Review: A PERFECT ANGEL by Morgan Mandel

Angelina Fortunata and Vince Cannizzaro are Italian BFF’s who work at her family’s restaurant. She was just jilted at the altar and he thinks she’s a perfect angel. She just wants to forget about her ex and about being perfect, so she decides to be fancy-free—to be unpredictable and imperfect. The thing is that she’s not like that, and it’s a good thing she has Vince to keep her in check.

The two promise to always be there for each other no matter what—to be friends forever. But what happens when the undeniable attraction can no longer be ignored?

A nice, little romance.

My rating: 4 stars

Review: SOME LIKE IT CHARMING by Megan Bryce

Mackenzie's boss, Ethan, is so charming. Everybody thinks so. But Mackenzie is the only one not buying it. She's the only one that tells it like it is right to his face.

The brother-sister relationship between the two was refreshing. Things get a little inappropriate at a softball game with all the touching and all. Being voted as an "eligible bachelor," Ethan is constantly followed by papparazzi, and wouldn't you know it that somebody would take a picture of Ethan grabbing Mackenzie's butt? But when he goes public with a fake engagement--WHAT!?

Of course, Mackenzie, being the fire-pistol that she is, doesn't take the news with grace. I liked that she doesn't fall for his "charm," but pity is the thing that gets to her, which is why she decided to go along with it. And that's when she starts to feel something for this man, this beautiful, charming man.

A fun and engaging short novel! You'll love this modern-day Pretty Woman story!

My rating: 4 stars

Review: HOPELESS by Colleen Hoover

Sky is a 17-year old on her way to public school for the very first time. Upon arrival, she’s labeled as a “slut,” even though she doesn’t go that far with the guys, but she doesn’t care and will not cry.  She is a flippant, snarky, and candid character, whose fear suddenly subsides when she befriends Breckin, the “goth freak.”

Then comes Holder, the hot, gorgeous high school drop-out, who sees something familiar in Sky. He’s got a “creepy stalker” thing going. Sky doesn’t want to feel “lust” for Holder, but she does and hates herself for it. I liked that Sky was a straight-forward, smart gal who got annoyed by “peppy, fake girls.” It would seem that Sky is just perfect for Holder. I especially liked how non-complacent they were, not bothering with ego-boosting flattery. However, the relationship—particularly the intimacy—was much too intense for my taste.

Holder was definitely bipolar, rocking the whole Jekyl/Hyde persona. Seriously, what was wrong with him? Still, he had a way with words, knowing exactly the perfect thing to say.

Sky and Holder go through an endearing and turbulent relationship. It’s all emotional. Then when memories start to flood Sky’s mind, a buried past turns out to be more than either of them can handle.

Sprinkled with scenes from the past, this well-written novel is a compelling and heart-felt mystery.

My rating: 4 stars

Review: ONE NIGHT STAND by J.S. and Helen Cooper

After a wild night after a wedding, Liv must face the consequences of her one-night stand, especially when the guy she slept with ended up being her sister’s fiancé. Oh, dear!

Xander is a cocky, annoying bastard, but SO GOOD in bed. And could the sister be pregnant with his child? Oh, that makes it even more complicated, even though the sister is an arrogant snob.

Xander is definitely the kind of guy you love to hate and hate to love. At times, I couldn’t help but wonder why Liv liked Xander so much. It can’t just be because he was so good in bed. Basically he was a jackass. Still, Liv spends the bulk of the story obsessing over Xander—hating him and wanting him at the same time. Readers would end up hating Xander up until ¾ into the book when you suddenly realize that he might not be such a bad guy after all.

A quick, lustful read. The ending was a bit too convenient, but overall this was an okay story.

My rating: 3.5 stars

Review: LET IT SNOW by Melanie Shawn (Book 8)

Tessa is returning to Hope Falls (a new town in this series, similar to Harpers Crossing); Jake hasn’t seen her in 13 years, ever since she left him and town all together without a word.

Tessa came back to finalize her grandma’s will, then discovers the house she inherited is in debt for $30K. Yikes! Guess she has to stay in town until she fixes it up and sells it. Not that it was such a bad thing. I mean, Jake wasn’t 17 anymore—he was a MAN and a firefighter. HOTTIE! Jake was Tessa’s first—first kiss, first time, first love, first proposal. What happened? Why did she leave such sweet man-candy? Ah, she left to see the world. Understandable. But there’s actually more to it than that.

I didn’t blame Jake for being pissed. They both had plans and she just left like a coward. No wonder his heart turned to ice.

Like the Harpers Crossing books, characters all have the same history, childhood, and memories. Everybody knows everybody, each paired off with their significant other, and they are all family. And, like the previous Shawn novels, each couple has their own electric chemistry and compatibility. Jake and Tessa have this special kinship and bond—they were practically made for each other. Once again, Shawn captivates us with heartwarming stories and endearing characters.

My rating: 4 stars

Review: ACTUALLY LOVE by Melanie Shawn

I’m already familiar with the author’s formula for romantic stories, and this book follows suit to the tee.

Jessie Sloan believes that good sex is a myth perpetuated by society so that the species could continue. She takes care of herself and only herself. Zach is a boxer and tired of girls throwing themselves at him. This hottie ends up having an effect on Jessie.

I could relate to Jessie’s strong, independent, and cynic ways. She’s a hard, diligent worker; she’s proactive, not reactive. Of course, I don’t believe in hot arousal in 60 seconds, which is exactly what happens when she first sees Zach.  And things get even more hot when the two end up being roommates.

The two are definitely the odd couple—a story of opposites attract. Jessie is a control freak in business suits; Zach is a laid-back jock in sweats. I mean, only organized Jessie would propose sex (a one-night stand) as a way of “getting it out of your system.”  But what the two don’t know is that this could be actually love.

My rating: 4 stars

Review: DOWN ON LOVE by Jayne Denker

One way to get over your ex is to write a blog about it. That’s what Georgiana Down does. Her blog, “Down on Love” (cute play on the title, BTW) dishes out the realities of bad relationships with horror stories of her own past. George is a simple gal with a snarky mouth and quiet beauty.

Her motto: Why start something if it’s going to end badly?

In the blink of an eye, financial woes force her back to Marsden, a quaint NY suburb in the middle of nowhere, where she must contend with a nosy town, a lesbian sister she hasn’t seen in years, and a newborn niece she must care for. Once home, George must mend old wounds and contend with a secret hidden crush. Casey was one hot cookie then and is even hotter now!

I especially liked the comedic snafus that happened throughout like the exploding faucet and dropping a can of beans on a guy’s testicles. Ha, ha! =)

Love the story!

My rating: 5 stars