[Review] Tangled - Emma Chase

Title of Book:Tangled
Author: Emma Chase
Publisher: Omnific Publishing
Pages: 256
Published: May 20th 2013

ASIN: B00CW665VI

Genre: New Adult, Erotica

Sinopsis :

Drew Evans is a winner. Handsome and arrogant, he makes multimillion dollar business deals and seduces New York’s most beautiful women with just a smile. He has loyal friends and an indulgent family. So why has he been shuttered in his apartment for seven days, miserable and depressed?

He’ll tell you he has the flu.

But we all know that’s not really true.

Katherine Brooks is brilliant, beautiful and ambitious. She refuses to let anything - or anyone - derail her path to success. When Kate is hired as the new associate at Drew’s father’s investment banking firm, every aspect of the dashing playboy’s life is thrown into a tailspin. The professional competition she brings is unnerving, his attraction to her is distracting, his failure to entice her into his bed is exasperating.

Then, just when Drew is on the cusp of having everything he wants, his overblown confidence threatens to ruin it all. Will he be able untangle his feelings of lust and tenderness, frustration and fulfillment? Will he rise to the most important challenge of his life?

Can Drew Evans win at love?

Tangled is not your mother’s romance novel. It is an outrageous, passionate, witty narrative about a man who knows a lot about women…just not as much as he thinks he knows. As he tells his story, Drew learns the one thing he never wanted in life, is the only thing he can’t live without.

Review:

“If a guy who you just met at a club calls you baby, sweetheart, angel, or any other generic endearment? Don’t make the mistake of thinking he’s so into you, he’s already thinking up pet names. It’s because he can’t or doesn’t care to remember your actual name.”

I like Drew’s slapping statement like that, waks. In fact, many girls feel special when someone called her like that. Hahaha. Drew Evans is hot, self-centered, spoiled, handsome, rich, and seducer. Have an extreme sex-life. No one can reject him. No one! Just in a single smile, he can make every girl feels special and fallin’ down into his big-asshole. In one week, he can fuck with ten different girls. It’s a normal life for him. In a Saturday night. When his “normal life” goes. After “blow job” by the luscious redhead. In a hottest club at New York City. He met someone who can get his attention. He wants her right away. Her hair is long and dark and shines even in the dim light of the club. She’s wearing a red backless dress—sexy but classy—that accentuates every perfectly toned curve. Her mouth is full and lush, with lips begging to be ravished. And her eyes. Sweet fucking Christ. Her eyes are large and round and endlessly dark. Katherine—Kate Brooks is an intelligent and ambition. Have a new Job on John Evans’ firm—Drew’s Father. Already engaged with Billy Warren. And holy-crap-fuck-damn-it she is the girl in a club who Drew wants into her. But he have rules—standards, you might say. One of them is no screwing around at the office. He don’t shit where he eats, He don’t fuck where he works. It’s unprofessional—according to him. But how about Kate Brooks? HE WANTS HER! How about the rules? */eyebrows/*

"The thing women don’t understand is that a guy can want one woman and still fuck another one. Hell, a guy could love a woman and still fuck ten others. It’s just the way it is."

...

Maybe you’ll understand my point of view if I put it this way. You brush your teeth, right? Well, suppose your favorite toothpaste is Aquafresh. But the store is out. All they have is Colgate. What are you going to do? You’re going to use the Colgate, right? You may want to brush with Aquafresh, but when all is said and done, you use what you have to keep those pearly whites clean. See my way of thinking? Good.

Then, what if “WANT” as time goes turn into “LOVE”?

“Love makes you do some stupid shit.”

***

Entah kenapa saya begitu menikmati membaca yang satu ini. Ah, Drew Evans is a craving men. FALLING-DEEP-DOWN-IN-LOVE WITH DREW! Cara penulisannya juga yang witty membuat saya ingin melanjutkannya membaca sampai selesai. Dan saya benar-benar jatuh cinta pada karakter Drew. Nggak cuma itu, saya juga menyukai dengan karakter Kate. Keduanya terasa sangat pas. Drew yang self-centered dan embel-embelnya. Kate yang ambisius dengan embel-embelnya.

Women fall in love quicker than men. Easier and more often. But when guys fall? We go down harder. And when things go bad? When it’s not us who ends it? We don’t get to walk away.

5/5 Stars :D

[Review] A Time to Dance & A Time to Embrace (Timeless Love Series) - Karen Kingsbury

Title of Book: A Time to Dance & A Time to Embrace (Timeless Love #1 & #2)
Author: Karen Kingsbury
Publisher: Westbow Press
Pages: 656
1st Published: May 1st 2008

ISBN: 1595545212

Genre: Christian Fiction

Sinopsis :

A Time to Dance

John and Abby were the perfect couple. But after surviving twenty-one years of love, loss, and laughter, they are about to lose it all. They've become strangers, and finally they make the sad decision to divorce. They gather their three children to tell them the news, but before they can speak, their daughter makes an announcement of her own: she's getting married that summer. Determined not to ruin their daughter's season of happiness, Abby and John secretly agree to put their divorce plans on hold. But as the wedding nears, they are haunted by questions. And is it possible to find joy, after all these years, and perhaps the time...to dance?

A Time to Embrace

"Their whole life was a series of miracles. Can they really hope for one more? And as tragedy pulls their lives apart, can they somehow find that all-important time to embrace?"

