One Night With You by Candace Schuler

March 7, 2016March 7, 2016Leave a comment

Hellllllllllllo readers, it’s time to dip into Lizzo’s trashy Kindle buys. I seem to always buy really trashy romance books on my Kindle. I think mainly because they;re really cheap when you buy them in the Kindle Version and I have no space for physical books so I tend to buy cheap, trashy, romances. (Don’t judge.) Anyway, I reaaaally like reviewing these so #noshame. ENJOY!

For Desi, it was a chance to make her fantasies come true. For Jake, it was a night of mind-blowing sex. It wasn’t supposed to lead to anything more.

Now Desi and Jake must decide if that one night of passion—and a baby girl—can turn into a lifetime of love.

^ that blurb is not great; don’t you hate it when the author doesn’t give you anything to really get your teeth into. It’s like picking up a cupcake and thinking its chocolatey and instead it’s carrot cake – WE NEED TO KNOW THE INGREDIENTS. So, I’ll give you a bit more of an insight. After a passionate night of well y’know (I will mention the lack of protection later,) our male protagonist Jake, leaves for a location shoot and our leading lady Desi later finds out she is expecting; what she doesn’t expect is that she ends up working on Jake’s film as a make-up artist ie MASSIVE EXPLOSIVE MEETING. We watch as they try to work around each other whilst their former past constantly gets in the way.

Right, so what did I think of this book; erm. Well you know me I love a trashy book but this was a little too stereotypical. I mean being a make-up artist and sleeping with an actor, same location that kind of thing – it felt a little obvious. Desi as a character is incredibly annoying (might be the word) I mean she keeps the baby a secret, refuses to communicate with Jake and ends up making a lot more trouble than is needed. Jake is a total hot-head and continually explodes around her, grabbing at her and being a general nightmare. The passion is obviously there and I enjoyed the push-pull of it, but I felt the characters at times were a little one-dimensional. The author makes the characters, starts to build on them and then they become monsters – Desi is irrational and exhausting and she can’t make up her mind what to do. Jake is written like a hot mess but he’s a just bit too angry to really come across in an attractive way really.

Additionally, whilst Desi is pregnant she has the chance to meet up with Jake and he accepts meeting up with her; but she never turns up. She does feel uneasy about it – but then when they do meet up on the film set you can understand his anger because one, he was stood up, and two, he doesn’t know that she’s pregnant, so her quite angry responses to him are really quite, irrational. He’s angry probably because he did want the chance to talk to her but she never allows it. Oh it’s just one big mess.

One of the really silly things, and I know it happens in books but there is a certain understanding in the time that we live that there are ways of protecting against not only the arrival of small children, but also dangerous STI’s and the like. I understand the author, using this as plot, it’s not new, but it just feels a little unnecessary. There are ways of doing it and working around it without you know, not even including the mention of it really.

So did I enjoy this? Kind of. I mean I didn’t hate it and a lot of the elements I thought could have made a good story. I thought the immediate attraction between them was good, the immediate creation of the characters was good. The lack of talk about protection and using it I still think should not be used really – it’s not clever, it’s not safe and it’s unnecessary! I think this is the perfect, cheap-ish beach read, one a towel with some wine, sunglasses on, where you don’t need a lot of concentration. It’s an okay read but no more than that.

Linnnnnks

Amazon

Goodreads

Until You by Sandra Marton

March 3, 2016March 2, 2016Leave a comment

Helllllllllllllo readers, I swear I’ve reviewed this book before but apparently I haven’t – which reminds me I must make I sure I put all of my reviews on a list somewhere. I haven’t updated my reviews list in months and months but there has to be a simpler way of doing it than the way I’m manually doing it. If anyone has any suggestions, on how I can create a list super simply of allllllllllllllll my reviews. It’s currently a Thursday so let’s make it a little more happy with a review!

Paris in the spring is a city for lovers, but for Conor O’Neil and Miranda Beckman, the city is a place where the truth is always just out of reach. Miranda’s life is in danger, and Conor will do whatever it takes to save her, even if it means not letting her know he’s working for the government. For her part, Miranda will do whatever it takes to keep Conor from learning the truth about her past. And yet, the one thing neither can lie about is the passion that blazes between them.

