The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden (Coincidence 1) - Jessica Sorenson

There are those who don’t get luck handed to them on a shiny platter, who end up in the wrong place at the wrong time, who don’t get saved.

Luck was not on Callie’s side the day of her twelfth birthday when everything was stolen from her. After it’s all over, she locks up her feelings and vows never to tell anyone what happened. Six years later her painful past consumes her life and most days it’s a struggle just to breathe.

For as long as Kayden can remember, suffering in silence was the only way to survive life. As long as he did what he was told, everything was okay. One night, after making a terrible mistake, it seems like his life might be over. Luck was on his side, though, when Callie coincidentally is in the right place at the right time and saves him.

Now he can’t stop thinking about the girl he saw at school, but never really knew. When he ends up at the same college as Callie, he does everything he can to try to get to know her. But Callie is reserved and closed off. The more he tries to be part of her life, the more he realizes Callie might need to be saved.

Can I first just start by saying… I FREAKIN’ LOVE THIS COVER!!! It might be one of my absolute favorites.

Okay, now that that’s done.  I started this book after I read Hopeless by Colleen Hoover.  I usually try to give myself a couple days after something as emotional and epic as Hopeless was, but instead it more re-energized me and I wanted to dig my teeth into something else asap.  I had seen a lot of posts about this book and I was seriously drawn to the cover so I dove right in.  The only thing I should have been asking myself is, What took me so long?!?

This book is amazing! This was my first Jessica Sorenson book and I can tell you with certainty it will not be my last.  Her writing style keeps you reading and keeps you a part of the story so much so that I didn’t want to put it down.  Even though I thought I knew what had happened or what was going on in their lives (and I was right), I felt like I had this need to keep reading, I had to know what was going to happen and whether or not they would both be okay.  I didn’t want to be pulled away from the story for any reason.  

It is a heavy story, with serious issues, so if you are looking for something light and breezy, I would hold off on this one until you are looking for something that is more.  There are times your heart will hurt for Callie and Kayden.   

Also, if you are someone who can’t stand a cliff hanger…I would wait until the next book comes out so you don’t have to wait. because yes, this book has a cliff hanger.  But believe me when I tell you it is so worth it.  This book is captivating, well-written and these two beautifully broken characters deserve to be read.   

Five stars for Callie & Kayden and a dying reader who cannot wait for the sequel. 

Hopeless - Colleen Hoover

Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies...

That's what Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she's never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past she wishes could just stay buried. 

Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he's nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn't at all who he's been claiming to be. When the secrets he's been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky's life will change forever.

I read Slammed and Point of Retreat earlier this year not knowing much about the books before I picked them up.  Turns out, those stories were about a high school senior who moved with her mother and younger brother after the death of her father, to live across the street from a guy who has lost both his parents while in college.  He changed his life course to take care of his younger brother.  Somehow, even in the middle of a story line tragically serious... Colleen Hoover wrote an amazingly beautiful, funny and butterflying awesome drama that had me unable to put them down.

Because of this, I had no reservation picking up Hopeless knowing nothing about it.  I didn't even read the above synopsis.  Again, Colleen takes a story that is truly serious, but somehow finds the beauty in a story that made me fall in love with Sky, Holder...and maybe even a little bit more with her.  I think it's safe to say that if Colleen Hoover writes it... I will read it!!!

There are some serious plot lines to this story.  I'm not going to pretend everything gets wrapped up in a neat little bow and everything has it's rightful place.  Sometimes there are things in life that there are no reason for or answers for.  That makes this story that much more real.  

It's heart-breaking and scary, but even through the bad it's beautiful.  

Sky is a different type of teenage girl who would so badly like to just be normal, but being adopted,  home-schooled with no TV, Internet access or sugar in her diet has left her as far from normal as possible.  Her best friend lives outside her window and is fast and free when it comes to boys which has given Sky a guilt by association reputation.  She loves her best friend so much that she doesn't care. Even when she goes to public school and people call her a slut, she turns it into a joke.  

Dean Holder is a sexy guy with a bad reputation as well.  Rumors fly about the type of things he's done and where he was last year since he wasn't in school.  But that's what high school is, right? Just a bunch of rumors flying around.  

I honestly don't want to spoil, ruin or giveaway anything so I will say this... this book is anything but Hopeless.  I want to tell you that I "lived" this book, but I am no where in the middle with it.  I freakin' loved it.  My only word of advice other than read this and read it now...is pay attention to the warning.  If you are sensitive to certain subject materials, than beware but that's it.  Otherwise, this is as close to perfection as I believe can be achieved.  

