Romance Is In The Air Giveaway Hop (INT)

Welcome to the Romance Is In The Air Giveaway Hop (INT)

Feb 13 - 27, 2018

Hosted by Book Hounds

Hey! It has been a while since I posted my review of books and join any giveaway hop! I love Romance's book and I'm offering the chance to win the prize as below:

Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella

ONE winner will win a copy of Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella
Here's how you can enter this giveaway:

• Just fill in your contact details in the form below.
• This is an International giveaway as long as BookDepository.com ship them to your country.
• One entry per person.
• The winner will be notified via email.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond before another winner will be selected. 
• I'm not responsible for any lost package.
• Have fun and good luck! 
• Be sure to check out the other giveaway stops on this blog hop:

#BookReview The Love Shack by Jane Costello

The Love Shack
by Jane Costello

Genre: Chick Lit, Romance
Publication: 2015
Format: Paperback, 484 pages
Source: Own
Connect: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads

Life's great when you're 29 years old with a gorgeous girlfriend and fulfilling job. Until you have to move back in with your mum . . .

Dan and Gemma have found their dream first home, but the asking price is the stuff of nightmares. The only way they'll ever save enough for the deposit is by moving in, rent-free, with Dan's mum.

It's a desperate solution, but it's only for six months. And Gemma's determined to make it work, no matter how bad things get.

But between Dan's mum's kitchen karaoke, her constant innuendos, irrepressible argumentative streak and - worst of all - her ham and pineapple curries, life back at home would test the patience of two saints. Which Dan and Gemma most definitely are not.

Then, as they're trying to convince themselves it will all be worth it, Gemma's past comes back to haunt her. And suddenly the foundations of their entire relationship are shaken to their core…

Gemma and Dan finally found their dream house, but unfortunately, it was not within their budget. To save money, they decided to move in with Dan's mom for six months. This may not be the best arrangement for the couple, but Gemma was determined to make things work.

The Love Shack was written in both Gemma and Dan's point of view. I usually love alternating point view since I get to understand what both parties are feeling, but in Gemma and Dan's case, it can get a bit confusing. Like in one of the chapters where it was supposed to be in Dan's/Gemma's point of view, but there was a bit of mixup.

I'm a fan of Jane Costello's books, but The Love Shack is definitely not one of my favorites. It has such a good premises, but I thought the book was too long and too plain. The humor wasn't as humorous. The supporting characters weren't memorable. There wasn't much characters development despite the book being too long. I couldn't really enjoy this book and I have to force myself to read to finish this book. Overall, I'm disappointed.  I was so relieved when I finally finished. 

Romance Is In The Air Giveaway Hop (INT)

Welcome to the Romance Is In The Air Giveaway Hop (INT)

Feb 13 - 27 2017

Hosted by Book Hounds

The Prize!

The Hating Game
by Sally Thorne

ONE winner will win a copy of The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Here's how you can enter this giveaway:

• Just fill in your contact details in the form below.
• This is an International giveaway as long as BookDepository.com ship them to your country.
• One entry per person.
• The winner will be notified via email.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond before another winner will be selected. 
• I'm not responsible for any lost package.
• Have fun and good luck! 
• Be sure to check out the other giveaway stops on this blog hop:

Congratulation to Ashley Richey!

#BookReview The Matchmakers of Minnow Bay by Kelly Harms

The Matchmakers of Minnow Bay
by Kelly Harms

Genre: Adult, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Romance, Women's Fiction
Publication:  August 9th, 2016 by Thomas Dunne Book
Format: ebooks
Source: Author, Publisher, NetGalley
Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

A young painter, Lily has reached a crossroads in her life. Her career hasn't taken off, her best friend may no longer be the trusted friend she thought, her boyfriend is a disappointment, and now she can't keep up with the rising cost of living in the city. With no one to turn to, Lily is forced to move from her beloved apartment, but while packing she comes across a piece of mail that had slipped to the back of her junk drawer: a letter detailing further action needed to finalize the annulment of a quickie Vegas wedding. Ten years ago!

Lily decides it's time to turn over a new leaf and the first item on her list of things to fix is getting the annulment... but you can't just send a reply ten years later, "Hey by the way we are still married." This is something that must be addressed in person. Lily takes to the road to track down her husband - the charming, fun, and sexy man she connected with all those years ago - Ben Hutchinson.

Ben Hutchinson left a wealthy dot-com lifestyle behind to return home to his family and the small town he loves, Minnow Bay. He's been living off the grid and the last thing he expects is a wife he didn't know he had to show up on his doorstep.

By chance, Lily arrives at the magical Minnow Bay Inn, and there she will discover not just a place to lay her head, but new friends, a thriving art community, and maybe even the love of her life.

Lily's life isn't going as well as she wants. Her love life and her career as a painter are going nowhere. Now, Lily is forced to move out from her apartment. While packing to leave, she discovers a mail that reminds her to finalize the annulment of her Vegas wedding ten years ago.

The Matchmakers of Minnow Bay is a fun, light romance read. It isn't hard to get into the book. The author has a really nice writing style that I like and the characters are loveable. Lily is an air head, but it was fun to see how she is going to survive her new life. She went to Minnow Bay looking for her husband and expects him to be the charming, fun man she knew years ago, except that, he changed. A lot. I love the interaction between Lily and Ben right from the beginning. They are great together despite their misunderstanding and all that. The supporting characters in the book, Colleen and Jenny especially are making the story livelier. I absolutely enjoy the setup! If you're looking for a light, fun book, this is the book for you.

I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my review.

#BookReview Single by Christmas by Rosa Temple

Single by Christmas
by Rosa Temple

Genre: Chick Lit, Romance, Friendship, Christmas
Publication: October 3rd, 2016
Format: ebooks, ARC
Source: Author, Publisher
Connect: Website | Twitter | Goodreads

You’ve heard the saying, ‘opposites attract’ haven’t you? Well meet 27 year old Alex Marshall, a party girl with a penchant for free flowing Prosecco, and her devilishly handsome scientist boyfriend, Charlie, who loves jazz and dinner for two.

Alex and Charlie are together for 11 blissful months until Alex goes out of town and does something she will later regret. Was she drunk? You bet. Does she want Charlie to know? Well what do you think?

With the couple about to spend their first Christmas together will Charlie be the forgiving kind or will Alex be Single by Christmas?

This is a feel good, Christmas novel with very few mince pies, not much snow and absolutely no mistletoe – just a couple of best friends, a sociopathic nemesis and a lot of drinking.

Alex had a good life. She had her friends and a wonderful boyfriend. Alex and her boyfriend, Charlie may have different personalities and they have been together for a while. They were happy, but, their relationship is slowly slipping with Alex's priorities sets on something else.

I love this book. I admit that I wasn't a big fan of Alex. She loves partying and was a bit of an airhead. She may not be a good girlfriend, but she is definitely a good friend. Alex would always try to be there with her friends whenever they had issues. I love Charlie. He's really nice and patient to Alex. There have been a few times when I thought that he may be too good for Alex. But I'm really happy with how the story wrapped up too.

I love Rosa Temple's writing style. It was really easy to get into. The plot is straightforward but enjoyable. I love Alex's interaction with the people around her. And I definitely enjoy watching how Alex grew up in this book.  

The book didn't have a lot of Christmassy feeling to it, but still, if you're looking for a light romance, I would definitely recommend this book.

I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher in exchange for my review.

#OnTour Single by Christmas by Rosa Temple #Excerpt + #Giveaway

Rosa Temple is now on tour with her book, Single by Christmas from 17th October to 28th October. I'm posting the excerpt and hopefully, the review in a few more days. Don't forget to enter the giveaway to win ebook copy of the book!

Single by Christmas
by Rosa Temple

Genre: Chick Lit, Romance, Friendship, Christmas
Publication:  October 3rd, 2016
Connect: Website | Twitter | Goodreads

You’ve heard the saying, ‘opposites attract’ haven’t you? Well meet 27 year old Alex Marshall, a party girl with a penchant for free flowing Prosecco, and her devilishly handsome scientist boyfriend, Charlie, who loves jazz and dinner for two.

Alex and Charlie are together for 11 blissful months until Alex goes out of town and does something she will later regret. Was she drunk? You bet. Does she want Charlie to know? Well what do you think?

With the couple about to spend their first Christmas together will Charlie be the forgiving kind or will Alex be Single by Christmas?

This is a feel good, Christmas novel with very few mince pies, not much snow and absolutely no mistletoe – just a couple of best friends, a sociopathic nemesis and a lot of drinking.

Single by Christmas by Rosa Temple

Excerpt

You might be wondering what I was doing, sitting in a graveyard at five minutes to midnight on Christmas Eve. And if you guessed gravedigger or graverobber, you’d be wrong. But ask yourself, who sits in a graveyard when it’s cold and out and out spooky unless it’s absolutely critical? The church, where I attend Midnight Mass with my family every year, is just across the way. But sitting on that particular bench just inside the graveyard was absolutely critical.

You see, in the lead up to Christmas I managed to lose something. Well, not something, someone. Charlie; my reason for living, my heart, my soulmate … you get the idea. And before you start crying, don’t worry, he wasn’t buried there. At the time, I wasn’t exactly sure where Charlie was, but he knew I was there. Waiting.

By the stroke of midnight I would have known for sure if I’d truly lost him. I’d asked him to join me and my family for the service. They’d arrived earlier. I smiled and greeted them all – Mum, Dad, big sister, Elise, and her husband and my younger sister, Jo-Jo. They asked where Charlie was and I managed to hide my worst fears and say he’d be along soon, that he was held up. So they just kissed me and piled inside with the rest of the congregation.

My family had been looking forward to seeing Charlie, even more so than they were me. You see, like everyone who meets Charlie, they’d fallen in love with him. Who could blame them? He’s charming, he’s intelligent, he’s sweet, kind, generous. The list could go on. I admit those things weren’t what first attracted me to Charlie. No, the attraction was pure lust and desire. He walked into that New Year’s Eve party the year before and I was stunned into silence. And I’m never silent. Tall, well dressed, mesmerising looks and those dimples that appear every time he smiles, which he does a lot by the way.

And I love Charlie’s family, too. His mum, Leeza, his dad, Don, who Charlie gets his looks and sense of humour from, and his brother. I wasn’t sure Leeza approved of Charlie having a white girlfriend, at first, but I realised that was just paranoia on my part. His family are not like that. His mum, who I grew to admire and love, was just being protective, the way some mothers are.

But, I digress. My family had no idea that I’d seen Charlie twenty-four hours prior to the service and that we’d had a heated argument and that Charlie had practically slammed a door in my face. Minutes before that I’d made a complete and utter fool of myself in front of his wonderful family and he’d walked away with such disgust and disappointment in his face my heart broke in two. He’d closed the door on me but I hadn’t stopped sending begging texts and hysterical voicemails just so he would show up on Christmas Eve – like he’d promised me. I wasn’t expecting a miracle, just praying for one. Because it would have taken a miracle for Charlie to walk towards the church, bypass the tall wooden doors, see me on the bench, push open the graveyard gates and tell me he’d forgiven me.

With everyone nice and warm inside the church, I continued to sit watching puffs of vapour appearing in front of my face from every exhale, brimming with an apology that may never be heard.

You might be saying, “If Charlie’s that wonderful, why couldn’t he just come to the church, it’s Christmas after all?” You have to know, he’d never be that unforgiving without very good reason.

Honestly? It took a whole year of knowing Charlie to finally understand what it is to love someone completely and to be loved the very same way in return and just one month to lose it all.

And this is how …

About the Author

Rosa Temple is a writer of romantic comedies, chick-lit and contemporary romance. To date she has published one novella, Sleeping with Your Best Friend, and her first full length novel, Natalie’s Getting Married, was published on 14th March 2016.

She has tried her hand at various occupations, from tea lady (albeit for one morning only after being returned to the agency because half an office block suffered caffeine deprivation) to supervising the office running the London Bar Exams.

Rosa is a Londoner born and bred and still resides in West London with ambitions to escape to the country when a suitable country pile becomes available.

In 2014 she was awarded a Distinction in her Creative Writing MA from Brunel University.

Rosa admits to being a reluctant keep fit addict. She owns a yoga mat, a pair of trainers and a spin cycle that gathers dust in the corner of her writing room. She vows that she will run the London Marathon again but has been saying this since her first and only marathon, run in 2010. Hence the trainers.

Having been a ghostwriter for several years, Rosa has written several magazine articles and has penned a multitude of one off novellas and novella length series in the romance genre and in its various sub-genres to include: contemporary romance, historical, adult only, romantic comedies and sweet romances.

Rosa is a member of a writing critique group who meet monthly. This lively and hard working group keep her on her toes as she hones her writing, listening and editing skills.

Rosa’s husband and eldest son are both musicians, her second son swims at a National level for his London team.

Before devoting the majority of her time to her writing of romantic comedies and chick-lit, Rosa was a singer (that’s how she met her husband) and still continues to perform and write songs.

Early reviews show that Natalie’s Getting Married is a favourite of many readers and book bloggers and she follows it with Christmas romantic comedy novel, Single by Christmas, with plans to publish a book series in the very near future.

Rosa loves to chat (about anything really) so follow her on Twitter @RosaT_Author or visit her blog, Rosa Temple Writes, on rosatemplewrites.blogspot.co.uk

Read an excerpt of Natalie’s Getting Married on Goodreads or Facebook

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#BookReview The Goodbyes by Leslie Welch

The Goodbyes
by Leslie Welch

Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Publication:  Published July 12th, 2016 by Blue Moon Publishers
Format: ebooks. 226 pages
Source: ARC, Netgalley
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Since he was thirteen years old, rockstar Webb Turner pined for Bree, the enigmatic girl across the street. He captured her in his songs, but never in his orbit. His lyrics about her propelled Webb's band to superstardom, but his fame came with the price of finding real love.

When he discovers that Bree is dying, Webb leaves a stadium full of adoring fans to be at her side. As a blizzard batters the east coast, will Webb succeed in his fight against the storm and the mistakes of his past for a chance to say one last goodbye?

If I was judging this book by its cover, I'd say that this is a thriller read. But it's not. The Goodbyes is a story of love, self-discovery and growing up. The story is told in Webb Turner's point of view. Webb received word that Bree, the girl across the street that he love is dying. He abandoned everything and rushes home to be with her. Along the journey home, Webb is having a flashback on his relationship with Bree. 

I wasn't sure I was going to like this book. Mainly because of most of the rockstar in books I read always acted like an ass. I'm just glad that Webb isn't like that. He's more down to earth kind of a rockstar.

Webb and Bree's relationship is a rollercoaster of emotion. I get frustrated at their relationship sometimes. A part of me wanted them to be together, and another part of me don't. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about their relationship and what made them who they are at the present. What I really love about the book is the unexpected ending. I'm just glad that the book end with a happy ending.

I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my review.

#BookBlitz: All Access by Liberty Kontranowski - #Excerpt + #Giveaway

Welcome to Liberty Kontranowski's Book Blitz with her book, All Access. Visit CLP Blog Tours for more info and Book Blitz stops.

All Access (Fangirl #1)

by Liberty Kontranowski

Genre: Chick Lit, Romance, Humor

Publication: June 22nd, 2016 by Marching Ink LLC

Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Every fangirl has a fantasy . . . what happens when that “if only” dream comes true?

Though she’s a single mom wedged firmly into thirty-something territory, author Kallie Reagan’s devotion to rock star Niles Russell knows no bounds. To pay homage to her muse, Kallie writes a smokin’ hot novel featuring a hero who looks and acts an awful lot like Niles — and a heroine who may or may not have a smattering of herself thrown in for fun.

When Niles learns about the book and surprise-texts Kallie, the two deliciously complicated creatives become fast friends . . . and so much more. But trying to define a relationship that’s laced with closeted skeletons, half-truths, and constant question marks proves harder than making it big. If they’re going to progress from Fangirl Infatuation to The Real Deal, these two need to give each other All Access to the most important place of all: their hearts.

Excerpt from All Access

CHAPTER FIVE

Backstage Pass

Backstage is not at all as glamorous as it should be. It’s a bit musty and surprisingly chilly, given the steamy summer night outside. Eight-foot tables are pushed together in a C-shape with food, beer, energy drinks, and disposable tableware covering every inch. I lean against a wall, not knowing what to do with myself. There are a few others trickling backstage, but Zeke, the bouncer, took only me to the part of the room with the food.

There’s some commotion and laughter, but it still sounds far away. My pulse picks up and there is no question that anyone within a ten-mile radius could hear my heart thump if they listened hard enough. This is getting too real. This isn’t words on the pages of a book anymore, or even some texts and a quick phone call. Niles is a real human being who just walked through the door backstage and is heading straight toward me. There is seriously nowhere—and no time—to hide!

He immediately catches my eye, and I lose my breath. I am one hundred percent sure my face rivals the color of red velvet cake. I break into a cold sweat so bad it feels like my skin is melting.

He slips past everyone else and, in an instant, is less than a foot away from me. “I got you on the first try,” he announces, clearly proud of himself. “I knew it was you. I knew you’d be blonde. Knew it!”

His lips part to reveal those teeth! I read once that he had veneers applied after busting a tooth at a show a few years back, and now I truly believe it. They are Colgate-commercial straight, pure white, and all lined up like little soldiers in his wide mouth. I’m dying.

From the first row, I could see every one of his fillings (there are four) and I quickly became fascinated with how he could sing and smile at the same time. When his eyes fell on mine, not five minutes into the show, I knew he knew. He didn’t reach for my hand until over halfway through, but we made eye contact several times. When his fingers finally clasped mine, it was electric. I was touching Niles Russell. He held on longer than he should have, making the fans around me—guys and girls alike — that much more determined to get their own piece of him. He surprised us all by grabbing a few more hands, but only mine did he grab a second time.

Now, he’s so close to me I can smell him. His hair is wet and messy, but his face is no longer sweaty, as though he stuck his head under a faucet on the way back. He has a towel wrapped around his neck and his concert T-shirt has been replaced with a clean, dry one. He smells of deodorant and hot skin. It’s intoxicating.

“Have fun?” He hands me a half-empty water bottle. “Shit! That one’s mine. Here’s a full one.” He shakes his head in embarrassment and switches the bottles, which is disappointing since I would have gladly taken his.

It occurs to me that I have not yet uttered one word—only smiled stupidly—so I take a breath and give it a try.

“You positively killed it tonight,” I say, my voice shaking as it finds its legs. “As always.” He beams.

I can tell I touched a hot spot, so I keep going. “Every performance gets better, I swear. And I’ve seen many.”

“Thank you.” He reaches out like he’s going to touch my arm, but his hand just kind of airballs and falls back to his side. “Much more fun than real life.” He winks.

Author Bio

Liberty Kontranowski is a romantic women’s fiction author who adores all things lovey-dovey with a pinch (or more) of hubba-hubba. When she’s not at the keyboard, she’s taxiing around her three boys, knocking back craft beers with the hubs, blogging, fangirling, and dreaming up more fake people. She also spends an inordinate amount of time drinking coffee and dreaming of the day she can bid adieu to far-too-wintry Michigan and move to a place where she can write with her toes in the sand.

Liberty loves to hear from her readers (and otherwise cool people) so give her a yell. You can find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/libertykontranowskiauthor; on Twitter at @liberty_k; and through her blog at www.PurdyandWordy.com.

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#BookReview Porn Money and Wannabe Mummy by Laura Barnard

Porn Money and Wannabe Mummy
by Laura Barnard

Genre: Romance, Chick Lit, Drama, Contemporary, Women Fiction
Publication: March 2016
Format: ebooks
Source: Author
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

What is it about turning thirty that sends rational women into a tailspin?

Suddenly going from having all the time in the world, to cringing at the ticking of her biological clock, Poppy is drowning under the strain of trying to get pregnant.

With a dad in the throes of a mid-life crisis, a crazy mother-in-law and time racing towards Lilly's wedding, will she be able to cope with it all...and give Ryan the baby they so desperately want?

Finally able to inherit her dad's porn money, Jazz can't wait to be rich! She can buy a house in Chelsea, go out partying with her old mates and start living how she deserves.

But with Ollie, Jemima and Meryl each clawing at their own little piece of her happiness, will she have to leave behind those closest to her in exchange for it?

The real question is, can Poppy and Jazz rescue their own lives before everything gets ruined, or will their own stubbornness destroy the lives they've created.

I haven't read the other books in the series, so, I'm probably not quite familiar with the characters. But I guess, Porn Money and Wannabe Mummy can also be read as a stand alone.

The book is mostly about two girls, Poppy, who is trying to get pregnant, and Jazz, who turns after she inherits her dad's money. I'm mostly intrigued to know what was going to happen with Poppy as she and her husband try to get pregnant. I think it is a very interesting issue. I know a lot of people who are having the same dilemma as Poppy. I think a lot could probably relate to Poppy. The frustration to watch everyone around her gets pregnant, but not her. And then, there's Jazz. She's a really good friend who tries to be the best to people around her. Although I'm a bit concerns with how she spends her money.

This book is pretty funny. Poppy will definitely make you laugh with her clumsiness. She always finds herself in hysterical, but hilarious moments. But the laugh-out-loud moments somehow turns dull after too many coincidences at the hospital. 

Overall, Porn Money and Wannabe Mummy is definitely an enjoyable read. The author had a pleasant writing style, which I enjoyed. I thought I would probably like this book better if I get to know the characters from the first book first. But because I read this as a standalone, my only wish is that the story would focus more on Poppy trying to get pregnant. 

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my review.

#BookReview Love, Reality Style by Judith Natelli McLaughlin

Love, Reality Style
by Judith Natelli McLaughlin

Genre: Romance, Chick Lit, Drama, Contemporary, Women Fiction
Publication: 7th 2016 by Blue Moon Publishers
Format: ebooks
Source: Netgalley, Author, Publisher
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

When cake-loving third-grade teacher Mary Grace Falcone receives a proposition of marriage from her germ-phobic boyfriend Ralph Ichy, her comfortable life is thrown into a tailspin. Should she marry Ralph? The man dubbed "the CEO of Antiseptic Hands"? Reluctantly, and despite the differing opinions of her best friends Jayde and Annie, Mary Grace accepts. Her decision gets her meddling mother off her back, but also lands her on a reality wedding show where handsome host, Nick Charmin, unexpectedly falls for her.

Will Mary Grace choose hot Nick or faithful Ralph? Is the decision really hers to make? And, is a slice of cake actually the answer to all of life's problems?

I'm such a sucker for books with a food theme. When I heard that the main character, Mary Grace love cake, I know that I need to read this book.

I love the idea of the book, with Mary Grace's hesitation to accept her germ-phobic boyfriend, Ralph Ichy, proposal. I’m sure that many could relate to Mary Grace’s situation. She just wasn’t sure if Ralph was the right man for her. And then, there was her meddlesome friends and mom.

I have to say that I wasn’t a big fan of Mary Grace. Especially after she accepted Ralph’s proposal and met Nick Charmin, the handsome TV host of the wedding show she joined. I thought that Mary Grace’s and Nick’s attraction towards each other came a bit forced and sudden. There are times when I thought that Mary Grace didn’t deserve Ralph. He’s a nice guy, despite being a germ-phobic. He lived with his mother, but only because he loved her, and she was in a situation.

The supporting characters made the book much interesting. Mary Grace’s friends, Jayde, and Annie were two interesting characters. I love how they both have different personalities and advice to Mary Grace. But Mary Grace’s mom definitely irritated me with her attitude to her daughter. 

Love, Reality Style is a quick romance read. The book was written in several point-of-views, but, mainly focusing on Mary Grace’s. I wish that the author concentrates on Mary Grace’s alone. I didn’t like how I get to see a glimpse of Jayde and Annie’s life, but, I didn’t get to learn what happen to the rest of their stories.

I received a copy of this book from the Netgalley & Blue Moon Publishers in exchange for my review.

#BookReview Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass 
(Throne of Glass #1)
by Sarah J. Maas

Genre: Fantasy, Magic, Mystery, Romance, Young Adult
Publication: August 2nd, 2012 by Bloomsbury
Format: ebooks
Source: Own
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Meet Celaena Sardothien.
Beautiful. Deadly. Destined for greatness.

In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake: she got caught.

Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament—fighting the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land. Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover her true destiny. But will her assassin’s heart be melted?

I decided to start the Throne of Glass series after Sarah J. Maas won in Goodreads Choice Award last year. Frankly, I don't think I'm the only one who think that Throne of Glass is somewhat similar to Maria V. Snyder's Poison Study. The beginning of Throne of Glass reminded me of Snyder's book. But that doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy this book. I did. So much that I purchased the second book right after I finished this.

The author did a really great job creating wonderful characters in Throne of Glass. Calaena had a strong personality. She's a trained assassin. She's smart. I loved her right from the beginning. She's clever, a survivor and she loves books! She may be a badass, but she got her sensitive side too. There are times when I thought that she was a bit childish. I liked the friendship between Calaena and Princess Nehemia and the chemistry between Calaena and the two other characters, Chaol, and Prince Dorian. And those two men are definitely swoon-worthy. 

I really enjoyed the book. The characters development was great. The plot was amazing. It was packed with action. I enjoyed reading the tournament part and I absolutely love the bit of mystery surrounding the castle. There are bits of romance building in the story. A possible love triangle. But I was quite disappointed with how the possible romance died before it even started.

Overall, Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas is a wonderful read. I thoroughly enjoy this one and am looking forward to reading the next book! If you're a fan of fantasy with a kick-ass heroine, you should definitely read this book.

#BookReview Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories by Stephanie Perkins, Leigh Bardugo, Jon Skovron , Jennifer E. Smith, Francesca Lia Block, Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, Brandy Colbert, Tim Federle, Lev Grossman, Nina LaCour, Veronica Roth

Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories

by Stephanie Perkins, Leigh Bardugo, Jon Skovron , Jennifer E. Smith, Francesca Lia Block, Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, Brandy Colbert, Tim Federle, Lev Grossman, Nina LaCour, Veronica Roth

Genre: Romance, Young Adult, Contemporary, Fantasy
Publication: May 17th, 2016
Format: ebooks
Source: NetGalley, St. Martin's Press

Maybe it's the long, lazy days, or maybe it's the heat making everyone a little bit crazy. Whatever the reason, summer is the perfect time for love to bloom.

Summer Days & Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories, written by twelve bestselling young adult writers and edited by the international bestselling Stephanie Perkins, will have you dreaming of sunset strolls by the lake. So set out your beach chair and grab your sunglasses. You have twelve reasons this summer to soak up the sun and fall in love.

The thing I like about an anthology is that I get to experience a lot of stories. And there are twelve love stories by twelve awesome young adult writers in Summer Days and Summer Nights, Each story has their own adventure and romance, all happen during summer. But not all stories have a happy ending.

There are stories for everyone: fantasy, sci-fi, horror. Each story is entertaining in their own way. What I really like about this anthology is the diversity of characters and romances. The pairings are interesting. There are also LGBT pairing in the book. 

The thing I didn't like about an anthology is that there are some stories that I really like, stories that I thought was okay, and stories that I didn't understand at all. And each time I finished a story, I have to put down the book to let the story sit in for a while before I pick it up again.

My favorite stories are:

Head, Scales, Tongue, Tale by Leigh Bardugo 

A really good start. There are something magical about this story and I love that bits of twist at the ending.

Brand New Attraction by Cassandra Clare

I love the setting! It was set up in a dark carnival powered by demon magic. Kind of reminds me to The Night Circus. This story has a really good plot and development.

A Thousand Ways This Could All Go Wrong by Jennifer E. Smith

I absolutely love the characters. It was hard to not fall in love with everyone. The romance was really sweet and super cute.

My least favorite stories are:

Sick Pleasures: For A and U by Francesca Lia Block

It was hard to connect with the characters because they didn't have names. They are all referred by letters. And I'm not really sure what happen in the story.

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things by Lev Grossman

I absolutely love the idea of the book. But I just thought that the pairing didn't really click. The romance was too quick and a bit cheesy. It could be good if it was a bit longer.

Overall, I absolutely enjoyed the stories. A perfect read for summer! There are lots of stories that I really like as compared to that I didn't like,  The stories are light and short. If you're looking for a quick read, this is the book for you.

I received a copy of this book from the Netgalley & St. Martin's Press in exchange for my review.

#BookReview Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan

Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery
(Little Beach Street Bakery #2)
by Jenny Colgan

Genre: Chick Lit, Romance, Women's Fiction
Publication: March 22nd, 2016
Format: ebooks
Source: Author, Publisher
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Summer has arrived in the Cornish town of Mount Polbearne and Polly Waterford couldn't be happier. Because Polly is in love: she's in love with the beautiful seaside town she calls home, she's in love with running the bakery on Beach Street, and she's in love with her boyfriend, Huckle.

And yet there's something unsettling about the gentle summer breeze that's floating through town. Selina, recently widowed, hopes that moving to Mount Polbearne will ease her grief, but Polly has a secret that could destroy her friend's fragile recovery. Responsibilities that Huckle thought he'd left behind are back and Polly finds it hard to cope with his increasingly long periods of absence.

Polly sifts flour, kneads dough and bakes bread, but nothing can calm the storm she knows is coming: is Polly about to lose everything she loves?

I always wanted to read Jenny Colgan's books. The cover looks lovely and the title sounds delicious. I'm just happy that I finally read this book. Jenny Colgan's writing is easy to get into. Summer in Little Beach Street Bakery is the second book from Little Beach Street Bakery series. I haven't read the first book yet, but this book can be read as a standalone.

Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery centers around Polly's life on Mount Polbearne. Polly is a baker. She's happy with her boyfriend, Huckle and her bird, Neil. Then, Selina, recently widowed, move to Mount Polbearne. Suddenly, everything is about to change for Polly.

I didn't expect that I would enjoy this book so much. The beginning was a bit slow for me. But once I keep going, I was hooked. The story showed how Polly deal with the changes around her—with her friends, bakery, and romance life. I love reading about how Polly bakes bread. Jenny Colgan had a wonderful way of describing each baked goods. I could almost imagine the smell of bread and yeast. It was interesting to know how Polly lives in a lighthouse. And I had the pleasure to get to know the people from Mount Polbearne. Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery is a great, light, chick lit read featuring two of my favorite things—beach and bakery. There were just enough amount of romance, friendship, drama and humor.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

#BookReview Once Upon A [Stolen] Time by Samreen Ahsan

Once Upon A [Stolen] Time
by Samreen Ahsan

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Time Travel, Historical
Publication: February 29th, 2016
Format: ARC, 411 pages
Source: Author
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

2015…

All her life, Myra Farrow has been obsessed with medieval castles—and the kings and princes who once inhabited them. Now, wealthy videogame designer Steve Bernard wants her to model for a princess character in his new game. Myra can’t resist his offer, especially when she learns that Steve plans to film inside the mysterious Hue Castle—a cursed, barren, colorless place forbidden to visitors for centuries. But unknown to Myra, her soul is bound to Hue Castle by blood and sorcery. When she enters its doors, she awakens dark powers that will reach through time—stealing her past, torturing her present, and rewriting her future.

1415…

Edward Hue, the last of the Hue royal bloodline, has never stood in the sunshine or held a living flower. Cursed from birth to live in darkness and bring death to all he touches, he is at the mercy of his cruel, tyrannical father, who will not rest until he shatters Edward’s soul and makes his son into a diabolical copy of himself. Edward’s one hope is the mysterious woman who haunts his dreams—who will either break his curse and bring him out of the darkness, or destroy him utterly.

I wasn't expecting that I was going to enjoy this book so much, especially if I were to judge the book by the first few chapters. But the story pulled me in. I was interested to know how Myra and Edward were going to meet since they both live in two different worlds and eras.

Myra, the heroine of the story had an obsession with castles. To be honest, I wasn't a big fan of Myra at the beginning. She's an alright character, but I didn't see anything special about her. I was a bit thrown off with how Myra and Steve got together. But slowly, Myra grew on me and I started to like her. She can be romantic and brave. I love how she won't give up until she finds out the truth about Hue Castle. Edward Hue was a tormented soul. He was destined to rule the kingdom, but he absolutely didn't want to turn into someone like his father. His part of the story was much darker. I love his sister and niece and hope to see his niece again soon. And then, there was Steve, the video game designer who played an important role in the story. 

I enjoyed the author's writing. It was very easy to get into. I thought the pace of the story was great. I wasn't too keen with how it all began, but the story gets interesting once Myra and the others set their foot in Hue Castle. I love how the author described the castle. Hue Castle sounded mysterious and a bit scary. I love how the author combined medieval and time-traveling together in the book. It was brilliant. Once Upon a [Stolen] Time was full of intrigue, mystery and romance. I was frustrated when I reached the last page. I didn't want the story to end and I didn't realize that there will be another book after this. Now I really need the sequel.I want to find out what will happen to Myra, Edward, and Steve. This is a surprisingly great adult fantasy read! I'll definitely keep an eye on the author's work.

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

#BookReview Marry Your Billionaire by C.J. Anaya

Marry Your Billionaire
by C.J. Anaya

Genre: Chick Lit, Contemporary, Romance, Women's Fiction
Publication: March 7th, 2016 by C.J. Anaya Publishing LLC
Format: ARC, 411 pages
Source: eBooks for Review
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Six years ago, Midge Knightly walked away from her trust fund, her Hollywood producer father, and the expectation that she would join the family business. Avoiding handsome playboys with hidden agendas was just an added bonus. Now one semester shy of graduation, she is shocked to discover her scholarship has lost its funding.

Her estranged father is having problems of his own. A contestant on his latest reality TV series has cancelled two months before shooting.

His solution?

Midge gets her trust fund back if she stands in as a potential marriage candidate for the dating series Marry Your Billionaire. Twenty women competing for one arrogant guy. Not Midge's cup of tea. Agreeing to this proposition sucks her back into the world she happily broke ties from, but no trust fund equals no college degree.

Brody Prescott, CEO and owner of an online dating company, has recently been pegged as a heartless playboy-among other things-by a disgruntled female after a disappointing date.

His solution?

Become the first bachelor on Marry Your Billionaire and hope that one of the contestants holds some potential. So what is he supposed to do when the woman who intrigues him the most wants to be eliminated?

Marry Your Billionaire is a fun, romantic romp set against the backdrop of reality TV. Throw on your PJ's, grab some chocolate and popcorn, and settle in for an entertaining love story.

I've read a few stories with the reality show, The Bachelor, story-line as the setting, but I'm still not tired of the setting yet. Of course, I do have a certain expectation on this book for the plot and settings. And I'm glad that Marry Your Billionaire by C.J. Anaya didn't disappoint me.

What I really love about Marry Your Billionaire by C.J. Anaya is the characters. I like Midge right from the start. She's courageous, independent, smart, and can be a bit stubborn at times. And Brody. He may sound like an arrogant jerk at first, but he can be very loving. I love how he pursue Midge and he won't stop even with Midge's tricks to get herself eliminated. The other characters made the book more fun and interesting. I especially love Midge's father and Lisa, her friend/housemate. I kinda wish that there were a lot more moments with Lisa in the book.

I enjoyed the author's writing style. It was easy to get into the book. I like the pacing. And the setting with the reality show was great. I was hoping to see more scenes of the characters and the other contestant as well, A bit more catfight between the characters, maybe? I absolutely love the chemistry between Midge and Brody. They're cute together. I enjoyed their cat and mouse game. Their scenes can be breathtakingly romantic and humorous at times.

If you're looking for a light, humorous read with a happy ending, C.J. Anaya's Marry Your Billionaire is perfect for you. I enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to read more work from the author.

I received a copy of this book from the author/ebooks for review in exchange for my review.

#BookReview The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You by Lily Anderson

The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You
by Lily Anderson

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Publication: May 17th, 2016 by St. Martin's Griffin
Format: ebooks
Source: NetGalley
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Trixie Watson has two very important goals for senior year: to finally save enough to buy the set of Doctor Who figurines at the local comic books store, and to place third in her class and knock Ben West--and his horrendous new mustache that he spent all summer growing--down to number four.

Trixie will do anything to get her name ranked over Ben's, including give up sleep and comic books--well, maybe not comic books--but definitely sleep. After all, the war of Watson v. West is as vicious as the Doctor v. Daleks and Browncoats v. Alliance combined, and it goes all the way back to the infamous monkey bars incident in the first grade. Over a decade later, it's time to declare a champion once and for all.

The war is Trixie's for the winning, until her best friend starts dating Ben's best friend and the two are unceremoniously dumped together and told to play nice. Finding common ground is odious and tooth-pullingly-painful, but Trixie and Ben's cautious truce slowly transforms into a fandom-based tentative friendship. When Trixie's best friend gets expelled for cheating and Trixie cries foul play, however, they have to choose who to believe and which side they're on--and they might not pick the same side.

Trixie Watson goes to a prestigious school for the smart students with high IQ. It was her senior year and she wanted to place third in the ranking and knock Ben West, her arch enemy, down to number four. But when their friends started dating, the Trixie and Ben have to play nice. Trixie began to soften towards Ben. But soon, Trixie's best friend was expelled for cheating. And Trixie was determined to find out the truth.

I saw the word, Doctor Who, and knew that I have to read this. And I wasn't disappointed. I love Trixie. She's funny. She can be harsh sometimes, but she had a really good heart and loyalty towards her friends. I love the banter between her and Ben. The occasional fandom references made the book a whole lot entertaining. There are a few references that I didn't get, but that didn't ruin the story.

I love the author's writing style. It's fresh, funny and I enjoyed the sarcasm. The characters were amazing and the plot was really good. Once I picked up the book, it was really hard to put it down. I just can't get enough of Trixie and Ben. They are super cute! I enjoyed this book from the beginning until the end. And then, there was this small plot twist towards the end that just blew me away. 

The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You by Lily Anderson have everything I love about. Geeky characters, a bit of mystery, and a good romance. If you're looking for a light, cute romance read, or book with fangirl characters, this is the book you're looking for.

I received a copy of this book from the Netgalley & St. Martin's Press in exchange for my review.

#BookReview The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith

The Geography of You and Me
by Jennifer E. Smith 

Genre: Chick-Lit, Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Publication: March 3rd, 2015 by Poppy
Format: Paperback, 368 pages
Source: Own
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Tumblr

Lucy and Owen meet somewhere between the tenth and eleventh floors of a New York City apartment building, on an elevator rendered useless by a citywide blackout. After they’re rescued, they spend a single night together, wandering the darkened streets and marveling at the rare appearance of stars above Manhattan. But once the power is restored, so is reality. Lucy soon moves to Edinburgh with her parents, while Owen heads out west with his father.

Lucy and Owen’s relationship plays out across the globe as they stay in touch through postcards, occasional e-mails, and—finally—a reunion in the city where they first met.

A carefully charted map of a long-distance relationship, Jennifer E. Smith’s new novel shows that the center of the world isn't necessarily a place. It can be a person, too.

The Geography of You and Me is such a cute read. Lucy and Owen live in the same building. Lucy is living in the penthouse, and Owen is the building manager's son. They met on an elevator during a citywide blackout and decided to spend the night together, wandering in the street. Soon, they both finds out that they both have to move away. Lucy, to Edinburgh with her parents, and Owen, with his father.

Jennifer E Smith is definitely one of my favourite YA romance writers. I love Jennifer E. Smith's book since I first read The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. I'm comfortable with her style and I love her characters, both the mains and the minor. I love reading about both Lucy and Owen's family as much as I love reading about them. 

The Geography of You and Me is sweet, light and heartwarming read. I can't stop reading this book and find out what will happen to Lucy and Owen next. I have to admit that the romance is a bit slow. But somehow, it works for Lucy and Owen. I enjoyed how the author builds the romance between the characters. It was interesting to see how Lucy and Owen try to stay in touch through postcards and occasional e-mails. Now, I simply cannot wait to get my hands on other books by Jennifer E. Smith.

#BookReview Cogling by Jordan Elizabeth

Cogling
by Jordan Elizabeth Mierek

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Steampunk, Sci-Fi, Romance
Publication: January 25th, 2016
Format: ebooks
Source: Author/Publisher
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

When fifteen-year-old Edna Mather tears an expensive and unfamiliar pocket watch off her little brother's neck, he crumbles into a pile of cogs right before her eyes. Horrified, Edna flees for help, but encounters Ike, a thief who attempts to steal the watch before he realizes what it is: a device to power Coglings—clockwork changelings left in place of stolen children who have been forced to work in factories.

Desperate to rescue her brother, Edna sets off across the kingdom to the hags' swamp, with Ike in tow. There, they learn Coglings are also replacing nobility so the hags can stage a rebellion and rule over humanity. Edna and Ike must stop the revolt, but the populace believes hags are helpful godmothers and healers. No one wants to believe a lowly servant and a thief, especially when Ike has secrets that label them both as traitors.

Together, Edna and Ike must make the kingdom trust them or stop the hags themselves, even if Ike is forced to embrace his dark heritage and Edna must surrender her family.

I didn't read a lot of steampunk. But I wanted to give this book a chance since I have previously read Jordan Elizabeth's work in Gears of Brass Anthology and enjoyed it. I was glad I did. I wasn't expecting this book to be this good. I was definitely blown away.

In Cogling, children were kidnapped and forced to work in factories. Their dreams were taken away. These children were replaced by a Coglings—clockwork changelings, to fool their families. Edna Mather watched her brother turn into a pile of cogs before her. When Ike, a thief who wanted to steal her watch, explained to her about coglings, Edna asked for Ike's help to rescue her brother.

I love the author's voice and writing style. The author did a great job describing the world in the book. The setting was perfect. It felt almost like a movie. There are the human, hags, ogres, foxkin and other interesting creatures. 

I was amazed at the characters development in the story. I wasn't a big fan of Edna at first, but she grew on me. She's strong and won't stop at anything until she gets her brother back. Ike is definitely swoon-worthy. He may be a thief, but he had a good heart and was always looking after Edna. But, my favorite character in the book is Rachel. She was this pampered rich young lady, who Enda worked for. But she sort of grew up and she surprised me with her transformation.

Cogling is a great fantasy-steampunk read for the young adult. I may not be the target audience, but I enjoyed this book wholeheartedly. There are some romance, friendship, adventure, conspiracy and fighting with a few twists along the way. If you love a good fantasy read, you should definitely read this book.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my review.