Author: Sally Thorne (Page 1 of 2)

BOOK REVIEWS: Rosie and the Dreamboat (The Improbable Meet-Cute #3) by Sally Thorne & Drop, Cover, and Hold On (The Improbable Meet-Cute #4) by Jasmine Guillory

February 14, 2024 / Jen / 2 Comments

Rosie and the Dreamboat (The Improbable Meet-Cute #3)
by Sally Thorne
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
For a hopeful and hopeless romantic, it’s love at first sight—with a little twist—in a hilarious short story about finding Mr. Right by the For a hopeful and hopeless romantic, it’s love at first sight—with a little twist—in a hilarious short story about finding Mr. Right by the USA Today bestselling author of The Hating Game.

Rosie Whittaker and her sister are up for some Galentine’s pampering at a day spa. Getting locked inside a flotation tank is so Rosie. Enter a firefighter hero determined to pry this luckless pearl out of her high-tech shell. All Rosie has to go on is a dreamy voice and a flirty sense of humor. Remain calm, Rosie. This could be what you’ve been waiting for. Is this the man she’s waited for her whole life?

Sally Thorne’s Rosie and the Dreamboat is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute, irresistibly romantic stories about finding love when and where you least expect it. They can be read or listened to in one sitting. Let’s make a date of it.

Review:

Once Rosie got locked in the flotation tank, I finally became interested in this story. And then finished this book in one sitting. I was obsessed when the firefighter showed up and hung on his every word! Him and Rosie’s chemistry was so palpable, and their banter was so much fun. I loved that he was her sanity. And that they could joke while she was stuck in a precarious situation. It was heartwarming watching their friendship form in a matter of hours. And that last chapter I was grinning from ear to ear! But the only thing is……I desperately needed one more chapter please. My heart was happy where it ended but still, I want more please!

Drop, Cover, and Hold On (The Improbable Meet-Cute #4)

Synopsis:
It takes nothing less than a fateful natural disaster to throw two opposites together in a ground-shakingly charming short story by the New York Times bestselling author of Drunk on Love.

This Valentine’s Day, Daisy Murray has her heart set on binge-watching rom-coms. Instead, an earthquake traps her inside a bakery with its impossibly rude and insufferably handsome owner and head baker. They already have a history: she’s always smiled, he’s always scowled. Where better to finally get to know each other than amid the disaster? Then again, they have no choice. Besides, it could have its sweet, undeniable, and unpredictable perks.

Jasmine Guillory’s Drop, Cover, and Hold On is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute, irresistibly romantic stories about finding love when and where you least expect it. They can be read or listened to in one sitting. Let’s make a date of it.

Review:

Drop, Cover, and Hold On was a forced proximity, grumpy sunshine romance. She thought he hated her. He had wanted her from the moment he saw her. And after an earthquake, they found themselves stuck together in his bakery. Lots of yummy treats were described and I adored the narrator and how she made the story come to life. And while this story wasn’t my favorite within this series, it still kept my interest and made me realize I need to try this author’s other books!

BOOK REVIEW: 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne

July 17, 2023 / Jen / 4 Comments

99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Crush (n.): a strong and often short-lived infatuation, particularly for someone beyond your reach…

Darcy Barrett has undertaken a global survey of men. She’s travelled the world, and can categorically say that no one measures up to Tom Valeska, whose only flaw is that Darcy’s twin brother Jamie saw him first and claimed him forever as his best friend. Despite Darcy’s best efforts, Tom’s off limits and loyal to her brother, 99%. That’s the problem with finding her dream man at age eight and peaking in her photography career at age twenty—ever since, she’s had to learn to settle for good enough.

When Darcy and Jamie inherit a tumble-down cottage from their grandmother, they’re left with strict instructions to bring it back to its former glory and sell the property. Darcy plans to be in an aisle seat halfway across the ocean as soon as the renovations start, but before she can cut and run, she finds a familiar face on her porch: house-flipper extraordinaire Tom’s arrived, he’s bearing power tools, and he’s single for the first time in almost a decade.

Suddenly Darcy’s considering sticking around to make sure her twin doesn’t ruin the cottage’s inherent magic with his penchant for grey and chrome. She’s definitely not staying because of her new business partner’s tight t-shirts, or that perfect face that's inspiring her to pick up her camera again. Soon sparks are flying—and it’s not the faulty wiring. It turns out one percent of Tom’s heart might not be enough for Darcy anymore. This time around, she’s switching things up. She’s going to make Tom Valeska 99 percent hers.

