romantic – Book Dust Magic

Book Review: Truth Or Date by Portia Macintosh

truth or date

Title: Truth Or Date

Author: Portia Macintosh

Publisher: Carina

Date: April 11st, 2016

Pages: 243

Format: eARC

Source: from Publisher for a review

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Falling for the man of her dreams…

Ruby Wood is perfectly happy playing the dating game – until she has a red-hot dream about her very attractive flatmate, Nick. He might spend every day saving lives as a junior doctor, but he’s absolutely the last man on earth that fun-loving Ruby would ever date!

The solution? Focus on all of Nick’s bad points. And if that fails, up her dating antics and find herself a man! So what if she manages to make disapproving, goody two-shoes Nick jealous in the process…

Only, after a series of nightmare first dates, there’s still just one man on Ruby’s mind. Maybe it’s time to admit the truth and dare to ask Nick to be her next date?

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Review:

Ever since I’ve heard about this book I wanted to read it.
The cover is just adorable, it’s like it shines with positivity and the premise sounded like something I’d enjoy.

The best thing about this novel was the writing style it was wrtitten with.
Even though this was my first time reading Portia Macintosh’s work, the feeling I had while reading this book was like coming home, if you know what I mean.
It was like coming back to something familiar that makes you feel comfortable, if that makes sense.

I can’t say if maybe Macintosh’s voice sounded like the one from my favorite author Sophie Kinsella, or if it’s only me who find the similarity between the two.
No matter what the case is, the point I’m trying to make is that I liked it.

The story follows Ruby, a quirky 28 years old girl who works in a cafe shop.
She doesn’t take life too seriously and has no luck when it comes to guys. She does not give up, though. Going on dates reguraly is what she does. So what if most of them don’t end up too well? One day maybe her dream guy worth keeping will show up, right?

My relationship with Ruby was, in the lack of better words, pretty complicated.
At times I loved her, I liked how silly and funny she was. But at other times, I wanted to shake her. It didn’t help that I didn’t approve what she was trying to do (her main goal) and to be honest, I questioned her morality.

Her best friend Millsy was an interesting character and I liked him better then Ruby. Reading about them together was really fun, but when in the story came Ruby’s brother Woody, it was even better.

Nick was the guy I had a feeling we should all fall in love with.
And I did, for a second. I’m not gonna lie.
However, as the story progressed, that love faded and I ended up not liking him all that much anymore.

Nick’s girlfriend Gwen was my favorite character. I can even say I understood her at some point (when it comes to being annoyed by Ruby and her non-stop presence). I think every girlfriend who’s boyfriend had a roomate like Ruby would want to get rid of her.
I didn’t like how Heather’s character developed. It was like she suddenly lost a big precentage of her IQ level and I feel like the main thing about her personality was there just so we could start on hating her and maybe it was even there as an easier way for the author to make us root for Ruby and Nick.

I like how Ruby and Nick’s relationship developed from „not like“ to „more then like“ trough the story.
The end was a bit rushed.

Overall, a quick and funny read that is perfect for chick-lit lovers.

3,75

Bullet Book Review: Summer Nights at the Moonlight Hotel by Jane Costello

Title: Summer Nights at the Moonlight Hotel

Author: Jane Costello

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

Date: March 24th, 2016

Pages: 496

Format: Paperback

Source: Won in a giveaway

Synopsis (from Goodreads): ‘LEARN TO SALSA DANCE,’ the card in the shop window read. ‘Experience the red-hot vibes of Latin America right here in the Lake District. Beginners and singles welcome.’

Lauren Scott lives in ‘The most romantic place in Britain’, but her love life is about as successful as her mountain climbing skills. The man she’s obsessed over for two years has proposed to someone else – and her only solution is to save up for six months to go travelling, so she never has to set eyes on him again.

But when her friends sign her up for a dance class – in the same historic hotel where her beloved dad worked and her most precious childhood memories were formed – Lauren makes a horrifying discovery. It’s been sold to a faceless budget chain, which has depressing plans in store. Worse, the entrepreneur behind it all turns out to be among a group of guys her friend Cate roped in to join the very same salsa class they’ve signed up for….

Jane Costello’s funniest book yet – a story of love, friendship and some serious hip action . . . Get in the mood to mambo!

Review:

What you need to know about this novel:

Summer Nights at the Moonlight Hotel is Jane Costello’s 9th chick-lit novel.
It is a standalone, written in 1st person, narrated by a woman called Lauren (who was such an entertaining narrator).
The story is taking place in Lake District, „The most romantic place in Britain“.
This isn’t just a funny chick-lit that will only make you laugh and swoon. It will also make you think about life and how much effect other people’s actions can have
This book was my most anticipated this years’ release.
It is said that this novel is Costello’s funniest work so far and, although I think it was pretty funny, I think Time of Our Lives was funnier.

What you should be warned about:

Once you start to read this book, there’s a great chance you wouldn’t want to stop, so I suggest you to pick it when it’s weekend.
It might make you want to join a salsa or similar club in your area.

What I liked about this book:

Characters were very likeable and they weren’t all black and white, but had some butter on their heads what made them realistic.
Lauren’s love interest, Edwin, is not well-looking guy and in the sea of chick-lits where most guys are hot, dark and mysterious, it was a nice change
I loved how every character in this book had their purpose when it comes to story Even those side characters that you wouldn’t pay much attention to were in the story for a reason.
Reading this book was pure fun and exactly what I wanted for it to be.

What I’d change in this piece of work:

Nothing really, I think this novel is perfect as it is.

Wait!

Actually, there is one thing that I would change when it comes to my paperback edition: I wish it didn’t have that sticker on it’s cover, but it is what it is!

Overall, Jane Costello proved once again why she’s my favorite author and reminded me why I like to call her my “chick-lit queen”.

If you’re looking for a book that will boost your mood and keep you entertained, with it’s smart sense of humor and it’s unforgettable characters, this novel is a perfect choice.

Waiting on Wendesday (# Lucky 7): Who’s That Girl by Mhairi McFarlane

wow

Waiting on Wendesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It spotlights upcoming releases we can’t wait to read.

This week I am eagerly anticipating:

who's that girl

Who’s That Girl by Mhairi McFarlane

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: April 7th, 2016

Summary (from Goodreads):

An achingly funny story from the author of the bestselling YOU HAD ME AT HELLO

What’s the one thing you DON’T do at a wedding?

When Edie is caught in a compromising position at her colleagues’ wedding, all the blame falls on her – turns out that personal popularity in the office is not that different from your schooldays. Shamed online and ostracised by everyone she knows, her boss suggests an extended sabbatical – ghostwriting an autobiography for hot new acting talent, Elliot Owen. Easy, right?

Wrong. Banished back to her home town of Nottingham, Edie is not only dealing with a man who probably hasn’t heard the word ‘no’ in a decade, but also suffering an excruciating regression to her teenage years as she moves back in with her widowed father and judgey, layabout sister.

When the world is asking who you are, it’s hard not to question yourself. Who’s that girl? Edie is ready to find out.

Why am I waiting?

When I saw one of my favorite authors, Lindsey Kelk, talk about this book and say she feels an “author jaleousy” when it comes to McFarlane’s writing, I knew I had to check it out. I mean, when an amazing author says she wishes she could write like that, that has to be something, right?

The premise of this book sounds really interesting and the sentence “Will make you laugh out loud.” makes me want to read it even more.

This chick-lit should be over 500 pages long, which means I’ll probalby spend a lot of time having fun while reading it.
I just can’t wait to finally read it!

Author Website * Amazon UK * Amazon US * Goodreads * The Book Depository

Book Review: Where Have All The Boys Gone by Jenny Colgan

Title: Where Have All The Boys Gone

Author: Jenny Colgan

Publisher: HarperCollins

Date: August 1st, 2005

Pages: 340

Format: Paperback

Source: Borrowed

Synopsis (from Amazon):

Where have all the men gone? Faced with 25, 000 more women than men in London, and gleeful media reports that it’s statistically more likely for single women to be murdered than get married, Katie is reached an all-time low. But all is not lost …
Another hilarious high-concept romantic comedy from Jenny Colgan.

While Katie’s glad it’s not a man’s world any more, she’d be quite pleased if there were more men in it – or at least single ones, anyway.

More likely to get murdered than married, according to gleeful media reports, Katie resigns herself to the fact there’s no sex in the city and heads for the hills – or the Scottish highlands, to be precise.

Despite the fact she’s never been a girl for wellies – and Fairlish is in the middle of nowhere – the tiny town does have one major draw: men. Lots of them.

But while Katie relishes the chance to do battle with armies of admirers, she’s not reckoned on going head to head with her grumpy new boss, Harry, shadowy developers intent on destroying the beautiful countryside and Mrs McClockerty, the least suitable hotelier since Norman Bates.

At least there’s the local eye-candy to distract her, including gorgeous newshound Iain. But he is at loggerheads with Harry, and Harry despises her. Life in the country might not be one big roll in the hay but can Katie ever turn her back on the delights of Fairlish and return to city life?

Review:

Browsing trough my local library’s shelf, an amazin and a bit funny book title cought my attention: Where Have All The Boys Gone?
With the adorable cover and the fact that it is written by Jenny Colgan, an author I want to check out for the longest time, I just had to borrow it.

The story follows three friends in their late twenties. One day, they were just minding their own girly buisness, when they saw an article in the newspaper which said that a single girl in London has a bigger chance to be murdered then to find herself a man.

I don’t think I have to tell you what girls’ reaction was. Already stressed out, they started to worry they’ll never find a decent man for themselves…

This book was one really good entertaiment. The story pulled me in and I was just having a great time reading it. I didn’t think about anything, I just enjoyed the ride.

Almost all the charaters in this book were likeable, although I didn’t feel attached to any of them.
There was one guy I didn’t particurarly like (Harry) because I found him to be too judgamental, but the world is full of people like him, which made me appreciate him as a character.
I don’t think that every fictional guy has to be swoon worthy and perfect, because life doesn’t work that way.

The writing style is really good. Colgan captured the atmosphere of a little Scottish town in such an amazing way (that was my favorite aspect of the story).
She also handled very well an inner struggle of characters. Because of that, it was very easy to keep up with their process of thinking that lead them to make decisions they made.

This book is written over ten years ago and now when I read it, I want to check out some of Colgan’s new work to see how she developed as an author.

Overall, if you want to read a book just to occupy your mind, make you laugh on the way (I even cought myself laughing out loud at times) and make you forget about the world around you, I think this book is a good choice for you.