Blog Tour: The Girlfriend Request by Jodie Andrefski

The Girlfriend Request by Jodie Andrefski

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance / Romantic Comedy

Publication: January 11th, 2016

Updating best friend to girlfriend is more than a change of status…

Emma has been best friends with Eli since she moved to his neighborhood ten years ago. Tired of being cast in the role of the girl next door, Emma creates a fake Facebook profile in the hopes of starting an online friendship with Eli, which would hopefully lead to more. Like...way more. From friend request to In a Relationship--it all seemed so completely logical when she'd planned it.

Eli can't figure out what Emma is up to. He’s pretty sure she's the one behind the Facebook profile, but then again, why would she do something so drastic instead of just admitting she wants to be more than friends? And who the heck is this new guy he saw her with? Eli starts to think that just maybe...he missed his chance with the girl next door.
Two best friends, one outlandish ruse. Their status is about to become way more than It’s Complicated…

This Entangled Teen Crush book contains one fake Facebook profile, two best friends who secretly crave each other, and a dreaded sex talk with parents…boy crush in the room included. Pushing a relationship beyond the friend zone has never been so crazy…

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Review:

Another amazing book from Entangled: Crush.  This time in a tangled web we have weaved ourselves in this story about the boy next door, catfishing, friends forever and feeling down on yourself when obviously there is no reason to! Author Jodie Andrefski has done a wonderful job writing this story about these characters that you can’t help to relate to, or in some cases want to relate to.

It’s really great to see books getting so entangled in the modern age, and really who doesn’t know about catfishing, sure it’s not the best way to go, but sometimes we just don’t think clearly.  Especially when it has something to do with love.  If you live under a rock and don’t know what catfish is, it’s when you pretend to be someone else online to get another person’s attention, or just attention in general really.  Where was Nev in this book, he he, jk.  We meet these two characters who are neighbors and have been best friends forever and a day.  But of course one wants to be more than just friends and pulls up this master plan to make the other realize what they really have together.  We all know this isn’t going to end pretty but we have to see what’s going to happen.

The book overall was entertaining from beginning to end.  There were times where I wanted to slap Emma in the face and tell her to get over it, but I see where she was coming from as well.  Then again hey there are more fish in the see (even if the one here seemed a little bit creepy, just saying). But then again, lol, when you know you know and Emma definitely knew! 

Eli seems like a really great catch though, he seemed to be a very well rounded character who both had good and bad sides to him but overall was a great character to watch.  You could see when the realization hit him of exactly what he had, how he could lose it and really what he needed to do.  Although I think he could have done more I was still rooting for him.  Sometimes I wish I had a best friend like that, standing date every Sunday to watch a move, ah bliss. 

Anyway the two of them figure out what needs figuring with a little bit of hi-jinks thrown in the loop.  Great book, quick and easy read.  Can’t wait to read another book from this author because everything flowed very seamlessly and kept me interested the whole way through.  I think the cover is absolutely adorable and just feel good.  That’s how I felt about this book, just made me feel really good.  Oh to be young again! Go check this book out!

Jodie Andrefski has been passionate about reading ever since she was a little girl, when she used to climb trees to escape with a favorite book. She now lives and writes in a small town in Pennsylvania with her teenage daughter. Though still an avid reader, she now prefers a comfy chair over the crook of a tree. An unapologetic coffee fiend, she's even happier if her java comes with pie. Jodie often draws on her background in education and mental health counseling to bring real world experience to her writing. She is a firm believer in the magic of a first kiss, and insists that you should never, ever give up on your dreams. 

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Review: Wild Crush by Simone Elkeles

Wild Crush
By: Simone Elkeles
Release Date: September 22, 2015
Series Wild Cards #2

Description:
When the only girl you want is the one you can't have... 

Bad boy Vic Salazar breaks all the rules except one: Don't make a move on your best friend's girl. It’s a Guy Code that Vic lives by. It doesn't matter that he's had a crush on her for years. Monika Fox is off limits. 

Monika has a secret of her own and when a tragedy throws her and Vic together, the only boy she trusts is the one she shouldn’t confide in. Vic. 

As Vic struggles to keep his distance, and Monika struggles with her secrets, will their wild connection violate every rule both vowed never to break—about relationships, about friendship, about love?

