Review: Christmas With Holly

Christmas With Holly by Lisa Kleypas

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



The first in the Nolan brothers series by Kleypas and although its on the short side (less than 200 pages) it's still a very sweet and cute story. Another feel-good that tugs on your heart when you read about Holly. Her mother (Mark Nolan's sister), passes away in an accident, and is left in the custody of Mark Nolan. Mark and Maggie Collins fall in love and they end up as a happy family by Christmas. It's a really easy read and Holly is the cutest. There were so many "Awww" moments, so if you don't like the mushy, sweet-bordering-diabetic, type of story then this isn't for you.

This story was much like eating a slice of pie.. When you've finished it, you wish you could have more, but you know it was enough to make you full. Overall, its very cute, not a very complicated story, there isn't much depth to the plot. It's really very simple. Man takes custody of niece, meets woman, man and woman fall in love, then they all live happily ever after. It's predictable but it wasn't a bad thing. Just nice to know everything ended well for them and Holly gets the family she deserves. Very cute, 3/5 stars.



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Review: Dream Lake

Dream Lake by Lisa Kleypas

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Oh man, Alex Nolan is a HUNK. At least in my imagination he is. Moody, angry, brooding, recovering alcoholic... What's not to love? And Zoe is a bombshell, but super sweet and patient with him.

Dream is another one of those "feel-good" novels where after reading it, you're left with fuzzy goodness in you. It's very cute and the characters are relatable and likeable. I was satisfied that it met my expectations. Lisa Kleypas has always been really good with the feel-good sweet stories without overdoing it. The plot isn't overly complex and most of the time predictable but her style of writing is smooth so I don't really notice.

Overall, its a simple and straightforward story with likeable characters that have enough backstory so you won't have to do much to wrap yout head around figuring out what type of person they are. Its easy to read and not overtly sexual though there are some pretty heated scenes. The ghost also adds something extra to the plot so I was always curious what was going to happen or what they were going to discover next.

It was an enjoyable read so I gave it 3/5 stars.



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Review: Grounded

Grounded by R.K. Lilley

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



The final installment was much more interesting and less annoying than the 2nd installment of the Up in the Air series. Bianca is by far one of my least favourite heroines of all time. I do understand that she was "damaged" for a long time and she has security and self esteem issues but by the third book I was disappointed that it took her so long to gain confidence in herself and her relationship with James. It was frustrating and annoying because of how many times all the people around her, including James, kept telling her she's beautiful and strong and a talented artist. Even at the end of the series I felt like she never actually accepted.

There is a happy ending to the story so I was as frustrated anymore by the end of it but the series as a whole is not as great as I expexted it to be. The sex is amazing of course, the plot was interesting, but the main characters' development was really lacking. Even her gay best friend seemed to grow more despite being a supporting character.

Oh well, the third book ended the story well and there was closure for everyone so it was a satisfactory conclusion to all of the anger and frustration I felt for the 2nd book. 3/5 stars



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Moving to Wordpress!

I'm moving my blog to wordpress.

http://noodlekitty.wordpress.com

It's just easier to manage.

Sorry for the inconvenience!

x.M

Review: The Witness

The Witness by Nora Roberts

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Definitely one of Roberts' best work. I loved the characters she created in The Witness. Elizabeth Fitch has it tough. Her mom doesn't love her and considers her almost like a lab experiment. Then she witnesses something she wasn't supposed to see and then disappears, creating a new identity for herself. She's super smart, a bit of a geek, and throughout the entire book I really felt bad for what she had to go through as a child. Then as an adult, I respected how she pieced together her life and was able to move on, albeit with some OCD tendencies but that's pretty understandable considering what she went through. Her character/personality was complex but believable and it made me love her more because she had so many issues she wanted to solve on her own but it wasn't fully possible until she met Brooks Gleason.

Brooks Gleason is so disarming and charming and its a definite plus that he's supposed to be a handsome fella. I loved his character because he was so good for Elizabeth. He really complemented all her faults, and he had a few of his own which made me like him more because he wasn't "the perfect" type. He's pretty easy-going, relaxed, and so patient with her. Roberts doesn't generally create perfect characters, even their physical attributes have minor flaws that can become endearing.

The story really touched my heart and I was completely swept away in their love story, the suspense and development from beginning to end. Roberts almost never fails to create a believable and heartwarming novel, complete with a past, present and future for her characters.

5/5 stars.



