Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg ~ My Review

Better off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg  

Publication Date: February 25, 2014 
Publisher: Point 
Pages: 288 
Received: e-copy from publisher via NetGalley for my honest review. 
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars


Book Blurb:
For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can’t be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan’s friends. They are platonic and happy that way.

Eventually they realize they’re best friends — which wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t keep getting in each other’s way. Guys won’t ask Macallan out because they think she’s with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can’t help but wonder . . . are they more than friends or are they better off without making it even more complicated?

From romantic comedy superstar Elizabeth Eulberg comes a fresh, fun examination of a question for the ages: Can guys and girls ever really be just friends? Or are they always one fight away from not speaking again — and one kiss away from true love?

 

Better off Friends is a super cute story of a boy and a girl who are best friends, and all the complications that go along with being "just friends". 

Macallan and Levi meet on the first day of seventh grade when Macallan is asked to show Levi around the school. The two of them hit it off when Macallan recognizes a button Levi has on his backpack from her favorite BBC show, Buggy and Floyd. After that, they are pretty much inseparable.

As they get older and start dating (other people), they have to learn to deal with some awkward moments, such as being the third wheel, and who’s side do you take in a break up? Especially when the other person is also your good friend?! They also learn that it’s best not to double date. The problem with double dating is that Macallan and Levi would monopolize the conversation with their witty back and forth banter. Leaving their dates feeling left out. 

There are some sad moments too. About a year before the opening of the story, Macallan’s mom was killed in an accident, and Macallan is still dealing with the loss of her mom. I especially like how Levi’s mom bonds with Macallan. It brought tears to my eyes when Macallan opens up about her mom. 

I love how the story is told. Starting from when they first met to about senior year in high school, Macallan and Levi look back at the highs and lows of their friendship. Breaking from the story, the chapters end with a dialog between Macallan and Levi commenting at what was just told in that chapter. Kinda like in the Princess Bride when the story would go back to the grandfather reading to his grandson, or in When Harry Met Sally when it would break from the story to where the couples were talking. I also love that it is told from both Macallan and Levi's point of view.

I really enjoyed reading Better off Friends! It's a charming story that begs the question "Can boys and girls be just friends?"

Disclaimer: I received an ARC e-copy of the book for my honest review.

Buy: Better Off Friends

Add to goodreads.

For my Janeite friends, Elizabeth Eulberg is also the author of Prom and Prejudice!

Connect with Elizabeth Eulberg

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Any thoughts? I would love to hear from you!

W... W... W... Wednesday ~ February 26, 2014

W... W... W... Wednesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB of Should be Reading. To play along, just answer the following questions:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you'll read next?

What am I currently reading?  I'm currently reading Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer.  I just started; just a chapter or two into it. I was hoping it picked up where Cinder left off, but it's introducing Scarlet first. 

What did I recently finish reading? I finished reading  Cinder: Book One of the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. I really loved this futuristic fairy tale! Where Cinder(ella) is a cyborg. Oh, this is another book that ends in a cliff hanger! Thank goodness I have the next! 

I also finished listening to an audio book of Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. This was a reread that I have been slowly listening to whenever I got a chance. I liked it better this time around. I'm always sure Henry Crawford is truly reformed because of his love for Fanny. ;)



What do I think I'll read next? I'm not sure. I still want to read Insurgent (Divergent Series) by Veronica Roth. I would also like to read A Lasting Love Affair: Darcy and Elizabeth (A Pride and Prejudice Variation) by P.O. Dixon. I need to get my Darcy and Elizabeth fix! :D




Click on any of the titles to read more about them. (links to Amazon)

What are you reading? 

W... W... W... Wednesday ~ February 19, 2014

W... W... W... Wednesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB of Should be Reading. To play along, just answer the following questions:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you'll read next?

What am I currently reading? I am currently reading Cinderby Marissa Meyer. So far, I'm really enjoying this one!

What did I recently finish reading? I finished reading Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg. Super cute story! I loved it! I'll have a review up soon.








What do I think I'll read next? I'm not sure! My daughter is reading Insurgent (Divergent Series) right now...so, if she is not done, I'll probably read Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles).  I'm looking forward to both! 


Click on any of the titles to read more about them. (Links to Amazon)

What are you reading?

Giveaway Winners!

Hey Everyone! Rafflecopter has picked a couple of winners!

Thank you to Ginger Monette for offering to give away a copy of her new book, 

Tree of Life ~ Charlotte and the Colonel!

and

 Thank you to Jeanna Ellsworth for offering to give away a copy of 

Mr. Darcy's Promise! 

Without further ado... Rafflecopter picked:

Luthien84 for Tree of Life

and 

Maria for Mr Darcy's Promise

Thanks so much to all who entered! 

I have sent an email to the winners.

True to the Highlander by Barbara Longley ~ My Review

True to the Highlander by Barbara Longley 

Publication Date: February 18, 2014 
Publisher: Montlake Romance 
Pages: 338 
Received: e-copy from publisher for my honest review. 
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I loved True to the Highlander! In this time-travel romance, a modern day girl finds herself in the Scottish Highlands during the 15th century!

While working at the Renaissance Festival, Alethia Goodsky knew to keep her distance from Madame Giselle, the fortune teller. The old woman always seemed to be watching her. But when Alethia hears crying coming from the fortune teller's tent, compassion gets the better of her, and she goes to see what's the matter.  The old fortune teller spins a tale about someone that she cares about being in trouble, how Alethia has certain gifts and that she would be able to survive anywhere...Alethia soon finds herself in the Scottish Highlands of 1423, and right in the path of Malcolm MacKintosh.

Malcolm was on his way back to Moigh Hall with a group of his men, when they find Alethia alone, without any guardsmen or servants to protect her. He insists she come along with them, and he scoops her up and puts her on his horse. He is not about to leave her alone in the wilderness, especially with the likes of Hugh in their party. Hugh is not to be trusted. But, Alethia is not going to be taken that easily! She has taken self-defense classes and uses some techniques to free herself, taking Malcolm by surprise! It is pretty hilarious! 

Alethia had me laughing with her modern language and independence that baffled and frustrated Malcolm, but he also enjoyed her sharp wit, and he loved to goad her. Soon, she was fitting right in with the MacKintosh clan. Her violin had made the trip with her, and she was able to charm them with her musical abilities. They were also intrigued with the mystery that had brought her to them. With a bit of twisting the truth and “era-blending”, she came up with a story that was believable. 

After being in the Highlands for some time, Alethia was becoming torn as to what century she wants to belong to, and a bit nervous because she did not know when or if Madame Giselle would send her back. She was falling in love with Malcolm. Plus, there was Hunter, a little deaf orphan whom she had begun caring for. He had become her ward. She couldn’t leave them behind, but there was her deaf grandmother in the future, who needed her, and all of her dreams. Alethia was to graduate from Juilliard next spring and was to start working soon after in Los Angeles, working for a Hollywood orchestra that made soundtracks for movies.  Either way, she was in for heartache. 

I love the Scottish accents and those sneaky Scottish marriage laws! You have to be careful because you’ll end up married before you know it! ;)

True to the Highlander is a humorous, time-travel romance! I seriously can’t wait to read the next book in  The Novels of Loch Moigh series, The Highlander’s Bargain, where Robley, Malcolm’s cousin travels to the 21st century!

Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of the book for my honest review.

Buy: Amazon
Add to goodreads.

Connect with Barbara Longley

twitter • facebook • website • goodreads

Any thoughts? I'd love to hear from you!

W... W... W... Wednesday ~ February 12, 2014

W... W... W... Wednesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB of Should be Reading. To play along, just answer the following questions:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you'll read next?

What am I currently reading? I am going to begin reading Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg. I'm looking forward to this Teen/YA romantic comedy! This is the same author who wrote Prom & Prejudice! 

What did I recently finish reading? I finished reading Divergent by Veronica Roth. Wow! I loved it! I'm so glad I have the next one to read, because it kinda leaves you hanging. 







What do I think I'll read next? Next up will probably be Insurgent by Veronica Roth. Unless my daughter gets to it first! ;)








Click on any of the titles to read more about them. (Links to Amazon)

What are you reading? 

Mr. Darcy's Promise Blog Hop & GIVEAWAY!

Hey Everyone! I'm excited to be apart of the

Mr. Darcy's Promise Blog Hop! 

First, let me tell you that Mr. Darcy's Promise is on sale right now for 99¢ on Amazon US and Amazon UK,

during February 8 -14! 

You can read my review here.

Second, let me tell you some exciting news! Jeanna Ellsworth's new book Pride and Persistence is due to be published mid to end of March! You can read the first chapter of that on Jeanna's website, Hey Lady Publications.

Book blurb for Pride and Persistence:

Undaunted by a threatening storm, Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley insists he must deliver his letter to Miss Elizabeth Bennet–– then tragedy strikes. Riddled with guilt, Elizabeth comes to the aid of the comatose Mr. Darcy and stays by his side until he regains consciousness. She soon learns that although Mr. Darcy has awoken, he has not returned to himself. And with no memory of his first disastrous proposal, he has concluded that there is nothing he wants more than to propose to Miss Elizabeth.

This humorous journey of love leaves one asking, does persistence pacify prejudice? Can Elizabeth see the real gentleman behind the injury, a man who persists in professing his love to her every chance he gets? In this Regency variation of Jane Austen’s beloved Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet both learn the value of persistence.


Third, I am one of seven blogs posting a section of Mr. Darcy's Promise - chapter 1. At the end of my section is the link to the next. For a full list of blogs participating go to the bottom of this post.  

Fourth, Jeanna is generously giving away one copy of Mr. Darcy's Promise [paperback (US only) or an e-copy (International)]! You can fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter. 

Excerpt:

   The next morning’s weather was somewhat dreary and Elizabeth was ready and looking forward to going out walking when Mr. Bennet called her into his study.

“My dear sweet Lizzy, how I have missed you. Did you give Netherfield a good once over?” Mr. Bennet was a father first before anything else, and he had noticed the quiet mood his Elizabeth had been in since returning from Netherfield. He suspected she was contemplating some great issue and he wanted to let her know he was available to talk. Since it was hardly natural for him to express his concern openly, he preferred to make light of it.

“No, Papa, I am afraid I did not, but I did try! Some in the Netherfield party may have wished to part with my company sooner, but I could not leave Jane.” She looked at her hands then.

Mr. Bennet loved hearing his favorite daughter call him “Papa,” for it always warmed his heart. It was what he called his own late father. Only his Lizzy used it on him and only to her advantage. His teasing usually curtailed quickly when Lizzy used this endearment. He suspected that the “some” of Netherfield party was Mr. Darcy. He didn’t know much about the man, but had heard on more than one occasion how he scorned Elizabeth at the Meryton assembly. The fact that she hinted at his wishes for her to leave only made him suspicious that Mr. Darcy was the real reason for the quiet mood. Could his Elizabeth have developed feelings for Mr. Darcy? He could not imagine that such a fancy would go far, and regretted again the entail that had so reduced his daughter’s dowries. But, Mr. Bennet reasoned, he could be wrong. So once again, humor was far easier than asking her feelings for the man outright. 

Tree of Life: Charlotte and the Colonel by Ginger Monette ~ Review & GIVEAWAY!

Tree of Life ~ Charlotte & the Colonel by Ginger Monette 

Publication Date: December 30, 2013 
Publisher: Ginger Monette 
Pages: 366 
Received: e-copy from author 
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars


"Would loving him always be bittersweet?"

 

I was truly surprised about how much I enjoyed reading Tree of Life ~ Charlotte and the Colonel. I had no idea what to expect. There are a few changes in this Pride and Prejudice companion story (or continuation) from the original, but mostly only with Charlotte and the Colonel. 

In this, the Colonel and Charlotte knew each other as children. Charlotte’s aunt had married well and was a neighbor and close friend of Lady Matlock, the Colonel’s mother. Charlotte would visit her aunt during the summers, and often the two families would be in each other's company. Charlotte and the Colonel grew to love each other, but as the Colonel needed to marry someone with a large dowry, he knew he could not marry Charlotte. Sadly, he tells her so and encourages her to finds someone else to marry and have the family she wants to have. Eventually, Charlotte does marry. She sees an opportunity to escape spinsterhood and marries Mr. Collins. A decision she would regret. 

We go with the Colonel into battle on the Southern Coast of France and again at Waterloo. During one fight, the Colonel is seriously burned in a cannon explosion. Fortunately, there is a good surgeon aboard the ship taking him home. Dr. Scott, who has just come into an inheritance, is retiring from the army and is on his way to London. The Colonel invites Dr. Scott to stay with him while he is in London.  Although the Colonel’s body heals, mentally he spirals into despair. Darcy (yes, Elizabeth and Darcy are in some of the story) and Dr. Scott admonish him, but it’s Scott’s words “sometimes I pray” that turns his life around. Scott and the Colonel become good friends.

Anne de Bourgh is in this story quite a bit. She has learned to trust and focus on God. She and Charlotte become friends. I really liked getting to know this Anne. She’s in the novel quite a bit with a wonderful story of her own. Could there be love in Anne's future? 

I found Tree of Life a lovely story about being content in your life and waiting for God’s timing in all things. Anne is content with her life at Rosing and finds peace in forgiving her mother. On the other hand, Charlotte wasn’t content with being a spinster, and rushed into marriage with Mr. Collins. 

I also liked how the story touched on honoring your parents. When the Colonel went to his father to ask for his blessing on marrying a woman that would bring nothing to the marriage. His father said no. Now, the Colonel could have married her anyway, but he decided to honor his father’s wishes and wait for God’s timing. 

I really liked Tree of Life. It’s a story of faith and enduring love.

Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of the book for my honest review.

Buy: Tree of Life ~ Charlotte & the Colonel: A Pride & Prejudice Companion Story.

Add to goodreads.

Connect with Ginger Monette

 goodreads author page • Tree of Life book trailer

W... W... W... Wednesday ~ February 5, 2014

W... W... W... Wednesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB of Should be Reading. To play along, just answer the following questions:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you'll read next?

What am I currently reading? I'm currently reading Divergent by Veronica Roth. Thus begins the reading of my TBR pile, which is quite large! I'm so looking forward to this!







What did I recently finish reading? I finished reading True to the Highlander by Barbara Longley. I loved it! It was really good. It's a time-travel romance that takes place in the Scottish Highlands of 1423. It was well done. I'll have a review up in a couple of weeks, closer to the release date. 





What do I think I'll be reading next? I think I'll be reading Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg. I requested this off NetGalley a month ago and just got it. This Teen/YA looks cute! It's a When Harry Met Sally kinda story ...or can boys and girls be just friends? We shall see! ;)






Click on any of the titles to read more about them. (links to Amazon)
What are you reading? I'd love to hear! 

Take a Chance On Me by Jennifer Dawson ~ My Review

Take a Chance On Me  by Jennifer Dawson 

Publication Date: February 4, 2014 
Publisher: Zebra 
Pages: 352 
Received: e-copy from publisher via NetGalley 
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars


Something New Novel #1

I really liked Take a Chance On Me! It’s a fast-paced, humorous, hard-to-put-down read! 

At 28, Maddie Donovan has never been on her own. She still lives with her mom, and has been with Steve, her fiancé since she was 15! She has always had her mother, brother, and Steve telling her what to do. On her wedding day, as she is getting ready to walk down the isle, panics sets in, and she makes her escape by climbing out the church window! Several hours later, still in her wedding dress, she finds herself walking down a dark highway in the middle of nowhere.  She heads toward the only thing she can see, a red neon bar sign. She has no idea what she’s going to do, but one thing is for sure...she’s not going back home.

When Maddie walks into his bar, Mitch Riley is very intrigued by her, not to mention she is completely adorable, especially wearing her wedding dress and tiara. She looks like a princess, which is what he calls her. He offers to help, but with her newfound independence, she refuses him. He finally persuades Maddie to let him help her, but it's not easy, and she fights him every step of the way. Being with Maddie makes Mitch feel more alive than he's felt in years. 

Maddie is really cute and funny. She is so determined to do this on her own, but with no clothes and no money it is kinda hard to do without some help. Mitch is falling hard for her and tries everything he can think of to convince her to stay, but he also understands her need for freedom. As one day turns into another, the closer they become. Maddie finds she can tell him things she could never tell anyone else, and Mitch also confides in Maddie. He tells her all about how he was a big lawyer in Chicago and how he came to own the bar. 

When scandal hits Mitch's family, and someone threatens to take Mitch down with his father. Mitch withdraws from Maddie, and their relationship becomes fragile. Maddie wants to help and enlists the aid of her brothers. But when Mitch finds out he feels betrayed, will he ever forgive her? 

I love the small town atmosphere in this story (because, well, it is a small town). Everyone knows each other and news spreads like wildfire! For example, Mitch’s neighbor Gracie brings Maddie some clothes early the next morning before she even meets her because her brother Sam told her about Maddie showing up at the bar the night before. There are NO secrets! 

Take a Chance On Me is a great book, and I really enjoyed reading it! There were more than a few times it had me laughing out loud. It's one I would recommend reading. 

I would give this story a mature rating for sexual content and strong language.

Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of the book for my honest opinion.

Buy: Amazon

Add to goodreads.

FTC Disclaimer: Link to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission. Thanks!

Connect with Jennifer Dawson 

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Any thoughts? I'd love to hear from you!