YOURS FOR THE TAKING
Author: Robin Kaye
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge
in exchange for an honest review*

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (January 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402240104
ISBN-13: 978-1402240102

SUMMARY:

He might be too good to be true…

Ben Walsh shouldn’t be single. Handsome and wealthy, Ben is equally at home in Idaho where he grew up and in Manhattan where he’s now an art dealer. Suave and successful with impeccable taste, he normally has women beating down his door. But the one woman he wants can’t be convinced that he’s for real…

She isn’t sure if she has time for fairy tales…

Gina Reyez has fought for every bit of her success, and it’s about time for things to start going her way. So when Ben makes a proposal that will allow her to take care of her family the way she wants to, she agrees. Besides, a guy this perfect would never be interested in her…right? By the time Gina figures out that she’s read Ben all wrong, the arrangements are made, the papers are signed…but what exactly are they getting themselves into?

MY THOUGHTS:

It has been so long since I have read this series, that I forgot how much fun and amazing it was!  Author Robin Kaye has a way of giving you a relaxing and wonderful contemporary romance without all the nonsense you see in some books.

The characters of Gina and Ben were such a delight to read about.  The conflict and spark that you always like to have in a romance was present from the beginning.  Even though I think the plot of marrying for money or to secure a place in a will demand has been used plenty of times before, the author made sure to put her own spin on it and bring a delightful and fun read.  I loved Gina trying to figure out how to adjust to wilderness life! It was so much fun to read about. 

After I finished the book, I was satisfied with everything within the covers.  The author didn’t disappoint me with the new book.  Think of it as a relaxing bath tub read for when you need a break!  I loved it!

MY RATING:

I DREAM OF GENIES
Author: Judi Fennell
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge
in exchange for an honest review*

Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (January 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402241895
ISBN-13: 978-1402241895

SUMMARY:

Having a 2,000 year old magic genie fall right into your lap should be a good thing. At least, that’s what down-on-his luck Matt Ewing thought. But Eden is no subservient fairy tale genie. Beautiful and independent, Eden isn’t so keen on having to answer to yet another master. Then, after centuries of being alone, and against her better judgment, Eden suddenly finds herself in danger of falling for Matt. When she flips his already unstable world upside down, Matt is at his wits’ end-if only he didn’t find his inept genie so darn irresistible!

MY THOUGHTS:

After reading the authors previous series featuring under water adventures, I had great expectations for her new trilogy featuring Genies.  I love the way the author can take a fantasy romance and weave fun humor into the tale without going overboard on it.  


With this book, the author did not disappoint with her way of making magic with words.  Eden was funny and determined which fit her character well.  She also balanced perfectly with Matt, who has had some bad luck lately.  Both characters were a delight to read about and they each brought a unique charm to the book. 


Although I still love the authors previous works better, this is a new series that I am sure will capture your heart just as well.  A wonderful book with just enough romance, fun and charm to keep you wishing for more!


MY RATING:

PERFECT CHEMISTRY
Author: Simone Elkeles
Source: Purchased

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers (December 23, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0802798225
ISBN-13: 978-0802798220

SUMMARY:

A modern tale of star-crossed lovers with a fresh urban twist. 

At Fairfield High School, on the outskirts of Chicago , everyone knows that south-siders mixing with north-siders can be explosive.  So when Brittany Ellis and Alejandro “Alex” Fuentes are forced to be lab partners in chemistry class, this human experiment leads to unexpected revelations – that Brittany ’s flawless reputation is a cover for her troubled home life, that Alex’s bad-boy persona  hides his desire to break free from gang ties, and that when they’re together, life somehow makes more sense.  Breaking through the stereotypes and expectations that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart, Perfect Chemistry takes readers to both sides of the tracks in a passionate love story about looking beneath the surface.

MY THOUGHTS:

In Fairfield, the school is divided between the rich north-siders and the gangs of the south-siders.  Brittany comes from the North side and seems perfect on the outside.  She has the brains, the beauty, and to others she has the perfect life.  In reality she has a Father who is hardly home, a Mother who is constantly trying to perfect everyone in the house, and a sister with disabilities.  She is always trying to make sure her life seems perfect even if she is crumbling on the inside.

Alex comes from the South Side where he is a member of the Latino Blood gang.  He secured himself in the gang to make sure his family is safe after the death of his Father.  Everyone at Fairfield High School steers clear of Alex.  They know he is part of a gang, and they have heard the rumors about him.  When Mrs.P, the chemistry teacher, pairs the two together for lab, it becomes the clash of the rich snob versus the poor gangster. 

I really enjoyed this book.  I have been dying to start this series after reading so much about it on other blogs, but I never seemed to have the time.  I finally decided to take a break from other books and start the series.  I loved the way Brittany acted around her sister.  I am glad the author decided to make her out to be the caring person that I was hoping for instead of the snobby rich girl who looks down on a disabled person.  You could really tell that the two loved each other and Brittany did everything in her power to keep her parents from shipping her away to a group home for disabled children.

Alex was tough on the outside, but when you first meet him interacting with his family, you knew that this bad boy was going to capture your heart throughout the book.  He truly believes being apart of the gang is protecting his family until he starts to question the death of his Father.  His friend Paco, also captured my interest in this book and I was really hoping he would talk some sense into Alex.

When the two start to fall for each other, you can actually feel the struggle the two are going through on the inside.  The author did an amazing job with her writing and I loved how each chapter was in either Alex or Brittany’s point of view.  The progression of the story was done at a wonderful pace and believable as well.  The only issue I had with the book is the Spanish.  I don’t speak that much Spanish, and I didn’t understand some of the phrases that were being said by the characters, but it didn’t bother me too much.  I could still understand what was going on between it all.

A great book with the perfect amount of chemistry between two main characters that has me craving the next book in the series.

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS