Tag: Contemporary Romance (Page 55 of 87)

BOOK REVIEW – Blurred Lines by Lauren Layne

August 20, 2015 / Jen / 0 Comments

Blurred Lines by Lauren Layne
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
When Parker Blanton meets Ben Olsen during her freshman year of college, the connection is immediate—and platonic. Six years later, they’re still best friends, sharing an apartment in Portland’s trendy Northwest District as they happily settle into adult life. But when Parker’s boyfriend dumps her out of the blue, she starts to wonder about Ben’s no-strings-attached approach to dating. The trouble is, even with Ben as her wingman, Parker can’t seem to get the hang of casual sex—until she tries it with him.

The arrangement works perfectly . . . at first. The sex is mind-blowing, and their friendship remains as solid as ever, without any of the usual messy romantic entanglements. But when Parker’s ex decides he wants her back, Ben is shocked by a fierce stab of possessiveness. And when Ben starts seeing a girl from work, Parker finds herself plagued by unfamiliar jealousy. With their friendship on the rocks for the first time, Parker and Ben face an alarming truth: Maybe they can’t go back. And maybe, deep down, they never want to.

Review:

**A truly intoxicating friendship to lovers story. It was sexy, the banter was hilarious, and the elements of friendship and love were touching and done brilliantly.**

Lauren Layne has done it again! Her books always contain the perfect combination of sexiness, banter, family, friendship and love. And the writing always plays out like a movie in my head. I can visualize everything so clearly, yet I’m not weighted down with a ton of details. But this time around, I have a confession. Blurred Lines is now my favorite Lauren Layne book. Please don’t tell Mitchell and Julie from After the Kiss, because while I love them dearly, there is something intricately special to me about reading a friends to lovers story. I’ve been there and done that when I was younger, but reading this twist on that trope still felt fresh to me. So YES! I. Loved. This. Book! Blurred Lines was truly intoxicating, and I can’t wait for you to meet Parker and Ben.

Parker Blanton and Ben Olsen have been best friends since their first year of college. After graduation, they moved in together and their arrangement worked great. But when Parker gets dumped by here boyfriend of almost 5 years, she decides that she wants to be more like Ben. Which is having meaningless yet hopefully hot sex with strangers. But a hiccup happens and now Parker is looking at Ben to be her one night stand man. And when they do take that next step, oh my goodness, the sex is scorching HOT! They were intimate, sexy and I loved every minute of it! But being friends and having sex creates cracks in their friendship. Where do they go from there?

From the first chapter, I could feel the fun, love and closeness in their friendship. They had adorable little rituals like asking the other if they wanted to talk or mute when they were upset or seemed off. And the banter between the two of them was hilarious. I was laughing so hard that I was crying – hello Polly the doll ha! But the love they had for one another shined through loud and clear. Heck if I was Parker, I would be looking at Ben for sex too. That’s because she could count on him and trust him completely, plus he always had her best interests at heart. Especially when he was sacrificing his own needs or wants to make her happy. And each time he did that, my heart would be crying yet at the same time be happy because he was such a true friend. Sigh, I loved Ben. Especially his inner dirty thoughts haha.

But don’t be mistaken, they were definitely not perfect or flawless. I mean, Ben was a player and Parker could be a hypocrite or clueless at times, but that made them that much more real. They screwed up, made mistakes and struggled with choices they made that were wrong. But you know what? When characters are imperfect, it makes it easier for me to relate or find little tiny pieces of myself in them. Those are always the characters that I will remember months and years down the road.

So if you can’t tell, Lauren Layne has quickly become one of my favorite authors. She has a knack for writing memorable stories that feel real and relatable. Especially when we get alternating points of view which allows me to understand Parker and Ben inside out. I easily found myself attached to both of them and became lost in laughing at their antics and then crying in sadness and happiness for what happened to them. Blurred Lines is a story that I will definitely be reading again and again in the future! If you haven’t read Parker and Ben’s story yet, I highly recommend it!

*ARC kindly provided by Random House Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

BOOK REVIEW – Fuel the Fire (Calloway Sisters #3) by K. B. Ritchie

August 18, 2015 / Anna

Fuel the Fire (Calloway Sisters #3)
by Becca Ritchie, Krista Ritchie
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Protect your family. At all costs.

It’d take the impossible to hurt Connor Cobalt, even for a moment.

Protect your family. At all costs.

At twenty-six, his narcissistic tendencies have made room for the people he loves.

Protect your family. At all costs.

And he loves Rose. But when his love is threatened, when his greatest dreams with her are compromised — what is the cost then?

