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Chase Brothers #1
Five Things I Love About You
Estelle Donovan, seorang arsitek lanskap yang terbiasa dengan alam menghijau, merasa tertekan begitu menjejakkan kakinya di kota New York yang sesak dan dipenuhi bangunan beton. Dua minggu yang seharusnya dihabiskannya di kota itu sebagai liburan justru terasa bagaikan bencana!
Tetapi ketika Crosby Chase—si pria tampan nan menawan—tidak sengaja menumpahkan acar ke atas bajunya, seketika Estelle menyadari bahwa setidaknya ada satu hal yang bisa disukainya dari New York. Hanya saja, Crosby masih ingin menunjukkan pada Estelle bahwa ada lebih banyak hal yang akan disukainya dari kota itu….
Tetapi ketika Crosby Chase—si pria tampan nan menawan—tidak sengaja menumpahkan acar ke atas bajunya, seketika Estelle menyadari bahwa setidaknya ada satu hal yang bisa disukainya dari New York. Hanya saja, Crosby masih ingin menunjukkan pada Estelle bahwa ada lebih banyak hal yang akan disukainya dari kota itu….
216 pages, Paperback
First published August 17, 2015
105 people are currently reading
949 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Ballance
33 books693 followersSarah and her husband of what he calls “many long, long years” live on the mid-Atlantic coast with their six young children, all of whom are perfectly adorable when they’re asleep. She never dreamed of becoming an author, but as a homeschooling mom, she often jokes she writes fiction because if she wants anyone to listen to her, she has to make them up. (As it turns out, her characters aren’t much better than the kids). When not buried under piles of laundry, she may be found adrift in the Atlantic (preferably on a boat) or seeking that ever-elusive perfect writing spot where not even the kids can find her.
She loves creating unforgettable stories while putting her characters through an unkind amount of torture—a hobby that has nothing to do with living with six children. (Really.) Though she adores nail-biting mystery and edge-of-your-seat thrillers, Sarah writes in many genres including contemporary and ghostly paranormal romance. Her ever-growing roster of releases may be found on her website.
She loves creating unforgettable stories while putting her characters through an unkind amount of torture—a hobby that has nothing to do with living with six children. (Really.) Though she adores nail-biting mystery and edge-of-your-seat thrillers, Sarah writes in many genres including contemporary and ghostly paranormal romance. Her ever-growing roster of releases may be found on her website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
September 13, 2016
Alright, I can’t even try to write a proper review for this book. My brain can’t process it and I won’t force it.
There are several things that didn’t work out on this book and there are called The Main Characters.
Estelle was just way too annoying. I swear to gods I’m tired of authors giving mean personalities to women just to prove they’re tough and independent. A girl does not need to be bitchy in order to be badass.
Uh, let’s talk about her for a sec. She’s a landscaping architect or whatever that’s called and she hates big cities. She hates the noise, the rude people, the traffic, the concrete walls… everything about it but she’s apartment-sitting for her brother in NY. That woman cannot spend 3 seconds without saying how much she hates NY, it was so damn ridiculous and so narrow-minding of her so there she is, complaining about how the products are not in the right aisle like in all the grocery stores back in her town when this dude comes and drops pickle juice on her.
Like, you know me, I so don’t mind insta-lust because most of all have felt it before and that’s why one-night-stands exist but I freaking hate when the word “connection” is thrown when they have known each other for 5 minutes.
Clichés are fine when they’re done well but this book was way over the top on that matter.
And the man? Guys, meet Crosby, a guy who’s so married to his job he can’t seem to understand that *gasps* people can have a relationship AND work. OH MY GOD, I KNOW! What a concept, wow. And he was so plain. Actually, ALL the characters were plain and one-dimensional. There were no character development, just decisions thrown left and right and, in the end, ALL the characters still were strangers. We don’t know much about them and, frankly, I didn’t want to know more.
Their relationship was pretty shallow, if I’m honest and while love isn’t measured by the time you spend with someone but rather what you share together, but those two of just mere sex were not enough. They were fucking or bickering, that was it because those “moments” the author tried to sell were pretty insignificant and added so little to this so called relationship.
It was no mystery what was going to happen at the end of the book and *sigh* it was all so stupid and cliché and there goes another plain-ass romance.
Now I regret requesting the next book in this series, I have no desire of reading it but what you can do.
August 23, 2015
Five Reasons This Book Was A Pain In My Ass:
The Heroine was a mess.And I’m not talking hot mess. I’m talking a real, save-me-from-the-horror-of-reading-this-girl type mess. She absolutely hates the city, and I can understand and respect that. But sprouting off her reasons of dislike to an absolute stranger was…weird. That she would go to amazing lengths to make sure a New Yorker knew how much she loathed New York, thereby insulting him and his city was ridiculous. She was an elitist and to her, people who lived in the city were “perpetually angry people with a sarcasm problem."
The Hero was pathetic.Never have I seen a more formulaic, dull and insipid hero in my life! This guy was so fucking vapid, and to add to the fact that he was absolutely pussy whipped because he happened to drop pickle juice on the heroine and voila! Love at first sight. Then of course came the part where he was a reigning sex God (obviously) and a gentle giant (duh) and married to his job. And when the part came to choose between his job and his girl, let me tell you, readers, he was ridiculous, predictable and not at all someone I could remember. ’Nuff said.
The Flowery Language. If there’s anything I hate more than clichéd and one-dimensional characters, it is flowery language. And lo and behold, this novella managed to have an abundance of both in it. The language was sappy and filled with a kind of dialogue that made me roll my eyes more often than not. And you’d think that a book like this, with the kind of writing it has would manage to show me some chemistry. Think again. Which brings me to:
Chemistry, what chemistry. For a couple that spends two weeks together, (and not all day because I’m assuming The Hero had to work, sometimes) has a lot of sex and basically is the first of a series of romantic novels about brothers who are all, I’m assuming Sex Gods With Huge Cocks And Gentle Souls, let me tell you one thing: I felt absolutely no chemistry here. The romance seemed as deep as a pothole and the two main characters gave me no motivation to continue reading their story. Everything happened too fast, and most of the two weeks were glossed over.