As the blurb kind of suggests the book follows the relationship between Conor O’Neil and Miranda Beckman. Miranda is in danger, and Connor is a special operations kind of guy who was once employed by Harry Thurston as part of the super secret group ‘The Commitee.’ (Sounds scary right.) Thurston asks O’Neil to keep an eye on Miranda who is living life to the full in Paris; there has been information that there could be a blackmail attempt if Conor doesn’t take on the role and make sure Miranda is safe; but this is definitely not going to be plain sailing with these two hot-heads.

In terms of the characters, Conor is a once divorced man who is still struggling to come to terms with the breakdown of his marriage. One to (now) keep women at arm’s length and instead keep the relationship very superficial he comes across as quite cold and difficult; although around Miranda he immediately changes and finds himself finding it difficult to stay away from her. Miranda is a famous model and also the life of the party who can’t help but enjoy herself. Often putting her life on the line, ignoring warnings that she’s in danger, oh and she’s really good at pushing Conor’s buttons.

Now I understand what you’re thinking; beautiful model, in danger, saved my broken man, but, it does get better.There are lots of moments of suspense and as the danger continues to rise we see the relationship between them falter and fall and flourish. They’re always struggling with one another which helps to increase the excitement. They are definitely hot and cold with one another and the author uses that to build the story – there’s no sudden relationship here for these two.

The only real trouble is that when the author is writing more detailed parts she really kind of goes into too much detail. Instead of making using this time to push the plot forward it slows down the pace and means that you lose a little excitement. I also thought that there were too many conversations between minor characters that weren’t really needed. Sometimes you need a bit of filler but it doesn’t need to be dragged out to the point where it feel irrelevant. There was also a little bit of a wobble with Miranda, unfortunately although she has a really interesting background she comes across very harsh and it makes her difficult to warm to, especially when Conor is such an exciting character.

Overall would I recommend this book? Yes, although it’s a 2.5/3 star book I really enjoyed the back story and the tension the author builds. The relationship between the two was very push-pull and not instant which I liked but there wasn’t really a defining moment when you thought, they definitely should be together and with the writing style at times being a little tiring it lacked something. This would be the perfect holiday read – not everything I wanted but a solid story.

Linnnnks

Goodreads

Amazon

Dark Water by Jan Ruth

February 13, 2016February 13, 20162 Comments

Helllllo readers – hope you’re feeling a little better than I am. It’s been one of those days/weeks/months. I broke a mirror at new year and it seems to be doing its damned best to mess up my best efforts. Firstly my computer at work died a death which was horrible and then my laptop died a death too. Then, just to really upset me – I tried to buy a laptop online and it just wasn’t happening so I’ve been a little lost. But I’m back and ready to get back into blogging and this book is the perfect one to start me off.

The tragedy and comedy that is Jack’s life; is there a future for him and Anna, or is the past too destructive? Jack Redman, estate agent to the Cheshire set and skilled juggler of complex relationships. Someone to break all the rules, or an unlikely hero?

In this sequel to Wild Water Jack and Anna return to discover that history repeats itself. Anna’s long-awaited success as a serious artist is poised to happen, but her joy, along with her relationship with Jack, is threatened by old scores.

Simon Banks is a depressed and unstable man with a plan. He wants to wipe out his past by buying a brighter future, but Jack Redman stands in his way. Will Jack ever escape the legacy of lies and deceit left by his ex-wife? Can Jack and Anna hold it all together, or will tragic repercussions from Jack’s past blow them apart forever?

So as like the blurb suggests the plot is only going to get thicker in this second book. As we continue from the first tale we see Jack torn between wanting to be with Anna but also wanting to make the right decision in respect to his child/ren. Pressured by his ex-wife to move herself their daughter Lottie and her toddler son James closer to Lottie’s school and therefore closer to Anna’s home means that the stress on their relationship is reaching uncomfortable levels. With the confusion of parentage still lingering and Chelsea’s father Simon Banks – who has become increasingly unstable and now wants to reveal his true identity whilst also having a terrible grudge against Anna – it’s all getting a bit too much. It’s all mixed up family relationships and wobbles and that’s a pretty interesting tale to spin.

So, what makes this book exciting? Well for one I love the way that all the characters are of a slightly older age. This is like a grown-up chick-lit that doesn’t just deal with lust and excitement it is filled with responsibility, with baggage and with disillusioned characters and it feels so real. Each still has a sense of hope and as with the first book it made me feel for the characters so much more. Each character has also been developed so much more – Jack feels more haggard, more tired and I just wanted him to pull through and make the right decision. I thought the added characteristics, nothing really new from the first book but the elevation of the secondary characters traits helped to gel the developments in the characters lives.

