Review: Almost Adulting by Arden Rose

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I was familiar with Arden Rose before picking up this book. In 2015, I never missed a video of hers. I was a dedicated fan. Unfortunately, I stopped watching her YouTube channel.  Nothing big happened. She didn’t stop being entertaining, it’s just that I got so behind on her videos that I didn’t even bother to catch up.

Flash-forward a couple of weeks ago, I wanted to see how she was, so did a quick Instagram search. I quickly found out that she had written a book. And since I’m a passionate read, I obviously had to read it. So I purchased it.

And it’s a privilege to say that, Almost Adulting feels very much like an Arden Rose video. Her humor is very present and it’s almost as if she’s sitting down talk to you. It’s enjoyable. It’s quirky. It’s relatable.

It’s hard to categorize this book as a definite guidance into the scary adult world because it’s not. Arden doesn’t necessarily tell you what to do because she’s still figuring it out. And also, because there is not one correct way for how to adult. You sort of figure it out as you go.

What Arden does is she provides you with advice and tips that had helped her. For example, she dedicates a whole chapter to “creating the perfect apartment without wads of cash or buckets of tears”. In the chapter, she doesn’t say that by doing this it was make adulting easier; she also doesn’t tell you the correct way to create your perfect space. That’s up to the reader.

This was a surprisingly empowering and uplifting book. Arden provides many positive tips about why it’s okay not to be okay and finding that special someone. It’s also very sex positive and body image positive.

Final Analysis

Almost Adulting is sort of like a memoir but also sort of like guide to adulthood. It features quirky, empowering, and relatable commentary. It’s not a book that’s going to hold your hand and walk you through adulthood, because it’s something that you figure out on your own. However, it does squeeze your hand and say, “You got this and are going to make it.” 

Review: The Lost Rider by Harper Sloan

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Summary

In Lost Rider, the first Western romance in New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Harper Sloan’s Coming Home series, an injured rodeo star encounters an old flame but will she be just what he needs to get back in the saddle?

Maverick Austin Davis is forced to return home after a ten-year career as a rodeo star. After one too many head injuries, he’s off the circuit and in the horse farming business, something he’s never taken much of a shine to, but now that it’s his late father’s legacy, familial duty calls. How will Maverick find his way after the only dream he ever had for himself is over?

Enter Leighton Elizabeth James, an ugly duckling turned beauty from Maverick’s childhood—his younger sister’s best friend, to be exact, and someone whose heart he stomped all over when she confessed her crush to him ten years back. Now Leighton is back in Maverick’s life, no longer the insecure, love-stricken teen—and Maverick can’t help but take notice. Sparks fly between them, but will Leighton be able to open her heart to the one man who broke it all those years ago?

Written in the vein of Diana Palmer and Lindsay McKenna, this Texas-set series is filled with sizzle, heart, and plenty of cowboys!

Review

I'm always super excited to start a new series, especially from an author that I'm reading for the first time. I've been fascinated by her titles and finally had a chance to dive into her The Coming Home series with the first book, Lost Rider. I'm a total sucker for second chance romances, especially whenever there is a chance to reunite with an old flame. You know those are always going to be good.

The book centers around Maverick and Leighton. They practically grew up next to each other. Leighton is your typical girl next door type that blossomed later in life. She had the biggest crush on Maverick if only he would've noticed, you never know how life could've turned out. Maverick had big dreams in his heart that he wanted to go after. Beyond wanting to get as far away from their town and his father,

little did Leighton know behind those big dreams hid some secrets that pushed him further to want to chase them. All she knew was in the process one day her biggest crush lefted, and took her heart with him until one day tragedy brought him back. The question is, will she let the only person who had the key to her heart open it?

Now, this was a great start to the series with this two. There was so much to their backstory that will have their second chance very engaging to read. Leighton represents so many women out there who get their heart broken and go through life guarded. You always wander and your heart secretly hopes for that second chance of if only. In her case, even though Maverick came back to town under crappy circumstances, I'm glad they both had their moment because it needed to happened. Whether or not they came together, they both needed closure and mending.

Maverick coming back was good and bad. The good was that he was able to face his past and deal with obstacles that have been crippling his life. The bad, his life was flipped upside down by his career ending injuries. The only life that meant something was in shambles and he had no idea which direction he was going to go. Lucky for him, life has a way of working itself out. Little did he know everything he was looking for was in the last place he'd expected it.

Overall, I really enjoyed their story. I feel it was a good introduction to the series and are definitely looking forward to see where the series goes. At first I had my feelings towards Maverick and thought he was going to be shallow until you get to know him and grow to really feel for him. I really appreciate seeing such a rugged, tough guy break down his walls. His journey with Leighton was so tough but really beautiful. The familial support and their experiences added to the experience. I have to say this is probably my first dabble in the western romance genre and found it to be surprising enjoyable. Loved the story and can't wait to read on. If you get a chance, add this to the tbr!

Review: Meet Cute

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This was my first time reading a collection fictional stories written by different authors. I’m not counting those read while in college or high school, because that was unwillingly and the majority of those tended to be nonfiction.

I must admit I was a little wary when I first picked up the book. I was scared it would be disorganized or I would favor one story more than the others and only be interest in that particular story. I’m extremely glad I was proved wrong.

