With Good Behavior by Jennifer Lane

Book Description:
In a world gripped by organized crime, family dysfunction, and dim hopes of redemption, can true love persevere? For Sophie Taylor, a beautiful psychologist who lost everything when she violated an ethical boundary, and Grant Madsen, a handsome naval officer who sacrificed everything to protect a loved one, finding that love may carry an unbearable cost.

Starting their lives over in Chicago, both are fighting influences from their family and running as fast as they can to escape the past. When their paths cross outside the parole officer's door, the attraction is instantaneous. But a hidden connection may not only shatter their fledgling love, but prove deadly to them both.

Christina's BookReview

"When Karita died, the only thing that got me through was you. I was so proud to adopt you and have you as my son. Never forget that."

RECAP:

Former psychologist, Sophie Taylor has just been released on parole after serving a year in prison. Her crime? Falling in love with a criminal.

Former Navy Lieutenant, Grant Madsen is also being released on parole after serving 26 months in prison. His crime? Attempted robbery.

When these two are assigned to PO Jerry Stone their lives outside will change forever. 

As Sophie and Grant  work to make it on outside and stay out of prison their love grows everyday. But when their past comes knocking will these two survive? Or will love not be enough?

MY TAKE:

I was given this book by the lovely Jennifer to read and review. Unfortunately i couldn't get to it until recently. And what a mistake!! This book captured me from the first sentence!

Sophie and Grants story is one of heartache, pain, love, and the evil loved ones can cause.

As soon as you meet Sophie you realize that she was a women scorned. She is sweet, intelligent, and caring. But she is also naive. And her need to help is her ultimate fault. But given another chance Sophie is dead set on getting back on track which makes you root for her success. And if come in the form of one mighty fine sailor.

Omg! Grant Madsen is one hot, steamy swoon-worthy man! From the start you gravitate towards him. He is warm, loving, honorable and caring. His love for his uncle and later for Sophie is unbreakable.

I have to highlight the amazing secondary character in this book! From their hardass good guy PO Jerry Smith to their hilariously outrageous boss Roger. Also in the mix is Grants heartwarming Uncle Joe which will have you wishing for an uncle just like him and Sophie's best friend Kirsten.

But the one character in this book that truly captured my heart was also the "villain", Logan Barberi. Logan commits alot of mistake in this book but you also get an inside of his want to change. His need for someone to save him. And when he is finally given his "peace" you cant help and cry for him. Logan will dig himself into your heart even though you believe he shouldn't.

I was a blubbering mess during the second half of this book. One minute crying the next laughing and then back to crying. Jennifer did an amazing job bringing these character to life and making sure they stick with you. 

So here's my advice: BUY it, READ it, LOVE it!!

To help you out Jennifer has offered to supply an ebook copy of With Good Behavior for a giveaway!

The winner will be chosen on 1/18/2013. Just fill out the Rafflecopter below!! Good Luck and spread the word!!

Happy Reading!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Noah (5th Street, #1) by Elizabeth Reyes

Book Description: 

Veronica Cruz has been through hell and back. After disconnecting with the world two years ago to be at the side of her dying mother, she’s left alone, unemployed, overweight, and feeling a decade older than her twenty-eight years. When her best friend coaxes her into joining the local gym to ditch her depression and rejuvenate her life, she meets Noah. Assigned to help Veronica lose weight, Noah is everything she expected a young trainer to be—perfectly chiseled, supportive and motivating. Add to that, he’s incredibly sexy. He’s everything she’s ever looked for in a man. What she least expected was for him to fall for her, but he has. There's just one glaring problem: Noah is eight years younger.

Noah Quintanilla has his eye on a boxing title—someday. Down for a few months with an injury, his maintenance-boy pay at 5th Street Gym won't cut it. He’s finally given the opportunity to train. The catch? His trainee is an out-of-shape woman with a free week pass. Taking on the challenge, Noah stumbles into one of the closest friendships he’s ever known, and before he knows it, he’s in love. But Veronica’s not having it—the age difference is too much. Their platonic relationship means having to watch her date other men—something that would make him crazy. Believing he's the man for her, Noah sets out to prove that age is but an illusion, and there's more to him than just a number.

Christina's BookReview 

“Haven't you picked up on the irony of life by now? Things only just happen when you're not ready. When you're ready, you start trying, and gadamn I feel like trying right now.” 

RECAP:

Veronica has not had the best year. After suffering the lost of her mother veronica turns in on herself. After hitting rock bottom Veronica is obligated by her best friend to join the gym. Veronica goes along and at the end of the night she will have fulfills her friends wishes and return to her miserable existence. But fate has other plans. His name is Noah Quintanilla.

Noah Quintanilla has had a rough life. Moving from foster home to foster home has made him one tough man. The 5th Street gym is his family and he is finally given the chance to train. What Noah doesn't expect is a trainee much different from what 5th Street is used to. This trainee will be one that will change him forever.

What starts off as a friendship quickly changes for Noah and Veronica. But with the doubts and age difference between the two will these two ever get a happily ever after? Or are they at the wrong stage of their lives?

MY TAKE:

I won this book along with book 2 in a giveaway the author ran and was excited to start this. As a fan of The Moreno Brothers I couldn't wait to delve into this book. Although it was good I didn't enjoy it as much as previous reads from Ms. Reyes.

Noah and Veronica had a sweet friendship that blossomed throughout the book into a romance. While Veronica tries to work on herself and return to normal she also tries to deal with her growing affections for Noah, whose 8 years younger then her.  Unlike many twenty year old Noah has lived a very mature life. He isn't a boy and trying to get Veronica to see that is a difficult task which takes the whole entire book.

I liked the book but thought that the back and forth was a little drawn out which is why the 3.5 Stars. It consisted of the same things. They would flirt, she would back off, he would move forward. When they are finally together the book ends which is frustrating.

I recommend the book for the cute romance and the hot men of 5th Street. I look forward to reading Gio, book 2 in this series.

If you are a fan of Ms Reyes, I would say pick this up!
 

Happy Reading!

Christina's TOP 10 of 2012

2012 brought forth a whole slew of Amazing books! As you've all read through the year many books are books that will forever stay on my favorites shelf! I hope that the website did what I intended it to do. Help readers find GREAT books to read! Now its my time to share with you all MY Top 10 of 2012!

HERE WE GO....

Click the links to see my reviews!

1. Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park

This book was just AMAZING!! I can read this a thousand times!

2. Reckless Magic by Rachel Higginson
If you haven't read this you are missing out! AMAZING series!

3. Fragile by M. Leighton
This book was heart-wrenching and so freaking AWESOME!

4. Fissure by Nicole Williams
If you've read about Patrick Hayward you will LOVE this book!

5. The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Stephenie Meyer outdid herself with this one! The alien romance? INCREDIBLE! 

6. Gabriel's Inferno by Sylvain Reynard
HOLY HOT PROFESSOR EMERSON!! 

7.A Song for Julia by Charles Sheehan-Miles
Sweet, emotional and chuck full of ROMANCE!! 

8. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Just pure fantastical! What a roller-coaster!

9. Slammed by Colleen Hoover
LOVED & DEVOURED it!

10.Wraith by Angel Lawson
Friendship, Love and Ghost? My type of book! 

THERE YOU HAVE IT!!

What are your faves of 2012??

Wishing for Someday Soon by Tiffany King

Book Description:
 
Seventeen year old Katelyn Richards is a stronger person than anyone will ever know, and that is just the way she wants it. Behind her normal facade lies the reality of a broken home life. Thanks to her abusive mother, a string of deadbeat stepfathers, and an unsympathetic system, Katelyn has learned that the only one she can count on is herself. Her life’s mission has become to shield her nine year old brother, Kevin, and to give him the future that they both wish for. A life with no more abuse, no worries about where their next meal will come from, and no more wondering if they will have a roof over their heads.
When her mother moves them again, this time to a small town in Montana, Katelyn’s resolve is shaken when she meets Max, a cute boy from her new school, who gets a glimpse into her real world. Max slowly manages to break through Katelyn’s wall of distrust, stirring up feelings she never saw coming. Now with her world more complicated than she ever intended, Katelyn struggles with the decision to follow her heart into the arms of the first boy she has ever loved. A decision that could risk the promise she made to protect Kevin, and to give them the ‘someday soon’ that is so close within their grasp.

Christina's BookReview

"I promise to protect you from any more harm, and I promise I will do everything in my power to make sure you get your ‘someday soon.’"

RECAP

Katelyn Richards is used to moving around and not getting attached to anything or anyone. She has been taking care of her brother while her dead beat mother “sleeps” her way through life. So when they set foot in a small town Montana it’s just another town another school and another place they will leave behind. What Katelyn doesn’t expect is the kindness of the residents. Especially the attention that Max gives her.


Will Katelyn finally find a place to call HOME? Or will she continue to push away anyone that gets to close?

MY TAKE

This book was an okay read. I’ve read books by Tiffany and was looking forward to reading this one as well. ALthough it was a good book I wished that it was as addicting as her prior reads. 

I felt like it was the same type of story I’ve read a million times. Girl is living in a rough situation, girl moves to new town, meets a good boy, they fall in love, she pulls away and boy shows her he cares, they live happily ever after. I’ve read it a few times already so reading a similar book was a little bit of a letdown.

I did like it; don’t get me wrong, but what I didn’t like was the insta-love. I didn’t feel any chemistry between the characters. I felt like the romance lacked depth. Max was perfect. Too perfect and a little boring.

The people in the town were also a little too perfect. There wasn’t any bad in the town, except Katelyn’s mother. Which to me is unrealistic now-a-days.

I understood where Kateyln was coming from with pulling away and I was sad about her home environment and loved her protective instinct for her brother. She was a good female protag. 

Overall an okay book. Likeable characters, good storyline, and a cute romance.

Tiffany is an incredible writer as you've seen in my former reviews of her books! I just think this wasn’t my book. So don’t let me make your decision!

I will let you decide!

HAPPY READING!!