121 First Dates by Wendy Newman

4 STARS - Really Liked It!

There are two sides to everything...especially dating. There can be the good dating where you meet a decent guy who just clicks with you. Where you can talk without any awkwardness or prolonged silences. He'll want to know you without talking too much of himself. A nice balance. Or it could be the bad experiences, where the guy never shows. Where a guy doesn't seem like the guy you thought he was. A disappointment. There will always be numerous dates but you'll eventually find the right one....right?


The description of 121 First Dates grabbed my attention. When I just read, I thought it was a book about various people telling their first date stories. After I found out it was only one person's experiences, I was intrigued. First thought was: that is a lot of dates!! How can one go on that many different dates? Nowadays, online dating is very popular and an easier way to meet people. So, it was interesting to read Newman's stories! It wasn't just mainly about every first date she had. It was more about what she learned from her experiences and wanted to pass it on to those who need help in the dating world. The incorporation of her dating stories made it even more fun.


She covers every dating topic...EVERYTHING. From what to expect with dating to what happens after the first date. Topics like the do's and don'ts of first dates, how to flirt, rookie mistakes. etc. Touching base on online dating: different sites, how to make yourself presentable, and how to move from online to the real world, Going into common questions people ask: when should you take a break, why isn't he calling, or what about sex? One of the most important topics she focuses on is yourself. How you should do things for you! Don't do things because you are expected to. It's more like you should love yourself before you put yourself out there kinda thing. You should put some time aside to take care of yourself. Especially if things don't go well for you.


If you're having bad dating experiences or haven't even dated, I think this book will give you great insight. Since Wendy Newman is a dating guru, I'm sure you might learn a couple new things!

Life's a Beach by Jamie K. Schmidt

Mini Synopsis:

How does it feel to have everything fall apart at once? Amelia Parker had it all. Waking up with the perfect cup of coffee from her favorite cafe before heading to a job she loves. Planning the perfect getaway trip to Hawaii with a man she loves. She just didn't expect to lose it all in one day...except for the non refundable trip. Might as well use it!

As she steps foot on the island and her eyes land on the hotel....matters only get worse. Nothing is really quite updated: with the use of old fashioned keys to hotel rooms and no elevators to get to your floor. But, the beauty of sandy white beaches and clear waters should make up for it all. 

Luck is just not on her side! Although an incident occurs on the beach, it leads her into the arms of a handsome fellow. A guy, Dude, who lays on the beach, sipping his beer, and occasionally giving scuba lessons. Except, it's not his true identity. People don't have a clue that he's the billionaire who owns the hotel. Samuel Kincaide's alter ego is the only way to get away from it all. All the stress and expectations that comes with Wall Street. And, his plans of selling the sad hotel change the second Amelia walks into his life. Tensions run high as events begin to unravel: his identity and dealing with a business tycoon who wants his property. Can he keep a hold on both his love and work life? 

Thoughts: 

Life's A Beach is actually a pretty cute story of starting over and trying to find oneself again. You can be the only person to pick up the broken pieces of your life and move forward! And Amelia does just that. Finding love just happens to be part of it too! I know it can be sappy but it's still cute! Like all cute love stories...it can be a bit predictable. They are easy reads, light and fluffy, and a good getaway from heavy filled drama romance books (if you read them!). The are even better when some steamy scenes are included! The relationship between Samuel and Amelia is charmingly predictable but there are some sparks that can make Samuel swoon-worthy! Although having an alter ego like Dude might be weird...the real Samuel is a great guy. He has the determination to fight for what he wants. He is willing to change or make changes for the better. He's also sweet and sexy at the same time. Who wouldn't fall in love with a guy like him? Overall, the book was good! Predictable but fun read.

