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Cocktails and Dreams #1
Cocktails and Dreams
Jena Baker's life was a Type-A personality's job she loved, degree almost finished, great friends... all firmly in her control until one night of insanity when her past collides with her present. After a New Year's Eve party in San Francisco, Jena wakes up in a strange hotel room beside her college crush, Nicholas Cooper. Funny thing, but showing her wild side to a man she knows makes the prospect of facing him the next morning infinitely worse, so she slips away before he wakes. Back home in Davis, she decides to let old flames die...but that doesn't stop dreams of her night with him from coming back to haunt her. Nicholas wasn't looking for change, other than a change of scenery. His life was perfectly pleasant, even, and rational...until Jägermeister led to a madly out-of-character night. Now he's dreaming of an angel his mind can't quite remember but his body won't let him forget. When fate throws Jena and Nick together again, they find their physical attraction is undeniable. But they need to discover if there's more to them than great sex. Can a relationship that started somewhere in the middle ever work? Or is it all just Cocktails & Dreams?
398 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
21 people are currently reading
839 people want to read
About the author
Autumn Markus
3 books25 followersWhen she’s not chasing rug monkeys or otherwise running around like a madwoman, Autumn likes to look out at the Rocky Mountains that surround her, and daydream. She wouldn’t live anywhere else (except maybe Tahiti, if half naked serving men are included in the deal. Admit it—you’d trade, too).
Autumn’s always up for a good chat about music, movies, wine, or good books. Or bad books. Or books of any kind (Really. She talks a lot. Almost as much as she reads. Ask her husband). She sucks down java at a scandalous rate to keep her going by day, but in the dead of night you’ll find her hunched over the computer keyboard, writing frantically while alternating between bouts of snickering madly, sniffling aloud, and despairing over her technodorkiness.
Someday she’ll grow up and put her very grown-up education to use.
Maybe.
But not today.
Autumn’s always up for a good chat about music, movies, wine, or good books. Or bad books. Or books of any kind (Really. She talks a lot. Almost as much as she reads. Ask her husband). She sucks down java at a scandalous rate to keep her going by day, but in the dead of night you’ll find her hunched over the computer keyboard, writing frantically while alternating between bouts of snickering madly, sniffling aloud, and despairing over her technodorkiness.
Someday she’ll grow up and put her very grown-up education to use.
Maybe.
But not today.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
June 26, 2012
Super cute contemporary romance, set in Davis, CA. College crush turned drunken hook up...can they turn it into something real when they've started in the middle? This story is so reminiscent of those heady days of the mid-twenties, when you are a grown up, and you still haven't started your grown up life, but you are about to. Really sweet story, funny, cute.
September 27, 2012
First, Jena's broken verbal filter gets me every time.
A book about the ups and downs of a very intense relationship between Jena & Nicholas who met back in college; mutual crushes and mutually stubborn until sometime later one night changes everything. It's about communication, patience, understanding, family, friends, love - the one you choose and the one that you're blessed with, that comes in many shapes, forms and volumes.
I loved reading the book, got a good laugh, cussed out the characters, wanted to smack the characters and cried for no reason except the words on the page made me cry. Lovely read, and I've already passed it on to some friends of mine, now just to wait for the sequel!!!
A book about the ups and downs of a very intense relationship between Jena & Nicholas who met back in college; mutual crushes and mutually stubborn until sometime later one night changes everything. It's about communication, patience, understanding, family, friends, love - the one you choose and the one that you're blessed with, that comes in many shapes, forms and volumes.
I loved reading the book, got a good laugh, cussed out the characters, wanted to smack the characters and cried for no reason except the words on the page made me cry. Lovely read, and I've already passed it on to some friends of mine, now just to wait for the sequel!!!
January 14, 2013
Ugh. Gave up at 67%. (And I HAAAATE not finishing books!)
This is yet ANOTHER book that goes on, and on, and on, and on, with not a whole lot happening. Blah. Too long, and not enough of a story to keep me interested. And it reads like a fanfic.
And now, reading other people's reviews, turns out, it WAS once a Twilight fanfic. How do I keep stumbling upon former fanfics?!
This is yet ANOTHER book that goes on, and on, and on, and on, with not a whole lot happening. Blah. Too long, and not enough of a story to keep me interested. And it reads like a fanfic.
And now, reading other people's reviews, turns out, it WAS once a Twilight fanfic. How do I keep stumbling upon former fanfics?!
December 9, 2013
I'm really excited to read Autumn's story and eagerly await it's release!
October 17, 2012
The summary of this book got my attention, Nick & Jena met back in college were very into each other but never did anything about it, New Years Eve rolls around and they hook up, and of course I want to know what happens so I get the book. At first I was excited and I couldn't wait to see what this book was all about and how they would end up back together. But I personally feel the book was a little long and if the story was shorter it would of been better. It dragged on for a bit and I started to get bored but continued reading just because I wanted to know what happened. I think what kept me mostly interested were the characters, Jena and her filter mouth, Nick is hot and funny, Connor well he's Connor and I would love for him to get his own book, and then theres Travis who is also hot and funny! The chemistry between all the characters were great, so I feel like if it was shorter I would of loved the book, but I still recommend people to read it was a nice story overall! :D
August 17, 2012
I laughed, I cried....Wonderfully descriptive. Autumn actually brings the characters to life in such a way that you feel you know them and are actually in the room listening to their bantering. This book has you feeling the emotions of the all characters. Brought back memories to me of years long past. Take your time, relax and enjoy this book. I just happened upon this book and was so glad I did.
rewritten-fanfic
February 20, 2013See comment.
Read
August 28, 2012I won't give this a rating, I read this when the "ORIGINAL" was free online
not-for-me
June 28, 2012See comments.
August 18, 2012
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Autumn
Jenna has had a crush on Nick ever since her college days. They almost get together but Nick has to return home to Boston unexpectedly and never returns. She goes on with her life and fills her time with fabulous friends and a personally fulfilling job, but she is never able to shake her memories of him.
She can’t believe her eyes when she looks across a crowded bar on New Year’s Eve and sees him standing there. She decides that this time he is not going to get away. After a passionate night together, she fears that it was just lust fueled by copious amounts of alcohol and slips out without saying goodbye.
All Nick remembers of that New Year’s Eve is spending the night with a dark haired angel that looks very much like the girl he loved in college. He wakes up to find her gone and can’t seem to find any clues to track her down. He decides that moving back to California to finish medical school is the best way to move on with his life. Little does he know that this will put him back in touch with the girl that haunts his dreams and holds his future.
I so loved the banter between the characters in this book! It made me laugh out loud and made me remember my own college days. I could actually see the conversations going on in my head. It’s such a refreshing experience to get carried away by such a give and take. I love it when that happens! The tender love story between Jena and Nick was always paramount in the story but the supporting characters added just the right amount of comic relief. The plot was a bit predictable and that was the only draw back to a very solid story.
I honestly enjoyed Cocktails and Dreams and would recommend it to all fans of contemporary romance. The fabulous banter alone is so worth the read…
http://openbooksociety.com/article/co...
Jenna has had a crush on Nick ever since her college days. They almost get together but Nick has to return home to Boston unexpectedly and never returns. She goes on with her life and fills her time with fabulous friends and a personally fulfilling job, but she is never able to shake her memories of him.
She can’t believe her eyes when she looks across a crowded bar on New Year’s Eve and sees him standing there. She decides that this time he is not going to get away. After a passionate night together, she fears that it was just lust fueled by copious amounts of alcohol and slips out without saying goodbye.
All Nick remembers of that New Year’s Eve is spending the night with a dark haired angel that looks very much like the girl he loved in college. He wakes up to find her gone and can’t seem to find any clues to track her down. He decides that moving back to California to finish medical school is the best way to move on with his life. Little does he know that this will put him back in touch with the girl that haunts his dreams and holds his future.
I so loved the banter between the characters in this book! It made me laugh out loud and made me remember my own college days. I could actually see the conversations going on in my head. It’s such a refreshing experience to get carried away by such a give and take. I love it when that happens! The tender love story between Jena and Nick was always paramount in the story but the supporting characters added just the right amount of comic relief. The plot was a bit predictable and that was the only draw back to a very solid story.
I honestly enjoyed Cocktails and Dreams and would recommend it to all fans of contemporary romance. The fabulous banter alone is so worth the read…
http://openbooksociety.com/article/co...
January 13, 2013
Nicholas was a sophomore in college when he saw & fell in love with a freshman, Jena, on his rowing team. He pursued her throughout the semester, but was never confident enough to really show her how he felt. After having a great night at a party with her, he gets called home for a family emergency and never sees her again. At least not until a few years later on New Years Eve. He spots her from across the bar and immediately decides to go talk to her. Unfortunately, Nicholas had previously had a night full of bar-hopping and rounds of Jaeger before he decided to approach Jena, so what happens after they've reconnect at the bar is a total blur to him. He remembers certain things; the graze a his chin on her stomach, the feel of his hands on her hip, the way she caressed his back with tiny little circles...everything but her face. He spends months dreaming about his "Angel" before an accident he has causes them to cross paths again.
Jena is a type A personality, that loves her job as a physical therapist, the order she has in her life, and doesn't like to lose. When she reconnects with Nicholas, it scares her to death because the order & reason that she values most in her life just flies out the window. The feelings that she has for Nicholas are so intense that she worries about losing herself in him and is afraid to trust completely in what they have together. Nicholas is closed off from his feelings because of his upbringing and Jena is bull-headed because her need to control everything that they almost let their love implode because of misunderstandings and miscommunications. In the end, they both come to an understanding that they love each other enough to recognize their shortcomings and want to change so that they can be with and not hurt each other. I LOVED the story, however, I wish there had been a little more insight into their happily ever after.
Jena is a type A personality, that loves her job as a physical therapist, the order she has in her life, and doesn't like to lose. When she reconnects with Nicholas, it scares her to death because the order & reason that she values most in her life just flies out the window. The feelings that she has for Nicholas are so intense that she worries about losing herself in him and is afraid to trust completely in what they have together. Nicholas is closed off from his feelings because of his upbringing and Jena is bull-headed because her need to control everything that they almost let their love implode because of misunderstandings and miscommunications. In the end, they both come to an understanding that they love each other enough to recognize their shortcomings and want to change so that they can be with and not hurt each other. I LOVED the story, however, I wish there had been a little more insight into their happily ever after.
August 8, 2012
Jenna has had a crush on Nick ever since her college days. They almost get together but Nick has to return home to Boston unexpectedly and never returns. She goes on with her life and fills her time with fabulous friends and a personally fulfilling job, but she is never able to shake her memories of him.
She can’t believe her eyes when she looks across a crowded bar on New Year’s Eve and sees him standing there. She decides that this time he is not going to get away. After a passionate night together, she fears that it was just lust fueled by copious amounts of alcohol and slips out without saying goodbye.
All Nick remembers of that New Year’s Eve is spending the night with a dark haired angel that looks very much like the girl he loved in college. He wakes up to find her gone and can’t seem to find any clues to track her down. He decides that moving back to California to finish medical school is the best way to move on with his life. Little does he know that this will put him back in touch with the girl that haunts his dreams and holds his future.
I so loved the banter between the characters in this book! It made me laugh out loud and remember my own college days. I could actually see the conversations going on in my head. It’s such a refreshing experience to get carried away by such a give and take. I love it when that happens! The tender love story between Jena and Nick was always paramount in the story but the supporting characters added just the right amount of comic relief. The plot was a bit predictable and that was the only draw back to a very solid story.
I honestly enjoyed Cocktails and Dreams and would recommend it to all fans of contemporary romance. The fabulous banter alone is so worth the read...
She can’t believe her eyes when she looks across a crowded bar on New Year’s Eve and sees him standing there. She decides that this time he is not going to get away. After a passionate night together, she fears that it was just lust fueled by copious amounts of alcohol and slips out without saying goodbye.
All Nick remembers of that New Year’s Eve is spending the night with a dark haired angel that looks very much like the girl he loved in college. He wakes up to find her gone and can’t seem to find any clues to track her down. He decides that moving back to California to finish medical school is the best way to move on with his life. Little does he know that this will put him back in touch with the girl that haunts his dreams and holds his future.
I so loved the banter between the characters in this book! It made me laugh out loud and remember my own college days. I could actually see the conversations going on in my head. It’s such a refreshing experience to get carried away by such a give and take. I love it when that happens! The tender love story between Jena and Nick was always paramount in the story but the supporting characters added just the right amount of comic relief. The plot was a bit predictable and that was the only draw back to a very solid story.
I honestly enjoyed Cocktails and Dreams and would recommend it to all fans of contemporary romance. The fabulous banter alone is so worth the read...
May 3, 2014
Jena Baker and Nicolas Cooper was first attracted to one another in college until he left abruptly before anything could start. Seven years later they meet again on New Year's Eve except Nick was too drunk to remember who his Angel was that he spent the night with in San Francisco.
Due to an accident while he and his best friend, Conor Grady, move into their new apartment he injuries his shoulder. Dr. Call a family friend to Nick's father sends him to get physical therapy and their he sees the girl from his college days that he had an attraction to. Jena, stung by Nick's poor memory of not remembering their one nightstand. Later he learns that Jena was his Angel from New Year's Eve that has been appearing in his dreams constantly.
What follows is intense attraction but lack of knowledge of each other resulting in jealous behavior on Nick's part starting a fight in the bar, disapproving parents, depression on both parties with separation and scheming friends. When they seem to be on the recovery to move forward, Nick's father has been rushed to the hospital where he leaves Jena but his behavior pushes her away........Will these two admit to themselves their own faults and find their way back to one another.
Due to an accident while he and his best friend, Conor Grady, move into their new apartment he injuries his shoulder. Dr. Call a family friend to Nick's father sends him to get physical therapy and their he sees the girl from his college days that he had an attraction to. Jena, stung by Nick's poor memory of not remembering their one nightstand. Later he learns that Jena was his Angel from New Year's Eve that has been appearing in his dreams constantly.
What follows is intense attraction but lack of knowledge of each other resulting in jealous behavior on Nick's part starting a fight in the bar, disapproving parents, depression on both parties with separation and scheming friends. When they seem to be on the recovery to move forward, Nick's father has been rushed to the hospital where he leaves Jena but his behavior pushes her away........Will these two admit to themselves their own faults and find their way back to one another.
June 28, 2012
formerly a Twilight fanfic by the same name by FatallyObsessed. Based on the book blurb, the plot appears to be the same. While I really liked this as a fanfic, I'm not going to read it again.
December 8, 2012
WOW and WOW and WOW about sums it up for me. I can normally finish up book in a weekend (minus the distractions of a needy husband and puppy of course) but C & D was a different situation all together! I had to stop reading it for a few days at a time and when I was able get back to it, I found myself with the same problem each time...I was emotionally drained!! It had me laughing out loud one minute and crying big ol' snotty tears the next!! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for this story. For me, my emotions are what either makes or breaks a book for me...determines if it goes on my re-read shelf. Cocktails & Dreams is most definitely going on that shelf. I cannot wait to see what you have in store next. You've got the gift girl and you've got a fan for life with me. Thanks for Jena & Nick's story...nothing but L.O.V.E. for everyone involved. : )
July 23, 2012
I was fortunate enough to read this story in it's original ff form and see it's genesis into this gorgeous summer read. I've loved these characters forever and when they "speak" I hear their voices in my head. This happens because of Autumns wonderful writing style and ability to get into her own characters heads. There is so much more I can say about this book but I'll only bore you. Go buy it and read for yourself and you'll see what I mean. I can't wait to read more of Autumns work when it comes out.
April 9, 2012
Adorable. I can't wait til this book goes out into the world. Really sweet story about being in love and working out who you are in relation to all that goes on in a new relationship. I really identified with the main character, and not just because she gets stupid drunk on occasion, (haha) but because she gets so stuck in her own head sometimes. If you've ever been in love, and/or in grad school, you will relate.
August 29, 2012
This book is well written and flows smoothly through the plot. The main characters are real and quirky and seem mostly rounded out, with my only observation being that they seem a little cliche. The love story is fun and has a happy ending like at the end of every romantic chick flick ever written. So yo conclude, it is cute and altogether a pretty good book if a little mainstream and predictable.
July 21, 2012
Considering I held my bladder in check to finish... I shant mention the giggles that almost made me wee my pants about train station benches, but I digress.
Wonderful job, A! I laughed, I cried, and as I just said, I almost wee'd myself (actually more than once.)
All I have to ask now is... Next? :D
Wonderful job, A! I laughed, I cried, and as I just said, I almost wee'd myself (actually more than once.)
All I have to ask now is... Next? :D
October 5, 2013
I found myself skimming the final 2 chapters but before that, this book was a page-turner. I really enjoyed the characters. There were a few questionable moments with the character development. Especially with Nicholas. He was so contradictory; definitely hard to figure out.
Even with all of the "fade to black" moments, I'd rec this book. Good Read.
Even with all of the "fade to black" moments, I'd rec this book. Good Read.
August 28, 2015
The book started out interesting and funny, but somewhere along the way the author lost the comedy and kept us on the path of constant relationship drama.I feel like the story was at least 125 pages too long, which is why it only gets three stars. It really could have been condensed into a shorter story.
September 2, 2012
I liked the love story between Nicholas and Jena but it definitely dragged on and was a little boring. I needed a little bit more out of the story, especiallu the sex scenes but overall it was a nice read.
September 28, 2012
Liked it but sometimes got a little frustrated with the characters inability to just tell each other how they feel. Seemed like it was behind every problem they had and just wanted to yell at them. Made me happy when their friends eventually did =)
December 30, 2012
It was a little unnecessarily drawn out - with a few too many bumps in the road to the happily ever after that was expected from the very beginning. But there was a lot of great humor and an overall cute story.
March 23, 2023
Excellent book!!!
August 21, 2012
What a great book! Highly recommend you read this one. Full review coming next week.
Read
July 26, 2012Really enjoyed this book. Plenty of drama to keep me happy.
August 20, 2012
Review pending!
August 21, 2012
A full review will be coming next week, but I'll go ahead and tell you that I loved it!
August 22, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. It was a bit long, but the characters were really funny and storyline was good. Happy I came across this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews