Romance | Thoughts By J

Audiobook Review: Outlander (Outlander #1) by Diana Gabaldon

Adult Fiction, Book Reviews, Historical Fiction, Romance

Title: Outlander (Outlander #1)

Author: Diana Gabaldon

Narrator: Davina Porter

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction

Format Read: Audiobook, A heck of a lot of hours

Publication Date: 1 September 1992 by Random House Australia

Synopsis: “Claire Randall is leading a double life. She has a husband in one century – and a lover in another.

In 1946, Claire Randall is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon in Scotland. Innocently she walks through a stone circle in the Highlands, and finds herself in a violent skirmish taking place in 1743. Suddenly she is a Sassenach, an Outlander, in a country torn by war and by clan feuds.

A wartime nurse, Claire can deal with the bloody wounds that face her. But it is harder to deal with the knowledge that she is in Jacobite Scotland and the carnage of Culloden is looming. Marooned amid the passion and violence, the superstition, the shifting allegiances and the fervent loyalties, Claire is in danger from Jacobites and Redcoats – and from the shock of her own desire for James Fraser, a gallant and courageous young Scots warrior. Jamie shows her a passion so fierce and a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire, and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.”

Book Review: Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

2015 Releases, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

Title: Finding Audrey

Author: Sophie Kinsella

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

Format Read: Paperback, 288 pages

Publication Date: 1st June 2015 by Random House Australia

Synopsis: “From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Shopaholic series comes a terrific blend of comedy, romance, and psychological recovery in a contemporary YA novel sure to inspire and entertain.

An anxiety disorder disrupts fourteen-year-old Audrey’s daily life. She has been making slow but steady progress with Dr. Sarah, but when Audrey meets Linus, her brother’s gaming teammate, she is energized. She connects with him. Audrey can talk through her fears with Linus in a way she’s never been able to do with anyone before. As their friendship deepens and her recovery gains momentum, a sweet romantic connection develops, one that helps not just Audrey but also her entire family.”

ARC Review: Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy

2015 Releases, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

Title: Dumplin’

Author: Julie Murphy

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

Format Read: Paperback, 384 pages

Publication Date: 26th August 2015 by Penguin Australia

Synopsis: “Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed “Dumplin’” by her former beauty queen mom) has always been at home in her own skin. Her thoughts on having the ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body. With her all-American beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked . . . until Will takes a job at Harpy’s, the local fast-food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn’t surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back.

Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant—along with several other unlikely candidates—to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any twiggy girl does. Along the way, she’ll shock the hell out of Clover City—and maybe herself most of all.

With starry Texas nights, red candy suckers, Dolly Parton songs, and a wildly unforgettable heroine— Dumplin’ is guaranteed to steal your heart.”

Book Review: Royal Wedding (The Princess Diaries #11) by Meg Cabot

2015 Releases, Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

Title: Royal Wedding (The Princess Diaries #11)

Author: Meg Cabot

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Adult

Format Read: Paperback, 434 pages

Publication Date: 2nd June 2015 by Pan Macmillan Australia

Synopsis: “A brand-new new adult instalment of the most popular YA series in all the land! Princess Mia is engaged to be married, but since when in Mia’s life did anything go to plan?! Fall back in love with Mia in this new book for older readers.
From Meg Cabot, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Princess Diaries series, comes the very first new adult instalment, featuring the now grown-up Princess Mia!
Royal Wedding follows Princess Mia and her Prince Charming as they plan their fairy tale wedding – but a few poisoned apples could turn this happily-ever-after into a royal nightmare.
For Princess Mia, the past five years since college graduation have been a whirlwind of activity, what with living in New York City, running her new teen community centre, being madly in love, and attending royal engagements. And speaking of engagements, Mia’s gorgeous longtime boyfriend Michael managed to clear both their schedules just long enough for an exotic (and very private) Caribbean island interlude where he popped the question! Of course Mia didn’t need to consult her diary to know that her answer was a royal oui.
But now Mia has a scandal of majestic proportions to contend with: Her grandmother’s leaked “fake” wedding plans to the press that could cause even normally calm Michael to become a runaway groom. Worse, a scheming politico is trying to force Mia’s father from the throne, all because of a royal secret that could leave Genovia without a monarch. Can Mia prove to everyone – especially herself – that she’s not only ready to wed, but ready to rule as well?”

Book Review: China Rich Girlfriend (Crazy Rich Asians #2) by Kevin Kwan

2015 Releases, Adult Fiction, Book Reviews, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Romance

Title: China Rich Girlfriend

Author: Kevin Kwan

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Chick Lit

Format Read: Paperback, 400 pages

Publication Date: 1st July 2015 by Allen & Unwin

Synopsis: “Kevin Kwan, bestselling author of Crazy Rich Asians, is back with a wickedly funny new novel of social climbing, secret e-mails, art-world scandal, lovesick billionaires, and the outrageous story of what happens when Rachel Chu, engaged to marry Asia’s most eligible bachelor, discovers her birthfather.

On the eve of her wedding to Nicholas Young, heir to one of the greatest fortunes in Asia, Rachel should be over the moon. She has a flawless Asscher-cut diamond from JAR, a wedding dress she loves more than anything found in the salons of Paris, and a fiancé willing to sacrifice his entire inheritance in order to marry her. But Rachel still mourns the fact that her birthfather, a man she never knew, won’t be able to walk her down the aisle. Until: a shocking revelation draws Rachel into a world of Shanghai splendor beyond anything she has ever imagined. Here we meet Carlton, a Ferrari-crashing bad boy known for Prince Harry-like antics; Colette, a celebrity girlfriend chased by fevered paparazzi; and the man Rachel has spent her entire life waiting to meet: her father. Meanwhile, Singapore’s It Girl, Astrid Leong, is shocked to discover that there is a downside to having a newly minted tech billionaire husband. A romp through Asia’s most exclusive clubs, auction houses, and estates, China Rich Girlfriend brings us into the elite circles of Mainland China, introducing a captivating cast of characters, and offering an inside glimpse at what it’s like to be gloriously, crazily, China-rich.”

