Author: Chelsea (Page 45 of 111)

BOOK REVIEW: With Every Heartbeat (Forbidden Men #4) by Linda Kage

November 27, 2015 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

With Every Heartbeat (Forbidden Men #4)
by Linda Kage
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
I used to think everything was black and white, truth or lie, easy or hard, that if I could just escape my strict, overbearing, abusive father, my life would be perfect. But since I’ve found a reason to risk his wrath and leave, to help a friend in need, I’ve come to realize everything I thought I knew is wrong.

Friends have their own agenda, honesty comes with a dosage of lie, easy doesn’t even exist, keeping secrets sucks, and love...love is the most painful thing of all.

Maybe if Quinn Hamilton hadn’t asked me to skip classes for the day and help him pick out an engagement ring for my best friend, I wouldn’t have fallen for him so completely on that sunny Tuesday afternoon and I wouldn’t feel so conflicted. But I did, and I can’t take it back, no matter how hard I try. So I have to deal with the fact that even I’m not as good, or honest, or caring as I’d always thought I was, and no matter what I do next, someone’s going to get hurt. Probably me.

-Zoey Blakeland

Sooo..I’m just going to say it: FAIL. Just…major fail. And, seriously, how can such a pretty cover contain such utter bullshit on the inside??? I was so sure that this was going to be another win in the series and that someday I could cherish it on my bookshelf but…how could anyone display this piece of shit-there, I said it-and not feel like a total betrayer to all of your morals and everything you believe in? You can’t. I’m sorry-you just fucking can’t.

With a sigh, he slumped his shoulders. “Okay, fine. You’re quiet. You’re introverted. You’re too nice to be rude to anyone. You open yourself up and are willing to trust more than just about anyone I know. Being as sensitive as you are means you have a bigger heart. And if I ever see you try to change and harden that heart of yours, I’m going to throat punch you. Don’t be ashamed of being a big, soft teddy bear, Ham. The world needs more people like you, otherwise it’d just go to shit.”

–Aww Ten is so sweet this whole book

And besides the major letdown after cherishing every other book in this series and having such a pretty cover, which was, in fact, the worst part about this story (the letdown after such build-up), there was the total shit for brains story that left our beautiful, amazing, selfless hero in a story that was better left in Linda Kage’s wet dreams.

Sigh…sorry. Just very disappointed. I mean….how in the fuck did Kage think that, after Mason and Noel and their lovely counterparts’ stories, this was a good way to go????? A virgin heroine

who, again, sorry, is a total putz who didn’t get a backbone until about 60% into the story, has never even been kissed (okay, that could have been hot, but wasn’t so) and was a total innocent little lamb, moves in with her stupid whore of a cousin who is a total bitch that uses her every other day?? I didn’t know how long I could stand to be in this timid girl’s head.

Not to mention throwing in an amazing male lead who would do anything for said whore even after being treated like a piece of meat and being lied to 24/7?? I just, I can’t even…UGH

Oh, and Quinn?? He is Zoey’s soulmate (oh, and totally had to look up her name-I DIDN’T EVEN REMEMBER IT) in the form of Satan’s lover. Yeah, he’s the one dating the tool she lives with. But when they see each other, sparks fly.

They are kindred spirits, broken souls who were innocent and naive and were beaten within an inch of their lives as children… they see each other in themselves and they know they are meant to be together, but they try to fight the attraction.

Hamilton grabbed her arm to steady her. “I know,” he slurred and glanced my way. “This shit is potent. I feel…” He nodded slowly. “Yeah.”
I lifted my eyebrows, wondering if he was drunk or high.
Blondie giggled again and pointed at him. “I’ve never heard you cuss before.”
“I don’t,” Hamilton said blankly before Blondie charged, “But you just said shit.”
He laughed and pointed back at her. “So did you.”
As they giggled together, I rolled my eyes to the ceiling. Oh, dear God. Someone shoot me now.

-Ten talking about Quinn and Zoey

They are the watchers, the quiet ones, the sensitive and kind ones-there’s no doubt they belong together. But that stupid Cora bitch just won’t go away. BACK THE FUCK UP BITCH-YOU ARE A MANIPULATIVE WHORE

(and a total plot device-her character merely existed to cause problems in this and other books, I mean really Kage-you can do better than that).

