2015 Contemporary Reading Challenge Sign Up

Hi guys. You know I read romance right? Well I want to stretch my wings a bit. (Not much but normally I read historical and more often YA.) So I've decided to sign up for this challenge. I'm doing the 1st base level and trying to read 1-5 books. (I'm leaning towards 5. I know have books that fit this challenge and this will force me to read them. :P) So here's the badge.

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Thoughts about Wallbanger by Alice Clayton

So I finished reading Wallbanger yesterday. I absolutely loved it. My review wasn't very substantial so I'm not posting it here.

But I was thinking about the fact that the book is categorized as erotica. I mean it has sex in it but it's not like the other erotica I've read (Which admittedly is about two or three). The focus in this story was more the growing relationship between Caroline and Simon. I think it's more like a romance than an erotica. Hell perhaps erotic romance? The sex didn't seem to take up a substantial portion of the story. I feel like Caroline regaining her O was more of a subplot to the romance.

I would categorize Wallbanger as chick lit as well. It reminds me of the genre and I definitely think it's a romantic comedy.

I think way too much about labels.

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Fifty Days of Fifty Shades of Grey

Ok I'm not sure on the whole fifty days but that title is catchy no?

Since I don't live under a rock I've heard about Fifty Shades. I will be honest and say I judged this book hard. It seemed to go against my sensibilities. As a girl familiar with fandom it was an unspoken rule that you didn't publish fanfiction.

But one day I happened to start doing some digging. A very good link I rec is the Fifty Shades page. It has more information about the background of the book. It was after reading these links that I started to question my biases. I had judged the book before even reading it. I hadn't given it a fair a chance.

So that's what I'm doing now.

Here's the plan. I'm going to read a chapter (perhaps a day, maybe every two days it depends) and tell you my thoughts on it. Simple right?

Thoughts: Chapter 1

So the story opens with Anastasia complaining about her friend being sick. This is a little bitchy I admit but understandable. The story then fast forwards to Grey House. There are two blonde secretaries. Then Mr. Grey comes in. Tiny sparks. I honestly expected him to come in with flames or something but I digress. So he comes and she starts interviewing him. From what I've read online I expected Anastasia to be a weeping flower but she's kinda snarky which I like. No negative thoughts on Christian yet. He talks a lot about control for obvious reasons. Interview ends.

So so far the book seems pretty routine. I expected mis-spellings and just awfulness. It's not so bad so far.

I might have chapters 2 and 3 later on depending on how I feel. And a banner. I downloaded some brushes I'm dying to use.

Thoughts: Chapter 2

The major thing that I noticed about the beginning of this chapter is how short and choppy the scenes are. The scene will shift to her working and then like a paragraph later will switch again. That's a bit unnecessary and it really distracts from the story.

I don't really have a lot of thoughts on Kate. She's just sort of there. She's not really present. Jose seems nice. I was interested in Ana's background when she mentioned she had taken her stepfather's name. I wonder if the book will go more into that? I find that very interesting.

So while she's working Mr. Grey arrives. She notices that his hands are manicured and the only thing I could think is that this guy is so metrosexual. But I guess it makes sense that he cares about his image. He does like control after all.

And the last thing I noticed was what he bought. Cable wires, masking tape, ropes...oh yeah that's foreshadowing baby.

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Just One Day by Gayle Forman Review + Weekly Vid

Just One Day by Gayle Forman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I will admit that when I started this book I thought about putting it down. It didn't immediately grab me but I kept reading.

I feel like the main theme of the book would be: finding yourself? I feel like Allyson had to learn to be her true self outside of her parents, Melanie, etc. It struck a cord with me because I'm trying to do the same thing at the moment.

I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting. I like it. I don't love it but it does make me want to read more of Ms. Forman's work and I consider that a good thing.



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Good stuff yeah yeah.

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Attachments by Rainbow Rowell Review

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


If I had to rank Rowell's published books it would look something like this.

1. Eleanor and Park
2. Fangirl?
3. Attachments?

See while I was typing that I wasn't exactly sure where I should rank the last two. Fangirl enthralled me and made me want to read the rest of her work. But Eleanor & Park like solidified it for me.

So where does Attachments come in? Well I like it. The premise is a bit out there. I really liked Lincoln. I feel like I could relate a lot to his situation. The overprotective parent and feeling like you're stunted in life or something.

Weirdly I didn't find his email spying creepy. It's like I rationally know that is creepy as hell but within the fictive world it kinda makes sense? Idk.

I kept waiting for the moment when they would meet. They did. It was satisfying. But I have to admit I wished it had occurred earlier in the book. I wanted to savor it. This book wasn't like the romances I usually read but I really liked it.

So I give this book four stars. It was a really fun experience but also a bit disappointing end wise.



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So since the last time I posted I have become obsessed with this author's books. I mean I made three separate trips downtown to check out these books. I usually try not to overload myself on one author or series but that does not apply to Rowell. Oh and Hoyt apparently.

So yes I enjoyed this book. My favorite is Eleanor & Park. I can't wait for Landlines!

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Maliciously Obedient by Julia Kent Review

You know sometimes I read different things. Sometimes I read contemporary romance. That's a big leap for me.

While I was on break during my adult education classes I decided to read something. I didn't want to read the hardback I bought for some reason so I turned to my e-reader. I flipped through the shelves until I came to this bundle I bought ages ago but I had never looked at besides when I bought it.

This is how I discovered Julia Kent. I like what I read. Here's my review:

Maliciously Obedient by Julia Kent

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Okay so technically this book was apart of a bundle I bought. But since it is it's own individual story I'm counting it as a whole book read because it is and I can so what.

So I started this while I was in class. I was jumping from story to story honestly on my ereader. But I opened this file and begin this story and what can I say I liked it.

The characters were really well done. I really liked Lydia and I like how she was portrayed. I have to say I really liked how the author included feminism but not like BEAT YOU OVER THE HEAD WITH IT! It felt like I was talking to one of my girlfriends or something you know.

This book was really entertaining and even though the premise is a bit outlandish I kinda think it worked. At least for me it did haha. I loved this and I'm bidding my time until I can purchase the next volume.



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It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han review

It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book people...this book is how you do love triangles.

I mean it's been awhile since I read the first book. Like two years or something but when I started reading this the day before I feel right back in. The characters are really great and real and I feel like Belly is a great character individually but her interactions with Conrad and Jeremiah and even her mother. They just seem...authentic I guess? Like how I would react if I were in her place.

I definitely want to read more of Ms. Han's stuff. I might just read the last of this trilogy next and that is rare indeed.



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I really loved this book you guys. I haven't read YA in a long while with one exception. I guess I got tired of the cliches prominent in the genre (Mostly related to the fantasy side I admit.) But I'm glad I returned. I really enjoyed this book and I'm glad I decided to pick it up. Four for you Ms. Han.

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Tart by Lauren Dane Review

Tart by Lauren Dane

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Okay so officially this was my second erotica and it was MILES better than my first. The plot is really good and I really felt like the relationships between not only the three in the relationship but with family and friends were very realistic. Their friends are awesome.

I could relate to Juliet a lot with her thoughts with certain situations. I know I would probably be thinking the same thing if I was in the situation.

Cal and Gideon were perfect, though I was more partial to Cal.

I love that the author got into the...logistics I guess I should say of a relationship like theirs.

Oh and the sex was hot! Mhmmm.

I only rated this four stars because I liked it, but I didn't love it you know? But I like the author's style and I'm definitely checking out more of her stuff.



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French Kiss by Dee Dawning Review

French Kiss by Dee Dawning
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was officially my first erotica. I didn't want it to be Fifty Shades of Grey, even though everyone and their mother is reading that book.

I liked it, but I felt the story was rushed. I didn't know when I bought it, that the book had only 93 pages.

I didn't really connect to the characters and they seemed more stereotypical than I would have liked.

The change in POV from Rene and Cher was jarring. It wouldn't have been so bad if the author hadn't have done in it the same chapter. In a few instances, the POV changed from first to the third, so yeah.

Still I enjoyed the book and I might have a look at the rest of Ms. Dawning's works.

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The Ballerina Bride by Fiona Harper Mini Review

The Ballerina Bride by Fiona Harper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was really a perfect little book. I thought the author did a good job of making the characters seem real and the romance didn't seem rushed despite the fact that it took place over the course of a week tops. I liked the reality TV premise as reality television is a guilty pleasure of mine, I will not lie. I've always been interested in ballerinas, but I don't know much about the art, so I can't say if it was a valid interpretation of it.

I'm giving it five stars, it was very satisfying and I'm glad that I was so adamant in buying this ebook. It looks like I got my money's worth!

View all my reviews A little quickie after finishing the massive A Storm of Swords. I don't have a lot of words for the third book in the ASOIAF series, except wow. I'm becoming way to addictive to these books and hey tomorrow a new episode comes on! Double dose of goodness!

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Protected by the Prince Mini Review

Protected by the Prince: The Weight of the Crown by Annie West

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I started this while I was waiting in the doctor's office. I quite ignored the fact that I already had a book I was supposed to be reading. But then that's how I roll.

I liked the premise of the book. Plus the I quite liked the name Tasmin. Tasmin herself was pretty interesting and I found myself wanting to know more about her childhood because of a line. I liked Alaric, but his name though. Maybe it's because of recent events online, but the name just wasn't doing it for me. I liked him fine, but his name though. I cringed everytime I read it, but that's not the author's fault. Just personal taste on my part.

Some of the lines were a bit cheesy. Normally I can ignore this and if I'm being honest, I like certain cheesy lines. But these seemed like a bit much for me.

All in all I give the book 3 stars. I enjoyed it, but I thought it could have been better.



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