Protect your family. At all costs.

Love will guide his choices.
For the first time in his life.

“Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.” – The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde

While I was gathering my thoughts about Fuel the Fire, I drew the conclusion that I needed to find a way to prevent me from rambling and adding a millions quotes. Yes, that happens with this kind of books. Favorites. You know, Connor said something that I found beautiful : that he was attracted by people‘s thoughts, by people‘s fire without never restraining himself in gender boxes, under a label. As I was reading the last page, smiling, I realized that what he said about people is also true when dealing with books.

A great book must make me think, feel, change my world during a few hours, and sometimes, it lingers. Considering how full of tropes the NA genre is, I repeatedly stated how rarely I found enjoyment reading it. It remains true. However, I don’t want to say that Fuel the Fire is a great New-Adult book.

No. It’s an incredible book. Period.

But before I start fangirling, as promised, here’s my bingo.

Now you can take everything in this bingo and multiply my emotions by 1000. I loved this book from start to finish, including its flaws (some repetitions of sayings, a tendency to drag at some point, several mistakes that should have been edited). So many passages made my heart beat in anticipation that I can’t hold a grudge. Except… except when revenge is involved, apparently : I let escape an evil little laugh that my boyfriend found *almost* scary (you’ll know when).

My heart is full. I am so proud of Connor and Rose that it’s getting ridiculous, but I don’t even care. They’re my perfect match.

Ps. After Hothouse Flower I didn’t think that I would read Ryke and Daisy’s next book, but I have to admit that I really enjoyed the dynamics between Ryke and the other characters here (especially Connor), so I might change my mind. Okay, I changed my mind.

BOOK REVIEW – Hothouse Flower (Calloway Sisters #2) by K. B. Ritchie

August 17, 2015 / Anna

Hothouse Flower (Calloway Sisters #2)
by Becca Ritchie, Krista Ritchie
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
yke Meadows, meet Daisy Calloway ... she’s all grown up.

Twenty-five-year-old Ryke Meadows knows he’s hard to love. With a billion-dollar inheritance, a track-star resume, and an alpha-male personality—he redefines the term likable asshole. But he’s not living to make friends. Or enemies. He just wants to free climb three of the toughest mountains in Yosemite without drama or interruption.

And then he receives a distressed call from a girl in Paris—a girl that he has never been allowed to have.

Daisy Calloway is eighteen. Finally. With her newfound independence, she can say goodbye to her overbearing mother and continue her modeling career. Next stop, Paris. Fashion Week begins with a bang, and Daisy uncovers the ugly reality of the industry. She wants to prove to her family that she can live on her own, but when everything spirals out of control, she turns to Ryke to keep her secrets.

As Daisy struggles to make sense of this new world and her freedom, she pushes the limits and fearlessly rides the edge. Ryke knows there’s deep hurt beneath every impulsive action. He must keep up with Daisy, and if he lets her go, her favorite motto—“live as if you’ll die today”—may just come true.

Trigger Warning : I chose to write this review as Ryke’s, therefore there will be a lot of cursing. Sorry about that.

➊ The romance

Ryke and Daisy’s story started as a fucking surprise for me : I didn’t expect to like them that fucking much, but during the first 50% I can’t deny that I spent a great time. The sexual tension between them was fucking off the charts and I couldn’t ship them more. I loved that they were friends and cared about each other so much, loved their complicity and their flirting. After Kiss the Sky I wasn’t sure that I would like these characters, but frankly? They grew on me, even if Daisy stays a little too dependent for my liking, and Rose & Connor stay my favorite by far, even in this one.

Connor,

And then when Ryke and Daisy finally had sex, Fuck. That was fucking hot. Okay, I forgive them the “I’m the only one to give you orgasms” line that was a little ridiculous.

➋ The drama

Well this being said, excuse me but the obstacles to their relationship were fucking dumb in my opinion.

It fucking killed me to see the drama stretch and stretch and stretch around Lo’s possible reaction and I wanted to punch him in the face each time he would make them feel bad only because they were drawn to each other. Just grow a fucking brain and stop being selfish. Now, Ryke annoyed me as well with his “I don’t give a shit what people think” attitude. Look, I don’t like to justify my actions to others either, but sometimes you have to realize that people aren’t in your fucking head to know what you think. Ugh. Talk about useless drama.

➌ The French

It’s starting to fucking spoil my enjoyment because I can’t help but cringe when I read them talking in French. I’m sorry, but asking a native speaker to check is not that hard. No French in his right mind would say something like : “Je serais génial, mais je sais ce qui me fait toujours obstacle”. It just doesn’t make any fucking sense. You don’t use génial to express how you’re feeling. Never.

