Reading is like breathing...

3.5 stars.***Review posted October 20, 2013



First off I'd like to say that I love this series. However, there's no getting around it to point out that I'm slightly disappointed with First Against the Wall. I really liked it but didn't love it, and I hope you won't throw any rotten tomatoes at me for confessing my honest opinion. In fact, the high average rating of 4.70 is somewhat intimidating, but I can't change how I feel about this book. As I see it, I won't bother writing an extensive and in-depth review because there are so many great ones already. Go check them out. I will just give you a summary of what didn't work out for me and of course I will tell you what I liked.

"Excellent." Warrick opened the top drawer of his desk, rummaged through the contents, and produced a tub of hand cream. "I thought I remembered that you kept something suitable in there."
He straddled Toreth's thighs and sat, facing him, reading the label. "Mm. Hypoallergenic, unscented, dermatologically tested." One eyebrow arched. "How very convenient."
That was, Toreth felt, a touch unfair. He DID use the cream for its intended purpose, because the over-processed air down in the interrogation levels was extremely drying and the gloves made his skin…but Warrick didn't look as if he'd be the least bit interested.

The story begins with a bang which I really loved and I was so hooked right from the get-go. Unfortunately though, it wasn't meant to last until the end.





What happened afterwards wasn't a big surprise to me. (view spoiler) The Nuisance Factor Number One and evil motherfucker, Socioanalyst Carnac. Of course one can't expect anything good coming from that disgusting vermin.

Let the the mind games begin...

"Shut up. In that case, Carnac, you can go fuck yourself, (view spoiler)

"No, no. I understand. I was merely contemplating the fact that informing me that you had sex with someone else last night--after (view spoiler)--falls under the heading of your being unusually considerate."

Let's talk about sex….or…not. Honestly, it's nothing to write home about anyway. Granted, the sex in Toreth's office was good. Still, I KNOW how HOT and KINKY their smexy times can be, so whichever way I look at it, FAtW was simply disappointing considering how freaking lengthy the book is. 



This scene annoyed me because I expected Warrick to support Toreth in regards to (view spoiler)

(view spoiler) Toreth to Warrick

**************************

Then I'm going to nail their testicles to the wall. Or whatever else I can get hold of, if they don't have any.

Now let me get to my main issue. Boredom. While I enjoyed some parts a lot, there were some that bored the hell outta me, they were really "blah". Besides, FAtW was waaaaay too long-winded. As far as I'm concerned I would have shortened the book considerably. In hindsight it's too bad I didn't take specific notes, so I could have told you exactly when I felt bored. I *think*, however, that most of the not so inspiring parts took place between 35 and 63 %.



At 64 % there was another very loud bang and I was wide awake again. As a matter of fact, that specific incident made my blood boil and I was internally screaming. I really wanted to shout all kinds of vile things at Monsieur Carnac. Ugh. Ugh. Ugh.

CARNAC YOU BLOODY EVIL MOTHERF@CKER…I WANT YOU F@@@ING GONE. DESTROYED. YOU SHALL SUFFER A SLOW AND PAINFUL DEATH. SOD OFF YOU CREEP! Can someone please tell me (view spoiler)Thank you.





I was forewarned that FAtW was all about Carnac and Toreth. Still, I can't help and criticize that I wanted more Warrick and Toreth. I mean this was a bloody long book and what was there of Warrick was somewhat bland and forgettable.

And last but not least the final two chapters could have been GREAT if…

Toreth hadn't drowned in self-pity and all the misery. That waspathetic and once again long-winded.

The ending of the final chapter…da fuck?

That is all. Don't mind me and read it. I'm sure you'll love it since I'm the odd one out there. FAtW goes straight on my shelf books-everyone-loved-but-baba.

If you want to read the spoilers then check out my review on Goodreads (link below).

3.75 stars.****Review completed October 20, 2013

"May I hold your hand?"
(…)
He unlinked his fingers and offered his hand. Merry took it in her own, on the edge of the cushion. She let her body's awareness swim in the warm, strong weight of him, the softness of his palm, the roughness of his knuckles, the heat where his fingertips had touched his mug.

"Here, when I'm alone, there's nothing in there. Just silence, and a sense of what my next task is, based on the simplest human needs. It's very peaceful. Very Zen."

"Don't be offended if I don't invite you to come deer-stalking, then."
"Fine. I'll stick to tree-stalking. Easier to chase."
"The chase is the best part."
That gave her pause.

Merry watched his face as he fiddled with the straps, thinking he was the rarest kind of handsome, the sort of male beauty that could too easily be overlooked, hiding behind his beard and untamed hair. But when he smiled, there was no mistaking it. Like the way shadows fled behind the trees and buildings when the sun burst through the clouds.

(view spoiler)

After losing almost 100 pounds, Merry decides to go on a trip across her mother's homeland Scotland. She's determined to hike through the Scottish Highlands to arrive in Inverness within a timeframe of three weeks. Unfortunately though, the perfect idyll is getting disturbed when she starts feeling nauseous. Merry needs help and ends up on the threshold of Rob's cottage. Rob acts anything but cheery, yet he can't deny her the help she needs. Rob is a man who screwed up his life completely, and he's living a secluded life as a hermit by his own choice. Merry isn't privy to his past yet and only sees Rob's exterior. What she's absorbing, however, is appealing enough. A man with gruff looks who features too long, untamed hair and a beard and a strong body. Overall he's a very attractive package, albeit not overly welcoming.

I liked Unbound a lot but it's not Cara McKenna's best work to date. My ranking:

After Hours 4.5 stars
Willing Victim 4 stars
Unbound 3.75 stars

I gotta dedicate that gif to Rob. It's so darn apt.


What didn't work for me

That's me after reading the anticlimactic ending…


Maybe it's silly to say this but I feel kinda cheated. Granted, I get it (view spoiler) but…but…this…? I mean…really? Seriously? It doesn't get any more abrupt and I'm sorry that I didn't like it.

I just couldn't warm up to their weird names. Rob (view spoiler)and Merry (view spoiler) are BEYOND ridiculous. 

The second half of the story did stagnate a bit, IMO, and fell somewhat flat, i.e. their (view spoiler) That was flat out boring. Before as well as in the aftermath of Rob being revealed as (view spoiler) a lot fizzled out. Besides, I was so irritated because I wanted them to have that specific talk rather sooner than later. In fact, I really didn't get it why we had to wait almost till the end.

To be honest, I’ve had a hard time getting used to the image of Merry (view spoiler) Sure, she is a rather outspoken and chatty woman but on the other hand, she was kinda shy and reluctant with quite a bit of insecurities. (view spoiler) came as a surprise to me and was contradictory to her character.

