Book Review: Player (M L Sparrow)

Player

by: M L Sparrow

Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Let the game begin…

After a tragic accident which leaves her tormented by guilt, Chloe Newman accepts a scholarship to study a St. Joseph’s University. Traveling from England to Texas, the last thing she expects is to meet the schools charming quarterback on her first night. However, Parker Mitchell is a player both on and off the field.  

Parker is immediately fascinated by Chloe and, after a rocky start, they manage to find a way to make their relationship work despite interference from others on campus, including Parker's jealous ex, and the ghosts that haunt Chloe’s conscience. But, the real test comes when they visit Parker’s family over Christmas break and he finds himself being pulled back into their lifestyle...  

**WE WERE GIVEN A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR THE FOLLOWING HONEST REVIEW**

M L  Sparrow easily ranks in our “Top 5 Authors to Review” list, so writing this review is going to be more difficult than I would like.  Don’t go jumping to conclusions just yet…..let me do a little explaining.

Player was a fast-paced read, which made it virtually impossible to put this book down.  The characters were relatable and the storyline was believable, but it’s one that has been beaten to death. Bad boy (player) meets emotionally scarred girl needing rescue, resulting in a little bit of drama…then bad boy reforms into the perfect boyfriend; thus, healing traumatized damsel in distress in the process.  I’d like to say that there was potential for Player to be great, but I don’t really believe that. The book was good, so I guess some could say that it met its potential, but me being a (self-proclaimed) expert in M L  Sparrow’s books calls bullshit.  Bullshit.  This story lacked uniqueness, and because of that I am disappointed.  Now, would I be disappointed if this was my first M L book? Nope, but it isn’t... and so I am.

My advice, to those of you wondering if this is the book for you, is to read it.  It isn’t a book that you’ll regret reading.  You also won’t be left searching for a shank, to gouge your eyeballs out, while you ask yourself wtf you just read.  Just don’t expect it to be something that will change your life, touch your soul, or leave you wanting more.

As you can see, we're back and I can promise that 2017 will be an amazing year for CommonBookSense!

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Book Review: Pedal (Louis K. Lowy)

Pedal

by: Louis K. Lowy

Genre: Contemporary, Women's Fiction

Forty-nine and single. Fired from her lifelong passion: teaching music. Stripped of her self-worth. Can she reclaim her life through bicycle racing? Joanne Brick's thirty years as an elementary school music teacher evaporated into the rising sea of layoffs. A lifetime of dedication gone. At forty-nine, single with an ailing mom and bitter divorced sister, the future looked bleak. Family relationships soured as conversations moved to "the lettuce zone"-cold and crisp. Then one day, while cleaning out the garage for a yard sale, inspiration struck as she dusted off an old long-forgotten bicycle. And when she took her first ride she knew it was time to sink or pedal. "Onward! That was the answer that had eluded her earlier. There was dignity in that word. There was hope." Never a sports fanatic and sorely out of shape, Joanne was barely able to ride straight, but she took up bicycle racing because it added purpose to her life. "Joanne increased her own speed. The wind whipped her face. The whirring of the spinning spokes and chains rose in pitch as she spun faster. She was flying again, beyond failed careers, spurned lovers, regrets, and mistakes. She spun even quicker. Her breath came in swift, hard grunts." She pedaled past unemployment, failed relationships, family drama, and career loss. Her life began to fill with new friends, an inspirational Desert Storm vet turned cycling coach, and a sleek new physique from all the training. Then she ran into a brick wall in the form of Sheila Dominary, a women's bike racing adversary. Will Joanne regain her confidence as she pedals toward redemption, romance, adventure, and life beyond unemployment? Pedal is an inspirational journey. It is a contemporary story that deals not only with family relationships, but also with life's turning points and how ordinary people handle them.

**WE WERE GIVEN A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR THE FOLLOWING HONEST REVIEW**

I have so many things to say about this book! Pedal is such an inspirational and uplifting story. No one would have blamed Joanne for giving up, after losing her job.....the only thing she ever really did....at the age of forty-nine, BUT SHE DIDN'T. The passion that she developed for bicycle racing was admirable. I instantly found myself rooting for her, smiling at her accomplishments, and shedding a few tears as she struggled.

I think that the one thing that stood out the most was how easy it was to relate to all of the characters. Whether you're a middle-aged and recently divorced individual, someone who had the rug ripped from beneath your feet (wondering what the hell you're supposed to do now), the has-been who got an unfair break, a widow/widower, or anything in between, I can promise that this book has some of the best written and relatable characters you'll come across.

You may be wondering if someone who knows little, or nothing, about bicycle racing could enjoy a book that's main focus is well.....bicycles and racing. The answer is a resounding YESSSSSSSSS!! I am not ashamed to admit that before picking up Pedal I knew virtually nothing about the world of bike racing and cycling coaches, but that didn't stop me from submerging myself into a new unknown. I quickly realized that Louis K. Lowy had my back and would provide me with just enough information to make me understand what the characters were experiencing, without providing so much background that I felt like I was drowning.

Thank you, Mr. Lowy, for showing me that passion, drive, and determination doesn't have to die with age, that we aren't defined by the titles we obtain, and that life is worth living...to the fullest...regardless of our age. You successfully made me reevaluate my level of determination, and made me wish that I didn't leave my bicycle behind, in Italy.

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Book Review: Daddy's Little Girl (Mary Higgins Clark)

Daddy's Little Girl

By Mark Higgins Clark

Genre: Mystery (Crime, Murder), Contemporary, 

Suspense 

Ellie Cavanaugh was only seven years old when her fifteen-year-old sister, Andrea, was murdered near their home in Oldham-on-the-Hudson, a rural village in New York's Westchester County. There were three suspects: Rob Westerfield, nineteen-year-old scion of a wealthy, prominent family, whom Andrea has been secretly dating; Paul Stroebel, a sixteen-year-old schoolmate, who had a crush on Andrea; and Will Nebels, a local handyman in his forties.


It was Ellie who had led her parents to a hideout in which Andrea's body was found -- a secret hideaway in which she met her friends. And it was Ellie who was blamed by her parents for her sister's death for not telling them about this place the night Andrea was missing. It was also Ellie's testimony that led to the conviction of the man she was firmly convinced was the killer. Steadfastly denying his guilt, he spent the next twenty-two years in prison.

When he comes up for parole, Ellie, now an investigative reporter for an Atlanta newspaper, protests his release. Nonetheless, the convicted killer is set free and returns to Oldham. Determined to thwart his attempts to whitewash his reputation, Ellie also returns to Oldham, intent on creating a Website and writing a book that will conclusively prove his guilt. As she delves deeper into her research, however, she uncovers horrifying and heretofore unknown facts that shed new light on her sister's murder. With each discovery, she comes closer to a confrontation with a desperate killer.

Gripping and relentlessly compelling, Daddy's Little Girl, a portrayal of a family shattered by crime, reflects Mary Higgins Clark's uncanny insight into the twisted mind of a killer and is further evidence of why she is America's favorite author of suspense.

The first three or four chapters were boring, you didn't really get any information about anything that was going on. After those, you get down to the nitty-gritty and find out all the details you'd been waiting for.

Once you get down to it,  I thought the book was extremely interesting. It was one of those books that holds your interest; you just don't want to put it down. It was edge-of-your-seat suspenseful toward the end.

Overall, the story really wrapped up nicely. There weren't any loose ends that I could think of. I would recommend this book to pretty much anyone 16+ who enjoys action-packed crime thrillers.

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Book Review: Sunset Reads:William & Cristina (D.C.Triana)

Sunset Reads:William & Cristina

by: D.C.Triana

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Within the doors of Sunset Reads William Jameson has come home to take over his mother’s New York publishing house after her death. He’s ready to turn things around when an electrifying encounter with the company’s sexy bestselling author makes him change his priorities to more sensual plans. While his cruel stepfather has decided he wants control of the company, William tries to remain focused as images of soft brown eyes and sensual lips continue to keep him up at night. 

Cristina Cruz suddenly finds herself with part ownership of Sunset Reads. Not only has the previous owner left her with part of the publishing house, but also at the mercy of her son William, the company’s handsome new CEO, who seems to be determined to drive her crazy. Not only is he annoyingly attractive, but his alluring blue eyes continue to send shivers down her spine. Working side by side with him becomes all the more torturous as his enticing looks and their heated encounters send her senses reeling.

**WE WERE PROVIDED WITH A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR THE FOLLOWING HONEST REVIEW**

This book has it all, from the girl trying to recover from a bad relationship, to the hot sexy millionaire boss, and even the ridiculously annoying evil step-father. By the time you've finished Sunset Reads: William & Cristina you won't have to worry about feeling as though something was lacking. The characters were very well developed, the plot was interesting and intriguing, and the story flowed beautifully. I found myself rushing through the pages because I couldn't wait to see where the story was going to go next.

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Book Review: Once Upon a One Night Stand (D.N. Hoxa)

Once Upon a One Night Stand

by: D.N. Hoxa

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Five friends. Five stories. 

Welcome to the LOVER show. Let's begin with L:

Have you ever tried not liking a guy when your best friends decide you should like him? How about if that guy had the sexiest ass on the planet, and was your birthday-cake one-night-stand with icing on top? 

London Reeves agrees that three years is a long time to live without sex, but one steamy hot night could never last longer than the morning after. Yet, her four lunatic best friends disagree on that last one. The voices in her head disagree, too, and even her mother seems to think she's crazy. And sexyass will not take a goddamn no for an answer. Now what exactly is a girl to do against that?

**WE WERE PROVIDED WITH A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR THE FOLLOWING HONEST REVIEW**

Once Upon a One Night Stand is a very good book. 

There was a nice flow to the story, and the characters were great. It was sexy, funny, and romantic, which are all the things I like in a book. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone, who is looking for their next romance fix. D.N. Hoxa is an excellent writer, and I look forward to reading more of her work. 

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Book Review: Finding Audrey (Sophie Kinsella)

Finding Audrey

By: Sophie Kinsella

Genres: Contemporary, Fiction, Humor, Novel

An anxiety disorder disrupts fourteen-year-old Audrey’s daily life. She has been making slow but steady progress with Dr. Sarah, but when Audrey meets Linus, her brother’s gaming teammate, she is energized. She connects with him. Audrey can talk through her fears with Linus in a way she’s never been able to do with anyone before. As their friendship deepens and her recovery gains momentum, a sweet romantic connection develops, one that helps not just Audrey but also her entire family.



                        
Hello Lovely people!!! 'Tis I, Naomi!! Yes. I am still breathing. And today I will be reviewing Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella. 

This was a pretty good, boo, and I say "pretty good" because it didn't leave me with that feeling you get after reading certain books. Ya know how you read something and you just sit there after you've finished it and think "wow this book has made me think differently about this or that"? Yeah, well this book had none of that. In fact, it had very little effect on my emotions. I'm not saying it was BAD but just that I couldn't find the connection I wanted to with this book. 


So it takes place in modern day England and is about a girl named Audrey who suffers from severe anxiety. After meeting a guy named Linus things start to change. Now the thing about this book is that it is completely different from what it claims to be. I was expecting the author to go into a bit more detail about the relationship between Audrey and Linus but there is hardly any. I mean, he comes over they eventually kiss and that's about all you get. If this guy is helping her step out of her comfort zone and become herself again I would like to know why. Sure they play this game where they have to go up to people and say something and that's cool and it might help her but it's not enough. I don't want this "oh a guy came into my life so I'm happy now"...no. I want to know how he makes her feel, and how he is helping her through this. The author might give A LITTLE detail but not enough to grasp onto! And the whole thing between her brother and mom about the computer game gets real annoying real quick. It's kinda funny at first but diminishes soon after. You just wanna scream at the book "It's not that big of a deal!" in hopes the author can hear you and change it. It frustrates me to say the least hahahah. I did like the video diary though, it added a creative aspect that was pretty cool.

