Review: To have and to hold by Lauren Layne

Sex and the City meets The Wedding Planner in The Wedding Belles!

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD

The Wedding Belles #1

Lauren Layne

Releasing July 26th, 2016

Pocket Books

Sex and the City meets The Wedding Planner in The Wedding Belles, her sizzling brand new contemporary romance series about three ambitious wedding planners who can make any bride’s dream come true…but their own.

Discovering her fiancé is an international conman just moments before they exchange vows devastates celebrity wedding planner Brooke Burke’s business—and breaks her heart. Now a pariah in Los Angeles, she seeks a fresh start in New York City and thinks she’s found it with her first bridal client, a sweet, if slightly spoiled, hotel heiress. Then she meets the uptight businessman who’s holding the purse springs.

Seth Tyler wishes he could write a blank check and be done with his sister’s fancy-pants wedding. Unfortunately, micromanaging the event is his only chance at proving Maya’s fiancé is a liar. Standing directly in his way is the stunning blonde wedding planner whose practiced smiles and sassy comebacks both irritate and arouse him. He needs Brooke’s help. But can he persuade a wedding planner on a comeback mission to unplan a wedding? And more importantly, how will he convince her that the wedding she should be planning…is theirs?

My Thoughts:
What can I say about Lauren Layne that I haven't said before? I've read every single one of her books and it seems like they just keep getting better.
I love weddings, so this book was perfect for me. Brooke just got a job at the exclusive Wedding Belles and her first client is hotel heiress Maya Tyler and her questionable groom Neil. Along with the couple comes Seth, Maya's super uptight, but sexy brother. Seth only has his sisters best interest at heart, so when something seems off about Maya's new groom, whom she only met 4 months ago, Seth takes it upon himself to go to all the wedding planning meetings. Once Seth and Brooke meet you could just tell that they had that perfect chemistry. Seth didn't want to fall in love, especially since things ended badly with his ex. But we really don't have a say when it comes to matters of the heart. Brooke seems like the type of girl that I would be friends with in real life. She's a romantic who deserves her happy ever after. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

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Lauren lives in New York City with her husband (who was her high school sweetheart--cute, right?!) and plus-sized Pomeranian.

Five years ago, she ditched her corporate career in Seattle to pursue a full-time writing career in Manhattan.

She writes smart romantic comedies with just enough sexy-times to make your mother blush, and in her ideal world, every stiletto-wearing, Kate Spade wielding woman would carry a Kindle stocked with Lauren Layne books.

When not bringing The Sexy, she likes to blog about her Instagram addiction, and why mean girls are the worst.

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Review: One Paris Summer by Denise Grover Swank

One Paris Summer by Denise Grover Swank

Release date: June 7, 2016

Publisher: Blink

My rating: 4.5

Buy here: Amazon

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Synopsis:

Most teens dream of visiting the City of Lights, but it feels more like a nightmare for Sophie Brooks. She and her brother are sent to Paris to spend the summer with their father, who left home a year ago without any explanation. As if his sudden abandonment weren't betrayal enough, he's about to remarry, and they’re expected to play nice with his soon-to-be wife and stepdaughter. The stepdaughter, Camille, agrees to show them around the city, but she makes it clear that she will do everything in her power to make Sophie miserable.

Sophie could deal with all the pain and humiliation if only she could practice piano. Her dream is to become a pianist, and she was supposed to spend the summer preparing for a scholarship competition. Even though her father moved to Paris to pursue his own dream, he clearly doesn't support hers. His promise to provide her with a piano goes unfulfilled.

Still, no one is immune to Paris’s charm. After a few encounters with a gorgeous French boy, Sophie finds herself warming to the city, particularly when she discovers that he can help her practice piano. There’s just one hitch—he’s a friend of Camille’s, and Camille hates Sophie. While the summer Sophie dreaded promises to become best summer of her life, one person could ruin it all.

Thoughts:

This book appealed to me for so many reasons. I love YA books, I may not be a teenager anymore, but I love reading about them. The other reason is I will be spending the majority of my fall living in Paris. From September -early December. I've been to Paris many, many times. It's a magical city and any book where the setting is in France, I'll more than likely read.

Sophie was always a Daddy's girl, so when her Father up and left them to accept his dream job in Paris, Sophie felt betrayed and not wanted. Now Sophie and her brother are forced to spend their summer in Paris with their Father and attend his wedding. This book dealt with repairing that Father\Daughter bond and for Sophie, it was also about falling in love. The only character that I despised was the evil Camille. Camille was in charge of showing Sophie and her brother around Paris, but at every turn she was always doing something horrendous to Sophie. Whether it was intentionally getting her lost or making fun of her. Camille never missed an opportunity to make Sophie feel like a child.  

The way the author described Paris made me feel like I was right back there sitting in my favorite cafe eating pastries till I couldn't move. Any author that can transport me to where the book takes place is an author I like.  One Paris Summer is the perfect escape and one every book lover should read. 

Real talk. Life update.

Hey y'all.

I just wanted to let y'all know what's been going on. I know that I'm seriously not constant with my blog. Ill go weeks without posting and then I'll post 3\4 times back-to-back. My only excuse is that it's summer and I've just been outside enjoying the beach and enjoying my husband before fall arrives and we never see each other haha. From now on I'm going to try and get at a minimum of 4 posts up each week.  There's definitely going to be some reviews, but I might end up posting something different. I just feel like a blog with nothing but reviews gets very repetitive, very fast. For some bloggers that works, but me personally, I like diverse post. Ok. I think that's it. I'll be back tomorrow with my favorite YA read of the summer (so far)

Thanks for listening!

xoxo Shanna

Review: Seaside Lovers by Melissa Foster

Fall in Love with Grayson & Parker!

SEASIDE LOVERS

Seaside Summers #7

Melissa Foster

Releasing July 20th, 2016

World Literary Press

After months of long-distance communication, actress Parker Collins and artist Grayson Lacroux finally plan to reconnect in the seaside town of Wellfleet, Massachusetts. But Parker never shows, and weeks pass without a word, leaving Grayson to believe he’s misinterpreted their budding relationship.

Parker has been running on autopilot ever since she lost her friend, mentor, and the only family she’s ever known, Bert Stein. Armed with junk food, tequila, and her big, lovable dog, she’s prepared to hole up and mourn—and determined to mend a fence Bert had never been able to with his estranged and bitter brother. But Parker didn’t count on the sinfully hot artist she’s been fantasizing about for nearly a year walking in on her grief-induced drunken night.

When Grayson stumbles across Parker, he has no idea what to make of the gorgeous blonde who blew him off despite the heat sizzling between them. But that doesn’t stop him from feeling protective of the woman who’s consumed his thoughts for months, and when he learns of Parker’s plans to confront an angry old man, he refuses to leave her side. As Parker’s past unfolds, they’re led on an unexpected journey of discovery. Their connection deepens, and late-night fantasies become passionate realities, until good intentions spark painful secrets, threatening the love they’ve found.

My Thoughts:

I've read more Melissa Foster books this year than any other author (I went way back to the early books). Her books are good y'all! I'm loving this series though, it screams "SUMMER". I actually read this book in a hammock watching a storm over the ocean (be jealous. Ha). 

What I really love about this particular book is the fact that these two characters already knew each other, it wasn't BAM inst-love. They were talking through email about a project they were working on together. That particular nugget made it more real for me. I adored Grayson. He was soooo dreamy and a perfectly sexy alpha-male. Parker was such a sweetheart, I really loved the fact that she wanted to let Bert's brother know how good of a person he was. That made me love her even more. Parker and Grayson are a well-matched couple. In almost everyone of Melissa's books there's an obstacle the couple has to overcome and that's why I love her books. Grayson and Parker fix the issue in a real-world way.  I can't really go into much more detail because then I would be spoiling something and no one likes a spoiler (unless its reading reality steve to see who wins each season of the bachelor\ette. don't judge ok?)  Anywayyys...I know I say this with every book I review of Ms. Foster's, but seriously do yourself a favor and get your hands on this book and then and only then will you understand what I'm rambling about :)

My rating: 4.5

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Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance, and women's fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa's emotional journeys are lovingly erotic, perfect beach reads, and always family oriented. 

