I am a book lover. I have been described as a book 'devourer'. I was encouraged to create a blog on something that I have a deep-seated affection for. I am passionate about reading. What you will find here are my thoughts on all things in literary world. I love discussion about reading, what you're reading and the emotions it invokes. Please join the conversation.
Sunday, March 21, 2021
Review: The Flatshare
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Opposites attract quirky couple romance
This story came recommended to me by a trusted friend and i devoured the story in a day. Besides the “fall in love via post it note’, Tiff and Leon were this perfect loud girl vs quiet boy match up. Besides the blossoming relationship, there is an engaging side story with the younger brother that kept me intrigued. There were also richly developed secondary characters who lept off the page.
However, this was probably the best storytelling presentation of the villain as narcissistic and gaslighted the heroine believably. Seeing her growth with Leon, the help of friends and therapy added to the story's depth.
It was brilliant, a fresh love story that I enjoyed.
So why 4 stars? It is actually 3.5 almost made it a 3 with a message to the publisher. As final editing and formatting fall on their shoulders, not the author. The alternating POV formatting from traditional fiction (Tiffy) to a playwright stylized speaking (Leon) was highly distracting. If it served a purpose, such as only communicating by text or lipreading, I would get it. This just pulled me out of the story for 50% in bewilderment. Once I realized this was just a choice in formatting the different POV, I found myself ignoring the irritation. My advice to the publisher, take the reader experience into consideration.
View all my reviews
Thursday, March 11, 2021
The Best Office Romance Books! + Unboxing [giveaway]!
Release Day: Maya Hughes BEST writing to date - The Art of Falling for You
RELEASE BLITZ
Title: The Art Of Falling For You
Series: Falling #1
Author: Maya Hughes
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Design: Najla Qamber
Release Date: March 11, 2021
NOW LIVE
Amazon Exclusive https://getbook.at/AmazonTAOFFY
Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
ABOUT
“Are you stalking me?”
“We live right next door to each other, New Girl.”
Bay Bishop aka The New Girl is my new neighbor. Glasses, stage crew black clothes and a knack for fading into the background.
She’s probably the only one who rolls her eyes when I walk past instead of cheering on my last touchdown play. But before I can shove her into the recesses of my mind filed under “Not my problem” she lands herself smack dab in the middle of my dreams.
I catch her singing with a voice unlike any I’ve heard before that taps into feelings I shouldn’t have for the girl who avoids me at all costs. I need to know why she hates me.
With three months until graduation, the final play is on. Only it’s not for more points. It’s for Bay.
Unlike my success on the field, this win is anything but assured. But I can’t stop myself from taking the risk.
There’s no flashing scoreboard.
There’s no cheering crowd.
There’s only her and me.
The countdown clock is ticking. The only thing scarier about finding my first love will be losing her.
The Art of Falling for You is the first book in the new Fulton U universe sports romance, Falling trilogy.
EXCERPT
He wanted to pretend he was a nice guy now? I ran through my first day at Greenwood Senior High. The vivid details craved an excruciatingly clear memory of just the kind of guy he was. Even if he didn’t remember, I certainly did.
If only that had been the end of it. But it wasn’t. He was back that afternoon and mom insisted I take him a glass of lemonade.
I kicked his leg and he slid out with grease marks on his cheeks and hands that only made him hotter.
The universe’s unfairness had never been clearer than Dare looking like a cover model wheeling out from under my mom’s junker of a car. If I’d had a team of stylists and beauty professionals dress me and do my makeup, I’d never be more than catalog cute. He was super-model searing without even trying.
“From my mom.” I shoved the glass toward him.
“It’s not from you? Did you make it yourself?” He set the wrench down on the concrete and drew his knees up, resting his back against the side panel of the car. His gaze locked onto mine, holding it and not letting me look away.
My pulse pounded, and my stomach back flipped into next week. “Just take it.”
“Did you poison it?” He lifted an eyebrow.
“Yes, I dropped in one of my cyanide capsules that I keep on hand for annoying neighbors.”
He didn’t say a word, only let me stand there with my arm extended, not making a move to take the glass.
My hand shook. I jerked it back and took a sip. “See, not poisoned.” I took a step closer and held it out again.
His gray eyes twinkled with amusement. He shot up, so his body brushed against mine on the way up, not trying to make room at all for my personal space. His fingers curled over mine before he pulled the glass from my grasp.
Instead of drinking from the side of glass closest to him, he turned it in his hold and took a sip from my side of the glass. My lip prints melted away by his. He didn’t drop his gaze or look away.
He froze me in my tracks like a deer caught in headlights after a long night in the forest.
“Delicious.”
COMING SOON IN FALLING TRILOGY
PREORDER BOOK 2 - THE SIN OF KISSING YOU - April 8, 2021
TSOKY Amazon getbook.at/AmazonTSOKY
ADD TO YOUR TBR!
THE SIN OF KISSING YOU (Book 2) http://bit.ly/GRTSOKY
THE HATE OF LOVING YOU (Book 3) http://bit.ly/GRTHOLY
AUTHOR BIO
Maya Hughes, that's me!, can often be found sneaking in another chapter while hiding in the bathroom from her kids! :-) I'm a romance writer who loves taking inspiration from everyday life, namely my husband and biggest fan. Inspiration also strikes when I hear a song, meet someone new or daydream while at soccer practice.
I love writing stories that capture the possibilities of the paths less travelled and enjoy experiencing life through my characters’ eyes.
I'm the mom of three little ones, the wife to an amazing husband and also work full time. Some of my favorite things are cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, white wine, laughing until I can't breathe, traveling with my family and Jeff Goldblum.
AUTHOR LINKS
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