The Alice Equation by Davina Stone

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I received an advance review copy for free from Booksirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Alice Montgomery's life seems to be stuck in the same place it has been for the past 5 years. Despite her hard earned English degree, Alice still works in her mothers book shop. She has also been secretly in love with the same man since uni. Her best friend Aaron. 

Aaron Blake spends his life partying and going from relationship to relationship keeping to a strict 3 month limit. He wants to focus on his legal career and has no intention of settling down.

That is, until Aaron gets his dream job with a prestigious law firm. The firm values its family image and is looking for someone who fits with this. Aaron, feeling under pressure and in need of a fake girlfriend, tells them he has a girlfriend called Alice, thinking this will be a good, safe option.

Alice soon finds herself in a fake relationship with the man she been pining after for 5 years.

 

As their charade moves forward Aaron starts to notice feelings for Alice he hasn't noticed before. Maybe Alice wasn't the safe option after all.

What I liked about this book 

• Alice and Aaron's character development is well written. Both characters grow considerably as the book goes on. They both have barriers in there life which they need to overcome e.g. anxiety, grief.
• The romance is interesting and I enjoyed the fake dating/friends to lovers tropes.
• The story is told from both Alice and Aaron's perspectives. 
• There are some steamy scenes but not to the point where it eclipses the story.

What I didn't like 

• In order for Aaron to notice her, Alice had to completely change her appearance.

I ended up completely sucked into this book. I was routing for Alice the entire time and found her to be quite relatable. The Alice Equation is a fun, light read which will appeal to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance.

4 Stars 

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Cover Reveal: Glimpse Of Time (Release early 2022)

 

Synopsis 

Three worlds.

Two families.

One war.

The Capturing Time Saga is the name of the new series. 

About The Author

JM Buckler has been featured in top media including ABC, NBC, and Fox. She is the award-winning author of Seeker of Time, Stillness of Time, and Passage of Time, young adult fantasy-fiction books which have received praise from the likes of Kirkus Reviews and which have been best-selling young adult books on Amazon. Gamechangers in the young adult marketplace, Buckler’s novels combine electric storytelling with deep spiritual lessons and meaningful takeaway on how to cope with life’s hardships – addressing everything from betrayal and heartbreak, to violence and death. 

Buckler offers writing-based programs to diverse audiences – teaching how to use the power of the pen to reshape and reclaim one’s life, as Buckler did when she began her own writing journey: After years of drifting through life, feeling insecure and lacking a sense of meaning or purpose – always trying to be the image and fill role that others held out for her – Buckler took a leap of faith and walked out on the person she was supposed to be, instead diving into the world of her imaginary characters. Through developing their lives, Buckler discovered that she cultivated her own – ultimately finding her calling and passion, transforming her reality, and emerging a grounded and confident young woman. Buckler lives in Austin, TX, with her husband, son, and Havanese dog. 

Contact Info

• Website: http://jmbuckler.com 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_j.m.buckler 

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorjmbuckler 

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seekeroftime

Literary Bound Tours

https://literaryboundtours.com/2021/01/09/cover-reveal-schedule-glimpse-of-time-by-jm-buckler/

synopsis provided by author

Secrets of the Starcrossed by Clara O'Connor

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Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Cassandra has everything she could wish for. Her father is a powerful merchant and she is betrothed to the most eligible bachelor in Londinium. 

Things start to change when she crosses paths with a strange boy who is on a quest to find a missing girl.

Meanwhile an unexplained illness is making its way through the city. The illness only seems to be targeting those who have Celtic magic in their blood. 

Cassandra will soon discover that she does not live in the haven she once thought she did and she will be forced to make some choices that test everything she once believed in.

What I liked about this book 

• The concept is really interesting. The Roman Empire didn't fall and some of them live in a walled city within Britannia.
• The author references real historical places and people throughout the story.
• I enjoyed the romance between Cass and Devyn.
• I found the use of both magic and technology intriguing.

 What I didn't like 

• It takes a long time for the story to build up.
• There is very little in the way of explanation. There is a lot of speculation but not very much confirmation (if that makes sense). After finishing the book, I felt like I still had no idea what's going on.
• This is the first instalment in the series so a cliff hanger ending was to be expected, but I feel like the ending is really abrupt.

It took me a long time to get into this book but once I did I couldn't put it down. I flew through the last 50% but I was quite disappointed by the end. Though I do think I would read the next instalment to see where the story goes.

3 stars 

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The Secret Rules of Romance by Leah Heart

 

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I received an advance review copy for free from Booksirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

After giving 8 years to her relationship with her boyfriend Allison Harper is expecting a proposal. Instead, she gets the opposite, he's leaving her.

Finding herself 35 and single, Allison decides to put herself back out there. She soon discovers that dating is not the same as it used to be and has to figure out how the new tech centric dating world works.

When a new recruit, Tristan, starts working at her firm, Allison is quickly drawn to him. The only thing that stands in the way is the fact that he is 26. At the same time an old crush, Grant, makes an appearance out of nowhere. Things are about to get complicated.

What I liked about this book 

• I found some scenes quite funny and entertaining.
• This is a light, easy read.
• I enjoyed the romance between Allison and Tristan. 
• Tristan was my favourite character by far.

What I didn't like

• Some of the main characters decisions are rash and bizarre.
• On several occasions someone aged 27 is referred to as a 'kid'. I understand there's supposed to be an age gap but (for the most part) I don't think someone who's nearly 30 can be considered a 'kid'.
• Some scenes weren't necessary, especially towards the end.

In general this book was enjoyable. You would probably like this if you like rom-coms.

3.25 Stars

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The Stars That Guide You Home by Jemma Robinson

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Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sophia and Tom live a quiet, simple life together in their small farm. They are happy. But their happiness can't last and soon turns to despair as a ghost from Sophia's past catches up to her and she is taken from their happy life.

With the help of an unlikely friend, Tom will go after his love.

Tom and Sophia will need to endure horrors and overcome a seemingly insurmountable threat in order to find their way back to each other.

What I liked about this book 

• They're are some great characters introduced throughout the story. My favourites were Tom and Annalise.
• The story is, for the most part, told from the perspectives of Tom, Sophia and James. I tend to like books written in this way as I feel it provides a more rounded out understanding of the story. I particularly enjoyed reading Toms chapters and found myself looking forward to them.
• Sophia and Tom's relationship is something to be admired and strived for. I was emotionally invested in their relationship from the beginning.
• The writing flows well and is easy to understand.
• The ending is so satisfying!

The Stars That Guide You Home is a story of a love that can weather any storm. I have been on a romance kick recently and this book was exactly what I needed it to be. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys book about romance. Though I think it is also important to note that this book approaches topics which some readers may find difficult.

5 Stars

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