The Perfect Christmas by Debbie Macomber

Do you guys like Hallmark Christmas movies? You know the ones that are half funny, half sweet, and a whole lotta cheese? But like the best cheese ever?
Yeah. Me too.
Reading The Perfect Christmas was like watching one of those movies.
I flew through this book because it was so stinkin cute!
Cassie is in her 30s and she's still single. She wants a husband and children to go along with a job she has and loves.
Problem is she can't seem to meet a man.
One day her friend/coworker tells her to try this matchmaker that she'd actually seen once.
While Cassie is hesitant she decides that right now a matchmaker is her best shot at finding love.
$30,000 later she's meeting Simon Dodson matchmaker extraordinaire.
And he's a dick.
Like a really big one.
He doesn't smile, he's critical, he's...abrupt to say the least.
Even with his oh so charming personality Cassie enjoys talking with him.
Before he will set her up with the man of her dreams he gives her three challenges.
1) She has to be a charity bell ringer
2) Be an elf for Santa at the mall
3) Make a Christmas dinner for her and her less than pleasant neighbors
Cassie obviously agrees to everything in her desperation for a husband, however things don't go as simple as she had planned. Through a whole series of comical mishaps Cassie finds herself getting closer to Simon and less interested in meeting the mystery man he's going to set her up with.
I absolutely adored this book. It was everything that I was looking for and more and I would without a doubt recommend it to you all.

Buy The Perfect Christmas Here:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo

1225 Christmas Tree Lane by Debbie Macomber

Last year I pretty much only read Debbie Macomber books the month of December and I loved all of them. Needless to say I was very excited about 1225 Christmas Tree Lane.
Beth is divorced and now lives on a Christmas Tree Farm and living her best life...almost. She loves her farm, she loves her animals, and she loves the people surrounding her. Even with everything she has gained she still finds herself missing her ex husband Kent.
This year for Christmas her two daughters tell her that Kent wants to come to Beth's for the holidays along with his daughters. Instantly Beth is confused.
Does he want to come for his daughters?
Is he coming just to be friendly?
Or, is it possible he still has feelings for her?
What the daughters don't tell her is that they lied.
Big time.
They told their father that their mother invited him.
The girls want their parents back together and they won't let anything get in their way.
However when daddy dearest shows up with a woman the plans get a little muddy.
I really enjoyed reading this story and found myself smiling a lot - which I can't seem to help whenever I read Debbie Macomber.
While this book followed Beth and her family it also follows other members around the town. I'm still kind of undecided about how I felt about that. Someone leaves a basket full of puppies on Beth's porch and she gives them to different people in the community. Once the puppy goes to a family there's a chapter focused more on them. So basically one chapter was Beth and the next was someone else. It got a little confusing because there were SO MANY NAMES. I had trouble remembering who was who and it almost made me put the book down. However once I was finished with the book I realized I didn't dislike it as much I had originally.
All in all I thought this book was really cute and Beth was fabulous. I definitely recommend if you're looking for a feel good Christmas book.


Buy 1225 Christmas Tree Lane Here:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo

Christmas At Twilight by Lori Wilde

   The other night after my son went to sleep I decided it was time to start reading my Christmas books for the month. Now I did have one sent to me - which I will review maybe next week - but I didn't want to start with that one, even though I'm crazy excited for it. I grabbed up the little collection I've acquired and decided that Christmas At Twilight sounded like the perfect book to kick things off.
   I made it about 4 pages in and reconsidered. I thought now just wait, this is not cute and happy like the books I read last year. You know, the books that are like Hallmark Movies? The ones that are so darn cheesy that they're actually enjoyable?
  This one starts off with Brian "Hutch" Hutchinson basically being booted from the military. He's missing a finger, took shrapnel to the throat - making him unable to speak, and is majorly suffering from PTSD. Switch on over to the other side and we have Meredith who has changed everything about herself including her hair length and color, weight, and her name. Now she goes by Jane the common girl with a cute little boy.
   Meredith "Jane" moves into a house with a woman named Ashley and her little girl Kimmie when six weeks later Ashley meets a man and takes off, leaving Meredith to care for not only her son Ben, but also Kimmie.
   Now here's where it takes on that aww Hallmark factor; Hutch returns home. Which is also the home Meredith is residing in. Yep, Ashley is his sister and he let her live at his home. So now we have hunky military man and beautiful and kind mother. I mean, we know where this is going right?
   I have to tell you guys while the book did throw me off at first I am so happy that I kept reading. The more I read the more I wanted to know what was going to happen. We find out that Meredith is on the run from her psychotic ex husband who also happens to be a police detective. We also get to see Hutch move passed some pretty hard moments and watch their entire relationship evolve.
   There were parts that reminded me a lot of Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks and if you've read it or watched the movie then I'm sure you know why it would. It wasn't anything like the Christmas books I read last year but that's what makes reading fun.
   I really enjoyed the sweet moments, loved watching Meredith and Hutch with the kids, got sucked into the action and gasped at the horror. All in all it was a very good read and I'm happy this is the book I started with.
   My ONLY complaint is that Meredith is supposed to be around my age - if I remember correctly - and both her and Hutch sometimes talk as if they're in their 40s or even 50s. It doesn't make much sense some times and honestly kinda made me roll my eyes on occasion.
   Now that I've finished being a brat I can go back to telling you all that I recommend Christmas At Twilight. :)


Buy Christmas At Twilight Here:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo

Christmas Reads!!

Last December I read and reviewed a few Christmas books and in doing so I had a stinkin blast!

If you've read my post from a few months back where I talked about why I wasn't writing on my blog you know it's been a rough year. I've been trying to get back into reading and even when I do pick up a book it just hasn't sucked me back in yet.

