Thursday, July 30, 2015

Racing the Sun by Karina Halle - Review & Giveaway

Title: Racing the Sun
Author: Karina Halle
Genre: NA Romance
Publication Date: 28th July 2015
Pages: 384
Book Source: Atria Books/Simon & Schuster

Synopsis: When I’m traveling, I feel like the secret to my life, to myself, to really becoming, is one step ahead. It’s in the next destination, the next town I get lost in, the next stranger I talk to. It’s always next but never here . . . 

After six months of backpacking and soul-searching across the world, Amber MacLean is flat broke. There are worse places for a twentysomething to be stuck than the Amalfi Coast, but the only way she can earn enough money for a plane ticket home to California is to teach English to two of the brattiest children she has ever met.

It doesn’t help that the children are under the care of their brooding older brother, ex-motorcycle racer Desiderio Larosa. Darkly handsome and oh-so-mysterious, the young master of the crumbling villa tests Amber’s patience and will at every turn—not to mention her hormones.

When her position turns into a full-time nanny gig, Amber grows dangerously closer to the enigmatic recluse. But can she give up the certainty of home for someone whose closely guarded heart feels a world apart from her own?

My Thoughts:
Not just right book, right time but the perfect feel-good read for one of those not-feeling-so-good days. Which is kind of weird because this isn't a fluffy romance or even just a hot romantic romp, although it is hot. This romance has issues and I love issues. 

And I read it in one sitting, which if you've been reading my blog lately you'll know how not-like-me that is ... Racing the Sun kicked my snail's pace to the curb. It was heat and heart and I loved it. 

I suddenly remember where I am. Sad lemon house. Capri. New job. Traumatized twins. Hot mysterious Italian boss.

Sums it up well.


The breeze wafts in from the sea and carries the scent of fresh herbs and bracing salt and lemons, the way I imagine sunshine should smell. 

When July slides into August like a hot greasy egg sliding off a frying pan, Capri becomes its most unbearable. 


The descriptions of the Amalfi coast, Positano, Naples, Capri and the Villa dei Limoni Tristi had me dying for my own slice of Italy ... I settled for pizza. At least it was real Italian pizza :) 

I loved Amber, she's adventurous and brave and she tells it like it is. 


Somehow, and I don't know how, because that banana hammock is just begging for people to stare, I manage to tear my eyes away from him just as he looks up.

I turn around, about to ask Derio and his penis whether this is the place to go in the water, but he strides to the edge of the water and does a perfect swan dive off. 


HA banana hammock :) Guys in Australia mostly wear boardies. Speedos (budgie smugglers) are so not cool. Unless you're a surf life saver or Derio. 


The only thing I didn't love ... Amber's disparaging comments about her body. I hang there like a fat orangatan ... sheesh really? luckily when things heat up with Derio, she gets over herself quick enough.


"Did you feel anything?"
"No," he murmurs. "I felt everything."


Racing the Sun will have you fang-ing for Italian food. Hey, if you're not single, putting it out there that you want your very own hot Italian guy is just not on. So. Food it is. 

Ciao. My bags are packed, I'm ready for Italy.

... Ok I'm off to plan my pinterest holiday. 

Alrighty ... I'm heading to the Italian restaurant at the end of our street. 


Connect with Karina Halle

Purchase Racing the Sun

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Giveaway:
Check this out for a giveaway ... woohoo!
Grand prize of a $50 AMEX Gift Card + 1 signed copy of RACING THE SUN and 1 copy of WHERE SEA MEETS SKY….PLUS: 6 x Runner Up Prizes of 1 signed copy of RACING THE SUN.


a Rafflecopter giveaway




14 comments:

  1. Oh no, I did not wanna see those speedos

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    1. LOL B ... sorry ;) but the book is totally awesome.

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  2. I have heard some great things about Karina Halle. This one seems like a charming read.

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    1. it's actually my first Karina Halle read and since I loved it I'll check out her backlist!

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  3. hehehehe to the banana hammock!!!! This sounds so fun!!!!

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  4. Lol, this is the best review!! I love it! I'm so glad to see you liked this book so much, because I was totally on the fence about reading it. You convinced me it's worth it! Thank you for posting this! :)

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    1. haha thanks Brandie. I can't wait to see what you think. I'm sort of confident you'll love it & a little scared. Hurry up and read it lol

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  5. Your reviews so often make me chuckle and the pic of the speedo's. So not cool here either! Good that you got a book that hooked you and took you away. Even it to finally the Italian restaurant down the road!

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    1. lol the Italian restaurant on the corner of our street IS pretty good, but one day ... maybe Italy :))

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  6. This book sounds right up my alley Teddyree....I'm off to check out her books!

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    1. I thought of you while reading it Karen, totally your thing :)

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  7. Budgie smugglers! Ha! Thankfully men mostly wear shorts here too. This would have me ready to head to Italy! We were fortunate to go to Venice, Florence, and Rome several years ago, but I really want to go back and catch the Amalfi Coast and Capri.

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  8. Fantastic review..I love when a book pulls you in and you devour it in one sitting. I have enjoyed Hale before and need to add this one...so many good elements.

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