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The Proverbial Mr.Universe
Olivia Montiano is moving forward—without her unfaithful and controlling fiancé and without her father’s unrealistic standards that have ruled her choices for twenty-three years. Olivia can now make her own decisions about life and love. But when mysterious, handwritten letters appear, she’s baffled—and influenced by their very personal nature.
Nick Montgomery’s life hasn’t gone as expected. He’s a washed-up artist and has decided that he doesn’t need romance—until he meets Olivia. The universe then intervenes in their lives, making their paths cross again and again. But Nick is hiding something that he thinks could affect their relationship.
Will the universe bring Nick and Olivia together? Or will the mysterious letters and Nick’s own secrets keep them apart?
Nick Montgomery’s life hasn’t gone as expected. He’s a washed-up artist and has decided that he doesn’t need romance—until he meets Olivia. The universe then intervenes in their lives, making their paths cross again and again. But Nick is hiding something that he thinks could affect their relationship.
Will the universe bring Nick and Olivia together? Or will the mysterious letters and Nick’s own secrets keep them apart?
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First published January 1, 2016
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About the author
Maria La Serra
7 books196 followersA Montréalaise who began her career in the fashion industry before transitioning to a writer. She is willing to try anything at least once—except for skiing, hiking, camping, or anything that would require her to spend time in the great outdoors. When she’s not working on her next book, you could find her spending time with her husband and kids.
You can follow her on:
Twitter @authormlaserra
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Facebook @authormarialaserra
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
August 22, 2018
Olivia Montiano's father is a rich business man who is under investigation for white collar crime and happens to be in the early stages of Alzheimer's. Olivia is engaged to Dario, her father's star employee, who is also verbally abusive towards her. Olivia should leave Dario but can't seem to in fear of her father's reaction until she finds out he is cheating on her. Olivia breaks up with Dario and must figure out how to move past their relationship regardless of Dario's continued attempts to get back together.
Things only get more complicated when Nick enters the scene. Nick has been running into Olivia constantly, yet she never seems to notice him. He starts going to the cafe she frequents and sketching hoping they'll end up interacting. One night he sees his chance when she happens into his brother's bar but things don't go over smoothly, especially considering Olivia's wealthy background and expectations of what a proper significant other entails.
Through out it all Olivia continues to find inspirational anonymous notes written to her, signed off by someone named Mr.Universe. The notes help Olivia navigate all the things happening in her life as she struggles to decide where to go from here. Too bad she can't quite figure out who it is that's actually leaving her the notes.
There's going to be spoilers from here on down so just stop now if you don't want to know. I really did not like this book. It was just so cliched and predictable and I don't even know where to start my complaining. It was so annoying how Nick kept saying that Olivia was so special and like no other girl he had ever met but honestly she wasn't special at all. She was kind of annoying in fact, with her inability to take any action based on her own desires. Constantly she frets about everyone else's reaction and it grated on my nerves constantly. Even worse than that she had no other really memorable traits besides that and being uptight.
Also what the fuck was with Nick's health problem being a deal breaker, what does having a heart transplant have to do with making someone incapable being in a relationship? Because they need to manage their life style, we should all ideally be trying to manage our life style anyways. And when Olivia god damn asks Nick straight to his face if he's Mr.Universe and he says no but then surprise at the end we find out it was him all along. It was just irritating, like being lied to for the sake of a plot twist that was so obvious all along. Also at the end when Olivia goes off to Italy for her new job, the book should have ended right there. What the heck was the point of doing that and then having them all meet back a year later and everything is hunky dory and Nick and Olivia live together happily but it was just irritating because things just seem to become established only over the course of an year which sounds to unrealistic and stupid to me. Like who actually follows magazine stylists enough to care what they're wearing.
The book just felt really childish and lacking in depth and the characters really irritated me as well as their logic. I'm not saying that no one else would enjoy this book but I just didn't. Maybe if you're into more idealistic romance novels this would work for you. I just didn't enjoy it at all.
Things only get more complicated when Nick enters the scene. Nick has been running into Olivia constantly, yet she never seems to notice him. He starts going to the cafe she frequents and sketching hoping they'll end up interacting. One night he sees his chance when she happens into his brother's bar but things don't go over smoothly, especially considering Olivia's wealthy background and expectations of what a proper significant other entails.
Through out it all Olivia continues to find inspirational anonymous notes written to her, signed off by someone named Mr.Universe. The notes help Olivia navigate all the things happening in her life as she struggles to decide where to go from here. Too bad she can't quite figure out who it is that's actually leaving her the notes.
There's going to be spoilers from here on down so just stop now if you don't want to know. I really did not like this book. It was just so cliched and predictable and I don't even know where to start my complaining. It was so annoying how Nick kept saying that Olivia was so special and like no other girl he had ever met but honestly she wasn't special at all. She was kind of annoying in fact, with her inability to take any action based on her own desires. Constantly she frets about everyone else's reaction and it grated on my nerves constantly. Even worse than that she had no other really memorable traits besides that and being uptight.
Also what the fuck was with Nick's health problem being a deal breaker, what does having a heart transplant have to do with making someone incapable being in a relationship? Because they need to manage their life style, we should all ideally be trying to manage our life style anyways. And when Olivia god damn asks Nick straight to his face if he's Mr.Universe and he says no but then surprise at the end we find out it was him all along. It was just irritating, like being lied to for the sake of a plot twist that was so obvious all along. Also at the end when Olivia goes off to Italy for her new job, the book should have ended right there. What the heck was the point of doing that and then having them all meet back a year later and everything is hunky dory and Nick and Olivia live together happily but it was just irritating because things just seem to become established only over the course of an year which sounds to unrealistic and stupid to me. Like who actually follows magazine stylists enough to care what they're wearing.
The book just felt really childish and lacking in depth and the characters really irritated me as well as their logic. I'm not saying that no one else would enjoy this book but I just didn't. Maybe if you're into more idealistic romance novels this would work for you. I just didn't enjoy it at all.
April 16, 2019
Actual rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars
Equally compelling and spellbinding.
Olivia Montiano felt like she's doing the biggest mistake of her life by marrying someone who only makes her life miserable, blaming her for everything that's not going well on their relationship — someone who didn't care for her and never have seen her worth. She has always been longing for Dario's attention, seeking validation. Only, what she got was the feeling of being insignificant. But when paths crossed and worlds collide her life change like it's written all over the stars.
Artist, Nick Montgomery had have gone through a lot and he wanted to make sure that he will never endure that kind of pain again or deliberately hurt himself for someone who's going to be like poison for his soul. His past relationship had a great impact on his career. Like a series of unfortunate events, Nick had another setback and lose his creative energy along the process.
That's when the universe took its time to put two stubborn persons together at the right time and on the right place, forcing them to meet half way. Will they ever find love back from each other?
I had so much feels for this book. It is a love where you don't need to dream about the idea of a parallel universe because it is what you have actually been craving for so long and finally you have it. You just have to own it.
I love how Olivia and Nick grew so much in the story. They've been like each other's missing puzzle piece. No matter what insecurities or insurmountable fears that hold them back together, they always know that they'll always find home. The way Nick thought about Olivia before his own was really brave and inspiring.
The characters and the story brought something new on the table without the clichés or same old tropes I read a million times. It's clever and refreshing with so much personality. Every single word in this book is relevant and you cannot throw any part of it. There's nothing in it that won't make me realize how the story voice my own internal thoughts and feelings. It will tweak something in the hearts of yours because every character depicted truth and realism.
Supporting characters were built on a strong foundation that justifies the essence of a good storyline, a plot and character development. Everybody contributes something, from Dario or the homeless man sitting on the covered concrete ground to James or even Peter, the author made sure that everyone will pitch their parts and eventually leave a mark to readers. I like the familial bond that brought the characters together and how the author gave an important message on marriage.
Maria La Serra creatively woven words into this beautiful, lyrical story. It will make you believe that love is just around the corner. You just have to know what you're looking for and let the universe guide you for whoever's worth your way!
***Thank you NetGalley and Maria La Serra for providing me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review!
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Equally compelling and spellbinding.
“When you’re not looking for something and find something extraordinary, that’s serendipity.”
