Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Just finished Beautiful Disaster by Jaime McGuire. 

 It felt like a disaster! So many issues...Co-dependency, stalking, stupid Vegas plot, illegal gambling, violence, tons of underage drinking, stupid arguments about nothing important, breaking up over and over again, making up over and over again, mind fucking, the proverbial gay friend, the proverbial jealous bitch, pathetic guys with mommy issues and low self-esteem, pathetic girls with daddy issues and low self-esteem, and last but not least...a spur of the moment wedding between two character with huge red fags all over the place that are ignored. The only thing left out of Beautiful Disaster was HOT sex! There wasn't enough of it. Not. At. All.

To make matters worse, there's a sequel!! It's called Walking Disaster.

I'm renaming this book. It should simply be called
A Disaster!!!!

 

--A

The Love of My (Other) Life by Traci L. Slatton

I really like the idea that in an infinite number of universes my life could be filled with: art forgery, leaked sex tapes, and elder care.  That being said, I approached "The Love of My (Other) Life" like I approach most trashy books--filled with undying hope for a quick read with a potential quirk or two.  Once again I was full-filled.

As we so often see, Tessa Barnum's life is a train wreck.  The book opens with her fleeing from her co-op's manager's repeated demands to pay her overdue bills (3 years overdue).  She runs into the loving arms of Dr. Brian Tennyson (no not that kind of doctor, he's physicist) who she has never met, or has she....

She spends 98% of the book in denial of his insistence of multiple universes, and that in his universe they are married, and happy, and she is not art forger with a heart of gold.

This book  was not nearly trashy enough for my taste, but I kept reading, because I am just like that. I did enjoy the nerdy science jokes, and like having to google "decoherence  theory" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_decoherence).  This author even managed to meld science and religious theologies for bit.

Gem I gleaned:

All we need to do is stand still and let our universe take its course.

Yeah, I could do that for bit.

Paradise Hops by Liz Crowe

Lorelei (Lori) Brochton is a hot mess.  Strong-willed, German speaking heir to her family's brewing company---and dealing with the aftermath of brutal sexual assault.  She has survived long enough, but is not ready to live again (and by live I mean have mind blowing sex) until she meets him, and him.

Enter Garrett Hunter, the king of high perfectionism.  His calamitous youth burgeoned a man of control, organization and destiny.  He falls head over heals for Lori, instantly.

Then there's Eli Buchanan, rogue brew master.  He breaks hearts and lives everywhere he goes, and he's got tattoos.  Yeah, he wants Lori, but it's not about love, or is it...

The stage is set for a drama filled romance filled with Lori's ennui. She gets her life back, but is torn between her own perception of being controlled by Garrett, and her ultimate desire to control the actions of Eli.  Stuck in the middle.  No Spoilers, but this book left the formula a few times which kept me reading (but honestly, I would've finished it anyway because I am just like that).  Ultimately, in everything we do, read, hear or say there is a message that is greater than what we would expect.  The message I got was:

Maybe things were supposed to be one way, but right now they are not, so deal.

--S

Maidenhead by Tamara Faith Berger

I didn't expect to read a book about an elicit internet child-porn ring, but it happened. And now I can never erase the words from my mind, not to mention the imagery. If I had known that, I would have never have read the book. But here's my 2 cents anyway...

As with most romance/erotic these days, the premise is a little sketchy. The way Myra (main underage chick) meets and re-meets (is that a word) the sex offenders is inane. Myra's rebellion is legit, and if I (begrudgingly) accept a world where something like this would happen, then I can say her choices make sense. She is a victim of a suburban family's demise. The added touch of the omniscient/omnipresent voices of her friend and her perpetrator overlooking Myra's tale in hindsight lends a modicum of depth, but is not followed through in a way that makes the story complete.

At least this heroine has a good reason for being turned out, she's a child.

--S

Bettie Page Presents: The Librarian by Logan Belle

I must preface everything I write about this book with the simple fact that I really liked it.  That being said, this book is preposterous.  It is part fairytale and part Pygmalion wanna be.  It moves too fast and its conclusion does not seem genuine to the main characters.  Regina was likeable compared to her roommate, but I am getting tired of nice, poor girls getting all the attention.  Sebastian was non descript, and reminiscent of a stalker-rapist, but his wealth and fashion sense certainly made me forget my first impression of him...

So why did I like it?  I am easily entertained these days.  I liked the Bettie Page aspect.  It was a fast read.  Read and let me know your thoughts.

--S

We are...

...Black Chix who read a lot of trashy books.  And by trashy we mean 99% of what is written these days and those days.  Just because it got published doesn't make it art, but it might be a great read and we celebrate it here.  Thanks for reading.  Feel free to comment.

Reflected in You by Sylvia Day

 

I was so excited to read the continuing saga of Eva and Gideon, and this book did not disappoint. I hope that it spans beyond a trilogy--there is so much to explore between these very broken people who are committed to building a life together. The story makes sense and the characters remain true to themselves. Ms. Day does not resort to weakening characters or story lines to extend her narrative. She remains true to her theme of redemption through love at all costs. Can't wait until the next one comes out!

--S