Review: The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez

Two years after losing her fiancé, Sloan Monroe still can't seem to get her life back on track. But one trouble-making pup with a 'take me home' look in his eyes is about to change everything. With her new pet by her side, Sloan finally starts to feel more like herself. Then, after weeks of unanswered texts, Tucker's owner reaches out. He's a musician on tour in Australia. And bottom line: he wants Tucker back.

Well, Sloan's not about to give up her dog without a fight. But what if this Jason guy really loves Tucker? As their flirty texts turn into long calls, Sloan can't deny a connection. Jason is hot and nice and funny. There's no telling what could happen when they meet in person. The question is: with his music career on the rise, how long will Jason really stick around? And is it possible for Sloan to survive another heartbreak?

Review: I loved the mixture of romance, humour and sex in this novel. I really enjoyed The Friend Zone and so enjoyed a similar tone in this novel and knew what to expect in terms of the level of romance in proportion to the story and the sex. 

I loved the way this book kicked off, if there is ever a hook for a novel then having a dog jump through your sun roof is it. I laughed and laughed the beginning of the book and I felt like we really got know Sloan quickly because of that. I loved Sloan as a character because she is a woman who was very confident and self assured but then had this gadgetry take place and got knocked down because of it. She has worked hard to build herself back up and her friends have been there for her to help he do it but it is so hard to overcome such grief. 

Then we have Jason. I really love the way we got to meet Jason as well. he is simple and unassuming and we know the link her has with Sloan right away, but as well get to know him further I jst fell more and more in love with him. I really liked him as a character, sure he has his faults but I feel like he was in the right place at the right time when it came to what was best for Sloan. 

As I have already mentioned, there is a really good balance of humour, sex and romance in this novel and the sex is really really hot. I like when we actually have sex on the page the the author not hold anything back and Abby Jimenez really doesn't hold anything back when it comes to her sex scenes. I love the setup and I love the aftermath as well so if you are someone that needs a bit of pillow talk afterwards, you've got it in this book. 

This novel was really fun, I listened on audio and it was very well narrated. If you're looking for a romantic escape right now with a good amount of sex and humour thrown in, this book is the way forward. 

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Review: Jack of Hearts and Other Parts by LC Rosen

Meet Jack Rothman. He's seventeen and loves partying, makeup and boys - sometimes all at the same time. His sex life makes him the hot topic for the high school gossip machine. But who cares? Like Jack always says, 'it could be worse'.

He doesn't actually expect that to come true.

But after Jack starts writing an online sex advice column, the mysterious love letters he's been getting take a turn for the creepy. Jack's secret admirer knows everything: where he's hanging out, who he's sleeping with, who his mum is dating. They claim they love Jack, but not his unashamedly queer lifestyle. They need him to curb his sexuality, or they'll force him.

As the pressure mounts, Jack must unmask his stalker before their obsession becomes genuinely dangerous... 

Review: I absolutely loved this book right from the word go. I listened to this one on audio and would try and sneak in a listen whenever possible until it was finished. Now a word of warning before I start gushing about how much I loved this book. This book does feature a sex column giving no holds barred sex advice from a gay teen and therefore it is graphic and features a lot of sexually explicit content and a lot of different sexual language so if that isn't your thing or you are buying this for a teen who might not want that in their life right now, take heed. 

Jack is a fabulous character because he is just so outwardly confident happy to discuss anything with anyone. He is confident of what he wants from a relationship right now whether that is a romantic relationship or a friendship. But Jack isn't quite a self-confident on the inside, he has the same kind of doubts as the rest of us but he definitely isn't going to admit that to anyone. 

One of the things I loved most about this book apart from Jack himself was how realistic his high school was. His school and the people in it were totally believable. I could picture the gossip going on in any school just like this one, I could definitely picture the principal being seen to be liberal but actually being incredibly judgemental verging on the homophobic. This whole story is totally believable. 

Another thing that this book does well is deals with the issue of harassment that isn't always physical. It exposes the fact that people are not believed when they report cases of harassment. That that persons sexual history comes into play when the question of how series harassment is arises. The fact that men can be harassed by women or other men just as much as women can receive this kind of harassment from men especially those in positions of power. 

Although this is a young adult novel I found myself completely drawn into the story and worried for our main character there is so much depth and so much going on in the book that I could relate to despite not being a teen myself anymore. I definitely recommend this one as long as you are ready for all the sexual details of Jack's life. I just loved it so much and I hope you will to!

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Review: Bad Twins by Rebecca Chance

Never trust the face in the mirror . . .

It’s no surprise to anyone that Jeffrey Sachs, billionaire CEO of his own hotel chain, has a drop-dead gorgeous Estonian mistress. But stepping down to spend his retirement years with her? No one saw that coming – least of all his wife!

So now the prize of becoming Sachs CEO is up for grabs – and Jeffrey’s four children have until the day of his wedding to compete for the job.

The front runner is Conway, the older son and golden boy. But Charlotte, a glamorous social media star with an Instagram-perfect family, is hugely ambitious, fully prepared to scheme and backstab to get to the top. Then there’s the dark horse: Bella, her mild-mannered, hard-working twin sister. Or could Bart, the youngest child, a sexy, incorrigible playboy, somehow catapult himself into Daddy’s good books?

In a game where the ultimate prize is power beyond your wildest dreams, you should never underestimate your competitors, even if they are family . . . and, it turns out, twins can be the most dangerous rivals of all . . .

Review: This was another classic from one of my favourite authors that I just don't talk about enough! This book had it all, opulent wealth, scandalous affairs and of course sibling rivalry. The twins in Bad Twins are just classic Rebecca Chance Characters, spectacularly larger than life but definitely believable enough for you to believe that their actions really could happen. Despite their sibling rivalry and between themselves and with the rest of their family, these women and strong and supportive of each other to the bitter end. That's one of the most wonderful things about Rebecca Chance novels, they feature strong women who tend to come out on top, no matter what is thrown at them. 

When we speak about a Rebecca Chance novel, we have to speak about the sex because this writer can concoct the most wonderful sex scenes that, again, are female friendly. They go on for pages but not so much that you get bored of them, so much that you can't believe they were over so quickly. There is always an extra element of scandal or mischief to her sex scene, some sort of forbidden element that make vanilla the farthest flavour from your mind. There is one scene which is a role play scene and a sort of rape is role played that made me a little uncomfortable but other than that I just wanted more characters orgasming left right and centre. 

Of course there is a scandalous storyline at the heart of this novel. Children vying to take over their fathers company and a new younger wife, for the umpteenth time who has more to her than meets the eye. The secondary characters all get their own time in the spotlight with affairs and risque behaviour and it all twists and ties together to form an ending that will have you exclaiming 'what?' right to the very last moment. In case you can't tell I was a big fan of this book and if you are looking for something a little different then I can highly recommend this one to add some spice to your TBR!

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Review: No One Ever Has Sex on Christmas Day by Tracy Bloom

Don’t you always plan the perfect Christmas? 
Don’t you always think it will be the best one ever? 
And doesn’t something always come along and screw it up? 

Katy’s been stuck in the office away from her family so she wants it all: snow (fake or real), the Michael Bublé Christmas album, whatever it takes. 

There’s only one thing missing as far as her husband Ben is concerned: another baby to complete their family. But Katy isn’t so sure she's ready yet…

Ben may be playing the role of Master Elf in the pre-school nativity but he is struggling to master his own family life. With romantically-challenged friends, an ex who refuses to go away and Katy's mum's 64-year-old toy boy thrown into the mix, Christmas looks like it could be going off the rails… Never mind family planning, can Katy and Ben even plan to make it to the end of Christmas Day? 

From the no. 1 bestselling author of No-one Ever Has Sex on a Tuesday, this book will make you cry with laughter, and then book your flights abroad for the festive season

Review: You must know by now that I am a massive fan of Tracy Bloom, her novels always have me in stitches and so I was very excited when I heard she was bringing out another festive novel-just what I need, laughs at Christmas time. But this novel gave me so much more than just laughs. This is the third in the no-one ever has sex series and so it was great to revisit these characters again. You don't need to have read the other books in the series to enjoy this festive offering, it definitely works as a stand alone but the other books are so great and you will learn so much more about the history of the characters that I definitely recommend doing that. 

The characters in this book are just funny in themselves. I love Katy as a character because she is a strong woman and so someone I love to read about and identify with. But she is no-one without Ben, he is definitely her comedy sidekick and he is just a real gem in terms of men in fiction. I'm not just being biased because he is a fellow teacher but he is just such a love a I love him to bits. Of course with the comedy couple, we need to the straight couple for them to bounce off and Annabelle and Katy's ex are definitely that, but they have their own storyline in this novel, which is great too, and so are just fab to read about. 

Now there is a nativity in this book and I really believe that, along with the one from the film Nativity! it may just be the greatest of all time. I want to steal it and do it with my future classes at this time of year because it had humour, it had songs and it had meaning and quite frankly I cried over it! I loved it and it was a major highlight of the book for me. 

I also loved the deeper meaning in this book. There are messages about the importance of family and about the idea of having it all and the fear of missing out. This is intertwined with the humour of the book beautifully and along with a festive nativity you really have it all. One last thing that I loved about this book was that it was set in Leeds and I am a northern girl so I could feel their northerness just leaping off the page. I really enjoyed this read and would definitely recommend picking it up!

Click the link to order your copy now: UK or US

Review: If You Could See Me Now By Keris Stainton

Izzy Harris should have it all – but her boyfriend has been ignoring her for months, she’s been overlooked for a promotion, and the owner of her local coffee shop pervs on her every time she has a craving for a salted caramel muffin.

Then her life is unexpectedly turned upside down.

Izzy dumps her oblivious boyfriend, and leaps on the chance to win a big pitch at work. Needing to work closely with gorgeous colleague Alex is an added perk…

But then her best friend has her heart broken, the pitch is way more complicated than expected, and Alex is keeping secrets. Does Izzy have what it takes to help her friend, save her career and get the guy?

Review: Oh this was such a fun read and just the kind of thing I was looking for. This is a classic romantic comedy with a healthy dose of decent sex and just a little twist in the tale. This book made me laugh out loud but also made me think. It;s a book about relationships but also about friendship and female empowerment. 

This was an incredibly quick read because of all those reasons above. It has short chapters, which I love and sped up the pace a bit too. This book surround Izzy and her quest to get her work life, her personal life and her relationship life on track. I loved her as a main character because she is just so much fun. She is optimistic and yet she knows the realities of every day life. I think this is helped by the fact that she has been living in London for a while and she is a lady who knows how to take care of herself. She has also been coasting through life until a couple of events happen to her, including this big work pitch and she realises she is worth more than that. I found her so easy to get along with and could definitely recognise her in a few of my friends!

Her best mate Tash is definitely a good influence on her, even if those from the outside might think quite the opposite. I think these two made a great team. At first they seem to be kind of ying and yang, but as the book progresses, we see just how alike they are and just what bonds their friendship together. Obviously we have possible love interest Alex too, he is an interesting character and it takes a while to work him out but I am really glad he came into the picture! There are a couple of villains too which help to make up a great cast for this novel. 

I really like the fact that this book does definitely touch on female empowerment. It is really all about Izzy taking back that control and along the way she learns some invaluable lessons. She does get a little help from her friends but really she is an independent woman with a lot going for her and once she realises this, she knows that she's got this and i loved this message coming through throughout the novel. There are also some fabulous sex scenes in this book which definitely help to balance it out and just make it an even more fun read. There's nothing too offensive but I would give a little public service warning not to read too much of this book in public; a, because you'll find yourself laughing out loud and b, because you may find yourself blushing just a little. 

This was a great read. If you're a fan of Keris's other books, you'll see her wicked sense of humour coming through in this one, but if you are new to her novels, this is a great place to start. Get this one ordered now, a definite read if you're looking for something to cheer you up this summer!

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Review: Killer Affair by Rebecca Chance

Killer Affair by bestselling author Rebecca Chance explores British reality TV in this gripping thriller. A shocking betrayal deserves a wicked revenge . . . Stunning, charismatic Lexy O’Brien is the reigning queen of British reality TV. Her life in front of the camera is planned and manipulated as successfully as any military assault. But success breeds jealousy. When you’re on top, the only way is down and there’s always someone standing by to give you a shove . . . Dowdy Caroline Evans, a part-time blogger and writer of erotic fiction, is brought in to chronicle Lexy’s life. Being taken under Lexy’s wing is a dream come true for Caroline. But sampling the star’s lifestyle is like tasting the most addictive of drugs, and it’s not long before she is craving what she can’t possibly have – or can she? And as Caroline and Lexy’s lives and loves become increasingly entwined, it’s only a matter of time before the hidden rivalry becomes a powder keg waiting to explode . . .

Review: Oh wow, Rebecca Chance's books are always chock full of drama and this one was no exception. You can tell from the synopsis that this novel is going to be fuelled by the desire of two strong women, two women who may or may not grow to like each other. The word rivalry is mentioned but this rivalry is like none other you've seen before. I loved the fact that this storyline covers fame and family but also the price of fame to yourself and to others. The way the story is told, we get to see things from Lexy's perspective, from Caroline's perspective and a few extracts from the books that Caroline has written/is writing. I loved this structure and it made for a little extra interest. 

These women are both fabulous to read. They both know what they want and are ready to go fro it. They are so different and yet watching them grow and change over the course of the book is really entertaining. Of course we know that Lexy being 'Queen of reality TV' is going to play a certain character but there is definitely more to her than meets the eye. And speaking of more than meets the eye, Caroline really does surprise you as you turn each and every page. I really liked her storyline and the way she dealt with the drama of it all. 

The other thing that I really liked about this book was the insight it gives you into the world of ghostwriting and publicising a book. Just a little of the world of publicity and publishing. I thought that everything rang very true to some of the things I had heard and there was a lot of detail to take in. Some of the detail made it that the book read a little slower than I am used to but it didn't take away from the drama of the storyline at all. There are also some familiar face that pop up in this novel, so if you have read Rebecca's other books, you will be pleased to see a recurring character here!

Overall this was a really good read and definitely up to par with what I have come to expect from this author. The sex scenes were fabulous, as always, and the drama was on point. This is definitely something to read this summer, something to heat up the cold British summer weather!

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Review: Lobsters by Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison

Sam and Hannah only have the holidays to find 'The One'. Their lobster. But instead of being epic, their summer is looking awkward. They must navigate social misunderstandings, the plotting of well-meaning friends, and their own fears of being virgins for ever to find happiness. But fate is at work to bring them together. And in the end, it all boils down to love.

Review: Why did I wait so long to read this book? I know I am always saying this but I bought this book when it first came out in the UK and so it has been sitting on my shelf that long waiting to entertain me. I loved this read right from the word go. It was entertaining, funny and relatable. I loved the fact that it is a YA novel but it is about grown up, British teenagers. Something which is often hard to find. This book is all about that summer between school and university when people are going off on group holidays, heading to festivals, travelling to their gap years, finding jobs and waiting for those exam results. Most people have gone through that time and so it is about time someone wrote a novel about how weird a time it is!

This is also a love story obviously. But, like all real relationships things aren't smooth and happy and jolly, there are some total cringe moments, as well as some hugely funny misunderstandings and I loved that about it. These characters of course, bring these situations to life and I loved spending time with Hannah and Sam and their groups of friends. Sam's group of friends felt just like watching an episode of the Inbetweeners and I think that's one of the reasons I found them so hilarious. Hannah's group is the usual frenemies situation and are always talking about sex and losing their virginity (remember when that's all you and your friends could talk about?). I really enjoyed the dynamic between them and any of them could have been the people I went to school with. 

I listened to this book on audiobook and because it is a dual narrative, this worked really well. The only aspect of the audiobook that let it down a little was the fact that the narrator gave Tilly a really squeaky voice so that she sounded 4 and not 18! The romantic aspect of the book isn't rammed down your throat, this is a funny story about growing up more than it is about relationships and so don;'t be put off by that. There are some very real relationship moments and I loved the bits that really were sweet in there, because that's real life isn't it? I just really loved this book, I loved what it stood for I loved the humour and I really want to know where these characters all are now!

To get your copy, just click the link UK or US

Review: Doing It! by Hannah Witton

Sexting. Virginity. Consent. The Big O ... Let's face it, doing it can be tricksy. I don't know anyone (including myself) who has sex all figured out. So I've written a book full of honest, hilarious (and sometimes awkward) anecdotes, confessions and revelations. And because none of us have all the answers, I've invited some friends and fellow YouTubers to talk about their sexuality, too.

We talk about doing it safely. Doing it joyfully. Doing it when you're ready. Not doing it. Basically, doing it the way you want, when you want. So. Let's do this ...

Review: I was so excited about reading this book so when my friend gave me her proof copy, I set about reading it straight away! I read this book from cover to cover on a plane journey over the Atlantic and broadcast the phrase 'Let's Talk About Sex' to anyone who passed me in my aisle seat! I can definitely say that this is fast paced read and as this author says at the beginning of the book, you can dip in and out of various parts of it and pick out things that apply to you at that moment or skip over things your don't want to read about right now for one reason or another. 

As someone who has taught Sex and Relationship education, I think that this is a really great reference for young people. You can tell it is pitched at a younger audience than myself and yet at no pint did I feel it was patronising or sugar-coating anything. There are some frank discussions about consent, rape and other subjects which might be considered taboo for a teenage audience such as kink and porn but i like that fact that it gave the facts, and sometimes diagrams and didn't tell the reader that this was something they should go away and further research for themselves, it laid it all out there. I thought the inclusion of diagrams and the inclusion of personal accounts from Hannah were really important and made the book more than just a reference book. 

This book also has contributions from other people, people who can give examples of real life experiences and how sex and relationships play out in today's world. There are accounts of what it is like to be pan sexual, what sex is like when you're deaf and even a couple of sections written by a law professional about sex and the law, the age of consent and what it means. I really liked the fact that there are some first hand accounts in here and that this author admitted that she didn't know anything when it comes to sex and relationships. 

Overall I found this to be a really enjoyable read. I didn't learn anything from it myself but it was reassuring as an educator that this book is now out there for young people to pick up. The book itself has a great structure with illustrations, accounts from other people, facts and figures and tweets and personal accounts from Hannah herself. I thought it was well-balanced, a good example for books of it kind and it even managed to make me laugh out loud on a full plane!

To order your copy now, click here!

Review: Killer Diamonds by Rebecca Chance

After decades in the spotlight as an Oscar-winning film star and famous beauty, Vivienne Winter is one of the most recognizable women on the planet. When she decides to auction her multimillion dollar jewellery collection for charity, there's no shortage of people eager to buy a piece of her incredible history.

Young, ambitious Christine Smith is a jewellery expert working for a centuries-old auction house. But in a world of aristocratic snobs, her working-class origins are holding her back. She's desperate to secure the sale of Vivienne Winter's gem collection: it's set to be the biggest auction since Elizabeth Taylor's. However, meeting the Hollywood star is just the first hurdle Christine has to jump.

Vivienne's handsome, spoilt and sexy playboy grandson Angel is the heir to her fortune. The anger and resentment he feels towards his grandmother for selling what he'd counted on as one day being his inheritance sets in motion a series of events with deadly consequences. Angel is totally unscrupulous, and no one will emerge from his plotting unscathed. For it seems that family secrets cut sharper than diamonds . . .

Review: I was really looking forward to reading Rebecca Chance's latest offering after having loved her previous 3 novels. This has just confirmed for me that I really must read the rest of her back catalogues-I own them all after all! I wasn't let down by this novel. These books are quite indifferent from the novels I normally read and so they're almost like an extra bit of escapism for me. As usual this novel offers drama to the highest degree, oppukNt luxury to drool over and of course some fabulous sex scenes. If you're not a fan of a bit of raunch in a novel then you should steer clear of these books because Rebecca chance knows how to get you hot under the collar and I love it! 

The characters in this book are a mixtures of wealthy celebrities and aristocrats with Catherine, just like you and me, trying to find her way amongst them all and not get dragged under by their fabulous yet risky lifestyle! I liked Catherine although she seemed a little weak in the beginning for my liking, but never fears she gained strength and conviction as the story progressed. Angel was an interesting character, I loved reading about his escapades. The grandson of a glamorous Hollywood icon, raised by nannies and spoiled rotten, he has some fabulous scenes of luxury and gets up to some serious fun in the bedroom too. And then we have Vivienne. The book really revolves around her and her diamonds. I loved reading about her rise to fame and I love the way she handled every situation like a true lady and a true professional! 

Of course some of the storyline is somewhat contrived but it is to be expected with this kind of a novel. I picked this book up because I wanted 500 sensational pages of adventure, opulence and sex and that's exactly what I got. Some of the twists and turns in the story I could see coming but others snuck up on me and surprised me and I really enjoyed the fact that u as keep guessing right up until the very last page. So desperate was I to read the closing pages of this novel, that I carried this around literally everywhere with me on Saturday morning. Reading it in the car, at breakfast and even as I went along. If this is your first Rebecca Chance novel, this will give you a real taste for her writing and the kind of this your can come to expect when you pick up the rest of her books, and if you're already a die-hard fan then you won't be disappointed with this latest beautiful book. A very entertaining read and definitely pure escapism! 

Review: How to Build a Girl by Caitlin Moran

What do you do in your teenage years when you realise what your parents taught you wasn’t enough? You must go out and find books and poetry and pop songs and bad heroes - and build yourself.

It’s 1990. Johanna Morrigan, 14, has shamed herself so badly on local TV that she decides that there’s no point in being Johanna anymore and reinvents herself as Dolly Wilde – fast-talking, hard-drinking Gothic hero and full-time Lady Sex Adventurer! She will save her poverty stricken Bohemian family by becoming a writer – like Jo in Little Women, or the Brontes - but without the dying young bit.

By 16, she’s smoking cigarettes, getting drunk and working for a music paper. She’s writing pornographic letters to rock-stars, having all the kinds of sex with all the kinds of men, and eviscerating bands in reviews of 600 words or less. 

But what happens when Johanna realises she’s built Dolly with a fatal flaw? Is a box full of records, a wall full of posters and a head full of paperbacks, enough to build a girl after all?

Review: I've been wanting to read this book for ages. I bought it as my world book day buy either last year or the one before, and in the end I downloaded this on audiobook so that I could enjoy Moran's witty cynicism on the way to work and back. I don't know what I was expecting from this novel, I realised it was fiction and a story about a teenager but it was completely different from what I was expecting. As the book progressed though I heard a lot of the author and her own experiences at detailed in How To Be A Woman (one of my favourite books of all time) in it-great! 

The protagonist in this novel is brutally honest and is also very aware of her family and where they sit within society. I really liked the different relationships she has with the different members of her family and how they vary. She obviously loves them to bits and is especially protective of her brother because he is referred to in almost every other simile she uses! I also love the fact that she was determined to be the one that got out, that got the career she wanted and that went after things no matter what.

There are some seriously funny bits in the book when 'Dolly' enters the world of work and discovers mosh pits, smoking and drinking. These events in particular really highlight just how young and naive she is not just because of her age but also because she is from outside of London, not famillliar with the big city. I really liked her take on relationships and sex, it reminded me of my teenage years and what I thought should have been happening and the reality of it all. This novel is brutally honest, there are some moments which are definitely not for the more sensitive reader but definitely one that is worth reading, especially for the feminists among us! 

Review: The Day We Disappeared by Lucy Robinson

It's springtime in London and everything is about to change for Annie Mulholland. From the moment she meets Stephen Flint, things seem too good to be true as Annie abandons her customary cautiousness for a wild love affair.

In Somerset, Kate Brady is starting a new job. Fresh air, new faces and good old fashioned hard work is just what she needs to put everything that happened in Dublin behind her.

But what are these two old friends hiding, and for how long can they run from the secrets of their past before they come crashing into their futures?

Review: this is going to be a really hard review to write! I love love loved this book, it kept me up until 2am because I had to finish it but it is so twisty and turny, I will really struggle to review without giving anything away but I promise I will try not to give anything at all away. 

I was sucked into this story right from the word to Lucy Robinson just knows how to write a good page-turner. Anyone who can write about a character having had sex one and a half times in their life is just amazing in my books, I think that is seriously funny and there are some amazingly funny moments in this book, as you can expect from any book by this fantastic author! I loved the premise behind this book, these two friends both starting out in a new job and discovering new things. I wasn't sure I was going to be a fan of someone who worked in a stables as a groom, a little too horsey for me, but that was just the situation she was in and I didn't feel I had horse shoved down my throat at any point during this novel. 

I loved these characters, I found them really easy to relate to. Kate seemed savy and independent and Annie, although she was extremely naive was a lovely positive person who wanted to see the best in people and I was pleased with the breaks that both of thse lovely ladies got. I could see myself being friends with either of these people and their groups of friends were very lucky. Those friends provided a comedy back drop to the stuff that was going on in their own lives and especially the group at the stables, they really were a group of people who I knew I would miss when I out the book down. 

The twist in this novel is what a lot of people have been talking about as this book has been doing the round on social media and I didn't see the twist coming, not one little bit. Normally people say this to me and I'm like, yeah but I knew from about halfway through. I was reading this book in bed and I actually sat bolt up right and had to read the rest of the book right to the end in that very position, there was no way I was putting this little gem down! You won't see the sptwist mocking, you will want to read without stopping and them immediately go back to the beginning and start reading again, looking for any clues you might have missed along the way! Amazing! 

This book is a love story, it is a comedy, it is a mystery, it is feel good and it is shocking, there is no way to summarise this book, but despite all of these things being contradictory in one way or another Lucy Robinson has knitted all these things together so brilliantly that she has crates something do all audiences and someone which is a definite must read. Stop whatever you're doing and read this now because it is amazing! 

Review: The Duff by Kody Keplinger

Today I am going to review The Duff. The film is out in cinemas in the UK next week and I went to see a special preview this Tuesday. I will be doing a book vs film comparison on the blog soon but to celebrate the release of the film, here's my review of the book...

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is smart, cynical, loyal - and well aware that she's not the hot one in her group of friends. But when high-school jock and all round moron Wesley Rush tells her she's a DUFF - a Designated, Ugly Fat Friend - Bianca does not the see funny side. She may not be a beauty but she'd never stoop so low as to go anywhere near the likes of Wesley ... Or would she? Bianca is about to find out that attraction defies looks and that sometimes your sworn enemies can become your best friends ...

With a wry and tell-it-like-it-is voice, New York Times Bestselling novel The Duff is a witty and poignant story of a teenager struggling with the rules of high school attraction, along with the breaking down of her relationships with family and friends. It is a novel about what it means to be sexy, in a world where we feel we have to be perfect!

Review: Ok so I'm going to have to admit that I really wasn't terribly into this book in the first few pages, now usually that spells doom for me and not really enjoying the book, but as the story went on, I became more and more invested in the story and sat reading a great chunk of this all in one sitting! I laughed, I gasped, i even went oooo in a few places. i was a little shocked that there was so much sex and swearing in a YA book but reading it as an adult it didn't really bother me.  can't believe how young this author is either-am seriously jealous that such talent can be exhibited at such a young age-I need to get a move on clearly!

I really liked the characters in this book, in that they felt pretty real to me. Sometimes I didn't like the fact that they were such typical teenagers and therefore somewhat whiny and naive but then I always take against teenagers in books for that reasons so I'm totally not judging! Bianca was the least whiny of the bunch and so it was good that she was the main character. She seems strong on the outside, but many of her actions in this book are done through insecurity and through wanting to try and find herself or better herself and so she really isn't as strong as she makes out. She is practical though and understands what real life is like and so I liked her for that. 

The makes characters in the book are interesting and are kind of like your typical Jocks., I was, of course rooting for Bianca to get with one male character in partciular all the way through the book, I won't give the game away and tell you which one. The high school setting is typical of YA but I like the family aspect of this book too and theme of strong friendships throughout. 

Overall this book was a lot of fun. I think the reason I didn't connect with it straight away was that it felt it went a little too quickly in the beginning but as the story progressed, things slowed down and we were able to see the characters and the storyline in its fullest form and really explore what was going on. I really enjoyed the book and found it to be a really quick read. Its a fun read but i would definitely say that its something for older teens because of the sex, the swearing and the exploration of alcoholism. 

Review: Tied Up In Love by Amelia Thorne

‘We’re from KMW. Do exactly as you’re told and you won’t get hurt...'

Being grabbed off the street, blind folded, tied up and thrown into a van was not what Izzy expected to happen when she stepped out the door that morning. But when an accidental kidnapping at the hands of the sexy Ethan Chase and his 'Kidnap My Wife' sexual fantasy business leads to just that, Izzy seizes the chance to turn her misfortune into a brilliant new job opportunity…

Since then, life has been one big tangle of new client meetings, fake kidnapping pick-ups, and handling the temperamental, but drop dead gorgeous 'bad boy' Mr Chase. But, as liberating as being tied up in Ethan's life is, Izzy knows the time is fast approaching when she must make some decisions and take charge of her future. The only question is: will Ethan allow himself to be a part of it?

Review: this was a totally new concept for a storyline and so I was very excited to get stuck into it! I loved the idea of someone being mistakenly kidnapped but then turning it around for themselves and getting a job out of it. Some of the kidnapp scenes did make me feel a little uneasy at times and I can safely say that if I was Izzy, I think I'd have called the police as soon as I had to fight my way out of a blindfold and a gag but the concept of a guy rescuing his wife from kidnappers or even being the one to kidnapp an seduce her did sound very sexy at the same time. 

And speaking of sexy, the sexual chemistry in the book practically lept out of my kindle. It was so hot I felt guilty reading this book at Starbucks, talk about will they won't they, even if they did I could tell that that sexual chemistry wasn't going to leave this pair. Ethan Chase is the classic bad boy who's reputation precedes him and reminded me a lot of Mark from Grey's Anatomy, I couldn't get enough of him. I also found him incredibly infuriating at time, he couldn't seem to decide whether to let his guard down or not and I did find myself shouting at the book in quite a few places (not when I was in Starbucks).

Izzy was similarly infuriating sometimes, I really wanted her to stand up for herself a littl more but I did respect the fact that she was a very intelligent woman who did know what she wanted at heart, it just took her a little while to realise that sometimes. She has big dreams and I always like that in a character and her ending was very well received when I finished this book. If I could change anything though it would have been for Izzy to stand up for herself a little more and have a bit more respect for herself, not to tell herself get weighed down by confidence knocks in her past. 

The other characters in this novel only added to the fun and in particular I fell in love with Bex, I could really relate to her and am now waiting for my own cowboy to sweep me off to Canada, dreams can come true! I loved her valentines wedding storyline, having just been maid of honour in a valentines wedding myself I could picture it like it were real life. The storyline overall was great and I fell this could have been stretched to an even longer novel if we had a few more interactions with Bex and Izzy and their relationship, perhaps we will be treated to a Bex and Gabe in Canada spin off novel?

Overall I enjoyed this book, some parts are really true to life and others are pure farce and really do have the comedy factor about them. This is a fun read though and something light which filled my weekend nicely. I liked the characters and I feel satsified by the ending, I now need to go away and read Amelia Thornes debut-Beneath the Moon and Stars!  

Review: Age, Sex, Location by Melissa Pinentel

A hilarious and refreshingly honest foray into modern dating, Age, Sex, Location is Bridget Jones's Diary for HBO's Girls generation.

An American living in London, Lauren is intelligent, beautiful and loves to party. So why can't she convince a man she isn't after something more serious than scrambled eggs and goodbye in the morning?

Determined to snare some regular male affection, she embarks on a project: each month she will follow the rules of a different dating guide - from refusing to pay the bill to chatting up every man in her path - and will switch seamlessly to the next book at the end of each month. 

Lauren's love life is about to get scientific . . .

Review: I knew this book was going to be fun from the moment i began to read it, or even when I read the blurb and it certainly lived up to my expectations! The book reminded me a lot of one of my favourites -Bridget Jones Diary-and I think that same pacey feel and someone who is trying out various different ways to find a lover made it even more enjoyable for me. Each section of the book covers a month in Lauren's life and which dating guide she is using that month. This make for some very funny moments and also some thought-provoking incidents. 

Any person who has every been on a date, be it good or bad, will relate to this book whether you are male or female, single and loving it or in a relationship and loving it! The story is told in such a way that the writer is speaking directly to you as an audience and so you have no choice but to join her on her dating experiment! I found the character of Lauren very easy to like and very easy to get along with as the book goes on. Her friends and acquaintances all had redeeming qualities as well which always helps when you're reading a book!

One of my favourite things about this book, aside from the fantastic comedy, was the ending. The ending was a realistic and everything I hoped it would be. I don't want to spoil anything so I won't talk about specifics but I just really loved the way the ending was woven into the storyline and the way it was constructed was just perfect for me. 

Overall this book was an easy read because of its deliberate yet laid back pace, it laugh out loud humour and its closeness to the reality of life and the dating world. I loved every minute of it and it makes a nice break from your usual, girl meets boy story because of its candid honesty and its different take on the world of dating in the twenty first century!

Review: The Beginner's Guide To The Birds And The Bees by Sophie Hart

What happens in the bedroom doesn’t have to stay in the bedroom
A refreshingly open and uplifting romantic comedy about friendship, love and sex. Sometimes you need to step out of your comfort zone in order to give a relationship a good dose of TLC…

Sex therapist Annie Hall helps couples put the fizz back into their relationships. It’s a shame her own love life is non-existent. When Jamie who works next door catches her eye, she can’t ignore the spark of chemistry.

Most men would jump at the chance to skive off work for an afternoon quickie with their gorgeous wife, but Nick knows Julia is after only one thing – a baby. Sex shouldn’t be a chore. Can Annie help Julia see that?

Newly engaged Zoe and Simon can’t keep their hands off each other. They’ve decided to take a vow of celibacy until their wedding night. Will Annie help them stick to it?

Roy and Linda have been married for over thirty years but she’s more interested in the family business than getting intimate with him. Can Annie convince Linda to rediscover her passion for Roy after all this time?

While Annie begins to work her magic with the three couples, she soon discovers that she’ll need to take some of her own advice if she’s going to let a new man into her life.

Review: this book will have you hooked for the first page and keep your attention right until the very last page! I love an original storyline and this book definitely had that. This author just writes things which are incredibly compelling to read because of the storyline but also because of her writing style, its like she knows how you want to read a novel and makes it easier for you! Each chapter of this book begins with a quote about sex from a famous name and then leads into the stories of its various characters. The structure means that it is fast paced and that naughtiness and sex appeal runs through ti without it being overly explicit or erotic. Yes, its a book about sex and a sex therapist, but there is actually very little sex that explicitly goes on in the story!

The characters in this novel are just so cute you want to wrap them up and take them home, you root for each and every one of them, especially sex therapist Annie. You want her to sort her own love life out and have a fulfilling relationship and at the same time you admire her for the work that she does with others and the ideas that she has to help the clients that she sees! The other couples in the book are equally as likeable. Zoe and Simon are just so young and carefree, Simon has some fairly surprising moment in the book but you love him all the same. Ray and Linda are just desperate to get their spark back and although Linda comes off as a bit of a cold fish initially, she soon warms to Annie and the other characters as well! and Julia and Nick have a similar balance in that Julia is reluctant to begin with but soon comes round to Nick's way of thinking, and that's just the beginning of the book, this storyline swoops and twists its way to the grand finale. 

The structure of the novel also means that you get to spend time with each set of couples individually as well as en mass and it means that you really get to know them all and feel as if you actually know them in real life. Even Annie's family get to play a part! Fear not, there really is no explicit sex on this novel though, there are some incredibly steamy moments because, let's face it, Annie is a sex therapist, but these are tasteful and hopeful and brilliant! I loved the ending of this novel, the whole thing was just everything I wanted it to be, the pace, the structure, the characters and then this lovely author threw in an epilogue-I love an epilogue, and although it wrapped everything up nicely-I still miss the characters, I want to know how they're getting on and what they're doing! This is just an lovely warm hug of a novel that is perfect for reading at this time of year and will definitely put a smile on your face!

Review: The Lemon Grove by Helen Walsh

Each summer, Jenn and her husband Greg return to Deia, on Mallorca's dramatic west coast. This year the arrival of Emma, Jenn's stepdaughter, and her new boyfriend Nathan threatens to upset their equilibrium. Beautiful and reckless, Nathan stirs something unexpected in Jenn. As she is increasingly seduced by Nathan's youth and the promise of passion, the line between desire and obsession begins to blur. What follows is a highly-charged liaison that puts lives and relationships in jeopardy. For Jenn, after this summer, nothing can ever be the same.

Review: I have to admit that I bowed to peer pressure when reading this book. I wasn't sure about it initially but then I decided to give it a go, and rather cheekily, my choice of this book at this time was down to the fact that it was a fairly short book. Although I have an ebook copy of this one, my time meant that it was really better to get an audiobook copy and so I bought this book again in audiobook form. Five hours of listening later and I was done! 

This book is intense. On the surface it doesn't really look like anything much is going on, but really everyone's emotions are changing every minute of every day and because this book focuses on one character in particular, the effect is Ben more intense, effectively you are living this week or so through the life of this one woman and her conflicting feelings and emotions. I admit that I did expect a little more to happen in the book. You are presented with feelings and situations in the novel and  yet there don't seem to be many consequences or results of people's actions. (It's very hard to talk about actual events in the book without giving any spoilers away!)

I love the setting of this book. I really wanted to be by the pool on the cover and you could almost feel the heat hitting you as you the story unfurled and each scene was described to you. I didn't really like any of the characters however. Jenn seemed really immature considering the fact that she is a grown woman with a family of sorts. Her husband seems to be absent, I just found Emma spoilt and vindictive and I thought Nathan to be exceedingly arrogant. It didn't really put me off the book, my dislike of these characters and I do always feel that if you feel strongly about characters overall then the writer has done a good job! 

I wouldn't say that this is strong summer recommendations for me but it is definitely a very quick read mad the audiobook was extremely well done. I think it will appeal to those who like something short and intense like this but not necessarily those who want a little more depth to their novel. Overall I enjoyed the book and I'm glad I read it but I would've like some more reaction to the actions that took place. 

Review: The Wrong Knickers by Bryony Gordon

For years, women have been told that their twenties are their golden years, filled with fun, parties, sex and glamour. Countless TV shows and movies tell us the same story: this is your perfect decade - don't waste it! You'll never be so happy - or thin - again.

Here, in her hilariously honest memoir, Bryony Gordon gives us a fresh perspective. Like Carrie Bradshaw, she may have had a column in a national newspaper, but her twenties weren't one long episode of Sex and the City, instead they were a decade of hangovers, heartbreak, and hideously awkward mornings-after, all over her overdraft limit.

Told with Bryony's trademark candour, humour and refreshing self-deprecation THE WRONG KNICKERS - A DECADE OF CHAOS is a memoir of a twenty-something Londoner who lived through her Bridget Jones years and survived. Embracing the messier side of life, it is a must-read for any woman who has survived, or is surviving, her twenties...

Review: wow I really enjoyed this book. I love a bit of non-fiction every now and then and this book was so true and so funny that I sailed through it in absolutely no time at all. I think I came to this book at a silty subjective angle since I now have 5 months left of my twenties and am about to move into my thirties therefore I am taking a look back at this decade too but this book gave me a kind of hope that we all go through this time and we all make stupid mistakes in our twenties but that they all teach us something in the long run. 

This book is written from the first person and so you feel the whole way through this book that Bryony is chatting to you over a bottle of wine and some Kettle chips and just recounting to you things she has done. She compares the time she was the only single one at a dinner party to the time you were the only single one at a dinner party. You chat about the horror of trying to find a flat to rent on your own, especially one within an easy commut to work and how it would be so much easier if you were part of a couple. The horror of discovering that the party you decided to spontaneously host was really the worst idea you have ever had, and each anecdote becomes more and more hilarious. 

This woman Is seriously braver that most of us though because she really does lay it all out there for you to see. The drinking, the mistakes, the break ups  and all the feelings that go with that. She tells you about her parents reaction when she decided to drop out of uni and her own feelings when she discovers the affair she was having wasn't quite what it turned out to be. 

If you fancy some laughs and a few home truths then you need to be picking up this book now. If you love Sex and The a City then you will love this book and if you ever made a mistake in your twenties or things didn't turn out quite the way you thought they would then you will be able to relate to this book and you need to sit down and listen to Bryony Gordon's thoughts tourself right now. A must read! 

Review: Buzzing Easter Bunnies by Nick Spalding

The sequel to BLUE CHRISTMAS BALLS from Nick Spalding, the bestselling author of the smash hit romantic comedy Love... From Both Sides and its sequels Love... And Sleepless Nights & Love... Under Different Skies. 

Every story needs a decent climax... 

There are plenty of things Christina Barclay would like to do before she hits thirty at Easter. Having an orgasm with somebody else in the room is most definitely one of them.

Up to now, her love life has been sorely lacking in the toe-curling department - but luckily for Christina, she's just started dating Matthew Adrian Bunion, a man whose bedroom inexperience is more than made up for by his never-ending enthusiasm. Mr Bunion will not rest until his new girlfriend is satisfied - no matter what the cost in rechargeable batteries, physical injury or public embarrassment.

From the best-selling author of BLUE CHRISTMAS BALLS and LOVE... FROM BOTH SIDES, this is the story of one woman and one man on an epic quest to come together, and celebrate an Easter birthday in style.

This is a 24,000 word novella - about 115 pages in paperback.

Review: I was sent this book by the author for an honest review and saved it to read on Easter Sunday, when I would be able to sit down and read it all. I am really glad that I'd I'd this as this was the perfect light entertainment for Easter Sunday afternoon! I laughed so hard at this novella and yet it was a such a good storyline, I got really involved in it and in the characters. 

As a woman about to turn thirty myself, I really identified with main character Christina and found her quest for an orgasm really funny! She is a likeable character and morally realistic. I think she was straight talking, which I always admire in a character and her ideas for why she hasn't achieved the big O yet are also really insightful. Matthew is also a straight talking character and he reminded me of Leonard from Big Bang Theory, a loveable geek. I really like the fact that he owned up to his inexperience straight away, although it never really was explained how he ended up in A & E with something inserted into his rectum...

This novella is a wonderful break from reality and could definitely be read at any time of year, not just Easter Sunday! It was funny, it was insightful, it was real. I enjoyed it from start to finish and literally devoured it all in one go. If you've got an hour or so to kill this is definitely the way you should spend it, although be warned, there are plenty of comedy sex moments throughout!