Review: P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

P.S I Still Love You by Jenny Han
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Younger Readers 
Publication Date: May 26th 2015
My rating: 4 stars 

Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter. She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever. When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?

I was thrilled when my copy of P.S. I Still Love You arrived early, as it was one of my highly anticipated reads of the year, I fell in love with the characters and Lara Jean’s story that Han’s created in To All the Boy’s I’ve Loved Before. Also with so many questions I needed answering I couldn’t wait to be back with these characters once more.

I was dreading that things would not go the way that I’d hoped they would, but I was glad to get loads of Peter very early on, I was team Peter in To All the Boy’s I’ve Loved Before and I had high hopes that Lara Jean and Peter would end up together in this one, Peter of course was his usual self, he was the charmer, but we also got to see a more of a vulnerable side to him at times, that I just didn’t want him to get hurt at all. But most of all I adored the lovable side that came through, how he was concerned about Lara Jean, and promised that things would be okay. At times he did slip up, but Peter was just the sort of guy that I could forgive in instances like these and of course I was so scared that things could go wrong that I wanted to keep Peter and Lara Jean together no matter what. Their relationship was a topsy -turvy one with Han hitting you with all the feels left right and centre, but it was one that I didn’t mind going through some of the heartache that I had to experience as this relationship was one of the best relationships I have come across. (highlight to view spoiler). However I have to admit that I did find myself slightly wavering with the introduction of this new character, things with Peter and Lara Jean could be super bumpy at times and then you had John Ambrose McLaren come along who actually got Lara Jean and had her back. I loved their games of Assassins; honestly John Ambrose McLaren was totally adorable! I knew however things ended it wasn’t fair how it would end for one of these guys. Although in my heart of hearts I wanted Peter and Lara Jean to be together, I didn’t want John Ambrose McLaren to get hurt in the process either.

I really like the growth that Lara Jean went through in this book, yes she was her usual inquisitive self, but she actually put her foot down when it came down to things that mattered to her. And I was appreciative of this, because even though it did cause some heartache, at least Lara Jean learnt when things when things became too much for her. Of course I loved the strong family vibes that came through this book once more, Lara Jean’s family was an absolute delight to be around, and I think Kitty also really came through for me in this book. I don’t think I really connected with her in the first book, but this time around I enjoyed her words of wisdom that she threw about and how she could brighten up a scene with her comments, it’s really hard to believe that she’s so young, as she too really came across as a mature character.

Although I didn’t end up loving P.S. I Still Love You as much as To All the Boy’s I’ve Loved Before, this is a story that I would still highly recommend. Han has created characters that you will fall in love with and never want to let go. They are characters that will totally make your day when you need a quick pick me up. However I do recommend doing a lot of baking before picking this book up, as I was totally starving at the end of this with all the baking Lara Jean did!

Giveaway Hop: Jumping Genres in June

Hello lovelies! I here today with a Giveaway Hop hosted by the wonderful Valerie at Stuckinbooks.  For my stop I'm giving away $10 at either US Amazon or US Barnes & Noble or up to $10 at The Book Depository.  The giveaway is International as long as the Book Depository ships to your country. Have you ever been in a book reading slump? I find that sometimes switching genres is just the thing to inject some excitement back into my reads.  Mysteries are usually a good switch-up from straight romances.  Urban fantasy is another genre that usually perks my reading up as well. Here are some greats that I have loved:

(Click on cover for Goodreads link:)

     

      

I listed the first books in The Others, Mercy Thompson, and Kate Daniels series, but the whole series in each case is a total win!

Do you have any genres you'd like to try?  Let me know in the comments below.

 

 $10 at either US Amazon or US Barnes & Noble or up to $10 at The Book Depository.  The giveaway is International as long as the Book Depository ships to your country.  Click HERE for a complete list of countries. Fill out the rafflecopter below for a chance to win:

2015 Summer of Series Challenge

I'm really bad at keeping up at completing book series, so I thought the Summer of Series challenge hosted by Danielle @ Love at First Page and Lili @ Lili's Reflections would be the perfect challenge for me to finally get my tbr stack down! 

So here are some of the series I'm hoping to complete.

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

His Fair Assassin by Robin LaFevers

Jessica Darling by Megan McCafferty

The Elemental Trilogy by Sherry Thomas 

Revenants by Amy Plum 

Legend by Marie Lu

I know I probably won't get through all of these series, but being the mood reader I am, I like having my pick of books to choose from. 

The Summer of Series challenge runs from June to August, so you have plenty of time to sign up if you're still interested here!

Review: Suddenly One Summer by Julie James

Suddenly One Summer by Julie James
Publisher: Jove
Publication date: June 2nd 2015
My rating:  4 stars 
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

From the New York Times bestselling author of It Happened One Wedding comes a novel about a man and a woman whose summer is about to get very, very steamy…

Divorce lawyer Victoria Slade has seen enough unhappy endings to swear off marriage forever. That doesn't mean she's opposed to casual dating—just not with her cocky new neighbor, who is as gorgeous and tempting as he is off-limits. But once she agrees to take on his sister's case, she's as determined to win as ever—even if that means teaming up with Ford…

Investigative journalist Ford Dixon is bent on finding the man who got his sister pregnant and left her high and dry. He's willing to partner with Victoria, despite the fact that the beautiful brunette gets under his skin like no other woman. He might not be looking to settle down, but there's no denying the scorching attraction between them. Still, the more time he spends with Victoria, the more he realizes that the one woman as skeptical about love as he is might be the only woman he could really fall for…

My Thoughts:

Suddenly One Summer was a one of my favorite types of romances: hate that turns into begrudging like and admiration, eventually turning into unexpected love. With a lot of snarky, clever banter in between, of course!

The moment Ford and Victoria lock eyes from afar, it’s lust at first sight.  Unfortunately, their encounter is interrupted and the two go their separate ways, or so they think.  Unknown to either, Victoria is the new next-door neighbor to Ford, and the antics broadcast through thin walls has left less than a stellar impression on her. They get off to bad start when mistaken assumptions are made on both sides.  Being next door they have numerous opportunities to snark and snap at each other, dancing around an obvious attraction and making me laugh in the process.

When Ford’s sister, Nicole shows up crying with a small baby in tow, Victoria, a family law attorney, steps up and offers her services to help.  Working together to locate Nicole’s baby daddy, Ford witnesses the softer side of Victoria, glimpses the good, caring woman she is on the inside.  Victoria sees a sweet protective side to Ford, going all out to help his sister in need, and things begin to change and heat up between these two! 

Victoria was smart, successful, and sassy, but she was also guarded and I really couldn’t blame her.  Her parents, the two people who were supposed to unconditionally love and support her, both hurt her profoundly.  Being a divorce attorney and witnessing the demise of so many marriages only underscored her feelings on wedded bliss:

“I like keeping things simple and fun. No obligations, no expectations, no endgame of a marriage, two-point-five kids, and a minivan in the suburbs. I have self-selected out of the happily-ever-after rat race, so to speak.”

Aww, Victoria….*sniff*

Ford was a sweetheart, determined to help his sister. I loved the babysitting scene, it realistically captures the havoc a tiny baby can bring, and I was cracking up throughout!  But Ford also had his own baggage, growing up with an alcoholic father full of unpredictable mood swings.  He keeps clear of complicated relationships, commitment not being part of his vocabulary.  Victoria should be Ford’s dream come true, but something about her stirs up unexpected and deeper feelings.  

It was a pleasure to witness Victoria and Ford change their thoughts on love and work toward their own happily-ever-after!

 

Suddenly One Summer was a signature Julie James romance: smart, classy, and full of hot chemistry! A total recommend! 

Monthly Recap: May

Hi all, this month was one of the busiest ones ever! Work has bee crazy busy, but although I'd thought I'd not read that many books, I was able to squeeze in 8 books somehow! I did however fall behind on my Goodreads reading goal. But I managed to fit in a trip to meet the lovely Allie! I honestly had the best day ever! And I of course stalked all the BEA updates I could find, seriously next year I need to go!

Number of Books read:

Jasprit: 8

Rachel: 15

Highest Rated Book(s): 

Jasprit: 

4 stars

Rachel:

4.5 Stars:

 

Lowest Rated Book(s):

Jasprit: 

DNF

Rachel:
DNF:

Books reviewed:

Jasprit: 
(click on titles for review link)

Rachel:

(click on titles for review link)
 
   

 

Best read of last month:

Jasprit: P.S I Still Love You by Jenny Han, although I didn't end up loving this as much as the first book, this book totally reminded me why I fell for these characters so hard in the first book. Also I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know one character in particular and being back with Lara Jean's family once again! 

Rachel: 

All around best read would have to be Fair Game by Patricia Briggs.  I love the Mercy Thompson series by her and when I finished all the books I decided to start the Alpha & Omega series from the same world and was very impressed. She is one of the best urban fantasy writers out there and I'm hooked with each and every book.

Book which surprised me the most: 
Jasprit: Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella, only because I didn't end up enjoying this one as much as I'd hoped, which is a real shame, as I've been a fan of Kinsella's books for the longest time, and I was super excited to finally get my hands on her first YA book. But this month was an up and down one for me reading-wise, so I'm hoping it's just me. 

Rachel: 

I'm surprised by how much I loved A Thin Dark Line by Tami Hoag upon a second "reading". There are times when a narrator can give a story that extra umph you wouldn't have just by reading it and this is definitely the case here.  

Fictional crush of the month:

Jasprit: I sort of have two :/ I loved being back with Peter Kavinsky, of course I feel as if we didn't get as much of him as I was hoping, but this guy of course crept his way to my heart. And then there was this other character who I really wanted to get his happy ending, he was such a sweetheart. Bless him!

Rachel:
Charles in The Alpha & Omega series by Patricia Briggs.  I just love how protective and sweet the big scary Marrok's assassin is with Anna! I've devoured the series and now have to wait for the next book to publish.

Three books I'm most looking forward to this month:

Jasprit:
(Click on titles for Goodreads link)

Burn isn't out until early August in the UK, but being the hardcore fan that I am, I of course had to pre-order my copy from Australia, I am dying to find out what happens and I will finally be able to find out next month! I've been meaning to read Breathe Annie Breathe for the longest time, and with all the review books I've been reading, I think it's about high time I read some of my own books. And I will be picking up Dark Triumph for the Summer of Series Challenge

Rachel:

(Click on titles for Goodreads link)

   
   

I do love Motorcycle Club books, but I wasn't sure how Nowhere But Here would turn out, being YA. I've good things and so I'm now excited.  K.A. Tucker continues to be a win for me and I'm loving the mystery/suspense aspect she's added in her Burying Water series. Chasing River is set in Dublin and I'm excited for the setting change! I originally passed on After the End by Amy Plum, but I read a few good reviews for the duology and recommended that my husband read the books since they're more his type of read.  He loved them, both getting 5 stars from him (a feat indeed, he's stingy with those 5 stars!).  Hearing his high praise, I requested audio copies through the library, and now I'll be starting After the End later this week.

   Bookish Photo:

I finally met the gorgeous Allie! We had a fantastic time in London, seriously this girl is the best planner, we were able to fit in so many fantastic things into our crazy busy day! 

Let us know how you did last month. Link us up an we'll come by to check it out!