The Devil's Flower by Lisa Collicutt (review by Sharon)

Author: Lisa Collicutt
Date published: 19th November 2013
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Series:The Eternal Beings (book 1)
Pages: 278 pages.
Rating: 3 stars!
Buy on: Amaozn UK, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo

"Killing isn’t exactly on Rosalie Lockwood’s list of things to do when she runs away from home. But despite her search for peace; guns and motorcycles become her latest fashion accessories as Divine interference leads her to Steele, co-leader of the Fallen Paladins motorcycle club.

Leathered and tattooed, Steele’s presence scares off most people he comes in contact with — but not Rosalie. She’s immediately drawn into the dangers of his biker world—and into his heart.

But Steele guards a secret that if Rosalie knew, could shatter their new love — along with destroy the human race. And the truth comes at a price. 

Will Rosalie risks her soul to prove her loyalty to Steele?

The Dark and Light Realms collide as Rosalie chooses between life, death, and the ever-after to become that which she is fated to destroy."

Review:
Do you like bikers? Do you like New Adult books? Do you like angels and demons? What about the well-known fight between good and evil? 


If your answer is yes, this book might be the book for you. The Devil's Flower[what a befitting name] is a new adult novel about motorcycle club with a paranormal twist. 

The thing is I am not a fan of most NA novels, and while I like paranormal I do not fancy MC (motorcycle club) books

This book and I started on the wrong side of bed

- "she had to pee so badly she could taste it" 

I mean, really? That's what you came up with? Yuck. For the first 50 pages of the book I thought this would be a rant review. This book is not so bad, it's just not for me

If that's not enough the girl is rescued by the guy, on the highway, from a bear. That's right A bear . 

This book has the whole "we are tough motorcycle club+gang fights+ drugs+ a woman is someone's property" feel to it. Which from the previous MC novels I read I think is the usual setting (but I read only 2 MC novels before). 

And just like in most common NA novels, both Rose and Steele come from an abusive family, both had been dealt such an awful hand in life it's a surprise how Rose still looks so innocent and manage to be so kind. It's not a surprise how Steele became the brooding, violent man that he did. We have instant attraction, and of course Steele wants to listen to this attraction but Rose is so innocent and he wants to protect her that he just can't touch her. 

As for the paranormal twist- think good Vs. evil. think star-crossed lovers...

And after approximately 100 pages we finally learn of the paranormal twist. 

It is not an awful book, not by a long shot. Steele is quite sweet when it comes to Rose, and I always appreciate it when a super tough guy becomes a poodle because of a girl. 

The thing is the while there was enough action in the book I still felt the pacing was too slow for my taste. And while I liked Rose her angelic nature made me feel she was mostly a Mary Sue. And the most importantly, though the bland is somewhat unique, if tea's blend is made of things you mostly hate odds are you are not going to like that tea. This book is not my cup of tea even on a bad day, and I was tempted to give it 2 stars. I was really tempted. The only reason I didn’t was the despite the well-known well-wrought (and much hated, IMO) tropes of each of the book's element it is not a bad book. Those who like paranormal, NA and MC might really like this book. But those who don't I suggest to find something else to read. 

P.S. in case you were wondering, yeah, I wanted to read this book because of the cover….

A review copy was kindly provided by Curiosity Quills Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review 

this review also appears on: GoodReads, BookLikes, LeafMarks, Amazon, Amazon UK

*if this review doesn't make sense, it's because I really don't have much to say here. Nothing important actually.

A Beautiful Wedding by Jamie McGuire (book review by Eleni)

Author: Jamie McGuire
Release Date: December 10th 2013
Publisher: Atria Books
Series: Beautiful 2.5
Pages: 160
Rating: 4 stars
Buy on: Amazon , Barnes and Noble

You know that Abby Abernathy unexpectedly became Mrs. Maddox. But what do you really know?

Why did Abby pop the question?
What secrets were shared before the ceremony?
Where did they spend their wedding night?
Who else knew about it . . . and didn’t tell?

Everything about Abby and Travis’s elopement was top-secret . . . until now. Fans of Beautiful Disaster and Walking Disaster will get all of their questions answered in this whirlwind tale of the wedding day (and night!)—and as with all good stories, this one will definitely have been worth the wait.

Review:

Well finally, finally, finally, i get to write the review. Agh. Usually I don't like novelas because after i finish the book i want more but this is not the case here.

