All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgins

Kristan Higgins is normally one of my go to authors. Normally. But for some reason this book just didn't leave me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside like her books usually do. And that is super strange because I love a good love triangle and All I Ever Wanted fits that description to a T! Overall, I felt like I could give this book to a 14 year old girl and she would have probably liked it more than I did. I almost feel like someone kidnapped my author and took her place. I don't like replacement Kristan. I want the old Kristan back!!!



The other thing that's very un-Kristan Higgins like for me is I honestly didn't like her characters. And almost always I find the characters she writes about charming human beings. Just..not this time. Callie Grey is our female protagonist...and to me she's annoying, clingy, and kind of immature. Oh, and let's not forget she's got to be like a level 9 stalker! Please, someone explain that it is not even a little bit okay to sit outside someone's home in your car looking into their bedroom window. Nor is it okay to drive past someone's house purposefully over five times a day. I mean, lets be honest three times a day is stretching things. I think the thing that annoys me the most about this stuff is that because we read it through a females point of view, we see it as a crush or even a minor infatuation. Tell me...what would you do if this were seen from a mans eyes? If it were a man looking into a woman's home, driving by ten times a day, obsessing over everything you do. How would you feel about it then? Stalking is stalking. No matter the gender.
Then there is Ian. Ian the frosty russian assassin. Well, actually he's a grumpy veterinarian that can't get over his ex-wife after two years. Two. Friggin. Years. I mean...you'd think that by now that ship has sailed. But nah. Then the thing that really makes me go hmm about this book is that both charaters are hung up on someone and then POOF!! Someone flips a switch and suddenly they love eachother. Erm. Call me crazy but I don't really think that it works like that.
There were a few things a did like about the story though. I loved Callies relationship with her grandfather Noah. They really had that sarcastic kind of love that makes me think of my own grandpa. It's not everyday that you find another grandfather/granddaughter duo that feels insults are like hugs. I also really liked the role that the "Happily Ever After" chair played in the whole book. It was a really sweet idea. I also really loved how things ended with Callies parents and her sister. They gave me some laughs while I was reading this book. Actually, Callies sister Hes was probably my favorite character.

3 Stars.

Blast From Two Pasts by Kristal Villar

Who doesn't wonder about that high school crush they had once in a blue moon? Who hasn't been set-up with someone by a well meaning but slightly misguided friend? And who hasn't had a date go completely horribly? One more...who hasn't been through a heartbreak??? Well, if you can honestly say you haven't been put through any of that you are doing far better than me. And probably thousands of other people that have gone through some of the things on that list. But!!! So has our main character, Cara. She has decidedly shitty love life. First she gets dumped, then she gets set up with the hot guy from high school, then their date takes a nosedive, and when you don't think it can really get much worse...



Well. It's best if you just read the book. There were a few things I really enjoyed about this book. One of them being that it really shows how important closure is when you end a relationship. I do understand that not everyone feels the need for closure but for the rest of us...without it, we're left with a lot of questions. This book really showcases that fact. Another thing that has really made a big impression on me from this book is the way these friends come together when Cara is going through her rough patch. Breaking-up is really hard on a lot of people and it really helps to have friends by your side, pushing you to get back on the horse, bringing you ice-cream, and setting up dates for you with hot guys. Everyone deserves friends like that by their side.
That being said, a few things did bother me. I didn't like how short the book was. The story only being 116 pages made it seem too fast. It didn't have the depth it could have had if it had been a little longer. I feel like it just wasn't lengthy enough to really develop any really connection with the characters. Which is something I really enjoy doing. I like to really feel like I know who a charater is by the time I turn that last page. This book just didn't do that for me. I did notice the writers inexperience as well. It shows in her writing but it's not glaringly obvious. Although is it present throughout the whole book, so if that's a pet-peeve anyone has, this isn't the book for you. The story was also a bit predictable...but overall the story is still super cute and worth the read.

3 Stars.

A copy of this book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way impacted the way I rate this book. 

Nobody But You by Jill Shalvis

Oh Jill. You really never fail me. This is like a proud momma moment only...not. Sigh* I'm so proud. The thing about some authors is that they can write all their lives and be good at it and stay good. Then there are authors like Jill Shalvis that start out good and only get better. Those are the writers you want to read. My first Jill Shalvis book was Natural Blonde Instincts, a book that was published in 2003. I enjoyed it but it was far from my favorite. The next time I picked up a Jill Shalvis book was to start the Lucky Harbor series years later. I sure am glad I did!! I couldn't put the books down. I've been a fan since.
The thing about all Jill Shalvis books is she finds the perfect balance between seriousness, humor, and romance. Nobody But You is a perfect example of just that. I love that this book addressed what it's like for a soldier after losing a brother in arms. I come from a military family and addressing such a serious issue like that means a lot to me. It is hard on everyone involved for something so devastating to happen. The other thing mentioned here and there is depression. Again, this something my family has had to struggle with. I know what it's like to have learn things on your own because your mom won't get out of bed, much less come out of her room. I promise teaching yourself to cook, drive, and fill out college FASFA forms on your own isn't as easy as it seems for some. The pain that Sophie went through growing up because of her fathers depression really hit home. The other thing we see in this book is dealing with your loved one suffering from dementia. I have never experienced what it is like to go through this but after reading Nobody But You...I can't even imagine. To have your own mother forget all your accomplishments, forget all the things you've done in your life, forget who you are...I don't think I could do it. I know I couldn't do it. It's heartbreaking to even read about. I can't imagine what it's like to actually experience that.
Though we have some very serious undertones to the book, it's balanced out by laughter, fun, and romance making the book actually lighthearted and super fast reading. I loved Sophie and Jacob, I loved their chemistry, and I loved the way they had such playful banter. I do have to say Sophie takes the cake for me on this one though. She is awesome! If she were a real person I would force her to be my friend.



She was just so sassy and prickly! I loved it! She deserves an award for her sarcasm talent alone. I love how she deals with her ex-husband Lucas, I love that she stands up for herself, and I love her dry sense of humor. She's the total package. Jacob is a great character and all with his charm and mysterious ways but Sophie steals the spotlight for sure. Overall I just really loved their story and I would definitely recommend it. Especially if you're a Susan Mallery fan or a Carly Phillips reader.

4.5 Stars.

An advanced readers copy was provided to me by the publishers in exchange for a honest review. This has in no was effected my rating on this book or the overall review.

AA For The Avid Reader

Hi. My name is Page and I am a reading addict. Over time I have found that there are some very real issues that seem to go hand-in-hand with avid reading. Sometimes I feel a little insane but surely I can't be the only one going through some reading struggles! Here are some of the things I'm talking about.

1. When I say I'm going to go to sleep after this chapter what I really mean is the last chapter. I will go to bed after the last chapter. But if there's a cliffhanger I can't promise to go to bed at all...because obviously I need to start the next book ASAP. And I can't start a book and not finish it.

2. Most times I like my book boyfriends more than my real ones. I do a lot of comparing. Sometimes it's negatively affected my relationships. Who gets jealous of fictional characters anyways?!?!?

3. Ummm....actually I just like book characters more than most people in general. But I swear I am not totally insane. And most of my friends totally get it.

4. I feel like I could be best friends with a lot of the authors I read. Only I'm not. And that makes me sad. We could have such great conversations.

5. The best friends I have are the ones I can talk about books with. And I get irrationally mad when they don't read a book or author I tell them is super amazing. Especially when I specifically ask them to.

6. I don't mean to...but I totally judge people that don't read. It also makes you significantly less attractive to me. Example: Once I loaned a book to a friend and she read one chapter. In the whole month and a half she had it. One. Friggen. Chapter. It was prime reading material too. We don't talk very much these days.

7. I have a real cute nickname for the things normal people call "bookmarks". I prefer to call them "quitter strips". Also, I don't own a single one. Because I am no quitter. Perseverance people!!!

8. No...I am not sad, I am not angry, and I am not mute! I am not talking because...BOOK!!! Why people still try talking to me when I have a book in my hand I will never understand.

9. You couldn't pay me to choose a single favorite book or author. But I will gladly give you a list of top favorites of both. I have many favorites!

10. If you damage a book I let you borrow...I will find you. And I will kill you. Books are treasures. Treat them like it.



Do you understand the struggle??? DO YOU????

Emergency Engagement by Samanthe Beck

An advanced readers copy was provided to me by the publishers in exchange for a honest review. This has in no was effected my rating on this book or the overall review.

"Feel safe at night. Sleep with an EMT."

This was my first Samanthe Beck book and I must say that I am completely impressed. I can't wait to read what she writes next. I loved how fun this book was even though it did have some really deep undertones. I liked that Beau is an EMT and the people he worked with in the book seemed like really funny human beings. I sincerely hope that Hunter and Ashley have their own book...or books. But I have a strong feeling that there's something there with those two.
Savanah was probably my favorite character in this book. There is just something about the starving artist type that speaks to me. Maybe it's because I finger paint on occasion so they speak to my artsy side! Savanahs character was just so bubbly and fun. She's happy, kind, and optimistic. She was just super spunky too. I did like Beau too, but he made me mad toward the end of the book and I hold grudges.
Overall Savanah and Beau together made a great pair. Their relationship was really fun and easy. Effortless. I also really liked that they didn't realize that they grew up next to eachother when they were really young until their parents pointed it out. It's a really cute element to the story. Savanahs light canceled out Beaus shadows.
I can just imagine them both in 50 years telling the story of how they ended up together to their grandkids. I'm pretty sure it would go something like..."Well, you see, what had happened was...you're grandmother attacked me with a paint can and the swelling to my brain impaired my judgement so I asked her to fake love me to make my parents happy. Then we ended up real loving eachother." What's not to like about that?

4 Stars

Firsts by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn

I throughly enjoyed reading First! And it wasn't just that the story itself was amazing. I loved that it addresses some of the sexual stereotypes that it does. Yes society, it's true! Some young men do get nervous about their first time having sex!!! For some reason there seems to be this stereotype in place for men that says they just want to get their first time having sex over with and out of the way. Believe it or not...not all guys are like that and I love that this book shows that.

“Virginity is supposed to be something a girl gives up only when she is ready and feels comfortable, something a girl discusses at length with her friends and flip-flops over a million times in her mind before actually doing it. A guy is expected to be born ready.
But what I realised after Tommy is that they’re not. They’re just as scared as their girlfriends, maybe even more so because the onus is on them to be gentle, make it last, make it memorable.”

The double standard is there and it's true. So very, very true. Most girls want candles and rose petals, generally a special occasion made out of the whole thing. Then that is put all on the man's shoulders and then becomes a burden for him to carry because we females mostly expect them to be the ones to make it all happen for us. Not only does he have to worry about the sex itself being everything the girl dreamed of but most times he has to worry about the whole night going as planned. So much is expected of young men to make a young womans first time special but in all reality, what do we do to make it special for them when it's their first time? I'm guilty of it. I know when my high school boyfriend and I lost our virginity to eachother...I didn't even think to ask if there was anything special he wanted to do. It was something that both he and I made about me because...I am the female and it's a much bigger deal for the girl, right? Wrong.

Then the other big stereotype that this book addressed was something I've always felt strongly about...IT IS OK FOR GIRLS TO ENJOY HAVING SEX!!! News flash people...it's not the 1800's anymore. I have read some other reviews of this book and some of them downright pissed me off. The slut-shaming has got to stop people! If a woman wants to have sex with multiple partners she's a slut, but if a man does the same thing it's no big deal and he's just getting laid. Because men have needs right? Guess what people? So do females!! The only thing the main charater did that even I believe was morally questionable is sleeping with other girls boyfriends. And hell, it's not like I don't know of girls who have done the exact same thing. Actually, I believe I slept with someone else's boyfriend once. I have also heard that our female protagonists sex life is "unhealthy". In fact she has a very healthy sex life. She isn't addicted to sex, she has all willing partners, she's willing, she practices safe sex, and her partners all seem to respect her, value her, and the sex enhances her self-esteem. There is nothing wrong with that. 

The story itself was emotional and gripping. I felt compelled to keep reading and I had trouble putting the book down at all. This book really had it all. It was a book that had a lot to do with sex, while also respecting the choice some people make to wait until marriage. It sends a deeply meaningful message, while being funny in parts and fun to read. Laurie Elizabeth Flynn takes a big risk writing a sex positive book about a teenage girl but she pulls it off beautifully. 

4.5 Stars

Getting Rowdy by Lori Foster

Rowdy is my favorite bartender...EVER!!! A lot of the Lori Foster books I've read to-date have had Rowdy in them in at least a small part. Which I love! I love that a lot of Lori Foster's books entwine with eachother in small ways. I can't even express to you how happy I am that I stumbled across Getting Rowdy on Scribd the other day! My level of excitement was so high I thought a heart attack might be in my near future.



I really got into this book. It might be one of my favorites by Lori Foster yet. Avery was a great character and I loved her super lots. I must say that I loved her values. She knows the value of hard work. Rowdy is fun loving, kind of a bad-ass, and he has an addictive personality. He's got a pretty damage past but Avery brings out the best in him. I loved Canon! By the end of the book I was almost literally in love with him. I can't wait so I'm going to get to buy his book soon. After reading Fighting Dirty I've been meaning to read the other books in the Ultimate series anyhow. The overall plot of the book was really good and the mystery of it all kept me on my toes and kept me interested. The ending of the book was a surprise to me because the plot twist was one I didn't see coming. the book wasn't with some flaws and each charater did a few things that got on my nerves but by the end of the book it's not all that important because the goods outweigh the bads by a ton.

4 Stars

Sweet Trouble by Susan Mallery

So...the thing is...for about 50% of this book I was super pissed off. Because well, ummm, you see, what had happened was...it seemed like everyone blamed Jesse for a lot and she just took it. She just took it because she felt so guilty about things she shouldn't have felt bad about. I thought it was a bunch of bull honky. Her sister Nicole blames Jesse for sleeping with her ex-husband Drew, which she didn't even do! Matt blames Jesse because she left while she was pregnant with Gabe, their now four year old son, after he told her that she was a slut and he didn't believe that the baby was even his. Which, was pretty bad on its own, no? Then on top off that he also said that even if it was his baby, he wouldn't want a baby with her. Umm...I'm thinking I would take off too! Not one time in this whole damn book did Matt apologize for that, or the fact that it's because of his own words and cruelty that she ran in the first place. That she had to struggle for four years of their sons life being a single parent, just barely making ends meet! He took no blame, he played with her emotions, and he intentionally set out to hurt her using their child as a pawn...



He could have taken it upon himself to locate her and Gabe on his own and with his millions of dollars it would have been easy. It would have been the responsible thing to do, knowing she was pregnant with what very well could have been his baby. It's safe to say my feelings about Matt throughout the book had some ups and some MAJOR downs. Same thing with Nicole. I mean, I don't think Jesse was a saint by any means either. Yet...at least she owned up to her wrongs. She made the best of her mistakes, made the best life possible for her and her child, and busted her ass to get where she is. That definitely deserves more respect than what she got. Yes, she ran and should have told Matt about Gabe sooner. Correction, she should have tried harder to get him to understand sooner. Even though it was kind of his fault she left town to begin with...but hey, it's her fault she stayed away all that time knowing Gabe was Matts child. I mean, it's not like Matt verbally abused her for something she didn't even do before she left town. Oh, and it's not like he made it totally clear that even if the baby was his, he didn't want a baby with her.
Oh wait...
Well, shit.
I guess that did happen.
Still by the end of the book I'm happy the two end up where they do. I know it sounds like I completely hated Matt but I didn't hate him by the end of the book. Just to be clear though, I wasn't singing his praises either. Even though he seemed OK by the end of the book I'm still fuming a little bit on the inside over everything. And even though the book pissed me off as much as it pleased me I still loved it. I enjoyed reading every frustration filled page.

4 Stars.

Tempting by Susan Mallery

Susan Mallery was my first romance read. We all remember our first time right??? I was 14 years old and my mom kept her books in her bedroom...normally scattered all around hell because her room never stayed clean for longer than a week. I was always an avid reader and had just finished my last book from the library but I wasn't ready to stop reading. That's when I went into her room, under the cloak of darkness of course because my mother had strictly prohibited me from reading her books, and grabbed a book from under her bedside table. It helped that she was at work so I didn't have to worry about getting caught. I opened the book and it was love at first chapter. I started regularly taking the books from my mother's room so that I could continue reading the Fools Gold series and ever since it's been one of my favorites series, and Susan Mallery has been one of my favorite authors.
The other day I happened across Tempted while I was on Scribd and I dived in eagerly. I am so happy I did! Susan Mallery books never disappoint me but this book was just...awesome. If I could think of a better, more appropriate word for what I was feeling about this book I would. Magnificent is more fitting. We'll go with that one. The book was friggin magnificent! Alex was a great male character and I almost wish I was Dani...minus her shitty history with men because that would just really suck. Read the book and you'll understand. Actually, just read the book because it's kind of great. The whole plot is great, and I like the added aspect of Katherine and Dani being faced with how to handle finding out about the possibility of Mark being Dani's biological father. The characters are all great, but my favorite is actually Ian. Ian has a small part, but his personality is big enough to stand out in any crowd.
I can't wait to get my hands on the other books in the Buchanans series. I'm excited to learn more about Dani's brothers because even though they were mentioned in this book you don't find out very ugh about them. I'm extremely curious about their lives. But this particular book in the series is definitely not one you would want to miss. I'm seeing a Susan Mallery binge in my future.



That's what my Scribd library looks like right about now. Can't wait! But my rating for Tempted by Susan Mallery is....
5 Stars!

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

"I knew the second I met you that there was something about you I needed. Turns out it wasn't something about you at all. It was just you."

Yesterday in my post about Abbi Glines I mentioned that Beautiful Disaster is one of my absolute favorite books. It's the truth. Jamie McGuire wrote this story and it speaks to me on so many different levels. Not only because of the story itself but because of the message I see in it. Beautiful Disaster is the first book I read that made me feel like there was perfection in imperfections. Travis Maddox is far from perfect but he still finds his way. He screws up, he's crude, possessive, a fighter, a player, and he makes mistakes. Yet, on some deeper level it's his flaws that make him so perfect just the way he is. It's the same thing for Abby. She's overly cautious, her past is checkered, she's too timid at times, and she has some serious family issues. But Travis and Abby see the perfection in eachother, and I don't mean that they only see the good in one another. That saying "love is blind" is overrated. What I mean is that they see all the flaws and they still think of the other as perfect. That is what I see as the best kind of love.
When I was a little girl I had a security blanket. It was pink, green, and white with fringe on all four sides and had bunnies on it. And most importantly...it made me feel safe. We all had something that gave us that feeling when we were children. Some people had special nightlights, stuffed animals, or something to that manner. As we grow, get older, and mature we give up those things. Some people just throw them out, some people pass that safety blanket or object down, or they might simply pack it up. For me, I replaced that safety blanket with books. This book is my safety blanket. Beautiful Disaster is my peace of mind. It's been with me through break-ups, fuck-ups, fights with my best friend, fights with my parents, moving out of my hometown, my first prom, and so much more. To this day, my best friend and I talk about this book and it's author with nothing but reverance.
Abby Abernathy is a symbol to young women everywhere that we don't have to let our past define our future. Her past is in poker matches, drinking games with her dad, and being raised by mobsters. However, she started over. Now her future is with Travis. Travis Maddox is a symbol that someone that fights illegally for a living, someone that used to sleep with anything in a skirt, someone that takes very little seriously, can change his way of living, and can break the bad habits. Can be monogamous, can make a better future, and can love and be loved even if he never thought it was possible. I'm not saying that any of the things I just listed are necessarily bad things. He just wants to be the best version of himself. This whole book is a rollercoaster of emotions, and I wouldn't have it any other way. It's a book about friendships, good and bad relationships, and love.
The best parts of Beautiful Disaster are not just Abby and Travis. America and Shepley are a true example of what friendship should look like. America is fierce, sassy, protective and loyal to a fault. The best kind of friend. Shepley is the ying to Travis's yang. The light to Travis's dark. All four friends bring out the best in eachother. They're family. That is how true friendships should feel. This book is a paragon for all books I read. I compare most books to this one. I would recommend this book to young women 16-24 years of age. It does contain adult content so I would ask readers to be mature but I read this at a young age so I'm not going to say 18+ years of age because it's not realistic. I just hope if you read it, you enjoy it. If not, no hard feelings! Different books tend to have different meanings for many people.

5 Stars

Author Spotlight: Abbi Glines

I still remember the day I came across my first Abbi Glines books. I was walking through Wal-Mart and I ended up where I always do, which is of course the book section. On those few shelves I saw Misbehaving and Hold on Tight both of them written by some author I had never even heard of. I didn't pick them up, nor did I read the backs. I ended up buying Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire that day instead, because it is one of my absolute favorite books. I've read that book so many times I fear it's going to fall apart completely. But when I got home I couldn't stop thinking about the author I'd never heard of. You see, I have heard of a lot of authors. It's actually rather unusual for me to not here of a YA author particularly. So I went to Google. And Goodreads. And Facebook. And then...I went to the library.

The first Abbi Glines book I cracked open was Because of Low. I come from a small town where the library never has a whole book series and half the time the first book to a series is nowhere to be found. This was one of those times. I did my research, so I knew these books were different characters and could be read out of order (which I love) so that's what I did. Because of Low was the first of many Abbi Glines books I've read to date, and there are still many I want to get my hands on. Abbi Glines has created a world I want to be a part of. Characters I want to be friends with. And opened me up to a whole new world of books. Reading her stories lead me to authors like Colleen Hoover, K.A Tucker, and many others. Some of my favorite authors and books. Books that stuck with me for a long time. Books that still stick with me.

Abbi Glines is one of the best. After reading most of the Sea Breeze series, I moved to the Too Far series, and then The Vincent Boys series. Next on my list is the Existence Trilogy. In all of those books, I have seen that Abbi Glines is not a one trick pony and that she is a person to look up to. The Sea Breeze series and the Too Far series are something I would say readers 17 years of age and up is for the best due to mature content. Or just a mature readers type of thing because I think I read it when I was 16. The Vincent Brothers however, if I had a 14 year old laying around somewhere I would give the book to her. I'm excited to read more, and see what else she has up her selves. 

I highly recommend Abbi Glines. Her books are fun, flirty, sexy, with great characters, and a great sense of humor. In fact...I may go reread one now.

Elite by Rachel Van Dyken

SWOON!!!

I'm going to be honest, I've actually read this series before. The Eagle Elite series is one of my favorites and I rarely ever reread books so that should tell you how much I enjoyed this it. Rachel Van Dyken is the bees knees. Mafia romances are definitely top shelf for me. They're action-packed, super hot, and addictive. It makes for one hell of a read. Plus the element of danger it adds to the characters personalities actually makes them hotter. Nixon...is super hot. Maybe a bit of an ass...but super duper friggin hot.



Nixon is a total asshole to our female main character Trace. I guess he has his reasons for that and by the end of this book we learn a little about what they are but for me I never truly understood. But Trace has a backbone and can hold her own so it's not too horrible. Trace is the scholarship student in a new school, still trying to get the dynamics of everything straight, and just learning what she can and can't do there. Even being new one of the first things she learns about the school is, don't mess with The Elect. This book does leave a little bit of a cliffhanger, but the second book of the series is also so good it doesn't matter. My advice is that if you want to read these books buy the first two at the same time.

The Elect is the academis most revered and feared clique. Nixon and his friends seem all powerful and shrouded in mystery. Trace can't seem to pull away. The whole book is a mystery and it's thrilling and dramatic and captivating. I love it. I will say, the book is a New Adult through and through. It definitely aims toward a younger audience, like myself. Not too young because of the mature content but 17-21 year olds is probably the best age rage for this series. It's also a series you'll either love or hate. It's got mixed reviews so honestly reading these books is like a coin toss, 50/50 chance that you'll actually like them. I really liked them, and I recommend them, but everyone has different tastes.

4 Stars.