In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

Published by Atria Books

Published on March 10, 2020

Genre(s): Romance, Fantasy, Contemporary, Womens Fiction, Adult

Page Count: 272

Source: Purchased

Format: Kindle

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Description: Where do you see yourself in five years?

When Type-A Manhattan lawyer Dannie Cohan is asked this question at the most important interview of her career, she has a meticulously crafted answer at the ready. Later, after nailing her interview and accepting her boyfriend's marriage proposal, Dannie goes to sleep knowing she is right on track to achieve her five-year plan.

But when she wakes up, she’s suddenly in a different apartment, with a different ring on her finger, and beside a very different man. The television news is on in the background, and she can just make out the scrolling date. It’s the same night—December 15—but 2025, five years in the future.

After a very intense, shocking hour, Dannie wakes again, at the brink of midnight, back in 2020. She can’t shake what has happened. It certainly felt much more than merely a dream, but she isn’t the kind of person who believes in visions. That nonsense is only charming coming from free-spirited types, like her lifelong best friend, Bella. Determined to ignore the odd experience, she files it away in the back of her mind.

That is, until four-and-a-half years later, when by chance Dannie meets the very same man from her long-ago vision.

Brimming with joy and heartbreak, In Five Years is an unforgettable love story that reminds us of the power of loyalty, friendship, and the unpredictable nature of destiny.

Hello Readers.

I had preordered this book on kindle months ago and then forgot about it. That happens some times. So many books come out that I forget some of the publication dates. My memory is good but it is not perfect so some books fall through the cracks. I was pleasantly surprised when I opened my Kindle and there was this book, waiting to be read. I moved this one up my TBR and then finished what I was reading. This one called to me. I had to read it as soon as I could.

I was not disappointed. From the first chapter to the very last word, this book had me. I was invested. I forfeited sleep for this book. I knew that I could be friends Dannie. I wanted to see her succeed at life. There were moments that I wanted to shake her but I wanted her to come out on top. 

I am rating this book Five Blue Books because it was a wonderful read. It grabbed my heart and would not let go. I would love for a follow up book because I have to know what happens next. I even told friends about this book before I was done reading it. I sent some of them copies of it. Yes, I loved it that much. I will be looking into the author's other work. Highly recommend.

InkedBookDragon

Currently reading: Grave Peril by Jim Butcher and The New Husband by D.J. Palmer

Blog Tour - Chasing Melody by Erin Cristofoli

Chasing Melody by Erin Cristofoli

Published by Amazon.com

Published on April 1, 2020

Genre(s): Contemporary Women's Fiction, Romance

Page Count: 184

Source: Enticing Journey Book Promotions

Format: Kindle

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Book Description: Chase Brighton is a dick.

Elle Holloway needs a job that will get her off of her friends couch. When one practically lands in her lap, she is determined to snag it even though the job description is vague. But when she learns that she will be working for the world famous rock star Chase Brighton, her confidence begins to waiver.

Chase might make her heart race, but his attitude sucks. He is cocky and moody. He even accuses her of wanting her fifteen minutes of fame. But he is also a single dad to the most adorable little girl—and he needs Elle to be his nanny.

Heading out on tour, the last thing Chase needs is to be confined on a bus with a woman as sexy as Elle. It’s enough to drive a man insane as his thoughts are filled with fantasies of her instead of the music he should be focused on. To keep her at arm’s length, he gives Elle a hard time at every opportunity.

As their attraction grows, they struggle to keep it professional, but sometimes fate has plans of its own. When the downsides of Chase’s fame pour a cold dose of reality on them, can they find a way to make things work, or will their differences pull them apart?

Hello Readers.

I was sent a copy of this book so I could read it since I was taking part in the blog tour. I had never read anything by the author before but was excited to read this one. I love a romance if it is done well. This one looked promising.

Where do I start? This book delighted me and surprised me. Truly likeable characters. I found myself wanting to know what happened to them. I became invested rather quickly. The story pulled the reader in from page one. Let's be honest, that is not something that always occurs. Some romance novels have a lot of steam by no real intimacy between characters. This one was wonderful. 

I am rating this book Five Blue Books because once I was done reading it, I wanted more. I want to know what happened to the characters after this book ended. I will be looking into the other works of this author. I highly recommend this book!

InkedBookDragon

The Idea of You by Robinne Lee

The Idea Of You by Robinne Lee

Published by St. Martin's Griffin

Published on June 13th 2017

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Women's Fiction, Chick Lit

Page Count: 372

Source: Purchased

Format: Kindle

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Description: When Solène Marchand, the thirty-nine-year-old owner of a prestigious art gallery in Los Angeles, takes her daughter, Isabelle, to meet her favorite boy band, she does so reluctantly and at her ex-husband’s request. The last thing she expects is to make a connection with one of the members of the world-famous August Moon. But Hayes Campbell is clever, winning, confident, and posh, and the attraction is immediate. That he is all of twenty years old further complicates things.

What begins as a series of clandestine trysts quickly evolves into a passionate relationship. It is a journey that spans continents as Solène and Hayes navigate each other’s disparate worlds: from stadium tours to international art fairs to secluded hideaways. And for Solène, it is as much a reclaiming of self, as it is a rediscovery of happiness and love. When their romance becomes a viral sensation, and both she and her daughter become the target of rabid fans and an insatiable media, Solène must face how her new status has impacted not only her life, but the lives of those closest to her.

Hello Readers.

This book was recommended to me by a friend. She as absolutely raving about it. Our tastes are very similar so I knew that I had to read it. She knows me very well so this recommendation was right on the mark. 

Perfection. Yes, I said "Perfection". This book was extraordinary. Amazing characters and scenarios. I was not reading the book. I was in the book. I love when a book takes over the reader's mind in that manner. 

I am rating this book Five Blue Books because it was incredible. I was heartbroken when I looked into the author and saw that this is the only thing that they have written so far. I would love to read any future offerings. I cannot recommend this book enough!

InkedBookDragon

Currently reading: Meet Me At The Cupcake Cafe by Jenny Colgan and After All by Heidi McLaughlin

Virtually Perfect by Paige Roberts

Virtually Perfect by Paige Roberts

Published by Kensington

Published on September 26th, 2017

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Women's Fiction

Page Count: 352

Source: Kindle Unlimited

Format: Kindle

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Description: Not so long ago, Lizzie Glass had a successful TV show, a cookbook deal, and a social diary crammed with parties and events. But fame doesn’t stay fresh for long. Her show fizzles, her magazine column is canceled, and Lizzie’s only option is a summer job as personal chef to the Silvesters, a wealthy and eccentric family.

Their beach house is a lavish, beautifully decorated palace on the Jersey Shore, and Lizzie gets to work catering to Kathryn and Jim Silvester’s fashionably restrictive diets. But it’s their twenty-something daughter who presents Lizzie with her biggest challenge—professionally and personally. A self-proclaimed “wellness warrior,” Zoe Silvester has a hugely popular website and app that promotes healthy living and organic, unprocessed foods. Yet Lizzie soon realizes that The Clean Life site has a dirty little secret. In fact, Zoe’s entire online persona is based on a dangerous hoax that runs deep and will damage lives. Exposing Zoe won’t just jeopardize Lizzie’s job and a promising new relationship—it may expose the cracks in her own past.

Sharply observed, witty, and thoughtful, Paige Roberts’ debut novel is a compelling look at one woman’s journey toward reinventing herself—and seeing through the façade of others—to discover the imperfect but sometimes wonderful truth. 

Hello again.

I came across this book not long ago when perusing the options on Kindle Unlimited. For those of you that are not familiar with Kindle Unlimited, it is a subscription service where you pay a fee every month to have access to thousands of kindle books.  I love it. I have been introduced to a number of fantastic authors through Kindle Unlimited. I have "checked out" so many books that I might not have come in contact with otherwise. Wrapping up this Kindle Unlimited advertisement now. Back to this review.

Virtually Perfect was a fun debut. It captivated my attention and I found myself rooting for the main character. Some of the characters made me actually cringe. That was not for poor writing but rather excellent writing. The characters were so similar to some that I have encountered that I wanted them to immediately fail. I admit that I can be salty at times. It happens. This book was a great look at how "the other half lives" and that money does not necessarily imply intelligence. Fantastic imagery. I pictured the layout of locations and people with ease. When food was described, I would sometimes start daydreaming about it and wondering how difficult it might be to create. 

I am rating this book Four Red Books because I truly enjoyed reading it. There were some points that did not flow as well as other points and that is really my only reason for deducting a book. At the time of this review, the author has one other book out and I will be reading it soon. Definitely someone to watch. Recommend.

InkedBookDragon

Currently reading: After All by Heidi McLaughlin  and Pretty Reckless by L. J. Shen.

The Assistants by Camille Perri

The Assistants by Camille Perri 

Published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Published on May 2, 2017

Genres: Fiction, Womens Fiction, Contemporary, Adult, Humor, New York

Page Count: 304

Source: Purchased

Format: Kindle

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Description: A wry and astute debut about a young Manhattanite whose embezzlement scam turns her into an unlikely advocate for the leagues of overeducated and underpaid assistants across the city.

Tina Fontana is the hapless but brazen thirty-year-old executive assistant to Robert Barlow, the all-powerful and commanding CEO of Titan Corp., a multinational media conglomerate. She’s excellent at her job and beloved by her famous boss—but after six years of making his reservations for restaurants she’d never get into on her own and pouring his drinks from bottles that cost more than her rent, she’s bored, broke, and just a bit over it all.

When a technical error with Robert’s travel-and-expenses report presents Tina with the opportunity to pay off the entire balance of her student loan debt with what would essentially be pocket change for her boss, she struggles with the decision: She’s always played by the rules. But it’s such a relatively small amount of money for the Titan Corporation—and for her it would be a life-changer . . .

The Assistants speaks directly to a new generation of women who feel stuck and unable to get ahead playing by the rules. It will appeal to all of those who have ever asked themselves, “How is it that after all these years, we are still assistants?”

Hello again.

I found this book when I was looking for "a book with red on the cover" for a game of book bingo and I thought, "Oh! This looks good." I read it in one day. I would have probably read it in one setting if I had not had to be productive. 

I was very impressed with the fact that this is a debut novel. The author created very relatable characters. Some of the situations had me nodding my head in agreement because I related so deeply. The story flowed with ease. There were multiple times where I found myself laughing out loud. 

I am rating this book Four Red Books. It was fun to read. At the time of this review, the author has one more book and I have put it on my TBR. Recommend.

InkedBookDragon

Currently reading: Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare

Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winters

Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winters

Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons

Published on December 3rd, 2019

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Adult, Womens Fiction. Fiction

Page Count: 336

Source: Purchased

Format: Kindle

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Description: In this charming, feel-good debut novel, a cynical assistant at a screenwriting agency must reenact the meet-cute scenes from classic romantic comedy movies in order to help her #1 client get his scriptwriting mojo back--but can a real-life meet-cute be in store for someone who doesn't believe in happily ever after?

After seven years as an assistant, 29-year-old Evie Summers is ready to finally get the promotion she deserves. But now the TV and film agency she's been running behind the scenes is in trouble, and Evie will lose her job unless she can convince the agency's biggest and most arrogant client, Ezra Chester, to finish writing the script for a Hollywood romantic comedy.

The catch? Ezra is suffering from writer's block--and he'll only put pen to paper if singleton Evie can prove to him that you can fall in love like they do in the movies. With the future of the agency in jeopardy, Evie embarks on a mission to meet a man the way Sally met Harry or Hugh Grant met Julia Roberts.

But in the course of testing out the meet-cute scenes from classic romantic comedies IRL, not only will Evie encounter one humiliating situation after another, but she'll have to confront the romantic past that soured her on love. In a novel as hilarious as it is heartwarming, debut author Rachel Winters proves that sometimes real life is better than the movies--and that the best kind of meet-cutes happen when you least expect them.


Hello again.

When I first saw information on this book, I had to read it. I added it to my TBR and preordered it immediately. It looked like something that I would love. It dropped onto my Kindle and I could not wait to read it.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were relatable and I found myself wanting to know what happened to them. In fact, one character was perfect book boyfriend material. I could have read another book on just him.

I am rating this book Four Red Books because it was a very enjoyable read. There were moments that felt rushed but it was a great book overall. I look forward to seeing what this author does in the future. Definitely recommend.


InkedBookDragon


Currently reading: Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare and Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Best Friends Forever by Margot Hunt

Best Friends Forever by Margot Hunt

Published by MIRA

Published on January 23, 2018

Genres: Women's Fiction, Mystery and Thriller

Page Count: 336

Source: Purchased

Format: Hardback

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Description: How well do you really know your best friend?

Kat Grant and Alice Campbell have a friendship forged in shared confidences and long lunches lubricated by expensive wine. Though they’re very different women—the artsy socialite and the struggling suburbanite—they’re each other’s rocks. But even rocks crumble under pressure. Like when Kat’s financier husband, Howard, plunges to his death from the second-floor balcony of their South Florida mansion.

Howard was a jerk, a drunk, a bully and, police say, a murder victim. The questions begin piling up. Like why Kat has suddenly gone dark: no calls, no texts and no chance her wealthy family will let Alice see her. Why investigators are looking so hard in Alice’s direction. Who stands to get hurt next. And who is the cool liar—the masterful manipulator behind it all.

Hello Readers.

Wow! Just wow! I love a good mystery and I was definitely not disappointed with this one. The premise was fantastic. The characters were strong and interacted well. They were relatable and likeable. The scenarios were well thought out and were presented smoothly. Just when I thought that I had it totally figured out, I was thrown for a loop. Not many books do that for me so this was a very pleasant surprise. 

I am rating this book Five Blue Books because it had me on the edge of my seat on more than one occasion. It was well written and I will be looking more into this author. Highly recommend!

InkedBookDragon

Woman No. 17: A Novel by Edan Lepucki

Woman No. 17: A Novel by Edan Lepucki

Published by Hogarth

Published on February 13, 2018; Reprint edition

Genres: Women's Fiction

Page Count: 352

Source: Publisher

Format: Paperback

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Description: High in the Hollywood Hills, writer Lady Daniels has decided to take a break from her husband. Left alone with her children, she’s going to need a hand taking care of her young son if she’s ever going to finish her memoir. In response to a Craigslist ad, S arrives, a magnetic young artist who will live in the secluded guest house out back, care for Lady’s toddler, Devin, and keep a watchful eye on her older, teenage son, Seth. S performs her day job beautifully, quickly drawing the entire family into her orbit, and becoming a confidante for Lady. 

But in the heat of the summer, S’s connection to Lady’s older son takes a disturbing, and possibly destructive, turn. And as Lady and S move closer to one another, the glossy veneer of Lady’s privileged life begins to crack, threatening to expose old secrets that she has been keeping from her family. Meanwhile, S is protecting secrets of her own, about her real motivation for taking the job. S and Lady are both playing a careful game, and every move they make endangers the things they hold most dear. 

Darkly comic, twisty and tense, this mesmerizing new novel defies expectation and proves Edan Lepucki to be one of the most talented and exciting voices of her generation.

Hello Readers.

I was optimistic when I read the description of this book. It looked fantastic and I really enjoyed the proposed concept and could not wait to read it. I started almost immediately. I am usually a fast reader. People comment on it all the time. This book took me a while to read. I was right about the concept. A really good premise. The problem I found with the book was definitely not the concept. It was very well executed. The problem I had was with the characters. I hated them. This is not something that I say often. I truly could not stand the lack of character growth. I wanted to reach into the book and throat punch the main characters. 

I am rating this book a very generous Three Orange Books because it was well written and I can see how some people may enjoy it but I did not find it to be a pleasurable read.  If I rated it solely on the characters, it would be lower. I highly doubt that I will recommend this book.

InkedBookDragon

The Wife Between Us: A Novel by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

The Wife Between Us: A Novel by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Published by Holtzbrinck Publishers

Published on January 9, 2018

Genres: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Women's Fiction, Contemporary

Page Count: 352

Source: Purchased

Format: Hardback

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Description: When you read this book, you will make many assumptions.

You will assume you are reading about a jealous ex-wife.

You will assume she is obsessed with her replacement – a beautiful, younger woman who is about to marry the man they both love. 

You will assume you know the anatomy of this tangled love triangle.

Assume nothing.

Twisted and deliciously chilling, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen's The Wife Between Us exposes the secret complexities of an enviable marriage - and the dangerous truths we ignore in the name of love.

Read between the lies.

Hello Readers.

I was looking forward to this one. I wasn't 100% sure what it was from the desciption that I had read early on but I was looking forward to it. Something about it called to me and I had to read it. Some books are like that. You cannot get them out of your mind. Something about them burrows into your brain and you cannot stop thinking about them. You have to read them, if for no other reason than to dislodge them from your thoughts. Some books go away once that happens. Others stay in there as though they have little barbed claws that refuse to let go. This book was one of the latter.

Where do I begin with this one? Do I mention how I was on the edge of my seat on more than one occasion? Do I write about how there was a moment where I exclaimed something so loudly that everyone around me stopped what they were doing and looked at me as though something was wrong with me? I could go on and on.

I had trouble returning to life while reading this book. I did not want to put it down and do things that I needed to get done. I wanted to grab my copy of this book, a hot drink, a comfy blanket, and hide somewhere so I could read it. It grabbed me from the very beginning and I knew that I was most likely in for a bumpy ride. Little did I know that it would completely veer away from what I thought I was reading. Usually when this happens, I am greatly put off because it disrupts the flow of the story. However, that was not the case here. 

I am rating this book Four Red Books because it was a truly wonderful read. I wish that I could rate it higher but there were moments of confusion that detracted from the story. Amazing character development. I found myself completely captivated, enticed, and sometimes even repulsed. I am usually hesitant to read books written by a team. This one did not feel like it had multiple authors. I would definitely read more by them. I highly recommend this book as it was one of the better offerings of its type from 2017. 

InkedBookDragon

Still Me by Jojo Moyes

Still Me by Jojo Moyes

Published by Pamela Dorman Books

Published on January 30, 2018

Genres: Contemporary, Women's Fiction

Page Count: 400

Source: Purchased

Format: eBook

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Description: Louisa Clark arrives in New York ready to start a new life, confident that she can embrace this new adventure and keep her relationship with Ambulance Sam alive across several thousand miles. She steps into the world of the superrich, working for Leonard Gopnik and his much younger second wife, Agnes. Lou is determined to get the most out of the experience and throws herself into her new job and New York life. 

As she begins to mix in New York high society, Lou meets Joshua Ryan, a man who brings with him a whisper of her past. Before long, Lou finds herself torn between Fifth Avenue where she works and the treasure-filled vintage clothing store where she actually feels at home. And when matters come to a head, she has to ask herself: Who is Louisa Clark? And how do you reconcile a heart that lives in two places?

Funny, romantic, and poignant, Still Me follows Lou as she navigates how to stay true to herself, while pushing to live boldly in her brave new world.

Hello Readers.

To say that I was worried about this book would be an understatement. Having been disappointed by the second in this series, I wasn't really sure how this one would be. Sequels can be surprising. I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised with this one. 

Gone were the moments of "What in the...?" that were present in the second book. The characters are more complex. They have grown in very relatable ways. The author captured some very crucial events in a person's life and that is not an easy task to do. Putting a character in an environment completely unknown to them could have led to some disappointment. However, the transition textually was beautifully done. I could praise this book for hours but I do not like spoilers. 

I am rating this book Four Red Books because I greatly enjoyed it. It feels more like the first one did. It flows better and just overall feels better. The storyline wasn't all over the place. I would highly recommend it. 

InkedBookDragon

Into The Water by Paula Hawkins

Into The Water by Paula Hawkins

Published by Riverhead Books

Published on May 2, 2017

Genres: Women's Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Page Count: 400

Source: Purchased

Format: Hardback

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Description: A single mother turns up dead at the bottom of the river that runs through town. Earlier in the summer, a vulnerable teenage girl met the same fate. They are not the first women lost to these dark waters, but their deaths disturb the river and its history, dredging up secrets long submerged.

Left behind is a lonely fifteen-year-old girl. Parentless and friendless, she now finds herself in the care of her mother's sister, a fearful stranger who has been dragged back to the place she deliberately ran from—a place to which she vowed she'd never return.

With the same propulsive writing and acute understanding of human instincts that captivated millions of readers around the world in her explosive debut thriller, The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins delivers an urgent, twisting, deeply satisfying read that hinges on the deceptiveness of emotion and memory, as well as the devastating ways that the past can reach a long arm into the present.

Beware a calm surface—you never know what lies beneath.

Hello.

Have you ever longed for a book to come out that you were counting the days until it was released? You had enjoyed the previous work by the author so much that the prospect of another book filled you with joy? I wanted this book to be good. I longed for it to be good. It had to be good after the author's debut novel, The Girl on The Train took the world over. I read that book at once. I needed for this book to be good. Life is full of disappointments. It is a real shame that this was one. 

You know what they say about setting stuff up to fail? I fear that this may have been the case for a lot of people in regards to this book. I wish that I could praise it from the rooftops but I cannot. There were too many points where my mind completely glazed over because the POV kept jumping back and forth. The plot was predictable. Some of the characters were strong while some of them were just lacking. I found myself frustrated at times because of the flow. 

I am rating this book Three Orange Books because I did not hate it but it left me disappointed. What good is a mystery when you can figure it out almost immediately? I am not rating it lower because the author does a decent job on the backgrounds and locations. You do feel like you are there. She is a promosing author but she is better than this book. I will be waiting to see what she does in her next offering. My recommendation is wavy on this one. 

InkedBookDragon

After You (Me Before You, #2) by Jojo Moyes

After You by Jojo Moyes

Published by Pamela Dorman Books

Published on September 29, 2015

Genres: Women's Fiction, Contemporary

Page Count: 368

Source: Purchased

Format: Hardback

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Description: “You’re going to feel uncomfortable in your new world for a bit. But I hope you feel a bit exhilarated too. Live boldly. Push yourself. Don’t settle. Just live well. Just live. Love, Will.”

How do you move on after losing the person you loved? How do you build a life worth living?

Louisa Clark is no longer just an ordinary girl living an ordinary life. After the transformative six months spent with Will Traynor, she is struggling without him. When an extraordinary accident forces Lou to return home to her family, she can’t help but feel she’s right back where she started.

Her body heals, but Lou herself knows that she needs to be kick-started back to life. Which is how she ends up in a church basement with the members of the Moving On support group, who share insights, laughter, frustrations, and terrible cookies. They will also lead her to the strong, capable Sam Fielding—the paramedic, whose business is life and death, and the one man who might be able to understand her. Then a figure from Will’s past appears and hijacks all her plans, propelling her into a very different future. . . .

For Lou Clark, life after Will Traynor means learning to fall in love again, with all the risks that brings. But here Jojo Moyes gives us two families, as real as our own, whose joys and sorrows will touch you deeply, and where both changes and surprises await.

Hello!

When I found out that Me Before You was getting a sequel, I was extremely hesitant. It was such a strong book that I was unsure if a sequel would add to it or take away from it. These were characters that I had developed a love for and I didn't want my memories of them to potentially be tarnished. Think about it. The reader grows attached to the characters. One wrong move and you altar their preception of that character and not necessarily in a good way. That being said, I did wonder how Lou was doing after the events of Me Before You. Tricky business, sequels are. Very very tricky. 

I wish that I could say that I went into this book with a totally open mind but I find that impossible to do. I did not go into with a completely open mind because I was so invested in the story. The first book was so extraordinary that it set this one up to potentially fall on its face. Unfortuantely, in some ways, it did. It was nice to see how Lou was doing but some of the events completely came out of left field and I was not quite sure how to process them. Good character development for some and so so for others. 

I am rating this book Three Orange Books because it fell short but I did not hate it. Predictable in some ways. Random in others. Upon finishing it, I hoped that any future books in the series would bypass this one. I wish that I could rate it higher because I loved Me Before You so much but I cannot. Not a horrible read but not up to the standards that the author gave us in the previous book. On the fence about recommending.

InkedBookDragon

Virgin Wars by Sarah Bale

Virgin Wars by Sarah Bales

Published by Sarah Bales Publishing

Published on August 9, 2016

Genres: Romance, Women's Fiction

Page Count: 271

Source: Netgalley

Format: eBook

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Description: "Sex and the City meets Magic Mike in this hilarious tale of love, friendship, and finding yourself."

Stacie Gregory and her three closest friends share the same secret: they’re all mid-twenties virgins. It's never been an issue before, but when one of them loses their virginity it sets off a race the others don’t want to lose. The last one with their V-card will never live it down.

Stacie’s solution is simple - she’ll seduce her favorite male stripper. If he does other things half as well as he dances she’ll have no problem winning the war against her friends. Only it’s not as easy as she thought. Turns out even strippers have baggage, and she has way more to lose than her virginity. With her plans for a grand seduction in ruins, Stacie must decide what’s more important: Love or Sex.


Hello Readers.

Virgin Wars by Sarah Bale was one of those books that I had trouble putting down. I read it in two sittings and that was only because of life distractions. Surprises at every turn. Well developed characters. Friendship dynamics are good and then complicated. There were moments where I could have automatically written off one or two of them because of catty behavior.

Though I enjoyed the book, the scenario has been done to death. Virginal pacts/races are a common theme. There were moments of some confusion. I questioned the lack of support in some situations.

Thank you Netgalley and Sarah Bales Publishing for a digital copy in exchange for an honest review. I am rating it Three Orange Books because of the reasons stated above. This book wasn't truly for me but I would read other books by the author.


InkedBookDragon

Dress 2 Impress: A Jennifer Cloud Novel by Janet Leigh

Dress 2 Impress: A Jennifer Cloud Novel by Janet Leigh

Published by Janet Leigh Books

Published on April 3, 2016

Genres: Romance, Women's Fiction

Page Count: 242

Source: Netgalley

Format: eBook

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Description: Time Travel, is it for real?

Living in Sunnyside, Texas, and working nine-to-five at her brother’s chiropractic office, Jennifer Cloud’s life appears to be perfectly normal.

But when the moon is full, she’s a transporter for the World Travel Federation, going back in time to help stop the Brigands from stealing the keys to the vessels that time travelers have been secretly using throughout history.

Jennifer is on a mission in 1602 Scotland with fellow time traveler and current flame, the green-eyed Caiyan. Her inexperience and a bit of distraction cause them to let the bad guy slip through their fingers, and they’re written up back at WTF headquarters—by Jennifer’s longtime on-again, off-again lover, the handsome CIA agent Jake.

Jennifer is torn between the two men. But when she discovers that Caiyan has gone off to 1985 Hollywood, chasing some unknown traveler, and become trapped there, she turns to another sexy man in her life, a gorgeous racecar driver named Marco.

With multiple love interests and a frantic rescue mission involving a mystery traveler, a vicious Brigand, a famous rock star, and a vindictive serial killer, book two of the Jennifer Cloud series delivers yet another hilarious romantic time-travel adventure!

Hello once again.

When I encountered this book, I was not sure if I could get into it. It is the second book in the series and I have not read the first one. I could not be more wrong. Thank goodness Dress 2 Impress can stand alone. 

Time travel. Men. Lots and lots of men. Mystery. Humor. Intrigue. I could go on and on. Characters are wonderful. Situations are comical. It was such a fun read. I laughed out loud with this one. 

Thank you Netgalley and Janet Leigh Books for giving me a digital copy of this to read and review. It was a delight to read and I will be seeking the others in the series as soon as I get a chance. I am rating this book Four Red Books because there were some sections of over explaining but they were few. Overall, I truly enjoyed this book and will recommend it to others.

InkedBookDragon

These Violent Delights: A Novel by Victoria Namkung

These Violent Delights: A Novel by Victoria Namkung

Published by Griffith Moon Publishing

Published on November 7, 2017

Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Women's Fiction

Page Count: 243

Source: Netgalley

Format: eBook

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Description: At Windemere School for Girls, one of America’s elite private schools, Dr. Gregory Copeland is the beloved chair of the English Department. A married father with a penchant for romantic poetry—and impressionable teenage girls—he operates in plain sight for years, until one of his former students goes public with allegations of inappropriate conduct. With the help of an investigative journalist, and two additional Windemere alumnae who had relationships with Copeland as students, the unlikely quartet unites to take him down. 

Set in modern-day Los Angeles, These Violent Delights is a literary exploration of the unyielding pressures and vulnerabilities that so many women and girls experience, and analyzes the ways in which our institutions and families fail to protect or defend us. A suspenseful and nuanced story told from multiple points of view, the novel examines themes of sexuality, trauma, revenge, and the American myth of liberty and justice for all. 

Hello readers.

Wow! What a book! These Violent Delights is intense. It focuses on subjects that most people would shy away from. The author didn't shy away from anything. Instead, she paraded it around in from of the readers. 

This book felt as though it was taken directly from the headlines. What does a school do when one of their own turns out to be a predator? Do they remove the monster or do they sweep the issue under the rug and pretend it never happened? How are the victims treated? What happens when the school in question is full of the children of the rich and powerful? All these were addressed in this book.

Thank you Netgalley and Griffith Moon Publishing for giving me a ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review. It was very well written and maintained a decent speed. The characters developed nicely. It was a beautiful piece of work and I would love to read more by the author. I am giving this book Four Red Books because it was very well done but I had to stop and set it aside at times because of the subject matter. 

InkedBookDragon