In terms of the writing – once again the description is beautiful. The landscape is Wales really allows for that, and it helps to add atmosphere, excitement and a deeper, darker addition to the tale. It almost becomes a character in itself. It’s not overwhelming but it just helps to put the characters against a really fully-fledged background. Places like the quarry, Patsy’s cottage and the art gallery just came to life in my mind and would in the imagination of any reader.

I liked the way that the author allows the reader to make up their own mind about what’s going on. Themes of love, loss, hope and stress are all developed and yet we get to see it from both Anna and Jack so we can develop are own ideas. Each character is flawed and in the wrong at one point or another which allows us to move between characters and not just dismiss them. As like in any book there are heroes and villains but here they’re allowed to be judged fairly? If that makes sense.

The only wobble may be there are a lot of characters and at the start I was a little confused as to who was who and what their relationship with another character was but once I got back into it I was just pulled into another exciting and rich tale. So would I recommend? Yes, it has such grit and realism and it speaks to numerous different readers. With beautiful characters, an intriguing plot and with an understanding of how to draw the reader in this book is a triumph.

Linnnnks

Amazon

Untouched (A Beachwood Bay Love Story Book 1) by Melody Grace

January 25, 2016January 8, 2016Leave a comment

mylittlebookblog (1)

Hellllllo readers, I know it’s Monday and Monday’s suck but I’m going to try and help you through with a beachy read! I’ve written a post for Friday on the worst reading slump of all my reading slumps, so I’ve been trailing back through my Kindle purchases and reviewing books I’ve read but not quite got round to reviewing here. Additionally, if you’re waiting for reviews on Amazon/Goodreads they will be there soon, it’s just a case that I’ve left it realllllly long and now I’ve got lots to do so I’m putting it off! Hopefully this weekend they’ll make it on there (SORRY.)

Welcome to Beachwood Bay: the small town where passion and romance are making waves…

Emerson Ray is trouble. Juliet knows it the minute she lays eyes on Beachwood Bay’s resident bad boy. Forced to spend her summer before college in the sleepy beach town, she never expected to crash into the most devastating guy she’s ever met–or for Emerson’s blue eyes to strip through her dark secrets, and make her feel a desire she’s never known. Their connection is undeniable, but Juliet is torn. She knows, once she gives him everything, there’ll be no turning back.

Juliet McKenzie is dangerous. Emerson can tell from the way she blows through all his defenses, laying bare the demons he’s carried alone all his life. He’s left a trail of broken hearts and empty beds in his wake, but Juliet is different. Her innocence is intoxicating–and the passion she keeps hidden, just below the surface. He wants to be the only one to set it free, but with every kiss, he’s closer to losing control and doing the one thing he swore he never would: fall in love.

One summer. Two damaged hearts. Their story is only just beginning…

17667474

There’s quite a lot of blurb there but I’ll do a quick re-cap. The book follows the lives of Julia, who has applied for college far away from her family to get a new start away from her alcoholic father, her sister who has no time for her and her mother who just craves attention but first she must get through the family vacation at Cedar Cove. Emmerson is the local bad boy who hasn’t had the most rosy of starts in life. Working numerous jobs to support himself and his younger siblings and struggling with his broken relationship with his mother he’s lost all hope until he crashes into our lovely female protagonist.

So a little predictable and the writing is very much sweet 16 kind of love. I must admit despite myself the first chapter did really reel me in. There is a lot of sexual tension mixed into the first scenes and the heat between the two is palpable. The first few chapters are really well-written and pack a punch and we see their personalities really shine through. Both are utterly stubborn and refuse to take help from the other. I loved Julia’s gutsy personality although at times she does come across a little whimsical and tiring but I think the target audience for this book is a little younger than me – I think sixteen-year-old Lizzy would have loved this a lot more. Emmerson is a HOT MESS – HOLLA. He’s stubborn, loving, utterly gorgeous and a total heart-throb so thumbs up.

Throughout the book a number of side-stories as woven in especially with the use of both the main characters families which helps to add interest and is impressive seeing how short the book is. This also helped to make the relationship feel like it was more than just lust but there was a connection which helped to make the book feel more genuine. There are additionally a number of incredibly steamy scenes that were written with a lot of guts and passion. These two are infatuated with each other but the use of the back-stories helps to add intrigue whether they can be together and whether it will work between them.

