**Disclaimer: I received this book via Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. Any thoughts and opinions are of my own.**
BOOK DETAILS:
Books, Blogs, & Reality Ryan Ringbloom Publication date: October 24th 2014 Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Synopsis:
Life can suck…
When reality becomes overwhelming, seeking comfort in fictional fantasies keeps hope alive. And while this escape may be a little delusional, it’s also therapeutic.
Sharing secrets is daunting, but virtual friends don’t often judge and they are always ready to share a glass of wine…or three…while typing out life’s latest endeavors.
Brooke believes obstacles only add to romance, not detract. Rachael longs for a more intense relationship, or so she thinks. Lizzie misses the excitement in her life, but sometimes new situations find you when you’re not even looking. And Jess believes a tiger can change his stripes. It can’t.
Bound by a shared passion for blogging about happily ever afters, these four young women use keyboard therapy to work through their expectations, anxieties, and inadequacies, all with the hopes of achieving the perfection found in romance novels.
Completely blinded by what they think life should be, they navigate their unique paths in search of what they envision is right. But when reality taunts them with persistent curve balls, will they be strong enough to choose wisely? Or will their happy endings escape them?
Review:
I was so excited to read this book because as a book blogger, why wouldn't I want to read it? And, anyone who has lurked around this blog long enough knows that I'm a sucker for a good romance. This book promise both of those things so I couldn't resist!
I really like how well the different parts of this book flowed together. Between the different girls' stories, the nightly chats with all four of them, and their reviews, interviews, blog stuffs, etc. It just felt natural. This was a quick, easy read because it didn't feel forced or overly done. It was good, light-hearted fun.
Some of the romance part of the book was a little predictable and there were some cliches here and there but it was still a pleasant read. So many people, including myself (Ella's not my real name), only allow you to see what they want you to see online so I thought that it was very fitting for the girls to be somewhat dishonest with each other at first. I loved that they formed a little tight-nit group, though. I would love to have a little blogging friends group like they do so it was really enjoyable for me to read of a dynamic like that.
I recommend this if you're looking for a quick, easy read maybe on the beach, relaxing while the kids are playing outside, or maybe even on your commute to work.
Book blogging is about more than just books. It is also about community. I learned that over the past two weeks.
I try to keep personal stuff from bleeding over into my blog because I want to keep it focused on writing and books. I'm a writer and a book blogger, after all. Sometimes, though, it helps to share something personal.
Over the last two weeks I've been dealing with a very sick husband. I won't go into the details, of course, but it involved lots of doctors and hospitals and just general suckiness. There was no fun to be had anywhere for anyone. And I was really worried about him. A few authors and blogger friends know what I have been going through and I am eternally grateful for their patience and understanding through everything. And I want to give a big THANK YOU to all of you other hard working book bloggers out there who have posted fantastic discussions, reviews, and just general silliness that I was able to lose myself in during those waiting room visits.
I love being a part of a community of bloggers that is so passionate about books but is even more passionate about other people. It's very heartwarming to see people who in some respects could be your competition reaching out to you and just leaving a simple "How are things?" in your inbox. Or a funny reply to a comment that you left them on your blog. The littlest things matter to people when they're going through something big.
My wonderful husband has, by the grace of God, been given a clean bill of health, for now. We have finally gotten back into the usual swing of things and I can get my focus back on writing and trying to work on this blog. Posts and newsletters will eventually get better. Eventually.....
To all of you book bloggers out there, thank you for the hard work that you do and thank you for allowing me to be a part of your bookish world. It means more than I can ever really express.
.jpg)
