Author: Cookie O'Gorman (Page 1 of 4)

Synopsis:

Bookworm (buk-werm): Someone who loves books, reading, and/or studying. For reference, see Charlotte Kent.

Seventeen-year-old Charlotte Kent likes happy endings. Not that she's looking for one herself. Awkward, never been kissed, and bookish to the core, Lottie would rather read about love than experience it.

But she enjoys helping others find their HEA in books.

Lottie loves working at the library…even if it means running into Bo Stryker.

Broody, athletic, and unfairly attractive when he frowns, Bo works at the flower shop across the street. Lottie is about to get rejected…when surprisingly, Bo steps in, pretends to be her boyfriend, and steals her first kiss.

One viral video later, everyone thinks they're together.

Bo wants to keep pretending. Lottie wants to make amends—long story short: she was on a ladder; he startled her; the book slap was an accident.

A fake relationship may be the solution. But as they grow closer, Lottie can't help falling for Bo—which is a disaster because grumpy sunshine only works in fiction…right?

This book features two opposites with undeniable chemistry, one lovable librarian, so many stolen kisses and answers the question:

What happens when a nerd falls for the grump-next-door?

Review:

Reading never failed me. Unlike people, books were reliable; they always provided a welcome escape. 
And I needed that now.

Bookworm was an adorable, feel good romance that will keep you smiling from that first page to the last!  With grumpy sunshine mixed with fake dating, it was impossible not to fall in love with this story.  The characters leapt from the pages, the storyline made it impossible to put down and this book easily landed on my favorites list!  This story was not only laugh out loud hilarious but it was filled with heart and so much charm too!  If you love young adult romance, you definitely need this book in your life!

“I make you nervous,” he said. 
“One hundred percent,” I said back. There was no use lying. My cheeks were starting to hurt I was smiling so hard. 
Bo, on the other hand, looked like he was gritting his teeth.

Bo Stryker worked at the flower shop across the street from the library where Charlotte Kent volunteered.  When Bo stepped in, and saved Charlotte from an embarrassing situation, he stole her first kiss.  And that kiss went viral.  That moment was swoon worthy, sigh worthy, and had me absolutely obsessed!  What followed was a beautiful journey filled with opposites attracts, friendship, first love, bookcussions and fabulous banter!  And I have to say that I didn’t read the synopsis close enough because when I got to their last names I was screaming out loud!  I couldn’t wait to see how this was tied to her other books.  But don’t worry, you don’t have to read any other story before jumping into this one.

Bo didn’t want to talk about The Kiss. 
He wanted to pretend as if it never happened. 
I could do that. 
I could. 
Even if he was my first. 
Even if I could still feel the press of his mouth against mine.

Charlotte cracked me up and is one of my favorite heroines!   I loved how honest and forthcoming she was.  Her thoughts made me feel connected to her.  And I loved how she helped others find happiness in a book and also had no qualms about spying on others.  But what I loved most of all, was how she could make Bo feel.  Charlotte could be such a ray of sunshine to Bo’s grumpy clouds.  And the moment she could get him to smile or react had me glued to the pages.  So while it was beautiful watching their friendship progress, I was shocked that Charlotte didn’t believe in HEAs….outside of a book.  That hurt my heart.  I kept my fingers crossed that Bo could get her to have a change of heart, even if they were only fake dating.

“I thought you hated having me around,” I admitted. 
“I don’t.” 
“You even told me how much you hate people.” 
“Not you,” he said. 
My heart skipped a beat. 
“I could never hate you, Kent.”

Bo was the star soccer player at his high school who had a perpetual frown on his face.  He was given the nickname iceman because of his stellar personality haha.  But when he was around Charlotte, we got tiny glimpses of who Bo was underneath it all.  We got to see that he was capable of feeling.  And if we paid close enough attention to his words, it seemed like he felt more towards Charlotte.  Bo is my favorite type of a character, where you have to look for hints and clues to figure out how they feel and who they truly are.  Because they guard their emotions and their thoughts with their whole body and soul.  So when Bo would mess with Charlotte, awww it was like the clouds parted from the skies.  And that led to the most delicious banter ever!

Taking my hand, he placed a kiss on my thumb, removing the leftover sugar with a brief but devastating brush of his tongue. I couldn’t have spoken then even if I’d wanted to.

The fake dating in this story unfolded so brilliantly, and there quite a few moments that made my toes curl while sighing out loud.  And besides Bo and Charlotte, my favorite side character was Charlotte’s sister, Scar.  I would love for Scar to get her own book *fingers crossed*!  Plus it was so much fun seeing characters from quite a few of Cookie’s previous books!  So with a list of suitors, flower deliveries, the cinnamon roll, soccer games, lunch moments, and kisses in a library, this book was so fabulous!  With a fun and flirty vibe, Bookworm was so easy to fall head over heels in love with!  And this is one of those stories where you just can’t stop smiling all the way through.  It’s happiness in a book!  And you definitely need this happiness in your life!

As a bookworm, I’d read tons of romance novels with countless happily-ever-afters. I would read a ton more. 
And I knew our book would always be my favorite.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Cupcake by Cookie O'Gorman
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks, 
Book Depository
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

I know what you're thinking.

You're thinking this will be just one more story of the ignored, "big-boned " girl, who sheds her glasses and a few extra pounds and finally attracts the notice of the most popular guy in school.

Except it isn't. Because I'm not unpopular. Not all that ignored. And I love the way I look―just as I am.

Then someone puts my name in for Homecoming Court.

The bigger surprise?

People actually vote for me!

Now, I'm a "princess"―whether I like it or not―but the guy I'm paired with isn't exactly Prince Charming.

Rhys Castle is the strong, silent type who always wears a frown―he's certainly never smiled at me. I'm 99.9% sure he hates being on Court and being my partner, but surprisingly…he doesn't switch when he gets the chance.

Turns out Rhys has a secret―something that makes him run hot and cold throughout the entire three weeks of Homecoming festivities. Whether he's stepping on my feet during dance lessons or gallantly escorting me through the Homecoming parade, I can't get a read on this guy, and for the first time, I find my confidence wavering.

But there's more to Rhys than meets the eye. And the more the spotlight shines on me, I realize there's more to me, too.

Review:

Cupcake was a laugh out loud, adorable, heartwarming story! With characters that felt real and a storyline that was oh so easy to devour, I finished this book in two sittings. Cupcake became an instant favorite and romance lovers will definitely enjoy this book!

“Hi, my name is Ariel,” I said, feeling so embarrassed. “Because my mom loves Disney, I was named after a mermaid who collects forks and talks to fish.” Rhys’s lips twitched at that, but I forged ahead. “Surprisingly, I don’t hate it. I just wish the name fit me better.”
I nodded for him to go.

Ariel Duncan, aka Cupcake, had a heart of gold. She was kind, caring, compassionate and I loved her passion for baking! I connected with her on such a deep level with baking ♥. She not only stress baked too, but I loved how she baked to bring others joy. I desperately wanted to be bestie’s with her!

“Do you enjoy embarrassing me?” I asked.
Rhys pretended to think about it as he handed back my phone. “Honestly? I don’t hate it,” he said with a smirk.
Jerk.

During the announcements for Homecoming court, Ariel was shocked to hear her name listed! She was to be a Princess. Which led to her being paired with a sexy, blue eyed quarterback named Rhys Castle. Rhys was such an unknown. Yes he was gorgeous, but he could come off as cold and grumpy. And Ariel was stuck being his partner for the next three weeks for all of the Homecoming festivities.

“Are you going to put your hand on my shoulder or what?”
I scoffed. “Of course. I was just about to do that.”
It was clear Rhys was laughing internally. His eyes dared me to make the first move. In what seemed to be slow motion, I watched my hand rise and then rest gently on his shoulder. In answer, his hand moved to my waist.
My breath hitched.

Ariel and Rhys had to do everything together from dancing, trust exercises to so much more to prep for homecoming. I loved every minute of it! From getting to know each other to the inevitable dancing where they had to touch, I couldn’t stop smiling. It was adorable watching them try to connect and work together. It felt real how everything played out and I could easily see myself watching their story as a movie! It was a ton of fun!

“Did you like Dirty Dancing?”
“I did.” Rhys lifted a brow. “If that was us, though, you’d be Johnny, and I’d be Baby, aka the one who carries a watermelon.”
I laughed in delight.

I was obsessed anytime Rhys was on the pages! I desperately wanted to know what he was thinking. Because while he came off as quiet and distant, we also got to see moments where he was kind and thoughtful. He seemed so much more than meets the eyes and as the story progressed, he made me fall so hard for him! Sometimes the simplest words from Rhys made my heart melt. But still, I wanted to know exactly where he stood with Ariel and what secret he was keeping too!

“You like him,” she said.
I blinked, not having expected that. “N-no, I don’t.”
“And she stutters on the denial.” Toni stared at my face then shook her head. “You must like him a lot, huh?”
My tongue felt paralyzed for a moment. I was so surprised.

Rounding out this story were side characters I adored. From Ariel’s mom who was loving and caring. To Ariel’s bestie Toni who was her biggest champion! I loved that she had Cupcake’s best interest in heart. That she stood by her side and cheered her on every step of the way. She was a true friend. And even the “mean girl” Lana’s story turned into more. I’m not saying anything else other then I loved how it didn’t take the typical path, yay!

Feeling a bit funny about it, I placed the tiara on my head, then turned to Rhys.
“Well?” I said. “Is it straight?”
“Almost,” he said. “Here, let me.”
As he reached up, I held my breath. His hands were gentle as he adjusted the tiara. When his eyes met mine, he pushed a stray lock of hair behind my ear.
“You look perfect.”

Warmth, humor and romance splashed across the pages and I loved every minute of it! Cupcake was a feel good story that left me with a smile on my face! If you adore YA and romance, then definitely make sure you have this one on your tbr!

For the first time in my life, I actually felt like a princess.
And it had nothing to do with the tiara. Or even the boy.
It was all me.

PS Even the acknowledgements had heart! Her comment about the cake and princess, oh my heart that made me cry. Hugs!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*