Dog-Eared Daydreams

Fixed on You , Found in You , and Forever with You are the first three books in the Fixed series by Laurelin Paige. I think this was originally planned as a trilogy but with the release of the fourth book, Hudson , a companion novel told from the point of view of the male lead character in the three books, it has expanded somewhat. However, since the fourth book is a re-telling of the events in previous releases, although it does include a few extra scenes, and the story does end in a more than satisfying manner with the third book, this review will cover the original trilogy . It just seems simpler to review all three books instead of each one individually. ^.^ Hudson will get its own review once I finally get around to reading it. ♥ At first glance, the first three books may appear to have joined the trend of über rich alpha male lead characters but the trilogy sets itself apart by having a female lead character with a record of stalking and obsessiveness with the men ...

Flat-Out Celeste is the sequel to the bestselling book Flat-Out Love  and is the third book in the series, following the popular novella  Flat-Out Matt . If you were a fan of the first two titles, you simply NEED to read Celeste's story. I guarantee that if you liked her as Matt's younger sister, you'll love her as a young woman trying to find her place in the world. "How odd. How very, very odd." Celeste Watkins is different. Other teens concern themselves with being cool and just getting by but Celeste is extraordinary and that isn't exactly seen as a good thing in high school. Extraordinary = weird = outsider. But she believes that once she graduates and is in one of the many colleges and universities that want her, she'll finally be free to be herself...or at least that's what she hopes with all heart. "Hey, Celeste?" "Hey, Justin?" When Justin Milano pursues Celeste as a potential freshman for Barton Coll...

Running Barefoot is one of those beautifully written books that you may need to invest time in because it is rather long (over 400 pages). However, let me tell you that it truly is a remarkable book and not your run-of-the-mill love story, so consider the time you put in to be well spent.  Josie Jensen's life isn't ordinary. She's experienced loss and has felt responsible for her family at a young age, even though this was something that was not knowingly put upon her shoulders. When she discovers music, she becomes even more extraordinary, becoming a prodigy of sorts. Her life then revolves around her love for her family, her music, and her books...that is, until she meets Samuel Yates, who, just like her, is anything but ordinary. They strike up an unexpected friendship and 13-year-old Josie and 18-year-old Samuel become each other's support system and sounding board. The bond they share is special but Samuel is very much aware of the fact that he's five ...

Rogue  is the fourth book in the Real series by Katy Evans and is the first one not to focus on Remington Tate and Brooke Dumas, the lead characters from the first three books. Rogue  can be read as a standalone and I consider it to be the best among the currently available books in the series so far. ^.^ When Melanie Meyers meets Greyson "Zero" King, there's immediate sexual chemistry and Melanie begins to feel that their connection is special and that he may be "the one". But their one night together almost feels like a wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am moment when he doesn't contact her or reply to any of her texts.  Greyson knows the best thing to do would be to stay away from Melanie, especially since their "chance" encounter wasn't exactly what it seemed to be...but he can't help himself. Greyson and Melanie's first night together sparks an addiction to each other. They're both keeping secrets from one another, only Gr...

Waiting in the Wings was Melissa Brayden's debut novel (and the second one that I've read), released in 2011, and has received countless positive reviews from my fellow bookaholics out there. And yes, this is me, hopping on the bandwagon. I may be nearly three years "late" but I'm a firm believer that it's never too late to fall in love with a book. ^.^ After graduating from college, Jenna McGovern finds herself with the opportunity to audition for a touring Broadway show. She is cast as one of the supporting cast members and becomes friends with the lead, Adrienne Kenyon. Jenna is attracted to Adrienne but doesn't think she has a shot in hell, believing Adrienne to be straight. When Adrienne clears up that particular issue, she and Jenna begin a romantic relationship.  Everything seems to be going well in Jenna's life--she's part of an amazing stage production, she's made new friends, and she's in love. However, when she's...

Lead  is the third book in the Stage Dive  series by Kylie Scott and follows the lives and loves of the members of a famous rock group. Fans of the series have been waiting to learn more about the lead singer of the group, Jimmy Ferris, a man who has been battling his demons since the first book. He is partnered with Lena Morrissey, his new personal assistant who refuses to be sucked in by Jimmy's good looks nor be intimidated by his less than pleasing personality. Jimmy is not the easiest man to work for or live with. Just ask his latest personal assistant, Lena. Jimmy doesn't seem to have a very high tolerance level when it comes to his assistants but Lena is different. She doesn't give in to his domineering presence and is able to stand her ground when she feels he's doing more harm than good to himself. Begrudgingly, Jimmy does see Lena as an asset to his life both professionally, as his assistant, and personally, as his friend.  When Jimmy and Lena c...

How Sweet It Is  is the first book by Melissa Brayden that I've had the pleasure of reading and suffice it to say that I went ahead and read all her other currently available work and am now a certified fan of hers. ^.^  "You undo me every time. You know that?" Molly O'Brien lost the love of her life, Cassie, four years ago but has gone on with her life, staying close to her in-laws and continuing the now floundering bakeshop her father started with the help of her eccentric crew of helpers. She decides it's time to start dating again but seems to end up with nothing more than a handful of first dates that don't really lead to anything too promising. And then her sister-in-law Jordan drives back into town... Jordan Tuscana has always tried to live her life according to her terms, refusing to be like her late sister, Cassie, and her brother, Mikey, and joining the family practice, and becoming a film producer instead. She returns to town after ...

Uncharted is the companion novella to one of my favorite books of all time, On the Island . Tracey Garvis Graves has done it again, seamlessly weaving a tale that reels you in and keeps you hooked onto everything that's going on with the characters. The fact that fans of the original novel are able to still have their fill of T.J. and Anna is an added bonus. ^.^ Owen Sparks feels he has had enough of his seemingly enviable life and decides what only a supposedly eccentric millionaire like him would consider necessary--moving to an island far from the rest of civilization. He no longer wants to deal with people who simply kept wanting more from him or kept wanting him to make more for them.  Everything seems to go according to plan until he meets Calia Reed on one of his rare visits to the mainland. After one conversation with her, he impulsively invites her back to the island and she, in turn, brings along her younger brother James. Owen begins to appreciate being with...

I had heard good things about Tracey Garvis Graves' On the Island from the time I started checking out reviews on book blogs, which wasn't really all that long ago (about two or three years). Unfortunately, when you discover books that are worth adding to a to-be-read list that's already bursting at the seams, you end up with a never ending case of "so many books, so little time" syndrome.   Finally, I found myself looking at On the Island on my e-reader, wondering how the heck I hadn't gotten around to reading 'til then. By the time I finished the book, I was a tad peeved because I couldn't believe this beautifully written story had been sitting in my tablet for SO long and it took me two years to discover it. Someone, please, smack me. (Maybe I should sell tickets...) A teacher-student romance is nothing new and it's been translated into books, movies, television shows, and more. There's something about the "forbidden"...

Hollow City by Ransom Riggs is the sequel to the bestselling book Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children , which got a five-star rating from me on Goodreads (but alas, I wasn't writing reviews then!) when I read it in 2012.  Upon finishing the original book, I had no clue that there was going to be a sequel or that it would end up being a trilogy (as of now).  I was thrilled to find out that the story of Jacob and the peculiar children would continue so I picked up the second book when it was released here a few months ago.  I was finally able to read it after Typhoon Glenda hit the country and we were in the midst of a days-long power outage.  I loved the book so much that I would read it even as daylight faded into night and ended up finishing it by candlelight.  ^.^ As always, Ransom Riggs delivered a fascinating story that had a balanced mix of thrills and chills.  Jacob and the children are still on the run from their enemies, but they're also ab...

Oh God, Archer, I thought, my heart squeezing tightly in my chest. How do you teach a man who has lost everything, not to fear it happening again? How do you teach a person to trust in something none of us can guarantee? This beautiful man that I loved looked so broken, sitting before me expressing his love for me. Expressing his devotion. I wished with all my heart that that could be a happy thing for him–but I understood why it hurt.  Archer's Voice is the fourth book in the A Sign of Love series of novels by Mia Sheridan but can absolutely be read as a standalone. I've read the three books that came before this one and I must say that Archer's Voice is, without a doubt, my favorite. The story here is much richer and the characters far more interesting. From the first page 'til the last, I found myself invested in the tale of Archer Hale and Bree Prescott. Both Archer and Bree are saddled by pasts that are scarred by one night in their respective lives t...

Red at Night is the first Katie McGarry book I've ever read. The author's reputation as being a good writer certainly precedes her and based solely on this free Harlequin: More Than Words novella, I think those accolades are well-founded. ^.^ Jonah and Stella have known each other since they were children. They've never been friends and merely know of each other's existence. Jonah is popular and well-liked while Stella...isn't. Then their paths cross in the unlikeliest of places and they strike up the oddest, at least on the onset, of friendships that blossoms into something more. This was a beautifully told story that was more than just your run-of-the-mill romance between two teens who are opposites. The dynamic between Stella and Jonah isn't always perfect but then, isn't that how it is in real life? I enjoyed watching the relationship evolve and how they, as individuals, grew and developed. I also loved that it highlighted the real-life ef...

Play  is the second book in the Stage Dive series by Australian author Kylie Scott and can be read as a standalone BUT if you do intend to read the entire series, you'll need to read it in order so that you don't end up with spoilers regarding the other stories. ^.^ This follow-up has Stage Dive drummer Mal Ericson and good girl Anne Rollins in the spotlight and you best be warned: Play  is best read in the privacy of your home lest you be thought certifiable if you read it in public because there are lots of scenes and one-liners in this book that'll have you laughing like a loon (or giggling as quietly as possible or snorting out loud, depending on what kind of laugher--yes, I know that isn't an actual word--you happen to be). ♥ Mal is a rock star with a certain quirkiness about him that, when matched with his blatant sexiness, is difficult to resist. Just ask Anne, who after one meeting with him, finds herself becoming his roommate AND "girlfriend"...

Goodness! It's been a while since my last book review in July. We're now entering the second full week of August and there are a heck of a lot of reviews I still need to write. I may have taken an unscheduled break from book blogging but that certainly didn't mean I took a break from reading. I usually try to read a book a day, thus cementing my status as a bookaholic, though I also answer to "book whore" AND "book pimp". ^.^ So, you probably have a basic idea of just how many reviews I have lined up at the moment and that list just grows every single day! Now, it's gotten to the point that the idea of catching up and quickly working my way down that list has become daunting. *SMH* Anyhoo, I will try my best to get my butt into gear and get those reviews going. These reviews are not being done upon request of any author or publisher so there aren't any deadlines for me to meet BUT I would like to be able to finish everything currently on the...