Guest Review
Guest review by Blessie from Mischievous Reads
Dive Bar Series Book Two
Written by Kylie Scott
Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Published April 11th 2017
Thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia
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★★★★☆
When his younger brother loses interest in online dating, hot, bearded, bartender extraordinaire, Joe Collins, only intends to log into his account and shut it down. Until he reads about her.
Alex Parks is funny, friendly, and pretty much everything he's been looking for in a woman. And in no time at all they're emailing up a storm, telling each other their deepest darkest secrets... Apart from the one that really matters.
When it comes to love, serving it straight up works better than with a twist.
The Stage Dive boys will forever have a special place in my heart, but it’s definitely time for them to step aside because Kylie Scott has moved from sexy and jaw dropping rockstars to hot and gritty bartenders of the Dive Bar in Coeur D'Alene.
Upon arriving in Coeur D'Alene unannounced, Seattle girl Alex Parks is in for the surprise of her life once she finds out her long time online pen pal isn’t the person who she expected him to be. He isn’t Eric Collins, the guy with the charming smile from the dating website, but rather, his older brother, Joe Collins, bartender for the Dive Bar and the total opposite of his little brother. Once Alex finds out, she’s furious with her attraction towards 'Eric' flushed down the drain. But while Joe tries to convince Alex that he meant no harm and only wanted a friend, things start to get really complicated after new feelings begin to ignite between the duo.
Twist, by far, is my favourite of the Dive Bar series. Joe and Alex have nearly managed to knock out Jimmy and Lena (Lead) from the top spot by a slight margin (these two will always have a special space in my heart). Alex’s character is refreshing. She’s sarcastic and snarky but does showcase a vulnerable side when she's often anxious about taking a step forward to a different direction in life. On the other hand, Joe is such a complicated character, but it wasn't hard to relate to him. He's the kind of guy who feels responsible for everything around him. While he's got the makings of an alpha male, he's a total giver and would drop everything in a heartbeat for family and friends. I can't stress how much I adored Joe's character. He's a sweetheart and a gentleman - the total package!
The romance between Joe and Alex was unique on my part, with Alex being a commitment-phobe when it comes to relationships. I love that it doesn't go with the 'romance norm' where it's usually the guys that sport that kind of attitude when it comes to relationships. I enjoyed how Alex and Joe's relationship developed through the course of the novel. Friends to lovers romances are my guilty pleasure.
Can we also applaud Kylie Scott for adding a trans character? YES! Alex's best friend, Valerie, formerly Vincent, would have to be my most favourite character in Twist. She's a total hoot and also plays a major role in Alex's life! Also, the novel wouldn't be complete without KS' dropping short side stories of other characters in the Dive Bar gang. Spoiler, the Stage Dive boys do make an appearance!
Kylie Scott’s writing has grown tremendously over the years, with every book she’s ever released and I’ve made it a point never to miss a single one. She never disappoints. All in All, Twist is an incredibly addicting read, with the perfect balance of humour, romance, and raw angst that will keep you captivated with every turn of a page. If you haven't tried anything by this author and you're into romance reads, I'd hate to say this but you're definitely missing out--and we all know that's not a good thing.
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Roomies
Written by Sara Zarr, Tara Altebrando
Contemporary, New Adult
Published December 24th 2014
279 Pages
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Written by Sara Zarr, Tara Altebrando
Contemporary, New Adult
Published December 24th 2014
279 Pages
Add to Goodreads
It's time to meet your new roomie.
When East Coast native Elizabeth receives her freshman year roommate assignment, she shoots off an email to coordinate the basics: Television, microwave, mini fridge. That first note to San Franciscan Lauren sparks a series of emails that alters the landscape of each girl's summer, and raises questions about how two girls who are so different will ever share a dorm room.
As the countdown to college begins, life at home becomes increasingly complex. With family relationships and childhood friendships strained by change, it suddenly seems that the only people Elizabeth and Lauren can rely on are the complicated new boys in their lives... And each other. Even though they've never met.
National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr and acclaimed author Tara Altebrando join forces for a novel about growing up, leaving home, and getting that one fateful email that assigns your college roommate.
Guest review by Jeann at Happy Indulgence Books
The Falconer (The Falconer: Book One)
Written by Elizabeth May
Steampunk, Paranormal, Fae
Published May 16th 2014
378 Pages
Heiress. Debutant. Murderer. A new generation of heroines has arrived.
Edinburgh, Scotland, 1844
Lady Aileana Kameron, the only daughter of the Marquess of Douglas, was destined for a life carefully planned around Edinburgh’s social events, right up until a faery killed her mother.
Now it’s the 1844 winter season and Aileana slaughters faeries in secret, in between the endless round of parties, tea and balls. Armed with modified percussion pistols and explosives, she sheds her aristocratic facade every night to go hunting. She’s determined to track down the faery who murdered her mother, and to destroy any who prey on humans in the city’s many dark alleyways.
But the balance between high society and her private war is a delicate one, and as the fae infiltrate the ballroom and Aileana’s father returns home, she has decisions to make. How much is she willing to lose, and just how far will Aileana go for revenge?
Welcome to Adriana from, She's Got Books On Her Mind. Adriana has been bogging since September of 2011.
"One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time.”
The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?
A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.
The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?
A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.
Samantha has been watching the Garrett family ever since they first moved next door ten years ago. She's never told anyone this little secret of hers. Her mother who looks next door and only sees the irresponsibility in having so many kids is the last person she wants finding out. She's also never told her sister or even her best friend nor does she plan to. The Garrett's dynamic and way of life is something just so far away from what she's used to. They are so mysterious that she can't help to just admire them from afar. Until that is a member of the Garrett family finds her watching them and brings her into the life she's always wanted to have.
The basis of this book just makes me so utterly happy. It's one of those books that you can't help but get giddy over. Then when you finally get it into your hands and you are able to finally see what it's all about you get that excited feeling all over again. What really got me wanting to read this book and what ended up being my favorite part of the book wasn't the romance - it was Samantha's daydreaming about the Garrett family. When she described the way they were and who they were individually I envied them. I love that "Cheaper by the Dozen" type of family. It's big, you may have struggles, but it's such a great atmosphere and a great life. You always have something going on. It's carefree and I loved it. I loved it even more when I actually met the family especially Jace's little brother George.
The basis of this book just makes me so utterly happy. It's one of those books that you can't help but get giddy over. Then when you finally get it into your hands and you are able to finally see what it's all about you get that excited feeling all over again. What really got me wanting to read this book and what ended up being my favorite part of the book wasn't the romance - it was Samantha's daydreaming about the Garrett family. When she described the way they were and who they were individually I envied them. I love that "Cheaper by the Dozen" type of family. It's big, you may have struggles, but it's such a great atmosphere and a great life. You always have something going on. It's carefree and I loved it. I loved it even more when I actually met the family especially Jace's little brother George.
I love George... I can just squeeze him! Another person I really loved in Jace's family was his mother. She's got this wise, sweet thing going on. She reminds me of women who were born to be mother's. I've met some people in my life that I can't help but think to myself that they are going to be great mothers. I know that really sounds strange but it's true. Sometimes you just got it and sometimes like Samantha's mom you just plain don't. Her mother... I don't think she ever really saw her kids as her kids. They were more like things that she can use to get ahead. Things to make her look good. She was just bitter really. Well, to a point. She was more... just distant towards Samantha is how I can basically sum her up. She annoyed me to no end especially the way she acted with her "younger man" like she had no sense. Like she was her daughter's age and like she had no morals.
Samantha and Jase. Not what I expected I have to say. And that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Their romance was very "high school" but in an endearing way. Samantha commented a couple of times on how dreamy Jase was so that's where I get that from. For most of the book I was happy for them and looked forward to seeing their relationship progress. It was a nice little romance. I really didn't like it as much as I'm sure I should have but I was still interested to see what would happen to the couple. And then... it just messed itself up. Samantha started acting... weird. The book had the obvious love conflict added in there but it wasn't described in a way where I felt sorry for them. Samantha was acting like her mother. Like she had no sense... I just didn't feel connected to their relationship in the end. I didn't believe it. Jase didn't act like I expected him to. I was confused to what happened to this lovey couple... It took a turn for the worse and it didn't recover that much for me unfortunately. BUT it's worth reading. The Garrett's are worth it. I did love most of the book just not the last part of it... that sounds bad but trust me it's worth trying. Just based on that cover - it's worth it.
"Is Jase already going to marry you?" I start coughing again.
"Uh, No. No, George. I'm only seventeen." As if that's the only reason we're not engaged.
"I'm this many." George holds up four, slightly grubby fingers. "But Jase is seventeen and a half. You could. Then you could live here with him. And have a big family."
Jase strides back into the room, of course, midway through this proposition.
"George beat it. Discovery Channel is on." George backs out of the room but not before saying, "His bed's really comfortable. And he never pees in it."
Loved the family aspect of this book. The Garrett family was filled with great personalities and a collective warm quality to them. I wish I was able to read more about them. I wasn't able to connect as much with the romance in the story especially towards the end. I came in more wanting to read about the different families and the clash of those families so that's why I might have not enjoyed the romance that much throughout the book and not liked it all at the end. Romance wasn't as great as I hoped towards the end but the book is still worth a try especially since everyone else raves about it so much.
Thank you to Adriana from She's Got Books On Her Mind, for sharing her review of My Life Nextdoor. You can contact Adriana over at her awesome blog
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