I received a copy of the first and second books in the series from netgalley.com and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Did I Mention I Love You?
By Estelle Maskame
December 1, 2015; ISBN 9781492632153
Book Info:
Title: Did I Mention I Love You?
Author: Estelle Maskame
Release Date: December 1, 2015
Publishers: Sourcebooks Fire
Praise for Did I Mention I Love You?
“Readers will root for them, like they would with Edward and Bella—the mutual attraction and need for one another is palpable. It rings of passion, excitement, and first love.” –VOYA Magazine
“An edgy young adult romance with dark layers” –The Examiner
“A believable coming-of-age story and an unconventional romance, set against a present-day California summer... . The fallout of divorce, the insidiousness of substance abuse and family secrets, and especially the pangs of first love drive this emotionally resonant tale.” – Publishers Weekly
“Written in first person, Maskame’s trilogy opener is an excellent portrayal of a teenage girl’s life in the 21st century. Eden has to adjust to her blended family, try to feel pretty, be body conscious, and make friends, all while falling in love for the first time. She is someone all young people can relate to...Romance fans will be captivated by Eden and her journey to finding herself and true love.” –School Library Journal
Summary:
Love is everything but expected.
Eden Munro came to California for a summer of sun, sand, and celebrities- what better way to forget about the drama back home? Until she meets her new family of strangers; a dad she hasn’t seen in three years, a stepmonster, and three stepbrothers.
Eden gets her own room in her dad’s fancy house in Santa Monica. A room right next door to her oldest stepbrother. Tyler Bruce. Whom she cannot stand. He has angry blue eyes and an ego bigger than a Beverly Hills mansion. She’s never felt such intense dislike for someone. But the two are constantly thrown together as his group of friends pulls her into their world of rule-breaking, partying, and pier-hanging
And the more she tries to understand what makes Tyler burn hotter than the California sun, the more Eden finds herself falling for the one person she shouldn’t…
Did I Mention I Love You? is the addictive first book in Wattpad sensation Estelle Maskame’s DIMIY trilogy: three unforgettable summers of secrets, heartbreak, and forbidden romance.
My Review:
Okay. There is a lot to love her for contemporary fans and romance fans. The characters are dynamic, the story is entertaining and something people could relate to in the sense of the combined family and being a child of divorce.
I love the California vibe and the cool beachy bad boy feel of Tyler. It is definitely something that I think readers will have no trouble swooning over.
I will say that not everyone will be comfortable reading about this relationship or the romance. It is a common New Adult troupe and this actually felt like it bordered on the upper end of YA just for the relationship alone. I am not sure everyone would be okay about reading about a love between step-siblings but when you think about it, they didn't grow up together and they are just kids with hormones and they can't really help who they are attracted to when they have never really thought of each other as siblings. Like I said, I am fine with it but not everyone would be.
It actually reminds me of the end of "Drive Me Crazy" starring Melissa Joan Hart when she finds out her love interest will soon be her step-brother. A little over the top and soap opera like but again totally believable and awesomely entertaining.
If you like contemporary romance I would definitely suggest pick this up. The fact that it is also fast paced and fun is also a selling point. Definitely pick it up if you enjoy coming of age, YA romance and quick witted characters.
My Star Rating:
Goodreads Link:
Buy Links:
About the Author:
Estelle Maskame started writing at the age of thirteen and completed the Did I Mention I Love You? trilogy when she was sixteen. She has built an extensive fan-base for her writing by serializing her work on Wattpad. Fitting book writing between work, Estelle has amassed followers from all over the world. She lives in Scotland. For more visit estellemaskame.com
Social Media Links:
Did I Mention I Love You? Excerpt
I can almost see the road through the gaps in the fence by the side of the house, and I squint through. There’s music playing. More like blaring. I can hear it over the crappy music that’s already bouncing around the back yard, and as a sleek white car speeds up to the edge of the sidewalk and skids against the curb, I grimace in disgust. The music cuts off the second the engine is killed.
“What are you looking at?” Rachael asks, but I’m too busy staring to even attempt to answer.
The car door swings open roughly, and I’m surprised it doesn’t fall straight off its hinges. It’s difficult to see clearly through the fence, but a tall guy gets out and slams the door shut just as aggressively as he opened it. He hesitates for a moment, stares at the house, and then runs a hand through his hair. Whoever he is, he looks su-per depressed. Like he’s just lost all his life savings or his dog just died. And then he heads straight for the gate.
“Who the hell is this jackass?” I mutter to Rachael as the figure nears us.
But before either of us can say anything more, Jackass decides to hit the gate open with a fist, drawing the at-tention of everyone around us. It’s like he wants everyone to hate him. I figure he’s probably that one neighbor that everyone despises, and he’s only here in a fit of rage because he wasn’t invited to the lamest barbecue get-together that’s ever been hosted.
“Sorry I’m late,” Jackass comments sarcastically. And loudly too, with a smirk on his lips. His eyes flash green as emeralds. “Did I miss anything besides the slaughtering of animals?” He throws up the infamous mid-dle finger to, from what I can see, the barbecue. “I hope you guys enjoyed the cow you just ate.” And then he laughs. He laughs as though everyone’s expressions of disgust are the most entertaining thing he’s seen all year.
“More beer?” I hear my dad call out to the silent crowd, and as they chuckle and return to their conversations, Jackass heads through the patio doors. He slams them shut so hard I can almost see the glass tremble.
I’m stunned. I have no idea what just happened or who that was or why he’s just entered the house. When I realize I’m slightly slack-jawed, I close my mouth and turn to Rachael.
She bites her lip and pushes her sunglasses down over her eyes. “I’m guessing you haven’t met your step-brother yet.”
Enter to Win a Copy of DIMILY & an advance copy of DIMINY. This giveaway is active December 1st-December 31st. Open to US & Canadian residents only:
Coming Soon!
Did I Mention I Need You (March 2016) & Did I Mention I Miss You (June 2016)
Book Info:
Title: Did I Mention I Need You?
Author: Estelle Maskame
Release Date: March 1, 2016
Publishers: Sourcebooks Fire
Eden and Tyler have desperately tried to ignore their love for each other for the sake of their family. But they can’t seem to stay apart for long, especially once Tyler invites Eden to spend the summer with him in New York.
Away from their life in California and caught up in the excitement of the city, their summer fling turns into something much more serious. Unable to deny their feelings, Tyler and Eden must face reality. But how will their family react when they confess their romance? And is their relationship strong enough to survive the fallout?
Pre-Order Links:
I don't want to say too much about the sequel as it is a sequel just know that if you do decide to pick up the first book in this fun contemporary romance you will not be able to stop there.
Seriously, it is absolutely enthralling and you will have to find out what happens between the two main lovers.
I think the change in setting was great. It definitely stepped up its game. The romance was even more intense this time around and again, if you had problems with the type of relationship in the first book they will still get to you here.
The characters are following a great trajectory in terms of growth and I am so excited to see how this trilogy ends.
Make sure to enter the giveaway below because once you pick up the first you will be so thankful you can dive right into the second.
Sourcebooks made a great decision getting these out over the course of the year because let me tell you. The wait would kill me!
Awesome continuing series, check it out!
Seriously, it is absolutely enthralling and you will have to find out what happens between the two main lovers.
I think the change in setting was great. It definitely stepped up its game. The romance was even more intense this time around and again, if you had problems with the type of relationship in the first book they will still get to you here.
The characters are following a great trajectory in terms of growth and I am so excited to see how this trilogy ends.
Make sure to enter the giveaway below because once you pick up the first you will be so thankful you can dive right into the second.
Sourcebooks made a great decision getting these out over the course of the year because let me tell you. The wait would kill me!
Awesome continuing series, check it out!
COMING SOON
Book Info:
Title: Did I Mention I Miss You?
Author: Estelle Maskame
Release Date: June 7, 2016
Publishers: Sourcebooks Fire
Eden’s on her way back to Santa Monica for the summer, and she hasn’t seen Tyler since the devastating fallout of their forbidden relationship. Eden claims to have moved on—but Tyler wants to rekindle the flame.
He convinces Eden to visit his new home in Portland, Oregon, where he has set up a center for troubled teens. Eden’s proud of what he’s built, but the last time they were together, it nearly destroyed Eden and their family. Then a tragedy draws them together, and Eden must search her heart and decide if Tyler is worth the risk once and for all.
