Author: Sarina Bowen (Page 4 of 5)

BOOK REVIEW: Heartland (True North #7) by Sarina Bowen

February 3, 2020 / Arielle / 0 Comments

Heartland (True North #7)
by Sarina Bowen
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
An emotional friends to lovers romance full of risky secrets and late-night lessons in seduction.

Dylan is my best friend, and the only person in my life who understands me. He doesn’t mind my social awkwardness or my weird history. The only glitch? He doesn’t know that I’ve been hopelessly, desperately in love with him since the first day we picked apples together in his family’s orchard.
But I know better than to confess.
Now that we’re both in college together, I’m seeing a new side of him. College Dylan drinks and has a lot of sex. None of it with me.
Until the night I foolishly ask him to tutor me in more than algebra…and he actually says yes.
But the cool morning light shows me how badly I’ve endangered our friendship. And I don’t know if anything will be the same again.

Review

If there were one fictional family that I would gladly want to be folded into, it would be the Shipley clan. From the very first time we are introduced to all of them in Bittersweet, I knew that I was going to form a life-long attachment and love for the entire family. I actually recently went and re-read that first book and I forgot how many little snippets we see of a younger Dylan that are just hilarious. He still had that larger-than life, easygoing personality (especially compared to Griff).

Since most of the other books take place when the MCs are in their mid-to late-twenties or so, I enjoyed this one being set in college. Since I’m an old woman now with almost two kids (har har, jk..kinda) I always get giddy and nostalgic thinking back to those easygoing times. This book was no different.

I was also pretty excited to learn more about Chastity. After Zach’s book when she shows up and it’s pretty evident that she has her own story to tell about how she got the hell out of there, I was eager to learn more about it and how she was going to fit in in a college setting. Other than struggling with some of the class aspects of things though, I thought she really thrived. She ate up those “normal” college experiences and craved more. Of course I loved that Dylan helped tutor her. What a sweetheart. Really though, other than him having a filthy mouth and being this super brawny hunk of man meat (lolll) he may be the sweetest Shipley out there. No, I take that back. He definitely is.

My heart broke for him on numerous occasions because of the blame he was placing on himself for his father’s death. It’s always easy to see from an outside perspective that there would have been absolutely NOTHING he could have done that day to make his father still be alive. But he still couldn’t see that and of COURSE because he’s a stubborn male he couldn’t talk about it with anyone. I was so happy when he finally was able to talk that out with his mom and brother *sobs*.

Hmmm what else? Oh, the steamy scenes? Yeah, you aren’t going to want to miss those. The whole dynamic where the girl wants the more experienced guy to “teach her” the ways of things always gets me. I mean, how can it not? Especially when Dylan is so sweet to her and cares to make things as good for her as they possibly can be ~shivers~. Highly, highly recommend, as always.

Extra Purchase Links

Kobo https://geni.us/HeartlandKobo

Nook https://geni.us/HeartlandNook

Google https://geni.us/HeartlandGoogle

About Sarina Bowen:

Bowen is the USA Today bestselling author of 30 books, including: the True North series, co-author of Him/Us and the WAGs series with Elle Kennedy, The Ivy Years series and the Brooklyn Bruisers. And more!
Are you looking for a friends-to-lovers story or maybe even a secret baby book? You can read a list of Sarina’s books broken out by trope and style.
Need to know what’s coming next ? Get all the latest news on Sarina’s website, and sign up for her newsletter so you don’t miss a book or a deal.

COVER REVEAL + GIVEAWAY: Moonlighter (The Company #1) by Sarina Bowen

September 26, 2019 / Arielle / 2 Comments

Moonlighter (The Company #1)
by Sarina Bowen
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Only in my family could a professional hockey player earning seven million dollars a year be considered a slacker.

I’m at the height of my athletic career. Yet my arrogant brother is always trying to recruit me into the family business: a global security company so secretive that I don’t even know its name.

Pass, thanks. I don’t need a summer job.

But the jerk ambushes me with a damsel in distress. That damsel is Alex, the competitive, sassy girl I knew when we were kids. Now she’s a drop-dead gorgeous woman in deep trouble.

So guess who’s on a flight to Hawaii?

It’s going to be a long week in paradise. My job is keeping Alex safe, while her job is torturing me with her tiny bikinis. Or maybe we’re torturing each other. It’s all snark and flirting until the threat against Alex gets serious. And this jock must become her major league protector.

Moonlighter is a stand-alone novel. No cliffhangers, no prior experience necessary. Contains: hackers, hockey players, and a hotel room with only one bed.

