Book Review: The Accidental Engagement (Chance Romance, #1) by Maggie Dallen

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Format: Kindle

Publishers: Lyrical Press

Published: 24th November 2015

Pages: 156

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, 

Main Characters: Ivy, Daniel,
Date Read: 28th October - 4th November 2016

Rating Given:

Synopsis:

Oops...
It started as a regular night for New York City restaurant hostess Ivy Sinclair, until a rowdy customer turned out to be world famous playboy Jack Everett. Thanks to the paparazzi, now the world thinks they’re a couple—which couldn’t be farther from the truth. But when a brooding, sexy businessman offers her a simply irresistible proposition…Uh oh...
Just when cutthroat venture capitalist Daniel Gladwell thought he’d never close the deal with an Italian conglomerate, a simple mistake becomes the perfect opportunity. All he has to do is convince Ivy to pretend to be Jack’s fiancée while on a business trip to Italy to offset Jack’s bad boy reputation. As long as Daniel doesn’t sabotage the plan by claiming the tempting waitress for himself...Oh yes!
It was supposed to be a business only arrangement. But in the magic of the Tuscan countryside, neither Ivy nor Daniel can fight the attraction building between them. In the world’s most romantic setting, the line between business and pleasure is one that begs to be crossed... 

I received a review copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not the biggest fan of the cover as I feel it might be a bit too cheesy and I don't feel as though it's in keeping with the novel as I didn't feel as though the book was all that romantic as the cover would suggest.

As soon as I started this book I knew I wasn't going to fall in love with this book and I wasn't wrong, yes there was some moments that I enjoyed but for the most I didn't enjoy it as much as what I thought I would. I didn't quite get the romance between the two main characters Ivy and Daniel as for the most part I didn't like the way he treated her or even those around him. It wasn't until the very end when I saw why she fell for him but for her to have already fallen for a guy like him baffles me. There was a little spark between the two throughout the book but I just didn't want them to be together. I didn't feel as though there was much of a story happening within this book, I just wanted something a little extra to capture my attention. I actually started to warm to this book by the end as I wanted to see what was going to happen next.

I wasn't much of a fan of the two main characters but I did like some of the secondary characters. With Ivy I felt as though she didn't have a backbone and annoyed me to no end and I would find myself rolling my eyes a lot of the time. Daniel has to be one of my least favourite male characters as he was annoying and so pig-headed he just had no redeeming qualities. Jack, the guy that Ivy was blackmailed to be 'engaged' with was the best character in this book and I actually wished he ended up with Ivy.

Overall, I wish this was stronger as it had so much promise but in the end it just didn't do anything for me, but with the next book being about Jack I'm inclined to continue with this series and just hope it's 10 times better than this one.

Book Review: Me Before You (Me Before You, #1) by Jojo Moyes

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!

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Format: Paperback

Publishers: Penguin Books

Published: 5th January 2012

Pages: 512

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, 

Main Characters: Lou, Will
Date Read: 8th June - 21st July 2016

Rating Given:

Synopsis:Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.
What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.
Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.
What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.

This book only came across my radar this year as I saw the trailer for the film and thought that I would love to read it before I watch it and now that I've read it I don't know whether I will bother with the film.

There's so many covers for this one book and I think this one that I got was my favourite. You can't really tell in this picture but most of the book is like brown paper which is different to what I've seen on any cover before. I like the simplicity of the cover with the main focus being the title.

I'm actually struggling to find words to how I feel about this book without spoiling anything so I'm going to try my best but some of my issues with the book may be considered as spoilers. This was something completely different to what I have read before so I really wanted to fall in love with this book as it sounded like something I could like but I just couldn't get into it. I was very disappointed with the romance side of the story as to me it didn't feel like a romantic book and the tiny bit that there was I didn't believe in what they where feeling. I think in their own way you could tell they cared for one another but as for love well who would say "If you love me you'll come with me" Will that's who, which bugged me to no end it's just something I couldn't get over and still think about it a couple of weeks later. I didn't like the ending as I just didn't like how it all played out but even after all that I find myself wanting to read the next book just to see what happens next.

I wasn't a huge fan of most of the characters but what I'm pleased about is that Lou grew into a much better person through out the book. I felt she started of a little childish and I actually thought that she was the younger sister however, she was the eldest. Lou did change throughout the book into a much stronger and wiser person. Will I liked at the very beginning before anything happened to him but then obviously he changed into a more difficult person which I could understand. What I didn't like was how he treated Lou for most of the book. I really didn't like Lou's sister I felt she was so selfish and just not likeable enough for me.

Overall, I was expecting so much from this book but unfortunately it felt flat for my liking.

Book Review: Can't Help Falling by Kara Isaac

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Format: Kindle

Publishers: Howard Books

Published: 11th October 2016

Pages: 384

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, 

Main Characters: Emelia, Peter
Date Read: 1st July - 9th July 2016

Rating Given:

Synopsis:A funny, heartfelt romance about how an antique shop, a wardrobe, and a mysterious tea cup bring two C.S. Lewis fans together in a snowy and picturesque Oxford, England.
Emelia Mason has spent her career finding the dirt on the rich and famous. But deep down past this fearless tabloid-reporter façade, there’s a nerdy Narnia-obsessed girl who still can’t resist climbing into wardrobes to check for the magical land on the other side. When a story she writes produces tragic results, she flees to Oxford, England—home to C.S. Lewis—to try and make amends for the damage she has caused.
Peter Carlisle was on his way to become one of Great Britain’s best rowers—until he injured his shoulder and lost his chance at glory. He’s determined to fight his way back to the top even if it means risking permanent disability to do so. It’s the only way he can find his way past failing the one person who never stopped believing in his Olympic dream.
When Peter and Emelia cross paths on her first night in Oxford, the attraction is instant and they find common ground in their shared love of Narnia. But can the lessons from a fantasyland be enough to hold them together when secrets of the real world threaten to tear them apart? Cobblestone streets, an aristocratic estate, and an antique shop with curious a wardrobe bring the world of Narnia to life in Kara Isaac’s inspiring and romantic story about second chances.

I received a review copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really like the cover for this book as I love the use autumn/winter colours and weather which I feel is in keeping with the story. It also gives off a romantic feel and was probably the reason why I wanted to read this book as I do like a romance novel.

I felt really bad for giving this book such a low rating as every review I've seen seems to love this book but I just never felt it. Can't Help Falling was very hard to get into, there was only a few moments when I thought I was going to start to love it but it never lasted long enough. I never believed in the romance between Emelia and Peter as it never felt genuine and very cheesy which I don't usually mind but with this book it felt too much. They also never felt like they went well together as a couple as there was too many obstacles. I felt that this book was far too predictable for my liking as I always knew what was going to happen and when it was going to unfold. What I did like was the Narnia involvement as it made this book a bit different from other contemporary romance novels. The ending would've been cute but in the end it all wrapped up a bit too quickly so for me not realistic enough.

I think that maybe it was the characters that made me disinterested in this book as I never warmed too any of them as they where all hypocrites and very annoying. I think if any of the characters that had the most potential to be a likeable character was Emelia as she was quirky and she was trying to redeem her past mistakes which is always commendable. Peter was nice enough in the beginning and I did feel sorry for him but the character just fell flat.

Overall, this just wasn't my cup of tea and for me it just never picked up enough for me to fall in love with it.

Book Review: Unrivalled Beautiful Idols, #1) by Alyson Noel

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Format: Kindle

Publishers: MIRA Ink

Published: 10th May 2016

Pages: 368

Genre: YA, Contemporary Romance, 

Main Characters: Layla, Aster, Tommy, Madison
Date Read: 23rd April - 26th April 2016

Rating Given:

Synopsis:From #1 New York Times bestselling author Alyson Noël comes the first book in the Beautiful Idols series. With mystery, suspense, and an insiders-only look at Los Angeles that echoes Gossip Girl’s racy and real New York, fans of Pretty Little Liars and readers who crave pulse-pounding romance will love Unrivalled.
EVERYONE wants to be someone.
Layla Harrison wants to be a reporter.
Aster Amirpour wants to be an actress.
Tommy Phillips wants to be a guitar hero.
But Madison Brooks took destiny and made it her own a long time ago.
She’s Hollywood’s hottest starlet, and the things she did to become the name on everyone’s lips are merely a stain on the pavement, ground beneath her Louboutin heel.
That is, until Layla, Aster, and Tommy find themselves with a VIP invite to the world of Los Angeles’s nightlife and are lured into a competition. The prize, or rather the target? Madison Brooks.
Just as their hopes begin to gleam like stars through the California smog, Madison Brooks goes missing. . . . And all of their hopes are blacked out in the haze of their lies.

  I received a review copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I do love the simplicity of the cover I especially love the black background there is also a white background floating around and I actually don't know which I prefer as they both look good. What's really bee bugging me about all the covers is the spelling as I never know which to use as even the covers have different spellings with it being either Unrivalled or Unrivaled.

After reading that synopsis and add to that the fact that it's been written by Alyson Noel I was really excited about reading this book however, it fell short so I was left feeling disappointed. This was such a hard book to read especially with 4 different POV's which I felt was far too many for this particular book. There was a bit of romance in this story but I just didn't feel any of it was real there wasn't a moment when I believed in any of the relationships. For me this book took far too long for something to actually happen, yes we find out in the prologue that something major happens yet it isn't until the end when everything catches up to that particular scene. There was moments when I thought things was going to improve but not even the ending made me want to continue the series. 

I don't think there was one character that I loved all the way through and maybe that was why I couldn't get into the book. I thought I was going to like Layla but the further I went into the book the more she changed into not a nice person. Tommy I actually liked for most of the book but then like Layla he changed it just took longer for him to change. Aster I didn't like from the very beginning I felt she was a bit of a spoilt brat most of the times. Madison had moments when she was a little likeable but for the most part she was annoying. All of the characters where hypocrites and none of them gelled well.

Overall, I was expecting so much for this book but in the end it just wasn't for me. It says that it was for fans of Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars which I'm a huge fan of but in the this book didn't work as well as those particular TV shows. 

Book Review: The Player (The Wedding Pact, #2) by Denise Grover Swank

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Format: Kindle

Publishers: Indie

Published: 2nd June 2015

Pages: 356

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, 

Main Characters: Blair, Garrett
Date Read: 13th April - 17th April 2016

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
Book two in the USA Today bestselling The Wedding Pact series.
Divorce attorney Blair Hansen is convinced that marriage should be based on practicality, not passion. But as her own wedding approaches, she finds herself remembering her law school boyfriend, the only man she's ever loved, and regretting what might have been. Then a twist of fate lands Garrett back in her life, and the man who loomed large in her past is suddenly casting a shadow over her wedding, making her question everything. To complicate matters further, the job she loves is in peril, and she can feel the ‘perfect’ life she’s fashioned for herself start to crumble under her feet. Could everything she's believed about life and love be wrong?
Garrett Lowry is a divorce attorney who's ready to settle down. The problem is that he can’t find a woman who suits him nearly as well as the one he loved and lost. He broke her heart by playing the field after their break up—something he’s always regretted. But after months of pining for Blair, Garrett stumbles across her in a freak coincidence—and then destiny keeps throwing them together, the coincidences becoming ever more unlikely. He’s convinced it's a sign they should give their love a second chance, but Blair is engaged to another man—a man who is absolutely wrong for her.
Can Garrett convince Blair that a player once isn’t a player forever, and that happy endings aren’t just for dreamers?

I loved the first book in this series so I was very excited about starting this book however, I found this one very annoying...

The romantic look of the cover is sweet and in keeping with the story. I love the red addition to the cover which makes it all the more striking.

I started off thinking that it had potential as it had me intrigued but the more I read the more it started to annoy me. I never really connected with most of the story especially the romance between the two main characters as I didn't feel it. I usually like the second chance romances but somehow this one I didn't plus I felt it was rushed. Even though I loved the first book where it was rushed this one I felt needed to be slowed down as there was a lot of issues between the pair that I felt needed working out. Then there was the relationship between Blair and Neil which also didn't work especially with what we know about Blair I feel like she wouldn't stand for or even believe all the rubbish that Neil did/said. I did love seeing more from the best friends especially seeing the couple from the previous book and how their relationship was going. I wasn't a fan of the ending as again it was rushed but there was moments that I did enjoy in the end as I could imagine certain parts in a film.

Even though I loved the first book I was still dubious about reading this book as I didn't like Blair in the first book but I was hoping that she would grow on me in this book however that didn't really happen. Blair is just not a likeable person as she is harsh and a hypocrite, there was times when I started to like her but then she would do something that would annoy me. Usually I like the guy especially in Swanks, books that I have read but Garrett annoyed me but he was more likeable than Blair but not much. Neil is one of the worst characters that I have ever read he is just vile. It was great to see Megan's Gran again as she always seems to be a scene stealer I love her.

Overall, I was let down by this book but it won't stop me reading future books by Denise Grover Swank and I am still looking forward to the last book in this series. 

Book Review: The Prophecy of Shadows (Elementals, #1) by Michelle Madow

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Format: Kindle

Publishers: Dreamscape Publishing

Published: 26th January 2016

Pages: 308

Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance, 

Main Characters: Nicole, Blake, 
Date Read: 8th March - 12th March 2016

Rating Given:

Synopsis:When Nicole Cassidy moves from sunny Georgia to gloomy New England, the last thing she expects is to learn that her homeroom is a cover for a secret coven of witches. Even more surprisingly ... she's apparently a witch herself. Despite doubts about her newfound abilities, Nicole is welcomed into this ancient circle of witches and is bedazzled by their powers--and, to her dismay, by Blake--the school's notorious bad-boy.
Girls who get close to Blake wind up hurt. His girlfriend Danielle will do anything to keep them away, even if she must resort to using dark magic. But the chemistry between Blake and Nicole is undeniable, and despite wanting to protect Nicole from Danielle's wrath, he finds it impossible to keep his distance.
When the Olympian Comet shoots through the sky for the first time in three thousand years, Nicole, Blake, Danielle, and two others in their homeroom are gifted with mysterious powers over the elements. But the comet has another effect--it opens the portal to the prison world that has contained the Titans for centuries. After an ancient monster escapes and attacks Nicole and Blake, it's up to them and the others to follow the clues from a cryptic prophecy so that they can save their town ... and possibly the world.

  I received a review copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I must admit it was the cover that drew me into this book as it looks stunning. I love all of the colours used as it works with the story plus it looks angelic.

I found this book very hard to get into as I felt it was a little too juvenile for my liking I even found myself rolling my eyes a few times as well. I was expecting a lot from this book as it sounds good but it just fell a bit flat. I liked how the paranormal side of the story was done as it felt different to what I have read before it's just a shame that everything else was pretty much the same as every other Paranormal Romance YA book that I've read before. For me I felt like there wasn't enough world building which surprised me as usually that kind of bores me but I just felt like it was needed here so that I knew why things where happening. If you regularly read my reviews you will know I'm a huge fan of romance in books that I read but for me the romance side of the story was unbelievable and I just couldn't see any of them together. The end was kind of good as it has made me want to know more but I think it might have been too late for me to want to go out of my way and buy the second book unless it was a freebie.

I really couldn't warm up to any of the characters as they all annoyed me there was just nothing there that I thought was redeeming qualities. Nicole just got on my nerves with the way she seemed to fall for Blake when he hadn't even said anything she just came across a bit shallow. As for Blake I just didn't like him. Danielle was the 'bad girl' of the book so yes I shouldn't like her anway but I took an even more disliking to her. Kate was the one of only character that I kind of liked as she was there for Nicole. Chris was another okay character but he wasn't really in it much.

Overall, I was expecting a lot more from this book but in the end I just couldn't warm up to the characters which is never a good thing when reading a book I feel as though you need to like the characters to even start to like a book.