(Not So) Famous in Paradise: A Fake Dating Sweet Romantic Comedy by Brittany Larsen

 

Which is easier, pretending to date my best friend, or pretending not to be in love with him? 

When the biggest career opportunity of my life–my own home reno TV show–sends me back to my hometown, I’m less than excited. Paradise, Idaho might be paradise for everyone else, but it never was for me. Except for my best friend, Zach. 

When he signs on to be a contractor on my show, things start to look up. And heat up . If only Zach wasn’t about to propose to someone else. Even my rocking curves and great hair can’t compete with that. 

Problem is, my fans think we’re a thing and want to see us together. And my show’s producers want what the fans want. My TV show is about to become my fantasy–a love story about Zach and me. But TV is the only place where the story can be true. 

Telling Zach how I feel means risking my business, and even worse, our friendship. I could lose everything. Including the one person I want more than anything . 

The second book in the Love in Paradise Valley series, ( Not So) Famous in Paradise is a laugh-out-loud, friends to more, romantic comedy that can be read as a stand-alone.

 * Goodreads * Amazon *

Do you love the friends to lovers troupe?  I do.  It generally means a slower burn because friends to more isn't an easy jump to make.  You risk losing a great friendship if goes south.  But the tension and the build up makes things interesting and Georgia and Zach have lots of build up!!  Especially when this friends to lovers troupe mixes with fake dating!  Yup, things get super swirly.  I loved it.

Georgia is so fun.  I loved how she created herself- her brand and her career around her passions.  She is independent, fun and full of life.  And so devoted to Zach.  

Small towns are full of quirky things and that sure comes out in this book as well.  Family, community and love.  It was all the best things.  I sure can't wait to see what comes next for this family of siblings in Paradise, Idaho.  

Content:  kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

The Matchmaker's Match by Brittany Larsen

Eliza Woodhouse has everything a girl could want: a delightful little beachside flower shop, a loving family, and the best friend a girl could ask for. And while she suffers a chronic lack of romance in her own life, the bohemian beauty is a self-proclaimed matchmaker extraordinaire, as evidenced by her recent successes. Having found a fiancé for her sister and a boyfriend for her best friend, she is now taking her lovelorn new employee under her wing. Yes, life is working out quite nicely for Eliza. Until Parker Knightley walks back into her life.

After three years in Hong Kong, Parker is in town for his brother's upcoming wedding to Eliza's sister. They've all known each other their whole lives, and Eliza will never be anything but Little Liza Belle to her handsome childhood tormenter. So the fact that their siblings are getting married simply puts Parker one step closer to becoming the big brother he and Eliza have always joked about him being. But the more time they spend together, the more confused Eliza's feelings become. Because she has come to the shocking realization that the role of brother is the last role she wants Parker to play in her life.

 * Amazon * Goodreads * Deseret Book *

Are you a fan of Jane Austen?  Then you will want to check out this book and the other books by this author.  She is so good at writing the contemporary versions of classic Austen books.  Even if you aren't a Jane Austen fan and don't get the connection, this is still a very fun book!

This book in particular had that classic "feel" to it.  All the emotions I remember as I read Emma really shined through in this book as well.  I love that I had the same sort of feelings of familiarity even though the circumstances varied from the classic.  That's how I want my re-take on classics to feel.

I was frustrated with both Parker (who is always criticizing Eliza and telling her all the things she does wrong) and Eliza who bumbles so many things.  Eliza isn't malicious though, she just makes some mistakes.  I love how Eliza tries so hard to help people and make up for the mistakes she does make.  She loves her family and takes especially good care of her father.  She is an endearing character.  The whole cast of characters were just perfect and I loved them.

I read through this book quickly and enjoyed every minute of it!

Content:  clean, kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Schedule:

*July 16^th: http://mybookaday.com/, http://brightlystreet.com/

*July 17^th: http://fireandicereads.com/, http://www.iamareader.com/, http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/

*July 18^th: http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/, http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/,http://thethingsilovemost.com/

*July 19^th: http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/ , https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/,http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/, https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/adults, http://empowermoms.net/

*July 20^th: http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/, http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/, https://www.wishfulendings.com/

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Sense & Second Chances by Brittany Larsen + $25 and Book Giveaway

Emily Carter is on the fast track to success when the unthinkable happens: a tragic accident claims the lives of her parents. Now Emily must set aside her dreams and raise her two younger siblings, Annie and Bryce. Emily and Annie are sisters, but that doesn’t mean they are anything alike. Whereas Emily reacts to the tragedy with her characteristic stoic calm, passionate Annie spirals into depression. Just when things seem like they can’t get any more difficult, Emily’s older half-brother and his fiancée arrive not to help, but to claim the family home he’s inherited from their parents. Without a place to call their own, Emily must take action—and fast. When an exciting employment opportunity arises in Utah, the displaced Carters decide to build a new life in a new home. But it soon becomes clear that their future prospects will go far beyond professional, as each sister is faced with an unexpected romance. Yet love is never simple, and in matters of the heart, one sister must proceed with caution while the other needs to take a leap of faith . . .

 * Amazon * Goodreads * Deseret Book *

First, I have to note that this is an LDS fiction book and in this one, there are a lot of references to things very specific to the LDS religion.  

I love a good, new spin on an old classic and that's what this book is.  A modern setting, a few twists on the plot but not so much that you cannot recognize the parallel to the original story.  I was quite caught up in the drama of it all.  The characters were well defined and had recognizable strengths and weaknesses which gave them the very human element that we can all relate to.  Especially Emily.  She was the glue keeping everything together and she definitely felt the pressure of that.  She was so strong when it came to others and helping them deal with tough situations but when it came to herself, she was much weaker.  I felt a lot of connection to Emily because of that.

This was a fun book!  I think this is the second book I've read by this author and I'll be on the lookout for the next one!  

Content:  Religious matters, some kissing

*May 8th: http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/, http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/

*May 9th: http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/

*May 10th: http://www.wishfulendings.com/, http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/, http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/, http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/

*May 11th: http://mybookaday.blogspot.com, http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/, http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/ 

* May 12th: http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/, http://www.kindleandme.com/

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