 Anyway, this book was okay. Maybe you should read it in hopes you enjoy it more than me lol. It was a quick read so it would be good for flights or long car rides but other than that I'm not really impressed. Have a great day you beautiful humans, you!!!
xoxo ~ Gossip Girl
Jk byyyyyyeeeee




 

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Book Review: Liberty and Means (Kristin Dow)

Liberty and Means

by: Kristin Dow

Genres:  Contemporary, Fiction

Someone is tracking Shannon Clark, altering the course of her life in a most unexpected, thrilling way. But as the familiar is gradually stripped away, she starts to feel disconnected and doesn’t know who to trust. Family, friends, dating, work...nothing is the same and everything is complicated. Will Shannon learn to embrace her new world filled with golden opportunity or get lost amongst its trappings? She now has the chance to follow her dreams. Trouble is, she doesn’t know what they are.

**WE WERE GIVEN A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE

FOR THE FOLLOWING HONEST REVIEW**

I finished reading Liberty and Means several days ago, but after reading the final pages, I found myself having a hard time articulating how I felt.  In the beginning of the book Shannon Clark came across as a strong, focused, and determined woman.  She had a job that she loved and was working hard to climb the corporate ladder, in order to increase her professional opportunities.  She had a life that one could easily envy. 

Then, EVERYTHING change.  

Without going into great details, as to the things that turned Shannon's life upside down, I  can confidently say that she had more than a few reasons to do some reevaluating, and in the beginning stages the story line was strong and seemed to be moving in a consistent direction, but as the story continued I couldn't help but feel as though something was off.  I found that it became hard to follow and a little messy.  Now, I want to say that as a previous resident of Europe (more specifically Padova, Italy) I thoroughly enjoyed reading Shannon's thoughts, as she explored one of my most favorite places, but I can't help but feel that those who haven't previously had similar experiences will feel lost and would rather read more about her life.  

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Book Review: Something in the Water (Ben Starling)

Something in the Water

by: Ben Starling

Genres: Contemporary, Romance

The sealed box Teal finds in the street contains more than just a mystery...

What if to be with the man of your dreams…you had to give up your life? On the verge of losing her job, side-lined journalist Teal Douglas is forced to travel to the South Pacific to profile a powerful businessman. But with her almost-but-not-quite fiancé Bear discouraging her every step of the way, she may not be able to save her career or her relationship.

When corporate criminals invade paradise, Teal teams up with former boxer turned marine biologist Perry Stanley to investigate. As she discovers the true intentions behind their new fishing operations, she must either accept the plum promotion that will save her career or—with Perry—defend the island with more than her life.

**WE WERE GIVEN A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR THE FOLLOWING HONEST REVIEW**

We received a request to review Something in the Water via email....like most other requests, but something about Ben Starling's email stuck out to me, and I'd like to share it with all of you. He said, "The novel explores the most enduring kind of love after separation, one that lights up two lives and reaches past the grave. Why do I write love stories? Because nothing else matters...".  A simple, yet profound, statement that holds a tremendous amount of truth. 

I feel like the best way for me to vocalize my feelings of this book would be to describe them as being love/hate.  Maybe that's not exactly fair, considering I loved the story.....I just wasn't a huge fan of Bear, an overbearing and almost unnecessary character.  I will say that as the book progressed, to the final chapters, I was able to see everything come together, which made Bear, and his constant "haw, haw" a little less unbearable.  

Something in the Water is a beautiful example of unconditional love and fate.  It's the type of book that just makes your heart happy.  


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Book Review: Hope (Grier Cooper)

Hope

by: Grier Cooper

Genre: Contemporary

Perfection. Beauty. Pain. For Indigo Stevens there’s no such thing as weakness or privacy at the famed New York School of Ballet where every movement is scrutinized and judged. Indigo hopes she’ll be chosen for the company, but her ballet teachers aren’t talking and their silence is confusing.

When Indigo is singled out for a coveted solo she feels her dreams are finally within reach, until she discovers she’s dancing with Felipe Gonzalez, the school’s smolderingly hot rising star. In the days that follow, Indigo questions everything she thought was true and finds herself making surprising choices, including the decision to take control of her own future. Will she create the life she wants or lose everything?

**WE WERE GIVEN A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR

THE FOLLOWING HONEST REVIEW**

This book was good, but not great. I guess if you are into ballet you would enjoy it. To me, it was bland. There weren't any exciting moments. Although it was very descriptive and easy to picture what was happening, I am not a fan of these kinds of books. That being said, if you like ballet and the struggles that ballerinas go through, you will probably like it.

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