Release Day Review & Giveaway: Seven Day Fiancé by Rachel Harris

Posted in 5 hearts, Giveaways, Reviews, Spotlight by Lacey

Rachel Harris’ SEVEN DAY FIANCÉ is finally here!

You can get it in your hands (well, on your ereader) right now! You don’t want to miss this fantastic Contemporary Romance from Rachel Harris. Book 2 in the Love and Game Series, SEVEN DAY FIANCÉ can be read as a standalone. Check out all of the information regarding this fantastic novel and Rachel Harris below! Then, celebrate Rachel’s Book Birthday by entering the giveaway for an ecopy of Book 1, TASTE THE HEAT!

Seven Day Fiancé by Rachel Harris
Series: Love and Games #2 (full reading order below)
Release Date: October 14th 2013

Angelle Prejean is in a pickle. Her family is expecting her to come home with a fiancé—a fiancé who doesn’t exist. Well, he exists, but he definitely has no idea Angelle told her mama they were engaged. Tattooed, muscled, and hotter than sin, Cane can reduce Angelle to a hot mess with one look—and leave her heart a mess if she falls for him. But when she ends up winning Cane at a charity bachelor auction, she knows just how to solve her fiancé problem.

Cane Robicheaux is no one’s prince. He doesn’t do relationships and he doesn’t fall in love. When sweet, sultry-voiced Angelle propositions him, he hopes their little game can finally get her out of his head. He doesn’t expect her to break through all his barriers. But even as Angelle burrows deeper into his heart, he knows once their seven days are up, so is their ruse.

Buy Links:
Amazon • Barnes & Noble

This was the CUTEST book ever! I usually don’t read adult contemporary romances (I’m more a fan of new adult and young adult contemps), but this book made me remember how much fun adult contemps are too. I really should read more… But anyways, I loved this book! I couldn’t stop reading. It made me laugh and my heart go crazy for the main characters, because there’s some heartbreak in this book too. And I love when books can make my heart ache a little.

I was hooked on the story from the very beginning, because it is hilarious! Angelle, the main character, is shy and awkward, and even more so around Cane, which makes for best interactions between them. Whenever they’re together, you want to smile and giggle and laugh. They have a strong physical connection towards one another, but neither have acted on it–yet. And it just so happens that Angelle is in need of a fake fiancé and Cane is up for bids at an auction…

So what does Angelle do? She bids for him. And wins. And then asks him to be her pretend fiancé.

See, already, the book is off to a great start. I was laughing out loud so many times, but I was just waiting for the fallout. Pretending to be someone’s fiancé is never a good thing (at least in books it’s not), so when it’s time for Cane to meet Angelle’s parents, something bad just had to happen.

I really liked Angelle. She’s not exactly the tough, badass heroine I usually read. She’s soft and shy and has a heart of gold, and luckily, that really appeals to Cane. Her Cajun culture is a huge part of her life, and I really enjoyed reading about it. Rachel Harris writes it so well, integrates the culture so well, that for someone who knows next to nothing about the Cajun culture, I could easily read the book and not get overwhelmed.

Cane is pretty known to be a player. He doesn’t commit, but women flock to him all the time. But he has a huge heart he saves for his family and best friend. He’s the overprotective type of man. He’s had to keep a dirty secret about his family to make sure his sisters don’t get hurt, but doing so has been messing with his head and heart for a while, and it makes him wary of starting any relationship with any woman. Even Angelle, even though he can’t get her out of his mind 😉

I enjoyed this book so much! I loved reading about the Cajun culture, and I was so invested in Angelle and Cane’s story. I ended up being so happy with the book, since it exceeded my expectations. It was probably because the book made me laugh so much, and went a little angsty and heartbreaking near the end. It’s not all happiness and fluff, which is perfect for me!

Reading Order: Love and Games series

#1 ~ Taste the Heat: Ebook • Goodreads
#2 ~ Seven Day Fiancé: My Review • Ebook • Goodreads
#3 ~ Accidentally Married on Purpose: Ebook • Goodreads

Rachel Harris grew up in New Orleans, where she watched soap operas with her grandmother and stayed up late sneak reading her mama’s favorite romance novels. Now a Cajun cowgirl living in Houston, she still stays up way too late reading her favorite romances, only now, she can do so openly. She firmly believes life’s problems can be solved with a hot, powdered-sugar-coated beignet or a thick slice of king cake, and that screaming at strangers for cheap, plastic beads is acceptable behavior in certain situations.

When not typing furiously or flipping pages in an enthralling romance, she homeschools her two beautiful girls and watch reality television with her amazing husband.

She writes YA, NA, and Adult Fun & Flirty Escapes. Taste The Heat is her adult romance debut, and she’s also the author of MY SUPER SWEET SIXTEENTH CENTURY and A TALE OF TWO CENTURIES, as well as a ton of other books to come. She loves hearing from readers and dishing books!

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads • Entangled Website

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9Oct2013

Early Review: Sweet by Erin McCarthy

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Sweet by Erin McCarthy
Series: True Believers #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: October 15th 2013
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher (InterMix) in exchange for an honest review

Jessica Sweet thought going away to college would finally make her free of her parents’ constant judgments and insistence she play chastity club role model for their church events, but if anything, the freedom has made her realize she can’t go home and be a hypocrite anymore. Tired of dodging their questions, she stays at school over the summer and lands in an unexpected crash pad: Riley Mann’s house.

Sarcastic, cocky, and full of opinions, Riley is also sexy personified with tattoos and biceps earned from working as a roofer all day. Not the right guy for her even if Jessica was looking for a relationship, which she is definitely not. But Jessica knows that Riley hides the burden of having to raise his younger brothers behind that grin and as she helps him get his house in order for a custody hearing, they begin to fall hard for each other, and she is forced to question what she’s hiding herself.

Jessica has never had a problem getting naked with a guy, but when it comes to showing Riley how she truly feels inside, her fear of rejection may just ruin the best thing—the best guy—to ever happen to her…

I’ve never read a book that made me change my mind so drastically about how I felt about the characters! I honestly hated the characters at the beginning, but later on, as I kept reading… they grew on me, and I started to care for them, and even love them. I haven’t read the first book in this series yet, but now I’m definitely going to, and I’m so looking forward to the next book!

I didn’t click with the beginning of the book. At all. Jessica and Riley were both huge jerks to one another, and I was wondering how on earth either of them would fall in love with each other. But… as I kept reading, they became less harsh and mean, and more snarky and sarcastic and funny. The more I read, the more I fell in love with them and became invested in their story and their HEA.

Jessica is a party girl whose parents are very religious. They push her to be someone she’s not, and she wants to get away from them. In comes Riley, the older brother of Jessica’s best friend’s brother. He offers her a place to stay at his house he shares with his younger brothers, despite the fact that the two of them hate each other. And sparks fly! The tension between the two of them is high, but what I loved was the constant humor and camaraderie between them, all the while pretending to still hate each other. They didn’t jump each other’s bones or give in to their lust. They slowly became friends, got the chance to know each other better, without the complication of sex.

I totally fell for Riley. He was hard to like at first (I just do not like jerk-y boys!), but as we get to know more about him… *swoon*. He’s the oldest of the four Mann brothers, and he’s had to take care of them all since their parents died a while ago. He took on the burden of three younger brothers without complaint, giving up everything for them. And if that doesn’t make you love him, I don’t know what does. He’ll do anything to make sure his brothers live the good life he never had, working nonstop to provide for them. He may not be a perfect adult model figure, but he loves his brothers with all his heart.

