Popcorn Love

Title: Popcorn Love
Author: K. L. Hughes
Genre: Contemporary NA
Rating: 5/5
Cover: 10/10

A prominent figure amongst New York City’s fashion elite, Elena Vega is a successful businesswoman and single mother to an adorable three-year-old son, Lucas. Her love life, however, is lacking, as those closest to her keep pointing out.At the persistent urging of her closest friend, Elena reluctantly agrees to a string of blind dates if she can find a suitable babysitter for Lucas.Enter Allison Sawyer, a free-spirited senior at New York University.Elena is intrigued by Allison’s ability to push her out of her element, and the young woman’s instant and easy connection with a normally shy Lucas quickly earns Allison the job.After each blind date, Elena returns home to complain to Allison about her lacking suitors. As they bond, Elena begins to realize that the person possessing all the qualities she most desires might just be the woman who has been in front of her the entire time.The vast difference between the two women’s social statuses, however, may be an obstacle not easily overcome.

***

It's always rewarding and exciting when you're in a fandom with fanfic writers that are so amazing, their AUs get picked up and published. This method of finding new authors has given us some of the biggest names of current literature (although I hold judgment on the quality of that writing in some cases. I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about). Cassandra Clare's wildly popular The Mortal Instruments started out as (and this is still weird for me to think about if I'm honest) Draco/Ginny Harry Potter fanfiction.

I'm lucky to be in a fandom where the writers are so talented, it wasn't one AU that got picked to be published -- but three. And Popcorn Love is the first of those three to hit the shelves.

The thing about this story is that it's cute. So, so cute. And so well executed. All the characters, no matter how small their appearance, are fully fleshed out. There were no shallow characters, and the plot moves along wonderfully.

Allison and Elena are delightfully shy while also being incredibly confident - in other words, they're brilliantly human. They are flawed, and we can't help but root for them as they fumble their way to love.

Having read it in its' original version, with the original names, there were quite a few chuckles that came from reading the new names (although, Swan Queen fans, look out for an easter egg when Allison is playing the guitar! You'll know it when you see it).

Definitely recommend it to anyone wanting some nice, easy fluff to read. Perfect holiday read, or back to school de-stress read!

And dare I hope for a sequel? (I'm probably just being greedy...)

Waiting on Wednesdays #6: Broken Juliet

Waiting on Wednesdays is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

Title: Broken Juliet (Starcrossed #2)
Author: Leisa Rayven
Genre: NA
Release Date: April 28th

"How do you fix a love that’s been broken beyond repair?
For years, Cassie Taylor tried to forget about Ethan Holt. He was the one great love of her life, and when he failed to return her love, a part of her died forever. Or so she thought. Now she and Ethan are sharing a Broadway stage, and he’s determined to win her back. Claiming to be a changed man, he’s finally able to say all the things she needed to hear years ago, but can she believe him? What makes this time different from all his other broken promises?
Ethan knows he can’t change their tumultuous past, but if he’s going to have any chance of being with the woman he loves, he’ll need to convince Cassie that her future belongs with him. 
Don’t miss this stunning conclusion to the unforgettable love story that captivated over two million fans online."

I loved, loved Broken Romeo, so I can't wait for this one! And look at the gorgeousness that is that cover!

What are you waiting for?

Waiting for April

Title: Waiting for April
Author: Jamie Loren
Genre: NA Sci-fi
Rating: 5/5
Cover: 10/10

I was given a copy of this novel by the publisher via netgalley. This in no way influences my review and opinion.

"April Fletcher has died nineteen times... but she doesn't know it.

As far as April is concerned, she's just a normal seventeen-year-old, looking forward to spending spring break with her friends and going to college in the fall. April doesn't know she has never lived past her eighteenth birthday, nor does she realize that Scott Parker, her best friend, is actually her childhood sweetheart and fiancé from her very first life.

For nineteen-year-old Scott Parker, spending quality time with his soul mate has proved difficult ever since her tragic death in 1729. Since then he has lost her an additional eighteen times—each of her deaths more devastating than the last, and each of her births wiping the slate of her memory clean. Unable to save her but unwilling to give up, Scott has to hide the fact he's immortal—and will be until April confesses her love again.

But this time, things have changed. April has denied her feelings for him, is dating someone else, and with her eighteenth birthday fast approaching, their friendship is falling to pieces. Fearing their souls are irrevocably drifting apart, Scott must race against the clock to win her heart and save her life.

Or risk losing her forever."

***

This wasn't even on my plan to be read anytime soon, but I finished another book and was bored, so decided to give it a head-start before going to sleep. It's laughable, really, because sleep was the last thing I did once I got started with Waiting for April.
The story starts out slightly creepy-like, with Scott staring out at April's window the entire night, but once we get to know him, and understand his pain, it becomes clear that he isn't watching her so that he can control her; he just wants her to be safe, whether it's with him or not.

Scott and April's love story(ies?) was so beautifully rendered by Loren. It was achingly tender and so, so sad. I lost count of how many times I'd sobbed before I finished the book. Fate might be on their side, always bringing her back to him, but karma sure as hell hates them.

And the best part was the bomb dropped on us towards the end. The first thing I did when I finished Waiting for April, was rush to find out if there was a sequel, because it could not end like that - no way, no how. So, big sigh of relief at finding out it'll be a trilogy. I'm really looking forward to finding out more about what makes these people the way they are - why do some come back, and what happens when the other doesn't? Is that what happened to the other guy (you'll know who I mean once you've read it, but I won't name names because spoilers!)

Overall, a touching, beautifully written debut by Jamie Loren that any romance fans will gobble down!