I have been enjoying so many of Alice Clayton’s books and this new addition is from her Cocktail series. I was excite to receive a copy for review knowing how much I adored her other books. I was hoping that this book would be written in the same method. I was pleased to find it was.

Mai Tai’d Up by Alice Clayton
Series: The Cocktail Series (Book 4)
ISBN-10: 1476766711
ISBN-13: 978-1476766713

Synopsis: The gossip mill in the seaside community of Monterey is churning about Chloe Patterson, the newcomer who is starting a sanctuary for rescued pit bulls. It’s rumored that she’s a former beauty queen (true) who ditched her fiancé the morning of their wedding (also true). And that while she’s not looking for a new man, the good-looking local veterinarian has his eye on her. Absolutely, positively true.

When Lucas Campbell isn’t at the family veterinary clinic, he’s paddle boarding in Monterey Bay. Recently single, he’s definitely not in the market for a new relationship, but he still can’t resist taking a second, third, and fourth look at the recent arrival of Miss Golden State.

Neither Lucas nor Chloe has any interest in being tied down. But are a few Mai Tais, a moonlit night, and the music of Frank Sinatra enough to allow them both to forget their past? Let’s hope Ol’ Blue Eyes knows what he’s doing.

Mix one part tiki, one part hot, and a splash of old black magic matchmaking, and it’s time to be . . . Mai Tai’d Up.

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My Thoughts: What I enjoy about Alice’s writing is that she has a real talent for writing in a very witty style. Her characters are endearing and people that you want to get to know. I feel like I want to hang out with these guys!

Mai Tai’d Up is a fast read; I finished it in one evening and it is a delightful and fun story. I love pit bulls so she had me with Chloe’s new endeavor and her hunky new vet sounds like a dream boat. While the cover art alludes to tons of hot and wild passion, in reality the book is a fun romance that keeps building until near the end. I am not giving any spoilers, so that is all I am saying about that, but it does get a bit steamy in spots.

The author did a fabulous job with her unique plot and retro throwback. You get a real sense of the 50’s and 60’s and I can just picture the house that much of the book is set in. How fun! Plus much of the book is set in my favorite spot, so it made it feel very real for me.

If you enjoy lighthearted, witty and spicy reads, you have to check out Alice Clayton and this book especially. I really enjoyed it and still have a smile on my face each time I think about it.

Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free product to try out so she could evaluate and use it for her review. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.

Like any other reader, there are certain genres of books that I enjoy reading. I usually do not go for the young adult, college scene or age storyline because I am so much older than that and have moved on. But there are some books that call to you so I found myself reading a book for review in this genre because of a curiosity. This particular book had over 1 billion reads on Wattpad so I had to see what the fuss was about.

AFTER by Anna Todd
Series: The After Series
Publisher: Gallery Books
Publish Date: October 21, 2014
ISBN-13: 978-1476792484

Synopsis: Now newly revised and expanded, Anna Todd’s After fanfiction racked up 1 billion reads online and captivated readers across the globe. Experience the Internet’s most talked-about book for yourself!

There was the time before Tessa met Hardin, and then there’s everything AFTER… Life will never be the same. #Hessa

Tessa is a good girl with a sweet, reliable boyfriend back home. She’s got direction, ambition, and a mother who’s intent on keeping her that way.

But she’s barely moved into her freshman dorm when she runs into Hardin. With his tousled brown hair, cocky British accent, tattoos, and lip ring, Hardin is cute and different from what she’s used to.

But he’s also rude—to the point of cruelty, even. For all his attitude, Tessa should hate Hardin. And she does—until she finds herself alone with him in his room. Something about his dark mood grabs her, and when they kiss, it ignites within her a passion she’s never known before.

He’ll call her beautiful, then insist he isn’t the one for her and disappear again and again. Despite the reckless way he treats her, Tessa is compelled to dig deeper and find the real Hardin beneath all his lies. He pushes her away again and again, yet every time she pushes back, he only pulls her in deeper.

Tessa already has the perfect boyfriend. So why is she trying so hard to overcome her own hurt pride and Hardin’s prejudice about nice girls like her?

Unless…could this be love?

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My Thoughts: I actually had to wait several days before writing this review because I was hoping I would cool off. I was very annoyed at the way this book ended. I have to tell you again – I hate cliffhangers and this book has a big huge one that was completely unexpected. I literally looked at the final blank page 3 times to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. This book does not just leave you hanging, it drops you off the cliff in the middle of a scene. So not right!

Okay, enough whining…

I do have to say that while this is not my typical genre, I did find myself getting sucked into the story rather quickly. The storyline is solid and I bought into the realistic scenarios that the author has created. It totally reminded me of young love and all of the insecurities that live within us all.

Tessa is the strong one and the only one of the group of characters that can handle the emotional roller coaster that Hardin puts her through. The passion and love for one another is the tie that binds and the author does a great job by keeping you always wondering when the next blow up will occur. Trust issues abound and lead to many fights for this young couple and that does not include the issues they face with relationships between parents and their so called friends. Every day is a challenge as they try to persevere and create a life together. But something is just not right….

Overall, the story is worth the read. For a first time author, the writing is solid and the scenes flow well with plenty of drama, passion and crazy things young adults do. If you can handle the cliff hanger, the next installment is due in mid November, so we only have a short time to wait. Ugh! I am not a patient person but I have no choice in this one.

Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free product to try out so she could evaluate and use it for her review. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.