Trust Again Mona Kasten

Trust Again

Mona Kasten

Dawn was burned once--never again. Her lifelong love, Nate cheated on her with the neighbor Rebecca. She was in love with Nate since she was 14. He was her entire world. After six months of marriage, she comes home early from a father/daughter camping trip to find him having sex with Rebecca in their bed. 

After months of depression and a divorce later, Dawn decided to go to college two hours away at Woodshrill. This is where she rediscovers herself. Dawn has always loved to write and even has a few publications. But no one knows about her love of writing except Nate and her father nor does any of her new friends know what she writes about. Dawn not only doesn't trust herself, but a part of her doesn't trust anyone even her new circle of friends. 

Spencer has never fit in. His whole life, he was always seeking his father's approval. But one devestating experience changes his and entire family's life forever--it's all his fault. The only person he truly trusts is his baby sister Olivia. But that doesn't stop Spence from pursuing Dawn. He fell in love with her the moment he laid eyes on her. He wants to do everything possible to show her how he feels but Dawn has placed Spence in the friendzone. Can Spence find a way to make Dawn see how deeply he feels for her? Can Dawn learn to trust herself and others with her heart?

Side note: this is Book 2 of a three book series. I didn't know that until I went to her website. The novel reads like a standalone. I will definitely be ordering the first and third books. 

The Lucky Dress Aimee Brown

The Lucky Dress

Aimee Brown

his novel reminds me of a Sofia Kinella or Marian Keyes with the various hilious antics that arise from Emi. Emi ran away from Oregan after her fiance Jack had his half nake receptionist on his lap. Emi also had a mean girl moment with Greta--her former boss's daughter. Greta wasted no time when she found out that Emi broke up with Jack. Now Emi has to return to Oregan for her twin brother Evan's wedding to Hannah--Jack's younger sister. To make matters worse for Emi, she is in the wedding party with Jack. During a dinner at her brother's house, Emi finds out that Jack is dating, not not dating just anyone--her arch-nemisis Greta. Greta has always gotten what she wanted. Greta set her sights on Jack and she is going to do everything she can to ensure that she gets him even if Jack's heart belongs to another. The more the wedding party spends together the more hurt Jack is for what happened between himself and Emi. He can't forgive himself for what happened--how can he expect Emi to forgive him and take him back. Emi ran away over a thousand miles away to forget him. 
The big wedding day holds numerous surprises for the entire wedding party from an unexpected dye job to an orange spray tan to past secrets being revealed. Brown had me laughing and crying for Emi. This novel will be added to my repeat reading list!

Frosted Sweets A.M. Willard

Frosted Sweets 

A Taste of Love Series: Book 1

A.M. Willard

Jayden Rivers knows the moment he accidently bumps into a sweet Morgan carrying her wedding dress that there is something special about her. When he realizes that she ownes the bakery that the studio orders food from--he thinks fate is intervening. But Morgan begins dating Nick, Jayden's boss. Jayden steps away since Jayden believes that Morgan is engaged or newly married to Nick since Morgan ran into the bakery wearing her wedding dress. He stays with her after the company Christmas party when she eats a bite of Chocolate icing (which she is allergic to milk chocolate). Jayden knows this but not Nick. Jayden remains with her for the remainder of the night at the hospital and the next morning. He loves to watch her bake something Simon couldn't tolerate. Simon wanted her to sell her bakery. Jayden encouraged her baking creativity and informed that she tastes like the sweet treats that she creates. 

Morgan Lewis is the owner of The Polka Dot Cafe and Bakery. Just days away from her dream wedding, she finds out that her fiance, Simon cheated on her. Simon doesn't take the hint after she breaks up with him. He interrupts her date with Nick and shows up at her bakery. He also doesn't cancel the wedding when she tells him to. Simon Kensington isn't use to being dumped. 

What's a girl to do? She bakes. She finds herself through her baking. 

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. 

Things I'd Rather Do Than Die Christine Hurley Deriso

Things I'd Rather Do Than Die

Christine Hurley Deriso

Jade Fulton works at Royal Gym, who is brillant and a bit pretentious with her best friend Gia. One night Ethan Garrett comes into the gym right at closing. Jade is required to stay until Ethan finished his workout. Ethan is the star quarterback, dates a cheerleader, a devote Christian, and all around good guy. While Jade is waiting for Ethan to finish his workout, a masked man enters the gym--robs them and locks both of them in the aerobics room. The duo spend over eight hours together talking, joking and pondering various aspects of their lives. Jade questions Ethan's devotion to Christianity even though Jade's stepmother is a practicing Catholic. 

Shortly after the two are rescued, both return to their normal lives. Jade is still sarcastic but now realizes hoe empty her life is. Ethan questions how much of a nice guy he is. Both teens ponder their roles in life and what impact their actions are within their loved ones lives. Though Jade and Ethan have vastly different lives, they have a common ground--being locked in that room and questioning their place in the world. 

This is a terrific novel for teens who are confused bout their place in the world. 

Tossed Into Love Aurora Rose Reynolds

Tossed into Love

Aurora Rose Reynolds

Libby Reed has a terrific job at one of the posh salons on 5th Ave. She has a side business where clients can rent designer dresses. But she feels empty--not even discount shopping for her favorite designer brands helps. She always feels better after spending a few moments in her favorite pizza place--Tony's. She frequents so often that she has become friends with the owners. When Tony has a heart attack, Libby steps up to help out at the pizza place. Her helpful nature comes at a price--she has to work with their incredibly gorgeous son, Antonio who she has had a crush. Antonio has always been mean and almost cruel to Libby. As the two of them work together, Libby realizes that Antonio has a softer side. 

Antonio has always hated Tony's. He spent copious hours of the day, slept on the office sofa waiting for his parents to close up for the night, summers spent cooking pizza instead of vacationing. Now, that his father has decided to sell the restaurant, Antonio can breathe. No more spending hours working the pizza place after working a 48 hour shift at the station house. But he has been able to spend more time getting to know Libby. He has always liked Libby but he has to protect his heart. Libby loves designer clothes much like his superficial ex who wanted him to change jobs so that he could afford to buy her all the designer things. He's not going to make the same mistake twice. He's an asshole to Libby. It's the only way to protect himself. He only has to make it until the new owners take over. Then he's done. No more Libby even though she's all he thinks about. He walks her home to make sure she's safe after closing. He also decides to take her to dinner. But Libby is keeping a secret that could end their relationship before it even begins. 

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.