Anything But Sweet by Candis Terry

3/5 Stars

Goodreads:

HE’S STUBBORN AND THOROUGHLY MALE . . .

If Charlotte Brooks thinks she and her TV makeover show can turn Reno Wilder’s hometown upside down, he’ll be happy to prove her wrong. The x-Marine has seen too much turmoil and he likes Sweet, Texas, just the way it is. Traditional. Familiar. A little dull. Everything Charli isn’t. But instead of backing off from his scowls like everyone else, Charli digs in her skyscraper heels.

SHE’S TENACIOUS AND WICKEDLY TEMPTING . . .

Reno Wilder is a one-man unwelcoming committee, but Charli isn’t budging. It’s clear the gorgeous cowboy needs an overhaul just as much as Sweet. Someone needs to break him out of that gruff shell and show him how fun and rewarding a little change can be.

THEY’RE ABOUT TO FIND THAT LOVE IS ANYTHING BUT PREDICTABLE.

My QUICK QUICK review:

I really liked the interaction between Charlotte and Reno. Both are pretty stubborn which made some really cute parts. Overall a really cute beach read.

Reasons I Fell for the Funny Fat Friend by Cassie Mae/ Becca Ann

1/5 Stars

Goodreads:

It’s stupid to fall for your brother’s ex. It’s even worse to enlist another’s help to win the ex over. But Brody is desperate and Hayley, his partner in American Sign Language, is more than willing to lend him a few tips.

She’s the school’s matchmaker,’ and with her bizarre and positive personality, Brody finds her easy to talk to, even about the most awkward situations. Hayley’s tips seem to be working, but as Brody learns more about his matchmaker, he starts finding reasons to spend time with her, and not the girl he thought he was in love with.

But Hayley isn’t ready to fall for anyone. Labeled the “Funny Fat Friend” within her group, her self image makes it impossible for Brody to share his feelings without Hayley shrugging it off as a joke.

Convincing her Brody can, and did, fall for the “Funny Fat Friend” turns out to be harder than simply falling in love.

Written by Cassie Mae under the pen name Becca Ann

My QUICK Review:

I almost gave up on this book because it just didn't have the "real" vibe. Maybe it was the dialogue, maybe it was the prose. Not sure exactly. The writing just all seemed pretty juvenile. Then I looked at the authors and saw their ages. That may play into it a little.

Overall the story line was good -- that has potential. But the writing itself, not so much.

Rule (Marked Men #1) by Jay Crownover

4/5 Stars

Goodreads:

Opposites in every way . . . except the one that matters

Shaw Landon loved Rule Archer from the moment she laid eyes on him. Rule is everything a straight--A pre-med student like Shaw shouldn’t want--and the only person she’s never tried to please. She isn’t afraid of his scary piercings and tattoos or his wild attitude. Though she knows that Rule is wrong for her, her heart just won’t listen.

To a rebel like Rule Archer, Shaw Landon is a stuck-up, perfect princess-and his dead twin brother’s girl. She lives by other people’s rules; he makes his own. He doesn’t have time for a good girl like Shaw-even if she’s the only one who can see the person he truly is.

But a short skirt, too many birthday cocktails, and spilled secrets lead to a night neither can forget. Now, Shaw and Rule have to figure out how a girl like her and a guy like him are supposed to be together without destroying their love . . . or each other.

My QUICK review:

I read this a bit ago, or this review would be longer because of how much I enjoyed the book. Rule has made it into my fictional boyfriend group. Great story with great, strong characters. Yes, there were definitely predictable parts, but that stuff in "romance" books doesn't bother me. The relationship between the family and Shaw was great. I loved Rule as a character. He with his best friend did remind me a bit like Travis from Beautiful Disaster but not as desperate. This was definitely a great read.

The Game Changer by Marie Landry

4/5 Stars

Goodreads:

Melody Cartwright has never had a problem with change, but for the first time in her life the changes are beyond her control—she suddenly has a niece she never knew, but has to prove herself to; her best friend is making huge life changes of her own; and she has to deal with her ex and his crazy new girlfriend who has stalker tendencies.

When Melody meets confident, sexy Julian, she’s not interested in a relationship. He tells her it’s possible for a man and a woman to just be friends, and despite his ultra-charming ways there’s something about him that makes Melody believe he could be right.

During a time of change and turmoil, it doesn’t take long for Julian to become everything Melody never knew she needed in her life. But is it possible for them to remain ‘just friends’ or will Melody be a game changer for Julian the playboy?

My QUICK review:

I loved this book. The characters were real, the situations were real, it was all just real. I loved Julian's character and how the whole "just friends" played into it all. There were parts when my heart hurt, and when that happens I know that the characters, events, and plot are believable. Great characters and great plot.

You Don't Have to Say You Love Me by Sarra Manning

1/5 Stars

Goodreads:

Sweet, bookish Neve Slater always plays by the rules. And the number one rule is that good-natured fat girls like her don't get guys like gorgeous, handsome William, heir to Neve's heart since university. But William's been in LA for three years, and Neve's been slimming down and re-inventing herself so that when he returns, he'll fall head over heels in love with the new, improved her.

So she's not that interested in other men. Until her sister Celia points out that if Neve wants William to think she's an experienced love-goddess and not the fumbling, awkward girl he left behind, then she'd better get some, well, experience.

What Neve needs is someone to show her the ropes, someone like Celia's colleague Max. Wicked, shallow, sexy Max. And since he's such a man-slut, and so not Neve's type, she certainly won't fall for him. Because William is the man for her... right?

Somewhere between losing weight and losing her inhibitions, Neve's lost her heart - but to who?

My QUICK Review:

I really really really wanted to like this book. It had the potential; the plot caught my attention, but... it was horrible. The author rambled on and on. I found myself skipping so much. I also was extremely annoyed with the main character. I didn't feel anything real from her. There were little parts here and there that I enjoyed, but overall... horrible.

On the Plus Size by Tabatha Vargo

4/5 stars

Goodreads:

Big girls need love, too, but at what cost?

Lilly is loaded, not only with money, but with weight. Both things she could do without. But even with her undesired millionaire status, she doesn’t hold on to false hopes of finding true love. So when a sexy stranger comes into her life dripping with seduction, she finds it hard to resist. The bigger they are the harder they fall and Lilly falls straight through the floor in love with Mr. Sexy. Too bad he’s there for all the wrong reasons.

The chance of losing it all will make you do some crazy things and Devin’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep his life together. All seems lost when out of nowhere he’s approached by a Millionaire Momma with an offer he can’t refuse. But even a womanizer like Devin has a heart and when the short, chunky girl with the carefree attitude breaks through his icy façade, he finds that losing everything takes on a whole new meaning.

***Warning: this book contains graphic language, sex, and violence. Mature readers only. Not intended for young adult readers.***

My QUICK Review:

I loved this book. This may be due to me being a plus-size girl, but either way, the characters were strong. Lilly was funny, emotional, and strong. At first I thought some of her emotions were a bit too much, but then I put myself in her shoes and realized they were real emotions. She puts herself down a good amount, which some people may say is annoying, but again, it's something a plus-size girl would do (I know not all would , but a good amount would). I wanted to hate Devin at first, but I just couldn't. He reacted to the "plus-size" girl the way I would think many fit, attractive guys would. What I loved were the moments when he started liking her and then feeling odd about it. I'll definitely be reading the series.

I'm back! Personal post

Well, it's been over a year since I updated this beloved book blog (yay, alliteration!). It hurt me to neglect this blog, but unfortunately, it had to be done. I was diagnosed with Graves' disease/hyperthyroidism and have been very sick for over a year now. I didn't actually find out I was suffering from it until last June. I didn't get treatment (that actually would work)until September. The doctors said it could take up to a year before I "got better". Well, that year is almost here and I'm a lot better. Unfortunately, I will never be as I was before the Graves' decided to show its ugly face, but that's just something I'll need to deal with. I have been keeping up with my goodreads account, but more so just to track what I've read and give it a star rating. There really hasn't been an "in-depth" review. I need to get better at that. :) So, I haven't stopped reading, and I am hoping to now get back into reviewing.