Book Review: Love the One You're With

Love the One You're With by Emily Giffin

Emily Giffin has done it again. This heartwarming novel plunges straight into the truth about love and what happens when the one you had loved (or thought it was in the past), comes knocking on your door almost a decade later and 100 days too late.

I was glued to this novel and at times found myself rooting for the reunion of two people who were once madly in love, even though I knew that they shouldn't be together. Giffin creates fully developed characters and strong relationships among them. Her scenes are vivid and filled with every detail you could imagine. It is hard not to get lost in Love the One You're With. 

Ellen, a photographer, is living a comfortable life in New York City with her husband Andy. Andy Graham comes from a wealthy family in Atlanta who has accepted Ellen as their daughter. This is something Ellen so dearly loves about the Graham's seeing as she lost her mother when she was much younger. Together though, Andy and Ellen have created a life outside of the "normal" Graham lifestyle that allows them to be young and free, enjoying every moment of their dreams.

Ellen and Andy were married just 100 days when, in the middle of a busy New York City intersection Ellen runs into Leo. Leo is the man Ellen once loved, but was entirely wrong for her. Taking safe haven in a diner down the street, Leo comes to join her and Ellen is forced in that moment to discover a whirlwind of feelings that just about knocks her off her feet.

As the days go by after their chance, or perhaps fateful run-in, Ellen finds herself pondering her feelings for Leo and wishing she could talk with him at any given moment. Then Andy hits Ellen with a bombshell. Although she had known that their moving to Atlanta would come, Ellen never imagined that it would come so quickly. Andy informs Ellen that he's found a great house in the Buckhead area, and his father has offered him a great opportunity to work for the family business. But, there's one thing that is really weighing in on Ellen's decision when deciding if Atalnta is the best choice: Leo.

Things begin to heat up between Ellen and Leo when he offers her an assignment that she can't turn down. The opportunity is great, but she never imagined that while on location she would be working closely with Leo. And she certainly never imagined that she would ever begin to think twice about her marriage.

Ellen is put through a series of emotional tests and dilemmas between herself and her marriage that she must figure out. She must listen to her heart and figure out once and for all if the one she'd left years ago is the one she is meant to be with now.

Rating: ★★★★

Book Review: Hollywood Scandals

Hollywood Scandals by Gemma Halliday

If you read my book review on Fearless in High Heels you know that I 1) love cozies and 2) love Gemma Halliday. The two of those things combined is like heaven on paper. I finished the High Heels series, and decided to download the Hollywood Headlines series when I learned that Felix played an important role in these books. I figured it would be the closest thing to the High Heels series. I haven’t ventured much outside of Gemma Halliday when it comes to the cozy genre, so I’m sure there are many other good cozy authors out there, but I really enjoy Gemma’s writing style.

If you read the High Heels books you know that Felix works for the Informer, a trashy tabloid magazine based out of Los Angeles. Meet lead gossip columnist: Tina Bender. Tina is good at digging up dirt on famous Hollywood celebrities and trashing them in her daily column. She also drives a hot pink scooter, has a crush on a mysterious man whom she has only ever chatted with online, and lives in a senior citizen community with her nearly deaf aunt, Sue. What Tina isn’t good at is making friends; in fact she is best at making enemies and that becomes even more clear when a mysterious caller threatens her life.  

The mystery caller leaves messages threatening to kill Tina because of stories that she has recently printed in her gossip column. Felix, not feeling safe about the situation, takes matters into his own hands and hires Cal (“rent-a-goon”) to follow Tina around and keep her safe. Tina is of course outraged by the situation but finds that she has no choice in the matter. Since talking to the police is out of the question, for fear of losing her gossip informants, she puts on a happy face and deals with it. But, she has her own agenda.  

This is when Tina takes on the task of tracking down her mysterious caller.  With Cal by her side, she is led on a wild goose chase that seems to have no answers or end in sight. Along the way she encounters everyone from sobbing wives to teenage celebrities. While she’s on the case she even digs up some Hollywood dirt that no one ever thought imaginable.  It’s like two mysteries in one!

Tina eventually has to deal with feelings she could never have imagined and situations that are so far out of her control that she could wind up dead if she doesn’t alert the police. The tough girl act seems to be coming to a close when things really heat up and someone close to Tina ends up dead.

There were many similarities between Gemma’s High Heels series and this one. If you were a High Heels reader you’ll notice the similarities right from the start. A lot of the same expressions are used and many of the characters share both the same physical and behavioral characteristics. Cal is a less Mexican version of Ramirez, Cam and Dana share many of the same qualities (ie: blonde, gorgeous, big boobs), and both Maddie and Tina have the same love for In-and-Out Burgers. You’ll also run into Marco and Fernando in this book!

This book is sure to keep you laughing (yes there is LOTS of humor in this book) and guessing all at the same time!

Rating: ★★★★

Book Review: Fifty Shades of Grey

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L James

I consider it quite hard for myself to write a review of Fifty Shades of Grey. Why? Because as much as I wanted to hate this book, I loved it. I loved every minute of it and am sad that the series has come to an end (I finished all 3 in about a total of a week and a half).

I saw people posting on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. about Fifty Shades. I wasn't sure what it was about, but I knew there was a lot of "hype" and criticism surrounding the book. So like I did with Hunger Games, and Twilight I decided I wouldn't read it. Not my type of book. I am used to reading light hearted and fun chick lit novels. I figured Fifty Shades didn't quite fit into that genre. Not to mention the "relationship" the book involved. It just wasn't my thing- no way. No way would I ever read it.

Then it seemed as though everyone around me began reading this book and falling in love with Christian Grey. As much as I like to differ from the crowd and do things my way, I can hardly ignore a book being talked about so much by people who don't even typically read books. After much consideration, and persuading from friends who couldn't put it down, I borrowed the book and proceeded to read the entire thing in about three days.

The writing itself was not incredibly amazing. It's typical fan fiction writing, right up there with Twilight. However, E.L James's character development was beyond superb. By the end of the first book I felt like I'd know Ana for years and she confided in me her secrets about Grey. As much as I wanted to dislike Christian Grey, I couldn't help but love him. Even though I'm embarrassed to admit it, I shed a tear or two for the characters in this book. But, then again, that's what you would do if these were your real friends, right? And that is what James makes you feel.

Meet Ana Steele, an innocent college student who works part-time at a local hardware store and lives with Katherine Cavanaugh. It all starts when Ana's roommate is sick and can't make the interview she has lined up with Christian Grey. Ana gets stuck into attending the interview and that's where it starts.

Clumsy and flustered she stumbles into Grey's office mesmerized by his beauty and nervous. So much so that she asks Grey some embarrassing questions. From there it is a wild chase that will keep you flipping the pages.

Ana's life is forever changed when she learns Grey's secret and she must battle with her feelings for him as well as the future she had always imagined for herself.

If you have reservations about reading this book because of the type of relationship Christian and Ana are involved in-- read it! I almost let this book pass me by entirely because of their physical relationship. I told you, I never read books like this one. After book one, things cool off a bit and the story actually becomes more enjoyable. When you get to the parts of book one where you consider putting it down because it's just too much to handle, keep going! I promise, you're going to love it. If you can look past the physical part of their relationship this story is about two people falling in love, one with a troubled past.

Again, I'm writing this review after finishing all three in the series. I will tell you that book one was my least favorite, with the third being my absolute favorite. But, the second one was wonderful too. They all are!

Rating: ★★★★

Stay tuned for reviews on Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed.

Book Review: Fearless in High Heels

Fearless in High Heels by Gemma Halliday

Gemma Halliday has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I was able to snag the first book in the High Heels series, Spying in High Heels, for free on my Kindle, and the box set of of the first 5 is only $9.99! The High Heels series has been increasing in popularity and even hit the New York Time's Best Seller List. It is now also being published in print format.

The High Heels series is considered a "cozy mystery". For those who are unfamiliar with cozy mysteries, this genre is basically a combination of mystery and chick lit. The main character is usually female and isn't a detective or anything of that sort. The mystery isn't gruesome and it doesn't go into much detail, most readers can figure out who the culprit is before the book ends. Books in this genre usually have the same elements of a chick lit novel: romance, love, fashion, fun, and spunk!

This is a review of the 6th and newest book in the High Heels series, Fearless in High Heels. If you haven't read books 1-5, and the 2 short stories I would suggest reading those first. At the time I don't have those reviews on the site, but you can find a short review of each on my GoodReads shelf.  Although cozy mysteries are often able to be read out of order, I always recommend starting with book 1. However, if you do decide to start reading the 6th book first you'll be okay. The author gives plenty of background information to catch you up and make sense of the story. The only potential problem with reading this book before the others is you'll know how Maddie and Ramirez's relationship progresses. Which, in my opinion, is half the fun of this series!

This book wasn't my favorite in the High Heels series. My favorites were books 1, 2, and 4, but the book did not disappoint. I found, just like the others, that it was hard to put down once I started reading and I wasn't able to figure out who the criminal was. Halliday's books always leave me guessing. Perhaps I'm just not a good mystery solver!

In this book Maddie, shoe designer and wife of a sexy copy, is pregnant. By page 3 we are already knee deep in a bad situation. After being persuaded by best friend Dana and flamboyant Marco to go out for a night on the town, Maddie finds herself face to face with a dead girl in a bathroom stall none the less. The worst part? Maddie and this girl had just been spotted fighting at the bar. Of course Maddie looks like the bad guy and no sooner do we flip the page does LAPD Homicide Detective (sexy copy and husband) Ramirez comes in to assess the situation.

Ramirez spends more time solving this crime then spending time with his wife. Therefore Maddie decides it's time to take matters into her own hands in order to get her husband back. Crime fighting trio Maddie, Marco and Dana are on the case in no time at all and just happen to be on the right path to finding the killer. Along the way they encounter vampires, crazy relatives, and attorneys.

The elements of the other High Heels books are all in the story. Ramirez getting annoyed with Maddie, Maddie poking her nose where it doesn't long, the trio ending up in a poor situation, and Ramirez saving the day as usual.

I'm sad to see that at the current time there isn't another High Heels story out there. According to Halliday's website the 7th book is due out during late summer of 2012. I can assure you I will be reading the next one, I just can't seem to get enough of this quirky cozy mystery series.

Rating: ★★★★

Book Review: Bergdorf Blondes

Bergdorf Blondes by Plum Skyes

I came across this title while reading a friend's blog. She said it was her favorite (in fact, her second time reading it), and I was looking for a  new book to read at the time. Something fluffy, girly, full of love, high fashion and a little New York City glitz. I really believe the title and cover caught my attention. What girl doesn't want to read about Bergdorf's? 

The first attempt didn't go so well. I think I made it to about page 3 before I decided to put it down. After weeks of looking at this book sitting on my Kindle shelf I decided I wasn't going to waste the $6.39 I had paid Amazon for the book and began my second attempt.

I picked it up, pushed through the first three or so chapters, and ended up somewhere just short of not being able to put this book down to eat. 

Just a quick piece of advice: when you get to the "lingo guide" at the end of chapter one, make sure you pay attention. Yes, that "lingo" is actually used throughout the book (PJ= private jet, Beyond= way beyond fabulous, etc.) and I promise it gets worse than that. At that point in the book I rolled my eyes and wasn't sure I'd ever actually be successful at finishing it. I was just about ready to forgo my $6 just so I didn't have to read this nonsense.

Bergdorf Blondes was written by Plum Skyes, which I'm assuming contributed to most of the hype surrounding this book. Plum Skyes has worked at and written for Vogue Magazine as well as been considered an "It Girl" by New York City society. When it comes to this type of lifestyle Plum Skyes knows what she's talking about. This was her first novel, and has since published The Debutante Divorcée. 

I'll start off by saying that this book drops label names more than Gossip Girl.

Meet Moi, the main character of the book who drops a little bit of French here and there and refers to sex as "going to Brazil". She's also best friend's with Julie Bergdorf (heiress of Bergdorf's- the department store). If you've ever wondered what it was like to live as a wealthy Upper East Sider, now is your chance. You'll be introduced to Moi's posse: the New York City Upper East Side "Park Avenue Princesses". Their day to day activities consist of being socialites, finding just the right color blonde for their hair, sleeping with random men, and having more money than one could possibly know what to do with. 

The "princesses" are constantly overwhelmed and stressed with the everyday chores of picking out an outfit, hosting a party, and finding a fiancè just because they are the "hottest fashion accessory". The "princesses" are constantly hopping onto the PJ's (I told you to pay attention to the lingo guide!) of wealthy men on a whim of notice who they have known for less than 24 hours. Then again if you didn't have a career or any responsibility, wouldn't you? 

Moi does have a career, although you can hardly call it that. It is generally tossed to the side so she can de-stress from her highly chaotic life by lying on the pool deck of a resort while attending some international film fest in Europe.

The majority of this book is focused on Moi's love life. If you ask me, it seems like she enjoys being treated poorly by men. But, like any other chick lit novel, it'll leave you smiling at the end- no worries! 

Although there is a lot of nonsense, gossip and frivolous concerns, the book does have an overall good plot, and it will keep you turning the pages. You too will want to know if Moi finds true love and whether her friendship with Julie will weather the storm. 

While this book is no where near award winning material, it makes for a great summer read. Those who've enjoyed Gossip Girl and any other book about the glamorous lives of NYC's wealthy and most popular will be sure to enjoy this one as well. 

Rating: ★★★★