Waiting For Wentworth: 03/01/2015

Waiting On Wednesday (175) Happy Again by Jennifer E. Smith @JenESmith

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

Wednesday is my absolute favorite day of the week because I get to share the books that I am super excited about and can't wait to read.

Happy Again by Jennifer E. Smith

ebook Expected publication: April 14th 2015 by Poppy

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Ellie O'Neill and Graham Larkin fell hard for each other when a misspelled email address unexpectedly brought them together. Now, over a year has passed since they said goodbye with the promise to stay in touch, and their daily emails have dwindled to nothing. Ellie is a freshman in college and has told herself to move on, and Graham has kept himself busy starring in more movies, as well as a few tabloid columns. But fate brought these two together once before—and it isn't done with them yet.

In this sequel novella to This Is What Happy Looks Like, Jennifer E. Smith revisits two beloved characters to tell the story of one magical night in Manhattan. When Ellie and Graham come face to face once more, can they get past the months of silence and the hurt feelings to find their happily-ever-after again?

Yay! A mini-sequel (aka novella) to This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith.
I only recently became aware that this was a thing, but now I can't wait to read it!

What book are you waiting on this week?

Be sure to leave a link to your WoW post so I can visit you back.

Inspired by features from The Sunday Post from Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

I really need to get out of my reading funk. I have SO many review books that I'm super duper excited about, and yet.... I feel like I have so little time to dedicate to reading. I need more hours in my day. Or I need to go without sleep. Hmmmm...

I received some really awesome books for review recently that I must share.

eArcs received:

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen
Penguin Random House - First to Read

The Truth About Us by Janet Gurtler
Sourcebooks Fire

Lion Heart (Scarlet #3) by A.C. Gaughen
Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Nowhere But Here (Thunder Road #1) by Katie McGarry
Harlequin Teen

I've already started reading The Truth About Us.

I've read more than a few Sarah Dessen books, and they always sound better than they actually are. They're nice enough, but I'm still waiting for her to really 'Wow' me.

I can't wait to read Lion Heart. I loved the first 2 books in this series, so I hope this one is epic. I highly recommend you read this series if you haven't yet.

And last, but not least, is Nowhere But Here, which is the first book in a new series by Katie McGarry! Squeee! The synopsis sounds awesome, yet it really scares me because the characters seem a little young to be involved in a motorcycle club. Hopefully it's all good.

Remember by Eileen Cook

Publication Date: February 24, 2015
Page Count: 320
Published by: Simon Pulse
Source: eArc received from publisher in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis from Goodreads:

A thrilling tale about what a girl will do to get back a memory she lost…or remove what she wants to forget.

Harper is used to her family being hounded by protesters. Her father runs the company that trademarked the "Memtex" procedure to wipe away sad memories, and plenty of people think it shouldn't be legal. Then a new demonstrator crosses her path, Neil, who’s as persistent as he is hot. Not that Harper’s noticing, since she already has a boyfriend.

When Harper suffers a loss, she’s shocked her father won’t allow her to get the treatment, so she finds a way to get it without his approval. Soon afterward, she’s plagued with strange symptoms, including hallucinations of a woman who is somehow both a stranger, yet incredibly familiar. Harper begins to wonder if she is delusional, or if these are somehow memories.

Together with Neil, who insists he has his own reasons for needing answers about the real dangers of Memtex, Harper begins her search for the truth. What she finds could uproot all she’s ever believed about her life…

It took me a little while to really get into reading Remember. The beginning felt really slow to me and not much was happening to grab my attention. But after Harper had the Memtex procedure the plot started to really pick up.

Harper was an okay character, but I never really connected with her. She waffled between being both weak and strong, so it was hard to get a good feel for her. I didn't like Josh AT ALL. He was portrayed as the perfect boyfriend, but he came off as a self-centered asshole. Neil added a bit of interest to the story. He and Harper didn't meet under the best circumstances, but I thought they could make a relationship work between them. Despite the insta-love, they were really kind of cute and sweet together, but I wish I could have gotten to know Neil better. I don't usually have a problem with love triangles if they are done right. Harper and Josh weren't in a great place in their relationship, so when Neil appeared on the scene, it was only natural that Harper would be drawn to him.

As the story progressed it became more entertaining for me. I really felt for Harper as she grappled with her memories and the fallout from the Memtex procedure. The last part of the book moved along pretty quickly and had a satisfying resolution, even though I felt there were a few issues that weren't dealt with.

I was originally drawn to Remember because I have enjoyed reading The Program series by Suzanne Young. The concept of erasing memories is similar in both books, although the reasons for the procedure and the outcome of the participants differ greatly.

Overall, I enjoyed reading Remember. It had enough intrigue, action, and romance to keep it interesting.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

Wednesday is my absolute favorite day of the week because I get to share the books that I am super excited about and can't wait to read.

The Truth About Us by Janet Gurtler

Expected publication: April 7th 2015 by Sourcebooks Fire

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The truth is that Jess knows she screwed up.
She's made mistakes, betrayed her best friend, and now she's paying for it. Her dad is making her spend the whole summer volunteering at the local soup kitchen.

The truth is she wishes she was the care-free party-girl everyone thinks she is.
She pretends it's all fine. That her "perfect" family is fine. But it's not. And no one notices the lie...until she meets Flynn. He's the only one who really sees her. The only one who listens.

The truth is that Jess is falling apart – and no one seems to care.
But Flynn is the definition of "the wrong side of the tracks." When Jess's parents look at him they only see the differences-not how much they need each other. They don't get that the person who shouldn't fit in your world... might just be the one to make you feel like you belong.

I haven't had the chance to read this author's previous books, but I'm looking forward to reading this one. It sounds perfect for me.

What are you waiting on this week?

Be sure to leave a link to your WoW so I can visit you back.

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

Wednesday is my absolute favorite day of the week because I get to share the books that I am super excited about and can't wait to read.

99 Days by Katie Cotugno

Expected publication: April 21st 2015 by Balzer + Bray

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Day 1: Julia Donnelly eggs my house my first night back in Star Lake, and that’s how I know everyone still remembers everything—how I destroyed my relationship with Patrick the night everything happened with his brother, Gabe. How I wrecked their whole family. Now I’m serving out my summer like a jail sentence: Just ninety-nine days till I can leave for college, and be done.

Day 4: A nasty note on my windshield makes it clear Julia isn’t finished. I’m expecting a fight when someone taps me on the shoulder, but it’s just Gabe, home from college and actually happy to see me. “For what it’s worth, Molly Barlow,” he says, “I’m really glad you’re back.”

Day 12: Gabe got me to come to this party, and I’m actually having fun. I think he’s about to kiss me—and that’s when I see Patrick. My Patrick, who’s supposed to be clear across the country. My Patrick, who’s never going to forgive me.

I chose a contemporary for my WoW this week. Aren't you all surprised?
From the synopsis it seems this story involves a triangle, which I don't mind if it's done right.
The hardcover picture is up above, while the paperback version is down below.
I really like them both. Which one do you prefer?

What are you waiting on this week? Be sure to leave a link to your WoW so I can visit you back.

Changing Everything (Forgiving Lies #2.5) by Molly McAdams

Publication Date: March 3, 2015
Page Count: 112
Published by: William Morrow Impulse
Source: eArc received from publisher in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Paisley Morro has been in love with Eli since they were thirteen-years-old. But after twelve years of only being his best friend and wingman, the heartache that comes from watching him with countless other women becomes too much, and Paisley decides its time to lay all her feelings on the table.

Eli Jenkins has a life most guys would kill for: Dream job, countless women, and his best friend, Paisley, to be the girl he can always count on for everything else. But one conversation not only changes everything between them, it threatens to make him lose the only girl who has ever meant anything to him.

When tragedy strikes his family and Eli is forced to reevaluate his life, he realizes a life without Paisley isn’t a life at all. Only now, he may be too late.

I've read a few Molly McAdams books, so I think I knew what to expect when I picked up Changing Everything. Molly somehow manages to write over the top emotional stories that make me have all sorts of feelings. In the end, I was left somewhere in the middle of feeling like throwing my Kindle across the room or giving it a big hug. I couldn't decide which.

The characters came off as immature at times, so that was quite off-putting. Eli was clueless about Paisley's feelings, and I thought he was a selfish jerk at times. Thinking that Paisley may be moving on without him is all it takes for Eli to realize that he can't live without her. Paisley spent way too many years being Eli's 'wingman'. I could definitely sympathize with her when she had to decide whether she wanted to pursue a new relationship or take a chance on Eli. I don't mind triangles if they are done right, and I think this was handled very well. Okay, well enough except for the super psycho love part of the triangle. He was a little over the top crazy.

Changing Everything had a lot of angst, which I love for some reason, and a really sweet ending. It was an enjoyable novella that was quick and easy to read. The story had humor, pain, friendship, a triangle, and lots of ~~hot monkey sex~~ steamy love scenes. This is New Adult so it's definitely for a more mature reader.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I had this song stuck in my head while reading Changing Everything. Somehow, the lyrics seem to fit both guys perfectly.
Super Psycho Love by Simon Curtis

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

Wednesday is my absolute favorite day of the week because I get to share the books that I am super excited about and can't wait to read.

photo TheFillInBoyfriend_zps132c178d.jpg

The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West

Expected publication: May 5th 2015 by HarperTeen

Synopsis from Goodreads:

When Gia Montgomery's boyfriend, Bradley, dumps her in the parking lot of her high school prom, she has to think fast. After all, she'd been telling her friends about him for months now. This was supposed to be the night she proved he existed. So when she sees a cute guy waiting to pick up his sister, she enlists his help. The task is simple: be her fill-in boyfriend— two hours, zero commitment, a few white lies. After that, she can win back the real Bradley.

The problem is that days after prom, it's not the real Bradley she's thinking about, but the stand-in. The one whose name she doesn't even know. But tracking him down doesn't mean they're done faking a relationship. Gia owes him a favor and his sister intends to see that he collects: his ex-girlfriend's graduation party — three hours, zero commitment, a few white lies.

Just when Gia begins to wonder if she could turn her fake boyfriend into a real one, Bradley comes waltzing back into her life, exposing her lie, and threatening to destroy her friendships and her new-found relationship.

I know everyone has probably seen this book as a WoW a million times, but you know how much I love my contemporaries, so I just had to feature it too! I haven't read her Pivot Point series yet, but I have read and really enjoyed The Distance Between Us and On The Fence. I'm so excited and I can't wait to read The Fill-In Boyfriend.

What are you waiting on this week?

Be sure to leave a link to your WoW so I can visit you back.

Red at Night by Katie McGarry

Publication Date: April 1, 2014
Page Count: 84
Published by: Harlequin Special Releases
Source: Available for Free on Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads:

In Red at Night, Stella and Jonah are total opposites. She's the girl with purple hair from the wrong part of town. He's a high school senior who hangs with the cool crowd. Until a car accident leaves him haunted by guilt, and Jonah starts spending time at Stella's favorite refuge…the local cemetery.

Stella knows she should keep her distance—after all, she spent her girlhood being bullied by Jonah's friends. Once he's sorted out his tangled emotions, Jonah won't have time for her anymore. Too bad she's already fallen for him.

I really enjoyed this short story from Katie McGarry. This would have been really great as a full length story, but the reason that it's a novella is because it was written to feature The Goody Two Shoes Foundation as part of Harlequin's More Than Words project. It still managed to be a really sweet story full of emotion and heart.

Despite their unconventional meeting place, Stella and Jonah form a friendship outside of school. Stella is understandably leery of Jonah's intentions after years of being bullied by his friends. Jonah desperately needs the connection he feels with Stella as he struggles dealing with a tragic event. I loved watching these two characters open up and learn to trust each other, and I enjoyed the way their relationship progressed.

Red At Night was a beautifully written story with wonderful character development. Told in dual POV, Stella and Jonah offer unique voices that convincingly convey their inner struggles.

Enjoyable and easy to read, Red At Night was a satisfying story for me. This book would be a great choice when you want a quick and uplifting story.

Red At Night is available for FREE on Amazon.

Every year, Harlequin's More Than Words award is given to three real-life heroines, women whose courage and vision have helped change people's lives for the better. Once again, three bestselling Harlequin authors have written stories inspired by these remarkable women.

Look for all three ebooks inspired by real-life heroines: Red at Night by Katie McGarry, You Are Here by Liz Fichera and The Gift of a Good Start by Earl Sewell. Visit the Harlequin More Than Words website, at www.harlequinmorethanwords.com, or your favorite ebook retailer to download these free novellas today.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars