That's What HE said Thursday #57

Image courtesy of Kei at The Lovely Pages Review

That's What HE Said is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful ladies at Chapter Break. It's a chance for us to spotlight and gush over a quote from our current book crush to the object of his desire. We like to pretend he's speaking to us ;)

What better way to celebrate our book boyfriends?

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Today's little gem comes from a series that I caught onto earlier this year. It's the Ivy Years and the first book is The Year We Fell Down. People, I adore this story so much and I didn't want to waste the opportunity to tell you that if you like the little teaser below, you can still get the ebook FREE TODAY before the price goes back up tomorrow!  

Enjoy and Happy New Year to all our terrific followers!  ~ Bel

~ Adam Hartley to Corey Callahan

The Year We Fell Down (Ivy Years #1) by

Sarina Bowen

That's What HE Said Thursday #56

Image courtesy of Kei at The Lovely Pages Review

That's What HE Said is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful ladies at Chapter Break. It's a chance for us to spotlight and gush over a quote from our current book crush to the object of his desire. We like to pretend he's speaking to us ;)

What better way to celebrate our book boyfriends?

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It's Christmas Eve! Tomorrow we unwrap our gifts but today we give you a special present in the form of Danny from the novella, Bah Handsome! by Jill Shalvis. It's from the anthology, Kissing Santa Claus. In this scene he's speaking to Hope. 

Merry Christmas Everyone! 

~ Shel, Bel & Nat

"You asked why I didn't leave.  It's because I asked you to accept my help, without first telling you how much you've helped me." 

"Come one. I didn't help you with anything."

"Yes, you did.  You made me remember to feel for something other than just work, to feel something with my entire heart and soul." 

Emotion welled up and threatened her air supply, "That's convenient," she managed, "Because my heart and soul seem to want to be with yours." 

His eyes were shiny, so damn shiny she couldn't look away, "The best Christmas present I've ever had," he murmured, and leaned in and kissed her, giving her the best Christmas present she'd ever had - him...

~ Danny to Hope

Bah Handsome! by

Jill Shalvis

(Kissing Santa Claus anthology)

That's What HE Said Thursday #55

Image courtesy of Kei at The Lovely Pages Review

That's What HE Said is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful ladies at Chapter Break. It's a chance for us to spotlight and gush over a quote from our current book crush to the object of his desire. We like to pretend he's speaking to us ;)

What better way to celebrate our book boyfriends?

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Ever since I first read Eleanor & Park, I’ve been in love with Rainbow Rowell’s writing. I’m making my way through her books, recently finishing Landline. You guys, this was so sweet and funny and nostalgic! And how's this for perfect timing: it's set around Christmas!

In this particular scene (which is a memory that Georgie is recalling), she and her boyfriend Neal are at the beach. Georgie, at Neal’s request, has just listed all the many things she wants in life. He's quietly entertained as he patiently listens. And then he hits her with this honest and romantic truth. I love it!

He swallowed and reached out to touch her face with his free hand.  It was cold, and sand fell from it onto Georgie’s neck.  “I think I want you,” he said.

Georgie squeezed the hand he was holding to his chest, and used it as an anchor to pull herself closer. “You think…”

Neal licked his bottom lip and nodded. “I think…” The closer she was, the more he looked away. “I think I just want you,” he said.

“Okay,” Georgie agreed.

Neal looked surprised – he almost laughed. “Okay?”

She nodded, close enough to bump her nose up against his. “Okay. You can have me.”

He pushed his forehead into hers, pulling her chin and mouth back. “Just like that.”

“Yeah.”

“Really,” he said.

“Really,” she promised.

~ Neal to Georgie

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

   

     

   

That's What HE Said Thursday #54

Image courtesy of Kei at The Lovely Pages Review

That's What HE Said is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful ladies at Chapter Break. It's a chance for us to spotlight and gush over a quote from our current book crush to the object of his desire. We like to pretend he's speaking to us ;)

What better way to celebrate our book boyfriends?

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Since it's December, I thought I'd share one from a holiday-themed novel I bought last year called, Dec the Holls by Jasinda Wilder. It was a cute and quick read. I picked this particular scene because I enjoy that thrill of that initial flirtation, where the characters are tying to read each other without saying too much. It could be fun or awkward. I found this to be a sweet and trusting moment. 

If you're craving something with a wishes-can-come-true and a sweet happily-ever-after ending, please add this to your Christmas reading list :)  ~ Bel

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The setting: It's late after work, Holly's car won't start, it's cold outside and her boss, Declan happens by to assist her. He offers to take her to a diner to grab something to eat where Holly tries very hard to resist her extremely good-looking boss.

"You're going to let me pay, right? " he said.

"Would it do any good to argue?"

"Nope," Declan said, rubbing his thumb in circles on the back of her hand.

"Then yes. And thank you." She smiled at him, and the grin he flashed back at her made her belly flutter.

"My pleasure." He glanced at the bill, and then back at her. "Twenty-six fifty is a small price to pay for the pleasure of your company."

Holly blushed. "I bet you say that to all the girls."

"Nope. I came up with that one just now. You're the first. Did it work?"

Holly tilted her head back and forth. "Depends on what you were trying to accomplish."

"Cheer you up, at the very least. And just possibly be a little charming." His brown eyes were locked on hers, bright with humor and interest, and maybe even a hint of something like desire.

Holly's stomach flip-flopped. "Um." She felt her face burning, and she had to look away from his dark eyes. "I'm cheered up. Yep. Definitely worked."

He leaned forward so their faces were mere inches apart. "What about the other part?"

Holley batted her eyelashes. "Whatever do you mean?"

He chuckled and slid out of the booth to pay the bill. "Hmmm. Guess I'll have to work on my irresistible charm."

~ Declan to Holly

Dec the Holls by

Jasinda Wilder

   

     

That's What HE Said Thursday #53

Image courtesy of Kei at The Lovely Pages Review

That's What HE Said is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful ladies at Chapter Break. It's a chance for us to spotlight and gush over a quote from our current book crush to the object of his desire. We like to pretend he's speaking to us ;)

What better way to celebrate our book boyfriends?

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Invincible Summer by Seth King was released earlier this week. It did to me what its predecessor The Summer Remains did - it gutted me. But I love it because it's romantic, poetic and moving. I'll have a review soon but in the meantime, you can read a bit more about it here. 

The setting: This interaction between Cooper and Summer is particularly touching. Why? Because he never lets Summer feel sorry for herself. He never leaves room for her to doubt that he loves her unconditionally. We would all be so lucky to have a Summer-Cooper connection like this.  ~ Bel

"I just want you to know that if the whole world fell away tomorrow," I whispered, "if the mountains fell into the sea, if all the lights went out, and all my cheesy poems were reduced to dust, you would still be enough for me. I know you think you're nothing, but you're everything, and I was a fool not to see that earlier."

She looked away.  "But I'm completely broken," she said, hiding her scar with her hand. Slowly I pulled down her arm, grabbed her by the chin, and pulled her eyes toward mine.

"And I completely love you. So what?"

~ Cooper Nichols to Summer Johnson

Invincible Summer 

by Seth King

   

     

That's What HE Said Thursday #52

Image courtesy of Kei at The Lovely Pages Review

That's What HE Said is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful ladies at Chapter Break. It's a chance for us to spotlight and gush over a quote from our current book crush to the object of his desire. We like to pretend he's speaking to us ;)

What better way to celebrate our book boyfriends?

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Nat brings you this sweet interaction from Winter Wonderland by one of her favourites, Heidi Cullinan. You can read her 4-star review here. 

The set up: This is when Kyle realizes that no matter how much he loves Paul, it won't always be enough to protect him from bad experiences.

"I hate when you hurt.” Kyle wept now, drowning in all the rage and helplessness Paul was too numb to feel. “I want you to have your Christmas movies in real life. I want to help you find the plot device in the last ten minutes that fixes everything and makes what was horrible okay.” He choked on a sob before forging forward. “But I can’t. I can’t, because life isn’t a movie, and even men with money and power and abs like Dale Davidson can’t erase people who hate and families who disappoint. And I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I can’t be magic enough to give you that.”

Tears ran down Paul’s face, and he had to swallow a lump in his throat before he could continue. “I never asked you to do that.”

"I know.” The despair and frustration in Kyle cut Paul so he could bleed with his lover. “I know you didn’t. I asked me to."

~ Kyle to Paul

Winter Wonderland (Minnesota Christmas #3)

by Heidi Cullinan

   

     

    

That's What HE Said Thursday #51

Image courtesy of Kei at The Lovely Pages Review

That's What HE Said is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful ladies at Chapter Break. It's a chance for us to spotlight and gush over a quote from our current book crush to the object of his desire. We like to pretend he's speaking to us ;)

What better way to celebrate our book boyfriends?

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I've diligently been making my way through the On Dublin Street series by Samantha Young. Set in Scotland, this is one of my faves and it's going to take me some time to read them all because there are what feels like 50 of these books in the series! In any case, I recently read Down London Road and developed a massive crush on Cam. Hope you enjoy this little blurb!  ~ Bel

The scenario: Cam lives in the flat below Jo’s. He’s stopped by to give something to her brother. There’s something unspoken going on between them but neither will act on it just yet. It doesn’t mean that Cam won’t be a little mischievous just to put a smile on Jo’s face though. 

I set about making it, fully aware of his eyes on my every movement. My cheeks felt incredibly warm under his perusal, and I hurried to get his drink ready.  “You’re working tonight, aren’t you?” I said, handing him the mug.

“I am. But I wanted to drop something off first.” He took a sip of his drink. “Mmm, good coffee.”

I laughed softly. “The way to a man’s heart.”

His grin was wicked. “Only an easily pleased man,“ he retorted, suggesting he was anything but easy to please.

“Yeah, I can guess what it takes to please you, Cam, and this is a PG-13 household.”

He threw back his head and laughed, causing another flutter in my chest and my own smile to widen. “Good thing the flat downstairs is open to R-rated situations.”

I flushed and shook my head. “Moving on …”

~ Cam to Jo

Down London Road (On Dublin Street #2)

by Samantha Young

   

     

   

That's What HE Said Thursday #50

Image courtesy of Kei at The Lovely Pages Review

That's What HE Said is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful ladies at Chapter Break. It's a chance for us to spotlight and gush over a quote from our current book crush to the object of his desire. We like to pretend he's speaking to us ;)

What better way to celebrate our book boyfriends?

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Shel picked today's quote and it comes from an author who is a permanent guest on our BFF Island, Jill Shalvis. It just so happens that today is National Cat Day, so how fitting that our book boyfriend, Dell is a successful vet. And look - there's even an adorable cat on the cover! 

“I just wanted you to never be afraid again.  To believe in yourself.  And then, when that started happening, when you started gaining confidence, I realized the truth.  It was happening, exactly what I wanted – you were learning to live without fear and getting strong… so that you could leave.  I was helping you leave.”  

Letting out a low laugh, he pressed his forehead to hers.  “Christ, that sucked.”  He tilted his head and kissed her gently, eyes open, locked on hers.  “I love you,” he breathed.  “I love you so goddamn much it hurts.”

~ Dell to Jade

Animal Attraction (Animal Magnetism #2)

by Jill Shalvis

   

     

   

That's What HE Said Thursday #49

Image courtesy of Kei at The Lovely Pages Review

That's What HE Said is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful ladies at Chapter Break. It's a chance for us to spotlight and gush over a quote from our current book crush to the object of his desire. We like to pretend he's speaking to us ;)

What better way to celebrate our book boyfriends?

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Nat brings you this week's book boyfriend. Meet West from Take Me On by Katie McGarry.

“I'm in love with you"

Finally, the girl looks at me. "What?"

"I don't know." I gesture to the house, the yard, the dirt surrounding us. "I'm not sure what suggested romance. Maybe it was the screaming match or the way my girlfriend kicked my ass to the ground, but I love you."

Her mouth gapes. "I...I..."

"I don't want you to say it back now. One of us should have some class.”

~ West to Hayley

Take Me On (Pushing The Limits #4)

by Katy McGarry