All He Ever Dreamed

by Shannon Stacey

I can't ever get enough of these heart-warming books about the loving Kowalski family. Despite my rating, All He Ever Dreamed aka Josh and Katie's book is as good as their predecessor couples. It has humor, it has tendor moments between family members, it has sexiness. It just feels a bit anticlimactic after all the buildup we've had whether about Josh's agitation to get out and roam the world (which he did for only 3 months) or about their eventual hookup (turns out you'll need only tank top to make your crush who had not noticed you your whole life to finally do so). They have so much history together and to make it all about revealing clothes to make things happen, it's shallow to me. All in all this book provides a satisfying end to my favorite couple, but not as satisfying as I would have liked.

3/5

Read it yourself.

The Best Man

by Kristan Higgins

Another tale of an emotionally dependent heroine's quest to find love and get hitched from the pen of Kristan Higgins. This book would probably blow me away if this is my first time reading this author. It's still very good considering I already know her pattern and formula.
Faith Holland thought she found the love of her life in a too good to be true highschool sweetheart, Jeremy, who turned out to be just so, too good to be straight. She fled across the country to lick her wounds and came back to find Jeremy best friend, her old nemesis, the one who outed her man on their wedding day as the town's police chief. Sparks fly, a lot of comedies (mostly coming from the supported cast) ensue. I like Faith much better than what's her name, Ms. Higgins' previous heroine. I like the overall product enough that I give the book 4 stars despite abrupt and underwhelming ending and formulaic storyline.

4/5

Read it yourself.

The Lady Most Willing...: A Novel in Three Parts

by Connie Brockway, Eloisa James and Julia Quinn

Very interesting format, the book still suffers some inconsistency of which I blame on editing. The story itself starts off very promising, very funny. The first and third couple's parts are quite good, I suspect they would be excellent if the authors (whoever the two are) have more room to operate. As they are, they are leaps and bounds better than the vexing middle story. It jumps out the most as some characters took sharp personality turns and the narratives are frustratingly confusing.

3/5,2/5,3.5/5

Read it yourself.

Suddenly You

by Sarah Mayberry

This author has been a reliable buy for me. However, lately I found myself less exciting picking up her books since they all become predictable, almost to the point of formulaic. I can guess with almost 100% precision by looking at the place in the book how certain situations would play out. 30% -- first kiss. 50% -- first sex scene. 80% -- situation that leads to the couple falling out. 95% -- the revelation and happy forever scene. The circumstances might be different from book to book, but in the end I couldn't quite distinguish them apart. This book is somehow different than her recent outings. There are some genuinely funny interactions early on. The chemistry does not seem as forced or as robotic. I would prefer the couple to have more trials and tribulations before coming to the 'I love you' bits, but the romance, all in all, is still believable.

4/5

Read it yourself.

Motorcycle Man

by Kristen Ashley

I wish I could say this book is the shit!! Unfortunately, it just isn't for me. I can understand the high rating though. If you could commit to the story, it sure can bring you ecstacy and many kinds of pleasure. But, everytime Tyra uttered 'Oh, my god', I thought 'Un-freakin-believable!'. Sure the book is in the 'Dream Man' series so I can understand Mr. Kane 'Sharp-as-Tack- Allen speaking and acting as such, but then come his dream, adoring teenage kids, his dream, super skanky/bitchy irredeemable ex, his dream super loyal minions. I just can't fully enjoy the ride (and it's quite a ride) when I failed to suspend my incredulity. If the setup was changed from present day's Denver motorcycle club to medieval Scottish clan, that should have probably worked. 

3/5

Read it yourself.