There are two main wobbles with this book – first it is incredibly short, and although novella’s are short it shouldn’t mean that the story is compromised. Here the story inside the book has to be squashed and that means the descriptions of the characters, how they meet, and the build up of their relationship is also squashed. The book is ninety pages long and just couldn’t help but think write in maybe just another hundred pages or so and it would have allowed a little more room for development.

I guess the way to finish up is this is the perfect, easy beachy read with a hot romance. Yes, it might not be so developed but for me it was just what I needed.

Linnnnks

Goodreads

Amazon

Masquerade (Andalucían Nights Trilogy) by Hannah Fielding

January 18, 2016July 18, 2016Leave a comment

Hellllooo readers, really need to come up with a more interesting opening line. Maybe I could do a poll? Or maybe I could just be more creative *shrugs.* In other news I’m on the search for a new laptop as with this one the space bar keeps sticking and Ikeepwritinglikethisandhavingtogobackandchangeit *JIOSDKJFSDKJSDKJ* In other happier news I have a really lovely review which I hope not to write out in one long sentence!

Summer, 1976. Luz de Rueda returns to her beloved Spain and takes a job as the biographer of a famous artist. On her first day back in Cádiz, she encounters a bewitching, passionate young gypsy, Leandro, who immediately captures her heart, even though relationships with his kind are taboo. Haunted by this forbidden love, she meets her new employer, the sophisticated Andrés de Calderón. Reserved yet darkly compelling, he is totally different to Leandro but almost the gypsy’s double. Both men stir unfamiliar and exciting feelings in Luz, although mystery and danger surround them in ways she has still to discover.

Right so first things first I have to mention that this is the second novel in the Andalucian Nights series so I’m already a little behind. However the book follows the life of Luz Maria Cervantes de Rueda, the only child of Count Salvador. Luz however is far from home and has spent many years studying abroad; however the time has come to travel back home to be with her family and start a career. However she meets two men – Leandro and Andres. Who will win her heart? Either way it’s going to be a pretty wonderful summer.

So there’s the basics of the book – a little stereotypical a little tired, maybe, but the writing style really brings this tale to life. Fielding really knows how to write a historical fiction and her descriptions of the world around her is written with skill, understanding and knowledge. The scenery, the culture springs from the pages and you find yourself wrapped in the warmth and feeling of a Spanish family. I very very rarely come across books that deal with the time period of the early 70’s in this country so it was a refreshing change to see this as the main period focus during the book.

Overall Luz is a lovely character; a strong character although a little stubborn. Not always the one to make the right decisions she lives in the moment but has a pride you would be silly to mess with. I liked the fact that she wasn’t a goodie-two-shoes type of character. She gets things wrong, she picks herself up, and she carries on. I think too often we are subjected to ‘perfect’ characters that don’t quite work for me; here getting an imperfect protagonist really worked.

This book however wasn’t without wobbles for me. Firstly our two love interests – as with a lot of romance books I’m sad to say there was a lot of instant attraction, love at first sight kind of mumbo-jumbo. Now don’t get me wrong I love a good romance but this was definitely a lust fueled romance hiding as love. It just made me angry because Luz doesn’t seem at any point to know the difference between the two. The love triangle felt a little tired and I must admit I’m not a fan of love triangles because they always leave the reader hanging and leave too much to be desired between a relationship for me. If a single relationship was worked and built better that will excite me more than a less built three-way triangle.

Additionally another wobble; Fielding paints an incredible picture of Cadiz and yet the characters lacked the same level of detail and importance for me. I think that the city almost came across as more important than our characters and although I adore good, well built up environments especially in historical fiction here I wanted more from each of the characters to mimic the authors skill writing about places.

Overall however this is a lovely little beach read that I would definitely have me wishing of sangria, beach towels and sky-blue skies. I thought that the ideas were there, the scenery was there but the lack of complete character description and at time dialogue meant that the script became a little dry and not all consuming. Definitely an author I want to read more from, just maybe this one wasn’t quite for me.

Linnnnks

Goodreads

Website

Twitter

Loving Lies (Dangerous Desires #1) by Tina Donahue

January 9, 2016January 8, 2016Leave a comment

Hellllllo readers, time for another review and this time it’s a lovely romantic tale and I think my first of 2016. I’ve been working my way through a stack of ARC copies and I’m working towards my Goodreads target which I’ve recently set hopefully I will hit my goal and make sure I start completing my resolution to update my Goodreads more. However, for now, onto the review of Loving Lies by Tina Donahue.

When she is kidnapped, Senorita Isabella knows the men have been sent by her uncle in a murderous attempt to control her family’s fortune. But when she is rescued by a dashing and mysterious warrior, Isabella can’t imagine why a stranger would risk his life for her—until she discovers her rescuer believes she’s someone else…

Fernando de Zayas loves nothing more than the cry of battle. Defying death is his way of life. But when he discovers his betrothed has been kidnapped, he rushes to her aid—never suspecting that spirited beauty would soothe his warrior heart…

With her uncle’s minions close on their heels, Isabella finds herself drawing closer to Fernando. But as the desire between them builds, her secret could keep them apart forever…

As the blurb suggests we follow the story of Isabella the daughter of a Spanish Grandee and a Duke – however due to the terrible deeds of her evil Uncle she finds herself in the middle of a slave auction, except Isabella’s sister was the one that was supposed to be taken! Abducted and sold as a sex slave Isabella is saved by the Holy Man Fakir. Everything however is not as it seems as it turns out that he is not Fakir but instead Fernando, a Spanish Knight. Once again a twist; Fernando thinks he is saving his betrothed but instead he is saving her younger sister. Deciding to keep the truth a secret Isabella wards off the advances of Fernando knowing she is not the one for him – but can she help herself falling in love and what will happen when he finds out the truth? All will be revealed!

So that’s the premise of the story, onto the nitty-gritty. This is a book full of love, deception, sacrifices and family. Throughout we see Isabella doing all she can to protect her sister – sacrificing her life to keep her safe. It’s a lovely passionate story and I thought the feelings that was woven between Isabella and Fernando were well written and I adored the push and pull of it. Seeing Isabella attempting to stop herself from falling for Fernando was exciting and helped to push the plot forward making it gain pace. The love story is written with power and gusto and it shows that the author really understands how to create such an all-consuming romantic plot line.

Overall the pace is strong and helps to propel the adventure forward. This is a historical fiction and the writing style definitely fits the time period in terms of the language used and makes sure that the reader continuously feels transported to a different world. During the tale we see the two travel back to the castle and they are faced by a number of adversities that helped to add to the excitement of the tale. They are written well and help to add tension and suspense to the tale.

In terms of characterisation both are built wonderfully – Isabella is gutsy and strong and yet she continuously struggles with the guilt of the love she feels for Fernando. Fernando is a sweet character and although I didn’t feel as much as I do for some fictional characters I did enjoy reading about him and following the story. The only wobble for me really was at times I felt as though the writing style didn’t match in all places – during the more passionate scenes the writing is heady and over-the-top which works but then during some of the spoken scenes the writing wavers and becomes more simple.

Overall I enjoyed reading this more – the plot moves with pace and the characters are well-built. For me the writing just lacked a little to really pull me in in places, but it may be because I found the plot a little cloying. It was a lovely little romantic read that didn’t quite do it for me (although was very close!)

Linnnnnks

Goodreads

Website

Twitter

“You can’t just switch off your feelings because the other person did.” — Sophie Kinsella (Twenties Girl)

January 4, 2016December 18, 20151 Comment

Rhythm of Deceit (The NightHawk Series) by Rachael Richey

January 4, 2016January 4, 20161 Comment

Hellloooo readers, hope you’re well and not too hungover/full of christmas turkey because I have another really exciting review for you. I reviewed Rachael’s first book a little while back and had the sequel just lingering and waiting to be read. In my slightly bookish slow down in terms of reading I’ve been going to authors I know will engage and excite me and this one definitely did. Thank you to Rachael for sending her book and helping me with my bookish slump – with no more delay onto the review.

Two years after finally being reunited, Abigail Thomson and Gideon Hawk are happily married and living in Cornwall with their children.

While Gideon is busy focusing his energies on his musical career, Abi makes an unexpected discovery of old diaries dating from 1950. As she and her daughter read through them, the reasons behind Abi’s mother’s destructive actions become much clearer, and they discover a shocking sixty-year-old deception.

