Review: Alice Brown's Lessons in the Curious Art of Dating by Eleanor Prescott

This one is a thick but still an easy read because each chapter was short and crisp. Alternate story telling of each characters in the book but in 3rd person POV so it's not that confusing. I liked how it was written and the flow was smooth.

John's effort were swoon-worthy with how he tried to convey his message through flowers and their respective meanings. The characters all had their development by the end of the book which is good because not all authors are able to completely tell what happened to everyone involved by the end of the book. I also liked how Audrey Cracknell's, Alice's boss, story turned out in the end giving each and everyone a happy ever after.

I also loved the simple layout of the inside pages of the book.

Review: Blast from Two Pasts by Kristel S. Villar

First of all, I love the cover of this novella! So fresh and alive. Very chicklit.

This was an easy read. Even if it had some dull moments, the swoon-worthy scenes were easy to relate with. I connected with Cara about her feelings for Lucas a.k.a. Basti *spoiler alert* esp. when she couldn't tell him her feelings for Lucas since she was thirteen. First love never dies, right? And the jealousy and pain she felt when she had no right to feel those feelings at all.  What really made my heart leap was knowing that Basti had always known and actually liked her since he was fifteen (when she was thirteen). Why do teens always make it hard on themselves and not just tell each other how they actually feel and just end up together already? But I guess the long wait is what makes it sweeter.

There were two things I didn't like about the novella though. One was that Lucas seemed oh so perfect. I don't know if guys really remember everything like girls do even way back in high school. But I guess realistic would be boring. Second thing was the book did not seem to have given Oliver a chance to redeem himself. I didn't feel any confusion for Cara. It had always been Team Basti. It would have been better to have felt torn between the two guys, who to choose? who had made more effort? Something like that. Maybe it's just me.

But overall, this is one of the best novellas I've read so far. It aimed straight to the heart. 

P.S. This novella reminded me a little of My Best Friend's Wedding. Not plot-wise. ;)

Book Review: I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

This was actually my first Sophie Kinsella book. I must admit that she is starting to become a favorite of mine. I haven't read a book that made me smile as I read on til I reached the last page. Sam Roxton's grand gesture for Poppy Wyatt was by far the most brilliant and heart melting one I have read in a very long time. It was quite intelligent use of our technology today. The couple's relationship can be described by a lot of words but never cliche or sickly sweet. It is realistic and very simple yet you feel something in your heart that's warm and fuzzy. The ending was actually the start of their real relationship as lovers which gives the reader a satisfaction for an ending.

This is a must read book that would make you feel good. A very easy read that would keep you smiling especially when they were texting each other. Makes you want to be the one Sam Roxton was texting with.

One thing that stuck with me from reading this book? No one can make you feel inferior unless you let them.

Definitely something to live by.

[Book Review]: In Over Her Head by Anne Plaza

This contemporary romance novella was also a product of Ms. Mina Esguerra's #romanceclass that I joined last year. I am a pretty slow reader that I only got to read Anne Plaza's self-published novella now. I really want to read all of the other seven masterpiece of my classmates but so far, I have only read two. Boohoo!

Anyway, this novella reminded me of One More Chance but less drama. The first half of the book got me thinking and kept me asking questions about why Richard just dropped her fast like Erika was insignificant and all... or the fact that Richard would be jealous of Jerome when it was too easy for him to leave her...

I liked the dynamic among Erika's barkada. It was very realistic and at the same, I felt like I was watching a rom-com. It was a very light read and fun. I was expecting a bigger, more grand gesture from Richard but I can't say that the ending was not satisfactory.

I would definitely recommend this to friends and readers who love chicklit.

Book Review: The Real Score by Kesh Tanglao

This book review is rather short so bear with me a little.

The Real Score by Kesh Tanglao was written for the online #romanceclass mentored by Ms. Mina Esguerra. It is a contemporary novella written for the said online class. I have bought this book some months ago but procrastinated on reading it because of hectic work schedule and for fear of comparing it with my work and I might get discouraged with how great my other classmates' works are that I might shy away and not release my book anymore.

Anyway, for the review proper, I think this book is one of those books where the reader would say, "Come on! Get together already! You both love each other! Why let fear and emotions stop you!" But it is the awful reality in life. Fear is the number one downer for people to reach their dreams or what they want in life or who they really want to be with.

At first, the book didn't catch my interest but still read on and by the middle of the book, I couldn't put it down anymore. I just had to finish reading it and see what happens to Caitlin and Marcus' love story. It has this hanging factor that makes you want to read more. Just when you think they are already getting together, something happens that they don't so you keep on reading until they finally do and you don't realize, you're already on the last page of the story.

The book cover looks amazing like it was published mainstream.

Overall, it was worth the money I paid for. Although, it's still "bitin". I feel like I want to get to know more of how their story will go on. So, I will be looking forward to Gezellig 2. If there will be.

Must read for those who love to daydream about being a fangirl who someday will end up with the lead singer of a band or someone in the show business.

Invitation to the book launch!

Everyone's invited to the book launch of Luna East Arts Academy Vol.1! This is a project of Ms. Mina Esguerra's online contemporary romance class and we hope you could support us!

Here's the Table of  Contents:

Be Creative - Stella Torres 
Senpai's #1 Fan - Anne Plaza 
Not Exactly Queen-Like - Alyssa Ashley Lucas 
Picture Me Naked - D. R. Lee 
Something Real - Miles Tan 
Wouldn't Change A Thing - Jayen San Diego 
You Are the Apple of My Eye - Addie Lynn Co 
 The Letter - M. Protacio-De Guzman 
Where Do We Go From Here - Jen Carpio 
The Rumor About Me - Kristel S. Villar 
He Loves Me Not - Athena Claire Duenas 
 Sitting in a Tree - Chrissie Peria 
Yours Is the First Face That I Saw - Ron Lim 
 Fifty-Two Weeks - Mina V. Esguerra


Fill up the order form http://bit.ly/lunaeastv1 and you can pick up the book at the launch.

Hope to see you there! Shine on! 

Movie Review: Celeste and Jesse Forever

It was recommended to me by my best friend. She said it was a good movie worth watching so I gave it a chance. I have to say it was good because it was realistic. It wasn’t like any other movies that sugar coats everything just to have a happy ending. It still ends happy, I think.

I sort of thought how weird Celeste and Jesse’s relationship were because they practically knew everything about each other and they can be very childish together. It’s good that they can be themselves around each other but the fact that Celeste lets Jesse be childish and not learn to grow up even if that’s what she wanted him to do is kind of stupid.

And the fact that they were already getting divorced but still living together isn’t something people should do if they really wanted to move on with their lives. But one thing I liked about the movie was how the friendship wasn’t lost even after they have separated. They still cared about each other.

What crushed me really was the fact that Jesse found someone he wanted to be a better man for… to be able to fully commit and turn things around in his life and mature. If I were Celeste, I’d really hate Jesse because I wasn’t good enough for him. I’d be totally hurt but they were mature enough to accept things and be happy for each other.

By the end of the movie, I realized that maybe change is good after all and people just have to accept it for us to grow up and be better people.

This movie is much like One More Chance but more mature and realistic. A feel good movie that doesn’t rely on formula storyline where the lead characters still end up together even if it is all so wrong.