Book Review – This Heart of Mine by C.C. Hunter

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PUBLISHER: WEDNESDAY BOOKS
RELEASE DATE: FEBRUARY 27, 2018
GENRE: YOUNG ADULT, CONTEMPORARY, ROMANCE, 
HARDCOVER 384 PAGES
A new heart saved her life—but will it help her find out what really happened to its donor?

Seventeen-year-old Leah MacKenzie is heartless. An artificial heart in a backpack is keeping her alive. However, this route only offers her a few years. And with her rare blood type, a transplant isn’t likely. Living like you are dying isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. But when a heart becomes available, she’s given a second chance at life. Except Leah discovers who the donor was — a boy from her school — and they’re saying he killed himself. Plagued with dreams since the transplant, she realizes she may hold the clues to what really happened.

Matt refuses to believe his twin killed himself. When Leah seeks him out, he learns they are both having similar dreams and he’s certain it means something. While unraveling the secrets of his brother’s final moments, Leah and Matt find each other, and a love they are terrified to lose. But life and even new hearts don’t come with guarantees. Who knew living took more courage than dying?

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4halfhearts

4.25 – Compelling, Emotionally Draining, and Absolutely Heartwarming

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I don’t know why I took so long to write up my full review. Maybe I was emotionally hung over or something, but here it is! So, this book had me in tears several times, but also made my heart melt and filled it with hope. It was riveting, sweet, exciting, and so incredibly touching.

This Heart of Mine was a heartfelt and affecting read that had all the wonderful and aching FEELS I love about contemporary books. Some parts broke my heart into pieces, others made me grip the edge of my seat, and then there were those incredibly endearing and cute moments that made me smile. While there were a few slow moments in the beginning, I was engrossed the entire time and did not want to stop reading. The writing was fantastic, the pacing was great, the characters were realistic and likable, and I loved the message of the story.

The romance was adorable and I thought Leah and Matt were so cute together. Their relationship was well-developed and their chemistry was swoony. I also liked how honest and vulnerable they were around each other. It made their connection that much more interesting and real for me. While it was kind of odd since this was a contemporary, I found the supernatural aspect of the story quite intriguing. The idea that Leah and Matt were sharing similar dreams was fun for me to read. It left me wondering and questioning the unknown and what is or is not possible. I also enjoyed the mystery part of the story and seeing how everything played out even though I kind of had a hunch and eventually figured it out.

I adored the characters a lot and thought they were relatable. Leah was strong, funny, determined and inspiring. She never wanted to be a burden and tried to spare her loved ones from suffering or being in pain. She’s a little stubborn sometimes, but she’s also very protective and considerate. Matt didn’t always make the best decisions, but he had a heart of gold. He’s honest, caring, kind, loyal, and would do anything for his family. Brandy was an awesome best friend – supportive, encouraging, and dependable.

This Heart of Mine by C.C. Hunter is a painfully beautiful story about loss, family, first love, forgiveness, and so much more. It’s compelling, emotionally draining, and absolutely heartwarming. I really enjoyed this story and would definitely recommend it!

I received an electronic advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher, Wednesday Books, via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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CCHUNTER.jpgC. C. Hunter is the New York Times bestselling author of over thirty-five books, including her wildly popular Shadow Falls and Shadow Falls: After Dark series. In addition to winning numerous awards and rave reviews for her novels, C.C. is also a photojournalist, motivational speaker, and writing coach. In February 2018, Wednesday Books will publish her contemporary young adult and hardcover debut, This Heart of Mine. And the first book of her new paranormal young adult series, The Mortician’s Daughter: One Foot in the Grave will release on October 31st 2017. C. C. currently resides in Texas with her husband, junkyard dog, Lady, and whatever wild creatures that meander out from woods surrounding home.

C.C. Hunter is a pseudonym. Her real name is Christie Craig and she also writes humorous romantic suspense romance novels. www.christie-craig.com

C.C. would love to hear from you. Because of deadlines, it may take some time to get back with you, but she will reply.cc@cchunterbooks.com

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Thank you for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed reading my review. Have you read this book? What did you think? Leave your comments down below. I’d love to hear from you.

As always, have a wonderful day lovelies!

sincerelykarenjoendsign

Blog Tour – The Sweetheart Sham by Danielle Ellison

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Hello my lovelies! Welcome to my stop for The Sweetheart Sham Blog Tour hosted by Chapter by Chapter. I am so head over heels in love with this heartwarming and incredibly sweet romance.  Don’t forget to stay until the end to read an excerpt and join an awesome giveaway!


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5 ★ – DELIGHTFULLY SWEET AND AMAZINGLY SWOONY
PUBLISHED BY ENTANGLED TEEN CRUSH DECEMBER 4, 2017
GENRE(S): YOUNG ADULT, ROMANCE, CONTEMPORARY

Purchase Links Amazon | Amazon Australia | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada | B&N | iBooks | Kobo 

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 Synopsis 

In a small town like Culler, South Carolina, you guard your secrets like you guard your cobbler recipe: with your life. Georgia Ann Monroe knows a thing or two about secrets: she’s been guarding the truth that her best friend Will is gay for years now. But what happens when a little white lie to protect him gets her into a fake relationship…and then the boy of her dreams shows up?
Enter Beau Montgomery: Georgie’s first love, hotter than ever, and much too much of a southern gentleman to ever pursue someone else’s girl. There’s no way to come clean to Beau while still protecting Will. But bless their hearts, they live in Culler—where secrets always have a way of revealing themselves.
Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book contains a hilarious “fakeship,” a scorching-hot impossible relationship, and a heartwarming best-friendship that will make you want to call your best friend right here, right now.

Review 

Set in a charming small Southern town filled with quirky and lovable characters, The Sweetheart Sham is a wonderful story about friendship, family, forgiveness, and love. It’s extremely adorable, delightfully sweet, and amazingly swoony you won’t be able to resist.  

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This book tells the story of a sassy southern belle, Georgia Ann Monroe, her handsome gay best friend, Will Montgomery, and the gorgeous boy who broke her heart, Beau Montgomery. It’s a second-chance romance, a coming out journey, and an uplifting narrative about acceptance, honesty, taking risks and LOVE. The plot was refreshing, absolutely dazzling, hilarious, and utterly heartfelt. There were so many wonderful moments that filled my heart with so much excitement, joy and hope that I didn’t want it to end.  

The characters put such a big smile on my face. They’re beautifully complex and flawed, positively delightful, and so darn lovable. Not to mention, they’re so vibrant, fun, witty, and so full of heart. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each and everyone in Culler.

I adored Will with all my heart and felt for him throughout the entire time. He’s genuine, loyal, kind, and just wanted to be happy. I’ve always been a believer that love is love and everyone regardless of who they are and what they believe in deserves to feel all the love and happiness.

Georgia Ann was such a fantastic and very likable character. I loved her spunk, perseverance, and dedication to the people she cares about. Having said that, her relationship with Will was absolutely endearing. They wanted each other to be happy no matter what and were willing to do anything to make that happen. I enjoyed their inside jokes, their bantering, and all the tender moments they shared. Their friendship was so heartwarming and sweet and just made me aww over and over again. 

Beau was a bit angsty and broody, but also ridiculously charming, funny, and caring that you can’t help but swoon over him. While he did frustrate me a bit, I can honestly say that Beau became the kind of guy I would fall in love with — the one I would bring home to meet my whole family and be my plus 1 forever. I loved his imperfections, his determination, his sincerity, and his gentle heart. The romance between him and Georgia Ann was delicious, sexy and totally steamy! They were just the sweetest sweethearts and the ending scene will surely make your heart melt.

I am so incredibly head over heels in love with this book! I smiled, laughed, cried, and felt so many wonderful emotions that left me craving for more. It’s intoxicating in the most amazing way and I honestly cannot wait to read the next installment. 

With heartwarming characters, a charming setting, and swoon worthy romances, The Sweetheart Sham by Danielle Ellison is a lovely addition to Entangled Teen Crush books! Definitely adding this to my favorite YA contemporary reads. 

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Excerpt

“Beau Montgomery, what on earth!” someone, I think it’s Will’s mom, says with a squeal. I can’t single it out because my heart seems to stop beating.
Everyone scoots toward the patio entrance and gathers around. Will drops my hand to move closer.
 And then I see him.
 He’s standing behind Mrs. M next to his dad, a big smile on his face, and he’s tall. Real tall. His dark hair is longer and nearly falling into his hazel eyes, definitely a length that Orry won’t like much. His jaw is strong, some muscles pressing under his polo. He looks nothing like the boy I remember.
 And suddenly I’m a little self-conscious. What am I wearing today? I can’t even remember. I could look down but that would mean looking away from him, and thenmaybe when I look back he won’t be there. I don’t know if he even sees me, but I see him. Clearly. After more than twoyears of nothing.
 “Beau, is that you, boy?” Orry calls. Beau steps around the rest of the family toward his grandpa. He’s closer now, and I can get a better look at his face. My eyes explore his features and rest on his lips, which break out into a small smile and—Dang, is it hot out here?
 “Hello, Granddad.” Orry pulls him into a hug and Beau has to lean over to reach him properly. Orry looks like a kid in his arms.
 Cheese and rice, even his voice is sexy. Deeper but still with a familiar feeling that it stirs up in me, and an accent with a hint of Georgia twang instead of South Carolina cadence.
I like it. Lord help me, I like it.
 Orry holds him out at arm’s length and examines him before giving him a pat on the shoulder. “You look more like your daddy than I expected. How tall are you?”
 “Six one, sir,” Beau says.
 “You look good, grandson, real good. Atlanta treating you well?”
 “Yes, sir, it is.”
 I want to move, but I can’t. My feet are stuck to the ground, not that I should move anyway. I don’t reckon I trust myself around him. Especially not right now when I’m not sure if I want to hug him or kick him somewhere that would hurt. I’d do a good job of it too and make darn sure my kick was as painful as him not showing up that night.
“When’s your momma coming?” Mrs. M asks him.
 “Not until closer to the wedding,” he says.
 I watch as Will hugs him. They’re both smiling, and it reminds me of before when he was here. They were inseparable—we were—and now I’m just standing here like an idiot. Which I am. Will looks in my direction, and then Beau’s eyes are on me, too. It’s even worse when he’s looking at me, especially now with a hidden glimmer in them. It’s not how he said hello to the others; it’s almost like his eyes hadn’t seen me before, and now he’s hyperaware. Just like I’ve been since his dad yelled his name.
 He takes a step toward me.

Danielle EllisonAbout the Author 

Danielle Ellison is a nomad, always on the lookout for an adventure and the next story. In addition to writing, she’s the founder and coordinator of the NoVa TEEN Book Festival. When she’s not busy with books, she’s probably watching her favorite shows, drinking coffee, or fighting her nomadic urges. She is newly settled in Oklahoma (for now) with her cat, Simon, but you can always find her on twitter @DanielleEWrites.

Follow and Connect with Danielle Ellison 

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Giveaway Details 

The Sweetheart Sham Prize Pack (US):

Pampering goodies (sweet southern soap and bath bombs)

a “peanut butter <3s jelly” mug

ice cream erasers

heart shaped sunglasses

a copy of “Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit” by Jaye Robin Brown

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Thanks for stopping by and reading my review. Hope you lovelies get to meet Georgia Ann, Will and Beau, and experience their lovely sweet story. Don’t forget to leave your comments down below!

Sincerely Karen Jo