Review: My Favorite Mistake

My Favorite Mistake by Chelsea M. Cameron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Taylor Caldwell can't decide if she wants to kiss her new college roommate or punch him.

"Dark hair buzzed so short his head was almost shaved, purposeful five o'clock shadow, piercing blue eyes and at least a foot on my five feet. And a cocky smile to top it all off"

Taylor had no idea whatsoever that her new roommate would be a guy, not to mention a guy she is attracted to from first sight. She continues to deny her feelings for dark and handsome Hunter Zaccadelli because of her dark past that I will not spoil. Taylor talks herself into doing anything and everything possible to get him out of her life before she falls in love with him.

"Those blue eyes seared into me. He was the kind of guy who could see things that other people couldn't-things that I'd spent my entire life covering up and hiding from the masses"

Hunter is like no other guy Taylor has met before; he is a HUGE flirt, and makes light of everything he can. He is the type of guy that has a big heart behind a facade of being a bad boy, tattoos, guitars, and all. But, Hunter has a secret just like Taylor, and he as well is not sure if he's ready to share it with someone.

"Most people wanted other people to like them so they tried and were overly nice. Hunter wasn't like that. He was what he was and didn't give a sh** if people like it or not. No matter how crazy he drove me, I had to admire that about him"

With Hunter and his sexual innuendos and sarcastic comments, and Taylor with her facade of a bad attitude, they seem to realize that what they share between each other, what Taylor though was annoyance, is actually deep romance. Soon, Hunter works, goes to class, and lives with Taylor, much to her "dismay". Hunter continually flirts with her, even making a few bets to try to go out with her. I truly believe that once Hunter shares his secret with her, Taylor realizes how much of the same person they are; they both have dark pasts and they both want to have a bright future with each other present. Oh, when Hunter finally kisses Taylor, a lightbulb moment appears in which she really will drop her secret to be with the one and only Hunter. :)

"Hunter was different. He'd seen through my exterior, seen through the wall of tangled thorns that guarded me. And here he was, asking me if I wanted to let him try to break through..."

Both Taylor and Hunter have different lucky charms throughout the book that truly make an impact on the entirety of the novel. There are so many sweet, comedic, sexy, flirty, and fun moments in this book that I don't want to spoil a lot of it. I am so happy to have come across this book, and Hunter will have a place in my heart.

"My love for him settled over me like a blanket fresh from the dryer on a chilly winter night. The tight feeling went away as I stepped into our bubble..."




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Review: I Never

I Never by Laura Hopper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book definitely was one that I will not forget. Janey King has never been in love, and to be totally honest, she hasn't even liked someone. With her time revolved around friends, family, and school, where's the time, right? Oh, and on this vacation, she found out her parent are separating. On the plane home from her vacation, handsome and popular Luke Hallstrom is also on board, and soon Janey's priorities start to shift. Luke actually likes Janey! Soon, Luke pursues Janey, tasing her out for ice cream, running alongside her at track practices... They are slowly falling for each other.

Janey has two questions: is she ready to make room for a boy? and is she ready to have sex? This book delivers a romantic, funny, and realistic portrait of a girl figuring out what a romantic relationship actually entails. Like all girls, she experiences self-doubt, jealousy, empowerment, and happiness- all that come with love!

"It doesn't seem like Luke is at all aware of the statement he is making. Luke does what feels right to him, and he's not going to worry about being judged. I love that about him. And I love holding his hand at school, and I love that we have nothing to hide, and I think I might love him"

I feel that this book could have had a different, more romantic ending, rather than Janey and Luke leaving for college, never to see each other again. This book was a heartfelt read, and I enjoyed the characters growing up and changing along the course of the novel.

"We know we made the most of our time together. We were kind and respectful and honest. I learned so much from Luke-about myself, about sex, about growing up and falling in love. Luke taught me how to be adored and how to be vulnerable"



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Review: The Red Bikini

The Red Bikini by Lauren Christopher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Giselle Underwood is recently divorced with a 5 year old daughter, Coco. She and her daughter flee to California for a two week getaway at her sisters beach house. Totally out of her element, suburban stay at home mom Giselle is surprised to meet 28 year old Fin Hensen, a celebrity surfer at a beach party with her daughter. With her self confidence at an all time low, she focuses on raising her daughter rather than finding the missing romance in her life.

"Giselle was enough of a surprise- her kindness, her humor, her patience with Coco, her curves, her softness. But he knew he'd be doing her a service by getting the hell out of her way as soon as possible. He wasn't a good person for her to have brought here. She should have brought someone with honor..."

Fin Hensen is escaping his pro tour for a season, attempting to lie low until all of the chaos over his past rolls with the tide. A woman who he surfed with for years, who he also called his best friend, was killed by surfing, and he blames himself for not noticing her disappearance. To cope with the loss, he strings women along (it sounds bad, I know), and only has one night stands, no long term relationships. But Giselle brings something out in him that he can't ignore. He is able to have honest, real conversations with her, but he is insecure about himself so much that he doesn't want Giselle to fall in love with a beach bum.

"...Giselle's beauty was different. It began at her spine, or maybe at her soul, and radiated from there. He'd read once that a pretty woman was only pretty when she was young, but a beautiful woman was beautiful her whole life. The line finally made sense to him"

Giselle contemplates about her love life, and decides to have a one night stand with Fin. This moment truly illustrates her love and awareness of herself as an individual, in addition to Fin. Giselle's ex never really shares the reason to which he divorced her, except that he cheated twice in their 10 year marriage. After the one night stand, with Fin and Giselle realize their love for each other, but they really aren't ready for it because of her ex, who completely degrades Giselle at any moment possible. At the end of Giselle's two weeks, Fin travels to South Africa for a competition, and realizes in the semifinals that his "perfect wave" is having a family, a wife, and most of all, love.

"He liked laughing with her. He liked talking with her. He liked seeing her with Coco. He liked how she smelled, how she smiled, and how she left him feeling whole, and absolved, and smart, and... like he mattered somehow..."

This book has so many feels, so many emotions that I cant help but wish that I had a Fin Hensen in my life. It had heart, sass, steamy romance, and laughter. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will recommend it to any reader!! :)

"You asked me the night while we were watching the water if I'd been in love before, and I hadn't, but I couldn't help but stare at you and wonder if it was like that I was feeling right then for you. From now on, I'd have to say yes. I've been in love. With you."




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Review: A Walk to Remember

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodness gracious, that is all I can say about this book! My fourth time reading it, I cried too many times to count and was awestruck on Landon and Jamie's story. Landon Carter is a senior in high school and is excited for his future. At the start of the year, instead of taking chemistry, he decides to take drama; no tests, studying or stress, perfect for Landon. Landon becomes the president at his school, and with it comes decorating for dances (which he has to attend as well). His mother offers that she would accompany him to the dance, but he decides to bring Jamie Sullivan instead. Jamie Sullivan is also a senior in high school and Landon has been in school with her since kindergarten, but they never have truly talked to one another. Also, Jamie's father is a minister at his church, and never really hit it off with Landon because he would constantly make jokes and rumors about Hegbert.

"But it wasn't just the way Jamie looked that made her different; it was also the way she acted... Jamie carried her Bible wherever she went... [and she] seemed to enjoy it in a way that was completely foreign to me"

Jamie is the girl in town that everyone (that is the adults) have a soft spot for. She rescues animals, people, and helps with anything she can do. Her most significant volunteer work though, is her work at the orphanage, which is her passion. She believes everything that happens in life is in the Lord's plan, and even the challenges come from God. She goes to the dance with Landon, and she makes him promise not to fall in love with her. Landon shrugs it off like it is no big deal and even thinks that she is kidding.

Landon and Jamie go to the dance and it does not really turn out to what he believed it would be. Landon's ex gets drunk and pukes all over the bathroom. Jamie calms her down and she and Landon take her home. Through all of the hectic night though, Jamie still thanks Landon for a fun time. :)

After the dance, Jamie asks Landon if he would play leading role in the Christmas play. He reluctantly agrees, for he doesn't want to be seen with her more than he has to. PS, the play was written by Jamie's father, and is especially significant this year because of his daughter playing the angel. Landon begins to truly play his part in the play and goes out of his way to make it that much more special for Jamie.

Anyways, so the play comes up really fast, and Landon cannot get the part right when he sees the angel (Jamie for the first time. On the opening night of the play, he sees Jamie for the first time with her hair down, a trace of glitter in her hair, and light makeup. "She looked exactly like an angel... I'd nailed that line for the very first time". After the play is said and done, Landon finally sees the beauty inside and out in Jamie. I feel like I'm spoiling the entire book because I kinda am, but there is a really emotional part that I left out because it is one of my favorite parts in the book.

"Being in love with a girl like Jamie Sullivan was without a doubt the strangest thing I'd even been through. Not only was she a girl that I'd never though about his year, but there was something different in the whole way my feelings for her had unfolded... I hadn't done any of the things that I normally did with girls, yet somehow I'd fallen in love"

I am gonna fast forward a lot, but Landon comes to the realization that he loves Jamie. After Christmas and New Years, she shares with him that she is sick, and is dying. She has leukemia, and she had known since last summer. The weeks pass and it gets colder and Jamie gets weaker and weaker. Landon reads the Bible with her everyday, and she comes to the point when she cannot go outside anymore. This is the part in which I cant stop crying, but Landon's love for Jamie is so strong at 17, and he decides to marry her. The wedding is just like Jamie imagines, and it is purely just a beautiful day. She finally succumbs to the disease, and Landon still loves Jamie with all of his heart forty some years later. This is a heck of a long review for my all time favorite book!! :)

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Review: Airports, Exes, and Other Things I'm Over

Airports, Exes, and Other Things I'm Over by Shani Petroff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As a senior in high school and off to college the following year, Sari Silver couldn't be happier. She has a loving family and boyfriend, Zev. When Sari meets Zev at a party and caught him kissing his ex, their romantic Florida vacation is ruined. As an aspiring guitarist and singer, Sari uses her music to pass the hard times, and while in Florida with her Grandmother, her guitar is the cure for her broken heart.

When she gets the call that she, Sari Silver, gets to play a gig a the prodigious Meta, she does everything in her power to fly home to NYC. Mother Nature is not in her side though. A storm is brewing that cancels flights all over the country. While with her Grandmother, she meets Captain America Fitz, who also turns to be at the airport, flying back to NYU. After hours of finding flights canceled and waiting for a flight, Zev appears at the airport. Zev is a really sweet guy that realizes his mistake, in which Sari doesn't know that his ex kissed him (not the other way around). Zev only wants Sari and him to rekindle their love for each other, but at this point, it is up to Sari. As mad as Sari is at Zev, she cant help but miss what she had with him, and she cant spend a few minutes without thinking about Zev.

"Only Zev would spin a story like that and wind up giving out a book recommendation while simultaneously taking the fall for me. He was such a dork. It was part of the reason I'd fallen for him"

Just because Sari needs to get somewhere, the last flight to NYC is cancelled. Fortunately Fitz's friend Dylan is able to pick them up; but only on downside, Zev has to come along too. Zev is still adamant to talk to Sari about their relationship, and after a minor car accident and spending the night in a hotel, Sari realizes that she has feelings for Zev still, just as he does for her.

"I'm not going to let you do that. You were the one who showed me that if something's important to you, you don't give up... You would have done almost anything for a shot. That's how I feel about you. I'm going to prove it..."

This book is so sweet because it honestly shows relationships true to life. Relationships are built on trust, and Zev and Sari show this to be true. This book has heart, sass, and you can't help but sympathize with Zev and Sari. I truly recommend this read!!! :)

"You're always beautiful, but when you're on stage, you light up."

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Review: Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating

Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"I could never quite tell whether she was oblivious or just didn't care what people thought, but no matter how chaotic she was, she always managed to give off an innocent, unintentionally wild vibe"

Hazel Bradford is a lot to handle, and most men frankly don't want to put up with someone as wild and carefree as Hazel. Ultimately, Hazel is a kind spirit in search of honest fun. Josh Im has known crazy Hazel since college, where he found that her craziness was incompatible with his calm personality. (She threw up on his shoes, even giving an oral presentation on the anatomy and function of the penis in Human Anatomy). Josh Im sees Hazel in college more as a spectacle than a friend. 10 years later, Josh's life is turned upside down with his cheating girlfriend, and he sees going out with Hazel as a breath of fresh air.

""being too Hazel-y?' She is all of these things, but it's actually why I like her. She's entirely her own person..."

Although right from the beginning Hazel has had feelings for Josh, at the start it is a one way street. They keep their relationship solely as friends who simply get dates for each other and go on other dates. It seems that every double date they have, it brings Hazel and Josh closer, for their dates always seem to connect with each other, leaving Josh and Hazel on their own. Pretty soon, Josh realizes that he also has feelings for Hazel but neither one of them admit it. The have "casual" friend-sex twice, and both are afraid of what is to become of their relationship.

"My eyes dart to Josh's. Like the soul mate I always knew he'd be, Josh is already looking my way"
"I don't answer. I can't, because it feels like the idea of saying it breaks something inside me open, exposing this precious organ. I've been avoiding tor word since I stepped back from her bed, found my clothes in the dryer, and left her apartment. I gave love so easily to Tabby, ad compared to what I feel for Hazel?"

Christina Lauren always is flawless with their books' and this one doesn't disappoint. The chemistry between Josh and Hazel is cunning, witty, and caring, and from the moment you start reading, you can't help but fall in love with both of them! :) Whether you have read Christina Lauren or not, this book is sure a crowd pleaser!!!

"To fall in love, to be loved. The reality that we are together now is enough by itself to make my breath grow tight and hot in my chest. And to be here, with an ultrasound photo clutched in my hand... The mind, it reels"

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Review: Trouble Brewing

Trouble Brewing by Suzanne Baltsar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"He swept his hand through his hair that wasn't quite brown or blonde, straight or curly, but rather an artful mix of all it flipped to the side in a clumsy sort of style"

Piper Williams and Blake Reed cross paths one fateful day when she enters his gastropub in Minnesota. Piper has just left a disastrous relationship and proves to herself that she can be an independent woman in an industry full of testosterone-filled men. She currently works her brewery out of her garage and ponders on the idea of starting her own business, or at the very least sell her beer at pubs around. From her first encounter with Blake, it is safe to say that it is love at first sight. She told herself she wouldn't get involved with her only vendor, for it may spread rumors and risk her growing business. Blake also has feelings for Piper.

"Piper was pretty; tall-is, pale oval face, and freckles on her nose. But what stood out was her hair, the color of a red apple. And her eyes. I'd never seen eyes so big and green before. Innocent and wild all at the same time. When she looked at me, it felt like a quiet challenge"

When one of Piper's former bosses spots her with Blake, he warns her that rumors can spread in an instant and she should really contemplate her choices. So, a bet is set that Piper have to gain two more vendors to go out with Blake. The day comes and Piper has a total of three vendors, and they go out on their first date. :) They are a PERFECT couple and bring out the best in each other. I am not going to spoil any of the best parts, but Ill just note that there are plot twists and tension begins to rise dramatically.

"Like was such a stupid word to use. I didn't just like Piper. I adored her. I cherished her. Even when she didn't call me back. I treasured, idolized, and worshipped her. I loved her."

This book is witty, funny, and romantic all in one. I am so happy I came across this book and read it as quick as I did. I always love books that have two perspectives, and this book made me enjoy it even more! Piper and Blake are amazing characters that really show their love for each other. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!! :)

"Blake was my missing puzzle piece that made everything better. He was my lobster"



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