Books and Swoons: Christina Lauren

Showing posts with label Christina Lauren. Show all posts

2016 End of the Year Book Survey

This survey was created by Jamie from The Perpetual Page-Turner

Number Of Books You Read: 69 but currently working on #70.
Number of Re-Reads: 12

1. Best Book You Read In 2016?
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. It's a 2017 debut so I'm going to also mention This Adventure Ends by Emma Mills.

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas. I actually DNF it.

3. Favorite new author you discovered in 2016?

I have two, Sarina Bowen and Laura Griffin. I read Sarina's Brooklyn Bruisers series, Rookie Move and Hard Hitter and I'm LOVE! As for Laura, she took me back to one of my old fave, romantic suspense with the Tracers series.

4. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?
Any books from the Tracer series by Laura Griffin. I could devour them within a few hours.

5. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2016?
This Adventure Ends by Emma Mills - SOOOO pretty.

6. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2016?
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.

7. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2016 to finally read?
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo . Better late than never is what I'm going to say.

8.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2016?
Shortest: Our Love Unhinged by Brighton Walsh - 88 pages

Longest: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas - 624 pages

9. Favorite Book You Read in 2016 From An Author You’ve Read Previously
This Adventure Ends by Emma Mills

10. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2016?
The Darkling from The Grisha trilogy by Leigh Bardugo.

11. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas.

12. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2016?
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

13. Hidden Gem Of The Year?
This Adventure Ends by Emma Mills

14. Book That Crushed Your Soul?
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

15. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

Get a Clue by Jill Shalvis. Nope. I did not like it. Not one bit.

1. Favorite review that you wrote in 2016?

Walk the Edge by Katie McGarry. I don't know exactly why but I loved this review.

2. Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog?
Let's Chat Non-Bookish Edition: In Which I Talk Gilmore Girls Revival

3. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?

Trying to keep the content fresh but also to learn how to not burnout from blogging.

4. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
Review + Giveaway: Beautiful by Christina Lauren

5. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?
Bookish Girl in the Kitchen

6. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

I did! I wrote all about it here.

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2016 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2017?
I'm totally cheating here but I'm counting them because they are all series sequels/enders. Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor and Crooked Kingdoms by Leigh Bardugo.

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2017 (non-debut)?
I don't actually have one! I've been trying to get through my TBR pile that I've stopped looking ahead. Book blogger fail, I know.

3. 2017 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?
Same as above. Eeek!

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2017?
Get a better handle of scheduling my posts. I want to be better than typing it up the night or hour beforehand.

6. A 2017 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone?
Yes, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. When it comes out, Imma need everyone to GO READ THIS BOOK. ASAP.

Review + Giveaway: Beautiful by Christina Lauren

Beautiful (Beautiful Bastard #10)
Author: Christina Lauren
Release Date: October 4, 2016
Publisher: Gallery Books
Format: Paperback
Source: Gallery Books
Review by: Jenn

One free spirited Brit. One man weighed down by responsibility . . . (Also, a disorientingly sweet Chloe, confused Bennett, grumpy Sara, Max as you know and love him, travel planner Hanna, chef Will, drunk Ruby, content Niall, George–oh, George–a rented van)
. . . and a whole lot of wine.

The final novel in the Internationally Bestselling Beautiful series.

4 stars out of 5 stars
*I received an early copy of this title from the publisher, however, my review is not influenced by that in any way.*

I'm super sad that I had to say goodbye to some of my favorite characters in a romance series. Christina and Lauren have written some of my favorite men along with some badass ladies. Beautiful featured everything I love about series ending. It had all of the characters I've grown attached to, the hot sexy times I've grown accustomed to expecting from CLo, the best of banter between the guys, and as well as two new characters whose story I was completely hooked on from the first thrusting bum Pippa, our heroine, saw. Yes, you'll learn what that means as soon as you pick up this book!

The story follows Jensen and Pippa (Jensen is Hanna's older brother and Will's best friend from Beautiful Player and Pippa is Ruby's best friend from Beautiful Secret) as they decide to join their friends of a wine road trip tour. Since they are the only two single people on the trip, they naturally end up spending time together. This is something I really love about Christina and Lauren's writing; in other stories, the two of them getting together can seem contrived and forced but here everything flowed naturally between Jensen and Pippa. I couldn't help but become hooked on wanting to see how their story played out.

Pippa was hilarious and most of my laugh out loud moments were courtesy of her and her antics. Since she is so outgoing and loud, Jensen is the perfect balance to Pippa. He's considered uptight and quiet and introspective but I love how well they both complement each other and I just plain love Jensen. I loved seeing these two blossoms and how they finally came together. The story flowed very naturally, and even though this is the longest book of the series, it was such a fast and easy read.

As I worked to disentangle us, she gazed at me, bemused. "This makes me wary of ever dabbling in bondage with you."
Silence greeted us, and I unlooped the seatbelt from her neck before looking up and around us at the other passengers.
"We're not alone, are we?" she playfully stage-hissed.
"There are others," I confirmed. "They're regarding you with curiosity."
"And mild horror," Niall added.

Player Will has and will forever be my favorite of the boys but Jensen might be a close second. I became a little defensive for him when Hanna was overbearing and wanting him to do as she said. Like, give him some space and time Hanna and kindly back off. So it's safe to Hanna better be careful with my two boys.

I loved getting a chance to see some all of the couples from the previous books. It was interesting to see where each couple is in their relationship and what is ahead of them. My only complaint was that there were one too many babies in this book for my tastes. I think this why I couldn't love the epilogues as much as wanted to. I've mentioned before that I don't really like babies in my books so don't hate me!

Like I said before, I'm super sad to say goodbye to these characters but Christina and Lauren gave them such a wonderful send off that I'm okay with that. I am looking forward to seeing what this duo have in store and how many more character of theirs I will fall for as well.

So the wonderful people at Gallery have offered to give away a copy of Beautiful to one lucky winner. All you have to do is enter the information required down below on the rafflecopter. My rule to enter the contest is that you have to be 13 years or older and Gallery request is that you must be a US resident. Giveaway will run from today all the way to the 14th of this month. Good luck to all!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday (#155)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Morning swooners!

This week pre-publication "can't wait to read" selection is:

Beautiful by Christina Lauren

Expected Release Date: October 4, 2016

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

Synopsis:

One free spirited Brit. One man weighed down by responsibility . . . (Also, a disorientingly sweet Chloe, confused Bennett, grumpy Sara, Max as you know and love him, travel planner Hanna, chef Will, drunk Ruby, content Niall, George–oh, George–a rented van) . . . and a whole lot of wine.

I need this book RIGHT NOW!! I can't wait to read all the shenanigans this group is up to in Beautiful!!
What are you "Waiting on?"

Swoony Boy of the Month - Will from the Beautiful Bastard series

Swoony Boy of the Month is our new feature where we spotlight a favorite and/or swoony boy from the books we have read.

To celebrate our return from hiatus, I wanted to bring out one of my favorite book boyfriend, Will Sumner. Will won me over from the other Christina Lauren hotties by being a player who knows when to put himself together for the right girl. He's sweet, nerdy, and loves to pranks on his best buddies. Let's meet Will.

Source

“See, the problem with boobs is if you have big ones, you can never look thin. You get these burns on your shoulders from bra straps, and your back hurts. And unless you're using them for their intended purpose, they're always in the way."
"In the way of what? My hands, My face? Don't you blaspheme in here." He looked up to the sky. "She didn't mean it, Lord. Promise.”
― Christina Lauren, Beautiful Player

“Ben,” Max said, leaning back in his chair with a giant grin. “It’s finally happened.”
I groaned, resting my head on my hand.
“You got your period?” Bennett asked. “Congratulations.”
“No, you twat,” Max said, laughing. “I’m talking about Will. He’s gone arse over tits for a girl.”
― Christina Lauren, Beautiful Player

Source

“Hanna, I don't know if I've ever wanted something more than I want you.”
― Christina Lauren, Beautiful Player

“It wasn't just a physical attraction between us. Of course I'd been attracted to women before. But there was something more with Hanna, some chemistry in our blood, something between us that snapped and crackled, that made me always want just a little more than I should take. She offered her friendship, I wanted her body. She offered her body, I wanted to hijack her thoughts. She offered her thoughts, I wanted her heart”
― Christina Lauren, Beautiful Player

Source

“I’m nervous all of a sudden, and I feel just like you’re mine only for these little bits of time. I guess I don’t like that as much as I thought I would.”
He slid his finger under my chin and tilted my face up so I had to look at him. His mouth pressed against mine, once, before he told me, “I’ll be yours every second if that’s what you want. You just have to tell me.”
― Christina Lauren, Beautiful Player

“There is no way to mess this up,” I said, right against her mouth. “Even if we didn't get married tomorrow, you're the love of my life. I'm with you until we both die, at the same time, when I am one hundred and you are ninety three.”
― Christina Lauren, Beautiful Boss

Source

“What do you want to do tonight?” she asked.
I shrugged, running my fingers up through the soft tangle of her hair.
“This. Be married. Maybe put on a movie. Order some dinner. Go to bed and fuck for a while.”
“Can I switch up the order of that a little?” she asked, fingers sliding just under the waistband of my boxers.”
― Christina Lauren, Beautiful Boss

“Will laughed and shook his head. “We’re married, Hanna,” he said, and it sounded like he was still marveling at it, too . . .
“Say, I was wondering what you were doing in this tuxedo.” I wrapped his tie around my fist and tugged on it, bringing him closer. “Unless you’re just a really, really snappy dresser. But then, you have this ring on your finger, too . . .”
“I want to be sweet with you,” he said, palm curving over my shoulder and slipping down between my breasts. There was a weight there, a pressure to his touch I could feel even through the thin layers of fabric. Despite the softness in his voice, it screamed of possession, of lust. “I feel like I should be sweet tonight.”
― Christina Lauren, Beautiful Boss

Sa-woonnnsss! Will Sumner everybody!

Review: Beautiful Boss by Christina Lauren

Beautiful Boss
(Beautiful Bastard #4.5)
Author: Christina Lauren
Release Date: February 29, 2016
Publisher: Gallery Books
Source: Gallery Books
Review by: Jenn

One Player tamed. One nerd girl satisfied. And one more major life decision to make. When Will fell for Hanna, her quirky sense of humor and fierce dedication to her career were part of the attraction. (Not to mention her coy newbie attitude toward sex and her willingness to let him teach her everything.) But when the job offers start rolling in for her—and oh, they do—Hanna has trouble deciding what she wants, where they should live, and how much she should burden Will with the decision. Magic between the sheets is only one part of a relationship…getting on the same page is quite another altogether.

5 stars out of 5 stars

*I received an early copy of this book from the publisher but my review is not influence by that in any way.*

Will and Hanna are my favorite couple in the Beautiful Bastard series and I love that we got another book from them. It was everything I was hoping it would be, it had sexy and dirty-talker Will, and funny, easy-going Hanna. These two are perfect for the each other. And I'm still jealous of Hanna for bagging a guy like Will even though both of them are fictional characters.

If you read the previous books, you know that they got engaged and Beautiful Boss is their wedding and the next step in their lives. Hanna has been fielding job offers and hasn't really been talking about it with Will. So with big changes in their lives, Will and Hanna do what they do best: they bang each other brains out. Which is never a bad thing when it includes Will Sumner.

This book made me laugh out loud and since it had a wedding, we got to see some of other favorites like Bennett and Chloe, Max and Sara, Jensen, and George! It was a mini reunion and I loved every page of it.

In the end, Will and Hanna come together and make a decision they're both happy with and it makes me nostalgic seeing player Will all shacked up in married life. It definitely feels like an end of an era to me. Which is what life is all about. Changes. But my nostalgia has more to do with the way Christina Lauren created this world and gave us so many characters to love and seeing these characters that we know and love, grow up. So for that, I applaud them for writing such wonderful characters that feels like friends of my own. I'm looking forward to the last Beautiful book and following these authors wherever they go.

Swoony Boy of the Month - Ansel from Sweet Filthy Boy

Swoony Boy of the Month is our new feature where we spotlight a favorite swoony boy from the books we have read.

