NJ Penny Book Reviews

I have read some pretty fantastic books lately. I've read books that made me laugh, made me cry, made me feel so much pain that I didn't know how any other book could compare, and then I read this book. This book made me uncomfortable, it hurt me, it made me so angry at the world we live in, but yet it was so beautiful. This review is probably going to have spoilers. I'm giving you the heads up now. I want you to read this review, I want you to pick up this book, I'll try not to give it all away, but I encourage you to keep reading. It almost feels like everyone should experience this book.  Think you know what it's like being a baller's girl? You don't. My fairy tale is upside down. A happily never after. I kissed the prince and he turned into a fraud. I was a fool, and his love- fool's gold. Now there's a new player in the game, August West. One of the NBA's brightest stars. Fine. Forbidden. He wants me, I want him. But my past, my fra...

I'm going to do something a little bit different in the blog today, I want your thoughts on reviews. Let's take a break from my normal blog review and have a discussion. If your a reader what turns you off from a book? What plummets a book into the 1 star category for you? What makes you NOT finish a book once you have started it? If your a blogger how do you feel when you have read a book and it just wasn't the one for you? How do you feel about having to give a "bad" review? Do you even review a book that you just didn't care for? What if it's an ARC?  If your an author do you read the reviews? Do you visit the blogs? Do you get on goodreads and Amazon and read reviews that readers have left? For me the number one thing as a reader that turns me off from a book is too much sex. I'm not a fan of erotica, and if I pick up a book that's under the YA or romance category, I'm not expecting it to be packed full of sex. I want some story w...

I have so many books on my TBR, and I just got word that I have an ARC coming on Monday, so while this book was very good, it felt like it took me forever to finish because I am just so excited about all the books I have on my to read list right now. As usual, Staci Hart did not disappoint, and I just love her writing.  Joel Anderson doesn't take anything seriously. Not his relationships, which have been few and far between since his brutal divorce. Not the drama of working in a tattoo parlor, which seems to be around every corner. When things get him down, he smiles and cracks a joke. But he's not the kind of man you cross, or you'll find yourself at the wrong end of his fists. Annika Belousov takes everything seriously. Like her job as a reality television producer, given that she typically has something to prove. Or her love life, which is defined by a series of requirements--affluent, ambitious, accomplished, to name a few. Definitely her family, who worked their...

It's official. I'm in love with Teagan Hunter, and her writing. Her books flow so well, they are so easy to read, and aside from being a bit steamy they also have a bit of humour. Books like this are slowly becoming my favorite. I love a good book full of angst, but there is just something about laughing out loud while reading a book. It makes me feel good.  "When I put up a ROOMMATE WANTED poster, he was the last person on earth I thought would respond. He was also the last person on earth I'd agree to let live with me..on purpose. But, here we are--roommates. I'm certain we can coexist without it being awkward, and I'm determined to make it work. There will be no sexual tension building with each accidental touch, no flutters when he wears that stupid backward baseball cap, and definitely no flirting when we text back and forth. Caleb Mills can't be the guy for me. He's my best friend's ex-boyfriend. And that would be wrong..right? ...

I have had a pretty crap day, but this book was really good, and there was a point in my day when the house when quiet, the baby was sleeping, and I wanted to take my mind off of things so I picked this book back up and started reading. I finished it pretty quickly, because it had me on the edge of my seat!  "For those who are deserving, I ask before I take. I feed those who feed me. I can't control how others interpret things, but I give honesty where I get it. You'll find me dead before you find me a liar." "In the de la Rosa family, old grudges run deeper than loyalty, and betrayal is the three-letter word: war. But this feud isn't between enemies. It's between brothers. And I'm the prize. I was born a princess among criminals. An untouchable among thieves. Heiress to a life others have killed for, and one I'm prepared to trade for my freedom. I vowed not to leave without Diego, my first love and best friend, but if his ruthless broth...

It's been a few days between reviews, I know that's weird for me. Life was happening, and reading time was limited. But I'm back! This was a new to me author, I just randomly found the book on Facebook.  "You may be faking the relationships, but you're not faking the orgasms." Downsized, broke, and dumped, 38- year- old Marley sneaks home to her childhood bedroom in a town she couldn't wait to escape 20 years ago. Not much has changed in Culpepper. The cool kids are still cool. Now they just own car dealerships and live in McMansions next door. Oh, and the whole town is still talking about that Homecoming she ruined her senior year. Desperate for a new start, Marley accepts a temporary teaching position. Can the girl banned from all future Culpepper High Homecomings keep the losing-est girls soccer team in school history from killing each other and prevent carpal tunnel in a phone-clutching gym class students? Maybe with the help of Jake Weston, hi...

I am irrationally angry at this book. I don't remember a time I was this frustrated reading a book, and not because it was bad, because it was PLAYING WITH MY DAMN EMOTIONS . I love Meagan Brandy books. She always writes these bad ass, strong, independent, leading ladies so I always look forward to reading another one of her books.  "Oakley, sometimes, the ones we think we care the least care the most. Remember that, even when it feels impossible. When it hurts more than you feel you can bear, remember that. The people who love you can do the most damage, but sometimes...they hurt for you. And not everything is what it appears to be." "Hate. Love. Lies. Nothing is ever as it seems..As head of Blackline Academy, I spent my days training with the elite, getting them ready for the one thing each hopes to gain in the end, the chance to call themselves a Blaze. I had it all figured out, knew exactly who was what I wanted in life, then he came back, determined mor...

"There's no knife sharper than that of betrayal." Wow. I can't wait to get into the review for this one. What a read. What an angsty, heartbreaking, steamy read. I have never read a book from Ella Fields, and I'm not sure why. I'm going to seek out some more books from her now. "A hidden truth unearthed. It was official. I'd fallen for my best friend, and she was breaking my black fucking heart." "Dashiell Thane wasn't a nice guy. He was an abrasive, demanding, conniving, intolerable brat. Yet somehow, we'd been best friends our whole lives. Until our senior year when I finally decided to dip my toes into the dating pool. All it took was one kiss for jealousy, lies, and betrayal to sweep in and propel us heart first into dizzying, hostile depths. You're not supposed to kiss your best friend. You're definitely not supposed to kiss your best friend while you're dating someone else. And the absolute worst thing ...

Sara Ney is a new author to me, and I don't know where she has been my whole life. I loved every bit of this book. It was funny, steamy, with some sexual chemistry that was just out of this world, pretty much everything you want/need in a good romance book! I will definitely pick up more of her books. (Let's be real here, probably all of them.) "CRUDE, ARROGANT, ASSHOLE. No doubt about it, Sebastian 'Oz' Osborne is the university's most celebrated student athlete- and possibly the biggest douchebag. A walking, talking cliché, he has a filthy mouth, a fantastic body, and doesn't give a shit about what you or anyone else thinks. SMART, CLASSY, CONSERVATIVE. Make no mistake, Jameson Clarke may be the university's most diligent student- but she's no prude. Spending most of her time in the hallowed halls of the library, James is wary of pervs, jocks, and doucebags- and Oz Osborne is all three. She's smart, sarcastic- and not what he expected. ....

I flipping love Meghan Quinn. I swear she does no wrong when it comes to writing books. Her books have this fantastic humor and charm to them, but they are also always steamy and romantic. It's like the perfect romantic comedy movie balled up into a book.  "Dear Diary, I might have gotten myself into a wee bit of trouble- and I'm not talking about the "court mandated community service," or "therapy sessions from bashing a bloke in the head" kind of trouble. I wish it were that simple. Nope. I'm talking about the "falling in love with one of my client's daughters," kind of trouble. The kind of problem I can't talk my way out of when the truth gets out. How I ended up with her phone is a long story- and when she called to get it back, I took things a bit too far. One innocent exchange wound up leading to so much more. Fun, new, and totally immune to my charm, Sutton is different. And I had no idea she was the daugher of Foste...