Thursday, March 31, 2016

Second Chances - Lori's Review of THE NATURAL HISTORY OF US by Rachel Harris + Blog Tour + Excerpt

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Rachel Harris's THE NATURAL HISTORY OF US is already getting swoons from readers everywhere! We can’t wait for you to get your hands on it. Known for her sweet romances, Rachel's THE NATURAL HISTORY OF US, is no different! Check out everything we have for you on this amazing title and then go grab your copy today. Justin and Peyton’s story is sure to put a smile on your face and keep you turning pages long into the night!

   
The Natural History of Us - cover

About THE NATURAL HISTORY OF US:

One class assignment. One second chance at love. The school player is all in. Now he needs to win back the sweet commitment girl who's forever owned his heart.

Justin Carter has a secret. He's not the total player Fairfield Academy believes him to be. Not really. In fact, he used to be a one-woman guy...and his feelings for her never went away. Too bad he broke her heart three years ago and made sure to ruin any chance she'd ever forgive him.

Peyton Williams is a liar. She pretends to be whole, counting down the days until graduation and helping her parents at the family ranch. But the truth is, she's done everything she can to get over Justin, and salvation is just around the corner. With graduation one short month away, she'll soon break free from the painful memories and start her life fresh. Of course, she has to get through working with him on one last assignment first.

For Justin, nothing ever felt as right as being with Peyton, and now that fate's given him a shot at redemption, he's determined to make the most of it. And for Peyton...well, Justin Carter has always been her kryptonite.

Order THE NATURAL HISTORY OF US Today!

Amazon **Barnes and Noble ** Kobo ** IndieBound

Add to your Goodreads

   
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You can order a signed and/or personalized copy of THE NATURAL HISTORY OF US now through April 8th HERE!

TNHoU - Tour Teaser 1

And don’t miss Rachel Harris’s

The-Fine-Art-of-Pretending 

THE FINE ART OF PRETENDING!


Rachel Harris - Author photoAbout Rachel Harris: New York Times bestselling author Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about sassy girls-next-door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Vibrant settings, witty banter, and strong relationships are a staple in each of her books…and kissing. Lots of kissing. An admitted Diet Mountain Dew addict and homeschool mom, she gets through each day by laughing at herself, hugging her kids, and watching way too much Food Network with her husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romances, and LOVES talking with readers!    

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Newsletter Signup ** Goodreads



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Rachel Harris’s THE NATURAL HISTORY OF US– Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule:
March 28th
A Leisure Moment – Review
Home.Love.Books. – Review
Swoony Boys Podcast – Review & Excerpt
JOJO THE BOOKAHOLIC – Excerpt
March 29th
A Crave For Books – Review
Becky on Books – Review & Excerpt
Angel Reads – Review
Lovin' Los Libros – Review & Excerpt
I Read Indie – Excerpt
March 30th
Bookish Things & More – Review & Excerpt
Stuck In Books – Review & Excerpt
Reading Adventurously – Review & Excerpt
Typical Distractions – Review & Excerpt
Crazii Bitches Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
March 31st
Dazzled by Books – Review & Excerpt
Kindle and Me – Review & Excerpt
The Cover Contessa – Review & Excerpt
Book Groupies – Excerpt
We All Make Mistakes in Books – Review & Excerpt
The Bibliophile Confessions – Review & Excerpt
Ticket To Anywhere – Review & Excerpt
April 1st
Bookaholics Reading Haven – Review & Excerpt
Books Eater – Review & Excerpt
SprinkleofBooks – Excerpt
Melena's Reviews – Review & Excerpt
Ficwishes – Review & Excerpt
Gaga Over Books – Review & Excerpt
My fictional escape – Review & Excerpt
April 2nd
Caitlin Audet – Excerpt
Andi's ABCs – Review
Defiantly Deviant – Review
Book Briefs – Review
April 3rd
Cheyanne Young – Review & Excerpt
Short and Sassy Book Blurbs – Review & Excerpt
Ashleyz Wonderland – Excerpt
April 4th
Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous – Review & Excerpt
Addicted to Books – Review & Excerpt
Bookish Escapes – Review & Excerpt
Adventures of a Book Junkie – Review & Excerpt
Tween 2 Teen Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt
April 5th
Book it – Review & Excerpt
Book Junkie: Not-So-Anonymous – Review & Excerpt
YA Book Madness – Excerpt
The Book Hammock – Review & Excerpt
A Full Bookshelf – Review
April 6th
Books and Boys Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
Behind Closed Covers – Review & Excerpt
The Procrastinator's Corner – Review & Excerpt
KatyaRath – Review
The book slayer77 – Review
April 7th
The Lovely Books – Review
thebookdragon – Review & Excerpt
Aira Reads – Review
Reviews from the Heart – Review & Excerpt
Literary Misfit – Review & Excerpt
Love & Life & Learning – Review & Excerpt
April 8th
Alpha Book Club – Excerpt
Three chicks and their books – Review & Excerpt
Reviews By Rah – Review & Excerpt
Library of a Book Witch – Review & Excerpt
The Bookmark Blog – Review & Excerpt

  TNHoU - Tour Teaser 2  
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Justin tipped up my chin with his finger and said, “You’re far from just anyone, Peyton. You’re impulsive and fearless. You’re stubborn and curious. You drive me insane with your millions of questions. And your heart… Sunshine, it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
I wanted to look away. Hearing compliments was hard for me, I never really believed them. But when it came to Justin? God, I wanted to believe them so badly.
He brushed his thumb across my jaw. “Instead of giving up in the hospital, like most people would’ve done, you walked away optimistic. Grateful, even. I’m in awe of you.” Justin looked deep into my eyes and said, “Peyton, you make me want to be a better guy. I want to deserve those sweet smiles of yours. I—”
I leaned forward and kissed him.
Words wouldn’t express what he did to me. My heart felt heavy, so overflowing with love for this wounded, insecure boy that I couldn’t contain it all. So I put it in my lips. In my mouth and in my tongue and in my small gasp of surprise when Justin yanked my body flush against his.
I gave myself over to emotion, threading my fingers through his thick, dark hair. Deepening the kiss and tangling my tongue with his. Dizzying desire whipped through my body, fogging my head with want, and settling in a warm pool of tingles in my belly. Goose bumps danced across my skin as the cool, crisp taste of mint exploded on my tongue.
“Baby…”
Wow. The word set off a flame in my blood. It was a claiming, every bit as much as his lips as they ravaged my mouth, taking over control, possessing me. And I wanted to be his. Completely, in every way I possibly could.
Justin was wrong before. I wasn’t strong or incredible. I wasn’t anything special. But he made me feel as though I was. If I’d learned anything living post-GBS, it was that life was short, and when you found happiness, you grabbed on with both hands and never let go. I had no intention of loosening my grip.   
“Uh…” Justin groaned as he tore his lips from mine. “We can’t.” He pushed my hips back, but kept his hands clenched around my waist and leaned forward to brush another kiss against my swollen mouth. His heavy-lidded gaze fell on his handiwork. “Your dad… your whole family… they’ll see us. We have to…”
That he was so breathless over me was a thrill of its own. I grinned up at him, taunting his inner battle by raking my teeth across my bottom lip, and he swallowed hard before inching closer to the edge of the bench. Closer to me.


Whether it's Adult Contemporary or Young Adult, I am completely in love with Rachel Harris's style. 

Because The Natural History of Us is told in the present tense with flashbacks to the past, this story has the unique ability to give us both the intense tingles of first love as well as the longing and desperation of a second chance romance.

Justin Carter and Peyton Williams have a history that no one knows about and while they were happy together for a brief moment, it ended painfully for both of them. They have both moved on, but neither has truly let go.

Peyton has dealt with a lot in her young life and the author's knowledge and use of Peyton's illness was creative and actually perfect for what was needed in this story. Does that make sense? It provided the perfect mystery and drive to push the story forward.

A school project forces Peyton to allow Justin back into her life when she would rather continue hiding behind her walls of pain. Justin is sweet and charming and, despite obstacles, quickly makes himself invaluable to Peyton and her dedication to saving her family's farm.

Peyton is a strong heroine. She isn't a push over and often tells Justin when he's being annoying and a bit of a jerk. Even though she is a little more guarded than she used to be, we get to watch her overcome her fears, both physically and mentally.

Justin has finally decided to go after what he really wants. His determination to make Peyton his is only outweighed by his desire to see her happy. He wants to be the one to bring a smile to her face, but when it comes down to it, he is willing to step aside if he is not the best choice for her.


Watching Justin and Peyton fall in love in the past plays second fiddle to watching them learn to love again in the present. Both stories tug at the heart for different reasons.

This is a cute story with all of my favorite YA tropes thrown into one. Definitely recommended for anyone who reads Young Adult.

4.25 out of 5 Stars




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