Review: Dark Wild Night by Christina Lauren

Dark Wild Night
(Wild Seasons #3)
Author: Christina Lauren
Release Date: September 15, 2015
Publisher: Gallery Books
Source: Gallery Books
Review by: Jenn and Nahomi

WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS STAYS IN VEGAS

BUT WHAT DIDN’T HAPPEN IN VEGAS SEEMS TO FOLLOW THEM EVERYWHERE

Lola and Oliver like to congratulate themselves on having the good sense to not consummate their drunken Las Vegas wedding. If they’d doubled-down on that mistake, their Just Friends situation might not be half as great as it is now.

. . . Or so goes the official line.

In reality, Lola’s wanted Oliver since day one—and over time has only fallen harder for his sexy Aussie accent and easygoing ability to take her as she comes. More at home in her studio than in baring herself to people, Lola’s instinctive comfort around Oliver nearly seems too good to be true. So why ruin a good thing?

Even as geek girls fawn over him, Oliver can’t get his mind off what he didn’t do with Lola when he had the chance. He knows what he wants with her now . . . and it’s far outside the friend zone. When Lola’s graphic novel starts getting national acclaim—and is then fast-tracked for a major motion picture—Oliver steps up to be there for her whenever she needs him. After all, she’s not the kind of girl who likes all that attention, but maybe she’s the kind who’ll eventually like him.

Sometimes seeing what’s right in front of us takes a great leap of faith. And sometimes a dark wild night in Vegas isn’t just the end of a day, but the beginning of a bright new life . . .

Jenn's rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars

Nahomi's rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars

Our Overall rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars

*We received an ARC of this title from the publisher but it did not influence this review in any way.*

Jenn:
There is something about Christina Lauren's book that just hook you. I will always gravitate to their books because I just know that reading their words will make me happy, even if it just for a few moments. Dark Wild Night provided a wonderful distraction and it reminded me how much I enjoy being in the Wild Seasons world.

Dark Wild Night is Lola and Oliver's story. Having met them in the previous books, Sweet Filthy Boy and Dirty Rowdy Thing, I was curious to see how their story would play out. My favorite aspect of the story is how both Lola and Oliver are such nerds and how their love of comic books and graphic novels are so entwined with their careers, friendship, and later on, relationship. They built the foundation of friendship before falling into bed with each other, unlike their best friends did, but that is not to say that their sexual chemistry wasn't palpable to everyone around them. Their unresolved sexual tension was off the charts and I related to not-Joe, a favorite character of mine throughout the Wild Seasons series, in wanting Lola and Oliver to bang in the back office just to get it over with already.

Like any Christina Lauren books, the humor and characters of the story are always fleshed out and real. I can always count on them to make me laugh out loud and wishing I could be part of the Wild Seasons squad. Especially if I could be around Harlow and Finn from Dirty Rowdy Thing. Harlow has been my favorite character of the series and it was great to see what she and Finn have been up to since their book. We did get more time with Mia and Ansel from Sweet Filthy Boy and it really did feel like old times, hanging out with longtime friends.

I do have to admit that I didn't completely feel head over heels in love with this book and after finishing the books a few weeks ago, I still can't pinpoint the exact reason why. I enjoyed Lola and Oliver's story. I found Oliver to be extremely attractive and I felt like I could relate to Lola on certain things BUT I just don't feel like this book is like the other books from Christina Lauren. Maybe it just me and how I went into reading the book and maybe I just didn't click with story. It just a personal preference.

However, I can't wait for more words from Christina and Lauren. Their next book is Wicked Sexy Liar and a continuation with Will and Hanna story in Beautiful Boss.

Nahomi:
After Dirty Rowdy Thing I couldn't wait to get my hands on Dark Wild Night. I really enjoyed reading about Lola and Oliver in the previous two books, and was really excited to jump back into the Wild Seasons world again. I love the Christina Lauren books, and can always count on them to suck me into the story and take me for a wild ride.

There are several aspect of this story that I loved! Lola and Oliver's friendship however charged with sexual tension, comes across as genuine and rooted in their love of comics. I love how Oliver is so in tune with what Lola needs and is always observing. He is extremely good-looking and his accent... well, just does it for me. I liked how Lola is clueless about relationships and social cues but is on point with her career. Together Lola and Oliver are great if they can just get to understand each others needs. I can always count on not-Joe for his random comments and comic relief. I really enjoyed that there was more of him in this story.

However much I enjoyed catching up with the gang and reading Lola and Oliver's story Dark Wild Night is not one of my favorite Christina Lauren books. I've thought about it and discussed it with Jenn and I just can't put my finger on whats missing for me. As I was reading the story I kept waiting for that moment where I usually become obsessed with their story and it just didn't come.

Although it wasn't one of my favorite Christina Lauren stories I am still looking forward to reading more from them. I can't wait to get my hands on Beautiful Boss and Wicked Sexy Liar!

Blog Tour Stop: Review + Giveaway: Love and Other Unknown Variables by Shannon Lee Alexander

Love and Other Unknown Variables
Author: Shannon Lee Alexander
Release Date: October 7, 2014
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Source: YA Bound for Blog Tour
Review by: Jenn

Charlie Hanson has a clear vision of his future. A senior at Brighton School of Mathematics and Science, he knows he’ll graduate, go to MIT, and inevitably discover solutions to the universe’s greatest unanswered questions. He’s that smart. But Charlie’s future blurs the moment he reaches out to touch the tattoo on a beautiful girl’s neck.
The future has never seemed very kind to Charlotte Finch, so she’s counting on the present. She’s not impressed by the strange boy at the donut shop—until she learns he’s a student at Brighton where her sister has just taken a job as the English teacher. With her encouragement, Charlie orchestrates the most effective prank campaign in Brighton history. But, in doing so, he puts his own future in jeopardy.
By the time he learns she's ill—and that the pranks were a way to distract Ms. Finch from Charlotte’s illness—Charlotte’s gravitational pull is too great to overcome. Soon he must choose between the familiar formulas he’s always relied on or the girl he’s falling for (at far more than 32 feet per second squared).

5 stars out of 5 stars

This book is absolute perfection. It has swoons, some funny bits, and it has Charlie Hanson. Charlie is just the cutest, nerdy boy and I just love him. I love that this book is in a male POV and how well done it is. Sometimes, a woman is writing a guy voice sounds like a woman and vice versa, but this book? I forgot it was written by a woman.

Love and Other Unknown Variables follows Charlie as he navigates senior year with his best friends, Greta and James. On his first day of school, he meets Charlotte Finch. During their meeting, he recounts his past interactions with other girls, which were rather unsuccessful, and it was during that scene that I fell for him. He is an absolute sweetheart, but also very funny and real. Although he's obsessed with math, he comes to realize that the world of poetry, Shakespeare and literature isn't so bad after all.

I love all the characters that we were introduced to: Charlotte, Becca (Charlie's younger sister), Greta, James, and especially Mrs. Dunwitty. They all played a role in helping Charlie's story move along. Each character had an impact on Charlie and it was so amazing to see how he changed but stayed the same nerdy Charlie that I came to love.

I really loved this book. The story, the characters, the ending, everything. Charlie's voice is so clear and easy to just get into. I would love to see how his story continues. Ms. Alexander did a wonderful job in creating a heartfelt story with characters that I can easily see being friends with. I'm extremely happy to learn that Ms. Alexander will be writing a new book based on Becca. I'm curious to see how her story plays out, especially after the ending.

I can't wait to go out and buy my finish copy and I hope everyone does as well. This is one book you won't want to miss out on.

You can also follow the rest of the blog tour by clicking here.

Giveaway

There are several prizes being given away. For the grand prize:

For 2nd place:

And for 3rd place:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

Shannon Lee Alexander is a wife, mother (of two kids and one yellow terrier named Harriet Potter). She is passionate about coffee, books, and cancer research. Math makes her break out in a sweat. Love and Other Unknown Variables is her debut novel. She currently lives in Indianapolis with her family.

Author's links: Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

Blog tour organized by: YA Bound Book Tours

Review: Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

Rebel Belle
By Rachel Hawkins
Expected Release Date: April 8, 2014
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Source: Publisher
Review by: Jenn
Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads / IndieBound

Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin; one of the ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting.

Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him--and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, no-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more.

3.5 stars out of 5 stars

*I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Rebel Belle was a great book to get lost in. There was action, funny moments, the main character was totally endearing and it has a nerdy love interest. What more could you want?

I totally enjoyed getting into Harper's head. She has such a funny and sarcastic sense humor even when her life was getting stranger by the minute. I'm able to relate to her in her perfectionism ways and so it was interesting when she tries to just let things go and control only what she can. David, the person Harper is supposed to protect, had me sighing and giggling. He's so nerdy and so unaware of his appeal that it makes him that much more attractive.

Teaming up together, Harper's and David's new found alliance turns a few head in their small town. However, they soon realize that they're way in over their head and are surprised by who, in the words of Harper, "their mentor-person" is. From there on, the book follows them trying to navigate their new powers.

I do have to admit, that although I've been waiting to read this book ever since it was announced back in 2012, there was something that completely stopped me from loving this book. And even months later after I originally read the book, I still can't quite pinpoint what exactly it is. That is not to say that I didn't like the book. I thoroughly enjoyed Rebel Belle and I laugh out loud at so many scenes, especially scenes with Harper's internal monologues. Rachel Hawkins just have a way with her characters that makes them come across as genuine and approachable. 

I can't wait to see what is going to happen with Harper and David in the next book and hopefully, we'll get some answers after that abrupt ending. Rachel Hawkins, please don't make me wait too long for the next book, please!

Mini Review: Take What You Want by Jeanette Grey

Take What You Want
Author Jeanette Grey
Release Date: March 12, 2013
Publisher: Saimhain Publishing
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Jenn
Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

My rating: 3 stars out of 5 stars

She needs an escape...and he's exactly what she had in mind.
College senior Ellen Price spends every spare minute studying to get into medical school. Until spring break yawns before her, as empty as her wallet.
With no money to hit the beach, she fills her empty to-do list with a plan: for just one week, she will become the kind of take-no-prisoners woman she secretly wishes to be, starting with the hot guy at the bar. It's a no-risk situation: at the end of the break, he'll head back to his campus, and she'll go back to hers. No muss, no fuss.
At first, Josh Markley isn't sure what to think when the quiet, intense beauty from his pre-med classes approaches him for a night of casual sex. Even more mystifying, she doesn't seem to return his recognition. But if she wants to play "strangers in a bar", he's game.
Their passionate night is a welcome respite from life's stress, but afterward, Josh realizes he wants more - from himself, from life, from Ellen. Except she still thinks he's one-off she'll never see again. Confessing the truth now - before she figures it out on her own - could shatter the fragile beginnings of just what the doctor ordered. A forever love.
Warning: Contains mistaken identities, a sometimes-glasses-wearing hottie, deep questions about figuring out what you want from life, and a red-hot college romance.

         I really enjoyed Take What You Want by Jeanette Grey. This book was a really great way to get out of the young adult age range. It was fun, sexy, steamy, and exactly what I needed. It was a quick read and straight to the point. My only complaint was how Ellen didn't recognized Josh even though they had been taking the same classes for the almost four years. I found that a little hard to believe. Josh, on the other hand, was a complete sweetheart. He was patient and let Ellen choose the pace of their "relationship." Other than that, I can't wait to read more from this author.

Review: Beautiful Player by Christina Lauren

Beautiful Player (Beautiful Bastard #3)
By Christina Lauren
Expected Release Date: October 29, 2013
Publisher: Gallery Books
Source: ARC gifted by publisher
Reviewed by: Jenn and Nahomi
Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads / IndieBound

*This ARC was provided by the publisher but it did not influence this review in any way.*

Jenn's rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 stars
Nahomi's rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 stars
Our overall rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 stars

Synopsis:
A bombshell bookworm. A chronic Casanova. And a lesson in chemistry too scandalous for school.

When Hanna Bergstrom receives a lecture from her overprotective brother about neglecting her social life and burying herself in grad school, she's determined to tackle his implied assignment: get out, make friends, start dating. And who better to turn her into the sultry siren every man wants than her brother's gorgeous best friend, Will Sumner, venture capitalist and unapologetic playboy?

Will takes risks for a living, but he's skeptical about this challenge of Hanna...until the wild night his innocently seductive pupil tempts him into bed - and teaches him a thing or two about being with a woman he can't forget. Now that Hanna's discovered the power of her own sex appeal, it's up to Will to prove he's the only she'll ever need.

Jenn:

If there’s anything I learned about reading Christina Lauren’s Beautiful Bastard series, is that there will be some (read: a lot) sexual tension, plenty of smexy times, a swoony guy and a feisty, know-what-she-wants girl. And while there were some modifications to Hanna in regards to what she wanted, Player lived up to its predecessors.

It was really fun getting inside Will’s head and learning about the man who “schedules his booty calls.” He’s a hot nerd, who knows his way around a woman’s body. And holy crap is Hanna a lucky girl. He’s a nice and confident guy but I love how patient he is with Hanna and how he’s willing to help her in discover what she wants. He never rushed anything but he just knew what needed to be done in order for her to be comfortable.

Hanna is a really fun character and it always made me giggle when she would ramble away when talking with Will. Out of the all the girls in the series, I feel like I relate more with Hanna by how naive and inexperienced she is. She is the lucky girl who gets to hang out with her childhood crush.

Will and Hanna are definitely something. Their time together left me in need of a cold shower and/or blushing. Like I said before, Will is very patient with Hanna and he let her control the pace but he was the one who took charge. And because of her inexperience, Hanna always asked him to “teach her.”

My only complaint of this book and of the previous two novels is that the conflict always ends up being the same: miscommunication. The guy end up lying for whatever reason or something happens that get him in trouble and then the girl find out or overhears about said secret and then takes off without talking. They won’t confront the situation until after someone tell them that they’re wrong. I feel like the miscommunication bit starting to get a bit old and I expect better from the characters.

I do love the ending, though. I love when authors give me epilogues. I think it ended in a wonderful place that could be easily be picked up in Beautiful Beginning. Beautiful Player certainly lived up to the hype and Will now has a place in heart, right along with Max. I can’t wait to see how Beginning will end this wonderful series.

Nahomi:

To say that I enjoy this series is an understatement. From the beginning, Christina Lauren captivated my attention with their great characters, witty dialogue, and their creativity. I feel like I’ve said this before but it must be said again: Christina Lauren outdid themselves with Beautiful Player, I really enjoyed reading this book.

The characters have a way of pulling me into the story. All I want to do is camp out and see what’s happening with them. I love that Hanna is a nerd workaholic, and that she has not filter when she speaks. Will is totally swoon worthy! He is attentive, sweet, pays attention to detail, and is a HOTT bad boy nerd. I love how we got to see the guys hang out as well as the girls in this novel. And there were definitely twist I wasn’t expecting.

There were a few things that I didn’t like, and it’s the same in almost all of the books. The lack of communication when things “go wrong” is a little upsetting. I feel like Hanna just labeled Will and was unable to look beyond that. And for all she can talk, she wasn’t talking to the right person about what she needed to do. Will was very upfront and honest about his relationships but he could have been more assertive and direct with Hanna about what was going on. With that said, let’s move on to my favorite part: the sexy scenes.

After having read the other books, I figured that the sex scenes would be different and steamy, but what I wasn’t prepared for was just how hot and sexy they actually are. I needed not just one cold shower but several long extended cold showers in order to get my “need” under control. I also felt a little exhausted in a good way because the scenes are really long and intimate. There were several but especially after the first scene at the party, and oh yea and Easter weekend. Curious? *winks* you’ll have to read the book and see.

All I have to say is: I want more Will and Hanna please.

Review: FanGirl by Angel Lawson

FanGirl by Angel Lawson
Published: July 10, 2012
Publisher: CreateSpace
Source: Gifted by author
Links: Goodreads / Amazon

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Summary (from Goodreads): "When Ruby Miller and her best friend, Iris, post an amateur video on their Zocopalypse fansite, neither expect the film to go viral, to be invited to lead the FantasyCon parade or meet Gabe Foster, the creator and artist behind the graphic novel.

