Post Reading: Danger, Sweetheart - MaryJanice Davidson

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Danger, Sweetheart

Author: MaryJanice Davidson 

Published: May 10th 2016 by Piatkus

Source: Publisher

Add it on Goodreads

This city boy's about to get a taste of country life . . .

Blake Tarbell has a town to save. Rich, carefree, and used to the Vegas party lifestyle, Blake is thrown for a curve when his former cocktail-waitress mother pleads he go back to her roots to save the town she grew up in. Blake's used to using money to solve his problems, but when he arrives in Sweetheart, North Dakota, this city boy has to trade in his high-priced shoes for a pair of cowboy boots - and he's about to get a little help from the loveliest lady in town . . .

Natalie Lane's got no time for newbies. The prettiest gal to ever put on a pair of work gloves, there's nothing she can't do to keep a farm up and running. But when a handsome city-slicker rolls into town with nothing but bad farmer's instincts and good intentions, Natalie's heartstrings are pulled. She's about to teach him a thing or two about how to survive in Sweetheart. And he's about to teach her a thing or two about love.

THE REVIEW

A literary trope is the use of figurative language – via word, phrase, or even an image – for artistic effect such as using a figure of speech. The word trope has also come to be used for describing commonly recurring literary and rhetorical devices, motifs or clichés in creative works.

We love them. We hate them. Literary tropes have been a point of debate among readers and reviewers alike over the years. Some see them as lazy writing and some simply adore them. And there are others who believe that plot and thematic tropes when done right, can be quite successful.

MaryJanice Davidson's Danger, Sweetheart is full of common tropes found in the romance genre. 45 of them, actually. Yes, you read that right.

The Victorian Era - Beauty and the Beast Style

Author: Kristen Callihan
Publisher: Piatkus
Series: Darkest London #1
Release Date: 29 September 2014
Source: Publisher
Synopsis:

Once the flames are ignited . . . 

Miranda Ellis is a woman tormented. Plagued since birth by a strange and powerful gift, she has spent her entire life struggling to control her exceptional abilities. Yet one innocent but irreversible mistake has left her family's fortune decimated and forced her to wed London's most nefarious nobleman.

They will burn for eternity . . .

Lord Benjamin Archer is no ordinary man. Doomed to hide his disfigured face behind masks, Archer knows it's selfish to take Miranda as his bride. Yet he can't help being drawn to the flame-haired beauty whose touch sparks a passion he hasn't felt in a lifetime. When Archer is accused of a series of gruesome murders, he gives in to the beastly nature he has fought so hard to hide from the world. But the curse that haunts him cannot be denied. Now, to save his soul, Miranda will enter a world of dark magic and darker intrigue. For only she can see the man hiding behind the mask.

Review: Firelight - Kristen Callihan

I did not know what hit me. But there is no doubt that Callihan has bowled me over with this Beauty and Beast-esque tale. It's been a while since I have come across a paranormal romance that is well, incredible.

Review: Two Roads by L.M. Augustine

Title: Two Roads
Author: L.M. Augustine
Published: August 26th 2013- Amazon Digital Services, Inx.
Website: Author's Website
Synopsis:

The only person poetry-loving Cali Monroe hates more than herself is Logan Waters, the geeky kid who lives in the dorm building next to hers. 

Ever since Cali's parents told her she would amount to nothing, she has felt entirely inadequate. Friendless and alone, she takes on the mean girl role in hopes it will make her feel better--and Logan serves as the perfect target. He infuriates her with his obnoxiously long lashes, his all too perfect dimpled smile, and his complete lack of personality outside of his intelligence. It doesn't hurt that he's part of the reason her brother is dead, either. So Cali hates him, and he returns the favor. Thus, their prank-filled, insult-driven rivalry is born, and torturing Logan quickly becomes the highlight of her life. 

But when Cali's parents set them up on a blind date, she begins to realize Logan might not be as boring as she always thought. He shares her love of poetry, takes a sadistic pleasure in making fun of crepes, and he makes her blush when he calls her smile pretty. 

And hey, maybe those long lashes of his aren't that obnoxious after all… 

Two Roads is New Adult Romance about finding love, standing out, and learning to embrace who you are. It contains some language and mild sexual content.

                   My Thoughts

“We have this strange way of making each other happy by making each other miserable.”

In this story, you will meet a boy (a hot nerd at that one) with obnoxiously long eyelashes and a girl who is feisty on the outside but a softie on the inside.

When I first started reading, I’ll have to admit that I didn’t like Cali that much because I didn’t see the point as to why she was pretending to be a tough, mean girl and hanging out with the girls she didn’t even like. But as I kept reading, I realized why. This book does not only offer us a fun, and witty banter between the two main characters, but also lessons that we must remember as life goes on.

The Guys Are Props Club Tour Stop: Excerpt + Giveaway

(click the picture to follow the tour!)

Title: The Guys Are Props Club
Author: Ingrid Seymour
Published: July 15, 2013
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Purchase Links: 

Amazon | CreateSpace

Synopsis:

During her senior year in high school, Maddie Burch promised herself not to ever fall for a cute guy – or any guy – again. Cute guys are players and not to be trusted, a fact she learned the hard way when her first boyfriend ran her heart through a paper shredder. Two years later, her promise is still intact, and she’s determined to make it through college without falling victim to another creep. She has her job, school and The Guys Are Props Club to keep her mind and hormones in check. 

The club was founded by Jessica, Maddie’s best friend. It is a sisterhood of girls who have fallen prey to heartless jerks and who have vowed to turn the tables. Once a semester, Jessica requires members to “do onto others as they’ve done unto you.” Setting the example, Jessica’s next play is Sebastian Capello, a theater major with heartthrob looks and a flair for Latin dance, whose heart she plans to break the way hers was once broken. 

What the friends don’t know is that Sebastian is different. Despite his perfect looks and popularity, he’s not a jerk. He doesn’t play games to get his way. Instead, he keeps it real and goes after what he wants with honest intentions. And what he wants is not a bombshell like Jessica, but a down-to-earth girl like Maddie – even if it causes a riff in the girl’s friendship. Even if it means getting Maddie to break her personal vow. 

*** Due to language and sexual situations this book is recommended for ages 17 and older.

  

                              Excerpt 

 “Isn’t he an absolute caramel?” Jessica asked, following my gaze.

“Who?” I pretended to be looking at Cristina as she instructed Sebastian’s new partner.

“Sebastian, who else?”

“Oh, yeah. He’s . . . good looking.”

“Good looking?” Jessica looked appalled. “That would be like calling the sky blue when it is clearly celestial.”

Review: Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Title: Beautiful Disaster (Beautiful, #1)

Author: Jamie McGuire

Published: August 14th 2012 - Simon and Schuster UK

Website: Author's Website

Source: Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis:

INTENSE. DANGEROUS. ADDICTIVE. 

Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

 Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby wants—and needs—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

             

My Thoughts

Reading this book was like riding a rollercoaster, I felt confused, happy, gloomy, giddy, all sorts of emotion that you can think of out there. It is one unpredictable story that I will never ever forget. One of the reasons why is because of Travis ‘Mad Dog’ Maddox. He’s temperamental but he’s also sweet and funny at times. He can be possessive but he can also be protective. He can be a douche but he will undoubtedly leave everything behind for the one he loves. I can’t even believe that this guy is a straight A student. I mean, come on, with the lifestyle that he has, the fights that he participates in and the girls that he’s screwing with, I am very stunned by this fact – in a good way. He was not what I expected him at all to be. And I like that.

As for Abby Abernathy, I have a love-hate relationship with her. I loved her smart ass answers to Travis’ flirty attempts to get her to bed, and I also loved how she tried to stay away from the lifestyle that she was used to. But there were times when I also wanted to smack her in the head and tell her to just make her decision about Travis. One minute she wants him, then the next, she will push him away and I think that she was also selfish at times. And her dates with Parker, I don’t even want to start about that. But what I liked about her was that she always stood by her decision. And also, her friendship with America amazes me every single time I try to remember the things that they have gotten through together. They can be brutally honest with each other and they also fight, but I have to say, that I really admire their friendship.

I loved how the two main characters were both equally broken— but in very different ways.  They are dysfunctional together, but they are also perfect for each other.

One was trying to escape her old lifestyle and to start a new chapter, while the other one was still continuing his ways and going on with his life, no matter what people said about him. Travis is one guy who surely knows what he wants and when he wants it, and he will do everything in order to protect those people that he loves. Abby, on the other hand, will do everything just to get away from her past and she always worries about what other people will say about her. Their relationship is not the perfect one, and not even an ideal one, but the fact that they both strive to be better people each and every day that they’re together makes this story more appealing to me, and to the other readers out there.

But most of all, I loved the maturity that I saw in the characters toward the end of the story. Travis tried to be more considerate and not overly jealous and Abby finally knew what she wanted from Travis. Also, the slow progress of their relationship was another thing that I liked. It was not forced and it was well thought of.

Beautiful Disaster will leave you wanting more. INTENSE. RIVETING. ADDICTING. It is a DISTRACTINGLY RAVISHING story that readers will look forward to. I’m sure that people won’t forget Travis and Abby’s disastrous yet beautiful relationship. 

My Rating

Two Roads by L.M. Augustine: Cover Reveal + Giveaway

I am ubeeeer excited because today, we are going to reveal the cover for Two Roads by L.M. Augustine, who also made us laugh and fall in love in Click To Subscribe.

*drumroll please*

Presenting, the cover for Two Roads...

The cover was designed by the lovely E.M. Tippetts, check out her site below! :)

~Cover designed by E.M. Tippetts Book Designs~

Title: Two Roads

Author: L.M. Augustine

Expected Release Date: August 26th, 2013

Category/Genre: New Adult Romance

Blurb:

The only person poetry-loving Cali Monroe hates more than herself is Logan Waters, the geeky kid who lives in the dorm building next to hers. 

Ever since Cali's parents told her she would amount to nothing, she has felt entirely inadequate. Friendless and alone, she takes on the mean girl role in hopes it will make her feel better--and Logan serves as the perfect target. He infuriates her with his obnoxiously long lashes, his all too perfect dimpled smile, and his complete lack of personality outside of his intelligence. It doesn't hurt that he's part of the reason her brother is dead, either. So Cali hates him, and he returns the favor. Thus, their prank-filled, insult-driven rivalry is born, and torturing Logan quickly becomes the highlight of her life. 

But when Cali's parents set them up on a blind date, she begins to realize Logan might not be as boring as she always thought. He shares her love of poetry, takes a sadistic pleasure in making fun of crepes, and he makes her blush when he calls her smile pretty. 

And hey, maybe those long lashes of his aren't that obnoxious after all...

                  About the Author

L.M. Augustine is a YA romance author who is obsessed with writing about dorky teenagers, love, and happy endings. He currently lives in New England, where he spends far too much time reading books and screaming at his computer, and he believes that the solution to the world’s problems can be found in chocolate cake. Click To Subscribe is his first novel, but it won’t be his last.

Follow the author:

Facebook | Twitter

L.M. is also giving away 3 ebook copies of Two Roads plus $10 Amazon gift card! So, what are you waiting for? Hurry and join the rafflecopter giveaway below! :)

PS: I'm sure that L.M. will also give you the most awesome virtual cake that will make you drool. *winks*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wallbanger by Alice Clayton: Review

Title: Wallbanger
Author: Alice Clayton
Expected Publication: August 13th 2013 by Gallery Books
Format: paperback
Website: Author's website
Purchase Links: Amazon pre-order 
 B & N | Amazon kindle
Source: Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review
Synopsis:

The first night after Caroline moves into her fantastic new San Francisco apartment, she realizes she’s gaining an—um—intimate knowledge of her new neighbor’s nocturnal adventures. Thanks to paper-thin walls and the guy’s athletic prowess, she can hear not just his bed banging against the wall but the ecstatic response of what seems (as loud night after loud night goes by) like an endless parade of women. And since Caroline is currently on a self-imposed “dating hiatus,” and her neighbor is clearly lethally attractive to women, she finds her fantasies keep her awake even longer than the noise. So when the wallbanging threatens to literally bounce her out of bed, Caroline, clad in sexual frustration and a pink baby-doll nightie, confronts Simon Parker, her heard-but-never-seen neighbor. The tension between them is as thick as the walls are thin, and the results just as mixed. Suddenly, Caroline is finding she may have discovered a whole new definition of neighborly. . . . 

In a delicious mix of silly and steamy, Alice Clayton dishes out a hot and hilarious tale of exasperation at first sight...

My Thoughts 

If you want a book that will make you laugh your ass off, well, Wallbanger is the perfect read for you! Alice Clayton had me at:

“Oh God.”

Thump.

“Oh God.”

Thump thump.

Chat Review: My Ex From Hell - Tellulah Darling

Title: My Ex From Hell 
Author: Tellulah Darling
Published: April 2013-Te Da Media
Series: The Blooming Goddess Trilogy #1
Sixteen-year-old Sophie Bloom wishes she’d been taught the following:

a) Bad boy’s presence (TrOuBlE) + teen girl’s brain (DraMa) = TrAuMa (Highly unstable and very volatile.)
b) The Genus Greekulum Godissimus is notable for three traits: 1) awesome abilities, 2) grudges, and 3) hook-ups, break-ups, and in-fighting that puts cable to shame.

Prior to the Halloween dance, Sophie figures her worst problems involve adolescent theatrics, bitchy yoga girls, and being on probation at her boarding school for mouthy behaviour. Then she meets bad boy Kai and gets the kiss that rocks her world.

Literally.

This breath stealing lip lock reawakens Sophie’s true identity: Persephone, Goddess of Spring. She’s key to saving humanity in the war between the Underworld and Olympus, target numero uno of Hades and Zeus, and totally screwed.

Plus there’s also the little issue that Sophie’s last memory as Persephone was just before someone tried to murder her.

Big picture: master her powers, get her memories back, defeat Persephone’s would be assassin, and save the world. Also, sneak into the Underworld to retrieve stolen property, battle the minions of Hades and Zeus, outwit psycho nymphs, slay a dragon, rescue a classmate, keep from getting her butt expelled from the one place designed to keep her safe …

… and stop kissing Kai, Prince of the Underworld.

Nuzaifa: Hi Everyone! Since the response for our first chat review in April was amazing we have decided to make the chat review a monthly feature here at Say It with Books. So welcome to our second chat review-Today we will be reviewing Tellulah Darling’s YA romantic comedy, My Ex from Hell! J

So Rach tell me what are your thoughts on My Ex from Hell?

Rachel: Do you know the feeling when you totally didn’t see something coming? That’s what I felt when I read My Ex from Hell. When I first heard of it, I expected it to just be another typical story of a teenage girl and a bad boy-you know the story. But when I started reading it, I was instantly engrossed and I liked Sophie right away. She’s witty and downright hilarious! I know readers will absolutely love her and all the other characters.

Nuzaifa: Spot on, Rach-that is exactly how I felt about Sophie! This girl’s sarcasm will leave you in a fit of giggles! One of the Darling’s strengths is her knack for writing witty dialogue. Thanks to this factor the story moved fast and there was never a dull moment!

Wide Awake-Shelly Crane: Review + Giveaway

Author: Shelly Crane
Title: Wide Awake
Synopsis:
A girl.
A coma.
A life she can't remember.

When Emma Walker wakes up in the hospital with no knowledge of how she got there, she learns that she's been in a coma for six months. Strangers show up and claim to be her parents, but she can't remember them. She can't remember anyone. Not her friends, not even her boyfriend. Even though she can't remember, everyone wants her to just pick up where she left off, but what she learns about the 'old her' makes her start to wish she'd never woken up. Her boyfriend breaks up with the new girl he's dating to be with her, her parents want her to start planning for college, her friends want their leader back, and her physical therapist with the hazel eyes keeps his distance to save his position at the hospital.

Will she ever feel like she recognizes the girl in the mirror?

Don't forget to add it on your TBR list! :)

Although I have seen Shelly Crane's books around the blogosphere a LOT, this is the first time I read one of her books. And I'm glad I did so .

The story is narrated by Emma Walker who wakes up from her six month coma to find out that she has no memory whatsoever of her life prior to the accident. She's wakes up and realizes that she has a family of who she has no recollection of. Finding out that pre-accident Emma was a bitch with a capital B was the icing on the cake.

Her friends, her family and her 'boyfriend' expect her to go back to being the pre-accident Emma. But post-accident Emma is nothing like the pre-accident Emma. Shelly Crane paints a clear picture of the struggles that Emma faces during her journey to find herself. Shelly forces the readers to experience every ounce of frustration, disappointment, regret and hope that Emma feels. Despite Emma's history it was hard not to like her and empathize with her. 

Mason is her physical therapist-the guy who both literally and figuratively helps Emma stand on her own two feet. He was a refreshing change from the bad boys that seem to be taking over the Contemporary Romance genre. He was honorable, caring and he did the sweetest things ever for Emma!

"More than a poor boy that had nothing to offer, more than a tattooed guy who always had to prove he was something from judging eyes, more than I deserved. 

I took her face in my hands and then took her mouth. That mouth that owned me, that mouth that made me forgot who and what I was and made me feel like I was better than all that."

The Only Exception by Magan Vernon: Guest Post + Giveaway

Title: The Only Exception
Author: Magan Vernon
Published: April 9th 2013 by Beautifully Broken Books

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | All Romance Ebooks 

Synopsis:

Fiercely liberal Monica Remy prefers to blend in. Despite her tattoos, piercings, and outspoken personality, she transferred to Central to escape—before she finds out that her next door neighbor is the uber conservative senator’s son, Trey Chapman.

No matter how hard she tries to avoid Trey, he still finds a way to get under her skin. Monica can’t stand his crisp white shirts or his staunch views on women. But she can’t help counting every freckle on his face and wondering what it would feel like to have him stop talking politics and kiss her. 

A class debate project forces the unlikely pair to work together, and the political lines are blurred in late-night make out sessions. But despite their fiery chemistry, Trey’s politics threatens to smother their relationship for good.

Today, we are lucky to have Magan Vernon and she's going to share to us some of her college experiences! :)

        Some of the best and worst times of my college experience took place in my sorority house.

        Yes, I fully admit that I was in a sorority and wore my letters and matching headband proudly.

       Some people think that because I write about sorority girls that I’m just trying to stereotype them, but really I’m just writing about some of my own experiences in Greek life: The bad, the good, and the ridiculous.

       I guess I’ll start out with recruitment, the mecca of all things Greek. The time in which we recruited new girls into our house. How did we do that? By gathering in our doorway, all smooshed together, clapping and singing to them of course! Every sorority had to take songs from pop culture and replace the lyrics with words about our sorority. I still can’t listen to “Beverly Hills” by Weezer without singing “Sigma Three, that’s where I want to be. Living in Sigma three.”

       Okay, so actually everyone else sang and clapped. I was not allowed to clap.

Truly, Madly, Deeply, You-Cecilia Robert

Title: Truly, Madly, Deeply, You
Author: Cecilia Robert
Published: March 21st 2012-Inkspell Publishing

Synopsis:
Four days before Valentine’s Day, Liese Hansfeld is determined to shut the door to her house, as well as her heart, for her annual four days of mourning her one true love. Little does she know her best friend Freytag Meier is just as determined to keep her from her ritual. He’s ready to pick the lock to her apartment door and camp in her living room if that’s what it takes.

What Freytag isn’t prepared for is the surge of deep-rooted emotions he feels for Liese, but two things stand in his way: the grief and guilt she still clutches close to her heart, and a man who threatens to snatch Liese from under Frey’s watchful eye. Frey is determined to distract her into forgetting her pain. But is that enough to ease her grief, or help her see he can be more than her best friend?

Excerpt

Liese walked out of her bedroom and paused just outside the sitting room door, wondering if Frey was on the other side waiting for her. She tugged on her gown and pulled at the bodice. How were her breasts going to remain hidden in the gown? For the tenth time, she cursed Frey for ordering the silk concoction.

He’d left the house. Her mind had been plunged in doubt, wondering if he would come back. Overwhelmed by both her revelation and exhausted from the effects of her medication, she’d slumped back on the bed hoping to keep an ear open for his return. Three hours later, she had woken up to find the box on top of the duvet at her feet. He had scribbled on the note that none of her ball gowns fit her anymore because of her ‘skeletal’ figure. Apparently, Frey had gone ahead and bought her a gown for the ball. It didn’t surprise her that Frey had done so. No. Growing up, they’d always gone shopping together for these affairs, or leased gowns and tuxedos for the ball season. What surprised her, and made her squirm, was the indecently low-cut bodice of the gown he had chosen for her. The silk, blood-red in colour, and the low neckline, combined to make indecent thoughts flash through her mind. What made it worse were the layers of petticoat beneath the gown. She had already tripped on them numerous times and she wondered how she was going to last the night. What kind of game was he playing at?

There was shuffling of feet from the other side of the door, and then it flew open to reveal Frey. He stood before her in black, long-tailed tuxedo, complemented by a white, single-breasted waistcoat, white shirt, and a sky-blue tie.

Had he always looked the way he now did?

“You clean up well, I must say.” Frey interrupted her curious studying.

She jerked her head up and locked gazes with him, just in time to see his eyes sweep over her head down to her toes. They lingered on her décolletage, and she saw the bobbing movement of his throat.

She cleared her throat noisily, and waited until he focused on her face. She swept a hand across her cleavage. “This? Really, Frey.”

He blinked innocently at her. She swept past him, almost tripping on the petticoats tangling at her legs.

“You don’t like the dress, Li?”

She whirled around and lifted the skirts, displaying an impressive array of crinolines. “How am I supposed to last the night? Unless I draw everyone else to my upper body, I think I’ll make a mess of it all. Why so Goth-Renaissance, anyway?”

Frey strolled to stand in front of her. “Turn around.”

“What?”

Always Remember by Emma Hart Tour Stop: Review + Character Interview + Giveaway

(Click the picture to see the tour schedule on Emma Hart's website!)

Title: Always Remember
Series: Memories, #2
Author: Emma Hart
Published: May 13th 2013
Format: ebook

Website: Emma Hart's Website

Source: Received a copy for the blog tour

Synopsis:

How long does it take for a long-distance relationship to break down? Sixteen months.

When Jen and Carl put their relationship to rest after Christmas, Jen’s biggest problem is going back to London ten days earlier than planned – and her ever-present attraction to Samuel ‘Bing’ Edwards.

Bing has no idea why Jen left Devon so fast. All he knows is that he wants her as much as he did the first day he laid eyes on her – so spending time with her while Lexy is still in Devon isn’t exactly a hardship for him. When he finds out she’s single, the only thing on his mind is finishing what they started at his dad’s fiftieth birthday party.

Feelings that have been a long time building between the two explode, and they both find themselves sucked into an easy yet passionate relationship, with Bing determined to prove to Jen that she’s it for him. That she is The One.

But in a city like London, the odds are stacked against them, and there’s always that one person ready to stir things up… And Jen doesn’t know how much of that she can take – even for the guy she loves more deeply than she ever imagined, and eventually she breaks.

Bing isn’t down with that. He wants Jen, and he wants her by his side for good.

Jennifer Mason must learn that Samuel Edwards doesn’t do giving up. Especially not when his forever girl is involved.

Purchase Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Smashwords

My Thoughts

When I read Never Forget and Holding On, I was really excited about Sam and Jen’s story because the chemistry between these two has been oozing since the first book in the series and it is ‘the-more-you-hate-the-more-you-love’ type.

This story by Emma Hart was lighter and a very fun and playful read. I loved Jen’s witty and kick-ass comments especially when it comes to Sam. I must have been like an idiot laughing my ass off while reading Jen and Sam’s conversations. It kept me up all night and I just couldn’t get enough of their exchange! Emma Hart is a genius especially when it comes to creating and executing Sam’s lines. It’s like she enrolled in a course for reading men’s minds and mastered the art of it! The thoughts coming from Sam’s head were so real and we have to give credit to the author for that. :)

Also, we can see another side of Jen in Always Remember. If you guys can remember, in Never Forget, she was just this carefree and easygoing type of girl but we will see a deeper side of Jen here as we witness her struggle against her attraction to Sam, the womanizer. And also, the ‘artistic’ side of Jen. We see her as this very strong and independent woman but when she talks about art and painting, she always gets lost in it, like she can live her whole life doing nothing.. and just painting.

Another thing that readers must look forward to in this novel is the dual POVs of Sam and Jen. I know that I have professed my love for dual POVs in my past reviews but I just have to say it again here because as what I’ve said earlier, Sam’s thoughts were very hauntingly realistic. 

The one thing that I wished the author did was to have more flashbacks of Jen and Sam’s childhood and also, some snippets of memories where they thought of what ‘could have been’. Also, I wished that Hart included some more scenes in between the ending and the epilogue. Or another novella would be great too. J It’s just that – I felt like I missed a part of their lives and of course, I have loved these characters ever since Never Forget so I absolutely want more, more and more!!

Not only did Jen mature in this novel, but she also became fiercer, feistier and spunkier! (Which I thought was not possible considering how witty she was in Never Forget!) When Heidi entered the picture, Jen proved to us that not only does she have a strong character, but she’ll also fight for anyone she loves. It’s like Heidi is the fuel to the fire that only made Jen shine brighter.

Emma Hart did an amazing job with the story of Sam, the playboy turned lover boy and Jen, the smartass who also had a soft side to her. And kudos to Hart’s good writing.

Always Remember is a novel you will surely not forget because it’s a lighthearted read that will make you laugh but at the same time, knock you off your feet. J

AND! Folks, remember: “A little bit of Jen-tude is all you need sometimes.” *winks*

Click here to read my full review of Always Remember on Goodreads

My Rating

Character Interview

*takes a deep breath and nervously opens the door for Jen and Sam*

Rach: Hi Jen and Sam! I’m Rachel from Say It With Books, nice to meet you both.

Jen: Hi, Rachel!

Sam: Hey.

Rach: *momentarily appreciates Sam’s hotness while Jen is looking at our office*

*Sam smirks*

After a moment…

Review & Giveaway: Stripped - Brooklyn Skye

Title: Stripped
Author: Brooklyn Skye
Published: May 14th 2013
Format: ebook
Amazon : B&N
Synopsis:
“I like you.” His voice is low and soft, which I don’t deserve. I look away, down the rutted parking lot.
“Don’t... waste those words on me.”
He touches my cheek. “You just need someone to show you.”
“No.” I ease back again. “I don’t. So please, Torrin, stop trying to swoop in and save me. I don’t need saving.”

College freshman Quinn Montgomery will do anything to avoid the mistake her sister made—killing herself over a boy. But when she is forced into nude modeling at a local college to support her family after a bankruptcy, she begins to crack, just enough to let Torrin, the university’s top varsity oarsman, see that the real Quinn is not as feisty and unapproachable as she wants everyone to think. But letting someone in comes at a steep cost and, it turns out, Torrin is connected to Quinn’s family in more ways than she could ever imagine.

My Thoughts

Stripped is a New Adult Contemporary about a girl, Quinn who has been dealt some 'not so great' cards by fate and how she overcomes these obstacles. 
Brooklyn's debut was not quite what I expected nevertheless it was a pleasant surprise. The protagonist, Quinn was not someone that I could relate to. Yet there was a part of me that was able to sympathize with her unfortunate situation. She goes through a series of tough stuff starting with her sister's death. The scandal that her dad was involved led to bankruptcy which lands Quinn in a position where she has to resort to nude modeling to make ends meet. For these reasons you could almost forgive her behavior. Almost.

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE by L.M. Augustine Tour Stop: Giveaway + Review

(click the picture to see the blog tour schedule on L.M. Augustine's website)

Get ready for some pure awesomeness that will happen today at our blog because guess what.. today is our stop for the Click to Subscribe blog tour! Woot wooot!

Title: Click to Subscribe
Author: L.M. Augustine
Published: May 9th 2013
Source: Received an ebook for the blog tour
Synopsis:

1,135,789. That’s how many subscribers sixteen-year-old West Ryder has on his web vlog series. But he only has eyes for one of them. 

 As one of the internet’s most prestigious video bloggers, West talks about high school relationships under the name “Sam Green.” As far as he knows, no one from school, not even his best friend, Cat, has seen his videos. But the highlight of the whole thing is Harper Knight, who comments every day at exactly 2:02 in the afternoon. He doesn’t know anything about her aside from the occasional deep philosophical messaging on why pizza tastes so delicious, but as stupid as it sounds, he might be falling for her. So when they finally agree to meet in real life, West’s hope for romance seems more and more in reach. But that all changes as soon as he arrives at their meeting spot and sees Cat walking toward him, wearing the same “I <3  Sam Green” T-shirt Harper promised she'd have on. 

To his alarm, West realizes he is falling in love with the best friend who has always been a sister to him.

My Thoughts

Click to Subscribe is a novel that's not hard to love and be addicted to. Interesting and dorky characters, funny lines, vlogging, romance, first love, ice cream, chocolate cake - what more can you ask for??

I'll have to give a very drool-worthy virtual chocolate cake to L.M. Augustine..

 ..because of the writing style which made me want to keep reading 'til the wee hours of the morning.