Showing posts with label Romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Romance. Show all posts

Friday, July 7, 2017

[Review: I See London, I See France by Sarah Mlynowski]

"I See London, I See France"
Author: Sarah Mlynowski
Series: I See London, I See France #1
Pages: 336
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance, Travel
Date Published: July 11th, 2017
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

I see London, I see France
I see Sydney’s underpants.


Nineteen-year-old Sydney has the perfect summer mapped out. She’s spending the next four and half weeks traveling through Europe with her childhood best friend, Leela. Their plans include Eiffel-Tower selfies, eating cocco gelato, and making out with très hot strangers. Her plans do not include Leela’s cheating ex-boyfriend showing up on the flight to London, falling for the cheating ex-boyfriend’s très hot friend, monitoring her mother’s spiraling mental health via texts, or feeling like the rope in a friendship tug-of-war.

In this hilarious and unforgettable adventure, New York Times bestselling author Sarah Mlynowski tells the story of a girl learning to navigate secret romances, thorny relationships, and the London Tube. As Sydney zigzags through Amsterdam, Switzerland, Italy, and France, she must learn when to hold on, when to keep moving, and when to jump into the Riviera… wearing only her polka dot underpants.
-Goodread
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My Thoughts:

Okay, this is the perfect summer read. It's fluffy as you can get, but it's also deals with some tough issues. I feel like the best fluffy summer reads always deal with more than just a hot romance. That being said, I See London, I See France also delivers in the romance category. So much so that I'd almost argue that it's more of a New Adult title than a YA one. That being said I wouldn't change anything about this book.

It's fun to see Sydney break away from her family. She's been looking out for her mom since her dad left them, and it's not an easy job. Her mom can't even leave the house, and so Syd and her little sister have been tied down to one place for as long as they can remember. I love that it takes a trip to Europe for everyone to find their own footing in Sydney's family. And the family dynamics makes the story seem a bit more real.

The main story is a bit silly and predictable. Two girls go to Europe and the cheating ex shows up with a hot friend. It's simplistic, but in being simple you actually get a feel for some of the foreign places the girls see. I like that in a travel themed book. Sure, the books a bit goofy, but weird, goofy things happen when you're out traveling the world. 

All in all I enjoyed this book a lot. If you're looking to get away this summer, pick I See London, I See France up!

  4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

[Review: This is My Brain on Boys by Sarah Strohmeyer]

"This is My Brain on Boys"
Author: Sarah Strohmeyer
Series: None
Pages: 352
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Date Published: May 10th, 2016
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Jane Austen’s Emma meets The Rosie Project in this quirky, irresistible, romantic comedy from Sarah Strohmeyer, the author of Smart Girls Get What They Want.

Addie Emerson doesn’t believe in love. Not for herself anyway. With one year left of high school, she’s more interested in snagging a full scholarship to Harvard than a full-time boyfriend.

That doesn’t mean she’s oblivious to the ways of the heart. Or, rather, the head. Because after months of research, Addie has discovered how to make anyone fall in love. All you need is the secret formula.

But will her discovery be enough to win the coveted Athenian Award and all its perks? (See above, full scholarship to Harvard.) Or will she be undone by Dexter, her backstabbing lab partner, who is determined to deep-six her experiments at their exclusive private school?

Those are the least of her problems now that she’s survived a death-defying flight with a mysterious, dark-haired boy, who has delicious chocolate-brown eyes and a few secrets of his own.

With an experiment to mastermind, an infatuated exchange student on her hands, and at least one great white shark (more on that later), can Addie’s prefrontal cortex outwit her heart? Or will she have to give in to her amygdala and find out, once and for all, if this thing called love is more than just her brain on drugs?
-Goodreads
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My Thoughts:

This book is extremely unique. It's clear going into it that this isn't your normal YA romance, and I loved that about This is My Brain on Boys. As the title suggests, this book is quirky, nerdy, and a little like an episode of "The Big Bang Theory" dropped right into it. If you like the show, you're sure to love this novel.

As a nerd myself, I was excited to dig into Strohmeyer's newest contemporary. And after finishing it, I realize that I'm not quite the same kind of nerd as Addie. Though I did find her to hilarious anyway. She's so socially awkward that it's pretty cute, and she's a total smartass to boot. She kept me laughing, that's for sure. I loved the fact that she's always in control in the book. Not many YA contemporary leads tend to have this good of a grasp on the world. Sure, she might be a tad annoying as well, but she's usually right, so I found myself forgiving her for moments I didn't think I would. Yay, for smart girls who are also smartasses!

Kris was also a great character. Though I'm not sure that I bought the whole "I love animals soooo much" thing. It felt corny to me, but I also thought it gave him dimension, so I'm just going to say that I have mixed feelings about him. He's great for Addie, but he's also a little strange for the story. But maybe that's just me.

The plot itself is a great one. Strohmeyer has this grasp on her story that makes it read really smooth. And the payoff is so good, that you'll have a smile on your face at the end. Because, once again, she makes sure that Addie gets the last word. So much girl power fills the pages of this book, even though the whole book is about love and such. 

If any, and or all of this sounds good to you. Read it!

Rating:
    3 Unicorns = I liked it a lot, but it had its issues!

Monday, April 25, 2016

[Review: Rebel Angels by Anne Blankman]

"Traitor Angels"
Author: Anne Blankman
Series: None
Pages: 400
Genre: YA, Historical, Romance, Mystery
Date Published: May 3rd, 2016
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Six years have passed since England’s King Charles II returned from exile to reclaim the throne, ushering in a new era of stability for his subjects.

Except for Elizabeth Milton. The daughter of notorious poet John Milton, Elizabeth has never known her place in this shifting world—except by her father’s side. By day she helps transcribe his latest masterpiece, the epic poem Paradise Lost, and by night she learns languages and sword fighting. Although she does not dare object, she suspects that he’s training her for a mission whose purpose she cannot fathom.

Until one night the reason becomes clear: the king’s man arrive at her family’s country home to arrest her father. Determined to save him, Elizabeth follows his one cryptic clue and journeys to Oxford, accompanied by her father’s mysterious young houseguest, Antonio Vivani, a darkly handsome Italian scientist who surprises her at every turn. Funny, brilliant, and passionate, Antonio seems just as determined to protect her father as she is—but can she trust him with her heart?

