1 cheating ex, 3 bottles of white wine, an emergency pep talk from the girls… and this seemed like a good idea at the time:
Izzy Shaw’s Getting-Over-Him Action List
1. eBay his entire collection of football memorabilia and spend all profits on treating myself to fabulous new wardrobe.
2. Turn plans for ‘Loved-Up Mini-Break’ at exclusive boutique hotel into a weekend of spa pampering, me-time and shopping at Harvey Nics.
3. Don’t get even, get even better. Have one night stand with drop-dead gorgeous stranger – Mr Tall, Dark & Handsome in the hotel lobby is just what I need!
Your room or mine? Go on Izzy…
Several weeks ago HarperCollins announced a new exciting range of romance fiction: HarperImpulse. Since then, the lovely team has set up their own website (check it out at http://www.harperimpulseromance.com/) and they have signed their first authors, including Charlotte Phillips... Exciting times! I had seen the cover for Charlotte’s short story ‘Your Room or Mine?’ flying past on Twitter several times, and was quite curious what the Harper Impulse authors would be like. So, when I won a free e-copy of ‘Your Room or Mine?’ (thanks to the lovely ladies at HarperImpulse!), I couldn’t wait to sit down and get stuck in the story.
Izzy Shaw needs all the wine and chocolate she can get. Just a few weeks ago she was happy in love with her boyfriend Joe, secretly dreaming of a proposal and decorating their future family home. Imagine the shock when she found out Joe was busy with a slightly different kind of ‘business’ during his business trips than Izzy thought. After a pep talk from her best friends, Izzy decides to not act like the victim and she makes use of the surprise romantic mini-break she had planned for her and Joe. Never mind the Romantic Getaway Package, including the His & Her massages and romantic dinner... Just when Izzy decides this hotel visit might not have been the best idea ever, she bumps into handsome, dark-haired business man Oliver Forbes. It’s clear from the start that Oliver is flirting with her and up for a night of passion, no strings attached. But good girl Izzy couldn’t possibly do a thing like that... Or could she?
I warmed to Izzy from the first few pages of the story. I thought she was really strong for going on this romantic hotel mini-break without her boyfriend. And I couldn’t help but feel for her when the hotel staff gave her that pitiful look, while going on about the ‘his & her’ massages and romantic dinner package. Thank god for Oliver! The instant chemistry between him and Izzy almost sparked off the pages, and I knew Izzy wouldn’t be able to stay away from him (honestly, she would have been crazy if she had!). Even after their first night together, I wanted to read on to see whether this would turn into more than just a one-night-stand, and I was secretly hoping for a big Oliver & Izzy get-together before the ending of the story... However, that is of course something I am not going to give away in this review!
I was pleasantly surprised by Charlotte Phillips’ short story. I usually only read full-length novels, but I really enjoyed this because of the lovely characters and the fast-paced plot. Next to that, I’m not too big a fan of erotic fiction, but this was definitely more ‘romance’ with a sexy twist to it. I even found myself wishing there had been more pages... In my opinion, Oliver and Izzy deserve a full-length novel! ‘Your Room or Mine?’ is a romantic, sexy, fun read, which many contemporary women will enjoy and relate to. I can’t wait to read Charlotte Phillips’ next story/novel and I’ll keep my fingers crossed for more Izzy and Oliver in the future!
Rating:
8,0/10
Several days ago I already informed you of some of the fabulous June releases that are coming up, but it's true... There's more! Be sure to add these lovely novels to your to-read list if you don't want to miss out!
Lauren Weisberger - 'Revenge of Prada: The Devil Returns' (4th/20th of June 2013)
Everything’s in place for the season’s hottest launch:
Tall latte (with two raw sugars)? Check.
Gucci trench (draped over desk)? Check.
Outrageous, unreasonable demands? Check.
Andy has just turned thirty and is an incredibly successful magazine editor, working closely with her best friend Emily, another Runway survivor. She’s about to get married – life’s on track and she’s been careful to stay clear of Miranda Priestly, her dreadful first boss. But Andy’s luck is running out. Miranda Priestly isn’t the kind of woman who hides in the background.
She’s back… and more devilish than ever.
Why so excited? --> I have to admit, I'm not too keen on the covers of Lauren Weisberger's sequel to 'The Devil Wears Prada', but I am dead excited about the fact that there is actually going to be a sequel! I loved the first book and film, and I can't wait to read more about Andy and Miranda and all the outrageous, unreasonable demands... This is going to be great, I can feel it!
Victoria Fox - 'Wicked Ambition' (7th of June 2013)
If not victory, revenge!
Some will do anything for fame. Others will do anything to bring the famous down.
Three superstars. Three secrets.
For Robin, Turquoise and Kristin, the spotlight shines brightly. They ve reached the glittering heights of stardom, and are adored the world over. But in the shadows lies the truth... An exposé could be their end. Because not everyone is happy about their success. Not everyone wants the best for them. Some people want to reveal the real stories behind the luxury parties and gorgeous men, and bring their dazzling worlds crashing to the ground.
Who will fall first?
Why so excited? --> I haven't read Victoria Fox's novel 'Temptation Island', but I've heard that if you're looking for a bit of glamour and scandal, you've found the right author! The blurb and the cover already fit these two keywords perfectly, and I have to be honest: I'm definitely intrigued!
Sally Koslow - 'The Widow Waltz' (13th of June 2013)
Georgia Waltz has things many people only dream of: a plush Manhattan apartment overlooking Central Park, a Hamptons beach house, valuable jewels and art, two bright daughters, and a husband she adores, even after decades of marriage. It’s only when Ben suddenly drops dead from a massive coronary while training for the New York City Marathon that Georgia discovers her husband—a successful lawyer—has left them nearly penniless. Their wonderland was built on lies.
As the family attorney scours emptied bank accounts, Georgia must not only look for a way to support her family, she needs to face the revelation that Ben was not the perfect husband he appeared to be, just as her daughters—now ensconced back at home with secrets of their own—have to accept that they may not be returning to their lives in Paris and at Stanford subsidized by the Bank of Mom and Dad. As she uncovers hidden resilience, Georgia’s sudden midlife shift forces her to consider who she is and what she truly values. That Georgia may also find new love in the land of Spanx and stretch marks surprises everyone—most of all, her.
Why so excited? --> 'The Widow Waltz' doesn't fit the picture of a happy chick lit novel, but I am definitely drawn towards this book. The blurb promises a dramatic tale with a twist of hope, and the cover fits this idea perfectly, in my opinion. I'm really curious about this one and can't wait to find out more about Georgia and her struggles.
Allie Spencer - 'Save the Date' (20th of June 2013)
Family weddings can be hell.
...and, marooned in Italy for her cousin's nuptials, Ailsa can be forgiven for thinking that this one is worse than most. With the bride and groom at loggerheads and the guests in uproar, it is a million miles away from the rest and relaxation she'd been hoping for.
And then suddenly, in the middle of the mayhem, she comes face-to-face with Nick, the man she walked out on just a few months earlier.
How can Ailsa help get the wedding back on track when she and Nick can't stop arguing? But if they do, she might remember why she fell in love with him in the first place - and then there really would be trouble.
Why so excited? --> I've heard lots of exciting and lovely things about 'Save the Date' already and I can't wait for its release! The cover is simply stunning and the story sounds great... A wedding, a good love-story... Count me in!
Sheila O'Flanagan - 'The Things We Never Say' (20th of June 2013)
Abbey Andersen is the last person to go looking for change. Yes, it's tough that she barely sees her mother these days - but in San Francisco she has great friends, a steady relationship and a job she enjoys. When Abbey is contacted by Irish lawyer Ryan Gilligan she learns in an instant everything she believed about her roots is a lie. She must travel to Dublin to find out more - but she's scarcely off the plane when she's plunged into a new crisis. One that will change everything not just for Abbey but for the family in Ireland who had no idea that she even existed. Now Abbey has to make a choice that will affect everyone she knows. How can she be sure she makes the right one? And can life ever be quite the same again?
Why so excited? --> I love Sheila O'Flanagan; her novels are always guaranteed great reads, I think, and so it's no surprise I am really looking forward to reading 'The Things We Never Say'! The blurb sounds really interesting, and I can't wait to read Abbey's story!
Claire and Ben are the perfect couple. But behind the glossy façade, they've been desperately trying - and failing - to have a baby for years. Now, the stress and feelings of loss are taking their toll on their marriage. Claire's ready to give up hope and get on with her life, but Ben is not. And then Ben's best friend, Romily, offers to conceive via artificial insemination and carry the baby for them.
Romily acts in good faith, believing it will be easy to be a surrogate. She's already a single mother, and has no desire for any more children. Except that being pregnant with Ben's child stirs up all sorts of emotions in her, including one she's kept hidden for a very long time: Ben's the only man she's ever loved.
Two mothers-and one baby who belongs to both of them, and which only one of them can keep.
Julie Cohen’s latest novel, ‘Dear Thing’, which was released on the 11th of April 2013, quickly turned into a book all the bloggers seemed to be talking about. My Twitter timeline included lots of positive messages about ‘Dear Thing’ almost every single day, which only sparked my curiosity. So, when Transworld contacted me about a possible review copy (thanks so much September!), I immediately got excited. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on ‘Dear Thing’ and see whether it was really as good as everyone was telling me.
To the outside world, Claire and Ben are the perfect couple: happily married, well-paid jobs, a beautiful big family home... The only thing that seems to be missing from this picture are the children, and that is exactly where Ben and Claire are struggling. After several years of trying and giving IVF numerous tries, Claire would do anything to have her own baby to take care of. However, when she suffers another miscarriage, she is once again heartbroken and tells Ben she doesn’t have the strength to keep doing this. So, when Ben and his best friend Romily are in the pub one night, and Romily (after a few glasses too many) offers to be Ben and Claire’s surrogate, Ben is over the moon. The day after, Romily immediately regrets what she said, but when she sees how happy Ben is, she can’t possibly back out... Especially not because she has been in love with Ben for a long time and she would do anything to see him happy. Romily, Ben and Claire soon find themselves in a tricky three-way relationship with many different emotions and a time-span of about nine months to fix it all...
The three main characters (Ben, Claire and Romily) in this novel really made the story come alive for me. Julie Cohen’s well-written, in-depth descriptions of these three individuals, and everything they think and feel, in combination with the sensitive topic of surrogacy, turned this into quite an intense read. I often start rooting for a particular character in a novel, but this time I felt myself torn between Romily and Claire. On the one hand, there’s lovely Romily, who’s disorganised, obsessed with insects, harbours a secret love for her best friend Ben, and does everything in her power to make sure her daughter Posie is brought up the right way. On the other hand, there’s Claire: as organised as can be, the perfect mother figure who is heartbroken because the one thing she has always wanted seems to be out of reach. Throughout the novel, I sympathised with both characters, but I think in the end Claire has to be my favourite. It was heartbreaking to read about how she considers herself a failure, and I really admire her strength to go on, and how she deals with everything that is thrown at her. I especially loved the relationship Claire has with one of her students, Max, which shows what a great teacher she is and what an amazing mum she could be, if only given the chance.
I thought the letters Romily writes to ‘Thing’, the baby, really added something special. Especially since they included all the feelings Romily is afraid to acknowledge out loud in the real world. I felt myself flying through the pages of this novel: it’s easy to read, which isn’t always the case when it comes to sensitive topics like this. Overall, ‘Dear Thing’ is a realistic, moving read not just about the difficult topic of surrogacy, but also about falling down and getting up again, not giving up on life and what you want from it, no matter what might be thrown at you.
Rating:
8/10
1 cheating ex, 3 bottles of white wine, an emergency pep talk from the girls… and this seemed like a good idea at the time:
