Publisher: Harper Collins

Can’t Wait Wednesday: Don’t You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane

Posted November 28, 2018 by Rowena in Features | 0 Comments

Can’t Wait Wednesday is hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings and it was based on the meme Waiting on Wednesday that was hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Can’t Wait Wednesday: Don’t You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlaneDon't You Forget About Me
by Mhairi McFarlane
Published by Harper Collins on January 10, 2019
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 432
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Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to rise again…

The hilarious new heartbreaker from Mhairi McFarlane!

If there’s one thing worse than being fired from the grottiest restaurant in town, it’s coming home early to find your boyfriend in bed with someone else.

Reeling from the indignity of a double dumping on the same day, Georgina snatches at the next job that she’s offered – barmaid in a newly opened pub, which just so happens to run by the boy she fell in love with at school: Lucas McCarthy. And whereas Georgina (voted Most Likely to Succeed in her school yearbook) has done nothing but dead-end jobs in the last twelve years, Lucas has not only grown into a broodingly handsome man, but also has turned into an actual grown-up with a business and a dog along the way.

Meeting Lucas again not only throws Georgina’s rackety present into sharp relief, but also brings a dark secret from her past bubbling to the surface. Only she knows the truth about what happened on the last day of school, and why she’s allowed it to chase her all these years…

I became a fan of Mhairi McFarlane a few years ago after reading You Had Me at Hello, and Here’s Looking at You. I adored both of those books and have been on the lookout for more books by McFarlane ever since.

Don’t You Forget about Me has me all kinds of curious. I want to know more about Georgina and Lucas’s past, I want to know what the big dark secret is and I really just want to read the entire thing so January 10th needs to hurry up and get here so that I can have this book in my grubby little paws. It’s been a while since I’ve read anything by McFarlane…I think I feel a re-read coming on.

Mark your calendars!

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Don’t You Forget about Me by Mhairi McFarlane
Releases on January 10, 2019
Amazon

Are you a fan of Mhairi McFarlane like I am? Are you looking forward to this book? What other books are you looking forward to?

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Can’t Wait Wednesday: Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss by Kasie West

Posted November 21, 2018 by Rowena in Features | 2 Comments

Can’t Wait Wednesday is hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings and it was based on the meme Waiting on Wednesday that was hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Can’t Wait Wednesday: Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss by Kasie WestFame, Fate, and the First Kiss
by Kasie West
Published by Harper Collins, Harper Teen on February 5, 2019
Genres: Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 384
Add It: Goodreads

Lacey Barnes has dreamt of being in a movie for as long as she can remember. However, while her dream did include working alongside the hottest actor in Hollywood, it didn’t involve having to finish up her senior year of high school at the same time she was getting her big break. Although that is nothing compared to Donavan, the straight-laced student her father hires to tutor her, who is a full-on nightmare.

As Lacey struggles to juggle her burgeoning career, some on-set sabotage, and an off-screen romance with the unlikeliest of leading men, she quickly learns that sometimes the best stories happen when you go off script.

I really enjoy the light and fluffy YA’s that Kasie West writes so I’m pretty stoked that she’s got a new one coming out soon. I’ve got a thing for actors lately and this one sounds super cute so it’s on my wishlist.

I want to say that this is linked to Kasie West’s other book Love, Life, and the List but it’s not listed as part of a series and if this book comes after that book, even though there isn’t anything else but recurring characters that link these stories, I’m going to be annoyed. Books that are linked through characters, being apart of the same world and all of that other stuff is information that should be readily available. After doing some digging, this book is linked to Love, Life, and the List. Lacey is Abby’s friend and this is her story…gah.

Whoever is in charge of that stuff really sucks but I’m still excited to read this book. LOL.

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Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss by Kasie West
Releases on February 5, 2019
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Google Books | Kobo

Are you a fan of Kasie West like I am? Are you looking forward to this book? What other books are you looking forward to?

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Can’t Wait Wednesday: The Scoundrel in Her Bed by Lorraine Heath

Posted November 14, 2018 by Rowena in Features | 0 Comments

Can’t Wait Wednesday is hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings and it was based on the meme Waiting on Wednesday that was hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Can’t Wait Wednesday: The Scoundrel in Her Bed by Lorraine HeathThe Scoundrel in Her Bed
by Lorraine Heath
Series: Sins for All Seasons #3
Published by Harper Collins, Avon on February 26, 2019
Genres: Historical, Romance
Point of View:Alternating Third
Pages: 400
Add It: Goodreads

The third electrifying romance in Lorraine Heath's USA Today bestselling Sins of all Seasons series.

The bastard son of a nobleman, Finn Trewlove was a shameful secret raised by a stranger. As Finn came of age, he had secrets, too—the clandestine nights spent with an earl's daughter. But her promise of forever ended in betrayal.

Driven by a past that haunts her, Lady Lavinia Kent seeks redemption in London's underworld, engaged in a daring cause inspired by the young man to whom she gave her innocence, and who then proved himself a scoundrel by abandoning her.

When their paths cross again, they can't deny the yearning and desire that still burns. As they discover the truth behind the deceptions that tore them apart, Finn and Lavinia must fight to reclaim what they've lost, no matter how dangerous—because love is worth the risk...

The Scoundrel in Her Bed is the third book in Lorraine Heath’s Sins for All Seasons series and it follows the third Trewlove sibling, Finn, as he makes that journey toward true love.

I am so excited about this book because I’m really enjoying the series. First Mick then Gillie and now Finn. I want to know what really happened to Lavinia and where she went when she ran away from Thorn. I also want to know what happened between her and Finn and how they are reunited. Oh, I just know there’s going to be hella drama and I am here for it!

This book comes out on February 26, 2019 so mark your calendars and if you haven’t read this series, I strongly urge you to change that because it’s so good. It’s a favorite amongst my book club so I’m pretty confident with this recommendation. 🙂 Happy reading!

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The Scoundrel in Her Bed (Sins for All Seasons #3) by Lorraine Heath
Releases on February 26, 2019
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Google Books | Kobo

Sins for All Seasons Series

Are you a fan of this series like I am? Are you looking forward to this book? Do you love the Trewloves like I do? What other books are you looking forward to?

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Can’t Wait Wednesday: 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne

Posted September 26, 2018 by Rowena in Features | 8 Comments

Can’t Wait Wednesday is hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings and it was based on the meme Waiting on Wednesday that was hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Can’t Wait Wednesday: 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne99 Percent Mine
by Sally Thorne
Published by Harper Collins, William Morrow Paperbacks on January 29, 2019
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 352
Add It: Goodreads

Crush: a strong and often short-lived infatuation, particularly for someone beyond your reach…

… If Darcy Barrett hadn’t met her dream man when she was eight years old, the rest of the male population wouldn’t be such a let-down. No one measures up to Tom Valeska, aka the best man on Earth, not in looks, brain or heart. Even worse is the knowledge that her twin brother Jamie saw him first, and claimed him forever as his best friend.

Tom’s off limits and loyal to her brother, 99%. One percent of Tom has had to be enough for Darcy, and her adoration has been sustained by his shy kindness. And if she’s honest, his tight t-shirts.

Now Darcy’s got three months left to get her life together before her twin insists on selling the tumble-down cottage they inherited from their grandmother. By night, she’s working in a seedy bar, shooting down lame pickups from bikers. By day, she’s sewing underwear for her best friend and wasting her award-winning photography skills on website shots of pens and novelty mugs. She’s enjoying living the messy life, and a glass of wine or ten… until that one night, when she finds a six-foot-six perfect package on her porch.

Tom’s here, he’s bearing power tools—and he’s single for the first time in a decade.

As a house flipper extraordinaire, Tom has been dispatched by Jamie to give the cottage a drastic facelift that will result in a ton of cash. Darcy doesn’t appreciate Tom’s unsentimental approach to knocking down walls, and he really, really doesn’t approve of her current burnout boyfriend. They can’t be in the same room together without sparks flying- and it’s not the faulty wiring. One bedroom wall separates them at night, and even that’s looking flimsy.

Will Tom ever see Darcy as anything other than a little-sister obstacle to get around? And can she stand up to her most formidable opponent—her twin? This time around, she’s determined to make Tom Valeska 99 percent hers, and he’s never managed to say no to her yet…

I thoroughly enjoyed Sally Thorne’s debut release The Hating Game and my love for that book has spurred my anticipation for her next release, 99 Percent Mine. I’m a member of her Author’s FB Group and even though some of her fans annoy me with their “Nobody compares to Sally Thorne”, and “Everyone else sucks!” attitude, I still rather enjoy Sally Thorne’s writing and this book sounds so good so I’m in. I can’t wait for this book. I’m not a fan of that $10.99 price tag for the kindle book but maybe I’ll get over it and get it anyway.

Pre-Order the Book

99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne
Releases on January 29, 2019
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Google Books | Kobo

Are you a fan of Sally Thorne? Is 99 Percent Mine on your wishlist? What books are you looking forward to this week?

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Buddy Review: The Duke Buys a Bride by Sophie Jordan

Posted September 25, 2018 by Rowena in Reviews | 6 Comments

Buddy Review: The Duke Buys a Bride by Sophie JordanThe Duke Buys a Bride
by Sophie Jordan
Series: The Rogue Files #3
Published by Harper Collins, Avon on July 24, 2018
Genres: Historical, Romance
Point of View:Alternating Third Person
Pages: 368
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Add It: Goodreads
three-half-stars

A bride wasn’t in his plans . . .

The last thing Marcus, the Duke of Autenberry, expects to see after sleeping off a night’s drunken shenanigans is a woman being auctioned in the village square. Before he can think about the ramifications, he buys her, thinking he’s winning the girl her freedom. Instead, he discovers he’s bought a wife.

A duke wasn’t in hers . . .

Alyse Bell is almost rid of the shackles that bound her in a name-only marriage, but the day her friend promised to purchase her in a wife auction, he vanishes, leaving her to face a mob of unsavory bachelors intent on owning her body and soul. But the appearance of a wicked, wealthy stranger changes her path forever.

