Review- To Love and to Cherish by Lauren Layne

Summary-

Sex and the City meets The Wedding Planner in The Wedding Belles, a contemporary and witty romance series about three high-powered New York City women who can plan any wedding—but their own.

Alexis Morgan has spent the past six years devoted to turning her tiny start-up into Manhattan’s premiere wedding planning company, The Wedding Belles. Now that her business is thriving, it’s time to turn towards her much neglected personal life, and Alexis approaches her relationships like she does everything else: with a plan. Not a part of that plan is Logan Harris, the silent partner in the Belles, and the one person who’s been there for her since the very beginning. But Alexis needs someone fun, and Logan’s all business, all the time—except when a late night at the office ends with an unexpected kiss that leaves the usually cool and together Alexis reeling.

Logan has lusted after Alexis since the day he walked into the tiny Harlem apartment that used to double as her office. But the ambitious wedding planner has always been untouchable...until now. Alexis has made it clear that she’s on the dating market—and equally clear that he’s not in the running. But when Alexis finds herself in need of a date for her sister’s last minute wedding in Florida, Logan knows it’s the perfect time to show Alexis that there’s more to him than numbers and spreadsheets—and beneath the pinstripes and glasses lies a hot-blooded heartthrob. As Florida’s sultry days turn into even hotter nights, Logan’s out to convince Alexis that the fling of a lifetime could just maybe turn into forever...

Release date: October 18th, 2016

Published by: Pocket Books

Page numbers: 320

Review-

Okay so I'm a huge Lauren Layne fan and To Love and to Cherish was easily one of my most awaited reads in the entire Wedding Belles series. After falling head over heels for Josh and Heather in For Better or Worse I had high hopes for To Love and to Cherish but sadly all my expectations were not met. It was obviously not a bad read by any means. It was just that I didn't end up loving Alexis and Logan as much as I thought I would. It all felt a bit anti climatic to me. 

So let's start with Alexis. Alexis has worked day and night to make the Wedding Belles a success. She's had to make sacrifices for it but she knows she always has her work to go back to. There is security in that. When Alexis decides to date again she cannot see that Logan is right there for her. I liked Alexis. She's had to deal with betrayals which affected her more than she thought. But it was frustrating to watch her when Logan was right there all along. She just had to open her eyes.

Then let's move on to Logan. Logan is originally from England and has a thriving family business there. He's in the US working as an accountant while heading many businesses. Alexis and Logan have always had each others backs. Logan is a silent partner in the Wedding Belles and all he wants is to be Alexis's partner in life too. I liked Logan but as the book spans over a few weeks I felt he suddenly got way too impatient. I mean he waited 8 freaking years for Alexis without making a move. I don't know how he expected her to get on board in a few days when she was completely clueless.

Alexis and Logan made a good pair. They were one of those couples who were a couple without even realising it. Alexis obviously had issues to deal with and I could see that she was very stubborn. Logan was the perfect guy on paper but for some reason I didn't end up falling for him like I did Josh. I felt his impatience and frustration at times and I just wanted him to understand Alexis' side a bit more. Its safe to say there is a miscommunication between these two.

Lauren Layne's writing was impeccable as always. We get a wide cast of characters who are relevant to the situation. I also loved seeing Josh and Heather again. Seth and Brooke were sweet too. Considering this is the last book in the series I expected a broader epilogue containing all the couples. But that did not happen. All in all this was a good read but definitely not my favourite in the Wedding Belle series.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Review- Rightfully Wrong Wrongfully Right by Varsha Dixit

Summary-

Love is in the air again…and this time it’s steamy, bold and manipulative!

Gayatri, a rich, spoiled diva, is fighting to establish herself even as her tyrant father pushes her into a life not of her choice. Viraj is a genius and a con who shuns society and its hypocrisies.

Gayatri sees Viraj only as a means to an end. For Viraj, Gayatri is the epitome of all that he despises. So when their paths cross, it is a battle of feisty wills and desire.

Will Gayatri and Viraj prove to be each other’s salvation or annihilation?

