Him by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy | Book Review #167

The Bookish Island's Book Review:

Him by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

Are there spoilers?

Nope.

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Title: Him

Author: Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

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Pages: 360

Published: 2015

Genre: Romance, Sports, New Adult, Contemporary

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Date Read: March 29, 2019

Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads

They don’t play for the same team. Or do they?

Jamie Canning has never been able to figure out how he lost his closest friend. Four years ago, his tattooed, wise-cracking, rule-breaking roommate cut him off without an explanation. So what if things got a little weird on the last night of hockey camp the summer they were eighteen? It was just a little drunken foolishness. Nobody died.

Ryan Wesley’s biggest regret is coaxing his very straight friend into a bet that pushed the boundaries of their relationship. Now, with their college teams set to face off at the national championship, he’ll finally get a chance to apologize. But all it takes is one look at his longtime crush, and the ache is stronger than ever.

Jamie has waited a long time for answers, but walks away with only more questions—can one night of sex ruin a friendship? If not, how about six more weeks of it? When Wesley turns up to coach alongside Jamie for one more hot summer at camp, Jamie has a few things to discover about his old friend... and a big one to learn about himself.

Warning: contains sexual situations, skinnydipping, shenanigans in an SUV and proof that coming out to your family on social media is a dicey proposition.

The Rating:

My Review:

There was so much going on in this book and I enjoyed every page.
It was both a fun read and a great romance.

Now I was supposed to write this review months ago so I barely remember what I was going to say about this book but I really did love it.

It was also my first M/M romance so that was interesting. Although I have read yaoi before, so it wasn't that weird. I really liked it. Reading Jaime and Ryans' story of how they went from friends to strangers, to friends and so much more. So much love for these two that I couldn't wait to read the sequel and I got my hands on it and read that too.

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The Bookish Island
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Hungry For More by Alexa Riley | Book Review #165

The Bookish Island's Book Review:

Hungry For More by Alexa Riley

Are there spoilers?

Nope.

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Title: Hungry For More 

Author: Alexa Riley

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Pages:?

Published: 2018

Genre: Romance, Novella, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance 

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Date Read: April 30, 2019

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Goodreads

Sage Carter has spent her whole life surrounded by her family that treats her like a child. When she finally decides to live life on her own, it’s still under the shelter of her brother's apartment. But the day before Thanksgiving, his business partner comes to visit and just so happens to find her in the kitchen…in her underwear. Can she make it through the holiday without dying of embarrassment? Or will the incident be the spark that lights the fire from within?

Jensen Powell has done things in his own way on his own timeline. When he’s forced to go home with his business partner for Thanksgiving, he doesn’t expect to find a curvy bombshell waiting for him. One look and she belongs to him if only she’ll give in. He hasn’t had a reason to be thankful until now, and he’s making the most of it.

Warning: This Turkey Day romance is stuffed full of all your favorites. It’s warm and sweet with all the guilty pleasures you’re after. Go ahead and get second helpings. Nobody is looking.

The Rating:

My Review:

Hungry For More is apparently a Thanksgiving-themed novella. And I totally in not read it during Thanksgiving but I still enjoyed it.

It's very much an insta-love story. Very sexy and steamy. And even though Jensen was a little too intense at the beginning I totally got into it and felt that he truly cared for Sage.
And after a few pages of reading their story, I got into it and found myself cheering them on...
to be happy (I didn't intentionally write it this way but let's keep it).

I also liked that Jensen and Sage had the perect amout of backstorry to let their stry make sense even though it as a short novella. And I kinda thik I like Alexa Riley's writing so I might go looking for more of her novels.

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The Bookish Island
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The Chase by Janet Evanovich & Lee Goldberg | Book Review #163

The Bookish Island's Book Review:
The Chase by Janet Evanovich & Lee Goldberg

Are there spoilers?

Nope.

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Title: The Chase 

Author: Janet Evanovich & Lee Goldberg

Series: Fox and O'Hare #2

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Pages: 304

Published: 2014

Publisher:  Bantam 

Genre: Mystery, Fiction, Romance, Crime

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Date Read: May 2, 2019

Rating: ★★★☆☆

An internationally renowned thief and con artist Nicolas Fox runs daring cons now teams undercover for FBI with the agent who caught him, Kate O'Hare. Together they catch the world’s most wanted—and untouchable—criminals, next to Carter Grove, former White House chief of staff, now the ruthless leader of BlackRhino private security for a rare Chinese rooster from the Smithsonian.

The Rating:

My Review:

The Chase didn't catch and hold onto my attention like The Heist did but it was still a good read. This one had a lot of the same elements that the first one had too.

I love how Kate and Nick's relationship is still going on like a slow burn. they obviously have a lot to sexual tension between them and they flirt with each other so it's all there. And I can't wait to see when it starts to get more official.

Kate's father is still my favorite character. He's just so cool. And I still think that Sylvester Stallone or Bruce Willis or even Jean-Claude Van Damme could play him. Or maybe a little bit of the three of them in one. Crazy but smart, and a loving father, and a good fighter/sharpshooter. But also I don't think he'd be old. Like I know he's retired but I don't think he's old-old. Ya know?

Goodreads

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The Bookish Island
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Manga Classics: Jane Eyre by Stacy King | Book Review #160

The Bookish Island's Book Review:
Manga Classics: Jane Eyre by Stacy King

Are there spoilers?

Not really. But this is also based on a classic so it shouldn't matter if I'm the one spoiling this for ya.

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Disclaimer:

This book was sent to me by the publishing company (UDON Entertainment) through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Jane Eyre (Manga Classics)

English Script by Stacy King
Original Author: Charlotte Brontë
Artist: SunNeko Lee
Story Adaptation: Crystal S. Chan

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Pages: 319

Published: 2016

Publisher:  Udon Entertainment  

Genre: Manga, Romance, Classics

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Date Read: March 5 > March 6, 2019

Rating: ★★★★☆

As an orphaned child, Jane Eyre is first cruelly abused by her aunt, then cast out and sent to a charity school. Though she meets with further abuse, she receives an education, and eventually takes a job as a governess at the estate of Edward Rochester. Jane and Rochester begin to bond, but his dark moods trouble her. When Jane uncovers the terrible secret Rochester has been hiding, she flees and finds temporary refuge at the home of St. John Rivers.

The Rating:

My Review:

Jane Eyre is one of the books I didn't think I would get to anytime soon but when I saw it on NetGalley I could help but to request it. And I got it.

I've wanted to read Jane Eyre for some time but the heft of the book always scared me off. Because it's such a big book. So reading it in manga for was perfect. I still want to re-read it sometime in the future but I was happy to get to see all the beautiful and detailed illustrations.

The story is still there. The characters are more expressive than in the movie adaptations. Especially the really old ones. I caught the ending of one that was black and white and the guy who was Mr. Rochester was going too strong in being serious.
But the manga managed to capture me for a full day without me having to stop in the middle. I was enamored by it all.

Goodreads

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The Bookish Island
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Deja Who by MaryJanice Davidson | Book Review #155

The Bookish Island's Book Review:
Deja Who by MaryJanice Davidson

Are there spoilers?

A little. Maybe.

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Title: Deja Who

Author: MaryJanice Davidson

Series: Insighter #1

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Pages: 304

Published: 2016

Publisher:  Berkley

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Mystery, Humor, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

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Date Read: March 4, 2019

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Leah Nazir is an Insighter. Reincarnation is her business. But while her clients' pasts are a mess, Leah's is nothing short of a tragedy. She's been murdered. A lot. If left to that bitch, destiny, it'll happen again. Leah wants to know who's been following her through time, and who's been stalking her in the present...

P.I. Archer Drake has been hired by Leah's mother to keep an eye on her. But the more time he spends watching, the more he finds himself infatuated. Before long, he even finds himself agreeing to help find the person who wants her dead. Over and over again.

Now going full-on "rewind," Leah hopes it can stave off the inevitable. After all, she's grown fond of this life - and even fonder of nerdy Archer. But changing her pattern means finding out who her killer is today. And as Leah fears, that could be anyone she has come to know and trust. Anyone.

The Rating:

My Review:

Deja Who was a weird read for me. I didn't know if I should find the characters and situations funny or weird. Weird because I felt that if the author intended it to be a serious story then it was not good. But if it was meant to be a funny story and I just didn't get it I'm at fault and need to rethink my opinions. So here they are.

I didn't expect to read a funny book when I bought it or when I started reading it. It was only when I finished reading it that I paused and had to think if it was all meant to be funny.

I liked the concept of Insighters. A mystery where the main character was someone who could see peoples past lives and help them deal with their present life based on what happened to them in the past. Still, it felt like the concept was only superficial. Instead of the main concept.

