Screwdrivered was pretty much everything you'd expect from an Alice Clayton novel, reads quickly and full of sweet, funny, and sexy. Some faves from previous books make an appearance, which is always nice. This one was a real slow burn, which can be both great and maddening at the same time. I liked that it diverted at least a bit from the typical romance formula. I miss Clive cat and his escapades from the previous books though!
Cocktail, Book 3
I Picked Up This Book Because: Continue the series
The Characters:
Viv Franklin:
Clark Barrow:
Hank the Cowboy, Jessica
The Story:
Viv inherits a beautiful beach house from her estranged, deceased aunt. In a life changing decision Viv decides to sell her small business restore the house and live as an artist in Mendocino. Her only roadblock is Clark Barrow, town librarian and town historian giving her hell at every turn of her renovation.
Now I wanted to like Viv and I mostly did but her constant romance novel narrative/constant fantasizing got to be annoying. I’m reasonably sure this was exasperated by the narrator's endless breathy voice and panting. It got old quick. I loved Viv’s passion when it came to arguing with Clark. It annoyed me that it took her so long to see thats where the good stuff was and to stop mooning over Hank. I can’t recall ever hearing why Hank and Clark had the kind of relationship they did. Was it just leftover hard feelings from school? I feel like Clark would be the kind of guy to mature past that by now.
Overall even though it was a great story I think I would have enjoyed it more by reading it instead of listening to it. I loved this town and the people in it. I also loved getting a visit from Caroline and Simon.
The Random Thoughts:
The Score Card: 
3.5 Stars
This review was originally posted on Bookish Things & More
I was not disappointed in this sequel! It was just as hilarious and exciting and sexy as its predecessor! I loved the first one more for its fresh and exciting and humorous story. I had never read a book like that before, so to me it was like visiting a new country. I love when books thrill me like that and surprise me. In a sequel, it can get sticky for a writer. You already know the characters and the basic type of story you are about to read. This is where plot comes and in shines. I am so glad she wrote this book, because it was great-and she hit the target! I love them and the story, but they were popping out and changing and shifting and growing significantly. Caroline grew more mature and Simon faced the fact of maturity. I LOVED THAT. It was a great read! I highly recommend it if you loved the first book. p.s. I WANT MORE CLIVE PLEASE.
Any month where I read more than Booklikes 10-book-covers-per-post limit is a good month (except possibly November, where all the reading I did took time away from the NaNoWriMo writing I should have been doing, alas). Not counting all of the picture books I read with my boys, I finished fifteen books in November. (I only wrote ~12,000 words.)
4.5 stars:
As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales of the Making of The Princess Bride, Cary Elwes -- This is a must for anyone who loves The Princess Bride. I recommend the audiobook, as most of the cast and crew contribute, so it's like listening to a radio show documentary.
The Year We Fell Down, Sarina Bowen -- I don't usually read New Adult, but I glommed onto the Ivy Years series hard. I read the whole series in a long weekend. This first book, with a paraplegic heroine, was my favorite.
4 stars:
Yes Please, Amy Poehler -- Considering I have nothing in common with Amy except that we both have two young sons, I related to this memoir a lot more than I thought I would. Plus, it was super funny.
Understatement of the Year -- See my above comment about glomming the Ivy Years series. This third book was my second favorite, a second-chance romance involving two hockey players (yes, it's M/M. Read it even if you don't think that's your thing.).
Scenes From the City, Penny Reid -- This won't appeal much to anyone who isn't already into the Knitting in the City series, but if you're already a fan, the fifth story in this collection will have you salivating for the 2015 release of Happily Ever Ninja. Act fast, this is only on sale through December 15!
Blonde Date -- A short story, really more of a vignette, in the Ivy Years series. The hero is wonderfully beta.
3.5 stars:
Men Explain Things to Me, Rebecca Solnit -- a thought-provoking set of essays on feminist topics, but a little too spendy, considering how short it is, IMO.
The Year We Hid Away, Sarina Bowen -- My least favorite book in the Ivy Years series, this was still a very entertaining read. It just had an awesome premise which didn't quite live up to my hopes.
The Feminine Mystique, Betty Friedan -- This has been on my TBR for 20 years. I'm glad to have finally made time for it. It was a more timely read than I expected, but my interest waned in the last third of the book.
This I Believe, various -- I've been plugging away at this collection of short essays in my spare time since the summer. A few of them were real gems.
3 Stars:
Landline, Rainbow Rowell -- My least favorite Rainbow Rowell book so far. I just couldn't connect with the heroine at all, but the book still had the sharp prose and poignant emotion that I love about Rowell's work.
Dirty Rowdy Thing, Christina Lauren -- Entertaining, but not especially memorable.
2.5 stars:
Screwdrivered, Alice Clayton -- The snappy dialogue did not make up for the cliched plot and the too stupid to live heroine.
2 stars:
Beyond Possession, Kit Rocha -- my first disappointment in the Beyond series. This novella just felt flat to me.
1 star:
The Temp, Part I, Lacey Wolfe -- I won this in a giveaway. Since I don't have anything nice to say, ....
As for what's on tap in December, I just started Sarah MacLean's Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover, and it's off to a strong start.
Happy Holidays!
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