Source: Publisher (Netgalley)

Somebody to Love by Kristan Higgins (Book Review)

Posted June 12, 2012 by Jana in Adult Fiction, Book Review / 5 Comments

Somebody to Love by Kristan Higgins
Published by HQN Books on April 24, 2012
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Pages: 432
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher (Netgalley)
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After her father loses the family fortune in an insider-trading scheme, single mom Parker Welles is faced with some hard decisions. First order of business: go to Gideon's Cove, Maine, to sell the only thing she now owns—a decrepit house in need of some serious flipping. When her father's wingman, James Cahill, asks to go with her, she's not thrilled...even if he is fairly gorgeous and knows his way around a toolbox.

Having to fend for herself financially for the first time in her life, Parker signs on as a florist's assistant and starts to find out who she really is. Maybe James isn't the glib lawyer she always thought he was. And maybe the house isn't the only thing that needs a little TLC.

So… Thanks, Mr. Bieber, for getting this song stuck in my head. Actually, I think the song came before the book… so… yeah. Anywho… Yeah. Sadly, I know this song. Sadder, it’s an easy one to get stuck your head. Saddest, it was ALWAYS in my head. Every time I read, I was thinking of Justin and his silly little boy dance moves (yeah… I’ve seen the music video, too. *facepalm*) So basically, that’s what happened. I read the book, it had a cute story, too much mention of “lady land”, and the Biebs singing in the background. Interesting mixture, no? As always, my main points are bolded. :)

1. What a fun story idea! Any of you HGTV-watchers will agree with me that it’s really fun to watch (or in this case, read) a really ugly, crummy, decrepit house be completely flipped and turned into a really cute/gorgeous living space! That’s what’s going on in the background of the story, and I really loved picturing the changes this house went through.

2. Gideon’s Cove, Maine (the setting for this story) is darling. This place sounds like one of those quaint, hidden oceanside towns where everyone knows who you are whether you want them to or not. I really liked all the people she met while she was there, and each character added something special to the story.

3. I liked Parker, because she was not the stereotypical spoiled heiress. No offense to you if you are a spoiled heiress, but I generally don’t like them because they feel entitled and better than everyone else. Of course, there are exceptions, and Parker is one of them. I found it refreshing. Yes, she had to be taught how to change a vacuum cleaner bag, but what counts is that she was willing to learn and then do it herself. I liked that she is the author of a quirky children’s book series, but I really did not like that the characters in her books talked to her. That was weird.

4. James, a.k.a. “Thing One”, is a total babe. He’s Parker’s Dad’s lawyer, and has been hanging out in the background of Parker’s life for years. Now, he’s off to Gideon’s Cove to help Parker spruce up her house, and to crush on her a LOT. He’s had a thing for her, but it’s complicated. You know how it is. He’s got this troubled past that makes him guarded and tough, but his dreams make him completely perfect and sweet. Plus, he’s a hard worker. Phew! I really liked his character.

5. Parker’s son, Nicky, his father Ethan (who is one of her very best friends), and Ethan’s wife Lucy are pretty much Parker’s only family, since her dad screwed his life up and pushed her away. I really liked all the supporting characters, but these three were my favorites (although Malone is pretty great).

6. I liked reading about Parker’s relationship with her dad: how it used to be, how it is now (and why), and how they try to mend fences. It added a deeper feeling to the story that gave me something to root for.

7. I got really tired of hearing about how Parker’s Lady Land perked up when James smiled, or how it stirred when he ripped siding off the house. There was just so much lust! And when they finally did act on things, it was meant to be a fling and only a fling. I guess I’m more of a traditionalist, but I don’t like it when love stories begin with two characters only interested in physical encounters and nothing more than that.

8. Sometimes this book was pretty funny! Here’s my favorite part. Parker had just gotten to Gideon’s Cove, expecting a mansion, and found the little run-down shack she inherited. Of course, she ventured in to assess the situation:

“Hi,” he said, as if she wasn’t murdering her jeans against the hood. “How’s it going?”
“There was a mouse in my pants.”
He raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Lucky Mouse.”
Her breath caught. Wrong thing to say. Wrong. “It’s pretty traumatic to have a rodent in your pants, Thing One,” she snapped. “Unless you like that sort of thing.”
“Oh, hey, sorry princess,” he said, approaching the car. “Didn’t mean to make light of your tragedy.”
“There was a mouse in my pants,” she blurted.

I actually laughed. I enjoy it when that happens!

9. Sometimes I got a little bored with all the dialogue between the main characters and supporting characters that didn’t do much to add to the story. I found myself skimming through a few passages because things were just moving too slowly.

10. The ending made the entire book worth it, and I got pretty teary-eyed. I’m a sap. Haha. It was just really sweet!

While this book had its moments, and the story was appealing, it was not one of my favorite reads and I actually had a bit of a hard time finding the motivation to read it. I’m glad I stuck with it, though, because it was fun to see how everything wrapped up. I got attached to Gideon’s Cove and some of the characters, so I had to see where everyone ended up. I was pleased with how things were left. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy a fluffy summer romance, laced with a deeper lesson on family and healing. This was my first Kristan Higgins book, and I do think she’s an author I’ll consider in the future!

The Summer My Life Began (Book Review & Author Guest Post)

Posted May 16, 2012 by Jana in Book Review, Guest Post, Young Adult Fiction / 2 Comments

The Summer My Life Began by Shannon Greenland
Published by Speak on May 10, 2012
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Pages: 250
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher (Netgalley)
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Elizabeth Margaret--better known as Em--has always known what her life would contain: an internship at her father's firm, a degree from Harvard, and a career as a lawyer. The only problem is, it's not what she wants. So when she gets the opportunity to get away and spend a month with the aunt she never knew, she jumps at the chance. While there, Em learns that her family has some pretty significant secrets. And then there's Cade, the laid-back local surfer boy who seems to be everything Em isn't. Naturally, she can't resist him, and as their romance blossoms, Em feels that for the first time ever, she is really living life on her own terms.

I am on a major contemporary romance kick these days, not to mention book that take place in amazing locations (which is why I asked the author to talk about it in her guest post below my review!). I am SO ready for summer, and traveling, and sitting outside reading in the sun. I’m tired of being cold! This book warmed me inside and out, and had me smiling like an idiot while I read it. As always, my main points are bolded! :)

1. Let me live in this novel. Seriously. Most of it takes place in and around an adorable, picturesque B&B in the Outer Banks, North Carolina. I loved it. Pepper House has a very tropical feel with lots of flowers and warm breezes blowing through the open shutters to ruffle the bed canopies. Sandy beaches, mysterious caves to explore, a quaint little town where everyone knows who you are and what you’re up to, mopeds, waves crashing against craggy cliffs, expensive yachts tied to the dock, and yummy aromas flowing throughout it all, of food and the ocean and the flowers and the soap Mr. Sexy used after his day of surfing. Can I please go!?!

2. The writing is my favorite. I loved the descriptions of everything. Shannon’s writing drapes you in a flowy gauze dress and sits you on a beach towel in the sand, rocking big sunglasses and a smile. If only I could live in this world!

3. I fell in love with the characters. Elizabeth Margaret (or Em) is so much fun. She’s feeling stifled by her parents and her rich life. She has to wear polos and plaid shirts, always act ladylike, and never do anything fun. Does she want to go to Harvard to be a lawyer? No. She secretly wants to be a chef, but she could never tell her parents that. Cooking is not the kind of life Em is to have. Em jumps at the chance to go stay with her aunt Tilly, who I love. I want a cool aunt like her! She’s so sweet, caring, loving, funny and cool to be around. She owns the B&B Em heads off to, which is like a dream of mine. Tilly’s cook, Domino, is the coolest fatherly guy ever. He takes Em under his wing and gives her advice on life, as well as cooking. Frederick, Tilly’s son, is the kind of guy you can confide in without feeling like you need to hide anything. Beth, the “domestic engineer” (maid) is like the big sister you’ve always wanted. And, of course, we have Cade. Ahh… Cade *swoons*. He’s a sexy, slightly broken jack-of-all-trades with a smart, sensitive side and great abs. Oh man. Totally love this guy.

4. The family environment at the B&B is amazing. Everyone loves each other, even though they all carry scars from difficult pasts. Their trials brought them together, though, into this tight make-shift family. I loved reading all their conversations, their silly jabs at each other, their “family” outings, and their past lives. I’d love to insert them into my own family. I can just picture holiday dinners laughing around the table with them. I also like Em’s sister, Gwenny, who stayed back home while Em went off for the summer. You can tell how much she loves her sister. Em’s lucky to have her for support.

5. The story flows naturally from one thing to the other. As we learn more about each person, we figure out exactly how they fit into each other’s lives. I love Em’s character development. She grows so much over her month at Pepper House, and learns about who she is and what she wants with her life. It truly is the summer of a new beginning for her, as well as many of the other characters. The romance is totally believable, and happens naturally. I loved the tension between Cade and Em. And oh my. Their first date is straight out of a fairytale.

6. This book kept me guessing! I had no idea all the cool twists and turns it would take, but I loved every minute of the ride.

7. I love the message of this book. Stepping away from your current life allows you to evaluate and see where you’re headed. It gives you a chance to stop focusing on the mundane events of life and focus only on yourself. Em had a lot of time to think and ponder. She got to taste a new side of her life. She got to cook and play and learn and fall in love. This book teaches us that we can always change. Nothing is ever set in stone. It also reminds us to have fun, which I know I need to be reminded of sometimes.

I can’t stop thinking about how perfect this book was! It was like a much needed vacation. I placed myself right in the middle of it, grabbed the bedroom next to Em’s, and made myself a home in this book. I never liked coming of age novels, but I’m starting to discover the messages you can learn from them. I’d definitely recommend this to people who love contemporary stories, coming of age moments, sweet romance, and trips to gorgeous tropical islands.

What Inspired Me to Write The Summer My Life Began
By Shannon Greenland

It’s funny the things that inspire you. When I was a kid growing up in Tennessee it seemed as if the beach was such a faraway place. Even though my family is from Florida and our vacations often centered on trips south, I thought of the beach as sort of a take it or leave it type of place.

Now that I’m older, I can’t think of any place I’d rather be. So when my publisher approached me to step away from my spy series, The Specialists, and write a YA single title, I thought, definitely the beach!

Rather it be the sands of Hawaii, the beaches of Bermuda, the waters of the Bahamas, the shores of South America, or the Florida coasts, my life seems to navigate toward the warmth and yumminess the ocean offers.

In The Summer My Life Began much of what Em experiences are taken straight from my first time surfing, riding a moped along the coast, visiting a Farmer’s Market in the ocean breeze, sailing, and kissing a boy with the waves crashing around me.

The ocean is a romantic, adventurous, dangerous place that Mother Nature has given us to enjoy. And I intend on making use of it! So what’s on the docket for me this summer? I’m trying my hand at paddle boarding on my next Florida visit. I can’t wait!

Find Shannon Here:
Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers (Book Review)

Posted March 27, 2012 by Jana in Book Review, Young Adult Fiction / 11 Comments

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
Series: His Fair Assassin #1
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on April 3, 2012
Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Paranormal
Pages: 549
Source: Publisher (Netgalley)
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Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

Oh, the buzz around the blogosphere regarding this book is so loud that one can hardly focus on anything else! I have read amazing reviews for this book, and when Netgalley had an exclusive promo going for it, I snatched it up without even thinking about it. Unfortunately, my review will not match the bulk of the reviews out there for Grave Mercy. I was a little disappointed in it, and it took me forever to read it. As always, my main points are bolded to accommodate the skimmers out there like me!

1. I loved the idea of this book! Ismae, a daughter of Death, was saved from the attempt on her life while she was still in her mother and has now grown up to be one of his (Death’s) assassins. And she lives in a convent of nuns who are “called” to do the same thing! She gets trained to kill in numerous different ways (and in “womanly arts”… seriously? Hilarious term.) and is then sent out on missions to serve his will. I’d never heard of anything like this, so I was incredibly excited. I am always gobbling up unique subject matter. I definitely respect the imagination and creativity that the author has. The magical/fantasy elements of this book were really enthralling. I just with there had been more time for that, rather than sitting around discussing politics and “state of the union” type stuff.

2. The writing style is pretty. I can see why many people love the book so much, as I’m sure this is one of the drawing forces for Grave Mercy.

3. I’m not a huge fan of straight historical fiction. I enjoy romance and adventure more than politics and facts. This book was full of a ton of political discussions and explanations. I really had no desire to read all of this, and wished that more room was left for the adventure. I mean, Ismae is DEATH’S assassin! I expected so much adventure and suspense, which did not happen. On and on and on the politics went. This book is 564 pages!

4. It was really hard to keep up with all the politics, locations, and characters. There were SO many people to try and remember, all with names that don’t come easily to me and intricate webs of craziness in each of their pasts. Because there were so many people and so many stories, I had a hard time connecting with any of them enough to care about what they had to say. I only finished this book a few days ago, and I can’t remember most of them.

5. Ismae was flat and boring. She had no personality or likeable qualities. Throughout the whole story, she acted like she was brainwashed to have no conscience, independent thoughts, or a sense of humor. I mean we meet “Death” at one point and he seems much more tender and compassionate than Ismae ever does. It seems weird that the “master” is so much more likeable than the “servants”. Isame was a machine, and I’m having a hard time figuring out how the dude (I seriously can’t remember his name) fell for her. How can you fall in love with someone about as interesting and loving as my stainless steel refrigerator? And seriously. I don’t get it when a heroine does not understand what she’s feeling regarding a man. She has no idea that she’s physically attracted to him, and has inner dialogues wondering why she’s trembling, why she has this burning in her chest, why she’s blushing, why her heart races when he’s near, why she startles every time he touches her elbow or brushes her hand. Does she not even know she’s a woman? She’s pretty clueless throughout the entire book, and I was getting frustrated with her lack of common sense. She does have some awesome weaponry, though. I’ll give her that.

6. I loved Beast, the big guy who was supposed to be scary, but was actually more friendly and warm hearted than any of the characters combined. He was funny and sweet, and I really liked him. He was definitely my favorite character in the book.

7. I appreciate the fact that this was not insta-love. Although… authors seem to have caught on that people are getting tired of insta-love, so they are all making their main characters hate each other for the bulk of the book. Whatever happened to just liking someone? It seems to be either hate or love these days. Why can’t people meet, become friends/casual acquaintances, and then fall in love? I’ve never hated anyone I barely knew, so why are all the heroines/heroes feeling this way all of a sudden?

8. To avoid any spoilers, I’ll just mention one word and those of you who have read it will know exactly what I mean: Antidote. Seriously? Kinda anti-climatic, if you ask me.

9. Even with all my complaints, I’m very slightly interested in book #2. So… I don’t even know how that happened. Haha! We’ll see.

Oh, I finally remembered the dude’s name: Gavriel. Phew! Oh, and another random thing to mention… This book does not read like a YA. Yes, Ismae is young, but her voice is too mature, her purpose is too mature, and there was a bit more steam to this book, even though no sex scenes are described.

While I did not love this book, I can see why others did. It’s unique, well-written, and sometimes it was interesting. I would recommend it to people who enjoy historical fiction with a little bit of romance and fantasy mixed in.

Mr. Darcy Forever by Victoria Connelly (Book Review)

Posted March 19, 2012 by Jana in Adult Fiction, Book Review / 4 Comments

Mr. Darcy Forever by Victoria Connelly
Series: Austen Addicts #3
Also in this series: Dreaming of Mr. Darcy
Published by Sourcebooks Landmark on April 1, 2012
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Pages: 336
Source: Publisher (Netgalley)
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Sisters are forever...

Sisters Sarah and Mia Castle haven't spoken for three years but they're about to meet again at the Jane Austen Festival in Bath. But what was it that drove them apart and can the magic of Jane Austen help bring them back together again?

(While this is book #3 in a series, I contacted the author and she said each novel is a standalone, and they can be read out of order.)

I love, love, love Jane Austen spin-offs. I’ve read quite a few, including book #2 in this series, Dreaming of Mr. Darcy. While it was not my favorite book, it was definitely cute and worth the read. I was excited to read this next book. And look at that darling cover! While I did not enjoy it as much as Dreaming of Mr. Darcy, and it bothered me in a few places, this book ended up leaving me with a few warm fuzzies and a smile. As always, my main points are bolded. :)

1. The story is actually kind of boring until about 60% of the way through the book, when things pick up and really get interesting. We’ve got flashbacks to when the sisters parted ways mixed in with the present day at a Jane Austen festival in Bath. Most of the present-day scenes are combinations of 2 or 3 people talking about stuff, but it all happens in different places and at different times. I felt like I was reading the same story multiple times: Sarah talking to Lloyd, Mia talking to Gabe, and Mia talking to Shelley, not to mention what is going on in Sarah and Mia’s minds.Plus, we see it all happen in the flashback as well. It was a bit overkill for me. But then at 60%, things pick up and progress is made. The characters begin to open up and move forward, whereas before it was all talk of the past. The mood gets a bit lighter, and more enjoyable… even funny in some places.

2. Sarah bothers me a bit. She has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, which is totally fine. I have it… my sister has it. It’s fine. But seriously. There is SO much OCD talk. Sarah and her love interest bond and essentially fall in love because they both have it. Everything Sarah does is “because of OCD.” It is talked about so much, that it ends up being another character in the book. We had Sarah, Lloyd, Mia, Shelley, Gabe, and Sarah’s OCD. I got tired of hearing about it.

The matter-of-fact, and sometimes sarcastic way that OCD was discussed made me feel like the disorder was made out to be something funny and quirky, not a serious thing. This story is written as if Sarah enjoys having it. She sits and talks about it, and laughs. She’s happy she has found someone else who suffers from it too. I was really bothered by it, and got to the point where I skimmed over all mentions of OCD. Maybe I’m just extra sensitive because I have struggled with this same thing for most of my life, but it just really rubbed me the wrong way.

3. I really disliked Sarah’s sister, Mia, and Mia’s friend, Shelley, in the beginning. They were obnoxious, self-centered and immature, throwing themselves at whoever, whenever they please. If someone is married, who cares? If someone is not interested, who cares? And then if they happen to see someone they dislike, they either hide in plain sight and act completely amazed when they are spotted, or they run away through the streets crying their eyes out and mentally channeling some Jane Austen character, asking for advice. Drama. Over the top drama. However, towards the end they both seem to grow up all of a sudden. We are given insights into Mia’s past, and we get to see Shelley as a very nurturing and concerned best friend. I ended up really liking both of them by the end. And Shelley’s dog, Bingley, is hilarious. I really love that dog, and his silly mannerisms and habits.

4. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the cute town of Bath. I would love to visit someday. The author put me right there in the middle of it all.

5. The present-day romance that both sisters experience after so much pain in their past is refreshing and sweet. Both girls have been through a lot, so I enjoyed reading about them falling in love. And I really like both guys, and kind of wish I had one too!

Overall, this was a cute little contemporary, sometimes cheesy, romance that took a while to get going, but ended up warming my heart. I did not love it as much as Dreaming of Mr. Darcy, but I still enjoyed it and think it was worth the read. This book focuses on Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, so don’t be expecting a P&P spin-off based on the title! Now I need to go read the first one, A Weekend with Mr. Darcy!

Slide by Jill Hathaway (Book Review)

Posted March 14, 2012 by Jana in Book Review, Young Adult Fiction / 4 Comments

Slide by Jill Hathaway
Series: Slide #1
Published by Balzer + Bray on March 27, 2012
Genres: Mystery, Paranormal, Suspense
Pages: 250
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher (Netgalley)
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Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth--her sister's friend Sophie didn't kill herself. She was murdered.

Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn't actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else's mind and experiences the world through that person's eyes. She's slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed "friend" when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie's slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can't bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting distant lately, especially now that she's been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.

What an interesting take on a paranormal story, huh? A narcoleptic body snatcher on a quest to solve a murder she witnessed while inside and unknown killer. I was very excited to read this book, as I’ve heard great things about it. I liked it a lot, and was surprised (both positively and negatively) by the small details and plot elements of the story. As always, my main points are bolded. :)

1. The unique storyline was very well done and explained in great detail. The author did a great job describing the sliding process and what that meant for Vee. I almost felt like I was the one doing the sliding, because each event was painted out for us so well. These moments were my favorites of the book. I liked the opportunities Vee had to explore the people she thought she knew so well. It’s like she and I were both flies on the wall. Sneaky!

2. I was hooked very quickly. The reader is immediately submerged in the story. Time is not wasted mapping out every single detail, and things just keep on going from there. There’s not a lot of down time, and I was turning pages very quickly.

3. I liked Vee, but her personality is a bit forgettable. Perhaps the next book in the series will let us get to know her more, but this book focused so much more on all the supporting characters than the main one. I think this had a lot to do with the fact that Vee was sliding so much. Naturally, that would focus the story more on the people who are slid into rather than the one who does the sliding. What we do know about Vee is sad. She does not really discuss happy memories or fun times, so she’s kind of one-dimensional.

4. This book is much darker, heavier, and more emotional than I had expected. I’m not sure how I feel about this. When Vee is not sliding, she’s focused mainly on comforting other people or putting herself in tough situations to try and discover who the murderer is. Her little sister’s best friend is the victim of the murder, so Vee spends a lot of time trying to pull her sister out of a deep depression. The grief in this book is very real. The characters do a lot of mourning, which actually started to depress me a lot. This is not a light read.

5. I liked Rollins, the best friend. However, I’m starting to tire of the endless love triangles where the best friend is ignored for the bulk of the story. This storyline is getting a bit old, in my opinion. Rollins obviously cares about Vee a lot, and I think he’s really sweet. He has a hard home life and some secrets, which both add a lot more depth to him than any of the other characters. He and Vee bonded in a very special way long ago, and their relationship is sweet when they actually get to sit and have fun rather than worry about who will die next. Zane, the newcomer, is mysterious and exciting, but I don’t see why that automatically makes him the immediate love interest. I mean, if Rollins is the best friend, why does Vee start distancing herself as soon as someone new enters her life? Friends don’t do that, and I feel bad that best friends are frequently treated badly, or just flat-out ignored in books like this.

6. I loved how complex the storyline was. There was a ton of stuff going on, page-gripping suspense, lots of characters and emotions, interesting twists, and a really convoluted mystery. We’re constantly being introduced to new things, new people, new facts, etc.

7. The mystery was my favorite part of the story. It was not predictable like some mysteries are. I wanted so badly to find out what happened, and kept reading until I was done. Suspense and danger were involved, and I love it when books do that, rather than focus mostly on romance, with a little mystery on the side. The romance was definitely minimal, and not important to the story’s flow.

8. The book did not end in a cliff-hanger! I was worried that since this is book #1, it would end in a frustrating cliffhanger. Everything was resolved, though, which I liked. This novel could be a standalone. Hopefully book #2 does not ruin that!

Overall, this was an interesting, unique, and emotional read. It was darker than I had expected, but the mysteriousness of the book needed that. I actually liked the storyline and the sliding better than any other aspect of the book, including the characters and the romance. I’d recommend this to people who enjoy paranormal thrillers with a tiny bit of romance.