Package Deal (Ruled Out Romances #2) by Charissa Stastny | A Book Review

I got this from Kathy of ebooksforreview.com and iamareader.com. I've read a book of the same author before and I enjoyed it, so when I saw this one up for review from the same author, I decided to sign up. Thanks again Kathy for the ebook copy.

This is a story of a single mom who tries so hard to raise her two-year old daughter. Then, on her best friend's wedding, she met a very handsome and charming man but when he saw her daughter, he was disappointed. He definitely did not want any excess baggage. 

Spring Flowers. What a cute name, right? Yes, that's the name of one of the main characters in this story. Her cute two-year old is Emma. And to complete the set of characters, we have Hudson Sandel, the handsome man who was smitten with Spring. To him, Spring would have been perfect if not for Emma being part of the package. 

Spring and Hudson's first meeting is a meet-cute. Isn't it romantic to meet someone on a wedding? And Emma in all of her pint size personality threw a tantrum and Hudson came to the rescue which was not exactly what he planned, but he wanted so much to impress Spring. That gentlemanly act is what started to bring them together and there's no denying that Emma has a way of worming slowly into Hudson's heart. 

There were a lot of cute and warm moments here, especially with Emma involved. She's just so cute with all her two-year old vocabulary and not yet able to pronounce words properly. She's one of the things that make this story work and I can't help but fall in love with her also. Hudson also had a lot of moments here. He's just so sweet and caring. After meeting Spring and Emma, he realized what he's been missing in his life. He ended up doing a lot of sweet, generous, and kind things for the mother and daughter and not just because he wanted Spring to fall for him but because he wanted to make these two happy and make their lives easier. Ah, Hudson is just another book boyfriend one could wish for. 

I give this book 5/5 cute little flower girl dresses. I really enjoyed the story. It was so cute that it made me swoon and wish for my own sweet Hudson. This is a feel good story though Spring and Emma's life was not perfect. Spring had to hurdle and overcome a lot of challenges in her personal life, career, and most especially in raising Emma. But her character is just so admirable that you can't help but root for her. Emma is her strength, so everything she does has to be all for the good of Emma. Even falling in love with Hudson has to be favorable to Emma. Fortunately, Emma has made sure that Hudson would fall in love with her also. She's just so adorable and oozing with cuteness, so Hudson was no match for this little devil. He was putty in her very small hands.

What's the hurry Spring? Is winter chasing you? 

Forgiving means you let go of the bitterness poisoning you. 

- Charissa Stastny, Package Deal - 

Other books by the Charissa Stastny:

Between Hope and the Highway

93% Chance I Don't Hate You by L. Taylor and Amy H. Lynn | A Book Review

I got this from Library Thing a few months back and was unable to read it right away. Finally, I have finished the book. This is a sweet romantic comedy story.  An inspirational one.

Preston Ashton Lewis III is a carefree graduating college student. He realized that his hooking up with a different girl every night has gotten old. He wants to try something permanent, probably falling in love and having a girlfriend. Drunk and tried of his lifestyle, Ashton ended up mistakenly signing up for a blind date on an app called Blinder.

Carter Redford is a junior business student and the heir to Redford Entertainment. But if it was up to her, she would be taking up art and marry the person she loves. Not the guy her parents set up for her. With her best friend's suggestion, Carter signed up for a blind date on Blinder.

By some work of fate, these two ended up matching 93% on the Blinder app and agreed to meet in a coffee shop. And the rest of the story is a load of misunderstandings and fighting for what each one wants.

The circumstances how these two formally meet is not unique in any way. A lot of couples have meet through blind dates, texts and social media. Ashton and Carter are acquainted with each but have wrong impressions. When they finally ended up on that blind date, they found each other to be opposite of what they thought. The attraction was inevitable.

Ashton is a prime example of what a typical modern guy is. One who is not so into commitments and just wants to play the field. Until he realized that there has to be more to this happy-go-lucky lifestyle. Like what they say, the right girl changes a guy into a loyal and committed one. 

Carter. At first, her character is a bit annoying because she started as someone who is just saying yes to her parents. She seemed to lack a backbone. Someone who is a bit superficial because, just like her parents, she seemed to care a lot about their name and reputation and less about what she really wants and standing up for them. Thankfully, her character grew and finally found the courage to stand up for her own beliefs and make her parents see her perspective. I was standing and clapping Carter when she finally burst out and just said her piece. That's the girl I was looking for. 

But let's not forget that the transformation of these two main characters were also due to the incessant interference of their beloved best friends--Jackson and Sofia. These two are just the epitome of the best friends in the whole world. And let's not ever forget the main man of this story--Chad **ck** Winston. When I say main man, he's a total jerk. He is the worst example of an entitled jerk. Yes, don't ever name your child Chad Winston.

One of the funny references in the story was one about Chuck Bass. I think comparing Chad Winston to Chuck Bass was not really an insult because I think Chuck Bass is way better than Chad Winston (I'm a fan of the series). But still, it was funny if you got the reference. 

I give the book 4/5 pairs of bowling shoes. This was a fun read. A good break from all the tedious and heavy drama in real life. Thank you Library Thing, L. Taylor and Amy H. Lynn, for the copy. I am looking forward to the next book.

One person's perfection isn't another's perfection, and that's why striving for perfection is pointless and a waste of time.

Guess hindsight is really 20/20, huh?

- L. Taylor and Amy H. Lynn, 93% Chance I Don't Hate You -