Her Hopes and Dreams (Ardent Springs #4)

Her Hopes and Dreams

(This review is based on the ARC provided by the publisher via Net Galley)

This is the fourth book in the Ardent Springs series, but it is the first book in that I have read in the series so I don't know if that might have affected my review. Once I started reading the book and found out that the female protagonist Carrie cheated on her husband I was just unable to get over it as I am totally against cheating, this in turn negatively affected the way I saw the book and characters. This is my personal hangup and not the book or the authors fault. The writing in the book was good and I enjoyed the dual point of view style because it helped the reader understand both characters. I enjoyed the story of overcoming PTSD as well as helping women in abusive marriages. At some points I did find Noah's character one dimensional and wished there was more depth, however I loved the secondary characters of all Carrie's friends because they were fun and added a lightness to the book that was much needed. The romance and chemistry was average and nothing special and left me wanting for something more. I do look foward to reading the previous books because I enjoyed those characters in this book.

Rating: 2.5/5

Plot

Carrie Farmer is a single mother who has just come out of an abusive marriage after her husband died and now she is not willing to date again. That is until she meets her gorgeous neighbour Noah's Winchester, who happens to be a friend of her dead husband.

Noah's Winchester, is a returning soldier, suffering from PTSD, who has returned home to relax and try to get away from his demons. This all changes when he meets Carrie and her adorable daughter.

Will Noah's and Carrie be able to get over their demons in order to have a chance at true love?

Forgetting Yesterday (Broken by the Sea #1)

Forgetting Yesterday

(This review is based on the e-book received from YA Bound Book Tours)

It has been a while since I read a young adult romance and Forgetting Yesterday has made me fall in love with this genre all over again. This book was the first in the Broken by the Sea Trilogy and it was so brilliant and captivating that I could not stand to put the book down. The characters were so realistic and easy to connect with because Ava brought their emotions alive with her flawless writing. There were parts in the book which brought tears in my eyes and others made me fall in love with Adam. Missy's character was well written and contained  the depth and strength that was much needed to carry this book. However, I did wish that we could have seen some parts of the book through Adam's point of view because that would have enabled the reader to understand him better especially in the scenes where he talks about his problems with his father. The sweet romantic scenes between Adam and Missy made me feel all gooey on the inside and I just loved their simplicity so much. Ava Wood is a talented writer who is full potential, I am dying to read the next book in the series.

Rating: 4.5/5

Plot

Missy Shaw, a star school basketball player, has her entire life ripped away from her when her father decides to move them from their hometown Kansas to Florida after her mothers death.  Now Missy has to adjust to a new city and school and on her first day at she runs into the schools star basketball player, Adam Miller.

Adam is a gorgeous and sweet boy who begins to show interest in Missy from her first day at school. As they spend time together during a school project, Missy hides her families hurtful secrets, from Adam. Will Adam be able to save Missy from her family and herself?

10 Days in Paradise (Tropical Nights #1)

10 Days in Paradise

(This review is based on the ARC provided by the publisher via Net Galley)

This was my first time reading a book by award winning Jennifer Haymore and I did enjoy her writing style and unique ideas. Generally when one reads books based in exotic locations, you don't get to know much about the history and culture of the place, but Jennifer manages to teach you so much about Hawaii and it's native language through this book.  I enjoyed the characters especially Celeste because she was strong, ambitious and always willing to try something new, however I did wish that there was more depth in Kanoe's character because we didn't learn much about him as a person. The secondary characters were well conceived but I would have liked to see more of them in the book. One of the best things about the book was the scorching hot chemistry and sex scenes between Celeste and Kanoe. I did feel that the almost rape scene in the beginning of the book was dealt with too lightly and ends up sending the wrong message of being able to get away with something if you are rich. I did enjoy the book especially the location and the knowledge and culture of Hawaii.

Rating: 3/5

Plot

Celeste McMillan, is a successful first year business analyst, who after a traumatic event at work goes on holiday to Hawaii. Once there she runs into sexy surfer boy Kanoe.

As Kanoe and Celeste give into their sizzling hot chemistry, they begin to fall hard for each other. The only problem is Kanoe is rooted in his culture and Celeste believes her future is in the corporate world in LA. Will they be able to let go of their ambitions for each other?

From This Moment On (Windswept Bay #1)

From This Moment On

This is one of those books that catch your attention from the first chapter because of its strong characters and plot. It was my first time reading a Debra Clopton book and she has managed to make me a fan with her flawless writing and amazing story.  This is the first book in the Windswept Bay series and I have already fallen in love with the quaint town on the coast because Debra has described the location so well that you can picture going on vacation there. The characters were well conceived and they both had good background stories which helped keep the reader engaged throughout the book. The chemistry between Cali and Grant was sweet and romantic and if you are looking for a clean romance this is a must read. However I did feel the ending of the book was rushed as Debra could have spent more time on the characters journey towards healing. I loved the addition of the saving the sea turtles awareness in the book as it brought to the front an issue which is rarely discussed. I loved this book and looking forward to reading the rest of the series in this beautiful town.

Rating: 4/5

Plot

Cali Sinclair has recently returned home after having her heart broken and going through a ugly and messy divorce. She begins to run and renovate her family resort and refuses to put her heart at risk again. But Cali doesn’t know fate has other plans for her when renowned artist Grant Ellington comes to their resort to paint murals as a favour to her brother.

Grant Ellington, a rancher and famous artist is suffering from survivors guilt after he walked away from a plane crash which killed his best friend and the pilot. Once he sees Cali, he begins to feel emotion and alive again for the first time in months. After a few meetings Grant begins to realise that Cali might be the one for him.

Will Cali and Grant be able to get over their insecurities and give their relationship a chance?

First Love Second Choice

First Love Second Choice

A short and cute story which I personally felt could have been longer.  The writing was good and I enjoyed the bit of sadness in the book, but I would have preferred a dual point of view style of writing so we could get to know Bryce better. Keslee's character was well conceived whereas Bryce lacked a depth which I believed would have made the book better.  The chemistry between Bryce and Keslee was sweet, but would have liked to see more of their journey together. A good story of switched identities which I would have loved to be longer.

Rating: 3/5

Plot

Keslee, is a wedding planner who during an emergency ice cream run to the grocery store in her pajamas, gets asked out by her childhood crush Bryce, but Bryce thinks that Keslee is her dead twin sister Jay den. Keslee doesn't correct Bryce and this leads to a very awkward date.

Too make matters worse Bryce is the marketing director of a wedding venue where Keslee client wants to get married. Keslee is afraid that she will always be a replacement for her sister. 

Kiss a Girl in the Rain (Take Chance #1)

Kiss a Girl in the Rain

This one of those sweet and cute stories which makes you fall in love with both the characters and the setting (even if it is a small town in the middle of nowhere.  It was my first time reading a book by Nancy Warren and I found that I loved her writing which was seamless and flawless. It was a unique to story of a man (who is practically having a mid life crisis), that realizes that he is not where he pictured himself to be at thirty five. I loved the depth involved in Evan's character because Nancy gave us a glimpse into his family life, love life and professional life before starting his journey.  The characters in the book are very likable and this enables the reader to connect and get involved with them very easily, which is not something easy for a writer to achieve. The chemistry between Evan and Caitlyn was good and the funny banter keeps you interested throughout the entire book.  I did wish that the book was longer and that I got to see more of Caitlyn's life before Miller Pond, but nevertheless this was a great book and I look forward to the rest of the series.   

Rating: 4/5

Plot

Evan Chance, a successful lawyer at one of the top law firms at Seattle, receives a wake up call when his mentor dies. He realizes that he is not the person he had envisioned and then sets out to complete a bucket list that he had written when he was twelve years old. Evan's journey begins with a motorcycle ride across America. 

Caitlyn Sorenson, is a doctor in a small town called Millers Pond. She meets Evan after he ends up in an accident with a dog, this results in Evan being stuck in Millers Pond for a few days while his bike is being fixed.

After spending hot nights together, will Evan and Caitlyn be able to face the reality of their lives and love?

Maid for the Rockstar ( Romance Island Resort #1)

Maid for the Rockstar

This is the first book in the Romance Island Resort series and it there is nothing special or unique about the book. We had typical characters of a spoiled Rockstar who wants what he can't have and a maid who is working hard to provide for herself and her family. In the beginning of the story the reader tends to hate Jay because of his cockiness and crude comments, but as the book went along I did enjoy the vulnerability Demelza had brought to his character.  I personally felt there wasn't much romance in this book and even the chemistry felt a bit lack luster. The writing was good, but I wished I had seen more of Jay's point of view. The worst part of the book is it has a very abrupt ending which leaves the reader with many unanswered questions.  I did enjoy that towards the end of the book Audra stood up to all the people in her life who was taking advantage of her and bringing her down. This book never really managed to catch my attention,so won't be reading the rest of the series.

Rating: 2.5/5

Plot

Audra, a maid at the exclusive Romance Island resort, is used to dealing with celebrities and billionaires. She knows how to keep their secrets and clean up their messes, but never has a relationship with the guests as it is against the rules.

Jay Felix, is a rockstar whose band is on the verge of breaking up and he refuses to go into retirement. Jay knows relationships with the staff is not allowed, but he sets his eyes on Audra because he believes no girl can resist him. 

Audra continues to follow the rules and Jay refuses to accept that he can't have Audra. Will Jay manage to convince Audra to sleep with him?