Review: The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

Olive Torres is used to being the unlucky twin: from inexplicable mishaps to a recent layoff, her life seems to be almost comically jinxed. By contrast, her sister Ami is an eternal champion . . . she even managed to finance her entire wedding by winning a slew of contests. Unfortunately for Olive, the only thing worse than constant bad luck is having to spend the wedding day with the best man (and her nemesis), Ethan Thomas.

Olive braces herself for wedding hell, determined to put on a brave face, but when the entire wedding party gets food poisoning, the only people who aren’t affected are Olive and Ethan. Suddenly there’s a free honeymoon up for grabs, and Olive will be damned if Ethan gets to enjoy paradise solo.

Agreeing to a temporary truce, the pair head for Maui. After all, ten days of bliss is worth having to assume the role of loving newlyweds, right? But the weird thing is . . . Olive doesn’t mind playing pretend. In fact, the more she pretends to be the luckiest woman alive, the more it feels like she might be.

My Review:

A laugh out loud romantic comedy that will leave you wanting more. 

The fun plot and characters made this book one of the best I have read this season.  I literally laughed out loud while reading it.  Olive’s life is filled with bad luck, while her twin sister, Ami, always wins every contest she enters.  So, when Ami’s dream wedding becomes a disaster and everyone except Olive and the groom’s brother Ethan, end up with food poisoning from the buffet at the reception, Olive finally gets on the winning end of something.  Olive and Ethan are given the tickets to the honeymoon in Maui that Ami had won.  The only stipulation is they have to pretend to be the newlywed couple.  The problem is Olive and Ethan can’t stand each other.  What could go wrong?

This book was filled with hilarious scenes.  There were many times when I thought Olive and Ethan’s secret would be blown, but the author quickly changed things up and continued with the adventure.  I was so happy to finally see Olive and Ethan become the happy couple they deserved to be.  I could relate to Olive and how she felt as I always see so many people on social media with the perfect life and winning lots of great prizes.  So, I was excited to see Olive’s luck finally change and for her to have a little joy in her life.  This is the first book I have read by this author, but it definitely won’t be the last. 

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

 

Review: Heartthrob (American Royalty #1) by Robin Bielman

He likes a challenge…

Here’s the deal: I’m the best center fielder in the major leagues. I’m also the guy who cost his team the championship game and acted very unsportsmanlike. So, when the team hires a social media manager to repair the damage to my reputation, I don’t argue. But then I meet Chloe Conrad, and I suddenly understand what people mean when they say they have an instant connection to someone. Which means I’m in serious trouble. Chloe’s a smart, sexy distraction I can’t afford, but one date can’t hurt, right? Only she turns me down. And just like that, it’s game on.

She’s sworn off love…

Finn Auprince is the hottest player in the major leagues. Look up “It Factor” in the dictionary and there’s his handsome face. He’s also my biggest client and I don’t care how easy it is to talk to him or how fun it is to manage his social media accounts, I will not give in to his charms. Then one drunken night, I tell him about my curse: all my previous boyfriends have found their soul mates while dating me. One more heartbreak, and I’ll never recover. But Finn doesn’t believe in curses—he believes in me. Professionally and personally. He sets out to prove the universe isn’t against me, and that his one true love isn’t waiting around the next corner.

The problem is…can we play the game of love and both come out on top?

My Review: 

Such a fun book to read.  I couldn't get enough of Finn and Chloe.

Baseball star, Finn Auprince is the hottest player in Major League Baseball.  When Chloe Conrad is hired to be his social media manager, life turns around for them both.  Chloe believes she is cursed when it comes to love and Finn doesn't get serious with any of the women he dates.  But, together, they bring out the best in each other.  When they decide to give romance a try, both Chloe and Finn are surprised how well they get along.  But, will it be enough for a lasting relationship?

I knew from the very first page of this book, that I wouldn't be able to put it down.  It is a really good romantic comedy with characters I didn't want to say goodbye to when the book came to an end.  I was impressed with this author’s writing style.  She kept it lighthearted and fun.  I will definitely be picking up some more of her books soon. 

Review: Racing Hearts (Hearts on Fire Book 1) by L.M. Connolly

What starts as revenge soon flares to passion.

Italian race car tycoon Ronan Miller is on the cusp of achieving his elaborate revenge when he meets flame-haired back-up driver Georgia Trent. Intrigued by the beautiful and risk-loving beauty, he thinks he can use her as an instrument of his revenge, but after a spontaneous night of passion, he has other plans until fate knocks them both on a different track.

Georgia Trent has doggedly pursued a goal that has nothing to do with Mr. Tall, Dark, Seductive and Handsome. But one night she indulges her sensual, passionate and impulsive nature, never dreaming the consequences will be so permanent. Wanting to do the right thing, Georgia tracks down the elusive Ronan who’s disappeared after a family emergency.

