Review: The Liar, The Bitch & The Wardrobe by Allie Kingsley

The Liar, The Bitch and the Wardrobe by Allie Kingsley
Published: September 4th, 2012 | Berkley Trade
Acquired: Publisher for review.
Format: Paperback
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary

Rating:

goodreads | amazon | BARNES & NOBLE

If you’re going to step on people on your way to the top, you might as well do it in stilettos . . . . . . Or so she’s been told. Lucy Butler, former wallflower, lands her dream job working for her idol, world-famous fashion photographer Stefano Lepres. But in a world where getting doused in coffee for not getting the order right is the new normal, she isn’t getting any closer to her ideal of being behind the camera herself. Then a superstar actress generously takes Lucy under her wing and teaches her the ways of the rich and famous—treating her to racks of designer clothes and introducing her to a life of private planes and penthouse suites. Soon Lucy is dating a rock star, attending the hottest Hollywood parties, and dressing the part. Lost in the luxury, she loses sight of the things that once mattered most. It’s going to take a hard blow from the high life to send Lucy back to the real life she always wanted. From an industry insider—and featuring wardrobes personally selected by celebrity stylist Robert Verdi—this is a novel that will keep you guessing and introduce you to a world you know exists; you’ve just never seen it unretouched.

My thoughts:
I was given the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review...

Lucy has her heart set on becoming a world renowned photographer & after she lands a job with her idol photographer, she moves to LA and begins her life.
But things in the city of angels aren't always what they seem.
Though the summary for this book was fairly on, it was also a bit exaggerated and made me thing that Lucy was completely delusional most of the time.
Lucy live with her best friend that we know nothing about because she becomes extremely busy with her new job. The photographer she loved and admired isn't really the guy she thought he was. And it takes things like him yelling, cursing, throwing his coffee at her, coke and physically hurting her for her to realize.
The life that Lucy begins to live actually bothered me and I lost all sympathy for her when she took her first huff of coke. To me, that was the defining moment of who she was. Someone who followed instead of lead.
The friendship she builds with the actress Isabella Blackstone, though a bit over the top, seemed genuine and even with craziness (actual crazy), I kind of liked her. And that she always seemed to think of Lucy even with her being a 'nobody' in Hollywood. Lucy's guidance counsellor, James, was there for her in the beginning. Helping her see the future she wanted to see, even going so far as getting her a camera. Giving her a little nudge in the right direction. Even if it wasn't right for her. Because he knew it was what she wanted.
I felt that he had more than just platonic feelings for her in the beginning and hoped there'd be plenty of time with him. Alas, there was not.
She had her head stuck in LaLa Land, believing she had friends that she didn't and dating a rock star she wasn't.
All the 'Hollywood' that was 'exposed' seemed a bit out there for me, that I just couldn't really connect with the characters or the book as a whole!
In my opinion the novel was about drugs, Hollywood, and one girl who took a very long and unnecessary journey through it all for the art of photography.

Teaser Tuesday: The Liar, The Bitch, And The Wardrobe

The Liar, The Bitch, and the Wardrobe by Allie Kingsley
New Adult Contemporary
Paperback, 304 pages
September 4th, 2012 | Berkely Trade

"Should I tell him the truth? And how much of the truth? Or should I make something up? I used to tell James everything that was on my mind regarding my dreams and aspirations, however something felt different now." --pg. 197

REVIEW: On Dublin Street by Samantha Young

On Dublin Street by Samantha Young

Published: August 31st, 2012
Acquired: Amazon
Format: Kindle

Overall:

Goodreads | Amazon

Four years ago, Jocelyn Butler left her tragic past behind in the States and started over in Edinburgh. Burying the grief, ignoring her demons, and forging ahead without any real attachments has worked well for her so far but when Joss moves into a fantastic apartment on Dublin Street, her carefully guarded world is shaken to its core by her new roommate's sexy older brother.
Braden Carmichael is a man who always gets what he wants. And what he wants is Jocelyn in his bed. Knowing how skittish Joss is concerning any kind of relationship, Braden proposes a sexual arrangement that should satisfy the intense attraction between them without it developing into anything 'more'. An intrigued Jocelyn agrees, completely unprepared for the Scotsman and his single-minded determination to strip the stubborn young woman bare... to the very soul.

Contains strong adult content. For readers ages 18+

My thoughts:
Jocelyn, aka Joss, has been through a lot in her life and has managed to put it all in a steel trap door. Along with any emotions she may develop for anyone in her life. Her parents and sister died when she was just 14 years old and she was left with nothing but her memories and a bunch of money in the bank. After moving to Ireland she began to find her place, but never really opening up to anyone completely.
When she needs to move out of current flat, she finds the perfect place and possibly the perfect roommate and then there's the roommates obnoxious but devilishly sexy brother, Braden.

From the moment she meets Braden in the back of the cab on her way to Dublin street, I knew he'd be an annoying character that I just didn't connect with. No matter what happened or the amount of girls fawning over him, I would just not like him. The way that Samantha Young describes him made me think of "Handsome Squidward" {just click here to understand--I have a very active imagination.}.

Let me say everything I loved, Samantha Young's writing. Uhm, yeah... love. The sex scenes in this book were hot, but not in "a trashy, make you blush kind of way," more in "an ohmigawd that is sexy and beautiful and perfect and I want to read more." I could only hope to write those types of scenes that well. Her writing in general was so so good and I hope the rest of her books I plan on reading in the future are as good.