The heroine got somewhat on my nerves with her need for reassurance. "Do you think I'm beautiful?" For God's sake, stand in front of a mirror, look at you and then tell yourself you like what you see. If anyone doesn't appreciate you, then it's their loss. You have to love yourself before anyone else can love you. 
Merry telling me one too many times how beautiful Rob is, made me almost roll my eyes. 

The positive summary
This was yet again different. The author’s voice sucked me in, although not quite from the beginning but I’d say I was really hooked when my suspicions were confirmed that (view spoiler)As I see it, it was a rather crucial moment when they started to get more personal. I really liked how Cara told the story. In fact, I felt enveloped by Rob's stillness and the gorgeous landscape. Rob and the remote and ascetic cabin fused perfectly with the fabulous setting. On the other hand, the chatty Merry was the counterpoint to the lonely and taciturn Rob and brightened the somber spirit.

While I didn't really fell for the characters, I enjoyed the book as a whole. What made Unbound so worthwhile was the beautiful setting, the not so common hero with his secretive past, the different atmosphere and 'tone' of the story, the really good writing as well as the kinky sex. Call me shallow but I'm always looking forward to immersing myself in Cara's eroticism. While enough authors write amateurish and awkward sex scenes, the sex à la Cara happens to be a panty melter on a regular basis. Also, what I very much enjoyed about Unbound was the transition from kinkery to reticence, tenderness and care. It was well done. Overall the good outweighed the not so good easily, and I think I gave you more than enough incentive to read Unbound. And last but not least I must give the author some well deserved credit for writing different stories and characters.

Recommended read.


Warning
If you don't feel comfortable reading stories that provide a certain degree of kink and (view spoiler), then do not read Unbound. On the other hand, Unbound is not a BDSM book.

If you want to read the spoilers then check out the GR link below.

3.5 stars.***Review posted October 16, 2013



I really liked No Strings but it was too short.

"Leave with me, right now. Don't think. Don't hesitate. I'm going to put money on the table and we're going to walk to my truck. One night, Diane. Let yourself go for one night."

What I enjoyed were the MCs and their interesting background, especially Zeke's particular situation was an emotional challenge(view spoiler). What didn't work for me, however, was the length of the novella. There wasn't enough page time to neither develop the plot nor the characters. Also, I must admit that I've had a hard time to buy Zeke's reason of proposing the no-strings-attached ONS. That was more than a little bit brash if I may say so and a bit too far-fetched for my liking. Another aspect of the story that was kinda too much for my understanding was the fact that these two were talking about "healing" each other after one night of passion. As I see it, it can serve as a first step in the right direction but healing? Nope, not really.

She wailed as she came, thrashing against the wall, the muscles in her legs flexing. Her nails raked into his shirt until he could feel a slight sting in his arms, and he basked in the mixture of pleasure and pain. He didn't lift his head until she sighed softly and went limp in his arms.

"Jesus, woman, I knew you'd be like this." He grasped her head in his hands and gazed down at her. "You look like a kitten but you're all fucking lioness. I can't wait to feel your claws in my back."

Still, it's a good read and provides solid writing and a steamy sex scene. Hence, if you are on the lookout for something hot and quick then I'd say you should give this one a shot. Enjoy!


Warning
There is (view spoiler)

(view spoiler)

I agree, Zeke.

2 stars.**DNF at 65 %. Review posted October 15, 2013



I guess I must come to terms that Con Riley’s writing and my reading tastes are no longer compatible. I just don’t know. After loving and devouring After Ben I was so thrilled to read the entire series and it is very unfortunate that the other two books of the series didn’t wow me at all. In fact, I was quite disappointed. Same goes for Salvage. A gloomy and somber atmosphere didn’t encourage me to jump around in delight. Honestly, why was it necessary to add so much drama to every character? It’s not realistic. I mean we all deal with problems now and then but each and every character of Salvage has been depicted as either handicapped, sick or unhappy or whatnot. There's nothing uplifting; only problems, grudges, anger, hurt, sadness, tiredness, bad moods etc. Simply put, there's crisis after crisis.



Gabe came home because his dad suffered a heart attack. One would think that should be enough, right? But no, he had to endure another stroke.
And then we have Gabe’s sister who’s crippled due to an accident. Mike, her love interest, is trying hard to make amends for some stupid remarks he made in high school about Gabe being gay. We know that Mike is a good guy at heart but Gabe can’t cut him some slack. He goes on giving him a hard time because it’s obviously easier than to move on and accept Mike’s apology. And then there's the mysterious Jamie who's always on Gabe’s mind even though he claims he is NOT his boyfriend. Still, it’s all about Jamie here and Jamie there for a rather long part of the plot. Ugh. You gotta move on already!

Scott…good ole Scott whose shoulders were slumping in defeat or by tiredness all. The. Time. He had to take care of two kids whose mother (Scott's sister) has to face a trial in Miami. The girl wanted her mommy and was crying all the time (which was understandable) and the boy has ASD (autistic spectrum disorder). I have no experience with autistic children, but as far as I can judge he didn't have HFA (high-functioning autism). The boy needed quite a bit of care and attention. Meaning, he could be the source of many exhausting incidents, and Scott was overwhelmed and overchallenged by this situation. Still, as if he hadn’t had enough on his plate, he and the kids got sick and I mean really, really sick. IMO, that situation received too much attention as well. 



Then we have Gabe who wasn’t delighted with his current situation at all. Selling junk--sorry, vintage stuff--and taking care of his father was not exactly what he wanted to do after college. Besides, the situation with Jamie was upsetting and unresolved. So…you see…when you put everything together then you get a picture of a really depressing story. Somewhere along the way I just got tired of reading about their issues. As a matter of fact, reading Salvage was not a joy, it was an irritating task. To be very straightforward, the story couldn’t hold my interest and the characters didn’t appeal to me either. I was bored. End of story.

Giving up on this book saddened me because Salvage was my last book by Con Riley. There are times when you need to move on and that's what I'm doing now.

1 star.* Review completed October 14, 2013







I have nothing positive to say about this book. Considering the very high average rating and all the gushing four and five-star reviews, I'm extremely disappointed that Worth the Fight didn't live up to my expectations. Do you know what I loved about it though? It's most certainly the premise of the story because I devoured Willing Victim. However, I won't beat around the bush. Nico can't hold a candle to Flynn, hero of Willing Victim. In fact, he seriously needs some coaching when it comes to getting down and dirty between the sheets. And don't get me started on the lame dirty talk. He has nothing on Flynn in that department either. 

As I see it the entire book was redundant, repetitive, cheesy and extremely boring. To be very blunt it was a poorly written story. The chronology of events:

- young woman is starstruck by hot, tattooed fighter
- insta-lust, smile here and lopsided grin there and boyish charm everywhere
- some bland dialogue
- dull sex

Rinse, repeat.

