Witch Please (Fix-It Witches #1) by Ann Aguirre

* * 

Practical Magic meets Gilmore Girls in this adorable witchy rom-com with:

• A bisexual virgin baker with a curse
• A witch looking to avoid romantic entanglements
• And a chemistry between them that causes literal sparks

Danica Waterhouse is a fully modern witch—daughter, granddaughter, cousin, and co-owner of the Fix-It Witches, a magical tech repair shop. After a messy breakup that included way too much family “feedback,” Danica made a pact with her cousin: they’ll keep their hearts protected and have fun, without involving any of the overly opinionated Waterhouse matriarchs. Danica is more than a little exhausted navigating a long-standing family feud where Gram thinks the only good mundane is a dead one and Danica’s mother weaves floral crowns for anyone who crosses her path.

Three blocks down from the Fix-It Witches, Titus Winnaker, owner of Sugar Daddy’s bakery, has family trouble of his own. After a tragic loss, all he’s got left is his sister, the bakery, and a lifetime of terrible luck in love. Sure, business is sweet, but he can’t seem to shake the romantic curse that’s left him past thirty and still a virgin. He’s decided he’s doomed to be forever alone.

Until he meets Danica Waterhouse. The sparks are instant, their attraction irresistible. For him, she’s the one. To her, he’s a firebomb thrown in the middle of a family war. Can a modern witch find love with an old-fashioned mundane who refuses to settle for anything less than forever?

Source: borrowed from HooplaAudio

Witch Please started off well. It seemed to live up to its clever, cutesy title. Danica and Titus seemed like the classic rom-com couple that readers and viewers always adore, and it was all going swimmingly until...until several details popped up that made the story not so great overall.

As the blurb suggests, Danica and Titus are both looking for love, though they have differing requisites for their long-term relationships. Danica needs to end up with a fellow witch to appease her grandmother and continue their witchy legacy. Titus just wants to be with someone who actually wants to be with him wholeheartedly. Commitment has always eluded him and he has this debilitating tendency to fall head first for any person. It feels so right and so different with Danica, whereas all she wants is a quick fling with a non-witch before she agrees to her grandmother's terms. I was okay with this setup because forbidden love is kind of sexy, but then it veered into an unpleasant direction.

Danica's grandmother is distrustful of humans. History has treated woman and witches badly. However, her distrust is full on bigotry when you get further into the story, and she uses it to manipulate Danica and her cousin, Clem. She'd previously shut out Danica's mother because she married a non-witch, a big no-no, so she's willing to do the same to Danica. Clem also goes along with the grandmother and is outright hostile and unsupportive of Danica's relationship with Titus. The part that's frustrating is that Danica can see her grandmother's unreasonable and unfair behavior. She sees it towards non-witches, she see how her grandmother treats her mother, yet she doesn't say anything. She and her cousin are so indoctrinated that they simply accept their grandmother's bullying. Danica spends most of the story worrying about pissing off her grandmother instead of confronting her. It was incredibly annoying.

Another plot detail that was horrifying - and I'm sorry but this is a spoiler - is that Titus' unfortunate love life is because of a curse that was placed on him by Danica's mother. Her mother had simply arranged for Danica's true love to never be able to connect with anyone so that he'd only be available to Danica when the time was right. It was her way of providing a happy outcome for her and to counteract the  grandmother's meddlesome ways. WHAT??? NO!!!!! This is not romantic in the least. Instead it's manipulative and just so WRONG! Rather than up to her own mother, she took the coward's way out and effectively robbed Titus of his choice over his own fate. Not only was he not aware of it, he also thought that something was wrong with him. How is that remotely acceptable? This is not a fairytale of centuries past so we shouldn't have to deal in that kind of backwards scheming in a story in today's climate. Yet Danica accepts it with no qualms and reacts like it's a loving gesture. 

The one small bright spot in all this is Titus and his sister providing a home to their younger stepsister. Their parents are essentially clueless about how their kids feel left out and now shoved aside with a baby on the way.  Titus has a big heart and it was so sweet of him to create a safe, welcoming space for her. There's more involved in that bizarre family dynamic but this really was the one thing that warmed my heart in this story.

I can generally handle flawed characters and scenarios and wade through the storm with them. Do I expect my heroines to be perfect? No. But I expect some awareness or smarts. Danica's complete inaction to call out inappropriate behaviors were problematic. She didn't seem like an adult with her own mind but a child restrained and too afraid to venture outside the bubble. Even when she did finally stand up for herself she never addressed all the issues. And while she and Titus got together, I did not celebrate it because it was due to magical manipulation instead of free will. I did not find it endearing at all. Witch Please might conclude with a happy ending, it's the issues that weren't treated with any kind of gravity - the bigotry, manipulation and complacency - that make that ending unsatisfying. 

~ Bel

That's What HE Said #21

Image courtesy of Kei at The Lovely Pages Review

That's What He Said is a weekly meme hosted by the ladies at Chapter Break, where we spotlight a quote from our book crush to the object of his desire. We like to pretend it's us.

What better way to celebrate our book boyfriends?

* * * * * * * * * *

Shel is a big fan of the 2B Trilogy and her pick comes from the first book in the series, I Want It That Way. Oh we know you're singing that song in your head now! 

"What is it about you?"

"Huh?"

For some reason, I blurted out the truth.  "You make me... better.  Calmer."

Smooth.

"Like a sedative?"  Amusement colored her reply.

God, her voice was sexy, low and husky, as if she hovered on the verge of confiding a dirty secret.  That was part of why I couldn't get enough of these stolen conversations, however unwise they might be.

I rushed to explain, "I didn't mean it like that.  Just... I'm so worried pretty much all the time that I'm dropping the ball somewhere, about to face-plant, but when I come out here and hear your voice, everything backs off like ten steps.  I can breathe again."

~ Ty to Nadia

I Want It That Way

by Ann Aguirre

 

   

     

  

The Shape of My Heart by Ann Aguirre

***1/2

From author's website:
Some people wait decades to meet their soul mate. Courtney Kaufman suspects she met hers in high school—only to lose him at seventeen. Since then, Courtney’s social life has been a series of meaningless encounters, though she’s made a few close friends along the way. Especially her roommate, Max Cooper, who oozes damaged bad-boy vibes from every pore.

Max knows about feeling lost and trying to move beyond the pain—he’s been on his own since he was sixteen. Now it’s time to find out if he can ever go home again, and Courtney’s the only one he trusts to go with him. But the trip to Providence could change everything…because the more time he spends with Courtney, the harder it is to reconcile what he wants and what he thinks he deserves.

It started out so simple. One misfit helping another. Now Max will do anything to show Courtney that for every heart that’s ever been broken, there’s another that can make it complete.

This is the third installment in the 2B series about a group of college students rooming together in, you guessed it, Apt. 2B. First up was Nadia in I Want It That Way. Second was Lauren in As Long As You Love Me. Now we have two roommates, Max and Courtney. Both are haunted by their pasts, one more literally than the other. Max comes from an abusive home and has struggled for everything he has ever achieved or obtained, while Courtney has been handed everything by her rich parents, but suffered a terrible loss.

Max's mother died when he was young, his father became an abusive alcoholic, which ultimately leads to Max leaving home after a tragic accident at 16. He's fought his way through college and finds it difficult to truly connect to anyone. In his experience, when you try to make a true connection with someone they leave. Courtney, on the other hand, has been existing in a half-life since her childhood best friend and first love died when they were in high school. To dull the pain, she escaped into a prescription pill addiction and, essentially, gave up on life, just going through the motions. Max and Courtney meet at a party and eventually become good friends. When Lauren moves out of 2B in I Want It That Way, Courtney takes her spot, making her Max's roommate as well.

When Max's grandfather dies, these two crazy kids embark on a horribly awkward, but ultimately rewarding trip to Max's hometown. Max asks Courtney to go with him because he knows things will not go well with his father and expects no one in the family will be happy to see him. Max's request forces him to open up to Courtney about his past in a way he's never done before. Max goes all in, holding nothing back, including things he'd rather not remember. For her part, being with Max and helping him cope with his family brings Courtney back to life, but it's hard to let go of the future you planned your entire life to embrace a new future.

Once again, Ann Aguirre has written an incredible story. The 2B series has quickly become one of my favorites. The stories are well-written, with great characters and realistic portrayals of friendship, loss and opening oneself up to the possibility of love. Max is completely swoon-worthy. Courtney is a sarcastic, capable and fun woman. These two together make a beautiful couple of complimentary characteristics, flawed, yet perfect for one another, if they can get around their fears and prejudices. I cannot recommend this series enough and I hope you will check it out!

~ Shel

The Shape of My Heart by Ann Aguirre Release Day Launch

  

We are so excited to bring you the Release Day Launch for Ann Aguirre's incredible THE SHAPE OF MY HEART! THE SHAPE OF MY HEART is a New Adult contemporary romance, published by Harlequin HQN, and is the third book in the 2B Trilogy Series. Don't forget to grab your copy of the first two books and fall in love with her characters all over again!

Amazon | B&N | BAM | Indiebound | Vroman’s | Book Depository | Powell’s | iBooks

THE SHAPE OF MY HEART on Goodreads

THE SHAPE OF MY HEART Synopsis: Some people wait decades to meet their soul mate. Courtney Kaufman suspects she met hers in high school—only to lose him at seventeen. Since then, Courtney’s social life has been a series of meaningless encounters, though she’s made a few close friends along the way. Especially her roommate, Max Cooper, who oozes damaged bad-boy vibes from every pore. Max knows about feeling lost and trying to move beyond the pain—he’s been on his own since he was sixteen. Now it’s time to find out if he can ever go home again, and Courtney’s the only one he trusts to go with him. But the trip to Providence could change everything…because the more time he spends with Courtney, the harder it is to reconcile what he wants and what he thinks he deserves. It started out so simple. One misfit helping another. Now Max will do anything to show Courtney that for every heart that’s ever been broken, there’s another that can make it complete. 

  

Make sure you grab the entire 2B Trilogy!

I WANT IT THAT WAY

AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME

THE SHAPE OF MY HEART

EXCERPT: 

So many questions ricocheted around my brainpan, but Max’s shoulders were pulled up almost to his ears, his chin nearly on the table. Without looking at me, he shredded the napkin in his hands into four pieces and then in half again. The waning sunshine streaming in the smeared window behind him haloed his hair, so that the highlights shone blue instead of tawny or copper. 

“You don’t have to tell me a bedtime story,” I said gently. 

“No, you need to know. So you understand what’s going on and why it’s so tense when we get there.” 

“Okay. If you’re sure.” 

“I’ll set the stage.” His tone was brittle, uneven, and the bits of paper in his hands kept getting smaller. “I was sixteen, just got my license. My dad was drinking, acting like a fuckhead. Business as usual. When he started in on Mickey, I grabbed the keys. Figured I’d get us both out of there for a while. I don’t know if you’ve noticed but taking off is kind of my specialty.” 

“Between your bike, the garage office, and the place you showed me by the river, I’ve picked up on the pattern, yeah.” 

“I thought I was doing the smart thing, you know? But I was driving too fast and some asshole blew the stoplight. T-boned us. Mickey got the worst of it… weeks in the hospital without knowing if he’d make it. Then once he stabilized, we found out he’d never walk again.” He curled a fist and slammed it onto the table, making the pizza box dance. “Ironic, huh? I was worried that my dad would hurt Mickey but I’m the one who—” 

“Not true,” I cut in. “That’s a textbook accident. Don’t tell me you blame yourself.” 

“It’s impossible to do anything else. No, wipe that look off your face, Kaufman. I didn’t open up to make you feel sorry for me. I just want you to know the deal going in. I mean, my dad’s the biggest asshole I ever met and he hates me, too.” 

“What about Mickey?” 

“We weren’t talking much when I left. Every day I think, what if I’d put up with my old man’s shit for five minutes more? What if I’d picked a fight with him instead of grabbing those keys? I—” His voice broke on a shuddering inhalation. Until this moment I didn’t realize how much weight Max carried on a daily basis or how good a job he did hiding it. I came out of my chair and rounded the little table before I consciously decided to make a move. Standing beside him, I hovered, unsure what to do. He answered the question by wrapping both arms around my waist and pulling me onto his lap. Unsettled, unnerved, even, I let him press his face into my shoulder, resting a hand on his head. His breath warmed the skin of my throat, rousing an inappropriate shiver. Now is not the time. It wasn’t like I’d never noticed his hotness; he specialized in a scruffy, soulful appeal that women of all ages seemed unable to resist. But it was so much better for him to call me Kaufman and confide in me instead of flirting. At the moment, Max needed a friend. I stroked his back for like five minutes before he raised his gaze to meet mine. 

“Sorry. The closer we get to Rhode Island, the worse I feel.” 

“It’s understandable. You have to be worried about how your brother will react when you see him.” The rest of his family sounded like jackwagons. Though he’d only told me about his dad, if he had any decent aunts, uncles or cousins, they would’ve stepped up when his old man went upside his head with a bottle. A scar like that would take eight or ten stitches, minimum. I imagined Max as a scared kid with blood gushing from his scalp, and all of my protective instincts roared to life. People had been calling me a bitch since I was fifteen, and I was ready to wade in against Max’s family. Yeah, the funeral might be tense and shitty, but if his family said one fucking word—

About Ann Aguirre: Ann Aguirre is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author and RITA winner with a degree in English Literature; before she began writing full time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children, and various pets. Ann likes books, emo music, action movies, and she writes all kinds of genre fiction for adults and teens, published with Harlequin, Macmillan, and Penguin, among others.      

Website **Facebook**Twitter**Tumblr ** Goodreads ** Newsletter SignUp

a Rafflecopter giveaway

As Long As You Love Me by Ann Aguirre

***1/2
 

From Harlequin:

Most people dream about getting out of Sharon, Nebraska, but after three years away, Lauren Barrett is coming home. She has her reasons—missing her family, losing her college scholarship. But then there's the reason Lauren can't admit to anyone: Rob Conrad, her best friend's older brother. 

Football prowess and jaw-dropping good looks made Rob a star in high school. Out in the real world, his job and his relationships are going nowhere. He's the guy who women love and leave, not the one who makes them think of forever—until Lauren comes back to town, bringing old feelings and new dreams with her. 

Because the only thing more important than figuring out where you truly belong is finding the person you were meant to be with.

Aguirre's 2B Series is one of my favorites of 2014. They are incredibly well written, with fun characters, romance and steamy sex. Book 1, I Want It That Way also had a super cute kid – and really how can you resist a romance with a cute kid or pet? I can't.

In Book 1, Lauren leaves college to return to her tiny home town of Sharon, Nebraska, because she has some fairly crippling social anxiety that she's kept hidden for years. She's always been in love with her best friend's brother, Rob and knows she needs to just get over it, but the heart wants what it wants. Rob's involved with a girl Lauren went to high school with, so Lauren knows she can't have him, but when she starts helping Rob with some renovations on his house, she can't help wanting him.

Rob has some pretty intense self-esteem issues because everyone only sees him as a dumb jock and otherwise completely discounts him, even his parents. Not Lauren though, she never treats him like that. She makes him feel special and like he can succeed at anything, including his dream of a custom-made furniture business or a home improvement web series.

Can these two crazy kids figure it all out or is their burgeoning relationship destined to fail? As Rob's career takes off it becomes more and more difficult for Lauren to be around because of her anxiety. And when they reach the breaking point, what will they be willing to risk for true love? 

This book will keep you hooked until the very end! Any fan of contemporary romance, or new adult should check out the 2B Series.

~Shel