Book Spotlight: Switched by Cassie Mae

Ever since high school, Kayla has been crazy for gorgeous football player Talon. But before she could muster the courage to tell him, he became a hot item with her beautiful BFF, Reagan. The only person who knows Kayla’s secret is Wesley, Talon’s best bud—and he’s got it bad for Reagan. Now they’re all in college together, hanging out 24/7. For Kayla, seeing the two lovebirds together is absolutely unbearable. So Kayla and Wesley hatch a plot to drive them apart before Talon has a chance to give Reagan the Christmas gift she’s been waiting for.

Soon enough, the once happy couple is fighting. Reagan suddenly can’t get enough of Wesley’s goofy sense of humor, and Talon seems to be paying more attention to Kayla than a guy who’s “only a friend” ever should. But just when everything seems to be falling into place, Kayla and Wesley accidentally spend a night together and discover a hitch in their plan they never considered: that switching partners may not lead to a perfect ending after all. 

From Goodreads.com

This book was so adorable. So many feels.

So now that I've had a few days to think about this book and how I want to review it, I think I'm ready. Maybe. Possibly.

Okay, here it goes.

Guys, I READ THIS BOOK IN ONE SITTING.

That right there should say a lot about it. I don't have the luxury of just sitting down and reading a book in one sitting. Especially when those books are 500 pages long and I have things to do. Also, I haven't been reading much of just plain romance stories. But Switched really captured my heart in a quick and fun way, making me just devour the pages. This is definitely what I look for in an adorable romance read.

This book starts out with a mess. Kayla loves Talon. Wesley loves Reagan. Talon and Reagan love each other. Oh noes. Best friends in love with their best friend's significant other? Yeah, that doesn't seem like a recipe for disaster. So Kayla and Wesley devise a plan and that's when all the fun begins.

From the very beginning pages, I kind of really wanted to slap both Kayla and Wesley. Of course, in a loving way. Man, guys! Way to be little crying babies. I really do understand the anguish of wanting something you can't have, which one of us doesn't, and I think that's why I instantly connected with these two. Even as their little cry fest made me a little crazy.

All of the characters in this book are just so relatable, I wanted to hug them all. Really, by relatable I mean annoying, fun, horrible at decision making, and complete dorks. Come on guys, we've all been there. Kayla is definitely a crazy one and her friendship and scheme making with Wesley had me laughing out loud a number of times. Sure, they were a bit immature for their age at time, but who isn't when love is involved. Also, no matter how swoon worthy Talon was, I was a Wesley girl from the beginning. He's like that adorable boy next door who steals your heart when you aren't looking.

The dynamics between all the characters were fun, the interactions realistic, and the love story all kinds of sweet. Can you tell I'm just gushing over here? I just can't get over how adorable this book was! I was smiling while reading it for pretty much a large portion of the time. Seriously, if you're looking for a light and fluffy romantic comedy, Switched has all the makings!

(Awe Wesley)

Moving on. Seriously. Go read this book :)

Happy reading, 

Valia 

Book Spotlight: A Tale Of Two Centuries (My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century #2) by Rachel Harris

     Alessandra D’Angeli is in need of an adventure. Tired of her sixteenth-century life in Italy and homesick for her time-traveling cousin, Cat, who visited her for a magical week and dazzled her with tales of the future, Alessandra is lost. Until the stars hear her plea.

     One mystical spell later, Alessandra appears on Cat’s Beverly Hills doorstep five hundred years in the future. Surrounded by confusing gadgets, scary transportation, and scandalous clothing, Less is hesitant to live the life of a twenty-first century teen…until she meets the infuriating—and infuriatingly handsome—surfer Austin Michaels. Austin challenges everything she believes in…and introduces her to a world filled with possibility.

     With the clock ticking, Less knows she must live every moment of her modern life while she still can. But how will she return to the drab life of her past when the future is what holds everything she’s come to love?

From Goodreads.com

     
     Alessandra is a sixteenth-century girl in need of a twenty-first-century adventure. So when the fates hear her plea, she shows up on her cousin's doorstep, ready to experience this other world for herself. Everything about this century is baffling, including the gorgeous surfer Austin. But Alessandra didn't come to sit on the sidelines, she's ready for an adventure. And that's where the real fun beings. 
     Let me just start out by saying I loved everything about this book. While I really enjoyed the first book, I was a little unhappy in the end there. If you know me and my romantic heart, you know why. Going into Less's story, I was a little nervous, I have to admit. But I am happy to report, I was not disappointed. Honestly, I don't think Rachel can disappoint me. I pretty much adore everything she writes. Anyway, off track here. 
     I really enjoyed Alessandra's character in this book. I liked seeing her blossom out of her shell, exploring the different sides of her personality. Her contrast with her cousin Cat is evident, but the dynamics between those two are great. They compliment each other without being too similar and I loved that. 
     Now, the swoon factor in this book is mighty high. I freaking loved Austin.

 I loved how much of him we saw, how much we got to know about who he is. Just like Less, I wanted to hug him to pieces for most of the book. And his possessiveness when it comes to Less? 

Oh my... Okay, I'm done now. 
     Also, I really liked that we saw Cat and her own story brought to light a little bit. I'm glad that she's getting a happy ending as well. I know that happy endings don't always mean finding your Prince Charming, but it doesn't hurt. And although I kind of wish...nope, not going there. You just have to read both books and figure things out for yourself!
     Alessandra's journey is one fun adventure. This book will have you laughing and on the edge of your seat, which to me spells one fun ride. I'm telling you, I'll read anything Rachel writes. Go grab a copy of A Tale Of Two Centuries for yourself and experience the awesome story of sixteenth century sixteen year old girl dealing with twenty-first century problems. 

This book makes me happy

     Happy reading, 

     Valia 

Book Spotlight: Wicked Jealous by Robin Palmer

Simone never saw herself as the “cute girl”—she was always the chunky, band tee wearing, France-obsessed smart girl. But now that Simone’s a few pounds lighter and sporting a new retro style, things have gotten, well, weird. Her crush Jason seems to actually know she exists. And when Simone’s soon-to-be stepmonster Hillary stops ignoring her, Simone knows something is up. When Simone’s brother offers to let her move in with him and his six roommates on the beach for the summer, Simone jumps at the chance. But living with seven very different college boys isn’t exactly helping her land her very own happily ever after.
From goodreads.com

Thanks to ATWAT for the book! 

Wicked Jealous is a story about a girl names Simone. She’s not your average princess, but a girl who’s still searching for who she is in life. When her dad and almost step mom leave for a vacation, Simone moves in with Matt, her brother, and six other college students. Stuff happens, and then more stuff happens, and there’s a cute boy or two. And Zumba. There is lots of Zumba in this book. 

Simone is going through a lot of changes, and when she stumbles on to Zumba class, her whole life seems to change. The “fairy godmother” role is played by the wonderful ladies of Zumba class and her best friend. They push her to become a better version of herself and I found that aspect sweet. 

Seriously, this was a cute read. It was very unexpected for me because it didn’t focus as much on the whole Snow White aspect as I thought it would. This book focused a lot on Simone and the background story of who she is. I enjoyed getting to know her as a character, and her best friend was hilarious. I also really enjoyed Matt, her brother, as a character. I really wish we got to see more of the “seven dwarfs” than we did, but when they were present, they were awesome. I also would’ve enjoyed more of the whole romantic aspect of the story, but it was still super cute. 

Overall, if you enjoy fairy tale retellings this book is for you. Robin has a way with these and I really enjoy the different aspects she brings out in the story. Her heroines are always a little unexpected, which is a nice touch. 

This book comes out July 19th, 2012! Would love to hear your thoughts!


Happy reading, 
Valia