This was fine, funny at times but oddly paced. The ending is super rushed and she’s making out with a different guy like 20 minutes before the big I Love You’s and first kiss/first sex ( )

I previously read books one and two in the Cocktail Series.

I liked Wallbanger, the first book in the series and gave it three stars. I really did laugh out loud at several parts of the book that dealt with Caroline Reynolds and her annoying neighbor she called "Wallbanger". About a third of the way through the book though Caroline started to work on my nerves though and the constant double entrendes with her and "Wallbanger" AKA Simon Parker just got old pretty fast.

The second book in the series, Rusty Nailed I rated two stars. I found the entire character of Caroline to be mystifying and infruiating and I thought that Ms. Clayton paid way too much attention to Caroline and Simon's friends Neil and Sophia. That entire storyline needed to be trimmed from this book or it could have been its own standalone book. Either way I felt like I was reading two books crammed into one.

The third book in the Cocktail series Screwdrivered was a very fast and enjoyable read.

This time the main character is Viv Franklin that readers were introduced to in book two. For those of us readers who were getting a bit tired of Caroline this book brings a welcomed break from her and Simon.

Viv, living in Philadelphia and running her own business while being forced on bad dates with yuppies by her mother still dreams about her time living in Paris and painting. After another bad date she arrives home and gets a phone call from a lawyer in California telling her that her Great Aunt has died and left her a house and land.Taking the opportunity to go on an adventure and maybe have a red hot steamy romance is too much for Viv to resist so off to California she goes.

Viv is left dealing with a house that is in need of a huge renovation and meets two entirely different men.

Clark a nerdy librarian who is refusing to allow Viv to make any renovations to her home that may alter the historical aspect of it.

Hank is a hot cowboy who is still being paid by Viv's Great Aunt's estate to take care of the horses and chickens that are on Viv's land.

I know who I would be picking...how about all of you?

Readers will get some scenes with Caroline and Simon from books one and two which was nice. I can say that I liked Caroline more in what I have read so far. Maybe because she wasn't freaking out about something thoughtful that Simon was doing and acting like he had committed a felony.

Parts of the book are downright funny to me and seriously Alice Clayton can write a freaking hilarious scene that will have you crying with laughter. There is a scene with one of the potential bachelors and his kissing is so disgusting that I was put off by anyone's saliva being in my mouth for the next fortnight.

Ms. Clayson also still excels at writing very good steamy love scenes.

I really did like the main character Viv and hope she pops up in future books in the Cocktail series. The epilogue wrapped things up a bit too neatly which is why I gave this book 4.5 stars.

Mai Tai'd Up is the fourth book in the series that comes out December 2, 2014. I plan on pre-ordering my book today! ( )

Screwdrivered
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 that's 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:

3.5 Stars ( )

This was good

What a romantic build up... to the end. Vivian and Clark...

I knew it would happen, but loved reading the instance they connected. There were a few laughs along the way. ( )

So often in today's contemporary romance books all we see are bad boys. After a while, for the zealous reader, this can get old so reading a nice 'good guy' book is revitalizing.

Vivian comes from a family of math geniuses. Her five older brothers all work for their father's computer company. After getting her degree, Vivian rebelled, running off to do art instead. She later invented her own software and started her own computer business. Although she has accomplished so much and has a full life with her family, she's lacking in the romantic love department. Also she can't stop her over-the-top fantasies spawned from corny erotic novels.

Unexpectedly, Viv receives a call in the middle of night. Her great aunt has died leaving everything to her. She takes off on an adventure, leaving her life behind in New York to move to a small town in California in order to take over the property. When she gets to the house, it's like an episode of Hoarders. Not only that, but the house is in a desperate state of disarray and decay.

Much to Viv's delight, the property comes with it's own cowboy who takes care of the horses and chickens. He's absolutely gorgeous and sends her imagination into overdrive. She's often distracted in one of her daydreams staring Hank.

"I see by your buckle your name's Hunk. I mean, Hunk. I mean, fuck, Hank. Crap."

Much to her annoyance, the house also comes with a head of the historical society librarian who must approve any changes or repairs she makes to the house. He makes her blood boil in a wholly different way.

Clark Barrow. Historian. Archivist. Librarian.
He forgot to list Elbow Patch Rocker.

I like how Vivian isn't the average beauty. She has barely there spiky hair and lots of tattoos and piercings. At the same time, she still acts somewhat girlish, not constantly trying to be a hardass. Seems many female leads are either of the perfectly virginal or utterly badass extremes.

I completely fell for Clark. He's so respectful. He opens doors. Where the guys who know they can get whomever they want might ignore the non-Barbie everyday type, Clark seems to have a reverence for the female population. Hidden under his nerdy casual suits is a nice athletic body. I picture him as a young Noah Wyle.

Screwdrivered has great original scenes—falling through rotten wood, bats in the house, late night adolescent-like phone conversations from across the country.

Some of the previous couples make appearances. Simon and Caroline come to visit bringing with them Mimi and Ryan. Also a new couple pops up, Jessica and John.

As far as in relation to the other books in the Cocktail series, I feel this book isn't as good as Wallbanger and is better than Rusty Nailed. I had fun reading it. I recommend it, and I plan to read the next book in the series.

Also gotta add, I so want my own Clark.
***Copy given in exchange for an honest review***





toni





FangirlMoments and My Two Cents








FULL REVIEW CAN BE FOUND AT http://fangirlmomentsandmytwocents.blogspot.com/2014/09/screwdrivered-by-alice-c... ( )