Smitten by Lauren Rowe

                    

Book: Smitten

Author: Lauren Rowe

Type: Standalone

Genre: Contemporary Romance

POV: First Person - Dual

Date Read: Dec 23, 2020

Page Count: 356 (Kindle Edition)

Publication Date: July 25, 2020

〷 RATING 〷

〷 AGE 〷

Alessandra Tennison - 19.

 Matthew Fishberger - 25.

〷 TRIGGERS 〷

NO TRIGGERS. It's cheesy goodness.

〷 SYNOPSIS 〷

I met Alessandra at a party. Tried to impress her. Was almost positive I was going to fail.

I think I said something along the lines of, “I’m a Goat called Fish who’s hung like a bull—but not really. I’m actually pretty average.” Smooth. I know. Try not to be jealous.

When she laughed—and I mean, really laughed—I knew she wasn’t like the other girls I’d been meeting on tour. Hell, she wasn’t even in the same stratosphere as those fangirls and gold-diggers.

At one point during the party, Alessandra said, “There’s nothing like a girl’s first love.” I knew she was talking about the first smash hit by my band, 22 Goats. Alessandra said it was the first song she’d heard by us and it “hit her like a ton of bricks.” Ironic, seeing as how I was having the same reaction from being in her presence.

I made it my mission to impress her. Give her the kiss of a lifetime that night. But since I’ve always been the dude with zero game, nothing went according to plan.

I’m not giving up, though. I’m going to win this girl over. I’m done sitting on the sidelines, watching the bad boy getting the girl. This time, the nice guy will finish first. Even if it’s the last thing he’ll do.

〷 REVIEW 〷

❝ Oh, God, I feel high when I talk to this adorable girl. She’s better than the finest weed. The best tequila. She’s the scent of flowers in human form. She’s the sound of the ocean. She’s music.❞

'Smitten' is my first read from Lauren Rowe and it was just... gah! SO ADORABLE. Smitten as a title just doesn’t encompass how genuine and precious this book was. This book was a ton of fun with lots of awkward moments that will have you laughing out loud one moment and then falling head over heels the very next. It also had a coming of age vibe to it. It’s about finding oneself and discovering who they are meant to be. Having the courage to stand up for yourself no matter how afraid you are. Both Fish and Ally made me heart melt. They were both so cute and awkward and adorable.

❝ You’re my first, my last, my best, my only . . . love.❞

There was a reason why I picked this book. And it was the blurb. It was so catchy and entertaining. Matthew Fishberger was a change I didn't know I needed. I did find this a bit slow at the beginning but after pealing the layers of Ally and Fish's personalities, I fell in love with them (individually and as a couple). The writing and plot were both engaging and made me want to read the all her books. A lot of second hand embarrassment gore and a lot of feel good moments too, made this memorable and unforgettable.

❝ All my life
Been looking low and high
Aching to find
The ones to call my tribe

But now I know
People like us, baby
There’s no group
People like us

There’s only two
We’re a tribe of two, baby
It’s just me and you
Starting now

It’s you and me
Against the world
‘Cause ‘people like us’
There’s only me and you❞

〷 CONCLUSION 〷

If you're looking for something fun, light and enjoyable, definitely give this a try. Lauren Rowe is an author to look out for.

〷 FAVORITE QUOTES 〷

• ❝I’m no dark and smoldering Casanova, like Colin—a guy everyone says looks like a tattooed version of that cartoon smolderfest from Tangled. And I’m certainly not a perfectly symmetrical golden god, like Dax, either. I’m just a normal-looking dude. The one who provides the everyman comic relief in our music videos and interviews, while Dax and Colin turn up the heat.❞

• ❝I’m sick of being a third wheel. Sick of going stag to every party. Every school dance when we were teens. Sick of always feeling like the “sidekick” in the movie of our lives, whereas Dax and Colin are so obviously the “leading men.❞

• ❝“Hey there!” I chirp, far more loudly than intended. “You look beautiful!” I cringe at my word choice. “You smell beautiful.” Crap. Stop talking, Alessandra. But Fish’s smile has only widened and brightened at my dorky words. He leans in and pointedly inhales, before saying, “You look and smell beautiful, too.” I wobble again as he pulls back and looks me up and down pointedly. “I love that dress,” he says. “It looks amazing on you.” I’m wearing a simple dress. Nothing particularly amazing, I don’t think. But I’ve got no doubt he’s being sincere. “Thank you,” I choke out. “You look amazing in those . . . jeans.”❞

• ❝Oh, God, I feel high when I talk to this adorable girl. She’s better than the finest weed. The best tequila. She’s the scent of flowers in human form. She’s the sound of the ocean. She’s music.❞

• ❝I can’t believe how good she makes me feel. How real I am around her. Even when I’m a dork—especially when I’m a dork—she likes me. She gets me.❞

• ❝The Goat Called Fish Who’s Hung Like a Bull. But Not Really.❞

• ❝We belong together, Matthew and me. We’re a tribe of two. Just like this amazing song says. People like us? There’s only Matthew and me.❞

• ❝We’re meant to be, Ally. We’re fate. Destiny. And that means everything’s going to work out fine.❞

• ❝I love you like the sky is blue, baby. Forever and ever.” “I love you forever, too,” she chokes out. “I’ll be smitten, always.”❞

♫♫♫

   I’m a Goat called Fish 

Would love to say I’m hung like a bull 
But I’d be lyin’ 
I’m just an ordinary guy  

     
You’re a Leo in purple 
With the voice of an angel 
Would love to say You’re mine ’
Cuz, baby, I’d do anything for ya  

     Roar, baby Aless-andra the Lion-ess 
Roar, baby Hold your mane up high 
Aless-andra the Lion-ess 
I’m so lucky to be your guy  

     
I’m a Goat Called Fish
 And I love you like the ocean is blue 
Roar, baby Aless-andra the Lion-ess 
I promise, baby I’ll always love you. 

♫♫♫

〷 ABOUT LAUREN ROWE 〷

USA Today and internationally bestselling author Lauren Rowe lives in San Diego, California, where, in addition to writing books, she performs with her dance/party band at events all over Southern California, writes songs, and narrates audiobooks. Much to Lauren’s thrill, her books have been translated all over the world in multiple languages and hit multiple domestic and international bestseller lists. Lauren's books are full of heat, heart, and humor. (From Goodreads)

〷 LINKS 〷

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See SMITTEN on GOODREADS: Smitten

See LAUREN ROWE on GOODREADS: Lauren Rowe

See MY REVIEW on BOOKBUB: Review

See SMITTEN on BOOKBUB: Smitten

See LAUREN ROWE on BOOKBUB: Lauren Rowe