Book Review: The One for Me by Sydney Landon

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The One for Me
Danvers #8
Author: Sydney Landon
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: February 2nd 2016
Review Source: Signet

The New York Times bestselling author of Watch Over Me delivers a steamy new novel of irresistible attraction in her popular Danvers series.

Mark DeSanto has never denied himself anything—especially in the bedroom. Rich, attractive, and successful, men envy him and women desire him. But when a sweet, guileless beauty faints at his feet, he suddenly finds himself wondering if it’s time to look for something more lasting...

Until her divorce, Crystal Webber never knew what it was like to follow her heart. Now she wants to experience all life has to offer. So when she catches a glimpse of Mark DeSanto in the halls of Danvers International, she’s instantly infatuated—and eager to join him for a walk on the wild side. Fainting at his feet wasn’t her plan, but at least it got his attention...

But for the first time, Mark wants to take things slow, which—considering the electricity between them—may take far more willpower than he’s ever had.

This is an Adult romance novel recommended for ages 18+ due to sexual content and mature subject matter.

When it comes to the Danvers series, I am usually all over. I love this series! Really, everyone should be reading this series. The characters are easily lovable and the stories are fun and sweet. So it breaks my heart to say this, The One for Me was less that what I am used to with this series.

I don't mind when the characters fall in love the instant they meet. As long as they give time to know each other and just make the pacing good. With The One for Me, the story felt forced. The characters were all wrong, for each other... Okay, maybe not for each other, but the way they were introduced to each other was so... fake. However, what bother me the most was the fact that Mark kept calling Crystal "Angel". Like honey, we get it, she is your angel. Stop calling her angel in every sentences. "I love you, Angel", "I think I need you, Angel"... Seriously, is it necessary to call a person you just met angel in every sentences? I think not.

Mark is supposed to be this successful and sexy man, but this "angel" phrased killed his image for me. To top it off, he's supposed to be into kinky things but he was way too sweet... Sometimes this is good but with this story, it didn't work. At one point of the story, you want a strong-tough man. I'm sorry but I couldn't see him as this image he is supposed to be.

I'm usually a fan of Sydney's work, but this story didn't do it for me. It got to a point that I started to skim through her story. I will read her next story, but honestly, I hope it's nothing like this one.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I've Recently Added To My TBR

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Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.

  Top Ten Books I've Recently Added To My TBR

Book Review: Watch Over Me by Sydney Landon

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Watch Over Me
Danvers #4
Author: Sydney Landon
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: September 1st 2015 
Publisher: Signet

Gwen Day has never been lucky in love, but now she’s betting on one man ready to care for her like no one ever has…

Fresh off of the most humiliating romantic disaster of her life, Gwen sees no reason not to get tipsy and throw herself at her sexy bad boy neighbor. But she never expected their one night stand to have consequences that would keep them together...or for his concern to turn into something that feels like it could last.

Dominic Brady has always admired Gwen from afar, and now that she’s single, he has no reservations about saying yes to one wild night. Soon he’s interested in a real relationship. But when their future is uncertain, Dominic is determined to show her that he takes care of what’s his. And that no matter what happens, he’s one man she can’t lose.

This is an Adult romance novel recommended for ages 18+ due to sexual content and mature subject matter.

Watch Over Me is a great love story! Dominic has always had an eye on Gwen, while Gwen has the worst luck with men. She is used to seeing men walk away from her and into other woman's lives and getting married shortly after. While she has had an eye on Dominic as well, she loved watching him and checking out his body! But she was his best friends girl.. Until one day she gets dumped, then shortly after goes out for a girls night and gets drunk, and is a night that will change her life forever. When she shows up at Dominic and has a wild night with him.

What I enjoyed about this book is it has its lonely times, then has sexy times, as well as lots of laugh out loud moments. Dominic was so sweet to Gwen, treated her right, wanted to take care of her, calling her babe, or baby every time he seen her, bringing her decaf coffee and googling about pregnancy info for (incase) and taking care of those needs as well. Then he turned to his friend for advice and things went down hill for the both because his friend Gage gave bad advice. But it shows that when the two people involved with each other talk and really talk then it all works out the best when you are honest of your feelings.

This book was sexy, funny, and about what happens in real life, when there is condom mishaps. I really enjoyed reading this book, and I hope Sydney continues their story as I would love to read where it goes next. I love these characters! If you are into stories like this, then you should give this a go!

Book Review: Fighting For You by Sydney Landon

Fighting For You
A Danvers Novel #4

Author: Sydney Landon
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: October 15th 2013
Review Source: NetGalley

Ella Webber has spent years uncomfortable around the opposite sex…

But as soon as she meets handsome Declan Stone, she is smitten. Quickly they become friends, finding frequent reasons to see each other around the office, and Ella longs for even more. So—with a little help from her friends—Ella resorts to performing a little seduction. One that Declan will never be able to resist.

Burdened by emotional baggage from his time in the Marine Corps, Declan refuses to believe he’s the right man for sweet Ella. Even if she makes him long for normal things, like marriage and family….But in his attempts to close off his heart from her love, could he have underestimated Ella’s powers of persuasion?

Even though this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. I was not aware of this until I googled the author. Landon made a great job making sure new readers aren’t lost while reading.

In this book we meet Mr. Hottie, Declan. He claims he doesn’t deserve sweet innocent Ella. The only problem is she is head over heels over Declan. Ella is indeed innocent. She is even a virgin. Not that this is a bad thing, but when it comes to experienced Declan, Ella believes he doesn’t like her for her inexperience. This is where all the fun starts. Ella starts dating random guys. However, Declan is not the type of men that sits and watch. No, he takes charge.

I really enjoyed reading this cute story. Many young women encounter this moment when they begin dating. Women with their insecurity, the lack of experience and the fear of trying the unknown will make them think less of who they really are. Nonetheless when you have the right partner, this person will take care of you. This is what Declan does. He doesn’t pressure Ella; he always makes sure she is ready and sure of what she wants. This is how Ella becomes a new person. She takes charge of her life. She starts believing in herself, enough to stand up to her strict mother. I liked the ending of the story, very believable.

Book Review: Not Planning On You by Sydney Landon

Not Planning On You
A Danvers Novel #2
Author: Sydney Landon
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: February 5th 2013 (Reprint)
Review Source: Signet
Available: Amazon

Summary: (from goodreads) Suzy Denton seems to have it all together. She loves her job as an event's planner for Danvers International, and she loves her high school sweetheart and fiance Jeff. Fast forward a month and it's all gone to hell in a hand-basket. She finds out Jeff's dentist has been doing more than drilling his teeth, and Danvers is in the process of merging with Mericom creating the largest communications company in the US and also bringing Gray Merimon, the CEO of Mericom into her life.

Gray pursues her from almost their first meeting. Even though he looks like sex on a stick, Suzy is afraid of being hurt again, and she thinks Gray is just another stuffed shirt looking for a relationship. When he calls her bluff, Suzy agrees to one night of sex, hoping that he will be terrible in bed and she can finally get him out of her system.

When circumstances throw them together for more than one night, can Gray convince Suzy that two complete opposites can be a perfect fit?

Author, Sydney Landon, does not disappoint with the second installment of the Danvers series. Suzy Denton is introduced to us in the 1st book as Danvers Internationals special event planner and lunch confidant for Claire Walters (now Claire Danvers). She is outspoken, flashy, and beautiful which seems to allow the boss to swallow her flashy and unprofessional workplace attire. Although Suzy may talk a big game, truth is she is really inexperienced with men. The one exception being her high school sweetheart/exfiance'. That relationship had ended recently, very abruptly, because of his exposed infidelity. Suzy wasn't sure she was brave enough to risk her heart again.

Grayson Merimon, or Gray as he preferred to called, has finished the merger between Danvers and Mericom. Mr. tall, dark and handsome was, as Suzy said, "a stuffed shirt" and was now working as President of Operations at Danvers. This made it necessary for him to relocate from Charleston to Myrtle Beach. Gray had been intrigued with Suzanna from the very first time they met more than a year ago. Breaking through the sassy exterior Suzy displays to the world would be a challenge Gray relished and knew he would not flounder.

I really enjoyed the continuation of the Danvers drama. Suzy and Gray are so completely different and yet this quote from Grey had me hooked. "From the moment we met I ceased to exist without you. You've put me off as long as I can take. Ready or not, Suzanna, I'm coming for you, and I don't intend to stop until I have you…forever." But Gray has something he's keeping a secret. After building a close relationship with Gray's brother, Nick, it hurts to find out he seems privy to the identity of the person on the cell phone messages and texts. Can Suzy let go her mistrust and give Gray her heart or will his ultimate revelation be their undoing?

I love the sexual tension in this book. When it finally delivers it doesn't let you revel in the afterglow before discord rears its ugly head and problems are brought front and center. I like Suzy's strong personality tempered with her quite sensitivity. Gray is any woman's white knight, a little wounded from life's battles. They may seem like an unlikely match, but those make for the hottest connections sometimes.

Book Review: Weekends Required by Sydney Landon

Weekends Required
A Danvers Novel #1
Author: Sydney Landon
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: December 31st 2012 (Reprint)
Review Source: Signet
Available: Amazon

Summary: (from goodreads) Claire Walters has worked for Jason Danvers as his assistant at Danvers International for three years, and he has never thought of her as a woman until the day she jumps out of a cake at his friend's bachelor party.

Claire is forced to work a second job at a party planning company to support her ailing mother. She is horrified when Jason not only finds out, but has a front-row seat to the action. With Danvers in the process of merging with another company, Claire is forced to travel with Jason as well as work weekends. Suddenly all the fantasies she has entertained for years about her boss seem to be coming true. Her outspoken best friend Suzy thinks that just getting laid will solve everything. The problem is, Claire sees much more in Jason than just sex.

Jason is determined to know how the beautiful, sexy woman in the cake could also be his Plain Jane assistant who tries her best to blend into the background from 8-5 every day. Now not only does Jason see her as a woman, he fully intends to give her the fairy-tale ending that she deserves!

I first read this book as an ebook last year. I didn't mind rereading it to give a review. Author, Sydney Landon, does a great job creating a work environment at Danver's International that many of us dream about. Single, gorgeous, professional Jason Danver's has employed Claire Walters as his assistant for 3 years. Claire is a subdued, efficient, and responsible person making her the perfect assistant. She values her job and keeps an impersonal work environment, just as Jason seems to prefer. Uptight Claire believes Suzy, her lunch cohort, is the only breath of fresh air she can handle. She secretly works a second job at Partiez Plus to aid her ailing mother's medical and household expenses. Things would be more affordable if they combined residences, but a sense of duty doesn't negate Claire's need for a place to escape. It just requires her to work twice as hard.

Claire's secret second job has never been an issue, but now her boss is requesting she work out of town with him for the weekend. Jason must be in Columbia for the weekend for his best friend's wedding, but with Claire in tow, he can continue to work on the important Mericom merger. It all makes perfect sense to him, until his assistant jumps out from a cake at a bachelor party for Jason's friend. Jason is left asking himself how his demure, mostly genderless assistant was actually a gorgeous bombshell. How could he have been so blind to her all this time? How did he not know she jumped out of cakes after work hours and why did she need to do that? And what the hell was going on with his awakened sense of protection and desire for her?

As Jason sets out to answer his questions regarding Claire Walters, he finds it hard not to fall deeply for this devoted enigmatic girl. He has spent his life making problems go away. Now he wants to do the same for Claire. But is Claire ready to give control f her life to someone else again. She may not have easy but what she has is hers. Can business and pleasure mix successfully or will it affect the looming merger?

I really enjoyed this contemporary romance story. It flows well and is an easy read. The characters are likable and intriguing. I also like that the secondary characters will be revealed more in subsequent books. If you like the Cinderella style story, this modern day version is sure to be a hit.