Then End. Dear Lord, that ending. Let me tell you, if you read this novella carefully, you will be able to predict what happens in the end. It was a sad and pathetic way of ending a book, any book,and this particular book was not in good terms with me anyway. But nope. Even the end of the book couldn’t satisfy. Actually, wait. The end did satisfy. Because THE BOOK FUCKING ENDED.
Good Lord, I pray that I may not have to read books like these in my life ever again. Amen.
*I was provided a free ecopy of this book in exchange of an honest review. This did not in any way, however, influence the content of this review.*
The Heroine was a mess.And I’m not talking hot mess. I’m talking a real, save-me-from-the-horror-of-reading-this-girl type mess. She absolutely hates the city, and I can understand and respect that. But sprouting off her reasons of dislike to an absolute stranger was…weird. That she would go to amazing lengths to make sure a New Yorker knew how much she loathed New York, thereby insulting him and his city was ridiculous. She was an elitist and to her, people who lived in the city were “perpetually angry people with a sarcasm problem."
The Hero was pathetic.Never have I seen a more formulaic, dull and insipid hero in my life! This guy was so fucking vapid, and to add to the fact that he was absolutely pussy whipped because he happened to drop pickle juice on the heroine and voila! Love at first sight. Then of course came the part where he was a reigning sex God (obviously) and a gentle giant (duh) and married to his job. And when the part came to choose between his job and his girl, let me tell you, readers, he was ridiculous, predictable and not at all someone I could remember. ’Nuff said.
The Flowery Language. If there’s anything I hate more than clichéd and one-dimensional characters, it is flowery language. And lo and behold, this novella managed to have an abundance of both in it. The language was sappy and filled with a kind of dialogue that made me roll my eyes more often than not. And you’d think that a book like this, with the kind of writing it has would manage to show me some chemistry. Think again. Which brings me to:
Chemistry, what chemistry. For a couple that spends two weeks together, (and not all day because I’m assuming The Hero had to work, sometimes) has a lot of sex and basically is the first of a series of romantic novels about brothers who are all, I’m assuming Sex Gods With Huge Cocks And Gentle Souls, let me tell you one thing: I felt absolutely no chemistry here. The romance seemed as deep as a pothole and the two main characters gave me no motivation to continue reading their story. Everything happened too fast, and most of the two weeks were glossed over.
Then End. Dear Lord, that ending. Let me tell you, if you read this novella carefully, you will be able to predict what happens in the end. It was a sad and pathetic way of ending a book, any book,and this particular book was not in good terms with me anyway. But nope. Even the end of the book couldn’t satisfy. Actually, wait. The end did satisfy. Because THE BOOK FUCKING ENDED.
Good Lord, I pray that I may not have to read books like these in my life ever again. Amen.
*I was provided a free ecopy of this book in exchange of an honest review. This did not in any way, however, influence the content of this review.*
August 5, 2015
Estelle is a landscape architect from Northern California. When her brother has to go out of town, he asks her to watch his apartment in New York City for two weeks. Estelle hates New York. She hates the concrete, crowds, smells, and lack of gardens. When she gets run over by a cart at the grocery store by Crosby who spills a jar of pickles all over her, he offers to help her carry her groceries. When she tells him about her hatred for NYC, Crosby bets Estelle that he can help her find 5 things she'll love about New York.
This was a super fun, easy and light read that I really enjoyed. There were a lot of laugh-out-loud moments, good chemistry between the characters, sexy times, and a really good romance. I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a fun, easy going romance without a lot of drama and angst.
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
This was a super fun, easy and light read that I really enjoyed. There were a lot of laugh-out-loud moments, good chemistry between the characters, sexy times, and a really good romance. I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a fun, easy going romance without a lot of drama and angst.
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
December 21, 2015
3.25 stars. This was a sweet, light, fun read. Estelle kind of annoyed me a tiny bit sometimes.lol Crosby I just loved:) I thought they were cute together. I needed more in the epilogue though:)
safety gang safe.
both were sexually experience. both had non serious relationships in the past. both never loved and never felt what they feel for each other. that's it nothing about how they were in bed or anything. Totally safe.
safety gang safe.
both were sexually experience. both had non serious relationships in the past. both never loved and never felt what they feel for each other. that's it nothing about how they were in bed or anything. Totally safe.
August 18, 2015
4 stars
Five Things I Love About You was a sweet, fun and entertaining read.
I really enjoyed this heartwarming novella.
Both Estelle and Crosby were likable and relatable. Their story was well written and held my interest from start to finish.
The ending left me with a huge smile on my face and a heart full of happy feels.
Five Things I Love About You is the first book from the Chase Brothers series https://www.goodreads.com/series/1604... I loved the relationship between the Chase boys and I'm looking forward to reading their stories.
Thank you Entangled Lovestruck via Netgalley for the advance copy.
Five Things I Love About You was a sweet, fun and entertaining read.
I really enjoyed this heartwarming novella.
Both Estelle and Crosby were likable and relatable. Their story was well written and held my interest from start to finish.
The ending left me with a huge smile on my face and a heart full of happy feels.
Five Things I Love About You is the first book from the Chase Brothers series https://www.goodreads.com/series/1604... I loved the relationship between the Chase boys and I'm looking forward to reading their stories.
Thank you Entangled Lovestruck via Netgalley for the advance copy.
November 12, 2020
I thought that this book was good
February 5, 2017
I bought this series as a bundle and all I could think during book one was "Oh no, I have so many more of them in my TBR list." If I didn't already own book two I don't think I'd go on (and possibly wouldn't have finished book one).
It was boring. Boring and simplistic. I don't mind low drama, but I do mind one-note characters. Estelle hates the city, Crosby will never find love because he's two busy working. That's it. It gets resolved, not in an interesting way, and they're together. Why does Estelle need to babysit an apartment? No one knows.
It was boring. Boring and simplistic. I don't mind low drama, but I do mind one-note characters. Estelle hates the city, Crosby will never find love because he's two busy working. That's it. It gets resolved, not in an interesting way, and they're together. Why does Estelle need to babysit an apartment? No one knows.
January 11, 2019
Guys, aku bakal ngerants buku ini. Kalau kalian terbiasa dengannya, silakan lanjutkan membaca, tapi kalau tidak, tutup saja lagi ulasan ini, yaaa...