3 STARS - I Liked It!

December Hiatus

Hi guys!! I apologize for the month long hiatus from the book reviews. Other than dealing with some writer's block all month, I had decided to make some changes in my life! While I'm waiting for some acceptance/rejection letters, I will be starting a new book blog with one of my closest friends (who is a lover of mystery books). Then, you'll get some variation from my romance, new adult, young adult, and fantasy books. I'll let you know when the new blog is up and running!

Since it is New Years Eve, I will end the year with my top 15 favorite books of 2015! It has been one crazy year. I have set a new record for myself by reading 219 books, beating the number of books I have read in 2014 (151 books). The year is not yet over so I might even finish another book by midnight (maybe!).

Here they are in no particular order:

My book resolutions for 2016:

1. Reviewing more books
2. Adding more variations of book reviews
3. Changing up review format
4. Coming up with more resolutions!

Thank you to all those who stop by to check out my blog! Hopefully, the new one will be even more exciting! See you guys in 2016!!

Lace Up by Shae Ross

Lace Up is a wonderful story filled with friendship, a healthy dose of competition and a chance at falling in love. As two rival universities battle it out in NYC, tensions run high when the end prize can change everything.

Team Ryan, an all girls team from MSU, is ready to take on any challenge thrown at them in the entrepreneurship competition. In addition to winning an internship at a prestigious business company, a large monetary sum can help cover law school tuition or medical bills for Ryan, Jade and Devi. The only people standing in their way is the all boys team.

Team Jett, a bunch of rich frat boys from U of M, needs to meet their families expectations. Winning this competition can give Jett the upper hand in gaining a position in his father's company. And losing it against an all girls team would be a never ending story. He'll do whatever it takes to make his team end up on top.

This was a very enjoyable read! As much as I love the different personalities of each team, the clashing between Ryan and Jett was my favorite. You can feel all sorts of tension tension from the moment they met to the ending when they announce the winners. There will be moments where you'll laugh out loud at their banter or swoon over Jett. As relationships begin to build between the teams, during their on and off times, winning in the end doesn't sound as great as it did in the beginning.

Another plus is the dual POV from Jett and Ryan. I absolutely love these types of books. You'll get a chance to see both sides of the story, the build up of the relationship, and the problems each team will have to face and solve. Lace up will definitely draw you in until the very end.

4 STARS - Really Liked It!

Steal Me by Lauren Layne

Where do I even start?! Lauren Layne has blown me away again. She is one of my all time favorite romance authors, covering all types of romance I love. From second chances to sports romance, she'll never disappoint! Steal Me is the second installment in her New York's Finest series, following the legendary Moretti family in the NYPD. It can be read as a stand-alone but I would recommend reading Frisk Me to get the whole experience. And with a little side note: If you love the show Blue Bloods, you will love this series!

Mini-Synopsis
As the oldest son of the Moretti family and Captain of the NYPD, Anthony deals with all types of drama in his life. On one end of the table, his father, former NYPD commissioner, keeps him on his toes about current cases. While on the other end, his Nonna loves to put his love life under the scope. With no complete answer to either case, he'll just have to deflect them until he does. The only way is to have no distractions...and Maggie is definitely a distraction.

Starting over after a disastrous marriage, the Darby Diner is the only place where Maggie Walker can make ends meet. Long hours and late shifts may be a couple downsides but seeing the faces of the Moretti family every Sunday morning is always something to look forward to...especially Anthony's. After a rough start of unintentional spills and grimaces, a case brings them together. In order to catch a sly serial thief, they'll have to cooperate, even through all the hot, heavy, sexual tension.

Thoughts
Everything about the book was amazing: plot line, character development, dynamics of secondary characters, and most importantly: chemistry. Romance without chemistry is like an adventure without plans. Can't have one without the other! And oh boy did Lauren Layne build that chemistry to an explosive romance. I love how Lauren took her time to build the tension. It's like falling in the love with the characters while they fall in love with each other. You can't help but fall for Anthony's brooding behavior and Maggie's fearlessness, just like Darcy and Lizzy. Who wouldn't want a Darcy hero? The plot had a great balance: as many thrills as there were laughs, from swoon-worthy moments to sexy times, and cameos of former couples and possible new ones. Lauren Layne knows exactly draw you in. My absolute favorite part of the book is the family dynamic. I just love how close they all are. Everyone is so relatable and likable. Especially Nonna! Her need to mettle with her grand children's love lives reminds me of another one of my favorite series, The Bet by Rachel Van Dyken. If you are also into suspense romances, like Julie James, you are in for a treat with Steal Me. All I can say is that it's one of my favorites of the year!

5 STARS - LOVED IT!

First Touch by Laurelin Paige

When I read the description for First Touch, I knew it would be a pretty amazing read. It had a mix of romance, mystery, suspense and thriller. The second you start reading, you won't be able to put it down.

What would you do if you got a voicemail from a friend you haven't heard in years? You would return their call and make plans to catch up, right? Well, it wasn't easy for Emily's case. When her former best friend, Amber, calls out of the blue, two spoken words sent chills up Emily's spine. Their safety words. They always looked out for one another, especially during messy times. With no way to return contact, it made matters worse.

The only way to find Amber is to trace back to the last place she was seen, on an exclusive ranch with Reeve Sallis. He was Emily's last connection to Amber and she would do whatever it takes to find out what happened to her. Seducing him won't be a problem but falling for him might as she spends time to gain his trust and unlock his secrets.

Everything about the book was so intense: the plot line, interactions, and chemistry between Reeve and Emily, You can't tell if they were acting or if it was real. They were both manipulative, using each other for their own benefits. But, they didn't know until its too late. His domineering nature smoothed out her restlessness while her hotheadedness made him more protective. With Emily digging deeper to find Amber, you don't know if you can trust Reeve. Is Amber just missing or is she dead? The plot line just drew you in and wouldn't let go. Even to the last page. You just might bang your head against the wall, wanting to know what will happen next.

5 STARS - Loved it!

Call Me, Maybe by Ellie Cahill

Call Me, Maybe by Ellie Cahill is a cute read about moving past insecurities and finding oneself. It doesn't mean you necessarily have to find love to do so. All you need is a push in the right direction. 

The Daly name is legendary and Clementine doesn't want to disappoint her family. Her siblings have figured out their lives, but she has yet to figure out hers. Hoping to guide Clementine into the family's real estate business, her grandparents invite her and her brother to their headquarters. While they board from Chicago, she runs into a handsome fellow and only few words were exchanged. Surprisingly, she didn't expect to hear from him after they landed in LA. As It turns out, her brother accidentally grabbed the wrong phone and she is without it for a week. Making sure important messages get answered, daily phone calls and texts turn into an unexpected friendship. But will friendship turn into something more when the week ends? 

Ellie Cahill has written a delightful story that seems too perfect. When swoon worthy phone calls turn steamy, Justin knows all the right words to say. And the moment when them meet face to face has to be one of my favorite scenes. Like I said, everything about Justin seems too perfect, which made me a bit suspicious of his actions and question if they are truly genuine. As the story goes on, Cahill knows how to keep you on your toes with all the secrets. If you want a light and easy read, Call Me Maybe might be the book for you!

4 STARS - I really liked it!

The Truth About Him by M. O'Keefe

The Truth About Him starts right where Everything I Left Unsaid left off. When one issue get resolved, another one pops up along the way...then another one and another one. The plot line keeps you wondering if they'll ever have a happy ending. While the first book was focused on Annie's story, O'Keefe has written a good transition into Dylan's story. 

The beginning questions the future of Dylan and Annie relationship. With the appearance of a forgotten character, will Annie face her demons in order to move forward? While events unravel, they leave her questioning her morality. Unable to stay away, Dylan wants to protect Annie after learning her secret. As his past catches up with him, Annie begins to understand why Dylan lives alone on the mountain. Threats are made against Dylan when his brother goes missing. In order to protect the people he care about, he needs to find Max. 

Why three stars? The plot was well written but a bit choppy. Similar to the first book, the author uses first person POV with one main character and third person POV with the other. If it was kept consistent, the writing would have been more smooth. Although there was was great chemistry between Dylan and Annie, readers might have a better connection with secondary characters than the main ones, leading to a loss of interest with the story. Without the secondary characters, the story wouldn't be as enjoyable. Overall, the story was good. O'Keefe keeps readers on their toes but it was a bit predictable.

3 STARS - I Liked It!

Trouble with Destiny by Lauren Morrill

This is my second book by Lauren Morrill and I liked it as much as Meant to Be. Like all young adult books, the plot had a little bit of everything: drama, conflicting love interests, and lasting friendships. When it all takes place on a cruise ship...it makes it even more interesting. No matter how big the ship can be...you can't run away from all the drama.

Liza's heart lies within her band. But with program on the brink of getting cut, she's determined to do whatever it takes to win the $25000 prize to keep it afloat. And it's not an easy journey...with an ex-best friend (Demi) as her top competitor, her childhood crush (Lenny) idling in the wings, and a band member (Russ) who's an ex of the enemy. Will she stand a chance against Demi? Will a relationship blossom with Lenny? Is Russ actually there to help them win or sabotage their chances? With the help of her friends, will she be able to win both the prize and a chance at love? 

The story is easy to read, characters filled with different personalities, and love interests stirring more competition. Overall, It was a very cute read but highly predictable. Like most young adult novels in a high school setting, you have your usual cliques: jocks, band geeks, and popular crew. Popular girls mingling with the hottest guys, belittling the band geeks and scheming to get on top. The outcome may be predictable but the journey there was interesting and the ending was very cute. 

Why not higher rating?
Character development and chemistry are two important factors in any story. Although there was some character development and love sparks, it all felt rushed near the end. It's nice to see a character develop slowly throughout the book. One moment, they rarely communicate. But the next, they become very close. Then, all of a sudden, they're together in the end. I just wished there was more time for the relationship to develop. Overall, everything just needed time to build.

3 STARS - I liked it!

Nuts by Alice Clayton

Ever since I came across Alice Clayton, I didn't think I would find another book of hers that would top off the funny, charming and saucy characters from Wallbanger. Boy was I wrong...Clayton actually kicked it up a notch with Nuts. Although I love everything about Simon from Wallbanger, I have to say...I love Leo a little bit more.

Roxie Callahan is a private chef, catering clients all over LA. Ever since she was younger, food is her passion. Anything you want, she can make it. The only difficult thing is dealing with a particular client and her obnoxious requests. When one tiny detail goes wrong, everything falls apart. On top of that, she receives a call from her mom asking her to come home after so many years apart. As much as she loves her, she is hesitant to go back to the place she always wanted to leave. But with the request of just staying over the summer to look after the family diner, she is willing to step in. It's only three months, right?...then she can go back to her life in LA. The only unexpected part of the plan was forming close connections with the people she met, especially Leo. Leo is one of the town's local farmers, supplying produce to local businesses. Known as the town's hottest bachelor, will Roxie be the one to hook Leo? Or will it be the other way around?

Chemistry and dynamics between characters is always a key factor for me. If you don't feel the chemistry, you can't connect with the book. I just loved Nuts! Roxie and Leo had major chemistry, from the point them met to the end. Oh gosh, the meet-cute and the different face-to-face moments in the beginning of the book were hilarious. It was just perfect. Leo was so charming and Roxie was so sassy! They had a great balance in dynamics as their relationship grew. There were also parts of the book that I didn't see coming which made it more interesting. I just love a little bit of drama. As for secondary characters, I just love Roxie's high school crush and how he adds something to the table. As well as her best friends from cooking school, I can't wait to read their stories in the series. I wish Cream would come sooner!!

5 STARS - Loved it!