100 book challenge (April)

books i've read for the month of April:
14.) Christie Ridgway - First Comes Love

Kitty Wilder longed for a little respectability, so eight years ago, she finagled an "I do" out of local hero Dylan Matthews. The ceremony was only supposed to be a tourist attraction sham, but a loophole made it legal... a little fact she'd "conveniently" neglected to share until Dylan came storming back into her life.

How could he be married and not even know it? As an FBI agent, Dylan thought he'd seen it all, but this was outrageous. Kitty is still gorgeous, appealing, and even she deserves more than the toughened man he had become. But before Dylan can accept the powerful emotions he has for this unexpected wife, he has to first face down the demons of his past...
Rating: 3 Stars - started well but dragged in the middle, didn't like the lead characters and I just wanted this book to end.


15.) Christie Ridgway - In Love With Her Boss

This book was about Lori who was running away from her abusive ex-husband. She meets Josh, they fall in love but then she has trust issues, which was the main conflict that was keeping them from a happily-ever-after. Rating: 3 Stars - most because Lori was a bit irritating.

16.) Deirdre Martin - Fair Play

After nearly being raped by a sports star, Theresa Falconetti doesn't date athletes - or, in truth, anyone at all. So when two suitors begin courting her, she's flummoxed rather than flattered. Smooth, sexually undemanding Reese Banister seems like a dream come true even though he's the nephew of the man determined to take over her financially shaky PR firm. In contrast, new client Michael Dante, whose family owns a popular Brooklyn restaurant, is her worst nightmare. He's a professional hockey player, he comes from the same Bensonhurst neighborhood as her lovable but irritating Italian family and he's always in her face. As Theresa tries to upgrade the image of Michael's restaurant, decide whether or not to sell out, deal with her father's cancer and cope with the lingering scars of sexual trauma, she must assess the men's true worth.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars - I would have rated this a 4 except that I was disappointed with Theresa. She was sassy in book 1 but she was just unsure and sometimes dumb in the book. I loved Michael Dante, I thought he was a great guy and I can't understand why Theresa couldn't see what's right in front of her. And Reese was just so sleazy, even her best friend could see right through his fake courtship. But at least she redeemed herself at the end when she finally stopped fighting her feelings for Michael.


17.) Jeff Kinney - Diary of A Wimpy Kid
18.) Jeff Kinney - Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
19.) Jeff Kinney - The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary

Ratings: 4 Stars - loved all 3 books.. such an easy read and was witty. Wimpy kid is not your typical good kid.. he has his flaws - he makes stupid mistakes, can be sometimes jealous of his best friend, but always makes up for it in the end. I also loved the movie. Can't wait to read the 3rd, 4th and 5th books!


20.) Kate Angell - Curveball

On Media Day, the three members of the "Bat Pack", the Richmond Rogues' power hitters, get into a very public altercation that ends with their suspensions for 13 games. Psycho holes up in his historical Richmond colonial and is surprised when down-on-her-luck Keely Douglas shows up professing to be an interior designer. Chaser hangs out with his childhood friend Jen Reid, who has inherited the ballpark concession stand. They've always been close, but will one accidental kiss lead to more? Challenged by the indifference of reporter Emerson Kent, Romeo doubles his efforts to win her over.
Rating: 4 Stars - It was a bit distracting when the stories kept switching between the 3 characters, but was overall a good quick romantic read.


21.) Tonya Hurley - ghostgirl

Charlotte Usher feels practically invisible at school, and then one day she really is invisible. Even worse: she's dead. And all because she choked on a gummy bear. But being dead doesn't stop Charlotte from wanting to be popular; it just makes her more creative about achieving her goal.


Rating: 4 Stars - When I started with this book, I had no idea what the story was all about, so I was weirded out with the plot and had a difficult time reading the first few chapters. But then I got sucked into the story and was able to finish the book in one sitting. I thought Charlotte was pathetic and I liked Scarlet more than her. Great ending though.. looking forward to read the next 2 books!


22.) Rachel Hawthorne - Trust Me

Oh. No. This can't be happening. Me and Sean Reed? "Trust Partners" for the entire counselors-in-training program? Sean may have deep blue eyes that make my heart flutter whenever he looks at me, but he's always been a troublemaker. Being thrown together all summer? That is so not going to work. Even if he does have a really, really nice smile. Trust me on this.


Rating: 3 1/2 Stars - I usually love Rachel Hawthorne's books, but this one was aimed more for pre-teens so the story is a bit juvenile. I would have rated this a 4 except the girl was too stubborn. Very quick read though, i think i finished this in less than 2 hours.