   I loved this one because you get an insight of the situation Abby and Travis got married under. Abby had her reasons for proposing and to be honest I couldn;t agree more with her. You actually feel the anguish and the agony to save him from whatever's coming for him and you get to see a sweeter and more loving side of Travis. He broke my heart and made me love him more.

Although, a lot of people didn;t like the idea of marriage after a year of being together this book justifies the reason it happened...the factors that led them there and what impact it had on both of them. How it changed them within a day and how that made their love even stronger. 

No this story is not  a 100% happy one. Its not about flowers and hearts and angels but its all about the sacrifice you are ready to do for a person you love and care for even if it breaks your own heart.It made me think of my own marriage and what i would sacrifice for my husband if it came to a difficult situation.

I think this book will please everyone who read Beautiful Disaster and got disappointed with the lack of the marriage description and why it led them there.

Who is Your Baby Daddy? by I. Ronik (review by Sharon)

Author:I. Ronik
Date published: 5th January 2014
Publisher: I. Ronik
Series: Vapid Vixens (book 3)
Pages: 80 pages.
Rating: 5 stars!
Buy on: Amaozn UK, Amazon
Note: though it's the third book in a series, each book has a different set of characters and can ve read as a stand alone.

"Please note this book is a romantic parody. It is not intended to be taken as a serious romance. As a matter of fact, for optimum results the author recommends you read it in your best "Valley Girl" voice. ;)

When Jasmine's best friend and roommate tells her she's pregnant, Jasmine is less than overjoyed. Especially when Roni tells her that she isn't sure just who the father is. Complicating matters is Jasmine's unwelcome attraction to her billionaire playboy boss. What follows is a mind-blowing journey down the trail to motherhood that will test the bounds of their friendship and the limits of Jasmine's patience.

"Who's Your Baby Daddy?" is an erotic romance parody short story intended for mature audiences only. Length - approximately 23,000 words"
REVIEW:

By I.Ronik tradition we are in for a treat once again. Unlike the previous two shorts I liked this one a lot. In the previous two books I understood the irony but had a problem connecting to the humor. 

I connected here all right. Right from start I found myself laughing, hard. As the name and the cover might here we have a parody on the ridiculous 'baby plot' which if you are a romance reader you're probably well acquainted with. 

This plot is one of my most hated plot lines. I don't mind babies; I love them just not as a plot line in my books. Especially when done so stupidly so, e.g- "Jinoxious was a millionaire that had slept with the best women. He was rich, beautiful and successful and he liked his women to match his car. But when he so the marvelous, beauty that was Timaina he knew he wanted her. One passionate night with the virgin was all he planned on. But Timaina became pregnant and Jinoxious had decided he was going to have his mistress and his child, no matter what he had to do to get them" =_= *

Yeah…

So here we have a laugh at that plotline, not like the example I just gave, but no matter the various colors this plotline might wear, under the beautiful dressed it is the plotline all the same. 

So let's start this. Since some part of this book takes you by surprise, I have decided to talk only about the feeling this book evoked in me. 

It started with a snicker and a small laugh the soon evolved into a "I'm laughing so hard I can hardly breathe" sort of laugh, that felt just SO good. Then it was a little funny and a lot hot and I started to enjoy it as you would a serious book and not a parody. 

Some shit went totally crazy and I even felt a little sad for a moment there. I. Ronik wrote this one so well I felt like I could like the 'baby plot' if she was the one to write it. 

Then, shit escalated and I wasn't happy anymore I was a little mad, somewhere along the line I forgot this was a parody and I started to take thing seriously. Almost to seriously, and right when I was ready to flip the table and call it quits I. Ronik delivered her punch line, which was a really good punch line and I found myself laughing again. Remembering it's a parody and a good one at that. 

I guess what I'm trying to say is that this time the sense of humor fit me just right. 

Recommended if you are searching for a short read with a good laugh, especially if you are a resident of the romanceladia who knows that sometimes these tropes get so ridiculous…yeah, I know, they are fun but reading them in a parody is also fun ;)

A review copy was provided by I. Ronik through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review 

This review can also be found on: GoodReads, BookLikes, LeafMarks, Amazon UK, Amazon

Revenge of a Chalet Girl by Lorraine Wilson (review by Sharon)

Author: Lorraine Wilson
Date published: 19th December 2013
Publisher: Harper Impulse
Series:Ski Season (book 3)
Pages: 108 pages.
Rating: 2 stars!
Buy on: Amaozn UK, Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble

"All she wants for Christmas is…revenge.

