Blogger Chick Chat & Review ~ Dear Bridget, I Want You ~ Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward

Dear Bridget, I Want You by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward
Release Date: September 18, 2017
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Gifted on Kindle
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
Dear Bridget,
I'm writing this letter because it's highly doubtful I'll ever garner the courage to say this to your face.
So, here goes.
We're totally wrong for each other. You're the proper single mum with a good head on your shoulders. I'm just the carefree British doctor passing through town and temporarily living in your converted garage until I head back to England.
But here's the thing...for some bloody reason, I can't stop thinking about you in very inappropriate ways.
I want you.
The only reason I'm even admitting all of this to you right now is because I don't believe it's one-sided. I notice your eyes when you look at me, too. And as crass as I appear when we're joking around about sex, my attraction to you is not a joke.
So, what's the purpose of this note? I guess it's a reminder that we're adults, that sex is healthy and natural, and that you can find me just through the door past the kitchen. More specifically, it's to let you know that I'm leaving said door cracked open from now on in case you'd like to visit me in the middle of the night sometime.
No questions asked.
Think about it.
Or don't.
Whatever you choose.
It's doubtful I'll even end up sliding this letter under your door anyway.
--Simon

***BLOGGER CHICK CHAT***

My blogger wife, Lexxie @(un)Conventional Bookviews, gave me Dear Bridget, I Want You for Christmas so it was imperative that we buddy read it. Here's what we had to say once we finished:

Me: I'm so happy we decided to buddy-read this one, wifey. I really enjoyed it. I felt Keeland and Ward did well in fleshing out the characters, creating a compelling story, and combining humor with some seriousness as well.

Lex: I loved that we were able to buddy-read this, to - FINALLY, right? They did flesh out the characters, and the humor had me laughing really hard - but I loved that there was something deeper going on as well.

Me: I was giggle-snorting over Bridget and Simon's initial encounter. But while there were other instances of humor, I liked that the story wasn't all fun and games. It made watching their romance blossoming more endearing. What did you think of the story overall?

Lex: OMG! She had a fish-hook in her butt-cheek. You can't even make that up, right? And how she asked Simon for a real doctor or a woman LOL And the fact that it wasn't all fun and games made it that much more realistic to me. Plus, as you said, their romance was very cute.

I've had a fish-hook stuck in my finger...I can't imagine it being stuck in my butt! And I would be mortified to have a hunky young doctor be the one to treat me! bwahahahaha

Me: I liked the letters. Sometimes it is easier to say what you feel in writing rather than verbally. And they each had quite a few sexy thoughts for the other but I think they both felt like they might be rebuffed for myriad reasons but they took a chance on putting their thoughts and feelings out there anyway. Did you like how the letters were done?

Lex: Yes. Writing things down can feel both intimate and give you more courage. Because you don't have to watch the other person's face while you're writing a letter. And you might not even get any feedback at all. I think I loved Bridget's first letter the most. Since she didn't really plan on actually giving it to Simon. Ever. But I'm glad he got it. Because that's just too cute.

Me: I liked the fact that Bridget and Simon shared a tragedy in common because they were able to really understand the feelings they each had because of those tragedies at a certain level. I also appreciated how Keeland/Ward had Bridget and Simon work through those experiences. I did NOT see that one curveball coming at me though. How do you feel about Bridget and Simon having a tragedy in common and did you see the curveball coming or were you smacked in the face with it as well?

Lex: Oh, the twists of their tragedies, and especially Bridget's tragedy just cut my heart in two! I seriously felt like I had been stabbed at one point. Because *shakes head* that was just tough to read. And to see how they hadn't really made peace with what they had been through, but finally found a way to do so was beautiful. I was totally smacked in the face with the curveball. Even if I expected *something* to be up with that - because that lawyer was just fishy. And I was SO angry at Bridget's <<friend<< and <<colleague<<. Like, why would she interfere like that?

Me: How did you feel about how the authors handled Brendan? I felt like he could have been a bit more of a presence but overall I liked how they wrote him. I especially loved seeing Simon with him. And I suppose that was important since it illustrated Simon's emotional growth.

Lex: I thought Brendan was awesome. And he was present enough - especially thinking about how Bridget wanted to shield him. And seeing Simon actually stepping up and being great with Brendan was heartwarming.

I didn't think about it like that but you're right...Bridget was very protective of him. That makes sense. So yeah, he was present enough. :)

Me: Overall, I felt like this was a heartwarming, fun, sexy, and sweet read. I hope you felt the same way.

Lex: I totally felt the same, wifey! It was a great story :D

This writing duo continues to knock it out of the park for me. Dear Bridget, I Want You combined humor, romance, and some real-life angst to create a compelling, relatable, and engaging story.

Highlights:

• Bridget & Simon
  From their initial encounter, where Simon was tasked with removing a fishhook from Bridget's bum to the final scene in the epilogue, I fell for both of them as well as enjoying their journey to their HEA. The ways in which Keeland and Ward fleshed out these characters, giving them backstories with a commonality to how they dealt with working together and their being at different stages in their lives, I flipped through the pages eager to see what happened next.
• Romance
  The way the fell was genuine and sweet. And I liked how Keeland and Ward incorporated Brendan even if I felt he could have played a bit larger role in the story. (Edit: After my chat with Lexxie, I decided that his role was just right.) Bridget and Simon fought their attraction HARD. In the end though, it was unavoidable. The pull was too strong no matter the obstacles. And I liked how Keeland and Ward had things fall into place.
• Plot
  How Keeland and Ward brought Simon and Bridget together felt organic. Even the twists they threw in felt realistic even though the legality might have been questionable. The emotions evoked and the outcomes as well as the few hurdles they had to overcome all led to a satisfying ending. I was thrilled to have read this one!

Review & Mini Blogger Girl Chat ~ Written in Red ~ Anne Bishop

Written in Red by Anne Bishop
The Other #1
Release Date: March 5, 2013
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Source: Borrowed from the library
Rating: 5 Bookworms
Challenges: #COYER
Goodreads

Synopsis
As a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet, Meg Corbyn can see the future when her skin is cut - a gift that feels more like a curse. Me'gs Controller keeps her enslaved so he can have full access to her visions. But when she escapes, the only safe place Meg can hide is at the Lakeside Courtyard - a business district operated by the Others.

Shape-shifter Simon Wolfgard is reluctant to hire the stranger who inquires about the Human Liaison job. First, he senses she's keeping a secret, and second, she doesn't smell like human prey. Yet a stronger instinct propels him to give Meg the job. And when he learns the truth about Meg and that she's wanted by the government, he'll have to decide if she's worth the fight between humans and the Others that will surely follow.

Gah! I can't believe I waited so long to read this! Written in Red was so good I was loathe to put it down. The world building was so well done - realistic but with just enough magic to create an escape - along with a fascinating story of creation. The characters - every single one - was so well developed that I feel like I know them all and I'm eager to hang out with them again. And, and, and I adore the fact that Bishop populated this story with strong female characters! There are quite a few "weighty" plot threads and Bishop wove them all together seamlessly. Seriously. So good!

The main story is that Meg escaped from where she'd been held her whole life and she makes it to the Lakeside Courtyward where the Others - vampires, wolf shifters, Elementals, etc. - live. There's something different about Meg and so the Others take her in and she becomes one of their own meaning they will protect her by any means necessary...even warring with the humans set on reacquiring her.

Meg hasn't live out in the world so she's learning every day, which was fascinating. But even more fascinating was watching as she taught the Others. They have an uneasy truce with humans but Meg is showing them that maybe not all humans are bad. The interpersonal lessons were heartwarming. But there was also plenty of action and suspense considering the factions out to get Meg. And while the immediate threat has been subdued - in grand fashion - Meg is still wanted. And I'm anxious for what comes next.

Meg is so genuine and sweet and compassionate. In many ways, she's like a child - not yet familiar with the world and therefore unbiased. You can't help but love her and all the Others prove just that. I'm hoping for something a little deeper to develop between Meg and Simon - a wolf shifter and the official leader of the Lakeside Courtyard.

I could go on and on but suffice it to say Written in Red was fan-freaking-tastic, I can't believe I waited so long to read it, and I will be continuing the series ASAP!

Robyn and I hadn't done a buddy read/blogger chat in quite awhile so we decided to do one for Written in Red. My text is in green, Robyn's is black. Enjoy!

What did you think of the story overall?

I fell into the story right away. I like stories that shift our world to the side just enough to fit a magical one inside. The Others were not likable and remained that way through the whole story and yet I quickly started liking them, even though they ate people! The blood prophet angle was new to me and there were times I felt queasy. I liked Meg immediately. She didn't back down even though nothing in her life was easy or safe. Simon was a growly unpleasant wolf. The supporting cast rocked. I loved the crows. I loved the idea of the Others having so many animal/magical traits that distanced themselves so much from humans they couldn't relate to the odd things humans did that are not actually odd.

I fell into the story immediately too. I loved that the Others were prickly and anti-heroes and heroines but I still ended up liking them...mostly because of how they took care of The Meg. :) I thought the blood prophet thing was interesting. Why are they considered human when they have a special ability? And why was it okay to keep them "captive"? I get humans selling the idea that blood prophets can't be by themselves...that part was sickening though. Simon. *sigh* I flove him! I love how caring he is even if he is super growly and would rather not have to stay in his human skin and doesn't know what to do when something that should smell like prey doesn't smell like prey. I think maybe that is why I loved the cast of characters so much...well, most of them anyway. And The Others in particular. They are scary and they do eat people. But they also take care of their own and they really stepped up when Meg became one of their own.

How did you feel about how the women were portrayed?

This one has me scratching my head as I try to remember feelings on this. The Others didn't seem to have any kind of male/female power struggle going on. Your standing revolved around your power and allies. The only woman really objectified in the story objectified herself and no one liked her for it. I would have liked more female cops/doctors/alpha leaders.

 

I felt like the women were portrayed as strong. I didn't like - can't think of her name - the bad woman. But I loved the scariness of Tess and Winter and yet they're still compassionate - at least where Meg is concerned.

What did you think of how everyone reacted to Meg?

It was one of the fun parts of the story, waiting for a new person to meet Meg. How will they react? Will they want to wrap her in bubble wrap because of the big bad scary Others? Will the Crows adopt her and start leaving shiny stuff for her? Will Simon ever stop growling? In that way, it felt kind of like a historical romance, all the nutty characters revolving around our awesome heroine.

Ooo, I love the comparison to HR. That's kinda true. And they all felt Meg needed taking care of. EVERYONE who met her, really. And yet, Meg was capable in her own way and she was taking care of them as well. I especially liked how she handled Sam. 

Are you totally shipping Meg and Simon?!?

(Are you totally??? what word did auto-correct fix?)

I'm laughing here...I meant, are you shipping Meg and Simon...as in wanting them to get to the good stuff! ;) I hope so hard that they get to the good stuff. :D

This is a new author for both of us, do you ever get new author apprehension? 

I do get new author apprehension. Particularly when it's an author that people, whose opinions I value, gush about the author. What if I don't like the author as much as my friend does? It's happened. But NOT in this case. I had it on good authority (*cough*Carmel*cough*) that this was a series must read.  

The Blood Prophet was a new magical ability for me, but the whole thing made me think of cutting and what a person gets out of it. Did you get that feeling? I couldn't figure out how I felt about that.

I liked having this new magical creature that I'd never heard of before but I did think about cutting initially. Then I decided to let it go. That way I could immerse myself in the story more. I don't know why Bishop chose to make blood prophets the way she did but in the end, it works. At least for me. 

Are we going to get good stuff in this series between Meg and Simon? Like in the next book? What's your guess? 

I certainly hope so! Who knows though. I'm going to guess it'll eventually happen but it might not be in the next book. But MAN do I hope it is!!! 

Who is your favorite character?

I don't know if I can decide...but I think I'd go with Meg. And then Sam. :) But honestly I loved them all. Except for the bad lady, of course. ;) Oh, and it was a close call with Elliot for a few minutes there. 

Blogger Chick Chat ~ The Pact ~ Karina Halle

The Pact by Karina Halle
Narrated by: Lydia Dornet and Shaun Grindell
Release Date: June 23, 2015
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Audible
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
Linden McGregor is tall, rugged, and gunslinger handsome-a helicopter pilot with a Scottish brogue and charm to spare. He's also on of Stephanie Robson's best friends and has fit into that box for as long as she's known him. Beautiful, funny, and an ambitious businesswoman, Stephanie Robson is one of Linden McGregor's best friends and has fit into that box for as long as he's known her. But some relationships can't be boxed, can't be classified, can't be tamed. Back in their mid-twenties and tired of the competitive hit-or-miss dating scene of San Francisco, Steph and Linden made a pact to marry each other if neither one of them are in a serious relationship by the time they hit thirty. It sounded like fun and games at the time but as the years to thirty tick past and lovers come and go out of their lives, the pact becomes larger than life. Sex is inevitable. Friendships are tested. Hearts are on the line. The pact is about to change everything.

Both Lexxie and I had The Pact in audio and so we decided to do an audiobook buddy 'listen'. ;) Here's our book chat:

Lexxie: Both Kayla and James really, really piss me off!!! I'm almost at the end of The Pact.

Brandee: Me too! I almost couldn't stand James.

L: How can Steph be happy for James? I would kick him in the nuts if I were her. (They're about to go to NY after Linden's helicopter accident)

B: I completely agree. He was a total schmuck. So self-centered. I'd kick him in the nuts twice! :)

L: hehe
I've finished listening now :) And I did enjoy the story, even if I found it a bit frustrating that Linden and Steph has to meet so many roadblocks.

B: Yeah, I got to that point as well. I wasn't happy that Linden gave her up for James. I didn't feel like that was a best friend move - at least on James' part. In a way I thought the roadblocks were contrived to keep the story going. But I still loved it. :)

L: And I found the Scottish accent to sound a bit fake in this one...

B: I was wondering what you thought about the accent. There were times when I thought it was real because his American accent sounded funny but I liked the female narrator's Scottish accent better. So you don't think he's (the narrator) a Scot?

L: No definitely not a Scot! In the beginning, it really peeved me, and almost made me stop listening. Thank goodness Linden had much less chapters than Steph! And I thought the female narrator was better, too.

B: Okay, well I'm glad I'm not the only one who didn't necessarily like the male narrator. I got used to it though.

L: Oh me too! By the end I was OK with him...but just wait until you listen to The Offer.

B: I'm looking forward to it.

L: James acted like a total douche! Especially if he had understood from the beginning that Linden and Steph were seeing each other! He should have realised how happy they both were.

B: Yeah, I don't know that I'd have remained friends with James but we weren't privy to his conversation with Linden when he apologized. So we don't know what went down there but Steph - I guess she was okay since things worked out in the end.

L: Yeah, but no matter that James said, he was really only thinking of himself - accusing Linden of not understanding him (James) and all the hardships of his life... Whereas he was not at all trying to see anything at all from Linden's POV.

B: I agree. A narcissist.
Totally.

L: Totally.
heh



We are SO good at this!
I found Kayla to be a hypocrite, too! Even if James later said that Kayla had told him about Linden and Steph when she was drunk...

B: Yeah, I'm interested to read Kayla's story to see if she's redeemed at all because yeah, she was a hypocrite. I almost felt like she was jealous.

L: Kayla's story will be the next one I listen to, and I can't wait either. And I liked Kayla better in The Offer, too.

She may have been jealous, especially because Linden and Steph were always close - friends, but always with the kind of possibility for something more - especially for those looking in from the outside of their relationship.

B: That's how I felt about Kayla. She didn't want to give Linden the benefit of the doubt with Steph since *she* didn't get him to stick around. I'm glad I'll like her better in The Offer.

L: So you do know you'll like her better, eh? ;)

B: Well, I'll like her better if you did ;)

Did you feel like all their baggage was appropriately resolved?

L: Linden and Steph? Or everybody?

B: Linden and Steph

L: I think Linden and Steph came to just accept that being best friends AND lovers was possibly the greatest thing ever for them.

And I'm not sure if anyone can really resolve all their baggage...but if most has been dealt with and they are trying to move forward in a positive way, things can definitely work out.

B: I agree and I was thrilled that they realized best friends make the best lovers. Because they do and their couplehood was a long time coming.

L: Yes! And I think that being both best friends and lovers make for the best relationships - especially long term :) <3

Knowing each other well, and appreciating each other, having things to talk about...that's just as important as the passion.

One of the things I really enjoyed about Linden and Steph was how they were always cheering each other on. Linden helped Steph have the courage to start her own clothing store, and she made him feel balanced and loved - even before he could admit that love was possibly the most important ingredient in their friendship.

B: Exactly. And by that time Steph and Linden had had plenty of time to marinate in all the goodness that taking their relationship to a higher level would be. Even if it was scary. Although Linden seemed quite certain of them having staying power. :)

L: Yeah, if it hadn't been for James screwing everything up for them with his jealousy and his pettiness...

Good thing Linden survived his accident!

B: LOL Yes, definitely a good thing!

Absolutely. Their friendship was much deeper than what they had with James in my opinion. And I adored that Steph gave Linden validation - well that have validation to each other. Something they both needed  and didn't get elsewhere.

L: True! Their friendship was always stronger than what either of them had with James. They spent more time with each other than all three of them, and even felt somewhat bad about that at times.

B: I'm looking forward to continuing this series. And I get to see Karina this weekend. ;)


Final thoughts:
I had a hard time putting The Pact away, spending extra time cleaning and on the daily walks. ;) I enjoyed the format, dual POV between Steph and Linden - as well as how Halle worked the time line. And despite the angst, The Pact was a lot of fun!

Blogger Chick Chat Review ~ Pent Up ~ Damon Suede

Pent Up by Damon Suede
Release Date: November 20, 2015
Genre: Adult, M/M Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased on nook
Challenges: #2016HW, #ShelfLove, #TakeControlTBR
Rating: 3.5 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
PENT UP: Mix business with pleasure and take cover.

Ruben Oso moves to Manhattan to start his life over as a low-rent bodyguard and stumbles into a gig in a swanky Park Avenue penthouse. What begins as executive turns into personal wrking for a debonair zillionaire who makes Ruben question everything about himself.

Watching over financial hotshot Andy Bauer puts Ruben in an impossible position. He knows zero about shady trading and his cocky boss lives barricaded in a glass tower with wall-to-wall secrets and hot-and-cold-running paranoia. Can the danger be real? Is Andy for real?

What's a bullet catcher to do? Ruben knows his emotions are out of control even as he races to untangle a high-priced conspiracy and his crazy feelings before somebody gets dead. If his suspicions are right, Andy will pay a price neither can afford, and Ruben may discover there's no way to guard a heart.

***

Me: I finished Pent Up, so we can discuss. I'll let you start this time.

Lexxie: I haven't completely finished Pent Up yet...I find it very slow, and I'm not sure I like all the jabs at 'white rich people'...Like there's a score to be settled

OK, I've finished...
3.5 stars
I think this was less good than Hot Head...
And mainly, I think that's because Ruben and Andy were just the two of them for most of the story - it felt like that made the characters underdeveloped somehow. The twist at the end wasn't really a twist, either - even if I hadn't thought of it, I wasn't overly surprised, you know?
Actually, the more I think about it, the more I feel like this read almost like a YA, but with characters who were in their late thirties/early forties...

