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miszjeanie's review
3.0
3.5 stars. Very sweet, light read. Lots of food and cocktails! I enjoyed this, despite the cliches.
ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
yvo_about_books's review
4.5
Finished reading: March 15th 2018
"Actually, what I really needed was my best friend, and a glass of wine the size of my face."
Fact: the contemporary romance genre and me don't always get along. Also a fact: I can still really enjoy a contemporary romance story under the right circumstances. And this has a lot to do with both my mood and if the author is able to manage to convince me. It doesn't happen all that often, but Cocktails And Dreams turned out to be one of those exceptions. Because I absolutely adored this story! I was in desperate need of something fun and entertaining to read and this book worked like magic. I had so much fun reading Cocktails And Dreams, and this is coming from someone who is normally allergic to romance... So if you like the genre, you will have a blast while reading this one. The writing style is engaging, easy to read and has just the right pace to allow for well developed characters and an interesting plot. The characters are really easy to like and this made me connect to the story right away... And I just loved the food and drink elements in the story, which added a little something to the plot as well. The descriptions of the different foods and drinks are simply mouth watering and will make you want to try everything out yourself! I also loved the Martini Club setting and the way the different relationships developed. I'm not too sure what to think about Savvy's mother, but I guess it does give the story an edge. Cocktails And Dreams is such an easy story to love though! And I will definitely be looking out to get a copy of the sequel, because the writing style is fabulous.
meloches's review
3.0
This newest novel (and first in a new series) by A.L Michael explores relationships, raw emotions and cocktails. I mean, come on, what more do you want?
I had never read a book by A.L Michael before, but, from what I have heard, I was very much missing out. What I discovered when I dove into this book was a quick read with complex characters and an interesting setting (a burlesque club). I didn’t have trouble getting through this book in a single sitting.
The novel opens with Savvy, a seven-year-old girl, being abandoned by her selfish, rockstar mother. Growing up seeking stability, Savvy, as an adult, is sticking around a relationship with a loser and avoiding her mother. However, when the relationships ends and her mother comes crashing back into her life, Sav is forced to question everything and re-evaluate what SHE actually wants. With the help of a handsome bartender, Savvy learns to discover her own dreams and finds forgiveness in the process.
I felt like the general synopsis of the novel was fantastic; I love a good redemption story. It found that it did take me a while to get into the actual plot; the first 20% or so was all over the place and I struggled to see where the novel was going. I stuck around because I really found the lead character likeable. However, once the plot got into its stride, I settled in and enjoyed watching Savvy flourish. Coming of age emotion mixed with some humour ended up making this one an easy read!
The characters truly are what pushed this book for me; the relationship between Savvy, her aunt and her mother were fascinating to watch unfold on the page and once Milo, the bartender, comes into the plot, I thought it added an extra dimension. Kudos to Michaels for this characterization!
I had never read a book by A.L Michael before, but, from what I have heard, I was very much missing out. What I discovered when I dove into this book was a quick read with complex characters and an interesting setting (a burlesque club). I didn’t have trouble getting through this book in a single sitting.
The novel opens with Savvy, a seven-year-old girl, being abandoned by her selfish, rockstar mother. Growing up seeking stability, Savvy, as an adult, is sticking around a relationship with a loser and avoiding her mother. However, when the relationships ends and her mother comes crashing back into her life, Sav is forced to question everything and re-evaluate what SHE actually wants. With the help of a handsome bartender, Savvy learns to discover her own dreams and finds forgiveness in the process.
I felt like the general synopsis of the novel was fantastic; I love a good redemption story. It found that it did take me a while to get into the actual plot; the first 20% or so was all over the place and I struggled to see where the novel was going. I stuck around because I really found the lead character likeable. However, once the plot got into its stride, I settled in and enjoyed watching Savvy flourish. Coming of age emotion mixed with some humour ended up making this one an easy read!
The characters truly are what pushed this book for me; the relationship between Savvy, her aunt and her mother were fascinating to watch unfold on the page and once Milo, the bartender, comes into the plot, I thought it added an extra dimension. Kudos to Michaels for this characterization!
clarab12's review
5.0
I absolutely adored this book! I'm so glad I gave it a go as it has been such a pleasant surprise.
Savvy's mum is a rock star (a very selfish one) and spends her time on tour with her. Savvy just wants to have a normal life and so her mum drops her off with her Aunt and has had very little contact with her mum ever since.
Now that Savvy is all grown up things aren't going so well since she has been dumped by her long term boyfriend. She decides she must figure out what it is she wants to do with her life and we start to see her as a very good cook and cocktail maker.
She starts writing reviews about restaurants she has visited and this is how she gets to meet the lovely Milo and the story really begins.
I shall spoil nothing but I will say this is a book worth picking up as it just fab!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Savvy's mum is a rock star (a very selfish one) and spends her time on tour with her. Savvy just wants to have a normal life and so her mum drops her off with her Aunt and has had very little contact with her mum ever since.
Now that Savvy is all grown up things aren't going so well since she has been dumped by her long term boyfriend. She decides she must figure out what it is she wants to do with her life and we start to see her as a very good cook and cocktail maker.
She starts writing reviews about restaurants she has visited and this is how she gets to meet the lovely Milo and the story really begins.
I shall spoil nothing but I will say this is a book worth picking up as it just fab!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
clair_82's review
5.0
I absolutely adored A.L. Michael’s [b:Goodbye Ruby Tuesday|29912900|Goodbye Ruby Tuesday (The House on Camden Square #1)|A.L. Michael|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1460601313s/29912900.jpg|50290062] series so I was very excited to find out that there was a new series coming out with new characters to fall in love with. The first one, Cocktails and Dreams does not disappoint!
A.L. Michael is back with her signature writing style; laugh-out-loud stories with brilliant, relatible characters who are having to also deal with the tougher side of life.
Savvy (or Savannah) is haunted by her past; she constantly lives in the shadow of being the daughter of a wild and tempestuous singer, Persephone Black. Savvy spent the first 7 years of her life on the road with Persephone and her entourage – never setting down any roots, making friends or actually having a life, instead living in the shadow of Persephone. Savvy then decides she wants a normal life and rather than her mum giving up the road, Persephone leaves her with her sister, sets off into the sunset without looking back. Savvy then moves from being in her mother’s shadow into her boyfriend’s – after 9 years of being the dutiful girlfriend, her DJ boyfriend then cruelly dumps her and that’s where we meet up with Savvy.
Cocktails and Dreams is a fantastic journey into Savvy discovering who she actually is – rather than who she has been told she is for most of her life. Savvy has to hit almost rock bottom in order to fly. I loved the fact that she enjoyed her job at the burlesque bar, The Martini Club – usually these places are portrayed as seedy (or maybe I read too many crime books!) but this one is tasteful with a regular nice clientele and staff who all get on and look out for one another.
There are some wonderful, diverse characters in this book whose stories all effortlessly intertwine into each other. I really enjoyed the individual relationships that Savvy had with them all; from her aunt who has raised Savvy since she was 7 years old, to her father who dropped everything to be a dad once he discovered that he had a daughter, to the chef at The Martini Club who recognises Savvy potential to the wonderful bartender who Savvy bumps into on a night out.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable read which is both hilarious and heartwarming – Savvy is the type of girl I think we all relate to at some point or another in our lives. I cannot wait for the next books in the series to find out what Savvy and co. get up to next!
A.L. Michael is back with her signature writing style; laugh-out-loud stories with brilliant, relatible characters who are having to also deal with the tougher side of life.
Savvy (or Savannah) is haunted by her past; she constantly lives in the shadow of being the daughter of a wild and tempestuous singer, Persephone Black. Savvy spent the first 7 years of her life on the road with Persephone and her entourage – never setting down any roots, making friends or actually having a life, instead living in the shadow of Persephone. Savvy then decides she wants a normal life and rather than her mum giving up the road, Persephone leaves her with her sister, sets off into the sunset without looking back. Savvy then moves from being in her mother’s shadow into her boyfriend’s – after 9 years of being the dutiful girlfriend, her DJ boyfriend then cruelly dumps her and that’s where we meet up with Savvy.
Cocktails and Dreams is a fantastic journey into Savvy discovering who she actually is – rather than who she has been told she is for most of her life. Savvy has to hit almost rock bottom in order to fly. I loved the fact that she enjoyed her job at the burlesque bar, The Martini Club – usually these places are portrayed as seedy (or maybe I read too many crime books!) but this one is tasteful with a regular nice clientele and staff who all get on and look out for one another.
There are some wonderful, diverse characters in this book whose stories all effortlessly intertwine into each other. I really enjoyed the individual relationships that Savvy had with them all; from her aunt who has raised Savvy since she was 7 years old, to her father who dropped everything to be a dad once he discovered that he had a daughter, to the chef at The Martini Club who recognises Savvy potential to the wonderful bartender who Savvy bumps into on a night out.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable read which is both hilarious and heartwarming – Savvy is the type of girl I think we all relate to at some point or another in our lives. I cannot wait for the next books in the series to find out what Savvy and co. get up to next!
jennie_bunnie's review
4.0
I love foodie books, but I was not prepared for how much I would like this book. The scenes and dialogue was well written and I liked Savvy, she’s a very relatable main character. I really connected with her, she’s a lot like me. “I’m too calm, I’m too reserved. I’m, quite frankly, a cold fish. And that hurts, but it’s who I am.”
I like how the fact that she's a culinary genius in the beginning but it gets tempered by the scene with Ricardo showing her the things she doesn't realize that she needs to know, ie, how many people she needs in the kitchen or how to calculate how much food for a large group. It gives a much more believable feel.
