On Thin Ice by Aven Ellis!

Amazon Link 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

On Thin Ice follows Matt Rhinelander and Holly Johansson through their romance. It was a great, sweet read! The two made a cute couple and helped each other to be better than they had been previously. Honestly I want my own Aven Ellis hero!

Both Matt and Holly are great characters, flawed as we all are. However they also work together to help the other and make the other a better person than they are alone. I loved watching them figure each other out and work towards the relationship they wanted to have.

Plus we got to see some familiar characters, which I must admit there were times I just wanted to smack Nate because the man seems to be pretty persistent and clueless when it comes to his sister's love life. It just made me want to yell at him to get a clue....but you know I didn't, I was on the bus and thought that might be taken a bit negatively by the people around me.

Read more...

The Aubrey Rules by Aven Ellis!

(Image found on Goodreads)

Aubrey's got rules for a lot of things in her life. And they are never ever to be broken. But then a certain Canadian hockey player comes into her life and the rules are challenged. Strangely enough Aubrey feels the need to break her rules even if Beckett is the complete opposite of her. Find the official description on Goodreads.

For me, Aven is one of those must read authors, and The Aubrey Rules didn't disappoint. Chalk full of hilarious moments, as well as some slightly painful ones, you'll find yourself laughing without control.

Beckett was an adorable, sweet, amazing, *cough cough* Canadian hockey player and wow, Aven, where can I find one of him? The characters of Beckett and Aubrey were both amazing characters that were three dimensional and added character to the book, bringing it to life in my head.

It was also interesting to see Aubrey's rules...and certain things that popped up at the beginning of chapters. It added more life and an interesting take on Aubrey and the development of the relationship between Beckett and Aubrey.

I love Aven's writing style. It draws the reader in and brings laughter to their day. It honestly makes my day whenever I read any of her books. I look forward to seeing more from Aven Ellis!

Read more...

The Definition of Icing by Aven Ellis!

(Image found on Goodreads)

Kenley is finally on the road to her dream. She's recently opened her own business, Confection Consultants. She decides to focus on work, ignoring men. That is until Dallas Demons hockey player, Nate comes along and helps her out of a frustrating situation. But Nate has had his heart broken and isn't sure he's ready for a relationship. Will Kenley and Nate overcome their hang-ups together? Find the official description on Goodreads.

Aven definitely tackles the stereotype issue in this book. Kenley is a beautiful and the way she looks affects the way she tends to be viewed. I really enjoy how Aven brought up and dealt with this issue. It was marvelous to watch how the situation was dealt with and that Kenley was willing to throw away an amazing opportunity because of it.

Kylie and Harrison make an appearance, and I loved the update on their life together!

I also laughed my butt off at certain scenes. This book is light and happy for the most part with occasional angst thrown in.

It didn't take me long to finish this book! I couldn't and didn't put it down except for food, and drink breaks as well as some cat interruptions.

Aven Ellis creates characters that you quickly fall in love with!

Read more...

The Definition of Icing by Aven Ellis Cover Reveal!

The Definition of Icing

Release Date: May 27, 2015 Soul Mate Publishing

Kenley Hunter finally has everything sorted out. Fresh from studying chocolate making in Europe, she's gambling everything on her new business, Confection Consultations.

All Kenley wants in life is people to take her seriously, to see the person on the inside rather than the blonde beauty on the outside. While pursuing her passion of chocolate, Kenley discovered people seek her knowledge. They see past the exterior and fall for the chocolate delights in front of them.

So with work as her focus, Kenley is ready to start her career in Dallas. Men are out of her recipe, because she fears that once they get past her looks, they’ll be disappointed in what they find. Kenley decides she's all about the chocolate now.

Or is she?

Because a chance meeting with new Dallas Demon hockey star Nate Johansson might change everything. Sent to Dallas in a blockbuster trade, Nate is somewhere he doesn't want to be, for reasons that have caused him heartbreak on multiple levels. Nate knows he will never trust a woman again after what happened to him in Minnesota.

But when he meets a woman with an intriguing name and a passion for chocolate, Nate isn't so sure about his theory. And he might just learn a definition of icing other than the one used in hockey with Kenley as his guide...

There is no pre-order link yet but it will be released by Soul Mate Publishing on May 27th on amazon.com and amazon.co.UK. I for one am super excited!

Read more...

Surviving the Rachel by Aven Ellis

(Image found on Goodreads)

Bree is experiencing life after college....and it's not at all what she thought. Having to move back in her parents, and desperately trying to find a job, while working as a cocktail waitress, she despairs of anything going her way, especially when the haircut that was supposed to represent change for the positive turns into what she considers a monstrosity. But when she runs into the boy next door, Jack, everything starts turning around. But Jack's been burned before and is insecure in their relationship. But can Bree do the same thing he did for her? Find the official description on Goodreads.

As always, Aven Ellis has outdone herself. The writing was well done, easy to connect with and hilarious, injecting just a bit of sadness in the story to make it not so much a fully happy, sunshine story. But she certainly creates a book once more that makes readers forget their troubles and just laugh. Laughter is the best medicine sometimes and if you're looking for some mixed with a sweet romance, than Aven Ellis' Surviving the Rachel is your perfect next read.

Bree's voice was happy, spunky and witty. And the fact that we don't actually get Jack's perspective allows us to learn about him from other methods. It's a nice change from getting both perspectives(although I really would have liked to know what was going on in Jack's head at times).

And the ending. Definitely a good one. It hurt(not always in a good way) but you still get the sweet, romantic feel that has been throughout the book.

Overall, Aven Ellis' Surviving the Rachel compares well with her other books and is definitely the medicine you need after a horrible day.

Read more...

Connectivity by Aven Ellis

(Image found on Goodreads)

Mary-Kate Grant has taken a job to begin pursuing her dreams. Her family isn't behind her decision and things go sideways when William Cumberland becomes her boss. Especially when she can't seem to do anything right when he's in the room or nearby. Mary-Kate finds herself questioning her life plan and she just might find that marriage isn't as bad as she thought. Find the official description on Goodreads.

Aven Ellis has created characters that are different from her previous books. Mary-Kate especially was a high energy character and added that energy to the book. It almost seemed as if the words jumped off the pages when she was speaking or thinking. I loved that energy! It just added to the book.

Then there were those hilariously awkward moments. You know the ones. Those incidents that you think could only happen to you. Well, Mary-Kate experiences them as well. And let me tell you, you may feel bad for her but you will still laugh. It's just one of those things. And then you'll feel bad for laughing. But it made for an entertaining novel.

I have to admit that it was certainly a difficult situation ethics-wise. And not one I envied MK and William. But they seemed to have worked things out in a good way.

And then there was MK's family. That certainly wasn't an opinion I thought many people held nowadays and it was intriguing to see that those characters held that opinion.

Connectivity is a great read and if you've read any of Aven Ellis' other books than you will certainly enjoy this one! 

Read more...

Chronicles of a Lincoln Park Fashionista by Aven Ellis

(Image found on Goodreads)

"Suddenly I’m impressed with my own resilience. I’m going to make it through my financial crisis just fine." -Aven Ellis, Chronicles of a Lincoln Park Fashionista

Avery has gotten a good job after recently graduating. But what she didn't tell her bosses is that she's afraid of flying - and her new job is at an airlines. But then people go around judging her to be nothing more than a husband-hunting Fashionista. When an opportunity comes her way to hopefully prove them wrong, Avery scoops it up. But when she meets the man behind the camera, Deke, she finds herself working to earn those things she wasn't supposed to have. Now if she succeeds or not is all up to her. Find the official description on Goodreads.

This book seems to be all about judging a book by its cover and stereotypes. Honestly, at first, before I knew who Avery really was, I saw her as nothing but the shallow, husband-hunting fashionista she was being judged as. Honestly before I got the chance to really understand who Avery was, I thought that. But once I got deeper into the book, it was easy to see that while Avery did want a husband and kids someday, and was interested in fashion, it wasn't all that she was. She was a bright young woman, who could do more than just go on about the latest fashion styles. It was humbling to see my opinion be changed and it definitely taught me a lesson.

Then there were the situations that Avery would get into. Honestly it seemed like fate was intervening to make things worse than it could possibly be. And I laughed almost the whole way through. Although I also felt embarrassment for her as well. It was fun and light.

Then there was Deke. He was a bit of hot and cold. I had to admit that it took me a little while to warm up to him. Especially after the first impression we were given of him. But once again, I was proven wrong. By the end of the book, I had fallen for the shy Deke that we met and I had to admit that he was really good for Avery.

The biggest thing throughout the book is different people playing games. Both Avery and Deke did in some ways as well as the other characters that we were interested in that also were in a relationship or looking for one. It was frustrating and I wasn't a big fan of seeing them play out. Mostly because in the case of Avery and Deke someone gets hurt. 

But overall, Chronicles of a Lincoln Park Fashionista was a light read that also teaches readers a lesson. Aven Ellis continues with her great writing and I can't wait to read more from her!

Read more...

Chronicles of a Lincoln Fashionista by Aven Ellis Cover Reveal!

Chronicles of a Lincoln Park Fashionista-Blurb

Recent college graduate Avery Andrews is ready to begin a new life in the big city. She’s landed an apartment in Chicago’s famed Lincoln Park neighborhood–and has her eye on the cute commodities trader just a floor above.

If Premier Airlines knew about her fear of flying, they never would have hired her to be their marketing assistant—but it’s not like Avery wants a lifelong career. Right now she simply wants a job to pay her bills…and fund a few little shopping excursions, too.

Her new lifestyle comes with a price tag, as Avery is not only faced with paying a ridiculous rent but finds she’s perceived as one of the vacant, husband-hunting fashionistas who live in the area. Avery resents this stereotype—so she doesn’t want a lifelong career, and she loves fashions she can’t afford, but that doesn’t mean she is empty-headed and spoiled, does it?

When an opportunity to participate in a documentary at work arises, Avery finds a two-fold solution to her problems. She’ll earn extra money for it, and the documentary will show her as a serious career woman, enabling her to shed that husband-hunting fashionista label for good.

When the camera is on, Avery attempts to be a motivated professional woman. But when she is challenged by Deacon Ryan, the videographer assigned to cover her story, Avery finds herself wanting things she was never supposed to want—like a lasting career—and Deacon. And Avery might just gain more from the experience than a perfect career image and extra cash to put in her Tory Burch wallet…

It sounds like a very interesting read, and I enjoyed Aven's Waiting for Prince Harry so I honestly can't wait for this book to release! Go check out Aven Ellis' Website to find out more about this book and her others.

Read more...

Waiting For Prince Harry by Aven Ellis

(Image found on Goodreads)

"I’m frozen. Because right now I am looking into the green eyes of the most beautiful ginger-haired man I’ve ever seen." -Aven Ellis, Waiting for Prince Harry

Kylie is twenty-four years old and putting all her wishes in a folder for the 'future' although it's not mentioned when this future will be. She follows the rules and one of her rules is no picking up men in a bar. But when she bumps into a handsome ginger that rivals her desire for Prince Harry.But there will be several issues for the two. Can love overcome all? Find the official description on Goodreads.

The characters were very realistic, and I found things to admire and point out faults. Those faults were also what made them seem real. For example Harrison has a bit of a temper(totally understand, being ginger and all). This made him seem as real as a friend and it was easy to continue reading and feeling like I was friends with these people and hearing this story as a kind of 'how we got together story'.

Then there's Kylie. The type of voice and narration that Aven Ellis used made it almost seem as if Kylie was interacting with the reader. It was an engaging way to write the book and I loved it! Mostly because it drew me in and kept me captive. Also, there were these little pop quizzes at the beginning of the chapter. They almost seem to give clues about events in the chapter not to mention Kylie's answers were usually funny and amusing.

The journey between friends, lovers and eventually soul mates is an interesting one with plenty of bumps and funny situations. Waiting for Prince Harry engages readers in every way.

It also helped that Harrison was a hockey player for the Dallas Demons and it helped with my hockey withdrawal. But that wasn't the sole reason that Waiting for Prince Harry was an amazing read. It was a combination of things including the characters, narration and the similarities readers can see with both Harrison and Kylie. Waiting for Prince Harry was an amazing read and I really suggest you give it a chance!

Read more...