Watching Georgia game her way into his office reminds him of all he’s been missing, but Ronan’s always been business before pleasure. But business won’t help him now. He is going to have to use all his seductive skills to woo Georgia back to his side, but has he waited too long?

My Review:

A fast paced romance set in Italy among the world of luxury cars and racing. 

Ronan Miller was in Monte Stefano during the big race.  But, he wasn’t just there to watch.  He was there to get even with his father for his mother and sister’s deaths.  Ronan had finally purchased enough shares to take control Bianchi Motors, his father’s luxury car company, and was about to drop that bomb on him.  When Ronan learned his father had set his eyes on Georgia Trent, the daughter of Team Trent’s owner and the only female driver in the race, Ronan decided he would make a move first.  Ronan and Georgia spent the night together and when Georgia shows up pregnant months later, he decides he will be a responsible father.  But Ronan also has another reason to marry Georgia.  He needs a positive image and reputation when he makes the announcement that he has taken over the family business. What could go wrong when they are both getting what they want?

I was excited to read this book and wasn’t disappointed.  There was a lot of action and drama in the story.  But sometimes, I just wanted to ask the characters what they were thinking when certain situations came up.  Even though Georgia was a virgin, she sure didn’t act like it the first time her and Ronan were together.  I did like her take charge attitude when she wanted to talk to Ronan and his office girls wouldn’t allow her near him.  Ronan was the typical alpha male in this story; strong willed and a bit stubborn. But, I did enjoy the story and seeing how they came to an agreement with their future in the end.  This book is the beginning of a new series and I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.   

Review: Texan for the Taking (Boone Brothers of Texas Book 1) by Charlene Sands

Will bitter enemies make better bedfellows for the Boone Brothers?

She’s about to find out.

Only the worthiest of causes could woo Drea MacDonald back to Boone Springs to work with the Mason Boone. The sexy Texan had stolen her schoolgirl heart, and his family had stolen her legacy. But soon resisting the temptation to invite Mason into her bed becomes impossible. How long before he climbs back into her soul, too? 

My Review: 

Drea MacDonald once loved Mason Boone, but she also hated him.  It was complicated.  In this story, Drea and Mason are working together on a fundraiser for the hospital in Boone Springs, Texas.  Drea just wants to get the job done by spending as little time with Mason as possible and then head back to New York City to the big job promotion.  

Mason had a thing for Drea when she was younger, but he knew not to act on it as she was too young for him.  So, he sent her away the night she came to him seeking comfort.  Now, Mason has a chance to make it up to Drea and explain what happened.  Will Drea listen to what he has to say and forgive him?  Working closely together, Drea and Mason give in to the temptation they both felt so long ago.  But, will their newly found romance be able to stand up to the secrets that are about to be revealed?

Drea and Mason are the kind of characters I like to read about.  There is just the right amount of angst between them to make their passion incredibly strong once they gave in to it.  I liked the build up to the story and how there were other little stories included within the main one.  Though we will have to wait to find out more about them, this romance was perfect on its own. It was a fun book and I can’t wait to read the next installment to the series.  If you like enemies to lovers romance, dramatic pasts, secrets, and rich ranchers, this is the book for you. 

Review: They Call Me the Cat Lady Amy Miller

You’ve seen me on the street. You’ve walked past my house, and pointed, and wondered. The cat lady. All on my own, with only my five cats to keep me company. Did no-one ever tell you that you can’t judge a book by its cover?

Everyone in town knows Nancy Jones. She loves her cats. She loves her tumbledown house by the sea. She loves her job in the local school where she tries to help the children who need help the most. Nancy tries hard not to think about her past loves and where those led her…

Nancy never shares her secrets – because some doors are better kept locked. But one day she accepts a cat-sitting request from a local woman, and at the woman’s house, Nancy sees a photograph, in a bright-red frame. A photograph that opens the door to her painful past…

Soon Nancy doesn’t know what frightens her the most: letting her story out, or letting the rest of the world in. It’s impossible to find companionship without the risk of losing it. But can Nancy take that risk again?

My Review:

No matter how hard it is, sometimes facing the past is all you need to set a new path to the future. 

We all have something in our pasts that we would rather keep hidden.  In this book, we meet Nancy Jones, who is known as the cat lady by everyone in her town.  Nancy is a kind-hearted lady, who had a tragic past that she would rather forget.  These days, Nancy enjoys spending her time with cats, not humans.  Nancy works part time at a school and feeds people’s cats for extra money.  But, when Nancy goes to feed a client’s cat, she discovers something that brings the past back to life.  Everything changes after that.  Nancy’s life will never be the same. 

This is one of those books that once you get into it, you can’t put it down.  It’s a story about friendships, secrets, tragedies, and facing the past and learning to move forward.  And, of course there are lots of cats.  I could relate to Nancy’s love of her cats and how sometimes they are the only ones you can turn to when life gets tough.  I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good women’s fiction book and especially those who love cats. 

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.