Escape from Witchwood Hollow by Jordan Elizabeth

Synopsis: Everyone in Arnn – a small farming town with more legends than residents – knows the story of Witchwood Hollow: if you venture into the whispering forest, the witch will trap your soul among the shadowed trees.
After losing her parents in a horrific terrorist attack on the Twin Towers, fifteen-year-old Honoria and her older brother escape New York City to Arnn. In the lure of that perpetual darkness, Honoria finds hope, when she should be afraid.
Perhaps the witch can reunite her with her lost parents. Awakening the witch, however, brings more than salvation from mourning, for Honoria discovers a past of missing children and broken promises.
To save the citizens of Arnn from becoming the witch’s next victims, she must find the truth behind the woman’s madness.
How deep into Witchwood Hollow does Honoria dare venture?

Get it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Gi0oNp

Add it to your TBR list:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23351890-escape-from-witchwood-hollow

3 Stars

I received this eBook in exchange for an honest review through GR. And while I don’t generally accept these from poeple I don’t know, I really wanted to read this book, so yeah. It’s YA Paranormal short story running about 178 pages, but can also be classified as historical as well since it has three different time periods in it. The cover didn’t wow me but the title was intriguing. This book is readable for ages 14+ due to some deaths in the book.

I liked this book. It threw me a curveball because I found myself way more interested in the witch than in Honoria, the main MC. This story spans hundreds of years and involves a curse with a touch romance. The love story between the teenagers was cutesy puppy love I thought. The love story between the witch and her husband didn’t have a lot of depth to it, more like glossed over.

It had a pretty cool witch in it that trapped people in her own little hollow and kept them the same age they were when they wondered in. And she kept the season perpetually Autumn. All she wanted was to find a family who accepted her for her and didn’t try to persecute her. I identify with the witch in this book for some reason. And while I don’t condone the murder she committed in the first place to get her where she was, I still think she was misunderstood. I didn’t care for the ending because I didn’t understand why the author chose to have those events take place. I can’t really go in to it without spoiling it for you. It seemed that excess things happen that didn’t need to. It was more extreme of an ending than needed to be if that makes sense.

Doing It For Love by Cassie Mae

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY CASSIE MAE!!!

Synopsis:
Cassie Mae’s charming, sexy new novel, perfect for fans of Emma Chase, puts a steamy twist on modern love as one bride-to-be tries to put the spark back in the bedroom—by any means necessary.

Elizabeth Fanning’s life looks pretty perfect, judging by the diamond ring on her finger. Her fiancé, Landon, is sweet, handsome, and hilarious. The trouble is, before they’ve even tied the knot, their sex life has gone from mind-blowing to “meh”—and Liz isn’t ready to be part of an old married couple. After a cathartic call to her best friend, Liz comes up with a brilliant idea. She and Landon may never be able to re-create the magic of their first time, but how amazing would their wedding night be if everything below the neck was off-limits until then?

Liz thinks it’ll bring them closer together. Landon’s convinced she’ll cave first. So they raise the stakes: Whoever lasts longer gets to pick their honeymoon destination. With her heart set on the Bahamas and Landon fighting for snowbound Utah, Liz simply has to win. But pretty soon, her body is screaming for attention, and Landon’s never seemed so far away. Has Liz’s experiment backfired? Losing their little competition would be frustrating—but the one thing she can’t afford to lose is him.

Find it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24683239-doing-it-for-love
Order it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1VptRMi

My Review:
5 stars — Dear Cassie Mae,
Your book made me so happy I cried when it was over.
Love, your number one fan (LENORE — ME, SCREW ALL Y’ALL, I’M THE BIGGEST FAN)

OK, so for realz…. I was lucky enough to read snippets of this book while Ms. Mae was writing it, so I feel like I’ve been in love with Lizzie and Landon FOREVER. But reading snippets is NOTHING like reading the final masterpiece. And it was a masterpiece. It was everything I’ve always loved about Ms. Mae’s writing taken to a whole new level. It made me laugh in great guffaws and little giggles. It gave me perma grin. It also gave me unamused and unhappy face, followed by forgiven and fawning face. It gave me the butterflies that Lizzie loves so much — angels and devils (though more angels than devils). I tried to resist reading this book right away, but I should have known better than to fight the impulse….

OK, so let’s try that again…FOR REALZ REALZ. I LOVED Lizzie and Landon. I’m not sure if they beat out my fave book girls and book boys, but you know what they did win? Fave book couple. I LOVED reading a book after the HEA. Who writes that? Cassie Mae, that’s who. It was filled with all the things that made me think of my own HEA…the fun, the laughter, the awkward moments, the learning, the missteps, and the full on happiness and love. It was SO REAL.

And you know what? Screw it, Lizzie so totally makes my book girls list, if not tops it. Who wouldn’t love this girl? She is HILARIOUS and sweet and caring and selfless, and just full on fun-crazy. But I can’t seem to go there without Landon…hence the fave book couple. They are just so perfect for each other. You can physically FEEL their love for each other leaping off the pages.

And Landon Landon Landon….he had a moment of butt-i-tude, but he pretty much won me over hook line and sinker getting me (and Liz) to forgive him. He made me laugh so much, but it was his romantic lines that basically made me melt. I WANT him to be with Lizzie. Because I’m in love with the way he loves her. Again, fave book couple.

LOVED the secondary characters in this one. And knowing that I get to read more of some of them in their own books just made me so excited. Theresa was the BEST best friend. You could totally feel their friend chemistry. Really fell in love with Alec too…I see things there, and I hope I’m right. All the friends moments really felt authentic…like I could totally see the lives that they’re all living and sharing moments with each other….

In reality, I loved the whole book (obviously). But I finished reading the wedding and pretty much felt like I’d hit book nirvana. IT WAS PERFECT. I’m honestly trying to find words, but I have none. I just loved it that much that I giddy fangirl all over it. You’ll see.

I never know how to end reviews….it’s like I run out of steam. You all know I’m a huge fangirl of Cassie Mae’s. But there’s a reason. This book is a perfect example of that reason. Because in a sea of books with model perfect characters, she gives me a couple that I truly believe could be real, who I WANT to be real. Characters who feel like they could be reflections of me, of my life, of my love. And that’s powerful shit.

ps – I named the photographer….(Lenore comes from Helen). Because that’s obviously uber important. 😛 You’re welcome literary world, I have made my mark!

pps – THANK YOU NETGALLEY for my early copy of this book!!!

Sex, Love & Stiletto series by Lauren Layne

I actually started this series backwards, and read the last book a while ago thanks to receiving a copy of it through netgalley! So I thought I should catch up on the series from the beginning.

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Synopsis:
In the first book of a delightful new series from Lauren Layne, the star columnist of Stiletto magazine will do anything for a story. Anything… except fall in love.

Julie Greene loves flings. Loves steamy first dates, sizzling first kisses, and every now and then, that first sexy romp between the sheets. Comfy pants, sleepy Sundays, movie nights on the couch? Shudder. But when Julie gets assigned the hardest story of her career—a first-person account of that magical shift between dating and “I do”—she’ll need a man brave enough to give a total commitment-phobe a chance at more.

Normally, Mitchell Forbes would be exactly that man. A devastatingly hot workaholic who tends to stay in relationships for far too long, he should be the perfect subject for Julie’s “research.” But what Julie doesn’t know is that Mitchell is looking to cut loose for once in his life. And the leggy journalist notorious for avoiding love is exactly the type of no-strings fling he’s looking for. In other words, Mitchell is the polar opposite of what Julie needs right now. And, at the same time, he’s exactly what she wants.

Find it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18802930-after-the-kiss
Order it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1KXKnkW

My Review:
3.5 stars — Solid Lauren Layne book, filled with amazing steamy moments and some deeper stuff nearer to the end. I was undecided on the chemistry between Julie and Mitchell…they had such a bizarre relationship, and I really didn’t feel it at first…but then again, that might have been by design. But once I did feel it, it was amazing. And Julie was hard for me to figure out…I think I just couldn’t relate to her, and so this story didn’t resonate with me as much as others did. Plus, I’m not so good with hateful words, and there was a bit of that. Basically the first half of this book was a 3 star for me, and once things got going the last bit was a 4 star read… Loved it when we got to see a bit deeper into who Julie was, I just wish it had been more present earlier I guess. And LOVED it when Julie and Mitchell were on together, but was a little lost on them at the beginning. I think I’m just being repetitive now. *rolls eyes*

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Synopsis:
As a leading columnist for Stiletto, Grace Brighton has built a career warning women about rotten, cheating liars. She just never suspected her fiancé would be one of them. After Grace takes a heart-mending hiatus, her first assignment is to go on a couple of dates with a counterpart from the men’s magazine Oxford and report her impressions. Grace 1.0 may have been instantly smitten with the gorgeous correspondent, but Grace 2.0 has sworn off relationships for six months, and she’s not falling for his outstanding bod and trophy-winning kisses… or is she?

Jake Malone wants to get back to the fly-by-night, who-knows-what’s-next guy he used to be, and he knows exactly how to do it. Oxford is adding a travel section, and Jake—with no wife and no kids and a willingness to live anywhere, eat anything, do everything—is perfect for the job… except that his playboy reputation makes his new editor nervous. To get the gig, he must agree to a fluffy joint article with Stiletto.