She murmured, “Thank you,” and stared at him with a pair of longing green eyes that made me want to reach across the table and thump Hamilton on the back of the head. Hard.
Prime opportunity to kiss her, I wanted to tell him.
Kiss her already.
Why wasn’t he kissing her?
God, what a pansy.
Instead of kissing, they just kept staring until Ham blinked and then grinned. “Staring contest?” he offered.
Dear fuck. Really?

-Ten, again lol

So ends the perfect Forbidden Men series run-and I hate it-I hate that Quinn got such a pathetic, fucked up story. Every little issue I had with the other two books was magnified ten fold, like all the shit that bothered me existed only to create this book, and that pisses me off. The cheesiness, the horrid villain in the form of a best friend/psychotic girlfriend, the lack of a reason for this fucking story, I just HATE it, because even Zoey, in the end, became more likable.

“You won’t die,” I growled. “Roaches always find a way to survive.”

But it was just So. Damn. Unrealistic. The only saving grace, the only damn thing I was giggling and swooning and laughing and smiling about (Well Quinn but that’s beside the point)????

“Hey.” Ten wormed his way between us, scowling. “Where’s my golden invitation to eat pizza with you?”
Noel sniffed and sent him a short frown, throwing Ten’s arm off his shoulder.
“I didn’t see you bringing anyone around to befriend my sister.”
“Well…I could befriend her,” Ten started, putting on an offended front as he pressed his hand to his chest.
Noel threw back his head and laughed.
“What?” Ten muttered, folding his arms over his chest and glaring. “I make a fucking awesome friend.”
Noel’s chuckle settled before he seemed to realize Ten was serious. His smile dropped flat. Pointing at Ten’s nose, he growled. “Stay the fuck away from my sister.”

Mason, Noel, Ten, Reese, Aspen, Caroline-their stories were alive and expanding in this one. My heart swelled when one of my beautiful men entered the story and we got to see them with their respective sweethearts, fiances, friends. It was just…UGH. It made all the bullshit worth it. Really. I would have smacked myself if I knew I missed proposals and banter and friendships and just the utter adoration these men have for their girls had I skipped/DNF this one. It made this piece of shit one star worth the extra star just to know I got to see them every other page.

“Motherfucker,” he groaned. “No Gamble, and I’m stuck in a class with not one, or even two, but three untouchables. This is going to suck…ass.”
“I’m sorry, what?” Reese lifted a curious eyebrow. “Do I even want to ask what an untouchable is?”
“You know…” He twirled his finger to encompass Reese, Caroline and me. “You’re Lowe’s woman. Can’t flirt with you. You’re Noel’s little sister.” He scowled at Caroline. “Can’t fucking go there. And you…” He flicked his attention to me, “…belong to Hamilton.” Then he made a sweeping gesture over all three of us. “Ergo I can’t touch any of you. Untouchables. And to make it worse, you all will probably be watching me with your judgey little eyes so I’ll have to behave and can’t hit on any other woman in this class either.”

My final parting words: No. This story was not for me and it sucked. This story has been done before by authors who handled it wonderfully and made me choke on my angst while swallowing butterflies. I expected the same, I’ll admit it, but did not get it one bit. Quinn and Zoey’s story is worth reading, it really is, but all the bullshit surrounding it (ie Cora, Cora, Cora and their relationship) was unnecessary and, frankly, totally unbelievable-notice I didn’t say unrealistic, because I know these GD stories are cheesy as shit, so that point is null and void. I said unbelievable because even I have a limit. I may have known how stupid the other two books were, but I fell hard and believed in them-or I made myself do so. So, yeah. This lacked passion. It lacked drive. And, most importantly, it lacked the heart I’m used to seeing from this author. So, disappointed and a little scared of what comes next, I tuck my tail between my legs and remain optimistic that Quinn and Zoey’s story will flourish as all the other people’s did in the next books. They deserve their love story untarnished by that cunt. Oh, and Cora, just because I feel like it:

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BOOK REVIEW: Irresistibly Yours (Oxford #1) by Lauren Layne

November 25, 2015 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

Irresistibly Yours (Oxford #1)
by Lauren Layne
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Meet the men of Oxford magazine! In the first captivating spin-off of Lauren Layne’s Sex, Love & Stiletto series, a not-so-friendly battle of the sexes turns into a scorching office romance.

