackie Ashenden)

Title: Talking Dirty With the Boss
Author: Jackie Ashenden
Publication date: 9 December 2013
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Get a copy! Amazon | Google Play Store | Barnes and Noble


Synopsis:

Marisa Clair wants to get her artist dreams back on track after a life detour. That means no partying, no shopping…and definitely no men to distract her. Should be easy, but there’s something about her hot and exceedingly uptight boss and she can't seem to stop herself from ruffling Mr. Tall, Dark and Irritating.

Financial consultant Luke McNamara lives his life strictly by schedule – his OCD simply won't allow him to do anything else. And the very last thing he needs is a sassy blonde putting lipstick on his collar and messing with his routine. She annoys the hell out of him so why can’t he stop thinking about the color of her panties…and how free he feels when he’s with her?

Marisa and Luke’s plans to steer clear of one another are shot to hell after a hot office encounter. Now the two of them will have to learn to get along as they face a much more permanent reminder of their lack of self-control – a pregnancy.

My rating:

3 out of 5 flirt at work

My review:

*ARC was generously given by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Okay so apparently I jumped two books and got straight to this one. But I was never made aware of this series so what the hell, I'll just review this and be done with it. OCD is not something to mess around with. I am a little OCD, especially when I do sketches or do any written work. I get very uncomfortable looking at mistakes, especially visible ones and sometimes it will take me hours to get a perfect sketch or paper. I can understand how Luke deals with his OCD, everything must be in place, must be in order so his life can go on. It's excruciatingly frustrating and it can really make you look like a freak. 

But I couldn't somehow relate to him breaking out of his OCD, being so reckless at times around Marisa. Not only him, but I couldn't relate to Marisa as well. The whole situation was a little off to me but I continued on till the end because it was interesting and I wanted to know how Luke's OCD would fit into their lives.

"She was like a princess escaped from the palace, slumming it with the plebeians. And that offended his sense of order, too." 

I find the whole princess thing a little weird. He's not that very affectionate and suddenly he calls her a princess? It totally messes with my head because when I read princesses, I think of little girls in pink tutus and a golden wand! 

I gave it a 3 for the interaction between Luke and Marisa. Although I can't relate to them like I do with most couples, they are entertaining and maybe there are some people who would love them.

Read and Review #13 - Married for Christmas (Noelle Adams)

Title: Married for Christmas
Author: Noelle Adams
Publication date: 1 December 2013
Publisher: Noelle Adams
Get a copy! Amazon | Barnes & Noble


Synopsis:

After years of dreaming, Jessica is finally getting married, but the marriage isn't exactly what she thought.

Daniel is her best friend, and she's known him all her life, but he's never gotten over losing his wife two years ago. His dream is to become the pastor of the church in their hometown, but the small-town congregation keeps balking over calling an unmarried minister. Since Daniel needs a wife and Jessica wants a husband and family, she proposes an arrangement that benefits both of them.

They can get married. They can build a life together. They can celebrate Christmas as a couple. It's fine that he doesn't love her. And it's fine that she's not exactly suited to be a small-town pastor's wife. And it's fine that she's more attracted to her sexy, brooding husband every day.

Jessica can be practical about this marriage. She knows what she's getting into, after all... 

This book includes fully-developed sex scenes between a husband and wife.

My rating:

5 out of 5 women wants to marry their best friend

My review:

This book made me cry. So hard. It was emotionally painful, I don't know how but I couldn't stop crying until the end. There was just this emotional roller coaster half of the time I just want to bash Daniel in the head. 

Jessica Cameron suggested marriage to her best friend, Daniel when it was discovered that he needed a wife to be accepted as pastor at the church in their hometown. It was a marriage a convenience; Daniel being accepted into the position easily while Jessica gets the married life that she had always wanted. So what if it was a loveless marriage? At least they would have each other.  

The thing about this story is that Jessica and Daniel had known each other since they were little. She never fell in love and he had already lost his first love. His wife Lila, had been friends with Jessica and they all grew up together, although not as close friends.

"I've had a real marriage, and I know I won't be blessed that way again. But you've never been married. You need to wait for the right man—someone you can really love, someone who loves you more than anything."

From the beginning, I can already sense it was going to be one of those relationships. Daniel wouldn't be able to love Jessica fully and Jessica would eventually want more than just a convenient marriage. But Daniel, the extent of his attitude towards Jessica! It made my heart ache but I understand why he's feeling that way.

