Book Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door (Anna and the French Kiss, #2) by Stephanie Perkins

Format: Paperback

Publishers: Dutton

Published: 29th September 2011

Pages: 338

Genre: YA, Contemporary Romance

Main Characters: Lola, Cricket

Date Read: 23rd January - 28th January 2014
 

Rating Given:

 

 

Blurb:

 

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion...she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit--more sparkly, more fun, more wild--the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket--a gifted inventor--steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

I received this for my Birthday a couple of years ago and I have only now read it, I know I can't believe it took me this long either.

The cover is so cute and feels like it is Cricket and Lola. I do think that it might be a little cheesy but for the first time I don't care it's too cute for me not to like it.

I must admit for most part of this book I was rating it lower than what I have done as there was certain things that I didn't like but by the time I finished the book I loved it too much to not give it the full five out five that it deserves. It wasn't anything to do with the story it was more the character I had issues. The story was great and so sweet at times it did have some of that magic that Anna and the French Kiss had. The thing I loved the most was that you could see how both their feeling had progressed but there was times that did break my heart a little. Towards the end of the book I was so addicted to the book that I honestly didn't want to put it down and then when it did end I was sad as it had come to an end but it was a cute ending.

The characters I did like but it took a while for me to warm up to Lola. She did have a lot of selfish tendencies which made me dislike her a lot of the time she really did use Cricket even when she knew how he felt. I did end up liking her closer to the end as she seemed to see the error of her way and therefore she grew up and I started to like her a lot more than I did. I absolutely adored Cricket which I was surprised about as he was a good guy and I thought I liked the bad guy but it just goes to show good guys can win. He was always there for anyone who needed him even if it meant hurting himself and I loved hi all the more. I loved Lola's Dads they where so funny at times but they where also strict but I didn't mind because I completely agreed with them. I loved that we got to see Anna and Étienne they where so cute together and they where there for Lola when she didn't deserve it.

Overall a great story even if Lola annoyed me at the beginning I ended up liking her towards the end.

Book Review: Losing It (Losing It, #1) by Cora Carmack

Format: Kindle (earc)

Publishers: Ebury

Published: 17th January 2013

Pages: 288

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance

Main Characters: Bliss, Garrick

Date Read: 21st January - 24th January 2014
 

Rating Given:

 

Blurb:

 

Love. Romance. Sex. There’s a first time for everything...

As far as Bliss Edwards can tell, she’s the last virgin standing, certainly amongst her friends. And she’s determined to deal with the ‘problem’ as quickly and simply as possible.

But her plan for a no-strings one night stand turns out to be anything but simple. Especially when she arrives for her first class and recognises her hot new British professor.She'd left him naked in her bed just 8 hours earlier...

I had seen this around everywhere when it first came out but I never got around to getting it until I saw it on Netgalley so I jumped at the chance to review and I'm glad I did as it was amazing!

I love that the cover is simple and I do prefer the male model in this one than the original as he looks more like Garrick than the original one did.

I had a feeling that I was going to enjoy this book and in a way I was wrong as I adored it and now I know why everyone raves about it. It was such a fun read but some points broke my heart a little bit. There was instant chemistry between Garrick and Bliss which I enjoyed but I also enjoyed the way in which it grew to more than that even if they couldn't be together I wanted them to. It was so easy to get carried away this book as it has everything you need in a good contemporary romance and I just didn't want to put it down but when I had I just kept thinking about what was going to happen next. The epilogue for Losing It was amazing I just loved how it came to an end it was perfect.

The characters in this book made it easy to love the book as they where fantastic. Bliss did a lot of over thinking but that made for some hilarious scenes. She really did seem more like a real person than most other characters I have ever read which was a great change. Garrick was amazing and I loved him from the moment we met him as he was funny but he had such a sweet side to him it was hard not to fall for him. There was also some other great side character that I also loved maybe not as much as Garrick. Cade was such a sweet character and I did feel sorry for him and I would love to see him have his own book just so I know that he's ok.

Overall I should have read this book sooner as it was amazing well worth the wait though!
 

Book Review: Tempting the Best Man (Gamble Brothers, #1) by J. Lynn (AKA: Jennifer L. Armentrout)

Format: Kindle

Publishers: Indulgence (Entangled )

Published: 23rd April 2012

Pages: 172

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance

Main Characters: Madison, Chase

Date Read: 21st January - 24th January 2014
 

Rating Given:

 

 

Blurb:

 

Madison Daniels has worshipped her brother's best friend since they were kids. Everyone thinks she and Chase Gamble would make the perfect couple, but there are two major flaws in their logic. 1) Chase has sworn off relationships of any kind, and 2) after blurring the line between friends and lovers for one night four years ago, they can't stop bickering.

Forced together for her brother's wedding getaway, Chase and Madison decide to call a truce for the happy couple. Except all bets are off when they're forced to shack up in a tacky 70's honeymoon suite and survive a multitude of "accidents" as the family tries to prove their "spark" can be used than for more than fighting. That is, if they don't strangle each other first…

I have enjoyed every J Lynn/Jennifer L. Armentrout books and this one was no exception as I loved it!

I'm not a huge fan of the cover as I think it looks like the book is erotic but that's not true so it could be a little misleading for some readers. I prefer the older covers for the series as I felt that they fit the book better than this one does.

This was such a great book which I enjoyed every minute of and the only complaint (if you can call it that) is that it wasn't long enough as I just wanted to continue o read Chase and Maddie's story. I loved that some of the situations and the things they came out with had me laughing as it made it more realistic and addicting. It was great to know what both parties was thinking as we got a better understanding of each of them although at times it made me want to bang their heads together. They had great chemistry together and it was great to see how their feeling grew through out the book. I love love loved the ending it was so sweet it was the best way to end the story. With the next books being about Chase's brothers I have a feeling we might just get to see a glimmer of these two (here's hoping)

I loved these two characters as they where both so funny especially when they where in the same room. Maddie was a great character who was very fiery but she also had a vulnerable side to her which I think Chase brought out in her but this did make her a more relatable character. Chase had a lot of issues that he needed sorting out as a result of his childhood but I still loved him. I loved all the other characters in this book especially the other two Gamble brothers can't wait to find out more about them.

Overall I loved every minute of this book and I can't wait to read the next book.
 

Waiting on Wednesday #19

"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...

 

 

Recklessly Royal (suddenly, #2) by Nichole Chase

Expected Publication: 25th March 2014 

 

Blurb:

 

Catherine has spent her life being the perfect princess. She’s kept her hands clean, her head down, and most importantly—men at arm’s length. After all, most men are after only one thing, and for Cathy there’s a lot more at stake than her bed; she has to worry about the fate of an entire nation. But at the rate she’s going, Cathy is afraid she’ll give the Virgin Queen a run for her money. She is tired of waiting for someone good enough to come along. She has a plan, and it all hinges on seducing the one man who seems utterly unimpressed by all things royal. The one man she is tempted by more than any other . . .

When David arrives at the royal wedding of his friend, the newly ordained Duchess Samantha Rousseau, he expected to feel uncomfortable and out of his element, but he wasn’t prepared to be targeted by Prince Alex’s gorgeous younger sister. With Cathy’s giant blue eyes, killer figure, and sense of humor, it won’t take long before he gives in. But when he finds out just how innocent the crown princess really is, will he play the part of knight in shining armor or the dashing rogue?

I am currently reading the first one in the Suddenly series, Suddenly Royal which I am absolutely loving so far. So when I saw that there are more to come in the series I was really excited even if it isn't the same main characters I think we still get to see them (well hopefully we will) 

 

 

What's your WOW?

 

Book Review: My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers, #1) by Rachel Vincent

Format: Paperback

Publishers: Harlequin Teen

Published: 1st August 2009

Pages: 279

Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance

Main Characters: Kaylee, Nash

Date Read: 15th January - 22nd January 2014
 

Rating Given:

 

 

 

 Blurb:

She doesn't see dead people. She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.

Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next.

I don't know why I hadn't read this sooner as it has everything that I love in a book and I really enjoyed it.

There's a couple of different versions of this cover and for the first time I love both versions which is a good job as I have the first half in this version and then the rest are in the beautiful UK versions. I love everything about this cover as the use of minimal colours really makes this cover work. I especially love the mist in the background as well as looking like its part of the dress it really does make this cover pop.

This was a unique idea as I don't think I have read anything on these particular paranormal people which I found very refreshing as all my paranormal books were getting a bit similar with each other but not this one. There was a lot of twists and turns that I wasn't expecting that kept me enthralled. I loved that we did get a lot of answers towards the end yet still keeping me eager to see what will happen next. The little bit of action that was in there was good but maybe I would have liked to have seen more but I think that might come in the later books as this is just the first book where there is always a lot of story and character building going on. I would say that the only thing the really didn't grab my attention was the romance side as it felt a bit too rushed I would have liked it to have been a more of a slower build up so it felt more real.

I loved most of the characters in this book. Kaylee was a great female character that really grew up a lot throughout this book which was surprising considering everything that was thrown at her. I really liked Nash he was sweet and understanding but I did feel like there was something just not quite right with him as no one can be that understanding even if you know how she is feeling. There was some great side characters too especially Todd which I am surprised at as at first I wasn't quite sure about him but by the end he was funny at times it was hard not to warm up to him. I also liked Emma as like Nash she was there for Kaylee when she needed her and for the most part very understanding and in a more believable way.

Overall a great start to what I'm sure is going to be a fantastic series.

Showcase Sunday #74

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 and for more info click on the SS image which will take you straight to the blog.
Click images to take you to Goodreads.

Physical Book

  

  

Broken, Anything to Have You and Alice Through the Zombie Glass are all for review (thanks to Bloomsbury and Mira Ink). Spirit I bought last week and finally arrived at the beginning of the week, I still need to read to Storm but was having trouble getting it so when I could I jumped at the chance. The Collector and When you Were Mine was from a swap via RISI.

Free Kindle Books

  

Kindle Review Books

  

  

 

What did you get this week?

Book Review: Wild Cards (Wild Cards,#1) by Simone Elkeles

(Click image to take you to Goodreads)

 

Format: Kindle (earc)

Publishers: Walker Books

Published: 1st October 2013

Pages: 342

Genre: YA, Contemporary Romance

Main Characters: Derek, Ashtyn

Date Read: 16th January - 21st January 2014
 

Rating Given:

 

 

Blurb:

After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek’s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else’s family drama.

Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. A football scholarship would finally give her the chance to leave. So she pours everything into winning a state championship, until her boyfriend and star quarterback betrays them all by joining their rival team. Ashtyn needs a new game plan, but it requires trusting Derek—someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and win it all?

Every Simone Elkeles book I have read I have absolutely loved, so when I saw it on Netgalley I jumped at the chance to request it and it so lived up to my expectations!

I love the cover for this as it is in keeping with the story. I also love the use of colours with the dark edge to it and then the pop of colour it really stands out for me.

Another fantastic book from the talented Simone Elkeles I swear she can do no wrong in my eyes. I fell in love with the story and the characters from the moment I turned the first page. When I first started this book I was on a train and usually I can be easily distracted but not in this case as I was completely enthralled by it that I didn't know what was going on around me. I had read a review saying that they didn't like that they was instantly in love but I didn't feel like it was yes they had attraction for one another from the beginning but their feelings seemed like they grew as the story went. I loved the way in which she had the two main characters have some very serious issues it was great the way it felt more real than other books that I have read. With Wild Cards we got to hear from both Ashtyn and Derek which I am really starting to love alternating point of views as it feels like we get a better understanding of what the characters are thinking as well as making them more three dimensional. There was some laugh out loud moments that had me chuckling to myself on the train but there was also some very emotional and tender moments.

To begin with Ashtyn seemed like a strong person as she was in a sport full of guys but the more we read about her the more she showed she had some serious issues and very self conscious making her a more relatable character. Derek I loved from the start he was very funny but again he had some things that he needed to deal with and I really felt for him. There was some other characters that I loved and never expected to like Derek's Grandmother she was hilarious. I also loved some of the other football players excluding a certain character.

Overall I loved this book and I would highly recommend it to any Simone Elkeles fan or someone who just wants to read a brilliant book.