I am not cut out for this

So, I decided to stop reviewing book in this blog. I mean, no one reads them but me lol which I don't mind. This is for anyone who might drop by after I have stopped blogging here. I only blogged because I need to write reviews for ARCs and since I already write reviews on Goodreads, might as well just stay in one place. It's been fun, I guess. I love gifs since forever and have always wanted to use reaction gifs. Plus, I already have another blog that I really put most of my time into (that is not a reviewer's blog) and if I have to choose, the other blog wins hands down. 

I'm still writing reviews, only not here. Want to read them, then I have an account in Goodreads. Till then, good day. Have fun reading my previous reviews here. :) xx

Read and Review #31 - Neanderthal Seeks Human: A Smart Romance (Penny Reid)

Title: Neanderthal Seeks Human: A Smart Romance (Knitting in the City #1)

Author: Penny Reid

Publication date: 14 March 2013

Publisher: Caped Publishing

Get a copy! Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

There are three things you need to know about Janie Morris: 

1) She is incapable of engaging in a conversation without volunteering TMTI (Too Much Trivial Information), especially when she is unnerved, 

2) No one unnerves her more than Quinn Sullivan, and 

3) She doesn't know how to knit. 

After losing her boyfriend, apartment, and job in the same day, Janie Morris can't help wondering what new torment fate has in store. To her utter mortification, Quinn Sullivan- aka Sir McHotpants- witnesses it all then keeps turning up like a pair of shoes you lust after but can't afford. The last thing she expects is for Quinn- the focus of her slightly, albeit harmless, stalkerish tendencies- to make her an offer she can't refuse.

My rating:
4 / 5

My review:
By the mighty power of Thor!

I can relate to Janie badly because I love reading about random trivias and spewing them in awkward situations. I've been reading a bunch of books where the characters have "weird" habits but I really like Janie's weirdness the most. Maybe not so much weird than awkward. Janie is definitely awkward.

There's McDreamy and McSteamy. And then there's Quinn Sullivan a.k.a Sir Handsome McHotpants. I'm not one for silly nicknames but I don't know why I can tolerate this one. I even liked it!

When I started reading this book, I was terribly happy to read about the possibility of falling in love with a security guard. I mean, how often do you read about falling in love with someone whose occupation is not in the generic group of high-powered, influencal jobs (CEOs, lawyers, businessmen, musicians)? But my dream was soon crushed when I found out that Quinn was actually a CEO, CIO, CFO and COO. Oh yes, he's all that. 

Although I don't know how he did that AND manage have a social life at the same time without. And then I remember that this is not real and no one can possibly be all that and not go crazy. 

I don't find many office romances that doesn't immediately lead to hot sex and constant lusting over the boss. Although, I am still in search of an excellent romance book between co-workers who are not in a boss-employee relationship. That being said, this is still a really good book for those who likes office romances.

Putting that aside, the background of the story is quite mediocre. Jon's half-assed attempt to keep Janie by his side, Jem's involved with a gang (probably a drug lord) and then there's the thing with Quinn's parents that Janie eventually figured out but never told anyone (even us, the readers).

I wasn't disappointed when it comes to the smart part of this book. I would sometimes re-read the trivias that Janie referred to in almost every chapter of the book. However, the knitting part really threw me off because there's not much knitting done throughout the book. Janie didn't even knit!

It's a good book with intelligence and fluff. Not so much drama but then again, not so much drama. It's funny, light and smart albeit the lack in enthusiasm poured into the back story. Definitely continuing with the rest of the series.

Read and Review #30 - Desperately Seeking Suzanna (Elizabeth Michels)

Title: Desperately Seeking Suzanna (Tricks of the Ton #2)

Author: Elizabeth Michels

Publication date: 4 March 2014

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

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

Synopsis:

Her Cinderella Moment

Sue Green just wanted one night to be the pretty one. But a few glasses of champagne and one wild disguise later,

she’s in some serious trouble. Who knew the devastatingly handsome face of Lord Holden Ellis would get in the way of her foot? And how exactly did all that high-kick dancing start in the first place? At least she blamed it all on her new persona—Suzanna. So Society’s most eligible bachelor will never find out the truth.

