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Review: To Be Honest

1/13/2019

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To Be Honest
​by Maggie Ann Martin

Synopsis

Savannah is dreading being home alone with her overbearing mother after her big sister―and best friend―goes off to college. But if she can just get through senior year, she'll be able to escape to college, too. What she doesn't count on is that her mother's obsession with weight has only grown deeper since her appearance on an extreme weight-loss show, and now Savvy's mom is pressuring her even harder to be constantly mindful of what she eats.

Between her mom's diet-helicoptering, missing her sister, and worrying about her collegiate future, Savvy has enough to worry about. And then she meets George, the cute new kid at school who has insecurities of his own. As Savvy and George grow closer, they help each other discover how to live in the moment and enjoy the here and now before it disappears.

To Be Honest is another sharp, witty novel from Maggie Ann Martin, about a spunky heroine who is dealing with very real issues―body image, parental pressure, loneliness, first love, and finding your way―with heart and humor.

Review

This book was not what I thought it was going to be. 

It was better. 

I started reading To Be Honest expecting a love story with the back drop of the issues of a fat girl. Since I am a fat girl (woman. whatever.), I was curious as to how the protagonist's size would be treated. Big people are not usually written about, and when we are written about - we usually hate ourselves etc. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book did not follow the formula I usually find in other stories. Beware - spoilers.

Savvy is having some difficulty because her sister, who is also her best friend, is going off to college - leaving her behind with the shadow of her mother. Their mother had been a part of a weight-loss show that appears to have had a less than healthy effect on her and the family. Aside from that, Savvy is busy focusing on her journalism efforts with her other, non sister best friend, Grace, and trying to figure out what is going on between her and Grace's cousin, George. 

Instead of the focus being on Savvy's would-be love life, the focus was actually on Savvy herself. The author focused on the struggles Savvy has with her mother who back-handedly insults Savvy's body, the disappointment of having a father who prioritizes his new wife over his daughter, the adjustment of having her sister at college, and THEN comes the trouble with how George feels about her. Through all these experiences, we get to know Savvy - the anxiety and panic she feels in certain situations, how she actually loves how she looks, but is cut down by comments her mother makes, or when she thinks about how her best friend is treated differently because of their size difference.

Not once does Savvy turn bitter at the women around her for them being smaller than she is. Savvy's concern for her mother is more about her mother's moods and overall health than any kind of jealousy. Savvy has also learned to be strong - maybe too strong that is translating as too tough to be around, something Grace helps her to see. 

Then after everything we have George. He is adorable as he is infuriating. Once he explains himself, it makes more sense - but I don't blame you if you want to smack him in the meantime. I know I did. 

All in all - I was surprised when I turned the last page (not knowing it was the last page) to find the story had ended. This was not because the author failed to write a well-rounded story, no, it was because I wanted to learn more about Savvy - especially after her receiving validation from her family, George, and herself. 

The only downfall for me about this story is that some things were wrapped up together too quickly, like the journalism project and Savvy's decision to possibly attend school for journalism. I was totally for that direction - I just thought she accepted it a bit too quickly for an anxious person haha (did I mention I also have anxiety?). 

Even with that in mind - I definitely recommend this book for all readers. I'd love to know what you think, so feel free to let me know!

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Review: Miracle on 5th Avenue

12/29/2017

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Miracle on 5th Avenue
by Sarah Morgan

Synopsis

​It will take a Christmas miracle for two very different souls to find each other in this perfectly festive fairy tale of New York! 


Hopeless romantic Eva Jordan loves everything about Christmas. She might be spending the holidays alone this year, but when she's given an opportunity to house-sit a spectacular penthouse on Fifth Avenue, she leaps at the chance. What better place to celebrate than in snow-kissed Manhattan? What she didn't expect was to find the penthouse still occupied by its gorgeous—and mysterious—owner. 

Bestselling crime writer Lucas Blade is having the nightmare before Christmas. With a deadline and the anniversary of his wife's death looming, he's isolated himself in his penthouse with only his grief for company. He wants no interruptions, no decorations and he certainly doesn't appreciate being distracted by his beautiful, bubbly new housekeeper. But when the blizzard of the century leaves Eva snowbound in his apartment, Lucas starts to open up to the magic she brings…This Christmas, is Lucas finally ready to trust that happily-ever-afters do exist?

Review

This is my first Sarah Morgan book, and it most definitely is not my last! In fact, I've already bought another one of hers to read. Her writing flows so naturally, and I found myself caring about and loving her characters. 

Eva is a "hopeless" romantic who loves Christmas and believes the best in people. She lost her grandmother the previous year, and it's made her a bit more introverted, and sad. She's determined to change that this Christmas, however. She's been hired to decorate one of her client's grandson's apartments for Christmas. He's supposed to be away for the weekend...

Or is he?

Lucas is a crime fiction writer and he's having trouble coming up with material for his new book (that was due, like, yesterday). He's having trouble writing - much of it having to do with the Christmas season, and the fact that the anniversary of his wife's death is coming up. It's been three years, and Lucas is only getting more isolated. 

Eva is a beautiful character who truly cares about others, and wants to find who she is again. The person who enjoys Christmas and believes in love. Lucas is infuriatingly wonderful. He has trouble seeing life from the bright side, and is perplexed by Eva's sunny attitude. These characters are quite different from each other, but they complement each other so well. 

This book is a cozy read - parts of it hurt because there's something about the holidays that can be sad. Just like Eva, however, there is definitely a silver lining. It's about moving forward, and pushing toward something we need, and want. Something that helps us be who we are. That's the meaning I got from this book. I'm curious to see what others may think.

I know Christmas has passed, but this is definitely a read I suggest you pick up, regardless. 

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Review: Dare to Rock

9/18/2017

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Dare to Rock
Dare to Love Book 5
by Carly Phillips

Synopsis:

He’s a Sex and a Rock & Roll superstar who can have anything he wants...


Fans adore him, women throw themselves at him, and Grey Kingston can afford everything he couldn’t growing up. Yet at the height of his career, he’s ready to walk away and return home to a simpler life… and the girl he left behind. Once home, he finds Avery Dare, is now a fiery, sexy woman, and she isn’t ready to forgive. Still, Grey is determined to rock his way back into her life … and her bed.

Triggers Warnings

  • anxiety; panic attacks
  • stalking
  • bullying

Review

I found Dare to Rock at my local library which is funny because I usually find these books only on ebook for my Kindle. Any of my readers know that I usually cringe with romance covers, but I thought what the heck - especially since it's so short (195 pages!). 

Grey is this small town guy turned famous rocker, but he's realizing that past his fame, he's quite lonely. He finds that the constant in his mind has been his ex girlfriend, Avery. He left his home and Avery years ago to chase his dream of being a musician, but he's come to realize that fame and his career are not filling up the holes in his heart. 

Avery has grown more into herself and has a fruitful career as a YouTuber. She blogs and posts about lifestyle, makeup, etc. She's still quite the introvert, distancing herself from any kind of attention that she can't control. Until the day Grey sends her tickets to one of his concerts. 

Dare to Rock is that classic post-adolescent years second chance story. Both Avery and Grey still very much have the same feelings for each other, and dive in head first into them. However, something they both are slowly coming to realize is that the years between them have also changed them as individuals. So, how do these two combine what they are to each other with who they have become?

Well, it's definitely something easier said than done. Avery has a history with her dislike of being the center of attention, and that's all Grey seems to have nowadays. There is increasing pressure on the both of them - the want to be together with the difficulty of knowing it will involve consequences due to Grey's fame. 

All in all this was a sweet second chance romance. I don't usually read second chance romances because - well, sometimes there's a lot of angsty baggage and I read romance for it's freshness, know what I mean? But I find myself softening toward the trope. I also don't frequent rocker romances, and I may turn a new leaf on that too. I enjoyed how real worries were addressed in the book. I had never wondered, "How do famous people manage their relationships?" because, well, I'm not famous. But this story provided a different perspective and definitely one that left me with some empathy for the situation. I definitely felt for both characters as they braved the new experiences, and very real dangers. 

​If you're a fan of second chance  love, or are simply looking for a good short read, definitely check this one out. 
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Review: Black Dagger Brotherhood Series

6/28/2017

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Dark Lover
​by J.R. Ward

Synopsis

The only purebred vampire left on the planet and the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who killed his parents centuries ago. But when his most trusted fighter is killed—orphaning a half-breed daughter unaware of her heritage or her fate—Wrath must put down his dagger and usher the beautiful female into another world.


Racked by a restlessness in her body that wasn’t there before, Beth Randall is helpless against the dangerously sexy man who comes to her at night with shadows in his eyes. His tales of the Brotherhood and blood frighten her. Yet his touch ignites a dawning new hunger—one that threatens to consume them both...

Review

I am a sucker for series books. I am a sucker for vampires. So, of course, J.R. Ward's The Black Dagger Brotherhood series was just the thing for me. I don't like to give away spoilers, but I do like to give enough information so that you, the reader, will be encouraged to read the book in question. So, here it goes. 

Dark Lover is the first book in Brotherhood series, and it concerns Beth who is your average woman who happens to come in contact with the neighborhood master (purebred) vampire, Wrath. There is a whole...background to these books so hopefully I do it justice without telling you everything (that's part of the fun!). 


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Okay, so - what I love about this series so far (I have only read the first three books in the series) is that each book is about a different vampire in the Brotherhood. The first book Dark Lover is about Wrath, the head of the Brotherhood and the only purebred vampire left, and Beth, the human woman he ends up falling in love with. The second book Lover Eternal is about Rhage, the member with the, um, biggest appetite. It's also about Mary, the human woman who also happens to be used to being on her own, and has no interest in looking for love. The third book Lover Awakened is about Zsadist, the most terrifying member of the Brotherhood, and the fellow vampire, Bella.

As far as I understand, the series continues this way. As someone who absolutely loves learning about characters, their backgrounds, fears, loves, etc., I LOVED this arrangement. I've heard people give Ward flack for the names of each member, and I was also surprised at how simple each name came to be. However, Ward does not skimp on each member's backgrounds. They are often horrible and excruciatingly sad. What's lovely, however, is how the women of these stories also have their backgrounds that helped shaped them, and their joining is one of two individuals. This isn't one where the female disappears and it's all about the male. I appreciated that.

There is a lot of information about the Brotherhood, and characters from previous books show up (another major plus!) in later stories. It was easy for me to keep up with the characters, and personal stories because I grew to love each of these vampires and the women who help them. Well, as much as one can love a fictional vampire. Ha.

Also, just learned that Lover Awakened is, at least in some ways, based on Beauty and the Beast (Bella, anyone?) - and I love Beauty and the Beast :D

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Review: The Billionaire Beast

6/25/2017

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The Billionaire Beast
A Billionaire Fairy Tale
by Jackie Ashenden

Synopsis


Nero hasn’t left his house in ten years—he demands the world come to him, and the world is only too happy to bend to the strong-willed billionaire. Ruthless, cold, and selfish, Nero wants for nothing and takes care of no one but himself. His last handful of assistants have left his house in tears, but the prim redhead applying for the job looks up to the task. Nero has spent his life shut within the walls he built, with no care to have more than a window to the outside world. But the fiery passion he senses beneath his reserved assistant’s exterior makes him want to break down the barriers he lives behind, and unleash the beast within.

Phoebe Taylor: Uptight. Misunderstood. Engaged. 
​

Phoebe needs the obscene amount of money that comes with being Nero’s personal assistant for one thing, and one thing only—to pay for the mounting hospital costs that her fiancee’s two-year coma continues to incur. She’s heard rumors that the de Santis beast is a force that cannot be tamed—but even she isn’t prepared to handle the smoldering intensity simmering beneath his hard shell of feral dominance. Nero is hiding something, something he is fighting with every step he takes. Yet he can’t help but stake his claim on this woman who has shaken up his life, and Phoebe can’t believe this animal of a man is the one person to ever look into her eyes and see her soul. Nero wants to keep her. He wants to devour her. And Phoebe just might let him.

Review

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second of Ashenden's books that I review. The first being The Billionaire's Virgin. Please take the time to look at that review as well as I think it may help in how I review. 

I am a true sucker for fairy tale retellings. Not just any fairy tale either; I have my favorites (e.g. Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid). So, I was ecstatic to have the opportunity to read and review The Billionaire Beast. There were some great parts, and some less than stellar parts. 

​First, what I liked. I loved that this big, powerful beast of a man cannot seem to leave his home. I will leave the reason why out of this conversation, but know that it was definitely one of my favorite touches on this story. The juxtaposition of being so powerful, but not being able to walk a step outside of your home was just so tragic in my eyes. I also quite enjoyed having Phoebe as the female protagonist as she is strong, and willing to put up with a less than gentle boss. 

Now, for what I didn't enjoy. I did not like that Phoebe had a fiancee, but I could have lived with that fact had it turned out a bit different. I felt that in order for Phoebe to enjoy Nero, the fiancee had to be portrayed a certain way to "make it okay". I really could have done without the whole "other man" business, to be honest. 

This book won't be for everyone, but I recommend it to those curious about retellings, and who love billionaire bad boy stories. 

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