Reverie is a beautiful love story
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Reverie is a beautiful love story. The type of novel that transports from your kitchen table to olden day hollow Montana. Be carefully not to burn the dinner  because I had trouble putting it down once I picked it up. I easily empathized with the longings and struggles of the characters. I don't want to give away too much about the book, but the writing is vaguely reminiscent of Catherine Cookson's style with less cockney accents. 5 out 5 hemmed handkerchiefs for Christina Yother.
3032979
This is the most beautiful book Ive read in a long time. I fell in love with the three siblings right away and found myself completely invested in their storylines. I tend to rush through books that I enjoy except in the rare instances when I don't want to leave that particular literary world. This book fits into the latter. I wanted to savor this book. When I turned that last page I found myself daydreaming about the characters, eager for more. This will likely be my top read of 2018.
664124
Do you ever read those books that make you want to travel the world or wish you had a hidden talent to explore? That is exactly what I felt when I finished this book. THIS LOVE by Hilaria Alexander whisked me away and I have been bit by the wanderlust bug. I need a one way ticket to Amsterdam! This story was a beautiful tale of love, life, choices, and music. I loved how Hilaria was able to seamlessly weave those themes together to create a story that was captivating.
THIS LOVE features two musicians who fall in love and their choices. I loved reading books about people who are connected on a different level, one where a hobby or mutual love and respect comes into play. Ella and Lou have an instant connection through music that grows into something profound and life changing. Their relationship is lovely to watch unfold. I loved watching Ella learn to let her misgivings go and to embrace what they had for however long they might have it. Lou is enamored with Ella and watching him woo her is so sweet. Their love story seemed deeper because they had such a connection, one that was mixed with passion and love.
I appreciated that Ella is a strong heroine in this story, albeit sometimes a bit too headstrong. She is younger than Lou (not too crazy of an age gap) but she is independent and bright. Ella is a free spirit trying to find her purpose in life and leave the drama of the past in the past. I loved how she matures and grows into herself. She finds a passion that was long forgotten, but that passion has developed into something living and breathing in her soul. This story might be primarily a love story but watching Ella mature, make hard decisions, and fall in love with what she had to leave behind, well it makes the story that much more powerful.
Every person in this story is important. The secondary characters create a mismatch family for Lou and Ella, giving them the support, love, and stability they need. These many characters enhance the story, never taking center stage, but instead helping the main characters develop in their emotions, actions, and life. The interactions between the people we meet in the pages of this book are necessary and impact the main characters.
After reading this book, I feel the need to grab my passport, find an airline ticket, and leave for destinations unknown. This book will make you smile, cause you to hear the music around you, and inspire you to seek an adventure, both an inner journey and to a final destination. Dont miss this adventure of a book!
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Rhapsody in Paris by Ju Ephraime is a 2014 Envision publication.  I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This a the story of a the whirlwind romance of Franchesca and Damon.  For Franchesca it's  a literal meaning to falling in love.  While jogging she falls and Damon comes to her rescue.  A mix up at the hospital puts Franchesca in Damon's care until she recovers enough to get around on her own.
Damon is quite well off and had a full staff on hand to cater to Franchesca's every whim. But, Damon is fighting off a massive attraction to this woman he had only just met and the feeling is mutual.  However, Damon has some baggage to unpack before he can embark on a relationship with someone and this could  break the couple apart before they ever really got off the ground.

This story is like a  fantasy we have all indulged in from time to time.  A change meeting, an instant attraction, Paris,  and the security of living a comfortable and safe life with the man you have always dreamed of . .
While the couple had a few hurdles in their way, they are able to put the past behind them and forge a future together. Damon  in particular deserves this as he has been treated very badly in the past.
There were a few plot issues here and there that should be tweaked  unless there are some processes you don't have to go through is some countries  that you do in most areas of America.  But, it was as I said before , a glamorous fantasy that is simply dreamy.  I enjoyed being carried away to the most romantic place you can imagine and living vicariously through Franchesca.

  This is the last book in the LaCasse series,  but this can be read as a stand alone.  Ju Ephraime is known for her high heat roman
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Im not sure what I can I tell you about Ill Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson other than the minute you can get your hands on this book please do so but Im going to try and tell you why I loved this beautiful story.

Ive been anxiously awaiting the next project from Ms. Nelson if you know me, you know that The Sky is Everywhere is among my absolute all-time favorite reads, so saying I had high expectations for this story would be an understatement.

Ill Give You The Sun is told from two different perspectives and two different timelines. We first meet Noah at the young age of 13 hes struggling with who he is and who he thinks he should be. He doesnt fit into the space in his family that he feels he should not like his sister who is outgoing and sporty and normal. Art is his solace and something that allows him to form a bond with his mother, something that he doesnt have with his father. But hes also harboring a secret that he is afraid to talk about. The only thing pushing him through his days right now is the promise of attending the local private art school.

When chapter two rolls around you will already be hanging on every word Jandy has put on the page. But it pushes us ahead 3 years, and we meet Jude the sister. Shes not just any sister though, she and Noah are twins. And at the age of 16 they are shells of the people they were when we first met them at age 13. Jude, struggling in art school and with life in general has taken to hiding behind oversized clothing, living by the wisdom her dead grandmother left her in her bible and carrying on conversations with her dead relatives.

As the story unravels with each chapter  we learn about devastating losses, broken hearts, broken promises, jealousy and anger. But we also get to experience moments of love and laughter and hope and healing.

As usual the characters that Nelson has created jump off the pages they are so complex and layered and the words weave back and forth culminating in such a rich and brilliantly compelling story.

And the words!! I wanted to roll around in the beautiful, amazing words!

All right then. He walks up to me, close, so close I could reach up and trace his scars with my finger if I wanted to. Theyre like two hastily sewn seams. And I see that his brown eye has a splash of green in it and the green one a splash of brown. Like Cezanne painted them. Impressionist eyes. And his lashes are black as soot, exquisite. Hes so close I could run my fingers through his shiny , tangly brown hair, run them across the faint spidery wrinkles that fan out at his temples, across the dark worrying shadows beneath. Across his red satiny lips. I don't think other guys lips are this red. And I know their faces aren't this colorful, this vivid, this lived in, this superbly off-kilter, this brimming with dark, unpredictable music. 

There is so much I want to say about this story but I don't want to say too much so Ill stop here. If you're looking for an emotional, passionate, thought-provoking story, this is the book for you. Definitely put this on your must-have list for the fall!
95744
It's such a beautiful tale of awakening desire turned to echoing love...  and of formative memories that remained with the two sensitive, intellectual main characters (Elio and Oliver) throughout their lives.  The novel is superb.  The description of the tug o' war of emotions Elio goes through as he matures into accepting himself and his desires was phenomenally accurate.  I highly recommend this story to anyone who appreciates the convergence of mind, heart and body as applied to human connections.
4823442
She's done it again. Reached into my brain and grabbed all of my hopes, dreams, desires, fears and wrapped them all up in this beautiful story. Quinlan was a strong gem and I loved her from the start. Hawkin was hot, sexy and bad but took me a little longer to fall in love with him because I didn't want him hurting my Q. And the rest of the band members were incredible too. I want to see more of them. Kristy weaves such a vivid picture of the band in this book that I want to go see them in concert - that's how real they felt. Beautiful story that stole my heart.
2835509
I can't rave enough about how much I loved LIVE by Mary Ann Rivers. Every word written seems beautiful, poignant,... magical. *sigh* Few authors tell a love story that touches my heart the way she does, first in The Story Guy and now in LIVE.

Ms. Rivers' writing style is masterful. I am typically impatient with too much descriptive details and find myself skimming. They are usually written like observations clinically reported. But Ms. River's style is more intimate, she expresses raw emotions and reactions, what a person actually experiences on every level in a situation. As a reader I felt it too, sensed it, was absorbed in the character's world.

Her heroine, Destiny Burnside, has lived her whole life in her small town in Ohio. She has lost both parents and more recently a job she loved so she clings dearly to the love, familiarity and stability she has there among her siblings, friends and neighbors. She is at a turning point in her life, feeling empty, missing something, but can't imagine her life anywhere else. She is care-giving and nurturing by nature with her family and this is what gives her a strong sense of self. She spends her days in the public library searching for jobs and watching the most beautiful man she's ever seen as he works on restoring the wood-carved panels in the library.

Her hero, Hefin Thomas, "The Woodcarver" has also noticed and admired Destiny each day as he quietly goes about his work. However, he is longing to go back home to Wales to find his center again and will only be in the states until his project at the library is complete. He already feels broken by the failed relationship with his wife, the American woman he came to the states to be with, and does not want to leave with any more regrets. His sense of honor keeps him from being the kind of man to have casual relationships so he tries to ignore his attraction to Destiny and succeeds until he sees her crying and can't stop himself from comforting her.

The attraction between Hefin and Destiny is very strong. They decide they would rather have this time in their lives together to cherish even if it is fated to be short lived. They are both very sensual and passionate people who love deeply, loyally and feel at their best when they are able to spend time with and lavish their attentions on the people they love. You really feel how perfectly they connect and understand each other on a level even more intimate than just their sexual relationship, how they both want their relationship to be forever, and their anguish in knowing they will soon be oceans away from each other. Both have always been the unselfish kind to give rather than take and don't know how to ask or even truly feel right wanting someone else to sacrifice for them. Both have so many reasons to be where the other is not, yet find their "home" is with one another. Their dilemma is heart-wrenching, and so beautifully, beautifully written by Ms. Rivers. My heart was breaking for these two right up until the end and then there was a wonderful twist. An epiphany brought on by loving friends and family that caused tears of joy to run down my face as these two "geese" found their perfect HEA.

~Complimentary copy received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
1127842
ARC Received from NetGalley for honest review.

Jay has never once disappointed me before and she isn't starting to disappoint me now!

What an absolutely beautiful story!  From start to finish this has been one of the most enjoyable reads I have read in a while.

Jay has an ability to write a beautiful love story no matter what kind of characters she is working with however this is probably by far my favorite couple she has ever created.  She has gone above and beyond your typical love story and created something with so much heart and depth that it is almost mind boggling.  You often read this stories and find yourself daydreaming about being the main character yourself and there isn't doubt in my mind that I will be doing this for a long time to come.

This was a story that in some ways has been done before but Jay has made it just that much better by putting her typical original spin on things.  The inner struggle of both characters was very intriguing to read and was done in such a way that you are able to feel all of their emotions.  It is almost as if you have been sucked into their world and are experiencing everything for yourself.

The writing was flawless and flowed effortlessly and will keep you completely absorbed all the way through.  I typically read any Jay McLean book in one sitting and this one was no different.

I absolutely devoured this story and would love to see a story about Blake and Chloe's life adventures as they grow together.
2016042
I love stories about first loves. I love stories that go from past to present. And we all know I love Renee Carlinos writing. I read Sweet Thing when it first came out and have been a huge fan ever since. This book had so many elements that I loved  and one huge thing that really irked me, but even with the issue I had, it was still a beautiful, emotional and captivating read that I would recommend.

Grace and Matts story spans 15+ years. I would say close to half the book is written from the past, and the other half, the present. Im not going to lie- I loved the past chapters. Watching Matt and Grace fall in love, seeing their younger, free spirit and artistic selves made my heart happy. All the past scenes were fantastic. Matt and Grace became fast friends their senior year at college. Matt is a photography major, and Grace majors in music where she plays the cello. Their fast friendship quickly turns into more. Their breakfast for dinner, impromptu photoshoots, concerts, and all around fun times show a happy and completely in love couple.

When it comes time for graduation, things become difficult. Matt has a once in a lifetime opportunity to intern with National Geographic for the summer. And be away from Grace for months. And Grace has an opportunity to travel with an orchestra for a year and a half. Their lives are going in different directions, but both are determined to stay together.

Fast forward 15 years.

There were things I loved about the present as well. Aside from the miscommunication, it was great to see Grace and Matt reconnect again. They are both endearing characters. I love how they both never had anything like their first love. Their love for each other. Its a romantic concept. Falling fast and hard and never truly moving on from the first love, the love of your life. Throughout the book, I rooted for these two. I desperately wanted them to have their happy ending.

If you're looking for a fantastic first love story, a second chance romance story, a friends to lovers story, or a beautifully emotional story- Before We Were Strangers is the book for you. Renee Carlinos writing and character development is wonderful. The end left me with a happy heart and a smile on my face.
3414966
Prelude was a beautifully written story about love lost, found and rediscovered. It makes you believe in second well deserved chances. It is passionately crafted and I found it easy to relate to. It is also a story of inner strength and not settling for anything less than one deserves. It makes you reconsider life and encouraged self-love and discovery. I absolutely loved Lina's story and I enjoyed this book immensely. There were so many emotions I felt reading it and some characters I wish she'd kill off. The last few chapters took a sudden turn and wasn't what I expected at all. It had me hanging on the edge of my seat and concluding it, left me thirsting for more. It's hard to believe this is Auden's debut and I know that I will be waiting to see more from this author.
3947004
Once again Shauna Allen has kept me up way into the night reading because I simply could not put down this book. I was so caught up in this sweet, beautifully written, second chance love story of how Tristan and Darby, both with wounded, aching hearts find their way back to each other as adults after being separated as teenagers. CUPID'S LAST STAND is the fourth and last installment in The Cupid Chronicles series and I haven't had a chance to read all of the others yet, but I can assure you this one was a pleasure.

The story begins with an earthquake shaking up Darby and her quiet little Arizona town creating a need to tear down those old stubborn walls and build something new. Just like Darby needed to make some changes in her own life, take back control and get out from under the sorrow and grieving from her past. Tristan too was at a place for making a fresh start. He's been left at the altar which merely confirms to him his long held belief he is unlovable and anyone he cares about will eventually leave him when they realize this. When he hears of the extensive damage caused by the earthquake back in New Destiny, his heart (and the influence of a certain angel in the love detail) leads him to the small town to offer his help. New Destiny is where he first met Darby as a sixteen year old boy and fell completely in love.

When they meet again after ten years of each of them believing the other didn't care enough to keep the promises they made to each other, the fire and attraction between Tristan and Darby is just as strong as ever. At first they're angry and their wounded emotions get in the way, but circumstances and their intense desire for each other draw them together again and again until they finally talk things out. Discovering things weren't quite as they seemed helps in getting over the hurt of the past, but that is not the only thing between them. Darby is committed to her life in New Destiny and Tristan is headed to California to fulfill his lifelong dream of owning his own motorcycle shop. Seems they are destined for a short, blissful time together only to be separated again.

Darby is a beautiful, strong woman focused on making a success of her family's a construction company. She carries on despite a chronic illness, an unsupportive mother, and still grieving the recent death of her father. There's so much to admire about her.

I have to say, Tristan was a such a hot, sexy, swoon-worthy hero, and not shy about his feelings for Darby. Not as a teenager and not as an adult. The letters he wrote to her when they were separated brought tears to my eyes. He lays it all on the line, only to get no reply...

As I said, I could not stop reading. I had to know how they worked it out. Had to know that Tristan could finally recognize he not only could be loved, deserved to be loved, but that he was loved. I had to know that Tristan realizes he's found something special with Darby that just may be a once in a lifetime thing. Twice. I had to know that he man's up! I knew it would happen, because Shauna Allen does not disappoint if you are looking for a love story that will make you laugh and touch your heart and leave you feeling like you've had your own HEA when the story is finished.

In Cupid's Last Stand she not only shares with us Tristan and Darby's love story, she also gives us a secondary story. Ryan, one of the friends Tristan brings along with him to work on rebuilding the town falls hard for Kai, Darby's best friend. Fortunately for Ryan Kai is just as smitten with him. Of course, they also had their troubles to overcome before they could be together, but that only added to the richness and enjoyment of this wonderful story as a whole. Loved this book! I recommend it to anyone with even just a tiny romantic bone in their body. 4.5 stars.

~Complimentary copy received in exchange for a honest review.
1560652
Something about John Dreamer is actually very dreamlike. The novel gave me the kind of feelings that one experiences by being out in the moonlight on a warm summer night or floating in a space between alertness and sleep. Although it is a quick read, it's a beautiful story.

And I absolutely love the title.

The Great White Room is a wonderful setting - the exact medium between something believable and something simply in, well, dreams. From Andy's first moments awaking in this mysterious place, it absolutely captivated me. It's one of those places where anything seems possible. Where readers can actually believe that forms of magic exist, even outside the world of the story. After all, there's always a possibility any one of us can wake up in a white room with seven different chairs, isn't there?

I absolutely loved the way that the dreams were fulfilled, as all of the room occupants had to be tested in their own way, some exciting and grandiose and others personal and emotional. Experiencing these really helped better get into the minds and the lives of the characters, especially since there was not a whole lot of time to get to know them with the And Then There Were None or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory kind of mentality.

Speaking of the characters, I thought they were done incredibly well. Each of them had completely unique personalities, which made the experience of them together in the room much more enjoyable to read about. From the dreamy John D. Reamer to the mysterious and intriguing (not to mention quite funny) Guardian, the characters really added to the already unique plot.

Although I did thoroughly enjoy reading John Dreamer, I thought that some of the pacing was a bit quick. For a moment, it felt like dreams were just being fulfilled left and right. This made the relationships seem a little fast as well. They all seemed to be very close even though they didn't spend very much time together. Given, I've never experienced any love at first sight, so I might just not know what I'm talking about. Still, I would have enjoyed seeing the growth of their relationships or possibly a bit more conflict or obstacles in fulfilling the dreams.

All in all, John Dreamer is an enchanting novel. It's a read that can be quickly knocked out, and will most likely be enjoyable to fans of Young Adult, especially those who like a blend of contemporary and fantastical ideas.
2445862
I knew from the blurb that it would be about a marriage in trouble and I love this trope in romance but I haven't read many books dealing with it so far. What I didn't know was the cause of the marriage troubles. It touched me very deeply and this beautifully written story had a very strong emotional effect on me.

The story is told in the careful, sensual style of writing of Ms Florand that we know from her other works. What sets this story apart is the profound sadness and pain. Kai's (the heroine) sense of guilt, her inability to deal with the tragedy which struck her marriage was overwhelming.

It a story of two people who love each other very much and who are trying to find the way back to each other after experiencing the worst kind of pain and loss. They are lost in a world of snow and work slowly to rediscover the possibility for Christmas joy and most importantly, hope for the future. Kai and Kurt reconnect first physically presented in exquisitely sensual and intense love scenes. Their true coming together involved some painful confessions and ultimately forgiveness. Kai and Kurt rediscover their love, why and how they love each other.

Despite the short format of the book, we see real growth and development of the characters - the time apart has changed them both and this change makes it possible for them to be together again. Things cannot go back to the way they were before, their loss is irreversible but they can try to find something new and good for them both.

I fell so in love with the characters that I didn't really want their story to end. Since Ms Florand doesn't give us a definite HEA or an epilogue, I wrote one for myself in my head and it's beautiful and magical, just what Kai and Kurt deserve.

I had a minor issue with the names, not liking either Kai or Kurt but when the review in Dear Author brought to  may attention the connection with the Snow Queen fairytale and Kai, the boy with the piece of glass in his eye and in his heart making him unable to love, it all made sense. I can't believe I missed the connection. This adds yet another dimension to a story which is already complex and multi-layered.

This is one of my favourite books of Ms Florand and one of the best I've read this year. I can recommend it to everyone but beware it will break your heart before putting it back together.

You can read more of my reviews on my blog - [...]
4565619
DANCING WITH FATE IS A BEAUTIFUL AND MAGICAL LOVE STORY BY AUTHOR, HYWELA LYN.  I LOVE HOW SHE COMBINES 2 LEGENDS, GREEK MYTHOLOGY AND WELSH LEGENDS TO CREATE THE PERFECT LOVE STORY.  I LOVE TERPSICHORE AND MYRDDIN.  BOTH WERE SO FULL OF LIFE AND STRENGTH.  EVEN THOUGH TERPSICHORE IS A GODDESS, I THOUGHT MYRDDIN HAD HIS OWN MAGIC.  THEY WERE MEANT TO BE TOGETHER AND WOULD SACRIFICE THEIR LIFE FOR THE OTHER.  I WAS DEFINITELY DRAWN INTO THIS MAGICAL LOVE STORY BY THE AUTHOR.  IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL AND MADE ME STILL BELIEVE IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT AND SOUL MATES.  TERPSICHORE AND MYRDDIN'S LOVE WAS SO REAL AND BELIEVABLE.  YOU NEVER DOUBTED IT.  THERE WAS CONSTANTLY ACTION GOING ON THROUGHOUT THE STORY UNTIL THE VERY END  I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU READ THIS AMAZING LOVE STORY.
1422150
Breathtakingly beautiful writing, a swoon-worthy whirlwind romance, and characters that stealthily burrow their way into your heart  Racing the Sun by Karina Halle has all the makings of an unforgettable and hopelessly romantic love story. Fans of Karina Halle will recognize protagonist Amber MacLean as Gemmas shy and unassuming cousin from Where Sea Meets Sky, but Racing the Sun presents a new opportunity for Amber, one in which she follows her heart and takes control of her own destiny. Every page of the story is filled with vivid descriptions that brought the story to life in front of my eyes, making me feel as though I were traipsing alongside Amber as she explored the island of Capri. Halle's writing is pure poetry, weaving a tale of adventure and romance with the perfect paradisiacal backdrop.

I remember Amber being quiet and easygoing when we were first introduced to her character in Where Sea Meets Sky so I was pleasantly surprised to see a different side of her in Racing the Sun  one that's confident, independent, and spunky. Its not an exciting prospect being in a foreign country and running low on money so I admired her spirit when it came to finding and accepting a job as caretaker to two rambunctious children and their handsome, but troubled older brother, Desiderio Larosa. The moment Amber met her broody employer, I immediately likened the story to Beauty and the Beast, so I had to laugh when Amber echoed my musings shortly after taking the job. Her "inner nerd" called to my not-so-inner nerd, further cementing her likability factor.

With the delicious temptation of a sexy Italian in close quarters, I assumed the author would delve right into a romance between Derio and Amber. Their relationship, however, is more professional than romantic for a good portion of the narrative, thanks in large aprt to Derios standoffishness. While Amber is friendly and charmingly sincere with a pleasant disposition that's incredibly inviting, Derio is much more mysterious and slow to trust. Hes surly and world-weary in a way that prevents others from getting close to him, but there's something compelling about his story that drew me in and made me want to learn more about the man behind the gruff faade. Theres an undeniable spark between Derio and Amber, although it took eons (slight exaggeration) for them to act on their attraction  a fact that I both loved and loathed. Luckily, the author more than made up for lost time.

Amber and Derio aren't perfect. This is a fact that we become well acquainted with over the course of the narrative. These characters have flaws and they make mistakes, but I appreciated getting to discover their strengths and their weaknesses because it made them more relatable. So much of what happens in the story is beyond the scope of what I myself have experienced to so it was nice to be able to connect with Amber and Derio on a baser level. Their romance may be fun and flirty, but it also packs just enough of an emotional punch to throw in some obstacles along their road to happily ever after. Racing the Sun is a modern day fairy tale about discovering yourself, facing your fears, and living life to the fullest and I enjoyed every moment of Ambers incredible journey.

*complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
754054
Beautiful love story, great chemistry from the two leads and some very spooky moments