Leah changed so much but maybe that was the humor in the story. She changed so much from the beginning to the end. And while that often means character growth, in this it felt too much. And childish. I mean, she wasn't my favorite character and neither was Archer.
Their relationship was weird too. But again maybe its meant to be funny. Archer would just blurt out whatever weird thought he had. And it made him way younger than he was. He was acting like a high schooler and not a 30-something-year-old, which he was.

And the story, although like I said was a good concept, it went above and beyond what I expected. Background characters got more detailed and were given more backstory than I would have preferred.
If more was established with the main characters or how they were portrayed rather than having overly detailed background characters I think that I would have enjoyed this more.

Still, I'm not gonna lie. The concept was good. And the explanations and stories about the people with past lives were detailed and well written. But I'm not meant to like the background characters more than the main characters. So in that, I ended up giving this a 3 out of 5 stars.

But now I don't know if I should re-read it or be satisfied with it. Or if I want to read the second one in the series or not.

Goodreads

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The Bookish Island
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The Heist by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg | Book Review #154

The Bookish Island's Book Review:
The Heist by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg

Are there spoilers?

I may have written down too much but that's how much I liked this book.

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Title: The Heist

Author: Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg

Series: Fox and O'Hare #1

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Pages: 295

Published: 2013

Publisher:  Bantam

Genre: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Romance, Humor, Thriller

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Date Read: March 17 to March 21, 2019

Rating: ★★★★★

From Janet Evanovich, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Stephanie Plum novels, and Lee Goldberg, bestselling author and television writer for Monk, comes the first adventure in an electrifying new series featuring an FBI agent who always gets her man, and a fearless con artist who lives for the chase.

FBI Special Agent Kate O’Hare is known for her fierce dedication and discipline on the job, chasing down the world’s most wanted criminals and putting them behind bars. Her boss thinks she is tenacious and ambitious; her friends think she is tough, stubborn, and maybe even a bit obsessed. And while Kate has made quite a name for herself for the past five years, the only name she’s cared about is Nicolas Fox—an international crook she wants in more ways than one.

Audacious, handsome, and dangerously charming, Nicolas Fox is a natural con man, notorious for running elaborate scams on very high-profile people. At first he did it for the money. Now he does it for the thrill. He knows that the FBI has been hot on his trail—particularly Kate O’Hare, who has been watching his every move. For Nick, there’s no greater rush than being pursued by a beautiful woman . . . even one who aims to lock him up. But just when it seems that Nicolas Fox has been captured for good, he pulls off his greatest con of all: he convinces the FBI to offer him a job, working side by side with Special Agent Kate O’Hare.

Problem is, teaming up to stop a corrupt investment banker who’s hiding on a private island in Indonesia is going to test O’Hare’s patience and Fox’s skill. Not to mention the skills of their ragtag team made up of flamboyant actors, wanted wheelmen, and Kate’s dad. High-speed chases, pirates, and Toblerone bars are all in a day’s work . . . if O’Hare and Fox don’t kill each other first.

The Rating:

My Review:

The Heist was so good.

I have never read a Janet Evanovich book before. I mean I watched the movie for One for the Money but that's about it. Still, I had kept my eye out on her books so when I saw The Heist and The Chase - part of the Fox and O'Hare series - I snatched them up and brought them home a long time ago. But Just this month - for March Mystery Madness - I picked it up and started reading it.

I loved reading this book so much. This was a fun read for me. It was light and had a nice flow to it. The story was easy to follow and the supporting characters were original and cool.
There were character introductions, as it tends to happen in heist movies. And I loved it.

A female FBI agent has to team up with the Conman she has been trying to throw in jail in order to catch a bigger fish.

I loved the banter between Nick and Kate. The whole time I was reading I thought that they were a lot like Castle and Beckett, but also a little like Mulder and Scully.

In my head, this was Ocean's Eleven meets Castle. And I kept thinking "why hasn't this been made into a movie yet?".

One of my favorite characters was Kate's dad, Jake O'Hare. He was so cool!!! I totally see Bruce Willis playing him.

The duo Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg did such a good job with this book.
👍

Goodreads

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The Bookish Island
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Dirty Little Secret by Jennifer Ryan | Book Review #151

The Bookish Island's Book Review:
Dirty Little Secret by Jennifer Ryan

Are there spoilers?