I am SO excited to be part of this cover reveal, you guys. I fell in love with Bowen’s writing this summer and I haven’t looked back since. My favorite part is that our favorite characters spring up again in other series so we never truly have to part with them. Moonlighter is the story of Eric Bayer, one of the Brooklyn Bruisers that is mentioned in almost every previous Bruiser books, and Alex, Nate’s friend that we met in Brooklynaire. I can’t WAIT to get my hands on this gem.

Links

️ Amazon https://geni.us/MoonlighterAmazon

️ Apple https://geni.us/MoonlighterApple

️ Nook https://geni.us/MoonlighterNook

️ Kobo https://geni.us/MoonlighterKobo

Giveaway

Click *here* to find a giveaway for one of three SIGNED copies sponsored by Goodreads! Giveaway available for U.S. and Canada readers.

BOOK REVIEW: Superfan (Brooklyn #3) by Sarina Bowen

June 12, 2019 / Arielle / 2 Comments

Superfan (Brooklyn #3)
by Sarina Bowen
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Sometimes lady luck shakes your hand, and sometimes she smacks your face. Sometimes she does both on the same day.

Three years ago I met the most amazing girl in the world. We were both down on our luck. Then I got that call—the one that tells you to get your buns on a plane to go meet your destiny.

But the girl was left behind. I didn’t have her phone number, and she didn’t know my real name.

While I became a professional hockey player, she became a superstar, with platinum records and legions of fans. And a slick, music producer boyfriend who treated her badly.

But fate wasn’t done with us yet. When Delilah turns up at a hockey game, I can’t resist making contact. The internet swoons when I ask her out on a date.

She might not remember me. But her jerkface ex does. He’ll do anything to keep us apart.

Good thing athletes never give up. This time I’m playing for keeps.

More information at SarinaBowen.com

Review:

Now, right off the bat I want everyone to know that I expected this book to be great. Every previous look at Silas that we’ve ever gotten in the earlier books painted him to be a complete cinnamon roll. He had a seemingly cute obsession with Delilah Sparks and he always seemed to be an all-around nice guy (like always looking out for Heidi, letting her stay with them, etc.). I’m here to tell you that he not only lived up to, but EXCEEDED every expectation I had of him. Sighhhh

Seriously though, this book is for sure my favorite of the series. They just keep on getting better and better. I loved the way that Delilah and Silas met and how their relationship formed. It was one of those things where they obviously had an instant connection but I kind of liked that they never *quite* got to that next level during any of the chapters that were set in the past. Also, just knowing they hadn’t exchanged numbers and that she didn’t know his real name made the anticipation of them meeting again SO REAL.

Like that ~scene~ with the dare and the jersey and YES I’M BEING VAGUE BC I DON’T WANT TO GIVE ANY MORSELS AWAY. I LOVED that. Ugh and them meeting again for the first time. Like you guys I was just flailing away at this entire book. I loved their relationship so much. Delilah struggles with a lot of insecurity for a number of different reasons but Silas is only ever supportive and wonderful to her. He’s always there for her and never goes off the grid and is the rock that any person might want to be in a relationship with.

Then there is the wedding scene. I loved that we got the chance to see all of our favorite characters from previous books and watching Delilah as an “outsider” interact with them all. UM ALSO, THE SCENE WITH BERINGER AND HIS DAUGHTER. I died. Literally died. I love all of these idiots so much and is it sad that I already want to re-read so I don’t have to leave any of their presences?

This book also features another one of those crazy plot lines and scenes that…given how famous Delilah is, is actually pretty believable (though still crazy). But you know what? It wasn’t *too crazy*. It added just enough of an edge to the story to ensure that I will never forget it. Seriously, I CANNOT wait for this book to be out in the world and for all of you to be able to read it. All the stars to Bowen, and this series, and Silas.

Side note: It should be mentioned that every book in the Brooklyn Bruisers and Brooklyn series can be read as standalones. In my own personal opinion though, once you read one, you won’t stop until you read the rest.

Huge thanks to Tuxbury Publishing LLC for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.♥

COVER REVEAL + GIVEAWAY: Superfan (Brooklyn Bruisers #6) by Sarina Bowen

May 28, 2019 / Arielle / 0 Comments

I am SO excited to present the cover of Superfan, the latest book in Sarina Bowen's Brooklyn Bruisers series. I was so glad when Silas started to play a bigger part in the later books and I am dying to find out what his story is about!

Superfan (Brooklyn Bruisers #6)
by Sarina Bowen
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Sometimes lady luck shakes your hand, and sometimes she smacks your face. Sometimes she does both on the same day.

Three years ago I met the most amazing girl in the world. We were both down on our luck. Then I got that call—the one that tells you to get your buns on a plane to go meet your destiny.

But the girl was left behind. I didn’t have her phone number, and she didn’t know my real name.

While I became a professional hockey player, she became a superstar, with platinum records and legions of fans. And a slick, music producer boyfriend who treated her badly.

But fate wasn’t done with us yet. When Delilah turns up at a hockey game, I can’t resist making contact. The internet swoons when I ask her out on a date.

She might not remember me. But her jerkface ex does. He’ll do anything to keep us apart.

Good thing athletes never give up. This time I’m playing for keeps.

Excerpt:

“Would you like a beer?” the cute bartender asks me.

I glance at the pile of mint leaves on his cutting board and hesitate. “Sure,” I say. But the mint looks so fresh and pretty.

“I could make you something different.”

“Beer is great. A cold…”

“—lager,” he finishes. “No glass, no opener.”

When I look up to flash him a smile, my heart does a little somersault. Those kind eyes are smiling at me, too. “Thank you,” I whisper.

“It’s really no problem.” He turns toward the beer cooler. “You’re an easy customer, trust me.”

But I really meant—thank you for remembering. As he leans down to grab a bottle for me, I find myself admiring the strong muscles in his back. Stop it, I admonish myself. It only gets worse when he turns around and places the bottle in front of me. I’ve never seen hands like his. I didn’t even know wrists could look muscular.

Even so. Ogling him is not why I came here. I pull out my keychain opener and remove the cap from my beer.

He discards it, gives me another pleasant smile and then picks up his paring knife again.

I take a sip, wondering when he’s going to mention my show at the Coconut Club. He was there. I saw him.

He separates some mint leaves from their stems and says nothing.

I last about seventeen seconds. “Well?”

“Well?” He looks up. “Sorry?”

“Jesus lord.” I close my eyes and then open them again. This is not going how I’d hoped it would. “What did you think?”

“Of…?” His amazing eyes are studying me.

“Forget I asked.” I take a swig of beer.

“Think about what?” He pushes the cutting board aside, and his smile turns knowing.

“My set at the Coconut Club! I saw you holding up that wall in the back. Don’t lie.”

He tips his head back and lets out a sudden laugh. “I’m so busted. I loved your show, but I didn’t expect you to spot me.”

“You loved it so much you weren’t going to say anything?” The sentence sounds crazy to my own ears. I put down the beer. “You know what? Never mind. I’m just being psycho right now. This town is getting into my head.”

“Listen, girly.” He braces both (muscular!) hands on the bar and looks me right in the eye. “I loved it so much that I don’t even know what to say about it. From that moment at the beginning—when you shut that asshole’s maw? To the part where you made a lady cry.” He shakes his head. “I couldn’t look away. And I never wanted it to end.”

I give him a slow blink, just trying to take that in. It’s so much more than I was even hoping to hear.

“Shit, Delilah. If that set doesn’t win you whatever contract you’re looking for, they don’t even deserve you.”

Something warm and unfamiliar settles into the center of my belly. “That might be the nicest thing anyone ever said to me. Which only means you’re still trying to get my phone number.”

He laughs immediately. “Can’t both things be true? Both my musical assessment and my interest in your evening plans?”

“Because you know so much about music.” I flip my hair and take another sip of beer.

“Look. I don’t know shit about music. But I know plenty about talent.” He leans down on a set of forearms I shouldn’t be noticing. “I know that talent sometimes takes a nap at just the wrong moment, but it never stays asleep for long. I also know that luck matters, too. If they don’t give you what you want, it won’t be your fucking fault.”

“Thank you,” I say quietly.

But he’s not done. “I saw something else valuable the other night. You’re good in the clinch. And that counts for double, I swear to God.”

“The clinch?”

“Yeah. You’re not just good at practice.” He pauses, wrinkling up his interesting nose. “What word would a musician use? Okay—you’re not a rehearsal musician. That stage was like your home. Either that or you fake it really well. That’s going to pay your rent someday, I promise.”

“Wow.” It’s like he looked right into my terrified little soul and found the very thing I needed to hear. Those beautiful eyes of his are practically burning me right now, so I have to look away. “Thank you. Really. I really needed that pep talk.”

I make the mistake of looking up at him again, and, for a split second, I see pure yearning. It’s like our souls vibrate at exactly the same frequency. And I have no idea what to do with that.

Giveaway:

Be the first to read! Three winners (US or Canada) will win early signed paperback copies of Superfan!

Enter here: https://geni.us/SuperfanGiveaway

Superfan will be available for purchase on June 25th, 2019!