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CLP Blog Tours Review: Meant to Be by Karen Stivali
Chick Lit Review

CLP Blog Tours Review: Meant to Be by Karen Stivali

Karen Stivali is on tour now with CLP Blog Tours and Meant to Be. This is a true romance story, and one that I found difficult to put down. Readers follow the journey of love between neighbors Daniel Gardner and Marienne Valeti – though both are married to other people. What starts as an innocent friendship turns into a tortuous friendship as both Daniel and Marienne realize they are falling for each other. Both remain loyal in their marriages and their friendship only grows stronger throughout the years. But when will the friends get their chance at true love and happiness?
This was a beautifully written story by Stivali, and I’m thrilled to know the sequel, Holding On, is already out. I often don’t enjoy books about infidelity and marriages breaking up because of it (as I am getting married next year) and I almost thought this book would entail that. I’m so happy I was way off course with that thought, because Daniel and Marienne’s marriages did not fail because of them or their friendship. They both remained fiercely loyal to their spouses, which I could appreciate. It was slow torture being able to understand how well the two fit together and how unfit their spouses were for them. There were a lot twists in the book that kept me on my toes, and the ending had me jumping for joy. Very much looking forward to reading Holding On.
[Rating: 4.5]

December 17, 2012
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Falling For You by Heather Thurmeier
Chick Lit Review

Falling For You by Heather Thurmeier

Heather Thurmeier is on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Falling For You. As someone who enjoys a good reality show – my weakness is Dancing With the Stars – I knew I was going to get along well with this novel. MC Cassidy Quinn is chosen to compete on a The Bachelor-style reality show, but her enthusiasm for trying something new quickly vanishes as she realizes the eligible man is none other than her ex. Through the challenges and time spent together, Cassidy wonders if she might not truly be over him. On the flip side, we have Evan Burke, the camerman on the show that is assigned to Cassidy. He has vowed never to fall in love after watching his brother grieve over his wife’s passing, but Cassidy makes him feel…something. Cassidy finds herself attracted to Evan as well, but her contract specifically states those feelings can’t be acted upon. And with her ex always close by and keeping her in the competition, Cassidy doesn’t know which man she should choose…or if they will choose her.
I had a really fun time reading this book, and could easily slot myself in alongside Cassidy. I enjoyed the fact that readers could get a POV from both Cassidy and Evan, which really heightened the story as a whole. I’m also really excited to read the second novel in this trilogy, as the ending had me pumped for book #2. I thought Thurmeier’s writing style was light yet fast-paced and edgy at times, which can be hard to achieve. One I recommend!
[Rating: 4]

December 17, 2012
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CLP Blog Tours: Pass the Hot Stuff by Dana Page
Chick Lit Review

CLP Blog Tours: Pass the Hot Stuff by Dana Page

Dana Page is on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Pass the Hot Stuff. I thought the premise of the novel was great. Blythe Townsend tends to live life on the side of caution, and that holds true with her relationships. She is currently dating the “safe” guy but she thinks her relationship is fine. Yes they lack passion and his business dinners bore the pants off her, but she still thinks it’s better than playing with fire. Until…she keeps seeing a handsome man around, and he turns out to be a co-worker of her boyfriend’s. Blythe still doesn’t believe in giving up the safe guy, especially for someone who seems to be a player. But sometimes Blythe just wants the hot stuff…
I thought this was a fab debut from Dana Page. I loved the New Orleans setting, and thought Blythe was a strong heroine. I could definitely relate to her staying with the safe choice, because I have actually done that in a past relationship. I thought the cast of supporting characters were fantastic – and super funny!- and I really enjoyed this read. Sometimes I thought scenes could border on “telling” instead of “showing” in the writing, but I was able to easily get past that with the plot. There are also a lot of spicy scenes in there if you enjoy a bit of romance  Great debut!
[Rating: 4]

December 17, 2012
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Book Review: Mistletoe in Manhattan by Talli Roland
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Mistletoe in Manhattan by Talli Roland

I received a copy of Mistletoe in Manhattan by Talli Roland in exchange for an honest review.
This was a super cute novella that put me right in the holiday mood. Holly West is the daughter of Christmas party-planners, but she doesn’t seem to bring the same cheer and festive spirit as her parents. In fact, quite the opposite. When Holly gets an offer to travel across the pond and throw a British-themed party for TV star Dean Layton in Manhattan, she thinks this could be the opportunity to open doors and get away from only planning Christmas parties. But with a snooty assistant and too many over-the-top requests from a B-list celebrity, Holly wonders if this is the life she truly wants. When a blooming romance finds bumpy ground, Holly also is forced to take a look at herself and what she really wants in life.
Sometimes I can struggle with novella’s, but I really enjoyed this one. It was a quick treat that I found sweet to read and left me wishing for more. I was surprised at how much I could connect with Holly in such a short time, and I recommend this cute novella for chick lit fans. There is also a sneak peak at Roland’s next full-length novel included – and The Pollyanna Plan is coming up on my to-read list!
[Rating: 4]

December 14, 2012
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An Altered Ending by Megan Trennett
Chick Lit Review

An Altered Ending by Megan Trennett

I received a copy of An Altered Ending by Megan Trennett in exchange for an honest review.

Altered Ending by Megan Trennett follows Ellen Mitchell, who is on the brink of a life crisis. Ellen never thought her life would end up the way that it has. She is close to turning thirty and has her hands full with dealing with her mother’s terminal cancer. All in all, she has nothing to look forward to. But, that all changes one fateful day when she gets an email from a former professor offering to help guide her as a writer. But, things aren’t that easy because their relationship has always been complicated. Ellen wonders whether now is the time to tell him the things that she always hid or is it too late? Or will she let him slip through her fingers once again.

