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Love of My Life #1
Bouquet Toss
Note: Although these books are part of a series, they do not need to be read in order.
Ever since Daphne Harper graduated from college, all of her friends have fallen in love, become engaged and walked down the aisle. Be it a blessing or a curse, Daphne (a hopeless romantic and perpetual single girl) catches the bouquet at every single wedding she attends.
Daphne’s love life is a mess. Her first love, Mayson, haunts her heart and keeps her from pursuing happiness with any man who comes along. As she struggles to move on from the one who got away, Daphne wonders if she will ever break her curse and find her happily ever after.
Ever since Daphne Harper graduated from college, all of her friends have fallen in love, become engaged and walked down the aisle. Be it a blessing or a curse, Daphne (a hopeless romantic and perpetual single girl) catches the bouquet at every single wedding she attends.
Daphne’s love life is a mess. Her first love, Mayson, haunts her heart and keeps her from pursuing happiness with any man who comes along. As she struggles to move on from the one who got away, Daphne wonders if she will ever break her curse and find her happily ever after.
Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2012
125 people are currently reading
3660 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Brown
30 books1,035 followersI have always been fascinated with books----ever since I was a little girl sitting in front of my record player, following along with my huge 12x12 storybooks.
I'm a pop culture maniac, Potterhead and Disney fanatic. I write new adult romance, contemporary romance and romantic suspense.
Instagram @melbrownie77
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MelissaBrown...
I'm a pop culture maniac, Potterhead and Disney fanatic. I write new adult romance, contemporary romance and romantic suspense.
Instagram @melbrownie77
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MelissaBrown...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 409 reviews
July 23, 2016
WARNING: TO SAVE YOURSELF FROM ACUTE EMBARRASSMENT DO NOT READ THIS BOOK IN PUBLIC
Oh my goodness gracious me! It is rare that I actually show my emotions whilst reading a book, regardless of how much I feel them. I've gotten keeping things under wraps down to an art, in order not to look daft in public/wake up the other half/get strange looks directed my way... but this book blew that out of the water!
Sometimes, I'll shed a discrete tear or have a lip wobble at an extremely sad moment but last night I sobbed! My pillow was soaked, my nose was running and I have Melissa Brown to thank for my puffy eyes this morning!
My heart thumping in my chest as I’m brought back to him, to Mayson Holt, the boy who stole my heart, broke it and disappeared from my life five years ago. The man who I do not allow myself to think about. The man who still owns a very large piece of my soul.
I was really pleasantly surprised by this book. I downloaded it from Amazon because it was free yesterday and it was on my TBR list anyway. I had no idea what to expect but figured I had nothing to loose. A couple of chapters in and I'll admit, I wasn't sold. It took a while to get going, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to invest in the characters and I wasn't sure the story was for me... I like a definite, swoonworthy, steadfast male character that I can instantly fall in love with (no matter how unrealistic, hell, there's enough realistic, un-loveable male characters in the real world thank you very much, lol) and I wasn't getting that. I stuck with it through curiosity and before I knew it, I was a blubbering wreck at the 40% mark and my other half had woken up from my sniffling and was staring at me like the inevitable had finally happened... I'd lost the plot!
So, clearly, somewhere along the line, without even realising it, I must have become emotionally embroiled in the lives of these characters and after that, I couldn't put it down!
"You make me lose control in the best possible way. You bring out the best in me, you make me feel things in a way I never imagined."
I eventually gave in and turned out my light at 70% done, only to wake up stupidly early and devour the final 30% this morning, making me late to my desk! Lol!
But really, I can't review too intricately without giving something away and I so don't want to do that. I couldn't for the life of me see how Melissa Brown was going to get herself back into my good books half way through this book, but she really did! Just know that the ending is adorable.
"I'm a hopeless romantic, I guess. I'm always thinking of Happily Ever Afters."
The only negatives I can pick out were that the beginning was a little slow and I think there could have been some deeper character development (especially when dealing with some heart wrenching issues) and a little more steam... and that's why I've deducted a star. But it really was a great, original plot and well worth the read.
I feel a little guilty for getting it for free now!
August 6, 2012
I received an ARC of this, but completely forgot about that. I was so into this book, it felt like I was reading one I had just downloaded off of Amazon!
I wish there were 100 stars available to rate this book, because I would fill all of them in!
There are many books out there that are so predictable. Woman tries to deny that she likes man, man wins her over, they fall in love, they fight and break up, something dramatic happens and they live happily ever after. DO NOT put this book in that category. I literally sat straight up in bed half way through the book and swore at my Kindle and could not believe what I was reading. No way did that just happen! But, it did. At first I was mad, then I was sad, and after a good cry, I carried on. I had NO IDEA what was to come with the plot and I loved that. This author kept me guessing at every turn!
The characters in this book were very deep, and equally as frustrating. We all have that friend... that girl who cannot get past her first love. He captured her heart and won't let it go, even though he has moved on. She tries as hard as she can, but can't get past it and feels like she will never love like that again. Well, that girl is Daphne. Mayson did a number on her and she just cannot get past the damage he has caused. You really start to wonder, will she ever?
I really liked Evan's character. I felt for him, I was rooting for him. I think he and Daphne had a chance, he just came into her life at the wrong time. However, I fell IN LOVE with Tanner. He's a "normal" guy, an underdog if you will. He wears glasses and is a computer nerd. He's not rich and not every woman on the planet is infatuated with him, and I liked that. He's your everyday guy. The guy you see down at the coffee shop or in front of you in line at the grocery store. I will forever love nerds because of him.
And then there was this... "I don't know Daphne. But, I do know that I will always be devoted to you. I will always do everything in my power to make you happy, to make you look back on this day knowing that this was the best decision you ever made. Because I know, deep within my soul, there is no one else for me."
Swoon X's 100! Melissa, did you crawl into every woman's brain and put together a combination of all the perfect things she would ever want a man to say? Bravo Melissa, Bravo!!!
I wish there were 100 stars available to rate this book, because I would fill all of them in!
There are many books out there that are so predictable. Woman tries to deny that she likes man, man wins her over, they fall in love, they fight and break up, something dramatic happens and they live happily ever after. DO NOT put this book in that category. I literally sat straight up in bed half way through the book and swore at my Kindle and could not believe what I was reading. No way did that just happen! But, it did. At first I was mad, then I was sad, and after a good cry, I carried on. I had NO IDEA what was to come with the plot and I loved that. This author kept me guessing at every turn!
The characters in this book were very deep, and equally as frustrating. We all have that friend... that girl who cannot get past her first love. He captured her heart and won't let it go, even though he has moved on. She tries as hard as she can, but can't get past it and feels like she will never love like that again. Well, that girl is Daphne. Mayson did a number on her and she just cannot get past the damage he has caused. You really start to wonder, will she ever?
I really liked Evan's character. I felt for him, I was rooting for him. I think he and Daphne had a chance, he just came into her life at the wrong time. However, I fell IN LOVE with Tanner. He's a "normal" guy, an underdog if you will. He wears glasses and is a computer nerd. He's not rich and not every woman on the planet is infatuated with him, and I liked that. He's your everyday guy. The guy you see down at the coffee shop or in front of you in line at the grocery store. I will forever love nerds because of him.
And then there was this... "I don't know Daphne. But, I do know that I will always be devoted to you. I will always do everything in my power to make you happy, to make you look back on this day knowing that this was the best decision you ever made. Because I know, deep within my soul, there is no one else for me."
Swoon X's 100! Melissa, did you crawl into every woman's brain and put together a combination of all the perfect things she would ever want a man to say? Bravo Melissa, Bravo!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2014
~~~ 3 STARS OR 6/10 ~~~
This was cute and not as fluffy as one would think reading the synopsis. It was actually angsty and at times heavy. Daphne was hung up on a man that never quite gave her everything he could. In college they dated and although he was the love of her life at that time, the same couldn't be said for her.
Mayson was one of those characters that I never warmed up to. I knew he was trouble early on and couldn't understand Daphne's fixation with him.
But sometimes we fall for the wrong people and become addicted to being with them, even if doing so is detrimental to our own good---this was Daphne and Mayson summed up.
The book starts at first flipping between past--Daphne and Mayson in college, and present--Daphne and Mayson 5 years after breaking up, and him coming back into her life. She's been hooked on him ever since he broke it off in college. She can't move on and dreams of the day he waltzes back into her life. But when he does it's college all over again. She's not herself around him, almost hiding who she truly is.
But there's someone interested in her. Tanner Findlay meets Daphne at one of her friends wedding. They hit it off but Mayson has Daphne preoccupied once again. If you're thinking love triangle...no, you're wrong. What there is however is the story of a woman's addiction to a man that never deserved it and her eventual realization that she has the chance to be with one that does. I loved Tanner, he was such a great man. Then there's Evan, he's a great guy too and I loved his relationship with Daphne. Oh, all these hot guys!
I won't say who she ends up with, but I will say there was no competition here. Everyone had a role in Daphne's life and her eventual realization that the perfect man for her is right in front of her eyes...that was beautiful.
So yes, a sweet story but it wasn't as good as I'd originally hoped. Some of the dialogue was sweet while at other times I had a hard time believing people actually spoke like that. Daphne also pissed me off to the extreme but to say why would give away a huge, pivotal plot twist. Seriously I wanted to slap her.
The end was beautiful as well as the epilogue, the story really came full circle. Cute.
This was cute and not as fluffy as one would think reading the synopsis. It was actually angsty and at times heavy. Daphne was hung up on a man that never quite gave her everything he could. In college they dated and although he was the love of her life at that time, the same couldn't be said for her.
Mayson was one of those characters that I never warmed up to. I knew he was trouble early on and couldn't understand Daphne's fixation with him.
But sometimes we fall for the wrong people and become addicted to being with them, even if doing so is detrimental to our own good---this was Daphne and Mayson summed up.
The book starts at first flipping between past--Daphne and Mayson in college, and present--Daphne and Mayson 5 years after breaking up, and him coming back into her life. She's been hooked on him ever since he broke it off in college. She can't move on and dreams of the day he waltzes back into her life. But when he does it's college all over again. She's not herself around him, almost hiding who she truly is.
But there's someone interested in her. Tanner Findlay meets Daphne at one of her friends wedding. They hit it off but Mayson has Daphne preoccupied once again. If you're thinking love triangle...no, you're wrong. What there is however is the story of a woman's addiction to a man that never deserved it and her eventual realization that she has the chance to be with one that does. I loved Tanner, he was such a great man. Then there's Evan, he's a great guy too and I loved his relationship with Daphne. Oh, all these hot guys!
I won't say who she ends up with, but I will say there was no competition here. Everyone had a role in Daphne's life and her eventual realization that the perfect man for her is right in front of her eyes...that was beautiful.
So yes, a sweet story but it wasn't as good as I'd originally hoped. Some of the dialogue was sweet while at other times I had a hard time believing people actually spoke like that. Daphne also pissed me off to the extreme but to say why would give away a huge, pivotal plot twist. Seriously I wanted to slap her.
The end was beautiful as well as the epilogue, the story really came full circle. Cute.
September 25, 2012
Perfect amount of sweet, funny, sexy and heart clenching!
Loved Bouquet Toss! I was convinced the entire time this had to have been STRAIGHT from Melissa Brown's life (the story isn't...if you're wondering). Her characters were real, the emotions were real and I enjoyed taking that ride with Daphne!
Mayson - oh Mayson...he caused me to squint my eyes in suspicion every time he was on the page, but in a weird way, I think I really like the guy! He messed up, yeah, who doesn't? But I so wish I could've been in his shoes as he was trying to figure his feelings out.
Evan - I love Evan. endofstory.
Tanner - THE BRANDON TAYLOR OF BOUQUET TOSS! I loved Tanner, and I found myself rooting for him from the beginning! He's sweet, funny and undeniably sexy and 100% there for Daphne which I love in a man.
Daphne - homegirl you better be happy you straightened yourself out because I was getting ready to jump in that book to smackahoe!
Overall? Buy it, right now! I found myself smiling throughout the majority of the book and I know you will too! Can't wait for the rest of what Melissa has promised with these characters :)
Loved Bouquet Toss! I was convinced the entire time this had to have been STRAIGHT from Melissa Brown's life (the story isn't...if you're wondering). Her characters were real, the emotions were real and I enjoyed taking that ride with Daphne!
Mayson - oh Mayson...he caused me to squint my eyes in suspicion every time he was on the page, but in a weird way, I think I really like the guy! He messed up, yeah, who doesn't? But I so wish I could've been in his shoes as he was trying to figure his feelings out.
Evan - I love Evan. endofstory.
Tanner - THE BRANDON TAYLOR OF BOUQUET TOSS! I loved Tanner, and I found myself rooting for him from the beginning! He's sweet, funny and undeniably sexy and 100% there for Daphne which I love in a man.
Daphne - homegirl you better be happy you straightened yourself out because I was getting ready to jump in that book to smackahoe!
Overall? Buy it, right now! I found myself smiling throughout the majority of the book and I know you will too! Can't wait for the rest of what Melissa has promised with these characters :)
September 6, 2012
I'm a sucker for a great romance book. Especially the intense, passionate, tragic kind and this book has it all; the love that got away, the love of a friend that sometimes just isn't enough, and the love of a lifetime that touches your very soul.
Daphne, a hopeless romantic in her early twenties, narrates the story. Her character is gorgeous, playful and compassionate. She is always the bouquet catcher at weddings but has yet to toss her own; it seems as though all of her friends have found their happily ever after, and still no such luck for Daphne. Mayson, her first love, crushed her heart while still in college, and she can only hope that one day she’ll meet the right guy who can mend it. But, what will she do when Mayson comes back unexpectedly? Will she take a chance on the possibility that it might work out?
Oh, those angst ridden years of the twenties. Reminds me of an adage-Fool me once, shame of you. Fool me twice, shame on me.....
I adored the characters in this book. Brown's characters are beautifully written, especially Daphne. I had to keep reminding myself that Daphne was just that, a character. I desperately wanted to climb inside this book and be a part of her world.
As an author, Brown's personality shined through every page, capturing every heartfelt emotion tugging on your heart strings. You might need to have some tissues handy, just in case!
Another character that I loved is Evan. He is brooding, yet charming. His broken heart is full of angst and he just wants to meet the right person, something he and Daphne have in common.
I don't want to reveal anymore of the characters or story so you will have to see for yourself how this story unfolds. I love when you can read a story and have no idea where it will take you; when you can’t anticipate how it will end!
I will, however, leave you with this:
Someone once told me that by the time a woman is 30, she should have one old boyfriend that she can imagine going back to, and one who reminds her of how far she has come. I feel this sentence defines both my own relationships during my twenties, as well as the relationships Dapne experiences throughout Bouquet Toss.
I highly recommend this book to everyone!
Daphne, a hopeless romantic in her early twenties, narrates the story. Her character is gorgeous, playful and compassionate. She is always the bouquet catcher at weddings but has yet to toss her own; it seems as though all of her friends have found their happily ever after, and still no such luck for Daphne. Mayson, her first love, crushed her heart while still in college, and she can only hope that one day she’ll meet the right guy who can mend it. But, what will she do when Mayson comes back unexpectedly? Will she take a chance on the possibility that it might work out?
Oh, those angst ridden years of the twenties. Reminds me of an adage-Fool me once, shame of you. Fool me twice, shame on me.....
I adored the characters in this book. Brown's characters are beautifully written, especially Daphne. I had to keep reminding myself that Daphne was just that, a character. I desperately wanted to climb inside this book and be a part of her world.
As an author, Brown's personality shined through every page, capturing every heartfelt emotion tugging on your heart strings. You might need to have some tissues handy, just in case!
Another character that I loved is Evan. He is brooding, yet charming. His broken heart is full of angst and he just wants to meet the right person, something he and Daphne have in common.
I don't want to reveal anymore of the characters or story so you will have to see for yourself how this story unfolds. I love when you can read a story and have no idea where it will take you; when you can’t anticipate how it will end!
I will, however, leave you with this:
Someone once told me that by the time a woman is 30, she should have one old boyfriend that she can imagine going back to, and one who reminds her of how far she has come. I feel this sentence defines both my own relationships during my twenties, as well as the relationships Dapne experiences throughout Bouquet Toss.
I highly recommend this book to everyone!
October 1, 2012
First off, I love the cover of this book! It was great, the characters were real and relatable. Loved Daphne even though I wanted to yell at her sometimes, Morgan and Elise were great. I have to say, I loved Tanner from the first moment in the book I met him... I was really happy he resurfaced. Evan was great too, funny guy... would like to see more from him... Now to Mayson.....
Overall, a really great read! Hope to see more from this author!
Overall, a really great read! Hope to see more from this author!
September 30, 2012
“Could he be the one? Could he be my soul mate?”
Never has a book resonated with me on such a personal level as this one. It hit scarily too close to home at times, making the heroine’s journey an intimately familiar one.
Daphne is the epitome of every woman who has ever had one great love in her life that came to an unwanted end. The ghost of ‘the one that got away’ ends up haunting us, affecting all subsequent relationships, often setting an unreachable and somewhat idolised standard of what true love should feel like. Mayson was ‘that’ love for Daphne. He was her first love, a man she adored and hoped to spend the rest of her life with, but who ended up breaking her heart and leaving her only with memories of "coulda-woulda-shoulda".
Daphne is a romantic soul, she dreams of happily-ever-afters, she craves the kind of love that is all-consuming and eternal, she loves with all her heart and she bleeds the same way when her heart shatters. As afraid as she is of never finding true love again, she never loses hope, bravely putting herself ‘out there’ and willing to take a chance. Daphne is also full of insecurities - the ‘great love of her life’ never really knew her, never saw her fragile side or witnessed her careless and fun traits. She was always so afraid of losing him, constantly dreading doing something that would eventually scare him away, so she kept holding back and hiding all the colourful facets of her personality that she was unsure he would have approved of. She tried to be perfect for him all the time, avoiding conflict at all costs.
“Desperate to stay in this moment with Mayson, I'm once again pushing away my true wants, my true needs. My heart sinks as I realize just how much of myself I’ve been keeping from him, simply afraid of making him run for the hills. And so, I cling desperately to this beautiful man before me, and hold back my questions, my concerns, my fears.”
Her image of Mayson is also a warped one. Their relationship is based on so many unanswered questions, from both sides, making Daphne’s little romantic castle of cards something she can never truly depend on or draw strength from. He represents an unreachable ideal in her mind, built on failed hopes and unfulfilled dreams, but one that affects her ability to give her heart away to anyone else.
“... you still love him, too ... I can’t compete with a memory ... I don’t think anyone can. You will always remember Mayson the way you want to remember him. Over time, you’ll forget all the bad stuff and focus only on the good. You’ll focus on ... the future you could have had with him if things had been different. How can you and I possibly have any sort of future together if you are clinging to the past?”
It is irrelevant in my mind whether Mayson was ‘The One’ for Daphne or not, this touching story deserves to reveal that on its own. I felt that the message was much more important in this case than the scenario itself. Daphne’s story reminded me of how easy it to forget oneself while desperately chasing an ideal of love. The fear of rejection, of not being ‘enough’, of disappointing someone by being our true selves, of making our needs and desires take second seat and putting someone else’s before our own - all this made this story ‘real’ and almost palpable in my mind. However, as much as I wanted to make Daphne the embodiment of all the mistakes I have ever made in my love life and achieve some sort of redemption through her, I felt that the emotional development of this beautiful character could have been deeper. I struggled to feel her emotions at times, leaving me no other option but to project my own onto her and that is not what I'm necessarily seeking from a fictional character. I wanted to immerse myself in what she was feeling, cry with her, laugh with her, feel utter earth-shattering heartbreak with her until I don’t know which was is up and which way is down, or such joy that makes my skin tingle, but I felt we never quite got there. The dialogues between the characters didn’t help me either to feel that connection with them that I was so desperate to achieve. They were weak in parts, awkwardly strained in their wording and not spontaneous enough, often not flowing well for me or distracting me from the moment itself. This affected my overall enjoyment of the book but it did not deter me from wanting to finish it.
Daphne’s story is incredibly real and almost uncomfortably familiar. Her search for ‘true love’ is moving, sincere, heart-warming. I believe her quest for love is just as much about finding her voice in a relationship as it is about finding the right person. It shows us what love should really feel like and how much our predisposition to fear losing love can impinge on setting ourselves free.
“He understands me. He loves me for who I am. He knows the deepest voice in my heart and he cherishes me for it. It has got to be the best feeling in the world.”
~ N ♥
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September 28, 2012
Quick review:
Cover: Pretty
Rating: R
Thumbs Up: 4.5
Overall: An emotional ride with drops and twist I didn’t see
Characters: Solid
Plot: Sometimes in life, things come full circle.
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont.? Stand Alone
Recommend: Yes
Book Boyfriend: Tanner (Although I also picked Evan)
SUMMARY (50 words or less)
There were times in this story I wanted to smack Daphne. I couldn’t believe she would be so stupid in her choices. But everything happens for a reason and changes that occur in this story needed that low place in her life to blossom into something beautiful.
For a full review and yummy pic, see my blog post at:
http://mybookboyfriend.blogspot.com/2...
Cover: Pretty
Rating: R
Thumbs Up: 4.5
Overall: An emotional ride with drops and twist I didn’t see
Characters: Solid
Plot: Sometimes in life, things come full circle.
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont.? Stand Alone
Recommend: Yes
Book Boyfriend: Tanner (Although I also picked Evan)
SUMMARY (50 words or less)
There were times in this story I wanted to smack Daphne. I couldn’t believe she would be so stupid in her choices. But everything happens for a reason and changes that occur in this story needed that low place in her life to blossom into something beautiful.
For a full review and yummy pic, see my blog post at:
http://mybookboyfriend.blogspot.com/2...
September 6, 2012
I'd been waiting for this book to be released for months, and I couldn't believe the surprises that awaited me within the twists and turns of the plot. Daphne is an extremely emotionally complex character who admits her shortcomings and her desires; she doesn't drown the reader in pretenses.
What I found quite refreshing in this book, a Contemporary Romance, was the main character DATING. We're not served 250+ pages of her with the same man, or going back and forth between two men. We see Daphne out in the dating world, and she shows us lots of frogs.
We follow Daphne as she learns to reconcile her past, and move to her future with a lovely man, without being dragged down by the tragic baggage that awaits her in the first few chapters, which threatens her present happiness. I felt Daphne's confusion and torment, not only through her inner thoughts, but through fresh and realistic dialogue that Melissa Brown executed perfectly.
The writing is editorially clean, reminding the reader that while she's an independent author, Melissa did not publish this work in haste. She cared for her project, and cared for her reader enough to give us the best version of her work. Well done, Melissa. I can't wait for Champagne Toast!
What I found quite refreshing in this book, a Contemporary Romance, was the main character DATING. We're not served 250+ pages of her with the same man, or going back and forth between two men. We see Daphne out in the dating world, and she shows us lots of frogs.
We follow Daphne as she learns to reconcile her past, and move to her future with a lovely man, without being dragged down by the tragic baggage that awaits her in the first few chapters, which threatens her present happiness. I felt Daphne's confusion and torment, not only through her inner thoughts, but through fresh and realistic dialogue that Melissa Brown executed perfectly.
