Tag: Week in Review

Week in Review (92)

Posted July 2, 2018 by Rowena in Features | 4 Comments

Bren and Ken are home from Utah and my niece Chach is back from Brazil. Everyone is here in L.A. to celebrate Chach’s return from her mission and while I’m thrilled, I’m also super tired. Aside from that, Bren and I have a bunch of stuff to take care of this week so that she can go on her vacation back to Utah for my sister’s husband’s family reunion. Lots and lots of crap to do. I am not looking forward to that.

Now, onto the books…

What I’m Currently Reading

The Real Deal
by Lauren Blakely
Published by Macmillan, St. Martin's Griffin on July 10, 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 368
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
Add It: Goodreads

Get ready for your next favorite romantic comedy, THE REAL DEAL!

April Hamilton wants you to know she hasn't been on Craigslist since that time she sold her futon after college. She doesn't even spend that much time online. And even if she did, she would not be looking up personal ads. But going home alone for her family's summer reunion is an invitation for every single relative to butt into her personal life. She simply can't handle another blind date with the butcher, the baker or the candlestick maker from her hometown. So when she finds the Craigslist ad for a boyfriend-for-hire, she's ready to pay to play.

Heading Home and Need a Buffer? I'm the REAL DEAL.

Theo Banks has been running from the past for years. He's this close to finally settling all his debts, and one more job as a boyfriend-for-hire will do the trick. He's no gigolo. Please. He's something of an actor, and he knows how to slip into any role, including pretending to be April's new beau -- the bad boy with the heart of gold.

Even if it means sleeping in close quarters in that tiny little bed in her parents' inn. Even if it means spinning tales of a romance that starts to feel all too true. What neither one of them counts on is that amid the egg toss, the arm wrestling, and a fierce game of Lawn Twister that has them tangled up together, they might be feeling the real deal.

She only wanted to show her family once and for all that she had no need to settle down.

He didn't expect to have the time of his life at her parent's home.

They didn't plan on loving every single second of the game.

But can a masterful game of pretend result in true love?

I’m starting the month of July with The Real Deal by Lauren Blakely. I really adored the cover and the blurb so I’m looking forward to jumping right into this book. Should be a fun one.

There you have it, my week in review. How was your week?

4 Comments
Tags: Books, Currently Reading, The Weekly Recap, Week in Review

Week in Review (91)

Posted June 25, 2018 by Rowena in Features | 2 Comments

It was another quiet week for me. I hung out with my bestie and my family, read some books, my nook tablet 7 was delivered and that thing isn’t my favorite tablet (too slow) but for $30, it’s not that bad though it’s not great either. *shrugs* I also attended a baby shower and a beach wedding, I was happy because we didn’t play any of those cheesy baby shower games that I hate and there was a taco lady so I ate all of the tacos. Yum. It was really good to see family that moved to Utah as just last summer, we were all together celebrating our kids graduating high school together. 🙁

Did you guys see the trailer for the movie adaptation of Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before? This trailer was my favorite thing that happened this week. The casting (especially the love interest casting), the movie itself, it all looks so good and I’m ever so hopeful that Netflix will deliver something way better than Passionflix has been putting out this year. Woo hoo!!

Now, onto the books…

What I’m Currently Reading

The Fragile Ordinary
by Samantha Young
Published by Harlequin, Harlequin Teen on June 26, 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Pages: 304
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
Add It: Goodreads

I am Comet Caldwell.

And I sort of, kind of, absolutely hate my name.

People expect extraordinary things from a girl named Comet. That she’ll be effortlessly cool and light up a room the way a comet blazes across the sky.

But from the shyness that makes her book-character friends more appealing than real people to the parents whose indifference hurts more than an open wound, Comet has never wanted to be the center of attention. She can’t wait to graduate from her high school in Edinburgh, Scotland, where the only place she ever feels truly herself is on her anonymous poetry blog. But surely that will change once she leaves to attend university somewhere far, far away.

When new student Tobias King blazes in from America and shakes up the school, Comet thinks she’s got the bad boy figured out. Until they’re thrown together for a class assignment and begin to form an unlikely connection. Everything shifts in Comet’s ordinary world. Tobias has a dark past and runs with a tough crowd—and none of them are happy about his interest in Comet. Targeted by bullies and thrown into the spotlight, Comet and Tobias can go their separate ways…or take a risk on something extraordinary.

I’m starting this book today and I’m low key excited to jump in because it sounds like such a good book. I enjoyed Samantha Young’s other YA book so I’m hopeful that this one will be another fabulous read. Wish me luck!

What I Read

More than Words by Mia Sheridan | DNF
Burn for Me (Hidden Legacy #1) by Ilona Andrews | 5 out of 5
Wicked and the Wallflower (Bareknuckled Bastards #1) by Sarah MacLean | 4.25 out of 5
One Small Thing by Erin Watt | 3.75 out of 5

So last week, I started More than Friends and was having a hard time staying interested in it. I was hopeful that the story would pick up so I’m really bummed that it never did. I just, I don’t even know how to explain why I couldn’t get into it other than to say that the heroine was boring and I could not connect with the love interest at all. I just..couldn’t so I put it down on Wednesday and moved on.

I read Burn for You for my book club tonight and I’m super excited to discuss this book with my book club because they better love this choice because I chose it..haha.

I also read Wicked and the Wallflower by Sarah MacLean and it’s the first book of MacLean’s newest historical romance series, the Bareknuckled Bastards series. It was good stuff. I’m looking forward to the next one for sure.

I finished up my reading week with One Small Thing by Erin Watt and finished that in one sitting. I stayed mad at so many people in the book, but I completely adored Chase so I kept reading to see how things got better and they did so I’m glad. I loved how firm the ending was. There wasn’t any of that make your own ending crap that we usually get from YA’s. I hate those.

Book Boyfriend of the Week

Wes Garrett
The One You Can’t Forget by Roni Loren

What I Reviewed

Burn for You (Slow Burn #1) by J.T. Geissinger | 4 out of 5
Set it Up (2018) | 4.25 out of 5
The One You Can’t Get Away (The Ones that Got Away #2) by Roni Loren | 4 out of 5

What I Posted

Week in Review (90)
Cover Reveal: Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry

What I Got

Bro Code by Kendall Ryan
Mister Tonight by Kendall Ryan
Consolation (Salvation Series #3) by Corinne Michaels
Floored by Ainslie Paton
The Love Experiment (Stubborn Hearts #1) by Ainslie Paton

What I Got for Review

Hard Sell (21 Wall Street #2) by Lauren Layne
The Accidentals by Sarina Bowen

This is me right now because I’ve got another Lauren Layne book to read…

There you have it, my week in review. How was your week?

2 Comments
Tags: Books, The Weekly Recap, Week in Review

Week in Review (90)

Posted June 18, 2018 by Rowena in Features | 6 Comments

This was my first week without Brenna around to annoy me and make me laugh. She’s in Utah visiting my niece Chloe and this little cutie…

She gets on my nerves so much when she’s home but man do I miss her when she’s gone. I don’t laugh nearly as much with her not around. *shrugs*

I did read a bunch of books this week and that makes me happy so let’s get on with that, shall we?

What I’m Currently Reading

More Than Words
by Mia Sheridan
Published by Hachette, Forever on June 12, 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 336
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
Add It: Goodreads

No one lays open the heart and soul quite like New York Times bestselling author Mia Sheridan.

The moment she met Callen Hayes, eleven-year-old Jessica Creswell knew he was a broken prince. Her prince. They became each other's refuge, a safe and magical place far from their troubled lives. Until the day Callen kissed her--Jessica's first real, dreamy kiss—and then disappeared from her life without a word.

Years later, everyone knows who Callen Hayes is. Famous composer. Infamous bad boy. What no one knows is that Callen's music is now locked deep inside, trapped behind his own inner demons. It's only when he withdraws to France to drink his way through the darkness that Callen stumbles into the one person who makes the music return. Jessica. His Jessie. And she still tastes of fresh, sweet innocence . . . even as she sets his blood on fire.

But they don't belong in each other's worlds anymore. There are too many mistakes. Too many secrets. Too many lies. All they have is that instinctive longing, that need—and something that looks dangerously like love.

I’m making steady progress on my review pile and this book is up. I started it last night and so far, it’s just okay. I’m really struggling with staying interested in what’s going on so I’m hoping this pick up soon. Wish me luck.

What I Read

Always Never Yours by Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka | 3.25 out of 5
Hot Single Dad (Book Boyfriend #3) by Claire Kingsley | 4 out of 5
Her Best Friend (Book Boyfriend #3.5) by Claire Kingsley | 4 out of 5
The Kissing Quotient by Helen Hoang | 5 out of 5
Ocean Light (Psy-Changelings Trinity #2) by Nalini Singh | 3.75 out of 5

This week was such a good reading week for me. I read all of the books but my favorite of 2018, so far was The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang. That book was such a good one and it’s a reverse Pretty Woman storyline which just..totally worked for me. I can’t wait for Khai’s book.

What I Reviewed

Sincerely, Carter by Whitney G | 4.5 out of 5
Coco (2018) | 4.5 out of 5
Making Up by Lucy Parker | 4 out of 5
I Flipping Love You by Helena Hunting | 4 out of 5

What I Posted

Week in Review (89)

What I Got

Save the Date by Morgan Matson
Hot Single Dad (Book Boyfriend #3) by Claire Kingsley
Her Best Friend (Book Boyfriend #3.5) by Claire Kingsley
Single Dad by River Laurent

What I Got for Review

The Governess Game (Girl Meets Duke #2) by Tessa Dare
Under Control (Boston Fire #5) by Shannon Stacey
Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren

There you have it, my week in review. How was your week?

6 Comments
Tags: Books, The Weekly Recap, Week in Review

Week in Review (89)

Posted June 11, 2018 by Rowena in Features | 2 Comments

Last week was for helping my bestie get her centerpieces ready for her grandmother’s 85th birthday party that was on Saturday and I’m really happy with our creations. That kept me busy for most of the week but your girl still managed to get some reading in so woohoo for me.

The party was a lot of fun and I was busy from the time I arrived at the party to after the party since I stayed behind to help the family clean up. I was a lazy cow all day yesterday because my feet hurt from being on them all day and night on Saturday but it’s all good cause that meant more reading.

Brenna and Kenna left for Utah for two weeks with the Colorado crew that came down for Therese’s grandma’s birthday party. It was a really quick turnaround trip for them. They came in late Friday night and left early Sunday morning. We had breakfast at the new Island Flavor restaurant that opened on Friday and enjoyed the heck out of our meal there…and then they turned around and went home. It’s all good though because they’ll be back in a couple of weeks when Chach gets back from her mission.

Now, onto the books…

What I’m Currently Reading

Always Never Yours
by Emily Wibberley, Austin Siegemund-Broka
Published by Penguin, Speak on May 22, 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher, NetGalley
Add It: Goodreads

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?

I meant to start this book last week but when I sat down to read, the book wasn’t on my kindle like I thought so I started another book instead. I’m about one chapter into this book right now but I’m hopeful that it will be good.

What I Read

Burn for You (Slow Burn #1) by J.T. Geissinger | 4 out of 5
I Flipping Love You (Shacking Up #3) by Helena Hunting | 4 out of 5
I Think I Love You (Oxford #5) by Lauren Layne | 4.5 out of 5
The One You Can’t Forget (The Ones Who Got Away #2) by Roni Loren | 4 out of 5

I enjoyed every book that I read last week but hands down, my favorite was I Think I Love You by Lauren Layne. Hunter and Brit were a fantastic couple and I ate their story up with each passing page. So stinkin’ good.

What I Reviewed

Airports, Exes, and Other Things I’m Over by Shani Petroff | 3.5 out of 5

What I Posted

I’m back from an unexpected hiatus so I didn’t post anything last week. Hopefully, that will change this week.

What I Got

Melt for You (Slow Burn #2) by J.T. Geissinger
Bittersweet Always (Gray Springs University #2) by Ella Fields

What I Got for Review

I Think I Love You (Oxford #5) by Lauren Layne
The Breakup (The Jordan Brothers #2) by Erin McCarthy

There you have it, my week in review. How was your week?

2 Comments
Tags: Books, The Weekly Recap, Week in Review

Week in Review (88)

Posted June 4, 2018 by Rowena in Features | 2 Comments

Work has been kicking my ass lately. Lots of covering others who are out on personal leave and it’s made my workload double and then triple over the last couple of weeks. I do all of my blogging from work so that’s why you haven’t been seeing me around lately. That damn day job of mine. Ha!

Have you guys been keeping up with the whole #cockygate thing? I can’t believe that it blew up the way that it did and the author is doing herself no favors and is showing no kind of care or remorse for her actions either. She’s crazy pants!

Chance and Cheridan are home from school in Utah and it’s been good having them home. Chance is our family nerd who is studying to become a lawyer and Cheridan is studying some kind of engineering at BYU Provo. We’re a close family and spending time together is something we’re always doing so in the last week, we’ve had dinners, we’ve hung out at home and we all went to see Avengers: Infinity War together. Needless to say, we were all shook at the end, Luke more than anyone else but we’re all really looking forward to the finale movie next year.

I’m especially looking forward to this…

and this…

Also? I don’t give a shit what anyone says…I ship this, sorry Bruce.

I also went out to Colorado for my nephew Kaleo’s high school graduation and that was a great break from my real life.

Now, onto the books…

What I’m Currently Reading

Burn for You
by J.T. Geissinger
Series: Slow Burn #1
Published by Amazon, Montlake Romance on October 17, 2017
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 348
Format: Audiobook, eBook
Source: Purchased
Add It: Goodreads

The marriage is fake. But for a sassy chef and an arrogant billionaire, the sparks are real…

Jackson “The Beast” Boudreaux is rich, gorgeous, and unbelievably rude to the staff at Chef Bianca Hardwick’s New Orleans restaurant. Bianca would sooner douse herself in hot sauce than cook for Jackson again, but when he asks her to cater his fund-raiser, Bianca can’t refuse, knowing the cash will help pay her mother’s medical bills. Then Jackson makes another outrageous request: Marry me. The unconventional offer includes an enormous sum—money Bianca desperately needs, even if it does come with a contract—and a stunning ring.

The heir to a family bourbon dynasty, Jackson knows the rumors swirling around him. The truth is even darker. Still, he needs a wife to secure his inheritance, and free-spirited, sassy Bianca would play the part beautifully. Soon, though, their simple business deal evolves into an emotional intimacy he’s built walls to avoid.

As the passion heats up between them, Bianca and Jackson struggle to define which feelings are real and which are for show. Is falling for your fake fiancé the best happy ending…or a recipe for disaster?

Holly and Ames have read and enjoyed the heck out of this book so when they recommended it, I readily agreed to read it…and then I just started reading it. I’m really enjoying it, like a lot a lot. So good.

What I Read

Rumor Has It (Real Love #4) by Jessica Lemmon | 4 out of 5
Regrets Only by Erin Duffy | 3.5 out of 5
Airports, Exes, and Other Things I’m Over by Shani Petroff | 3.5 out of 5
Hooked on You (Chicago Rebels #4) by Kate Meader | 4.5 out of 5
Speakeasy (True North #5) by Sarina Bowen | 4.5 out of 5
Making Up (London Celebrities #3) by Lucy Parker | 4.25 out of 5