Review- Valentine by Samantha Young

Summary-

A special novella with six extremely sexy short stories from the On Dublin Street series so far. It’s Valentine’s Day and Joss & Braden, Ellie & Adam, Jo & Cam, Olivia & Nate, Hannah & Marco and Shannon & Cole are hotting up the streets of Edinburgh once more…

VALENTINE: An On Dublin Street Novella is a special gift to fans of the series in thanks for supporting HERO, her first standalone contemporary romance. 

(Free on Amazon, Smashwords)

Release date: February 12th 2015

Page numbers: 87

Review-

I have read and enjoyed every single book from Samantha Young's On Dublin Street series so obviously I HAD to read this novella. Firstly, its free and secondly I was extremely curious to see what all my favorite couples were up to in the present doing on Valentine's Day. Valentine was a good read.

We have extremely short stories going from each couple's pov in the order in which the On Dublin Street series goes including Ellie and Adam's novella. So the first one was of Joss and Braden and undoubtedly it was one of my top favorites. Seeing Joss and Braden so well adjusted with kids and one more on the way was a pleasure to read. They are still just as hot as they were in their book.

Then was Adam and Ellie's short story which was cute. Ellie was still the romantic and Adam the cynic but they love each other dearly. Cam and Jo's story was interesting. We get to see how the both of them are coping with the changes in their life. I LOVED Nate and Liv's story. They made a fun couple who still had fantastic conversations with each other.

Though Hannah and Marco's book was probably my least liked book in the series, I liked their story. They are one of the younger couples, still going strong. Cole and Shannon's story was probably the sweetest one and I loved getting updates on how things were going for them. All in all this was a pretty sexy novella and should be read if you're a fan of this series.

Review- Holiday Wishes by Jill Shalvis

Summary-

It’s Christmastime again in Heartbreaker Bay!

When Sean O’Riley shows up at the Hartford Bed & Breakfast for his older brother’s bachelor weekend, he’s just hoping to make it through the weekend. What he’s not expecting is to come face to face with the woman he lost his virginity to a decade ago—a woman he’s never really forgotten.

The last time Lotti Hartford saw Sean, she told him she loved him while he said nothing. Now, ten years later, she’s just looking for a good time. For once, she wants to be the wild and free one, and Sean – the good time guy – is the perfect candidate.

But as the weekend continues, Sean realizes that after a lifetime of being the hook-up king, he’s ready to find happily-ever-after, and he wants it with Lotti. But will she open her heart to him again? As Christmas sweeps through the little B&B, he can only hope love and magic are in the air.

Release date: November 7th, 2017

Published by: Avon Impulse

Page numbers: 128

Review-

Holiday Wishes by Jill Shalvis a holiday novella set in her Heartbreaker Bay series. I am huge Jill Shalvis fan and I have thoroughly enjoyed all the previous books in her Heartbreaker Bay series so I was really excited to see that we finally get to see Sean's story. I don't think it is necessary to read all of the Heartbreaker Bay books before diving into the novella but it definitely makes it more enjoyable if you have. 

Sean is Finn's younger brother whom we'd met in the first Heartbreaker Bay book, Sweet Little Lies. He used to reckless, out to only have a good time. But Sean has come a long way. He's grown up now and ready to take responsibility. One of which is being the best man for his brother's Finn's wedding. When Sean and his friends go to Hartford Bed & Breakfast for his older brother's bachelor weekend he doesn't expect to run into Lotti.

I adored Sean O'Riley. You can see that he's come a long way from where he was before. He was a stand up guy who took care of his friends and family. Lotti and Sean were actually together once back in high school. But Sean broke her heart and Lotti has a hard time letting anyone in emotionally. I found Lotti to be a sweet heroine. Her hesitations were valid but she was determined to make the best of the situation.

I loved the romance between Sean and Lotti. They had amazing chemistry and clearly they shared a connection. I also LOVED seeing all the previous couples. Elle and Archer remain my favourites and this short novella just makes me want to go back and reread all of the books again. If you enjoy Jill Shalvis books I'd say go for Holiday Wishes.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by the publishers via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Review- An Awfully BIG Adventure by Aniesha Brahma

An Awfully BIG Adventure on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Seventeen-year-old Yoshita Ray has stopped believing in happily ever after and fairy tales ever since her mother abandoned her. But now that her father’s married again, Yoshita’s world is turned upside down by her new stepbrother, the ten-year-old true believer, Tanay Mukherjee. 

On his tenth birthday, Tanay makes a wish which whisks them away to a magical land where all the fairy tale characters are real! While Yoshita wants to do nothing but leave this place behind, her stepbrother wants to stay. 

Will the rather unfortunately timed adventure tear the stepsiblings apart or will it play a hand in bringing them closer together? 

Join them on An Awfully BIG Adventure to find out! 

Release date: October 23rd 2017

Page numbers: 89

REVIEW: 

When my friend Aniesha Brahma contacted me about reading and reviewing An Awfully Big Adventure, I was quite excited not only to read the book because I have loved everything I've previously read by Aniesha, but also because the whole idea of putting the proceeds of the book straight into her venture, BUZZ Magazine (for which even I have contributed articles), was so cool. Being a fan of both Aniesha and BUZZ, I couldn't say no to this novella about magic and fairy tales.

An Awfully Big Adventure is the story of siblings Yoshita and Tanay, who grew up reading fairy tales. While Yoshita stopped believing in happily ever afters, Tanay is still a preteen and gets excited at the mere mention of anything resembling an adventure. On Tanay's twelfth birthday, the two have no idea what's in store for them when Yoshita's glass of juice spills on the carpet in their living room. From there begins a lovely journey of fairy tales and magic; basically, everything that Yoshita refuses to believe in and Tanay would give anything to be in.

As usual, both Aniesha's writing and storytelling was very well done. I'm not a believer in happily ever afters, but I do believe in magic and this book took me back to my childhood filled with adventurous and extraordinary stories of ordinary people. While this story is written for children, I don't see why an adult wouldn't have fun reading it because it does its work as a story: it provides and escape from reality and takes the reader on a fun filled journey.

An Awfully Big Adventure is a short and sweet story that's bound to leave the reader feeling content.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by Aniesha Brahma in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Buy the book: AMAZON (Guys, please help the lovely BUZZ Magazine!)

Review- The Cupcake Witch by Poppy Lawless

The Cupcake Witch on Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

They say the course of true love never runs smooth.
That’s nothing a magical cupcake can’t solve.

Julie

Buttercream. Vanilla. Fondant. Dark chocolate. Brown sugar. Molasses. Baking has always been my true love, but it wasn’t until my mother’s death, and the unexpected inheritance of Serendipity Gardens, that my bliss called me. Bittersweet. But Serendipity Gardens has more to offer than just a potential shopfront. An unusual recipe box left to me by a distant relative might be the key to unlocking my dreams.

Too bad the most powerful family in Chancellor has plans that could turn those dreams to ruins—literally.

Too bad the son of that powerful family is just the kind of guy I’ve been looking for.

Horatio
I suppose being heir to the Hunter family’s Blushing Grape Winery should make me happy, but nothing could be further from the truth. With my mother gone, my father has taken me under his wing, and I despise everything about the way he does business. Sour grapes, indeed. Instead of raising money for charitable causes, my true passion, I’m chasing my father’s manifest destiny.

Too bad his dream includes paving paradise.

Too bad the property owner is the sweetest woman I’ve ever met.

The Cupcake Witch is a stand-alone sweet romance and book 2 of The Chancellor Fairy Tales series. 

Release date: November 24th 2015

Published by: Love Potion Books

Page numbers: 106

REVIEW:

The Cupcake Witch sounded extremely intriguing because how could food- desserts, at that- and magic not make for a good combination? This book is actually the second in a series of novellas, but each of the stories can be read as a standalone. An extremely enjoyable read, The Cupcake Witch was a short, sweet and superb read. 

Julie lost her mother to cancer and so did Horatio. While on the one hand, Julie's dad is extremely supportive of her wish to start her own dessert and tea shop with an array of organic products for sale; on the other hand, Horatio's dad is very controlling and demanding and wouldn't have no for an answer. Julie and Horatio meet in a rather bumpy way, but once everything is understood between the two, the relationship between sweet Julie and dashing Horatio was the cutest. 

The Cupcake Witch is set in a small town where everyone knows everyone. These setups always give warmth to stories, and make them very welcoming. It was wonderful meeting the town folk and especially getting to know about the bazaars, festivals and entertainment there. Everything just seemed cosy and cute. The townspeople were so wonderful and seemed almost too good to be true. 

The most interesting part of The Cupcake Witch was the way the whole aspect of wizardry was introduced. Just when I started questioning the "witch" in the book title, I got the answer I was looking for. The best part of the book, however, was the many delicious desserts and food items that were described in a sumptuous and mouth-watering manner by the author, whose writing was somehow very pretty and her storytelling, quite magical. 

*Note: This book was provided by YA Bound in exchange for an honest review. We thank them for the book. 

Buy the book: AMAZON (IN) / AMAZON (COM)

Review- Help Me! by Donna M. Zadunajsky

Help Me! (Help Me #1) on Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A novella about a boy named Mick and his struggles with life. His parent’s divorce and a friend’s suicide make his world unbearable. Each “cut” has a deeper meaning. A cry for help. 
“I spin my dad’s Ruger SP101 revolver on the wood floor of my bedroom. Sometimes, just to see what it feels like, I place the tip of the gun against my temple, but I never once pull the trigger. NO!” 
“I’m more into the slice of the blade against my skin and the blood running down my arm.” 
“It relieves so much pressure.”
“And I can breathe again…”

Release date: January 2nd 2016

Published by: CreateSpace

Page numbers: 125 

REVIEW:

Help Me! deals with depression in a very simple and subtle way and helps in understanding it further. This is the story of Mick, who blames himself for his best friend committing suicide and from then on, he begins self-harming by cutting himself as that's the only way he can release all the pain he feels for a loss that he could have saved. This novella doesn't just deal with depression but many issues that the youth of today face- main one among them being cyber bullying. 

Stories like Help Me! are very difficult to write, but the manner in which author Donna M. Zadunajsky portrays Mick's life and provides a glimpse into his mind was very simple yet profound. She doesn't deal with the intricacies of depression and takes pages and pages to explain what it is and what it isn't. With the help of something she experienced on her own, she tells a very realistic, sad, very intense and short story about bullying and depression among teenagers and how there's always hope. 

For the purpose that Help Me! serves, it was very well made and extremely well written. It wouldn't be a surprise if this novella starts featuring in school libraries. In fact, it should, because it's not at all complex and complicated but it does its work in a very simple and easy manner that everyone will find easy to relate to and that will definitely end up helping someone who desperately needs help. 

*Note: This book was provided by author Donna M. Zadunajsky in exchange for an honest review. We thank them for the book. 

Buy the book: AMAZON (IN) / AMAZON (COM)

Review- Every Day and Six Earlier Days by David Levithan

Every Day (Every Day #1) on Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.
There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.

It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.

Release date: August 28th 2012

Published by: Knopf Books for Young Readers 

Page numbers: 322 

REVIEW:

After reading almost half a dozen books by David Levithan, I can finally identify and make out the author's writing style. Every book he writes is so unique, creative and astounding that it seems like it's a different person writing each time. Every Day was no exception. Once again, David Levithan has proved that he is the most brilliant contemporary writer of our times. And this time, he has shown that he is brilliant even when he deviates from contemporaries. He doesn't just write. He creates magic. Author Jodi Picoult is so right in her blurb for the book where she says that she didn't just read Every Day- she inhaled it. 

A book like Every Day is difficult to explain. It's easy to read. Easy to understand. Easy to follow Easy to live. But very difficult to explain. Reading this book was an experience that I wish to experience every time I read a book, but that's not possible. Because the magic that David Levithan creates is unparalleled and unbelievable. He goes so deep in the head of his characters that they start to seem more real than the author himself. He doesn't just create characters- he becomes them, and in becoming them, he takes the reader along and the reader becomes the character too. And that is truly special. 

I don't want to say that I was lost in Every Day. I want to say that I was found in it. I was left speechless by the end of it, and all I managed to get out was a silent but heartfelt wow once I closed it. It was so special and interesting to read about a new individual, a new personality, a new body, a new life but the same head. Every time. It never ceased to amaze me how intimate and magical it was. I thought I was reading this book because it as so well written and so well made, and it was only after I was done reading it that I realised that there's so much more to it than just that. It's a book that connects and touches people because one of the lives portrayed in the book could very well be the reader's life. 

Buy the book: AMAZON (IN) / FLIPKART

***

Six Earlier Days (Every Day #0.5) on Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In Every Day, New York Times bestselling author David Levithan presented readers with his most ambitious novel to date: Every morning, A wakes up in a different body and leads a different life. A must never get too attached, must never be noticed, must never interfere. 

The novel Every Day starts on Day 5994 of A’s life. In this digital-only collection Six Earlier Days, Levithan gives readers a glimpse at a handful of the other 5993 stories yet to be told that inform how A navigates the complexities of a life lived anew each day. 

In Every Day, readers discover if you can truly love someone who is destined to change every day. In Six Earlier Days, readers will discover a little bit more about how A became that someone.

Fans of Levithan’s books such as Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, co-written with Rachel Cohn, and Will Grayson, Will Grayson, co-written with John Green, will not want to miss A’s adventures in Every Day and Six Earlier Days.

Release date: November 26th 2012

Published by: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Page numbers: 47 (ebook)

REVIEW:

The edition of Every Day that I read came with Six Days Earlier, a prequel that has six chapters. I read the prequel before starting the book, so it gave me a glimpse into Every Day and the very unique and special life of A. It also helped me in knowing what was in store for me in the first book of the series. While on the one hand, Six Days Earlier was really nice; on the other hand, I do believe that it was slightly unnecessary, especially if I were to read it after Every Day, because the first time was sufficient. More than sufficient, it was enough. And it was breathtaking in every way possible. Giving me six chapters is great- I'll take it, but I'd rather start from Day 1 and never stop reading about A, because he is that intriguing, exciting, special, magical and unique. To sum it all up, if you are giving me more, I want everything, David Levithan; and not just peeks, I want the whole damn life of A. 

Review- When Our Worlds Collide by Aniesha Brahma

Goodreads Summary:

Akriti has led a pretty much sheltered life. 
Zayn has been shuttled from city to city when he was growing up. 
She is comfortable watching her life from the sidelines. 
He wants to feel rooted to a place he can call ‘home’. 
They meet each other quite by chance. 
And both seize the chance to be someone they both need in their lives: 
For Zayn, it’s a 'Partner-In-Crime'. 
For Akriti, someone who just knows how to be there for her… 
When their worlds collide, 
It is not what either of them expected it to be. 
Zayn has a steady girlfriend. And Akriti has a crush on him. 
What happens when these two become friends? 
The biggest adventure of their lives? Or the road to heartbreak? 
What happens when two completely different people collide? 
Do they become friends? Or, is their friendship doomed from the start? 
'When Our Worlds Collide' is the story of two twenty-three-year olds, Who are finally growing up and finding their feet in the world. 
A tale of friendship and love, crushes and betrayals, messes and second chances, 
Marriage and divorce… and the elusive happily ever after!

REVIEW:

You know that you are liking a book when you end up having dreams about it. That's reason number one why I like Aniesha Brahma's super sweet and wonderful novella about family, friendship and love, When Our Worlds Collide. True to its title, the book is about worlds colliding and not crashing, which made it so adorable, cute and yet, very meaningful and wise. Even though I love novellas and short stories, I enjoyed reading this story so much that I wish it didn't end or that it were at least slightly longer. 

Besides being a good and well thought of story with good and well developed characters, there are many reasons why When Our Worlds Collide ends up being a wonderful read. The story revolves around a cafe that's owned by the main female character Akriti's mother and that's practically run by Akriti. Cafes make extremely beautiful set-ups, so that right there is a major win. On top of that, Akriti was such a different (in the most positive way) character; she was true to herself, smart and a total sweetheart. Plus, she is a reader and writer. Now what's not to like about that? Her relationships with her co-workers Ayoub and the kitchen staff at the cafe were each fresh and very well done. 

Akriti joins a new school which she ends up leaving anyway, but during the short time she spends at this school, she meets Nimmi who she ends up bumping into her cafe and Nimmi now has a boyfriend, Zayn. Zayn's character was perfect in relation to Akriti as he helped her in more ways than one, and added to some major character development when it comes to Akriti. You know that you like a character when they are on the last page of the book, much better than what they were on page one. And not just Akriti, all characters in the novella end up learning from experience and turn into more beautiful versions of themselves. 

To avoid spoiling the story, I don't want to give out any more information about it or about the many other characters who end up playing important roles. What I can say is that all of them were portrayed beautifully and realistically. Speaking of relatable and realistic points, the ending of the story was beautiful. Now these are kind of endings I like, which aren't sugar coated just for the sake of it. So overall, I was very happy with When Our Worlds Collide. Aniesha Brahma's simple and beautiful writing combined with her wonderful story-telling make the novella an enjoyable and extremely sweet read. 

*A copy of When Our Worlds Collide was provided by author Aniesha Brahma  as part of the blog tour by B00k R3vi3w Tours in exchange for an honest review. We thank Aniesha for the book.

RATING:

Review- Count Your Blessings by Sharon Sala

Goodreads Summary:

Previously titled Color Me Bad, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sharon Sala dishes up Count Your Blessings, a contemporary romance piled high with love, laughter, and plenty of heart in Blessings, Georgia!

As the respectable wife of the town preacher, Patty June Clymer never thought she'd have to worry about a cheating husband. But when things come to a head, Patty decides to take charge of her life by kicking her no-good husband out her house, and getting a total makeover at the popular local salon. 

With a new spiky black haircut and a new outlook on life, Patty goes from mousy and meek to living large and in charge, and fairly starts a revolution in the small town of Blessings, Georgia.

REVIEW:

Sometimes, I go on a novella spree, and end up binge-reading novellas. When I picked up Count Your Blessings, it was one of those times. The novella is free on Amazon, and from what I have gathered, it was initially called Color Me Bad, and is an introductory novella to The Curl Up and Dye series. If the novella is anything to go by, the series will be fun and entertaining. 

This novella isn't a story as such, it's more about incidents that take place in a small town called Blessings. I love reading about small American towns as that gives stories a warm and welcoming touch. A place where everyone knows everyone, Blessings poses as a harbinger of gossip, especially when a brave lady named Patty June decides to take serious action against her cheating husband. 

My initial thoughts when I began reading the novella were that the story would be about salon owner, Ruby, but it turns out that it wasn't. Like I have mentioned previously, the novella is about a series of incidents that go from one person's point of view to another's but all in third person, which keeps it smooth. It doesn't get confusing at all, but I really would have liked to see more of the story taking place at the ever famous salon, because that was so much fun to read. 

The strong feminism that shines throughout this novella is admirable. But at the same time, it seemed like it leaned towards misandry at times. Keeping all that intellectual babble aside, however, Count Your Blessings was an entertaining novella that was a fast paced and extremely quick read. It would be really interesting to see how author Sharon Sala takes this story ahead, and I definitely look forward to reading it.

RATING:

Review- Something Beautiful by Jamie McGuire

Goodreads Summary:

America Mason, a sassy undergrad at Eastern State University, is in love with a Maddox--Shepley Maddox. Unlike his cousins, Shepley is more lover than fighter, but a road trip to her parents' home in Wichita, Kansas could mean the next step, or the end of everything.

REVIEW:

I hinted at a possible America and Shepley story in my reviews for Beautiful Disaster and Walking Disaster. I honestly felt that they were a sensible couple whose story had me curious. I was supremely excited when I first heard that Jamie McGuire would, in fact, release a book for them. What made me even happy was the fact that Beautiful Something wasn't a full length novel, but a short story or novella. 

While the storyline was a typical and predictable McGuire one, I did have fun reading Something Beautiful and it made me smile at the end. This isn't the most extraordinary story, which I wish it were, because like I said before, America and Shepley seemed to be very unique. Since we only had them as side characters until now, I was looking forward to seeing how they met and most importantly, how they fell in love. The latter was absent from the story, which was very disappointing.

From whatever I had read before, I was expecting America and Shepley to be these supremely different characters who would be nothing but fun to read about. Unfortunately, there was too much of unnecessary drama, which I have grown to associate with a Jamie McGuire romance. But then again, since I don't read romance on a regular basis, when I do read it, all I want is that ever famous escape for a few hours, and that's what Something Beautiful allowed me to do, so I can't really say that I hated it- because I didn't. I didn't love it either. It was just fine enough, and that's okay sometimes.

I'm waiting for a Jamie McGuire book that will blow me away like the Beautiful series did. What I love most about the author's books is that she believes Abby and Travis sell, and they do! It's so lovely meeting my most favourite book boyfriend and his family that I have grown to love, every time. It, however, disappoints me as well, because Travis always steals the show and the person whose book it's supposed to be gets sidelined. Anyway, Something Beautiful had too much drama and redundancy, but was a fun read in some places nonetheless.

RATING:

Review- The Ruby Iyer Diaries by Laxmi Hariharan

Goodreads Summary:

The prequel to The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer: This is a peek into the soul of an angry, young girl, who will come of age in a city on the verge of total annihilation.

REVIEW:

The Ruby Iyer Diaries is a prequel to The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer, a dystopian set in Mumbai that has been on my to-read pile since quite some time now. Most readers have been reading the prequel after having read the first full-length book in the series. As I'm always up for novellas and I don't like breaking links, I thought I would read The Ruby Iyer Diaries first as it gives us a glimpse into the life of Ruby Iyer. 

The Ruby Iyer Diaries is a collection of letters from Ruby, the main character's personal diary. These letters start from when Ruby was a ten year old school girl and go on until she turns sixteen and starts college. For a twenty odd pages short novella, this book is an enjoyable read. Ruby's convent school experiences took me back to my own school days, which always leaves me smiling and nostalgic, which is a positive point for me. 

As I have not yet read The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer, I cannot really say whether this novella is absolutely essential before starting with the series. I don't see why it won't be useful as it has helped me understand Ruby and it will make other readers understand the character as well. I suppose Ruby's family situation and the start to her kick-ass personality are well shown in The Ruby Iyer Diaries. I can't wait to see how Ruby stands up for herself in the future as well and what adventures she encounters. 

I can pinpoint only one reason as to why the novella won't be so useful and that reason is simple. Our teenage years are a mess. We don't grow up to be who we were back then. All of us change, for better or worse. So it doesn't really matter what Ruby did or how she was before, as her present is what will matter most to readers. Also, Ruby's voice seemed very mature to me as compared to her age. 

In any case, like I said before, his novella is quite an enjoyable read that has left me eager to start with the series. 

RATING:

Review- Magic Man by Lori L. Clark

Goodreads Summary:

After the one love of her life betrayed her, Saraya doesn't fall in love. She takes what she needs from her one night stands -- sex and the contents of their wallet -- but never lets them into her world or her heart. 

This short story contains swearing, sex and adult situations. Recommended for mature (18+) audiences.

REVIEW:

Mysterious. Intriguing. Sexy. These three adjectives describe Magic Man perfectly. For a short story that is barely twenty pages long (or short), this novella was very explicit and graphic in its descriptions and details. The summary is not deceiving when it says that the short story is suitable for a "mature" eighteen plus audience. 

Just like any other book by author Lori L. Clark that I have read and loved, Magic Man was also daring, dashing, disturbing and disgusting. As for characters, we have the female protagonist Saraya (such a nice name!) who learns how to mix money making and pleasure at an early age. We then have the sibling duo of Elsa and Elias, the former being Saraya's friend and the latter, her once upon a time lover. Elias seemed like the perfect hot bad boy, but only time will tell us more. Finally, we have the person behind whom this book is named- Magic Man. And Magic Man is very, very intriguing. I am a hundred and ten percent sure that there is more to the lives of the four characters we've met till now than Lori is telling us. 

There really isn't much more to say about a short story, but all I can say is that the twenty very hot and well written pages of Magic Man, that really interesting ending, and the promise of a "to be continued" have me really excited to see what Lori has in store for readers with this one. 

RATING:

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:

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: