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BOOK REVIEW: “Circle in the Sand” by Tracy Krimmer

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“Circle in the Sand” by Tracy Krimmer

Blurb:

Follow the rules. Be reliable. Don’t wear your heart on your sleeve.

Living by these words didn’t put librarian Isla Hunter any closer to the life she imagined at thirty. With her birthday in only a few days, she can’t wait to sail away on a week in the sun with her friends Asher and Charlotte. It may be just what she needs.

When an attractive woman takes a liking to Asher, Isla’s heart feels threatened in an unfamiliar way. She’s used to Asher flipping through women like a playbook without a second thought, but this time it’s different. As she tries to sort out her emotions, she struggles with Asher’s connection with this woman. Is it time for Isla to finally break the rules or will that only lead her into hot water?

Circle in the Sand is the third book in the Oceanic Dreams series. This is a multi-author series and each book can be read on its own.

Books in series:

I Saw Him Standing There by Holly Kerr
Time of My Life by Laura Heffernan
Circle in the Sand by Tracy Krimmer
I Thought it Was You by Kirsty McManus
I Will Follow Him by Holly Tierney-Bedord
Take a Chance on Me by Delancey Stewart
Shut Up and Dance With Me by Monique McDonell
The Best of You by Sophie-Leigh Robbins

My Review: I was fortunate enough to have received an advanced copy of “Circle in the Sand,” and being a big fan of Tracy Krimmer I was confident that I’d enjoy this read. This read did not disappoint!

From the beginning, I enjoyed Isla and Asher’s story. I was sad for Isla that her best friend would miss her birthday celebration, but it was easy to see that Asher would be there for her–even if that’s not what it appeared like at times. While Isla and Asher might not have been close, their chemistry was undeniable. I also appreciated that Asher was positive when Isla was down on herself, mainly because of Isla’s past. As for the ending, I won’t spoil it for you, but I was happy for Isla.

I have read several of Tracy Krimmer’s books, and while I’ve enjoyed them, this one by far is my absolute favorite. The characters are relatable and fun, and the storyline is an interesting one that had me swiping the pages on my iPad. For me, the only downside of this book was that it wasn’t long enough.

If you’re looking for a quick, sweet, and delightful read, then I highly recommend “Circle in the Sand.” It would also make for a great beach read. 🙂

I give “Circle in the Sand” 5 stars!

**Click HERE to preorder your copy of “Circle in the Sand” now!

BOOK REVIEW: “The Last Letter”

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“The Last Letter” by Rebecca Yarros

Blurb:

Beckett,

If you’re reading this, well, you know the last-letter drill. You made it. I didn’t. Get off the guilt train, because I know if there was any chance you could have saved me, you would have.

I need one thing from you: get out of the army and get to Telluride.

My little sister Ella’s raising the twins alone. She’s too independent and won’t accept help easily, but she has lost our grandmother, our parents, and now me. It’s too much for anyone to endure. It’s not fair.

And here’s the kicker: there’s something else you don’t know that’s tearing her family apart. She’s going to need help.

So if I’m gone, that means I can’t be there for Ella. I can’t help them through this. But you can. So I’m begging you, as my best friend, go take care of my sister, my family.

Please don’t make her go through it alone. 

Ryan

**Please note: I usually do not do spoilers, but for this review, I have to.

My Review: I received my GoScribbler.com box over the weekend and in it was “The Last Letter” by Rebecca Yarros. I started it on Saturday afternoon and finished it the next day.

I had been in a reading slump lately, so when I started “The Last Letter” I didn’t expect me to finish it as soon, nor can I remember loving a book so much. I wasn’t even thirty pages into it, and I was bawling–like I was most of the book– and especially at the end.

Right from the start, I loved Ella and Beckett. There was something special about their connection through the letters to one another that made my heart melt. Then, once they came face-to-face, that’s when I began turning the page faster and faster. I understood why Beckett didn’t tell her who he was when he moved to Colorado, and I think maybe wouldn’t have worked out how they did.

This book dealt with two heavy topics: cancer, and the death of a twin sibling (this one nearly shook me to my core). Writing about both these things are difficult, but the author did a beautiful job in allowing me to not only feel and see what a beautiful, heartbreaking, and touching story this is.

The message this book sent me was to live in the present and be grateful for the time I’ve had with the ones I love who have died.

If there is one book you must read this year, I recommend “The Last Letter.” You will not be disappointed.

I give “The Last Letter” 5 stars!

**Note: It has been three weeks since I finished this book, yet I’m still hanging onto the story. I’m also thinking about rereading it, which is something I don’t normally do.

**Click HERE to grab your copy of “The Last Letter” now!

BOOK REVIEW: “Tequila Tequila”

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Tequila Tequila by Emma Hart

Blurb:

TEQUILA + YOUR BEST FRIEND + YOUR BEDROOM = UM. WHOOPSIE?

Don’t sleep with your best friend.
Take it from me. I did it. And it was awful. 
I-wish-the-tequila-made-me-forget kind of bad. 
The problem is, Luke has forgotten. He swears that he can’t remember a thing about that night beyond the trays of tequila shots being set on the tables. 
Except I can’t forget. I can’t forget how good his hands felt until I fell over and hit my hip on the dresser, and I sure as hell can’t forget the entire two minutes of tap-tap-squirt. 
Awkward. Embarrassing. And the new subject of a couple of dirty lucid dreams. 
But I have no intention of telling him what we did. Nothing good comes from telling your best friend he’s the worst guy you’ve ever slept with. 
Which makes the tequila on my birthday a very, very bad idea…

My Review: I’ve been in a reading slump lately, so as a fan of friends-to-lovers books and being the tequila lover that I am, I thought picking up this book would be a fun read…and it did not disappoint.

Right from the start, Aspen and Luke not only have chemistry in their friendship but in a romantic way, too. Throughout the book, it was fun to see how both of them handled knowing what the other thought they didn’t. Though, when the secret came out, I was relieved that it didn’t ruin anything (no spoilers). At times, their quirky banter reminded me of an old married couple, especially when dealing with Luke’s large family being part of the story, especially Luke’s grandmother.

“Tequila Tequila” was my first book by Emma Hart, and it’s not going to be my last, (I’m currently reading her other book, “Best Served Cold”). If you want a quick and cute friends-to-lovers read, then I would recommend this book to you. (It would be a great read over the holiday season, too!)

I give “Tequila Tequila” 4.5 stars!

**Click HERE to grab your copy of “Tequila Tequila” now!

BOOK REVIEW: “Go On, Girl”

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“GO ON, GIRL” by Hilary Grossman

Blurb: Executive, wife, and mother of an outgoing first-grader, Sydney Clayton crushes her day-to-day obligations at work but flounders in the cutthroat world of parental politics.

She manages to avoid the local drama until she’s faced with an ultimatum: join the Forest River PTA or risk her daughter becoming a social outcast. Sydney reluctantly becomes treasurer, and takes the recently vacated position of the president’s sidekick. If protecting the children’s freedom of speech, one best friend ban at a time, isn’t complicated enough, Sydney and her husband receive an unexpected offer for their house they don’t think they can refuse.

Embroiled in the deception and manipulation rife among the elementary school moms, Sydney struggles. Should she sell the home she worked so hard to build in a town where betrayal runs rampant? Or should she stay put to avoid the fallout from uprooting her child? As Sydney focuses on what is best for her daughter, and lets go of her judgments, she finds friendship can develop in very unexpected ways.

Warm, witty, and wise, Go On, Girl dramatizes the dilemmas of life in the suburbs and the bonds shared by women. Perfect for fans of Class Mom and I Don’t Know How She Does It.

Review: If you’ve followed my reviews, then you probably know I have read all of Hilary Grossman’s books and have loved them all! After reading her debut novel, Dangled Carat, Hilary has easily become one of my go-to authors!

“Go On, Girl” was quite different from her previous books and I found it to be quite refreshing. At first, I was a little hesitant because I don’t have kids and didn’t think I could relate, but the drama between Sydney and other moms from her daughter’s school was not only entertaining but a page-turner, too! There were times I told myself that I’d read one more chapter and then go to bed…but, of course, I kept on, so there were plenty of late nights with this one.

I don’t give spoilers, but if you’re one who enjoys reading about drama mamas and school politics, then I recommend this book to, (you will not be disappointed!) Also if you’re looking for something to distract you from the carpool line, it would make for a great timekiller.

“Go On, Girl” was one of my favorite books I’ve read this year, so I’ll be adding it to my top of 2018 list.

I give “Go On, Girl” 5 stars!

**Click HERE to grab your copy of “Go On, Girl” now!

*****

**About the author: By day, Hilary Grossman works in the booze biz. By night she hangs out with her “characters.” She has an unhealthy addiction to denim and high heel shoes. She’s been known to walk into walls and fall up stairs. She only eats spicy foods and is obsessed with her cat, Lucy. She loves to find humor in everyday life. She likens life to a game of dodge ball – she tries to keep many balls in the air before they smack her in the face. She lives on Long Island.

**Contact Hilary: Facebook   Twitter

BOOK REVIEW: “Izzy As Is”

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“Izzy As Is” by Tracie Banister

Blurb: The party is over for bikini model Izzy Alvarez. For six years she’s made a good living by flaunting her God-given assets on runways and in front of cameras, but now as she approaches the big 3-0, the bodacious Latina is shocked to learn she’s aged out of the profession that’s kept her in mojitos, mani/pedis, and designer thongs. What’s a girl with a taste for the finer things in life and no marketable skills to do?

Getting a regular job is too boring to even consider, so Izzy decides to follow in the footsteps of her newly-engaged frenemy and become a trophy wife. Although she’s desperate and too broke to get a chipped nail fixed, Izzy still has standards for her future husband, which means no uggos, no vertically-challenged guys, and no geezers who need to pop a blue pill to perform in the bedroom. Enlisting the aid of her computer whiz nephew and her closest pals, Izzy goes on the prowl for a rich, marriage-minded man, encountering likely candidates in a lot of unlikely places.

The high life she’s dreamed of may be within reach when Izzy meets a charming, successful man who’s not only hotter than a steamy summer night in Miami, but ready to settle down. Now all Izzy has to do is make sure her loud, crazy Cuban family doesn’t scare off el hombre perfecto—oh, yeah, and squelch those pesky, romantic feelings she keeps having for the sweet, cash-strapped guy she’s known forever.

Will Izzy’s hunger for money win out, or will her fiery heart demand to be heard?

My Review: Having “Izzy As Is” be the first book I read for review this year, it’s safe to say that the year started in a high-note. This book was one I’ve been waiting for, ever since I heard the title and saw the cover!

Having read “In Need of Therapy,” Izzy was one of the characters I loved, so I was delighted that the author decided to write a book all about her (some might say it even fit her personality), and Izzy shined. It’s easy to admit, only because I love the author’s books, but I think I love this one the most.

From the beginning when her nephew orchestrated a dating map, to her dating adventures, right up to the end, this was a fun and enjoyable read. Sometimes I would be shaking my head and wondering how Izzy would get out of one fiasco, only to see her jump into another. Other times, I would laugh until I had tears running down my face, and then smile because it was hard not to like her. Yes, at first, she came across as self-centered, but deep down, Izzy does have a good heart.

I won’t give any spoilers, so why not pre-order your copy now on Amazon, (January 24th is the release day!).

If you’re looking for a quick and entertaining read that you can share with your girlfriends, then I would definitely recommend this book!

I give “Izzy As Is” 5 stars!

BOOK REVIEW: “Forever My Girl”

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“Forever My Girl” by Heidi McLaughlin

Blurb: I was never supposed to be a rock star. I had my life all planned out for me. Play football in college. Go to the NFL. Marry my high school sweetheart and live happily ever after.

I broke both our hearts that day when I told her I was leaving. I was young. I made the right decision for me, but the wrong decision for us. I’ve poured my soul into my music, but I’ve never forgotten her. Her smell, her smile.

And now I’m going back.

After ten years.

I hope I can explain that after all this time.

I still want her to be my forever girl.

My Review: After watching the trailer for “Forever My Girl,” I knew I had to see the movie, so when I found out that it’s based on a book, I instantly downloaded it and started reading it the following day.

This was my first time reading anything by Heidi McLaughlin, and it will not be my last. As one who loves reading country romances mixed with first loves, I knew it would be an enjoyable read. However, what I didn’t know was exactly how much I would love it. Right from the beginning, I was hooked.

Alluring, sweet, sexy, and tempting at the same time, Liam Westbury turned Liam Page is my new book boyfriend. While he did leave town, with his first love, Josie, behind, and went to follow his dreams, I believed he knew he messed up, which was why I understood the constant need to make Josie know the truth about why he left.

While to some, Josie might seem dull and weak, I found her to be not only compassionate but someone I could relate to, especially if I were put in her position.

I don’t give spoilers, but if you read the book, you will know why Liam Page has two sides to him. As for which one I loved the most, I can’t say.

Heidi McLaughlin’s writing was exquisite, and I was left wanting more (it’s a good thing this is a series, right?). The only thing about this book was that there were some editing mistakes, but being so intrigued by the characters and their storylines, it wasn’t too much of a bother.

If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh and cry (sometimes at the same time), then I highly recommend this quick and touching read.

I give “Forever My Girl” 5 stars!

**Click HERE to see the trailer for “Forever My Girl”

**Grab your copy of “Forever My Girl” now!: Amazon

**Note: I’m reading “My Unexpected Forever,” which is the second book in The Beaumont Series, and it’s so good! (Stay tuned for that review).

BOOK REVIEW: “The Boyfriend Swap”

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“The Boyfriend Swap” by Meredith Schorr

Blurb: If you love Christmas movies, as in you check the Hallmark Channel guide starting in July, then hang on to your stockings, because here comes the merriest of indulgences in print. It’s “The Proposal” meets “The Holiday”.

First meet Robyn Lane. She’s always dated struggling creative types, including her current squeeze (Perry, an actor). For this year’s Chrismukkah celebration, her parents would love her to bring someone stable, reliable, steadily employed. You know, with health insurance and a 401(k).

Now let’s meet Sidney Bellows. Her parents already plan her professional life (she’s an attorney at her father’s law firm). If she brings her current boyfriend (Will, an attorney) to the family Christmas extravaganza, her parents will have their wedding planned by New Year’s Eve.

Leave it to a mutual friend (and copious amounts of wine) to find a playful solution: Swap those boyfriends, fool the parents, and enjoy the holidays. It’s perfect! Robyn can show off a successful attorney boyfriend, and Sidney’s high-society family won’t ring those wedding bells when they meet a flaky actor beau.

The fun isn’t in the theory, it’s in the practice.

Will turns out to be the boy-next-door Robyn crushed on hard throughout her teenage years. Sidney’s family fawns all over Perry like he’s an Oscar-winner rather than a D-list wannabe.

Fool the parents? Enjoy the holidays? Swapping boyfriends never sounded so good or went so bad. Take time to read this one. It’s like Christmas in July.

My Review: From the first sentence to the last, this book had me hooked, and I was disappointed when it ended.

Robyn and Sidney are quite the opposite women, yet I found it funny how they picked men who belonged to the other.

As far as Robyn, she seemed to be a dedicated music teacher who just wanted someone to love and who would love her. I liked her with Perry but didn’t ever sense any real chemistry. However, there were definite sparks between her and Will. Robyn and Will made a beautiful couple.

Sidney is a straightforward woman who knows exactly what she wants, allowing herself for little fun. While I did like her and Will, who seemed like a power-couple, when Perry is brought into her world, I loved the sexual tension and could see them together. They made for a few laugh-out-loud moments.

I do not like to give spoilers in my review, so you’ll just have to read the book and find out how it ends. Though, I must say…W.O.W.!

I’ve been a big fan of Meredith Schorr’s for years, and have often referred to her as my go-to author for when I’m looking for something to read. Whichever book she’s released, I guarantee you will love it! I’m not one who usually reads holiday books, but this one is by far an exception.

“The Boyfriend Swap” will stay with me for a long time, and I’m already wishing for a sequel! If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh and cry, and will fill your heart with joy, then I recommend this romantic read.

I give “The Boyfriend Swap” 5 stars!

**Grab your copy of “The Boyfriend Swap” now!: Amazon

BOOK REVIEW: “Ugly Beautiful Girl”

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“Ugly Beautiful Girl” by Tracy Krimmer

Blurb: Nerd. Weird. Ugly. That’s me. And I don’t want it to be anymore.

Now is my time to make my mark on the world. My college roommate doesn’t make it easy. Neither does her brother, Jesse, but for completely different reasons. He makes me feel things I’ve never felt before.

Wanted. Important. Beautiful.

But we can’t be together because it isn’t real. Someone like him could never fall for someone like me. We aren’t meant to fit together.

Even if I fall apart without him.

My Review: At some point in our lives, I think it’s safe to say that we can all relate to Violet. We’ve not all been the funny or popular one, nor the pretty or beautiful one. Not only life, but people can be cruel.

While Violet might have it all on paper (brains), that is hardly what people see on the outside. Jesse is the one who makes her feel beautiful, and I liked his caring ways, but his sister, Olivia, made me cringe. I wish she’d just mind her own business and not bother them, and especially make Violet’s life any more miserable. Also, at times, it seemed like Olivia was very jealous of Violet and the time she spent with Jesse. (I could understand the protectiveness, but not the jealousy).

Not only did I feel that it was Olivia who tortured Violet, but her mother, too, which I found sad. However, I was so glad that she could rely on her father, who seemed to have a caring soul.

My only issue was that it wasn’t as lifting as I’d hoped. While “Ugly Beautiful Girl” was a heart-wrenching read, Tracy Krimmer wrote this book beautifully.

I give “Ugly Beautiful Girl” 4 stars!

**Grab your copy of “Ugly Beautiful Girl” now!: Amazon

BOOK REVIEW: “In With the New”

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“In With the New” by Tracy Krimmer

Blurb: Eli no longer believes in love, and Meg has no time for it. Can the spirit of Christmas and hope of a new year change their perspectives?

My Review: I’m a huge fan of Tracy Krimmer, so I was excited to read this novella. While I’m not really a dog person, I am an animal lover and found that I could relate to Meg in wanting to train her dog, along with trying to keep her busy job schedule. I liked Eli and how he didn’t promote his business, but rather try to help Meg. Right from the start, it was obvious that there was chemistry between them, and I liked that they took their time and didn’t rush things.

My only issue I had with this book were the ages of the characters, especially when it comes to the drama in Eli’s family–they seemed a little old to hang onto the past a bit too much, though that didn’t stop me from enjoying this read.

If you’re looking for a short, cute holiday read, I recommend this read, which would be great to cuddle up with on a chilly night.

I give “In With the New” 4.5 stars!

**Note: I received an ARC for review purposes.

**Click HERE to get your copy now of “In With the New”!