I didn't have a chance to post this week until today but I did have a chance to read two more novellas before November officially ended on Monday. I quite enjoyed this month of short novels. I felt like I caught up on my reading goal a bit and I was able to experience some really wonderful stories that I may not otherwise have had the opportunity to read. So, my final two novellas were...
The first one, Ninja at first Sight, is part of the Knitting in the City series which I love. It was a quick fun read about how two of the characters in the series first met back in college and sets us up for their full story which comes out in 2016. I think I smiled throughout almost all of the story, except for when Fiona's mother was around, when I cringed instead. I would have liked the book to continue. It could have easily been a full length novel.
The second and last novella of the month was an old favorite that I first read years ago to my class when I taught 4th grade. Walter, The Story of a Rat, is a story about friendship plain and simple and beautiful. It is a book that gives you hope, and leaves you with a overwhelming feeling of contentment. I read it at least once a year and it never loses its appeal.
The Winston Brothers were introduced in one of my favorite books in the Knitting in the City series, Beauty and the Mustache. When I found out Penny Reid was writing a new series about them, I couldn't wait to read it. Contemporary romance normally isn't my style but Reid's books are fun, full of wit and sarcasm, and of course some extremely handsome leading men.
Synopsis from Amazon:
Beards, brothers, and bikers! Oh my! Identical twins Beau and Duane Winston might share the same devastatingly handsome face, but where Beau is outgoing and sociable, Duane is broody and reserved. This is why Jessica James, recent college graduate and perpetual level-headed good girl, has been in naïve and unhealthy infatuation with Beau Winston for most of her life. His friendly smiles make her tongue-tied and weak-kneed, and she’s never been able to move beyond her childhood crush. Whereas Duane and Jessica have always been adversaries. She can’t stand him, and she’s pretty sure he can’t stand the sight of her…
But after a case of mistaken identity, Jessica finds herself in a massive confusion kerfuffle. Jessica James has spent her whole life paralyzed by the fantasy of Beau and her assumptions of Duane’s disdain; therefore she’s unprepared for the reality that is Duane’s insatiable interest, as well as his hot hands and hot mouth and hotter looks. Not helping Jessica’s muddled mind and good girl sensibilities, Duane seems to have gotten himself in trouble with the local biker gang, the Iron Wraiths. Certainly, Beau’s magic spell is broken. Yet when Jessica finds herself drawn to the man who was always her adversary, now more dangerous than ever, how much of her level-head heart is she willing to risk?
One of the reasons I love these books so much is that they make me laugh. Feeling down? Pick up any Penny Reid book and you will smile from beginning to end. This book is no different. The main characters, Duane and Jessica, have a chemistry that is evident from the first chapter, even though she won't admit the attraction is there. Add to the romance a threatening biker gang, inappropriate Halloween costumes, muscle cars, and a lot of sass. I loved that I had a few days left before school started up again to read the book because I used every spare minute I had to read.
My recommendation is to start with the first book in the Knitting in the City Series, Neanderthal Seeks Human. You'll be completely hooked. Then move on the Winston Brothers from there. However, any of Penny Reid's books can also be read as a stand alone.