Olivia Montiano felt like she's doing the biggest mistake of her life by marrying someone who only makes her life miserable, blaming her for everything that's not going well on their relationship — someone who didn't care for her and never have seen her worth. She has always been longing for Dario's attention, seeking validation. Only, what she got was the feeling of being insignificant. But when paths crossed and worlds collide her life change like it's written all over the stars.
Artist, Nick Montgomery had have gone through a lot and he wanted to make sure that he will never endure that kind of pain again or deliberately hurt himself for someone who's going to be like poison for his soul. His past relationship had a great impact on his career. Like a series of unfortunate events, Nick had another setback and lose his creative energy along the process.
That's when the universe took its time to put two stubborn persons together at the right time and on the right place, forcing them to meet half way. Will they ever find love back from each other?
“Anyhow, whatever it is…faith, destiny, or pure dumb luck, all I know is if I followed that thread, I am almost sure it will always lead me right back to you."
I had so much feels for this book. It is a love where you don't need to dream about the idea of a parallel universe because it is what you have actually been craving for so long and finally you have it. You just have to own it.
I love how Olivia and Nick grew so much in the story. They've been like each other's missing puzzle piece. No matter what insecurities or insurmountable fears that hold them back together, they always know that they'll always find home. The way Nick thought about Olivia before his own was really brave and inspiring.
The characters and the story brought something new on the table without the clichés or same old tropes I read a million times. It's clever and refreshing with so much personality. Every single word in this book is relevant and you cannot throw any part of it. There's nothing in it that won't make me realize how the story voice my own internal thoughts and feelings. It will tweak something in the hearts of yours because every character depicted truth and realism.
Supporting characters were built on a strong foundation that justifies the essence of a good storyline, a plot and character development. Everybody contributes something, from Dario or the homeless man sitting on the covered concrete ground to James or even Peter, the author made sure that everyone will pitch their parts and eventually leave a mark to readers. I like the familial bond that brought the characters together and how the author gave an important message on marriage.
“I want you to find someone who loves you and respects you. It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t have lots of money, as long as he is a hard worker...It doesn’t matter if he wears old clothes, but be sure he has a good heart underneath it.”
Maria La Serra creatively woven words into this beautiful, lyrical story. It will make you believe that love is just around the corner. You just have to know what you're looking for and let the universe guide you for whoever's worth your way!
Trust me. After all, I am Mr. Universe.
***Thank you NetGalley and Maria La Serra for providing me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review!
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August 1, 2016
The Proverbial Mr Universe is one I find very hard to review, for a variety of reasons. I think, mainly because it just didn’t work for me. But I don’t know if it didn’t work for me because I just wasn’t in the mood for this book or if didn’t work because of the book.
The premise was intriguing and the blurb had me wanting to pick it up but once I did I found it impossible to just lose myself in it. I felt like it was above my intellect and I needed to sit back and look for the deeper meaning in it all. And for most of it I got it but in honesty I read to escape and I didn’t get it here.
Olivia had so much going on in her life when she starts getting anonymous notes signed from Mr Universe. I loved the notes, they were cute and inspiring. At the same time she meets Nick.
Nick was sweet and just an all-around good guy who had his own issues. He was so selfless and sincere he really made the book. However he was a bit of a doormat at times and I really wanted him to man up.
I felt the story was really well developed maybe too well at points as I found it a little slow. The things I enjoy most in a romance were sadly not in this but the underlying messages and the characters growth were a great part of the story that a lot of people would really enjoy, just not people who have similar tastes to mine.
Overall this was a sweet love story that a lot of people will love, I just wasn’t one of them.
Check out my reviews here
The premise was intriguing and the blurb had me wanting to pick it up but once I did I found it impossible to just lose myself in it. I felt like it was above my intellect and I needed to sit back and look for the deeper meaning in it all. And for most of it I got it but in honesty I read to escape and I didn’t get it here.
Olivia had so much going on in her life when she starts getting anonymous notes signed from Mr Universe. I loved the notes, they were cute and inspiring. At the same time she meets Nick.
Nick was sweet and just an all-around good guy who had his own issues. He was so selfless and sincere he really made the book. However he was a bit of a doormat at times and I really wanted him to man up.
I felt the story was really well developed maybe too well at points as I found it a little slow. The things I enjoy most in a romance were sadly not in this but the underlying messages and the characters growth were a great part of the story that a lot of people would really enjoy, just not people who have similar tastes to mine.
Overall this was a sweet love story that a lot of people will love, I just wasn’t one of them.
Check out my reviews here
July 21, 2016
**The Proverbial Mr. Universe generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
3 "Serendipity?" Stars
As Maria La Serra's debut novel, The Proverbial Mr. Universe comes as a enjoyable story filled with kitzy moments, sweet sentiment, and a charismatic hero. The story takes shape nicely as our heroine, Olivia, goes through a life-altering change leaving her mentally abusive fiance. Kismet happens for Nick, our hero, the moment he sees Olivia from afar. As the pairs lives collide Olivia starts receiving mysterious life and self affirming notes from Mr. Universe.
The enjoyment of this story came from the simplistic details of Olivia and Nick's lives as well as the notes and encouragement from Mr. Universe. Nick is full of life even after so much has happened in his past. He's charming and sweet, says all the right things, and cares deeply with a big, full heart. Olivia can't quite seem to see herself for what she truly is having an ex that messed with her self-worth so much. The blossoming of their relationship and the relationships around them were happy to read. At points in the story I thought things were dragging and that Olivia's deteriorated self confidence became too much. I wanted more for her especially. There were a few points where I thought the forward motion of the story was stalled. And then a few plot points that weren't nearly completed when "the end" came. Nearer to the end I felt rushed and slightly disappointed in how the story was finished.
The Proverbial Mr. Universe was easily read in a day. Written from the third person POV, it easily engages. It's one of the books that even when it's dragging you're so intrigued that you just can't wait to see how it plays out. La Serra's writing is good and engaging. Her Mr. Universe notes a true beacon in the story. As a stand alone contemporary romance the story holds the ability to pull at your heartstrings.
August 10, 2016
*Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
"...We all crave for someone to make us feel like magic. We want to see ourselves, how wonderful we are in someone else's eyes, but here's the kicker: this will never be unless you believe you are magic and beautiful yourself."
This is Maria's debut novel and I was pleased with it for the most part. We follow Olivia who has always lived her life following her dad's wishes in fear of disappointing him. With that said, I really liked the dynamic between her and her family. Their love and loyalty to each other was palpable and it made me yearn for a closer relationship to mine.
This story begins with mysterious notes written by a Mr. Universe that seem to find Olivia everywhere she goes. These notes seem to pop up at the perfect time to help her with current situations. Some of those notes really did a number on me because of their depth. I don't know if it was supposed to be incredibly obvious who Mr. Universe was, but it was to me, and that impacted my experience a lot. I'm sad to say that I didn't form a connection to Olivia at all. She was just... okay, to me.
"If you can't be friends first, how can you be anything else?"
We also follow Nick, an artist with so much wisdom that blew me away constantly. He had a beautiful soul and my heart ached at his unfortunate experiences. His heart was eternal and I fell in love with it. He only ever deserved the best of the best and I was invested in his happiness more than anybody else's. I was only rooting for them two because it made Nick happy.
"...When you're ready to let go, that's where you'll find me, waiting for you with open arms."
Now for the positives: The format of this novel was gorgeous! The format alone would've kept me flipping the pages had I not been curious where Olivia and Nick would end up.
I loved how Olivia and Nick's relationship, for a while, went in the direction that I don't normally see. It was interesting to see them navigate their relationship in a different way than usual and it's what made me almost give it 4 stars. The addition at the end was also an amazing contribution to the story and made me appreciate it even more.
There were SO MANY amazing quotes throughout this story (as you can tell) and, of course, most of them came from Mr. Universe. Those notes alone could change someone's whole outlook on life and it makes for a beautiful story. Those notes can easily form a connection to anybody that stumbles upon them.
This was also a solid clean romance. I haven't read a clean romance in years, if at all, and it made me appreciate the story in a different way.
"Sometimes love is not what the heart expects. Sometimes it's even better."
3.5/5 stars.
"...We all crave for someone to make us feel like magic. We want to see ourselves, how wonderful we are in someone else's eyes, but here's the kicker: this will never be unless you believe you are magic and beautiful yourself."
This is Maria's debut novel and I was pleased with it for the most part. We follow Olivia who has always lived her life following her dad's wishes in fear of disappointing him. With that said, I really liked the dynamic between her and her family. Their love and loyalty to each other was palpable and it made me yearn for a closer relationship to mine.
This story begins with mysterious notes written by a Mr. Universe that seem to find Olivia everywhere she goes. These notes seem to pop up at the perfect time to help her with current situations. Some of those notes really did a number on me because of their depth. I don't know if it was supposed to be incredibly obvious who Mr. Universe was, but it was to me, and that impacted my experience a lot. I'm sad to say that I didn't form a connection to Olivia at all. She was just... okay, to me.
"If you can't be friends first, how can you be anything else?"
We also follow Nick, an artist with so much wisdom that blew me away constantly. He had a beautiful soul and my heart ached at his unfortunate experiences. His heart was eternal and I fell in love with it. He only ever deserved the best of the best and I was invested in his happiness more than anybody else's. I was only rooting for them two because it made Nick happy.
"...When you're ready to let go, that's where you'll find me, waiting for you with open arms."
Now for the positives: The format of this novel was gorgeous! The format alone would've kept me flipping the pages had I not been curious where Olivia and Nick would end up.
I loved how Olivia and Nick's relationship, for a while, went in the direction that I don't normally see. It was interesting to see them navigate their relationship in a different way than usual and it's what made me almost give it 4 stars. The addition at the end was also an amazing contribution to the story and made me appreciate it even more.
There were SO MANY amazing quotes throughout this story (as you can tell) and, of course, most of them came from Mr. Universe. Those notes alone could change someone's whole outlook on life and it makes for a beautiful story. Those notes can easily form a connection to anybody that stumbles upon them.
This was also a solid clean romance. I haven't read a clean romance in years, if at all, and it made me appreciate the story in a different way.
"Sometimes love is not what the heart expects. Sometimes it's even better."
3.5/5 stars.
August 1, 2017
3 'Ro. Sham.Bo' Stars.
This is a tough book to rate and for a debut novel the author is off to a good start.
What grabbed me? Well the premise of the heroine in the book receiving notes to help her find herself and to realise what is important in life.
And the Oscar goes to… Olivia Montiano, for Sham of a Life. It was a shame that it had taken her five years to realise it.
Olivia has been living a life she doesn’t want and she is finally coming to the conclusion that it isn’t working. Not. At. All.
Nick Montgomery is a fantastic hero. He has suffered heartache but he has come out stronger than ever before. That is until one encounter changes his life.
Before I crossed the street, I picked up your scarf, placed it back where it belonged. You flinched and looked up at me. Your eyes widened. I knew at that moment I’ve known those eyes a lifetime. No hesitation, no doubt in my mind, I knew you were the one and anything else will ever fall short. Who knows what could have been? You’ve been on my mind ever since. N.M.
This is a slow burn romance not necessarily bad but it is more about the MC in the books navigating themselves through their lives to where they want to be. It is about dreams and aspirations. It shows you what is really important in life. That materialistic things are nothing. That spending time with family and friends is far more important. Love and friendship. Finding yourself and living the life that you want to and not what your parents have envisioned for you.
There are profound moments in the book.
I didn’t connect with Olivia particularly well. She was too careful in her choices and decisions.
I’ve been lucky. My parents have always let me make my own choices in life and I’ve lived with the repercussions of everything. The good, the bad and the ugly. Or maybe I was oblivious about it all.
Maybe we'll see more of them I feel as if their story isn't finished yet.
All in all it is a long winded book not with an ending I expected but I still liked it very much. Most certainly an author to watch out for.
I'm going to need something upbeat after this book.
Book received by Maria La Serra via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review can also be found @ http://jerisbookattic-reviewblog.blog...
This is a tough book to rate and for a debut novel the author is off to a good start.
What grabbed me? Well the premise of the heroine in the book receiving notes to help her find herself and to realise what is important in life.
And the Oscar goes to… Olivia Montiano, for Sham of a Life. It was a shame that it had taken her five years to realise it.
Olivia has been living a life she doesn’t want and she is finally coming to the conclusion that it isn’t working. Not. At. All.
Nick Montgomery is a fantastic hero. He has suffered heartache but he has come out stronger than ever before. That is until one encounter changes his life.
Before I crossed the street, I picked up your scarf, placed it back where it belonged. You flinched and looked up at me. Your eyes widened. I knew at that moment I’ve known those eyes a lifetime. No hesitation, no doubt in my mind, I knew you were the one and anything else will ever fall short. Who knows what could have been? You’ve been on my mind ever since. N.M.
This is a slow burn romance not necessarily bad but it is more about the MC in the books navigating themselves through their lives to where they want to be. It is about dreams and aspirations. It shows you what is really important in life. That materialistic things are nothing. That spending time with family and friends is far more important. Love and friendship. Finding yourself and living the life that you want to and not what your parents have envisioned for you.
There are profound moments in the book.
I didn’t connect with Olivia particularly well. She was too careful in her choices and decisions.
I’ve been lucky. My parents have always let me make my own choices in life and I’ve lived with the repercussions of everything. The good, the bad and the ugly. Or maybe I was oblivious about it all.
Maybe we'll see more of them I feel as if their story isn't finished yet.
All in all it is a long winded book not with an ending I expected but I still liked it very much. Most certainly an author to watch out for.
I'm going to need something upbeat after this book.
Book received by Maria La Serra via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review can also be found @ http://jerisbookattic-reviewblog.blog...
September 16, 2016
This book was an okay read for me, it has its ups and downs. Let me tell you why.
When someone has good and bad news for me, I will ask for the bad news first and then the good news. So that's how my review is going to be. I'll start with the bad parts.
Olivia and Nick are the main character and both are written from third person. If I have to be honest, I really despised Olivia. I don't know why, but I thought she was an obnoxious bitch and always thinking about herself. Like others didn't matter. I know that's not really true, because she really cares about her family and all, but when it comes to Nick she just didn't cared about him (in the beginning) and yeah I really don't know. I got a weird feeling everytime I was reading from Olivia her point of view.
Nick on the other hand was so sweet and I loved him for that. I felt really sorry for him because of his disease, but I think he's very strong for surviving. The only thing I hated about him was his insta love, because that was so unbelievably stupid. He hadn't even spoken to Olivia once, didn't even know her name and already he was deeply in love. It was just unrealistic.
So that was my bad news, let's go to the good news!
I liked the concept of Olivia's dad and his disease. It's important to raise awareness for diseases like Alzheimers (I work with people with Alzheimers) and I love that Maria took the time to convert that into her story. It makes a book even more realistic.
Another thing I really liked were the little notes at every end of the chapter. They were so inspiring and seriously Maria, how did you come up with all of that?! You deserve my deepest respect.
Another thing I liked was the ending. It was mysterious - but at the same time it wasn't and that was what made it interesting to me.
So that was my review. Three stars for The Proverbial Mr. Universe, just because I liked it and nothing more.
When someone has good and bad news for me, I will ask for the bad news first and then the good news. So that's how my review is going to be. I'll start with the bad parts.
Olivia and Nick are the main character and both are written from third person. If I have to be honest, I really despised Olivia. I don't know why, but I thought she was an obnoxious bitch and always thinking about herself. Like others didn't matter. I know that's not really true, because she really cares about her family and all, but when it comes to Nick she just didn't cared about him (in the beginning) and yeah I really don't know. I got a weird feeling everytime I was reading from Olivia her point of view.
Nick on the other hand was so sweet and I loved him for that. I felt really sorry for him because of his disease, but I think he's very strong for surviving. The only thing I hated about him was his insta love, because that was so unbelievably stupid. He hadn't even spoken to Olivia once, didn't even know her name and already he was deeply in love. It was just unrealistic.
So that was my bad news, let's go to the good news!
I liked the concept of Olivia's dad and his disease. It's important to raise awareness for diseases like Alzheimers (I work with people with Alzheimers) and I love that Maria took the time to convert that into her story. It makes a book even more realistic.
Another thing I really liked were the little notes at every end of the chapter. They were so inspiring and seriously Maria, how did you come up with all of that?! You deserve my deepest respect.
Another thing I liked was the ending. It was mysterious - but at the same time it wasn't and that was what made it interesting to me.