I enjoyed myself while reading Meet Cute. For lack of a better term, it was surprisingly cute. Yes, a little unrealistic and instalove at times, but nevertheless, adorable. Each story was unique in its own way, however, just as refreshing as the story before.  They were feel good stories guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face and wanting more.

Speaking of wanting more, multiple of times while read I find myself a little sad that I wouldn’t be able to read about what happened after the characters met each other. They all were set to have great romantic arcs, and I was curious about what their relationships would be like.

It’s hard for me to pick one favorite story, because I truly enjoyed them.  But I will say that The Unlikely Likelihood of Falling in Love by Jocelyn Davies was pretty special. The main character’s family was in it for a brief moment, but it was such a cute and hilarious interaction that I really wanted a whole book about Alex’s family and mystery guy on the subway.

I was also surprised with how diverse this book was. That was amazing. There were many different characters with different races, sexual orientations, and interests.

Final Analysis

Meet Cute is an adorable read filled with lightheartedness and romances that make you smile. Each story is special in its own way.

Review: Geekerella by Ashley Poston

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This was such a cute, refreshing and satisfying book. I couldn’t help but smile while I read. I had a really fun time reading it, and I was very disappointed that it had to end. I could read many more books about these characters.

Geekerella was a modern take on Cinderella. Although, it was a retelling, it was its own story fit with loveable characters and original additions to the classic story. I loved that it was mainly based in the fandom world. It was interesting to see both sides of the coin.

For example, the book is told in dual POVs- Darien, the actor who was cast as Federation Prince Carmindor in Starfield, and Elle, the big time fangirl of Starfield. In Darien’s POV, you get how a celebrity reacts to taking on the big responsibility of an iconic character and dealing with the hardcore fans. In Elle’s POV, you get the reaction to the casting of Darien and experiencing the fandom life and being involved in it.

This book does pull at the heart strings. I was surprised with how many times I almost tear up. For example, Elle’s feelings and passion bleeds through the pages that feels both real and relatable. I related to her a lot as a character. I understood why she reacted the way she did and her feelings towards losing a parent and being deeply into fandoms.

Darien and Elle were adorable together and separately. They were really strong characters and extremely likable. It was so great to see their relationship develop and evolve during their text conversations. However, I would have liked to have more face to face conversations between the two.

It was a privilege that this was my last book of 2017.

Final Analysis

Geekerella is a magical story that leaves you wanting more. The love story is absolutely adorable. And although a retelling, it isn’t doesn’t feel repetitive or boring. It’s original and fresh.

Review: Love Welcome Serve: Recipes that Gather and Give by Amy Nelson Hannon

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Love Welcome Serve dishes up a little bit of southern hospitality mixed with down-home recipes that will comfort you and your family. Amy Helson Hannon's heart definitely leaps out of those delicious pages filled with recipes that bring comfort and joy to the home cook. You can't help but feel as if you are right along side of her experiencing the joy she has for not only her own recipes but those she adores. There is definitely something for everyone in this book. Not only delicious recipes but tips that were extremely helpful. 

I've read many cookbooks and for this being her first cookbook, I really appreciate the attention to detail she gives us to hints about the ingredients and equipment that would be helpful in the kitchen. I haven't come across anything that was so accessible in terminology because other books can get a bit on the technical side but she really zones in on making things look so easy.

Overall, I thought the book had some great tips and some recipes that I can't wait to try. I'm not sure if this was intentional but the homely, beautiful simplicity of the photos and the colorful interior of the book felt like you were at her home being one of her guests. I will say that if you are a big dessert fan like me, she has some really great recipes that look really good. If you are looking for some comfort food to make for your family and friends, check this out to get some good ideas for your next meal.

Review: Storytelling For Pantsers: How to Write and Revise Your Novel Without A Outline by Annalisa C Parent

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When I came across this book, the title piqued my curiosity. When I think of writers and authors that I've chatted over the years with, I never came across anyone who hadn't used some sort of an outline so I was open to a new possibility. I'm not going to lie, I had a little bit of resistance going into the book but objectively took in the information and saw some highlights in the author's perspective but my overall opinion is that I wished it offered more.

Despite my initial reservations, I thought the author had some good info but I sort of wish the book structure was different. It felt more conversational rather than instructive. I know I'm not the only one who will think this but when you see “how to” you are expecting to follow some sort of correlated subject structure chronologically. I get the author didn't want to come across rigid or presenting the book by any rules in supporting her concept of no outline but there were some parts of the book where I  wish she had explored them more rather than other parts that felt like floating thoughts. 

I will say that the best part of the book was the author. Regardless of your opinion on whether an author should or shouldn't, you can really feel the enthusiasm and devotion that she has to wanting to help authors succeed. 

Overall, I felt the book covered some helpful general information that for an author that has been writing a while could find useful. I'm uncertain for someone who is just beginning who might be all over the place if this is the right fit for them because I think they need an outline to get to that place where they can feel comfortable and confident with their writing. I think this would be more resourceful for those who are more experienced with their writing or someone who has a focused idea of where they want to go. There's no right or wrong to the process so for you writers out there, you should give her book a chance because like I said there is some good information in there and if you want the help, the author is willing to support you.