ARC Review: Rush Me by Allison Parr

Rush Me by Allison Parr  

Publishers: Carina Press
Published Date: Apr 8 2013
From: Net Galley
My rating: 4 out of 5

Synopsis:
When post-grad Rachael Hamilton accidentally gatecrashes a pro-athlete party, she ends up face-to-face with Ryan Carter, the NFL’s most beloved quarterback.

While most girls would be thrilled to meet the attractive young millionaire, Rachael would rather spend time with books than at sporting events, and she has more important things to worry about than romance. Like her parents pressuring her to leave her unpaid publishing internship for law school. Or her brother, who’s obliviously dating Rachael’s high school bully. Or that same high school’s upcoming reunion.

Still, when Ryan’s rookie teammate attaches himself to Rachael, she ends up cohosting Friday night dinners for half a dozen football players.

Over pancake brunches, charity galas, and Alexander the Great Rachael realizes all the judgments she’d made about Ryan are wrong. But how can a Midwestern Irish-Catholic jock with commitment problems and an artsy, gun-shy Jewish New Englander ever forge a partnership? Rachael must let down her barriers if she wants real love–even if that opens her up to pain that could send her back into her emotional shell forever.

Review:

This book took me completely by surprise. After reading the synopsis I worried that it would read too cliché but the story and the characters are witty, artsy, slightly off the wall, but most of all fun. Fun that's drenched with fear, worry and a whole lot of buried emotions.

A very simple story when it comes down to it. Girl meets boy, boy annoys girl, girl annoys back. Then they meet again and they react to each other again. Eventually they realise that this is their thing. And it carries on from there. They do nice things for each other but sometimes jealousy, doubt, and lack of confidence gets involved and they lose control of their verbal filters and words become hurtful. Both Ryan and Rachael have huge lessons to learn when it comes to love but the best thing they learn is they can't live without each other. Surrounding them is a fantastic group of friends. Eva is wonderful as the theatrical room-mate and the football boys were good fun.

It kind of reminded me a little of Love Unscripted, and I loved Rachael and her comebacks. She's nervous, antsy, and her attitude and snark is just her retaliation to being uncomfortable.

A great read!

-CB x

You can reach Allison Parr here:
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Review: Chaos Tryst by Shirin Dubbin

Chaos Tryst by Shirin Dubbin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Thank you to Net Galley and Carina Press for allowing me to read this book!


Synopsis:
A chaos magic Goldilocks and a Russian bear-shifter team-up for a rollicking fairytale retelling--and maybe a little romance.
Ariana Golde may be known for breaking and entering but she's no thief, she’ s a returner. She retrieves stolen objects and gives them back to their rightful owners. Her latest job: retrieving a statue from the Medveds. But Ari is having an off night, and she's caught red-handed by the three brothers, who don't just get mad—they turn into bears.

Maksim Medved is outraged — the statue belongs to his parents. But Ari's returner magick doesn't lie: the heirloom has a new rightful owner. Ari is drawn to the surly, handsome Maks — maybe because he possesses the same chaos magick she does. But while Ariana enjoys a touch of chaos, Maks hates its destructive power.

When Ari and Maks team up to find her mystery client, their chaos magicks ignite even faster than their attraction. Can Maks learn to love a little chaos, or will the havoc they cause among the faebled creatures drive him away for good?

Review:


This has to be one of the most exciting reads I’ve read in a long time. The retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears is brought up to date with the authors humour and modern tricks to boot.

Enter Ariane, a Faeble, and her magic stick! Bring on Three Medveds who can turn into Russian Bears and you have a light hearted, skilled new story-telling at its best.

The intricate way that Dubbin writes will have you hanging on to every word, sentence, and page. Before you know it, you’ll be so into the tale you won’t want to put it down.

Quality writing at its best!

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Review: Altered Destiny by Shawna Thomas

Altered Destiny by Shawna Thomas

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Thank you to Net Galley and Carina Press for allowing me to read this book.


Altered Destiny - mmm, to be honest, the title of this book does it no justice whatsover. This book was SO much more and I loved it from start to finish.

Synopsis:
Selia has run her family's tavern since she was fifteen and can hunt and fight the equal of any man. When she rescues a badly wounded man and nurses him back to health, she has no idea she's about to change not only her life, but also the destinies of two peoples…


The battered warrior is Svistra—a race of bloodthirsty savages determined to destroy her homeland. Or so the stories claim. Jaden reveals a different truth: how his ancestors were driven into the barren northern mountains. Now they are strong and war parties are pushing south wanting their land back.

The son of a Svistra Commander, Jaden is looking for a way to bring peace to both humans and Svistrans. He tries to ignore his growing passion for Selia, but when she is captured he has to decide what he would be willing to sacrifice to save the woman he loves…

Review:

Selia, our heroine, is as gutsy as the toughest woman you know, but she's soft and feminine when she needs to be, not that she wants that way of life.

Jaden is a Svistra (blood dependent savage enemy to all) who Selia rescues from three thieves about to end his life.

Enter the magic! From the moment they laid eyes on each other they know they were fated to be together. But this strong a connection was never going to run smoothly.


In a world where Kings occupy thrones and are reluctant to enter the fray of battle, mayhem and chaos takes over the lands and war is imminent. It can only be stopped if leaders drop their guards and allow an enemy, a Svistra, to take things into his own hands.

The characters in this book are all brilliant and true to life. You shared moments with each and every one including Nathan and Leisle.

But most of all the adventure shared with Jaden and Selia is awesome.

Shawn Thomas has written such a marvellous book that would be enjoyed by anyone seeking a story of romance, high adventure and a kick-ass sword-wielding heroine! I LOVED it!

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