Only for Him by Cristin Harber | Book Review

Reading Group: High School+

Personal Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

Synopses: Grayson Ford and Emma Kinglsey--close since they were kids, opposites in every way. He's the stuff high school crushes are made of, Mister Popular, and captain of every team. She's artsy, cute, and not in his league, though fully aware of Summerland's "I Dream of Dating Grayson Ford" support group.

I can't say no. The girl's had my heart since before I knew it went missing.

He hides a life of hell. His father hates him, his mother's gone. Emma is his only savior, yet she doesn't know her power over him. She's the only girl he wants, the only one he could ever tell--though he won't.

I'm stronger, bigger, more of a man than he'll ever be, but because I ruined his life, I've taken his crap, his attacks, the vulgar nature of his existence.

Until she discovers Gray's embarrassment, his humiliation. Emma fights for him and for a chance. Theirs is a Cinderella story that she believes impossible. But as the layers peel back, it's just a guy who needs a girl in order to keep breathing.

My mind is already doodling Mrs. Grayson Ford in imaginary notebooks. He has no clue where my head is at... But, given that I didn't see what just happened coming, maybe I have no clue where his head is at either.

Only for Him. Only series, Volume One.
All novellas in the series are available now!

Cover: This cover shows Gray and Emma hugging in the grass.  I'm pretty indifferent to this cover, except that I don't think this scene ever happens.

My Review: So I downloaded this novella because it was free and I thought it sounded interesting.  Honestly, it wasn't really for me.  I understand it's a novella, so it has to move a little faster than a full novel, but this was super fast.  It started with both of them having a crush on the other and then Gray kisses her out of nowhere and takes her to a school dance, but gets embarrassed when she finds out about his abusive dad even though she already guessed it, but then they get back together, and everything's great.  And then it fast forwards, and Gray is a soldier getting shot at and Emma is a stripper, but she has a daughter with Gray.  There were a lot of plot lines that were never actually addressed.  Gray blames himself for his mother's death, but why?  Emma was basically accepted to a photography school, but then somehow becomes a stripper.  I guess that could be because she got pregnant, but it was never discussed.  Did Gray know he got Emma pregnant?  There are more books in the series, but I just don't know if it's worth reading them to see what they address.  There were some parts of the story I liked, but I am very glad I didn't pay for it and maybe if the others are ever free I'll read those.    

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The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant | Book Review

Reading Group: High School+

Personal Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Synopses: New York Times bestseller!
An unforgettable novel about a young Jewish woman growing up in Boston in the early twentieth century, told “with humor and optimism…through the eyes of an irresistible heroine” (People)—from the acclaimed author of The Red Tent.

Anita Diamant’s “vivid, affectionate portrait of American womanhood” (Los Angeles Times), follows the life of one woman, Addie Baum, through a period of dramatic change. Addie is The Boston Girl, the spirited daughter of an immigrant Jewish family, born in 1900 to parents who were unprepared for America and its effect on their three daughters. Growing up in the North End of Boston, then a teeming multicultural neighborhood, Addie’s intelligence and curiosity take her to a world her parents can’t imagine—a world of short skirts, movies, celebrity culture, and new opportunities for women. Addie wants to finish high school and dreams of going to college. She wants a career and to find true love. From the one-room tenement apartment she shared with her parents and two sisters, to the library group for girls she joins at a neighborhood settlement house, to her first, disastrous love affair, to finding the love of her life, eighty-five-year-old Addie recounts her adventures with humor and compassion for the naïve girl she once was.

Written with the same attention to historical detail and emotional resonance that made Diamant’s previous novels bestsellers, The Boston Girl is a moving portrait of one woman’s complicated life in twentieth century America, and a fascinating look at a generation of women finding their places in a changing world. “Diamant brings to life a piece of feminism’s forgotten history” (Good Housekeeping) in this “inspirational…page-turning portrait of immigrant life in the early twentieth century” (Booklist).

Cover: The cover of this book is simple: a girl reading while sitting on a post in the ocean.  We can assume this woman is supposed to be Addie.