"You know that what God does is make us whole when we're nothing but broken. But you're not acting like you believe it. And if you don't believe it, then what are we doing here?"

I didn't know how intense this story would affect me. But it did. The whole premise revolves around Jessica and Daniel's life as a married couple and while he is a gamma hero, it was nice to read about this sort of marriage of convenience between a pastor and a computer geek. And it totally change my thinking that pastors don't usually indulge in sexual activities.

It's a good tear-jerker for Christmas (because I love tear-jerkers). There was a little holiday spirit weaved into the story line towards the end. If you like romance between married couples then this is the book for you!

Read and Review #12 - Catching Claire (Cindy Procter-King)

Title: Catching Claire (Love & Other Calamities #2)
Author: Cindy Procter-King
Publication date: 1 October 2013
Publisher: Blue Orchard Books
Get a copy! Amazon | Barnes & Noble


Synopsis:

When Claire Merriweather hires hunky future doctor Ridge Pederson to strip at a friend’s bachelorette party, she never imagines she’ll wake up in his bed. Well, she imagines it—but now it’s happened. 

Big problem: Claire’s memory is fuzzy. Did they do the bouncy? Or did Ridge reject her? Either way…oh-oh, her heart’s in trouble!

My rating:

3.5 out of 5 women suggest a hook-up with a stripper at least once

My review:

*A copy was given generously by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Well, this is a very short read. Like 39 pages long. Everything is fast-paced and on the verge of unrealistic. But keep in mind, it's supposed to be a sweet, short love story. 

Claire Merriweather hires Ridge Pederson, a stripper to perform at her best friend's bachelorette party. When she found herself in his bed the next day, she is mortified with the thought that they may had have sex the night before.

This is one of those love at first sight sort of thing. They are so attracted to each other that they kissed just hours into knowing each other. And then he became her date to the wedding. And basically it's a happy ever after ending. Oh look, so much spoilers. 

Not recommended to those who likes instant attraction.

Christmas Books!

Christmas is just around the corner! Only 20 more days till the big day and to celebrate, I decided to read Christmas-themed romance books courtesy of Netgally (and a few store-bought ones)! Right now I have a bunch lined up and I can't wait to tear them apart read them and get into the Christmas-sy feeling. Get a cup of cocoa (with teeny marshmallows), snuggle under a warm blanket and read a book. 

I will try to review each books and post it here and on Goodreads and since it's the holidays, there's no excuse for a short (and sadly lack of gifs) reviews! So, among the books I'm going to read are:

Title: Married for Christmas

Author: Noelle Adams

Publication date: 1 December 2013

Publisher: Noelle Adams

Get a copy! Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

After years of dreaming, Jessica is finally getting married, but the marriage isn't exactly what she thought. 

Daniel is her best friend, and she's known him all her life, but he's never gotten over losing his wife two years ago. His dream is to become the pastor of the church in their hometown, but the small-town congregation keeps balking over calling an unmarried minister. Since Daniel needs a wife and Jessica wants a husband and family, she proposes an arrangement that benefits both of them. 

They can get married. They can build a life together. They can celebrate Christmas as a couple. It's fine that he doesn't love her. And it's fine that she's not exactly suited to be a small-town pastor's wife. And it's fine that she's more attracted to her sexy, brooding husband every day. 

Jessica can be practical about this marriage. She knows what she's getting into, after all...

Title: A Christmas to Remember

Authors: Hope Ramsay, Molly Cannon, Marilyn Pappano, Kristen Ashley, Jill Shalvis

Publication date: 3 December 2013

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing - Forever Yours

Get a copy! Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

Curl up with this heartwarming Christmas collection! 

Jill Shalvis, Dream a Little Dream: Melissa has kept every man at a safe distance-especially firefighter Ian, a sexy friend with sexy benefits. But Ian secretly longs for more. Luckily, 'tis the season for giving love a chance...

Kristen Ashley, Every Year: Holidays don't come easy for Shy and his brother, Landon. But with the magic of Christmas, along with a little help from Tabby and her family, the Cage brothers are about to get the gift of a lifetime...

Hope Ramsay, Silent Night: Down on her luck and evicted from her apartment, single mother Maryanne hopes to start over in Last Chance. When the snow begins to fall, it looks like her baby might literally spend Christmas Eve in a manger. And Maryanne might celebrate the holiday with a handsome stranger. 

