Since You've Been Gone by Anouska Knight

Since You've Been Gone by Anouska Knight

Publisher: Harlequin HQN

Publication Date: July 29, 2014

Number of Pages: 320

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Source: eARC via NetGalley

Summary via GoodReads:

How do you learn to love again?

In one tragic moment, Holly Jefferson's life as she knows changes forever. Now to the external world, at least she's finally getting back on her feet, running her business, Cake. Then she meets Ciaran Argyll.

His rich and charmed life feels a million miles away from her own. However, there's more to Ciaran than the superficial world that surrounds him, and he too is wrestling with his own ghosts. Will Holly find the missing ingredient that allows her to live again and embrace and unknown and unexpected tomorrow?

She thinks: I wasn't ready!!! The tragic moment happens so fast. I was left reeling; I didn't know whether to put the book down and walk away or power through. I am proud and eager to say I powered through though, and it was wonderful. It was light-hearted yet touching at the same time.

Bad boy turned good guy. We've seen it and read it before...a million times probably. And that won't stop me from reading it a million more when their presented in such nice packages. Ciaran sweeps Holly off her feet reluctantly and bittersweet hilarity ensues. Ciaran's father is a hot mess, and the Ice Queen will wish you had stabbed her with a pair of stilettos instead of a cake. I definitely needed some of my own cake after finishing this book! 

If you are in search of a feel good read in which you wish you could be friends with the main character (or live her life), then I highly suggest you pick up this book. {You can thank me later!}

And, if you're anything like me, this song has been on repeat in your read since you read the title of the book. Plus, Pitch Perfect makes everything better!!!! You're welcome!

Love, Lies, and Lemon Cake by Sue Watson

Love, Lies, and Lemon Cake by Sue Watson
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: June 27, 2014
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: eARC via NetGalley

Summary {via NetGalley}: 
Faye Dobson has lost her sparkle.

Living on film star fantasies and vague memories of a marriage that once was, she can't help feeling that life is passing her by. She dreams of being whisked to Paris for dinner, making three wishes at Trevi fountain and having sex under the stars. But the wrinkles are multiplying, her husband's passion is for plumbing, and the nearest she'll get to Rome is take-away pizza.

So when Faye meets Dan the gorgeous Australian surfer guy working in the local deli she can't help but wonder what it would be like to see the world. He is blonde, tanned, ten years younger, and bakes the most amazing lemon cake. Unlike her husband, Dan actually listens to Faye, his smile makes her feel fizzy inside, and when he smiles...Oh. My. God.

But is Faye being silly? What would Dan see in someone like her? Even if he did have feelings for her, could she give up everything to be with him?

She thinks: I don't even remember why I picked this book up. Maybe because it talked about cake and I quite possibly was craving some at the time? That's got to be it because I only got five chapters in before I abandoned this book. Faye, the main character, was too whiney for my taste. The entire part of the book that I read felt like a giant complaint. I mean, I get that some people aren't happy with their lives, but I don't want to read about that if all you're going to do is complain the whole time. I have enough of my own problems; I don't need yours too. I might pick this book up again one day, but it's just not for me right now.

The Best Man for the Job by Lucy King

The Best Man for the Job by Lucy King
Publisher: Harlequin
Publication Date: June 1, 2014
Number of Pages: 224
Genre: British Chick Lit, Romance
Source: eARC {via NetGalley}

Summary {via GoodReads}:
The wedding guest from her past...

For Celia Forrester, Marcus Black - her brother's best friend - was always totally off-limits. Especially after The Night That Nearly Happened. It was years ago, but Celia remembers it for all the worst reasons! But now, Marcus is back in the picture - he's the best man at her brother's wedding and more gorgeous than ever.

It's all kinds of inappropriate, but giving in to temptation looks like the best way for Celia to get Marcus out of her system. But their one night comes with consequences. And this time, it won't be fifteen years until they have to face them...but nine months!

She thinks: If you need a predictable and light read, then this is the book for you. The story is a little choppy - you come in randomly, play catch up a little bit, and then are left with a quick ending. I will say that the ending is satisfactory though, as if we could expect anything less from a Harlequin book. Plus, if you like your books on the steamy side, then you will like this one.

I was confused by the motivation of the characters in the book though. I couldn't figure out what was driving them as much as King tried to explain it. I didn't not get as invested in the characters as I usually do with books so I definitely do not have a book hangover. In fact, it took me a couple days to get into the book, but once I did, I breezed through it. Honestly, I was hoping for more from the book.

If you're at the library and in need of something to read, pick this one up. It'll placate you while you search GoodReads or Google or whatever search engine you use to find books for your next exciting read.

The Last Word by A. L. Michael

The Last Word by A. L. Michael
Publisher: Carina UK
Publication Date: May 27, 2014
Number of Pages: 288
Genre: British Chick Lit
Source: eARC {via NetGalley}

Summary {via GoodReads}:
Tabby Riley's online life was a roaring success. Her blog had hundreds of followers and legions of young fans ardently awaited her ever Tweet. Her real life was a bit more of a disappointment. Living in a shared flat in North London, scratching a living writing magazine articles on 'How to Please Your Man in Bed' wasn't where she thought she'd be at twenty-six - especially when there was a serious lack of action in her own bedroom.

Until she was offered the job of her dreams on online paper The Type - and gained a sexy new editor, Harry Shulman, to bounce her ideas off. Tabby had previous bad form when it came to falling for well-dressed, smooth-talking editors, so no way was she going there again...ever! But had she got a little too use to hiding behind her laptop screen? Perhaps it was time for the real Tabby Riley to come out and have some fun!

She thinks: This book is a cute read for a Debbie Downer kind of day. If you are in the mood for a sassy woman as a main character who has feelings and insecurities but a guy falls in love with her anyway, then this is the book for you! The relationships in the book feel real and aren't the typical cookie cutter types that you find in regular Chick Lit. They have a purpose other than to move the plot along, and I enjoyed getting to know the other characters too. Tabby is a little whiny {what woman isn't some days though?}, but her gal pals slap her right back into place with their logic and poignant words. This book made me long for college when I was hanging out with my girls all the time. Miss you ladies!!