Hidden by Catherine McKenzie 4.5/5 Stars

Similar to Karen Smith, from Mean Girls, I have this very special psychic ability to tell when a movie is going to either show on television or come up in conversation. I have had this ability since I was a child where I will think of some arbitrary film that I’ve seen and then within the next day or two it is on television. Forget trying to understand this phenomenon, that’s pointless. I just call it happy circumstance. 

Recently, the movie Intersection (1994) came to mind, I am still not sure why. I just thought of Richard Gere playing the infidel and Lolita Davidovich and Sharon Stone standing at the site of the car accident both with these knowing smirks that in the end he chose her. After my capricious thought passed I knew, at some point this movie would come around. Well in this case, the movie never came about but a book did, Hidden by Catherine McKenzie. This is the story of Jeff Manning who dies after being struck by a car leaving behind his wife and son. However, Tish Underhill is a co-worker that feels this loss rather strongly as well, which leads to the question of whether or not Jeff was having an affair with Tish. Unlike in the movie, Intersection where the viewers know the main character was having an affair, in this novel the reader proceeds throughout the story with innuendo that maybe something did happen between Jeff and Tish or what could have been.

I was rather excited about reading this book largely because I only read adult fiction about once a month. The writing is very artfully crafted, spanning three perspectives in narrative: Jeff, his wife, Claire, and Tish. The author intersperses these metaphors and allusions throughout the novel that showcase her talent and intelligence. At one point, Claire refers to Tish as the “dastardly Mr. Wickham.” She writes her characters with insecurities based around their families, whether it is a child, father, husband, or sibling. Even the secondary characters reveal these self-doubts which then fosters the movement of the plot. Without giving too much away, the story centers around the doubt and guilt each of the three narrators feel from past transgressions and how these doubts spur their actions and reactions to the events in the book.

Hidden is a gem of a read. I know I’ve said it before but honestly it bears repeating, this story is so well crafted. The carefully structured wording and piecemeal revelations of the characters’ lives that the reader gleans from each narrative could each act alone as reasons for reading this novel, but in this case we get to enjoy both.

Play by Kylie Scott 4/5 stars

I am the kind of person that enjoys organization to a fault which would explain why I find the categorical arrangement of romance novels so appealing. In the mood for something super- hot? Try erotica. You like your men buff and badass? Go with an MC story. Stressing over your unpaid bills and need a Cinderella fix? Billionaire romance is your ticket. Lately, I’ve been on the road with a few bikers but my smartphone alerted me that a very special book I have been looking forward to was available for download: Play by Kylie Scott. This is the story of Malcolm Ericson, the drummer for Stage Dive. I have been looking forward to this release for a few months now after reading Lick.

The appropriately named Play introduces us to Anne Rollins, a down on her luck bookstore cashier that lives in Portland, who is inextricably linked to the Stage Dive band through six degrees of separation (actually it is more like two but whatever). Anne meets Mal when she is in need of money and he is in need of a fake girlfriend. In Lick, we discover that Mal is playful, too playful to a fault. His antics can diffuse or incite any drama that ensues between his bandmates. In Play, Mal’s whimsy is endearing and frustrating. On the one hand, what woman wouldn’t want a very sexy and amusing man intruding on her life and taking away all of her financial problems in exchange for pretending to be his girlfriend? Sounds enticing but of course there are issues that plague these two. Although it is never directly stated, Mal is obviously suffering from manic depression which is a problem that Anne has faced with her mother. Mal is dealing with his own demons in a destructive manner and Anne is insistent on helping him (this is what Mal refers to as her being a doormat, which ironically is how he easily invades her life by moving in with her, unannounced).

Overall, I enjoyed reading this story. I am certain that I enjoyed Mal and Anne’s story more than David and Evelyn’s romance. I find Mal to be more appealing, he is imaginative and impulsive where David is too brooding and moody. Mal has the sexiest and funniest dialogue, at one point telling Anne “Whatever you’re imagining, it’s bigger.” This is a definitive quote of Mal’s personality; he is much bigger and better. Although at times he is childish, he is worth the read. Mal’s antics make me look forward to reading the next story in the series: Lead.

 

Hussy by Selena Kitt 3/5 stars

This was my first experience reading a Selena Kitt book. I have seen her titles around before but my interests have always veered in a different direction. I think what I found most intriguing about this book was the title. Hussy is about Lindsey, a teenager with an unconventional sexual appetite. The book opens with a scene that will leave readers unfamiliar with Ms. Kitt's work in a state of shock. I did insist on reading the novella in one sitting, afraid that I would be put off by the highly charged erotica. Ms. Kitt crafts an engaging story around Lindsey's sexual exploits. I enjoyed the story. I found Lindsey to be complex and well developed. Her motives were confusing in the beginning and Zach's role in the story helps to explain her actions and heal. The sex scenes in this book are not for the faint of heart. Readers who enjoy erotica will enjoy Lindsey's more intimate encounters.

Like Falling (Surfacing Series Book One) by Jaden Wilkes 4/5 stars

I started reading this book almost three weeks after receiving my ARC. The beginning seemed so confined and reserved. The middle is a little scattered and hard to follow. But the denouement is filled with this bliss that seems unreal. The ending is tense and a little unbearable, like Gone With the Wind or Fifty Shades of Grey. I realized that the story is very character driven therefore the movement of the mood of the book very closely resembles the main character.

Sarah is a Mennonite girl from a provincial town in Alberta Canada. She has spent her entire life completely sheltered by the rigid beliefs of her family. She is easily dismissed by her family and seeks solace in daydreaming. The book opens with her on her way to college. She attends a school several hundred miles away from home with her best friend, Naomi. At college she meets two men, Tyr (pronounced tear) and Adam. The rest of the story proceeds with her having to make tough decisions about which of these men she should pursue. Sarah's family is working on arranging her marriage while she is working on pursuing a life outside of her hometown, one in which she would be forced to live within the confines of strict mother and father.

Sarah's journey of self discovery leads her on a path that is sometimes difficult to read. At other times, this book is difficult to put down. I was so surprised by this book, largely because I had never heard of the author. This is an awesome story. The characters are so different from the standard romance novel stock. I tried to rationalize that maybe it was cultural and relative to the setting but honestly I do not care. I love that they make REAL mistakes. I love that their flaws are relatable. I love that the love triangle isn't this tug of war but this young woman's struggle with affection and attraction. I also like that the reader does not automatically know which man is the right one for Sarah, that we have to wait and see. And I did find the end to be very reminiscent of GWTW and FSOG. I'm glad there is a sequel but lately that has made me nervous because I've been reading really strong first efforts and mediocre to subpar second reads. I think as long as the original story arc is followed every reader will be happy with the follow up, Like Drowning.

The Lies We Tell by Elizabeth Dunk (3/5 Stars)

Australia to Americans is so exotic. We fixate on the beautiful and happy people and the mystery of the outback. I'm glad that Elizabeth Dunk has crafted this tale that avoids the stereotypical location but still lets me enjoy imagining the beautiful men (particularly Todd Lansing). I love the intricate web of lies that maneuvers the plot of this novel. Sia's struggles with her obligation to a father that refuses to love her is at times difficult to read but what makes it bearable is that the other characters address their concerns. I love that every character in this novel is purposeful. I have a growing disdain for characters that are excessive and just distractions. One of the more compelling pieces of this text is that the two main characters are dealing with the exact same problem, they are both fighting against their pasts and largely due to issues with their fathers. I love that everything about this story is tangible, the setting in the suburbs, the problems the characters face with money or relationships, the diversity of the people moving through the story. I found this story to be much more mature than so much of what I've read in the past and that's a good thing. I needed a change and this story delivers.

Frigid by J. Lynn 3/5 Stars

J. Lynn creates these unconventional love affairs in a tangible way. Some of her novels have fueled a few of my sweetest dreams. However, I found Frigid to be infuriating. The writing is the same but the basis for the storyline is unbelievable. Kyler Quinn is your male lead. He is handsome and determined. He is resourceful and sincere. He is intuitive up to the point that he cannot tell that his best friend since he was a child has harbored feelings for him. Kyler feels as strongly for her as she does for him but does not act on these feelings. This I have a hard time believing because it is not meeting with his character. Sydney is no better. Her insecurities take a toll on the patience when reading the book. She is constantly second-guessing the meaning behind what Kyler says (which I admit is typical of a 21-year old woman and a 35 year old woman). Anyway it is Sydney's insecurities that cause the most problems in their burgeoning affair. I will stop there because I do not want to spoil the book. Positive feedback: love the setting in the mountains during a snow storm. It seems cliched but this is where J. Lynn works her magic and takes a formulaic convention and still manages to add some interesting plot points. Kyler meets the requirements for sexy book boyfriend with flying colors. SWOON-WORTHY MOMENT: Wait until you find out the meaning behind his tattoo.

 

Weathering the Storm (The Storm Series) by Samantha Towle 3/5 Stars

Last summer I read The Mighty Storm and Jake Wethers became one of my favorite book boyfriends. I spent this past summer looking forward to this sequel. I began reading and quickly became entranced with Jake Wethers and the wicked web he weaves. First, let me say this: Jake in this novel is just as sexy as he is in the first novel. Still charming and completely sweet on Trudy. Now that I've shared that tidbit I need to express some concerns. This novel does not measure up to its predecessor. The Mighty Storm was about a rock star wooing a long lost love after suffering a tragedy. The courtship is always so enchanting in novels even when the characters suffer during their formulaic separation, we readers wait in angst and anticipation for the reconciliation. Unfortunately, the happily ever after is usually dull and doesn't involve as much excitement, both in real life and in this sequel. Samantha Towle does a good job of introducing some drama to Jake and Trudy's HEA to keep us engaged but the plot is not exciting. You know how you like to imagine the love life of Hollywood's most glamorous couple to be but if that couple allowed a camera crew to follow them around for 24 hours the exciting bits would be few and far in between. That's sort of what happens here. There were several points in the novel where Trudy is giving very specific details about her going about getting a drink in the kitchen or choosing an outfit. Frustrating!!! Of course you have the charming and touching components. Jake is still temperamental, endearing, possessive, and hung like an ox (lots of Jake the snake jokes). I did enjoy reading about the direction their love affair takes. I do recommend reading this novel for lovers of the first novel.