Book Review: What Do You Regretv - K Dosal McLendon

Title: What Do You Regret
Author: K. Dosal McLendon
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: What Do You, Book 2
Release Date: December 6, 2019

Cole
Regrets, I have many in my life, but the top two regrets haunt me every day.
One is the future I stole from my sister, Claire, because of a car accident I caused.
The second? Grace.
I was six years old when I met the love of my life. I didn’t know. How could I?
After years of my life being filled with Grace, grace itself became my regret.
My sister always said, “The past doesn’t always stay where it should.” And damn, she was right.
My past is staring right at me. Golden eyes, slick blood-red hair, killer body, and a shy smile.
A smile that was once mine, and mine alone.
Grace now lives in the same apartment building, attends the same university, and is friends with my siblings. She came back into my life for a second time. I should walk away, just like she once had.
Regrets. Is it possible to regret the same person twice?

Grace
Living on an island, they always preach about the power of the sea. The hazards of the riptide.
But my riptide was too much for me to fight, and the current never slowed. So, I went away.
Away from him. Cole.
My shore.
Three years ago, strangers broke me with their hateful words.
They didn’t even know me.
But I was weak.
It’s true. People could destroy you with words—in this case, a sex tape. A single video managed to ruin my reputation—my self-worth—and my soul drowned along with it.
After my family isolated me, keeping me away from the aftermath, I left my safe-haven and decided to go to college. My soul knows he’s here, too.
It’s been three years, but now I’m stronger.

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K. Dosal Mclendon is a New Adult, Contemporary Romance writer. She lives in the Gulf coast with her amazing husband and their two energetic boys. When she is not writing or reading, she enjoys going to the beach and looking for new adventures.

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I really think that K Dosal McLendon has potentials. I mean this, is only her second published book and it is really something to look forward to. What Do You Regret is the second standalone book from the series What Do You. I like how the story has little flashbacks that show how everything happened. The placing of these said flashbacks in between current chapters makes the whole plot interesting. I also like that this series seems to be inclined more on the mental health issues that we are currently facing. While the first one seems to focus on depression, this one is more on bullying. Even though I find it ridiculous how one little incident makes her life that miserable, doesn’t mean it does not happen in real life. It’s an eye-opener on how someone’s little action may affect others at a larger scale than we could ever understand. This one may not be as emotionally heart wrenching than the fist one, but it captures your heart nonetheless. That twist is a little unexpected, at least for me. I really find it very enjoyable when something surprises me while reading. I would initially want to say that Grace is a little weak. But given the circumstance that she found herself in, I think it’s pretty understandable that she would crumble. She did redeem herself along the way though. She was able to stand her ground and fight through the darkness that somehow is eating her alive. Cole on the other hand is just a typical book boyfriend. He may not be a knight in shining armor, but he has passion and enough love to fill in voids. Overall, I would give this 4 stars. It’s something new and typical both at the same time. There’s a little something more missing, although I just can’t seem to put my finger on it. Either way, this is something worth reading and definitely something I would recommend.

Book Review: In The Unlikely Event - LJ Shen

Title: In The Unlikely Event
Author: LJ Shen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Standalone
Release Date: November 18, 2019

Sometimes you meet people who are out of this world, so you make them a part of yours.

A one-night stand born from vengeance in a foreign land.
An explosive chemistry neither of us could deny.
We signed a contract on the back of a Boar’s Head Pub napkin that said if we ever met again, we would drop everything and be together.
Eight years and thousands of miles later, he’s here.
In New York.
And he’s America’s music obsession.
The intangible Irish poet who brings record executives to their knees.
The blizzard in my perfect, unshaken snow globe.
Last time we spoke, he was a beggar with no intention of becoming a king.
But a king he became, and now I’m his servant.
I’m not the same broken princess Malachy Doherty put back together with his callused hands.
I have a career I love.
A boyfriend I adore.
An apartment, a roommate, a life.
I changed. He changed, too.
But Mal kept the napkin.
Question is, will I keep my word?

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L.J. Shen is a USA Today, Washington Post and Amazon #1 best-selling author of contemporary, New Adult and YA romance. Her books have been sold to nineteen different countries.

She lives in California with her husband, son, cat and eccentric fashion choices, and enjoys good wine, bad reality TV shows and catching sun rays with her lazy cat.



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I don't know what to make of this story. LJ Shen definitely upped and went over herself on this one. This may be different from the typical stories she writes but it doesn't mean that it is any less good.

I like the back and forth of the past and the present. The story was well presented and timeline is just right. I may not understand instalove but it doesn't mean I don't get to enjoy a love so pure it wrecks you for someone else. I liked that all the characters, regardless how small, had their own spotlight and have been a vital part of the plot. Everything was placed in such a way that it does make sense. The multiple POVs are just hilarious to watch as well. At least it also gets you into perspective of what is happening. Like seeing a 360 picture. And those twist? Just when you thought you figured it out, she comes smacking your face with a plot twist so fast you wouldn't even know what hits you.

LJ Shen writes good heroines. Those that you want to hate but can't. The one who's weak and strong at the same time. I like Rory's fierceness and her ability to love and forgive. She may not have made the best decisions in life but she does own up to what she do without having to blame others. Mal on the other hand is just as perfectly broken. He fights for what he wants head on regardless of the consequences. He loves fiercely and protects those he loves to the core.

I'm giving this a 4.5 stars. It's almost there, it's kind of missing something but I couldn't put my finger on it. But this is definitely a good read.

Book Review: Stoned - Mandi Beck

Title: Stoned
Author: Mandi Beck
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: July 11, 2016
Series: Wrecked, Book 1

*****STONED IS A STANDALONE IN THE WRECKED SERIES*****

As the lead singer of one of the hottest bands to hit the rock scene, f*cks are free, drugs come easy, and music is life.
For as long as Stone can remember, Willow has been his music – the notes that weave his soul together. His rhythm.
Until he threw her away.
All he has left is a handful of pills and a few lines of powder to make him forget her. And he tries, over and over.
Clean and ready to make things right, he’s faced with the fact that Willow’s moved on. She’s not the same girl he cast aside. Willow’s a woman sure about her purpose in life. Sure about who she’s meant to love.
Stone may be lost without his rhythm, but Willow has found so much more.

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I've recently stopped reading books from new authors unless they're highly recommended by someone I trust with their taste of books. But I was intrigued by a quick summary of this book from one group that I'm in, so I gave it a go. This is my first Mandi Beck book and I'm so glad to have taken that leap of faith.

I liked how the story timeline is realistic. Not too fast but not dragging either. It doesn't feel rushed. And although, the book may have triggers for some readers, I liked how it tackled a few issues of our day to day lives. It's a litte eye opener. It gives you a glimpse of what happens in these cases and makes you a little more considerate.

Stone, as effed up as he is, is someone to admire. He is courageous enough to admit that he was wrong, that he messed up and strong enough to do something about it. He acknowledged his weakness and that in itself is strength for me. It's kind of hard for me to like a heroine most of the time but Willow made the cut. She's strong and positive. Despite all the bad things that happened, she still looked into the brighter side of things. I also love her for having a steong resolve enough to fight her sexual desires. She did admit to herself how turned on she becomes with Stone but not enough that her conviction just went flying out the window, the moment he sees him or he comes near her. It's kind of refreshing to read a person who isn't a slave of their sexual desires.

Overall, it's a 4 star for me. Could've been a 5 if it made me tear up a bit.

Book Review: Suddenly Forbidden - Ella Fields

Title: Suddenly Forbidden
Author: Ella Fields
Series Gray Springs University, Book 1
Genre: NA Romance
Release Date: January 24, 2018

 I thought he'd always be mine,

even when I was forced to say goodbye.



We were never meant to let go,

but it happened anyway.

Too bad I didn’t know someone was waiting to take my place, or I would've held on a lot tighter.



Two years later, we were exactly where we'd always planned to be.

I'd kept my promise.

He'd forgotten all about his.

Not only had he moved on, but the person he'd moved on with was my best friend, leaving me to begin college with a broken heart.



I guess this is the part where I’m supposed to tell you some other guy stepped in, repaired my shattered pieces, and made me smile again.



This isn't that kind of story.



My heart might have been broken,

but it refused to fall out of love.



WARNING: this book contains cheating.

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Ella Fields is a fairly new author to me. In fact, this is just the second book I've read from her. But with the way things are going, I wouldn't even be surprised when she joins the list of my favorite authors.

Suddenly Forbidden had me bawling my eyes out at just 30% in. Me being a cry baby doesn't really take that much to make me cry. But this one is different. The pain I was feeling was bone deep. Like I was feeling every bit of the pain the characters are going thru. The betrayal, the longing, the regrets. It was coming in full force, my heart doesn't even know how to acknowledge everything. It was even a bad decision (okay, no not really) to read the book before bedtime that I end up getting almost no sleep. But, let's be honest who doesn't want a bool that'll keep you up all night, right? The plot was definitely a nice road to take in. It was bumpy and painful. And although the last few chapters and the way things ended was a little too fast and too easy for me, the angst, heartbreak and tears for the better part of the book definitely made up for it.

The characters were very much relateable and easy to feel. It was as though they were real people with real emotions. It wasn't a struggle to be in their shoes. I liked how Daisy was both loving and fierce, forgiving and a fighter. Quinn on the other hand, may not be on top of mind book boyfriend and doesn't really make good decisions, but is definitely still someone to swoon over. He just knows the right things to say.

All in all, I would say that this is 4 stars for me. Definitely worth reading and recommending.

Book Review: Tempting Sophia - Jessica Prince

Tempting Sophia by Jessica Prince
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publishing Date: November 2nd, 2017



Having my heart broken once was enough to make me give up on the idea of love all together. Instead of searching for The One I decided to embrace variety and turn by back on monogamy. I made a living convincing women they didn’t need a man to feel complete.


And I totally rocked at it.


Until the man who shattered my happily ever after came waltzing back into my life, determined to make me fall for him all over again.


He claims that I’m the love of his life. He wants a second chance, and it seems like he’ll stop at nothing to tempt the hell out of me. But if Dominic Abbatelli thinks he can win me back with his puppy dog eyes, heartfelt apologies, and declarations of love then he’s...probably right.



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Indie authors are normally a hit or miss. When I signed up to receive a copy of Tempting Sophia, I didn’t realize that it was from an author that I have already reviewed in the past until I saw my Kindle library. And after reading this, I think it’s safe to say that she will be on my “hit list”.

Tempting Sophia is a second chance romantic comedy that will make you believe that true love is always out there. Although the book is listed under the author’s stand alones, I think it is best read with Seducing Lola (first) and Enticing Daphne (coming soon) as they are inter-connected. Although the ending is pretty much predictable, what will happen in between is still something to excite me. It was pretty straightforward and just the right pace. And since it was a second chance love story, it is kind of acceptable for me that she made the timeline that way. It also made me fall in love and hurt with the characters along the way. I know how hard for it for authors to actually reach out and make the readers feel what exactly are the characters feeling, but I think Prince was able to achieve that, considering that I haven’t really been in that place.

Although, I didn’t really like how Sophia acted and reacted on some of the scenarios, I love how dedicated she is with the people she loves that she is willing to let go of her own feelings just to make sure the people she loves get what they deserve. And it’s also a plus that she was raised and loved by a single dad and basically a bad-ass. I just hoped her dad showed up more. Dominic is definitely every lady’s man. Come on, he cooks for crying out loud. Okay, maybe that’s just me. But who doesn’t want a man who woos his girl by some pretty sumptuous meal? He also shows flaw without really coming across as weak. He’s realistic and ideal all in one package.

Overall, I’ll give this 4 out of 5 stars. It made me laugh and hurt and fall in love, enough to cherish it. But I think there’s more we can add into it for a 5 star.