Review:

Oh how I’ve missed Simone Elkeles and I’ve been waiting for her book forever and a day (yes I know it came out in September but I’m just getting around to it).  I was happy to see it in my To Be Read pile (or list since I’m all about the Kindle).  I needed a little Latino reading, can’t beat my Latino men and Victor was just perfect.  I loved him from the first book and was so happy to read more about him in the second book in this series.

Victor the bad boy who feels as if he isn’t worth anything because that’s what he’s been told throughout his whole life, throw in the fact that he’s in love with his best friends girlfriend and things just keep getting worse for him.  Its hard hiding your true feelings to other people but it seemed like that happened a lot in this book.  Its difficult being a teenager, I remember the days and it’s even harder when there are real life situations happening around you and you just don’t know how to handle them the right way because you won’t open up. 

I got a lot of that from this book, there were so many secrets floating around that if you just opened up and were honest from the get go then maybe things could have turned out differently.  It’s crazy really you know that whole sliding door theory really is true.  Anyway back to the story.  It didn’t disappoint, there was a bit a drama, a bit of shockness, some intimate moments and good old fashioned high school pranks going on.  The characters are all back and better than ever, some obviously better than others.  I don’t really want to spoil the book for anyone so I can’t really say too much about what happens but it was good.  You will enjoy it.

I love the cover, think it’s super cute and sexy at the same time.  Victor Salazar is sweet under all that tough exterior and Monika is a good girl but she needs to be real with herself, let everything go and you will be free.  There are a lot of underlying messages in this book that young adults really need to take a look at.  If someone asks you to keep a secret, if it’s not beneficial to them maybe it shouldn’t be kept a secret.  Just saying! Save lives not help destroy them. There is also a good message of self-worth, you have to give that to yourself first before anyone else can and even when you don’t think you have anyone there is always someone there for you, just open your eyes and you will see. 

I really enjoyed this book, and read it rather quickly too.  Love the cover, the characters, the situations and the writing itself.  I would recommend this book and you don’t even have to read the first one to read this one.  Oh I did find something that was cute today that I had no clue about … here is a little movie about the first book.  Check it out it will help you put the characters into the authors perspective and check out more about the first book.

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

Episode 4

Review: Ninja At First Sight: An Origin Story by Penny Reid

Ninja At First Sight: An Origin Story

By: Penny Reid

Release Date: November 21, 2015

Series: Knitting in the City

Description:

What do a cynical former Marine and a sheltered former Olympic contender have in common? 
Nothing. 
Absolutely nothing. 
He has a girlfriend and she’s never been kissed. 
He’s sullenly sarcastic and she’s earnestly empathetic. 
He can’t stop thinking about her. 
She knows she should keep her distance. 
Nevertheless, when opposites attract, the results may be unexpected, but they’re also undeniably magnetic. 
‘Ninja at First Sight’ is a standalone, prequel novella (for book 5 of the Knitting in the City Series, ‘Happily Ever Ninja’) 

Review:

Call me crazy but I’ve never heard of Penny Reid, and I have to say I’m disappointed that I didn’t discover her sooner.  I saw a review on another site about this book and I though hmm, let me check it out and I’m so pleased that I did because I fell in love with the characters, the writing, and the wittiness in a heartbeat.  It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book that actually made me go to a dictionary to make sure what certain words meant and I love books that challenge me in that way.  It means this author took time and effort to write this book and I enjoyed every second of it. 

We meet Fiona who is off to college away from her parents and everything for the first time, she’s never been away and alone before so you can only imagine the freedom she now has.  But this doesn’t deter her because she’s a hermit for the moment.  That is until her suitemate starts introducing her to people on the floor.  One chance meeting with a handsome fellow floor mate named Gregg and her world is slightly tilted to the right, in a really great way.  The two are a magnet for each other, something just clicked between the two of them and I think it was amazing.  The banter back and forth between the two of them, the debates are very interesting and not something you see in young adult/new adult novels any longer and I thoroughly felt entertained.

The two of them together is igniting the flame.  The settings, the first moment they kissed everything was just intense and mind staggering that even my eyes lost focus for a minute.  It was just a yes type of moment.  I cheered for them throughout the book but I mainly cheered for Fiona, because this is her first time living life to the fullest away from parents, sports, and sickness.  Major life changing events happen to her and its just super sweet to experience it through her eyes.

Although now I have to say the cliffhanger … ughhh I hate it but I love it at the same time! I need the next book like yesterday!

Overall it was a wonderful novella, a great beginning and I can’t wait to find out what happens next and of course read more books by Penny Reid.  Teriffic! Love the cover, it really caught my eye like hm what is this book about.  

About the Author:

Penny Reid is a USA Today Best Selling Author of romantic fiction. When she's not immersed in penning smart romances she works in the biotech industry as a researcher. She's also a full time mom to three diminutive adults (boy-8, girl-6, and girl-5 months), wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.

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Blog Tour: Not Okay, Cupid by Heidi R. Kling

Not Okay, Cupid 

by Heidi R. Kling

Published by Entangled Crush

Released on January 11th, 2016

Goodreads

Her wicked revenge, or his wicked heart…

Hazel McCallister loves her life. Perfect grades. Perfect best friend. Perfect boyfriend. Until her perfect boyfriend cheats on her with her perfect best friend. Now Hazel’s in free fall—until her best friend’s brother, Felix, gives her the perfect idea. Reclaim her power by taking revenge on her cheating ex.

Felix James loves his life. Casual relationships. Loads of surfing. He’s as drama-free as they come. But he can’t stand by when his sister steals her best friend’s boyfriend, and the dude insists it was Hazel’s fault. So Felix vows to help turn Hazel into a girl her ex can’t resist—so then she can break his heart.

With an alliance in place, Hazel’s revenge is all but assured. But with each piece of payback, she feels a stronger attraction to Felix, even though revenge will turn her into a girl Felix could never be with. And soon Hazel has to make an impossible choice: revenge…or Felix, the boy who’s stolen her heart.

WARNING! This book contains betrayal, revenge, and that most tempting vice of all, the bad boy you know you can’t have.

Review:

I love these Crush books, they are too cute and too addicting that you have to sit there and read them in one sitting or at least as soon as possible and this book did not disappoint either.  Not Okay Cupid was adorable and fabulous in its own right. Heidi R. Kling did a great job of showing these group of friends who really belongs with who all just in time for the Valentines (Cupid) dance.

We meet Hazel who thinks her life is just perfect that is until she catches her perfect boyfriend cheating with her perfect best friend.  One thing leads to another and she obtains the help of her said best friend’s brother to help in her plot for revenge. I’m sure you could imagine what happens next because these things like this never work out the way they are supposed to but oh the story was adorable and I love reading to find out how this all goes.  It’s the getting there part that is exciting, the anticipation and Hazel and Felix definitely have a bit of anticipation between them.

You get hints here and there about Felix and how he may have unknowingly felt about his sisters best friend for quite some time and it’s adorable, because who doesn’t fantasize about things like this happening to them as well, I know I did.  Heidi R. Kling did this story line justice that’s for sure because I was hooked lined and sunk for these characters! I do feel kind of bad for Felix’s sister though, sure she did the wrong thing by stealing her best friend’s boyfriend, but I think there is more to her than that.  Or maybe she’s just really that shallow and wants everything her friend has but I am in the back of my mind giving her the benefit of the doubt.

Hazel is very naïve in this book and that’s what I love best, because it’s not all about who’s having sex with who or just inappropriateness all around, this is a simple innocent story about some good kids that had bad stuff happen to them and how they handled it, even if it wasn’t the right way, somehow it all worked out.  Oh how I love contemporaries!

I thought the cover was cute and even though some things were mentioned about beach and surfing I think I would have rather seen something to do with the cupid dance or the cupid story told throughout the book.  Maybe give it that even more valentine feel, because love is in the air. Overall I thought the writing was great, flowed naturally and nothing was forced.  This book had everything you needed to keep you satisfied with a good contemporary book.  You should definitely go read this book and enjoy it from beginning to end as much as I did!

About the Author:

After earning her BA in Literature & Creative Writing Literature from UC Santa Cruz and finding her voice in YA, Heidi went on to earn her MFA in Writing for Children from The New School. She has directed and written children’s theatre on both coasts and lives with her husband and two children in Palo Alto, CA.

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Review: Deal Breakers By Laura Lee

Deal Breakers

Bu: Laura Lee

Release Date: September 1, 2015

Series: Dealing With Love #1

Description:

How were they supposed to know that one night would change everything?

Devyn has life all mapped out. She just needs to accomplish one more thing before graduating college and becoming a full-fledged adult—lose her virginity. And who better to assist her than her best friend, Riley?

Riley is the self-proclaimed king of fling. His college years have been filled with meaningless hookups until the one night that ruined him for all other women. The one night he spends with his best friend, Devyn. Right before he screws it all up.

Balls to the wall, baby!

Now five years later, Riley is determined to atone for his mistakes and prove that he can be the man that Devyn deserves. Little does he know that Devyn’s been keeping a secret from him all these years. A big secret. Now he has to figure out how to win back the only girl he’s ever loved while navigating the pitfalls of her unexpected revelation.

Deal Breakers is filled with lots of laughs, a sexy romance, and an overflowing swear jar. 

Review:

I really enjoyed reading about these two who couldn’t really be more the same in some ways and completely different at the same time.  You could tell from the moment they met that they were perfect for one another.  But Devyn just wanted to be friends, isn’t that how it starts though.  The author did a good job of depicting both their lives together and separately.

I really enjoyed reading about their college years and how the two got along so well, Riley tried so hard to be with Devyn then but it didn’t happen until the very end when they were about to go their separate ways.  I appreciated how much the author spent on telling the story of their college lives and then moving on to the future and what was waiting for them.

The characters in this book were very entertaining.  Sometimes I didn’t think much of Riley only because he seemed like such a player that it turned me off but then there were sweet moments that made me rethink him.  Devyn on the other hand seemed very determined to keep on the track she started but as you will see something deters her, but she is still very determined and very naïve. The background characters like Devyn’s brother are just too hilarious and I can completely picture him in real life as a big bear who acts like he’s all tough but really just a big teddy bear.  And let’s not even start with the little guy.  Too cute for words is what he is! I fell in love with him right away, I love little ones and their honest mouths.  Be careful what you say around them because they are like little tiny sponges that soak it all in.

Overall this book was very enjoyable to read through and I was happy things worked out in the end for all the characters. 

Review: Firsts by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn

Firsts
By: Laurie Elizabeth Flynn
Release Date: January 5, 2016

Description:
Seventeen-year-old Mercedes Ayres has an open-door policy when it comes to her bedroom, but only if the guy fulfills a specific criteria: he has to be a virgin. Mercedes lets the boys get their awkward, fumbling first times over with, and all she asks in return is that they give their girlfriends the perfect first time- the kind Mercedes never had herself.

Keeping what goes on in her bedroom a secret has been easy- so far. Her absentee mother isn’t home nearly enough to know about Mercedes’ extracurricular activities, and her uber-religious best friend, Angela, won’t even say the word “sex” until she gets married. But Mercedes doesn’t bank on Angela’s boyfriend finding out about her services and wanting a turn- or on Zach, who likes her for who she is instead of what she can do in bed.

When Mercedes’ perfect system falls apart, she has to find a way to salvage her reputation and figure out where her heart really belongs in the process. Funny, smart, and true-to-life, FIRSTS is a one-of-a-kind young adult novel about growing up. 

Review:

This story was raw, real and unique. There are many different types of people in this world and they all go through different things.  Sometimes it’s nice to see a different side of a story, it’s not all a bunch of roses for some people.  Occasionally there are those who have dramatic things happen to them which lead them to do things for justification and this is one of those stories.  Firsts was an amazing read that brings you into the mind of a girl who is just trying to help, or at least that’s what she feels is true in her mind.

Mercedes doesn’t live in a happy home, there is nothing wrong with her home just she doesn’t really get the loving attention a child needs when growing up.  Because of her broken home situation she turns to the wrong things for satisfaction and for the need to feel wanted and helpful.  Of course the way she does this is by “helping” guys lose their virginity so that when they do sleep with their girlfriends it will be a memorable experience.  I know this all sounds like a plan that just isn’t going to work but in Mercedes mind she is helping people out to have a better first time than she did. 

There are many strong characters in this book and even if she doesn’t want it she does have people she can lean on but doesn’t realize that until the end of the book.  In the meantime she’s just going through the motions and vying her time until she leaves for college.  There were times when I felt sorry for Mercedes but then there were times when I just wanted to give her a hug.  There are a lot of intense emotions in this book and intense situations.  Some more than others but the ones that mean the most are the situations that scare Mercedes the most, especially those moments she shares with Charlie and essentially Luke who started this whole downfall. 

I’m not too fond of her bible loving best friend, but I get the charade she puts on for her because she needs that purity in her life that she doesn’t have.  And I completely understand her relationship with Zach even if she doesn’t, it’s sweet the way he constantly pursues her, it’s endearing.  In regards to Faye she came in to save Mercedes from herself and I think she’s a brilliant character.  There is just so much goodness in this book along with the craziness.  It’s another look at harassment and how schools do nothing about it, seriously the school did nothing.  It’s another look at abuse and how if you keep your mouth closed and don’t talk about it there are consequences that will eat you alive and change you into a person that you don’t want to be.  It’s also a really great look about trust.  Trust is a very big thing and I believe it needs to be earned and not given so freely.

