Sunday, August 4, 2013

Review: It Was You by Anna Cruise


Blurb
Abby Sellers knows what she wants.

Enduring eighteen years in the shadow of her identical twin sister, Annika, she wants a fresh start. A chance to create her own life, separate from her conniving, deceptive twin.

Surprising both her family and friends, Abby ditches her plans for college and enrolls at a new school instead. There, she encounters West Montgomery, a sexy fellow student who immediately disarms her with his good looks and charm. West takes a liking to Abby and she suddenly finds herself walking a thin line, fabricating a fictional life created not by lies but by omission. She soon discovers West has secrets of his own, secrets that he's not altogether interested in sharing.

Out from under the shadow of her twin, Abby's life—and her relationship with West—blossoms. When Abby leaves town one weekend, something unthinkable happens and her relationship with West is shattered. Reeling from the discovery, Abby fears all of her plans have backfired and she's created a mess for both of them, a mess that no one can clean up.

But West isn't willing to let her go that easily. When he forces her to confront secrets they've both been hiding, Abby must decide more than if she's willing to forgive and forget. She must also decide just what kind of life she wants...and who she wants to live it with.

Review
If you know anything about me, and at this point, I'm hoping that you do, you know that I love a good Anna Cruise book. I've reviewed, and loved, all of her other books. It Was Me was the very first book of hers that I read and it hooked me. She has a way of writing that draws you into the world she's created and you truly feel like you're witnessing everything play out right in front of you. 

I absolutely loved Abby and completely connected with her from the very first chapter. She's a complex character as while she's a strong girl, she's also vulnerable due to her twin sister, Annika's constant torture of her. After a final straw, Abby decides to change her college plans because she simply can no longer handle being in Annika's shadow or being her proverbial punching bag. I completely felt her need to get away, and also commended it. I was cheering for her when she decided to throw up her middle finger and enroll in the local community college and  convince her parents to let her move into her own apartment. And thank goodness she did, because on the first day of registration she met a sexy, swoon-worthy, smooth-talking West Montgomery. Right off the bat, he irritates her and flirts with her at the same time, and she can't help but take in his gorgeous looks and hard body. 

After he barters for her phone number while changing her flat tire, West and Abby fall into a quick, comfortable relationship. West is exactly what she needs to separate herself from her parents, from Annika, and from everything she's trying to get away from. At the same time, Abby helps West stay grounded, keeping his temper at bay. As their relationship progresses, it's clear that they're chemistry is scorching and they're both falling hard and fast, but it can't always be sunshine and rainbows, right? She decides to keep her family a secret from West, who has secrets of his own, which leads to a pretty huge conflict that almost killed me. 

All in all, I really enjoyed It Was Me. I think things progressed a little too quickly for my taste, but come on, it's West Montgomery. It probably take long for me to fall for the guy either. I can't wait to get my hands on It Was Me to see what's in story for West and Abby, and unfortunately, Annika.

Reviewed by

In the kitchen with West Montgomery

If you haven't read It Was You, I'll let you in on a little secret. West Montgomery is a super-hot baseball player/surfer. But he also loves to bake.

No joke.

On one of his dates with Abby, he brings a basket down to the beach. Inside is a container of homemade chocolate chip cookies. Not just chocolate chip cookies. The best freaking chocolate chip cookies Abby has ever had.

So, I thought...hmm. Why don't I share West Montgomery's Top Ten recipes?

Here they are, in no particular order. Because all of them are fantastic. The recipes are all available on West's Pinterest page. Because he is soooo not too cool to mock Pinterest. He knows that's where you find all the good shit.

West's Favorite Recipes
1. Nutella-Filled Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Cookies – because, honestly, who doesn't like Nutella?
2. Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting – he makes a double batch of frosting and slathers the whole pan. And Abby. :)
3. Chocolate Chip Scones – his go-to recipe for breakfast in bed with Abby.
4. Best Cheesecake Ever – sinfully rich and smooth.
5. Flourless Chocolate Cake – yeah, Abby was super impressed when he whipped this one up.
6. Oreo Balls – Three ingredients. Three.
7. Slutty Brownies – If he ever baked something for Annika – which he wouldn't – I'm pretty sure this would be first choice.
8. Chocolate Fondue – let's just say this gets used in multiple ways...
9. Best Brownies Ever – West makes these for Abby in It Was Me, their sequel. And they don't get eaten. But not for the reason you might think...
10. West's Chocolate Chip Cookies – Uh-huh. This is it. The recipe that won Abby over.

Hope you find some baking inspiration. Hey, maybe you can share these with your man and see what he can whip up for you in the kitchen...


Links
Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17447877-it-was-you 
Amazon Kindle- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BNFLCGW?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00BNFLCGW&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2 


About the Author
Anna Cruise has been writing -- and drooling over boys -- since middle school. Lots of years have passed but some things never change... Her books include the best-seller IT WAS YOU (New Adult), IF I FALL (Mature YA) and MAVERICK (New Adult). Additional titles releasing in 2013 will include a follow-up to Abby and West's story from IT WAS YOU. Anna loves to hear from readers and authors. Email her at authorannacruise@gmail.com. You can also like her Facebook page, find her on Twitter @AnnaCruiseBooks or friend her on Goodreads.




Links
Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6965792.Anna_Cruise 
Twitter-https://twitter.com/AnnaCruiseBooks 
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/AnnaCruiseBooks 
Blog- http://annacruisebooks.blogspot.com/ 
Amazon Author Page- http://www.amazon.com/Anna-Cruise/e/B00BNTLA7Y/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1 


It Was Me Blurb- (sequel to It Was You)

All West Montgomery wanted was a vacation. A week-long stay in Tucson with Abby and her parents, a chance to get away for the week, the opportunity to get to know her family a little better and maybe carve out a little alone time with his girlfriend.

What he doesn't count on is finding a way to resume his baseball career.

Encouraged by Abby and her father to attend a MLB open tryout, West discovers that he can still play ball—well—and he suddenly becomes the hottest commodity on the field. Overwhelmed with offers and possibilities, West knows that whatever choice he makes will affect more than his baseball career. It will affect his future with Abby.

Professional baseball was always his dream, but Abby was a new dream come true. He doesn't want to choose between them, but in order to fulfill one of those dreams, West will have to.

Because he knows it's all on him.

Goodreads-http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18187369-it-was-me 
Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/It-Was-Me-ebook/dp/B00E91Q0DC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1375579876&sr=8-2&keywords=It+Was+Me+Anna+Cruise 

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