Book Review: Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

2015 Releases, Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

Title: Saint Anything

Author: Sarah Dessen

Rating: ★ ★ ★ 1/2

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Format Read: Paperback, 448 pages

Publication Date: 5th May 2015 by Penguin Australia

Synopsis: “Peyton, Sydney’s charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion’s share of their parents’ attention and—lately—concern. When Peyton’s increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?

Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time.

The uber-popular Sarah Dessen explores her signature themes of family, self-discovery, and change in her twelfth novel, sure to delight her legions of fans.” (Taken from Goodreads)

Book Review: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion, narrated by Dan O’Grady

2013 Releases, Adult Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Romance

Title: The Rosie Project

Author: Graeme Simsion

Narrator: Dan O’Grady

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Genre: Adult, Romance

Format Read: Audiobook, 7 1/2 hours

Publication Date: 1st October 2013 by Simon & Schuster Audio

Synopsis: “THE ART OF LOVE IS NEVER A SCIENCE

MEET DON TILLMAN, a brilliant yet socially challenged professor of genetics, who’s decided it’s time he found a wife. And so, in the orderly, evidence-based manner with which Don approaches all things, he designs the Wife Project to find his perfect partner: a sixteen-page, scientifically valid survey to filter out the drinkers, the smokers, the late arrivers.

Rosie Jarman is all these things. She also is strangely beguiling, fiery, and intelligent. And while Don quickly disqualifies her as a candidate for the Wife Project, as a DNA expert Don is particularly suited to help Rosie on her own quest: identifying her biological father. When an unlikely relationship develops as they collaborate on the Father Project, Don is forced to confront the spontaneous whirlwind that is Rosie—and the realization that, despite your best scientific efforts, you don’t find love, it finds you.

Arrestingly endearing and entirely unconventional, Graeme Simsion’s distinctive debut will resonate with anyone who has ever tenaciously gone after life or love in the face of great challenges. The Rosie Project is a rare find: a book that restores our optimism in the power of human connection.” (Taken from Goodreads)

Book Review: The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey

2015 Releases, Contemporary, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

Title: The Girl at Midnight

Author: Melissa Grey

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Format Read: Paperback, 361 pages

Publication Date: 28th April 2015 by Hachette Australia

Synopsis: “Beneath the streets of New York City live the Avicen, an ancient race of people with feathers for hair and magic running through their veins. Age-old enchantments keep them hidden from humans. All but one. Echo is a runaway pickpocket who survives by selling stolen treasures on the black market, and the Avicen are the only family she’s ever known.

Echo is clever and daring, and at times she can be brash, but above all else she’s fiercely loyal. So when a centuries-old war crests on the borders of her home, she decides it’s time to act.

Legend has it that there is a way to end the conflict once and for all: find the Firebird, a mythical entity believed to possess power the likes of which the world has never seen. It will be no easy task, but if life as a thief has taught Echo anything, it’s how to hunt down what she wants . . . and how to take it.

But some jobs aren’t as straightforward as they seem. And this one might just set the world on fire.”(Taken from Goodreads)

Book Review: Conjured by Sarah Beth Durst

2014 Releases, Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult

Title: Conjured

Author: Sarah Beth Durst

Rating: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Crime, Horror, Romance

Format Read: Paperback, 384 pages

Publication Date: October 1st 2014 by Bloomsbury Australia

Synopsis: “Eve has a new home, a new face, and a new name—but no memories of her past. She’s been told that she’s in a witness protection program. That she escaped a dangerous magic-wielding serial killer who still hunts her. The only thing she knows for sure is that there is something horrifying in her memories the people hiding her want to access—and there is nothing they won’t say—or do—to her to get her to remember.

At night she dreams of a tattered carnival tent and buttons being sewn into her skin. But during the day, she shelves books at the local library, trying to not let anyone know that she can do things—things like change the color of her eyes or walk through walls. When she does use her strange powers, she blacks out and is drawn into terrifying visions, returning to find that days or weeks have passed—and she’s lost all short-term memories. Eve must find out who and what she really is before the killer finds her—but the truth may be more dangerous than anyone could have ever imagined.” (Taken from Goodreads)

Book Review: Mr. Kiss and Tell by Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham

2015 Releases, Contemporary, Crime, Romance, Young Adult

Title: Mr. Kiss and Tell

Author: Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Mystery, Crime, Romance

Format Read: Paperback, 336 pages

Publication Date: January 2015 by Allen and Unwin Australia

Synopsis: “In the second book in the New York Times bestselling mystery series, Veronica Mars is back with a case that will expose the hidden workings of one of Neptune’s most murderous locations.

Gutsy, wise-cracking sleuth Veronica Mars is back with an edge-of-your-seat case at one of Neptune’s most murderous locations.

The Neptune Grand has always been the seaside town’s ritziest hotel, despite the shady dealings and high-profile scandals that follow its elite guests. When a woman claims that she was brutally assaulted in one of its rooms, then smuggled out and left for dead by a staff member, the owners know that they have a potential powder keg on their hands. They turn to Veronica to disprove the woman’s story.

But the case is a convoluted mess. The accused employee is no longer in the country; the security footage shows the woman entering the hotel, but there is no evidence that she ever left; and the victim is someone from Veronica’s past who has no good reason to trust her. As Veronica works to fill in the missing pieces, the one thing that becomes clear is that a dangerous predator is still on the loose … and that he’s one step away from striking again.”