After twenty-one years, John and Abby Reynolds are back together and feeling like newlyweds. Together they are convinced they can handle the issues of their past, the questions from their children, and even the high-school politics that drain the joy from John's coaching career. But then disaster strikes...the type of tragedy John and Abby never expected.

The squeal of brakes and the crunch of metal changes everything. Suddenly devastation tears at the heart of their family, and the depth of their existence. In the process, their children falter in their faith and guilt colors everything about the future. Fumbling for forgiveness and hoping for a miracle, John and Abby must remember what is important and cling to that above all else.

Together, they're determined to move on with their lives. but is "together" enough for a future they never expected?

Review:

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: . . . a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”—ECCLESIASTES 3:1,4

Suka sekali dengan ayat pembukaannya. Terasa menguatkan :’)

John dan Abby adalah pasangan yang orang anggap sukses mempertahankan tali kasih pernikahan mereka. Keluarga yang ideal dengan kebahagiaan di dalam keluarga mereka. Begitulah yang terlihat orang-orang selama ini. Namun, diusia yang ke-21 tahun pernikahan John dan Abby. Mereka tertimpa badai. Membuat dasar yang mereka bangun selama ini dengan kokoh jadi goyah. Bahkan dasar spiritual yang mereka bangun selama ini juga terancam porak-poranda. Mereka harus mengevaluasi cinta mereka lagi. Bagaimana kehidupan mereka selama 21 tahun pernikahan mereka ini?

Pernikahan mereka terancam benar-benar hancur ketika satu dengan yang lainnya tidak dapat menahan nafsu dari dalam tubuh mereka. Kedatangan Charlene membuat John membuka diri untuk melakukan kesalahan dalam sebuah pernikahan, berselingkuh. Begitu pula dengan Abby membuka peluang dekat dengan seorang editor di majalahnya melalui e-mail.

Saat mereka benar-benar ingin mengambil langkah perceraian itu. Dan akan mengumumkannya pada anak-anak mereka. Anak mereka malah akan bertunangan di musim panas nanti. Membuat mereka menunda perceraian mereka. Dari situ, John dan Abby mulai saling menjauh. Acuh-tak acuh satu dengan yang lain. Mereka bukan hanya acuh tak acuh dengan diri mereka tapi juga mengabaikan bisikan-bisikan Allah. Segala apa yang Tuhan taruh pada mereka, mereka abaikan. Bahkan mereka semakin menjauh dari jalur keluarga Kristen yang sesungguhnya. Lalu bagaimanakah mereka kembali ke jalan Tuhan? Apakah mereka mampu mempertahankan gelar keluarga Kristen yang harmonis?

Ternyata masalah tak hanya sampai di situ. Ketika John dan Abby  berhasil menyelamatkan pernikahan mereka dari perceraian. Melupakan segala yang terjadi. Melupakan perselingkuhan John ataupun Abby. John yang bekerja sebagai pelatih sepak bola di Marion High School. John sangat menyayangi anak-anak didiknya. Setelah memanangkan pertandingan antar sekolah, John malah mengalami kecelakaan yang mengerikan. Membuat sebagian tubuhnya tidak bekerja sebagaimana mestinya.

Mampukah mereka tetap mempertahankan keluarga mereka? Even dengan keadaan John yang seperti itu? Dapatkah mereka hidup baru sesuai dengan rencana Tuhan?

Abby pressed her cheek against John’s chest once more, savoring his closeness. Thank You, God . . . thank You for saving us from ourselves.Later that night, before she fell asleep, Abby uttered another prayer. One she’d said more often in the past few months.God, I’ve never been more in love with John. Please . . . let us have a thousand more nights like this one. Please.

***

Novel ini sebenarnya adalah Novel Dwilogi A Time to Dance and A Time to Embrace.

A Time to Dance

A Time to Embrace

Tapi kebetulan yang saya dapat bundelan dua bukunya sekaligus, ini adalah merupakan seri Timeless Love-nya Karen Kingsbury.

Dalam A Time to Dance, Karen Kingsbury benar-benar memaparkan apa yang seharusnya dilakukan keluarga Kristen dalam menghadapi masalah seperti yang dihadapi John dan Abby. Bagaimana menyelamatkan pernikahan mereka dengan cara mendengarkan Tuhan kembali.  Sedangkan dalam A Time to Embrace, Karen Kingsbury juga memaparkan bagaimana caranya hidup baru setelah badai itu menerpa dan datang lagi dengan cobaan baru. Karena dalam kehidupan pasti badai silih-berganti.

Ini adalah karya Kingsbury pertama yang saya baca :D dan saya suka dengan tulisan-tulisannya yang religious, inpiratif tapi tetap ‘ngena’ dalam kehidupan sehari-hari. Membaca kehidupan John dan Abby membuat saya teringat akan orang tua saya. Benar-benar seperti saya melihat orang tua saya di dalam sosok John dan Abby :’)

Dari dulu, saya juga sebenarnya ingin menulis christian-romance tapi gak kesampean-kesampean hehehe. Membaca ini memang sih, mengingatkan saya pada The Wedding – Nicholas Sparks karena sama-sama pernikahan yang goyah, putri yang mau menikah dan tunangan, namun cara penyajiannya tetap beda. Dan saya tetap menikmati keduanya.

Sebenarnya saya ingin membaca Even Now dulu buat karya Kingsbury tapi apa daya yang saya punya ini duluan. Dan! Well saya menyukainya. Tak tanggung-tanggung dong langsung meletakan Kingsbury sebagai salah satu Author Favorite :)

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” . . . “Lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make yourpaths straight . . .”

5/5 Stars :D

[Review] The Other Boy - Hailey Abbott

Title of Book: The Other Boy
Author: Hailey Abbott
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: Teen, Young-Adult Romance
English Novel


Sinopsis :

Maddy's Boy Pros & Cons . . .

Brian--Super cute / hangs with my friends / goes to my high school / my boyfriend!

David--Says I'm a spoiled princess / hates my friends / has amazing blue eyes / cooked me an unbelievable dinner / annoyingly irresistible!

Summer for Maddy Sinclaire starts as a blur of house parties and dips in the pool--until she's caught throwing an unauthorized beachside bash. As punishment, her parents send her off to Napa Valley, where she'll spend her free time working on the family vineyard. Even with her boyfriend, Brian, miles away, Maddy's about to discover that the vineyard is a very romantic place. It's vast, sunny, magical . . . and there's another boy just waiting to steal her heart.

Review:

“David, you’re my true love, why did we wait so long to get together? I don’t care what the world says. Let’s defy them all, my darling.” – 245 (Maddy’s mind)

A city girl, a summer’s boy, a summer holiday an unexpected summer holiday. I often read stories like that. That’s quite cliché. But I still enjoyed that.

Maddy, is a fifteen girl and soon to be high school senior after that summer. But, all the plan on a lovely summer vocation, dispersed. When, his parents sent her to the Napa Valley—her parents’ vineyard. She really hates the situation. That means, She must leave her boyfriend, Brian and friends—of course. To go a few mill away from San Francisco. It’s like HELL for Maddy. A spoiled princess.

© www.amgwine.com

But in Napa, isn’t as bad as she thinks. She learn a lot of things. Learn to be independent and learn about what the meaning of life and maybe love. With David, a boy with the curly blond hairs and brown eyes. Even she has a boyfriend in the city. Maddy slowly starts to fall in love with David. Especially with David characters: sweet, cute and funny. Her heart steals.

I liked that part by the way:

This is the moment, she thought. “I have something to tell you, too. When we were in the kitchen?” 

“Yeah?” 

“I really wanted you to kiss me.” 

David let out his breath audibly and grinned. 

“Really?” He sounded hopeful and disbelieving at the same time. 

“Yeah.” He looked into her eyes and lifted her chin. She took a deep breath as he tilted his head toward her and pressed his lips to hers softly. He drew his head back and looked at her face. “I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time.” 

“Me too,” Maddy whispered. She leaned toward him and turned so that she could put her arms around his shoulders. His arms wrapped around her waist and they kissed again, more deeply this time. His lips were hot and insistent. She opened her mouth and lost herself in their kiss, sending jumps and shivers all through her body. Slowly, still kissing, they slid down so that they were lying on the blanket, their bodies pressed together from shoulder to hip, their legs entwined. David kissed Maddy’s neck and she closed her eyes and let her head fall back onto the blanket. He pulled her tighter against him and they lay holding each other under the stars, listening to the lapping of the water, not saying much—but then again, not much needed to be said.—Pg. 243

Hahahaha :p

***

Although this story included the usual way because I often read stories like this. But I quite enjoyed it because this story have an easy style of language. I liked David and Maddy chemistry. It was enough to make me get into the story.

Oh ya, another one, I really love the cover, cute XD. It makes me easy to imagine the characters of Maddy and David.

Hm, but I’m very confused to put this story into what genre? Teen or Young-Adult? Hm ... fifteen years old Maddy. It’s teen right? But from the way the story feels like a young adult. Maybe both of them. Haha.

Well… 3,5 stars actually J

[Review] The Wedding - Nicholas Sparks

Title of Book: The Wedding (The Notebook #2)
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Publisher: Hachette Book Group

Genre: Contemporary Romance
English Novel



Sinopsis :

After thirty years of marriage, Wilson Lewis, son-in-law of Allie and Noah Calhoun (of The Notebook), is forced to admit that the romance has gone out of his marriage. Desperate to win back his wife, Jane's, heart, he must figure out how to make her fall in love with him... again. Despite the shining example of Allie and Noah's marriage, Wilson is himself a man unable to easily express his emotions. A successful estate attorney, he has provided well for his family, but now, with his daughter's upcoming wedding, he is forced to face the fact that he and Jane have grown apart and he wonders if she even loves him anymore. Wilson is sure of one thing--his love for his wife has only deepened and intensified over the years. Now, with the memories of his in-laws' magnificent fifty-year love affair as his guide, Wilson struggles to find his way back into the heart of the woman he adores.

Did You Know?

The Wedding is a follow-up to The Notebook?

The Wedding was inspired by a few unnamed couples that Nicholas knows well?

The novel is set in the North Carolina town in which Nicholas now lives?

Review:

"For Cathy, Who made me the luckiest man alive when she agreed to be my wife." (I like it so much :* so sweet)

Menceritakan tentang kisah cinta Jane dan Wilson. Uniknya cerita ini bukan dimulai seperti kebanyakan cerita lainnya yaitu dari pertemuan mereka atau bagaimana cara memperjuangkan untuk mendapatkan cinta. Tetapi, cerita ini dimulai ketika Jane dan Wilson telah menginjak usia pernikahan yang ke-29 tahun. Dan kesalahan fatal terjadi pada Wilson. Wilson seorang pengacara yang workaholic menghabiskan lebih banyak waktu lebih banyak dikantor ketimbang bersama keluarganya. Ia telah melewatkan pertumbuhan ketiga anaknya. Dan hal kecil tapi merupakan sesuatu yang cukup fatal ia melupakan ulang tahun pernikahan mereka yang ke-29. Ia baru ingat ketika menemukan Jane menangis di tempat tidur. Kemudian mengucapkan "Happy Aniversarry."

Dari situ, Wilson mulai mengevaluasi pernikahan mereka yang sudah berjalan selama 29 tahun itu. Ia masih mencintai Jane tapi ia merasa bahwa Jane sudah tidak lagi mencintainya. Membuat Jane "mencintainya dulu" adalah kesalahan menurutnya. Karena ia hanya bisa menyakiti Jane dengan pernikahan yang salah selama 29 tahun ini. Maka dari itu, Wilson berencana untuk membuatnya jatuh cinta lagi padanya dengan merencanakan Ulang Tahun pernikahan yang ke-30 tahun depan. Segala macam cara dilakukannya. Dan itu tidak boleh gagal!

Disisi lain anak mereka Anna mengatakan bahwa dia akan menikah pada ulang tahun pernikahan orang tuanya nanti. Jane sangat excited dan melakukan persiapan pernikahan anaknya itu. Lalu? Bagaimana dengan rencana Wilson?

Oh ya, Jane adalah anak tertua dari Noah dan Allie. Dicerita ini juga menceritakan beberapa kilas balik bagaimana Jane dan Wilson bisa bersama. Dan saat ketika Wilson mengunjungi Noah. Kenangan Noah dan Allie menjadi acuannya kembali untuk membangun rumah tangganya. Apakah Wilson berhasil menyelamatkan pernikahannya dengan perubahan pada dirinya? Apakah dia mampu membuat Jane jatuh cinta padanya untuk yang kedua kalinya dan mampu membalas segala yang ia lewatkan selama tahun-tahun pernikahan mereka?

"But so what? I hold tight to the lessons that Noah taught me about love and keeping it alive, and even if I never become a true romantic like Noah, it doesn’t mean that I’m ever going to stop trying."

***

Lagi suka dengan bacaan tentang "cinta yang datang untuk kedua kali" setelah nonton film "The Vow" ahoy XD padahal novel ini jauh sudah ada sebelum The Vow karena pemainnya dari The Notebook (Rachel McAdams) sama dari Dear John (Channing Tatum) jadi saya nonton. Dan fix saya suka cerita yang temanya kayak gitu (Lho? Kok malah jadi cerita The Vow -___-v) Oke back to review.
Suka banget sama kata-kata pembukaannya yang dedicated For Cathy, Who made me the luckiest man alive when she agreed to be my wife." demi... baca itu saya udah terharu. Pas masuk prolog langsung berasa nyess karena sakit hatinya Jane. Bagaimana mungkin suami sendiri melupakan ulang tahun pernikahan? Damn you Wilson! Waks.
Saya sangat menikmati alur dan gaya bercerita Sparks. Itulah sebabnya mengapa Sparks menjadi penulis favorit saya. Ia selalu tahu bagaimana meracik sesuatu menjadi smooth and sweet. Sehingga sebagai pembacanya saya selalu menikmati karya-karyanya. Dari sini juga ada banyak yang bisa dipelajari jika (suatu saat) akan menikah. Tentang pasang surut sebuah pernikahan. Karena memang menjalani biduk rumah tangga itu nggak gampang.

So with all the honors, I really love this book

5/5 stars :)

[Review] Sarah's Surrender - Lynda Chance

Title of Book: Sarah's Surrender
Author: Lynda Chance
Publisher: Kindle Edition (E-Book)
Genre: Erotica
English Novel


Sinopsis :

John Garrett is a cynical multi-millionaire who is rarely denied anything he wants, until the day he meets Sarah McAlister. Sarah's been hurt in the past and everything about the brooding rancher sends her defenses on high alert. She tries her best to stay out of his path, but his relentless pursuit makes him all but impossible to resist.

Review:

John Garrett dan Sarah McAlister sama-sama mempunyai masa lalu percintaan yang suram. John menemukan isterinya selingkuh dengan rekan bisnisnya sendiri. Dua orang yang sangat dekat dengannya. Walau akhirnya isteri John itu meninggal. Sedangkan Sarah juga mengetahui kalau suaminya selingkuh semasa kehamilannya―mungkin sebelum itu juga. Itu menjadi masa kehamilan yang sangat berat untuk Sarah dan membuat dia keguguran. Kemudian dia ditinggalkan oleh suaminya dengan kejam.

Takdir mempertemukan mereka disebuah pomp bensin. Dari awal pertemuan mereka John merasakan dorongan seksual terhadap wanita yang berada dihadapannya saat itu.

John disini juga digambarkan tampangnya bisa membuat kaum Adam iri.

Menyadari ketertarikan itu, John jadi ingin mengetahui gadis di hadapannya itu. Setelah tahu namanya Sarah. John tetap masih ingin tahu nama belakangnya. Cukup lama John menanyakan sampai akhirnya gadis itu menyebutkan. Sarah McAlister. Hasrat untuk mendapati Sarah ditempat tidur membuat John semakin penasaran. Sampai dia benar-benar harus mengurungkan niatnya karena Sarah mengaku dia telah bertunangan! Dan… John buka tipe orang yang tidur dengan wanita yang menjadi milik pria lain.

Takdir kembali mempertemukan mereka di Cut-n-Shoot. Saat gadis dengan kaki yang jenjang dan celana ketat pendek berenda―walaupun tidak terlalu pendek dari wanita di sekitarnya, diperhatikan oleh John. Seperti biasa hasrat seksual itu tumbuh lagi. Tapi, setelah dia tahu kalau itu Sarah! Dia geram! Wanita itu kembali menghancurkan fantasinya. Ditengah kegeraman itu dia malah mencium wanita dengan rambut merah yang kemudian diperhatikan Sarah dengan rasa jijik.

John membekap Sarah saat berada di restroom. Dia kemudian mencium Sarah di situ. Sarah tidak terima.

“Don’t you dare kiss me with the taste of her still in your mouth!”

Dan John meminta penjelasan tentang pertunangan Sarah. Karena dia anggap Sarah berbohong. Wanita itu tidak mengenakan cincin tunangannya. Tapi Sarah memberi alasan kepadanya. Tunangannya bernama Randall yang tinggal di Dallas.

One kiss. One goddamn kiss was all he’d gotten before she’d run.

John tidak pernah diperlakukan wanita seperti itu. Bahkan tidak ada yang menolaknya. Tapi itu membuat John tidak berhenti untuk berusaha mendapatkannya.

Takdir lagi-lagi mempertemukan mereka. Sarah tidak tahu John adalah Phillip Johnson Garrett. Donatur untuk mendanai panti jompo Top Hill, karena John adalah seorang multi-miliarder. Mereka bertemu saat Sarah datang ke kantornya untuk Top Hill. Dari situ John tahu kalau Sarah adalah seorang educater yang tinggal dan bekerja di Dallas. Dan hanya menghabiskan musim panasnya disitu. Akhirnya John merencanakan untuk membicarakan semuanya nanti malam. Awalnya, Sarah menolak. Tapi sekuat apapun dia menolak John lebih kuat.

John menjemput Sarah. Kali ini Sarah sudah memakai cincin dan membuat John geram. Ia mau Sarah menjadi miliknya! Bukan orang lain! Dia harus melepaskan cincin itu.

He released her breast and Sarah whimpered from the loss of the caress. He pulled her left hand between them and as he lifted his mouth away from hers, he began to take the ring from her finger.
Her hands trembled and she tried to make a fist. But she couldn’t do it, her energy was gone, her hands shaking so much she couldn’t control them.
“Give me the ring, babe,” he cajoled. “You don’t belong to him.” He looked down between them, and pried her fingers apart. The ring was not as tight as it should be, and it slid off her finger with ease.
He held it between his fingers in front of her face as if in question. Sarah licked her dry lips and watched him warily, her body shaking.

Sarah memutuskan pertunangannya dengan Randall setelah kejadian malam itu. Dia yang menceritakannya pada sahabatnya, Jaime. Membuat Jaime bersyukur karena dikiranya Randall adalah Gay.

“I don’t care if he’s gay or not. Just sayin’ that gay men don’t make the best husbands.” She paused and then altered her statement. “For women, anyway.”

Tapi ketika mendengar, cerita tentang John Garrett dari Sarah yang tadi malam keluar dengannya. Kencan yang bukan kencan. Jaime jadi menceritakan kepada Sarah gossip tentang John. Dan memperingatkan dia agar menjauh dari John.

Tapi bagaimana jika hasrat seksual mendorong mereka untuk lebih mengenal jauh lagi? Untuk menyelami masing-masing diri mereka. Yang sama-sama mempunyai masa lalu yang tidak menyenangkan?

***

Saya baca versi e-book sih. hehehe

Sebenarnya dari ceritanya, nggak terlalu erotis-erotis amat-lah hampir mirip-mirip HQ gitu. Kayaknya lebih ke HQ deh. Selain cover-nya dan John sebagai alpha male. Tapi adegan-adegan erotisnya nggak amat-lah. Sama-sama mempunyai masa lalu yang tidak menyenangkan bersama Monica―mantan isteri John dan Greg―mantan suami Sarah. Membuat karakter bertolak belakang terbentuk ala mereka. Sarah yang trauma dan John sebaliknya dia malah bermain dengan banyak wanita.

Walaupun Sarah tahu dia akan takluk juga pada John. Tapi dia sengaja memperlambat John.

John yang penasaran. Semakin terangsang untuk mendapatkan Sarah. Usaha-usahanya itu. Sampai akhirnya mendapatkan Sarah juga.

He lifted one hand from beside her head and clamped his fingers around her jaw. “Game over, Sarah,” he said in a darkly controlled voice. He took another stroke and slammed back into her, only to still again. “I win. Understand me?”

Tapi, hasrat John tidak sampai situ saja. Karena waktu pertama kali have –sex Sarah menyuruh John untuk mengenakan kondom. Walaupun Sarah juga sudah menggunakan kontrasepsi juga.

“Because I’m not sleeping with every woman you’ve ever had sex with!”

Dan untuk pertama kalinya John punya hasrat pada seorang wanita―setelah ia mendapati isterinya selingkuh―untuk berhubungan seks tanpa kondom. Dan itu hanya pada Sarah!

Saya suka epilognya by the way. Cuma berasa terlalu cepat aja sudah epilog. Kan ceritanya Sarah mengalami D & C setelah keguguran yang membuat kemungkinan dia tidak bisa punya anak lagi. Tapi kok, disitu epilognya anaknya hampir 2. Hahaha.

Kan masih pengin diceritain habis kejadian yang Sarah mau pulang ke Dallas, dihotel itu.

3.5/5 stars :)

[Review] Naked - Raine Miller

Title of Book: Naked (The Blackstone Affair #1)

Author: Raine Miller

Published: Raine Miller Romance (Kindle Edition)

Pages: 208

Genre: Erotica

English Novel

Sinopsis :

Brynne Bennett is living the good life. An American art student at the University of London and part-time photographic model, she’s putting her life back on track with school and lots of hard work. When ultra successful London businessman, Ethan Blackstone, buys her nude portrait, he isn’t taking ‘no’ for an answer. He wants Brynne in his bed and makes plans to keep her there no matter what. His dominant nature captivates and ensnares despite the demons she carries inside her. But there are secrets in this relationship. Huge ones. Can Ethan free Brynne from the past that has marked her? Will Brynne let him or will the specters tormenting her resurface to destroy them both…

Review:

Loved this quote from Ethan Blackstone:

“I want to be with you so badly right now. I want to take you home with me, and put you in my bed and have hours and hours with your body wrapped up in mine to do with as I wish. I want to have you there in the morning so when we wake up I can make you come, saying my name. I want to drive you to work and pick you up when it’s time to leave. I want to go to the shops with you and buy food we can cook for dinner. I want to watch some crap TV show and have you fall asleep against me on the couch so I can watch you and hear you breathing.”

Brynne adalah seorang mahasiswa yang bekerja sampingan sebagai model kepada temannya. Dia punya masa lalu yang ingin dilupakannya. Awal mula ketika Brynne di foto 'naked' dan fotonya itu dibeli oleh Ethan Blackstone. Melihat foto itu Ethan jadi ingin memilikinya --Diatas tempat tidur--. Dari penawaran antar pulang yang ditawarkan Ethan pada Brynne. Pada saat itu pikiran Brynne juga sudah dirasuki oleh betapa hot-nya Ethan. Dari situlah awal mereka saling mengenal dan.... namanya erotica tetap berakhir di tempat tidur. Cuma herannya kan Brynne ini kayak korban pelecehan di masa lalu. Tapi kenapa dengan mudahnya tidur dengan Mr. Blackstone itu? Apa karena dia juga mengingikannya dari awal ._. Namun setelah melakukan seks dan diajak Ethan menginap di rumahnya mimpi buruk itu datang lagi. Dia tidak mau menginap, Ethan memaksanya dan tidak mau mengantarnya pulang. Jadi dalam keadaan masih basah Brynne nekat keluar dari apartemen dan pulang.

Merasa terdesak dengan kenyamanan yang ditawarkan Ethan pada tubuhnya. Brynne ini konsultasi dengan Dr. Roswell. Sampai Dr. Roswell memberinya obat untuk tidur -_-

Well, si Brynne janjian lagi sama Ethan bahkan sampai ke kantornya. Trus jadilah gara-gara obat yang dikasih Dr. Roswell itu dia berani memutuskan menginap di apartemennya Ethan. Tapi di jemput oleh Neil yang merupakan supir Ethan. Dan sepertinya dia menguntit Brynne. Bdw, suka sama sms-annya Ethan - Brynne ._. Ethan kayak melindungi Brynne banget (tapi ada alasannya sih pas di akhir cerita si Ethan kenapa melindunginya). Dan akhirnya... si Brynne nginap deh di apartemennya Ethan, having sex, of course dan menyadari kalau dia jatuh cinta pada Ethan.

Tapi... ternyata... Ethan punya rahasia... selama ini... kenapa dia terkesan melindunginya. Jadi ceritanya si Ethan masih ada di 'dalam' Brynne ketika ada telepon tapi nggak dijawab Ethan dan masuk ke pesan suara pake speaker lagi. Nggak tahunya itu ayahnya Brynne dan terbongkarlah rahasia kalau Ethan itu disewa ayahnya untuk melindungi Brynne. Ayahnya marah-marah karena dia bukannya melindungi malah menidurinya. Si Brynne merasa dibohongi. Tapi Ethan ngaku-ngaku dia jatuh cinta pada Brynne. Jadi Brynne menyuruh Ethan keluar dari tubuhnya. Dan dia kembali meninggalkan Ethan udah nggak peduli dengan celana dalamnya dan lain sebagainya. Dia sudah sakit hati karena Ethan berbohong. Walaupun Ethan berkata akan tetap melindunginya. Si Brynne tetap niat lupain Ethan walaupun dia tetap tahu tidak akan pernah bisa melupakannya.

Lumayan suka-lah hihihi suka sama Ethan-nya :p

Keren ya dipanggil Ethan my beautiful american girl (?)

Brynne-nya rada-rada labil gimana gitu. Mungkin gara-gara korban pelecehan sih... tapi... tetap nggak suka karena dia terlalu mudahnya ditiduri oleh orang yang baru dikenalnya. Dan sebagai korban pelecehan yang 'rela' di foto naked berasa gimana gitu ya.

3.5/5 stars :)

[Review] Dear John - Nicholas Sparks

Title of Book: Dear John
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Publisher: Warner Books
Pages: 276
Genre: ChikLit, Young-Adult
English Novel


An angry rebel, John dropped out of school and enlisted in the Army, not knowing what else to do with his life--until he meets the girl of his dreams, Savannah. Their mutual attraction quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah waiting for John to finish his tour of duty, and John wanting to settle down with the woman who has captured his heart. But 9/11 changes everything. John feels it is his duty to re-enlist. And sadly, the long separation finds Savannah falling in love with someone else. "Dear John," the letter read...and with those two words, a heart was broken and two lives were changed forever. Returning home, John must come to grips with the fact that Savannah, now married, is still his true love—and face the hardest decision of his life. 


*****


My review:

[Spoiler Alerts]

But instead I stay where I am and stare up at the moon as well. And for the briefest instant, it almost feels like we're together again.

Always loved Nicholas Sparks's books :*

Told about John Tyree, as usual Nicholas Sparks's books always told us about natural beauty of character's region. John and her father was as different as two people could possibly be. so many differences between them. This story rolled until John in university. He left college and chose to joined the American army. He got a job in Germany.One day, he got a summer vacation and met with Savannah Curtis. They decided to build relationship. Long distance relathionship became a true love. Savannah was willing to waited John. John was faced with two choices, country or love? Until John returned to his hometown, and must faced the harsh reality.

It was strange, but as much as I loved her and remembered our time together, I found that as summer turned to autumn, then changed again to winter

I love you, not just for now, but for always, and I dream of the day that you'll take me in your arms again.

I slipped my hand into hers knowing that I loved her not only more than the last time I'd seen her, but more than I would ever love anyone.

and this is the letter Savannah has wrote to John. Which is the core of the story or the origin of the title.


Dear John,




I'm writing this letter at the kitchen table, and I'm struggling because I don't know how to say what I'm about to tell you. Part of me wishes that you were here with me so I could do this in person, but we both know that's impossible. So here I am, groping for words with tears on my cheeks and hoping that you'll somehow forgive me for what I'm about to write.




I know this is a terrible time for you. I try not to think about the war, but I can't escape the images, and I'm scared all the time. I watch the news and scour newspapers, knowing you're in the midst of all of it, trying to find out where you are and what you're going through. I pray every night that you'll make it home safely, and 1 always will. You and 1 shared something wonderful, and I never want you to forget that. Nor do I want you to believe that you didn't mean as much to me as I did to you. You're rare and beautiful, John. I fell in love with you, but more than that, meeting you made me realize what true love really means. For the past two and a half years, I've been staring at every full moon and remembering everything we've been through together. I remember how talking to you that first night felt like coming home, and I remember the night we made love .I'll always be glad that you and I shared ourselves like that. To me, it means that our souls will be linked together forever.




There's so much more, too. When I close my eyes, I see your face; when I walk, it's almost as if I can feel your hand in mine. Those things are still real to me, but where they once brought comfort, now they leave me with an ache. I understood your reason for staying in the army, and I respected your decision. I still do, but we both know our relationship changed after that. We changed, and in your heart, 1 think you realized it, too. Maybe the time apart was too much, maybe it was just our different worlds. 1 don't know. Every time we fought I hated myself for it. Somehow, even though we still loved each other, we lost that magical bond that kept us together.




I know that sounds like an excuse, but please believe me when I say that I didn't mean to fall in love with someone else. If I don't really understand how it happened, how can you? I don't expect you to, but because of all we've been through, I just can't continue lying to you. Lying would diminish everything we've shared, and I don't want to do that, even though I know you will feel betrayed. I'll understand if you never want to talk to me again, just as I'll understand if you tell me that you hate me. Part of me hates me, too. Writing this letter forces me to acknowledge that, and when I look in the mirror, I know I'm looking at someone who isn't sure she deserves to be loved at all. I mean that.




Even though you may not want to hear it, I want you to know that you'll always be a part of me. In our time together, you claimed a special place in my heart, one I'll carry with me forever and that no one can ever replace. You're a hero and a gentleman, you're kind and honest, but more than that, you're the first man I ever truly haved. And no matter what the future brings, you always will be, and I know that my life is better for it.




I'm so sorry,
Savannah


So sad in this section:

"I love you, Savannah, and I always will,” I breathed. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. You were my best friend and my lover, and I don't regret a single moment of it. You made me feel alive again, and most of all, you gave me my father. I'll never forget you for that. You're always going to be the very best part of me. I'm sorry it has to be this way, but I have to leave, and you have to see your husband." 

Hiks John oh John!

I sold the collection because I finally understood what true love really meant. Tim had told me—and shown me—that love meant that you care for another person's happiness more than your own, no matter how painful the choices you face might be. I'd left Tim's hospital room knowing that he'd been right. But doing the right thing wasn't easy. These days, I lead my life feeling that something is missing that I somehow need to make my life complete. I know that my feeling about Savannah will never change, and I know I will always wonder about the choice I made.

[Review] A Walk to Remember - Nicholas Sparks

Title of Book: A Walk to Remember
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Publisher: Warner Books
Pages: 240
Genre: ChikLit, Young-Adult
English Novel


Every April, when the wind blows from the sea and mingles with the scent of lilacs, Landon Carter remembers his last year at Beaufort High. It was 1958, and Landon had already dated a girl or two. He even swore that he had once been in love. Certainly the last person in town he thought he'd fall for was Jamie Sullivan, the daughter of the town's Baptist minister. A quiet girl who always carried a Bible with her schoolbooks, Jamie seemed content living in a world apart from the other teens. She took care of her widowed father, rescued hurt animals, and helped out at the local orphanage. No boy had ever asked her out. Landon would never have dreamed of it. Then a twist of fate made Jamie his partner for the homecoming dance, and Landon Carter's life would never be the same. Being with Jamie would show him the depths of the human heart and lead him to a decision so stunning it would send him irrevocably on the road to manhood..


*****

My review:

It’s a beautiful and sweetest story I’ve read…!!! About Landon, about Jamie… About Landon and Jamie… So sweet….

I just finished reading this novel. Although, this an old novel, the first published on 1999. It means when I was in kindergarten. And of course, I couldn't to read this.


You know! I was crying when I read this novel. Touch me so deep!...


My favorite part:


“Do you love me?' I asked her. She smiled. 'Yes.' 'Do you want me to be happy?' as I asked her this I felt my heart beginning to race. 'Of course I do.' 'Will you do something for me then?' She looked away, sadness crossing her features. 'I don't know if I can anymore.' she said. 'but if you could, would you?' I cannot adequately describe the intensity of what I was feeling at that moment. Love, anger, sadness, hope, and fear, whirling together sharpened by the nervousness I was feeling. Jamie looked at me curiously and my breaths became shallower. Suddenly I knew that I'd never felt as strongly for another person as I did at that moment. As I returned her gaze, this simple realization made me wish for the millionth time that I could make all this go away. Had it been possible, I would have traded my life for hers. I wanted to tell her my thoughts, but the sound of her voice suddenly silenced the emotions inside me. 'yes' she finally said, her voice weak yet somehow still full of promise. 'I would.' Finally getting control of myself I kissed her again, then brought my hand to her face, gently running my fingers over her cheek. I marveled at the softness of her skin, the gentleness I saw in her eyes. even now she was perfect. My throat began to tighten again, but as I said, I knew what I had to do. Since I had to accept that it was not within my power to cure her, what I wanted to do was give her something that she'd wanted. It was what my heart had been telling me to do all along. Jamie, I understood then, had already given me the answer I'd been searching for, the answer my heart needed to find. She'd told me outside Mr. Jenkins office, the night we'd asked him about doing the play. I smiled softly, and she returned my affection with a slight squeeze of my hand, as if trusting me in what I was about to do. Encouraged, I leaned closer and took a deep breath. When I exhaled, these were the words that flowed with my breath. 'Will you marry me?” 


It was one of my favorite part of this novel... I also liked part when Landon and Jamie at orphanage, on Christmas Eve... But overall, I very liked this novel!! One of the best book I've read
I love the character of Jamie, and I love a men like Landon....
Sweetest memory verse bible in this novel :)

“Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Loves is never boastful or conceited. It is never rude or selfish. It dose not take offense and is not resentful. Love take no pleasure in others people's sins, but delights in the truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

and the favorite quote from this novel:

“Love is like the wind, you can't see it but you can feel it”

All shining stars I gave for this novel :*

[Review] Perfect Chemistry - Simone Elkeles

Title of book: Perfect Chemisty (Perfect Chemistry #1)

Author: Simone Elkeles

Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers

Pages: 360

Genre: Young-Adult

English Novel

A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers.

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.  In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart

*******

My review:

[Spoiler Alerts]

This book have two points of view. Britanny Ellis (Brittany) and Alejandro Fuentes (Alex). Two people with two characters very differences.

Brittany was a ‘Perfect girl’ and Alex was a ‘Bad boy’.

Brittany an American and Alex a Mexican.

Britanny rich and Alex poor.

Brittany from south Fairfied and Alex from north Fairfield.

Brittany has a boyfriend named Collins Adam and Alex has an eks-girlfriend named Carmen Sanchez.

So many differences between Alex and Brittany.

But, Someday in a first class of chemistry when they’re senior class. The teacher of chemistry has made ‘sitting arrangement’ according alpabeth. So, Alejandro Fuentes and Brittany Ellis was a partner.

Ohya, I forgot it. Alex didn’t want everybody to called him Alejandro. Just Alex. But her mi’ama always called him Alejandro, because same with his father. And Brittany has sister with cerebral palsy disease. It was made her like children although her already twenty years old.

Alex challenged to defeated brittany, just because a bet. But, because it, Alex and Brittany opened their ‘secret’ and ‘mask’ each other.

***

I very, very, very, liked this story.

- I liked when Alex wrote in Britany’s notebook “Saturday night. You and me. Driving lessons and hot sex ..” So LOL. But, I liked a bad boy like it :p

- I liked when Brittany realized, Collins wasn’t a good boyfriend, he just want to had a sex with Brittany.

- I liked when Alex and Brittany, opened and unmasked their secret. Brittany wasn’t ashamed to tell about her sister who has cerebral palsy disease. And Alex didn’t hesitate to show the cruelty and bitterness that he and his family experienced.

- I liked when Alex and Brittany ‘making love’ and Alex shed tears :’) when Brittany was in pain.

- I liked the way Simone Elkeles has made the characters of Alex and Brittany .

- I liked Happy Ending

Actually, this book was amazing. So five stars full for this book :)