Review: Until Friday Night by Abbi Glines

The first novel in a brand-new series—from New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Abbi Glines—about a small Southern town filled with cute boys in pickup trucks, Friday night football games, and crazy parties that stir up some major drama.

To everyone who knows him, West Ashby has always been that guy: the cocky, popular, way-too-handsome-for-his-own-good football god who led Lawton High to the state championships. But while West may be Big Man on Campus on the outside, on the inside he’s battling the grief that comes with watching his father slowly die of cancer.

Two years ago, Maggie Carleton’s life fell apart when her father murdered her mother. And after she told the police what happened, she stopped speaking and hasn’t spoken since. Even the move to Lawton, Alabama, couldn’t draw Maggie back out. So she stayed quiet, keeping her sorrow and her fractured heart hidden away.

As West’s pain becomes too much to handle, he knows he needs to talk to someone about his father—so in the dark shadows of a post-game party, he opens up to the one girl who he knows won’t tell anyone else.

West expected that talking about his dad would bring some relief, or at least a flood of emotions he couldn’t control. But he never expected the quiet new girl to reply, to reveal a pain even deeper than his own—or for them to form a connection so strong that he couldn’t ever let her go…

Kindle Edition, 320 pages

Expected publication: August 25th 2015 by Simon Pulse 

Genre: YA/NA

Kristine's Thoughts:

** I received an advanced readers copy from Simon Pulse via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**

This is a brand new series and no matter what my thoughts on the book are, I think YA/NA fans are going to be drawn to it. It will either be a case of loving the book or loving to hate it. My thoughts take two different paths when it comes to this book.

I'll start with a few of my thoughts on the characters in this book. I'm not going to lie. West was no book boyfriend of mine, in fact I hated him for a large chunk of the time. He was arrogant, obnoxious and totally disrespectful to the girls in his life. He was also dealing with some pretty heavy issues at home. While it doesn't excuse his behaviour it certainly explains it. Reflecting on his behaviour I actually kind of liked the fact that Glines didn't pen a perfect character with a list of admirable qualities. It made it a little more real and showcased the ugly side of people when dealing with hard core emotions.

When it came to Maggie I was a little more undecided. At times I thought she was weak but at other times I thought she was really strong. She made it out of the most unthinkable situation in the only way she knew how. Her weakness was more with dealing with her feelings for West. There were times when I wanted to reach into the book and shake some sense into her with the way he treated her. Having said that, underneath all the ugly there were some moments of beauty in the way they helped each other that had me holding out hope for them. Some of the ugly was brought to light and called out in the story which I appreciated because it made me more able to route for the two of them.

People can read this book and talk about how self centred, shallow and disrespectful the characters were in this book till the sun comes up. I can tell you, this was my small town high school, field parties and all. For each character in the book I could think of someone like them. Not everyone was like that but it was a very honest depiction of the way some high school kids act. I'm talking both the male and female characters. I'm not saying that it is OK, I'm just saying that people like this exist and the story isn't that far off the mark whether we like it or not. I have to give props to Glines for cutting out the rainbows and unicorns and giving us some of the not so nice parts of high school life. Not every high school kid is mature beyond their years and perfect in every way and it is almost refreshing to read about it.

In the end there were moments that I loved and moments that I hated. It did however keep me thinking and entertained for the few hours that it took me to read it. The more I thought about it the more I liked it and I think it was because of all the character flaws. In the end, we are all flawed. I will definitely read the rest of the series and I look forward to whatever it brings.

About the Author

Abbi Glines is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Rosemary Beach, Sea Breeze, Vincent Boys, and Existence series. She has a new YA series coming out in the fall of 2015 titled The Field Party Series . She never cooks unless baking during the Christmas holiday counts. She believes in ghosts and has a habit of asking people if their house is haunted before she goes in it. She drinks afternoon tea because she wants to be British but alas she was born in Alabama. When asked how many books she has written she has to stop and count on her fingers. When she’s not locked away writing, she is reading, shopping (major shoe and purse addiction), sneaking off to the movies alone, and listening to the drama in her teenagers lives while making mental notes on the good stuff to use later. Don’t judge.

Connect with Abbi

Website/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads 

 

Review: Don't Get Me Wrong by Marianne Kavanagh

d

Kim and Harry are total opposites who happen to have the same favorite people in the world: Kim’s older sister, Eva, and her young son, Otis. Kim has never seen what her free-spirited big sister sees in a stuck-up banker like Harry and has spent her childhood trying to keep him out (must he always drive the most ostentatious cars and insist on charming everyone he meets?), while Harry’s favorite occupation is provoking Kim.

Both Harry and Kim are too stuck in their prejudices to care about what’s really going on beneath the surface of each other’s lives. They’ll never understand each other—until the worst of all tragedy strikes. Faced with the possibilities of losing the person they both love most, long-buried secrets come to a head in ways that will change both Harry and Kim forever.

As in her “hilarious, poignant, and profound” (Daily Mail) novel For Once in My Life, Marianne Kavanagh tackles the bonds of family, friendship, and love through sophisticated storytelling. Don’t Get Me Wrong is a witty and heartwarming book that will charm readers everywhere.

Paperback, 336 pages

Expected publication: August 25th 2015 by Atria/Emily Bestler Book

 

Terri's Thoughts

**I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher Atria via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  The expected publication date is August 25th 2015**

Can a book be equally good and frustrating?  I wasn't sure until I read this story.  Let me tell you it is completely possible.

I will start by venting my frustrations.  I have never been so frustrated by a character than I was with Kim.  So full of hatred for someone she never took the time to understand and so full of judgement when she should have been looking in the mirror.  Up on her high horse judging everyone's else lifestyle when she was making one mistake after the other and should have been looking to clean out her own backyard.  Her feelings regarding Harry were stemming from jealousy and nothing else as she had to share her sister with him.  The way she was always feeling sorry for herself when Eva leaned on Harry was quite sad to be honest. I wanted to slap her throughout the story.

Harry on the other hand captured my sympathy.  The way he was misunderstood and always trying to fit in.  As the reader we got his back story and since Kim was not privy to this perhaps was part of the reason she didn't give him a fair shake.  She should have however saw the unwavering devotion he had for Eva and Otis and accepted him solely based on this instead of questioning his intentions.

Within this conflict was a wonderful story about families and misunderstandings.  I could not wait to find out how everything would play out.  Although I was frustrated, it was the point of the whole story and I get it.  It doesn't mean that I had to like Kim however I somewhat understood given the complexities of the reality.  This was a good book.

In closing I want to share a passage from the story that really resonated with me.  As I watch my husband be a rock as he is dealing with the same situation as Eva with his father these words never felt more true for me. 

"She wanted to shout, It's not ok.  It's not ok at all.  It's evil and ugly and disgusting.  Why are you so calm?  Why are you just sitting there, accepting it?  You should be yelling and screaming and throwing things at the wall.  You should be raging and wailing and fighting."

Instead I will be loving and patient and try to be the rock for him.

 

About the Author

 

Marianne Kavanagh has worked on a number of UK magazines, including Woman, Tatler and the Telegraph’s Saturday magazine. She joined the launch team of Marie Claire, where she became deputy editor, before leaving to spend more time with her family. Since then, as a freelance editor and feature writer, Marianne has contributed to a wide variety of newspapers, magazines and websites, including the Telegraph, Mail, Guardian, Marie Claire, Easy Living, MyDaily and Red. She writes a weekly column, ‘Surviving Teenagers’, for the parenting site Parentdish. She lives in London.

 

Review: One Night with the Best Man by Noelle Adams

Raney wants to enjoy being a bridesmaid at her friend’s wedding, but the best man, Justin Woodward, keeps putting a damper on her mood. He’s brilliant and kind of geeky—not at all the kind of guy she’s used to—but she’s always been nice to him, so she can’t figure out why he acts so cool and obnoxious with her.

It shouldn’t matter what he feels about her, but she can’t stop thinking about him. So her mission for the weekend is to get Justin to like her. Her attempts don’t seem to work at all.

But then everything changes in only one night...

Published (first published April 3rd 2015
Series: One Night Novellas #6
Genre: Romance

Kristine's Thoughts:

One Night with the Best Man is the 6th instalment in the One Night Novella series. This one tells Raney's story who is best friends with Anne and Meg from the previous two instalments.

Adams follows the same theme and formula in this novella as the five previous ones but this one plays on insecurities and shows the vulnerable side to both Raney and Justin. I really liked Justin with his intelligence and somewhat nerdy personality. For some reason I always seem to find that type of guy the most attractive. Needless to say, I was in his corner the whole time.

As I've stated with the other novellas, the story moves fast and the pages heat up quick. I would expect nothing less in a story with so few pages. The entire series is quick and easy to read with many enjoyable characters and enough heat to roast marshmallows. They are perfect for fans of sexy romance without a lot of time to commit to a book.

 



About the Author:

Noelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn't stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she teaches English, reads any book she can get her hands on, and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.

She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.

Connect with Noelle

Website/Twitter/Goodreads 

Review: Ringer (Summer #3.5) by CJ Duggan

They say it’s the quiet ones you have to worry about, and she was quiet, very quiet—when she wasn’t busy despising me with a burning passion.

Ringo ‘Ringer’ James has a no-strings-attached policy.

Love them, leave them, and remain the eternal bachelor.

After a summer in which every one of his mates has succumbed to settling down, or so it seemed, Ringer is on the lookout for a quick exit. Having had enough of the stomach-turning love fest witnessed over the past three months, Ringer jumps at the opportunity to help out his mate, Max, by heading to Max’s dad’s property for a working holiday.

It’s just what he’s looking for. A remote, dusty homestead in Ballan, with only hard work, a cold beer and a comfy bed to worry about – no women.

Until Miranda Henry.

The privately educated daughter of his boss has returned home from overseas and things are about to get very complicated, very fast. As summer draws to its end, Ringer is about to learn that sometimes attraction defies all logic, and that there really is such a thing as ‘enemies with benefits.’

155 pages

Published April 2nd 2014

 

Terri's Thoughts

I am having so much fun with this series!  It is appropriately titled the summer series as it has been my guilty pleasure reading material this summer.

While I am certainly enjoying the full length novels more than the novellas, these novellas are keeping me hooked on the series as I work my way through.

I have to admit that I was a little hesitant about Ringers story since he was a background character in so much of the other stories and perhaps the least appealing of the "Onslow boys" however I was pleasantly surprised.  He was so much more fun than I thought he would be.

Yes Miranda was annoying and spoilt and not at all like her brother Max however I enjoyed the pranks that were exchanged between her and Ringer.  While I was not too fond of her character the chemistry between the two was sizzling and I loved watching it play out.

Although not relevant to the plot, one observation I have of the entire series is that it must have been written well before it was ever published.  In every installment there has been mention of tape decks in the car or the stereo and it has been years since either have ever existed.  In defense of this particular story, Ringers vehicle was a 1977 model so it seems legit however not so much in the other cases.  This is however irrelevant and does not impact the enjoyement of the story.

One more story to go and I am excited that it is full length.  I am not sure what I am going to do when I finish the series, I am already anticipating the loss!

Update:  OMG!  I just went to download the last book and it is not out yet!  Arghhhhhhh!  This means I am waiting for two books by C.J. Duggan to be released from two of her series.  The injustice of it all!!

 

 

About the Author

 

 

Review: One Night with her Roommate by Noelle Adams

Ever since her former roommates deserted her, Meg has had to share an apartment with a lazy, obnoxious ass. He won’t pick up after himself, and he refuses to get a good job. Plus, he doesn’t always wear enough clothes—which is really a problem, because he’s hot.

Maybe he’s occasionally funny. And every now and then he can be sweet. But mostly he’s just annoying. It doesn’t matter how much he’s starting to flirt with her—Meg is going to resist. She’s way too smart to fall for a guy who never takes anything seriously.

But then everything changes in only one night...

Kindle Edition, 78 pages

Published January 17th 2015 

Series: One Night Novellas #5

Genre: Romance

Kristine's Thoughts:

This is the 5th instalment in the One Night Novella series and it tells Meg's story. The reader is first introduced to her in the 4th instalment as Anne's friend and roommate.

This story follows the same formula as the other books in this series but I have to give this one a slight edge over the one before it. I think it was the characters themselves that I enjoyed getting to know a little better. The banter between Meg and East was entertaining to read and you could feel the chemistry between the two of them

As is the case with most novellas, the story moves fast and the relationship develops even faster. It is pure entertainment with some pretty hot and steamy sections which is the reason that I decided to read this series in the first  place.

About the Author

Noelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn't stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she teaches English, reads any book she can get her hands on, and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.

She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.

Connect with Noelle

Website/Twitter/Goodreads 

 

Review: Max (Summer 2.5) by C.J. Duggan

Melanie Sheehan didn’t set out to be a liar, but her last lie landed her in big trouble. Now Mel must suffer a harsh consequence – she’s not allowed out of her father’s sight.


No friends, no parties, no life.


Since impeccably good behaviour is now all she’s about, her dad, renowned Ballan local ‘Bluey’ Sheehan, is about to finally cut Mel some slack. The catch? While he heads out of town on business, she has to stay at the Onslow Hotel, and he’s entrusting Max Henry, the eldest son of Bluey’s best mate, to look out for her.


He just doesn’t know it yet.


Max, the new head barman at the Onslow Hotel, is the one boy Mel has been crushing on since forever. At a time when Mel plans to go on the straight and narrow, she is about to tell the biggest lie of all. Will Max be able to handle the fiery farm girl or should he be considered the last boy in Onslow to trust?

ebook

Published February 15th 2015 by Smashwords Edition

 

Terri's Thoughts

I continue in my quest to complete this entire series, as previously mentioned going in the order in which they were published.

This brings us the story of Max who is one of the lesser featured Onslow boys.  I really enjoyed the very brief glimpses I had of him prior to this story however I have to admit I feel like I have not spent enough time getting to know him.  He is interesting enough that I feel he could have held together a full length story easily.

This story flew by for me.  Due to its short length I didn't feel that anticipation that I have grown used to in Duggan's work.  Instead it read like a fast rom-com, with even a reference as such in the story.  Even so it did not lose its steamy factor when the time came.

All in all I have to admit this series has been a guilty pleasure for me.  The biggest criticism thus far is that I wish all of the stories were full length instead of only some of them.  Only two more to go until I am finished, I can't wait for the next one!

 

 

About the Author

 

 

Review: One Night with her Boss by Noelle Adams

Anne has worked for her sexy, ex-surfer, businessman boss for seven years, and she’s been in love with him for two. Jake doesn’t think about her as anything but his ever-efficient assistant, though. She’s been trying to get over her feelings by dating other men and interviewing for other jobs—which doesn’t make Jake very happy. But Anne is determined not to put her life on hold for him.

When she gets a new job offer, Jake will do anything he can to keep her, but he still only seems to want her as an employee. Anne might find him irresistible, but she’s learned to resist. There are lines that he’ll just never cross.

But then everything changes in only one night...

Kindle Edition, 71 pages

Published August 20th 2014 

Series: One Night Novellas #4

Genre: Romance

Kristine's Thoughts:

One Night with her Boss is the fourth instalment in the One Night Novellas series. I have slowly been trying to make my way through the whole series.

This novella is only 71 pages so there isn't a whole lot that can happen in those few pages. It is a typical and predictable romance that follows the same formula as all of the novellas before it. In fact, I am glad that I didn't read it back to back with her other ones because they are all very similar. Having said that, these novellas are great entertainment when you are short on reading time and are looking for a quick fix of romance and steam.

About the Author

Noelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn't stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she teaches English, reads any book she can get her hands on, and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.

She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.
  

Connect with Noelle

Website/Twitter/Goodreads