[Books] Wallflower #3 - The Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas

Goodreads | Booklikes
Nov 26 - Dec 5, 2013

Synopsis 

A Devil's Bargain

Easily the shyest Wallflower, Evangeline Jenner stands to become the wealthiest, once her inheritance comes due. Because she must first escape the clutches of her unscrupulous relatives, Evie has approached the rake Viscount St. Vincent with a most outrageous proposition: marriage!

Sebastian's reputation is so dangerous that thirty seconds alone with him will ruin any maiden's good name. Still, this bewitching chit appeared,unchaperoned, on his doorstep to offer her hand. Certainly an aristocrat with a fine eye for beauty could do far worse.

But Evie's proposal comes with a condition: no lovemaking after their wedding night. She will never become just another of the dashing libertine's callously discarded broken hearts --- which means Sebastian will simply have to work harder at his seductions ... or perhaps surrender his own heart for the very first time in the name of true love.

Review 

The Devil in Winter is the third book of the Wallflower series by Lisa Kleypas. The book started off with a continuation of an event that happened in the second book; It Happened One Autumn.

Let me just say that I've had my suspicious of St. Vincent from the very beginning he was introduced in IHOA. He has the reputation of ruining the good names of women who happen to fall into his lustful and sexy traps. And what a perfect woman for St. Vincent to challenge his womanizing nature than to use Evangeline Jenner as a subject. Evie, is the shy, quiet, and insecure one among the wallflowers. I wondered how on earth would she be able to find a husband without a boost of self-confidence, and Evie certainly surprised me with how she has bloomed from a shy flower bud into a beautiful glowing and confident flower.

I love this book to death. I would read it before bed and there were multiple times when I would fall asleep reading and end up hugging the book tight so that it wouldn't fall off my bed. It has become my favorite from the series so far, right above Secrets of a Summer Night.

This book was exciting, heart warming, comical and humorous, and is purely beautiful. Both characters were perfect, and watching them grow and change is always so enchanting. This book isn't the regular historical romance where a woman and man despise each other and then later on fall it love. I think this is something different. It has a bit of mystery and action on to it, but it doesn't over flow the emotional-romance side of it. It all fits perfectly into a 300 page book of perfection.

Highly recommended to those who enjoy a fascinating story of how a womanizer tries to seduce an insecure wallflower who wants nothing but freedom from him. It is also a much better read for the winter time.

  

 

[Books] Wallflowers #2 - It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas

Goodreads

August 12 - 21 2013

Synopsis

Four young ladies enter London society with one necessary goal: they must use their feminine wit and wiles to find a husband. So they band together, and a daring husband-hunting scheme is born.
It happened at the ball...
Where beautiful but bold Lillian Bowman quickly learned that her independent American ways weren't entirely "the thing." And the most disapproving of all was insufferable, snobbish, and impossible Marcus, Lord Westcliff, London's most eligible aristocrat.
It happened in the garden...
When Marcus shockingly—and dangerously—swept her into his arms. Lillian was overcome with a consuming passion for a man she didn't even like. Time stood still; it was as if no one else existed...thank goodness they weren't caught very nearly in the act!
It happened one autumn...
Marcus was a man in charge of his own emotions, a bedrock of stability. But with Lillian, every touch was exquisite torture, every kiss an enticement for more. Yet how could he consider taking a woman so blatantly unsuitable...as his bride?

Review

They are two different people, who are very alike, but are exact opposites. Despising each other since they were acquainted, annoyed at each others presence each time one walks in the same room as the other. But sudden attraction grows once they've gotten close, close enough for a kiss.
It happened one autumn. It did happen one(multiple) autumn day/s. 

The second edition to Lisa Kleypas's absorbing Wallflower series; It Happened One Autumn, is filled with romantic tension and time behind bushes with a splash of humor and suspense.  

Lilian is a stubborn, sharp-tongued, and is filled with pride but she has a strong heart, and Marcus, Lord of Westcliff is a handsome fellow who seems to feel attracted to a certain young American woman who appears to despise Marcus's sometimes arrogant ass. 

