ROMANCING THE BOOKWORM
by Kate Evangelista
Publisher: Omnific Publishing (July 9, 2013)
Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult
Format: eARC (Novel Length)
Source: From blog tour for honest review
Purchase: Amazon Print | Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.5 stars)
Sometimes, even the best-laid plans can unravel.
It’s spring break, and Tamara Winters would rather stay on campus and read romance novels than flaunt her size-fourteen body on a beach. But her best friend, Ronni, has other ideas. Against her wishes, Tamara is whisked away to picturesque Maverick Bay, where she’s wrangled into waiting tables with Ronni at the Shore Shack for its busy week leading to Maverick’s Surf Invitational. There she meets fellow schoolmate Xavier Solomon, the Invitational’s organizer and campus womanizer by reputation. From the moment Tamara sees him emerging from the waves like a hero in of one of her romance novels, all she wants to do is run away from the feelings he inspires in her.
Little does she know Xavier has been watching her for weeks now. In fact, after failed attempts at asking her out on campus, he’s concocted a crazy plan: fabricating romantic situations straight out of her favorite books. Xavier quickly realizes that if Tamara gets a whiff of his designs, he might as well spell CREEPER across his forehead. Yet as they grow closer, he’s convinced it’s a risk worth taking. What he hasn’t planned on, of course, is his drug-addicted, alcoholic stepbrother, who decides to join the fun and put a wrench in Xavier’s scheme.
Spring break is proving hotter than Tamara expected. Will her romance novels be able to compete?
At A Glance
This was a fun, cute, easy read but I found some of the situations and characters to be annoying.
The Good
Romancing The Bookworm is the epitome of a light, sweet read. You don’t go into this book expecting an in-depth plot or deep characterization. And that’s okay because sometimes you need a breezy read that doesn’t make you think, it just makes you smile and laugh.
I found the idea of the story so adorable. The hot boy noticing the bookworm and planning this elaborate scheme to win her over. And let me tell you, Tamara needed it. She was so anti-social it was scary. But she did have her reasons and I totally got how easy it was to get lost in a book and forget the outside world. I thought it was funny how even though Tamara got all flustered with hottie Xavier following her around, she still resisted him. She did not want to be in a relationship when her book boyfriends were so much more reliable. Yeah, I think some of us can relate. But watching Xavier break down her defences was both hilarious and sweet.
Xavier was a total creeper, but a sexy creeper, which makes all the difference in the world. lol. Sad, but true. He had this obsession with Tamara that was endearing and funny. The lengths we went to get her to notice him made this book so enjoyable. Having a guy pull out all the stops to catch your eye is like every girl’s dream come true. But even when Tamara resisted, Xavier pushed, but in a good way. Tamara needed to leave the security of her books and say hello to the real world. Xavier showed Tamara that there is life and love beyond the covers of a book. A lesson I have yet to learn. hehe.
The side characters made for great drama. Ronnie, Tamara’s best friend, was great at getting Tamara to come out of her shell. But she also had her own problems with Zander, Xavier’s brother. Ronnie and Zander have the most messed up relationship. Zander is an all around f**k-up. He was very much a conflicted villain indeed. Hudson, Ronnie’s brother, was so carefree and loving. He is like the perfect big brother you want to have watching your back.
And though this was definitely not a hardcore emotional book, it did have it’s drama. Friendships broken and mended, bothers drugged up and abusive, lies revealed and devastating. An awesome combination.
The Bad
It was hard for me to relate to Tamara. I thought as a bookworm and being plus sized I would totally see her as me, but not really. She took being anti-social to the extreme. Which made it hard for me to see why Xavier even liked her.
Tamara’s insta-lust for Xavier got annoying sometimes. The descriptions of his gorgeous body and her trembling thighs was so overdone.
This is very much a fluff read. Not that those don’t have a place in the readersphere, but I wanted to make sure you guys knew that this is not a deep, emotion read. It’s all surface, which was okay for me but might not be for many of you.
The plot was just okay and the ending was anticlimactic.
The Snuggly
I didn’t understand Xavier’s attraction to Tamara, and not because she was a size 14. I love reading about plus-sized women. But Tamara didn’t have that great of a personality and her social skills were bad. However, when they did get together I loved them. I found them adorable. I liked them better together then separate.
There is some sex and sexual references that get risqué. This is a new adult read.
Final Thoughts
Though Romancing The Bookworm has it flaws, I still loved reading it. I had a smile on my face the whole time. If you are looking for a cute, fun read, this is the book for you. Recommend for sure.
“Wow. Smart and muscular. The only guys I know like that live in books.”
“The God smiled at me. It felt like staring too long at the sun…The dizzy spell I felt building in me since he got out of the water took over now. My eyes rolled into the back of my head as my legs collapsed beneath me.”
“Oh my God she passed out. She actually f**king passed out at the sight of me. What the hell was going on here?”
“I can’t feel anything below my waist any more.” “Shame.” She shrugged, wading to shore. “That’s the part of you I plan on using tonight.” Stick a fork in me-I was done.
Author Bio
When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn’t going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master’s courses in creative writing. Ms. Evangelista lives in the Philippenes. Website | Twitter
Book Swoon
Romancing the Bookwarm sounds cute-perfect Summer read. And Xavier’s attraction to Tamara is a nice change of pace from always having the girls gaga over the boys 😀 Thanks for the great review!
Jennifer Bielman
Very true, it’s nice when the boy is going after the girl.
Ashley Robertson
I like the concept of this. 🙂 There seems to be so many contemp romances coming out. Thanks for the giveaway.
Jennifer Bielman
I know. I actually just got into contemp romances only recently. They definitely have there place, but paranormal will always be my first love.
Ashley Robertson
Me too. Actually it’s because of Ash at Nose Graze that I even tried a contemp romance. Before that I’d never stray from paranormal. And tho I’ve read some good contemp romances..like you, my heart will always be with paranormal/fantasy. 🙂
Brandi Kosiner
Hmm, a sexy creeper huh? Nice. I like fun and sweet, and glad that it made you smile
Jennifer Bielman
I am all about the creeper as long as he is sexy, lol.
Alexia Boesen
My Romancing the Bookworm Book Tour post is up today too.I enjoyed it more than you did it sounds like but it was definitely a cute beachy read 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
I am happy to hear it. I really did enjoy it but there was just a few things that kept nagging at me.
David P. King
This sounds like a really fun read. Thanks for sharing the buzz! 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
🙂 Hope you get a chance to read it.
Jacy Resendez
I’m looking for a fun summer read and Romancing a Bookworm seems to be that kind of read. Thanks for sharing and I look forward to checking it out one way or another.
Jennifer Bielman
This is a fun summer read. It will keep you relaxed and happy.
BookLady
Interesting book! Thanks for sharing the great review.
Jennifer Bielman
Happy you liked it.
Jaclyn Canada
Wait, is that why I’m still single? I laughed so much about your references to book boyfriends and needing to learn how to get out from the covers of your books. This sounds like one that is for sure about the mood you’re in and I appreciate you letting us know it’s more for a light, fun read than for hard substance. Excellent review! Jaclyn @ JC’s Book Haven.
Jennifer Bielman
Yes, you have to be in the mood for this book. But I so enjoyed reading about a fellow book nerd, even if she was extreme.
Elisa
This sounds super cute! I enjoyed her other book Taste so I know i like the way she writes, but that has some paranormal elements. Gonna have to read this one at the beach or something
Really enjoyed your review, super cute sexy creeper, best kind! Of course, I always got the strange-os but a girl can dream 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
LOL. Yeah. Only fictional characters get the hot creepers. hehe. I haven’t read Taste. Now I am interested.