Penelope WardRezensionen

Charlotte falls in love with a wedding dress in a second-hand shop. A note is pinned inside, and she is determined to learn more about the romantic author and his bride. Reed never married, but nosy Charlotte maneuvers a way into his life with the help of his devious grandmother.
It's a heart-warming story. I was constantly mystified as to where it was going next. Charlotte got on my nerves a bit, but ultimately it's a lovely story.

This was more a 3.5 but super cute story dealing with some real life things. While reading the story, I was constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. I’m not usually a fan of stories that make me feel that way but this one had a good storyline that keep me reading. For such a short book, 2 and half days of reading is super long for me; however, it is smack in the middle of a busy holiday.





***** spoilers *****








Luca’s character had me interested from the start. I know someone with a very similar fear so I could relate as someone trying to connect. I would have like to see her become stronger sooner, even though taking the trip out to California to see Griff was brave. The one downside of her character, I didn’t like that she stated herself pretty shit off towards pleasure with someone but had no problem jumping right into pleasuring moments.

Griff has me with his sense of humor. Even though they spoke for many years as kids, I thought it jumped into sex talk way to soon for the type of connections they rekindled. But, once Griff’s love shunned through for her, you could really see it was more than just sex.

Not a book I would reread but one I continue a storyline if there was a second book. Would love to know how she is as a mother.

Cheesy, fun (and free) listen.

It was one of December’s free selections at Audible.com.

Since my first Keeland/Ward book (Happily Letter After) I have bought every single one of their books that I could (still missing a few). But the thing I've found in each and every one of them has been the heart of the story. This one had me laughing and a few pages later crying. I guess I enjoyed it more than most of the other reviewers.

I do agree the conflict was a little over dramatic. But I think it comes from Kendall really being sheltered so much by her family in regard to relationships. She is younger and her family did seem to get in the way so she never had a serious relationship that could last very long.

I absolutely loved everything to do with where he lived and his neighbors! His relationships with them were so unexpected given his treatment of his female co-workers.

Anyway, I too enjoyed their globe trotting romance and wish there could have been just a little bit more of that.

Dear Ms. Keeland and Ms. Ward,

I have to tell you if anyone ever told me that I would love biking while reading a romance novel, I would tell them they were crazy. Thank you so much for writing a book that is such a pick me up. Now let’s talk about what I loved about these pages. DIRTY LETTERS is the new co-authored friends-to-lovers rockstar romance that I found utterly refreshing You ladies outdid yourselves. The heroine is agoraphobic, that first reared its ugly head after her best friend died in a fire at a concert. And there, of course, is also survivor's guilt. When Luca was seven years old, she became pen pals with a boy in England. They became best friends and confidantes over the years, their honesty one of the most remarkable features of their friendship. Until the fire. After that, it is a ghost town Luca disappeared leaving the boy not knowing anything.

Griffin, now a famous rockstar known as Cole Archer, lets her know how he feels about this in a petty letter eighteen years later. I have to say, I was happy to see how fast Griffin forgave Luca. For a few months, these two communicate only by letter and they find back into their easy friendship with the addition of a growing attraction. But Griffin, who has learned the hard way that fame comes at a price, cherishes the fact that Luca doesn't know who he is. Luca with the help of the letters becomes braver and I am here for it.

I have so much love for all the characters in this book. Griffin was a great guy, an amazing friend, and a patient, an understanding boyfriend who was totally smitten with his girl, how he held on when things got rough, never letting her down. The way Luca's debilitating condition was portrayed made her relatable and my heart ached for her because, really, when you can't go out of the house without fearing a panic attack, how do you deal with the idea of dating a popstar? The despair because you're trapped in your head...what do you have to offer except your heart?

Lastly, there is Doc, Luca's therapist, who was simply the sweetest. I just picture a cross of Mr. Rogers and the Doc from back to the future. This book packed such a punch of steamy moments and a mixture of sweet moments and drama. The story is new and refreshing and fun and the only thing that made me sad was when it was over. I hope there is more co-writing in the future.

With Love,
Blagica

“I am enough.”

Once again Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward deliver a heart-warming, smile-inducing, enemies to lover’s workplace romance that turned into an unputdownable read. The first book to keep my interest in more than two weeks. Both characters stole my heart as I navigated their path to love and forever. Both characters completely endearing, each with their very own opposite personalities and yet together, they just worked. Each complemented the other perfectly, they brought out the best in one and other, and each were what the other needed, yet never knew they wanted.

“I think it’s better to spend years treasuring a memory that might hurt sometimes than to never make one at all.”

I loved the meet cute, the circumstances were a novel introduction and out of a true romance book. A circumstance that melted my romance lovers’ heart. Charlotte goes to a boutique to sell her un-used wedding gown and while browsing stumbles upon another that catches her attention. Trying it on, Charlotte notices a blue note stitched into the gown from the groom, and in her romance novel addled brain Charlotte concocts a beautiful love story that she wished was her own. Charlotte ends up exchanging the dress for hers and a little internet stalking later, plus a bottle of wine, Charlotte finds herself face to face with the bridal gown romantic, only he is nothing like what she expected.

“Maybe Stan can work on getting a sensitivity chip installed into your grandson. He seems to be missing one.”

Reed Eastwood was a real estate mogul in the family business, selling properties in the tens of millions and what most would deem living the life. On the outside, he was the consummate professional, and his aloof persona was an impenetrable wall that his family were desperate to crumble. Nobody could get through to Reed, but it seems Charlotte may just be his kryptonite.

The way the couple gets together is undeniably charming. I find both the male and female leads relatable and was so glad I came across this book.
Hate Notes is one you will learn to LOVE hands down.

This was one of those books I could not put down. I had seen a lot of positive feedback online about this book and knew it was one I had to one-click. I'm SO glad I did. Penelope Ward You are a Goddess!

Amelia Payne and Justin Banks grew up together and were best friends. Circumstances made Amelia move away without notice leaving Justin with no explanation as to why one of the most important people in his life was suddenly gone. Fast forward many years and following the death of Amelia's grandmother, she and Justin are now the proud co-owners of her grandmother's beach house and based on the way they parted, that is probably not a good thing.

These two former best friends, who it's apparent have lingering feelings for one another, have to figure out how to maneuver their relationship now that things are so different and so much time has passed. Justin is in a relationship; Amelia is dealing with surprising revelations from her recent past that completely change the course of her future and they are both dealing with suppressed anger from how they parted years earlier. Will they be able to get to a place where they can be friends at a minimum?

This book had a bit of everything, but the thing that stood out to me is that it was a true love story. Both Amelia and Justin knew they had been wrong in the past, they both struggled to figure out how to deal with the feelings they suppressed and currently had, they loved fiercely and they hurt immensely. Penelope Ward crafted a story that quickly has become one of my favorite reads this year and I'd highly recommend it!

Amazing

This story had me all over the place emotionally. It was super cute and I loved the banter between Charlotte and Reed but it also had some serious moments where my heart hurt for them both but it turns around and heals you up again. I really liked the idea of the lists they both made and how they helped each other accomplish those things. Great read and I loved it.

The audiobook has a great opening with Gia standing in as a bartender for a friend and in over her head. The boss is there and he's not happy, but Gia has enough sass to put the ass in his place - to use the language of the book.

Rush is quite the character - a jerk but entertaining - and perfectly played by Sebastian York. Gia is gorgeous and herself, so she's not bad either. As a romantic heroine, she makes it known up front that she doesn't do one night stands. So the two become friends.

Hearing Sebastian York again reminded me that one of the very first contemporary romance novels I consumed - because it was a freebie-of-the-day on Audible, was Penelope Ward's Gentleman No 9. Even though I was stunned by the novel, I didn't take up the romance genre as a hobby til years after.

Gia was read by Maxine Mitchell whose voice was also familiar. Even though she's brilliant in the way she inhabits the character, she has one of those voices that has a kind of breathless anxiety that I don't particularly like. It's a distinctive enough narration tic that all her characters sound like the same character, which I dislike even more.½

So looking through my books of what I had and what I was kinda wanting I thought this was going to be it. It wasn't but it didn't disappoint honestly. The amount of drama, pressure, and just turmoil these two had was wow, then add in past trauma and I am amazed they had a HEA.

This is one of my new favorite books, it’s funny but dramatic. Saylor is adorable and the opening is funny as hell.

Soraya is on the commuter train and sees a foxy, muscular, a-hole attitude guy in a fancy suit she's instantly attracted to. He's on his phone chewing someone out so she nicknames him stuck up suit. He gets off the train and drops his phone without knowing. She picks it up and goes through it and keeps it a couple of days before showing up at his office to return it. Graham is a high powered business owner who treats his employees like crap. When Soraya shows up and bangs on his office door he won't see her so she leaves him a text on his phone. Of course he's intrigued so he starts texting her and back and forth. They finally meet and it's a kind of interesting relationship in the making. She won't take his crap and holds her own, they both have messed up backgrounds, and surprises from both sides make for a solid story.

Billie is hilarious as she finds her boyfriend cheating on her via Tinder. She throws a party and invites all the ladies as a "surprise" to her cheating soon to be ex boyfriend. Hilarity ensues as an uninvited guest at the tail end turns out to be one of her new landlords. Colby and his three friends have purchased the building. Colby is a thoughtful single dad and is really interested in getting to know Billie. She has no plans to date anyone so she and Colby undate and spend time together. He has a young daughter and protecting her at all costs is the goal. A person from the past shows up and puts a wrench in Billie & Colby's plans and it kind of drags on with some unbelievable decisions. I'm hoping for books on Colby's three friends (Holden, Owen, & Brayden)

Merged review:

Billie is hilarious as she finds her boyfriend cheating on her via Tinder. She throws a party and invites all the ladies as a "surprise" to her cheating soon to be ex boyfriend. Hilarity ensues as an uninvited guest at the tail end turns out to be one of her new landlords. Colby and his three friends have purchased the building. Colby is a thoughtful single dad and is really interested in getting to know Billie. She has no plans to date anyone so she and Colby undate and spend time together. He has a young daughter and protecting her at all costs is the goal. A person from the past shows up and puts a wrench in Billie & Colby's plans and it kind of drags on with some unbelievable decisions. I'm hoping for books on Colby's three friends (Holden, Owen, & Brayden)

I really enjoyed this!

This was very good and thought it would be a 5 star read up until the h made a monumental TSTL decision. I was disappointed VK didn't stand true to her strong/sassy character. I really wanted to see Soraya give the ex and her BFF a reality check....that would have been the best!

MASSIVE tear jerker.

I get why some ppl didn't like it but really...you gotta know how easy it is to make a stupid decision when you're a hormonal teenager...And then be stuck.

I cried. There were.tons of tears.

Don't read the nasty reviews. Give the book a chance.

Ok. This book made me blubber like a freaking baby!!!!

At the start of the book, I got the impression that there was some.girl on girl action coming on so I was going to scrap it but, I hung on. And I am glad that I did.

So ooo worth it.

DNF! The cringe. The writing style. Horrible

Enjoyable, predictable, a little drawn out. Great narrators.

Hate Notes
4 Stars

I read this book because it fit into a challenge (an author name beginning with V) and was pleasantly surprised.

While the circumstances leading up to the hero and heroine's first meeting do require some suspension of disbelief, the ensuing romance is very engaging.

Although a little on the ditzy side, Charlotte is a sweet and caring heroine convinced that her boss's cold demeanor hides a man capable of deep and abiding love if only he could get overcome his past hurt.

Reed initially comes across as an arrogant, condescending jerk, but it soon becomes clear that there is more to him than meets the eye. His growth and character development throughout the book is excellent even though there are times when he needs a slap upside the head for his obtuseness.

All in all, a charming read and I will read more by the Keeland and Ward writing pair.

This is an old-fashioned love story that takes its time, as the protagonists learn about each other, before they become lovers. Carter is the playboy who talks dirty but has a heart of gold. Kendall is the woman who judged men by how much they were prepared to pay on a dinner date. But she turns out to be a real person. Thanks to Carter, and the counter balance of the quiet and serious Kendall, it's a delightful ride.

Unfortunately, some silly plot elements get in the way of an otherwise enjoyable romance. So much so that about 2/3 of the way through I put the book down - too much was asked of me for slimmer reward.

It's read by Sebastian York - as much as he has The Voice, he wasn't actually how I thought the playboy would sound.

It's funny - I just read the comments below and I see that another reader felt the story stalled; it was too long, and not warranted, And the implausibility. It's why this didn't score more than stars with me. Thanks for your comments samnreader.

This book was amazing. It caught me from the first chapter. It is one of those exceptional books that I wish I could read again. There is just something about a broken boy and being able to heal his heart that just does it for me. Definitely going on my favorites shelf!!

This book was amazing. It caught me from the first chapter. It is one of those exceptional books that I wish I could read again. There is just something about a broken boy and being able to heal his heart that just does it for me. Definitely going on my favorites shelf!!

I came across this book as "Included" on Audible Plus, but I've read it - maybe 3 or 4 months ago - but I see I haven't entered it.

I don't remember much about it except that it was good, and it had this great beginning where a tattooed? woman (Soraya) is watching an alpha on the train and then that alpha guy (Graham) gets up and leaves his phone behind. So begins the adventure when the watcher returns, or attempts to return, the phone.

okay but i found it unbelievable that the male grumpy asshole character is suddenly the nice person - especially if he is still a pain for his secretaries. something didn't felt right for me.