Ami's Hoard

This is only the third Lauren Layne's book that I have read. I read the first Sex and Stiletto book but I didn't continue it. The thing is, what they do, what they write, is TOTALLY not my kind of reading. I found female magazine boring. I don't care about the relationship and sex tips (I'm asexual!) or fashion tips (I like my shirt and shorts and sandals, thank you very much) or make-up tips (don't like 'em). Yep, I found them boring.

However, when I read the blurb for this one, I thought it had potential. First, it is about SPORTS magazine (well, a men's magazine but with sport editors). Second, it has "fresh-faced tomboy who can hang with the dudes". Let's face it, THAT kind of woman I think I could connect to. I may not be a tomboy who hang with dudes, but I feel like she will be more relatable to me than the Stiletto girls.

Well, I was right ... this book was cute!!

I liked Penelope -- she is (using Cole's own words) unabashedly honest and I found it, dare I say it, quite refreshing. I loved that she prefers junk food (hotdog, popcorns, pretzels) over posh dining. I loved that she preferred her casual look over dresses up nine-to-five. Heck, when Penelope is talking about lipstick and the fact that she never think of figuring out whether it expires, or that most of the time she doesn't think of put lipstick on, I feel like she's talking about ME!!! So I enjoyed that part.

I also liked Cole ... when he's not being a jerk (I get to that part later). I loved his loyalty to his brother, his sense of responsibility, and most of all I loved reading about his camaraderie with the other men. Their 'bro-chemistry' is off the charts *lol*.

As a story, there is this easiness that made me gobbled up the sentences fast and furiously. The first half definitely was DELIGHTFUL -- until these two playing tags in making the other one jealous while sending those mixed signals. For two people who can talk about daily things, it was frustrating that Penelope and Cole couldn't communicate what they meant to say.

I also had problem with Penelope's insecurity of her self-potential of being someone's girlfriend and Cole's tendency to quickly make assumptions along with his reluctance to share important things (namely his own big brother). Mostly the last one, I think. I mean, seriously Cole, you said it yourself that Penelope was different plus you thought that you had feelings for her. But you kept her out when something personal happened to you? What gives, man? Plus that last move you did, well, you were a jerk to her. You were an ass to ALL your friends actually *hmph*. I kinda needed more grovel from him.

So yes, I had my complaints. But if I see this as an overall reading experience, I must say I was pretty satisfied. Thus the rounded-up to 4* rating. I am intrigued with Lincoln's story. Unfortunately, his is not until book #3 and I'm NOT at all interested with blurb for the second book. Let's just see, shall we?





The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.