Book Shelf: Not Okay Cupid by Heidi R. Kling

Her wicked revenge, or his wicked heart...

Hazel McCallister loves her life. Perfect grades. Perfect best friend. Perfect boyfriend. Until her perfect boyfriend cheats on her with her perfect best friend. Now Hazel’s in free fall—until her best friend’s brother, Felix, gives her the perfect idea. Reclaim her power by taking revenge on her cheating ex.

Felix James loves his life. Casual relationships. Loads of surfing. He’s as drama-free as they come. But he can’t stand by when his sister steals her best friend’s boyfriend, and the dude insists it was Hazel’s fault. So Felix vows to help turn Hazel into a girl her ex can’t resist—so then she can break his heart.

With an alliance in place, Hazel’s revenge is all but assured. But with each piece of payback, she feels a stronger attraction to Felix, even though revenge will turn her into a girl Felix could never be with. And soon Hazel has to make an impossible choice: revenge...or Felix, the boy who’s stolen her heart.

WARNING! This book contains betrayal, revenge, and that most tempting vice of all, the bad boy you know you can't have.

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

Not Okay Cupid by Heidi R. Kling is an easy contemporary read that oozes sweetness and features an endearing and charismatic romance. 

Hazel McCallister thought she had the perfect life; perfect boyfriend, perfect high school life and perfect plans for the future…..until she catches her boyfriend cheating with her best friend and all her future dreams come crashing down. Shocked, left broken hearted and humiliated, the last person Hazel expects to step in and offer support is Felix James, her best friend in questions older brother. Felix may be charming and known for his playboy ways, but when he offers Hazel the perfect revenge opportunity—pretend they’re a couple to make her ex jealous—Hazel never anticipates discovering that the real Felix James may be more special than she ever thought. 

For me, Not Okay Cupid by Heidi R. Kling was really easy book to read. Told through both Hazel and Felix’s POV’s Kling gives them a really addictive dynamic as a couple who you can’t help but want to read about. Admittedly in the very beginning of the novel I struggled with how quickly Hazel developed feelings for Felix considering her relationship with her boyfriend Jay had just ended, but as you see Hazel and Felix interact and learn of their history as childhood playmates it does make sense.

With Felix’s sister Kimmy Hazel’s best friend, the two have been in each other’s lives since they were children. They played, bickered and teased each other throughout their childhood but it’s not until Felix hatches his revenge plan that they actually spend time together one on one and realise how much they enjoy each other’s company. 

Both characters were nice to follow. Hazel was a typical teenage girl and I enjoyed seeing Heidi R. Kling have her break out of her shell and not be so put together and organized. Felix however was the one who absolutely stole my heart. Good looks and charm aside, he was such a sweetie and had a really good heart. The fact that Felix was a good person who worked hard and loved his mother deeply really warmed me to him. He was just a good guy, and as Hazel begins to learn about the real Felix, you as the reader start to enjoy them more. 

As a couple Hazel and Felix were quite endearing. There was a real sweetness to their relationship that shines throughout Not Okay Cupid and there’s no denying the chemistry that simmer’s between them. Some readers may be concerned by the swiftness of their relationship considering the fact Hazel’s only just come out of a relationship, but when you see the connection between them and the way in which Kling writes their romance it’s really hard to be bothered by this fact.

Sweet, fresh and outright endearing, Not Okay Cupid by Heidi R. Kling is an enjoyable contemporary read that you're sure to enjoy.

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by YaReads Book Tours and the author (Thanks ladies)
Format: Kindle ebook
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
My Recommendation: A lovely YA contemporary read for all ages.
Cover: I doesn't blow me away. Not bad, but nothing that's jumping out at me.
Will I read sequel/continue with series: Yes. If Kling writes more, I'd definitely consider reading them.

Free Ebooks

Woot! It's Friday! End of the work week, beginning of the weekend and a day full of possibilities. And what better way to share it than some freebies :)

Hope you scored something good!

Book Shelf: Searching for Someday (Searching For #1) by Jennifer Probst

Kate has given up on love—at least for herself. She is both blessed and cursed with the ability to sense a romantic connection between two people—a gift that her family passed down for generations. When Kate launches her own matchmaking company, Kinnection, with her two best friends in a cozy New York town, she has to put aside her own romantic disasters to make her business a success.
But when a furious man stalks into her office and accuses her business of being a scam, Kate is given the ultimate challenge to prove herself. Slade puts himself in her hands and asks Kate to find him love. Enraged at his arrogance but stubbornly eager to prove herself, Kate agrees, dedicating herself to the journey of finding him love…only to find herself falling for him along the way.

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

Searching for Someday by Jennifer Probst is an electrifying romance that features sizzling chemistry, sexual tension and outstanding characters! Fun, fresh and addictive, this book is perfect for those who love Alice Clayton or a good rom-com!

Searching for Someday introduces readers to Kate Seymour and Slade Montgomery, two people who have very different views on love, but whose lives are about to collide with sizzling results. Kate Seymour runs a successful matchmaking company called Kinnections alongside her two best friends. Featuring a magic touch passed down through her family, Kate has the ability to know when two people are made for each other and with the help of different techniques and services Kinnections has to offer, has managed to bring love to the lives of many of her customers. Too bad the only person she can't find love for is herself......

Enter Slade Montgomery, a confidant, hot-tempered divorce lawyer and someone whose view on love is pretty much non-existent. Slade's beloved younger sister is Kate's latest client and he's determined to prove that Kinnections is the fraud he thinks it is. Yet what happens when the two meet and sparks erupt, pretty much literally between them? Can the matchmaker and the divorce lawyer prove they are the most surprising couple out there? Or will their fears see them lose out on the chance at love......

Boy, was Searching for Someday a brilliant read! Unexpectedly so. I jumped in headfirst with no expectations and Jennifer Probst caught me hook, line and sinker from the very beginning. Wonderfully told through both Kate and Slade's POV's, Searching for Someday was a highly addictive, electric read that smoldered with chemistry, sexual tension and had all the humor, romance and flair to make it gold!

Both main leads in this novel won me over from the moment I met them. They're both intelligent, successful people in their own rights and the chemistry that sizzled between them was fabulous. Sharp dialogue and banter litters Searching for Someday, and Jennifer Probst supports her story with a great cast of minor characters I'm already dying to learn about.

It was very easy to quickly come to care about both Kate and Slade and I have to give Probst props for including a tiny bit of magic in the story with Kate's ability, but not making it too overpowering. I much preferred focusing on Kate and Slade and their relationship together rather than anything else.

As such a powerful man, Slade practically oozed sexual appeal, and I have to say, I certainly wasn't immune. There's something so sexy about seeing a well put together, calm, calculated and restrained individual loose control and become a slave to their emotions and feelings. Kate was capable and smart and more than willing to hold her own against Slade. Jennifer Probst has created a dynamic pairing with these two and there was nothing I didn't love about them as they sorted out their issues and became better people for it, both individually and as a couple.

Expertly written and sooooo, so good Searching for Someday is a brilliant read and I'm already eager to continue on with the series and discover just what Jennifer Probst has planned for Kennedy, Arilyn and Gen! Fantastic read--definitely recommend!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Simon & Schuster (Thank you guys!)
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Bookworld | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Recommendation: Perfect for Alice Clayton fans!
Cover: Simple, but sexy--it's Kate!
Will I read sequel/continue with series: YES! I'm ready for more.......

Waiting on Wednesday #119

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine where you can spotlight an upcoming release that you're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on.....  

The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead

Releases on: April 5th 2016

Add on Goodreads!

 

A dazzling new fantasy series set in a mix of Elizabethan and frontier worlds that’s dripping with romance from Richelle Mead, #1 internationally bestselling author of Vampire Academy.

Big and sweeping, spanning the refined palaces of Osfrid to the gold dust and untamed forests of Adoria, The Glittering Court tells the story of Adelaide, an Osfridian countess who poses as her servant to escape an arranged marriage and start a new life in Adoria, the New World. But to do that, she must join the Glittering Court.

Both a school and a business venture, the Glittering Court is designed to transform impoverished girls into upper-class ladies capable of arranging powerful and wealthy marriages in the New World. Adelaide naturally excels in her training and even makes a few friends: the fiery former laundress Tamsin and the beautiful Sirminican refugee Mira. She manages to keep her true identity hidden from all but one: the intriguing Cedric Thorn, son of the wealthy proprietor of the Glittering Court.

When Adelaide discovers that Cedric is hiding a dangerous secret of his own, together, they hatch a scheme to make the best of Adelaide’s deception. Complications soon arise—first, as they cross the treacherous seas from Osfrid to Adoria, and later, when Adelaide catches the attention of a powerful governor.

But no complication will prove quite as daunting as the potent attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. An attraction that, if acted on, would scandalize the Glittering Court and make them both outcasts in wild, vastly uncharted lands. . . .

 

Thoughts:

Two things I love together; fantasy and Richelle Mead! Woot! Does it get any better than that? Supposedly following a different girl in each book of this trilogy, I'm super excited to read this series and if they're all as good as this one sounds, then it's going to be to die for.

 

What do you think of The Glittering Court? Are you a Richelle Mead fan?
And what are you waiting on this week?

 

 

Book Shelf: The Trouble with Flirting (The Trouble #2) by Rachel Morgan

Labelled a nerd for most of high school, Livi sees her first year of university as a chance to redefine herself. She can finally enter the popular crowd and maybe even land herself a super hot boyfriend.

But Livi’s about to discover that the price of popularity may be more than she’s willing to pay, and that what — and who — she wants most has always been right in front of her.

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

The Trouble with Flirting is the second novel in Rachel Morgan’s Trouble series, and is a fun and flirty contemporary read that is sweet and endearing and impossible not to devour whole! 

The Trouble with Flirting introduces readers to Livi, a collage freshman who takes the opportunity to reinvent herself upon entering college. Having sported the “nerd” label throughout high school, Livi jumps at the chance to be a part of the popular crowd and score herself a hot boyfriend. Changing her appearance, attitude and actions sees Livi gain the popularity she’s always wanted but after a while she begins to wonder if it’s worth losing who she really is. Will Livi decide to be who she truly is? Or will she risk losing the person that’s been there the whole time…..

Rachel Morgan writes a very enjoyable read with The Trouble with Flirting. Solidly written, The Trouble with Flirting was a fun, flowing read that had plenty of humour, friendship and smile inducing moments. Livi had a really vibrant personality and her voice was an easy one to follow. As someone who loves her fair share of sci-fi and fantasy, I couldn’t help but love seeing Livi “geek-out” and fangirl over the things she loved. 

As someone at a point in her life when she’s just trying to determine who she is, Livi really was a down to earth, normal young woman who made some mistakes but ultimately learnt from them. Livi learnt some harsh truths that may seem obvious to us readers, but needed to be reached by our young heroine and The Trouble with Flirting sees this all happen in a sweet, endearing way that weaves romance and humour together beautifully. 

It’s fairly clear over the course of the story where Rachel Morgan is heading with Livi and Adam’s friendship, but that didn’t make it any less enjoyable it witness unfold. Adam truly was just an honest, genuinely good guy and the friend he is to Livi during the book was really sweet. Kind, caring but with a great personality and character Adam is certainly one geek I wouldn’t mind having for myself!  

There’s some great character development in this novel, as well as some fabulous characters themselves that support Livi. People aren’t always what you expect and with Morgan throwing a wrench into Livi’s life in the form of Andi, I’m really excited over the prospect of reading Andi’s story next!

The Trouble with Flirting was a fabulous fresh summer read that with its clean lines, easy romance and endearing characters is just what you need to pass an afternoon. Highly recommend! 

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by the author (Thank you Rachel!)
Format: Kindle ebook
Buy it: The Book Depository | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
My Recommendation: This is a fantastic fun contemporary read!
Cover: I think it's very cute
Will I read sequel/continue with series: Yes. Looking forward to reading more!

Owl Post #80

Inspired by The Story Siren's In My Mailbox, Owl Post allows us bloggers to showcase the books we've bought, won or received throughout the week and is hosted by Brodie over at Eleusinian Mysteries. We all know that the Owl Post is the fastest way to send and receive mail and they certainly make me happy every time they drop a book off.

 

It's that time again. Owl Post time!

Check out the fab books I got last week--can't wait to read them.

  For Review:

From Bloomsbury: - Red Girl, Blue Boy by Lauren Baratz-Logsted Yay! Book 5 in the If Only series! I soooo enjoy this contemporary joy and can't wait to dive into this one! Highly recommend these books if you're looking for fun romantic YA contemporary reads :)   - Boy 23 by Jim Carrington I wasn't expecting this book at all, considering I hadn't heard of it before it arrived in the post, but I must say it does sound interesting. The description doesn't give too much away but I hear it's a dystopian novel so I'm intrigued.   .....Thank you guys!   I Bought:

- Searching for Perfect by Jennifer Probst

-  Searching for Beautiful by Jennifer Probst

-  Searching for Always by Jennifer Probst

I recently read Searching for Someday the first book in this series that I've had for review for ages (I'm talking years here!) and I LOVED IT. Keep an eye out for my upcoming review, but I had to order the rest of the series straight away. Can't wait to read about the other gals!

 

And that's me this week!

What did the owls bring YOU?

 

 

Book Shelf: The Sin Eater’s Daughter (The Sin Eater’s Daughter #1) by Melinda Salisbury

I am the perfect weapon.
I kill with a single touch.

Twylla is blessed. The Gods have chosen her to marry a prince, and rule the kingdom. But the favour of the Gods has it's price. A deadly poison infuses her skin. Those who anger the queen must die under Twylla's fatal touch.

Only Lief, an outspoken new guard, can see past Twylla's chilling role to the girls she truly is.

Yet in a court as dangerous and the queen's, some truths should not be told...

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

Melinda Salisbury's debut novel The Sin Eater's Daughter is a lush and lyrical fantasy novel in the tradition of Maria V. Snyder's Study series and Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass and is well written and wonderfully paced.

The Sin Eater's Daughter's follows seventeen year old Twylla, a young woman who is both insanely blessed and cursed by her Gods. Betrothed to marry her kingdom's crown prince, Twylla is also able to kill with a single touch thanks to a poison that runs through her veins. Lonely but very guarded, Twylla's life takes drastic turn when a new guard assigned to her attempts to get to know the girl behind the poisonous touch and it becomes clear that making enemies within the palace, especially that of the Queen could have deadly results.....

The Sin Eater's Daughter's had a lot of promise for me and there were times when it really shone and times when it didn't so much. Melinda Salisbury's writing for a debut novelist was beautiful and her ability to develop her story was wonderful. I liked the stunning world of palace politics, forbidden romances and unexpected betrayals and certainly appreciate how Salisbury managed to surprise me.

Unfolding through the eyes of Twylla, The Sin Eater's Daughter's was a decent fantasy read. Twylla was easy to follow likable and Salisbury made her someone you enjoyed watching grow. The concepts of the Sin Eater and the Daunen Embodied were really unique and I'm eager to see what will happen next with the Bringer and the Sleeping Prince. Melinda Salisbury did a great job creating a unique backstory and ideology.

Twylla has two love interests in The Sin Eater's Daughter's in the form of her betrothed Marek and Lief, the guard who worms his way through her defenses. I'm a hopeless romantic by nature, so it goes without saying that romance between characters are often a selling point for me. While I liked the romance between Lief and Twylla, I wasn't blown away by it either. I'm certainly vying for them, though I do love Marek too, and hope Salisbury offers Lief and Twylla some redemption in the next novel.

Rich and surprising, The Sin Eater's Daughter's is a solid debut on Melinda Salisbury's part and introduces readers to a thrilling new fantasy world. The final few chapters were a real surprise, but the ending came too swiftly for my liking. I'm ready to see what is in store for Twylla next and look forward to following her once again!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Scholastic Australia (Thank you guys!)
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Bookworld | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Recommendation: Perfect for fans of Maria V. Snyder & Sarah J. Maas
Cover: I think the green of this colour is wonderful and do like the theme!
Will I read sequel/continue with series: Yes. I'd like to see what happens next.