Book of the Month - August

The books I read this month:

-       The Cherry Tree Café – by Heidi Swain 5/5

-       A Kiss in the Dark – by Lisa Fox 4/5

-       I Knew You Were Trouble – by Paige Toon 5/5

-       Mile High – by Rebecca Chance 3/5

-       Picnics in Hyde Park – by Nikki Moore 5/5

-       It’s Got To Be Perfect – by Haley Hill 4/5

-       The A-Z of You and Me – by James Hannah 5/5

-       The Secret of Midwives – by Sally Hepworth 5/5

-       Appleby Farm – by Cathy Bramley 5/5

-       The Aubrey Rules – by Aven Ellis 5/5

-       Letting You Go – by Anouska Knight 4/5

-       The Great Village Show – by Alexandra Brown 5/5

August was a great reading month for me, not as good as July, but I’m happy. Here are my tow favourites:

Picnics in Hyde Park – Nikki Moore

The bit on the back:

The last story in the fun & flirty #LoveLondon series from exciting new chick lit author Nikki Moore! The perfect novel for reading in the sunshine… and falling in love with London.

A summer to remember…or forget?

When Zoe Harper returns to the UK after five long years in New York, the last thing she expects is to find her younger sister Melody jobless, homeless, broke and dumped. Unfortunately, life has a way of delivering the unexpected. She should know that, given her ex-fiancé Greg’s faithless behaviour.

Filled with rage and determined to get revenge on the infamous Reilly brothers for her sister’s heartbreak, as well as get some answers, Zoe hatches plan Nannygate. Unfortunately that means moving in with the gorgeous but uncaring music producer Matt Reilly to be nanny to his two adorable, complicated children. But something isn’t adding up, and over the course of the hot London summer, she starts to think that perhaps Matt isn’t so bad after all.

Let down by his last nanny and weighed down with guilt about his wife’s death three years before, wealthy but camera-shy Matt has spent a long time pushing people away, including his own kids. His stunning new nanny challenges him every single day in completely different ways, but maybe that isn’t such a bad thing?

But what happens when you open your heart, and someone isn’t who you thought they were? And can it really be true love when it’s on the rebound, and starts off with a plan for revenge?

My opinion:

Nikki’s style of writing is really unique. She always finds a gripping way to engage the reader, the scenes flow beautifully and have an authentic and unique spark. London and the settings seemed vivid and I felt like being there with the characters and that’s what I love for in a story!!! FABULOUS, TERRIFIC and JUST AWESOME!!!!!

Read my review here: http://skysbookcorner.blogspot.ch/2015/08/picnics-in-hyde-park-by-nikki-moore.html

Nikki on Twitter: @NikkiMoore_Auth

Website: https://nikkimooreauthor.wordpress.com

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

The Aubrey Rules – Aven Ellis

The bit on the back:

Some of the Aubrey Rules to Live By:

*If I’m going to indulge in French fries, I must add extra time to the treadmill the next day.

*Always keep your work and private life separate.

*Being open to new experiences will never involve eating kale.

*Never, ever date a professional athlete.

For Chicago social media professional Aubrey Paige, the rules are everything. So much so that Aubrey has painstakingly written her rules for living into a polka-dot Kate Spade notebook that she carries with her at all times. It’s her personal guidebook to living her life. These rules are the Holy Grail—ones never to be broken. They guide her actions for everything, from dealing with workplace drama to finding a great guy to date. After all, these are her own rules, built from her life experiences and observations. So they have to be perfect, right?

Or are they?

Because when Aubrey meets a cute Canadian, she suddenly finds her rules being tested and challenged in ways she never dreamed possible. Beckett Riley is the shy, quiet, determined captain of the Chicago Buffaloes, a hockey team on the verge of turning the corner to becoming a winning organization. He’s Aubrey's opposite, with so many qualities that Aubrey had listed as ones she’d never want in a man.

Yet Aubrey finds herself drawn to Beckett in ways she’s never known. And when she unexpectedly finds herself working with Beckett, she wonders if rules are meant to be broken after all . . .

My opinion:

This is the story of a hilarious and passionate girl living by rules, but when meeting the right person she is learning to follow her heart! Two wonderful and relatable characters, who have an awesome chemistry. Aven’s writing has it all – romance, passion, humour, heart, love and so much more!!! She really know how to create a special setting and story!!!

Read my review here: The Aubrey Rules - Review

Aven on Twitter: @AvenEllis

Website: http://www.avenellis.com

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

The Aubrey Rules – by Aven Ellis

My own copy

Original Cover

The blurb:

Some of the Aubrey Rules to Live By:

*If I’m going to indulge in French fries, I must add extra time to the treadmill the next day.

*Always keep your work and private life separate.

*Being open to new experiences will never involve eating kale.

*Never, ever date a professional athlete.

For Chicago social media professional Aubrey Paige, the rules are everything. So much so that Aubrey has painstakingly written her rules for living into a polka-dot Kate Spade notebook that she carries with her at all times. It’s her personal guidebook to living her life. These rules are the Holy Grail—ones never to be broken. They guide her actions for everything, from dealing with workplace drama to finding a great guy to date. After all, these are her own rules, built from her life experiences and observations. So they have to be perfect, right?

Or are they?

Because when Aubrey meets a cute Canadian, she suddenly finds her rules being tested and challenged in ways she never dreamed possible. Beckett Riley is the shy, quiet, determined captain of the Chicago Buffaloes, a hockey team on the verge of turning the corner to becoming a winning organization. He’s Aubrey's opposite, with so many qualities that Aubrey had listed as ones she’d never want in a man.

Yet Aubrey finds herself drawn to Beckett in ways she’s never known. And when she unexpectedly finds herself working with Beckett, she wonders if rules are meant to be broken after all . . .

My Opinion:

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

Oh look! It’s a new Aven Ellis book! Most of you can probably guess that I was really really excited about it. I was lucky enough to Beta read this wonderful book and that has been an awesome experience. Reading the whole story in one go afterwards was just great.

When the story stars Aubrey is all over the place, she is let for a job interview (she is never late), she is nervous and then she also loses her keys. In the elevator someone comes to her rescue, this certain someone happens to be hockey star Beckett Riley, captain of the Chicago Buffaloes, only… she doesn’t know that. Yes you heard right, is another ice hockey book by Aven, The Aubrey Rules is the first book of her Chicago on Ice series.

Aubrey gets the job and now works for Chicago social as a social media … The story gets really interesting when they get a new client, she kind of knows him already…

Aubrey is an awesome main character, she is full of passion, energy and fun! She keeps a rule book about dating and live. Meeting Beckett makes her question these rules more and more. Working with beckett doesn’t make this easier. Every chapter starts with an entry in her rule journal and she changes more and more of them with amendments and notes to them. These changes are so fun to read and really come from the heart, I felt that strongly. Her character came through in an authentic and real way.

Beckett Riley is a big hockey star and hero of a lot of kids, groupies and other people. Beckett is a bad ass on ice, a fighter and always there for his team. When it comes to dealing with media he becomes shy and awkward, with Aubrey on his media account now he learns to loosen up and relax. It was very sweet to see, how different he was, when Aubrey was around. What he did for Aubrey, the way he treated her and his Valentine’s Day date made me fall in love with him as well. He’s smart, kind, loving, sexy, romantic etc. Aven is totally the “Queen of Book Boyfriends”.

Aubrey got the whole picture, was able to crack his shell and see the real Beckett. Their chemistry was there from the start, they developed a very deep connection, which was wonderful to follow. Their scenes had everything – romance, passion, fun, sweetness, deep conversations, authentic moments and much more. Aven found a great way to capture Aubrey’s feelings in the storyline and also with the journal entries.

As I said before, Aubrey works on Beckett’s account, getting this opportunity at her new job is fantastic, but it’s not all good, she has a nightmare of a boss, Mallory. Especially, when Mallory tells her not to get involved with a client. I felt drama coming from that side and was just hoping for the best.

At first Aubrey wants to keep their relationship a secret, because of her work. She only tells Livy. Beckett doesn’t tell anyone at first, not even his best friend Landy (also a hockey player), which makes Aubrey question Beckett’s feelings. So eventually he tells him.

Aubrey gets the possibility to go to several Buffalo games as well and one time she goes with her best friend Livy and two other friends. The happen to play the Dallas Demons (remember them?!). Ok well, I’m a hockey hockey fan and I just loved the way Aven described this hockey action. I felt like being at the game myself. She captures places, settings, but also moments so wonderfully.

The storyline never gets boring with her, it has a great flow and is very gripping and absorbing.

Aven always manages to put a huge smile on my face with her stories, she has a way to add the right amount of humour, passion, drama and romance in one story and create a wonderful magical masterpiece!

This is the story of a hilarious and passionate girl living by rules, but when meeting the right person she is learning to follow her heart!

The characters are genuine and so relatable, both Beckett and Aubrey, but also Livy, Aubrey’s best friend. Livy is an amazing friend. Beckett had a great friend in Landy as well, they are both so different, but their friendship is deep. A wonderful bunch of people, well lined out and perfectly described in this book. Be prepared to meet some of the characters again, just saying ;)

Aven really knows how to engage the reader and she finds a way to make each and every single moment in her books memorable, special and unique. She definitely knows how to touch a heart!!!

Rating:

My possible cast:

Aubrey: Karen Gillan

Beckett: Jamie Benn

Aven on Twitter: @AvenEllis

Website: http://www.avenellis.com

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

About Aven:

Aven Ellis has been writing fiction since she was sixteen. She studied communications at a large Midwestern university, and after graduation, Aven worked as a reporter for a community newspaper, followed by a stint at a public relations agency.

But writing about city council meetings and restaurant franchises was not as much fun as writing for young women trying to figure out their careers and potential boyfriends. So Aven got herself a job in television that allowed her to write at night.  Connectivity is Aven’s debut novel; Waiting For Prince Harry and Chronicles of a Lincoln Park Fashionista (New Adult romantic comedy) will be published this year.

Aven lives in Dallas with her family. When she is not writing, Aven enjoys shopping, cooking, connecting with friends on social media, and watching any show that features Gordon Ramsay.

Connectivity - Waiting For Prince Harry - Chronicles of a Lincoln Park Fashionista - 

Surviving The Rachel - The Definition of Icing - The Aubrey Rules

Quotes - The Aubrey Rules by Aven Ellis

Happy publication day to the amazing Aven Ellis with the Aubrey Rules. This time's #AvenSpecial will only consist of this post, because I've been really busy the past few days with rehearsal weekend, school start and getting everything ready for the kids. It was still really important to me to have something special on pub day for Aven and since she is very great with words I picked out my favourite quotes of the book. My review for the Aubrey Rules will be part of the Blog Tour on September 3rd. For now, enjoy the quotes!!! Oh and buy the book, it's FABULOUS!!! The Aubrey Rules - Amazon

***

“Butterflies are swirling at a manic pace. My heart is about to explode inside my chest.” 
– Aubrey

“You make me laugh. You’re fun. And I feel with you, things are easy. I can say things and you get them.” – Beckett

“And for better or worse, I’m following my heart on this one.” – Aubrey

“Oh, I love his eyes. They are so expressive and gorgeous. I swear I could get lost in them.” – Aubrey

“It’s the perfect date because you’re here. This doesn’t work without you.” – Aubrey

“I haven’t created a date like this for any other girl.” – Beckett

“With those words, I know. I know my heart is going to belong to Beckett.” – Aubrey

“This is the kiss I’ve been waiting for my whole life, but never knew it until this moment.” – Aubrey

“She has to be genuine.” – Beckett

“As Beckett presses his lips against mine, I know this is the best first date I’ve ever had. Filled with conversation and laughter and kissing. It’s perfect for me.” – Aubrey

“All I know is one truth. I’m crazy about Beckett.” – Aubrey

“That’s the Beckett I know. He’s funny, he’s sincere, and apparently I’m one of the few people that gets to see that non-serious side to him. Which makes me fall even more for him. “ – Aubrey

“And then one day, this beautiful red-haired girl falls in the elevator in front of me. She loses her keys, kicks a wall, and states I’m a serial killer. And all of a sudden, it’s game on again.” – Beckett

“We know what we feel, and it’s mutual. It’s game on. For both of us.” – Aubrey

“I’d go anywhere to be with you.” – Beckett

“I don’t want to live by rules anymore. I’m following my heart.” – Aubrey

“This is my man. Beckett has changed me in the short time he’s been a part of my life and I’m changing all the rules for him. I’m learning to follow my instincts. I’m following my heart. I know, without a doubt, my heart is meant to be with this man. And hopefully Beckett’s heart will find if needs to be with me, too.” – Aubrey

“The one who holds me and kisses the top of my forehead when we’re watching TV. The one who can reach me and calm me down when I’m upset. The one who makes me break all my rules. “ – Aubrey

“You’re beautiful and sexy and nobody compares to you. You’re the only one I want.” – Beckett

“You bring out the better side of me.” – Beckett

“No, I bring out a different side of you. Not better. Because serious and shy is a wonderful part of who you are, equally as wonderful as your teasing, smart ass side. All of that makes you Beckett.” – Aubrey

“You see me in a way nobody else does.” – Beckett

“He’s gorgeous, but more than that, he’s kind, loving, romantic, intelligent – I can go on and on, but I adore the man for everything he is on the inside. The Beckett I know. The Beckett I love. – Aubrey

“You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me, Beckett.” – Aubrey

“But I wasn’t living until I fell in love with Beckett.” – Aubrey

“I broke every rule because of you.” – Aubrey

“You loved me for me. For being awkward. Serious. All of it. You loved me as I am. I guess the question is, do you still love me? Because I love you. I love you so much, and I’ve never loved anyone this way in my life. I love you, exactly the way you are, inside and out.” – Beckett

“The very things that could drive me away from you are the things that make me love you even more.” – Beckett

“I can say the same about you. I love you. Just the way you are. And I don’t need rules anymore, Beckett. Loving you has taught me that. I need to follow my heart. And that’s with you.” – Aubrey

“Love can’t be found in a rule book. It’s found with your heart.” – Aubrey