Book Review: Blue Lines by Toni Aleo (Assassins Series)

Blue Lines by Toni Aleo is one of the Assassins series book i was eagerly waiting for.  I love Nashville Assassins with the hunky hockey jocks. I am a great fan of sport romance novels, it is one of my favorite genres. And this book has become one of my favorite books.

Here is a short summary of the book:

Opposites do more than just attract in Toni Aleo’s latest Nashville Assassins novel about a very bad boy and the good girl he can’t resist. The instant Piper Allen sees Erik Titov, she wants him—wants his rock-hard body, sure, but the strength and mystery that lies behind that superstar hockey jock demeanor, too. So when he sidles up to her at a bar and slinks his arm around her waist, she’s lost. What follows is the wildest night of her life . . . followed by inevitable heartbreak the next morning. And then, a few weeks later, a very big surprise: two blue lines on a pregnancy test. Only a check to the head could make Erik fall for a nice girl like Piper. But since their crazy-sexy night together, he’s been trying to forget about her alluring body by falling into bed with every woman in Nashville, and it’s not working. So when Piper shows up at his house with a baby-bomb to drop, it doesn’t take much for Erik to suggest the nuclear option: marriage. While it’s supposed to be all for show, the second they say “I do,” the ice between them starts to melt into sizzling steam.

My review:

Blue Lines is a wonderful romance with deeply emotional characters and a beautiful narration. The story is about hockey player Erik Titov and sweet girl Piper Allen, a made for each other pair. Before i write more about the story, i really want to mention the thing i liked most about the book and which i think makes this book different from the previous ones in the series and that is our male lead, Erik's character. I loved and enjoyed Shea, Lucas and Tate BUT, they were so perfect, perfect boyfriend/husband....it was too sweet for me, most of the time their female counterparts were not much great opposed to their heroes. Erik is a super-cute character, not a perfect one but with lots of different shades to his character. I just enjoyed reading Erik Titov evolving into a real hero from a not-so-impressive character. 

Piper, as we already know, is very kind, sweet girl who always generously help others (especially her sisters, and i felt a little irritation towards Harper and Reese, but at the end they redeemed) and loves unconditionally. Wow! she was so sweet, i mean, i did not understand how she could love someone so unconditionally even though that person most of the time was a jerk...yes...a real jerk, or first class idiot, obviously i'm talking about Erik. But, as i already said, he is not what he seems to be in the first half. And once Erik and Piper marry each other, we can see why Piper loves him, how he can be so sweet and caring sometimes. And it was really unfortunate what happened to him when he was a kid and its really painful to read his story, we can really understand why he hides behind his bad playboy perona and he is not the person he tries to show others. The novel was an emotional roller coaster ride for me, i cried at some places, for Piper who was in love with someone who can't seem to love in return and for Erik, what he suffered from his own parents. But, it was fine as i love my books when it makes me feel emotions, not only happy ones but sad ones also. Finally, Erik and Piper also gets their happily ever after when  Piper changes the whole persona of Erik and how he realizes and accepts his destiny which is Piper, and stops fighting it! Still, some places, even after a 360 degree character change in Erik, he was so confusing and annoying as hell, i really wanted to smack him and instill some good sense in him.
Anyways, everything was perfect at the end, especially the last chapters, really appreciate Ms. Aleo for not abruptly finishing the story, for giving us a big happily-ever-after chapters (still not enough, i need more), it was so cute, especially the delivery chapter...loved it. Even though the novel was big, it was fast-paced mainly because of the wonderful writing by Ms. Aleo. That is something in have noticed in her novels, it capture your full attention and you won't be satisfied till you read it completely. Okay, I think that is enough spoilers for one day, even though i am not ready to stop admiring the book but, i have to, otherwise it will spoil your read :). Oh, Just one more thing, i forgot to mention about Philip , a nice insight provided by the author to Philip's character in this book and i loved him - he was a great best friend to Erik and a charming guy. Alla and Cooper, Erik's adoptive parents were other two characters that i loved and i enjoyed the relationship between Erik and his parents.
You know, the best part of the book was the final chapters and epilogue (ahhh how many times am i mentioning this but it is really cute), and we have some funny scenes, serious laugh material, just thinking about it brings a smile on my face. The book really made me emotional and happy at the same time and i'm glad i read this. My rating for the book is 4.5, you will be thinking why it is not 5 if i liked it so much, it is just because at some parts, Erik irritated me like anything with his confusing thinking and it made me pull my hair off! thats why a 4,5 :) . Otherwise, a smooth and very statisfying read for me.