My Review: This book is fiction, but it's written as if a grandmother is telling a story and I think that's why I liked it so much.  I live in Massachusetts, so I really liked reading about how Boston used to be and what it was like growing up there.  The book takes place from 1914-1985, and that is such a unique time for anyone to live through: the end of Industrialization, two World Wars, Korean War, Vietnam War, advancements in technology.  Plus, as significant as all of those things are they don't include the personal things an individual also had to deal with.  Addie has to balance what she wants for herself and what her family expects of her, which I think a lot of people can relate to.  When she was growing up, women were transitioning from just being wives and mothers to having jobs for themselves, so it was hard for her to relate to her mother who didn't understand Addie's independence.  I enjoy historical fiction like this because even though everything seems so different between then and now, they're really not so much.  This work is very big on feminism which is obviously still huge right now and family drama which is an issue then, now, and forever.  I would recommend this book to anyone, but I think you need to be a certain age to fully appreciate it.

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Last Year's Mistake by Gina Ciocca | Book Review

Reading Group: High School+

Personal Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Synopses: Is there anything that electric chemistry can’t overcome? The past may be gone, but love has a way of holding on in this “thoughtful romance” (School Library Journal) told in alternating Before and After chapters.

The summer before freshman year, Kelsey and David became inseparable best friends—until the night a misunderstanding turned Kelsey into the school joke and everything around her crumbled, including her friendship with David. So when Kelsey’s parents decide to move away, she can’t wait to start over and leave the past behind. But David’s not quite ready for her to leave.

Now it’s senior year and Kelsey has a new group of friends, genuine popularity, and a hot boyfriend. Her life is perfect. That is, until David’s family moves to town. Old feelings bubble to the surface and threaten to destroy Kelsey’s second chance at happiness. The more time she spends with David, the more she realizes she never let him go. And maybe she never wants to…

Cover: Not going to lie, this cover makes zero sense to me.  First of all this scene never happens and second, the scene that does slightly resemble this happens on David's old, beat up car, not a fancy, bright yellow convertible.  

My Review: I like this book because it was a story about a second chance, that was pretty realistic for being a work of fiction.  Kelsey and David leave off on such bad terms, but when they're back in each other's lives, they have the chance to correct everything.  They stumble along the way, but that's what I liked about it.  Their lives kept going on, and so when they had to reincorporate each other, it was awkward and confusing.  It was frustrating too because I really wanted them to hurry up and figure everything out so they could be together.  I wish there was another chapter or epilogue that explained their relationship a little more because it was like "Yay, they're finally together!  The end."  and I could have used a little bit more.  I liked that Kelsey was super jealous when David started dating her friend, but she knew she couldn't say anything because she had a boyfriend too.  Like I said, this book just seemed more realistic than some other books on the same topic, and I thought it was really nice.

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Dating You Hating You by Christina Lauren | Book Review

HAPPY 4th OF JULY!!  I HOPE YOU ALL GET TO SEE SOME FIREWORKS THIS WEEK!

Reading Group: 18+

Personal Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Synopses: Everyone knows that all’s fair in love and war. But these two will learn that sabotage is a dish best served naked.

The first standalone romance by New York Times and #1 international bestselling author Christina Lauren (Beautiful Bastard) is a sexy, compulsively readable romantic comedy that dives headlong into the thrill and doubt of modern love.

Despite the odds against them from an embarrassing meet-awkward at a mutual friend’s Halloween party, Carter and Evie immediately hit it off. Even the realization that they’re both high-powered agents at competing firms in Hollywood isn’t enough to squash the fire.

But when their two agencies merge—causing the pair to vie for the same position—all bets are off. What could have been a beautiful, blossoming romance turns into an all-out war of sabotage. Carter and Evie are both thirtysomething professionals—so why can’t they act like it?

Can Carter stop trying to please everyone and see how their mutual boss is really playing the game? Can Evie put aside her competitive nature long enough to figure out what she really wants in life? Can their actor clients just be something close to human? Whether these two Hollywood love/hatebirds get the storybook Hollywood ending, or just a dramedy of epic proportions, you get to enjoy Christina Lauren’s heartfelt, hilarious story of romance in the modern world.

Cover: This cover is very Christina Lauren in that it has the black and white drawing of the couple.  However, the fact that both Carter and Evie are on the cover is new because usually, it's just the male character.  But I think this is done on purpose because a big theme in this book is equality between men and women in the workplace. 

My Review:  I want to start out this review by giving some advice to anyone who hasn't read it yet: If you are expecting a "classic" Christina Lauren novel where if/when you talk about it with someone you say 'And then they had sex' multiple times, you're going to be surprised because that's not what this book is.  Carter and Evie do not have sex as often as the other characters in Lauren's adult novels, but it's not disappointing.  This story is laugh out loud funny in multiple different spots from various characters.  Its central theme is inequality in the workplace and how Carter and Evie's boss is sexist and how both characters deal with it.  Evie reacts by silently resenting her boss and discussing his antics with her female friends who work with her.  Carter is in a unique situation though because, being a man, he's positively affected by the treatment, but because he loves Evie it makes it hard for him to watch how she's treated.  He eventually stands up for her and makes a life altering choice.  Just when Carter and Evie start their relationship they suddenly find themselves fighting against each other for their dream job and neither fight clean.  This novel is not a typical Christina Lauren book when it comes to intimate relationships, but the way it's written with its love, hate, sabotage, fraud, and humor is the same writing style as the Beautiful Series or Wild Seasons, and if you loved those books you'd love this one too.

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The Protector by Jodi Ellen Malpas | Book Review

Reading Group: M for Mature 

Personal Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Synopses: Jake Sharp resides in his own personal hell. The ex-SAS sniper was distracted from duty once before, and the consequences were devastating--both personally and professionally. He vowed never to let that happen again The job of bodyguard to Camille Logan isn't the kind of distraction from his demons he should take. Women and Jake don't mix well, yet the lesser of two evils seems to be protecting the heiress, whose life is threatened as a result of her father's ruthless business dealings.  

He thinks he knows her type: beautiful and spoiled, with her father's bank balance to fund her lifestyle. But he soon discovers the real Camille--warm, compassionate, determined to be independent and happy after struggling with past mistakes. Now, his duty to protect her turns into something deeper than a well-paid job, no matter how hard he fights it. He needs absolution. He comes to need Camille. But he knows he can't have both.  

For fans of Maya Banks, THE PROTECTOR delivers the all-consuming romance and devastating alpha hero that make a Jodi Ellen Malpas novel an irresistible, passionate read.

Cover: I love the cover of this book because it's the scene what Jake carries Camille out of the club after she gets attacked by her ex-boyfriend.  This scene is the turning point in their relationship because when they get back to Camille's apartment they finally give in to their feelings.  It's also the picture that ends up in magazines and they use it to help figure out who's following Camille.

My Review: I really enjoyed this book.  It was similar to what Christina Lauren would write, but different at the same time.  By the end of the book, Jake and Camille are completely in love with each other, but it didn't start out that way.  Jake was hired to protect Camille and both of them had preconceived opinions about the other.  But eventually the realize that the other person isn't exactly what they thought and they're able to form a romantic relationship.  However, Camille is still being threatened by someone who is trying to punish her father and Jake is suffering from PTSD and a secret that he doesn't want to deal with.  I really don't want to give too much away but the story is full of love, lies, and blackmail which makes it hard to put down.  Honestly, I don't know how realistic this story might be, but when has that ever stopped me from loving a book?  It was an easy read with a few different plot twists that had me hooked and staying up to finish it.  So if you're into a romance novel with some action strung throughout it I would definitely recommend this book to you.  

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What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick | Book Review

Reading Group: High School+

Personal Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Synopses: The eagerly anticipated follow-up to My Life Next Door is a magnetic, push-me-pull-me summer romance for fans of Sarah Dessen and Jenny Han.

17-year-old Gwen Castle's Biggest Mistake Ever, Cassidy Somers, is slumming it as a yard boy on her Nantucket-esque island this summer. He's a rich kid from across the bridge in Stony Bay, and she hails from a family of fishermen and housecleaners to her island's summer population. Gwen dreams of getting off the island, and a summer job working for one of the elderly residents might just be her ticket to the good life. But what will it mean for Gwen's now life? Sparks fly and secret histories unspool as Gwen spends a gorgeous, restless summer struggling to come to terms with what she thought was true—about the place she lives, the people she loves, and even herself—and figure out what really is.

Cover: The cover of this book has Gwen and Cass standing in the water.  Water is really big in this story because they live on an island, Cass and Gwen's cousin are both competing for swim team captain during the story, and Cass helps teach Gwen's brother to swim.  However, water is also a sign of rebirth, which is what happens with Cass and Gwen's relationship.

My Review: Huntley Fitzpatrick reminds me of Sarah Dessen in the way she writes her books because they're all fun, summer books.  I really enjoyed My Life Next Door, so I was excited to read this book, and it was as great as I expected it to be.  Year round island living involves everyone knowing everyone else's business.  Mix in high school and what you ate for breakfast might as well be front page news for how fast people learn things about you.  Gwen was humiliated by Cass the summer before this story starts, resulting in her hating everything he stood for.  But now he's everywhere she is and it's impossible not to form some sort of relationship.  Over time Gwen can't deny that Cass is a good guy.  Especially when he's the only one who can help her little brother learn to swim.  Or when he's so loyal to his best friend he's willing to keep a secret he knows will upset Gwen.  Plus, it's impossible for him to lie to her, so he's easy to trust.  And as Gwen's family life continues to grow crazier, Cass is the good crazy she can escape into.  This book is all about second chances and discovering that when things are meant to be, they'll happen even if some obstacles have to be overcome first.  

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Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker | Book Review

Reading Group: High School+

Personal Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Synopses: After a terrible car accident destroys her life as she knew it, twenty-year-old Kacey escapes to Florida, where she encounters an irresistible man determined to capture her wounded heart.

Just breathe, Kacey. Ten tiny breaths. Seize them. Feel them. Love them. 

Four years ago, Kacey Cleary’s life imploded when her car was hit by a drunk driver, killing her parents, boyfriend, and best friend. Still haunted by memories of being trapped inside, listening to her mother take her last breath, Kacey wants to leave her past behind. Armed with two bus tickets, Kacey and her fifteen-year-old sister, Livie, escape Grand Rapids, Michigan, to start over in Miami. They’re struggling to make ends meet at first, but Kacey’s not worried. She can handle anything—anything but her mysterious neighbor in apartment 1D. 

Trent Emerson has smoldering blue eyes and deep dimples, and perfectly skates that irresistible line between nice guy and bad boy. Hardened by her tragic past, Kacey is determined to keep everyone at a distance, but their mutual attraction is undeniable, and Trent is desperate to find a way into Kacey’s guarded heart—even if it means revealing an explosive secret that could shatter both their worlds.

Cover: The cover of this novel shows Kacey underwater wearing a white dress.  The whole thing screams innocence and rebirth, it's very baptismal.  Kacey moves to Miami to have a fresh start in life, so I think the cover is fitting.

My Review: A lot of this book is about Kacey finding her place after leaving behind such a traumatic past and moving to Miami.  She makes friends, gets a job, and falls in love.  However that all comes crashing down when she learns that her boyfriend, Trent, is actually the same person who owned the car that crashed into her father's and started a downward spiral in Kacey's life.
Trent handed over his car keys one night to a friend that said he was fine to drive.  That friend wasn't okay to drive and crashed the car killing himself, a friend, and Kacey's parents, boyfriend, and best friend.  Trent and Kacey survived the accident and Trent thought that if he could make it up to Kacey, his guilt would ease.  However, finding out the boy your dating has actually been stalking you for four years definitely changes some aspects of your relationship.  
There were traits about Trent that hinted he was involved in the crash.  He moved in at the same time she did, which he landlord points out is odd for him to get two new residents that quickly; he doesn't drink alcohol, and he drives a motorcycle, not a car, which makes it impossible for him to be the one in charge of car keys if he ever did go out with friends and he could never get stuck in a motorcycle if he were to crash it the way Kacey remembers being trapped in her car.  And looking at the situation from his point of view I can understand it.  He thinks if he reaches out to the only other survivor he can apologize and they can get on with their lives.  However, she wants nothing to do with him so he tries to figure out another way, hence how the stalking came to be.  I don't think his initial intention was to fall in love with her, that was just what happened when they got to know each other.
I know I gave away a giant spoiler from this book, but there is a lot more to it than one giant lie.  Kacey has to rebuild a life for herself and just when she thinks she's in the clear the lie is revealed and she has to start all over again.  The book covers her emotional state and how she tries to fix it herself and what happens when she can't.  The ending is also adorable, but I'll leave that for you guys to discover on your own.

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