From the best-selling author of Right Fit Wrong Shoe and Wrong Means Right End comes Rightfully Wrong Wrongfully Right. All the unforgettable characters of the earlier two bestsellers make a comeback in this unforgettable story of hurt, hearts and hope.

This is a tumultuous journey of two Wrongs who might just make everything Right! 

Release date: August 1st, 2016

Published by: Rupa Publications India

Page numbers: 288

Review-

I haven't read any book by Varsha Dixit so Rightfully Wrong Wrongfully Right was my first read from her. It came recommended and I have to admit I took my time getting to it. I'm just going to come out and say this. I was pleasantly surprised my how much I enjoyed the book. I practically flew through the book, easily flipping through the pages. It was just such an easy and engaging read for me.

So Rightfully Wrong Wrongfully Right is the story of Gayatri and Viraj. Let's start with Gayatri. At first, Gayatri comes off as a spoiled rich girl blowing off her father's money. But soon we get to see the real story behind her facade. I always love a good redemption story and Gayatri completely redeemed herself by the end of the book. We could see that she had some nasty history with the remaining cast of characters but she makes up for it. Gayatri was a strong, independent woman with vulnerabilities.

Viraj on the other hand has had a horrible childhood with an abusive father. He learned soon to shield his real self from the world and portray only what he wanted. Viraj is what others like to call the Mad Scientist and he is definitely a workaholic. But he needs Gayatri's help for his social life and they both soon strike a deal. I liked Viraj and how he cared for Gayatri in his own way. Viraj was also very helpful as a person and we got to see that. 

I liked the way Viraj and Gayatri's relationship progresses. First they start off by trying to benefit off of each other. Then they turn into real friends and soon they are falling hard for each other without them realising it. Gayatri and Viraj may look like total opposites from the outside but they were more alike than you may think. Plus they both were actually quite compatible as a couple.

Along with Gayatri and Viraj we also get to see the couples from the previous two books. Nandini and Sneha are two meddling friends but their hearts are always in the right place. I have to admit after seeing the couples I am curious to go back and read the previous books to see how their stories went. Varsha Dixit's writing is truly engaging and well paced. There were a few errors but they were negligible. Another thing to note is that this book has generous dashes of Hindi. Some may not like that but I think it made it authentic for this book. Overall, I enjoyed Rightfully Wrong Wrongfully Right.

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

Review- This Book is Gay by James Dawson

This Book is Gay on Goodreads

Hi, everyone! As this book is LGBT, I'm putting it under The Literary Others: An LGBT Reading Event, hosted by the lovely Adam @ Roof Beam Reader. 

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Former PSHCE teacher and acclaimed YA author James Dawson gives an uncensored look at what it's like to grow up as LGBT. Including testimonials from people 'across the spectrum', this inclusive book explores everything anyone who ever dared to wonder wants to know - from sex to politics, how to pull, stereotypes, how to come-out and more. Spike Gerrell's hilarious illustrations combined with funny and factual text make this a must-have read.

Release date: September 4th 2-14

Published by: Hot Key Books

Page numbers: 271

REVIEW: 

The prospect of a book being both informative and fun at once always seemed odd to me, until I started reading This Book is Gay. The book is packed with information and you know what the best part is? It's fun. Fun, in the sense that it'll literally make you laugh out loud at some instances and also in the sense that for a non-fiction book (pardon my stereotyping), it is not boring at all, so that makes it kinda fun. This Book is Gay is such a good book.

There is so much to learn from this book, and not just in the sense that it will clear misconceptions and make you more aware of everything, but I honestly feel that the book should be used as a handbook or guide to know about homosexuality because it literally has everything you need to know. This book is not just for the LGBTQ community, but I feel it is for everyone because when homosexuals are forced to learn about heterosexuality, why shouldn't heterosexuals know about homosexuality? We're all humans, and for that sole reason, we need to know about fellow humans. And perhaps to be more understanding as well. Simple as that.

This Book is Gay is such a good, informative and fun read in which author James Dawson explains and shares as much as he can and as much as he has researched on LGBTQ. With illustrations, tables and even space to write some stuff, this book is so well done and well made. Some of the illustrations are extremely hilarious, and some of the questions that the author asks are so good that they really need thinking.

