What do you think?
Rate this book
Love Me, I'm Famous #1
Wonderwall
LIV was my angel, my rock. She was everything I had ever dreamed of. But I couldn’t keep her, I couldn’t love her, not when I was dead inside.
SEBASTIAN was everything to me. My best friend, my lover. Now the entire world knows his name, but to me, he’s a stranger. A stranger with the power to shatter my heart to pieces again.
Liv hasn't seen Sebastian since he walked out of her life five years ago. When she accepted her internship in London, she never dreamed their paths would cross again. Not when Sebastian is a celebrity, a singer in one of the most popular boy bands of all times. Living in the same city, their worlds couldn't be farther apart. But when two people are destined to be together, they can't outrun fate.
*Note from author: Due to mature content, this novel is recommended to readers 18+.
SEBASTIAN was everything to me. My best friend, my lover. Now the entire world knows his name, but to me, he’s a stranger. A stranger with the power to shatter my heart to pieces again.
Liv hasn't seen Sebastian since he walked out of her life five years ago. When she accepted her internship in London, she never dreamed their paths would cross again. Not when Sebastian is a celebrity, a singer in one of the most popular boy bands of all times. Living in the same city, their worlds couldn't be farther apart. But when two people are destined to be together, they can't outrun fate.
*Note from author: Due to mature content, this novel is recommended to readers 18+.
Unknown Binding
First published October 24, 2015
244 people are currently reading
1161 people want to read
About the author
M.H. Soars
29 books432 followersI always knew creative arts were my calling but not in a million years did I think I would become an author. With a background in fashion design I thought I would follow that path. But one day, out of the blue, I had an idea for a book. One page turned into ten pages, ten pages turned into a hundred, and before I knew, my first novel, The Prophecy of Arcadia, was born.
I live in Florida with my husband and baby daughter. I'm currently working on the Arcadian Wars series, the Elements series, and the Love Me, I'm Famous series.
Arcadian Wars is a YA Paranormal/SciFi Romance series. It follows the life of a group of teens who possess incredible powers and have a very important mission: save their planet and in the process, save Earth too. The first book, The Prophecy of Arcadia, and the novella, The Fall of Arcadia, are already available. The second book, The Phoenix Shadow, will be published in the summer of 2015.
Elements is a new YA Paranormal Romance series. It focuses on two sisters who hold the key to stop a full-blown war between elemental beings and humans. Look for the first book by the end of 2015.
Love Me, I'm Famous is a NA Contemporary Romance series and each book will be a standalone focused on different characters. As the name of the series suggests, at least one of the characters in each book will be somewhat famous. The first book is slated to be published later in 2015.
To learn more my projects you can visit my website, sign up for my newsletter, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
www.mhsoars.com
www.facebook.com/MHSOARS
www.twitter.com/mhsoars
www.pinterest.com/mhsoars
I live in Florida with my husband and baby daughter. I'm currently working on the Arcadian Wars series, the Elements series, and the Love Me, I'm Famous series.
Arcadian Wars is a YA Paranormal/SciFi Romance series. It follows the life of a group of teens who possess incredible powers and have a very important mission: save their planet and in the process, save Earth too. The first book, The Prophecy of Arcadia, and the novella, The Fall of Arcadia, are already available. The second book, The Phoenix Shadow, will be published in the summer of 2015.
Elements is a new YA Paranormal Romance series. It focuses on two sisters who hold the key to stop a full-blown war between elemental beings and humans. Look for the first book by the end of 2015.
Love Me, I'm Famous is a NA Contemporary Romance series and each book will be a standalone focused on different characters. As the name of the series suggests, at least one of the characters in each book will be somewhat famous. The first book is slated to be published later in 2015.
To learn more my projects you can visit my website, sign up for my newsletter, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
www.mhsoars.com
www.facebook.com/MHSOARS
www.twitter.com/mhsoars
www.pinterest.com/mhsoars
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
March 28, 2022
***4,5 ^True love never dies^ stars***
It's not a secret that i love second chance stories...
Maybe because I'm a hopeless romantic... What can i say???
And this book wasn't an exception for me...
I loved it... I loved Sebastian and Olivia, I loved the scenery, I loved the story, I loved the secondary characters.... So, i think that i really loved Mrs. Soars writing!!!
It was easygoing and beautiful... It made me feel joy, agony, sadness, excitement...
It kept my interest in high levels while i was reading this lovely story!!!
I have to say that i really liked the fact that after the prologue, the author took us a trip to the past...
And we met Sebastian and Olivia as they used to be before...
(Oh, God!!! I love their names!!! They are so beautiful!!!)
Well, Bas and Liv were best friends almost all of their lives... and near to sixteen they became something more... much more!!!
I won't tell you details, you have to find them by yourselves!!!
They were madly in love and they were such sweethearts together...
But tragedy struck Sebastian and the guilts and the devastation made him to pulled away from Liv and everything that he used to know.
Olivia tried really hard to be there for him, but Sebastian didn't let her and just like that one day, Sebastian left without a single word and Liv stayed behind devastated from the fact that she lost the love of her life...
As i told you above, i loved that i saw how those two kids came closer to each other and how they ended up miles away... I liked the fact that we took some glimpses of how both of their lives had turned out the years that they stay away from each other and only one thing was stable...
That as hard as they both tried to get over each other, their hearts were beating for one another, no matter what!!!
Now, they have passed five years and they both have moved on with their lives.
Olivia is preperaring to go to England for her intership and Sebastian is a famous pop singer...
Yep, he is in a boy band and everybody loves him!!!
Oh, and he has a girlfriend. They are the most favorite couple in the U.K. and all around the world!
And yep, Olivia is terrified that she will go to the same country as Sebastian, but England is a big country, right???
But fate had another plans for those two. Olivia and Sebastian will meet again and they will realize that nothing mattered before...
Bas wants her back and Olivia doesn't know what she wants.
The obstacles between them are many and difficult...
Olivia's fear, Sebastian's girlfriend, fans, paparazzi, contracts...
All of them will bring many difficulties to the couple.
Is their love enough to overcome all those obstacles???
Will they take the risk or will they let each other go on with their lives away from each other???
I adore Sebastian and Olivia...
They were loving each other with such devotion, even though that the time was passing them by.
Olivia was sweet and kind and funny. She was such a good friend...
I know that it wasn't healthy to be so committed to Sebastian, even though that they weren't together, but i love her for that reason!!!
I also loved the way that she tried to stay away from Bas, even though that she wanted to rip his clothes every time that she was seeing him.
"Sebastian is my salvation and my destruction."
I know what you will probably thinking!!! Sebastian left Olivia and broke her heart, so why I like him so much???
Well... As i was reading his POV (Yep, dual POV!), i could understand the reasons why he reacted like that back then and i witnessed how the absence of Olivia was affected his life. He was lost without her!!!
And even though that Olivia was trying to puss him away, he was insistent and i gave him extra points for that!!!
I adore the scene that he was singing "Wonderwall"!!! *Sigh*
"You're the best thing that has ever happened in my life and I'm never letting you go again. Please tell me it's not too late. Please tell me i can have you back."
I also i have to say that Oliver and Saylor got into me... and i'm dying to find out everything about their own story!!!
Saylor was such a badass chick and Oliver... God, this guy was hilarious!!!
They both were amazing friends to Liv and Bas...
Without their help and guidance, Olivia and Sebastian weren't stabding any chance!!!
So, I can't wait for their turn!!!
***ARC kindly provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***
It's not a secret that i love second chance stories...
Maybe because I'm a hopeless romantic... What can i say???
And this book wasn't an exception for me...
I loved it... I loved Sebastian and Olivia, I loved the scenery, I loved the story, I loved the secondary characters.... So, i think that i really loved Mrs. Soars writing!!!
It was easygoing and beautiful... It made me feel joy, agony, sadness, excitement...
It kept my interest in high levels while i was reading this lovely story!!!
I have to say that i really liked the fact that after the prologue, the author took us a trip to the past...
And we met Sebastian and Olivia as they used to be before...
(Oh, God!!! I love their names!!! They are so beautiful!!!)
Well, Bas and Liv were best friends almost all of their lives... and near to sixteen they became something more... much more!!!
I won't tell you details, you have to find them by yourselves!!!
They were madly in love and they were such sweethearts together...
But tragedy struck Sebastian and the guilts and the devastation made him to pulled away from Liv and everything that he used to know.
Olivia tried really hard to be there for him, but Sebastian didn't let her and just like that one day, Sebastian left without a single word and Liv stayed behind devastated from the fact that she lost the love of her life...
As i told you above, i loved that i saw how those two kids came closer to each other and how they ended up miles away... I liked the fact that we took some glimpses of how both of their lives had turned out the years that they stay away from each other and only one thing was stable...
That as hard as they both tried to get over each other, their hearts were beating for one another, no matter what!!!
Now, they have passed five years and they both have moved on with their lives.
Olivia is preperaring to go to England for her intership and Sebastian is a famous pop singer...
Yep, he is in a boy band and everybody loves him!!!
Oh, and he has a girlfriend. They are the most favorite couple in the U.K. and all around the world!
And yep, Olivia is terrified that she will go to the same country as Sebastian, but England is a big country, right???
But fate had another plans for those two. Olivia and Sebastian will meet again and they will realize that nothing mattered before...
Bas wants her back and Olivia doesn't know what she wants.
The obstacles between them are many and difficult...
Olivia's fear, Sebastian's girlfriend, fans, paparazzi, contracts...
All of them will bring many difficulties to the couple.
Is their love enough to overcome all those obstacles???
Will they take the risk or will they let each other go on with their lives away from each other???
I adore Sebastian and Olivia...
They were loving each other with such devotion, even though that the time was passing them by.
Olivia was sweet and kind and funny. She was such a good friend...
I know that it wasn't healthy to be so committed to Sebastian, even though that they weren't together, but i love her for that reason!!!
I also loved the way that she tried to stay away from Bas, even though that she wanted to rip his clothes every time that she was seeing him.
"Sebastian is my salvation and my destruction."
I know what you will probably thinking!!! Sebastian left Olivia and broke her heart, so why I like him so much???
Well... As i was reading his POV (Yep, dual POV!), i could understand the reasons why he reacted like that back then and i witnessed how the absence of Olivia was affected his life. He was lost without her!!!
And even though that Olivia was trying to puss him away, he was insistent and i gave him extra points for that!!!
I adore the scene that he was singing "Wonderwall"!!! *Sigh*
"You're the best thing that has ever happened in my life and I'm never letting you go again. Please tell me it's not too late. Please tell me i can have you back."
I also i have to say that Oliver and Saylor got into me... and i'm dying to find out everything about their own story!!!
Saylor was such a badass chick and Oliver... God, this guy was hilarious!!!
They both were amazing friends to Liv and Bas...
Without their help and guidance, Olivia and Sebastian weren't stabding any chance!!!
So, I can't wait for their turn!!!
***ARC kindly provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***
October 28, 2015
3 Stars
That pretty much sums it up. Overall I had a decent time reading this, but Liv's "I love you! I hate you!" emotional turmoil began to work my last nerve, mainly because I would've enjoyed this more had she given Sebastian the swift kick to the man parts I felt he needed.
While I love a good NA read, something about the dialogue here often felt too formal for California raised 21 year olds. Having once been a 21 year old raised in California, I'm good to go on this subject. Don't get me wrong, the writing is still good. I just hate getting pulled away from a story due to awkward dialogue.
“Liv, you’re such a temptress. But I’m afraid we really must go.”
Is this dude eighty? Call me an asshole (not my first rodeo in that department) but this kind of verbiage takes away from the story. Luckily words like "attire" weren't constantly used so there were times I was able to enjoy the story without getting sucked right out of it. Again, not trying to be a picky bitch, just stating how I felt while reading it.
Did I enjoy reading Wonderwall? For the most part, yes. The story was solid and even though I had some issues with the writing given it's an NA book, it was still a positive experience overall.
That pretty much sums it up. Overall I had a decent time reading this, but Liv's "I love you! I hate you!" emotional turmoil began to work my last nerve, mainly because I would've enjoyed this more had she given Sebastian the swift kick to the man parts I felt he needed.
While I love a good NA read, something about the dialogue here often felt too formal for California raised 21 year olds. Having once been a 21 year old raised in California, I'm good to go on this subject. Don't get me wrong, the writing is still good. I just hate getting pulled away from a story due to awkward dialogue.
“Liv, you’re such a temptress. But I’m afraid we really must go.”
Is this dude eighty? Call me an asshole (not my first rodeo in that department) but this kind of verbiage takes away from the story. Luckily words like "attire" weren't constantly used so there were times I was able to enjoy the story without getting sucked right out of it. Again, not trying to be a picky bitch, just stating how I felt while reading it.
Did I enjoy reading Wonderwall? For the most part, yes. The story was solid and even though I had some issues with the writing given it's an NA book, it was still a positive experience overall.
October 7, 2015
WOW, just…wow! I think I wanted to alternately kiss MH Soars, rip her throat out or embrace her in a warm hug.
I’ve read all of MH Soars books so far and I always loved them but they were about aliens, prophecies and very fast paced stories. When she offered me the opportunity to read her latest creation, I was delighted but at the same time, a little apprehensive. This story was not about aliens and more YA than the Prophecy of Arcadia. Would it work? Would I love it too?
Well, judge by yourself: I began reading the book this morning and was so engrossed in it that I skipped my Aquagym class for the first time in years. I simply could not put it down. As I did not want to feel guilty for skipping my exercise routine, I semi walked/ran on the treadmill, Kindle in hands. Let me tell you it was not my brightest idea as I nearly lost my footing when I read about Sebastian and Olivia’s coping mechanism. I escaped unscathed but it was a close call, never to be repeated!
So now, I’m happy as I know what happened to these lovebirds but I’m blaming MH Soars as I’m waaay behind on all my chores.
So, yes, I fr**king loved it!!!!
The story is a “classic” high school/neighbors sweethearts separated for years and finding their way back to each other.
Sebastian and Olivia have been neighbors and best friends for years, since Olivia offered a stuffed teddy for Valentine’s Day and came the day after with a leather jacket and sunglasses for the teddy to wear, naming it The Terminator.
Years later, their friendship evolved in love and I loved reading about Olivia “tricking” Sebastian into kissing her. Sebastian is part of her family and I laughed so hard at the family banter about a “Virgin Mouth” and the prank Olivia’s dad played on Sebastian.
They’re no sooner together when a drama hit Sebastian, pushing him in a very dark place and he’ll leave Olivia for years, without a single word of explanation. She was devastated.
Five years later, they’ll meet again and Sebastian realizes he left the best thing he’s ever had: Olivia. He’ll be dead set on winning her back but it won’t be easy. Sebastian is part of a famous boy band now (any resemblance to other real boy band…) and his producer is milking the cow, playing with Sebastian like a pawn and forcing him to do things he does not want to.
I loved MH Soars when I read about the family interaction, the pranks, the blossoming love, things Sebastian did to win Olivia back.
I hated MH Soars when she was cruel with her character. Poor Olivia had to read all about the public romance of Sebastian and Gretchen, forced by her boss to do so, her heart shred to threads each and every time! Or when Sebastian asked her to be his “dirty secret”! That’s no way to treat your character!
I wanted to hug her real hard when she made everything all right, when she created the great side characters, all interesting, all adding something to the story. I loved all the little side stories and drama because it makes it real. In real life, you’re not only focused on your own personal life or drama but you’re part of a social circle, of a family, where stories and drama happen too. That’s what you find in that story and in everything of her stories so far.
So yes, the plot is a classic but it works extremely well as MH Soars pays attention to little details to make her story solid and captivating. So captivating I could not put it down.
If you like high school sweethearts stories with a side of fame, go for it and I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!
October 24, 2015
They had the perfect, youthful fairytale romance. They had been best friends and next door neighbors forever, so when the cupid’s arrow struck them both, life was as it should be. When a devastating event tears them apart, Olivia has no idea what she has done for Sebastian to leave without a word, to never call, text or reply to her pleading emails. Bas had ruined her for others. She could never love anyone as she loves him.
Five years later, both living completely different lives, they have a chance encounter that re-opens Liv’s old wounds and twists the knife of guilt deeper into Bas’ heart. Bas is a famous rockstar, his life plastered on every gossip rag around the world. Liv is an event planner at a posh London hotel, new to the country, having just come over from the United States. Their worlds collide in an explosion of hurt, guilt, pain and loss, as well as anger, soul deep anger. Is it possible they can go back to the carefree teen years that brought them together or is there a chance they can make what they had better, stronger and a more mature love that will never tear them apart gain? Will they struggle to recapture what they had only to find that it is gone forever?
