Sweet by Tammara Webber ♡♡♡♡.5

Sweet by Tammara Webber is the third book in the Contours of the Heart series (but can be read as a standalone). Tammara Webber is the first New Adult author I ever read, so I was excited to see a new book out from her. I held off reading it because the book description did not look that appealing to me, but I knew I couldn't hold out forever. And it turned out to be much better than than I expected.

Sweet tells the story of Boyce and Pearl. They have known each other since they were children, but their lives took different paths. Both have liked each other always, but neither thought anything could ever happen.

This story was a slow build up with lots of flashbacks. I think those flashbacks add a lot to the story and slow down the pacing, which was perfect. I loved the characters, their story, and the way they come together slow and apprehensive. The story takes place in Texas (debatable for some on whether it is part of the south, most of us southerners consider Texas its own entity), and the slow pace of the story give it a real southern feel. And, as always, I love a happily ever after.

Have you read any Tammara Webber? What did you think?

Sweet on Goodreads

Assumptions by Melanie Codina ♡♡♡.5

Assumptions by Melanie Codina is the first book I've read by this author. It's another book which was recommended to me by Goodreads because of another book I read.

Assumptions tells the story of Leeann, a physical therapist, who starts to fall for college soccer player Jonathan. She has a rule against dating jocks, but she can't help but fall for Jonathan's charm and good looks.

But throughout their time together they face a few different issues. Some coming from outsiders and some due to Leeann's assumptions.

I enjoyed this easy quick read. There was drama and issues for the couple, but none of them really lasted long. I would say the story was predictable, and the issues the couple had were easily solved. Which made it an easy read.

I would probably read more books by Melanie Codina if something caught my eye. I usually like a book with a bit more tension, but books like these can be good between the tearjerkers.

Have you read anything by Melanie? What did you think?

Assumptions on Goodreads

Eversea by Natasha Boyd ♡♡♡

Eversea by Natasha Boyd is a book I first saw when it was on sale through BookBub. I picked up the book because of the compelling premise. I like stories about a famous person going to a small town and falling for someone who lives there.

That is exactly what happens in Eversea. Kerri Ann lives in a small town as a waitress working to help restore her family home. Jack, a famous actor, comes to town and falls for her immediately. They have quite the tumultuous time of things.

I enjoyed watching Kerri Ann try and figure out who she was and what she wanted for her life, and whether that life can include Jack.

This was a gripping story that kept me reading. I wanted to know what was going to happen, and what decisions Kerri Ann would make. I also loved the genuine Southern setting. Natasha Boyd really captures what it's like to live in the South. And I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I bought it as soon as I finished the first.

Has anyone else read this book? What did you think? 

Eversea on Goodreads

Harder by Robin York ♥♥♥.75

 

Harder by Robin York is the follow up to Deeper. I’m going to try and keep this fairly free of spoilers, but if you haven’t read Deeper then I would avoid the rest of this review.

At the end of Deeper, West is leaving Caroline to go home and help take care of his sister. West doesn’t plan on seeing Caroline again; he’s not coming back to college. Harder begins with Caroline rushing to West’s side as he deals with a family crisis. He didn’t ask her to be there, and he doesn’t hide it. West is doing everything he can to push Caroline away, but she loves West and isn’t willing to give up on him.

I have very mixed feeling about this story. We get to see so much growth from West and Caroline throughout the story. I was very happy to see the natural way they came into adulthood. And obviously, I really loved these characters. For the most part, they felt like real people.

But I had a difficult time wrapping my head around Caroline’s persistence to stick by West’s side and her willingness to put up with so many awful things in an attempt to get back together with him. It seemed real and believable, but Caroline seemed thoroughly blinded by her love. I kept thinking, “Why does she keep doing this to herself?”

The sex scenes were also a bit explicit. Something I also felt in the first book. It wasn’t really about what was happening, but rather the language used to describe it. As opposed to the making it feel as if two people were really being brought together is a display of love, it felt more that it was about the action itself. I didn’t really like that, and I was glad there weren’t that many sex scenes.