Hotshot sports editor Cole Sharpe has been freelancing for Oxford for years, so when he hears about a staff position opening up, he figures he’s got the inside track. Then his boss drops a bombshell: Cole has competition. Female competition, in the form of a fresh-faced tomboy who can hang with the dudes—and write circles around them, too. Cole usually likes his women flirty and curvy, but he takes a special interest in his skinny, sassy rival, if only to keep an eye on her. And soon, he can’t take his eyes off her.

Penelope Pope knows all too well that she comes off as just one of the guys. Since she’s learned that wanting more usually leads to disappointment, Penelope’s resigned to sitting on the sidelines when it comes to love. So why does Cole make her want to get back in the game? The man is as arrogant as he is handsome. He probably sees her as nothing more than a barrier to his dream job. But when an unexpected kiss turns into a night of irresistible passion, Penelope has to figure out whether they’re just fooling around—or starting something real.

Cole frowned, his eyes moving around the room until they met Penelope’s. He lifted an eyebrow as though to ask Do you know what’s going on here?

Julie leaned toward Penelope with a knowing look on her face.
“Betcha Cole’s kisses are better than nice,” she said quietly.
“I wouldn’t know,” Penelope responded.
“Oh, but you will,” Julie said confidently, as she sat back and sipped her wine. “You will.”

What a fool I am. A total moron. A real Magoo. It’s no surprise to anyone, apparently only me, that I loved yet another LL. Oh, hey, let’s play a game. I know for a fact that, even while I am trying to keep this review short and simple since I wrote a long, gushing review last week for her amazing Steal Me book, that I am going to be saying my favorite author’s name, like, fifty times. So, I propose that I should exchange her name for a different word. That way, for those people who consistently read my reviews, no one will have to damage their eye sockets as they roll their eyes repeatedly at the constant mention of LL’s name. Sooooo…..what word should I use?? Hmm. I think I’ll go with puppy. I don’t know why. *cough I totally know why *cough. Dogs sitting next to me *cough Phew. Had something in my throat. Anywaaaaaaay…my point?? As if this wasn’t yet another win:

Shocker.
“Ah, the cute brunette who’s gunning for your job.”
“Not my job yet,” Cole grumbled. “Unless you two know something….”
Lincoln held up his hands. “Dude, believe me, I’ve tried. Cassidy’s tight-lipped on this one.”
“Tight-lipped about what?”
Cole didn’t even have to turn around to know that Cassidy was standing in the doorway.
“Is this what you guys do all day?” Cole asked the group. “Just loom around other people’s office doorways and eavesdrop?”

I think my biggest fear with these stories is the continuance of character worlds. I know. Weird. But I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I don’t continue series if they aren’t about the same person/couple. I can’t commit to that type of relationship, if you will. I’m like… *light bulb goes off I’m just like Cole!! I don’t ‘do’ commitment for series that change hands every book. But, for whatever reason, my girl, puppy, gets me. The stories puppy writes are out of this world addicting, even if we’ve seen such stories done before. And, as I’ve mentioned in many of my past reviews concerning puppy books, even if it’s the most cliché storyline, she manages to make it…not…cliché. Oh shut up-like you’re all wordsmiths.

“Thanks for the kiss,” Penelope called playfully after Lincoln. “I think head-holding is definitely-“
She broke off when she saw Alex Cassidy standing in the doorway. His expression gave away nothing, but there was no way he hadn’t heard her loudly thanking her colleague for a kiss.
Penelope felt a blush rise to her cheek as their boss looked around at the four of them.
“We were, ah, doing some research,” Lincoln said, scooting by Cassidy.
Jake followed Lincoln, holding up his left hand innocently as he did so. “Didn’t touch her. I’m married.”
Cassidy narrowed his eyes at the two men before shifting his attention back to Penelope, then to Cole.
Then he merely rolled his eyes and walked away.

-okay, can you tell I’m obsessed with Cassidy? Lmao Because I so am.