At first, I wasn’t quite sure what to think about Altered Ending. Ellen is quite the downer in the beginning and things don’t really start to pick up from her until her former fling comes back into the picture. I think it is only human to struggle with wanting more in life and I honestly felt for Ellen throughout most of the book. For a lack of better terms, she definitely has her hands full and I think it is fate’s way of stepping in and bringing a love interest. Ironically though, it is one from the past. Overall, this book is a quality read and I definitely enjoyed it. After all, complicated relationships make for the best stories.

[Rating: 4/5]

December 13, 2012
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150 Pounds by Kate Rockland
Chick Lit Review

150 Pounds by Kate Rockland

I received a copy of 150 Pounds in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
In the fast paced life of blogging, two women stand out: Alexis Allbright, of Skinny Chick, and Shoshana Weiner, who writes Fat and Fabulous. Both have over five million loyal readers. Both are hungry for success. But the similarities stop there.
With over 100 pounds on the scale separating them, weight isn’t their only difference. Alexis is a loner who is so bitchy the only person who can stand her company is her gay best friend Billy. She gives neurotic New Yorkers a run for their money with her strict daily workout routine, and weighing of food. Shoshana is Alexis’s opposite. Living in Jersey with rowdy roommates, she is someone who “collects friends,” as her mother puts it; and treasures a life of expanding circles…and waistlines.
When both appear as panelists on a popular talk show, their lives intersect in ways neither could have imagined. In turns comedic, heartwarming–and familiar to any woman who’s ever stepped on a scale–Alexis and Shoshana realize they have far more in common than either could have possibly imagined, and more importantly, something to offer.
My Review:
What a fabulous read! On first glance I fell in love with the cover, and after reading the blurb, I knew this was a must-read for me. And now I am making it a must-read for you! I love the term smart chick lit, and I feel that 150 Pounds is definitely that. Kate Rockland has a terrific voice and writing style, and as a blogger myself, I could immediately identify with her characters. I thought it was fascinating to get inside both Alexis and Shoshana’s minds and see why they think the way they do and what is behind their actions. I thought this novel brought humor, a resounding message, and a way for women to have more confidence after reading. I loved it!
[Rating: 5]

December 12, 2012
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Pass the Hot Stuff by Dana Page
Chick Lit Review

Pass the Hot Stuff by Dana Page

Dana Page is on tour now with Pass the Hot Stuff and CLP Blog Tours.

Pass the Hot Stuff by Dana Page confronts the often asked question of “safe vs. sexy” in terms of men, and who should a woman choose. Blythe Townsend is in desperate need of something saucy. But, her current beau is so immersed in work that she can’t seen to get him to notice her, or the fact that she is in “need” of something. She is determined to make it work with her boyfriend because he is safe and reliable, even though she secretly covets something, or someone, with a little more pizazz. But, when she spots a sexy stranger around town, her eye and her libido start to wonder. Hesitant yet curious, she digs a little deeper and really has to question which is better. Safe and reliable? Or sexy and the chance at getting hurt?

I loved this book the moment I read the title and I was pretty sure that I knew what I was getting myself into, and luckily, I was right. This book is an absolute hoot and I think Dana is quite witty and hilarious as an author. This first time author brings the laughter, the tears and the real honesty that some girls face in a relationship and I can’t wait to see what Dana offers in her next novel. Overall, a very fun read with a charming cast of characters in a quaint setting in New Orleans. I loved this story from the get go and I think you will too.

[Rating: 4.5/5]

December 12, 2012
2 Comments
Bang Bang by JM Remmer
Chick Lit Review

Bang Bang by JM Remmer

Bang Bang by JM Remmer follows Frances Flight, an eager and fun country girl in 2001. Early on, she bags a job at the coveted Shooting Weekly and throws herself into the life of a working London journalist and digs deep into her stories that pertain to life in a hunting world. Along the way, she lands into the arms of Henry Black, the Editor at her magazine. All things go swimmingly for a while until her new world collides with her cousin, who is a serious animal rights activist. Their chance encounter puts her job, her love life and her own life in danger. But, together with the crew from Shooting Weekly, they fight to stay afloat. But, will that be enough?

This story is a fun ride through the British countryside and the realm of hunting and really brings forth the crazy world that it entails. The book is fast paced and full of a wide variety of aspects that are very appealing to most readers, with an interesting twist that brings hunting front and center. As an avid vegetarian and animal lover, some parts of this book were hard to swallow but I was able to move past it and focus on the actual story. The character development was fantastic and I absolutely loved the odd and eccentric cast of friends from the magazine. Oh, and if you are a fan of sex scenes, the author does a really good job at writing those as well. Overall, a fun read with LOTS of twists and turns throughout.

[Rating: 4/5]

December 11, 2012
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Whispers in Autumn by Trisha Leigh
Chick Lit Review

Whispers in Autumn by Trisha Leigh

Trisha Leigh is on tour now with Whispers in Autumn and CLP Blog Tours. I am a big fan of these types of fantasy/paranormal books. I love seeing how authors stretch their imaginations and the worlds they can create. This book is set in 2015, and follows sixteen-year-old Althea. The human race has been enslaved by aliens who use mind control, and has everyone acting like happy robots. But Althea is immune to the mind control – as well as Lucas, a boy her age. The two team up together to find out why they are different and how they can eliminate the aliens and take back their lives.
Such a fun book! I read this one a bit slower, because I like to really transport myself in the character’s world, and sometimes that meant pausing and getting a grip on terms such as Others, Broken, Cell, etc. I thought Trisha Leigh did a fantastic job at building the characters and plot, and really had no trouble connecting with this book. I can’t wait for the next titles in this series to come out, and I highly recommend Whispers in Autumn!
[Rating: 4]

December 10, 2012
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