Cheris Hodges was bitten by the writing bug at an early age and always knew she wanted to be a writer. She is a 1999 graduate of Johnson C. Smith University and a freelance writer in Charlotte, North Carolina. A native of Bennettsville, South Carolina, Cheris loves hearing from her readers.
*The following review is only for Unraveled by Lisa Marie Perry*
This was a quick, fun summer read. Ona Tracy has had her fair share of regrets and one of them being not acting upon her high school crush. She now has her chance to make her move at their upcoming class reunion. As the event planner of their reunion, the trip starts off rocky with a mix up with the cruise ship she booked. Her elite, rich and snobby classmates are booked on an erotic-themed cruise to the Bahamas!
Fortunately for Ona, she has a sexy and daring encounter with Riker Ewan, a hot ex-marine that has her thinking things may turn out great after all.
I liked Ona yet I struggled with why she would let her classmates treat her less than. I really enjoyed Riker with Ona. These two were steamy hot!
If you're looking for a light, fun sexy read with a little bit of drama, this is for you!
*An ARC provided by Lisa Marie Perry in exchange for honest review of Unraveled*
Title: Bliss Summer Authors: Cheris Hodges & Lisa Marie Perry Publisher: Mill and Boon Kimani Reviewed By: Arlena Dean Rating: Five
"Make You Mine Again" by Cheris Hodges
What I liked about this novella...
I liked this short romantic novella. It turns out to be just what the title said..."Make You Mine Again." For that was just what happened for Jansen and Bradley. I loved how this author gave the reader a interesting story with some many secrets with twist and turns, however when it all came out and each one of these main characters were able to listen to each other....well you will have to pick this one up and see for yourself how well it comes out. Yes, the story was somewhat predictable, however, you will be given an interesting well written story that will keep you turning the pages till the end.
and we also have another story....
"Unraveled" by Lisa Marie Perry
What I liked about this novella....
Now, this short story was really some read. You talk about mean spirited classmates that seemed to have it out for on Ona. I love how this story was presented..with a "reunion trip turning out to be an erotic-theme cruise" for these classmates. Now how did this happen? However, I loved how Ona was able to some much needed help from that 'blond-haired, silver-eyed Riker Evan. My feelings went out for this heroine because she really went through a lot to achieve making this cruise a good one but will that happen with all the bitterness that seems to be around her from some former classmates. When Ona thinks that she will have one friend with her on this trip...well, I will stop here and say you will have to pick up this well written read and see how this will all come out. What will happen when all of the secrets and lies comes out in this 'Unraveled' story? Will Ona as well as Riker finally get someone to love and be accepted for who they are?
Wonderful novella. A school reunion turns into an erotic themed cruise. Ona, has some mean-ass classmates but despite this she tries her utmost to make this reunion one to remember. And indeed it is. Secrets, lies and all the rest eventually come out as everthing comes unraveled.
An OK read. The Hodges story felt like a series idea chopped down to novella length and the couple doesn't land on page together until the halfway point. Also, I'm not entirely convinced the hero has seen the error of his ways. Fierce heroine though, who carried the story for me.
The Perry story was fun and I enjoyed the interaction between the heroine and her high school classmates. Felt the added conflict of the hero's Big Secret was a bridge too far however and overstuffed the fun, sexy feel of the novella.
Good, not great, not terrible - which lands this one in my OK 3-Star territory.
First of all I love, love, love this cover! So gorge!
I was generously gifted this book by Ms. Perry and I couldn't wait to read her heroine because I love Lisa's way with dialogue! She always writes characters in ways that shows their personality through dialogue and description. Her heroines have a particular way of being funny and interesting that makes it so fun to follow their journey.
Unfortunately with Unraveled, I'm going to have to step away from it as I don't think I'm the target audience for it. As I read on, some of the aspects of the story pushed my comfort and pet peeve button. What I did read had me chuckling as I think Lisa has a knack for writing rom coms and I love her flair for dialogue. Although this book isn't for me, I think it would definitely fit readers looking for more steamier, erotic style reads. As I enjoyed reading her last book Midnight Play, I hope to sample some more of her books in the near future.
The problem with romance anthologies is that the romance can be even more rushed than in novels running 200-odd pages or longer. In the first story, Jansen Douglas and Bradley Stephens have been holding torches for each other for three years. When they re-unite, they’re both laboring under misunderstandings, hurt feelings and a fair amount of resentment.
So how do they hash out their issues? By giving in to their powerful sexual urges and screwing. With respect, Jansen does hold out against Bradley’s blandishments initially, refusing him the first time he insists on coming up to her room. But the next time he talks about how much he wants her back (no talk about love, not yet anyway), all she has to say is that she’s wearing no panties and he sweeps her up and practically runs her back to her hotel. She calls that closure. He thinks it’s just step one.
Bradley behaves like a stalker, always following her around even when she insists she doesn’t want to see him. Jansen acts like a besotted groupie, moaning and quivering every time Bradley kisses or puts his hand on her. Some people grow up in three years and become different people, in spite of mutual longing. I guess such maturity doesn’t belong in a romance.
The second story begins with the female protagonist thinking that she needed a drink.
“She needed it tall, she needed it straight and she needed it to go down hard and wear off slowly.”
Rather suggestive, isn’t it? That pretty much sets the tone for the rest of this novella. Ona Tracy is booked accidentally on an erotic-themed cruise ship. Now that we know what to expect, the story yields few surprises. The hot hunk Ona had her sights set on can barely acknowledge her existence, even when she’s sitting on his lap. So instead she falls for the rough and rugged ex-Marine whom she uses to make the hot-and-hunky one jealous. You can guess what happens after that.
What I rather liked, much more than the predictable paint-by-numbers romance, was the interaction between Ona and the viperish Regan Waltz. Regan is like every rich, snotty, mean girl you’ve ever seen in the movies or on tv shows. She has been digging at Ona for her lower-class background for years. But she harbors a secret that unexpectedly draws the two women together. Admittedly, most of their exchanges fail the Bechdel test, seeing as they’re continually talking about the men in their lives. But it is an startling moment of solidarity between them nonetheless.
The second entry partially redeems this two-story collection. But, other than that, this is romance at its most lukewarm.
BLISSFUL SUMMER: MAKE YOU MINE AGAIN/UNRAVELED BY CHERIS HODGES AND LISA MARIE PERRY
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READ AND REVIEW
BLISSFUL SUMMER: MAKE YOU MINE AGAIN/UNRAVELED BY CHERIS HODGES AND LISA MARIE PERRY
SYNOPSIS
Two exotic locations. Two couples about to discover the thrill of rekindled passion.
Make You Mine Again by Cheris HodgesSupermodel Jansen Douglas is living her dream. Now a wedding in Paris is about to reunite her with the high school sweetheart she left behind. But Atlanta CEO Bradley Stephens won't let their stormy past stand in the way of reclaiming his first and only love.
Unraveled by Lisa Marie PerryOna Tracy's plans to seduce her high school crush unravel when the reunion trip she books turns out to be an erotic-themed cruise to the Bahamas! Rather than abandon ship, she recruits blond-haired, silver-eyed Riker Ewan to be her hookup, unaware that the hot-bodied ex-marine isn't who he seems to be…
REVIEW: BLISSFUL SUMMER: MAKE YOU MINE AGAIN/UNRAVELED BY CHERIS HODGES AND LISA MARIE PERRY
Blissful Summer: Make You Mine AgainUnraveled by Cheris HodgesMy rating: 4 of 5 starsExotic locations lead to heated romances. An enjoyable chance to experience love through the eyes of two couples. Whether a fan of love reunited or giving the hearts desire a chance to explore, this book gives fans of sultry romance and dramatic storytelling the chance to experience both. My favorite story was Make you Mine Again by Cheris Hodges because love is always better with a little life experience. (https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Re...) Copyright of Night Owl Reviews
Blissful Summer features two stories by authors Cheris Hodges and Lisa Marie Perry. The first story, Make you Mine Again, by Cheris Hodges, introduces high school sweethearts, Jansen Douglas and Bradley Stephens. These two are reunited at the wedding in Paris after Jansen left Bradley to become a supermodel. Bradley is determined to rekindle the relationship and make Jansen see they are meant to be, but will the past keep these sweethearts from finding love again?
In Lisa Marie Perry’s Unraveled, readers meet Ona Tracy and Riker Ewan. The two meet while on an erotic-themed cruise to the Bahamas. Ona’s initial plan was to seduce her high school crush and she enlists Riker’s help to make her crush jealous, but the explosive attraction between her and Riker, has Ona second guessing her agenda.
Blissful Summer was a quick read, and I enjoyed both stories. Cheris Hodges is not a newcomer but this is her first novel under the Kimani line and readers will glimpse Jansen’s struggle to trust Bradley and her need to run when he reveals his feelings and hopes to reconcile. Jansen is afraid Bradley has not changed and wants her to give up her career, and Bradley is determined to have her and make her realize his views have changed.
In Lisa Marie Perry’s story, Ona is portrayed as a flighty event planner but in actuality is trying to outgrow her unpopular status in high school and finally latch her high school crush. In addition, her high school crush still views her as invisible, so to make him really see her, Ona meets ex-marine Riker Ewan. The attraction between these two is apparent and as the two spend more time together, each realizes there is something there they want to explore. However, Riker is keeping a secret and once Ona finds out, will their relationship survive? Readers will need to pick up a copy of Blissful Summer to find out.
MAKE YOU MINE AGAIN by Cheris Hodges is a second chance at love romance featuring two very stubborn people. Bradley and Jansen both are too prideful to make the first move and admit that they still have feelings for each other even though it's obvious to everyone else. Drawn back together because of Bradley's sister's wedding who just so happens to also be Jansen's best friend they won't be able to completely avoid one another. In this short read we get to see whether or not the love that Jansen and Bradley shared can overcome hurt feelings, jealousy, and misunderstandings. MAKE YOU MINE AGAIN is a quick and enjoyable read.
UNRAVELED by Lisa Marie Perry is an interesting twist on not looking to the past to validate who you are today. Ona Tracy was the lone African American girl in a prestigious high school. Ona always felt like an outsider who had to work extra hard to fit in and be accepted by her peers. After years of missteps and mistakes Ona feels that she has a chance to prove herself a success by coordinating and hosting a cruise for her class reunion. A mistake is made and she has booked her hoity–toity classmates on an erotic cruise instead of the luxury cruise that she expected. Ona now has to face the ridicule of her classmates, the lost chance of making an impression on the one boy that she crushed hard on in high school, as well as the unexpected loss of the one classmate that she could depend on. Ona finds an unexpected ally in Riker who is more than he seems. UNRAVELED is a quick sexy read with an interesting twist.
**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
I Loved both story stories.. Make you mine again by Cheris Hodge was so real. It's a second chance at love for Bradley and Jansen. Two very stubborn and prideful individuals that were still madly in love with each other after a bad breakup 3 years prior. I liked Bradley's determination to have Jansen back in his life.. A very good read..
Unraveled by Lisa Marie Perry is about Ona never really fitting in the clique of rich kids in high school, so as adults she reunite with these classmates that have never made her feel welcome. She is an events planner and she plans a cruise upon this cruise her plan is to finally have her high school crush see her. She gets more than she bargained for when she stumbled upon Riker a complete stranger that she falls for instantly.. I loved Ona and Riker romance...
Two delightful stories in exotic locations and love rekindled.
In Make You Mine by Cheris Hodges, supermodel Jansen Douglas is living the dream. While in Paris for her BFF wedding she comes face to face with her past, her ex Bradley Stephens, CEO. Is there still a flame there to be rekindled, or are they truly done with each other.
Unraveled by Lisa Marie Perry features Ona Tracy trying to seduce her high school crush on a reunion trip cruise. During the trip she realizes that her crush isn't all she's fantasizes him to be. She meets Riker Ewan, ex-marine and recruits him to be her hook-up. What comes next is more than she expected.
I could not believe that "Unraveled was written by Lisa Marie Perry, I tried to read "Night Games & "Midnight Play, did not like either book. Said that I would probably not read anything by her again, then Cheris Hodges comes out with a book and the second story is written by Lisa. Ok, did Lisa really write this story, because I truly enjoyed it? Now, I am reading Lisa's "Hot Summer Nights", I will see if this story holds my attention.
Maybe it was just the story line of the other books, that I truly did not enjoy that entire series. Glad Cheris wrote her book and Lisa book came with it.
This gets all three stars. It was a cute second chance romance and I liked Jansen/Bradley. Nothing stood out that would make me want to read it again but it was a nice diversion. And I appreciated the little details that made the globe trotting feel authentic (especially as the story is a novella).
Unravelled
No stars! This might have been better if it had been full length but trying to cram all of the different story lines into 6 short chapters was too much. Add in insta-love, awkward "erotic" scenes, a one dimensional hero and a heroine who spends most of the story navel gazing... this is my last Lisa Marie Perry read for a while.
Exotic locations lead to heated romances. An enjoyable chance to experience love through the eyes of two couples. Whether a fan of love reunited or giving the hearts desire a chance to explore, this book gives fans of sultry romance and dramatic storytelling the chance to experience both. My favorite story was Make you Mine Again by Cheris Hodges because love is always better with a little life experience.
I love the fact that love has a second change no matter the trials the couple's go through, it makes truly enjoyable to see them fight and get stronger after everything they go through.
I really enjoyed Cheris Hodges' "Make You Mine Again". It was a cute love story between Jansen, a supermodel, and Bradley, an Atlanta CEO who finally went after his true love while both were in Paris for his sister's wedding! He finally decided to go after Jansen after he let her get away when she decided to pursue her career in modeling. He had to learn the hard way what true love really means!
Lisa Marie Perry's story was a little crazy for me, especially when it came to defining the characters in this story. All in all, I did complete the story, but just wasn't into the storyline.