When the two discover that Milton has planted an explosive secret in the half-finished Paradise Lost—a secret the king and his aristocratic supporters are desperate to conceal—Elizabeth is faced with a devastating choice: cling to the shelter of her old life or risk cracking the code, unleashing a secret that could save her father…and tear apart the very fabric of society.
-Goodreads
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My Thoughts:

This isn't my first time reading something from Anne Blankman. She's actually one of my favorite historical writers. Without a doubt it's because she mixes actual people from history, and made up characters into a story together. She uses her fictional characters to give you an understanding of actual historical figures, and Traitor Angels doesn't disappoint on that front. 

Almost all of us have heard of the poem Paradise Lost, and we know that Milton wrote it. Blankman takes that knowledge and throws us into a world of mystery and excitement, one that clearly didn't happen the way she's written it. But also one that's so wrapped up in historical fact and people from history that it feels like it could have. 

She give us a protagonist in the form of Elizabeth Milton. Elizabeth was not an actual person, but the rest of the Milton family is as historically accurate as Blankman could make them. I liked that John made sure that Elizabeth could take care of herself. While other girls are learning how to keep a home, Elizabeth is taught the art of sword fighting, reading/speaking/writing mutable languages, and the art of his poetry. All of these things come into play in the novel, and nothing that Blankman writes goes to waste

The book not only plays with the idea of poetry, but also delves into the impact of religion. These are the two biggest things that drive the plot of the novel. Art, exploration, studying the skies, power, and more are also key elements. 

I enjoyed this one a lot, but as I don't love the time period that it was set in, I found that it read a bit slow, but I know that it was just me. It's also got extremely exciting near the end, as Blankman made sure to throw in a few more historical events. That being said I still enjoyed this novel a lot. It's a mystery novel at its heart, and what's better then that.  

Rating:
 3 Unicorns = I liked it a lot, but it had its issues!  

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Mini Review Batch

"Burning Glass"
Author: Kathryn Purdie
Series: Burning Glass #1
Pages: 512
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance
Date Published: March 1st, 2016
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Sonya was born with the rare gift to feel what those around her feel—both physically and emotionally—a gift she’s kept hidden from the empire for seventeen long years. After a reckless mistake wipes out all the other girls with similar abilities, Sonya is hauled off to the palace and forced to serve the emperor as his sovereign Auraseer.

Tasked with sensing the intentions of would-be assassins, Sonya is under constant pressure to protect the emperor. But Sonya’s power is untamed and reckless, and she can’t always decipher when other people’s impulses end and her own begin. In a palace full of warring emotions and looming darkness, Sonya fears that the biggest danger to the empire may be herself.

As she struggles to wrangle her abilities, Sonya seeks refuge in her tenuous alliances with the charming-yet-volatile Emperor Valko and his idealistic younger brother, Anton, the crown prince. But when threats of revolution pit the two brothers against each other, Sonya must choose which brother to trust—and which to betray.
-Goodreads
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My Thoughts:

This book started out so promising! Death and mayhem filled the beginning, and I thought that I had found a book I would adore. Now, I'm not saying that I didn't enjoy this book, because I did, but I will say that once we made it into the kingdom, it became something I wasn't expecting. Purdie knows how to write gruesome depictions, and swoony moments, and who doesn't love that. I will say that as the story went on, I found that the book became a little too swoony for my taste, and the bloody parts seemed a little less hard hitting because of that. Sonya was a great protagonist though, and even though she seems a bit boy crazy, it's clear that she's got a good head on her shoulders. So, even though this book was middle of the road for me, I'm looking forward to the next installment, and I'm curious to see what Purdie does next.

Rating:
  3 Unicorns = I liked it, but it had it's issues!



Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Seven Black Diamonds #1
Pages: 400
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Paranormal
Date Published: March 1st, 2016
Publisher: HarperCollins
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Lilywhite Abernathy is a criminal. Her father’s “unconventional” business has meant a life of tightly held secrets, concealed weaponry, and a strict code. But Lily’s crime isn’t being the daughter of a powerful mob boss. Her guilt lies in the other half of her DNA—the part that can coax ancient rumors from stones and summon fire with a thought. Lily is part fae, which is a crime in her world.

From the time before she was born, a war has been raging between humanity and fae. The Queen of Blood and Rage, ruler of both the Seelie and Unseelie courts, wants to avenge the tragic death of her heir—a death that was the fault of reckless humans.

Lily’s father has shielded her from the repercussions of her ancestry…until she is sent to the prestigious St. Columba’s school, straight into the arms of the Black Diamonds.

Mysterious, glamorous, and bound together in their mission but constantly at odds, Zephyr, Creed, Will, Roan, Violet, and Alkamy are a Sleeper cell of fae, planted in the human world to help destroy it from within. With covers as rock stars and celebrity children, the Black Diamonds carry out the queen’s war against humanity. And unbeknownst to Lilywhite, she’s been chosen to join them.

Now more than ever, Lily’s heritage puts her in peril, and even the romantic attention of the fae singer Creed Morrison isn’t enough to keep Lily from wanting to run back to the safer world of organized crime.

Melissa Marr returns to faery in a dramatic story of the precarious space between two worlds and the people who must thrive there.
 
-Goodreads
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My Thoughts:

Out of all the YA fairy stories out there, I always enjoy Melissa Marr's the most. Seven Black Diamonds is no exception to that rule. The plot is intricate, the characters have conflicting motives, the kids feel real, and the magic doesn't seem corny. I did feel like this book was a lot of set up. Not at say that it wasn't good set up, but I am looking forward to the next book in the series, since I feel like I really know the characters now. Trust me, Marr gives a lot of characters a voice in this novel. I also enjoyed how she mixed the fantasy world with one that felt normal, though slightly off. Plus, I enjoy the fact that there is always a slightly sinister angle to Marr's stories. This one was a lot of fun!

Rating:
3 Unicorns = I liked it, but it had it's issues!