Wonderwall by M.H. Soars is a tale of young love, loss, and the failure to face life head on until there is a one-in-a-million chance for a do-over and the future they had always dreamed about. Combining the chaotic life of being in the public scrutiny, playing the games the publicists want and the reality of private lives on a “normal” plane, Ms. Soars has written a gut-wrenching tale of continuing mistakes, failure to mature and facing the truth head on. Liv is a good character to get to know, she has her weak, more human moments, but as a friend and ally, she goes out of her way to help others. Bas has begun to believe the life he lives is reality until finding Liv, again. The supporting characters? Gotta love them! From the quirky gay guy to the free-spirited best friend, to the conniving manager, what a bunch! There isn’t one extra player that could be dropped! Picture the London nightlife, the neighborhood where these two grew up and the trials they went through. Let Ms. Soars pull you in and make you part of her tale, shake your head, sigh, chuckle and get that lump in your throat that says, this is good reading!
I received an ARC edition from M.H. Soars in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: October 24, 2015
Publisher: Infinite Sky Publishing
Genre: New Adult Romance
Print Length: 282 pages
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Five years later, both living completely different lives, they have a chance encounter that re-opens Liv’s old wounds and twists the knife of guilt deeper into Bas’ heart. Bas is a famous rockstar, his life plastered on every gossip rag around the world. Liv is an event planner at a posh London hotel, new to the country, having just come over from the United States. Their worlds collide in an explosion of hurt, guilt, pain and loss, as well as anger, soul deep anger. Is it possible they can go back to the carefree teen years that brought them together or is there a chance they can make what they had better, stronger and a more mature love that will never tear them apart gain? Will they struggle to recapture what they had only to find that it is gone forever?
Wonderwall by M.H. Soars is a tale of young love, loss, and the failure to face life head on until there is a one-in-a-million chance for a do-over and the future they had always dreamed about. Combining the chaotic life of being in the public scrutiny, playing the games the publicists want and the reality of private lives on a “normal” plane, Ms. Soars has written a gut-wrenching tale of continuing mistakes, failure to mature and facing the truth head on. Liv is a good character to get to know, she has her weak, more human moments, but as a friend and ally, she goes out of her way to help others. Bas has begun to believe the life he lives is reality until finding Liv, again. The supporting characters? Gotta love them! From the quirky gay guy to the free-spirited best friend, to the conniving manager, what a bunch! There isn’t one extra player that could be dropped! Picture the London nightlife, the neighborhood where these two grew up and the trials they went through. Let Ms. Soars pull you in and make you part of her tale, shake your head, sigh, chuckle and get that lump in your throat that says, this is good reading!
I received an ARC edition from M.H. Soars in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: October 24, 2015
Publisher: Infinite Sky Publishing
Genre: New Adult Romance
Print Length: 282 pages
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
December 30, 2015
This is my first MH Soars book and I can honestly say it definitely won’t be my last! When we first meet Liv and Sebastian, they are neighbors and best friends. Sebastian is clueless about Liv’s real feelings, but when she comes to him for kissing lessons, he can’t deny his real feelings for her anymore.
No sooner do these two finally find each other, does devastation hit Sebastian and his family. He can’t help but leave Liv mentally and eventually physically by heading to London.
Five years later, Liv is heading to London as an intern at a swanky hotel on their events staff. She certainly doesn’t expect to run into Sebastian, but sure enough. But she’s not willing to forgive so quickly, the way he hurt her over the last five years.
Let me just say that I read the sample of this and the next thing I knew I was emailing MH Soars and asking her to send the full book as soon as possible! I may have been refreshing my inbox in anticipation. Once I dove into this story, I couldn’t put it down. I love stories where the couple just happened to be friends first… I love the history that that brings to a relationship and how it really solidifies the connection.
I don’t say this a lot, but Liv was actually a heroine I really enjoyed. I could completely understand the devastation of losing that first love, and not understanding why… and other than my slight irritation that she was still hung up on this boy after five years, I got it. I understood her desire to not have that connection with anyone else, though I did feel bad for Derek.
Bas… I don’t know what to say about this boy. He’s utterly clueless at first, and then he’s so amazing and then this thing happens that completely changes his life… you can’t help but feel bad for him and empathize with his reaction. But life goes on and Sebastian has quite a life going on right now… As a member of one of the biggest UK boy bands around, his life is what some people can only dream of.
Bas has always known what a mistake he made when he left Liv, and he never thought he’d get the chance to try and win her back, but that’s exactly what happens when he realizes she’s in London. But it’s not going to be quite that easy. For one, the band’s manager is trying to manipulate his life and do whatever he can to control Sebastian and the group, and two, his girlfriend Gretchen. Add those issues to the fact that Liv is still hurt by the things he’s done and said over the years that getting what he wants will be a challenge.
I have to give him credit though… he doesn’t shy away!
I really enjoyed the evolution of their relationship… both when they were younger and currently and Soars also has created some amazing, wonderfully fleshed out secondary characters that I’m excited to hopefully learn more about!
If you’re looking for a new voice in the NA genre look no further. Definitely grab this one from MH Soars and then wait patiently for more! I know I will be!
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
No sooner do these two finally find each other, does devastation hit Sebastian and his family. He can’t help but leave Liv mentally and eventually physically by heading to London.
Five years later, Liv is heading to London as an intern at a swanky hotel on their events staff. She certainly doesn’t expect to run into Sebastian, but sure enough. But she’s not willing to forgive so quickly, the way he hurt her over the last five years.
Let me just say that I read the sample of this and the next thing I knew I was emailing MH Soars and asking her to send the full book as soon as possible! I may have been refreshing my inbox in anticipation. Once I dove into this story, I couldn’t put it down. I love stories where the couple just happened to be friends first… I love the history that that brings to a relationship and how it really solidifies the connection.
I don’t say this a lot, but Liv was actually a heroine I really enjoyed. I could completely understand the devastation of losing that first love, and not understanding why… and other than my slight irritation that she was still hung up on this boy after five years, I got it. I understood her desire to not have that connection with anyone else, though I did feel bad for Derek.
Bas… I don’t know what to say about this boy. He’s utterly clueless at first, and then he’s so amazing and then this thing happens that completely changes his life… you can’t help but feel bad for him and empathize with his reaction. But life goes on and Sebastian has quite a life going on right now… As a member of one of the biggest UK boy bands around, his life is what some people can only dream of.
Bas has always known what a mistake he made when he left Liv, and he never thought he’d get the chance to try and win her back, but that’s exactly what happens when he realizes she’s in London. But it’s not going to be quite that easy. For one, the band’s manager is trying to manipulate his life and do whatever he can to control Sebastian and the group, and two, his girlfriend Gretchen. Add those issues to the fact that Liv is still hurt by the things he’s done and said over the years that getting what he wants will be a challenge.
I have to give him credit though… he doesn’t shy away!
I really enjoyed the evolution of their relationship… both when they were younger and currently and Soars also has created some amazing, wonderfully fleshed out secondary characters that I’m excited to hopefully learn more about!
If you’re looking for a new voice in the NA genre look no further. Definitely grab this one from MH Soars and then wait patiently for more! I know I will be!
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
December 16, 2015
"They all say how good it is to see me, they’re beyond happy I’ve finally found my way back home. I peer at Liv when I hear those words, because it’s the absolute truth. Liv is my home."
Here's a confession.
You can most probably always count on me to appreciate stories about reunited ex-lovers. Always. Well not exactly always, but you guys get the point. Truth be told, there's just something that I find appealing and enticing with finding lost love, and with having the chance to finally meet again the one that got away.
I'm genetically created that way, I guess. Mehehe.
"I want to believe so, but then I remember what it’s really like to be in so deep that the feeling overwhelms all of your senses, and the person you love becomes everything. And there are days when Liv is still my everything."
Also, I appreciate that they decided to use Oasis' Wonderwall.
I. go. weak. for. that. song.
As much I did love this, I'm not all too crazy about it, but still consider it as a good read to pass up the time. On the other note, that little extra bonus at the end about the next book has me feeling a bit over-excited, since it sounds like just my cup of tea.
4 stars!
"I love this girl with my entire being. I don’t care that I’m only sixteen, and that most people will dismiss my feelings as young love, a crush. I know what I feel, the emotion inside me isn’t fleeting, it isn’t a phase. My love for Liv is the kind of love immortalized by literature and movies. It’s epic, and it will transcend more than a lifetime. I can live a thousand lives, and my soul will always search for hers. I’m bound to Liv for all eternity. I know it in my bones. I’m not even a sappy romantic and look at what kind of thoughts erupt in my mind when I look at her. I have it bad."
