Swoony Spotlights

Welcome to Swoony Worthy Spotlights, hosted by Bookworm Nation, Katie's Clean Book Collection and KJ's Book Nook! Swoon Worthy Spotlights features 1-3 of our favorite books that we have read during the month. We will share the cover(s), our review(s) and a link to each other's post so you can check out which books we have all chosen!

February was a great month, I was able to read a lot and found a few favorites that I look forward to reading again. I read so many good ones I ended up having a hard time narrowing it down this month.So, to make it a little easier I am sticking to just new releases, full-length novels, and I went with a favorite in Contemporary, Historical and YA. In random order:

The Thirteenth Chance by Amy Matayo

Contemporary Romance

 

This is a super cute opposites attract, fake relationship story. The characters have great chemistry and really bring out the best in each other. Lots of fun.

By Your Side by Kasie West

YA Contemporary Romance

 

This is such a fun young adult novel. I don't read a lot of these anymore, but I can never resist Ms. West's books. This had a super fun story with likable characters and a unique plot. Enjoyable for adults and YAs.

The Rise of Miss Notley by Rachael Anderson

Regency Historical

 

Sigh, I love a good regency romance. This one takes place at a charming country manor, with likable characters and a really fun plot. Great chemistry and a fun step back in time. Great read.

 

 

*******

 

And don't for get to check Kathy Jo's post here and Katie's post here!

 

Do you have a blog and want to join us for Swoon Worthy Spotlights? Then grab the picture and post with us! We will be posting on the last day of each month. Make sure you share your link with us so we can check out your favorite authors as well! If you don't have a blog, just leave a comment below. I'd love to hear which books we're your favorite for the month!

 

First Line Friday

Welcome to First Line Friday! This fun meme is easy to do, simply pick up the book you're currently reading and share the very first line! There are some really good first lines out there, they grab you and suck you right into the story. Make you want to keep reading. So, my selection for this week is:

The Thirteenth Chance by Amy Matayo

Contemporary Romance

 

Baseball star Will Vandergriff knows any number of women who would happily pretend to be his girlfriend. In a last-ditch effort to restore his good standing with his team’s higher-ups, he enlists the help of his neurotic, goody-goody neighbor. Schoolteacher Olivia Pratt might be a bit quirky and a bit of a loner, but she’s a lot more inviting than she knows. Will hopes that bringing her to his next game might revamp his reckless reputation and help get his career back on track. The only problem? The plan works a little too well. Not only do the higher-ups love Olivia, but Will plays his best game yet. Suddenly his losing streak is a thing of the past, and Olivia is his new good-luck charm. Will feels anything but lucky.

First Line:

 

"I am a fourth-grade teacher, but on days like today I'm not entirely sure why."

 

The Thirteenth Chance by Amy Matayo

The Thirteenth Chance by Amy Matayo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4.5

This was a super cute opposites attract story!

Olivia Pratt is OCD and proud of it. She likes things to be organize, clean and in her control. She loves her job as an elementary school teacher and of course her dear cat Perry. Will Vandergriff gets to play baseball for a living and if wasn't for his current loosing streak life would be just about perfect. Olivia was a fun character, it was nice to see her loosen up a little as the story progresses. She definitely has a certain way of doing things. Will is more easy going and relaxed. They butt-heads, but Olivia is able to hold her own with the baseball heartthrob.

I'm a sucker for the whole "fake relationship" storyline, of course there is a mutual attraction from the get-go and it's fun to see their relationship develop into something deeper. I especially liked seeing Will totally fall head over heels for Olivia. They have some fun banter and great chemistry and some funny moments. Things are all smooth sailing though and it's fun seeing them figure things out, you can't help rooting for them to find a way to make their fake relationship into something very real.

Overall, a fun contemporary romance, and one I'd quickly recommend to any romance fan! If you enjoyed this one and are looking for something similar, try The Catching Kind.

Content
Romance: Clean, kissing and pretty mild innuendo
Language: None-mild (can't remember any)
Violence: None

Source: Netgalley and Amazon Kindle

View all my reviews

In Tune With Love by Amy Matayo

April is willing to do anything for her sister’s wedding—until she comes face to face with a guy from her past.

 

April Quinn is thrilled to be her sister’s maid of honor, until the wedding coordinator quits and the responsibilities get dumped on her. It’s April’s worst nightmare—especially since her sister has more objections and opinions than a lawyer presenting a high-profile court case. When the wedding singer walks out at the last-minute, her sister hires a replacement. When April finds out who the replacement is, she’s ready to call it quits as well. Because there’s only one person in April’s past that she never wanted to see again, and her sister just handed him a front row seat to the wedding.

 

Jack Vaughn finally has the career he’s always wanted. After playing in bars and singing in weddings as a struggling musician for half a decade, he’s just released his second album and sales are skyrocketing. But while visiting his parent’s Nashville home the weekend before his first headline tour, he runs into an old friend. When she asks him for a last-minute favor, he can’t bring himself to say no. Even though saying yes means he has to come face to face with April Quinn—the girl who hasn’t spoken to him in years.

 

And rightly so, since he stole something from her that he’ll never be able to repay.

Flirty fun!

I love Ms. Matayo's books, they never disappoint. When I saw this one available on Netgalley I couldn't wait to download it and I devoured it in one sitting. She has a way of sucking you in right from the start, introduces fun characters that you want to spend some time with and get to know better.

This was a fun story. April and Jack used to work together, but have a falling out and are reunited three years later when the now famous Jack agrees to sing at the wedding for April's sister. April is obviously less than pleased with this arrangement and Jack is desperate to do anything to right the wrong he has been living with for all these years. Jack and April have great chemistry, I love the "ferenemy" vibe and how they go head-to-head. A fun story with a sweet romance. I think this would be a great full-length novel, I'd love to see what happens next! Everything wraps up well, but I loved Jack and April so I wouldn't have minded spending more time with them. Which is a good quality to have in a book.

Mark your calendars for March 31, you'll want to grab this gem right when it comes out!

Content
Romance: Clean

Source: Received complimentary copy from publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This has been nominated for a 2015 Swoony Award, you can vote for it here.

Love Gone Wild by Amy Matayo

As the daughter of a well-known politician, Anna Lloyd has been groomed for success. There’s only one problem: for her, success never sticks. Texas-bred rancher Jay Maddox wants one last chance at fun. After a lifetime of being responsible for siblings, mortgages, and a dysfunctional mother, he’s ready for an adventure that’s all his own. When both of them arrive to begin taping the show, they’re joined by three other couples, and all are eager to get started. Until the producers make a decision that throws everything into chaos. Now Jay and Anna are alone in the wilderness—forced together against their will into a partnership neither one bargained for. How is Anna supposed to get her boyfriend to commit to her when she’s stuck with this southern cowboy instead? How is Jay supposed to survive a solid month with this big-city girl who gets under his skin in more ways than one?

I’ve been looking forward to this one ever since I finished The Wedding Game. It didn’t disappoint, I was quickly engaged in the story and rooting for Jay and Anna. I liked both Anna and Jay and it was fun watching them fall in love. They do so under some pretty dire circumstances and will probably make their relationship stronger in the long run. I thought the setting was fun, although I wouldn’t go rushing off to Alaska any time soon. I was surprised by how much time they were actually alone during the filming of the show; I guess I was expecting more of a Survivor type setting (only in freezing Alaska). As in most of these type stories there are some obstacles for the couple to overcome. It was a tad frustrating; I wanted to shake Anna a few times. I understood her though; I got how she couldn’t or wouldn’t want to disappoint her family. It’s a lot easier said than done and her behavior and choices seemed realistic. I was happy with how everything worked out.

Overall, a super fun read. Ms. Matayo is quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me! Can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

Romance: Clean, a few passionate kissing and very mild innuendo
Language: Can’t remember any, if there was it was mild