But after just one date with snooty, sumptuous, sensational Grace Brighton, Jake starts taking this assignment a whole lot more seriously…

Find it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18078029-love-the-one-you-re-with
Order it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1KXKmh1

My Review:
3.5 stars — Great chemistry with a pair of interesting characters.  Actually enjoyed the 2.0 vs 1.0 Grace thoughts.  Another book where I think it took me awhile to really get to know the characters…  LOVED the bantering between them, but actually would have liked more of that.  And I sincerely wish there had been more from Jake’s POV.  This book was at least 2/3 Grace POV, and I felt like that made it really hard to know who Jake was, b/c couldn’t see what he was thinking.  I suppose it would have been different if it was all Grace POV, but once I was given a taste, I kind of wanted more.  It was strange going into this one after having read book 4, then Oxford book 1, then back to book 1, and then this one — b/c I had a very different idea of what I was expecting this book to look like (particularly the dynamic within the Oxford offices).  But I did really enjoy the concept of the dating challenge, and how they dealt with their lives being more up for public consumption.  So after all that?  I enjoyed the book, I just wanted a bit more of some stuff.

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Synopsis:
In Lauren Layne’s sizzling Sex, Love & Stiletto series, New York’s hottest “sexpert” has been living a lie—and it’s up to one man to keep her honest…all night long.

Riley McKenna knows sex—good sex, bad sex, kinky sex…Her articles in Stiletto magazine are consistently the publication’s most scandalous—and the most read. But Riley has a secret…all that sexy talk? Not an ounce of it comes from personal experience. Her own bedroom escapades are more limited than even her best friends know. When her editor requests that all columnists write something more personal for Stiletto’s anniversary issue, Riley turns to the one man she’s always been able to count on and calls in the favor of a lifetime.

Sam Compton would do anything for Riley McKenna. Anything except be her experimental sex toy. He refuses her request. At least until she tells him that it’ll either be him or she’ll go to someone else. And that, Sam can’t accept. Reluctantly he agrees to her terms—one night of completely meaningless sex in the name of research. Riley thinks she’s prepared for what awaits her in Sam’s bed. After ten years of writing about sex, actually doing it shouldn’t be that different, right? So wrong. What starts as “one time only” becomes “just one more time.” And then one more. And before they know it, Riley and Sam learn first-hand that when it comes to love, there’s no such thing as just one night.

Find it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18359904-just-one-night
Order it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1MQYBpY

My Review:
4.5 stars — Oh yeah, this one hit all the Lenore buttons. In love with the big brother’s best friend? And he’s secretly lusty over you?? YES PLEASE!!! Add to that Riley’s hilariously sarcastic nature, their epic bantering, and some seriously hot chemistry, and I was in love. Definitely my favourite of the four books. I always knew I was going to like Riley, her smart mouth in the other books always made me laugh. And she totally lived up to her own hype — she was everything I wanted in a heroine. Secretly inexperienced. Sassy and boisterous, but vulnerable too. And Sam….the only thing that would have made this book better would be more of Sam’s POV. He was so broken, and my heart broke with him. Seriously. And I loved how much he struggled with his desire for Riley. Even the climax and resolution worked perfectly for me — gave me some tears, and then some happy smiles. So yes, winner winner chicken dinner. 😉

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Synopsis:
As Lauren Layne’s salacious Sex, Love & Stiletto series returns, a jaded columnist discovers a steamy way to get over an old flame: falling for him all over again.

As Stiletto magazine’s authority on all things breakup-and-heartache, Emma Sinclair writes from personal experience. Five years ago, Emma was Charlotte, North Carolina’s darling debutante and a blushing bride-to-be. Now she’s the ice queen of the Manhattan dating scene. Emma left her sultry Southern drawl behind, but not even her closest friends know that with it she left her heart. Now Emma’s latest article forces her to face her demons—namely, the devilishly sexy guy who ditched her at the altar.

After giving up everything for a pro-soccer career, Alex Cassidy watches his dreams crumble as a knee injury sidelines him for good. Now he’s hanging up his cleats and giving journalism a shot. It’s just a coincidence that he happens to pick a job in the same field, and the same city, as his former fiancée . . . right? But when Emma moves in next door, it’s no accident. It’s research. And Alex can’t help wondering what might have been. Unlike the innocent girl he remembers, this Emma is chic, sophisticated, and assertive—and she wants absolutely nothing to do with him. The trouble is, Alex has never wanted her more.

Find it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23256188-the-trouble-with-love
Order it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1G9Uc9T

My Review:
4.5 stars — I received a copy of this book through netgalley!

Everything I was looking for — characters with wit and humour, great chemistry, delicious steamy scenes, issues that don’t get in the way of my enjoyment of the book…. The stand out was definitely the humour of the characters….I LOVED the playful banter, and especially loved the side character relationships — the friendship of the girls, the guys, and the couples together. The writing is just effortless, and it makes reading it a treat. It’s so nice to just get lost in a world, and spend your time reading with a smile on.

Why round down instead of up? I wanted the steam SOONER! 😉 I guess I just wanted to see more of their sexual tension earlier on….especially since once we did get it, it was fantastic.

Shopping for a Billionaire Boxed Set by Julia Kent

Synopsis: Ever meet a hot billionaire while your hand’s in a toilet in the men’s room of one of his stores?
No? So it really is just me. Hm.
When you’re a mystery shopper, you get paid to humiliate yourself, all in the name of improving customer service. Romance isn’t in my job description.
But the day I met Declan McCormick it was love at first flush.
Until I nearly castrated him with my EpiPen.
How Hot Guy and Toilet Girl became an item involves my crazy mom, a trip to the ER, my homicidal cat, my fake wife, and true love.
Don’t look at me like that. I’m just doing my job.
I’m shopping for a billionaire.

Get it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1VmFgfM

Add it to your TBR list: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24423835-shopping-for-a-billionaire-boxed-set

4 Stars

My first impression was, “Whoa, she has a way with making the oddest analogies.” I like it. I found myself laughing quite a bit. I generally am not a big fan of comedy but I think my mind has changed recently. This is a romantic comedy and since it’s a boxed set it was pretty long at about 671 pages give or take for kindle conversion. This book was witty and filled with sarcastic dialogue. I love dialogue! You have no idea. It’s like my kryptonite. Other people love action scenes or romance or internal struggle. I love dialogue. It seemed to address self-esteem/confidence issues while bringing with it an appropriate amount of levity. I almost felt like I had whiplash from laughing so hard then reading the next sentence that went deep into her internal psyche. It was an unusual feeling. The main part that stuck out for me was the initial break-up. It seemed too simple a reason. But I have no allergies so I guess I don’t see the issue there. How they resolved there issue was just so stinking cute.

Characters

Shannon: She is a bit of a klutz but it’s quite endearing. I love her mystery shopping job which opens her life up to ridiculous situations but she just rolls with it and deals. She is down to earth and doesn’t cave in the face of an over-bearing male-dominated field. She has high expectations when it comes to her career. I fell ya girl! Her family is very close to her and they share everything with each other. What really caught my attention was the fact that even though she is a plus sized woman they didn’t focus on it too much and she didn’t lose any weight to make herself feel better about herself. I think it may have been mentioned a hand full of times throughout. Since it’s a box set, that’s a big deal to me.

Declan: He seemed stand-offish to me. He had to be the one in control. He had a touch of Type A personality which he would need to be a billionaire but he gave up before it even had a chance IMO. The focus seemed to be on his appearance a bit more than Shannon’s. Almost as if the gender roles had been reversed. Almost. He was a bit emotionally immature for me, especially since he was older than Shannon. But he does grow up a bit as the series progresses. His family is all business and they are not as close as Shannon’s.

Favorite Quotes

People who think animals have expressionless faces are like people who can ignore an open package of Oreo’s. Not quite human.

Switched by Cassie Mae

OK, so I might be cheating on this one a little….this review is actually from awhile ago.  But I recently reread it and still feel this way wholeheartedly.  Wesley may be one of my top book boyfriends of all time.  And Cassie Mae remains one of my favourite authors of all time.

Synopsis:
Ever since high school, Kayla has been crazy for gorgeous football player Talon. But before she could muster the courage to tell him, he became a hot item with her beautiful BFF, Reagan. The only person who knows Kayla’s secret is Wesley, Talon’s best bud—and he’s got it bad for Reagan. Now they’re all in college together, hanging out 24/7. For Kayla, seeing the two lovebirds together is absolutely unbearable. So Kayla and Wesley hatch a plot to drive them apart before Talon has a chance to give Reagan the Christmas gift she’s been waiting for.

Soon enough, the once happy couple is fighting. Reagan suddenly can’t get enough of Wesley’s goofy sense of humor, and Talon seems to be paying more attention to Kayla than a guy who’s “only a friend” ever should. But just when everything seems to be falling into place, Kayla and Wesley accidentally spend a night together and discover a hitch in their plan they never considered: that switching partners may not lead to a perfect ending after all.

Find it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18166750-switched
Order it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1OzTLxR

My Review:
4.5 stars — You know you’ve read a fabulous book when you finally read the last line and it’s like reading perfection. It gives you goosebumps and a happy smile. I love how Cassie Mae’s writing always sucks me in, and yet the stories and characters are so different from book to book. But the one thing they all have in common?? They’re *REAL*. God I love that. I mean, I like the fantasy perfection books too, but it’s just so nice to read about characters that you could imagine in real life and would want to be friends with you know??

It’s funny, b/c the premise of the book is kind of uncomfortable….I mean, working to break up your best friend’s relationship so you can go out with their boyfriend?? Yeah, makes my heart hurt. And it does in the book too, but I end up forgiving Kayla and Wesley…and even understanding how they got to that point. Which I honestly didn’t expect. How does Ms. Mae do that?? I don’t even know. Seriously, I could probably figure it out, but I’m just going to say it’s a miracle of good writing.

Kayla and Wesley were just perfect together. I mean, just goosebumps and happy smiles everywhere. And can I just say that the scene by the van outside Yogurtland near the end?? Oh dude, it was like everything I ever want out of a romance book tied up in one heartwrenching and satisfying scene.

So yeah, I guess what I’m saying is that if you want a quirky, realistic, adorable, and hilarious love story that’s kind of epically not normal, then you’ve come to the right place.

Creatura by Nely Cab

Synopsis: Isis can control her dreams. Or she could—until recently. The creature in her nightmares has been haunting her for months. As if being dumped wasn’t bad enough, now she dreads going to sleep. She decides to confront the creature and win back some of her peace; only, she finds that he’s not a monster and he’s not a dream. A sacrifice for love, a shocking discovery and a jealous ex-boyfriend blur the lines between reality and dreams, making it hard to tell who the real monsters are.
Who would’ve known…that sometimes love is lethal?

Get it on Amazon:http://amzn.to/1jj0nne

Add it your TBR list:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25528969-creatura

4 stars

This book is one I am reading for Hispanic Heritage Month which runs from September 15 through October 15.  My friends over at Platypire Reviews have a list of other books you can read that celebrate this month as well.  Take a look here: http://www.platypire.com/home/platypire-reviews-celebrates-hispanic-heritage-month

This book runs about 342 pages and can be categorized as YA Paranormal/Mythology.  There is a bit of a cliffhanger in this book which I don’t mind since the next one is available for me to buy.  And I will be reading the next one. And the cover! Me likey.  I quite liked this MC.  She didn’t fall over the guys like I normally see but resisted a little. It’s entirely age appropriate YA in my opinion. It had great foreshadowing and strong family involvement with both main characters.  I always like when they involve the family in a YA book, it shows a more realistic view of YA.  The dialogue was so good.  Bad dialogue can kill a novel dead.  The action/dialogue/internal conflict was on point for me as well.  This was just a very well rounded novel.  The ending!!!! Oh man, the ending killed me dead. I was not expecting that to happen at all!  Kudos to the author since it’s pretty hard for me not to predict an ending.  Isis is a practical, straightforward MC.  She’s just trying to make it to college. David is a respectable alpha male with incredible willpower when it comes to Isis.  I enjoyed the fact that the female wanted a more physical relationship than the male.  Go after what you want girl!

I would recommend this book to anyone 16+ because of a few violent scenes but in all honesty a 14 year old could probably read it.  Cheers.

Irresistibly Yours by Lauren Layne

Synopsis:
Meet the men of Oxford magazine! In the first captivating spin-off of Lauren Layne’s Sex, Love & Stiletto series, a not-so-friendly battle of the sexes turns into a scorching office romance.

Hotshot sports editor Cole Sharpe has been freelancing for Oxford for years, so when he hears about a staff position opening up, he figures he’s got the inside track. Then his boss drops a bombshell: Cole has competition. Female competition, in the form of a fresh-faced tomboy who can hang with the dudes—and write circles around them, too. Cole usually likes his women flirty and curvy, but he takes a special interest in his skinny, sassy rival, if only to keep an eye on her. And soon, he can’t take his eyes off her.

Penelope Pope knows all too well that she comes off as just one of the guys. Since she’s learned that wanting more usually leads to disappointment, Penelope’s resigned to sitting on the sidelines when it comes to love. So why does Cole make her want to get back in the game? The man is as arrogant as he is handsome. He probably sees her as nothing more than a barrier to his dream job. But when an unexpected kiss turns into a night of irresistible passion, Penelope has to figure out whether they’re just fooling around—or starting something real.

