Sarina Bowen

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Moonlighter by Sarina Bowen

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OUR REVIEW:

This novel was exactly the type of fun I was looking for this weekend. Being new to the various universes of Sarina Bowen and her hockey players, I wasn't sure if I'd feel lost without any of the context but I'm happy to report to other who may also be new to her, that I followed along without ever needing the cliff's notes version of who was whom or how they were related to someone else. The backstories were seamlessly woven into the narrative and never superfluous. 

As far as the story of Alex and Eric go, I loved how their story was sweet, sexy, and playful. Both of them had interesting storylines separate of each other that complimented what was going on and eventually merged into a story less of who they were separately and becoming one of who they were together. I thought they were amusing and interesting characters and I'm 100% intrigued about the larger series and where the characters of The Company will take me next. Reading about a world that seems so far removed from me and yet has implications for us all (big tech, privacy, hacking) had me hooked and I'm very much looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

Not being familiar with Bowen's other books, I wonder if this is a bridge book and we'll see fewer hockey players and more bad ass security people? Either way, I'm here for it!

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/2Jblnfn

SYNOPSIS:
I’m at the height of my athletic career. Yet my arrogant brother is always trying to recruit me into the family business: a global security company so secretive that I don’t even know its name.
Pass, thanks. I don’t need a summer job.
But the jerk ambushes me with a damsel in distress. That damsel is Alex, the competitive, sassy girl I knew when we were kids. Now she’s a drop-dead gorgeous woman in deep trouble.
So guess who’s on a flight to Hawaii?
It’s going to be a long week in paradise. My job is keeping Alex safe, while her job is torturing me with her tiny bikinis. Or maybe we’re torturing each other. It’s all snark and flirting until the threat against Alex gets serious. And this jock must become her major league protector.

Moonlighter is a stand-alone novel. No cliffhangers, no prior experience necessary. Expect: a growly hero, a lady boss with no time for his attitude, and a war of wills and hormones. Bonus: a hunk wearing a baby in a sling.

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Friday, June 30, 2017

REVIEW: Stay by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy


REVIEW:

I've always loved hockey books...or any books that feature athletes, actually, but this year I got caught up in the Stanley Cup so I was especially eager to read Stay. I'm relatively new to being a hockey fan (our team, the New Orleans Brass, left a loooong time ago and I lost touch with my hockey fandom) and the WAGS series, among others, made me feel more connected to the game and eager to watch it and read it, so thanks for that Sarina and Elle! What makes this series, and especially Stay, so much fun to read is that it has a great combination of humor, plot, characters, and romance. I liked that Bowen and Kennedy created Hailey and Matt ( or Hottie and Math, lolz) with sore spots in their pasts that made them especially sensitive to what they perceived were their flaws, but that both of them were able to support and work the other one past those things; they were great partners for each other. I also loved seeing characters from previous books, especially Blake and the WAGS, and seeing what they were up to, while also anticipating which character would get the next book. Stay was a sweet, sexy romcom --great for a day when you need a light, fun read.

Want to know more?

BUY IT: http://amzn.to/2ssa5YI

SYNOPSIS:

Can you fall in love with someone you've never even met? 

Hailey Taylor Emery has a hunch that her favorite client at Fetch—an anonymous virtual assistant service—is actually hockey star Matt Eriksson. 

Although it's against the rules for her to check his file, she's 95% sure she spends at least part of each day texting with her lifelong crush and catering to his every need. Still nursing a wounded heart thanks to her recent breakup, Hailey is perfectly content with some harmless online flirting... until she has to meet her client. Face to face. Cue: utter panic.

Matt Eriksson is no stranger to heartbreak. He's still not over the destruction of his marriage, and it sucks to be the only guy on the team who knows the truth—that hockey and long-term relationships are a toxic mix. He barely sees his kids, and dealing with his ex makes him feel insane. The only person in his life who seems to understand is someone who won't show her pretty face.