I'm waffling between 3-3.5 stars...
I'm going to have to read Hot Head.

It did kinda seem like the characters were underdeveloped a bit. I mean, we meet Charles and Andy's assistant (who I really liked but can't remember her name) but it was pretty much just the two of them.

I think I had a hard time getting into the story because I didn't understand what was going on...which is part of the story - and I found the terminology *ahem* very male. I'm guessing that's Damon's style and I liked it once I got used to it.

Once I hit a certain point in the book though, I really liked Ruben and Andy. They seemed to fulfill something that was missing in each other's lives.

What did you think of the plot? It certainly had my head spinning...I was like Ruben in believing Andy was making it all up.

I did enjoy the plot a lot, and you're right about Rube and Andy helping each other find more meaning in their lives. And I have to say they were pretty courageous to live out that attraction, as they both thought they were straight.

And I had to smile at your 'male terminology'...that is definitely true.

I can't put my finger on why exactly, but I enjoyed this less than Hot Head.

I think my favorite character was Cilla! She took their relationship in stride, and she also didn't really take any shit from Tibbett.

It certainly did take a lot of courage to act on their attraction. And I loved Ruben's inner thoughts when they first kissed...about how it just felt so right.

The plot was great in that Suede kept me just as confused as Ruben was. When all was revealed, I was all "OH!" And I also think that what was going on and how they both handled it did much for developing their characters.

LOL That male terminology...seriously. But even "bulls-eye face" was something I hadn't heard before. But it worked. And looking at other reviews, this is signature Suede?

Cilla was awesome! "Honestly, Herb," she scoffed at him. "I'm not a child." She might be my favorite character too. But I really liked Hope as well. (THAT is Andy's assistant's name)

What did you think about the 12 steps being used? I liked how he [Ruben] got stuck on moral inventory and meeting Andy and going through all they went through helped him, I think.

One other thing...I liked that Ruben's last name is Oso. He is kinda a big bear...he can be fierce but also soft.

Hey, did you see Pierce Brown is going to be at BEA?

Omg!!!
Fangirling
I know where to use my front of the line pass!

LOL Lucky you!! That's what I get for procrastinating!

I thought it was kind of sad that Ruben never learned Spanish...And at the same time, I can totally relate, as only my two oldest kids speak Norwegian.

Oh, I thought it was sad too but I also understood his parents' desire to be "American"...

And I totally want to look up some of the things Andy said to Ruben in Spanish ;)

ME TOO! Plus, Andy was going to teach him!

Yup, that was awesome
And Hope was great, the way she and Ruben bonded over AA was really well done! 

I really liked that as well. Again, showed the type people they were since they were loyal and faithful to those tenants.

I wish there would have been more of a backlash for Ruben after Peach died, though...

Yeah, I though about that too. He didn't even tell Andy!

And of course you're right, the way the steps were used, and how Ruben was stuck on the fourth said a lot!
And I also liked that Ruben didn't try to make Andy stop drinking to help himself

Me too. What Ruben said was true...he had to live in the world and the world is a place where people drink and there are other temptations...I figure that's part of the process for an addict. But I also thought it was interesting that Ruben could see through to the reasons Andy drank since he's an alcoholic.

Yeah, there were many aspects to the story that come back to me now, because I'm chatting with you about it.

I love how it works that way!

Do we have a lot more to say about Ruben and Andy?
I can't really think of much...apart from that I did enjoy the story, even if it wasn't among my favorites

I guess I don't have anything else to say except that in talking about it with you, I did decide on a 3.5 star rating.

It anchored my 3.5 rating, too.

I really love doing buddy reads!
Hey, I'd somehow missed your comment on the 'jabs at rich white people'...I agree that it was a little irritating but then, Ruben later kinda explains that...how he'd always felt like he didn't fit in, even with his family and that he always thought money would make things better...so I lumped it into character building.

My final thoughts...
Pent Up was my introduction to Suede's writing and rather than the humr I was expecting, Suede served up a nice mystery alongside a nice romance. Suede's style took a little getting used to for me. I didn't know/understand all the phrases or references he used, especially those there were definitely male. But I got looked them up. :) Suede also wove in a lot of cloak and dagger/red herrings. It all mixed together for an engaging story that kept me guessing until the end.

Blogger Chick Chat w/Lexxie @ unConventional Bookviews ~ Me Before You ~ Jojo Moyes

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Me Before You #1
Release Date: December 31, 2012
Genre: Fiction
Source: Paperback ~ B-day gift from Hubs
Rating: 5 Bookworms
Challenges: #HW2016, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.

What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.

***Our Chat***
Spoiler Alert - it is very hard to have a chat about a book and not reveal things. I think we did our best, but if you haven't yet read Me Before You, be forewarned. :D

Lexxie: So, what did you think of Lou and Will? and the whole assisted suicide thing?