When chalet girl Amy Wright finds her ex’s name on Chalet Repos’ guest list she sees her chance to get back at him – Josh Carter, the guy who broke her heart. Getting revenge without losing her job will be tricky but luckily the other chalet girls are on hand to offer their support. Pretty soon she’s in too deep and realises she doesn’t want to hurt him anymore. She wants him back.

There’s just one teeny complication…"

REVIEW:

I'm sorry, this is not a review this is a rant. The only reason I kept reading this book was because it's short and the writing is nice for a third person, and because I liked the previous book Secrets of a Chalet girl. I was really tempted to DNF this book. 

Consider yourself warned, this is a rant . 

Once again it is Christmas time for the chalet girl, and this time they are hosting a party. A bachelor party. 

That's OK. That's even nice if it wasn't for the story of Amy seeking revenge on her Ex, Josh. 

Now, really, I don't mind revenge. Revenge can be fun when you do it right. But the story, this story contains one of the plots that annoy me more than anything in the world. 

SO Amy and Josh dated back in the day and they broke up because Josh got his dream job. And he needed to move abroad for it. And he couldn't ask Amy to come with him because he didn't want to ruin her dreams. So he did the right thing (not) and broke up with her. 

Let's say that I can forgive Josh's idiocy for choosing what's best for Amy instead of treating her like the partner she was supposed to be. Instead of consulting her and let her choose on her own. Let's say, for a moment that I could get past my anger about that 

What did Amy do, when her heart was broken to tiny little pieces? Did she move on? No. Did she try to talk to him and understand what happened? No. Did she put up a fight? No. she got depressed over a broken heart? YES! Her grandfather died around the same time. So she sinks into depression, quit her studies and turn into this shadow of the girl she once was. She becomes a scardy cat. She becomes a quiet girl. And after lots and lots of therapy she leaves home and goes to work as a chalet girl. 

I might sound a little harsh here, but I can't respect someone who let their whole life be destroyed because of a broken heart. As for the grandfather- it sucks, I talk for experience, but you need to move on. You move on with that pain in your heart, but you don't lose you damn mind! Amy did. 

Now she meets Josh and with her friends encouragement she decides to seek revenge, and she does it stupidly by flirting with his friend and by turning into mush every time Josh touches her. But her, guess what? Things can't be simple. Remember? We are having a bachelor party. Guess who is the bachelor? That's right! Ain't that fucking awesome?!

Here is where my real problem starts. Josh in engaged, he is supposed to marry in a week. We learn from it might just be the wrong girl. I can live with that. People fall in love and marry the wrong person all the time. Josh decides he doesn't want to cheat on his fiancé (I appreciated the guy for that). But guess what? By some cruel turn of events, Amy meets said fiancé and helps her with the wedding arrangements. And what does she discover? That said fiancé is a gold digger! NO WAY! 

That's right where my blood burned with raged. 

Amy decides to save Josh and the rest you can guess on your own.

The thing is while I might not care for many ideals in life, I can't ever understand or tolerate cheating. Even in someone you don't love. You don’t love the person? Don’t stay. You have to stay? Don’t cheat. The fact that the fiancé is a gold digger was a supposed excuse as to why Amy should fight for Josh. I'm sorry, but I cannot tolerate such plot device. I'm all for Amy for fighting to get the back the man she loves (even if she's years late), but just like I think one shouldn't cheat. One shouldn't convince another to cheat. If you sight you should do it fair and square. Yep, I'm aware of the saying, but once you convince someone to cheat you actually hurt the person you claim to love, which raises the question, do you really love that person?

I think you understand the problem….

A review copy was provided by HarperImpulse in exchange for an honest review 

This review also appears on LeafMarks, BookLikes, GoodReads, Amazon, Amazon UK

Lauren Layne Party, part 4- Just One Night by Lauren Layne (review by Sharon)

Author: Lauren Layne
Date published: 11th March 2014
Publisher: Loveswept
Series: Sex, Love & Stiletto book 3
Pages: 240 pages.
Rating: 5 stars!
Buy on: Barnes & Noble, Amazon UK, Amazon


"In Lauren Layne’s sizzling Sex, Love & Stiletto series, New York’s hottest “sexpert” has been living a lie—and it’s up to one man to keep her honest…all night long.

Riley McKenna knows sex—good sex, bad sex, kinky sex…Her articles in Stiletto magazine are consistently the publication’s most scandalous—and the most read. But Riley has a secret…all that sexy talk? Not an ounce of it comes from personal experience. Her own bedroom escapades are more limited than even her best friends know. When her editor requests that all columnists write something more personal for Stiletto’s anniversary issue, Riley turns to the one man she’s always been able to count on and calls in the favor of a lifetime.Sam Compton would do anything for Riley McKenna. Anything except be her experimental sex toy. He refuses her request. At least until she tells him that it’ll either be him or she’ll go to someone else. And that, Sam can’t accept. Reluctantly he agrees to her terms—one night of completely meaningless sex in the name of research. Riley thinks she’s prepared for what awaits her in Sam’s bed. After ten years of writing about sex, actually doing it shouldn’t be that different, right? So wrong. What starts as “one time only” becomes “just one more time.” And then one more. And before they know it, Riley and Sam learn first-hand that when it comes to love, there’s no such thing as just one night. "





Sam Compton meet Riley McKenna, she's going to turn your world upside down. 

We've met Riley in the previous two Stiletto books. Riley's expertise is to write about sex….but now she's faced with a mission that might just be to big for her belt. 


considering Riley love for sweet things, this is a perfect picture

She, Riley Mckenna, is a sexy brunette bombshell with great rack, blue eyes, long legs and and the quality of a sex kitten. Now, she's on a mission for the Love Agency [Stiletto branch]. 

Her expertise- none. Riley writes the most shocking articles about sex, but the truth is she is just one awkward encounter from being a total virgin. 

Her mission- to find the passion within herself. To get personal. 




He, Sam Compton, has been hanging around this bombshell since that time ten years ago, that he was invited to his best friend's home and met his sister in the kitchen. He always found her attractive, even so growing up with an alcoholic mother that always blamed him for her problems Sam knows he is not worthy of Riley and he is never going to make a move on her. 


But Riley isn't going down without a fight. If she has to get dirty than she might as well do it with the only man she has ever wanted.

Out of all the three books of Stiletto so far, this one was the hardest, I think. 

You see, Lauren Layne creates great women- they are womanly, they are fighters, they're full of passion, fun, snark and they are very different from each other. Each has her own role. Just like if you think of yourself with your friends. 
You are equals but to each her own skills. 

As for the guys, well, they are also very different. Mitchell was the proper kind that had an Alpha male hiding underneath and Jake was the one with the traveling bug and the player ways. Even so, they didn't really have a problem. They were both confident. 
Yes, they were somewhat complex and very human, and totally to die for hot but they didn't have a paradox. Some internal fight they needed to win. 

In that regard, Sam in different. 

I'm side tracking for a moment. Julie had the family issues she had but they didn't hurt much of her everyday life, and Grace had her heart broken but she came back up again. Even Riley with her family and lack of sexual experience does not have any personal demons. As for Emma and Alex, I think that remains to be seen but I suspect that they are also clear of personal demons. At least the kind of Sam's caliber.

In that regard, Sam is different. 

You see, Sam is good looking, he is smart. He is talented. At least if the career he left behind and his new business are any indication to go by. 

But Sam is afraid to move on, and each time he makes a step forward to dealing with his insecurities he encounters his mother that reminds him how unworthy of everything he really is. And my heart went out for Sam [at least when Riley wasn't getting hurt from it]. 

Loving someone damaged is never easy, and I dare say most people are damaged in one way or another. But loving someone whose damage prevents him from going forward and achieve his dreams? It's even harder. This is not a heavy book. It's light and fun, but Sam's insecurities are dealt with seriousness, and I really do believe out of all three love stories we read so far Sam's & Riley's are the hardest. 

What I loved about Riley was that at first she accepted Sam as he was, she gave him the space he asked and did things on his terms. moved on his pace. But when she saw that it's not helping him, when she saw and understood what he was dealing with she stopped cutting him some slack and demanded that he grow up. She threw it all in his face and left him to deal with the harsh truth. Sometimes doing that is even harder than supporting the one you love. 


Out of this series this one is my favorite because of that very reason. It's fun, it's light but it's also very serious. And you can see Lauren Layne's growth as a writer. I think she is one author I can trust to tell me a wonderful love story in a light way with a serious subject and balance it all in just the right way. 


A review copy was kindly provided by Loveswept in exchange for an honest review 

This review is also on: BookLikes, GoodReads, LeafMarks

Lauren Layne Party, part 3- Love the One You're With by Lauren Layne (review by Sharon)

Author: Lauren Layne
Date published: 9th December 2013
Publisher: Loveswept
Series: Sex, Love & Stiletto book 2
Pages: 228 pages.
Rating: 5 stars!
Buy on: Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Amazon UK, Amazon

"As a leading columnist for Stiletto, Grace Brighton has built a career warning women about rotten, cheating liars. She just never suspected her fiancé would be one of them. After Grace takes a heart-

mending hiatus, her first assignment is to go on a couple of dates with a counterpart from the men's magazine Oxford and report her impressions. Grace 1.0 may have been instantly smitten with the gorgeous correspondent, but Grace 2.0 has sworn off relationships for six months, and she's not falling for his outstanding bod and trophy-winning kisses... or is she?

Jake Malone wants to get back to the fly-by-night, who-knows-what's-next guy he used to be, and he knows exactly how to do it. Oxford is adding a travel section, and Jake—with no wife and no kids and a willingness to live anywhere, eat anything, do everything—is perfect for the job... except that his playboy reputation makes his new editor nervous. To get the gig, he must agree to a fluffy joint article withStiletto.But after just one date with snooty, sumptuous, sensational Grace Brighton, Jake starts taking this assignment a whole lot more seriously.."



I'm going to continue with the way I've done the previous review. We met Julie and her friends in the previous book. They belong to the "dating, relationship and sex" division of stiletto. 

In each book of the series we get to know one of them better and escort them in their journey to love. Just a little side note before- in the previous book they were 3 girls. Now they are 4. And I hope that means there will be 4 books in the series and not 3.

Now let the fun begin.

: 

She, Grace Brighton, is on a mission for the Love Agency [Stiletto branch]. 

Her expertise- relationships. After dating the same guy for nearly 10 years, Grace found the lowlife cheating. Her pride is hurt and she needs to build her reputation once again. Grace is also great and being elegant and lady like in ANY situation.

: 

He, Jake Malone, is on a mission for the Love Agency [Oxford branch]

His expertise- women. Jake love women, he understands them. After all he has grown up watching his sisters' love life. 

May the best agent win

The two are thrown together by the bosses, in a mission to date and determine the better agency between the two. Who can read the other sex better?

The result? Pure fun! 

Do you remember the movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith? There was a fight scene there with one of my favorite quotes "Still alive, baby?"

Well, we get something like that here- only the arena is dating, and the sparing is verbal (mainly). 

Soon what started as 'who would dupe who?' develops into a sincere friendship and a sizzling attraction. And the two agents find themselves duping the audience. What they didn't bet on, was falling in love.

This book is pure fun for many reasons. Jake is a great guy even if somewhat player and Grace is this elegant, graced lady who happens to wear knives under her dress ever since her heart got broken. She's fierce, she stings with a smile and some part of her is a man-hater. Grace has two versions Grace 1.0 and Grace 2.0 and the whole internal fighting is completely fun. 

I suggest it as a light read. Instead of going to watch a stupid comedy with a questionable humor I suggest you read this book with its great banter, charming characters and a love story you just got to read. 

And when I'm talking about charming characters I'm not talking only on the MCs, but also of Grace's friends- Julie and Riley. Of her replacement turned colleague turned new friend- Emma, who has a story of her own that I hope will be written (*Looking at Lauren Layne expectantly*), and of Jake's family with his sister and parents that were just SO lively. 

A review copy was kindly provided by Loveswept in exchange for an honest review 

This review also appears on:  LeafMarks, BookLikes, GoodReads, Amazon, Amazon UK

*Origianl Pre Review*

Five stars it is, and I'm officially a Lauren Layne fangirl. Selling a tiny piece of my soul or bribing whoever I need in order to get my hands on her next book is not beneath me. 

also, I really want the story of Riley and Sam, but dear Mrs. Layne- Emma will get her story too, right? * big puppy eyes* 

So review to come ;)

Lauren Layne Party, part 2- After the Kiss by Lauren Layne (review by Sharon)

Author: Lauren Layne
Date published: 26th August 2013
Publisher: Loveswept
Series: Sex, Love & Stiletto book 1
Pages: 156 pages.
Rating: 4 stars!
Buy on: Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Amazon UK, Amazon

"Julie Greene loves flings. Loves steamy first dates, sizzling first kisses, and every now and then, that first sexy romp between the sheets. Comfy pants, sleepy Sundays, movie nights on the couch? Shudder. But when Julie gets assigned the hardest story of her career—a first-person account of that magical shift between dating and "I do"—she'll need a man brave enough to give a total commitment-phobe a chance at more.

Normally, Mitchell Forbes would be exactly that man. A devastatingly hot workaholic who tends to stay in relationships for far too long, he should be the perfect subject for Julie's "research." But what Julie doesn't know is that Mitchell is looking to cut loose for once in his life. And the leggy journalist notorious for avoiding love is exactly the type of no-strings fling he's looking for. In other words, Mitchell is the polar opposite of what Julie needs right now. And, at the same time, he's exactly what she wants "



As some other reviews stated, this book is very much like how to lose a guy in 10 days. IMO, it's better. The characters are more fleshed out, the chemistry is more apparent and there is one lovely snarky heroine to love. 

I thought a lot as to how I should do this review and the other in the series. I've come to my decision. Shall we go for a ride?

She, Julie Greene, is on an undercover mission for the Love Agency [Stiletto branch]. 




Her expertise- firsts; first date, first kiss, first flirt, sometimes even the first sex with a new guy. 

Her mission- Saturday TV nights and a serious relationship. Julie is sent to foreign ground when she is asked to discover what happens once the firsts becomes seconds. How do you cross the line from dating into a relationship and what does it feel like?

The Traget:


This picture fits perfectly because even though Bradley is good looking, he doesn't look that hot here. Just like Micthell first impression on Julie 

He- Mitchell Forbes, a normal civilian in the land of Wall Street and serious dating, newly released from a long service with the wrong girl he hopes to get a vacation ticked to the land of fun. He hopes the blond bombshell will be just what he is searching for (he has no idea he's totally right)

But Mitchell isn't going down without a fight. He heard of Julie, and he hopes she's ready for some casual fun.

The question is who will win in this battle of wills?

We will. Yep, it's a romantic comedy. Which means the ending is predictable, as well as the 'chasing scene' that happens after 'the big fight' in all those romantic comedies. Which means this story needs something to mark it as different or at least worth reading.

We have it hear, Lauren Layne shows us how the attraction between them grows, and since they are both very different she needs to convince us that they fit together. And she does it very well. She shows us Mitchell alpha male attitude- when he cares for Julie and takes command in the bedroom. She shows us Julie's vulnerability, the side of Mitchell that wants to fit into Julie's fun fun fun, and her side that wants to fit into his seriousness. In the end from complete opposites they manage to find their balance and create the relationship the fits them both. 

By the end of the book you had tons of laughter, a few sad moments some damns hot moments and the knowledge that these two are perfect for each other.

A review copy was kindly provided by Loveswept in exchange for an honest review 

This review also appears on:LeafMarks,  BookLikes, GoodReads, Amazon UK, Amazon

Lauren Layne Party, part 1- Isn't She Lovely by Lauren Layne (review by Sharon)

Author: Lauren Layne
Date published: 28 October 2013
Publisher: Flirt
Series:None
Pages: 243 pages.
Rating: 5 stars!
Buy on: Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Amazon UK, Amazon


"The rules are clear—until they're broken. Lauren Layne puts a New Adult spin on Pygmalion, also the inspiration for Pretty Woman, and gives the classic love story its edgiest twist yet.

"Who knew that pretending you're not falling for someone would be so much more difficult than pretending that you are?"

Stephanie Kendrick gave up her whole summer to ace her NYU film school screenwriting course, so she's pissed to be stuck with a preppy, spoiled frat boy as her writing partner. Then again, with her piercings, black-rimmed eyes, and Goth wardrobe, Stephanie isn't exactly Ethan Price's type, either. He's probably got his eye on some leggy blonde with a trust fund... or does he?

As the summer scene kicks off in the Hamptons, Ethan is desperate to make his snobbish mother forget the pedigreed girl who broke his heart. While Stephanie's a stretch as a decoy, the right makeover and a pastel cardigan just might do the trick. She may not love the idea of playing Ethan's brainless Barbie girlfriend, but the free rent and luxurious digs make a tempting offer. So does the promise of a ready-made screenplay idea inspired by their charade.

But when Stephanie steps into Ethan's privileged world, the "acting" begins to feel all too real. The kissing and touching that were intended to fool the Hamptons crowd wind up manipulating "them." And Stephanie faces a question she's too afraid to ask: Is Ethan falling for the real her or for the dolled-up princess he wants to see?"


This is a new adult book. And I love it. I have a confession to make I haven't read many NA books. I think I have under my belt Beautiful Disaster,Walking Disaster and Lick. Out of all of them, I loved only the last.

The Disaster books were exactly as their name implies Disaster with a capital D, yeah. 

That whole singing scene in the cafeteria scared me for life. Not to mention the whole Cavemen attitude is far from sexy. 

But here, oh, here, we have a fantastic NA. Something rare. I also understand why it happened but I'll explain later on. 

This story is about two people in college, the exact opposites, they don't move in the same social circles and now they have to work together on a project for some class.

Their idea is quite simple- like Pretty Woman and My Fair Lady- they are going to do a makeover. It doesn't matter that Ethan actually needs it so his family would leave him alone. Or that it's time for Stephanie to wake up.

So the Stephanie, the Goth, is going through a makeover so she could fit in the Ethan's preppy family setting. So far so good. But as the story progress we learn more about them. About what the Stephanie went through, which is not very out of the ordinary and her response is only human, we see her growing up into her skin. We see Ethan learning to accept the fact that his dreams to take over the family business, though guided by his family, are still his and what he wants.

Furthermore, we see how despite their supposed difference they are very alike, they complete one another. Each teaches the other about the things missing. 

I'm not sure how to explain it so well, but I'll try. You see, the reason why this book is so damn good, in comparison to the genre, is because Lauren Layne is not a New Adult author. She is a chick lit author. Which means from start she is capable of avoiding the most annoying things in the NA genre. 

What do I mean? Great you asked.

Many NA books consist of a tattooed guy that was in prison or is fighting a lot. One who acts like a caveman, a Neanderthal. He's tattooed, he's danger, he has a tragic past, a responsibility to take care of something. He's a man-whore, a player, a fighter, a possessive jerk that treats women with disrespect. Because they are stupid whores who want to get in his pants and that's all they are good for, actually. Well, beside the MC of course. Because the MC is so fucking special that she too needs to deal with a troubled past, something so very dramatic it's a miracle she's still capable of breathing. Most NA books are about stupid meets stupid and they fall in love, thus being even more stupid together.

Chick lit book are, mostly, nothing like that. Why? Because I'm sorry to tell you ladies (those of you that haven't figured it out yet) but a guy who treats you like his property, a guy who is not reliable and emotionally strong, is not a guy that you would want to date on real life. Yes, it's a fantasy, a great one for some, but if a guy approached you on the street, picked you up and slanged you over his shoulder telling you the two of you were meant to be, odds are you'll castrate him and run as fast as you can to the nearest police station.

A girl dreams of dating the bad boy, but she marries the good guy. 


Lauren Layne knows it, which is why Ethan is the good guy. Even if he likes Stephanie he understands she has two feet of her own to stand on, thank you very much. She's capable of making her own choices, and he's not allowed to act like a caveman about it. He respects boundaries. He respects her as a human being. And guess what? That doesn't make him any less of a man. That makes him sexy & hot. 

Because of all this, Isn't She Lovely reads more like a chick lit with the MCs being in college. No slut shaming, no stupidity, no overly tragic past, no "us against the world" [who invented that stupid saying, I wonder?]. the adults might have disappointed you, but guess what? They are human!!

And still, we have the 'growing up' thing, the 'understanding sometimes things don't go the way you wanted them to' thing, the 'coming out of your shell and finding you center' thing. 

I can only tell you that, once I finished this book I checked what other books Lauren Layne wrote. And I read her first book, After the Kiss. 

A review copy was kindly provided by Flirt in exchange for an honest review 

This review also appears on: LeafMarks,  BookLikes, GoodReads, Amazon UK, Amazon