Thursday: On My Wish List

Author: Christina Lauren

Title: Dating You / Hating You

Add on [goodreads]

Coming out on June 6, 2017

Standalone

Summary

(from goodreads)

All’s fair in love and work. The first standalone romance by New York Times and #1 international bestselling author Christina Lauren (Beautiful Bastard) is a sexy, compulsively readable romantic comedy that dives headlong into the thrill and doubt of modern love.

Despite the odds against them from an embarrassing meet-awkward at a mutual friend’s Halloween party, Carter and Evie immediately hit it off. Even the realization that they’re both high-powered agents at competing firms in Hollywood isn’t enough to squash the fire.

But when their two agencies merge—causing the pair to vie for the same position—all bets are off. What could have been a beautiful, blossoming romance turns into an all-out war of sabotage. Carter and Evie are both thirtysomething professionals—so why can’t they act like it?

Can Carter stop trying to please everyone and see how their mutual boss is really playing the game? Can Evie put aside her competitive nature long enough to figure out what she really wants in life? Can their actor clients just be something close to human? Whether these two Hollywood love/hatebirds get the storybook Hollywood ending or just a dramedy of epic proportions, you will get to enjoy Christina Lauren’s heartfelt, raucous, and hilarious romance style at its finest. 

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About the author

[website][goodreads]

Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners/ besties/ soulmates/ brain-twins Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The coauthor duo writes both Young Adult and Adult Fiction, and together has produced fourteen New York Times bestselling novels. They are published in over 30 languages, have received starred reviews from Kirkus and Library Journal, been selected as one of NPR’s Top 100 Swoon-Worthy Romances, and won both the Seal of Excellence award and Book of the Year from RT Magazine.

Lauren Billings (but everyone calls her Lo) has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and before she made writing her full-time job, would spend her days doing nerdy research-type things wearing a lab coat and goggles. She is silly Mommy to two littles, wife to one mountain biking homebrewing scientist, bestie to a shoe-stealer, and an unabashed lover of YA and romance.

Christina Hobbs (but you’ll always hear Lo call her PQ) used to spend her days in a junior high counseling office surrounded by teenagers. These days you’ll probably find her on tumblr. She is married and absolutely not old enough to be the mom of a 15 year old (right??), thinks she’s the luckiest person in the world to write books with her best friend, and is an unapologetic lover of boy bands and glitter. She also likes to steal Lo’s shoes.

Recap: Book Event (RARE 2015)

RECAP: RARE 2015 BOOK EVENT

So I arrived at the Bonaventure Hotel with less than 5 hours of sleep in my body and alone. My book event buddy being unavailable to be there (she was there through her books she left me to get signed though hahahaha). So arrived a few minutes before the book retailer opened, ready to buy two copies of Christina Lauren's latest books.

And there were none. They hadn't been delivered to the right address. So after a few calls, they sent someone grab 18 copies of the said book and me and two other girls kept watch at the book retailer while being in line to get inside for the VIP time and once we saw the guy coming back, two of us rushed to the books.

The other one was really sweet and got inside along with my suitcase which I was really grateful for. :)

So then began the tour for my authors. I will admit that I didn't go see all of the authors present. I was really tired and though I was really excited, I just wanted to do the authors I was set to in the beginning and leave to go to my bed. Below, see proof of how much I needed sleep:

So first stop was Heidi McLaughlin (The Beaumont series, Lost in You series, The Archer Brothers series, The Reeducation of Savannah McGuire). She was really impressed with my pile of books (which was a total of 16 books) because I had my own and my friend Nancy's books to get. She had a few copies on her table and once I passed through them, her assistant had to refilled them. She was nice and told me that her first book in the Beaumont series (Forever My Girl) was going to be a movie and I got really excited. I will definitely go see it and I'm really intrigued to see who will play each character.

So below, you see Heidi signing one of the many copies she signed for me. This one was actually for my friend: 

And this is me and her:

Next stop was with Alice Clayton (Cocktail series, Wild Seasons series). So my pile of books was slightly less big there. I had about 10 books to get signed. She was really sweet and she told me about her new book series that she is co-written with Nina Bocci. The first novel will be called Roman Crazy and should come out next year.

So here's a picture of her with me: 

After that I was wondering who to go see next so I went to see Jennifer Probst (Sex on the beach series, Marriage to a Billionnaire series, Steele Brother trilogy, Searching For series). She was really one of the sweetest authors I met there. She was really excited to be in Montreal and you could tell she was really happy to be there. Bought two of her books but I intend to read more when my bank account allows me.

So of course I had to take a picture with her:

So between two of my authors, I went to see Carina Adams (Bama Boys series, The Bastard series) for my friend. She was lovely and asked me to say hi to my friend and tell her she was sorry she had missed her. I didn't have the time to read her books, but I will try to read them in a near future; I mean, she was just so nice.

Next came Helena Hunting (Clipped Wings series, Pucked series, The Librarian Principle). So I didn't get to finish Clipped Wings before the event. I actually read only a few chapters, but I was really hooked on her writing style that I bought the two books before the event. After meeting her, I finally decided that even if I didn't have that money to buy The Librarian Principle because it was really asking me to buy it and to read it hahaha.

Here's me and Helena: 

After that, I went to search for my friend's authors because I really wanted to be sure I had all of her books signed since she couldn't be there so Sarina Bowen (The Ivy Years series, Gravity Series, Him (co-written with Elle Kennedy)) was next. We spoke a little and I admit that I wasn't sure if I would read her books, but now, I just have to. I wish authors were less nice so I didn't feel like reading their books and keep my bank account happy ;).

Next I went to see J.M. Darhower (Sempre series, Monter in his Eyes series, Forbidden series, Extinguish series). I didn't know that author so it was nice to meet her. I read the summary behind the book my friend bought from her and I might have to add it to my to-read list. She was really nice and so was her little helper. And I have to add this: she had the coolest tattoo on her arm of captain america and Winter Soldier (Bucky).

Next I went to see Shay Savage (Surviving Raine series, Even Arden series, Caged series, Offside). So when I went to see her, she wasn't there, but a cute guy was there. I'll admit that I didn't know if he was a cover model or helper at first, but he was still very cute. So while waiting for Shay's return, he got the book for my friend and we had a little problem to solve before I could walk away with it, but it was all good. They were both nice about the whole thing. And while looking at the stuff on her table, I had my answer; he was a cover model.

So then I went to see Ilsa Madden-Mills (Briarcrest series, Dirty English). She was really nice and if I'm not mistaken, she was there with her husband who was really nice also. Helped her out with the books while she signed the two stacks for me and my friend. I was running out of time for the VIP hour or else, I would have asked her about her upcoming book Dirty English, but I'm still excited to read that book.

And did I take a picture? Of course and here is that picture:

And last but not least, I met Christina Lauren. Well, Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings to be more accurate. These two authors are co-written series like Beautiful Bastards and Wild Seasons. They were really nice and we talked a bit. They liked my Jensen and Jared T-shirt and Christina told me about her upcoming photo-op with Chris Evans (yes, I was extremely jealous),

So here's a picture of me with these two ladies:

So what did I get signed, well, let's find out:

Of course, I got myself and Nancy some swags from there, so look at what authors had to offer us:

Imagine if I had stopped at each author's table how much more stuff I would have. Anyways, I had a great time and talked to nice authors and people. If I wouldn't have been so tired, I might have survived to come back after the lunch break, but I went home and fell asleep,

But before I actually had to go home, I went to give my friend Nancy's books to her work place. Caught her while she was on her lunch break and she was really happy with her signed books so it made me happy.

So that's the recap of my RARE 2015 book event.

Review: Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren (Wild Seasons, #1)

Summary

(from goodreads)

One-night stands are supposed to be with someone convenient, or wickedly persuasive, or regrettable. They aren’t supposed to be with someone like him.

But after a crazy Vegas weekend celebrating her college graduation—and terrified of the future path she knows is a cop-out—Mia Holland makes the wildest decision of her life: follow Ansel Guillaume—her sweet, filthy fling—to France for the summer and just…play.

When feelings begin to develop behind the provocative roles they take on, and their temporary masquerade adventures begin to feel real, Mia will have to decide if she belongs in the life she left because it was all wrong, or in the strange new one that seems worlds away.

Read from: August 30 to September 9, 2015

Read on: Owned Paperback

Review:

I started reading this book a while ago, but it didn't take me long because I didn't like it, but more because I made a promise to one of my friends to read another book, but I finally finished it and now I want the next one.

Christina Lauren once again made another really good series. I think I even enjoyed this one even more than their other one.

The storyline is interesting. Though reality would have us not end up with a hot french boy who takes us to France, I was really hooked on finding out how their relationship was going to evolve. A weekend in Vegas is pretty much nothing next to following a boy for the summer in another Country.

And finding themselves in France together, Mia and Ansel are soon hit with the reality of their choice, but neither is ready to admit defeat though a lot of things will happen upon them starting a the very beginning of the trip.

The first week wasn't much about them as Mia was most of the time alone, but we could see a more relaxed Mia as she was visiting the city of light. As the story continues, you see her gaining more confidence which brings me to the next point of my review.

What I enjoyed the most? The ways these two try to keep things heated while trying to learn more about one another. They played with their fantasies while gaining more insight of the person they ended up with.

Neither of them are perfect and both escaped their reality or problems with the other, but it makes us just love them more. We'll be annoyed and in love with them and I really recommend this book. 

Review: Beautiful Beloved by Christina Lauren (Beautiful Bastard, #3.6)

Summary

(from goodreads)

The seventh work in the New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling series that started with the Beautiful Bastard, Beautiful Stranger, and Beautiful Player novels. Featuring all the Beautiful characters...plus one tiny new addition to the group.

In Beautiful Stranger , finance whiz Sara Dillon met the irresistibly sexy Brit, Max Stella, at a New York City club. Through the series we’ve watched them learn to balance commitment with their less than private brand of playfulness. In Beautiful Beloved, Max and Sara take it to the next step. But the question is: Will they be able to find a balance between the wild sexcapades they aren’t ready to retire, and the demands of parenthood that come along with their new Beautiful bundle of joy? Parenthood: it’s not for the weak of heart. 

Read on: August 6, 2015

Read on: Ereader

Review:

This was really a quick read. I was happy that it was about Sarah and Max, but once again, I was sort of disappointed init. I felt like it was like Chloe and Bennett and it always the same old story. I can understand the struggle they had to come back to what they love juggling with having to take care of their daughter, Anna, but sometimes, I was like... It's too much. 

What saved this book? There are four reasons. 

First one, George. He got me laughing with all of his remarks and him with Anna was hilarious. I really enjoyed it whenever he came into the story.

Second one and third one, Will and Hanna. These two are just cracking me up. I really enjoyed how they try to explain things and when they babysit little Anna, you have to wonder how these two might survive parenthood one day. Okay, it wasn't that bad, but let's say, Will still needs to do some practice.

And fourth one, Niall. Niall is Max's brother who came to visit him. He's not there much at the beginning, but seriously, this guy is simply a genius with babies and Anna simply adores him. I liked that we had a bit of his backstory before the next book which is about him. Maybe Niall's book will become my favourite, who knows.

But overall, I really thank god for the other characters because the main characters just didn't do it for me. I still like them, but I felt like something was missing in this book.

Review: Beautiful Beginning by Christina Lauren (Beautiful Bastard, #3.5)

Summary
(from goodreads)



The Beautiful Bastard series continues in this new novella back when not being able to stand each other also meant not being able to keep their hands of each other, neither Bennett nor Chloe could have seen this day coming.

An exasperated bride who just wants to elope. A determined groom whose only focus is getting to the wedding night. And of course a whole lot of name calling. 

Read on: August 6, 2015

Read on: Ereader

Review:

This novella was interesting, but seriously, some of the things in there were just getting old. I wanted to read about Bennett and Chloe's wedding, but as I started to read this, I just wanted to arrive to the end because both of them were getting on my nerves.

I thank God for their friends and families who kept me entertained when these two were just making me want to slap them a few times.

I'm still glad these two had each other because they do fit together, but really, at some point, I was like... Fine, we get it, you like to yell at each other as foreplay, but really, this is getting old.

Also, everything that seemed that could go wrong, did go wrong and I was like... Is that even possible that so many things could go wrong for only one wedding? It was entertaining, but I wasn't feeling like it seemed realistic.

So I gave a lot of negative, but really, towards the end, I was smiling genuinely as things started to settle down a little and the end is really Bennett/Chloe worthy hahaha.

So that's why only 3 stars, but I still think that you need to read this just to have the full effect of the Bastard Series and see some updates from all our Beautiful People :)

Review: Beautiful Player by Christina Lauren (Beautiful Bastard, #3)

Summary
(from goodreads)

A bombshell bookworm. A chronic Casanova. And a lesson in chemistry too scandalous for school.

When Hanna Bergstrom receives a lecture from her overprotective brother about neglecting her social life and burying herself in grad school, she’s determined to tackle his implied assignment: get out, make friends, start dating. And who better to turn her into the sultry siren every man wants than her brother’s gorgeous best friend, Will Sumner, venture capitalist and unapologetic playboy?

Will takes risks for a living, but he’s skeptical about this challenge of Hanna’s…until the wild night his innocently seductive pupil tempts him into bed- and teaches him a thing or two about being with a woman he can’t forget. Now that Hanna’s discovered the power of her own sex appeal, it’s up to Will to prove he’s the only man she’ll ever need.

Read from: August 5 to August 6, 2015

Read on: Ereader

Review:

Okay, I have a new favourite book in this series and it's this one. Will and Hanna are such refreshing characters. Will might be your typical male character who loves sex and women but with Hanna, his character is just so much fun to read. We met Will in the second book and you had to love the way he was always carefree and in teasing mood and I already loved his character. I was really happy that this book would be about him.

Learning about what Will's thoughts really consisted of was something I wasn't expecting. I don't know how to explain this really, but let's say that perhaps Max and Bennett weren't the only ones who thought about being with the right woman for them. Will might have teased them, but though he hadn't found that one woman for him, he wasn't totally against the idea of commitment as strongly as he tried to make others believe. 

So enters Hanna....

Hanna always says what's on her mind most of the time. Having a filter isn't something she is used to. I love her character because she was innocent when it comes to relationships yet not so much regarding her job, her studies, etc. Hearing her theories about things that I would have never believed to be heard in a friendly conversation just made me laugh. She isn't afraid to ask questions about things she doesn't understand; she wants to learn to be more social, sexy and appealing and she's taking it really seriously.

When her and Will meet up again after not seeing each other in a while, it might be somewhat a bit weird, but they quickly fall into a routine where both of them interact with easiness and honesty. Will enjoys her blunt remarks and she likes that she can talk so freely around him.

When these two get together though, it's powerful and it made me want to have my own Will. He might have been the teacher, but he's learning a lot through this relationship that isn't a relationship.

But characters learn a lot through this whole book and I really enjoyed reading about them. I could read a few other books about them for sure.

Review: Beautiful Bombshell by Christina Lauren (Beautiful Bastard, #2.5)

Summary
(from goodreads)



In this new novella, the gentlemen from Beautiful Bastard, Beautiful Stranger, and Beautiful Player are out for a wild night on The Strip. 

When Max, Henry, and Will steal Bennett away for a weekend of shenanigans and strippers in Vegas, the first stop of the night doesn't go at all as planned. With their scheme for a Guys Weekend completely derailed anyway, Max and Bennett begin to play a wild game of stealth and secrecy in order to have their bombshells all over Sin City.

Read from: August 4 to August 5, 2015

Read on: Ereader

Review:

So this novella was interesting, but I was not in love with it. I felt like they wanted to put so much stuff in the same book and it was really too much stuff for the length of this novella.

I felt that perhaps, they should have done a novella for Bennett and one for Max or just make it longer. Heck, I wouldn't mind 50-100 pages more if it meant like everything wasn't so confusing.

But I still liked it and I'm still glad that I read it because it was funny and sexy too. So what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas? I don't know, but either way, it's a bachelor party that none of the guys are about to forget.

Also, I was kind of bummed that Henry was there, but at the same time, not really. I felt like he popped from time to time. Even when he was there, I just felt like he was pushed out of the picture to talk more about Bennett, Max and Will.

But if you read that series, it could be good to read the novellas to give you some insight that may explain certain things in the following books.

Review: Beautiful Stranger by Christina Lauren (Beautiful Bastard, #2)

Summary
(from goodreads)


The all-new scorching sequel to Beautiful Bastard!

A charming British playboy. A girl determined to finally live. And a secret liaison revealed in all too vivid color.

Escaping a cheating ex, finance whiz Sara Dillon’s moved to New York City and is looking for excitement and passion without a lot of strings attached. So meeting the irresistible, sexy Brit at a dance club should have meant nothing more than a night’s fun. But the manner—and speed—with which he melts her inhibitions turns him from a one-time hookup and into her Beautiful Stranger.

The whole city knows that Max Stella loves women, not that he’s ever found one he particularly wants to keep around. Despite pulling in plenty with his Wall Street bad boy charm, it’s not until Sara—and the wild photos she lets him take of her—that he starts wondering if there’s someone for him outside of the bedroom.

Hooking up in places where anybody could catch them, the only thing scarier for Sara than getting caught in public is having Max get too close in private.

Read from: August 3 to August 4, 2015

Read on: Ereader

Review:

Wow, Max and Sara are hot hot hot! I won't lie, I really found this book entertaining with all of their encounters. I never expected that when I began this book. Okay, I knew it wasn't going to be conventional sex between them, but I didn't expect them to be so wild.

To be honest, a lot in this I didn't expect and I think that's why I enjoyed the second book of the series more than the first one. Max was really what Sara needed to get over her past even if she didn't get that before a while.

Of course, the characters are never what you expect when you first start to read about them and I think that only keep us more interested to find what's hidden behind the first assumption we got from them.

Sara got on my nerves from time to time though because no matter what happened with Max, she looked to always need to compare to her ex, which believe me was not worth thinking about.

I adored Max. He was a player and cocky, but still, he had something that kept me wanting to have him for myself. The fact that he was British might have helped but really, I think that's because no matter what, he was always honest. Whether you want to hear it or not and I think that's exactly the kind of guy Sara needed.

So I do suggest to readers who started the series and didn't get into the first book to try this second one; they might enjoy it more.