Review: Focused by Karla Sorensen

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There are books you read that when you finish, you never think about it again. And there are books you read, where you constantly can’t stop thinking about him. Honestly, there is no in-between. And I’m happy to report that Focused by Karla Sorensen was the latter.

Focused is centered on Molly Ward and Noah Griffin. The two used to be neighbors, but after sixteen-year-old Molly snuck into his bedroom, things got a little awkward. Now years later, Noah is a big-time football player and the key to Molly’s new promotion. Unfortunately, it’s hard to let go of the past.

This was such an enjoyable book. And I’m quite honestly shocked. I went into this book blind and left with huge admiration and love for this story and the characters. It was truly a special experience.

I devoured this book. And was completely sucked in from the very first page. From the dialogue to the pacing. Everything was nicely done. Every emotion was felt.

I very few complaints about this book. And if I’m being honest, my complaints aren’t even complaints. It’s more of a personal problem. There was some Football jargon in here. And as someone who knows next to anything about football, I was a little lost with the jargon. But it didn’t hinder my reading experience.

I think one of my favorite things about this book was the relationships. Of course, Molly and Noah had an awesome relationship with growth and adorableness. Their chemistry was off the wall, and they were such great characters.

But I also loved the relationship Molly had with her siblings. They were dealt with some pretty unfortunate cards, and it was so great to see them have this special and loving bond. There was one scene in particular that stood out to me. It wasn’t a happy moment; they were actually in a heated argument. However, it just really highlighted who each of them was as individuals and showcased so much about them in that scene. Props to Karla Sorensen.

Also, I was not aware prior to reading this but Molly’s older brother, Logan, and his wife, Paige, have their own book. I will most definitely be checking that out. Because I truly loved every single character in this book and would read anything about Ward family.

Final Analysis

Focused is a perfectly crafted story that gets everything right.

Review: The Emotional Wound: Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Psychological Trauma by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglish

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I’m always looking for reference material when I’m writing. More often than not, I feel as I keep repeating the same word or phrase multiple times and I’m not quite sure how to convey emotion. The struggle is most definitely real. I recently stumbled upon The Emotional Wound: Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Psychological Trauma By: Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglish. 

This book is a handy tool for writing a wide variety of scenes. Some categories included: crime and victimization, disabilities and disfigurement, failures and mistakes, injustice and hardship, misplace trust and betrayals, and others. Each category has several subcategories under it. For example for the category Failures and Mistakes, it includes: accidentally killing someone, cracking under pressure, failing at school, and failing to save someone’s life. In the subcategories, it provides examples of how an individual might react in that situation. It also includes: basic needs often compromised by this wound, false beliefs that could be embraced, character’s fears, possible responses and results, personality traits, and triggers.

 This book has so much information. Writing an emotional scene can be extremely tough, but this book practically holds your hand as you do it and it gives you additional steps to take. This is not a book that is one and done. This book can be used several times, with several different projects. Like mentioned, earlier there is so much great information in this book. 

Final Analysis 

The Emotional Wound: Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Psychological Trauma is a great reference for anyone who is writing a book. 

Review: The Perfect First by Maya Hughes

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This was an enjoyable and sweet read with no flaws. The Perfect First is about Persephone “Seph” Alexander. For lack of a better word, she is a genius. She’s pretty much amazing at everything. Expect to have real college experiences. So she makes a list of things she wants to accomplish and post is online. While hosting interviews for possible candidates, she meets Reece, a popular college football player. Originally, Reece declines, but after he can’t stop thinking about Seph, he changes his mind and agrees to assist her with her list of firsts.

I had an overall good time with this one. There are so many times in NA where I have found that the romance was either problematic, undeveloped, cliché, or even lackluster. But this one is none of those things. From start to finish, I was completely engrossed in this book and with the characters. There were so much depth and history with each character. For example, Persephone and the relationship with her father. Throughout the book, we see Seph struggle with her controlling father. It felt real and honest. And it ran deep. My heart broke for her, especially, when you compare it to Reece’s family. I will mention that in the end, there is such a big and huge payoff with Seph and her father.

Final Analysis

The Perfect First is a sweet tale of an unlikely pair coming together and developing something more than a friendship.

Review: Meet Me on Love Lane by Nina Bocci

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Summary

From the USA TODAY bestselling author of On the Corner of Love and Hate comes a romantic comedy about a woman who grudgingly returns home to small-town Pennsylvania, only to find herself falling in love—not only with the town, but with two of its citizens. 

Charlotte Bishop is out of options in New York City. Fired, broke, and blacklisted by her former boss, she’s forced to return to her hometown of Hope Lake, PA to lick her wounds. Although she’s expecting to find a miserable place with nothing to do, she is pleasantly surprised to discover it is bustling and thriving.

She’s only supposed to be in Hope Lake temporarily until she can earn enough money to move back to New York. She’s not supposed to reconnect with her childhood friends or her beloved grandmother. She’s not supposed to find her dream job running the local florist shop. And she’s definitely not supposed to fall for not one but two of Hope Lake’s golden boys: one the beloved high school English teacher, the other the charming town doctor.

With a heart torn between two men and two cities, what’s a girl to do?

A perfect blend of humor and heart, Meet Me on Love Lane is the second in a new series from USA TODAY bestselling author Nina Bocci that is sure to charm fans of Josie Silver and Sally Thorne.

Review

Not to sound too cheesy but I completely heart this book. The cover had me at hello. So pretty and inviting, I knew I was going to feel good about this one. Completely right, Meet Me on Love Lane, makes you laugh, cry and makes your heart smile.

This is my first book read by Nina Bocci and so excited to start with this one. Meet Me on Love Lane, is the second in her Hopeless Romantics series. I feel just based off reading this one, I recommend starting with the first book because Emma was so much fun read. Her personality just lights up with Charlotte and besides I’m going back to read to find out her story with Cooper. Other than that, I feel very confident that you can get what you need from this book. I’m hoping the series continues because I’d love to see maybe Nick and Parker? We’ll see.

Hope Lake used to be the home of Charlotte Bishop when she was younger. Her mother decided to take her away from friends and family who loved her and start a life in New York City. Her world was flipped upside down until recently when her former employer blamed her for something she didn’t do and blacklisted her from other opportunities. With no potential opportunities in sight, spur of the moment, she decides to pack her things and head back home to Hope Lake. Will it be as bad as her mother painted it out to be?

Heading to Hope Lake is only meant to be temporary. Well, that's her plan but little did she know when one door closes, another opens. Reconnecting with old friends and family was just what she needed to start the life she never expected to have. With the love of her family and friends, Hope Lake gives Charlotte a chance at a new start, love and the healing of old wounds. 

Overall, I loved every part of this book. I just love the heart of a small town story.  The characters were so wonderful. I loved Charlotte's journey. When you lose everything and have to start over, it's the lessons and little experiences that strengthen you. Henry is my favorite because he wore his heart on his sleeve. When you get to know him, you will see why. If ever that meant to be together story that you wish to happen, you will love theirs. You know the type, sometimes it's right in front of you sort of love. The familial influence in the book with her dad and her grandmother were so funny. I found myself with so many lol moments with her grandmother that really made me feel good. I recommend checking this one out. Back read the first book so you don't miss anything. 

Review: The Wrong Costar by Alexandra Moody

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This was an adorably cute romance. It stars Teagan, a student at Lincoln High, who has a strong passion for acting. It also stars Liam Black, a Hollywood heartthrob. After Liam is sent to Lincoln High, to have a “normal" high school experience he gets roped into staring in their drama production. Unfortunately, for Teagan he isn’t the easiest costar to have. 

Like mentioned earlier, this was an adorable high school romance. It wasn’t angst nor was it dark. It was light and fun, and although there were sprinkles of dark themes they were not the central plot. 

Each character had clear goals and motivation. They were all likable. And I couldn’t help but root for them.

I enjoyed this story for what it was. But it is important to mention that it was a safe story. The author did not take any risks and relied a little too heavily on clichés. Example #1, a teenager with a parent who became uninterested and/or unsupportive after their partner leaves. And example #2- famous teenager with a parent who is abandons their responsibilities as a parent and pimps their kid for fame. 

Both of these examples were used as backgrounds for the main characters. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that these backgrounds have been used thousands of times. I would have liked if the author strayed away from the common YA background template and created something unique. Fortunately, the lack of originality did not hinder the story too much.

Final Analysis 

The Wrong Costar doesn’t take many risk with storytelling, but it still manages to provide an entertaining and adorable read. 

Review: The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan

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The Kingmaker was a hidden gem that I’m grateful that I was able to stumble upon. It’s a second chance romance that does not disappoint.

The Kingmaker centers on Lennix Hunter. She is determined to make a change. While a teenager, fate brings her and Maxim together. Unbeknownst to her, he’s the son of the man she hates the most. The man who has brought devastation to her people. 

I wouldn’t necessarily say this is a light book. Because it most certainly is not  It’s a story of love, loss, privilege, and politics. Everything is perfectly blended and it’s hard not to be immediately sucked into it. 

There’s so much depth and history. And oh my god the ENDING. That was very unpredictable and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next installment. 

Characters 

Both main characters were amazingly three dimensional characters who you can’t help but love. Both of them work separately while also working together. There were so many times while reading where I muttered out loud about how cute they were together. There was this familiarity and comfort they both had. 

Sometimes when writing a romance novel authors create unnecessary or random drama to keep the lead apart. It doesn’t feel authentic nor does it make sense for either character. But fortunately, that isn’t the cause of The Kingmaker. The drama felt real and the stakes felt high. I understood character motives, even though it might have hurt my heart a little. 

Final Analysis 

The Kingmaker is a gripping book about love and loss. The romance is stellar and the ending will leave you the edge of your seat. It’s a must read.