Until We Touch (Fool's Gold #15)

UNTIL WE TOUCH

(Fool's Gold #15)
by Susan Mallery
Published June 24, 2014 by Harlequin
Romance - Kindle edition, 384p.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for providing me with a digital copy for review.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

After a family tragedy, former football hero Jack McGarry keeps the world at arm's length—a challenge now that his PR firm has moved to neighborly Fool's Gold, California.

Larissa Owens knows where she stands—Jack sees her as just another one of the guys. No matter what her heart wishes, Jack's her boss, not her boyfriend. But then Larissa's big secret is revealed…by her mother!

When Jack discovers the truth about Larissa's feelings, her touch suddenly becomes tantalizing, and he's not sure he wants to resist. But if he gives in to desire, heartache is sure to follow. Friendship or true love—will Jack go for the ultimate play?

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK:

UNTIL WE TOUCH is the story of PR firm owner/former pro-football player, Jack, and Larissa, his assistant/the company masseuse. He has trauma in his past that makes him refuse to truly connect with someone, and she's always on a mission to rescue something (usually an animal, even if it means Jack ends up with a woodland creature sleeping in his living room for a few days). When Larissa's mother visits and plants the seed in Jack's mind that his relationship with Larissa could be more than professional/close friends, suddenly he's unable to relax in his massages, and starts to consider her from a new view.

Since I've read fifteen books in this series, you could say I'm invested. I love going back to the town of Fool's Gold with each book to enjoy a new story, and also pop in on a bunch of the previous characters and favorite places. At times, it can be a bit repetitive (Yes, the mayor still somehow always knows everything & old lady, Eddie, is still eye balling the younger men.), but that's part of the fun... A new Fool's Gold book is like heading back to a tiny town you love, where you know everyone and enjoy seeing them find true love. The author keeps things from going stale with interesting careers, as well as by mixing previous characters into different groups of friends around town to keep things familiar, but fresh. She also frequently includes lovable pets, and UNTIL WE TOUCH is no exception.

If you're a fan of the Fool's Gold series, UNTIL WE TOUCH should be on your reading list. Focusing on Jack and Larissa brings the story's focus into the PR firm and a group of people who are newer to town, and therefore still find surprises lurking around the corners for them.

If you haven't read any of the series yet, I'd recommend heading back to the first book and starting there. While I'm sure you could pick this one up and figure things out, a lot of the richness in the story lies in how well you know the characters and the town from the previous books, so you'd miss a lot of what I love most.

GET THE BOOK: Goodreads | Amazon | IndieBound | Book Depository

Four Friends by Robyn Carr

FOUR FRIENDS

by Robyn Carr
Published March 2014 by Harlequin MIRA
Fiction - Kindle edition, 400p.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for providing me with a digital copy for review.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Gerri can't decide what's more devastating: learning her rock-solid marriage has big cracks, or the anger she feels as she tries to repair the damage. Always the anchor for friends and her three angst-ridden teenagers, it's time to look carefully at herself. The journey for Gerri and her family is more than revealing—it's transforming.

Andy doesn't have a great track record with men, and she's come to believe that for her a lasting love is out of reach. When she finds herself attracted to her down-to-earth, ordinary contractor—a man without any of the qualities that usually appeal to her—she questions everything she thought she wanted in life.

Sonja's lifelong pursuit of balance is shattered when her husband declares he's through with her New Age nonsense and walks out. There's no herbal tonic or cleansing ritual that can restore her serenity—or her sanity.

Miraculously, it's BJ, the reserved newcomer to Mill Valley, who steps into their circle and changes everything. The woman with dark secrets opens up to her neighbors, and together they get each other back on track, stronger as individuals and unfaltering as friends.

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK: 

FOUR FRIENDS is not my usual sort of book. In fact, when I'm making a point about why I like YA so much, I'll often say that one reason is I never have to read about a character going through a divorce or a married protagonist cheating on their spouse. (It's totally different to read about it through a teens perspective if one of their parents are doing it.) So, it took me quite a while to get past the point where I kept wanting to stop reading this book... There was just so much bad marriage mojo and it made me feel bad.

The four friends are four women living on the same street. Three have been close friends for a while and one is a hesitant newcomer. The three friends all experience some major upheaval in their married lives, which I wasn't crazy about reading as a happily married woman... It was just so depressing and sometimes infuriating and didn't leave much room for happiness in their lives.

However! Once the bonds of friendship are really defined and visible, once Bob and his sweet dog show up, and once a few of the kids start mattering more to the story, things improved. The women are great friends to each other, no matter what, even when each of their own lives are falling apart. I loved not ever having to wonder which one of the women would backstab the other, because their devotion to friendship is just so clear throughout. Beyond the women themselves, Bob is great, and the two older teen sons of Gerri and Andy have a few lovely moments.

So while FOUR FRIENDS is not an easy read and certainly took time for me to want to keep reading, at a certain point I did find myself wrapped up in knowing the outcome for each of the four women, rooting for them in different ways, and having to keep flipping the pages to find out as soon as possible. There's a good amount of adultery (or at least mentions of it) in here, so if that's a particular sore spot, tread carefully. (It's not the four friends scheming about cheating on their husbands though, so don't worry that you'll be forced into rooting for anything super shady.) Robyn Carr is obviously a solid writer and I'll certainly be checking out some of her other books... maybe I'll go with one with a bit more romance next time!

GET THE BOOK: Goodreads | Amazon | IndieBound | Book Depository

Before We Kiss (Fool's Gold #14)

BEFORE WE KISS

(Fool's Gold #14)
by Susan Mallery
Published May 27, 2014 by Harlequin
Romance - Kindle edition, 384p.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for providing me with a digital copy for review.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Former pro-football kicker Sam Ridge has notoriously bad luck with women—from cheaters to fame chasers. Still, the gorgeous brunette at the bar in Fool's Gold looks harmless—until she takes him home and he discovers a room devoted to securing a man, for life.

Dellina Hopkins never guessed that storing gowns from a friend's bridal boutique would chase away her first and only fling. After her parents died, she skipped her "wild youth" to raise her sisters. She doesn't want forever from Sam, but one night—all night—would've been nice.

His clean getaway gets messy when his firm hires Dellina to plan an event. As long hours lead to late nights, the two succumb to temptation again. Has Sam's luck finally changed? Or this time, will Dellina be the one to run?

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK:

BEFORE WE KISS is the classic fun and sexy Fool's Gold novel you should expect fourteen books into the series. Sam, one of the former football players who moved to town as a part of the PR firm, has a track record of choosing the wrong woman. When he ends up at Dellina's one night, he thinks things are going well (and totally normally), until he accidentally sees her guest room, which is full of wedding gowns and a white board featuring a troubling list. So of course he runs! Months later, the firm needs an event planned, and Dellina is just the person they need to do it... as long as Sam can clear up the awkwardness that has plagued them since he ran out on their night.

I absolutely loved watching their relationship unfold. The guest room that made Sam run is a source of hilarity and a fun explanation for why their promising connection stalled months before. While watching Dellina plan the event, you see she runs her business well, except for the accounting bits... and Sam just happens to be great with numbers. They're fantastic at working together professionally, which leaves you wondering if that could translate to their personal lives. They're both sweet and in need of a solid, loving relationship, and I found myself rooting for them throughout the book... even when they were trying to avoid it.

BEFORE WE KISS is a great addition to the Fool's Gold series. I love the relationships within the PR firm and it was nice getting to know Dellina and her event planning business, too. Sam was overdue for a successful romantic relationship, and Dellina's been waiting for one forever, too. If you're a fan of the series, this one won't disappoint... I'm looking forward to book #15!

GET THE BOOK: Goodreads | Amazon | IndieBound | Book Depository

Wondering if you'd like to start the Fool's Gold series? Take a look at my quick rundown of the first six books right here.

Waiting On You (Blue Heron #3) by Kristan Higgins

WAITING ON YOU 

(Blue Heron #3)
by Kristan Higgins
Published April 2014 by Harlequin
Adult Romance - Kindle, 384p.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for providing me with a digital copy for review.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Colleen O'Rourke is in love with love... just not when it comes to herself. Most nights, she can be found behind the bar at the Manningsport, New York, tavern she owns with her twin brother, doling out romantic advice to the lovelorn, mixing martinis and staying more or less happily single. See, ten years ago, Lucas Campbell, her first love, broke her heart... an experience Colleen doesn't want to have again, thanks. Since then, she's been happy with a fling here and there, some elite-level flirting and playing matchmaker to her friends.

But a family emergency has brought Lucas back to town, handsome as ever and still the only man who's ever been able to crack her defenses. Seems like maybe they've got some unfinished business waiting for them—but to find out, Colleen has to let her guard down, or risk losing a second chance with the only man she's ever loved.

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK:

WAITING ON YOU may be my favorite book in the Blue Heron series. It's full of so many great moments, both funny and full of emotion. Colleen loves to give out romantic advice from behind the bar at her tavern, but isn't nearly great at advising herself. Lucas is her first love who shows back up in town due to a family emergency. They're both available and obviously have a lasting connection. Their relationship obviously involved a whole lot of intensity and passion, and it definitely hasn't all disappeared with time! Colleen's the great friend you want to see happy and Lucas is the guy who's been selling himself short.

The book is a bit of a roller coaster, with some seriously cute & funny moments and plenty of emotionally draining parts too. Characters from previous books pop back up in this one, and since Colleen co-owns the bar with her brother, Connor, we get to know him a whole lot better too. (Maybe a Connor book is coming?)

WAITING ON YOU is full of heart and humor and makes me wish the next book in the series was out so I could stay in the world Kristan Higgins has created.

GET THE BOOK: Goodreads | Amazon

Romancing the Duke (Castles Ever After #1)

“I know. I know. You’re a dangerous ravisher, with brothel bills as long as my arm. Really, I can’t imagine you have any remaining ways to communicate the message, short of stitching ‘A WARNING TO WOMEN’ on your breeches placket. I’m not a ninny. It’s understood. I have not cast you in any chivalric fantasy.”

ROMANCING THE DUKE

(Castles Ever After #1)
by Tessa Dare
Published January 2014 by Avon
Adult Romance - Kindle edition, 384p.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

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 THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK:

ROMANCING THE DUKE is Beauty and the Beast, with a touch of Cinderella, and features two fantastic leads. Izzy grew up on fairytales, and when she unexpectedly inherits a castle, she finds herself in one of her own. After her father's death, she was left without a home or money, so the castle, even if it's not in the best shape, is a welcome bit of luck. Ransom is the duke who has locked himself away in the crumbling estate after an injury, and a lifetime of a lack of love.

Izzy is determined, caring, and she refuses to take no for an answer. She's smart, funny, and you'll root for her right from the start. Ransom, the Duke of Rothbury, is hiding away in his castle after a duel gone wrong. He's grumpy, scarred, and tries to get rid of Izzy as soon as she shows up. He's also handsome and just the right kind of guy for Izzy.

I loved reading along as their relationship developed, and as Izzy fixed up the castle along with her new friend, Abigail. The rest of the characters that pop in and out of the story are entertaining, and do a good job at keeping the story from relying only on whatever's happening between Izzy and Ransom.

ROMANCING THE DUKE is full of sweet moments, features a satisfying twist, and a couple you'll root for throughout the story. I found myself laughing and swooning throughout the book in equal measure. I'm officially in love with this series. (My only regret is that the second book won't be out for months!)

GET THE BOOK: Goodreads | Amazon | IndieBound

"Then she sighed. Just the faintest, softest release of breath. The sound swept through his chest like a hurricane, with the force to topple trees."

The Perfect Match (Blue Heron #2) by Kristan Higgins

THE PERFECT MATCH 

(Blue Heron #2)
by Kristan Higgins
Published October 2013 by Harlequin
Adult Romance - Paperback, 441p.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Honor Holland has just been unceremoniously rejected by her lifelong crush. And now—a mere three weeks later—Mr. Perfect is engaged to her best friend. But resilient, reliable Honor is going to pick herself up, dust herself off and get back out there… or she would if dating in Manningsport, New York, population 715, wasn't easier said than done. 

Charming, handsome British professor Tom Barlow just wants to do right by his unofficial stepson, Charlie, but his visa is about to expire. Now Tom must either get a green card or leave the States—and leave Charlie behind.

In a moment of impulsiveness, Honor agrees to help Tom with a marriage of convenience—and make her ex jealous in the process. But juggling a fiancé, hiding out from her former best friend and managing her job at the family vineyard isn't easy. And as sparks start to fly between Honor and Tom, they might discover that their pretend relationship is far too perfect to be anything but true love…

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK:

Right from the start, I knew I would enjoy THE PERFECT MATCH. When Honor declares her love to her friend, who she's been sleeping with for years, he rejects her. Then her best friend does something awful and... ugh! I spent many, many pages hating them both. However, Honor is likable and part of a great family, so I enjoyed rooting for her as I kept reading and hoping for something good to happen to her.

Tom is a charming British professor with an expiring visa and a desire to stay in the States to be around the kid who almost became his stepson years before. Honor and Tom decide to help each other out -- He'll help her make the previous guy jealous and she'll help him with his visa issues. (Note: This is the part where I suspend belief, since, as one half of an international couple, I know way too much about immigration and can pick apart their plan like crazy. Just pretend it works, okay!)

THE PERFECT MATCH is a great second book in the Blue Heron series, and really allowed me to get to know Honor better and come to like her a lot more. It's full of funny, quirky moments, and requires Honor to reflect and grow to make her life into what it should be, rather than what she was settling for before. I'm looking forward to book three!

GET THE BOOK: Goodreads | Amazon

Rebel (Reboot #2) by Amy Tintera

"I sort of liked the sound of bones breaking. It was like home."

If you haven't read Reboot, the book that comes before this one, here's my review of it from last year. (Highly recommend!)

REBEL (REBOOT #2)

by Amy Tintera
Published May 13, 2014 by HarperTeen
Paperback, 352p.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

After coming back from death as Reboots and being trained by HARC as soldiers, Wren and Callum have finally escaped north, where they hope to find a life of freedom. But when they arrive at the Reboot Reservation, it isn't what they expected. Under the rule of a bloodthirsty leader, Micah, the Reboots are about to wage an all-out war on the humans. Although Wren's instincts are telling her to set off into the wilderness on their own and leave the battle far behind, Callum is unwilling to let his human family be murdered. When Micah commits the ultimate betrayal, the choice is made for them. But Micah has also made a fatal mistake . . . he's underestimated Wren and Callum.

The explosive finale to the Reboot duology is full of riveting action and steamy love scenes as Wren and Callum become rebels against their own kind.

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK:

REBEL picks up right where Reboot left off, and since the Reboot series is a duology the book races toward a final conclusion. Because the scene was set in Reboot, this book is able to jump right into the world and keep things moving along. It also gives time to explore certain spaces more thoroughly, such as the cities around Texas (both original and new), the reboot camp, and Wren's life before rebooting (and how it may have contributed to her reboot style).

The book rotates between two points of view this time: Wren (again), and Caleb. Wren continues to be a fun and interesting character to follow, and Caleb's portion is a nice addition, since his perspective can be so different from hers. They care for each other, though, so they're not actually on opposite sides of the issues, only approaching them from different viewpoints. He's sure of his remaining humanity and forced to question his refusal to accept violence as necessary (because maybe sometimes it is), while Wren has spent years believing she's an emotionless reboot, but learns that may not be exactly true.

While Reboot focused on the individuals rebooting and the world in which that occurs, Rebel takes a look at what happens with those reboots, whether under the control of the government that created them or off on their own. The book considers what it means to be a leader, how power can corrupt, and unexpected alliances.

I loved Reboot and I might just like Rebel even more. It's full of interesting politics between reboots and humans, features a relationship between Wren and Caleb you can truly root for, and plenty of funny moments to keep the serious issues and deadly threats from being overwhelming. Rebel is well-written and will keep you hooked throughout. I can't wait to see what Amy Tintera publishes next!

GET THE BOOK: Goodreads | Amazon | IndieBound | Book Depository

"You could've at least let me know you weren't dead

by the way. I was actually kind of sad about that." 

 "That's a pretty incredible sentiment, coming from you."

Come Home to Me (Whiskey Creek #6)

COME HOME TO ME

(Whiskey Creek #6)
by Brenda Novak
Published March 2014 by Harlequin MIRA
Adult Romance - Kindle, 416p.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for providing me with a digital copy for review.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

When Presley Christensen returns to Whiskey Creek with her little boy after two years away, she has completely changed her life. She's made peace with her past and overcome the negative behavior that resulted from her difficult childhood. Now she's back in the small town that was the closest thing to "home" she ever knew—the town where she can be with the sister who's her only family. 

There's just one catch. Aaron Amos still lives in Whiskey Creek, at least until he moves to Reno to open a branch of the Amos brothers' auto body shop. And no matter how hard she's tried, Presley hasn't been able to get over him. Seeing him again makes the longing so much worse. But she hopes she can get through the next few months, because she can't fall back into his arms…or his bed. She's come too far to backslide now. And there's a secret she's been guarding—a secret she'll do anything to protect.

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK:

COME HOME TO ME focuses on Presley and Aaron, the siblings of the couple from book two, Cheyenne and Dylan (When Snow Falls). Her sister, Presley, and his brother, Aaron, are old friends (with benefits) who have seen their fair share of trouble together. Two years after Presley left town, she returns to Whiskey Creek to be closer to her sister again, in hopes of having a permanent home. She and Aaron are both cleaned up and more stable now, and their attraction remains, so sparks fly.

However, Presley has a secret she's not ready to share that will certainly change things with Aaron. As the story progresses, along with their relationship, the reader will likely wish she would just TELL HIM ALREADY! (I know I did.) I'm generally not a huge fan of books with problems that could basically be solved if people just had a conversation, but this one had a bit more to it, so it kept me interested and didn't let my frustration boil over. (Plus, I like when couples and friends from the previous books in the series pop in, so I'm always watching out for them.) Presley's dilemma is a legitimate one and Aaron's reaction is hard to predict. Plus, she has to consider that they're family now, since their siblings are married, and doesn't want to blow up the harmony they've all found with each other. (Her sister knows the secret and hasn't shared it with her husband, so that presents a serious problem, as well.)

I'm a huge sucker for a series set in a small town with recurring characters and places, so even with the issues I had with both Presley and Aaron, I didn't mind reading along for the moments with other characters in the town I've come to know (and in hopes that they'd finally both get their acts together at the same time). COME HOME TO ME is a solid addition to the Whiskey Creek series and I'll certainly keep reading.

GET THE BOOK: Goodreads | Amazon

Take My Breath Away (Cabin Fever #1)

TAKE MY BREATH AWAY

(Cabin Fever #1)
by Christie Ridgway
Publishing May 27, 2014 by Harlequin
Adult Romance - Paperback, 384p.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for providing me with a digital copy for review.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Poppy Walker has a plan to restore the family resort, and she's sticking to it. So when a good-looking guy with plenty of cash rents one of her half-repaired vacation cabins, she figures he's just what the handyman ordered. But when a late-winter storm blows through, it takes down some trees, her roof and then…her self-control. Even though she's been burned before by a wealthy passer-through, she can't stay away from the brooding but gorgeous stranger in the bungalow next door.

Former teen idol turned Hollywood exec Ryan Hamilton wants a private place in which to endure his very personal heartbreak. Finally, at this rustic mountain cabin, he has all the seclusion one man could want—until sparks begin to fly with his sexy, formerly chilly landlady. By the time the weather dies down, they're both hot, bothered and certain they're still wrong for each other. But there's no telling how they'll face the new storm brewing on the horizon…

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK: 

TAKE MY BREATH AWAY, the first book in Christie Ridgway’s Cabin Fever series, is just the book for fans of contemporary romance. Poppy is a single mom who goes to her family’s dilapidated, secluded resort with plans to restore it and turn it into a thriving business. Her problems go beyond the general state of disrepair: Money’s tight and her co-owners/siblings don't share her vision.

Ryan hates the month of March and decides to go off the grid until it’s over. He happens upon Poppy's unopened resort and convinces her to let him stay in one of the cabins that hasn't totally fallen apart. He's famous and frequently targeted by paparazzi, but she has no idea who he is.

Poppy and Ryan have an instant interest in each other, but both avoid it for their own reasons, until it bubbles over and they take a chance. He's standoffish, but that doesn't mean he's a jerk. She's a dreamer, but not clueless. Through a series of mishaps and setbacks, they end up spending much more time together than they meant and, well, you know what happens.

TAKE MY BREATH AWAY is cute, and full of tender and passionate moments. Poppy's sweet optimism is a great balance to Ryan's hard-earned weariness. He's a solid guy and she recognizes that, even when he's at his worst for the month of March. The story is interesting and well-paced, and the secondary characters are a welcome addition to their blooming romance. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, especially so I can follow along with how Poppy's plans for the cabins fare.

GET THE BOOK: Goodreads | Amazon

This one's out on May 27th!

A Night to Surrender (Spindle Cove #1)

"This journeyed far beyond “like,” rocketed straight past “fondness,”

and pushed all the way to the brink of absurdity."

A NIGHT TO SURRENDER

(Spindle Cove #1)
by Tessa Dare
Published August 2011 by Avon
Historical Romance - Kindle edition, 405p.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A peaceful resort by the sea, Spindle Cove is a retreat for Regency ladies—offering intelligent, often unconventional women a temporary escape from men and their madness. Unfortunately for Miss Susanna Finch, the seaside safe haven she has so painstakingly nurtured is no longer quite so safe. The Cove’s been invaded—not by Napoleon’s forces, but by battle-weary, barely civilized, dangerously handsome men.

Victor Bramwell, the new Earl of Rycliff, knows he doesn’t belong in Spindle Cove. So far as he can tell, there’s nothing in this godforsaken place but spinsters… and sheep. But he’s stuck here—with orders to gather a local militia. It’s a simple mission, made complicated by the spirited, exquisite Susanna. Not only has she driven all red-blooded men from the place with her "modern" notions, but her lively wit and tempting beauty are distractions Bram doesn’t need.

Bram fears he may have met his match, for Susanna won’t easily surrender. The scene is set for an epic battle ... but who can be named the winner, when both have so much to lose?

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK:

A NIGHT TO SURRENDER kicks off Tessa Dare's Spindle Cove series. Susanna, the unmarried, independent, and unofficial town leader, lives in a town nicknamed "Spinster Cove," because of the ladies it attracts. The town is a place "where women were safe to be their best and truest selves" and being a spinster or having an ailment aren't exilable offenses.

When Bramwell, a soldier with a knee injury, ends up in Spindle Cove, he's ready to leave as soon as he can. He finds the low number of male inhabitants odd and the tavern-turned-tea-room to be unacceptable. However, his goal to be fully healed and return to battle requires him to stay in town for a while, and the surroundings become more agreeable the longer he spends there. It doesn't hurt that Susanna is smart, tall, and commanding... just the right kind of challenge for a guy used to issuing the orders.

This book started slow and took me a while to get into, but once the story started moving along, I found myself invested in Susanna finding her happy ending with Bram. Their romance blossoms beautifully and includes many great moments between them, both public and private. Plus, as usual, Tessa Dare injected a good amount of humor into the pages, and the town features a quirky cast of characters.

How quirky? Here's an excerpt from when a resident recited a poem in front of a crowd at the local tea room:

"Mrs. Lange, won’t you favor us with a poem?” 
Bram sat back in his chair. A slender, dark-haired young woman ascended to the dais, clutching a paper. She appeared meek and shrinking. 
Until she opened her mouth, that was. 
“O, vile betrayer! O, defiler of vows!” 
Well. Now she had the room’s attention. 
“Hear my rage, like distant thunder. My heart, the beast doth ripped asunder. My cove, the wretched brute did plunder—though not thoroughly.” She glanced up from her paper. “Small wonder.” 
Miss Finch leaned toward him and whispered, “Mrs. Lange is estranged from her husband.” 
"You don't say."

Hilarious!

A NIGHT TO SURRENDER is a great introduction into the town of Spindle Cove. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

GET THE BOOK: Goodreads | Amazon

Brenda Novak's Whiskey Creek Series, Books 1-5

I introduced the adult romance series, Whiskey Creek, recently with When We Touch (#0.5). Here I've listed each of the next five books below, along with a quick summary and my thoughts.

WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES

(Whiskey Creek #1)
by Brenda Novak
Published August 2012 by Harlequin MIRA
Adult Romance - Kindle edition, 445p.

Gail's a PR expert with a-list clients, and Simon's a movie star with a bad reputation who needs to clean up his act to get custody of his son. When Gail returns to her hometown, Whiskey Creek, claiming Simon has her husband it's for a business deal, but then their feelings start to evolve beyond business.

MY THOUGHTS: With the fame aspect, this one's fun and different than your average small town romance, and it's nice to watch Gail return home.

Goodreads | Amazon

WHEN SNOW FALLS

(Whiskey Creek #2)
by Brenda Novak
Published October 2012 by Harlequin MIRA
Adult Romance - Kindle edition, 446p.

Cheyenne grew up all over the place, staying in cheap motels with her mom and sister, until they settled in Whiskey Creek and she found a great group of friends. When her best friend, Eve, admits she has feelings for the mutual friend Cheyenne has been crushing on for years, Cheyenne finds herself making a new connection with Dylan. He's the eldest brother in a house full of town bad boys, and exactly the kind of guy she's sworn to avoid in pursuit of a stable life, or so she thinks. Dylan isn't nearly as unreliable or risky as she imagines and he's prepared to convince her.

MY THOUGHTS: Cheyenne & Dylan are one of my favorite Whiskey Creek couples & two of my favorite characters overall. She's triumphed over a hard childhood and a big shock, and he's a good guy inside what everyone assumes is a bad guy shell.

Goodreads | Amazon

WHEN SUMMER COMES

(Whiskey Creek #3)
by Brenda Novak
Published January 2013 by Harlequin MIRA
Adult Romance - Kindle edition, 400p.

When Callie finds out she needs a liver transplant and isn't likely to get one before dying, she moves out to her late grandparents' farm to live in a place she's loved all her life. The farm hasn't been worked in years, though, so when it starts to look like it'll be too much labor for a woman with a serious illness, she considers moving back to town. Then one day when Levi, a drifter, shows up offering to work in exchange for a place to stay temporarily while he repairs his broken down motorcycle. He's got a mysterious past that he's not willing to share, and she finds herself enjoying his company more than she would've guessed. As the time for him to leave approaches, they find themselves wishing he could stay and she could have more time, and realize their wishes might be granted.

MY THOUGHTS: I hated that Callie wouldn't tell her friends and family about her illness, but loved her otherwise. I was rooting for Levi early on, even before the mysteries in his past were revealed, and loved them together.

Goodreads | Amazon

HOME TO WHISKEY CREEK

(Whiskey Creek #4)
by Brenda Novak
Published July 2013 by Harlequin MIRA
Adult Romance - Kindle edition, 400p.

Adelaide returns to Whiskey Creek to help her grandma run the family restaurant. She left town years before after a horrific event at a party right after graduation and never wanted to come back and face those who hurt her. Noah's a good guy, but has a familiar face. His twin died the same night Adelaide wishes she could erase and seeing his matching face isn't easy at first. However, he's a kind and well-respected guy, and he's determined to find out what happened to Adelaide and see her through her troubles.

MY THOUGHTS: This one was a tough read because of the trauma Adelaide experienced and her treatment by some of the townspeople after her return. The whole story read much more seriously than any others in the series. I don't recommend automatically skipping it, but I do advise anyone wary of violent acts be mindful when deciding to read it or not.

Goodreads | Amazon

TAKE ME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

(Whiskey Creek #5)
by Brenda Novak
Published October 2013 by Harlequin MIRA
Adult Romance - Kindle edition, 400p.

Sophia has lived in Whiskey Creek for years, but has found herself on the outside of the friends group she's longed to be a part of ever since breaking Ted's heart. He's part of the weekly coffee friends group and still hasn't forgiven her. When her husband, a powerful and abusive man, goes missing along with their money, she's left struggling to make ends meet to support her daughter. When Ted announces his need for an assistant, he's convinced to hire Sophia to help her out. Spending time together reignites old feelings and allows them to get to know each other as adults in a way he's avoided for years.

MY THOUGHTS: I enjoyed seeing long-suffering Sophia be more accepted by the friends, as I always felt like her exclusion in previous books seemed pretty high school/Mean Girls of them all. Ted has remained mostly a mystery in earlier books, outside of popping up at coffee dates and friend hangouts, so it was nice to get to know him better and understand his issue with Sophia. Plus, I'm always up for seeing a woman get away from an abusive husband, so I'd been waiting for Sophia's escape for a while, and I'm glad it happened.

Goodreads | Amazon

COME HOME TO ME (#6) came out recently... Click here for a full review!

The Best Man (Blue Heron #1) by Kristan Higgins

“Maybe love isn't just a bouquet of roses once in a whole. Maybe it's just

sticking it out, when it's hard, when you're mad, when you're tired.”

THE BEST MAN (Blue Heron #1)

by Kristan Higgins
Published February 2013 by Harlequin
Adult Romance - Paperback, 426p.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Faith Holland left her hometown after being jilted at the altar. Now a little older and wiser, she’s ready to return to the Blue Heron Winery, her family’s vineyard, to confront the ghosts of her past, and maybe enjoy a glass of red. After all, there’s some great scenery there....

Like Levi Cooper, the local police chief - and best friend of her former fiancé. There’s a lot about Levi that Faith never noticed, and it’s not just those deep green eyes. The only catch is she’s having a hard time forgetting that he helped ruin her wedding all those years ago. If she can find a minute amidst all her family drama to stop and smell the rosé, she just might find a reason to stay at Blue Heron, and finish that walk down the aisle.

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK:

THE BEST MAN opens with Faith being left at the alter, and then skips forward to when she returns to town years later to finally face it and return to work at her family's vineyard. She's lively and hilarious, and the perfect romance heroine to root for. Levi is the former fiancé's best friend, which makes Faith's feelings toward him less than stellar. He's grumpy and closed off, but a great guy once you crack his stony exterior. They've got a love-hate thing going on, and their chemistry is fantastic. The books tells their story in present time and through flashbacks to allow the reader to truly get to know each of them and find a way to root for the possibility of a romance between them.

I've read several books by Kristan Higgins now and all of them leave me with a smile on my face. Her characters are interesting, with rich lives outside of the romance, and provide plenty of comic relief. Once I start reading one of her books, I always want to keep reading right through to the end. THE BEST MAN continues that streak.

GET THE BOOK: Goodreads | Amazon

When We Touch (Whiskey Creek #0.5)

WHEN WE TOUCH

(Whiskey Creek #0.5)
by Brenda Novak
Published August 2012 by Mira
Adult Romance - Kindle edition, 102p.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

You're invited to a wedding in Whiskey Creek, Heart of the Gold Country.

Unfortunately, it's the wrong wedding. Olivia Arnold is arranging the festivities—and it's the hardest thing she's ever done. Because she should be marrying Kyle Houseman. They were together for more than a year…. But her jealous sister, Noelle, stole him away—and now she's pregnant.

All their friends in Whiskey Creek know as well as Olivia does that Kyle's making a mistake. His stepbrother, Brandon, knows it, too. But Kyle's determined to go through with it, for his child's sake.

Olivia's devastated, but surprisingly Brandon—the black sheep of the family--is there to provide comfort and consolation. The intensity between them, both physical and emotional, shows Olivia that maybe Kyle wasn't the right man for her…. But is Brandon?

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK:

WHEN WE TOUCH is a novella that kicks off Brenda Novak's Whiskey Creek series. The series focuses on a close knit group of friends in a small town and their love lives (sometimes with each other). Two of the friends, Olivia and Kyle, dated for over a year, until her jealous sister, Noelle, stole him away and Olivia got stuck planning their wedding. She's too sweet to bow out, even though their friends wouldn't blame her.

Kyle's stepbrother, Brandon, to whom he isn't close, is irritated at the injustice of Olivia's current predicament and offers her support. As their friendship develops, Brandon and Olivia (who had a crush on him before) start to wonder if they've been the better match all along. He's a bit of a black sheep in his own family, and Olivia's overbearing parents are the reason she can't refuse to be the wedding planner for her sister's wedding.

Throughout the book, it's hard to find anything about Noelle to like or sympathize with, and almost impossible to understand why Kyle is marrying her. Luckily, his brother, Brandon, slides right in as an appealing option to ease Olivia's pain and help her move on.

While this isn't my favorite book in the Whiskey Creek series, it does serve as a solid introduction to the characters who star in the future books. The ridiculous idea that Olivia should ever have to plan a wedding for her sister and her ex is hard to get over (and really made me irritated with her parents for insisting she do it). However, Olivia and Brandon are a great couple, and I've enjoyed when they pop in during future books, so I'd recommend reading it to get going in the series (but don't quit after this one if it's not quite your thing).

GET THE BOOK: Goodreads | Amazon

Ask the Passengers by A.S. King

“Hold on. You’re not an androgynous bookworm?” she asks, 

and pulls out her phone. “Shit. I need to update my files.”

ASK THE PASSENGERS

by A.S. King
Published October 2012 by Little, Brown
YA Contemporary - Hardcover, 304p.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Astrid Jones desperately wants to confide in someone, but her mother's pushiness and her father's lack of interest tell her they're the last people she can trust. Instead, Astrid spends hours lying on the backyard picnic table watching airplanes fly overhead. She doesn't know the passengers inside, but they're the only people who won't judge her when she asks them her most personal questions--like what it means that she's falling in love with a girl.

As her secret relationship becomes more intense and her friends demand answers, Astrid has nowhere left to turn. She can't share the truth with anyone except the people at thirty thousand feet, and they don't even know she's there. But little does Astrid know just how much even the tiniest connection will affect these strangers' lives--and her own--for the better.

In this truly original portrayal of a girl struggling to break free of society's definitions, Printz Honor author A.S. King asks readers to question everything--and offers hope to those who will never stop seeking real love.

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK:

A few years ago, I read Please Ignore Vera Dietz and said it was one of the best books I've ever read and I stand by that. A.S. King is an auto-buy author for me, and ASK THE PASSENGERS only re-confirms that. When I want contemporary YA that will make me think, and struggle with emotions, and latch onto and love a flawed character, I pick up an A.S. King book.

In ASK THE PASSENGERS, Astrid struggles with her identity, being true to what she feels, and how to share herself with the world. She's coming to terms with her sexuality and dealing with a dysfunctional family on top of the usual teenaged high school troubles. She spends a lot of time lying on the picnic table in her backyard sending her love to the passengers of planes as they fly by overhead. The book jumps into the planes for a quick glimpse into different passengers' lives, which sounds like it might be distracting and pull the reader out of the story, but it's actually done really well. The connections made between Astrid and her struggles, and the passengers to whom she sends her love, are interesting, sometimes poignant, and add an extra dimension to the story.

Astrid's family is odd, and yet it's basically reflective of how every family has its own issues and ways of dealing with things. Her mom talks at her, her dad is pretty checked out, and her younger sister is reputation-obsessed. She struggles to find anyone to confide in and uses her time sending love up to the passengers above as a way to cope with what she's going through.

ASK THE PASSENGERS is as fantastically written as one expects an A.S. King novel to be and will take you through feeling both hopeless and hopeful, and wishing you could help Astrid out. The only problem with the book is it makes you remember you'll have to wait a while before the author's next is available (Glory O'Brien's History of the Future -- October 2014).

GET THE BOOK: Goodreads | Amazon | IndieBound

Blackberry Island series by Susan Mallery

The Blackberry Island series by Susan Mallery is set on a dreamy island near Seattle. (There's even a map to show you where all the popular spots in the book are on the island!) It's more women's fiction, than full on adult romance, like her Fool's Gold series. Book three came out earlier this year.

Read on for my thoughts on all three books in the series so far. I don't know if there will be any more books set on Blackberry Island, but don't let that stop you from reading... each story wraps up on its own, so it won't leave you hanging forever if another book is set for next year. They're three great stories about friendship, with a bit of romantic love thrown in.

BAREFOOT SEASON

(Blackberry Island #1)

by Susan Mallery

Published March 2012 by Harlequin Mira

Fiction - Kindle edition, 363p.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Army vet, Michelle, returns to Blackberry Island and the home she fled years before, to claim her inheritance. Carly, once Michelle’s best friend, has been running the island’s troubled inn, which Michelle has just inherited, for years. To save the inn, the business and their home, the two women have to make peace with their troubled past and work together. Luckily, Blackberry Island is in the midst of a beautiful summer to help the two old friends along.

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK:
This book kicks off Susan Mallery's Blackberry Island series, which is geared more toward friendships between women than romantic relationships like her Fool's Gold series is, although there is romance in these too. The island is a wonderful setting and reading along as the friendship between Michelle and Carly recovers is a delight.

THREE SISTERS

(Blackberry Island #2)
by Susan Mallery

Published February 2013 by Harlequin Mira

Fiction - Kindle edition, 344p.

ABOUT THE BOOK: 

After being jilted at the alter, Andi decides to buy one of the Three Sisters Queen Anne houses on the island to restore it and house her pediatric office on the bottom floor. She meets the women in the other two houses of the trio: Deanna, an unhappy housewife obsessed with perfection, and Boston, a quirky artist whose marriage is struggling after facing a tragedy. The three women forge a friendship and see each other through hard times as the island and their beautiful houses provide the dreamy setting.

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK:
I thoroughly enjoyed watching the bonds of friendship form between Andi, Deanna, and Boston. The three women are vastly different and not the usual automatic friends, but while their connection takes time, it produces a lovely friendship. Their love lives aren't the focus of the book, but are an enjoyable piece of the story, as well. 

EVENING STARS

(Blackberry Island #3)
by Susan Mallery

Published February 2014 by Harlequin Mira

Fiction - Kindle edition, 400p.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for providing me with a digital copy for review.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Small-town nurse Nina Wentworth has made a career out of being a caretaker. More "Mom" than their mother ever was, she sacrificed medical school—and her first love—so her sister could break free. Which is why she isn't exactly thrilled to see Averil back on Blackberry Island, especially when Nina's life has suddenly become…complicated.

Nina unexpectedly finds herself juggling two men—her high school sweetheart and a younger maverick pilot who also wants to claim her heart. But as fun as all this romance is, Nina has real life to deal with. Averil doesn't seem to want the great guy she's married to, and doesn't seem to be making headway writing her first book; their mom is living life just as recklessly as she always has; and Nina's starting to realize that the control she once had is slipping out of her fingers. Her hopes of getting off the island seem to be stretching further away…until her mother makes a discovery that could change everything forever.

But before Nina and Averil can reach for the stars, they have to decide what they want. Will Averil stay? Will Nina leave? And what about the men who claim to love them? Does love heal, or will finding their happy ending mean giving up all they've ever wanted?

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK:
Evening Stars follows Nina, a nurse in a pediatrician's office (working for Andi, the doctor from book two in the series), who's always taking care of everyone but herself. Throughout the book, she learns how to relate to her younger sister as an adult, move past her mom's erratic, unreliable behavior, and face two prospective love interests. After a long time on her own, she finds herself receiving attention from a former boyfriend who dumped her when he was off island for school, and a young, hot pilot stationed nearby.

I found Nina's struggle to deal with her sister's unhappiness and lack of motivation, as well as her mother's flakiness, to be believable and totally relatable, since I would've felt just as frustrated in the same situation. While it's important to let people be themselves, sometimes it's hard to deal with what that means when you wish you could rely on them to take care of things, instead of always leaning on you. Nina both counts on that neediness from her family and resents it, and this book takes her through struggling with those feelings.

To get outside of the struggles in the family home, Nina also faces a decision about which man to start a relationship with, the former love or hot new guy, or if she belongs on her own. I thoroughly enjoyed following along as she made this decision, and the book kept me guessing about which way she would go.

Evening Stars is a solid third installment in the Blackberry Island series, and I'd be happy to read more books set on the island, especially if they share a glimpse into Nina's life, as well as all of the characters I've grown to love throughout the first three books.

GET THE BOOKS: Goodreads | Amazon

One Night with Her Ex by Lucy King

ONE NIGHT WITH HER EX

by Lucy King

Published March 2014 by Harlequin KISS

Adult Romance - Paperback, 224 pages

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin KISS for providing me with a digital copy for review.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Lily Montgomery finds the perfect antidote to an anticlimactic New Year's Eve: a hot, up-against-the-door one-night stand with a sexy millionaire. Trouble is, the man in question is Kit, the ex-husband she's spent five years getting over.

For Kit Buchanan, the past few years have been hellish! He's conquered the business world, but when it comes to the bedroom he's had the mother of all dry spells. Clearly he needs to get Lily out of his system once and for all!

But one supercharged night later, Kit's not so sure. After all, why move on when he's having so much fun where he is?

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK:

ONE NIGHT WITH HER EX is about two formerly married people who pop back into each other's lives for a one night stand and find themselves wondering if they should stick around for more. In my world, exes are exes for a reason and I can't imagine giving one a repeat try (even if I was available), but for Lily and Kit, it seems possible. Their breakup was for a serious reason and it's definitely an issue, but there are moments when the reader feels like second chances are deserved and you find yourself rooting for both of them. However, Lily's default setting for dealing with problems is to run, and so that's what she does. Luckily for their chances at reuniting, Kit chases. ONE NIGHT WITH HER EX is cute, sexy and fun, with just the right amount of tough issues, and two leads you'll love to follow for more than one night.

GET THE BOOK: Goodreads | Amazon

The Thousand Dollar Tan Line (Veronica Mars #1)

“And for about the millionth time in her life she felt an overwhelming gratitude for her best friend. Because she knew he wouldn't mention this afterward; she knew he wouldn't take it as a sign that she was losing her nerve or was in too deep. There weren't many people in this world who would let you be vulnerable and still believe you were strong.”

THE THOUSAND DOLLAR TAN LINE (VERONICA MARS #1)

by Rob Thomas & Jennifer Graham
Published March 2014 by Vintage
Mystery - Paperback, 324 pages

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Ten years after graduating from high school in Neptune, California, Veronica Mars is back in the land of sun, sand, crime, and corruption. She’s traded in her law degree for her old private investigating license, struggling to keep Mars Investigations afloat on the scant cash earned by catching cheating spouses until she can score her first big case.

Now it’s spring break, and college students descend on Neptune, transforming the beaches and boardwalks into a frenzied, week-long rave. When a girl disappears from a party, Veronica is called in to investigate. But this is no simple missing person’s case; the house the girl vanished from belongs to a man with serious criminal ties, and soon Veronica is plunged into a dangerous underworld of drugs and organized crime. And when a major break in the investigation has a shocking connection to Veronica’s past, the case hits closer to home than she ever imagined.

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK:

If you know one thing about me, let it be that Veronica Mars is one of my absolute favorite people on the planet, and the fact that she's fictional doesn't change that. I watched the show as it aired (and have re-watched many times since), and had been waiting for more Veronica for years & years & years when the Kickstarter came along. I'm responsible for more people watching this show than probably any other thing I've ever recommended (constantly! wholeheartedly!).

So when I say expectations for anything connected to Veronica Mars are HIGH, you know I mean it. I finished reading the first mystery, in what will hopefully turn into a long series, earlier today. The book didn't quite capture the magic that Veronica has on screen, probably because seeing Kristen Bell in the movements was up to my imagination, rather than my eyeballs watching an actual performance. However, the mystery, about two young women who go missing during Neptune's busy spring break season, was solid and kept me wondering. I thought I'd guessed what happened a few different times, only to be made unsure several pages later, then change my mind completely. As a mystery, it works.

For the duration of the book, Logan is away with the Navy, so the LoVe is limited to the short interactions allowed to a couple separated by thousands of miles, with one of them floating on a giant hunk of metal in the ocean somewhere. While he might be missed, Mac and Wallace are in Neptune, sidekicking up a storm throughout the story. They're equal parts mystery solving assistants for Veronica and friends to kick back with on her day off. And of course there's Keith, who is still making a fuss about Veronica's decision to stay in town and join the family business, but is always the best dad a girl could hope for.

Just as Rob Thomas promised, there is a surprise return of a previous character that wasn't in the movie, who definitely adds an extra dimension to Veronica's work and personal life. I won't say who, but just know I was surprised when this person popped up and generally enjoyed their storyline. I didn't like them much at all on the show (and still really don't), but it worked and added an extra layer to the story.

