Showing posts with label Ranee S. Clark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ranee S. Clark. Show all posts

Friday, January 22, 2016

Review & Giveaway: Double Play by Raneè S.Clark


Heidi Reads... Double Play by Raneè S.Clark

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttps://deseretbook.com/p/double-play?autocomplete=true&variant_id=127672-paperbackhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Sophie Pope is devastated when she hears the news: her former boyfriend, college football star Anthony "Rocket" Rogers, is engaged to be married. Determined to win him back before he says I do, Sophie hatches a foolproof plan to stop the wedding. But when Rocket's best man, aspiring baseball player David Savage, thwarts her plot, she realizes the game is up. For David, though, it's just beginning . . .

David knows that Sophie is just another pretty face, and he's more than happy to save his best friend from her shallow advances. She's not his type at all, so he's baffled by his response to an awkward encounter with Donovan, another of Sophie's former flames. Despite himself, David feels driven by an inexplicable need to protect her. Pretending to be Sophie's new fiancé leads to unexpected sparks between the pair, and soon they're searching for excuses to spend time together. But when a curveball threatens to send them in opposite directions, will Sophie and David step up to the plate for the possibility of true love?


My Review

I had a hard time relating to the main characters in this book. Sophie is initially portrayed as a shallow, manipulative, and selfish fashionista. Her agenda to steal the groom was a turn off, but her interactions with David started bringing out her more relaxed side. I enjoyed the book more as the focus shifted to the two of them, and the banter and chemistry they shared. A big theme of the book was modesty and Sophie's ideal that a woman should be able to dress however she feels represents her and not be responsible for any inappropriate thoughts that it inspires in men who view her. She finds herself changing and wearing longer shorts and skirts around David because he respects her for her personality instead of solely for her looks, then feels conflicted that she might be doing it for him instead of herself. I appreciated her roommate's personal account that when she dressed immodestly, it influenced how she felt and acted, in a more edgy and worldly way, making choices that she ultimately came to regret. It was interesting to read about a Mormon "mean girl" and her journey of growing up a bit, even though I felt like she is a person I would avoid in real life.

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Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Review & Giveaway! Playing for Keeps by Ranee S. Clark


Playing For Keeps

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

http://www.amazon.comhttps://deseretbook.com/p/playing-for-keeps-ppr?autocomplete=truehttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Football-loving TyAnne Daws has long admired BYU's star quarterback from afar. This semester, she's determined to step away from the sidelines and she has the perfect game plan for winning the heart of Anthony Rocket Rogers. When some smart moves land her in one of his classes, she finds herself in the perfect position to make her play. But as she gets to know the real Anthony, away from the lights of the stadium, Ty realizes that this is no game; she's falling in love . . .
Anthony takes full advantage of his all-star status, holding girls at arm's length for one reason: it keeps him from repeating the same mistakes that once led to a devastating heartbreak. When he meets Ty, his assumption that she's just another pretty face is quickly proven wrong. Though he's completely drawn in by this sweet young woman, her intriguing mix of amusing football know-how, and her quiet selflessness, he will not let himself fall in love. But when faced with the reality of losing the woman he's come to care for despite himself, Anthony's resolve is tested. It's getting harder to keep his head in the game when his heart's on the line.


My Review

I had a hard time in the beginning of this book since it started out with Ty's determination to get the guy and Anthony's arrogance and playboy attitude... but the cute banter and chemistry they shared kept me reading and soon the deeper layers of the characters began to be revealed, making me invested in them and their story. The BYU college setting was a perfect backdrop to the euphoria and pleasure of a new relationship as well as the insecurity and fears. Ty struggles with confidence in the dating arena and Anthony has major trust issues. Sprinkled in to round things out are some roommate drama, a creepy stalker, and loveable family members. I especially appreciated the scenes with Anthony's adult sister Nikki who struggled with severe OCD. It showed that even those with seemingly perfect lives have heartache and trials, and Anthony's love and protectiveness for her helped him not seem so shallow and self-centered.

The characters in this book are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and there are some references specific to Mormons (not preaching) but it can definitely be enjoyed by anyone who loves contemporary romance!

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