The writing is editorially clean, reminding the reader that while she's an independent author, Melissa did not publish this work in haste. She cared for her project, and cared for her reader enough to give us the best version of her work. Well done, Melissa. I can't wait for Champagne Toast!
April 13, 2017
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book! I loved Tanner, Mayson & Evan. In the end the right guy gets the girl.
I was all over the place in this book. I was spun like a record~
I loved how you were able to feel everything Daphne felt. You fell in love with Mayson - you ached for her - and you healed with her.
Daphne is in love with a ghost of her past - Mayson. The man who left her at the end of college and broke her heart. Never able to move on from the could-have-beens. I have to admit I was sucked into Mayson - I was holding out hope. I found that I was relating to Daphne completely. The author did such a wonderful job at making you feel everything throughout this book. I was sucker punched. And I cried for her, for me, for everything we lost. That is such a true talent - to be able to evoke those emotions in a reader. I did not cry because it was sad or happy. I cried because I felt those emotions as if they were my own.
So we have Daphne - destined to catch every bouquet ever thrown - at her - near her - even avoiding it at all costs~
You pray for her catch to pay off one day - for her to meet the right man. She does. And he is perfect. You fall in love with him - you fight for him and you embarrass the hell out of yourself for him.
And you come clean and you are honest. And all your dreams come true - you are floating on cloud nine. You are jumping up and down. Ecstatic. This is what being in love feels like!
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I was so moved emotionally during this book. I was so worried about not recovering from this story. I can't wait to read the next book. I loved them completely. I did not think I would get over the drama mid way through - I didn't think that Melissa Brown could bring healing full circle - I was so wrong.
I was all over the place in this book. I was spun like a record~
I loved how you were able to feel everything Daphne felt. You fell in love with Mayson - you ached for her - and you healed with her.
Daphne is in love with a ghost of her past - Mayson. The man who left her at the end of college and broke her heart. Never able to move on from the could-have-beens. I have to admit I was sucked into Mayson - I was holding out hope. I found that I was relating to Daphne completely. The author did such a wonderful job at making you feel everything throughout this book. I was sucker punched. And I cried for her, for me, for everything we lost. That is such a true talent - to be able to evoke those emotions in a reader. I did not cry because it was sad or happy. I cried because I felt those emotions as if they were my own.
So we have Daphne - destined to catch every bouquet ever thrown - at her - near her - even avoiding it at all costs~
You pray for her catch to pay off one day - for her to meet the right man. She does. And he is perfect. You fall in love with him - you fight for him and you embarrass the hell out of yourself for him.
And you come clean and you are honest. And all your dreams come true - you are floating on cloud nine. You are jumping up and down. Ecstatic. This is what being in love feels like!
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I was so moved emotionally during this book. I was so worried about not recovering from this story. I can't wait to read the next book. I loved them completely. I did not think I would get over the drama mid way through - I didn't think that Melissa Brown could bring healing full circle - I was so wrong.
September 6, 2012
This story is told from Daphne's point of view. Daphne is an independent young woman, surrounded by a good network of friends that have started their professional careers and taking the next step in their lives. Even though Daphne hasn't found the one, she isn't desperate to do so as she is still hunted by the shadow of her first love, Mayson.
Just as life continues a chance encounter promises to answer Daphne's ever so present question: What if? Having little to lose, Daphne decides to take a leap of faith, which turns out for the best, the love of her life is back and this time he's determined to do things right. Daphne's life is finally moving forward in the right direction...
Then it doesn't and my soul was crushed as Daphne finds out that the dream can't never be more than just that.
Melissa Brown's debut novel is captivating, heart crushing and just plain REAL. Don't let the cover fool you to believe this is a Cinderella story. Pain, pain and anguish, pain and uncertainty is more like it. I've so rarely seen a debutante author take the risk that Mrs. Brown took with her novel that I was completely intrigued, and while the turn of events made me want to throw my book reader across the room, I hung onto the little hope I had left and was surprisingly rewarded.
This book has a little bit for all tastes, even if you don't love the story or the characters as much as I did, you will not regret reading it.
Just as life continues a chance encounter promises to answer Daphne's ever so present question: What if? Having little to lose, Daphne decides to take a leap of faith, which turns out for the best, the love of her life is back and this time he's determined to do things right. Daphne's life is finally moving forward in the right direction...
Then it doesn't and my soul was crushed as Daphne finds out that the dream can't never be more than just that.
Melissa Brown's debut novel is captivating, heart crushing and just plain REAL. Don't let the cover fool you to believe this is a Cinderella story. Pain, pain and anguish, pain and uncertainty is more like it. I've so rarely seen a debutante author take the risk that Mrs. Brown took with her novel that I was completely intrigued, and while the turn of events made me want to throw my book reader across the room, I hung onto the little hope I had left and was surprisingly rewarded.
This book has a little bit for all tastes, even if you don't love the story or the characters as much as I did, you will not regret reading it.
September 8, 2012
I really don’t know where to start with this review. I heard about this novel yesterday via Twitter, and was intrigued as soon as I saw the book cover, so I decided I would download it and read it last night. I have read some amazingly moving stories recently, but for me, nothing compares to Bouquet Toss. I was up until 2:30am reading (it was hard getting up at 6:30am for work, LOL) because I could not put his book down. This is a story of love lost and love found. Do we always make the right choice when it comes to love, or do we risk missing out on what is right in front of us?? Right from the start, I was mesmerized by the story line and the characters. Not wanting to put this book down because I so desperately needed to know what was going to happen next. This story is anything but predictable as just when I thought I had it figured out, I was completely taken by surprise. Bouquet Toss is beautifully written and, the characters are so amazing that I felt as though I knew them. The story is, at times, funny and romantic and at other times the most raw, gut wrenchingly beautiful love story I have ever read. I cannot remember the last time I read a novel that moved me to the point of sobbing.
If you are looking for a truly amazing book that you will never forget, you must read Bouquet Toss. My new number one favorite read!!
If you are looking for a truly amazing book that you will never forget, you must read Bouquet Toss. My new number one favorite read!!
September 5, 2012
I loved this book! Slow start then BAM! Better review later... :)
November 14, 2012
Review posted on Talk Supe 11/13/12
“I’m a hopeless romantic, I guess I’m always thinking of Happily Ever Afters.”
Ahhh…falling in love, it’s one of the best feelings in the world. But falling in love for the very first time is the one that cuts the deepest and stays with us for a long time. For Daphne Harper, Mayson Holt, is her first and one great love. He's also the guy that stole her heart, broke it, and then just walked right out of her life. Although she still feels the heartache from that relationship, Daphne has been unable to forget Mayson and still holds a special place for him in her heart.
"I am being pulled towards Mayson once again. I am powerless to stop the magnetic tow of the love that I still feel for him. I cannot purge him from my heart, from my soul."
Since breaking up with Mayson, Daphne has been the epitome of a perpetual single woman. All of her friends have been falling in love and getting married ever since she graduated from college. As if she needed any more reminders about her single status, Daphne has been cursed with catching every bouquet toss at the wedding’s she attends even when she purposely tries to dodge the darn thing.
"Why do you have to destroy your future by clinging to what might have been?
Daphne finally gets her second chance at happiness and a chance get an answer to her "what might have been" question after running into Mayson at her best friends wedding. Even after five years, Mayson is still able to pull on her heart strings and all the feelings she had for him years ago resurfaces. But as she rekindles her relationship with Mayson, Daphne starts to discover her relationship with Mayson is not what she had imagined it to be all those years. Like in the past, she had been so desperate to hold on to Mayson that she shields her true self from him fearing that he might leave her after she shows her true colors.
"When will this boy stop making me cry? When will contact with him stop hurting so much? When am I going to learn that we are simply not meant to be?"
I wasn't a big fan of Mayson from the very beginning. The way he broke Daphne's heart was a little questionable and I think he knew he was able to string her along for as long as he could. I couldn't totally blame Daphne either because when you're that young, you get so caught up in the haze of first love that you fail to see what's in front of us. But even with all her fears, Daphne is unable to forget him and must learn the lesson of letting go of the past or be perpetually stuck in it.
Daphne also meets two other suitors that had me swooning over them. First, is Evan, the music loving, leather jacket wearing hottie. He's a mutual friend that has always had his eyes on Daphne since they first met. He has his own hang-ups but he and Daphne instantly click. Being around Evan is comfortable and easy for Daphne, which is something that had always been lacking when she was with Mayson. The third suitor is, Tanner, the computer nerd. Also another mutual friend, Tanner is also very handsome and a perfect gentleman. He's just the type of good guy all mothers would want their daughters to date. He's very patient with Daphne and allows her to sort through her feelings without pushing her. Tanner is the type of guy who can make girls swoon without being ostentatious.
“He makes me feel things that even Mayson did not. He know’s me; the real me. I don’t think Mayson ever did.”
The thoughts and emotions that Daphne goes through hit really close to home and I found myself thinking that I or many of my friends could have walked in Daphne’s shoes. She's not a perfect person and there were times when I wanted to smack her but in essence Daphne is someone we can all relate too. Daphne's story felt utterly real and you go through the emotions with her as she sets out on her quest to find the love of her life. Melissa Brown throws in a few good twists in the story that will catch you off guard. As I started reading this story I thought I had the plot line figured out but Melissa threw in some wrenches that totally had my jaw dropping. It's so hard not to spill the beans but you will just have to read the book to find out what happens and who Daphne eventually ends up with.
Daphne's journey of self-discovery and finally finding her own happiness was emotional, gut wrenching and tragic at times. But through all the major ups and downs, it’s a journey that she needed to make. Melissa Brown has created a sweet, hearth-warming and touching story in Bouquet Toss that I think a lot of women will be able to relate to. Days after reading this story, I was still thinking about the book and it’s characters. I think it’s a true testament of Melissa Brown’s writing talents because Bouquet Toss will stay with you even after you've reached “and they lived happily ever after.”
--------------------------------------
November 6, 2012
Really loved this one. It wasn't as angsty as I thought it would be but still very good. Bouquet Toss was sweet, touching and tragic. I thought my prediction for the plot was locked bown but Melissa Brown surprised me. Some of Daphne's descisions annoyed the hell out of me but in the end it all worked out. I thought that all of Daphne's potential HEA's were good but Tanner really had me swooning once he made his presence.
So glad I took the chance with this Amazon Freebie. My romantic-at-heart self is so happy with the HEA.
*Full Review to Come
“I’m a hopeless romantic, I guess I’m always thinking of Happily Ever Afters.”
Ahhh…falling in love, it’s one of the best feelings in the world. But falling in love for the very first time is the one that cuts the deepest and stays with us for a long time. For Daphne Harper, Mayson Holt, is her first and one great love. He's also the guy that stole her heart, broke it, and then just walked right out of her life. Although she still feels the heartache from that relationship, Daphne has been unable to forget Mayson and still holds a special place for him in her heart.
"I am being pulled towards Mayson once again. I am powerless to stop the magnetic tow of the love that I still feel for him. I cannot purge him from my heart, from my soul."
Since breaking up with Mayson, Daphne has been the epitome of a perpetual single woman. All of her friends have been falling in love and getting married ever since she graduated from college. As if she needed any more reminders about her single status, Daphne has been cursed with catching every bouquet toss at the wedding’s she attends even when she purposely tries to dodge the darn thing.
"Why do you have to destroy your future by clinging to what might have been?
Daphne finally gets her second chance at happiness and a chance get an answer to her "what might have been" question after running into Mayson at her best friends wedding. Even after five years, Mayson is still able to pull on her heart strings and all the feelings she had for him years ago resurfaces. But as she rekindles her relationship with Mayson, Daphne starts to discover her relationship with Mayson is not what she had imagined it to be all those years. Like in the past, she had been so desperate to hold on to Mayson that she shields her true self from him fearing that he might leave her after she shows her true colors.
"When will this boy stop making me cry? When will contact with him stop hurting so much? When am I going to learn that we are simply not meant to be?"
I wasn't a big fan of Mayson from the very beginning. The way he broke Daphne's heart was a little questionable and I think he knew he was able to string her along for as long as he could. I couldn't totally blame Daphne either because when you're that young, you get so caught up in the haze of first love that you fail to see what's in front of us. But even with all her fears, Daphne is unable to forget him and must learn the lesson of letting go of the past or be perpetually stuck in it.
Daphne also meets two other suitors that had me swooning over them. First, is Evan, the music loving, leather jacket wearing hottie. He's a mutual friend that has always had his eyes on Daphne since they first met. He has his own hang-ups but he and Daphne instantly click. Being around Evan is comfortable and easy for Daphne, which is something that had always been lacking when she was with Mayson. The third suitor is, Tanner, the computer nerd. Also another mutual friend, Tanner is also very handsome and a perfect gentleman. He's just the type of good guy all mothers would want their daughters to date. He's very patient with Daphne and allows her to sort through her feelings without pushing her. Tanner is the type of guy who can make girls swoon without being ostentatious.
“He makes me feel things that even Mayson did not. He know’s me; the real me. I don’t think Mayson ever did.”
The thoughts and emotions that Daphne goes through hit really close to home and I found myself thinking that I or many of my friends could have walked in Daphne’s shoes. She's not a perfect person and there were times when I wanted to smack her but in essence Daphne is someone we can all relate too. Daphne's story felt utterly real and you go through the emotions with her as she sets out on her quest to find the love of her life. Melissa Brown throws in a few good twists in the story that will catch you off guard. As I started reading this story I thought I had the plot line figured out but Melissa threw in some wrenches that totally had my jaw dropping. It's so hard not to spill the beans but you will just have to read the book to find out what happens and who Daphne eventually ends up with.
Daphne's journey of self-discovery and finally finding her own happiness was emotional, gut wrenching and tragic at times. But through all the major ups and downs, it’s a journey that she needed to make. Melissa Brown has created a sweet, hearth-warming and touching story in Bouquet Toss that I think a lot of women will be able to relate to. Days after reading this story, I was still thinking about the book and it’s characters. I think it’s a true testament of Melissa Brown’s writing talents because Bouquet Toss will stay with you even after you've reached “and they lived happily ever after.”
--------------------------------------
November 6, 2012
Really loved this one. It wasn't as angsty as I thought it would be but still very good. Bouquet Toss was sweet, touching and tragic. I thought my prediction for the plot was locked bown but Melissa Brown surprised me. Some of Daphne's descisions annoyed the hell out of me but in the end it all worked out. I thought that all of Daphne's potential HEA's were good but Tanner really had me swooning once he made his presence.
So glad I took the chance with this Amazon Freebie. My romantic-at-heart self is so happy with the HEA.
*Full Review to Come
September 13, 2012
I loved this super charming emotional read that will have you rooting for plucky and sweet MC Daphne Harper while at the same time wanting to reach in and give her a good shake/talking to/spanking! Fortunately author Melissa Brown does an awesome job of administering some intense and effective reality therapy to get dear Daphne, and the emotionally exhausted but satisfied reader, where they both need to be.
Daphne fell hard for charismatic charmer Mayson Holt in their sophomore year at the University of Illinois (and btw, as a Chicagoan I loved the way Melissa really captures the vibe of the city, the ‘burbs and the lure of cool college town Champaign). Daphne could hardly believe it when Mr. Out-of-her-League seemed to be falling for little old her (yep, she’s got some self esteem issues), but she lets herself live it. And then she hits bottom hard, too, when Mayse begins acting all remote and mysterious, and finally breaks things off after his spring break trip home. And as if that wasn’t hard enough on her vulnerable little heart, he shows up again - two years later- and Daphne, still in love, spends the night before their graduation with him (and yes, it’s her first time). Surprise, she doesn’t hear from him again until the night when he unexpectedly (and uninvitedly) shows up at her best friend’s wedding. He seems to want to pick up where they left off, and although Daphne’s dated a few guys since college (pretty hilariously), none had the old zing like Mayson, so she resolves to give it one more try. And things are all romantic seeming, even better than before, until Daphne suggests they spend Thanksgiving together, and he gets that old dodgy eyes look again. Ok for me, as a guy reader, right here was where I seriously wanted to kick Mayson’s ass! Once, oops. Twice, that’s bad! But three times? Jeez, Daphne I love you, how’s about loving yourself a little! And then things get really crazy (i.e., super absorbing and unputdownable for the reader), because this is where the twists and turns start coming and all I have to say is fasten your seat belt, cause it gets bumpy up in here!
Just as I was finishing this story, I saw an ad on a CTA Red Line car, seeking volunteers for a study of “phantom pain syndrome.” I didn’t know exactly what that was, but the phrase caught my eye, and being the crack professional researcher that I am, I Googled it, and learned that phantom pain is the feeling that an absent limb still exists and remains attached to the body, causing pain and interfering with the sufferer’s ability to get on with their life after the loss. Hey, I thought! That’s just how Daphne was with Mayson - even (or especially) in his absence, she just couldn’t stop feeling for him, and that prevented her from moving on, living her life, and finding her actual missing puzzle piece. As I mentioned above, she’s lucky enough to have two fun, real feeling characters, her friend Elise and her cousin Morgan, to shake her up and make her realize what really rocks her world, and how to go and get it. And even though I was occasionally frustrated with Daphne, and almost always furious with Mayson, I was fully pulled into the fun and emotion of her story, the hallmark of a truly sweet read.
Another aspect I loved was the titular “Bouquet Tossing” element. Daphne’s seemingly magical ability to catch the bouquet at every wedding she attends just beautifully evokes that peculiar stage in your life when all your friends are getting married, and you are standing on the sidelines, wondering if it will happen for you. The image of that bouquet, inexorably tracking Daphne down like some kind of heart-seeking missile (not a typo!), is so touching, and because it invokes all the powerful iconography of wedding celebrations, really brings home her status of being hung in limbo, always on the edge of the crowd, waiting for happiness to find her. But before it does, and before we too find some sweetly tender emotional closure, the action, and your heart strings, will experience some major twists, turns and speed bumps. Author Melissa conjures a wonderful, tender, funny, wise and real feeling read that, just like a real wedding, might have you needing a tissue or two, as Daphne reaches out and learns to fight, not just for one more bouquet, but for her own happiness and dreams. Let yourself love this one, you’ll be glad you did!
Daphne fell hard for charismatic charmer Mayson Holt in their sophomore year at the University of Illinois (and btw, as a Chicagoan I loved the way Melissa really captures the vibe of the city, the ‘burbs and the lure of cool college town Champaign). Daphne could hardly believe it when Mr. Out-of-her-League seemed to be falling for little old her (yep, she’s got some self esteem issues), but she lets herself live it. And then she hits bottom hard, too, when Mayse begins acting all remote and mysterious, and finally breaks things off after his spring break trip home. And as if that wasn’t hard enough on her vulnerable little heart, he shows up again - two years later- and Daphne, still in love, spends the night before their graduation with him (and yes, it’s her first time). Surprise, she doesn’t hear from him again until the night when he unexpectedly (and uninvitedly) shows up at her best friend’s wedding. He seems to want to pick up where they left off, and although Daphne’s dated a few guys since college (pretty hilariously), none had the old zing like Mayson, so she resolves to give it one more try. And things are all romantic seeming, even better than before, until Daphne suggests they spend Thanksgiving together, and he gets that old dodgy eyes look again. Ok for me, as a guy reader, right here was where I seriously wanted to kick Mayson’s ass! Once, oops. Twice, that’s bad! But three times? Jeez, Daphne I love you, how’s about loving yourself a little! And then things get really crazy (i.e., super absorbing and unputdownable for the reader), because this is where the twists and turns start coming and all I have to say is fasten your seat belt, cause it gets bumpy up in here!
Just as I was finishing this story, I saw an ad on a CTA Red Line car, seeking volunteers for a study of “phantom pain syndrome.” I didn’t know exactly what that was, but the phrase caught my eye, and being the crack professional researcher that I am, I Googled it, and learned that phantom pain is the feeling that an absent limb still exists and remains attached to the body, causing pain and interfering with the sufferer’s ability to get on with their life after the loss. Hey, I thought! That’s just how Daphne was with Mayson - even (or especially) in his absence, she just couldn’t stop feeling for him, and that prevented her from moving on, living her life, and finding her actual missing puzzle piece. As I mentioned above, she’s lucky enough to have two fun, real feeling characters, her friend Elise and her cousin Morgan, to shake her up and make her realize what really rocks her world, and how to go and get it. And even though I was occasionally frustrated with Daphne, and almost always furious with Mayson, I was fully pulled into the fun and emotion of her story, the hallmark of a truly sweet read.
Another aspect I loved was the titular “Bouquet Tossing” element. Daphne’s seemingly magical ability to catch the bouquet at every wedding she attends just beautifully evokes that peculiar stage in your life when all your friends are getting married, and you are standing on the sidelines, wondering if it will happen for you. The image of that bouquet, inexorably tracking Daphne down like some kind of heart-seeking missile (not a typo!), is so touching, and because it invokes all the powerful iconography of wedding celebrations, really brings home her status of being hung in limbo, always on the edge of the crowd, waiting for happiness to find her. But before it does, and before we too find some sweetly tender emotional closure, the action, and your heart strings, will experience some major twists, turns and speed bumps. Author Melissa conjures a wonderful, tender, funny, wise and real feeling read that, just like a real wedding, might have you needing a tissue or two, as Daphne reaches out and learns to fight, not just for one more bouquet, but for her own happiness and dreams. Let yourself love this one, you’ll be glad you did!
September 7, 2012
Bouquet Toss was a beautifully written, gut-wrenching twist on first loves and letting go. I thought back to my first love and there is so much truth to first loves always holding on to a piece of us and how all loves that follow get compared to them. This book dealt with one woman’s struggle to deal with losing her first love, even years later, and what happens when he suddenly walks back into her life.
Daphne is a twenty-something with a great sense of humor and a picture perfect ideal of what love should be. Daphne is quite the catch and does not seem to have a shortage of men that are attracted to her but she can’t get her first love, Mayson, out of her mind. Her friends are all getting married and she catches the bouquet time and time again but can’t seem to give her heart away to anyone because it is still with Mayson.
Daphne goes out with a few men in the Bouquet Toss but the most notable were Mayson, Tanner and Evan. Mayson had a little bit of edge that I loved but it was painfully obvious that he may have some commitment issues or be hiding something that kept him closed off. I had to take some points away from him because of the way he hurt Daphne in college but then I had to give him some back because it was obvious Daphne really loved him and when he broke her heart, he was just an immature college boy!
Tanner was adorably sweet and 100% the guy you would bring him to mom. He was always considerate to Daphne’s feelings and fights for her, which I loved! I absolutely hate when a guy or gal completely give up on the other so quickly; Tanner showed that he was completely smitten with Daphne. He had my heart when he took her for a picnic and they gazed at stars for hours. So romantic!
Evan has a great sense of humor and if I had to pick one of these guys for myself, I would pick him! I am not sure I would pick him for Daphne; they were almost too much alike and that isn’t always best in a relationship. He was someone Daphne could have fun with, letting her hair down while dancing and attending concerts! While I was reading Bouquet Toss, I thought if Evan doesn’t win her heart in the end, I want him to have his own book because I never want to let him go!
This book has a major twist that will affect Daphne immensely (no hints, sorry)! Sometimes in life, our choices are made for us. There are people we meet that aren’t who they appear to be or secrets that will surprise us. For Daphne, these things affect her future and it takes a little while to see exactly where she will fall.
This was a great debut for Melissa Brown and I highly recommend it for those who like contemporary romance with a little chicklit flare. It made me laugh (Holy.Horrible.Dates), cry and think about my first love to whom I was lucky enough to marry!
November 27, 2012
This book is one of the sweetest love stories I've read in a long time. It was of a more traditional and even chivalrous nature and I for one found that refreshingly unique.
Daphne, the heroine, viewed herself as a quirky yet intelligent redhead, although she easily caught the attention of many male suitors. It was her choice of one guy, however, who ultimately carved a serious piece of real estate in her always, too sensitive, heart. Daphne's choices from here on out are sometimes typical, yet always guarded and also, something I completely admired. I enjoyed watching from a reader's point of view, how she took her time digesting things and even if they turned out to be the wrong choice, Daphne sincerely learned from her mistakes. With each turn and with each realization, I became more proud of her thoughtfulness for herself and for others. We could all learn from Daphne's trials and tribulations and boy, does she have many.
The writing was clean and not over descriptive (very nice), while the pace flowed quickly, yet took it's time when it was needed. This is Brown's debut and I honestly would have had a hard time believing it had I not already known that fact. Her scenes were sometimes profound and sometimes heartbreaking, yet always clever and with so much humor, I ended up laughing...a lot. The epilogue was a welcomed addition and also made me a tad giddy, like the book nerd that I am.
Were there areas of cliche'? Oh yeah, but let's face it, life is full of them and it's to be expected, at least I always do. I think the biggest impact this book had on me personally was it's heart; and if you're looking for a romance with just the right amount of steam, tenderness, redemption and a little bit of angst, this story will most definitely be a story you will love.
Nice job, Ms. Brown...very nice job!
Daphne, the heroine, viewed herself as a quirky yet intelligent redhead, although she easily caught the attention of many male suitors. It was her choice of one guy, however, who ultimately carved a serious piece of real estate in her always, too sensitive, heart. Daphne's choices from here on out are sometimes typical, yet always guarded and also, something I completely admired. I enjoyed watching from a reader's point of view, how she took her time digesting things and even if they turned out to be the wrong choice, Daphne sincerely learned from her mistakes. With each turn and with each realization, I became more proud of her thoughtfulness for herself and for others. We could all learn from Daphne's trials and tribulations and boy, does she have many.
The writing was clean and not over descriptive (very nice), while the pace flowed quickly, yet took it's time when it was needed. This is Brown's debut and I honestly would have had a hard time believing it had I not already known that fact. Her scenes were sometimes profound and sometimes heartbreaking, yet always clever and with so much humor, I ended up laughing...a lot. The epilogue was a welcomed addition and also made me a tad giddy, like the book nerd that I am.
Were there areas of cliche'? Oh yeah, but let's face it, life is full of them and it's to be expected, at least I always do. I think the biggest impact this book had on me personally was it's heart; and if you're looking for a romance with just the right amount of steam, tenderness, redemption and a little bit of angst, this story will most definitely be a story you will love.
Nice job, Ms. Brown...very nice job!
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September 13, 2012
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS AT READING, EATING AND DREAMING I WAS BLAIR WALDORF
Please excuse the crazy review you are about to read. I've had bronchitis for the last two weeks and my head is all over the place. I figured I'd just keep things in bullets since I'm still having trouble forming complete sentences :)
My thoughts on Bouquet Toss by Melissa Brown:
-Very, very good story.
-Realistic relationships.
-Life-like dialogue.
-Unique, shocking plot twists.
-An emotional rollercoaster. Lots of highs and lows. Lots of drama.
-Some really funny moments.
-Some really sad moments.
-Lots of passion.
-Lots of romance.
I'm feeling a little bit better so I'm going to try to actually form sentences now! :)
The first half of Bouquet Toss by Melissa Brown was an emotional rollercoaster. It was full of passion, angst, and drama. It focused on the past and present romance between Daphne and Mayson. Honestly, Mayson's character didn't sit right with me from the start. I hated the way he treated Daphne in the past, and I wasn't that impressed with the way he treated her current day. Something just felt off about him. Daphne, however, was an amazing character. I was able to really relate to and root for her character.
Then...BAM! Crazy, shocking plot twists occurs right about here, and the course of the novel changes completely. This novel is basically two different stories centered around the main character Daphne that are tied together by the plot twist. The first half of this novel tells one story, and the second half of this novel tells a completely different story.
The second half of Bouquet Toss was slightly less dramatic and a whole lot more romantic, in my opinion. The second half of this novel was my FAVORITE. The struggles were heartbreaking and realistic, and the romance was exciting, fresh, and fun. I love where the author went with this story.
The main constant throughout this novel was Daphne. Bouquet Toss is definitely Daphne's story, and the author did a fabulous job creating a realistically flawed, but lovable character. Daphne is the type of character that readers will root for. Another constant in this novel was Daphne's friendship with her two best friends. Again, the author did a great job creating real and honest friendships. The character's supported one another the way real friends do.
Overall, I really enjoyed Bouquet Toss by Melissa Brown, and I would definitely recommend this novel to others.
I gave Bouquet Toss by Melissa Brown 4 STARS (3.5 STARS). I look forward to reading more by Melissa Brown in the future.
-XOXO
READING, EATING AND DREAMING
Please excuse the crazy review you are about to read. I've had bronchitis for the last two weeks and my head is all over the place. I figured I'd just keep things in bullets since I'm still having trouble forming complete sentences :)
My thoughts on Bouquet Toss by Melissa Brown:
-Very, very good story.
-Realistic relationships.
-Life-like dialogue.
-Unique, shocking plot twists.
-An emotional rollercoaster. Lots of highs and lows. Lots of drama.
-Some really funny moments.
-Some really sad moments.
-Lots of passion.
-Lots of romance.
I'm feeling a little bit better so I'm going to try to actually form sentences now! :)
The first half of Bouquet Toss by Melissa Brown was an emotional rollercoaster. It was full of passion, angst, and drama. It focused on the past and present romance between Daphne and Mayson. Honestly, Mayson's character didn't sit right with me from the start. I hated the way he treated Daphne in the past, and I wasn't that impressed with the way he treated her current day. Something just felt off about him. Daphne, however, was an amazing character. I was able to really relate to and root for her character.
Then...BAM! Crazy, shocking plot twists occurs right about here, and the course of the novel changes completely. This novel is basically two different stories centered around the main character Daphne that are tied together by the plot twist. The first half of this novel tells one story, and the second half of this novel tells a completely different story.
The second half of Bouquet Toss was slightly less dramatic and a whole lot more romantic, in my opinion. The second half of this novel was my FAVORITE. The struggles were heartbreaking and realistic, and the romance was exciting, fresh, and fun. I love where the author went with this story.
The main constant throughout this novel was Daphne. Bouquet Toss is definitely Daphne's story, and the author did a fabulous job creating a realistically flawed, but lovable character. Daphne is the type of character that readers will root for. Another constant in this novel was Daphne's friendship with her two best friends. Again, the author did a great job creating real and honest friendships. The character's supported one another the way real friends do.
Overall, I really enjoyed Bouquet Toss by Melissa Brown, and I would definitely recommend this novel to others.
I gave Bouquet Toss by Melissa Brown 4 STARS (3.5 STARS). I look forward to reading more by Melissa Brown in the future.
-XOXO
READING, EATING AND DREAMING
September 27, 2012
How romantic is this cover??? I love it! Not only is the cover romantic, but this story was romantic too. While Daphne was frustrating at times, I loved how the story came together in the end.
