Paperback purchased by myself
Release Date: October 8th 2013
Description:
I trust you …
These are the three words that Melissa Ashford wishes she could say to someone; to the one person she can fully give herself to and not worry about being betrayed. Being twenty-eight years old and divorced from a cheating ex-husband, Melissa enjoys her freedom … until one night when she finds herself indulging in a one night stand that changes everything.
There’s something about the alluring Brett Walker that has Melissa feeling things she’s never had with any other man. These feelings not only scare her, but push her past her limits as well. Just when she begins to open her soul to this new love, their bond is put to the test by jealousies from the past trying to break them apart.
It’s not only Melissa’s trust that’s put on the line, but Brett’s as well. Will their love be strong enough to get them through the lies? Will Melissa finally be able to say those three words she’s been dying to say? I trust you …
My Opinion
This author is quickly becoming one of my favourites and I'm so glad I took a chance on Meant for Me on Netgalley. Since then, I bought Fighting for Love as an ebooks and because I loved that one so much I decided to buy the whole series in paperback. I will say that Meant for Me is still my favourite, followed by Fighting for Love but this book did not disappoint.
Although I knew the general storyline from Meant for Me, it didn't stop me from enjoying it. It was nice to read Melissa's story and understand Brett and her romance better. It was also great to read it as it developed.
Trusting You had everything I have come to expect from this author. The romance was brilliant as steamy as usual but what I really like with this author is that she manages to pull emotions from me with every book. I don't know how she does it--well that's not true, it's because her writing is brilliant--but it's rare that every book in a series can connect so well with me when they are standalone. The books are crafted so well and the depth in the characters is great. They are realistic, believable and you can connect with them easily. I love how the relationship developed; it was fast-pace but had everything you want in it and the surrounding story built tension and had me unable to put it down.
I find it hard to say things about a book when they connect with me so emotionally so I'll leave it at that. You really should read these if you like romances. I do prefer the MMA theme in the later books but this was a nice change and still has everything the author does well in it. I would highly recommend!
ebook downloaded on Amazon free day.
Description:
Jane’s been in love with her best friend Lance since they were kids. Best friend, that is, until he ditched her for the more popular crowd. What’s a computer nerd doing spending time with jocks anyway? When he asks her for help getting a date to the prom with the most popular girl in school she almost tells him to take a flying leap. But she’d be spending time with him, teaching him to dance and he’d be holding her...that sounded like heaven.So she says yes.But how much practice can her heart take?The Practice Date is a novelette, 11,000 words, 50 pages in paperback.
My Opinion
This was just what you'd expect from a novella; it was short, sweet and enjoyable. The narrative was fun and lighthearted and although you don't connect with the characters because o the length, it does keep you wanting to read more.
The plot is a standard girl-likes-friend-but-he's-clueless and although it's predictable, it's still a nice read that's okay for relaxing. There were some parts moved a little too quickly and could have done with slightly more development as even with a novella, it could have been slightly longer, but it was a sweet read nonetheless to break up the time.
3.5
Welcome to Deep Cove
Release Date: March 16th 2014
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Mystery, Fantasy, Humor
Word Count: 87,701
Description:
At thirty-one, Garrett Willigins has finally earned his private investigator's badge. Unfortunately, the bills haven't stopped coming and building a solid reputation won't happen overnight. Forced to take employment wherever they can, Garrett and his miniature dragon partner Merle, must dirty their hands any way possible to make a buck.Shoveling manure, chasing cats, and dock duty seem to be the order of the day. Working off back rent for a notorious gangster isn't the safest of jobs on a good day, but when the other workers start turning up dead, Garrett finds himself elbow deep in a mystery that could spell a quick end to his short P.I career.
About the Author
Grant Reed has a background in business management, computer programming, and computer networking. He would much rather be out fishing though, so he spends his time writing and teaching computer courses at CTS. He lives in Lively Ontario, Canada with his wife Robin, and their two children Aidan and Megan.
ebook received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: March 1st 2014
Publisher: Belfry Press
Description:
Penniless and behind on rent, college student and once famous child actress Ellie Barlow takes on the role of a lifetime when she's hired by a group of young women to break the heart of the campus player who cruelly dumped them. Transformed from slob slacker to jaw-dropping beauty, Ellie is dressed, styled, bleached and waxed, her chunky glasses exchanged for violet contacts. Along with physical prepping, she's coached on Julian's obsessions, which include long-distance running, Doctor Who, and J.D. Salinger. In no time, Julian is in pursuit of his custom-made next victim, but when Ellie goes off script and begins to fall for her target the newest broken heart in this risky game could be her own.
My Opinion
This book reminds me so much of the movie John Tucker Must Die but maybe just with a slightly darker undertone. It has torn my opinion as although I enjoyed it and felt that it was a quick, easy read there were a few things I had minor issues with.
I liked the overall concept--although it was pretty close to the movie--as I haven't read it in a book before. You could see how things were going to play out so it gave this book a light, relaxing quality as you didn't have to think too hard when reading it. I also liked that Julian had a past that helped cause the way he was. It gave him a realistic quality and made you feel for him rather than just think he was the ass who went from girl to girl.
The storyline kept me hooked as I wanted to know the full details of the characters' stories and I found it hard to stop reading. There were a few twists I didn't see coming and although there was this slightly darker, more emotional tone to the book I felt that overall the book was a fun read.
There were only a few things I had trouble with and the first what that the characters fell for each other way too quickly. I'm a fan on insta-love but this was even too quick for me. I feel feeling are okay after meeting but to actually want to say 'I love you' was a little too soon considering how long Julian and Ellie had know each other. I did also feel that sections were a little rushed and could have used a bit more development but other than that it was a good read.
Overall, He's Come Undone was an enjoyable, quick read that was good to break up my time. The storyline was interesting and did keep me hooked.
eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: May 27th 2014
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Description:
This Game Is Getting All Too Real
He said: I like to keep under the radar and mostly hang out with my friends from the rez. But when I saved Riley Berenger from falling off a mountain, that rich suburban princess decided to try to save me.
She said: If I can help Sam Tracy win the heart of the girl he can't get over, I'll pay him back for helping me. I promised him I would, no matter what it takes.
My Opinion
I was honestly surprised by this book. I went into it thinking that it sounded like an OK read and something that may interest me and break up my time. However, I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did. It was a standard young-adult romance but that's not a bad thing. It was a lighthearted, quick read that you didn't have to think too much about.
One thing that I really liked was that there were more strands than just the romance in the book which kept things interesting. Of course, most of these were minor and the romance was the key focus but the small sub-plots like the issues with the parents, Sam's life, school problems and what happens when Sam and Riley are around each other keep you on you toes and keep you turning pages as you are never sure what they are going to have to face next. There were twists and parts that shocked me as I didn't see them coming which I was surprised by.
As well as this I liked how it started and developed. There was a steady pace of development throughout the whole book actually and it was a nice change from the instant "I love you" after only just meeting. The relationship was a slow burner and although the ending is predictable, that's what you want in these types of books isn't it?
The characters were good together and their emotions felt real. Sam and Riley were also good together. I liked that there was an underlying tension and resistance on Sam's part but I thought that the development was realistic too. There was a good mix of friendship and more than that in their feelings and the alternating POV helped solidify this more.
Overall, Played shocked me. I didn't think I would enjoy this book as much as I did but it came as a pleasant surprise when I couldn't stop reading.
Paperback purchased by myself
