Book of the Month - July

The books I read this month:

-       Written in the Stars – by Ali Harris 5/5

-       Taken by Love – by Melissa Foster 4/5

-       The Unfinished Symphony of You and Me – by Lucy Robinson 5/5

-       Suddenly Last Summer – by Sarah Morgan 4/5

-       Beautiful Bastard – by Christina Lauren 5/5

-       Reasonable Doubt Vol. 1 – by Whitney Gracia Williams 4/5

-       Reasonable Doubt Vol. 2 – by Whitney Gracia Williams 4/5

-       The Notting Hill Diaries – by Sarah Morgan 5/5

-       High Heels and Bicycle Wheels – by Jane Linfoot 4.5/5

-       The Vineyard – by Karen Aldous 5/5

-       My Sort-of Kind-of Hero – by Emily Harper 5/5

-       Strings Attached – by Mandy Baggot 5/5

Ali Harris you created a MAGICAL and BEAUTIFUL story and so did Karen Aldous, the stories are so different, they both deserve a place here:

Written in the Stars – Ali Harris

The bit on the back:

Bea Bishop is horrible at making decisions. Forget big life ones, even everyday choices seem to paralyse her. She's learned to live with this because experience has taught her that it doesn't matter what you do, no one has the power to control destiny. Anyone who believes they can is a fool.

But as her wedding day approaches, her years of indecision are weighing heavily on her, and she can't help but wonder, 'What if, what if, what if….'

What if she hadn't upped sticks and moved to London? What if she hadn't grabbed the first job that came along and settled down with the first guy who showed an interest? But all of her questions are silenced when she slips while walking down the aisle and is knocked unconscious. In this split second her life splits into two: in one existence, Bea flees back down the aisle and out of the church. In the other she glides blissfully towards her intended.

But which story will lead to her happily ever after?

My opinion:

I was taken into this beautiful and brilliantly written story immediately and I couldn’t put it down. WRITTEN IN THE STARS is a beautiful, romantic, magical and amazing story, showing what is important in life. The scenes Ali created were so vivid, emotional and real, I felt like being there with the characters all the time. Read my review here: Written in the Stars Review

Ali on Twitter: @AliHarrisWriter

Website: http://aliharriswriter.tumblr.com

The Vineyard – Karen Aldous

The bit on the back:

It’s been five years, and Lizzie Lambert has decided it’s time to try to make things right with her estranged mother.

She’s made a success of things in Cannes, she’s bringing up a lovely little boy on her own, and she’s ready to put the past behind her.

But it seems Lizzie’s mother has moved on as well. She’s moved her toyboy – a muscle-bound vintner named Cal – into the family home, and given him the run of the land that was meant to be Lizzie’s inheritance!

Cal’s wine business frequently takes him to France, and suddenly wherever Lizzie goes, he’s already there – meddling, giving unsolicited advice, saving her little boy’s life and stealing her heart. But none of this changes the fact that he’s her mother’s lover…

My opinion:

A sweet, beautiful, touching and sensitive story, set in wonderful places, I just loved the sceneries: A vineyard and Cannes <3. The Vineyard is a beautiful story about live, family and friendship, with a great couple in the centre of the story. They had so much chemistry and the little boy Thierry added some sweet sparks into this story. A story, you’ll never forget, I wanted to stay there. My review will be up at the end of the month for a blog tour.

Karen on Twitter: @KarenAldous_

Website: http://www.karenaldous.co.uk

Written in the Stars - by Ali Harris

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb:

Bea Bishop is horrible at making decisions. Forget big life ones, even everyday choices seem to paralyse her. She's learned to live with this because experience has taught her that it doesn't matter what you do, no one has the power to control destiny. Anyone who believes they can is a fool.

But as her wedding day approaches, her years of indecision are weighing heavily on her, and she can't help but wonder, 'What if, what if, what if….'

What if she hadn't upped sticks and moved to London? What if she hadn't grabbed the first job that came along and settled down with the first guy who showed an interest? But all of her questions are silenced when she slips while walking down the aisle and is knocked unconscious. In this split second her life splits into two: in one existence, Bea flees back down the aisle and out of the church. In the other she glides blissfully towards her intended.

But which story will lead to her happily ever after?

My Opinion:

*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you Sarah for sending me a copy and thanks Ali for your lovely message inside the book.

Isn’t the cover of this book beautiful? And after reading this truly magical story, I think it fits perfectly.

I was taken into this beautiful and brilliantly written story immediately and I couldn’t put it down. It follows Bea Bishop who is about to marry the love of her life, but is she really going through with it?

After the beginning scenes we are taken into alternating universes the heroine goes through. One part of her leaves her husband to be at the altar, starting a new life and figuring out things about her job and her past. The other part goes through with the wedding and we g t to see a glimpse of her married life with Adam.

In both universes there is Kieran her ex who turns up at the wedding, making Bea think about the past...

And then there is the issue with her dad who left the family, Bea thinks she’s just like him. The parts with his diary made him more real and I loved reading these parts.

Bea finds herself facing though decisions and also thinking about what she really wants in life. This year without Adam by her side shows her a lot and Adam is also very true to himself and then he does something so sweet for her...

The characters in this book seemed so lively and perfectly described, it was a pleasure going on this journey with Bea. I also adored her mother Loni, I loved the two of them together. And then there was also her amazing best friend Milly, she brought so much spark and energy into this story, loved her.

The book conveys a significant message: What if… There are so many different possibilities in life and every single one of us has to figure out what’s good for them and what they need. Bea did this as well and only because of it she found what she really wants.

WRITTEN IN THE STARS is a beautiful, romantic, magical and amazing story, showing what is important in life. The scenes Ali created were so vivid, emotional and real, I felt like being there with the characters all the time. Another awesome novel by Ali Harris, I can’t wait for the next one! ♥♥♥

Rating:

My possible cast:

Bea: Amanda Seyfried

Adam: Ian Somerhalder

Kieran: Channing Tatum

Milly: Nazanin Boniadi

Ali Harris on Twitter: @AliHarrisWriter

Website: http://aliharriswriter.tumblr.com

The First Last Kiss - by Ali Harris

My own copy

Original Cover

The blurb:

How do you hold on to a love that is slowly slipping away from you? Can you let go of the past when you know what is in the future? And how do you cope when you know that every kiss is a countdown to goodbye?

This is the story of a love affair, of Ryan and Molly and how they fell in love and were torn apart. The first time Molly kissed Ryan, she knew they’d be together forever. Six years and thousands of kisses later she’s married to the man she loves. But today, when Ryan kisses her, Molly realises how many of them she wasted because the future holds something which neither of them could have ever predicted…

My Opinion:

At first I didn’t like the jumping around in time, it was in 2012 one time, then in 2005 and a chapter later in 1995. After a while I got used to it and I began to actually like it. I love all these little episodes about the different kisses and was so touched, when I found out, this was part of Molly’s blog.

Molly’s and Ryan’s story is touching, emotional and heart-breaking. Only after several chapters we find out, how they first met, how he proposed, when they got together or when they shared their first kiss.

They are perfect for each other. However, it is really sad, because as a reader you know from the beginning, that they are not together anymore in 2012. I sooo badly wanted to know why!!! So I couldn’t put the book down. I had my suspitions, but Ali really found a way to keep me wondering and that made the story so interesting. 

When Molly thinks he is having an affair or something like that, he has shocking news, concerning his health.

They try to make the best of the situation and enjoy their time together.

I just really hoped for Molly to be happy again and get the love she deserves, also without Ryan. It is so hard for her, but she finds a way to write down her thoughts, which I think is really important.

She saved every single kiss and writes about them... I mean what could be more romantic than that and it’s a memory forever.

Will Molly find happiness again? Read it ...

Heart-breakingly sad, magical, romantic, beautiful and full of depth. A kiss can mean so much ...

Rating: 

My possible cast:

Molly: Mandy Moore

Ryan: Tom Felton

Casey: Mila Kunis

 

Mia: Ashley Simpson

Ali Harris on Twitter: @AliHarrisWriter

Website: http://aliharriswriter.tumblr.com