The book has a great story, which trumps the things I didn’t enjoy as much. I would say read the story, but know that you are getting yourself into one of the most raw and gritty romance stories (that I have ever read). Enjoy, and let me know what you think!  

Harder on Goodreads

Upside Down by Lia Riley ♥♥♥♥♥

I’ve been waiting for Upside Down by Lia Riley to come out for so long now that I don’t remember where I first heard about it. Although I’m pretty sure it was from another author. But I have to say I enjoyed this book so much more than I though was even possible.

Upside Down tells Talia’s story. She’s dealing with the death of her older sister, her parents’ divorce, failing school grades, and OCD when she makes the trip to Australia for a semester abroad. There she meets Bran, a hot Australian who is far from having his life together. Bran and Talia embark on a strange dance around what they mean to each other; the outcome is a roller coaster ride of a story.

Normally, I’m not a fan of travel stories because the setting takes on the responsibility of becoming one of the characters. It takes time to get to know the place, to know who the place is, but that was not the case with this book. Lia Riley did an amazing job of making Australia feel as if it were any other place a book could take place, and maybe it’s because she lived there that Australia feels lived in as opposed to a new terrain the reader has to explore along with Talia. Lia Riley’s ability to do that really made the story the focus, and I loved that.

Bran and Talia were so flawed and so real there was no way not to like them. Especially Talia. For all she’s dealing with she is amazingly resilient. And the relationship between Bran and Talia felt real. I couldn’t put this book down. It was funny, heart wrenching, and made my heart burst with so many good feels.

Put down whatever you’re doing and go read this book! I can’t wait for the next one, Sideswiped! October is too far away. Let me know what you think.

Upside Down on Goodreads

A Little Too Far by Lisa Desrochers ♥♥♥.75

I almost didn’t read A Little Too Far by Lisa Desrochers, thinking I already knew how the book would turn out. But a few authors on Twitter were saying they loved to books. That was all the motivation I needed to dive right in. And I’m glad I did.

A Little Too Far tells the story of Lexie, a college junior about to spend a year taking art history classes in Rome. On the night before she leaves she sleeps with her stepbrother, Trent, who she happens to consider her best friend.  Good thing she’s leaving the country because Lexie isn’t sure she can handle what they did, thinking her friends and family will be disgusted.

In Rome, Lexie meets soon to be priest, Alessandro. He’s a young, Italian hottie, but, obviously, he’s already in a relationship the big guy upstairs. But with all the time Lexie and Alessandro spend together giving tours at the Vatican, there’s no denying there’s something between them.

We watch as Lexie tries to determine what she should do about wanting Trent, who is technically (and legally) an option, but may be the downfall of her family. And then there’s Alessandro, who Lexie may burn in Hell for tempting.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It didn’t go at all the way I was expecting. I won’t give it away, but you should read it and find out. I will say, I think the ending is a bit rushed. I really wanted to know what Lexie’s friends would say about the person she chose. Fingers crossed that we find out in another book in the series. The book also wasn’t as dark as I expected, which was a relief. I enjoy happy endings :)

A Little Too Far on Goodreads

Whisper to Me by Christina Lee ♥♥♥♥.5

Whisper to Me is the third book in Christina Lee’s Between Breaths series. I really enjoyed the other books in this series, and Rachel and Kai’s story was no exception.

Kai was with Rachel all through Rachel’s recovery after a motorcycle accident in high school. They were close until they went separate ways for college. But now they’re back in each others' lives, living at Kai’s sister’s apartment for the summer. And the two decide to hook up for the summer. But neither knows what the other really wants, and Rachel’s not even sure what she wants for herself.

The story is beautiful and heart wrenching. I never was really sure where the story was going to end up. I was never sure if Kai and Rachel would work out. The story really kept me guessing about the summer was going to end.

All in all I really enjoyed the story, just like I have the previous stories, and hopefully the way I will enjoy the stories to come. It was great to see some diversity too. Kai is Dutch and Native American, and I know we don’t see many multicultural characters in books. I was really happy to see that. And he was super hot.

So, start with the first if you haven’t read the series. But give it a go. The books are great.

*Note: Some of the intimate moments were a bit intense. You have been warned :)

Whisper to Me on Goodreads