Trevor Whitney was also one of their high school classmates who has been in love with Evelyn for years
357398
Evelyn and Christopher Brandt met in high school and eventually married. 10 years later, Christopher is arrested for embezzlement and Evelyn has no idea what is going on. As his crimes begin to be investigated it is soon discovered that he has been cheating on her for years, perhaps for their entire relationship. She starts to question if anything she believes is really true.

 Trevor Whitney was also one of their high school classmates who has been in love with Evelyn for years. He is carrying tremendous guilt for even feeling this way, but it's compounded by the fact he knew Christopher was cheating and he remained silent.

 I have such mixed emotions about this book. It's a standalone novel (but companion to her book Paper Hearts). Unfortunately some of the characterization simply did not ring true for me - but to be fair, I have never been married to a total narcissist or gotten a divorce. Her Senator husband was just an oddly developed character to me; I can usually find a shred of decency in a character, but he is completely awful - and so, it was difficult to process that she NEVER NOTICED ANYTHING.

 Although I can't give this book rave reviews, I will have to suggest that you read it and decide for yourself. I was given a copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
968791
Billy Anderson is doing a class project with Rebecca Barnes in school, she is in foster care home, he was in a foster care home before Mason, his sister's fiance and his Navy SEAL buddies got involved with getting him out. He had to go there after their mother passed away from cancer, and their father left when his wife was diagnosed with cancer.
The Valentine's Day dance at school was coming up, and he wanted to ask her to go with him, but he was afraid that she would turn him down, as she turned down a few other guys that asked her out. He confides in Mason about Rebecca and suspicions about her needing help with her foster care parents, he calls in his team and together they try to make things better.
This book is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone. I would suggest that you read it as the series, you will get to know how each SEAL came to meet their mates thus far, and how the others have yet to meet their mates. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did! Happy reading.
4667484
Joshua's Island deals with the serious issue of bullying in a realistic way. 13 year-old Joshua has been tormented for three years by the bully squad and the most popular girl in school, Rhonda. At the beginning of the novel, Joshua wants to keep his head down and wait for eight-grade to pass so he can revel in the freedom he hopes high school will bring. He tolerates the name-calling and shoving the bully squad gives him by retreating to his sanctuary after lunch, what he calls the "Island."

Then we meet Eve. Over the summer she was recruited into Rhonda's inner circle and now lives a "fabulous" life as a popular girl. In Science class, however, she is inevitably paired with Joshua. She can only think about all the rumors about him. But when Rhonda forces Eve to cut contact with her two best friends and then, after a seriously bad grade, is forced to study with Joshua. Over the next few weeks she realizes how toxic Rhonda is and slowly befriends Joshua as she is demoted to an outcast.

Over the course of the novel we navigate Eve and Joshua's relationships--with each other, with their friends, with their classmates.

The novel delves into some deep and incredibly important issues that happens everywhere. But it also shows that one friend, one person who will support you no matter what, can change everything.

I would definitely recommend this book to all middle and high school students.
3652319
This book is Amanda and Jordan's story she's a nerd  he's the captain of the football team both want each other but Jordan doesn't do serious relationships he's afraid of ending up like his parents. Lots of angst and drama in this book you will want to yell at Jordan many times and give hugs to Amanda. Two people who are total opposites but inside they truly both need and deserve each other. I love this series minus the fact that both this book and first one end in a cliffhanger. A great teenage book reminds me of 90210 in high school days! 5/5 stars  ****Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Read provided for a voluntarily Advanced Reader Copy of this book ****
4244256
Shane and Van's story is a story of heartbreak, forgiveness and love. Shane Dawson was tormented by small town bullies all through high school. Emotionally tied to the town of Last Chance by familial obligations, Shane made a life for himself as a business owner and respected citizen. He took care of his mother and a kept to himself, except for night's out with his friend Ryan, and occasional trips to Portland to get laid.

Maxwell Sullivan lived a charmed life to the outside world. The high school golden boy who hid his suffering while taking out his anger on small and thin Shane. After graduating high school, Maxwell leaves the town of Last Chance for good and starts a new life as Van. He puts himself through school and establishes a life in LA as an artist. But he lives with regret for all hurtful things he did to Shane. Twelve years later he is called home after his father's death. His mother needs him, but can he forgive her when she can't acknowledge the past or accept her that her son is gay?

Shane and Van run into each other and Van is given an opportunity to apologize for his past actions. Shane doesn't want Van's apology at first, but in time the two men talk things over and realize they have much more in common than they thought and a connection develops between them, in and out of bed.

The chemistry between them is sensual and eye-opening. Van helps Shane discover things he never knew he wanted. Together they burn up the sheets and build a relationship neither expected. But how can they make things work when Shane is tied to Last Chance by his mother's illness and Van has established a life in LA? Each man needs to put painful childhood memories behind him, in order to let go and build a life together.
4933105
Stairs to you by Christy Dilg

4 Stars

Atlanta Reed a musician living the famous lifestyle, she had been singing since she was eight. She loves fast cars and her best friend Dare...her greatest joy is listening to old music. She loved tattoos and every one that she had had great meaning. She had a bad break up from her last relationship and wasn't looking for anyone else. She already was in love with someone although he wasn't aware of it.

Archer Dare Andrews was in love with his best friend Atlanta, they had been best friends since the age of 5, he had the kind of love that defined soulmate, but he never could get up the courage to tell her. They spent most of their time together from listening to old music, him watching her perform, and shared their love of playing video games and racing fast cars at the drag racing track. He loved old cars and had dreams someday of owning one that he could actually race, when one day a beautiful blonde made him an offer he couldn't refuse.

Atlanta and Dare finally let their feelings for each other be known, and in a short amount of time fall deeper in love, when someone from her past does the unthinkable and tragedy strikes it leaves Dare injured and Atlanta in a coma with very little chance of surviving. He tries with everything he has to bring her back..with a stairway only he can see yet not climb can he bring her back, can they find a way to be together again?

I really liked this book as far as the writing and the way it flowed. It definitely didn't end the way I thought it would or hoped it would but the ending was satisfying for me. The whole story definitely tugged at the heart strings and felt so real as far as the feelings portrayed. This is my first read by this author and I will be checking out what else she has.
3530032
They were the Bad Boys of Crystal Lake, a small town in northern Michigan; more brothers than friends. After high school, they went their separate ways:  Mac to New York City, twins Jesse and Jake to the military and Cain to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of making it in the music business.  More than ten years later, the loss of one of their own brings them home to Crystal Lake for the funeral.  After pursuing their dreams in faraway places, will they ultimately discover that what brings them the greatest happiness is in the little town where it all began?

Cain Black certainly didn't intend to find his future happiness at a funeral.  His life at a crossroads, Cain comes home for the first time in ten years to bury one of his best friends.  Cain's band is on the verge of the success they've been chasing but his personal life has put everything in jeopardy thanks to his cheating ex-wife and his writing partner.  He's no angel but his rock star reputation far exceeds his actual exploits.  At heart, he's a one-woman man and loyal to a fault.  When he meets single mom, Maggie O'Rourke and her  six year old son Michael, Cain decides to stick around Crystal Lake for a while.  Those who believe the publicity machines warn him off sweet Maggie, concerned he's only looking for some summer fun.  However, it soon becomes apparent to Cain that the desire he feels for Maggie is deepening into something more permanent and her adorable son has a firm hold on his heart.  He's ready to consider a commitment to them both but if he can't find a way to break down the walls protecting Maggie's wounded soul and convince her to trust him with her secrets, by summer's end it could be Cain who's nursing a broken heart.

Maggie O'Rourke has finally found peace and security in the small town of Crystal Lake.  The residents have warmly welcomed the single mom and, though they know nothing about her life before appearing in their small town, they accept her at face value and hold her in high esteem. With her business and taking care of an active son, Maggie has no time for romance and the wounds of her past keep her from pursuing any kind of a relationship.  But Cain Black is a man who is slowly breaking down the barriers around Maggie's heart.  Will she learn to trust Cain with her heart and, more importantly, her secrets?  Can a small-town mom who guards her privacy ferociously find happiness with a rock singer who has paparazzi trailing him around the world?

I've been a fan of Juliana Stone's writing since the publication of her debut book.  While I love her paranormal stories, I happily followed her into contemporary with The Summer He Came Home and was not disappointed.  I adore bad boys with a heart of gold and Cain is one of my favorites. By the midway point of the book, I was ready to tell Maggie to take a hike and keep him for myself.  But, alas, I also like Maggie and her son.  The bond that connects the three is so strong that I had to relent and let Maggie keep him. :grin::

Stone has a talent for creating a sense of place in her books.  In her Jaguar Warrior series, she made me feel as if I was in the center of a Central American jungle but with The Summer He Came Home, she took me on a journey of nostalgia by transporting me to the summers of my youth.  I grew up on a lake just outside a small Michigan town and know the sights, sounds and smells of a Michigan summer well.  Stone captures them perfectly.

Stone also excels at creating flawed, intriguing characters who readers want to know better.  In this first book of her new series, she introduces us to a cast of characters who we will come to know better in future books.  Already, I'm invested in their stories and can't wait to travel their journeys with them.

~PJ Ausdenmore
The Romance Dish
4953242
Valerie and Tessa might make their homes in the same affluent Boston suburb, but their lives could not be farther apart. Valerie is a single mom, her kindergartner son Charlie the product of a relationship that ended before she could even tell his dad she was expecting a baby. She has worked hard to give Charlie every advantage, putting herself through Harvard Law School, buying a home, and placing him in an exclusive private elementary school. But she knows that no matter how many trappings of suburban success she has managed to amass, she will never quite fit in with the more conventional families whose children attend Charlie's school. Inevitably she will always feel like an outsider.

Tessa, on the other hand, is part of one of those conventional suburban families. She and her successful surgeon husband, Nick, have two preschool-aged children. She recently quit her job teaching literature at Wellesley College to stay home full-time with her kids, but doesn't quite find fulfillment in doing arts and crafts, volunteering at school functions, or preparing home-baked goodies. She is dissatisfied with the very life she has strived so hard to create, and can't quite figure out why.

Valerie's and Tessa's lives come together --- in a manner of speaking --- in the wake of a traumatic event. Charlie, attending a slumber party at a friend's home, accidentally falls into a camp fire and receives serious burns on his face and arm. In the course of a single moment, Valerie's and Charlie's lives change forever. And so does Tessa's, though she doesn't know it yet.

After Charlie is rushed to Mass General Hospital, his burns are treated by Nick, Tessa's husband, the area's premier pediatric surgeon. As Charlie undergoes several rounds of painful surgery and difficult occupational therapy, Valerie and Nick begin spending time together. At first, she convinces herself that he is just being a caring physician. But as Charlie starts to heal and Nick's interest continues to expand, she realizes that she might be falling for him, too.

Emily Giffin's earlier work also dealt with issues of romantic loyalty and infidelity; in HEART OF THE MATTER, she continues to explore the complex factors that lead spouses to stray and to consider what constitutes real love, which is often a messy, complicated, waxing and waning thing. Tessa's and Valerie's stories are told in alternating chapters (Tessa's in first person, Valerie's in third), and Giffin admirably performs the difficult task of making both women --- Tessa genuinely loving but also controlling and suspicious, Valerie vulnerable yet competent --- realistically, humanly flawed yet still sympathetic.

More of a mystery is Nick's motivations, which, since he doesn't get the same kind of focused attention as the women, remain largely unexplored. However, the novel isn't really about Nick; instead, it's a compelling portrait of both the Wife and the Other Woman, as they circle around their own feelings and failures and try to define what love means in their own lives. Common ground might be hard to find, even in a town as small as Wellesley, but it might just turn out that Valerie and Tessa are simply searching for their own versions of the same elusive thing.

Once again, Giffin has adeptly explored the complicated issues of women's inner desires and the inner workings of families. HEART OF THE MATTER, with its focus on young families and established marriages, feels like a more mature novel from Giffin. However, fans will be pleased to know that their favorite author continues to bring a fresh perspective and keen sensitivity to the issues that matter most to them.
3969753
Eight years ago Shane told Caitlin he loved her the night before she left for Harvard. Caitlin returns single and unemployed and hoping to help her family will she be able to pluck up the courage to tell Shane she has always loved him. This was a really good read it was very well written with likable characters I enjoyed it and look forward to checking out the rest of the series. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
3785968
This book is is about two kids who ended up falling for each other but in the process you learn about there personal lives. I feel Eleanor had a hard life growing up and parks life was not so hard. But they enjoyed each others company and the rest you will have to read for your self if your into high school crushes.
2283888
This was my first AJ Pine book and I absolutely loved it!! The characters were frustrating, but relatable; the memories  The Monkees  every time I heard Brynns nickname I started singing my favorite Monkees song in my head; perfect quote from When Harry Met Sally; referencing one of my favorite teen angst movies, 10 Things I Hate About You  this book will invoke lots of happy memories for those of us who grew up in the 70s, 80s and 90s.

Brynn Chandler and James (Jamie) Kingston have been best friends since middle school. Jamie fell for her their junior year in high school, but as is typical of teenage boys  he decided not to tell her. They share one amazing kiss after high school, but circumstances prevent them from acting on it and they agree to never bring it up again.

It appears at least to each other that theyve both moved on and then their 10-year high school reunion happens. Brynn is determined to live out her fantasy with her senior year crush and Jamie is happy in his current relationship, right?!?

Things at the reunion don't go as planned for either of them  I was gasping during the pivotal scene. So to try and give himself a chance  Jamie suggests they go on a 2-week road trip. That was a painful trip as they weren't being completely honest with each other; lots of hurt was brought to the surface and just when you think things will work outwell thats where throwing things at Jamies head come into play.

He decides that Brynn has to reach L.A. to have any hope for a future. Thank goodness for Annie  she was a breath of fresh air and offered sage advice throughout the book.

I have to admit  I wasn't sure this one would play out like I hoped, but in the end they both get what they deserve!

It was an enjoyable read throughout and kept me hooked until the end. Dont miss it!!

Received ARC from the Publisher via Net Galley for an honest review.
3283616
Our story starts out in senior year for both Laney and Kamdyn. They live in Alabama although Laney has just moved there with her dad from New York after her parents divorce. Laney is an average student to Kamdyn the star quarterback and football is like religion down south. When they first meet Laney foent like him because of both his status and his reputation with the girls at school as a player. Kamdyn on the other hand finds it refreshing that she doesn't seem effected my his status a d enjoyed her fiesty attitude. When a dramatic event occurs it brings them closer together. Though they are young you will have to read to see what happens to them over the years. This story is broken down into 3 parts. You have high school, college and after collage. I really love Laney in this book because she is such a strong character and really makes Kamdyn work to get her. A must read you will love it!!!
191058
They were thrown together fly the foster system and it also split them apart. Fast forward years later and Adele is an up and coming DJ and Mickey is a billionaire that happens to own the nightclub that Adele has been dreaming of working at. She gets the job and when Mickey sees her, sparks fly. This is a wonderful story with all kinds of twists, and slightly messed up people that love each other. Oh yeah, let's not forget Joe, Adele's  "adopted" brother that Mickey is extremely jealous of. This is a must read!
1598948
What a crazy story about childhood crushes! Who would think that Valeries childhood crush, Logan, could possibly be harboring feelings for her? Love can be a fickle thing, but Valeries brother can be a whole different obstacle if they choose to explore what this relationship could become. I love Valerie instantly when I began reading this story. I felt like her personality jumps off the pages and her charisma pulls you in. I could not put this book down. I was dragged in by each page I turned and I was dying to see if Logan and Valerie would truly have their happily ever after or not. Definitely two thumbs up and I cant wait to see what else may be in store for these two.
4228533
Imagine that your boyfriend is popular, drop dead gorgeous, crazy about you, athletic and wanted by every girl in high school.  This is the relationship that Lauren has with Dave.  Seems like she should be happy, right?  Wrong.  She's not.  She's in the "perfect" relationship (so everyone thinks), but yet she feels so far from perfect and certainly not happy.  In fact, she feels like a fake.

World History is the class she wants to get out of, however it's also where her story finally begins.  As a new semester starts, Lauren dreads her World History class.  It starts to get interesting when the teacher assigns seating in alphabetical order.  Across from her is Evan Kirkland.  The son of her father's former live-in boyfriend; a relationship that ended very badly.

As Lauren's feelings grow for Evan, she realizes everything she is missing with her boyfriend Dave.  She struggles with keeping up appearances, lying to her best friend, Katie, and understanding these new feelings that Evan has stirred up.  Lauren's mom left the family when she was young and her father has been in and out of numerous relationships.  Now, he's hardly a presence in Lauren's life.  This is also an impact on the triangle of Lauren/Dave/Evan.

Overall, I liked this book.  Katie and Dave were good supporting characters, however I wanted to know more about their lives.  Bloom is a good story about young love, trying to fit in struggling with doing what is expected of you, and discovering who you really are.
1059500
This is a book about the insecurities of youth, falling in love, and family loyalty.

Ethan and Alex are twin boys, seniors in their small Wisconsin-town high school. Alex is bigger, more attractive and smarter than Ethan. By virtue of prenatal complications Ethan almost died at birth, he is developmentally delayed and has cerebral palsy. From his own hard work and constant attention, Ethan is a good student, but he can't walk without his leg braces and arm crutches, while Alex is a star football player, class president and love-em-and-leave-em hook-up artist. Ethan is jealous of his brother's "easy" life, and wishes desperately for a girlfriend. He knows that he'll probably never find a girl to love him, and that's frustrating. He finds one girl in school particularly interesting: Laura, and he spends a lot of time trying to get her attention.

Laura is a high school senior, a bit dumpier than her gorgeous college-aged sister, Nikki. Nikki has never let Laura forget this, either. Their relationship is very strained. One weekend, when Nikki is home visiting from college, she goes out on a date with a hometown boy. She's later found raped in a park, beaten into unconsciousness. Laura is as appalled as her family, and spends hours and days at the hospital, sitting with comatose Nikki.  The only distraction comes when Laura meets Ethan.

While Laura might be a bit skittish of Ethan, she's more trapped in a self-hate spiral. She considers herself fat, and isn't--and never will be--as gorgeous as Nikki, but the attention she receives from Ethan is heady. She wants to be seen as attractive, and finds Ethan to be really charming and cute, and soon forgets all about his leg braces. Ethan's so floored that Laura isn't running as fast as she can in the next direction that he's ecstatic. He and Laura begin to date, on the sly, because Laura doesn't want and scrutiny and Ethan doesn't want to be a spectacle. They are seriously mired (realistically) in their insecurities. I liked that they didn't hold back, and I liked how they worked through their body issues. They have a sweet romance that is fulfilling for both of them--expect sexytimes off the page--and it seems like everything is going great. Well, except that one secret that Ethan learns about a month after dating Laura. And it has everything to do with Nikki and Alex.

I don't want to reveal too much of the plot, so I'm just going to say that this was a really unique story. I loved the honesty of the characters and I loved the inclusion of a CP character, and I really felt a kinship with Ethan, for all his travails. He's had it hard, and I could understand why he kept Alex's secret--because exposure would surely cost him his first love and his brother in one fell swoop.

The family dynamics were so realistically portrayed, with bitter antagonism and sibling rivalry, and overwrought parents and bad decisions. The ending was so good, even if it wasn't all hearts and flowers. Ethan and Laura come to honest terms with each other, and there is hope for each of them to have happiness. Alex and Nikki both have their situation fully resolved, in a way that's not storybook and not fairy tale. All bad situations leave a stain, and Alex and Nikki must bear those marks--some for longer than others. It was interesting how these two--who all would say had it made--really held their own problems so close to the vest, and how the whole scenario changed Alex--for the better it seemed.

I hadn't anticipated the many twists of this book, and that was so refreshing. One niggle for me was the author not knowing that football happens in the fall--only. There were so many references to Alex's football practice and the team competing, and the book was set January-May. So, that irked me, from a reader standpoint. Otherwise, I really enjoyed.
260218
A childhood friend you could never forget but will she fit in Michaels world.  See she is the one who takes pictures of his world to see them for money, a paparazzi.  Her pasts in foster homes come and haunts their relationship and she breaks it off.  Will that keep them apart. Great love story