The Romance Bookie

 Hello! I hope everyone had a nice weekend! I can't believe it is Monday again and that we are approaching the midway point for 2021 already!  It is seriously blowing my mind how fast time is passing by!   Last night I finished Nicola Yoon latest release Instructions for Dancing ! From Goodreads: Evie Thomas doesn't believe in love anymore.  Especially after the strangest thing occurs one otherwise ordinary afternoon: She witnesses a couple kiss and is overcome with a vision of how their romance began...and how it will end.  After all, even the greatest love stories end with a broken heart, eventually. As Evie tries to understand why this is happening, she finds herself at La Brea Dance Studio, learning to waltz, fox-trot, and tango with a boy named X.  X is everything that Evie is not: adventurous, passionate, daring. His philosophy is to say yes to everything -- including entering a ballroom dance competition with a girl...

 Hey Everyone! I waited all day today for my mail.  Why? Because three awesome books were released today! And two of them were expected to come in today! (One I'm waiting on, because I ordered a signed copy, and those always take longer to arrive).   I ended up devouring my first one already...and okay it was a graphic novel, but I was so excited for it, and just couldn't help myself. Poison Ivy: Thorns  Written by the fabulous Kody Keplinger and illustrated by the very talented Sara Kipin! From Goodreads: New York Times bestselling author of The DUFF  Kody Keplinger and artist Sara Kipin reimagine an iconic DC antihero with a gothic-horror twist. There's something unusual about Pamela Isley-- the girl who hides behind her bright red hair.  The girl who won't let anyone inside to see what's lurking behind the curtains.  The girl who goes to extreme lengths to care for a few plants. Pamela Isley doesn't trust other people, especially men. ...

Hey Everyone! I honestly didn't think I would be approved, but holy moly NetGalley approved me!!! I got approved for Meg Cabot's latest adult novel No Judgements !!  She hasn't released a new series in years, especially an adult one, so I have been really looking forward to this one!!!   From Goodreads : The storm of the century is about to hit Little Bridge Island, Florida -- and it's sending waves crashing through Sabrina "Bree" Beckham's love life... When a massive hurricane severs all power and cell service to Little Bridge Island --as well as its connection to the mainland -- twenty-five-year-old Bree Beckham isn't worried...at first.  She's already escaped one storm -- her emotionally abusive ex -- so a hurricane seems like it will be a piece of cake. But animal-loving Bree does become alarmed when she realizes how many islanders have been cut off from their beloved pets.  Now it's up to her to save as many of Littl...

I have had this week off for President's Week from my work, so I thought it would be a good time to at least get a little reading done, when I'm not having to do homework or go to the Dentist!  So after finally being able to download it onto my Kindle (no internet!), I have been able to read Meg Cabot's novella that is the predecessor to Meg's latest edition to the Mediator Series , Remembrance.   This one is called  The Proposal  and it is a short, fun story giving us readers (adult readers!) the proposal that we didn't get to hear the story about in Remembrance ! When I met Meg last week, she mentioned to us listeners that what is great about this two new editions to the Mediator  series, is that they can stand along from the original young adult series, that accompanies these two new books.  However, I do recommend you read the original series, either before or after, preferably before, because let's not spoil the story! Now to the review of The Prop...

Hey Everyone! Finished another book, and just in time for the end of the summer!! Before I continue though, I just wanted to share some super exciting news that I just found out...I have been awarded a Grant for this school year and a $1000 scholarship!! Not only will this semester be COMPLETELY covered but also NEXT SEMESTER, so that means MY ENTIRE SCHOOL year is taken care of!!!!!!!!!! :) I cannot even tell you how much of a relief that is!!!!!!  I am so excited!!  This will be my first year at a university (I am transferring from a community college), so it's a bit nerve wracking, but also exciting to be one step closer to my bachelors! Anyway, time for the review! :) I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING BOOK FOR REVIEW FROM THE PUBLISHER!  So thank you Poppy for the opportunity! And thank you Pasadena YA Fest for hosting the event where Poppy had donated these copies to! :) From Goodreads : On the night before they leave for college, Clare and Aidan only ha...

Yay, release day must finally be here!!! I've had this post ready for MONTHS now!! I've been so excited to share with you my review, of the much anticipated Royal Wedding , the eleventh book in the Princess Diaries series! :) I am reeling about the fact I got an ARC of Royal Wedding  and The Notebooks of a Middle School Princess !!!  Seriously a dream come true!! It was so amazing to be back in Mia's world, honestly like I was catching up with a good friend, I had lost contact with over the past six years!  So much fun!! I can't believe how much has happened!!!! From Goodreads : From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Princess Diaries series, comes the very first adult installment, which follows Princess Mia and her Prince Charming as they plan their fairy tale wedding--but a few poisoned apples could turn this happily-ever-after into a royal nightmare. For Princess Mia, the past five years since college graduation have been a ...

Hey Everyone! Yay, my first official Meg-A Readers 2015 post (besides the kick-off!)!!!!! :) So I can't believe it happened, but I received an ARC of Meg Cabot's newest series, From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess  back in February thanks to Meg and Harper Collins!!! No seriously...THANK YOU MEG!!! AND HARPER COLLINS!!! You have no idea what an honor it was to have received any ARC from Meg Cabot!!! My absolute favorite author of all time!!!!!!!!! It was completely surreal when this book slid out of that envelope!! Anyway, I've got a review for you!!! :) From Goodreads : In FROM THE NOTEBOOKS OF A MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCESS a new middle grade series, readers will see Genovia, this time through the illustrated diaries of a spunky new heroin, 12 year old Olivia Grace, who happens to be the long lost half-sister of Princess Mia Thermopolis.  My Thoughts: Oh goodness how cute!! No joke!  I am 23 years old and thought this was absolutely ado...

Hey Everyone!! The DUFF  hits theaters THIS Friday!! How exciting is that??!! I am so excited to see it again!! My review will be up this Friday too, from when I saw it early last month (what an amazing opportunity that was!!) Anyway, today I'm here to share with you some of Kody Keplinger's highlights from the Los Angeles, CA premiere!! So wish I could have been there...darn you work, and darn me for having to be a grown-up all the time!! Anyway, next time! Here are a couple of questions I got to ask Kody about her red carpet experience! The Romance Bookie:   Was there anyone you were extremely starstruck to see? Kody:  Technically, I didn't see her - but apparently Aubrey Plaza was in the theater for the LA premiere.  Multiple people in my group spotted her, but they didn't tell me until after.  Which is probably for the best because - as a huge Parks & Recreation  fan - I might have had a stroke.  And she wasn't the only Parks &...

Hey Everyone! So I have something to share with you.  As some of you may know I am a huge fan of Kody Keplinger's The DUFF .  And I know that I have been posting quite a bit about both the movie and book lately, but I am just so excited!! I am seriously very passionate behind the message of this book! But for some reason some people aren't seeing it for what it actually means!  Okay, so maybe I can see where some people are getting their misconstrued messages.  For instance, for those of you who don't know, "DUFF" stands for "Designated, Ugly, Fat, Friend", and if you've seen the trailer for the movie... here it is if you haven't.... then you obviously know that the main character, who is called "The DUFF" in movie, Bianca, played by Mae Whitman is 100% neither Fat OR Ugly! In fact, she is absolutely gorgeous!! But anyway, that is not at all what the message of this book/movie is!!!!!!! It is NOT saying that Mae's charac...

Hey Everyone!! So this marks the last day of #ReadTheDUFF Read-a-long! I am currently in Florida, enjoying a much needed vacation with my amazing boyfriend at Walt Disney World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but I still wanted to share with you guys once again, a book that is very special and close to my heart! So this is the first time I've ever done this, but for the first time ever I, The Romance Bookie, will be RE-Reviewing a book!!!  Wow, I can't believe I'm doing this! But when you feel so passionate about a story, and it's been years and years since you've reviewed it, why not?! Anyway, I reviewed Kody Keplinger's debut novel, The DUFF back in 2011 ( HERE is that review), shortly after it first was released, and it was one of my very very first reviews! No joke! One of the reasons, why I'm Re-Reviewing The DUFF , is because back in 2011, The DUFF did not get a proper review on it's own.  It was put together with a bunch...

***WARNING!!! THIS BOOK IS FOR ADULTS!!! 18 and up!!!*** Hey Everyone!! :) First review of 2015!! And it's a good one! Last Call  (#4.5 in the Cocktail Series) by Alice Clayton, one of my favorite authors, due to her amazing humor! From Goodreads : From NEW YORK TIMES & USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton, known for her “deliciously addictive” (The Book Vixen) novels, this Cocktail series novella reunites readers with Caroline and Simon from the wildly successful Wallbanger . Simon and Caroline are back for another round of baking, banging, and big life changes. Settling in, but never settling down, Caroline has finally struck a balance between the professional and the personal. As one of the top interior designers in San Francisco, she travels all over Northern California between nook time with Simon. Perpetual globetrotter Simon has cut his frequent flyer miles in half over the last year, preferring to balance his professional and personal life, as we...

Hey Everyone! So while I'm pretty sure I've done this post before, I just want to do it again, because who knows somethings may have changed! :) My Top Five Favorite Authors (not necessarily only because of their books, but also because of how they treat their fans!) and Why?: 1. Meg Cabot- Meg signing...she's a lefty too! Me and Meg :) I know, I know...you know! lol  Anyway Meg is amazing!  Not only is her writing hilarious and my absolute favorite things to read, especially when I'm in a funk, but she's also an amazing person!  I had the pleasure and honor of meeting Meg back in February of 2012 (Read about it HERE ), and my goodness, can I just say it was one of the best days of my life!  Meg was everything I imagined she would be!  It was like seeing all her characters come alive right in front me!  She had that exact humor as her writing does! It was awesome! 2. Cassandra Clare- Me and Cassie, March 2013 Image fro...

Hello Everyone!!! It's already that time...time to say goodbye for Meg-A Readers for this year. 2014 Meg-A Readers has come and gone, and it's been, once again, an absolute blast! This is the third year Diana, over at  Little Miss Drama Queen , and I have been doing Meg-A Readers.  We've had so many amazing memories so far through this experience, such as receiving our first boxes in the mail by Meg Cabot, containing a bunch of signed books, getting our first interview with Meg Cabot, reading and rereading a bunch of our favorites by Meg! It's just been an amazing experience these past three years! Year four, as some of you already know, Diana and I are planning a SUPER exciting year!!!!  Meg is releasing THREE new books!!!!!!!! THREE!!!!!  And two of them are continuations of two of her series, that we haven't heard of in a while, including my absolute favorite series by Meg... The Princess Diaries !! Anyway, this year in honor of that exciting annou...

Hey Everyone! It's the last day of Meg-A Readers 2014 already! ;( This is going to be my last review for Meg-A Readers this year, and it's of the last book in The Princess Diaries Series , Forever Princess ! From Goodreads: What's a Princess to do? It's Mia's senior year, and things seem great. She aced her senior project, got accepted to her dream college(s), and has her birthday gala coming up . . . not to mention prom, graduation, and Genovia's first-ever elections. What's not to love about her life? Well . . .Her senior project? It's a romance novel she secretly wrote, and no one wants to publish it.Prince Phillipe's campaign in the Genovian elections isn't going well, thanks to her totally loathsome cousin Rene, who decided to run against him.Her boyfriend, J.P., is so sweet and seemingly perfect. But is he the one? And her first love, Michael, is back from Japan . . . and back in her life. With Genovia's and her own futur...

Hey Everyone! :) Happy Meg-A Readers Day!! From Goodreads : Mia would give all the jewels in Genovia for the perfect present Every year, Princess Mia spends the holidays in Genovia with Grandmère. This year, she's looking forward to the most perfect Christmas ever: her boyfriend, Michael, and her best friend, Lilly, are coming to Genovia, too. But even a princess's plans can go awry. Lilly has a lot to learn about palace protocol, and with all the state holiday functions Mia must attend, there's no time to linger under the mistletoe with Michael. Worst of all, Mia hasn't been able to find him the perfect gift. Can Mia stop her (bah-hum)bugging long enough to see that the perfect present has nothing to do with international express courier -- and everything to do with real love? (Though some shiny silver ribbon never hurts ...) My Thoughts: I love that Meg made these little novella's inbetween!  They are so adorable, and fun to read, especially ...