Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

BOOK

cover of Lisa Maxwell's The Last Magician (goodreads)

Not only does this sound amazing but it has a pretty excellent cover to go with its amazing sounding synopsis.

Creepy but amazing. there is something really eye catching up this cover.

Juniper Lemon's Happiness Index by Julie Israel (goodreads)

This sounds amazing. Here is the teaser synopsis that was released

the story of a 16-year-old girl who vows to deliver a love letter that her older sister, Camilla, wrote on the day she died and addressed only to “You” – as soon as she figures out who “You” is.

This sounds like it has the potential to be a heartbreaking but incredible read. I am all about this premise and I cannot wait to read it.

And We're Off by Dana Schwartz (goodreads)

I was sold on this one by its teaser synopsis

Pitched as Adi Alsaid's Let's Get Lost meets Gilmore Girls, the story centers on a teenage girl whose travel plans are upended when her mother decides to join her on her summer trip across Europe. 

A Europe travel story with a mother/daughter relationship at its core? Sign me up!

TV/MOVIE

The Night Of (TV series)

I caught the pilot of this murder mystery and was immediately hooked. It's gritty, dark, and realistic. I cannot wait to see the rest of this mystery unravel. I recommend checking out this new series.

OTHER

San Diego Comic Con

I cannot wait to follow all of the announcements that are going to be made at SDCC this year. There are some amazing TV panels that I wish I could attend and I am hoping for some casting announcement and first look footage releases. 

What are you obsessed with this week?

Other Sexy Beach Reads You Should Read

Today wraps up my Sexy Beach Reads Week. I am sharing some other books that should be on your radar. 

My friend Emile (from Emilie's Book World) is sharing her top five reads, and I am including my own five to read.

Here is Emilie's List. She totally reads way more of this type of book than I do so her recommendations are going to be ones you'll for sure want to check out.

1. Beautiful Player by Christina Lauren (Or any of Christina Lauren’s books)

Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings know how to write romance and they do it well. I’ve loved every single one of their books but the romance between Hanna and Will in Beautiful Player is my absolutely favourite.

2. All Played Out by Cora Carmack (Or any of Cora Carmack’s books)

Cora Carmack’s books are my favourite. All of them. And her Rusk University books are my favourite of her books, especially All Played Out. Torres and Nell just do it for me every time.

3. Him by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy (Or any of Sarina Bowen or Elle Kennedy’s books)

Quite possibly one of the most adorable romances I’ve ever read and it’s made even better by the fact that it’s set at summer camp and it’s about best friends falling in love with each other when they never expected it. In case anyone was wondering, the sequel is just as good.

4. November 9 by Colleen Hoover (Or any of Colleen Hoover’s books)

You can’t go wrong with any of Colleen Hoover’s books but November 9 is my absolute favourite. It’s the kind of book that will completely wreck you but also help put yourself back together after breaking you.

5. Last Will and Testament by Dahlia Adler (Or any of Dahlia Adler’s books)

If I can only give one reason for why people need to read this book it would be Connor Lawson, hot history nerd who swears the same way I do (Quebec cursing for the win). But I mean, the story is also pretty fantastic and the sequel are kind of awesome too.

Here is my five books you should read

1. Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren (and the rest of the series)

I haven't read the rest of this series but I was blown away by this sexy read. It has a well developed plot, and great friendships on top of having some serious sexual chemistry. 

2. Leaving Amarill by Caisey Quinn

This music infused series is not only seriously sexy but offers an intriguing look at a band just starting out and the ups and downs they experience on their way to stardom. There are some pretty memorable scenes in this series and all of the three books are worth the read.

3. Any of the Leah Raeder/Elliott Wake books

These are a darker, but just as sexy read. Unteachable and Black Iris are my personal favourites, but they are all brilliantly written and are perfect for when you want something a little different than the other titles on the list but are still in the mood for something sexy.

4. On The Island by Tracey Garvis Graves

This one mixes a taboo topic with a really great love story. Do not the premise deter you. The romance not only makes sense, but is rather well crafted. It's not only a love story but one of survival and will be a perfect addition to your beach bag. 

5. The Lemon Grove by Helen Walsh

Again, this is a little darker than the others on this list. It offers some sexy scenes and a compelling read all at once. It's perfect for the later part of the summer when you've burned through the other books on this list and want something different.

Thanks for stopping by this week! I hope you've enjoyed a peek at some reads that will help heat up the beach this summer.

Surf and Surrender by Riley Edgewood

Last review for Sexy Beach Reads Week, but stop by tomorrow for the wrap up post!

