I know I’m all about the months going fast and whatever, but where did July go. Sure, work has dragged for the past week, but I feel like the actual month has flown by. It’s crazy stuff really. I’ve also decided to skip what I’ve been reading, since that appears each week in my Sunday Summaries. I hate to spam you with stuff that is unnecessary. This is a feature which can evolve though, so who knows what next month will hold?
So Here are My Monthly Tunes To Get You Through This Post
What I’ve been reading Around The Internet
In Case You Missed It
J.K. Rowling – 7 Books
Jane Austen – 6 Books
Meg Cabot – 10 Books
Cecilia Ahern – 5 Books
Sarah Dessen – 6 Books
Sarra Manning – 6 Books
Jennifer Echols – 6 Books
Jennifer Crusie – 12 Books
Rainbow Rowell – 4 Books
Sophie Kinsella – 4 Books
I read four books this week. I feel that is pretty good. Two of them fit the sex part of the readathon and embody the whole #letsgetiton hashtag, the other two were fun reads which touched on sex but were basically light easy YA reads which were quite refreshing after the NA binge I’ve had in the past few weeks. I enjoyed all the books which I’ve read, it’s been an enjoyable week, although I did start to get worried by the middle of the week that I just wasn’t reading book which fit into the #sexmeupreadathon theme, and I also wasn’t reading many of the books on my reading list. Then I remembered that this is meant to be for fun and that I’ve never been able to stick to set schedule on reading, so why stress?
It’s been a fun week with some great posts over on the Sex Me Up Readathon page. I’ve discovered bloggers whom I might never have heard of without this and it’s been refreshing to say the least. It was so nice to read posts from people I don’t read all the time, and to find bloggers who don’t stick to the same YA books that I often see on blogs (not that I’m complaining, but variety is the spice of life) so it has been refreshing.
This week has also made me think about myself as a reader. I know what kind of reader I am. I am a binge reader that gets completely absorbed in a book, a world, a series, or a genre. I am all or nothing with my reading. I binge and I read quickly. I f a book lasts more than a couple of days I feel my attention waning. I am not a planner, but an impulsive reader, I get a book in my mind and I have to read it. These are not the things I’ve realised, it’s more my views on readers and reading that have changed. I know I can be quite a judgmental person when it comes to reading and books, I try not to be, I am making a conscious effort to remember not to judge a person by the books they read. I’d dread to think of the conclusions people might reach about me if they did that to me. It’s certainly something I have gotten over now, but when I first began reading again a couple of years ago, when I’d finished uni, I was quite judgemental, even of myself.
This week I’ve read some fabulous posts by numerous people and they have all reminded me of one simple thing. I should not be embarrassed about what I’m reading, and I shouldn’t care or judge what others are reading. We all have genres and books which we enjoy to read, even if others don’t like them. We should not have to hide books we read for fear of being judged by others. I happen to enjoy new adult books, despite the clichés, the oft predictable storylines, and the sometimes poor characterisations and relationships which appear in them. I don’t mind people knowing that. I am also a sucker for romance novels, like the ones which would not be bodice rippers, but they are definitely of the steamier variety. I’m okay with people knowing that. I often tried to hide it, but I don’t know why anymore.
I have also realised that these books which I am reading, there are plenty of other people reading the same things, I am not alone. Since I have spent such a long time being a bit embarrassed by what I read, as it is not serious and highbrow, I forgot that others read the books that I do. Probably because I did not talk about these books to others, so they could not mention their thoughts or if they had read them too. Anyway, it has been nice to see others reading the books I have not previously mentioned to others. To remember I am not alone in the books I read and get to discuss them with others.
Anyway, I hope you have all enjoyed the readathon and that you have remembered that sex is not a thing to be embarrassed by, and that a healthy attitude to sex is needed, something I think is often forgotten.
Finding It – Cora Carmack
Series: #3 Losing It
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Sometimes you have to lose yourself to find where you truly belong...
Most girls would kill to spend months traveling around Europe after college graduation with no responsibility, no parents, and no-limit credit cards. Kelsey Summers is no exception. She's having the time of her life . . . or that's what she keeps telling herself.