I may have written down too much but that's how much I liked this book.
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Title: Dirty Little Secret

Author: Jennifer Ryan

Series: Wild Rose Ranch #1

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Pages: 384

Published: 2018

Publisher:  Avon

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Western

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Date Read: March 4, 2019

Rating: ★★★★☆

Meet the women from Wild Rose Ranch—and the men who want them—in New York Times Bestselling Author Jennifer Ryan’s breathtaking series of romance and scandal . . .

Noah Cordero is a modern-day cowboy who loves three things: ranching, his younger sister, and his step-father. John Cordero groomed Noah to take over the Montana spread where he learned to ride and work the land. But when John unexpectedly dies, he leaves half the ranch to a woman Noah doesn’t even know.

Roxy shares Noah’s last name, but not his blood. Estranged from her father, haunted by regrets, and eager to escape her notorious mother’s past, she is forced to fulfill her father’s last wishes. Inheriting means sharing a home with infuriating, challenging, and oh-so-tempting Noah. But John didn’t just make her owner of his ranch and guardian to her sister, his hidden sideline is her worst nightmare—she’s the new owner of the notorious Nevada brothel called Wild Rose Ranch where she grew up.

As their strictly business relationship starts to turn to true love, Roxy begins to wonder, what will happen when Noah discovers her dirty little secret?

The Rating:

My Review:

Dirty Little Secret is the first book in Jennifer Ryan's new series, Wild Rose Ranch.

And it follows Roxy, who is just trying to put her past behind her and show everyone that she is more than what they say about her, and Noah, a man trying to make sense of the secrets that are unfolding around him.  Together the two work so well. The chemistry between them was intense in all the right ways. Like, fan yourself to cool of kind of intense. They found true love in each other despite all odds. And that's just wonderful.

Roxy was kind of the best female character I have ever read about. Honestly. This woman can do it all. From teaching herself how to ride and train horses to computer science. Which made me love her even more because we have the same degree.

She is confident, strong, smart and looks banging in a dress and heels, AND jeans and cowboy boots.

Which only made me hate how she was treated by everyone in this story. It was so unfair and dumb. She didn't deserve any of it.

The characters were excellent. The good guys were easy to love and the bad guys were horrible and deserve what they got. And the story was just so well done that I was left wanting more from these amazing and lovable characters.

Now I already had a sneak peek of the next book in the series. Since it was at the end of the book. And from the tiny bit that I did read I already know I need the next one. I NEED IT!

I should add that I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway.

I also need to add that at first, I was holding myself back on reading this book. But I did and I'm glad because I thought that the whole step-sibling thing was just too weird. But Roxy and Noah have no blood ties and they didn't grow up together. And the way the author as I thought it was gonna be. It was actually pretty good. Their relationship had its ups and downs but they also knew what they wanted from the other and weren't afraid to convey those feelings. Which was so brave and idyllic. It made me want that kind of relationship. 

But ya girl is S.I.N.G.L.E. and doesn't need no boday.

But a good book.

Goodreads

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The Bookish Island
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Devilish Lord, Mysterious Miss by Annie Burrows | Book Review #149

The Bookish Island's Book Review:
Devilish Lord, Mysterious Miss by Annie Burrows

Are there spoilers?

Yes, there are some spoilers.

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Disclaimer:

This book was sent to me by the publishing company (Harlequin) in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Devilish Lord, Mysterious Miss

Author: Annie Burrows

Illustrated by: Naoko Moto
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Pages: 160

Published: 2018

Publisher:  Harlequin / SB Creative

Genre: Romance, Manga

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Date Read: March 3, 2018

Rating: ★★★★☆

Mary has been working as a seamstress ever since she came to London six years ago. The dresses that she embroiders have become very popular in socialite circles, but she doesn’t receive any compensation for her work because her employer rescued her after she lost her memory and had nowhere to go. One day, Mary is pursued by a man in black on her way home. Several days later, that same mysterious aristocrat confronts Mary demanding to know why she ran away from their engagement!

The Rating:

My Review:

Devilish Lord, Mysterious Miss managed to be one thing in the beginning and a whole different thing in the end and I liked it a lot. The was a great mystery weaved in and out of the story and the plot was great too.

I loved the historical setting. It wasn't too obvious what time the story takes place in history which works for me since I don't know a lot about that era in the past. So the historical aspects of this story were great. Even the illustrations made everything look good. From the architecture to the costume design. And every character looked and acted different which is always good.

This is also about a grieving young lord who has been pining over the loss of his love. And keeps seeing her ghost. And a young seamstress who has amnesia who the young lord mistakes as his lost love.
I loved how he treated her. With such respect and adoration and in turn she loved him fierce. Truly a great romance.

Everything about this manga is great. I have nothing bad to say about it.

When I found out that Harlequin made manga I was shocked. So I requested some through NetGalley not expecting to get approved since my percentage is low. But I did get approved. And after I read it I was so into it that I wanted to read more of it. It's such a cool concept.
I have read manga before. My favorites being Josei and Shoujo manga (super faves are School Life ones) but its a Harlequin book adapted into a manga and for some reason that is cooler. Now I'm curious to know if the original story is exactly the same. I'm not going to read it but I'm just curious.

Goodreads

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The Bookish Island
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A High Stakes Seduction by Jennifer Lewis | Book Review #148

The Bookish Island's Book Review:
A High Stakes Seduction by Jennifer Lewis

Are there spoilers?

Yes, there are some spoilers.

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Disclaimer:

This book was sent to me by the publishing company (Harlequin) in exchange for an honest review.

Title: A High Stakes Seduction

Author: Jennifer Lewis

Illustrated by: Motoyo Fujiwara

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Pages: 128

Published: 2019

Publisher:  Harlequin / SB Creative

Genre: Manga, Romance

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Date Read: March 1, 2019

Rating: ★★★★☆

I know I’d lose everything if I fell in love with you.
Meet Constance, a scrupulous and by-the-book accountant. When she's assigned to investigate a casino's finances, she visits the casino with the bad reputation. If there are any illegal activities afoot, she’s confident she’ll uncover them. Then, she meets John Fairweather, the CEO of the casino. Flashing an irresistible smile, he compliments her and plants his lips on hers! Is this the game he’ll play to undermine her work? Bewildered by John’s uninhibited behavior, Constance can’t entirely suppress her desire for him…though she’s acutely aware that she’d lose everything if she ever got involved with him.

The Rating:

My Review:

I am going to mention again that this is a book I received through NetGalley by the publisher. 

I was scrolling through the page when I saw that they had manga available. And then I saw that some of the titles were Harlequin books adapted into the manga format. I nearly lost my mind because I didn't know they did that and found it so cool. 

Then I requested two and was happy to get approved. One of them was this book. A High Stakes Seduction. A book about a businesswoman who is not looking for love or any kind of relationship, she just wants to do her job and do it right. It just so happens that her new assignment at a casino leads her to meet the very handsome playboy owner of said casino. And although this is a romance so obviously their relationship will go through changes.

I felt dumb when the main character's serious personality and passion for her work went out the window when the owner f the casino made a move. It bothered me because she could have kept her seriousness and get affected by the guy. It's possible. But not for Constance.

Although Im not gonna lie their interations were cute and I was rooting for them to end up tgether. Also, I dont know if its just me but was I the only one who suspected the uncle right away. Or have I been reading too many mysteries.

In the end, I felt that it was a quick and easy read, that had good characters and an intriguing ending. I'm just gonna say that they tied things up at the end like they do in telenovelas.

Goodreads

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The Bookish Island
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The Foxe & The Hound by R.S. Grey | Book Review #146

The Bookish Island's Book Review:
The Foxe & The Hound by R.S. Grey

Are there spoilers?

This one has spoilers!
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Title: The Foxe & The Hound 

Author: R.S. Grey

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Pages: 328

Published: 2017

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, New Adult, Adult

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Date Read: July 26 > 27, 2018

Rating: ★★★★☆

When your life is a hot mess at twenty, it’s cute. At twenty-seven… well, not so much.

It’s just that my lofty dreams—making it as a real estate agent, paying rent on time, showering daily—have stayed just that: dreams. Oh, and love? I’ve decided love might be a little ambitious for me at the moment. Instead, I’ve settled for the two guys who will never leave me: Ben & Jerry.

That is until Dr. Adam Foxe takes up residence as the town’s new vet.

With his strong jaw, easy confidence, and form-fitting scrubs, it’s not long before every housewife in Hamilton is dragging neglected tomcats in for weekly checkups.

Like everyone else, I’m intrigued. Even after I spoil my chance at a good first impression, he still offers me a proposition I can’t refuse: play his girlfriend at a family function and he’ll hire me as his real estate agent. Welcome to love in the 21st century.

It’s too bad I underestimated Adam’s irresistible charm and the undeniable attraction that burns between us. The day he pins me to the wall and silences me with a kiss, the line between reality and ruse begins to blur. Every teasing touch brings me to my knees. Every kiss promises more.

It looks like my hot mess of a life is about to get a little hotter.

The Rating:

My Review:

I've been holding back on this review because I had very mixed feelings towards this book. But here goes nothing.

The Foxe & The Hound is about a beautiful real estate agent, Madeleine, who crashes into a handsome vet with an attitude, Adam. And of course, there's the one who got them to crash. Too big for his own good, doggo Mouse. 

One of the things that gave me problems was Adam. I hated him. I swooned at the beginning but then all of a sudden it turned to dislike. He just did some things that made me look at this book with some serious death stares. I even stopped reading it at the point where I couldn't handle how he acted and how Madeleine reacted anymore. But because I had to give it back I powered through having a curtain on those chapters and how I felt and ended up enjoying it after.

I ended up liking the banter between Adam and Madeleine and how their relationship was finding a smooth rhythm. The steamy scenes were just right. Mouse was an amazing and very important doggo. And in the end, I was shocked with that plot twist.

I can now say that with that ending I now am on board.


Now. If you really want to know what bothered me about this book here it is. But you have been warned since this is a spoiler.

There is one scene, past the first 120 pages, where Adam basically assaults Madeleine. But that's not all, because it happens before he tells her that he's sorry for misleading her into thinking that they were more than just acquaintances or friends. That he isn't looking to date anyone since he got out of a messy relationship just recently. Which is also the reason why he moved to that town in the first place. But that's beside the point. 

The point is that he tells her he isn't interested in dating her after she asked him out (taking the courage to ask him out thinking that she has a shot) and then he blocked her only exit to the building they are in and grabs/pins her to the door and assaults her. Now! It doesn't matter that she likes him or that in the end she was "okay" with what he did to her or it turned her on. That doesn't matter. What matters, and what bothers me about Adam, is the fact that he rejects her, grabs onto her wrist to the point where she tells him he is hurting her, ignored her pain, and then plants a kiss on her mouth. And I think that somewhere in that she thinks to herself that he is being forceful towards her but then she goes on to say that she likes it. 
And as I'm writing this I notice that it may be me thinking too much into what he did, but then again it was too much happening at once and I freaked out instead of feeling excited for them like I think the writer intended. That's why I didn't like him. I had to make myself forget that that scene had happened in order to keep reading.

Goodreads

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All I Need by Susane Colasanti | Book Review #144

The Bookish Island's Book Review:
All I Need by Susane Colasanti

Are there spoilers?

There's are some spoilers but then again its all in the synopsis.
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Title: All I Need

Author: Susane Colasanti

.........................................................

Pages: 240

Publisher: Viking

Published: 2013

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Women's Fiction

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Date Read: December 22, 2018

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

The last night of summer is only the beginning.

Skye wants to meet the boy who will change her life forever. Seth feels their instant connection the second he sees her. When Seth starts talking to Skye at the last beach party of the summer, it’s obvious to both of them that this is something real. But when Seth leaves for college before they exchange contact info, Skye wonders if he felt the same way she did—and if she will ever see him again. Even if they find their way back to each other, can they make a long-distance relationship work despite trust issues, ex drama, and some serious background differences?

Teen favorite Susane Colasanti returns to the alternating-voice style of her beloved debut When It Happens in this Serendipity-inspired story about summer, soul mates, and the moments that change our lives forever. 

The Rating:

My Review:

All I Need was a quick contemporary YA novel with a girl from a rich family and boy from a poor family who find each other during summer and fall in love.

The author doesn't seem to understand the differences between an Adult Romance and a Young Adult Romance because some things in her book seem out of place. Like the relationships between the main characters and how they think. It's like the situations she puts these characters in are meant to be in an Adult Romance rather than what it is. I often found myself thinking that if this was an Adult Romance I would have liked it better.

I had no feelings for this story or the characters. Mostly because of how the author wrote Sky and Seth's relationship and situations.

The insta-love between Sky and Seth was bad. I disliked every second. They would constantly tell each other and themselves that their love was forever and that they couldn't be apart from each other. But they didn't even know each other's last names or anything.
They meet one summer fall in love and on the last day of summer they arrange to meet and Seth doesn't show up. So they don't see each other since, again, they don't know anything about each other. And when they reunite it is as if they were covered in glue, cause they become inseparable. 

Still, it was an easy read with easy transitions and dialogue but the characters made no impact on me. At all. 

Goodreads   

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The Bookish Island
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