Review: The Young Wives Club, by Julie Pennell

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In Toulouse, Louisiana finding your one true love happens sometime around high school. If you’re lucky, he might be the man you thought he was. But as four friends are about to find out, not every girl has luck on her side in this charming debut novel perfect for fans of The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and Desperate Housewives. 

Laura Landry’s quarterback husband was her ticket out of Toulouse. But when a devastating football injury sidelines him, they’re forced to move back to the small town she was so desperate to leave. As Brian starts drinking instead of rehabbing his knee, Laura must reevaluate what her future looks like…and if it includes her husband.

For years, Madison Blanchette has been waiting for bad-boy musician Cash Romero to commit to her. When wealthy George Dubois asks her out, she figures she may as well wait in style. Life with George means weekend trips to New Orleans, gourmet meals, and expensive gifts. At first she loves how George’s affection sparks Cash’s jealousy, but when George proposes to Madison, she finds herself torn between two men…

All Claire Thibodeaux wants is to be the perfect wife and mother. If she can do everything right she won’t end up like her mom, a divorced, single parent trying to make ends meet. But when Claire’s husband Gavin, a well-respected local pastor, starts spending late nights at work and less time in their bed, she can’t help but fear that history is about to repeat itself…

Gabrielle Vaughn never thought she’d end up with someone like her fiancé. The son of a prominent congressman, Tony Ford is completely out of her league—which is why she lied to him about everything from having a college degree to the dark truth about her family. She knows she has to come clean, but how do you tell the love of your life that your entire relationship is a lie?

As these young wives come together to help each other through life, love, and heartbreak, they discover that there are no easy answers when it comes to matters of the heart. 


Review
4.5 out of 5 stars

When the opportunity to read The Young Wives Club showed up in my inbox I couldn't say no.  The synopsis sounded really good, I love "southern" themed books and seriously if someone is going to compare it to The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, a book I totally loved, then how could I not take a chance on this new author?

There are so many things I enjoyed about this book.  I loved each girl and their individual storyline's but what I thought added depth and humor, what kept me hooked, was the friendship between each of them and seeing their stories weave in and out of one another.  What's even better is Julie Pennell does this effortlessly, making it very easy to follow along and not feel lost.  Four girls, each of them young, each of them in love, and each of them with their own set of unique challenges.  Their stories perfectly capture the essence of what those first few years of marriage are like, you know once the "fantasy" of it all wears off.  

It's a story about being honest with yourself and your spouse.  It's a story about the importance of not loosing yourself once you say "I Do."  It's a story about digging deep and pressing forward when things get tough, when life suddenly takes you down a road far, far away from your dreams.

I found The Young Wives Club to be a fun, easy, somewhat predictable (which I didn't mind at all) and very heartwarming read.  My absolute favorite part of the book was the ending.  Julie Pennell executed it perfectly.  I "turned" the last page and closed the book with a huge grin on my face, with the idea to start giving the book as a bridal gift!

Release and Review: Blur by N.A. Alcorn

Title: Blur

Series: Changing Colors Part Two

Author: N.A. Alcorn

Genre: Contemporary Romance

 Release Date: November 30, 2015

Blurb

When Dylan’s band is offered a deal they can’t refuse, within a month they’re in L.A., signing with Wallace & Wright Records.

Then Brooke walks in and changes everything. Not only does she work for the record label, but she’s also producing their debut album.

Like someone else pressed play on Brooke's future, she knew there was no rewinding, no take two. That was until Dylan came blaring back into her life at full volume.

He broke down her walls.

She ruined him for everyone else.

Desire and regret, passion and pain, their love wouldn’t stop consuming them.

Sometimes appearances can be deceiving.

This isn’t a love triangle, this is something different.

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Review: 5 of 5 Stars

I read Forget back in July and I have been unable to do what the title suggests, the book is unforgettable.  I loved the characters and I loved the writing.  I was hooked from page one of that book and experienced so many emotions while reading.  To say my heart was broken at the end is an understatement.  And then I had to wait 5 LONG months to get a conclusion.  It was pure torture and I am pretty sure that Nat stayed off social media to avoid stalkers fans like me.  Once Blur arrived on my Kindle, I wanted to start reading immediately.  However, I was a little scared and anxious.  What if my heart couldn't take it?!?!

Blur begins exactly where we are left hanging in Forget.  Super hot Dylan and his band the Careless Cockups are in L.A. to begin their debut album.  Brooke and Dylan are both in for a shock when they realize they will be working together.  But the biggest shock for Dylan, Brooke is engaged to Jamie.  I could feel Dylan's heart shatter and his blinding rage.  And I really, really wanted to be pissed at Brooke.  But, I couldn't bring myself to hate her.  She has so many demons and secrets that I knew there was a good reason for her actions, even if I wanted to slap some sense into her.

After the initial shock of working together is over, they give a good effort and hating each other, trying to be friends and just pissing the other off.  But is so pointless.  Bright Eyes and Little Wing have so much chemistry, I am surprised my Kindle didn't spontaneously combust.  They can fight their feelings all they want, but these two are a match made in literary heaven.

Even though I figured out the secret that Brooke has been keeping from everyone, I loved the journey to get there, though my heart was ripped to shreds multiple times.  Anyone reading it can see Brooke's agony and that she does not want to hurt anyone.  She only wants to protect those that she loves and ends up hurting herself in the process.  Thank God for Millie and her words of wisdom.  Her humor and letters of advice were priceless.  This story is a poignant, beautiful, redemptive story.  It fully displays how words, actions and love can affect a person.  Prepare yourself for a wonderful, emotional roller coaster and enjoy the ride this book will provide. Excellent job, Ms. Alcorn.  I can't wait to read more novels of yours in the future!

(PS- #NoSleepTillBrookeDylan is my new favorite hashtag!)






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Author Bio

N.A. Alcorn resides in Northern Kentucky with her husband and son. Never following the norm, her style of romance “flies outside [the box.]” She is the author of the wildly hilarious Infamous Series, and also delved into romantic suspense with her third release, Covertly Strong.

She loves music, can’t take a proper selfie if her life depended on it, refuses to parallel park, and probably has the most obnoxious laugh you’ll ever hear. If she could live off coffee and Reese’s Cups, she’d be one happy lady.

Procrastinator at heart, N.A. tells herself she’ll meet every deadline. Tomorrow. She’ll finish it tomorrow, she swears.

She loves meeting readers. Always feel free to send her an email or message.

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Review: Nuts by Alice Clayton

Synopsis:  

From New York Times bestselling author Alice Clayton, the first in a brand-new romance series telling the humorously sexy tale of Roxie, a private chef who gets a taste of love—but is it to stay, or to go?

Roxie Callahan is a private chef to some of Hollywood’s wealthiest, and nastiest, calorie-counting wives. After a dairy disaster implodes her carefully crafted career in one fell ploop, she finds herself back home in upstate New York, bailing out her hippie mother and running the family diner.

When gorgeous local farmer Leo Maxwell delivers her a lovely bunch of organic walnuts, Roxie wonders if a summer back home isn’t such a bad idea after all. Leo is heavily involved in the sustainable slow food movement, and he likes to take his time. In all things. Roxie is determined to head back to the west coast as soon as summer ends, but will the pull of lazy fireflies and her very own Almanzo Wilder be enough to keep her home for good?

Salty. Spicy. Sweet. Nuts. Go on, grab a handful.

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Review:  4.5 of 5 stars

If you have read an Alice Clayton in the past, you know that she has an impeccable sense of humor!  Get ready to laugh out loud while reading Nuts.  When I read the synopsis, I was a little unsure of how much I was going to love this book.  I was concerned that it would focus more on cooking and bore me, I was so wrong.

Roxie is an interesting character.  I loved how she loses her job in California, it was a crazy reason to fire someone, but I imagine in Hollywood that stranger things have happened.  I was also super happy that we got a brief stint with Grace and Jack (The Redhead series) and it made me want to re-read those books.  Since she is unemployed and her mom is going on The Amazing Race, Roxie reasons that she will go home to Bailey Falls (Upstate NY) and run the family diner for the Summer.  

The one thing she didn't plan on finding in Bailey Falls?  A gorgeous farmer that puts her "no love" mantra in question.  Leo Maxwell is such a great character.  I love that he is passionate about his work and the best part is that he doesn't act like he is wealthy and important.  Roxie calls in Almonzo and I adore the Little House on the Prairie references.  The more Roxie digs her heels in that she is leaving at the end of Summer, the more reasons she finds to stay.

Roxie is someone that can't appreciate the beauty and benefits of a small town until she is gone.  She only remembers the bad things about a small town.  Being from a town where everyone knows everyone can be annoying at times, but it also means that people have your back.  I can totally relate to this part of the book and thought it was very well done.

As I mentioned earlier I was worried the food would be a big deal, which it is, however, it was not boring at all.  In fact, it made me want to go bake a cake.  I love to cook but I didn't think I would enjoy reading about it.  Alice Clayton made me want to go cook an awesome meal for my man and make some crude food references at the same time.  She can really bring humor into any situation flawlessly.

I am happy to report that this book was lighthearted, fun, and just what I needed to read.  I think anyone that enjoys humor and a sweet, sexy story will love this book.  This book is a one clicker for sure.  

Review: Forget by N.A. Alcorn

Brooke Sawyer is a successful record producer living in L.A. She has endured a lifetime’s worth of pain, but despite everything she’s been through, she still has the biggest heart. She’d do anything for the ones she loves, even putting their needs above her own. 

When she visits Paris for one month, the last thing she expects is to fall in love with gorgeous musician, Dylan Bissette. But he doesn't know about Brooke's life back home. He doesn't know about Jamie. 

The best way to keep a secret is to pretend there isn't one. 

~ 

Falling in love was not part of the plan. 

He broke down my walls. 

And the moment he whispered, "You've wrecked me, Little Wing," I was done for. 

I didn’t mean to fall in love, but Dylan made it too easy. 

~ 

Meeting her was fate. 

Pursuing her was a choice. 

But falling in love with her was out of my control. 

Brooke ruined me for everyone else. 

~ 

Music connects them, but secrets may keep them apart. 

This is just the beginning. Changing Colors, Part One 

Changing Colors is a two book series. 

At the end of Forget, there is a sneak peek of Blur (Changing Colors, Part Two). 

Review:  4.75 of 5 stars

I first fell in love with N.A. Alcorn when I read Avoiding Amy Jackson.  She had me laughing so much in the book that I knew people thought I was mad while I was reading it.  I wasn't completely sure what to expect when I opened Forget, because I knew it took a more serious tone and I just wasn't sure how I would feel about it since she is so amazing at writing comedy.  However, I knew that it had gotten some really great reviews and I just had to read it.

I opened this book while sitting on the beach and was immediately sucked into the story from page one.  Brooke Sawyer, AKA Little Wing, has one of the most beautifully written stories I have ever read.  It is heartbreaking, of course, but aren't all of our lives full of some sort of drama and heart ache?  The first chapter is a letter that Mille, Brooke's grandmother, wrote her as she is dying of cancer.  Millie knows that Brooke needs to start living for herself and not for others and so she sends her to Paris for a month, the day after her funeral, with a bucket list of items to cross off.

On day one in Paris Brooke attempts to sneak a picture of a hot, french man to send her BFF and to say it was a "flashing" disaster is an understatement.  However, she meets Dylan Bissette in the process and her journey in Paris begins with one of the best "meet-cutes" ever.  I swear, I will never look at sharpies again without thinking of this book.

Brooke and Dylan start an amazing romance in Paris.  They have so much fun together and I am happy to report that I still found myself laughing at their antics in the book, regardless of the more serious undertones.  Lindsey, one of Brooke's best friends is a lot of fun and I love when she makes appearances and forces Brooke outside of her comfort zone.  Jamie, her other best friend, that happens to be a guy is back in LA. You really don't get to know him well as they exchange texts and phone calls, but I gather he is a nice guy too.  I know that Jamie and Brooke have an unbreakable bond with some sort of major history, but I don't know the details yet.  I am sure he has something that is going in the background that I can't see yet that is affecting Brooke and her decisions in this book.

The book is quite a journey and I don't want to give a lot of details away because I love to read them first hand myself.  I will tell you though that the end of the book really leaves you with a cliffhanger. And even though I really want to be pissed off at some of the characters, I am really holding out hope that everything will be explained in the next book and will end with a fantastic HEA.  The storyline and plot in this book is really amazing and you shouldn't miss out just because you don't like a cliffy.  So read it anyway and fall in love with this book and characters like I did.  And then we can count down to the Blur (Changing Colors, Book 2) release together!  Job well done, Ms. Alcorn!