Book Review: Forever My Girl by Heidi McLaughlin ( + Giveaway)

At First Sight: 10 Years ago, Liam Westbury was poised to be the next big thing to break into college football. He was good, he was a the right school and everyone - family, friends and his whole hometown of Beaumont - expected him to join the NFL sooner rather than later, and live the All-American Dream.

No one expected this more than Liam's girlfriend Josie, whom he loved with all his heart.

But then something changed and Liam decided that football wasn't really what he wanted to do, so he quit school, broke up with Josie and left... to become a rockstar, breaking both Josie's heart and his own in the process.

Now, he's music is a huge success but not a day goes by where he doesn't wonder if he made the right choice after all. With tragedy forcing his hand, he has to go to where everything started, and maybe he'll get some answers.

Tragedy is the foremost thing on Josie's mind as she preps for the funeral of a close friend, but in the back of her mind she's wondering if this, finally, will be the reason that makes him come back. Not that she wants to see him, she has moved on with her life, her business and her family... but do you ever really get over the person you loved the most?

Second Glance: Believe it or not, I'm being super vague here regarding the summary of Forever My Girl, because there are somethings that just aren't hinted at in the official blurb and I don't want spoil anything for anyone.

But I must say that the official summary only touches on the very surface of what the story was about - it was pretty surprising that way, mostly because part of me thought that Forever My Girl was going to go into this "New Adult*"-ish thing similar to Where She Went, but it wasn't even close (other than the fact that both Liam and WSW's Adam are both successful musicians).

Forever My Girl goes more the traditional, contemporary romance route and I for one was very happy about it. The story is soap-opera-y** and fun, fluffy and easy to read. I quite enjoyed it all in all though there were points went it went a little in circles, but I didn't mind - the story is in the neighborhood of 250 pages and it moves at a brisk pace, so even when things stalled a little, it didn't last for long.

Plus, I really liked Liam and Josie and their friends, sometimes I felt like they could have been developed a little bit more but they were likable and they mostly made sense. I'm roughly they age now and they totally made sense to me both back when they were 18 (and made lots of mistakes) and now when they are trying to make things right. 

Bottom Line: The long and short of it is that I like Forever My Girl, it has the breezy, chick-lit feel to it that makes for quick read, but it also has all the fun of a contemporary romance***. Wasn't totally perfect for me, but I definitely want to keep on reading both this author and this series****

Forever My Girl - Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

* I still don't suscribe to this New Adult thing, hence "quote marks"
** Mean this in the best possible way, I love soap-opera-y books.
*** Pretty tame sex-scenes, btw.
**** Forever My Girl launches the Beaumont Series, with a the novella My Everything (which I'll be reviewing on the 16th) coming out soon, and a third book planned for September 2013.

This review is part of the My Everything Book Tour.
Links:

Twitter - Facebook - Blog - Website

PS - There is also a Book Tour Wide Giveaway

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Cover Reveal: Lost In You by Heidi McLaughlin + Giveaway

Hello my darling peeps! 

Today I'm happy to share with y'all the cover of Lost in You, the new book from Heidi McLaughlin! Hope you like! also, be sure to check the bottom of the post as Heidi is giving away a $15 Amazon Gift Card. 

Coming May 1st
Cover by Sarah Hansen ~ OkayCreations.net

Lost in You

Ryan Stone is a less than average teenager. He doesn’t have fancy clothes. He doesn’t carry around the latest smartphone and he definitely doesn’t have an MP3 player. Instead, he goes to school, does his chores and dreams of a new life away from Brookfield where he’s expected to follow in his blue collar family’s footsteps. 

Hadley Carter is America’s Pop Princess. A successful recording artist living her dream with a sold-out tour and a handful of Grammy’s there isn’t much that she wants for, except love. But finding love on the road is near impossible when all she longs for are romantic dinners, a nighttime stroll on the beach and holding hands with someone who isn’t going to exploit her. 

When a chance encounter introduces Ryan to Hadley, will he be like her adoring fans looking for a way in, or will it be Hadley who pursues Ryan even though it might cost her the only career she's ever known.

Lost in You is a story about following your dreams, taking risks and getting lost in love. 

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About Heidi:

Heidi is the author of USA Today, Digital Book World, Amazon and Barnes & Noble Bestselling novel, Forever My Girl

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell and two Parakeets.

During the day Heidi is behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, she's writing one of the many stories planned for release or sitting court-side during either daughter's basketball games.

USA Today Bestseller - Forever My Girl - Amazon | Barnes & Noble 



GIVEAWAY a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal + Giveaway: Forever My Girl by Heidi McLaughlin

Since this book sounds great, I'm happy to be part of the Cover Reveal for Forever My Girl (love the cover too, so YAY). Also, check out the giveaway at the end of the post ;)

Release: December 27th

Blurb:

I was never supposed to be a rock star. I had my life all planned out for me. Play football in college. Go to the NFL. Marry my high school sweetheart and live happily ever after.

I broke both our hearts that day when I told her I was leaving. I was young. I made the right decision for me, but the wrong decision for us. I've poured my soul into my music, but I've never forgotten her. Her smell, her smile.

And now I’m going back.

After ten years.

I hope I can explain that after all this time.

I still want her to be my forever girl.

My grandma once told me that I can do anything I want, so I am.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, I now live in picturesque Vermont, with my husband and two daughters. Also renting space in our home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell and two Parakeets.

During the day you'll find me behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, I'm writing one of the many stories I plan to release or sitting court-side during either daughter's basketball games.

I'm also an active reviewer on The Readiacs - a site I own with my best friend and uber special beta, Yvette.

Website † Facebook † GoodReads † Twitter


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GIVEAWAY
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This giveaway is open INTERNATIONAL.

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