Review: Did I Mention I Need You? by Estelle Maskame

Did I Mention I Need You? 

By: Estelle Maskame

Release Date: March 1, 2016

Series: (The DIMILY Trilogy #2)

Description:

Love has no rules.

It's been a year since Eden Munro last saw Tyler Bruce: her stepbrother...and secret love. Although they swore to ignore their feelings and put their family first, Eden can't help but feel excited when Tyler invites her to join him in New York City for the summer.

But it's not like anything is going to happen. Eden is happy with her boyfriend Dean, and she knows gorgeous, green-eyed Tyler must have moved on as well. But as they spend the long, hot summer in the city that never sleeps, it becomes obvious that those old feelings are still there...simmering beneath the surface. Will Tyler and Eden be able to resist temptation?

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

Review:

Sometimes there are series where the second and sequential books aren’t as good as the first one. And sometimes there are books like Did I Tell You I Need You that completely blows it out of the park! I didn’t think it could get any better but it absolutely did and there was still so much going on in this book that you couldn’t help but sit there and read the whole book through right away. I really don’t know if I can wait until June to read the last book in this series. 

We are back with Eden and Tyler, but they are trying their hardest to just be siblings. Until Tyler invites Eden to NY for a couple weeks to stay with him during the summer. This is where things begin to be complicated for these two again. It takes a few for them to rekindle what they started in the last book but it’s there and it’s stronger than ever because now it’s been two years and feelings tend to grow even more intense. Their relationship is fascinating and I’m intrigued by the whole scenario, after all they are only forbidden in the sense of technicalities of a piece of paper and nothing more. Sometimes it happens but if you really dig down deep you know what they are doing is not wrong. 

There are new characters introduced in this book, such as Snake and Emily. A strong focus on Dean who was in the first book but only as the nice guy friend that was always around in the background. If you read the ending of the first book you know that he and Eden started dating. It’s sad but it’s true sometimes nice guys really do finish last but it was inevitable because they just didn’t fit there was no passion or intensity it was just comfortable and that’s never a keeper. But we see a new side to Dean in this book, yes I feel bad for him but I’m totally team Eden and Tyler. 

The two of them have an intensity for one another that is magnetizing. I love reading their developing relationship, their struggle to hide this relationship and eventually their fight for the truth to come out. It’s a hard journey these two go through and I don’t want to spoil any more than I have to about this book but again if you thought the first book was good then you will not be disappointed with this one at all. There are a lot of emotions through this book and by the end I can honestly say my eyes were definitely glossy. I love these two but there is always something holding them back, what will it be this time? Ugh to quote the first book “ Me Frustras” but in a good way! 

I really love the cover because it’s attractive to me, makes me wonder what this book is about and I would absolutely pick this up just by the cover alone. Estelle Maskame has me addicted to these two main characters and I can’t wait to find out what happens to them in the final book of this series. But I’m not going to lie I would love to read anything she will write because her words flow so smoothly and the content is different. Oh and I love the thrown in Spanish phrases, just saying!!! We need more of that. 

About the Author:

Estelle Maskame started writing at the age of thirteen and completed the Did I Mention I Love You?  trilogy when she was sixteen. She has built an extensive fan-base for her writing by serializing her work on Wattpad. Fitting book writing between work, Estelle has amassed followers from all over the world. She lives in Scotland. For more visit estellemaskame.com

Social Media Links:

http://books.sourcebooks.com/dimily/

https://twitter.com/EstelleMaskame

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!!!

Blog Tour: How Willa Got Her Groove Back By Emily Mckay

How Willa Got Her Groove Back by Emily McKay

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance

Series: Creative HeArts #2, companion series

Publication: February 25th, 2016

When your life feels like a bad movie, rewrite the script.

When Willa Schofer's father comes home from a business trip with an über-famous new fiancée, Willa's senior year blows up in paparazzi-fueled flames. Overnight, she has a new house, a new car, and a new soon-to-be stepbrother--the unbelievably hot, unbelievably arrogant, Finn McCain. Thank god he's constantly pushing her buttons, or she might do something irresponsible. Like fall for the jerk.

Just when Willa's decided to avoid him for, oh, ever, Finn lands in the center of her senior project team. Seriously--how hard is it to shake a guy? At least her work on the project snagged the attention of the (second) hottest guy in school. He might only be into her because of her famous stepmom, and he's not quite as exciting as a certain annoying housemate, but at least she's allowed to crush on the guy.

Because crushing on your annoying stepbrother? So not cool.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo | Entangled

Review:

So far so good, I have enjoyed every Entangled Crush book to come out that I’ve read and this book did not disappoint.  This was an adorably cute quick read that kept me interested throughout the whole book.  There was a lot of drama and angst between the characters and their families.  Very interesting plot as well, even though I may not see it happening, I guess it could if you knew the right people, but still adorable.

We meet Willa who is all pro dad coming home finally from his work project until he comes home with the star of the movie and is about to marry her.  Talk about life turning upside down! Of course as you can imagine there will be drama, after all it’s not every day a movie star as big as Mia comes into your life, now you have to deal with paparazzi, and a new soon to be stepbrother Finn.  But I don’t think that’s the biggest part of this book, I really think it’s more about the relationship between Willa and her father.  They have spent so long being alone together that it’s different when he finally has a chance to move on from the loss of Willa’s mother.  This I think is the more significant story line, its tough moving on from a loss even if it did happen so long ago. 

But let’s not put any less light on Finn, because he is adorable.  He wants to protect everyone and you see a budding romance between the two characters.  Right now it’s more of a crush but oh it can be so much more, and I can’t wait to find out how it progresses.  But the short moments they do have even if they infuriate Willa, they definitely have something there.  I almost feel bad for his mother because she sounds like she is really trying hard with everyone and everything, I do hope it works out for her in the end. 

Overall this was a cute story, but I will say that when I received this book I too did not know it was part of a series.  Will have to research more in the future before I pick up a book, but that’s okay because now it just makes me want to read the second book that much more because I was left wanting more of these two main characters.  Well really all the characters.  It was cute that we did get to see a bit of Sloane in there.  But really I need to know what is going to happen with Willa and Finn, and their parents.  

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About the Author

Emily McKay is a life-long fan of books, pop-culture and anything geeky. She has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and baking cookies. When she’s not kicking-ass and scooping cookie dough, she’s watching videos from Screen Junkies (her favorite Youtube channel) or Pemberly Digital or Classic Alice. Okay, she has a Youtube problem! She’s seeking help. Really. Though, she may also have a slight problem with procrastination.

When the internet is down and there are no chocolate chips in the house, she does write books – everything from Harlequin romance novels to post-apocalyptic YA. Though her interests may appear broad, the common denominators are swoony heroes and snarky humor.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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Review: More Than Fashion by Elizabeth Briggs

More Than Fashion
By Elizabeth Briggs
Release Date: July 30, 2015
Series: Chasing the Dream #3

Description:
They’re enemies who will do anything to win...including each other. 

When Julie Hong wins a spot on a fashion design reality TV show, she celebrates by picking up a hot English guy in a hotel bar. But too many drinks leads to a night of embarrassment and a major hangover, and wow is she glad she’ll never see him again. Until the show starts, and he’s on it too. 

Julie quickly realizes she’s out of her league among the other designers, and Gavin Bennett, with his cocky grin and sexy accent, is her biggest competition. Julie can't decide if she wants to kiss him or kill him. Or both. 

After she’s almost kicked off, Julie convinces Gavin to pretend they’re sleeping together for the camera. The ploy works, but as they get closer to the show’s finale their fake relationship starts to become too real. But only one of them can win the show—and they might both end up heartbroken.

Review:

I haven’t read any books that are based on reality shows, which hello is very big right now.  So how excited was I when I read this preview that it’s based on a competition about designing clothes, much like Project Runway which I watch religiously.  Elizabeth Briggs did a great job keeping you captivated from beginning to end rooting for certain people to stay in the competition and for the two main characters to get together. 

We meet Julie who is about to go on an adventure in this competition to design clothes which she has dreamed of doing since she was younger, but the day before that she needs to have some fun.  She’s a love em and leave em kind of girl so she’s at the bar and spots her next conquest.  After many drinks she lures him over and one thing leads to another and they are heading to her room.  But when he speaks it’s like enchanting because not only is he very attractive, but he’s British to boot.  Who doesn’t like a sexy accent like that?  Anywho, beside the point, not really but it is, the two find a connection but things didn’t work out the way they wanted it to. 

The show is about to start and who happens to be there, you’ve guessed it mystery guy and the story begins.  The two characters are so much alike but so different at the same time.  It’s funny because usually you see men being afraid of commitment but it was definitely Julie who was afraid of this.  The two of them complement each other design wise, but the story just gets more interesting with all the other competitors.  There are definitely glimpses of other characters from this series which I haven’t read yet but will definitely be reading soon. 

There are some absolutely steamy scenes in this book which will not disappoint those wanting a little romance and spiciness to their reading.  The chemistry between these two characters are amazing, and then add in Gavin’s accent and stubble and super yum.  I couldn’t get enough of this book.  The sweetness of Gavin, the realness of Julie the two of them together just made me smile both inside and out.  I thoroughly enjoyed the cutthroatness of the competition and I thought it was depicted very well throughout the book.  I can’t wait to read the previous and future books in this series.

Overall this book was a great read.  Had an interesting story line, sexy vibrant characters, backstabbing “I ain’t your bitch, bitch” type of characters we love to watch on reality shows.  There was great fashion being designed, some I even had to look up because I wasn’t sure what it was, but very interesting.  I love learning new things from books.  The story flowed very easily and felt very natural.  I just can’t give enough praise for this book.  I may have rambled randomly but it’s only because I was just so loving everything about it.  The cover is very sexy and exactly how I pictured the characters, that’s always a plus and an even bigger incentive to find out more about the people on the cover.  Go read this, it’s worth it.

Disclaimer:
I received this book from NetGalley and Victory Editing, 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!!!

Blog Tour: Beyond the Stars by Stacy Wise - Review

Beyond the Stars

By: Stacy Wise
Release Date: February 8, 2016

Description:
Falling for him wasn't in the plans...

Most girls would kill for the opportunity to work for Jack McAlister, Hollywood’s hottest actor, but twenty-one-year-old Jessica Beckett is ready to kick him out of her red Ford Fiesta and never look back. She should be spending her junior year in France, eating pastries and sharpening her foreign language skills. Instead she’s reluctantly working as Jack’s personal assistant, thanks to her powerhouse talent agent aunt.

Jack is private, prickly, and downright condescending. Jessica pushes his buttons—she’s not the type of girl to swoon over celebrity heartthrobs, precisely why her aunt thought she’d be perfect for the job—and Jack pushes right back.

But as she begins to peel away his layers, Jessica is shocked to find she craves her boss’s easy smile and sexy blue eyes. The problem is, so does the entire female population. And what started out as the job from hell soon has Jess wondering if a guy like Jack could ever find love with a regular girl like her.

Purchase

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

Review:

This book made me smile from side to side, oh to know a movie star and become his assistant.  Sigh, while looking off wistfully in the distance of my hopeful dreams.  He he! This book was beyond adorable for its content and characters but I couldn’t help feeling that they were younger than they were supposed to be.  All innocence and sweetness surrounded by movie star magic, Stacy Wise did a great job on this book.

We meet Jessica, who’s already familiar with the entertainment industry so working for someone big doesn’t faze her.  But then she meets him and even though they get off on a rocky start, looks can be deceiving and sometimes you really can’t believe everything you read and see.  Especially when it comes to Jack McAlister who is beyond sweet and adorable in this book.  Sure he has his actor drama moments, but he had his reasons. 

There are some really cute scenes throughout this book and the imagery of the talked about food and Jack’s house sounds absolutely amazing and like a dream.  All of it seems like a dream, but a very good one with a very sweet ending.  It’s almost too good to be true though but alas this is why I love books because in their world things like this can actually happen.  I feel as though Jessica learns a lot throughout this book in regards to who she can and cannot trust, it’s crazy how you are so blind to what is in front of you the whole time because you are giving people the benefit of the doubt.  But lessons are learned and karma will come around, I just know it.

Overall the book was great, quick and easy fast read that I didn’t want to put down until I was done.  The cover is very sweet like the book and I would pick it up to check it out.  The story was sweet and there was barely any seriously intense scenes in this book in regards to getting it on, which sometimes is refreshing depending on the book you are reading.  I loved it though and I would read it again and anything else by Stacy Wise and of course recommend it to you as well.  Go read it, it was a fun read.  Perfect for these cold winter nights that are upon us.

Oh and before I leave can I just say how much I want a pet pig now …. 

About the Author

Stacy Wise is the author of BEYOND THE STARS (Entangled Embrace, 2016). She has a B.A. in Communication Studies from UCLA and a Masters in Teaching from Chapman University. She lives in California with her husband, four children, two dogs, and ever-changing number of fish. BEYOND THE STARS is her debut novel.

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Review: Love Hacked by Penny Reid

Love Hacked
By: Penny Reid
Release Date: March 3, 2014
Series: Knitting in the City #3

Description:
There are three things you need to know about Sandra Fielding: 1) She makes all her first dates cry, 2) She hasn't been kissed in over two years, and 3) She knows how to knit. 

Sandra has difficulty removing her psychotherapist hat. Of her last 30 dates, 29 have ended the same way: the man sobbing uncontrollably. After one such disaster, Sandra--near desperation and maybe a little tipsy--gives in to a seemingly harmless encounter with her hot waiter, Alex. Argumentative, secretive, and hostile Alex may be the opposite of everything Sandra knows is right for her. But now, the girl who has spent all her life helping others change for the better, must find a way to cope with falling for someone who refuses to change at all. 

