Ten Trends to Seduce your Bestfriend by Penny Reid

I like to think of my favourite authors as my palls. I'm not one to enjoy partaking in social events and I am not a fan of hanging out, so reading books is my way of being social. Thus, the authors I enjoy reading are people (minds, really) I tend to meet quite often and philosophize with. 

Penny is one of my best palls. There's always someone to relate to in her books. I also love the exceptionally well-combined sarcasm, wit, romance, and nerdiness of her stories. Her heroines are always smart, quirky and cool. 

Winnie's character is absolutely unique. To the point, I think she is superhuman. As a teacher, I can't even imagine having the mental power and time to work on so many side projects. Nevertheless, her passion and creativity are truly inspiring and schools around the world might be different if there were more teachers like her. 

I am Byron. Well, not entirely and not due to the same reasons, but I have always been bad at communicating in a way that doesn't offend people or make them think I find them inadequate. I am far from the smartest person out there. I guess it is just the way I speak? There's this line of Byron's that resonated with me "I don't know how else to be other than either silent or honest". With the development of the story, he wanted to change, but at the same time wanted to be accepted by his loved ones for who he was. The latter was a big part of Winnie and Byron's romance- them learning how to be together, which I really enjoyed. There are many great books out there that I often am annoyed with due to the instacompatibility. In addition, I did have the feeling I met Darcy from a different universe. His love confession was everything!

The story is brilliantly plotted. I had the feeling of reading a modern-day Jane Austen novel. Penny is a master choreographer. She wrote a great love dance that Winnie and Byron performed that kept me on my toes. I must acknowledge the extraordinary ability that Penny has to make two lead characters sound like two different people. What I mean is the vocabulary range that each character used, and the way their monologues were written were individual to each hero/heroine. 

All in all, this is an extremely romantic and nerdy story that discusses plenty of important aspects of our modern lives (e.g. body positivity, sexuality, relationships, science, educational system). It is definitely one of my Penny favorites and I just love the feeling I'm left with after reading her books: optimistic, swoony and content. 

House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J Maas

A paperback copy of this book has been in my possession since the end of February. Most Maas fans might think I am insane for waiting this long to start reading the second Crescent City novel but hear me out. 

First, I'm busy. Alas, I am not a professional reader, although I wish I were, so I must work to afford all the books I read in my free time (among other things). Second, I sometimes like to put off reading books I know will bring me great joy in order to indulge in them and have a better reading experience. So, yeah, this one just had to wait. 

I'm on chapter 22, so I've read about a fourth of the book. Did the first book in the series have so many POVs? I can't recall. Perhaps I should've reread it. Instead, I opted for a summary. I know, I know. Shame on me. Well, I'm busy and I just wanted to get on with it.

I digress. The multiple POVs. I know it adds layers to the story and provides a more dynamic reading experience that keeps the reader on their toes. Nevertheless, I find it a bit tiring. I need to be quite focused to keep up with the events. Also, I kind of feel I'm missing out on character development. Speaking of characters- I find Bryce's quite confusing. What's her motivation? She seems quite controversial. Will get back to her later. 

So far the book is intense and, true to herself, Sarah has a surprise waiting for us around every other corner. Updates to be posted every week. 😺

Reading progress page 626/800

I expected to be absolutely consumed by the book and sort of felt apprehensive when I started reading. Believe it or not, I dislike being obsessed with a book, because it often leads to this feeling of loss once I've finished reading it. It also might result in dissatisfaction with the books I read afterward, which is unfair. 

So far, I am pleasantly surprised that reading the book does not interfere with my work/life. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to pick it up and read and my life more or less consists of reading, working, and working out. However, the alternation in POVs allows the reader to just leave the book for a while. I feel relaxed while and after reading. Nevertheless, considering Maas's affinity for writing intense endings I expect to be losing my marbles when reading the final 100 pages. 

Reading Progress Done 

I AM LOSING MY MARBLES! Sarah did not! Ahhhh! I hate myself for not making the connection earlier. It all began in Kingdom of Ash. We saw everyone there for the first time. The hint at parallel universes. However, I was absolutely consumed by Aelin's story (my favorite SJM heroine) to ponder over other universes. I mean, I did lose it when Aelin saw Rhysand and Feyre while falling but didn't pay much attention to the other worlds. One of them was described as a great city near a river with tall buildings and the other one as a great ocean. Possible where the mer come from? Also, the different kinds of Fae? The shifter fae? Rowan, Gavriel, Fenris? I'M LOSING IT!

Damn, but Sarah is good. She is next level. I marvel at the way she weaves her stories. How did she manage to plan everything? She must've had plans about the Court and the Crescent City series while finishing the Throne series. 

I am absolutely delighted that this was not a case of the second book syndrome. Not surprised though, since I was absolutely consumed when reading the Court and The Throne series. The stories got better and better with each installment. Therefore, I am looking forward to reading the next Crescent City novel(s)!

Rakija, palacinke and dirty talk

As I promised during the weekend I finished the second part of the Friend-Zoned Series Love thy Neighbour by Belle Aurora.

This is the story of Natalie and Ghost. It all started years back when Nat's best friend Valentina met her husband Nikolai. Ghost is Nikolai's brother from a different mother. Nat and Ghost did not like each other a lot in the beginning. Which does not mean that they can't have hot monkey sex on a conference room table, right? And after the best sex of your life it is quite normal to stop communicating with the person delivering the aforementioned amazing sex. Right?

Natalie Kovac is a hot-headed and emotional woman. She does not get bullshit from anyone. She is a free spirit. She enjoys life as it is. As every woman out there she has her problems. And of course those problems are connected with men. Why is she a magnet for douchebags and idiots? And why is she always comparing everything with that hot moment she shared with Ghost? However, Nat does not give up trying to find a guy that will make her happy. Finally, she finds this hot instructor that has her all hot and bothered. After one night everything changes...

Asher Collins aka Ghost is a damaged man. He is fucked up. He finds pleasure in more bizarre ways. One of which is fucking. The dirty and hard kind. His brothers are the only people he cares about. His life thought him that not all people are worth it. People hurt. and the safest thing to do is to avoid commitment and feelings. However, his brother's woman's clique is something else. These women are on fire. One in particular. After experiencing the hottest sex of his life by far, Ash is always on edge around Nat. She makes him forget for a moment all that he is. She can sooth his soul like no one else can. She can make him laugh, she turns him on, she pisses him off. And all that is packed in the most delicious pack a man can dream of. He has managed to avoid Nat (per her request) but one night changes his intentions ...

It is expected when you read the second part of a series things will be a bit alike. Even if the heroes of the story are not the same, the vibe that you get from the book is slightly the same as from the previous one. Did I got this vibe when I read this particular story? Yes. Was this a bad thing? No. The previous story had it's out taste and this one has a different flavor to it. It is a bit more sexual and crude. Ash and Nat's character are both quite dirty-minded and there is nothing wrong with that. Duh... I mean a bossy man with the habit of talking dirty things quietly in your ear and ready to get it on whenever he pleases. I ain't got  problems with that! Also Nat is not a lady. She is foul-mouthed which is again refreshing.

Belle used the type of writing that I enjoy the most. Short lines. Strong words. She did not shy away from cursing which is good according to my book. As one old woman from my hometown once said: 'Someone who does not curse hides something within themselves.' :) And, of course, Belle included the Croatian heritage of Nat. Being from the same part of the world and reading about the typical for our culture food, drinks, traditions, names and terms of endearment makes me all warm inside. And I think that Belle succeeded in capturing the hot-headed and passionate Eastern European woman. We are insane!

So, to sum in up, this book is a sweet summer read for them ladies who are not afraid to hear a girl begging to perform oral sex!

Rock on, chicas!

A rock chick that I like very much

I was wondering from where to start. I have read quite a few books since I have my Deamon, so there are quite a few reviews that have to be posted. 

The author that I will start with is Kirsten Ashley. I am madly in love with her books. My rules regarding her stories are simple:

1. Impatiently wait for them.

2. Jump up and down when you get them.

3. Do not sleep until you finish them.

4. Cry ugly.

5. Laugh like a total loon.

6. Dream and hope that one day you will meet a male hero just like hers.

Kirsten Ashley has a specific way of writing. It is raw and brief. A lot of repeating. A lot of cursing. A lot of words of endearments. Short but meaningful lines. And. I. Love. It. 

I have read almost all of her books. For the curious ones you can check them here.

She has published a few series and if I may say The Colorado Mountain series are the bomb! I simply devour them! Kaleidoscope is the last one that I have on my to-read list. 

What is special about these stories you might ask? Well, first and foremost, the strong-willed characters. You will read about fierce and loving women and about strong and giving men. Kristen uses her words so passionately. There are few authors that can make me feel the story. When I read an Ashley book I am so overwhelmed. She manages to get in your brain and make you feel the same things that the hero feels.

So, yeah. I will try and publish as much of my Kristen Ahsley reviews as I have. Hope you like them!

Rock on chicas!

Currently reading

Hola, rock chicas!

So if you are bothering to read my blog you might know that my last book was Friend-Zoned. I could not resist it ... I got the next book of the series and let me tell y'all - it is awesome! 

This is Nat and Chost's story. Totally a lady boner! And it is hawt! Review to come!

Eastern European heritage

This is not the first book that I have read nor it is my favourite. However, it is the last one that I have read and reviewed, so I am just going to share my thought about it today. 

Friend-Zoned by Belle Aurora is not my first book by this author. Her style is quite fresh and cute. I find it pleasurable for my 25 year old mind. Not sure how younger audience will respond to it though (have in mind that this is and adult romance book). However I highly recommend it for those who are in search of an easy-going and stressless read for the summer season! You can check out her books on here!

Let me tell y'all that Belle Aurora is a chameleon. Her style is something you can recognize  but her stories are very different and her heroines always have something specific to them. Something typical for the story in hand that makes you like them oh so very much. And Valentina Tomic is one of them.

There are so many things that made me like Tina. For instance, she is a survivor. She is smart. She is witty. She is positive. She is sweet. She is caring. She is loving. She is a total goof! Despite all the things that have happened to her she still finds the joy in life.

Nikolai Leokov does not smile often. He leads a life that does not have a light in it. Mediocre. He has a nice job, good friends and a loving family. However, his reasons to smile are rare. Until one day a girl, who does not do sad, decides to give him a piece of candy. Niki smiles and ends up being a friend with a hurricane of a woman. But being in the friend zone is something new for him. Will he be able to keep it friendly. Or will the chemistry between Nikolai and Valentina finally win?

And to make the story even sweeter Belle added an amazing clique of friends and additional characters. The latter contribute so much to a story. A story without additional characters is bland and tasteless. And the bonus? We will get a story for each of the members of Niki and Tina' s posse! Yey!

There are a lot of things I liked! However, there are some things that were off. Well the story was a bit hasty. Sometimes the situation at hand was solved pretty fast and without additional drama which is nice, I guess, in a way. However, I prefer to have my time to get in the emotional state of the hero and to feel what is he/she feeling. And to be honest the parts when I was reading from Niki's POV were a bit controversial. I mean some of those were not manly thoughts. Too deep at some point. Not that I have been in a man's brain ;) However, Niki is one nice bossy ex-gang member book boyfriend material.

Bottom line...I am so reading the next book!

Read on!

Finally!

Soooooooo . . .

I never thought that I would have a blog. And not any blog but a book reviewing blog. I mean come on! I even did not use to like reading until I was 20! Well apart from the books about Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. Those were some of my firsts! And you do not forget a first. 

Speaking of first, I got my first e-reader a little before I turned 24. Pathetic, right? Best purchase I have ever made. I love my Daemon! He is my best friend! And, yes, I do give a name to almost everything that I possess. Toys, electronics etc. I just have fond memories with them!

About Daemon now. He is named after the first book I have ever read on him. And that would be Jennifer Armentrout's Obsidian from the Lux Series. I shall post my review for this one as well all the reviews I have written. The latter I have written on my Goodreads page. However, I have been dreaming of making a blog for the past 6 months now. And here it is!

Reading has become a part of me. If I do not read I feel out of place. I need to submerge myself in a different world once in a while (read every day). I know that this might sound like I need some help from a shrink with escaping reality and all the jazz. I cannot help it though. Our everyday reality can be quite gray sometimes. I do not like gray (apart from Fifty shades of it).

I also need romance! Like a lot. I do not have romance in my life. And if I do it is nothing to write home about. And my poor brain and heart need romance. I love happy endings. I crave them. I say bullshit to people who say that they do not enjoy a story with a happy ending. People as a kind has developed this unconscious need for a happiness. Not my place to talk about these kind of things because I am not a psych major. And this is the reason I mainly read romantic books. These are the types of reviews you are going to be able to read here on Pleasurable Escape. 

I hope you will enjoy my reviews as much as I enjoy writing them. I will try to post a review for a book as soon as read but sometimes I am busy with my gray but sweet reality and I do not have time to post in timely manner. So for the possible (2 or 3) readers that I think that I will have, you should expect at least one review every week!

Rock on chicas!