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Suits

With the impending return of Suits: Season 3 next week, it seemed appropriate to write up a post about suits. Men in suits. Women in suits. Suits suits suits. Anyone who has seen the TV show, Suits, will understand the appeal. For those of you who live under a rock ... or maybe just don't like TV, get out from under there and WATCH IT. Suits is amazing. Even my boyfriend, who absolutely hates drama TV shows will admit he loves it after I badgered him into watching it. Now he's as excited as I am for its return, but I digress.

Suits is about a lawyer named Harvey Specter (right) who hires a college drop-out, Mike Ross (left), to work for him at one of the most famous law firms in New York City. Mike has a photographic memory, and Harvey is the (self-proclaimed) best closer in town. Together, they make a very interesting Batman-Robin duo in the field of law. If you're not interested in law-related TV show, then at least watch it for the drama and the suits. Plus the show constantly keeps you on your toes, Mike isn't a real lawyer after all. There's tension, romance, and good looking characters. What's not to love? A lot of the scenes are filmed in my home city, Toronto (Ontario) as well! Anyone who's a Torontonian should be able to spot our skyline/streets/restaurants in the background of the scenes.

Anyways, back to the topic of suits. There's something about a suit that exudes power, confidence, and instantly makes a man seem more intimidating and sexy at the same time. Especially if he fills it out properly. Harvey Specter is definitely one of those men. Mike Ross is leaner but he manages to look sharp too. What's that saying, "The clothes make the man"? Maybe its the clean strick lines, the emphasis of broad shoulders that tapers to a narrow waist and long, long legs (it helps if the guy is tall too). A suit should accentuate and complement a man's body, making it look more sleek and refined but at the same time powerful and influential. It is a huge turn on. I think Megan Markle says it best "Seeing a guy dressed up when you're not used to seeing them that way is a big turn on". It's not even that big of a change, but it can make a world of difference.

Women don't generally get the same reaction in suits, I don't think. At least not from my perspective. Formal business wear on women is a turn on more often when it covers more skin, but leaves more for the imagination. Men seem to love peeling off layers of clothing on a woman. I think its a combination of "the chase" and mystery that makes it more appealing than a woman simply wearing a mini dress. All of the women in Suits have their own style, but essentially follow the same rules. Formal business wear that covers more skin and still appears classy and sexy all at once. The most provocative thing you'll see is cleavage, but its always tasteful, imo.

     

Overall, its an amazing show, I suggest it to everyone who hasn't seen it yet. The fashion is sexy, the side romances are hot, and the drama will keep you off the edge of your seat. 

M.

Review: Mile High

Mile High by R.K. Lilley

My rating: 1 of 5 stars



I'm seriously PO'd with this book. The first one was alright, I didn't think it was amazing but I think I just got really annoyed with James Cavendish and Bianca Karlsson. It wasn't enough to put me off finishing the first book though.

This one however, is extremely frustrating. It doesn't seem like the main characters are progressing/developing at all. The sex is still hot, and their sex-capades are more varied but their core issues as people still haven't been resolved. James is trying his best to exorcise his demons, and convince Bianca that she's THE ONE but she absolutely refuses to entertain the thought. This woman has some serious inferiority issues. I know, I know, its because of her childhood and all that but halfway into the 2nd book now, and I'm so frustrated and exasperated from reading her annoying complaints, panicky thoughts and denial of almost EVERYTHING, that I'm seriously tempted to just stop reading this book.

Fortunately, I'm stubborn enough to force myself to continue, if even just to find out how much more Bianca is going to complain and reject James over.. and over.. and over. One second, she says she feels/cares for him, the next second when he's asking her to move in and she reacts with panicky thoughts. Maybe I have a one-track mind and I'm siding with James too much, even though I don't really like his character that much now either. They both need to grow up. James has to stop acting so needy and give Bianca space. It's a huge turn off to read about this powerful man sound so weak, needy and desperate for a woman who can't make up her damn mind if she wants to be with him. This woman is a walking contradiction!

She'll get mad at James for being easily jealous of her flirtations with Damien, but thinks her own is justified of his past which he can't erase. I mean, she's STILL being friendly to Damien and she hasn't shut the guy down and made it crystal clear. So, of course James is going to be jealous every time she so much as smiles at Damien. What an idiot.

The only difference in their relationship from the first to the second book is that Bianca's moved in with James now. James is still desperate for her attention, and Bianca's as indecisive as ever.

The only redeeming aspect of Mile High are the sex scenes, but I have to say the horseback riding didn't do it for me. It was awkward to read and I felt bad for the imaginary horses who had to endure it.

Hopefully, when I start the 3rd book, the characters will be on their way towards becoming more wholesome, maturing people, both individually and as a couple. There's only so many more Bianca-thoughts I can read that say she's panicking because James asked her to move forward in their relationship, before I give up on the Up in The Air series altogether.



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