Review ~ Not a Fairy Tale by Romy Sommer

ebook received from the author in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: February 19th 2015

Publisher: HarperImpulse

Description:
And the award goes to…

Not Nina Alexander that’s for sure. With her best gracious loser face firmly in place, Hollywood’s hottest starlet is hoping to end her evening of disappointment with a graceful exit stage left. Only an unexpected proposal and an awkward wardrobe malfunction mean that this is certainly going to be a night to remember… for all the wrong reasons! So what girl would resist the gorgeous Dominic Kelly coming to her rescue?! Especially when he’s whisking her out of the paparazzi’s prying eyes on the back of his motorbike – and wearing a tux to rival James Bond!

Nina soon realises that the only way to recover from such a scandal is to toughen up and snag the role of the decade in the year’s hottest YA screen adaptation. Who better to train her than her very own professional stuntman? Getting up close and personal with Dom will take Nina well out of her comfort zone – both professionally and in her closely scrutinized private life. But this A-list couple know only too well that’s it not all happy ever afters in Hollywood…

My Opinion

Not a Fairy Tale is, by far, my favourite book from this author. I didn't really know what to expect from the story as it broke most of the ties from the author's previous work, but I ended up really enjoying it. 

With her other book there were always small things that niggled me. They were enjoyable, but they didn't hook me in the sense I found them hard to put down. However, Not a Fairy Tale had me wanting to read more. The only reason I put it down was to sleep. It had me turning the pages rapidly and I wanted to see how the relationship progressed, because really, who can say no to a hot stuntman?

As well as this I liked the characters in this book. The author did a good job with creating them and I enjoyed the fact she wrote Nina to be different from the usual celebrity stereotypes. She doesn't complain, gets on with things, has morals, and is determined to succeed. There are some moments where she comes across selfish and self-centred, but I'm glad she makes the right choices in the end. Similarly, Dom was a nice match for her. I loved how his sisters babied him and the connection he had with his family. 

Moreover, I thought the book was paced well. From the romance, to stunt training I found it engaging and I was sucked into the author's world. It was slightly predictable, especially towards the end, but it didn't stop it from being a good read. It had a little bit of everything.

The only section I wanted more detail on was Nina's background. There are small hints throughout and then she comes clean in the end, but I would have liked slightly more emotion and detail. It felt a bit random for me.

Anyway, overall this was a great read. It's my favourite from this author so far and I would definitely recommend it. 

4

Review ~ Access All Areas by Charlotte Phillips

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: May 21st 2015

Publisher: HarperImpulse

Description:
After losing her elderly parents, portrait photographer Anna will do anything to avoid losing the family home – the only thing she has left of her perfect childhood.

When a friend who works at the exclusive boutique hotel, The Lavington, provides a hot tip – an A list film star is staying there with her rumored toyboy lover – Anna comes up with a plan. A photo of them together could be the answer to all Anna’s money problems.

Unfortunately, she’s the worst paparazzi photographer on the planet and Jack, the hotel’s new head of security, back in England after globetrotting as bodyguard to the stars, isn’t about to allow a picture on his watch. No matter how cute the photographer might be…

My Opinion

This was a short, sweet, and slightly humorous read that I enjoyed over the space of an hour. I preferred it to the first book in the series (the only other I've read) and it held my attention well.

Being a novella there, of course, won't be as much emotional depth. However, I thought the author fitted in quite a bit of back story for both characters and I could sympathise with Anna. I also like that she had morals.

I'd say the romance is more short and sweet than hot, but it had me smiling.


Overall this was an enjoyable read. I liked the author's style and the moments of comedy that come with Anna being a bad paparazzi. Oh, and it can be read as a standalone even though it's the fourth book in the series.

4

ARC Review ~ Secret Crush of a Chalet Girl by Lorraine Wilson

eARC received from the author in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: 27th February 2014

Publisher: Harper Impulse

Description:

Secret Crush of a Chalet Girl’ is thelatest installment in the ‘Chalet Girl’ series, set in the exclusive Swiss ski resort of Verbier, the winter playground of the rich and famous.

Chalet Girl Sophie Trent has plenty of reasons to hate Valentine's Day. After a lifetime of being treated like she didn’t matter because of her looks, she’s shed the pounds but not the self-esteem issues – and when she can curl up with one of her beloved romance novels, why put herself through a night of awkward speed ski dating?

A treasure hunt set by a secret admirer makes her reconsider. Only, what if it’s a cruel joke? Because it certainly wouldn’t be the first time!

But as Sophie follows the trail of red paper hearts around the idyllic winter wonderland of Verbier, she can’t help but wonder whether there really might be a Secret Valentine waiting for her out there on the slopes...

My Opinion

I only received this book a few hours ago--literally--but I couldn't wait to start it. I needed a break from what I've been focusing on for the past few days and Secret Crush of a Chalet Girl was the perfect escape. If you haven't figured it out from my last three reviews of the books in this series, I'm a big fan of it so obviously I couldn't wait to get my hands on this installment and therefore couldn't wait to start it.

Secret Crush of a Chalet Girl has everything I've come to love from this author in the previous books but it had one extra thing that hasn't been present before...it almost moved me to tear. Yep, my eyes were tearing up and although that may be partly due to the mood I'm in, I definitely found Secret Crush of a Chalet Girl to be more moving due to Sophie's back story. There was one heart-wrenching moment where Sophie confesses everything and I just felt for her completely and I could feel my emotions swelling with her. Lorraine definitely did an excellent job of creating a believable an likable character that you vouched for wholeheartedly.

As well as this, I loved the treasure hunt aspect. Although the set up as to who was behind it was a little predictable (not sure if that was intentional), I'm still a hopeless romantic so I didn't care. I thought it was unique as it isn't something I've seen before in books and it's now given me another unrealistic expectation of guys. I want a treasure hunt too! ;-) 

Once again, Lorraine packs a lot into the 82 pages and the pacing is kept throughout the entire novella so it keeps you turning pages until you forget the time. The only thing I can really say was that I wanted the ending to be developed slightly more. It ends well, with everything resolved, no questions and a feel good aspect but I think I would have liked to read about what Holly reveals rather than just hear her state it. That's probably the hopeless romantic in me coming out again though. 

Overall, I still stand by the statement I've made in my previous reviews: these are some of the best winter novellas I've read in a while and ones you won't want to miss. They take you through a whirlwind of emotions, keep you engaged, are full of characters you can relate to and above all are feel-good romances that are fun, sexy and sweet. I would highly recommend!

You can also read an excerpt of Confessions of a Chalet Girl by clicking on the picture below!

Review ~ The First Christmas Without You by Michelle Betham

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: 19th December 2013

Publisher: HarperImpulse

Description:
A story of love and hope at Christmas, The First Christmas Without You is an emotional and poignant novella. A truly magical Lapland fairytale…

Jessie Collins has always wanted to visit Lapland. But this Christmas, more than any other, it’s the place she feels she really needs to be as she tries to come to terms with a future she really needs to start living.

My Opinion

The First Christmas Without You was a very short read that I flew through. It surprised me with where the author took the story as I was not sure what to expect when requesting it. The description gives virtually nothing away so all I had to go off was the title. It turned it my thoughts were way off base though.

Set in Lapland, it created the perfect winter feel with a hint of magic that comes with Christmas and snow. I will admit I didn't feel there was much description with the setting and I would have liked more to really involve you in the world but you could still see the world through a general knowledge. However, because of the small amounts of detail, the writing flowed quickly and the character's story evolves rapidly which kept me engaged.

There was an instant attraction but the mixed emotions and hardly any contact didn't make it seem like a whirlwind romance. I would have liked more of the romance but the book ended in a nice sweet spot that leaves you smiling which was surprising. Everything I had heard up to reading The First Christmas Without You was that I would need tissues it was so sad but honestly, I didn't feel sad at all reading it. I sympathised with Jess and felt sorry for her loss but I never felt sad for her. I went in with the idea that it was going to be about a break up but I was soon corrected in the first few pages that Jess lost her husband. I guess this was the sad aspect people were talking about but personally because it's only stated and you never hear about Jase when he's living I didn't feel much towards it as there was no connection built.

Overall though, it was a quick, sweet read about getting over the loss of someone. It was enjoyable and something I sped through in front of the fire.

Review ~ The Kiss Before Christmas by Sophie Pembroke

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: 19th December 2013

Publisher: HarperImpulse

Description:
An English Girl in New York

As the snow starts to fall on Manhattan, PA Dory Mackenzie is a long way from home, far from the comforts and cheer of her cozy family Christmases back in Liverpool.

So when her boss Tyler Alexander offers to pay her pricey ticket home for New Year, Dory just can’t say no… even if she has to pretend to be his girlfriend for the holidays!

Tyler may be hiding the real reason he needs a girlfriend-of-convenience but that’s the least of Dory’s worries when she’s up against the disapproval of his high society mother, and the suspicions of his gorgeous older brother Lucas, the black sheep of the family.

There’s no fooling Lucas, and it’s not just the truth he wants to get closer to… So before the bells have even rung out for Christmas day, Dory finds herself caught up in the Alexander family’s dramas – and sharing more than just a few kisses under the mistletoe!

My Opinion

When I read the description for this book my mind went instantly to the movie "The Proposal." It sounded exactly like the narrative for that only with the genders reversed. Now, I love that movie so it didn't put me off requesting it, all I hoped it wasn't a total rip off and I was so glad that it was not what I expected at all. It couldn't have been further from the movie and I think I like this storyline more!

The Kiss Before Christmas was a quick, easy, festive read that left me with that warm, fuzzy feeling by the end of it. It engaged me brilliantly and I couldn't put it down. The writing flowed seamlessly and I liked how, unlike a lot of novellas I read, The Kiss Before Christmas wasn't jumpy. It flowed from one scene to the next and they all linked well to create a flawless story. There wasn't much detail in the characters backstory, but for once I didn't care. You get a few fact but other than that you are focused solely on the present relationships and I thought the author did this beautifully. It's not usual that I don't mind missing a backstory but this book really didn't need more than it had.

I found myself surprisingly drawn to Lucas. He had a relaxed manner and being the black sheep of the family differed from Tyler and the rest. I was engaged and drawn in with the romance as it built and I loved how it developed. It was a slow build which allowed me to invest in the characters relationship fully. The web of lies surrounding it all added another depth of emotion as you could feel for the characters.

I wasn't sure how the author was going to tie everything up-I knew the ending but couldn't guess how she would get there. Because of this I found myself surprised when the last little twist revealed itself, which was a nice development.

The only slight complaint I have about this book is the cover. Don't get me wrong, it's pretty but I'm just so tired of seeing the same couple on Christmas novellas. This is the fifth book I have read this year with them on so I would have liked something a little more original.

Overall though book title was a great festive romance. My heart melted for the characters and I felt for their situation. Their story was engaging and I couldn't stop reading!

Review ~ Revenge of a Chalet Girl by Lorraine Wilson

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: 19th December 2013

Publisher: HarperImpulse

Description:
All she wants for Christmas is…revenge.

When chalet girl Amy Wright finds her ex’s name on Chalet Repos’ guest list she sees her chance to get back at him – Josh Carter, the guy who broke her heart. Getting revenge without losing her job will be tricky but luckily the other chalet girls are on hand to offer their support. Pretty soon she’s in too deep and realises she doesn’t want to hurt him anymore. She wants him back.

There’s just one teeny complication…

My Opinion

I'd been eagerly checking NetGalley every day or so to see if this title had been put up when the author contacted me with a copy of the book. I squealed-literally-when that email came through! I was so excited to read this third book in the Chalet Girl series by Lorraine Wilson as they are some of the best winter novellas I have read in a long time.

Out of the series I think this one is, by far, my favourite. It was fun, playful and I loved the revenge aspect. It was funny yet made you symapthise with Amy at what she had been through. You could understand her reasons for messing with Josh and it made her likable. It just made me smile-especially the chilli scene.

Also, I liked how this novella differed from the others in the series. Rather than have the characters not know each other, it was interesting that they had a history and had been a couple. As well as this the book focused more on the present events and moving forward rather than on the past. Unlike the other books in the series Josh and Amy's pasts weren't explained in as much depth and it was about trying to get over the details we were informed about.

Another thing I liked was that the romance was an under the surface thing until the end and the build up was great. The emotions in both the revenge and relationship felt real and my heart broke for Amy. However, she developed a lot surprisingly. I loved how she transformed towards the end in to a confident character who was determined to do what she needed. As well as this the support from her friends was also believable and made you love them even more, especially Tash.

Overall, Revenge of a Chalet Girl, lived up to and surpassed my expectations. I love how the author keeps Holly and Scott in each book and centers the story in their chalet as it links them all well. It made me smile, it made my heart break and it was fun and playful. It's definitely my favourite of the series. I highly recommend these perfect fireside reads for cold winter days.

ARC Review ~ Secrets of a Chalet Girl by Lorraine Wilson

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Expected Release Date: October 24th 2013

Publisher: Harper Impulse (HarperCollins UK)

ISBN: 9780007544073

Description:

Set in the exclusive Swiss ski resort of Verbier, the winter playground of the rich and famous, Secrets of a Chalet Girl is the second book in Lorraine Wilson’s fabulous Ski Season series.

My Opinion

When Lorraine Wilson emailed me to tell me Secrets of a Chalet Girl was up on NetGalley I headed straight over to request it and was so happy when it appeared in my approved list. After loving the first novella Confessions of a Chalet Girl I couldn't wait to read the sequel and it was a perfect gloomy-day read that I could snuggle up by a fire with. Secrets of a Chalet Girl was a quick, fast-paced read that I finished in an hour. It kept me turning pages and I couldn't put it down. 

The author definitely doesn't hang around with the writing. Diving straight into the story at Holly's Hen Party, it picks up with the girls playing truth or dare which set the mood for the book well - especially when dares are rapidly directed towards guys. It caught my interest straight away, making me wonder which direction the book was going to head in. However, a shy girl coming off the back of some bad ordeals, sexy guy and pushy friend gave me some idea.

One word I can think of to describe this book is playful. I liked the teasing and games, it was flirty and engaging. I would say this book was milder than Confessions of a Chalet Girl and wasn't as steamy in the romance section but I liked that as it made it different so it didn't feel like I was reading the same book all over again. The romance between Flora and Zac was sweet and although they both have their own problems I liked how the author didn't dwell on the negatives too much. The characters wanted to be better and more confident and I liked that they were trying to change themselves from the start. Unlike a lot of NA the ordeals were a motivation to change rather than constantly making the character whine.

Secrets of a Chalet Girl is a very quick read and once again I was surprised by how much the author managed to cram into the novella. The characters had a background and a past, we also got to see some of Zac's. As well as this there was the developing romance, a little about the future and a wedding. There was a lot of story in the small amount of pages but I still find myself wanting it to be longer as I enjoy Lorraine's writing!

I also love the setting of this series. Now, I would rather be on a beach any day but there is something about snow and ski slopes that intrigues me, especially in romance books. I don't know what it is about the snow but I just like imagining winter wonderlands. It also makes it the book a perfect autumnal/winter read during the evening.

Overall I really enjoyed Secrets of a Chalet Girl. It was playful, hot and made me smile. It was an easy read that, once again, was written beautifully and I didn't want it to end. I can't wait to see what Lorraine Wilson releases next!