Forever My Girl (The Beaumont Series) - Heidi McLaughlin

I was never supposed to be a rock star. I had my life all planned out for me. Play football in college. Go to the NFL. Marry my high school sweetheart and live happily ever after.

I broke both our hearts that day when I told her I was leaving. I was young. I made the right decision for me, but the wrong decision for us. I’ve poured my soul into my music, but I’ve never forgotten her. Her smell, her smile.

And now I’m going back.

After ten years.

I hope I can explain that after all this time.

I still want her to be my forever girl. 

This story is about love…it’s about happiness, and following your own dreams.  This is a story about second chances, second chances with family, friends, lovers… and the second chances you’ll never have because sometimes, in some cases it is too late. 

Liam Westbury was a football star.  He and his friends and teammates broke records and won championships.  He was recruited to play in college and was part of dream that lead him to spotlight of the NFL.  "I told her I'd love her forever. I said I love you first and promised to never let her go."

Liam Page is a tattooed rock star who gave up the All American dream and the All American girl to play music.  But when he gave up the dream, he never stopped loving her and turned his pain into a prosperous career. 

Neither side of Liam had been back in Beaumont since he made the choice to leave for Los Angeles and his music.  "I gave up on their dreams and the life we had all planned out. And now I was heading home to face the music."

Josephine “Josie” Preston was a cheerleader and the other half of the All American dream.  Date Liam, Love Liam, go to college, Liam gets drafted, get married, have babies, stay in love forever.  It’s what every girl wants, right? Until the day he destroys your dream and leaves you, never answers her calls, and changes his number.  She moves back to Beaumont with their high school best friends (and couple Katelyn and Mason) and pulls her life together the best she can, knowing that a piece of her will always be with Liam Westbury (not Liam Page). 

Heidi McLaughlin takes us through the story as it’s happening now from both Liam and Josie’s POV’s now and flashbacks from their years in high school and the day of their break up.  Heidi’s writing is amazing.  I felt like I could see it all happening.  It was descriptive enough without being too wordy and I honestly read it all in one night because I couldn’t wait to see how it was all going to unfold.

The book hooked me emotionally in the first chapter and never let me go.  Would I say I didn’t know how it would end? – No…but I couldn’t wait to get there and see it. 

The only real issue I had (and I know I should have an issue with the way she treated Nick, but I just don’t), is that I felt like I needed a little bit more at the end.  I mean yes, it’s a good place to stop, and yes I know there is going to be another book BUT that book is a companion book more than a sequel and while I’m sure Liam and Josie will be in it, it won’t really be about them… so I just felt like I wanted a little bit more from the both of them.  Take me on tour…or through the last scene from her POV… I don’t know.  I felt like we went along for such an emotional ride and I wanted a little bit more of the good stuff. 

Otherwise, I think this was a fantastic debut novel for Heidi McLaughlin… I’m looking forward to many more nights with a piece of her mind. 

Kiss Me (The Keatyn Chronicles: Book Two - Stalk Me sequel) - Jillian Dodd

I’m at a boarding school, where I have to lie about who I am.
I can’t see my family.
I’m tutoring a hottie god that tortures me with his smile.
The most popular girl already hates me.
But there’s this boy.
This hot, sweet, sexy boy.
So I’m going to stop trying to script my life and just live it.
Because who knows how long I have left.



This series is often compared to the TV series Gossip Girl. And IF we're talking the first season of Gossip Girl when "S" is someone you want good things to happen for and "B" really is the Queen of the Mean girls and "Lonely Boy" had a decent haircut, I'd say - maybe. But if we're talking the whole series over all, absolutely not...these books are SO much better! And in my mind the boys are SO much hotter (well except maybe Chase Crawford...he's pretty hot regardless of how much his character sucked at times).

So when I read the first book, I was totally Team Cush (with a little affection for Aiden)!! And I really hate to be a flip flopper, I like to make my choice in the first book and stick with it (Phillip, Ramsey, Colt, hell...I'm still team Jacob!), but in this series I have changed teams. I am 100% team Dawson now.

Kiss Me starts right where Stalk Me left off and I picked it up and ran with it. I couldn't put it down. I actually think this book was better than the first one. What I like about Keatyn Monroe is, whether she is visiting her friend's summer house, going into the city, or at her school she is who she is. She's a teenage clothes and boys obsessed girl who loves what she loves. In book one I felt like she changed based on what guy she was dating and I didn't feel that was about her in book two. I also think she's trying to make smarter decisions about her love life. And maybe her life in general.  Lying to these people that she is developing all types of relationships is becoming harder for her.  It's like she wants to be a better person. 