But it's nothing that a pair of fourth row hockey seats can't fix. Hailey can't resist the offer. Matt can't resist Hailey. Good thing he doesn't have to. Fire up the kiss cam!

Warning: Contains rabid hockey fans, misunderstood dick pics, hockey players at the opera and exploding ovaries.

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32967547-stay?ac=1&from_search=true

Sunday, January 29, 2017

REVIEW: Good Boy by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy



OUR REVIEW:

Shel: I'm new to the boys in Good Boy though I'm sure many fans will recognize many of the characters from Him  and Us. This particular novel starts with the wedding of Jamie and Wes (or as Blake calls them Wesmie, lol) but the main focus of this novel is Jess and Blake and ohmygod it's so funny. Honestly, at first I wasn't sure what to think--Blake was so over the top ridiculous and Jess was so frazzled--but as my reading continued, giggles would come bubbling out of me and I'm pretty sure I snort-laughed at least once and everything just worked. Good Boy is a great blend of hilarity and ridiculousness, interesting subplots and secondary characters, and low angst; plus, I know readers who loved Jamie and Wes will love seeing what they're up to now. And I think it's only fair to give more credit to Blake than I initially did--there's more to him that initially meets the eye--and Jess is his perfect match in the way she is so dead pan with him; they were a lot of fun to read and to read about a relationship that went from a random hook up to unconventional 'courtship' to sweet and heartwarming. Court: I think that everyone should try to bring out the zest of their like a little bit like our friend Blake. He's hysterical. Doesn't care what people think. Fiercely loyal. And just really a great character for us to get to know. Even if he wasn't a hot hockey play, he is the total package - and I love the antics he gets up to while trying to get Jess to agree with us. They're complete and utter opposites, and it definitely was perfect for the two of them. I enjoyed the frenemies to friends to maybe will they or won't they aspect that is finessed perfectly in this story. I only let my nurse snob self come out for a second or two in there, but the humor and these ladies wonderful writing kept me invested and I let it go! 

Shel: I know readers who need an escape from deep and serious reads, who want a laugh out loud Saturday read, or are loyal fans to the authors and their characters will enjoy this low-angst, laugh out loud novel. Court: It is perfect for that, but it has just enough serious times (like when Jess has so much self doubt from being overshadowed by her siblings that she needs a little help believing in herself) that I related to on such a huge level. I get it. Finding yourself is really, really hard...and she's definitely tried all of the wrong things to find it. I really liked how much these two brought out in each other - and I liked how we were able to see characters past and how they're doing, I also was enjoyed a look at some people I bet might just have a book coming out in the future (OR I just hope!). Great read, and highly recommended! This writing duo rocks!

SYNOPSIS:

GOOD BOY GR LINK

Hosting her brother’s wedding for an MVP guest list is the challenge of Jess Canning’s life. Already the family screw-up, she can’t afford to fail. And nobody (nobody!) can learn of the colossal mistake she made with the best man during a weak moment last spring. It was wrong, and there will not be a repeat. Absolutely not. Even if he is the sexiest thing on two legs.

Blake Riley sees the wedding as fate’s gift to him. Jess is the maid of honor and he’s the best man? Let the games begin. So what if he’s facing a little (fine, a lot) of resistance? He just needs to convince the stubborn blonde that he’s really a good boy with a bad rap. Luckily, every professional hockey player knows that you’ve got to make an effort if you want to score.

But Jess has more pressing issues to deal with than sexy-times with a giant man-child. Such as: Will the ceremony start on time, even though someone got grandma drunk? Does glitter ever belong at a wedding? And is it wrong to murder the best man?

Caution: May cause accidental aspiration of tea or coffee. Do not read in a public place where loud laughter is inappropriate. Contains hot but hilarious hockey players, puppy cuddling and a snarky pair of underwear

http://amzn.to/2jyN2KF


Stay --Release date: mid-June!


Thursday, October 2, 2014

NEW RELEASE (& GIVEAWAY): THE UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE YEAR (IVY YEARS #3) BY SARINA BOWEN



I am so excited about this book--I love Sarina's Ivy Years series, and this male/male romance was so gorgeous and beautifully told. Today, we have an interview with Sarina about the series, as well as a great giveaway! Be sure to check it out! :)  

Blogs Taking Part in the Release Day Launch

Interview with Sarina: Q&A for Sarina Bowen:
  Q: Is Harkness College from the Ivy Years series based on Yale? A: Heck yes! But it’s based on a Yale which has gone soft and fuzzy in my mind, in all the best ways. So I’ve fictionalized it to avoid the errors and inaccuracies that I’d be likely to make if I tried to get everything just right.

  Q: So what parts of Harkness are the Yaliest? A: The architecture! The turrets and gargoyles, the Harry Potteresque dining halls, the slate footpaths and the creaky oak doors. The iron gates. The courtyards. The window seats, where you perch while you wonder if you’ll find true love. (Or just do your homework.)

  Q: Why did you decide to write a book about two guys this time? A: In the first place, I didn’t really decide, so much as the idea for Graham’s struggle surgically implanted itself in my brain and would not let go. And when I pictured the two of them meeting up again in a locker room after five years of silence, I just got the chills. This became the book that I cheated on all my other books to write. (If my editors of other projects are reading this… sorry! I’ll get back to work now. Probably.)

  Q. Why college hockey? A. Because… duh! Hockey players are hot. And hockey is a fast-paced game where whining is categorically disallowed. Interestingly, fighting is not legal in college hockey, either. At the college level, it’s all about the game. I love that!

  Q: How many Ivy Years books do you have planned? A: Five, if you’re counting the novella. After Rikker and Graham’s book, Bella is going to need her own book. What, you haven’t met Bella yet? Just wait. She steals quite a few scenes in The Understatement of the Year. She is a kick-ass chick in much the same way as Corey, Scarlet and Katie. You’ll love her. You can read a bit more about all the titles on The Ivy Years page on my website.

  Q: How did you come to write romance? A: I’ve always loved novels—all kinds of novels. And my goal is to make the reader do three things when she’s reading my book: cry, laugh, and sigh. Romance is the best vehicle for that goal, and I’ve really enjoyed the ride.

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  The Understatement of the Year Synopsis: 

  What happened in high school stayed in high school. Until now. Five years ago, Michael Graham betrayed the only person who ever really knew him. Since then, he’s made an art of hiding his sexual orientation from everyone. Including himself. So it’s a shock when his past strolls right into the Harkness College locker room, sporting a bag of hockey gear and the same slow smile that had always rendered Graham defenseless. For Graham, there is only one possible reaction: total, debilitating panic. With one loose word, the team’s new left wing could destroy Graham’s life as he knows it. John Rikker is stuck being the new guy. Again. And it’s worse than usual, because the media has latched onto the story of the only “out” player in Division One hockey. As the satellite trucks line the sidewalk outside the rink, his new teammates are not amused. And one player in particular looks sick every time he enters the room. Rikker didn’t exactly expect a warm welcome from Graham. But the guy won’t even meet his eyes. From the looks of it, his former… best friend / boyfriend / whatever isn’t doing so well. He drinks too much and can’t focus during practice. Either the two loneliest guys on the team will self destruct from all the new pressures in their lives, or they can navigate the pain to find a way back to one another. To say that it won’t be easy is the Understatement of the Year. Warning: unlike the other books in this series, this heartbreaking love story is about two guys. Contains sexual situations, dance music, snarky t-shirts and a poker-playing grandmother.
AMAZON | B&N | KOBO | iBOOKS
Previous books in the series:
#1 The Year We Fell Down (March 2014)
#2 The Year We Hid Away (June 2014)
#2.5 Blonde Date (July 2014)
Sarina Bowen Bio: Sarina Bowen makes her home in the Green Mountains of Vermont, where she lives with her family, eight chickens and a large pile of skis and hockey equipment. She is a graduate of Yale University.


 Enter Sarina's release day giveaway!!
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