WTF! Aku berkali-kali memutar bola mata gara-gara baca buku ini. Ceritanya absurd banget dengan tokoh yang WTF banget -_-
Aku tidak percaya dengan yang namanya hubungan instan. Dan meskipun mencoba memercayainya, aku tidak akan bisa percaya bahwa keputusan-keputusan besar bisa diambil atas landasan itu.
Singkat cerita, buku ini adalah tentang pertemuan tidak sengaja gara-gara tokoh utamanya tidak sengaja menumpahkan botol acar ke tokoh lainnya. Si cewek yang ketumpahan acar cuma pakai kaus doang tanpa jeroan, begitulah, ya begitu. Lalu karena yang menumpahkan itu adalah pria dewasa tampan bertubuh bagus blablabalablabalabalabla, jadi si cewek diam-diam suka. Tapi masih jaim. Lalu apartemennya panas, pendingin rusak. Diteleponnyalah sebuah nomor mekanik yang ternyata, kepunyaan cowok itu. Habis basah karena keringat, cerita ini berlanjut dengan you-know-what *rolling eyes* Oh ya, ada adegan kucing yang menggigit bokong pria itu. Dan WTF! Nggak ada robekan atau apa yang membekas gitu di celananya. Hah? Setajam apa gigi kucing itu, atau setebal apa celana yang dipakainya? Mbuh lah, nggak jelas 💆💆💆💆🤷🤷🤷🤷
Si cewek yang cuma 14 hari doang di New York, benci banget kota itu karena pemandangannya diisi beton dan beton. Beda banget dengan di desanya yang penuh dengan pepohonan blablabla.
Lalu si cowok mau membuktikan kalau dia bakal punya lima hal yang tak terlupakan. Begitulah. Makanya tercipta malam tak terlupakan itu sebagai bagian dari lima daftar yang mau dibuktikan sama cowok itu.
Ketika itu hanyalah menjadi hubungan sesaat atau ONS atau apalah you name it, mungkin masih bisa masuk di akal ya ketika besoknya atau besoknya lagi sudah lupa. Tapi ini masih berlanjut. Lanjut terus. Sampai mereka tersadar kalau si cewek bakal balik ke tempatnya dan si cowok bakal terikat dengan perusahaan keluarga yang harus diselamatkannya. Tapi chemistry mereka kuat banget nih, entah dasar nafsu atau cinta (tapi kok kalau cinta semudah itu ya, huweee, diriku aja butuh hampir setahun untuk bisa suka sama orangya itu kan kamu, nggak bisa disamakan gitu dong, Mbak! Dan nggak usah curcol). Dan si cowok ini yang nggak pernah kenal sama wanita dan cinta (agak mustahil untuk seorang pria yang ditampilkan sangat menawan dan sangat berdedikasi, masa nggak ada wanita yang mengejar-ngejar atau mendekati gitu? Apalagi kerja mekanik gitu kan nggak 24 jam, apalagi digambarkan kalau pekerjaan lagi kurang bagus alias sepi 💆).
Hubungan ini melaju ke jenjang serius. Belum 14 hari, si cewek sudah dibawa ke rumah dong, dikenalkan sama ibunya. Kamu yang dipacarin berbulan-bulan, atau bertahun-tahun, sudah dibawa ke rumah belom? Nggak hanya itu, demi cinta yang menggebu-gebu ini, si cowok berniat memindahkan usahanya ke tempat si cewek tinggal! Nggak apa-apa, orang kaya mah bebas (tapi si cowok nggak kaya karena usaha keluarganya itu sedang di ambang kebangkrutan 💆).
Dude, aku bukannya skeptis tentang cinta, tapi membaca ini tuh kayak... apa ya, mbuh lah 😂 Cocok untuk dibaca doang, bukan untuk ditelaah plotnya (karena nggggg gimana ya, gitulah). Aku yang awalnya bermaksud "mau baca doang" aja jadi misuh-misuh sendiri 😂 padahal empat buku CR sebelum ini aja aku nggak keberatan parah kayak di buku ini 😂😂😂
Terakhir, mohon maaf apabila ada kata-kataku yang kurang berkenan.
WTF! Aku berkali-kali memutar bola mata gara-gara baca buku ini. Ceritanya absurd banget dengan tokoh yang WTF banget -_-
Aku tidak percaya dengan yang namanya hubungan instan. Dan meskipun mencoba memercayainya, aku tidak akan bisa percaya bahwa keputusan-keputusan besar bisa diambil atas landasan itu.
Singkat cerita, buku ini adalah tentang pertemuan tidak sengaja gara-gara tokoh utamanya tidak sengaja menumpahkan botol acar ke tokoh lainnya. Si cewek yang ketumpahan acar cuma pakai kaus doang tanpa jeroan, begitulah, ya begitu. Lalu karena yang menumpahkan itu adalah pria dewasa tampan bertubuh bagus blablabalablabalabalabla, jadi si cewek diam-diam suka. Tapi masih jaim. Lalu apartemennya panas, pendingin rusak. Diteleponnyalah sebuah nomor mekanik yang ternyata, kepunyaan cowok itu. Habis basah karena keringat, cerita ini berlanjut dengan you-know-what *rolling eyes* Oh ya, ada adegan kucing yang menggigit bokong pria itu. Dan WTF! Nggak ada robekan atau apa yang membekas gitu di celananya. Hah? Setajam apa gigi kucing itu, atau setebal apa celana yang dipakainya? Mbuh lah, nggak jelas 💆💆💆💆🤷🤷🤷🤷
Si cewek yang cuma 14 hari doang di New York, benci banget kota itu karena pemandangannya diisi beton dan beton. Beda banget dengan di desanya yang penuh dengan pepohonan blablabla.
Lalu si cowok mau membuktikan kalau dia bakal punya lima hal yang tak terlupakan. Begitulah. Makanya tercipta malam tak terlupakan itu sebagai bagian dari lima daftar yang mau dibuktikan sama cowok itu.
Ketika itu hanyalah menjadi hubungan sesaat atau ONS atau apalah you name it, mungkin masih bisa masuk di akal ya ketika besoknya atau besoknya lagi sudah lupa. Tapi ini masih berlanjut. Lanjut terus. Sampai mereka tersadar kalau si cewek bakal balik ke tempatnya dan si cowok bakal terikat dengan perusahaan keluarga yang harus diselamatkannya. Tapi chemistry mereka kuat banget nih, entah dasar nafsu atau cinta (tapi kok kalau cinta semudah itu ya, huweee, diriku aja butuh hampir setahun untuk bisa suka sama orang
Hubungan ini melaju ke jenjang serius. Belum 14 hari, si cewek sudah dibawa ke rumah dong, dikenalkan sama ibunya. Kamu yang dipacarin berbulan-bulan, atau bertahun-tahun, sudah dibawa ke rumah belom? Nggak hanya itu, demi cinta yang menggebu-gebu ini, si cowok berniat memindahkan usahanya ke tempat si cewek tinggal! Nggak apa-apa, orang kaya mah bebas (tapi si cowok nggak kaya karena usaha keluarganya itu sedang di ambang kebangkrutan 💆).
Dude, aku bukannya skeptis tentang cinta, tapi membaca ini tuh kayak... apa ya, mbuh lah 😂 Cocok untuk dibaca doang, bukan untuk ditelaah plotnya (karena nggggg gimana ya, gitulah). Aku yang awalnya bermaksud "mau baca doang" aja jadi misuh-misuh sendiri 😂 padahal empat buku CR sebelum ini aja aku nggak keberatan parah kayak di buku ini 😂😂😂
Terakhir, mohon maaf apabila ada kata-kataku yang kurang berkenan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2021
Promising start quickly circled the drain around 40-50%.
I love a "I'll make you love my city," as much as the next city-lover, but...wow. This heroine is mean, and not in an i-love-her-hedgehog-ways, and continues to preemptively reject the hero until he shows up to fix her A/C, even though she wouldn't listen to him earlier....
But I am an equal opp hater, so what about that hero? I don't know why he liked the heroine other than her body. Which we heard about, no matter what. Her body. Constantly.I'll try to read the author again....but this was pretty shallow.
I love a "I'll make you love my city," as much as the next city-lover, but...wow. This heroine is mean, and not in an i-love-her-hedgehog-ways, and continues to preemptively reject the hero until he shows up to fix her A/C, even though she wouldn't listen to him earlier....
But I am an equal opp hater, so what about that hero? I don't know why he liked the heroine other than her body. Which we heard about, no matter what. Her body. Constantly.I'll try to read the author again....but this was pretty shallow.
May 8, 2023
Bagus tetapi kelewat kilat. Cinta kilat yang anehnya langsung dapet koneksi lewat fisik🫠
August 20, 2015
Five Things I Liked About Five Things I Love About You
This was a story about a couple that met while one of them was on vacation but they live on opposite coasts, so where can a relationship go? I was in a long distance relationship, once upon a time, and this book certainly covered those feelings of desperation. The ones when you know you want something because you really like this person, but you’re not sure you want it that bad because you have to change your whole life, but you really do, but you can’t do anything about it (even though you can), but do you really want to (because you do). The circle of questions can be endless and in the end you just have to make a choice. If it doesn’t work out, you make another choice. It all worked out for me in the end, but if it didn’t, then I would have just picked up and moved again.
It was a quick read. A great palate cleanser. The characters were all likable. Here is the part I contradict myself a little bit…while I liked that it was a quick read, it was too quick. The characters had a bet that the hero could make the heroine like NYC before she was to leave. The author had 2 weeks to give us scenes of the characters falling in love and we didn’t get that. There was insta-lust, they had a mini date and sex, then a little heroine running and BAM! All was hunky-dory and then she had to leave to go home. There was some more story that could have been told.
The banter between the main characters was amusing. I caught myself smiling a few times. While it was not realistic banter, I was certainly entertained. The heroine, Estelle is a landscape artist vacationing in the concrete jungle. Her reasons for hating on New York City had me chuckling.
A new series staring Crosby and his brothers. I think Ballance sets up this family nicely and I look forward to reading about the other brothers.
In the end, the characters were willing to compromise.
- See more at: http://www.scandaliciousbookreviews.c...
This was a story about a couple that met while one of them was on vacation but they live on opposite coasts, so where can a relationship go? I was in a long distance relationship, once upon a time, and this book certainly covered those feelings of desperation. The ones when you know you want something because you really like this person, but you’re not sure you want it that bad because you have to change your whole life, but you really do, but you can’t do anything about it (even though you can), but do you really want to (because you do). The circle of questions can be endless and in the end you just have to make a choice. If it doesn’t work out, you make another choice. It all worked out for me in the end, but if it didn’t, then I would have just picked up and moved again.
It was a quick read. A great palate cleanser. The characters were all likable. Here is the part I contradict myself a little bit…while I liked that it was a quick read, it was too quick. The characters had a bet that the hero could make the heroine like NYC before she was to leave. The author had 2 weeks to give us scenes of the characters falling in love and we didn’t get that. There was insta-lust, they had a mini date and sex, then a little heroine running and BAM! All was hunky-dory and then she had to leave to go home. There was some more story that could have been told.
The banter between the main characters was amusing. I caught myself smiling a few times. While it was not realistic banter, I was certainly entertained. The heroine, Estelle is a landscape artist vacationing in the concrete jungle. Her reasons for hating on New York City had me chuckling.
A new series staring Crosby and his brothers. I think Ballance sets up this family nicely and I look forward to reading about the other brothers.
In the end, the characters were willing to compromise.
- See more at: http://www.scandaliciousbookreviews.c...
August 16, 2015
With a meet-cute in a grocery store involving an errant jar of pickles, this novella was a sweet and sexy story, perfect for an afternoon read. Heavy on the laughs and with very little angst, it's the story of landscape artist Estelle, who has reluctantly left her California home to apartment sit for her brother in New York (a city of concrete that she can't stand) and Crosby, a 3rd generation refrigeration technician who happens to live in the same apartment building.
I loved the way the story began, and Crosby had his hands full convincing Estelle that New York isn't as bad as she thinks it is. The chemistry is obvious between them from the start and leads to some sexy scenes together. I think what I really enjoyed about this story was that these two characters were really ordinary people, fun and friendly types who connected quickly and have this two week fling, with full knowledge of its impending end when it will be time for Estelle to go home again. But in the short span of time they are together, they realize that they've found something special and will have to reconsider what this will mean at the end of her time in NY. It was a very enjoyable story with a satisfying happy ending. 4.5 stars. (Here's hoping for more of Crosby's family to get stories of their own!)
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
I loved the way the story began, and Crosby had his hands full convincing Estelle that New York isn't as bad as she thinks it is. The chemistry is obvious between them from the start and leads to some sexy scenes together. I think what I really enjoyed about this story was that these two characters were really ordinary people, fun and friendly types who connected quickly and have this two week fling, with full knowledge of its impending end when it will be time for Estelle to go home again. But in the short span of time they are together, they realize that they've found something special and will have to reconsider what this will mean at the end of her time in NY. It was a very enjoyable story with a satisfying happy ending. 4.5 stars. (Here's hoping for more of Crosby's family to get stories of their own!)
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
August 4, 2015
This books definitely had some cute and funny parts. I loved Crosby and his family. This book had great funny banter with him and his brothers which I did enjoy. Estelle seemed to me a little more then a city snob but as the book progressed I started to enjoy her more.
The one thing I will complain about was the length of the book. It just felt like so much more could have happened. They spend 2 weeks together but in the book it skips over what they did and I felt a little cheated we didn't get to see more into their lives.
The plot was different which made this books special. I really enjoyed reading it and the moments these two shared together and separately. The grocery story had to be my favorite part of the whole book. You could already see right at that moment who these characters were.
I am actually excited to read more from this author and to see where she takes these characters in future books.
The one thing I will complain about was the length of the book. It just felt like so much more could have happened. They spend 2 weeks together but in the book it skips over what they did and I felt a little cheated we didn't get to see more into their lives.
The plot was different which made this books special. I really enjoyed reading it and the moments these two shared together and separately. The grocery story had to be my favorite part of the whole book. You could already see right at that moment who these characters were.
I am actually excited to read more from this author and to see where she takes these characters in future books.
September 17, 2016
Sarah Ballance is slowing but surely becoming one of my favourite authors. I Loved this book! So funny and sweet.
April 22, 2019
Estelle Donovan boleh saja benci dgn kota ini. Tapi sejak pertemuannya dgn Crosby Chase lewat insiden tumpahan acar, Estelle tampaknya hrs mengubah persepsinya ttg kota ini.
Saat pendingin ruangan di apartemen kakaknya tsb rusak, Estelle tidak menyangka tukang yg datang adalah Crosby. Pertemuan ini dgn insiden kucing galak yg menggigit bokong Crosby membuat Estelle ada alasan utk memeriksa bokong Crosby yg seksi. Dan setelah itu kalian tahulah sendiri.... uhuk-uhuk....
Sebenarnya saya gak suka tema baru-ketemu-langsung-berseks-ria ini, yasudahlah... Crosby digambarkan sangat lezat utk disantap oleh Estelle.
Crosby langsung main cepat, dia memperkenalkan Estelle pada keluarganya. Dan konflik mulai terjadi, Estelle ingin kembali ke kotanya, California. Crosby gamang apakah dia hrs mengikuti Estelle atau tidak.
Plot cerita datar saja menurut saya. Kurang jelas 4 hal yg disukai Estelle dari kota ini, kecuali yg ke-5 yaitu Crosby. So-so saja ceritanya.
Saat pendingin ruangan di apartemen kakaknya tsb rusak, Estelle tidak menyangka tukang yg datang adalah Crosby. Pertemuan ini dgn insiden kucing galak yg menggigit bokong Crosby membuat Estelle ada alasan utk memeriksa bokong Crosby yg seksi. Dan setelah itu kalian tahulah sendiri.... uhuk-uhuk....
Sebenarnya saya gak suka tema baru-ketemu-langsung-berseks-ria ini, yasudahlah... Crosby digambarkan sangat lezat utk disantap oleh Estelle.
Crosby langsung main cepat, dia memperkenalkan Estelle pada keluarganya. Dan konflik mulai terjadi, Estelle ingin kembali ke kotanya, California. Crosby gamang apakah dia hrs mengikuti Estelle atau tidak.
Plot cerita datar saja menurut saya. Kurang jelas 4 hal yg disukai Estelle dari kota ini, kecuali yg ke-5 yaitu Crosby. So-so saja ceritanya.
July 6, 2019
Our heroine is a country girl. She wants the wide open spaces. The dirt between her toes and the fresh air in her lungs. Then she agrees to apartment sit for her brother in New York City. She hates it instantly. Especially when the AC unit goes out in the middle of a hot summer.
Our hero is a city boy. He loves the variety and the crowds. Also he has the added responsibility of his family business. That would be an AC repair company. The same one our heroine calls. He also lives nearby. Which is always a handy addition to romance. hahah!
Wonderful story with wonderful characters!
Our hero is a city boy. He loves the variety and the crowds. Also he has the added responsibility of his family business. That would be an AC repair company. The same one our heroine calls. He also lives nearby. Which is always a handy addition to romance. hahah!
Wonderful story with wonderful characters!
July 25, 2018
Estelle is apartment sitting for her brother. She happens to be a landscape architect and despises the city. Crosby is part of a family owned business currently struggling. It seems most of the businesses use the chain HVAC companies.
This was short, sweet. Crosby got on my nerves for his sense of responsibility- he is of the opinion since he is the oldest child (3 younger brothers), he has the one solely responsible for the family's business. Estelle had a few moments where she was struck dumb by Crosby's "hotness." *Eye roll* I did like the end where each came to their own decision independently without knowing what the other did.
This was short, sweet. Crosby got on my nerves for his sense of responsibility- he is of the opinion since he is the oldest child (3 younger brothers), he has the one solely responsible for the family's business. Estelle had a few moments where she was struck dumb by Crosby's "hotness." *Eye roll* I did like the end where each came to their own decision independently without knowing what the other did.
August 18, 2015
5 Fire Escape Stars
ARC received from Entangled Publishing for an honest review
Review also posted on Mara's Bookshelf
What happens when a guy from the concrete jungle meets a girl who prefers grass over asphalt? An explosion of humor and sexual chemistry, that's what. Well, that's the case for Estelle and Crosby who met by a rather cute misfortune. An accident, but really amusing. This is my first book from the author and after reading this new release, I'll say this won't be my last one.
I absolutely enjoyed reading Estelle and Crosby's story and to stick with the title, why don't I share the 5 things I loved about this book? Game?
1. If this is how Sarah Ballance writes her stories, then it's a great one. Not boring, not rushed, not dragging, not lacking. Five Things I Love About You is the perfect mix of a feel good read with feelings. This is only a hundred or so pages, but I promise, it's juicy enough that I felt it's more than that.
2. The Sawyer brothers are hilarious! I cannot wait to read the rest of their stories. I can already see a manwhore brother, a serious brother, and an emotional brother. I am in!
3. It's only appropriate I say this twice, this is a feel good read! And it's just what I need. If you need a break from emotionally and mentally exhausting stories, Five Things I Love About You will re-charge your emotions back to 100%! Estelle and Crosby are fun characters with real stories to share. Just how much are you willing to risk to chase that love?
4. The Hell Cat! He's a winner!
5. Last but not the least, the hot scenes were H O T. I honestly didn't expect any steamy scenes from this book. I thought a sneak peek and then fade to black sex scenes, but no, no, no... it was explosive, sexy, and just the right amount for something light and fun.
So, my overall recommendation? Five Things I Love About You is on my list for must reads when I simply want to smile and fall in love!
Stars: 5 stars
Series: Yes. Standalone.
Recommended to: Everyone who enjoys a light, easy ready without compromising a good story.
POV: Third person. Dual POV.
Extra Comment: The Chase brothers, let me have you!
August 17, 2015
FIVE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT YOU is a lighthearted romantic romp with witty banter, great chemistry between the characters, steamy sexy times and loads of laugh-out loud scenes and I loved it!
Estelle Donovan is a landscape artist from California, in New York to house sit for her brother while he's out of town but from the first moment she gets to the city, she hates everything about it - the smells, the heat, the unfriendly crowds and especially the lack of greenery. Crashing into the hot guy in the condiments aisle is just one more item in her long list of grievances.
An accident with a jar of pickles was definitely not the way Crosby Chase would have chosen to introduce himself to the gorgeous woman at the grocery but her dislike for his city is something he takes very personally and he is going to change her mind and he's sure she can find five things to love about New York. Why bother when all she needs is one? Him!
Estelle and Nick agree to two weeks of fun, but falling in love was not a part of the plan especially because their lives are on opposite sides of the country. Now they both have a tough decision to make: stay or go?
This was such a fun story and I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions. The characters are easy to relate to, the dynamics between the Chase brothers very interesting and I liked that both Estelle and Crosby were willing to explore what they had found in each other, even if it meant leaving everything familiar behind. I really look forward to the rest of the series and I hope that the stories will be a lot longer than this.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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Estelle Donovan is a landscape artist from California, in New York to house sit for her brother while he's out of town but from the first moment she gets to the city, she hates everything about it - the smells, the heat, the unfriendly crowds and especially the lack of greenery. Crashing into the hot guy in the condiments aisle is just one more item in her long list of grievances.
An accident with a jar of pickles was definitely not the way Crosby Chase would have chosen to introduce himself to the gorgeous woman at the grocery but her dislike for his city is something he takes very personally and he is going to change her mind and he's sure she can find five things to love about New York. Why bother when all she needs is one? Him!
Estelle and Nick agree to two weeks of fun, but falling in love was not a part of the plan especially because their lives are on opposite sides of the country. Now they both have a tough decision to make: stay or go?
This was such a fun story and I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions. The characters are easy to relate to, the dynamics between the Chase brothers very interesting and I liked that both Estelle and Crosby were willing to explore what they had found in each other, even if it meant leaving everything familiar behind. I really look forward to the rest of the series and I hope that the stories will be a lot longer than this.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Want more? Subscribe to my Newsletter on The Sassy Bookster.
Follow me on Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin’.
Like my page on Facebook.
August 5, 2015
Sarah Ballance does it again! I could not put down this book...I literally read it in one sitting...neglected EVERYTHING else to find out how Estelle and Crosby's story worked out.
The characters are quick-witted, down-to-earth and HOT. I would brave getting drenched in pickle juice if it will land me a Crosby (and anyone who knows me knows I HATE pickles with the fire of a thousand suns...and that's putting it mildly lol) Estelle appeals to me as a heroine because she is a strong woman who grows to know her own mind and what she REALLY wants to do with her life over the course of the story. And what is there not to like about Crosby?? He's hot, funny, hard-working and responsible. I also love how important family is to both of them.
The story is unique and funny. The banter between the characters flows smoothly and the events in the book come together to form a heart-warming, laugh-out-loud tale of two people who come to realize what they are willing to do for love. Honestly during one of the steamy scenes I snort-laughed...literally laughed out loud at what happens. While the story was different than anything I have read it was also familiar; like you are listening to the couple next door telling about how they met. I loved it!
And Mortimer!!! If any of the cats in my neighborhood had half as much cantankerousness (apparently that IS a word) as Mortimer I would scoop him/her up in two seconds.
The characters are quick-witted, down-to-earth and HOT. I would brave getting drenched in pickle juice if it will land me a Crosby (and anyone who knows me knows I HATE pickles with the fire of a thousand suns...and that's putting it mildly lol) Estelle appeals to me as a heroine because she is a strong woman who grows to know her own mind and what she REALLY wants to do with her life over the course of the story. And what is there not to like about Crosby?? He's hot, funny, hard-working and responsible. I also love how important family is to both of them.
The story is unique and funny. The banter between the characters flows smoothly and the events in the book come together to form a heart-warming, laugh-out-loud tale of two people who come to realize what they are willing to do for love. Honestly during one of the steamy scenes I snort-laughed...literally laughed out loud at what happens. While the story was different than anything I have read it was also familiar; like you are listening to the couple next door telling about how they met. I loved it!
And Mortimer!!! If any of the cats in my neighborhood had half as much cantankerousness (apparently that IS a word) as Mortimer I would scoop him/her up in two seconds.
September 9, 2017
First, let me start by saying that this is a novella, not a full-length novel.
This story was quirky, steamy, and fun! I absolutely loved the characters! The novella starts off interesting, and doesn't stop being interesting until the very last page.
Crosby and Estelle were great main characters and were written with great chemistry as well as interesting personalities! Even though the side characters don't make a huge appearance in this novella, they still had good development.
My only complaint, was that it seemed pretty rushed. The novella could have easily been a full novel without losing any of it's humor and romance. It left me wanting more of a story with Estelle and Crosby. There wasn't much in the way of plot except at the beginning and the end of the book. The author blurred right past the middle of the book.
Overall, I hope to read more about the Chase brothers. This is a new to me author, and I'm planning on reading more. This book gets four glittery stars for being awesome, just not perfect.
This story was quirky, steamy, and fun! I absolutely loved the characters! The novella starts off interesting, and doesn't stop being interesting until the very last page.
Crosby and Estelle were great main characters and were written with great chemistry as well as interesting personalities! Even though the side characters don't make a huge appearance in this novella, they still had good development.
My only complaint, was that it seemed pretty rushed. The novella could have easily been a full novel without losing any of it's humor and romance. It left me wanting more of a story with Estelle and Crosby. There wasn't much in the way of plot except at the beginning and the end of the book. The author blurred right past the middle of the book.
Overall, I hope to read more about the Chase brothers. This is a new to me author, and I'm planning on reading more. This book gets four glittery stars for being awesome, just not perfect.
August 16, 2015
Thanks much to Ellie Mcmahon and Entangled Publishing for my free copy. I was legit excited to read this and i am so happy. I read this in one sitting, took me 2&1/2 Hours and it was just perfect.
Right off the bat the chemistry was there and when Estelle was hot and bothered i became hot and bothered, i had to put the book down once because i was babystting at the same time and i was like nope, i need y concentration.
So Estelle is from California and she hated the city, she's in NY House sitting for her brother when she literally crashes into Crosby's (Ugly name but damn was he intense) cart at the market and from there it's just fast paced falling for each other.
The attraction is there but they try to ignore it until Crosby makes her a deal that he will show her five things that will make her love the city and he has two weeks.
Five things i love about you has everything from Hilarious Moments to sweet swoon worthy moments to HOH HOLY BATMAN Moments and i loved the Balance.
I am recommending this to everyone and can't wait to own it.
Right off the bat the chemistry was there and when Estelle was hot and bothered i became hot and bothered, i had to put the book down once because i was babystting at the same time and i was like nope, i need y concentration.
So Estelle is from California and she hated the city, she's in NY House sitting for her brother when she literally crashes into Crosby's (Ugly name but damn was he intense) cart at the market and from there it's just fast paced falling for each other.
The attraction is there but they try to ignore it until Crosby makes her a deal that he will show her five things that will make her love the city and he has two weeks.
Five things i love about you has everything from Hilarious Moments to sweet swoon worthy moments to HOH HOLY BATMAN Moments and i loved the Balance.
I am recommending this to everyone and can't wait to own it.
August 18, 2015
I liked a lot Five Things I Love About You. It had funny, sexy and cute moments all together. Sarah Ballance made me care about Crosby and Estelle's characters. I really wanted to know more about them and their lives. Their first meeting was epic and I liked how it progressed from there.
The whole plot I digged since the beginning: getting Estelle to love at least 5 things about NYC. Of course I was waiting for her to realize her undying love for Crosby (lol) but everything was really cute. The fun moments with the cat and the maple tree and the fire escape (DAYUM), they really made me smile and have a good time.
It was so sexy and the romance was swoon worthy. Also, the fear of only having two weeks together and how, with each passing day, they fell in love with each other more and more, left me in a pool of tears. Ballance put the emotions there and so much heart in the story.
I had a really great time reading this book and I definitely enjoyed.
The whole plot I digged since the beginning: getting Estelle to love at least 5 things about NYC. Of course I was waiting for her to realize her undying love for Crosby (lol) but everything was really cute. The fun moments with the cat and the maple tree and the fire escape (DAYUM), they really made me smile and have a good time.
It was so sexy and the romance was swoon worthy. Also, the fear of only having two weeks together and how, with each passing day, they fell in love with each other more and more, left me in a pool of tears. Ballance put the emotions there and so much heart in the story.
I had a really great time reading this book and I definitely enjoyed.
August 17, 2015
This book was hilarious. I was laughing throughout the whole book. Estelle is in New York and doesn't like the city. She loves the country because of the space and everything not right on top of everything. Crosby loves the city and is struggling to keep his family business afloat. When an unexpected accident happens in the grocery store these two meet. Crosby finds out that Estelle doesn't like the city and he is determined to change her mind... well he has two weeks to make her like five things about the city. Will Crosby be able to change Estelle's mind about the city or will he lose his heart to the girl he can't stop thinking about? This is a great book and a must read in my opinion.
July 30, 2015
Two hilarious characters and some smokin attraction in a story that entertains from start to finish. The quips and banter were more laugh-out-loud funny with so many one line favourites that this reader couldn't pick one. Add to the mix the rest of the Chase family and the read just explodes from the pages and has this reader waiting in gleeful anticipation for the next installment in the series. I didn't expect so many laughs from this one book. Awesome :)
5 stars
*Review copy received from Entangled Publishing
5 stars
*Review copy received from Entangled Publishing
August 26, 2015
3.5 stars
January 8, 2017
Cute little love story. With sex scenes. :-)
Read
January 27, 2020https://twitter.com/Limecello/status/...
Soooo O_o I dunno why the app says "READ" for this book because I DNF'd it ...
I got to 20% and like - I've been clear my mood and everything is making me [>.> heh not ESPECIALLY mean but ... <.<]
BUT ANYWAY.
This book ... I hated almost everything about it. Like it made me FEEL like everything was worse.
The good part was the hero - but we didn't see much of him and the heroine was just so NASTY.
First, she's clearly never been to NY, knows NOTHING about it, but HATES EVERYTHING about it. Hates buildings, and concrete - and like. Bitch. How do you live? Unless you live in the ACTUAL COUNTRY.
And sure I get she's a landscaper right?
