October #ShelfLove Challenge: Bookish Gift Wishlist

October topic: Christmas is two months away! What books or bookish gifts are on your wish list this year?

This month's #ShelfLove discussion theme is bookish gift wishlists. When it comes down to it aren't all our wishlists pretty much the same? All the books to read and all the time to read them? :) But that's taking the easy way out so instead I'm going to share some of my favorite bookish reading rooms. Because if you're going to wish, wish BIG, right? ;-)

I'm not sure which I like more... 

the floor-to-ceiling bookcase or the pink chaise.  :)

Again, it just might be the chaise that I'm loving but even so 

those shelves are seriously impressive!

I have it on good authority that window seats are not nearly as comfortable as you might think but I don't care... this reading area looks super cozy.

This one looks incredibly cozy.

Does the spectacular view come with the room?

Because a bookshelf door that leads into a secret reading room is EPIC!

What's on your bookish wishlist?

The #ShelfLove Challenge is hosted by Julie and Lynn at Chapter Break, Terri at Second Run Reviews, and Brandee at Bookworm Brandee.

The Sunday Post #32

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's a chance to share news - a post to recap the past week on your blog, 

showcase books and things we have received, and share news about what is

coming up on your blog in the week ahead. You can find the info here:

Sunday Post Meme

My joy in last week's Sunday Post over the slightly cooler fall temps was short-lived. It was back in the 80's all this past week. *sigh*

Last Sunday I mentioned how it was the 25th anniversary of my first date with my husband. Well, two days later was my 25th anniversary at the company where I work. (Apparently 1991 was a big year for me. LOL) There was a presentation at the office on Friday with speeches and two of the former Board members (my former bosses) came and also spoke on my behalf. It was pretty overwhelming and humbling. I mean, standing in front of a big room full of people while nice things are said about you... yeah, overwhelming. :)

Lastly, congrats to the winners of Freebie Friday #04! I gave a hint in last week's Sunday Post that there would be more than one winner. Instead there were SEVEN WINNERS! :) So congrats to Brandee, Grace, Shannon, Nicole, Gen, Nicki and Lauren. Freebie Friday is going on a little hiatus for now while I build the book selection back up a bit. Thanks to everyone who has entered the giveaways! I have fun doing them and sending books off to new homes. 

Monday, October 24: On Monday I shared a review of Hard to Fall by Marquita Valentine. It's the fourth book in the Take the Fall companion series but could be read as a stand alone. I had a problem with the conflict that was resolved in the blink of an eye at the end but otherwise I enjoyed Hayden and Saylor's story.

Tuesday, October 25: This week's Top Ten Tuesday theme was a Halloween/Fall freebie so I went with book covers that made me think of autumn or Halloween or just generally fit the theme (in some way known only to me).  

Thursday, October 27: I finished the audio book of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda last week so when That's What He Said Thursday rolled around I knew I wanted to share a quote from Simon. I love the quote I chose and I had so much fun making the graphic. Definitely one of my favorite That's What He Said Thursday's. ♥ 

 

  

Finished:

The Deal - Elle Kennedy

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (Audio) - Becky Albertalli

Addicted to You - Renita Pizzitola

Current: 

A Thousand Boy Kisses - Tillie Cole

Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood (Audio) - Ann Brashares

PHYSICAL BOOKS:

I read an ARC of One True Loves earlier this year and was blown away. Definitely one of my favorites of the year. I decided I needed a hard copy... of course. 

One True Loves - Taylor Jenkins Reid

KINDLE BOOKS:

I've had my eye on this series ever since I read Him by Sarina Bowen (and Elle Kennedy) earlier this year. And with my friend Sarah recently gushing about it I went ahead and one-clicked all three books. I'm super excited to read these!

Bittersweet - Sarina Bowen

Steadfast - Sarina Bowen

Keepsake - Sarina Bowen

How was your week? Any new books? Any news to share? 

You know I want to hear about it! :)

That's What He Said Thursday #27

(graphic created by Kei at The Lovely Pages Reviews)

That's What He Said Thursday is a weekly meme created 

and hosted by Chapter Break. It's a fun way to share a quote 

from a favorite book boyfriend (aka male protagonist) to his girl.

For more info, visit Chapter Break here.

I just finished listening to Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli and I am completely smitten. I adore Simon and his story and the whole thing was freaking adorable (as Simon would say). So this week's That's What He Said Thursday quote comes from Simon - to the mystery boy he knows only as Blue. ♥

What's the best YA contemporary you've read lately?

Top Ten Tuesday: Autumn Edition

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme 

created by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday theme is a Halloween related freebie: ten scary books, favorite horror novels, scariest novels, books to get you in a Halloween/fall mood, etc. 

Since I don't read from the horror genre, and don't often reach for scary books period (I mean, come on, total romance junkie here - the scariest thing that happens in my books is an occasional love triangle), I'm putting my own twist on the theme and going with book covers that look like autumn/have autumn colors/or in some weird way known only to me make me think of autumn or Halloween. 

Red at Night - Katie McGarry

The red/orange leaves on the cover says autumn to me.

Go Set a Watchman - Harper Lee

The orange cover and the bare branches... totally autumn.

November 9 - Colleen Hoover

An orangey November is on the cover. Need I say more?

Until Friday Night - Abbi Glines

The combination of field parties and football just screams fall.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs

The book was way less spooky than I anticipated but still... 'tis the season.

Oblivion - Jennifer L. Armentrout

Oooh, look at the pretty fall colors! Who am I kidding? I just saw a great excuse to throw some Daemon Black in my list.

Rooms - Lauren Oliver

Orange cover and a freaky tree growing through a house... seems fitting.

Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo

This isn't supposed to be a creepy book (as far as I know, anyway) but doesn't that cover just look dark and foreboding?

Drums of Autumn - Diana Gabaldon

Do I even need to explain this one?

One Tiny Lie - K.A. Tucker

The leaf-covered road, a girl in a sweater and boots, the falling leaves... does anything about this cover *not* scream autumn?

Have you read any of these?
Do you read different types of books depending on the season?

Review: Hard to Fall by Marquita Valentine

Hard to Fall by Marquita Valentine

Series: Take the Fall #4

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: October 18, 2016

Format: Kindle

Source: NetGalley

Find it here: GoodReads | Amazon

Synopsis

As a hardworking, hard-partying firefighter, Hayden Walker values his career and his freedom. But as the eldest son of a U.S. senator, he agreed long ago to follow in his father’s footsteps and run for office, and that means settling down and marrying the picture-perfect wife. Hayden just isn’t ready for that sort of commitment . . . not with women like beautiful, curvy Saylor Dean—the naughty bridesmaid he recognizes the morning after his buddy’s wedding—tempting Hayden to stay single forever.

The unwanted love child of a well-known politician, Saylor has always felt isolated and alone, her only solace the animal shelter she runs in Forrestville. Then she meets Hayden at her best friend’s wedding. During their impulsive and unforgettable night together, Saylor feels desired like never before—only to wake up and find that Hayden doesn’t remember his drunken proposal, or their hasty marriage, or her. But when the truth comes out, Saylor finds it’s a lot harder to fall out of love than in love.

My Thoughts

In this fourth outing in the Take the Fall companion series, Hayden and Saylor take an unconventional path to happily ever after.

Firefighter Hayden Walker takes pride in his work and loves what he does. Among his friends he's known for his easy-going personality and his womanizing. Privately, he's feeling immense pressure from his father to leave a career he loves and instead enter the world of politics, something he has zero desire to do. With his father issuing an ultimatum, Hayden feels obligated to keep a promise he made to his father years ago.

Saylor is passionate about the animal shelter she owns. With a famous actress for a mother and a politico father she's never met, Saylor is happy to live a quiet life out of the spotlight. Her turn as a bridesmaid leads to a night with sexy groomsman Hayden. But she doesn't know what to do when a very hungover Hayden has no memory of their night together... or their quickie marriage. 

Hayden and Saylor are characters that were introduced in After We Fall, the third book in this companion series. I enjoyed both of them as secondary characters and was excited to see them get their own story here. 

Hayden was an alpha male without being an alpha jerk. I loved his openness with Saylor and his sense of duty to his father and family, even when it went against what he really wanted. I also loved that even though he made concessions with his father he did so with a sense of fairness and compromise and he was always willing to stand up for Saylor. 

As for Saylor, I enjoyed her quirkiness and that she didn't try to hide it or change who she was. She had a good head on her shoulders and while she didn't always make the best decisions, she was trying to do the right thing. Even though I appreciated Saylor's quirkiness, she had a way of technically answering questions without really answering and at times I grew frustrated with her. She was purposely evasive, although technically honest, and it often created unnecessary misunderstandings. 

I really enjoyed Hayden and Saylor's relationship and their willingness to see where things went and be open to the possibilities. Hayden, in particular, was so open to his developing feelings for Saylor and I loved the care and concern he had for her. It was easy to become invested in their story and see how they pulled together in tough situations. Despite a lightning fast, and unexplained, conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed Hard to Fall and hope there's more to come in this series. 

3.5/5 Stars

Note: This title was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

How do you feel when a conflict is resolved too quickly or without explanation?

Does it change how you feel about the story as a whole?

The Sunday Post #31

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's a chance to share news - a post to recap the past week on your blog, 

showcase books and things we have received, and share news about what is

coming up on your blog in the week ahead. You can find the info here:

Sunday Post Meme

Pardon me if I sound a tad giddy but northeast Florida is finally getting a little taste of autumn. This weekend has been positively glorious with temps in the 70's. Loving it! What's it like where you live?

Today is the anniversary of my first date with my husband. Twenty-five years ago today I met Robert at a Bennigan's for drinks... little did I know I was sitting next to the love of my life! Every single day since has been a blessing and a joy. My very own real-life book boyfriend. ♥

Thursday, October 20: On Thursday I took part in the cover reveal for Renee Carlino's upcoming release, Lucian Divine. It's already one of my most anticipated titles for 2017 and I can't wait for January to get my hands on it!

Friday, October 21: My fourth Freebie Friday offering was shared this week. I've been thrilled that there's been such a good response to these giveaways. I love sharing books with those that truly want them! There's still time to enter this week if you haven't already. 
**Hint: There will be more than one winner this week! :)

 

 

  

Finished:

A Court of Mist and Fury - Sarah J. Maas

Furiously Happy (Audio) - Jenny Lawson

Hard to Fall - Marquita Valentine 

Current: 

The Deal - Elle Kennedy

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (Audio) - Becky Albertalli

PHYSICAL BOOKS:

It was an awesome week for books! I received my October Bookworm Box, I placed a Barnes & Noble order with a gift card I'd received for my birthday last month, and my husband bought one for me. All The Books!

 

 

Off the Record - K.A. Linde

The Matchmaker's Playbook - Rachel Van Dyken

November 9 (Special Illustrated Edition) - Colleen Hoover

The Best Goodbye (Special Illustrated Edition) - Abbi Glines

The Lovely Reckless - Kami Garcia

KINDLE BOOKS:

Wrecking Ball - B.N. Toler

How was your week? Any new books? Any news to share? 

You know I want to hear about it! :)