Find it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23395414-irresistibly-yours
Preorder it on Amazon (Available Oct 6th): http://amzn.to/1LQWoVG

My Review:

4.5 stars — I received a copy of this ebook through netgalley!!! OK, I will admit I haven’t read all of the Stiletto books, only the last one…but what I saw of Cole and Lincoln in that book had me totally looking forward to their stories!! And this book did not disappoint. It had great sex appeal, had moments of wonderful sweetness, a bit of depth to the characters, and of course great wit and banter. Everything I was looking for. I really enjoyed how unique Penelope was as a book girl, and she just goes to show that girls of all shapes and sizes suffer from insecurities. She really was a great counterpart to Cole, and I seriously loved how happy and positive she could be. It was kind of refreshing. I almost wish we’d learned a bit more about Cole….I found his relationship with his brother to be uber endearing, but it was just a tiny part of the story in some ways. Speaking of tiny, I LOVED that he called her Tiny. Seriously, so adorable. Basically, if you’ve read any of Lauren Layne’s books, you get all of that goodness in this story. If you haven’t, then this is a great book to start with — like me, it will just make you want to go back and read all the stories that came before!

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Synopsis: Seconds before the Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy who, for the last fifteen years, has been posing as an out-of-work actor.

Together this dynamic pair begin a journey through space aided by quotes from The Hitchhiker’s Guide (“A towel is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have”) and a galaxy-full of fellow travelers: Zaphod Beeblebrox–the two-headed, three-armed ex-hippie and totally out-to-lunch president of the galaxy; Trillian, Zaphod’s girlfriend (formally Tricia McMillan), whom Arthur tried to pick up at a cocktail party once upon a time zone; Marvin, a paranoid, brilliant, and chronically depressed robot; Veet Voojagig, a former graduate student who is obsessed with the disappearance of all the ballpoint pens he bought over the years.

Get it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Ovuzsg

Add it to your TBR list: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11.The_Hitchhiker_s_Guide_to_the_Galaxy

4 stars

This is one of my challenge books. A book that was published the year I was born. Let’s not look that up m’k? This book was pretty funny.  And a bit ridiculous.  I couldn’t tell you if it was way over my head or if it was meant to be so confusing that you just gave trying to understand.  I laughed a lot. There isn’t a whole lot I can say about this books characters.  A couple humans who didn’t really know what was going on, a couple aliens who thought they knew what was going on.  A depressed robot who I thought was adorable, especially when he made the other ship commit suicide.  And some really money hungry mice who actually did know what was going on.  I think.  It ends abruptly with them getting away and proceeding to get their grub on.  So, I guess I need to read the next one to find out why the president messed with his brain.  And if they are gonna rebuild earth, and if they get caught for stealing the heart of gold. And a bunch of other little things that I’m sure need to be addressed.  

The English Brothers series (books 1-5 of 6) by Katy Regnery

Three of these reviews are older, and two from just recently, so I thought I’d post them all together.  Now I just need to read the last book in this series!!

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Breaking Up with Barrett
Synopsis:
Breaking Up with Barrett is the first of six books about the Philadelphia-based, wildly-handsome English brothers who are all on the look-out for love.

(Except Alex. He’s a womanizing manwhore. And maybe Stratton, because he’s wicked hot, but super awkward around girls.)

Barrett English, aka “the Shark,” is the fair-haired, first-born of the English brothers, and the CEO of the oldest, most prestigious investment banking firm in Philadelphia. He rules the boardroom with an iron fist, refusing to take no for an answer and always getting his way.

Emily Edwards, a first-year doctoral student at the University of Pennsylvania, grew up in the gatehouse on the outskirts of Barrett’s childhood estate. The daughter of his family’s gardener and housekeeper, she was always looking through the window of privilege, but forced to remember her place at the very periphery of the kingdom.

When business partners suggest that a fiancee might soften Barrett’s image over business dinners, he approaches Emily for the “job” of fiancee. And while love wasn’t necessarily on Barrett’s radar, he begins to realize that Emily always has been. But will his take-no-prisoners boardroom tactics work on the heart of the woman he loves.

Find it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25540390-breaking-up-with-barrett
Order it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1WeUaHk

My Review:
4 stars — Mmmmm, classic romance. Sometimes, it’s just what you need. Great characters, great chemistry, didn’t feel like it fell into the usual romance tropes (though it had the opportunities to do so). Barrett wasn’t what I expected…he was a bit more…awkward? than I was expecting. Not necessarily a bad thing, but you just didn’t really see a lot of his supposed “Shark” personality appear….probably b/c that’s not who he actually is deep inside. Definitely a book filled with happy sighs. 🙂 LOVED the whole part where he was recounting all the significant moments in Emily’s life that he remembered.

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Falling for Fitz
Synopsis:
Falling for Fitz is the second of five books about the Philadelphia-based, wildly-handsome English brothers who are absolutely not on the look-out for love.

(Except Barrett, who fell in love when he was eight-years-old. And Fitz, who met the girl of his dreams at nineteen. And maybe even Weston, who just doesn’t know it yet.)

Fitz English and Daisy Edwards fell in love during one magical summer when they were teenagers. When something tragic happens at the end of the summer, Daisy tells Fitz she never wants to see him again. Despite his feelings for her, he respects her wishes and for almost a decade Fitz and Daisy go their separate ways.

Almost ten years later, when Daisy moves home to Philadelphia, they meet again, and both are shocked to discover that the feelings they had that summer are just as deep and real today. There’s a little snag, however. It seems that Daisy is engaged to someone else, and she’s come home to get married.

Can Fitz get Daisy to fall for him all over again before it’s too late? Only if Daisy can learn to trust the man who shattered her heart once upon a time.

Find it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22376595-falling-for-fitz
Order it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1iKj7fp

My Review:
4 stars — Mmmmmm, Fitz… Seriously, he was an adorable book boy. He totally made this whole book for me. He was sweet, sort of understated, but with so much love to give. And Daisy was his perfect counterpoint. I loved the way their different personalities meshed, how they each brought something important that was missing from the other’s life. I appreciated that some of the things I thought would become big obstacles just didn’t work out that way (Josh/Dr. M). I was initially a bit disheartened by Daisy’s hangups about Fitz’s love, but Ms. Regnery resolved that way better than I was expecting (remembered pain vs. seeing things through a maturer perspective). So there were things I was hung up on initially, but they were resolved in a way that satisfied me.

My highlight was Fitz’s speech upon waking up beside her. When you read it, you’ll understand. I melted. Just melted.

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Anyone but Alex
Synopsis:
Anyone but Alex is the third of six books about the Philadelphia-based, wildly-handsome English brothers who are all on the look-out for love.

(Sort of. Barrett and Fitz are officially off the market, Alex has sampled every piece of available ass from Rittenhouse Square to the Liberty Bell, Stratton can’t seem to see what’s right in front of him, and don’t even get me started on Alex Pettyfer look-alike, Weston…)

Alex English, the well-known man whore of the country club set, has always preferred to play the field, eschewing a chance with Miss Right for a satisfying quickie with Miss Right-Now. But after seeing his two older brothers take the plunge, something has been aching inside of Alex, and no amount of casual sex seems to fill the void in his heart.

Jessica Winslow, whose older brothers are best friends with the English brothers, has returned home from a fifteen-year stay in England, only to find herself face-to-face with her childhood crush, Alex English, on her first night home. She’s heard all the rumors, but Jessie remembers the older boy who was so kind to her as a child, and can’t help reaching out to Alex in friendship.

Between disapproving brothers, scheming exes, and the biggest business deal of English & Sons’ illustrious history, Alex and Jessie’s budding romance is going to be put to the test. The question is…will it be strong enough to be their happily-ever-after?

Find it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25540415-anyone-but-alex
Order it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1L21bcD

My Review:
4.5 stars — Seriously, who knew that ALEX, the playboy, would be one of my favourite English boys???  It’s a pretty tight race with Stratton, who I totally understand my appeal to.  But Alex?  He comes off so cocky and almost jerk-like in some of the other books…  But wow, Ms. Regnery sure knows how to sucker punch you right to the heart.  I really felt for Alex and could see how bewildered he was dealing with his suddenly different feelings (even before he was reacquainted with Jessica).  And Jessica was a perfect foil for his playboy ways….strong, mostly confident, someone who refused to assume that Alex’s reputation was all there was to him.  Yup, I was sucked into this love story.  And even the pitfalls that found them were believable and realistic.  Made me laugh, made cry, gave me goosebumps — just a great love story all around.

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Seduced by Stratton
Synopsis:
Seduced by Stratton is the fourth of six books about the Philadelphia-based, wildly-handsome English brothers who are all on the look-out for love.

Stratton English knew what his brothers said about him:

I don’t think he’s ever had a girlfriend. (Barrett)

I don’t think he’s ever had sex. (Alex)

He always friend-zones himself. (Fitz)

He’s just not smooth around women. (Weston)

It often occurred to Stratton to set them straight and tell Barrett that he’d had a couple of girlfriends in college, though they didn’t last very long. While he was at it, he’d tell reformed lothario, Alex, that while he’d had sex, he wasn’t in the habit of sleeping around. Smiling affectionately as he thought of his favorite brother, Fitz, he’d have to agree that he had a problem with being friend-zoned, and while Weston was right in general, being incredibly awkward around women wasn’t the primary reason Stratton was single.

The simple fact was this…

…his heart was already taken.

Find it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25540418-seduced-by-stratton
Order it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1L21lAL

My Review:
5 stars — Yup, that was awesome. I was hooked from almost the first chapter. How can you not fall in love with the super awkward and socially inept Stratton? And Valeria was just perfection as a counterpart. I LAUGHED so much, and I rooted for them, and everything about this book just made me happy. I LOVED how unique both characters were, and how their love story wasn’t so straight-forward. I LOVED that it didn’t take FOREVER for Stratton to figure his crap out and so we got plenty of good stuff too. And now I have all the rest of the books in this series on my wishlist. This is an author I will HAPPILY read again and again. (Thanks for introducing me Cassie!)

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Wild About Weston
Synopsis:
Wild about Weston is the fifth of six books about the last of the Philadelphia-based, wildly-handsome English brothers who are all on the look-out for love.

Wait a second! They’re definitely NOT all on the look-out for love anymore. Not if Emily, Daisy, Jess and Val have any say in the matter. Weston’s the last single English…oh, yeah. And Kate. Poor Kate…)

When Weston English’s girlfriend breaks up with him to move to Italy on the morning of his brother Fitz’s wedding, he fully expects to have a horrible day. What he doesn’t anticipate is meeting Molly McKenna at the reception.

Daisy’s friend, Molly, whose fiance dumped her the night before the wedding, decides to throw caution to the wind and eschew her schoolteacher persona for a wild, one-night stand with Weston.

From the ceremony to the cocktail hour, from dinner to dancing, from toasts to photos, Molly and Weston will discover that they have more in common than they could have guessed, and that some horrible endings lead to the happiest beginnings.

Find it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25540428-wild-about-weston
Order it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1iKk3Ar

My Review
4 stars — Had a hankering for an easy, guaranteed satisfaction romance, and I picked perfectly! The speed of Molly and Weston’s relationship was kind of crazy, but at the same time it’s the whole book, and it really feels like they do get to know each other and are just drawn to each other for some reason. Fabulous chemistry between these two — both in the heat department, and in the friendship/gets each other department. Molly was so spunky sometimes, I just fell in love with her. Almost wish we could have seen more of them afterwards, but I guess if I want a sneak peek, that’s what Kate’s book is for.

All in all, thoroughly satisfied. 😉

Robin in the Hood (Robbin’ Hearts Series Book 1) by Diane J. Reed

Synopsis: “Is it any wonder I became a bank robber?”
But she never dreamed she’d fall in love . . .

Wealthy high school student Robin McArthur thinks she has it all figured out when it comes to bilking her work-a-holic dad for guilt money as a substitute for his genuine affection. Until one day he suffers a stroke at his law office, and she learns the brutal truth—
They’re broke.
Her stepmom has skipped the country.
And everyone from bankers to bookies has lined up in her dad’s hospital room to collect on the millions he’s racked up in debt.

Panicked and desperate, Robin figures she has two choices: either surrender to the pestering caseworker and live in a skanky foster home, or take a chance and sneak her dad out of the hospital to make a run for it. Little does she know that stealing a car and hitting the road means that before the day is through, she will rob her first bank.

Now an outlaw, Robin finds a backwoods trailer park to hide her dad from authorities where she encounters Creek, a bad-boy in crime who first steals her money and then steals her heart. The two of them embark on a round of increasingly dangerous heists to provide for their motley trailer park neighbors. But what Robin hadn’t counted on is the way these hardscrabble people begin to embrace her and become the first real family she’s ever known. And along the way, worldly-wise Creek teaches her how to develop a genuine relationship with her dad based on the hard truths of their lives instead of his past lies. As Robin and Creek’s criminal journey forces them to make gut-wrenching choices, they soon begin to discover that people are more precious than pocketbooks, and true love means opening your heart to the kinds of treasures money can’t buy.

Get it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1KtGx1C

Add it to your TBR list: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22569333-robin-in-the-hood

3.5 Stars

This book was free at the time of the posting of this review.

This book was funny in an outlandish way.  It has an edgy sarcastic feel to the writing which I am a fan of in small doses.  It starts out as a belligerent rich teen with daddy issues.  Then she had an ‘aha’ moment that turned her immature butt into the caretaker for her stoke-ridden father.  I was a bit shocked at the depth that was worked into the story. I was all set to dive in and be entertained with the simple but outrageous characters Robin had to deal with. But then she starts to feel on a deeper level.  To Robin’s credit she is extremely adaptive and accepting of these trailer-park folk, just rolling with the punches as surprise after surprise unfolds.

I liked the cute teenager romance, even if it was meant to be portrayed as true love. That part went a little too fast for me and seemed to get serious real quick. It was a believable puppy love to me.  Creek was intense from the very beginning and had more maturity to him than Robin exhibited, but he seemed to wait for her emotions to catch up with his before he made a move which I admired about his character.

The heists were my favorite part.   The intense danger they were in coupled with the unorthodox getaways really sealed my interest in this book.  I loved the trailer park characters, each and every one!  They were all a bunch of misfits that didn’t fit in anywhere else but had hearts that were open and forgiving.  Who ever heard of attack geese! Very funny book.

I would recommend it to others.