Gabe announces Zocopalypse's adaptation to a television miniseries and pegs college-bound Ruby to play iconic zombie hunter, Alexandra. She reluctantly accepts, pushing aside her summer babysitting job and plans to lounge around the pool in favor of negotiating with agents, hot actors and the paparazzi.

Attending zombie book camp and memorizing lines is hard enough, but Ruby must learn to trust her instincts in a world where the line between fiction and reality ceases to exist, and the two worlds blur into one."

This review has been a hard one to write. Not because I didn't enjoy it, but because I loved it so much that I'm afraid I won't do the book it's justice in explaining just how awesome and real and witty it is. I want people to flock to their local bookstore or Amazon, whatever means possible and purchase this book. It is that good.

For the past few months I've been really irritated by female characters, in both Young/New Adult and Adults novels. I've come across a lot female protagonists that are either really weak, irritating, self-absorbed, and make me question their intelligence or all of the above. They also manage to never redeem themselves by the end of the book. However, in FanGirl you are never irritated with Ruby Miller or thinking she is weak and a liability. She's very sarcastic (which I love), quirky, and what I love most, an average girl who was just thrown into the Hollywood scene and tried to deal with everything with as much grace and dignity as possible. With some funny mishaps along the way.

Ms. Lawson managed to create secondary characters I wish I personally knew. Ruby's best friend, Iris; Hollywood latest It Boy and Ruby's celebrity crush, Andrew Xavier; and creator of all things Zocopalypse, Gabe Foster. Iris was the mastermind in getting Ruby to play Alexandra in the fanvideo they made and continued to push Ruby to play her in the film. I love Ruby's and Iris's friendship and all their antics.

"Can we go home and spam her with the video? I can hack into her account."
"Yes. When I finish this bacon." I take a bite.
"Good plan. Bacon, then hacking."
I pick up my pen and jot it down. Iris leans over the table and pushes my pen out of the way. "Did you make a list for bacon and hacking?"
"Maybe."
"So weird."
"You love me."
"I really do."

~~~B&S~~~

"Aww. You lie to make me feel better. Thanks bestie."

~~~B&S~~~

"To this day, she maintains that I cut in line. Likewise, I maintain she was a bossy brat. The result? One pulled pigtail and one kick in the shin. After being dragged from the gym floor, our mothers made us apologize and forced us into a play date. We've been BFFs ever since, but at any time I may kick her in the shin and she may pull my hair. It's how we show affection. Her little speech kind of touches me."

Andrew Xavier was fun getting to know. I was kind of surprise by his secret in the end but it made a lot of  sense. My inner fangirl just hoped that it wasn't true. And to introduce Gabe Foster, here's Ruby and Iris:

"Gabe Foster?"

"Gabe. Foster."

"Gabe Foster."

(Have I mention how much I love these two?) He's the cute, nerdy guy that I secretly love to swoon over. He pushes Ruby as well as gives her space, her values her opinions and wants her to do well. He's everything a girl would want from a guy. Where can I find a guy like him?

"Wow. Those are amazing."

"I found them online. They glow in the dark, too."

He looks up. "Yeah, I'm not talking about the shoes, although they are cool. Holy Batman, Ruby, I' not letting you or those legs out of my sight tonight."

~~~B&S~~~

"That doesn't make sense."

"None of this makes sense."

"You know what makes sense?"
"What?" I ask, loving his silliness.

He kisses me in the front seat of that truck, and it's so much better than the last kiss I had in here. He's sweet and tastes like cake.

"This. This makes sense." (sighs. swooooon.)

Love. I just love this story. I was gifted the copy by Angel, but I'm definitely going out and buying myself the print version of FanGirl. I need to be able to hug this book. And normally I prefer reading standalone books, but I'm really sad that this is the end for FanGirl. I would love to read more about Ruby and Gabe and Iris. I guess I just have to make due and reread it all over again.