Brandee: I adored Lou and Will. They broke my heart, both of them. And it was very interesting to read a book on assisted suicide since Sky did a debate earlier this year (school year) on 'right to die'. I am a proponent of assisted suicide. However, as a parent, my heart went out to Will's parents.
What about you?

They didn't completely break my heart, but I did cry in the very end, when Lou ended up going to Switzerland to show him her support anyway.

And I'm like you, I'm all for it, but it would definitely be difficult to help a child (even an adult one) go through with it. We wouldn't really have to travel, though, it could be done at home.

And I thought the whole 'why aren't I enough' part from Lou was more than a little selfish! She knew Will for six months, and while I do believe they both had very strong feelings for each other, I was a bit mad at her when she didn't even want to speak to him after he told her that he was still going through with it. It truly must be awful to depend on people for every little thing, plus Will was in pain as well.

So did you like Will and Lou? As I was sitting here thinking of that question, I was thinking that I could see where Lou would irritate you. wink emoticonBut I cried so often while reading their story. As you know though, I'm hyper-emotional right now.

Assisted suicide is being debated in Colorado right now. It passed our Senate but hasn't passed completely yet. But yet it'd be very hard to help a child go through with it.

I loved both Lou and Will, and I thought that Lou really grew a lot thanks to working with Will, and asking herself some real questions about her life and what she wanted to do with it. Plus, I think it really helped both her and Will when she told him about what had happened in the maze.

I was happy that Lou went to Switzerland in the end. I did think she was selfish in her reaction, but I also felt her reaction was understandable to a certain extent - realistic, even. I hated that it hurt Will though.

In a way, her reaction was understandable, however, she only did see things from her own perspective, not Will's. And I was so glad when he told her that the last six months - those with her - were the best he had after his accident.

I liked watching Lou blossom. And I was so happy she shared what happened to her with Will. He was able to pull her out of that shell she'd put herself into. It was beautiful to see them both pull each other out. And it was interesting that they were both trying to convince the other to live.

I liked that Will told Lou that as well.

Yeah, because Lou had effectively been not living for longer than Will, she had just been existing.

Do you think Lou telling Will about the maze helped him by letting him see why she was living the was she was?

Yes, because that was a way for her to protect herself - she was with running-man because she didn't really love him, but it was expected of her to be with someone at her age; she had worked at the café because it was safe, and she never wanted to leave the little village because it was safe for her there, with mostly people she already knew and tourists she could steer clear of.

Oh, it absolutely was her way of protecting herself. Ugh! Running man...I hated that he got to the be the one to end things because really, Lou should have dumped him. But I understood.

What did you think of Lou's relationship with her sister?

And how did you feel about her mother's reaction to Lou at the end?

I think she was just so comfortable with that relationship she didn't really care. And I didn't even really mind that he was the one to end it - it was really over in her heart long before that.

That's true. And I'm happy things ended before she was married and 'stuck' there.

The sister was smart in many ways, but she was definitely taking advantage of the situation whenever she could.

It bothered me that Lou's parents were always telling her that Treena was the smart one.

And Lou's mother gasp emoticon- I was not at all understanding where she came from!! What's the biggest sin? 'Making' someone stay alive with medicine, or help them die, or even just let them die so they can be in peace?

Yeah, that's not nice at all, and it was like they didn't even try to understand her, but they were happy to take her money, of course.

Exactly!

And so was Treena, but I guess that's how it works in some families, where every person puts themselves first.

Yes, well the religious side is the reason there's even a debate over assisted suicide. I don't understand it myself. I've said for many, many years that here in the US we treat our pets more humanely than our family.

But Lou's mom...that made me so mad!

True! And if they want it to be the way it was before, Will would have probably died when he had his accident, or the very first time he got pneumonia.

Yeah, Lou's mom was really over the top! I wanted to smack her! Heap some more grief on your daughter, won't you?

I thought Treena was taking advantage. It bothered me, honestly.

Oh, and Will's mom... what did you think of her?

I'm the smartest, and I have a child... you have to work, Lou, so I can follow my dream, my brain is going to waste *rolls eyes*

*ha* Reading your last comment about Lou's mom made me realize her whole family was a bit selfish.

Her dad was the most supportive - and he really supported everybody! Working long hours, and not being too proud to take the job at the castle after he lost his job at the factory.

I like Will's mom...what we got to know of her. She made some comment about how her relationship with Will had always been difficult and I wondered why. I guess it was just Will's personality. We did have that explained a bit near the end...how he'd been as a child. I didn't understand her relationship with his dad...why all that had happened and why she was dealing with it the way she was. But then, I guess that's a whole other story.

Yes, I did like Lou's dad even if he talked down to her. He was supportive and he still stood by Lou in the end.

I think some children kind of just don't get along with their parents, Will seemed to be one who enjoyed doing the opposite of what was expected of him in some situations. And if he didn't really get along with his mom, it must have been even harder to have to live at home again and depend on his parents after his accident!!

It seemed to me that Will's mom and dad had possibly wanted to divorce before Will's accident, but then, they stayed together afterwards to kind of care for him together? Not sure... That relationship sounded like a very clichéd upper class marriage to me.

*sigh* Will really did break my heart. To have to live like he was - and it not even have been caused by something he did. You know? He was hurt while jumping off a cliff...and I couldn't imagine living life so fully, as he did, and then to end up living a life he hated.

Yes, I did feel their marriage was cliched.

And I felt like Will's dad wasn't as committed to his wife's cause with Will either.
And I think that is a way that this book is very important! To show how difficult it is for someone who leads an active life, at the very beginning, he didn't even want a vacation where he could relax, he wanted to jump from a parachute or something
Then, nothing he could do on his own anymore. That was definitely tough to read about, but it didn't completely gut me.

I agree. It was important to show how unhappy Will's circumstances would make him since there was nothing of his old life he could still enjoy. And he was certainly a thrill seeker.
Yeah, and while he seemed to be excited about the trip to the US, where he could have done some of the things he had done in the past, it wouldn't have been the same. And it was definitely very realistic that he got sick and couldn't go.
Okay, okay - so I'm just a sap. Is that what you're telling me?!? ;P

My final thoughts:
Me Before You is a poignant story in which Lou and Will show each other, teach each other, about living life...convince each other that living is worthwhile but also recognizing that ultimately the choice is, and should be, yours.
I cried over so many things in Lou and Will's stories - the reality that sometimes life is brutally unfair. I could see this story from so many angles - as a mom, as a sister, as a daughter, as a wife. Lou and Will's story ended as I felt it should and yet I'm still thinking, feeling - in profound ways. It certainly left its mark.

Blogger Chick Chat w/Talk Supe ~ Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts ~ Fighting for Devlin ~ Jessica Lemmon

Fighting for Devlin by Jessica Lemmon
Lost Boys #1
Release Date: November 24, 2015
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased on Nook
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
Devlin Calvary makes his own luck. Orphaned as a young child, he was taken in by a crew of bookies and gamblers--and they became his family. They're the reason Dev's running a trendy bistro, living in a high rise, and enjoying the good life with a string of women who never ask for too much. Until, one night, he finds out how much it hurts to trust the wrong people.

Rena Lewis sticks to the straight and narrow, determined not to slip up again...like the terrible night of partying four years ago that ended in tragedy. A waitress at Oak & Sage, she knows that sleeping with her boss is not a smart move. But when Dev shows up on her doorstep, beat up and clearly shaken, Rena's not about to turn him down...or kick him out of bed.

Dev reawakens something primal within her--a need to go wild. And Rena soon finds out that the heart she'd sealed away years ago still has the power to fight for love.

***

I've read several great reviews of Jessica Lemmon's work (Braine, Kimberly, I'm looking at y'all). Fighting for Devlin seemed like a great one to jump into and when Braine @Talk Supe asked if I wanted to buddy read, it was an opportunity I couldn't pass up! Here's what we had to say...

Hey Braine! You read it fast! I hope you enjoyed it. You're not missing any hair, right?? ;)

LOL! I'm so happy it wasn't angsty! I read New Adult and I start hiding sharp objects. They have a certain "effect on me". And yes, I did enjoy it, thank you very much!

LOL I'm glad no sharp objects were required for Devlin. I'm glad you enjoyed it because I did as well and I wouldn't have known to read Lemmon if it weren't for you. 

I'm happy to do so!

I admit that Lemmon immediately drew me into this story. I had to know Rena's and Devlin's full stories. How did this compare to other stories you've read from Lemmon? Does she always pull you in directly?

If I were to compare it to colors, Lemmon's Bad Boy series are like primary colors, red, blue, and yellow. FIGHTING FOR DEVLIN is like a spread of monochromatic gray and black. It's like a quickening of sorts you know? I felt the passion of that first true love. In that sense, it's similar to her Bad Boy series in that it's earnest and doesn't toy with your emotions.

I like the color comparison. I liked how Lemmon made that first love passion so palpable. And that this story didn't toy with my emotions. And I'm even more eager to read more from Lemmon now.

I liked the chemistry - which was so electric it was palpable. And I enjoyed seeing how they brought out each others' strengths. 

It must be so awkward to be so sexually attracted to a coworker. I bet that freezer's temp rose up several degrees!

LOL Yeah, hopefully nothing was ruined or got freezer burn! ;)

I thought Lemmon did well with the gambling plotline. I felt like Devlin was a strong person to have lived with that sort of temptation for so long and to have abstained. What did you think?

The gambling was a good backdrop, it lent the story a sense of danger. I felt it skimmed the surface though because Devlin was in deep with Sonny in their "honorable illegal gambling" gig. I found that clause funny btw, the irony! As for not participating, I'm surprised he didn't use his skills for gain, at the same time I also get why he abstained. It brought too much tragedy already. 

Did you feel like there's a missed opportunity though? Like with a backdrop like that, she could've taken it a step further and made it more romantic suspense?

