Book Review Logan Giulia Lagomarsino

Logan made the biggest mistake of his life when he was a teen. He dumped the only woman he has truly loved and told her that he wasn't woman enough for him because she was inexperienced and shy when it comes to sex. Logan has regretted that decision for years. Although, it wasn't until recently that he realized how utterly stupid he was for tossing Cecelia to the side. He was just as inexperienced as she was, being young and stupid--he wanted the flaming chemistry and passion. Now, he gets that from a different woman --many different women. He doesn't stay with women for more than a week or so at a time. Though he has longed for the passion, he realizes now that Cecelia gave him something more than passion--herself. 

Ten years ago, Cece's first love shattered her heart. It has taken years to overcome what he did and said to her. Ok, in a way, she still isn't over it. How can a man say that she's not woman enough?? That's cruel. Because of him, Cece has changed everything about herself--from the way she dresses to her confidence. She knows she looks good and she dresses to make herself feel sexy but not slutty. She changed so much that when Cece moved back to her hometown, Logan didn't recognize her. That's where her revenge plot began. She wanted him to feel how she felt when he shattered her heart. What Cece doesn't take into consideration is how much both of them have changed in the last decade. How compassionate and considerate Logan is...he continually brings her dinner when she works late and he saved her from an attempted rape. Keeps her safe from her stalker. She still finishes her revenge plot. Revenge is more than bittersweet--it feels horrible. Cece realizes that she needs to tell Logan the entire truth about her and their past. But can Logan forgive her? Can they rebuild such a broken and dysfunctional relationship?

Chance Encounters Scarlett Hopper Book Review

Book 2 of the Encounters Series--

I will definitely buy the first book in this series and the remainder of the Encounters Series. 

Winona Clark has been traveling the world for the past four years with James a fellow traveler. She hasn't heard from her best friend since she was 16--Eleanor called Winona back home. Eleanor left Winona heartbroken, but she was able to put herself back together with the help of her first love Nick. Nick like Eleanor left Winona, but Nick shattered Winona's heart. Everywhere she went reminded her of Nick and their love, thus she left for a country wide road trip where she met James. The two of them traveled around the world together for four years. Winona's love of photography continued even after she came back for Eleanor and her cousin Vivian. A few days after Winona returns Eleanor and Vivian invite Winona and James to a party at Eleanor and Vivian's boyfriends' house (the boyfriends have five roommates). 

Nick Wilder has been taking care of his little brother Max and his father since his mother passed away shortly after Nick turned 18. Nick's father talked Nick into spending a year with his aunt before going to college. Nick wouldn't never imagined that he would find the love of his life there or that he would have to leave her in order to take care of his little brother due to his father's heavy drinking. Nick's father didn't drink before his mother's death. His father is beside himself with grief and depression after his beloved wife dies. Nick certainly never imagined that the one woman who has haunted him and still holds his heart would be standing in his living room with his roommates' girlfriends. Or that she would slap him. 

Winona hates that Nick is in the circle of friends with Eleanor and Viv. If she wants to spend time with her oldest and closest friends she has to figure out a way to tolerate the man she loathes, loves, hates--ugh..she is so confused about what she feels for Nick. The more time goes by...the more she remembers and sees her Nick under his tough exterior. The more she is falling for him ...again. But she holds a secret that may obliterate the new relationship they are building together. She is scared to tell him even after he reveals that someone she loves has hidden truths from her about their previous relationship. 

Can the two of them rebuild their love or will their secrets and past further destroy them?

Wrath Emily Blythe

Wrath

Emily Blythe

Seven Vices Series

Chloe Walker has lived in Falcon her entire life. She still lives with her father and works at his coffee shop cafe. The cafe is her life. She never dreamed of doing anything else. Someday running this cafe with her father has always been her dream. Until her father had a heart attack and died. Now her high school ex-boyfriend Harvey wants to buy the cafe to tear it down in order to build a bowling alley. The town busy-bodies have also made numerous comments that Chloe should just sell it since she isn't management material or knows how to run the business. Chloe ignores those remarks as hurtful as they are. She is going to continue to run the cafe as her father Rob did. At least that was the plan until the accountant told her that her father was in the red and had been talking to an investor. An investor, she hates--her high school crush and former best friend Will Lewin. 

Will returned to town to pay his respects to his mentor and only father figure he had growing up. His mother brought a slew of men in and out of their house--but none of them cared about him or his brothers. His mother always put her boyfriends before her boys. Rob took Will under his wing even after Will's stepdad ran off with Rob's wife. The last few years, Rob has called Will to talk. The last few conversations they discussed Will investing in the cafe. But now that Rob is gone will he still invest in the cafe? Investing means working closely with Chloe--the only girl he ever cared about and the only girl to shatter his heart. 

The Story After Us Fiona Perrin

The Story After Us

Fiona Perrin

Ami Fitch is wife, mother, and small business owner of Brand New, advertising company. Lately, all she does is argue with her husband, Lars. Lars files for divorce. Ami beggs him to stay but he doesn't. Lar changes his mind when their youngest son is nearly sufficated by their daughter Tessa. Tessa is going through a funeral phase when she re-enacts funerals. Tessa "buried" her brother--nearly sufficating him in cusions and blankets while the au pair left them to shag the footballer two doors down. Lars makes numerous changes to his lifestyle for his family, yet he only does these things for his children not for Ami. 

Numerous aspects of this story was conflicting for me. At various points, it felt that Ami wanted Lars back then she didn't. She wanted Lars to do certain things and he finally does it but now she doesn't want him back. Ami was a very wishy-washy character to me. I get that the author wrote her to show how a woman doesn't need any man as Ami's advertising pitch very blantly showcased. But yet Ami has issues making up her mind of what she truly wants. I felt that Lars character could have been more developed. The title made it a bit confusing for me. The title implied that there is a story after "us"meaning after Ami and Lars. But it only implied that Ami was moving on with someone else. I was yearning for more from Lars since the story kept flashing back to Ami and Lars past which implied to me that perhaps they may re-create or re-find aspects of their love. 

The Memory of You Jamie Beck

The Memory of You
Jamie Beck

Ryan Quinn had his heart shattered by his high school sweetheart, Steffi Lockwood. He thought the gorgeous Val was the answer to his prayers. But returning to his parents house with his daughter, Emmy after his marriage to Val failed--Ryan realizes that Val wasn't the only person at fault for the failure of his marriage. 

Steffi Lockwood is starting a new business with her best friend Claire. She doesn't have the option of being picky who her clients are--even Molly Quinn, who Steffi hasn't spoken to since she ghosted Molly's son in college. Steffi thought breaking up with Ryan was the right thing to do. She wanted to see the world without any hinderances. Ryan wanted to start a family and begin a new life together. Steffi ghosted him with the support of her women's soccer team. But ten years later, she questions whether she made the right decision even though Ryan seems happy with his wife and daughter. After Molly hires Steffi to convert the screened in porch to a fuctional family room. Steffi has to deal with Ryan and his daughter Emmy during the construction. Steffi wants closure with Ryan. Ryan hates her for what she did to him. 
Ryan notices how sweet Steffi is to his daughter and how Emmy confides in Steffi. All of his old feelings resurface, but Steffi has a secret that even she doesn't entirely understand. She blanks out and freaks out. Steffi thinks its from the numerous concussions she suffered while playing soccer--the last concussion, a mugging in Hartford. But Ryan knows it's something more. Something that she blocked out and that could keep them apart. 

The Invitation by Keris Stainton

     

This novel focuses just as much on body image as it does on the romantic notion that a person can find that "one who got away." Piper James is body positive blogger. She focuses on having a healthy body image over healthy living. Yes, Piper is considered "chunky" or "fat" but she works out and maintains a healthy lifestyle. Piper works for a record label in the legal department. But that is not how she lands herself on Hey UK! morning show debating the differences between dieting and maintaining a healthy body image. After her television premier, Piper hears from her high school crush, Robbie Kingsford. She again runs into Robbie at the Starbucks in her hometown of New Brighton when she has to rush home due to her great aunt falling ill. Rob invites her to return home for their high school reunion in a few weeks.

But Piper never wants to return to her old stomping grounds. There are too many memories in New Brighton for her. She can see her parents ghosts almost everywhere in New Brighton. She also hasn't dealt with the fat shaming from her childhood either. Rob just wants a chance to be with his high school crush--Piper.   

    

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