Blog Tour: Letters to My Future Husband

Synopsis
Sophie doesn’t know what kind of man she’s looking for, so her father suggests she write letters to her future husband—and come to know him in the process. But Sophie soon learns her letters aren’t the most reliable key to her heart. This hilarious coming-of-age novel is a guaranteed laugh-out-loud read you’ll want to share with all your friends.

About the Author
Lisa has been actively writing for many years and continues to hone her craft as a writer by attending SCBWI conferences in Florida. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a master’s degree in English, and has published three books in the LDS market.

My Review
4 stars
This novel starts out with young a young Sophie who is anxious to marry her dad. When he explains that someday she will find an amazing guy that is just for her, he gives her a journal and suggests that she write letters to her future husband in them. Fast forward and Sophie has a crush on Hanno, and writes many slightly humorous letters to him in her journal. Running into him years later, after his marriage and divorce, she is determined that he is the one for her. But, things don't go as planned, and Hanno might not be the guy she thought  he was. When Sophie meets a perfect gentleman that same night, and has feelings for him, she tells herself that it's just the air, and leaves.

Fast forward again, to a thirty year old Sophie, tormented by her mother's comments about her tall frame, large feet, and single status. A business woman. A woman who might have herself convinced that marriage is more of a business contract, and that there is no such thing as the one. Enter in a goofy totally not right for her fiance, and a Mr. Perfect from ten years ago (and I'm not talking about Hanno), and a young preteen convinced that Sophie is her mom who visits Sophie in her dreams.

This novel is written like a Hallmark movie (I love Hallmark, so that's a compliment)! There are plenty of laugh out loud moments (anyone know what a didgeridoo is?), need to have a talk with the main character moments, bautiful heart warming moments, moments when you feel so proud of the main character, and moments when you want to cry with the main character.

Altogether I liked Sophie. She could be extremely frustrating, but her personality was interesting to read from. I felt so bad for her after the cruel things her mom said (even though she didn't mean to be cruel). I think every girl has a crush on someone at some point that they later thought was completely silly, and that aspect was pretty funny at times. I wanted to smack her on the head for keeping that fiance around for so long, too! I was totally rooting for Mr. Perfect (not telling who) the whole time, hoping he could show her that true love just might be real and not banned to fairy tales!

The banter between Sophie and a certain someone were also pretty fantastic. I really enjoyed the time she spent with him. The night visitor was also very entertaining, and I just had to laugh at some of their interactions, and almost crying during others.  I also enjoyed Sophie's interactions with her family, especially her dad, grandma, and brother and his family.

Letters to My Future Husband was an entertaining read. With great points and morals, relateable characters who I couldn't help but root for, plus a Hallmark feel, what could possibly go wrong? This was also a great book to read around Valentines Day!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affected my opinion, and all thoughts and opinions are solely my own.

Book Cover Love

"Don't judge a book by its cover."

Just look at the cover!

Or do, because let's be honest, bookish people tend to do that sometimes! I know I do! And, let's face it, that quote is more for people, houses, and clothes, than it is about books. Right?

Sometimes a books beautiful cover captivates me, and pulls me in, makes me want to read it. Other times I just glance down a long row of book and covers, swiftly hovering over them and moving on. 

Though I am drawn to pretty covers, I never buy or read on gorgeous cover alone. A book must have an interesting synopsis, or it's bye bye pretty cover that would look beauteous on my bookshelf:(

Why is cover love good?

Cover love can be a great thing because, like I said, a pretty cover can pull in readers like a cowboy to mustangs. Rare and gorgeous cover ... I got you my pretty, and your little pages too! A great cover can also tell us something about the story, whether it has hidden meaning after you read it, or it just goes well with the synopsis.  Covers can  make us want to read a book!

Why is cover love occasionally bad?

Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with cover love. There is nothing wrong with not reading a book that doesn't have a cover that you aren't comfortable with either. However, when cover love turns to cover snobbery (saying a book isn't good enough based on the cover - uncomfortable reading it excluded), there is a problem. When you hear about a book that a friend thinks is really good, but you won't even pick up the book because the cover isn't exciting enough, or green enough, or pretty enough, or unique enough, or sparkly enough, or to sparkly, to pink, or weird, (yes, I'm exagerating). That's when you might be guilty of cover snobbery, and we bookish people might have a problem on our hands.

 That moment when you find out if you are right or wrong about a cover.

Sometimes I see a book and I'm totally like "oooh, you're gorgeous, you belong with me." Then one of two things happens. Either I read the synopsis and see how right I probably am about the book, or I see that the book is totally not meant for me. When the latter happens I instantly feel my heart deflate, I give the book a lingering stare, then turn away feeling sad until the next book catches my attention. 

I see said book again and my eyes well up with water, but none leaks out when I remember that the synopsis, well, it just wasn't the raspberry to my chocolate. 

When I read the synopsis and love it though, my heart leaps with joy and get a really giddy feeling about the two for one - beautiful cover, beautiful synopsis!

Are you a victim of cover love? Did it end well or terribly wrong? 

Waiting on Wednesday: Wild Hearts by Jessica Burkhart

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, where we share a book that we are waiting for. This post is so fun because it helps us stay on the lookout for books!


Wild Hearts by Jessica Burkhart

Release Date: May 5, 2015

Goodreads Summary
Enjoy Wild Hearts and the other standalone titles in Bloomsbury's contemporary If Only romance line centered around an impossible problem: you always want what you can't have!

Brie Carter's father's land development business has taken her family all over the world,
but as soon as they arrive at their new home in Lost Spring, Wyoming, the town turns out to protest. They don't want a new hotel if the resident mustang population will be displaced or hurt as part of the deal. Then Brie meets Logan, a gorgeous local who has a special connection to the mustangs, and she is immediately drawn to him . . . and the horses. However, with Logan's father leading the protests and Brie's father refusing to budge, it's clear that their parents are heading towards an all-out war. Can Brie and Logan find a way to save the mustangs and be together? Or is their love doomed from the start?

This new title in the If Only line is the perfect summer read and proves that love flourishes in the wildest places!

Why I'm Waiting
I love horses! I've always wanted one, but the closest I can get is through books. Sigh. Plus their's forbidden love! Plus I read Not In The Script recently, and fell in love with it, so I want to the rest of the If Only series now!

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Top Ten Book Related Problems I Have

  Top Ten Tuesday is a fun meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, where we pick the top ten things for the topic of the week.  I really enjoy writing these posts, because I love lists, and this is a great way to look back at books I've read and toward the books I want to read!

Topic: Top Ten Book Related Problems I Have

Being a mood reader. Sometimes this is nice because I'm more likely to like a book if I'm reading it when I'm in the mood to read a certain kind of book. At other times, being a mood reader is like a curse, especially when I have review books that I need to read!

Buying books. I have been doing better on this one, but some books I just can't resist buying. Especially if they're on sale!

Requesting review books on Netgalley. I didn't request anything on Netgalley for the last half of 2014. This year, I am allowing myself to request some books, but only if I really, really, really want to read them!

Starting another book before I review the one I just read. I really do prefer to finish a book, review it, then start another one, but often I find myself reading two or more books then reviewing them all.

Losing bookmarks. I am always doing this! They either fall or get lost - it's always something!

Not enough time to read all of the books I want to read! There are so many wonderful books that I want to read, and my TBR pile and list just keep growing!

Not enough book space. I would love to get some nice bookshelves and bookends, and really make my books look nice.

Inability to keep up with all of my favorite authors new books and debut author books! 

Reading one book when I feel like reading a different book. I hate it when this happens. Sometimes I'll have a review book to read, but I want to read another book first, but I feel like I can't. Then I'll put off reading and procrastinate. It really is terrible.

Not enough money for all the books I want! Seriously, if I could all of the books I wanted there would be no money left in this house hold!


What are your book related problems? Do you have any of the problems I have?

Not In The Script by Amy Finnegan

Not in the Script by Amy Finnegan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodreads Summary
Millions of people witnessed Emma Taylor’s first kiss—a kiss that needed twelve takes and four camera angles to get right. After spending nearly all of her teen years performing on cue, Emma wonders if any part of her life is real anymore . . . particularly her relationships.

Jake Elliott’s face is on magazine ads around the world, but his lucrative modeling deals were a poor substitute for what he had to leave behind. Now acting is offering Jake everything he wants: close proximity to home; an opportunity to finally start school; and plenty of time with the smart and irresistible Emma Taylor . . . if she would just give him a chance.

When Jake takes Emma behind the scenes of his real life, she begins to see how genuine he is, but on-set relationships always end badly. Don’t they? Toss in Hollywood’s most notorious heartthrob and a resident diva who may or may not be as evil as she seems, and the production of Coyote Hills heats up in unexpected—and romantic—ways.

This novel in the deliciously fun If Only romance line proves that the best kinds of love stories don’t follow a script.

My Review
It has been a while since I've read a YA book, and even longer since I've read one that I loved. With Valentines Day coming up, though, I was really in the mood for a good YA romance. So, I looked through the ones I had, and Not In the Script kept tugging at me. So I started reading it with the hope that I would like it, but not sure. I couldn't have picked better, though, because I fell in love with Not In the Script (and Jake)!

From the first chapter I was hooked and did not want to put this book down. I enjoyed the setting on set and off set, scripted and unscripted, especially unscripted, so much! The witty banter between all of the characters, the dynamics between them, and the insider on set info were written for wonderful entertainment!

The Characters
The characters were amazing and very realistic. Behind the fame Emma and Jake were very real and relateable people, who I really enjoyed getting to know as they jumped off the pages. Both were kind, witty, smart, loyal, strong, and completely genuine. Behind the fame and money, they were just normal people wishing for a normal life. They had both had some tough breaks. Emma didn't want another on set relationship after the previous disasterous, cheating actors she had dated, and Jake was only modeling and acting to get enough money to support his family. As the paparazzi and witty banter between them collide with flying sparks will they be able to get past the rumors that are flying about the cast of Coyote Hills and start their friendship romance?

Jake was an amazing, caring, witty, and did I mention incredible guy who I instantly fell in love with! He is probably my only contemporary YA book boyfriend (I normally don't fall for contemporary YA guys, I guess their usually to similar to the ones at my highschool, but Jake is exceptional!), and it would be totally awesome if there was a copy of him in real life! Anyway... it was really refreshing to see a guy like him in a YA book. A guy who had dropped all of his dreams for a career in modeling (yes, he's totally handsome!) so that he would have the money to support his family. He was so supportive toward his mom and Emma, and very patient. In no way, was he arrogant or conceited, which happens way to often in YA books.

Then there were the side characters. I loved Jake's mom, she was a wonderful person and very strong. Emma's family was great too, from her overbearing manager mother, to her semi supportive dad, to her seven year old twin brothers. McGregor was an entertaining director, that made things, well unique on set. I had mixed feelings about Kimmi, Brett, and Rachel. None of them were as they first appear, and it was fun to watch  it all play out. They made for some genius twists within the book, but you'll have to read it for yourself!

The Romance
Jake and Emma are the perfect couple! Banter makes or breaks a romance for me, and well, let's just say that it by far made this one work. I loved their witty conversations, snide remarks, serious conversation, and the way they understood each other so well. I was laughing (I'm pretty sure I giggled too), and smiling endlessly every time they were together! I have never swooned so much while reading a contemporary book, I thought that I was going to burst a few times because I was trying to keep my smile under control while reading at school, but it was impossible! I appreciated how they really took their time, didn't rush, and truly got to know each other. Ahhhh!

This is a book with a perfectly witty slowburn romance with a side of can't slip this goofy grin of my face! Completely perfect for my Valentines date (and yours too as long as you get your own copy because I'm not sharing)! This one is definitely worth a reread someday too!

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Week of Wonder

Week of Wonder is what I call my Weekly Wrap-up. I will link up everything that I did on my blog this week - books I read, books I reviewed, what challenges I've added to, what I'm currently reading, all my other posts, etc. I will also let you know about any upcoming events that are coming up on my blog.

Reviews
Keys of the Watchmen by Kathleen C. Perrin

Other Posts
Taylor Swift Book Tag
Top Ten Things I Like Dislike When It Comes To Romance In Books
Waiting on Wednesday: A Wicked thing by Rhiannon Thomas
Bookish Relationships: Happily Ever After
My Valentines Reading List
Stacking the Shelves

Coming Up
Not In The Script by Amy Finnegan (review)
Hero by Alethea Kontis (review)
The Secret Life of Bees (review)
Top Ten Book Related Problems I Have
Waiting On Wednesday
Discussion post on ?

What was your week like?

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the shelves is a weekly meme hosted by  Tynga's Reviews. It's great for showing off the fantastic reads we added to our shelves in the last week!

Received

Sabatoged by Dani Pettrey

Bought

The Vow by Judy Hedlund

What did you add to your shelves this week?

My Valentines Reading List

Happy Valentines Day!

Here is my list of hopefully swoonworthy Valentines Day and February books that are on myTBR list! I can't promise to be able to read them all this month, (starting Feb. 11), but hopefully I'll get to read some of them.

It has been a while since I've read a good YA contemporary, but I'm really in the mood for one right about now. This is mainly due to my mood reading but mostly the holiday!

For Contemporary

    

Not In The Script by Amy Finnegan

The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

The Avery Shaw Experiment by Kelly Oram

Cinder & Ella by Kelly Oram

Letters to My Future Husband by Lisa McKendrick

For Fantasy

 

The Seahorse Legacy by Serena Chase

Dearest by Alethea Kontis

What are you reading this Valentines day? Which books on this list are Valentines must reads? Any recommendations?

Bookish Relationships: Happily Ever After

This is a feature on Wonderous Reviews where I talk about what makes me swoon and what breaks my heart in bookish relationships. These discussions will be randomly posted, and they will each have a specific topic such as best friends to relationship romance or love triangles. 

These are meant to be discussions so I want to know what you guys think too, so please comment and/or feel free to write your own post! This is meant to be fun and full of opinions and discussion! 

Check out previous discussions here!

With Valentines day this week, I thought it might be the perfect time to talk about happily ever afters!

And they all lived happily ever after. Or something to that effect!

I think that a real life happily ever after relationship is the best kind! Usually the two are each others the one, and they end up dating or getting married, and then, according to the book they got a happily ever after. Danced off with the prince into the sunset, etc.

But, what is a real happily ever after? I mean, we never literally see couples dancing off into the sunset, constantly laughing and saying "I love you." And let's face it, that would be kind of boring, and, well disturbing!

A happily ever after doesn't mean that everything in life is peachy and full of rainbows. It doesn't mean that the couple will never get mad at each other and argue it out! It doesn't mean that life, or their relationship will be easy!

A true happily ever after is when a couple are always there for each other. They are each others best friend. They love each other, and are willing to work out any problems that arise, and help each other over the waves in the ocean and bumps in the road. They will jump in the water puddles sometimes, big and small, but they always make it to the other side.

When all is said and done, they have a true everlasting love.

I've heard some people say that bookish relationships (often aimed at fairy tales) are unrealistic because so many end in a happily ever after. But, that's not how I feel. I mean, I wouldn't be satisfied if the books I read didn't end on a high note (or at least if all of them didn't). That would be depressing, and suck out all of the joy and hope in reading!

Happily ever after's aren't the end. They are just the beginning! Just because a book ends with a happy ever after doesn't mean that the couple never ever has problems, but that they have the love that it takes to work through them!

 

And I, my friends, find that to be beautiful!

Tell me, how do you feel about happily ever after's?

The Keys of the Watchmen by Kathleen C. Perrin

The Keys of the Watchmen by Kathleen C. Perrin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodreads Summary
Katelyn Michaels plans on hating every moment of her visit to Mont Saint Michel with her father’s new French wife. Once there, she is confused when she experiences sensations of déjà vu as she and her younger brother explore the medieval village and abbey. She is even more disturbed when she is confronted by two unusual young men, one who insists she has a sacred mission, and the other who will stop at nothing, even murder, to prevent her from fulfilling her destiny.

When the oddly-dressed but alluring Nicolas slips Katelyn a strange medallion, she is whisked back through time where her Watchmen hosts tell her she is the only hope to save Mont Saint Michel. Even worse, she learns that those trying to destroy the mount are led by a fallen angel intent on learning the mount's closely-guarded secret.

Katelyn is torn by feelings of anger at being taken back in time, inadequacy at finding a modern solution for a medieval problem, and responsibility for the mount’s starving inhabitants. She is also perturbed by her surprising attraction to the ill-tempered Nicolas. Will she stay to learn why she was chosen by the Archangel Michael and find a way to save his mount?

My Review
I am so glad I accepted this book for review! I don't normally read NA novels, but this one sounded really, really good, and when the author contacted me I couldn't resist that summary and the good things that I had read about it! I mean Mont Saint Michel, history, archangels, a sacred mission, a medallion, and an alluring man named Nicolas? I just had to find out for myself, and you should too, because I'm really glad I did!

I was afraid that I wouldn't like the main character, Katelyn, because the summary said that she was determined to hate every moment of her visit to Mont Saint Michel. I mean, I've read a book or two where the characters complained about everything and that gets annoying. I was relieved to find out that this would most definitely not be the case! Katelyn was smart, savvy, and very sarcastic! Her feelings toward her step mother were understandable, and she did enjoy her enjoy her adventures on the mount with her brother, who she was a really good sister to. I admired her love and loyalty toward her family (and later on, the people of the mount). I found her sarcasm funny, and it made for a really entertaining narrative. I really related well to that and her feeling of inadequacy.

Put in the dangerous situations she was placed in, she proved her determination, ability, and worth. With the help of God, she just might be able to save Mont Saint Michel after all. Though she might not be as much of a history guru as her younger brother, something about Katelyn will make her perfect for the mission she had been given.

Then there was her super smart brother, Jackson, who was into history and gave us all lessons about the Mount that were really interesting and quite essential to Katelyn's success. I appreciated how the author pulled it all together, making all of the details significant, and using history to do so!

And of course Jean and Nicolas! Jean was very kind and grandfatherly. He played such an important role in this story from tutor and mentor, to understanding friend. Nicolas?! He was pretty awesome too! From the moment Katelyn and Nicolas laid eyes on each other, Katelyn knew she could trust him with her life (and it's a good thing too). Then, when she travels back in time and meets him again, they don't exactly get off on the right feet. At all! Which made for some humorous situations that had me laughing so hard! And then there was a fantastic twist that actually made me laugh at its brilliancy! For a while I was beginning to wonder if they would ever come to the realization of how perfect they were for each other. And if they do, will it be to late?

My words can not explain enough without spoiling anything about the plot, so you need to know that it is brilliant, and everything fits together so perfectly. The characters were relateable and strong, the descriptions breath taking, the history interesting, the plot perfect, the action heart pounding, and the plan impeccable! Pleas read this book, trust me, you won't regret it!

It also kind of ends on a cliff hanger, so I can't wait for the next book in the Watchmen Saga to come out!

I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange of an honest review. This in no way affected my opinions, and all thoughts and opinions are solely my own.

View all my reviews