This is a full-length, 110k word novel and is the third book in the Knitting in the City series. All books in the series can be read as a standalone.

Review:

Oh the men in this series just get more intense by the book.  Penny Reid did not disappoint with this funny, serious, intense third book in this series.  The characters are amazing and the dialogue is witty and intellectual.  I actually learned a lot in this book about things I’ve never heard of before. 

We are now focused on Sandra, the psychiatrist in the group of knitters, and she is quite funny with her specially made T-shirts.  She has always dated the same kind of guy but there is just something special about the waiter of the restaurant she has been frequenting for the past two years.  He’s tall handsome and mysterious, who doesn’t like that?  One thing leads to another and they attempt at having a relationship and it’s both funny, intense and I have to say he was a little creepy there for a while.  But he has his reasons. 

Alex is a unique characters, now I know this wasn’t around back then but he reminded me of Walter from Scorpion TV show.  He’s all smart but doesn’t know how to properly handle social situations.  But the difference is Alex is intense, I don’t know another word to describe him but I wanted to scoop him up hug him and just tell him relax it will be okay.  His interactions with Sandra were special though, and I loved reading all their scenes together.  He has what you call dedication and mystery.

Overall I don’t want to give too much of the book away but I love that these knitting ladies are always together every Tuesday hashing out their lives and knitting.  Their interactions are priceless and they couldn’t be any more different but still have that strong bond with one another.  I think that’s what makes this series even more special because they are constantly in all the books and I love finding out new little tidbits about all of them each time. 

This was another great addition to the series, beautifully written, constantly keep my interest and extremely interesting characters all around.  I love this series and can’t say too much about it.  I’m off to read the next one and I can’t wait.  Really you don’t need to know anything more other than the writing is wonderful, the characters are delightful and the story is stimulating!!

Review: Blocked by Jennifer Lane

Blocked
By: Jennifer Lane
Release Date: October 21, 2014
Series: Blocked #1

Description:
College freshman Lucia Ramirez has a secret crush on Dane Monroe. He’s a tall drink of water — blond, brash, and one hell of a volleyball player. ¡Híjole! Lucia hopes her volleyball scholarship to his school will make him notice her.

Too bad what’s noticeable is Dane’s obvious hatred for Lucia. Her family’s politics contradict everything he stands for. And politics are front and center in both their families. Dane’s mother is about to face Lucia’s father in the race for US President. 

When Secret Service throws them together, Dane can’t deny his frustrating attraction to Lucia’s athletic curves and sweet faith in the world. Amid the intense pressure of college athletics and presidential politics, can opposites not just attract, but overcome overwhelming odds to be together? Or do their differences block their match from the start?

Review:

The concept of this book is great, two presidential candidates’ kids going to the same school, playing the same sport.  Very interesting indeed.  There were even some good lessons throughout the book but I have to say I just could not connect with the characters at all.  I didn’t feel their passion for one another.  With that said, let’s review the book shall we.

We meet Lucia who seems very naïve, maybe too naïve for my taste because it wasn’t totally believable, but I still liked her as a person.  She was very sweet and nice to everyone about her.  Took things too personally and took things wrong sometimes, but that is where the naivetés comes into play.  She’s quite the athlete and with that becomes a different body type than the norm, or what we are supposed to believe is the norm and this weighs heavily in her mind.  She’s stuck with her father’s opponents son, who she’s had a crush on forever and a day, without even meeting him so purely physical.  Don’t get me wrong Dane sounds very attractive, and the man on the cover super yum.  But Dane, eh I don’t know.

Dane is very confident, maybe a little too much sometimes and his Spanish seemed forced and cheesy.  I being of Hispanic decent didn’t feel too conformable with it.  Like those scenes seemed fake.  I don’t know maybe it was the entire political arguments that went back and forth but this wasn’t really my type of book.  Not to say the author didn’t do a good job keeping the story flowing from one minute to the next, I just wasn’t into it.

Overall the book was okay, will I read the second one.  Maybe just to see how it goes and if my onion was right from the first one.  I haven’t read anything from this author before so it was all new to me.  But I will always give anything a second chance.  I did however enjoy some of the volleyball scenes, when they were in it, they were in it to win it.  I loved the determination and stubbornness the two characters had about their sport and their parents, but together it seemed like the odd couple.

Disclaimer:
I received this book from NetGalley and Psyched Publishing, 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!!!