Add in some dark past and some waterworks aaaaand rinse, repeat. You know that might be another problem of mine. How many times do we get the same plot over and over again? I get it that authors need to spice up a plot by adding MCs with a troubled past. BUT. I don't bond with male characters solely based on their hot physique and I sure as hell don't connect with a woman who acts like a little girl. I really, really need some substance, some GREAT characterization and some darn good and titillating sex otherwise a story won't hold my interest. Period.

Shallow characters, a narrative that reads like a lame class essay and no chemistry between the main protagonists didn't made my Saturday, that's for sure. My mood matched the weather coz it was raining cats and dogs here.

Everywhere I looked Worth the Fight was labeled as adult contemp romance, yet it reads like a sugary sweet NA romance. Sorry but that's definitely not my cup of tea. At all.

Apropos, what's up with all those smiles, looking amused and whatnot?

I smile back. I don't have to fake it, it's a real smile.

He smiles, it's a mischievous smile, lopsided smile that makes me think the man is playful.

His crooked smile makes me smile and I lose my train of thought. 

…and his smile is bigger when I return, he looks amused.

And he catches my eyes when I do and smiles. I smile back, even though I'm aware he just completely played me.

Nico smiles a devilish smile and I get the urge to kiss it right off his face.

He smiles, and I'm caught in his boyish charm. 

I smile back and raise an eyebrow…

a goofball smile

his face is amused

Nico looks down sheepishly and then I see the cocky lopsided smile that just melts me somehow.

I smile, even though he can't see me. Yep, I'm a school girl with a crush so big, I'm smiling when he says hello on the phone.

I smile at Regina. I'm a little embarrassed that I dressed for a man, but Regina is my friend and won't judge me. 

Girl Woman…I can't believe you're twenty-five-years old AND a lawyer…*facepalm*


It goes without saying that all those smiles made me roll my eyes.



Now let's get to the writing. Here are some "quotes" to your perusal.


"It smells good." Nico crinkles up his nose and it is an absolutely adorable face. One that looks like he's five years old. I'm so enthralled by how such a large, powerful man can look so adorable, that it takes me a minute for his words to register. 

The part that is touching me is thick and hard…

Thick, long, rock-solid hardness.

private area

impressive manhood

the tip of him 

Please, please do call things as they are. To her credit I must say that she came around eventually. Thanks for small favors.


Nico slowly draws out his tongue and licks me unhurriedly from my entrance to my clit. He stops as he reaches my swollen bundle of nerves and flitters his tongue ever so slightly over it.

spearing himself into me…

My already swollen nipples respond, and swell even more, enough so they are no longer below the surface of the water. Now the full tips are sticking out from the still water of the bath. No longer protected by the warm soak, the cool air meets the swells and it's...

Everything about him is just so purely, deliciously male. His square jaw, his green eyes that turn grey with desire when he comes near me, the way he looks at me like he's a hunter and I'm his prey. He's incredibly distracting. Even more so sitting in nothing but a towel. Lucky towel. 

Wow. Lucky towel me. Ugh.


Also, the constant swellings got on my very last nerve.

Tingling sensations shoot through my veins and I feel the sensitive skin between my legs swell.

…his thumb gently reaches out and feels the curve of my swell.

The swell between my legs that was ebbing, flows back at a rapid pace.

…taking my swell into his mouth and lashing me with his wicked tongue.

With my eyes still closed, I drag my fingernail over my swollen nipple and it swells even more under my touch.

…squeeze my legs shut to calm the swell growing between them.

The swell of my nipples is now seemingly connected to the swell between my legs. 

Seriously??? Coherent thoughts elude me when I have to deal with that kind of writing. It's mind-boggling.

I really don't have a problem with first person POV present tense, but in this case it didn't help to establish a compelling and interesting story. In fact, it felt amateurish and awkward. Also, if my memory serves me right the first person POV present tense did alternate with past tense in the beginning of the story. Anyway, if I'm wrong then it shouldn't bother you because it didn't influence my rating. 

Sorry for being harsh but this was another "blah" story. One book among many, many others, once read and easily forgotten. Book goes back to Amazon for a refund of my money. Onwards…

4.5 dork-tastic stars.****Review completed October 13, 2013







Damon…you write the most amazing things! <3

"Having a kid is like having your heart walking around outside your body for the rest of your life."

"In high school I felt like an ugly unicorn." Trip grabbed his buckle firmly. "Big fucking shank hanging off me."
Silas fell back on the couch. "Hey, I like unicorns. Unicorns are just weaponized ponies."

Adorable and adorkable. Nerdy and geeky. Endearing and charming. Cheeky and witty. Hot and sexy. Crazy and funny.

Damon, you are my little demon and I loved your pearls ofwisdom dorkiness! 

Some Damon-isms…

Holy horny downtime, Batman!

Fanthropology in the wild

Arma-gaydar

disasturbate

Fifty Shades of Fingered by Fabio's Fuckery

suit-itis 



I'm aware of the fact that I shouldn't compare apples and oranges. Yet my mind can't help wandering back to Hot Head and Dante and Griff pretty darn regularly, because there are some books I will always carry close to my heart. Fact is, I loved Bad Idea but here's another fact: I loved Hot Head more. So, 4.5 stars it is.

"God, I think I wanna f@ck me now."

Don't expect anything similar to Hot Head coz you might end up disappointed. Bad Idea is very different but it's a very good kind of different. Plus, it's definitely written in Damon's distinct and witty voice. I might be wrong but I have an inkling that there must be more of Damon's personality and professional background interwoven in Bad Idea than in Hot Head. If my memory serves me right then he's been writing for stage and screen for a long time, and I'm pretty sure that Bad Idea gave us a realistic insight into the entertainment industry.

"I figured you'd set up the Big Dog pavilion, peeing on your hydrants."

Sometimes I felt like someone had catapulted me straight into a comic book, considering the interwoven comic speech and the somewhat manic plot. Nowadays I don't read comics anymore but as a kid I was a fan of Asterix & Obelix and The Adventures of Tintin. Yeah, the good old days. To me Bad Idea was a breath of fresh air and I really do appreciate it when an author provides books with different plots and characters. As a matter of fact, I don't want to read the same book over and over again, and I enjoy to taste something original.

"Mister, I'm about to write you a reality check. Or would you prefer the cold, hard cash of truth."

There's more to Bad Idea than two quirky main protagonists. The story delivers a great cast of well-drawn secondary characters and I especially loved Jillian. She's cool and crazy funny!

"Kiddo, there's so much (view spoiler) in that thing I can taste his precum."

