Book Review: It Had To Be You

It Had To Be You

Book Details

Author: Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Format: Kindle Edition

File Size: 573 KB

Publisher: HarperCollins e-books (October 13, 2009)

Product Description

The Windy City isn't quite ready for Phoebe Somerville—the outrageous, curvaceous New York knockout who has just inherited the Chicago Stars football team. And Phoebe is definitely not ready for the Stars' head coach, former gridiron legend Dan Calebow, a sexist jock taskmaster with a one-track mind. Calebow is everything Phoebe abhors. And the sexy new boss is everything Dan despises—a meddling bimbo who doesn't know a pigskin from a pitcher's mound.

So why is Dan drawn to the shameless sexpot like a heat-seeking missile? And why does the coach's good ol' boy charm leave cosmopolitan Phoebe feeling awkward, tongue-tied...and ready to fight?

The sexy, heartwarming, and hilarious "prequel" to This Heart of Mine—Susan Elizabeth Phillips's New York Times bestselling blockbuster—It Had To Be Youis an enchanting story of two stubborn people who believe in playing for keeps.

Review
  

Rating: 5/5

I normally do not read adult contemporary romance, but It Had To Be You piqued my curiosity when I was searching for something to read over the web because it made almost all of the list of the most romantic romance novel ever read.

Now this is interesting, I had my hopes up because everybody saying this is REALLY GOOD. I haven’t read any of her books, so I don’t have anything to compare with but some other contemporary authors I have read.

The story starts off a little bit slow, and I was almost bored until it picked up after 30-40 pages, and the fun never ended. It was a great combination of drama, romance and of course, humor.

Phoebe reminds me so much of Marilyn Monroe – oozing with sex-appeal and a super big tease. She exudes confidence and sex so loud that I would just imagine it has been plastered on her forehead. She was estranged to her father that is why it was a shocked that he left her the football team. Everybody thought she doesn’t know anything but prettifying herself – but they’re so dead wrong. She’s the classic example of the adage, don’t judge the book by its cover. Although there is that really big problem that the new owner of the team didn’t know anything about football.

Coach Dan Calebow wanted a new owner when the previous one died, but he was in for a big surprise when it was handed down to Phoebe who was busy painting her nails than signing negotiations for the team. He wants to settle down and end the kinky role playing he has with his ex-wife. He is trying to look for some nice girl to settle down with and pursued a grade school teacher who matched his ideal wife. But, the big problem was that he found passion with Phoebe. They try to fight the budding attraction they have for each other, only to end up in each others’ arms (most of the time, naked).

The only problem with Dan Calebow is his screaming. I haven’t met a fictional male who screams as much as he. I wouldn’t want to meet one in real life.

Another character I like in the story is the General Manager, Ron. I think among all of the characters, I find his character well-developed and you can really see his changes unfolding as the story go on. Being friends with him was the best thing that ever happened to Phoebe. He helped and taught her everything she needs to know about the sport and business.

This story also touched Phoebe’s relation with Molly, her sister who is ay younger than her. Like her, Molly was sent to boarding schools and summer camps. She was always compared to her sister, hence the hostile treatment to Phoebe.

This romantic lit is filled with complex character coupled with an exciting love story, a little suspense and action. It is lovely, exciting and funny roller coaster ride as the two lead characters figure out themselves as well as each other.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips did a very good job with It Had To Be You. Indeed, now I know why it made every list of the most romantic romance novel there is.

Here’s the complete list of the series:

·         Chicago Stars / Bonner Brothers

·         It Had to Be You (1994)

·         Heaven Texas (1995)

·         Nobody's Baby But Mine (1997)

·         Dream a Little Dream (1998)

·         This Heart of Mine (2001)

·         Match Me If You Can (2005)

·         Natural Born Charmer (2007)

Favorite Quote

There’s no such thing as mistakes – only a lack of foresight.

ChuCha™

Book Review: It's All Greek To Me

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Book Details

Author: Katie MacAlister

Format: Kindle Edition

File Size: 484 KB

Publisher: Signet (December 6, 2011)

Book Summary

Billionaire Greek playboy Iakovos Papaioannou knew his sister hired her favorite band to perform at her birthday party. He's just not sure how their six-foot tall, wild-haired, tempestuous manager has already ended up in his bed-and in his heart. Eglantine Harry" Knight is so not his type. She's as infuriating as she is intriguing, and she's can't keep her hands off of him. But she just may be the woman who knocks him off the world's most eligible bachelor list for good...

Book Review

Rating: 3/5

A friend of mine recommended Katie MacAlister. She said I should try one of her books if I want something fun to read. And I did have a great time reading this It’s All Greek to Me. It was pretty light and no dull/dark moments in the book. Actually, I don’t think there is a real mystery or even a story line: girl arrives in a foreign place, meets a rich-handsome-guy, falls head over heels and lives HEA. Yes, there are a lot of steamy scenes.

Nevertheless, I found the book utterly refreshing. The usual chase between the male and female leads in nonexistent. There was no beating around the bush. Both of them took the plunge. Which somehow I am thankful for, because really, the characters are strong-minded people who know exactly what they want to do with their lives. You will eventually be together, so why waste time? Was there a conflict? Yes, there were tiny conflicts – no melodramas at all. This fact will probably frustrate some of the readers.

I like Harry (although I find her real name weird). She is one of the most pragmatic ladies I have met in fiction-land. She’s feisty, witty and sarcasm is probably part of her accent. She’s strong, and doesn’t lose her mind when the two of them fights or has a misunderstanding. Harry’s inability to remember Iakovos Papaioannou’s name (which I even could not recall easily) is an additional entertainment. Her ingenious versions are really amusing. They settle their conflicts as soon as it arises and move on to the next. She’s very vocal about her emotions, tells him that she loves him, but he won’t tell her just the same (although it is pretty much obvious). It’s really cute how she would try to goad him in speaking the three little words – and you would never guess where, how, and when did he said ‘I love you’ to her – it was just freaking hilarious.

The secondary characters like Theo adds spice to the story and I sincerely hope Katie MacAlister would write his happy ending too.

For future readers, I advise you not to expect too much from this book. It is good, you will have fun reading it but it may not have the depth that you would like in a novel. However, if you want a fun, light read in between those heavy doses of romantic novels – I suggest you give It's All Greek to Me a chance and you’ll just not stop laughing your hearts out.

ChuCha™

Book Review: Geek Girl

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Book Details

Author: Cindy Bennett

Format: Kindle Edition

File Size: 447 KB

Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc. (December 5, 2011)

Book Summary

Jen's life of rebelling and sneaking out has grown stale. On a whim, Jen makes a bet to turn Trevor, a nice little geek, into a "bad boy." Hanging out with the geeks, however, pulls Jen into a world she never dreamed existed. But when Trevor finds out about the bet, all bets are off.

Book Review

Rating: 5/5

Ever since I have read Cindy Bennett’s Heart on a Chain – I have been looking forward for some of her works. Then came Geek Girl – okay, the title may have given me the wrong impression of what the plot is all about. But nevertheless, picking this book up made my day. And just like the first book I have read under this author, Geek Girl didn’t disappoint me.

I adore the characters! Jen – she’s not the geek, rather she’s a Goth. Because of her past, she became a cynic and a pessimist. She has been through a lot of things, and for her to have survived it is a miracle. I sympathize with her character all throughout the book, although there are times that I was wanted to give her a bad shake and come out clean with the bet she made with her friends.

In the beginning, her set of friends were those Goth-dressed people who loves to party. I don’t really think they really care about Jen, although I think it is also Jen’s fault since she didn’t want anyone to be close to her. I appreciate Jane, she came late in the story, but she was worth the wait. Jen was also wary about her, but Jane shove her way into Jen’s life. She was there when Jen really needed someone to be there for her.

I like her foster family, her foster mother who really cares a lot for her and trusts her implicitly. Sue never pushed herself to Jen and forced her with whatever she think is right. I think she respects her individuality and let her figure everything on her own, just staying on the sideline getting ready whenever Jen needs her. Tamara annoyed me at first, but she turned out to be wonderful in the near end.

Trevor – wow! He was definitely swoon-worthy. I am a sucker for geeks. They’re my type and I fell easily for this guy. Who wouldn’t? He’s a straight A-student, a student body officer, a real gentleman, really patient, and he has dimples! His shirt is all buttoned-up – but of course, that can be remedied easily. I love his friends, they were all geeky but nevertheless charming. My favorite was Brian. He was really kind to Jen. Trevor’s family reminded Jen of the Cleaver’s. I adored Todd (Trevor’s brother) who was a charmer. I also love the trampoline and everything that has something to do with it.

I like the plot because it did not just focus on boy-girl relationship but several other aspects like family (normal and dysfunctional), foster care, abuse, abandonment, early pregnancy, adoption,  special child/ren and their needs, a little booze and drugs among youth. So even though you are way beyond 18, you can relate to this book.

Geek Girl is funny and sweet. It may not have some steamy scenes from the usual YA novel but the intimacy between Jen and Trevor is adorable, and you just couldn’t help but sigh and smile when these scenes pop every now and then. But also it has a heartbreaking side that could make you teary-eyed and you can feel your heart ache. It is definitely worth the read. I have spent less than a day in reading the whole book, and it left me wanting more! Cindy Bennett turned an ordinary-plot into an extraordinary story that will leave her readers entertained and in love.

I am so looking forward for the next Cindy Bennett novel! 

Favorite Quotes

A little sap never hurt anyone

“Trev, all you had to do was breathe to make me want you. “

ChuCha™

Book Review: Shrinking Violet

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Book Details

Author: Danielle Joseph

Format: Kindle Edition

File Size: 314 KB

Publisher: MTV Books; Original edition (May 5, 2009)

Book Summary

High school senior Teresa Adams is so painfully shy that she dreads speaking to anyone in the hallways or getting called on in class. 
But in the privacy of her bedroom with her iPod in hand, she rocks out - doing mock broadcasts for Miami's hottest FM radio station, which happens to be owned by her stepfather. When a slot opens up at The SLAM, Tere surprises herself by blossoming behind the mike into confident, sexy Sweet T - and to everyone's shock, she's a hit! 
Even Gavin, the only guy in school who she dares to talk to, raves about the mysterious DJ's awesome taste in music. But when The SLAM announces a songwriting contest -- and a prom date with Sweet T is the grand prize - Sweet T's dream could turn into Tere's worst nightmare...

Book Review

Rating: 4/5

ShrinkingViolet had me just looking at the book cover – as the old adage goes: do not judge the book by its cover. But trust me, the story is just as good as its façade.

Why?

There are the characters. Teresa Adams or Tere is painfully shy. Of course, we have encountered such people in high school (or even in the universities). Her shyness is almost weird and people in her class or in school would just assume that either she’s mute or won’t speak at all. The only time she’s practicing her speech skills is inside the comforts of her room – alone, playing-DJ to the music in her Ipod playlist. She has the knack and passion for music. She’s one of those characters who deserved a happy ending.

Her mother – is really overbearing. I really hated her in the beginning because: aren’t moms supposed to love their child despite of anything? I wanted her to support whatever Tere wanted, but she doesn’t seem to believe in Tere’s capability. However, in the end, she redeemed herself (although people really can’t change 180 in a blink of an eye) – which makes her mom seems to be more real.

Her stepdad, whom I adore. Although I really didn’t appreciate the entire PDA in the midst of children (anyone below 18). Nevertheless, he believed in Tere compared to her mom and gave her the opportunity to finally make her dreams come true. He owns the radio station where he let Tere worked as a DJ.

There’s Gavin who’s also an interesting character with his Goth look and penchant for music.         

The Plot. I love how the characters developed, especially Tere. How her character actually bloomed and changed all throughout the book. Her change didn’t happen in a day, which I really appreciated. It was a step-by-step process which finally culminated on prom night. Although the plot was predictable (which is why I have given it a 4 instead of 5), still it the story was still pretty amazing. Tere and Gavin’s relationship was nicely written – it ended as what I have expected but it didn’t really matter because their story was not rushed, and gradually fell in to place.        

For a first novel, Danielle Joseph made an amazing sweet and short read. Shrinking Violet may have a predictable plot – but the words, the scenes, the characters will keep you on the hook. The author makes sure that everything is flawlessly real and the readers can very much relate to. The gradual transformation of Tere from someone who’s really shy to a lady with confidence is really heartwarming. 

Favorite Quotes

“Cake is for the weak,” Mom always says. Funny, I thought it was for birthdays.

ChuCha™