The Proposal (The Wedding Date #2) by Jasmine Guillory

Synopsis: The author of The Wedding Date serves up a novel about what happens when a public proposal doesn't turn into a happy ending, thanks to a woman who knows exactly how to make one on her own...

When someone asks you to spend your life with him, it shouldn't come as a surprise--or happen in front of 45,000 people.

When freelance writer Nikole Paterson goes to a Dodgers game with her actor boyfriend, his man bun, and his bros, the last thing she expects is a scoreboard proposal. Saying no isn't the hard part--they've only been dating for five months, and he can't even spell her name correctly. The hard part is having to face a stadium full of disappointed fans...

At the game with his sister, Carlos Ibarra comes to Nik's rescue and rushes her away from a camera crew. He's even there for her when the video goes viral and Nik's social media blows up--in a bad way. Nik knows that in the wilds of LA, a handsome doctor like Carlos can't be looking for anything serious, so she embarks on an epic rebound with him, filled with food, fun, and fantastic sex. But when their glorified hookups start breaking the rules, one of them has to be smart enough to put on the brakes...

      I wanted to read this book because I wanted to see progression in the characters because it had Carlos in the Wedding Date and just to see if the writing was any better.  I found this one to be better when it came to the storyline and the comedy of the novel.   I liked how the foul language was less than the first novel and while still present, I managed to get through it.  I found that their romantic encounters weren't as graphic as the previous novel, but that you could still get the jist of what was happening.  At the end of the story, I liked how it ended and the realizations they both came to about their lives. 

One Crazy Summer (Gaither Sisters #1) by Rita Williams-Garcia

Synopsis: In the summer of 1968, after travelling from Brooklyn to Oakland, California, to spend a month with the mother they barely know, eleven-year-old Delphine and her two younger sisters arrive to a cold welcome as they discover that their mother, a dedicated poet and printer, is resentful of the intrusion of their visit and wants them to attend a nearby Black Panther summer camp.

I bought this book years ago at a book fair when I was doing some student teaching field experience. It had stickers of a bunch of awards it had won, so I thought it would have to be a good read.  So now years later I found the book on audio book and could listen to it.  

The language in the book was a little hard to get into at times and follow. I think if I had more background info about this book and knew more about the black movement in California during that time period and about the Black Panthers then I would understand it more.  But I would recommend it to an Elementary School child or one in Middle School who has learned about it.  I did find out after reading this that there are 2 more books in the series, but I'm not sure if I would read them, 

The Crown by Kiera Cass

Synopsis: When Eadlyn became the first princess of Illéa to hold her own Selection, she didn’t think she would fall in love with any of her thirty-five suitors. She spent the first few weeks of the competition counting down the days until she could send them all home. But as events at the palace force Eadlyn even further into the spotlight, she realizes that she might not be content remaining alone.

Eadlyn still isn’t sure she’ll find the fairytale ending her parents did twenty years ago. But sometimes the heart has a way of surprising you…and soon Eadlyn must make a choice that feels more impossible—and more important—than she ever imagined.

I liked the review that Hailey (Hailey in Bookland) wrote on goodread.com "This one was a good improvement on The Heir. Eadlyn was a huge brat in the previous book, but she comes to some self realization in this book that makes her change her ways. I liked that with The Heir and The Crown you truly never really know who Eadlyn is going to end up with. With first three books of The Selection Series, you always kind of know who Maxon is going to choose, but these 2 books kept me guessing. However, these 2 books put the romance on the side, which is annoying because that's 95% of why I love these books so much. But overall, I did really enjoy it, but I think it was time for the series to be over."

I do feel the same way and I could tell who she was going to pick, but the question was if she was going to go through with the harder decision or go with what her country expected.  It was a good read and I enjoyed seeing how things ended. I like these type of stories because they are geared toward a teenager demographic and not so intense on the romantic aspect. 

The Heir by Kiera Cass

Synopsis: Princess Eadlyn has grown up hearing endless stories about how her mother and father met. Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won the heart of Prince Maxon - and they lived happily ever after. Eadlyn has always found their fairy-tale story romantic, but she has no interest in trying to repeat it. If it were up to her, she'd put off marriage for as long as possible.

But a princess's life is never entirely her own, and Eadlyn can't escape her very own Selection—no matter how fervently she protests.

Eadlyn doesn't expect her story to end in romance. But as the competition begins, one entry may just capture Eadlyn's heart, showing her all the possibilities that lie in front of her . . . and proving that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought.

I was excited to read the next book after the previous one where it finished with the wedding of Prince Maxon and America Singer. I thought it would be a story where it left off, but instead it sets it more in the future and now the main character is their first born daughter and heir to the throne.  

Like I said in my previous post when I mentioned that this had a feel of the tv series, "The Bachelor", this keeps playing on it and is like a version of "The Bachelorette". And while the book was predicable in a way, it did have some twists and turns that I didn't see coming. I did like the earlier books better because I felt there was more depth to America and how she worked together to make things better for the people in their kingdom. I felt like this one was about her attitude toward tradition and her love life and how she rebelled against it. But it was a quick read and I do look forward to reading the last book in the series.

The One by Kiera Cass

Synopsis: The time has come for one winner to be crowned.

When she was chosen to compete in the Selection, America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the end of the competition approaches, and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

This is the 3rd installment of this series. It comes to an ending and the winner is chosen. I did like this story and while the ending was a bit predicable in my eyes it was good and it left me wanting just a bit more and so I was glad that when I finished this one that I had the next installment already ready and waiting for me via audiobook. 

A Dog's Way Home by W. Bruce Cameron

Synopsis: From W. Bruce Cameron, the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling novel A Dog's Purpose, which is now a major motion picture!

Lucas Ray is shocked when an adorable puppy jumps out of an abandoned building and into his arms. Though the apartment he shares with his mother, a disabled veteran, doesn't allow dogs, Lucas can't resist taking Bella home.

I thought this story was so endearing. After reading other previous books from this author, I knew I could enjoy this one too. I had to wait for a few weeks for it to become available through audiobook, but I kept myself occupied while waiting.   

This is s story of true loyalty and devotion of a man and animal.  Bella is fiercely loyal to Lucas and their bond is unbreakable. Even though miles separate them, she never gives up. She has many adventures and it is fun to see her adventures through her eyes.  This story did remind me of one I used to watch when I was a kid, "The Incredible Journey" which is about 2 dogs and a cat finding their way home. 

The Elite by Kiera Cass

The Selection by Kiera Cass

 

Synopsis: For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

 

This was a book that I had had on my to-read list for a while and never got around to it.....so audiobook to the rescue.  I did feel like this storyline was a bit like the tv show, the Bachelor. And although I do like the Bachelor, this book did have some differences. I did like how it was set in a dystopian future and that there were other kingdoms around and had some mystery to it. I know I'm glad that I don't live in a time like that where there is a Caste system.  It is a good, quick read for someone in the mood for a romance-y type book. I can't wait to read the others in the series.