How It Rolls by Lila Felix Blog Tour (book review and giveaway)

 

I was recently stalking on Facebook (what?!? I admit it!) and it was suggested to me to read a novel by Lila Felix.  I was at a lull in reading and decided to give it a go.  I bought Love And Skate and devoured it.  Like, I read it in one sitting.  Lila has a way with words that just drew me in.  I knew I had to read more from her.  I was lucky enough to get a ARC of How It Rolls, the second book in the Love and Skate Series.  Again, I sat down and just read… and then read some more.  And again, I devoured it within hours!  If we are friends on Facebook, you also know that I had a stupid grin on my face while reading this book.  Lila said it is a “Falcon grin” and I have to say that I agree.  Falcon is dreamy.  So, here we go…

Synopsis

Despite the odds, Reed Wolfe is making it, by the skin of her teeth. Her dreams and aspirations will have to wait until she can get on her feet. Because right now she’s homeless and churning on a downward spiral.

Falcon Black is existing. Not living, not thriving, just jutting along a path. When he finds Reed, he can’t resist the urge to help her, lighten her load. But Falcon tends to go overboard, over the line, crossing boundaries he never thought he would and risking her trust in the process.

Can she accept his love or will it end up smothering her?

The Characters

I will start with Falcon.  I already mentioned that Falcon is dreamy, right?  Well let me explain more.  He is the perfect mix of good boy and bad.  He is super smart (swoon!) and edgy too.  He has piercings, a mohawk and tattoos.  He wears Chucks with business attire.  He goes to school and invests money.  He manages the money of his family and friends’ businesses.  He is an all-around good guy.  Plus, when he loves, he loves with all of himself.  He gives of himself fully and doesn’t expect anything in return.  Dreamy… am I right?!?

Reed is a girl with a troubled past.  Living on her own now with nothing to her name but the clothes on her back and her car, she seeks out employment to start her life.  She meets Nellie (of Hellie as she is so fondly called by her derby friends) and the rest is history.  Reed starts to work in the bookstore Nellie owns; the same bookstore that Falcon keeps financial books for.  Reed has trouble accepting the love and friendship from Falcon and I felt like I was waiting for the shoe to fall the whole time I read… just waiting for her to find out just how sweet and caring Falcon is and turn around and break his heart.

These two fall in love.  Ahhhh.  And then Falcon does something that defines who he is in my mind.  He does something for Reed that she wants but that will inevitably tear them apart.  Noooo!  I was angry at Reed.  How dare she break Falcon’s heart.  I mean, I would happily be with someone that loved me that much.  But, the truth is she doesn’t even know how much she is loved by him until her decisions are made.

Just a little side note… I just love Maddox (the third brother) for his no nonsense attitude and for setting Reed straight in her error.  He is my favorite brother and I am so glad that he has a special role in this book.

My thoughts

I loved, loved, loved this story.  I loved the first book and knew Lila wouldn’t disappoint but I loved this one more than I thought.  That stupid grin is because of the witty banter that is shared between the characters.  It is for the fun derby descriptions.  It is for the hilarious start to every chapter in which you get a look into the mind of the characters.  For example, at the beginning of one of Falcon’s chapters, it says this…

Mondays were the only days that I didn’t have classes so I spent the day getting a massage and taking a cooking class, along with a full manicure and pedicure.  Plus, I brushed my unicorn.  Ugh…

Seriously, how funny is that?!?  I laughed out loud and thankfully I was at home so the only strange looks I got were from my kids.  In another one of these intros, Reed talks about her love of cookies.  Another, Falcon mentions Stuart Smalley.  These are just funny intros to the chapters and made me giggle time and again.  Not all are funny though and you see a glimpse of feeling in them too.  I enjoyed these intros a lot.

The story?  Absolutely fantastic.  Like I said, Lila’s writing is so easy to get into.  I believed that Reed lived in her car.  I believed that Falcon was a hot accountant.  I did.  I also got angry with them for being so darn stupid with each other.  I wanted to strangle poor Reed when she couldn’t figure out what she wanted.  I wanted to hug poor Falcon when he just gave and gave of himself only to have it thrown back in his face.

Final thoughts… 

You have to read these books people.  They are young adult books so there is no need to worry about too-hot-to-handle scenes. In fact, s-e-x is not even part of the story line in them really.  Lila has these sweet people waiting for marriage.  Again, ahhhh.  I give both the books in this series 5 big flashing stars.  I loved them.  I can’t wait for more!!!

Go buy them, would ya?  For me?  Then come back and tell me how brilliant they are because I know you will love them too.

Oh and ummm, Lila I already told you I’m needy, but when is the Maddox book coming out?  I need more of the Black brothers and after reading the sneak of Down ‘N’ Derby, I’m even more interested in my favorite brother.

Where to find Lila Felix

blog  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads

Where to buy Love and Skate

B & N  |  Amazon

Where to buy How It Rolls

Amazon

For more blogs on this blog tour, click the button below!

Now, for a fun giveaway from Lila Felix herself!  For US entrants, fill out the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win some very cool prizes!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you are an INT reader, don’t fret. There is a giveaway for you too! Enter using THIS Rafflecopter.

Disclosure:  I received an ARC of How It Rolls in exchange for my honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  Giveaways is part of a blog tour and is sponsored by the author.