Texas Ranger

"The chorus says that cowboys are never at home and they're always alone, even with someone they love." ~ pg. 91

Texas Ranger was recommended for fans of Alex Cross and Jack Reacher. I absolutely love those two characters in their own right so those are tough shoes to squeeze on swollen toes. When I am out of town, I try to read books in the same setting...so Texas Ranger it is!

Rory Yates is fresh off a case that jeopardized his chances of promotion. He is forced to take some time off and recharge with family in their small hometown. He finds a horrifying crime scene upon his arrival, along with an accusation. He is named a suspect in the murder of his ex-wife.

"That pesky word: jurisdiction. When is anyone going to learn that when there are lives on the line, it shouldn't mean jack shit?" ~ pg. 111

Like a true fuck rules rebel (Jack Reacher), he cannot sit by and let the case solve itself. The detective in him (Alex Cross) starts asking questions and conducting his own investigation. Yates risks his badge, his career and his reputation among everyone he loves to find the killer and clear his own name.

Three days is all it took for Rory Yates to win me over. I wish Patterson would make this a series!

Title: Texas Ranger
Author: James Patterson
Published: August 2018
Pages: 305
Edition: eBook
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

 

All Your Perfects

"I probably didn't notice because sadness is like a spiderweb. You don't see it until you're caught up in it, and then you have to claw at yourself to try to break free." ~ pg. 93

Quinn and Graham had a perfect love but an imperfect marriage. Memories and secrets built up over the years and are now tearing them apart. Both are committed to saving their marriage though it may be beyond repair. Is love and promises from the past enough to fix the damage?

"If you only shine light on your flaws, all your perfects will dim." ~ pg. 10

Oh, bookhearts. How do I explain that All Your Perfects had me all in my feelings? It is a beautiful adult romance guaranteed to evoke emotion. That is all the review you'll get from me. Otherwise, I will go too deep and risk spoilers. Just read it!

Dear Colleen, I don't how you manage to consistently write great novels that focus on women's issues, but thank you. Keep doing you!

Title: All Your Perfects
Author: Colleen Hoover
Published: July 2018
Pages: 218
Edition: eBook
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

   

You Me Everything

"We're not a family. We are two fragments of a broken couple, superglued together by the most beautiful mistake we ever made." ~ pg. 132

Joy, love and family can be found in the most unexpected places. Jess and her 10-year-old son William spend the summer in a beautiful hotel/restored castle run by William's father, Adam. The grounds are gorgeous. The pool is refreshing. The French food is delectable and the wine selection is endless. Much as Jess wants to relax and enjoy the vacation, she has an urgent mission: make Adam fall in love with their son. But Adam is too pre-occupied with work and a new girlfriend to be bothered. Without being too obvious, Jess tries to encourage a bond between father and son before it's too late.

You Me Everything was everything! What a heart wrenching story of hope, family and togetherness.

Title: You Me Everything
Author: Catherine Isaac
Published: May 2018
Pages: 368
Edition: Hardcover
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

 

I Can't Date Jesus

"As previously acknowledged, he must accept Beyoncé as his lord and gyrator. I do not believe in Beytheism. No, no, no." ~ pg. 133

Do you see this title? Read the subtitle too. Go ahead. I'll wait.

Now do you understand why I had to read this new release? It perfectly fits the outspoken person known as Michael Arceneaux. I have followed him on Twitter for quite a while. He is entertaining, funny and a no apologies stan. In this collection of bold essays, released earlier this summer, Michael Arceneaux shares his life experience as a creative gay black man in America. It is far from easy.

"Early self-awareness is a blessing only if who you are comes with a support system and an education." ~ pg. 26

I Can't Date Jesus is written with such candor that it felt like I was just reading a long email from a friend. He writes about growing up in Houston, embracing intimacy and coming into his own identity when the world tells him to do the opposite. As an adult, it is hard to unlearn all the damaging things we were taught as impressionable children. Though he addresses heavy topics like religion, sexual preference and faith, his light humor makes it an easy read. I just wish he wrote more about his writing career and the importance of relocating to fulfill dreams. Fingers crossed that will be the focus of a follow-up book.

"How I wanted to write books and be on television and offer a perspective I felt was missing: working class, southern, Black, gay, country, twerk-friendly, and so forth." ~ pg. 187

This may be Michael Arceneaux's first published book but he is no stranger to writing about social issues. I would recommend I Can't Date Jesus: Love, Sex, Family, Race, and Other Reasons I've Put My Faith in Beyoncé for the title alone but the words inside are even better.

It is only right that today I review a book with this title. Happy Born Day, Bey! 🐝

Title: I Can't Date Jesus: Love, Sex, Family, Race, and Other Reasons I've Put My Faith in Beyoncé
Author: Michael Arceneaux
Published: July 2018
Pages: 197
Edition: eBook
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤

  

The Proposal

"I don't know if you saw, but the whole proposal has kind of gone viral." ~ 13%

I always wondered what happens when a public proposal goes wrong. Freelance writer Nikole goes to a baseball game with her boyfriend. Little does she know, he chooses this moment to propose in front of 45,000 people and spell her name wrong on the scoreboard! She has no problem saying no. But the reaction from disappointed fans is the worst part.

On a whim, a stranger comes to Nikole's rescue and rushes her away from a camera crew. He quickly becomes the rebound guy filling her days with food, fun and good sex. Nikole doesn't expect a full blown relationship but soon their hookups become more.

I have the same review of The Proposal as the author's other book The Wedding Date: it was just okay. This author's writing just isn't for me. Perhaps I would have enjoyed The Proposal more if it were a nice short story instead of a full novel. Nevertheless...

Happy Pub Day, Jasmine Guillory! The Proposal is now available.

Disclaimer: This book was received directly from the publisher for review purposes only. In no way does it influence my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins.

Title: The Proposal
Author: Jasmine Guillory
Published: September 2018
Pages: 336
Edition: Galley
Rating: 🖤 🖤

Double Feature Week

Welcome to Double Feature week!

🎵I'm representing for the readers all across the world
(Still) hitting them pages in them chapters, girl🎵

Stay tuned for double the fun and book reviews all week long. Share a post or interact with me on social media to qualify for a special giveaway.

Series Sunday: Then Came You

(Accidentally in Love #3) 

Series Sunday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Read an installment of a series.
• Share your review/recommendation below.
• Include the title, author and series name.

"On a scale of 'Pray You Catch Me' to 'Freedom' where do you fall on the Lemonading your way through this shit spectrum?" ~ 50%

My Series Sunday pick is Then Came You, the third book in the Accidentally in Love series by Nicole Falls. Damon Patterson is the owner of Sweet Thang Patisserie. His focus is strictly on opening a pastry business. He meets Patricia Payne, a single mom seeking the opposite of a long-term relationship. A chance meeting and immediate attraction launches the two into a friends with benefits situationship. As it sometimes happens, feelings develop. Damon and Patricia fight to keep it cute and casual but love is winning the race.

"This is a pro-Carter household over here." ~ 17%

I buddy read Then Came You with my bestie, Damey. We agree this book is thee choice for a summer feel-good love story. We especially enjoyed all of the Beyoncé references; clearly the author is a stan. I connect most with characters I can relate to: professionally my life is tight but my personal love life is a different beast, much like the characters Nicole Falls created in Then Came You. Add this novel to your TBR whether you are already a fan or new to the series.

Title: Then Came You

Author: Nicole Falls

Published: September 2017

Pages: 221

Edition: eBook

Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