Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Two fun reads...

 
The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter

"Here's the thing about waking up with no memory in the middle of the night, in the middle of the street, in the middle of Paris: at least you're waking up in Paris."

She's not a spy, but she gets caught up with one. And Sawyer's the only thing standing between her and all the bad guys chasing her. There's a lot of action, banter, suspense, and some great laugh-out-loud moments between Zoe and Sawyer in this one. This is such an addictive and fun novel; I couldn't put it down. I loved the combination of spies and romance.   4.5/5 stars. 





Tangled Up In You by Christina Lauren

"For as many books as she'd read in her lifetime, Ren had never found one that taught a woman like her--raised away from society and off the grid for most of her twenty-two years--how to live in the real world. Still, she was so ready for the change, she could practically taste it."

Ren is naive, optimistic, eager and full of sunshine. Fitz is streetwise, charming when he wants to be, but hiding some dark secrets from his past. The two of them together? Magic. From Ren's first weeks at college to their road trip across the country, I ate this book up. It's a charming read with lots of humor. I liked how spending time with Ren made Fitz open up and want to be better. And Ren's journey had some unexpected surprises in it, especially at the end.   4/5 stars.


30 comments:

  1. These both sound great, especially Tangled Up In You which sounds a little bit different with Ren's upbringing being unusual.

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    1. Her upbringing plays a very interesting role in the book. :D

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  2. Love, love, loved your thoughts on these two books - they sound like such fun reads! So glad you posted about them!

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    1. I think you would really love both of these books. They're especially good for when you're in a reading slump. :D

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  3. Sounds like you've found two perfect summer reads.

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  4. I really like that quote from The Blonde Identity; you instantly get a good feel about the book and can see it should be a fun read.

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    1. She knows how to write an entertaining romp.

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  5. Both books sound amazing! Glad you enjoyed them!!

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    1. They both made me laugh, and they read very fast.

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  6. I have never read Ally Carter, but my daughter has. Once upon a time I thought I would, but still haven't.

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    1. I've read a few of her books and enjoyed them. This is one of her first adult novels.

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  7. Ren's off the grid upbringing is an interesting idea for a heroine's background. It sounds like an interesting book with two characters who have chemistry.

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    1. Her upbringing was very unusual and plays a big role in the plot.

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  8. Both of these sound good. I really want to read more by Christina Lauren. And Ally Carter's book sounds like such fun. I am glad you enjoyed these!

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    1. I really enjoyed this new Christina Lauren romance; it's sort of a retelling of Tangled...in a small way. And very cute.

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  9. I agree it's nice waking up in Paris. I always wonder where I am. ha. Cute cover.

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    1. :D I wish I had woken up in Paris today! I'd love to spend the weekend strolling along the Seine.

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  10. I love the sound of The Blond Identity! And yes, waking up in Paris would be fab, even if you didn't have your memory, lol! I watched Tangled with my grandkids and it kind of freaked me out. It was a dark situation for a kid, to be kidnapped and held prisoner your whole childhood, but I guess a lot of the tales Disney has put out there are dark in some way if you take them apart. That's the reason I stayed away from this Christina Lauren, but it sounds like I'd enjoy they way they handled Ren's upbringing. Great reviews! :)

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    1. I think you would like this Christina Lauren book. They handle Ren's past and upbringing really well, and there's a lot of humorous moments in this one. Plus, Ren is such a great character.

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  11. Tangled Up In You sounds good to me.

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    1. It's very fun, and Ren's background added a lot to the story. I think you'd like it.

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  12. I'm so glad you enjoyed The Blonde Identity! I loved it. I just finished an ARC of Carter's upcoming release "The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year" and it was just as good. It had me laughing so hard. :D

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    1. The Blonde Identity was SO much fun! I loved it, too. And I'm looking forward to reading The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year when it comes out. :D

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  13. I'm glad to see your positive reaction to Tangled Up in You! I'd gotten an ARC, and couldn't get into it -- but I haven't been much in the mood for YA in general, so that could be why. I typically love Christina Lauren books! Maybe I'll give it another try.

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    1. My library doesn't classify Tangled Up in You as YA; they shelve it in regular fiction. And it didn't feel like a YA book to me even though both characters are in college. But Ren's 22 and Fitz is older, too. So you might want to give it another try?

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  14. I like the story of REN and would like to read it. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. I thought it was a very fun story; I think you'd like it. :D

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  15. I've read two books by Christina Lauren and have enjoyed them. I should try more and that looks interesting. Ally Carter has been on my TBR for decades it feels like. I really should give one of her books a try soon.

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    1. I've enjoyed the few books I've read by Lauren, too. And this Ally Carter one totally made me laugh. :D

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