WWW Wednesday #67 | October 31, 2019


WWW Wednesdays is a meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words.
Just answer three questions and share what you're reading.


Yeah, yeah, I know it's not Wednesday. But yesterday was insane and I barely had time to come up for air, much less blog. So I'll just pretend it's perfectly normal to post WWW Wednesday on Thursday. Why follow the masses, amiright? :)


WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?
I'm not too far into Bromance (about 25%) but I'm already enjoying it a lot. Gavin seems to be a sweetheart and wants so much to make things right. I'm wondering why Thea never spoke up over the past three years if she was unhappy but I'm waiting to find out more about her story before I pass judgment. ;) And my re-listen of The Others series continues with Etched in Bone. Monty's brother just showed up in Lakeside so things are going to hit the fan soon. He deserves what's coming for him!


WHAT DID YOU RECENTLY FINISH READING?
Cilka's Journey was so powerful. Some parts were so difficult to take in and process that I found myself reading only small bits at a time before having to set it aside for a while. The cruelty and inhumanity was shocking and made me heartsick. But there was also a strong thread of hope and strength and perseverance that was humbling. All We Ever Wanted was a totally engrossing story and I found myself listening at every single opportunity. The characters came to life (a mix of great writing + great narration) and the story shined a harsh light on privilege and morality.

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'LL READ NEXT?
   

I'm honestly not sure what I'm going to feel like picking up after The Bromance Book Club. Maybe an arc of Blitzed? Or one of my 10 Books to Read Before 2020? I'll figure it out when it's time.

What are you currently reading?
I wanna know! :)

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Top Ten Tuesday: Halloween Edition

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.
This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic: 
Scary Books I Read

The week is a Halloween freebie but even having it open to interpretation kind of stumped me. I'm not a Halloween person. I don't dress up, I don't watch scary movies, don't care for candy. So there's that. And I can't remember the last time I read a scary book. 

 But... there was a time when I did read the occasional scary book. Whether it was one from childhood that spooked me (no matter how mild) or something years later that truly freaked me out, there have been a few. I couldn't even come up with ten, but here are eight scary picks that made an impression.

A Haunting Air, The Voice of the Dolls, Down a Dark Hall
As a kid, all three of these spooked me quite well.

 Helter Skelter
Probably the only book to ever give me nightmares.

 The Shining, It, Bag of Bones
Stephen King is the go-to for scary and I went through a period in the 80's/90's when I read a lot by him. 

 Intensity
I read a lot by Koontz back in the 90's but it is Intensity that has always stayed with me. I almost had a heart attack reading this one.


Have you read any of these books?

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The Sunday Post #179


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

  • This week at the office about did me in. Every day was challenging and stressful and overwhelming. I can't remember the last time I was so happy to see Friday afternoon arrive.
  • The Husband was involved in a car accident Tuesday morning on his way to the office. No injuries, thank goodness, but the driver's side of his car suffered some damage. The other driver was at fault and was ticketed for the accident so his insurance is covering everything (repair, repainting, car rental, etc.). Mainly a big inconvenience but so thankful it wasn't worse.
  • I took a webinar course with Alessandra Torre on Tuesday evening. She focused on turning ideas into writing projects and it was super interesting.
  • It's the final few days of the October of Books Giveaway  so if you haven't entered yet now's your chance!
  • And now for this week's 80's music fix: "Only You" by Yaz (Yazoo in the U.K.) is one of my favorite songs. We're talking on top 10 list of all-time favorites, here. The music, the lyrics, Alison Moyet's voice... it all takes my breath away. Enjoy. ♥



WHAT I COMPLETED IN THE LAST WEEK:

        
Well Met - Jen DeLuca
All We Ever Wanted - Emily Giffin
Cilka's Journey - Heather Morris

Well Met was an absolute delight. I loved the mix of humor and emotion and the audiobook narration was perfection. I finished All We Ever Wanted yesterday afternoon and it was such an engrossing story. I found myself listening at every opportunity because I was so invested and had to know the truth. Then I ended up staying up until 11:30 last night (something I never do) to finish Cilka's Journey. I simply couldn't stop reading. It was a tough read, and there were times I had to set it aside because it was too much to take, but it was also humbling and inspiring and spoke strongly to the strength of the human spirit. Truly unforgettable.

WHAT I'M CURRENTLY READING: 
    
The Bromance Book Club - Lyssa Kay Adams

Well, currently reading is a stretch. It's what I'll be starting sometime today. And I can't wait! I know several of you have already read it and have been telling me that I'll love it so I am ready to dive in!


KINDLE BOOKS:
    

Eleanor & Grey - Brittainy C. Cherry






How was your week? Any new books? Any news to share? 
I'd love to hear about it!
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Review: Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren

TWICE IN A BLUE MOON
Christina Lauren
Publication date: October 22, 2019
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Format: eARC
Source: Gallery Books and NetGalley
3.5 Stars

GOODREADS  *  AMAZON

Sam Brandis was Tate Jones’s first: Her first love. Her first everything. Including her first heartbreak.

During a whirlwind two-week vacation abroad, Sam and Tate fell for each other in only the way that first loves do: sharing all of their hopes, dreams, and deepest secrets along the way. Sam was the first, and only, person that Tate—the long-lost daughter of one of the world’s biggest film stars—ever revealed her identity to. So when it became clear her trust was misplaced, her world shattered for good.

Fourteen years later, Tate, now an up-and-coming actress, only thinks about her first love every once in a blue moon. When she steps onto the set of her first big break, he’s the last person she expects to see. Yet here Sam is, the same charming, confident man she knew, but even more alluring than she remembered. Forced to confront the man who betrayed her, Tate must ask herself if it’s possible to do the wrong thing for the right reason… and whether “once in a lifetime” can come around twice.

M Y   T H O U G H T S

Christina Lauren has become an auto-buy author (duet) for me. I love their ability to develop characters that I connect with, stories I am invested in, and dialogue that rings true. I didn’t feel those attributes as strongly in Twice in a Blue Moon, but there were still aspects I enjoyed and appreciated.

The first third of the books takes place fourteen years in past. Tate, on a trip to London with her grandmother before starting college, meets Sam. The two connect quickly and Tate falls hard and fast, sharing things with Sam that are closely guarded secrets. When her trust is betrayed, she returns home to a life that has changed in an instant. No longer anonymous, Tate is thrust into the spotlight, eventually choosing to follow in her famous father’s footsteps and pursue an acting career. Years later, on the set of a movie that could catapult her career, she comes face to face with Sam and the past and present collide. Over a decade has passed but Tate finds all the old feelings are still there, but how can she possibly forgive and forget?

What worked for me:
I enjoyed the first portion of the book that focused and Tate and Sam together. The authors managed to make me feel that magical, exciting far-from-home feeling where anything seems possible, including a whirlwind romance. Tate and Sam were both such down-to earth, likable characters. I was shocked right along with Tate when her confidence was betrayed and was left wondering how Sam could do such a thing – and why? I loved that the chemistry between them was still alive and well years later and pulled hard for them to find their way back to each other… somehow. I especially appreciated Sam’s openness and willingness to put his heart on the line.

What left me wanting more:
The time spent on Tate working out her issues with her father began to feel repetitive and I found myself frustrated with her for continuing to allow him to push her buttons and leave her feeling so inadequate. Granted, I’ve never had such a toxic/complicated relationship with a parent, but Tate was not a child. I was a little annoyed that his approval was such a driving factor in her life as a woman now in her 30's. Beyond that, my main detraction is that overall it felt like not a lot happened. I don’t know if it was a pacing issue, my mood while reading, or something else, but at more than 350 pages the story seemed to amble along without a lot to move the story forward. Lastly, I really needed an epilogue. A glimpse into Tate’s future – both personally and professionally – would have done wonders in leaving me more satisfied.

3.5/5 STARS


Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. This does not impact my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary.

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WWW Wednesday #66 | October 23, 2019


WWW Wednesdays is a meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words.
Just answer three questions and share what you're reading.


How is it we're entering the last week of October?! This month is flying by. On the plus side, we're getting exactly one day of fall weather here. It dropped into the 50's last night (barely, but it counts) and today's high is a chilly 75 degrees. LOL Go ahead and laugh but I'm just thrilled that it's not 90. :)


WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?
All We Ever Wanted - Emily Giffin
I knew Cilka's Journey wouldn't be an easy read but oh my goodness... this is a tough one. Cilka survived almost three years at Auschwitz only to be send to a prison/work camp in Siberia. Knowing that there was a real Cilka and that this is based on a true story only makes it more heart wrenching. 

It's still fairly early on in All We Ever Wanted (I'm about 20% in) but I'm already invested in this story of privilege and entitlement, right and wrong, responsibility and blame.


WHAT DID YOU RECENTLY FINISH READING?
Twisted was a lot of fun and surprisingly angsty and emotional. Chase even managed to use my least favorite trope (miscommunication) and make it work. Twice in a Blue Moon was... *look around at a loss for words* It wasn't my favorite by CLo but it wasn't my least favorite, either. I was semi-slumpy so some of it was me, but it was partly the book. Overall I felt like not a lot happened. On the flipside, Well Met was an absolute delight. I loved Emily and Simon (along with Emma and Captain Blackthorne) and the audio version was perfection.

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'LL READ NEXT?
  
     
   

I have a feeling I'm going to need something on the lighter side after I finish Cilka's Journey and hopefully The Bromance Book Club will be just what I need to lighten my mood. Can't wait to dive into this one!

What are you currently reading?
I wanna know! :)

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Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Want to Read Before 2020

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.
This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic: 
10 Books I Want to Read Before 2020

I'm going rogue again this week.
Im ARebel Just For Kicks Singing GIF from Imarebeljustforkicks GIFs

 The theme is actually Books I'd Give Different Titles To but 
since that one isn't thrilling me I'm doing my own thing. Again.

Instead I'm sharing 10 Books I Want to Read Before 2020. (I could say "before the end of the year", but "10 before 2020" just sounds better, don't you think?)

Regretting You
Because a new release from Colleen Hoover must be read immediately

The Son & His Hope
Because I've put it off for far too long and I think my heart can handle it now.

What He Never Knew
Because The Guy Not Chosen (from the previous books) definitely deserves a happy ending.

Birthday Girl
Because it's time I finally read something by Penelope Douglas.

What to Say Next
Because Julie Buxbaum.

The Great Alone
Because Kristin Hannah.

Restore Me
Because I need a Warner fix.

The Family Upstairs
Because when I want a mystery/thriller I want it to be from Lisa Jewell.

The Birthday List
Because I've been dying to read something from Devney Perry.

Blitzed
Because I can't wait to return to the Playbook world.
Have you read any of these books?

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The Sunday Post #178


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

  • Wednesday was Boss's Day and, as always, I was stumped over what to do. I actually have three bosses (I report directly to the Board of Directors for the company). They won't allow me to take them out to lunch (they always end up paying so it defeats the purpose LOL), they're impossible to buy for, so it's always tricky to figure out something new and different. This year I went the simple route and apparently simple works! They loved it and were even taking pictures to share. :)
  • Yesterday I decided to decorate the front porch for autumn and would you believe that I could not find any autumn decor? Every store I went to had Christmas items stocked. Apparently I should have been shopping for autumn decor back in April. Gah! I did buy three pumpkins but that was about it. *sigh*
  • I came across this YA Book Title Generator and thought it was fun. Apparently my book title would be: Cake, Frida Kahlo and Other Reasons I'm Banned From the Library. LOL What's your book title?
  • Have you entered the October of Books Giveaway  yet? The winner gets a book of her/his choice. And there's not much better than a free book! :)
  • And now for this week's 80's music fix: It's been 36 years since In a Big Country by Big Country was released and I never get tired of hearing it. I love they way they make the guitars sound like bagpipes. And there's a lyric in the song that The Husband loves: "I never took the smile away from anybody's face." If you're able to say that, you're doing something right. ♥



WHAT I COMPLETED IN THE LAST WEEK:
WHAT I'M CURRENTLY READING: 
    
    
Cilka's Journey - Heather Morris
Well Met - Jen DeLuca


KINDLE BOOKS:
All My Life - Prescott Lane






How was your week? Any new books? Any news to share? 
I'd love to hear about it!
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Short Take Reviews: Fix Her Up & Twisted

FIX HER UP
Tessa Bailey
Publication date: June 11, 2019
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Format: Audiobook, 9 hrs 59 min
Source: Overdrive
3.5 STARS
GOODREADS 

After an injury ends Travis Ford’s major league baseball career, he returns home to start over. He just wants to hammer out his frustrations at his new construction gig and forget all about his glory days. But he can’t even walk through town without someone recapping his greatest hits. Or making a joke about his… bat. And then there’s Georgie, his buddy’s little sister, who is definitely not a kid anymore.

Georgette Castle has crushed on her older brother’s best friend for years. The grumpy, bear of a man working for her family’s house flipping business is a far cry from the charming sports star she used to know. But a moody scowl doesn’t scare her and Georgie’s determined to show Travis he’s more than a pretty face and a batting average, even if it means putting her feelings aside to be “just friends.”

Travis wants to brood in peace. But the girl he used to tease is now a funny, full-of-life woman who makes him feel whole again. And he wants her. So damn bad. Except Georgie’s off limits and he knows he can’t give her what she deserves. But she’s becoming the air he breathes and Travis can’t stay away, no matter how hard he tries.
M Y   T H O U G H T S

I can’t say that I was dying to read Fix Her Up, but I had been meaning to try something by Tessa Bailey and I’d seen several friends rave about it, so I decided to give it a go. This kinda/sorta friends-to-more romance was fun and cute and mostly enjoyable. What really made it work for me was main character Georgie. Loved her! She was an amazing heroine and the girl you really want to be friends with. She’s sweet and genuine, plucky and smart, and quirky without being annoying. She worked hard and was willing to put herself out there to succeed – both personally and professionally. She was continually overlooked and underestimated by her family and I loved watching as she began to stand up for herself and push for the respect she deserved.

Where Fix Her Up fell short for me was Travis – the, ahem, hero. Try as I might, I never warmed to him. I’ve gotta say, it doesn’t take much to make me fall head over heels for a good hero. I’ve got a big, squishy, romantic heart and it’s so easy to make me go all swoony for the love interest. So when I don’t, I feel like the author really dropped the ball. I can’t even pinpoint what it was about Travis that turned me off (maybe he was too alpha?) but I was not a fan. I liked the times he stood up for Georgie and supported her. I liked the ending. But most of the time I was decidedly underwhelmed. Oh, and the way he talked to Georgie during the sexytimes often left me cringing. (Side note: I just have to mention how much I loathed Georgie’s brother. He was a total ass and the ever so slight way he redeemed himself at the end did not change my mind. Few characters have ever enraged me like he did.)

I’m not sure Fix Her Up is really representative of Bailey’s usual style (I feel like he books are usually straight contemporary romance rather than rom-com) so I’m still interested in trying something else by her. I just hope that Travis isn’t representative of her usual hero. 
TWISTED
Emma Chase
Publication date: March 25, 2014
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Series: Tangled #2
Format: Audiobook, 7 hrs 2 min
Source: Overdrive
4 STARS
There are two kinds of people in this world: the ones who look first, and the ones who leap. I’ve always been more of a looker. A planner. Cautious. Then I met Drew Evans. He was so persistent. So sure of himself. He made it easy to leap with him.

Did you think Drew and I were going to ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after? So did I. But life is about choices, and Drew already made his. In fact, he tried to decide for the both of us—but you know that’s not my style. So I came back to Greenville, to spend some time alone . . . sort of.

Because old habits die hard, and sometimes you have to go back to where you began before you can move ahead again.


M Y   T H O U G H T S
I read Tangled several months ago and while it wasn’t my favorite by Emma Chase, it was still a good time and I loved Drew and Kate together. So I was looking forward to diving into Twisted for some Drew + Kate goodness. Only, Drew + Kate weren’t doing so great. And before I knew it things were falling apart, Drew reacted horribly, and Kate was leaving. Say what?!

If you know me at all, you know that my #1 bookish pet peeve of all time forever-and-ever-amen is the miscommunication trope. And had I known that was used here I might have skipped this one entirely. But I have to give serious kudos to Emma because she performed some kind of bookish magic and made it work for me. *fist bumps Emma Chase* I mean, seriously, not once while reading (well, listening) did I roll my eyes or bemoan the tired, old miscommunication trope. Nope, I was 100% invested and feeling all the angst and emotion. And I think it’s because the conflict didn’t hinge on the fact that the main characters weren’t talking. Drew and Kate did talk… it’s just that they were talking about two different things and didn’t realize it.

I loved getting Kate’s POV (Tangled was told solely from Drew’s POV). She was a strong woman while still being able to recognize her weaknesses. The supporting cast was even better here and several played important roles as Kate licked her wounds and tried to decide how to move forward. This was a great look at a relationship in flux and characters growing and learning to be true partners. The epilogue, which shifted to Drew’s POV, was priceless and made me excited to read all the bonus content available on Emma’s website.


HAVE YOU READ EITHER OF THESE BOOKS?
WHAT'S YOUR LEAST FAVORITE TROPE?

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WWW Wednesday #65 | October 16, 2019


WWW Wednesdays is a meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words.
Just answer three questions and share what you're reading.


Mid-October and it's still feeling quite summer-like in my neck of the woods. High of 87 today. *insert long-suffering sigh* A very short-lived blast of fall weather is coming, though. Tomorrow and Friday are expected to be about 10 degrees cooler. I'll take it! Never mind that it shoots right back up to 88 over the weekend... baby steps, my friends, baby steps. We're getting there. 


WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?

   

Twice in a Blue Moon - Christina Lauren
Twisted (Tangled #2) - Emma Chase
Yes, I am still reading Twice in a  Blue Moon. Yes, it's been two weeks now. I swear it's not the book. I really am enjoying it, it's just that I haven't been reading much at all lately. Just haven't been in the mood for some strange reason. It happens... and it'll pass... but for now it's slow-going.  

I've been listening to Twisted and I've enjoyed getting Kate's POV (the first book, Tangled, was all from Drew's POV). I'm in the epilogue now and while the all the rest of the book was from Kate, the epilogue has switched to Drew's voice and it feels like the perfect way to wrap things up.


WHAT DID YOU RECENTLY FINISH READING?
The only thing I've finished lately is my audio re-read of Marked in Flesh. Loved it, as always. So much happened in this installment and it's one of my favorites in the series. (Yes, I realize that I say that about every book in this series. LOL)

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'LL READ NEXT?
  
     
   

 Since I'm feeling semi-slumpy, there's no telling what I'll pick up next. I'm itching to read The Bromance Book Club but I don't want to start it if I'm in the midst of a reading slump. That would likely taint my reading experience of a book I think I could love. Chances are - if I'm still feeling slumpy after I finish Twice in a Blue Moon - I'll pick up something light and fluffy (brain candy) or re-read a favorite.

What are you currently reading?
I wanna know! :)

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