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

[Everything But The Truth by Mandy Hubbard]

"Everything But the Truth"
Author: Mandy Hubbard
Series: If Only #6
Pages: 288
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Date Published: November 17th, 2015
Publisher: Bloomsbury US Childrens
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via NetGalley) for honest review

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Summary:

If Only . . . she wasn't pretending to be someone else! The If Only romance line continues in this fun rags-to-riches romance.

Holly Mathews' mom is the new manager of a ritzy retirement home, and they just moved in. But having super-rich retirees as her only neighbors isn't a total bust, because the gorgeous, notorious Malik Buchannan is the grandson of a resident. Just one problem: when they meet, Malik assumes Holly is there to visit her own rich relative. She doesn't correct him, and it probably doesn't matter, because their flirtation could never turn into more than a superficial fling . . . right? But the longer she lives in his privileged world, the deeper Holly falls for Malik, and the harder it is to tell the truth . . . because coming clean might mean losing him.

For anyone who has dreamed of their own Cinderella story, this romance shows that when it comes to true love, the best person to be is yourself!
-Goodreads
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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Everything But The Truth,

So, I have a whole lot of truth for you. (See what I did there?) I have to admit that I'm not your biggest fan. Though I will say that I thought Malik was an interesting character, nothing else really did it for me. I wish I could say I had different feelings, but I don't. I do on the other hand think that there will be a large group of teens that have a different opinion on things, so that's good. 

-The White Unicorn

So guys, this book didn't do it for me. The pacing was weird, the main character seemed like she was 15 instead of 18, and there was just way too much silly drama for me. That being said, I think this book will have it's audience, that audience just isn't a girl in her late twenties. 

Let's start with the good. I actually really liked the romantic lead. Malik was a character I could actually get behind. I think he could have been developed a bit more, but I dug what Hubbard let us see of him. I also liked a lot of the secondary characters in this book. In all truth, I liked Holly's BFF more than I liked her. Her story was more interesting. That's all I'm saying. Also, I liked that the setting was in a retirement home. It made for lots of laughs.

But then we have Holly herself and the mess that was her storyline. I'm not going to say that I didn't enjoy it at all. It had it's really cute moments, but our leading lady's storyline was really cheesy. To the point of eye rolling. I think if Holly would have been younger, I could have bought the lengths and the lies that she went to to keep her guy, but Holly is supposed to be a graduated eighteen year old, and I couldn't buy it. She acted like she was fifteen, and had no idea how to handle things. She's actually in her dorm room in the last chapter, and it was almost laughable. This girl had no life skills, which made this book unbelievable for me. 

So if you're looking for a corny, cute, mindless read that will make you laugh on occasion, this is the book for you. But if it doesn't sound like something you'd like, I'm sure there's someone younger around who will dig it. 

Rating:
  2 Unicorns = It was okay, but something didn't work for me!  

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

[Review: Da Vinci's Tiger by L.M. Elliott]

"Da Vinci's Tiger"
Author: L.M. Elliott
Series: None
Pages: 304
Genre: YA, Historical Fiction, Romance
Date Published: November 10th, 2015
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Young, beautiful, and witty, Ginevra de’ Benci longs to take part in the artistic ferment of Renaissance Florence. But as the daughter of a wealthy family in a society dictated by men, she is trapped in an arranged marriage, expected to limit her creativity to domestic duties. Her poetry reveals her deepest feelings, and she aches to share her work, to meet painters and sculptors mentored by the famed Lorenzo de Medici, and to find love.

When the charismatic Venetian ambassador, Bernardo Bembo, arrives in Florence, he introduces Ginevra to a dazzling circle of patrons, artists, and philosophers—a world of thought and conversation she has yearned for. She is instantly attracted to the handsome newcomer, who admires her mind as well as her beauty. Yet Ginevra remains conflicted about his attentions. Choosing her as his Platonic muse, Bembo commissions a portrait by a young Leonardo da Vinci. Posing for the brilliant painter inspires an intimate connection between them—one Ginevra can only begin to understand. In a rich and enthralling world of exquisite art, elaborate feasts, and exhilarating jousts, she faces many temptations to discover her voice, artistic companionship, and a love that defies categorization. In the end, she and Leonardo are caught up in a dangerous and deadly battle between powerful families.
-Goodreads
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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Da Vinci's Tiger,

Man, I wanted to like you more than I did. Your historical detail was great, you used awesome historical figures, you were so detailed that you could have been fantastic. But then... nothing really happened, and some of the things that happened made me kind of uncomfortable. So while you had so many good things about you, I just can't be a fan, since the story was a whole lot of feelings and not a whole lot of plot. 

-The White Unicorn

I have to start out by saying that I have mad respect for the historical detail that Elliott put into her novel. It's obvious that she made sure that every moment of this book was dripping in rich, historical, moments. I was blown away by the amounts of research that she layered into her work. It's something to be applauded. And if you're a history buff you're going to love the way Elliott wrote this book. 

On the other hand, this book fell really flat for me. I understand that Elliott was trying to write a book about a female liberating herself in world where females were limited, and I applaud her for that, but more needed to happen. Ginevra could have been a wonderful character, and in some ways she was, but she falls flat because the story ends up being about her relationships with all the men in her life. This book is a victim of too much historical detail, and a secondary plot. 

I would have liked to have seen more scenes between Ginevra and Leonardo. But I felt like so much time was spent in Ginevra's head, and I wish more interaction would have happened between the two, because that's were the magic was in this story. 

I also liked that Elliott decided to feature Italy's platonic love history. Though I must say that Bembo was a creep. There is a scene that happens in the book were he tries to take advantage of Ginevra, and I have to say that the way the scene was handled made me squirm. Though Ginevra tells him off, something about it still felt really uncomfortable to me. 

So in the end this book is full of lush historical detail that stands out to me, while also falling really flat from a story line perspective.    

Rating:
 3 Unicorns = I liked it, but it had it's issues!

Monday, October 19, 2015

[Review: Newt's Emerarld by Garth Nix]

"Newt's Emerald"
Author: Garth Nix
Series: None
Pages: 304
Genre: YA, Historical Fiction, Romance
Date Published: October 13th, 2015
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Lady Truthful will inherit her family’s most valued heirloom on her eighteenth birthday. Until the Newington Emerald is stolen.

Lady Truthful, nicknamed “Newt” by her boy cousins, discovers that to her horror, the people closest to her have been framed for the theft. But Newt won’t let their reputations be damaged by rumors from a false accusation. Her plan is simple: go to London to recover the missing jewel. Despite her best intentions, a young lady travelling alone is frankly unacceptable behavior. So Newt and her aunt devise another plan…one that entails men’s clothing and a mustache.

While in disguise, Truthful encounters the handsome but shrewd major Harnett, who to her amazement volunteers to help find the missing emerald under the assumption that she is a man, Henri de Vienne. But once she and her unsuspecting ally are caught up in a dangerous adventure, Truthful realizes something else is afoot: the beating of her heart.

Truthful has far more than romantic complications to worry about. The stolen emerald is no ordinary heirloom-it is the source of the family’s luck and has the power to yield vast magic. It would be completely disastrous if it fell into the wrong hands. The fate of England depends on Truthful securing the emerald.
-Goodreads
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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Newt's Emerald, 

You're adorable, and so much fun. I did find you to be really simple, but I enjoyed you a lot. Really I can't complain about much of anything. Also, you have gender bending, and God knows how much I love a good gender bending story!

-The White Unicorn

So, this was my first Garth Nix book ever. I've heard that this one is nothing like his other books, which makes me curious about the rest of the books that he's put out into the universe. I liked this one a lot. Though I did feel like it was written for younger YA audience. Truth be told, it could be because of the other books I've been reading lately, but I liked how light the writing felt. 

This book is regency romance, that also happens to be a fantasy, that also happens to be a gender bending adventure story. It's most of the things I love, thrown into one story, and it all happily works together. This book is just plain cute. 

Truthful is a spunky lead. I mean her name is Truthful. Though everyone calls her Tru and Newt instead. She's full of pluck and doesn't like sitting on side lines. I enjoyed the fact that she grew up with three brother-like-cousins, so she's not some girly girl. Sure she knows how to play with the girls, but she's interesting because she also has the ability to wear a charmed mustache and become a fellow. I enjoy this twist on the normal regency novel. It added something really enjoyable to the mix. 

Nix also adds a huge fantasy element to the story. Magic fills the pages in a way that is unexpected and refreshing. I liked that Nix decided to make this story more than just a typical regency romance. 

Also Nix makes sure that no one is what they seem as the story unfolds, which causes some issues for Tru and Charles. That being said I really liked their little romance, even if it didn't feel like it was developed enough for my taste. I did find Charles to be a great male lead. I just wish we would have gotten to know him better. 

All in all this book is simple, fun, and full of adventure. Readers of a younger age will eat it up, and those of us who are older are guaranteed to find reasons to fall in love with it as well.  

Rating:
 3 Unicorns = I liked it, but it had its issues!

Friday, September 4, 2015

[Review: Exit Stage Left by Gail Nall]

"Exit Stage Left"
Author: Gail Nall
Series: None
Pages: 356
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Date Published: September 8th, 2015
Publisher: Epic Reads Impulse
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via NetGalley) for honest review

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Summary:

In this funny and sweet digital-original novel perfect for fans of Fame, Casey works to find a new passion after her dreams of becoming a Broadway star are ruined.

Casey Fitzgerald has always been an actress. She's known it was her destiny ever since she snagged the role of "apple" in her kindergarten's production of The Food Pyramid. But when she doesn't get the lead in her performing arts high school's production of The Sound of Music, she begins to question everything. Not getting the lead means no recommendations, and no recommendations means she can kiss good-bye any chance of getting a scholarship to the prestigious New York College of Performing Arts.

After some soul searching and some wise words from her friend Harrison, Casey decides to totally reinvent herself. She's already ditched her on-again off-again boyfriend Trevor and is interested in the new boy at school, so why not start fresh with everything? But every new destiny she tries doesn't seem quite right. And when her best friend, Amanda, who did get the lead, starts hanging out with Trevor, Casey's not sure if she'll ever be able to leave the drama behind.

Epic Reads Impulse is a digital imprint with new releases the first Tuesday of each month.
-Goodreads
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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Exit Stage Left,

I honestly don't know what to say. I didn't like you at all. I thought we'd get along, I thought you sounded funny, but in the end you didn't cut it. At all. Your characters just didn't work for me. Though I will admit that your plot was okay. Maybe if we had a different set of characters I would feel differently about you, but as it stands, we just didn't get along, and that's okay too.

-The White Unicorn 

After the first couple chapters of Exit Stage Left I knew we were doomed. I didn't listen to that feeling, and I was hoping I was wrong, but in the end I think I should have gone with my gut. Now, I don't think that everything about this book was unlikable, and I actually think that other people will connect with the material, but I didn't. Nall came up with a fun plot. I'm always interested to see someone reinvent themselves, and I think that this was the best part of the book. There are some minor spoilers ahead, so be warned.

Then the characters happened. I think they all showed promise to begin with, but then they started showing their true colors and I just couldn't get behind them. Casey is really selfish, and I don't think that that changes over the course of the book. She keeps making these choices that made me literally shake my head at the book. I think I would have liked the novel more if I would have seen character growth, but all I saw was someone whining about not getting what they wanted and then getting it anyway. 

I really wanted to like Harrison and Amanda, but I felt like they were both really stagnant. They were letting Casey act however she wanted, and they bent over backwards to make her happy. They never stood up for themselves and what they wanted, and in the end that caused a lot of the drama in the book. 

And poor poor Oliver. Oliver with the hero complex who has no idea how awful Casey will end up treating him. Actually he got a chance to see it pretty clearly and yet he still just went along with it. Seriously, how Casey treated him throughout the book made me really sad, which made me really sad to see that their love "bloomed", and they got together in the end.  

Honestly, this book really frustrated me, and I wish that it hadn't. But it is what it is. 

Rating:
1 Unicorn = No, just no!

Monday, July 27, 2015

[Review: The Uninvited by Cat Winters]

"The Uninvited"
Author: Cat Winters
Series: None
Pages: 368
Genre: Adult, Historical, Paranormal, Romance
Date Published: August 11th, 2015
Publisher: William Morrow
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

From the award-winning author of In the Shadow of Blackbirds comes a stunning new novel—a masterfully crafted story of love, loss, and second chances. Set during the fear and panic of the Great Influenza of 1918, The Uninvited is part gothic ghost-story, part psychological thriller, perfect for those who loved The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield or The Vanishing by Wendy Webb.

Twenty-five year old Ivy Rowan rises from her bed after being struck by the flu, only to discover the world has been torn apart in just a few short days.

But Ivy’s life-long gift—or curse—remains. For she sees the uninvited ones—ghosts of loved ones who appear to her, unasked, unwelcomed, for they always herald impending death. On that October evening in 1918 she sees the spirit of her grandmother, rocking in her mother’s chair. An hour later, she learns her younger brother and father have killed a young German out of retaliation for the death of Ivy’s older brother Billy in the Great War.

Horrified, she leaves home, to discover the flu has caused utter panic and the rules governing society have broken down. Ivy is drawn into this new world of jazz, passion, and freedom, where people live for the day, because they could be stricken by nightfall. But as her ‘uninvited guests’ begin to appear to her more often, she knows her life will be torn apart once more, but Ivy has no inkling of the other-worldly revelations about to unfold.
-Goodreads
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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To The Uninvited, 

You are a book that is made out of my favorite kinds of nightmares, all mashed together. You're dark, haunting, and beautifully written. The imagery in you is equal to the wonderful characters that also fill your pages. No one is perfect, and nothing is as it seems in your pages, and that is just how I like things to be. I honestly couldn't have asked for more from you, so thanks for delivering on such a delightfully high level.

-The White Unicorn

It's well known that I am a Cat Winters fan girl. If she writes it, I'll read it. No questions asked. So when I heard that she was releasing her first Adult Novel, I got really excited. And let me tell you, The Uninvited did not disappoint. It has all the elements that I have come to love in her YA books, and then had the added fact that her protagonist was actually closer to my age. It made the reading experience really exciting for me. 

Winters is a master of mixing the paranormal, spiritualism, a history together. It's a mixture that works wonderfully for her, as her writing is beautiful and gothic. She has a way of making things feel as though everything she writes is real, and it pulls you right into the story, and makes you question everything!

The Uninvited is a tad on the slow side, but it did nothing but make the novel feel more authentic to me. Plus there is a lot of action, and plenty of time to get to know Winters' well formed characters. The plot is a tad more on the adult side, but I felt like a younger audience would enjoy it as well. 

I really adored Ivy. I thought that it was an interesting choice to make the main character a recluse, who decides to grab at her freedom after her family commits such an awful crime. It was also interesting to see how German immigrates were treated during the war. It was something that I had never thought about, but Winters makes it one of her main plot points, and the pay off was that it made me think.

I wish I could say more about the book in detail, but it truly is one of those novels that you just have to read for yourself. Too much talk of everything would ruin the experience of reading it, and so I will keep my mouth shut. Trust me, you'll thank me later. All I will say is that you need to read this one. You won't be sorry. And when you're done, we can talk about it. 

Rating:
  5 Unicorns = Get your hands on this NOW!  

Thursday, July 9, 2015

[Review: Everything Leads To You by Nina LaCour]

"Everything Leads To You"
Author: Nina LaCour
Series: None
Pages: 307
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Date Published: May 15th, 2014
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Format Read: Hardcover from the library

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Summary:

A love letter to the craft and romance of film and fate in front of—and behind—the camera from the award-winning author of Hold Still.

A wunderkind young set designer, Emi has already started to find her way in the competitive Hollywood film world.

Emi is a film buff and a true romantic, but her real-life relationships are a mess. She has desperately gone back to the same girl too many times to mention. But then a mysterious letter from a silver screen legend leads Emi to Ava. Ava is unlike anyone Emi has ever met. She has a tumultuous, not-so-glamorous past, and lives an unconventional life. She’s enigmatic…. She’s beautiful. And she is about to expand Emi’s understanding of family, acceptance, and true romance.
-Goodreads
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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Everything Leads To You,

You were finally a LaCour book that I liked. Not only were you different, but you also dived into an interesting part of Hollywood that people don't usually pay any attention to. On top of that your words were really pretty. Overall I liked you.

-The White Unicron

I've only read one other LaCour book (The Disenchantments) and I have to say that I wasn't that impressed. I felt like there was no way that her main character was actually a male, and I said in that review that I wished that he would have been a lesbian, because I felt like he would have seemed more honest. Well, as soon as I heard that Everything Leads To You featured a lesbian protagonist, I knew that I had to read it, just to see if my hunch was correct. I have to say that I really liked this book. Emi's voice was honest, and she held all the sincerity as a character that I was missing with my first LaCour experience. 

The thing that is so refreshing about this novel is that it doesn't feel like a statement piece. Sure there is a love story between two girls, but it isn't the main focus of the story. There is a huge mystery, Hollywood antics, the filming of an Indie movie, and finding yourself, playing in the background. LaCour fits so much into this book, that you find yourself pulled right in, and the diversity of the characters adds to the story. 
  
I loved all the Hollywood history in the book. Emi and her best friend find a note in a dead western stars' vinyl record that they bought at an estate sale, and the story gets going right away as they try to get the letter to its rightful owner. This leads them to Ava. 

There is an ongoing mystery as Ava tries to figure out things about her life. And there is also an Indie film being made that Emi has signed on to be the set designer for. So, no matter where you look, you're surrounded by the backstage parts of the movie business. I loved the details that made it into the book. Emi's job is one that you never hear talked about like this, and I have to say that it was one of my favorite bits of the story.

If you're looking for a love story that has something new to offer, and if you love Hollywood glamour, than may I suggest this delightful little story. I think you'll love it!

Rating:
4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

[Review: P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han]

"P.S. I Still Love You"
Author: Jenny Han
Series: To All The Boys I've Loved Before #2
Pages: 337
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Date Published: May 26th, 2015
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Format Read: Hardcover from the library

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Summary:

Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter.
She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.
When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?

In this charming and heartfelt sequel to the New York Times bestseller To All the Boys I've Loved Before, we see first love through the eyes of the unforgettable Lara Jean. Love is never easy, but maybe that’s part of what makes it so amazing.
 
-Goodreads
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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To P.S. I Still Love You,

You really get what young love is like, don't you? I love that you're not afraid to show a lot of different sides to the whole "first love" thing. Lara Jean has to deal with things that we all had to deal with in high school (or that we are dealing with) and I adore her. You're love story is darling, and I also love your use of Assassin, because it's one of the best games out there. Book, you rock!

-The White Unicorn

I absolutely adored Han's To All The Boys I Loved Before, so of course I knew I needed to see what new shenanigans Lara Jean was going to get into in this novel. I'm so glad that I made time for it. The book picks up right where the first one left off, which means we get to read Lara Jean's letter to Peter right off the bat. Let me just tell you, it's adorable, and gave me all of the feels even before the real story started. 

Han has a wonderful grasp on what it like to be in love in high school. In fact, I find that I still find myself relating to thoughts and things that Lara Jean is dealing with in the novel. She's a one of those main characters that is easy to relate to. I don't think that you have to be in high school to understand her, and that is really awesome. I think it is safe to say that Laura Jean is one of my favorite contemporary characters that I have read. 

The book, on top of being flat out cute, also deals with some really important issues. Han chooses to write about bullying in a way that also includes the leaking of a video of a scandalous variety. I don't want to give anything away, but I will say that she makes some really good points about how males and females are treated when sexual things are brought to light. Han handles it all really well, and I was glad that she decided to make the video leak a part of the story. She says things in a way that girls need to hear, and I'm glad that it's out there in this format. 

Lara Jean has two love interests in the book, but I never felt like it was a love triangle. Maybe because there were never confessions of undying love from any of them. I like that Han writes characters that are figuring out how to have relationships. They like each other, but there isn't this "we are going to be together forever and we are in high school and I can't wait to die in a hundred years together because this is so realistic" type thing. Peter and John both have wonderful characteristics, and they both bring something out in Lara Jean. I can't help but adore both boys. 

Let's just say that I am really hoping that we get to see more of Lara Jean and the rest of the characters that I have come to enjoy so much in these books. Han, please write more!

Rating:
 
     5 Unicorns = Get your hands on this NOW!

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

[Review: The Summer After You And Me by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski]

"The Summer After You and Me"
Author: Jennifer Salvato Doktorski
Series: None
Pages: 320
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Date Published: May 1st, 2015
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via NetGalley) for honest review

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Summary:

Sunbathing, surfing, eating funnel cake on the boardwalk—Lucy loves living on the Jersey Shore. For her, it's not just the perfect summer escape, it is home. And as a local girl, she knows not to get attached to the tourists. They breeze in over Memorial Day weekend, crowding the shore and stealing moonlit kisses, only to pack up their beach umbrellas and empty promises on Labor Day. Lucy wants more from love than a fleeting romance, even if that means keeping her distance from her summertime neighbor and crush, Connor.

Then Superstorm Sandy tears apart her barrier island, briefly bringing together a local girl like herself and a vacationer like Connor. Except nothing is the same in the wake of the storm. And day after day, week after week, Lucy is left to pick up the pieces of her broken heart and broken home. Now with Memorial Day approaching and Connor returning, will it be a summer of fresh starts or second chances?
-Goodreads
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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To The Summer After You and Me,

You are the perfect beach read. Seriously, you have a cute premise, a cute boy, and the whole "coming of age" thing going for you. I enjoyed you a lot, and I think that a lot of other people will too. Lucy and Connor where a ton of fun to read about and I also liked all of the other characters as well. So, I think what I'm trying to say is that I'll be telling people to read you.

-The White Unicorn

This book was so much fun! Doktorski has this way of weaving a lot of different things into her stories, so a simple summer romance, like this book, isn't boring. In fact The Summer After You and Me is fresh. It has some of the tropes that we all look for in "beach reads," but it also has a lot of heart behind it. 

I really liked that the book had so much to do with Hurricane Sandy. As a native California dweller, that is something that I've never needed to think about, so it was interesting to be immersed into the aftermath of that kind of natural disaster. Sandy is actually a huge part of the plot, bringing our two lovers together, and then also pulling them apart. It's an interesting setting and I'm glad that Doktorski decided to use it. 

Lucy has a lot going on in her life. A twin brother. Her best friend turned boyfriend Andrew. A job or two. The last thing that she needs is for Connor (the cute boy who lives next door) to come back into her life. He left her in lurch after they finally had all those fire-work-inducing moments that make you go "awwww!" But of course, Connor shows back up.

The interactions between all of Doktorski's characters is one of my favorite things about her writing. I can say this because I have read all of her books. There is something so natural about their interactions, that even if the plot points seem a little kitchy, you don't even notice. It's a writing style that I really look up to, and this novel is another showing of why it works. 

If you're looking for a beach read full of wanting and waiting and heartstrings being pulled, then this is it. This is a summer romance with some meat on its bones. This is the kind of book that will leave you cheering for the lead and falling in love with the rest of the cast. What more could you want from a summer read? 

Rating:
4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

Monday, November 17, 2014

[Review: Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Lyla Payne]

"Mistletoe and Mr. Right"
Author: Lyla Payne
Series: None
Pages: 150
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Date Published: November 20th, 2014
Publisher: Bloomsbury Spark
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via NetGalley) for honest review

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Summary:

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring…but lust refused to settle in for a long winter's nap.
She might be all nestled, snug in her bed, by why, oh why, do visions of the wrong guy dance in her head?


Jessica, (not Jessie), figures that nothing could be better than a trip to the Emerald Isle for Christmas break. So she takes a flying leap and follows her boyfriend home for the holidays, not only sure that he will finally agree they're destined for each other, but also that Ireland will provide the perfect backdrop to the beginning of their happily-ever-after.

But it turns out his family--and his gorgeous ex-girlfriend--don't feel the same way, and even the family goat seems to be conspiring against her well-laid plans. The only person making the trip worthwhile is the very last one she should be thinking about, but Grady, the local farmhand, has a way of showing up when Jessica needs him most...and least.

USA Today bestselling author Lyla Payne wraps up the perfect holiday novella, ties it with a ribbon of romance, and tops it with a light dusting of snow. Perfect to curl up with under the tree. Just add hot cocoa!
-Goodreads
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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Mistletoe and Mr. Right,

You're cute. Cute like one of those crappy made for TV movies that we all love so much. Trust me, even though it might not sound like it, this is a really high compliment coming from me. 'Cause God knows that I love me some crappy yet adorable Christmas movies. Throw in the fact that you take place in Ireland and I'm hooked. Thanks for being a cute, quick, fun, Christmas read!

-The White Unicorn

This novella is amazingly cute! Payne knows just how to work a shorter story and it made this book a really fun read. I do have to admit that I wish it would have been a bit longer, because I felt like some of the plot points were a bit rushed, but that being said, I think that Payne did really well based on the length of the book. 

At only 150 pages, this is the perfect book to read in a sitting or two snuggled next to the fire. It will be able to fill that Christmas movie feel you want, but still allow you to read a book at the same time. The plot isn't that deep, but in the few moments that are, it really shines. When you add in the fact that some really ridiculous things happen and that Payne has a knack for comedic timing, you know you're in for a good time. Sure, the plot is extremely predictable, but that's not really all that surprising. Plus, it's set in Ireland, so you get a little book travel in as well!

The cast of characters is a good one. The back stories could have been fleshed out a bit more, because I feel like it would have added to the story, but I also fear that the story would have lost some of it cuteness along the way if that would have been the case. Payne gives as much detail to the background characters as her main ones and I think this really helped the novel in so many ways. It took you into her world quickly and I really liked that.

For a NA romance, this book is really clean and I liked that. It's one of those books that anyone could read and smile over. Which brings us around to the romance. I found Jessie's 10 year plan to be a little annoying, and she seemed really clueless in her relationship, but she had guts, so I liked her. Brennan is so removed from what's going on that I never really liked him. And Grady was pretty great and understanding and handsome. Some would say that this is a triangle, but it never felt like one to me. The story is more about Jessie than her relationships and I thought that was a good call. Not to say that the romance wasn't swoony and adorable, because it was.

If you're looking for a short, sweet, Christmas time read, pick this little jewel up!

Rating:
4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

Thursday, October 16, 2014

[Blog Tour: Not In The Script by Amy Finnegan, Review + Amy's Top 10 TV Couples + Giveaway]


"Not in the Script"
Author: Amy Finnegan
Series: If Only...#3
Pages: 392
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Date Published: October 7th, 2014
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens 
Format Read: ARC provided by publisher for honest review

Buy It Here:

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Summary:

The best kinds of love stories don’t follow a script.

Millions of people witnessed Emma Taylor’s first kiss—a kiss that needed twelve takes and four camera angles to get right. After spending nearly all of her teen years performing on cue, Emma wonders if any part of her life is real anymore . . . particularly her relationships.

Jake Elliott’s face is on magazine ads around the world, but his lucrative modeling deals were a poor substitute for what he had to leave behind. Now acting is offering Jake everything he wants: close proximity to home; an opportunity to finally start school; and plenty of time with the smart and irresistible Emma Taylor . . . if she would just give him a chance.

When Jake takes Emma behind the scenes of his real life, she begins to see how genuine he is, but on-set relationships always end badly. Don’t they? Toss in Hollywood’s most notorious heartthrob and a resident diva who may or may not be as evil as she seems, and the production of Coyote Hills heats up in unexpected—and romantic—ways.
-Goodreads
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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Not In The Script,

Hey there book. You were a breath of fresh air on lots of fronts for me and you can count me as one of your fans. I liked how you humanized celebrities. So many books focus on the glamor and excitement of fame, and while you dabbled in that, at your heart you showed us what it's really like to be in the public eye, while still being hilarious. I like hilarious and I like real and you are both of those things, so, like I said before, I'm a fan.

-The White Unicorn

I'll just come right out and say it, I'm a big fan of Finnegan's debut. As we all know, I'm very picky with my YA Contemporary Romance novels, but this happens to be one of my favorite romances of the year. Not in the Script is everything a book like it should be. It's sweet, it's snarky and it's got issues that you can see coming from miles away. It's good mindless fun, but Finnegan also manages to do something that a lot of books that deal with fame and TV miss out on. She humanizes the business in a way that I think is very important. It gives the novel an extra edge that takes all the typical romance tropes and makes it mean a little something more than usual.

I love books that follow things that I know about and even though I can't say that I know about how a TV show is put together, I can tell you that I know a thing or two about acting and the way that the people you act with become a kind of family. A messy, messed up family, but a family none the less. Finnegan gets this and ends up throwing a group of people together that don't seem like they'd be friends in real life, but over the course of the book, things change. She really understood this and I could feel the sincerity in the characters interactions, no matter what they were. I guess you could say that's why I liked the book as a whole: it's sincere.

Emma and Jake are adorable together and I loved watching their relationship develop in such a stress inducing setting. All the lies from the media and the lies from the cast members and everything sometimes felt like they were a bit much, but it didn't affect my enjoyment level. It's interesting to see what Emma ends up doing for everyone around her. Good things happen wherever she goes, but it was also awesome to see her start to figure out that she needed to worry about herself as well and make her own life as good as the ones the people around her were living.

Over all I adored all the characters. Brett was a tool bag, but he was tool bag that was likable. Maybe not someone you should trust, maybe not someone you should make your best friend, but he was likable. Kimmi was the diva, but yet she still had her good points. Jake is extremely layered and has so many things going for him. I even liked the parental characters and I loved that Finnegan decided to make them such a big part of the story. I'm always a fan of books that don't forget that someone had to give birth to the characters inside of them.

All in all Not in the Script is the perfect rom/com and I highly suggest it to anyone who wants a romance that they can cheer for!

Rating:
    4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!
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Amy's Top Ten TV Couples!
 

Clark and Lana, Smallville: I used to be so addicted to this show that I wrote two novel-length fanfiction stories about it. They were over 100,000 words each and had readers from all over the world checking in daily for new chapters . . . all rabid fans of Clark and Lana’s epic romance that, according to Superman cannon, was destined to fail. Were we all just suckers, or what? But year after year on that show, those who shipped “Clana” had high hopes for a break from tradition, even after Lois joined the show (for me, it was especially after Lois came along). Tom Welling and Kristin Kreuk had mad chemistry, though, from the innocent longing of the first few seasons, to the more grown-up episodes to come. Young Clark Kent was often more super-awkward around Lana than super-powered, and that’s why this relationship drew me in from the beginning. I still miss them together. So forget Superman cannon, Clark belongs with his first love (And if she doesn’t get him, then I do).




Chuck and Sarah, Chuck: Why do all the best shows get cancelled, huh? Four-and-a-half seasons wasn’t nearly enough (I still can’t decide if I’m ticked off that NBC only ordered thirteen episodes for the last season, or if I should be grateful that they gave us about fifty more episodes than they wanted to!). Anyway, I loved Chuck and Sarah together. He was a mere Nerd Herd techie when he was pulled into the crazy and dangerous world of international spies, and Sarah became his kick-butt handler. The evolution of their relationship was so entertaining and sincere that it was impossible not to fall in love right along with them! And the rest of the cast was just as adorable (Captain Awesome needs his own spinoff!!).






Jim and Pam, The Office: I’ve never been so thrilled to be a voyeur. Because of the mockumentary style of the production, I felt like I had a front row seat for watching two real people fall in love. Deep love. I met my own husband while working in a corporate office environment, so I totally related to the cute and almost always awkward ways in which two people can find excuses to go the desk of the other . . . and flirt (discuss business, I mean!) Like, all day long. Another cool thing about Jim and Pam is that even after they finally figured stuff out, it didn’t dampen their chemistry one bit. It just became more fun, watching them build a life together.




Rory and Logan, Gilmore Girls: In my opinion, Logan was the only love interest for either Gilmore girl who could match their wit. He could dish out the snark just as quickly as they could, and serve it with a side of swoon. Logan and Rory’s conversations were often the epitome of how to write entertaining banter between characters, and I’d frequently rewind scenes so I could hear every word all over again. My only complaint? Um . . . I’m in desperate need of a seven-years-later epilogue. The CW better get to work on that, or I’ll have to write an epilogue myself.






Buffy and Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: This is what you call a serious conflict of interest. Buffy’s job was to slay vampires, so her attraction to fanged heartthrob, Angel, was a bit of a dilemma—especially after a certain point in the series when it seemed inevitable that Buffy would literally have to stake her claim. You know that scene after Angel lost his “soul,” and Buffy had him tied up and had to make the most important decision of her life? Yeah, I cried like a blubbering baby. But the amazing thing about this show was that Buffy was such an amazing character that I really liked her with just about any love interest they paired her with. Even Spike! (Note: if you binge-watch Buffy, which you really should, resist the urge to judge the rest of the series by the first season. In the beginning, the special effects are nearly unbearable.)




Ross and Rachel, Friends: Is there a more famous couple in all of sitcom history? I think not. Their relationship was definitely epic in all of the best ways. They were star-crossed lovers for ten years, and the best thing about their storyline is that whenever they broke up, it all felt believable. And whenever they got back together, it was also believable. That’s an incredibly difficult feat to pull off in a sitcom that was, at its core, chock-full of slapstick antics. I miss this show!




Matthew and Mary, Downton Abbey: Nooooooooo!!!!!! Whyyyyyyyyyy?!?!?!?! How could you do this to me?!?!?!?!?! That’s all I’m going to say.


Chuck and Blair, Gossip Girl: I’m picking these two because they provided nonstop entertainment whenever they were in scenes together. They loved hard and they hated hard, and there was never really anything in between. They belonged together more than any other couple on the show, because no one else deserved to be with either of them. If you watched Gossip Girl, you’ll know that this is a compliment to everyone else. ;)


Mary and Francis, Reign: When these two are given good scenes, they’re the hottest couple on current television. But . . . Reign happens to be on the CW, so all too often, completely stupid and unbelievable obstacles interrupt their adorable flirting. Just stop it. Let them be happy. One more thing about the show itself: As crazy as it gets sometimes, the drama is nothing compared to what the actual Mary, Queen of Scots went through. You can’t make that stuff up! But if you don’t know how her story went in real life, and you watch Reign, do not look up her history. Just watch the show unfold. It will be interesting to see how closely they follow actual events. They’re dealing with one of the most interesting royals in history, so there certainly isn’t any reason for embellishment!




Robin and Marian, The BBC’s Robin Hood: Next to Clark and Lana, these two are my next favorite TV couple! I used to sit on the edge of my seat, hoping for a scene between them. This is another series to binge-watch that I’m guessing very few of you have seen. And the last scene of this series . . . guys, I was BLOWN AWAY! It was some of the most powerful few minutes I’ve ever watched on TV. Jonas Armstrong is one of the most charming, comedic, underrated actors of our day, and he’s absolutely irresistible as Robin Hood! And his sweetheart Marian is certainly no damsel in distress. This couple’s relationship was the perfect mix of sugar and spice, and I’m betting I could get just about any romantic to watch the series after they see this fan-made (and free of any major spoilers!) video featuring Robin and Marian: Accidentally in Love. Enjoy!
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 About The Author:

 Amy Finnegan writes her own stories because she enjoys falling in love over and over again, and thinks everyone deserves a happy ending. She likes to travel the world—usually to locations where her favorite books take place—and owes her unquenchable thirst for reading to Jane Austen and J.K. Rowling. Her debut novel, NOT IN THE SCRIPT, came about after hearing several years of behind-the-scenes stories from her industry veteran brother. She’s also been lucky enough to visit dozens of film sets and sit in on major productions such as Parks and Recreation and Parenthood. You can follow Amy on Twitter: @ajfinnegan, Instagram: StrangerThanFictionWriter, Facebook: Amy Finnegan, Author. Or Visit her at AmyFinnegan.com.




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Giveaway:

 
 Win your own swag pack here!