Review:

99 Percent Mine was a hilariously sexy romcom that was laced with deeper moments filled with emotions. Darcy had known Tom Valeska since she was 8, and her twin claimed him as his best friend for life. Tom was now engaged and was overseeing the cottage renovation of the twin’s late grandmother. And usually when things got too emotional for Darcy, she bolted. And flew somewhere distant. Yet this cottage was a piece of her heart, and she was going to try her best to stick around. So she got a say in how it was renovated. So while Darcy and Tom had been friends for a long time, there was definitely a sticky background there. Darcy wasn’t the best with sensitive words or sensitive topics. And she hurt Tom years ago. So nowadays, Darcy was obsessed with what percent she had of Tom and what part belonged to her brother. And each time she won something, she bumped up that percentage a little higher.

I’m the liability he swore to take care of.

Darcy Barrett’s thoughts were absolutely hilarious and so ridiculous at times! While she was rough around the edges, and maybe that’s an understatement, I loved her! With her sugar and sweet wine addiction, the two didn’t go hand in hand with her lifelong heart arrythmia. I will say as someone who’s so conscious of her heart issues, it did bother me that Darcy didn’t take better care of her heart *cries*. Especially when it was obvious that alcohol was messing up her life. She didn’t do photography anymore and seemed to be skating by in life while making some bad choices. Life style choices, not great…alcohol choices, not great…job choices, not great. I couldn’t wait for Darcy to actually face something. And not run away like she always did in the past. Darcy was definitely the queen at bailing on life!

“What do I get in return?”
“You know, heart, soul. The usual.”
“Oh, Darce.” He sighs like I’ve learned nothing. “You’re messing with me again.”

And then there was Tom. Ohhh Tom. He was my favorite. Some of Tom’s words knocked the breath out of my lungs. And I loved how he messed with Darcy and would make the reader laugh too. Especially with the underwear thing! Yet Tom saw so much. So I wanted to cheer when he would hit the mark in regards to Darcy. But at the same time, I wanted to wrap my arms around myself while stating that it was way harsh Tai! As they worked through things between themselves and each other, I was cheering for them each step of the way. That they could love themselves. That they both could heal. And that they would find love together.

He laughs, and the afternoon sunlight turns the floating dust particles into glitter around us. It turns his eyes to whiskey, and they get me drunk. A guy like this? He’s the only one who’s ever made my stomach flip.

One thing that stuck out to me was that Darcy was a very sexual being and she had no problem sexualizing everything Tom did. It was so hot and you could just feel the tension electrifying between them! Yet miscommunication was the name of their game. He thought she had a wild night? She was truly at McDonalds lol. And neither seemed to be completely honest with the other. But as the renovation unfolded, they worked together. Helped each other. And threw in a little jealousy here and there. If you love slow burns, this book is for you! Darcy and Tom had the most fabulous slow burn!

Fuck it. If he wants honesty, I’ll give it to him. “I would have undone your belt and got down on my knees, and made you pray to God.”
“Jesus,” he says with no air.

There were also deeper emotional moments within the pages. It shocked me how much it hurt to watch Darcy fight with her twin. They both could be so stubborn. So I loved the relationship Darcy had with her bestie Truly. She told her everything! And I loved that Truly held her accountable and made her realize things. She was the most amazing woman! Yet the writing style wasn’t my favorite. It had very flowery, out there descriptions. Almost purple prose, but that’s not entirely the correct description. Once you read it, or if you already have, then you’ll know what I mean. So while I adored this book, I still had a few issues. But that epilogue was perfect! There was not only a 99 Percent Mine epilogue BUT also one for The Hating Games! And it left me closing this book with a smile on my face and being soooo happy!

His unforgettable eyes are the last thing I see before he pulls me up onto my tiptoes and puts his mouth on mine. Thunder cracks above us and then, the world goes silent.

BOOK REVIEW: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

February 17, 2022 / Jen / 6 Comments

BOOK REVIEW: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Nemesis (n.) 1) An opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome.

2) A person’s undoing

3) Joshua Templeman

Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman hate each other. Not dislike. Not begrudgingly tolerate. Hate. And they have no problem displaying their feelings through a series of ritualistic passive aggressive maneuvers as they sit across from each other, executive assistants to co-CEOs of a publishing company. Lucy can’t understand Joshua’s joyless, uptight, meticulous approach to his job. Joshua is clearly baffled by Lucy’s overly bright clothes, quirkiness, and Pollyanna attitude.

Now up for the same promotion, their battle of wills has come to a head and Lucy refuses to back down when their latest game could cost her her dream job…But the tension between Lucy and Joshua has also reached its boiling point, and Lucy is discovering that maybe she doesn’t hate Joshua. And maybe, he doesn’t hate her either. Or maybe this is just another game.

Review:

I type my password: IHATEJOSHUA4EV@.

