*Grabby Hands* Release & Review - Nothing but Trouble (Malibu University #1) by P. Dangelico

Title: Nothing But Trouble
(Malibu University #1)
Author: P. Dangelico
Age Category/Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Publication Date: March 26th, 2019

Reagan Reynolds...

Water polo god.

Owner of a face that belongs under Wikipedia’s definition of drop dead gorgeous.

Too charming for his own good.

But most importantly––the worst driver on the planet.

No, really, I’m pretty sure his blind nana taught him how to drive.

I had no idea who he was until he almost ran me over. And frankly, I kind of wish I still didn’t because then I wouldn’t have a sprained ankle to show for it. And my leg wouldn’t resemble a boa constrictor that’s swallowed a feral pig.

Yeah, it’s that bad.

I’ve spent years saving every penny I’ve ever earned to be able to transfer to Malibu University. And now my entire future––including my scholarship––is in jeopardy.

So I either accept the help he insists on giving me, or lose everything I’ve sacrificed for.

In the meantime, I’m going to ignore the fact that we’re becoming friends.

And I’m definitely going to pretend he’s not turning into the object of my…umm, dirty fantasies.

That’s not happening.

Not even a little.

Because the minute I clapped eyes on him I knew he was nothing but trouble.

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Alice

A strong gust of hot air invades the car and Reagan’s hair gets ruffled. It’s been like this the last few weeks. Crazy hot winds picking up now and then. Mine is literally standing on end. I’m forced to hold it down with both hands.

“The Santa Anas,” he says as if reading my mind. I look over and find him smiling at me. “The hot wind.” He swirls his index finger.

I let go of my hair, close my eyes, and let it have its way with me. It stands instantly upright, like I stuck my finger in a socket. I’m sure I look like an idiot but it makes me laugh, a burst of pure joy emanating from my chest that can’t be contained any more than the wind can.

“Nice hair,” he mocks with a teasing smile.

“Thanks, Flipper.”

“I thought we established that it’s not a dolphin.”

“You’re not going to like me saying this, but you’re more dolphin than shark,” I happily point out. He’s always perky and upbeat, likes to socialize, loves all the attention. He’s a dolphin––whether he likes it or not.

He levels narrowed green vengeance on me, offset by a sly smile. “I’m the top of the food chain, babe. I’m all shark.”

“That’s adorable. Especially coming from someone that wears a swim cap like my nana used to wear. Except yours has those darling cinnamon buns over the ears. Like Princess Leia.”

He fights his amusement. “Those cinnamon buns are meant to protect my ears from all the rough, manly activity. And I’m tellin’ on you. I’m tellin’ all the guys you said that.”

The Jeep comes to an abrupt stop. Only then do I realize we’re parked in front of the apartment building where my study group is being held. Scanning the parking lot, I see people I recognize from class pouring out of a car.

My attention returns to Reagan and I find him watching me. His smile melts. His expression grows serious like he rarely ever is. I rake my hair down and get my fingers snagged on a few knots. Unfortunately I’m not the comb-carrying type.

Mental note: purchase comb. Crazy winds are afoot.

“Thank you for driving me.” I look for some sign of what’s going on in his mind and finding the door shut.

“What time should I pick you up?” He reaches out and I lean away, staring at his hand. “Chill, Bailey. You have a piece sticking up.”

“Oh…okay.” He’s trying to be helpful and I treat him like he’s a festering case of the bubonic plague. How embarrassing.

I lean in and he sets about gently brushing down each and every one of my stray hairs, so gently I can barely feel him picking apart the knots. I can feel his breath on my skin. Fresh from a shower, I can smell his shampoo. My scalp tingles and goose bumps break out on my forearms. Lord give me strength.

4 “Water polo is my new favorite Sport” Stars

ARC provided by the author.

Thank you!

I first heard of P. Dangelico when Wrecking Ball came out a couple of years ago, and I was instantly hooked and ready for more of her slow-burn romances. Five books later, I can say I’ll probably read anything she writes and love it.

As a reader who misses New Adult romances, Dangelico’s new Malibu University Series is the perfect fit for me. The first book, Nothing But Trouble, had everything I look for in a good NA romance: likable characters, amazing chemistry, drama, friendship, and slow burn romance.