The road to ruin . . .

Marcus doesn’t know what to do with the impertinent chit who clearly isn’t duchess material! Insisting their marriage isn’t legitimate, they leave for his estate in Scotland, hoping to devise a plan to get rid of each other. However, on a journey fraught with misadventure, their attraction grows and Marcus realizes he’ll do anything to keep this fiery woman for his own.

I participate in a real-life book club that meets once a month to discuss a different romance novel with a bunch of my friends. It’s always a lot of fun but one of our members lives in Utah so she doesn’t get to meet up with us so we thought it would be great to still discuss the books with her. Each month, I’ll be doing a buddy review of our book club books with my book club homies Tasha and Shy. Please welcome my friends, everyone! 🙂 This month it’ll be just me and Tasha but next month, we’re hopeful that Shy will catch up and join us.

The first book that we’ll be reviewing together is The Duke Buys a Bride by Sophie Jordan, which is the third book in The Rogue Files series and it features Marcus Weatherton, the Duke of Autenberry as he purchases a wife at a street auction and falls in love with her on his way to Scotland.

Rowena: Alright Tash, let’s get this show on the road. What were your initial thoughts on this book?

Tasha: My initial thoughts…this was a frustrating read. I mean, the hero was really mean which made it hard for me to like him. As much as I wanted to like the heroine, she kept making me mad too, uggghhh. So yeah, frustrating, lol.

Rowena: I know what you mean. I thought that the premise of the story was really interesting. I mean, the hero buys the heroine at a street auction in an effort to free her and then while he’s escorting her to his home in Scotland so she can make a life of her own as his housekeeper, they grow close and fall in love but the hot and cold attitude that Marcus had where Alyse was concerned pissed me off. Every time he tried to throw the blame on Alyse for their attraction made me want to kick him in the balls. Hello?? It takes two to tango and his dumbass kept pissing me off. I was like, miss me with the bullshit sir. You like her, you want her, deal with it.

The part that pissed me off the most with Alyse was when they’re almost to Marcus’ house in the Highlands and Marcus is beat up and left for dead while Alyse is abducted. When Marcus gets to where she was taken and demands to get her back, she’s like, “Oh I release you, you are not obligated to me anymore” and he’s like, “I’m not going to leave you here. They beat me and left me for dead” and she’s all, “Oh, I’m sure they’re sorry they did that.”

WTF? Bitch are you for real? When that happened, I was ready for the book to be done.

Tasha: EXACTLY…THAT PART, RIGHT THERE!!! I believe they had already left his brothers castle where she had to stay until she got better. But the whole time she was sick, he was at her bedside like a lovesick puppy. Even then he was still in denial. He could’ve easily been done with her at that point, the way I see it but he was insistent upon taking her with him. Let’s not even get started on the event that took place in his room after she recovered from her illness. As soon as the ‘deed’ was done, he was quick to dismiss her and make it out to be as if it were her fault. Like you said, “it takes two to tango”. They’re both dumbasses, lol.

I think Marcus was just an arrogant prick who was used to getting his way. And Alyse was so naïve and as we Samoans say, “fiapoko” (know-it-all, smart-ass, etc.) haha!!

Rowena: Same. They were both so fiapoko! Also? I think that we would have benefitted from reading the other books in this series to really appreciate Marcus’ journey, at least I’m hoping that is the case because I felt like I was missing something throughout the whole book. Especially when we get to the brother’s house in Scotland so that Alyse can mend her illness. I’m like, so is someone going to fill us in on what the hell happened and why Marcus and his brother are estranged? Hello??? Is someone going to fill in the blanks on how Marcus’ sister in law went from being engaged to Marcus to married to his brother? Ehhh…

Overall, the actions of both the hero and the heroine had me rolling my eyes up and down the street so it’s hard for me to give this a higher grade than a 2.5 because while the writing style is completely readable, there was too much that pissed me off to warrant a higher grade. What about you? What would you grade this book and are you going to be reading the rest of the series or nah?

Tasha: You’re probably right. Maybe if I had read the previous books, I wouldn’t be so harsh towards Marcus. They did mention a little bit about Marcus being engaged to Poppy before she became his brother’s wife but not a lot. Yeah, I did get the feeling I was missing something and that something could’ve been found in the earlier books.

Would I go back and read this series from the beginning…..ummmm, I don’t think so. The writing itself was fine and I’ve read some really bad books. It’s because of the whole ‘bi-polar’ moments from Marcus and Alyse’s continuous dumb decisions, I cannot give this more than a 3 (and that’s being generous). Yes, the hero and heroine really frustrated me but in the end, I still got my HEA.

Final Grade

Rowena: 2.5 out of 5
Tasha: 3 out of 5

So there you have it guys, my very first book club discussion review with one of my good friends Tasha. Next month we’ll be discussing Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks. My sister Delene chose that book so nobody in our book club is at all surprised that we’re reading another historical romance. See you guys next month!

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The Rogue Files Series

three-half-stars

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