tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83715898450174608212024-03-19T00:21:50.206-07:00Jen in BooklandJen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.comBlogger1661125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371589845017460821.post-49975388529008772592020-01-01T05:00:00.000-08:002020-01-01T05:00:02.947-08:00Best of 2019If any of you are following along then you may have noticed that 2019 was not the most consistent year for me. I have been posting less and less and I finally came to the conclusion that I need a break. A break from writing reviews. A break from reading things I have to read to review. A break from being on a schedule and blogging, at least for a bit. I will still update my Goodreads with ratings for books I read, maybe a line or two about the book, but I need a break. I need to not have the stress of getting things read and posted and all of that. It has become something I don't enjoy so if I am ever going to get back on the blogging train I need a break. So I am not sure I will be posting in 2020. I will see how it goes. Life got super crazy (in a good way!) in 2019 so I also haven't had or wanted to carve out the time to blog. I am still reading books by authors I love, but this way I also can fit in more books by new to me authors. Or read what I feel like, what I am in the mood for, instead of what I have to read. On that note I decided to make a best of 2019 list, though not as long as normal. Just some books I want to highlight as they were really great reads. Here we go in no particular order - my favorite reads of 2019!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #838383; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QjADbqaWARM/XbLC5PtpDsI/AAAAAAABLIs/3gixLSpp0ikJRLuoXqHEWH-fpEVmxO1IwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/16130549._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; display: inline-block; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QjADbqaWARM/XbLC5PtpDsI/AAAAAAABLIs/3gixLSpp0ikJRLuoXqHEWH-fpEVmxO1IwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/16130549._SY475_.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: inherit; max-width: 100%;" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #838383; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;">
Available on</div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #838383; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/2Na1Cpz" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00A6CCF0K?notRedirectToSDP=1&ref_=dbs_pwh_calw_1&storeType=ebooks" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16130549-doctor-sleep" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #838383; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #838383; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.jeninbookland.com/2019/11/review-doctor-sleep-shining-2-by.html" target="_blank">Doctor Sleep</a> was so much fun! I didn't realize it was a sequel to <i>The Shining</i> until I saw the trailer for the movie and then I knew I needed to read it. Not so much horror for me, more revenge thriller, but I loved it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #838383; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #838383; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #838383; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g7nwUzVfD3A/XXfKN0v3PpI/AAAAAAABF0Q/y-8ckwPzMbs7GY-5jZ1NJoEmFJ3NfyGLACLcBGAs/s1600/22030557._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; display: inline-block; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g7nwUzVfD3A/XXfKN0v3PpI/AAAAAAABF0Q/y-8ckwPzMbs7GY-5jZ1NJoEmFJ3NfyGLACLcBGAs/s400/22030557._SY475_.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: inherit; max-width: 100%;" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Available on</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/2NTHee9" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00K1PDIYY?ref_=dbs_pwh_calw_6&storeType=ebooks" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22030557-when-girlfriends-find-love" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I FINALLY got around to reading Savannah Page and boy am I glad I did! I loved her <i>When Girlfriends</i> series (especially this last one! I thought they kept getting better and better!) and her standalone were amazing as well. Really lovely stories of friends and family and everything they entail. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g-RtxMkp_hE/XLSOWufMOhI/AAAAAAABFJs/GxX6OEGC1kIdyO5EW8Wa9OYS7r8PPHU7gCLcBGAs/s1600/40785611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; display: inline-block; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g-RtxMkp_hE/XLSOWufMOhI/AAAAAAABFJs/GxX6OEGC1kIdyO5EW8Wa9OYS7r8PPHU7gCLcBGAs/s400/40785611.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: inherit; max-width: 100%;" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Available on</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/2KNEhMC" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/Princess-Trap-Interracial-Romance-British-ebook/dp/B079K8MFJD/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1107TE5YD7VP8&keywords=the+princess+trap+talia+hibbert&qid=1555336771&s=gateway&sprefix=princess+trap+t%2Caps%2C220&sr=8-1" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40785611-the-princess-trap?ac=1&from_search=true" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Okay so I think the cover for <a href="http://www.jeninbookland.com/2019/05/review-princess-trap-dirty-british.html" target="_blank">The Princess Trap</a> is hilarious, but not in a good way. I never would have picked up this book to read if not for it being chosen for a book club, but I am so glad I did! I really enjoyed this story, it was so fun and I can't wait to read more from this author! She is definitely high up on my to-read list for 2020! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NQx3jc8hyso/XLYAihVRj3I/AAAAAAABFKE/Q-OYC5oo6BciYJ2-FHdXEhYYeODZncPEgCLcBGAs/s1600/43190996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; display: inline-block; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NQx3jc8hyso/XLYAihVRj3I/AAAAAAABFKE/Q-OYC5oo6BciYJ2-FHdXEhYYeODZncPEgCLcBGAs/s400/43190996.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: inherit; max-width: 100%;" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Now available on</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/2XjW3se" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/ROCKSTAR-Lauren-Rowe/dp/1732670439/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?crid=1QF3TF3Q1GC4B&keywords=rockstar+lauren+rowe&qid=1555431615&s=gateway&sprefix=rockstar+lau%2Cdigital-text%2C217&sr=8-1-fkmrnull" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43190996-rockstar?ac=1&from_search=true" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It is no secret that I love Lauren Layne, but she blew it out of the park with <a href="http://www.jeninbookland.com/2019/04/release-day-review-rockstar-by-lauren.html" target="_blank">Rockstar</a>. This is the last of the Morgan Brothers books and it made me want to go back and re-read all of the prior books (which to me is the mark of a truly great ending to a series)!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Om_bnoi2fhM/XKIhr5Q6_WI/AAAAAAABE78/R45uypDKF8k6Vk35Db4XTd9NvlSxQlwRQCLcBGAs/s1600/33259027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; display: inline-block; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="278" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Om_bnoi2fhM/XKIhr5Q6_WI/AAAAAAABE78/R45uypDKF8k6Vk35Db4XTd9NvlSxQlwRQCLcBGAs/s400/33259027.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: inherit; max-width: 100%;" width="233" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Available on</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/2I78J11" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B01N5BWIBA/ref=x_gr_w_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_bb_de-21&linkCode=ur2&camp=1638&creative=6742" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33259027-the-duchess-deal?ac=1&from_search=true" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Tessa Dare is another one I want to read more of in 2020. Her books are so much fun and I really enjoy them so much!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now these next 3 are my top top reads of 2019. I LOVED them. My 5 star reads, which if you know me you know I don't give out 5 stars very often. But these books deserved it. I loved them so very much and I will re-read them again and again and again. Without further ado my top top reads!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<img height="400" src="https://ssp2017.files.wordpress.com/2019/02/lop_motion.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: inherit; max-width: 100%;" width="264" /></div>
<div>
Now available on</div>
<div>
<a href="https://amzn.to/2MZCHoe" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07JZ6Z272/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=s00f1-20&linkId=bf753222c3868724e60fbcf67b0799b3&language=en_US" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30315695-motion?ac=1&from_search=true" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>The Laws of Physics </i>series by Penny Reid. Oh, this series. The first book ends on such a cliffhanger and you know book 2 may be rough, but my heart! I felt all the feels through the whole thing and I adored how the author wrote this story. How it didn't go where I thought it would go. How Abram and Mona were everything. I loved this story so so much and I couldn't put it down. Luckily for you if you haven't read it yet all of them are out now so you don't have to wait to see what happens next. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WrQnjtrGQk0/Xa2YcPFNTsI/AAAAAAABLG0/OX2YsGT3yZg9fdyU-R30nQTf0KG0lvaBACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/48357745._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; display: inline-block; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="297" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WrQnjtrGQk0/Xa2YcPFNTsI/AAAAAAABLG0/OX2YsGT3yZg9fdyU-R30nQTf0KG0lvaBACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/48357745._SY475_.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: inherit; max-width: 100%;" width="250" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Available on </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/33YKFW3" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/Sticking-Script-Cipher-Office-Book-ebook/dp/B07Z6R4SWP/ref=pd_sbs_351_1/131-6289740-1855514?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07Z6R4SWP&pd_rd_r=63014d7a-cac6-46cc-9d0f-864f7066feca&pd_rd_w=7GSMr&pd_rd_wg=tlWHq&pf_rd_p=52b7592c-2dc9-4ac6-84d4-4bda6360045e&pf_rd_r=TEMQRDZJ4JKART2WP5RA&psc=1&refRID=TEMQRDZJ4JKART2WP5RA" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48357745-sticking-to-the-script" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="http://www.jeninbookland.com/2019/10/review-sticking-to-script-cipher-office.html" target="_blank">Sticking to the Script</a> is one that I did not expect to enjoy as much as I did. I picked it up because it is in the Pennyverse, but I didn't really want to read about Dr. Ken Miles....until I started this book and then I never wanted to stop reading him! And Steven! And their story. It again made me feel all the feels, but is also one of the only (maybe only) non-Penny book that has made me tear up because it is so touching. Because a scene is so beautiful I can't help it. I am not a cryer. I don't tear up often, but this book was amazing and I couldn't help it. I just felt so much and it was so beautiful. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5SaP-BdTvIk/XIt8ZfvzJWI/AAAAAAABE5M/75Vzjhdh9lMQn2Bpz1PSfUirfcqvg6l1wCLcBGAs/s1600/38510053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; display: inline-block; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5SaP-BdTvIk/XIt8ZfvzJWI/AAAAAAABE5M/75Vzjhdh9lMQn2Bpz1PSfUirfcqvg6l1wCLcBGAs/s400/38510053.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: inherit; max-width: 100%;" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Available on</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div>
<a href="https://amzn.to/2W1liPe" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/Invitation-Blues-Small-Change-2-ebook/dp/B079SFJ459/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=invitation+to+the+blues&qid=1552645250&s=digital-text&sr=1-1-fkmrnull" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38510053-invitation-to-the-blues?ac=1&from_search=true" style="background: transparent; color: #f4a435; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And last but not least is actually a favorite new-to-me author - Roan Parrish. If you have not read her before you are really missing out. I just found her earlier this year as she was at RARE Paris and man I am so so so glad I did. I read <a href="http://www.jeninbookland.com/2019/03/review-in-middle-of-somewhere-middle-of.html" target="_blank">In the Middle of Somewhere</a> first and I have never looked back. My heart was so full and I love her stories so so so much I can't even put into words how much I love her stories. She writes such amazing characters, most of whom have issues of their own, but they deserve love too. After that first book I kept trying to read other authors, but I couldn't. Not when I had more Roan Parrish books to read so I read through all her books in a few days. Because I couldn't stop. I couldn't put them down. They are all so amazing. Her Riven series? Gah kill me now! But if I had to choose a favorite I would probably say <a href="http://www.jeninbookland.com/2019/03/review-invitation-to-blues-small-change.html" target="_blank">Invitation to the Blues</a>. Because Jude. Because he has so much going on, so many things that make life difficult, but he finally finds his other half in Faron. He finally finds acceptance and can be who he is and not feel even worse about it. This book was everything. Everything I wish for loved ones going through similar things. Everything I wish for everyone. To find that person who is so perfect for you, who accepts you, who helps make you stronger and even more you. I love how Roan writes her books, I love the characters she chooses to write, I love her stories. Love is not really a strong enough word for how much I enjoyed these stories. My friends are probably all tired of hearing me gush about how amazing they are. Because I keep re-reading them whenever I need to feel all the feels. I am so very happy I found her this year and so very excited to see what she writes next!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So there we have it. My favorite reads of 2019. Not as many as I normally do, but I also haven't had the time to read as much as I normally was. Here's to a great 2020! </div>
</div>
</div>
Jen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371589845017460821.post-54553507349927768622019-12-27T06:00:00.000-08:002019-12-27T06:10:46.492-08:00Review: Beard Necessities (Winston Brothers #7) by Penny Reid<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="https://cattyjanepa.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/20191008-bn.jpg" width="266" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now available on</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/2NEEX4T" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07KCLZ5MW/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=reidromance-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07KCLZ5MW&linkId=ce43e89cc284e60396473d6721cba139" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30315692-beard-necessities" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Synopsis:</b></div>
<br />
<i>No one deserves a happily-ever- after quite as much as the second oldest Winston brother and his lady love, Claire McClure (aka Scarlet St. Claire). Cruelty and circumstance tore them apart almost twenty years ago. Secrecy and bitterness kept them separated.<br /><br />But you know who's tired of their separation and stubbornness? Everyone. Especially Billy Winston’s family. And now they're going to do something about it.<br /><br />Well-meaning interference means the star-crossed lovers can’t stop tripping over each other in the hills of Tuscany, the catacombs of Rome, and the waterways of Venice. Billy and Claire find themselves thrown together and at the mercy of the Winston siblings’ shenanigans.<br /><br />But will their forced proximity bring them together? Or push them even further apart?<br /><br />This second-chance romance brings back the entire Winston gang, playing cupid in one last story of love, hi-jinks, and family collusion.<br /><br />BEARD NECESSITIES is a full-length contemporary romantic comedy, and can be read as a stand-alone, but it’s probably best read after books 0.5, 2, 3, 5, and 6 of the Winston Brothers series.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Review:</b><br />
<br />
<i>Beard Necessities</i> was...frustrating. Frustrating because this is one big old case of if only two people could actually talk then there would be no issues. Like seriously. I did enjoy it, but I was also disappointed by it. I don't think it lives up to the epic love story that we all thought it would be. For how much tension and little snippets we get throughout the rest of the stories I expected more. I also wish I hadn't read <i>Beard in Mind</i> before reading this because I still think the reason why they are not together is so stupid. And I kept thinking about that at the beginning of this book. Though through the story I did see more why they stayed apart, but how it all worked out was...frustrating.<br />
<br />
I usually love this author so so much. The conclusion of her <i>Knitting in the City</i> series? Amazing. It makes me want to go back and re-read all of the books again and again and again. I re-read all the <i>Winston Brothers </i>books prior to reading this so I would remember everything and...I don't think this story is as good as the others. It doesn't make me want to re-read it or the rest of the series (though I will definitely re-read the others as I love them so much). It was kind of a letdown and part of that is on me for expecting more. More than this story was and is. It is good, but not great. Not amazing. Not the best love story ever like I thought it would be.<br />
<br />
Claire/Scarlett and Billy have been apart for what seems like forever. They had a very intense relationship when she was 14 and he 16, but things didn't work out for them (that is the story in <i>Beard in Mind</i>). If you read that one you know Ben is a creeper, but it wasn't until this book that you find out just how disgusting and horrible Ben really is. I am glad he is dead because fuck that guy. Seriously. And if he didn't die well then he would never face any consequences for his horrible/illegal actions because he is the golden boy and everyone loves him. Plus he is a white guy and we all know we can't do anything to them because we wouldn't want to ruin their lives because who cares about their victim's lives. But I digress. Ben is a piece of shit and Scarlett is really young when he starts guilting her into being with him. At first I really hated Scarlett, but after reading this I understand her more. I see why she did what she did, how easy it would be for her to be caught up in this abusive relationship and why she feels like she is indebted to him. I think it takes her too long to start working on herself and trying to be better, but you can only do that when you are ready. And prior to this Scarlett wasn't ready. I think if things had turned out differently I am not sure if these two would have made it. Because Scarlett had to work on herself to be able to be in a real relationship.<br />
<br />
Now Billy I loved. He is a white knight if ever there is one. He is always trying to help save/keep those he loves safe. He would do anything for Scarlett. Anything. He loves her so much and he just wants her to be happy and safe. He was wonderful, but oh so frustrating! I get it, after so long of Scarlett running from you and breaking your heart it would be hard to trust that it won't happen again. But man these two need to use their words! If they would only talk to each other they could figure everything out.<br />
<br />
This was a good read, I did enjoy it, but it is not as amazing as I had hoped. If Ben hadn't died I am not sure they would have ever figured things out. I mean why would Claire suddenly stop feeling indebted to Ben and run off with Billy? I think that is part of the reason why it is so frustrating. Because I want a great love story. I want to see that these two would have ended up together no matter what because their love is that strong. But instead it is only because Ben died and Billy's family decided to intervene. They would have just lived unhappily apart otherwise. So it was hard to feel all the warm fuzzies for this story when I don't think it would have happened had circumstances not become what they did. Oh well.<br />
<br />
<b>Rating: </b>★ ★ ★<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>Jen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371589845017460821.post-63370012932208421552019-12-09T12:09:00.000-08:002019-12-09T12:09:20.324-08:00Review: Landon & Shay: Part Two (L&S Duet #2) by Brittainy C. Cherry<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="236" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tfhrMqhXwVg/XewHELWG4II/AAAAAAABLnU/vBviarR4m6YHGQwerKQiCUtIQXi5CvHowCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/L%2526S%2Bpt%2B2%2B-%2BBT%2Bbanner.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Landon & Shay: Part Two, the not to be missed conclusion of the Landon and Shay duet by Brittainy C. Cherry, is available now!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Get your binge on with this must- read enemies to lovers, second chance romance!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="https://thereadreportblog.files.wordpress.com/2019/12/landon-shay-amazon-1.jpg?w=559" width="266" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Available on </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/2NwlLq0" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48478792-landon-shay?ac=1&from_search=true" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Synopsis:</b></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Once upon a time, I fell in love with a boy. A beautiful, broken boy who had his own world of struggles.</i></div>
<i><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>People warned me against our love, but I didn't listen. We looked weak. Young, foolish. Dangerously in love. We didn't care.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>In order to keep our hearts protected from the opinions of others, we became each other’s secret. We shared stolen moments. Tender touches. Secretive embraces.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>It was our twisted love story, and it worked for us up until our lives changed forever. The boy I loved became Hollywood’s newest golden boy. His career blossomed as mine stalled. He found massive success as I discovered multiple failures. He made something of himself, while my dreams never came true. We moved into different realms where our pieces no longer fit together.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>In the fairy tales, love conquered all. In reality, love was the main reason empires began to fall. I always knew Landon belonged in my story. He was my beginning, middle, and end. The only problem? I wasn’t certain I still belonged in his.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div>
</i><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Review:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You know what the worst part of Landon & Shay Part 2 is? The fact that it ends! Oh, these two. This is a Brittainy C Cherry book so you know there is going to be angst and longing and your heart is going to hurt and then it is going to be so full by the end. It is going to be rough, but that makes the sweet so much sweeter. This was a wonderful ending to their story. *Note: You should have read the first part before jumping in here as it is a continuous story, not a standalone</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Landon & Shay was not what I was expecting at first. I figured we would pick up a number of years later after they grew apart or something, but that is not what happened. We pick up right where part one left off. They are still kids. Still trying to figure everything out and trying to make a long-distance thing work. Landon is working on himself, trying to get his brain right as he says, and oh, these two. It is difficult. It would be hard normally, but add in some depression and mental illness and it is tough. He has a lot to go through, things can get dark for him quickly, but he has to take the time to find out how to manage it. How to deal with things as they come. How to be happy and healthier. I loved Landon. He makes mistakes, he overthinks everything, he has some dark days but more light ones lately, and he was wonderful. He is not perfect. He wears his mask well when he has to, but he is tired of not having someone who really sees him. Of not having Shay. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And Shay? She was heartbroken and not ready to let him back in. She knows how amazing they are together, still has that connection to him that is one in a million, but she is super afraid of getting hurt again. She is so stubborn and I loved her. She has such a big heart and cares so much for those she loves. She...I really loved these characters. I wanted them to get their happily ever after so so so much. If anyone should get it it is them. For everything they went through, for all the ups and downs I wanted nothing but the best for them. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
*Note: I received a free copy of this book for voluntary review consideration</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Rating: ★</b> ★ ★ ★1/2</div>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="https://thereadreportblog.files.wordpress.com/2019/12/ls-duet-an.jpg?w=485" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Start the duet with Landon and Shay: Part One: Amazon: <a href="https://amzn.to/2VIRvvK">https://amzn.to/2VIRvvK</a> Amazon Worldwide: <a href="http://mybook.to/LandonShay1">http://mybook.to/LandonShay1</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>About Brittainy</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Author Brittainy C. Cherry is an Amazon #1 bestselling author.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
She has been in love with words since the day she took her first breath. She graduated from Carroll University with a Bachelor Degree in Theatre Arts and a minor in Creative Writing.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Her novels have been published in 18+ countries around the world. Brittainy lives in Brookfield, Wisconsin with her fur babies.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Connect with Brittainy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://bit.ly/2Fc8izo" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2Oe1m8V" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Twitter</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2Fltnc1" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Instagram</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2Fk2jKg" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Amazon</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2ThAciJ" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2Y4WEir" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Brittainy’s Golden Girls (And Boys) Reader Group</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2oK1voU" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Mailing List</a></div>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>Jen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371589845017460821.post-30803538433396311512019-12-04T05:00:00.000-08:002019-12-04T05:00:05.197-08:00Landon & Shay: Part Two (L&S Duet #2) by Brittainy C. Cherry<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="235" src="https://thereadreportblog.files.wordpress.com/2019/12/ls-pt-2-rb-banner.jpg" width="640" /> </div>
<br />Landon & Shay: Part Two, the not to be missed conclusion of the Landon and Shay duet by Brittainy C. Cherry, is available now! <br /><br />Get your binge on with this must- read enemies to lovers, second chance romance! <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="https://thereadreportblog.files.wordpress.com/2019/12/landon-shay-amazon-1.jpg?w=559" width="266" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Available on </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/2NwlLq0" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48478792-landon-shay?ac=1&from_search=true" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<b>Synopsis:</b><div>
<br /><i>Once upon a time, I fell in love with a boy. A beautiful, broken boy who had his own world of struggles.<br /><br />People warned me against our love, but I didn't listen. We looked weak. Young, foolish. Dangerously in love. We didn't care.<br /><br />In order to keep our hearts protected from the opinions of others, we became each other’s secret. We shared stolen moments. Tender touches. Secretive embraces.<br /><br />It was our twisted love story, and it worked for us up until our lives changed forever. The boy I loved became Hollywood’s newest golden boy. His career blossomed as mine stalled. He found massive success as I discovered multiple failures. He made something of himself, while my dreams never came true. We moved into different realms where our pieces no longer fit together.<br /><br />In the fairy tales, love conquered all. In reality, love was the main reason empires began to fall. I always knew Landon belonged in my story. He was my beginning, middle, and end. The only problem? I wasn’t certain I still belonged in his.<br /><br /></i><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="https://thereadreportblog.files.wordpress.com/2019/12/ls-duet-an.jpg?w=485" width="400" /> </div>
<br /><br />Start the duet with Landon and Shay: Part One: Amazon: <a href="https://amzn.to/2VIRvvK">https://amzn.to/2VIRvvK</a> Amazon Worldwide: <a href="http://mybook.to/LandonShay1">http://mybook.to/LandonShay1</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><b>About Brittainy </b><br /><br />Author Brittainy C. Cherry is an Amazon #1 bestselling author.<br /><br />She has been in love with words since the day she took her first breath. She graduated from Carroll University with a Bachelor Degree in Theatre Arts and a minor in Creative Writing.<br /><br />Her novels have been published in 18+ countries around the world. Brittainy lives in Brookfield, Wisconsin with her fur babies.<br /><br /><br /><br />Connect with Brittainy <br /><br /><a href="http://bit.ly/2Fc8izo" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2Oe1m8V" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Twitter</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2Fltnc1" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Instagram</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2Fk2jKg" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Amazon</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2ThAciJ" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2Y4WEir" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Brittainy’s Golden Girls (And Boys) Reader Group</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2oK1voU" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Mailing List</a><div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Jen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371589845017460821.post-17671451310463718212019-11-22T06:00:00.000-08:002019-11-22T12:04:53.678-08:00Review: Blindsided by Amy Daws<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="328" src="https://amydawsauthor.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/release-blitz-banner3-work.jpg" width="640" /> </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
<img height="400" src="https://amydawsauthor.files.wordpress.com/2019/05/blindsided-wrap2-work-front.jpg" width="271" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pre-order your copy on</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/33kzuXv" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07ZTVS1KH/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=blindsided+amy+daws&qid=1572556724&sr=8-2" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48385668-blindsided?ac=1&from_search=true" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Synopsis:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<i>What happens when an almost thirty-year-old virgin agrees to let her Scottish footballer best friend give her some lessons in seduction?</i><br />
<div>
<i><br />Lots of banter, awkwardness, jealousy, and heat.<br /><br />Midfielder Maclay “Mac” Logan is a loud-mouthed, tattooed ginger content with focusing on football. But when an adorably-freckled seamstress comes barreling into his life, he finds Netflix-And- Bickering with her to be his new favorite pastime.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br />Freya Cook is used to being the invisible woman with a needle and thread, offering cheeky<br />punchlines as she helps dress London’s finest. She’s plus-sized in body and spirit, and other than her<br />friendship with Mac, talking to the opposite sex is one skill she never mastered.</i></div>
<div>
<i>However, after one innocent game of Never Have I Ever, Mac offers to play Love Coach for Freya.<br />What neither of them see coming are the feelings that develop when the clothes come off.<br /><br />Now they’re both about to learn the biggest lesson of all: Don't fall in love with your best friend.</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<b>Review:</b><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Blindsided</i> was a cute read. Mac and Freya were sweet together and I loved watching them fall for each other. This is a friends to lovers story which is a weakness of mine. I love reading stories like this. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mac and Freya have been friends for a while now. Only in secret. Freya doesn't want anyone to know they are friends because she is herself and Mac is Mac. The footballer. The guy is super hot and it wouldn't make sense why he is friends with her. Only Mac wants to bring their friendship out in the open and she finally relents. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And then things get interesting. Because Freya is a homebody and doesn't really have much experience with men. When Mac finds this out one night he is there to help her. Because if you can't trust your friends to help you who can you trust? Oh, it was fun. Freya thinks she is just super honest about what she looks like and stuff, but really she doesn't like her looks. I loved how Mac would call her out on talking down about herself. He gets her to see her for her and how amazing she really is. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mac is not one for relationships. He has to focus on his career and he doesn't have time for that. He has never wanted to have a relationship...until he starts more with Freya and then maybe things change. Oh, it was a fun read. I enjoyed watching these two figure everything out and bring out the best in each other. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
*Note: I received a free copy of this book for voluntary review consideration</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Rating:</b> ★ ★ ★ ★</div>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 14.0px 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN'; color: #262626}
</style>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 14.0px 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN'; color: #262626}
</style>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 14.0px 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN'; color: #262626}
</style>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 14.0px 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN'; color: #262626}
</style>
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="381" src="https://amydawsauthor.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/daft-idiot.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Excerpt:</b></div>
<br />
<div>
<div>
With a heavy sigh, I drop down on the bed beside her, shaking my head and staring at the floor.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
“The kiss couldn’t have been that bad.”</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
“It was,” she mumbles defeatedly.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
“There’s no way,” I argue, glancing at her lips. “You have nice lips. Perfect for kissing.”</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
“It doesn’t matter,” she replies, her lower lip quivering slightly. “I am incapable of using them. I’m a wanker.”</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
“You’re not a wanker.”</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
“I’m a lip wanker.”</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
“How do you know he’s not the lip wanker?” I ask with a gruff reply. “Maybe you just didn’t have the right partner. Any man with a cheese hut doesn’t sound like he’s kissing a lot of burds.”</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She turns a flat look at me. “I promise you, Mac. Even if I had the right partner, I would be crap.”</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now I’m getting angry. “Prove it.”</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="82" src="https://amydawsauthor.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/giveaway.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Check out Amy's Facebook page for an awesome Amazon gift card giveaway! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Enter for a chance to win a $20 Amazon giftcard over on Amy’s author page!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/amydawsauthor">www.facebook.com/amydawsauthor</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="210" src="https://amydawsauthor.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/giveaway-graphic.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<b>About the Author:</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="200" src="https://amydawsauthor.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/amy-daws-head-shot-sizedown.jpg" width="132" /></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Amy Daws is an Amazon Top 25 bestselling author of sexy, contemporary romance novels. She enjoys writing love stories that take place in America, as well as across the pond in England. When Amy is not writing in a tire shop waiting room, she's watching Gilmore Girls, or singing karaoke in the living room with her daughter while Daddy smiles awkwardly from a distance. For more of Amy's work, visit: <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amydawsauthor.com/">Website</a> * <a href="http://www.facebook.com/amydawsauthor">Facebook</a> * <a href="http://www.instagram.com/amydawsauthor">Instagram * </a><a href="https://twitter.com/amydawsauthor">Twitter</a> * <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/amy-daws">Bookbub</a> * <a href="http://www.amazon.com/author/amydaws">Amazon</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/amydawsauthor">Goodreads</a></div>
</div>
Jen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371589845017460821.post-17664955851859833302019-11-19T05:00:00.000-08:002019-11-19T05:00:06.952-08:00Review: Wanderers by Chuck Wendig<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eoqJzQQGLMs/XcwaPUfR0rI/AAAAAAABLgs/7P3jJDB6GUIqv_GEsJWoWNH1Hbh-0N4ewCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/32603079._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="313" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eoqJzQQGLMs/XcwaPUfR0rI/AAAAAAABLgs/7P3jJDB6GUIqv_GEsJWoWNH1Hbh-0N4ewCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/32603079._SY475_.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Available on </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/2qboEVp" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/Wanderers-Novel-Chuck-Wendig-ebook/dp/B07JD1CH2H/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1BEJN9SF6288X&keywords=wanderers+chuck+wendig&qid=1573657165&sprefix=wanderers%2Caps%2C230&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32603079-wanderers?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=GVO4b0vz5t&rank=1" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<br />
<b>Synopsis:</b><br />
<br />
<i>A decadent rock star. A deeply religious radio host. A disgraced scientist. And a teenage girl who may be the world's last hope.<br /><br />Shana wakes up one morning to discover her little sister in the grip of a strange malady. She appears to be sleepwalking. She cannot talk and cannot be woken up. And she is heading with inexorable determination to a destination that only she knows. But Shana and her sister are not alone. Soon they are joined by a flock of sleepwalkers from across America, on the same mysterious journey. And like Shana, there are other “shepherds” who follow the flock to protect their friends and family on the long dark road ahead.<br /><br />For on their journey, they will discover an America convulsed with terror and violence, where this apocalyptic epidemic proves less dangerous than the fear of it. As the rest of society collapses all around them–and an ultraviolent militia threatens to exterminate them–the fate of the sleepwalkers depends on unraveling the mystery behind the epidemic. The terrifying secret will either tear the nation apart–or bring the survivors together to remake a shattered world. </i><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Review:</b><br />
<i>Wanderers </i>was not the book I was expecting, but one I really enjoyed nonetheless. It is a long book but doesn't feel like it. It was a really interesting read and very much reminiscent of the current state of the world.<br />
<br />
This book starts with Shana waking up and finding her little sister missing. When she goes to search for her she finds her walking down the road, but unresponsive. Like she is sleepwalking, but you can't wake her up no matter what you do. So Shana stays with her while she tries to figure out what to do and over time more and more people end up sleepwalking with Shana. Where are they going and why is the big mystery and I thought we would have to wait until a lot later in the book to see what is going on, but you don't. Instead it is more of a mystery for a little bit, but then you see what happened and how and how it all plays out. There are the people responsible, and the guy who is trying to figure everything out and how to stop it. People are getting sick and dying and he has to try and figure out what is going on there too.<br />
<br />
Then we also have the crazy white supremacist people who, because the world is going downhill and leaders are getting sick and dying have risen up and are trying to take over. To make the US a white only country because they are horrible, awful people like that. Now these people really remind me of the world today. Of what is happening. I grew up with these people surrounding me and it seems like they really would use any advantage they had to kill those they hate.<br />
<br />
Throughout everything the sleepwalkers keep walking. Them and the loved ones that start following and helping out trying to keep everyone safe. This book didn't play out the way I thought it would, but it was really interesting reading all the storylines and seeing how they all interacted. What was happening and what happened in the long run. It is one of those books that is answering what if? What if there was a superbug that was killing everyone? What would happen and how might it all play out. It was an interesting read and I really enjoyed it.<br />
<br />
<b>Rating: </b>★ ★ ★ ★<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style></div>
Jen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371589845017460821.post-82279268385615821022019-11-17T05:00:00.000-08:002019-11-17T05:00:04.803-08:00Review: Runes of Truth (A Demon's Fall #1) by G. Bailey <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yahEQE-enfk/XcwZh0fQjOI/AAAAAAABLgk/GZvbfQByYPQB7x5wNxAYO0omji-DZ0r8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/39795820._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="307" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yahEQE-enfk/XcwZh0fQjOI/AAAAAAABLgk/GZvbfQByYPQB7x5wNxAYO0omji-DZ0r8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/39795820._SY475_.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Available on </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/2QgZnUs" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/Runes-Truth-Reverse-Fantasy-Demons-ebook/dp/B07C2XN2W5/ref=sr_1_1?crid=IX0ASKI4REVH&keywords=runes+of+truth+g+bailey&qid=1573656945&sprefix=Runes+of+Truth%2Caps%2C231&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39795820-runes-of-truth?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=xgidhPZeUc&rank=1" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<br />
<b>Synopsis:</b><br />
<br />
<i>Thief. Runaway. Assassin. What happens when your rumoured name destroys your life? When the very runes engraved on your skin since birth, are a death sentence? </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Evie doesn't remember a life before she was on the streets, a life before thieving to live and killing to stay alive. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>When a royal family she didn't know anything about go missing, Evie finds herself thrown into the royal court of the protectors, and they demand her help. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Help in exchange for a chance at freedom and the name that's haunted her, forgotten. A name she can’t even read, a name she doesn’t understand. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>But when three Royal protectors are tasked with helping her, her demon ex who is literally from hell, stalking her...will Evie ever be free? </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>17+ Reverse harem romance. </i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Review:</b><br />
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>Runes of Truth </i>started out really good, but quickly went downhill for me. From the beginning I was curious about what was going on with Evi, why people want to kill her, who her parents are, what is going on. You jump right into the action and learn about the world along the way which I enjoyed. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Only Evie quickly gets captured and taken to the royal family for the Protectors and has to help them with a mission. She needs more people to come along with her where she is going so they send three protectors with her. Plus her ex-boyfriend who wants to get back together with her. And then things got really meh at best. There was all of this trying to be like she was into all the guys, but it didn't work as there was no development there. None. Like she thought everyone was hot when she met them and that somehow was supposed to translate to she cares about all of them (and them her) in two seconds. Okay...and her ex really didn't make any sense. He was all SHE IS MINE!!!! whenever the Protectors looks at her, but then after like two pages he is oh, I think you should be with all of us cause they bring out a different side of you I have never seen before. Okay...that would be great if there were any reason why he suddenly switched his mind or if we saw her come out of her shell and be different with the other guys or really if there was any character development at all. This wasn't a long read, it really could have used more time to develop the story as it felt super rushed and you were just supposed to go along with everything even though you never saw any of it happen. It was way too quick, way too simple, and not very good in the end. Oh well, it didn't take that long to read. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Rating:<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "hiragino kaku gothic pron"; font-size: 14px;"> </span></b>★1/2</div>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 14.0px 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN'; color: #262626}
</style>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 14.0px 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN'; color: #262626}
</style>Jen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371589845017460821.post-69556425966346196352019-11-15T06:54:00.000-08:002019-11-15T06:54:04.284-08:00Review: Something About You (Saint and Lucky #1) by Riley Hart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eErVIrYBOTY/XcwYjCkTvyI/AAAAAAABLgY/JXOwu1RgOGElSV3Q78AO8zK7EoomGOmxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/40571354._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eErVIrYBOTY/XcwYjCkTvyI/AAAAAAABLgY/JXOwu1RgOGElSV3Q78AO8zK7EoomGOmxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/40571354._SY475_.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Available on</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/33MwbZE" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/Something-About-Saint-Lucky-Book-ebook/dp/B07DTNBWH4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3EXOJGSI87GK8&keywords=something+about+you+riley+hart&qid=1573656697&sprefix=Something+About+You+riley%2Caps%2C329&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40571354-something-about-you?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=n7pyEnSdAc&rank=1" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<br />
<b>Synopsis:</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Lucky Tyler Holloway has never felt particularly lucky. Frankly, he's as regular as can be. He works construction with his brothers, loves his small-town life, and shares a close bond with his family, especially his grandmother. Okay, so maybe he has a few secrets in his closet, like his bisexuality…and that other thing he doesn’t talk about…</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Grayson ‘Saint’ St. Claire has it all: a dream job in LA, money, freedom. Saint doesn’t do attachments, which is just the way he likes it. Still, he’d be lying if he didn’t admit he missed his deceased parents, the only family he had... Until he gets an email from some guy named Tyler, revealing the existence of a grandmother he’s never met, prompting Saint to drop everything and drive across the country.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Saint and Tyler couldn't be more different. Tyler dislikes Saint on sight, but there's something about Tyler that gets under Saint's skin. It’s not until they get to know one another that everything begins to change for the better. But the Holloways and St. Claires have secrets, their pasts tied together in tragic ways. With the odds stacked against them, Saint and Tyler have to face the fact that love alone might not be enough…</i><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Review:</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Something About You </i>was such a sweet read. Lucky and Saint were wonderful together and I loved watching this story play out. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Lucky is the town golden boy. The guy who everyone loves and is nice to everyone. The one who will help anyone who needs it without a second thought. He is always trying to fix things for others and is fairly happy living his life. Yes, he has some secrets and some things he has never explored, but would like to. Maybe. One day. But he is happy. He has his bff and his family and life is good. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Saint likes to live his life to the fullest. He has fun, sleeps with lots of people, works hard, everything is great. He loves his life in LA. Sure he doesn't have any one person to spend his life with, but he doesn't want that. He is perfectly happy hooking up with people when he feels like it. Why not? As long as it is between consenting adults who cares?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
These two were amazing together. Saint thought he was alone in the world family wise until Lucky writes him out of the blue and lets him know he still has a grandmother. A grandmother who is Lucky's grandmothers bff. A grandmother who Lucky was trying to help reunite with her grandson. Saint couldn't believe it, his father never told him he had family, but he can't just not do anything. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was great as when Saint showed up in town and he and Lucky did not hit it off right away. They both seem to say things in the worst of ways and Lucky for sure didn't like him. Or maybe was trying not to like him as he had never been with a man before and was a bit afraid of his attraction to Saint. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
These two worked so well together. Once they got all of their misunderstandings and unfair first impressions out of the way they were wonderful. I loved how confident Saint was and how much he helped Lucky open up and be who he is. Lucky has some pretty closed off ways of thinking about how men and women should be and is hesitant to even mention some of the things he fantasizes about because that is not what men want. Right? Only Saint gives him that safe, secure place to experiment and see what happens. Saint never wanted a relationship and Lucky only ever had relationships, but was willing to give a no strings things a try with Saint. Of course these two can't keep it easy breezy and start falling for each other. It was so cute and such a good read. I am happy that there is a second book as I wasn't quite ready to say goodbye to these characters. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Rating: </b>★ ★ ★ ★</div>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>Jen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371589845017460821.post-40609744443565902402019-11-13T06:48:00.000-08:002019-11-13T06:50:57.420-08:00Review: A Promise of Fire (Kingmaker Chronicles #1) by Amanda Bouchet <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B1GBUbA1b2s/XcwWZjR4koI/AAAAAAABLgM/BTzYGe0on-c1ACFSJq_22MmZCSPt1SSZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/27015399._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="289" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B1GBUbA1b2s/XcwWZjR4koI/AAAAAAABLgM/BTzYGe0on-c1ACFSJq_22MmZCSPt1SSZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/27015399._SY475_.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Available on</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/34SrzRE" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/Promise-Fire-Kingmaker-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B01DE9I4LA/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=A+Promise+of+Fire&qid=1573656135&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27015399-a-promise-of-fire?from_search=true&qid=Gs1hWwtt5L&rank=1" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<br />
<b>Synopsis:</b><br />
<br />
<i>KINGDOMS WILL RISE AND FALL FOR HER...</i><br />
<i>BUT NOT IF SHE CAN HELP IT</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Catalia "Cat" Fisa lives disguised as a soothsayer in a traveling circus. She is perfectly content avoiding the danger and destiny the Gods-and her homicidal mother-have saddled her with. That is, until Griffin, an ambitious warlord from the magic-deprived south, fixes her with his steely gaze and upsets her illusion of safety forever.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Griffin knows Cat is the Kingmaker, the woman who divines the truth through lies. He wants her as a powerful weapon for his newly conquered realm-until he realizes he wants her for much more than her magic. Cat fights him at every turn, but Griffin's fairness, loyalty, and smoldering advances make him increasingly hard to resist and leave her wondering if life really does have to be short, and lived alone.</i><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Review:</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Okay. <i>A Promise of Fire</i>. What can I say about this book? Well...I have a lot of issues with it. It was one where I had heard so many great things about it, but then was really disappointed. And some of the things that happen? Not cool. Not cool at all. I so wish it would have been better because I am curious what would happen, how things will end up in this world the author created, but not enough to read two more books of this toxic relationship. *spoilers ahead*</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So Cat has been hiding out in a circus. She doesn't want anyone to know who or what she is as then they will use her and she does not want to go back to that horrible life. Her childhood was really not good, but she got out and she won't go back. She would rather die than go back to that. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Griffin is one of the new royals who overthrew the government from the south where they don't have magic. And he knows there is something special about Cat when he sees her. Then he finds out she is a Kingmaker and he wants her to help him. Only she doesn't want to go anywhere with him so he kidnaps her. Swoon right? Okay honestly I can get over the whole kidnapping thing because I have seen it before and whatever. But what I can't really get over is how instantly Cat is all I hate them! Oh wait no, I like him...but no! I don't! But...he is kind of dreamy...ugh. I think my issue was it was kind of right away that she was liking him even though he took her from her safe family in the circus. Even though he has her literally tied to him so she cannot escape. Even though he is big and gruff and does what he wants and she just has to fall in line. I...I didn't like that. The way it was written was not the best. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then there is Cat herself. Now after everything that she has been through, all the torture from a young age and everything, you would think she would be a bit more...a bit stronger. Better able to handle things and not act like a two-year-old throwing a temper tantrum every two seconds. Like yeah it sucks she got kidnapped, but I expected her to handle the situation better. To maybe plot and plan how to escape instead of just stomping her feet and whining about everything. I mean if I were to go through something like what she did I would hope it would make me a stronger person. Or if it broke me then you would have that, but she was like a spoiled brat for most of the story. Which didn't make any sense to me. And was super annoying. That and her whole I like him but I cannot be with him thing. Like I wish the reason why she couldn't be with Griffin once she realized she wanted to was explained sooner. Maybe then her internal dialogue about him wouldn't have been as annoying to read. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now the real issue with this story is Griffin. He could have been okay had it not been for the "romance" involving him. He is constantly forcing himself on her, kissing her and physically trying to get her to give in and stuff when she is outwardly saying no and pushing him away. Like I know he says he knows she really wants it, and since the story is from her point of view we see that she does at times, but no means no. He made me super uncomfortable because if she doesn't want you to kiss her, if she is saying no and pushing you away then you should listen. It doesn't matter that you think she wants it, she is saying no. So you should respect that. And he doesn't. Throughout the whole book he doesn't really listen to what she wants at all. He does what he wants and that is that. He wants to kiss her he kisses her. Who cares what she wants. Who needs consent? Not Griffin. It was bad. Really bad. I have read other stories where the ladies have fallen in love with their captors and been okay with that. But not when the captor doesn't care what you want or need. Not when they only think of themselves and constantly try to force the other person to do what you want. Yeah not cool. Not cool at all. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And since I am not going to read the second book I will just throw this in here about it - I thought maybe book two would be better since they are already "in love" so maybe Griffin wouldn't be such a horrible person and their relationship wouldn't be so toxic. I got two chapters in and said f this shit as it was EVEN WORSE than this book. Which is crazy. So book two starts with Griffin finding out something about Cat that I thought was obvious from book 1, confronting her about it and finding out it is true and being super angry, punching things, etc. Then he is all I CANNOT BE WITH YOU!! and leaves breaking Cat's heart. Because of magic she cannot leave Griffin, not really, unless he releases her from what she said which he won't because he needs a Kingmaker. So she is miserable and packs up her stuff to go back to the room she had been staying in before she really got together with Griffin. Chapter two is Griffin barging into her room all worried because he couldn't find her, Cat is confused and when she says how she is confused as he said he didn't want to be with her anymore he is all wtf is wrong with you??? You are my everything I just meant at that moment I couldn't be around you because I didn't want to do something to hurt you duh! The way he treated her after he told her he didn't want to be with her anymore was so so so bad. Abusive relationship bad. Like not cool AT ALL. I...nope. It made me so angry like he was trying to gaslight Cat, but I was like I can go back 2 pages and read what you said and that is NOT what you said!! It was not at all romantic. Not at all cool. And Cat just forgives him and they go on to have sexy times I think. I stopped reading because hell to the no. So yeah Cat and Griffin = toxic bad relationship. So no more reading this series for me. I can't deal with abusive assholes that are supposed to be somehow someone you would want to be with. Nope. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Two stars because I liked the world that was set up, even if the romance was not cool. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Rating: </b>★ ★</div>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 14.0px 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN'; color: #262626}
</style>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 14.0px 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN'; color: #262626}
</style>
Jen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371589845017460821.post-4800135752993594312019-11-08T05:00:00.000-08:002019-11-08T05:00:00.409-08:00Review: Beard with Me (Winston Brothers #6) by Penny Reid<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-37fxgBn2CMU/Xb7O7DQZCfI/AAAAAAABLKU/ePDHNo6Jpu0S7ugv7QhIr71S4jJOt-TPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/36268443._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-37fxgBn2CMU/Xb7O7DQZCfI/AAAAAAABLKU/ePDHNo6Jpu0S7ugv7QhIr71S4jJOt-TPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/36268443._SY475_.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now available on</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/301h4Ni" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07KCTZ1HS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=reidromance-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07KCTZ1HS&linkId=7fef609317916eb48ffe616ef7ea1b1d" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="http://bit.ly/2lzgOCt" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Synopsis:</b></div>
<br />
<i>No one is better at surviving than Scarlet St. Claire and making the best out of circumstances beyond her control is Scarlet’s specialty. In an apocalyptic situation, she’d be the last person on earth, hermitting like a pro, singing along to her CD Walkman, and dancing like no one is watching.<br /><br />Scarlet is clever, Scarlet is careful, and Scarlet is smart . . . except when it comes to Billy Winston.<br /><br />No one is better at fighting than Billy Winston and raging against his circumstances—because nothing is beyond his control—is Billy’s specialty. In an apocalyptic situation, he’d be the first person on earth to lead others to safety, overcome catastrophe, or die trying.<br /><br />Billy is fearless, Billy is disciplined, and Billy is honorable . . . except when it comes to Scarlet St. Claire.<br /><br />‘Beard With Me’ is the origin story of Billy Winston and Scarlet St. Claire (aka Claire McClure) and is just the beginning of their epic love story.</i><br />
<i><br /></i><b>
Review:</b><br />
<br />
I was so ready to read the beginning of Claire and Billy. To see what happened all those years ago. Why they are apart now. Plus see the rest of the Winston's as their younger selves. I was a little nervous going in as I knew it was going to be something big. Something terrible had to have happened to keep these two apart for so long. Something devastating. I couldn't wait to find out, but also was already hurting for them before I even started reading.<br />
<br />
Only...the big devastating thing? I was reading and I got to one point and I said no. No no no no no. Not that. I was still hopeful it wouldn't be what I thought it would be, but unfortunately, I was right. And...it was...they have not been together for 20 years because of that? That was it? I...it was so frustrating. I expected to get my heart crushed, but instead I was annoyed. Because there is not really a good reason for these two to not be together. Plus now I want to know what happened with Ben because Ben? Ben is the worst. Having read the other Winston Brothers books prior to this I always thought he was a good person, but he is not. Not really. He creeped me out hardcore in this book. Partly because he is 19 creeping on a 14 year old, and partly because he is not a good person even though everyone treats him as god's gift. Maybe that is why he turned out the way he did. Because everything has always been handed to him and everyone had always thought he was a good person so he feels a bit entitled and like he can do whatever he wants. No, I did not like him. Not at all. Which was really surprising.<br />
<br />
I did enjoy seeing all the Winston's even if they didn't really feel like their age most of the time. I had to keep reminding myself that these people were in high school or younger as they all seemed a lot older. I know some of them have life experiences that make them feel older, but still. It didn't work for me. I think the only one who kind of felt their age was Roscoe. I did enjoy seeing Billy and Scarlet fall for each other. Scarlet does not have an easy life, but she makes the most of it. And Billy is an upstanding guy. Always there for the people he cares about and he will do what he has to to keep them safe. He has way too many responsibilities and has had them for way too long, but it is what it is. I got to the end of the book and still am eagerly anticipating the completion of their story even if I find the reason why they are in the situation they are in to be meh. Billy and Claire are still amazing together so we shall see where it goes.<br />
<br />
This was a hard one to rate as I didn't hate it, enjoyed some parts, some moments were so beautiful and made me feel all the feels, but then there were the parts that annoyed me and made me angry. But after sitting with it for a bit it was more on the not so good side than good. So I will go with that. Even though there were parts that I enjoyed the overall impression I am left with is not so good. Oh well.<br />
<br />
*Note: I received a free copy of this book for voluntary review consideration<br />
<br />
<b>Rating: </b>★ ★ 1/2<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>Jen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371589845017460821.post-66484517106621052012019-11-06T06:00:00.000-08:002019-11-06T06:00:00.351-08:00Cover Reveal: Blindsided by Amy Daws<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="328" src="https://amydawsauthor.files.wordpress.com/2019/05/blindsided-cover-reveal-banner2.jpg" width="640" /> </div>
<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="https://amydawsauthor.files.wordpress.com/2019/05/blindsided-wrap2-work-front.jpg" width="271" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pre-order your copy on</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/33kzuXv" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07ZTVS1KH/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=blindsided+amy+daws&qid=1572556724&sr=8-2" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48385668-blindsided?ac=1&from_search=true" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Synopsis:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<i>What happens when an almost thirty-year-old virgin agrees to let her Scottish footballer best friend give her some lessons in seduction?</i><div>
<i><br />Lots of banter, awkwardness, jealousy, and heat.<br /><br />Midfielder Maclay “Mac” Logan is a loud-mouthed, tattooed ginger content with focusing on football. But when an adorably-freckled seamstress comes barreling into his life, he finds Netflix-And- Bickering with her to be his new favorite pastime.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br />Freya Cook is used to being the invisible woman with a needle and thread, offering cheeky<br />punchlines as she helps dress London’s finest. She’s plus-sized in body and spirit, and other than her<br />friendship with Mac, talking to the opposite sex is one skill she never mastered.<br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>However, after one innocent game of Never Have I Ever, Mac offers to play Love Coach for Freya.<br />What neither of them see coming are the feelings that develop when the clothes come off.<br /><br />Now they’re both about to learn the biggest lesson of all: Don't fall in love with your best friend.</i></div>
<div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://geni.us/Blindsided"><img height="349" src="https://amydawsauthor.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/hardon-preorder-2.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="82" src="https://amydawsauthor.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/giveaway.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Check out Amy's Facebook page for an awesome Amazon gift card giveaway! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Enter for a chance to win a $20 Amazon giftcard over on Amy’s author page!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/amydawsauthor">www.facebook.com/amydawsauthor</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="210" src="https://amydawsauthor.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/giveaway-graphic.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
<div>
<br /><br /><b>About the Author:</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Amy Daws is an Amazon Top 25 bestselling author of sexy, contemporary romance novels. She enjoys writing love stories that take place in America, as well as across the pond in England. When Amy is not writing in a tire shop waiting room, she's watching Gilmore Girls, or singing karaoke in the living room with her daughter while Daddy smiles awkwardly from a distance. For more of Amy's work, visit: </div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amydawsauthor.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> * <a href="http://www.facebook.com/amydawsauthor" target="_blank">Facebook</a> * <a href="http://www.instagram.com/amydawsauthor" target="_blank">Instagram * </a><a href="https://twitter.com/amydawsauthor" target="_blank">Twitter</a> * <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/amy-daws" target="_blank">Bookbub</a> * <a href="http://www.amazon.com/author/amydaws" target="_blank">Amazon</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/amydawsauthor" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
</div>
</div>
Jen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371589845017460821.post-15439911964287287052019-11-04T05:30:00.000-08:002019-11-04T05:38:06.304-08:00Beard Necessities (Winston Brothers #7) by Penny Reid<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="236" src="https://cattyjanepa.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/banner_bn_rb.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Billy Winston’s family is going to see him happy and in love if it’s the last thing they do.<br /><br />Beard Necessities, the final standalone in the bestselling romantic comedy Winston Brothers series from New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Penny Reid, is available now!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="https://cattyjanepa.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/20191008-bn.jpg" width="266" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now available on</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/2NEEX4T" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07KCLZ5MW/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=reidromance-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07KCLZ5MW&linkId=ce43e89cc284e60396473d6721cba139" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30315692-beard-necessities" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Synopsis:</b></div>
<br /><i>No one deserves a happily-ever- after quite as much as the second oldest Winston brother and his lady love, Claire McClure (aka Scarlet St. Claire). Cruelty and circumstance tore them apart almost twenty years ago. Secrecy and bitterness kept them separated.<br /><br />But you know who's tired of their separation and stubbornness? Everyone. Especially Billy Winston’s family. And now they're going to do something about it.<br /><br />Well-meaning interference means the star-crossed lovers can’t stop tripping over each other in the hills of Tuscany, the catacombs of Rome, and the waterways of Venice. Billy and Claire find themselves thrown together and at the mercy of the Winston siblings’ shenanigans.<br /><br />But will their forced proximity bring them together? Or push them even further apart?<br /><br />This second-chance romance brings back the entire Winston gang, playing cupid in one last story of love, hi-jinks, and family collusion.<br /><br />BEARD NECESSITIES is a full-length contemporary romantic comedy, and can be read as a stand-alone, but it’s probably best read after books 0.5, 2, 3, 5, and 6 of the Winston Brothers series.</i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="320" src="https://cattyjanepa.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/teaser01.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
<b><br />About the Author:</b><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<img height="200" src="https://cattyjanepa.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/authorphoto.jpeg" width="200" /><br /><br />Penny Reid is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Best Selling Author of the Winston Brothers, Knitting in the City, Rugby, and Hypothesis series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she just writes books. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/PennyReidWriter/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> * <a href="http://amzn.to/2lakzsD" target="_blank">Amazon</a> * <a href="http://pennyreid.ninja/newsletter/" target="_blank">Mailing List</a> * <a href="http://www.pennyreid.ninja/" target="_blank">Website</a><div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Jen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371589845017460821.post-2849460328481823202019-11-04T05:00:00.000-08:002019-11-04T05:00:05.455-08:00Blog Tour: Landon & Shay: Part One (L&S Duet #1) by Brittainy C. Cherry <div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--cszueIDarU/Xb7RM-Z9vBI/AAAAAAABLKk/Be6aGHDtd44mKoNfyPADOM9XJwW1HT6FwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/L%2526S%2BBT%2Bbanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="1600" height="236" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--cszueIDarU/Xb7RM-Z9vBI/AAAAAAABLKk/Be6aGHDtd44mKoNfyPADOM9XJwW1HT6FwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/L%2526S%2BBT%2Bbanner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Landon & Shay, an all-new emotional and touching duet from Brittainy C. Cherry is coming October 30th, and we have the gorgeous covers!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="https://sarahneedshtml.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/landon-shay-amazon.jpg" width="266" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Available now on</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/2qiN2Es" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="http://mybook.to/LandonShay1" target="_blank">Amazon Worldwide</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44894444-landon-shay?ac=1&from_search=true" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Synopsis:</b></div>
<i><br />Shay Gable hated my guts, and I hated hers, too.<br /><br />We went out of our way to avoid one another at all times. When she came my direction, I went the other. When we locked eyes, she’d turn and walk away.<br /><br />All of that changed the day I was presented with a challenge. It started out as a stupid bet: make Shay fall in love with me before I fell in love with her first.<br /><br />That was an easy bet for me to win.<br /><br />I didn’t love, I hardly liked.<br /><br />Yet slowly the game started to shift. Shay made me crave things I never knew I wanted like love, happiness, and her.<br /><br />The closer we grew, the more she challenged my darkness, and the parts I kept locked away.<br /><br />The hurts.<br /><br />The pains.<br /><br />The truth.<br /><br />The game between us became too real, our feelings intermixed, and the risks of hurting one another grew higher.<br /><br />But you know what they say...<br /><br />All’s fair in the game of love and war—especially the heartbreaks.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Review:</b><br />
<br />
Brittainy C Cherry is one of those authors that I like to go into their stories without knowing what they are about. She writes stories I love so much that I want to discover them while I am reading. Because sometimes not knowing is better. When I started reading <i>Landon & Shay</i> I thought oh...is this going to be one that is not for me. I thought it was going to be a bully romance which...I am not really into at all. They could be well written and everything, but I can't. But this wasn't really. This is enemies to lovers, but so much more. I loved this story and I can't wait for part two.<br />
<br />
Landon and Shay hate each other. They have since the first moments they met, but it is maybe not completely hate. Oh, these two really got to me. Landon is struggling a lot. He is alone most of the time and has a lot of demons that he is struggling with. He won't let anyone in, no one really sees him except Shay. Somehow she sees under the mask he tries to keep up. She sees that he is struggling just to keep his head above water. He is one of my favorite kinds of characters. The kind that has serious issues, that might think he is unworthy of love after everything he has gone through, but he is not. Everyone who is a decent human being is worthy of love. It doesn't matter if you have some mental illness or anything else you deserve love just like everyone else. Oh, my heart broke for him. He struggles so much, but somehow Shay makes things better. Makes him feel less alone. Oh, my heart.<br />
<br />
Shay is one of the sweetest, kindest people there is. She is always there for everyone no matter who they are. The way she cares about people, even people who are not at all nice to her, is wonderful. She has her own struggles, her own issues to deal with, but she tries to stay positive and happy. She has a mask on just like Landon at times. These two hated each other at first, but really they have so much in common. They are there for each other and how could you not fall in love with them? I love emotional stories. I love hurting with people and hopefully getting that happily ever after at the end. Seeing the journey the characters go through to get to that happy place makes it all the happier. Now I knew this was part one of two so I was really dreading the ending of this one. I mean I have to wait to see what happens next, but it wasn't as bad as I imagined. I absolutely loved how the author dealt with some of the things that happened. How everything worked in this story. Yes, I didn't want this story to end, I want the next book asap, but I know these two will find a way to make everything work out in the end. Because they are perfect together. Their lives may get rocky, things might be hard at times, but they will always have each other. I loved this story, I loved these two characters and I cannot wait to see what happens next.<br />
<br />
*Note: I received a free copy of this book for voluntary review consideration<br />
<br />
<b>Rating: </b>★ ★ ★ ★1/2<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4wSfbrIx0U/Xb7RLq-hcPI/AAAAAAABLKg/zTY6URciBC4yZvkgkJOXz73Ex5TNQf3cwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/L%2526S%2B1%2B-%2BTeaser%2B3%2BAN.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<b><br />Excerpt:</b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
Landon</div>
<br />Spin Seven was a mixture of spin the bottle and seven minutes in heaven. When<div>
it was my turn, I reached out to the bottle with no concern about whether or not it would land exactly where I wanted it to go. At fourteen years old, I’d learned how to perfect my spin-seven skills in order to kiss the girl I wanted.</div>
<div>
<br />Though, this time, I knew there wasn’t going to be a lot of kissing going on. More like yelling.<br /><br />The bottle spun and spun, around and around. Shay’s eyes stayed glued to the glass beer bottle. The moment it started to slow down, I watched her lips part as she quietly muttered, “No, no, no,” before it stopped directly in front of her.<br /><br />The circle began oohing and aahing at the idea that the two sworn enemies were on their way to the closet together for seven minutes straight. They were all here for that show, and I knew the moment we stepped into that closet, the door would be surrounded with people whispering and pressing their ear against it from the outside, trying to catch a snippet of what was going on behind closed doors.<br /><br />I stood from the circle and gestured toward Shay. “Please,” I offered. “Chickens first.”<br /><br />She grimaced, her thick, full eyebrows lowering a hair before she pushed herself up from the floor and headed toward the closet in haste. We both stepped inside and stood nose to nose.<br /><br />“Okay, friends, you know the rules,” Eric said, grabbing the handle of the door.<br /><br />“Seven minutes in heaven—or, in your case, hell. Have fun!” He slammed the door shut, and the moment it happened, Shay whined with irritation.<br /><br />“I can’t believe I’m locked in here with you for seven minutes. I could think of a million things I’d rather be doing,” she grumbled, probably with a pout.<br /><br />“Like what?”<br /><br />“Oh, I don’t know…watching paint dry.”<br /><br />“Well, since we’re here, we should probably spend our time wisely,” I joked, moving to unbuckle my jeans, knowing it would bother her. I wished I could see the annoyance on her face. I loved when I got under her skin enough to make her nostrils flare.<br /><br />“Oh my gosh, remove that idea from your mind, Landon, and stop messing with your belt, because there’s no way in hell I’m touching you.”<br /><br />“I’ve thought about it before,” I said, my voice low and tame.<br /><br />“Thought about what?”<br /><br />“Kissing you.”<br /><br />She huffed sarcastically. “I’m sure that’s not true.”<br /><br />“You’re right, it’s not.”<br /><br />“I know.”<br /><br />It was true, though. It’d happened once—and only once—after Lance’s funeral. I had spent a lot of weeks being out of it, using alcohol to cope with the shitstorm raging inside my head, and I was a bit unstable. If my friends hadn’t been looking out for me, I would’ve probably gone overboard. I remembered walking into school one day and seeing Shay standing there at her locker with a few of her friends. She was laughing and tossing her head back in such a genuine way, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her.<br /><br />I kept thinking about how she’d held me weeks prior and stayed with me during the lowest point of my life. She had been there—my enemy—taking care of my scars. And as I’d stared at her in the hallway, I’d thought about thanking her—walking over to her, parting my lips, and giving her my gratitude. I wasn’t used to people doing shit for me with no hope of anything in return, and Shay had done it without any expectations.<br /><br />I remembered looking at her eyes, and then moving down to her slender nose, and then her cheeks, then those juicy lips. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I wondered how those lips would taste if I used mine against them to thank her. I wondered if she tasted like the candy she was always popping into her mouth. I wondered if she dripped of the angelic sin I always claimed her to be. I wondered for a split second…considered it for a blink in time…and then she slammed her locker, walked away, and I sobered up.<br /><br />Still, I had considered it.<br /><br />We both went quiet for a few moments before I cleared my throat again. I didn’t like silence. Silence and I didn’t get along too well. “Just one kiss, Chick. I can keep it a secret.”<br /><br />“You keep secrets the same way you keep girls. AKA, you don’t—other than Monica.”<br /><br />“Monica’s not mine.”<br /><br />“That doesn’t change the fact that she thinks you’re hers.”<br /><br />I smirked a little. “You jealous of her?”<br /><br />“Jealous of her having to deal with a guy like you? Never in my life.”<br /><br />“Whatever you say, Chick.”<br /><br />“I wish you’d stop calling me Chick,” she snapped. “I hate it.”<br /><br />“You want a new nickname, sweet cheeks? I can give you a new nickname, sweet cheeks.”<br /><br />She shivered in disgust. Good. There was nothing I enjoyed more than getting on her nerves. “Not that either.”<br /><br />“I’ll keep working on it.”<br /><br />“Or you could just call me by my name.”<br /><br />“Nah, Shay’s too ugly a name to leave my lips.”<br /><br />“I hate you.”<br /><br />“I hate you more.”<br /><br />“Yeah, but I hate you the most.”<br /><br />I snickered. “You really think you can get a guy like me to fall in love with you?”<br /><br />“Yes. I’m positive, actually. People are the easiest to read, and that includes you.”<br /><br />“You can’t read me, Shay.”<br /><br />“I can, like an open book.”<br /><br />“Okay.” I reached into my pocket, pulled out my cell phone, and turned on the flashlight, lighting up the small space. “Read me.”<br /><br />She raised an eyebrow. “You sure you want me to do this? Reading people is kind of my gift, and you might not like what I have to say.”<br /><br />“I never like what you have to say, so this time shouldn’t be any different. Go for it.”<br /><br />She rolled her shoulders back and stretched out her arms as if she was about to deadlift me. “Okay. You’re fake, Landon.”<br /><br />That was it? That was the big reveal? “What the hell do you mean I’m fake?”<br /><br />“I mean exactly that. You. Are. Fake. F-A-K-E. Fake. There is nothing real about you. You’re a walking lie.”<br /><br />I laughed. No joke, I actually laughed out loud, which didn’t happen often for me.<br /><br />It was a deep-rooted, belly laugh.<br /><br />“What the hell are you talking about?” I questioned. “Everything about me is real. I’m the realist damn person you’ll come across in our town.”<br /><br />“No,” she disagreed with a shake of her head. “You are the fakest. You’re even faker than the new boobs Carly Patrick got for her eighteenth birthday.”<br /><br />“What?!” I breathed out, stunned by her words. “I’m not fake, Shay.”<br /><br />“It’s not a big deal, Landon.” She shrugged her shoulders and went to picking at her nails. “People seem to love your fakeness.”<br /><br />“I’m not fake,” I argued again, my blood boiling at this point. “Plus, I’ve seen Carly’s boobs up close and personal. Those are straight in-your-face, nips-don’t-flick fake. There is no way in this world I’m more fake than those silicone watermelons. I’m a lot of shitty things, but fake isn’t one of them.”<br /><br />“Okay then, can you answer a question for me?”<br /><br />“Anything.”<br /><br />“How many people know you’re sad?”<br /><br />“The hell kind of question is that?” I barked.<br /><br />“A very straightforward one,” she replied. She seemed so cool, calm, and collected—one of the many things I despised about her. It was as if her life was always so solid. I wished for that kind of stable structure, and seeing that she had it annoyed the living hell out of me.<br /><br />“How long have you been sad, Landon?”<br /><br />I glanced at my watch. “About a solid three minutes now, because being trapped inside this closet with you is complete hell.”<br /><br />“Aren’t you the one who wanted to come in here with me?”<br /><br />“Bad call. A lapse in judgment. I forgot how annoying you are.”<br /><br />She smiled. She freaking smiled at me, pleased by my annoyance. “Are you going to answer me about your sadness?”<br /><br />“Are you going to suck my dick?” I replied.<br /><br />“Do you always do that?” she asked, tilting her head to the left as she studied my expressions. She was doing that thing she did—reading me. Taking note of my movements and the tightness of my jaw, taking in every inch of me.<br /><br />Don’t let her read your pages, Landon. She couldn’t have even handled my prologue.<br /><br />All my walls were up, and I wasn’t going to let her knock them down.<br /><br />“Do what?” I questioned.<br /><br />“Use sarcasm to shield your hurting.”<br /><br />“There’s nothing hurting here. Look at this life. I have money, badass parties, and girls throwing themselves at me—why would I have anything to hurt about?”<br /><br />“Maybe because money, girls, and parties don’t make a person happy. I see how miserable you are in your eyes.”<br /><br />I grimaced and whisper-hissed, “You don’t know shit about me, Shay.”<br /><br />“Then how am I able to get under your skin so easily? If that wasn’t true, if you weren’t sad, why would my saying that bother you so much?”<br /><br />“You don’t,” I calmly replied.<br /><br />She did.<br /><br />She was pushing me, making me uncomfortable with the fact that she did seem able to see the parts of me no one else could. Anger was building in my chest, and I needed to defuse it before it became too big.<br /><br />“Maybe it’s best if we shut up for the rest of the time,” I told her.<br /><br />“For the second time in my life, I agree with you.”<br /><br />Shay sat down on the floor of the closet, and I did the same, leaning back against some coats that were hanging. How did seven minutes feel like seventy? Was time moving at all? This was hell.<br /><br />Then came the silence. The silence that brought out heavy thoughts. Shay could read my mind somehow, and so, when the silence became too much, I cleared my throat and tried to make small talk in hopes of shutting my own brain up. “A chicken and Satan walk into a closet—stop me if you’ve heard this one.”<br /><br />She laughed a little.<br /><br />It was quiet and low, and dammit, I’d never heard Shay laugh at anything I’d ever said before, so that was new. What was also new was the small part of me that enjoyed hearing her sound.<br /><br />“Landon?” she whispered.<br /><br />“Yeah?”<br /><br />“Just shut up, all right?”<br /><br />Yeah, okay.<br /><br />“One more minute, you horny hatebirds!” Eric called out.<br /><br />We both stood, and I took a step closer toward her. “I get you not wanting to kiss. That’s intimate and personal, but if you want, this is your last chance to touch my cock while no one’s looking. I won’t stop you.”<br /><br />“No thanks. I’m allergic to peanuts,” she said so effortlessly and loudly, causing the crowd on the other side of the door to burst into laughter.<br /><br />Shay smirked again, feeling proud of her little dig at me. That beautiful, annoying smirk I loved to hate.<br /><br />Shay: 1<br /><br />Landon: 0<br /><br />I wasn’t worried, though. The game was just getting started. She might’ve scored one point, but I wasn’t going to let it happen again. We were playing on my field, and Shay didn’t know what she was up against.</div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Landon and Shay: Part Two will be releasing December 4th!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="https://sarahneedshtml.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/landon-shay-2-amazon.jpg" width="266" /><br />
Pre-order your copy today on<br />
<a href="https://amzn.to/2NwlLq0" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48478792-landon-shay?ac=1&from_search=true" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Be notified FIRST when Landon & Shay goes live: <a href="http://bit.ly/2oK1voU">http://bit.ly/2oK1voU</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>About the Author:</b><br />
<br />
Author Brittainy C. Cherry is an Amazon #1 bestselling author. She has been in love with words since the day she took her first breath. She graduated from Carroll University with a Bachelor Degree in Theatre Arts and a minor in Creative Writing. Her novels have been published in 18+ countries around the world. Brittainy lives in Brookfield, Wisconsin with her fur babies.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/2Fc8izo" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2Oe1m8V" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Twitter</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2Fltnc1" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Instagram</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2Fk2jKg" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Amazon</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2ThAciJ" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2Y4WEir" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Brittainy’s Golden Girls (And Boys) Reader Group</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2oK1voU" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Mailing List</a><br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style></div>
Jen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371589845017460821.post-72303826848304169022019-11-01T05:00:00.000-07:002019-11-01T05:00:01.274-07:00Review: Doctor Sleep (The Shining #2) by Stephen King<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QjADbqaWARM/XbLC5PtpDsI/AAAAAAABLIs/3gixLSpp0ikJRLuoXqHEWH-fpEVmxO1IwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/16130549._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QjADbqaWARM/XbLC5PtpDsI/AAAAAAABLIs/3gixLSpp0ikJRLuoXqHEWH-fpEVmxO1IwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/16130549._SY475_.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Available on</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/2Na1Cpz" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00A6CCF0K?notRedirectToSDP=1&ref_=dbs_pwh_calw_1&storeType=ebooks" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16130549-doctor-sleep" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Synopsis:</b></div>
<br />
<i>Stephen King returns to the characters and territory of one of his most popular novels ever, The Shining, in this instantly riveting novel about the now middle-aged Dan Torrance (the boy protagonist of The Shining) and the very special 12-year-old girl he must save from a tribe of murderous paranormals.<br /><br />On highways across America, a tribe of people called The True Knot travel in search of sustenance. They look harmless - mostly old, lots of polyester, and married to their RVs. But as Dan Torrance knows, and spunky 12-year-old Abra Stone learns, The True Knot are quasi-immortal, living off the "steam" that children with the "shining" produce when they are slowly tortured to death.<br /><br />Haunted by the inhabitants of the Overlook Hotel where he spent one horrific childhood year, Dan has been drifting for decades, desperate to shed his father's legacy of despair, alcoholism, and violence. Finally, he settles in a New Hampshire town, an AA community that sustains him, and a job at a nursing home where his remnant "shining" power provides the crucial final comfort to the dying. Aided by a prescient cat, he becomes "Doctor Sleep."<br /><br />Then Dan meets the evanescent Abra Stone, and it is her spectacular gift, the brightest shining ever seen, that reignites Dan's own demons and summons him to a battle for Abra's soul and survival. This is an epic war between good and evil, a gory, glorious story that will thrill the millions of hyper-devoted fans of The Shining and wildly satisfy anyone new to the territory of this icon in the King canon.</i><b><br />Review:</b><br />
<br />
After being disappointed in <i>The Shining</i> I didn't have high hopes for <i>Doctor Sleep.</i> Especially since Danny might be an alcoholic in this one and I was not really looking forward to reading that. But I wanted to before I saw the movie so I picked it up to give it a go and was hooked from the first page. I enjoyed<i> Doctor Sleep </i>so much more than <i>The Shining.</i> They are different books,<i> The Shining</i> more like horror, whereas this was more like a revenge story/mystery and not so much horror. At least to me.<br />
<br />
<i>Doctor Sleep </i>picks up when Danny is an adult and kind of adrift in the world. You get to see a few glimpses of the time between the two books, but not in great detail. You don't know everything Danny went through, but I did love how this all played out. Why he was drinking, how he tries to get sober, how he feels so bad for some of the poor decisions he has made. I really enjoyed watching him try and get his life together and live with the shining instead of trying to drown it out. It helps when he finds a place he can call home.<br />
<br />
Now while Danny is figuring out his life in a nearby town a girl is born who also has the shining. She is super powerful, maybe even more powerful than Danny was as a kid. He keeps getting these glimpses and snippets of her reaching out to him, but has no real way of finding her or contacting her. So she is going about her life growing up and he his.<br />
<br />
There are also the True Knot people. They were the creepy part of the book, but not as much as I would expect for horror. They were horrible people who pretty much have lived forever as long as they get "steam" aka the stuff that comes out of kids who have the shining once they die. So The True Knot are not great people because they have to abduct and kill kids to live. They were really interesting to read. How they feel about what they do and how they survive. How they can turn people and what happens to them if they do die. I really enjoyed them.<br />
<br />
Now all of these storylines of course come together and I loved what came out of it. How the leader of The True Knot wanted the girl because she is so powerful, but she goes a little crazy with want. How Danny and Abra (the girl) find each other and work everything out. Really I loved all the characters good and bad. This was such a fun read and I didn't want to put it down once I started. I had to keep reading to see how it would all turn out.<br />
<br />
<b>Rating: </b>★ ★ ★ ★1/2<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>Jen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371589845017460821.post-83940108724978581632019-10-31T05:00:00.000-07:002019-10-31T08:20:57.202-07:00Review: Geektastic (Dorky Duet #2) by Mary Frame <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JgF1vd2dOgo/XbLEbxuewYI/AAAAAAABLI4/JpftECcuxQIdechZAdqnec9ImxTF3pUXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/46018878._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="297" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JgF1vd2dOgo/XbLEbxuewYI/AAAAAAABLI4/JpftECcuxQIdechZAdqnec9ImxTF3pUXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/46018878._SY475_.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Available on</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/2pNdUwb" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/Geektastic-Dorky-Duet-Book-2-ebook/dp/B07VZY7DTY/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Geektastic&qid=1571996758&s=books&sr=1-2" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46018878-geektastic?ac=1&from_search=true" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Synopsis:</b></div>
<br />
<i>She needs a story. He’s trying to escape one.<br /><br />Annabel Moreland can’t leave podunk Blue Falls, Texas, until her little brother graduates. But she’s about to lose the job she needs to support him like she promised, they’ll end up homeless wretches, and it will be all her fault. Worse, she can’t swing a cat in this town without hitting someone she would rather forget.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the answer to this litany of problems comes in the form of an unforgettable, dead sexy, cat-loving, shenanigan-directing trickster named Jude Parker. He’s got enough secrets to fill the Mississippi and she’s on a mission to fish out every single one.<br /><br />She just needs to do it without falling into his bed . . . again.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<div>
<b>Review:</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Geektastic</i> was a fun read. If you have read the first book<i>, Ridorkulous</i>, then you will get to see those characters again and get to know Jude and Annabel. If you haven't you don't need to to enjoy this story, but it is also a great read so maybe go back and read it at some point.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Annabel doesn't like Jude. No way. She is a reporter and trying to get a story so she doesn't lose her job so she decides to circle back to Jude. Because he is hiding something she knows he is. Now she just has to figure out what and not fall for him along the way. She doesn't believe in love, doesn't want a relationship, just doesn't want any of that. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Jude was amazing. I loved him. He wants a relationship with Annabel. He wants to see where things could go with them because he sees how amazing she is. But she doesn't want that so he doesn't press. He has a lot going on anyways, things he doesn't really want to involve her in as it could be dangerous so he knows he should stay away. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Only of course things don't always work out the way you planned. These two were so much fun together. I loved watching them try and figure out what is going on and Annabel trying to fight her feelings. Jude doesn't let her off the hook. He pushes her when she needs it, but not in an annoying way. More in a calling her out on her lies kind of way so that she can see what she is really doing. She has hidden behind her shell for so long it is hard to find a way out of it. They were a lot of fun and it was nice to see who Jude really was underneath that crazy persona he had in the first book.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
*Note: I received a free copy of this book for voluntary review consideration</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Rating: </b>★ ★ ★ ★</div>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>Jen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371589845017460821.post-52081320966638914922019-10-30T05:00:00.000-07:002019-10-30T23:05:35.986-07:00Release Day: Landon & Shay: Part One (L&S Duet #1) by Brittainy C. Cherry <div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="236" src="https://sarahneedshtml.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/ls-rb-banner.jpg" width="640" /> </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
You know what they say... <br />All’s fair in the game of love and war—especially the heartbreaks.<br />Landon & Shay: Part One, an all-new must read enemies to lovers romance by Brittainy C. Cherry, is available now!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="https://sarahneedshtml.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/landon-shay-for-web.jpg" width="266" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now available on</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/2qiN2Es" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="http://mybook.to/LandonShay1" target="_blank">Amazon Worldwide</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44894444-landon-shay?ac=1&from_search=true" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Synopsis:</b></div>
<i><br />Shay Gable hated my guts, and I hated hers, too.<br /><br />We went out of our way to avoid one another at all times. When she came my direction, I went the other. When we locked eyes, she’d turn and walk away.<br /><br />All of that changed the day I was presented with a challenge. It started out as a stupid bet: make Shay fall in love with me before I fell in love with her first.<br /><br />That was an easy bet for me to win.<br /><br />I didn’t love, I hardly liked.<br /><br />Yet slowly the game started to shift. Shay made me crave things I never knew I wanted like love, happiness, and her.<br /><br />The closer we grew, the more she challenged my darkness, and the parts I kept locked away.<br /><br />The hurts.<br /><br />The pains.<br /><br />The truth.<br /><br />The game between us became too real, our feelings intermixed, and the risks of hurting one another grew higher.<br /><br />But you know what they say...<br /><br />All’s fair in the game of love and war—especially the heartbreaks.</i><br />
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="https://sarahneedshtml.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/ls-1-teaser-2-an.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<br />Pre-order the emotional conclusion, Landon and Shay: Part Two, releasing on December 4th! <div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="https://sarahneedshtml.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/landon-shay-2-amazon.jpg" width="266" /><br />
Pre-order your copy on<br />
<a href="https://amzn.to/2BQhBDW" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="http://mybook.to/landonshay2" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">Amazon Worldwide</a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Be notified FIRST when Landon & Shay goes live: <a href="http://bit.ly/2oK1voU">http://bit.ly/2oK1voU</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>About the Author:</b><br />
<br />
Author Brittainy C. Cherry is an Amazon #1 bestselling author. She has been in love with words since the day she took her first breath. She graduated from Carroll University with a Bachelor Degree in Theatre Arts and a minor in Creative Writing. Her novels have been published in 18+ countries around the world. Brittainy lives in Brookfield, Wisconsin with her fur babies.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/2Fc8izo" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2Oe1m8V" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Twitter</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2Fltnc1" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Instagram</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2Fk2jKg" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Amazon</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2ThAciJ" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2Y4WEir" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Brittainy’s Golden Girls (And Boys) Reader Group</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2oK1voU" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Mailing List</a>Jen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371589845017460821.post-545170923152915942019-10-28T05:00:00.000-07:002019-10-28T05:00:05.099-07:00Review: The Shining (The Shining #1) by Stephen King <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RCPQZ940un8/XbLB8vNENoI/AAAAAAABLIg/XHnlIX3OTsIbH-8C_wN5muWdnnvlkY2OwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/6324651._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="308" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RCPQZ940un8/XbLB8vNENoI/AAAAAAABLIg/XHnlIX3OTsIbH-8C_wN5muWdnnvlkY2OwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/6324651._SY475_.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Available on</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/363KZ7B" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/Shining-Stephen-King-ebook/dp/B001BANK32/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6324651-the-shining" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Synopsis:</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<i>Jack Torrance's new job at the Overlook Hotel is the perfect chance for a fresh start. As the off-season caretaker at the atmospheric old hotel, he'll have plenty of time to spend reconnecting with his family and working on his writing. But as the harsh winter weather sets in, the idyllic location feels ever more remote...and more sinister. And the only one to notice the strange and terrible forces gathering around the Overlook is Danny Torrance, a uniquely gifted five-year-old.</i><br /><b><br /></b>
<b>Review:</b><br />
<br />
It has been forever since I have read <i>The Shining </i>and followed Stephen King. I used to read him all the time in high school, but then I started college and had no time for recreational reading and kind of stopped. I got into other things and never picked him back up again. Only with the <i>Doctor Sleep</i> movie coming out and that being a sequel to this book I thought let's read them and see how they are. *some spoilers ahead if you don't already know the story*<br />
<br />
Now...it took me a long time to get into this story. I watched the movie more recently and loved it, but the book...it was a really slow start for me. And even once it picked up it wasn't that I can't put it down I have to see what happens kind of thing for me. It was fine, but not as great as I had remembered. Also I don't think Danny was written particularly well. He did not come off as a four-year-old like he is supposed to be. So it was just an okay read.<br />
<br />
Now I really like the idea of the story, but to me the movie is creepier or scarier as it is more the dad just going crazy. In this it is like evil spirits which...I don't find that creepy. Because I don't really believe in ghosts. There are definitely plenty of scenes that are creepy and fun, but in between there is a lot of meh. It was an okay read overall, but not my favorite. And the ending felt really quick for all that buildup. Oh well.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Rating:</b> ★ ★ ★<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>Jen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371589845017460821.post-63037568645665150632019-10-27T05:00:00.000-07:002019-10-27T05:00:08.958-07:00Review: Weight Expectations (Cipher Office #1) by M.E. Carter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8KP70ptUuic/Xa2XIAWiYoI/AAAAAAABLGk/YATOUKjQglMYPpLSqg4eiV_KkAGD5s4ewCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/47189300._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8KP70ptUuic/Xa2XIAWiYoI/AAAAAAABLGk/YATOUKjQglMYPpLSqg4eiV_KkAGD5s4ewCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/47189300._SY475_.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Available on</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/32z4cf9" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/Weight-Expectations-Cipher-Office-Book-ebook/dp/B07Z6Q7LX7/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Weight+Expectations&qid=1571657475&s=books&sr=1-3" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/47189300-weight-expectations?from_search=true" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<br />
<b>Synopsis:</b><br />
<br />
<i>Rian Thompson thought she joined the gym to get healthy. Little did she know she was about to add hundred and ninety pounds of swoonworthy abdominal muscles and arrogance to her life.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Every day in Rians’s life follows a predictable pattern, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. She’s got a nice job, a nice place to live, and a nice family – even if they are a little wedding-zilla-ish at the moment.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>She doesn’t need anything spectacular to be happy. She just needs to get healthy – mentally, physically. . . and maybe spiritually if that happens. But she’ll settle for two out of three until her sister finally gets hitched.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Carlos Davies thought his life was perfect. Little did he know it was about to be turned upside down by a woman who is not his type.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>In Carlos’s mind, his life is damn near perfect. He’s got a great job, a great place to live, and a great stash of pick up lines that always work. It has occurred to him that maybe no one actually takes him all that seriously. But with these bulging biceps and thick, dark hair, does that even matter since he’s never sleeping alone?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Welcome to Weight Expectations, where great—and unexpected—things happen. </i><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Review:</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have been reading and loving these Pennyverse stories so I was pretty excited to start reading <i>Weight Expectations</i>. I also enjoyed the other books from this author I have read so I thought win win win for me! Only...this story was not as good as I was hoping it would be. I started reading and could easily put it down to do other things when needed. So...not as engaging as I had hoped. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now why was it just okay? The characters were...I liked Rian. I did. She was smart and funny and sarcastic and all the things I love. She has been told that she is morbidly obese and has to start changing her ways so she is trying to eat healthier and exercise more. Now we get to see a lot of her exercise routine which sounds like it should be boring, but it was more fun than expected. Why? Her trainer Abel! The two of them together were so much fun to read! If this story would have only been from Rian's point of view I would have said that Abel was her love interest. Because the two of them get along so well and were so much better to read to read. Really I think I just liked Abel as he was awesome, but he is not the love interest. Carlos is. Carlos who works for Cipher Security. Carlos who does not want a relationship, only wants to sleep with stupid, hot ladies as if they have a brain they are not his type. Ugh. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So Carlos was not my favorite. Even once we start getting his side and see things his way I was not a fan. He is...he has his own insecurities and is very meticulous about what he eats and how much he works out. I don't know what it was about him that I really didn't like, but I didn't. He is a bit too something. And so I wasn't super excited to see the two of them get together, not like I would have been with Abel!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now for most of this story these two have barely any interaction. They are at the gym at the same time, they had one life-changing dinner with friends, that we only get to see a little snippet of, and that is about it. So I don't really know why and how they fell for each other. I mean Carlos keeps saying again and again and again how she is not his type, how he doesn't want a relationship, how this is nothing, so why does he keep thinking about her? It was a bit much, especially when he has the random thought that he could be in love with her before they even know each other. I can get behind a love at first sight storyline when it is done well, but this wasn't even set up like that was what was going on. It was like somehow they both fell for each other without interacting much. Which was odd. Oh well, I am still excited for more from the Pennyverse. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Rating: </b>★ ★1/2</div>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>Jen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371589845017460821.post-45924608477632553112019-10-25T05:00:00.000-07:002019-10-25T05:00:08.302-07:00Review: Sticking to the Script (Cipher Office #2) by Stella Weaver <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WrQnjtrGQk0/Xa2YcPFNTsI/AAAAAAABLG0/OX2YsGT3yZg9fdyU-R30nQTf0KG0lvaBACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/48357745._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="297" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WrQnjtrGQk0/Xa2YcPFNTsI/AAAAAAABLG0/OX2YsGT3yZg9fdyU-R30nQTf0KG0lvaBACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/48357745._SY475_.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Available on </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/33YKFW3" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/Sticking-Script-Cipher-Office-Book-ebook/dp/B07Z6R4SWP/ref=pd_sbs_351_1/131-6289740-1855514?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07Z6R4SWP&pd_rd_r=63014d7a-cac6-46cc-9d0f-864f7066feca&pd_rd_w=7GSMr&pd_rd_wg=tlWHq&pf_rd_p=52b7592c-2dc9-4ac6-84d4-4bda6360045e&pf_rd_r=TEMQRDZJ4JKART2WP5RA&psc=1&refRID=TEMQRDZJ4JKART2WP5RA" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48357745-sticking-to-the-script" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Synopsis:</b></div>
<i><br />Steven Thompson had a bad year. A string of mean, kinky (the alarming kind, not the good kind), and crazy dating debacles combined with a boss who appears to be experiencing male-prenatal-psychosis means Steven’s stress levels are high. They’re so high, he’s decided to quit dating and focus instead solely on his job.<br /><br />Until he meets Dr. Ken Miles.<br /><br />Doctor Ken Miles is having a fantastic year. His hard work is paying off in a big way... professionally. But his social life? Not so much.<br /><br />Until he meets Steven Thompson.<br /><br />Steven isn’t so sure about Dr. Miles, but Ken is one hundred percent certain about Mr. Thompson. And even though both men know full well that the key to getting what you want out of life is hard work, they can’t seem to make them—together—work.<br /><br />Will they ever get on the same page? Or just keep sticking to the same old script?<br /><br />'Sticking to the Script' is a full-length contemporary romantic comedy, can be read as a standalone, and is book #2 in the Cipher Office series, Knitting in the City World, Penny Reid Book Universe. </i><br /><br />
<b>Review:</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Sticking to the Script </i>is one of those book that makes me wish I were a better writer so I could adequately express how freaking amazing this story was. Seriously. I love love loved it! I didn't realize I would love Dr. Ken Miles as much as I do! And Steven? Oh, kill me now. These two - gah!! I knew I liked Steven from the <i>Knitting in the City </i>series, but in this book? I..he...I don't have words to describe how much I enjoyed this story. Cause it was everything.<br />
<br />
Dr. Ken Miles, aka DKM, is the doctor that works with Elizabeth that if you have read her story you might remember. They were supposed to hook up at one point, but then Nico happened and he came off like such a jerk. I didn't like him, I don't know that you were supposed to in her story really, but now? Oh my goodness I loved him so freaking much. As soon as we got a chapter from his point of view I was done. He..oh god I loved him. He has this tough outer shell that he doesn't let many people see under. And he really does have the biggest heart, but he overthinks everything and when things don't go exactly as he had planned then he kind of messes up and can come off as the jerk that we originally saw. Like he doesn't mean to be, he recognizes that he can sound horrible and arrogant and not nice, but then he doesn't know how to fix it and it is not good. Oh, he was wonderful. He tries so hard, he wants to find someone to settle down with and be happy, someone who will see him for him and love him for that. That will be there for him and whom he can be there for in return. Oh, he got to me.<br />
<br />
And Steven? Oh he was hilarious! The first times these two meet were amazing!! Steven is so funny, so calm and relaxed and he loves to rile up DKM as it is so easy to do so. He can see through DKM's mask he tries to wear and really see him. He could see when he was really uncomfortable, but trying to act like things were okay. He could see his defense mechanisms and could joke with him about it and get him to loosen up and be himself. Steven has his own things going on during this story and it is not all sunshine and rainbows for him, but I loved how it all played out. How these two got together and everything that happened. It was wonderful to read.<br />
<br />
Now as far as I can remember Penny is the only author I have ever read that has made me tear up because a scene is so touching. Not sad, no one died or anything, just so happy and wonderful and perfect and it just brings tears to my eyes. And I am not a cryer. But some of Penny's things just get to me. Like when Janie is getting married - there are many scenes in that book where I tear up because it is so touching. Because people are so wonderful and I just can't help it. Well, now I have another author to add to that list because this book did the same thing. That ending? Those last few pages? Oh, they made me tear up because it was just so beautiful and heart-warming. Going into this story I didn't expect this to be one of my favorites. I hoped I would enjoy it, but I didn't. No, I adored it and couldn't stop reading it once I started. This story was amazing and is a super great addition to the Pennyverse.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Rating: </b>★ ★ ★ ★ ★<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>Jen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371589845017460821.post-30922755706260788802019-10-23T05:00:00.000-07:002019-10-23T05:00:06.542-07:00Review: Baking Me Crazy (Donner Bakery #1) by Karla Sorensen <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3UH-mT7OCD8/Xa2SOCKLw0I/AAAAAAABLGY/jDIY4Fx7H90TQo6AKKabACqxdGa9GTbpACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/48076563._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="297" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3UH-mT7OCD8/Xa2SOCKLw0I/AAAAAAABLGY/jDIY4Fx7H90TQo6AKKabACqxdGa9GTbpACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/48076563._SY475_.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Available on</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/32zKKPB" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/Baking-Crazy-Donner-Bakery-Book-ebook/dp/B07VF9SF12/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48076563-baking-me-crazy" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<br />
<i><b>Synopsis:</b></i><br />
<br />
<i>I'm Levi Buchanan, and until five years ago, I thought the legend of my family's curse was a load of crazy, Southern nonsense.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>No curse can make you fall in love at first sight. No curse can force a true, deep, passionate, all-consuming love that will haunt you all the days of your life.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Then I met Jocelyn Abernathy and I realized how completely wrong I was.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The problem is, Jocelyn guards her feelings like well-armed soldier. She's the most beautiful, stubborn, infuriating woman I've ever met. Every time she talks, I want to kiss the living daylights out of her. But I can't.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Because when we met, she didn't need true love. She needed a best friend. And that's what I've been to her... for five years.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>But when Jocelyn meets a handsome stranger her first day working at Donner Bakery and she lets him buy her a dill pickle cupcake, I realize with ominous regret that I may have missed my window with my best friend.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>If I can't get her to see past our friendship, my new curse may be to watch the love of my life move on with someone else.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>'Baking Me Crazy' is a full-length contemporary romantic comedy, can be read as a standalone, and is book#1 in the Donner Bakery series, Green Valley World, Penny Reid Book Universe.</i><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Review:</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyone who follows me knows I love Penny Reid so when she announced she was opening up her universe to other authors I was super duper excited. I mean more glimpses of the characters I know and love plus you get to know even more characters in the same world? What is not to love? <i>Baking Me Crazy </i>was the first release and oh my goodness did I love it! It was so much fun and I loved meeting more people in Green Valley. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Levi was always told that when he met the person for him he would know it. He would fall in love at first sight, but he never really believed it. I mean that is just some story his family likes to tell right? But then he meets Joss and he knows how wrong he was. Because his heart is hers right from the start, only she is not in a place to accept it. She is not really thinking about dating and love and all of that because of some things going on with her so when he asks her out she asks to be friends. Which is fine with Levi because he is so sweet and kind and caring. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When they first meet Joss is not ready for love, but she is in need of a friend as she doesn't really have any. So Joss and Levi become best friends. They are inseparable and Levi is happy being friends with her, at least he has her in his life. He would do anything for her and maybe one day she will see him as more than a friend.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
Now I loved how this story played out. How after years of being friends Joss finally starts thinking about dating. Not Levi at first, but once he sees she could be ready for more he is ready to try and make her his. There were a few things that at first I wasn't sure about, but how the author wrote this, how everything worked out was so perfect. I loved it. So so much. Joss and Levi are perfect for each other and I am so so happy they figure everything out in the end. And now I can't wait to read the rest of the books as this was so much fun!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Rating: </b>★ ★ ★ ★1/2</div>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>Jen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371589845017460821.post-66104755336333840532019-10-21T05:00:00.000-07:002019-10-21T05:00:14.779-07:00Review: When Girlfriends Find Love (When Girlfriends #7) by Savannah Page<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g7nwUzVfD3A/XXfKN0v3PpI/AAAAAAABF0Q/y-8ckwPzMbs7GY-5jZ1NJoEmFJ3NfyGLACLcBGAs/s1600/22030557._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g7nwUzVfD3A/XXfKN0v3PpI/AAAAAAABF0Q/y-8ckwPzMbs7GY-5jZ1NJoEmFJ3NfyGLACLcBGAs/s400/22030557._SY475_.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Available on</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/2NTHee9" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00K1PDIYY?ref_=dbs_pwh_calw_6&storeType=ebooks" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22030557-when-girlfriends-find-love" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<br />
<b>Synopsis:</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>A novel about friendship, love, and following your heart.<br /><br />Sophie Wharton is in control. Whether life is going according to plan or throwing her for a loop, Sophie is determined to remain calm and in charge. It's no wonder she's the successful owner of one of Seattle's most charming cafés, The Cup and the Cake. Her lemon meringue cupcakes, petite French treats, and cappuccinos always leave customers coming back for more. Naturally, her camaraderie of college girlfriends are still thick as thieves a decade later. And it should come as no surprise that she has her own cozy apartment in the hip part of town and grand goals for her future.<br /><br />Of course Sophie has had her share of rough times, and recently some unexpected surprises have emerged. Her best friend Claire has moved across the state, the demands of her café are mounting, and some major changes among her circle of friends are shaking things up. But it's nothing Sophie can't handle.<br /><br />When it comes to her love life, however, Single Sophie's at a loss. She approaches it the way she does nearly everything in life--by trying to call all the shots. But love doesn't work that way, and as Sophie examines her past relationships--thinking back on romantic trysts in Paris; college mistakes; the relationship responsible for the Year of Heartbreak--she must come to accept that love is an unpredictable, untamable, and often unexpected force.<br /><br />This is the witty and heartwarming conclusion of the When Girlfriends collection, a novel about examining the past, moving forward, and following your heart. It's a story about friendship, relationships, acceptance, and learning to love again. About what happens when girlfriends find love.</i><br />
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Review:</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>When Girlfriends Find Love</i> was such a bittersweet read for me. Bittersweet because I am loving this series, but it is also the last book. I think this is probably my favorite in the series because it is so...everything. It is a wonderful read, you get to see how all the girlfriends end up and see Sophie finally get her happily ever after. She started the series off with heartbreak and now we get to see her happy. I loved it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sophie has not had a date in a while. She always used her new cafe as an excuse, but things are going well there now. And her girlfriends are still as close as ever even if some of them have moved away for different reasons. She likes being in control and knowing what is going to happen when, but love doesn't work that way. Seeing all of her friends find love, find someone to be with and share their lives with, makes her wistful for the same thing. To find that person who can be hers. And it makes her reflect on her romantic past. On the people who came into her life at different times and see if she can figure this love thing out. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I really enjoyed seeing what happened these past few years with Sophie that we didn't know about. She thinks back on her relationship with Brandon, the guy from the first book who cheated on her and how rough that was. She thinks back on her times in Paris and the guys that have been in her life since Brandon. I knew going into this story I was hoping for one outcome, but it was interesting to read what she was thinking and feeling at different points. I was surprised by some of it, and for Sophie who always tries to be so logical about everything figuring out sometimes love isn't logical. I loved reading this story and it made me so sad that this great series is over. I didn't want it to end. I wanted to keep reading about this group of girlfriends and where life goes for them. Sophie is such a sweetheart, but she can be really stubborn and doesn't always know what she wants. I wanted the world for her and am glad to see everything working out how it should. This was such a great story. I want to go back and read it all over again because this journey to find love was beautiful. These girlfriends are such a wonderful group of friends. Anyone would be so lucky to have such amazing, caring, kind, supportive people in your life. To have a group of friends like this that is always there for you no matter what. I loved this series and am so sad it is over. I guess I will have to re-read them when I want my girlfriend kick. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Rating: </b>★ ★ ★ ★1/2</div>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>Jen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371589845017460821.post-29297256073900185202019-10-18T05:00:00.000-07:002019-10-18T05:00:00.295-07:00Review: When Girlfriends Let Go (When Girlfriends #6) by Savannah Page<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wKZP8JQ5Izo/XXfHQN7G79I/AAAAAAABF0E/MvqCWrfJv14J3m4YFgeeXrAao3b0zbszQCLcBGAs/s1600/20411041._SX318_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="318" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wKZP8JQ5Izo/XXfHQN7G79I/AAAAAAABF0E/MvqCWrfJv14J3m4YFgeeXrAao3b0zbszQCLcBGAs/s400/20411041._SX318_.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Available on</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/2NTv3OB" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00HFASG4A?ref_=dbs_pwh_calw_5&storeType=ebooks" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20411041-when-girlfriends-let-go" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<br />
<b>Synopsis:</b><br />
<i><br />A novel about love, self-discovery, and realizing sometimes you have to let go.<br /><br />Jackie Kittredge is the consummate drama queen living the charmed life. She's enthusiastic, outspoken, and is always looking for a good time. At twenty-seven she's got a swanky Seattle townhouse, a wealthy husband, a designer wardrobe, the best of girlfriends, and a calendar filled not with meetings and deadlines, but spa appointments and happy hour reminders. On the outside, she's got it all.<br /><br />On the inside, though, Jackie's charmed life isn't as it seems. She's seeing a therapist, battling the demons of coming from a broken home and a past of promiscuity and heavy drinking. She can be selfish and demanding, sometimes even wearing her best friends thin. And now her marriage--what she thought could be her solid foundation--is on the rocks. Her husband Andrew spends nearly all his time at the office (and possibly with his secretary), and apologizes for his absence with lavish gifts and empty promises.<br /><br />Miserable and desperate, Jackie questions if her marriage is worth fighting for. Then a string of events begins to put things into perspective...into a perspective she didn't quite anticipate. With her best friends by her side and some tough love, Jackie finds herself not only asking if she's where she belongs, but if she's who she's supposed to be.<br /><br />This is a passionate story about having to answer some of life's most important and difficult questions. It's a story about fear, courage, and personal growth. About what happens when girlfriends let go.</i><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Review:</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Oh, Jackie. You are a mess and the girlfriend I was most looking forward to reading. Jackie is married, she found the love of her life, only things aren't working out the way she had thought. She is still lonely and tired and doesn't know what to do to make things better. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I loved reading Jackie's story. I can totally see why you might not, she is a mess and even though she is going to therapy she still has a ton of issues. She is immature and acts like a kid and hasn't had to be a responsible adult in a long time so she never really learns. Her girlfriends love her, but some of them enable her and my heart did break for her at times. She wants that loving, fun, happy marriage that she thought she would get, only her husband works all the time. He travels a lot for work leaving her home alone with fancy new bobbles to try and keep her happy. Only that doesn't work after a while. And Jackie gets tired of the ups and downs. The highs and lows of her marriage. It seems like no matter what she does she is never a priority for her husband. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now man, Andrew, her husband, must really love her. And her girlfriends. Because Jackie would have driven me crazy at times and I am honestly not sure if I would be friends with her. Because she can definitely be too much and too insecure and too demanding of your time. But I get it and I loved watching her grow and figure things out. I loved watching her put her life in order and become the person she wants to be. It is not an easy road, but when you put in the effort it can pay off in the end. Jackie was the mess of the group, the one who would get in one crazy predicament after another, but she is super lucky she has so many people who love her that are there for her to count on when she needs them. I have been waiting for Jackie's story, wanting to see what would happen with her, and I was not disappointed. Such a great read. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Rating:</b> ★ ★ ★ ★1/2</div>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>Jen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371589845017460821.post-83764074104570448732019-10-16T06:00:00.000-07:002019-10-16T06:00:07.187-07:00Cover Reveal: Landon & Shay (L&S Duet, #1) by Brittainy C. Cherry<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="236" src="https://sarahneedshtml.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/ls-cr-banner.jpg" width="640" /> </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Landon & Shay, an all-new emotional and touching duet from Brittainy C. Cherry is coming October 30th, and we have the gorgeous covers! <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="https://sarahneedshtml.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/landon-shay-amazon.jpg" width="266" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pre-order your copy now on</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/2qiN2Es" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="http://mybook.to/LandonShay1" target="_blank">Amazon Worldwide</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44894444-landon-shay?ac=1&from_search=true" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Synopsis:</b></div>
<i><br />Shay Gable hated my guts, and I hated hers, too.<br /><br />We went out of our way to avoid one another at all times. When she came my direction, I went the other. When we locked eyes, she’d turn and walk away. <br /><br />All of that changed the day I was presented with a challenge. It started out as a stupid bet: make Shay fall in love with me before I fell in love with her first.<br /><br />That was an easy bet for me to win. <br /><br />I didn’t love, I hardly liked. <br /><br />Yet slowly the game started to shift. Shay made me crave things I never knew I wanted like love, happiness, and her.<br /><br />The closer we grew, the more she challenged my darkness, and the parts I kept locked away.<br /><br />The hurts.<br /><br />The pains.<br /><br />The truth.<br /><br />The game between us became too real, our feelings intermixed, and the risks of hurting one another grew higher. <br /><br />But you know what they say... <br /><br />All’s fair in the game of love and war—especially the heartbreaks.</i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="208" src="https://sarahneedshtml.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/ls-po.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
<br /><br />Landon and Shay: Part Two will be releasing December 4th! <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="https://sarahneedshtml.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/landon-shay-2-amazon.jpg" width="266" /> </div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
Be notified FIRST when Landon & Shay goes live: <a href="http://bit.ly/2oK1voU">http://bit.ly/2oK1voU</a></div>
<br /><br /><br />About the Author:<br /><br />Author Brittainy C. Cherry is an Amazon #1 bestselling author. She has been in love with words since the day she took her first breath. She graduated from Carroll University with a Bachelor Degree in Theatre Arts and a minor in Creative Writing. Her novels have been published in 18+ countries around the world. Brittainy lives in Brookfield, Wisconsin with her fur babies. <br /><br /><a href="http://bit.ly/2Fc8izo" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2Oe1m8V" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Twitter</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2Fltnc1" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Instagram</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2Fk2jKg" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Amazon</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2ThAciJ" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2Y4WEir" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Brittainy’s Golden Girls (And Boys) Reader Group</a><span style="text-align: center;"> * </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2oK1voU" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Mailing List</a><div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Jen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371589845017460821.post-70504857026263051282019-10-15T05:00:00.000-07:002019-10-16T02:33:38.276-07:00Review: Code of Conduct (Cipher Security #1) by April White<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhNXGx54d7A/XabjJXPhqlI/AAAAAAABK6g/FZS2iFspbfoOynpQTU-EM9_bd9G415CIACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/46864400._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="297" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhNXGx54d7A/XabjJXPhqlI/AAAAAAABK6g/FZS2iFspbfoOynpQTU-EM9_bd9G415CIACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/46864400._SY475_.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Available on</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/2qb5Zsv" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/Code-Conduct-Cipher-Security-Book-ebook/dp/B07VSXBLYD/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=code+of+conduct&qid=1571218190&sr=8-2" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46864400-code-of-conduct?from_search=true" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<br />
<b>Synopsis:</b><br />
<br />
<i>There are three things you need to know about Shane P.I.</i><br />
<i>1) P.I. is not her last name, it’s her job title,</i><br />
<i>2) Her specialty is catching cheaters, and</i><br />
<i>3) She’s a superhuman – kind of.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Gabriel is a security expert for Cipher Security, and a former UN Peacekeeper with a fierce protective streak that finds its focus on the beautiful P.I.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Their attraction is like an elephant in a room full of breakable things, and figuring out how to trust each other with their hearts, and maybe their lives, is the most fragile thing of all.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>'Code of Conduct' is a full-length contemporary romantic suspense, can be read as a standalone, and is book#1 in the Cipher Security series, Knitting in the City World, Penny Reid Book Universe.</i><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Review:</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Code of Conduct</i> was the first book in the Pennyverse I have read and while it took me a little while to get into it I loved it! It took me a chapter or two to get into the Penny Reid world without Penny Reid's voice aspect of it. But it was a wonderful read! I am so glad Penny opened up her world to other authors. I love seeing the characters I already know and love interacting with new characters. It is the best.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I love April White and her <i>Immortal Descendents </i>books so I was super excited to see how her first foray into romance would play out. I love the way she writes and I freakin loved Shane. She was a super-strong badass, but also has insecurities she struggles with. She is so strong, but can also be so vulnerable. She was so real, so every one of us at times. She was fascinating to read and I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And Gabriel? Oh, I loved him too. He was the best! Strong and tough, but also gentle and sweet. He has a very strong protection instinct and he wants to protect Shane from everything, but he also recognizes that she doesn't need him to protect her. She can do it herself. He was so amazing and kind and caring and a bit of everything wrapped up in a super hot British guy. Oh, these two. They shouldn't have worked, Shane is super secretive with who she is and what she is up to, she has done some things that may get her in a bit of trouble, and Gabriel is the straight-laced security guy who should have been after her at first, but they just work. There is something there and it was so much fun watching them figure everything out. A bit of romance, a bit of mystery, a bit of fun. It was great. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now the other thing I loved so so so much was that it is set in the Cipher Security world so we get to see some of my favorites from the <i>Knitting in the City </i>series! I loved that and they were so well integrated and felt like these new characters were definitely part of that world. I cannot wait to read more in this new Pennyverse!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Rating: </b>★ ★ ★ ★</div>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
Jen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371589845017460821.post-85871611870173354252019-10-14T05:00:00.000-07:002019-10-14T05:00:07.042-07:00Review: When Girlfriends Take Chances (When Girlfriends #5) by Savannah Page<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLU66MPyhFE/XXfFN6tQ6sI/AAAAAAABFz4/He8BzwsAJxcZmPA_fp9EHfnp1mfHQLx4QCLcBGAs/s1600/18189761._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="311" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLU66MPyhFE/XXfFN6tQ6sI/AAAAAAABFz4/He8BzwsAJxcZmPA_fp9EHfnp1mfHQLx4QCLcBGAs/s400/18189761._SY475_.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Available on </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amzn.to/2NUXE66" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> * <a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00DVKDZDK?ref_=dbs_pwh_calw_4&storeType=ebooks" target="_blank">Amazon.de</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18189761-when-girlfriends-take-chances" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<br />
<b>Synopsis:</b><br />
<br />
<i>A novel about exploring love and life's path, and taking chances along the way.<br /><br />Emily Saunders has never thought twice about grabbing her passport, rucksack, and camera and trekking across the globe. If there's an NGO, a study abroad program, or simply the travel itch, Emily's on the first plane out. Free-spirited, open-minded, and eager to explore, it's no wonder Emily's hardly in one spot (or relationship) for long.<br /><br />For the past year-and-a-half, though, Emily's found herself planted in her college hometown of Seattle. She's surrounded by her best friends, has steady work as a photographer and at her friend Sophie's café, and is certainly kept busy by the wild antics of her BFF Jackie. Life's enjoyable, but Emily's looking for something more. She's ready for a change, for adventure!<br /><br />But when Emily tells her girlfriends she's ready for something new she does not expect Operation Blind Date!<br /><br />Sure, Emily's single. Sure, she hopes to some day find true love. But being thrown into an insane challenge like this is not exactly the adventure she had in mind! Couldn't she just travel and focus on her photography? Or volunteer in Africa? Will a string of eligible bachelors lined up by her friends--a shot at finding a real and lasting love--really be that change she's searching for?<br /><br />This is a spirited story about seeking adventure while being true to yourself, wherever you are in life. It's a story about love, risk, and self-discovery. About what happens when girlfriends take chances. </i><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Review:</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was a bit disappointed when I started reading <i>When Girlfriends Take Chances</i> as I mistakenly thought it was Jackie's story, who I have been really excited to read. So it took me a chapter or two to get into this one as it is Emily's story, Emily who is always off traveling the world and helping people in need and who I never really felt like I knew before this book. Sure she is in the other ones, but not like the other girlfriend because she is not there there all the time. When traveling she checks in once and a while, but it is different. So once I got over the fact that I would have to wait for Jackie's story I was excited to keep reading. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Emily has major wanderlust. She is not one to be tied down to one place for long, but she has been in Seattle for a while now. Longer than usual and she is getting the itch to go do something. Maybe go back to Africa and help out there if she can. With all the traveling and volunteering she does that doesn't leave her with a lot of time to find love. To find someone to share her life with her. Not that she needs that, but it might be nice. But how would that even work if she doesn't like being in one place for long? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well her girlfriends take it upon themselves to try and set Emily up with her perfect match. They each get one shot at a blind date that will hopefully spell love for her. I really enjoyed this one, but maybe not quite as much as the other because it is not so crazy. It is a nice story about Emily trying to find love and a few dates she goes on. The guys some of the ladies set her up on were great. Some of them I loved, some of them were duds, and does she find her dream guy? It was a fun read with a few twists and surprising reveals (or confirmation of a few things that I cannot wait to see how they play out in later books!!). I like Emily and I enjoyed her story. Plus, as always, I love seeing what the other girlfriends are up to. I am reading through these books so quickly it is going to be over soon and then what will I do? I guess I could always re-read the girlfriend's stories. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Rating: </b>★ ★ ★ ★</div>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style><style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>Jen in Booklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09295348705910181596noreply@blogger.com0