23.) Stephie Davis - The Boyfriend Game

I rested the ball on my hip and walked back toward the equipment shed. In the dark.
Alone. With a boy.
I would be completely freaking out over varsity soccer tryouts if it weren't for the new student, Graham, who's helping me practice. He has the most amazing green eyes, curly brown hair, and perfect legs. Plus, we have lots in common, since all we both care about is soccer! Well, that's all he cares about. But my heart beats so fast when we're on the field together . . . and I don't think it's just from all the running around.
Rating: 4 Stars - quick YA romance. I think everyone can relate to this story at one point in their lives. 


24.) Kayla Perrin - Gimme An O!

Gynecologist turned sex therapist Lecia Calhoun, aka Dr. Love, is reveling in the success of her new book, The Big O, "a lighthearted but factual look at women's orgasms and how to achieve them," even if she's having trouble practicing what she preaches. NFL quarterback Anthony Beals, aka T, is living in a nightmare ever since that compromising photo of him and a hooker hit the tabloids and his brand-new wife sued for divorce. Their paths cross on Jay Leno's show—Anthony's there to proclaim his innocence; Lecia's there to flog her book—and sparks fly when T accuses Lecia, who once ran into his estranged wife, of messing up their marriage. Will Anthony clear his name? Will Lecia get her mojo back? Poor them—they just need a little TLC. And they'll find it on a road trip to New Orleans and Kansas as they search for Anthony's wife, who was never who she seemed to be and who has suddenly gone missing. 
Rating: 3 1/2 stars - first time i read her book and it was okay. light romance with a little hint of mystery. will try her other books.


25.) Kristan Higgins - The Next Best Thing

Lucy Lang isn't looking for fireworks.
She's looking for a nice, decent man. Someone who'll mow the lawn, flip chicken on the barbecue, teach their future children to play soccer. But most important: someone who won't inspire the slightest stirring in her heart…or anywhere else. A young widow, Lucy can't risk that kind of loss again. But sharing her life with a cat named Fat Mikey and the Black Widows at the family bakery isn't enough either. So it's goodbye to Ethan, her hot but entirely inappropriate "friend with privileges" and hello to a man she can marry.
Too bad Ethan Mirabelli isn't going anywhere. As far as he's concerned, what she needs might be right under her nose. But can he convince her that the next best thing can really be forever?
Rating: 4 stars. I loved her other books, this one is also great but i couldn't really like the lead girl much. i like Ethan. Her mom and aunts were a bit annoying with the "i'll never marry again" bit and the plot on how Lucy can't move on after Jimmy's death (it's been 5 years and she's been doing Ethan for years) dragged in the middle. I liked the ending that showed Jimmy is not so perfect at all, but still in the end, it felt like Ethan was "the next best thing". but i loved the "catch the toast" part.


26.) Sara Zarr - Story of A Girl

When Deanna's father catches her having sex in a car when she is 13, her life is drastically changed. Two years later, he still can't look her in the eye, and though Tommy is the only boy she's been with, she is branded the school slut. Her entire family watches her as though she is likely to sleep with anyone she sees, and Tommy still smirks at and torments her when she sees him. Her two best friends have recently begun dating, and Deanna feels like an intruder. She tries to maintain a close relationship with her older brother, but Darren and his girlfriend are struggling as teenage parents. Deanna learns to protect herself by becoming outwardly tough, but feels her isolation acutely. Her only outlet is her journal in which she writes the story of an anonymous girl who has the same experiences and feelings that she does. 
Rating: 4 stars - nice sad story about family and forgiveness. this book was a quick read. i wish there's a sequel to this book where deanna meets a nicer guy (though tommy did change at the end so it was all good).


27.) Susane Colasanti - When It Happens

Sara is searching for something real. It's the start of senior year, and the brainy and beautiful teen is determined that this will be the year she finds "it" -- that elusive little thing called love. She's been crushing all summer on Dave, who asked for her phone number at the end of junior year. She's been waiting for his call for months, stressing about her search not for just any boyfriend but the one who truly gets her, understands that she must make it into New York University, grasps the whacked-out relationship she has with her mom. She's got all her hopes wrapped up in Dave, not knowing that Tobey -- the slacker guy from art class who seems to care only about his band -- has spent countless hours crafting a plan to win her over.
Rating: 4 stars - this is a cute read. i loved that the novel took both sides of the story. but the dave plot was kinda short and irrelevant.

27 down, 73 more to go!


Legend:
5 stars - Own it and reread it!
4 stars - Love it!
3 stars - Uh..it's ok.
2 stars - Can I just skip to the ending?
1 star - Don't bother!