Wait for You by J Lynn (Jennifer L Armentrout)

Goodreads
332 pages, NA Contemporary Romance
Wait for You #1
My rating: 4 stars

Synopsis

Some things are worth waiting for…

Traveling thousands of miles from home to enter college is the only way nineteen-year-old Avery Morgansten can escape what happened at the Halloween party five years ago—an event that forever changed her life. All she needs to do is make it to her classes on time, make sure the bracelet on her left wrist stays in place, not draw any attention to herself, and maybe—please God—make a few friends, because surely that would be a nice change of pace. The one thing she didn’t need and never planned on was capturing the attention of the one guy who could shatter the precarious future she’s building for herself.

Some things are worth experiencing…

Cameron Hamilton is six feet and three inches of swoon-worthy hotness, complete with a pair of striking blue eyes and a remarkable ability to make her want things she believed were irrevocably stolen from her. She knows she needs to stay away from him, but Cam is freaking everywhere, with his charm, his witty banter, and that damn dimple that’s just so… so lickable. Getting involved with him is dangerous, but when ignoring the simmering tension that sparks whenever they are around each other becomes impossible, he brings out a side of her she never knew existed.

Some things should never be kept quiet…

But when Avery starts receiving threatening emails and phone calls forcing her to face a past she wants silenced, she’s has no other choice but to acknowledge that someone is refusing to allow her to let go of that night when everything changed. When the devastating truth comes out, will she resurface this time with one less scar? And can Cam be there to help her or will he be dragged down with her?

And some things are worth fighting for…

My 2 cents

I was so thrilled to get to read a NA contemporary by Jennifer Armentrout!  I love her books, and this one was no exception!  This is definitely an NA book--there are a lot of graphic sex scenes, so be forewarned!

The story is told from Avery's POV.  Its obvious from the beginning that she has problems, and although she gives us a lot of hints, we don't actually get the full story of what happened to her when she was 14 until the very end of the story.  I was able to guess a lot of it, though!

It starts off with her literary running into the hot and tall Cam Hamilton!  Avery is shy, wary, and afraid of all guys in general.  She has been a social recluse all through high school, so she isn't used to making friends and hanging out with people!  Luckily, Cam changes all that for her!

I loved the romance in this story.  Some of the scenes just sizzled, but it also had that first love sort of feel.  Avery had never even kissed anyone before Cam, which comes as a shock to him since she is 19 years old!  Most of the story was about Avery and Cam, although we get to meet a few other friends in there as well.  All of the characters were very well done.  This was a total college feel type of book!

The ending was a little surprising for me, and I was really happy with the way it tied things up, but still kept things realistic.  This is the first in a series, so I can't wait to read more about Avery and Cam!

Sweet Valley Confidential by Francine Pascal

Goodreads
239 pages, NA Contemporary
Sweet Valley High, Ten Years Later
My rating: 4 stars

Synopsis

What terrible secret has torn Jessica and Elizabeth apart?

Ten years after Sweet Valley High, the Wakefield twins have had a falling out of epic proportions. When Jessica commits a complete and utter betrayal, Elizabeth flees to New York to escape the pain. Jessica remains in California, dealing with the fallout of her heart-wrenching choices. But with Elizabeth as her enemy, Sweet Valley is no longer the idyllic town of their youth.

Elizabeth soon decides the only way to heal her broken heart is to get revenge for Jessica’s duplicity. Always the “good” twin, Elizabeth about to turn the tables…

Francine Pascal finally unfolds the continuing story of Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield—and the whole gang from Sweet Valley—that will delight and surprise the millions of fans of these beloved characters.

My 2 cents

I've heard terrible reviews on this book, but I just had to read it for myself!  Sweet Valley!  Oh my gosh, I loved these books when I was young!  I read all the Sweet Valley Twins when I was in 5th and 6th grade, then started the Sweet Valley High set in 7th grade.  I'm sure I've read them all!  

Well, I was pleasantly surprised!  It was a really good visit back to Sweet Valley!  I'm guessing the reviews had to do more with people's reactions to their favorite characters.  But what is Sweet Valley without some drama?  Did you really think everyone was going to live happily ever after?

So the big secret that the synopsis promises? Its a game changer! (This is not a spoiler, its brought up right away in the book!)  The betrayal--Jessica and Todd!  I kid you not! Todd cheats on Elizabeth with Jessica, and now Todd and Jessica are getting married!  Elizabeth is, understandably  super pissed off about this, and has turned a complete 180!  She is no longer the sweet, kind soul we loved in the previous books!  She is a woman looking for revenge!

Jessica, on the other hand, hasn't really changed all that much.  She is completely in love with Todd. I guess you would hope so, to betray her sister!  Todd came across as an arse in this book.  Meanwhile, Bruce has also turned a 180, and is Elizabeth's best friend!  Lila Fowler, Ken Matthew, and Caroline Pearce also have not changed one bit.  Be prepared for some other game changers from Steven Wakefield, Winston Egbert, and Enid (can't think of her last name)!  In fact, Enid hardly makes the story!

A lot of the story is comprised of flashbacks that shows the reader what really happened to change all these characters so much.  Francine Pascal could write a whole new series just on these flashbacks alone!  But considering how unhappy most fans seem with this book, I'm guessing it won't be in our future!  The ending was perfect for me!  It was not was I was expecting, but I loved it!

Surrender Your Love Book Blitz + Giveaway!

Surrender Your Love

Release date: March 15th, 2013

Meeting Jett was like lightning. Dangerous. Better left untouched. And better forgotten. But lightning always strikes twice.

Brooke Stewart, a realtor in New York, doesn’t do relationships. When she’s sent to a remote estate to finalize a real estate deal, she discovers her new boss is no other than the guy she left naked in bed.

Sexy, dangerously handsome, and arrogant Jett Mayfield attracts trouble, and women, like a lightning rod. But the night he meets Brooke he gets more than he bargained for. The green-eyed millionaire playboy isn’t used to taking no for an answer, and he isn’t about to start now.

When he proposes two months of no strings sex, Brooke is intrigued and accepts his proposal. Little does she know Jett’s determined to claim the one woman he can’t have, pulling her deeper into his dangerous world.

A man who doesn't take 'no' for an answer.

A woman afraid to surrender to love.

Two lives that are about to cross...and secrets laid bare.

Author links:

http://jcreedauthor.blogspot.com

http://twitter.com/jcreedauthor

http://www.facebook.com/pages/JC-Reed/295864860535849

And now, for the giveaway!

Enter on the Rafflecopter below, and Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

From This Moment On by Bella Andre + Sullivan Dating Game!

Welcome to the Sullivan Dating Game!

In the hot seat today is Marcus Sullivan from the book, From This Moment On!

Marcus Sullivan*

Age: 36

Profession: Vineyard Owner

Line up:  Oldest Sullivan

Looks: Classic Handsome

Best Character Traits: Take Charge, Responsible, Loving Parent Figure (for his younger siblings), Chilvarous, wealthy

Flaws: Likes to be in control, very dominating, doesn't have enough fun!

Overall rating:  B

Thoughts:  Although I love how take charge and in control he is, that could be a problem for me, as I like to be in control in the relationship!

* This is only for entertainment purposes only.  This guy is actually a male model, but I couldn't find his real name!

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Juliababyjen's Review 

GoodReads

176 pages, Adult Contemporary Romance

The Sullivans #2

My rating: 4 stars

Synopsis

With FROM THIS MOMENT ON, bestselling author Bella Andre introduces you to Marcus, the second Sullivan bad boy, whose life will never be the same from the moment he meets Nicola….

For thirty-six years, Marcus Sullivan has been the responsible older brother, stepping in to take care of his seven siblings after their father died when they were children. But when the perfectly ordered future he's planned for himself turns out to be nothing but a lie, Marcus needs one reckless night to shake free from it all.

Nicola Harding is known throughout the world by only one name - Nico - for her catchy, sensual pop songs. Only, what no one knows about the twenty-five year old singer is that her sex-kitten image is totally false. After a terrible betrayal by a man who loved fame far more than he ever loved her, she vows not to let anyone else get close enough to find out who she really is...or hurt her again. Especially not the gorgeous stranger she meets at a nightclub, even though the hunger - and the sinful promises - in his dark eyes make her want to spill all her secrets.

One night is all Nicola and Marcus agree to share with each other. But nothing goes as they plan when instead of simply tangling limbs, they find a deeper connection than either of them could have anticipated. And even though they both try to fight it, growing emotions - and sizzling attraction - keep drawing them closer together.

Close enough for them to wonder if stealing one more secret moment together can ever be enough?

My 2 cents

I liked this book a little better than the first one.  I didn't like Marcus as much as Chase,

and Marcus really wouldn't be my type, but I loved Nicola, and the sexual tension and the angst between them. There were a lot of sweet scenes between Marcus and Nicola. I love the structure of the story, and the scene at the video shoot the next day after they meet is priceless. As is the scene at the family luncheon!

I loved that we got to see the relationship between Marcus and Lori.  They are a great pair! It really showed how much of a "big brother" Marcus is.  It was great to see more of the Sullivan family in this book!

I didn't really like how controlling Marcus was. Nicola was so pure and mostly innocent, it just seemed wrong somehow. Not my type of thing at all.

I loved the ending, and how it wasn't a really big happy ever after, which made it feel more realistic. Marcus and Nicola were still trying to make things work, and it left a lot of open ends, so I'm hopeful for another book on these two!

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren.  Us bloggers feature any new books we've received in the past week, either bought, borrowed, or received for review.

This is my first IMM for After Dark!  I'm really excited, I received lots of good looking new romances this week!

eBooks I bought

eBooks from Netgalley

I am in love with Male Order's cover!  What a hunk!

I can't wait to read all this beauties!

What did you get in your mailbox?