I would highly, highly recommend this book, because it'll make you a little wiser and a lot more accepting, hopefully.

Buy the book: AMAZON/ FLIPKART

Release Week Blitz: Excerpt + Giveaway- Honor by Jay Crownover

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jay Crownover returns with her most complicated hero yet, in the first book in the romantic suspense series The Breaking Point.

Don’t be fooled.

Don’t make excuses for me.

I am not a good man.

I’ve seen things no one should, done things no one should talk about. Honor and conscience have no place in my life. But I’ve fought and I’ve survived. I’ve had to.

The first time I saw her dancing on that seedy stage in that second rate club, I felt my heart pulse for the first time. Keelyn Foster was too young, too vibrant for this place, and I knew in an instant that I would make her mine. But first I had to climb my way to the top. I had to have something more to offer her.

I’m here now, money is no object and I have no equal. Except for her. She’s disappeared. But don’t worry, I will find her and claim her. She will be mine.

Like I said, don’t be fooled. I am not the devil in disguise… I’m the one standing front and center.

Order HONOR in ebook or paperback, releasing 10/18/16

Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Amazon UK | Amazon Canada | Amazon Australia

Add to your Goodreads

EXCERPT:

KEELYN

              Maybe if I hadn’t spent the last six months slinging pancakes and greasy hash to hungover hipsters and avoiding the too-curious eyes of the cops who like to hit up the diner for early-morning breakfast, I would have noticed the ominous shift in the air.

              Before I came to Denver six months ago, my senses had been honed to pick up on the slightest threat. Before, anything that might be dangerous, that might put me in peril, had made my skin tingle, made everything inside of me vibrate with awareness. Now I had settled into a simple, dreary rhythm. Every day was the same as the one before it and there was no outside threat constantly hounding me, hunting me, haunting me. I let my guard down. I had gone soft, and as a result the biggest danger of them all managed to slip into my new normal without giving any kind of hint he was there.

              My nonslip shoe—that were probably the ugliest things ever made but absolutely necessary considering the greasy food the tiny kitchen pumped out—squeaked on the laminate floor as I made my way over to the lone patron who had taken the last available seat in my section. The massive plastic menu completely covered his face, but the Rolex on his wrist and the perfect cut of his suit jacket let me know he wasn’t my typical kind of customer. There wasn’t a flannel shirt or police blues in sight, and as I got closer, a whiff of something exotic and familiar engulfed my senses and stopped me in my tracks. Of all the things I had left behind, he was the one I had tried hardest to forget.

              The tingling across my skin spread. My tummy tightened. Blood rushed loudly between my ears. My shaking fingers curled around the pen in my hand like a weapon. Before I could pull it together and walk away, the menu lowered and I was pinned to the spot, immobilized by eyes the color of spice rum.

              They were wicked eyes. Eyes that saw far too much and gave nothing away. Eyes I daydreamed about. Eyes that caused me to wake up in a cold sweat. Eyes that turned me inside out and shook me up as they made a slow perusal from the top of my head to the tips of my god-awful shoes, returning to my face and staying there as I struggled to keep my shit together.

              He slowly put the menu down on the cracked tabletop and leaned back in the booth. He was strikingly out of place here and I absolutely hated how that sexy twist of his mouth, a mouth that I dreamed about almost every night, made my traitorous heart flutter and my pulse kick.

              I was also strikingly out of place here, but I’d learned to fake it. He, obviously, never bothered to fake anything. He wasn’t a man with virtuous intentions and he never pretended to be.

              Gone were the mile-high stilettos that I always wore. In their place I now donned work shoes that prevented me from falling on my ass as I ran food and dirty dishes to and from the kitchen. I was hiding in plain sight, knowing that the last place on earth anyone who might come looking for me would check out would be this greasy spoon. This was the opposite of me and the life I had always lived, so even though I could afford better, craved more, this was where I needed to be…until he showed up.

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY (Open International):

     

a Rafflecopter giveaway

AND THE LINK: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/OTE3MmMxYTA5NWI0YjhkMjZkNWU0YzM1M2E1YzU2OjM0Mw==/?

About Jay Crownover:

Jay Crownover is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men, The Point,and the Saints of Denver series. Like her characters, she is a big fan of tattoos. She loves music and wishes she could be a rock star, but since she has no aptitude for singing or instrument playing, she’ll settle for writing stories with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. She lives in Colorado with her three dogs.        

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

Review- Honor by Jay Crownover

Summary-

Don't be fooled.

Don't make excuses for me.

I am not a good man.

I've seen things no one should, done things no one should talk about. Honor and conscience have no place in my life. But I've fought and I've survived. I've had to.

The first time I saw her dancing on that seedy stage in that second rate club, I felt my heart pulse for the first time. Keelyn Foster was too young, too vibrant for this place, and I knew in an instant that I would make her mine. But first I had to climb my way to the top. I had to have something more to offer her.

I'm here now, money is no object and I have no equal. Except for her. She's disappeared. But don't worry, I will find her and claim her. She will be mine.

Like I said, don't be fooled. I am not the devil in disguise… I'm the one front and center.

Release date: October 18th, 2016

Published by: William Morrow

Page numbers: 368

Review-

Honor by Jay Crownover is the first book in her the Breaking Point series. It is basically a sort of continuation of her Welcome to the Point series with a different set of characters but we do get to meet almost everyone from the previous books. I picked up Honor because I had liked Welcome to the Point series. I like her Saints of Denver series even more but I was curious to see how Jay would go about this series. I really enjoyed myself while reading Honor.

It is completely alright if you haven't read the previous books in the Point series before. These books are set in a place called Point, where everyone is struggling to survive. It is a harsh place where you have to fight to live but some call it home and some actually find love here. Honor is the story of Nassir and Keelyn. They have been circling each other for a while now and they finally crash.

Let's start with Nassir. Nassir has seen and done things no one should have to do. He comes from the Middle East, from a war zone but he has long ago stopped being a victim. Nassir was most definitely a bad man. He and Key like to refer to him as the devil and that is mostly true. But he does have redeeming qualities about himself. His devotion to Key being one of them.

Then we have Key. Key was a dancer at one of the clubs Nassir managed before she went to Denver to try to start over. Try being the operative word here. Key soon finds herself back in Point ready to face reality and Nassir. I thought Key was the perfect match for Nassir. She was not sweet or innocent so she actually understood where Nassir was coming from. Nassir and Key made for a good and compatible couple.

There is also a lot of action in Honor. Nassir and Key both have enemies and people are never as they seem. Things definitely went over the top a few times but hey, this is fiction and more importantly, this is the Point. I really enjoyed seeing old faces in this book. I am curious to see how the next books work out. I am especially waiting for Karsen and Booker's. Overall, Honor was a good read.

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

Waiting on Wednesday #178

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon

Publication date- November 1st 2016

Goodreads Summary:

Subhi is a refugee. Born in an Australian permanent detention center after his mother and sister fled the violence of a distant homeland, Subhi has only ever known life behind the fences. But his world is far bigger than that—every night, the magical Night Sea from his mother's stories brings him gifts, the faraway whales sing to him, and the birds tell their stories. And as he grows, his imagination threatens to burst beyond the limits of his containment.
The most vivid story of all, however, is the one that arrives one night in the form of Jimmie—a scruffy, impatient girl who appears on the other side of the wire fence and brings with her a notebook written by the mother she lost. Unable to read it herself, she relies on Subhi to unravel her family's love songs and tragedies.
Subhi and Jimmie might both find comfort—and maybe even freedom—as their tales unfold. But not until each has been braver than ever before.

This book sounds very interesting and the contemporary fictional touch is calling my name. I can't wait to read this! 

What are you waiting on this Wednesday? 

Release Day Blitz- Royally Screwed by Emma Chase

  

ROYALLY SCREWED

By Emma Chase

Release Day: October 18, 2016

Emma Chase, New York Times bestselling author of the Tangled Series & Legal Briefs Series, returns with the first of three sizzling standalone books about a family of racy, irresistible Royals.

Nicholas Arthur Frederick Edward Pembrook, Crowned Prince of Wessco, aka “His Royal Hotness”, is wickedly charming, devastatingly handsome, and unabashedly arrogant—hard not to be when people are constantly bowing down to you.

Then, one snowy night in Manhattan, the prince meets a dark haired beauty who doesn’t bow down. Instead, she throws a pie in his face.

Nicholas wants to find out if she tastes as good as her pie, and this heir apparent is used to getting what he wants.

***

Dating a prince isn’t what waitress Olivia Hammond ever imagined it would be.

There’s a disapproving queen, a wildly inappropriate spare heir, relentless paparazzi, and brutal public scrutiny. While they’ve traded in horse drawn carriages for Rolls Royces and haven’t chopped anyone’s head off lately—the royals are far from accepting of this commoner.

But to Olivia—Nicholas is worth it.

***

Nicholas grew up with the whole world watching, and now Marriage Watch is in full force. In the end, Nicholas has to decide who he is, but more importantly, who he wants to be: a King... or the man who gets to love Olivia forever.

iBooks | Amazon Print | Audible | B&N | IndieBound | BAM!

       

                     

EXCERPT

“I have a plan.”

We’re in the library of the suite. Nicholas is behind the desk, his hair falling still damp over his forehead from a recent shower, while James and Tommy stand near the windows.

“Take off your clothes,” I say, dropping a stuffed backpack at my feet.

He stands, giving me a curious, dimple-flashing smile that makes my stomach tingle.

“I like this plan.”

He pulls his shirt over his head—and at the sight of that gorgeous chest and ripped abs, I have to close my mouth to stop the flow of drool.

“Should I send the lads to their room?” he asks.

            I toss him a Beastie Boys T-shirt and ripped jeans from the backpack. “They can stay—I’ll get to them in a second.”

Nicholas puts on the outfit, his disguise for the day. I hold up a thick gold chain with a dangling cross, and he dips his head so I can loop it over his neck. Then I squirt gel into my hand and reach up on tiptoes to rub it through his hair—mussing it at the top and slicking the sides.

Perfect.

 “Do you know how to drive a motorcycle?”

“Yes.”

“Excellent.” I pull a helmet with a full, tinted face shield out of the backpack and hold it up. “Marty’s bike is downstairs. He said to tell you: break it, you bought…a Ducati.”

Logan steps into the room from where he was stationed just outside the door, lifting his hand, like a traffic cop. “Hold on, now—”

Nicholas takes the helmet. “It’ll be fine, Logan.”

“And,” I say cautiously, turning to the three big, strong, probably-have-a-license-to-kill boys. “I want Nicholas and me to go on this outing alone. You guys stay here.”

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph.” Tommy says.

James makes the sign of the cross.

Logan takes another route. “No fuckin’ way. Not possible.”

But the look on Nicholas’s face says it’s definitely possible.

“No,” Logan insists again, his voice straining with a faint hint of desperation.

            “I have an itinerary.” I take the sealed envelope out of the backpack and hand it to Logan. “I wrote everything down for you, just in case—exactly where we’ll be, every minute.” When he starts to tear it open I put my hand on his. “You can’t open it until after we’re gone—it’ll ruin the surprise. But I promise it will be all right. I swear on my life.”

My eyes drift from Logan to Nicholas. “Trust me.”

And I want him to—so much. I want to do this for him, give him something he hasn’t had. Something he’ll remember always: freedom.

Nicholas looks at the helmet, then at Logan. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

“Ah…you could get assassinated and the three of us will hang for treason.”

“Don’t be silly,” Nicholas scoffs. “We haven’t hung anyone in years.” He smacks Logan’s back. “It’d be the firing squad.”

ABOUT EMMA CHASE:

   

Emma Chase is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the hot and hilarious Tangled series and The Legal Briefsseries. Emma lives in New Jersey with her husband, two children and two naughty (but really cute) dogs. She has a long-standing love/hate relationship with caffeine.

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