The Debt and The Doormat by Laura Barnard | A Book Review

It's a long weekend because of the July 4th. I work for a US company so I also enjoyed the long weekend.  I was feeling under the weather for the last two days so all I did was binge watch Korean dramas and movies. I was planning to write my very overdue book reviews but was feeling so uninspired. I have written very few reviews this year because when I get home from work, all I want to do is sleep. And on weekends, all I want to do are activities that do not involve brain function. Don't get me wrong, I love to write but it has been quite hard for me to find the time to really sit down and channel my emotion and thoughts. I guess, when you feel like you lack sleep and so stressed, it's a bit hard to focus. And I take writing my book reviews seriously. I need to be able to capture the emotions I felt when I read the book and convey it to the readers (to a few who read this blog). So, here I am again, trying to speak my thoughts. 

So, The Debt and The Doormat, I received this last year. I also read it last year, just haven't gotten around to posting a review. I was supposed to review the other books but it turned out I didn't have any pictures yet so I have to just review another one. I chose this book because this was so fun when I read it. This is a romantic comedy set in the UK. Yes, the voices of the characters when I was reading this were in British. 

The main character of the story is Poppy. Honestly, I am not sure if I like Poppy. Her character is not exactly the most admirable book character I have encountered but she had her good points too. Most of the time, I feel sorry for Poppy, especially with her obnoxious Mom. She can't seem to be honest with her Mom or if she did try, she was brushed aside. Yes, it seemed like it's so easy for people to not take her seriously and walk over her. Poor Poppy. Even her best friend, Jazz, seems to not take Poppy seriously sometimes, though she loves Poppy dearly. 

All in all, this was a fun read yet there would be times that you would feel irritated with the way the characters are acting. Sometimes you want to knock on their heads to put sense into the them. Poppy and Jazz' characters are not exactly lovable but you will feel like you want to get involved in their lives and help them. That's how the story was to me. I felt like wanting to be one of the characters and tell Poppy to stand up for herself and tell Jazz to grew a pair and start becoming a responsible adult. Good thing that these two actually developed and become better people by the end of the story. But a lot has to happen, mostly to Poppy, to make her see that people have been walking all over her and she just let them. 

One of the most delicate situations in this story was the one involving infidelity and the people involved are related to Poppy. She had caught the cheating couple and the dilemma is to tell the partners of these two what's going on. If I were Poppy, I would have told my brother. The truth will surely hurt and maybe destroy their marriage but I won't stand and just let my brother be made a fool. 

I think the flaw in Poppy's character is that she was unsure of herself, which most of us are also. But then again, even so, we have to know our strengths also. We have to know our values. What things do we love most and we should stand up for those things. We shouldn't let people just trample on them or destroy them. Somewhere, we have to draw the line where being nice and being such a pushover ends. But then, some people don't even realize that they've been taken advantage of. That they've been made a doormat. I guess, if I were one of Poppy's friends, I would have told her already. Of all the characters here, only one person was honest and cared enough to tell Poppy. It was Ryan. I would have done the same thing Ryan did. I would tell Poppy over and over how she's encouraging people to walk all over her. She should push back. I know her heart is in the right place but sometimes you have to tell people off. I am just happy that at the end, it all worked out for Poppy.

I gave this book 4/5 doormats. As I have said, Poppy is not the best character I've ever read but the whole book was entertaining that even if I have to read it again for the second time to make sure that I write my review right, it still felt like reading it for the first time. It was as entertaining as I remembered it. And that means a lot to me because I don't exactly reread books. To me rereading books either mean two things- one is I didn't understand the story or the book wasn't very memorable. The other is there is a need for me to read the story again because I badly needed to be reminded of how the story made me feel and I needed to feel that emotion in that very moment. There are stories that I have to reread because I needed to feel good about myself. I very rarely reread books. I reread this book because I am unsure of some of the details. Again, not liking Poppy's character so much, I had to be reminded of why I felt that way. With that said, I am not saying that this is not a worthy read. It is. I enjoyed it so much and the fact that Poppy's character bothers me so much is in itself evidence that the story got to me. Me being involved in Poppy's well-being is saying that I do care for Poppy although I wished she were firmer in her convictions. 

Maybe it won't be that bad to fancy someone a little bit. It might actually be good for me. He might be like medicine to me, a bit of a remedy. I just hope he doesn't turn out to be poison.

- Laura Barnard, The Debt and The Doormat -

Thank you again, Laura Barnard for the review book. 

Bagging Alice (Babes of Brighton #3) by Laura Barnard | ARC | A Book Review

First paragraph into the story and I felt like I was scandalized. The first few lines were not exactly what I expected to welcome me. It was so graphic and I wished the story did not start literally that way. Of course, this is an adult story and I know that there will be mature content. I just did not expect that it would be literally the first thing I would encounter.

As the chapter progresses, that graphic start of the story explained a lot. That actually was a crucial part of the main character's dilemma here. So, I do understand the author wanting to put that there but I think it was too much too soon. Anyway, as I have said, in some way it was justified but it just did not sit well with me. That's just me.

Moving on into the rest of the story, it was actually entertaining. A set of very varied characters and some of them even involved with each other is fun to read. Though there were times you tend to lose track of who's who, which character is which, because there was quite a number of them to remember. And I think, even the author in a way felt a little that way too because I noticed an inconsistency. There was a part where one character said something and then when that character was referred to again, it was a different person altogether. In a way, it was chaotic because of these host of characters but it was also fun. It was like watching this big group of friends getting together and exchanging antics. Imagine that and in the center of it all is Alice. Alice is not exactly the best of the bunch but rather the one with the most problems. If she could magically disappear from the face of the earth to save herself from all the troubles she's bombarded with, she would have. Thankfully, these set of friends are here to the rescue and make sure she gets back her life.

Alice, not exactly a female gifted with a douche-detection system, unfortunately always ends up with douche bags and more than her heart broken. The last one, broke the internet because of the salacious picture of Alice shared on social media. Yes, Alice scored big time on this one. M-A-J-O-R douche bag. And here comes the best part, the only way to start getting back control of her life from slipping into oblivion is to let another douche bag live with her-as her roommate. Yes, good luck with that.

Well, as you may have expected, the roommate did actually prove that Alice was not a magnet for douche bags. This one actually realized he needs to change his ways and Alice made him see that. With that said, the story ended quite how I wanted. I actually really liked the part how Tom's issue with his boss who was harassing him was resolved. Yes, good thing Tom was man enough to refuse her advances. I too thought that with his reputation as a man-whore, he would sleep with just about anyone. Please excuse the word. That was how he was called in the story most of the time by Alice and some of her girlfriends. Apparently, Tom has some decency left in him because he actually does not sleep with cougars even if it could help his career. God job Tom!

So, except for the shocking beginning, this story turned out to be so entertaining. I am glad that both main characters, Alice and Tom, actually developed as the story progresses. As it came to the end of the story, both characters were way a lot better than where they started in their relationships, personal life, and career. Most shocking of all was the real culprit who was responsible for the downfall of Alice. Evidently, not all douche bags are out of Alice's life. One unfortunately can't be rid of. How can you get rid of an evil blood relation? Well, killing them is definitely not a viable option but tempting. But Alice can still live her life according to her own terms and screw her family. She can be what she wants and she will prove just that without their help. She has great friends anyway who have been very supportive to her more than her family. That's all she needs.

With that, I give this book 3.5/5 cute dogs. Yes, there's actually a really cute dog in this story. Pickles actually proved that Tom, the imbecile, can actually be responsible for a dog and can change into a better man because he has found the right woman. Love does change a man for the better and in so may ways.

And just like that, when you think your life has already hit rock bottom it goes and shows you there's a basement.

- Laura Barnard, Bagging Alice - 

Thanks again, Laura Barnard for the ARC. Sorry for the delayed posting of the review.

Electric Impulse (Love, Life and Sex #1) by Angel Hilson | An ARC | A Book Review

The author sent me a review request through the contact us link of this blog. I did agree to review the book and make room for this because this is an ARC. This is a story about a woman who have abandonment issues and who was dumped in front of a lot of people in a family gathering at his boyfriend's house. Then, she meets a real estate mogul in the club she works for and their attraction and chemistry is undeniable. Why this story is called Electric Impulse is explained in the book. It's about the flowers and bees. The real story why bees know which flowers are ripe with pollen is because of electric impulse. Not the flowers and the bees version that parents give to their children to explain sex. It's an electric field that somehow leads the bees to the flowers and then bees carry the nectar so the flowers could be fertilized. How electric impulse is relevant in the story? You will have to find out. I don't want to spoil anything.

So, Aria and Phoenix. These are the two main characters in this story. By the way, this is a steamy book, so read at your own risk. Anyway, these two cross paths and the attraction between them was very palpable. You can feel it in the air but Aria is already taken. Then, the unthinkable happened and her boyfriend dumped her. In some way, fate seems to intervene and these two meet again after that drunken behavior of Phoenix in the club. They hang out and the rest is obvious. 

It turns out, Aria has a lot of things that she did not know about Phoenix and when they were revealed, it was a total shock to her. She felt like she was being played. I too was surprised at the twists in the story. I never expected that Phoenix had secrets but then again, the story would be so boring without those curve balls right. They were just so unexpected that I was totally surprised and speechless, just like Aria when she found out.

The story is not exactly new but the way it was written was very engaging that I couldn't put it down. I had to finish it. There was this unseen force or electric field that urge me to just get on and finish the story. There's no stopping it. I also like that the story seems to backtrack. It did no start with the present but rather from six months ago when main character became undone or at a pivotal point in her life. At some point, some chapters of the present are inserted in between. It was a clever way of arranging the chapters which in a way explains why I was glued and just couldn't let go of the story. It gives me snippets of some thing that's about to happen but then doesn't exactly give me a clue on what it was. The anticipation building was absolutely done perfectly and was the key in making me finish the book in one go. The force was just irresistible. I was rendered powerless and can't do anything but succumbed to it until I reach the final pages. 

So, I give the story 4.5/5 bees. Again, the story is not new but the way it was written was doubtlessly refreshing. It was probably the best thing about the story. How the chapters were paced and arranged was so clever. It keeps the readers anticipating and in suspense but still keeping to the story. I was never at some point, confused or lost as to how the story goes even if the chapters were not done in order of occurrence. This isn't the first time I've seen it but it was the first that have I seen it done this way. I have read books before that was ordered differently but how it was done in this story was a different variation. Great job to the author for attempting that feat and had successfully done it. It was risky but was done perfectly and the timing of the events were not lost at all. 

I really liked what the author wrote below and I think if you want to curse someone this is the best way to do it. This curse will definitely give you good karma and will return to you a thousand fold, which of all the curses in the world you will not definitely feel sorry for. I would definitely want to be cursed this way too. Go on do it!  

I curse you with abundance that's so full and bursting at the seams, it allows you to be generous, kind and caring to those around you in need. 

I curse you with a happiness so deep and profound, that you beam, shining like the sun everywhere you go. 

And for every person that lays eyes on your brilliance, I curse them to be inspired to live as fully as you are.

-  Angel Hilson, Electric Impulse -

Thank you, Angel Hilson for the ARC. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series and find out what else do you have that will surprise me. Hopefully, you'd be able to maintain the same engagement that had me hooked on the story. I hope you could maintain the same pace and keep that electric field and have your readers finish your stories in one sitting. Congratulations on Electric Impulse!

And yes, I like this cover better than the other one.

When It Hits You (The It Series #1) by Nicki Elson | ARC | A Book Review

I got this book when I signed up for the author's newsletter. I have read When It Holds You which is book three of the series. I liked When It Hits you better. Thank you again, Nicki Elson, for the ARC.

This is the story of Lyssa and Hayden. These two are co-workers. In fact, they are partners on a project. At the beginning, it was obvious that these two were physically attracted to each other but the success of the project was the priority. They became so close that they were tempted to finally cross the line but still common sense prevailed. Aside from that, each of them had their own relationship issues. 

I liked this story because their relationship started with friendship, fondness, and respect for each other. Without them knowing, they have fallen in love with each one gradually. Until they were forced to confront their feelings. And since love is a powerful force no one can oppose, these two finally admitted their feelings but then, distance is going to be another hurdle to get through to make their relationship work. Like all relationships, they decided to give what they can for each other and finally finding ways to be together in one place.

I give this book 4/5 corns. This is a feel good book. A happy ending story without much drama. Lyssa and Hayden both knew what the situation is and they know what they were in for. 

Why do I feel like I've been Mister Miyagi'd?

- Nicki Elson, When It Hits You - 

When It Holds You (The It Series #3)

The Animal Under the Fur by E. J. Mellow | Cover Reveal

The Animal Under The Fur
E.J. Mellow

Publication date: 2017
Genres: Action, Adult, Romance

From award-winning author E. J. Mellow comes an action romance dripping with vengeful delight.

Orphaned on the streets as a baby, Nashville Brown, a.k.a Kill Operative 3, knows better than to rely on anyone. With heightened senses and superhuman strength to survive, she’s been raised as the perfect assassin.

The trick to her success? Keeping everyone, even her best friend, at arm’s length.

Losing his entire family in the span of a year, Carter Smith left his ability to love buried deep in their graves. His only concerns now are completing his missions and effortlessly charming the next temptress to warm his bed.

The key to his accomplishments? Working alone mixed with a Casanova smile.

But when a deadly weapon needs to be stopped from falling into the wrong hands, the lone wolves find themselves thrown into an explosive partnership. Can Carter and 3 lower their guns aimed at one another long enough to succeed, or will their unwillingness to compromise end up destroying more than their perfect records? Whatever their differences, both agree on one thing—in the game of lies and deceit, the line between friend and foe is often blurred by blood splatter.

The Animal Under The Fur is a hate-to-loath-to-love stand-alone novel filled with savagery, secrets, and enough angst to wrinkle the pages you’ll find gripped in your hands.

Coming 2017

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Author Bio:

E.J. Mellow is the Award Winning author behind the NA Contemporary Fantasy trilogy The Dreamland Series. With a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, E.J. Mellow splits her time between her two loves – visual design and writing. Residing in NYC, E.J. is a member of Romance Writers of America and their Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Chapter. She has no animals but loves those who do.

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Chasing Brynn (A Tempting Novel #2) by Agela Corbett | ARC | A Book Review

I started this blog January of this year. I had been planning to do this but never really gotten the chance to do it. There were a lot of things that got in the way which were more pressing. And I am thankfully that I am now able to do this. Reading books has always been my way of de-stressing. When real life seems to be so difficult and frustrating that it pulls me apart from different directions, books have kept me sane. Now, blogging serves as an outlet for me to sort of vent out my thoughts and feelings, especially when no one seems to care about my opinions or how I feel. At least, here I can say what I want or feel. Like thinking out loud.

Blogging is a subject in Chasing Brynn by Angela Corbett. Brynn, the main character in the story is a Psychology Major whose focus of study is sex. She wants to become a sex therapist. After hearing two girls talking about guys and body parts in a coffee shop, Brynn came up with an idea to write a blog. Not just any blog, but one giving advice on sex and all things relating to it. The blog is such a hit that people are curious and are starting to speculate as to who is behind it.

This book talks about sex and I am surprised that I was not in any way uncomfortable or scandalized at all. I think it was because it was written in a way of an advice. It felt like reading a sex advice column in a high-end magazine. It also helped that Brynn, the one giving the advice is an expert on the subject, both in academics and experience. I guess, it came out a lot like sex education in a more individualized way. A little less embarrassing compared to a lecture in a classroom or in an auditorium. The best thing is being able to ask questions and stay anonymous. 

The book also talked about finding a person who loves you for everything that you are. Not for what you can do in bed. Someone who would want you not for your looks but the whole you, with all your strengths and insecurities. It may seem fun to engage in meaningless sex but it is way greater if it is done out of love and with the person you trust with your heart.

I give the book 4/5 stars. 

Fear is nothing but deprivation that holds you paralyzed. No one should be chained there.

- Angela Corbett, Chasing Brynn -

Thank you again Angela Corbett for the ARC.

Dirty Deeds (An Office Romance #2) by J. L. Beck | ARC | A Book Review

Had you ever been involved in an office romance? Did it inspire you more to do well in your job? About those bad days, did it ever had an effect on the performance of your job? 

Dirty Deeds by J. L. Beck is the second stand alone book to her An Office Romance series. I have not read the first but offered to review an ARC of this second book. As the series title imply, this is in fact about office relations. About having deeper feelings with your boss than just the employer-employee relationship.

The book is very fast-paced. No non-sense. It does not linger on unnecessary dialogues or scenes. So straight to the point that a lot of things happened already even on the first meeting of the two main characters. I like that the characters are really honest of what the feel for each other. Not a lot of drama which is actually nice. The length was enough. And it being a stand-alone, it ended well which I think most readers would find satisfactory.  

I give this book three stars. It was okay. The ending was good. I did not find it abrupt considering it being a novella. Readers are given enough closure to move on from the story. 

To the people that assume the worst of us, when they know the least about us.

- J. L. Beck, Dirty Deeds - 

Release Date: November 13, 2016

Thank you again J. L. Beck for the ARC.