Book Review: A Light in the Window (Christmas in New York, #3) by Jolyse Barnett

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US |

Format: Kindle arc

Publishers: Tule Publishing Group

Published: 11th November 2014

Pages: 134

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, 

Main Characters: Jade, Ben
Date Read: 24th December - 31st December 2014

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
Adirondack girl-in-transition Jade Engel comes home to recharge after ending a career she never truly wanted, but soon realizes she’s in danger of also being swept off her feet by the boy-next-door, her former best friend, Ben Stephens. If only he’d stop kissing her every time she falls into his arms. 
Everything local celebrity Ben Stephens ever wanted is in Starling. Then Jade comes home after an eternity away and sends his simple world into a tailspin. He’s determined to pursue her—the one girl who got away. But when their friends-with-benefits arrangement blows up in their faces, will they have the courage to put their pasts to rest in order to forge a future together? 
Christmas in New York series Book 1: This Christmas by Jeannie Moon Book 2: All I Want for Christmas by Jennifer Gracen Book 3: A Light in the Window by Jolyse Barnett Book 4: Goodness and Light by Patty Blount

The third book in the Christmas in New York series which I received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

All of the book covers in this series are similar but with the setting and characters different which is like each of the stories. I feel out of all of the covers this one looks more Christmasy which is what I want from a Christmas novel.

This one did take me a little longer to read than the first two but that was because Christmas took over so I didn't have time to read as much as when I read the first two. I'm in two minds about this book as the first half of the book I wasn't a huge fan as I didn't understand why Ben would like someone like Jade but the more we got to know each of the characters I fell in love with their love story. I felt like the ending of the story was the cutest but I also felt like the ending was a bit rushed, I would have liked to have read more about the future of this particular couple just like I felt with the ending of the previous two books.

As I kind of mentioned above I wasn't a fan of Jade in the beginning as she seemed a little too bitchy and one of those 'mean girls', I didn't feel like her friendship between her and the other girls (from the other books) was as real as the others but once I read more about her back story I felt the connection especially towards the end when they where there for her. Jade always seemed to be living her life for other people which I think made her into the bitch she was at the beginning but once she lived her own life making her own decisions she was a much more likable character. I really liked Ben he is definitely my favourite male character from this series so far as he was the sweetest and it was her that walked away instead of the guy which made this book a little more different to the other two books.

Overall a cute and quick Christmas read.

Waiting on Wednesday - The Closer You Come by Gena Showalter

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Here's this week's book I can't wait for...

The Closer You Come (The Original Heartbreakers, #1) 

by Gena Showalter

Expected Publication: 31st March 2015

Synopsis:
New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter introduces the Original Heartbreakers, where three not-quite-reformed bad boys are about to meet the women who will bring them to their knees.
Just released from prison, Jase Hollister has only one goal: stay out of trouble. Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma, sounds like the perfect place for him and his two brothers-by-circumstance to settle down and live a nice, simple life. Model citizen isn’t exactly this rugged bachelor’s default setting—especially when it comes to a certain hot-blooded Southern beauty—but he's determined to play by the rules.
Brook Lynn Dillon has always been the responsible type. Not that it’s done her much good. The down-on-her-luck waitress is broke, single and wouldn’t know fun if it bit her. Or so she thinks. Jase makes bad look oh, so good. Dangerous, sexy and tempting as sin, he is everything she never knew she wanted. Passion sizzles between them, but is it enough to melt his resistance? After all, the right kind of trouble might be just what he needs… 

I only heard about this book a few weeks but already I am beyond excited about it. I can't wait to start a new series by Gena as I have loved her books I just haven't finished one of her series yet but this one already makes me want to change that.


What are you waiting on? 

Showcase Sunday #108 (Bumper Edition)

Showcase Sunday is a weekly Meme that I am taking part of. This weekly meme is hosted by Vicky over at Book, Biscuits and Tea.

Click images to take you to Goodreads.

I didn't do a Showcase last week as I didn't have time so I added a few with this weeks Christmas haul.

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Paperback for Review

I received this a couple of weeks ago for review which I wasn't expecting but it was a nice surprise. This cover is even prettier in person as the texture of the book is like scales I just kept stroking it. Thanks Mira Ink.

Christmas Books

 

The first two books I got in hardback and Secret I got in paperback they are so pretty and I can't wait to read them. I also received a Amazon GC although my mum has misplaced it so I still have that to come.

Kindle Book Bought

I bought this a couple of weeks ago while it was only £1.99!

Free Kindle Books

  

  

 

Kindle Review Books

  

  

  

What did you receive this week?

Top 10 of 2014 - Day 5

 I had so much fun with this last year I had to join the fun again. This meme is hosted by Two Chicks On Books click on the above button to heard over to their blog.


Top 10 Books I’m looking forward to in 2015. (This list should be comprised of books released ONLY in 2015)

Click on images for the synopsis

10.

Sapphire Skies by Becca Fitzpatrick (Expected Publication: 08/10/15) - I loved Becca's Hush Hush series so anything that she releases I will be excited about.

9.

Conspiracy Girl by Sarah Alderson (Expected Publication: 12/02/15) - I do actually have an arc for this one, I'm looking forward to reading this one I just hope it's as good as her other books.

8.

Frostfire by Amanda Hocking (Expected Publication: 06/01/15) - This is a spin off series to the Tryelle series which I fell in love with.

7.

Dead of Winter by Kresley Cole (Expected Publication: 06/01/15) - I have only read the first one in this series but I loved it so much that I am now looking forward to see what happens in the end.

6.

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare (Expected Publication: 09/15) - Another Mortal Instruments spin off but I am still excited about it.

5.

The Return by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Expected Publication: 17/02/15) - The spin off that we've all been waiting for from the covenant series even if I haven't quite finished that series I can't wait to start this one.

4.

The Substitute by Denise Grover Swank (Expected Publication: 21/01/15) - I love the sound of this book, it sounds like a light read.

3.

The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead (Expected Publication: 10/02/15) - I am so sad that this series is coming to an end but on the other hand I can't wait to find out how it will all end.

2.

Beautiful Redemption by Jamie McGuire (Expected Publication: 27/01/15) - I am so excited about this book as I have loved everyone in this series and I'm sure this one will be no different. The only reason why this isn't number one is because it's Thomas's book and I haven't been too sure about him but I'm sure that will all change once I get my hands on this book.

1.

The Closer You Come by Gena Showalter (Expected Publication: 31/03/15) - I was so excited that Gena was giving us a new series as I have adored everything that I have read of her's then I read the synopsis and now I am beyond excited. Is it March yet?

Top 10 of 2014 - Day 4

 I had so much fun with this last year I had to join the fun again. This meme is hosted by Two Chicks On Books click on the above button to heard over to their blog.


Best Book Boyfriends of 2014 (MUST be from a book released in 2014 and from a book you’ve READ in 2014)
I have cheated and picked someone from a book published in any year but I have read them. May contain spoilers!
10.

Marcus Hardy (Because of Low by Abbi Glines) - Marcus is such a good guy that it was hard not to love him.

9.

Cam Hamilton (Wait For You by Jennifer L. Armentrout) - Such a great guy that was always there for Avery who wouldn't want that in a book boyfriend?

8.

Jesse Walker (Lost and Found by Nicole Williams) - Not usually fan of the good guy but this book changed all of that.

7.

Aiden St. Delphi (Apollyon by Jennifer L. Armentrout) - I have always had a soft spot for Aiden but that got stronger during this book.

6.

Alex (Losing Lila by Sarah Alderson) - It's hard not to fall in love with Alex.

5.

Tyler O'Neil (Maybe This Christmas by Sarah Morgan) - Such a charming guy with loads of humour.

4.

Travis Maddox (Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire) - All the brothers are hard not to fall in love with but Travis has to be my favourite, there just something about this bad boy that warms my heart.

3.

Max D'Lynsal (Reluctantly Royal by Nichole Chase) - I can imagine Max as the model on the cover!

2.

Daemon Black (Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout) - Daemon has always been my favourite male character that Jennifer has written. He has such a smart mouth but he is so sweet and would do anything for those he loves.

1.

 

Kit Ryan (Come Back To Me by Mila Gray)/Alex D'Lynsal (Suddenly Royal by Nichole Chase) - How can you expect me to choose between a man in uniform and Prince Charming it is just not possible!

Book Review: All I Want For Christmas (Christmas in New York, #2) by Jennifer Gracen

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US |

Format: Kindle arc

Publishers: Tule Publishing Group

Published: 9th November 2014

Pages: 123

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, 

Main Characters: Cassandra, Sean
Date Read: 23rd December - 24th December 2014

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
Cassandra Baines almost has it all: a flourishing career as one of the youngest English Lit assistant professors at NYU, an apartment in a city she adores, and a close circle of lifelong girlfriends that are like sisters. The only thing she doesn’t have is someone special to share it with. She’s been married to her work since Sean McKinnon broke her heart seven years ago. 
Musician and bar owner Sean McKinnon keeps busy – too busy for a love life. He blew it with Cassie all those years ago, and no one has held a candle to her since. 
But then one fateful night, of all the people in New York City, Cassandra walks into his bar, and he’s drawn to her as strongly as ever. She wants nothing to do with him, but he’s not going to give up so easily. 
Can a bit of New York Christmas magic help two people take a second chance on true love? 

Another Christmas read courtesy of netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Similar cover to the first book in this series but this one is a little better than the first as it looks more like it about the romance like it's supposed to.

I started off really enjoying this book but the further I went into it the more it started to annoy me. I did also get a little confused as it would change whose point of view it was written in but once I got used to that I started to cotten on to what was going on. What I find a little strange is that this is number two in a series yet it is written by a different author (which is the same for the rest of the series) and you can tell. The romance side of the story was a little annoying at times as they would make the same mistakes and then they would say they have learnt from past mistakes when clearly they hadn't. There was a few cute moments that I come to expect from my Christmas novels. The ending felt a little rushed and like the first book I would have liked to have seen into the future to see if these two are even still together.

I kind of like the characters in this book but not as much as the first book. There was one character that I really liked and that was Sean who was Irish and adorable! Cassandra annoyed me a lot especially near the end which then I could have thrown my kindle as she was being a hypocrite.

Overall not as good as the first one but still an enjoyable read for this time of year.