Review: Yes, Chef!

Yes, Chef! by Lisa Joy

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Very realistic, and crazy and enough to rant about.

Main character, Becca Stone is a reservations girl at a very fancy, extremely famous restaurant that is owned by a famous chef, Damien, who is everything I despise. From from the way he wrongly treats women to the way he thinks he is all but completely innocent. He literally made it to the top of my hit-list, and had me pulling out my hair while I was mentally setting him on fire. Then extinguishing him just to set him on fire again. That is how bad. It wasn't any less for his wife, how can she be the way she is, I just wanted to switch bodies with her to start making right decisions for her. I then thought about how she probably would've done something worse if she were in my body so switching was no longer an option.

Becca Stone is being thrust into the life of catering to these horrible people because Damien's PA, Abigail, is going on vacay. Becca is working so much, she is losing track of time, and much more because she is now permanently Damien's PA. Abigail had been wanting to quit for the longest time and Becca gave her that chance. That should've been more of a sign that Becca was in for some deep shit.

Every single character had something to complain about. That became a never-ending cycle that got real tiring very fast.

I felt that this story was very bitter and cynical than sweet, until the very end. The writing style was something I could not quite exactly follow. I found myself skimming paragraphs and at times skipping a few pages.

So many things went horribly wrong and others were just completely sad and depressing. The whole time, I wanted to stranger Becca for not seeing what was right in front of her. She was necia(sorry, Spanish mixed in here.) and a pendeja. I strangled her every time she made a wrong move, which was almost all the time. I loved her mom though. Gosh did I love her mom, she knew what she was talking about.

Dean was an angel, a miracle, a gift. The best thing in this book, to be totally honest. Finally, things were looking up for a change. Dean was practically the only great person in the story: he was always in a good mood, flirty, sexy, handsome, considerate, passionate, funny, intelligent, successful, and sexy. He was that wonderful and amazing.

There were funny parts, not too much, but just okay. Becca's friend, Samira, was refreshing and quite interesting. Her other friends also worked there with Becca, hence the reason why their complaints were about the same thing, but came from a different person.

I fell head over heels with Italy, and Dean! I'd order myself a Dean with a side of Italia any day. Great food, beautiful language, the community and the environment was such an experience. Ah, love it all...

Overall, this book was an alright read, chic-lit all the way. The outcome of reading this story is me falling in love with Italy. And Dean.


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Review: Scandalous Summer Nights

Scandalous Summer Nights by Grace Callaway

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The epitome of Historical Romance in this wonderful Anthology. Every story was its own and written beautifully.


The Widow Vanishes Prequel to the Heart of Enquiry series by Grace Callaway

I absolutely adored it!! Hands down. No questions asked. I really enjoy romance stories around the Victorian era. It just gives a feel of vintage-like love and just the way things were or could've been. The characters were marvelous, both protagonists and antagonists. I completely fell apart when certain words were commonly spoken that gave more feel to the story and added fire to the flames of the aspiring romance like 'randy' and 'beauty' and 'lass'. [They] really played their part. The writing was on point. [I] just couldn't get enough. I am definitely looking forward to the start of the Heart of Enquiry series.

Solo- 4 stars


Scandal Before Sunrise (Novella) Book #1 of The Weekly Scandal series by Sabrina Darby

I didn't get to really enjoy this story very much. I think my dislike is having to do with having taken so long to read this story. I usually love Regency romance, I mean, any historical romance to be honest, but something was a bit odd for me. It put me off in the very beginning. I did like the characters and the plot, but I just feel like something was in my way of getting a better feel of the everything. Nonetheless, great writing, nicely done in with the character dialogue, very intriguing with everyone's characteristics. Although, things didn't start out right as rain, however, I still look forward to the next book of The Weekly Scandal.

Solo- 3 stars


A Highlander's Heart Book #1 of Highland Knights by Jennifer Haymore

Such a sentimental story, absolutely beautiful, and adored the Scottish brogues. This was my first having ever reading something highlander-like, but the only other Scottish bit I've read other than this bit is Grace Callaway's The Widow Vanishes Prequel in the beginning of this anthology. I fell in love with the rekindling romance and new discovery in heading home to one another. I found the part where the men say 'petting' hilarious. They were saying it back and forth to each other and I just felt that they were referring to women as a pet that needs attention, so I just laughed 'cause it sounded funny and a bit odd. Communication is key people! I highly recommend this read and hope to read the rest of this series.

Solo- 4 stars


Lord Lucifer's Disciple of Haberdashers Nights by Sue London

Brilliant, Completely phenomenal, and fairly outrageous! I could not get enough of the masquerade theme and the scandalous rendezvous. Immensely enjoyed the guide and quotes, as well as the amusement each character had throughout the whole situation, it completely held everything in a lighter aspect of living in this time period and the way society was made out to be. Fascinating literary talents here shown overall and best shown its more creative side in the wittiness expressed by the characters and the thoughtfulness in how everything played out. I irrevocably fell for the main characters and their masque'd journey to learning each other and come to love like no other. I give the utmost recommendation to this story.

Solo- 5 stars


How to Lose a Duke in Ten Days Book #1 of What Happens in Scotland by Kate McKinley

Such sexual tension, undoubtedly alluring, scandalous and genuine all in one. I loved the magnetic pull between the main characters. Their infatuation with one another was a fine line between love and hate. The challenging, mischievous heroine was a perfect counterpart to the all male, brooding hero. All along the way they discover that their intentions and assumptions were all wrongly appointed. The hot, scorching romance firing up between them is only just beginning and soon, both will fall into the fiery pits of wondrous pleasure. Lovely plot, everything fit rightfully so. An enticing read all around.

Solo- 4 stars


Miss Amelia Lands a Duke A Prequel to The Caversham Chronicles by Sandy Raven

Incredibly enticing, different from other historical romances I've read, but nonetheless an exceptional read. The sex scenes were getting really close to modern contemporary romance or NA. The characters were aware of their modest conservative ways in their time period in society, but behind closed doors, or the curtains in the confinements of a carriage in this setting, there is no telling what to expect, but to expect something. I loved. For me, it was something wild and excitingly new to the table with the historical setting. Especially with the characters age difference. I was intrigued with their relationship and how they were both considered passed their prime, but at the same time, acted like young lovebirds. The love that transpired was strong, and beautiful. I applaud the author for their magical literary talents. I look forward to reading the rest of The Caversham Chronicles.

Solo- 5 stars


Overall, I felt that I was able to see some connections between stories here and there or maybe trying to paste some parts of history with or parts of history. I do not know but majority of the time I has a blast reading these stories, fell in love more than twice, and drooled over the teasing and love scenes, and laughed off every witty comment I could find. Great work form these all of these authors, I completely recommend'em all.


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Review: Lex and Lu

Lex and Lu by J. Santiago

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Complete heart-throb, utterly bittersweet, undeniably real!!

The beautiful cover caught me at first sight. the synopsis was soul-catching, literally got me hooked to proceed on to reading the book. This was a beautiful story of two childhood sweethearts who've went through so much so young and having to once again come together to be able to see it all through.

In the very beginning, I felt really confused. It was obvious that I was left out of knowing what was going on. It was totally mind-boggling. The main female character, Lu, was the one with the secret, that every one else knew about. And when mentioning the male character, Lex, it was absolutely clear that he took some part in what happened, but obtuse about the secret. I was put into his shoes. Completely ignorant of what everyone was hiding, but completely aware of being left out.

I was able to relate and understand Lex; his behavior, and thought-process. I was also able to understand Lu and her struggle with letting the truth out as well as feeling deserving of whatever Lex lashed out on her. They were complete opposites. He was a famous soccer player, she was admirably intellectual and just about to graduate with a PhD while still in her early twenties. All of the characters were their own person and struggling with their own part in this family dilemma, even after so many sentences adding up how much they took off their parents.

I felt equally happy and sad, giddy and annoyed, chipper and irritated, angry and gobsmacked at all the things that occurred.

The secrets.
The sex.
The lies.
The love.
The hate.
The regret.
The grief.

It all turned for the better I can assure that, but it does take time for Lex and Lu to gain equilibrium with everything turning on its axis.

This bittersweet love story was marvelously written. Every single page spoke volumes. Many times were fun, hilarious, melancholic, shocking, and beautiful.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this wonderful story, and really appreciate the author's hard work.


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