WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Sam @Taking On A World Of Words, where you have to answer these questions:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
I finally started Slammed by Colleen Hoover and I’m listening to The Matchmaker’s Playbookby Rachel Van Dyken, I’m still not sure how I’m feeling about this one, but it’s male only POV, and I usually like that :).
This week I finishedWhen Stars Collide by Micalea Smeltzer, The Homecoming by Stacie Ramey and The Two-Night One-Night Standby Ryan Ringbloom. And I listened to 3 audiobooks (I might be slightly addicted): Wasted Words by Staci Hart, Stuck-Up Suit by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward and Royally Screwed by Emma Chase, and guys, I LOVED this one!
Next I’ll probably read Aimee and the Heartthrobby Ophelia London because I have the Backstage Passto get through to review. Then maybe Strippedby Piper Lawson, because I’ve had the ARC since forever.
Holly Martin isn’t the type to have a one-night stand. But a crushing break up, a sexy blind date, and a few shots of Fireball is about to change all that.
Matthew Daniels is an introverted PA who claims he’s too busy to date. But that doesn’t stop his older brothers from encouraging him to let loose and get out there, because as they put it – the right girl won’t just walk up to you.
But what if she does?
Is it possible for a one-night stand that happens twice, to actually become more? Could two nights of reckless debauchery actually lead to true love? Or is this just another case of a whisky induced disaster?
This Romantic Comedy is sure to have you laughing, cringing, rolling your eyes, shouting at the pages and looking for a shot glass of your own.
**This book contains mature content (and immature content). It is intended for adult readers.
Once again, I read this book as a buddy read with Cátia @The Girl Who Read Too Much, though I have to admit that I was done before she even started it… oops! Check out her blog in the next few days to read her review of this book.
I had so much fun reading this Romantic Comedy! It was just hilarious and just the kind of mindless and fun read that I needed. The writing is light, fun, and it flows super well. This is a super fast paced book, with great comedic timing.
The characters are really enjoyable, I especially liked Matthew, because he’s such a step away from most of the heroes in romance books. Matthew is so shy and adorkable, and he’s so adorable. Holly lost me a bit with her “Two-Night One-Night Stand” stuff, but her rants were so funny!
The whole plot was hilarious and great, and although the characters are not very fleshed out, they are still sort of perfect for the type of story this is.
It’s the perfect book for a well spent afternoon. It’s fun and hilarious, and it will make you smile and feel oh so good… especially Matthew’s conversations with his Peen… Yeah, you read right! So read it. Have fun 😀 !!!
From the NYT Bestselling author of MISTER O, comes a sexy new standalone romance…
Let me count the ways why falling into forbidden love is not my wisest move… 1. She works with me every single day. Did I mention she’s gorgeous, sweet, kind and smart? 2. She works in my home. Playing with my five-year-old daughter. Teaching my little girl. Cooking for my princess. Which means… 3. She’s the nanny. And that makes her completely off-limits…But it doesn’t stop me from wanting her. All of her.
***
The other nannies in this city don’t call him the Sexy One for nothing. My boss, the amazingly wonderful single father to the girl I take care of every day is ridiculously hot, like movie star levels with those arms, and those eyes, and that body. Not to mention, the way he dotes on his little girl melts me all over. But what really makes my knees weak are the times when his gaze lingers on me. In secret. When no one else is around.
I can’t risk my job for a chance at something more…can I? But I don’t know how to resist him much longer either…
I’m totally riding the audiobook wave, and these sexy romances are awesome. The Sexy One is not from the same type or “series” as Big Rock, Mister O or Well Hung, but some characters intersect, even though this one is dual POV, and not male-only POV like the others. Still, I really enjoyed the writing, it was fun and sexy, and I’m beginning to think that whatever Lauren Blakely writes, I’ll want to read.
Simon and Abby were amazing characters and with very distinct voices. Because I listened to the audio, I have to say that both narrators were amazing! 😀
If, like me, you have a thing for single dads in books, you are gonna love – LOVE – Simon. Simon is a single dad who has full time custody of his little girl. And he sure makes time for her, he has tea parties with her toys, and braids her hair, and wow… *swoon*… He was just such a great guy! He would do anything for his daughter and she always came first. But with this said, he didn’t stop himself from being happy.
I loved how his relationship with Abby evolved, because even though it was a cliché – the dad with the nanny – it was really far from it. They controlled themselves for so damn long! Ehehe. Abby was such an amazing person, smart and determined. Their romance was great, the doubts were believable, and I really liked that once they were together, they WERE TOGETHER!!! Good for them!
Also… people… he braids Abby’s hair! A french-braid… for real!!! *SWOONNNNNN*
I’ve finally succumbed to the Hamilton craziness… yep, I did, so I’ve been listening to it nonstop for the last few days. So Musical Mondays is gonna feature a song from there, of course ;).
I am not throwing away my shot I am not throwing away my shot Hey yo, I’m just like my country I’m young, scrappy and hungry And I’m not throwing away my shot I’m ‘a get a scholarship to King’s College I prob’ly shouldn’t brag, but dag, I amaze and astonish The problem is I got a lot of brains but no polish I gotta holler just to be heard With every word, I drop knowledge I’m a diamond in the rough, a shiny piece of coal Tryin’ to reach my goal my power of speech, unimpeachable Only nineteen but my mind is older These New York City streets get colder, I shoulder Every burden, every disadvantage I have learned to manage, I don’t have a gun to brandish I walk these streets famished The plan is to fan this spark into a flame But damn, it’s getting dark, so let me spell out the name I am the A-L-E-X-A-N-D-E-R we are meant to be
A colony that runs independently Meanwhile, Britain keeps shittin’ on us endlessly Essentially, they tax us relentlessly Then King George turns around, runs a spending spree He ain’t ever gonna set his descendants free So there will be a revolution in this century Enter me, he says in parentheses
Don’t be shocked when your hist’ry book mentions me I will lay down my life if it sets us free Eventually, you’ll see my ascendancy
And I am not throwing away my shot I am not throwing away my shot Hey yo, I’m just like my country I’m young, scrappy and hungry And I’m not throwing away my shot
I am not throwing away my shot I am not throwing away my shot Hey yo, I’m just like my country I’m young, scrappy and hungry And I’m not throwing away my shot It’s time to take a shot
I dream of life without a monarchy The unrest in France will lead to onarchy? Onarchy how you say, how you say, anarchy? When I fight, I make the other side panicky With my, shot
Yo, I’m a tailor’s apprentice And I got y’all knuckleheads in loco parentis I’m joining the rebellion ’cause I know it’s my chance To socially advance, instead of sewin’ some pants I’m gonna take a shot
But we’ll never be truly free Until those in bondage have the same rights as you and me You and I. Do or die. Wait till I sally in On a stallion with the first black battalion Have another shot
Geniuses, lower your voices You keep out of trouble and you double your choices I’m with you, but the situation is fraught You’ve got to be carefully taught If you talk, you’re gonna get shot
Burr, check what we got Mister Lafayette, hard rock like Lancelot I think your pants look hot Laurens, I like you a lot Let’s hatch a plot blacker than the kettle callin’ the pot What are the odds the gods would put us all in one spot Poppin’ a squat on conventional wisdom, like it or not A bunch of revolutionary manumission abolitionists? Give me a position, show me where the ammunition is
Oh, am I talkin’ too loud? Sometimes I get over excited, shoot off at the mouth I never had a group of friends before I promise that I’ll make y’all proud
Let’s get this guy in front of a crowd
I am not throwing away my shot I am not throwing away my shot Hey yo, I’m just like my country I’m young, scrappy and hungry And I’m not throwing away my shot
I am not throwing away my shot I am not throwing away my shot Hey yo, I’m just like my country I’m young, scrappy and hungry And I’m not throwing away my shot
Everybody sing Whoa, whoa, whoa Hey, whoa, whoa, whoa Ay, let ‘em hear ya
Let’s go
Whoa, whoa, whoa I said shout it to the rooftops Whoa, whoa, whoa said, to the rooftops Whoa, whoa, whoa come on
Come on, let’s go Rise up When you’re living on your knees, you rise up Tell your brother that he’s gotta rise up Tell your sister that she’s gotta rise up
When are these colonies gonna rise up? When are these colonies gonna rise up? When are these colonies gonna rise up? When are these colonies gonna rise up?
Rise up I imagine death so much it feels more like a memory When’s it gonna get me? In my sleep, seven feet ahead of me? If I see it comin’, do I run or do I let it be? Is it like a beat without a melody? See, I never thought I’d live past twenty Where I come from some get half as many Ask anybody why we livin’ fast and we laugh, reach for a flask We have to make this moment last, that’s plenty
Scratch that this is not a moment, it’s the movement Where all the hungriest brothers with something to prove went? Foes oppose us, we take an honest stand We roll like Moses, claimin’ our promised land And? If we win our independence? ‘Zat a guarantee of freedom for our descendants? Or will the blood we shed begin an endless cycle of vengeance and death with no defendants? I know the action in the street is excitin’ But Jesus, between all the bleedin’ ‘n fightin’ I’ve been readin’ ‘n writin’ We need to handle our financial situation Are we a nation of states what’s the state of our nation? I’m past patiently waitin’ I’m passionatelymashin’ every expectation Every action’s an act of creation I’m laughin’ in the face of casualties and sorrow For the first time, I’m thinkin’ past tomorrow
And I am not throwing away my shot I am not throwing away my shot Hey yo, I’m just like my country I’m young, scrappy and hungry And I’m not throwing away my shot
We’re gonna rise up (time to take a shot) We’re gonna rise up (time to take a shot) We’re gonna, rise up, rise up
It’s time to take a shot Rise up, rise up, it’s time to take a shot Rise up, it’s time to take a shot Rise up, take a shot, shot, shot It’s time to take a shot, time to take a shot And I am not throwing away my shot Not throwing away my shot
Hey people! So, I’m doing a product review for the second time ever! YEAH!! I’m happy about this! A little while back, Emma @eloquentnostalgiacontacted me about her Etsy Shop, Typewriter Series, and asked me if I would be willing to review a few of her products, and hell yes!
Emma sells cards and tags tags with several designs, but mostly with typewriting quotes. And the effect is amazing. Have a look.
“My advice is, never do tomorrow what you can do today. Procrastination is the thief of time.” – Charles Dickens
“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.”
– E.E. Cummings
“To really be a nerd, she decided, you had to prefer fictional worlds to the real one.”
– Rainbow Rowell
They’re so pretty, right? I’m actually thinking about framing them, because I think they would look awesome on my wall.
I really like the aesthetics of these cards, I always loved typewriters, and the feel of these are old school and I dig it :D.
Check out her store, blog, etc, and see what other quotes and designs she has these. There’s some pretty great stuff. 🙂 Great timing too, because who doesn’t need to do some Christmas shopping right about now?! 😉
Forced to return to his estranged family, John discovers how hard it is to truly go home.
It’s been a year since John lost his girlfriend, Leah, to suicide. Living with his uncle keeps his mind from the tragedy and his screwed up family-until he gets into trouble and a judge sends him back home. With a neglectful mother and abusive brother, John’s homecoming is far from happy.
As he tries to navigate and repair the relationships he abandoned years ago, Emily, the girl next door, is the only bright spot. She’s sweet and smart and makes him think his heart may finally be healing. But tragedy isn’t far away, and John must soon face an impossible decision: save his family or save himself.
I have to be honest here, I read the first 30% of the book, then I just couldn’t handle it and I skimmed through the rest of it. I did finish it, I just skipped a lot of paragraphs =/. Yeah… that good…
The premise of the story, the characters and situations, all had immense potential, but somehow, none of it worked on this book.
The writing was the first thing that got me off the story, it’s not like it was bad, but it was boring, the pacing was off, and the word repetition didn’t help at all. Right in the first few chapters I was already tired of the mentions of weed and Jack Daniels.
Then came the characters, and OMG! Just no! John was honestly a sweet and good boy, but he was a terrible narrator. All his feelings of guilt, not belonging, and anger over the stupidest things were too much for me. I’m serious. The guy couldn’t even take the help of a fucking guiding counselor, who was only doing her job, without feeling angry on the inside and feeling like a charity case. NO! Emily was just… what was she? I didn’t get her at all. She was an enabler of the worst kind… “You want to drown your sorrows?! Sure, let me get you some alcohol!“… for fuck’s sake…
And what even where those parents? Who is the mom who kicks out her son at the age of 10? Or scolds him because he’s trying to protect his mom and little sis from getting hit? I understood the difficulties of having a disabled son, but forgetting about your two other children, when one of them was only a baby at the time? It didn’t sound right at all to me.
Then the whole plot was just so weird to me, and the amount of contradictions… bah! Just no! First John had left home at the age of 10, and hadn’t played Lacrosse since then, but on the first day he’s training, and within a week he’s totally in shape and playing super well. Then there’s all the talk about his ex Leah, who killed herself… were they out publicly? How long ago did she die? Because he’s only 17, but he talks like he had all this previous experience, and I didn’t see it. The timeline was so weird… I would have bought the whole book a lot better if for instance, his brother accident had happened 4 year later, and he had left his mom’s house at 14 or 15. Because the gap was just too big.
John’s behaviour was just weird and nonsensical for me. The way everyone seemed to protect him for some reason and are super loyal to him?! I didn’t get it. His relationship with Emily? A total mystery for me… I didn’t feel it at all!
The resolutions were just too easy too, and it didn’t even make sense. Honestly, what was this book? 😦
I felt like there was so much potential in this story, but it just didn’t work. I’m sorry… this just wasn’t for me. There are some good reviews on goodreads though, so maybe this was a problems of “me” and not of the book, but Kat and Cátia didn’t quite enjoy it either, so maybe not… Give it a try and see for yourself, but I sure can’t recommend it.
For sixteen-year-old Charlotte Reynolds, aka Charlie, being raised by a single dad and three older brothers has its perks. She can outrun, outscore, and outwit every boy she knows — including her longtime neighbor and honorary fourth brother, Braden. But when it comes to being a girl, Charlie doesn’t know the first thing about anything. So when she starts working at chichi boutique to pay off a speeding ticket, she finds herself in a strange new world of makeup, lacy skirts, and BeDazzlers. Even stranger, she’s spending time with a boy who has never seen her tear it up in a pickup game.
To cope with the stress of faking her way through this new reality, Charlie seeks late-night refuge in her backyard, talking out her problems with Braden by the fence that separates them. But their Fence Chats can’t solve Charlie’s biggest problem: she’s falling for Braden. Hard. She knows what it means to go for the win, but if spilling her secret means losing him for good, the stakes just got too high.
I can’t believe it took me so long to actually read one of Kasie West’s novels… shame on me! And I have to thank Cátia @The Girl Who Read Too Much, because she lend me the book, the actual book, so I could finally read it.
This is such a cute contemporary! Like I said, this was my first Kasie West’s book, and I found the writing really enjoyable. It’s a simple and fast read, and it made me emotional and laugh too. I’ll be sure to check out some more of her books soon.
While I found Charlie relatable and I felt for her, she wasn’t always the easiest character to love. She was too brash sometimes, and little in touch with her feeling. She was also very unsure of herself in certain areas, and it was painful to read about. While I understood why she did it, I didn’t like that her first reaction was to run away from her problems, but with that said, she does grow a lot during the book, and by the end of it, I loved her to bits.
I loved loved loved all of her family and friends. Her 3 brothers were hilarious, and I really liked that they knew she could do anything. Their dad was great, even if the poor guy didn’t quite know how to handle a teenage girl. And Braden… well… he was dreamy! I mean, the guy told her that she was perfect just the way she was. He loved her, but he always pushed her and never went easy on her. He opened up to her and was always there. I loved him.
This was a cute contemporary, but it was about more than just romance. It was about family and loss. About knowing yourself and learning how to accept yourself, because only then will others do it too. It’s sweet, romantic and sad, and I would totally tell you to read it.
From the NYT Bestselling author of MISTER O, comes a hot and hilarious new standalone…
Here’s what you need to know about me — I’m well-off, well-hung and quick with a joke. Women like a guy who makes them laugh — and I don’t mean at the size of his d*ck. No, they want their funny with a side of huge… not to mention loyal. I’ve got all that plus a big bank account, thanks to my booming construction business. Yup. I know how to use all my tools.
Enter Natalie. Hot, sexy, smart, and my new assistant. Which makes her totally off limits… Hey, I’m a good guy. Really. I do my best to stay far away from the kind of temptation she brings to work.
Until one night in Vegas… Yeah, you’ve heard this one before. Bad news on the business front, drowning our sorrows in a few too many Harvey Wallbangers, and then I’m banging her. In my hotel room. In her hotel room. Behind the Titanic slot machine at the Flamingo (don’t ask). And before I can make her say “Oh God right there YES!” one more time, we’re both saying yes — the big yes — at a roadside chapel in front of a guy in press-on sideburns and a shiny gold leisure suit.
But it turns out what happened in Vegas didn’t stay in Vegas. And now, my dick doesn’t stay in my pants when she’s around. I try to resist. Honest. But the more we try to keep our hands to ourselves, the more we end up naked again, and the more time I want to spend with her fully clothed, too.
The question now is…do I take this woman to be my ex-wife?
After Reading Big Rock and Mister O, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Well Hung, because, come on… it’s Nick’s twin brother! And I was clever too and listened to the audiobooks instead of the ebook, because I needed something to listen to while on my walking commute to work.
Let me tell you, amazing audiobook! Sebastian York is one hell of a narrator! And… Oh God… listening to this on the train?! EMBARRASSING!
So, once again, I love these male only POV books from Lauren Blakely – please keep them coming. Wyatt Hammer is an amazing MC. He’s such a good guy :D. He’s funny and sexy and amazing, and I really liked how he always, always tried to do the right thing. And he was so set to help Natalie achieve all her dreams… *sigh*. And Natalie complemented him perfectly! I loved how so alike they were, and how they enjoyed the same things.
The romance starts off with a very strong friendship, and I’m a big fan of that. They might have been boss and employee, but they were great friends, they talked about stuff, shared jokes and meals, so it wasn’t a big jump when they become the most amazing couple, even when trying not to go there.
The plot is pretty amazing, I really enjoyed their night in Vegas and everything that lead to their wedding, and everything that followed… I couldn’t stop laughing.
We were like two stars orbiting each other — dancing around the possibility that one day we might collide. When we finally did, we opened up a black hole, obliterating everything around us. No one would be the same.
Least of all, us.
Waking up in Vegas married to the guy of your dreams sounds like a good thing, right? Not when you’re Thea Montgomery and said guy is your brother’s best friend.
Thea and Xander have always avoided the connection between them because her brother would never approve. Now, they’re married — the strongest bond you can have as a couple — and they’re not even a real couple… unless they want to be.
Thea wants an annulment immediately, but Xander’s waited too long to see her become his and he won’t let her go easily.
If she wants a divorce, fine, but he wants the summer to convince her that he’s the one. If at the end of the summer she still wants to end their marriage he’ll sign the papers, but until then…
All is not fair in love and war.
This was yet another buddy read with Cátia @The Girl Who Read Too Much, so check out her blog in the next few days for her take on this book.
Ok guys, I’ll start by saying that I love these types of forbidden romances, where the girl and the brother’s BFF fall in love. I also like impromptu weddings in Las Vegas… this was my second book of the month with that theme. But THIS book?! It just didn’t work on any front!
The book starts jumping right into action, as in, the morning after the two main characters get married in Las Vegas. The problems started here. While the situation itself was fun and might have even been hilarious, it lacked context. I haven’t read book 1 in the series, but the blurb was clear: it said that this could be read as a standalone, but I don’t think that was a bright idea. I think the start of the book only works if you know and already love the characters, and I didn’t know them at all!
The problems kept piling up for me. I didn’t like Thea at all, she was too young, too whiny and too lost, which are all fine things because she was only 19, but they didn’t work at all with the plot of this book. The age difference from Xander to Thea, though not big, was also exacerbated by the plot, because Xander ended up feeling a lot older than his 22 years of age, while Thea seemed way younger than her 19 by comparison.
I did like Xander, he was sure of himself, he knew what he wanted, and he fought for those things, so good for him. He was also super sweet!
But this book tried too hard! Everything happened. The wedding, pregnancy scares, family disapproving, secrets kept, dogs adopted, family drama, more family drama… EVERYTHING HAPPENS! And it’s just too much. I get that the whole goal of the book is showing how they come together and face their problems together, but the “problems” were just too damn much.
While they were cute together, the characters by themselves weren’t much. There is some growth, but I honestly couldn’t connect with anyone on this book.
The plot didn’t work for me at all. I felt like this type of story needed slightly more mature protagonists, because I didn’t buy that Thea was ready for their marriage, not even by the end of the book.
Finally, I need to talk about the writing. This was the first thing that got to me… I didn’t like it at all. The style was too direct, harsh and blunt, and not in a good way. The pacing was all kinds of off, but that’s maybe because the plot tried to hold so much, that the pacing was way – WAY – too fast. Then there was the problem of repetition. The same thoughts were repeated several times, and again, it was too much.
When Stars Collide was just not for me, and I can’t really recommend it, unfortunately.
Have you read this one? What are your thoughts on it?
My Tiny Obsessions 