But >.> she's kinda shitty about that too? It's a throwaway comment but she's ALSO even mad about her client who is "fighting her on everything" - and like look. I think I more than many people get dealing with stupid people who don't know any better and ALL YOU'RE TRYING TO DO is save them from themselves. But at the same time the client (technically) gets the final call [other than the court obviously can overrule it, especially in my court... BUT ANYWAY] - and like - other than stuff that literally won't be able to live, maybe do what your client wants?
She's scared of planes. She's scared of elevators.
Yes on some level I get it - but she's so... MEAN about it.
She can't grocery shop - she's mad not EVERY STORE IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY doesn't have the EXACT SAME LAYOUT so she doesn't get confused.
... Uh ...
like. She's an adult?
And then the hero just tries to help her - and sure he's a stranger... but ... she's also nasty to him - when he's trying to talk to her she asks - knowing it's insulting - if she has to tip him.
She hates her brother's tiny apartment, but refuses to leave it until the hero convinces her to ...
Like ... Why would I want to keep torturing myself?
And like I said - the hero was the bright stop - good natured, good sense of humor, friendly, (stupid hot) ...
And then [in the tweet/screen shot] - he goes on with how every woman his age just CAKES ON THE MAKE UP. Insert 10,000 eyerolls.
Yes. Every woman. EVERY woman. In ALL of NYC. Other than this one "perfect" heroine.
I literally had to scoff.
No.
Just no.
Soooo O_o I dunno why the app says "READ" for this book because I DNF'd it ...
I got to 20% and like - I've been clear my mood and everything is making me [>.> heh not ESPECIALLY mean but ... <.<]
BUT ANYWAY.
This book ... I hated almost everything about it. Like it made me FEEL like everything was worse.
The good part was the hero - but we didn't see much of him and the heroine was just so NASTY.
First, she's clearly never been to NY, knows NOTHING about it, but HATES EVERYTHING about it. Hates buildings, and concrete - and like. Bitch. How do you live? Unless you live in the ACTUAL COUNTRY.
And sure I get she's a landscaper right?
But >.> she's kinda shitty about that too? It's a throwaway comment but she's ALSO even mad about her client who is "fighting her on everything" - and like look. I think I more than many people get dealing with stupid people who don't know any better and ALL YOU'RE TRYING TO DO is save them from themselves. But at the same time the client (technically) gets the final call [other than the court obviously can overrule it, especially in my court... BUT ANYWAY] - and like - other than stuff that literally won't be able to live, maybe do what your client wants?
She's scared of planes. She's scared of elevators.
Yes on some level I get it - but she's so... MEAN about it.
She can't grocery shop - she's mad not EVERY STORE IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY doesn't have the EXACT SAME LAYOUT so she doesn't get confused.
... Uh ...
like. She's an adult?
And then the hero just tries to help her - and sure he's a stranger... but ... she's also nasty to him - when he's trying to talk to her she asks - knowing it's insulting - if she has to tip him.
She hates her brother's tiny apartment, but refuses to leave it until the hero convinces her to ...
Like ... Why would I want to keep torturing myself?
And like I said - the hero was the bright stop - good natured, good sense of humor, friendly, (stupid hot) ...
And then [in the tweet/screen shot] - he goes on with how every woman his age just CAKES ON THE MAKE UP. Insert 10,000 eyerolls.
Yes. Every woman. EVERY woman. In ALL of NYC. Other than this one "perfect" heroine.
I literally had to scoff.
No.
Just no.
December 17, 2019
DNF at something more than 50% but i'm too lazy to check what it is exactlyso i heard this theory on romances that i absolutely love. basically, every romance is a battle between identity and essence for the hero and heroine. they both have identities they prescribe to, which is why they may seem like opposites in the beginning. however, over time, they grow to see deeper, to see each other's essences. deep down, they are the same, and as they come to realize that, they fall in love. the conflict comes when either or both the hero and heroine retreat back into their identity for some reason, and they inevitably break up. of course, as you can probably guess, the conclusion comes when they come back to their senses, realize that their essence is who they are, and realize that the other person is their soulm
ate.to me, this explained everything about romances. sure, all romances are cliche--they follow the exact same plot. despite the cliche, i love good romances because i love the idea of two humans connecting at such a deep level. i'm a typical ENFP, so i see life "through a prism of emotion, compassion and mysticism, and [am] always looking for a deeper meaning," as 16Personalities so succinctly put it. so this idea of two people's essences connecting appeals to my sense of wonder about the world, and i absolutely love it.anyway, this was a really, really long way of saying that this book had absolutely none of that and was incredibly boring. abigail out.
ate.to me, this explained everything about romances. sure, all romances are cliche--they follow the exact same plot. despite the cliche, i love good romances because i love the idea of two humans connecting at such a deep level. i'm a typical ENFP, so i see life "through a prism of emotion, compassion and mysticism, and [am] always looking for a deeper meaning," as 16Personalities so succinctly put it. so this idea of two people's essences connecting appeals to my sense of wonder about the world, and i absolutely love it.anyway, this was a really, really long way of saying that this book had absolutely none of that and was incredibly boring. abigail out.
September 18, 2019
This was the quickest read that I have probably ever read :)
The book started and then the characters met and then the book ended, I was just starting to enter into the issues, but the book was finished.
Anyway, quick read have their advantages too, so sometimes I do prefer to read nice light and quick books.
Both characters were quite irritating - she was a moron with her straight forward thinking and bounds to dead people. He was a moron with his blind and unreasonable dedication to work. So, I guess, it is not surprising that the characters clicked and found themselves. Lots of things about the story seemed unbelievable - for example the house sitting (what the heck?) and the inner thoughts were ridiculous. The sex scenes were unbearably descriptive, so if you are sensitive on this, you may skip them (I did at times).
The book started and then the characters met and then the book ended, I was just starting to enter into the issues, but the book was finished.
Anyway, quick read have their advantages too, so sometimes I do prefer to read nice light and quick books.
Both characters were quite irritating - she was a moron with her straight forward thinking and bounds to dead people. He was a moron with his blind and unreasonable dedication to work. So, I guess, it is not surprising that the characters clicked and found themselves. Lots of things about the story seemed unbelievable - for example the house sitting (what the heck?) and the inner thoughts were ridiculous. The sex scenes were unbearably descriptive, so if you are sensitive on this, you may skip them (I did at times).
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