The Hating Game consumed my every waking thought. I’m a huge fan of enemies to lovers, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I loved this book, but it felt so much more then this is a favorite book. I felt as though I knew Lucy and Josh, as though they were a part of me. Their story had me clinging onto their every word and scene. My emotions were tied up in knots. And I couldn’t stop thinking about them long after I read that last page. The Hating Game is a must read for fans of enemies to lovers and adult romance!

“What are you imagining? Your expression is filthy.”
“Strangling you. Bare hands.” I can barely get the words out. I’m huskier than a phone- sex operator after a double shift.
“So that’s your kink.” His eyes are going dark.
“Only where you’re concerned.”
Both his eyebrows ratchet up, and he opens his mouth as his eyes go completely black, but he does not seem to be able to say a word.
It is wonderful.

Lucy Hutton and Josh Templeman worked at the same office. Their companies had merged and they were both assistants to the co-COs. They sat across from each other and hated the other passionately. The games they played and ways they tried to mess with the other every chance they got was addicting. They were a complete and utter HR nightmare. With a new position opening, Josh and Lucy found themselves competing for the same promotion. And in the process, both of their lives would never be the same.

“Shortcake.”
The sweet little word dissolves and I swallow.
“I’m not going to kill you. You’re so dramatic.” Then he presses his mouth lightly against mine.

Lucy Hutton was someone I adored. Her thoughts cracked me up and while she was a little eccentric, she was so relatable and loveable. Her attempts to mess with Josh in the best ways possible made me ridiculously happy! Yet when Josh would try and be nice to her, ugh, my heart hurt because I was begging for her not to freak out. Lucy made mistakes and I understood why. She was so lonely and friendless. I just wanted to give her a hug. Or shake some sense into her when she got Danny to go on a date with her. Yes he was kind and helpful to Lucy, but I wanted to shove him down to the ground and instead push Josh into her face and scream pick him!

His lips curve and I touch his face. The first smile Joshua’s ever had in my presence is pressed against my lips. I pull back in astonishment, and in one millisecond his face has defaulted back to grave and serious, albeit flushed.

Obsessed isn’t a huge enough word to describe my feelings towards Josh. He could be such an asshole and mean to Lucy, but at the same time he could also be kind, caring, compassionate and thoughtful *like the lemonade, sobs*. He seemed to have so much going on under the surface and I desperately wanted to know all of his thoughts. Especially since from the second chapter on, it seemed like Josh was jealous of Lucy’s niceness to other males, when all she gave him was hate. So I was here for ALL of the jealousy that would play out! But he was so much more then that. From each time he spoke up, to each time he called her shortcake, to each time he made marks in his planner, to every single kind thing he did, Josh made me fall in love with him that much deeper. The more of Josh we got to see, it was so easy to see that he truly was everything.

When I think about his teeth biting softly down on my bottom lip, I get a clenching flutter between my legs. When I think of his hand on the back of my thigh, I have to reach down and feel where his fingers spread. The hardness of his body? I can skip breathing for a bit. I wonder how I tasted to him. How I felt.

This book made me feel ALL the emotions! One moment I’d have tears in my eyes and my heart was in my throat, and the next I’d be laughing so hard I’d have tears in my eyes again. The Hating Game was emotional, heartfelt, seductive and so much fun! When you throw in their fighting and that they could be funny without even trying, this book became a favorite so easily. I swear I smiled from the first page to the last! Especially since their chemistry was electrifying. Any moment they touched felt explosive. And as more happened, this book could be so steamy and hot! Mix in some matchbox cars and smurfs and this is a story I’ll remember forever.

“Stop calling me Shortcake.” I try to roll onto my side but he presses the heels of his palms lightly against my shoulders. I stop breathing.
“Watching you pretend to hate that nickname is the best part of my day.”

From page one, I was obsessed. I loved Lucy’s voice and the moment Josh appeared, eeps I was a goner. If you love enemies to lovers, fabulous banter, emotional moments, and multi faceted characters, then you need this book in your life! The Hating Game became an instant favorite and I can’t wait to re-read this one down the road!

BOOK REVIEW: Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne

December 14, 2020 / Arielle / 2 Comments

Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
From the USA Today bestselling author of The Hating Game and 99 Percent Mine comes the clever, funny, and unforgettable story of a muscular, tattooed man hired as an assistant to two old women—under the watchful eye of a beautiful retirement home manager.

Distraction (n): an extreme agitation of the mind or emotions.

Ruthie Midona has worked the front desk at the Providence Luxury Retirement Villa for six years, dedicating her entire adult life to caring for the Villa’s residents, maintaining the property (with an assist from DIY YouTube tutorials), and guarding the endangered tortoises that live in the Villa’s gardens. Somewhere along the way, she’s forgotten that she’s young and beautiful, and that there’s a world outside of work—until she meets the son of the property developer who just acquired the retirement center.

Teddy Prescott has spent the last few years partying, sleeping in late, tattooing himself when bored, and generally not taking life too seriously—something his father, who dreams of grooming Teddy into his successor, can’t understand. When Teddy needs a place to crash, his father seizes the chance to get him to grow up. He’ll let Teddy stay in one of the on-site cottages at the retirement home, but only if he works to earn his keep. Teddy agrees—he can change a few lightbulbs and clip some hedges, no sweat. But Ruthie has plans for Teddy too.

Her two wealthiest and most eccentric residents have just placed an ad (yet another!) seeking a new personal assistant to torment. The women are ninety-year-old, four-foot-tall menaces, and not one of their assistants has lasted a full week. Offering up Teddy seems like a surefire way to get rid of the tall, handsome, unnerving man who won’t stop getting under her skin.

Ruthie doesn’t count on the fact that in Teddy Prescott, the Biddies may have finally met their match. He’ll pick up Chanel gowns from the dry cleaner and cut Big Macs into bite-sized bits. He’ll do repairs around the property, make the residents laugh, and charm the entire villa. He might even remind Ruthie what it’s like to be young and fun again. But when she finds out Teddy’s father’s only fixing up the retirement home to sell it, putting everything she cares about in jeopardy, she’s left wondering if Teddy’s magic was all just a façade.

Review

This was exceptional. I don’t even know how else to describe Sally Thorne’s writing other than to say that it just makes me feel good. Even though all three of her leading ladies are incredibly different, they were parts of them that were still somehow all relatable and warm and comforting. Sally’s books are something that you can pull out on a day full of sunshine at the beach to enjoy or on a gray day filled with sadness. No matter what you’re feeling when you begin them, I can guarantee you will feel better when you’re done.

That being said, I know a lot of people didn’t like 99% Mine as much as me. This book, and Ruthie in particular is nothing like that. I REALLY think that those that didn’t like Darcy’s abrasiveness will fall in love with Ruthie’s quiet but quick witted personality. And Teddy. Ohhhhh Teddy. Teddy is the embodiment of his name. A big, giant, teddy bear that you can’t help but want to love and squeeze tight and never let go. He grew up in a wealthy family but has always been treated as the lazy one, the one who will never take grown up life seriously, and I think that has really had a big impact on actually turning him into that person. However, once he’s forced to spend some time at the Providence Luxury Retirement Villa as personal assistant to the sassiest, funniest, loveliest old ladies you’ve ever seen and gets to know Ruthie, things change.

Ruthie, who is a quiet, keeps-her-head-down and never-leave-the-Villa type of gal really hasn’t experienced much of what life has to offer. Between Melanie, her new assistant turned friend, and Teddy, that changes. She comes out of her shell (har har nod to the tortoises) and begins to quickly discover how having these two meddling in her every day life is starting to make her want things she hasn’t in a long time.

This book has it’s fair share of interesting plot points outside of the addicting romance, too. Finding out something from Ruthie’s past that has shaped certain aspects of her life now, finding more out about Teddy’s past and his tumultuous relationship with his sister, Rose, and even why Ruthie’s boss won’t e-mail her back. Sally Throne has hit it out of the park once again and I’m not even surprised about it.

Huge thanks to Edelweiss and William Morrow for allowing me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.♥

GROUP BOOK REVIEW + Q&A: 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne

October 16, 2018 / Chelsea / 2 Comments

We are so excited to do our first joint review for the hotly anticipated next installment from Sally Thorne! After The Hating Game, this blog became one of her biggest fans....so when her newest installment became available for request, we apparently all jumped for it! Once we all realized it, we came up with the idea to post them all at once, since we all finished so quickly-in fact, we devoured it! Here are all of our reviews in one...and a Q & A to further show our thoughts side by side. We hope you enjoy it! 🙂 -Chelsea

GROUP BOOK REVIEW + Q&A: 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Crush: a strong and often short-lived infatuation, particularly for someone beyond your reach…

… If Darcy Barrett hadn’t met her dream man when she was eight years old, the rest of the male population wouldn’t be such a let-down. No one measures up to Tom Valeska, aka the best man on Earth, not in looks, brain or heart. Even worse is the knowledge that her twin brother Jamie saw him first, and claimed him forever as his best friend.

Tom’s off limits and loyal to her brother, 99%. One percent of Tom has had to be enough for Darcy, and her adoration has been sustained by his shy kindness. And if she’s honest, his tight t-shirts.

Now Darcy’s got three months left to get her life together before her twin insists on selling the tumble-down cottage they inherited from their grandmother. By night, she’s working in a seedy bar, shooting down lame pickups from bikers. By day, she’s sewing underwear for her best friend and wasting her award-winning photography skills on website shots of pens and novelty mugs. She’s enjoying living the messy life, and a glass of wine or ten… until that one night, when she finds a six-foot-six perfect package on her porch.