From a physical point of view Silas and Trip differ greatly. Yet what makes a relationship work are inner values, and as long as heart, mind and body are perfectly aligned, you've got a chance to make it work. After some turmoils Silas and Trip accomplished to get their HEA. By the way, the men lovin' was titillating and hot! Oh, and don't get any wrong ideas. Even though Silas does creature makeup he's a very manly guy. There's really nothing effeminate about him. I just wanted to make that clear. Besides, I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm not a huge fan of effeminate male characters either.

"I'm being serious. Speaking from vast dick experience, that's a pretty manageable dickiness as dicks go."

Silas relaxed. "I try to do something terrifying every day. Keeps my heart on its toes."
Trip chuckled. "Your heart has toes?"
"Maybe. It runs around enough."

Illustrators draw every important detail and moment, authors write them down and readers…well, they read the stories but we all have the same goal on our minds: We do all those things so we won't forget (I quote) a single second of a single moment, because what if we never got to have them again?

Bad Idea is a fast-paced and quirky read that provides an interesting plot, great dialogue and a compelling narrative. I caught myself smiling and laughing all the time. An author told me a while ago that she had a fantastic time in Damon's company during an authors' event and I believe her in a heartbeat. Besides, I'm certain you've heard this question already "Which celebrity would you like to meet?" Damon is one of those 'celebrities' I'd love to meet. In a heartbeat.

Recommended read.


All quotes are taken from the pre-published copy and may be altered or omitted in the final copy. 

**ARC courtesy of Dreamspinner Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

5+++ memorable stars.*****Review completed October 7, 2013

Beautiful. Emotional. Evocative. Authentic. Just…freakin' great! Let's spread some love for this A-mazing book coz it's easily one of the best I've read this year.





This is one of Dan's pics although slightly altered. Couldn't risk getting flagged over naked buttocks. :)

"It's hard to want to fit in and not be able to," his voice came barely above a whisper. "They make us feel like it's easier to lie than be truthful. Easier to hide than be seen. Make us feel like we did something wrong to not be like them. Like we made a conscious choice."

I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. "Whatcha doing?"
He smiled and blinked. "Memorizing you," his voice said, dreamily.
I was silent a moment. I wasn't certain of what he said. I saw a butterfly flit past him.

I will keep my written review simple because the pics and quotes are worth a thousand words.

At the beginning of Memorizing You which is set in the 60s is a blank canvas, and over time the author paints a small yet utterly vivid and colorful place in a world that was essentially colorless. It's a place filled with insecurities, hope, longing, love and happiness. On the other hand, it's a borrowed haven of love with an uncertain future. Still, I can't help and look at the ending with a tiny grain of hope. In fact, I look at it like this…(view spoiler)

I guess the ending leaves room for your own thoughts, wishes and perceptions.

3 am by Gregory Alan Isakov

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0wRjN...

Don't let the cover put you off. Behind the somewhat unfortunate cover hides a true gem, and I'm very glad that I read this beautiful yet tragic love story. It was so well worth my time and money. Memorizing You is a prime example why I will never hand out guilty five stars. If I could I would have rated it with more than five stars. Memorizing You is one of those books that you don't just read--it's one to be experienced. At the very least it provides some thought-provoking impulse. I think I said the same about Rough Canvas and Mirror of My Soul because these kinds of books are so much more than love stories. They're food for your heart, mind and soul. 

If you'd like to read a story about…

…a reverent look at first love

…the shelter and warm cocoon of secret love

…not having the freedom to do little intimate things like holding hands in public

…two people who gave each other's lives a purpose

…two people who stayed true to themselves and made their own decisions

...then buy this book and read it. Chances are you're going to devour and treasure it. I must add, however, that I was privy to the fact that over the course of time their secret love turned into 'open' love which made me very happy. People can change, they're able to learn and they can be acceptive after all. Unfortunately not everybody. Ryan's (view spoiler)



A shout out to all those readers who'd like to dip their toes into unknown waters
Memorizing You is the perfect place to pop your m-m cherry. If explicit m-m sex scenes make you uncomfortable then you needn't worry because there are none at all.



I loved everything about this beautifully and compellingly written story. Interesting plot and setting, great dialogue and excellent narrative, wonderful MCs as well as some endearing secondary characters, i.e. David's supportive friend Rosemary as well as his awesome parents made this book an all-around winner. Even (view spoiler) came around eventually. Memorizing You is not all about tears, not in the least. There is so much gaiety to be found and some well placed banter and humor lightened the mood. 

Have you ever noticed how much beauty lies in stillness? 

I’m someone who likes to talk about problems. Yet I found it very interesting that David never pushed Ryan to talk to him when he sensed that something was wrong or when he knew he felt sad. I really liked that. There’s a deep understanding, an intense connection between these two young men and it worked so well without numerous conversations. There was nothing superfluous about their love. They shared a highly intimate and gentle bond that’s so worth striving for and many of us can only dream about it. On the other hand, I’m aware of the fact that you can say a lot through non-verbal communication; just by being there you can ease someone’s pain and sadness. It’s so true that love can be found in stillness.



There's no denying it, I wanted to absorb every word and emotion. It is also a story that you want to lock away in your heart for a long time, so you can always go back and revisit special parts of it. Besides, this story reminded me that we should never regret anything because at one time in our life it was everything we wanted. It was everything we could ever wish for. That's why it's so essential to make memories and treasure them because they will always be there to convey comfort. And don't project your dreams on your kids. They have their own dreams. You don't own your children. You are only entitled to love, protect and guide them through life. We shouldn't forget that either.

Feed on this very inspirational journey of self-discovery.

Highly recommended.


P.S. Keep a stack of tissues at the ready.

3.5 stars.***Review posted October 4, 2013

Miles and Adam took a swim…




Most memorable scene of the entire book, at least for me. It's a (view spoiler)

Do you know what I mean when I say I miss you? 
Do you know what this hole in my chest signifies?
I'm standing in the rain, my heart in my hands
Just waiting for you to know what I mean
What I mean when I say I miss you

So beautiful. That made my heart leap with delight.

"Hey, ain't your fault. You were born gay--(view spoiler) had to practice bein' a dick. I saw (view spoiler) punch him earlier from upstairs. That was a fuckin' great punch."

I liked it. I really did but a higher rating wouldn't be justified because…well, I can't gush about it like others did. A few days ago I read another book that featured a rock star Metal Heart and Illumination is not as good as Metal Heart. I'm really sorry. I'm especially sorry for my friend Sheri whom I adore for her enthusiasm for this specific book. I would have loved to feel this intense connection that you need to rate a book with five stars. It's very unfortunate that it didn't happen for me. 



The book title is very apt and provides plenty of connotations and I really liked the calligraphy. Miles is an awesome artist. He is also an artist with many issues. Since twelve years he is suffering from agoraphobia and lives a lonely and asocial life as a hermit at a rundown cottage surrounded by a lake and trees. 

