Review Wednesday: The Nearness of You by Dorothy Garlock

Title: The Nearness of You

Author: Dorothy Garlock
1st Date of Publication: July 11, 2017

ISBN: 9781455527359
# of Pages: 384

Genre: Historical Fiction

Age Rating: 13+

Buy on Amazon 

Book Description:

Hooper's Crossing, New York, 1952. The post-war boom seems a million miles away . . . especially for a sheltered librarian who longs for the adventure and excitement of the big city.
New York City. The hustle and bustle. The people and the excitement. It's all Lily Denton dreams about. But ever since her mother died, her overprotective father won't ease up on her. So she spends her days working at the library and her nights hoping life doesn't pass her by . . . until the Fall Festival. As tourists fill the streets, the crisp autumn air sneaks in-as does the thrill of a far more dangerous kind.

Some men have a gift for avoiding trouble. Professional photographer Boone Tatum isn't one of them. In fact, that penchant for trouble is exactly what landed Boone in this small town in the middle of nowhere in the first place. Yet the moment he meets beautiful Lily Denton and snaps her photograph, everything changes. Suddenly leaving is the furthest thing from Boone's mind-or his heart.

But danger has slipped silently into this sleepy town, marking Lily as its own. And Lily and Boone's dream of a life together is thrown into peril-unless Lily finds the courage to stand up for herself and a man she only just met . . . and can't live without.


Setting: Early 1952 in Hooper's Crossing, New York

Point of View: 3rd person- Lily Denton and Boone Tatum

Goodreads Rating: 3.51

My Rating: 3.75

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: It looks like someone, most likely a woman, is going on a trip somewhere. Where does she want to go?
View on Title: Who is you? Why does someone want to be near another?

Pros:

•  The balance of the alternating 3rd person was perfect. It made the characters have more dynamic while being able to see their intentions.
• The flow combined with the cliffhangers of each chapter made the book seem so short despite the book being almost 400 pages.
• The characters are interesting and seemed true to the time era.
• Lily Denton is your small town typical daddy's girl and doesn't want to disappoint him especially since her mother died when she was a little girl. She is a great representation of an independent person trying to recreate herself into someone she hopes to become. Her struggle to please her father is common for the time period.
• Boone Tatum is the  complete opposite. He's a city man and isn't afraid to get in trouble in order for the perfect picture. It's why he is so successful but the reason why he's stuck in Lily's hometown.
• The relationship between Lily and Boone is so natural that it seemed like they knew each other for years. It was slow but smooth.
• I really enjoyed the time period that the author used and the time of year because the fall seems like a time of festivities. Not only is there a fair going on in the book, you get to see Halloween.
• The different layers of conflict in the story line was interesting because as you read there are a few different antagonists but for different reasons.

Cons:

• The only real issue I had with the book was that I felt that it was a little cliché.

Critics' Reviews:

"Garlock's terrific story, set in mid-20th-century Missouri, pairs a lonely single mother with a flashy auto racer...Garlock keeps readers so wrapped up in Drake and Clara's romance that it's impossible to put the book down. There's just enough tension, from a few different fronts, to keep things interesting. Thoroughly credible characters and the aw-shucks charm of their small town make this a winner."―Publishers Weekly
"The latest from romance doyenne Garlock mixes light suspense with traditional romance for an entertaining effect." ―Booklist
"A gentle tale of love lost and found...The charm is in the telling, with historical details and light touches to make the town of Sunset, Missouri, seem real, not idealized. A feel-good love story that comforts...Garlock excels at creating an experience her readers want, one that's still heartwarming..." ―Kirkus Reviews

Dorothy Garlock's Website:

http://www.dorothygarlock.com/

Other Recommendations:

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys
Children of Willesden Lane by Mona Golabek

The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin

Review Wednesday: Ladies Man by Katy Evans

*This is a book meant for adults due to some inappropriate content for people younger than 18.*

Title: Ladies Man (Manwhore #3)

Author: Katy Evans
1st Date of Publication: April 21, 2016

ISBN: 9781530111640
# of Pages: 298

Genre: New Adult

Age Rating: 17+ (Sexual Content and Language)

Buy on Amazon

Book Description:
He’s not the guy you date.
He’s the one night stand.

You’d think the man who sends hot looks my way, who called me succulent, would want to strip me to my skin and spread me out on his bed like every other woman in Chicago.

Except he passed on my offer….
Just like I once did on his.
He’s wary, like I am.
He’s broken, like I am.
And everyone knows two broken parts can’t ever make a whole.
So I try to distract myself. I’m back to dating.

Tahoe and I are strictly friends. He doesn’t think my new beau is good enough, but to him, no man is good enough for me. Especially Tahoe himself.

But the more time Tahoe and I spend around each other, the more confused I feel.
I'm trying to open myself to love.
But I'm quickly realizing that the only man I want is stubborn, cocky, unattainable playboy Tahoe Roth.

The one your mother warned you about.
The one my body craves.
The only one who will surely break my heart.

Setting: Cincinnati, Ohio
Point of View: 1st person-Regina "Gina" Wylde

Goodreads Rating: 4.04

My Rating: 4.15

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: The man on the cover is gorgeous with beautiful blue eyes. He must have a secret story behind those troublemaker eyes. He looks like a heart breaker.
View on Title: Sounds a little naughty. Why is this man a ladies man?

Pros:

• This is actually part of a series, but it is actually a stand alone and sort of a companion book to the others. It's really nice because if you accidentally read it none of the plot is spoiled from the previous ones. I got this as my free romance read of the month book.
• I really enjoyed the character development. The reader learns more about Gina and Tahoe's characters as the plot unfolds. It helps make the characters' actions more understandable. They are truly relatable.
• I love how Tahoe Roth is seen as a playboy. He gets all the ladies all at once. From the beginning, it looks more like the women are a band-aid toward something that he is trying to hide.
• This book really shows the importance of true beauty through Gina's character. She works at a makeup but she has makeup caked on her face even when she sleeps because she can't accept her own beauty.
• The ending does not disappoint. I was not sure if it'll end the way I want or was hoping for.

Cons:

• The part that bothered me the most was Gina's indecisiveness. There were parts where I would get excited when Gina was about to make a move toward something, but then cower.
• This led to some "hype" and then disappointment. It was a constant roller coaster and I was glad when it finally smoothed out.

Critics' Reviews
"A story of true love through and through, Katy Evans delivers pure romance singed with enough spark to warrant a heat advisory." -Mara White, NY Daily News
"Tahoe Roth is the sexy beast that dreams are made of. Katy is the master of turning a slow burn into scorching, blistering heat." -Emma Chase, NYT Bestselling Author
"Yes Yes Yes! Ladies Man is Katy Evans at her best. The perfect mix of heat, sweet, and sexiness. Get ready to swoon!" -J. Daniels, New York Times BestsellingA uthor
"The chemistry between Tahoe and Gina was on fire. The characters were believable and off the charts sexy...one of the best books I've read this year!" -Kim Karr, NYT Bestselling Author
"Off-the-charts sexual tension, well-crafted characters, and a swoony ladies man make this the book that romance junkies are longing for. Definite 5 Stars." -Laurelin Paige, NYT Bestselling Author
"Katy Evans has written an intoxicating and emotionally driven story. Easily a Five Star read for me." -S.L. Scott, New York Times Bestselling Author
"Heat. Angst. Emotion. Katy delivers it all." -Kylie Scott, New York Times Bestselling Author

Katy Evans's Website:
http://www.katyevans.net/

Other Recommendations:

My Skylar by Penelope Ward

Sinful Intent by Chelle Bliss

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Review Wednesday: Sinful Intent by Chelle Bliss

*This is a book meant for adults due to some inappropriate content for people younger than 18.*

Title: Sinful Intent (ALFA Private Investigations #1)

Author: Chelle Bliss
1st Date of Publication: July 14, 2015

ISBN: 9781682305119
# of Pages: 300

Genre: New Adult

Age Rating: 17+ (Sexual Content and Language)

Buy on Amazon 

Book Description:
Never cross the line. That had always been my rule. But that was before Race True.

The moment I saw her, I wanted her. But there was a problem. She wasn’t just another pretty face—no, she was my first client at ALFA PI. My take-what-I-want attitude shouldn't include her, but how the hell can I be expected to keep my hands off?

The danger that followed her had my protective instincts in overdrive. And as the clock ticked down, the choice was laid out before me: save her career or risk everything and have her in my bed. Could I put aside my wants for her needs? Or would my selfishness destroy everything in the process?

Warning: If you can't handle a dirty-mouthed bad boy or a tough woman with an attitude, this might not be the book for you.

Setting: Florida
Point of View: 1st person- Moran DeLuca and Race True

Goodreads Rating: 4.13

My Rating: 4.25

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: The cover looks very steamy and scandalous. It's pretty obvious that the girl in the photo knows what she is doing and the male seems to be really good at catching her attention.
View on Title: The title sounds very sexy and makes it sound scandalous.

Pros:

• I really liked how the book is split between Morgan and Race's points of view. The reader is able to truly understand each of their emotions and motives when dealing with each other.
• This book has detectives rather than cops, which I believe makes the book hotter because the detectives aren't afraid to get their hands dirty despite the law.
• I really enjoyed seeing the racecar world through Race.
• Morgan's character is perfect for his role. He's a bad boy who became an army veteran to straighten his life out, but he's still a bad boy at heart. He is a very motivated and committed person despite having a trouble maker personality.
• Race's character is very bossy and does not let people push her around. She sets her territory and is not afraid to tell people to back off.
• The plot twist at the end was not completely expected. It's hard to explain without spoiling the book. It made the book more interesting and worth the read.
• There is a true sense of family through mostly Morgan. He's been on his own for awhile until he moves to Florida where his entire family gets together for Sunday dinners. Race on the other hand shows a sense of loneliness which has always caused her to push others away.

Cons:

• The names of the two main characters seemed like Chelle Bliss couldn't think of the names for them. Race is named after racing which she has been associated all life. I understand the sentiment of it, but she probably got picked on a lot as a kid. For Morgan's name, I know it's a boy's name but I don't hear it often enough to make it sound normal.
• I felt a lack of the secondary characters. I understand that the situation was urgent and meant for only the two characters to deal with in that short period of time.

Critics' Reviews
"I didn't think I could possibly like this new series as much as I liked Men of Inked... Chelle has worked her magic and proved me wrong." -- Literature Litehouse
"God do I love it when Chelle Bliss puts the pen to paper, or the fingers to the keyboard. She creates an epic tale each and every time!" -- Sexy Book Reviews
"It's an interactive experience that will cause you to smile, frown, laugh, gasp, giggle, and blush." - Rosarita Reader

Chelle Belle's Website:
http://chellebliss.com/

Other Recommendations:

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
My Skylar Penelope Ward