Review: The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E Smith

Lucy and Owen meet somewhere between the tenth and eleventh floors of a New York City apartment building, on an elevator rendered useless by a citywide blackout. After they're rescued, they spend a single night together, wandering the darkened streets and marveling at the rare appearance of stars above Manhattan. But once the power is restored, so is reality. Lucy soon moves to Edinburgh with her parents, while Owen heads out west with his father.

Lucy and Owen's relationship plays out across the globe as they stay in touch through postcards, occasional e-mails, and -- finally -- a reunion in the city where they first met.

A carefully charted map of a long-distance relationship, Jennifer E. Smith's new novel shows that the center of the world isn't necessarily a place. It can be a person, too.

Review: this was one of those books that had a lot of hype around it, on twitter and YouTube people are very excited about reading this book. Sometimes this means that all the hype is true and it's an awesome book, sometimes though it means you listen to all the hype and then the book lets you down. Unfortunately, this book fell into the latter category for me. I think it was so over hyped, I had such high expectations and I was let down a little bit really. 

The storyline was a good concept, two people who try their hardest to keep their link strong after meeting each other despite being a opposite ends of the country or the globe. They have a unique way of communicating, mainly through postcard-an idea which I loved! However, I really didn't feel like anything happened, someone moved, they wrote to each other, someone else moved, they wrote to each other. I just didn't think it was as well-developed as it could have been. The characters were alright, again I think that their development was rather stunted. There was a lot of potential for them to have their back stories explained a little further, or for them to achieve things whilst they were on their own but I felt that nothing really happened for either of these characters. 

What kept me reading was the writing, it was gorgeous writing with the most beautiful similes and metaphors. This seemed like what this author is known for an I really did enjoy the writing and the structure of this novel, but the overall effect just wasn't enough to redeem the whole book for me unfortunately. I don't feel it was reading time wasted but I did feel a little disappointed with the latest novel from this author. 

Series review: Joss Stirling Benedicts series

So recently, as part of my author marathoning month, I have read the Benedicts Series by Joss Stirling. I've reviewed the first two books in the series already on the blog so I decided to review the third book as part of a series wrap up review along with a review of the short story Challengning Zed. 

Challenging Zed Review: I thought that this short story was really good, it was definitely something that was required in the middle of this series. I didn't even realise it existed until I saw it listed under the authors books on Goodreads. I loved hearing about the beginning of Finding Sky from Zed's perspective. I love a book with a dual narrative and so it only seems right that I would enjoy hearing about how Zed first viewed sky when the met. It gave a really good insight into his personality and let you know a little bit more about his back story. 

This novella also gives you a bit more of an idea of Sky's personality and how she came across to Zed. Handily enough we also learn a little bit more about the other Benedict brothers, something which is really good if you are planning, as I did, on reading the series. This is just as well written as its full length counterparts and was a really useful insight into all of the characters. Because it is simply the same story but introduced from a different perspective, nothing you don't already know about happens but it's still a fun read. 

This book won't work for you unless you've read Finding Sky, or are planning on reading Finding Sky but it's definitely a welcome addition to the series! 

Seeking crystal was another fabulous book in this series. The Benedict's are back with a vengeance and in this book we get more of the whole family, including characters from previous books-I really liked this. We get to meet new characters Crystal & Diamond. These girls are from a family of Sevants themselves and currently rested in Venice-making for some wonderful descriptive scenes!

Crystal isn't the usual strong female lead that Striling writes to begin with, however she really comes into her own at around about the midpoint of the book! Her relationship with Xav is even more firey than the relationship between Phee & Yves, which is saying something! Her power is by far the strongest of all the girls and, as you can imagine, she gets plenty of chance to use it. The way she discovers herself over the course of the novel was fantastic. It was great to hear more about healing Benedict brother Xav and also a bit more about the Benedict parents too, overall I really liked the balance if characters in this installment!

The storyline in this novel wasn't quite as dramatic as those in the previous two novels. Whilst there was more than one thing happen in the others, there was only really one majorly dramatic turn in this novel and it was resolved rather quickly. It was far from a minor event and affected all of the characters so there was still plenty of action, just not as much as I'd expect.

I've grown to really love this series of novels by Joss Stirling, the only bugbear I have with them, however, is that they seem to hinge around the idea that a man and a woman need another man or woman to complete them, make them whole and allow them to reach their full potential. I don't really support this idea in real life, but u can see that it works in the fabulous world that this author creates, I would just be aware if this fact if chosing this book for a younger person-a discussion may need to be had about standing on your own two feet & being independent.

The author does create really strong, powerful female leads however and so this does go a long way to counter my doubts about pushing a traditional male/female relationship in order to be happy. I've really enjoyed reading this series and hope that there are many more novels to come featuring the gorgeous Benedict boys!

