Release Day Blitz: Fall With Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout

We are so excited to bring you the Release Week Blitz for Jennifer L. Armentrout's, also known as J. Lynn’s, FALL WITH ME!! FALL WITH ME is a New Adult Contemporary Romance and is a part of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Wait For You Series, published by Avon Romance. We love this series and can't wait to start reading Roxy and Reece's story!

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FALL WITH ME Synopsis:

Eleven months ago, bartender and weird-shirt-wearing extraordinaire Roxy and Officer Reece Anders had a one night stand. Well, kind of. She’s been in love with him since she was fifteen, and he wishes that night they shared never happened. She’s sworn him off forever, but the past and future collide, forcing her to rely on the one man who broke her heart not once, but twice.

Her best friend since birth has been in a long-term care facility since he became a victim of a hate crime years ago, and the person who put him in there is out of prison and wanting to make amends with him and Roxy. She’s not sure she has room for forgiveness in her and when she begins to receive frightening messages and is on the receiving end of escalating violence, she thinks she knows who is to blame. The man who already destroyed one life already.

But Reece isn’t convinced. The threats are too personal, and even if Roxy doesn’t believe him, he’s not willing to let anyone hurt her. Including himself. He’s already messed up more than once when it comes to Roxy and he’s not going to let history repeat itself.









About Jennifer L. Armentrout:

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

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Excerpt:


Someone—was it Melvin?—catcalled as Reece led me down the hall, and my cheeks flushed. “Okay, heman, I can walk all by my little self.”
He cast a look over his shoulder at me as he opened the office door. “I’m sure you can.”
Then he pulled me inside.
My gaze flipped to the roses—the roses!—but before I could say a word, he closed the door and my back was pressed against it, his hands planted on either side of my head and his face right in mine. Like right there, within kissing distance.
Wow.
“So, I was at my father’s place in New Jersey most of the day, and you know, he lives out near the Pine Barrens, so service is shit.”
I nodded even though I really wasn’t processing what he was saying as I was too busy staring at his mouth. Those lips, fuller on the bottom, drove me to distraction.
“I pull out of his driveway and I have all these messages from Dennis,” he continued, and I finally caught on to what he was talking about. “I honestly thought he was messing with me at first.”
I cringed. “He . . . um, he wasn’t.”
He shot me a bland look. “That much I figured out.” His hands slid on the door, stopping just shy of touching my shoulders. “What did he do to you?”
“What?” I blinked.
“What did that bastard do to make you throw a book through his windshield?”
Oh. Oh. My heart was now wiggling along with my stomach. “He really didn’t do anything. I just lost my cool. He wanted to talk to me, and I didn’t want to talk to him.”
“You don’t have to talk to him.”
“That’s what Dennis said, but I shouldn’t have damaged his car.”
A muscle flexed along his right jaw. “That’s true.” He shook his head. “Damn, Roxy, can’t say I’m surprised.”
My brows flew up. “You’re not?”
He laughed under his breath. “Babe, you’ve always had a hell of a temper on you.”
Ah, that was kind of true. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
Reece cocked his head to the side. “A sexy thing, but vandalism and destruction of property doesn’t look good on you, sweets.”
“No. It doesn’t match my manicure.” I raised my hands, flashing him the blue nails.
He laughed again and then he sobered up, just like that. Cop Face was on, and yeah . . . the low coiling in my stomach told me I found Cop Face arousing. “You’re lucky. He could’ve pressed charges, and this conversation would be going in a whole different direction.”
My own half smile slipped off my face. “I know. It’s . . . I was just with Charlie, and he’s . . .” Unable to continue, I forced a casual shrug I didn’t feel. “What are you going to do with me?”
His lips parted as his chest rose with a deep breath, then his gaze dropped to my mouth, and his expression tightened. He looked . . . he looked hungry. “I have lots of ideas.”

Review: In The Red Zone by Crista McHugh

In the Red Zone

Author: Crista McHugh
Series: Kelly Brothers #6
Pages:Paperback, 212 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 25th 2015

Summary:

All-Star linebacker Frank Kelly is as well-known for his off-the-field hits as he is for his on-field ones. When a dance club brawl ends with him in handcuffs again, he’s rescued by a well-connected woman who can get the charges dropped in exchange for a small favor. If he’ll agree to play the part of a doting boyfriend for two months, she’ll keep him out of the slammer and help restore his reputation.

Kiana Dyer may be the daughter of a Hall of Fame football player, but the charity organization she took over when he died isn’t getting the media attention she’d hoped for. A staged romance with Frank Kelly is just the ticket she needs to get in the spotlight. As the lines between fake and real start to blur, she begins to wonder if bailing him out was the best call she’s ever made. Just when everything seems to be falling perfectly in place, scandal surrounds her charity, and she’s the one left scrambling to clear her name.

Recommended for those who like:
Sports Romance
Interracial or Multicultural Romance
BWWM

Review:

This is book six of the Kelly Brothers Series... BOOK SIX!! I can't believe I read six books in this series, it feels like way less. This is a good thing by the way, I rarely keep interest for a series beyond 6book, I quite often get kinda bored after book five or so. When I realised that In The Red Zone is the penultimate in the series, I thought, can't McHugh invent some half brothers? I mean just add that Kelly senior had an affair or two and add a few illegitimate previously unknown brothers.... okay maybe I am a tad bit unreasonable. But sufficient to say, I like the series and wish there would be more way more than just one more book

This one just like the others features one of the Kelly brothers and his love interest. So he is rich and handsome and all around awesome, naturally. McHugh did this really clever thing though, that each brother is in a different profession and in a different place than all the others. Which as a result means each book is set in completely different premisses.  As I said very clever. It makes each book feel fresh and each book works as a standalone as well. While naturally it's advised to read the series in order, you don't really have to. The books don't really give away any spoilers- well nearly none at least. Which brings me to one of the things I found lacking in In The Red Zone; I really would have liked more of the other Kelly in this book. I love the brothers and other than a few phone call, there was no interactions between them.

The story line is, well frankly, predictable. None of the twists surprised me at all, not only that I saw them coming from a mile. There is the usual usual that comes with a cute & fluffy - and a really sweet ending.  No surprise but very enjoyable, I read this in one sitting. So if you need an insta c&f fix this is your thing.

The writing, well no surprise, is great. I adore Crista McHugh's prose. In fact I found her books by chance on Netgalley and have read every single thing she released ever since. She has definitely a way with words and is one of my favorite Indie authors.

The character building was interesting for a couple of reasons. First Frank is a red head... which well, no offense doesn't usually make me think of hot and sexy.... but well, true to form, McHugh made him not only a total toyboy, she also gave him integrity and made him desirable not just because of his abs.. trust me total marriage material. Let me illustrate that for you...

Changed my mind entirely ;) I like red heads now.. and the smut, oh the smut in this, it helped greatly achieve that..yep, McHugh did write some rather enticing smut scenes

Kiana is of a totally different background than any other female character and comes with plenty of baggage. But frankly I wasn't sure I could relate to some of her issues. In fact some of them just made me roll my eyes and feel she was being over dramatic.
Her brother was too cliche for me, I found him not believable, though to be honest, I could not point out exactly why and what. Maybe it was just all a tad too over the top? Not sure. I had huge issues with his name calling for starters, but not only that, I could just not understand where the animosity came from at all...
Talking about that, I am not sure how I feel about how Kiana handled the situation in the end. I mean she did live with T for most of her life? And how does the mother feel? It was a bit to fast and to easily done with.

A side note: as someone who is in a mixed race marriage, I found it really cool that McHugh went that route. And even better that she actually showed that while often the couple doesn't really think of themselves in that term- others not only do, they often point it out as well. I don't think I'll ever get the issue and will definitely never even get close to understanding the name calling. While this is not a deep social analyses- it was nice to read a romance set in that setting. McHugh managed to bring diversity without making it a big deal. Just like in real life!

All in all: a great addition to a wonderful series and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Well written, fun cute & fluffy a must read for lovers of the genre.





Rating: 

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Review: Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman

Shadow Scale

Author: Rachel Hartman
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Series: Seraphina #2
Pages: Hardcover, 608 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: March 10th 2015

Summary:

Seraphina took the literary world by storm with 8 starred reviews and numerous “Best of” lists. At last, her eagerly awaited sequel has arrived—and with it comes an epic battle between humans and dragons.

The kingdom of Goredd: a world where humans and dragons share life with an uneasy balance, and those few who are both human and dragon must hide the truth. Seraphina is one of these, part girl, part dragon, who is reluctantly drawn into the politics of her world. When war breaks out between the dragons and humans, she must travel the lands to find those like herself—for she has an inexplicable connection to all of them, and together they will be able to fight the dragons in powerful, magical ways.

As Seraphina gathers this motley crew, she is pursued by humans who want to stop her. But the most terrifying is another half dragon, who can creep into people’s minds and take them over. Until now, Seraphina has kept her mind safe from intruders, but that also means she’s held back her own gift. It is time to make a choice: Cling to the safety of her old life, or embrace a powerful new destiny?

Review:

Shadow Scale is a really difficult one to review for me. I am rather heartsore for two reasons:I had huge expectations and somehow they were not met,  the other being that this is a well written book, but  if you take a look at my rating, I didn't much enjoy it.
I adore Seraphina. I couldn't wait for it's sequel, I was convinced that there was no way that I wouldn't like it. But sadly though, I don't loath it, it just didn't work for me. It took me ages to pinpoint what it was actually. Because there are many things that are really good about Shadow Scale. So if you would add it all up this should be great, right? Uhm, wrong. And this fact actually made me think about what makes one like a book? What makes me, specifically enjoy reading one book and not the ohter? Before I go all geek philosopher let's take a look at this particular book.

The writings style is beautiful. It is just as I expected. Hartman is an extremely talented writer. Her prose at times feels like poetry. There is a great sense of humour to the characters, which made me smirk, there is a wonderful eye to detail when it comes to descriptions. I enjoy her prose and I am looking forward to hopefully many many more books from her.

The world building is exquisite. I adore the quirky and slightly weird world Hartman created. It's unique and really interesting. But there were times when the extensive world building felt more like being dumped on me than elegantly woven into the story, like it was in Seraphina. And while I adored Serphina's mental garden in the first book, for some reason it grated on me in this one. Why? I honestly don't know.  I thought about it and I can't explain why, only that it felt more and more tedious, made the pace of the story slow down even more. And at times I just didn't get why Hartman added it. It didn't add to the story, in fact I felt it distracted me. It just didn't work for me.

The character building is well done. Again, I didn't expect anything else. There is another rather big cast added to this one. And they were done meticulously. Maybe a tad to meticulous? It is just like in Serphina my favorite part of the book.

The plot is probably the biggest let down actually. This is slow. And I mean slow. Look Seraphina was quite slowly paced, there is a lot of world building, tons of details and character building- but I didn't care one bit. Shadow Scale on the other hand felt like a chore to read. It's way to slow paced for me. It took me ages to get into it, well actually I never really did.  Towards the end some of the things that happened were just not in character of the MCs, they made no sense to me. Which was rather annoying, then let's not even talk about the odd solution of the romance.... It just, well beyond unsatisfying? It made me wanna throw my kindle, actually. How did Hartman go from doing one of the sweetest love connections to just appalling?! Honestly I more than dislike the end of the series. It wasn't just disappointing, I mean I care for Seraphina, a great lot, I read over a thousand pages about her, and THAT end left her with what? What was the point of the journey exactly? I don't need a HEA but what was that? It's beyond depressing, it's worst case scenario on so many levels....

My biggest issue with Shadow Scale though: after reading Seraphina I had certain expectations. Which clearly weren't met. But I guess I could have lived with them... But the elements that I loved so much in Seraphina were no where to be seen in it's sequel. Namely the connection between Kiggs and Seraphina- gone. BUT most importantly the music. I adore Hartman's description of all the musical bits, Serphina's feelings, it's meaning to her... All of it. It's some of the most beautiful writing I ever read. In Shadow Scale there is nothing about Serphina's music - at all. It makes no sense to me, simply because it is supposed to be one of the most important things to Seraphina. Instead I was put through the tedious mind garden excersise- why chose that? I am not quite sure why Hartman went that way. All I know is that looking at the two books, both well written one- moved me to the core of my heart the other really didn't.

So what makes one like a book and not another? I guess this will be an eternal question with little answer. Some books just work for me, others just don't....But in the case of this series one spoke to my heart, the other just... well, it just didn't. So despite the great writing, the amazing world building and endearing character building- there was something missing in Shadow Scale-  a spark, something that resonates with me... And I can't tell you how much I wish it would have had it.



Rating: 

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Review: The Infinite by Lori M. Lee

The Infinite

Author: Lori M. Lee
Publisher: Skyscape
Series: Gates of Thread and Stone #2
Pages: Hardcover, 378 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: March 10th 2015

Summary:

The walls of Ninurta keep its citizens safe.

Kai always believed the only danger to the city came from within. Now, with a rebel force threatening the fragile government, the walls have become more of a prison than ever.

To make matters worse, as Avan explores his new identity as an Infinite, Kai struggles to remind him what it means to be human. And she fears her brother, Reev, is involved with the rebels. With the two people she cares about most on opposite sides of a brewing war, Kai will do whatever it takes to bring peace. But she’s lost her power to manipulate the threads of time, and she learns that a civil war might be the beginning of something far worse that will crumble not only Ninurta’s walls but also the entire city.

In this thrilling sequel to Gates of Thread and Stone, Kai must decide how much of her humanity she’s willing to lose to protect the only family she’s ever known.

Review:

Just like Lee's debut novel I found myself rather wordless when it comes to review the Infinite.
There is much to say, but how to say it?
How does one express one's love for an author's prose? How does one explain how impressed and how moved one is by the talent of someone?
To be honest, I find myself lacking to do so. So I shall just say, that Lee has written herself into my heart. I love her prose. I adore it. And I think there will be little Lee could do to make me stop reading her books.

Sadly I also had huge expectations for the Infinite. To be honest I think,The Gates of Threads and Stone is a really hard act to follow, my expectations might have been a tad too high, a wee bit unfair. And while the writing style was poetic and beautiful just like I expected, the plot was a bit of let down for me.
The first half was really slow,at nearly 70% I was wondering what this was really all about... And at times it felt like a lot of world building was dumped at me. Very beautifully done world building mind you. But still, it was too slow for me. The last quarter though, was just like its prequel, enticing and fast paced. - and it left me with huge hopes for future novels...

The world building is fabulous! It's innovative and beautiful. Lee did go way beyond of what I expected. The world we got to know in the Infinite is a huge expansion from the first book. Not only that it made me look at The Gates of Threads and Stone from a different perspective. It made me appreciate Lee knowledge of her craft, and it made me greatly wonder where she is taking us next!

The character building is just like in the first book, well done. I care for the group of people we got to know, I adore Reeve & Kai. Love Avan and Mase. And it is beyond interesting to see how the Infinite look at the world. Lee managed to make me change my mind about characters several time over the last two books. Most of all though I did totally connect with Kai. I felt all she felt- her heartache, insecurities, her worries, her joy, happiness, I felt it all with her. Again, in my opinion, a credit to Lee's talent with words.

But while in the first book, I absolutely adored Avan and Kai's connection- I totally missed it this time around. I mean I get things are different. But the yoyo between them, while believable, felt to much.
I mean Kai was way too easily swayed back towards Kai, so after the twist at the town wall- I was heartbroken... And then next twist... and Kai just is ok with the rather thin explanation that she was given. I felt like- WHAT?! Nu-huh. Dude just not good enough. But she swooned and was heartbroken for the distance rather for the betrayal. Let's be clear. That's what it was: Betrayal. How could it be just so downplayed?

While the last book left me pondering about having one's choices taken away, this made me ponder about power and the infinite. I love the undercurrent subjects of this series.
This book while giving a few answer- very few - left me with even more questions. More mysteries I want to resolve and I hope that the next book will answer at least some of them.

So sadly I wasn't as fangirly about this as I was after reading Lee's stunning debut. And despite some minor issues with The Infinite, I loved it. I wish I would have liked it more, because I simply can't describe how much I do love Lee's writing. Then again, this is a good book. Don't get me wrong. It is. I can recommend this wonderful series to lovers of the genre and people who love reading beautiful prose.
And I can't wait to get my hands on Lee's next book. She is an author to watch out for, trust me!

Rating: 

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ARC Review: Solitaire by Alice Oseman

Solitaire

Author: Alice Oseman
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: Hardcover, US, 368 pages
Genre: YA, contemporary
Release Date: March 30th 2015

Summary:

In case you're wondering, this is not a love story.

My name is Tori Spring. I like to sleep and I like to blog. Last year – before all that stuff with Charlie and before I had to face the harsh realities of A-Levels and university applications and the fact that one day I really will have to start talking to people – I had friends. Things were very different, I guess, but that's all over now.

Now there's Solitaire. And Michael Holden.

I don't know what Solitaire are trying to do, and I don't care about Michael Holden.

I really don't.

This incredible debut novel by outstanding young author Alice Oseman is perfect for fans of John Green, Rainbow Rowell and all unflinchingly honest writers.

Review:

I am so sorry BUT I just can't read another page of this. Forget a page, not even another sentence!
DNF at 40%


This is so not for me.
At first I wasn't sure if I was a fan of the writing style. But then I decided that, while I was not really my cup of tea, I also don't mind it that much. Still it meant that this would take me a wee bit longer to read, also that it wouldn't get 5stars just based on that alone.

But soon, I stop caring about the writing style, because as the story was unfolding something else started grate on me: namely the setting. Well, of course this is fiction, it's imaginary. But it is supposed to be a contemporary novel, in fact this has been compared to John Green's works... well, the setting of this is just impossible. The last girls school that has coed for last two years? YEAH right... But let's not forget the Solitaire setting. First that possibility that said domain would be free is lets say... ZERO... then the group hacks the entire school. These kids are some uber- genius techies? Sorry but this seems just beyond possible. I actually found the whole Solitaire mystery not very enticing, but oh well...

I would have not mind any of the above that much, if this would have been a great character driven novel. BUT and that's where I just gave up. I really really dislike Tori.
She is pessimistic at best. Snarky, lies just for no reason, hates the entire world. Has a super weird relationship with her mother- for no apparent reason but that she doesn't really like her?? - in fact she doesn't seem to like anyone really. Her relationship with Becky- is ... well depressing. She has no other friends to speak off. Which is beyond sad.
And she is uber-bitchy to everyone around. She hates reading.. (yeah well, sorry but as a reader, I just can't related to her after that)
BUT the cherry on top of all that? She is totally condescending. She thinks she is so above everyone else. And I mean everyone. Lucas, Becky, her mother, well, really every single character in the book. Her snarky comments about everyone annoyed the crap out of me.
I mean I was not a happy clappy pink fuzzy teen. Hell, I still am not any of those things.
I would have enjoyed sarcastic and snarky- but this is bordering mean. And well, I decided, Tori and I are never going to work, ever ever. And that's that.

Rating: 

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ARC Review: Rock Hard by Nalini Singh

Rock Hard

Author: Nalini Singh
Publisher: TKA Distribution
Series: Rock Kiss #2
Pages: New Adult
Release Date: March 10th 2015

Summary:

In New York Times Bestselling author Nalini Singh’s newest contemporary romance, passion ignites between a gorgeous, sinfully sexy man who built himself up from nothing and a shy woman who has a terrible secret in her past…

Wealthy businessman Gabriel Bishop rules the boardroom with the same determination and ruthlessness that made him a rock star on the rugby field. He knows what he wants, and he’ll go after it no-holds-barred.

And what he wants is Charlotte Baird.

Charlotte knows she’s a mouse. Emotionally scarred and painfully shy, she just wants to do her job and remain as invisible as possible. But the new CEO—a brilliant, broad-shouldered T-Rex of a man who growls and storms through the office, leaving carnage in his wake—clearly has other plans. Plans that may be equal parts business and bedroom.

If Charlotte intends to survive this battle of wits and hearts, the mouse will have to learn to wrangle the T-Rex. Game on.

Review:

Just one minute, I just wanna try and loose that silly grin reading this gave me....
Ok. Not gonna happen, this just left me gooey fluffy grinny (yes grinny is a word, well now it is- so shush)... let's just ignore it and pretend I am not in cutesy heaven right now.

{Ok, let me warn you.. this is a long winded intro into my relation with Singh books....*skip if you couldnt give a toot*}

Singh Books and I have a bit of a delicate relationship. I read my first Singh book due to a recommendation by Lu. She suggested I'd read her books, thinking that I would love them.
I tried the Guild Hunter Series- and though I loved Singh's prose, it wasn't really for me. (Angel books and I, just a never gonna happen I'm afraid)
Then I gave the Psy-Changeling Series a try. My love for Singh's prose got totally cemented then. Her writing style is moving, beautiful and captivating. And though I did like the world building of Psy-Changeling, the series was good but well, just ok to good for me. To be fair, I am still not sure if I actually like changeling books.... So it could just be that.
So when I heard that Singh is publishing a New Adult Contemporary series I knew I needed to get my hands on it.
And well, I adore her writing. But while I loved the first part of Rock Addiction, I was not a fan of the second part- AT ALL. I was rather disappointed actually, since I had sky high hopes for it. This led me to believe though, I love Singhs prose and enjoy most of the time the the character building and world building, I have a problem with her plots. To be exact, the romance of part of the books..... And I was nearly gonna just give up on my really fragile Singh books relationship. But I thankfully did read Rock Courtship. AND I liked it. It kinda redeemed quite a bit. Though I felt it had a wee bit too much smut for my taste. Hence I was back on trying to resolve my Singh Books relation ship issues.
But despite my initial enthusiasm, I kept postponing reading the ARC of Rock Hard, simply because I knew that this would make or break my relationship with Singh's books. And there was the lingering worry that this might be another Rock Addiction experience...which would mark an end to our relationship for sure.

{ok done with my relationship babble}

Obviously the ridiculous grin and the rating give away the fact, that I loved this.
This is without a doubt my favorite Singh book so far.
All my issues I've had with Rock Addiction- void and null here. Everything I was worried about, never featured in Rock Hard.

This is a fabulous cute & fluffy that made me giggle and left said grin plastered to my face even a day after reading it.

It's superb Singh prose with great character building- and a plot that I thoroughly enjoyed.
This is is the story of Charlotte, aka Charlie-Mouse and Gabriel, aka T-Rex. Charlie being the best friend of Molly, from Rock Addiction and Gabriel, Charlie's new boss. So not really a rock novel- another thing I was kinda surprised about, since I expected the series to be set in the music world.
Instead this is set in the business world of New Zealand. And just like in Rock Addiction, I totally adore Singh descriptions of New Zealand. I think her love for her home country really comes through when she writes about it.

A tid bit on the side: I really loved the titles of the chapters. They were a source of great amusement to me! They are really worth paying attention too.Some of my favorites:

The Mouse Growls
In News That Surprises No One, Anya Is A Bitch
Half- Naked T-Rex and Ice Cream ( Sadly Not At The Same Time)
Charlie-Mouse vs T-Rex: Round 7489

This sets the tone of the narration as well. The entire book, even when the topic at times is rather heavy, has a humorous side. The two MC's don't take themselves overly serious, they not melodramatic or self-involved. In fact I totally adore them both.
This being a character driven novel make that fact incredibly important for ones enjoyment of it. But as you know I am happy to read character driven stories, if the characters building is done well. And the character building is done outstandingly here. And this goes of each and every single one of them. Literally. Even the villains are outstandingly written. The support cast is so well written, I feel like I know all of them, and the two MCs- well, as I said; I adore them. The character growth is well and realistic. The character building; A job absolutely well done.

The constant battles between Charlie and Bishop are a delight. The slow development of their relationship a pleasure to read. Oh, let me warn the smut-lovers of you, there is extremely little smut until about 65%  or 70% in. This is a slow-mo when it comes to that. But I found that I so enjoyed seeing the two of them fall for each other, continuously redefining their relationship - right till the end, the smut was just an added bonus for me.
While I consider this a cute & fluffy- it does have some serious elements to it. Charlie and T-Rex both have their share of baggage from the past, and they learn to deal with it together, slowly. I love that Singh, though adding a very tragic element to the story, offered a realistic solution to the problems the two MCs encounter. It's a wee bit happy-clappy sure, but then, let's be honest, that's why we read them cute & fluffies, isn't it?
The end, btw, was a summary of everything I loved about the book!

A beautifully told sweet and amusing love story with great characters.
A must read for lovers of the genre!

Rating: 

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After all that fangirling... Find out what Lu thought: Her Review of Rock Hard

Review: My Best Everything by Sarah Tomp

My Best Everything

Author: Sarah Tomp
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: Hardcover, 400 pages
Genre: YA
Release Date: March 3rd 2015

Summary:

You say it was all meant to be. You and me. The way we met. Our secrets in the woods. Even the way it all exploded. It was simply a matter of fate.

Maybe if you were here to tell me again, to explain it one more time, then maybe I wouldn’t feel so uncertain. But I’m going back to the beginning on my own. To see what happened and why.

Luisa “Lulu” Mendez has just finished her final year of high school in a small Virginia town, determined to move on and leave her job at the local junkyard behind. So when her father loses her college tuition money, Lulu needs a new ticket out.

Desperate for funds, she cooks up the (definitely illegal) plan to make and sell moonshine with her friends, Roni and Bucky. Quickly realizing they’re out of their depth, Lulu turns to Mason: a local boy who’s always seemed like a dead end. As Mason guides Lulu through the secret world of moonshine, it looks like her plan might actually work. But can she leave town before she loses everything – including her heart?

The summer walks the line between toxic and intoxicating. My Best Everything is Lulu’s letter to Mason – though is it an apology, a good-bye, or a love letter?

Review:

So this is a bit of a heartsore affaire for me.
I was looking forward to this one. Really hoping it would be the awesome cute & fluffy it promised to be. And theoretically it was.

The character building is well done. I like the group of people Tomp created. Their relationship interesting, intricate and complicated- they felt real. I could relate to Lu. She has much in common with not 17year old me....
Mason.. well, he is the hottie bad boy turned fabulous of any girls dreams. He is great. Really. In a flawed and imperfect sorta way.
In fact they all are that. All characters have their flaws and issues- which made them so human and made them real- Tomp seriously got it right. She written believable, realistic characters, that are likeable- flaws and faults and all. She managed to perfectly find that line for them to be imperfect so that they felt real, with enough dramas and issues to make you feel compassionate but not so much that it was melodramatic. She wrote these things just right.
The romance was right up my alley. Enough yearning, doubts and heat- but not too much drama that it would tire me. I love the connection between Lu and Mason. But I also adored Roni and Buck's journey. It was amazing to see where the characters went, to feel the joys of summers spent with friends, but mostly to see their changes, their coming of age, their

The plot was in some ways predictable, but also kinda different and fun. I loved the entire moonshine operation. It was awesome for the scientist in me to read about it. Detailed and scientific enough to feel glee but not too much of it to get bored.
This is first and foremost a romance. First real love, I guess. But it is also a coming of age story, finding ones way, friendship and defining ones future despite your past.


Now saying all this- one would think I love this book. And this is where my heartache comes in. I know I should love it, but I actually didn't.
The reason for this is the writing style. Not the actually prose. Cause in my opinion Tomp writes beautifully, I think she is a great writer, really. It's the way this story was told.
The way Tomp chose to write this. This is written from Lu's POV, in past tense. But not just like a retelling of the story, but as if she would be telling the story directly to Mason. I guess it is an interesting choice and all, but Lu keeps alluding to the future, cause you know Mason was there and knew all that happened... suddenly Lu addresses Mason directly:
(An example to illustrate my point)

But you had your first drink when yo were eleven, and by twelve you were getting drunk a couple of times a month. At age thirteen you were drinking every day. Right? Isn't that what you said? You must not have the same memories as me. What can you remember at all?

This happens all the time randomly throughout the book and that's what grated on me. There is no other way to describe this. In fact at about 35% I considered to DNF, that's how much I was annoyed by it. I probably would have, were this not an ARC- and then I also wanted to know how things between Mason and Lu unfolded, how the entire moonshine op went... well I got invested in the characters. So I finished it, hoping I would mind less- but truthfully it grated more and more.

And that's why my rating is rather low. It felt like a chore to finish, rather than joy. And frankly I read for the pleasure of it.
So I have to stress that the rating is simply based on the fact that I didn't like the way the story was told. But I also gotta say, that I can only encourage everyone to give this a try: you might not mind and then this is wonderful book to read.

So a case of it wasn't you it was me. An interesting debut by a skilled writer, which leaves me excited to see what she will be writing next!

Rating: 

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