Review - Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Title: Me Before You by Jojo Moye
Publication Date:December 31st, 2012
Paperback/Hardcover: 36
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Find it at: Goodreads / Bookdepository

Summary: Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.
What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.
Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.

What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.

Review: 
If you ask me why it took me so long to start reading this book I couldn’t answer. I’m glad I finally picked it up, though because I absolutely loved it. I think it might be my favorite read of 2015.
First of all I really liked the characters and the fact they seemed real to me right from the start.
Louisa is a very interesting character. She’s quirky and positive despite everything and I couldn’t help but to like her. She was thrown into a situation she knew nothing about but she still did the best she could with it
Will is, understandably, a very complex character but I don’t think it’s that hard to understand his point of view ore where he’s coming from. I enjoyed reading about his relationship with Louisa and how she was able to make him a little happier.
I also liked most of the secondary characters and believe all of them brought something to the story and made the reader understand the main characters and their actions and reactions a little bit better.
I believe this is a hard topic to write about but Jojo Moyes did a wonderful job of it, as I have come to believe she always does. Plotwise, the story develops at a wonderful pace but I really do believe this story is all about the characters and their development.
All in all, Me Before You is a beautifully written story, with amazing characters you can’t help but to root for. I was pretty sure I knew how this book was going to end but that didn’t stop me from being happy and sad as I read it.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary romances or simply wants to read a great story with strong characters.

Rating: Must Read (5 Stars)

Review - Designing Emma by Clarissa Carlyle

Title: Designing Emma by Clarissa Carlyle 

Publisher: Amazon

Publication Date: November 25th, 2014

Paperback/Hardcover: 53

Genre: Contemproary Romance

Find it at: Goodreads  

Summary:
Emma's dreams are finally coming true. With her two best friends, Daniel and Damion, in tow, Emma starts her own fashion company and life begins to fall into place for her.
Just as her new journey begins, her father's alcohol and gambling addictions wreaks havoc on her life. As his addictions spirals out of control, Emma has to wrestle with the idea of letting her dream go in order to save her father from himself or accept a solution she neither wants nor needs in her life.

With love and success right at her fingertips, how will Emma choose and who will pay the price for her decision?

Review:   

Designing Emma is a short but intense story.

This book is all about Emma and her struggles to deal with family problems and make her dreams come true.

I thought Emma was a good main character. I actually liked most of the characters in the story and though they were very well written.

For a short story, there’s a lot of development in Designing Emma and now I can’t wait to read the next book and see what choices Emma will make.

The only bad thing about the book? Well, it’s not really a bad thing but Designing Emma ends in a cliffhanger! 

Rating: Somewhere between Readable and Worth Your Time (3 ½ Stars) 

Review - It's In His Kiss by Jill Shalvis

Title: It's In His Kiss (Lucky Harbor 10) by Jill Shalvis

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Publication Date: August 26th, 2014

Paperback/Hardcover: 368

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Find it at: Goodreads  / Bookdepository

Summary: 
ONE KISS CAN LAST FOREVER

Becca Thorpe has uprooted her life and escaped to the beach. Now's her chance to get away from city living, throw caution to the ocean winds, and live in the moment. Especially if the moment includes the deliciously sexy surfer she meets shortly after arriving in Lucky Harbor. Something about the dark intensity of Sam's eyes and the thrill she gets at his touch convinces her to stay awhile.

Boatbuilder and investment genius Sam Brody is a self-made man who knows how dangerous it can be to mix business and pleasure. But he can't resist offering Becca a job just to hear her laugh and have her near. Yet when her brother comes to town asking for help, will he tempt her back to her glamorous life in the city? Or do Sam and little Lucky Harbor have a chance to win Becca's heart?

Review:   

If you have read my blog before you probably already know I’m a big Jill Shalvis fan and read all of her books. Obviously I couldn’t not read It’s In His Kiss!

This book is all about Becca and Sam. After having to face some serious problems Becca decide she needs a change and that’s how she ends up in Lucky Harbor, loving and working for three of the hottest single men in town.

Sam doesn’t want to mix business and pleasure but he cannot resist Becca, especially when he realizes there’s more to her than what meets the eye.

As always Jill Shalvi’s characters are great and the chemistry between them is palpable.

Sam is a wonderful character.  He’s definitely an alpha male. He’s quiet and might seem a little grumpy but he can also be quite fun and loving. He’s protective of the ones he loves and even though he wants to seem like he doesn’t worry about much, he cannot help caring about those around him.

Becca is a good character as well. I love that she is so strong and determined even if her life hasn’t been easy. The fact she’s not in the least intimidated by Sam when so many other people are.  She might have some issues but she has decided to move on with her life and find a way to be happy.

As I said before, the chemistry between this too is great. They are a good couple that somehow balances each other. Becca needed Sam’s strength and he definitely needed her to bring him out of his shell a little.

Plotwise, the story develops quickly allowing the reader to know what’s going on in Lucky Harbor and in the lives of some new characters and of other we already now.

All in all, I quite enjoyed It’s in His Kiss. This is a fun, fast paced book that’s perfect for when you need of a good contemporary romance.

Rating: Worth Your Time (4 Stars)

Review - Going the Distance by Julianna Keyes

Title: Going the Distance by Julianna Keyes

Publisher: Omnific Publishing

Publication Date: January 27th, 2015

Paperback/Hardcover: 260

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

Find it at: Goodreads  

Summary:  

Olivia Clarke’s fall from pretty, perfect and popular happened in an instant. With her life in tatters, she impulsively accepts a teaching job in the small city of Lazhou, China. Three months in, she’s ready to admit she made a huge mistake. She doesn’t speak Mandarin, the teachers at her school refuse to include her in anything, and she spends her nights watching counterfeit DVDs in her twin bed. Alone.

Jarek McLean is a loner. He’s not looking for friends, and he’s definitely not looking for love. The former army interrogator works as a carpenter for a small construction company rebuilding a travel office in Lazhou. When he meets Olivia he knows immediately she’s too wholesome to be his type, but when he discovers the pretty kindergarten teacher is hiding a secret, his inquisitive side rears its nosy head and demands answers.

Olivia isn’t interested in a one-sided interrogation, and makes her position clear: if Jarek wants to ask questions, he’ll have to answer some, too. Jarek’s never let anyone in—not into his apartment, not into his life, certainly not into his heart. But the closer he gets to Olivia, the more he falls for her, and suddenly the man who doesn’t do relationships finds himself in a most unexpected one. When he reluctantly admits that this could be love, he’s faced with the most terrifying question of all: What the hell does he do now?

Review:   

I have received this book as part of a blog tour in exchange of an honest.

After her life is turned upside down and after being offered a job in China, Olivia decides she is ready for an adventure. Is not easy being a foreigner in China, though, and Olivia feels increasingly alone. That’s when the mysterious and seemingly dangerous Jarek enters the picture and the chemistry between them becomes impossible to ignore.

I have previously read Just Once by Julianna Keyes and really enjoyed it so I was happy to read Going the Distance as well.

In the beginning I really didn’t know what to think of Jarek and didn’t like him that much but he grew on me as the book went on. He really doesn’t know what to think about Olivia and is so scared of the things she makes him feel, it’s almost funny. He can be a real jerk sometimes but, every now and then, we get to see the best side of him.

One thing I enjoyed about Olivia and Jarek’s relationship was the fact she gave it as good as she got.  She knew how to hold her ground around Jarek and make him feel off balance and confused.

The relationship between Olivia and Jarek develops nicely and the chemistry between them s good. The book is well-written and the pace is just right.

All in all, Going the Distance is an interesting and different book any contemporary romance fan will be able to enjoy. 

Rating: Somewhere between Readable and Worth Your Time ( 3 ½ Stars)

Review - Damned Sinner (The Jayne Series 03) by Jami Denise

Title: Damned Sinner (The Jayne Series 03) by Jami Denise

Publisher: 

Publication Date: November 24th, 2014

Paperback/Hardcover: 212

Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance 

Find it at: Goodreads  /

Summary:  
Vince Donovan has lost a lot in his life. He has lived life under a code of greed, lies and crime - never allowing anyone to get too close. After losing the empire he fought to build at the hands of a psychotic man in pursuit of revenge, Vince vows to rebuild what he once had. Along with his once protégé and now partner, Jayne King, he sets out to create an empire that is based on beautiful women, sex and sin.
Kelsey Franklin is young, beautiful, sexy and should be forbidden. Kelsey is also the one woman that Vince has vowed never to have and yet is the one woman he wants and needs.
When love happens in the unlikeliest of circumstances Vince must ask himself - Is love fit for the damned and the sinner?

Review:   

I have received this book as part of a blog tour in exchange of an honest review

I’ve read the first book in the series and enjoyed it so I was excited to read this one as well. This is part of a series but you can definitely read it as a standalone.

This is a very different book with a very different main character. Vince was a crime lord and he’s set on rebuilding the empire he has lost. How many times do we get to read about a guy like this?

Vince is bad and though but he’s also very protective. I don’t think he has ever even considered being in a completely monogamous relationship but Kelsey affects him in a way he didn’t expect. I liked Vince even though I didn’t always agree with his decisions.  He’s different from most characters we get to read about and I enjoyed that.

Even though she’s in love with him, Kelsey knows it won’t be easy to get Vance to admit to having any kind of feeling for her. She’s willing to wait for him and make him realize they make a good team.

Plotwise, this is a fun book. Vince wants to build a legal empire for himself and I enjoyed reading about his struggles both to do that and to deal with Kelsey and his feelings for her, feelings he thinks he shouldn’t be allowed to have. After all, having his past in mind, he doesn’t deserve happiness, right?

All in all, I really enjoyed this book and thought it was even better than the first one. The book is well-written and the main characters are interesting and fun to read about.

If you like steamy contemporary romances you should definitely start reading this series.  

Rating: Worth Your Time (4 Stars)

Review - Trophy Husband by Lauren Blakely

Title: Trophy Husband by Lauren Blakely

Publisher: Lauren Blakely Books

Publication Date: May 21st, 2013

Paperback/Hardcover: 222

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

Find it at: Goodreads  / Bookdepository

Summary: 
Sometimes you can't help falling in love, even when you try to do the opposite...
Successful fashion blogger McKenna Bell has spent far too long protecting herself after the way her ex-fiancé left her at the altar for a college chick he met the night of his bachelor party. Loving again, trusting again, well, that's just not in the cards. Especially now that her ex is back in town with his new woman, demanding custody of McKenna's favorite creature in the whole world--her dog. No effing way. McKenna's had enough of him, and she decides to even the score by finding her own hot young thing -- a Trophy Husband. Sure, she's only twenty-seven, but doesn't that make it even more fun -- and infuriating to her ex -- to pursue a younger man? When she declares her intentions on her daily blog, her quest quickly skyrockets in popularity, and that's when Chris enters the picture, and he’s got all the assets. He's handsome, successful, and turns her inside out with a kiss to end all kisses, the kind that makes you feel like a shooting star. But loving again could mean losing again, and it's so much easier to focus on getting even, isn't it? Unless, you just can't help falling in love. Which means McKenna will have to come face to face with what she really wants in life -- protecting her heart from hurt, or letting go of her fears of a new beginning.

Review:   

The premise of Trophy Husband seemed quite interesting so I decided to give the book a chance and wasn’t disappointed at all.

Trophy Husband is a fun, light read.

One year after having been left by her fiancé for a 20 year old, Mckenna is still not completely over it. With the help from her friends she decides to prove women can do the same as men and date younger – sometime much younger – people. The trophy husband hunt begins! Will Mckenna find the perfect trophy husband or will she realize the last thing she wants and needs is a boy toy?

Mckenna is a fun main character. She’s quirky, sweet, romantic, determined and smart. She has been through some bad things but she’s doing her best to move on. If only her ex-fiancé would let her!

Mckenna has a group of great friends who support her fully. She loves fashion – has her own fashion related blog and show – and old love songs. I found it easy to like Mckenna and wanted things to work out for her.

Chris is a good character as well. He’s the host of a video game TV show and loves the vintage games. He’s extremely smart, fun, quirky, witty and laid back. Plus, according to Mckenna, Chris is extremely handsome.

The chemistry between Mckenna and Chris is great as is their banter. They can talk for hours and like the same things. Their relationship developed quite nicely. They became friends and then business partners with the potential for more.

Plotwise, the story revolves around Mckenna’s attempts to find the perfect boy toy and prove women can do the same as men.  Before she knows it Chris, his show and its viewers are all involved in her quest, transforming it into a quite popular phenomenon.

All in all, Trophy Husband is a fun, sweet and romantic story. The characters are quirky and unique and the story developed at a nice pace.  I enjoyed reading about Mckenna’s attempts to find a trophy husband and the not-so-great dates she went on.

If you enjoy a fund, light, nicely paced and romantic read you should give this book a try!

Rating: Worth Your Time (4 Stars)