Meanwhile, Simon Dean, the vengeful ex-drummer of Gideon’s band NightHawk, is about to make life very difficult for them all—again—and he is prepared to go to desperate lengths to achieve his goals

I think I’ll start by saying that I really did enjoy Rachael’s first book and this one really just follows on just a few years from where the first book ends. Abi and Gideon (*swoons*) are very happily married and have a new little one called Ollie. Gideon is in the thought process of creating a new solo career in London whilst Abi and her daughter Natasha stay at home and look after darling little Ollie. After a slightly unwarranted visit to Abi’s father a suitcase is discovered which belonged to Abi’s mother. Here we get to dip into the story of Joan and Pauline (Abi’s mother and her sister) and see the heartbreaking story that has been hidden for so long. Whilst this is all developing, Gideon is still have trouble with Simon who just can’t leave his dreams of reuniting the band alone. Will it all end in happiness? You’ll have to read the book to find out (you know me by now, no spoilers here!)

Now I’ve got that out of the way onto the details. I must admit, and Rachael did warn me, I loved this book even more than the first – the relationship between Abi and Gideon grows and they really become a power-house of a couple and it left me feeling so warm inside. Simon becomes even more of an aggravating git but the evil side of him definitely adds a smidgen of drama and made me gallop through the book. Natasha is also utterly utterly wonderful which to a point I knew she would be – young yet gutsy and determined she adds an extra spark to the story. I found the backstory between Joan and Pauline incredibly heartwarming and I found myself feeling incredibly torn with my feelings during the first book. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and spending the first book cursing Abi’s parents I found myself torn. The author has really worked to make this tale a emotive and evocative tale.

The writing is exciting and moves with pace throughout and we get to experience each different story-line as it develops; the diary, the story between Gideon and Simon and the life of Abi and Natasha. They all intermingle throughout and the story really pulls it all together in a way that is so clever and found my gabbling to get to the end and find out the final conclusion. The writing is heady exciting and has a warmth to it overall. I write reviews where I want more from the characters but here it really is thrown at you.

I can’t really put into words why I liked this so much better but I think it’s that the relationships and the dangers are emphasised so much more and having been so excited about the first book watching everything develop I felt I had such a connection with the characters which doesn’t happen in all books. I honestly couldn’t put this down and I honestly cannot wait to see what happens next. Thumbs up – this book is pretty fantastic.

Linkkks

Amazon

Goodreads

Author Website

High Heels in New York by A. V Scott

December 28, 2015December 28, 20153 Comments

Helllllo readers, hope you’re well. I recently realised that WordPress hasn’t been picking up a lot of my silly spelling mistakes so when they get published there have been quite a few letters missed out, or extra letters. I’ve spent today going through and editing again – there are always a few you miss no matter how carefully you check. Additionally I’m in the process of putting about 15 reviews on Amazon and Goodreads – I think I might make it a monthly thing because I just don’t have time so if you’re waiting they will be there soon. To today’s review – enjoy.

A romance best seller in 2013 and 2014, High Heels in New York is the first book in the High Heels Fashion series that weaves together suspense, love, and betrayal within the lives of two best friends.

Melissa De La Rosa has never felt luckier. She is to marry her ideal man, and about to launch her shoe line during the coveted fashion week in New York. But in one afternoon her “happily ever after” begins to fall apart when tragedy strikes, unleashing a string of events she never in her wildest dreams anticipated.

Then there’s Angelina, is a Hollywood has-been who can’t break her addiction to drugs, which she basically needs to actually function. Banking on her latest picture to launch her back into Hollywood royalty, a long kept secret vows to destroy the life she’s so carefully crafted.

In the city that never sleeps, secrets are never truly hidden.

As the blurb suggests the book follows Melissa who loses her dream life when her supposed prince charming is really a thief who not only ruins her big day, but has been lying for years, and stole her money and her heart. However, our main protagonist picks herself up and decides to throw herself back into her dream of making and creating beautiful, perfect shoes. On the other side of the story, Angelina is an old and tired actress who is desperate to keep herself in the spotlight. However a family tree mistake and her best friend Melissa nearly losing her mind it’s all going to get a bit messy.

This review is going to be a little tough because there are lots of what I call wobbles. The first thing to note is the characters that are built, are both shallow and incredibly frustrating. They lack traits that make readers fall in love with them and although Melissa tries to push forward this strong, dutiful woman it feels vague and unbelievable. There’s just a lack of depth. The writing is also (really unfortunately) poor in it’s entirety. If you ignore the grammatical and spelling mistakes the consistency errors are awful. At one point we hear a lot about a character going to visit a city and all the places she wants to go. When we go to the city it’s a completely different one with completely different tourist hot-spots, not to mention a characters name changes entirely for a few chapters – SORRY WHUT!

As you might imagine this makes the plot difficult to pull together. Not only does the story jump all over the place but the sub-plots are a little confused and get muddled with the rest of the characters. It doesn’t feel consistent and it makes it difficult to keep a hold of the plot-line. There are bits that are written with real skill and do show the potential of the author but they are just ‘bits.’ It’s a shame because I kept reading only to see what on earth would happen next – it was so unstable in it’s telling that it became enjoyable for allllll the wrong reasons. Another big wobble is that the tense changes, uncomfortably and regularly, as in, in the same paragraphs multiple times at points.

I guess, overall, it felt a little like a first draft, because the editing was just not there. There are mistakes that I believe 16 year old Lizzy could have picked out pretty easily and quickly. These errors should have been picked up by any editor easily and suggested to be changed. The plot felt like an outline that needed developing and there was space too. I’m not going to go into the ending because it was honestly a car crash. It just ended with nothing to let the reader feel they had finished a really interesting and exciting book.

It’s horrible but there is little to say about this book other than it direly needs an edit. The premise of the book isn’t too far off and with an big edit of grammar/spelling/consistency there is potential there. There needs to be a big focus on Melissa’s back-story, her love for shoes, the fashion show and the author could have gone to town on that but it doesn’t. Overall this book struggles and it’s a darn shame.

Linnnks

Goodreads

Amazon

Wild Water (The Wild Water Series 1) by Jan Ruth

December 21, 2015December 21, 20151 Comment

Hellllllo readers, hope you’re all well and happy bunnies as of today! It’s getting soooo close to Christmas and I’ve had no time at all to get any festive books read. In trying to get my review inbox clean and sorted I’ve had to really put my TBR on hold and that means lots of Christmassy books aren’t getting read *boo* – however I’ve had the chance to read some utterly fantastic books too. Without delay – the review.

The tragedy and comedy that is Jack’s life; secrets, lies and family ties.
Jack Redman, estate agent to the Cheshire set. An unlikely hero, or someone to break all the rules? Wild water is the story of forty-something estate agent, Jack, who is stressed out not only by work, bills and the approach of Christmas but by the feeling that he and his wife, Patsy are growing apart. His misgivings prove founded when he discovers Patsy is having an affair, and is pregnant. At the same time as his marriage begins to collapse around him, he becomes reacquainted with his childhood sweetheart, Anna, whom he left for Patsy twenty-five years before. His feelings towards Anna reawaken, but will life and family conflicts conspire to keep them apart again?

As the blurb suggests the book follows Jack Redman – a successful and wealthy estate agent who realises that something is terribly wrong as he and his wife’s relationship takes a tumble. As his life begins to sway and he finds himself struggling to juggle the balls in his life – one person, his first love, Anna is keeping him sane, but she’s involved with another and she would be crazy to try anything with him again after he left to marry Patsy? Wouldn’t she?

This novel is utterly wonderful – the characters are so strongly built and created that I really felt emotional investment towards them. Patsy is a deplorable character and to see Jack trying so helplessly to keep it all together it really pulled on my heartstrings. I really rooted for Jack throughout and that is a real merit to the author. To create something that makes the reader believe it is almost real, shows serious writing strength and I found myself sucked into the book and the characters. Jack, is also a little bit of a hot mess but in an utterly rogueish way. I could imagine him surrounding by the Welsh landscapes, hair blowing in the wind *sighs.*

The plotline although not swift moves with a reliable pace and that helps with the overall story line. This tale is unfortunately one that we hear over and over again. Affairs, heartbreak, broken families this novel doesn’t try to do anything clever and that’s why I think it works so well. The writing is strong and smooth and feels mature. There is no bitty writing and it feels so real. The story, the characters, the location it all jumps off the page and envelopes you in a wonderfully bookish fug. My only fault could be that there is does feel a little predictable, there aren’t many twists and turns to really confuse the reader. But, and it’s a big but, I didn’t feel like I needed that here – it tells a tale and beautiful one at that.

Would I recommend this book – yes? It is the perfect mix between a lighter romance and a truly distressing romantic tale. It makes for a really lovely telling tale, with great characters, a well thought-out plot and a real understanding of describing a landscape and transporting the reader to another place.

Linnnnnks

Amazon

Goodreads