Review and Giveaway: The Summer Deal by Jill Shalvis

I am super excited to be part of this blog tour and bring you my thoughts on The Summer Deal by Jill Shalvis. As a lot of you already know, Jill Shalvis is one of my all time favorite authors. So, I always jump at the chance to be part of her blog tours. I want to thank William Morrow/Harper Collins publishing for letting me be part of this tour and for sending me this fantastic book for review.

Remember my thoughts on all reviews are my own and just because I receive the book for review doesn't sway my opinion at at all!

The Summer Deal by Jill Shalvis

Publisher:  William Morrow Paperbacks

Published Date: June 2nd 2020

Format: Paperback

Series: Wildstone #5

Pages: 384 Pages

Goodreads * Amazon *

Brynn Turner desperately wishes she had it together, but her personal life is like a ping-pong match that’s left her scared and hurt after so many attempts to get it right. In search of a place to lick her wounds and get a fresh start, she heads back home to Wildstone.

And then there’s Kinsey Davis, who after battling serious health issues her entire twenty-nine years of life, is tired of hoping for . . . well, anything. She's fierce, tough, and pretty much the opposite of Brynn except for one thing: they're half-sisters. Kinsey is keeping this bombshell, and a few others as well. Long time frenemies from summer camp, there’s no way she’s going to tell Brynn they’re related.

But then Brynn runs into Kinsey's lifelong best friend, Eli, renewing a childhood crush. He’s still easy-going and funny and sexy as hell. When he gets her to agree to a summer-time deal to trust him to do right by her, no matter what, she never dreams it’ll result in finding a piece of herself she didn’t even know was missing. She could have a sister, love, and a future―if she can only learn to let go of the past.

As the long days of summer wind down, the three of them must discover if forgiveness is enough to grasp the unconditional love that’s right in front of them.

Like I said above I jumped at the chance to read The Summer Deal and I'm super happy that I did. Each and every one of this fantastic authors books always pull me in and this one was no different. I'm not sure if it was the camp stories or the multiple POV's or even the secrets of each character that had me so drawn that I just had to know what happened next or if it was Jill's writing style, but whatever it was I'm so glad it did. Honestly, I've been in a bit of reading funk lately. With this crazy world the way it is and my hand being messed up, it was hard to get into a book, but The Summer Deal did just that for me.

I loved the journey this book took me on as a reader, reading each word and seeing how far each character comes in this book was just perfection. I connected with each character on such a different level and that made me want to read this book even more. I didn't want to put this one down, even when I was working and had to clock back in after my break, I wanted to continue reading. I couldn't wait to get home and read some more. I don't know about you but in the Summer time I'm such a mood reader that contemporary romance is just the thing for me and this one was the perfect summer read for me.

Even though I yelled at a few of the characters throughout this one at times and rooted for them in the next few pages, honestly it just made me love each second of reading The Summer Deal even more. I couldn't get enough of it. I've been waiting for a few weeks and trying really hard not to spoil anything when it came to this book so this review could go live.

I must talk about Eli, the boy is just wow! I must say though at times I was wondering if he had his head on wrong. Keeping secrets isn't something I agree with, sometimes those secrets have to come out and in this one it could have saved a lot of heartache if it had come out sooner. Though then again, the characters keeping said secrets were what kept this story going. So I totally get it! I really enjoyed the little snippets from each of the girls camp journals, those parts cracked me up and gave us the perfect glimpse into each of their pasts.

I loved this reading this book and hope you all will enjoy it as much as I did. I'm pretty sure you will. Make sure you pick up your copy today! The Wildstone series is all in all one of my favorites and I can't wait to read the next one in this series.

Multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is … mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning heartwarming and full of humor novels wherever books are sold and visit her website for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures. Her most recent book, ALMOST JUST FRIENDS, was just published last month and her next book, THE SUMMER DEAL, comes out in June.

Look for Jill's ALMOST JUST FRIENDS and get all her bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold. Visit http://www.jillshalvis.com for a complete book list and fun blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

Connect with Jill:
http://instagram.com/jillshalvis
http://facebook.com/JillShalvis
http://twitter.com/jillshalvis

If you didn't see the top image lol, I'm giving The Summer Deal and Ali's Bookshelf rating of...

And now for that giveaway!! Leave a comment below for your chance to win a copy of The Summer Deal by Jill Shalvis. I'll use a random generator to pick the winner. Sorry, but this giveaway if for US and Canada entries only and you must be 18 years old to enter. I'll announce the winner here on this review in one week!

Review: Waiting For Tom Hanks

I recieved this book from the publishers for free in exchange for my honest review.  My thoughts are my own and mine alone. 

Waiting For Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey
Published: June 11th 2019
Publisher:  Berkley
Format: Paperback/E-ARC
Pages: 274 Pages
Challenges: Goodreads

Goodreads * Amazon *

 Can a romcom-obssessed romantic finally experience the meet-cute she always dreamed of or will reality never compare to fiction, in this charming debut adult novel from Kerry Winfrey.

Annie is twenty-seven years old, single, and obsessed with romantic comedies (she and her mother watched them religiously, before her mom died). Her dating life is limited by the expectations she’s formed from these movies. She is not as open to new experiences as she might be, because she’s waiting for her Tom Hanks–i.e., a guy she’ll find in the perfect, meet-cute romantic comedy way. When Annie does finally meet her perfect match, it’s not quite in the way she expected, and she’s forced to reckon with the walls she’s built around herself over the years.

First off, I want to thank the amazing publishing company for sending me a finished copy of this amazing book and for asking me to review. I will also say again, just because they sent me this book doesn't make me feel like I have to give this book a good review. I'm always honest here on the blog and the same goes for when a publisher gives me the book for review. I will say this book didn't disappoint.  This book was a fun read and I super excited to share my thoughts with you all.

Anyway, let's get to it. Like I said above I loved Waiting For Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey. There were so many great things in this book and I totally gushed over all of them. First, look at this cover! Yep, I'm cover obsessed when it comes to this one. I'm loving how the little guy on the front actually does look like Tom Hanks. Also when I first saw this cover and title it made me wonder if they had to ask him to use his name on the cover? Still don't know the answer to that, but hopefully one day I'll find out.

Now let's talk about the actual story/plot, shall we?  If you enjoy a great romcom then you will LOVE this book. I mainly say that because all throughout this whole book they are mentioned everywhere! At first, I was a little annoyed with this, but I ended up loving that part of the book. I went in not knowing too much about this one. Lately, that's the way I've liked reading. Makes it more exciting to read for me.

I'm pretty sure you've guessed by now that the main character loves the older type RomComs and of course, the ones that actor Tom Hanks is in like You've Got Mail and Sleepless in Seatle. Well, it's not that she just likes these movies, no she wants to find a guy just like the characters Tom Hanks plays. Then she meets Drew, I loved Drew's character, let me say that right now! I'm not going to give too much away but he is an actor!

I will also say that this book is a little predictable, but what Rom-Com isn't right?  This is mainly the reason I'm giving it a 4 Puppy rating and not a 5.

I really enjoyed how thought out this book was, the characters and to the whole plot in general. I must also say that it's obvious this author loves her some Rom-Coms. If you didn't already figure that out. If you're looking for a fun and fast contemporary read, pick up a copy of Waiting For Tom Hanks, you won't be disappointed.  This book is being released tomorrow, so make sure you preorder your copy today!

I blink a few times, staring straight into Drew Danforth’s face. It’s like when you’re a kid and there’s a solar eclipse, and all the teachers are like, “Don’t look directly into the sun! You’ll destroy your retinas!” but there’s always that one kid (Johnny Berger, in our class) who can’t stop staring.

In this situation, I’m Johnny Berger. And I guess Drew Danforth is the sun.

“Are you okay?” he asks again, enunciating his words even more as if me understanding him is the problem. His brown eyes, I notice, are flecked with tiny bits of gold, which is something you can’t see when you watch him on TV. His hair is just as voluminous as it seems in pictures, but in person, I have the almost overwhelming urge to touch it, to reach out and pull on that one lock of hair that hangs over his forehead.

“She’s not responding.” He turns to Chloe. “Is something wrong?”

“She’s French,” Chloe says without missing a beat. “She only speaks French.”

“I’m not French,” I say, breaking my silence. Chloe and Drew’s heads swivel to look at me.

“I’m sorry about your coat,” I whisper, then I run toward Nick’s.

Chloe bursts in the door behind me, the bell jingling in her wake. “I’m not French?” she screeches. “Those are the first words you spoke to Drew Danforth? Really?”

“Well then, why did you tell him I was French?” I shout, ignoring the curious stares of everyone working on their laptops and the calming melody of whatever Nick put on to replace the Doobies.

“I don’t know!” She throws her hands in the air. “You weren’t talking, so I thought I’d give you an interesting backstory!”

I put my hands over my face. “This is ridiculous.”

“No,” Chloe says, grabbing me by the shoulders. “This is your meet-cute, and now you need to go back out there and find him and say something that isn’t a negation of your Frenchness or an apology for destroying his probably very expensive coat.”

“Meet what?”

Nick stares at us from behind the counter, a dishtowel in his hand.

“A meet-cute,” Chloe stands up straight, shoulders back, as if she’s delivering a Romantic Comedy 101 lecture to Nick and his patrons, “is the quirky, adorable, cute way the hero and heroine of a romantic comedy meet.”

Everyone stares at her blankly.

“Or hero and hero. Or heroine and heroine. Not to be heteronormative,” she clarifies.

“Like how me and Martha met at her wedding,” Gary says.

Chloe thinks about it. “I don’t know that I would necessarily call that one a meet-cute, but sure, Gary.”

“Did you just make that up?” Nick asks, arms crossed.

I shake my head. “No. It’s a thing.”

“Watch a romantic comedy, dude,” Tobin says.

Nick rolls his eyes.

“Anyway,” Chloe continues, “Annie straight up ran into Drew Danforth and spilled a cup of coffee all over his coat, which is, like, the cutest of meets.”

“That doesn’t sound very cute,” Nick says skeptically, rubbing the scruff on his chin. “Was it still hot?”

“Scalding,” I say, sinking into my chair and resting my head on the table.

“Sounds like a meet painful,” says Gary, and a few people laugh.

“Thanks,” I mutter. “I’m so glad you all find my embarrassment entertaining.”

“Annie!” Chloe sits down across from me as a customer walks in and the rest of the shop stops paying attention to us. “This isn’t embarrassing. This is merely a story I’ll tell in my toast at your wedding to Drew.”

I lift my head to look at her. “I hate to break this to you, but I don’t think he’s my Tom Hanks. I think he’s just a famous guy with a possible third-degree burn on his chest. And now my first day on set is going to be super awkward because I accidentally assaulted the lead actor with a beverage.”

Chloe’s about to say something, but then a song starts and she closes her mouth, looking up toward the speakers. “I swear to God, I told Nick not to play any more Bon Iver. It makes people look up their exes on Instagram, not buy coffee. I’m gonna go put on some Hall and Oates.”

As she walks away, I rest my head on the table again. As if it wasn’t embarrassing enough to have my uncle get me a job on set, now I have to deal with this.

 

I'm giving Waiting For Tom Hanks an Ali's Bookshelf...

Review: Her Cowboy's Promise

Title: Her Cowboy's Promise

Author: Jennifer Hoopes 

Publisher: Entangled Bliss

Format: Ebook (ARC) 

Pages: 208 pages

Date Published: July 17th 2017

Date Read: July 1st through 16th, 2017

ISBN #: 9781640631748

Goodreads * Amazon * Author Website 

 Three years ago, artist Emily White’s grief and survivor’s guilt sent her to the small Wyoming town of Fly Creek. Since then, she’s kept her emotions safely tucked away—until she meets the new rancher at Sky Lake Dude Ranch. Stetson in hand, the gorgeous cowboy’s arrival in her store immediately shakes up her world.

Adam Conley is only in Fly Creek for as long as it takes to fulfill his promise to his late cousin. The small town brings up too many memories of the life he left behind years ago. He knows his task won’t be easy, but the last thing he expects is the instant attraction to the reason he’s in town. Emily is beautiful, vibrant, and completely off-limits. He’s there to keep his promise—not fall in love. But Adam’s secret will crumble everything Emily’s life has revolved around.

I'm super excited to tell you all about this fantastic new release! Her Cowboy's Promise is a fantastic book, one that I couldn't wait to start and was perfect first read for my summer vacation. The first really big thing that stuck out to me about this book is that you don't get every piece of the puzzle up front, you have to keep reading to actually find out what happened to the main character Emily. The best part of that is that it wasn't what I had thought, actually I couldn't have predicted what the truth was! Which of course makes this an amazing plot/book. 

Author Jennifer Hoopes writing style was perfection and made reading Her Cowboy's Promise an easy and fun read. It’s one that had me engrossed into the story right away and that’s due to her writing style and plot. Of course I was on the edge of my seat waiting to find out if she was going to come out of her shell and fall in love. You all will have to read this book to find out, because you all know I don't do spoilers. Let's just say you won't be disappointed. Though at times I wasn't too sure what was going to happen. 

I really enjoyed the connection between these characters and how much the town really pulled for Emily. That is one thing I will mention the town in this book was one that I wouldn’t mind living in myself. Everyone knew who she was and even though she was closed mouthed about who she was and what had happened they still protected her and that to me is amazing. I really loved all the secondary characters as well and you don’t often see that in a book. Don’t get me wrong I love all the main characters, but when you can root for others that makes me as a reader love a book so much more.

I hope the author writes more stories with these characters, I need to know more about the others as well. Maybe his brother or Peyton's story. (Hint Hint) . I would defiantly read those books as well. All in all Her Cowboy’s Promise is one that I would recommend to anyone that is looking for a great love story. If you’re looking for a book with lots of twists and turns and one that you have no idea what’s going to happen next, then Her Cowboy’s Promise is perfect for you.

There were a bunch of passages that I really loved, but here is one of my favorites.

"Of course you haven't. You're from the East Coast where everyone's so afraid of offending someone they swallow the real words they want to say. But no matter now. Your home's here in Fly Creek. You'll get used to me soon enough. Although if you don't mind me saying, you could have already been used to me if you hadn't squandered three years of your life."

I'm giving Her Cowboy's Promise a....

 Here at Ali's Bookshelf we accept books in exchange for a honest review. The book above was given to me for my honest review by the publisher. I also use Amazon Affiliate links at times.

 

Review: How Willa Got Her Groove Back

Title: How Willa Got Her Groove Back

Author: Emily McKay

Series: Willa and Finn Book 1 of 3

Creative HeArts #2)

Publisher: Entangled: Crush

Format: Ebook

Published Date: February 22nd

ISBN #:  1633754812
Challenges: Read for a tour

When your life feels like a bad movie, rewrite the script. When Willa Schofer’s father comes home from a business trip with an über-famous new fiancée, Willa’s senior year blows up in paparazzi-fueled flames. Overnight, she has a new house, a new car, and a new soon-to-be stepbrother—the unbelievably hot, unbelievably arrogant, Finn McCain. Thank god he’s constantly pushing her buttons, or she might do something irresponsible. Like fall for the jerk. Just when Willa’s decided to avoid him for, oh, ever, Finn lands in the center of her senior project team. Seriously—how hard is it to shake a guy? At least her work on the project snagged the attention of the (second) hottest guy in school. He might only be into her because of her famous stepmom, and he’s not quite as exciting as a certain annoying housemate, but at least she’s allowed to crush on the guy. Because crushing on your annoying stepbrother? So not cool. This Entangled Teen Crush book contains an unbelievably hot bad boy, an unbelievably famous actress, and all the drama that comes with adding both to your family. Oh, and a forbidden flirtation with a soon-to-be stepbrother.

It's been awhile since I've read any contemporary books, so when the chance to read How Willa Got Her Groove Back by Emily McKay came around, I jumped at the chance.  I couldn't wait to dive into a great contemporary read, what I didn't know at the time was just how much I was going to love this book. 

The main character of Willa, at first I didn't think I was going to like her, mainly because she seemed like a little whinny girl, but in a way I get where she's coming from.  I can't deny I wouldn't have done the same or acted the same exact way.  I ended up loving the character and laughed at a bunch of her lines.  She's sarcastic and hilarious in parts of this book.  I will say I really would love to see the art she mentions in this book.  The park sounds amazing! 

My main complaint about this book and I'm hoping they change this in the next two books in the series, is that there really wasn't enough romance for me.  I loved seeing the tension and romance, what little there was, between Willa and Finn, I just wished there had been more.  

Finn, I think I should mention Finn in this review as well.  I always love the whole bad boy vibe in books, but to me he really wasn't the whole bad boy.  Yes he rode a motorcycle, but I actually wanted to just give him a hug.  After everything he's been through, I totally understood why he didn't want his mom to go through with her plans to get married to Willa's dad, even if he does like him. 

The writing style of this book was one that I really liked, easy to read and a fun to read at that.  Got to love these type of books. Most of the story is told in Willa's pov, first person story and seeing everything through her eyes.  I really enjoyed that about this book the most. Makes reading relaxing if you know what I mean.  I can't wait to read the next book in this series, hopefully there is more romance for Willa and Finn.  

I also wanted to mention this fantastic book cover.  All of the book covers over at Entangled publishing is amazing! I don't know who does their covers, but they are some of my favorites.  (Just a little shout out to the cover designers.) The fonts are perfect and I really love that it doesn't show the images of their faces.  Gives me a chance to see who I think would be prefect for the characters. 

If you like contemporary reads then How Willa Got Her Groove Back is the perfect book for you. 

So since I wanted a bit more romance in this one that I thought should have been in the book in the first place, I'm giving How Willa Got Her Groove Back an Ali's Bookshelf...

Here at Ali's Bookshelf we accept books in exchange for a honest review. The book above came from the publisher and was reviewed for a blog review tour.  Good Choice Reading Promotions is the tour company that the tour is through.  We also use Book Depository Affiliate links at times.

Book Review: Jesse's Girl by Miranda Kenneally

Jesse's Girl by Miranda Kenneally
Series: Hundred Oaks
Published by Source Books Fire on July 7th, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Pages: 304
Format: Ebook (ARC)
Source: Netgalley

Practice Makes Perfect. Everyone at Hundred Oaks High knows that career mentoring day is a joke. So when Maya Henry said she wanted to be a rock star, she never imagined she’d get to shadow *the* Jesse Scott, Nashville’s teen idol. But spending the day with Jesse is far from a dream come true. He’s as gorgeous as his music, but seeing all that he’s accomplished is just a reminder of everything Maya’s lost: her trust, her boyfriend, their band, and any chance to play the music she craves. Not to mention that Jesse’s pushy and opinionated. He made it on his own, and he thinks Maya’s playing back up to other people’s dreams. Does she have what it takes to follow her heart—and go solo?

Jesse's Girl is the first book I've read by author Miranda Kenneally and to say I was excited to read this one is an understatement.  Put it this way, I squealed and requested it right away when I saw it on Netgalley.  After reading this fantastic book, I want to go back and read the entire series, the writing is superb and I can't wait to fall in love with the other characters. 

Jesse's Girl is a fantastic story, filled with great characters that I was rooting for from the start.  When they say opposites attract, they really meant it when it comes to the main characters in this book.  Maya and Jesse are far from the same, one of them loves rock music and plays in a rock band while trying to branch out in her music. Then there is Jesse who is a country music star, trying to figure out who he is. Like I said opposites attract and attract they did, but not at first, just like in most relationships it doesn't come that easy. 

I really loved the snarkiness of Maya, I must say to me she was so easy for me to connect with.  She doesn't have that much self confidence and at her age I was the same way. Jesse of course is adorable, but trying to juggle everything he has to tends to be hard at any age, especially his.  

I'm so glad I requested this book and loved reading every word of it.  I need more love stories like this in my life.  Jesse's Girl is the perfect book to snuggle up to while outside and read the day away.  If you haven't picked it up and read it yet, I highly recommend it, but head my warning your face will hurt with how much you smile. Oh and the occasional aww you will be saying, at least I did. 

Gifing my Feelings 

 Recommendations 

I would highly recommend Jesse's girl to anyone that loves author Miranda Knneally's other books.  Also to anyone that loves contemporary.  This would be a perfect book for you! 

 

Here at Ali's Bookshelf we accept books in exchange for a honest review. The book above came from the publisher through Netgalley. We also use Amazon Affiliate links at times