Drunk Dial by Penelope Ward ~ Review & Swoon Thursday (@PenelopeAuthor)

I'm a sucker for Penelope Ward reads! I know when I pick up her wok, it will touch me in some way. Drunk Dial was entertaining and I loved meeting Rana and Landon, showing how long distance relationships can work, if you try!
Drunk Dial
Title: Drunk Dial
Author: Penelope Ward
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: August 19th 2017

Buy Now - Amazon | B&N Kobo

From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward, comes a new, sexy standalone novel.

It seemed like a good idea at the time. Look up Landon Roderick, that boy from childhood whom I’d never been able to forget—even though he so easily forgot about me—and call him.

Then again, anything sounds like a good idea when you’ve had a little too much wine before bed, right? It was supposed to be just a quick, meaningless, prank call. Instead, I went off on him—unloading thirteen years of pent-up emotions.

I didn’t think he’d call me back.

I certainly could never have anticipated the weeks of sexually tense phone conversations that followed as I got to know the man he’d become.

Turned out, Landon had never really forgotten me, either. That special connection we had was still there. I opened up to him, but there were also things about me he didn’t know. And he had his own secrets.

Over the countless hours we talked on the phone, I wondered what would happen if we actually saw each other. One night, I did something impulsive again. Only this time, I went to the airport and booked a ticket to California. We were about to find out if one phone call could bring two lost souls together or if my drunk dial really was all just a big mistake.

I read Drunk Dial a while ago and I forgot to write a review for it at the time, but to me it was the kind of book you remember. When I began the book I was so excited and I loved the way that Rana just randomly decided to ring Landon to give him a piece of her mind. What unfolded from that I don't think even she expected.

It was great getting to know both Rana and Landon. I liked the way they took things slow and were – mostly – honest with one another. Although they had their secrets, they really did seem perfect to one another.

I wasn't sure what Rana's secret was going to be, but I sure as hell didn't expect what had happened to her. She was the kind of girl that kept to herself and had regrets in her past. But opening up to Landon helped her move past that, eventually.

Landon and Evie were soooo hot together, once they took that next step. They had unbelievable chemistry and were really a terrific match. I loved the way that Penelope Ward wove this story, but Evie's secret bugged me a little. Although it's not my favourite Ward read, it won't deter me from picking up more of her work. I love the way she weaves humour and romance into her novels!

*** Swoon Thursday was first bought to us by YA Bound. Since they are no longer with us, and with permission from Trisha Wolfe, I have decided that those of us that love to swoon need a central meet up point.  So here it is ladies! I have a link up for everyone at the bottom of the post you can add your swoons to, and I’ll set it up every week! So tell all other swooners out there to come on over, link up so we can visit each other! ***


When you are down, you know you would love this to happen to you! I know I would!

Finally, shortly after midnight, my phone chimed. I jumped up to read it.
Landon: I’m sorry, baby. My phone wasn’t receiving texts.
Typing faster than I could think, I wrote back.
Rana: You had me worried. It’s not like you not to respond. I thought maybe you got hurt again or something.
Landon: I didn’t see your message until now.
Rana: Your phone is broken?
Landon: Fuck… I don’t know how to lie to you.
Rana: What? Why do you have to lie to me?
Landon: Because if I tell the truth, I’d have to admit that my phone wasn’t working because I was on a plane. And if I admit that I was on a plane then I have to admit that I caved and did something I promised you I would never do, which is to show up unannounced at your door.
My heartbeat accelerated, and the butterflies in my stomach came alive all at once as I flew out of bed and raced to my door.
Landon’s backpack dropped to the ground before he took me in his arms. It always surprised me how easily I could cry when it came to him. I almost never cried about anything before the past several months. But being in his arms again now, knowing that he’d come all this way, definitely brought out the waterworks.
He spoke into my neck, “I had to see you.”

Kindle Page 193
Originally inspired by YA Bound
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor, before switching to a more family-friendly career. She is the proud mother of a beautiful 10-year-old girl with autism and a 9-year-old boy. Penelope and her family reside in Rhode Island.             





Other reviews featuring Penelope Ward
Step Brother Dearest
Neighbor Dearest
Jake Undone 
My Skylar
Mack Daddy
Other reviews featuring Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward
Cocky Bastard
Stuck Up Suit
Mister Moneybags






Would you like me to add the link up code to this post, so you can add it to your own posts?
read more "Drunk Dial by Penelope Ward ~ Review & Swoon Thursday (@PenelopeAuthor)"

The Crown by Kiera Cass ~ Review & Quote-tastic (@kieracass)

I had to dive into the final book of the Selection series immediately! I needed to see what would happen to Eadlyn, and to see how her family was coping. 
The Crown (The Selection, #5)
Title: The Crown
Author: Kiera Cass
Series: The Selection #5
Genre: YA Romance
Published: May 3rd 2016

Buy Now - Amazon | PaperbackB&N Kobo

When Eadlyn became the first princess of Illéa to hold her own Selection, she didn’t think she would fall in love with any of her thirty-five suitors. She spent the first few weeks of the competition counting down the days until she could send them all home. But as events at the palace force Eadlyn even further into the spotlight, she realizes that she might not be content remaining alone.

Eadlyn still isn’t sure she’ll find the fairytale ending her parents did twenty years ago. But sometimes the heart has a way of surprising you…and soon Eadlyn must make a choice that feels more impossible—and more important—than she ever imagined.

The Heir finished with a moment that left me gasping, wondering 'what's next?' So you know I had to dive into the final book immediately! 

Eadlyn had to step up when her family needed her and I admired her for that. She grew so much throughout the story and I could see the change in her. She took responsibility for her country, when her father was unable to. 

I also liked seeing her continuing the search for love, and I had hopes for who she would choose. She had kept around the guys that truly meant something to her, and I know each of them had impacted her in one way or another.

The Crown was a fitting ending to Eadlyn Schreave's story. Unfortunately it just wasn't the ending that I wanted. It was good to see all the old and new characters together again. I have thoroughly enjoyed Kiera Cass's writing, and I hope to pick up more of her work in the future!


This was a moment where Eadlyn showed that she was also human and a little vulnerable. 

“Erik, this needs to stay between us,” I said quietly, the words coming out more like a request than a command. “I admit, in the beginning, I wanted nothing to do with the Selection. But now …”
“Now you’re in love?” he asked, his tone both curious and melancholy.
I laughed once. “I’m a lot of things. Infatuated, frightened, desperate, hopeful. It’d be nice to add ‘in love’ to the list.” I thought of Kile and our conversation in the garden. Love was still too big a word for that, and none of what I’d said to Kile felt appropriate to share with Erik. “Sometimes I think I’m close, but right now, the Selection is something I need to finish. For a lot of reasons. A lot of people, too.”
“I certainly hope you’re one of them.”
“I am,” I promised. “Just maybe not in the way people would think.”
He didn’t answer. He merely walked along, taking in my words.
“You can’t repeat any of that, not to anyone. I can’t believe I said those things to you. If this Selection seems like it was a joke or fake in any way—”
He held up a hand. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’d never break your confidence. I assume it’s not an easy thing to acquire in the first place, and I’d hate to waste it.”
I smiled. “Well, you more than earned it. You’ve kept secrets for me already, and pulled me out of the middle of a fight, and brought me a flower when you didn’t have to.”
“It was only a dandelion.”
“Perspective,” I reminded him, and he grinned at his words coming back to stare him in the face. “All I’m saying is, you’ve done a lot for me without being under any obligation to do so. You’ve earned my trust.”

Paperback Page 66-67

Hosted by Anna @ Herding Cats & Burning Soup

I am a graduate of Radford University with a B.S. in History. I grew up in South Carolina and currently live in Christiansburg, Virginia with my electrical engineer hubby, car-obsessed son, and princess-loving daughter. I'm a #1 New York Times bestseller, woohoo! I'm also a valued customer at my local cupcake shop.

Things I hate:

When people fail to use turn signals, flying, salads.

Things I love:

Office supplies, boy bands, desserts.







Other reviews featuring Kiera Cass
 The Selection #1
The One #3
The Heir #4
read more "The Crown by Kiera Cass ~ Review & Quote-tastic (@kieracass)"

Dating You / Hating You by Christina Lauren ~ Review & Swoon Thursday (@seeCwrite, @lolashoes, @GalleryBooks ‏)

When Christina Lauren put out a book, it's pretty much a guarantee that I will pick it up. However, this one has been sitting on my shelf for a while and I just had to get to it!
Dating You / Hating You
Title: Dating You / Hating You
Author: Christina Lauren
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 6th 2017

Buy Now - Amazon | Paperback B&N Kobo

All’s fair in love and work. The first standalone romance by New York Times and #1 international bestselling author Christina Lauren (Beautiful Bastard) is a sexy, compulsively readable romantic comedy that dives headlong into the thrill and doubt of modern love.

Despite the odds against them from an embarrassing meet-awkward at a mutual friend’s Halloween party, Carter and Evie immediately hit it off. Even the realization that they’re both high-powered agents at competing firms in Hollywood isn’t enough to squash the fire.

But when their two agencies merge—causing the pair to vie for the same position—all bets are off. What could have been a beautiful, blossoming romance turns into an all-out war of sabotage. Carter and Evie are both thirtysomething professionals—so why can’t they act like it?

Can Carter stop trying to please everyone and see how their mutual boss is really playing the game? Can Evie put aside her competitive nature long enough to figure out what she really wants in life? Can their actor clients just be something close to human? Whether these two Hollywood love/hatebirds get the storybook Hollywood ending or just a dramedy of epic proportions, you will get to enjoy Christina Lauren’s heartfelt, raucous, and hilarious romance style at its finest.

I purchased this paperback a few months ago and decided I needed to read it now! This writing Duo is a favourite of mine and I always get swept away in their words. Dating You / Hating You was as fun as I hoped it would be, with sparks flying between the characters from their first meeting. However circumstances changed and they were thrust together in a work environment that wasn't ideal for either of them.

Evie was a very focused agent and rarely had time for a social life. When she met Carter, I could see the spark in her grow, despite Carter being a few years younger than her. When they began working together, it became a bit of a battle, as they seemed to be fighting for the same position in the firm. The little games they played were hilarious, and it was amusing to see the lengths they were willing to go through.

I loved Carter! He was a sweet and eager guy who wanted to make a name for himself in a new city. He never expected to fall for someone, especially so quickly. He was very good at his job, and soon I saw how well he worked with Evie, when they weren't bickering!

Dating You / Hating You was entertaining from cover to cover. I enjoyed the growing relationship between Evie and Carter, and how Carter saw the predicament that Evie was in. I loved the message that I got from the book, and how some workplaces aren't as equal for women as they should be. The few twists thrown in kept the story line flowing and I loved how it all wrapped up! I cannot wait for Christina Lauren's next project!! 

*** Swoon Thursday was first bought to us by YA Bound. Since they are no longer with us, and with permission from Trisha Wolfe, I have decided that those of us that love to swoon need a central meet up point.  So here it is ladies! I have a link up for everyone at the bottom of the post you can add your swoons to, and I’ll set it up every week! So tell all other swooners out there to come on over, link up so we can visit each other! ***


Here is a little taste of why Evie and Carter are so good together. They have a great connection and understand one another.

Carter lifts his hands, cups my face, and smiles at me.
Oh God, my heart is going to jackhammer its way out of my chest. I am definitely not planning a wedding to Daryl tonight.
“You okay?” he whispers, just an inch away from kissing me.
“Yeah.”
He leans in, putting his lips against mine. I can’t—I honestly can’t describe the way it feels to kiss him. I marvel at the smooth firmness of his lips and the contrasting sharp stubble on his upper lip and chin. I imagine it scraping the skin of my neck and down, down. I marvel at his hands, holding me right up against him, sliding around my back.

Paperback Page 68

“You’re insanely hot. I don’t believe you haven’t been with someone recently.”
“And you’re gorgeous. The lack of opportunity isn’t why were single.”
I nod, looking up at his face. “It’s been suggested that I’m picky. And maybe a little work—obsessed.”
He laughs again at this, bending to kiss me. “I just think we both need something else to look forward to every day.”

Paperback Page 71
Originally inspired by YA Bound
Yes, there are two of us! Lauren (on the left) and Christina (on the right).

Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners/besties/soulmates/brain-twins Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The coauthor duo writes both Young Adult and Adult Fiction, and together has produced nine New York Times bestselling novels. Their books have been translated into 23+ languages.

Lauren Billings (but everyone calls her Lo) has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and before she made writing her full-time job, would spend her days doing nerdy research-type things wearing a lab coat and goggles. She is silly Mommy to two littles, wife to one mountain biking homebrewing scientist, bestie to a shoe-stealer, and an unabashed lover of YA and romance.

Christina Hobbs (but you’ll always hear Lo call her PQ) used to spend her days in a junior high counseling office surrounded by teenagers. These days you’ll probably find her on tumblr. She is married and absolutely not old enough to be the mom of a 14 year old (right??), thinks she’s the luckiest person in the world to write books with her best friend, and is an unapologetic lover of boy bands and glitter. She also likes to steal Lo’s shoes.

You can follow their shenanigans at:

@lolashoes (Lauren) & @seeCwrite (Christina) on Twitter. On TumblrWhere we post kissing gifs and writerly stuff and Wattpad for short stories and sneak peeks!

For official information about their books, events, interviews, movie news and more, follow @christinalauren.

Website / Facebook / Twitter - ChristinaLauren 
Goodreads / WattPad / Tumblr / Pinterest




Other reviews featuring Christina Lauren
Roomies
Beautiful series







Would you like me to add the link up code to this post, so you can add it to your own posts?
read more "Dating You / Hating You by Christina Lauren ~ Review & Swoon Thursday (@seeCwrite, @lolashoes, @GalleryBooks ‏)"

The Heir by Kiera Cass ~ Review & Quote-tastic (@kieracass)

The Heir is the beginning of a new duo where we meet Princess Eadlyn, American and Maxon's daughter. When I began this one, I was excited to revisit this world once more and to see the characters I loved.
The Heir (The Selection, #4)
Title: The Heir
Author: Kiera Cass
Series: The Selection #4
Genre: YA Romance
Published: May 5th 2015

Buy Now - Amazon | PaperbackB&N Kobo

Princess Eadlyn has grown up hearing endless stories about how her mother and father met. Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won the heart of Prince Maxon—and they lived happily ever after. Eadlyn has always found their fairy-tale story romantic, but she has no interest in trying to repeat it. If it were up to her, she'd put off marriage for as long as possible.

But a princess's life is never entirely her own, and Eadlyn can't escape her very own Selection—no matter how fervently she protests.

Eadlyn doesn't expect her story to end in romance. But as the competition begins, one entry may just capture Eadlyn's heart, showing her all the possibilities that lie in front of her . . . and proving that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought.

After reading the first three books in this series, I was excited to return to this world again to see how much it had changed. I was able to see some of the characters that I initially fell in love with, but I also met a cast of new characters that were beginning to shape the world.

Eadlyn Schreave was different to her parents. She grew up with privilege and in the shadows of the King and Queen that changed the world. However, being the first born Schreave child, she was first in line to the thrown and would become the first woman to rule the country. That is how she found herself to be the first female to go through The Selection!

I actually found it hard to like Eadlyn... she was a bit self centred and selfish at times. She had a few moments where things didn't go her way and she would lash out, or be horrible to those close to her. She had a lot of love for her family, and really did have her country's best interests at heart, but her attitude needed a little adjustment.

Despite not liking Eadlyn as much as I hoped, I think Kiera Cass did a good job of reintroducing us to this world. There were a lot of secondary characters that I loved. There were a few love interests that I'm rooting for, and I loved how close Eadlyn was to her parents and siblings. I truly am looking forward to the conclusion to this story!

I liked this kiss moment! It was set up, but the build up and the kiss itself was sweet!

“Nervous?” I whispered.
“Nah.” He smiled, but he also fidgeted. “So . . . goodnight.”
Kile leaned down, lips meeting mine, holding them there. Then his lips parted and closed and parted again. I drew a breath in the moment between kisses, sensing he would come back again. He did, and thank goodness, because I hadn’t been kissed like this before and I needed more.
The few times I’d kissed boys were rushed, sloppy moments hiding in a coatroom or behind a statue. But this, with so much air around us and no one coming to check on me . . . it was different.
I leaned into Kile, still holding him, and he brought up his free hand and cupped my cheek. He held my lips to his for what felt like forever before pulling back.
And even when he did pull away, his nose stayed right against mine, so close that when he whispered, I could smell what was left of the wine on his breath.
“Do you think that was enough?”
“I . . . um . . . I don’t know.”
“Just to be sure.”
He pressed his mouth to mine again, and I was so surprised to get another kiss like that, it felt like my bones were turning into mush. I wrapped my fingers up into his hair, shocked at myself for having the urge to hold him in that pose all night.
He pulled back again, looking into my eyes, and there was something different. Was he feeling that funny warmth creep into his arms and chest and head, too?
“Thank you,” I murmured.
“Any time. I mean”—he shook his head, laughing at himself—“you know what I mean.”
“Goodnight, Kile.”
“Goodnight, Eadlyn.” He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek before heading toward the stairs that led back to his temporary quarters.
I watched him go and told myself that the only reason I was smiling like that was because the cameras were hidden somewhere, not because of anything Kile Woodwork had done.

Paperback Page 114-116

Hosted by Anna @ Herding Cats & Burning Soup

I am a graduate of Radford University with a B.S. in History. I grew up in South Carolina and currently live in Christiansburg, Virginia with my electrical engineer hubby, car-obsessed son, and princess-loving daughter. I'm a #1 New York Times bestseller, woohoo! I'm also a valued customer at my local cupcake shop.

Things I hate:

When people fail to use turn signals, flying, salads.

Things I love:

Office supplies, boy bands, desserts.







Other reviews featuring Kiera Cass
 The Selection #1

The Elite #2
The One #3
read more "The Heir by Kiera Cass ~ Review & Quote-tastic (@kieracass)"

Cinderella Screwed Me Over by Cindi Madsen ~ Review & Swoon Thursday (@CindiMadsen, @entangledpub)

This was a fun little read and I can always count on Cindi Madsen to deliver a cute read that I can get lost in!
Cinderella Screwed Me Over
Title: Cinderella Screwed Me Over
Author: Cindi Madsen
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Chick Lit
Published: October 22nd 2013

Buy Now - Amazon | B&N Kobo

Darby Quinn has a bone to pick with Cinderella. Burned one too many times by ex-boyfriends, Darby has lost all belief in the happily-ever-after that the fairy-tale princess promised her. She's sworn off love, Prince Charmings, and happy endings and she's happy about it. Really. Or at least she was…until she met Jake, her gorgeous neighbor and the manager of her favorite restaurant. But Darby has rules about dating, ones she's culled from her years spent with so-called “princes,” and starting something with Jake would break all of them.

Charming, fun, and unwilling to give up on her, Jake doesn’t fit any of the profiles Darby has created from her case studies of ex-princes-gone-bad. Finally presented with her own Prince Charming, can Darby take a chance on a happily-ever-after?

Full of wit and sarcastic humor, Cinderella Screwed Me Over proves that sometimes the perfect love, like a perfect pair of shoes, is just within your grasp.

If you are looking for something light and sassy you need to pick this one up! I had so much fun reading Cinderella Screwed Me Over and meeting Darby as she analysed all her failed relationships which she matched up to Princes that we’ve all read about. But also why the growing relationship with Jake, a guy she likes, would not work.

Darby has basically given up on dating, because of all the failed relationships that she’d had. Learning about each one was heartbreaking for her, and I could see why she thought that she wouldn’t be able to find love. But Jake had her question every thing as he won her over with his kindness, his charm and his eagerness to get her to see how good they were together.

These two were great together! I loved they way Darby would speak her mind, but Jake was able to put her back in her place. I liked that Jake was willing to go slow and that Darby was beginning to realise that it may be possible to fall in love. It wasn’t always easy, but there comes a time that you need to go after something you want. I enjoyed meeting Darby’s step brothers too! They were all close and supported one another all the

Cindi Madsen is an author that I go to if I’m looking for something light hearted and sweet. I enjoy meeting each character and in this case how close Darby’s family is. There were a few hurdles that they had to get through, but I had faith in these two! Well done Cindi, another fantastic read!
*** Swoon Thursday was first bought to us by YA Bound. Since they are no longer with us, and with permission from Trisha Wolfe, I have decided that those of us that love to swoon need a central meet up point.  So here it is ladies! I have a link up for everyone at the bottom of the post you can add your swoons to, and I’ll set it up every week! So tell all other swooners out there to come on over, link up so we can visit each other! ***


I loved these moments... these little kisses!

“I thought you were trying to send me a message with this movie,” I said.
“I was.” His lips hovered inches from mine. “I’m making sure to keep myself out of the friend zone.”
He closed the gap and kissed me again. Then I was pulling him closer, getting lost in the feel of his body against mine, his lips, his tongue.

Kindle Loc 1320

“So you brought me here to dump me?”
“No, I brought you here to have a reason to.” I looked up to find him looking down at me. “You messed it all up, though. Now I just like you more.” I grabbed a fistful of his T-shirt, pulled him to me, and kissed him.

Kindle Loc 3378
Originally inspired by YA Bound
USA Today Bestselling author Cindi Madsen sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting, revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she'd be even crazier. She has way too many shoes but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they're sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children.





Other reviews featuring Cindi Madsen






Would you like me to add the link up code to this post, so you can add it to your own posts?
read more "Cinderella Screwed Me Over by Cindi Madsen ~ Review & Swoon Thursday (@CindiMadsen, @entangledpub)"