And, just for clarity’s sake, I will say this again, because obviously not everyone will read all of my reviews or even remember what I said: Even if you are in the mood to be in one of her other worlds, or are obsessed with a certain hero in a previous work (hey…that’s totes me at all times) of hers, she makes you straight up forget. Or, rather, she makes you not care. And I won’t elaborate further, just know that even if you doubt her…don’t. Just….don’t. She-who-will-not-be-named is amazing. And I am always in awe of her.
Cassidy sighed. “Would you just sit down so we can do this damn interview?”
Cole eyed the door. “Do we have to do it now? You seem like you’re in a shitty mood.”
“Of course I’m in a shitty mood,” Cassidy said, running a hand through his hair. “You just interrupted that woman’s interview. She could sue us.”
“Please,” Cole said with a scoff. “She wanted to go to coffee with me.”
“Only because she doesn’t know you,” Cassidy muttered.
“Yup, you’re definitely in a shitty mood. Maybe we should reschedule-“
“Sit,” Cassidy commanded.

Now, Cole is not a character I ever gave much thought to. Sure, he always made me laugh, and he was always a great friend, but I always had trouble imagining him with his own book. Yeah…I know. I’m weird like that. *sighs But, anyway, my point is: I wasn’t that….optimistic about what would come from this book. But, alas, puppy took my doubts and turned them to dust. As she usually does. Not only did I fall in love with Cole, laugh with Cole, swoon for Cole, bite my damn lip for Cole….he became one of my absolute favorite puppy male leads.

He held fast, refusing to move. “The thing is, Tiny….When it comes to you, I don’t have to decide. I don’t have to stop and think about if I want to kiss you. I know. I know every damn day when I see you put on mascara in the reflection of your computer moniter because you forgot to do it at home. I know when we go get coffee together and you can recite every single thing that happened on ESPN the night before. I know when I share my French fries with you at lunch and you eat all of them. I know-“

And, more than that, he fit so seamlessly into the Stiletto/Oxford world with those characters that I couldn’t have imagined him without a story intertwined with all my past favorites: Alex Cassidy, Mitchell, Jake, Sam, Julie, Grace, Emma, and Riley. See? I didn’t even falter. Those names??? Engrained in my mind 4-eva. This series is dear to me, so seeing a spin-off makes me…queasy, to say the least. But like usual, I’m eating crow and adding yet another puppy favorite to my list. It’s getting sickening. Really. All these feathers in my teeth are starting to make me gag.
He tilted his head and kissed her, and then lingered. And tried very hard to ignore the sudden, forbidden thought that he wished every day could be exactly like this one.

Penelope, while adorable and actually pretty relatable, wasn’t my favorite heroine. She had serious self-image issues and would degrade herself in front of people repeatedly.

“You are so out of my league,” she said, scraping her nails over his bare chest.
His eyes slitted. “Not from where I’m sitting,” he said, his voice husky.

I can’t say it bothered me that much, but I have to say this so that my friends who might (will) find this annoying (you know who you are) can avoid this or start it with eyes wide open. In fact, I actually find that I’ve always been that way. So, to me, this was relatable. But that doesn’t necessarily make that a good thing-I remember the looks on people’s faces as I would down myself openly or when I would downplay a compliment they paid me. It’s not cute, but I still can’t find it in myself to be annoyed by Penelope in this manner-it’s just too like myself to bash. She was sweet, innocent, cute, quirky, and utterly kind at all times…and I found it truly refreshing. This is what I’m talking about, though: Each character puppy creates is individual and so different than the last and I never once find myself saying, ‘Hasn’t she written this character before?’ And believe me, I’ve read all her works.

“But I am in an extra good mood,” she was saying. “Edgar’s alive.”
“Come again?” he said, following her into the living room where the TV blared the Boston/Toronto game. The Yankees were away, on the West Coast, so their game wouldn’t be on for another hour.
“Edgar,” she said, gesturing at the fishbowl. “My fish. I thought he was dead, because he didn’t eat his breakfast, and was just sort of floating there, but maybe he was only resting, because now he’s moving again.”
Penelope was staring down at the fish with an adoring look on her face, and Cole could have sworn that his heart squeezed.
So much damn affection for a fish.

Cole and Penelope were absolutely adorable together, creating a fun banter that had me giggling on every other page, begging for them to just figure it out already. Their friendship and work companionship was compelling and engaging, making the fact that they weren’t together all the harder to bear. And I LOVED that they were both sports nuts…that’s something you don’t get to see that often. And, even more importantly, I loved his nickname for her-‘Tiny’. I mean….come on. How cute. My husband always called me that, and it brought back so many warm and cherished memories. So…yeah. LOVED that.
Whether it was because he sensed the death glare from Cole or because of ingrained manners, Todd left Penelope’s side to shake Cole’s hand.
Cole might have shaken it harder than necessary. It was a clichéd move. Totally pathetic.
And absolutely unavoidable.
Cole did not like this man. He’d just now decided. Didn’t like his reddish hair. Didn’t like the preppy glasses. And his tie was the color of shit.
Penelope wouldn’t really date a man wearing a shit tie.
Would she?

So…all in all, I would say this is a story that, again, suited my mood. I need light, fun, and flirty. I need angst, jealousy, and longing. Not once is there ever a lack of any of these things when reading a puppy novel. In fact…I’d say that’s why she’s my favorite. I know, without a doubt, that whenever I pick up a Lauren Layne book (whoops) that I will find all of these things paired with easy banter, light-hearted friendship, and meaningful relationships. And, to me, that’s worth everything.

*Sorry if this was repetitive. Hubbs was watching a show that involved the killing of animals and I was in a humming frenzy trying to not ‘hear’ the dialogue about murdering innocent (okay, maybe not, I don’t know, I was humming) animals. I refuse to name the type of animal-the wound is still too fresh.

**ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers) & iBooks (click on titles) *Each book can be read as a standalone, but best enjoyed in order.*
Irresistibly Yours #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	I Wish You Were Mine #2 Reviews: Jen	Someone Like You #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea
I Knew You Were Trouble #4 Reviews: Jen	I Think I Love You #5 Reviews: Jen

BOOK REVIEW: Prayers for Rain (Kenzie & Gennaro #5) by Dennis Lehane

November 19, 2015 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

Prayers for Rain (Kenzie & Gennaro #5)
by Dennis Lehane
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
The master of the new noir, Dennis Lehane delivers a shattering tale of evil, depravity, and justice that captures the dark realism of Boston’s gritty blue-collar streets.

Private Investigator Patrick Kenzie wants to know why a former client, a perky woman in love with life, could, within six months, jump naked from a Boston landmark—the final fall in a spiral of self-destruction. What he finds is a sadistic stalker who targeted the young woman and methodically drove her to her death. A monster the law can’t touch. But Kenzie can. He and his former partner, Angela Gennaro, will fight a mind-twisting battle against this psychopath even as he turns his tricks on them.

You wanted to play? Well, hide-and-seek is over. Let the real games begin, motherfucker.

I can’t say this is exactly what I wanted it to be….because it wasn’t. But not for one minute did I not enjoy it. Is that weird? This book took me a week to read, which doesn’t bode well for what I thought of it-But then I take into account how busy, tired, meh I’ve been and it about evens out with my mood. The verdict?? When I felt a distance at the beginning, I should have stopped.
I drank some more Beck’s, fingered the cardboard coaster, felt a grin fighting to break across my face. I glanced at Angie. The corners of her mouth twitched, too.
“Don’t look at me,” she said.
“Why not?”
“I’m telling you-” She lost the battle and closed her eyes as the smile broke across her cheeks.
Mine followed about a half second later.
“I don’t know why I’m smiling,” Angie said.
“Me, either.”
“Prick.”
“Bitch.”
She laughed and turned on her chair, drink in hand. “Miss me?”
Like you can’t imagine.
“Not a bit,” I said.

I’ve been in no mood for tedious and detailed books seeing as I am tired beyond reason all the time now, and when I picked this up and felt like I was getting nowhere (knowing these books like I do and loving them all) I should have known to call it quits and save it for a vacation or a holiday. But I never learn my lesson it seems…

“You don’t kill a guy for trashing a woman’s car.”
“Yeah?” Bubba said. “Where’s that written?”
I have to admit he had me there.
“Plus,” Bubba said, “you know, he gets the chance he’ll rape her.”
I nodded.
“I hate rape-os,” Bubba said.
“Me, too.”
“It’d be cool if he never did it again.”
I turned in my seat. “We’re not killing him.”
Bubba shrugged.

But here’s the thing: Even after saying all that, I still love this book and my Patrick. I may not have gotten the full enjoyment because of my mood, but it can’t possibly stunt the deep love I have for these characters or this series.

She pulled her hand back, stuffed it in her pocket as if it were burning.
“I-“
She stepped back from whatever she saw in my face. “Don’t say it.”
I shrugged. “Okay. I do, though.”
“Shh.” She put a finger to her lips, smiled around it, but her eyes shimmered with moisture. “Shh,” she said again.

And, sadly, again I don’t really have time to be writing a review, but I wanted to put one out anyway-Because my Patrick and Bubba and Angie deserve one. Patrick’s love for Angie is unparalleled and makes my heart hurt with his want.

“Do you hate my hair?” Angie whispered.
“No. It’s just…”
“Short?” She smiled.
“Yeah. I don’t love you because of your hair, though.”
She shifted slightly, turned her shoulder into the holes between rungs.
“Why do you love me?”
I chuckled. “You want me to count the ways?”
She didn’t say anything, just watched me.
“I love you, Ange, because…I don’t know. Because I always have. Because you make me laugh. A lot. Because…”

He’d do anything for her-even die for her, if it kept her safe.

“Because since you left I have these dreams that you’re sleeping beside me. And I wake up and I can still smell you, and I’m still half dreaming, but I don’t know it, so I reach for you. I reach across to your pillow, and you’re not there. And I gotta lie there at five in the morning, with the birds waking up outside and you not there and your smell just fading away. It fades and there’s-” I cleared my throat. “There’s nothing but me left there. And white sheets. White sheets and those birds and it hurts, and all I can do is close my eyes and lie there and wish I didn’t feel like dying.”

And this is the basis of everything, isn’t it? Holding on dearly to those few people you cherish, keeping them safe and out of harm’s way. But that isn’t easy with a psychopath hell bent on ruining peoples’ lives, forcing them to become shells of themselves. So when Patrick is threatened, and all those around him threatened if he doesn’t back off, what does he do? Well…I’ll tell ya: He’s Patrick, so no, he doesn’t fucking back off. Would you expect any less?
The clerk behind the counter, far from being the dweeby, bespectacled, balding type one would expect to meet in a tax assessor’s office, was tall, well built, blond, and judging by Angie’s furtive glances at him, something of a male babe.
Himbos, I swear. There ought to be a law that keeps them from ever leaving the beach.

So, yeah, I probably ruined some of this book, but I also just couldn’t wait. Patrick’s dedication, loyalty, conviction to do right by those wronged when they don’t have anyone else to fight for them, his love for his friends, his partner, Angie, and his all around spunk are something I’ve been missing wholeheartedly are something I admire and force me to say I’m not sorry I pushed it. So, you know, there’s only one left and it looks like, at this point, I’ll be waiting for a good time to read it, because I wouldn’t dare ruin the final Patrick book. That would be a huge mistake…even Patrick would agree with that. 😉

BOOK REVIEW: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

November 16, 2015 / Chelsea / 1 Comment

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife."

So begins Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen's witty comedy of manners--one of the most popular novels of all time--that features splendidly civilized sparring between the proud Mr. Darcy and the prejudiced Elizabeth Bennet as they play out their spirited courtship in a series of eighteenth-century drawing-room intrigues.

“I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.”

Life is short, and my time for reviews even shorter. I’m sorry to those who read every one of my reviews, because I am saying this almost every time now. But it also seems important to repeat this fact for those who aren’t familiar with my reviews…or for those who might have forgotten how long winded and detailed my older reviews were. I take pride and find great enjoyment in writing all of my reviews-but as it turns out, if I want to write reviews at this time of my life, they need to be short and sweet (I’m even writing this review on my phone in the notes section, which is causing even more problems to arise). So this brings me back to my original point-this review won’t be long, detailed, or gushy. It will be quick, to the point, and only focus on the nitty gritty. As it turns out, that will be very easy. This was far from a favorite, so it won’t pain me to shorten my thoughts and get to the point…but I don’t want my words mistaken: while this wasn’t a favorite, I far from hated it.
Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.

Pride and Prejudice is a book I’ve never wanted to read…but when Mr. Darcy is mentioned in literally EVERY little thing, one tends to take notice (hark, am I reading another book because of a boy again?? Sigh, I really am too easy). I’ve never been one to love historicals and I can’t say I like deciphering every little thing as I read, but I finally just decided to give it a go-a fact my dear friend noticed and caused her to buy the book for me as a gifty nudge…I truly love Jennifer for her devotion to a beloved favorite, and admire her stubbornness in my needing to read it-who says two chicks don’t become more and more alike (cough pushy) the longer they chat.

Needless to say I was right in my assumption-No, the classics aren’t for me. They are a bit slower and, frankly, I felt dumb when I read this. The writing is very good…but my comprehension level was virtually nonexistent. Now, to be fair, I got the hang of it, but not until I truly got interested-coincidence? I think not.

At 50%, this book really took a turn for me. Whether it was the adorably haughty, yet earnest, Darcy (it totally was) or the idea that things were taking a turn for the better (again, it was Darcy), I finally gave a shit. I started smiling more and I got butterflies. I became invested and longed for the story to have always been that way.

She began now to comprehend that he was exactly the man, who, in disposition and talents, would most suit her. His understanding and temper, though unlike her own, would have answered all her wishes. It was an union that must have been to the advantages of both; by her ease and liveliness, his mind might have been softened, his manners improved, and from his judgement, information, and knowledge of the world, she must have received benefit of greater importance.

Finally there was something to root for and a reason to be reading this. Darcy was clearly in love with Lizzy and she finally started to see the good in him…I’m all for animosity between a couple, but it pained me to wait in this one. I’m sorry, but 40% on who should court whom and how everyone is related and the idea that marriage was the basis of the novel…well, it became a bit tedious (in my hardly reputable opinion). I’m all for a relationship fueled book, but for the love of God let it be leading somewhere for our main couple (and not ONLY at 50%!!!). And I know I know it’s about family and…okay, whatever, the beginning is above me. But my point remains-GET TO THE GOOD SHIT! For all of us, Janey.

In short, I could live my whole life and never read that first 50% again, and be fine. But that would mean I’d have to give up the last 50% and that I’m not so okay with. There’s something to be said for a simple story and a cute, but arrogant, male lead. And…After saying all this…I’ve decided I will read this again. I don’t know when, and I don’t know if the result will be the same, but I sure am hoping for a total win and that full effect. <3

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Ahhhh so I’ve finally met this Mr. Darcy fellow…

I must admit, he was exactly what I needed 🙂

Review to come (HOPEFULLY) Agh. Fuck you, real world. I’ll just lay here and pout.

BOOK REVIEW: To Professor, with Love (Forbidden Men #2) by Linda Kage

November 10, 2015 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

To Professor, with Love (Forbidden Men #2)
by Linda Kage
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Junior in college. Star athlete. Constant attention from the opposite sex.

On this campus, I’m worshiped. While seven hundred miles away, back in my hometown, I’m still trailer park trash, child of the town tramp, and older sibling to three kids who are counting on me to keep my shit together so I can take them away from the same crappy life I grew up in.

These two opposing sides of myself never mix until one person gets a glimpse of the true me. I never expected to connect with anyone like this or want more beyond one night. This may be the real deal.

Problem is, Dr. Kavanagh’s my literature professor.

If I start anything with a teacher and we’re caught together, I might as well kiss my entire future goodbye, as well as my family’s, and especially Dr. Kavanagh’s. Except sometimes love is worth risking everything. Or at least, it damn well better be because I can only resist so much.