In a word : More generic NA material than Kiss the Sky (yes, that would mean more stupid angst, more stereotypical leads and unrealistic scenes), but what I fucking loved in the first still owns the show : friendship, family and no girl hate.

Now, if you would excuse me, I’m going to wash my mouth and come back to Connor and Rose’s schemes in Fuel the Fire.

Ps. If you found the fuckings in this review annoying to read, I’m not sure that you will stand Ryke’s POV. Just sayin’.

BOOK REVIEW – Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

August 16, 2015 / Anna

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
My disease is as rare as it is famous. It’s a form of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, but basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in fifteen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives. New next door neighbors. I look out the window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black t-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly. I want to learn everything about him, and I do. I learn that he is funny and fierce. I learn that his eyes are Atlantic Ocean-blue and that his vice is stealing silverware. I learn that when I talk to him, my whole world opens up, and I feel myself starting to change—starting to want things. To want out of my bubble. To want everything, everything the world has to offer.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.

Let’s be frank one second here : from the start I knew that (almost) whatever could happen, I was going to adore this book. Why? Because as you might know, I’m an absolute sucker for insertion of different mediums in a book, when it’s well-done, and I love using some of these mediums in my reviews. Annnnnd Guess what? It was the case here, and I fell in love with the concept before even starting to like the characters – I know, I know, I can be so easy sometimes. Am I weird? Maybe, but originality strikes a note to which I can relate.

Actually, there were so many different formats here that I struggled to choose which one I would use – let’s face it, I wanted everything : Maddie’s spy schedules, her hilarious spoiler reviews, her copybooks excerpts … Anyway, I chose to use Ollie and Madeline’s IM conversations because sue me, but they were my favorite parts through and through. I’m such a stalker, I can’t even.

“Madeline : I’m not a princess.
Madeline : And I don’t need rescuing.
Olly : that’s ok. i’m no prince.”

Alienor : I’m sorry but at first you sounded one dimensional to me.
Olly : but i climb stuff!!
Alienor : Yes you do. I’m really impressed but
Madeline : I’m sick!!
Alienor : Yes you are but
Madeline : And I really love architecture
Alienor : I know! Good for you girl!
Olly : but when we message together it was funny right
Alienor : Yes it was but can you please use punctuation
Madeline : See Ollie! I told you it was annoying
Olly : you did but i just feel like not using punctuation and that’s my right for fuck sake
Alienor: Anyway – Now moving on guys

The fact is, if at first I found the characters pretty flat, I slowly grew attached to them throughout the story.

Madeline : Wait – you mean like you would in real life then?
Alienor : EXACTLY! Really, I felt like I was slowly becoming friends with you guys, and there’s where my first hint of love appeared.
Olly : even if Maddie gets obsessed over me pretty quickly?
Madeline : I’m not obsessed.
Olly : you so are
Alienor: Yeah, well, about that – you do grow attached quickly but I didn’t bother as much as usual because 1) It’s not an instalovish PNR way of falling in love, but 2) it’s a pretty accurate description of first love in my opinion. Of course we’re stupid and of course we’re obsessed! Come on! So, yeah. You grow attached quickly, but it’s not shocking in any way, as you sound like real teenagers through and through.
Olly : you don’t think Maddie is acting stupidly then?
Alienor : OF COURSE SHE IS, DUH. SHE IS A TEENAGER IN LOVE. But anyway, I can’t deny that when I reached the second part, I was feeling her despair and her hope, her angst and her joy. I cared. You’re young, you’re cute. I loved you together ♥
Madeline : So you don’t think I was reckless?
Alienor : You so were, and I’m warning you here, some readers will be annoyed by you for sure. Yes you took selfish and reckless decisions but really, who are we to judge? Would I be able to suffer life confined in a house without feeling reckless? I don’t think so, and luckily I’ll never know for certain. So, yes. I could have been mad at her sometimes. The fact is, I never did.
Olly : And me i mean you’re not talking about me
Alienor : Well, like Maddie you can appear reckless at some point but damn, you are adorable and I felt like I could relate because – sorry but – you’re not flawless by any means. So YES. You took some dumb decisions TOO. YES. You fall in love quickly. YES YES YES – no instalove though. Now that I cleared the air, let me say –
Madeline : He’s just so cute right?
Alienor : He SO is.
Madeline : And he can climb!
Alienor : That he can.

1
day I needed to finish it

2
characters who made me smile and feel

3
Scenes that almost made me cry

4
Stars I’m willing to give

WAIT – It’s not perfect then?

5
Number of fucks I give

TRIGGER WARNING : Domestic abuse

BOOK REVIEW – Bold Tricks (The Artists Trilogy #3) by Karina Halle

August 15, 2015 / Jen / 0 Comments

Bold Tricks (The Artists Trilogy #3)
by Karina Halle
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Raised by con artists, Ellie Watt has a lot of crazy childhood memories-but none crazier than being scarred with acid by the demented crime boss Travis Raines. Now Ellie is a full-grown woman who lives for revenge, and Travis is a full-blown drug lord who kills for pleasure. The sadistic bastard has kidnapped her good friend Gus as well as her mother, whom he's been holding as prized possessions in his heavily guarded lair. And Ellie has only one chance in hell of getting them out alive-using two dangerous men who love her to death . . .

One is Camden McQueen, a talented tattoo artist who's made a permanent mark on Ellie's heart. The other is Javier Bernal, her fiery ex-lover who's busted more than a few heads in his time. From the crime-ridden streets of Mexico City to the predatory jungles of Honduras, this unlikely trio forms an uneasy alliance in the deadliest game of all-a gun-blazing battle to the finish that will pit enemy against enemy and lover against lover. And Ellie must choose the right man to trust . . . or die.

Review:

*Spoilers for Shooting Scars #2*

Bold Tricks was the perfect way to close this stunning trilogy! The angst kept me on the edge of my seat, the love made my heart swoon, and the dark, twisted storyline quickened my heartbeat and at times filled my veins with dread. This book was so good. So insanely freaking good!

…there was something so goddamn sexy about seeing Camden handle a gun, the shiny metal against his big arms and wide chest, muscle against muscle. With the blood smeared on his face, dripping down onto the tats that teased at his neck , he was 100 percent man. I just wished he was 100 percent mine.

We jump right into the story were Shooting Scars left off. Ellie, Camden and Javier have barely escaped from Travis’ house and they know it is a matter of time before they are found. They are on the run for their lives, together. And they will need to work together to keep Javier’s sister safe and to rescue Gus and Ellie’s mother. What follows is an action packed, intense ride that was completely unpredictable at times. It was impossible to put this book down.

“You own my heart. Please let me have yours.”

This book was only told from Ellie’s voice. And while I was sad that I didn’t get to be in Camden’s head, it made a lot of sense. We needed to feel as though we were in Ellie’s shoes. Because her heart and soul had been ripped apart. She desperately wanted to be back together with Camden, but she betrayed him in the worst sense. Ellie tried to make Camden see the light, but with Javier there it was impossible. Javier’s presence was slammed in Camden’s face every second of every torturous day. The anger, jealousy, betrayal and lust from all of them was beyond palpable. I loved it!

“What happened to your glasses?” I asked him.
He bit his lip, his eyes darting to the car. “They fell off somewhere. Probably when I fell. I can’t remember. That whole thing was… a blur.”
“Can you still see?”
He smiled, all beautiful white teeth, full lips, and dimples. “I’m nearsighted. Which means I’ll be a lousy shot until I get a new pair or some contacts. But at least I can see you clearly. The things up close. The things that matter.”

Ellie was one of those characters where it was easy to vacillate from liking to hating her. Her actions and thoughts could be entirely messed up, but I still wanted the best for her. Maybe it’s because I felt her suffering and remorse towards Camden. I felt her desperate need for him to forgive her. Or maybe it’s because finally in this book Ellie became a total bad-ass! She knew who she wanted to be and where she wanted to stand. She finally figured out all of her shit. She even had me laughing at her in scenes that were entirely inappropriate for laughing, like when she stole a weapon from someone, but gah, I was so ecstatic that she became the person I thought she deserved to be!

This was no longer a matter of good or bad.
This was all gray.
Hazy, fuzzy gray.
I squeezed the trigger.
The chamber clicked.
Loudly.
Empty.

I can’t end this without talking about Camden. I loved how dark he continued to be in this book. A sexy, glasses wearing tatted up guy who would do anything to keep you safe, to do what is right, even if it meant not blinking an eye to kill someone? UH, YES PLEASE! I was so sad to say goodbye to him and Ellie (sooo not mentioning Javier here besides this part haha). This whole series was utterly addicting, crazy, and entirely messed up but so, so, so good! It’s unlike anything I have ever read before and I plan to devour many more of Karina Halle’s books!

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
Sins & Needles #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Shooting Scars #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Bold Tricks #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea