Book Review: Winner Takes All by Erin Kern

Title: Winner Takes All
Author: Erin Kern
Publication: August 30th 2016
Pages: 384
Synopsis:

THE LOVE OF THE GAME

Money. Fame. Endorsements. Blake Carpenter had it all—before his professional football career spiraled out of control. Determined to rebuild his life, he takes on coaching the high school team in his Colorado hometown. Despite a few fumbles, Blake knows he can lead these boys to victory. As long as he can keep his eyes on the prize and off the team’s distractingly gorgeous physical therapist.

Annabelle Turner knows all about the scandal that cost Blake his NFL career, and she’ll be damned if she’s going to let hismistakes hurt her team. What she doesn’t count on is the intense attraction that turns every heated run-in they have into a wildly erotic competition. Point by point, play by play, kiss by kiss, they try to keep things professional for the good of the team. But when the score is this close—and the passion this fierce—it’s anybody’s game…

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MY RATING: 4/5 STARS

I reviewed this book after book # 2 but I read this one before book 2 as well so it all works out.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Okay, so this book was pretty decent considering it’s the first one in the series and technically, Erin Kern, couldn’t be recycling her ideas from book # 2 or # 3 because it wouldn’t make sense if this one was published before everything else. LOL I don’t know if anyone followed this train of thought but moving FORWARD.

Book Talk: I’m Going to Take a Break From Reading and Here’s Why

With a staggering stack of ARCs from publishers, it might be crazy for me to take a break from reading. Maybe I should backtrack. I’m going to relieve myself the pressure of reading as many book as I can this week and just focus on maybe reading one book (From Twinkle, With Love) simply because I like Simon Schuster Canada and I don’t want to ruin my relationship with them. *Whispers* Sorry, Harper Collins Canada in advance. I’m not in the mood for heavy YA fantasy right now so reviews from me may be a little delayed. 

I got the flu…

But anyways, the reason why I decided to take a break from forcing myself to read as much as I possibly can is because I got the stomach flu a week ago and I think a part of my brain died. I’m being dramatic. Nothing actually died. But I’ve been in a funk where I can’t get into a story like I did previously. *looks awkwardly at ForeverRomance* I’m a romance reader but I can’t even feel excited from reading a romance novel. I think I’m dead inside at the moment.

Book Review: Back in the Game by Erin Kern

Title: Back in the Game
Author: Erin Kern
Publication: October 31st 2017
Pages: 318
Synopsis:

WHEN YOU PLAY FOR LOVE, YOU PLAY FOR KEEPS
Stella Davenport wasn’t made for small-town life. Sure, teaching ballet in Blanco Valley, Colorado, is great, but she longs for the chance to perform in a big city. Stella swore she’d never let anything get in the way of her dream–until sexy, broad-shouldered Brandon West walks back into her life. Stella is determined to resist him, even if arguing with Brandon is sexier than any foreplay.

For Brandon, it’s always been just him and his son, Matt. Knowing that love only leads to heartbreak, he isn’t looking to expand his family any time soon. Stella, with her long, gorgeous legs and infectious laugh, is a breath of fresh air he didn’t even know he’d been missing. But when she’s offered her dream job in Chicago, will he be willing to put his heart on the line?

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MY RATING: 2/5 STARS

Book Review: Woman Last Seen in Her Thirties by Camille Pagan

Title: Woman Last Seen in Her Thirties
Author: Camille Pagan
Publication: February 27th 2018
Pages: 254
Synopsis:

From bestselling author Camille Pagán comes a hilarious and hopeful story about a woman on the verge of a nervous breakthrough.

At fifty-three, Maggie Harris has a good marriage and two mostly happy children. Perpetually anxious, she’s also accumulated a list of semi-reasonable fears: falling air conditioners, the IRS, identity theft, skydiving, and airbag recalls. But never once did Maggie worry that her husband of nearly thirty years would leave her.

On the day Adam walks out the door, everything that makes Maggie secure goes with him. Only then does she realize that while she’s been busy caring for everyone else, she’s become invisible to the world—and to herself.

Maggie cautiously begins to rebuild her life with a trip to Rome, a new career, and even a rebound romance. But when a fresh crisis strikes and an uncertain future looms, she must decide: How much will she risk to remain the woman she’s just become?

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MY RATING: 4.5/5 STARS

I received a copy from Thomas Allen and Sons in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly, when I asked to review this book, I was looking for a woman’s fiction novel that was realistic and well written enough to make me feel like the main characters. Woman Last Seen in Her Thirties is that novel. And it was fantastic.

WLSIHT (my own short form) follows Maggie Harris, a 53 year old woman, who cannot believe after thirty years of marriage, her husband decides that she no longer loves her anymore. Adam, her husband, leaves her, claiming he loves another woman and cannot live the same mundane life he’s been living since they got married. It’s traumatic to Maggie. She copes by drinking too much cheap wine, not really eating full healthy meals, and trying to keep in touch with her two children who are now fully grown and with high profile careers. It can be a bit depressing at times as Maggie tries to figure out the year she’s separated from Adam. She goes on vacation by herself in Italy. She drinks, eats delicious food, and meets new friends. When she returns, she changes into a new woman. Maggie is no longer weak and depressed. She’s strong and optimistic about the future. Moving into a smaller town, far away from her ex who seems to be entertaining himself with random hobbies, she relaxes into her new routine of grabbing coffee from the local cafe and joining a divorce support group.

Book Review: Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson

Title: Undead Girl Gang
Author: Lily Anderson
Publication: May 8th 2018
Pages: 320
Synopsis:

Mila Flores and her best friend Riley have always been inseparable. There’s not much excitement in their small town of Cross Creek, so Mila and Riley make their own fun, devoting most of their time to Riley’s favorite activity: amateur witchcraft.

So when Riley and two Fairmont Academy mean girls die under suspicious circumstances, Mila refuses to believe everyone’s explanation that her BFF was involved in a suicide pact. Instead, armed with a tube of lip gloss and an ancient grimoire, Mila does the unthinkable to uncover the truth: she brings the girls back to life.

Unfortunately, Riley, June, and Dayton have no recollection of their murders, but they do have unfinished business to attend to. Now, with only seven days until the spell wears off and the girls return to their graves, Mila must wrangle the distracted group of undead teens and work fast to discover their murderer…before the killer strikes again.

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MY RATING: 4/5 STARS

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Undead Girl Gang is a riot. I received this book thinking it’ll be a fun read but instead it turned out to be a fun, feminist, and a dark tale following teenage outcasts who believe they’re witches and can cast spells. When Mila’s best friend, Riley, is found dead in a local pond, she knows it’s not suicide. Someone had murdered her best friend, and Mila is not going to go down without trying to bring justice to Riley’s name.

Book Review: Trusting You & Other Lies by Nicole Williams

Title: Trusting You & Other Lies
Author: Nicole Williams
Publication: June 20th 2017
Pages: 293
Synopsis:

USA Today and New York Times bestselling author Nicole Williams delivers a seductive summer romance worth swooning over. Perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen and Stephanie Perkins.

Phoenix can’t imagine anything worse than being shipped off to family summer camp. Her parents have been fighting for the past two years—do they seriously think being crammed in a cabin with Phoenix and her little brother, Harry, will make things better?

On top of that, Phoenix is stuck training with Callum—the head counselor who is seriously cute but a complete know-it-all. His hot-cold attitude means he’s impossible to figure out—and even harder to rely on. But despite her better judgment, Phoenix is attracted to Callum. And he’s promising Phoenix a summer she’ll never forget. Can she trust him? Or is this just another lie?

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MY RATING: 4/5 STARS

I received a complimentary paperback from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

Trusting You & Other Lies by Nicole Williams has one of those books that have a synopsis that isn’t true to the story. Yes, our main character, Phoenix, has trust issues ever since her boyfriend cheated on her with some nameless girl. And yes, Phoenix meets our dark and mysterious hero, Callum. The synopsis makes the book more dramatic than it seems because they suggest both characters or at least one of them is lying to one and other. Sure, they do have one white lie towards the end but majority of this book was light, chill, and romantic.

Book Review: From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon

 

Title: From Twinkle, With Love
Author: Sandhya Menon
Publication: May 22nd 2018
Pages: 336
Synopsis:

Aspiring filmmaker and wallflower Twinkle Mehra has stories she wants to tell and universes she wants to explore, if only the world would listen. So when fellow film geek Sahil Roy approaches her to direct a movie for the upcoming Summer Festival, Twinkle is all over it. The chance to publicly showcase her voice as a director? Dream come true. The fact that it gets her closer to her longtime crush, Neil Roy—a.k.a. Sahil’s twin brother? Dream come true x 2.

When mystery man “N” begins emailing her, Twinkle is sure it’s Neil, finally ready to begin their happily-ever-after. The only slightly inconvenient problem is that, in the course of movie-making, she’s fallen madly in love with the irresistibly adorkable Sahil.

Twinkle soon realizes that resistance is futile: The romance she’s got is not the one she’s scripted. But will it be enough?

Told through the letters Twinkle writes to her favorite female filmmakers, From Twinkle, with Love navigates big truths about friendship, family, and the unexpected places love can find you.

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MY RATING: 4.5/5 STARS

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon was my first book by the author and before anybody starts throwing rocks at me, I know. I’ll read When Dimple Met Rishi soon. I promise because after reading From Twinkle, I just need to devour all of Sandhya’s books.

Firstly, since this is my first book from Sandhya, I can’t just tell you guys it’s similar to all her books that she has written. But I can tell you that this book involves a lot of fluffy romance, character development, and did I mention romance? Okay, so let’s back track and talk about our heroine, Twinkle.

Book Review: Kissing Mr. Right by Michelle Major

Title: Kissing Mr. Right
Author: Michelle Major
Publication: October 1st 2015
Pages: 258
Synopsis:

Kendall Clark has always dreamed of anchoring the national news. The dedicated Denver journalist has worked hard to earn more than her fluff-piece reporting job. When she’s asked to star in an on-air dating show to increase her station’s ratings, she initially refuses…until she learns that participating will give her a shot at a national news-desk position in New York.

But nothing prepares Kendall for the dating show’s popularity—or for the laughable dates she’s forced to endure on camera. To complicate matters further, she’s falling hard for Tyler Bishop, the handsome scientist hired to consult on her first big news story. Ty soon finds himself equally smitten with Kendall and sets out to prove he’s her Mr. Right. But is there room in his quiet life for a woman with such a public image? And when Kendall’s integrity is questioned, will she choose her dream job or her dream man?

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MY RATING: 4/5 STARS

I received a copy from Thomas Allen & Sons in exchange for an honest review.

Ever since I read one book from Michelle Major, I’m determined to read a whole bunch of her books. She writes the type of contemporary romances that will jerk your emotions around and make you really connect with the characters so really what is not to love??????

Kissing Mr. Right is no different from her other books. Our main heroine, Kendall, is a beautiful newscaster for the local television channel in a small town. She’s living every feminist worst nightmare. Kendall is not being taken seriously at all at work and is deemed a bimbo who doesn’t know a thing from flaky news to real hard hitting journalism. But it’s not her fault. It seems that in order for her to anchor the national news in New York, you have to start somewhere and that somewhere just so happens to be being the star of the new reality dating show her boss is putting on.

Book Review: Always Never Yours by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

Title: Always Never Yours
Author: Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
Publication: May 22nd 2018
Pages: 352
Synopsis:

Megan Harper is the girl before. All her exes find their one true love right after dating her. It’s not a curse or anything, it’s just the way things are, and Megan refuses to waste time feeling sorry for herself. Instead, she focuses on pursuing her next fling, directing theatre, and fulfilling her dream school’s acting requirement in the smallest role possible.

But her plans quickly crumble when she’s cast as none other than Juliet–yes, that Juliet–in her high school’s production. It’s a nightmare. No–a disaster. Megan’s not an actress and she’s certainly not a Juliet. Then she meets Owen Okita, an aspiring playwright who agrees to help Megan catch the eye of a sexy stagehand in exchange for help writing his new script.

Between rehearsals and contending with her divided family, Megan begins to notice Owen–thoughtful, unconventional, and utterly unlike her exes, and wonders: shouldn’t a girl get to play the lead in her own love story?

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MY RATING: 4/5 STARS

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

Always Never Yours tells the story of Megan Harper, a flirty and fun seventeen year-old who believes that everyone she dates will always end up leaving her and finding the true love of their lives. Of course, with this mentality, Megan rushes everything before her “time” is up. Readers can see Megan rush things. She’s into flirting to making out to doing other things all within days. Now, this can be troublesome for some readers. Readers can think Megan to be fickle and a female version of a player. She doesn’t allow emotions to really develop but likes to play the game more than actually knowing the players. Some may not like that she is as bold as she is. There were many times Megan had problems with her friends and their dating lives because Megan kept pushing them to do more and speed up the whole dating process. On the other hand, readers may end up liking Megan because she’s progressive, strong, and fun. It gets boring when all we read are virgin shy bookish nerds, am I right?

Is Buying an Amazon Kindle Worth It?

I’m not a stranger to ebooks so I’ll save you guys the dramatic reveal that I read them and sometimes prefer them over physical books. They’re easier to carry and when I’m in a funk, I can switch from one book to the next in less than 10 seconds so what is there not to love?

For a while, I have been using an affordable tablet from Walmart that was around $100 CAD after tax. It’s an android tablet so I was able to download a lot of apps, surf the net, and watch videos. Basically a bigger version of my phone except the battery level lasted around 4 hours and would dry up and die by day 2 if I left it on. I read most of my ebooks there and it served it’s purpose: I can read in the dark. However, the allure of the Kindle Paperwhite got to me. I wanted something that had a battery level that lasted longer than 4 hours and knew that if it was anything similar to my previous ebook reader and Amazon Kindle’s Canadian competitor, Kobo, that it would do a very good job.

Now I bet lots of people are wondering is it worth it? So I thought I would give you a quick run down.

It loads pretty fast

Unlike Kobo, Kindle loads pretty fast. While I had many experiences with my ereader lagging while turning the page, my Kindle so far does a very good job at keeping up with the pace of my reading speed. The Kindle store loads fairly quickly and makes shopping for more books easy with it’s simple tap functions and scrolling options.