Book of the Month - January

The books I read this month:

-         - Connectivity – Aven Ellis 5/5

-       - In Need of Therapy – Tracie Banister 4.5/5

-       - Blame It on The Fame – Tracie Banister 4.5/5

-       - April Showers – Karli Perrin 5/5

-       - April Fools – Karli Perrin 5/5

-       - I Love the 80s  - Megan Crane 5/5

-       - Fairytales of New York - Miranda Dicksinson 3/5

-       - Hopelessly Devoted to Holden Finn – Tilly Tennant 4/5

-       - Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off – Jill Steeples 4.5/5

-       - Private Air – Billie Bates 3/5

-       - The Happy Endings Book Club – Jane Tara 2.5/5

-       - Beyond Grace’s Rainbow – Carmel Harrington 5/5

I absolutely fell in love with Aven’s book instantly and I knew it was going to be difficult for every other book to follow and get a chance to become the book of the month... Karli’s books and also Megan’s book came close, and Carmel Harrington’s book is so brilliant. That’s why I decided to have two books of the month in January (sorry, but …):

Connectivity – Aven Ellis

The bit on the back:

Overachiever Mary-Kate Grant (who is indeed named after an Olsen Twin) has followed every rule to the letter to pursue her dream of working in TV programming. Ripping a page from the “hard work pays off” playbook, she takes an assistant level job at a Chicago sports network to break into the industry.

MK has no time or desire for a relationship right now—she is totally focused on her career and being independent, unlike the other women in her family.

But MK’s plans are run through the shredder when she finds herself working for William Cumberland, a British media mogul who made his fortune with Connectivity, a social media site. William blows into Chicago just like the winds off Lake Michigan and purchases the group of networks MK works for—and makes her his personal assistant in the process.

Suddenly MK finds her career plans in jeopardy. William makes her question everything she has ever thought and has the uncanny ability to see right through her. And for the first time in her life, MK finds herself not only questioning what she wants for her career but for her personal life as well…

My opinion: 

Oh my god, I got so hooked with this book instantly, I think that never happened to me in this extreme way before. Both characters were great, beautifully described and they had an amazing chemistry. Every single scene between Mary-Kate and the gorgeous William was unique, marvellous and full of sparks. I literally couldn’t put the book down and took it every where to read. I fell in love with William, and the crush is still there, I just can’t forget him. He’s a gentleman, so caring, sexy and driven. God, I loved everything about him.

I loved the way William’s and Mary-Kate’s relationship developed. I can’t tell you enough how much I loved this story, if you want to know more, here is the review: Connectivity Review

Aven Ellis on Twitter: @AvenEllis
Website: http://www.avenellis.com

Beyond Grace’s Rainbow – Carmel Harrington

The bit on the back:

 

Grace is a young single mother, who receives life changing news. She has cancer and her best chance of surviving, is to find a bone marrow transplant from a family member. As Grace is adopted and her previous attempt at connecting with her birth mother failed, this causes her some problems. With the help of her friends she bravely embarks on a journey of discovery to find out who her biological parents are. This search will bring her from Dublin to Wexford where she must unravel a web of lies and deceit that has spanned over thirty years.

And just when she thinks life can get no more complicated, Jack’s father Liam is back in town full of remorse and he’s made it clear that he’s not leaving until he’s won her back. Liam was the love of Grace’s life but can she trust him ever again?

Helping Grace muddle her way through her cancer treatment and complicated love life are her friends – Tara, Sean, Abby, Tom and Gerry. Tara is Grace’s cousin and is happily married to Sean and they are desperate for a baby of their own; Abby, Grace and Tara’s friend from college is single and looking for her one true love which is proving difficult, whilst Tom would be happy if his boyfriend Gerry for once didn’t max out their credit card!

Beyond Grace’s Rainbow will bring the reader into Graces world where friendship, courage, loyalty, laughter and above all love are abundant. The story will bring you on an emotional journey with Grace and her friends that will have the reader both laughing and crying at the turn of a page.

My opinion:

This is such a brilliant read. Carmel Harrington is an amazing writer with a beautiful style and great talent. This book touches the delicate and difficult topic of cancer. The characters are all so well described and real and Grace is a wonderful mother and woman with strength. Grace is the main character in this story, but all the others get their part as well and I loved them all, they very so genuine. The support and love of her friends is huge and amazing, true friends. This book is emotional, gripping, charming, touching, funny, sad, and poignant...

Jack adds an extra spark to the story as well, he’s so adorable, love him.

This book made me laugh at one time and cry soon after. Can’t wait to read more by Carmel Harrington, review will be posted March 9.

Carmel on Twitter: @happymrsh

Website: http://carmelharrington.com

Connectivity - by Aven Ellis

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb:

Overachiever Mary-Kate Grant (who is indeed named after an Olsen Twin) has followed every rule to the letter to pursue her dream of working in TV programming. Ripping a page from the “hard work pays off” playbook, she takes an assistant level job at a Chicago sports network to break into the industry.

MK has no time or desire for a relationship right now—she is totally focused on her career and being independent, unlike the other women in her family.

But MK’s plans are run through the shredder when she finds herself working for William Cumberland, a British media mogul who made his fortune with Connectivity, a social media site. William blows into Chicago just like the winds off Lake Michigan and purchases the group of networks MK works for—and makes her his personal assistant in the process.

Suddenly MK finds her career plans in jeopardy. William makes her question everything she has ever thought and has the uncanny ability to see right through her. And for the first time in her life, MK finds herself not only questioning what she wants for her career but for her personal life as well…

My Opinion:

*Book provided by author in exchange for an honest review and I also won the book again.*

First I have to say, that I think the cover is really beautiful. The colour is magical and I just love everything about it.

Mary-Kate is a career driven 24 year old with a lot of ambition, drive and enthusiasm. She is a talented writer and has a blog. Her career is the most important thing for her, she doesn’t think about man and having a relationship. Love that she is named after an Olsen twin and it’s great to read about Full House, I loved that series when I was younger.

William is the sexy media boss who turns up at her office in Chicago. He’s British and he’s single and not interested in dating. I have to say, I still have a huge crush on him. Great man and such a gentleman and so caring as well – perfect ♥.

I really liked the way the two of them met; I was funny and interesting at the same time. Aven’s writing is vivid, catchy, brilliant and sparkling. I was so hooked to this book; I read the whole time and couldn’t put it down.

The way William and Mary-Kate’s relationship developed was great and something different from other stories. The scenes between them and their interactions were amazing and wonderful. Every single scene has it’s own spark and glimmer. Their relationship started innocently, but builds up more and more, they are such a cute and adorable couple and their love was always there, without neither of them saying something about it. They way they treated each other and showed each other their feelings made this story magical. You can see that one person, if it is the ONE, can really change everything in life. I can’t tell you enough, how I loved the connection between William and Mary-Kate.

The differences between the UK and the US were always included in a fun and enjoyable way throughout the story.

The ending and the epilogue were so adorable and brilliantly written, like the rest of the book.

The bonus scenes on Aven's blog are great as well :).

This book is an incredible and marvellous debut novel and I can’t wait to read books by Aven Ellis. ♥ ♥ ♥ I never felt so connected to a story and the characters before, especially to Mare-Kate, she reminded me of myself in some ways and I just can't get William Cumberland out of my head ♥.

Rating: 

My possible cast: 

Mary-Kate: Kate Mara

William: Henry Cavill ♥ ♥ ♥ 

Aven Ellis on Twitter: @AvenEllis
Website: http://www.avenellis.com

I absolutely loved this book, hope you enjoyed the review :) There will be a Q&A with Aven coming up in February, it's on the 14th, Valentine's Day, the day of William and Mary-Kate's first date.