prettylittlewriter

Eloise Bridgerton couldn't marry a man she had never met! But then she started thinking... and wondering... and before she knew it, she was in a hired carriage in the middle of the night, on her way to meet the man she hoped might be her perfect match. Except... he wasn't. Her perfect husband wouldn't be so moody and ill-mannered. And he certainly should have mentioned that he had two young - and decidedly unruly - children, as much in need of a mother as Phillip is in need of a wife.’

Well this one was a big let-down.
 

I love the character of Eloise in the TV adaptation, so I was looking forward to a wonderful female empowering story for her. Unfortunately, she is depicted as this talkative busybody that annoys most people she meets, including Sir Phillip with whom she hopes to marry. I actually didn’t mind Eloise’s character in the book as from her internal monologue she seemed like a lovely character, but I hated that to everyone around her (as it’s written in 3^rd person) she was this chatterbox that wanted to be involved in everything and they found her irritating.

Sir Phillip’s character on the other hand was a bit of an arsehole. The only time he was ever really nice was when he was lusting over Eloise, otherwise he was argumentative, he was horrible to his children most of the time, and it outraged me that he didn’t even know what was happening to them under his own nose. Not to mention that his idea of them being well suited is that he can make her orgasm *eye-roll*. The ONLY thing that redeems him slightly is the shit childhood he had. The other irritating thing was how he was constantly referring to Eloise as the perfect mother to his children, even to her face. He never said she’d be the perfect wife, even when he realised he was starting to have feelings for her.

The storyline itself was fine, I enjoyed seeing Eloise’ and the children’s relationship blossom, and seeing the Bridgerton brothers come to her aid as big brothers should. Her relationship with Benedict’s wife Sophie was also very sweet.

Unfortunately this just wasn’t interesting enough, and it’s incredibly upsetting seeing Eloise’s character with such a rubbish love story. I hope they do much better for her in the TV adaptation.

2/5 stars

 Synopsis
‘From the outside, Lorelai is an ordinary young woman with a normal life. She loves reading, she works at the local cinema and she adores living with her best friend. But she carries a painful burden, something she’s kept hidden for years; whenever she kisses someone on the lips, she sees how they are going to die. But she’s never known if she’s seeing what was always meant to be, or if her kiss is the thing that decides their destiny. And so, she hasn’t kissed anyone since she was sixteen.

I really enjoyed this book! It was such a light and easy read, with the writing quite simplistic to keep things flowing well and just makes you want to keep on reading.

I loved the characters of Lorelie and Grayson, and also her brilliant friend Joanie, who was there for her through Lorelie’s worst moments (even when she blows up at her in frustration).

Riggs is a character that had a brilliant arc, seemingly having the worst breakdown but then picking himself back up. Although I wasn’t best pleased that his assault on Lorelie was passed off by him as ‘I’m drunk, sorry’.

One thing I found incredibly frustrating was how often Lorelie chopped and changed with how she wanted to act around Grayson. One minute she couldn’t possibly let herself like him, then she was leading him on, then she was saying yes let’s try it, and then she was running away! Make up your mind woman, either see how things go, practice the kissing/predictions thing and see if things change, or don’t, and leave the poor man alone. It was infuriating! Especially when she’d had a practice run already with James, and she knew that it was possible to change what she had seen.

When she did finally kiss Grayson and she saw his death, she should have straight away told him not to get on a plane, but instead she ran away (again!) with no explanation for him, even though she’d told him she would explain things. I just found myself getting very annoyed.

I did however, also find myself chuckling away too. Carrie has created some very loveable characters, especially Joanie and Grayson, and their humour was brilliantly done.

I was also quite disappointed that nothing evolved with Lorelie’s pursuit of her dreams to be screenwriter. Carrie started off making a big deal about how much Lorelie loved to write book to movie adaptations, and that it was her dream etc, but then it never goes anywhere, and we don’t see Lorelie get anywhere near her dream.

I did also guess quite quickly that Lorelie wasn’t going to be the only one in the family that had her ‘gift’.

Overall, I did really enjoy the book, there were just some frustrating parts to it and I was a little sad that her relationship with Grayson had only just begun at the end of the novel, so we didn’t really get to see their relationship in action.

3.5/5 stars

 Synopsis
'Everyone knows that Colin Bridgerton is the most charming man in London. Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend's brother for...well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret...and fears she doesn't know him at all.

Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of everyone's preoccupation with the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can't seem to publish an edition without mentioning him in the first paragraph. But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same - especially Penelope Featherington! The girl haunting his dreams. But when he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide...is she his biggest threat - or his promise of a happy ending?'

However, it wasn't as enjoyable as I'd hoped! 

Colin was quite a selfish character, his mouth usually running away with him and often offending Penelope. He also had a very short temper, overreacting at the slightest inconvenience which is not something I expected from him, with his character on the show being the sensitive and chilled brother. 
However, I will say that he cared so much for Penelope, even before he realised he loved her more than a friend, and he was always acting as her knight in shining armour. 

Penelope was just as I expected; sweet, kind and incredibly empathetic. Her friendship with Lady Danbury was lovely, and I was very pleased to see that this friendship helped her become more comfortable with who she was, and brought her out of her shell around other people. 

I did enjoy the level of smut within this one, there was definitely more than the third novel; it was quite steamy! 

The storyline itself was brilliant with Penelope as Lady Whistledown at risk of being revealed, and her and Colin's quest to prevent it from happening!

Overall I did enjoy the book, just not as much as I'd hoped, and Colin's character did make me a little mad at times!

3.5/5 stars

 Synopsis
‘Beverley Wilson has always loved the Beatles but kissing a poster goodnight isn’t really an option when you’re a fifty-something mum of three. So when she decides it’s time to get back into the dating game, she turns to a dating agency for help.
But the long and winding road to real love is littered with dating disasters – the pantyhose pervert being the real low point and in Bev’s opinon it’s all too much. But meeting fellow Beatles fan Scott Smith changes everything…’

The pure nostalgia in this novel is incredible. If you’re a Beatles fan, or from Liverpool, this will be a delight!

When Suzan offered to send me a copy of her first novel, I was very excited as I love anything that surrounds music and dating. But I had no idea just how hilarious the book was going to be! There are some absolutely hilarious anecdotes from Beverley, and I just loved her passion for her Beatles, especially Paul!

As someone who admires and loves a couple of celebrities TO DEATH, I understand her passion!

I loved that Beverley was over 50; there certainly aren’t enough books out there written from that perspective, so it was very refreshing! She is a wonderful and hilarious person, with an unintentional comedic personality, that I just kept giggling to myself throughout.

Poor Bev had been through the ringer; her life is turned upside down by not one, but two traumatic events within the novel, and you really do feel terrible for her!

Without going into too much detail as I wouldn’t wish to spoil it for any potential readers, but I will say that I am certainly glad she manages to have a happy ending, even if the journey was a bit of a Helter Skelter!

A special little cameo from Sir Paul McCartney himself was also a lovely little treat!

Overall I thought this was a lovely, heart-warming and hilarious novel full of quips and brilliantly clever references to The Beatles throughout! I'm looking forward to reading Suzan's next novel, that has recently been published, Rock 'n' Rose. 

4/5 stars

This novel was a joy to read from start to finish! With some intensely romantic and sexy scenes, to some incredibly emotional and gut-wrenching moments.

 Synopsis
'Harper is anxiously awaiting placement into a top oral surgery residency program when she crashes (literally) into Dan. Harper would rather endure a Novocaine-free root canal than face any distractions, even one this adorable.

A first-year dental student with a family legacy to contend with, Dan doesn’t have the same passion for pulling teeth that Harper does. Though he finds himself falling for her, he is willing to play by Harper’s rules.

So with the greatest of intentions and the poorest of follow-throughs, the two set out to be “just friends.” But as they get to know each other better, Harper fears that trading fillings for feelings may make her lose control and can't risk her carefully ordered life coming undone, no matter how drool-worthy Dan is.'

Thank you so much to Isabella Wilson of Headline for sending me a copy of this wonderful book!

This was honestly just such a wonderfully heart-warming read, with the perfect amount of smut, and a sensitive approach to the serious topics such as panic attacks, anxiety and grief, it felt like snuggling up in a blanket with a warm cup of cocoa on a winter's day. I loved that Mazey also included a foreword regarding the sensitive topics, it was very thoughtful.

The characters are full of warmth and smart as hell (Harper is quite intimidating with her knowledge of Dentistry, I was in awe!), an Dan was the absolutely perfect gentleman, with just the right amount of protective anger (see 'You better keep Harper's name out of your filthy fucking mouth', so very HOT!)

All of Harper's friends are also absolutely epic, the most supportive and caring friends anyone could ever wish for. 

It has the perfect pace that keeps you reading until you can no longer keep your eyes open, desperate to find out how things turn out for Harper and Dan. 

Overall, I would highly recommend to anyone that loves a romcom, it truly is swoon-worthy! 

4/5 stars

‘When Abbie met Oz, they were young, idealistic students from different backgrounds, but their connection was unmistakable. Then Oz went home to Istanbul and life moved on.
Now Abbie is with the man she thinks she's going to spend the rest of her life with, until she meets Oz again - a chance encounter that might change everything.
They find themselves drawn to each other once more, but have commitments, jobs and families that take priority, and too much time has passed, hasn't it?
Abbie and Oz are about to find out that no matter how many miles and obstacles are between them, fate might just have another plan, and that their love story isn't over yet.’

The fact that Abbie and Oz had only spent a total of 14 days together, but they loved each other with such force that they were brought together by divine intervention many times, is just absolutely stunning and lovely. They are the true definition of soulmates, and that even though life might take you away from each other, you will forever be linked.

I absolutely loved Oz’ character and the incorporation of his nationality, I really enjoyed being taken to many different places across the world, including Istanbul, and I really felt like I was there watching them! Liz (Abbie’s best friend) was also a brilliantly funny and great friend to Abbie, and she also added a level of reality into the novel with the reality of post-partum depression.

There are some real heart-breaking moments throughout, and I was very close to tears a lot of the time. I also found myself getting so frustrated as I desperately wanted Abbie and Oz to be together, but literally everything kept getting in the way!

The ending was lovely, and I was very pleased with it.

I honestly couldn’t fault this novel at all, so romantic and sweet and just plain lovely. I highly recommend to any romance fan!

5/5 stars

 Synopsis
'Lucy Hutton has always been certain that the nice girl can get the corner office. She prides herself on being loved by everyone at work - except for imposing, impeccably attired Joshua Templeman.

Trapped in a shared office, they've become entrenched in an addictive game of one-upmanship. There's the Staring Game, The Mirror Game, The HR Game. Lucy can't let Joshua beat her at anything - especially when a huge promotion is on offer.

If Lucy wins, she'll be Joshua's boss. If she loses, she'll resign. So why is she questioning herself? Maybe she doesn't hate him. And just maybe, he doesn't hate her either. Or is this just another game . . . ?'

I haven't read a romance novel for such a long time, and I'm so pleased that The Hating Game has started me off again because it is absolutely brilliant!

I chose to read this book as I watched the movie recently featuring Lucy Hale (my absolute favourite person in the world) & Austin Stowell and I absolutely loved it, so I had to read the book to see how different the movie was. 
I can honestly say I wasn't disappointed! There were a couple of scenes from the book that weren't in the movie that would have been great to see on screen, plus the book was also quite a bit spicier which was VERY enjoyable!

The flirtatious banter between Lucy and Josh is electric; it filled me with hope and laughter and heartbreak all at the same time (I mean, it was obvious to absolutely everyone but Lucy that they were in love with each other, which was frustratingly heart-wrenching in itself).
I genuinely had a smile on my face pretty much the whole time reading this book, and especially towards the end (the scene in the hotel at breakfast with Josh's parents is brilliant, Lucy was a badass). 

There was so much tension between the two characters, that I found myself desperate to be able to read a million miles a minute so I could get to the part where they finally would kiss, or play the 'or something' game. 

Both characters were so incredibly fleshed out, Lucy a sweet little firecracker, who just wants to be Josh's friend. Josh, with his delicious and intense broodiness, and a body to *die* for! He is also secretly an absolute sweetheart (taking care of Lucy when she's sick was the epitome of chivalry).

Now, I won't say anything else as I don't want to spoil it for you, but if you like a romance novel, I HIGHLY recommend this! 

Ps. Watch the movie also, it's great!

5/5 stars