Alice was a captivating heroine—no surprise there—and I immediately felt a connection to her. And like Alice said, Reagan was a hero with a heart of gold (even though he misbehaved and deserved a good shaking toward the end of the story). Their relationship had a shaky start, but the friendship that soon followed was pretty amazing. I love her Dangelico takes her characters from strangers to frenemies to friends to lovers. This is combination is one of all times favorite tropes, and it worked so well in this story. The slow burn, the longing, the will-they-won’t-they does it for me every single time.

Other positives were the friendship between Alice and her roommates (#girlpower), the little hints of drama in the lives of Reagan’s teammates (can’t wait to read their stories), the unexplored sport portrayed in this story (don’t regret the time spent Googling water sport players) and the heart-breaking relationship between Reagan and his brother.

As you can see, there was a lot to love about this book.

I will say, though, that I wished the ending had been a little different. I wasn’t a fan of how Reagan reacted and what he did, though I can see why he thought he was doing the right thing at the time, but I still wish Alice had made him grovel. Girl, you need to let him feel shitty a little, then you can take him back.

In the end, I was still extremely happy that I had the chance to read this book before most people, and I can barely wait for what one of my favorite authors will write next.

P. Dangelico loves romance in all forms, cuddly creatures (four legged and two), really bloody sexy pulp, the NY Jets (although she’s reconsidering after this season), and to while away the day at the barn (apparently she does her best thinking shoveling horse crap). What she’s not enamored with is referring to herself in the third person and social media so don’t expect her to get on Twitter anytime soon. Oh, and although she was born in Italy, she’s been Jersey Strong since she turned six.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p.dangelico/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PDanAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pdangelicoauthor/
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2C91Fv7 

*If you liked this review (or not), if you read the book (or not), come say hello and leave your comments bellow.

Cover Reveal - Defiant Attraction by V.K. Torston

Title: Defiant Attraction

Author: V.K. Torston

Age Category/Genre: New Adult Contemporary/Erotic Romance

Release Date: November 16th, 2017

Dan might be the enemy of my enemy, but I’m not sure that makes him my friend. He’s definitely not my ‘step brother’, no matter what everyone at school says. Honestly, I don’t know what he’s supposed to be to me. Or what he’s becoming…

Fact: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

In the yearbook, I’ll be Sophia Ramos: Valedictorian. Years of honor roll certificates, AP classes, and lugging around an obnoxiously large cello case are about to finally pay off. If everything goes according to plan, I’ll escape these decaying suburbs for a top university across the country.

The problem? A few years ago, my mom met someone just as broke, just as drunk, and just as impulsive as she is. Approximately five seconds into their relationship, they decided it would be an excellent idea for him—and his son, Dan—to move in with us. (Spoiler alert: it wasn’t).

Now I share a house with none other than Daniel Cole. Even though Dan dropped out two years ago, he’s still the tattooed, bad boy, heartthrob, legend of St. Anthony’s Academy. He and I aren’t supposed to have anything in common.

Living together means war. First, Dan and I were at war with each other. Now, our rivalry is giving way to an unlikely alliance—two opposing sides teaming up against a common enemy: our respective parents.

Which is to say, we’ve been hanging out.

Question: What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?

Here’s the thing: My brain is a complex organ. One hundred billion neurons, each with an average of seven thousand synaptic connections to other neurons. My brain is my ticket out of here.

My heart, by contrast, is a pump. It moves blood around.

I know Dan is off-limits. I know I shouldn’t do something I’ll regret. And I know how much is at stake (my family, my future).

So why can’t I stop thinking about him? Those inscrutable jade eyes. The smile that can say a thousand different things at once. That tattoo curving across his abs…

Even though I know better, I feel that pounding in my chest. And it’s getting harder to ignore.

But if I follow my heart, I can never go back.

Answer: There is no such thing as an immovable object.

V.K. Torston is a millennial and ‘cool aunt’ to a brood of nieces and nephews. She was born and raised in San Francisco, attended university in New York City, and aspires to one day live in London. A veteran of the independent music scene, she began writing nonfiction in her late teens. Then she realized that making up stories was way more fun than coming up with endless synonyms for ‘frenetic’ and ‘danceable.’ Her hobbies include drinking too much coffee, making up stupid songs, and ranting about current events. Defiant Attraction is her first novel.

Twitter: @vktorston Website: www.vktorston.com Goodreads Author Page

*Grabby Hands* Blog Tour & Review - Tell Me That You're Mine by Victoria de La O

Title: Tell Me That You’re Mine

(Tell Me #3)

Author: Victorial De La O

Publisher: SMP Swerve

Release Date: August 29, 2017

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Ryan McCallister is ready to come home and put the heartbreak of his first love behind him. But when he returns after teaching abroad, the home he once knew isn’t quite ready for him. The woman Ryan once loved is living with his brother; his friends have moved on; and his new landlady, Eva Romero, seems determined not to like him.

But Ryan likes Eva. A lot.

It doesn’t matter that Eva has a six-year-old son and a troubled ex-husband; when Ryan’s with her, everything makes sense. Eva isn’t convinced she’s ready to take another chance on love, but Ryan’s determined to show her he’s worth the risk.

  

Goodreads

Available at:  Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  Kobo  |  iTunes  |  Google Play

It’s feels like an eternity since I’ve been home. In reality, it’s only been a year.

My slow walk to the house is surreal. The lawn is as pristine as ever, each blade of grass shorn the same height by Jude’s meticulous mowing. The red geraniums I planted years ago are thriving. And the dent in the porch rail, caused by my foot accidentally connecting with the wood, is still visible. But I don’t remember the house being this uninspiring shade of blue, or the crack on the front stoop being this wide. This house, this city, used to be my whole world. It seemed a lot bigger then.

Discordance skitters over my spine: what should be familiar is foreign, relief mingles with anxiety. Time snaps and contracts as I knock on the front door, and suddenly it seems like an hour since I left. A nanosecond.

The door swings open, and the reason for my hasty departure is staring at me. She’s as pretty as I remember—maybe more, damn her. Green eyes that used to flutter when I kissed her, full lips that whispered confidences in my ear.

Now, her face is frozen in a hostess’ smile. Her fingers worry the bottom button of her pink cardigan and the threads begin to loosen. She doesn’t know what to do because she wasn’t expecting me. I guess it wasn’t nice showing up a day early.

“Ryan. You’re home.”

Home. Does she mean mine or hers?

I had almost forgotten what Lizzie’s voice sounded like, but its husky depth brings the memories of the six months we spent loving each other rushing back.

Well, I had been loving her. She’d been falling in love with my brother.

I wait for my heart to ache, but there’s only a small twinge. That’s a surprise. In my mind, this was all so much more dramatic and intense. Hard stares and pinched lips. A little social awkwardness seems so mundane by comparison.

And then the door swings open wider and Jude is there. My pulse stops—doesn’t slow, just ceases to exist for a second. Leave it to him to bring the fireworks.

Like the house, Jude seems smaller than I remember. Or maybe that’s because he has gone expressionless, his discomfort hard-crashing him. His hands dig into his pockets, searching for an anchor, pulling his shoulders into a hunch. It takes a lot to knock Jude off his game. Glad to see I can still have that effect on him.

When he opens his mouth, no sound comes out. It’s unusual for me to have to step up and be the better man when I’m around my big brother. But today is that day.

Copyright © 2017 Tell Me That You’re Mine by Victoria De La O

4 “More Ryan, thank you & please” Stars

ARC via NetGalley.

Thank you, Swerve!!!

Oh, yes, this is Ryan's story. And, oh, yes, I'm still so very much in love with this guy. And, oh, yes, he's fictional, but who cares?

I met Ryan McCallister last year when I read Victoria de La O's amazing debut, Tell Me How This Ends, and dude made me feel. If you haven't read that book yet, then I must warn you: this review might spoiler the ending of book 1, so go read that lesson on how to write love triangles and then come back to this review.

Warning:

Back to Ryan now. In Book #1, I rooted for him (and for his brother, but let's pretend that didn't happen, so we don't hurt his feelings), and I felt so bad for him in the end that I wanted to hug him and bring him home with me. But I couldn't because Ryan moved to the other side of the world.

That little problem is solved in Tell me That You're Mine (and the significance of the title for Ryan and everything that has happened to him since the first book just hit me right now, and my heart is breaking again *snifs*). Ryan is back, and he's even more adorable than I remembered him to be.

A little nerdy, a lot sexy and equal parts sweet and angst, Ryan won me over with each new page. The more I read about him, the more I remembered why I'd been torn between Ryan and his brother (Jude is normally more my book-boyfriend type, with all the brooding he does). Ryan got to me so many times in this book. Whenever he interacted with Jude, or helped Diego, or thought about his father. Thing is, NOT falling in love with Ryan is almost impossible.

So it wasn't much of a surprise that Eva couldn't resist him.

I have to say that my love for Eva came slowly. It took me more than I'm used to with Victoria de La O's characters to fully connect with her, which also suprised me because she's Latina, and I'm always happy to see Latinx representation in books.

I can't exactly point out why I didn't fall as madly in love with Eva as I did with Lizzie or Sam, from the previous books. Maybe the romance moved a little too fast. Maybe she was a little too closed off at first. But once I got to know Eva better, I could see why Ryan had fallen for her.

Eva was a strong woman in many senses. There was such a mature vibe to her that I sometimes forgot she wasn't even in her thirties. It had less to do with the fact that she had a six-year-old son, and more with the way she faced her problems. 

In a sense, I feel like I was Jude in regards to Evan and Ryan's relationship. 

I didn't initially think Eva was good enough for my precious Ryan, but once I saw who she was and how she treated the people around her, then I was all in. 

I think Eva's situation with her ex-husband was what did it for me. It was portrayed in a heartbreaking way because of how respectful the author was to these character and their history. It would've been so easy to turn her ex into a villain, but Victoria de La O once again showed me she was better than that. She made me feel for Eva, who was torn between helping the man she once loved and finding a place for her new love in a her messy life. She even made me feel for the ex. 

And as a I started falling for Eva, her relationship with Ryan started making more sense to me. I started smiling when they acted cute together, and anticipating their love scenes. It was a different experience from what I had with the first two books, but it was worth it. So, in the end, I was Jude again and gave Eva and Ryan my blessing.

Speaking of ending, fans of this series will love that special extra chapter that takes place in the future. No spoilers here, because you'll want to experience it the way I did, but I have to say that that extra chapter touched me deeply. For me, the Tell Me series ended with the thing that made it so special to start with: beautifully written characters showing the kind of emotion that left the pages of the book and tugged at my heart, giving me all the feels. I'm going to miss them, but I'm ready for whatever Victoria de La O comes up with next.

Victoria De La O is the award-winning and RITA®-nominated author of the Tell Me romance trilogy, including Tell Me How This Ends. A native of California’s Silicon Valley, she spends time hanging out with her family, arguing about films, and practicing Wonder Woman spins, She loves talking to readers, so find her at www.victoriadelao.com.

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Release & Review - Chasing Red (Red #1) by Isabelle Ronin

Image and blurb from Goodreads

Title: Chasing Red
(Red #1)
Author: Isabelle Ronin
Release Date: September 5th, 2017

Age Category/ Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Find out why millions of readers love Chasing Red

Chasing Red is the Wattpad phenomenon with over 130 million reads, and one million reads each week. Revised and with new original content, it will be published in two volumes, Chasing Red and Always Red. New readers and fans alike will fall in love with Red and Caleb--over and over again.

HER HEART MIGHT BE THE ONE THING HE CAN'T WIN...
When cynical straight-A college student Veronica "Red" Strafford gets kicked out of her apartment, notorious basketball player Caleb Lockhart offers her a place to stay. Intensely drawn to her, Caleb wants something for the first time in his life. But Veronica's painful past makes trusting difficult, and her heart might just be the one thing Caleb can't win.

They said she was going to be my ruin...then let her ruin me. 

Goodreads

Buy Links: Amazon

2 “Color me disappointed” Stars

ARC via NetGalley.

Thank you, Sourcebooks Casablanca!

I'm definitely one of those New Adult fans saddened by the fact that the genre didn't stick. Sure there was that BOOM a few years ago, but traditional publishers seem to avoid NA books at all costs, and it's been hard to even find self-published material lately.

So I was intrigued when I saw Chasing Red on NetGalley.

A Wattpad phenomenon, Chasing Red promises exactly what I look for in NA books: college kids falling in love and lots of drama. The problem was I didn't like the drama and I didn't fall in love with the characters.

Told from the POV of both main characters, Caleb and Veronica, the book simply lacked any wow factor for me. Caleb's POV chapters were a little better than Veronica's, but not good enough to impress me. As to Veronica, I simply didn't care for her that much. I couldn't connect with them, which means the book didn't have much of a chance of intriguing me.

I was mainly disappointed because the premise in itself usually hooks me. I'm a sucker for "the girl in trouble goes to live with bad boy and they fall in love" kind of story, but the lack of chemistry between Caleb and Veronica, the stilted dialogue, and my lack of connection with the characters kept me from fully enganging with the story.

No matter how hungry I was for another college romance book, Chasing Red didn't do it for me.

*If you liked this review (or not), if you read the book (or not), come say hello and leave your comments bellow.