It's a lonely business trying to find out who you are, especially when you're afraid you won't like what you discover. No amount of drinking or dancing can chase away Kelsey's loneliness, but maybe Jackson Hunt can. After a few chance meetings, he convinces her to take a journey of adventure instead of alcohol. With each new city and experience, Kelsey's mind becomes a little clearer and her heart a little less hers. Jackson helps her unravel her own dreams and desires. But the more she learns about herself, the more Kelsey realizes how little she knows about Jackson
Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth."
"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....
"I dare you..."
If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....
Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.
But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....
Series: #1 Beautiful
Genre: Romance, New Adult
INTENSE. DANGEROUS. ADDICTIVE.
Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.
Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby wants—and needs—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match
An ambitious intern. A perfectionist executive. And a whole lot of name calling.Well, I’ve heard good things. Everyone is talking about it for this readathon, so why not right?
Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He's exacting, blunt, inconsiderate—and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard.
Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family's massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who'd been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative—completely infuriating—creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumors, he's never been one for a workplace hookup. But Chloe's so tempting he's willing to bend the rules—or outright smash them—if it means he can have her. All over the office.
As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they're willing to lose in order to win each other.
Tempting The Best Man – Jennifer L Armentrout
Series: #1 Gamble Brother
Genre: Erotic Romance, New Adult
A sexy category romance from Entangled's Brazen imprint...I liked Wait For You, so I figured why not venture into some of her other books? This one sounds like it will be a funny read, with some steamy and some ridiculous scenarios which will be very reminiscent of all chick-flicks ever made, I cannot wait.
She'll make him lose control...
Madison Daniels has worshipped her brother's best friend since they were kids. Everyone thinks she and Chase Gamble would make the perfect couple, but there are two major flaws in their logic. 1) Chase has sworn off relationships of any kind, and 2) after blurring the line between friends and lovers for one night four years ago, they can't stop bickering.
Forced together for her brother's wedding getaway, Chase and Madison decide to call a truce for the happy couple. Except all bets are off when they're forced to shack up in a tacky 70’s honeymoon suite and survive a multitude of "accidents" as the family tries to prove their "spark" can be used than for more than fighting. That is, if they don't strangle each other first…
A sexy, romantic read from the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Someone to Love. When coed Ally Monroe literally falls into the arms of a tattooed bad-boy one summer night, she can't seem to let go. Morgan Jordan is everything Ally doesn't want—he's a playboy from a blue collar background, and Ally's looking for upper-class stability. Though their relationship starts off as a one-night stand, once Ally learns Morgan is her best friend's brother, there's no escaping him . . . or the growing fire between them. As Ally and Morgan become closer, they confront bitter enemies, his sister's disapproval, and paths pulling them in different directions at summer's end. The second book in the bestselling Someone to Love series proves that in love and passion, sometimes two wrongs do make a right
Series: #1 New York Leopards
Genre: Romance, New Adult, Sports Romance (don’t ask, saw it on goodreads)
Sexual Rating: medium
My Rating:
When post-grad Rachael Hamilton accidentally gate-crashes a pro-athlete party, she ends up face-to-face with Ryan Carter, the NFL's most beloved quarterback.
While most girls would be thrilled to meet the attractive young millionaire, Rachael would rather spend time with books than at sporting events, and she has more important things to worry about than romance. Like her parents pressuring her to leave her unpaid publishing internship for law school.
But when Ryan's rookie teammate attaches himself to Rachael, she ends up cohosting Friday-night dinners for half a dozen football players.
Over pancake brunches, charity galas and Alexander the Great, Rachael realizes all the judgments she'd made about Ryan are wrong. But how can a Midwestern Irish-Catholic jock with commitment problems and an artsy, gun-shy Jewish New Englander ever forge a partnership? Rachael must let down her barriers if she wants real love—even if that opens her up to pain that could send her back into her emotional shell forever.
"You have to teach your heart and mind how to sing together…then you'll hear the sound of your soul."
Mia Kelly thinks she has it all figured out. She's an Ivy League graduate, a classically trained pianist, and the beloved daughter of a sensible mother and offbeat father. Yet Mia has been stalling since graduation, torn between putting her business degree to use and exploring music, her true love.
When her father unexpectedly dies, she decides to pick up the threads of his life while she figures out her own. Uprooting herself from Ann Arbor to New York City, Mia takes over her father's café, a treasured neighborhood institution that plays host to undiscovered musicians and artists. She's denied herself the thrilling and unpredictable life of a musician, but a chance encounter with Will, a sweet, gorgeous, and charming guitarist, offers her a glimpse of what could be. When Will becomes her friend and then her roommate, she does everything in her power to suppress her passions-for him, for music-but her father's legacy slowly opens her heart to the possibility of something more.
A "heartbreaking and romantic" (Aestas Book Blog) debut, Sweet Thing explores the intensity and complexities of first love and self-discovery.
Faking It – Cora Carmack
Series: #2 Losing It
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Sexual Rating: Steamy
My Rating:
Mackenzie “Max” Miller has a problem. Her parents have arrived in town for a surprise visit, and if they see her dyed hair, tattoos, and piercings, they just might disown her. Even worse, they’re expecting to meet a nice, wholesome boyfriend, not a guy named Mace who has a neck tattoo and plays in a band. All her lies are about to come crashing down around her, but then she meets Cade.
Cade moved to Philadelphia to act and to leave his problems behind in Texas. So far though, he’s kept the problems and had very little opportunity to take the stage. When Max approaches him in a coffee shop with a crazy request to pretend to be her boyfriend, he agrees to play the part. But when Cade plays the role a little too well, they’re forced to keep the ruse going. And the more they fake the relationship, the more real it begins to feel
Good girls don't steal.
Good girls don't visit sex shops.
Good girls don't have one-night stands.
For Katie Conners, being a good girl just isn't worth it anymore. It used to mean getting the life she always wanted. But that was before she got dumped and her ex got engaged to his rebound. So, after a bad day and one too many mojitos, Katie starts making a list of things a girl like her would never do, not in a million years . . .
As a tattoo artist with a monster motorcycle, Chase Trepasso isn't the kind of guy you bring home to mom and dad.
And when he finds Katie's list in a bar, he's more than happy to help her check off a few items. Especially the ones on the naughtier side . . .
Katie's more than tempted by Chase's offer, as long as they keep things uncomplicated. But as they spend more time together, she may just wind up breaking the most important rule of all: Good girls don't fall in love with bad boys
Series: #1 The Ivy Chronicles
Genre: Romance, New Adult
Sexual Rating: sexy with some mild steamy
My Rating:
Before she goes after the life she’s always wanted, she’s about to find the one she needs.
Pepper has been hopelessly in love with her best friend’s brother, Hunter, for like ever. He’s the key to everything she’s always craved: security, stability, family. But she needs Hunter to notice her as more than just a friend. Even though she’s kissed exactly one guy, she has just the plan to go from novice to rock star in the bedroom—take a few pointers from someone who knows what he’s doing.
Her college roommates have the perfect teacher in mind. But bartender Reece is nothing like the player Pepper expects. Yes, he’s beyond gorgeous, but he’s also dangerous, deep—with a troubled past. Soon what started as lessons in attraction are turning both their worlds around, and showing just what can happen when you go past foreplay and get to what’s real…
In the game of love…
Dumped by her college boyfriend for her best friend, the last thing Jenna Brandt needs to deal with is working beside her backstabbing-BFF's hotter-than-hot brother. But when he offers her a chance to get some revenge on her ex, she can hardly say no--even if spending more time with Sutton puts her heart in jeopardy all over again.
Someone's going to get hurt…
Sutton Bell has had a thing for Jenna since they were in high school, but after one screwed-up night, she didn’t want anything to do with him. Now, with just the summer before he leaves to begin his new career, Sutton’s determined to convince Jenna he’s not the player he used to be. But saving his sister from making an awful mistake may mean losing Jenna for good.
Genre: Romance
Sexual Rating: Light
My Rating:
Kaylie Flynn was luckier than most children left to the Texas foster care system, blessed with a foster mother who taught her the comfort of home - and the healing power of baking the perfect brownie. Now, Kaylie has journeyed back to Hope Springs to open a cafe in the charming Victorian she once shared with her foster family - and to finally find answers about her past and where she came from.
Yet Kaylie's carefully laid plans quickly become complicated. The house needs far more work than she realized, and Tennessee Keller, the carpenter Kaylie hires, stirs up feelings she hasn't felt in a long while. When an unexpected crisis threatens to unravel her dreams, Kaylie seems to have all the ingredients for a perfect disaster - or quite possibly the perfect love
A Chicago reporter in her mid-twenties unexpectedly finds love in Napa Valley when she’s assigned to spend a week with a famously reclusive genius.Some Girls Do – Clodagh Murphy
Kate Corbin has lost her spark. From the outside, her life seems charmed. She has a handsome, long-term boyfriend and a budding journalism career at a popular Chicago newspaper. But in reality, her relationship is going nowhere, and she’s quickly losing motivation for what she once believed was her dream job. When her boyfriend dumps her unceremoniously, Kate loses all hope of finding love.
With no living family and few friends, Kate confides in her boss. Trusting that the hungry, ace reporter is buried somewhere deep inside, he gives Kate the opportunity to jumpstart her career. The assignment: to interview the famously reclusive R.J. Lawson, a wealthy tech genius who disappeared years ago but recently reemerged as a Napa Valley vintner. The week takes an unexpected turn, however, when Lawson refuses to divulge any information. Desperate for a lead, Kate turns to Jamie, a vineyard hand who shows her the romance of wine country—and stirs her aching heart. But his connection to Lawson is ambiguous, and when Jamie disappears before the end of the week, Kate is left to investigate another story: the truth behind the man who stole her heart.
USA TODAY bestselling author Renée Carlino explored love and heartbreak in her beautifully written debut Sweet Thing, and her newest novel does not disappoint. For fans of Colleen Hoover, K.A. Tucker, and Katja Millay, Nowhere But Here is a stirring and satisfying romance that you won’t want to put down
Genre: Romance
Secual Rating: medium/sexy
My Rating:
Claire Kennedy is NiceGirl, the anonymous author of steamy online blog 'Scenes of a Sexual Nature'. An internet sensation, she attracts the attention of Mark Bell, a hot London publisher. But when it becomes clear that Mark is interested in more than just a book deal, Claire has to act fast. Because little does Mark know that NiceGirl is a lot more experienced in the bedroom than real-life Claire Kennedy.
Mark is offering Claire the life she's always dreamed of - a steady relationship, the literary world of London and a posh Highgate apartment.
But when Claire hires the services of struggling artist and commitment-phobe Luca to brush up on her sex skills, things get more complicated...
Great sex, friendship AND love ... can't a girl have it all?
When Alexis “Lexi” Moreau caught her husband, Jeff, sampling the sous-chef’s more intimate wares in their New York restaurant, she ran—all the way back to her hometown of St. Helena, California. Six months later, Lexi has no husband and no restaurant. But she does have a three-step plan: First, convert her grandmother’s bakery into her dream bistro. Second, ignore Grandma’s matchmaking attempts. And third, avoid Marco DeLuca, her ex’s commitment-phobic, distractingly sexy best friend.
In school Lexi was off-limits for Marco. After all, she was his buddy’s girl. But she’s still as smart and as gorgeous—and apparently as immune to his charms—as she used to be. Yet the simple fake romance they agree upon to dodge Lexi’s grandmother’s matchmaking plans soon turns deliciously complicated. And the sultry summer might bring together all the right ingredients for Marco to win the only woman he’s ever wanted
Bet Me – Jenny Crusie
Genre: Romance
Sexual Rating: Mild/Light
My Rating:
Minerva Dobbs knows that happily-ever-after is a fairy tale, especially with a man who asked her to dinner to win a bet.
Cal Morrisey knows commitment is impossible - especially with a woman as cranky as Min Dobbs...
When they say good-bye at the end of their evening, they cut their losses and agree never to see each other again.
But Fate has other plans - and it's not long...
A hilarious and heartfelt tale by the master of romantic comedy, Jennifer Crusie!Six books for a post seems like more than enough, right? These are the ones which can be read independently, I think I’ll do another post for some series, although New Adult books tend to always be a part of a series. I’ll also have post dedicated to the new adult, collegey, post college type books. I’m thinking this may be a three parter. I trilogy of book recommendations.
Dumped by her boyfriend and demoted from WBBB's prime-time spot, radio producer Allie McGuffey has nowhere to go but up. She plans to make her comeback by turning temporary DJ Charlie Tenniel into a household name. And if he's willing to help cure her breakup blues with a rebound fling, that's an added bonus.
Charlie just wants to kick back, play good tunes and eat Chinese food. He's not interested in becoming famous. But he is interested in Allie. And after all, what harm is a little chemistry between friends?
But suddenly their one-night stand has become a four-week addiction. Night after night on the airwaves, his voice seduces her…and all the other women in town. He's a hit. It looks as if Charlie's solved all Allie's problems…except one. What is she going to do when he leaves?
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