So that was my review. Three stars for The Proverbial Mr. Universe, just because I liked it and nothing more.
July 2, 2016
This review is based on an ARC provided by the author and /or publisher via Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest opinion.
3.5
The editing was ATROCIOUS. If you can get past that then this is an adorable read.
3.5
The editing was ATROCIOUS. If you can get past that then this is an adorable read.
January 8, 2025
An amazing debut novel from a new author!!
Do you believe in serendipity and that maybe sometimes things happen for a reason?
Olivia has come to a point in her life where she feels that though she has met society's expectations, she is living a sham.With a fiance who mentally abuses her,a job that may not be going where she needs to be and a father who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, she doesn't know which way her life is going anymore.Discovering that her fiance was cheating on her is just another addition.She breaks it off with him and is beginning to recover from the shock.She has also been carefully making choices that fit her father's expectations and hasn't really thought about the things that make her happy.
Nick, as he describes himself-is a "washed up artist".He was a really popular artist at the beginning.Due to health issues,heartbreak and other reasons he has had to take a break.Now that he has returned to painting, a creative block has been preventing him from expressing his emotions on canvas.He has seen Olivia around many times, and even though she is not his usual type, he believes that the universe is pushing them together.Serendipity puts her in his bar the day she breaks it off with Dario, and he tries to make the best of it and asks her out.
Olivia is snobbish in the beginning.Thinking in the way of her dad's expectations, she brushes off Nick based on his appearance.But, Nick is determined to pursue her and maybe with a little help from the universe, he might be able to make Olivia put down her walls and help her believe in love again.They form a friendship that has a chance to develop into something more.But with ex-fiances and concerned fathers intervening will they manage to stay together?Or are they not meant to be?
This was honestly the most wonderful book I've read this month!The storyline and the characters managed to tug at my heartstrings and made me grin at the same time.This isn't just a romance alone.
I really believe that things happen for a reason, and different kinds of people walk in and out of our lives.Those who are meant to stay, will do so.Though, the universe might not really put up visible signs, sometimes it does manage to give us a nudge in the right direction.It's up to us to make the most of it.
You might not really like Olivia in the beginning.Truthfully, I didn't! I sympathized with her situation, but was quite annoyed with her snobbery and the way she keeps pushing Nick away.The author managed to make me love her by the end.Nick slowly opens her eyes to a world where love is possible without judgement and conditions attached.Nick was my favorite character in this book.I wish we all had someone like him in our lives!
The importance of family and friends outside of a romantic relationship has also been highlighted.I loved Olivia's family!Everyone from her mother,siblings to her brother-in-law were amazing.I couldn't even hate her father! :P Nick's brother and grandmother were also great supportive characters.Each character had their own flaws, but I loved them as it made them human.
The Mr.Universe notes were honestly amazing and heart-touching!
So, guys even if the premise sounds cliche to you and even if you don't believe in the universe pushing people together, take a chance on this book as it is really a sweet,touching story about love,family and life.Even the most skeptical person will believe in the universe for a few hours while reading this , trust me! ;)
For now I'll just leave you with a quote mentioned at the book's beginning-
"You don’t love someone for their looks, or their clothes, or for their fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear."
P.S. Apart from the story I really loved the cover too!
Do you believe in serendipity and that maybe sometimes things happen for a reason?
Olivia has come to a point in her life where she feels that though she has met society's expectations, she is living a sham.With a fiance who mentally abuses her,a job that may not be going where she needs to be and a father who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, she doesn't know which way her life is going anymore.Discovering that her fiance was cheating on her is just another addition.She breaks it off with him and is beginning to recover from the shock.She has also been carefully making choices that fit her father's expectations and hasn't really thought about the things that make her happy.
Nick, as he describes himself-is a "washed up artist".He was a really popular artist at the beginning.Due to health issues,heartbreak and other reasons he has had to take a break.Now that he has returned to painting, a creative block has been preventing him from expressing his emotions on canvas.He has seen Olivia around many times, and even though she is not his usual type, he believes that the universe is pushing them together.Serendipity puts her in his bar the day she breaks it off with Dario, and he tries to make the best of it and asks her out.
Olivia is snobbish in the beginning.Thinking in the way of her dad's expectations, she brushes off Nick based on his appearance.But, Nick is determined to pursue her and maybe with a little help from the universe, he might be able to make Olivia put down her walls and help her believe in love again.They form a friendship that has a chance to develop into something more.But with ex-fiances and concerned fathers intervening will they manage to stay together?Or are they not meant to be?
This was honestly the most wonderful book I've read this month!The storyline and the characters managed to tug at my heartstrings and made me grin at the same time.This isn't just a romance alone.
I really believe that things happen for a reason, and different kinds of people walk in and out of our lives.Those who are meant to stay, will do so.Though, the universe might not really put up visible signs, sometimes it does manage to give us a nudge in the right direction.It's up to us to make the most of it.
You might not really like Olivia in the beginning.Truthfully, I didn't! I sympathized with her situation, but was quite annoyed with her snobbery and the way she keeps pushing Nick away.The author managed to make me love her by the end.Nick slowly opens her eyes to a world where love is possible without judgement and conditions attached.Nick was my favorite character in this book.I wish we all had someone like him in our lives!
The importance of family and friends outside of a romantic relationship has also been highlighted.I loved Olivia's family!Everyone from her mother,siblings to her brother-in-law were amazing.I couldn't even hate her father! :P Nick's brother and grandmother were also great supportive characters.Each character had their own flaws, but I loved them as it made them human.
The Mr.Universe notes were honestly amazing and heart-touching!
So, guys even if the premise sounds cliche to you and even if you don't believe in the universe pushing people together, take a chance on this book as it is really a sweet,touching story about love,family and life.Even the most skeptical person will believe in the universe for a few hours while reading this , trust me! ;)
For now I'll just leave you with a quote mentioned at the book's beginning-
"You don’t love someone for their looks, or their clothes, or for their fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear."
P.S. Apart from the story I really loved the cover too!
July 25, 2016
Megan's Review 4.5 STARS
Dear girl with the red scarf,
People will come and go in our lives. Most of them we won’t give a second thought to, as soon as the door closes behind them. But I had always imagined that you would leave the deepest, everlasting mark.
Mr. Universe
There were many instantaneous things that made me really want to read this book. The cover, the title, the something I always hope when I choose a book. Let it be great, let it take hold and give good back. The moment I opened my kindle to start reading I was quickly awarded the first glimpse of a happy reading adventure. Quietly saying a prayer that this continue.
This is my favorite type of romance to read. When strangers meet by chance, by glance and there is just attraction and fascination. The need to know a person. No instant love or prompt marriage proposal. Just pure captivation. Nick and Olivia meet by coincidence and Nick seems to always be around the corner. Even when it isn’t planned…he’s there.
While I had hoped the mystery behind Mr. Universe wasn’t crazy I was rewarded every time a note appeared. Mr. Universe was much loved by me and every word he gave the girl with the red scarf. The quotes and pages I highlighted and tagged were just eye opening and real. How could you not love seeing significant sentiments and thoughts day to day. This was no fortune cookie universe here!
Dear girl with the red scarf,
Sometimes love is not what the heart expects. Sometimes it’s even better
Trust me, after all, I am Mr. Universe
The family dynamic worked. Period. It did. It wasn’t too much or too little. It was comforting and sweet and funny. Real. The issues both Nick and Olivia had were worked into the story properly. They were still the stars but in the shadows lurked key components to who Nick and Olivia are. It was easy to pick up on that Nick had a hidden history and little by little I collected those tiny pieces, steadily falling for him and his want and yearning for in life. Olivia, while having many attributes Nick missed, I liked how she opened up on paper and with Nick. I liked how her questioning life and what was it that made her happy.
Nick wasn’t the kind of guy who moved faster than she was prepared to.
I love the smooth slowness that Nick and Olivia found amongst themselves. It made me put another notch in the ‘falling for Nick’ tally. He knew him well enough to know that his strong feelings wouldn’t match hers…yet. So he was there. Simply and happily. Olivia couldn’t deny anything she felt for him, just at the moment she wasn’t sure about herself enough. I understood her and her dilemma and even more so I understood Nick not wanting to push even dealing with his…things. It was easy to see their attachment and connection and that want for more. Even with the slowness of their relationship, which for me made it all the more special, you saw the spark. You felt it. That something!
“If you rush into relationships and I take things slow…how do you suppose we will ever find ourselves on the same page?”
“I guess I will have to realize that you are worth the wait, and you will have to realize that “m worth jumping in with your eyes closed. Somewhere in between is where we’ll find ourselves.”
Even though I absolutely completely loved the story I am not fulfilled with the ending. Greed? YES. Nick and Olivia and the storyteller had me addicted. But I really felt after what they went through, after what the time they gave them and the time they gave up, after finally doing something for them to have that epic conclusion would have just topped their story off.
But no matter what I fell and fell happily!!
July 18, 2016
I am a sucker for true romance stories and have a thing for the personal ads section, when I was younger I loved reading the personal ads and the missed connections. I haven't read them in a long time as I don't really read newspapers anymore and when I was younger my parents used to buy a magazine called the Trade Exchange which had a list of them in the back. As soon as I opened The Proverbial Mr. Universe we are presented with a small Missed Connections Ad addressed to the :Girl in the Red Scarf. We readers wonder whether the two finally met or whether the girl in the red scarf saw the piece even before we start the story. This I found drew me in as a reader . We then start with the story and discover that The Girl with the Red Scarf is already in a solid or so we think relationship as they are at her engagement party. During the engagement party, we get hints that the relationship is standing on rocky ground and that's when we readers, have a inkling of hope that she will find her guy from the Missed Connections ad and live a HEA. During the novel , we finally discover the Girl with the Red Scarf's name - Olivia and as the story flips through the pages, she finds her courage and dumps her cheating fiance and from then on starts to recieve little notes from someone only known as "Mr .Universe" . They are encouraging pieces of advice which help Olivia grow and reminded me of the letters in PS I Love You. During this time, Olivia meets Nick who is her complete opposite and not normally her type of guy but he starts to grow on her and at times you wonder if he is Mr.Universe but then Maria La Serra chucks a twist in there which gets you thinking that someone else is Mr. Universe. If you love Fate and Destiny /Missed Connections type love stories , then you will love The Proverbial Mr.Universe as it is one of those sweet, feel-good type stories where though the characters have their up's and down's and obstacles - you are filled with hope that everything as Mr. Universe would say " Ends up as it should".
August 3, 2016
When artist Nick Montgomery first spots Olivia Montiano, he is immediately attracted to her and starts stalking her (there's no other word for it) to find out more about her. They finally meet just after Olivia breaks up with her fiancé Dario, and the sparks sure do fly - but not the good kind! Olivia places him firmly in the friend zone, while Nick is reluctant to commit to a relationship because he, too, is dealing with a recent break-up. With their timing all wrong, with Olivia's father vehemently opposed to their relationship, and with Nick hiding a pretty big secret from Olivia, will these two lost souls ever find happiness? Maybe, with the help of the sage advice Olivia receives from the mysterious Mr. Universe.
The story is told from both Olivia's and Nick's points-of-view, interspersed with cute hand-written notes by Mr. Universe (these are the best parts of the book). Olivia and Nick are a likable pair and are surrounded by a great cast of supporting characters, but there really isn't much of a story here; it's basically just the interactions between two people with complex family histories. It's slow going, and there's a bit too much repetition, introspection, and repetition. And, while the cover is cute, it doesn't suit the book and it definitely doesn't match Nick's description.
I read an ARC that was so full of editing errors (including incorrect prepositions, missing words, incorrect word usage, a mixture of tenses, punctuation errors, poorly-phrased sentences) that it was practically unreadable. I can see from the Amazon preview that some, but not all, of these errors have been corrected. A note to the author/publisher: you are doing both yourself and the reviewers a disservice by releasing such a poor review copy.
Warnings: coarse language, domestic abuse.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post (27 July): https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...
The story is told from both Olivia's and Nick's points-of-view, interspersed with cute hand-written notes by Mr. Universe (these are the best parts of the book). Olivia and Nick are a likable pair and are surrounded by a great cast of supporting characters, but there really isn't much of a story here; it's basically just the interactions between two people with complex family histories. It's slow going, and there's a bit too much repetition, introspection, and repetition. And, while the cover is cute, it doesn't suit the book and it definitely doesn't match Nick's description.
I read an ARC that was so full of editing errors (including incorrect prepositions, missing words, incorrect word usage, a mixture of tenses, punctuation errors, poorly-phrased sentences) that it was practically unreadable. I can see from the Amazon preview that some, but not all, of these errors have been corrected. A note to the author/publisher: you are doing both yourself and the reviewers a disservice by releasing such a poor review copy.
Warnings: coarse language, domestic abuse.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post (27 July): https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...
September 29, 2016
I received this book through net-galley in exchange for an honest review sorry I'm a bit behind on reviews...
To start with I loved the blurb of this book it sounded like a different sort of new adult romance which is hard to come by. Unfortunately I felt a little bit let down I wouldn't call this a romance more of about people's growth and how they change.
Olivia starts off engaged you would think she would be happy but she just can't seem to be happy. She is really unhappy in her relationship and puts on a brave face to keep people happy. Mostly her dad who she thinks this will be pleasing. She catches her fiancé cheating which is proberly a godsend to be honest. Then starts receiving random notes from a mr universe trying to help her understand herself. Along the way she meets Nick who to me came across a bit of a stalker he has been watching her from a distance for a while but never approached her til now. He is a bit of a doormat I did like their interactions, but it was a bit slow and Olivia came across a bit snobby.
It was more about how Olivia changes and grows up to do what she wants to do and nick helps her realise that along with mr universe.
Overall was enjoyable but was a let down as I didn't really connect with any of the characters and it just felt slow.
Worth a read but not amazing.
Thanks again for allowing me to review this book...
To start with I loved the blurb of this book it sounded like a different sort of new adult romance which is hard to come by. Unfortunately I felt a little bit let down I wouldn't call this a romance more of about people's growth and how they change.
Olivia starts off engaged you would think she would be happy but she just can't seem to be happy. She is really unhappy in her relationship and puts on a brave face to keep people happy. Mostly her dad who she thinks this will be pleasing. She catches her fiancé cheating which is proberly a godsend to be honest. Then starts receiving random notes from a mr universe trying to help her understand herself. Along the way she meets Nick who to me came across a bit of a stalker he has been watching her from a distance for a while but never approached her til now. He is a bit of a doormat I did like their interactions, but it was a bit slow and Olivia came across a bit snobby.
It was more about how Olivia changes and grows up to do what she wants to do and nick helps her realise that along with mr universe.
Overall was enjoyable but was a let down as I didn't really connect with any of the characters and it just felt slow.
Worth a read but not amazing.
Thanks again for allowing me to review this book...
May 23, 2017
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.
That was the best ARC I've ever read. I truly hope this would get popular.
This is probably going to be the most honest ARC review I've written so far;
This is not your typical romance novel where the protagonist is swept off her feet by an artist with an old soul and a scarred past, and where both end up living happily ever after with corny background music and fireworks shooting across the night sky when they finally kiss (although I can promise you that Nick is definitely going to make your heart swell into twice its actual size...)
I loved the notes. They were so poetic and lyrical ughh.
I noticed how the author balanced between the quality of the writing and that of the plot.
The story was so realistic; her father's choices, although grave, were totally understandable. The relationship between Olivia and her siblings. Peter, her brother-in-law, was hilarious. I love the familial bonds. It felt like Maria La Serra honored her attention to the simplest fixation in the book.
The only thing I regret is having this ARC as a digital copy; this is definitely a book I'd do the honor of add to my physical TBR.
That was the best ARC I've ever read. I truly hope this would get popular.
This is probably going to be the most honest ARC review I've written so far;
This is not your typical romance novel where the protagonist is swept off her feet by an artist with an old soul and a scarred past, and where both end up living happily ever after with corny background music and fireworks shooting across the night sky when they finally kiss (although I can promise you that Nick is definitely going to make your heart swell into twice its actual size...)
I loved the notes. They were so poetic and lyrical ughh.
I noticed how the author balanced between the quality of the writing and that of the plot.
The story was so realistic; her father's choices, although grave, were totally understandable. The relationship between Olivia and her siblings. Peter, her brother-in-law, was hilarious. I love the familial bonds. It felt like Maria La Serra honored her attention to the simplest fixation in the book.
