REVIEW: Never Google Heartbreak by Emma Garcia

Title: Never Google Heartbreak
Author: Emma Garcia
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Publication Date: March, 2013
Genre: Chick-Lit

Description: When her fiancé Rob breaks off their engagement for the third time, Viv does what any girl would do - she Googles heartbreak.

Confronted by tales of misery, she decides to set-up her own self-help website for the broken-hearted. But as Viv passes through the three essential stages of grief (denial, vodka, disastrous haircut), she becomes determined that it's not too late to try and get Rob back.

When things get out of hand after a drunken declaration of love at an extremely inappropriate moment, Viv's scruffy, tequila-swilling best friend Max is there to pick up the pieces. Viv starts to realise that maybe the real thing has been under her nose all this time, and now - one ex and a massive error of judgement later - she has to face the question:

What's the craziest thing you'll do for love?

My Thoughts: With Never Google Heartbreak, the readers are introduced to a woman who is so wrapped up in her heartbreak over what she lost, she doesn’t see the possibilities of happiness that is right in front of her. She represents what most women go through after a breakup, but in Vivienne’s case, her focus borders almost on desperation. I could completely understand where she was coming from but found myself getting annoyed with her for the lengths she was going to win back her douche-bag of an ex.

Vivienne’s best friend, Max Kelly isn’t typical leading man material. He’s a starving artist who doesn’t appear to have a lot of ambition. What made him stand out in my mind was his willingness to be there for Vivienne, always picking up the pieces and he has been in love with her for a very long time.

I liked the story but struggled with the direction Vivienne’s focus was taking her. The website she creates as a self-help for other broken-hearted people seems to be an afterthought. Her career seems to be going nowhere either. Vivienne’s actions nearly cost her not only her best friend but the love of her life. For me, too much time was spent focusing on Vivienne’s attempts to correct her mistakes, only for the story to end with a major cliffhanger.


My Final Verdict: Overall, this is a good story that fans of chick-lit will enjoy. I don’t care for cliffhanger plot devices, but some readers will enjoy the ride.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Never Google Heartbreak from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Thankless In Death by J.D. Robb

Title: Thankless In Death (In Death, #37)
Author: J.D. Robb
Publisher: Putnam Adult
Publication Date: September, 2013
Genre: Thriller / Mystery

Description: In the latest suspense thriller in the #1 New York Times bestselling series, the year 2060 is drawing to a close in New York City and loved ones are coming together for Thanksgiving. But sometimes the deepest hatreds seethe within the closest relationships, and blood flows faster than water…

Lieutenant Eve Dallas has plenty to be grateful for this season. Hosting Roarke’s big Irish family for the holiday may be challenging, but it’s a joyful improvement on her own dark childhood.

Other couples aren’t as lucky as Eve and Roarke. The Reinholds, for example, are lying in their home stabbed and bludgeoned almost beyond recognition. Those who knew them are stunned—and heartbroken by the evidence that they were murdered by their own son. Twenty-six-year-old Jerry hadn’t made a great impression on the bosses who fired him or the girlfriend who dumped him—but they didn’t think he was capable of this.

Turns out Jerry is not only capable of brutality but taking a liking to it. With the money he’s stolen from his parents and a long list of grievances, he intends to finally make his mark on the world. Eve and her team already know the who, how, and why of this murder. What they need to pinpoint is where Jerry’s going to strike next.

My Thoughts: In comparison to the rest of the In Death series, this one comes off as very mild. Between the Thanksgiving preparations for Roark’s family’s arrival from Ireland and Lt. Dallas’s investigation into a murder spree being perpetrated by someone Eve identifies early on, everything is fairly predictable. But I still thoroughly enjoyed it.

As far as villains go, Jerry Reinhold is pretty lame. He leaves his crime scenes with so much obvious evidence that he could have just left a note saying he did it. What made the story interesting was how long he managed to stay just a few steps ahead of Lt. Dallas and the Scooby gang.

The best part of this story that I really enjoyed are the scenes involving Roark’s family, especially the football match in the front yard. The commendation ceremony was a wonderful addition too. As always, the interactions between Dallas and Peabody are a hoot, especially when it involves girly things.

Some things I missed not having in this story were major fights with Summerset, no major interactions with Mavis and Bella. No Trina either, much to my disappointment. Peabody and McNab were a lot tamer too, unfortunately.

My Final Verdict: Although many of the elements from this series that I have come to love and expect were not in this story and it is much tamer than previous installments, I still really enjoyed it. I love seeing Eve and Roark evolve both as a married couple and as professional partners working cases together. Their chemistry and banter get better with each book. I would really like to see some character development with Summerset; perhaps a romance for him, even. That could be a lot of fun. I highly recommend this book and the entire series to fans of romantic suspense and police procedural thrillers. The plots and characters draw the reader into their world for a visit and make it very hard for the reader to ever want to leave.

REVIEW: The Harlow Hoyden by Lynn Messina

Title: The Harlow Hoyden: A Regency Romance
Author: Lynn Messina
Publisher: Potatoworks Press
Publication Date: February, 2014
Genre: Regency Romance

Description: Miss Emma Harlow hasn’t earned the reputation as a hoyden for nothing, so when the Duke of Trent discovers her in his conservatory stealing one of his orchids, he’s isn’t surprised—charmed, delighted and puzzled, yes, but not surprised. It is Emma who is amazed. She has naturally concluded that the man reading in the conservatory must be the country cousin (who else in London would actually read?) and is quite vexed to discover that he is the Duke of Trent himself—imagine, stealing the duke’s prize Rhyncholaelia digbyana under his very nose!

But her vexation doesn’t last long. For Emma is a practical young lady with a mission: to end her dear sister Lavinia’s engagement to the villainous (and dreadfully dull!) Sir Waldo Windbourne, and she thinks that the famous libertine is just the man for the job. If he would only seduce her sister away from Sir Waldo…. Well, not seduce exactly, but flirt mercilessly and engage her interest. Perhaps then Lavinia would jilt the baron. The Duke of Trent is resistant, of course. Despite his reputation, he does not toy with the affections of innocents. And besides, it’s not her sister he longs to seduce.

My Thoughts: I became familiar with Lynn Messina’s writing when I read one of her chick-lit titles in the Red Dress Ink line. In addition to chick-lit, Ms. Messina also has young adult, fantasy, paranormal and historical romance in her repertoire. The Harlow Hoyden is a historical romance set in the regency period featuring Emma Harlow, a woman who lives by her own set of rules and refuses to bow down to the expectations of society. She enlists the assistance of The Duke of Trent to break up her twin sister Lavinia’s engagement to the odious Sir Waldo the Windbag. Her plan is simple…he will draw Lavinia’s attention away from her fiancé in the hopes that she will develop feelings for The Duke and call off her engagement. Emma is convinced that Sir Waldo is a villain and cannot stand the idea of her beloved twin ruining her life. What happens next is a madcap adventure that has Emma breaking into Waldo’s home, dancing the waltz and chasing down traitorous spies, with The Duke of Trent either by her side or close on her heels.

I really enjoyed this story. Emma is a breath of fresh air and I liked her immensely. She’s daring and direct and refuses to let society or her family dictate to her how a proper lady should behave. She has been given the nickname The Harlow Hoyden because she walks a fine line between propriety and scandal and she could care less. She has no interest in marriage or making a suitable match and prefers to live her life as she sees fit. Whether she is stealing a prized orchid from The Duke’s conservatory or proposing outlandish schemes to break up her sister’s engagement, she does so with a gusto and headstrong determination that would make most people cringe in horror. There are a few moments in the book that made me wonder if Emma’s actions are too rash, but quickly remembered that is why she earned her moniker.

I thought The Duke was an excellent character and the perfect match for Emma. This period in time usually depicts men being in charge and viewed as complete masters of the universe. I enjoyed seeing The Duke agreeing to help Emma thinking he would be able to deter her, not realizing who is really in charge. Emma’s twin and her brother and his wife were also likeable characters. I am hoping that Lavinia will get her own story in the future.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The Harlow Hoyden from the author in exchange for an honest review.

My Final Verdict: Overall, fans of historical romance will enjoy this offering and if you are not a fan of historical romance, but enjoy a fun and adventurous story with strong characters and witty dialogue, where villains are vanquished and good triumphs over bad, give this one a try.

New Additions To The TBR Pile In April

Many new review requests arrived in April that I am quite tickled to receive. On a happy note, I have completed 45% so far of my reading goal for this year. At my current pace, I am about 4 books ahead of schedule. Yay Me! In no particular order, here are the new additions to my reading family...

Title: Just In Case by Chrissie Manby
Description: Never were there two less similar identical twins than Clare and Rosie Marwood. Though they were born within three minutes of each other and spent their childhoods dressed in matching outfits, they’ve grown up to have less in common than Kim Kardashian and the Duchess of Cambridge.

So both women are horrified when a luggage mix-up means that sensible Clare must attend a company conference in the United States with Rosie’s suitcase full of pink, frills and stripper heels, while flamboyant Rosie heads for a friend’s destination wedding in Italy's Tuscany with Clare’s case full of suiting and sensible courts. Both believe wearing the other’s clothes is going to ruin their chances: Clare’s of getting a promotion and Rosie’s of getting a snog. But as three days of literally having to walk in each other’s shoes unfold, will the sisters discover they should try to be more like each other after all?

This exclusive new novella (short novel at around 100 pages) by Chrissie Manby explores sisterhood, identity and love in a thoroughly summery way.

Title: Love And Shenanigans by Zara Keane
Description: Vows in Vegas...True Love in Ballybeg.

Three days before leaving Ireland on the adventure of a lifetime, Fiona Byrne returns to her small Irish hometown to attend the family wedding from hell. When she discovers the drunken vows she exchanged with the groom during a wild Las Vegas trip eight years previously mean they’re legally married, her future plans ricochet out of control. Can she untangle herself from the man who broke her heart so long ago? Does she even want to?

Gavin Maguire’s life is low on drama, high on stability, and free of pets. But Gavin hadn’t reckoned on Fiona blasting back into his life and crashing his wedding. In the space of twenty-four hours, he loses a fiancée and a job, and gains a wife and a labradoodle. Can he salvage his bland-but-stable life? More importantly, can he resist losing his heart to Fiona all over again?

Title: Thankless In Death by J.D. Robb
Description: In the latest suspense thriller in the #1 New York Times bestselling series, the year 2060 is drawing to a close in New York City and loved ones are coming together for Thanksgiving. But sometimes the deepest hatreds seethe within the closest relationships, and blood flows faster than water…

Lieutenant Eve Dallas has plenty to be grateful for this season. Hosting Roarke’s big Irish family for the holiday may be challenging, but it’s a joyful improvement on her own dark childhood.

Other couples aren’t as lucky as Eve and Roarke. The Reinholds, for example, are lying in their home stabbed and bludgeoned almost beyond recognition. Those who knew them are stunned—and heartbroken by the evidence that they were murdered by their own son. Twenty-six-year-old Jerry hadn’t made a great impression on the bosses who fired him or the girlfriend who dumped him—but they didn’t think he was capable of this.

Turns out Jerry is not only capable of brutality but taking a liking to it. With the money he’s stolen from his parents and a long list of grievances, he intends to finally make his mark on the world. Eve and her team already know the who, how, and why of this murder. What they need to pinpoint is where Jerry’s going to strike next.

Title: The Curvy Girls Club by Michele Gorman
Description: When the pounds start falling off Katie, founder and president of London’s most popular social club for the calorie-challenged, it seems like a dream come true. But as the overweight stigma recedes and her life starts to change, she faces losing more than the inches around her waist. Everything that’s important to her – her closest friends, boyfriend, and acceptance into the club itself – are at stake in a world where thin is the new fat.

A funny, heart-warming story about overcoming the prejudices we hold, no matter where we tip the scales.

Title: We Are The Goldens by Dana Reinhardt
Description: Nell knows a secret about her perfect, beautiful sister Layla. If she tells, it could blow their world apart.

When Nell and Layla were little, Nell used to call them Nellaya. Because to Nell, there was no difference between where she started and her adored big sister ended. They're a unit; divorce made them rely on each other early on, so when one pulls away, what is the other to do? But now, Nell's a freshman in high school and Layla is changing, secretive. And then Nell discovers why. Layla is involved with one of their teachers. And even though Nell tries to support Layla, to understand that she's happy and in love, Nell struggles with her true feelings: it's wrong, and she must do something about it.

Title: Weightless by Michele Gorman
Description: Sometimes looks can be deceiving

Annabel's not surprised when nobody recognizes her at her 10 year reunion. The spotty fat teen nicknamed AnnaBall by the school bullies is long gone. But standing on the edge of the popular crowd, she still feels like that girl. That is, until Jack, her teen crush, starts flirting with her. Much to her amusement, he has mistaken her for Christy Blake, Annabel's chief tormenter before she moved to France in their last year.

It's just a bit of fun at first, letting Jack believe she's Christy. After all, he was nuts about her before she said au revoir to England. And when he asks Annabel out, the fun becomes something even more interesting. The more they date the deeper they fall for each other. So what if Annabel has to fib a little to keep up the façade?

As the lies start compounding, and she realizes that they're falling in love, she has to tell him who she really is. But she'll lose the love of her life if she does.