I'm really thankful for receiving the ARC copy of Blue Lines from NetGalley. Waiting for the original release.

Book Review: Leo by Mia Sheridan

A beautiful, intense read for people who crave romantic happily ever afters and obviously, i'm one of them. Leo is one of the best books i have read. How can i miss the review for this one! 

A short Summary from book cover: 

Evie and Leo met in foster care as children and formed a bond of friendship. As they grew, their bond turned to love and they vowed to make a life together when they turned 18 and were no longer a part of the system.

When Leo unexpectedly gets adopted as a teen and he moves to another city, he promises Evie that he will contact her as soon as he gets there and come back for her in a few short years. She never hears from him again.

Now eight years later, in spite of the odds, Evie has made a life for herself. She has a job, she has friends, she’s content. Then a man shows up out of the blue, claiming that her long lost love, Leo, sent him to check up on her. The attraction between them is undeniable. But, should she trust this sexy stranger? Or is he keeping a secret about what his connection to Leo is really all about and why Leo disappeared all those years ago?

My Review:

Excellent book!! Beautiful work with a beautiful cover by new author Mia Sheridan. Leo is a very intense, emotional, love story. I had read lot of reviews about the book and I was eager to read the book, so much that i stopped whatever i was reading earlier and dived into this. Both the story and characters are so deep, you will be immersed in the book till the end. It is like once you start reading the book, you are pulled into a different world and i felt as if iam in Leo’s and Evie’s world, was only able to come out when i finished the book.
I loved Evie - sweet, caring, forgiving…she is one of the best female character i have read! I also loved both Leo’s and Jake’s characters - characters with lot of strong feelings. I’m not going to tell much about the story because i think it would be a spoiler…when i read reviews first before reading the book, it was a spoiler for me and i got an idea about the storyline. But, the beautiful dialogues and the deep romance in the story were really a pleasant surprise for me. The love relationship in the story  is something that they develop when they are in their worst situation, which they develop as a sweet friendship and turns into a life-long romance. It was really sweet and enticing. As the author says, the romantic couple complete each other, just made for each other!!
Mia Sheridan has written the book beautifully, with lot of sweet, romantic dialogues. I can’t even quote any one dialogue as my favorite, as there are lots of beautiful lines in the book.

So, overall, a must-read book for die-hard romance book-lovers and did i mention a happily-ever-after epilogue of the book….its wonderful!! I rate it as an excellent book by Mia Sheridan!!

Book Review: Love Irresistibly by Julie James

Julie James is one of my favorite author. And this FBI/Attorney series...OMG...its wonderful...and Love Irresistibly is the latest from the series and a beautiful read.

 

A short summary from book cover:

HE’S USED TO GETTING WHAT HE WANTS…

A former football star and one of Chicago’s top prosecutors, Assistant U.S. Attorney Cade Morgan will do anything to nail a corrupt state senator, which means he needs Brooke Parker’s help. As general counsel for a restaurant company, she can get a bug to the senator’s table at one of her five-star restaurants so the FBI can eavesdrop on him. All Cade has to do is convince Brooke to cooperate—and he’s not afraid to use a little charm, or the power of his office, to do just that.

AND WHAT HE WANTS IS HER.

A savvy businesswoman, Brooke knows she needs to play ball with the U.S. Attorney’s office—even if it means working with Cade. No doubt there’s a sizzling attraction beneath all their sarcastic quips, but Brooke is determined to keep things casual. Cade agrees—until a surprising turn of events throws his life into turmoil, and he realizes that he wants more than just a good time from the one woman with whom he could fall terrifyingly, irresistibly in love . .

My review:

Love Irresistibly…the latest book from FBI/US Attorney series is a wonderful romantic book. I felt the story was somewhat realistic. A modern-day heroine, Brooke Parker, is smart, witty, ambitious and with a bold attitude towards everything girl, is a successful businesswoman and lawyer for the famous Sterlings Restaurant. I enjoyed her character a lot….the way she proves herself in life by becoming a successful lawyer is really admirable. Cade Morgan…wow….smart, very charming and successful Assistant US Attorney….i loved their chemistry! Both Cade and Brooke are perfect for each other. They start their relationship as casual, but slowly become more close to each other than they expected. The romance was sweet…the funny inside jokes, sarcastic quips and conversations were fun to read. The conflicts they faced…with Brooke’s job with which she was always busy, with not much time for a personal life and Cade’s father issues which always made him ‘emotionally unavailable’ were realistically portrayed in the book. I enjoyed how Ms.James gave equal importance in the book to their professional lives with their day to day problems as well to their love story. The secondary characters Ian, Vaughn, Huxley and obviously, Cade’s brother Zach were great. How could i miss Ford, he was lovely and a wonderful best friend to Brooke…a great romantic read!!

My Rating:  4/5

Book Review: Perfect Timing by Jill Mansell

Perfect Timing, the second book i read by Jill Mansell is a perfect read and the title is apt for the story, i enjoyed reading it. Here is the book cover summary for you: 

Summary:

When you meet the man of your dreams on girls night out, it’s hardlyPerfect Timing In this fresh and funny contemporary romance by bestselling author Jill Mansell, Poppy Dunbar’s whole life gets turned upside down after a chance encounter with a handsome stranger…

Never a troublemaker, Poppy had always been content with the way things were supposed to be donewhich included marrying predictable Rob McBride. But that was before she met Tom Kennedy the night before her wedding. Could she really be falling in love with a stranger?

Unable to forget Tom, or go through with the wedding, Poppy runs off to London. Her new life and colorful friends are anything but predictable. Misunderstandings, family secrets, and jealous quarrels ensue, but can Poppy stop running long enough to figure out whator, rather, whois in her heart?

My Review:

Poppy has become one of my favorite heroine, she is easygoing, funny, always cheerful, caring and sweet. Never a troublemaker, Poppy had always been content with the way things were supposed to be done which included marrying predictable Rob McBride. But that was before she met Tom Kennedy the night before her wedding. Even though she wanted a content family life which she had not got from her father (whom she comes to know later is not her biological father), she realizes she might have fallen in love with a stranger and cannot go through the wedding. So, after cancelling her wedding, Poppy runs off to London to a new life and in search of her real father. It becomes really entertaining in London when Poppy faces a whole new unpredictable life and colorful friends. Juggling between two jobs, one in a antiques shop whose owner is Jake and a part-time catering job, Poppy comes across Caspar French, the gorgeous and very much irresponsible painter, and his roommate Claudia. Claudia, constantly unlucky in love, is the slightly chubby and dissatisfied daughter of two glamorous movie stars. Poppy, Claudia and Casper all come together and then lot of misunderstandings, family secrets, and jealous quarrels ensue that makes the book more interesting. I loved Casper’s character, even though he is irresponsible and a playboy, he is nice at heart. I enjoyed reading Poppy and Casper’s friendly banters. Jake is also a good character, nicely created by the author, even though a little nerdy , was entertaining. But, Claudia, i hated her, most of the time she was a bitch towards Poppy only because Poppy was so cheerful and i did not like it a bit. Finally, after lot of searching, Tom is found, and as Poppy was waiting for the moment from first, she thinks she has got her perfect mate in Tom. But, slowly Poppy realizes may be ‘love at first sight’ was just a beautiful concept, not enough for a happy life that she wants. I liked Tom’s character, he was ok, but what i felt was he was not right for Poppy, i mean he was trying to make Poppy into an entirely different person, a stepford wife for his successful architect life.
Anywas, at the end everything is perfect as it should have been and i don’t have to say who will be Poppy’s perfect mate, obviously you can guess now!! The last scene was a good one when Casper surprises Poppy by taking her to their own marriage. One more thing , Casper is also having his own pov, and that was best as we could know what he was thinking and why he was doing the things he did!
Overall, the novel just captures your full interest and you cant keep it away until you finish reading it. A great chick-lit novel!!

I'm back ...my dear Diary :)

Hello again!!

Its a long time since i updated my blog...some personal reasons due to which i was away from my favorite blog and could not share my feedack on the books i was reading!! And was really missing my blog...but i'm back!! I'm updating the blog with review some of the not-recent books i have read in 2013.
I will be enjoying while writing the review...you too enjoy reading it!! It is not like, i was completely not in touch ...i was writing reviews in goodreads but, as i always wanted my blog to have my perfect review...it was taking time and i had issues with time :).
Now, i'm back to my blog mode and i'm happy...finally i could do one of my favorite thing....writing honest-to-heart reviews.