March 18, 2016
4.5/5 Stars. Wonderwall, by this author, is the third I have read by her. She also writes a YA Paranormal/Sci-Fi series titled, Arcadian Wars, two of which I have read and enjoyed. So when I saw this for review, of course I said yes. I received a copy of this book from the author, in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Teenagers in love? Not necessarily my go to read, but I do enjoy YA books way more than I ever thought I would. However, this book spans about five years and although it starts out YA, it’s definitely an adult read-or new adult. Liv lives next door to Bas(Sebastian) and they have been friends ever since they can remember. But as these things happen, they end up together, and are each other’s first loves, first everything. Not long after that tragedy strikes and Bas moves away to England and never speaks to Liv again. He has his reasons and at his age and in his grief, it made sense, but maybe not so much anymore. Liv for her part is devastated and understandably, heartbroken. The story jumps forward in time and now Bas is a famous singer for a boy band based in London. He’s the typical bad boy celebrity, cares for nobody, except perhaps his best friend and fellow bandmate, Oliver, and is still trying to forget Liv. Liv goes to London to intern as an events coordinator at an exlusive hotel there. Receipe for them to meet again? Absolutely.
First I need to say, I enjoyed the whole thing. Sure, some of it was a bit contrived-you know because she goes to London to intern when there’s so many places she could have interned at in America, or when Bas mentions to a reporter on tv that he had a stalker when he was younger that he ignored, and he was talking about Liv’s emails. There really was no reason for him to talk about her and lie, five years later. But it did cause a great deal of angst for Liv. But I forgave all of that, because I enjoyed the rest of the story. The whole first part of the book that takes place during their teen years, ends up being a really sweet romance. And Liv’s adventures at the hotel in London, and the people she meets along the way, plus her friends that all come and visit, really added to the story. Bas’s friendships with Oliver, his girlfriend(not Liv), his bandmates, and all his interactions with his horrible manager color his life. He’s not exactly been the perfect celebrity, but again, he does have his demons.
It needs to be said that I am a romantic at heart, so this book was perfect for me in that respect. If you don’t enjoy YA romance, or rock star books, or some angst, well this is not the book for you. But if you do enjoy second chance romance, and rock star books, then this just might be the next book you need to try. Keep in mind that it is for adults. I will be interested to read the next book featuring Oliver.
Posted on November 12, 2015 on PureTextuality.com
Teenagers in love? Not necessarily my go to read, but I do enjoy YA books way more than I ever thought I would. However, this book spans about five years and although it starts out YA, it’s definitely an adult read-or new adult. Liv lives next door to Bas(Sebastian) and they have been friends ever since they can remember. But as these things happen, they end up together, and are each other’s first loves, first everything. Not long after that tragedy strikes and Bas moves away to England and never speaks to Liv again. He has his reasons and at his age and in his grief, it made sense, but maybe not so much anymore. Liv for her part is devastated and understandably, heartbroken. The story jumps forward in time and now Bas is a famous singer for a boy band based in London. He’s the typical bad boy celebrity, cares for nobody, except perhaps his best friend and fellow bandmate, Oliver, and is still trying to forget Liv. Liv goes to London to intern as an events coordinator at an exlusive hotel there. Receipe for them to meet again? Absolutely.
First I need to say, I enjoyed the whole thing. Sure, some of it was a bit contrived-you know because she goes to London to intern when there’s so many places she could have interned at in America, or when Bas mentions to a reporter on tv that he had a stalker when he was younger that he ignored, and he was talking about Liv’s emails. There really was no reason for him to talk about her and lie, five years later. But it did cause a great deal of angst for Liv. But I forgave all of that, because I enjoyed the rest of the story. The whole first part of the book that takes place during their teen years, ends up being a really sweet romance. And Liv’s adventures at the hotel in London, and the people she meets along the way, plus her friends that all come and visit, really added to the story. Bas’s friendships with Oliver, his girlfriend(not Liv), his bandmates, and all his interactions with his horrible manager color his life. He’s not exactly been the perfect celebrity, but again, he does have his demons.
It needs to be said that I am a romantic at heart, so this book was perfect for me in that respect. If you don’t enjoy YA romance, or rock star books, or some angst, well this is not the book for you. But if you do enjoy second chance romance, and rock star books, then this just might be the next book you need to try. Keep in mind that it is for adults. I will be interested to read the next book featuring Oliver.
Posted on November 12, 2015 on PureTextuality.com
October 26, 2015
I did receive this novel as a free ARC book, in exchange for an honest review.
This book was wonderful!
The book does start off in the present day, and then it goes back 5 years into the past, with our two main characters. So, it does back track so we can understand some of the history between the two.
Olivia or Liv is one of the main characters. She seems like a girl who knows what she wants out of life, doesn't seem to know that she's a hotty, until her girl best friend, Saylor has her change from the frumpy clothes into more 'girl' clothes, skirts and tops. Liv likes her boy best friend, Sebastian. But, Sebastian is too wrapped up in school and hockey to really notice her. He's always thought of her as a friend, but, never really given into his feelings, until she starts wearing the girl clothes showing off her legs and her curves.
Sebastian & Liv start going out in high school, and their relationship quickly heats up. I think because they were friends before, they know each other. They don't need to take time really to get to know each other, as they already do.
A terrible tragedy takes place and Sebastian blames Liv & leaves the US. They haven't spoken in the 5 years they are apart. Liv has a lot of hurt feelings towards Sebastian.
Liv & Sebastian finally meet again. Although they are drawn together they remain distant for awhile. Liv needs to understand why Sebastian left her and what happened. Sebastian needs to talk with Liv and make her understand what he was going through. But, Sebastian is now a popular rock and roll star. They don't have the ability to be casual as they once were and sit and talk. They are always on guard due to the paparazzi stalking Sebastian. They do meet in secret and Liv gets tired of always having to hide.
Will Liv & Sebastian be able to move on from their past? Will Liv be able to forgive Sebastian for leaving her 5 years ago? Will Liv & Sebastian be able to have a relationship now that he's a famous rock star?
This book was wonderful!
The book does start off in the present day, and then it goes back 5 years into the past, with our two main characters. So, it does back track so we can understand some of the history between the two.
Olivia or Liv is one of the main characters. She seems like a girl who knows what she wants out of life, doesn't seem to know that she's a hotty, until her girl best friend, Saylor has her change from the frumpy clothes into more 'girl' clothes, skirts and tops. Liv likes her boy best friend, Sebastian. But, Sebastian is too wrapped up in school and hockey to really notice her. He's always thought of her as a friend, but, never really given into his feelings, until she starts wearing the girl clothes showing off her legs and her curves.
Sebastian & Liv start going out in high school, and their relationship quickly heats up. I think because they were friends before, they know each other. They don't need to take time really to get to know each other, as they already do.
A terrible tragedy takes place and Sebastian blames Liv & leaves the US. They haven't spoken in the 5 years they are apart. Liv has a lot of hurt feelings towards Sebastian.
Liv & Sebastian finally meet again. Although they are drawn together they remain distant for awhile. Liv needs to understand why Sebastian left her and what happened. Sebastian needs to talk with Liv and make her understand what he was going through. But, Sebastian is now a popular rock and roll star. They don't have the ability to be casual as they once were and sit and talk. They are always on guard due to the paparazzi stalking Sebastian. They do meet in secret and Liv gets tired of always having to hide.
Will Liv & Sebastian be able to move on from their past? Will Liv be able to forgive Sebastian for leaving her 5 years ago? Will Liv & Sebastian be able to have a relationship now that he's a famous rock star?
October 28, 2015
I was given an ARC for an honest review!
Olivia aka Liv and Sebastian aka Bas have been best friends but there is a change in the air and their friendship is taking a turn. Then an unfortunate situation occurred causing the two to part for five long long years. Fate brings them back together but with so much damage done, could they ever repair what they had?
This was the story that was frustratingly beautiful. I loved Olivia and Sebastian, though they kept missing their train. I usually have a hard time reading books that there is so much misunderstanding, I get so frustrated right along with them but with this story it was sweet frustration. What they had was genuine and though there were other people in their lives it never seemed as though there was ever a love triangle. They knew who they wanted but timing just wasn’t working with them.
The author did a great job in writing this story; she was able to make you love their relationship even though they kept missing each other. You were pulling for them the entire time and you never once thought that they didn’t love each other.
Liv was a sweet likeable character, I felt she was relatable. Bas was a great guy, but he had a lot of pain so you could see that in most of his actions. Together they made a dynamic duo but apart they threatened to com-bust at any moment. The ending makes you realize when you finally let go of the past things fall into place by themselves!