Last month I decided I was for sure going to do a Christmas Theme Book month on A Book Lovers Playlist. Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday and is something I've always enjoyed with my family. As a prep for this month I thought it would be a good idea to read books I am thankful for in the month of November. You know, cause like, Thanksgiving and stuff.

I picked up Twilight with the intention of reading it and then moving on to another book that I'm thankful for. Instead I read the entire series again and boy am I thankful. I had so much fun reading them and rediscovering my love for the series. It put me in the mood to read exactly as I'd hoped.

Tomorrow I'll be posting my first Christmas themed review and I hope you all enjoy it.

Thank you so much for sticking with me. I love you guys <3

xo,
Kayleigh

All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover

Sometimes you read a book and it makes you laugh.
Sometimes you read a book and it makes you cry.
Sometimes you read a book and it makes you angry.

And sometimes you read a Colleen Hoover book and you feel every emotion that has ever been in existence.

Every time I go into one of Colleen's books I take a deep breath. I know that may seem silly to some of you but I do it because I know that as soon as I open that book I'm going to be sucked into the story she's created. I'm not going to feel for these characters, I'm going to be one with these characters. I won't have a crush on the love interest, I'll be in hopeless love with him. I will laugh at every humorous comment, I will frown every time someone gets upset and I will feel every single heartbreak as if it were my own.

All Your Perfects is devastating and beautiful. It's sweet and funny but also real and shattering.

When I went into this I didn't know much about it aside from what was said on Goodreads.

"All Your Perfects is a profound novel about a damaged couple whose potential future hinges on promises made in the past. This is a heartbreaking page-turner that asks: Can a resounding love with a perfect beginning survive a lifetime between two imperfect people?"
To me that didn't sound like anything I've ever read, especially from Colleen so saying I was interested would be an understatement.

Graham and Quinn are not perfect people. They aren't "special", they don't have super powers, they don't have people fawning over them. People don't have posters of them over their bed or chant their names. They are just people to everyone else. But to each other they ARE special. They do fawn over each other and I'm fairly sure they would hang a poster of each other over their bed. Unfortunately life doesn't always go as planned and that is something Quinn and Graham are struggling with.

Watching their journey and reliving their past was exciting and overwhelming at points. Whether you have read Colleen before or not please read All Your Perfects. It will make you feel which is really the best thing that can come out of reading.

"If you only shine light on your flaws, all your perfects will dim."

I'm giving All Your Perfects:
5/5 Donuts.


Buy All Your Perfects Here:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Books-A-Million
Kobo

I'm a Book Depository Affiliate so if you'd like to purchase a book with FREE SHIPPING and put some change in my pocket click HERE

Listen to my playlist for All Your Perfects on Spotify by clicking HERE

Hey All

   Hey guys, you may have noticed that I've been a terrible book blogger lately. I made a goal at the beginning of the year to post two times a week - Tuesdays and Thursdays. I was doing a great job of sticking to that goal but then life happened.
   I have been debating on whether or not I was going to talk about any of this because it's a private matter but you guys are my friends, and I feel like you deserve an explanation on where I've been.
   In February my grandma passed away.
   She was my very best friend and without a doubt my hero.
   She was 85 years old so it's not like it came out of nowhere but guys, it came out of nowhere. She's been in the hospital but she had just come home. Luckily my family and I got to spend the day with her at her house to celebrate her birthday and we all had so much fun. Unfortunately the next day she was back in the hospital and the outcome was something none of us wanted.
   I've been having a really hard time dealing with it all. When it first happened I felt like I would never stop crying. I felt sick, felt like I couldn't breathe, felt like I'd never be me again. The days and months have gone by and while things are becoming more tolerable it still hurts. I miss her so much and I hate not being able to go to her to talk about anything and everything.
   Finding the time to read has been non-existent. In May I read a book that my local library recommended to me and I loved it. I had so much fun reading it I thought maybe it would get me back into it. But it didn't. I just don't have the drive and that in itself is driving me crazy.
   I feel like I have failed the people who are kind enough to check my blog and take the time to comment and that makes me feel even worse.
  You all will never know how much it means to me to have your support and to read your kind words. I love talking books and pop culture with you. I love sharing your DUFF stories and finding out more about you. I just want you all to know that I am trying my best to get back in the game.
  Thank you for your patience with me.
   XO,
   -Kayleigh

The 90s Kid Book Tag

This tag was created by Amber over at The Literary Phoenix, check out her answers HERE

Pokemon
The author you need every book from
Colleen Hoover. Always.

Aim
Book that connected you with your best friend
My friend Valerie and I are HUGE fans of The Fault in Our Stars. When the movie came out we were constantly sharing memes about it with each other.

Furby
Book that seemed like a good idea but was actually a monster
Like a monster sized book? Or was like aww I'm sure it'll be cute and really it was terrifying?

N'Sync
A book you hated to say Bye Bye Bye to
Colleen Hoover. Always.

Slimed
A book everyone loved but you hated
I didn't hate it and I never even finished it but I couldn't get into The Book Theif. It looks amazing and I've only heard great things, so I do plan on reading it someday. Just not yet.

Oregon Trail
A book that made you wish you died of dysentery
That is so dramatic and yet hysterical!! I can't say that I've ever hated a book so much.

Mixtape/CD
Three books you recommend to anyone, anywhere, no matter what
-TFIOS
-Dangerous Lies
-It Ends With Us

Dial Up Internet
A book that took FOR FREAKING EVER to read
The last book in the Mortal Instruments. I feel like I was reading it for an entire year.

Kenan Thompson
That book you see referenced everywhere and is in everything, but that's okay because it's awesome
Twilight.

Thumbs Up, 7 Up
Book where you peeked real quick at the ending because you didn't like the guessing game
Literally every Nicholas Sparks book.

Dunkaroos
Your ideal bookish snack
Mmm dunkaroos.

Scary stories to tell in the dark
A book that kept you up all night
Vanishing Girls.

Bill Nye the Science Guy
A book that taught you something new
Uh...

Flightpath by Amber Addison

"Being married young isn't a thing of the past in Louisiana. And for Madelyn and Seth, it's a way of life. Except, no one prepared them for the skies ahead."
Seth is in the military and Maddie is now a military wife.

The two of them are hopelessly in love but sometimes love isn't enough.

"When a terrorist attack puts Maddie's life in grave danger, their lives definitely fall apart, and Seth knows saving her might be the only thing that saves them."
I'm not going to lie to you guys, I got excited for Flightpath because it reminded me of Army Wives which you may know I'm a huge fan of. Watching Maddie and Seth and their love for each other was so...humbling. They made me so happy and I found myself rooting so hard for them.

During his deployments Seth tries his very best to make sure Maddie knows his love for her and that he's safe, and while in the beginning they do great that doesn't last. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes that sweet little baby which makes their love go off the charts.

When the time comes to reenlist or not Maddie basically has had it. She loves Seth with her whole being but she can't take the constant worry anymore. He needs to choose between her and their child or the career path he loves.

I felt like I was hearing about a couples actual experiences while reading this. I've read a lot of contemporary fiction in my life and that rarely ever happens. It made this book extra special because it seemed all the more real.

I adored Seth and Maddie and all of their friends. I couldn't put it down because I had to know what was going to happen. It also went back in time and then back to the present which I don't always like. That wasn't the case here though. I loved it. Amber Addison really makes you feel for these characters and it made me want even more.

I have had many members of my family in the military and I am so grateful to them and to all of the other men and women who risk their lives to give us the lives we get to live. If you or someone you know is in the military, thank you <3

**This book was sent to me for my honest review**

I'm giving Flightpath 4/5 donuts!!




Buy Flightpath Here:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Books A Million

The First Date Book Tag

1. The awkward first date – a book where something felt off. It wasn’t a bad book, but lacked that spark for you Star by BB Easton. It wasn't necessarily a bad book, I liked Hans a lot and his friend Trip was hilarious. But it just didn't have that "it" moment for me.

2. The cheap first date – book that turned out less than you expected I told you guys in a my review of Withholding Nothing that it wasn't what I had expected. I really wasn't a big fan of it in the beginning but ended up liking it a lot more by the end. It still wasn't everything I had expected though.

3. Blind date – book you picked up not knowing anything about it Vanishing Girls was not what I thought it was about which I know isn't really the question, but technically I didn't know anything about it cause what I thought I knew was wrong. Did that make even a little sense?

4. Well-prepared first date – better than expected Baby Daddy, I thought it had the potential to be funny but I didn't think that I would like it as much as I did or have it stay on my mind.

5. Hot but dumb – pretty book, not so hot on the inside Ruby Red.

6. The rebound – a book you read too soon after a book hangover and it kind of ruined the book for you Wait For You by J. Lynn. I read Rule and Beautiful Disaster that same month which are not only fantastic books but also some of my favorites.

7. Speed dating – book you read super fast Funny enough I read Withholding Nothing in a matter of hours.

8. Overly enthusiastic date – a book that felt like it was trying too hard Not to keep repeating answers but Star by BB Easton. I'm mean, I'm sorry.

9. Humiliating first date – book you’re embarrassed to admit you liked/ embarrassed to see reading in public for whatever reason Fifty Shades ONLY because people thing, "Damn, that girls a freak." When they find out you like those books/movies.

10. The perfect first date – book that did everything right for you

I'm assuming you don't want me to say The Fault in Our Stars...so I won't...even though I want to. I'll go with my other go to, It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover.

Check out the Original Tag on YouTube HERE

Natasha Preston Interview

Before we get to the interview I want to say thank you to Natasha for taking the time to answer my questions.
I read Lie To Me back in April and was obsessed. After I reviewed it I had to reach out to see if I could get an interview.
I really appreciate it when authors are not only kind to book bloggers but are willing to talk to them. So thank you thank you thank you Natasha for being so great.
If you haven't checked out my review for Lie To Me yet click HERE

Enjoy!!

1. Have you always wanted to be an author?
Nope. I'm pretty sure growing up I wanted to be an Astronaut, Teacher, Vet, Ballerina, and wife of a Rock Star. I started writing after reading on Wattpad when I was around 22.

2. If you could go on a trip with another author who would it be?
Penelope Douglas so I can make her write me more Tate and Jared, and watch horror movies.

3. What's your favorite part about writing?
It's a tie between the people I meet (bloody love readers, bloggers and authors) and the ability to work in my pyjamas.

4. As a book blogger it's crazy exciting to talk to authors you admire, do you ever get excited to talk to book bloggers?
Totally. Bloggers give up their time purely to help me share a release, etc, and I will always appreciate that so much.

5. Savanna works for a clothing designer, if you could have a job working for anyone in the world who would you choose?
I would be Tom Hardy's PA if I could have any job. Or his towel.

6. Do you ever choose characters names based on people you know?
I don't base them on anyone I know, but I usually ask my reader group to drop their names if they want me to try and use them in a book.

7. How did you come up with the idea for your book?
Umm. I can't really remember how Lie To Me came about. I've had the notes for years and only just got around to writing it. Most of my books start as dreams though, so that's likely.

8. All I want is for Lie To Me to become a movie, you're directing and casting, who's playing the leads?
I would love Lie To Me to be a movie too! I would have Blake Lively as Savannah and Chase Crawford as Kent.

9. Savannah and Kent are one of my favorite couples now, who are some of your favorites?
Ah thank you! I love Kent and Savannah and their bickering! Some of my favorite couples are Tate and Jared, Jet and Aydan, Flame and Maddie, Kellan and Keira, Ashton and Anna, and Ryan and Mackenzie.

10. If Lie To Me had a theme song what would it be?

A song for Lie to Me. Hmm...I don't know really. I can't write with music on as I usually write the lyrics (though I'm trying it with my latest book) but I would pick Love the Way You Lie by Rihanna and Eminem. Seems the most fitting.

Follow Natasha Preston on Social Media:
Official Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Charmed by the Bartender by Piper Rayne

I got this book on my Kindle months ago and let it sit there until I felt like it was the right time.

Well apparently the right time was a few weeks ago because I saw it sitting there on my home screen and decided to read it. And then proceeded to continue reading it until it was finished.

Whitney has just moved back in with her grandparents and is a tad bit lost. One friend is recently engaged. One is a succesful tattoo artist who is now starting her own sex toy line. And she's been let go of her job, is dating no one, and can't seem to get a call back for a job to save her life.

After meeting up with her girlfriends Whitney decides to be a little reckless and have a one night stand. However the guy she meets on Tinder stands her up and she ends up going home with the hot bartender.

He's hot and funny and basically every girls fantasy but there's a whole lot more than meets the eye.

I did not have any clue this book would take me to the places that it did!! It was full of surprises and I adored watching the romance blossom. Also major book boyfriend alert!!

I was such a big fan of Charmed By The Bartender that I want to pick up the next two companion novels like now. Seriously that's what I"m going to do as soon as I finish writing this.

So okay, bye.

I'm giving Charmed By The Bartender 4/5 Donuts!!

Buy Charmed By The Bartender Here:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo

BB Easton Interview

I reviewed Star by BB Easton a few weeks ago and was a huge fan of it. If you'd like to check out my review you can click HERE

Thank you so so much to BB Easton for answering all of my questions and for being so awesome.

Enjoy!!






1. What made you want to publish 44 Chapters About 4 Men?
I didn't even know I was writing a book until I was almost half-way done with it. I was just journaling and having fun and entertaining myself, really. Then I went on a girl's trip with my friends to Sedona, Arizona where we all went to see a psychic. The first thing she said to me was, "You're writing a book." and everything clicked into place. I was like, "Oh my God. I AM writing a book." Publishing it didn't seem that scary because I didn't use my real name, and I didn't think anyone would read it anyway. I literally didn't tell anyone I'd even done it until 44 Chapters blew up and hit the Amazon Top 100 Bestsellers list. Then I texted my family members and said, "Hey, I wrote a book. It's an Amazon bestseller. You're never allowed to read it. I just thought you should know." LOL!

2. Was it hard writing the individual 4 books?Some of them have been harder than others, and harder for different reasons. SKIN was the most fun to write because I was obsessed with that story. It was so suspenseful and intense that I didn't eat or sleep for weeks. BUT, it was difficult because it was the most emotional story I've ever written. SPEED was difficult to write because it's a love triangle, but it was super fun to relive all those bad boys and bad decisions and bad things that we did in fast cars. And STAR wasn't difficult at all. Hans was the reason I decided to write the spin-off books in the first place. That man was born to be a book boyfriend. His book basically wrote itself. Now I'm working on SUIT, which has its own set of challenges. Ken is the most stable and responsible of the four men, so making his story gripping and exciting is my challenge with this one. But I looooove a good challenge!

3. What did your family think about your series?
We don't talk about it. Like. AT ALL. We just pretend like it doesn't exist. They know, and they support me by watching my kids when I have to go to book signing and things like that, but as far as the books are concerned, we have a strict don't ask/don't tell policy.

4. If you were approached to turn your books into a television series would you do it?
I've actually sold the rights to my books to a producer to be made into a movie or TV show, so YES!

5. There were a lot of band references in Star, who are some of your absolute favorites?
The bands I've referenced in my books were my favorites back then, but they're not necessarily my favorites anymore. Right now I'm listening to a lot of Fall Out Boy, Twenty-One Pilots, Childish Gambino, K. Flay, Jack's Mannequin/Andrew McMahon, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Yungblud, and Taylor Swift. But my little emo heart will forever belong to The Cure and Deathcab for Cutie.

6. What is the best concert you've ever been to?
When Paramore opened for Fall Out Boy two or three years ago. Fall Out Boy is my favorite band to see live, but with Paramore opening it was a next-level rock experience.

7. If you could see any musician alive or dead who would it be?
I've been lucky enough to see all of my favorites perform, but I'd love to MEET Benjamin Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie and tell him what a @#$% genius I think he is.

8. Does Hans know about Star?
Hell. No.

9. I was so excited the moment Ken was introduced in the book, what books/characters do you get excited over?
Preppy from T.M. Frazier's King series is my favorite book character of all time. He had a cameo in her latest book Up in Smoke, and I almost screamed and threw my Kindle across the living room.

10. If Star had a theme song what would it be?
Photobooth by Death Cab for Cutie. That song is on the STAR playlist that I made on Spotify and I used the melody to help me write the lyrics in the book. I won't go in to what the song is about to avoid spoilers, but the lyrics remind me so, so much of young BB and Hans.

Listen to BB's playlist HERE

Follow BB Easton on Social Media:
Official Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Goodreads
Pinterest

Recovered by Jay Crownover

   I'm not sure if you know about a group called Crownovers Crowd over on Facebook but I'm here to say that if you don't know then you're welcome. (I'm about to inform you.) Crownover's Crowd is a page on FB where fellow Jay lovers can gossip about her new books, talk about other authors, share photos, host giveaways, and basically just enjoy themselves. Another fun tid bit is that Jay herself is frequently on the page! If you'd like to check it out click HERE   It was on this page I found out about Recovered and saw a lot of people comparing it to Rule which most of you know is my favorite. So obviously I had to go buy it the MOMENT it came out.
   Can I just say it was everything I had hoped for? Actually may I also say that it did in fact remind me a lot of the Marked Men and their damaged ways?
   Like her other books - at least the ones I have read - Recovered is told in multiple POVs. Affton is shy and good. Cable is outspoken and edgy. Affton is smart and driven. Cable is a slacker and unmotivated. Affton is the daughter of an addict. Cable is an addict.
   The two of them "meet" in high school and spend their days avoiding each other. Cable is popular and although he notices Affton he doesn't waste his time on her. Affton Reed isn't considered popular and basically is counting down the days until she's out of that school, away from Cable McCaffrey, and in college reaching her goals. Although she avoids him as much as possible the day comes when Affton approaches Cable to tell him she knows he's doing drugs and that he should get help. After blowing her off she reaches out to his parents. Before he can be sent to rehab the unthinkable happens and he ends up in jail.
   Flash forward and Affton has just graduated and is approached by Mrs. McCaffrey to basically babysit Cable for the summer now that he's out of jail. Not only does she want her to watch his every move to make sure he's not using again she's willing to blackmail Affton into getting what she wants.
   Reluctanly Affton moves into the McCaffrey beach house to watch over the boy she's always hated.
   I absolutely 100% no doubt about it am in love with this couple. Jay has such a way of making you fall in love with her characters. Watching the two of them with each other wasn't like many romance stories. There is hurt and pain and a whole lot of feeling.
   If you've read any of Jays books or even if you haven't I definitely recommend you pick up Recovered. I think I might even read it again soon ;)

I'm giving Recovered 5/5 donuts!!

Buy Recovered Here:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble Books A Million

I'm a Book Depsoitory Affiliate so if you'd like to buy a book with FREE SHIPPING and put some change in my pocket click HERE

Listen to my playlist for Recovered on Spotify by clicking HERE

Ashley Elston Interview

Back in March I reviewed the book The Rules for Disappearing and absolutely loved it. If you haven't read the review yet you can now by clicking HERE
I was so in love that I reached out to author Ashley Elston and asked if she'd be willing to do an interview with me and hot damn she said yes.
I hope you all enjoy the interview, and thank you so so much to Ashley Elston for taking the time to answer my questions!!










1. Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Not always. I spent 10 years as a professional photographer and loved every minute of that.

2. Do you have any routines or quirks when writing a book?
I always make a big board and use sticky notes when drafting. I'm very visual and need to "see" it.

3. If you could co write with any author living or dead, who would it be?
Oh, that's a tough one. Probably Sidney Sheldon. Loved his books growing up.

4. I haven't seen a lot of books that work around the Witness Protection Program, how did you come up with the concept?
I needed a reason for them to be on the run.

5. Between The Rules for Disappearing and book two The Rules for Breaking, which was the hardest to write?
Definitely THE RULES FOR BREAKING. Sequels are super hard for me which is why the rest of my books are stand alone.

6. Meg gets to choose her name every time they move, if you could change your name what would you pick?
Hmmm...not sure. I'm pretty happy with Ashley.

7. Ethan is one of the best male characters I've ever read, who are some of you favorites?
Aww I love Ethan, too! I love Etienne from ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS.

8. If you had to trade lives for a day with anyone in your book who would you choose?
Probably Ethan since he's the only one not in trouble.

9. Will you write more about these characters?
Probably not. I loved writing about them but happy to move on to new characters.

10. If the Rules for Disappearing had a theme song what would it be?
I guess Survivor by Destiny's Child??

Bro Code by Kendall Ryan

In February I was asked if I would be interested in reading Baby Daddy by Kendall Ryan. If you haven't read my review you can by clicking HERE I adored that book and ended up giving it 4.5./5 donuts (spoiler in case you haven't read the review)
So when I had the option to receive an ARC of Bro Code I hopped right on that train.

Bro Code follows Barrett Wilson who is a successful lawyer in Chicago. He's attractive, charming, and trying to make partner at his firm. Not focusing on anything other than reaching the top he doesn't have time for any distractions.

Ava Saunders is the biggest distraction.

She's beautiful, smart, and also happens to be Barretts best friends sister.

The two have known each other since they were kids and have always had a special bond. Since she can remember Ava has had a crush on him and the feeling isn't a one way street. But there's a Bro Code and Barrett refuses to break the rules.

I really enjoyed watching the two of them back in forth and couldn't keep the smile off of my face in some scenes. They had a gentle ease that was really enjoyable to read.

I will say I didn't enjoy it as much as Baby Daddy but that doesn't mean I didn't have a great time reading it. I think it only took me like one or two days to finish it, so that says something. ;)

I'm giving Bro Code 3.5/5 Donuts!!

Buy Bro Code Here:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo

I'm a Book Depository Affiliate so if you'd like to purchase a book with FREE SHIPPING and put some change in my pocket, click HERE

The Hardest Fall by Ella Maise

"In order to be happy oneself it is necessary to make at least one other person happy." -Theodor Reik
Well Ella Maise has to be the happiest damn person in the world because I don't know how one person couldn't be happy after reading The Hardest Fall.

Ahh.

I've read To Love Jason Thorn and To Hate Adam Connor by Ella and I loved them both as most of you know. Because of my love for those books I had no doubt that I'd be a fan of this one. What a freaking understatement.

I'm in love. Like Sandra Dee singing in her nightgown, smiling into the night, hopelessly devoted, LOVE.

Zoe and Dylan meet one night when she's dared to go to him and kiss him. After the most awkward meet cute ever written Zoe leaves Dylan after he declines her kiss because he's dating someone. Flash forward and the two meet again when Zoe crashes into another students architecture project and Dylan goes to assist her. After exchanging names the two part just to meet again a year later after discovering they're now sharing an apartment.

Zoe is awkward, beautiful, funny and one of the best female characters I have ever read in my entire life thus far.

Dylan is gorgeous, kind, witty, and oh that's right he's also the star wide receiver of their college football team.

I read a couple reviews before going into this - which I don't often do - and a lot of people described it as a slow burn romance. Boy were they right. Now those of you who've been reading my reviews for a while know that I don't really have a problem with insta love - if it's done right - but the sexual tension slow burn of The Hardest Fall was addictive. The friendship between Zoe and Dylan was exciting. The plot was intriguing. And the book as a whole was like finding a unicorn. Unique, rare, and magical.

I never wanted to put The Hardest Fall down and while reading it had a range of emotions. I smiled, I laughed, I teared up - for good and bad reasons - and I felt content. It was everything I hoped it would be and so so much more. After finishing it I was lost without it and wanted to reread it that moment.

Ella Maise you are a literary genius and I am so thankful to you for letting us love Dylan and Zoe.

I without any sort of doubt recommend this book.

I'm giving The Hardest Fall 5/5 Donuts!!

Buy The Hardest Fall Here:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Books-A-Million

I'm a Book Depository Affiliate so if you'd like to buy a book with FREE SHIPPING and put a little jing a ling in my pocket click HERE

Listen to my playlist for The Hardest Fall on Spotify by clicking HERE

Lie To Me by Natasha Preston

L.O.V.E.
That's how I feel about Lie to Me.
Review over.
Hehe, just kidding.
Savannah ran away from home after a traumatic event happened, leaving everyone behind in her attempt to heal.
Kent had a girlfriend betray him when he was a teenager and is now jaded and basically a man whore.
His sister is her boss.
The two can't stand each other.
Until they can.
The romance in this was scorching hot and the tension was undeniable. I loved watching Savannah and Kent together so much so that I almost reread the book as soon as I finished.
Savannah was so fantastic and through out Lie To Me I wanted to hug her and tell her everything would be okay. You don't find out what she ran from until later but there's still something about her that just makes you want to be there for her.
At first I thought Kent was honestly really quite rude but then I ended up falling for him completely. He was so funny!! I was literally laughing out loud while reading!!
All the supporting characters were equally amazing and made me want to be a part of their world. Lie to Me is one of those reads that you end up begging to be turned into a movie or television show because you want to watch these characters come to life the way they have in your head.
You need to go add Lie To Me to the top of your TBR right now.
Go. Do it now.
Um, please and all that.

I'm giving lie to me 4/5 donuts!!





Buy Lie To Me Here:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
I'm a Book Depository Affiliate so if you'd like to buy a book with FREE SHIPPING and put some jing a ling in my pocket click HERE

Star by BB Easton

When I got the email asking if I'd like to review Star the first thing I did was go, "That is a naked man stomach on that there cover." The second thing I did was read the plot.
BB Easton is a psychologist who wrote an award winning memoir called 44 Chapters About 4 Men. After receiving so much positive feedback she decided to write 4 more books, one centered on each of the 4 men.
I haven't read the first two, Skin or Speed, but I can tell you the moment I finished Star I wanted to read Suit - unfortunately it doesn't come out until this fall.
Star is about BB and attractive, tattooed, musician Hans. The two of them meet at a party and are basically inseparable from that point on. Together they could be magic but could also be obsessive. Both being jealous and insanely in love caused for a lot of juicy moments through out this story.
In the beginning I really wasn't that into it and I honestly don't know why. But the more I read the more I wanted to know what was going to happen to them. I loved Hans and I was crazy about how much he loved BB and she him. It had me on the edge of my seat in parts and had me swooning in others.
The absolute best part of Star is how completely BB Easton sucks you in. I'm not kidding, I'm not sure I've ever read a book where I felt so conflicted or where it was as if I was going through the things the main characters were. I loved Hans but I knew that the two couldn't stay together and not end up toxic. But I also was heartbroken at that fact. People always say "that book gave me the feels" and while I've always thought I've understood that I don't think I really did. I have NEVER felt like it was all happening to me. I felt in love with him and cried when things shattered.
This book was really great and if you're looking for something to really give you "the feels" then you HAVE to pick Star up.


I'm giving Star 4/5 donuts!!

Buy Star Here:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

I'm a Book Depository Affiliate so if you'd like to buy a book with FREE SHIPPING and put some change in my pocket click HERE

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

It has been a hot minute since I have read a Sarah Dessen book. See I always have the best of intentions on reading her new stuff... but then I don't.
Bad bad book blogger.
Anywho I picked up The Moon and More at the library and told myself, "Self, you are going to read a Sarah Dessen book. No excuses." But then I got mad at my inner self cause like, who likes to be told what to do? So then I had this whole inner conflict going on and lets just say both my selves had to be put in a corner until they could speak again.
The Moon and More is about Emaline who has the perfect boyfriend. The two of them have been together through high school and are now about to go off to college together after the summer ends.
But is perfect enough?
Enter Theo the cute and ambitious boy from New York who is also the assistant of a documentary filmmaker.
While becoming friends with Theo and figuring out her long term plans with Luke, Emaline is also dealing with her father who has come back into her life - this time with her adorable little brother in tow.
Her father has big dreams for her that include going to an ivy league school and Theo is on the same page. Never settle for less. Achieve the very best.
But Emaline also has a close bond with her mother, stepfather, sisters and friends. Can she have the moon and more?
I really enjoyed the time I spent reading this book but I will say it wasn't my favorite Sarah Dessen story. I mean she's got a lot guys. It was almost funny too because one minute I'm like I don't like Luke but I'm digging Theo but by the end I loved Luke and couldn't really stand Theo. I also loved her little brother, and her best friend Morris. Sarah Dessen is exceptional at making you care about the characters she shares with us.
I'm giving The Moon and More 4/5 Donuts!!



Buy The Moon and More Here:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Books A Million

Listen to my playlist for The Moon & More on Spotify by clicking HERE

I'm a Book Depository Affiliate so if you'd like to buy a book with FREE SHIPPING and put a little change in my pocket click HERE

Ice Cream Book Tag

Vanilla
 - a book you wish had more flavor
Star by BB Easton.

Chocolate
 - a long book or an immersive world that you enjoyed indulging in
An Ember in the Ashes!!

Strawberry
 - a romance that was super sweet
I mean, I don't know, now most "romance" book are also rather dirty...umm...does Anna & The French Kiss count?

Ice cream sundae
 - a book encompassing all the elements you love
I'm going to go with the Getaway Series by Jay Crownover because it had steaming hot romance but it also had adventure and was thrilling. Really great series.

Milkshake
 - a book that blends genres
Um...The Getaway series by Jay Crownover because it had steaming hot romance but it also had adventure and was thrilling...really great series.

Sprinkles
 - a book with a colorful cover
The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen. (Review coming Thursday!!)

Ice cream cake
- a book worthy of a celebration
The Fault in Our Stars. Always, The Fault in Our Stars. Okay?

Ice cream cookie sandwich or three scoops on a cone
- a book with multiple perspectives
November 9 by Colleen Hoover.

Waffle cone
 - a book you felt compelled to read very quickly
Recovered by Jay Crownover.

Pint
 - a book you set aside but plan on going back to later
A Torch Against the Night. I started reading it and was totally into it but I wanted to save it. I'm a creep. I'm a weirdo. Oh oh oh oh.

Your preference
 - cup or cone?
That is an exceptionally hard question. Some days I'm feeling a cone and some days I want a sundae.

Your preference
 - favorite flavor?
Mint Chocolate Chip, or anything with peanut butter.

Your preference
- toppings? y/n
I. Love. Hot. Fudge.

Your preference
- favorite local ice creamery
Can't tell you, I don't want you to eat all my ice cream.

Reputation Book Tag

If you'd like to check out my Taylor Swift Book Tag click HERE

1. ...Ready For It? Your favorite first book in a series. I think I've answered this before and said Twilight but now because I've been thinking about it I'm going to go with Rule - have I picked that before? ;P

2. End Game The biggest endgame you've ever rooted for. Ever?? Geez way to make me pick. You know what? I'm going to go with Edward and Bella cause they're OG.

4. Don't Blame Me The most embarrassing/unlikely book you were crazy for. Fifty Shades hehe.

3. I Did Something Bad A book you spoiled for someone. I honestly don't think I've ever spoiled a book for someone. Maybe on here I have but I don't know.

6. Look What You Made Me Do A character that rose up from the dead. (like figuratively. Like they came back 2.0) I'm not really sure how to answer this question. Oops. Umm, Simon from The Mortal Instruments I guess.

5. Delicate A book you fell in love with from the first page. It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover.

8. Gorgeous A character so gorgeous they make you want to sink and drown and die. Currently Cable from Recovered by Jay Crownover.

7. So It Goes... A series that made everything else disappear. The Rosemary Beach series by Abbi Glines.

9. Getaway Car A book or series you abandoned. Uh, The House of Night series, is that what it was called? I really loved the first couple but then so many came out I just stopped reading them. I also quit reading the Pretty Little Liars series because hello there are like 354 books.

11. Dancing With Our Hands Tied A character you would stick by through an avalanche. Augustus Waters <3

10. King of My Heart Your OTP. (One true pair) Forever Augustus and Hazel Grace!!

12. Dress Characters you don't want to be best friends. (wink wink) I've been reading The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen -review to come- and I honestly love Morris who is the best guy friend in the book.

15. New Year's Day A book-related memory you will always hold on to. The moment Twilight came in the mail from Amazon. It was my very first order and I couldn't wait to get my package. I remember opening it up and starting the book and it felt like my world changed. Don't laugh!!

13. This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things A book you physically ripped or damaged. I through Dear John by Nicholas Sparks when I finished it and I also threw Allegiant by Veronica Roth and left it laying there for a while.

14. Call It What You Want A book you finally finished this year. Well we're only in April guys, and I don't know if I've read anything I've been waiting a long time to finish.

Withholding Nothing by Victoria Bright

   I'm not going to lie to you guys, I was sent this book for review and then forgot that my review was due...today. Yesterday I was looking at my planner that is specifically for my blog and I saw that my review was supposed to be up on April 10th. I thought okay cool that's a while away, um no, it was the next freaking day. So as soon as my son was occupied with his movie for the evening I turned on my kindle and started reading.
   Again, I'm not going to lie to you guys.
   I hated it.
   Like within the first couple of pages.
   I didn't like Ashton, I didn't like her friends, couldn't stand the way they talked to each other, hated the stupid stupid decision she makes in the beginning, and thought O'Shea was a tool. It was like the author was trying to make them funny in scenes and have that whole "witty banter" but I thought it was reaching. It wasn't easy and funny like I've read before and it bugged me. I almost put it down multiple times but then a nagging little part of me wanted to know what was going to happen.
I'm glad I kept going because I did end up liking it. It's kind of funny because I feel like the more the book continued the more natural things became and that's what I was looking for. I hate forced comedy and romance and I thought that's all I was in for.
   The gist of the book is Ashton is recently single after being dumped by her douche of a boyfriend who is now engaged to one of her former best friends. What a witch with a b, am I right? Not only is she reeling from her recent heartbreak she also is in desperate need of a roommate to share the expenses of her apartment. Her only source of income is working as a Phone Sex Operator. Oh yeah, you read that right.
   Enter O'Shea who is the new mechanic at Ashtons best friends uncles auto shop. Was that confusing enough for ya? Phew. Anyway the two meet and instantly Ashton can't stand him. **Que the third time I almost put the book down***
   Back at home while taking phone calls Ashton gets a call from a guy who she's instantly attracted to, which has never happened to her while working. Not only does she have a very intense conversation with him she also gets an email from someone wanting to be her roommate. Yay, things are looking up. That is until she goes to meet up with her potential roomie and it's non other than O'Shea. After much discussion she reluctantly lets him move in. Flash forward and she's sitting at home taking calls and the sexy caller from before hits her up again. She finds herself wishing she could be with him in person when bum bum bum, she finds out that her sexy mystery man is none other than her rommate the oh so infuriating O'Shea.
   As I said earlier I wasn't a fan at the start, probably about 30-35% of the way through, but once I got invested I really didn't want to put it down. I really grew to like them as a couple and even found myself laughing in certain parts. I also finished this in about 5 hours so that should tell you all something. :)
   I'm so happy I ended up liking it too because I never want to give bad reviews. Authors work really hard writing stories to share with us and I never want to discourage someone from their dreams. Thankfully I had a happy ending with Withholding Nothing.

I'm giving Withholding Nothing 3/5 Donuts!!




Buy Withholding Nothing Here:
Amazon

I'm a Book Depository Affiliate so if you'd like to buy a book with FREE SHIPPING and put a little jing a ling in my pocket then click HERE

Listen to my playlist for Withholding Nothing on Spotify by clicking HERE

90s Book Tag

1. BAGEL BITES & ZEBRA CAKES:
What is your guilty pleasure go to series? ...Fifty Shades...

2. NO SCRUBS:
A male character that you absolutely hated
I know there have been male characters I've hated but my mind is literally stumped.

3. BLOCKBUSTER:
A book you wish you could re-read over again for the first time
The Fault In Our Stars.

4. NICK AT NIGHT:
A book that kept you up all night reading
Anything by Colleen Hoover, specifically It Ends With Us.

5. RECESS:
A book that helps you relax when you are feeling stressed
Honestly...as weird as it may sound, Twilight. It just takes me back to the first time I read it and how enthralled I was. It's a nice feeling.

6. BEANIE BABIES:
An overly hyped book that everyone else loved but you hated?
I say it all the time, Isla & The Happily Ever After.

7. FRESH PRINCE:
Pick a book where the MC leads a double life
Well it's not really a double life I guess but Meg from The Rules for Disappearing is in the Witness Protection Program so she leads like a lot of lives.

8. POKEMON CARDS:
Which author do you have the biggest collection of books from?
Abbi Glines. I think I own almost every one of hers aside from the Sea Breeze series.

9. LISA FRANK:
Most beautiful and brightest book cover you own
Wake by Amanda Hocking.

10. BABY Gs:
A book that came into your life at exactly the right time
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover. I was going through a lot when I read that book and it really helped me through things.

11. DIAL UP:
A book that took too long to startup
Recently I felt like Julia's Chocolates by Cathy Lamb took a bit to startup. It was a lot of backstory throughout most of the book so sometimes it felt like forever to find out where we were going with it.

Watch the Original Tag on YouTube by clicking HERE

Twenty Questions Book Tag

I found this tag HERE on Goodreads if you'd like to check it out!

1. How many books is too many books in a book series?
I think 5 is enough but I've read books with more and enjoyed them.

2. How do you feel about cliffhangers?
Usually hate them.

3. Hardcover or paperback?
Floppy paperback.

4. Favorite book?
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.

5. Least favorite book?
There's a couple I'm not a big fan of. Ruby Red, Isla and The Happily Ever After, Crash Into You or Me or whatever the heck it was called.

6. Love triangles, yes or no? 
Hmm...we've talked about this before...it depends.

7. The most recent book you just couldn’t finish?
It was something by Emily Giffin, it wasn't her fault, I just couldn't get into it.

8. A book you’re currently reading?
The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen.

9. Last book you recommended to someone?
I think it was Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire.

10. Oldest book you’ve read? (Publication date)
I honestly have no idea.

11. Newest book you’ve read? (Publication date)
I think Baby Daddy by Kendall Ryan which came out February 9th. However I'm about to start Colleen Hoovers new book which doesn't come out until July.

12. Favorite author?
Colleen Hoover, Abbi Glines, Jay Crownover...

13. Buying books or borrowing books?
Lately I've been borrowing from the library a lot.

14. A book you dislike that everyone else seem to love?
Isla and the Happily Ever After.

15. Bookmarks or dog-ears?
Dog ears?! You animal! Bookmarks all the way, I'll use anything as long it doesn't hurt my precious.

16. A book you can always reread?
The Fault in Our Stars, Rule, Beautiful Disaster.

17. Can you read while hearing music?
Absolutely, that's how this blog was created.

18. One POV or multiple POV’s? (POV’s = Point of views)
Oooh I'm a sucker for multiple. But not too many, let's not get crazy.

19. Do you read a book in one sitting or over multiple days?
It really depends on how long the book is, how interesting it is, and if my son is sleeping.

20. Who do you tag? (You can invite them to the group to do the tag)
Everybody!!