I am such a character driven reader, so I tend to focus more on how I identify with a character I'm reading about. While I was reading Bouquet Toss, I kept thinking how different Daphne and I are. BUT, once I stepped back and thought about my past relationships, I could relate to her. Her relationship with Mayson was complicated. He was her first love and I think it's easy to put that relationship on a pedestal, even when that relationship was unhealthy. When Mayson resurfaces in her life, it's hard to draw that line between past and present.
While the circumstances surrounding their current relationship changed dramatically and shockingly, Daphne still needed to heal from the past in order to move forward for herself. I had an idea of how the story was going to play out pretty early on, but the journey getting there was enjoyable.
I don't want to say to much about a certain love interest, but I have to point out that he reminded me so much of my husband. From career to personality. He is my husband. So naturally, I love him!
I liked the supporting characters in the story. The character I'd most like to see more of was Evan. I think he has an interesting story to uncover. He's sexy and just a bit untamed. Perhaps we will get a story about him next?
Bouquet Toss was a fast, enjoyable read. It was emotional at times, but overall a really good love story. I'm happy that Daphne got her happily ever after. It was a perfect ending to her story. If you're looking for a true romance, this is a great book for you!
May 14, 2013
I just had a tough time identifying with Daphne. It's not because I'm not in a committed marriage - I am.....for almost 15 years. It's not because I've never loved (or ever hurt because of love) but....
I've never made love the whole center of my universe. I can't imagine living 5 years after a relationship completely devestated by it. And not turning that into something more productive - like ANGER AT THAT PERSON! I don't know how she can still love him, want him - or be capable of trusting him. And yet, with few reservations she does just that.
and the book lost me from there.....with every date and every comparison (and the whole hospital scene was so uncomfortable and awful it was hard to read!)
I'm sad I didn't like this more. I wish I could have. It just wasn't for me.
I've never made love the whole center of my universe. I can't imagine living 5 years after a relationship completely devestated by it. And not turning that into something more productive - like ANGER AT THAT PERSON! I don't know how she can still love him, want him - or be capable of trusting him. And yet, with few reservations she does just that.
and the book lost me from there.....with every date and every comparison (and the whole hospital scene was so uncomfortable and awful it was hard to read!)
I'm sad I didn't like this more. I wish I could have. It just wasn't for me.
October 11, 2012
Bouquet Toss was such an enjoyable book for me to read!!
Throughout the story we follow Daphne on her quest to find the perfect male. A male that she can settle down with; she's tired of always being the one catching the bouquet as receptions. When will it be her turn to be the bride?
But Bouquet Toss isn't a light fluffy read it has some heartache, pain, tears.<--- And that's just where I want to see my angst at. In books! Can't get enough!!!
Most importantly it has romance. If I'm reading a book, it better have romance!
Simply put. It has real life in it.
Now I need to know... When is the second book coming out??
Must. Have. Now!!!
Throughout the story we follow Daphne on her quest to find the perfect male. A male that she can settle down with; she's tired of always being the one catching the bouquet as receptions. When will it be her turn to be the bride?
But Bouquet Toss isn't a light fluffy read it has some heartache, pain, tears.<--- And that's just where I want to see my angst at. In books! Can't get enough!!!
Most importantly it has romance. If I'm reading a book, it better have romance!
Simply put. It has real life in it.
Now I need to know... When is the second book coming out??
Must. Have. Now!!!
September 9, 2012
Not your typical love story, but that is one of the reasons I loved this book. It seemed more like real life to me, life is full of the unexpected, curses and gifts. Lets just say this book had twists that I didn't expect. The heartache Daphne dealt with was gut wrenching. I was seriously a tear stained mess for a few chapters. I enjoyed Daphne's bold, honest comments when she was herself. During some of those moments, I found myself smiling while reading this book. Daphne's friends and cousin were the type of people you would want in your corner. Bouquet Toss is beautifully written and I look forward to reading more by Melissa Brown.
May 20, 2013
I can't say I enjoyed reading this. It was hard to stay interested, which was partly why it took so long to finish reading this. I was hoping that maybe it was just the beginning, but it wasn't. Many times, I skimmed through some pages because it got way too boring for me.
The characters were under-developed. I don't like books where I can't connect to the characters, and this is exactly what happened here. Daphne is extremely clingy and hard to like. She needs to set her priorities straight. Seriously.
Overall, this was an okay read. There were parts I really did like, but it wasn't often. And just a random note, the name Mayson is incredibly annoying. Why the "y"?
The characters were under-developed. I don't like books where I can't connect to the characters, and this is exactly what happened here. Daphne is extremely clingy and hard to like. She needs to set her priorities straight. Seriously.
Overall, this was an okay read. There were parts I really did like, but it wasn't often. And just a random note, the name Mayson is incredibly annoying. Why the "y"?
September 17, 2012
I loved Bouquet Toss, so much so, that I read it in one night! All the characters were relatable (even though Mayson was a tool). The series of dates that Daphne goes on are hysterical. The story was not complicated, but had enough substance to be entertaining. I liked that I felt a connection to Daphne and the emotional ride she was on. I wanted her to fight for Tanner and she did a fabulous job of doing it! I recommended it to my friends, who also enjoyed it.
Great job Melissa! I liked Tanner, but Caleb is still #1!
Great job Melissa! I liked Tanner, but Caleb is still #1!
November 2, 2012
When I started reading this book, I thought I knew exactly where it was going. I was surprised by the twist in the middle of the story. I literally spoke aloud, "She (Melissa Brown) really did it (I would tell you what it is, but I don't want to ruin the twist)!" I love how the psychic was used for foreshadowing. I have to admit, I would love to read more into the lives of Daphne and Tanner. I just don't think I got enough, and I kept waiting to see if all of Mayson's secrets would be revealed. Overall, an enjoyable read :)
September 23, 2012
A really sweet story. Bouquet Toss evoked very differing emotions in me, which is what I look for in a good book. It threw me a curveball, which took me a little while to get to grips with, but the second Tanner came into the picture all was good again! Brilliant debut novel.
Want to read
January 22, 2013FREE TODAY 1/22/13 on Amazon.com
Link Below
http://www.amazon.com/Bouquet-Toss-eb...
Link Below
http://www.amazon.com/Bouquet-Toss-eb...
October 8, 2012
I thought this was a cute book with a cute story. Hard to believe it was a debut for the author.
Read
October 24, 2021DNF
“Oh yeah, I forgot that you wanted to be a teacher. That’s awesome!” How could he forget that I wanted to be a teacher? Did I mean so little to him that he couldn’t even be bothered to remember my life’s passion?
It’d been three weeks since Elise’s wedding and he still hadn’t called. I was stewing in a very big way and Morgan knew it.
“It—it’s been a while, sorry.” Little did he know, it’d been a very long time. Our last time together had been my only time. I hadn’t let anyone else into my bedroom, or into my heart since we said our goodbyes years ago. “I’ll go slow,” he said, smoothing my hair, pushing it from my forehead. “I promise.”
The next morning, I woke early to the sound of birds chirping outside my window. The alarm clock read 7:00 am. I rolled over smiling, but found an empty pillow. Mayson was no longer in my bed. Had he left me?
“I have to get back to campus. There’s a problem with the plans. They need me back as soon as possible.” His tone was dismissive. It reminded me of how he could be when we were still in school. A chill ran down my spine.
“You know I would love that. But I sort of promised my parents that I would come to South Carolina for Thanksgiving, and they aren’t quite, um, ready to meet anyone yet. My mom is big on family-only holidays. My older brother had a habit of bringing around a lot of different girls to family holidays and Mom finally drew the line. I’m really sorry.”
“Mayson was my boyfriend. I didn’t know a thing about Brynn.” She gave me a knowing smile before shaking her head. “I love my son. God, I love my son. But, he’s always been impulsive and extremely self-absorbed.“I still love him. But, this kind of betrayal, I don’t know if I can ever forgive this. It’s too much.”
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