All Holden wants is the truth. Who was that vixen who seduced him so thoroughly, then disappeared? The only one who seems to have any answers about Suzanna is Miss Sue Green. She’s promised to help him find his mystery woman, but in truth she’s not being all that helpful. And in truth, the more time Holden spends with Sue—witty, pretty, and disarmingly honest—the more he realizes he may have found exactly what he’s been looking for all along...

My rating:
5 / 5

My review:

Sue Green secretly crashed a party with her cousins and sister, got drunk and kicked Lord Holden Ellis in the nose, breaking it. Since it was a masquerade ball, she was masked and declared herself to be Suzanna, her very brazen alter ego. They indulged in one night of passion, only to be cut short by the reveal at the end of the party. Caught by her mother, all her make-up were removed and the accessories on her dress were ripped off and Sue was forced to leave early. She decided to hang out a little more and when she encountered Holden again sans make-up, he didn't recognize her.

Heartbroken, she fled and vowed to never speak or see Holden ever again. Yeah right. Holden however, thought that Suzanna had simply left him. And soon began his desperate search for the woman who had enticed and fascinated him. 

This story reminded me so much of An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn (I am obsessed with Julia Quinn) with different story lines. Benedict wasn't as obsessed as Holden and Sue wasn't as outspoken as Sophie. The only similarities were the masquerade ball, the evil mother and someone was always left heartbroken. 

The events in this book coincide with the first book and even then I already knew what was going on before I found out the title of this book. It's a less dramatic book aside from Holden's crazy mother. Even his crazy mother didn't make enough appearance to make her threats seem dangerous. The build-up to Sue's confrontation with Holden's mother was rather tame but understandably reasonable.

It's a good read for those not looking for swooning ladies and terribly arrogant heroes. A perfect read for those who love a stud and plain jane romance. I enjoyed it immensely and I am looking forward to more of this author's work.

Read and Review #29 - Must Love Dukes (Elizabeth Michels)

Title: Must Love Dukes (Tricks of the Ton #1)

Author: Elizabeth Michels

Publication date: 4 February 2014

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Get a copy! Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

She Can't Resist the Dare

Lillian Phillips could not imagine how her quiet, simple life had come to this. Blackmailed by the Mad Duke of Thornwood into accepting one wild dare after another...all because of a pocket watch. Desperate to recover her beloved father's pawned timepiece, Lily did something reckless and dangerous and delicious—something that led to a night she'd never forget. 

He has a Reputation for Scandal

When Devon Grey, Duke of Thornwood, runs into a mesmerizing, intoxicating, thieving woman who literally stole from his bedchamber—with his new pocket watch—Devon plots his revenge. If the daring wench likes to play games, he's happy to oblige. After all, what's the use of being the Mad Duke if you can't have some fun? But the last laugh might just be on him...

My rating:

4 / 5

My review:

I believe this is a debut book by Elizabeth Michels and it's not that bad. I enjoyed this book and I think that there should more authors venturing into the historical romance genre.

It's a refreshing read because while Lilly and Devon have sort of a love-hate relationship, it's not like most of relationships in historical romances, especially the love-hate ones are usually based on rumors and misunderstandings. Devon was angry with Lilly because she stole from him and left without an explanation after one night of hot romance.

A year later, they met again in a different setting. Still angry at Lilly, Devon blackmailed her into playing a game that led to scandalous events. It was no wonder he was called the Mad Duke of Thornwood, he loves doing mischievous things and say the most inappropriate things at parties. In other words, he's equivalent to Barney Stinson in the modern day.

The attraction between them rekindled the more they spend time with each other. Devon's mischiefs are hilarious, not mad. And Lilly is the perfect anchor for him to not go aboard and put his attitude in check. 

Usually, it's the hero who did the running but here, it was the heroine. Their chemistry is electric and I find myself loving them more towards the end. And not to mention Lilly's gay brother. I mean, how many gays can you find in historical romances (the ones that are not homosexual themed)? 

It's not bad for a debut novel. The banter between Lilly and Devon is fun to read and I am thoroughly entertained throughout the book. Definitely looking forward for more of this author's work!

Read and Review #28 - Unravel Me (Tori St. Claire)

Title: Unravel Me

Author: Tori St. Claire

Publication date: 24 February 2014
Publisher: Entangled Publishing — Brazen

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

Synopsis:

Letting go might be the key that unlocks her pleasure…

Attorney Cassie Blaire has spent most of her life living by rules. Rules that keep her life sensible, and on the right path. But five years after losing her husband, Cassie is saying sayonara to “sensible.” And it starts now—with indulging a need she’s long denied.

When he arrives in Colorado, all Brad Steele wants is a scotch before he has to play nice in the first face-to-face meeting with his co-counsel in an ugly divorce case. But instead, he finds her—a lush, inviting stranger whose dark eyes invite him to sin...and thirst turns into a raw, undeniable hunger.

Now Cassie is initiated into a world that has nothing to do with being sensible, and everything to do with sensuality. Under Brad’s guiding touch, she’s receiving an education in desire—one that breaks all of the old rules, and explores tantalizing new ones. And once she learns that her naughty one-nighter is her arrogant co-counsel, all of her objections will be sustained...

My rating:
2 / 5

My review:
"ARC generously provided by the publishers via Netgalley in exchange for an honest opinion"

The first few chapters of the book is great. Until I get to the rest of the book. 

I'm all in for people who meet and part after a one night stand. A very hot one night stand. Cassie and Brad's encounter was refreshing and a good opening to the story in my opinion. Strangers meet, have sex then leave. No name, no info, no expectations. I didn't expect anything and that's why it was great. And then came the post one night stand.

It left a bad taste in my mouth because after reading the chapters after, it's like reading about two completely different people. Who is this woman claiming to want to break out of submission? Who is this man trying to be a dominant wannabe? It's hard to process their relationship because while I get that the author wants them to be two different people by day and night, it just didn't work out. 

I gave it a 2 rating out of 5 because of the first few chapters. If only it stopped there.

Read and Review #27 - Tempted by the Soldier (Nicolette Day)

Title: Tempted by the Soldier (Falling for You #2)

Author: Nicolette Day

Publication date: 24 February 2014

Publisher: Entangled Publishing — Brazen

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

Synopsis:

When one touch isn’t enough, why resist?

Road trips are supposed to be fun. Or, at least, full of hot sex. For photographer Lilly Grayson, the fifteen-hour drive to her friend’s wedding with Nate Jennings will be neither. Not that Nate isn’t sexy—the man is six-foot-three-inches of mouth-watering Marine. But Lilly’s been there, done that…and he walked away. Now it’s time for a little payback. The kind that’ll make a man desperate for a taste of what he can’t have. 

And Nate wants a taste—so badly that he can barely keep his hands on the wheel. But the scars and ghosts of his last tour still haunt him. He can’t give into temptation, not this time. Lilly deserves a whole man—one who can love her the way she deserves to be loved, even if she doesn’t believe it can happen. And that can’t be Nate. Not when he’s leaving again in two weeks, and this time, he’s not sure he’ll return...

My rating:
3.5 / 5

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

I love roadtrips. It's one of the best ways to get to bond with someone and have fun at the same time. In this story, Lilly and Nate were previously linked but Nate left her after a one night stand. I hadn't read the first book, but from the glimpses in this book, it was stated that Lilly and Nate met each other again multiple times after their one night stand, with much hostility on Lilly's part. I mean yeah, she deserves to be mad for being treated like a whore.

The thing is, I don't really find myself connected to Lilly or able to relate to her. She may be headstrong but at the end of the day, she still succumbed to her heart. Her feelings for Nate never died down, so was his for her. Alas, my cold cold heart did not melt at this.

I've read a few PTSD related romance and yes, Nate really made it believable. Not only that, he blamed himself for the death of his fellow comrades. PTSD added with guilt is one dangerous combination. I can understand his need to push Lilly away. And Lilly was determined to help him go through it. 

The sex was HOT. The banter was ridiculously spot on. Emotional turmoil? Don't get me started. However, when you feel so detached from a character, no matter how good the story is, it can rub you the wrong way and tilt your whole view of the story. You start to scrutinize every single thing the character say and do, to find that thing to connect with them. I didn't find that with either Lilly or Nate.

Needless to say, it's a good story. Roadtrips, banter, hot sex, emotional roller coaster. They're all there. It will make your heart (sadly not mine) ache and melt. Maybe I read it at the wrong time, with the wrong mood but it is what it is to me. 

Read and Review #26 - Romancing the Duke (Tessa Dare)

Title: Romancing the Duke (Castles Ever After #1)

Author: Tessa Dare

Publication date: 28 January 2014

Publisher: Avon

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

Synopsis:

In the first in Tessa Dare's captivating Castles Ever After series, a mysterious fortress is the setting for an unlikely love...

As the daughter of a famed author, Isolde Ophelia Goodnight grew up on tales of brave knights and fair maidens. She never doubted romance would be in her future, too. The storybooks offered endless possibilities.

And as she grew older, Izzy crossed them off. One by one by one.

Ugly duckling turned swan?

Abducted by handsome highwayman?

Rescued from drudgery by charming prince?

No, no, and… Heh.

Now Izzy’s given up yearning for romance. She’ll settle for a roof over her head. What fairy tales are left over for an impoverished twenty-six year-old woman who’s never even been kissed?

This one.

My rating: 
4 / 5

My review:
What do I love more than historical romances? Dukes.

AND...

Baby Edward Duke Rancic by the way. I got carried away in my search for dukes and spent 10 minutes cooing over baby pictures instead.

Moving on.

In this book, we have a disgruntled duke. And disabled on top of that. The Duke of Rothbury, or better known as Ransom, is a good looking man with a cold heart and indifferent demeanour towards those around him. Not that strange in the 19th century aristocracy. Seven months prior to the event that took place in his castle at the beginning of this story, he was involved in an altercation which left him blinded along with a scar from brow to his temple. It was in this condition when he was met with Isolde Goodnight, nicknamed Izzy.

Izzy Goodnight was the daughter of a famous author who wrote a popular book series, The Goodnight Tales. Since a young age, she had always dreamed of having her own romantic love story but as she grew older, one by one of her romantic fantasies were shed off due to her acceptance to reality. She wasn't one of those heroines who were pretty and couldn't see her true beauty. No, she had already accepted that she wasn't going to be one of those pretty swans in the lake. And she's fine with that.

“Don’t tell me you’re one of those women with radical ideas.”

“No,” she returned. “I’m one of those women with nothing. There are a great many of us."

A misunderstanding caused Ransom and Izzy to stay in the same building, sorting out their living arrangement with each other. Ransom, ashamed of his actions more than his looks didn't expect Izzy to be compassionate towards him. Izzy on the other hand, finally found someone who would know her as she is and not based on the books in which she became the famous Little Izzy. 

I enjoyed this book because I do really love historical romances. It gives out a different vibe than contemporary romances and this book is no exception. Izzy is not traditionally beautiful or a hidden gem. She's a plain looking woman with wild hair. Ransom wouldn't even give her a chance if he was locked with her in a room for a few hours. 

The fact that he's blind left him no chance to get to know someone other than talking to him or her. He can no longer decide whether he wants to talk to a person strictly based on how they looked like. The situation suited Izzy because she was done being treated as Little Izzy instead of Isolde. This whole idea is interesting to me. She didn't became a raging beauty overnight, her personality showed her inner beauty instead.

It's an almost perfect story if it weren't for the missing pieces that were never recovered towards the end. There has to be more to the altercation that caused Ransom to lose his sight. Because really, one slash to one side of the face could leave both eyes blinded?

Overall, it's a good story. Focusing on Izzy and Ransom's relationship alone, and hell everything else would diminish into the background. If this is how Tessa Dare writes historical romances, then I have to get to work and read her other books.

Read and Review #25 - Wallbanger (Alice Clayton)

Title: Wallbanger (Cocktail #1)

Author: Alice Clayton

Publication date: 27 November 2012

Publisher: Omnific Publishing
Get a copy! Amazon | Google Play Store | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis: 

The first night after Caroline moves into her fantastic new San Francisco apartment, she realizes she's gaining an intimate knowledge of her new neighbor's nocturnal adventures. Thanks to paper-thin walls and the guy's athletic prowess, she can hear not just his bed banging against the wall but the ecstatic response of what seems (as loud night after loud night goes by) like an endless parade of women. And since Caroline is currently on a self-imposed dating hiatus, and her neighbor is clearly lethally attractive to women, she finds her fantasies keep her awake even longer than the noise. So when the wallbanging threatens to literally bounce her out of bed, Caroline, clad in sexual frustration and a pink baby-doll nightie, confronts Simon Parker, her heard-but-never-seen neighbor. The tension between them is as thick as the walls are thin, and the results just as mixed. Suddenly, Caroline is finding she may have discovered a whole new definition of neighborly... 

n a delicious mix of silly and steamy, Alice Clayton dishes out a hot and hilarious tale of exasperation at first sight...

My rating:
5 / 5

My review:

Oh dear, this book. It took me almost a year to pick it up again. I had a dislike towards silly nicknames and was immediately turned off whenever I encountered any in the books I read. Pink Nightie Girl was one of them. Yes, I put it down the moment I found myself squirming from the absurdity of the name.  

And just recently I began to read it again. And I wondered, why in the hell would I hate a nickname such as Pink Nightie Girl? The fabulous that is this story is enough to outshine a small thing like a nickname. Well doesn't matter, I had read it and I absolutely love it! Not to mention most of my friends on Goodreads give an average rating of 4.5 for it.

Why is this book so good that almost everyone give it an almost perfect rating? I'll tell you why. There is no tragic backstory. No one is running away from anyone. Well, unless you count Cory, the guy who chased away O.  And therefore making Caroline wanting to run away from him. By the way, O is Caroline's orgasm.

ANYWHO, it's a likable story because the characters were not hung up on past relationship or experience emotional trauma from any form of abuse. Their feud was simple; "Stop banging on my fucking wall when you're having sex." So if you're looking for a book with no angst or drama, this is the perfect book for you.

Caroline was witty, sweet and funny whereas Simon exudes sex; flirty, charming and charismatic. They became from neighbors to enemies to friends to best friends and eventually lovers. I mean, that is how you become close to that hot neighbor, right?

And the sexual tension in that one chapter! The only chapter where we get to see Simon's point of view but somehow I got cockblocked by Ryan and Mimi instead. Don't get me wrong, I adore the other couples but please, it was the post breaking point of Simon and Caroline's relationship! 

It's funny, witty and I stayed up till dawn trying to finish this book. These characters are likable, the plot is hilarious and who doesn't love a reformed wallbanger? Despite the name, the book cover and the first chapter of this book, it's not as erotically charged as other romance books out there. Not even in the last few chapters. It's a fun book and definitely worth reading. 

Read and Review #24 - Attachments (Rainbow Rowell)

Title: Attachments

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Publication date: 14 April 2011

Publisher: Dutton Adult

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

Synopsis:

"Hi, I'm the guy who reads your e-mail, and also, I love you ... "

Beth Fremont and Jennifer Scribner-Snyder know that somebody is monitoring their work e-mail. (Everybody in the newsroom knows. It's company policy.) But they can't quite bring themselves to take it seriously. They go on sending each other endless and endlessly hilarious e-mails, discussing every aspect of their personal lives. 

Meanwhile, Lincoln O'Neill can't believe this is his job now- reading other people's e-mail. When he applied to be "internet security officer," he pictured himself building firewalls and crushing hackers- not writing up a report every time a sports reporter forwards a dirty joke. 

When Lincoln comes across Beth's and Jennifer's messages, he knows he should turn them in. But he can't help being entertained-and captivated-by their stories. 

By the time Lincoln realizes he's falling for Beth, it's way too late to introduce himself.

What would he say . . . ?

My rating:
4 / 5

My review:

I don't know why I love this story because the idea of someone else reading my private messages to a friend is disturbing. But they brought it unto themselves, Jennifer and Beth. They knew any personal emails will be filtered and monitored to ensure that they do not break the company's Internet policy. But do they care?

And Lincoln O'Neill was the guy hired to do just that. Go through filtered emails and send warnings to employees who are violating company's policy. You'd think it's a cool job, reading about gossips and secret affairs and stuff?

Lincoln's job is pretty boring actually and he gets paid decently to do almost nothing every day. The highlight of his day? Reading emails between Jennifer and Beth. They had already broke a few of the policy but he didn't have it in him to send them any warning emails. Plus, their emails were just too juicy and provided him the entertainment to get through work.

Basically, half of the book consisted of email exchanges. It's like listening to that two strangers talking in a cafe whom you always run into that one day of the week. You don't hang out with them, but you know their story as if you've known them for years. Rest assured, I don't hang out at cafes listening to strangers having conversations.

Anyways, the plot is pretty subdued. Lincoln's life is mundane. And I don't get to know more about Beth and Jennifer outside their emails to each other. But the story kept me interested. Beth and Jennifer's emails are hilarious. I wouldn't want to stop reading if I could because of their wits and snappy comebacks. Lincoln, on the other hand is pretty boring. It's not bad because really, why have an amazing, perfect hero? Have you read any of Rainbow Rowell's work? Her heroes are imperfect.

What deducted one star from my rating is the ending. It felt rushed and unreal to me. There was not enough interaction between Beth and Lincoln to feel that sort of comfort around each other so soon after she found out about him. I get that she has a crush on him, stalked him and even admired him but I don't know, it feels a little middle school for me. 

"Do you believe in love at first sight?"
"I don't know," he said. "Do you believe in love before that?"

Cheesy as hell but I love that part the most. I like this book for the witty interaction, imperfect yet lovable characters and the appropriate pacing for this style of writing. Sure it has a slow pacing but it's not that lengthy that it makes you want to kill yourself for reading it in the first place. You won't even realize you're almost at the end. 

Upcoming Release #4 - Searching for Perfect (Jennifer Probst)

Title: Searching for Perfect (Searching For #2)

Author: Jennifer Probst
Expected Publication: 29 April 2014
Pre-order a copy! Amazon | Google Play Store | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

The up-and-coming matchmaking agency Kinnections is the hottest thing to hit Verily, New York—just like Kennedy Ashe, social director for the service she owns with her two best girlfriends. A coach, consultant, and cheerleader rolled into one super-sizzling package, Kennedy creates dream dates, encourages singles to shine, and never refuses a challenge—not even Nate Ellison Raymond Dunkle, rocket scientist, nerd extraordinaire, and Kennedy’s newest client.

Kennedy vows to work her magic and transform this hot mess in a lab coat with a disastrous relationship track record into the most wanted man on the Verily dating scene. If only she could turn the wand on herself . . .

Though she radiates confidence and sex appeal, Kennedy harbors deep-seated insecurities from a tormented past and lifelong struggle with weight issues. When she realizes she and Nate are cut from the same cloth and might be perfect together, can Kennedy learn to let her heart lead the way? Or will her fears sentence her to the sidelines as Nate finds love—with someone else?

Initial thoughts:

So far I can't find any excerpts, teasers or any hints regarding this book but it's still 3 months away so hopes are not all dead. 

In a three-friend circle of friendship, there's always the sexual one. In this case, it's Kennedy. And I absolutely love a Pygmalion kind of story. What is Pygmalion you ask? Or I assume you asked? Think Pretty Woman. Hadn't watch Pretty Woman? Damn, you're missing out.

In modern definition, or rather, more urbanized definition, Pygmalion is when a person falls in love with something he or she created. Now, while Kennedy didn't exactly 'create' Nate, he helped created his new look. The theme of pygmalion is not very strong in this story but it is enough to draw my interest.

Kennedy was likable in the first book and I am really looking forward to this one! And I have to admit, thank goodness she doesn't have any 'gift' like Kate. That's just me though.

Read and Review #23 - Eleanor and Park (Rainbow Rowell)

Title: Eleanor and Park

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Publication date: 26 February 2013

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

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

Synopsis:

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.

My rating:
5 / 5

My review:

The simplicity in which Eleanor and Park were written in is one of the things that drew me to the book in the first place. The whole thing about this book is simple. The words, the plot, the emotions. Eleanor. Park. 

This book makes me feel young which is weird because I just barely got out of my teen years and I wasn't even born yet in 1986. Walkman. Mix tapes. Talking on the phone. ACTUAL talking on the phone. Absence of cell phone and smart phones. Reading comics on the bus.

I instantly love Eleanor and Park because they are not your every day female and male lead of Young Adult books. Sure, they're both cute. But they're not attracted to each other because of their looks. If I have to call their attraction something, it would be like a slow, building one rather than an instant attraction. They're both so intrigued with one another that they were eventually drawn to each other. 

It's also not depressing in a sense that there are barely any tragic past involved. Eleanor may live an unfortunate life but at least she doesn't wallow in it and let it take over her mind most of the time. She is being a typical girl her age; thinking about that boy that she's interested in. Not distancing herself from everyone and try to appear deep by using irrelevant anecdotes to depict how she's coping with her life.

The thing about first love is that you're always thinking of that person, wondering what they're doing and if they're thinking of you. Going through every single thing that you said to him/her that day. These things are easily portrayed between Park and Eleanor, albeit a little fast. Once they're in, they're in it seriously.

It's a simple, fast read. Thrice the average number of chapters for a book. Minimal depth but there are still character development present. I don't know how, normally I would find books written like this mundane for my taste. But I was so intrigued, interested in Eleanor and Park's relationship. 

If anyone were to ask me to describe this book, it would be fluff. Nothing much going on, little drama, tons of Eleanor and Park. I was not happy about the ending but I think it is a good one. They're both happy, aren't they? If it has a sequel (which is highly unlikely), I would pick it up as soon as I can get my hands on it. Definitely recommended for anyone who likes fluff in their story. (psst, fluff as in cute stuff not marshallows or that thing about pornstars)

Read and Review #22 - Kiss The Sky (Krista & Becca Ritchie)

Title: Kiss the Sky

Author: Krista & Becca Ritchie

Publication date: 22 January 2014

Publisher: K.B. Ritchie (Independent Book Publishers Association)

Get a copy! Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

Virgin. Sex addict. Daredevil. Alcoholic. Smartass … Jackass. Her five friends are about to be filmed. Reality TV, be prepared.

Rose Calloway thought she had everything under control. At twenty-three, she’s a Princeton graduate, an Academic Bowl champion, a fashion designer and the daughter of a Fortune 500 mogul. But with a sex addict as a sister and roommate, nothing comes easy.

After accepting help from a producer, Rose agrees to have her life filmed for a reality television show. The Hollywood exec is her last chance to revive her struggling fashion line, and boundaries begin to blur as she’s forced to make nice with a man who always has his way.

Twenty-four-year-old Connor Cobalt is a guy who bulldozes weak men. He’s confident, smart-as-hell and lives with his equally ambitious girlfriend, Rose Calloway. Connor has to find a way to protect Rose without ruining the show. Or else the producer will get what Connor has always wanted—Rose’s virginity.

This New Adult Standalone Romance can be described as Friends meets The Real World. Expect fist fights, drugs, sex of varying degrees, crude humor and competitive alpha males. Definitely for mature readers audiences only.

My rating:
5 / 5

My review:
A very concupiscent read!

Kiss the Sky is a spin off from the Addicted series written by the Ritchie twins. It is a standalone but please, PLEASE read the Addicted series. You'll get to know more about Rose and Connor and the history of their relationship. Not only that, you'll also fall in love with Lily, Lo, Ryke and Daisy as well. It's a rarity to fall in love with all the major couples at the same time but Krista and Becca manage to do that without taking the limelight out of the couple in focus. Each character development is parallel with the storyline, maintaining the focus of the story while getting to know them more in the process. 

When Rose was introduced in Addicted to You, I didn't really have a high opinion of her. She came across as frigid, strict and always try to inject herself in Lily's life. That was before I knew how important her presence is in her sister's life. Rose is the mother Lily desperately needed and from there I began to build my respect towards her.

I was very wary of Connor at first because of his tendency to hang out with people who benefits him. His confidence is his most prominent feature and I was reassured by his calm demeanour whenever Loren or Lily started to crack. To me, Connor has all the qualities of a leader and without a doubt I saw him as the leader of the group soon after. His famous bromance with Loren was a result of constant rebuttals from Loren's sharp tongue in his drinking days. And yes, I do ship them together. 

This book is so much different than the Addicted series. We get to see Rose and Connor as individuals who were affected by the scandal surrounding Lily and Loren. As a sister. As a friend. They are the adults that kept their little group of six together. And Rose wanted to show the world that they were in fact normal people with problems, not spoiled rich kids who lounge around spending their parents' money. And so Princesses of Philly was born.

Now, I watch Keeping Up with the Kardashians. I sometimes love it, sometimes I don't. Reality television opens a new channel for ordinary people like myself to see into the lives of celebrities. How many of it can you really trust? Do they really act that way in real life? Are any of it staged? Almost everything is real. It only takes good editing (good for production, not necessarily for the cast) to turn something trivial into a big deal, a good thing into bad. Krista and Becca definitely captured that in this book. 

About 61% of the book I was like this:

The other 36% like this:

And the rest:

I take back everything I ever said about Rose when it comes to her being so frigid. I can relate to her, about wanting to lose her virginity to a guy who would stick around. But I didn't expect for her to be a submissive in bed. She's a very fierce and strong woman and I thought that it would translate into her sex life.

"She didn't wish to rule a man in bed. She wanted to be ruled. But she didn't know how to ask without feeling weak. So she thought being alone, unfulfilled sexually was the better option. I'm here to tell her it should have never been a fucking solution in the first place."

 And trust me when I say Connor and Rose are amazing together as lovers. 

Connor is a perfect fit for Rose. The yin to her yang. The Clyde to her Bonnie. They are not very different from each other but the more I get to know them, I feel that they complement each other more rather than these two people who are together because they are alike. Not to mention the way they were so in sync with one another most of the time.

"That's the thing about being fucking smart—I  understand her better than she understands herself."

In a word, I guess towards the ending, it was really unpredictable. I was flummoxed by the change in the wedding plans but after two minutes I started screaming internally because I did not see it coming. And I liked it. LOVED IT.

Kiss the Sky is a story of a sister's sacrifice for her family. A son's desire for a family he never had. A woman's struggle with intimacy. And a man's search for the most important things in life.

Congratulations on your achievement at haunting me for months to come. Now I will cry in a corner because Connor just basically made me rethink of my choices in men.

Upcoming Release #3 - Be With Me (J. Lynn)

Title: Be With Me (Wait For You #2)

Author: J.Lynn
Publication date: 4 February 2014

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Pre-order a copy! Amazon | Google Play Store | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

Teresa Hamilton is having a rough year—she’s in love with her big brother’s best friend, but he hasn’t spoken to her since they shared a truly amazing, mind-blowing, change-your-life kiss. She got out of a terrible relationship. And now an injury is threatening to end her dance career for good. It’s time for Plan B – college. And maybe a chance to convince Jase that what they have together is real.

Jase Winstead has a huge secret that he’s not telling anyone. Especially not his best friend’s incredibly beautiful sister. Even though he and Teresa shared the hottest kiss of his life, he knows that his responsibilities must take priority. He certainly doesn’t have time for a relationship. But it doesn’t help that all he can think about kissing the one girl who could ruin everything for him.

As they’re thrown together more and more, Jase and Tess can’t keep denying their feelings for each other. But a familiar danger looms and tragedy strikes. As the campus recovers, the star-crossed couple must decide what they’re willing to risk to be together, and what they’re willing to lose if they’re not…

Teasers:

*Images are taken from J. Lynn's blog.

Initial thoughts:

Jase is a mystery to me. I don't know much about him but I suspected something going on that has to do with his brother. I may be wrong but I'll have to read the book to find out more. He's the total opposite of Cam. At least, that's the vibe I got from him from the multiple appearances that he made in the previous two books.

As for Tess, I already love her from reading Wait for You and Trust in Me. Cam is very protective of her and I wonder how he'll react to his best friend and his beloved sister being in a relationship. It would be fun. 

J. Lynn has that style of writing that mostly comprises of dialogues and monologues. I love a descriptive writing but somehow, after two books, I am still interested in reading more of her work. Cam was confident without being obnoxious, Avery sweet without being tacky.

From the excerpt included in Trust in Me, I knew that it would be a good read. I am excited for the release and yeah, pre-order a copy now!