It’s not you – It’s me Mini’s…Fringe Benefits, Signal Boost

There were several books that I was really looking forward to but then didn’t quite work out for me. Bummer…

All of them are getting rave reviews on both Goodreads and Twitter so I’ll just do a quick run down of what I liked and didn’t like then you can decide.

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Source: The following books were provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review

Fringe Benefits (The Ladies Who Lunch #4) by Sandy James~ Goodreads

When life gets tough and love is hard to find, four friends take their troubles to lunch. High school teacher Danielle Bradshaw deserves a happily ever after, and the Ladies Who Lunch are determined to deliver Mr. Right.

HOT FOR TEACHER

As the new head of the English department, Dani doesn’t have much time for anything but lesson planning and literature. Romance—or even sex? Forget about it. But then the principal introduces her to last-minute hire Nate Ryan. Finding time to mentor a new teacher won’t be easy, especially when his incredible body and equally disarming charisma are enough to make her heart skip a beat . . .
Nate may be fresh out of school, but he’s confident in his teaching skills—and in his feelings for Dani. But while she’s everything he’s ever wanted, he knows his place on her staff—and his age—may be problematic for his sexy boss. How can he convince her to ignore the gossip mill currently in full swing in the teacher’s lounge and surrender to what’s meant to be?

Quick thoughts: I loved the idea of this one but the execution let me down. Dani and Nate are adorable together but the story ends up relying on several tropes (like forced roomies, an evil ex)  that throw them together, break them apart and the age difference (the reason why I picked it up) is never truly that much of an issue. Add in really nosy friends – which I hate! this didn’t work for me.

If you like the older woman/younger guy dynamic (both were really sweet characters), a little light family melodrama and a close knit group of friends then this is for you.

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Signal Boost (Off the Grid #2) by Alyssa Cole
Release Date: May 4. 2015
~ Goodreads


When technology stopped working, the world as they knew it ended.

In a secluded cabin, John and his loved ones have survived. He should feel grateful. But his family is in his face 24/7, he has to watch his best friend, Arden, and brother, Gabriel, flaunt their love, and as a techie in a Luddite world he’s pretty much useless. The cabin is brimming with people, but he feels utterly alone.

Until he catches Mr. Tall, Blond and Gorgeous raiding their garden. Mykhail is an astrophysics student, he makes John’s gaydar ping like crazy and he thinks he knows what caused the devastation. He’s on a journey to his university to find answers, and John invites himself along. Partly to get out of the house, and partly because he can’t let Mykhail go without acting on the mutual attraction that’s so obvious even John’s mom is playing matchmaker.

The closer they get to campus, the more Mykhail lets down his walls. But with answers come secrets both devastating and deadly, and before they can save the world, they’ll have to save themselves.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one a lot. The romance just didn't totally click.

I loved the diversity, world building and science more than the romance (which is really rare for me). It was fine but didn't wow me I guess. The story (especially the second half) would have benefited from a few chapters of Mykhail’s pov to flesh out the romance more. The story is told entirely from John’s pov. John is awesome but there were a lot of things that could have been explained better from Mykhail's perspective.

Signal Boost has great writing, humor, world building and characters. I especially loved the detailed science about the Pulse. The romance was fine but not as interesting to the apocalyptic backdrop and considering the romance overshadowed everything, that knocked things down some for me.

I really want to go back and read the first book in the series, Radio Silence. It sounds action packed and maybe darker.