Christmas at Carrington's by Alexandra Brown

About the book

Christmas at Carrington’s is the follow up book to Cupcakes at Carrington’s by Alexandra Brown. The book was published by Harper on 5^th December and it is 384 pages long. I received and ebook for review through NetGalley.

Synopsis

Georgie Hart runs the Women’s Accessory section in Carrington’s department store in Mulberry-On-Sea. She’s your average woman, a size 14 with a brunette bob and she absolutely loves Christmas. She’s also kind of secretly seeing the boss, Mr Tom Carrington himself. Life couldn’t be better for Georgie.

When Georgie finds out about Tom’s surprise though, she is not happy. Carrington’s is going to be part of a nationwide television show featuring retail guru Kelly Cooper who promises to revitalise the Carrington name. Georgie isn’t impressed with being on television without her permission, especially as she made a fool out of herself. Not only that but Kelly’s daughter seems to want Tom for herself and Georgie knows she can’t complete with someone like her.

Will Christmas at Carrington’s be a disaster or will there be some magical surprises along the way?

What I thought

I have to start by saying that I haven’t read the first book in this series but both can be read as stand-alone books.

Carrington’s is a large department store in Mulberry-On-Sea and the series focuses on different people working in that store. The whole idea of Carrington’s reminded me of a not so expensive Harrods but with the dreams to be as big as somewhere like that. This book focuses on Georgie Hart who works in women’s accessories. I gather from some things that happen in this book that she was also in the first as well. The staff there seem to have a really nice family feeling going on and everyone gets along well... to begin with.

You see, big boss Mr Carrington secretly makes a deal to have Carrington’s take part in a reality TV show where the store will get a massive make over by Kelly Cooper. Georgie doesn’t know anything about it even though she’s seeing Tom and is mortified when she sees herself on television for the first time. She wants nothing to do with the show until she’s talked into it with the promise of extra money per show and the opportunity for a make-over and the chance to write in a magazine. As shallow as it sounds, Georgie figures she’s going to be forced into it anyway so why not make something out of it.

I absolutely loved Georgie. Not only is she a real woman at size 14 but she’s absolutely fine with who she is. It was so refreshing to read about someone who wasn’t stick thin and who liked to eat. She’s also such a lovely character and genuinely appeared to be a kind, friendly and caring woman. What I loved so much about Georgie is that she was someone I would have loved to have been friends with. She’s put in some pretty awkward situations but she manages to bounce back every single time and she’s also hilarious while she tries.

The whole television show aspect of Christmas at Carrington’s was fantastic. The plot was something of a mix between The Hotel Inspector and that show where the woman helps out shops (cannot remember the name of it for the life of me)! It was fun to see what problems Kelly thought the store had and what she was doing to attempt to fix those things. The television show also put the characters in really funny situations such as trying to figure out who were real customers and who weren’t.

The one thing that was lacking in this book for me was the romance. I didn’t really feel the lust and attraction between Georgie and Tom. Maybe this was something I had missed out on by not reading the first book. I could see the attraction from her but he really didn’t seem that bothered during any point in the book. If there isn’t going to at least be some good chemistry, I don’t see the point in having a relationship in a book such as this. If those missing elements had been there, this would have easily been a five star book for me.

Overall though, Christmas at Carrington’s is a really good and enjoyable read.

Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally

About the book

Stealing Parker is a young adult novel by Miranda Kenneally and part of the Hundred Oaks series. The book was published by Sourcebooks Fire on 25^th October and it is 256 pages long.

Synopsis

Parker Shelton once had a perfect life. She was well on her way to becoming valedictorian, played on the softball team and was pretty popular. But then her mother’s scandal ruins everything, including Parker’s name.

Parker reinvents herself by losing weight, quitting softball and making sure everyone in school knows that she’s into boys even if it means kissing quite a few. Only it’s not just boys that she’s interested in. The new coach of the boy’s football team draws her attention and while she knows it’s wrong, Parker can’t help herself.

Parker keeps on changing from the girl she used to be but will she take it too far?

What I thought

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Catching Jordan and really wanted more from this author. This book can be read as a stand-alone as well as in sequence with the series.

Unlike the protagonist in Catching Jordan, I found Parker not nearly as easy to like. It is clear from the beginning of the book that she’s had a bit of a rough time at home and school due to things that her mother did. The way in which the community reacted to Parker was absolutely disgusting so no wonder she wanted to change who she was. Parker lives in quite a religious community and goes to church herself but they aren’t one who accept lesbians and Parker’s mother ran away to be with another woman. I felt for Parker because of her situation but she really didn’t make the best decisions at times.

Although Parker gives up playing for the softball team herself, she ends up helping out with the boys’ team due to, well, all of the boys. It’s the new coach that catches her eye though and eventually, the two become quite good friends who talk all the time out of school hours. One thing leads to another and Parker and Brian (the coach) become more than just friends even though it could end Brian’s career. I honestly hated Brian. He took full advantage of Parker and treated her like dirt pretty much.

There are also two other boys to add into the mix. Drew is Parker’s best friend and an absolute sweetheart and Will (Corndog) is a newish friend to Parker. I really enjoyed reading about these two characters because both has such special qualities about them. Drew was there to cheer Parker up and to watch Harry Potter with her and Corndog was hilarious. He never does what people expect of him and he is exactly the kind of person that Parker should be around.

While Parker annoyed me at times because she couldn’t see how stupid she was being, I really enjoyed this book. The characters were fantastic I just wish that the plot had been a little better. 

The Bookstore by Deborah Meyler

About the book

The Bookstore by Deborah Meyler was published by Bloomsbury Reader on 12^th September and the book is 352 pages long. I received an e-book for review through NetGalley.

Synopsis

British Esme Garland now lives in New York studying art history. She is completely in love with the city, her apartment and her boyfriend. However, he doesn’t seem to feel quite the same as she does and when she finds out she’s pregnant things go horribly wrong. Esme’s boyfriend comes from old money and is expected to live his life a certain way. Just when she’s about to tell Mitchell about the baby, he dumps her, leaving her all alone in a country where she won’t get any help with the baby.

On the Upper West Side is a small, shabby second-hand bookstore called The Owl. Esme finds instant pleasure in spending time there and soon has a part time job there. The Owl is filled with interesting characters, dusty old books and a saving grace for Esme.

What I thought

When I saw this one on NetGalley I thought it would be the perfect book for me. As a lover of books and quirky old book shops, I was instantly interested in finding out more about one set in New York. This was a really strange book from beginning to end. At points, I really struggled to keep going and was tempted to put it down but the strangeness is what kept me going. I wanted to find out how much more ridiculous it could get.

I just could not get my head around how stupid protagonist Esme was. Somehow she’s supporting herself through studying in New York. She has a super-rich boyfriend who is an absolute arse to her but she’s determined to stay with him because she just can’t see what an idiot he is. When he does find out about the baby, he tries to get her to have an abortion, acts like an arse once again and then at some point, proposes in the middle of a crowded restaurant. Honestly, who would have stayed with a man like that. Esme, that’s who.

So, after Esme finds out that she’s pregnant, she talks her way into having a part time job at The Owl, a pretty run down second-hand book shop which is pretty much filled with crazy people. I have no idea why anyone would have taken Esme on considering she only has a student visa and she’s pregnant. Surely that would never happen. Not only that, but the book shop has nice enough staff but seems to become a second home to homeless guys and drunks. Not the safest place for a pregnant lady to be hanging out now is it? There are plenty of situations and events that happen while Esme is at work and I just didn’t understand what was going on. She’s often alone with one of the homeless guys who then tells her to go get something to eat five blocks away and to leave the shop with him. Who would do that?!

So, with a mix of insane characters you would think that this book would have an amazing plot to make up for that… but it doesn’t. The plot pretty much is just about Esme making bad decisions in regards to her pregnancy and her future with Mitchell. There is nothing funny or even remotely exciting about The Bookstore and instead, it was just weird. I can’t really recommend this one because even though I finished it, I didn’t really enjoy it. 

Headfirst Falling by Melissa Guinn

About the book

Headfirst Falling is a new adult novel by Melissa Guinn. It was published by Carina Press on 23^rd September and the book is 262 pages long. I received an e-book for review through NetGalley.

Synopsis

Charlie Day had fallen in love with Jackson Stiles a long time ago but it never seemed to work out between them. Then, Jackson and Charlie’s brother enlisted and was sent off to Iraq. Jackson came back different though and Charlie’s brother didn’t come back at all.

Now leading a civilian life, Jackson takes a job with Charlie’s father and soon discovers that the spark he once had with Charlie is still there. Going to war has changed Jackson and he struggles to cope with his new life and Charlie struggles with the fact that he came back and her brother did not. Will Charlie and Jackson be able to get over the changes in their life in order to find their love again?

What I thought

While I like new adult novels, the same romances over and over again get boring and repetitive. I couldn’t wait to read this one as it seemed as though it would tackle some really important and current issues.

The book begins with Jackson’s point of view, with him and Adam (Charlie’s brother) being away in Iraq and making promised to each other in case anything ever happens. Jackson constantly carries around a picture of Charlie and is the one thing he can’t stop thinking about. Jackson and Adam are best friends so when Adam makes Jackson promise to look after Charlie, he can’t refuse. Jackson instantly comes across as such a sweet guy, confession that he didn’t know what he had when he was at home and going across the world to fight a war made him realise his mistakes.

When Jackson arrives back home without Adam, he has no idea what to do with himself. He knows he’s going to have to speak to and see Charlie but he just isn’t ready to deal with that. He can’t forgive himself for not being able to save Adam and feels as though Charlie won’t be able to see past that either. Charlie doesn’t want to have to deal with Jackson. She imagines hating him on first sight and resenting him but she’s surprised when all she wants to do is run into his arms.

While Jackson was a likeable character, Charlie drove me insane. She did not deal with any of her problems well at all and tended to drown her problems with alcohol. She also completely ignored problems with family members because she was so self-obsessed. Charlie acted extremely childish at times and while I understood she was struggling with the loss of her brother, I just wanted to slap some sense into her at times. Due to all of this, I found it really hard to like Charlie for the most part of the book.

Even though I disliked Charlie somewhat, I did really enjoy reading this book. Jackson’s story and watching him come out of Iraq was extremely interesting to read about. I have friends in the forces and can only imagine how they must feel after tours of Iraq or Afghanistan. However, I would have liked to have seen more about PTSD. It is clear that Jackson has problems being back in society but I wanted more about his struggles deep down and the horrors he would have been thinking about. While the initial idea of the book was good, it could have been made to be fantastic.

Even with its problems, Headfirst Falling is a good new adult novel that is different from everything else I’ve read so far. 

Guiding the Fall by Chrisy Hayes

About the book

Guiding the Fall is the second book in the Golden Rule Outfitters series by Christy Hayes. The book was published on 29^th April and it is 306 pages long. I received an e-book for review through NetGalley.

Synopsis

Jack Forrester has never needed anything or anyone, even when he suffered a massive blow to his personal and professional life. He’s recently moved to Hailey, Colorado to work with a biographer who will be writing about his life and career. Then he meets Olivia Golden, the woman who everyone in town seems to know but for the wrong reasons.

Olivia knows she’s gorgeous and has always enjoyed being the centre of attention. But, she wants something more out of life and is near the end of her student teacher job and will soon be qualified. That is until something threatens her whole career. Olivia thinks she can get out of the mess all on her own but Jack makes her an offer she can’t refuse.

As the two spend more time together, neither can fight the attraction each of them feels. Jack has always been a man relying only on himself but can he let Olivia in enough to gain something extremely special?

What I thought

I really enjoyed the first book in this series even though it did have a couple of problems, so I was looking forward to reading the next instalment. Even though this is the second book, it can be read as a stand-alone. Characters from book one are included though so there may be a tiny bit of confusion at times.

Olivia Golden not only works for her brother but is also training to become a teacher. Early on in the book, Olivia meets Jack over the phone and they have an instant connection. Olivia is curious about the man on the phone with the sexy voice and playful personality but thinks nothing of it as he’s only on the phone… even if he does say he’ll meet her soon (not in a scary, stalker way). I really liked Olivia from the previous book so I was glad to see her get her own story.

Now Jack is a man with many secrets. He’s openly wealthy, travels with his sister and isn’t one to shy away from the women especially when he finds one he really likes. Olivia piques his interest immediately. I really enjoyed discovering Jack’s secrets and finding out more about him, his life and what he’s been through. He’s incredibly smooth but also has a wonderful personality and was a character I warmed to immediately.

There is quite a lot going on in this book plot wise. Olivia has problems with her teacher training, Jack is trying to sort his life out and is having a book written about him and then there are secondary characters Lyle (Olivia’s friend) and Erica (Jack’s sister). These two characters have their own sub plot going on which I really liked although I would also like to see them get their own book at some point as their story wasn’t really finished.

Guiding the Fall carries on nicely from Mending the Line and was a fabulous addition to the series. There is plenty of chemistry, romance and great characters along with a wonderful plot. Highly recommended. 

Book to Film Review: The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

About the film

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is a 2013 film adaptation from the book of the same name by Cassandra Clare. The film has a run time of 130 minutes and is rated 12A.

Plot

In New York, Clary Fray is going about her everyday life when she sees someone and something she shouldn’t have in a club. Problem is, no one else around her can see what is going on. Clary is the descendant of a Shadowhunter, a group of half angel warriors who fight to destroy demons. After her mother disappears without warning, Clary is forced to ask for the help of other Shadowhunters as they may be the only ones who can help her. She is thrown into a new life filled with demons, vampires and werewolves, amongst other things, and must quickly learn to accept what she thought could never be possible.

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Cast

Lily Collins as Clary Fray

Jamie Campbell Bower as Jace Wayland

Robert Sheehan as Simon Lewis

Kevin Zegers as Alec Lightwood

Lena Headey as Jocelyn Fray

Kevin Durand as Emil Pangborn

Aidan Turner as Luke Garroway

Jemima West as Isabelle Lightwood

Godfrey Gao as Magnus Bane

C. C. H. Pounder as Madame Dorothea

Jared Harris as Hodge Starkweather

Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Valentine Morgenstern

What I thought

The Mortal Instruments is a series of books that I absolutely love so when I heard about the film being made, I was a little wary about it. I had never heard of the girl playing the lead and the actor playing the male lead just didn’t sit right with me. I had also heard bad things from others who love the books just as much as me.

City of Bones has quite a quick beginning. It doesn’t take long for protagonist Clary to be introduced to the world of the Shadowhunters. While out in a club with her best friend Simon, she thinks she witnesses a murder than no one else can see but learns that the now dead man was actually a demon. Here, she meets Jace (a Shadowhunter) and he explains what is really going on although he is surprised she can actually see him. While I was thankful that the beginning of the film wasn’t dragged out, I do think that Clary became all too okay with the changes in her life too quickly. I remember in the book that she took a while to get used to everything that was going on around her.

Speaking of Clary, Lily Collins plays the character and I was actually quite pleasantly surprised by her performance. Collins makes the character likeable while still being able to show strength and bravery. There are a few times where she comes across as a bit whiney but not overly and I was thankful for that. As someone I hadn’t previously heard of, I was unsure about how well she’d be able to portray the role but she did a good job. Collins shows emotion well throughout the whole film and considering how much the character has to go through, she needed to show quite a lot. I think that Collins also dealt really well with the action scenes which I wasn’t expecting.

As with the beginning of the film, the plot moves along at a quick pace. There is a lot going on in this film and it is pretty non-stop all the way through. As soon as Clary learns of the Shadowhunters and what they do, her life is filled with secrets, lies and demons. The fight scenes were pretty impressive and well done by all involved. There are quite a few characters in the film, not all of which are Shadowhunters. There are allies and enemies between different kinds of creature and I really enjoyed how this was explored. There is a whole host of supernatural creatures to get to know in City of Bones and it was interesting to see how they worked (or didn’t) together to get things done.

As this is a film adaptation of a book, there are certainly things missing that I think should have been put in. People who have read the book might be a little disappointed to see some quite important parts missing but obviously, the film can only be so long so things needed to be cut. However, while I would have liked to have seen some things, I was still happy with the film overall. Author Cassandra Clare had a hand in writing the screenplay and watched over production so I guess if she was happy, then book fans should be as well. For me, casting was most of the problem rather than the plot and bits missing.

One thing that did get talked about a lot was the portrayal of Jace Wayland, Clary’s love interest. Playing Jace is Jamie Campbell Bower. Now, for those who haven’t read the book, I’m sure you will all find him to be great in the role. Jace is a character who is full of himself, cocky and very witty. Campbell Bower manages to get this part of the role absolutely perfect and he comes across as arrogant and as someone who loves himself. His acting skills are not to be frowned at and I do think he did a really good job. However, he still isn’t the Jace I imagined. In my eyes, Jace was a bigger guy with a lot more muscle and Campbell Bower is quite slim although he did bulk up a bit for the role. It wasn’t that I didn’t like him though, he just wasn’t perfect.

Overall, City of Bones wasn’t nearly as bad as I had expected it to be. The plot moves at a fast pace and is exciting the whole way through. Even without my perfect choices in the casting, this is a really entertaining film and I can’t wait for the sequel to come out. 

Out of the Blue by Opal Mellon

About the book

Out of the Blue is the second book in the new adult Sunset Series (can be read as a stand-alone) by Opal Mellon. The book was published by 30^th April and it is 204 pages long. I received an e-book for review through NetGalley.

Synopsis

Molly and Justin meet in college, realising they’re two very different people. Justin is beautiful and an instant hit with the rest of his class while Molly is awkward and shy. However, with a love of computers, the two form a strange friendship that quickly dissolves when Justin disappears without a word after a terrible day that Molly just wants to forget.

Five years later, Molly still isn’t a people person and puts everything into her job. But, she now needs a date for her high school reunion and can’t think of a single person that she can ask. When a friend introduces her to Club Blue, and escort agency, Molly is forced to confront her past. Justin, her former best friend, is now an escort and one of the best. She’s desperate to know where he went to and what happened to him but asking certain questions could put her into danger.

What I thought

Out of the Blue had such an interesting start that I was hoping that it would turn into a book I would love but sadly, it didn’t. I found there to be quite a lot wrong (in my opinion) with this book so I ended up not liking it very much at all.

Protagonists Molly and Justin start off in their late teens as they’re in college but then as the book jumps to five years later, I guess they’re supposed to be roughly 24/25 or so. Unfortunately, both characters (Molly more so) come across as extremely juvenile throughout the book. Neither are especially mature for their ages and act like a couple of teenagers a lot of the time. The dialogue used also didn’t fit in with the ages of the characters which was a shame. These things made it really hard to connect with either character.

This book shouldn’t really be classed as a romance because there isn’t much of that in the plot. The majority of the plot focuses on the problems that both Molly and Justin have had over the course of their lives and what happens when they come back together. Molly and Justin share a kiss but nothing more ever really happens. I would class Out of the Blue as more of a mystery than anything else because there are loads of twists and turns that keep you guessing.

My main problem with this book is that some things just did not add up. Molly is supposed to be super intelligent and has a job working with computers. But, when she starts receiving strange emails, she claims she has no idea where to start to trace where it came from. I just didn’t understand how the character could be written in such a confusing way. It was like the author had forgotten what job she’d given Molly and what she’d done at college.

Some of the plot did slightly redeem the book a little bit though. Justin has an extremely interesting past and his job during the current setting. As a male escort, he’s a very social person which puts him in the opposite position to Molly. The two characters are very different as adults although they were very much the same in college. While some of the plot concentrates on Molly and Justin getting to know each other once again, there is a lot surrounding Justin’s past and the things he has experienced. Out of the Blue turns into quite a shocking read that I wasn’t expecting at all. It certainly isn’t for the feint hearted.

As I said before, I wanted to love this book but I didn’t.