17 September 2011

In My Mailbox #81

I'm BACK with another FABULOUS installment of IMM. So happy because I got some AMAZING books!!!

LinkFALLEN ANGELS by Tara Hyland - Isn't this gooooorgeous?!?! I loved Tara's debut Daughters of Fortune and I was over the moon to receive a review copy. Cannot wait to read it!

THE LADY OF THE RIVERS & THE WOMEN OF THE COUSINS' WAR by Philippa Gregory - Haven't read anything by PG yet, but I've heard sooo much praise that I really have to!

LIESL & PO by Lauren Oliver - A lovely shiny finished copy! Lauren Oliver is amazing and this book looks brilliant with all the illustrations inside. I'll be giving my ARC away when I review this (someday) so stay tuned for that.

BEAUTIFUL DAYS by Anna Godbersen - Woohoo! Loved The Luxe series and I can't wait to read BYT as well, I know it will be brilliant, but I'm saving it cos I want to read the whole series back to back!

THE GIRL ON THE CLIFF by Lucinda Riley - Yaaaay!!! Loved Hothouse Flower and this one sounds absolutely fantastic and I cannot wait to read it!

FINDING MR FLOOD by Ciara Geragthy - Review copy. Sounds good, although the cover's a bit boring ...

THE SECRET PRINCESS & ORDINARY GIRL IN A TIARA by Jessica Hart - These look like fun reads and I really like the Riva covers.

I'm SO pleased with this haul! Can't wait to get lost in these! :)
What did YOU get?

11 September 2011

Review: WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME TOMORROW? *****

Absence makes the heart grow fonder…doesn’t it? What happens when two people decide to give themselves the year off … from each other?

Annie and Dan were the perfect couple. But now the not-so-newly weds feel more like flatmates than soul mates and wonder where all the fun and fireworks went …
When Annie lands her big break in a smash-hit show that’s heading for the bright lights of Broadway, she’s over the moon. Goodbye remote Irish village of Stickens, hello fabulous Big Apple! But with their relationship already on the rocks, how will Annie and Dan survive the distance?
They’re hitting the pause button on their marriage. One year off from each other – no strings attached, except a date to meet in twelve months at the Rockefeller Centre to decide their fate.
Will they both turn up? Or is it too late for love?

I really, really enjoyed Carroll's previous book Personally, I Blame My Fairygodmother and I couldn't wait to read her latest! Then I learned that it's actually more of a romance story than a proper comedy and I admit I was a little worried as I prefer comedy to just romance, but Carroll pulled it of really well actually!

At the beginning, we're introduced to Annie and Dan, a young couple who have completely drifted away. Annie is absolutely miserable living with his intrusive family in the middle of nowhere and her once oh-so-caring husband is always working and forever letting her down. He's so distant that she can't even tell him how she feels and she feels so trapped. Then finally she gets her chance to escape by starring in a Broadway show - but that would mean moving away for a whole year ...

I must admit I was appalled by how Dan was treating Annie at the beginning. He felt he needed to work so much to help his family that he didn't want to let anyone down, but at the same time he completely failed his wife. Part of me understood Dan, as I'm a bit of a workoholic too, but part of me just wanted to really wanted to give him a very good talking to! Based on his behaviour, I could easily symphatize with Annie and her pain, after being let down SO many times, was tangible. After all that's happened, I can't say I blamed her for escaping to the Big Apple and enjoying her independence for a bit, although I did think the idea itself was a bit drastic, heh.

Once Annie starts enjoying her freedom in NYC, the romance part really starts. Sparks start flying between her and the director Jack, who is a very charming man indeed who could easily sweep Annie off her feet. At the same time, Dan starts missing his wife and he starts reaching out to her again, showing his softer side. I absolutely adored their lovely 'meetings at the moon'.

I loved the gentle romance between Annie and Dan, and on the other hand I quite enjoyed the sparks flying between Jack and her. There were so many twists and turns that I had no idea how the book would end, but I'm pleased to say that I really liked the ending, which made me go all AWWWWWW. :)

There is a fair bit of comedy in this book, which is mostly due to Carroll's narrative, which is typically Irish and thus hilarious in itself - as I've said before, I love Irish authors write, it just cracks me up! Jules was another funny character and I really enjoyed her scenes.
On the other hand, there was plenty of sadness and heartbreak, on top of other serious topics, like drug addiction and alcoholism. Altogether, I thought it was well balanced, plus it was set in the acting world, which I was not very familiar with and so I quite enjoyed reading about it.

Overall, this book isn't just rainbows and butterflies, which turned out to work really well in the end. It features an interesting story with believable, real characters and so many twists and turns to make your head spin, but it ends up making you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Plus the cover is absolutely gorgeous, which is yet another massive plus!
I really can't fault it and while I have almost the whole Carroll's backlist to read, I also cannot wait to see what she comes up with next - it's bound to be a good one!

overall rating:
plot: 5/5 | writing: 5/5 | characters: 5/5 | cover: 5/5

3 September 2011

In My Mailbox #80

Errr, remember me? :)
It's been a while, eh ... What can I say, in case anyone still cares? Well, I've had a very, very busy summer and I guess consequently I just lost my online mojo for a bit. :( I was online, just not very active, I'm afraid. I've been reading a bit and I have a few reviews to post, but I just can't seem to find the energy to write them, although I really want to ... Hopefully soon! I just really need to get my blogging mojo back first! Any tips? :)

I did receive quite a few lovely books though ... Check 'em out:
ESCAPE by Barbara Delinsky - I'll read it one of those days when I just want to escape ... It appeals.

FROM LONDON WITH LOVE by Jemma Forte - I'm halfway through and it's BRILLIANT so far. Hilarious! Plus the cover is absolutely gorgeous! Thanks, Jemma!
LinkBAD SISTERS by Rebecca Chance - Review copy. Apparently it's a good bonkbuster!

WHAT THE NANNY SAW (ARC) by Fiona Neill - I really am intrigued by what she saw, yes ... Sounds good!
LinkTHE FIRST WIFE by Emily Barr - Review copy. Oooh, mysterious! I've heard good things about this one so I really have to read it!

DEAD MAN'S COVE by Lauren St John - A Famous Five-type like adventure story. I was a major sucker for this back when I was a lot younger. Still can't get over them at the ripe ol' age of 26, haha! Haven't read one of these in well over a decade, but as soon as I spy one, the kid in me gets all excited and I have to have it, heh!

THE MYSTERY OF THE WHISTLING CAVES & THE MYSTERY OF THE MIDNIGHT GHOST by Helen Moss - Same as above applies. I wrote more about these books here.
Not a massive haul, but still an impressive one, methinks!

I look forward to seeing what you all got, darlings!