Operation: One Night Stand -- Christine Hughes

Blurb:

Caroline Frost had it all-until her boyfriend banged the superskank intern, and poof! Caroline's happy little bubble disappeared. Now it's been six weeks of weeping, a mountain of ice cream, and a permanent buttprint on the couch. Enough is enough. She and her ladybits need an intervention-now.

Enter Operation: One Night Stand: Find a man who is hotness personified and have some much-needed sexy time. The only problem is that Caroline is torn between a flirtatious, well-built guy and the ridiculously hot bartender serving her shots. This was supposed to be all fun and no games, but like the perfect scotch on the rocks, no good fling finishes without a twist. 

Review: 3 Stars

This book felt a bit like a Sex and the City episode -- close girlfriends, lots of alcohol, lots of men, explicit sex...you get the picture.  Parts were very funny (the gym scene had me cracking up) -- I may have woken my husband up while reading and laughing in bed.

To me, the book felt a bit rushed.  I think it mainly has to do with the lack of development of the relationship with the ultimate love interest.  I never got any warm fuzzies reading about them together because things just kind of happened and then the week after that cemented their relationship was kind of glossed over.  I think the development of that relationship was particularly important after the time Caroline spent with other men.  Maybe I'm just not used to reading about casual sex with multiple partners.  The ending also felt abrupt.

A free ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Single Game: Amanda Black

Blurb:

In this third, stand-alone installment of Amanda Black’s Apartment Novels series, sparks fly during a sexy party game.

When Eden Foster’s parents tell her they’re moving from Chicago to the Illinois suburb of Aledo, Eden is crushed. That is, until she runs crying to her jock boyfriend, who she finds on top of her so-called best friend. Moving’s not looking so bad anymore.

Now a senior at Mercer County High, Eden is ready to re-enter the dating scene. Still burned over the betrayal of her ex, she’s looking for someone sweet and innocent. With the help of her two new friends, Zoe and Amy, Eden makes a list of what she’s looking for: an eager virgin, ready for training—and no jocks.

Eden thinks she’s found what she’s looking for in Logan Black, a shy and geeky classmate. But why are Zoe and Amy convinced that the answer to her search is a party game…with kissing?

Eden better get ready, because she’s about to play the Single Game.

Review: 4.5 Stars

Once I realized where this book was heading -- falling for a shy guy -- I was all in!  Part of me felt guilty for being so invested in a high school relationship and the other part of me was too busy reading with a cheesy grin on my face to even care.

After a bad experience with an asshole ex-boyfriend, Eden was ready to find a good guy who is pretty much the opposite of her ex.  No jocks.  No manwhores.

"...I'm tired of smarmy guys who think they're all that.  I'd rather have someone who didn't know what he was doing, but was honestly willing to learn."

Well Eden, you're in luck.  I think I'm in insta-love with Logan.  Book boyfriend alert!

"He's not the kind of guy you play games with or try to outsmart.  He isn't looking to hit it and quit it."

There's something that is simultaneously nice but scary about meeting your forever guy early on in life.  "Nice" because you don't have to deal with the dating scene bullshit.  "Scary" because you're so young and everyone talks about how much you change in your 20s.  I met my husband when I was 20...We count our anniversary as the day we started living together (which we did within a few weeks of meeting each other).  There's more to that story...but it was a bit scary to think about all the ways that arrangement could go wrong.

This book is a straight-up romance.  Minimal angst and drama.  It's refreshing, if you're cool with a low-drama read.

I love this quote (and the fact that it actually originated from the author's husband):

"I feel like I won the million dollar jackpot the very first time I played.  Why would I keep trying to get something better?  There is no better. I'm not stupid - I know how to cherish the treasure I've been given."

Oh Logan - I love you....and Luke (the author's husband) -- if you inspired that quote, points to you too!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Here's to Falling: Christine Zolendz

Blurb:

Every girl has that one guy…that one guy who steals her heart and never gives it back.

We were all friends…until we weren’t.
We depended on each other…until we couldn’t.
We were in love…until we were ripped apart.
We moved on…even when we didn’t want to let go.

This is our love story.

Review: 4 Stars

Not an easy read by any means.  Most of the first quarter of Charlie's life epitomized the expression "kick them when they're down."  This book is inspired by real events and although it is not entirely clear which parts are fictional, there are a couple of heartbreaking "boom" moments that will stick with me well after I have moved on to other books. 

You taught me to be strong before I ever knew there were things in this world you needed strength for.

I think I need some light reading to recover from this one.

