REVIEW: TRUST IN ME by J. LYNN

Series: Wait for You #1.5

Category/Genre: New Adult Contemporary

Publisher: William Morrow

Publication Date: 10/22/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 352
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 stars



It’s Wait for You as you’ve never seen it.Trust in Me lets you in on Cam’s side of the #1 New York Times Bestselling story.

Cameron Hamilton is used to getting what he wants, especially when it comes to women. But when Avery Morgansten comes crashing into his life – literally – he finally meets the one person who can resist his soulful baby blues. But Cam’s not ready to give up. He can’t get the feisty and intriguing girl out of his head.

Avery has secrets, secrets that keep her from admitting the feelings Cam knows she has for him. Will persistence (and some delicious homemade cookies) help him break down her barriers and gain her trust? Or will he be shut out of Avery's life, losing his first real shot at the kind of love that lasts forever?

First Impression .... I'm not usually interested in alternate point-of-view stories. But I do love Cam....

The Story... Wait For You was Avery's story of courage, trust, and falling in love with a boy who gave her friendship, a turtle, and cookies. Trust in Me is the story through Cam's eyes. But, Trust in Me is not a simple rehash of the original story. Cam's book provides a lot of insights into why he was so willing to wait for Avery; how and why he wanted to earn her trust. 

The Characters ...As I mentioned, I loved Cam lots. Now I adore that super sweetheart even more. Nothing is sweeter than seeing a boy fall seriously in love. Cam also renewed my appreciation for the good guy. He was funny,  patient, and just such a good guy. As for Avery, I actually enjoyed her more in this book. Seeing her vulnerability through Cam's eyes endeared her more to me.

 Besides Avery and Cam, Trust in Me features Ollie and Jase quite a lot. These dudes were so much fun, and I always welcome an excellent Bromance.

The Writing .... As always, J. Lynn/Armentrout's writing is deliciously fun. I love, love the snark, the sarcasm, and the humor. I also enjoyed the pace of the story now, more than I find in Wait For You. When I read that book, I felt like the pace trudged along a fair amount. And maybe I would still think that if I re-read. But in the time since I read Wait For You, I have read many, many books in the same vein, books that rushed or brushed over the topic of sexual trauma. One thing I've learned is, I would rather an author take the time to handle this in the manner it deserves, than rush. Or indicate that the best healing is sexual healing. Blech. J. Lynn did Avery's story justice. I and many other readers appreciate this more than we can say.

Could I Put Trust in Me Down? .... I'm actually surprised at how much I did NOT want to put this story down. I'm not a big on re-reading books, or re-watching movies, except for my very favorites. And though I knew exactly where and how the story would end, getting there was a great ride.

In the End... I adored Trust In Me. I found it to be surprisingly fresh - considering the story- and completely charming. This story renewed my appreciation for this series, and has me very excited to continue.
 

Favorite Quotes:

  One look at Ollie's creased forehead told me he was racking his brain for what he did. I sighed. "You really need to lay off the pot."
  "If I've heard that once, I've heard that a million times, but Mary Jane loves me, and she's the only girl I love."  


  In that moment, I realized I was seeing a very different side of Avery. One I'd never seen before, where she was lively and carefree, and fucking perfect.
  "I'm going to marry that girl one day," I heard myself say.
  Jase chocked on his beer and bent over, dragging in deep breaths. "Holy shit."
  I grinned.

 

Wait For You Series

 

Purchase Trust in Me

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble

About the author:

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Website  |  Facebook |  Twitter  |  GoodReads

COVER REVEAL and GIVEAWAY: TRUST IN ME by J. LYNN

I'm excited to be able to share the cover reveal for Trust in Me, by J. Lynn. Along with the cover, I also have a giveaway!

Series: Wait for You #1.5

Category/Genre: New Adult Contemporary

Publisher: William Morrow

Publication Date: 10/22/13



It’s Wait for You as you’ve never seen it.Trust in Me lets you in on Cam’s side of the #1 New York Times Bestselling story.

Cameron Hamilton is used to getting what he wants, especially when it comes to women. But when Avery Morgansten comes crashing into his life – literally – he finally meets the one person who can resist his soulful baby blues. But Cam’s not ready to give up. He can’t get the feisty and intriguing girl out of his head.

Avery has secrets, secrets that keep her from admitting the feelings Cam knows she has for him. Will persistence (and some delicious homemade cookies) help him break down her barriers and gain her trust? Or will he be shut out of Avery's life, losing his first real shot at the kind of love that lasts forever?

Wait for You

 

Add on GoodReads



GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Website  |  Facebook |  Twitter  |  GoodReads

BLOG TOUR, REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY: FRIENDS & LOVERS TRILOGY by BETHANY LOPEZ

 

Welcome to my stop on the Friends & Lovers Blog Tour! The tour is being hosted by AToMR; find the complete schedule here. My stop includes reviews of the series and the tour giveaway.

 

 

 

Title: Make it Last (Friends & Lovers, #1)

Genre/Age Group: Contemporary New Adult

Publication Date: 11/12/12

Format: ebook

Source: Bought

In a small town, it's hard to recover from being dumped by your high school sweetheart. That's just what Briana has to do after Colin leaves her to follow his dreams. She focuses her energy into her friendships and the pursuit of her own goal of becoming a chef. Just when she finally feels like she's on the right path, he comes back to town.

Colin knew breaking up with Briana before leaving for college was the right thing to do. He was determined to leave small-town life behind forever, and that included his high school girlfriend. But when a sports injury puts him on the sidelines, he's forced to return home. Seeing Briana again brings back a lot of memories, and Colin wonders if he made the right decision. It doesn't take long for him to realize he wants her back, and this time, he wants to make it last.

(This review originally posted in 1/13)

 

Colin and Briana were high school sweethearts. When Colin broke Briana's heart, he left her behind, with an empty place no other guy has been able to fill. After four years, she's moved on, but when Colin comes back to town and realizes what he's missed, the two will discover whether they have what it takes to make it last. (no pun intended, seriously)

I really enjoyed Make it Last. I love stories of two people who reconnect after heartbreak and years apart. I love when the two are forced to recognize who they've each grown into and have to re-evaluate their feelings. So in that aspect, Make it Last definitely appealed to me. The story is fairly short, which I have absolutely no problem with, I just felt it could have dug a little deeper into the emotions. Show me the heartache. Make me feel the emotions stirring. Leave me breathless, just like the characters. But still, I did really enjoy the story. Other than the showing vs. telling, it was well-rounded and left me so happy with its ending.

Make it Last is absolutely brimming with secondary characters who were vying to steal the story! Pete, Kara, Roni, Rich, Kent (broke my heart!), Nicole...they were all characters that I want to know better, probably Rich and Kent the most. This feeling leaves me wanting more from the series and I will definitely be reading Kent's story, I Choose You.

Favorite Quote:

  "Holy crap, Bree, he is freakin' HOT."

  "Shut up, Kara."

  "No, seriously...tall, dark, and freakishly handsome! I mean, those dimples...I just want to lick him," Kara said dreamily.

  "Jesus, Kara," Briana snapped, "Are you kidding me right now?"

  Kara laughed wickedly. "Not about the fact that he's crazy hot, but yes, I'm kidding about wanting to lick him. You know I'd never poach."

Series Friends & Lovers, #2

Genre/Age Group: Contemporary New Adult

Publication Date: 12/27/12

Format: ebook

Source: Received from author for review

 

Up until now, Nicole's life has been mapped out for her. She'd go to college, marry Jake and become the upstanding minister's wife. When she leaves that life to begin again in a small town in Texas, she finally has the freedom to live as she chooses. There, she meets Kent, a guy whose charm and passion make it hard to stick to her morals.

