REVIEW: My love letter to FAKING IT by Cora Carmack

FAKING IT by Cora Carmack (LOSING IT #2)
Publisher: William Morrow & Company
Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Get it: Amazon | B&N

Mackenzie “Max” Miller has a problem. Her parents have arrived in town for a surprise visit, and if they see her dyed hair, tattoos, and piercings, they just might disown her. Even worse, they’re expecting to meet a nice, wholesome boyfriend, not a guy named Mace who has a neck tattoo and plays in a band. All her lies are about to come crashing down around her, but then she meets Cade.

Cade moved to Philadelphia to act and to leave his problems behind in Texas. So far though, he’s kept the problems and had very little opportunity to take the stage. When Max approaches him in a coffee shop with a crazy request to pretend to be her boyfriend, he agrees to play the part. But when Cade plays the role a little too well, they’re forced to keep the ruse going. And the more they fake the relationship, the more real it begins to feel.

Dear FAKING IT, 

Your companion and my sorry-not-sorry absolute favorite LOSING IT will always be near and dear to my heart and will be difficult to surpass by my biased unwavering love and loyalty, but FAKING IT, you must know that there was something about you that melted and captured my heart. The reason might be a certain someone with a four letter name.

First, let’s talk about this faking it ‘til it’s real trope (which I looooove) going on here. It was so unexpected for both Cade (*sighs*) and Max because it’s not everyday a girl comes up and asks a guy to be their pretend boyfriend. And let me tell you, I was riveted from that point on. The attraction and the connection and chemistry and sexual tension just kept on building and building until it exploded into this gooey, swoony, heart racing thing that I was all down for. Cade and Max’s little charade started to become something more as they got to know one another, as they hung out more, as they got around the other’s walls and especially when the kisses (can’t blame ‘em) were just too good to stop.

I was a fan of Cade already from LOSING IT. I was pretty sad that he couldn’t be with Bliss and wasn’t sure how I’d feel about him being with someone else. But holy hot Golden Boy did Cade step it up because damn I can’t even. Cade was sweet, genuine, and so selfless, but he was also so freaking seductive and sensual too. I did not think he had it him, but woah baby he sure did. I adored how he readily agreed to Max’s charade and ultimately ended up helping her push through her demons in the long run. He always made sure that Max knew that she was the most beautiful, worthy and spectacular woman there was. Cade just knew how to make a girl feel good about herself and he meant it in every way.

As for Max, the girl had some serious family drama, but I loved how she fought for her love of music, how passionate she was about singing, how she lived at the beat of her own drum. She was this firecracker of a girl who was fearless and mesmerizing and her only kryptonite was her conservative parents. I really liked her dyed hair, her beautiful tattoos, her sassy mouth, and just how far she has come emotionally and mentally. I just really dug Max’s style.

So FAKING IT, my only complaint about you was the abrupt ending that really did end too quickly! It wasn’t that I wanted more (let’s be real, I do) I just wished it was drawn out a little bit more than it could have been. Nonetheless, FAKING IT, you have given me an outstanding read! I ate you up, giggled, squealed, fanned myself during those intense make out seshes, and probably hugged you so tight when I finished, you probably couldn’t breathe (if books did breath). In other words, my sweetest FAKING IT, you rocked my bookish world and then some. 



Love love love,


Jessirae xx



P.S. Milo and Spencer made such an impression on me, please tell your maker, the amazingness Cora Carmack, that they each need a book of their own!

REVIEW: My love letter to KEEPING HER by Cora Carmack

KEEPING HER by Cora Carmack (LOSING IT #1.5)
Publisher: William Morrow
Publication Date: August 13, 2013
Source: Edelweiss via publisher
Rating: 5/5 stars
Get it: Amazon | B&N

Garrick Taylor and Bliss Edwards managed to find their happily-ever-after despite a rather . . . ahem . . . complicated start. By comparison, meeting the parents should be an absolute breeze, right?

But from the moment the pair lands in London, new snags just keep cropping up: a disapproving mother-in-law-to-be, more than one (mostly) minor mishap, and the realization that perhaps they aren't quite as ready for their future as they thought.

As it turns out, the only thing harder than finding love is keeping it.

Dear KEEPING HER,



Like the sister before you, I am writing you this love letter review to basically tell you and Cora Carmack and the whole world how much I adore you. You are a tease in so many ways and yet you left me content by giving me a dose of the Bliss and Garrick love I have missed oh so much. 

I was thrilled that Cora Carmack decided to write a continuation of what I originally fell in love with in LOSING IT. I believe she has the magic touch because it’s just so easy to get lost into Carmack’s writing, so of course reading you was better than a walk in the park or eating a popsicle on a really hot day. I didn’t even realize the few hours that have passed until I finished praying-wishing-hoping-yearning for more. 


Let me go ahead and tell you that I absolutely, positively loved being in Garrick’s head! It was like the whip cream and cherry on top of an already delectable hot fudge sundae. I really got to know him on a much more deeper and intimate level. I liked knowing who he was before and where he came from. I couldn’t help but feel warm fuzzies in my heart at how much Garrick loved Bliss. At how much he made her feel beautiful. I just loved his sweetness, the way he called her “love” and how he continually reassured her. Especially the little things he did for Bliss like the marry me and airplane seat thing, the man was just perfection. And can I mention that Garrick was already sexy, but dirty talkin’ Garrick was triple X sexxxy. *fans self*

“We’re going to meet my parents. We’ll smile and talk long enough that they feel like they’ve met you, then we’re finding a place to be alone. My bedroom, the bathroom, the kitchen, I don’t care where. The only thing I care about is fucking you so hard you can’t see straight.”

Like, holy french toast, KEEPING HER! You really know how to make a girl blush and swoon! 

I really missed Bliss and her awkward, silly, quirky, and charming self. She doesn’t even have to try, really. I just love her. Adore her. I liked that though Garrick told her it didn’t matter what his mother thought, it mattered to her. It was cute to see her unsure and flustered. I just loved her overactive outrageous imagination. Bliss was so freaking hilarious, I couldn’t even. I did felt some sadness at the way Bliss worried and questioned herself, but like always, I knew she would rise up to the challenge!

“If I couldn’t be near him, I wanted to wear his clothes or sleep on his side of the bed. I was a creeper. I could accept that.”

I love you, KEEPING HER because you not only gave me super cute I-want-to-die-from-happiness moments with Bliss and Garrick, but you also let Carmack throw a twist in there that totally had my heart racing. And I really liked that though Bliss and Garrick had their happily ever after in LOSING IT, they weren’t this perfect couple, but two people who were reachable, relatable and grounded. Cora Carmack just keeps getting better and better and damn, I’m so ridiculously in love with her writing it’s what I call crazy stupid love, (possibly borderline obsession, but don’t tell her that!) Don’t even get me started on that Game of Thrones and Harry Potter reference(s). Freaking brilliant. 

My dear KEEPING HER, you are short and sweet and everything nice. You gave me a wonderful glimpse of what happens with Garrick and Bliss after LOSING IT and I couldn’t have asked for more! (Though I really do want more *winks*).

Love forever and ever,

Jessirae xx

*Thanks to William Marrow for sending a copy for review purposes

I was not compensated for my opinion

Read my love letter review to LOSING IT!

REVIEW: My love letter to LOSING IT by Cora Carmack

Title: LOSING IT
Author: Cora Carmack
Publication Date (Paperback): February 6, 2013
Format: ebook, 288 pages
Rating: 5/5
Get it: Amazon | B&N

Virginity.

Bliss Edwards is about to graduate from college and still has hers. Sick of being the only virgin among her friends, she decides the best way to deal with the problem is to lose it as quickly and simply as possible—a one-night stand. But her plan turns out to be anything but simple when she freaks out and leaves a gorgeous guy alone and naked in her bed with an excuse that no one with half a brain would ever believe.

And as if that weren't embarrassing enough, when she arrives for her first class of her last college semester, she recognizes her new theater professor.

She'd left him naked in her bed about eight hours earlier. . . .

My dearest and ever so wonderful LOSING IT,



First and foremost, I must confess that you have slayed me. You have taken it upon your bookish self to grasp me with your claws and hold me tight, and sweet hell, after you were done with me I was ever so willing to stay in your clutches for all eternity. I still am, if I’m truly being honest. You have made me feel all the feels one could possibly imagine with wanting to feel. 


I was downright addicted the moment Bliss showed up on page. That girl made the most awkwardest scenes super duper hilarious I may have almost died from excessive laughter. My cheeks ached from all my foolish grinning throughout the whole book. Bliss was super cool, very talented and just one endearing character I greatly had the pleasure of getting to know. She was a wonderful friend, knew how to have a good time and was just one amazing, friendly girl. There really isn’t anything that could possibly make me dislike the girl. (well, except for the fact that she has Garrick.. *grumbles*)

"I'm in love with this burrito. I would marry it if I didn't want to eat it so badly."

Garrick. *cue sighing and swooning please* Now Garrick was a whole other story. He was the perfect, wrapped up in goodness type of package. That sexy, delectable, can-I-please-have-him, British man was downright yummy. Not only was he straight up sexified, he was smart and funny and independent and cute and gorgeous and drool-worthy. Did I mention he was hot? Yep, he sure was. Best thing about him? He was caring, he was a one hundred percent gentleman even when you didn’t want him to be! He was not afraid to say what was on his mind and he had confidence and swagger like no other. I think Garrick can be loved by all because of his amazing personality and how he can get along with just about anybody. His sex-appeal was off the charts and by god, if that accent of his didn't make me fall head over heels, then I don’t know what did! 

"I'm trying to give you what you want. It's hard when I let myself go, when I kiss you how I want to. Because all I can think about then is how your skin tastes, and how much I want to taste it again."

The sexual tension piling up between these two was electrifying, explosive, and basically like the cereal: snap, crackle and pop! LOSING IT, you really should tell Cora Carmack that she did more than a fine job of developing these two character’s relationship and giving me exactly what I wanted out of them and more! They weren’t just sweet, but pinch-cheeks adorable. It was very obvious how much passion and fun Carmack had when creating you and this was all portrayed through her writing because I had the best time reading you, LOSING IT, even if I didn’t get a wink of sleep. You were the icing to my cake and the cherry on top of my sundae; basically perfection in its sheerest form and I love you so damn much I could kiss you if you had lips! You were more than just a story about a girl wanting to lose her virginity. You were a story about love, believing in that love, fighting for that love, chasing after your dreams, and giving it your best. I revel in the joy and happiness you have given me and I’m sure it will take a lot for another story to come as close to you.

So, my dear friend, LOSING IT, you were one intense tension of sexy, funny, and awkward that I lovelovelove to bits and pieces times infinity a million. Please tell Cora Carmack that she has made me a fan of her work for life and I simply cannot sit around waiting for what’s next to come! 


Forever yours truly,

Jessirae xx

P.S. This is reason number 8646393 on why I heart you bunches of oats..

"Are you going to me put me in your phone under some secret code name so that no one knows who I am when I text you dirty thing?"

My eyes widened. "Are you planning to text me dirty things?"

His eyes danced with amusement and that blinding grin was back on his face. "I'm not ruling it out."