Shelby Williams has never had a boyfriend worthy of her parents’ approval. The ones she dated were either not rich enough, not well bred enough, or just not good enough. Her luck changes when she meets Tommy Edwards. With an IQ of about a billion, a sexy smile, and a personality as sweet as the treats he bakes, he’s a guy even her parents will have to accept.

Between the pressure of graduate school and a needy ex-girlfriend, Tommy Edwards has had enough stress to last a lifetime. But when he meets Shelby, his plans to stay unattached go up in smoke. Shelby makes him laugh, and the passion she stirs in him is hotter than an oven. She’s the only girl he’s ever met who likes him for who he is rather than just for his intelligence.

When Shelby’s parents take a shine to Tommy, she blurts out that they are engaged, even though they’ve only been dating for three weeks. Tommy is furious, but before she can set everyone straight, both families go into full-blown nuptial mode, including hiring a wedding planner and shopping for a dress. Tommy and Shelby need to figure out how to tell their families the engagement was fake without ruining what’s real.

Title: Right for Me
Author: Cindy Dorminy
Series: Unknown Series, Book 2
Pages: 291
Genre(s): Contemporary, US
Hot Buttons: /

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The premise of this book sounds right up my street - a cute, sweet and quirky romance that sounds like it’ll be full of laughter and likeable characters. Sadly, for some reason I just didn’t connect with the book almost from the first.

Our book kicks off right in the middle of a drama between one of Shelby’s friends and something to do with a secret baby. I now realise that this book is the second in a series and it slightly overlaps the end of the first book in the series (Left Hanging). Each book does stand alone, though - as you’re just given a tease of what’s happening with the couple from the first book throughout this one.

At first I thought that this was a young or new adult novel - and having enjoyed many of this genre recently, I wasn’t mad. Finding out that it was not, actually threw me for a loop. These people were supposed to be fully formed adults? I definitely got a young, juvenile vibe, particularly from our couple and the situations they put themselves in. It didn’t gel with me.

Now back to our main couple, Tommy and Shelby. They meet on practically the first page and have this instant connection that leads to Shelby ditching her friend Darla during what has to be one of the toughest moments of her life. Not good vibes for our heroine. Chicks before dicks, girl! And even then, the insta-connection felt a bit forced. They’re kissing almost immediately and I have to admit I felt nothing except a little turned off. We learnt so much information that I tried to understand what was important and relevant and the next thing they’re kissing. And then Tommy’s on some forced celibacy because of some girl from his past and then they’re having sex, but they're not really sure about each other, fake engaged, meeting the parents…

…I think that was my main complaint about this book. The writing is good and I could almost feel the author’s excitement about getting this story on the paper. However, I just felt there was too much information. I wanted the info dump pared back to just the relevant details and to get a little more understanding of why people were acting like they were. A bit more show and a little less tell, I suppose. Or perhaps just a simpler, more streamlined story without all that superfluous detail.

The book is a little under 300 pages so it’s an easily readable length. There are 42 chapters which may sound like a lot but they are short - and for the most part switch between the viewpoints of Shelby and Tommy. We’re in first person, present tense for this book.

As you can tell, this book just wasn’t for me. There were definitely good elements but in the end I found myself only reading barely a chapter a day and eventually skim reading just to get to the end. Having read the other reviews, the majority of people loved this story so perhaps I’m just extra grumpy this week! Not a book for me, but many have loved it so if it sounds like something you’ll love, give it a go.

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AUTHOR BIO!

Cindy Dorminy grew up on a steady diet of popcorn (the kind you pop in a sauce pan), Tab (pre-Diet Coke), and movies for teenagers. She can't let a day go by without quoting a line from one of her favorite films, so quirky dialogue is a must in her stories. When she's not at her research coordinator day job, Cindy is writing funny love stories, walking her dog, or slinging iron the old-fashioned way.

She shares her house with her musician husband and her awesome daughter. Cindy is a member of Romance Writers of America and Music City Romance Writers. She resides in Nashville, TN, where live music can be heard everywhere, even at the grocery store.

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UNKNOWN SERIES! 

 

         

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Always the caretaker, former Marine Reid Griffith wants to help his brother adjust to civilian life...and help other former servicemen. What better way to utilize their brawn, discipline, and charm than a moving company that hires veterans? But although Reid prides himself on being strategic, he certainly doesn't plan to fall in the spotlight of one brilliant—and beautiful—PR whiz..

PR expert Naomi Starr is determined to bring Vets on the Go! into the spotlight. But when she meets Reid, it might mean breaking her rule to never mix business with pleasure. Especially once she discovers that underneath Reid's sexy rough-and-tumble exterior is a vulnerable man who just might need what she's got to give.

Title: The Whole Package
Author: Marie Harte
Series: Moving' On
Pages: 352
Genre(s): Contemporary, US
Hot Buttons: /

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Marie Harte seems to be an author who writes a lot of different genres - contemporary, historical, menage, fantasy etc etc. Despite this, I’m pretty sure that this is the first of her books that I’ve read.

Sadly, this book didn’t inspire me to delve into her back catalogue. It really was missing something for me - and I’m sorry to say that I think that the something might be a plot.

The premise sounds fun and quirky - the main reason I picked up this book was because I love a contemporary romance that adds something a little different into the mix. A bunch of hot (obviously) veterans starting their own moving business? Yes, please! But almost from the very first, this book didn’t live up to my expectations.

I didn’t mind Naomi but she didn’t really inspire any great feelings in me - good or bad. But at least she was better than poor Reid who just seemed to blend into the wallpaper. His brother, Cash, was a bit more developed as a character but I really, really didn’t like him. I like a bad boy - especially one with a dirty mouth - but good God, that man needed to sit down and shut up. There were also a slew of other characters popping up all over the place but they were very one-dimensional and I neither cared for them nor really understood their relevance to the story.

But the main thing was that nothing really happened. Two people met, liked each other, got together, had a misunderstanding, overcame that misunderstanding, and lived happily ever after. I was waiting for something - anything - more. Yet despite the simple plot, the book seemed to go on for a long time. Other reviewers have called this a ‘slow burner’ so perhaps I’m just a little less patient than them.

There were times - a lot of times - in the book where I think Naomi was supposed to come across as a strong, independent female. Instead, she came across as an immature and hugely insecure girl. And even if that message had come across, Reid and Cash - and at times just the general dialogue - were misogynistic at worst - ignorant and tactless at best. It was creepy and left me with a grimace on my face as I read - never a good sign.

So, this book didn’t inspire any great feelings in me. Despite the things I disliked, I imagine that the book will fall easily from my mind in the coming days and weeks. Which means that I won’t be averse to picking up other books by Marie Harte in the future. This one’s not for me, but give it a go if you’re a fan, as I do note that there are many people who have very much enjoyed this story. 2 stars from me.

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* I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *

The Movin' On Series:

    

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When Sarah Westwood’s deadbeat husband deserts her and their young son, she takes a job at her family’s restaurant, The Three Chocolatiers, working with her famous chef grandfather and her pastry chef cousin, Paisley. Determined to never fall for the wrong guy again, Sarah vows to stick to chocolate and steer clear of men, especially her delicious ice-cream supplier, Blake Harrison. But when Paisley signs her up for a dating site, Sarah is soon engaging in a sexy online flirtation with a stranger.

Blake Harrison wants nothing more than for Sarah to give him a chance, but all she’ll give him is the cold shoulder. Never one to run from a challenge, he works on becoming the kind of man Sarah can’t refuse. And since he just happens to be on the same dating site, he’s not above using a little cyber-intel to worm his way into her heart.

When Sarah’s grandfather collapses just weeks before an upscale chocolate-themed wedding that could make or break the business, the staff of The Three Chocolatiers is sent into a tailspin. With the pressure rising on personal and professional fronts, Sarah might just have to let someone sweet melt her defenses.

Includes four recipes from The Three Chocolatiers Cookbook.

Title: Love & Chocolate
Author: Gail Cleare
Series: /
Pages: 217
Genre(s): Contemporary, US
Hot Buttons: /

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I’m a huge fan of chocolate and a huge fan of romance - it would be like Sophie’s choice if I had to pick between the two! - so I was a little surprised when I just didn’t take to this book. I tried really hard to get into it but it was obviously just not meant for me.

We start off well enough with Sarah and Blake and their obvious attraction for each other. The author does a very good job of setting the scene and painting a picture for the reader. But…that’s also the first negative that I found. We are given so much detail - down to the very minutiae of what’s going on at any one time (the crinkle of the packet for the dog’s biscuits, the smell of them, the slobber on the dogs chops etc) - that it lost some of the sparkle and I felt went off every which way just to build a complete picture.

Then came the online chats between CocoLvr and HotNCold. And I could not cringe any harder. I actually could barely read them it was so embarrassing. It was like reading your mum and dad attempting to sext each other. *Shudders* And having dated online myself, I can tell you right now that if anyone writes ‘how r u’ or ‘c u l8r’ etc etc - you shouldn’t have sex with them. And, for that matter, if someone messages you and the very first thing they say to you is ‘want to cyber(sex)?’ the answer should also be a resounding no. Have some standards, people. Good grief.

And after all that we don’t even get any good stuff when they get down to the (real-life) dirty deed. The door is closed. And locked. The front door is guarded by a snarling dog and the moat is filled. We got nothing. It might have saved the book for me - it might not. I guess we’ll never know.

Finally in my list of grievances, we have the story itself. Sarah and Blake like each other at the beginning of the book. So there’s very little story to tell. Oh sure, we’ve got Sarah’s grandfather’s heart attack (which happens so early in the book that I wasn’t emotionally connected enough to care about) and the running of the chocolate restaurant (which I don’t believe could have lasted 1 month the way it was described as being run) but this is supposed to be a romance and there just wasn’t enough there, in my opinion, to make this a decent story. And if the roles were reversed, and it was Blake who slept with Sarah then ignored her for 2 weeks, and then jumped to conclusions when he saw her with another man and called her choice names - I don’t think that would have gone down so well. And I’m not game for that kind of double standard.

There were also some confusing parts where I’m not sure if Blake (and his brother at times) were being misogynistic, if they were being funny or I was just overly sensitive. Just things like ‘she should have fallen for me by now - I’ve done everything I’m supposed to do’, ‘go to the bathroom and do the things you females do’, ‘Most women seemed interested in him - Sarah’s reaction was illogical’ — just language and actions that made me uncomfortable for some reason - especially in  a book (presumably) written recently.

Despite not really enjoying the story, I had to give the book 2 stars rather than 1, because I did get to the end - even if I was skimming through chunks here and there.

This book just didn’t hit the right mark with me, I’m afraid. Having looked at other reviews, it would seem that I’m very much in the minority - so if the you love chocolate, and the premise of the story hits the spot - then I would still recommend you give this a go. But still only 2 stars from me.

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* I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *

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They all said it wouldn’t last….

Sierra McArthur never could have imagined they were right, but ever since her husband’s world was rocked by a family secret, it’s clear that their happily ever after isn’t to be. But one last night of passion with her husband creates a lasting consequence neither of them planned on….

Or is it?

Carter McArthur doesn’t want a divorce. But he doesn’t know how to fix all the mistakes he’s made in the wake of his family’s betrayal. But when a surprise pregnancy gives them one last chance at forever, Carter is determined to make her understand, she’s not his bride by accident. She’s his bride

Title: Bride for Keeps
Author: Nicole Helm
Series: Big Sky Brides
Pages: 212
Genre(s): Contemporary, US
Hot Buttons: Divorce <-- highlight to reveal (may contain spoilers)

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I was a bit worried when I started this book as I’d (stupidly) read the reviews and didn’t want them to sway my opinion - I’m a bit of a sucker for a second chance romance, you see.

I shouldn’t have worried, within the first chapter of the book the characters had already convinced me, regardless of the other reviews, that this book was not one that I was going to enjoy. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever disliked a heroine more.

Carter is 31 and Sierra is younger. I didn’t catch her actual age (I did go back and try to see if it was mentioned but I just got myself angry all over again) but she acts like a spoiled, petulant child all throughout the book. I still wouldn’t have liked the book had Sierra’s character grown-up and evolved throughout the book - but she didn’t. She was a brat from beginning to end.

Here are just some of the ways that the author explained Sierra’s character and her relationship with her husband.

“…she usually threw a little fit, and he’d come after her trying to make things right. It was the pattern of their relationship. Sierra didn’t know that it was the best pattern, but it was always how they’d worked.”

“She’d thrown she didn’t know how many fits lately, and Carter had simply let her.”

“Her flouncing wasn’t even enjoyable anymore, but she didn’t know how else to get Carter’s attention.”

“Usually a good fit got his attention, pulled him out of all he kept himself caught up in.”

Honestly, I could go on.

Why would staid, stand-up guy Carter be interested in such a girl?

No really - I just didn’t get it.

And since this is a romance book, my intense dislike of Sierra and my scorn of Carter’s actions and feelings, made this book a complete dud for me. I’m sorry to say, I didn’t care if they got together at the end - or stayed together. I’m adding my voice to those that said that their marriage won’t last!

I did give the book 2 stars since I did force myself to the end - even if some skim-reading was involved. I also don’t think that the writing was terrible - it was just the subject matter, or more accurately, the characters and the situations they were in, that was.

Sorry to say - but I recommend that you avoid this book at all costs.

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* I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *

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It’s been years since June Bell shared a stolen moment with her girlhood crush, Kase McCasker. It’s been just as long since Kase’s father nixed the sale of the McCasker farm to expand the grounds of the Bell’s grand hotel. Now that Kase is back home for good, June might be the only person who can persuade him to reconsider the abandoned plan. But how can she face him again after he left her without a word?

Four years ago, unexpected news shook the foundation of Kase McCasker’s world. Escaping Falls Edge for college was the perfect excuse to chase his demons and bury his pain. Now, with a degree in hand and a void he can’t fill, he’s back in the little mountain town he thought he’d never call home again. Searching for purpose, he’s determined to put down roots and take over the struggling farm that’s been in his family for generations. 

Time and distance haven’t taken the edge off his preoccupation with June, the spitfire daughter of his father’s rival. He hasn’t forgotten their time together and all the things they did and didn’t do. One look at her has him reconsidering the future and making a dangerous deal to win her over.  Is a chance at her heart worth risking everything else?

Title: Misadventures of a Virgin
Author: Meredith Wild
Series: Misadventures
Pages: 224
Genre(s): Contemporary, US
Hot Buttons: Young People

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This book is part of the Misadventures series a set of fun, sexy and modern romances that offer a light yet satisfying read. Like all the other books in the series so far it stands completely alone and has a HEA. It is written in first person, present tense - which I felt jarred a bit at times - and is written purely from our heroine’s point of view except for a couple of instances towards the end of the book when it’s from our hero’s.

The book got off to an alright start. I like any kind of second chance at love, even if it’s two kids who liked each other when they were younger and now, as adults, they have a real opportunity to get together. And that, right there, is what my main problem with this book was. This pair, to my eyes, were still kids.

Almost from the start, when Kase and June saw each other for the first time in 4 years, they got hot and heavy with each other. We had no anticipation and no build-up. Then, it says that the pair didn’t even know each other back in high school - they had one encounter when they kissed and fondled and that was it. Hardly the basis for the obsession/love they seemed to feel for each other.

As I mentioned, the pair were young - 20 and 24. This isn’t in itself a problem except for the fact that it was clear in the pair’s actions that they were immature - especially June and to a lesser extent Kase. It was also clear that the author wanted us to know and remember that the pair were younger. June remarks about Kase, “Today…he looks like a normal college kid, in khaki cargo shorts, a plain white T-shirt, and sandals.” Maybe this would have turned me on when I was younger but now it just feels a bit wrong to be expected to lust after a college boy when I’m in my 30s.

I also had problems with the plot line and the ‘secrets’ that were presumably there to drive the story and keep the couple apart. It was slightly ridiculous but worse was the way that June especially reacted to the situations. She cried. And cried. And cried. I myself am an emotional sort and cry at the most ridiculous things but even I wanted to shake her and tell her to grow up.

In general the writing was alright - although as I mentioned above I didn’t much care for the writing being in the present tense. There was a little bit of flowery language and cliches going on which was a little surprising. We had ‘tornadoes of lust’, ‘gnawing hunger’, ‘velvet kisses’ etc. And with this being about a virgin (but not for long!) we had a few too many instances of “not being ready” etc for my liking. Luckily there were no mentions of flowers or maidenheads!

There was also sex here. I felt nothing.

Overall, this book wasn’t for me; I wasn’t a fan of much. Having said that (and all of the above!), perhaps I just wasn’t the right demographic for this book. I suspect it’s aimed more at the young adult / new adult market and sadly that’s just not me anymore. Only 2 stars from me but don’t dismiss this if you like the sound of it - I hope that others love it more than I did.

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* I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *


 Click to see other books by Meredith Wild