Rating: 5 STARS! Genre: Romantic Comedy Standalone/Series: Naughty Princess Club #2 How I got this book: ARC from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley A tale as old as time: she needs a place to stay, he's a grump with a secret and an extra room...can love find a way? Meet the Naughty Princess Club, a series from USA Today bestselling author Tara Sivec that brings readers to Fairytale Lane and the hilarity—and romance—that three women fall into once they decide to strut their stuff and bring on their own happily ever after. Living in her overprotective dad’s basement, shy Belle lives her life through books. Being a part of the Naughty Princess Club is the first adventure she’s ever had, plus she desperately needs the money to save one of her favorite places - the local library. But when her new friends and new business gets her kicked out of her dad’s house, Belle is rescued by the surly Vincent “Beast” Adams who invites her to be his house guest until she gets back on her feet. Despite his attitude problem and long list of rules, Belle finds herself warming to the muscled man with a penchant for growling and starts seeing a gentle side to him that wasn’t there before. Yet there’s a room that Beast keeps locked and Belle keeps getting hints that Beast is hiding something…can a nerdy librarian tame the beast or will their romance be over before it has a chance to blossom? I only meant to make a start on this book last night because it was quite late when I got started, but I'd clearly forgotten the unputdownable power of Tara Sivec because once I'd started I could not stop.
So, bear with me because I have a massive book hangover after the few hours I spent devouring this story last night into the early hours of this morning. This book is the second story in the Naughty Princess Club series, and whilst I would highly recommend the first book in the series, At The Stroke of Midnight, this book can be read as a standalone. So, I'm listening to the Beauty and the Beast soundtrack whilst writing this review, because this is my favourite fairytale of all time and I cannot ever get enough! But be warned, this isn't your typical Beauty and the Beast re-telling. Be prepared for a 21st century, smart-mouthed, sassy firecracker who isn't afraid to fight for what she wants, even if that means strutting her sexy stuff and showing that stripper pole, and the Beast, who's boss. Beast emulates his nickname perfectly. He's big, brutish, and a man of few words, or at least that's what Belle thinks before she finds herself kicked out of her dad's basement, crashing at the library where she works only to be 'rescued' by none other than the Beast himself. Maybe he isn't such a brute after all? I love the butterfly inducing chemistry between these two - *swoon*! "Sweet mother of pearl, he's got the V." In true Tara Sivec style, this book is an absolute riot. Filled with plenty of laugh out loud moments (warning: reading one of Tara's rom-coms is almost impossible in the middle of the night when other people are trying to sleep - I may have laughed a little too loudly a few times). Belle has quite the transformation in this book, which becomes more evident if you also read At the Stroke of Midnight in which she starts off very shy, nervous and demure. As time goes on, and as the Beast continues to push her buttons, Belle discovers her feisty 'anti-pushover' side and really comes into her own. There are a couple of hilarious scenes (and new characters) that help to make this book truly hysterical. I won't give too much away, but look out for the scene where Belle gets a flirting lesson. Her fact-spouting quirk really ramps up when she's nervous and provides plenty of comedy. In addition to this, we meet the wonderful Mrs. Potter who works with Belle at the library. This little old lady is seriously funny and has absolutely no filter. Look out for her in a particularly amazing "surprise" lap-dance scene. "YOLO, bitches! If I had a wad of singles I'd be making it rain!" Belle's two friends Ariel and Cindy are the cause of much trouble and fun for Belle and wherever they appear in the book, hilarity ensues. This is the second book in the Naughty Princess Club series by Tara Sivec and I cannot wait for Ariel's story later this year! If you're looking for a hilarious, modern, tongue-in-cheek, fairytale with an unconventional happy ever after, this series is 100% for you! 5 glittering gold stars! Rating: 3.5 STARS Genre: Romantic Comedy/Contemporary Romance Standalone/Series: Shacking Up Series (can be read as a standalone) How I got this book: ARC from St Martin's Press A new kind of love story about flipping houses, taking risks, and landing that special someone who’s move-in ready… SHE’S GOT CURB APPEAL Rian Sutter grew up with the finer things in life. Spending summers in The Hamptons was a normal occurrence for her until her parents lost everything years ago. Now Rian and her sister are getting their life, and finances, back on track through real estate. Not only do they buy and sell houses to the rich and famous, but they finally have the capital to flip their very own beachfront property. But when she inadvertently catches the attention of a sexy stranger who snaps up every house from under her, all bets are off… HE’S A FIXER UPPER Pierce Whitfield doesn’t normally demo kitchens, install dry wall, or tear apart a beautiful woman’s dreams. He’s just a down-on-his-luck lawyer who needed a break from the city and agreed to help his brother work on a few homes in the Hamptons. When he first meets Rian, the attraction is undeniable. But when they start competing for the same pieces of prime real estate, the early sparks turn into full-blown fireworks. Can these passionate rivals turn up the heat on their budding romance—without burning down the house? I FLIPPING LOVE YOU, set in the Shacking Up world, follows two people, both working in real estate, who find themselves vying for the same properties in the Hamptons, leading to a sometimes-not-so-friendly competition. I was kindly sent an ARC copy of this book from St. Martin's press. I read book 1 in this series 'Shacking Up' late last year and it was lots of fun. However, I was a little concerned that I'd be missing something in this book because I haven't read book 2.
Luckily, this book can be read as a standalone and at no point did I feel as though I'd 'missed-out' on anything by not reading the previous book. This author has a really snappy, fun writing style. The pace is great and at no point did I feel bored or want to stop reading. I was a little concerned when I first started reading as I had a little trouble connecting with Rian (read Ryan), I found her somewhat prejudiced, and childish, particularly in the first chapter. I also struggled to understand her 'hardship' and why her past (which is a central theme in the book) is such a harrowing secret. I get what happened to her was complete crap, I just don't understand why it was such a huge deal. I was also more than a little amused that Rian and her sister Marley seem to keep referring to themselves as having a very low-income and scrimping when at one point they contemplate a $5 million house purchase (insert sceptical eyes here). Anyway, moving on... Once I got past the first chapter, things definitely took a turn for the better. The introduction of Marley really made things much better for me, she's funny, witty and feisty and so is Rian as the book moves on, particularly during her interactions with Pierce who really brings out the best in her. Pierce is crazy hot, and there's plenty of chemistry between him and Rian. What I really enjoyed about this book was that some of the 'dirtier' scenes were heavily laden with comedy. Pierce is my favourite character. He's determined, driven, funny, serious, playful, swoon-worthy, and isn't afraid to go after what he wants. There's a scene featuring Pierce in a very suspect 'outfit' that works brilliantly thanks to a firecracker of an elderly woman and her perfectly dirty humour. The romance in this novel is not slow-burn, it's hot and heavy and moves really quickly but the pace works really well and I read the novel super quick; in just two short sittings. It was definitely a fun and sexy book that fans of the series will devour. So, if you like your romance heavy, your guys hot, your heroines smart-mouthed and hard-working, and a heavy dose of comedy mixed into the pot, you'll love I Flipping Love You. HEA Guaranteed! 3.5 fun loving stars from me! Rating: 4.5 STARS Genre: Romantic Comedy Standalone/Series: The Naughty Princess Club #1 - (can be read as a standalone) How I got this book: ARC from St. Martin's Press Meet the Naughty Princess Club: a brand new series from USA Today bestselling author Tara Sivec that introduces readers to Fairytale Lane and the hilarity—and romance—that ensue when three women start a new business to make it rain. Once upon a time Cynthia was the perfect housewife. Between being the President of the PTA and keeping her home spotless without a hair (or her pearls) out of place, her life was a dream come true. Her husband was once her knight in shining armor, but now he’s run off with all their money…and the babysitter. Dressed as a princess at the annual Halloween block party on Fairytale Lane, she meets two other “princesses” also facing money troubles: antique store owner Ariel and librarian Isabelle. When the women are invited to wear their costumes to a party where they’re mistaken for strippers, Cindy, Ariel, and Belle realize that a career change could be the best way to make their money problems go bippity-boppity-boo. But can structured Cindy approach a stripper pole without sanitizing wipes? And could the blue-eyed anti-prince that has been crossing her path become Cindy’s happily ever after? At the Stroke of Midnight is a hilarious, empowering story where princesses can save themselves while slaying in stilettos. Tara Sivec is the queen of adult comedy!
I've said it before and I'll say it again, nothing makes me laugh like Tara's romantic comedies. "Okay, I get it now. If he had said it makes his frickle hard, that wouldn't have been as hot." The characters are fun, real and crazy (in the best possible way)! The one-liners in this book had me laughing so hard I snorted. I love the ladies in this book. Cindy is strong-willed, ballsey and sexy but years of oppression force her into the mould of a prude. It takes a crappy wake up call, new friends and a man who lights everything on fire with his smoulder to give Cindy the push she needs to take back control of her life. And she does it in style! "You will tell me everything about why you walked over here an hour ago just to talk business and suddenly I find you riding him like Seabiscuit." Fans of Tara's Holiday's series will also be happy to spot the little Easter Egg from two of our favourite Holiday's characters in this book. This book is perfect for anyone who needs a side-splitting laugh with a heavy dose of grin-inducing romance, a hero to swoon for and three badass leading ladies (plus the other awesome ladies in this book) who pack punches, kicks and more dirty talk than a ship full of sailors. Fans of Tara's Chocolate Lovers/Chocoholics Series and Jed Had to Die will devour this book! "My God, you have eye chlamydia! See, I told you it wasn't an urban legend!" If you love princesses, but wish they were a little more 'real' you need to read At the Stroke of Midnight! I can't wait for Belle to tackle the Beast in book number two!! I'll be over here still laughing at this book while I wait, and ordering myself a few tequila t-shirts ;) Rating: 5 STARS! Genre: Romantic Comedy Standalone/Series: Sequel to The Story of Us but can be read as a standalone How I got this book: ARC from Grand Central Station Some of you might know that Tara Sivec is one of my all-time favourite romance authors and so, I was thrilled to get my hands on an ARC of her new novel, Wish You Were Mine. Wish You Were Mine is the sequel to The Story of Us, although it can be read as a stand-alone. Synopsis:From the USA Today bestselling author of The Story of Us and Fisher’s Light comes a new, standalone novel—a heart-wrenching story about first loves and second chances that will make you fall in love all over again…. Five years. I would’ve stayed away longer if I hadn’t received the letter. Not a day has gone by that I haven’t thought about her, haven’t missed her smile, haven’t wished that things were different. The last time I saw my two best friends, I vowed to not stand in the way of their happiness, even if that meant I couldn’t be a part of their lives. Cameron James and her emerald-green eyes were too much of a temptation and I couldn’t stay and watch them together. Cameron deserved better than me. She deserved him. But now that I am back, things are different. I’m not going to stand by and watch the woman I’ve always loved slip away again. I’m done living my life with regrets and I’m ready to tell her the truth. And I’ll do whatever it takes to show her that I always wished she was mine. Review:I know, right? You can already tell it's going to be amazing!
Wish You Were Mine is a beautiful, haunting second-chance love story. This book will break and heal your heart whilst simultaneously making you laugh, smile and cry. I read this book in one sitting (that lasted a good few hours) because I just could not put it down. (I'd apologise to my family for my absence but I'm pretty sure they're used to it by now.) Aiden's letter had me entranced and welling up from the start. All of the characters are real, believable and witty and their journey is heartbreakingly beautiful. Tara's characters always leave a lasting impression, even the ones who don't make it (if you read The Story of Us, you'll know who I mean). In Wish You Were Mine, the three main characters Cameron, Everett and Aiden are supported by a fantastic array of characters including Cam's best friend Millie, Everett's brother Jason and Cam's parents Eli and Shelby (it was a real joy to see how their happy ending and how things came full circle for them at the end). I love Tara's writing style and her dual POV that allows you to really connect with each character, to feel and experience their thoughts and emotions which made this story extremely powerful. I lost all track of time as I was drawn into the lives of Cam and Everett. If you loved The Story of Us, or Fisher's Light, Cam and Everett will steal your heart. Their love is so powerful it bursts from the pages. I often found myself cursing the characters for not seeing what was right in front of them, but the way Tara perfectly illustrates their personal journey and the steps which lead them back to each other will leave your heart in tatters. If you love second-chance romance stories, inseparable best friends and life changing relationships, you need to read Wish You Were Mine. FYI, whilst some of the characters in this book were introduced in The Story of Us, it can be read as a stand-alone. But for those of us, like me, who fell in love with Rylan, it was not only lovely to see how he was honoured in this book, but also to find a similarly amazing character in Aiden. 5 stars from me and definitely a book I'll remember! |
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About Kay (She/Her)
Book addict, film mad, music lover, business owner, writer and mum (not necessarily in that order), living in the UK. About Sophie (She/Her)
Sophie loves books (obviously). She has a passion for photography and spotting wildlife, and is interested in anything made with passion and creativity. THIS BLOG IS SPOILER FREE!
Rating system: 5 Stars - AMAZING!! 4.5 Stars - Almost perfect! 4 Stars - I really loved it 3.5 Stars - I liked it alot 3 Stars - I liked it (I don't typically review books that I rate below 3 stars)
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