Review: Love Like the Movies by Victoria Van Tiem

In this irresistible romantic romp, movie fanatic Kensington Shaw is thrown into love—Hollywood-style—when her gorgeous ex presents a series of big screen challenges to win back her heart.

What girl wouldn’t want to experience the Pretty Woman shopping scene? It’s number two on the list. Or, try the lift from Dirty Dancing? It’s number five. One list, ten romantic movie moments, and a handful of shenanigans later, Kenzi has to wonder . . . should she marry the man her family loves, or risk everything for a love like the movies?

Goodreads | Author | Amazon

Source: Purchased – thanks to Tales of Whimsy for this recommendation (love her review!)


Review:
If you are a fan of romantic comedies, this book is a must read. It IS a rom-com, in literary form.

Kenzi has a perfectly fine life. A gorgeous fiancé, a great job and friends but she still feels second rate when it comes to her family. She hopes to finally take the spotlight with her engagement announcement but is once again out shined by her perfect sister-in-law, who has even bigger news.

Trying to find solace in work, Kenzi instead finds her job at the ad agency on the line due to budget cuts. She needs to land an important new client, who also happens to be her first great love and heartbreak, Shane Bennett . He requests that she act out 10 great romantic movie moments with him as inspiration for his new dinner/movie theater themed business to win the account.

Love Like the Movies is adorable and sweet. I enjoyed how the scenes from the movies were acted out within the context of the story, even though I had forgotten many of them. But I recognized several, including the dressing room scene from Pretty Woman, a few from My Best Friend’s Wedding and the infamous lift from Dirty Dancing.

I also enjoyed how the reappearance of Shane made Kenzi start to question her choices in life. In her quest for the "big movie" moments, she's lost touch with what is real and the things that used to make her happy. He’s never pushy or overbearing, just a constant supportive presence, and reminder of her potential.

Kenzi could be frustrating at times. She is so hell bent on trying to live in this fantasy movie world and is a complete doormat to her fiancé and family. When she finally starts coming around, she pushes the one person on her side, Shane, away - then complains if he doesn’t follow her. 

To be fair, this is pretty standard rom-com fare though. EVERY heroine does this and it's mixed with enough character growth that it works here. What's more important is that Kenzi learns that she needs to trust herself to be happy. Not to depend on anyone else's approval. That's a message I can get behind!

I wish Shane was developed more as her love interest. We do get some conversation and backstory to them as a couple before but not enough, IMO, to to explain Shane's actions in the past or his return now after seven years. They had a nice, relaxed chemistry, and their movie scene reenactments reveal a lot about them as a couple though so I was able to buy into their romance anyway.

Like all great rom -coms, things spiral out of control for our heroine. Hilarity and slightly exaggerated, madcap scenarios ensue. There's a mystery to solve, betrayals, broken hearts and just maybe a happily ever after, like in the movies. Although this book is inspired by the best romantic comedies, I can totally see it being made into one of it's own. Love like the Movies was a great homage the genre!

Review: Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira

It begins as an assignment for English class: Write a letter to a dead person. Laurel chooses Kurt Cobain because her sister, May, loved him. And he died young, just like May did. Soon, Laurel has a notebook full of letters to people like Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Amelia Earhart, Heath Ledger, and more; though she never gives a single one of them to her teacher. She writes about starting high school, navigating new friendships, falling in love for the first time, learning to live with her splintering family. And, finally, about the abuse she suffered while May was supposed to be looking out for her. Only then, once Laurel has written down the truth about what happened to herself, can she truly begin to accept what happened to May. And only when Laurel has begun to see her sister as the person she was; lovely and amazing and deeply flawed; can she begin to discover her own path.

Goodreads | Author | Amazon

Source: ARC provided by Farrar, Straus and Giroux in exchange for an honest review

Review:
Love Letters to the Dead was a beautiful, and heartbreakingly honest, exploration of grief, written in a truly unique way.

I lost my mother to cancer when I was in high school. I don’t think people understand how isolating an experience that is. Other kids don’t want you death cooties rubbing off on them so they avoid you, you feel left out of conversations that discuss family dynamics (in my case my mom – but in this book the death of Laurel’s sister, May), and you end up doing this odd little conversational dance so that the topic never comes up. Going home, which should be comforting is now the last place you want to be. Dellaira nailed this feeling. So much so, I had to keep setting the book aside. It's pretty dark and intense and I needed to regroup before heading back in.

I loved how Laurel, through a class project where students write letters to a dead person, is able to explore all the pent up feelings she has over the loss of her sister and the changing dynamics of her family in the aftermath. The letters to the dead were done very well. It is a different approach but I can see how pouring your heart out to strangers who can't judge you or talk back is cathartic. The people she chose made sense in context to the story.

As much as I was captivated by Laurel’s story and Ava Dellaira’s writing, I did have a few issues.
While the letters worked in the beginning, the technique kind of stumbled towards the end. Laurel spoke to the dead person at first but then it shifted in style to informing the deceased about their own life, rather than integrating into Laurel's. Or as if she was trying to inform the reader as to who the dead person was. It became more celebrity bio than emotional cleansing.

Another aspect that didn’t quite work for me was the romance. The circumstances surrounding Sky’s role in Laurel’s life felt like unnecessarily drama filled & a little clichéd. Love Letters to the Dead explores many issues including death, drugs, alcohol, sexual assault, domestic violence, LBGT romance & this just muddied the already murky waters. Really, it would have nice to not explore so many issues in this book and give a few of these side characters their own story later. Sky plays an important part in her healing but it also seemed a little forced to make things fit in a way that pushed the story forward. I've also read this particular set up several time before. Not the authors fault - but I wish it was done differently I guess. The romance doesn't overpower the story though so it's not a big thing.

Although there were a few things that didn’t work for me, I was blown away by Dellaira’s writing and the depth she gave ALL her characters.  It's hard to believe that this is a debut author. I mentioned how many different themes the author explores. She did it in a way that felt very organic and natural.

Laurel’s friends were just as interesting as her. High school is awkward and fumbling and this book captures all the highs and lows in a very authentic way.

Review: Dare Island series by Virginia Kantra

Meet the Fletchers of Dare Island
Steady Matt, the son who stayed
Ambitious Meg, the daughter who never looked back
And warrior Luke, the Marine who never expected to return.

A heartwarming new novel in New York Times bestselling author Virginia Kantra’s beloved series about family ties, second chances, and the power of love….

Goodreads | Author

Source: Purchased

Review:

I binge read the Dare Island series over a weekend. I haven't done that in so long but this is a perfect series for doing so.

Each book features a different couple but the way the author explores the themes of family, loss, duty and love and ties them all back into each book makes this series special.

You really get a sense of the Fletcher family, Dare Island and the things each person will have to overcome to find peace. There are multiple pov's ranging from the Fletcher matriarch, Tess, to new family members like 10 year old Taylor. Instead of distracting or taking away from each couple, it enhances their story and their love.

The other thing that I loved so much about the Dare Island series, is the kindness of the characters. They are hit time and time again with difficult situations, but there is no self pitying or overblown angst. They do what's right and stand by each other with dogged determination. As the Fletcher siblings say…they have each other… back to back to back.

Each book could be read as a stand alone but you would miss out on so much if you don't start from the beginning. Carolina Home, book #1, is my favorite. I loved how it was a treat for the senses; the introduction to the  island and being immersed in the Fletcher family chaos, I didn't quite connect to to the couple in Carolina Girl but still very good, and Carolina Man will leave you misty eyed and ties together all three stories.

*Thanks to author Laura Florand who first introduced me to this series. If you don’t follow her on Twitter you should. She has the best romance recommendations!

Waiting on Wednesday: Tanya by Rebecca Rogers Maher

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

***

Tanya—a recovering alcoholic—meets Jack at a roadside stop on the way to her sister’s wedding. Hoping to drown her sorrows in the company of a stranger, she brings him back to her motel room.

The next day, shaken by the intensity of the experience, Tanya joins her sister’s bridal party at an upscale mountain lodge. There, she meets the groom’s family for the first time, including his brother, Jack—just home from the Peace Corps and reeling from his night with the bold, beautiful woman he thought he’d never see again.

Both at a crossroads in their lives, Tanya and Jack collide for one explosive weekend. Will they choose the safety of past regrets, or will they be brave enough to embrace the present—together?

Release Date: April 30, 2014

Author’s Goodreads page  (book wasn’t available to add at the time of this posting)

Why I’m waiting…

I loved The Bridge. The writing was gorgeous. The romance - raw and beautiful. In fact it was on my Top Reads list for 2013. It also helped me discover one of my new favorite authors. So basically, I’m excited whenever Rebecca Rogers Maher announces a new book.

Tanya is the sequel to The Bridge, and the third book in the Class Acts trilogy. I can’t wait to get a glimpse of the characters from the previous two books.

If you like intelligent, intense romance – give this author a shot.

Series order:
Hurricane Lily
The Bridge
Tanya

I read them completely out of order, so it’s possible to just dive in without being lost.

Review: Hot and Bothered (Hot in the Kitchen, #3) by Kate Meader

A Fire They Can’t Put Out . . .

Although her baby boy keeps her plate full, Jules Kilroy is ready to take her love life off the back burner. Despite a bevy of eligible bachelors, it’s her best friend, Taddeo DeLuca, who's fueling her hormones with generous servings of his mouth-watering Italian sexiness. But Jules learned her lesson once before when she went in for a kiss, only to have Tad reject her. She’s vowed never to blur the lines again . . .

After a lifetime of excuses and false starts, Tad has finally opened a wine bar, a deal made even sweeter when Jules joins his staff. Lovers come and go, and he’s had his share, but friendships like theirs last forever. Still, ever since he tasted her luscious lips, he can’t stop fantasizing about what could be. Then she signs up for an online dating site—and the thought of his Jules with another man makes Tad’s blood boil. Even if he gets burned, Tad can’t stop himself from turning up the heat this time.

Source: e-arc provided by Forever Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

~ Goodreads | Author | Amazon

Review:
I stayed up late reading this sexy friends to lovers tale. I loved how Jules was so down to earth. She’s a new mom, struggling with her weight and getting back into the dating scene. She’s also dyslexic and totally in love with her best friend, the womanizing, Tad.

Tad seemed like the typical bad boy at first but it's pretty clear early on that there's more to his blasé, bad boy persona and I ended up loving him. He gives Jules the unwavering support she needs, while she helps him accept and embrace his past so they can both move forward.

I hadn’t read the first two books in the series but I didn’t feel like I missed out on much other than a little background to how Jules and Tad first met but there’s a nice recap to bring you up to speed. There’s a nice sense of friendship and family, even if it’s sometimes overbearing – but that’s family for you!

Super hot but also filled with love and humor. My favorite type of romance!

Impromptu break…

In keeping with my more laid back blogging style this year, I took an unplanned week off because I didn’t feel like writing reviews or formatting posts. I take it as sign of becoming healthy blogger that I only got twitchy once or twice about this. lol

As you can see, I’m dabbling with my blog design. Any thoughts? I think there’s a little too much minty green, especially in the sidebar but I like the background and simple header. I used free programs so I’m playing and tweaking.

Anyone looking to play around with your blog background should checkout this cool website - Pattern Cooler. There are 100’s of seamless backgrounds to choose from, as well as editing tools to change colors/transparency etc. All free. I used PicMonkey for the header. Basics are free or upgrade for more tools/features.

Back to book-ish things. Even though I haven’t felt like blogging I have been reading.
Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaria, Apples Should Be Red by Penny Watson, (great little novella about late 50’s/early 60’s man and woman who find love again), Hot and Bothered by Kate Meader, the Dare Island series by Virginia Kantra, A Matchless Romance by Christi Barth and I’m currently reading Her Best Laid Plans by Cara McKenna.

I’ll have reviews coming up for several of those titles, but I can say that I recommend every one of them.

I missed Tune in Tuesday – so I’ll end on a music video…

KONGOS – Come With Me Now

Cuteness overload...

OMG - so freaking cute!!!




Here's the original in case you've missed it - http://youtu.be/IpbDHxCV29A

Review: Murder of Crows (The Others, #2) by Anne Bishop

After winning the trust of the terra indigene residing in the Lakeside Courtyard, Meg Corbyn has had trouble figuring out what it means to live among them. As a human, Meg should be barely tolerated prey, but her abilities as a cassandra sangue make her something more.

The appearance of two addictive drugs has sparked violence between the humans and the Others, resulting in the murders of both species in nearby cities. So when Meg has a dream about blood and black feathers in the snow, Simon Wolfgard—Lakeside's shape-shifting leader—wonders whether their blood prophet dreamed of a past attack or of a future threat.

As the urge to speak prophecies strikes Meg more frequently, trouble finds its way inside the Courtyard. Now the Others and the handful of humans residing there must work together to stop the man bent on reclaiming their blood prophet—and stop the danger that threatens to destroy them all.

Goodreads | Author | Amazon

Source: Purchased

Review:
Murder of Crows (The Others, #2), was my most anticipated read for 2014 and I was not disappointed. I am completely enthralled with the world Bishop has created and with The Others. 

This isn’t a series where you jump in with the second book. You need to read Book #1, Written in Red first. This is such an amazing series. Dark, magical, complex and with wonderful characters and development. She writes shifters, political strife and relationships in a way that leaves me begging for more. Waiting a year between these books is a form of torture.

I love how Bishop explores the animalistic ways and barely leashed brutality of The Others, instead of humanizing them. Yet, with Meg – their Meg – they soften somewhat and the exchanges between human and Other, as they try to understand and help each other, are beautiful, and sometimes humorous to watch. I was surprised by how much humor – and sweetness was in this story.

That is mostly thanks to the slow (epically slooooow) brewing romance between Meg and Simon. OMG I LOVE them. LOVE. Simon is the alpha and leader of the Courtyard Others, but with Meg, he’s just a bumbling male. These two could not be more adorable. The innocence of their romance is just too much to take. I love watching how they play and cuddle with Simon in his wolf form and how they long for each other when they’re apart. Every one can see what is happening, except them. I love how this is unfolding and the time and care Bishop is putting into it – but if they don’t get together soon I will explode.

Which leads to the one thing that I didn’t love about this book. The multiple POV’s continue and even expand in this book. I will say that every point of view adds to the story but I just don’t care if it’s not Meg, Simon or one of The Others. Monty and Burke (the human policemen) are giving too much page time IMO. I think I’m supposed to be concerned about The Others brand of justice towards the humans who wrong them and have some kind of moral conflict but I pick The Others every time. I get it. The humans are the bad guys to me.

I’m also not a fan of criminal investigation, so that aspect just didn’t work for me, but I do see how it’s necessary to the overall plot line.

I don’t know how many books Anne Bishop has planned for this series. I’m torn between wanting it finished in the next book so Simone and Meg will get their HEA and wanting to stay in this world for years to come. There is still so much of this world and it's inhabitants left to explore.

This series could so easily spiral out of control. There are the incredibly complex interpersonal relationships in the courtyard, the looming war, the prophesies of the cassandra sangue, yet Bishop keeps a tight reign on it all, amping up the tension and drawing you in deeper to her deliciously dark world.

For more detailed reviews, check out The Midnight garden, Smexy Books, Red Hot Books

The 80’s were sooooo hard….

I love this video – Kevin Bacon Explains the 80’s to Millennials. It’s the current version of our parents – When I was a kid I walked through 5 miles of snow to get to school…lol

Enjoy!

)

Tune in Tuesday: Neon Trees, Broods, St. Vincent, Crosses

Tune In Tuesday is a weekly feature in which bloggers get to showcase another one of their loves, music! The feature was originally created and hosted by Ginger over at GReads! but can now be found over at Kate’s Tales of Books and Bands.

***

Neon Trees – Sleeping with a Friend

I LOVE the lyrics to this song – LOVE

And why mess up a good thing, baby?

It’s a risk to even fall in love

So, when you give that look to me

I better look back carefully

“Cause this is trouble, yeah this is trouble

Broods – Bridge

St. Vincent – Birth in Reverse

I’m loving all the songs on her new album, St. Vincent. Very quirky

Crosses – Epilogue

I love the darker lyrics:

It’s a strange day

The roses are in bloom

But in a strange way

I know somehow we’re doomed

Review: Love Hacked (Knitting in the City, #3) by Penny Reid

There are three things you need to know about Sandra Fielding: 1) She makes all her first dates cry, 2) She hasn't been kissed in over two years, and 3) She knows how to knit.

Sandra has difficulty removing her psychotherapist hat. Of her last 30 dates, 29 have ended the same way: the man sobbing uncontrollably. After one such disaster, Sandra--near desperation and maybe a little tipsy--gives in to a seemingly harmless encounter with her hot waiter, Alex. Argumentative, secretive, and hostile Alex may be the opposite of everything Sandra knows is right for her. But now, the girl who has spent all her life helping others change for the better, must find a way to cope with falling for someone who refuses to change at all.

This is a full-length, 110k word novel and is the third book in the Knitting in the City series. All books in the series can be read as a standalone.

Goodreads | Author | Amazon

Source: Purchased

Review:
This is the second book I’ve read by Penny Reid & I find her writing style to be so much fun, even a little oddball at times.

Her characters have major quirks, (like belting out random trivia at inappropriate times) and an air of mystery surrounding them. At times it can be off-putting but I also love how her stories keep me on my toes and throw me off balance.

The first book in the Knitting in the City series, Neanderthal Seeks Human, was hilarious. While Love Hacked is also filled with funny moments, it’s also darker.

Sandra is a pediatric psychotherapist, 29, single and looking for THE ONE. She meets all her dates at her favorite restaurant, on a Friday night. They start to unload on her because she’s such a great listener, leave in a fit of tears and move on, finding their happily ever after – and it isn’t Sandra. It’s ok though, because none of the men have given her the zing; except for her very young, very hot waiter, Alex.

Oh Alex. I had such a difficult time with this character. He is everything I hate in a book guy. He runs hot & cold, he’s a little stalker-ish, possessive, secretive, and has SO much emotional baggage. He might as well be a blaring red flag warning. KEEP AWAY FROM ME. But…..lord help me – I found him to be so freaking sexy. Along with all his bad qualities, he’s sweet, innocent, awkward, wise beyond his years and fiercely loyal.

I think what made the Alex/Sandra relationship work for me was that Sandra stopped Alex in his tracks when he was being an ass. They could be in an extremely hot and heavy moment but Sandra didn’t pull that “my body betrayed me” crap and let him run over her. She stood her own ground and set boundaries.

Love Hacked was surprising. I was never sure how, or even if, this romance could ever work. I wasn’t even sure it should work. It was refreshing. Even though I wasn’t always sold on them as a couple, I loved that for once I couldn’t see the path to their HEA after page 2. Yet, it was also loads of fun.

Another thing I love about this series is the friendship between the knitting club girls. They are supportive but honest with each other. I don’t know how many of the girls will get a book but I hope it’s all of them. You can read the books as stand alones but each one builds on the friendships and personally, I enjoy that aspect as much as the romances.

There were a few editing issues – wrong pronouns and a few typos but nothing overly distracting. 

Final thoughts: Fun series, lots of sexy times. While both Neanderthal Seeks Human and Love Hacked have a lot of humor, Love Hacked was much edgier concerning Alex and his past. Also a fun element of intrigue and mystery as a backdrop to the romance. 

Blogger ramblings…

I was busy all week with *real life* so there wasn’t any time for blogging or reading

Kevin and I got a lot of yard work done but that has pretty much left me a scratched up, achy, allergy ridden lump.

We also took a little time for fun and saw The Lego Movie. It was really cute, with a nice message at the end.

I’m all caught up on both seasons of House of Cards. Holy cow! That show is intense. Everyone is so awful but I have to say – I have a soft spot for Claire, even if she’s basically the most evil person on the show. What an incredible character though! I remember watching Robin Wright as the sweet Kelly Capwell on Santa Barbara! & of course in The Princess Bride. This is a totally different role.

I watched The Descendants (with George Clooney). It’s a really slow, quiet kind of movie and I was bored at first but I ended up really liking it.

We bought this gorgeous bookcase. I didn’t need it – I had no room for it (I had to donate a piece of furniture to make room lol) but I’m in love. I literally just stand there staring at it several times a day. I still need to add and arrange more books but isn’t it pretty??

It’s on wheels so I could hire someone to wheel my next book selection over to me!



Close up of my two favorite bookish gifts. The *flowers* are made from the pages of my favorite book (Wicked Game by Jeri Smith-Ready) and the bookmark was a Christmas gift made by a friend. (sorry if you’re offended by the F-bomb bookmark – but it makes me laugh.)


Books!



I received Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Haan from Amazon Vine for review. The Ring and the Crown from Disney Hyperion for review and bought Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop.

When I finally got a chance to sit down and read after 7 days, Figment was not amused. He hates being ignored and then proceeds to shake out his drool all over my books.

                       
Mom…mom…mom…                        What? was it wrong of me to slobber all over your book??          

I hope to be back with a few reviews next week but I’ll need to pick up my reading pace if that’s going to happen!

Mini reviews: Geeks in love…

It seems that being a nerd/geek/socially awkward is the hot thing right now when it comes to romance. The first book of this type I read was an erotica - The Theory of Attraction by Delphine Dryden.

There’s something about a nerdy character that makes them instantly relatable and likable. Of course in booklandia they are also incredibly gorgeous (even if they don’t see it in themselves) and the sex is scorching hot (even if they can barely interact with another human) but whatever – this trope tends to have a lot of humor and awkward encounters – something I love in my romances.

So here are a few mini reviews for romances with geeks in love…


A life of crime is easy…until love goes all ninja on your ass.

Asprey Charles has always assumed he would one day take his place in the family art appraisal and insurance firm. “His place” meaning he plans to continue to enjoy his playboy lifestyle, lavish money on his Cessna, and shirk every responsibility that dares come his way.

But when a life of crime is thrust upon him, he is just as happy to slip on a mask and cape and play a highwayman rogue. After all, life is one big game—and he excels at playing.

Poppy Donovan vows that her recent release from jail will be her last—no more crime, no more cons. But when she learns that her grandmother lost her savings to a low-life financial advisor, she’s forced to do just one more job.

It’s all going smoothly until the necklace she intends to pawn to fund her con is stolen by a handsome, mocking, white-collar thief. A thief who, it turns out, could take a whole lot more than money. If she’s not careful, this blue blood with no business on her side of the tracks could run off with the last thing she can afford to lose. Her heart. ~ Goodreads

My thoughts: I guess strictly speaking, Asprey isn’t quite a nerd. He’s a thief, underappreciated by his wealthy family, who thinks he just plays around spending their money. But he has a zest for life and says the geekiest things like –

“Spork! I cry spork!”

“You cry spork?”

“It’s my safe word,” he managed. “You know – functional yet innovative? I hate to brag, but I’ve been told I’m  little of both.”

Witty & wacky story about cons, double crosses, a  hot ninja chick, family squabbling. Lots of laughs – a bit of a rushed ending but Morgan has said there will be a book #2 – so yay!

***

There are three things you need to know about Janie Morris: 1) She is incapable of engaging in a conversation without volunteering TMTI (Too Much Trivial Information), especially when she is unnerved, 2) No one unnerves her more than Quinn Sullivan, and 3) She doesn't know how to knit.

After losing her boyfriend, apartment, and job in the same day, Janie Morris can't help wondering what new torment fate has in store. To her utter mortification, Quinn Sullivan- aka Sir McHotpants- witnesses it all then keeps turning up like a pair of shoes you lust after but can't afford. The last thing she expects is for Quinn- the focus of her slightly, albeit harmless, stalkerish tendencies- to make her an offer she can't refuse. ~ Goodreads

My thoughts: Janie is a truly unique heroine. She is whip smart and all her knowledge comes spilling out whenever she’s in a socially awkward situation. Which is basically every time she’s within range of the gorgeous but cold as ice Quinn Sullivan.

He leaves her off balance and unable to put everything in neat little boxes with labels like everything else in her life.

“I like labels. I like maps with labels. I like figures with labels, and I like footnotes. I don’t do well not knowing someone’s intentions or how to calibrate my expectations accordingly.”

I think some of miscommunications go on a little too long and every one who loves Janie has an infuriatingly strong need to protect her. I do think she has an odd approach to life but I also think she can order her own dinner and pick who she loves. Her lack of self confidence was kind of sad but I got it and it made her more relatable.

Still – a super cute story and I liked the authors writing style. Despite a few flaws, I’ll be picking up the other books from this series.

***

How to Land the Hot Guy 1.0

A multimillionaire by the age of 27, app developer Evie James is clueless when it comes to hooking up. So she does what any self-respecting geek-girl looking to get laid would do: she programs her own app for landing a hot guy. After a few failed attempts at making contact, beta testing leads her to Caleb Anderson.

Caleb is used to female attention, but finds himself attracted to Evie because of her unique brand of awkward. A master of one-night stands, he's more than happy to show her what she's been missing in the bedroom. But he quickly discovers that one night with a woman like Evie will never be enough for him…. ~ Goodreads

My thoughts: I enjoyed Yates novella, A Royal World Apart, it was a little cliché but very romantic. Crazy, Stupid Sex was also cliche , but in all the ways that aggravate me.

I loved Evie, who is the master of her domain at work as an app developer but clueless when it comes to picking up a member of the opposite sex. She decides to be the test subject of her new app for landing a guy. She strikes out until she meets sexy playboy Caleb Anderson. Bored with all his random hookups, Evie presents a challenge to him. She’s innocent but willing to explore her sexual side.

Caleb is a playboy (which he mentions about a 100 times) and says to Evie that he’s her man, because of his extensive sexual experience he’s up for anything but then he seems almost as inexperienced with sex as Evie. He says that he’s slept with a different woman almost every single night for 10 years - yet he hasn’t dabbled in light bondage? I’m talking light…tie your hands up and a little ordering around. That just seemed strange to me.

While I think he was good to and for Evie in bed – he was a complete ass-hat outside of it. He had reasons – there are always reason aren’t there? But he was just not my kind of guy.

Once Evie let her inner sex kitten out to play there wasn’t much about her geek side or intelligence which depressed me. It was all about the sex at that point. They don’t go out on dates, they maybe have two deep conversations, but after a few weeks of hot sex this is the real thing.

Personally, I couldn’t get on board with Caleb. He's lazy, shallow and mean but it you are a fan of the hot playboy with a tragic past that explains his behavior then this might be the book for you. As a Cosmo Red Hot Read, it is scorching hot, just not my cup of tea as they say.