Irony, indeed! I thought that was funny as well. I was glad that Devlin abstained from using his particular skills for his own gain. He had seen so much tragedy already. And, of course, if he had used his skills, that'd make him a completely different sort of character. 

It definitely could have been taken a step further with the gambling backdrop. Lemmon had the 'bones' for it but I guess that wasn't the story she wanted to tell. Since I've not read her before, I don't know if she could have delivered. But still, I liked the story as it was. 

Lemmon also did a great job with introducing supporting characters that I'm eager to spend more time with. This is something I really appreciate in a story, as you know. Is this typical of her? And what did you think of the supporting cast? 

Oh yes! She has a habit of introducing the next couple to avoid insta-love scenarios. What do you think of Cade and Tasha? I know Cade's book will be rife with issues, the boy's got a lot of shit to deal with.

Ooh, I'm going to like how she introduces the next couple then. :D I like Cade and Tasha and I'm eager to see exactly what they're back story, together, is. Yeah, it's definitely going to be a story rife with issues. I can't imagine wading through all Cade's going to be wading through...

Cade scares me. He's so angry! Not that I can blame him, but there's a lot of things he needs to sort out. I'm scared for Tasha, it's not going to be a smooth road for sure.

What about Sonny in particular? I wasn't too sure of him at first. But I liked the direction Lemmon went with him. I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, but she redeemed him in my eyes.

Oh yes, Sonny was a surprise! He might be a betting lord or something like that, but he is honorable. Different, but I appreciate Lemmon not making his character into a stereotype.

I was so happy he ended up being honorable. I, too, liked that she made him her own, so to speak, rather than putting him into a certain mold.

Lemmon really brought the feels and the heat with Rena and Devlin. I didn't feel like there was any unnecessary angst or that anything was contrived even with some of those things Devlin did towards the end. I felt like it was a very satisfying story. What did you think of it overall?

I appreciate the realistic level of angst. Their conflict was believable, natural and expected even. Devlin just pulled a lot of jerk moves, you know? Sure it was "necessary", but his little ditty with Melinda was too callous and the usual push back towards the end was also not surprising considering men are dense and are usually emotionally handicapped when faced with their HEA.

I also appreciated that it wasn't too angsty - I felt their decisions were realistic. Devlin did pull some really jerk moves though. I didn't like it at all, honestly. And the push back at the end was a bit predictable. In fact, those two things probably got to me the most because they were sort of typical and created drama that wasn't all that necessary. But Devlin *did* come to his senses...with some help. ;)

I'm happy Rena gave him a hard time, I just felt like she took the gambling part too well. Sure she might be a "bad girl" underneath, but she's trying to "change" or something. I'm just surprised that she didn't freak out enough. Sure it didn't happen, but what if it got super messy and unraveled and she found herself in the middle of it? Maybe I'm just being such a hard ass, I just felt it unconsistent with where Rena's character is going.

I was also happy she gave him hell. That felt realistic. Maybe she did handle the gambling a bit too gracefully but I guess I felt maybe she thought she *knew* Devlin on some deeper level that helped in her being understanding. But you're right - things could have gone south and she could have been wrapped up in it tight. Sure she was trying to be 'good' but wanted the bad boy and all, but it really could have backfired in her face. You're absolutely right in that she was trying to distance herself from how she felt she was when she was with her previous boyfriend, so accepting a life with a guy involved in crime, no matter how limited, was inconsistent.

What did you think of this story seeing as NA is not one of your favorite genres? 

I can read NA, I just pick authors I can trust won't shred me to pieces. LOL It helped that I've read Lemmon's contemporary romance so that familiarized me with her style. I just wished the MC's doesn't have these messed up backgrounds. But heck, it's NA, I shouldn't expect any different.

How about you? Is this your first Lemmon? Did you find it sweet or tangy?

LOL True, messed up backgrounds are standard issue in NA, it seems. This was my first time with Lemmon but it won't be my last for sure. I guess I'd say it was a little sweet and a little spicy. :D

You should definitely pick up her Bad Boy series. If you think this is good, that one's even better!

Thanks for buddy reading with me, Braine. I hope we can do it again SOON!

Mom's kitchen smelled like pie, which might be a good thing if she could bake something other than scones. To date, she'd failed at every attempt at pie over the course of my lifetime. It didn't stop her from trying, which, I guess, was kinda of admirable.
"Apple?" I guessed as I hung my coat in the hall closet.
"Rhubarb!" she called, bent over the oven.
I cringed. I had no idea what rhubarb was or why she'd attempted to put it into pastry. "Oh."
She stood, sliding the pie onto the stovetop. She wore the apron I bought her for Christmas, the one with a cartoon bottle of win that read: I POUR BETTER THAN I COOK.
We both frowned at the sunken layer of dough. "It's raw in the middle," she announced with a quirk of her lips.
Yet the edges were black. Amazing. Maybe instead of being a horrible baker, she was an incredible baker, because I had no idea how she could mess up pie one hundred of the time.