Aiden...that boy... I wanted to love him and I think his hot and cold attitude has to do with Keatyn but sometimes it's just too much. Dawson is perfection! Seriously, I love him!

Jillian Dodd has done it again and I CAN'T WAIT for more. I will be ready for one click buying as soon as I see the update that Date Me has gone live on Amazon.

Troubles and Treats (Chocolates Lovers 3) - Tara Sivec

Drew and Jenny have spent years being the envy of their friends with their out of control sex lives - well, not really. Mostly it makes their friends want to throw up in their mouths a little.

With two little kids and two busy lives, for the first time, Drew and Jenny aren't on the same page in the bedroom. Drew will stop at nothing to get his previously amorous wife back in the sack, and Jenny will do anything for a full night of sleep.

Carter and Claire, and Jim and Liz are their usual (un)helpful selves and are full of advice for the discontented duo, wanting nothing more than to help restore order to the usually happy couple's lives.

In the third and final installment of the Chocolate Lovers Series, will Drew and Jenny find the spark that's been missing in their marriage, or will the trouble they're having cause a stickier situation than the time Jenny poured honey all over Drew and he fused himself to a tree?

Tara Sivec is "bringing sexy back, bitches!" in the third and (hopefully not) final installment of the Chocolate Lovers series (I think Gavin should get a grown up story...just my opinion of course).  To be honest, as much as I love Jenny's use of the wrong words ("Whitney Houston we have a problem!") and Drew's t-shirts and knack for saying something inappropriate...I wasn't sure if either or both of them had enough substance to carry an entire book.  I love Claire and Carter! And Gavin is one of my all time favorites, so I was a little worried at first.  I am so happy to say that I should NEVER doubt Tara Sivec.  She is a GENIUS!!! Comedy Genius! - FACT!

Unfortunately, I am having a hard time coming up with an Amazon friendly review since almost all my favorite quotes from this book use the word fuck (or some other word Amazon would banish my review for using).

This book was crying while laughing funny just like the first two.  I think the first one is still my favorite...but I'm partial to the original almost all the time.  So without pissing off Amazon...here's what I can tell you.  Tara sticks to the script...all the family has returned to support Jenny & Drew's book -  Claire, Carter, Gavin, Liz, Jim, and all their kids - (yup! Liz & Jim have kids now too) and you will still get lots of sex stories, giving birth stories (sooo funny!), and of course the ever popular 80's movie quotes "Did you just quote Top Gun?" - uh yeah he did!! :)

If you are looking for a laugh out loud funny book/series - this is it!

Come Away With Me (With Me in Seattle Series Book 1) - Kristen Proby

Being confronted on the beach by a sexy stranger wasn't part of Natalie Conner's plans for a peaceful morning taking photos. And why on earth would he think she's taking pictures of him, anyway? Who is he? One thing’s for sure, he’s hot, and incredibly romantic, feeding Natalie’s wounded soul.

Luke Williams just wants the world to give him a break, so seeing yet another camera aimed at his face has him ready to pounce on the beauty behind the lens. When he finds out she has no idea who he is, he's intrigued and more than a little tempted by her. Natalie has a body made for sex, a sassy mouth and Luke can’t get enough of her, but he’s not ready to tell her who he really his.

Natalie is a no nonsense girl who doesn’t do well with lies and secrets. What will happen to this new relationship when she discovers what Luke’s hiding?

I loved this story in the beginning.  It hooked me in the first chapter and I didn’t want to put it down.  I knew right away what Luke was “hiding” but I don’t think the author was trying to keep it a secret from us by the context clues.   

Luke Williams gets bonus points (and an extra half star) for the grand romantic gestures.  That boy is totally swoon-worthy! Do you know those scenes in Sweet Home Alabama where Reese Witherspoon walks into her roses filled apartment and then later gets proposed to in Tiffany’s and every girl you know fell a little more in love with Patrick Dempsey…Luke Williams blows him out of the water! On top of that he’s sweet, sensitive, he cooks and he’s hot behind closed doors (or wherever)…he’s like everyone woman’s perfect man!  

I liked Natalie too.  I like that the story was told from her first person point of view and that we got into her inner dialogue "I've fallen in love with a beautiful, sexy, sweet, jealous control freak. Shit."  Because we got into her head, we could understand her reservations at first for falling for Luke and a little about what made her tick. 