Tom’s here, he’s bearing power tools—and he’s single for the first time in a decade.

As a house flipper extraordinaire, Tom has been dispatched by Jamie to give the cottage a drastic facelift that will result in a ton of cash. Darcy doesn’t appreciate Tom’s unsentimental approach to knocking down walls, and he really, really doesn’t approve of her current burnout boyfriend. They can’t be in the same room together without sparks flying- and it’s not the faulty wiring. One bedroom wall separates them at night, and even that’s looking flimsy.

Will Tom ever see Darcy as anything other than a little-sister obstacle to get around? And can she stand up to her most formidable opponent—her twin? This time around, she’s determined to make Tom Valeska 99 percent hers, and he’s never managed to say no to her yet…

REVIEWS:

**ARC received via Edelweiss (THANK YOU BABY JESUS!) by Chelsea, Arielle, and Cassie in exchange for an honest review***

Chelsea’s Review (5 Stars):

There are moments in your life that truly define you as a person, moments that are far and few between but, when it happens, you just know it changes/changed you for the better. For me, dramatic as I am, I find it transcendent when I discover an author who can make me smile in the worst of times, who I will obsess and stalk and wait for in the wings until they announce and/or produce another work. I have found lately that perhaps my busy schedule and tiredness can affect how I feel about a book, so I cherish these moments (that rarely happen lately).

Patty is a shiny shorthaired black and tan Chihuahua, with a big apple dome head. She’s got a judgmental narrowing to her eyes. I don’t take it personally anymore, but sheesh, this dog looks at you like you’re a steaming turd.

Perhaps I’m just jaded? When you read 100 books a year (give or take), you become pickier and not as easily drawn in as you once were, seeing as you read so many good books every year. But, to get to the point, Sally Thorne is one of those transcendent authors who sucked me in the moment I read her first novel, The Hating Game. There are some books that just CLICK when you read them, that make you forget there’s a world around you when you pick them up….and her first book, and now this masterpiece, are just that. Unputdownable and fantasy inducing.

He has his first job for his own company and doesn’t want me smooching around like Pepé Le Pew. I’m the client. I’m his best friend’s sister. I’m Mr. and Mrs. Barrett’s weak-hearted daughter. I’m the liability he swore to take care of.

I’ll admit this book was hard for me, at first. And let me stop there before I even begin, because I know I’ll forget and it’s very important to get this in here-what I’m about to say [but haven’t said] is the mark of a true author. Okay-now that that’s out of the way-this book was SO DIFFERENT from her past work. A lot of times an author knows what works for them and they stick with it for a while. I get it, I do-I’d do that if I had a speck of the talent my favorite authors have. But Thorne, in her cute little way, created a book that has just as much fire, passion, and heart without making it exactly the same.

Banter. Hot, heated I-can’t-have-you-but-I-want-you-banter/situations. Working in close proximity. It all seems the same, yet it’s so…vastly out of this world unalike. How do you do that? How can you keep your same writing style, so simple yet so bubbly and sweet, yet not produce a carbon copy of your first story? It’s witchcraft, honestly, because like when I read THG, this book could draw me out of my horrendous mood and take me to another world entirely and make me want to insert myself into this story in Darcy’s place.

Annnnd there’s the elephant in the room-Darcy is Lucy on crack. Darcy was by far the hardest thing to handle in this book. Darcy was….something else. And, here it is again-she won me over, by the end. In your face, extremely sexualized (a recurring theme, I notice, in Thorne’s work), and, frankly, somewhat aggressive-but not in a mean way…just, hey, she knows what she wants and, good lord, she wants it bad. And what does she want? Well..more like whom?

Tom Valeska. A perfect specimen of a man…I agree with her here-he stole my heart from the first page he entered. I couldn’t breathe from the moment we meet him until the end when I closed that sad final page (I hate when wonderful books have to come to an end). I don’t know what it is about fierce, jealous, loyal guys, but they just get to me. They pierce my heart and never let me go-but his backstory? What led them here? My lord. I was a GONER. It stabbed me and kicked the breath from my lungs and I just can hardly STAND it. Clearly I have breathing issues, because every time-every dang time-I fall for a dude, the first thing to go is rational thinking and my breathing.

But, to be fair, he was one sexy being. Josh and Tom are both amazing dudes and my favorite thing about both books, so I can only IMAGINE what Thorne could do/create/write next time! *Fans self*.

I have to be honest, though, the writing sometimes felt…so odd. I think that’s partially because it’s a very early copy of an ARC, and, also, we’re in Darcy’s mind and she’s a rather disjointed specimen of a girl. Meaning, I think Thorne wrote Darcy how we think-sporadic, flighty, jumpy, funny, quick-witted, and it was harder for me to flow with the story sometimes. It was a rare occurrence, but I did notice it. Or, ya know, it could just be me being tired, as I am, ALL THE TIME.

This story, in scope, is a much simpler story, yet the heart that’s buried beneath is so vast. A story centered around the beating heart of all three of our main characters, it adds depth to the story that you don’t even realize until they are all close to falling apart. I loved that this book had such a simplistic tone, yet it meant so much to every MC involved. It hit you in the heart and made you realize how special the project was to all three of them, even as they fought and bickered, and even though each outcome achieved something different for each of them. I truly loved that facet of the story, and thought that it added much needed layers in the story when Darcy got a bit silly-all the better for character growth and relatability!

And, lastly, the chemistry (of even her twin brother in this adorable little threesome). They all had such wonderful chemistry that leaped off the page, making you sad and angry, and then so quick to swoon or make your heart melt. Tom and Darcy have been circling one another like animals (but really) since they were young, and the sexual frustration and tension is through the charts and so palpable we choke on it. I literally was so invested in this that I would sit and read and re-read every adorable moment between Tom and Darcy, just to get more of them falling for one another (even though they both fell long ago).

I’m sorry, but Tom’s jellyness and possessiveness sparked a hunger so deep inside of me…I don’t even care how that sounds-it was by far my favorite part of their story, besides their deep rooted friendship. And, not even in a weird way, Jamie, in this little trio, added something spicy, too. I hated him at first. I did. Like…until the end. But, like all things, I fell prey to the vulnerability of not knowing your place and the uncertainty of losing a best friend-and a sister-and caved. I loved them all, in the end. But no one ever said I wasn’t a complete sucker.

So, here I am, writing my heart out about another Sally Thorne book, aching and craving anything and everything I can get from her. Anyone who hasn’t read her last book is crazy. So I really don’t know who those people are, but say you come across this review because you’re curious: You’re crazy, I don’t get you, and you need to skidaddle and get a copy of THG immediately so you can understand what I mean-then we can be friends. I think. We’ll see-you have to love Josh and Tom, yet you can’t have them. They’re mine. So…tentative friends. But all joking aside, I truly hope that when this one comes out everyone enjoys it like me and my blog mates all did (joint review on the blog for the win!) and that it helps you find your happy place like it did for me. Her characters are just like that-addicting in the best kind of way. Just plain unputdownable.

**Quotes are subject to change by publication, so I only used a couple :)**

***

OMG I want to marry Tom Valeska. I literally ATE THIS BOOK UP. Why does it have to be overrrr??? From beginning to end, Tom had my heart and, somehow, Darcy won me over, too. Sally Thorne didn’t let me down 🙂

RTC!!!!!!!

View all my reviews

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Arielle’s Review (5 stars):

Buddy reading with Chelsea because SOME SWEET ANGEL FROM ABOVE/EDELWEISS GRANTED BOTH OF US A COPY *crazy eyes*
—
**All quotes came from an uncorrected ARC and are subject to change**

My friend Truly—my only friend from school who still lives here—thinks that women should buy themselves an indulgent weekly consolation prize. You know, for putting up with the world’s shit.

Is it weird that my first thought when I sat down to write this was “HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO CHOOSE WHAT QUOTES I USE?!”? I can’t even tell you the number of lines I have highlighted, waiting to be chosen as the best of the best for this review (I’ll give you a hint—it’s too many). So just know, that for everyone one quote I add, there’s five more in another document, waiting for you to read them and obsess over them just as I did.

“So, good T-shirts can die and go to heaven.” I grin at his expression: dismay, surprise, disapproval, and flattery, all erased in one blink. I’m addicted.
“You’re still a teenage dirtbag.”
Prim with disapproval, he looks at his watch.
“And you’re still a hot grandpa.”

When I first saw Sally post on her Flamethrowers Facebook page that Edelweiss had started to give away ARCs, you better believe I scurried my ass over there right after yelling at Chelsea to do the same. It was with a hope and a prayer and what do you know, WE BOTH ENDED UP BEING LUCKY ENOUGH TO RECEIVE A COPY. I think I probably screamed and blacked out for a second when I found out. I obviously started as soon as possible and honestly read that thing every single waking moment that I was able to until I was finished.

“You were quite a naïve boy. There are always puckered peaks and nests of curls,” I grunt, lifting a second half-empty box up. “And the women all orgasm after eight hard thrusts. Oh, Richard! Give me a break.” I write on the box: JAMIE’S FUCK BOOKS.

