Before 'The Perfect Boyfriend' came 'The Boyfriend List,' which is currently on sale for 99 cents!
Blurb:Reagan had always prided herself on making levelheaded, practical, analytical decisions about everything. Everything, that is, except where guys are concerned. Which was proven to her, once again, when her “boyfriend” opts to take another girl on their oh-so-romantic trip to his lake house. In order to prevent future heartbreak, she creates a checklist of all the qualities she wants in a man, and vows not to give her heart away again until she can determine if they fit every last criteria.
After scouring campus with her two best friends in her tricky journey, her detective work returns a pile of unworthy rejects, and it seems as though her choices are narrowed down to only two options: the hot stranger who’s inspired her new project, and her best guy friend Ian, who she’s always kept at bay due to his perceived playboy reputation.
Reagan gets more than she bargained for with her new set of rules, however, and is surprised to find that love, and the perfect boyfriend, may have been within reach the entire time. But will Ian’s reputation ruin his chances to prove his worth? And can Reagan let go of her insecurities long enough to even give him a chance?
The Boyfriend List is a light, New Adult romance about friendship, trust, and learning to let go in order to embrace what real love can offer.
**My thoughts**
Many of us can relate to Reagan's quest to find the perfect man. We all have a list, whether it is merely in our heads or actually written out. And how many times has the right person been right in front of our faces and we didn't realize it?
Reagan has a lot of understandable insecurities when it comes to dating men. I wouldn't necessarily call her spring break relationship a tragic one, but it is a painful one. Getting involved with a reputed playboy takes a lot of trust and faith. Ian seems like a good guy, though. He would be worth taking the plunge.
I thought the story was a sweet one. The biggest problem I had when reading it was on occasion the narrator's point-of-view would abruptly shift from Reagan to either Ian or Petra, often within the same scene. The majority of the book focuses on Reagan's POV. It should either all be hers, or else shift to someone else at a more natural breaking point or else be done consistently throughout. Otherwise, I did like this fast read, and on sale it was definitely a bargain.
About the book:
Book #2 in the Boyfriend series
New Adult Romance
Date Published: 7/27/14
The Perfect Boyfriend picks up right where we left Reagan and Ian in The Boyfriend List.
As their friendship blossoms quickly into a steamy romance, Reagan and Ian have to learn to navigate their shifting relationship...and everything that entails. But their newfound bliss doesn’t come without a few unexpected challenges.
In the midst of realizing just how sweet the romance can be between them, and all the benefits of their new dynamic, Reagan is informed that her ideal situation has changed. Not only will she need to begin taking on more classes to speed up her graduation date, but she’ll also have to start looking for a job to supplement her fading income. Meanwhile, Ian has chosen to pull out of school once his father is diagnosed with a terminal illness in order to help manage the family business and spend time with him while he still can. But he wrestles with the guilt of leaving Reagan behind, and the pressure of his new responsibilities.
As the two meet their new challenges head-on, they’ll be forced to discover whether or not they’re as compatible as lovers as they were as friends. With their focus pulled in so many directions, will they have what it takes to keep a long distance relationship alive? Can Ian prove that he’s still be the perfect boyfriend, or will they fold to statistics under the growing tensions of their lives? Throw in some manipulative exes, a new boss with an inflated ego, and a co-worker from hell and the two have a recipe for either a fairy tale ending, or a complete disaster.
The Perfect Boyfriend is a New Adult Romance about trust, love, and discovering the true depths of personal strength.
Read an excerpt:
The black Camaro was shimmering under the fading sunlight, fresh from a detailed washing earlier that day. Reagan reached for the handle to the passenger side door, as she had at least a dozen times before, but Ian put a hand up to stop her. Instead, he drew the door back himself, opening it in a chivalrous move that revealed something in the seat waiting for her - a slim, robin’s egg blue box wrapped with a crisp white bow.
“What’s this?” Reagan inquired excitedly after immediately recognizing the trademark packaging.
“I wanted to get you something special.” He said, smiling mischievously as he leaned down to retrieve the box and place it in her eager hands. “Something to remind you of what you mean to me, and how important this night is.”
Reagan eyed him suspiciously, but her fingers trembled as she pulled at the bow and opened the box. A tiny gasp of surprise emerged from her throat, and the familiar sting in her eyes returned as tears of joy pooled, threatening to spill down her cheeks.
Blinking them back, she looked up at Ian then back down at the delicate silver bracelet that was stretched the length of the box. It was a dual silver chain, knotted sweetly around a silver infinity symbol.
“It’s beautiful.” She exclaimed, her voice the hushed whisper of a woman impressed.
“I want you to know that this is real for me.” He began as he removed the token from the box and began to clasp it around her right wrist. “This isn’t just another first date. This is the beginning of forever for you and me. And if you decide that’s not what you want down the road, that’s fine. But Reagan, my intentions aren’t just to find another short-term girlfriend. I want you, all of you, for as long as you’re willing to give me.”
**My thoughts**
This one felt more like an extended epilogue to the first book. Where the first one ended, we could have pretty much figured out where the story was going to go. Although, this book does throw a couple of twists at Reagan and Ian, to further test their love and devotion to each other. Again, Reagan is dealing with a lot of understandable trust issues. Her relationship with Ian is still too fresh and new, so I understand her caution to a point. Once you have been burned, it is very difficult to dive into love again. As for Ian's side of what happened, when you are dealing with your father having a terminal illness, you do have a tendency to muck up other areas of your personal life as you come to terms with everything and figure out how to balance it.
Reagan does find some strength during this book, which I was glad to see. I did feel like certain aspects of their relationship moved too fast, but it is what readers would want to see.
This book didn't jump around with point-of-view as much as the first book did, which was nice. It did a couple of times, especially toward the end, which I thought took away from a special surprise. I think I would have preferred to have discovered that at the same time as Reagan.
This one was another fast read that passed time on a summer evening. I do see the potential for a third installment as Reagan prepares for the next chapter of her life, but it isn't necessary. I would also recommend reading the first book, to give you some better insight into what is going on. The prologue of this book is actually the final chapter of the last one, which gives you some hints. I think you would like this one better if you first read its prequel.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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Formerly a freelance journalist, Novelle has found placement of her pieces in both online and print publications since 2008. Additionally, she has written multiple screenplays, and contributed her writing to many non-profit and for profit organizations. She has launched several blogs over the years, which garnered international attention.
In 2013, Novelle returned to her first love – fiction. Writing under the names Renee Novelle and R.S. Novelle, she has a publication schedule that includes Psychological Thrillers, Suspense, Paranormal Fiction, Contemporary Women’s fiction, Chick Lit, and New Adult.
Though she received her Bachelor’s of Science in Communication, summa cum laude, she considers herself a constant student of the written word. She’s an avid reader, an enthusiastic quote poster, and rarely takes “no” as a final answer. She has an unhealthy obsession for theater, dance, music and art, and strongly believes that wine is simultaneously the beginning of, and resolution to, all of life’s problems. She believes in following dreams, and that in the end, you always end up where you’re meant to be.
Links
Website: www.RSNovelle.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReneeNovelle
Twitter: @rs_novelle
Instagram: http://instagram.com/rsnovelle
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/RSNovelle
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR BOOK AND THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY! SHELLEY S. calicolady60@hotmail.com
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