Olivia aka Liv and Sebastian aka Bas have been best friends but there is a change in the air and their friendship is taking a turn. Then an unfortunate situation occurred causing the two to part for five long long years. Fate brings them back together but with so much damage done, could they ever repair what they had?
This was the story that was frustratingly beautiful. I loved Olivia and Sebastian, though they kept missing their train. I usually have a hard time reading books that there is so much misunderstanding, I get so frustrated right along with them but with this story it was sweet frustration. What they had was genuine and though there were other people in their lives it never seemed as though there was ever a love triangle. They knew who they wanted but timing just wasn’t working with them.
The author did a great job in writing this story; she was able to make you love their relationship even though they kept missing each other. You were pulling for them the entire time and you never once thought that they didn’t love each other.
Liv was a sweet likeable character, I felt she was relatable. Bas was a great guy, but he had a lot of pain so you could see that in most of his actions. Together they made a dynamic duo but apart they threatened to com-bust at any moment. The ending makes you realize when you finally let go of the past things fall into place by themselves!
October 24, 2015
'Wonderwall' is the story of Liv and Sebastian, a young couple torn apart by events outside of their control.
This is an exceptionally well written contemporary new adult romance novel, emotionally charged and with a storyline that grips from the start and doesn't let go. I went through Liv's heartbreak with her and also sympathised with Sebastian's problems, even if they did keep him from the girl who tried so hard to reach him for so long.
The plot is well paced, with a few twists and turns I didn't expect. The chemistry between the main characters is scorching. The setting is also well drawn and the other characters are interesting and unique, all of this creating a fully believable backdrop for the amazing story Soars has crafted.
The bottom line is if you love romance, you have to read this book! Highly recommended.
This is an exceptionally well written contemporary new adult romance novel, emotionally charged and with a storyline that grips from the start and doesn't let go. I went through Liv's heartbreak with her and also sympathised with Sebastian's problems, even if they did keep him from the girl who tried so hard to reach him for so long.
The plot is well paced, with a few twists and turns I didn't expect. The chemistry between the main characters is scorching. The setting is also well drawn and the other characters are interesting and unique, all of this creating a fully believable backdrop for the amazing story Soars has crafted.
The bottom line is if you love romance, you have to read this book! Highly recommended.
October 25, 2015
This book was astonishing. It is the story of a couple who started out as best friends who become each other's first loves. I read this book based on the blurb alone. I would highly recommend that you don't read too many reviews (spoilers rather) because I loved the surprises and having no idea what comes next. The book made me laugh and cry. I started it one evening around 7pm and stayed up until I finished it because I couldn't put it down. The writing is very good and the plot moves along very steadily. Everyone likes to read the books that make them feel and this is definitely one of them.
**Received an ARC of the book from the author for an honest review**
**Received an ARC of the book from the author for an honest review**
October 24, 2015
I received a free copy of this from Raven PA Book Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review..
All I can say is wow, this was a well written story, which flowed nicely, I did not get bogged down once. I fond the characters to be awesome, I wanted to really dislike Sebastian but could not and I wanted to shake Liv. I would recommend this to anyone over 18, who wanted a really good solid read. Loved it
All I can say is wow, this was a well written story, which flowed nicely, I did not get bogged down once. I fond the characters to be awesome, I wanted to really dislike Sebastian but could not and I wanted to shake Liv. I would recommend this to anyone over 18, who wanted a really good solid read. Loved it
November 18, 2015
Disclaimer: This book was sent to me by Raven PA, for an honest review.
Opinion: This book will take the reader through a youthful and adorable romance that has its fair share of emotional roller coasters and tribulations. The author takes a romance from an early youth and blossoms it into a romance for the young adult, but be weary of explicit scenes and in depth scenarios between our main characters.
In early high school Sebastian and Liv were best friends and next door neighbors, but soon their relationship turned into something more. Soon after they had quickly fallen for each other, tragedy struck Sebastian and his only way to cope was to leave Liv and move to London with his extended family. Now, five years later, Sebastian is a singer in one of the most popular boy bands in the UK (and the world) and it is impossible for Liv to escape her memories of how he left her. But after Liv accepts an internship at a high-end hotel as an events coordinator, she finds that their paths might be destined to cross again.
Call me repetitive and predictable, but I couldn’t get into the character of Sebastian at all. I really should check on my sensitive side at this point because every time I meet a whiny and emotional character I want to vomit. The reasoning is this: there is a way to make your character caring and passionate about something without making them sound completely…annoying. At the beginning of the story I thought the writer captured the essence of Sebastian and Liv perfectly, their emotional levels felt like teenagers. They thought, spoke, acted, and read (no, not like they were literally reading in the story ;) ) like actual teenagers. But, as the story moved on and the characters go older, I found that they still had the emotional state of teenagers…the only difference is they were having sex like maniacs. Yeah, MANIACS. I swear this book went from “Aw, how cute!” to *sideways eye glance* “Whhhhatttt?”. Color me REALLY SURPRISED by that development.
All main male character loathing aside, the writing style that the author has is perfect for this Mature YA story. This writing is straight forward, and the author does a fairly decent job of explaining the pain the Liv feels after Sebastian breaks her heart. There is always room for more details and description when describing the emotions that a character is feeling, but for this work I think what was written works great. This story goes back and forth in writing in the voices of Sebastian and Liv, and in one scene with Sebastian I felt like I had literally stepped into the mind of a twenty-year-old guy! The author made his thoughts clipped and dismissive, he was noncommittal with everything, and didn’t give any experience or conversation a second thought. I sat there thinking how spot on his character felt in that moment, so I was a little disappointed to see him get so mushy in the end. But who knows…maybe guys really are that sensitive on the inside…? HAH ;)
Overall, this is a romantic and touching story about a guy getting the girl of his dreams back. If you are REALLY into young love, heartbreak, drama, and a guy pouring his heart out to a girl, then you will probably love this book to the ends of the earth and back. For me, it was just a little too mushy and sensitive for my taste. Please also make sure you understand that there is sexual content in this book, so if you are like me and don’t really enjoy that in a book…then maybe be cautious of this one. Also, if this book sounded interesting to you then READ IT! This is only my opinion, so don’t let that sway something you can enjoy. :)
Opinion: This book will take the reader through a youthful and adorable romance that has its fair share of emotional roller coasters and tribulations. The author takes a romance from an early youth and blossoms it into a romance for the young adult, but be weary of explicit scenes and in depth scenarios between our main characters.
In early high school Sebastian and Liv were best friends and next door neighbors, but soon their relationship turned into something more. Soon after they had quickly fallen for each other, tragedy struck Sebastian and his only way to cope was to leave Liv and move to London with his extended family. Now, five years later, Sebastian is a singer in one of the most popular boy bands in the UK (and the world) and it is impossible for Liv to escape her memories of how he left her. But after Liv accepts an internship at a high-end hotel as an events coordinator, she finds that their paths might be destined to cross again.
Call me repetitive and predictable, but I couldn’t get into the character of Sebastian at all. I really should check on my sensitive side at this point because every time I meet a whiny and emotional character I want to vomit. The reasoning is this: there is a way to make your character caring and passionate about something without making them sound completely…annoying. At the beginning of the story I thought the writer captured the essence of Sebastian and Liv perfectly, their emotional levels felt like teenagers. They thought, spoke, acted, and read (no, not like they were literally reading in the story ;) ) like actual teenagers. But, as the story moved on and the characters go older, I found that they still had the emotional state of teenagers…the only difference is they were having sex like maniacs. Yeah, MANIACS. I swear this book went from “Aw, how cute!” to *sideways eye glance* “Whhhhatttt?”. Color me REALLY SURPRISED by that development.