So if I loved Luke (and believe me, I did) and I liked Natalie, why only 3 stars? I wish I could explain it better than just saying I felt like there was something missing…but I’m not sure what.  Maybe a little more supporting story between the two of them.  More interactions? I don’t know.  I read the book in one sitting, anxiously anticipating something… but I just didn’t know what and I felt like I never got there.  However, I will say Luke Williams definitely made the story worth the read and I will probably read the next book in the series to see what happens with Natalie’s roommate Jules and to see if we get any sneak peeks into Luke and Natalie’s life in the future!

Leave Me Breathless - Cherrie Lynn

Leather and lace don’t strike sparks. Or do they?

It’s Valentine’s Day, but Macy Rodgers isn’t feeling the love. Aside from a torrid, one-night fling in a backseat a few months back, her love life has been sorely lacking, but fortunately she has devious friends who feel like playing Cupid. Wouldn’t they be shocked to learn that the match they’ve made for her is the same one that steamed up the back of that ’69 GTO…

Seth “Ghost” Warren has just returned to town after an extended absence. Between his grandmother’s failing health, his job as a tattoo artist, his band’s gigs, and a crazy ex who won’t leave him alone, he’s stretched thin. Cautious cowgirl Macy is the last thing he needs thrown into the mix.

She’s all country, he’s all heavy metal—and Macy knows that if anyone can propel her out of her rut, it’s Seth. But when their worlds collide, it’s anyone’s guess if they’ll survive with their hearts intact.

Warning: Contains explicit sex, graphic language, road trips, troublemaking exes, emotional baggage, and an unconventional but exceptionally hot hero tatted and pierced for your pleasure…

So, if you use Mollie's 'how many pairs of knickers will you go through reading a book' scale to determine whether or not it is good, I would say to you...don't even both putting any on...it's not worth that much laundry!!! This book is hot!!! As this third book in the Ross brothers series, I would definitely say Cherrie Lynn stepped up the sexy in this story. "Without wearing a stitch less clothing than she'd had on two minutes ago, she was about to have sex against a wall. In front of an open door. This was a first."


If you read Unleashed and Rock Me and loved them like I did, you will love this book. Ghost and Macy, who were supporting characters in Rock Me, take on a life of their own in this third book of the Ross brothers series. I loved them, for different reasons than I loved Candace and Brian...but still loved them!


Where Candace knew Brian and already had an attraction to him, Macy was turned off originally by Ghost and his lifestyle. Where Candace was really innocent, Macy wasn't a virgin when they met. In Rock Me, the tension between Ghost and Macy was already there as he was trying to get under her seemingly uptight skin.


What we didn't know was that there was attraction on both sides for Ghost and Macy at the end of Rock Me. In Leave Me Breathless, we get to learn more about what makes Seth "Ghost" Warren tick, and how Macy became the person she is today. While they appear to be polar opposites, Macy is a conservative, country loving girl who works on the ranch her parents have owned, comes from a good family and a good amount of money. While Seth is a tattooed, heavy metal playing guy who works at his best friend Brian's tattoo shop and his family life has been rough, they may not be as different as they'd think.


Things are not always as they seem, and both Seth and Macy find out there is more to the other than meets the eye. They both bring in some pretty impressive baggage to the "relationship" and some serious insecurities to go along with it. What they will both admit (at least to each other) is that there is a definite physical attraction between the two of them that keep them both going back for more. Seth pushes Macy's boundaries and tries to let out her inner bad girl.


I loved that Cherrie Lynn didn't just use the good girl/bad boy story line that she had already told with Candace & Brian (and disapproving family), she used their back stories to create the drama that unfolded around Seth and Macy. AND I loved that Brian and Candace were a part of this story. I loved that we got to see a little more about where they were in life and how they were moving forward (although I still don't feel like I've had enough and I want more, please!!) and where it all might lead for them.

In the end it I felt that this story was about being true to who you are, no matter what anyone thinks. It's also about following your own heart, wherever it may lead.

I would give this story 4.5 stars...I loved Seth but I still love Brian the most! I am REALLY hoping we get more from both couples in the future. Cherrie Lynn left the door open for more story to tell, hopefully she'll be inspired to do so!

That Wedding - Jillian Dodd

The gorgeous engagement ring on my finger mimics my happiness. I feel so sparkly, glittery, and full of promise, because I absolutely know he's that boy. The boy I want to marry. My prince. My happily ever after. But then our pastor starts asking lots of questions. His parents say I haven’t dealt with my past. I have horrible wedding disaster dreams. I can’t find the perfect dress. I have to manipulate him to get my way. An old boyfriend asks me to run away with him. My best friend says I'm going to ruin everything. And forever starts to sound like a really long time. Which totally freaks me out and makes me question everything I know. Should best friends get married? Will my past affect our relationship? Are my horrible dreams a warning? Will I ever find a dress? Could his sexiness be clouding my judgment? Am I going to ruin everything? Or is it just a case of cold feet? And then I have to decide. Am I willing to give up on true love forever, or am I going to listen to my heart and marry him?

I am happy to say there was much less crying and much more laughing when reading this sequel to That Boy.  There were so many funny parts.  I loved the STD jokes, the text messages back and forth that Jadyn had with different people, and ‘the spider’ had me rolling because I would have been exactly the same way.

Of course this is a definite must read for anyone who read That Boy, but more than that for me it was a want to read, and a glad I did.   

I’m not going to say there weren’t times I was frustrated with Jay, because there definitely were.  But there were times I also wanted to fight for her and tell everyone to mind their own business and leave her and Phillip alone.  I honestly felt like I could identify with her.   

Prince Phillip is still ah-mazing! Seriously, one of my new favorites! I love how they complete each other (I know, cheesy, but they do).  They can find balance in each other but still have passion.   

So happy she decided to continue this series with That Wedding, and even more excited to know That Baby will be coming sometime in the future! J

That Boy - Jillian Dodd

That Boy is a contemporary romance about falling in love with the boys next door.

You know, being friends with two cute boys does have its benefits. 

There's Danny. Danny is a golden boy in every way. He has dreamy blue eyes and blonde hair that always looks perfect, even when it’s windblown or been stuck under a football helmet. He’s the boy every girl crushes on. The boy I get into trouble with, the boy I fight with, the hot quarterback no girl can resist, not even me. Being with Danny is like being on an adventure. He has a bright, contagious smile and abs to die for. He’s pretty much irresistible.

Equally crush worthy is Phillip. Adorable, sweet Phillip, who I have known since birth.  Phillip has dark hair, a perfect smile, brown eyes, and the sexiest voice I have ever heard. He’s the boy I talk to every night before I go to sleep. The boy who rescues me, the boy who can read my mind, the boy who is always there for me, the boy who tries to keep me out of trouble, the boy who irritatingly keeps getting hotter, and whose strong arms always seem to find their way around me.  And when he gives me that grin, I can never say no.

One boy will give me my very first kiss.
One boy will teach me to make out.
One boy will take me to prom.
And finally, one boy will ask me to marry him.
They will both be my best friends.
But only one of them will be the boy I fall in love with.
Only one of them is That Boy

Jillian Dodd...I think it's possible you were trying to kill me with this book.  I've never had so many mood swings in that short a period of time before.  Yup! I read this book in one sitting.  It was cute and frustrating and fun and funny and sad and miserable and had me balling like a baby in sadness and then tearing up in happiness.  I was starting to feel a little crazy!

In the very beginning JJ gives us the important things she has learned in her life so far
1. Always be the Princess
2. Never be the Queen
3. Responsibility makes you crabby and no fun
4. When you have the choice, play with a boy.
5. Always trust your Daddy
6. Never kiss and tell
7. Never, ever, ever trust Mary Beth Parker.

and even though she was only in 4th grade at the time, I can still look at this list now and think...smart girl!!

We truly grew up with JJ in this book and Jillian did a great job of changing her writing to grow as JJ grew in the story.  She really wrote through a wide age range in one book and did it so well.

JJ wasn't a typical girly girl, yes she did love boys but she also loved sports and running around and hanging out with her guy best friends Phillip and Danny.  And oh did I love Phillip and Danny! Okay so I always loved Phillip a little bit more than Danny but I always love one more than the other, I make no apologies.

I won't say that something I didn't want to shake her around a little bit because I absolutely did, but I grew more patient with her about 40% into the book and I also grew to love Phillip and Danny a little bit more after then as well.

I know I'm hoping on the 'That Boy' train late, but I would have to say better late than never.  I laughed, I cried, I sat and read it in one sitting so I could find out what was going to happen.  And I am going to start 'That Wedding' right now because I can't wait for more of these characters.

When We Collide - A.L. Jackson

William has spent six years running from his past and the last eight months trying to rid his mind of the dreams that increasingly haunt his nights. Trapped in a world of false ambitions and feigned affections, William knows he’s reached a breaking point and something’s going to give.

Maggie had lived her entire life without hope until one man showed her what it meant to be loved. He’d been her light in a lifetime of darkness. Six years ago, that darkness stole him away. Without him, she’s surrendered herself to an existence she doesn’t know how to escape.

When the family William left behind is struck by tragedy, he is called back to the one place he’s sworn to never return to again. 

In a moment that will change his life forever, William comes face to face with the girl who, with one look, captured his heart. He is unable to ignore the buried desires and the hope for the future they’d once believed they’d have. 

Now William is ready to fight to take back what had been stolen from him six years before.
But he never imagined what that fight might cost him. 

A.L. Jackson gives you an intimate look into the lives of a family bound by an unseen connection in this contemporary romance with a supernatural twist.

Oh my WOW!

I loved that this book started from William's perspective and that it was mostly told from his POV. It's not often we get inside the head of the male main character but it definitely made this book. I loved William in all his closed off, heartbroken, tried to be tough on the outside, but really loving on this inside, self. I loved that even though he left his hometown, his heart never really left Maggie.

And OH MY GOD Maggie!!! My heart is broken. I can't believe the things she has had to go through in her life. She is so strong and beautiful, fragile but unbreakable, the things she's been through...I can't even imagine. 

And Jonathan...I don't even have words to tell you how much my heart breaks for that little boy. How strong he must have been without even knowing it, and how strong Maggie was for him. Tears were shed for this little boy. 

They all deserve so much to have a true love. True happiness...I needed for them to have it. 

A.L. Jackson wrote such an emotional, gripping, intensive book. Once I got into it, I didn't want to put it down. This is definitely a must read, but be prepared with tissues!

Just For Now (Sea Breeze #4) - Abbi Glines

The day Preston Drake figured out that wealthy women paid well for a set of tight abs and a pretty face his life turned around.

The run down rat-infested trailer he had shared with his alcoholic mother and three younger siblings was now only a place he visited to pay the bills and stock the pantry with food. 

He no longer worried about his family starving or living without electricity. The money he made entertaining rich older women more than covered his family’s needs and his own. He had it all figured out. Except…

There was this girl.

She was as innocent as he was tainted.

Amanda Hardy wished her knees didn’t get weak when Preston walked into a room. She hated the fact her heart raced when he flashed his smile in her direction. He had a different girl in his bed every night. He was the kind of boy a smart girl ran from. So, why was she coming up with ways to get close to him? Even when it was obvious he wanted to keep her at a distance.

Maybe her heart knew something the world didn’t. Maybe Preston Drake was more than just a pretty face.

Preston Drake...you are so not the guy I thought you were in the first book you appeared in...in more ways than one.  If you were just entertaining women for your own fun, I don't know that I would have understood it, but since you were doing it to make money to take care of your two little brothers and your little sister because your mom was an alcoholic who didn't care about anything except her next drink or high...my heart has opened up and welcomed you in.  It doesn't hurt that I totally fell in love with your little brothers and your little sister Daisy.  She is just too cute for words.  I honestly think the kids might have sold me on this story.  

I loved the chemistry between Preston & Manda.  It definitely wasn't a stretch to see a little sister crush on her older brother's best friend, but to see the push and pull and the story line develop, I thought Abbi Glines did a great job writing it...from the fantasizing each of them did individually to the reality of their hook ups, it all worked so well.  I was torn between wanting Amanda to never find out what Preston had going on and wanting him to tell her so he wasn't lying and they could find away to get him out of it but still be able to take care of his family.  I was also terrified for them if Marcus were to find out anything/everything.  I think you can see they've grown up since the first book in this series, but I think that's appropriate since Amanda and Sadie were in high school when it started and they are starting college now.  

The other thing I loved about this story, it brought everyone back.  Even though for the most part it was small visits, I loved that we got a glimpse into what was going on with everyone Jax & Sadie and where they are and what they're doing, Marcus & Low (who have the biggest part of the three couples since Amanda is his sister, Preston is his best friend and he and Low are planning a wedding) and even Cage & Eva make a few brief appearances.  I can't believe we are only going to get one more book in this series to wrap everything up.  I don't know which couple she is going to choose to end it with...but my vote would be all of them!! I feel like we need more Jax & Sadie because they are together now in California and older and more grown up and they need more steaminess.  But I am also in need for more Cage & Eva, and now I really think I need more Preston & Amanda too...

So if I loved it so much and want more, what keeps it from getting that extra .5 star? I just  felt like it ended too abruptly.  After all the ups and downs and twists and turns, I think I needed it to see through a little bit  more before the Preston & Manda story ended.  Hopefully we'll get a little bit more from them in the final (sad) book when it comes out.  

I'm not sure I'll ever be truly ready to see this series end...

Disastrous (Disastrous Series) - E.L. Montes

After struggling with the loss of yet another person so dear to her heart, Mia Sullivan channeled her frustration and loneliness into focusing on her future career. At the top of her class at Harvard Law, she was nervous and excited when given the opportunity to work as a summer extern at one of the top firms in Boston. Her new boss was the young, extraordinarily handsome, and successful Marcus DeLuca. As she falls for his charms, she discovers he is keeping something from her.

Marcus DeLuca was living two separate lives: one that involved his successful career and the other that could potentially ruin his entire reputation. His secret could jeopardize not only his life but everyone he loves. There was no room in his life for a serious romantic relationship, but after meeting Mia, he makes room. He cannot resist her. She is innocent, humble, and pure—the total opposite of him. She distracts him from all of his deep dark secrets. He knows once Mia finds out the things he has done and who he truly is, she will never want to look at him again. Deep down he knows he must stay away, but he can’t.

Mia and Marcus are heading down a path of love, lies, heartbreak, and betrayal. Can their love conquer all, or will the web of deceit be too much to overcome? 

WOW! That’s the first thing I thought of when I finished.  For a debut book, I was blown away by E.L. Montes.  You would never know this was her first.  It was dramatic, steamy and I couldn’t put it down…I loved it!!!  

I immediately loved Mia, she was hard-working, smart, determined, insecure and abandoned in a way.  She was completely relatable.  I think anyone that has gone through that kind of loss can understand how she felt so broken and I could immediate sympathize with her.  My heart still breaks for all the loss she has experienced.   

Marcus was completely lovable! How can you not love a guy that says things like, "you’re everything, Mia Without you, there’s no reason for me.” He was successful, good looking, powerful and smart.  He’s a family man, which gets extra points in my book.  His secret life kills me! KILLS ME!!! I wanted so badly for him to be able to open up to Mia and not let his secrets get in the way of their love. 

Mia and Marcus together…the drama, the steaminess, the EVERYTHING - was soooo good, even when things between them were bad! I can tell you this for sure, E.L. Montes can write a kiss!!! The way she would describe it made my stomach do flips along with Mia’s! Even when they fought, they did it with so much passion you could tell they still loved each other.  My heart was a mess for them and I just so badly wanted them to be able to work through the issues and be happy together.  I truly believe to be happy they will have to be together, I just worry for what kind of danger is in store for them if they do get/stay together. 

The other thing I loved about this book was Marcus’ family.  They were so welcoming and loving toward Mia! Considering how quickly their love came to be, I was surprised his mother was so open to it.  She truly wanted her son to be happy.  I even started to like his brother Jimmie toward the end.  And his niece (Jimmie’s daughter), Elle, was perfect! Loved her!!! I really want Mia to be able to be a part of the family.  She had been through so much already, she shouldn’t have to lose this family too.   

I seriously cannot wait for book 2!!! I hope Mia & Marcus can find a way to be together and be safe.  This book was a series of twists and turns and I cannot imagine what E.L. Montes has in store for us next!

 

What the Heart Needs (Soulmate Series #2) - Kelli McCracken

Bound by destiny, can their love survive those that would tear them apart?
Dylan thought he had it all after Heaven agreed to marry him. But the secrets surrounding them continue to build. His best friend's keeping something from him. As are his parents. And someone wants Heaven dead. Can he protect his soulmate and solve the mystery before it's too late?

The best way I can describe this book is to compare it to a roller coaster....it starts off slow (click, click, click) building anticipation giving you just enough to keep you wanting more, turning each page (click, click click)...and just when you think you've figured it out (click, click, click), you've reached the top and the bottom falls out from under you and you're free falling into what you had no idea was headed your way. Then it starts all over again (click, click, click) building you up to another apex, only to have your stomach drop down again (WEEEEEEEEE!!!!). Now, I myself am not a fan of real roller coasters, but what I can tell you is that I will get on the Kelli McCracken roller coaster EVERY freakin' time!!!!

So much happens in this book you can't really prepare yourself for everything. You have to give into the story, let it lead you on the journey...in the end, you will not regret it.

The build up of what might come had me unable to put my kindle down. I took it in with me to blow dry my hair, I took it to my step-daughter's soccer game and read during warm ups and half time, I literally could not stop reading because I had to know what was going to happen. Was Nate McBride going to hurt Heaven? Would Layne break them up? Would Faith break them up? What was going on with Faith anyway? Would Dylan & Heaven make it to the alter...those were the just questions I started with and my list kept on growing as the reading continued. Let's just say, the things I said out loud (yup, I talk out loud while I read) were “Oh My God,” “He did not just do that!” “She did not just do that” “You have GOT to be kidding me!” “I freakin' knew it!!!” and “AHHHHH!!!!!”

“I know Dylan is special, he replied” - well guess what, I knew it too. I truly can't get enough of Dylan McBride...I mean he's a romantic rock star that goes against the stereotypes and wants to love Heaven forever...what's not to love!?! But this time (unlike the first book), I fell a little in love with Layne too. I can understand now why there are many Team Layne girls, a team which I think even Heaven would find herself cheering on because after book two, how could you not love Layne?

This book was sexy, dangerous and consuming. It was frustrating, exciting and lovable. Where the first book was a love story that hinted at a supernatural connection, this book brought in a lot more of the who and what of the paranormal part of the story. I loved that it gave us some answers and still teased us with what could come. It left me wanting more, and that is never a bad thing to end a book with.

I can't even imagine what Kelli has in store for us next, but what I can tell you is that I will definitely be getting on the ride!

“The more we give in to what the heart wants, the more we get what the heart needs...” truer words were never spoken (or written as it were), you can't love with your head, you have to love with your heart...no matter where it leads you.
 

Poughkeepsie (Poughkeepsie Series 1) - Debra Anastasia

He counts her smiles every day and night at the train station. And morning and evening, the beautiful commuter acknowledges him—just like she does everyone else on the platform. But Blake Hartt is not like the others . . . he’s homeless. Memories of a broken childhood have robbed him of peace and twisted delusions into his soul. He stays secluded from the sun, sure the world would run from him in the harsh light of day. 

Each day, Livia McHugh smiles politely and acknowledges her fellow commuters as she waits for the train to the city. She dismisses this kindness as nothing special, just like her. She’s the same as a million other girls—certainly no one to be cherished. But special or not, she smiles every day, never imagining that someone would rely on the simple gesture as if it were air to breathe.

When the moment comes that Livia must do more than smile, without hesitation she steps into the fray to defend the homeless man. And she's surprised to discover an inexplicable connection with her new friend. After danger subsides, their smiles become conversation. Their words usher in a friendship, which awakens something in each of them. But it’s not long before their bond must prove its strength. Entanglements from the past challenge both their love and their lives.

Blake’s heart beats for Livia’s, even if her hands have to keep its rhythm. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love never fails. Love never fails, right?

In an interwoven tale of unlikely loves and relationships forged by fire, Debra Anastasia takes readers into the darkest corners of human existence, only to show them the radiant power of pure adoration and true sacrifice. Complicated families and confused souls find their way to light in this novel, which manages to be racy, profane, funny, and reverent all at once.

I actually was torn whether to give this book four or five stars...if I had half star options, I'd give this book 4.5 stars. This book was WOW! I have to thank Angie for the suggestion and give her the points for picking such a great book.

Blake Hartt is officially the first homeless man I've ever fallen in love with and believe when I tell you...you will fall in love too. Against all odds (by his rough start in life) he's an old school gentleman, with the kindest heart. He's a proud man who won't accept something he hasn't earned and has learned to take care of himself since being out on the street. Blake lives for the daily smiles he receives from Livia. He silently falls for her and watches her from a far never believing he was worthy of her love.

Livia McHugh is a grad student studying psychology. To get to school everyday she takes the train where she makes eye contact and smiles with everyone on the platform, including the homeless man everyone either ignores or makes fun of. She only sees him and treats him with the same kindness she shares with everyone else.

In their journey we meet Blake's foster brothers Beckett and Cole who are the human equivalents to the devil and angel sitting on your shoulders. Heaven and Hell meet in the middle where the three brothers come together. They are a true testament of brotherly love.

We also meet Livia's sister Kyle who is funny, crazy and had a bag of her own issues.

Although they are not the "main" characters, their stories are just as crucial to the overall story. They are all written so well that you will care about them as much as you do Livia and Blake.

I loved this journey, and while it is a long book, I found that it was all necessary to understand what each character had been through and how they got to where they are today.

This story is not like any I've read so far and would certainly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of a story that has a little bit of a darker side to it. I am hoping for a sequel because I definitely would like to know what happens to everyone next.

Here is one of my favorite Blake quotes:
"Livia, you make the rest of the beautiful things in the world cry for even trying at all. You make it hard for me to breathe."