Goodreads has part of the title as: (Martini Club #1). If the series continues, I would love to read them!
I like how the fact that she's a culinary genius in the beginning but it gets tempered by the scene with Ricardo showing her the things she doesn't realize that she needs to know, ie, how many people she needs in the kitchen or how to calculate how much food for a large group. It gives a much more believable feel.
Goodreads has part of the title as: (Martini Club #1). If the series continues, I would love to read them!
leahtd's review
4.0
I really enjoyed reading Cocktails and Dreams by A.L. Michael. The story was fun and the main character was flawed, likable and extremely relatable. Everyone has felt like a doormat at some point in their lives or been unsure of their dreams or where to go next. This is the first book I have read by Michael and plan to read more of her work. Michael writes in a strong voice and weaves a strong story. OH and I LOVED the cocktail rececipe at the end!!
Savannah Curtis is just getting out of a 9-year relationship, so her world is understandably turned upside down. Everyone keeps telling her that her break up with her b-list, dj boyfriend is the best thing that could happen to her, but Savannah isn't seeing it yet. While Savannah is trying to figure out her next move, issues with her rock star mother, Persephonie Black, pop up. With the help of her family, friend, co-workers and a cute bartender named Milo, Savannah Curtis is trying to find out who she really is, what her dream is and how to be heard.
Here is one of my favorite quotes that can be found on page 91 of the ebook, "You know what, I think I was wrong. Dreams die. They die when they are ready to die, and when new ones are ready to bloom."
This is fun, easy read that will leave you satisfied and happy to have spent some time with the book's exciting cast.
Thank you to NetGalley who gave me a copy for an honest review.
Savannah Curtis is just getting out of a 9-year relationship, so her world is understandably turned upside down. Everyone keeps telling her that her break up with her b-list, dj boyfriend is the best thing that could happen to her, but Savannah isn't seeing it yet. While Savannah is trying to figure out her next move, issues with her rock star mother, Persephonie Black, pop up. With the help of her family, friend, co-workers and a cute bartender named Milo, Savannah Curtis is trying to find out who she really is, what her dream is and how to be heard.
Here is one of my favorite quotes that can be found on page 91 of the ebook, "You know what, I think I was wrong. Dreams die. They die when they are ready to die, and when new ones are ready to bloom."
This is fun, easy read that will leave you satisfied and happy to have spent some time with the book's exciting cast.
Thank you to NetGalley who gave me a copy for an honest review.
ljbentley27's review
4.0
Whenever I read a book by AL Michael I get cross. No, not with AL Michael but with myself. You see, every book I have read by AL Michael I have enjoyed. I don’t know why I leave it so long in between reading them.
This was the exact thought I had after I finished Cocktails and Dreams.
The story focuses on Savvy. Now Savvy does anything for an easy existence. She stayed with her boyfriend because it was easy. She worked temp jobs because it was easier than figuring out what or who she wanted to be. Add into the mix a flaky musician mum and you can’t help but sympathise with Savvy and her want for a simple kind of life.
However, her world turns upside down when she is dumped by her boyfriend and everything that she thought she knew about herself starts to unravel. But is it for the best?
I genuinely loved Cocktails and Dreams. I couldn’t put it down and it is one of those books that feels like it is over too quickly because you haven’t been able to stop turning the pages. Savvy is a likable lead character and you really root for her throughout.
Another fine job, A.L. Michael. Well done!
Cocktails and Dreams by A.L. Michael is available now.
For more information regarding A.L. Michael (@ALMichael_) please visit her Twitter page.
For more information regarding Canelo (@canelo_co) please visit www.canelo.co.
This was the exact thought I had after I finished Cocktails and Dreams.
The story focuses on Savvy. Now Savvy does anything for an easy existence. She stayed with her boyfriend because it was easy. She worked temp jobs because it was easier than figuring out what or who she wanted to be. Add into the mix a flaky musician mum and you can’t help but sympathise with Savvy and her want for a simple kind of life.
However, her world turns upside down when she is dumped by her boyfriend and everything that she thought she knew about herself starts to unravel. But is it for the best?
I genuinely loved Cocktails and Dreams. I couldn’t put it down and it is one of those books that feels like it is over too quickly because you haven’t been able to stop turning the pages. Savvy is a likable lead character and you really root for her throughout.
Another fine job, A.L. Michael. Well done!
Cocktails and Dreams by A.L. Michael is available now.
For more information regarding A.L. Michael (@ALMichael_) please visit her Twitter page.
For more information regarding Canelo (@canelo_co) please visit www.canelo.co.
zoeh2088's review
4.0
A fantastic start to a new, exciting serious. We follow Savvy on her journey from mousy and timid to feisty and strong. Such wonderful characters, delicious drinks and food, and a wonderful backdrop of London