Review: Stealing Phoenix by Joss Stirling

Phoenix belongs to the Community, a gang of thieves with paranormal powers. Yves Benedict, an American student visiting London, is her mark. But Yves turns out to be more than just a target. He is her destiny. Her soulmate. The Community owns Phoenix's past and it wants her future too. Can Phoenix save the boy she loves . . . and herself?

Review: This is now the third book I have read by author Joss Stirling, i find her writing really easy to get into with plenty of pace and boy can she write a good action scene. I'm not normally one for action, in my films or my books but the way the action is interspersed with romance in Stirling's novels is so refreshing, i find myself really enjoying characters being held at gunpoint, ruining from fire or sneaking in a quick punch to the ribs whilst their attacker isn't looking!

This novels brings you right into the action with eponymous protagonist Phoenix setting up one of the famous Benedict in order to rob him. We learn that phoenix is a criminal in a gang, a bit like a modern day Oliver and the other boys. Now again, this isn't normally something i would like, but not a lot is focused on the actual criminal underworld, instead the focus is her friendship with Yves, the second youngest of the Benedict boys. One of the things I really liked about this book was the fact that the Benedict family are returning characters from Finding Sky, a book which i absolutely stormed through and recently reviewed. Its nice that this wasn't a sequel, but you still got to find out what happened to Sky and Zed after Finding Sky finished. It doesn't really tell you how long its been and so this series is really refreshing, a sequel without being a sequel. 

I found Phee frustrating as a character but could totally identify with her lack of trust, i liked that she wasn't the usual female character that trust men unconditionally, i think her street smarts were really endearing and she is a tough cookie of a heroine. Yves as a character, of course, is lovely, he's one of a group of very lovely brothers. The mysticism in these books interests me. I'm not normally a fan of magic and mysticism, but like the action, there is just enough in these books to make for something different a exciting to read, without being too overwhelming. So if you're not a fan of novels featuring something slightly paranormal, or slight fantasy, this is definitely something you will still enjoy. The same goes fro the action. There also isn't too much romance in the novel, it has the perfect balance of all these elements, leading to a really entertaining end. 

I loved the ending of this book, it doesn't wrap everything up, but leaves you wanting a little bit more. I'm a fan of this kind of ending, and of course I have the next novel in the series ready to go so that's all fine by me. This books is a really fun easy read that will appeal to many different audiences, just enough romance, mysticism and action to satisfy most palates. Whether you've read this author before or not, and whether you've read the first in this series, you will still be able to enjoy this book on its own merits and find something in there to love!

Author Marathoning Wrap Up...

Ok so my author marathoning month didn't go as well as I'd hoped, best laid plans and all that... The thing is though, I really really REALLY want to read all of the books that I listed at the beginning of March, so I've decided to extend my author marathon month until the end of April. As you know I am on a book buying ban until Easter and that is actually going really really well. I've used my library to get myself a an audiobook for the car and I still have library books out to read as part of my author marathons so I'm finding it really easy not to buy any books. There are a few books out on 10th April which I need to read and review, but apart from that, I really will try and stick to the authors I want to marathon.

In march I actually ended up marathoning an author I hadn't planned to, and you can see th results of that marathon later on this week actually. I read the finding sky series by Joss Stirling, all three books plus the novella... Such fun! 

Although I didn't read all the Rebecca chance novels I wanted to read, I did read her latest novel which I also reviewed for you and that was Bad Brides. I still may go back to the other books I've have of hers because I do want to read them all! 

I read two books by Jane Costello but still have the only book of hers I haven't read, Nearlyweds to read. I know this will be a quick and easy read because I absolutely love her books so I may just add that on to my April reads meaning that ill have read three works by Jane by the end of the marathoning period! The books I read by her were, the Mini Break and The Time of Our lives, both of which I reviewed for you as well! 

I got round to reading one of the Malorie Blackmans that I own, but not both of them. I read Noughts and Crosses in the Month of March and my review of that will be up next week! 

I also read 2 episodes of The Arcad which, I suppose, could count as marathoning as well...

The other books I read this month were Take Mum Out by Fiona Gibson, which I reviewed...

The Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgane, which I also reviewed...

And Finding Colin Firth by Mia March, again I reviewed this for you guys too...

I am currently reading The Accident by CL Taylor and listening to A Hundred Pieces of Me by Lucy Dillon (loving both and over halfway through both as well!)

I will definitely try and read my Jennifer E Smitth collection next month which now has The Geography of You and Me added to it. I also want to read some more of my Rebecca Chance collection. I would love to read the Keris Stainton books I showed you and the David Levithan books as well. Here's hoping I might get round to some of them. 

You can also expect reviews of The Accident by CL Taylor and A Hundred Pieces of Me by Lucy Dillon.

Let me know if there's anything in particular you'd like me to read and review next and I'll try and prioritise that/those books for you! 

Happy reading!  

Review: Christmas at Carrington's by Alexandra Brown

Carrington’s Department store is thrown into a spin when the staff learn that a hot new reality TV show is to be filmed in-store, featuring the formidable retail guru, Kelly Cooper. Georgie Hart, in charge of Luxury Handbags, is reluctant, but quickly realises that the show could give Carrington’s a new lease of life. With Christmas around the corner, she’s also hoping that the season will deliver her the perfect Christmas present, in the form of Tom, the store’s dishy boss.

When the film crew arrive, things start to go wrong. One of Tom’s old flames, Zara, is working on the show and then, to top things off, Tom and Zara are sent off to Paris and New York for a spot of extra filming. When Georgie settles down in front of the box to watch the first show, worse it to come – Georgie is shown in a far from flattering light and she is horrified to learn what Tom has been up to.

Georgie fears this is turning out to be the worst Christmas ever, but Santa might have a got a little surprise in store for her stocking this year – but she’ll just have to wait until Christmas to find out!

Review: wow! What a sequel! In fact, i think i loved this even more than the original! I was lucky enough to get an advanced review copy of this novel and so i was able to marathon all of Alexandra Brown's writing in one go. I am so pleased I read her novels this way,  but i definitely saved the best until last! This novel isn't the MOST Christmasy novel I've ever read so fans looking for tons of snow and Xmas trees, be warned there is simply a hint of Christmas in the air, this novel relies much more on the storyline of the reality TV show which is going on within Carrington's. The storyline also features a delicious amount of romantic angst between new couple Georgie and Tom which I loved but I found myself incredibly frustrated by, as if it were me involved in the angst and not them-amazing!

I really enjoyed all of the reality TV aspect of this novel. Characters Eddie and Annie really become your typical reality TV contestants and the storyline allows for much more mention of fabulous designer clobber, fabulous shoes and handbags and wrap dresses! Readers be warned, there is one storyline that runs through the novel and comes to a head about two thirds of the way through that had me in tears. I don't want to spoil it but just be warned. I could see it coming and so there was a certain amount of tension as well as tears, didn't spoilt the book in any way for me though!

Like any good sequel, its always fun to revisit old characters, its like catching up with old Friends really and it was really nice to catch up with Georgie, Sam and Tom. These characters haven't really changed at all, although i did find myself disliking Tom in some parts of this book, something which didn't happen with its predecessors... Georgie still has a tendency to put two and two together and make five hundred, but that is what's so lovable about her. She has a fabulous storyline reuniting her with her Dad, it was really nice to see the two of them building up their relationship again and i loved this part of the plot.

All in all this was a truly heartwarming sequel. I loved all the fun of the reality TV show, the plot twists and i really really liked the ending, everything turned out the way i wanted with a few surprises thrown in there too. At the end there are even some recipes from Sam which i am definitely going to have a go at making (whether they are diet friendly or not). If you are a fan of Alexandra Brown's or not, this should definitely be on your Xmas list and don't worry, this novel would work equally well as a standalone, although i do highly recommend reading them both together as I did!

To order your own copy, click here

Thus ends my Alexandra Brown Marathon for now... 

Mini Review: Me and Mr Carrington by Alexandra Brown

A short story from the author of Cupcakes at Carrington’s – and a prequel to Christmas at Carrington’s!

Georgie Hart can’t believe her luck. It looks like Tom, the hunky boss of Carrington’s Department Store, in the picture-postcard town of Mulberry-on-Sea, is as hot for her as she is for him. After a romantic Italian get-together leaves her on Cloud Nine, Georgie is brought back down to earth with a bump when she has to get back behind the counter of the Luxury Handbags section.

But when Georgie is left open-mouthed by a revelation from one of her well-heeled customers, it seems like Tom hasn’t been entirely honest with her. Has Georgie done her usual trick of adding two and two together to make five?

Ever wondered what happened when Georgie first got together with Mr Carrington himself? This deliciously funny short story is perfect for anyone who loved Cupcakes at Carrington’s, and for those discovering the lovable Georgie Hart for the first time. The story also features an exclusive peek at the next book, Christmas at Carrington’s.

Review: I continued my Alexandra Brown Marathon with this wonderful novella designed to slot in between Cupcakes at Carrington's and Christmas at Carrington's. This would make the perfect lunch time read, but you definitely have to have read the first book in order to understand fully what is going on in this one. I thought this was a wonderful idea, having this novella to bridge the gap between the two novels and it fitted in perfectly to my author marathon!

This is a wonderful little story that gives us a bit more insight into Tom and his background, we didn't get to find out much about his actual family background in the first novel and so to have a little bit more insight into the world of Mr Carrington is quite a privilege! It it nice to revisit the other characters and see whats going on with them too. Georgie seems her usual self, jumping to conclusions and always assuming the worst, but this is what we love about her right?

This is an extremely quick read but perfect to wet your appetite ready for the release of Christmas at Carrington's. It gives you an extra story to keep you going in between times and gives you a little more insight into the two main characters we enjoyed in Cupcakes at Carrington's. A must read for all Alexandra Brown fans!

To get a copy of this novella simply click here 

Check back tomorrow for my review of Christmas at Carrington's thus concluding my Alexandra Brown Marathon!

Review: Cupcakes at Carrington's by Alexandra Brown

Georgie Hart loves her job – running the luxury handbag concession at Carrington's Department store in the pretty seaside town of Mulberry-On-Sea, and treating herself (once too often!) to a red velvet cupcake with buttercream icing in Carrington's café.

But Georgie is thrown into disarray when Carrington's is plunged into a recession-busting makeover, cueing the arrival of femme fatale Maxine, who wields the axe in her immaculately-manicured hands.

It spells a recipe for disaster for Georgie and soon she is fighting not only for her job, but also for the attentions of her gorgeous boss, James. And when hot newcomer Tom arrives, who may or may not be the best thing since sliced bread, Georgie must decide where her loyalties really lie…

Review: cupcakes and a department store, what could be wrong with that? Throw in the amount of designer handbags in this novel and a sumptuous love story and the answer is absolutely nothing. Cupcakes at Carrington's has the perfect formula for any chick-lit lover, and indeed anyone who has every shopped in a department store. I knew I was going to love this book as soon as I picked it up, I'm not sure why i waited so long to read it to be honest. I love books about shops and this debut reminded me of Ali Harris's debut which i also loved!

Georgie is a fabulous female lead. The thing that I really loved about her character was that she had a past, and she had some problems with debt. I felt I could really relate to her as a woman and felt i trusted her more because of her past. Now she did seem to have trust issues when it came to men, which i also loved bu ti did find msyelf shouting at the book at times, willing her not to be so silly and just go for it with him! There are some really strong supporting characters in this book too which i am sure all readers will enjoy. I loved best-friend Sam and was willing her to have a happy ending right from the start just as much as i was Georgie. I also loved GBF Eddie and Georgie's assistant Annie, these were larger than life characters which we all know we have found in a department store. Maxine reminded me of Miranda Priestly from Devil Wears Prada all the way through, I thought that she was a fabulous addition to the novel!

The storyline was nice and simple and totally realistic, a store taking drastic measures during this recession era. It fitted in really well with the programmes that have been on recently about department stores and also follows other books which have chosen to tackle the financial issues within the retail industry head on. I really respect this author for dealing with thees issues. Of course because the book is set in a department store, there is plenty of mention of handbags and i found myself totally wanting to go home and stroke all my lovely bags. I think I'm definitely in the market for a new designer bag now! The cupcakes in the cafe also sounded delicious so make sure you have plenty of sweet treats to hand when you're reading this one!

There is something for everyone in this book, definitely a chick-lit classic in the making. It was a very quick read and not difficult to get into right from the word go. This is definitely something to read in preparation for the release of the Christmas sequel, a perfect combination!

To grab your copy of this fab novel, click here

I had an Alexandra Bown Marathon on holiday last week so look out for reviews of all her stories in the coming days!

Letterbox Love #10

Now I haven't actually received any books for review this week either paperback or ebook but I DID buy some books-I know terrible! I got 6 books this week, I didn't actually buy them myself, they see bought for me because I was feeling all poorly and sorry for myself. I want to read all of them now but there just isn't time, but I know I will get round to reading most of them very very soon!

Another Way to Fall by Amanda Brooke, I've heard fab things about this one, and the cover is just so so storable! 

Penelope by Rebecca Harrington, as you can see I bought this in Waterstones, it's been on my wish list for a while now, I know nothing about it other than the fact I fancy reading it! 

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell, I've been meaning to read this one for ages, I've been warned to keep the tissues handy though...

The Moment by Clare Dyer, this one sounds great as One Day is one of my all time favourites, and the author is local to me too! 

Amelia Grey's Fireside Dream by Abby Clements, this is just a gorgeous cover and I plan on reading the other one of her novels that I have sitting on my kindle alongside this one-author marathon! 

The Guest List by Melissa Hill. I love this author and I thought that I would read this one before her latest novel came out, at this rate I'm going to be reading them both together, another totally stroke able cover though! 

Those are all the books I got, aren't I a lucky blogger?? Just click the title of each book if you fancy getting a copy yourself. I'd love to hear what books you received/bought this week so just leave me a comment below and let me know!