Surf and Surrender by Riley Edgewood
Release Date - February 23, 2015

Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 289 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**borrowed from fellow blogger**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

She wants to forget he ever existed. He'd never give up her memory.

Quinn Westwood is completely over Sawyer Carson. He broke her heart years ago and disappeared from her life without a word. So yeah. She's over him. Never even thinks of him. In fact, she's spending her college summer break surfing and lifeguarding in the Outer Banks, while nursing a bruised heart from a different relationship gone wrong. She doesn't have room in her mind or heart for Sawyer—until she runs into him at a beach bonfire and the sparks that fly between them are way hotter than the flames heating the sand.

Sawyer never got over Quinn. The only thing stronger than what he feels for her is the secret keeping them apart, but sharing it would destroy more than just his life—it'd ruin hers, as well. Still, he can't seem to keep away from her, can't seem to keep his hands off of her soft, tempting skin. Especially since she has even less self-control when it comes to reigniting the physical side of what made them perfect together.

But secrets have a way of slipping out, and when Sawyer's is revealed it threatens to shatter everyone involved. He'll have to face walking away a second time, and Quinn will have to decide if fighting for him is worth it when the fallout could affect more than just her heart, but also those of the people she loves most.

Surf & Surrender is the second book in Riley Edgewood's Summer Love series, but can be read as a stand-alone novel.

Second chance romance novels, when done right, can be some of the most satisfying romance reads. The history of the couple shines through, and there is an investment in the characters and outcome. Surf and Surrender is one such book. Riley Edgewood has written a sweet, sexy look at a couple's second chance to be together.

The characters in this novel, both Quinn and Swayer, have had their hearts broken. They are both working through it the best they can, and that includes making some snap decisions. It includes making choices that they maybe wouldn't make otherwise, but you understand them and choices. You understand how hurt could cause you to react they way they do, and the why behind the decisions they make. I, personally, find that important in this kind of story. If you can understand the characters you'll connect to them more, and the forgiveness that comes will feel all the more authentic because you'll understand why it is happening.

There is some darker topics that are touched upon in this novel including. They are hard to go into without spoilers, but the overall message of you never really know what is going on in someone's life is an important one. What someone presents to the outside world, and the reality of the situation could be greatly different. Many of us do not even stop to think about that in our interactions with people. Riley Edgewood shows, through various characters, that the perception and the truth are more complex than what appears at first glance and that made these characters feel all the more real.

The chemistry is palpable in this one, and the sex scenes are actually sexy. There is a spark between these two characters that effortlessly comes across in the writing. You believe their history, and the feelings that we're being shown are there. It adds a bittersweetness to everything as they work through their issues, and untangle all the secrets that have built a wall between them. Their connection is the centrepiece of the story and it shows in so many ways. You'll never look at a surf shop the same way after a certain scene, and you also feel just how heartbreaking goodbye sex can be. The fact that these scenes resonate at all, and that they come across as sexy, is because you feel the attraction between the characters, and their connection to each other that goes deeper than just sexual.

This issue with second chance romances that I tend to have is usually with the reason the couple is long no together. It typically portrays one of the characters in a negative light, and sometimes the reasons are insurmountable (or at least they should be). Unhealthy relationships tend to flourish here because of the nature of romance tropes. I, therefore, was pleasantly surprised to find this novel contained an obstacle that was both heartbreaking, and portrayed both characters as victims of the actions of others. They are victims of circumstance. It made you ache for the time they lost, and the secrets that were kept. It also makes the reconciliation believable and wanted.  This is a true second chance romance where both parties deserve the chance to set things right and where forgiveness is as easy as breathing.

You'll want to pick up Surf and Surrender if you want some sweet mixed in with your sexy. It's a perfect summer romance in both its setting and the fact it makes a great beach read. Its blend of drama, plot, sexy scenes, and character development really worked for me and I cannot wait to read something else by this author.

Idol by Kristen Callihan

Day two of sexy beach reads week and I am reviewing another sexy read for your beach bag!

Idol by Kristen Callihan
Release Date - June 7, 2016

Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 307 pages
My Rating - 3/5
**purchased**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Libby

I found Killian drunk and sprawled out on my lawn like some lost prince. With the face of a god and the arrogance to match, the pest won’t leave. Sexy, charming, and just a little bit dirty, he’s slowly wearing me down, making me crave more.

He could be mine if I dare to claim him. Problem is, the world thinks he’s theirs. How do you keep an idol when everyone is intent on taking him away?

Killian

As lead singer for the biggest rock band in the world, I lived a life of dreams. It all fell apart with one fateful decision. Now everything is in shambles.

Until Liberty. She’s grouchy, a recluse—and kind of cute. Scratch that. When I get my hands on her, she is scorching hot and more addictive than all the fans who’ve screamed my name.

The world is clamoring for me to get back on stage, but I’m not willing to leave her. I’ve got to find a way to coax the hermit from her shell and keep her with me. Because, with Libby, everything has changed. Everything. 

Musicians have pretty much been everyone's fantasy. At least at some point in their life. There is something sexy about being able to make music, and there is no denying the allure of passion. This is why stories that involve rock stars as love interests always catch my eye. Idol takes the rock star trope, combines it with some sexy banter, and lots of drama to create an enjoyable, highly readable novel about letting down your walls.

There is a familiarity to the story almost immediately. This is partly due to the tropes that exist within the genre, and the nature of romance reads. The couple falls in love, something happens that creates drama and is an obstacle for them to work through which is followed by the happily ever after (at least typically). What makes a story stand out tends to be the writing and the characters. Those are the elements that make you remember a story. This is a case where the characters shone the brightest.

Each of the characters has something intriguing about them. They are, by far, the strongest element of this story and what really holds it together. Liberty and Killian are both compelling and interesting, but more importantly the side characters truly shine. The rest of the band members are brilliant and their manager, Scottie, is a force. His calm, collected demeanour just begs to be ruffled, and I cannot wait to read his story. Jax, one of the band members, also has a tragic backstory that will create a starting off point for his own story. Brenna is someone I would want to be friends with (and I hope she gets her own story). This will ensure successful companion novels because the reader will already care about these characters to some degree.

The romance was the only real misstep for me. There were moment where the chemistry between the two characters was palpable, but just as many moments where I didn't feel their connection. It felt rushed, and underdeveloped. The story is really what happens after they've fallen in love, and as a result the beginning of their relationship is paid less attention. We skip over times where we are supposed to know they are talking, seeing each other and falling in love, but we don't experience it and therefore we don't feel it. The time that is supposed to pass doesn't resonate and therefore everything feels sped up.

This is not just the story of guy and a girl falling in love. It's also the story of finding your way back after being devastated. It is also about music, and falling back in love with something with the passion you once had for it. Liberty and Killian each have things outside their relationship that they need to work on and that made a difference in how I related to them. They felt like more than just a couple but individual characters which is something that is important in this kind of novel.

A story that will be instantly familiar to any romance/new adult fan but that is not without its comforts. There is a reason these tropes work, and Kristen Callihan makes full use of them to create an enjoyable, if rushed love story. There are plenty of intriguing characters who will make readers eager to return to the world that has been created, and to continue this series. 

Fifty Shades Of You by Book By You

This posts kicks off a themed week here on A Glass Of Wine. This week will focus on sexy beach reads to heat up your summer reading. Check back all week for reviews, a give away, and more. 

Fifty Shades Of You by Book By You
Release Date - Janurary 2016

Publisher Website/Link To Book - BookByYou // Link
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 231 pages
My Rating - //
**received from publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Our heroine is a rich and powerful business owner with a penchant for control in all aspects of life. She carries a dirty secret in the curl of her smile, and it's only when our hero trips and lands face down on her office floor at their first meeting that the theme of their relationship establishes itself and secrets are slowly revealed. The sight of him causes a stir somewhere within her, and she finds herself unable to focus on anything else. She needs him in her playroom, now! Her first lesson: MORE is not a great safe word!

...But not everything goes smoothly for the pair as things heat up and the humor starts to roll. It soon becomes obvious that the hero has a secret of his own, and a very important one that he should've mentioned earlier. From a bed that literally catches fire to the sting of soap in the eye -- and then there's the little incident in the hero's room, which is humiliating for any man -- each of them may have gotten more than they bargained for and without the utterance of a safe word, anything goes! 

Who hasn't wanted to be Lizzie Bennet in Pride and Prejudice? Or Dorthy in The Wizard Of Oz? When I discovered Book By You and their amazing sounding novels that let you 'live the fantasy' by being part of the story I was immediately intrigued. I was recently given the opportunity to try out one of their titles, and jumped at the chance. This isn't going to be a typical review, for many reasons, but I am excited to share my experience.

You may notice the lack of rating above. It's deliberate. Rating a book where you are the main character is awkward at best, and nearly impossible to do. I am not going to lie, the experience of reading about yourself is a little jarring ... at first. That quickly eases away into a fun filled wonder and delight. You fall into the story like you would any other, just with an added connection and thrill. It also helps that the characters are typically not going to be anything like you in terms of personality. It keeps a distance that minimizes the awkwardness rather quickly while allowing you to try out a new persona so to speak.

I was able to try out their Fifty Shades Of Grey parody titled Fifty Shades Of You. This hilarious, tongue in cheek novel is filled with sexy silliness, and more than a few awkward situations on the bumpy path to sex, (maybe) love, and handcuffs. From setting a bed literally on fire, to a few cringe inducing encounters with family members, the novel definitely skews to the outlandish (in the best possible way) and even the sexy parts have an element of parody to them. Fans of Fifty Shades Of Grey will love seeing themselves in this story, but it'll appeal to non fans who just want something funny. It is a novel that knows it shouldn't take itself seriously, and is all the better for it.

The little added touches of being able to incorporate parts of  yourself into 'Anastasia' or 'Christian' along with personalizing a few other characters make finding these additions in the story an amusing surprise. My copy was tailored to me by inclusion of some of my favourite characters from some of my favourite television shows but you can make it extra personal (and special) by including friends and loved ones.

If romance isn't your thing (but that is what this week is about so hopefully it is a little) don't worry. Book By You has you covered with classic novels, mysteries, and even a teen section to pique your interest. There are also some same sex romance novels offered as well. There are so many choices that it is almost guaranteed that something will catch your eye.

After reading Fifty Shades Of You I cannot recommend Book By You strongly enough. It's a perfect gift for birthdays, bridal showers, and anniversaries. What book lover wouldn't want to see themselves within the pages of a story (and even better if they're getting to make out with their favourite Hollywood hottie). You can even gift a book to the young children in your life as they have an entire section of books specifically for them. I personally would have loved an edition of Peter Pan where I was Wendy as a kid.

Even better? You can try out previews on their website to get a feel for the story and what book you might like to try. I encourage you to play around on the website, you'll be just as obsessed as I am. You'll have to stop yourself from ordering all of them but it is certainly a great place to start to determine which book might be best for you.

I can safely say that plenty of people will be getting one of these one of a kind gifts for Christmas this year. It's truly a unique keepsake that has the potential of being an instant favourite and a sentimental keepsake.

If you're wanting to spice up your reading, and feature yourself in the story at the same time, order yourself one! It makes a fun, hilarious beach read that pairs excellently with some wine, and reading passages out loud to friends. 

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews)

Some amazing sounding books made their way into my book closet this week.

First up, some books I borrowed from my friend Emilie. I am hosting a blog even featuring some sexy beach reads and she decided these two books were a must read for me.

Surf and Surrender by Riley Edgewood (goodreads)
The Deal by Elle Kennedy (goodreads)

Next up are some books that I purchased. I decided to purchase Nerve because I was curious about the movie trailer, and I've been hearing great things about Wanderlost that I just had to check it out.

Nerve by Jeanne Ryan (goodreads)
Wanderlost by Jen Malone (goodreads)

What bookish items made their way into your mailbox this week?

Happy Weekend and Happy Reading!

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

TV/MOVIE

Beauty and the Beast movie poster

Pretty sure my excitement for the newest Beauty and the Beast movie from Disney is evident. Disney has released the most stunning movie poster for this movie. It's breathtaking and I hope they offer it as a poster you can purchase because I would definitely hang this on my wall.

So simple, and pretty. It is instantly recognizable as Beauty and the Beast with the iconic rose. The whole poster just really works, and has made me even more excited for the movie.

Suicide Squad Entertainment Weekly cover

One of my most anticipated summer movies is Suicide Squad. I am super excited we're finally getting a movie version of Harley Quinn and I cannot wait to see what Margot Robbie does will the role.

Unsurprisingly, Entertainment Weekly has featured the movie in the upcoming issue and released four different covers to celebrate the movie's upcoming release.

This cover is, unsurprisingly, my favourite ...

I am curious about Jared Leto's Joker as well. He appears to have been very method in his approach to this role and I wonder how that will showcase itself in his performance. Either way I need this cover, and cannot wait until this finally releases.

OTHER

Newt Scamander Funko Pop

How cute is this Funko Pop?! I, obviously, need it. I am curious who (or what) else will be made into Pops to celebrate this upcoming return to JK Rowling's wizarding world.

Side note - apparently Hufflepuff is the house of hotties (looking at you Cedric and Newt). I am shallow, but it makes me super proud to be a Hufflepuff.. #HufflepuffPride

What are you obsessed with this week?