Book Review for Before We Were Strangers by Renee Carlino

BEFORE WE WERE STRANGERS

by RENEE CARLINO

From the USA TODAY bestselling author of Sweet Thing and Nowhere But Here comes a love story about a Craigslist “missed connection” post that gives two people a second chance at love fifteen years after they were separated in New York City.

To the Green-eyed Lovebird:

We met fifteen years ago, almost to the day, when I moved my stuff into the NYU dorm room next to yours at Senior House.

You called us fast friends. I like to think it was more.

We lived on nothing but the excitement of finding ourselves through music (you were obsessed with Jeff Buckley), photography (I couldn’t stop taking pictures of you), hanging out in Washington Square Park, and all the weird things we did to make money. I learned more about myself that year than any other.

Yet, somehow, it all fell apart. We lost touch the summer after graduation when I went to South America to work for National Geographic. When I came back, you were gone. A part of me still wonders if I pushed you too hard after the wedding…

I didn’t see you again until a month ago. It was a Wednesday. You were rocking back on your heels, balancing on that thick yellow line that runs along the subway platform, waiting for the F train. I didn’t know it was you until it was too late, and then you were gone. Again. You said my name; I saw it on your lips. I tried to will the train to stop, just so I could say hello.

After seeing you, all of the youthful feelings and memories came flooding back to me, and now I’ve spent the better part of a month wondering what your life is like. I might be totally out of my mind, but would you like to get a drink with me and catch up on the last decade and a half?

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REVIEW: 5 STARS 

"The past doesn't belong to us anymore, and the future is just a fantasy, never guaranteed. But the present is ours to own."
Previously read in August 2015, transferred to my new blog.

Easily stated: this was a beautiful read. This was my first read of Renee's and I will say that I really enjoyed the way her story unfolded. One thing I immediately picked up on was the way that the story was told and how the chapter breaks were named.....if you are a music lover or have ever been in an orchestra, you will pick up on it immediately. I just smiled while reading that part. Beautiful....and so neat!!

This story is a wonderful second chance romance that showed purpose and love behind every action and reaction. From when they first met, to the memories they made with each other...we got to know Matt and Grace as individuals, but as a couple too. Sometimes it's just hard to capture that meaningfulness behind actions, but the way this story was written, it embraced all the different emotions you have and run through when a second chance presents itself. It just made me feel the passion and the love that these two held for each other, but also the pain and the anguish they lived through while trying to come to terms with this 'second chance' they're given.

The story could have been easy. Reconnect and move on, right? Life is good, we found each other. Right? No. That wouldn't have had any depth....and that is where I think this story excelled. It let us fall in love with Matt and Grace, and then they were separated and life happened. But, my goodness, the reconnection was beautiful and lyrical and the love and passion was there again.....and I loved it. My gosh, I couldn't soak it up enough. The love poured off the pages....the intensity and the desire was palpable. Magical.

However, with the happy comes the sad. The heart-breaking, soul-crushing sadness and grief. I wanted to cry for Matt....but I wanted to hug Grace. The turmoil these two went through while being separated from each other is a whole story on it's own!! Grace was so strong....I loved the way she was portrayed. She was so quirky and marched to the beat of her own drum. She just went with the flow and never needed anyone's approval. I loved that most about her. Her personality was so perfect....and Matt? Matt was the epitome of the first love you never forget....and I know I wouldn't want to! He was caring and sweet, he was strong and resilient, and he was intense and a pure gentleman. I loved him!

I will highly recommend this story to anyone that wants a memorable read with heartfelt emotions. The book was slow in the very beginning and I was really worried, but the minute I got into it, it picked up and the story ran away. Beautifully, I might add!! I am very anxious to read some more of her books as they come highly recommended by my BlogSister!!!

"And in that moment, you realize how little control you have over your own destiny..."

~BEE

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~MEET RENEE CARLINO~

Renée Carlino is a screenwriter and bestselling author of contemporary women's novels and new adult fiction. Her books have been featured in national publications, including USA TODAY, Huffington Post, Latina magazine, and Publisher's Weekly. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, and their sweet dog June. When she's not at the beach with her boys or working on her next project, she likes to spend her time reading, going to concerts, and eating dark chocolate. Learn more at www.reneecarlino.com

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Book Review and Giveaway for Then There Was You by Claire Contreras

THEN THERE WAS YOU
by CLAIRE CONTRERAS

Love and the right timing were two things I didn't believe in.

Love is about walking to the edge of the cliff and taking the leap together.
Timing was never on our side.
My first mistake was hooking up with my best friend.
My second came years later, when we met again, and I fell for her.
My third was letting her go, because I had to. Because a love like this wasn't built to withstand the winds coming in our direction.

Love and timing.
I didn't believe in either.
Then there was you . . .

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REVIEW: NOPE....I'm sad to say this didn't work for me.

I have a general rule of thumb with my books; if I find myself getting irritated with the writing and the characters, then I need to pull back and either give myself a pep talk or quit all together. I shouldn't be getting mad at the direction a story is going, and I shouldn't be dreading the rest of the book. So this is generally a turning point for me - the proverbial fork in the road. Either keep going, or give up so I don't taint my thoughts on the story any more than necessary. I don't like getting mad at a book.....and sadly, this one did that for me. I dreaded continuing.

I wanted to shout, "Pick up the pace and give me something meaty!!" It said something to me when I found myself checking Facebook, posting on my blog, being an active mom (just kidding).....over wanting to read. I just couldn't mentally focus on this book because I didn't find anything worth grabbing onto. I don't understand why I couldn't connect and why I couldn't get sucked in to the book. This has never happened with one of Claire's books for me. Why!? Why couldn't I focus on this one and what was so wrong with the writing and storyline that I just couldn't connect with it?

I was bored out of my mind in the very beginning, which is so unlike me with Claire's books. I really enjoy her writing style and her ability to pull me in to a story. I have never read one of her duets though, and so everything has buttoned up in one book and much quicker, so maybe that is what happened with this one. But the most disturbing part for me is that some things didn't make sense, and the writing was extremely choppy. So unlike Claire....and that makes me sad. I understand the importance of building up the intrigue and adding some mystery behind the plot so we keep turning the pages. But when I start out being confused for lack of info and many assumptions, and finish up being mad because of that trope-y turn/cliché ending, it is showing me something is wrong. I want conviction in decisions. I want continuity in themes. Family first? Buuut.....if the very reason for the parents to lose this "thing", why is there a contract for the son with the very potential of the same kind of "end", yet that is all ok? I can only say so much because the journey should be taken if you want to read this one, but it just didn't feel like there was any continuity for me, but there was conviction in the grandparents' requirements. Totally contradictory for me. It just didn't make sense.

The upside was I got to commiserate with another blogger because we buddy read this at the same time, but the downside was that so many are loving it and I am not sure where the disconnect was for me. I couldn't get past some of the inconsistencies, some of the drama that was brought up without a backstory, some of the actions between Tessa and Rowan. It just didn't work for me, so I am bowing out. That ending, sadly I foresaw that a mile away and that's what made it worse for me. So cliché in some spots, so confusing in others. I am seriously upset because I was all excited for some more of Claire's words, but unfortunately with this book turning into being of the trope that I actually hate, I need to cut my losses.

To be open and honest, I originally DNF'd this but ended up going back and skimming the rest so I could confirm all my suspicions and chat with a few that had read it as well.
~BEE

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~MEET CLAIRE CONTRERAS~

Claire is a New York Times & USA Today Best Selling author, mother of two, wife of one, owner of three dogs, and breast cancer survivor.

She enjoys writing anything from children’s stories to erotic suspense, but her most notable work is a contemporary romance. When she’s not writing, she’s reading and dreaming about places she wants to visit.

~CONNECT WITH CLAIRE~

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Book Review for Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon

Ice Planet Barbarians: A SciFi Alien Romance

by RUBY DIXON

You'd think being abducted by aliens would be the worst thing that could happen to me. And you'd be wrong. Because now, the aliens are having ship trouble, and they've left their cargo of human women - including me - on an ice planet.

And the only native inhabitant I've met? He's big, horned, blue, and really, really has a thing for me...

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COMPLETELY BIASED REVIEW: Not sure I can really rate it with any genre knowledge.....buuuut. 

OMG....what did I just read!!!!? Ok, so my friends have been harassing me to read these Blue Alien books. Harassing! Three different bloggers and many reader friends. I honestly thought they were all NUTS. This is NOT in my general wheelhouse. I like reality and depth. I like something I can relate to and empathize with. Space travel? Alien abductions? Alien sex? Psssh.....yeah right. Definitely NOT what I was willing to read.

I. WILL. EAT. MY. WORDS. 
Twice.

Seriously. Was it well written? Eh, I mean...not bad, but noooo, not literary genius by any means. I may have rolled my eyes, and I may have shook my head...but I did it with a genuine smile. I wanted to continue reading. I wanted to find out the rest of the story. I wanted to see why everyone has been raving about it and suggesting it to me. Meanies. HAHAHA! However, having said that, I will be reading more and will squeeze them in any chance I get because I honestly did enjoy the story and the heat. Oh my gosh -- it was hot. Very hot. It is so ridiculous how hot it was!! OMGosh....seriously, I am just giggling and slightly embarrassed just thinking about it!! So I can and will easily recommend this one because going in knowing it was about blue aliens? Yeah, I knew I had to suspend belief while reading it. AND I DID. I really did! It is a plot driven book to a certain extent, which was the promising part about it for me, but it was easy to read and easy to follow. But I won't deny that it is extremely sexed over either. I loved following Georgie and Vektar while they tried to work through a language barrier, all while navigating a very inhospitable world. I liked exploring different rituals and lifestyles (is that the right word to use!??), and seeing how it all kinda magically worked together. I honestly REALLY liked this one and cannot wait to dive into more!

I am laughing, but will sheepishly admit that this is my new guilty little pleasure. Most definitely YES. Ok? Yes, it is. Ridiculous for me? I don't know...maybe? I couldn't put this book down and it was one that I had to immediately grab the second book because I wanted more immediately after finishing the first!! This was so.....weird to me!! Weird, I tell you! I'm not a writer and have no abilities to carry on a story, so I am not bagging on this at all. Au contraire, mon frère. I am shocked that I was able to read it and push on, wanting to see how it played out. I wanted to read more. I am laughing at myself. Seriously, Bee? Seriously.

<shaking my head>

In all honesty, with sincerity, this was an EASY read...an addicting read too. I am not a Sci-Fi reader and probably never will be, so being able to go in without any knowledge as to how any of this works....I was able to just enjoy it for what it was. An incredibly hot and quick love story on some planet in some galaxy with some hot alien with huge horns. Ok? Ok. But I can say with conviction that I will continue reading this series and probably giggle about it to others. I am not sure if I am embarrassed (probably the wrong word), or just shocked that I a.) gave it a try or b.) want to read more!  I didn't even find anything to highlight as I read it. No quotes, no passages that made me sigh -- nothing. I figure if I went in knowing it was different, and out of this world <-- pun intended, then I knew that I could just let go and enjoy the story for what it was. And now I am addicted to it and need to get my fix for more, dammit. I have to read more. MORE.

Why is my review biased? Well, truthfully, I went in with a 'whatever' attitude, like "Yeah, right. I'm not going to enjoy this, but I can spend $.99 and call it good." I'll just get everyone to shut up and stop telling me I need to read it. I didn't go in with the purest of intentions and now, here I am excited to jump into the next one. I'm in trouble now....

~BEE

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~MEET RUBY DIXON~

Ruby Dixon is the secret penname of a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author. As Ruby, she writes sexy barbarian aliens, grumpy shifters, and domineering bikers.

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Book Review and Giveaway for Gods & Monsters by Saffron Kent

GODS & MONSTERS
by SAFFRON A KENT

He was an artist. She was his muse.

To everyone in town, Abel Adams was the devil's spawn, a boy who never should have been born. A monster.

To twelve year-old Evie Hart, he was just a boy with golden hair, soft t-shirts and a camera. A boy who loved taking her picture and sneaking her chocolates before dinner. A boy who made her feel special.

Despite her family's warnings, she loved him in secret for six years. They met in empty classrooms and kissed in darkened church closets. Until they couldn't.

Until the time came to choose between love and family, and Evie chose Abel.

Because their love was worth the risk. Their love was the stuff of legend.

But the thing about legends is that they are cautionary tales. They are made of choices and mistakes. And for Abel and Evie, the artist and the muse, those mistakes come in the form of lights, camera, sex.

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REVIEW: 4+ STARS
"I want him to purify me with his lust."

What an intense love these two had - WOW. I don't think anyone does intense love with a dark undertone to it like Saffron does. No one that I've read, at least. She just works really well for me. I love the little bit of CrAzY she puts into each character. There is no perfection in the eyes of any that read this, but there is such perfection in the way she portrays every character, flaws and all. I love the depth she gives to her characters, and her storylines are so unrefined and gritty. I just love the way she tells a story. Saffron is one of those authors that you feel while you read their words, their stories....their worlds they create. Abel and Evie's love poured off the pages and leeched it's way into my heart. I just wanted to hug them both so hard.

This book was written a little differently and is broken down into sections, so it's easy for me to break down my love affair with this book based on the sections. My very favorite section was the first one. The first section privied us to this newfound love born from absolute innocence. I got to fall in love with Abel and Evie, and not only find out how they started out, but also watch as their love blossomed from such a young age. Section two started out with conviction and carried me through until the end with a very dark underlying growing problem, but I saw my jaw drop and my mind race. This section was the catalyst, the push for the unfolding of the story, and I was turning the pages with fervor at that point. I wasn't entirely sure I could stand behind Abel here because I didn't know how healthy any of his actions truly were.....but I couldn't look the other way because, as detrimental as his deep need for Evie was, I couldn't put it down. I couldn't turn away. I was hooked and needed answers. By the time I got to section three, the first sentence broke.my.heart. OMGosh. I felt this intense emotional turmoil, this depression of sorts because of the palpable pain that was quite evident and it really tore me up. I loved this section as well, and it was the best at closing up the book. Their love was raw, their story was rough. My gosh it was so heavy and, at points, so unhealthy, but I could just feel Abel's desperation and need for Evie. This was SO twisted. This story was the definition of something so wrong, but oh so right. I could feel his need for her, and the lack of control he had over circumstances beyond his control. The erratic behavior. The crazy need. The lust. The devotion. The desire. It was all there, bold letters and all....but it was rough.

"No one should be made to hide their love. No one. It's too pure, too beautiful to ever keep hidden."

In an unhealthy way, I wanted to love him for every single one of his actions because he did it with a misguided, but loving heart. He loved her to no end - there was a beginning, yet no end, but he turned toxic and that was a scary part to read. His love was never-ending. I saw it. I felt it. I read it. But in other ways, red flags were flying real high. But you see, this is what Saffron does. She endears us to her characters' intensity as lovers. She draws us in with this pull that is unmistakable in every right. The untapped innocence, but the lack of maturity...it all plays a part in their story. But the underlying finality of their love is not to be mistaken. The determination of their love was not to be taken lightly, and I loved that conviction they had, but it was volatile at some points. BUT, their redemption was what made this story memorable for me. So while the story was hard to read in some spots, it was an excellent read throughout.

As with each book of Saffron's, there is a lesson to be learned in her characters life choices; in the fast paced world Abel and Evie are living in, slowing down and realizing there is nothing to sustain that life they are currently living is a hard lesson to learn. The drama, it was heart-wrenching. The drama between the two of them...it was hard to watch it unfold, to watch it materialize. It's young loves like this that feel like they can change the world, and even feel like they have the maturity that goes with that love to make all the right decisions. But they just don't and that's the lesson that Abel and Evie had to learn. That journey was harsh, riddled with the real world's anger, and it took a very dark turn. They knew they had an undying love, I felt the depth of that love...I read it and it was so pure and so intense, but so misguided in other attempts, but that was my favorite part about this whole story. Their unwavering love that never let anything stand in it's way.

One thing I could never doubt was their love for each other...but I could see how young it was, especially looking from the outside in. Not that young love isn't true....on the contrary. It's loves like Abel and Evie's that disprove every notion that you are are too young to fall in love. This is a story of two kids falling in love. Being friends. But it's mostly about growing....because they HAVE to.

This book may rub some folks the wrong way, and I can fully see this not being a popular thought with many, but I want to stress that regardless of the determination of Abel's love, I knew where the author was taking it and she was not sensationalizing his demeanor. I want to admit that at one point, this book lost a little of its lustre for me. I was really bummed to see it take a specific turn, however, after finishing the book, I realize that distraction was necessary because it was part of their story of growth. Don't get me wrong, I read through it because I wanted to see how this all worked out for them, but the little sojourn into that world was a little off-putting for me and is one of the reasons I couldn't give it a full five stars, but it was also one of the reasons I love Saffron's stories so much -- she takes chances and makes you fall in love with the seemingly unloveable. It was also a little wordy for me in some spot, but the story continued to move and I wasn't ever bored with it. Overall, I once again got an amazing love story with the not-so-typical jaunt through the pain and suffering of her characters. Redemption was Abel's to own, if he wanted to.

"Don't you get it, Pixie? There's no place for a boundary between us. I won't allow it."
~BEE

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~MEET SAFFRON A KENT~

Writer of bad romances. Coffee Addict. White Russian Drinker. Imaginary Ballet Dancer and poetess. Aspiring Lana Del Ray of the book world.

I'm a big believer in love (obviously). I believe in happily ever after, the butterflies and the tingling. But I also believe in edgy, rough and gutsy kind of love. I believe in pushing the boundaries, darker (sometimes morally ambiguous) emotions and imperfections.

The kind of love I write about is flawed just like my characters. And I hope by the end of it, you'll come to root for them just as much as me. Because love, no matter where it comes from, is always pure and beautiful. 

If you ever get a hankering to talk about books or love, you can find me here:

Her book group: Saffron's Purple Hearts

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Book Review and Giveaway for REED by Sawyer Bennett

REED
by SAWYER BENNETT

Hockey season may be over, but in New York Times bestselling author Sawyer Bennett’s new novel, a Carolina Cold Fury heartbreaker is heating things up off the ice and eager to score with the girl next door.

No one skates like Reed Olson. In the off-season, no one plays like him either. After back-to-back championships, Reed craves a different kind of action. Good thing there’s no shortage of women ready for a summer fling with a sports star. Reed has a specific type—blond, busty, not too bright—and a little black book full of options. But when his bed starts rocking, it’s his unexpectedly sexy neighbor who comes knocking. And the brainy beauty is impossible to ignore.

Josie Ives desperately needs something her celebrity neighbor obviously doesn’t: sleep. His headboard banging against the wall is keeping her up at night—not to mention inspiring some very naughty dreams. Reed is everything she imagined: a little too good-looking, with a body that puts Greek gods to shame. But he’s also funny and charming—a tempting combination. Josie’s the opposite of his type, yet the chemistry between them is undeniable. Their friendship certainly has its benefits, and it’s heating up to be so much more.

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REVIEW: 4 STARS
"I'm seeing Josie through unfiltered eyes and I like everything that I'm seeing."

I don't pretend to NOT be a Sawyer Bennett fan. I have read all of her books. I have loved them all. She is just that author for me. In general, she is an easy getaway; a guaranteed good read for me each time. You can go into this review with that knowledge, but please understand.....her words are worthy and I am speaking from the heart when I say this was such a good read. I enjoyed this one very much!

For being the tenth book in a series about Hockey Players, you would think this machoism would be boring by now, right? Played out, easily, right?! Well....no. Not this time. For my favorite sports series, Sawyer Bennett has made each book individually captivating, yet perfectly suited for an ongoing series. I love this series. Love it. So it's no secret that this book will leave me smiling in my review. One thing I want to point out is the ease in which she transitions from friends to lovers; it was effortless. I couldn't help but smile the entire time I was reading this story, all while they were letting their guard down and falling for each other. I loved this part of it!

This one was a little sweeter, a little softer hitting than the others, though. But, don't get me wrong. Reed was ALL man and divinely sexy, but I loved that his insecurities were actually recognized and REAL. Was he a manwhore? Well, yes....he's a freaking hockey player that just won his second championship. Did we see these man-whorish ways....again, yes. We have to set up the story, right? But, a rehab’d playboy? Sounds cliché, doesn’t it? Well, leave it it SB to make this story a little more in depth; a little deeper when it comes to the heart! Because she did one helluva job on it too. I loved seeing this change in him; his own realizations that she is worth more than just a one night stand. I cannot tell you how much I loved reading that side to his story.

How do you change your image from playboy to a worthy man in a relationship? How do you convince her she's the one to change you? When it's so cliché, how exactly do you convince her? I realize this trope can be cliché, but the way Sawyer Bennett endears us to her characters, it sure makes it easier. Basically, when she makes her characters so relatable and makes us fall in love with the real man that they are, not just the outward appearances he chooses to share publicly, but the real him, we fall in love harder, faster, and deeper. Pun intended?

Ahem....and the setup for Marek's story was ON POINT!!! Make sure to add this one to your TBR or PREORDER it.

"No particular cadence. no metaphorical rhyme or physical reason why it feels so good. It's just. . . love."
~BEE

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~ABOUT SAWYER BENNETT~

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Sawyer Bennett is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. Her husband works for a Fortune 100 company which lets him fly all over the world while she stays at home with their daughter and three big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn't have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

Sawyer is the author of several contemporary romances including the popular Off Series, the Legal Affairs Series, the Last Call Series and the Carolina Cold Fury Hockey Series.

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