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 #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 #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 #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. 

Read and Review #20 - Truce: The Historic Neighbor From Hell (R.L Mathewson)

Title: Truce: The Historic Neighbor From Hell

Author: R.L Mathewson
Publication date: 1 November 2013
Publisher: Smashwords
Get a copy! Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

This is the story before everything..

Elizabeth knows what’s expected of her, perfection. She’s the daughter of an Earl and expected to marry well, say and do the right things with a smile on her face when inside she’s dying for a chance to escape. Thanks to an inheritance her godmother left her years ago, her chance will come with her next birthday. Her hopes of escape abruptly end when Robert, her childhood nemesis that she hasn’t seen in over fourteen years, comes back into her life and does everything he can to drive her out of her mind even as he steals her heart.

He hated her.

At least, he tried to hate her, but it was so damn difficult to hate someone that he couldn’t live without. He tried to ignore her, tried to focus on anything but her, but nothing worked. Somehow she made her way into his heart and started to make him want things that he never though possible, made him smile and laugh even while she drove him out of his mind and started a legacy by turning him into…..

A Bradford.

My rating:
4 / 5

My review:

I started reading this with a friend, Stephanie who actually finished it faster than me. Sorry I took my time reading it. 

Truce is a historical romance; the beginning of the Bradford clan and tells a history of their great appetite. It tells a story of Elizabeth and Robert Bradford who were childhood enemies up till they were forced to marry out of convenience. 

So basically, like all the books in this series, the hero and heroine hate each other. Hate and love have something in common, passion. And I definitely saw passion between Elizabeth and Robert. She refused to have an arranged marriage and would rather wait to receive her inheritance. Robert would rather not marry at all. Typical hero and heroine of the 19th century British aristocracy. 

When they crossed paths again, they met as strangers. And what do you know? When they don't hate each other, they are actually good for each other. One thing led to another and well, let's just say it was pleasurable.

As the story progress, Robert and Elizabeth's relationship began to develop outside their hatred for each other. Passion was always brewing between them but instead of hating each other, they took a 180 turn in their feelings for each other. Did I ever mention that sex with a Bradford man is hot? No? Okay well, not to be disappointed because them boys got their genes (along with their love-making skills) from this man.

I give it a four star because of the writing. I read a lot of books by authors who write both contemporary and historical romances and still manage to feel the differences in their books. However, while reading this one it has that contemporary feel to it that rubbed me the wrong way because I really love how historical romances are written. Maybe 1940s-50s Western but not exactly 1800s British society. It's a good and entertaining read, fully recommended for anyone who loves the Neighbor from Hell series. A refreshing change from the contemporary ones.

Read and Review #16 - When a Lord Needs a Lady (Jane Goodger)

Title: When a Lord Needs a Lady

Author: Jane Goodger

Publication date: 6 February 2014

Publisher: Kensington Books

Synopsis:

Lord Graham Spencer needs a wife. 

But not just any girl will do. She must have the money to save his dilapidated estate and desperate tenants. So when he meets a charming American lady’s maid on the beach at Brighton, the last thing he ought to do is kiss her. 

Katherine Wright is hunting a titled husband.

Or at least her mother is. But Katherine can’t get the memory of a most inappropriate kiss out of her mind. The handsome stranger who took her in his arms in Brighton was only a valet, but even if she is an heiress, she’d rather spend her life with him than some stiff British aristocrat. Can true love survive two false identities, two scheming mamas, and two lavish house parties where all is revealed? It can…

My rating:

4 out of 5 wants to be rich heiresses

My review:

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

I remember reading a bunch of contemporary romances and new adult books before getting started on this book and it was like a breath of fresh air where I don't have to deal with tacky instant attraction (although this book does have instant attraction) and unnecessary ignores. 

Graham Spencer was a broke marquess. Like dead broke. He could barely keep any servants and most of the furnitures in his home were sold so he could provide for his tenants and estate. And that was why he needed to marry a rich heiress. Fast. He was always on the lookout for meetings with heiresses and was known for the increasing debt he had accumulated from his father's reign as a marquess. He was also known to be very cold and distant company during social events, which also contributed to him not being able to find a wife who he could tolerate. While holidaying in Brighton Beach, he stumbled upon Katherine Wright, thinking she was a lady's maid and introduced himself as a valet to hide his real identity and to get closer to her. 

Katherine Wright was a rich heiress in a search for a titled husband, as do most American heiresses at the time. Instead, she met Gray, a valet while out walking in Brighton Beach. Her dress suggested her to be a maid, as to not gain attention from everyone else. Charmed by Gray, she agreed to continue meeting him and they were soon involved in a whirlwind romance. Until her sudden departure to attend a very important social event. 

The two lovers were soon reunited, no longer under false pretences but were met with more obstacles that led one further away from the other. 

I like historical romances for one thing, innocence. It was a fast, sweet romance between Graham and Katherine. I enjoyed this book immensely (probably because I hadn't read any historical romances in a while). I cried towards the end because holy shit I'm a crier and the part where Graham and Katherine's relationship began to take a downside, I really felt the emotions portrayed by both of them.

However, it was missing that one thing, probably the lack of climax (not sexually). 

I still enjoyed it but that one kick I needed in the book was missing and so I kicked one star out of my rating.

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 #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?

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 #3 - Where I End And You Begin (Andra Brynn)

Title: Where I End And You Begin

Author: Andra Brynn

Publication date: 13 August 2013

Publisher: House of the Moon Publishing

Get a copy! Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

In Japan, they say there’s a red thread of fate that binds people who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. It may tangle, it may knot, it may stretch or fray, but it will never break. It is a future as indelible as the past. I hope that isn't true. I pity anyone destined to meet me.

For Bianca Ray, the past is always catching up, one way or another. Now in her third semester at college, it's doing it again. Too much drinking has led to plummeting grades and rising absences, putting her scholarships in peril. When she makes it clear that she needs help—all over the floor of her history class—she’s given one last chance to shape up: seek therapy and bring her grades up by the end of the semester, or she’s out.

Enter Catholic seminarian Daniel McGuire. The last thing Bianca wants is an aspiring priest to counsel her on how to live her life, but the handsome graduate student is different from the holy rollers she fled from at home. Gentle and unobtrusive, he helps her pick up the pieces and find a new way to live: not running from the past, but facing it head on.

But opening up her heart to release the pain means that something else can come in. As Bianca and Daniel grow closer, their relationship moves onto dangerous ground and the fragile courage Bianca has built up threatens to fail her. Can she exorcise the ghosts of her past, or will they catch hold and drag her down where not even Daniel can reach her?

My rating:

4 out 5 suggests reading in with the lights on

My review:

*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review* 

This book was like a breath of fresh air after reading one new adult book after another etched with the same theme in the plot. I believe this is the second book I've ever read that involves a priest/minister/pastor falling in love with a fallen (or something like that) woman/girl. But then again, Daniel didn't even make any vows to be a priest, he was just studying to be one.

We have Bianca Ray; party girl, drunk every night, fucks every night, has an obsession with ghost stories and still somehow managed to maintain her GPA. I like Bianca, however, I felt like there's something off up till the end. Something in me kept saying, 'Bianca doesn't sound right'. But I kept going up till I reach this little part towards the end.

"There's a pause. "Bianca." I hear him say.

 "Wait," Tanya says. "Who?"

 I have to get out of here.

"Who?" Tanya says again.

"Your roommate?" he says as though she's an idiot.

"Oh,"Tanya says. Then, "Oh. You mean Annie.""

I shit you not when my eyes instantly widen and I started choking. It was one of those moment where it felt like 'Holy shit what!' and 'I KNEW IT!' came together and I wasn't sure which one to attend to first. But it felt right, like something just clicked right into place. 

"I have to smile a bit. "Did you think I was a ghost? Just for a second?"

To my surprise, he laughs. "Yeah," he says."

Exactly.

Next, we have Daniel McGuire; studying to be a priest, wears prim clothes, hardly swears and is sweet, kind and innocent through and through. I'll put Daniel in the beta-heroes type because that is exactly what he is. The kindness he shows towards Bianca makes me feel warmth all over, despite the chilly feeling I get from their surroundings.

This book was well-written, albeit most of it revolving ghost stories and the afterlife. Growing up in a religious household, I can understand both Daniel and Bianca's point of views in religion. And to quote the words of comedian Steve Harvey, 'Everyone is on the borderline.', where he says that no one is really a shoe-in into heaven.

However, I didn't understand the whole thing with Bianca's running away from her past. What was she running away from exactly? There were two possibilities and I was not sure which was the stronger factor. It wasn't tackled in the end and it sort of didn't explain why she started drinking and all.

I picked up this book thinking 'Hey, must be one of those forbidden love stories.' Boy was I wrong. Yes, there was romance brewing in the air, but it wasn't explored as much as I hoped it would. But it was kind (that's the word I can describe it in) until the end where I was like, 'Wait what? I want more!'. 

It's a good book if you can muster enough courage for a few ghost stories. If you're not into a book that's dark, you might not want to pick this up. I give this a 4 star because of the excellent writing and storytelling. And maybe because of Daniel too. I wish there's a continuity to this story where Daniel and Bianca get to explore their relationship more. If there isn't, then it's still a good finish nevertheless.