Saturday 26 December 2015

My Reckless Valentine - Olivia Dade


My Reckless Valentine is book number two in author Olivia Dade’s, Lovestruck Librarians series. Angie is a library manager and it’s safe to say that she has some alternative ideas about events that should run the library. The customers love Angie and her ideas but her boss isn’t a fan of her plans such as the Valentine’s Day competition to write the best sex scene. Angie loves her job but her boss has had enough of her x rated plans so give her a final warning. Then in a bizarre twist of fate she meets Grant who makes all her fantasies come true until it is discovered that he is in fact been hired to keep Angie in line at the library.

I've read both books on the series and although I loved book number one I think personally this one is my favourite so far. Everything happened in a night in book one which made it a cute quick read about New Year whereas this book focuses on day to day life over a period time. I love how Grant and Angie meet then the sheer horror over the fact they're new, very closely linked work colleagues that aren't allowed to date.

Angie is very headstrong and isn't afraid to do things how she wants to do them which is what I love about her. She runs the library fantastically even if it causes her trouble along the way. Grant on the other hand is Mr Spreadsheet and does everything by the book. On paper they're polar opposites but when you read they bring out the best in each other so you constantly want their relationship to find a way to be allowed to happen throughout the book.

The book is told mainly from Angie’s point of view but occasionally switches to chapters from Grant’s.  I didn’t think Grant’s point of view was entirely necessary to be included too but I loved reading Grant’s chapters and reading about what he was really thinking about Angie. Although there relationship happens extremely quickly, they still have some really sweet moments and it’s nice to read about how in love they are with each other. It is also view noting that although some references are made to the first book in the series, it is definitely readable as a standalone book perfectly fine. However, if you do enjoy this book, you really must read the first as I can assure you that you’ll love it.

I absolutely love the way the author writes and I adore this series of books. I cannot wait for the next in the series to be released. If you love books, you will love reading this book set in a library with the most relatable characters.

My Reckless Valentine - Olivia Dade is out 19th January. Click here to preorder the book.

Saturday 19 December 2015

Under The Spotlight - Kate Willoughby

Under The Spotlight by Kate Willoughby tells the story of actress Christine and hockey player Joe. Christine finds herself helping a sick child have the day of her dreams which is to meet star Barracudas player, Joe Rutherford. Out of the blue she contacts him in the hope that he agrees to grant the wish. Little does she know that he already saw her in theatre in Chicago and waited outside in the rain just to meet her after the show. The attraction between them is undeniable but as Joe is heading for retirement and Christine’s career is rocketing, can a relationship between the pair survive? 

I loved the story I just didn’t really like Christine. I thought at the beginning I would love reading about her but towards the end I personally feel she is very insensitive to Joe’s feelings which caused me to really not enjoy reading about her. However, if a film version of Under The Spotlight is ever made, I already know exactly who I want to play her which just goes to show how brilliantly she is described in the book. Joe however was a great character who I loved reading about throughout. He really cares for both CJ and Christine and although he’s getting old for the hockey world he is still incredibly passionate about the sport and despite me knowing nothing about hockey his enthusiasm made me interested. I especially loved his relationship with new player CJ who he takes under his wing.

The conflicts in the book about Christine’s acting career are an interesting one which I feel you will either love or not. Joe doesn’t like the fact that his girlfriend is going to do sex scenes and she takes this very badly. It’s interesting and made me ultimately think how I’d handle it. I shared Joe’s opinions on it which unfortunately made me dislike Christine as she just didn’t see his point of view at all. I was somewhat worried that a love triangle would take place in this novel but I am very thankful that it didn’t as I think it would’ve made the book so much less enjoyable to read.
 
Under The Spotlight is actually book number four in the series but I read it as a standalone, it really isn’t necessary to have read the others in the series. However, I now really want to read the others as the little you see of Joe’s teammates in this novel really makes you want to read more about them and their back stories. 

If you’ve read any of the other books in the series I’m pretty certain you will absolutely love this book too. If you love sport or not, this book is a great, must read romance novel.
 
Synopsis -

Stage actress Christine Caspary couldn't care less about hockey, but when she first sees Joe Rutherford playing in a Barracudas game her mind goes to all sorts of dirty places. By happy chance, her work with Grant A Wish gives her an opportunity to meet him in the flesh.

Right winger Joe Rutherford saw Christine perform when the team went to see Chicago and was so taken with her, he secretly saw the show a second time, alone. When the gorgeous actress with spectacular legs contacts him out of the blue asking for a favor, it's a no-brainer. 

Their chemistry is off the charts. Things heat up quickly and they can't keep their hands off each other. Soon they're hooking up whenever their busy schedules allow and having hot phone sex every night at midnight when they don't. But Joe's time in the hockey spotlight is fading, just as Christine's star begins to rise. When she gets her big break into a TV career, how will Joe take to being the arm candy for a change? 

Saturday 12 December 2015

Now And Again - Jennifer Ellision



Em and Cole meet at university. From the second they lock eyes outside their college halls during a fire alarm, there has been undeniable chemistry between them. Nothing romantic ever happens between them but as soon as university ends, Em moves far away causing any opportunity for a relationship to happen to stop. Eventually she finds herself jobless and reluctantly moves back home and ends up helping to plan best friend Nikki's wedding. Everything she left behind is still at home when she moved back, including Cole. When Nikki ropes Cole into planning her wedding with Em, the two finally have to discuss their history.

Have you ever wondered that perhaps someone has been watching you for a few years to sit down and write a highly exaggerated book about you? Well this that book for me. I found myself constantly relating to Em. From her university days, to when she moved away for a while to when she has to reluctantly move back home, it was all just too relatable. For me, how easy it is to relate to the plot of Now And Again book is one of the reasons I absolutely loved reading. To be honest I'm sure a lot of people will get the same feeling as I did when reading as I think that so many people will be able to relate to the plot.

I absolutely adored reading about Em and Cole. From very early on I was just routing for them to start a romantic relationship. However, the actual romantic relationship is very little in this book, which isn't necessarily a bad thing! They have more chemistry and cute moments that a lot of books I've read when they're in a relationship from very early on. Best friend, Nikki I found very amusing and just helped to gel the entire book together. I can't pinpoint even just one character in Now And Again that wasn't a sheer delight to read about.

Now And Again is set both in present day then flashes back to Em's college days. I'm not the biggest fan of flashbacks in books but I feel that it enhanced this book. It really helped to get a feel of just how intense things were between Em and Cole when they were in college and why perhaps they feel and act the way they do now they are older. It also helped to explain why Em is so guarded and her walls are up against everyone.

If you can’t tell by now I absolutely loved every second I spent reading Now And Again. From the moment I looked at the cover, which is simply beautiful in its simplicity to the final turn of the page, it was just a great read. I can’t recommend any more than you pick up this book. I just hope that the author continues to write more books in this genre.

Synopsis – 

Unemployed. Broke. Maid of Honor.

All (unfortunately) words that describe Em Hayes.

Without any job leads in San Francisco, Em caves to her mother’s promise of free rent and returns home. Her best friend, Nikki, couldn’t be more thrilled. Em’s degree in Event Management is gathering dust, and what better way to put it to use than planning Nikki’s wedding?

There’s just one flaw in that plan: Cole Connors. The girls’ former roommate. And part of the reason Em hasn’t been back since college graduation.

Em’s never been able to forget Cole—or how close they were before she pushed him aside and ran for the hills. Cole’s never forgotten Em either— but in the past two years, she hasn’t given him much choice but to try.

And, according to Nikki, there’s no better pair to plan the wedding of her dreams.

Em’s usually good at squashing messy feelings, but being around Cole again brings them all rushing to the surface.

And this time, she’s not sure she wants to run. 



Now And Again - Jennifer Ellision is out now. Click here to buy the kindle edition from Amazon

Saturday 5 December 2015

Smart Girl - Rachel Hollis

Miko is an unbelievable designer, she’s won so many awards for it yet the thing she is lacking in her life is love like she reads in novels. Except she is in love with her friend Liam, except he doesn’t know that she’s head of heels in love with him. Then one day he discovers that she is a designer and asks for her help in her new project causing their lives to finally intertwine. Miko tries to get his attention by using the advice that she’s learnt from romance novels but is that ultimately going to be enough for her to get her happy ever after?

It's been a while since I read a book which made my stomach tie up so much with knots whilst I was reading. I was so involved with this book that I really didn't want anything bad to happen to Miko's love life or her work life. Smart Girl really manages to drag you into the story and you really start to want the best for Miko.

Liam was a utter twonk at times and you felt like going up to him and telling him to open his eyes and realise what a good thing he'd have with Miko if he committed. However, his reluctance to be exclusive, although frustrating to read made me keep turning the pages to see if he eventually would settle down. Miko on the other hand is clearly a hopeless romantic who tries tips from romance novels she reads to try get Liam's attention. She's hard working and just hopelessly in love with Liam even if he doesn't realise it. I think Miko is a fantastic female lead and although she makes mistakes at times you're constantly routing for her. The sub characters are also fantastic to read about, some books I’ve read they just seem to not add much to the story but in Smart Girl they add with the stories development.

Smart Girl is actually book number three in the series. I went into reading this book without actually knowing that it was part of a series and I don't believe it hindered my enjoyment of the book in the slightest. Each book in the series focuses on a different main character and I think that if you had read the other books you’ll love these characters in this book even more. Having read this now I'm extremely eager to pick up the first two books in the series to read more of the backstories of the sub characters.

Synopsis -

Brilliant designer Miko Jin is a hopeless romantic. She’s spent most of her life falling in love over and over again…with the men she finds in the pages of her favorite novels.
When Miko meets Liam Ashton, it’s love at first sight. At least, for her. Sure, the two of them are polar opposites, and yes, he seems to be dating someone new each week. But Miko knows what true love is and that you can’t rush it—after all, what she lacks in real-world experience, she makes up for in book smarts. With novels as her guide, and her best friends by her side, she knows she can get Liam to love her back. But just like any good romance novel, fate has a few plot twists in store.

Will Miko get her own happy ending? Will she find the strength to stand up for what she deserves even if it means breaking her own heart? 



Smart Girl - Rachel Hollis is released January 26th 2016. Preorder the kindle edition from Amazon by clicking here