”There is a charm about the forbidden that makes it unspeakably desirable.”
-Mark Twain

I think it goes without saying that I haven’t been able to post many reviews lately. And while I always plan on rectifying that fact, it never seems to pan out as I had planned. I loved this book-though my rating doesn’t show it-and I really and truly wanted to write something about it. It’s not often I pick up a book that I had earlier cast aside due to its content and my knowledge that more than a few pet peeves would be prevalent. But, for whatever reason, I needed a ‘feel good’ book, and I didn’t want to buy a new one. So I searched and searched and searched my iPad for all the books I had bought and not read and this one…this one just called to me. Go figure.

I sighed deeply…for two reasons. One: Well, fuck, she was petting me. It felt too good to concentrate on anything else. But two: I hated to confess my stupidity and that damn tattoo was one of the stupidest things I’d ever done.

No, I didn’t like the cheesiness. And no, the writing didn’t impress me. It’s almost as if the most well-written scenes were centered around Noel (obviously) and the smexy moments and thoughts. Call me crazy, but I tend to like a more circumvent manner of writing. You know, where I can love the girl, too? Maybe the whole story? I know everyone loved everything about this, I’m sure, but I’m not such an easy sell. And, finally, no-I didn’t like how predictable this was. And yet….

We were split between two worlds. She was the frumpy, genius professor hiding romantic hopes and dreams. I was the stud playboy football star working my ass off to save my poor, broke family. What a pair we made.

I loved Noel. I loved the cheesiness. I loved the tortured and broken writing geared towards Noel. And, inexplicably, I loved the fact that I knew what was going to happen. Call me fickle, but when I’m in a horrible mood, it pays to find a book that makes you laugh, smile, giggle like a loser, and gives you butterflies. I love the idea of everything to do with this story-I even love the role reversal of the boy being the student-I just wish it was executed a little better.

Growling through clenched teeth, I scowled at her. “I’m your boyfriend because I’m your boyfriend. We don’t need any more explanation that that. It just is. I’m the one who’s there when you’re sad, and when you come apart in my arms. This…” I slammed her body against mine so she could feel what she did to me, “makes me your boyfriend.”

Noel is your typical clichéd, man-whore, football playing college student-Girls hanging off his arms, gets laid every night (implied), and is the star quarterback. And yeah, so overdone, right? Well, once we got beneath the exterior and saw his broken side (again-clicheeeee), I was putty in his large, man-whorish hands. Sigh. I don’t know what it is about tortured heroes, but they seem to touch me in ways no other book boy can (lies, but let’s roll with it). There’s so much more to him than meets the eye-why he strives to do so well on the field. Why he wants to get drafted to play in the NFL. I’ll even go so far as to say why he drowns himself in meaningless sex, but that might be stretching it a bit. No one knows his real motivations…until a certain professor doesn’t tolerate his shit and gives him a run for his grade.

”Fuck, yes, I love her,” I hissed. And then it struck me what I’d just admitted, but what shocked me most of all was that I hadn’t lied. All feeling drained from my limbs, and my face probably went sheet white as I stumbled back to sit on the closed seat of the toilet. “Oh, shit. I love her.”
I loved Aspen.

Aspen is a young professor. She graduated early and is not that much older than Noel. And, again, I won’t dwell on it because I could care less about her (sue me), no one knows what is really going on in her life. She has had a horrible childhood just like Noel, and when Noel steps into her classroom and demands she give him a chance to raise his grade, she sees no reason to give him preferential treatment-all she sees is the school’s star quarterback wanting to piggyback a good grade so he can keep playing football. But what happens when she gets to know him a little better after a heart-felt essay about his life and family? I think we all know. Sigh.

So, you know, this obviously had a million faults and it made my teeth ache with the ludicrous nature of the dialogue but…there was something there for me. It made my heart happy and gave me feels when I didn’t think I would get any, and that should count for something. Hell, I even was wanting to give this a four, in the end, but that’s bullshit because I did have a lot of problems with this story. Whatever. Maybe it was Noel, maybe it was his desperation, loyalty, undying attraction to Aspen and his ability to sob (aw hell, we all know it’s all about Noel), but, in the end, this story was exactly what I needed. Smut, humor, and a lot of sexy tortured-ness, this book stole my heart…who’d have thunk it.

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Ya know….this wasn’t that well-written and it had many many problems…

Though, as it turns out, I just couldn’t help but to
fall in love with Noel and his tortured self
.

SO SUE ME.