Constant (Confidence Game Book 1) by Rachel Higginson | Book Review

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Fifteen years ago I met Sayer Wesley. I fell in love with him. I promised I would never leave him. I swore nothing could break us apart.

Five years ago I broke my promise. I ran away. I took the one secret that could destroy us both and disappeared.

Five days ago I thought I saw him.

I knew it was impossible. Sayer was locked away, serving a deserved sentence in federal prison. He couldn’t find me.

He wouldn’t find me. I was too good at hiding. Too good at surviving.

Because if Sayer ever found me, there would be hell to pay for a plethora of sins. The worst of which, he didn’t even know about.

Five hours ago, I told myself I was crazy.

Five minutes ago, I saw him again.

Five seconds ago, I was too late.

Date Published: November 16, 2017

Date Read: December 2017

Publisher: Reckless Siren Publishing

Series: The Confidence Game Book 1

Setting: DC /

Source: Author provided a copy in exchange for an honest review

Get your copy here: Amazon 

 

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NOT YOUR TYPICAL ROMANCE NOVEL

This is the second book by Rachel Higginson that I have read, and she never disappoints. Constant is very different from her book The Opposite of You. Rachel Higginson is a true story teller and each story is beautiful in its own right. I love how she was able to come up with something entirely different from her previous ones, truly talented if you ask me. Constant, is not your typical romance novel. Constant is the perfect combination of thrill, secrets, good romance and action. It was well-thought out and well-executed. A book that you will finish in one sitting, that’s how amazing it was.

We have our female protagonist Caro, who was running away from her dark past and protecting herself and her loved ones at all cost, and we have Sayer our male protagonist who’s trying to go back into Caro’s life and pick up where they left off. This book has been equally entertaining and gripping. It’s the kind of book that you wouldn’t be able to stop at a certain chapter and call it a night, no, it is the kind of book that you would devour bit by bit up until the inevitable end. A tip though, it ends in a cliffhanger, so if you’re not a fan of that, you can wait for the book 2 to come out. So you could binge read them in one sitting, yes that’s possible. Don’t worry you need not wait eternity for the next book to come out, good news for you by February you can sit down in a corner with a beverage of your choice and some snack and read the day away. You can thank me later.

Constant offers us a more mature take on new adult. This isn’t just the typical mushy romance novel, it is nothing like it. It is a step-up from the usual romance novels we read, which makes my heart happy. I love mysterious and dark love stories, the kind where you cling to every character’s actions and see how everything will unfold in the end. The kind of love story you’re not accustomed to reading. The kind of love story that went the extra mile. This is that book for you. It was gritty,  intense and gives you some kind of suspense vibe to it. I also love the flashbacks and how it melds perfectly into the present making a coherent and well put-together story. Caro and Sayer’s chemistry is palpable. I loved that in a book, how the two characters have this pull to each other that no amount of denial could invalidate. I loved that even though they were apart, you could tell a good romance is about to unfold between them, and yes I was not disappointed towards that ending. It was nothing super crazy, it was what the story required and it was beautiful and well-executed! Mafia romance is something I really enjoy reading, and Constant truly served its purpose. And oh I hope there would be some sort of novella for Francesca and Gus, gahhh would love to read their story too!

I really enjoy Rachel Higginson’s writing style, she evolved a lot from her book The Opposite of You and I am glad I was able to see and be a part of this milestone. She’s becoming a favourite author now. Her talent on concocting stories different from each other and the element of surprising her readers with each new release are the best characteristics of an author. I’m pretty sure she’ll be a household name in no time.

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Five years ago, I escaped a dangerous life I had always wanted to leave. I got away. I found freedom. But it cost me the love of my life.

Rachel Higginson, Constant

 

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The Difference Between Us by Rachel Higginson | Cover Reveal and Pre-order

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Ahhhh who’s excited to know more about Ezra and Molly’s story? I know I am! Here’s the cover of The Difference Between Us, it is the second book in the Opposite Attract series. Check out my review of the first book in the series – The Opposite of You.  

The Difference Between Us comes out July 25, 2017! I can’t wait to know their story. I loved Killian and Vera from The Opposite of You and I am pretty sure I will love Ezra and Molly just the same if not more. I will leave the blurb for you guys!

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I’m cursed.

At least when it comes to finding Mr. Right.

I’m tired of men that only want one night stands or blind dates that are nothing but awkward and uncomfortable. I’m tired of avoiding inappropriate text messages and the constant disappointment of always meeting Mr. Wrong.

After all these years of dates that lead nowhere, I can admit that it’s me. I’m the problem. I’m shy and picky and cursed. Definitely cursed.

So I’ve decided two things.

The first? I’m giving up dating and relationships and men in general. Maybe, possibly, forever.

The second? I’m going to have to try harder to avoid Ezra Baptiste.

If I couldn’t hack it in the kiddy pool of dating, I certainly can’t swim in his deep end. He’s too successful. Too intense. He’s all man when I’m used to nothing but boys pretending to be grownups. He’s everything I’m afraid to want and so far out of my league we might as well be different species entirely.

So he’ll need to find a different artist to paint his mural. And a different graphic designer to help him with his website. He’ll need to find someone else to glare at and flirt with and kiss.

It can’t be me.

We’re too different.

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You can preorder here:

 

About the Author:

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Rachel Higginson is the best-selling author of The Five Stages of Falling in Love, Every Wrong Reason, Bet on Us and The Star-Crossed Series.

She was born and raised in Nebraska, and spent her college years traveling the world. She fell in love with Eastern Europe, Paris, Indian Food and the beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka, but came back home to marry her high school sweetheart. Now she spends her days writing stories and raising five amazing kids.

Twitter: mywritesdntbite

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The Opposite of You by Rachel Higginson : Book Review

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Synopsis from Goodreads:

 I’ve sworn off men.

All men.

Famous last words, right? You’re expecting some epic tale of reluctant love and my dramatic change of heart? Well, you’re not going to get it.

I’m stubborn. And headstrong. And I’ve just survived the worst three years of my life. After escaping an abusive boyfriend to live in hostels and cheap hotels while I worked my way across Europe, I’ve come to two conclusions.

The first? Now that I’m back home, I’m going to squander my expensive culinary degree on a food truck that caters to the late night drunk crowd.

The second? I’m going to prove to the bastard across the plaza that my street food is better than his fussy five course monstrosities.

Killian Quinn might be Food and Wine’s Chef to Watch Out For. He might have a Michelin Star. He might have every food critic in the city wrapped around his too-large fingers. But he’s also pretentious and unbearably arrogant and the very opposite of me.

So he can keep his unsolicited advice and his late night visits and his cocky smiles. I want none of it. Or him.

I want the opposite.

Publisher: Reckless Siren Publishing

Date of Publication: March 30, 2017

Date Read: April 2017

No. of Pages: 302 Pages

Source: Digital copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Get Your Copy Here: Amazon

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This book will make you hungry and entertained, but mostly hungry. 

I have not read a book about chefs or anything about the culinary world or maybe I have, it’s just not really the focus of the book. So you can just imagine my delight when this book is solely about food, cooking and uhm hot-bearded-with-to-die-for-body chef. Something definitely new to me. Opposite of You is narrated by Vera Delane, a chef who had a toxic relationship she’s trying so hard to ran away from. Starting from scratch and few bucks in her bank account, she tried to get back on her feet by opening up her own business – a food truck, just across one of the most sought after restaurant – Lilou. Whose head chef is, aha you got it right, the hot-bearded-with-to-die-for-body chef – Killian Quinn. Seriously, just by the sound of his name he’ll send you over the edge. You are sure in for some wild competition between these two, and of course some cute and witty banters for a flare of flavor and touch of drama. A perfect recipe for a cutesy love story if you ask me. And the SALT hahaha I think that was my fave part from this book. It was so witty and funny, props to Rachel for coming up with it. I also appreciate that this book didn’t have the instalove that I dread so much. It was haters turn to lovers type of book – the kind of trope I live for. 

The Opposite of You is more than what meets the eye. It had depth and lesson. It is relevant and also thought-provoking. The characters were very distinct from each other. Vera Delane (which by the way I love love love that name) is our female protagonist who had to go through a lot just to get to where she is. Im surprised how I was able to relate to her character in a very personal level. Her character was realistic, reading her is like talking to an old friend, you can’t help but sympathize with her.  Her character is someone you really root for. The only issue I had with Vera was she was constantly second-guessing herself, thinking that she ain’t good enough and that she doesn’t deserve the good things that was happening to her, it was kind of tiring to read at some point, as it has become repetitive to a fault. Killian Quinn on the other hand had a strong personality, brooding – yes, but also has a soft side – something I really like in male protagonists. Killian’s backstory is also noteworthy, I loved how it was well played-out and explained how his character came about. Killian is also the type of guy that had a lot of goodness underneath all his smug facade. He was a keeper, if I ain’t making myself clear yet. Haha.

I also would like to commend the author for the research she put into writing this book, seriously those ingredients and recipes and how to prepare the food – it was amazing. It is as if the characters are talking in language they only know about but presented it to the readers like it was as normal as breathing. The author sure know what she was talking about when she wrote Vera and Killian’s story. It’s either she’s a chef or she really did an impeccable research on the matter, either way it was brilliant. This was first my Rachel Higginson book but definitely not the last. I cant wait to read all her other works and see how can she come up with stories that are entertaining and well-researched. I loved that this book was also about self-discovery and learning how to love and value yourself more. Definitely something I would recommend to everyone, 4 Amazing Yes To Everything Stars for this book!

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“You keep saying words like crazy and insane and risky, but Vera, the best things in life are all of those things. You can’t reap big rewards if you don’t take big risks.”

Rachel Higginson, The Opposite of You

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