Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

Title: Something Borrowed (Darcy #1)

Author: Emily Giffin

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin 2005

Genre: Romance

Pages: 322

Rating:  2 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Semi-Charmed Challenge — Bad Review; Mixing It Up — Modern Fiction; Mount TBR; Book2Movie

How I Got It: I own it!

Rachel White is the consummate good girl. A hard-working attorney at a large Manhattan law firm and a diligent maid of honor to her charmed best friend Darcy, Rachel has always played by all the rules. Since grade school, she has watched Darcy shine, quietly accepting the sidekick role in their lopsided friendship.But that suddenly changes the night of her thirtieth birthday when Rachel finally confesses her feelings to Darcy’s fiance, and is both horrified and thrilled to discover that he feels the same way. As the wedding date draws near, events spiral out of control, and Rachel knows she must make a choice between her heart and conscience. In so doing, she discovers that the lines between right and wrong can be blurry, endings aren’t always neat, and sometimes you have to risk everything to be true to yourself.

I picked this book up for $1.  It had been on my list for a while, but I had read a few bad reviews for it…  So I was unsure of whether or not read it.  Then some friends and I saw the movie version.  Now I had to read the book.  The reviews were right.  The entire time reading this book, I couldn’t decided if I liked any of the main characters.  At the end I came away with the idea that cheating is okay if you do it with your “soulmate” or if the other woman is a narcissist.  I just didn’t see it as an truthful exploration of relationships.  To me, it was a gimmick.  Plus, I didn’t find Dex attractive at all.  He’s just the lying, toying scumbag.  I thought every relationship in the book was unhealthy.  In the end, I read this as a cautionary tale.  Don’t be friends with people like Darcy, Rachel, or Dex.

Movie: Hmmmm….  This wasn’t horrible, but it wasn’t good either. The addition of John Krasinski’s Ethan was an improvement.  But adding in the love quadrangle didn’t work at all.  I’ve decided that I don’t like Kate Hudson in anything except for Almost Famous.  Overall I came out of it feeling very blah and wanting some action or zombie fun to cleanse my palate.  Definitely not a movie that I need to see again.

 

Definitely Not Mr. Darcy by Karen Doornebos

Title: Definitely Not Mr. Darcy

Author: Karen Doornebos

Publisher: Berkley Trade 2011

Genre: Romance

Pages: 384

Rating:   4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Romance; Support Your Local Library

How I Got It: Library loan

 Chloe Parker was born two centuries too late. A thirty-nine-year- old divorced mother, she runs her own antique letterpress business, is a lifelong member of the Jane Austen Society, and gushes over everything Regency. But her business is failing, threatening her daughter’s future. What’s a lady to do?Why, audition for a Jane Austen-inspired TV show set in England, of course.

What Chloe thinks is a documentary turns out to be a reality dating show set in 1812. Eight women are competing to snare Mr. Wrightman, the heir to a gorgeous estate, along with a $100,000 prize. So Chloe tosses her bonnet into the ring, hoping to transform from stressed-out Midwest mom to genteel American heiress and win the money. With no cell phones, indoor plumbing, or deodorant to be found, she must tighten her corset and flash some ankle to beat out women younger, more cutthroat, and less clumsy than herself. But the witty and dashing Mr. Wrightman proves to be a prize worth winning, even if it means the gloves are off…

 This was a fun, albeit fairly predictable read.  A retelling of Pride and Prejudice, of sorts.  Chloe was thoroughly likeable.  A few times her density got the better of me, but I was still rooting for her throughout.  Grace was a standard villain.  Of course, I loved Henry and couldn’t wait for Chloe to wake up and see him.  The writing was clear and engaging.  I swept through this novel fairly quickly.  A good few days in reality tv Regency Era.

 

 

 

The Mammoth Book of Regency Romance

Title: The Mammoth Book of Regency Romance

Edited By: Trisha Telep

Publisher: Running Press 2010

 Genre: Regency Romance

 Pages: 512

Rating:  4  / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Romance; Mount TBR

How I Got It: I own it!

From some of the biggest names in Regency historical romance, over twenty witty, romantic, and sensual short stories. The collection will include stories from Mary Balogh, Julia Templeton, Sara Bennett, Jo Beverley, and Amanda Grange.

 

Overall, this collection was good, but not great.  After finishing this book, I realized that I have some definite likes and dislikes about Regency era romances.  Likes: strong characters, good storylines (no tired cliches), interesting circumstances or events.  Dislikes: long drawn out sex scenes, damsels in distress, constant miscommunications.  Unforunately, many of the stories in this collection fell into my dislike category.  I am giving this four stars because of the 9 stories I really enjoyed.  Here are the highlights:

1. Elizabeth Boyle’s “Cynders and Ashe” — Classic Cinderella story redone for the Regency Era.  I loved the female lead and how she played off of the others.  Great little story.
2. Patricia Rice’s “Lady Invisible” — A widower with small daughter looking for a wife.  Verity was just adorable and I was really rooting for all parties involved.
3. Caroline Linden’s “Like None Other” — Next door neighbors fall in love.  I really enjoyed the characters and the set of a moonlit garden.  To die for!
4. Shirley Kennedy’s “The Catch of the Season” — A classic arrange marriage but then she meets a man who sweeps her off her feet.  Somehow Kennedy makes this cliched story feel new and fresh. 

 

 

An Affair without End by Candace Camp

Title: An Affair without End  (Willowmere #3)

Author: Candace Camp

Publisher: Pocket Star 2011

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 416

Rating:  4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Romance; Mount TBR

When Oliver, Earl of Stewkesbury, asks the dashing Lady Vivian Carlyle to ensure that his American cousins meet the cream of London society, he doesn’t anticipate the danger she will pose to his own self-control. Thrown into intimate contact with the lovely lady, Oliver finds he cannot stop thinking of Vivian—of her wit, of her smile . . . of her lips. And when Vivian, who has sworn never to subject herself to the bonds of matrimony, boldly suggests that she and Oliver become lovers instead, her scandalous proposal is temptation indeed! But with an alarming series of jewel thefts rocking London, the ever-outrageous Vivian insists on trying to discover the perpetrator despite Oliver’s admonitions. And when a bold lady steps into danger, it is a gentleman’s duty to protect her at all costs. What neither Oliver nor Vivian can anticipate, however, is that the ultimate cost may be both their hearts. . .

Fluffiety fluff romances…. Oh how I love thee!!  You are a distraction from the drudgery of life.  You lift me up when I’m feeling blue. You give me an escape.  You cleanse  my palette in between deeper more complex books.  I love you.

The end of the Willowmere trilogy did not disappoint.  We finally get around to Vivian and Oliver’s story.  I knew it was coming (these books aren’t hard to predict).  I was glad when we finally got  a women who was feisty, independent, and definitely knew what she wanted.  It was great fun to see her shake up the stodgy Lord Stewkesbury.  Fun fun!  This author is going on my list of fun reads and the books are going into my upcoming birthday month giveaway (coming March 1st).

 

A Gentleman Always Remembers by Candace Camp

Title: A Gentleman Always Remembers (Willowmere #2)

Author: Candace Camp

Publisher: Pocket Star 2010

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 356

Rating:  4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Romance; Read Your Name – G;  Mount TBR

New York Times bestselling author Candace Camp’s delectable Willowmere series continues with the story of the accomplished and pretty widow who takes on the American Bascombe sisters for their London debut—only to discover that, when it comes to love, she is the one who is unprepared.  Married young to a charming but improvident army officer, Eve Hawthorne was widowed with little left except for a few extravagant trifles. Desperate to avoid her domineering stepmother, she accepts employment as chaperone to the Earl of Stewkesbury’s American cousins. Who better than a levelheaded widow to remind these young girls that they no longer live on a frontier? But when she flirts with a handsome stranger who turns out to be the earl’s brother Fitz, Eve worries she’s given the wrong impression. Trying to prove herself responsible—with Fitz challenging her at every turn—is hard enough, but a blackmailer with an interest in Eve’s prior marriage proves far more troubling. With the earl away, Eve can turn only to Fitz for help. But dare she confide in him, when getting too close to this confirmed bachelor might risk her heart to his alluring ways?

 

Another wonderfully fluffy romance…  I am really coming to like these in between my heavier and gorier books.  Overall I liked this one better than the first in the series.  Eve was a much more likable character.  Plus we got some new characters (French ballonist!) and more of Camellia and Lily.  I didn’t quite speed through this one, but it definitely held my attention while reading.  I have the conclusion of the trilogy and I’m pretty sure I’ll be reading that next.

 

 

A Lady Never Tells by Candace Camp

Title: A Lady Never Tells (Willowmere #1)

Author: Candace Camp

Publisher: Pocket Star 2010

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 480

Rating: 5  / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Romance; A to Z – L; Mount TBR

When Mary Bascombe’s stepfather tries to sell her and her sisters to  the highest bidder after their mother’s death, she resolves to take  drastic action. Although their British mother was estranged from her family, Mary decides the four will flee to London and take their place in society as granddaughters of the Earl of Stewkesbury.  Dashing Sir Royce Winslow doubts the honesty of the young women’s claim—despite their charms, they seem to be hiding something. His attraction to feisty Mary, however, is no ruse, so when the sisters are shipped off to Willowmere, the earl’s country estate, to acquire some polish, Royce is quick to join them. When an unknown villain attempts a kidnapping, Royce and Mary are thrown together as they confront the danger . . . and Royce learns that while high society may sing the praises of proper behavior, it is a most improper American who is winning his heart.

Sometimes I just love light and fluffy romances…  and this is just the perfect one!  The characters are fun and interesting.  The mystery is enough of a mystery to make an adventure out of the plot.  The romance is romantic.  This book has everything I want in an in-between read.  You know, the book you read inbetween two very heavy or deep books.  This acts as a palate cleanser, an escape, before I dive into something deeper.  I love that little escape.  This was a great one day read.  I have the other two in the series, but I’m going to save them for another inbetween read.

 

2012 Romance Reading Challenge

The Reading Romances Challenge is not about the amount of books you read, but the variety of titles you’ll have read when the challenge is over! Our goal is to read a bit of everything related to romance and open our minds to new genres we wouldn’t usually read.

Challenge Guidelines:

1. The 2012 Reading Romances Challenge will run from Jan 1, 2012 – Dec 31, 2012.
2. Anyone can join, you don’t need to be a blogger. Feel free to sign-up in the comments – you can post reviews to any book site (i.e. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, Goodreads, etc).
3. I’ll post a list of romance sub-genres and a few cool themes for you to choose from each month (you can read all of them or just a couple).
4. You can list your books before reading them or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, don’t feel obligated to read them, changes are welcomed!
5. When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the Reading Romances Challenge.
6. You don’t have to participate every month, but please try to!
7. Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2012, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.

• I will never tell you to read one specific author, but I might suggest a few titles and authors to give you some ideas.
• You can read the same author more than once and the books can be old or new, but they must be read during the course of the challenge.
• Books used in this challenge may be used in other challenges.
• Books can be in any format – paper, audio, ebook.
• Post the button to post on your sidebar, this way others can find their way back to this post and join in the fun!

Another Challenge…  Going for another romance one this year, but not locking myself into contemproary romance.  I will be reading from all sub-genres in romances.  My tentative TBR:

1. At the Queen’s Summons — Susan Wiggs (Tudor Rose #3) (2009)
2. Regency Romance (2010)
3. Flirting for Forever — Gwyn Cready (2010)
4. Seducing the Heiress — Olivia Drake (2009)
5. Never Trust a Rogue — Olivia Drake (2010)
6. Scandal of the Year — Olivia Drake (2011)
7. The Hostage — Susan Wiggs (2010)
8. The Mistress — Susan Wiggs (2010
9. The Firebrand — Susan Wiggs (2010)
10. Aching for Always — Gwyn Cready (2010)

 

The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn

Title: The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever

Author: Julia Quinn

Publisher: Avon 2007

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 384

Rating:   4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: A to Z Authors: Q; Historical Fiction

How I Got It: I own it!

2 March 1810 . . .
Today, I fell in love.

At the age of ten, Miranda Cheever showed no signs of Great Beauty. And even at ten, Miranda learned to accept the expectations society held for her—until the afternoon when Nigel Bevelstoke, the handsome and dashing Viscount Turner, solemnly kissed her hand and promised her that one day she would grow into herself, that one day she would be as beautiful as she already was smart. And even at ten, Miranda knew she would love him forever.

But the years that followed were as cruel to Turner as they were kind to Miranda. She is as intriguing as the viscount boldly predicted on that memorable day—while he is a lonely, bitter man, crushed by a devastating loss. But Miranda has never forgotten the truth she set down on paper all those years earlier—and she will not allow the love that is her destiny to slip lightly through her fingers . .

Not bad.  I read this in one sitting, granted I was on a plane, but still one sitting.  I liked the main characters, Miranda.  She was tough and feisty, but still a dreamer.  The male lead, Turner, was mostly likable.  There were a few times throughout the book that I really wanted Miranda to smack him for his actions and speech.  But overall, I thought he was a good character.  I was really rooting for him by the end.  The plot is fairly typical with a “will they, won’t they” romance, a tragedy,  steamy sex scene, and a plenty of other characters to complicate matters.  I admit that I even started tearing up in the last few chapters.  They really pulled at my heart-strings.  But by the end, I was happy and got my fairy tale ending.  Quinn writes description, exposition, and dialogue smoothly.  I’m really looking forward to reading more by her.

 

Contemporary Romance Challenge Finished!

Goal: 10/10 Books  FINISHED!!!!

I was really concerned about this challenge for awhile.  I just didn’t think this was going to get finished.  I struggled to finish the contemporary romance section of the Summer Romance Reading Challenge, so this seemed dead in the water.  And yet, I pulled it out with two months to go.  And really the thanks should go to Jill Mansell for writing some contemporary romance that I just love.  I think I’ve now read four of her books and I want to read more.  My favorite reads of this challenge are Take a Chance on Me and Austenland. The rest were entertaining, but I don’t think I will ever reread them.  This will not be challenge that I will be repeating next year, but it was a nice chance from my usual reading.

1. The Royal Treatment – MaryJanice Davidson (1/5/11)
2. The Royal Pain – MaryJanice Davidson (1/7/11)
3. Valentine’s Day is Killing Me – MaryJanice Davidson, Leslie Esdaile, Susanna Carr (2/7/11)
4. The Royal Mess – MaryJanice Davidson (2/14/11)
5. Love Finds You in Paradise, Pennsylvania – Loree Lough (2/21/11)
6. Austenland – Shannon Hale (2/27/11)
7. Under Cover – MaryJanice Davidson (3/22/11)
8. Surrender Bay – Denise Hunter (3/23/11)
9. Love Finds You in Pendleton, Oregon – Melody Carlson (4/25/11)
10. Take a Chance on Me — Jill Mansell (11/4/11)

 

Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell

Title: Take a Chance on Me

Author: Jill Mansell

Publisher: Sourcebooks 2010

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 412

Rating:   5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Contemporary Romance

How I Got It: Borrowed from the library

Even in a small town the drama is larger than life…

Cleo Quinn doesn’t have the greatest track record when it comes to men, but now Will’s come along. Handsome and attentive, he could be her Mr Right. Things are definitely looking up for Cleo… apart from one small problem with a rather large ego. Johnny LaVenture, sculptor extraordinaire and her personal childhood nemesis, is back in Channing’s Hill and tormenting her as if he’d never been away.

Meanwhile Cleo’s sister Abbie has a problem of her own-husband Tom has become distant and withdrawn, and she’s determined to find out why. But will the shocking truth mean the end of their idyllically happy marriage?

The sisters are about to discover that the past can come back to haunt you, and that love can flourish in the unlikeliest of places…

There is something so predictable about Mansell’s book, but I love them anyway.  These books are like a cup of hot tea, a blanket, and a warm fire.  They are comfort.  I lose myself in the characters and the little village atmosphere.  I love the setting and the mood.  The characters are lovely, so diverse.  I don’t know everything that’s going to happen in any given book.  Mansell still manages to throw in little twists and turns that keep me from being bored.  I think of these as comfort books and that’s okay.  Every once in a while we need a little comfort to get us through the day.  I find myself coming back to Mansell’s books.  Thank goodness I have another sitting in my library pile.