The only thing I regret is having this ARC as a digital copy; this is definitely a book I'd do the honor of add to my physical TBR.
June 17, 2016
Now this was a romance!!
The unlikely pair
Strangers
First glance
A spark
Connection
Desire
Want
...something
This was something
Very much my kind of curled up reading. I loved it. I read so much just so I can find these types of books. These types of characters. I could read a story like this every single day. They always seem to be so real and easily connected too. The writing, the plot, the characters, the notes…Mr. Universe……LOVED IT!!
See my full review with Lustful Literature!
4.5 Stars
The unlikely pair
Strangers
First glance
A spark
Connection
Desire
Want
...something
This was something
Very much my kind of curled up reading. I loved it. I read so much just so I can find these types of books. These types of characters. I could read a story like this every single day. They always seem to be so real and easily connected too. The writing, the plot, the characters, the notes…Mr. Universe……LOVED IT!!
See my full review with Lustful Literature!
4.5 Stars
June 29, 2016
Trust Me, I'm Mr. Universe...
Yes, I do trust you!
One of the most intellectual and interesting romance novel that I read in a long time! The story made me giddy in the right places.
I can't wait to review it on my blog site soon.
Thank you very much to Xpresso Tours for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
Yes, I do trust you!
One of the most intellectual and interesting romance novel that I read in a long time! The story made me giddy in the right places.
I can't wait to review it on my blog site soon.
Thank you very much to Xpresso Tours for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
June 4, 2018
The book is very well written with a very good story line. I had some difficulty getting into the story at first but I am so glad I stuck with it and kept reading.
Stuck up and very unhappy Olivia is the heroine. She is a privileged girl who willing to do almost anything to gain the approval of her father and family, even if that means doing what they want and making herself unhappy. She is in a relationship with a narcissistic fiancé but she has caught her fiancé cheating on her and so decided to start her life for the better. Sometimes her choices were frustrating, but I can understand why she feels and thinks the way she does.
Nick was my great character. He's sweet,, smart, and thoughtful and I was so glad that his perspective was included.
All in all, The Proverbial Mr. Universe was a well written and beautifully romantic book! Four & Half Stars!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Stuck up and very unhappy Olivia is the heroine. She is a privileged girl who willing to do almost anything to gain the approval of her father and family, even if that means doing what they want and making herself unhappy. She is in a relationship with a narcissistic fiancé but she has caught her fiancé cheating on her and so decided to start her life for the better. Sometimes her choices were frustrating, but I can understand why she feels and thinks the way she does.
Nick was my great character. He's sweet,, smart, and thoughtful and I was so glad that his perspective was included.
All in all, The Proverbial Mr. Universe was a well written and beautifully romantic book! Four & Half Stars!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 19, 2017
***5 PROVERBIAL STARS***
To be honest at first I didn't think this book was for me, but I'm so glad I pick this book up!!! Its not you're typical romance novel. Actually I think I never read anything like this before. The story is about two people who come from different worlds ...Olivia lead a privilege life, Nick had some struggles with his but they come together and can't deny their chemistry.
What can I say about Nick Montgomery ... he had me at start of the music! He's everything a boyfriend should be!!
I re-read this book already twice and though there's no cliffhangers at the end, I only wish there would be sequel ... please Mr.Universe write me another note!!!
To be honest at first I didn't think this book was for me, but I'm so glad I pick this book up!!! Its not you're typical romance novel. Actually I think I never read anything like this before. The story is about two people who come from different worlds ...Olivia lead a privilege life, Nick had some struggles with his but they come together and can't deny their chemistry.
What can I say about Nick Montgomery ... he had me at start of the music! He's everything a boyfriend should be!!
I re-read this book already twice and though there's no cliffhangers at the end, I only wish there would be sequel ... please Mr.Universe write me another note!!!
June 8, 2018
The book is a good romantic read. The story is well written and has a good story line. The characters are good. The story has all the elements of a romance read: love triangle, betrayal, and plot twists.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 25, 2016
Review:
An amazing debut novel from a new author!!
Do you believe in serendipity and that maybe sometimes things happen for a reason?
Olivia has come to a point in her life where she feels that though she has met society's expectations, she is living a sham.With a fiance who mentally abuses her,a job that may not be going where she needs to be and a father who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, she doesn't know which way her life is going anymore.Discovering that her fiance was cheating on her is just another addition.She breaks it off with him and is beginning to recover from the shock.She has also been carefully making choices that fit her father's expectations and hasn't really thought about the things that make her happy.
Nick, as he describes himself-is a "washed up artist".He was a really popular artist at the beginning.Due to health issues,heartbreak and other reasons he has had to take a break.Now that he has returned to painting, a creative block has been preventing him from expressing his emotions on canvas.He has seen Olivia around many times, and even though she is not his usual type, he believes that the universe is pushing them together.Serendipity puts her in his bar the day she breaks it off with Dario, and he tries to make the best of it and asks her out.
Olivia is snobbish in the beginning.Thinking in the way of her dad's expectations, she brushes off Nick based on his appearance.But, Nick is determined to pursue her and maybe with a little help from the universe, he might be able to make Olivia put down her walls and help her believe in love again.They form a friendship that has a chance to develop into something more.But with ex-fiances and concerned fathers intervening will they manage to stay together?Or are they not meant to be?
This was honestly the most wonderful book I've read this month!The storyline and the characters managed to tug at my heartstrings and made me grin at the same time.This isn't just a romance alone.
I really believe that things happen for a reason, and different kinds of people walk in and out of our lives.Those who are meant to stay, will do so.Though, the universe might not really put up visible signs, sometimes it does manage to give us a nudge in the right direction.It's up to us to make the most of it.
You might not really like Olivia in the beginning.Truthfully, I didn't! I sympathized with her situation, but was quite annoyed with her snobbery and the way she keeps pushing Nick away.The author managed to make me love her by the end.Nick slowly opens her eyes to a world where love is possible without judgement and conditions attached.Nick was my favorite character in this book.I wish we all had someone like him in our lives!
The importance of family and friends outside of a romantic relationship has also been highlighted.I loved Olivia's family!Everyone from her mother,siblings to her brother-in-law were amazing.I couldn't even hate her father! :P Nick's brother and grandmother were also great supportive characters.Each character had their own flaws, but I loved them as it made them human.
The Mr.Universe notes were honestly amazing and heart-touching!
So, guys even if the premise sounds cliche to you and even if you don't believe in the universe pushing people together, take a chance on this book as it is really a sweet,touching story about love,family and life.Even the most skeptical person will believe in the universe for a few hours while reading this , trust me! ;)
For now I'll just leave you with a quote mentioned at the book's beginning-
"You don’t love someone for their looks, or their clothes, or for their fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear."
P.S. Apart from the story I really loved the cover too!
Enter here for a chance to win a 10$ Amzon GC!! :D
An amazing debut novel from a new author!!
Do you believe in serendipity and that maybe sometimes things happen for a reason?
Olivia has come to a point in her life where she feels that though she has met society's expectations, she is living a sham.With a fiance who mentally abuses her,a job that may not be going where she needs to be and a father who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, she doesn't know which way her life is going anymore.Discovering that her fiance was cheating on her is just another addition.She breaks it off with him and is beginning to recover from the shock.She has also been carefully making choices that fit her father's expectations and hasn't really thought about the things that make her happy.
Nick, as he describes himself-is a "washed up artist".He was a really popular artist at the beginning.Due to health issues,heartbreak and other reasons he has had to take a break.Now that he has returned to painting, a creative block has been preventing him from expressing his emotions on canvas.He has seen Olivia around many times, and even though she is not his usual type, he believes that the universe is pushing them together.Serendipity puts her in his bar the day she breaks it off with Dario, and he tries to make the best of it and asks her out.
Olivia is snobbish in the beginning.Thinking in the way of her dad's expectations, she brushes off Nick based on his appearance.But, Nick is determined to pursue her and maybe with a little help from the universe, he might be able to make Olivia put down her walls and help her believe in love again.They form a friendship that has a chance to develop into something more.But with ex-fiances and concerned fathers intervening will they manage to stay together?Or are they not meant to be?
This was honestly the most wonderful book I've read this month!The storyline and the characters managed to tug at my heartstrings and made me grin at the same time.This isn't just a romance alone.
I really believe that things happen for a reason, and different kinds of people walk in and out of our lives.Those who are meant to stay, will do so.Though, the universe might not really put up visible signs, sometimes it does manage to give us a nudge in the right direction.It's up to us to make the most of it.
You might not really like Olivia in the beginning.Truthfully, I didn't! I sympathized with her situation, but was quite annoyed with her snobbery and the way she keeps pushing Nick away.The author managed to make me love her by the end.Nick slowly opens her eyes to a world where love is possible without judgement and conditions attached.Nick was my favorite character in this book.I wish we all had someone like him in our lives!
The importance of family and friends outside of a romantic relationship has also been highlighted.I loved Olivia's family!Everyone from her mother,siblings to her brother-in-law were amazing.I couldn't even hate her father! :P Nick's brother and grandmother were also great supportive characters.Each character had their own flaws, but I loved them as it made them human.
The Mr.Universe notes were honestly amazing and heart-touching!
So, guys even if the premise sounds cliche to you and even if you don't believe in the universe pushing people together, take a chance on this book as it is really a sweet,touching story about love,family and life.Even the most skeptical person will believe in the universe for a few hours while reading this , trust me! ;)
For now I'll just leave you with a quote mentioned at the book's beginning-
"You don’t love someone for their looks, or their clothes, or for their fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear."
P.S. Apart from the story I really loved the cover too!
Enter here for a chance to win a 10$ Amzon GC!! :D
June 8, 2017
By far, one of the greatest books to date. This book is inspirational to anyone with relationship or personal emotional feelings they may need help with. I feel privileged to have read this book! A definite must read!
Copy provided by Netgalley for my honest opinion!
Copy provided by Netgalley for my honest opinion!
July 14, 2016
*** ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.***
2 stars!
There was some good material here. Anonymous notes to a girl who needed to find herself and to open her eyes sounded intriguing an interesting ... But while reading Olivia and Nick's journey, I couldn't connect at all with the story, and especially Olivia who was to me not someone worthy of the main character, Nick, hopefully had everything to be a book boyfriend material.
I admit it, I read the book until 50% and then ... I skipped the story until the end. I was a little bored at times, and sometimes I was annoyed by the characters issues, going on circles, too repetitive to me.
I wasn't bored by the clean romance, but it was hard to me to find a place or to meet the characters somewhere in between, and I never did at all.
However, the last 10% was great, but after everything the characters went through, I felt the ending a little bit rushed.
2 stars!
There was some good material here. Anonymous notes to a girl who needed to find herself and to open her eyes sounded intriguing an interesting ... But while reading Olivia and Nick's journey, I couldn't connect at all with the story, and especially Olivia who was to me not someone worthy of the main character, Nick, hopefully had everything to be a book boyfriend material.
I admit it, I read the book until 50% and then ... I skipped the story until the end. I was a little bored at times, and sometimes I was annoyed by the characters issues, going on circles, too repetitive to me.
I wasn't bored by the clean romance, but it was hard to me to find a place or to meet the characters somewhere in between, and I never did at all.
However, the last 10% was great, but after everything the characters went through, I felt the ending a little bit rushed.
July 27, 2016
This book is just okay-2 stars for me. It's a typical romance. A clean romance. It is sweet with a typical set up of the guy sees girl and instaloves her. He sends her mysterious notes as "Mr. Universe" giving her life advice. It sounds cute but it doesn't really work or matter in the story. I've read much,
much better stories that make the "anonymous letters/emails" scenario work beautifully. This doesn't. It's really not even needed here. The romance is fine and a bit boring. The conflicts are dull too. The main character is very uptight and I found her unlikeable. The only redeeming thing about this is Nick's character. He is a pretty good book boyfriend. Too bad the main character doesn't deserve him.
This was a NetGalley book in exchange for an honest review.
much better stories that make the "anonymous letters/emails" scenario work beautifully. This doesn't. It's really not even needed here. The romance is fine and a bit boring. The conflicts are dull too. The main character is very uptight and I found her unlikeable. The only redeeming thing about this is Nick's character. He is a pretty good book boyfriend. Too bad the main character doesn't deserve him.
This was a NetGalley book in exchange for an honest review.
July 9, 2016
This wasn’t really for me. I found it difficult to get into and the characters quite boring. It couldn’t hold my attention for long and I found myself skipping a lot of the book. Also, I’m not sure who edited it but they didn’t do a great job. A lot of misplaced words and phrases that didn’t sound right. Another reason why I was put off this book. Based on the synopsis I thought I would really enjoy this but unfortunately not, perhaps with a little more work this book could be good.
June 22, 2016
Review to come.
October 16, 2016
**ARC provided by NETGALLEY in exchange for honest review.
"Dear girl with the red scarf,
Love was never meant to be conquered,
you have to surrender to it.
Trust me. After all, I am Mr. Universe."
When the universe conveys a message, you listen.
Olivia Montiano just caught her fiancé cheating. Now she is forced to question what she wants out of life and love. Striving to live up to her father’s unrealistic standards for the past twenty-three years, every decision she has ever made was with her father’s wishes in mind—until she finds mysterious, handwritten letters tucked away in places only meant for her. That’s when she realizes she’s been on the wrong path all along and gives her heart to a guy her father thinks is entirely wrong.
Washed-up abstract artist Nick Montgomery has had quite a few setbacks in life. He’s accustomed to never needing anyone, thinking he’s just fine—until he meets the girl with the red scarf. She’s not his type. But the universe has other ideas. Nick has a secret he’s keeping from her, afraid it will bring their new relationship to a sudden halt.
Will they figure out what the universe holds for them?
When I first picked it up, I found it enjoyable enough to keep me reading. I'll admit, I wasn't that committed at first, but as I kept on reading, the story got a bit more interesting, so I kept on reading and at the end of the day, I can say I liked and enjoyed most of it.
We're first introduced to Olivia Montiano, a girl who's always done what has been asked of her, especially when that request comes from her dad. Her biggest fear is to disappoint her father, who's giving her so much. But, what happens when pleasing other people becomes her biggest source of unhappiness? She has adapted herself so much to other people's needs and wants, that she's had to settle for a crappy and unhappy life. Thankfully, she's able to open her eyes when she finds her asshole of a fiancé cheating on her. Yep, that's it. She now wants out. But what will she do with this new freedom? Who is she supposed to be now?
I'll tell you what: she can do whatever the hell she wants now and be whoever the fuck she wants to be.
As I mentioned before, this book is quite enjoyable. If you're looking for a quick and light read, you could consider giving this a try. It's the kind of book you're looking to lighten up the mood. I liked most of it with the exception of a few things.
I can't say Olivia is my kind of character. At times, the girl seemed to be quite shallow and it bothered me a lot. But, later I thought: "Ok, the girls been doing what she's been told for years and years, she hardly has a personality of her own, so I can see where the prejudice came from. I'm not saying I'm ok with it, but I understand why it's there. She later starts growing up and starts realizing how badly her perception on things and life itself had been. That was nice. Still, I felt she was a bit selfish and sometimes she needed to take the responsibility of her actions. She hardly ever did and that made it hard for me to relate entirely to her.
Then we have Nick. What an outstanding guy. This is the very definition of happiness. The guy has had to face some pretty crappy things in life. He knows life can be unfair sometimes, but it doesn't cloud his sight on the goodness that surrounds him and the goodness in people. When it comes to it, he has very clear what the important things in life are and I loved that about him. He's the personification of the word "optimistic". I wish he wouldn't take responsibilities to things he's not responsible for. He's forgiving, yes, but sometimes I felt he just took up on other people's shitty decisions and assumed them as his own, leaving him practically begging for other people to come back. I guess, his strength got up until a point and just stayed there.
Now, the pace of the story at the start was good, it wasn't slow but it wasn't fast either, but towards the end of the book, it picked up a little bit and it felt it was rushing into things, leaving a lot of details about their lives out, so I felt that I was left wanting a bit more. Like I said, it's a nice enough book, one that will keep you interested in reading.
"Dear girl with the red scarf,
Love was never meant to be conquered,
you have to surrender to it.
Trust me. After all, I am Mr. Universe."
When the universe conveys a message, you listen.
Olivia Montiano just caught her fiancé cheating. Now she is forced to question what she wants out of life and love. Striving to live up to her father’s unrealistic standards for the past twenty-three years, every decision she has ever made was with her father’s wishes in mind—until she finds mysterious, handwritten letters tucked away in places only meant for her. That’s when she realizes she’s been on the wrong path all along and gives her heart to a guy her father thinks is entirely wrong.
Washed-up abstract artist Nick Montgomery has had quite a few setbacks in life. He’s accustomed to never needing anyone, thinking he’s just fine—until he meets the girl with the red scarf. She’s not his type. But the universe has other ideas. Nick has a secret he’s keeping from her, afraid it will bring their new relationship to a sudden halt.
Will they figure out what the universe holds for them?
When I first picked it up, I found it enjoyable enough to keep me reading. I'll admit, I wasn't that committed at first, but as I kept on reading, the story got a bit more interesting, so I kept on reading and at the end of the day, I can say I liked and enjoyed most of it.
We're first introduced to Olivia Montiano, a girl who's always done what has been asked of her, especially when that request comes from her dad. Her biggest fear is to disappoint her father, who's giving her so much. But, what happens when pleasing other people becomes her biggest source of unhappiness? She has adapted herself so much to other people's needs and wants, that she's had to settle for a crappy and unhappy life. Thankfully, she's able to open her eyes when she finds her asshole of a fiancé cheating on her. Yep, that's it. She now wants out. But what will she do with this new freedom? Who is she supposed to be now?
I'll tell you what: she can do whatever the hell she wants now and be whoever the fuck she wants to be.
As I mentioned before, this book is quite enjoyable. If you're looking for a quick and light read, you could consider giving this a try. It's the kind of book you're looking to lighten up the mood. I liked most of it with the exception of a few things.
I can't say Olivia is my kind of character. At times, the girl seemed to be quite shallow and it bothered me a lot. But, later I thought: "Ok, the girls been doing what she's been told for years and years, she hardly has a personality of her own, so I can see where the prejudice came from. I'm not saying I'm ok with it, but I understand why it's there. She later starts growing up and starts realizing how badly her perception on things and life itself had been. That was nice. Still, I felt she was a bit selfish and sometimes she needed to take the responsibility of her actions. She hardly ever did and that made it hard for me to relate entirely to her.
Then we have Nick. What an outstanding guy. This is the very definition of happiness. The guy has had to face some pretty crappy things in life. He knows life can be unfair sometimes, but it doesn't cloud his sight on the goodness that surrounds him and the goodness in people. When it comes to it, he has very clear what the important things in life are and I loved that about him. He's the personification of the word "optimistic". I wish he wouldn't take responsibilities to things he's not responsible for. He's forgiving, yes, but sometimes I felt he just took up on other people's shitty decisions and assumed them as his own, leaving him practically begging for other people to come back. I guess, his strength got up until a point and just stayed there.
Now, the pace of the story at the start was good, it wasn't slow but it wasn't fast either, but towards the end of the book, it picked up a little bit and it felt it was rushing into things, leaving a lot of details about their lives out, so I felt that I was left wanting a bit more. Like I said, it's a nice enough book, one that will keep you interested in reading.
March 15, 2019
💙 Copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 💙
Finally managed to finish reading this last night and it's left me so...so... confused.
I've completed it and come the end I don't know if Nick and Olivia got back together (sorry if there are any spoilers).
Olivia discovers Dario is cheating on her which destroys her-even though she was having doubts about their engagement... She's left to pick up the pieces of her life and rediscover herself.
Along the way, little hand written notes start appearing. Now how these people manage to pull it off I don't know! I can't sneak a cake in to a shopping cart without getting caught.
These little notes help lift and guide Olivia and eventually she sees Nick. Nick, a guy she sees and notices but never bats an eyelash at because he's not her usual type... because a guy like Dario is.
I read a few of the other reviews after I completed it and agreed that Olivia is hiding behind excuses regarding her dad and all that which I completely get but the excuses put a halt on these two. I felt that a chunk of the book was almost like their chasing tango, and then it starts to work and then its over and then ????
I don't know.
A whole lot for nothing.
But the writing by the author is amazing. If this is their debut which it looks like it is I really want to applaud them for it because it was put together perfectly. I think their just needed that little bit more character development.
Finally managed to finish reading this last night and it's left me so...so... confused.
I've completed it and come the end I don't know if Nick and Olivia got back together (sorry if there are any spoilers).
Olivia discovers Dario is cheating on her which destroys her-even though she was having doubts about their engagement... She's left to pick up the pieces of her life and rediscover herself.
Along the way, little hand written notes start appearing. Now how these people manage to pull it off I don't know! I can't sneak a cake in to a shopping cart without getting caught.
These little notes help lift and guide Olivia and eventually she sees Nick. Nick, a guy she sees and notices but never bats an eyelash at because he's not her usual type... because a guy like Dario is.
I read a few of the other reviews after I completed it and agreed that Olivia is hiding behind excuses regarding her dad and all that which I completely get but the excuses put a halt on these two. I felt that a chunk of the book was almost like their chasing tango, and then it starts to work and then its over and then ????
I don't know.
A whole lot for nothing.
But the writing by the author is amazing. If this is their debut which it looks like it is I really want to applaud them for it because it was put together perfectly. I think their just needed that little bit more character development.
June 2, 2017
When I first started started this book I liked the unique format with the letters to Olivia from Mr. Universe, but I had some difficulty getting into the story initially.
I am so glad I stuck with it and kept reading, though. Olivia's journey and self-improvement through the book was well written. Sometimes her choices were frustrating, but you do understand why she feels and thinks the way she does.
Nick was my favorite character. He's romantic, smart, and thoughtful and I was so glad that his perspective was included. He isn't infallible, which I appreciated. Sometimes the hero/heroine of the story are made out too perfect and that can make it difficult to relate to them, but Maria La Serra did a great job writing well rounded characters.
There were a few parts of the narrative that I wish had been fleshed out more, especially near the end of the book, but this was a great debut novel.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I am so glad I stuck with it and kept reading, though. Olivia's journey and self-improvement through the book was well written. Sometimes her choices were frustrating, but you do understand why she feels and thinks the way she does.
Nick was my favorite character. He's romantic, smart, and thoughtful and I was so glad that his perspective was included. He isn't infallible, which I appreciated. Sometimes the hero/heroine of the story are made out too perfect and that can make it difficult to relate to them, but Maria La Serra did a great job writing well rounded characters.
There were a few parts of the narrative that I wish had been fleshed out more, especially near the end of the book, but this was a great debut novel.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 22, 2018
I really enjoyed this sweet and very reflective love story. It was refreshing to experience characters that had flaws, imperfect relationships, fears, family and health challenges all while trying to navigate life. I agree with other reviewers that many places in the story may require the reader to pause and process what the author is trying to say. Life is complex, so there is no absolutely right choice. Every decision is based on who we are, our perspectives influenced by experience and family and who we want to be. I found our lead characters great examples for how we each should try to live our lives- selflessly and to the beast of our ability doing something we love surrounded by those we love and who love us back unconditionally. Maybe the world would be a better place if we all had a Mr. Universe to give us perspective on some of our decisions.
June 2, 2017
I received a copy of this book from the publishers through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
'Let the universe decide'
I was really drawn to the premise of this book, it sounded so different from anything that I've read before and I was instantly intrigued. Unfortunately I found it really hard to get into the book and I felt like I was forcing myself to finish it.
I still think the idea behind it and the emphasis on fate and what really matters in life were great, for me where I struggled was with Olivia, I really didn't connect to her character and I think that's what made it so hard to read.
The writing itself was good and I do think that this will be a book that a lot of people will be drawn to and absolutely love but it just wasn't for me.
'Let the universe decide'
I was really drawn to the premise of this book, it sounded so different from anything that I've read before and I was instantly intrigued. Unfortunately I found it really hard to get into the book and I felt like I was forcing myself to finish it.
I still think the idea behind it and the emphasis on fate and what really matters in life were great, for me where I struggled was with Olivia, I really didn't connect to her character and I think that's what made it so hard to read.
The writing itself was good and I do think that this will be a book that a lot of people will be drawn to and absolutely love but it just wasn't for me.
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