18 Things by Jamie Ayres

Can eighteen things save a life?

Olga Gay Worontzoff thinks her biggest problems are an awful name (after her grandmothers of course) and not attending prom with Conner, her best friend and secret crush since kindergarten.

Then Conner is killed in a freak boating accident and Olga feels responsible. When she downs an entire bottle of pills to deal with the emotional pain, her parents force her into counseling. There, her therapist writes a prescription in the form of a life list titled 18 Things. Eighteen quests to complete the year of her eighteenth birthday.

All she has to do is fire-walk, try out for the cheerleading squad, break a world record, and err . . . go on her first date. Good thing Nate, a new hottie in town, enters her life with perfect timing. He brings the fun factor to her list and helps her discover the beauty and strength inside herself, then complicates things by falling in love with her.

But there's more to Olga’s quests than meets the eye and when her therapist reveals a terrifying secret, her world is shaken.

There’s only one thing she knows for certain: her choices won’t just affect her future, but all eternity.

4 Stars
I received a copy of 18 Things courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher.

18 things is the 5th or 6th book I've read from Curiosity Quills, and I have loved every one! As with all the books before it from this publisher, 18 Things is unique and original. Olga experiences her first broken heart, in the form of her best friend dying, and her being unable to save him. And before she gets to tell him that she loves him. Olga goes thru a year of ups and downs, with the saving grace coming in the form of Nate.

I just loved the characters in 18 Things! They were real, had a sense of humor, and I of course appreciated the Star Wars references. The grief Olga experienced after losing her best friend Connor broke my heart, but the idea of the list was a great way to help her heal, and I enjoyed the variety of ways that were on it. I guessed there was a twist at the end, but I was questioning my guess until the last chapter. Let me be clear tho, this book wasn't predictable! I saw there was possibly a sequel, and I'm really hoping that's the case!

~ Mandy

The Venetian Affair by Dana Mitchell

When cool, reserved Helene Stoddart dons a mask in magical Venice, it changes her life forever. Her identity protected, she succumbs to a night of wild lovemaking with gorgeous Italian, Gabriel Venier. Convinced she'll never see Gabriel again, Helen returns home to Australia, where an old family scandal sees her hunted by the paparazzi. Then Gabriel arrives, looking for the mystery woman he can't forget. But the Helen he encounters is withdrawn, arctic, nothing like the gorgeous, sensual woman seared into his memory. Despite Helen's reluctance, Gabriel makes time for them to get to know each other, and for slow, delicious seduction …

3 Stars
I received a copy of The Venetian Affair courtesy of the publisher in exchange for a review.

There is just something about books set in Australia that snag me from the synopsis! The Venetian Affair was no different. Helen is in Italy, on tour singing with a couple girls and ends up performing at a club that Gabriel happens to spot her in. He just has to know her and have her! Helen has a secret tho, one that she doesn't want Gabriel to find out about, so she agrees to spend the night with him, under one condition- she gets to keep her mask on and the lights off. Sparks fly of course, and neither of them is the same after. Gabriel ends up on a mission to find Helen, and luckily he does, back in Australia!
I could in no way put myself in Helen's shoes, and wondered about the way she handled things at times, but I really liked the way her and Gabriel connected! The chemistry between the two was volatile at times and scorching at others, which I really appreciated. And who doesn't love a HEA? I finished this one with a smile on my face!

~Mandy

Undressed (The Manhattanites #1) by Avery Aster

Content Warning: due to graphic sex scenes, strong language, suggestive themes, mature humor, and just about everything your mother ever told you not to do--including wearing a see-through dress, this novel is for adults only.

Milan's notorious playboy, Massimo Tittoni, seems to have everything--Lamborghinis, exotic women, palaces throughout Europe and business success. Ramping up his fabric company to go global with a new apparel brand, he ruthlessly stops supplying fabrics to the American client who inspired the collection. But once they meet, what's he willing to give to get her in his bed?

Upper East Side designer Lex Easton will be damned if she'll let an Italian stud muffin knock her down. So what if she named her favorite vibrator after him. With Fashion Week approaching, she'll do whatever it takes to secure the fabrics she needs to become the next Diane von Furstenburg-- even sleep with her rival. But when she arrives in Europe the paparazzi chronicles her every move and she finds herself in a situation never imagined. Lex’s Louboutins stilettos are dug in deep to win this war. All’s fair in love and fashion!

Avery Aster's super-glossy debut novel is loaded with passionate escapism, pitting American ambition against Italian tradition. Erotic romance fans who appreciate extended sex scenes, witty banter and glamour mustn't miss Undressed.

Inside Scoop: Though the hero and heroine remain monogamous, their Prada-wearing friends indulge in a ménage a trois and other fashionable sexual fun and games.

ABOUT THE MANHATTANITES:

It's a series of full length novels focusing on relationships. Each book may be read as a stand alone and features a HEA w/ closure for the couple's story. If you've enjoyed TV shows like Girls (HBO), Dirty Sexy Money (ABC), and The Bold & the Beautiful (CBS) then you'll love this series. Avery's characters are over the top. They have raunchy sex, speak their minds and the plots are twisted. (In a good way!)

4 Stars
I received a copy of Undressed courtesy of the author and publisher in exchange for a review.

When I received an email from Avery Aster herself, asking me if I could handle a book that contained scenes so hot they were scorching and panty dropping, I replied with an enthusiastic "OF COURSE!" She even went as far as to almost call me out on my reads of late being sort of 'vanilla' and more HBO vs Cinemax. I couldn't agree more. So I took on her book, bearing in mind I was going to be experiencing a more raw version of Sex and the City. Well, let me tell you, Carrie and Big have NOTHING on Lex and Massimo!

Undressed delivers funny, vibrant, witty characters, not to mention the strong and sexy female roles. The story, fun banter, and make you blush sex scenes held my attention, and for that, I gave it 4 stars. There were a few moments that seemed a little inconsistent, and not very believable, but for the most part, the hotness of the book made up for it. I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment!

~Mandy

Spellbound by Emmie Dark

Belle is a modern-day witch who's had a bad run with men. And she's not that good at the magic stuff, either. When her boyfriend leaves her feeling undesirable, Belle conjures up a night of perfect passion with a phantom version of her super gorgeous neighbour Nicholas Marchetti. But after an amazing night, Belle realises it was the real Nick. And when Nick discovers Belle's powers, he is confused and wary. And to top it all off, it seems someone is using magic to try to keep the would-be lovers apart.

Angst, lust – and Aunty Gertrude – all play a part in this sizzling erotic romance that begins and ends in the bedroom.

For those who like their romance hot, hot, hot!

3 Stars
I received a copy of Spellbound courtesy of Netgalley and the publisher.

What a cute book! Belle is a witch, but not much of one. When she attempts a spell to conjure a phantom man that looks like her hot neighbor Nick, it doesn't turn out like she expected. Although it brings her and Nick together for real, there still seems to be some force keeping them apart. You'd never guess from from the sparks those two were creating! Holy moly, the bedroom scenes were HOT! Belle and Nick were so sweet and cute together, and when they finally figured out what Aunt Gertrude was telling them, things started to fall into place. I just wish the story hadn't been so short.

~Mandy

City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments Book Two) by Cassandra Clare

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go — especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil — and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.

4 Stars

Wow. This story has gotten way better in the second book. There's still some creepy incest lingering in the air, however it is a gentle breeze that can be shrugged off. There is a lot of action in this book, plenty of new demons, new magical items, and new plot twists. We meet a few new characters and they are fully developed by the end of this installment. I have to say it is truly worth getting through the mundaneness of the first book to experience this one. Again, the language is beautiful. Be careful of some 1 star reviews, they tend to misquote the text. That being said, her imagery is not contradictory, it is eloquently descriptive.

~Kat

Love Unrehearsed (Love #2) by Tina Reber

There is no rehearsal for true love.

When A-list film actor Ryan Christensen ducked into her pub to escape his screaming fans, never in a million years did Taryn Mitchell think her life was about to change forever. But now, eight months later, after a whirlwind romance, Taryn wakes up in Ryan’s Hollywood hotel room to find a diamond to die for on her left ring finger—and her face splashed across the cover of every gossip magazine.

Ryan’s very public proposal is catnip to the tabloids, his management team is worried, and Taryn must figure out how a small town girl like her fits into his glittering world. What does it take to make a relationship work amidst telephoto lenses, daily on-set temptations, and jealous fans who will stop at nothing to keep you from walking down the aisle with the man of your dreams?

With no script to follow and no chance for a dress rehearsal, Taryn and Ryan will be forced to take the plunge and risk everything to make their love last.

4 Stars
I received a copy of Love Unrehearsed courtesy of the publisher in exchange for a review.

I got a copy of Love unrehearsed awhile ago, and just barely got around to reading it. I had so many other books lined up ahead of it, and it took a back seat. Then my reading slump happened. So, I picked up Love Unrehearsed in hopes it would bring me out of the funk, and holy hell did it ever! I devoured this book! Even though Ryan and Taryn's story wasn't in the forefront of my mind, Love Unscripted was so good, it stuck with me. There are books I read, and within 5 mins I forget the characters names. Seriously. So it was like I read the Love series back to back, that's how reeled in I was! I love Taryn and Ryan's love affair, and how they deal with all the stress that comes from Ryan's status as an A-list celeb. Not to mention, the chemistry between them is AH-MAZE-ING! If it's true, and there is a Love #3 based on Marie and Mike, I'm so in! Tina Reber has made it onto my favorite list for sure!

~Mandy

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments Book One) by Cassandra Clare

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

3 Stars

This book is about a girl who is lied to her entire life by her mother who is trying to protect her. It took me 300 pages to get really into the book and then about 150 pages later I said, you've got to be f****** kidding me because the story I was hoping would unfold, the love story that was making this book interesting, died with a plot twist. I will say the book is written pretty well, the descriptive language paints a beautiful picture of an enchanting world that I will continue to explore with the second book in this series. Here's to hoping the characters are developed a bit more thoroughly.

~Kat

Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend by Matthew Dicks

Budo is Max's imaginary friend. But though only Max can see him, he is real. He and the other imaginary friends watch over their children until the day comes that the child stops imagining them. And then they're gone. Budo has lasted a lot longer than most imaginary friends - four years - because Max needs him more. His parents argue about sending him to a special school. But Max is perfectly happy if everything is just kept the way it is, and nothing out of the ordinary happens. Unfortunately, something out of the ordinary is going to happen - and then he'll need Budo more than ever...

4 Stars

I really enjoyed this book. I was lucky to win an advanced readers copy. Written from the perspective of the imaginary friend, you are taken on an adventure to experience the life of a special needs child. This book offers excitement in its simplistic writing that I have not had the pleasure of finding in another novel. It is a beautiful story of the bond between a child and their imaginary friend and how children grow and change and eventually outgrow them.

~Kat