Basically what I have discovered is that Sally Thorne’s writing is like crack. Even though this story and these characters were completely different than her previous book, it still gave me all of the best feelings. With romance, because I’ve read SO many, it’s not often that I come across one that makes me feel every single emotion that strongly and when I do it become an absolute treasure. I also feel the need to say that even though I don’t personally know Sally, that I just feel this strong sense of proud-ness for her for this book. I know she scrapped the book she initially planned on writing right after The Hating Game and then struggled with writer’s block for a long time but Sally, if you ever read this, know that this book was absolutely 100% worth the wait (see what I did there?). I’m glad you took that extra time to write something because you loved the story and characters and that you didn’t force yourself to write a story that would never be what you wanted it to be. Reading about you getting your writing groove back on Twitter was a glorious thing to behold and I applaud you for that!

He tries to ease me with a hand on my shoulder. “Why are you doing this?”
“If I don’t do think, I’ll do something else.”
Something so deeply irreversible we won’t be able to make eye contact when we pass each other in the nursing home hall. Fuck it. That complete honestly I pledged? Here it comes. Up my throat and out loud. One big terrifying blurt.
“Are you going to put your hands on me, or what?”

Anywaysss–this book is not just about Darcy Barrett and Tom Valeska, no, it’s also about her relationship with her twin brother Jamie, and the relationship that all three of them have together. It’s about Darcy’s weak heart and Patty the dog and the house that Darcy’s grandmother left her and her brother to fix and flip and Truly’s underwear business. All of these things are interconnected because Darcy and Tom’s lives have been interconnected from the very first day Jamie brought him over to their house when they were kids. Everyone went on such a journey during this book and I was especially proud of the transformation that the twins went through from the beginning to the end.

I can’t say it. I will explode if I don’t say it. “You got the best butt on the planet.” I put the camera on high speed and begin to paparazzi his ass.

Even though the book is about all of those things, the main focus is obviously on Darcy and Tom. O. M. G. Can we just talk about how delicious the tension between them was? I could barely handle it. I honestly don’t want to say much more because I don’t want to spoil anything about the book at all, just know that I was in love with both of them and I loved this entire book so much. If you enjoyed The Hating Game you’ll definitely love this one, too.

“No one else is kissing your anymore,” he tells me in a conversational hush, not breaking our contact. “Your mouth is mine.”

HUGEEEEEEEEEEEEEE THANKS to William Morrow Paperbacks and Edelweiss for the chance to read and honestly review this book. ♥ ♥ ♥

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Cassie’s Review:

All hail Sally Thorne! She, along with Marianne Zapata, have made me come to appreciate well-written modern romances. For a girl that loves her dystopian and thrillers, this is a big switch in my normal reading habits. I was gifted “The Hating Game” by Chelsea for Valentine’s Day and I absolutely loved it. So much that I’ve read it a few times now. So when I found out Sally had another book coming out, I had to get my hands on it.

“99 Percent Mine” was a great follow-up to the fantastic “The Hating Game.” However, it didn’t surpass it. But I’m honestly ok with that, as “99 Percent Mine” is wonderful all on its own.

Tom Valeska has an animal inside of him, and I’ve felt it every time he’s looked at me.

This book is told from the perspective of Darcy, a long-time friend of Tom, who was her twin brother’s best friend. It’s clear that Darcy has been in love with Tom for a long time, but for various reasons, they have never gotten together. When the book starts, Tom is engaged and Darcy is living a bit of a nomadic life, except she’s in town to oversee the renovation of her grandmother’s home, which is being done by Tom’s newly formed construction company.

Darcy tries to keep her feelings under control, but as she learns more about Tom’s relationship status, things quickly escalate.

Get it together, Darcy. It’s not his fault he was born with your favorite kind of bones. He’s a sweet shy solid-gold human. Someone’s fiance. You’re a teenage dirtbag. Leave him alone.

While I liked Darcy overall, she was certainly not my favorite leading lady. She is strong and independent, which is great, but also very forward and lacking much of a filter. For these reasons, it was hard for me to connect with her. I definitely was still rooting for her and Tom, but at the end of the day, I just didn’t love this character.

Tom reaches for my arm but stops when an inch separates our skin. He opens his hand over the mark and measures it. He’s pissed. Outraged. Mouth open from the sheer audacity.

Tom. Freaking. Valeska. For every issue or annoyance I had with Darcy, Tom made up for it in spades. He’s funny, sweet, thoughtful, jealous and just overall amazing. I love his determination to make his business succeed and his loyalty to his adopted family and friends. He may not have been perfect, as Darcy kept alleging, but he was pretty damn great. Sally Thorne knows how to write an amazing male lead. Josh Templeton was amazing, but Tom took it up a notch. I can only imagine what the next male lead will be like.

His touch bring me relief, but also a restlessness. There are too many people in this room. They’re all a bunch of laughing, drinking jerks who don’t know that they need to get out.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was cute and funny and had great characters. While I obviously had a few issues, there were relatively minor and still make this an easy 4.5 stars for me. Don’t hesitate to pick this up when it comes out.

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Group Q & A:

1. What was your favorite part of the book?

Chelsea: If I am being honest, it was anything and everything involving Tom. That’s not necessarily a specific answer, though, so I THINK my favorite part has to be ‘the morning/day after. And, okay, a broad but extremely truthful answer is when Tom is jealous as Darcy works on the construction crew-I can hardly stand those moments…they make my heart explode with feels! Oh, and I can’t not mention the moment we learn why Tom picked a chihuahua….my heart.

Arielle: Ugh this is a hard question. Well I’ll go this route, two scenes that really stuck in my brain were when Darcy found out that Tom was single and started tearing the kitchen apart/trying to get in Tom’s pants, all at the same time, lol. Also, there’s another part where he comes up behind her and starts talking in her ear and….I just got the whole body shivers. So yeah, what Chelsea said, a lot of things with Tom, Darcy, and Tension.

Cassie: Wow, this is a very hard question to answer. I think my favorite scene was when Darcy and Tom go on a date to a bar. Darcy was kind of dialed back and they were just able to have a nice conversation. There was so much pent up sexual tension it was wonderful. I loved their back and forth, but I often found Darcy to be over the top. So to see her reigned in a little bit with Tom was a nice change of pace.

2. What moment made you immediately want to pick up your phone and text/chat about it? (Good or Bad)

Chelsea: I mean… ALL OF THEM! But I specifically remember picking up the phone because I just COULDN’T CONTAIN MYSELF during the first childhood flashback of Tom. It lit a fire in me and I just…oh man I got obsessed QUICK.

Arielle: Basically every time I highlighted a funny line or came across some scene of sexual tension so thick you could cut it with a knife…so basically most of the book bahah.

Cassie: I don’t know how to pick a single moment. But honestly, I loved the first moment Tom pulled up with Patty and he and Darcy started their banter. It was funny and magnetic and set such a great tone for the rest of the book.

3. Tom Valeska-Did he reach instant BBF status, or no?

Chelsea: LOLZ what do you think?! INSTANT.
Arielle: HE WAS EVERYTHING I WANTED/NEEDED. I’ve got a weird thing for characters who can use tools and work with their hands..
Cassie: YES YES YES

4. What was the most unexpected moment?

Chelsea: I can’t say the real unexpected moment, because it’s a spoiler. I’ll just say its after Tom says his piece. Truly, I didn’t expect that. Also, a safer and non-spoilery answer is Darcy’s personality in general-she was not what I was expecting after Lucy.

Arielle: Well weirdly enough it was kind of how much of as ass Jamie is. I don’t think that’s really a spoiler because you find out right away that he and Darcy aren’t talking. I just think I am under the impression that twins never fight and always get along (which I know isn’t true, but still). Don’t worry, he redeems his asshat-ness and helps Darcy come to terms with certain things at the same time, too.

Cassie: Mine is the same as Chelsea’s. I didn’t expect something Tom does near the end at all (at least to the extent it went). It’s not a bad thing, but just seemed out-of-character.

5. Overall Thoughts?

Chelsea: This book was just an out of this world instant favorite for me-it came out of nowhere and I was so happy and blessed to get it way before it’s even available. I devoured this book-yet read it so slowly because I had to re-read every moment involving Tom 500 times. It’s rare that I fall for a book this deeply, especially a contemporary, and the last time I happened was the beginning of the year with Mariana Zapata’s books. But, before that, it was The Hating Game. So I think it’s safe to say that Sally Thorne is an absolute favorite author that I can count on when I’m down and out…she’ll always put a smile on my face.

Arielle: I LOVED this book. A good story is what drives my interest but great writing is what ignites a spark deep in my soul. Thorne’s writing is so unique and hilarious in a way that I have never found in any other author before. I loved meeting and getting to know Darcy’s crazy personality and Tom’s steadfastness and I think it will be rare for other people to not feel the same way. THANK YOU, SALLY, FOR TOM VALESKA!

Cassie: I really enjoyed this book but I don’t think I can say I liked it more than “the Hating Game.” By no means does that mean this book isn’t good, because it is, but I missed the hate-to-love aspect that happened with Josh and Lucy. While I think it’s safe to say that in both books the characters will get together, I enjoyed the more slow-burn and hate-to-love with Josh and Lucy instead of the when-is-it-going-to-happen between Darcy and Tom. While Tom was an absolute GEM of a character, Darcy was…a lot. I didn’t relate to her and found her a bit all over the place. At the end of the day, I still was left smiling and thrilled to have another Sally Thorne book in my life.

We hope you enjoyed our first joint review post! Is everyone excited for this Sally Thorne masterpiece?! Let us know below!