Single By Saturday by Catherine Bybee

I'm a little late. Well, Single By Saturday by was HEA Book Club book of the month, and I just finished reading it yesterday. I know, I'm slacking. Oh well, at least I got it done, so half a point for me.

Tangled by Emma Chase

A few days ago I finished Tangled by Emma Chase. As you all well know, I take part in HEA Book Club. This month's selection was Tangled. Of course, I didn't finished in time to post my review before book club. By the way, you can always look back at the chats on Harlequin Junkie. Anyway, I finished the book right after book club and by the way loved it. However, I held off on my review, because I thought it would be a good idea to wait till the next day. Well, I ended up with cold, and unlike the main character I was really sick. Which is the reason I had to postpone my review.

First off, Tangled is a hilarious read. You meet Drew who is flat on his ass depress, because he let the girl he love go. Of course, he doesn't realize this until he starts telling the reader his story. Let me just say, I thought it was creative of the author to tell the story from Drew POV. Not only that it felt like you were hanging out with Drew as he tells the events that lead up to his crown and glory of being a moron. Drew's major flaw is he's a player and believes he's gods gift to women. Yes, a major flaw in all players. He doesn't know how to handle when a woman rejects his advances. Of course, he works hard to win over Katherine Brooks. He finally gets his chance with Kate and he messes up the good thing by being his idiot self. Now he has to work twice as hard to win her back.

Overall, Tangled is a witty fun read. Yes, Drew is a bit crass, but he tells it like he sees. After all he's a player. For example, here is Drew at his finest:

"For those ladies out there who are listening, let me give you some free advice: If a guy who just met at a club calls you baby, sweetheart, angel, or any other generic endearment? Don't make the mistake of thinking he's so into you, he's already thinking up pet names.
It's because he can't or doesn't care to remember your actual name."

The book is filled more words of wisdom from Drew. So, if you don't mind a little crass from a guy telling you how he screwed up his relationship, you might want to give Drew a try. I'm telling you he might be worth a ride in Tangled.

Rating:

The Way You Look Tonight by Bella Andre

It's that time month again. Yes, it's HEA Book Club again and this months selection is The Way You Look Tonight by Bella Andre. Everyone is welcome to join the discussion even if you haven't read the book. The Live Chat starts at 6pm PST/9pm EST at Harlequin Junkie website. Now let's get on with my thoughts.

All right the quick sum up of The Way You Look Tonight. Basically, Rafe Sullivan is a private investigator and needs to take a break from it all. His sister Mia was able to find out that their old cabin was on the market. So, they decided to snatch it up. When he gets there, he finds out that the place is a dump and needs some tender loving care. What he never expect to see was Brooke Jansen and all grown up. The last time Rafe saw her was when she was a cute sweet innocent little girl.

Okay, that's the extreme quick sum up. Overall, The Way You Look Tonight was a nice read. There wasn't really any drama and the drama that happen was more towards the end. Honestly, the drama wasn't such a big deal. Rafe and Brooke's relationship happen quickly. Granted they knew each other years ago, but they were much younger. Things happen that make people change. Rafe's main problem is he's cynical and believes no one is trustworthy. Plus, he believes Brooke is too trusting.

Honestly, The Way You Look Tonight was an all right read. There were some sweet moments and quite bit of sex. Did I wish there was a little more drama? Yes. However, it was fairly quick read and nothing to take too serious. It's one of those stories that's not going to tax your brain (aka brain candy). So, if you are looking for fluff to read, you can give The Way You Look Tonight a try.

 Rating:

Wallbanger by Alice Clayton

Yes, it's getting close that time of the month and I'm not talking about a certain friend. Oh no, I'm talking about HEA Book Club hosted by Harlequin Junkie. Yes, that time of the month. This month I'm getting my review done a week early. WOO-HOO! Time to bust out the bubbly and streamers. Anyway, this month selection is Wallbanger by Alice Clayton. If you would love to join the discussion it will be February 25th at 6PM PST/ 9PM EST. I know it's on a Tuesday, but next month will be on our normal schedule Thursday. All are welcome to join just head over to Harlequin Junkie's Website on February 25. That's enough for pitching here are my thoughts on the story.

We meet Caroline Reynolds and her cat, Clive, at the beginning of the story. They had just moved into a fantastic new apartment. Later that night they are awaken to some serious thumping. If the thumping wasn't bad enough, they were privileged to hear some serious action. Of course, the next night she's privileged to another round, but it's to a different girl. Oh goody, but it gets better, the next girl meows which turns on her cat. The third night, nothing could prepare her to the next girl. Oh no, she's the worst offender of all, she's the giggler. Now Caroline believes her new neighbor is nothing but a manwhore, after all he has three women on three different nights. Things escalate to the point where Caroline she needs to inform Simon "Wallbanger" she's had enough of his sexapades. Of course, he's not going to let his neighbor telling him what to do.  Well, things start to get interesting when they realize they have friends in common and decided to declare a truce.

All right, I found Wallbanger to be something I needed to read. Of course for book club, but it was more like a pallet cleanser. You how people get in a book rut and not sure how to get out of it; I was there. Of course, I have heard mix things about this book, I figure "why not I need to read the book anyway". Honestly, I'm glad I moved Wallbanger up, because it gave me a recharge I needed. Yes, the story is hilarious with Simon and his harem: Spanks, Purina, and Giggler (all names Caroline came up with). I love the develop of Caroline and Simon's easy going relationship after the truce. Of course, Caroline's inner dialogue is quite hilarious. Yes, the story did mellow out towards the end, but it was still pretty good. Clive plays a huge part of the story. Even though he's a cat, he has a strong presence in the story. Overall, if you are looking for that laugh out loud story, you might give Wallbanger a go. However, this story isn't for everyone.

Favorite Quote:

"And for the record, I'd rather staple my head to the wall than make magic with you again. You and me and your five percent discount? Not going to happen. Bye-bye now."

Copy provided by publisher

Rating:
1/2

Ain't She Sweet by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Well, it's that time of month again. Yes, it's time for HEA Book Club. This months choice is Susan Elizabeth Phillips Ain't She Sweet?. Here is the reminder that all are welcome to join the chat all you have do is just join us even if you haven't gotten a chance to read the book. You can visit Harlequin Junkie January 23rd at 6pm PST/9pm EST.  Okay, I'm done with my pitch for HEA Book Club Live Chat. Here are my thoughts on the story:

First off, I loved Ain't She Sweet?. I thought it was beautifully done about a former Queen B, who has fallen on tough times and decided it was time to go home. Sugar Beth Carey never had any intentions of return to Parrish, Mississippi. It's not like she got a welcome wagon when she return home. Actually, I'm really surprise they didn't grab their pitchforks and try to run her out of town. No, they tried to do it subtly. Anyway, Sugar Beth is just trying to find the one item and get the hell out of dodge before she can inflict any more damage. However, life isn't that kind.

What makes this story is character dynamics. Once Sugar Beth realizes she's not leaving anytime soon, she works hard to avoid the good people of Parrish. However, the people love to use Sugar Beth as their scapegoat instead of dealing with what is really going on in their lives. Sugar Beth makes herself an easy target, because she just doesn't have the will to fight anymore. The new Queen B happens to be her archenemies Winnie Davies. Winnie has a hard time letting go of the past which makes her a vindictive bitch in the story. I completely understand why she's the way she is, because she was terrorize by Sugar Beth. However, Winnie had the one thing Sugar never had and that was there father. So, Sugar was lashing out at Winnie because their father for being an asshole.

However, Winnie wasn't the only one that felt the wrath of Sugar. Oh no, a former teacher got in the line of fire and lost his job. So, Colin Byrnes has decided to take Sugar done a peg or two. When he realizes that he can't knock someone down who is already down, he starts to see that Sugar had change over the course of time.

Honestly, I cried through most of the book, because of the treatment of Sugar. Yes, she did rotten things in high school and she realized she was wrong. However, old wounds are hard to close, especially in a small town. Majority of the story is about learning how to forgive others and moving on from the past. I loved Ain't She Sweet?, because there are so many levels that go into a small town dynamics. Overall, I loved the book. While I was reading Ain't She Sweet?, it reminded me of a grown up version of Mean Girls. I'm not going to go into too much detail on how. Anyway, fantastic book for my first Susan Elizabeth Phillips book, and I could probably go in extensive detail why I loved the story. Thou I can't, because I might actually spoiled the story. So, if you are looking for something new to read, you might want to give Ain't She Sweet? a go.

Favorite Quote:

"We're all works in progress, honey. And believe me when I tell you that I've had to work harder than most"

Copy provide by Harlequin Junkie.

Rating:

Sleigh Bells in the Snow by Sarah Morgan

So, this month we had HEA Book Club a little early, due to the fact that our normal schedule time would hit right after Christmas. So, we moved it to the 12th of this month. Well, I didn't get Sleigh Bells in the Snow by Sarah Morgan finished before the chat. Oh well, life happens. However, you can always check the replay chat on HarlequinJunkie. 

So, let me get proceed with my thoughts on Sleigh Bells in the Snow.

In this story we meet Kayla Green who doesn't love Christmas; I know sacrilegious. The best question would be why would she want to be working while the holiday profess good cheer and joy. As the story develops you learn her reason why she doesn't love the holiday. Honestly, if I never felt wanted at Christmas I would want to skip that holiday too. Anyway, Kayla gets the opportunity to get away from home and work at the same time while she tries to win an account up in Snow Crystal, Vermont.

Now Jackson O'Neil is trying to help the family resort survive by bringing in Kayla to smooth over the changes. However, that isn't going over well, with family patriarch Walter O'Neil. Looks like Jackson and Kayla has there work cutout for them, but that's not all. Nope, they are going to work on this while fighting the urge to be together.

I really did enjoy the story. I thought it was a fun holiday read. I actually loved Kayla Grinchy attitude towards Christmas. I think it really add a lot of depth to the story. While trying to work focus, Jackson tries to help her realize that Christmas isn't so bad. I love the family dynamic in the story. O'Neil family members really play a huge part in helping Kayla realize that Christmas can be a wonderful time of year. I love how Sarah sets up the story to see future characters have their own stories and I can't wait to read more with O'Neil brothers. So, if you are looking for that holiday read that will put you in the mood for Christmas, you might want to give  Sleigh Bells in the Snow a try.

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Barefoot by the Sea by Roxanne St. Claire

The past couple of days I have been reading Barefoot by the Sea by Roxanne St. Claire. This is the final installment to Barefoot Bay series, but we aren't finish seeing stories that are set at Barefoot Bay. Oh no, Roxanne plans to launch another series set at Barefoot Bay. YAY! Anyway, the reason I'm reading this book. We all know that I participate in Harlequin Junkies HEA Book Club, and this months selection is Barefoot by the Sea. Everyone is welcome to come, even if you haven't gotten a chance to read the book. All you really need to do is go to Harlequin Junkies website go to the tab for HEA Book Club and click on Live Chat or click the link http://harlequinjunkie.com/hea-book-club-live-chat-barefoot-by-the-sea-by-roxanne-st-claire/ at about 6pmPST/ 9pmEST on November 21. Now that I'm done pitching book club, here are my thoughts on the story:

We finally get to Tessa's story. Tessa is know to be the caring nurturing person who doesn't like secrets. However, she carries one secret close to her heart. Yet there is one thing she doesn't keep secret, the yearning of having a child of her own. At the end of Barefoot in the Sun she tells her friends that she plans to have a child. When I read that, I automatically thought it would be like The Backup Plan. You know the movie with Jennifer Lopez who decides to have a baby via  sperm donor, and then finds the perfect guy after she gets pregnant. That doesn't happen in the story, instead she meets John Brown. John just seems to good to be true, and at the same time Tessa doesn't feel like she can trust him completely. Yes, John is a man of secrets. One he's in the British form of witness protection and needs to keep a low profile and prove that he's in a situation where he can take his children. Then he gets the bombshell that he needs to prove that he has a wife in order to get his children.

I really did enjoy Barefoot by the Sea. I actually liked the story that Tessa got. I believe story really play into Tessa's caring side. Once she found out the truth about John/Ian she really wanted to help him, even go through a fake/real marriage with him. The story had me chuckling at times and had me worry about Tessa's well being, because she tends to give so much of herself. Overall, I really liked Barefoot by the Sea, because it's a marriage of convenience story. You have to look at it that way, because John needs a wife to get his kids back and Tessa is the perfect person for that. If you have liked the Barefoot Bay books, you might enjoy this story.

Copy provided by the publisher

Rating:
1/2

Revisit: Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren

All right back in February I read Beautiful Bastard. Click on the title and it will take you to my original thoughts on the story. If I had my star rating up at that time it would have been one star. Now you are wondering why I would re-read this book. Simple: It was HEA Book Club book of the month. I figure I should give it another go, since it's the book club selection. Maybe I judged it a bit harshly the first go round. After all, I do give books second chances. Sometimes it doesn't happen right away, but eventually it does.

Anyway, I started re-reading. You know what, I actually liked the story this go round. Maybe I'm in a different place in my life or maybe, just maybe I didn't see the characters as I should have. Granted Bennett Ryan is still an a-hole, but he does have some endearing qualities. Now you are wondering what I found endearing about him. Yes, he is a bastard in the terms of being despicable and vicious. However, as I'm reading the story he does change along with the relationship with Chloe Mills. When I first re-read the book I saw the relationship as toxic, but as I'm reading again I think kind of help each other out. In some weird kind of way they need each other.

Yes, this story will rub some people the wrong way. I happen to be one of those people at first. However, the second go around I did find some of the parts kind of funny. I think this go around I'm actually interested in pursuing the other books. Would I have given this book a second look at if it hadn't been for book club? Probably not. So, I have to thank Sara at HarlequinJunkie for suggest reading this book for book club. Now I'm not going to go all crazy and give it five stars. That would mean I can't live without the book. Who knows I might feel like re-reading again and who knows it might go up again. I can say I liked the book, which is a big jump.

Copy provided by the publisher

Rating:

Goodnight Tweetheart by Teresa Medeiros

Well, it's almost that time of the month, where Harlequin Junkie host HEA Book Club. This months pick is Goodnight Tweetheart by Teresa Medeiros. All are welcome to join the book discussion, even if you are unable to read the book. All you have to do is be ready to join a lively discussion at 6PM PST/ 9PM EST on August 22. Plus, the author will joining the chat. So, that's my pitch for HEA Book Club. Now my thoughts on the story.

Author Abigail Donovan shot straight to the top with her first book, but is struggling with her life and her next book. When her publicist insist that she join the world of social media and signs her up for Twitter. Now Abby is trying to navigate her way through Twitter when she meets Mark Baynard. Mark helps her navigate her through the crazy world of Twitter and helps her overcome her writers block.

I actually loved the story. Goodnight Tweetheart is a different way of having a romance written. Their whole relationship is based on 140 characters or less, which would be one way to getting to a point across. Not only you have Twitter conversation, you have pop culture streaming through. I also love how they help each other in very important moments in life. So, if  you have an addiction to Twitter and an affinity for pop culture, you might want to grab yourself a copy of Goodnight Tweetheart.

Copy provided by publisher.

Rating:

Fast Forward by Juliet Madison

It's that time of the month again. Yep, it's HEA Book Club time. Well, this month Sara (Harlequin Junkie) has selected Fast Forward by Juliet Madison. Everyone is welcome to join the discussion. So, if you would like to join the fun all you have to do is go to http://harlequinjunkie.com at 6pm PST/ 9pm EST.

My thoughts on Fast Forward:

First off Fast Forward reminded me a lot of 13 Going on 30, you know that movie that starred Jennifer Garner who turns 13 and on her birthday wishes she's 30. The next day she wakes up 30 and still has 13 year old mind, but looks older.

Well, Kelli Crawford is about to turn 25, but the day of her birthday she jumps ahead 25 years and now is 50. Eek, talk about a bad dream. She has no clue why she has woken up at 50 years old when she's suppose to be 25 and having the time of her life. Plus, she's about to have a promising career as a model and dating a hot photography, but those things are no where in sight.

As you read the story, what Kelli planned for her future and what her future actually turns out are two completely different lifestyles and she's trying to figure out why. Well, she starts to realize the life that she's destine to live actually isn't bad and learns that she's experiencing a fast forward. Which happens be to something monumental happens and is sent to the future to help her understand why she choose the life she does.

Now you can understand why Fast Forward kind of reminded me of 13 Going on 30. Overall, I enjoyed. I thought it was a cute read with an interesting premise. How would you handle jumping to the future and seeing why your life turned out different from what you plan? I honestly thought Kelli handle the events quite well, better than I would. So, if you loved the movie 13 Going on 30, I'm sure you will enjoy Fast Forward.

Copy provided by author

Rating: