Started out well enough but got very repetitive once Aunt Flo showed up. Wow did I get tired of her fast. Not a lot happens in this story and it went Started out well enough but got very repetitive once Aunt Flo showed up. Wow did I get tired of her fast. Not a lot happens in this story and it went in circles with pages of repetitive dialogue and zero outcome then you'd get some Robyn Carr magic to carry you through. This must be an early book of hers....more
I rolled my eyes a fair bit while listening to this and can't believe I'm rating it 4 stars , it was just very amateur, rushed during the few action sI rolled my eyes a fair bit while listening to this and can't believe I'm rating it 4 stars , it was just very amateur, rushed during the few action scenes and hit all the stereotypical biker themes (SOA) along the way with nothing too special. Its ultimately a sweet MC story. Still I enjoyed this, way more than expected. The author is Australian so there are some Aussie words strewn about. I wish the narration via Audible hadn't been with an American accent that would have made this stand out more. ...more
Nice virtual vacation to Paris with this novella unfortunately its so short that I didn't really get a chance to care much about our couple. They alsoNice virtual vacation to Paris with this novella unfortunately its so short that I didn't really get a chance to care much about our couple. They also spend their entire time together talking about how little time they have instead of just enjoying the day. Worth the read or listen though, its a cute escape. ...more
The only reason I managed to finish this book at all was out of pure stubbornness. That and the fact that back in the day I loved the entire Tall, DarThe only reason I managed to finish this book at all was out of pure stubbornness. That and the fact that back in the day I loved the entire Tall, Dark and Dangerous series.
TD&D 13 was a huge letdown, involving so much eye rolling and 'that's stupid get on with it' comments to myself that I almost bailed. The story was just childish, it felt like I was reading YA, highschool melodrama involving Navy SEALS, very silly. The plot was uninteresting having our (teen) sweethearts stuck in a bomb shelter for most of the story, eating peanuts, making clothes and having very immature conversations about their relationship, one of which took place in the midst of making love.
Also be warned I listened to this on audible and while the two men reading are great (especially, Dion Graham) the woman narrator is one of the worst I've ever heard. She may have even been computer generated. Just terrible....more
3.5. This was a decent read, fairly predictable plot but still good, on the fantasy side wherein the small town girl catches the eye of a mega movie s3.5. This was a decent read, fairly predictable plot but still good, on the fantasy side wherein the small town girl catches the eye of a mega movie star. Some fun sub characters in said small town, steamy love scenes, great narration from Sebastian York and Andi Arndt made this worth my time....more
Sweet fairy tale of a read. Excellent if typical without any surprises romance. Still very nice virtual vacation to Paris, marriage of convenience leaSweet fairy tale of a read. Excellent if typical without any surprises romance. Still very nice virtual vacation to Paris, marriage of convenience leads to love and baby and endless epilogues. Free via Audible plus with excellent narration. I really enjoyed the first half of this before it became cookie cutter....more
Liked this one a lot. A great virtual vacation to the streets and cafes of Paris where our transplanted American finds love again with her British traLiked this one a lot. A great virtual vacation to the streets and cafes of Paris where our transplanted American finds love again with her British translator. Interesting back stories to the characters in particular the hero, his brother and the bucket list and her job creating perfumes. I felt like I'd been on vacation after reading this feel good/escapism romance. Oh and the fact that we get the seductive voice of Richard Armitage as our hero.. yeah...more
Liked this way better than 50 Shades even if it was just a money grab on James' partLiked this way better than 50 Shades even if it was just a money grab on James' part...more
Wild was a very frustrating reading experience and I’m having a hard time understanding how this book received such high praise? Based on all those raWild was a very frustrating reading experience and I’m having a hard time understanding how this book received such high praise? Based on all those rave reviews I’d been expecting a “soul-enhancing, inspiring story” not an infuriating exercise on what not to do. I mean what kind of idiot decides to hike the Pacific Crest Trail alone with zero backpacking experience and almost no money set aside for emergencies?
This is the kind of person that first-responders (i.e search & rescue) hate. Unprepared, inexperienced, naïve, a danger to themselves and just plain stupid. Getting into situations that require those first responders to risk their own lives in rescuing them because they didn’t do a little research and preparation. Granted Cheryl Strayed didn’t actually need rescuing but that was just dumb luck on her part.
I also almost lost my mind with the overuse of the word PCT. I get it you’re hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, I don’t need to see the acronym in every sentence, an average of 4-6 times a page, every page for the entire book. She also plugs “her bible” The Pacific Crest Trail volume 1 (and 2) writing the complete name of the book every couple of pages in case we forget what got her where she is.
“Was I on the PCT? All the while, I’d been searching for the small diamond-shaped PCT markers that were occasionally tacked to trees, but I hadn’t seen any. This wasn’t necessarily reason for alarm. I’d learned that the PCT markers weren’t to be relied upon. An hour later I saw a metal diamond that said PACIFIC CREST TRAIL tacked to a snowbound tree, and my body flooded with relief. I still didn’t know precisely where I was, but at least I knew I was on the PCT.”
Ultimately I had zero sympathy for this girl, in fact all she did was make me angry with her stupid decisions and (in the beginning chapters) depress me with the death of her mother, scattering of family members and dissolution of her marriage because she was sleeping around. Don’t even get me started on her lackadaisical, I’ve never tried it before decision to do heroin. I mean what could possibly go wrong there?
So after an abortion and with a fresh track mark on her leg from her last little experiment with H she decides to spend 3 months hiking from the Mojave Desert in California to Oregon in Washington State by herself.
This is still a hell of an adventure and I do have to give her full credit for finishing what she started and persevering through extreme conditions. I will also admit to actually enjoying the last 50 pages or so as Cheryl neared the end of her time on the PCT and seemed to come to terms with herself and find a sort of peace. The writing also improves in these chapters, becoming less repetitive or maybe I just got so used to seeing the word PCT I just didn’t see it anymore. PCT.
Opening Line:” ”I’m sorry, you must think I’m very rude. We’ve hardly even been introduced and here I am telling you all about the terrible things thaOpening Line:” ”I’m sorry, you must think I’m very rude. We’ve hardly even been introduced and here I am telling you all about the terrible things that have happened to me.”
Claire thought she had the perfect life right up until her husband James announced that he didn’t love her anymore and was leaving her for another woman. He might have picked a better day to deliver this earth shattering news than directly after the birth of their first child. Shocked, heartbroken and now packing some serious baby weight, Claire flees London and retreats back to her dysfunctional family in Ireland to regroup. Claire’s idea of regrouping is of course to take to bed and only emerge when the baby needs feeding or she runs out of liquor.
Eventually she does get out of bed, hitting her father’s dusty stationary bike to work off the rage and inadvertently the pounds. Yes her period of mourning has gone from devastation to depression to rage. And then she goes about starting her life again. Along the way one of her sisters drags home Adam, the cute, younger and (obviously unobtainable) man that honestly seems to be flirting with her. Before long Claire has almost forgotten James, well not really but he’s no longer her first waking thought and besides Adam has a really nice bum. So then the story gets kinda predictable because of course James comes slinking back. He has some interesting excuses for having his affair but now basically just wants everything to go back to the way it was!
Okay I have to talk about James, what an asshat. I understand he is meant to the antagonist here but jeez. It’s not so much his character I am judging but that of the author deciding our heroine would actually be dumb enough to consider taking him back after the shit he pulled. I mean he hasn’t phoned once or even asked after his daughter, in fact doesn’t even know her name and to top it all off he blames Claire for the fact that he had an affair. And then Keyes continued to write him in such a way that he actually comes across a bit psycho, with moods changing on a dime (yes she loves to use idioms) and yet Claire still wants him in her daughter’s life. I would be doing everything I could to make sure he never had contact with her. Anyways.
This was a super long book (614 pages) which wouldn’t have been an issue if the author had stayed on track. As it was this could have been cut by about 200 pages as the heroine’s silly (see annoying) inner dialogue prattled on with random off topic issues, spending 8 pages talking about the history off her parents’ liquor cabinet and other non-related issues. Some of her inner ramblings were funny but I’ll be honest it got to the point where I was skimming just to get on with the actual story (this continued for the entire 600 page read.)
I did enjoy the sections where it was written as though the author/heroine is talking directly to the reader. However I still never got a real “feel" for her. I also had a hard time believing that she was a new mother, her baby is such a non-issue throughout this book, just part of the plot and then she remains in the background as an accessory while Claire goes about her binge drinking and depression at her parents’ house. And with that in mind I would have to describe this as bitter chick-lit because while it has its moments of humour its always with a harsh edge so that you’re not so much laughing as cringing. 380jb3.5...more
Opening line: ”Oh God.” Thump. “Oh God.” Thump, thump. What the….”Oh God, that’s so good!”
Wallbanger, Ha, I freakin loved this book. Just awesome. A gOpening line: ”Oh God.” Thump. “Oh God.” Thump, thump. What the….”Oh God, that’s so good!”
Wallbanger, Ha, I freakin loved this book. Just awesome. A great story (that made me laugh) an addictive romance (are they ever going to make it into bed?) and a very fresh voice in chick lit (reminding me of a updated and naughtier Jennifer Crusie)
I’ll admit this wasn’t as sexy as I was expecting. What I mean is that with a title like “Wallbanger” I was anticipating a story more on the erotic side. Not that I was disappointed here, the sexual tension more than makes up for it, as well as the fact that when they finally do get it on… Damn it’s one of the better love scenes I’ve ever read. Hello kitchen counter. Let’s just say Simon lives up to the expectations and how!
Wallbanger also became one of those rare books that I found myself thinking about throughout the day (like at work)and I also realized that the unique and clever writing style had somehow infiltrated my brain, because for a while my own (boring)internal dialogue morphed into something resembling Caroline’s witty ongoing POV. I saw everything in a whole new way and made tons of snarky comments to myself which was fun while it lasted and a sure sign to me of a great read.
Caroline is a super relatable heroine. Down to her missing O, her neurotic cat, her confused and well-meaning BFF’s, her love affair with her mix master. This is a girl that I could be friends with. Of course I might try to steal her man because Simon, jeez. Simon… Yummy six-pack sporting, photographer, who is way more than he first appears(sounds) and just delicious in every way. A definite new literary boyfriend.
I’ll be honest; this did try too hard at times. The hot tub scene/weekend cabin adventure comes to mind and I also found that it stalled out a bit towards the end. And then ended and ended again. I felt like I read about 5 different closings. Of course then we get Clive’s epilogue and all is forgiven. That was brilliant. Speaking of Clive, yes we have to talk about the cat….
Clive: He stole every scene he was in, in fact I would read an entire book from his POV (should Alice Clayton grant us such a thing) His closing thoughts as he stalks around, clearing the apartment of rouge Q-tips during his “night watch” was just brilliant.
A few other random things I loved…. The entire circle of misfit friends, the text messages and surprising (but hilarious) look into everyone’s heads. The ongoing nicknames; cockblocker, nightie girl, Wallbanger. The banter, the sexual tension, the love scenes!!
The fact that Caroline didn’t run herself down, like we all do. She had realistic confidence and that was refreshing. (Thanks to her Gran) Cheers 356jb5 ...more
Opening Line: “There are 158 steps between the bus stop and home, but it can stretch to 180 if you aren’t in a hurry, like maybe if you`re wearing plaOpening Line: “There are 158 steps between the bus stop and home, but it can stretch to 180 if you aren’t in a hurry, like maybe if you`re wearing platform shoes.”
-5 minutes after finishing- Oh my gawd, What an awful, awful book. **I say with tears streaming down my face, a knot in my chest, eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep and the tiniest of smiles on my face**
Wow, okay it’s been a few days now since I finished this “awful” book and while I have somewhat recovered from the gut wrenching experience of ME BEFORE YOU, I still haven`t been able to get the story out of my head.
This was an utterly absorbing read that challenged me to examine my own life and choices. It is thought-provoking and entertaining, heartbreaking and poignant and impossible to put down. Filled with vibrant characters it captures the complexities of love but at its heart it’s a story about life. About living and living well, taking life by the horns and using the hell out of it. As Will says, “Just live”.
I should start by saying that I knew next to nothing about the story going in (which I recommend) and also that within the first few chapters thought I had the whole thing figured out (which I didn`t) I just assumed it was going to be your basic chick-lit; you know, a bumbling, relatable heroine, a cast of somewhat eccentric secondary characters including meddling siblings and drunken BFF’s tied together with a love story. I thought it would be a cute, clever read. Ultimately yes, it was all these things but… It was also about halfway in that I became aware that I was no longer reading the book I thought I was. That I was dealing with a very controversial and sensitive subject, that I was being tested, challenged and changed and that the ending (oh my god she’s not going to go there is she?) was going to hurt like hell.
Will Traynor is a handsome, high-powered takeover specialist in London who sleeps with beautiful women and travels the world. Skiing, bungee jumping, mountain climbing, basically just looking for the next great adrenaline rush. His life has always been one of wealth, privilege and adventure until one rainy morning when a motorcycle accident renders him a quadriplegic and places him back on his parent’s estate in need of 24 hour care.
In the same small town Louisa Clarke lives with her financially strapped family (who are hilarious and I loved) dates a man she assumes she’ll marry but isn`t honestly all that bothered either way and is more than satisfied with her modest job at the Buttered Bun Café. She doesn`t want or expect much from her life but all that’s about to change.
When Lou suddenly loses her job she finds herself with no qualifications and a family that’s depending on her for a paycheque. With few options she finds herself at the job center where she reluctantly agrees to an interview as a caretaker. Really, she’s to be more of a paid companion; she won’t have to do any of the medical things just “be” with her charge. Easier said than done though, Will Traynor is a bitter, depressed, intimidating and hostile man.
Granted he is confined to his motorised wheelchair and in constant pain, with only limited movement of his neck and one hand. And there’s the fact that he seems to have lost any sort of freedom or decision making from his harsh mother. But still, he won’t even talk to her. How is she going to get through her six month contract like this?
So this “awful” book has easily become one of the best I’ve read this year. Thank you JoJo Moyes. 370jb5+...more
Opening Line: "The new editor needs you, Julia." …Dolores Stanley leaps over the cubicles and follows me like a panther stalking its prey.”
This was anOpening Line: "The new editor needs you, Julia." …Dolores Stanley leaps over the cubicles and follows me like a panther stalking its prey.”
This was an unexpectedly good read and I say that because I went into Dancing Naked In Dixie never having heard of author Lauren Clark before and with a limited idea about the story. However Dancing turned out to be one of those awesome little surprise find books and fans of the chick-lit genre in particular will enjoy this one.
Travel writer Julia Sullivan gets paid for the glorious task of gathering snippets of culture and piecing them together into quirky stories for ‘Getaways’ magazine. It’s a dream job, glamorous and exciting. Jett setting around the globe; a week in the Riviera, exploring the Great Barrier reef, basking on Bermuda beaches, Rome, Bali, Belize. Oh sure it gets bit lonely and all those flights can be exhausting but really her life is just about perfect (except for her lack of organizational skills and some small issues with deadlines but she’s getting that sorted out as of today.)
Back in her New York office Julia is rushing around (as usual), spilling lattés and knocking over stacks of old magazines while trying to figure out her new iPhone (that will hopefully ensure she never misses another deadline, appointment or flight) when she’s informed that the new editor wants to see her in his office. Now up until this moment she’d been dying to meet the new boss, wondering where she’d be off to next, since she usually gets the choice assignments but the moment she enters his office Julia’s world comes crashing to a halt.
It seems that Getaways and her new boss want to take the magazine in a different direction, focusing on out of the way Americana, more road trips with a route 66 feel and less Paris in the springtime. Julia’s new assignment…Alabama with a take it or leave your job clause.
Now Julia would rather Dance naked then go to Alabama -hence the title, which did have me wondering? But she also wants to keep her job so she sets out for the “Heart of Dixie” Eufaula Alabama to be exact. Home to sweet tea, grits, RC cola, Moon pie (the food descriptions here are fantastic) glorious old mansions, a cult like following of college football and the annual pilgrimage.
With the charming (and handsome) “Shug” Jordan as her guide Julia plans on getting in and out of town as fast as possible. Wrap up a quick tour, do a couple of interviews, snap off some photos and be back in New York by the following night for her book club meeting and still with plenty of time to make her deadline. Of course life never goes as planned and Alabama may just prove to be exactly what Julia needs.
The opening chapters grabbed me right away, Julia’s running internal dialogue is witty and downright hilarious (kind of Brigitte Jonsey.) And I liked how the identity of her boss wasn’t revealed right away; it had me guessing and then left me with more questions than answers. I also really enjoyed the stark contrast from the hustle and bustle and anonymity of New York to the sweet laid back charm and hospitality of Alabama. Where people have time to stop and chat, everybody knows your business and you get called sweetie. Does everyone talk here nonstop?
Personally I could relate to the small town aspect because I’m from one and most of the idiosyncrasies are true. However I’m also Canadian so the southern hospitality, culture and language were all new to me and a hell of a lot of fun. I felt like I’d taken a mini vacation while reading this and as I said the food descriptions had me hungry, craving sweet tea and grits, (which I’m not entirely sure how to eat or what they are?) My only real complaint here is that I would like to have seen a little more action in the romance department but the unique and charming yet flawed townsfolk along with a surprise mystery somewhat made up for it.
With well written, engaging characters this was an unexpectedly good read and I will definitely be seeking out more from Lauren Clarke in the future. Cheers.
Opening Line: “I live in fear of a four-letter word.”
This was a great read, pretty much everything you’d want (and expect) from British chick-lit inclOpening Line: “I live in fear of a four-letter word.”
This was a great read, pretty much everything you’d want (and expect) from British chick-lit including an amusing and very relatable heroine, several hunky suitors and a movie worthy ending. It’s also well written and super entertaining; with many hilarious scenes that had me reading out loud to friends. As a rom-com it is predictable, I mean right from the opening chapters you know exactly who Abby is going to end up with but it’s still so much fun witnessing all the antics she goes through in her struggle to get there, that you just won’t mind. Did I mention this is freakin funny?
“My inner thighs press tightly against Tom’s buttocks, a position that could, to anybody not witnessing it, sound absolutely delightful. Delightful however it is not. As his motorbike darts between cars, whizzes round corners and whooshes through amber lights, I couldn’t feel less relaxed if I were on a blind date with Hannibal Lector.”
Jane Costello was a new author to me and I loved her writing style; with short chapters, snappy dialogue and a cast of well-developed secondary characters who all managed to have me equally invested in their stories. I also appreciated how even the smallest of ideas mentioned throughout the book was brought to fruition by the end, very clever writing. I’ll definitely be seeking out more from her.
I should also mention that a huge chunk of the story deals with Abby’s quest to complete a half marathon, if you’ve ever done any running you will really appreciate this aspect. I found it an original plot angle and because of Abby’s state of lack of fitness when she begins you can’t help but cheer her on throughout. The reason why she finally follows through on her latest heath kick (besides the cute guy known as Doctor Dishy) will surprise you. Ultimately I found this motivating; as even the most unfit and lazy of us will be convinced that if Abby can do it then so can I (or at least meet someone delicious at the local running club)
Abby Rogers hates being late, but since starting her own graphic design business, there just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day. Like today for instance she really didn’t mean to run that guy over with her car but he came out of nowhere, right between message number three on her cell and those take-away fries she couldn’t get in her mouth fast enough.
Abby’s love life has also taken a back seat of late and her waistline, well let’s just say muffin top and leave it at that. During dinner one night at her super fit, super skinny best friend’s house, Jess again broaches the subject of Abby joining her running club. And because tonight Abby has had several too many glasses of wine she says yes. I mean how hard can it be? Days later Abby is a literal hot sweaty mess. Doubled over, she’s just finished puking and may never walk again let alone run but as the burning sensation leaves her lungs she happens to notice a certain Doctor Dishy and he might just be worth doing this again for. Cheers 338jb4...more
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