Always Will by Melanie Jacobson

Book Description

Handsome twenty-eight-year-old Will Hallerman has finally had enough of the dating world—he’s ready to find a wife and settle down. This announcement is catastrophic in Hannah Becker’s world. After knowing Will her entire life and adoring him from afar since junior high school, she realizes her chance at love with him is in grave danger. Hannah’s problem? To Will, she will never be more than his best friend’s little sister. Determined to open his eyes to her charms, Hannah sets out to sabotage Will’s wife hunt by placing nightmare dates in his path and taking his search on a wild goose chase. Her plan is risky, but she’s willing to take a chance to catch the eye of her soul mate. 

Despite her crazy schemes, nothing seems to be working. Hannah can’t help but wonder if it’s time to set aside this childhood crush—to move on and settle down herself. She’s ready for a fresh start with a great guy. If only Will weren’t suddenly changing the rules of the game . . . And how can Hannah move on when Will just won’t let her forget?

AVAILABLE: October 5, 2015

**I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

This book didn't read as a friends to lovers kind of book.  

Yes, Hannah and Will have known each other forever (Will is Hannah's older brother's best friend).  And Hannah has had a crush on Will since she was a teenager.  So when she hears Will is serious about settling down and marriage, she freaks out.  So she "helps" him finds dates.  Then she makes a "fake" online dating profile to show Will that she is actually his dream girl.  HELLO!! Just tell the guy.  Hannah had the maturity level of a high schooler.  And Will is just dense...      

The reason why this didn't read as a friends-to-lovers type story was because they never even kissed until about 85% of the book.  When Will finally acknowledges that he feels "something" for her, Hannah proceeds to tell him it's only because she is now a challenge and that he will just move on the next thing soon anyways.  I don't know... these two were a mess to me. 

I skimming through a lot of this book.    

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

Bittersweet Junction by Ivy Sinclair

Book Description

Five years ago, Julia Bell walked away from everything and everyone in her life the moment her high school diploma was in her hand. Determined not to make a mistake she’d regret the rest of her life, she decided leaving was easier. An emergency call from her younger sister brings Julia back to Benton Hill to face the people she left behind, including the man who had tried to claim her heart. 

Ben Miller was always the nice guy, the best friend. The one time he tried to change that perception, he lost the girl and the future he worked so hard to achieve in quick succession. Now that girl, Julia Bell, is back in his life. Ben finds himself falling back that familiar role, even though his heart still wants more. 

As Julia and Ben are thrown back together navigating a stressful event for the Bell family, echoes of the past remind them of what could have been, but also how much they have changed. Is what they once shared enough to build something more, or is it too late to rekindle the spark of this second chance romance?

This is a full-length, standalone new adult contemporary romance novel intended for readers 18+.

AVAILABLE: September 26, 2015

**I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

To me, this description of this book isn't exactly what I thought I read.

Julia Bell left home 5 years ago and hasn't looked back since.  But after receiving a call from her sister, Clary, that their dad was in the hospital, Julia rushed home to find out that not only is her father fine, but her little sister is getting married to her ex-boyfriend, Mike, and they have a baby on the way.

Ben Miller was best friends with Julia and Mike since they were 5 years old, and has loved Julia for that long too.  He was the one that Julia always went to talk to.  They never dated or even kissed until a few nights before high school graduation.  

When Julia returns, yeah he is there for her (she is taking a lot of new information/changes) but it's not like he lets her walk all over him and then just dismiss him.  The relationship changes between Julia and Ben that very first night she is back in town.

This book wasn't what I'd consider a "second-chance romance".  There was no romance (besides a make-out session) between Julia and Ben.  I mean, it was a good book, just not really what I was expecting to read. 

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Book Review: This Love of Mine by Miranda Liasson

Book Description

Bridal shop owner Meg Halloran spends her days making other women’s wedding dreams come true—and her nights dreaming of her childhood crush, hometown heartthrob Dr. Benjamin Rushford. After a lifetime of wearing her heart on her sleeve, she’s done waiting. Meg’s ready to find love, with or without him. Moving on feels right—until Ben pops an unexpected question.

To win the open ER position in Mirror Lake, Ben has to convince the board that he’s settled and ready to put down roots. His latest stroke of genius? Asking Meg, the local good girl, to be his pretend girlfriend. With her by his side, he’s a shoo-in for the job. But he’s in over his head because, as much as he tries to deny it, Meg tempts him. And if she learns the truth about a secret that has shadowed and shaped his life, will she ever be able to forgive him?

AVAILABLE: October 6, 2015

**I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Ben and Meg have known each other most of their lives.  They each had feelings for each other as teenagers (and even shared a kiss), until tragedy struck.  Patrick, Meg's older brother and Ben's best friend, died in an swimming accident.  Ben has lived with the guilt of not being able to save his best friend for 10 years and pulled away from Meg because of it.

This Love of Mine starts off in an elevator.  Meg, who now owns her own bridal shop, is delivering some dresses to the mayor's daughter for her engagement party when Ben walks into the elevator with a "date" for a business dinner.  Ben's date ditches him for a concert (front row seats to help her "modeling career") and leaves Ben in a lurch.  Meg, hiding behind her dresses and bags, spills everything on the way out of the elevator trying to get away without being recognized by Ben... and fails.  After being rescued by Ben, she agrees to be his pseudo girlfriend for the dinner to help Ben earn the open ER spot at the local hospital.

But one dinner turns into a weekend away (for charity), and Meg becomes more determined to put her longtime crush behind her.  Will Ben be able to move past his guilt and open up to the one girl that he's always loved or will that guilt and desire for a job push Meg away for good??     

Rating: 4 out of 5

Book Review: Rock Redemption by Nalini Singh

Book Description

From New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh comes the next contemporary romance in the Rock Kiss series…

Kit Devigny could have loved rock guitarist Noah St. John. Their friendship burned with the promise of intense passion and searing tenderness…until the night Noah deliberately shattered her heart.

Noah knows he destroyed something precious the night he chose to betray Kit, but he’d rather she hate him than learn his darkest secret. All he has left is his music. It’s his saving grace, but it doesn’t silence the voices that keep him up at night. Chasing oblivion through endless one-night-stands, he earns a few hours’ sleep and his bad boy reputation.

When a media error sees Noah and Kit dubbed the new “it” couple, Kit discovers her chance at the role of a lifetime hinges on riding the media wave. Wanting—needing—to give Kit this, even if he can’t give her everything, Noah agrees to play the adoring boyfriend. Only the illusion is suddenly too real, too painful, too beautiful…and it may be too late for the redemption of Noah St. John.

AVAILABLE: October 6, 2015

**I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.**

Rock Kiss Series
Rock Addiction (Book 1) - Fox and Molly
Rock Courtship (Book 1.5) - David and Thea
Rock Hard (Book 2) - Gabriel and Charlotte
Rock Redemption (Book 3) - Noah and Kit

Noah St. John broke his best friend's Kit's heart two years ago.  Their friendship had began to feel like more (even though they never "officially" took any steps to make it so), and Noah destroyed any chance by orchestrating Kit walking in on him having sex with a groupie.  Kit kept her head up and continued on with her life, but she missed Noah and their friendship (wishing she could of meant more).  And a late night call from Noah brings him back into her life.

Noah couldn't "use" Kit the way he uses those groupies: as a way to MAYBE get a couple hours of sleep.  He can't take sleeping pills, they lock him in his nightmares, so he uses woman to chase the demons away (in ways he doesn't even like).  He didn't want that for Kit, she meant to much to him, but he hasn't felt whole since he was six years old.  All that being said... he NEEDS Kit in his life.  Even at the expense of Kit's feelings.  Noah is selfish, self-destructive, and sometimes (when he feels cornered/stressed) cruel.  But I couldn't hate him... He was a tortured soul.  An unimaginable cruel act holds control of his life and when ALL he wants is to be normal, he doesn't know how to get there without his secret getting out.  

Kit is the light to Noah's darkness.  She is a caring, friendly, and open person.  She didn't have the greatest of childhoods either (NOTHING compared to Noah's experience), but she refused to let it shape who she was as an adult.  She sticks up for herself and while she might "take" Noah's ever-changing moods, Kit does have standards and holds Noah to them.  

This book is about building a foundation for friendship before any romantic commitment happen.  To trust and be trusted with your feelings and past.  To overcome those overwhelming feelings of darkness and despair and have faith that the people closest to you won't judge or pity you.  That it is okay to have bad days, but not okay to shove away those who care and are there for you to share your nightmares with. 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Book Review: Crystal by Cherrie Mack

Book Description

Insta-passion and insta-love collide in Cherrie Mack's new sizzling pretty woman tale. When an independent, snarky girl from Queens crosses paths with an older uptight CEO, she tells him where to shove his attitude. Unbeknownst to Crystal, she just called her employer a dick. But Mr. Salinger needs to find a girlfriend fast. And Crystal, with her colorful vocabulary and brazen personality, fits the bill. Would she agree to his crazy scheme and play his girlfriend for two weeks? 
As they delve into an arrangement based on give and take, Robert and Crystal find themselves in unfamiliar territory. Sexual attraction supersedes their age difference, and they agree on a two-week affair. The result is somewhat unexpected. She doesn’t believe in love; he doesn’t want love. But now that they’re in love, whatever will they do? 

AVAILABLE: October 1, 2015

**I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

I didn't like Crystal AT ALL.  I thought she was rude, whiny, extremely immature, loud-mouthed, annoying,condescending, and other negative things that I don't want to waste my time on.   

I didn't like Robert AT ALL either.  He was rude, whiny, a pushover, condescending, a snob, patronizing, whiny, and had a stick up his ass the whole book.

I really don't know what to say.  I want the hour I took reading (and by reading I mean skipping pages  HOPING these two morons would wake up and act like adults... didn't happen).  Crystal doesn't even LIKE Robert but after 3 days of being his fake girlfriend, she decides she is in love with him... ugh.

No.

Rating: 1 out of 5

Book Review: Marry Me at Christmas by Susan Mallery

Book Description

Wish upon a Christmas star with New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery's sparkling Fool's Gold romance!

To bridal boutique owner Madeline Krug, organizing a Christmas wedding sounds like a joy—until she finds out she'll be working closely with the gorgeous brother of the bride, movie star Jonny Blaze. How will a small-town girl like her keep from falling for the world's sexiest guy? Especially with mistletoe lurking around every corner!

Jonny came to Fool's Gold looking for normal, not for love. Happily-ever-after only happens in the movies. Still, nothing about this quirky town is quite what he expected, and "ordinary" Madeline is the most extraordinary woman he's ever met. Refreshingly honest, disarmingly sweet. Achingly beautiful.

Planning the perfect wedding leads to candlelit dinners and strolls through snow-covered streets. And Madeline finds Jonny in real life even more captivating than her celebrity crush. But will the action star be brave enough to risk his heart and step into the role of a lifetime?

AVAILABLE: September 29, 2015

Action star Jonny Blaze recently moved to Fool's Gold to escape the Hollywood life.  He quickly falls in loves with this small town.  He can just be himself and no one wants "Jonny Blaze, Movie Star", just Jonny Blaze.  He is charmed with the spirit of the town and it's people, especially with a certain bridal shop owner/first-time-wedding planner.

As partner in the local bridal shop, Paper Moon, Madeline King helps woman find that perfect dress, not planning the entire wedding.  But it is an experience that she wants to learn.  When Mayor Marsha asks Madeline to help plan Jonny Blaze's little sisters wedding (happening the day after Christmas), she is nervous.  This is her movie star crush.  How is she supposed to act around him?!

I think the thing that was a little disappointing to me was that I didn't always feel like Madeline was the same sassy girl that she has been in previous Fool's Gold books.  And I wish Ms. Mallery played with the "movie star crush thing" more.  

This was a sweet book, yes, but it lacked something for me.  Sexual tension under the surface of Madeline and Jonny's friendship... something.  Everything progressed at a steady pace, but their was no heat or undeniable passion between these two for me.      

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

September Favorites

I want to start doing more than just book reviews on this blog for diversity and also so I don't get "bored" writing only about books.  So at the end of each month, I'm going to start sharing my monthly favorites in beauty, books, music, t.v. and movies, food, mommy/baby stuff, etc... 

Beauty

• L'oreal Infallible Pro-matte (Shade 103 Natural Buff)
• Revlon Nearly Naked powder (Shade 030 Medium)
• Revlon Colorstay Concealer (Shade 03 Light Medium)
• Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed (Champagne Pop)
• Clinique Cheek Pop (Shade 02 peach pop)
• Clinique Bottom Lash Gel (Shade 01 Black)
• NYX Micro Brow Pencil (Shade MBP05 Ash Brown)
• NYX Control Freak Eyebrow Gel
• NYX Pump it up Lip Plumper (Shade PIU 04 Pamela)
• Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow (Shade 27 Bella Mandarin)
• Essie Gel Setter Top Coat
• Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Eau de Parfum
• Mario Badescu Silver Powder (forgot to get a picture of it, can get at Ulta)

Books

I will only post books in my favorites that ARE AVAILABLE to purchase or that are "new" to me.  I don't want to share to many things that aren't available and y'all get mad.

Out of all the books I read this month, my favorite book of September was Breaking the Legend by Sarah Robinson (read my review here).

Another favorite book of the month was Sinful Desire (Sinful Nights Book 2) by Lauren Blakely.  I'll have a review for it soon, promise!! But let's just say I already preordered Sinful Longing which is available November 17. 

Music
Probably my favorite song of the month.

T.V. and Movies
September is (usually) when all the shows come back (YAY)!!! Each year we wait (not so) patiently for our favorites to come back and to see what new stuff we can get hooked on.  

My favorite show that I've been WAITING to come back is Once Upon a Time.  I mean the cliffhanger at the end of season 4 KILLED me!! OMG. The savior is now the Dark One!! =O I can't wait to see what happens in Storybrook this season! 

A show that I thought looked good from the promos leading up to the season premiere was Blindspot.  So far, two episodes in I'm enjoying it.  

**Also next Wednesday (October 7) is the premiere of American Horror Story: Hotel!! ekkkkk**

Food
Publix (our major grocery store for those out of Fl and GA, mostly) has the BEST subs.  And I missed them since I went gluten free 3 years ago for health reasons.  But recently, our local Publix has started doing gluten free wraps!!!!! AHHHHHH I think I ended up getting three in one week. #SorryNotSorry 

Mommy/Baby things
Caelyn is now over a year old, she's walking and (kinda) talking all over the place.  It's exciting and fun to go places with her.  

One thing that is a MUST is a cart cover.  Have you ever thought about how dirty a Target cart is... no...?? Well, wipe one off with the wipes that Target provides. Ew.  Now, if you have a cart cover, look at the part that touches the dirty cart... Double ew.  The cart covers are washable!! YAY!!

One of Caelyn's favorite things is all the new foods she gets now that she has teeth.  One of her favorites is mac n cheese.  (but let's be real... who doesn't love mac n cheese?!)  And Spaghetti squash... omg.  This girl is OBSESSED with spaghetti squash with a little butter and parmesan cheese.