Sunday, July 13, 2014

{Review} A Tale Of Two Pretties (Hopeless In Hotlanta #1) by Magan Vernon & Dawn Pendelton

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Publication Date: May 19th 2014
Series: Hopeless In Hotlanta #1
Pages: 275
Format: eARC
Source: Provided by author for review


MacAllister "Mac" Barlow thought she was living the life she always dreamed of. When she catches her fiancé in the act with his secretary, she high tails it out of their apartment without looking back. Looking for a new life, she drowns her sorrows in a pitcher of beer at Tony's pizzeria. Darcy Pepper isn't one for long-term relationships. Bouncing from guy-to-guy to get what she wants isn't satisfying her anymore. Walking out on her current boy-toy, she finds herself at a tiny hole-in-the-wall pub. More disappointed in herself than she's ever been, she sees Mac, a girl she vaguely remembers from high school. Left flat broke, the girls quickly enlist the help of a waiter at Tony's and before they know it, they've got an apartment, jobs, and possibly even love interests beckoning. Maybe things aren't so hopeless after all. *This is a new adult romantic comedy and is recommended for readers ages 17+* This book is the first in a five book series.






Two Broke Girls is a TV show that has been around for a while and although I haven't watched it, the title is pretty self explanatory. Not only does it perfectly describe the theme of this book but the fact that it's a comedy should speak volumes as well. A Tale Of Two Pretties was the hilarious story of two girls brought together by similar downtrodden circumstances who form a bond of friendship while trying to make it in the big city.

Mac and Darcy haven't seen each other since high school but meet up again one night at a local pizza joint where they've come to drown their sorrows. Mac's tale of woe revolves around a cheating fiance while Darcy's centers on her latest breakup in a long string of fruitless relationships. Both girls have no place to live, no money and no prospects until B-Rad, the pizzeria's bartender offers them a ray of hope in the form of a minuscule studio apartment and a job for Darcy. As the two girls get reacquainted and discover common ground that they both have English degrees, they embark on a journey as aspiring writers.

Mac and Darcy were so much fun to get to know. With a Laverne and Shirley feel there was always something to laugh about with two women living in such close quarters and different personalities. Mac was more like me with the stoic way she kept her emotions in check. She wasn't quick to open up and because she had been hurt before it was hard for her to connect to people. Her mother is cold and bitchy not to mention her ex fiance was a douche for cheating on her several times. She's a hard worker with determination to survive without taking any handouts and I loved that about her. Sometimes she came across as a hard ass and it was almost off putting especially when mystery man Preston started showing interest in her but because we are both so similar I could understand where she was coming from.

Darcy was the flighty, borderline slutty sidekick type. She comes from a meager upbringing and a mother who is just as flaky if not moreso and Darcy grew up watching her mom move from man to man, picking up the behavior. When one guy gets too close she moves onto the next always taking and now her behaviour is starting to bother her. Her latest breakup with a frat boy who wanted more was the final straw. Darcy wasn't really a deep pool the way she was concerned about her looks and used them to get by. It amazed me that she managed to finish school on her own and actually get a degree in something. She wasn't a bad person by any means but she was the kind of chick who enjoyed a free ride. Changing her ways was something I wished for her but when it got in the way of her growing attraction to Brad (A.K.A B-Rad) made me rethink my female solidarity opinions. 

Brad and Preston were the Lenny and Squiggy of this modern day Laverne and Shirley story. Brad, or B-Rad as he's first introduced to the girls is this supposed douchey guy with no direction in his life working in a pizza joint. I hate to admit this but I too hastily judged him this way before I got to know him. In fact, looking at my notes during a scene where Brad opens up my actual comment was "Aww, he's more than meets the douche!". Brad was actually a great guy once you got to know him. Yes he's in his mid to late twenties and working in a  pizzeria but he's got valid reasons that are actually very noble. He's very loyal and family oriented and sweet once you get passed his cheesy pickup lines. Mystery guy Preston turns out to be B-Rad's best friend and the guy who just so happened to seduce Mac after a few pints late one night. Preston was another great guy who comes across as just your average horn dog after a hallway makeout session with Mac leaves you believing he's a player. That wasn't the case though because Preston was sweet, affectionate and veeeerrryyy patient. Mac isn't an easy chick to get close to but this guy earned Saint status with his determination.

If you want to win me over in a comedy like this then you have to bring the funny. Which is exactly what Pendleton and Vernon did in every chapter of this story. Timing is everything and these two have perfect timing in their delivery that had me chuckling about certain scenes even after I had moved on in the story. Two very different women with totally opposite personalities, a goofy next door neighbor and a financial situation that rivals that of a homeless person, assures the comedic material was abundant. Inside all that humor though there was a surprising amount of romance that worked for me. Brad and Darcy had sweet moments where they connected on a deeper level than surface attraction. Several moments with them had me swooning. Mac and Preston had a moment or two even with Mac's 'Finger to the world' mentality. God, Preston was such a good guy I wanted to squeeze him several times. I love a chivalrous man. There's a lot to love with this book and I'm looking forward to more goofy adventures for the girls as they head out on a road trip to a book signing to further their careers.


Quotes:

"What the f*ck is that thing?"
 B-Rad asked, obviously terrified.
"Guys, meet Heath." my hedgehog was adorable, but the two of them weren't impressed.
"I don't want any pets," Darcy complained.
"Too bad. Heath Ledgehog and I are a package deal."
"Heath Ledgehog?" Darcy tried to hide her laughter, but failed miserably. 
eARC 19%

"Be nice."
 Mac dodged a red bra hanging from a doorway and
 a few more solo cups littering the floor.
"I'm always nice, sweetie." 
"Just because you say 'sweetie' at the end of everything,
 doesn't mean it's nice."
eARC 22%

I couldn't stop what happened next if I wanted to, not that I did. His lips descended on mine and I tipped my head up, ready and willing for his kiss. His right hand cupped my cheek, holding me still. 
"Don't break me, MacAllister,"
 he whispered as his lips touched mine.
I didn't have time to process his words; his touch, his scent, every single thing about him overwhelmed my senses.
 eARC 84%






About Magan Vernon:
Magan Vernon is a Young Adult and New Adult writer who lives with her family in the insurance capital of the world. When not writing she spends her time fighting over fake boyfriends via social media. You can find her online on 

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter


About Dawn Pendleton:
Dawn Pendleton spends her time between Maine and somewhere warm for the winter, dragging her husband and pup wherever she goes. A lover of travel, an avid reader, and a softie at heart, Dawn writes romance novels that face the dark reality of life, which is that not everyone gets a happily ever after right away.




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1 comment:

  1. Aw man, this sounds awesome! I did pick up a copy, and need to make time ASAP. Great review!

    ReplyDelete

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