Dodging his father’s fists and protecting his twin sister made Kent into the man he is today. He learned by watching his mother stay by his father’s side that it’s better to keep relationships simple. Then he meets Nicole. Her sweet smile and genuine response to him land like punches to his resolve. After a lifetime of learning to protect his heart, can he finally let down his guard?

 

What a sweet story! We first meet Kent and Nicole in Make It Last, and I was definitely left wanting to know more about these two, particularly Kent, so I was really looking forward to reading their story.

I Choose You is a very quick and easy read, but I did feel that Lopez was able to manage to give enough insight into the characters to make me feel like I knew them, their story, and their motivations, wants and needs. Kent's story made my heart pinch. His upbringing was so sad and I truly felt for him and his twin sister, Roni. It explained a lot about him, the cool exterior and his effort to have a peaceful surrounding and control of his life. It also explains why he is hesitant to become too involved with Nicole. And though her story wasn't tragic, it was still difficult for her to break away from her family's expectations, and to maintain the ideals she embraces.

I found I Choose You to be a really sweet, thoughtful story, very low on angst. Sometimes I really appreciate a story that can accomplish to make me feel without making me crazy. The characters are the focus here, and Lopez has managed to create a great bunch of friends and lovers.

Favorite Quote:

  Was he really interested in dating right now?
  An image of Nicole flashed in his mind.
  Yes, she was blonde, beautiful, and had a killer body, but she also had a wonderful innocence about her. A sweetness...And when she smiled, his heart seemed to shift in his chest.

 

 

Series Friends & Lovers, #3

Genre/Age Group: Contemporary New Adult

Publication Date: 2/28/13

Format: ebook

Source: Received from author for review

Roni’s dreams of becoming a contemporary dancer were smashed under the brutal rage of her ex-husband's fists. Getting divorced and starting over at the age of twenty-two was never her plan, but maybe in Texas, she'll find her path. When the town's local player, Rich, opens a Rec Center, she sees a way to rekindle her dancing dreams...and maybe have a little fun with her sexy new boss.

Rich never expected to fulfill his dreams in the town he planned to leave behind, but that's just what he's doing. His reputation as a noncommittal ladies' man might make it challenging to earn respect in the business world, but he's willing to prove that he's serious. In fact, when it comes to pursuing Roni, he's more than willing. But she's taking a page out of his book, not wanting to risk another relationship. Can he convince her that his playboy days are over and that she can trust him with her heart?

From the beginning of the series, I wanted Rich's story. He's always been sweet, funny, and suuuuper sexy. I'm really glad that he finally got his own book, and I'm happy that Roni is his match.

Like her brother Kent, Roni was a troubled character. Not troubled in the present sense exactly, but more because of what she'd gone through. She was a girl who'd never had a great shot at the life she wanted, but was working hard to make it happen now. She doesn't want a guy like Rich, who's known as a ladies man, but is actually so much more. Rich did not disappoint in Trust in Me. He was just as sexy and fun as in the two previous stories, but he was also kind and thoughtful. I really enjoyed this couple's journey to the love they both deserve.

I also really, really appreciate that author Bethany Lopez wrote bonus scenes for each of the trilogy's couples. These provided a sweet, fun look at their futures and gave a nice resolution to the series.

Favorite Quote:

  "Jesus, man," Kent said as he watched his friend stride into the room.
  Rich just looked at him, a cocky smile on his face. "Guess you shoulda knocked."
  "There's a freakin' work crew out there," Kent exclaimed, gesturing towards the men on the other side of the door. "I didn't think you'd be prancing around with your door open, naked as the day you were born."
  "I ain't go nothin' they haven't seen before," Rich said with a chuckle as he pulled on a pair of jeans.
  "Shit," Kent laughed. "And he's going commando." 

Purchase Friends & Lovers at:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author

Bethany Lopez was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Michigan and San Antonio, Texas. She went to High School at Dearborn High, in Dearborn, Michigan, which is where she has set her Young Adult novel. She is married and has a blended family with five children. She is currently serving in the United States Air Force as a Recruiter in Los Angeles, California. She has always loved to read and write and has seen her dream realized by independently publishing her contemporary Young Adult series, Stories About Melissa. Ta Ta for Now!, xoxoxo, and Ciao are available now. Bethany is currently working on a Contemporary Fantasy YA and a Contemporary New Adult Trilogy.

Bethany Lopez | Facebook| Twitter | Pinterest | IAN

 

{EXCERPT AND GIVEAWAY} TRUST IN ME (FRIENDS & LOVERS #3) by BETHANY LOPEZ

I'm so happy to be able to share an excerpt of and giveaway of Trust in Me (Friends and Lovers #3) , by Bethany Lopez. This event was organized by AToMR Tours.

Series: Friends and Lovers #3

Genre: Contemporary New Adult Romance

Publisher: Self-published

Publication Date: 2/28/13

Roni’s dreams of becoming a contemporary dancer were smashed under the brutal rage of her ex-husband's fists. Getting divorced and starting over at the age of twenty-two was never her plan, but maybe in Texas, she'll find her path. When the town's local player, Rich, opens a Rec Center, she sees a way to rekindle her dancing dreams...and maybe have a little fun with her sexy new boss.

Rich never expected to fulfill his dreams in the town he planned to leave behind, but that's just what he's doing. His reputation as a noncommittal ladies' man might make it challenging to earn respect in the business world, but he's willing to prove that he's serious. In fact, when it comes to pursuing Roni, he's more than willing. But she's taking a page out of his book, not wanting to risk another relationship. Can he convince her that his playboy days are over and that she can trust him with her heart?

Excerpt 

  Rich stood under the shower and let the hot water massage his aching muscles. Eyes closed, he allowed himself to think about Roni and the proposition she’d brought to him. She’d looked so pretty standing amidst his cluttered room. He’d wished briefly that he could throw her over his shoulder and ravish her long, lean body on his sorry excuse for a bed, but he’d controlled himself when he heard what she had to say.

   Now that he was alone, he could take a little time to remember how her shirt had been snug in all the right places, and her little skirt had swayed slightly, flirting toned legs that seemed to go on forever.

  When his body started to stiffen, he changed the course of his thoughts and admitted that her idea was a good one. He stepped out of the shower and toweled off. He hung the towel on the rod, then walked out into his room to find something to wear.

  “Jesus, man,” Kent said as he watched his friend stride into the room.

   Rich just looked at him, a cocky smile on his face. “Guess you shoulda knocked.”

   “There’s a freakin’ work crew out there,” Kent exclaimed, gesturing towards the men on the other side of the door. “I didn’t think you’d be prancing around with your door open, naked as the day you were born.”

  “I ain’t got nothin’ they haven’t seen before,” Rich said with a chuckle as he pulled on a pair of jeans.

  “Shit,” Kent laughed. “And he’s going commando.” This he said with his eyes rolled upward.

  “What can I do for you?” Rich asked as he picked up a t-shirt, smelled it, then pulled it over his head. “Other than the free show.”

Eeeep! Rich. Is. Hot.  I'm really excited to read Trust in Me!

Check out the trailer

The Friends & Lovers Series


(click on cover for GoodReads page)

Purchase Trust in Me at:

Barnes & Noble  |  Amazon  |  Smashwords

Giveaway

I have one copy of Trust in Me to give away. The book will be gifted in either mobi or epub format, after 3/18/13. Just fill the form to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bethany Lopez was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Michigan and San Antonio, Texas. She went to High School at Dearborn High, in Dearborn, Michigan, which is where she has set her Young Adult novel. She is married and has a blended family with five children. She is currently serving in the United States Air Force as a Recruiter in Los Angeles, California. She has always loved to read and write and has seen her dream realized by independently publishing her contemporary Young Adult series, Stories About Melissa. Ta Ta for Now!, xoxoxo, and Ciao are available now. Bethany is currently working on a Contemporary Fantasy YA and a Contemporary New Adult Trilogy.

Bethany Lopez | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | IAN