Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Xo, Zach by Kendall Ryan - Release Day Review

     

 

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Author: Kendall Ryan
Publication Date:  23 January 2018
Publisher: Self-Published
Series:  Standalone
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Age Recommendation: 18 and Up
Rating: 4 Stars

~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~ 



Book Description:

The first time we met was at a party.

Your ex arrived to show off the person he'd left you for last month, and you asked me to pretend to be your date.

I was more than happy to help. You were attractive, smart and witty--and that kiss we shared? It left me wanting you for days.

The second time we met was in my office on campus where we were both surprised to discover you were the new master’s degree student in poetry that I would be working with. You promised to be professional. I did no such thing.

The late nights and intense study sessions spent alongside you majorly throw me off my game. I want you, and I fight with myself daily over this fact.

I know I'm crass, that my sexual innuendos and dirty mouth annoy you, but I live for those two bright spots of color in your cheeks. If that's the only reaction I can get out of you, I'll gladly take it.

You hate Mondays so every Monday I slip an anonymous poem into your bag and your smile gets me through the week.

I think I'm falling for you, and I know it's wrong. I know that I'm only supposed to be your adviser and nothing more, but here's the thing. I think you're falling for me too.

xo, Zach

 

       


My Review:

As always Kendall Ryan has given us a book that brings light into our lives.  A sweet read full of smiles, perhaps a little heartache, and a swoon-worthy love.  

XO, Zach was a bit spring for me because of well...Zach.  He is a wonderfully refreshing hero.  He's not a millionaire, not a bad boy, not a moody emo sort, not an Alpha.  He is a hard working, dreaming, soft spoken, (though a bit crass at times, but in a way that makes you love him all the more) caring, respected, sweet man with the soul of a poet...actually his poetry isn't all that great but I am so very jealous of Poppy for getting to receive it.  I loved that as much as he tried to hide his heart it was always more visible than he knew.  I hated that at times Poppy couldn't see it, but of course it is always the person involved who is the last to see it.  Which makes me think of the secondary characters..

Zach's mom,  god love her she was excellent.  She would have mortified me to no end had she been my parent (as parents are want to do) but the love that shined from her for her son made my heart feel blessed to see it.  The woman has no filter and will tell it exactly as it is, but in a way don't we all wish we had that freedom?  Now, Poppy's friends.  I loved them too.  I loved how good they were to Poppy, though I felt occasionally they didn't really take her feelings into account in some situations, that said they were always there for her when she needed them with a laugh, a hug, and a bottle of tequila.  I kind of want more of them, though I am not sure that will be happening.  I'd love to see them get their HEAs too.  Oh, which reminds me again of Zach's mom. So I know that it isn't going to happens in fact Kendall wraps up her story arc nicely, but I'd kind of love it if there was a second chance romance that happened there.  You will know what I mean when you read it.  And his dad, my heart breaks for his dad...yeah...second chance romance is called for.  

Back to our main characters and on to Poppy.  What an amazing woman she is.  Yes, she has some fairly major hangups and no I am not talking about the surprise.  I am talking about mental and emotional hang-ups, but what kind of book would we have if she didn't have them?  Our Heroine has a lot going on and she has had to fight to get where she is but I love that she is taking what she wants out of life and showing those around her that it isn't about trying it is about doing.  No doubt life has not been easy and getting to where she is has come with a cost, but she never quit.  Poppy set her mind to taking the life she wanted and she made it happen.  I wish I had gotten to understand her family dynamic with her parents better.  It is clear that the family relationship is strained but also that they would be there for each other.  I just wasn't sure how much of the strain was due to Poppy not wanting to ask for help or her parents not being willing to give more than they already did. But that is probably an entirely different book and I am more than happy with the one we got, haha.  

Zach and Poppy together are so cute and steamy.  Their attraction is immediate, though this is not an insta love by any means.  Their chemistry is off the charts and the chase, it will have your heart pounding but not with anxiety, just with anticipation and finally steamy melting swoon.  

Xo, Zach is just the book you need if you are in a book funk.  It is a fairly quick read that will make you smile and just plain feel the love when you are done.  Kendall Ryan writes some of my favorite heroes but Zach just pushed them all down the list and now sits at the top with his handsome smirk, eyebrow raised,  a tattooed arm propped up on a bent knee and a crooked crown sitting on his head.  



~ HAPPY READING ~ 


   


A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen titles, Kendall Ryan has sold over 1.5 million books and her books have been translated into several languages in countries around the world. She's a traditionally published author with Simon & Schuster and Harper Collins UK, as well as an independently published author. Since she first began self-publishing in 2012, she's appeared at #1 on Barnes & Noble and iBooks charts around the world. Her books have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists more than three dozen times. Ryan has been featured in such publications as USA Today, Newsweek, and InTouch Magazine. Visit her at: www.kendallryanbooks.com for the latest book news, and fun extras


  


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