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Summer Love #1
Manche Tage muss man einfach zuckern
Dauersingle Sarah hat die fixe Idee, dass die große Liebe auf der Internetseite »Missed Connections« auf sie wartet. Die Plattform richtet sich an all diejenigen, die ihren Traumpartner schon auf den Straßen von New York gesehen haben, aber nicht mutig genug waren, ihn anzusprechen. Doch Sarahs Mr. Right hat sie wohl noch nicht entdeckt, und so fängt sie eine Affäre mit Jack an, dem attraktiven Bruder ihres Mitbewohners. Er schafft es, ein wenig unverbindlichen Spaß in ihr Leben zu bringen. Doch dann taucht ein anonymer Verehrer auf »Missed Connections« auf …
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 7, 2016
11 people are currently reading
783 people want to read
About the author
Tamara Mataya
13 books239 followersTamara Mataya is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a librarian, and a musician with synesthesia. Armed with a name tag and a thin veneer of credibility, she takes great delight in recommending books and shushing people. She puts the 'she' in TWSS and the B in LGBTQIA+. She’s the co-creator of Pitchmas, a bi-annual pitch contest for writers, and as a freelance editor, has worked with NYT Bestselling authors.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
July 21, 2016
Missed Connections is unique, quirky, sexy and funny! 5 Stars, Mataya shines!
Sara is young, she’s just lost her job, oh and currently homeless now couch surfing at her best friend Pete’s. She’s single and a bit lonely but she’s extremely independent and she’s not going to let her recent string of bad luck bring her down. She’s on the hunt for a new job and she’ll find one if it kills her. She loves her Pete but she wants her privacy back and her own space. When she applies for a receptionist’s position at Inner Space and the owners/operators take an interest in her it seems like her luck may be shifting. Fern and Ziggy, where do I even begin? My thoughts and feelings about them could fill a notebook, but what it boils down to is they are hippies, and not very nice ones at that. Moving on.
Sara gets a call back and accepts the position and this is where the story really takes off. What follows is a quirky, frustrating, and addictive story about a woman trying to find her way in a new work environment surrounded by new age idiots all the while searching for love on Missed Connections, an online site where people can leave messages for that person they feel they may have a romantic connection with. Missed Connections is Sara’s secret guilty pleasure and she’s become addicted to scoring the site for a post that could have been left with her in mind. When at long last she discovers a post written just for her, she’s ecstatic and it comes at a perfect time, her newly acquired job is starting to wear her down. But wait, I’m leaving out the best part, she’s only just started having a bit of fun with a long-time friend of hers, one that she has lusted after for years but never allowed herself to have. The once sometimes lonely Sara now has two seemingly different men in her life, one to talk to, to share herself with emotionally and another to give her sheet clawing, sweaty, sex. The best sex she’s ever had, to be exact. She has strong feelings for both men…
Now what the hell is she going to do? Sounds like an impossible situation right? She has strong feelings for both men…
Missed Connections is original, fresh, hilarious, frustrating, emotional, and hot! Tamara Mataya writes stories that are truly her own, no one else can even be compared to her and the way her deliciously crazy mind works. She plots the craziest stories, gives us the most wonderful characters, and never fails to keep me riveted to the page. Her writing is incredibly sharp and she never fails to deliver the full on belly laughs, swoons, sighs, tingles, blushes, and of course the feels. While Missed Connections isn’t what you would expect from the typical romance novel, it’s just as addictive and sexy. It kept me flipping furiously the pages until I reached the end. In a market where there are hundreds of new releases each day in a now thriving indie market Tamara Mataya shines with her uniqueness and incredible talent for weaving the most wonderful and unforgettable stories.
Sara is young, she’s just lost her job, oh and currently homeless now couch surfing at her best friend Pete’s. She’s single and a bit lonely but she’s extremely independent and she’s not going to let her recent string of bad luck bring her down. She’s on the hunt for a new job and she’ll find one if it kills her. She loves her Pete but she wants her privacy back and her own space. When she applies for a receptionist’s position at Inner Space and the owners/operators take an interest in her it seems like her luck may be shifting. Fern and Ziggy, where do I even begin? My thoughts and feelings about them could fill a notebook, but what it boils down to is they are hippies, and not very nice ones at that. Moving on.
Sara gets a call back and accepts the position and this is where the story really takes off. What follows is a quirky, frustrating, and addictive story about a woman trying to find her way in a new work environment surrounded by new age idiots all the while searching for love on Missed Connections, an online site where people can leave messages for that person they feel they may have a romantic connection with. Missed Connections is Sara’s secret guilty pleasure and she’s become addicted to scoring the site for a post that could have been left with her in mind. When at long last she discovers a post written just for her, she’s ecstatic and it comes at a perfect time, her newly acquired job is starting to wear her down. But wait, I’m leaving out the best part, she’s only just started having a bit of fun with a long-time friend of hers, one that she has lusted after for years but never allowed herself to have. The once sometimes lonely Sara now has two seemingly different men in her life, one to talk to, to share herself with emotionally and another to give her sheet clawing, sweaty, sex. The best sex she’s ever had, to be exact. She has strong feelings for both men…
Now what the hell is she going to do? Sounds like an impossible situation right? She has strong feelings for both men…
Missed Connections is original, fresh, hilarious, frustrating, emotional, and hot! Tamara Mataya writes stories that are truly her own, no one else can even be compared to her and the way her deliciously crazy mind works. She plots the craziest stories, gives us the most wonderful characters, and never fails to keep me riveted to the page. Her writing is incredibly sharp and she never fails to deliver the full on belly laughs, swoons, sighs, tingles, blushes, and of course the feels. While Missed Connections isn’t what you would expect from the typical romance novel, it’s just as addictive and sexy. It kept me flipping furiously the pages until I reached the end. In a market where there are hundreds of new releases each day in a now thriving indie market Tamara Mataya shines with her uniqueness and incredible talent for weaving the most wonderful and unforgettable stories.
August 8, 2016
I am a sucker for true romance stories and the whole "missed connections' and personal ads type tale so I knew I would be in love with this book and it turned out to be an amazing read. I remember when I was younger we used to get this magazine at home called the Trade Exchange and in it was a section called Personals and I used to sit there and read all the personal ads and the "wanted relationship" ads. Like Sarah, deep down I dreamed that when I was older that I might get an ad as it was such a romantic gesture and in a way I did about 15 years ago but through a text message , that whole secret crush - then revealed themselves in person through my checkout. Though have to admit, the dating period didn't last long LOL. In Missed Connections, it starts off with Sarah getting a new job working as a receptionist at a new age spa called "Inner Spaces". She's pleased for a new job as it means no longer sleeping on her best friend's Pete's couch and having to be around his luscious twin not-gay brother Jack. The job turns out to be a one-way track down to cray-cray land as the hippies she works for are all whack-a-doodles except for one who only works part-time - Blake. He's hot and they seem to be building a great rapport and one day Sarah sees a Missed Connections ad and it's finally talking about her. She answers and soon strikes a conversation with her mystery man - what will happen though when she starts sleeping with Jack and it comes time to meet her mystery man ? Who will she choose and what happens when she discovers that maybe everything is not what it seems and that sometimes Mr. Perfect or even Mr. Right Now has been right in front of you all along and sometimes it just takes a kick in the right direction for you to see and open your eyes to what-if's and possibilities.
January 25, 2017
Sarah is getting gas lighted by her horrific job. Sure, she had a hard time finding this job when she lost her last job at a law firm, but why isn't she still looking for another job, as shitty as they are to her at the massage place?!
And sleeping with Jack plus trying to hook up with Blake at the same time?
I have no respect for Sarah in so many ways.
And this book is driving me crazy. I just want to know wtf is going on with the hippy bosses (and I want someone to slap the shit out of them), but I hate the rest. Actually, I hate the hippy bosses most of all. I've been getting this as a serial via email from Sourcebooks Casablanca, but I can't read any more, it makes me so mad every day.
And sleeping with Jack plus trying to hook up with Blake at the same time?
I have no respect for Sarah in so many ways.
And this book is driving me crazy. I just want to know wtf is going on with the hippy bosses (and I want someone to slap the shit out of them), but I hate the rest. Actually, I hate the hippy bosses most of all. I've been getting this as a serial via email from Sourcebooks Casablanca, but I can't read any more, it makes me so mad every day.
July 18, 2017
Cover
Mir gefällt das Cover sehr gut. Es sieht ein bisschen aus wie das Straßenschild eines Cafés. Auch wenn die Schriften etwas unruhig sind, gefällt mir gerade das doch auch sehr gut. Der absolut größte Vorteil ist allerdings, dass keine Menschen auf den Cover zu sehen sind!
Meine Meinung
Neben dem Cover hat mich auch der Klapptext sofort angesprochen. Das Buch versprach eine lockere Sommerlektüre zu werden. Dieses Versprechen konnte auch auf jeden Fall gehalten werden. Obwohl ich Sarah, die Hauptfigur, stellenweise sehr anstrengend fand, hat imr das Buch gefallen.
Warum mochte ich Sarah nicht? Als aller erstes hat es mich massiv gestört, wie herablassend sie über Jacks Job gesprochen hat. Klar, es ist nicht der 08-15 Bürojob, aber es ist sein Job, den er liebt. Ich finde, egal was die eigene Meinung ist, sollte man es respektieren, wenn jemand seinen Traumjob gefunden hat und diesen ausübt. Deswegen sollte man keine Menschen verurteilen, denn gerade diese Vorurteile haben Sarah sehr unsympatisch gemacht. Vorallem wenn man sich ihren eigenen Job an sieht. Sarah wurde von einer Anwaltskanzlei gefeuert und sucht nun verzweifelt eine Stelle. Eigentlich ist sie Anwaltsgehilfin, bewirbt sich aber auf alles mögliche und ist nicht mehr wählerisch. Schließlich landet sie in einem Massagestudio, das mir vom ersten Moment an suspekt war. Fern und Ziggy sind nicht nur furchtbar manipulativ, sondern auch herrisch und respektlos ihr gegenüber. Sie behandeln Sarah von Anfang an nicht gut und obwohl sie ständig gesagt bekommt, wie unmöglich die Arbeitsbedingungen doch sind, kündigt sie nicht und sucht auch nicht wirklich nach einer neuen Stelle. Es wird zwar kurz erwähnt, aber an ihrer Stelle hätte ich das viel vehementer gemacht. Gerade Fern und Ziggy gegenüber fand ich sie extrem naiv und wollte sie am liebsten nur schütteln und fragen, was sie sich bei dem ganzen eigentlich denkt.
Jack und auch seinen Zwillingsbruder Peter fand ich sehr sympathisch. Sie haben sich ernsthafte Sorgen um Sarah gemacht und sich vor allem auch um sie gekümmert. Beide haben ihr mehrmals geraten, sich eine neue Stelle zu suchen, aber sie war nicht davon abzubringen.
Im Gesamten muss ich auch ehrlich sagen, dass ich die Geschichte sehr vorhersehbar fand. Viele Dinge waren einfach viel zu offensichtlich und Sarah hat sich einfach nur etwas eingeredet, doch so wirklich konnte ich das als Leserin nicht glauben. Gerade die Sache mit ihrer "Missed Connection" fand ich stellenweise sehr fragwürdig. Sie öffnet sich einer völlig fremden Person, mit der sie bisdato nur geschrieben hat. Auf der anderen Seite kann ich das auch verstehen, denn oft ist es leichter, sich solchen Menschen zu öffnen. Trotzdem sollte man bedenken, das in Zeiten des Internets nicht mehr alles so ist, wie es scheint. Sarah vermutet ja nur, dass es Blake sein könnte, sie weis es aber eigentlich gar nicht. Das Ganze könnte ins Auge gehen. Ist es zum Glück nicht und deshalb "wirkt es romantisch".
Was hat mir nun eigentlich an diesem Buch gefallen? Besonders haben mir die Stimmung und das knistern zwischen ihr und Jack gefallen. Peter war mein Goldstück, der hat Sarah nämlich auch hin und wieder den Marsch geblasen und ihr den Kopf wieder etwas zurecht gerückt, wenn sie sich über Probleme beschwert hat, die eigentlich keine sind. Der Schreibstil der Autorin war angenehm und sehr schön zu lesen. Das Buch ist durchaus lustig und mit viel Humor ausgestattet. Die Figuren haben mich zum Lachen gebracht und ich habe doch mit ihnen mitgefiebert. Man sollte keine besonders innovative Geschichte erwarten, trotzdem denke ich, dass man mit diesem Buch viel Spaß haben kann.
Von mir erhält das Buch drei von fünf möglichen Monstern, weil es mir trotz allem doch ganz gut gefallen hat.
Mehr Rezensionen auf meinem Blog Valaraucos-Buchstabenmeer
Mir gefällt das Cover sehr gut. Es sieht ein bisschen aus wie das Straßenschild eines Cafés. Auch wenn die Schriften etwas unruhig sind, gefällt mir gerade das doch auch sehr gut. Der absolut größte Vorteil ist allerdings, dass keine Menschen auf den Cover zu sehen sind!
Meine Meinung
Neben dem Cover hat mich auch der Klapptext sofort angesprochen. Das Buch versprach eine lockere Sommerlektüre zu werden. Dieses Versprechen konnte auch auf jeden Fall gehalten werden. Obwohl ich Sarah, die Hauptfigur, stellenweise sehr anstrengend fand, hat imr das Buch gefallen.
Warum mochte ich Sarah nicht? Als aller erstes hat es mich massiv gestört, wie herablassend sie über Jacks Job gesprochen hat. Klar, es ist nicht der 08-15 Bürojob, aber es ist sein Job, den er liebt. Ich finde, egal was die eigene Meinung ist, sollte man es respektieren, wenn jemand seinen Traumjob gefunden hat und diesen ausübt. Deswegen sollte man keine Menschen verurteilen, denn gerade diese Vorurteile haben Sarah sehr unsympatisch gemacht. Vorallem wenn man sich ihren eigenen Job an sieht. Sarah wurde von einer Anwaltskanzlei gefeuert und sucht nun verzweifelt eine Stelle. Eigentlich ist sie Anwaltsgehilfin, bewirbt sich aber auf alles mögliche und ist nicht mehr wählerisch. Schließlich landet sie in einem Massagestudio, das mir vom ersten Moment an suspekt war. Fern und Ziggy sind nicht nur furchtbar manipulativ, sondern auch herrisch und respektlos ihr gegenüber. Sie behandeln Sarah von Anfang an nicht gut und obwohl sie ständig gesagt bekommt, wie unmöglich die Arbeitsbedingungen doch sind, kündigt sie nicht und sucht auch nicht wirklich nach einer neuen Stelle. Es wird zwar kurz erwähnt, aber an ihrer Stelle hätte ich das viel vehementer gemacht. Gerade Fern und Ziggy gegenüber fand ich sie extrem naiv und wollte sie am liebsten nur schütteln und fragen, was sie sich bei dem ganzen eigentlich denkt.
Jack und auch seinen Zwillingsbruder Peter fand ich sehr sympathisch. Sie haben sich ernsthafte Sorgen um Sarah gemacht und sich vor allem auch um sie gekümmert. Beide haben ihr mehrmals geraten, sich eine neue Stelle zu suchen, aber sie war nicht davon abzubringen.
Im Gesamten muss ich auch ehrlich sagen, dass ich die Geschichte sehr vorhersehbar fand. Viele Dinge waren einfach viel zu offensichtlich und Sarah hat sich einfach nur etwas eingeredet, doch so wirklich konnte ich das als Leserin nicht glauben. Gerade die Sache mit ihrer "Missed Connection" fand ich stellenweise sehr fragwürdig. Sie öffnet sich einer völlig fremden Person, mit der sie bisdato nur geschrieben hat. Auf der anderen Seite kann ich das auch verstehen, denn oft ist es leichter, sich solchen Menschen zu öffnen. Trotzdem sollte man bedenken, das in Zeiten des Internets nicht mehr alles so ist, wie es scheint. Sarah vermutet ja nur, dass es Blake sein könnte, sie weis es aber eigentlich gar nicht. Das Ganze könnte ins Auge gehen. Ist es zum Glück nicht und deshalb "wirkt es romantisch".
Was hat mir nun eigentlich an diesem Buch gefallen? Besonders haben mir die Stimmung und das knistern zwischen ihr und Jack gefallen. Peter war mein Goldstück, der hat Sarah nämlich auch hin und wieder den Marsch geblasen und ihr den Kopf wieder etwas zurecht gerückt, wenn sie sich über Probleme beschwert hat, die eigentlich keine sind. Der Schreibstil der Autorin war angenehm und sehr schön zu lesen. Das Buch ist durchaus lustig und mit viel Humor ausgestattet. Die Figuren haben mich zum Lachen gebracht und ich habe doch mit ihnen mitgefiebert. Man sollte keine besonders innovative Geschichte erwarten, trotzdem denke ich, dass man mit diesem Buch viel Spaß haben kann.
Von mir erhält das Buch drei von fünf möglichen Monstern, weil es mir trotz allem doch ganz gut gefallen hat.
Mehr Rezensionen auf meinem Blog Valaraucos-Buchstabenmeer
August 9, 2017
"Manche Tage muss man einfach zuckern" ist eine locker leichte und witzige Lektüre, die mich bestens unterhalten konnte.
Sarah verliert ihren Job in einer Anwaltskanzlei und arbeitet nun am Empfang eines Hippie-Massagesalons. Privat surft sie gerne durch "Missed Connections" auf der Suche nach ihrem Traummann.
Sarah war zwar manchmal ein wenig verpeilt, aber insgesamt fand ich sie sehr sympathisch. Besonders unterhaltsam fand ich ihren Job, da gab es wirklich einige zu geniale Momente, bei denen ich laut lachen musste.
Auch die Einbindung der Seite Missed Connections, die es tatsächlich gibt, fand ich eine sehr nette Idee und war mal wieder was anderes.
Die Geschichte selbst und auch die Liebesgeschichte waren natürlich sehr vorhersehbar, aber das hat mich hier kaum gestört, weil mich das Buch einfach unglaublich gut unterhalten konnte. Das Buch ist eine tolle Mischung aus süßer Liebesgeschichte und der richtigen Portion Humor.
Sarah verliert ihren Job in einer Anwaltskanzlei und arbeitet nun am Empfang eines Hippie-Massagesalons. Privat surft sie gerne durch "Missed Connections" auf der Suche nach ihrem Traummann.
Sarah war zwar manchmal ein wenig verpeilt, aber insgesamt fand ich sie sehr sympathisch. Besonders unterhaltsam fand ich ihren Job, da gab es wirklich einige zu geniale Momente, bei denen ich laut lachen musste.
Auch die Einbindung der Seite Missed Connections, die es tatsächlich gibt, fand ich eine sehr nette Idee und war mal wieder was anderes.
Die Geschichte selbst und auch die Liebesgeschichte waren natürlich sehr vorhersehbar, aber das hat mich hier kaum gestört, weil mich das Buch einfach unglaublich gut unterhalten konnte. Das Buch ist eine tolle Mischung aus süßer Liebesgeschichte und der richtigen Portion Humor.
June 7, 2016
Kitty's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Missed Connections had me laughing and swooning at the same time. Tamara Mataya wrote one heck of a fun book that had me smiling and just waiting for truth to come out and wondering just what was going to happen.
I have to hand it to this author … how she came up with characters like Fern and Ziggy is beyond me. Then she throws in the mean girl and the book just takes off.
As for Sarah, well she doesn’t know who or what is standing right in front of her just waiting for her to open her eyes. She’s a romantic at heart and, even though she had a crush on Jack for a loooooong time, she’s not going there with her best friend’s twin brother. He’s a player, he’s a DJ that has woman crawling all over him and is not looking to settle down. She wants someone that she could talk to, ell about her day, her crazy bosses and just be herself with. But, when he finally lets loose on her, how does she say no? Now, what does she do about that Missed Connection that has her all tied up in knots. He listens to her and she’s had crazy cyber-sex with him. She knows that she has to make a choice but doesn’t know which is the right one. Blake, who always asks about her day, has totally interest in her or Jack, the man who has always been her friend and now sets her sheets on fire … who is it going to be?
Jack cannot open himself up to anyone. He just doesn’t have it in him to let his feelings out. Especially when it comes to Sarah – the one woman who could own him heart and soul. But, maybe there is a way for him to be taken seriously by her, to let her know that he can be the man that she wants and needs, to be the man that she could trust and make her happily-ever-after with. He just couldn’t find the right time to tell her the truth, to let her in on the double life he’s leading just to win her over. But, when she picks her Missed Connection over him, he has no choice but to man up.
Blake has his own little niche in the story. Hot, sexy and totally concerned about Sarah working with Fern, Ziggy and Phyllis. He can connect with her in a way that has her smiling when she thinks about him. She loves the little jokes that he plays on the Hippies … loves that he leaves chocolate in her desk drawer … and can’t help but think about the back massage that he gave her. She just knows that it’s him on Missed Connections and keeping a low profile since employees are not allowed to fraternize at Inner Space.
The whole “Missed Connection” conversations were sometimes funny, sometimes serious and sometimes really erotic (she took phone sex to another level) but they were all so cute. You kind of had an idea throughout the story of who she was talking to but Tamara Mataya did a really good job of mixing up the conversations enough that you still weren’t sure until the door opened to Sarah’s apartment and the real Missed Connection walked in. And, it’s really rough to review this book and not let you in on the secret on who the man on the other end is. But, that’s just what I am going to do – keep you in suspense and make you read a really good book with a fantastic and fun storyline.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
Missed Connections had me laughing and swooning at the same time. Tamara Mataya wrote one heck of a fun book that had me smiling and just waiting for truth to come out and wondering just what was going to happen.
I have to hand it to this author … how she came up with characters like Fern and Ziggy is beyond me. Then she throws in the mean girl and the book just takes off.
As for Sarah, well she doesn’t know who or what is standing right in front of her just waiting for her to open her eyes. She’s a romantic at heart and, even though she had a crush on Jack for a loooooong time, she’s not going there with her best friend’s twin brother. He’s a player, he’s a DJ that has woman crawling all over him and is not looking to settle down. She wants someone that she could talk to, ell about her day, her crazy bosses and just be herself with. But, when he finally lets loose on her, how does she say no? Now, what does she do about that Missed Connection that has her all tied up in knots. He listens to her and she’s had crazy cyber-sex with him. She knows that she has to make a choice but doesn’t know which is the right one. Blake, who always asks about her day, has totally interest in her or Jack, the man who has always been her friend and now sets her sheets on fire … who is it going to be?
Jack cannot open himself up to anyone. He just doesn’t have it in him to let his feelings out. Especially when it comes to Sarah – the one woman who could own him heart and soul. But, maybe there is a way for him to be taken seriously by her, to let her know that he can be the man that she wants and needs, to be the man that she could trust and make her happily-ever-after with. He just couldn’t find the right time to tell her the truth, to let her in on the double life he’s leading just to win her over. But, when she picks her Missed Connection over him, he has no choice but to man up.
Blake has his own little niche in the story. Hot, sexy and totally concerned about Sarah working with Fern, Ziggy and Phyllis. He can connect with her in a way that has her smiling when she thinks about him. She loves the little jokes that he plays on the Hippies … loves that he leaves chocolate in her desk drawer … and can’t help but think about the back massage that he gave her. She just knows that it’s him on Missed Connections and keeping a low profile since employees are not allowed to fraternize at Inner Space.
The whole “Missed Connection” conversations were sometimes funny, sometimes serious and sometimes really erotic (she took phone sex to another level) but they were all so cute. You kind of had an idea throughout the story of who she was talking to but Tamara Mataya did a really good job of mixing up the conversations enough that you still weren’t sure until the door opened to Sarah’s apartment and the real Missed Connection walked in. And, it’s really rough to review this book and not let you in on the secret on who the man on the other end is. But, that’s just what I am going to do – keep you in suspense and make you read a really good book with a fantastic and fun storyline.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
August 10, 2016
Review: This was a funny,crazy and sexy book that I absolutely enjoyed reading!Upon reading the blurb I had thought that this book would probably be a love triangle of sorts, but it went in a different direction from my expectations and that was quite surprising!
Sarah has just lost her job as a paralegal and has been crashing at her best friend Pete's place.She's desperate for a new job and would like to finally stay at an apartment on her own again.Somehow she manages to land a receptionist job at a New Age spa with weird, hippy bosses- Fern and Ziggy- who seem nice in the beginning.She also secretly loves to read the Missed Connections section and hopes that one day she might find one about her.Her wish comes true and soon she and her online friend begin to develop a relationship, that she hasn't ever experienced before.
But, at the same time there is also Jack-Pete's twin brother, on whom she has had a crush on for a long time.Though, she is attracted to him, she doesn't really have faith in a relationship with him due to her preconceived notions about him and past experiences that have burned her.
Jack has also liked Sarah since the beginning.But she has never given him the time of the day.She doesn't even know him as well as she thinks she does.What can a guy do when the girl you've lusted after for so long thinks that you are a manwhore?
Add Blake-Sarah's sexy,flirtatious new co-worker to the mix and you end up with more confusion!
So, what will Sarah do?Will she finally stand up to her Fern,Ziggy and Phyllis who are determined to make her feel inferior and drive her crazy?Will she be able to choose between her Missed Connection and Jack or will she have to?Read the book to find out!
Honestly, Sarah's character was a little annoying in the beginning.I wasn't really fond of the way she treated Jack and how she labelled him even though she actually didn't know him thoroughly.But, she grew on me and I could understand why she found it so difficult to trust him.Pete and Jack were great characters!Coming to Fern,Ziggy and Phyllis- the author has created such weird,annoying and unbelievable people, but truthfully humans like them do exist.I liked how Sarah handled them in the end.No job in this world is worth the loss of your sanity or identity!
The relationship between Sarah and her online friend was well done.It isn't really much of a mystery and I think everyone but Sarah knew who he was halfway through the book.Towards the end, the angst was a little high and Sarah started rambling in her monologues but I loved the ending.It was a great book with had a good combination of humor,steam and love.The characters and their circumstances were realistic and believable.So, take a chance on this book and read it!I'll be looking out for more books from Tamara Matatya in the future :D
Sarah has just lost her job as a paralegal and has been crashing at her best friend Pete's place.She's desperate for a new job and would like to finally stay at an apartment on her own again.Somehow she manages to land a receptionist job at a New Age spa with weird, hippy bosses- Fern and Ziggy- who seem nice in the beginning.She also secretly loves to read the Missed Connections section and hopes that one day she might find one about her.Her wish comes true and soon she and her online friend begin to develop a relationship, that she hasn't ever experienced before.
But, at the same time there is also Jack-Pete's twin brother, on whom she has had a crush on for a long time.Though, she is attracted to him, she doesn't really have faith in a relationship with him due to her preconceived notions about him and past experiences that have burned her.
Jack has also liked Sarah since the beginning.But she has never given him the time of the day.She doesn't even know him as well as she thinks she does.What can a guy do when the girl you've lusted after for so long thinks that you are a manwhore?
Add Blake-Sarah's sexy,flirtatious new co-worker to the mix and you end up with more confusion!
So, what will Sarah do?Will she finally stand up to her Fern,Ziggy and Phyllis who are determined to make her feel inferior and drive her crazy?Will she be able to choose between her Missed Connection and Jack or will she have to?Read the book to find out!
Honestly, Sarah's character was a little annoying in the beginning.I wasn't really fond of the way she treated Jack and how she labelled him even though she actually didn't know him thoroughly.But, she grew on me and I could understand why she found it so difficult to trust him.Pete and Jack were great characters!Coming to Fern,Ziggy and Phyllis- the author has created such weird,annoying and unbelievable people, but truthfully humans like them do exist.I liked how Sarah handled them in the end.No job in this world is worth the loss of your sanity or identity!
The relationship between Sarah and her online friend was well done.It isn't really much of a mystery and I think everyone but Sarah knew who he was halfway through the book.Towards the end, the angst was a little high and Sarah started rambling in her monologues but I loved the ending.It was a great book with had a good combination of humor,steam and love.The characters and their circumstances were realistic and believable.So, take a chance on this book and read it!I'll be looking out for more books from Tamara Matatya in the future :D
August 3, 2016
I was given this book because my opinion was requested by the publisher... Not so sure they want my opinion after reading this poopcicle, but here it goes.
This book was boring--but GAWT it had so much promise! Who doesn't love a good, fall in love with an online secret admirer who is really the sexy guy next door story?!
Unfortunately, the heroine of this tale, the one who is telling the story in first person, is a little too caught up in herself, in EVERYTHING, for me to get interested in anything she has to say, anything she thinks, or anything she cares about--including the hero.
She whines about her job for like 80% of the book, and all the while she's looking down her nose at the guy who is in love with her because she thinks his job as a DJ is just an excuse to party and shag every disco hag who pops a titty from her low slung dress. She is a utter bitch to him and she doesn't deserve him.
Also, how much of a freaking idiot do you have to be to NOT FIGURE OUT WHO THE MISSED CONNECTION WAS before falling in love with a dude who had no idea you were even thinking about him. She was a dummy...all the clues were there, she just didn't piece it together because her mind wouldn't even let her consider that the guy on the other side of the screen could be the "worthless" Jack.
Nope, didn't like the heroine which spoiled the whole book for me.
This book was boring--but GAWT it had so much promise! Who doesn't love a good, fall in love with an online secret admirer who is really the sexy guy next door story?!
Unfortunately, the heroine of this tale, the one who is telling the story in first person, is a little too caught up in herself, in EVERYTHING, for me to get interested in anything she has to say, anything she thinks, or anything she cares about--including the hero.
She whines about her job for like 80% of the book, and all the while she's looking down her nose at the guy who is in love with her because she thinks his job as a DJ is just an excuse to party and shag every disco hag who pops a titty from her low slung dress. She is a utter bitch to him and she doesn't deserve him.
Also, how much of a freaking idiot do you have to be to NOT FIGURE OUT WHO THE MISSED CONNECTION WAS before falling in love with a dude who had no idea you were even thinking about him. She was a dummy...all the clues were there, she just didn't piece it together because her mind wouldn't even let her consider that the guy on the other side of the screen could be the "worthless" Jack.
Nope, didn't like the heroine which spoiled the whole book for me.
May 10, 2017
Auf "Manche Tage muss man einfach zuckern" habe ich mich sehr gefreut und auch auf den Erscheinungstermin hingefiebert. Das Cover ist mir sofort ins Auge gesprungen (ich habe mich verliebt!), genauso wie der Titel – denn wie das nun mal so ist: Manche Tage muss man in der heutigen Zeit des Stresses, des Drucks und der Alltagssorgen eben einfach zuckern. Und genau das hat der Plot für mich gemacht. Die Geschichte ist so locker und leicht, die Hauptprotagonistin so erfrischend und der Schreibstil humorvoll und toll, so dass ich nur so durch die Seiten geflogen bin: ich hatte das Buch trotz Arbeit und trotz Studium innerhalb von zwei Tagen beendet.
Obwohl wahrscheinlich jeder von uns schon so einige Liebesromane gelesen hat und man vermutlich schon mit vielen (un)lösbaren Problemen, Beziehungskonstellationen und Arten von Kummer in diesem Genre vertraut ist, fand ich Sarahs Geschichte doch sehr interessant, vor allem, weil ich sie in dieser Form – mit der Internetplattform "Craiglist" bzw. im Buch "Missed Connections" – so noch nicht gelesen habe. Auch Sarahs Lebenssituation und ihrer Alltagsprobleme spielen in der Geschichte eine große Rolle und legen den Fokus nicht ausschließlich auf die Suche nach der großen Liebe, was mir ebenso gut gefallen hat.
In vierlei Hinsicht konnte mich mit Sarah und ihrer Lebenssituation identifizieren, was mich schon ein wenig erschreckt hat. Denn anfangs habe ich mich so oft gefragt, warum sie nicht einfach bei den Hippies kündigt und sich einen neuen Job sucht. Und im nächsten Moment war ich doch eher kleinlaut, weil ich mir vor Augen führen musste, dass auch ich nicht gerne aufgebe, alles hinwerfe und Problemen aus dem Weg gehe. Vor allem nicht, wenn ich davon meine Lebenshaltungskosten decken muss. Und obwohl ich viel mit Sarah gemeinsam habe, war ich doch auch irgendwie von Seite zu Seite fassungslos, wie blind sie im Bezug auf Jack und Blake war. Dass sie zu keiner Sekunde gerafft hat, was da vor sich geht, obwohl ich die Situation selbst so schnell erfasst hatte. Letztlich war ich vermutlich deswegen auch vom Ende ein wenig enttäuscht, denn auf mich wirkte es von vorne bis hinten leider sehr vorhersehbar. Die "Spannung" bzw. den Überraschungsmoment, den die Autorin wohl erhofft hatte, aufzubauen, ist bei mir dadurch leider einfach abgeprallt.
Was mich jedoch nicht weiter gestört hat, denn so konnte ich mich vollkommen auf Sarahs Einstellung zu ihrem Job und ihre Gegensätzlichkeit im Bezug auf die Prinzipien ihrer Chefs konzentrieren. Auch wenn ich mich in Sarahs Situation wohl ähnlich verhalten hätte und ich mit Bauchweh und Aggresion zur Arbeit erschienen wäre, hatte diese ganze Situation doch schon etwas amüsantes und komisches. Die Hippies, die dauernd von irgendwelchen Energiefeldern und Spannungen reden, Wahrheit als relative Wahrnehmung bezeichnen, Probleme "in sich hineinatmen", um sich nicht mit ihnen befassen zu müssen und bei denen ein neuer Haarschnitt gleich die zutiefste Beleidigung ihrer Einstellung ist. Da habe ich doch das ein oder andere Mal den Kopf schütteln und lachen, sowie Sarah für ihr Durchhaltevermögen bewundern müssen. Letztlich fand ich das alles absurd komisch, was aber auch den besonderen Touch des Buches für mich ausgemacht hat. Gemischt mit der Liebesgeschichte, ein paar erotischen Szenen (ohne die ein Buch wohl heutzutage nicht mehr auskommt) und jeder Menge Klischees hat es mich überzeugen können und macht das Buch für mich zu einem sympathischen und unterhaltsamen Roman.
Der lockere und leichte Schreibstil der Autorin hat mir außerordentlich gut gefallen. Nicht nur, weil ich so durch die Geschichte geflogen bin, sondern vor allem, weil sie die Charaktere so humorvoll und authentisch beschrieben hat und ich die Hippies aufgrund ihrer Darstellung einfach überhaupt nicht ausstehen konnte. Ich mag es, wenn ich die "bösen" Charaktere einer Geschichte so dargestellt werden, dass ich sie hassen kann und mir die "guten" Figuren dadurch nur noch sympathischer erscheinen.
Auf das Cover muss ich denke ich nicht genauer eingehen. Es ist so wunderschön und perfekt und genau das richtige für einen abolsuten Cover-Käufe wie mich.
Fazit
"Manche Tage muss man einfach zuckern" ist ein wunderschönes Buch über die Liebe und über so manche Unannehmlichkeit, die das Leben leider manchmal mit sich bringt. Die Vorhersehbarkeit der Geschichte hat mich gestört, ansonsten kann ich dieses Buch aufgrund der Charaktere, des Plots und der absurden und komischen Stimmung nur empfehlen.
Obwohl wahrscheinlich jeder von uns schon so einige Liebesromane gelesen hat und man vermutlich schon mit vielen (un)lösbaren Problemen, Beziehungskonstellationen und Arten von Kummer in diesem Genre vertraut ist, fand ich Sarahs Geschichte doch sehr interessant, vor allem, weil ich sie in dieser Form – mit der Internetplattform "Craiglist" bzw. im Buch "Missed Connections" – so noch nicht gelesen habe. Auch Sarahs Lebenssituation und ihrer Alltagsprobleme spielen in der Geschichte eine große Rolle und legen den Fokus nicht ausschließlich auf die Suche nach der großen Liebe, was mir ebenso gut gefallen hat.
In vierlei Hinsicht konnte mich mit Sarah und ihrer Lebenssituation identifizieren, was mich schon ein wenig erschreckt hat. Denn anfangs habe ich mich so oft gefragt, warum sie nicht einfach bei den Hippies kündigt und sich einen neuen Job sucht. Und im nächsten Moment war ich doch eher kleinlaut, weil ich mir vor Augen führen musste, dass auch ich nicht gerne aufgebe, alles hinwerfe und Problemen aus dem Weg gehe. Vor allem nicht, wenn ich davon meine Lebenshaltungskosten decken muss. Und obwohl ich viel mit Sarah gemeinsam habe, war ich doch auch irgendwie von Seite zu Seite fassungslos, wie blind sie im Bezug auf Jack und Blake war. Dass sie zu keiner Sekunde gerafft hat, was da vor sich geht, obwohl ich die Situation selbst so schnell erfasst hatte. Letztlich war ich vermutlich deswegen auch vom Ende ein wenig enttäuscht, denn auf mich wirkte es von vorne bis hinten leider sehr vorhersehbar. Die "Spannung" bzw. den Überraschungsmoment, den die Autorin wohl erhofft hatte, aufzubauen, ist bei mir dadurch leider einfach abgeprallt.
Was mich jedoch nicht weiter gestört hat, denn so konnte ich mich vollkommen auf Sarahs Einstellung zu ihrem Job und ihre Gegensätzlichkeit im Bezug auf die Prinzipien ihrer Chefs konzentrieren. Auch wenn ich mich in Sarahs Situation wohl ähnlich verhalten hätte und ich mit Bauchweh und Aggresion zur Arbeit erschienen wäre, hatte diese ganze Situation doch schon etwas amüsantes und komisches. Die Hippies, die dauernd von irgendwelchen Energiefeldern und Spannungen reden, Wahrheit als relative Wahrnehmung bezeichnen, Probleme "in sich hineinatmen", um sich nicht mit ihnen befassen zu müssen und bei denen ein neuer Haarschnitt gleich die zutiefste Beleidigung ihrer Einstellung ist. Da habe ich doch das ein oder andere Mal den Kopf schütteln und lachen, sowie Sarah für ihr Durchhaltevermögen bewundern müssen. Letztlich fand ich das alles absurd komisch, was aber auch den besonderen Touch des Buches für mich ausgemacht hat. Gemischt mit der Liebesgeschichte, ein paar erotischen Szenen (ohne die ein Buch wohl heutzutage nicht mehr auskommt) und jeder Menge Klischees hat es mich überzeugen können und macht das Buch für mich zu einem sympathischen und unterhaltsamen Roman.
Der lockere und leichte Schreibstil der Autorin hat mir außerordentlich gut gefallen. Nicht nur, weil ich so durch die Geschichte geflogen bin, sondern vor allem, weil sie die Charaktere so humorvoll und authentisch beschrieben hat und ich die Hippies aufgrund ihrer Darstellung einfach überhaupt nicht ausstehen konnte. Ich mag es, wenn ich die "bösen" Charaktere einer Geschichte so dargestellt werden, dass ich sie hassen kann und mir die "guten" Figuren dadurch nur noch sympathischer erscheinen.
Auf das Cover muss ich denke ich nicht genauer eingehen. Es ist so wunderschön und perfekt und genau das richtige für einen abolsuten Cover-Käufe wie mich.
Fazit
"Manche Tage muss man einfach zuckern" ist ein wunderschönes Buch über die Liebe und über so manche Unannehmlichkeit, die das Leben leider manchmal mit sich bringt. Die Vorhersehbarkeit der Geschichte hat mich gestört, ansonsten kann ich dieses Buch aufgrund der Charaktere, des Plots und der absurden und komischen Stimmung nur empfehlen.
June 14, 2016
Initially, I was a little iffy about the story and how it was going, but Missed Connections turned out to be an entertaining read for me. Sarah's character may not rub some people the right way, but I like that she was imperfect and messy.
I got her desire to be with someone who was willing to commit and had a stable life. And I got why she was hesitant to start anything substantial with Jack because of his lifestyle, or what she deemed his life to be about: clubbing and a lot of girls. She also believed he couldn't open up to her and she wanted more than just physical. So her reasons for not wanting to establish anything serious with Jack was understandable.
Like many people, Sarah went online in hopes of finding someone she could connect with. I've never even glimpsed the Missed Connections section of Craigslist so I was curious as to how it worked. It seemed pretty interesting though. The fact that someone saw you and immediately felt intrigued, but didn't get the chance to talk to you or were afraid to try in that moment. So they posted about it online, using descriptions, in hopes that you'd see it. Sarah kept checking the posts, hoping that someone may have seen her and wanted to connect. She continued to do so until one day it happens and she begins talking to this guy. At first, Sarah has no idea who it is, but then she thought about someone she met at work and believed it to be him.
Speaking of work. Aside from the issue with her lovelife and wanting to connect on a deeper level with someone, Sarah was dealing with a lot of nonsense at her new job. First of all, not many people would put up with such crap and would probably quit in their first week. But not Sarah, she needed the money to pay for her expenses while seeking another job. And I understood why she'd stay with those weirdos, no matter how cult-like they seemed. Desperation will make you stay in jobs that make you unhappy, but you don't really have a choice but to stay with it. I found Sarah to be rather strong for staying with New Age Spa for as long as she did. I mean, she even considered trying to understand their ways and being more open-minded about things. But that retreat was the last straw and I knew she just couldn't stay with them any longer. It became too much.
Thankfully, she had Jack to call on, and I wish that she would've realized that from the beginning that he was always there for her, in spite of what she thought. Sure Jack had trouble opening up to people, but he was trying, and Sarah never really gave him the chance to do that until later on. He was still wrong for doing what he did, but in the end, I understood his intentions and still liked him anyway. The guy was just too hot.
Like I said, Missed Connections was an entertaining read with some hot moments here and there. You'll either laugh along to the madness or cringe and turn away at how much Sarah put up with the hippies. Whatever the case, it was a quick and interesting story with crazy characters and I liked it all.
I got her desire to be with someone who was willing to commit and had a stable life. And I got why she was hesitant to start anything substantial with Jack because of his lifestyle, or what she deemed his life to be about: clubbing and a lot of girls. She also believed he couldn't open up to her and she wanted more than just physical. So her reasons for not wanting to establish anything serious with Jack was understandable.
Like many people, Sarah went online in hopes of finding someone she could connect with. I've never even glimpsed the Missed Connections section of Craigslist so I was curious as to how it worked. It seemed pretty interesting though. The fact that someone saw you and immediately felt intrigued, but didn't get the chance to talk to you or were afraid to try in that moment. So they posted about it online, using descriptions, in hopes that you'd see it. Sarah kept checking the posts, hoping that someone may have seen her and wanted to connect. She continued to do so until one day it happens and she begins talking to this guy. At first, Sarah has no idea who it is, but then she thought about someone she met at work and believed it to be him.
Speaking of work. Aside from the issue with her lovelife and wanting to connect on a deeper level with someone, Sarah was dealing with a lot of nonsense at her new job. First of all, not many people would put up with such crap and would probably quit in their first week. But not Sarah, she needed the money to pay for her expenses while seeking another job. And I understood why she'd stay with those weirdos, no matter how cult-like they seemed. Desperation will make you stay in jobs that make you unhappy, but you don't really have a choice but to stay with it. I found Sarah to be rather strong for staying with New Age Spa for as long as she did. I mean, she even considered trying to understand their ways and being more open-minded about things. But that retreat was the last straw and I knew she just couldn't stay with them any longer. It became too much.
Thankfully, she had Jack to call on, and I wish that she would've realized that from the beginning that he was always there for her, in spite of what she thought. Sure Jack had trouble opening up to people, but he was trying, and Sarah never really gave him the chance to do that until later on. He was still wrong for doing what he did, but in the end, I understood his intentions and still liked him anyway. The guy was just too hot.
Like I said, Missed Connections was an entertaining read with some hot moments here and there. You'll either laugh along to the madness or cringe and turn away at how much Sarah put up with the hippies. Whatever the case, it was a quick and interesting story with crazy characters and I liked it all.
June 7, 2016
**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**
Missed Connections is the first in a new, new adult contemporary romance series, called Summer Love by Tamara Mataya. Tamara is an author that I have read multiple books from and I have really enjoyed them all. I have to say, I think Missed Connections is probably my least favorite of the 4 or 5 books I have read by her. It is still a good read, and I still really enjoyed it, but I really loved all of her other books, and this one fell a little flat for me. Don't get me wrong, I liked a lot of things about the story. First, I love the idea of a romance based on the craigslist missed connections section. And I liked the characters and getting to know them.
This story follows Sarah and Jack, and I loved getting to know the various sides of Jack. I found the romance to be a lot of fun, if not a little predictable at times. I feel like I am in the minority with this story, I think this is going to be a book that people absolutely swoon over. I found it be a big choppy, and because of that I couldn't really fall into an easy pattern with this story. It took me a while to warm up to the characters- Jack especially. And Sarah's naeiety grated on my nerves. But I liked most of the characters more as the story went on.
Overall, Missed Connections is a fantastic concept. One that I think a lot of fans of contemporary new adult romances will absolutely love. However, this one fell a bit flat for me. It was still enjoyable, but ended up being just an ok read for me. I do love Tamara Mataya's work and she is still an auto-read author for me, because she is such a great writer. I just happen to like her other books more than Missed Connections. But you should read it and see what you think about it! (Then come back and let me know.)
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
Missed Connections is the first in a new, new adult contemporary romance series, called Summer Love by Tamara Mataya. Tamara is an author that I have read multiple books from and I have really enjoyed them all. I have to say, I think Missed Connections is probably my least favorite of the 4 or 5 books I have read by her. It is still a good read, and I still really enjoyed it, but I really loved all of her other books, and this one fell a little flat for me. Don't get me wrong, I liked a lot of things about the story. First, I love the idea of a romance based on the craigslist missed connections section. And I liked the characters and getting to know them.
This story follows Sarah and Jack, and I loved getting to know the various sides of Jack. I found the romance to be a lot of fun, if not a little predictable at times. I feel like I am in the minority with this story, I think this is going to be a book that people absolutely swoon over. I found it be a big choppy, and because of that I couldn't really fall into an easy pattern with this story. It took me a while to warm up to the characters- Jack especially. And Sarah's naeiety grated on my nerves. But I liked most of the characters more as the story went on.
Overall, Missed Connections is a fantastic concept. One that I think a lot of fans of contemporary new adult romances will absolutely love. However, this one fell a bit flat for me. It was still enjoyable, but ended up being just an ok read for me. I do love Tamara Mataya's work and she is still an auto-read author for me, because she is such a great writer. I just happen to like her other books more than Missed Connections. But you should read it and see what you think about it! (Then come back and let me know.)
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
August 6, 2016
3 Stars - 3 Flames
Missed Connections is the name of an online public chat room that gives people an opportunity to reconnect with someone they had a "chance" encounter with. The site is basically for those looking for love without having to actually go out and find it, in my opinion, but eh, it's still a great concept.
After losing her job as a paralegal, Sarah finds herself bumming it on her BFF's couch and desperate to find ANY kind of work. Prior to the layoff, Sarah was known to go out and have a good time with her friends. But being unemployed and with little to no cash has her steering clear of the scene. Until her BFF convinces her it's time to go hang out and watch his twin brother DJ. There's no denying that there is some kind of chemistry between Sarah and the twin, Jack, but Sarah is looking for more than just a roll in the hay (which is all Jack is "known" for), she's looking for the forever. But Jack is just too darn cute and hot and.....sigh...
Sarah's desperation for a job lands her at a hippie spa where she's constantly being judged for being who she is and NOT one of "them". One night after a scary incident with her BFF, she finds herself going for it with Jack, convincing herself that it's just for fun. Yet she still turns to that one person who has peaked her interest on Missed Connections.
Although I liked the banter and cuteness of the Missed Connections scenes, I thought that the real story was with her job situation. You know, finding herself and all that. I think we all know who the person is that's chatting with Sarah on Missed Connections, so it becomes a little disappointing when she immediately thinks it's someone else. But again, that makes the story, the story, so I can't be too upset about that, right? Overall this was a good read and entertaining enough that I'm now curious to see who's next. I'll just have to "breath into it".
*I received this book from the Jeep Diva in exchange for my honest opinion.
Missed Connections is the name of an online public chat room that gives people an opportunity to reconnect with someone they had a "chance" encounter with. The site is basically for those looking for love without having to actually go out and find it, in my opinion, but eh, it's still a great concept.
After losing her job as a paralegal, Sarah finds herself bumming it on her BFF's couch and desperate to find ANY kind of work. Prior to the layoff, Sarah was known to go out and have a good time with her friends. But being unemployed and with little to no cash has her steering clear of the scene. Until her BFF convinces her it's time to go hang out and watch his twin brother DJ. There's no denying that there is some kind of chemistry between Sarah and the twin, Jack, but Sarah is looking for more than just a roll in the hay (which is all Jack is "known" for), she's looking for the forever. But Jack is just too darn cute and hot and.....sigh...
Sarah's desperation for a job lands her at a hippie spa where she's constantly being judged for being who she is and NOT one of "them". One night after a scary incident with her BFF, she finds herself going for it with Jack, convincing herself that it's just for fun. Yet she still turns to that one person who has peaked her interest on Missed Connections.
Although I liked the banter and cuteness of the Missed Connections scenes, I thought that the real story was with her job situation. You know, finding herself and all that. I think we all know who the person is that's chatting with Sarah on Missed Connections, so it becomes a little disappointing when she immediately thinks it's someone else. But again, that makes the story, the story, so I can't be too upset about that, right? Overall this was a good read and entertaining enough that I'm now curious to see who's next. I'll just have to "breath into it".
*I received this book from the Jeep Diva in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 8, 2016
I feel like in some instances this book focuses on the wrong things, I know it has to set the scene and be descriptive but it felt like I was reading her diary or an itinerary with added dialogue in some places. There was too much focus on what the characters were doing on a day to day basis and not on what they were feeling.
The budding relationship between Sarah and Jack of course has its ups and downs. Her internal dialogue makes it sound like although she lusts after him she doesn't have much respect for him and wishes he was something else. It sucks really because deep down he's something very different to what he shows the world and all he wants to do is show Sarah that he's worth her time.
The supporting characters all had their own little quirks. Pete is someone I love to pieces, his mannerisms and total extrovert personality makes him the awesome gay best friend that every girl wishes for (well I do anyway). The people Sarah works for a just plain weird, I got bad vibes from them pretty much from the get go and they turned out not to be too wrong.
For me the title says it all ... "Missed Connections" is exactly what it felt like, I couldn't connect with this book like I would have liked to. When I read the blurb I had high hopes and jumped at the chance to review it but sadly I've been left wanting. The book wasn't bad by any means but it didn't blow me away.
The budding relationship between Sarah and Jack of course has its ups and downs. Her internal dialogue makes it sound like although she lusts after him she doesn't have much respect for him and wishes he was something else. It sucks really because deep down he's something very different to what he shows the world and all he wants to do is show Sarah that he's worth her time.
The supporting characters all had their own little quirks. Pete is someone I love to pieces, his mannerisms and total extrovert personality makes him the awesome gay best friend that every girl wishes for (well I do anyway). The people Sarah works for a just plain weird, I got bad vibes from them pretty much from the get go and they turned out not to be too wrong.
For me the title says it all ... "Missed Connections" is exactly what it felt like, I couldn't connect with this book like I would have liked to. When I read the blurb I had high hopes and jumped at the chance to review it but sadly I've been left wanting. The book wasn't bad by any means but it didn't blow me away.
March 17, 2016
I loved Jack, he was sexy and knew how to make his girl feel special, "Jack cups my jaw and leans in. “I effing love what you’ve got on, and so will everyone else. They’re all going to be jealous that you’re here with me.” He growls the last word and crushes his lips to mine..." I loved that Jack was also tempting and teasing his woman, “we’re not going to leave until you’re sick of dancing. And then?” Jack kisses the sensitive spot just below my ear. “Remember that night I bent you over my counter and—” I liked this book I thought Jack was a great guy.
July 26, 2016
Once again, Mataya has hit it out of the park. She has such a way with words, and her storytelling is always beautiful and from the heart.
Her couples are realistic and believable (which can be so hard to find!), as are their story arcs, and Sara's story is no exception. Everything she deals with and goes through on a daily basis, from crazy bosses to struggles in love, are RELATABLE.
This was definitely not a missed connection for me.
Her couples are realistic and believable (which can be so hard to find!), as are their story arcs, and Sara's story is no exception. Everything she deals with and goes through on a daily basis, from crazy bosses to struggles in love, are RELATABLE.
This was definitely not a missed connection for me.
September 28, 2016
Great premise, the writing is solid, but mostly I was annoyed while reading it. The heroine is the narrator, and there is a ton of angst over everything - her job, her bosses (who are awful to work for), her boyfriend, her best friend, her dad, her mom, etc., etc. She didn't seem to grow or develop or learn. Just all angst, all the time.
The blurb sucked me in - when will I learn?
Bought from kobo
The blurb sucked me in - when will I learn?
Bought from kobo
August 16, 2017
Sehr unterhaltsam ;)
April 22, 2021
2,5 🌟 maximal
Meine Fenster sind weniger durchschaubar, vieles sehr nervig, aber der Schreibstil war nett.
Meine Fenster sind weniger durchschaubar, vieles sehr nervig, aber der Schreibstil war nett.
August 12, 2016
I started this book this morning, and I finished it this afternoon! I loved it….the story, the quirky characters, and it was hilarious! Sarah has just gotten a new job at a New Age Spa, and while she thought her bosses were a bit strange in her interview, she has no idea what the heck she has walked into, part nightmare, part twilight zone. But, she can always count on her best friend, Pete. Before you think she falls for him, nope, she has been in love with his twin brother, Jack, for as long as she can remember. However, she knows Jack is off-limits. He is a DJ, enjoys the party life, and has a reputation with the women. The most important issue is not wanting to lose her friendship with Pete. She and Jack do share a pretty hot chemistry, and one night they cross the line. If her life isn’t complicated enough, she’s also developing an online relationship with a sweet guy she met through a website. She has been a fan of Missed Connections and has always hoped she would find a romantic entry about her, and she did, and now she’s caught between sexy Jack and the mysterious, romantic guy online. People aren’t always what they appear to be, and Sarah is about to find that out firsthand.
I couldn’t get enough of Missed Connections. I loved the chemistry between Jack and Sarah, and the story is written in a way that kept me flying through the pages. I just had to know how it would end. The sex is off the charts, but so is the romance. I could easily see this book made into a rom-com! Jack is literally a walking sex god, but there is so much more to him. I just kept hoping she would realize it before it was too late. OMG…Sarah is hilarious. Her inner thoughts about her bosses was hysterical. Her bosses and Phyllis really do live in an alternate universe. You will clearly see this every day Sarah goes to work. There are truly some unforgettable conversations between Phyllis and Fern and not in a good way. I adored Pete as well; everybody needs a Pete as their best friend. He’s funny, sweet, but he also is very direct and honest with Sarah. I wanted Sarah to let her past go and also take up for herself with Ziggy, Fern, and Phyllis. Blake was a great character as well.
The book was a sexy and sweet book, but it was also a book about finding yourself and standing up for who you are and what you believe. It’s also a book about really knowing another person. Don’t just assume you know someone, look beneath the surface, and you might be very surprised at what you might find! AWESOME BOOK! I can’t wait to read the next in the series!!!
***Read and Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***
***Copy provided in exchange for an honest review***
I couldn’t get enough of Missed Connections. I loved the chemistry between Jack and Sarah, and the story is written in a way that kept me flying through the pages. I just had to know how it would end. The sex is off the charts, but so is the romance. I could easily see this book made into a rom-com! Jack is literally a walking sex god, but there is so much more to him. I just kept hoping she would realize it before it was too late. OMG…Sarah is hilarious. Her inner thoughts about her bosses was hysterical. Her bosses and Phyllis really do live in an alternate universe. You will clearly see this every day Sarah goes to work. There are truly some unforgettable conversations between Phyllis and Fern and not in a good way. I adored Pete as well; everybody needs a Pete as their best friend. He’s funny, sweet, but he also is very direct and honest with Sarah. I wanted Sarah to let her past go and also take up for herself with Ziggy, Fern, and Phyllis. Blake was a great character as well.
The book was a sexy and sweet book, but it was also a book about finding yourself and standing up for who you are and what you believe. It’s also a book about really knowing another person. Don’t just assume you know someone, look beneath the surface, and you might be very surprised at what you might find! AWESOME BOOK! I can’t wait to read the next in the series!!!
***Read and Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***
***Copy provided in exchange for an honest review***
July 15, 2016
3 stars.
This review is also posted on Pretty Sassy Cool.
Sarah is pouring over craigslist job ads when she clicks on the personals to have a moment of reprieve. She loves reading the Missed Connections sections.
She becomes kind of obsessed with searching through the personals, believing her knight in shining armor is out there looking for her, too. Finally, someone does...someone looking for her. And they begin a hot online affair.
Meanwhile, her roommate's twin brother, Jack, is hotness personified, but Sarah thinks he's not exactly the forever type of guy.
Sarah can't seem to get past Jack's past, but she can't seem to keep her hands off of him, either. As she gets closer to her online guy and Jack, who will she choose? Or will she get a chance to choose at all?
I really loved the whole idea for this story. This is the first book I've read by Tamara Mataya, but I'm all about this trope. Think You've Got Mail without the company rivalry. I loved Jack so much--he was hot and funny and hot and patient and did I mention hot? I loved the lengths he was willing to go to to prove that he and Sarah belonged together.
But Sarah? Ugh. I really hated her. She was such a bitch to Jack.
I just didn't get why he liked her so much. He was a total catch, and even when she realized she was being unfair to him, she still wasn't sunshine and roses. It didn't make her keep her hands off of him, though.
Their chemistry was hot, and the pacing of the story was good. If you like missed connections-type stories that are more than just online hookups, you're going to want to check out Missed Connections by Tamara Mataya.
This review is also posted on Pretty Sassy Cool.
Sarah is pouring over craigslist job ads when she clicks on the personals to have a moment of reprieve. She loves reading the Missed Connections sections.
...it was so romantic, I was gripped from the first post I read. I'd had moments with guys. Maybe one of them was my soul mate, and he'd noticed me in the crowd of faceless commuters.
She becomes kind of obsessed with searching through the personals, believing her knight in shining armor is out there looking for her, too. Finally, someone does...someone looking for her. And they begin a hot online affair.
Meanwhile, her roommate's twin brother, Jack, is hotness personified, but Sarah thinks he's not exactly the forever type of guy.
"I'm not looking for a random hookup."
"Neither am I."
"Please. Does the nickname DJ Madhead mean anything to you?"
He frowns. "That was years ago."
Sarah can't seem to get past Jack's past, but she can't seem to keep her hands off of him, either. As she gets closer to her online guy and Jack, who will she choose? Or will she get a chance to choose at all?
I really loved the whole idea for this story. This is the first book I've read by Tamara Mataya, but I'm all about this trope. Think You've Got Mail without the company rivalry. I loved Jack so much--he was hot and funny and hot and patient and did I mention hot? I loved the lengths he was willing to go to to prove that he and Sarah belonged together.
But Sarah? Ugh. I really hated her. She was such a bitch to Jack.
"I do like you, but I need a grown-up--not one of the Lost Boys who refuses to put his toys away."
"Is that how you see me?"
I just didn't get why he liked her so much. He was a total catch, and even when she realized she was being unfair to him, she still wasn't sunshine and roses. It didn't make her keep her hands off of him, though.
Their chemistry was hot, and the pacing of the story was good. If you like missed connections-type stories that are more than just online hookups, you're going to want to check out Missed Connections by Tamara Mataya.
August 30, 2016
This book was a refreshing surprise. I anticipated it being something predictable, a quick fluff read, but Missed Connections was anything but that. Sure some of the themes might seem predictable, but what makes this book so brilliant is the details. Everything you read flows beautifully and I loved getting to know Pete, Jack, Sarah, and all her co-workers at the spa. Sarah was such a real and vibrant young woman. There is something that makes her light up as you read. She is a real woman, struggling to make her way in a world that has been unkind. You can identify with her in so many ways, again the little details make her a bit of a twist on the normal New Adult heroine. Her job is both hilarious and horrifying, something the reader bonds with her over. You root for her to find true love and meaning in a world that is determined to confuse the life out of her. She longs to find love and when it hits her over the head, she is struggling to make sense of it all.
Jack is a brilliant male lead. His banter and friendship with Sarah is real and authentic. Their connection with Pete, his twin brother, makes any action on their obvious connection seem a bad idea. You can feel the tension and chemistry between these two. They are at a constant push and pull until they fall… hard. I enjoyed the way this story shares their romance and the way that the Missed Connections feature online played a big role in the story overall. I loved the struggle Sarah has with her feelings with a man she knows in person and the undeniable connection she has with another man she chats with online. Her frustration and confusion is very tangible, once again allowing the reader to sympathize with her in her confusion.
This story is in the details. Sarah is a normal young woman attempting to make her way in the world. Armed with her best friend Pete, she sees the world in a new way that changes her perspective of everything around her. Her hopeful romantic side is endearing and her longing to find a place in the world is something that anyone can relate to. I adored this story so much and I am excited for more in the Summer Love series. I cannot wait to see glimpses into Sarah’s happily ever after.
Jack is a brilliant male lead. His banter and friendship with Sarah is real and authentic. Their connection with Pete, his twin brother, makes any action on their obvious connection seem a bad idea. You can feel the tension and chemistry between these two. They are at a constant push and pull until they fall… hard. I enjoyed the way this story shares their romance and the way that the Missed Connections feature online played a big role in the story overall. I loved the struggle Sarah has with her feelings with a man she knows in person and the undeniable connection she has with another man she chats with online. Her frustration and confusion is very tangible, once again allowing the reader to sympathize with her in her confusion.
This story is in the details. Sarah is a normal young woman attempting to make her way in the world. Armed with her best friend Pete, she sees the world in a new way that changes her perspective of everything around her. Her hopeful romantic side is endearing and her longing to find a place in the world is something that anyone can relate to. I adored this story so much and I am excited for more in the Summer Love series. I cannot wait to see glimpses into Sarah’s happily ever after.
August 5, 2016
I was excited for the chance to read MISSED CONNECTIONS by Tamara Mataya as soon as I read the blurb. Is it bad I couldn't wait to discover the mess poor Sarah's life was in and how the author was going to work it all out? I really wanted to know about Ziggy and Fern. And having to choose between two sexy guys when she's totally falling for both of them?... poor Sarah, lol.
First of all, not in my wildest dreams could I have imagined two more outrageous characters. And really three, although "Phyllis" is sadly often a standard "staple" in many workplaces, she was even more whack than Sarah's two hippie bosses. But they all made the story more colorful and therefore more interesting to read. Just thank goodness this story is fiction or I really would be saying, poor Sarah.
As for her two men, again I didn't envy Sarah the choice she needed to make and could easily see how she came to be in the situation. The author handles it all cleverly and with several twists and turns to keep her readers guessing. Does she go for the emotional connection or the hottest sex of her life, and I do mean HOT, with a guy she's crushed on for ages? Luckily she has her best friend, Pete, there to help her sort things out and keep her looking fabulous! This is a fun, very steamy read I really enjoyed. 3.5 stars.
~Complimentary copy received in exchange for a honest review.
First of all, not in my wildest dreams could I have imagined two more outrageous characters. And really three, although "Phyllis" is sadly often a standard "staple" in many workplaces, she was even more whack than Sarah's two hippie bosses. But they all made the story more colorful and therefore more interesting to read. Just thank goodness this story is fiction or I really would be saying, poor Sarah.
As for her two men, again I didn't envy Sarah the choice she needed to make and could easily see how she came to be in the situation. The author handles it all cleverly and with several twists and turns to keep her readers guessing. Does she go for the emotional connection or the hottest sex of her life, and I do mean HOT, with a guy she's crushed on for ages? Luckily she has her best friend, Pete, there to help her sort things out and keep her looking fabulous! This is a fun, very steamy read I really enjoyed. 3.5 stars.
~Complimentary copy received in exchange for a honest review.
August 8, 2016
Frustration. Confusion. Disillusion. It took me a while to feel connected to Sarah. I could understand her but her attitude and outlook took a bit to acclimate to. She seemed to be different in the end compared to how I viewed her in the beginning. For me this was a book more about the girl that allowed herself to get in her own way. The roadblocks to what she wanted was herself. She damaged most of what she wanted. She needed to look further into why she was doing these things.
She was driven for what she wanted but that drive got in her way sometimes.
Once the door began to open she began to evaluate what she was doing and why. I thought it was a bit too little way too late. Jack deserved so much more than the scraps that seemed to be thrown his way. Sarah did not deserved this man that was trying. This man that was hoping. This man that was dreaming.
Missed connections may have been the key to helping Sarah change for the better. Different. Interesting. Some strange secondary characters. After beginning this one, I was in no real rush to finish it. I just was frustrated and confused. Sarah and Jack just didn't completely connect for me.
**This ARC was provided via Tasty Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.**
She was driven for what she wanted but that drive got in her way sometimes.
Once the door began to open she began to evaluate what she was doing and why. I thought it was a bit too little way too late. Jack deserved so much more than the scraps that seemed to be thrown his way. Sarah did not deserved this man that was trying. This man that was hoping. This man that was dreaming.
Missed connections may have been the key to helping Sarah change for the better. Different. Interesting. Some strange secondary characters. After beginning this one, I was in no real rush to finish it. I just was frustrated and confused. Sarah and Jack just didn't completely connect for me.
**This ARC was provided via Tasty Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.**
February 16, 2017
So I've never read a book classified as a "romance" before, and I admit I was a bit apprehensive about reading something with two half naked people on the cover.
But I loved it!!!
The characters were so real, and the plot was really intriguing. The main romance plot was great and I loved the side-plot of the terrible bosses and coworker -definitely relatable.
Awesome book that I recommend to anyone who is looking for a fun story with very real characters, an interesting plot, genuinely funny moments, and definitely some hot romance scenes!
But I loved it!!!
The characters were so real, and the plot was really intriguing. The main romance plot was great and I loved the side-plot of the terrible bosses and coworker -definitely relatable.
Awesome book that I recommend to anyone who is looking for a fun story with very real characters, an interesting plot, genuinely funny moments, and definitely some hot romance scenes!
June 29, 2016
I read this book in about two hours. It was fun, flirty, hot, and sweet. The basic premise was a friends to lovers story, and I loved the way it played out. Of course I wasn't surprised by the twist, but that's alright. This book is a fast read and I'm sure you'll enjoy it as well!
January 1, 2018
Inhalt
Im Leben der jungen Sarah geht gerade alles drunter und drüber. Erst hat sie ihren Job in der Anwaltskanzelei verloren und muss sich nebenbei auch noch um eine neue Wohnung kümmern, da sie nicht ewig auf der Couch ihres besten Freundes, Petes, schlafen kann und dann findet sie auch nur einen Job, der ihr eigentlich gar nicht zusagt..
Ach ja, und hinzu kommt auch noch, dass sie schon seit Ewigkeiten auf den Bruder ihres besten Freundes steht, aber dieser ist absolut tabu, denn er ist ein Frauenheld! Und Sarah? Die will etwas Ernstes. Und dies bekommt sie auf der Seite "Missed Connections" später tatsächlich geboten. Aber kann sie Jack für den geheimsvollem Verehrer aufgeben?
Ich war sehr gespannt auf das Buch und es beginnt tatsächlich auch erstmal mit einer guten, lustigen Sequenz, als Sarah ein Vorstellungsgespräch hat. Aber irgendwie wurde ich, je weiter es voran ging, eher enttäuscht. Das lag aber größtenteils an den Charakteren, die teils furchtbar waren, wie ich finde. Sogar für Nebencharaktere. Anfangs war es vielleicht noch ganz amüsant, aber irgendwann wurde es mir auch zu viel und das hat das Buch an sich auch ein Stück schlechter gemacht.
Die Protagonistin hat auch dazu beigetragen, dass das Buch schlechter wurde, dazu aber gleich mehr.
Ich fand auch, dass es der Autorin null gelungen ist, Spannungen aufzubringen oder Überraschungen parat zu halten. Für mich war es so ziemlich vorhersehbar.
Gut war aber auf jeden Fall, dass auch einige Themen, die heutzutage eine große Rolle spielen, angesprochen wurden, da ist es der Autorin auch sehr gut gelungen, ihre Charaktere damit umgehen zu lassen.
Insgesamt ist mir die Umsetzung aber zu schwach gewesen und man hätte da durchaus mehr machen können, wenn man so manche Charaktere weg gelassen hätte und anders an manche Themen heran gegangen wäre.
Charaktere
Sarah hab ich auf der ersten Seite als coole, lockere und leicht sarkastische Frau kennengelernt. Je weiter das Buch voran ging, desto enttäuschter wurde ich. Ohne auf wirkliche Bespiele einzugeben, kann ich sagen, dass sie in ihren Aussagen und Handlungen einem bestimmten Thema gegenüber total widersprüchlich war und es für mich schlussendlich keinen Sinn ergeben hat, dass sie sich so angestellt hat. Sie hat auch die doofe Angewohnheit, alles bis ins kleinste Detail zu analysieren und darüber nachzudenken, aber dann trotzdem ganz anders zu handeln, was mir nach einiger Zeit nur noch auf die Nerven ging und weswegen ich auch ihre Verbindung zu Jack zu oberflächlich fand und ich damit nicht allzu warm werden konnte. Dann hat sie sich ständig über bestimme Sachen beschwert, daran geändert hat sie aber auch nichts. So als Protagonistin hat sie mir insgesamt gar nicht gefallen.
Jack hat mir ganz gut gefallen. Ein so krasser Frauenheld, wie Sarah ihn ja des öfteren mittels Vorurteile beschrieben hat, war er, wie ich finde, nun auch nicht. Er ist ein echt guter Kerl und weiß, was er will. Er hat sich sein eigenes kleines Imperium aufgebaut, worauf er stolz sein kann. Und seinem Charme? Kann man nicht widerstehen!
Bis auf Sarahs bestem Freund und Jacks Bruder, Pete, und Blake, einer der neuen Kollegen von Sarah, waren die Nebencharaktere schrecklich! Sie waren nervig und haben das ganze Buch an sich nochmal runter gezogen!
Der Schreibstil war durchaus nicht schlecht. Dadurch, dass Sarah des öfteren alles bis ins kleinste Detail analysiert und beschreibt, wurde es manchmal etwas langatmig, sonst habe ich an dem Schreibstil aber nichts auszusetzen.
Fazit
Insgesamt muss ich sagen, dass ich mit dem Buch nicht allzu zufrieden bin. Die Idee war wirklich nicht schlecht, aber die Umsetzung war größtenteils eher nicht so gelungen - wobei es natürlich auch gute Stellen gab - und es wurde mir teils nur noch zu anstrengend. Hinter Sarahs Charakter steckt auf jeden Fall einiges an Potential, ihre Defizite waren aber leider viel zu präsent und haben es insgesamt schlechter erscheinen lassen als es ist. Dass die Nebencharaktere nicht allzu viel an der Besserung beigetragen haben, war auch wirklich schade.
Für manch einen vielleicht eine einfache, lockere Geschichte für zwischendurch, für mich aber leider nichts, weil es zu viel Widersprüchliches, teils Unlogisches gab. Vielleicht sehe ich das aber auch zu kritisch und manch einer ist da nicht zu empfindlich. Schlussendlich muss man sich aber selbst überzeugen. :)
Im Leben der jungen Sarah geht gerade alles drunter und drüber. Erst hat sie ihren Job in der Anwaltskanzelei verloren und muss sich nebenbei auch noch um eine neue Wohnung kümmern, da sie nicht ewig auf der Couch ihres besten Freundes, Petes, schlafen kann und dann findet sie auch nur einen Job, der ihr eigentlich gar nicht zusagt..
Ach ja, und hinzu kommt auch noch, dass sie schon seit Ewigkeiten auf den Bruder ihres besten Freundes steht, aber dieser ist absolut tabu, denn er ist ein Frauenheld! Und Sarah? Die will etwas Ernstes. Und dies bekommt sie auf der Seite "Missed Connections" später tatsächlich geboten. Aber kann sie Jack für den geheimsvollem Verehrer aufgeben?
Ich war sehr gespannt auf das Buch und es beginnt tatsächlich auch erstmal mit einer guten, lustigen Sequenz, als Sarah ein Vorstellungsgespräch hat. Aber irgendwie wurde ich, je weiter es voran ging, eher enttäuscht. Das lag aber größtenteils an den Charakteren, die teils furchtbar waren, wie ich finde. Sogar für Nebencharaktere. Anfangs war es vielleicht noch ganz amüsant, aber irgendwann wurde es mir auch zu viel und das hat das Buch an sich auch ein Stück schlechter gemacht.
Die Protagonistin hat auch dazu beigetragen, dass das Buch schlechter wurde, dazu aber gleich mehr.
Ich fand auch, dass es der Autorin null gelungen ist, Spannungen aufzubringen oder Überraschungen parat zu halten. Für mich war es so ziemlich vorhersehbar.
Gut war aber auf jeden Fall, dass auch einige Themen, die heutzutage eine große Rolle spielen, angesprochen wurden, da ist es der Autorin auch sehr gut gelungen, ihre Charaktere damit umgehen zu lassen.
Insgesamt ist mir die Umsetzung aber zu schwach gewesen und man hätte da durchaus mehr machen können, wenn man so manche Charaktere weg gelassen hätte und anders an manche Themen heran gegangen wäre.
Charaktere
Sarah hab ich auf der ersten Seite als coole, lockere und leicht sarkastische Frau kennengelernt. Je weiter das Buch voran ging, desto enttäuschter wurde ich. Ohne auf wirkliche Bespiele einzugeben, kann ich sagen, dass sie in ihren Aussagen und Handlungen einem bestimmten Thema gegenüber total widersprüchlich war und es für mich schlussendlich keinen Sinn ergeben hat, dass sie sich so angestellt hat. Sie hat auch die doofe Angewohnheit, alles bis ins kleinste Detail zu analysieren und darüber nachzudenken, aber dann trotzdem ganz anders zu handeln, was mir nach einiger Zeit nur noch auf die Nerven ging und weswegen ich auch ihre Verbindung zu Jack zu oberflächlich fand und ich damit nicht allzu warm werden konnte. Dann hat sie sich ständig über bestimme Sachen beschwert, daran geändert hat sie aber auch nichts. So als Protagonistin hat sie mir insgesamt gar nicht gefallen.
Jack hat mir ganz gut gefallen. Ein so krasser Frauenheld, wie Sarah ihn ja des öfteren mittels Vorurteile beschrieben hat, war er, wie ich finde, nun auch nicht. Er ist ein echt guter Kerl und weiß, was er will. Er hat sich sein eigenes kleines Imperium aufgebaut, worauf er stolz sein kann. Und seinem Charme? Kann man nicht widerstehen!
Bis auf Sarahs bestem Freund und Jacks Bruder, Pete, und Blake, einer der neuen Kollegen von Sarah, waren die Nebencharaktere schrecklich! Sie waren nervig und haben das ganze Buch an sich nochmal runter gezogen!
Der Schreibstil war durchaus nicht schlecht. Dadurch, dass Sarah des öfteren alles bis ins kleinste Detail analysiert und beschreibt, wurde es manchmal etwas langatmig, sonst habe ich an dem Schreibstil aber nichts auszusetzen.
Fazit
Insgesamt muss ich sagen, dass ich mit dem Buch nicht allzu zufrieden bin. Die Idee war wirklich nicht schlecht, aber die Umsetzung war größtenteils eher nicht so gelungen - wobei es natürlich auch gute Stellen gab - und es wurde mir teils nur noch zu anstrengend. Hinter Sarahs Charakter steckt auf jeden Fall einiges an Potential, ihre Defizite waren aber leider viel zu präsent und haben es insgesamt schlechter erscheinen lassen als es ist. Dass die Nebencharaktere nicht allzu viel an der Besserung beigetragen haben, war auch wirklich schade.
Für manch einen vielleicht eine einfache, lockere Geschichte für zwischendurch, für mich aber leider nichts, weil es zu viel Widersprüchliches, teils Unlogisches gab. Vielleicht sehe ich das aber auch zu kritisch und manch einer ist da nicht zu empfindlich. Schlussendlich muss man sich aber selbst überzeugen. :)
August 22, 2018
In dem Buch geht es um Sarah, die mit ein paar Problemchen zu kämpfen hat. Auf der einen Seite ist sie auf Jobsuche und findet zwar einen Job, jedoch ist sie total unglücklich dort. Aber sie kann nicht aufhören, da sie auf das Geld angewiesen und muss sich so mit nervigen Chefs und gemeinen Arbeitskollegen herumschlagen. Auf der anderen Seite ist ihr Problem alles, was Beziehungen angeht. Am liebsten hätte sie eine Beziehung und sie hofft darauf ihren Mister Right auf der Plattform "Missed Connections" zu finden. Diese dient dazu alle zu helfen, die meinen ihren Traumpartner schon gesehen zu haben und nicht angesprochen zu haben. Täglich besucht Sarah diese Website und als sie dann tatsächlich ihre eigene Beschreibung ist die Freude groß, denn Sarah scheint schon zu ahnen wer dahinter steckt. Nämlich der einzige freundliche Arbeitskollege Blake, der leider viel zu selten da ist. Aber auf der andere Seite ist da noch Jack, der Zwillingsbruder ihres besten Freundes Pete. Für ihn empfindet Sarah auch Gefühle, was natürlich für Verwirrung sorgt...
Für wen sich Sarah letztendlich entscheidet, ob es tatsächlich Blake ist, der ihr auf "Missed Connections" geschrieben hat und wie es mit ihrem Job weiter geht, müsst ihr schon selbst nachlesen.
Ich kann euch nur sagen, dass euch das Buch sehr gut gefallen wird, wenn ihr kitschige und nicht allzu anspruchsvolle Liebesgeschichten mögt. Und mit nicht allzu anspruchsvoller Geschichte meine ich, dass einige Dinge vorhersehbar sind. Zumindest waren sie das für mich.
Ich habe mich irgendwie auf das Buch gefreut, da ich total auf dem Liebesgeschichten Trip war und da ich sehr viele positiven Rezensionen gelesen hatte, waren meine Erwartungen ziemlich hoch. Im Nachhinein wäre es schlauer von mir gewesen die Rezensionen erst nach dem Lesen des Buches zu lesen, denn dadurch wurde ich ein bisschen enttäuscht. Man hat ein gutes Maß an Drama, was mir aber irgendwann zu viel wurde. Ich kam zwar sehr gut voran, aber hatte keinerlei Interesse mehr an der Geschichte, weil ich mehr oder weniger ab der ersten Seite schon wusste mit wem Sarah zusammen kommen würde und wer der heimlich Verehrer auf "Missed Connections" ist. Für mich hat einfach die nötige Spannung gefehlt und das Ungewisse, in das man sich stürzt. Trotzdem hatte ich das Gefühl an manchen Stellen dahin zu schmelzen, weil es schnulzig und schön war. Wer Kitsch und Schnulze mag: für den ist gut gesorgt.
Der Schreibstil war flüssig zu lesen und auch gut für zwischendurch. Perfekt zum Abschalten, was es mir ermöglicht hat das Buch zu jeder Uhrzeit zu lesen. Er hat mir einfach echt gut gefallen und ich habe das Buch, trotz den Sachen, die mich genervt haben, gern gelesen.
Nun zu den Charakteren: bei Sarah bin ich zwiegespalten. Auf der einen Seite war sie super sympathisch und man hat gerne aus ihrer Sicht gelesen. Aber auf der anderen Seite hat sie mich dermaßen gestört. Vor allem was ihren Job angeht. Mir ist schon bewusst, dass sie das Geld braucht und nicht einfach so kündigen kann, aber dann sollte sie sich auch nicht beschweren, denn immerhin hat sie sich den Job selbst ausgesucht. Es hat mich wahnsinnig gestört. Auch gestört hat mich, dass sie ihre Gefühle in Bezug auf diesen einen Charakter einfach nicht wahr haben wollte. Generell war sie in meinen Augen eine Protagonistin, die sich viel zu sehr beschwert hat und das hat mich aufgeregt. Dagegen waren Pete und Jack mir viel sympathischer. Ich hätte mir gewünscht, dass sie öfter aufgetaucht wären, denn die Stellen mit ihnen hatten einfach eine Leichtigkeit und waren auch teilweise zum dahinschmelzen. Am Liebsten hätte ich ein komplettes Buch über sie gelesen.
Den Titel finde ich übrigens sehr passend, da man den Titel theoretisch wörtlich auf das Buch beziehen kann. Denn ein bisschen Zucker hätte in Sarahs Leben nicht geschadet. Das Cover hat mich übrigens auch sehr angesprochen, da dieser Lettering Stil für mich super ansprechend ist und es einfach schön fürs Auge ist. Ich finde, dass man das Cover einfach sehr gerne betrachtet.
Von mir bekommt "Manche Tage muss man einfach zuckern" von Tamara Mataya insgesamt 3 von 5 Sternen, da es in meinen Augen nur durchschnittlich war und ich mir mehr erhofft hätte.
Für wen sich Sarah letztendlich entscheidet, ob es tatsächlich Blake ist, der ihr auf "Missed Connections" geschrieben hat und wie es mit ihrem Job weiter geht, müsst ihr schon selbst nachlesen.
Ich kann euch nur sagen, dass euch das Buch sehr gut gefallen wird, wenn ihr kitschige und nicht allzu anspruchsvolle Liebesgeschichten mögt. Und mit nicht allzu anspruchsvoller Geschichte meine ich, dass einige Dinge vorhersehbar sind. Zumindest waren sie das für mich.
Ich habe mich irgendwie auf das Buch gefreut, da ich total auf dem Liebesgeschichten Trip war und da ich sehr viele positiven Rezensionen gelesen hatte, waren meine Erwartungen ziemlich hoch. Im Nachhinein wäre es schlauer von mir gewesen die Rezensionen erst nach dem Lesen des Buches zu lesen, denn dadurch wurde ich ein bisschen enttäuscht. Man hat ein gutes Maß an Drama, was mir aber irgendwann zu viel wurde. Ich kam zwar sehr gut voran, aber hatte keinerlei Interesse mehr an der Geschichte, weil ich mehr oder weniger ab der ersten Seite schon wusste mit wem Sarah zusammen kommen würde und wer der heimlich Verehrer auf "Missed Connections" ist. Für mich hat einfach die nötige Spannung gefehlt und das Ungewisse, in das man sich stürzt. Trotzdem hatte ich das Gefühl an manchen Stellen dahin zu schmelzen, weil es schnulzig und schön war. Wer Kitsch und Schnulze mag: für den ist gut gesorgt.
Der Schreibstil war flüssig zu lesen und auch gut für zwischendurch. Perfekt zum Abschalten, was es mir ermöglicht hat das Buch zu jeder Uhrzeit zu lesen. Er hat mir einfach echt gut gefallen und ich habe das Buch, trotz den Sachen, die mich genervt haben, gern gelesen.
Nun zu den Charakteren: bei Sarah bin ich zwiegespalten. Auf der einen Seite war sie super sympathisch und man hat gerne aus ihrer Sicht gelesen. Aber auf der anderen Seite hat sie mich dermaßen gestört. Vor allem was ihren Job angeht. Mir ist schon bewusst, dass sie das Geld braucht und nicht einfach so kündigen kann, aber dann sollte sie sich auch nicht beschweren, denn immerhin hat sie sich den Job selbst ausgesucht. Es hat mich wahnsinnig gestört. Auch gestört hat mich, dass sie ihre Gefühle in Bezug auf diesen einen Charakter einfach nicht wahr haben wollte. Generell war sie in meinen Augen eine Protagonistin, die sich viel zu sehr beschwert hat und das hat mich aufgeregt. Dagegen waren Pete und Jack mir viel sympathischer. Ich hätte mir gewünscht, dass sie öfter aufgetaucht wären, denn die Stellen mit ihnen hatten einfach eine Leichtigkeit und waren auch teilweise zum dahinschmelzen. Am Liebsten hätte ich ein komplettes Buch über sie gelesen.
Den Titel finde ich übrigens sehr passend, da man den Titel theoretisch wörtlich auf das Buch beziehen kann. Denn ein bisschen Zucker hätte in Sarahs Leben nicht geschadet. Das Cover hat mich übrigens auch sehr angesprochen, da dieser Lettering Stil für mich super ansprechend ist und es einfach schön fürs Auge ist. Ich finde, dass man das Cover einfach sehr gerne betrachtet.
Von mir bekommt "Manche Tage muss man einfach zuckern" von Tamara Mataya insgesamt 3 von 5 Sternen, da es in meinen Augen nur durchschnittlich war und ich mir mehr erhofft hätte.
May 29, 2016
MISSED CONNECTION
To celebrate the release of MISSED CONNECTIONS, Tamara has written this missed connection post between a fictional couple. Can you guess who these characters are?
“Sassy”
You’re unlike anyone I’ve ever met, like you come from another place or time. You’re a little older than I, but that doesn’t matter to me one bit. I’d still have you as my own. And yet, you wear another’s ring. Where is he? If he cared, he’d be here. I’ve troubles of my own; I’m an outlaw in my own country. Life with me wouldn’t be as pretty as I think you’re accustomed to, but I promise all the passion in my body, and soul. –JM
“No air-conditioning?”
Jack’s voice startles me, and I jump, dropping my shirt.
“No. I’ll have to look at getting a unit in.”
“Do you like big units?"
“Well, a tiny one wouldn’t do it…”
“Big ones are better for doing it.”
My apartment’s dinky but will need more than a small air conditioner. “For sure. I mean, mine’s pretty tiny, but it would still need…”
He bites the inside of his cheek and raises his eyebrows.
When he said unit, he was referring to… “Oh my God, so not what I meant."
“Sure. And this?” He nods at the bag in his hands.
“I want it on the bed.” For crying out loud, am I capable of speaking without everything sounding like a “that’s what she said” joke? “In the bedroom is fine.” A giant, throbbing innuendo…What is wrong with me? This is Jack, my friend. Only my friend for reasons. Shaking my head, I shift a blue tub with my kitchen stuff into the tiny kitchen and move one from there into the equally tiny bathroom. On the way back, I trip over a bag and slam my leg into the corner of a box.
“Nice one, Grace."
“Shut up.” I hiss through my teeth while rubbing my shin. “Ouch.”
“Are you bleeding?” He squats in front of me, cradling my calf to pull my leg closer. It’s tight quarters, and I can smell him—something fresh but mixed with his sweat. My mouth waters. Would I be able to taste it on his skin?
His fingertips graze the sensitive skin behind my knee. Jesus. He’s never touched my bare skin there before. It’s just my calf. How can that make me feel…restless and unfulfilled?
He traces the skin around the injury with a fingertip. “The skin’s broken, but it’s just the first layer. Nothing serious.”
Tell that to my pulse, which is doing a splendid imitation of a jackhammer. “Yeah.” My voice is raspy. “Nothing serious.”
His gaze crawls up my shin to my thigh, my torso, my eyes. Oh, he knows what this is doing to me. Deliberately, he slides his hand up my thigh before letting go. Then he stands and licks his lips, eyes locked on mine.
Now I’m covered with goose bumps, suddenly feverish with wanting his hands on my body again—and not wanting to let him leave my apartment until we’re sweaty for another reason. The intensity of the attraction I feel for him spreads through me from cell to cell like a virus. Liking him is deadly because I can’t feel this for him, can’t want him this much.
His fingers tangle in my hair and lift my face. I shouldn’t be taking a step toward him, grabbing the front of his shirt, and pulling him closer like this. He crushes his body to me as his lips gently meet mine as if this means something. His tongue teases my lips open and eases inside my mouth, and when it touches my tongue, I shudder and clutch at him, desperate to pull him closer when I should be pushing him away.
But his hands are gentle, his lips are firm, and his tongue strokes mine in ways that dissolve rational thought and all the bones in my body. He tastes like peppermint and the last lover I can imagine ever wanting again because no one has kissed me like this—and I want more. I want it all. He wraps me in his arms and squeezes. I stretch up, allowing more of my body to press against his, then wrap my arms around his neck and gently grind my hips against his. One of his hands slips down my side and around to palm my breast, lifting and gently kneading it through my shirt and bra. He’s already hard.
He breaks the kiss, and I’m left breathless, but then he pushes me against the wall and pins my hands above my head—and who the hell needs air anyway? I arch against him, pressing my breasts against his chest, trying to ease the ache as he nibbles my earlobe and kisses his way down my collarbone, releasing my hands to palm my breasts.
I trail my hands under his shirt and over the cut ridges of his abs. He pulls one of my thighs up, pressing against my core, making me moan in his mouth when his lips find mine again. His mouth is everything. God, I can’t wait. This is going to be so damn good. We’ll have amazing sex, and then…what? Live happily ever after? I tip my head back to give him better access to the tender flesh of my neck.
Shut up, brain!
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This review was originally posted on Fiction Fangirls
January 6, 2025
Review: This was a funny,crazy and sexy book that I absolutely enjoyed reading!Upon reading the blurb I had thought that this book would probably be a love triangle of sorts, but it went in a different direction from my expectations and that was quite surprising!
Sarah has just lost her job as a paralegal and has been crashing at her best friend Pete's place.She's desperate for a new job and would like to finally stay at an apartment on her own again.Somehow she manages to land a receptionist job at a New Age spa with weird, hippy bosses- Fern and Ziggy- who seem nice in the beginning.She also secretly loves to read the Missed Connections section and hopes that one day she might find one about her.Her wish comes true and soon she and her online friend begin to develop a relationship, that she hasn't ever experienced before.
But, at the same time there is also Jack-Pete's twin brother, on whom she has had a crush on for a long time.Though, she is attracted to him, she doesn't really have faith in a relationship with him due to her preconceived notions about him and past experiences that have burned her.
Jack has also liked Sarah since the beginning.But she has never given him the time of the day.She doesn't even know him as well as she thinks she does.What can a guy do when the girl you've lusted after for so long thinks that you are a manwhore?
Add Blake-Sarah's sexy,flirtatious new co-worker to the mix and you end up with more confusion!
So, what will Sarah do?Will she finally stand up to her Fern,Ziggy and Phyllis who are determined to make her feel inferior and drive her crazy?Will she be able to choose between her Missed Connection and Jack or will she have to?Read the book to find out!
Honestly, Sarah's character was a little annoying in the beginning.I wasn't really fond of the way she treated Jack and how she labelled him even though she actually didn't know him thoroughly.But, she grew on me and I could understand why she found it so difficult to trust him.Pete and Jack were great characters!Coming to Fern,Ziggy and Phyllis- the author has created such weird,annoying and unbelievable people, but truthfully humans like them do exist.I liked how Sarah handled them in the end.No job in this world is worth the loss of your sanity or identity!
The relationship between Sarah and her online friend was well done.It isn't really much of a mystery and I think everyone but Sarah knew who he was halfway through the book.Towards the end, the angst was a little high and Sarah started rambling in her monologues but I loved the ending.It was a great book with had a good combination of humor,steam and love.The characters and their circumstances were realistic and believable.So, take a chance on this book and read it!I'll be looking out for more books from Tamara Matatya in the future :D
Sarah has just lost her job as a paralegal and has been crashing at her best friend Pete's place.She's desperate for a new job and would like to finally stay at an apartment on her own again.Somehow she manages to land a receptionist job at a New Age spa with weird, hippy bosses- Fern and Ziggy- who seem nice in the beginning.She also secretly loves to read the Missed Connections section and hopes that one day she might find one about her.Her wish comes true and soon she and her online friend begin to develop a relationship, that she hasn't ever experienced before.
But, at the same time there is also Jack-Pete's twin brother, on whom she has had a crush on for a long time.Though, she is attracted to him, she doesn't really have faith in a relationship with him due to her preconceived notions about him and past experiences that have burned her.
Jack has also liked Sarah since the beginning.But she has never given him the time of the day.She doesn't even know him as well as she thinks she does.What can a guy do when the girl you've lusted after for so long thinks that you are a manwhore?
Add Blake-Sarah's sexy,flirtatious new co-worker to the mix and you end up with more confusion!
So, what will Sarah do?Will she finally stand up to her Fern,Ziggy and Phyllis who are determined to make her feel inferior and drive her crazy?Will she be able to choose between her Missed Connection and Jack or will she have to?Read the book to find out!
Honestly, Sarah's character was a little annoying in the beginning.I wasn't really fond of the way she treated Jack and how she labelled him even though she actually didn't know him thoroughly.But, she grew on me and I could understand why she found it so difficult to trust him.Pete and Jack were great characters!Coming to Fern,Ziggy and Phyllis- the author has created such weird,annoying and unbelievable people, but truthfully humans like them do exist.I liked how Sarah handled them in the end.No job in this world is worth the loss of your sanity or identity!
The relationship between Sarah and her online friend was well done.It isn't really much of a mystery and I think everyone but Sarah knew who he was halfway through the book.Towards the end, the angst was a little high and Sarah started rambling in her monologues but I loved the ending.It was a great book with had a good combination of humor,steam and love.The characters and their circumstances were realistic and believable.So, take a chance on this book and read it!I'll be looking out for more books from Tamara Matatya in the future :D
May 10, 2017
Ich muss ja gestehen, dass ich wegen des tollen Covers und des interessanten Klappentextes auf dieses Buch aufmerksam geworden bin, denn ich fand beides sehr ansprechend und so wollte ich die Geschichte lesen.
Wir lernen hier Sarah kennen, die momentan eine Änderung ihres Lebens durchmacht. Sie hat momentan keinen Job, keine Wohnung und auch keinen Typen, aber sie will was daran ändern. Allerdings hat sie auch die fixe Idee, dass ihr Traummann auf dem Internetportal „Missed Connections“ auf sie wartet. Das ist ein Portal, wo man jemanden suchen, denn man kennenlernen will. Leider ist das aber bei Sarah noch nicht der Fall und so beginnt sie eine Affäre….
Persönlich fand ich das Buch wirklich klasse, denn es ist ein wunderbarer, unterhaltsamer Roman, der für ein paar schöne Lesestunden sorgt. Es ist ja nicht nur so, dass man als Leser, dass aktuelle Liebesleben von Sarah mitbekommt. Man liest hier über ihre Zwiespältigkeit bezüglich Affäre und Online Dating, was ja schon so recht amüsant ist.
Man erfährt ja noch einiges über Sarahs Job, denn sie notgedrungen annimmt. Sie landet nämlich bei sogenannten Hippies und hier muss sie die Rezeption in deren Laden betreuen. Auch dieser Teil ist klasse, persönlich fand ich ihn so gar noch witziger, als den Teil mit der Liebe.
Ich fand es so genial beschrieben, wie diese Hippies agieren und was die für eine Einstellung haben, dass ich mich wirklich köstlich unterhalten habe. Ich kann hier nur sagen „Menstruationstasse“. 🙂
Ich habe hier stellenweise so mit Sarah mitgelitten, weil sie sich doch auch versucht hat anzupassen, aber es war einfach nicht so ihr Ding. Ich meine, wenn jemand vielleicht auch schon Kontakt hatte, mit Menschen, die solch eine Lebenseinstellung praktizieren, weiß, dass es mitunter sehr anstrengend werden kann. 😉
Das Ende war etwas vorhersehbar, aber es war schön zu lesen.
Sarah fand ich einen tollen Hauptcharakter. Ich fand sie sehr sympathisch und unterhaltsam. Auch die Nebencharaktere waren gut gezeichnet, natürlich auch die nicht so Sympathischen.
Der Schreibstil war sehr angenehm zu lesen. Ich fand es toll, wie die Autorin, die Geschichte erzählt hat. Es waren natürlich nicht viele Überraschungen und Neues, aber ich denke, dass das in diesem Genre sowieso schwer ist, dennoch hat mich die Geschichte wunderbar unterhalten.
Fazit:
5 von 5 Sterne. Klare Kauf – und Leseempfehlung.
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