Marcus is definitely attracted to her but knows that he shouldn't be because he stuck on the idea that he should marry a noble English woman, not an American. Don't you just love love when the love just goes on unnoticed. It's like you just want to scream at their faces that that it's is right in front of them. As for Lillian, she apparently hates and is irritated by Marcus, but I honestly don't see it. The whole time they were arguing, I didn't feel the hatred or the displeasure. It actually looks like they enjoy arguing with each other. (perfect match indeed)

As much as I enjoy reading about Marcus's thirst for Lillian, I sometimes think that he's doing it a little too much and going over board. It actually made me think that it was the perfume doing its thing, and thinking to myself, "I should really get my hands on that perfume". Marcus definitely needed to get laid. :3

I grew to like St Vincent, he seemed like a very very sweet fellow towards Lillian. He respected her...ish. As I read on towards the ending, he creeped me out a little bit, like a stalker pedophile kind of creeped out. Oh please, I hope I'll enjoy your book once I get my hands on it! I'm very curious on what will happen with you...

This is my second Lisa Kleypas book, and what I've noticed is that Lisa Kleypas always seems to make things exciting and nerve wrecking towards the ending of this series. I'm not sure if she does that with her other books, but I think it's such a great way to spice up a good romance novella.

As much as I would really want this book to give me sleepless night; just as the first book, unfortunately it didn't. I did enjoy this book, a lot, but not as much as I did the first book (Secrets of a Summer Night)

It Happened One Autumn is a funny, hot, absorbing, tense book filled with beautiful details of gardens. I definitely recommend this book to everyone who enjoys the fascinating writings of historical romance that's filled with a pinch of humor and a whole lot of teasing in what seems to be in every 3 or 4 chapters.

[Books] Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding

Goodreads
July 19 - Aug 7 2013

Summary

"139 lbs. (how is it possible to put on 4 pounds in the middle of the night? Could flesh somehow have solidified becoming denser and heavier? Repulsive, horrifying notion), alcohol units 4 (excellent) cigarettes 21 (poor but will give up totally tomorrow), number of correct lottery numbers 2 (better, but nevertheless useless)..."

Bridget Jones's Diary is the devastatingly self-aware, laugh-out-loud daily chronicle of Bridget's permanent, doomed quest for self-improvement--a y ear in which she resolves to: reduce the circumference of each thigh by 1.5 inches, visit the gym three times a week not just to buy a sandwich, form a functional relationship with a responsible adult--and learn to program the VCR.

Over the course of the year, Bridget loses a total of 72 pounds but gains a total of 74. She remains, however, optimistic...

Review

I'm going to get straight on to this and be completely straight forward with this review.

I bought this book thinking I would really enjoy it, but that was back when I was really into mild romantic comedy. I watched the movie, and it's still in my top 20 favorite movies.

The book started off with a list of Bridget's new years resolutions. The first chapter (or the January chapter) didn't really suck me in, but I kept going, determined to get this book off my to-read shelf.

Actually, Bridget reminds me of someone I know. Struggles with weight, doesn't know what she wants, smokes but tries to stop and fails in the end, struggles to be in a happy relationship with a man.

As I got to the middle, there were some funny bits, but I honestly got bored and wanted to get it all over with. I ended up skimming through the last chapter.

I would probably read the second book in time, but not anytime soon.

I recommend this lovely book to those who enjoy mild romantic comedy.

[Books] Percy Jackson & The Olympians #2 - The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

Goodreads

Started on: July 25 2013

Finished on: July 27 2013

Synopsis

The heroic son of Poseidon makes an action-packed comeback in the second must-read installment of Rick Riordan's amazing young readers series. Starring Percy Jackson, a "half blood" whose mother is human and whose father is the God of the Sea, Riordan's series combines cliffhanger adventure and Greek mythology lessons that results in true page-turners that get better with each installment. In this episode, The Sea of Monsters, Percy sets out to retrieve the Golden Fleece before his summer camp is destroyed, surpassing the first book's drama and setting the stage for more thrills to come.

Review

Percy Jackson: The Sea of Monsters, is the second book of the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan.

After I watched the movie trailer, I said to myself "Now I definitely have to read the book before the movie comes out" I was in no hurry, but there would always be a thought on the back of my head telling me to start reading The Sea of Monsters. It was weird...

I surprisingly finished the book pretty quick. Probably because I listened to the audio version. The narrator did a good job with all the characters voices, it was pretty funny that way he voiced some of the characters. xD

I enjoyed the first book, and knew that I would enjoy the second book as much. And I was right.

The Sea of Monsters is a great book for all ages from 8 and above. It's a great fantasy adventure book that is page turning. It has an adventure in every chapter that keeps the reader going. Unlike some books that I've read that would only get interesting in the middle or towards the ending of the book.

The book again ends with a cliff hanger which literally made my jaw drop. (Just to put it out there; my jaw dropped twice during the reading of this book).

One more thing: I cannot seem to get over that Percy is like 12 - 13.

Adventurous, page turner, humorous, and jaw dropping (towards the ending)

* I'm trying out this new layout for my book reviews, what do you all think?*

[Books] I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

Goodreads

June 15 2013 - July 7 2013

Synopsis

I've lost it. :( The only thing in the world I wasn't supposed to lose. My engagement ring. It's been in Magnus's family for three generations. And now, the very same day his parents are coming, I've lost it. The very same day. Do not hyperventilate, Poppy. Stay positive!! :)A couple of glasses of bubbly with the girls at a charity do and Poppy's life has gone into meltdown. Not only has she lost her engagement ring, but in the panic that followed, she's lost her phone too. As she paces shakily round the hotel foyer she spots an abandoned phone in a bin. Finders keepers! Now she can leave a number with the hotel staff. It was meant to be!

Except the phone's owner, businessman Sam Roxton, doesn't agree. He wants his phone back, and doesn't appreciate Poppy reading all his messages and wading into his personal life. As Poppy juggles wedding preparations, phone messages and hiding her left hand from Magnus and his parents, can things get any more tangled?

Review

I've always loved Sophie Kinsella's books. It was because of her that I got so into reading chick-lit.

I've got your number was release a year after Mini Shopaholic, and when I saw the book trailer for this I got so excited that I just had to get it! Unfortunately, I got it a few months after it was released from bookdepository.com because I was too lazy to buy it from the bookstore; impractical, I know. 

Anyways...back to the review. 

I've got your number was an easy paced book, just like other Kinsella books. It had been so long since I've read any of her books and it made me feel nostalgic of my high school and university days of when I used to read a lot of Kinsella books. 

I started off with the audiobook, then continued on with reading it, until I got to the middle. Honestly, I got bored. So I would just read a couple of pages a day, and be done with it, there were even times when I got fed up, because I wanted something reckless and exciting to happen. Since I wanted to finish the book quickly and be done with it. I continued on with the audiobook.

As I got close to the ending, things started to get exciting and intense. I practically jumped up and down  and squealed while I doing my errands and listening to the book at the same time. 

I finished the book with a big smile on my face and a deep sigh. And it gave hope on how my non-existent love life would turn out. 

I've got your number is another great novel by Sophie Kinsella, that is funny, an easy read, and if you've loved her Shopaholic Series and other chick-lit novels, you'll love this one. 

xxxxxxxxxx

xoxoxoxox

:) 

[Books] Percy Jackson & The Olympians #1 - The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Goodreads

Started on: May 23 2013

Finished on: May 27 2013

Synopsis

Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school... again. And that's the least of his troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy's Greek mythology textbook and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus' master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect. 

Now Percy and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus' stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the true thief: he must come to terms with the father who abandoned him; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend; and unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.

Review

Percy Jackson is the son of Poseidon and finds out he's a demi-god or a half blood when his teacher Mrs Dodds tries to kill him in a museum. Percy is accused of stealing Zeus's lightning bolt, so he makes his way to Camp Half Blood because that is the only place that could keep him and the other half bloods safe from the monsters out in the real world. Percy and his newly found friends are assigned a quest to find the lightning thief and bring back the bolt to Olympus before the Summer Solstice or else World War III will happen.

I was really excited to start this book. It's a book about the mythological Gods and Goddesses, and I love books about mythology.

I watched the movie years back before I read that book, so I was curious to know whether the movie and books would be a lot more similar. I was very disappointed at the movie when I was half way through the book. I mean the way the book was written was in plain simple english that anyone could understand, and I don't really see why they should change the internal plot of the movie. I was definitely shocked that Percy was supposed to be 12. Movies always suck...

I really enjoyed this book, it was an easy read/listen (I listened to the audiobook). I enjoyed the story line. It was funny, adventurous, but not that boring all adventure stuff, it had a twist of modern humor and excitement going on. It was very simple and fresh for me.

I am looking forward to reading the entire series soon!

I recommend this book to those who enjoyed reading The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter and to those who want a little bit of simple adventure into their reading lives.

[Books] When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James

Goodreads | Bookdepository | Amazon

Synopsis

Miss Linnet Berry Thrynne is a Beauty... Naturally, she's betrothed to a Beast.

Piers Yelverton, Earl of Marchant, lives in a castle in Wales where, it is rumored, his bad temper flays everyone he crosses. And rumor also has it that a wound has left the earl immune to the charms of any woman.

Linnet is not just any woman.

She is more than merely lovely: her wit and charm brought a prince to his knees. She estimates the earl will fall madly in love—in just two weeks.

Yet Linnet has no idea of the danger posed to her own heart by a man who may never love her in return.

If she decides to be very wicked indeed... what price will she pay for taming his wild heart?

Review

When Beauty Tamed the Beast, a novela based on the classics by Gabriella Villeneuve's Beauty and the Beast. Its tells a story of how a Beauty, like Miss Linnet Thrynne falls in love with a Beast; Piers Yelverton, Earl of Marchant. It tells a story of how their love grew from infuriating each other to the bones and the sexual tension that floats in the air between them. 

I really really really enjoyed this book, it made me laugh, made my eyes go wide, made me gasp, and made me tear up a little bit towards the end. 

Linnet is a great character, very strong and confident in whatever she does. That's probably because her beauty gave her most of the confidence she needed. She knew what she wanted and she would get what she wanted. She was determined to gain Pier's love and finally make him commit into marrying her. 

Piers is a sarcastic arrogant bastard. But a sexy one at that. I expected the beast to just be extremely rude with anger management problems, that he is but what else came with that temper and rude mouth was something I didn't expect. He was a cripple, but was a strong determined one I could say that. This had a great impact on the entire storyline.

Every romantic story starts out so well, and it gets even better in the middle, but there always seems to be something bad that will happen towards the near conclusion of the book that gives the reader a great bang and relief when they finish the book. 

There is always a point whenever I would pick up books like these, when I would fall asleep reading and when I wake up the next morning, it is the first thing I think about and can't fight the urge to pick it up and continue where I left off. 

In conclusion, this book got me sitting on my bed for more than an hour, just reading and doing nothing else, which I've missed for so long. This is a great book that I definitely think anyone with a great interest in romance with a small bit of humor in it. 

If you enjoy reading your favorite fairly tales but want something a little bit more, than I completely recommend this fairy tale series. 

Pick up your own copy now at Amazon or Bookdepository. The links are below the book cover! :)

[Books] Review - Puppet Shows by Michael Frissore

Goodreads | Amazon 

Synopsis

A kindly organ grinder and his performing monkey adopt a young boy after his father spontaneously combusts; a barber living inside a whiskey bottle confronts the neighborhood nuisance who wields a dead squirrel like a pair of nunchucks; and an unruly gang of sock puppets are born in a basement dojo. Welcome to Puppet Shows, thirteen outlandish stories from a writer Tucson Weekly called "a very funny weirdo."

Review

Puppet Shows is a book filled with multiple different humorous stories. You'd be quite surprised at how many short stories there are in this tiny book.

There are only a few words I can say about this, it's humorous, original from any books I've read, plus the way it was written was superb.  For me honestly, it was a real page turner. 

These are the short stories that you would read to your teenage kid before bed; if they would want you to that is. And the type of stories that you would read to just have a bit of a laugh once in a while. You could pick the book up, read a story, and it will brighten your day with its indirect humor. It's brilliant for spontaneous reading. 

I completely recommend it to those who have a very very busy schedule and is dying for something short and enjoyable to read.