Blog Tour ~ "Romancing the Bookworm" by Kate Evangelista

Romancing the Bookworm by Kate Evangelista
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Digital ARC for review through ATOMR
Genre: Contemporary New Adult

Book Description:  Sometimes, even the best-laid plans can unravel.

It's spring break, and Tamara Winters would rather stay on campus and read romance novels than flaunt her size-fourteen body on a beach. But her best friend, Ronni, has other ideas. Against her wishes, Tamara is whisked away to picturesque Maverick Bay, where she's wrangled into waiting tables with Ronni at the Shore Shack for its busy week leading to Maverick's Surf Invitational. There she meets fellow schoolmate Xavier Solomon, the Invitational's organizer and campus womanizer by reputation. From the moment Tamara sees him emerging from the waves like a hero in of one of her romance novels, all she wants to do is run away from the feelings he inspires in her.

Little does she know Xavier has been watching her for weeks now. In fact, after failed attempts at asking her out on campus, he's concocted a crazy plan: fabricating romantic situations straight out of her favorite books. Xavier quickly realizes that if Tamara gets a whiff of his designs, he might as well spell CREEPER across his forehead. Yet as they grow closer, he's convinced it's a risk worth taking. What he hasn't planned on, of course, is his drug-addicted, alcoholic stepbrother, who decides to join the fun and put a wrench in Xavier’s scheme. 

Spring break is proving hotter than Tamara expected. Will her romance novels be able to compete?



My thoughts:  Kate Evangelista knows how to write a story. I have read a few of her YA books and loved them. I was interested to see what she would do with a New Adult story, completely different way of writing, but still written well.

This book is definitely for adults! Mature audiences only!

Kate lives vicariously through romance books. She escapes life and stressful situations by reading of someone else's happily ever after. (I find myself relating to that all too well.). Her obsession is taken to the extreme, she doesn't pay attention to the people around her.

Her friend, Ronni, is part of a scheme to kidnap her away to the beach for Spring Break. The premise is to help Ronni's brother with his snack shack during the busy season.

It's there that she meets the handsome man who materializes before her as if he just stepped from the pages of one of her books. Xavier captures her mind and hormones right away.

I enjoyed the back story of integrity, love, and loyalty. Xavier's brother comes on the scene. There are many hurt feelings and rivalry between the two. Zander gets in the way of Xavier's plans to get to know Tamara. Underlying the tension, there is love and loyalty. I really liked the way that Kate Evangelista portrayed the brothers and how their story turns out.

Kate brings home the point that you don't have to be skinny to be attractive. Tamara is a size 14, and the muscularly fit Xavier wouldn't have her any other way. It's really made me evaluate my own body image. I have felt bad that I'm no longer the single digit dress size that my husband married, but that's OK. I can still be desirable.

This book contains STRONG language/swearing and graphic sexual situations.

See the Trailer:





About Kate:   When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn't going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master's courses in creative writing. Ms. Evangelista lives in the Philippines.

@KateEvangelista

To visit all of the tour stops.. Go to this LINK.

Giveaway!

This giveaway comes from Kate Evangelista and ATOMR tours.

(1)   Print copy of Romancing the Bookworm – international – value $18.99 USD

(1)   Book inspired necklace that says “Surf” (picture attached) – international – value $15.00 USD

(8) eBooks of Romancing the Bookworm – International – value $3.99/copy USD

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