Love Story by Jennifer Echols

For Review: Galley Grab
Published: 19 July 2011

From Goodreads: She's writing about him. he's writing about her. And everybody is reading between the lines..


For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions--it's her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family's racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin's college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter . . . so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment?

Then, on the day she's sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He's joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin's heart with longing. Now she's not just imagining what might have been. She's writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter . . . except this story could come true.

I really enjoy Jennifer Echols' books.  I love the characters and there is always serious chemistry between the two leads.

I have to admit this one took a little while to get into but once I did I loved it.  I enjoyed the fact it's set at college - not many YA books I've read have this setting - and I loved the way the stories the character's wrote for their classes were integrated into the plot.  They were really fun to read and gave a really good insight into both Erin and Hunter.

Erin was an interesting character.  I was intrigued by her relationship with her grandmother and her decision to 'go it alone'.  I was hoping for a bit more closure on that aspect of the story but I thought it added an interesting layer to the story.  And I loved Hunter.  Jennifer Echols really does know how to create hot, gorgeous but accessible male leads for her books!  And the chemistry between him and Erin is great.  I loved all the banter and back and forth between them.  Great stuff!

The secondary characters really add to the story as well.  I especially loved Erin's roommate Jørdis who spent most of the book roping people into cutting out faces for her and their creative writing professor was awesome too.

I can't wait to read whatever Jennifer Echols writes next - if you haven't tried one of her books I recommend giving one a try.  I have the feeling you'll love it:)

The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

For Review: Galley Grab
Published: 28 June 2011

From Goodreads: Sometimes there's no turning back.

Amber's life is spinning out of control. All she wants is to turn up the volume on her iPod until all of the demands of her family and friends fade away. So she sneaks off to the beach to spend a day by herself.

Then Amber meets Cade. Their attraction is instant, and Amber can tell that he's also looking for an escape. Together they decide to share a perfect day: no pasts, no fears, no regrets.

The more time that Amber spends with Cade, the more she's drawn to him. And the more she's troubled by his darkness. Because Cade's not just living in the now--he's living each moment like it's his last.

I've been a big fan of Lisa Schroeder since reading her first verse novel and really look forward to her new releases. When I saw this on Galley Grab I jumped at the chance to read it and I loved it.  I now have my copy and can't wait to read it over and over again.

Verse novel have been a surprise for me.  They are not something I thought I would like but I really do, and I find there is something magical about them.  It's as if the author can take the best words to tell a story and only use them while still conveying a beautiful and powerful story.

The story follows Amber and Cade.  Both wish to spend a day for themselves, away from their family & friends. When they meet at the beach there is an instant connection.  Both have reasons for wanting a day for themselves but what are they...?

I loved Amber and Cade straight away and really invested in their connection.  Yes, it happens quickly - the novel takes place over the course of a day - but it felt right.  I could really picture these two together and I thought it fell into place that they would connect - they were both looking to make sense of something.

Both Amber and Cade have interesting stories and I was equally invested in both.  Their reactions and feelings felt spot on making this feel very honest, but there are also some nice lighter moments.  I loved all the movie references, and thought the inclusion of the letters was a nice touch. I especially like the last letter!

I can't wait for more books by Lisa Schroeder.  I hope this is great addition to what I hope will be many, many more books by this author.

We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

For Review: S&S Galley Grab
Published: 26 April 2011

From Goodreads: It's been two years since Conrad told Belly to go with Jeremiah. She and Jeremiah have been inseparable ever since, even attending the same college-- only, their relationship hasn't exactly been the happily ever after Belly had hoped it would be. And when Jeremiah makes the worst mistake a boy can make, Belly is forced to question what she thought was true love. Does she really have a future with Jeremiah? Has she ever gotten over Conrad? It's time for Belly to decide, once and for all, who has her heart forever.

I was so excited to see this on galley grab. I loved both of the previous books in the series and I did not want to wait until next year when this one publishes in the UK to find out what happens. I had to know - who would she choose? And would it be the one I wanted it to be?

The story starts two years after the events of It's Not Summer Without You. Belly is at college - with Jeremiah - and they have been together for the past two years. But Belly learns a shocking truth - something she thought would never happen. Narrated from Belly and Conrad's point of view we get the final instalment in this wonderful series.

So I loved it! I loved every thing about it - it was one of those books where I couldn't wait to get to the end to find out what would happen, but at the same time didn't want it to end. Belly was even more adorable - if that's possible!  I love how she has grown over the course of the series.  Jeremiah is still lovely - but seeing him at university with his friends showed a side to him we didn't see during the summers at Cousins and I'm not sure it was a side I particularly liked.  Conrad was his usual self and having portions of the story narrated from his point of view gave more insight into his character and I think I fell  in love with him just that little bit more!

I can honestly say I am not ready for this to be the last in the series - I don't want to leave these characters just yet. So I will be holding out hope that the author may revisit them at a later date. I know I would be the first in line if that were to happen!

Did Belly end up with the one I hoped she would? I am so not telling! To be honest I think it would be too much of a spoiler if I said whether I was happy with her decision - I think in previous reviews for the series I have made it very clear who I'd like her to end up with - but I will say that despite my own preferences I do think the ending was the right one for the story.

I can't wait to see what Jenny Han writes next. A great end to a fabulous series - if you haven't read them yet then I recommend you check them out.