Jessica is hilarious! I found myself laughing hard at random parts of the book because of her, and laughing even harder at Jessica and Riley and their antics. The things they do are so adorable and I loved them together. They complemented each other perfectly, balancing each other’s traits and faults. And for a major part of the book, they still haven’t gotten together yet! Even though them getting together would be the cutest thing in the world, I was glad they took it slow. But once they realize how much they care for each other, and how much they want a relationship to happen, it’s perfection. I honestly loved every part of their relationship. Jessica’s not afraid to admit that Riley is different from the tons of other guys she’s hooked up with, and Riley is the sweetest boyfriend ever. There are a few misunderstandings, of course, that strain their relationship, but I had no worries.

I highly, highly recommend this for contemporary romance lovers. The name of the book absolutely does justice to the story. Although you probably should start with the first book in the series, unlike me. 😉

Reading Order: True Believers series

#1 ~ True: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Sweet: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Believe: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4 ~ Shatter: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

2Oct2013

Early Review: The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa
Series: The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: October 29th 2013
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback

Source: I received an ARC from the publisher (Harlequin Teen) in exchange for an honest review

In the real world, when you vanish into thin air for a week, people tend to notice.

After his unexpected journey into the lands of the fey, Ethan Chase just wants to get back to normal. Well, as “normal” as you can be when you see faeries every day of your life. Suddenly the former loner with the bad reputation has someone to try for-his girlfriend, Kenzie. Never mind that he’s forbidden to see her again.

But when your name is Ethan Chase and your sister is one of the most powerful faeries in the Nevernever, “normal” simply isn’t to be. For Ethan’s nephew, Keirran, is missing, and may be on the verge of doing something unthinkable in the name of saving his own love. Something that will fracture the human and faery worlds forever, and give rise to the dangerous fey known as the Forgotten. As Ethan’s and Keirran’s fates entwine and Keirran slips further into darkness, Ethan’s next choice may decide the fate of them all.

Um, wow. I… did not see that ending coming at all. Like, holy crapola, that has got to be the biggest freaking cliffhanger of ALL TIME. God, Julie Kagawa, what are you doing to me?!?

Ahem, well, aside from that ridiculous cliffhanger, I am SO happy with The Iron Traitor. This spinoff series has really stepped up its game. The first book I was only slightly disappointed with, but it was still good, because hello, it’s Julie Kagawa! And besides, it’s hard to measure up to the epic badass-ness that is the original Iron Fey series (If you haven’t read it, GO READ IT). But The Iron Traitor ended up being better than I expected! Ethan was alright in the first book, but in this sequel, he’s certainly wormed his way into my heart. He’s become so endearing, with his snarky wit, his need to be the heroic savior, and just his basic teenage boy-ness that I want more of him! I’m now very much invested in this spinoff series and am dying for more books in the series!

Ethan has grown throughout the series. At first, he completely hates the Fey, because they’ve done nothing but cause trouble to him. But now, after becoming more involved in their world, and meeting other Fey, he can’t exactly hate all Fey. Because like it or not, he’s related to them. His older sister is the queen of the Iron Court, and he has a nephew (who is the same age as Ethan–freaky, right) who he’s become friends with. Keirran is a huge part of Ethan’s transformation. Both their fates are entwined, and not necessarily for the better. It was all very worrisome, to be honest, and I kept feeling like something terrible was going to happen. And oh my god, it did. It was like, BAM, it comes out of nowhere, and I’m just reeling, shocked. If you’re going to read The Iron Traitor (which you should!) be ready for some serious plot twists.

Keirran is a difficult character to like. Throughout the entire book, he’s searching for a way to save the faery girl he loves from Fading–or basically, dying. And while he’s searching, he embraces the darkness more and more. It was really hard to see him as Meghan and Ash’s son, you know? It was just… weird. Like, oh my gosh, MEGHAN and ASH have a SON, and he’s turning slightly BAD?!? He’s got a good heart underneath, but desperate times call for desperate measures… and I got very frustrated with him. Because he’s the main reason why Ethan and Kenzie and everyone are getting into so much trouble and are risking their lives over it. And I just didn’t like that. I wanted to give Keirran a big shake so he’d come back to his senses, but I guess that wouldn’t make for a good plot, would it.

Oh my gosh. The BEST BEST BEST part of the book was… wait for it… PUCK!!!! YES! PUCK. IS. BACK! You have NO IDEA how much I love this Summer faery. I adore him. Him and his antics and his comic relief. I’d missed this trickster so much. And Ash too. I’m not sure I should say this ~~because I’ll sound crazy~~, but basically, every time Ash appeared in the book, I would start fangirling like crazy. Seriously, I love him. I’d just be squealing with joy for every ten second appearance he’d make. I’d just missed him so much! *sighs* Ash is the. best. I missed these two enough that I basically reread the entire Iron Fey series while I was reading The Iron Traitor. I’m such a crazy huge fan of the series.

And of course, a certain cait sith is there to help all their sorry asses traipse through the Nevernever so they can fight epic battles against the Fey 😉

ARGH! That ending! I want to know what happens in the next book so bad! Julie Kagawa, I ~~hate~~ love you so much for making me so agonized over the end!

Reading Order: The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten series

#1 ~ The Lost Prince: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Iron Traitor: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

18Sep2013

Early Review: Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles
Series: Wild Cards #1
Publication Date: October 1st 2013
Purchase: Ebook • Hardcover

Source: I received an ARC from the publisher (Walker Children’s Books) in exchange for an honest review

After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek’s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else’s family drama.

Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain–people you care about leave without a backward glance. A football scholarship would finally give her the chance to leave. So she pours everything into winning a state championship, until her boyfriend and star quarterback betrays them all by joining their rival team. Ashtyn needs a new game plan, but it requires trusting Derek—someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and win it all?

AH!! You have no idea how ecstatic I was to read this book. Because I just adore Simone Elkeles. I fell in love with her How to Ruin series and then I totally hit the jackpot with her Perfect Chemistry series. And once I found out she was going to write a new book, a new series, I totally fangirled! Wild Cards did remind me a bit of Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally (with the whole football player heroine), but I knew that Simone would put in that special spark that makes her characters so relatable and unique. And she did! I enjoyed Wild Cards very much!

I sort of flip flopped between liking Ashtyn one moment, and then not really feeling her the next. She’s an amazing football player, and while that’s definitely admirable, I know next to nothing about football. BUT Simone Elkeles is able to write Ashtyn in a way that I could still totally relate to and connect with. She’s a girl with big dreams, but she never really had anyone to support them or her. Even though she does have her football friends, she’s still lonely–until Derek comes in. But I did enjoy her character overall, mostly because of her growth and transformation, though not as much as I would have liked to. Throughout the book, Ashtyn learns to stand up for herself, to grow confident in who she is and who she’s meant to be. And I loved the fact that she never gives up on Derek. She gives her whole heart and effort for those she cares about, and Derek is one of them. The tension between them is off the charts!

Derek is the perfect mix of good guy and bad boy. And he’s got the rockin’ bod to top it all off 😉 YUM! Derek’s the type of guy who does what he wants and doesn’t care about what anyone thinks of him. He reminded me a bit of the Fuentes brothers from the Perfect Chemistry series (!!!) , with the bad-boyness and the sarcasm. So if you loved the Fuentes brothers, you’ll most likely fall for Derek too 😉 Derek’s got a lot of angst in him, which was perfect for me, because I love angtsy book boys! He’s got secrets from the beginning of the book, and he’s closed off. He hides his heart between a delicious wall of sarcasm, sexiness, and fantastic pranks. AKA he has a hard time opening his heart up to Ashtyn. He knows he wants her, but he doesn’t think he’s good enough for her. Grrr, the frustration!!

Ashtyn and Derek go head to head with each other all the time. It doesn’t help that the very first time they meet each other, Ashtyn stabs Derek in the foot with a pitchfork. I laughed SO hard at that. Seriously, if that scene doesn’t make you laugh, I don’t know what will. And while the entire book isn’t as ridiculously hilarious as that, there are still a whole bunch of funny moments. Derek has his fair share of laughs, with his endless wit and rebel attitude. *sigh* I just swoon so hard for a guy who can make me laugh. Plus, there’s the incredible tension that builds up between Derek and Ashtyn… whew! Very nicely done, Simone Elkeles. I was hooked onto their romance from the very beginning.

I finished this in a day, if that tells you anything. Everything you can expect from a Simone Elkeles book–a hot bad boy, funny, likable characters, a fantastic romance–is found in Wild Cards. I give it 4 hearts! Can’t wait to read the next book! (I’m hoping it’s Jet–who doesn’t believe in love. So excited to see if and how Simone will change that boy’s ways…)

12Sep2013

Early Review: Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: September 24th 2013
Links: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher (Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books) in exchange for an honest review

Stolen as a child from her large and loving family, and on the run with her mom for more than ten years, Callie has only the barest idea of what normal life might be like. She’s never had a home, never gone to school, and has gotten most of her meals from laundromat vending machines. Her dreams are haunted by memories she’d like to forget completely. But when Callie’s mom is finally arrested for kidnapping her, and Callie’s real dad whisks her back to what would have been her life, in a small town in Florida, Callie must find a way to leave the past behind. She must learn to be part of a family. And she must believe that love–even with someone who seems an improbable choice–is more than just a possibility.

Trish Doller writes incredibly real teens, and this searing story of love, betrayal, and how not to lose your mind will resonate with readers who want their stories gritty and utterly true.

I’ve never read a book by Trish Doller before, but I was thoroughly impressed. I requested a copy from Netgalley because of the premise and gorgeous cover. And I’m so glad I did because I enjoyed this book so much! It was slow and raw and heartwarming and sweet, and shows so much how you absolutely can find love no matter who you are, what you are, what you’ve done or where you’re from.

Callie was a great narrator. She was real, even though she had been on the run with her mom for twelve years. She’s hesitant about going back into a normal life, but I mean, who wouldn’t if you’ve never had any semblance of a normal life for over a decade? I wanted to feel sorry for her, but she’s a tough girl. She can handle her own, as she’s been doing the past twelve years, even if some things in her past do continue to haunt her. And the fact that she’s so resistant to her father and his family makes it hard for her to see how much they love her. Her new (well, technically it’s ‘old’) family is loving and welcoming, but Callie can’t accept their love. She feels like she’s betraying her mother, whom she still loves. But eventually, her family worms their way into her heart, and Callie knows that she’ll do anything for them, and that they’ll do anything for her. They teach and give her the unconditional love she never really had, and it was so touching and uplifting to read.

Greek culture is a pretty big part of the book, which was refreshing. The town Callie’s father lives in is a Greek tourist-y place, and Callie finds work selling Greek-like souvenirs with her cousin Kat. I never really read books that feature Greek culture, so it was a good kind of different to read about the food, the people, the language. I loved the Greek touch to the book! Made me want to go to Greece, see some Greek boys… *sigh*

Alex Kosta is the older boy Callie meets who she instantly is intrigued with. He’s beautiful but has something inside him that makes her want to know all his secrets, and tell him all her secrets. Their relationship was slow and awkward and bittersweet. I didn’t really connect with Alex, but I still felt he was perfect for Callie. He brought out the best in her, made her feel, and made her fall in love. And Callie is different for him as well. They connect in a way that they never have with anyone else before, and they show each other that love is possible for them both.

Favorite quote:

There are so many maybes in life, but sometimes you just have to put your faith in possibility.

I enjoyed reading this book so much. The dark and gritty balanced perfectly well with the sweet and heartwarming. I definitely recommend it for those who like their books a bit slow but moving. Now I’m really looking forward to reading Trish Doller’s first book, Something Like Normal.

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Also by Trish Doller

Something Like Normal: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
The Devil You Know: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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