Liam Darcy, I Loathe You Blog Tour

Welcome to the blog tour for Liam Darcy, I Loathe You by Heidi Jo Doxey!

Lizzie, Nila, Alice, Cate, Vivian, and Fiona—six girls about to begin a writing assignment that changes everything. From cute crushes to dances and dresses, they’re recording it all, and so is their teacher. This modern makeover of Jane Austen’s beloved novels follows your favorite stories in a high school setting. Perfect for new fans and devoted Austenites alike!


About the author:

Heidi Jo Doxey has written five books in the Tiny Talks series. She graduated from BYU with a BA in English and a minor in editing. When she’s not writing or reading, she loves riding her bike, going for walks, spending time with family and friends, and being outside. She currently lives in Utah, where she works in publishing, but she still calls the San Francisco Bay Area home. Heidi blogs at girlwithalltheanswers.blogspot.com.

Review:

Life can be tough, especially at Pemberly Prep. Things start to change though as one English class starts a special writing assignment. By writing journal entries and letters, the girls began to mark all the major (and sometimes minor) things that happen in their lives. There are dances and dresses and boys to deal with among other things. For some girls there will be drama and for some there will be heartache, and all of it will get recorded in the written pages of these girls.

I loved the idea of a modern retelling of Jane Austen, and this book did not disappoint. I love throwing all the different characters and plots together. It made for some interesting takes on the stories that you wouldn't see otherwise. Also, I love love love the diversity! It was beautiful to see so many people represented in great ways. It made the whole school feel more real to me. I also like the way it was written as if by the girls. The author did a great job of giving each one a distinctive voice when telling their part of the story.

Most of the characters I knew right away, but I haven't read all the Austen novels so I was a bit off on a few. Just an excuse to go watch some movies and mini-series! This book was so fun to read. You wouldn't have to be familiar with Jane Austen to enjoy it, and it might possibly make you want to read the original tales to see the connections. It was a lot of fun to see so many familiar scenarios play themselves out in new and different ways. I thought this was a great book, and it would make for an awesome summer read.

Book provided for review.

Review: The Boardwalk Antiques Shop by Julie Wright, Melanie Jacobson & Heather B. Moor

Title:		The Boardwalk Antiques Shop
Author:		Julie Wright, Melanie Jacobson, and Heather B. Moore
Publisher:		Mirror Press
Pub. Date:		1/12/2015
Pages:		315

Welcome to Tangerine Street Tangerine Street is a must-see tourist stop with a colorful mix of one-of-a-kind boutiques, unique restaurants, eclectic museums, quaint bookstores, and renowned bed-and-breakfasts. 

The Boardwalk Antiques Shop is an exclusive shop where every antique has a story, and each story possesses the gift to match true love. The customer who buys an antique also buys its story and soon discovers that its story unites the past with the present, creating an unexpected romantic future… “Where Every Antique has a Story” 

MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE: Jennifer is newest owner of The Boardwalk Antiques Shop, inherited from her aunt. When Jennifer arrives in Seashell Beach, her first priority is to meet with a realtor to sell the place. She laughs out loud when she discovers the realtor’s name is Mr. Studly. But the more Jennifer gets to know Paul Studly, the more she finds reasons to stay and run the antiques shop herself. 

SOLVING FOR X: Abbie is only a little bit obsessed with antiques, okay, a lot. So when Holden, an out-of-town business executive, tries to purchase the tin soldiers that Abbie’s had her eye on, Abbie refuses to back down. The antiques shop owner issues a challenge: whoever comes up with the best story for wanting the soldiers, will become the new owner. Abbie isn’t about to let some fancy executive beat her out, no matter how charming he is. 

A STITCH IN TIME: When Cate learns that antiques dealer Henry Lancaster has purchased the sewing machine left to her by her grandmother, Cate is determined to get it back. What she isn’t counting on is that Henry has just as much claim as Cate. And it doesn’t help that Henry is good-looking and apparently single. Getting to know Henry becomes an unexpected surprise, sending her life into a sudden detour. Other books in the Tangerine Street Romance series: The Fortune Café. Books can be read in any order.

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Seashell Beach is an idyllic setting, and these three short stories show that love is always in the air there. The three stories all tie-in with one shop, The Boardwalk Antiques Shop. Everything there has a story, and every person who comes in seems to have one as well. Jennifer inherited the shop from an aunt she never really liked, but she begins to wonder if maybe she didn't know her aunt all that well. Abbie is a girl who loves to read and write a good story. So one day when she sees something she's dying for in the antiques shop, she's not pleased to see she has competition. Very handsome competition. Cate's beloved grandmother has just passed away, and Cate's cousin has sold the one thing that Cate truly wanted of her grandmother's- an antique sewing machine. Cate tries desperate to get the machine back, but the dealer who bought it is disarming in a number of ways. All three girls will find what they least expected at The Boardwalk Antiques Shop.

I read The Fortune Cafe, so it was fun to revisit the somewhat familiar town of Seashell Beach. The authors do an amazing job of painting a picture of this town. I really felt like I was there on a vacation myself. The three stories are all love stories, but they take very different approaches to love. Some of the characters like to jump right in while others are a bit more hesitant. Past and present seems to collide for all these people. I love the overarching storyline of The Boardwalk Antiques Shop itself. It almost becomes a character in the story.

Often when I read short story collections like this, I have a favorite or perhaps one I didn't like as much as the others. This wasn't the case with this book. They are all very fun and sweet at the same time. They all managed to keep my interest very well and tell a lot of story in just a few pages. I think this would be a perfect beach read. I mean you practically feel like you are there already anyway! These stories were very enjoyable and quick reads. They just made me feel happy, and who can stay away from a book like that? Check out this book if you love sweet romances that make you feel good.

Book provided for review.