BLOG TOUR: Beautiful Dreams by Alicia Rae

Summary

Kyle has mended Lily’s broken heart, and as they have fallen in love, all she dreams of is finally having her happily ever after.

But as time goes on, Lily can no longer ignore the desire to know more about Kyle's past. When she learns more, she will discover if she can heal Kyle’s heartache as he has done for her.

Will his secrets break them apart? Or will their love be enough to strengthen their bonds?

My Review

Finally, Kyle and Lily are back. The third book turned out to be mostly an epilogue of their love story. What happened after Lily agreed to live with Kyle and how their relationships turned out to be. It's nice to know that they are working really well. I was a bit frustrated because the story went to a very slow pace compared to the first two books. This time, the story is very relaxed, though I feel there is a looming darkness that will come anytime. 

I find Kyle being unfair for not sharing his past instantly with Lily after pushing Lily to her limits to face her fears of the past. But bit by bit, I find myself feeling Kyle's hesitation and try to understand him like Lily does. Though it took awhile for the story to warm up, when it did, it went with a bang. I finally understood all the hesitations and realized how perfect Kyle really is for Lily.

The whole series showed not just a simple love story. It showed how the two overcame their griefs and fears with the help of each other. Their love, understanding and compassion for each other made their relationship very strong against trials from their past. 

I totally love how the story turned out. No disappointments on my side. The whole series had made me experienced real love and made me see it from the beginning until their ending (was it a happy ending? read the series to know! :p) It was like I was the one experiencing the love they shared, it was like I was the one who succeed against my fears, the author made me feel everything. I love her for that!

About the Author

Alicia Rae is a Contemporary Romance Author who lives in Dekalb, Illinois, with her husband and three beautiful boys. Alicia has a passion for reading all types of romance, writing to bring a story to life, and photography.

Thank you to my dear sister, Kels, who showed me a few years ago how much I truly missed reading. And to my loving husband, for not throwing away my Nook, and planting the seed of writing into my mind. I am forever grateful. 

Readers, words cannot thank you enough for supporting me along this incredible journey. I hope you enjoy my novels as much as I do writing them. I thank each and every one of you.

Believe in yourself and follow your dreams...

My Beautiful by Alicia Rae

Summary

Lily and Kyle’s story is far from over. Even if Lily already took the leap to face her fears from her past and fear from falling in love with Kyle, there are still other things that Lily has to close before she can really move forward.

There’s the mystery behind her late sister being pregnant, her acceptance of the death of her family, her acceptance of the remaining family she has, the threat of her stalker and her relationship with Kyle. Will Lily be strong enough to face everything and finally leave the past behind and really move forward?

My Review

The story started exactly where the first book left off. It was like I just turned into the next page of book 1. However, I’m quite disappointed that the second book is literally a continuation of the first one. What I mean is, the second book turned out to be like just a next chapter. No new plots, no new stories and no new story for Lily and Kyle. But looking at the brighter side, there are a lot of unclosed issues from book 1 that I am expecting this second book will fill me out.

At first, I am enjoying how balanced the story is. The story is evened out on Lily and Kyle’s relationship, Lily’s problems and sometimes, Kyle’s past. But as the story progresses, I notice that the hot scenes are increasingly occurring. It even came to a point that after reading one part, they just slept and when they woke up I was just like: “Not again!” haha! What this book never fails to do is to surprise me. I thought I figure everything out, but suddenly, I’ll be shocked in what’s happening because I never saw it coming.

I also noticed that it’s seldom for Kyle and Lily to have problems in their relationships, all major happenings happens outside their relationship and Kyle is just always there to support Lily. It’s not that I am complaining. But is there really such a perfect relationship? But I am expecting more on book 3. It seems that there’s something in Kyle’s past that will test their relationship.  

The book is light and heavy at the same time. The combination of humor and drama of the story is amazing that I never realized I am holding my breath until I laughed it out loud. I am very hopeful for the third book. The first 2 books almost revolved around Lily only, I’m hoping to know Kyle better. Waiting for the third book now. ^_^ 

Beautiful Chances by Alicia Rae

Summary:

Lily Tidsdale has been running from her past for three years now. Marred by the tragic death of her family, Lily escaped from her tragic past through writing, photography and the beach of Florida. But when he met Kyle Madison, there was an instant attraction between them and Lily find herself drowning to this hunk.

Kyle had made Lily see life in a new way and that includes a new way of dealing with her past, and that is facing them head on. But would Lily be strong enough to face her fears from the past, and will Kyle's love be enough to support her through and through?

My Review:

To read a hot and handsome male lead with him not being damaged is new to my eyes... and imagination of course. I always end up with stories where the super sexy and adorable hunk is damaged. So with Kyle Madison, everything is different. He's not running from a tragic past, he's not from a broken family, and a super-hot guy with no angst in life is so refreshing to read. I find his character really unique. A person from the army but has his domestic sides; he can cook, he do interior designing and very calm and relax. But I love that typical dominant behavior is with him! He's definitely listed in my top book boyfriend! ^_^

 This time around, it's the female lead(Lily) that is carrying the burden. She's the one that needs to work some things out. And it's nice to know she has met this super duper sexy, hot and handsome Kyle to be her boyfriend (I am gushing right now, aren’t I? I'm so sorry, but I can't help it!)

Although Kyle and Lily's attraction was literally an instant one and their relationship came too fast, I like the flow of the story. Lily's stages of grief have been well elaborated and I could agree with how everything Lily is going with it. What I mean is that it was not exaggerated just to put drama in the story. I could imagine that this really could happen in real life and that I could sympathize with her. I also love how Kyle became the support that Lily needs in this phase of her life. 

In term of writing, I find the writing awkward at first. It's like I'm just reading one sentence after the other, literally. It's like I'm reading separate ideas every sentence making the construction of the story not so smooth. Also, the story is written from Lily's POV but it seems like it's from a third person. There are just some things that Lily observes that should have been observed by a third person. But as the story progresses, I got used with the writing style and find it normal.  There are still lot of open issues even when the book ends, so I'm hoping the second book will give some answers for me.

The story was not exaggerated, there's humor, and there's definitely some sense where the story is going. The hot scenes are there as expected but it came out naturally not just to put it there, it became part of the story so the book didn't look like something else. This is just the kind of story I love. :)

Beautiful Dreams Blog Tour

Hi Guys!

Being part of this amazing blog tour, I will be posting my review for the first two books - Beautiful Chances and My Beautiful, before my scheduled tour on January 29 for the much awaited Beautiful Dreams. That's tomorrow! Yey!

I'll be posting my Beautiful Chances review this morning (Right Now!) and My Beautiful Chances review tomorrow morning. It would be wonderful if you'll check them out and hope you enjoy the books as much as I did. :)