Showing posts with label Happenstance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Happenstance. Show all posts

Monday, July 13, 2015

Review- Happenstance 3 by Jamie McGuire

Goodreads Summary:

Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it all. 

Now that Erin has learned the truth about the girls who tortured her, and about the boy she loves, she finds her time before graduation dwindling at an alarming and exciting pace. What used to be summer break was now a countdown to her final days in Blackwell. Her parents, Sam and Julianne struggle with the fear that just when they’ve found Erin, they must let her go, and the tension is higher than it’s been since Erin discovered who she really was. 

Finally with the girl he’s loved since childhood, Weston grows more desperate as the summer days pass. He and Erin will go to separate colleges. His biggest fear is that this means they’ll go their separate ways. Plagued with making the best of the time he has left with Erin, and finding a way to make it last, Weston finds himself in a different state of mind hourly. He is just beginning to realize that hope is like quicksand. The harder Weston struggles, the faster Erin sinks.


REVIEW:

I have sincerely followed the Happenstance novella series, and each book has been pretty enjoyable. For really short Young Adult romance reads, that is exactly what you expect. On top of that, author Jamie McGuire, as all of her regular fan following already knows, tells really good stories. Happenstance 3 wasn't any different, but I didn't like it all that much, especially compared to the first novella in the series, which for me, was the best. The second one was good, but not that good. The third and final one was the same. I find that it was only in the first novella of the series that something actually happened, the remaining two were just an extension to an happily ever after that was going to happen in any case. 

Jamie McGuire has a knack for portraying independent, smart and genuinely nice female leads. Maybe that is the reason why her male leads sometimes seem as dickheads. I've said this before and I'll say it again, Erin was a really good protagonist and a good person as well since the beginning. We've seen a lot of changes happen in her life, but she remained herself throughout. Weston, on the other hand, wasn't as great as he first seemed to be. I started becoming less of a fan of his from the second novella, and in the third one, he was very dramatic and too possessive, especially for someone his age who has his entire life ahead of him. The whole family issue and presence made the story really sweet and warm and I appreciated that. 

I will end by saying that the Happenstance novella series has been enjoyable. I do not dislike the series or anything, but it's just that I know it could have been better. Nonetheless, as always, Jamie McGuire doesn't fail to give readers something to get lost in for the moment, and enjoy it. I highly recommend this series for those days when you're in the mood to read, but can't really pick something to read or even when you're experiencing the ever dreadful reading slump. Pick this series up. It'll make you cry sometimes but smile throughout. 

RATING:



Friday, February 06, 2015

Review- Happenstance 2 by Jamie McGuire

Goodreads Summary:

Erin Easter was now Erin Alderman, because Erin Alderman was dead. 

In the second installment of this USA Today bestselling series, follow protagonist Erin, a high school senior in tiny Blackwell, Oklahoma. After a terrible accident leaves two classmates dead, Erin learns that she was switched at birth. Shortly after, she moves into the home of her true parents, Sam and Julianne Alderman, transforming Erin over night from pariah of Blackwell High School, to the only child of one of the most affluent couples in town. 

Also being pursued by her childhood crush, Weston Gates, the dream she once had is now reality. But when Erin stumbles upon secrets that gives her the answers she’s been searching for, she also finds a truth she never wanted to know.


REVIEW:

I absolutely enjoyed Jamie McGuire's Happenstance 1. For a novella, it was an enjoyable and very touching read. For all the bitterness that was the protagonist Erin's past life, there was a jar full of sweetness waiting to be opened when it came to her new life. I was looking forward to reading Happenstance 2 because, like it is with most good novellas, just one short and tiny story isn't enough and you have to know more. 

Happenstance 2 was a good read, but just not as good as the first book. The first novella ended on a hopeful note and the second started on a very positive note. But towards the end, I felt like I had to know more. The storyline was a complete high school drama and I've read lots of those before, so there was nothing new plot wise. The characters, however, were really good and well developed. 

In Happenstance 2, Erin moves to her new home with her actual parents and leaves her shattered past behind. It was nice to see her adapt to her new and fancy lifestyle. I liked how genuinely surprised and grateful she was as a person. I liked her parents as well. I did think that the family- even with their messed up situation- was too perfect, but oh well, I'll take it. I wasn't as big a fan of Weston, the love interest, in this novella as I was in the previous. 

Like I said, the end of Happenstance 2 left me wanting more, but at the same time, I felt it was way too familiar and typical. I have no idea if there are more novellas in this series, but I would like to read them. Jamie McGuire tells good stories and I'm all up for more short stories from her, but maybe something that isn't like something I've read before. 


RATING:




Monday, February 02, 2015

Release Day Blast- Happenstance 3 by Jamie McGuire


We're celebrating the release of Happenstance 3 by New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jamie McGuire! 


TitleHappenstance 3
Author: Jamie McGuire
Publisher: Jamie McGuire LLC (February 2, 2015)
Cover Design: Okay Creations, Sarah Hansen


Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it all.

Now that Erin has learned the truth about the girls who tortured her, and about the boy she loves, she finds her time before graduation dwindling at an alarming and exciting pace. What used to be summer break was now a countdown to her final days in Blackwell. Her parents, Sam and Julianne struggle with the fear that just when they’ve found Erin, they must let her go, and the tension is higher than it’s been since Erin discovered who she really was.

Finally with the girl he’s loved since childhood, Weston grows more desperate as the summer days pass. He and Erin will go to separate colleges. His biggest fear is that this means they’ll go their separate ways. Plagued with making the best of the time he has left with Erin, and finding a way to make it last, Weston finds himself in a different state of mind hourly. He is just beginning to realize that hope is like quicksand. The harder Weston struggles, the faster Erin sinks.

Grab HAPPENSTANCE 1 & 2!


TitleHappenstance
Author: Jamie McGuire
Publisher: Jamie McGuire LLC (May 9, 2014)
Cover Design: Okay Creations, Sarah Hansen

Goodreads

#1 New York Times Bestseller Jamie McGuire returns to self-publishing with this page-turning YA account of Erin Easter, one of three Erins in the small senior class of rural Blackwell High School who not only share a first name, but also their birthday. Easter, raised by a neglectful single mom, keeps to herself and admires Weston Gates from afar. The other Erins, Erin "Alder" Alderman and Erin "Sonny" Masterson are the darlings of the community: daughters of the two wealthiest families in town, best friends, cheerleaders, and everything Easter isn't--and they never let her forget it. Alder has even claimed Weston since the 8th grade.

Weston is a well-liked star athlete, and the son of two prominent attorneys. He struggles daily with the pressures of living up to his family name and secretly empathizes with Easter's feeling that she belongs somewhere else; in a different life. Not until he begins sneaking nights out with Easter does he gain the courage to buck expectations and acknowledge his feelings ... both for his future, and for her.

A shocking tragedy rocks the tiny town, and Easter's life is turned upside down in the best way possible. But when the truth is revealed and everything she thinks she wanted falls into her lap, life only becomes more complicated.


TitleHappenstance 2
Author: Jamie McGuire
Publisher: Jamie McGuire LLC (September 2, 2014)
Cover Design: Okay Creations, Sarah Hansen

Erin Easter was now Erin Alderman, because Erin Alderman was dead.

In the second installment of this USA Today bestselling series, follow protagonist Erin, a high school senior in tiny Blackwell, Oklahoma. After a terrible accident leaves two classmates dead, Erin learns that she was switched at birth. Shortly after, she moves into the home of her true parents, Sam and Julianne Alderman, transforming Erin over night from pariah of Blackwell High School, to the only child of one of the most affluent couples in town.

Also being pursued by her childhood crush, Weston Gates, the dream she once had is now reality. But when Erin stumbles upon secrets that gives her the answers she’s been searching for, she also finds a truth she never wanted to know.

About the Author:



Jamie McGuire was born in Tulsa, OK. She attended the Northern Oklahoma College, the University of Central Oklahoma, and Autry Technology Center where she graduated with a degree in Radiography.

Jamie paved the way for the New Adult genre with international bestseller, Beautiful Disaster. Her follow-up novel Walking Disaster debuted at #1 on the New York TimesUSA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. She has also written apocalyptic thriller Red Hill, a novella titled A Beautiful Wedding, and the Providence series, a young adult paranormal romance trilogy.

Jamie lives on a ranch just outside Enid, OK with husband Jeff and their three children. They share their 30 acres with cattle, six horses, three dogs, and Rooster the cat.

Find Jamie at her website or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Tuesday, September 09, 2014

Promo Post- Happenstance 2 by Jamie McGuire

Hi, guys! I am super excited to be part of the promo post for author Jamie Mcguire's Happenstance 2, hosted by Autumn @ Wordsmith Publicity. I read and really liked the first book of the series. You can read my review for it here. I can't wait to read the next book! Let's see what's in store for you. 


We're celebrating the release of   Happenstance 2 by New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jamie McGuire! 


TitleHappenstance 2
Author: Jamie McGuire
Publisher: Jamie McGuire LLC (September 2, 2014)
Cover Design: Okay Creations, Sarah Hansen

Description:

Happenstance 2 is the continuation of Erin and Weston's story.

Erin Easter was now Erin Alderman, because Erin Alderman was dead. 

In the second installment of this USA Today bestselling series, follow protagonist Erin, a high school senior in tiny Blackwell, Oklahoma. After a terrible accident leaves two classmates dead, Erin learns that she was switched at birth. Shortly after, she moves into the home of her true parents, Sam and Julianne Alderman, transforming Erin over night from pariah of Blackwell High School, to the only child of one of the most affluent couples in town. 

Also being pursued by her childhood crush, Weston Gates, the dream she once had is now reality. But when Erin stumbles upon secrets that gives her the answers she’s been searching for, she also finds a truth she never wanted to know.
 


TitleHappenstance
Author: Jamie McGuire
Publisher: Jamie McGuire LLC (May 9, 2014)
Cover Design: Okay Creations, Sarah Hansen
Print Length: 100 pages
ASIN: B00JOPR0ZK

Goodreads

#1 New York Times Bestseller Jamie McGuire returns to self-publishing with this page-turning YA account of Erin Easter, one of three Erins in the small senior class of rural Blackwell High School who not only share a first name, but also their birthday. Easter, raised by a neglectful single mom, keeps to herself and admires Weston Gates from afar. The other Erins, Erin "Alder" Alderman and Erin "Sonny" Masterson are the darlings of the community: daughters of the two wealthiest families in town, best friends, cheerleaders, and everything Easter isn't--and they never let her forget it. Alder has even claimed Weston since the 8th grade.

Weston is a well-liked star athlete, and the son of two prominent attorneys. He struggles daily with the pressures of living up to his family name and secretly empathizes with Easter's feeling that she belongs somewhere else; in a different life. Not until he begins sneaking nights out with Easter does he gain the courage to buck expectations and acknowledge his feelings ... both for his future, and for her.

A shocking tragedy rocks the tiny town, and Easter's life is turned upside down in the best way possible. But when the truth is revealed and everything she thinks she wanted falls into her lap, life only becomes more complicated.

Book links:

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iTunes / Kobo / Smashwords

About the Author:


Jamie McGuire was born in Tulsa, OK. She attended the Northern Oklahoma College, the University of Central Oklahoma, and Autry Technology Center where she graduated with a degree in Radiography.

Jamie paved the way for the New Adult genre with international bestseller, Beautiful Disaster. Her follow-up novel Walking Disaster debuted at #1 on the New York TimesUSA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. She has also written apocalyptic thriller Red Hill, a novella titled A Beautiful Wedding, and the Providence series, a young adult paranormal romance trilogy.

Jamie lives on a ranch just outside Enid, OK with husband Jeff and their three children. They share their 30 acres with cattle, six horses, three dogs, and Rooster the cat.

Find Jamie at her website or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!


I hope you're looking forward to this book just like I am. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading! 



Monday, June 23, 2014

Review- Happenstance by Jamie McGuire

Goodreads Summary:

Erin Easter, one of three Erins in the small senior class of rural Blackwell High School who not only share a first name, but also their birthday. Erin Easter, raised by a neglectful single mom, keeps to herself and admires Weston Gates from afar. The other Erins, Erin A. and Erin M. are the darlings of the community: daughters of the two wealthiest families in town, best friends, cheerleaders, and everything Erin Easter isn't--and they never let her forget it. Erin A. has even claimed Weston since the 8th grade.

Weston is a well-liked star athlete, and the son of two prominent attorneys. He struggles daily with the pressures of living up to his family name and secretly empathizes with Erin Easter's feeling that she belongs somewhere else; in a different life. Not until he begins sneaking nights out with Erin does he gain the courage to buck expectations and acknowledge his feelings ... both for his future, and for her.

But when a shocking tragedy rocks the tiny town, Erin's life is turned upside down in the best way possible. But when the truth is revealed and everything Erin thinks she wanted falls into her lap, life only becomes more complicated.


REVIEW:

I was a little sad to know that Jamie McGuire wrote a novella that wasn't about Abby and Travis, but at the same time, I was very happy to know that Jamie McGuire wrote a contemporary novella anyway. I've been a fan of the author since I read and loved to bits Beautiful Disaster, Walking Disaster and A Beautiful Wedding, so obviously, I was pretty excited to read Happenstance, which for me, was an absolutely great novella that I ended up loving. Not as much as the Beautiful series, but I loved it nonetheless. 

Being a novella, I don't really feel the need to delve into the story as one thing will lead to another and I might just end up saying more than necessary. All I'll say is that the novella is both a light read and a serious story at the same time. There are aspects to it that will make one feel all cute and cuddly, and at the same time, certain aspects that'll make one feel disappointed and depressed. It's full of emotions and Jamie McGuire portrays her characters and their situations in such an impeccable manner that it's hard not to feel with them whatever it is they are feeling. 

When it comes to our protagonists, Erin, the female protagonist, was a really nice and sensible girl who has been through a lot and her tolerance and strength make her an amazing person. The hero in the novella, Weston, was an absolutely wonderful person whose company I thoroughly enjoyed. A sprinkling of other both fantastic and not so fantastic characters, the immense importance given to family and a warm small town set-up make Happenstance a very cute story. 


I would say that Happenstance falls somewhere in between Young Adult and New Adult, in the sense that it will be enjoyed by readers of both genres. The lightheartedness make it a simple and sweet read but the focus on self-identity and self-discovery appear to make it lean more towards a mature and serious path. Anyhow, all that aside, Happenstance is a lovely read for when you're in the mood for something light that has you thinking about it long after you put the book down. I'm looking forward to all that's next in the series 


RATING: