REVIEW: "Almost a Bride" by Jo Watson (Contemporary Romance, Rom Com)

ALMOST A BRIDE by Jo Watson
	Publisher: Forever Genre: Contemporary Romance, Rom Com Publication Date:January 31st 2017 Series: Destination Love, #2 Standalone: Yes
Categories:
Love Abroad, Fake Dating, Creatives in Love
Other Books by Jo Watson
Destination Love #1 Destination Love #3
Description from Publisher:
That awkward moment you catch your boyfriend in bed with another woman and then mistakenly get arrested #chargesdropped Annie knows life isn't always fair. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. Sometimes you get mistaken for a crazed intruder when you come home early and find your boyfriend wearing nipple clamps with a coworker on the night you thought he was going to propose to you. The important thing is to move on, and for Annie that means treating herself to a tropical vacation. But when she runs into her ex and his new woman staying at the same resort, reason is washed out to sea. Caught off guard, Annie pretends she's with Chris, a cute screenwriter she meets on the beach. With his own writing blocked, Chris is happy to help Annie craft a story to save face. Soon Annie isn't just getting over her ex, she's getting under Chris. As her fictional feelings grow increasingly real, Annie has to decide if she's ready to risk her heart on a new relationship.
My Rating:	Heat Rating:
My Musings:
If you love some good laugh-out-loud moments with your romance, you will LOVE this! I certainly enjoyed the fun, tongue-in-cheek humor laced throughout this really fantastic story. :) Chris is a screenwriter who is staying at a tropical resort, hoping to overcome his writer's block. Annie is a woman who is on a vacation trying to get away from wallowing over the fact that she found her boyfriend (who she was so sure was about to propose!) having some kinky sex with his business partner. But she can't get away from them because they happen to be staying at the same resort... So Chris, practically a stranger, steps in and pretends to be her boyfriend. Chris and Annie both grow so much from start to finish in this, becoming better and happier versions of themselves, which is really just such an absolute joy to watch! I loved Chris's vulnerability and just how much of a sweetheart he was... and yet also how snarky he could be. Annie gets stronger and more confident, and you seriously cannot help but root for her plucky character. 'Cause, honestly, who can't relate at least a bit to how she handles things with her ex? The setting of this was wonderful, and I really liked that Annie was from South Africa, and that they went to Mauritius. As with everything else with this story, it was just different enough to be intersting while still being relatable. Their chemistry is hot & steamy, and undeniable basically from the first moment they meet. Add to that their adorably sweet moments and you've got a solid romance. There are some pretty outrageous things that happen in this, and it reminded me a lot of the Rom Coms "Just Go With It" and "Forgetting Sarah Marshall". The hi-jinx are so vivid and well-described that you can see them happening right in front of you and have no problem suspending a bit of disbelief. The only real criticism that I have of this is that it did drag a bit after the vacation is over. Though I won't deny that that also may have been because I was so impatient for these two to get their acts together. :) This is funny, sweet, and sexy, with some wonderful build-up and an amusing story. Definitely on that I would recommend!!
My Source: I received a digital ARC from the publisher to voluntarily review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is unbiased and 100% my own.

About the Author: Jo Watson
Award-winning writer of romantic comedies. Collector of colorful, kitsch things that usually sparkle. Adidas addict, Depeche Mode devotee and proud Wattpad writer! Jo loves telling stories and above everything, considers herself a storyteller- no matter what the medium. After graduating with an honors degree in theater, she has worked in numerous creative fields. She's mainly worked as a TV script writer and storyliner, she has written, directed and produced theater, adverts and film and has worked as a copywriter. She didn't intend on becoming an author and "accidentally" wrote her first book, Burning Moon, two years ago. And the rest, as they say, is history. When Jo is not writing, she is binge watching TV, contemplating the nature of entangled particles and blackholes and hanging out with her husband and son on the Southern tip of Africa.

REVIEW: "Beauty and the Wiener" by Casey Griffin (Romantic Comedy, Contemporary Romance)

BEAUTY AND THE WIENER by Casey Griffin
	Publisher: St. Martin's Press Genre: Romantic Comedy, Contemporary Romance Publication Date: February 7th 2017 Series: A Rescue Dog Romance, #2 Standalone: Yes
Categories:
Dog Lovers, Romance, Suspense
Other Books by Casey Griffin
#2 #3
Description from Publisher:
A TAIL AS OLD AS TIME… Addison Turner has scripted a perfect future for herself, complete with a fairytale ending. She will become the name in doggie fashion design and live happily ever after with the husband of her dreams—and her dachshund, Princess, by her side. Just when her plan is on track and she’s gaining recognition at the local dog show, Addison is hit with some Oscar-worthy drama. A group of prize-winning show dogs are stolen from under her nose, and she’s stuck asking for help from Felix Vaughn, an infuriatingly hot bartender who is the exact opposite of Prince Charming. When more dogs go missing—and Felix becomes a suspect—the two team up to clear their names. Although Felix and Addison fight like cats and dogs, there’s an undeniable spark between them. And as the trail to the missing dogs heats up, so does their red-hot chemistry. Can Addison be persuaded to throw away her script to find an ending that just might be better than she ever expected?
My Rating:	Heat Rating:
My Musings:
I seriously loved every minute of this and was sad for it to end!! Addison is a dog groomer - sorry, stylist - who is trying to expand her company and introduce her fashion line of clothing for dogs. She is also on the hunt for Mr. Right. While at an event for show dogs, she thinks she meets him and everything is going well for her until most of the dogs who were supposed to be showing a preview of her line disappear. There are two suspects - her, and the obnoxious but super sexy bartender, Felix (who isn't Mr. Right because he is too much Addison type). She pretty much makes him help her figure out who stole the dogs, and it's quite the adventure! The mystery of this was good, though I had an inkling well before the reveal (I still second guessed though, so it was still fun!). The adventure and then suspense was seriously great and had me on the edge of my seat and staying up much too late because I had to know what happened. And oh the romance! I loved the scorching-hot chemistry Addison amd Felix had but also the depth of their relationship and how they supported one another. Their banter had me laughing and really rooting for the two of them to work it out. I really enjoyed the lack of serious drama from their past since there was plenty in their present, and it kept things focused on the present. Addison's resistance to the burning attraction between her and Felix, and how wrong she had things added a great layer to this too. Really, I have to say it again: I loved Felix and the reasons he is on my list of awesome book boyfriends now just became more and more as the book went on. I couldn't help but see him as Robert Downey, Jr., which is my ideal hero. Cocky and funny, yet vulnerable. And the dogs! So cute! As a huge dog lover who considers her little dog part of the family, I thought every doggy aspect was perfect. So, yes, this was fantastic and I highly recommend it!!
My Source: I received a digital ARC from the publisher to voluntarily review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is unbiased and my 100% own.

About the Author: Casey Griffin
Casey Griffin can often be found at comic conventions on her days off from her day job, driving 400 ton dump trucks in Northern Alberta, Canada. As a jack of all trades with a resume boasting registered nurse, English teacher, and photographer, books are her true passion. Casey is a 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel finalist, and is currently busy writing every moment she can.