Up until the 70 % mark the story went rather quietly, like water that bubbled gently. What I found irritating was the fact that Adam and Miles didn't address the big elephant in the room. Meaning, I wanted them to have THE talk. Instead I had to accept that Adam treated the topic with (view spoiler) I got it that Miles wasn't good with words. Still, I must say it was such a disappointment that their talks were (mostly) superficial. Yeah, evade the difficult subject matter as often as possible. Besides, Miles wasn't the only one who had to deal with issues. Adam's "recreational" (view spoiler) problem should have been addressed considerably deeper. The resolution wasn't satisfying enough and was way too convenient for my liking. I guess that's exactly my problem with this book. While there was so much potential, the execution fell a bit flat for me; there wasn't enough depth and not enough character and plot development. I'm just not satisfied anymore with scratching the surface of an interesting and severe subject matter. I need more.

Don't let my concerns put you off though. I'm sure that many readers will love this book. Happy reading!

I see your face…every place…

http://baba.booklikes.com

DNF at 60 %.**2 stars. One extra star for the secondary character Liam (hero of Waking Kiss)







After reading and enjoying Waking Kiss my expectations for Fever Dream were very high and it saddens me to tell you that the story didn’t meet my challenges, not by a long shot. I still can’t believe it. After a great beginning which was so much fun, I never thought I wouldn’t like Fever Dream. Everything went south when Rubio spanked Petra at Liam’s house (around the 22 % mark). How silly was that scene? Also, I can’t believe that he bound and spanked a vanilla girl without a prior SERIOUS TALK. There was no build-up whatsoever—only a super horny Rubio who couldn’t wait to jump the heroine’s bones. What followed suit was a very awkward sex scene at Rubio’s and plenty of silly conversations. Plus, I couldn’t stand Petra’s antics and her babbling nonsense all the time. Sheesh, she better make up her mind! Since I read and enjoyed Waking Kiss, I knew Rubio as a crude and insulting asshat but not as someone who made a TOTAL fool of himself. Yeah, jumping-jack said to say hello. WTF? The stupid nonsense that came out of his mouth was mind-boggling. No real man talks like that. Never. Ever.

My first eye roll moment:

He stared at her a moment, then he snorted. "You have sub all over you like fucking body oil. Is leaking out of your pores."
"It is not."
"I knew you were a sub from the second I met you. I just wasn't sure you knew it." 

Thanks for a good laugh. Is Rubio psychic?

Another "memorable" scene…

(…) Oh, she'd had orgasms, plenty of them. This wasn't an orgasm. This was a whole-body death and resurrection. *snort*

"My cock was so happy inside you." *double eye-roll moment*

"I don't care if you want to live your own life. I won't make any demands. Only tease you and hurt you and fuck you, and maybe sometimes I'll pee on you in the shower--" I think his brains went down the plug hole.

"We could be together, you know. I think you're out of balance. Too much work, not enough play. You have sad, horny eyes." Yeah, right. O__o



"Let's see how my pretty Petra feels. Oh…" He pretended to be shocked. "Wet as an Ocean. Wet and horny. It's a waste though. We're not using your pussy today." 

During another scene she's very distraught because (view spoiler) but he gets a hard-on. *facepalm*

"No, I didn't, and I don't. I don't want you," she snapped, turning away. "And I don't want you to make me want you when I don't want to want you. I don't want you tempting me to want you just because you can, when I've already said I don't want you." 

In case you were wondering, that's Petra babbling nonsense.

Honestly, I love reading BDSM books and it is very unfortunate that Fever Dream didn’t do it for me. Although it’s hardly a surprise considering the less than appealing dialogue as well as the strange sex which was neither hot nor sexy, let alone erotic. If anything, it was coarse and a real turn-off. Let's face it, a great BDSM book provides so much more than silly spanking scenes and quick f@cks. Besides, Ruby actually hit her (at 51 %) and I wouldn't call that "taking care of a sub." He simply ignored her signs of distress.



There was absolutely no chemistry whatsoever between these two. Nada. Zilch. Also, I must say that one hour puttering around in my kitchen evokes more emotion in me than these silly sex scenes could ever accomplish. If I have the desire to read these kind of sex scenes then I can watch a porn movie. Simply put, fabulous sex is more than sticking a c@ck in a c@nt. I want more than inserting tab A into slot B. What I want are heartfelt feelings and emotions. Plus, I want believable dialogue and characters.

Since I DNFd the book I've missed out on the (view spoiler) Ugh! Boy, am I ever glad that I didn't have to read that scene. I decline gladly and I'm pretty sure I would have deducted the second star again. What's it going to be next time? A (view spoiler)

In any case, don't mind my little rant and happy reading!

http://baba.booklikes.com

4 stars.****Review completed August 12, 2013





Ashleigh Keaton always wanted to be invisible due to her horrible past (not a real spoiler when you have read the blurb)(view spoiler) Ballet has been a compulsion for Ash not a real pleasure. And due to her trauma she felt compelled to dance. Her path leads her to England and to the London City Ballet, specifically to The Great Rubio who had been her inspiration for many years.

When the prima ballerina of Sleeping Beauty pulled a muscle before her Act Three entrance, Ashleigh is the only dancer available with her shade of jet black hair who can replace her. Ash is frantic because she is not good enough to dance with The Great Rubio center stage in front of a packed theater. Besides, the shoes she is wearing are too soft and her others are not broken in yet and would make too much noise. Soft shoes are good to dance in the background but not good enough to do a prima ballerina's demanding pointe work. And Princess Aurora of Sleeping Beauty required a lot of demanding pointe work. Though the director is relentless. She has to dance despite her unfitting shoes. Within seven minutes she must be prepared to be on stage with Rubio. She hurries back to her dressing room only to end up in front of a locked door. A mysterious, very tall and handsome man with wavy dark hair is able to unlock the door for Ashleigh in no time flat, and he helps her to get ready. 

"I only had seven minutes," I said, turning back.
"I'm so sorry. I--"
He waved me off. "Fly free, little ballerina. Go."

After an 'adequate' performance, considering the unfortunate circumstances, The Mean Rubio invites Ashleigh to a party. What she doesn't know yet is (view spoiler) The story takes it from there.


wake1 [weyk] Show IPA verb, waked or woke, waked or wok·en, wak·ing, noun
verb (used without object)
1.
to become roused from sleep; awake; awaken; waken (often followed by up).
2.
to become roused from a tranquil or inactive state; awaken; waken: to wake from one's daydreams.
3.
to become cognizant or aware of something; awaken; waken: to wake to the true situation.
4.
to be or continue to be awake: Whether I wake or sleep, I think of you.
5.
to remain awake for some purpose, duty, etc.: I will wake until you return. 


I wasn't familiar with Annabel Joseph's writing until I read Waking Kiss and I must say it was (mostly) a wonderful experience. Waking Kiss is written in first person past tense and the POV alternates between Ashleigh and Liam. It's a beautifully as well as carefully written story about two very likable characters dealing with their painful pasts. Still, I'm a little bit disappointed that once again I couldn't finish a book without the obligatory WTF moment. Everything was perfect when I posted my update at 70 %. Shortly afterwards there was (view spoiler)that left me bewildered and IRRITATED. WTF? I'm convinced she was not ready. Besides, it felt somewhat contrived and uncalled for. WTF again? Moreover, I believe that (view spoiler)Never. Ever. This is all kinds of wrong. I have (view spoiler) but I can't say that I approve what happened here. In the wake of this "incident" another drama unfolded in front of my eyes, which was rather predictable, and all the magic faded away, at least for me.

Truth be told, the transition from a very beautifully and attentively crafted story to something…I can't even find the right words…is a letdown. I am aware of the fact that the conflict needed to happen, but how everything went down felt wrong to me. In consequence I would have rated the book higher, however, due to this 'incident' and the following 'manufactured' drama it dropped down to four stars. Don't get me wrong. Waking Kiss is so worth reading and my issues shouldn't put you off. Ultimately I feel disappointed because I wanted this book to be perfect but it wasn't. 

This was all kinds of fucked up. "So you don't have a bed because (view spoiler) I added silently. I glanced at her fort. "So,(view spoiler)
Ha. You're sitting across from one.

"(…) But when you trust someone…even if you don't trust someone…you can choose to let those boundaries down. What you experience and what you feel doesn't come from other people. It comes from you."

My breath stuttered in my throat.
"You're--you're t--touching my boundaries."
"Yes, I am. They feel beautiful." He nuzzled his face against my neck.

"You know," he said quietly, "the world won't end when you open your heart to someone. Nothing catastrophic will happen."

"If you truly wish to help her, you must first make peace with what happened to you. Just as the storm must crash before the flowers bloom--"

Liam is basically a fabulous and absolutely lovable hero. Aside from his gorgeous physique, he combines many dream-worthy attributes that I want to see in a hero. He is protective, tender, very caring, considerate and perceptive. Liam tries to absorb his pain by hopping from one ONS to the next. He is a playboy, a man whore and being a dominant gives him the (false) feeling of being in control and protecting his painstakingly constructed walls. But when shy Ashleigh breezes into his life, they breach each other's boundaries. She changes his life and it terrifies him to no end. To Liam love is the equivalent to loss, trauma and pain. And being out of control is not something that he is striving for. Even though he is fighting all those new and terrifying feelings, he can't prevent that his precious control is slipping slowly but surely from his fingers. Compared to Liam Ashleigh is probably the braver character. She really gave everything to deal with her issues and to overcome (view spoiler) Then again she knew that she was in Liam's capable hands. She could let go eventually, and he was there to catch her when she fell. Despite Liam's loving father and his friend (view spoiler) Mem he didn't really have that safety net. Maybe I should rephrase that. He had a safety net but when it came down to it he didn't have enough trust. Besides, he wasn't willing to let down his protective walls and he didn't let his friends or family members come too close to his heart. Again, it's always a matter of trust. 



What I especially loved about Waking Kiss was the emotional connection with the MCs that I could feel right from the beginning. Also, the careful build-up was a real pleasure to read and until the 70 % mark nothing felt rushed. Honestly, it was wonderfully done, and the author pulled me unyieldingly into their story.

Well, I guess I need to say a few words about the secondary character and future hero of Fever Dream, The Great Rubio.While he acted like a certified piece of s@it in the beginning of the story, I could promote him to almost likable at the end of the plot. Hence, I'm definitely curious to see what kind of beauty will knock him on his arrogant ass in Fever Dream. Should be fun! *rubs hands together*

Another favorable aspect of this book is the title. It's excellent. This story (view spoiler)


Liam and Ash have made new memories to replace the bad ones. Things have come full circle.




Recommended read.



Warning
Waking Kiss contains explicit sex and language, spanking, toys (if I remember correctly then the toy play was not so explicit), bondage and (view spoiler)

4 stars.****Review completed September 30, 2013



Metal Heart starts off with a prologue which is set in 2011. Scott King, 41, is a well-known music producer and the former lead guitarist of King Phoenix. The band split up sixteen years ago, and since then Scott preferred to live a rather secluded life together with his sister and his niece in rural Berry, Australia. However, when Scott gets a phone call from his former boyfriend and love of his life, Ash Walker, who is also the former lead singer of King Phoenix, asking him to join their band for a benefit gig, he can't decline the request. Their former sound man 'Slapper' is dying and they want to raise money for his wife and kids.



It's hard for Scott to meet his band members again because the circumstances of their break-up were dramatic. Scott (view spoiler) I will get back to my spoiler in my review because I almost threw a fit and wanted to smack Scott for being so stupid and selfish and self-righteous. I had to deal with a long-known problem that many stories provide frequently: Lack of communication. Oh, yes, let's jump to conclusions, shall we?

Fast-backward to the year 1990. Dean Jones is telling Scott that King Phoenix is on the lookout for a new lead guitarist. When Scott is listening to their demo tape something specific is pretty outstanding. The front man's sexy voice.

But the hooks weren't what had Scott transfixed. That was the fault of the singer, who possessed a deep, gravelly but surprisingly melodious voice that had just enough growl to it in the lower registers that shivers ran up and down Scott's spine at the sound of it. It was a dirty voice, a smoky, sexy voice that promised all sorts of filthy things. It made heat curl low in Scott's belly, but he welcomed that feeling and didn't try to fight it. Lust was good for music. Lust and music went hand in hand, because lust was about feeling heat deep in your bones, and so was music.(…)

So, when Scott is auditioning in front of the three band members, everyone is impressed by his skills and they hire him on the spot. Also, Scott and Ash feel an instant attraction for each other (Rosa…no insta-love though).

"This is meant to be, Scott. Can you feel it? I can feel it in my fucking bones."

"Jesus Christ," he said softly. "This isn't a band, it's a fucking circus."
"You can say that again," Ash said.

(view spoiler)

"I--I didn't know any of that."
"No, you wouldn't, would you? Because all you ever do is think the worst of me, don't you?" You did it then, and you're still doing it now. Did you ever fucking ask what happened?" Ash stepped toward him. "Even if you didn't want to talk to me, did you ever ring Dean and fucking ask him?"

I liked the first half of the book but around the 53 % mark I was ready to throw a fit. At that point Scott freaked out because of(view spoiler) Then at 55 % we fast-forward to the year 2011. All things considered, what stands out for me is the second half of the story. It was filled with tension (not only the sexual kind of tension) and plenty of conflict situations. Even though I wanted to shake both Ash and Scott, telling them to FINALLY have THE $£?!!*%£&"+? TALK, I was willing to wait and give them time. Boy, but it was hard on me! I won't lie, it was really frustrating. I always had an inkling that Ash (view spoiler) WTF? I mean…seriously…for sixteen f@cking years you don't take your finger outta your ass to clear up the air? It was obviously enough what Mel (his sister) said. Again, I was ready to…ugh…ugh…ugh.



I did understand Ash's disappointment. Granted, he made mistakes but it was nothing compared to Scott's shitty behavior. In fact, none of his band members told him to (view spoiler)Scott never wanted to listen to Ash and made the wrong decisions and dug his own pit. He fell prey to a (view spoiler) On the other hand, when you're twenty-four-years old then you are old enough to think about the consequences of your deeds or so I thought. 

"Hey, every rock band needs a good ballad."
Scott laughed. "Not this one."

November Rain by Guns N' Roses

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SbUC...



The writing is solid and engaging and the chemistry between the main protagonists is irresistible. Maybe there was a tiny bit too much narrative for my liking during the first half of the plot. The first half depicts the life and struggles of an upcoming band, life on the road abroad and falling prey to temptations. But it's also about Ash and Scott's 'secret' life as lovers and how everything fell apart.

When Ash and Scott finally talked, it was so cathartic and I thought "Yes! Now the road is clear and they will confess their undying love." Yeah, when pigs fly, right? Let's just hit the next wall. To sum up, I can say that I enjoyed the second half of the plot a lot which provided less narrative. Scott had to deal with long buried emotions and feelings but the conflicts somewhat drained me and it was an exhausting road to witness Ash and Scott's HEA. Still, it's definitely worth reading.

"I'm still not very good with words."

That's all right. If it's your song, I don't need lyrics to know what you're saying, Scotty.

"I can barely even talk to you now, but…my heart is in that song. Tell me you can hear what it's trying to tell you." He closed his eyes again. "Please."
(…)
"It's your song, isn't it?" Ash said, tilting Scott's face up, brushing their lips together. "Of course I can hear it. It's muffled right now, but…I can hear it."

Recommended read but you'll need some metal nerves. Just saying...

P.S. I really loved their "grown-up" sex scenes! <3

2.5 stars.**Review posted September 27, 2013



For a synopsis please read the blurb. I'm going to make it as short as possible.

It's safe to say that Champagne Kisses: A Timeless Love Story wasn't my cup of tea. The story and the writing were too cheesy and the epilogue doesn't get any sappier either. From the beginning I've had a hard time to get into the story and I felt a bit bored. Add in the fact that the sex wasn't memorable at all and I was very glad to finish the book ASAP. Fortunately it was a quick read, otherwise I would have felt the need to put another book on my DFN shelf.

I really got it that Dean has a great body. Yes, the man is in shape. So, why do I have to read the same descriptions over and over again? Also, after I've read for the umpteenth time that his smile was CROOKED, I. Really. Got. That. Too. This may come as a surprise but I'm not dense at all. What does that tell me? The writing was repetitive and somewhat stilted at times. Plus, the waterworks were flowing rather generously and a specific part of the plot came across as overly melodramatic. On the other hand, if you like this kind of book then I'd say you might enjoy this story.

The heroine fell in love with the hero within 24 hours when they first met. I'm very sorry but I never bought it. Hardly any author can pull off insta-love after all. I never had the impression that I really got to know the MCs. There was just not enough character development and the story didn't have enough depth either.

If this story is actually a timeless love story then I have to wonder why I had to deal with the term 'manhood'. If memory serves me right, that must have been popular back in the 80s. Newsflash, we're living in the 21st century. Times change, people change…or so I thought.



The sex scenes didn't leave me panting for more and they didn't turn me on either. If anything, I had a good laugh. I really don't intend to be mean but let's face it, they are so badly written I was glad when it was over. A few "quotes" to your perusal.

I watched his biceps flex as he moved his body back and forth. His pecs hardened as he positioned himself for maximum pleasure. I even stole a glance behind him, watching that ass of his as he moved up and down, undulating like a snake.

To answer his non-question, I grabbed onto his manhood, guiding it into myself. A wave splashed on Dean's back, pushing him forward just as I felt him swell within me. His hands went to my ass, steadying me.

His tongue strummed the pink flesh like a guitar string, sending beautiful vibrations through my body.

A jolt of pleasure surged through me as his fingers found my pleasure center. He made slow circles on the outside of my light pink panties, revving my internal engines to full power.

Really? It could have been a game center and don't get me started on the engines. 

He laughed as he wriggled free, showing me that he didn't have anything on underneath. No wonder his ass had looked so good.

Excuse me but what's that got to do with his great ass?

He stood before, bathed in soft moonlight. He moved to the nightstand, fishing a small square packet from a corner drawer and hastily putting it on. He didn't want to wait any longer either.

Ooookay. Did he actually put on the whole packet or only the condom?

He was between my legs in less than a moment, his masculine scent heady and intoxicating. I could feel his massive manhood pressing against me, seeking entrance, and as we made eye contact, he entered.
My body sang with pleasure. I cried out his name, feeling the two of us finally joining as one. We were no longer separate or alone. We were together.
(…)

Our eyes never left one another. His winter-blue eyes peered into my soul, the two of us speaking volumes without words.

The speech about looking into someone's soul is really tough to pull off. I love it but in this case I found it ludicrous and redundant. In fact, the whole sex scene was incredibly awkward and mechanic and it reads like an embarrassing class essay. 

Overall I must say that I don't understand the high average rating. Yet it's a fact and that's why I'm going to put Champagne Kisses: A Timeless Love Story on my shelf books-everyone-loved-but-baba. I can't recommend this book but it's obvious that I'm a minority here. I'd say give it a try and maybe you'll love it. Hopefully.

Excuse me while I have a little moment here…WTF did I just read?



I'm sorry but I'm not in the mood to write a synopsis. Shades of Gray did boggle my mind. Irrevocably. I'm extremely, totally, utterly, and highly bummed! 

P.J. Rutherford. She is a woman. I mean the chick's got boobs and a vagina. But after reading her story this word conveys nothing to me anymore. Initially I wanted to label her as a Superwoman. However, I was so way off the mark that she graduated from Superwoman to Superman and then to Rambo and finally she became a female Terminator. Holy crap! I still can't believe what happened in this story. It reads like a very bad B-Movie.

OTT badass speech
OTT badass acts/action
Cheesy writing to the point where it hurt my teeth
The story took a serious turn into Sapsville
Ridicoulous
But first and foremost it was UNREALISTIC AS ALL GET OUT



There are more plot holes in Shades of Gray than in a Swiss cheese. *Sorry, Baba waves at fellow citizens* The plot is extremely ridiculous, and I'm sorry to say it but I was not willing to suspend belief. Everything about it was too far-fetched and incomprehensible. If I wouldn't have been so mad I had laughed my ass off. 

Yeah, Wonder Woman took a [shot to her thigh (the bullet almost hit the bone) and wonders never cease, coz she was running around after having been shot at. (hide spoiler)] I'm stunned. Dunno what to say. Oh, wait a second! The best has yet to come. After being [wounded she has a fight with the baddies.(hide spoiler)] Hey, that's a walk in the park for dear little P.J. *insert major eye roll moment*

Baba, admit it, you are such a jealous b@tch. 

"She's going to be fine," Donovan called back. "She kicked some ass and only has one ???measly???[bullet wound to show for it. It's going to hurt like hell for a while and she's going to be laid up until it heals,(hide spoiler)] but she's good." 

No shit!?! Yeah, our dear P.J. can handle a little bit of [blood and pain. (hide spoiler)] Ugh.

They go back to Cole's house to have a cozy evening instead of[seeing a physician who would have taken care of her injury.(hide spoiler)] That blows my mind.

"You realize how unrealistic this is," P.J. said, an hour into the movie.
"I would have never guessed," Cole said dryly. 

I will refrain from posting a very sarcastic comment here. 

And then there was the final "highlight" in Vienna. As a matter of fact, it was another absurd moment. Cole and P.J. go [in on their own. What happens, huh? Male has been kidnapped, female is out of her mind, female is running to male's rescue. Female has to face off bad guys, is confronted by bad memories, female almost freaks out, pulls her act together and kills the badass baddies. Also, I felt that P.J. stooped down to Brumley's level when she behaved like a predator gone nuts and slashed his neck. In fact, there would have been other options, but she chose to kill him and she has to live with it. (hide spoiler)]Must be such a good feeling, P.J., huh? *pets* In conclusion, a woman--granted, a female Terminator--taking [down several bad guys (hide spoiler)] is beyond any reasonable explanation. Oh, P.J., please spare me your snarling and growling from now on. Thank you. *insert another major eye roll moment*

Let's not forget the cozy little coffee party among the Kelly women. Wow. What an idyllic world. Instead of seeing a shrink, P.J. has a nice conversation with all those lovely ladies. Come on! Get real here! This woman has been [cut up and raped twice.(hide spoiler)] Let's get back to the real world! *rolls eyes*

Honestly, I felt manipulated by the author because everything about this story should have been tear-inducing. Having said this, the author tried way too hard to push my lacrymal glands and it saddens me to say that she failed big-time. 

As a side note
Please, can anyone explain to me why a jaw would bulge? 

Cole's eyes were murderous and his jaw was so tight it bulged. 

Er…I thought the bulging happens in a guy's pants. Hmmm…

She was torturing herself with all the possibilities. By the time they pulled into the compound, P.J. was a wreck. 

I couldn't agree more. Reading Shades of Gray was pure torture and it wrecked me. Bottom line: there are times when we have to let go because it's painful to see a series go down the drain.



Come to think of it, I always wanted to read Steele's story and I will give it a try but then…well, it might be…




What a way to start my new reading year. I'm in dire need of a great book right now!

DNF at 50 %. I will refrain from rating this book.



Although I was looking forward to reading The Proposition, I ended up disappointed once again. Sadly, the book could not live up to my high expectations.

What did not work for me
I was aware that The Proposition dealt with Em’s ticking biological clock. In addition, I was also aware of the fact that it was not quite believable. Yet I was sure that I could have dealt with it. Having said this, there are just too many issues that ruined the book for me, though.

The beginning was very rushed, not really well developed. I love smexy times like every other reader but there was just plenty ofbland sex that I was skimming pretty soon because I was bored. In fact, there was no chemistry, no sexual tension at all. That said, how can there be sexual tension or chemistry when you have scheduled sex? I mean there is nothing thrilling about that. Then again, it could have been very exciting if it would have been written differently. After all, some authors have the ability to write great chemistry ad libitum.

Aidan comes across as immature, rather shallow and boring. It goes without saying that he wants to get into Em’s pants as soon as possible. His jokes may have been entertaining now and then, but too many times they were simply cheap, cheesy and insensitive. An example:

„I bet she spoiled you rotten,” Emma mused.
“She did and my four sisters.” He shook his head. “Jesus, it’s a wonder I’m not gay growing up around all that estrogen.”

WTF? That’s not funny. What a heedless moron.

Emma is inconsiderate, weepy, whiny, overly melodramatic, and selfish. Wanting to make up for sadness and disappointment in her life by getting pregnant sounds pretty darn selfish and shallow if you ask me. And I didn’t count how many times Em had tears in her eyes, was sobbing, crying, weeping, whining or…whatever.

Aidan opened his mouth, but Emma kept barreling on, her voice raising an octave. “Or what if I just have this huge mental block that becomes a physical one where I can’t conceive? What if I wasted all my fertile years and now I’m just going to be barren and alone for the rest of my life?”

After the first failed attempt at getting pregnant she has a major breakdown and is sobbing and blabbering dumb stuff like that?? Granted, it’s also the two year anniversary of her mother passing away. But. I don’t get it why she had to freak out like that. After all, she is not even thirty yet. What about all those (married) couples who are trying very hard to conceive for years? And what about all those (married) couples who conceive multiple times and lose the embryo (or baby) time and again?Em’s behavior has to feel like a slap to their face!Incredible. What a drama queen.

Emma finds kitchen counters offensive for conceiving. *scratches head* This woman would seriously kill my mood. :/

Emma tossed her bag on the floorboard and then slid across the leather seat. Besides the fact it cost twice as much as her Honda, it was impeccably clean on the inside. Not a crumb or spec of dust could be found while in her car a small village could have been fed by leftover food of grabbing breakfast or dinner on the run.

Disgusting. A pigsty? I’d strongly advise you to clean up your nasty mess, Em! Babies should not be exposed to that filth.

Constant ’widening eyes’ and ‘giggling’
I have noticed numerous times by now that fictional characters widen their eyes all the time and they have the tendency to giggle too much as well. I tried it out myself but I never widen my eyes. I’m clueless why anyone would do that because it’s very odd. And excessively giggling women don’t do anything for me either.

Huge interrogation mark
Honestly, it’s a mystery to me why Aidan and Em’s story would need a sequel. Oh, wait, the only reason is…(view spoiler)Naturally it goes without saying that I won’t be reading the next installment.

Overall verdict
Emma, get your act together and if you are in need of some company then just buy a dog and spare me your histrionics. Thank you.


As a side note
Everyone loved this book. Maybe this is another case of “It’s not the book it’s me.”



**Review at request of author, Katie Ashley**