Even though I loved her writing, I just couldn't connect to this book the way I wanted to. Jocelyn was just too passive. And there were times where I thought even the most heartless person would've done the right thing. Her "steel trap door" shut way too many times for my comfort. I wished that she would have breathed. I get tragedy, trust me, I do. And people handle them differently, but the way she navigated the world was toxic to herself and others.

Braden. I do not do well with authority, bossiness or rudeness. I could not stand his attitude or that he was always so stern with Joss like she was his child. I don't find it sexy, at all. I don't care how you look, who you are, or how good you are in bed; you try to tell me what to do and the last thing you'll see is the front door shutting in your face. Even with his sweet gestures and how protective he was of his sister and Joss, I couldn't forget Bossy Braden.

Joss's roommate, Ellie--too adorable for words. I read all of her parts in an Irish accent just for the hell of it. She was fun, caring and a great best friend. Loved her and how much she cared for her entire family and Joss.

Overall the book was good, the writing was amazing. I just didn't connect to the main characters like I should have. I have read nothing but gushing reviews, so I know that this book may be right for most, but not for all.

I wrote a short story... & I need your help!

Hey fellow followers! I entered a contest on figment, where you write a short story {of 1200 words} and would love it if you would take the time to read through it and "heart" if you like it. Leave comments and or reviews about what you feel. Don't worry, I take criticism very well.

I haven't written anything in a very very long time, so I know this isn't up to what I can do. But it's going to be the one I enter.
I had a hard time fighting with making 1200 words. After going through and editing I would end up with less then somehow end up with more. But in the end, I hit 1200 on the nose!

It's called Just Drive and you read the summary as well as the short story by clicking here. It's kind of a companion to the novel that I've been working on for some years now. This one focuses on the daughter of the MC in said novel.

I hope you like it, and if you do, please share on twitter, facebook, email. Whatever! I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks again!! Lots of love!! ^_^♥

Waiting on Wednesday - The Secret of Ella & Micha

Every Wednesday, we post a book (or more) that we are highly anticipating. Here is the book that I'm waiting on!
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. It's a great way to learn about books you haven't heard of before.

The Secret of Ella & Micha by Jessica Sorensen

NA Contemporary |  Borrowed Hearts Publishing

Expected Publication: {end of Sept., beginning of Oct. 2012}

goodreads | author website

{Enter the giveaway for this book and add to your to-reads list on goodreads!}

Ella and Micha have been best friends since they were kids. But one tragic night shatters their friendship and their lives forever.
Ella used to be a rule-breaker with fiery attitude who wore her heart on her sleeve. But she left everything behind when she went to college and transformed into someone that follows the rules, keeps everything together, and hides all her problems. But now it's summer break and she has nowhere else to go but home.
Ella fears everything she worked so hard to bury might resurface, especially with Micha living right next door. If Micha tries to tempt the old her back, she knows that it will be hard to resist.
Micha is sexy, smart, confident, and can get under Ella’s skin like no one else can. He knows everything about her, including her darkest secrets. And he’s determined to bring his best friend, and the girl he loves back, no matter what it takes.

Every so often, I check out the giveaways on Goodreads to see what books I may want to read are having a giveaway.... And sometimes there are books that I want to read that are listed and then there are books I learn about that I'd like to read.
Like this one.
I was surprised that none of my gr friends had this listed. Love the cover & it sounds pretty interesting!!
I wish there was a definite publication date, but I'll just have to keep my eye on it.
I don't read too many New Adult books, so I can't wait to read this one.

This Week in Books(006)

1. Grace Doll by Jennifer Laurens (YA historical fiction | kindle)
2. Nailed by Jennifer Laurens (YA contemp | kindle)
3. Speechless by Hannah Harrington (YA contemp, review | kindle)
4. Tell Me a Secret by Holly Cupala (YA contemp | kindle)
5. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (YA contemp | kindle)
6. Cloaked by Alex Flinn (YA paranormal | kindle)
7. Beastly (Kendra Chronicles#1) by Alex Flinn (YA paranormal | kindle)
8. Bewitching (Kendra Chronicles #2) by Alex Flinn (YA paranormal |  kindle)
9. The Liar, The Bitch and The Wardrobe by Allie Kingsley (YA contemp, review | paperback)

"This Week in Books" is hosted by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Yay, it's Monday! What are you reading is hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World of Books. Each week we spotlight the books we are reading, planning on reading or just finished reading.

Recently Finished:

Sam Cruz's Infallible Guide to Getting Girls by Tellulah Darling
{4½/5 stars - Review to come}

Why the hell can’t chicks be more like guys?
That question plagues high school senior Sam Cruz. Sam is perfectly happy being a player. He just wishes girls wouldn’t change the game from sex to relationships. It makes him look like an asshole. But when Sam’s best friend, Ally Klinger, gets dumped, she begs him to transform her into someone who can screw around then screw off. No risk of heartbreak that way. It’s Sam’s chance to create the perfect female AND cheer up his best friend. Armed with Sam’s Three Step Guide to Backseat Success, Ally gets the game better than Sam thought she would and before long, Sam has his wish: the female version of himself. Too bad it’s driving him nuts. Told from Sam’s and Ally's alternating POVs, Sam Cruz’s Infallible Guide to Getting Girls is a fast-paced romantic comedy that follows these teens as they navigate the minefield of sex, love, and friendship.
This book contains strong language, drinking, euphemisms, and lots of “bow chicka wow wow.”