Tag: Gallery Books

Book Boyfriend: Reid Campbell from My Favorite Half Night Stand by Christina Lauren

Posted December 14, 2018 by Rowena in Features | 4 Comments

This feature keeps changing because I’m trying different things out but I think I’m going to stick with this format from here on out. Thanks for coming along this ride until I figure out what the hell I want to do here. LOL.

Book Boyfriend: Reid Campbell from My Favorite Half Night Stand by Christina LaurenMy Favorite Half-Night Stand
by Christina Lauren
Published by Simon & Schuster, Gallery Books on December 4, 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Point of View:Alternating Third Person
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Add It: Goodreads

By the New York Times bestselling author who “hilariously depicts modern dating” (Us Weekly), My Favorite Half-Night Stand is a laugh-out-loud romp through online dating and its many, many fails.

Millie Morris has always been one of the guys. A UC Santa Barbara professor, she’s a female-serial-killer expert who’s quick with a deflection joke and terrible at getting personal. And she, just like her four best guy friends and fellow professors, is perma-single.

So when a routine university function turns into a black tie gala, Mille and her circle make a pact that they’ll join an online dating service to find plus-ones for the event. There’s only one hitch: after making the pact, Millie and one of the guys, Reid Campbell, secretly spend the sexiest half-night of their lives together, but mutually decide the friendship would be better off strictly platonic.

But online dating isn’t for the faint of heart. While the guys are inundated with quality matches and potential dates, Millie’s first profile attempt garners nothing but dick pics and creepers. Enter “Catherine”—Millie’s fictional profile persona, in whose make-believe shoes she can be more vulnerable than she’s ever been in person. Soon “Catherine” and Reid strike up a digital pen-pal-ship...but Millie can’t resist temptation in real life, either. Soon, Millie will have to face her worst fear—intimacy—or risk losing her best friend, forever.

Perfect for fans of Roxanne and She’s the Man, Christina Lauren’s latest romantic comedy is full of mistaken identities, hijinks, and a classic love story with a modern twist. Funny and fresh, you’ll want to swipe right on My Favorite Half-Night Stand.

This week’s boyfriend was my favorite part of his book. I adored getting to know him and I was super happy when he finally got his happily ever after in the end because it wasn’t easy in coming. Reid was such a normal guy with normal problems and fears. He wasn’t this super alpha-hole that dominated the hell out of the heroine. He was her best friend and he loved her most out of everyone. Even when things didn’t work out the way that he hoped, he still loved her and was so normal about it all.

Postsex, I feel like a well-used glove, a warm blanket, a body pillow. Soft and warm and sated. But inside, somewhere deeper, I’m a knot of angst. I want Millie. I think I’m falling in love with her. And she just does not see me that way at all.

There is much to recommend Reid Campbell. He’s a professor, he’s a lovable nerd who is good to the people in his life. He was always there for friends and he was extremely protective of those he loved. He was smart and funny and so sweet, I just loved him to pieces.

The way he smiles up at me is the same way he always looks at me: like there is nowhere else he’d rather be.

You know that saying, “Find you a man that looks at you the way…”? Well, find you a man that looks at you the way that Reid looks at Millie. Like there is nowhere else he’d rather be. Those are the good ones.

The thing about Reid is that everyone knows a Reid. He’s not some super perfect human who is unattainable. He’s the guy next door that helps you bring up the trashcans on trash day. He’s the guy that stops and holds the elevator door so you don’t have to wait 16 floors for the next one. He wasn’t out there trying to hook up with as many women as he could because he could, he was having quiet nights in with his best friend, listening to her problems and falling in love with her. We all know a Reid. We all love a Reid.

“I love you, too.” He punctuates each small phrase with a kiss lower on my throat. “All of you. The silly, the quiet, the argumentative, the sarcastic, and even this side.” He kisses my shoulder. “The softer side.”

Reid’s book My Favorite Half Night Stand by Christina Lauren is problematic as hell but the writing is still super good. These authors have a way of pissing me off and then making everything all better in the end. Reid is a huge reason why I loved this book and I just love him so. If you’re looking for a hot nerdy professor hero falling in love with his best friend, pick this one up. It’s good, I promise.

Hero Casting

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So who is your book boyfriend of the week? Someone new or an old favorite? Have you met Reid Campbell yet? If so, do you love him as much as I do? Share in the comments!

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Throwback Thursday: The Gift by Julie Garwood

Posted September 27, 2018 by Rowena in Features, Reviews | 2 Comments

Each week, I’ll be writing a review for an oldie but goodie that I’ve read through again to see if these books are holding up for me. I’m a different person than I was when I read these books, older and wiser (at least I hope) so I’m curious to see if books that I used to love can stand the test of time.

Throwback Thursday: The Gift by Julie GarwoodThe Gift
by Julie Garwood
Series: Crown's Spies #4
Also in this series: Castles, The Lion's Lady, Guardian Angel
Published by Simon & Schuster, Gallery Books on June 7, 2011
Genres: Historical, Romance
Point of View:Alternating Third Person
Pages: 388
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Add It: Goodreads
four-stars

A child bride, Sara Winchester had grown into a winsome beauty, joyfully anticipating the day when her husband Nathan, Marquess of St. James, would return to claim her heart at last. Charmingly innocent, she dismissed the ancient feud that divided Nathan's family from her own...and she was totally unaware of his past exploits as the notorious pirate, Pagan. The man who now stood before her was perplexing, arrogant and powerfully handsome...a warrior-gentleman whose gentle touch aroused her to the wildest, deepest pleasures of love.

Nathan had never bared his soul to any woman, but he was soon utterly beguiled and exasperated by Sara's sweet, defiant ways. Aboard his ship, The Seahawk, she was brave, imperious and determined to win his heart completely -- yet upon their return to England, her love would be sorely tested as a vile conspiracy tried to tear them apart. With their future at stake, they would discover the true destiny of their passion...for all time!

The Gift has always been my least favorite book in this series and it is for this reason that I’ve left this re-read for last. I went into this re-read thinking that I wasn’t going to love this book but I’m surprised to report that I enjoyed this book a lot more than I ever have before.

Julie Garwood has proven to stand the test of time with me. When I first read this book, I was much younger and a lot dumber than I am today and I didn’t appreciate this book as much but this time around, it was great.

Nathan St. James is Colin from Castles best friend and Jade from Guardian Angel’s brother. He’s been engaged to Sara Winchester since he was a kid thanks to the daft King and even though their families are feuding, he’s coming to collect his bride and when that happens, things happen.

This was such a fun book and every time Nathan said, “Dammit Sara” I laughed out loud. They were complete opposites, Nathan and Sara were. She was so sweet and so naive where as Nathan was gruff, reserved and worldly. That damn parasol had me dying. I don’t remember this book being so funny but the shenanigans that Sara got herself into had me laughing at every turn. The writing is top notch in this book and highlights why I’m such a huge fan of Julie Garwood’s older books. I remember why I read her books over and over again and discussed them at length every month with the ladies over at the Julie Garwood Bulletin Board back in the day.

Nathan and Sara’s romance made me happy and even though there were times when I wanted to knee Nathan in the junk and rolled my eyes at how naive Sara was, I still really enjoyed this book. It’s not my favorite book in this series (that is Castles), but it’s still such an enjoyable book that you’ll love for years and years, long after you’ve read it for the first time. To read this book is to enjoy it so I definitely recommend it.

Buy the Book

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Final Grade

4 out of 5

Crown’s Spies Series

four-stars

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Throwback Thursday: Guardian Angel by Julie Garwood

Posted September 20, 2018 by Rowena in Features, Reviews | 0 Comments

Each week, I’ll be writing a review for an oldie but goodie that I’ve read through again to see if these books are holding up for me. I’m a different person than I was when I read these books, older and wiser (at least I hope) so I’m curious to see if books that I used to love can stand the test of time.

Throwback Thursday: Guardian Angel by Julie GarwoodGuardian Angel
by Julie Garwood
Series: Crown's Spies #2
Also in this series: Castles, The Lion's Lady, The Gift
Published by Simon & Schuster, Gallery Books on May 10, 2011
Genres: Historical, Romance
Point of View:Alternating Third Person
Pages: 388
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Add It: Goodreads
four-stars

New York Times bestselling author Julie Garwood takes breathless sensuality to thrilling heights in this unforgettable adventure of passion and intrigue.

The Emerald flew across the seas, carrying the pirate Pagan - despised by the ton, whose riches he plundered, and beloved by the poor, whose plight was eased by his gifts.

The Marquess of Cainewood vows to hunt down the pirate wretch in revenge for his brother's death. But when Jade, an enchanting vision of rippling red hair and eyes of jewel-green, appears at his door to beg desperately for his protection, the Marquess agrees to keep her safe from the villains who want her dead. Jade is infuriating, exasperating, and gorgeous; Caine is noble, strong-willed, and powerful. No woman has ever befuddled him so, nor so deeply aroused his desire. But as Jade answers his knowing caresses with an innocent, wild abandon, they are drawn into a web of treachery that will test the very heart of their love!

I’ve already re-read both Castles and The Lion’s Lady so might as well finish out the series, right? Right. I have fond memories of Caine and Jade. Memories of me laughing and just loving the hell out of both of them. They were stubborn and they were fiercely passionate and back in the day, I loved this book.

The Marquess of Cainewood is on the hunt for Pagan, the man responsible for his brother Colin’s death. He’s having trouble locating this guy so to draw him out, Caine starts pretending to be him. Hoping to piss him off enough that he’ll come out of hiding to face Caine like a man. Instead of Pagan, he comes across a woman named Jade who wants to hire Pagan to kill…her. Caine is stunned but also a little intrigued so he keeps her close and the adventure takes off!

Julie Garwood is known for her humor and there’s a whole lot of humor in this book. I laughed so much while reading this book again. From Jade trying to stay one step ahead of Caine, to Caine bulldozing over Jade’s stubbornness and even though there were times when I wanted to karate chop them both in the knee, I still quite adored them and their story. Caine was a little obsessive with Colin’s death and though I could understand it, I still rolled my eyes some and sighed a little over all of that.

The romance between Jade and Caine was fantastic and whenever Jade would try to get away and Caine would find her and take her back, I just adored that so much. She was fighting a losing battle and I loved that Caine was always there to remind her that he’s the one for her. She was running away from herself just as much as she was running away from Caine and I loved that he had her back no matter what. She had issues that she was working through, trust issues and Caine won her over completely and I was so glad.

I was glad because Jade was more than capable of taking care of herself but with Caine, she didn’t have to. I loved that he showed her that she wasn’t alone anymore, she didn’t need to keep running but if she did, he would run with her. Awwww, so cute. If you guys are looking for a sweet romance that will keep you laughing, this is the romance for you. To know Caine and Jade is to love them, I promise.

Buy the Book

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Final Grade

4.25 out of 5

Crown’s Spies Series

four-stars

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Can’t Wait Wednesday: My Favorite Half Night Stand by Christina Lauren

Posted September 19, 2018 by Rowena in Features | 4 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: My Favorite Half Night Stand by Christina LaurenMy Favorite Half-Night Stand
by Christina Lauren
Published by Simon & Schuster, Gallery Books on December 4, 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 400
Add It: Goodreads

From the New York Times bestselling author that “hilariously depicts modern dating” (Us Weekly) comes a sexy romantic comedy about online dating, and its many, many fails.

With a world-famous speaker at their university, Mille Morris and her four woefully single male colleagues make a pact that they’ll all find dates. Unfortunately, Millie has more success helping them make matches online than she does navigating the onslaught of lewd pics in her own feed. But when she creates a fictional name for a new account, Millie finds herself vying for the online attention of a man she sees every day in the flesh.

I really like Christina Lauren’s writing style. Their hate to lovers stories that I’ve read was a lot of fun and I’m hoping for more of the same with this release. I love the simplicity of the cover, the font used and the colors. Everything about the cover works for me because I can use my own imagination for everything and I like the text bubbles because I’m hopeful we’ll get a lot of text writing between the hero and the heroine. Fingers crossed.

Also on the long list of things that work for me where this book is concerned, I’m a fan of that summary.

But when she creates a fictional name for a new account, Millie finds herself vying for the online attention of a man she sees every day in the flesh.

A catfish novel? Yesssss, I can’t wait! This book comes out on December 4th and I have already pre-ordered my copy, have you?

Pre-Order the Book

My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren
Releases on December 4, 2018
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Google Books

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Throwback Thursday: The Lion’s Lady by Julie Garwood

Posted September 13, 2018 by Rowena in Features, Reviews | 4 Comments

Each week, I’ll be writing a review for an oldie but goodie that I’ve read through again to see if these books are holding up for me. I’m a different person than I was when I read these books, older and wiser (at least I hope) so I’m curious to see if books that I used to love can stand the test of time.

Throwback Thursday: The Lion’s Lady by Julie GarwoodThe Lion's Lady
by Julie Garwood
Series: Crown's Spies #1
Also in this series: Castles, Guardian Angel, The Gift
Published by Simon & Schuster, Gallery Books on March 1, 1991
Genres: Historical, Romance
Point of View:Alternating Third Person
Pages: 360
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Add It: Goodreads
four-stars

Christina Bennett had taken London society by storm. The ravishing beauty guarded the secret of her mysterious past until the night Lyon, Marquis of Lyonwood, stole a searching, sensuous kiss. An arrogant nobleman with a pirate's passions, he tasted the wild fire smoldering beneath Christina's cool charm and swore to possess her...

But the feisty and defiant Christina would not be so easily conquered. Mistress of her heart and of her fortune, she resisted Lyon's sensuous caresses. She dared not surrender to his love...for then, she must also forsake her precious secret...and her promised destiny!

After reading and loving Castles again, I picked up the rest of the series last week just for funsies. I went back and read The Lions Lady at work because it’s what I do and The Lions Lady is the first book in Julie Garwood’s Crown’s Spies series.

So this book follows Lyon, the Marquess of Lyonwood as he falls in love with the lovely Lady Christina Bennett.

From beginning to end, this book had me deep in my feels. From Christina returning to London and slaying the game to Lyon thinking Christina was like every other person before he really gets to know her to all of the intrigue surrounding well, everyone and then there was the romance between Lyon and Christina. I loved it all. Julie Garwood worked her magic with this book and I honestly miss these kinds of books. We don’t get that many historicals (if any) from Garwood these days and if we do, they’re missing the magic of her older books.

Lyon and Christina were a fabulous couple that kept me laughing throughout the entire story. Christina is nothing like you known before and she is seriously one of my favorite heroines. This conversation that Lyon has cracks me up every single time that I read it.

“Lyon knew she wasn’t aware she was being watched, either. She wouldn’t have eaten the leaf otherwise, or reached for another.

“Sir, which one is Princess Christina?” Andrew asked Lyon, just as Rhone started in choking on his laughter. Rhone has obviously been watching Christina, too.

“Sir?”

“The blond-headed one,” Lyon muttered, shaking his head. He watched in growing disbelief as Christina daintily popped another leaf into her mouth.

“Which blond-headed one?” Andrew persisted.

“The one eating the shrubs.”

Overall, there is much to love about this book and I highly recommend it if you’re in the mood for an old school historical romance that will hit every single one of your feels. It will make you laugh, it will make you sigh and through it all, your heart will be engaged. It’s good stuff so if you haven’t tried this one, fix that. You won’t be sorry!

Buy the Book

AMAZON || BARNES AND NOBLE || GOOGLE BOOKS || KOBO || THE RIPPED BODICE

Final Grade

4.25 out of 5

Crown’s Spies Series

four-stars

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