Molly Cannon, Have Yourself a Messy Little Christmas: Lincoln is a bachelor who's set in his ways-until a professional organizer dressed up as Mrs. Claus changes his life, one tip at a time... 

Marilyn Pappano, A Family for Christmas: War widow Ilena doesn't mind spending Christmas alone. But when a new doctor blows into town with the winter wind, will she get her secret Christmas wish?

Title: Mine Under the Mistletoe

Authors: Kat Latham

Publication date: 5 December 2013

Publisher: Carina Press

Get a copy! Amazon | Google Play Store | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
Thanks to a transatlantic house swap, California girl Ashley Turner is finally going to fulfill her lifelong dream of a proper English Christmas. Her holiday plans did not include a sexy stranger climbing into her borrowed bed in the middle of the night. But in the light of day, Ashley can't help but wonder if Santa has delivered early... 

Game designer Oliver Stansfeld can't wait to leave dreary London—and all its difficult holiday memories—for sunny San Diego. But a freak ice storm and a grounded plane have forced him back to his already-occupied flat. To make up for the mix-up, the least he can do is show his pretty houseguest where to get the perfect Christmas tree before he leaves. 

The more time they spend together, the more their attraction grows, and soon Ashley is tempting Oliver to give in to the spirit of the season and snuggle up for the rest of the winter. As the ice melts and flights start taking off again, he must choose between giving in to the past or risking his heart on a chance at love.

Title: Where the Heart Is

Authors: Darcy Burke

Publication date: 1 December 2013

Publisher: Intrepid Reads

Get a copy! Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

Home is more than a place...

Breaking free from her structured life, Chloe English quits her high-powered job and moves across the country to work as an art teacher. The simple life is all she hoped it would be until her house burns down, leaving her homeless. When a handsome firefighter swoops in to save the day, she can’t believe her luck. He’s laid-back and unassuming, everything she’s looking for in a man—or so he seems. It turns out he’s as ambitious as her ex, comes with a family who could be more stifling than hers, and harbors dark secrets he may never be able to share.

Orphaned as a teenager, Derek Sumner has found a place in his best friend’s family. However, the love and support of his surrogate parents and siblings can’t erase the grief and loss he struggles every Christmas to banish. But this year he meets the fun and sexy Chloe, whose optimism and sense of joy are incredibly contagious. Can she help him face his bleak past so they can forge a happy future?

Title: Midwinter Magic

Authors: Erica Ridley

Publication date: 1 December 2013

Publisher: Intrepid Reads

Get a copy! Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

After an eye-opening congressional hearing, former corporate shark Jack Morgan redirects his ill-gotten gains toward charity work. However, his attempts to bring holiday cheer to a Bolivian village meet with one disaster after another: canceled flights, crumbling luggage, implacable customs officials. His plans disintegrate further when he runs into a sexy tourist with . . . wings?

As Jack's guardian angel, Sarah Phimm has her work cut out for her. When his latest volunteer mission risks his life, she's forced to reveal herself to him—but only in part. She can't risk him knowing the truth. He's everything her immortal heart desires, but can never have. She soon discovers that keeping him safe amidst death bridges and tumbling telephone poles is far easier than guarding her heart.

So there you have it! Christmas and romance, what's not to love?

Read and Review #11 - Searching For Someday (Jennifer Probst)

Title: Searching for Someday

Author: Jennifer Probst

Publication date: 26 November 2013
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Get a copy! Amazon | Google Play Store | Barnes & Noble


Synopsis:

Kate has given up on love—at least for herself. She is both blessed and cursed with the ability to sense a romantic connection between two people—a gift that her family passed down for generations. When Kate launches her own matchmaking company, Kinnection, with her two best friends in a cozy New York town, she has to put aside her own romantic disasters to make her business a success. 

But when a furious man stalks into her office and accuses her business of being a scam, Kate is given the ultimate challenge to prove herself. Slade puts himself in her hands and asks Kate to find him love. Enraged at his arrogance but stubbornly eager to prove herself, Kate agrees, dedicating herself to the journey of finding him love...only to find herself falling for him along the way.

My rating:

4 out of 5 signs up for a matchmaking company

My review:

I am a fan of Jennifer Probst. A FAN. I read The Marriage Bargain and absolutely loved it and was on my way to reading the other books when this caught my eye. 

Kate Seymour has a magical gift that when she touches two people who are meant to be together, she would feel this tingle sort of like an electric shock running through her. She hadn't been lucky in the dating department and her most recent date was a joke. It was ironic, given the success of her matchmaking company that she herself couldn't find a match. Even more so with her special touch.   

Slade Montgomery was a divorce-attorney who does not believe in true love and happily ever after. When his sister announced that she had joined a matchmaking company, he was determined to see it through to make sure that she would not get hurt again. Aggressively protective of his sister, he decided to sign up for the same matchmaking company to ensure that it was not a fraud like most matchmaking companies out there.

When Slade first met Kate, she was everything he didn't want in a woman. He was however, intrigued by their constant banter and the attraction he felt towards her. I was really looking forward to some awesome banter and it definitely didn't disappoint. Slade was fighting very hard not to be attracted to her and Kate kept telling herself to not date a client.

It's a very fun read, surprisingly fast. It hit me hard towards the end and I found myself wiping away tears when I finished the book. The best thing in the book is when Robert came into the picture. I cried and smiled and you can't simply hate Robert. You just can't. 

I enjoy one of those love stories where the people who are meant to be together fully denies their attraction till the end and had this pent up frustration and jealousy and all other feelings and it just hit hard sometimes, right in the gut. Oh and one very sexy spoiler (in my opinion at least); Slade wears glasses.

Read it, enjoy it. It's funny, sad, frustrating and it puts a smile on your face.

Read and Review #10 - Deeper (Robin York)

Title: Deeper

Author: Robin York

Publication date: 28 January 2014

Publisher: Random Publishing House Group - Bantam Dell

Get a copy! Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

In this New Adult debut by Robin York, a college student is attacked online and must restore her name—and stay clear of a guy who’s wrong for her, but feels so right.

When Caroline Piasecki’s ex-boyfriend posts their sex pictures on the Internet, it destroys her reputation as a nice college girl. Suddenly her once-promising future doesn’t look so bright. Caroline tries to make the pictures disappear, hoping time will bury her shame. Then a guy she barely knows rises to her defense and punches her ex to the ground.

West Leavitt is the last person Caroline needs in her life. Everyone knows he’s shady. Still, Caroline is drawn to his confidence and swagger—even after promising her dad she’ll keep her distance. On late, sleepless nights, Caroline starts wandering into the bakery where West works.

They hang out, they talk, they listen. Though Caroline and West tell each other they’re “just friends,” their feelings intensify until it becomes impossible to pretend. The more complicated her relationship with West gets, the harder Caroline has to struggle to discover what she wants for herself—and the easier it becomes to find the courage she needs to fight back against the people who would judge her.

When all seems lost, sometimes the only place to go is deeper.

My rating:

3.5 out of 5 bread consumed

My review:

*ARC generously given by the publishers via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

I was not sure how to rate this book. I liked it but I wasn't in love with it. I took my sweet time reading it because the choice was either continue on and be frustrated or take my time and let the frustration ease. 

We have Caroline Piasecki, a college student whose ex-boyfriend post their sex pictures on the Internet. She's a normal, nice college girl. On her way to be a lawyer. Who makes straight A's and doesn't fool around at parties. Once the pictures are out for the public to see, she started getting harassed by strangers who want some of the action they've seen in the pictures. She found comfort in West, after witnessing an altercation between him and her ex, Nate. 

West Leavitt is the go-to guy for drugs in Putnam College, dealing from the bakery where he works. He majors in Biology, studying to be an anesthesiologist. Aside from dealing drugs, he also waits table, shelves books at the library and caddies at the golf course. West has plans, and it doesn't involve Caroline. But living across her in the dorms, seeing her every day made it hard for him to ignore her existence. 

I actually like Caroline and West, when they're not thinking about mauling each other every time they are near the other. I guess it's the hormone but really, it's like they only like each other for the sexual vibe they give out.

But sexy-time with them is hot. And I mean really hot.

And the funny thing is, once they let out their pent-up frustration, they actually think about something other than sex. Like West's family. And Caroline's family finding out her sex pictures. 

The ending felt rushed for me. The last two chapters anyway. There is so much going on that for a second there I was confused. I guess the word I'm looking for is easy. There is a bunch of thing left unsettled, unexplained and there is still this huge wall between Caroline and West by the end of it. Well, that's what cliffhanger means, right?

Favorite thing ever that I can relate to!

"I took this job expecting to be left alone, working when nobody was awake, not having to be polite or say words I don't mean, to act like I'm somebody I'm not."

Read and Review #9 - The Reunion Lie (Lucy King)

Title: The Reunion Lie

Author: Lucy King

Publication date: 19 November 2013

Publisher: Harlequin KISS

Get a copy! Amazon | Google Play Store | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

It was only meant to be a little white lie….

Inventing a fake fiancé was an act of desperation for Zoe Montgomery—a knee-jerk response to her horrifying high school reunion! But now that she's convinced London's most unattainable bachelor to play the part, her little white lie is spiraling out of control.

Because everyone wants a piece of tycoon Dan Forrester. Including Zoe! Especially once she's seen the view from his bedroom—this might be a fake engagement, but she's certainly not faking anything else!

Now the reunion is over, and Zoe and Dan have convinced the world they're meant to be! But convincing each other? A whole different challenge….

My rating:

4 out of 5 wants to hit on a random guy in bars

My review:

When I first read the synopsis for this book, I immediately thought that it would be a good read. After I realize that this book is published by Harlequin, I dialed down on my expectation of an excellent love story because having read a bunch of Harlequin books, yes, they are tear-jerkers but they always lacked something. Maybe because usually the stories are short and left me unsatisfied by the end. 

This story is no exception. However! It felt real, the connection between Dan and Zoe. They were held back by their past but instead of handling them with elaborate plans or denial, they actually dealt with their problems like grown-ups. At least to me it felt that way. Both are straight-forward and there was no beating around bush when it comes to saying what they want from each other. 

The downside of reading this was that there was too much stuffed in a very short story. I did mention that the connection between Dan and Zoe are real but come to think of it, it was missing that impact, that bonding moment that seals the relationship. The best way I could describe is that their relationship was a slow build-up, like most relationship these days. Nice and slow, hardly any intense moments. Apart from Dan getting mad at Zoe for betraying his trust but even that didn't feel intense and before I could wallow in the piercing pain, it was cut short by revelation after revelation. I guess I just love drama in my romance.

It's a fast read, still managed to jerk a tear or two or ten but don't expect too much from it. Books published under Harlequin are usually short and sweet and almost always have a happy ending. If you're looking for an intense, dramatic, tear-jerker romance, this will cut you short. 

Read and Review #8 - Either Side of Midnight (Tori de Clare)

Title: Either Side of Midnight

Author: Tori de Clare

Publication date: 11 July 2013
Publisher: Tori de Clare
Get a copy! Amazon


Synopsis:

WHAT IF THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE TURNED INTO YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE?

When nineteen-year-old Naomi Stone is snatched from her husband at knifepoint on the night of their wedding and taken to a deserted cemetery, she knows her life is finished. Drugged and disorientated, she loses consciousness as she lies in an open grave with a gun to her head.

But the following day, she mysteriously awakes to find herself unharmed and secured to a bed. She's in a beautiful bedroom in a secluded cottage in open countryside. Only one person knows she’s there – the man in the balaclava who’s holding her, feeding her, revealing nothing. Naomi senses the unfolding of a plan. She should be on honeymoon in the Caribbean.

Instead, she’s trapped with an emotionless psycho with no hope of escape . . . And his voice is chillingly familiar. Who is he? What does he want? What's happened to her husband? Where is she? Will anyone find her before it's too late?

My rating:

4 out 5 thinks the hero is scrumptious 

My review:

*A copy was provided generously by the author in exchange for an honest review*

It was a thrilling ride, this book. I may be a fan of mysteries but hardly ever when reading about them. Romance is more to my liking. However, when Tori told me about it, I was intrigued. And so began my journey from debating whether I want to read it to finishing it with an internal scream 'WHY END IT'. 

Before I get to the good points, I just feel like I should get all the bad out. 

1) While the writing is good, I get confused sometimes because there are too many point of views.

2) Shouldn't Camilla and Henry be called Mum and Dad? I mean, I know it's written as a third person but even though I know they're the biological parents, I can't help but think of them as step-parents because of the way Naomi and Annabel referred them by their names. I may sound ignorant because maybe there is a name for this style of writing that I'm not aware of. 

3) Certain parts can be polished to sound better and less confusing. Like the part where Nathan called Lorie for the first time and revealed the twist in the story. I mean, were it written in a less confusing way, I would  digest the information in a rather dramatic 'WHAT THE ACTUAL FAHK' kind of way.

4) The almost unrealistic connection between Dan and Naomi. It's the romantic in me saying, wait hold up a second there. I saw this coming, but there are so much missing in the middle! I ended up assuming they bonded behind the scenes.

I wasn't peeved that much by those, they're easily brushed off and aside from some minor retracing, I was able to focus on the plot. I love a good mystery. Not the paranormal kind, more towards the crime kind. And this book definitely delivered. The plan was detailed and realistic. But because I'm a sucker for romance, I was hoping for more interaction between Dan and Naomi. I was made aware that this book has little romance but once it's written in there, I can't help but want more. 

It's a good read, confusing if you don't keep up with the story (like I did) and recommended for those who likes mystery with a little romance kind of story. I enjoyed it, a bunch others enjoyed it, so why not give it a go?

Upcoming Release #1 - Hothouse Flower (Krista & Becca Ritchie)

Title: Hothouse Flower

Author: Krista & Becca Ritchie

Expected publication: February 2014

Synopsis:

Ryke Meadows, meet Daisy Calloway ... she’s all grown up. 

Twenty-five-year-old Ryke Meadows knows he’s hard to love. With a billion-dollar inheritance, a track-star resume, and an alpha-male personality—he redefines the term likable asshole. But he’s not living to make friends. Or enemies. He just wants to free climb three of the toughest mountains in Yosemite without drama or interruption.

And then he receives a distressed call from a girl in Paris—a girl that he has never been allowed to have.

Daisy Calloway is eighteen. Finally. With her newfound independence, she can say goodbye to her overbearing mother and continue her modeling career. Next stop, Paris. Fashion Week begins with a bang, and Daisy uncovers the ugly reality of the industry. She wants to prove to her family that she can live on her own, but when everything spirals out of control, she turns to Ryke to keep her secrets.

As Daisy struggles to make sense of this new world and her freedom, she pushes the limits and fearlessly rides the edge. Ryke knows there’s deep hurt beneath every impulsive action. He must keep up with Daisy, and if he lets her go, her favorite motto—“live as if you’ll die today”—may just come true.

Excerpt:
{Prologue}
Ryke Meadows

My life is full of unconventionalities, abnormalities and awkward fucking situations.

If you’re easily offended by crude language and inappropriate talks, you’ve taken a wrong fucking turn somewhere. You won’t understand me if you can’t handle me, and I’m not going to try to explain myself. I’m not here to smooth down my rough edges.

I’m raw.

I’m hard.

I’m the thing you shy away from.

So I’m warning you now. Back away.

Because once you enter my life, I won’t ever let you leave.

Initial thoughts:
I KNEW IT!!!

I AM ABSOLUTELY EXCITED FOR THIS BOOK. I can almost taste the tension between Ryke and Daisy. I can feel it. If I could, I would want to get one of those ARC.

Read and Review #7 - Love the One You're With (Lauren Layne)

Title: Love the One You're With (Sex, Love and Stiletto #2)

Author: Lauren Layne

Publication date: 9 December 2013

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept

Get a copy! Amazon | Google Play Store | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

As a leading columnist for Stiletto, Grace Brighton has built a career warning women about rotten, cheating liars. She just never suspected her fiancé would be one of them. After Grace takes a heart-mending hiatus, her first assignment is to go on a couple of dates with a counterpart from the men's magazine Oxford and report her impressions. Grace 1.0 may have been instantly smitten with the gorgeous correspondent, but Grace 2.0 has sworn off relationships for six months, and she's not falling for his outstanding bod and trophy-winning kisses... or is she?

Jake Malone wants to get back to the fly-by-night, who-knows-what's-next guy he used to be, and he knows exactly how to do it. Oxford is adding a travel section, and Jake—with no wife and no kids and a willingness to live anywhere, eat anything, do everything—is perfect for the job... except that his playboy reputation makes his new editor nervous. To get the gig, he must agree to a fluffy joint article with Stiletto. But after just one date with snooty, sumptuous, sensational Grace Brighton, Jake starts taking this assignment a whole lot more seriously...

My rating:

4 out of 5 wants to live in Tribeca

My review:

*ARC generously provided by the publishers via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

First off, I like Grace. She's this good girl determined to not be fooled by another man after the love of her life cheated on her. Among the trio (Julie, Grace and Riley), she's the timid one. The peacemaker. She's not as flirtatious as Julie or exudes sexual confidence (wait is that the right term?) like Riley. And the one thing she thought she had mastered left her single and bitter. When an opportunity arises for her to be Grace 2.0, she wasted no time and decided to take the chance. 

The first time meeting Jake could have put him in the what-a-jerk category but the way he carry himself makes him so likable despite his playboy ways. I don't know what his deal is with wanting to be single but damn if his actions say otherwise. My favorite parts in this book all consist of Jake. Did I mention that Jake is hot? 

I find that the banter between Jake and Grace are realistic enough. The idea of getting two people trying to compete on who can read the opposite sex better is great especially because these days, both genders claim that they are able to read the other better. And the discussion is pretty heated most of the time. 

It's a cute read. Sweet without being tacky. And I read it pretty fast too. It's fully recommended for anyone who likes a cute and fast read. Looking forward to Riley's story!

Read and Review #6 - After the Kiss (Lauren Layne)

Title: After the Kiss (Sex, Love and Stiletto #1)

Author: Lauren Layne

Publication date: 26 August 2013
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept
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Synopsis:

Julie Greene loves flings. Loves steamy first dates, sizzling first kisses, and every now and then, that first sexy romp between the sheets. Comfy pants, sleepy Sundays, movie nights on the couch? Shudder. But when Julie gets assigned the hardest story of her career—a first-person account of that magical shift between dating and "I do"—she'll need a man brave enough to give a total commitment-phobe a chance at more.

 Normally, Mitchell Forbes would be exactly that man. A devastatingly hot workaholic who tends to stay in relationships for far too long, he should be the perfect subject for Julie's "research." But what Julie doesn't know is that Mitchell is looking to cut loose for once in his life. And the leggy journalist notorious for avoiding love is exactly the type of no-strings fling he's looking for. In other words, Mitchell is the polar opposite of what Julie needs right now. And, at the same time, he's exactly what she wants.

My rating: 

5 out of 5 wants to marry a Wall Street broker

My review:

*I received a copy from the publishers via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

I have to admit, the reason I was drawn to this book was because of the author. I read Ms. Layne's Isn't She Lovely (psst, I wrote a review about it!) and enjoyed it immensely. I liked the way she writes her stories and I was hoping I'd get that in this book. Fortunately, I wasn't disappointed. In fact, I liked this book just as much (maybe more).

Julie Greene is a columnist for a magazine called Stiletto who writes the dating column in the Dating, Love and Sex segment of the magazine. She had never been in a relationship that lasts more than a couple of weeks and most of them are for research in her columns. When her editor told her to write a column on taking the next step in a relationship, Julie almost declined because she doesn't write about being in love. She writes about how to date a guy. And so she decides to do a research: be in a relationship with a guy and make it to Movie Night. In search of a subject to use as part of her research, she met Mitchell Forbes.

Mitchell Forbes, a Wall Street broker wanted nothing more than to prove to his colleague that he is able to have flings instead of safe, boring relationships. Being a workaholic, he opted to stay in a relationship even when he didn't want to. And so he made a bet. He would have a fling with a woman and dumps her before she starts to feel anything for him. And who better to have a fling with if not the notorious serial dater, Julie Greene? 

This is not one of those instant love at first sight kind of story. In fact, they don't even like each other that much at the first meeting. They are the total opposites of each other, hating the other's way of thinking. But eventually, they found that underneath their clothing and jobs lies a different person that they can tolerate and fall in love with. 

Normally I don't like reading about falling in love at such a fast pace but the way this story is written, the idea of falling in love that quick doesn't seem tacky or strange. Their relationship is sweet and towards the end I couldn't stop crying. 

"Here was a short-term kind of girl begging for a long-term relationship from a long-term kind of guy who wanted a fling."

"For the past few weeks, I've been doing something I've done an awful lot of. I've fallen in love. Then I went and did something crazy. Something wonderful. I stayed in love. I stayed past the first kiss, the first inside joke, the first fight. But I did it all wrong. I played it like a game, and I broke someone's heart. And I broke my own in the process." 

The only thing that I didn't like about this book was how short it was. I'm a very dramatic kind of girl and while this book managed to jerk the tears out of my eyes, I wanted more. It's fully recommended for those who enjoyed banters, love/hate relationship and just plain old crying over fictional characters.