If I have one complaint, it might be that the book is not told in first person. A major part of how I think about the show is how much we see everything through Veronica's perspective. While the book was from her point of view, and therefore allowed for private thoughts and extra personal insight, it didn't quite have the same direct connection for me as I imagine it would have through first person storytelling. That said, it didn't bother me enough to really knock it... Veronica is still Veronica and I still love her. Plus, the book has tons of little callbacks to the series and movie, so that's extra fun for the serious fan (and a good way to help those new to Neptune understand the world a bit better).

I'm a fan of mysteries, but finding one with a protagonist I can love (and possibly relate to) is usually a difficult task. Veronica Mars solves that problem. I hope they write a zillion more books full of mysteries for Veronica to solve. I'll read every single one.

GET THE BOOK: Goodreads | Amazon | IndieBound | Book Depository

The Here and Now by Ann Brashares

“If it was okay for me to kiss you…would you want me to?”

THE HERE AND NOW 

by Ann Brashares
Published April 8, 2014 by Delacorte Press
YA - Hardcover, 256 pages

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for providing me with a digital copy for review.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Follow the rules. Remember what happened. Never fall in love.

This is the story of seventeen-year-old Prenna James, who immigrated to New York when she was twelve. Except Prenna didn’t come from a different country. She came from a different time—a future where a mosquito-borne illness has mutated into a pandemic, killing millions and leaving the world in ruins.

Prenna and the others who escaped to the present day must follow a strict set of rules: never reveal where they’re from, never interfere with history, and never, ever be intimate with anyone outside their community. Prenna does as she’s told, believing she can help prevent the plague that will one day ravage the earth.

But everything changes when Prenna falls for Ethan Jarves.

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK: 

THE HERE AND NOW is a beautifully written, YA sci-fi about time travel, forbidden love, and doing what’s right. It’s almost dystopian, except the world in which the characters exist is almost 100 years before the truly awful things have happened (due to mosquitoes, global warming, and humankind’s general lack of making changes in time to save things). The story follows Prenna, a teenager living with her mom, four years after they traveled back in time.

The time travelers must learn to fit in, while being careful about what their presence means for a changing future. There are twelve rules to keep them in line, including: “12. We must never, under any circumstances, develop a physically or emotionally intimate relationship with any person outside the community.” Of course, not forming any connections isn’t always easy and a good portion of the book focuses on this aspect of Prenna’s troubles. 

Ethan, a time native, has a secret connection to Prenna, that even she isn’t always aware of, and becomes a part of her possible love story, and the group’s time-traveler-in-an-old-time woes. He’s smart, resourceful, and totally into Prenna. Their friendship is sweet and pushing the boundaries of what’s allowed before anything more is ever even suggested. (The time traveling bosses are super strict!)

If you’re the type of person who wants every detail to be wrapped up at the end of the book, this one won’t satisfy that need, but I hope you’ll give it a try anyway. What needs to be concluded is, and enough is left open that you’ll have room to imagine (and maybe hope for another book). Think: the Delirium trilogy’s ending (which I loved), rather than anything with an epilogue telling you if she got married and had kids.

THE HERE AND NOW is one of those books I kept thinking about when I wasn’t reading it and had to get back to. While the world of 2014 isn’t bad, there are signs that it’s leading to exactly what Prenna and the others escaped when they traveled back in time, and doesn’t that mean some changes need to be made?

GET THE BOOK: Goodreads | Amazon | IndieBound

“Already he is the drip, drip of water that carves a canyon right through the middle of me.”

BEING SLOANE JACOBS by Lauren Morrill

BEING SLOANE JACOBS 

by Lauren Morrill

Published: January 7, 2014 by Delacorte Press

YA Contemporary

It's out on my half birthday and I'm mentioned in the acknowledgements! Perfect present for being 31.5! Haha.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Meet Sloane Emily Jacobs: a seriously stressed-out figure-skater from Washington, D.C., who choked during junior nationals and isn’t sure she’s ready for a comeback. What she does know is that she’d give anything to escape the mass of misery that is her life.

Now meet Sloane Devon Jacobs, a spunky ice hockey player from Philly who’s been suspended from her team for too many aggressive hip checks. Her punishment? Hockey camp, now, when she’s playing the worst she’s ever played. If she messes up? Her life will be over.

When the two Sloanes meet by chance in Montreal and decide to trade places for the summer, each girl thinks she’s the lucky one: no strangers to judge or laugh at Sloane Emily, no scouts expecting Sloane Devon to be a hero. But it didn’t occur to Sloane E. that while avoiding sequins and axels she might meet a hockey hottie—and Sloane D. never expected to run into a familiar (and very good-looking) face from home. It’s not long before the Sloanes discover that convincing people you’re someone else might be more difficult than being yourself.

FIVE REASONS TO READ BEING SLOANE JACOBS:

1. The cover! Because: duh. Just like Meant To Be, it's a great one. Colorful & cute, skyline perfection. 
2. It's sort of like the Parent Trap with the swap & social class differences, except the swap is more about escape and the girls themselves. 
3. The POV swap is done really well. I rarely read a book that rotates between characters' voices without being confused about which person I'm reading at some point. Not so in BSJ. 
4. I don't know a lot about hockey or figure skating beyond the basics, but it sure seems like Lauren Morrill does! The sports were easy to follow and interesting, without taking over the whole story. 
5. The ending won't leave you hanging. If that's your thing, you'll be happy. :) 

Unofficial #6: The author, Lauren, is awesome, so you should support her by buying her book.

And it's out today! Find it here: Amazon, B&N, IndieBound, Goodreads.

Eleanor & Park

“I want everyone to meet you. You're my favorite person of all time.”

ELEANOR & PARK

by Rainbow Rowell
Published February 2013 by St. Martin's Press
YA - Hardcover, 325p.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Two misfits. One extraordinary love.

Eleanor... Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor.

Park... He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park.

Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK: 

Set over a school year in 1986 and featuring two outsiders who meet and start a relationship, Eleanor & Park is interesting, engaging, and unexpected. The author, Rainbow Rowell, beautifully depicts Eleanor's struggles at home, and her body issues, both of which teen-me can easily relate to. Rowell also shares Park's life, who has a more palatable home life but still his own variation of being an outsider, with equal expertise. I can't recommend this book enough. It's a read, and re-read, and then force all of your friends to read kind of book.

GET THE BOOK: Goodreads | IndieBound | Amazon 

%&$

I attended ForeverYA's book club in DFW for the first time this month and Eleanor & Park was the pick. Our group unanimously loved the book, and was about equally divided in choosing which of the two main characters we more identified with. If you've got a FYA book club chapter in your area, GO! I waited and waited, and now I know I should've been going all year. Can't wait until next month!