The author does an excellent job of weaving past and present along with dual POV.  I can't say I was thrilled with the time jump in the epilogue.  Selfishly, I feel like I earned a bit of present day love, rather than 50+ years in the future.  But, the character development was strong and there is no doubt about the connection between the MCs.  

Veiled Innocence: Ella Frank

I'm on a bit of a 'student-teacher relationship binge reading' kick lately.  What can I say?  Forbidden love is kinda hot!  When I saw Veiled Innocence, I was immediately interested because of the subject matter and the author (I enjoyed Ella Frank's Temptation Series).

Blurb: 

Tick, tick, tock.

Time.

That’s all I have now.

A small room, a photograph, and time.

They want me to trust them and confess my sins.

They told me they wouldn't judge me—they lied.

I thought we could convince the world that this wasn't a crime.

We were wrong.

Time doesn't stand still.

The clock keeps ticking, the world is unconvinced, and now…

Now he is gone.

Review: 3.5 Stars

This book started off a bit rough for me.  Although it can be formulaic, I kind of prefer when the student-teacher relationship starts with the two MCs being unaware of the other person's status (as their teacher/student).  This type of glitch relieves some of the guilt associated with the forbidden hook up.  In Veiled Innocence, the relationship starts after Addison walks into Mr. McKendrick's class and decides she wants him.  His struggle with the ethics of his feelings made it difficult to want to see their characters together.  It emphasized how wrong the relationship was and made Addison's pursual feel overly aggressive.  

I will say, however, that the book got better for me toward the end as the past and present storylines started to come together.  For a long time, Addison's refusal to speak (in the present) made it difficult to latch on to the story. 

One thing I didn't understand throughout is why the relationship was illegal.  Immoral, yes...unethical, sure...Breaking professional conduct rules, absolutely.  But...illegal?  Is it illegal (anywhere is the USA) to have consensual relations with an 18 year old?

Absolute Beginners: SJ Hooks

Blurb:

Professor Stephen Worthington's life makes perfect sense. 

He teaches classes on Tuesdays and Fridays. He has dinners with his parents on the weekend. He goes to the gym with his comically crass stepbrother, Matt, a few days each week. And every night, he heads home at a reasonable hour, alone.

There’s only one thorn in Stephen’s perfectly organized side: Ms. Julia Wilde. Never has Stephen dealt with a more unruly student. She’s rude, provocative, infuriating—and she dresses in a way that is completely unbecoming for a lady. Stephen can’t wait for the semester to be over, and then he’ll never have to see her again.

That is, until Stephen finds himself out of the classroom and in Julia's apartment. Suddenly, the student/teacher roles are reversed, and the professor receives a much-needed lesson between the sheets. Stephen thought his life made sense, but after his tryst with Julia, he finds himself changed in more ways than one. Maybe he’s coming down with something.

Or maybe, something a little out of the ordinary is exactly what this stuffy professor needs to really live.

Review: 4.5 Stars

Most erotica portrays the male MC as a highly experienced, extremely confident (cocky) lover that does all the right things at the right time.  Oh...and they're all hot and have massive cocks.  Shit, if my husband were reading about the female equivalent to that, I'd feel a bit insecure.

In the end, the books with normal guys or even guys like Stephen, who are a bit stuffy and inexperienced, drive the story lines that stick with me.  I loved the spin on the power dynamic in this professor-student romance.  You would expect the power to sit with Stephen, who is about 10 years older than Julia and her literature professor.  But when it comes to pleasing women (or even interacting with them), Stephen is the student.

I didn't get a strong sense of who Julia is, primarily because she is holding back in this "sex buddy" arrangement.  Basically, the reader learns that she is intelligent and, it seems, sexually experienced.  I am looking forward to learning more about her in the next book.  That aside, I really appreciated Julia's open-mindedness to Stephen's inexperience.  I think a lot of women would be impatient or turned off by a man who is so insecure in the bedroom.  But, with a little bit of a coaching, it becomes clear that he is a diamond in the rough.

I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book (read: I can't wait!!!).

Where the Sea Meets Sky: Karina Halle

Blurb: 

Joshua Miles has spent his early twenties spinning his wheels. Working dead-end jobs and living at home has left him exhausted and uninspired, with little energy to pursue his passion for graphic art. Until he meets Gemma Henare, a vivacious out-of-towner from New Zealand. What begins as a one-night stand soon becomes a turning point for Josh. He can't get Gemma out of his head, even after she has left for home, and finds himself throwing caution to the wind for the first time in his life.

It's not long before Josh is headed to New Zealand with only a backpack, some cash, and Gemma's name to go on. But when he finally tracks her down, he finds his adventure is only just beginning. Equally infatuated, Gemma leads him on a whirlwind tour across the beautiful country, opening Josh up to life, lust, love, and all the messy heartache in between. Because, when love drags you somewhere, it might never let go even when you know you have to say goodbye. 

Review 3.5 Stars

It's a good thing that I love reading about New Zealand.  I think the author's life as a former travel writer is pretty evident with this book.  At times, it took over the fictional story.  If I could redo my early 20s, I would get a work visa and live in New Zealand.  I spent about 2.5 weeks travelling around New Zealand and loved it.  But it was no where near enough time for me.  Closer to 6 weeks would be perfect, which is pretty consistent with the length of the Josh and Gemma's road trip.


I feel a bit conflicted about this book.  I have liked Josh since Love, in English.  Although he doesn't have all his shit together, he's a solid guy.  Both he and his sister (Vera) have kind of coasted through life, feeling disconnected.  They both were longing for connections to friends and family that is missing in their own lives.

My family may be tied through blood but the ties are weak and constantly unravelling. Suddenly, I think of Vera and can’t blame her in the slightest for wanting to form her ties elsewhere.

I loved the idea of him throwing caution to the wind and going to New Zealand.  Whereas I started off liking Gemma, I found it was difficult to maintain that throughout the book.  Like Love, in English, the relationship between the MCs takes a long time to fully develop.

After a while, I wasn't routing for Gemma anymore.  I was routing for Josh to find someone else who could recognize a good thing when she has it.  Rather than chomping at the bit to find out what happens next, I was just working on getting through the story.

But, it was really nice to reminisce about some of the places I visited in New Zealand (inserted are some of the pictures I took while travelling in New Zealand -- picture 1: Sky Tower in Auckland; picture 2: vineyard around Napier; picture 3: Lake Wanaka; picture 4: Milford Sound).  I also came out of this book loving Josh even more!

Love, in English: Karina Halle

Most of the books I read are new publications.  The challenge with the new reviews, I find, is that the ARC reviews tend to be mainly 5 stars.  I don't know if people who get routinely get ARCs are just very agreeable people who effusively rave about books or if they feel obliged to say positive things, but I often end up feeling like I've read a different book from the reviewed one.  After feeling ho-hum about some of the recent books I've read, I searched around on some blogs for something a bit older that has strong reviews.  That is how I found Love, in English.  

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Blurb:

He’s thirty-eight. I’m twenty-three.

He speaks Spanish. I speak English.

He lives in Spain. I live in Canada.

He dresses in thousand-dollar suits. I’m covered in tattoos.

He’s married and has a five-year old daughter.

I’m single and can’t commit to anyone or anything.

Until now. Because when they say you can’t choose who you fall in love with, boy ain’t that the f*#king truth.

***

To a restless dreamer like Vera Miles, it sounded like the experience of a lifetime. Instead of spending her summer interning for her astronomy major, she would fly to Spain where she’d spend a few weeks teaching conversational English to businessmen and women, all while enjoying free room and board at an isolated resort. But while Vera expected to get a tan, meet new people and stuff herself with wine and paella, she never expected to fall in love.

Mateo Casalles is unlike anyone Vera has ever known, let alone anyone she’s usually attracted to. While Vera is a pierced and tatted free spirit with a love for music and freedom, Mateo is a successful businessman from Madrid, all sharp suits and cocky Latino charm. Yet, as the weeks go on, the two grow increasingly close and their relationship changes from purely platonic to something.

Something that makes Vera feel alive for the first time.

Something that can never, ever be.

Or so she thinks. 

Review: 5 Stars

I loved this book!  First, I loved the whole premise of going to teach English in exchange for all expenses paid in Spain.  I spent a couple of months teaching English in Winnipeg. The weather was shit and the students were young (i.e., 'first time being away from home' kind of young).  I should have opted for something overseas instead.  

Second, the heartache of falling for someone in such a complicated situation made my heart hurt.  The age difference, the geographical distance, Mateo's marital status, Vera's stage in life, the list goes on....

On the one hand, I wanted to see Vera and Mateo together.  On the other hand, them getting together would be straight up infidelity, I don't care how miserable a marriage.  If you want to be with someone else enough to pursue it, end the marriage.  

I had hoped to get more of Mateo's POV because Vera's lack of self confidence didn't really allow her to present herself as a desirable person.  So, I didn't really understand what Mateo saw in her.  I also wanted to know how he felt when they first met and how that developed over their time at the school. There is a follow up book, Love, in Spanish, which is written from Mateo's POV.  Interestingly, it is more about what happens after Love, in English.