All main male character loathing aside, the writing style that the author has is perfect for this Mature YA story. This writing is straight forward, and the author does a fairly decent job of explaining the pain the Liv feels after Sebastian breaks her heart. There is always room for more details and description when describing the emotions that a character is feeling, but for this work I think what was written works great. This story goes back and forth in writing in the voices of Sebastian and Liv, and in one scene with Sebastian I felt like I had literally stepped into the mind of a twenty-year-old guy! The author made his thoughts clipped and dismissive, he was noncommittal with everything, and didn’t give any experience or conversation a second thought. I sat there thinking how spot on his character felt in that moment, so I was a little disappointed to see him get so mushy in the end. But who knows…maybe guys really are that sensitive on the inside…? HAH ;)
Overall, this is a romantic and touching story about a guy getting the girl of his dreams back. If you are REALLY into young love, heartbreak, drama, and a guy pouring his heart out to a girl, then you will probably love this book to the ends of the earth and back. For me, it was just a little too mushy and sensitive for my taste. Please also make sure you understand that there is sexual content in this book, so if you are like me and don’t really enjoy that in a book…then maybe be cautious of this one. Also, if this book sounded interesting to you then READ IT! This is only my opinion, so don’t let that sway something you can enjoy. :)
March 10, 2025
The Mcs were separated for most of the book. I was looking for an angsty rock star book. This was a boy band book about 15 yo’s for the first half and the 20 year olds. It was a waste of 4 bucks! Amazon give me my $$$!🤣
January 15, 2016
I requested this book on a whim. I've read an abundance of dark dystopian lately, and although that genre will forever be my favorite, I needed something else in my life. Something with more lovey-dovey boy drama and a little less "the world is burning down around us". "Wonderwall" caught my attention because of the cover and the promise of a bad-boy rock star. It promised me drama and love, and that's exactly what I was in the mood for. Did "Wonderwall" deliver?
Yes! Wonderwall is wonderful!
Wonderwall is a contemporary romance centering around first love, first heart break, life's rough punches, and the cost of fame. Olivia, the girl next door, and Sebastian, the boy next door, fall in love at a young age. The rug is ripped out beneath their friendship-turned-romance when a tragedy sends them spiraling into messy territory. Sebastian can't cope (and no one with a heart can blame him) and Liv pays the price. Fast forward a few years and Sebastian is an international superstar in a boy band. Liv is living out her career dreams with a brand new internship at a posh London hotel. They've moved on with their lives-
Except for their damaged hearts, which are still stuck on each other.
Here comes the lovey-dovey drama people! It's going to get sticky!!!!!!
I enjoyed this book. It has a few cliché's in it, but they are well executed. The plot is driven. The pacing is great. There are clever lines scattered throughout, and the writing is worth reading . The characters are likeable, loveable, and sometimes hate invoking, which is what readers should experience in regards to a novel's cast. I wouldn't let a young teen read this book because things get risqué here and there, but it is a solid New Adult Contemporary Romance.
And it has bad-boy rockstars. So, that's a big plus.
There is some heavy subject matter in "Wonderwall", but for the most part I'd consider it a light read. I read it for entertainment, not for life changing lessons. It fulfilled its purpose quite well. Parts of this book get cheesy. Especially the ending. It is horribly, wonderfully, tickly butterflies in my stomach cheesy. Not everyone appreciates cute. I get that. I have to be in the mood for mushy gushy. But when I am in the mood, what can I say? I LOVE ME SOME CHEESE!!!!!
Four stars for M.H Soars Wonderwall!This is the first book of her new series, and I will be reading the next installment.
Add me to your newsletter M.H. Soars! I will happily write a review for the next one. Good job!
Yes! Wonderwall is wonderful!
Wonderwall is a contemporary romance centering around first love, first heart break, life's rough punches, and the cost of fame. Olivia, the girl next door, and Sebastian, the boy next door, fall in love at a young age. The rug is ripped out beneath their friendship-turned-romance when a tragedy sends them spiraling into messy territory. Sebastian can't cope (and no one with a heart can blame him) and Liv pays the price. Fast forward a few years and Sebastian is an international superstar in a boy band. Liv is living out her career dreams with a brand new internship at a posh London hotel. They've moved on with their lives-
Except for their damaged hearts, which are still stuck on each other.
Here comes the lovey-dovey drama people! It's going to get sticky!!!!!!
I enjoyed this book. It has a few cliché's in it, but they are well executed. The plot is driven. The pacing is great. There are clever lines scattered throughout, and the writing is worth reading . The characters are likeable, loveable, and sometimes hate invoking, which is what readers should experience in regards to a novel's cast. I wouldn't let a young teen read this book because things get risqué here and there, but it is a solid New Adult Contemporary Romance.
And it has bad-boy rockstars. So, that's a big plus.
There is some heavy subject matter in "Wonderwall", but for the most part I'd consider it a light read. I read it for entertainment, not for life changing lessons. It fulfilled its purpose quite well. Parts of this book get cheesy. Especially the ending. It is horribly, wonderfully, tickly butterflies in my stomach cheesy. Not everyone appreciates cute. I get that. I have to be in the mood for mushy gushy. But when I am in the mood, what can I say? I LOVE ME SOME CHEESE!!!!!
Four stars for M.H Soars Wonderwall!This is the first book of her new series, and I will be reading the next installment.
Add me to your newsletter M.H. Soars! I will happily write a review for the next one. Good job!
April 28, 2017
For Full review please go to http://bookplusheart.weebly.com/conte...
I received an ARC from Netgalley, by the publishers, for an honest review.
I loved this story.
I couldn’t put it down. I started it yesterday at work and finished it this evening. It was a world wind romance that was super painful and sweet. If you have read That Boy by Jillian Dodd, and enjoyed it, you will love this book.
If you are looking for an enjoyable new NA book to read that is about best friends falling in love and second chances, this is your go to...
March 17, 2018
1 star
This is very much a YA story, the mention of which I must have missed else I would have given it a pass - or at least lowered my expectations. Honestly, it started out okay, but the characters were young teenagers and their behavior was appropriate for their age. Not so much when they are in their early 20's.
Sebastian and Olivia were childhood best friends that became sweethearts as teenagers. A tragedy causes Sebastian to withdraw completely from Olivia prior to his moving to the UK without a word. All contact is severed. A chance meeting several years later brings them back into one another's orbit. Mind you, the two don't meet in present day until nearly halfway through the book. That's when whatever the story had going for it unravels.
I wonder what sort of life experience the majority of the indie writers out there actually have. Do they pay any attention to how real people actually behave when they develop their characters? Or perhaps they they believe that women are all weak-willed pushovers who fall on their backs and spread their legs when a man snaps their fingers?
Case in point - Sebastian cruelly dumps the girlfriend he professed to love, blames her for the tragedy he suffers and years later publicly humiliates her. When they cross paths a few years later, all her COMPLETELY justified anger towards him evaporates, right along with her credibility. She kisses him, then sleeps with him - because, ya know, he ALWAYS gets what she wants and she can't resist him. He doesn't have to put forth much effort at all.
Way to stand up for yourself, honey.
What a shining example of a woman who values her self-worth and fights for it. 🙄
Also, Sebastian isn't exactly single here.
What a loser Liv is, though. At one point a friend asked if she 'made him grovel,' and when she said she had, I laughed. Um, no, she didn't.
The only one groveling was her when he crowded her and felt her up, which of course ended up with them having sex.
Which of course is what all women in 'writer world' seem to do these days, because obviously we are all spineless fools driven by our libido. Yeah, that's soooo bloody realistic.
People with that kind of damage between them do not do that. Sex is not first and foremost on their minds. Any woman with a shred of self-respect will not tolerate a man forcing himself on her to distract her from the fact that he is a ginormous douchewaffle who has no right to even look at her, much less touch her. At least, not in the real world.
Yeah, it's fiction. So what? I read for an escape, but I like to not be disgusted by the actions of the characters, and I like writers who don't embarrass my gender by how their heroines are portrayed.
I skimmed the last half of this book, because once I saw how it was going to go I didn't care about these characters or their immaturity and lack of impulse control.
In addition, the writer dropped the ball on what could have been a really interesting sub-plot between Ryan and Lloyd by inexplicably making Ryan into a vicious jerk. He'd shown no signs of being that way before, and it further proved that the writer doesn't place much importance on knowing her characters and their motivations or developing them accordingly.
The premise is hardly original with the hero being a 'bad-boy musician,' except maybe that he's in a boy band rather than a rock band. The hero and heroine are one-dimensional and forgettable. The book itself is another example of unoriginality, poor execution and a writer who doesn't know enough about human nature to write a compelling story.
There are far better books out there that follow the same general premise as this one. I recommend finding one of those, instead.
This is very much a YA story, the mention of which I must have missed else I would have given it a pass - or at least lowered my expectations. Honestly, it started out okay, but the characters were young teenagers and their behavior was appropriate for their age. Not so much when they are in their early 20's.
Sebastian and Olivia were childhood best friends that became sweethearts as teenagers. A tragedy causes Sebastian to withdraw completely from Olivia prior to his moving to the UK without a word. All contact is severed. A chance meeting several years later brings them back into one another's orbit. Mind you, the two don't meet in present day until nearly halfway through the book. That's when whatever the story had going for it unravels.
I wonder what sort of life experience the majority of the indie writers out there actually have. Do they pay any attention to how real people actually behave when they develop their characters? Or perhaps they they believe that women are all weak-willed pushovers who fall on their backs and spread their legs when a man snaps their fingers?
Case in point - Sebastian cruelly dumps the girlfriend he professed to love, blames her for the tragedy he suffers and years later publicly humiliates her. When they cross paths a few years later, all her COMPLETELY justified anger towards him evaporates, right along with her credibility. She kisses him, then sleeps with him - because, ya know, he ALWAYS gets what she wants and she can't resist him. He doesn't have to put forth much effort at all.
Way to stand up for yourself, honey.
What a shining example of a woman who values her self-worth and fights for it. 🙄
Also, Sebastian isn't exactly single here.
What a loser Liv is, though. At one point a friend asked if she 'made him grovel,' and when she said she had, I laughed. Um, no, she didn't.
The only one groveling was her when he crowded her and felt her up, which of course ended up with them having sex.
Which of course is what all women in 'writer world' seem to do these days, because obviously we are all spineless fools driven by our libido. Yeah, that's soooo bloody realistic.
People with that kind of damage between them do not do that. Sex is not first and foremost on their minds. Any woman with a shred of self-respect will not tolerate a man forcing himself on her to distract her from the fact that he is a ginormous douchewaffle who has no right to even look at her, much less touch her. At least, not in the real world.
Yeah, it's fiction. So what? I read for an escape, but I like to not be disgusted by the actions of the characters, and I like writers who don't embarrass my gender by how their heroines are portrayed.
I skimmed the last half of this book, because once I saw how it was going to go I didn't care about these characters or their immaturity and lack of impulse control.
In addition, the writer dropped the ball on what could have been a really interesting sub-plot between Ryan and Lloyd by inexplicably making Ryan into a vicious jerk. He'd shown no signs of being that way before, and it further proved that the writer doesn't place much importance on knowing her characters and their motivations or developing them accordingly.
The premise is hardly original with the hero being a 'bad-boy musician,' except maybe that he's in a boy band rather than a rock band. The hero and heroine are one-dimensional and forgettable. The book itself is another example of unoriginality, poor execution and a writer who doesn't know enough about human nature to write a compelling story.
There are far better books out there that follow the same general premise as this one. I recommend finding one of those, instead.
October 27, 2015
4/5
I honestly didn't know what I was getting into when I started to read this since second chance stories can be really awesome or super blah. Luckily, "Wonderwall" is one of my all time favorite songs ever and I'm happy it related to the story in some way. Liv and Sebastian grow apart instantly after tragedy strikes them and tears them away by choice not because they didn't want it to happen. Their love story starts fairly early since being childhood best friends from the beginning of time; you see where this is going. They notice their feelings and their friendship shifts towards anything past platonic and they are both shy and scared to tell the other. Both do not want to mess up their friendship, yet they both are falling in love--hard.
When finally, bam! Liv and Sebastian are practically inseparable and are both so "drunk in love" that they can't seem to function without the other. It's the once in a lifetime type of love that's hard to let go once it's gone, hard to move pass, hard to learn to love again. You get hung up and I felt it, from the very beginning towards the end. I felt their angst, their emotions, their heartbreak. I got emotionally involved and having them be apart for 5 years before seeing each other again only intensified their feelings and confirmed that they were meant to be.
By chance, they "bump" into each other (without getting into too many spoilers) in London. Where Sebastian now lives (after moving from California) and where Liv is now doing an internship for a college course. Let's just say their pent up frustrations, unanswered questions, the darkness that consumed them over time is slowly bringing everything to light.
Would I say this is fast paced? Yes and no. It was steady, developed quickly and didn't feel like things were being rushed. The way Soars writes the narrative brings you into this world and you become consumed. It's honestly believable. I don't have to question whether this could happen in real life or not as far as their love and feelings for each other are concerned. Because I felt like it was possible for it all the happen the way it happened. Maybe I'm just a hopeless romantic in that sense, but hey don't we all have it in us somewhere? After reflecting and listening to the song, Soars wrote it well.
And yes, I would recommend this. I became emotionally attached to Liv and Sebastian, I cried, got angry and frustrated and cried some more. I just didn't want to put this down and I was trying to catch some college football games while reading this! LOL.
I'm glad I came across this and requested the ARC for review. I needed a contemporary read for a nice break from my fantasies and I'm completely satisfied. Can't wait for the next book!
**Received an ebook ARC from the author for an honest review.**
I honestly didn't know what I was getting into when I started to read this since second chance stories can be really awesome or super blah. Luckily, "Wonderwall" is one of my all time favorite songs ever and I'm happy it related to the story in some way. Liv and Sebastian grow apart instantly after tragedy strikes them and tears them away by choice not because they didn't want it to happen. Their love story starts fairly early since being childhood best friends from the beginning of time; you see where this is going. They notice their feelings and their friendship shifts towards anything past platonic and they are both shy and scared to tell the other. Both do not want to mess up their friendship, yet they both are falling in love--hard.
When finally, bam! Liv and Sebastian are practically inseparable and are both so "drunk in love" that they can't seem to function without the other. It's the once in a lifetime type of love that's hard to let go once it's gone, hard to move pass, hard to learn to love again. You get hung up and I felt it, from the very beginning towards the end. I felt their angst, their emotions, their heartbreak. I got emotionally involved and having them be apart for 5 years before seeing each other again only intensified their feelings and confirmed that they were meant to be.
By chance, they "bump" into each other (without getting into too many spoilers) in London. Where Sebastian now lives (after moving from California) and where Liv is now doing an internship for a college course. Let's just say their pent up frustrations, unanswered questions, the darkness that consumed them over time is slowly bringing everything to light.
Would I say this is fast paced? Yes and no. It was steady, developed quickly and didn't feel like things were being rushed. The way Soars writes the narrative brings you into this world and you become consumed. It's honestly believable. I don't have to question whether this could happen in real life or not as far as their love and feelings for each other are concerned. Because I felt like it was possible for it all the happen the way it happened. Maybe I'm just a hopeless romantic in that sense, but hey don't we all have it in us somewhere? After reflecting and listening to the song, Soars wrote it well.
And yes, I would recommend this. I became emotionally attached to Liv and Sebastian, I cried, got angry and frustrated and cried some more. I just didn't want to put this down and I was trying to catch some college football games while reading this! LOL.
I'm glad I came across this and requested the ARC for review. I needed a contemporary read for a nice break from my fantasies and I'm completely satisfied. Can't wait for the next book!
**Received an ebook ARC from the author for an honest review.**
July 23, 2016
Big thanks to M.H. for an ARC copy for review.
Not only does M.H. Soars write amazing sci-fi books, but now she has come into the realm of New Adult. The first novel in this contemporary series, readers can look forward to a fun story with plenty of sass, drama, good humor, heartbreak and great romance between two friends. I just love these kind of books.
The narrator, Olivia is an upbeat and driven young woman. I liked how her straightforward attitude and feisty personality. Then there is Sebastian, who is sexy, successful, attentive and determined. Boy is he determined when it comes to Olivia. Now when it comes to Sebastian and Olivia's relationship it's both romantic and complicated.
There is history between them and some not so pleasant memories, but there is still that burning connection with each other that has not gone away nor do I believe it will ever disappear. And of course every path to love has bumps in the road, but that is what makes them stronger as a couple in the end. Now speaking of which the ending was nicely tied together for Sebastian and Olivia and I was very happy for them. I am now curious about Olivia's friends and I am hoping that they get their own stories to tell.
Not only does M.H. Soars write amazing sci-fi books, but now she has come into the realm of New Adult. The first novel in this contemporary series, readers can look forward to a fun story with plenty of sass, drama, good humor, heartbreak and great romance between two friends. I just love these kind of books.
The narrator, Olivia is an upbeat and driven young woman. I liked how her straightforward attitude and feisty personality. Then there is Sebastian, who is sexy, successful, attentive and determined. Boy is he determined when it comes to Olivia. Now when it comes to Sebastian and Olivia's relationship it's both romantic and complicated.
There is history between them and some not so pleasant memories, but there is still that burning connection with each other that has not gone away nor do I believe it will ever disappear. And of course every path to love has bumps in the road, but that is what makes them stronger as a couple in the end. Now speaking of which the ending was nicely tied together for Sebastian and Olivia and I was very happy for them. I am now curious about Olivia's friends and I am hoping that they get their own stories to tell.
November 3, 2015
A wonderful read for anyone who enjoys friends turned to lovers stories. Wonderwall is not only about sex like the majority of NA reads in the market. It has a soul. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it will frustrate you at times. It's an unstoppable read.
Read
October 26, 2023Dnf. Dire.
November 5, 2015
This is a truly touching second chance love story about a couple who start off as best friends and fall in love and I enjoyed every minute of reading this. This story runs the gamut of emotions and is full of good feels. Liv and Sebastian are given a second chance to make things work when their paths cross if she can find it in her heart to forgive him for running out on her without any reason several years ago. I highly recommend this to anyone and I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 26, 2015
Enjoyed this story. It captured the angst of mid teens, early adulthood perfectly.
April 2, 2017
Tragic love....
Really enjoyed this storyline. Loved the connection that Sebastian and Olivia had for each other. Young love ends tragically. A young love that is never for gotten. Really enjoyed the set of friends Olivia has and Sebastian's too. I think we will see some really good fireworks between Saylor and Oliver in the next installment. So glad that Sebastian and Olivia got the ending they so deserved.
Thanks Jamie Nibarger Ellis
Really enjoyed this storyline. Loved the connection that Sebastian and Olivia had for each other. Young love ends tragically. A young love that is never for gotten. Really enjoyed the set of friends Olivia has and Sebastian's too. I think we will see some really good fireworks between Saylor and Oliver in the next installment. So glad that Sebastian and Olivia got the ending they so deserved.
Thanks Jamie Nibarger Ellis
April 9, 2018
This book hit me right in the feels!! I can't believe I let this book sit on my shelf for so long, ugh. Anyway, I've always been a fan of the 'best friend ship' and I am an absolute 'best friend shipper' so I loved Sebastian and Liv's story. I'm not gonna lie but that epilogue... with the song (I even sang it hahaha)... it made me bawl my eyes out. (((:
October 24, 2015
Your first real love is a scary and beautiful thing. It is that much more intense when the love of your life has also been your best friend practically forever. This begins as your typical teenage 'do I take the next step'story. Next door neighbours who have been friends pretty much their whole lives suddenly realise that their feelings for one another are no longer strictly platonic. Neither wants to be the first to admit it to the other, because neither can stand the thought of losing the other. Having been in a similar situation myself, I believe that all the feelings experienced by Sebastian (Bas) and Olivia were very real.
Just when Olivia and Bas are beginning what should be a beautiful and forever love, disaster strikes tearing the two young lovers apart. Darkness and despair become their new best friends. Bas moves to London and a whole new life, while Olivia is left behind, hurt and bereft and with a gaping hole in her heart where Bas used to reside. It takes a few years for Olivia to even consider pretending to move on with her life, but seriously .... Who just gets over that kind of soul crushing hurt? Easier to have a 'friend with benefits' arrangement and never give your heart away again. Truth be told though, she couldn't really give her heart to anyone else because it was no longer hers to give. Bas had it... Not that he cared and not that he treasured it.
Fast forward a few years and Olivia is offered an internship at the Hollingsworth Hotel in the UK. Bas is now part of a very famous boy band and Olivia holds some concerns about residing in the same general location as her one true love. But this job means everything to her. She cannot graduate without it. What is the likelihood that they will cross paths anyway? So much has happened in the years following his abrupt departure from The States and some very public, very hurtful things have been said by Bas, about Olivia. I will not go into details but I will tell you that this book contains some perfect laugh out loud moments and some moments where you may find yourself wanting to throw your Kindle/ebook reader across the room. There are some warm and wonderful characters in this book that you can't help but love... Lloyd is just gorgeous and Olivia's best friend, Saylor, is the kind of BFF that every girl wishes to have in their lives. Just the right amount of pushiness and protection. She is amazeballs and you will love her and wish you had a besty just like her :D
This was such a beautifully written story. You feel for the characters all the way through. Their trials, their triumphs, their tears and their laughter are all there for you to share in. Considering it is unlikely that too many people have their ex-boyfriend become part of a world famous band, it is still a believable and well thought out story and you can't help but become emotionally invested in the outcome. I kept telling myself, just one more chapter ..... Just one more .... I just could not go to sleep without finding out what happened. Hands down one of the best books I've read this year.
If you have ever been so in love with someone that you don't know where you end and they begin, and you believe that maybe, just maybe love can conquer ALL things.... This is a must read! Please bring tissues.
Just when Olivia and Bas are beginning what should be a beautiful and forever love, disaster strikes tearing the two young lovers apart. Darkness and despair become their new best friends. Bas moves to London and a whole new life, while Olivia is left behind, hurt and bereft and with a gaping hole in her heart where Bas used to reside. It takes a few years for Olivia to even consider pretending to move on with her life, but seriously .... Who just gets over that kind of soul crushing hurt? Easier to have a 'friend with benefits' arrangement and never give your heart away again. Truth be told though, she couldn't really give her heart to anyone else because it was no longer hers to give. Bas had it... Not that he cared and not that he treasured it.
Fast forward a few years and Olivia is offered an internship at the Hollingsworth Hotel in the UK. Bas is now part of a very famous boy band and Olivia holds some concerns about residing in the same general location as her one true love. But this job means everything to her. She cannot graduate without it. What is the likelihood that they will cross paths anyway? So much has happened in the years following his abrupt departure from The States and some very public, very hurtful things have been said by Bas, about Olivia. I will not go into details but I will tell you that this book contains some perfect laugh out loud moments and some moments where you may find yourself wanting to throw your Kindle/ebook reader across the room. There are some warm and wonderful characters in this book that you can't help but love... Lloyd is just gorgeous and Olivia's best friend, Saylor, is the kind of BFF that every girl wishes to have in their lives. Just the right amount of pushiness and protection. She is amazeballs and you will love her and wish you had a besty just like her :D
This was such a beautifully written story. You feel for the characters all the way through. Their trials, their triumphs, their tears and their laughter are all there for you to share in. Considering it is unlikely that too many people have their ex-boyfriend become part of a world famous band, it is still a believable and well thought out story and you can't help but become emotionally invested in the outcome. I kept telling myself, just one more chapter ..... Just one more .... I just could not go to sleep without finding out what happened. Hands down one of the best books I've read this year.
If you have ever been so in love with someone that you don't know where you end and they begin, and you believe that maybe, just maybe love can conquer ALL things.... This is a must read! Please bring tissues.
March 27, 2020
Omg this book! I was so in love with Bas and Liv! They were the cutest couple that you just knew they were going to be for forever. They started out as Best friends and then that turned to love. Then life happened and went and threw then a curve ball. Everything shattered around Liv and Bas sending both into different directions. Would they ever find their way back? Could they ever have the love they were destined to have?
The writing in the book hooked me to Soars instantly. I felt each and every characters emotions. Not only were the main characters so personable but the supporting characters really pulled you in. I can't wait to see more from these characters and where life takes them.
The writing in the book hooked me to Soars instantly. I felt each and every characters emotions. Not only were the main characters so personable but the supporting characters really pulled you in. I can't wait to see more from these characters and where life takes them.
November 17, 2015
Wonderwall was utterly and completely fantastic! Oh, how my heart sang when I got to the end of Bas and Liv's story. The chemistry, the conflict, the tension and unexpected twists that came with their relationship...it was all so amazing. And let me not forget to mention Oliver and Saylor. Three words for them - bring it on!
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Chemistry/Intensity: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Stand Alone: Yes
Series Potential: Yes
NetGalley ARC for review in exchange for an honest critique
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Chemistry/Intensity: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Stand Alone: Yes
Series Potential: Yes
NetGalley ARC for review in exchange for an honest critique
January 13, 2016
I received a copy of Wonderwall in exchange for an honest review.
Call me a sucker but I love stories of First Love and M.H. Soars wrote a beautiful one at that. We all remember our first loves and many of us would love a second chance. Olivia loses Sebastian (BAS) because of a terrible disaster. He leaves her without a word. She is devistated and he seems not to care. Can she get over him, did he move on? What will happen when she runs into him? Pick up Wonderwall and find out. You will be glad you did. I can't wait to read more from M.H.
Call me a sucker but I love stories of First Love and M.H. Soars wrote a beautiful one at that. We all remember our first loves and many of us would love a second chance. Olivia loses Sebastian (BAS) because of a terrible disaster. He leaves her without a word. She is devistated and he seems not to care. Can she get over him, did he move on? What will happen when she runs into him? Pick up Wonderwall and find out. You will be glad you did. I can't wait to read more from M.H.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews