Colliding with a second chance.....

On the heels of graduating college and trying to cope with her mother's death, Emily Cooper moves to New York City for a fresh start.

While harboring secrets of his own, Dillon Parker takes care of Emily through her grief. Knowing he can't live without her by his side, he's sweet, thoughtful, and everything Emily has ever wanted in a man.

Until she meets Gavin Blake-a rich and notorious playboy who is dangerously sexy and charming as hell. Emily tries to deny the instant connection she feels, but Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome is not inclined to let go so easily. Recovering from his own painful past, Gavin will stop at nothing to win Emily over.

This unexpected encounter compels Emily to question her decisions, forcing her to make a choice that will destroy friendships, shatter hearts, and forever change her life.

Review: After reading really good reviews about this book, I decided to get it a while ago and I have finally got around to read it. Collide tells the story of Emily, a girl who has just lost her mother to cancer and feels that she is still alive only thanks to her loving boyfriend, Dillon. So she decides to move to New York to be with him. She moves in with her friend Olivia though because she is not ready to have such a serious realtionship with Dillon. But he is more than ready and keeps bringing up mariage.

Then Gavin appears and his attraction to Emily is electrifying. He has found the one and he is going to get her no matter what. Even when fate plays one of his games and she turns out to be the girlfriend of one of his dearest friends, he is not going to stop until he gets her. 

On first impression, Emily is a strong woman in love with a nice guy and Gavin is kind of a womaniser who just wants a new toy but as the story unfolds we learn that first impressions are not always true. Dillon is a beast, an arrogant lier who controls Emily with lies and insecurities and the memory of her mother. Emily is weaker that we first thought and quite vulnerable. And well, Gavin is the knight in shinning armour. Will the good win? Well we don't know because the book is left with a cliff hanger and you just want to go to amazon and get the second book instantly!

I really enjoyed the game between Emily and Gavin during the book. You discover little by little that he is a good guy and that he really cares about her. They make each other laugh and feel good, and you enjoy every interaction they have. As for Dillon... you'll hate him and you'll wonder why she cannot see his true self. It's actually quite frustating and there's always something between Emily and Gavin. Why can they just see what's in front of them and live happily ever after? I guess that life is not that easy and a love so intense must be epic, otherwise why would we read the book? 

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Blurb: Darcy Archer works in a small bookstore on Manhattan's Upper West Side. A dreamer who secretly wishes for true love similar to that in her beloved novels, Darcy refuses to settle for anything less than being swept off her feet by the perfect man.

One day, when cycling to work, Darcy accidentally crashes into a sharply dressed man walking his dog. He is knocked unconscious and rushed to the hospital, but his dog gets left behind. Wracked with guilt over the accident, Darcy resolves to care for the dog and reunite him with his owner. But the dog is not the only thing that's been left behind and when she finds a small beautifully wrapped package - suspiciously shaped like a book - she becomes curious. She decides to try and figure out all she can about this man, and make the delivery herself. Darcy gradually becomes drawn into his life; one that she soon discovers is filled with books, travel, adventure and all the wonderful things she's ever dreamt about. It doesn't take long before Darcy builds up a picture of this man's lovely life, and feeling an immediate kinship towards him, tries to make things right.

It might be a challenge but doesn't she owe it to him to try? But does fantasy match reality? And what happens when he finally wakes up?

*First I would like to thank the Team of Books and the City at Simon and Schuster for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. *

Review: This was my first book by Melissa Hill so I didn't know exactly what to expect. But from the first pages I could tell that I was going to like this book. Darcy is a bookworm, she loves books. Her house has piles of books everywhere and she even works in a book store. As a bookworm myself I instantly warmed to her. She was also strong and had her own beliefs and wouldn't give in under the insistence of her aunt, her only family, that she should want more in life: a better job, a high profile boyfriend and days at the spa. 

Darcy is happy dreaming and day dreaming about Mr Darcy but then, one day she hits a stranger with her bike and when he wakes up in hospital he doesn't remember who he is. So Darcy, out of guilt and maybe because he is gorgeous, starts helping him to recover his memory. I really enjoyed the mistery surrounding the stranger and how bit by bit Darcy discovered more things about him. Also while he was in hospital she took care of his dog, an active but well behaved husky that added a funny spark to the story.

The setting of the book was perfect: Christmas time in New York. I have been twice in New York but both during summer so reading this book all I wanted to do was book a plane to go back in december. Melissa created a sweet story with a feel good atmosphere that will make you smile non-stop. And if you are a bookworm, which I know you are, you'll love Darcy! So go for it and bring the christmas decorations out!

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We are in the middle of August, the holiday month. The lucky ones are getting ready for a fantastic holiday on the beach where all they'll have to worry about is reading and drinking cocktails, or they are even enjoying it already. But what happens to the unlucky ones who are stuck at home, working during August? Do not worry, I have the solution: travelling through books. Get your things ready we are going to the hottest spots of the planet and all you need is a comfy couch and a cool dring. 

Follow the route with my top holiday reads: 

1)  Escape for the Summer: Cornwall

Our first stop is Rock, the holiday destination in Cornwall. Ruth Saberton tells the story of three girls who tired of London and their life there decide to spend the summer in this small town on the coast. They live some crazy adventures there while enjoying some of the most beautiful beaches of the UK. This is a summer read you don't want to miss. 

Here is my 5* review: Escape for the Summer 

2) I Heart Paris: Paris

Our second stop in Europe is Paris. The I Heart Series by Lindsey Kelk is one of my favourite series, not only do we read about Angela's love problems and stories but also we follow her around the world. Some of her destinations are New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles or London. But my favourite one is Paris. In the city of Love, Angela discovers some beautiful caffés and shops while enjoying the top tourist attractions and some mouth-watering croissants. Don't doubt it, if you are looking for some romance and gorgeous views, Paris is your destination.

4) Wedding Night: Greek Islands

Sophie Kinsella takes us to our 4rth stop, Greece. In her last novel, Sophie tells us the story of Lottie, who after being dumped by her boyfriends reconnects with an old lover and they rush down the aisle. Their honey moon takes them to the paradisiac island in Greece but they won't enjoy their trip as much as newly weds should. Follow their crazy adventures in the perfect summer destination, you will want to hop on the first plane to Greece!

                

We leave Europe to land in Australia. Paige Toon takes us to Adelaide with Lily, a teenager who doesn't want to leave London. But once she discovers the beauties of her new town (including the natural park with the cutest koalas and kagaroos and a certain worker named Ben), she starts to fall in love with her new country. We follow her later in life when she moves to Sydney, where she enjoys a nice live but something, or should I say someone, is missing. 

6) About a Girl: Hawaii                                
Our next destination is in the middle of the Pacific. Lindsey Kelk (again, I know, I just love her and her books so much) takes us to the (as she says) Ryan Gosling of destinations, it has no bad angle. There, we enjoy some of the most impressive sunsets with Tess and the hilarious Keipipi takes us to the hot spots of the islands. Oh, and I almost forgot! The sexy Nick (#TeamNick forever) shows us one of the most romantic scenaries: a secluded waterfall.                                                    
Read my 5* review of  About a Girl here.

 

7) Take a Look at Me Now: San Francisco

Our 7th stop is San Francisco, California. I have always wanted to visit this amazing city, I think it all started with Full House (I loved that TV series and wanted to live in their house), so every time I see a book set in this city I can't resist. Take a Look at Me Now was the first book I read by Miranda Dickinson (and won't be the last, for sure). Nell has just lost her job and decides to spend some weeks with her cousin in San Francisco. She discovers all the amazing secrets of this city with the help of her new friends but also a new passion that will change her life.

Thanks for travelling with me, I hope you had a great time, I sure did. Do you have any favourite holidays reads yourself? 

Blurb: You Had Me at Merlot is the kind of love story that will have you crying with laughter one moment and nodding your head in agreement the next. Full of sultry summer nights, hilarious moments and plenty of wine, it will warm even the most cynical of hearts and have you believing in the magic of romance… and of course, the power of a decent glass of Merlot. 

Elle and Laurie are the last ones standing: they're single, they're not having babies any time soon and their weekends aren't filled with joyful meetings about mortgages. For Elle, this is fine - she likes her independent life, she loves her job, and she has no desire to walk down the aisle anytime soon. But Laurie wants love and she wants it now. 

So when Laurie begs Elle to come with her on a singles holiday to a beautiful vineyard in Tuscany, Elle is reluctant. You Had Me at Merlot Holidays promises crisp sunshine, fun and a chance to stir up some sizzling romance. Elle has no intention of swapping her perfectly lovely life for someone else's idea of her Mr Perfect, but ten days under the Italian sun with her best friend and lashings of wine? How bad could that be?

*I received this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review*

Review: This is such a cute story, I adored it. Thank God I got sent the four parts because I devoured the whole book in a couple of days. Elle, our heroine, is such a cute girl, and so funny. She doesn't want love, she doesn't need a man in her life, when would she have time to perfect her dance routines if she had a boyfriend? But she is a great friend and agrees to go with Lauria to a singles holiday in Tuscany. As I said, such a good friend! I mean, who would leave work behind and go on a holiday in Tuscany just to help a friend... OK, I would. And you would too. But you get the picture, she is cute and nice. 

What she doesn't expect is to find so many options for love in Tuscany: there's George, the loaded American womanizer ready to become Elle's sugar daddy, and there's Jamie, the gorgeous Italian wine-maker. If you want to know who is going to win Elle's heart you'll have to read the book but I know who won mine: Tuscany. The setting is so perfect, and Lisa describes it so richly. I could totally picture myself in a bathtub, looking through the windows to the sun setting on the vineyards while a gorgeous Italian works from sun to sun. Okay, maybe Jamie won my heart a little bit too...

All in all, You Had Me at Merlot is the perfect summer read: hilarious and heart-warming. It has this feel-good sparkle than will have you turning page after page and will leave you with a huge smile in your face. So, don't doubt it, get it right now and enjoy the sun and magic of Tuscany. You are in for a real treat. Lisa is one of the funniest and wittiest writers you can find and I'm sure big things are coming her way. 

About the author: 

Blurb: Call Brook Ogden a matchmaker-in-reverse. Let others bring people together; Brook, licensed mental health counselor, picks up the pieces after things come apart. When her own therapy practice collapses, she maintains perfect control: landing on her feet with a weekly advice-to-the-lovelorn column and a successful consulting service as the Breakup Doctor: on call to help you shape up after you breakup.

*Book provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*

Review: When we first meet Brook, she is a woman in control, she is losing her practice but this is not going to get her down. Her knowledge of what to do when your heart has been broken quickly becomes in high demand and a lot of patients start contacting her for her help and support. At the same time though, she is dumped with no clear explanation and she kind of goes bonkers. She starts behaving like a lunatic: stalking her ex, getting drunk and making calls and writing emails, even getting violent and other stupid stuff. Only if her patients knew the real Brook... they would not seek her advice at all...

I was a bit exceptic about all this crazy behaviour at first, I thought she was a huge fraud and should come clean. But then, at the same time, it was really funny reading about it all. I guess, we are all humans and break-ups are hard. Even if we are the wisest person in the world, we all have the right to act without thinking. And that is the main idea of this book.

I didn't warm to Brook, I did to Sasha though. That's the kind of friend we all want, crazy and with a huge heart. Together they are a good team and they made me laugh a lot. The Breakup Doctor is a good summer read, funny, light and quick. You'll have a nice time reading it and maybe you'll see yourself reflexed in some of Brook's patients or even in Brook (then maybe you need a Doctor yourself). 

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