Overall this book was amazing from beginning to end.  I sympathize with the main character and all her experiences.  The plot was something different and a new perspective to look at in the young adult world.  Kids are mean, but harassment is never an answer.  I really like the cover because the girl even if it’s just her feet looks so insecure.  It’s sweet.  You should definitely read this book it’s worth it to read about something other than insta love.  Just saying!

Disclaimer:

I received this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press (St. Martin's Griffin), so that I may give my honest opinion and a review. Whether it is good or not please do not let it discourage you from purchasing/reading the book yourself and forming your own opinion. What might be good for me may not be good for you and vice versa. With that said, Happy Reading Everyone!!!

Review: Did I Mention I Love You? (Did I Mention I Love You (DIMILY)) by Estelle Maskame

Did I Mention I Love You? (Did I Mention I Love You (DIMILY))

By: Estelle Maskame 

Release Date: December 1, 2015

Series: DIMILY #1

Description:

Love is everything but expected.

Eden Monroe came to California for a summer of sun, sand and celebrities what better way to forget about the drama back home? Until she meets her new family of strangers: a dad she hasn't seen in three years, a stepmonster and three stepbrothers.

Eden gets her own room in her dad's fancy house in Santa Monica. A room right next door to her oldest stepbrother, Tyler Bruce. Whom she cannot stand. He's got angry blue eyes and ego bigger than a Beverly Hills mansion. She's never felt such intense dislike for someone. But the two are constantly thrown together as his group of friends pull her into their world of rule-breaking, partying and pier-hanging.

And the more she tries to understand what makes Tyler burn hotter than the California sun, the more Eden finds herself falling for the one person she shouldn't...

Did I Mention I Love You? is the addictive first book in Wattpad sensation Estelle Maskame's DIMILY trilogy: three unforgettable summers of secrets, heartbreak and forbidden romance.

Review:

This book was intense from beginning to end and had my attention captivated.  My heart is still pumping hard for this book, beyond entertaining.  Some might not like it because of the content but I was intrigued and enthralled with the characters and their situations.  Estelle Maskame did an amazing job bringing this story to life and I can’t wait to read the next chapter.

We meet Eden as she is shipped off to stay with her dad for a summer, why? she doesn’t know but goes along with it, anything to get away from the drama with her friends at home.  But with this move comes four new people into her life that she’s never met before, a stepmother and three stepbrothers. Her relationship with all these new people and friends in her life are interesting to watch and experience.  Especially her growing relationship with oldest stepbrother Tyler.  Who seems like a lot of trouble but really there are just some deep seeded issues that he’s trying to work out.

I loved when they interacted because it seemed like he hated her so much and the second he says to her “Me Frustras” I knew exactly where this was going and even though yes it’s weird sort of but only in technicalities, it still put a smile and I still have a smile on my face for these two.  Their story and budding romance and secrecy was intense and really sweet because all Eden wanted to do was save Tyler and make him a better person.  Together they were good but it’s hard when they couldn’t show that to the world. 

There were a lot of different and interesting characters in this book.  Tiffani the crazy one, Rachel the sensible one (sort of), Dean the sweet one who stays in the background, but nevertheless sweet.  Then there was Jake the player.  Tyler the bad boy who no one wanted to mess with but everyone wants to be around.  Even Ella the stepmom and her dad had their own issues but overall still interesting characters that bought something a little more to the story overall. 

I really enjoyed the west coast beach setting, the intense stimulating plot throughout the whole book, the fascinating characters and being given the opportunity to review this book, it was a joy to read and I’m off to read the next one in the series because I am now addicted to the DIMILY series!

I love all the different covers they have out there but I think this one caught my attention the most, just saying.  It’s sweet and innocent, like their relationship in a way.  I love the sweetness of it all, no you won’t be gushing but you will feel the intensity between the two of them and it is undeniable.  

Disclaimer:

I received this book from NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire, so that I may give my honest opinion and a review. Whether it is good or not please do not let it discourage you from purchasing/reading the book yourself and forming your own opinion. What might be good for me may not be good for you and vice versa. With that said, Happy Reading Everyone!!!