REVIEW – Slammed by Colleen Hoover

Colleen Hoover’s romantic, emotion-packed debut novel unforgettably captures all the magic and confusion of first love, as two young people forge an unlikely bond before discovering that fate has other plans for them.

Following the unexpected death of her father, eighteen-year-old Layken becomes the rock for both her mother and younger brother. She appears resilient and tenacious, but inside, she’s losing hope. Then she meets her new neighbor Will, a handsome twenty-one-year-old whose mere presence leaves her flustered and whose passion for poetry slams thrills her.

Not long after a heart-stopping first date during which each recognizes something profound and familiar in the other, they are slammed to the core when a shocking discovery brings their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together and the forces that tear them apart. Only through the poetry they share are they able to speak the truth that is in their hearts and imagine a future where love is cause for celebration, not regret.

BFF K’s Review

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Slammed is another Colleen Hoover masterpiece! I was pulled through the book from one angst filled situation to another. The book literally gave me butterflies, like the High School crush kind of butterflies, from beginning to end. Will and Lake are one of my very favorite book couples. Their devotion to their families was inspiring and my heart was heavy at the burdens they both shouldered from such a young age. But, all of those things make them rich and wonderful characters and you will care desperately about how their story ends!

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More About the Author:

Colleen Hoover’s love for writing began in 1985 when she was five years old. Her first story was titled “Mystery Bob” and was a huge hit with her mother, who was really good at faking interest.
Colleen continued to write short stories for friends and family until December of 2011, when she decided to write a long story she titled, “Slammed.” She self-published SLAMMED to Amazon in January, 2012 and it hit the NYT’s bestsellers list in May, 2012. She has since signed with Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, and now has six NYT’s bestsellers. Colleen prefers to be called a writer, as the term “author” still terrifies her and makes this feel like a job with expectations. She doesn’t work well under pressure and hopes writing will always remain fun and exciting.
Colleen’s newest novel, UGLY LOVE, released August 5th, 2014. She is currently working on a new novel, CONFESS, which she is writing as fast as she can before she wakes up from this crazy dream.

You can follow Colleen on Instagram and Twitter @colleenhoover. You can also find her on her blog at www.colleenhoover.com where she holds a daily book-a-day giveaway, or on her very active Facebook page at www.facebook.com/authorcolleenhoover where she loves to give away more free stuff when her husband isn’t looking.

Colleen also wants the world to know that writing short biographies in third person is incredibly awkward.

REVIEW – Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren

One-night stands are supposed to be with someone convenient, or wickedly persuasive, or regrettable. They aren’t supposed to be with someone like him.

But after a crazy Vegas weekend celebrating her college graduation—and terrified of the future path she knows is a cop-out—Mia Holland makes the wildest decision of her life: follow Ansel Guillaume—her sweet, filthy fling—to France for the summer and just…play.

When feelings begin to develop behind the provocative roles they take on, and their temporary masquerade adventures begin to feel real, Mia will have to decide if she belongs in the life she left because it was all wrong, or in the strange new one that seems worlds away.

BFF K’s Review

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I have read the entire Beautiful Bastard Series by Christina Lauren. These authors are amazing and their gifts for creating engaging stories and steamy reads are out of this world. (Yes, Christina & Lauren are 2 authors who write together and they’re BFF’s, isn’t that FAB!?!)

I absolutely loved this book! Mia and Ansel are the kind of characters that I enjoy reading. They’re interesting, strong, grow together, bring out the best in one another, and their love is fresh and exciting! This is the kind of book that finishes way before you want it to!

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More About the Authors:

NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY AND #1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHORS
Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners/besties/soulmates and brain-twins, Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. They are the authors of several Young Adult and Adult Fiction titles. Some of their books have kissing. Some of their books have A LOT of kissing. You can find them online at ChristinaLaurenBooks.com or at @seeCwrite (Christina) & @LolaShoes (Lauren) on Twitter.

 

 

 

 

Forked by Melanie Harlow – COVER REVEAL

I LOVED Frenched by Melanie Harlow and I thought that Yanked was a fun and quick little read! So, I’m thrilled that we can participate in the cover reveal for Forked, by Melanie Harlow! It’s our first cover reveal for the BFF Book Blog and it is so great!
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(Book 2 in the FRENCHED series)
 
by Melanie Harlow 

A  Sexy Adult Contemporary Romance
 
Expected release: September 2014
 
  Twenty-eight year old Coco Thomas knows the recipe for disaster:
 
1)      Agree to plan
last-minute engagement blowout for spoiled Mafia princess before you realize her choice of caterer is Nick Lupo, a despicably gorgeous young chef with a hot new restaurant in town, a reality TV show victory, and a romantic past with you—one that did not end well.
 
2)      Strike a deal with
Nick in which you agree to spend a weekend with him in exchange for his services, under the strict conditions there will be no talking about the past, no second chances, and definitely no sex.
 
3)      Violate all three conditions within 24 hours and spend two glorious days remembering what made you fall for the sexy, egotistical bastard in the first place, and why it hurt so much when he broke your heart.
 
Add one road trip, plenty of good scotch, and endless spoonfuls of chocolate cake batter drizzled over your body and licked off inch by oh-my-God-yes-right-there inch, then just admit it.
 
You’re totally FORKED.
 
About the Author
 
Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her lipstick red, and her history with the naughty bits left in. Her stories are inspired by a sense of place, an appreciation for the past, and unexpected pleasures in life—especially the romantic kind. She lifts her glass to readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI, where she lives with her husband and two daughters.
 
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REVIEW – Geoducks are for Lovers by Daisy Prescott

Reality Bites becomes The Big Chill when a group of Gen-X friends spend a summer weekend together sharing laughter, tears, life’s ups and downs, old stories, second chances, and new beginnings in this contemporary romance. 

“…I think life is better when you have love. Not a friendly neighbor or old friends kind of love either, but a love that causes your heart to race and your toes to curl.” 

Maggie Marrion is just getting back on her feet after a horrible year, or two, or three. With their twentieth reunion approaching, she invites four of her closest friends from college for a mini-reunion at her beach cabin on Whidbey Island. What she doesn’t expect is her best friends Selah and Quinn to play matchmaker. Will Maggie risk her heart and her quiet life for another chance at romance? 

Gil Morrow, former grunge musician turned history professor, joins them as Selah’s date for the weekend. With the support of old friends, a few wishing rocks, the world’s largest burrowing clam, and a hot lumberjack thrown into the mix, Gil reminds Maggie she isn’t too old to fall in love.

BFF K’s Review

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A great read. Sweet, sentimental and at times laugh out loud funny! I loved this book! I highly recommend it to any Gen-X’er who likes a darling little love story! This is the perfect summer beach read. You’ll get swept up in Gil and Maggie’s story of a 2nd chance at love.

FYI – Geoduck is pronounced – Gooey-Duck

To see a photo of a geoduck, click HERE at your own risk! 😉

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More About the Author:

Before writing bestselling contemporary adult romances, Daisy dreamed of being an author while doing a lot of other things. Antiques dealer, baker, blue ribbon pie-maker, fangirl, freelance writer, gardener, pet mom and wife are a few of the titles she’s acquired over the years.

Born and raised in San Diego, Daisy currently lives in a real life Stars Hollow in the Boston suburbs with her husband, their dog, Hubbell, and an imaginary house goat.

To learn more about this author and her writing visit: http://www.daisyprescott.com, chat with her on Twitter (@daisy_prescott), or find her on Facebook: /daisyprescottauthorpage

 

REVIEW – Mud Vein by Tarryn Fisher

When reclusive novelist Senna Richards wakes up on her thirty-third birthday, everything has changed. Caged behind an electrical fence, locked in a house in the middle of the snow, Senna is left to decode the clues to find out why she was taken. If she wants her freedom, she has to take a close look at her past. But, her past has a heartbeat…and her kidnapper is nowhere to be found. With her survival hanging by a thread, Senna soon realizes this is a game. A dangerous one. Only the truth can set her free.

BFF Duo Review BFF A & BFF K

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K’s Initial Reaction:

Have you ever been at a restaurant, taken a bite of your meal and then said, ‘you’ve got to taste this’? You probably do this if the dish is amazing, or horrible, or indescribable. That’s how I feel after finishing Mud Vein by Tarryn Fisher. I think I love it, but I’m not sure, and you’ve GOT to try it! I’ve described it as similar to Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn, but more gut wrenching. I spent so much of the book trying to figure out who kidnapped Senna and Isaac and when that mystery was solved I sailed through the rest too quickly. I just had to know how it ended. And then I was traumatized, but in the way that only the very best books can make your heart hurt! In my opinion, grab the tissues, the ending is a tear jerker.

A’s Initial Reaction:

The plot had my mind racing from beginning to end.  I flipped through each page, trying to think one step ahead and figure out the mystery only to be blown away when it was all uncovered.  I was exhausted after reading Mud Vein by Tarryn Fisher and needed to take a vacation.  Partially because the plot wore me out, partially because I stayed up way past my bedtime to continue reading.  Once I recovered from this book’s hangover, it was quickly added to my all time Bestie list.

The story is complex, the characters are beautifully written and the story sucks you in from beginning to end. It’s the kind of story that will have you insisting your family eat pop tarts for lunch and drink CapriSun (because they can get those things themselves without your help!)

Honestly, we had put off starting this book, but when Colleen Hoover makes a recommendation, you just have to go with it. We’re so happy that we put it on the TBR list. And, be sure to check out the soul stirring play list on Spotify!

When it was all over, here’s what K sent to A:

K to A: I don’t know if that was one of the best books I’ve ever read or one of the worst.

We may be conflicted, but it is still a 5 overall!

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More About the Author:

New York Times bestselling author Tarryn Fisher is cooler than you, but not one to rub it in your face. She sleeps little, reads a lot and is an emotional slave to Starbucks. She is a lover of human nature and tells stories in which the darkest parts of human nature reside. Her heart is dark, but she loves you with it. Currently she lives in Washington with her family.

visit her website at http://www.tarrynfisher.com

Or she’s on Instagram and Facebook @Tarrynfisher!

REVIEW – A Matter of Forever by Heather Lyons

Chloe LilAMOFowrap-2ywhite has struggled for years to find her footing in a series of dangerous and demanding worlds. Creator, first tier Council member, and one of the most powerful Magicals in existence, she was little more than one of Fate’s pawns. But now, Chloe is back home and ready to call the shots. She knows what she wants and who she wants to be.

Except the Elders never got the memo.

Annar and Magical-kind are under attack. The lives of Chloe’s loved ones, and life as they know it, are at stake. Chloe’s the key to taking the Elders down, but they won’t go quietly into the night.

This time, neither will Chloe.

 

BFF K’s Review

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I picked up the Matter of Fate series on a whim and I never imagined that I would become so obsessed that I would dream about these characters and their world. The series is beautifully written. The characters are unique and clever, but relatable at the same time.

I have spent way too many hours trying to think of all the ways that Heather Lyons could end this series. But, I never expected this. OMG. I’m gutted. This book about did me in. I couldn’t stop crying. (Some people in this world are beautiful criers, I am not one of them.) I had to sit up in bed because I couldn’t breathe through the crying snot. I haven’t been this distraught about a book since Bellatrix Lestrange killed Sirius Black in the Harry Potter series. All that being said, the book is fantastic. Don’t let the threat of tears stop you, this book/series is worth every drop!

I also can’t remember bring so invested in the characters in a book. Wow. I didn’t want it to end. I’m satisfied with the ending. Though it wasn’t what I had anticipated, I’m at peace with the conclusion and think all my BFF’s need to read this series! 

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A Matter of Fate Series by Heather Lyons

AMoF Series Banner3-2The series starts with A Matter of Fate. This is the book where I lost my child. Granted, it was only for about 15 minutes and he was found 3 houses down on the neighbor’s trampoline. But, still, I was so engrossed in the book, I lost my 5 year old. The Matter of Fate Series is one of my favorite book series ever, and that’s saying something! I love everything about it! The series is like a combination of Twilight/Harry Potter/Hunger Games/Beautiful Creatures – all the best parts of each of those. There’s magic and a love triangle and the characters grow and change throughout the series. Each book is better than the one before!!!

Series Reading Order:

A Matter of Fate

A Matter of Heart

A Matter of Truth

A Matter of Forever

*Beyond Fate (Jonah’s Novella, I recommend reading it between A Matter of Heart and A Matter of Truth)

rating_5_80This is BFF K’s overall rating for the entire series. They’re all that good!

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 More about the Author:

Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—She’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.