For this month swoony boy we are going French. Ansel Guillaume in Sweet Filthy Boy by the awesome writing duo Christina Lauren. Ansel sold us with his accent and the way he fell head over heels in love with Mia. Let's swoons on Ansel.

“He’s the guy who’ll do a ridiculous robot dance to make you laugh, who’ll lick the tip of your nose, make a fool out of himself for a smile. I’m sure if I tried to wrestle him to the ground, he’d let me win. And enjoy every minute.” - Christina Lauren, Sweet Filthy Boy

Source

“Mmpf. You’re so heavy. Do you have bricks in your pocket? Get off me.”
“But you’re so warm,” he whines. “And soft. And you smell so good. Like woman and sex and me.” - Christina Lauren, Sweet Filthy Boy

Source

“What you feel, Cerise? I feel it, too. Fuck, Mia, I feel everything for you.” - Christina Lauren, Sweet Filthy Boy

Source

“You just implied you’re banging me tonight.” His grin gets bigger as his hands snake around my waist.
“Play your cards right.”
“I forgot my cards … But I did bring my penis.” - Christina Lauren, Sweet Filthy Boy

Source

“I’m not sure I ever made a woman come with my mouth before I met you,” he admits. “I love kissing you there. And I love your ass, it’s perfect.” With this, I feel his length stir against my stomach as his hands squeeze me. “I like any kind of sex with you, but I prefer being on top of you . . . You make missionary feel dirty the way you grab and move under me.” - Christina Lauren, Sweet Filthy Boy

Sweet lord Ansel is one hot frenchman. Isn't he swoony??

Review: Wicked Sexy Liar by Christina Lauren

Wicked Sexy Liar
(Wild Seasons #4)
Author: Christina Lauren
Release Date: February 2, 2016
Publisher: Gallery Books
Source: Gallery Books
Review by: Jenn

For two people ambivalent about dating and love, they sure get naked around each other an awful lot . . .

London Hughes is very content to surf daily, tend bar, hang out with her group of friends, and slowly orient herself in the years after college. Everything’s going great and according to the non-plan.

But when a wave knocks her for a loop one morning, then Luke Sutter’s flirtatious smile knocks her for another that evening, she veers slightly off course…and into his path. Sure, he’s a total player, but theWhy not—it’s only one night is a persistent voice in her ear.

For his part, Luke’s been on hookup autopilot for so long that he rarely ever pauses to consider what he’s doing. But after an amazing time with London, he realizes that he hasn’t been moving on from a devastating heartbreak so much as he’s been drifting to wherever—and whomever—the current takes him. With London he wants more.

Every relationship involves two people…plus their pasts. And as much as she enjoys her fling with Luke, when London learns about his past—more specifically, who’s in it—everything becomes the brand of complicated she strives to avoid. It’s up to Luke then to change some things in order to try and ensure he’s not something she’ll outright avoid as well.

4 stars out of 5 stars

I enjoyed Wicked Sexy Liar so much more than I did the last Wild Seasons book and, just like London, it was such a breezy, laid back easy read. When I read the synopsis of this book, I knew I recognized Luke's name from somewhere but I couldn't pinpoint from exactly where. Once I realized where Luke comes to us, I was super excited to see where this story took us.

Luke is sexy and totally adorable because he just lets the women in his life run him and he just goes along with their shenanigans. Reading London and Luke story was such a fun time but I'll be honest, I liked reading Luke's character more than London's. I can't quite put my finger on why I feel that way but being in his head was a lot more fun. I'm not sure why I feel that way, considering I can relate to London on some level. I think the problem might be is that she reminded me a lot of Lola and I wasn't the best of fan of Lola's and Oliver's book.

This being a Christina Lauren book, we got to see how our favorite characters from the previous books are doing and to be honest, that always my favorite part. But my favorite part of this book? Not-Joe! We get to see him some more and actually learn of his real name! Like always, Christina Lauren gave us exactly what we were expecting in their book which is some flirty, sexy banter, with some flirty, sexy times, and a happily ever after.

Stacking the Shelves (#29)

Stacking the Shelves, which is hosted by Team Tynga's Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This mean you can include books you buy in a physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course, ebooks.

In the month of February these were the books that we added to our shelves.

Gifted/Bought: