Book Review, Excerpt and Playlist–> Surviving the Rachel by Aven Ellis
Title:
Surviving the Rachel
Surviving the Rachel
Author: Aven Ellis
Release Date: December 19, 2014
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
Genre:
Chick Lit, Rom Com
Chick Lit, Rom Com
Pages: 262
Blurb:
Life after college graduation is not at all what
twenty-one-year-old Bree Logan expected. Unable to find a professional
communications job, dumped by the guy who was THE ONE, and stuck with a pricey
city apartment she can’t afford, Bree ends up moving back home with her
parents in the suburbs and working as a cocktail server at a posh Chicago
hotel.
twenty-one-year-old Bree Logan expected. Unable to find a professional
communications job, dumped by the guy who was THE ONE, and stuck with a pricey
city apartment she can’t afford, Bree ends up moving back home with her
parents in the suburbs and working as a cocktail server at a posh Chicago
hotel.
In a desperate attempt to get a fresh start, Bree goes
to a hip salon and requests that the first available stylist chop off her long
dark hair. Alarmed when the stylist suggests “The Rachel,” after the
famous haircut from the show Friends, Bree is hesitant, but decides to go for
it when she is assured it will be a “fresh, modern
adaptation”
of the infamous 90’s cut.
Unfortunately for Bree, it turns out to be exactly the same cut, but with
horrific heavy bangs added to it. Hideous doesn’t even begin
to describe it.
to a hip salon and requests that the first available stylist chop off her long
dark hair. Alarmed when the stylist suggests “The Rachel,” after the
famous haircut from the show Friends, Bree is hesitant, but decides to go for
it when she is assured it will be a “fresh, modern
adaptation”
of the infamous 90’s cut.
Unfortunately for Bree, it turns out to be exactly the same cut, but with
horrific heavy bangs added to it. Hideous doesn’t even begin
to describe it.
Bree is convinced nothing will ever go right when she
meets neighbor Jack Chelten, a twenty-five-year-old German translator. Not that
Bree is looking to date anyone, but there’s something quirky and intriguing
about his freckle-splashed face and blue eyes. And suddenly Bree finds herself
seeking out different opportunities and challenges . . . as well as the boy
next door.
meets neighbor Jack Chelten, a twenty-five-year-old German translator. Not that
Bree is looking to date anyone, but there’s something quirky and intriguing
about his freckle-splashed face and blue eyes. And suddenly Bree finds herself
seeking out different opportunities and challenges . . . as well as the boy
next door.
In her new adult life, Bree learns that sometimes you
have to go through crises to get to where you need to be. And if you can
survive The Rachel, you can survive anything, right?
have to go through crises to get to where you need to be. And if you can
survive The Rachel, you can survive anything, right?
~Book Review~
Surviving the Rachel is the first book by Aven Ellis that I have read. Although I have several of her books on my shelf but it was fate that I started with this one and I am so happy that I did. I absolutely adored this book.
I loved the cover. It is so romantic and attracted me at first glance towards this book. Then the blurb sealed the deal and I picked the book up to read. Both the blurb and the cover are sure to attract the readers towards this book.
This story is about Bree and her adventures or should I say, misadventures in love. She is a hopeless romantic and her love story with the slightly ruffled but incredibly handsome German translator had me sighing, giggling, laughing outright and then rooting for their happily-ever-after. I have to confess that I am a hopeless romantic and so I fully supported Bree in her excursions to find her own fairy tale ending. Her struggle to prove herself and find her own stability in this chaotic world, Aven succeeds in showing us a different side to Bree’s character which is both motivating and teaching for the readers. 🙂
The settings and events of the story are real like and flow beautifully. The characterization is admirably done and I could connect with Bree and enjoyed her journey all through the book. A cuddly, warm and happy romance, I had a great time reading this book.
5 super shiny stars to Surviving the Rachel. I strongly recommend this cute, funny and memorable romance to everyone. Aven has the flair for writing and I loved her writing style. Definitely an author to look out for, I am going to read Aven’s other books soon.
I received the book from the tour organizers and the author and I am very thankful to them. The above review is my honest and unbiased opinion and in no way influenced.
~Buy Links~
~Excerpt~
Now it’s just me and Jack.
“Firefly,” he says, breaking
the silence.
the silence.
“What?” I laugh.
“Right there, hold on a
second,” Jack says, pointing near the pond. “There!”
second,” Jack says, pointing near the pond. “There!”
And I see it. A firefly
lights up the darkness for a brief second, a flash of yellow in the dark sky.
lights up the darkness for a brief second, a flash of yellow in the dark sky.
“I condemned many fireflies
to a sad death in a Cool Whip container in my childhood,” I admit, laughing.
to a sad death in a Cool Whip container in my childhood,” I admit, laughing.
“Did you poke holes on the
top?” he teases.
top?” he teases.
“Of course! I didn’t try to
suffocate them on purpose.”
suffocate them on purpose.”
“Murderer.”
“I was not,” I giggle.
“Challenge for you,” Jack
says. “Can you still catch one?”
says. “Can you still catch one?”
“Absolutely I can.”
“Prove it.”
“Oh, okay, you’re on. First one to catch five wins,” I say,
throwing down my own challenge.
throwing down my own challenge.
“I’ve so got this,” he
declares.
declares.
So we both get up and begin
catching fireflies. We’re laughing and teasing each other and before I know it, I have bested Jack.
catching fireflies. We’re laughing and teasing each other and before I know it, I have bested Jack.
“That’s five,” I declare
happily, snatching the fifth firefly. I open up
my palm to reveal it to him, and then I release it to the night sky.
happily, snatching the fifth firefly. I open up
my palm to reveal it to him, and then I release it to the night sky.
And in a way, I feel
released, too. I’m releasing the negativity about the job search, and I’m
starting new tomorrow with Jack’s help. I gaze at his profile, and I know this
German-speaking boy next door has something—if not everything-to do with this new found feeling I have.
released, too. I’m releasing the negativity about the job search, and I’m
starting new tomorrow with Jack’s help. I gaze at his profile, and I know this
German-speaking boy next door has something—if not everything-to do with this new found feeling I have.
He turns and catches me
looking at him. We don’t say anything for a moment, and another firefly flashes
light between us.
looking at him. We don’t say anything for a moment, and another firefly flashes
light between us.
“I guess I should be heading
home,” he says softly.
home,” he says softly.
“Okay.”
“So I’ll see you tomorrow for
sushi?”
sushi?”
“Yes,” I say, smiling back at
him. “And I’ll send you my resume right now.”
him. “And I’ll send you my resume right now.”
Jack nods. “Okay then. I’ll
see you tomorrow. And thank you for tonight.”
see you tomorrow. And thank you for tonight.”
“I should be thanking you,” I
say softly.
say softly.
He turns and begins walking
across the grass. I cross my arms over my chest, his sweatshirt still keeping
me warm. Jack suddenly stops and turns to me.
across the grass. I cross my arms over my chest, his sweatshirt still keeping
me warm. Jack suddenly stops and turns to me.
“’Hochzeit mit Hindernissen,’”
Jack says.
Jack says.
I begin laughing. “What?”
“The German title for ‘The
One with Monica and Chandler’s Wedding,’” Jack says, grinning at me. “That’s
one of my favorite Friends episodes.”
One with Monica and Chandler’s Wedding,’” Jack says, grinning at me. “That’s
one of my favorite Friends episodes.”
Another firefly lights up in
front of me as I watch him walk away. And then I realize that’s what Jack is to
me.
front of me as I watch him walk away. And then I realize that’s what Jack is to
me.
He’s like a firefly who has lit up the darkness.
And I find myself drawn to
his light.
his light.
~Songs Playlist~
I loved these songs and they are so apt for this sweet book. Watch the videos and enjoy!:)
1. “I’ll Be There For You” by The Rembrandts
2. “Ain’t It Fun” by Paramore
3. “Firefly” by Ed Sheeran
4. “Counting Stars” by OneRepublic
5. “Sweater Weather” by the Neighbourhood
6. “Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay
7. “Adore You” by Miley Cyrus
8. “First Love” by Jennifer Lopez
~Buy Links~
~Author Biography~
Aven Ellis has been writing fiction since she was sixteen.
She studied communications at a large Midwestern university, and after
graduation, Aven worked as a reporter for a community newspaper, followed by a
stint at a public relations agency.
She studied communications at a large Midwestern university, and after
graduation, Aven worked as a reporter for a community newspaper, followed by a
stint at a public relations agency.
But writing
about city council meetings and restaurant franchises was not as much fun as writing for young women trying to figure out their
careers and potential boyfriends. So Aven got herself a job in television that allowed her to write at night. Connectivity is Aven’s debut novel; Waiting For Prince Harry and Chronicles of a Lincoln Park Fashionista followed
next. Surviving the Rachel will be published in 2015.
about city council meetings and restaurant franchises was not as much fun as writing for young women trying to figure out their
careers and potential boyfriends. So Aven got herself a job in television that allowed her to write at night. Connectivity is Aven’s debut novel; Waiting For Prince Harry and Chronicles of a Lincoln Park Fashionista followed
next. Surviving the Rachel will be published in 2015.
Aven lives in Dallas with her family. When she is not writing,
Aven enjoys shopping, cooking, hockey, connecting with friends on social media,
and watching any show that features Gordon Ramsay.
Aven enjoys shopping, cooking, hockey, connecting with friends on social media,
and watching any show that features Gordon Ramsay.
~Social Networking Links~
Website:
http://avenellis.com
http://avenellis.com
Goodreads:
http://bit.ly/GRAEllis
http://bit.ly/GRAEllis
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AvenEllis1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AvenEllis
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/avenellis/
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