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Release day launch! Torn by Jennifer L. Armentrout

   

The highly anticipated second book in New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Wicked Trilogy is available today! Be sure to grab your copy of TORN!

   

Torn between duty and survival, nothing can be the same.

Everything Ivy Morgan thought she knew has been turned on its head. After being betrayed and then nearly killed by the Prince of the Fae, she’s left bruised and devastated—and with an earth-shattering secret that she must keep at all costs. And if the Order finds out her secret, they’ll kill her.

Then there’s Ren Owens, the sexy, tattooed Elite member of the Order who has been sharing Ivy’s bed and claiming her heart. Their chemistry is smoking hot, but Ivy knows that Ren has always valued his duty to the Order above all else—he could never touch her if he knew the truth. That is, if he let her live at all. Yet how can she live with herself if she lies to him?

But as the Fae Prince begins to close in on Ivy, intent on permanently opening the gates to the Otherworld, Ivy is running out of options. If she doesn’t figure out who she can trust—and fast—it’s not only her heart that will be torn apart, but civilization itself.

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"You need this book. You need this series. It's paranormal at its best. It's New Adult at its best...Can I give this book more than 5 stars? I would if I could." ~Valerie, Stuck in Books

    EXCERPT: I lifted my right hand, reaching for my iron stake out of instinct, even though I knew it would do no good against the prince. “You shouldn’t do that.” His voice was deep with what reminded me of an English accent. “I know you want to, but it would be very, very unwise of you, Ivy.” My hand twitched. Creepy Prince smiled slightly. “Your friend has been very helpful.” That got my hackles up. I slid my sunglasses onto my forehead and forced my tone to stay calm and level. “I’m sure she has. Speaking of Val, happen to know where I can find her?” His lips curled in a semblance of a smile as he stepped closer. The prince was tall, taller than Ren, who was pushing six foot two. My entire back stiffened as I forced myself to hold my ground, even though every instinct demanded that I run and run super fast, because he had almost killed me once before. Correction. He would have definitely killed me if he hadn’t realized what I was and had, I guessed, healed me. “I’ve been waiting for you,” he said, instead of answering my question, his pale blue eyes fixed on mine. My hand curled into a useless fist. “That is extremely creepy to hear.” That cold smile returned. “Why don’t we talk? There are seats across the way.” “Yeah, that’s not going to happen.” The slow smile increased but never reached his eyes. “Oh, I know it is.” Fine hairs rose on my arms. “What exactly can you do right now?” he said in the same coldly polite voice. “Refuse me?” Creepy Prince laughed, and it wasn’t a bad sound. Again, it was something that was just cold, as if he were mimicking what a human would do. “You can’t.” “I can.” My palm itched to grab the thorn stake secured under my pant leg, but I held still. I might be reckless, but I wasn’t stupid. “Really? I will have to beg to differ on that. You see, humans surround us. So many of them, and I have an extraordinary appetite.” His eyes appeared to glimmer as his gaze slithered from the top of my curly head down to my toes. “A rather impressive appetite for many, many things.” “Okay. First off, ew.” My lip curled. “Secondly, I don’t want to hear about any of your appetites.” One dark eyebrow rose. “Oh, but you should know that I could kill twenty of these humans in less than five seconds and feed on the rest, leaving them to believe that it was this little red-headed girl who murdered these innocent people.” His voice dropped even lower as he leaned in and icy air brushed my cheek. “You deny me this, those lives will be on your hands, little bird.” Anger flushed hotly as my eyes met his. There wasn’t a single part of me that doubted anything he said. He had me. God, I hated to admit it, but he had me.  

"Drama! Action! Romance! Twists! Torn had it all...Torn was a perfect continuation of the Wicked Saga." ~Kim, Kimberlyfaye Reads

       

Things are about to get Wicked in New Orleans…

Don’t miss the first title in the series, WICKED!

   

 

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About Jennifer L. Armentrout: #1 New York Times and #1 International 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, 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. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA. She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.  

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COVER REVEAL: Long Way Home: A Thunder road novel by Katie McGarry

   

Being released on January 31^st, 2017, the highly anticipated third book in Katie McGarry's Thunder Road Series has a cover that we can't wait to share with you! LONG WAY HOME is a Young Adult Contemporary Romance being published by Harlequin Teen! Pre-order your copy of the next book in this emotionally charged series, and don't miss Violet and Chevy's story!

   

Seventeen-year-old Violet has always been expected to sit back and let the boys do all the saving.

It’s the code her father, a member of the Reign of Terror motorcycle club, raised her to live by. Yet when her dad is killed carrying out Terror business, Violet knows it’s up to her to do the saving. To protect herself, and her vulnerable younger brother, she needs to cut all ties with the club—including Chevy, the boy she’s known and loved her whole life.

But when a rival club comes after Violet, exposing old secrets and making new threats, she’s forced to question what she thought she knew about her father, the Reign of Terror, and what she thinks she wants. Which means re-evaluating everything: love, family, friends . . . and forgiveness.

Caught in the crosshairs between loyalty and freedom, Violet must decide whether old friends can be trusted—and if she’s strong enough to be the one person to save them all.

"An intoxicating and unforgettable story that kept me glued to the page."

—Kami Garcia, #1 New York Times bestselling author, on Walk the Edge

 

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LONG WAY HOME Pre-Order Links:

Amazon | Kobo | BAM | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | IndieBound

 

   

And Don’t Miss the First Two Titles in the Thunder Road Series!

NOWHERE BUT HERE

WALK THE EDGE

   

Katie McGarry Bio: Katie McGarry was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan. Katie is the author of full length YA novels, PUSHING THE LIMITS, DARE YOU TO, CRASH INTO YOU, TAKE ME ON,  BREAKING THE RULES, and NOWHERE BUT HERE and the e-novellas, CROSSING THE LINE and RED AT NIGHT. Her debut YA novel, PUSHING THE LIMITS was a 2012 Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction, a RT Magazine's 2012 Reviewer's Choice Awards Nominee for Young Adult Contemporary Novel, a double Rita Finalist, and a 2013 YALSA Top Ten Teen Pick. DARE YOU TO was also a Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction and won RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Best Book Award for Young Adult Contemporary fiction in 2013.      

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Review: Defending Taylor by Miranda Kenneally

Defending Taylor by Miranda Kenneally

Release Date: July 5. 2016

Publisher: Sourcebooks

My rating: 4

Buy here: Amazon

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What it's about?:

There are no mistakes in love.

Captain of the soccer team, president of the Debate Club, contender for valedictorian: Taylor's always pushed herself to be perfect. After all, that's what is expected of a senator's daughter. But one impulsive decision-one lie to cover for her boyfriend-and Taylor's kicked out of private school. Everything she's worked so hard for is gone, and now she's starting over at Hundred Oaks High.

Soccer has always been Taylor's escape from the pressures of school and family, but it's hard to fit in and play on a team that used to be her rival. The only person who seems to understand all that she's going through is her older brother's best friend, Ezra. Taylor's had a crush on him for as long as she can remember. But it's hard to trust after having been betrayed. Will Taylor repeat her past mistakes or can she score a fresh start?

My Thoughts:

I love the Hundred Oak series. I've read every single one, so when I got the chance to read this book, I jumped on it.

I love Miranda's books because they are always so real. She has a way of writing to make you believe that you could easily be the mail character. 

\\\To everyone on the outside Taylor has the "perfect" life. She's a senators daughter and that puts her under a microscope. Taylor made a mistake by taking the fall her boyfriend, resulting in her getting kicked out of the uber private school she attended. What started out as a bad thing, turned out to be one of the best things for Taylor. It allowed her to become herself. Taylor had the chance to realize that everyone makes mistakes and that one mistake doesn't have to define who you are. Taylor was such an amazing character. Sometimes you just have to make the best out of your situation and Taylor accomplishes that in so many ways. This is series that everyone should read. I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next.