Given the choice between reading a hard copy of a book or an e-copy, I’m more likely to choose paper every time. There’s just something about holding a book in my hands that I love – not to mention there are way less distractions when there aren’t alerts flashing all over the screen, and I can get way more reading done in one sitting. But the upside of reader on an e-reader (Kindle, for me,) is the 10% sample at your fingertips. I do love that if I’m on the fence about a book, especially when it’s a new to me author, I can get a taste of their writing before investing my hard earned money on a book. Some samples blow me away and I am rabid for more, some leave me with a meh feeling, and it’s hit or miss on whether or not I’ll buy them (mood reader in the house!) and others, I can tell right away, just aren’t for me. I’ve been utilizing the sample feature much more recently, and I thought it would be fun to put a post together on a few books I have sampled, and whether or not I have decided to read them in their entirety. Without further ado, here are some recent tries.
Rebel Heir by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward
Book Blurb:
How to kick off a great summer in the Hamptons:
Snag a gorgeous rental on the beach. Check.
Get a job at a trendy summer haunt. Check.
How to screw up a great summer in the Hamptons:
Fall for the one guy with a dark leather jacket, scruff on his face, and intense eyes that doesn’t fit in with the rest of the tony looking crowd. A guy you can’t have when you’ll be leaving at the end of the season.
Check. Check. Check.
I should add—especially when the guy is your sexy, tattooed God of a boss.
Especially when he not only owns your place of employment but inherited half of the town.
Especially when he’s mean to you.
Or so I thought.
Until one night when he demanded I get in his car so he could drive me home because he didn’t want me walking in the dark.
That was sort of how it all started with Rush.
And then little by little, some of the walls of this hardass man started to come down.
I never expected that the two of us, seemingly opposites from the outside, would grow so close.
I wasn’t supposed to fall for the rebel heir, especially when he made it clear he didn’t want to cross the line with me.
As the temperature turned cooler, the nights became hotter. My summer became a lot more interesting—and complicated.
All good things must come to an end, right?
Except our ending was one I didn’t see coming.
What drew me to this book: Once again, my foray into bookTube has suckered me in, Desireé from Unbound Book Reviews raves about Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland, and the release of this book had her pimping hard. I read a Vi Keeland book years ago and really enjoyed it, but for some reason, I never picked another one up. But with all the buzz surrounding this one, and (HELLO) that cover, I knew it was time to jump back on the Vi Keeland train and give Penelope Ward a go.
What I thought of the sample: Going in, this book had two strikes against it. One – it ends with a cliffhanger. But it was easy to set that concern aside once I found out the next book was less than two months away. The other – the insubordinate employee that the boss just can’t help but fall for. Yes, I know. I have ranted about this trope, but there have been times when this trope worked for me. And guys, it seemed to be working for me here. I like Gia’s spunk and Rush’s grump already.
The Verdict:
I’m hooked, and I’ve purchased Rebel Heir. BOLO for my review in the next few weeks!
Reckless by Lex Martin
Book Blurb:
Tori…
For the record, I’m not going to hook up with my boss.
I’m a lot of things—a screwup, a basket case, a flunky. But when I take a nanny job to be near my pregnant sister, I swear to myself I’ll walk the straight and narrow, which means I cannot fall for my insanely hot boss.
I don’t want to be tempted by that rugged rancher. By his chiseled muscles or southern charm or the way he snuggles his kids at bedtime. Ethan Carter won’t get the key to my heart, no matter how much I want him.
Ethan…
Between us, she’s the last thing I need as I finalize my hellish divorce.
What sane man trying to rebuild his life wants a hot nanny with long, sexy hair, curves for miles, and a smart mouth? A perfectly kissable, pouty mouth that I shouldn’t notice.
My focus is on my kids and my ranch, not the insufferable siren who sleeps in the room next to mine. It doesn’t matter that she wins over my kids in a heartbeat or runs my life better than I do. Tori Duran is the one woman I can’t have and shouldn’t want, no matter how much I crave her.
What drew me to this book: It was a combination of things – this book has been in my Goodreads feed non-stop recently, and with that hot cover, I couldn’t help but check it out. The relentless Goodreads pimping, the cover, and the blurb sold me on this one.
What I thought of the sample: Guys…I didn’t even finish the sample of this one. I made it through the prologue and then raced to Amazon to buy it. I love that not only are we getting a story of ‘the other woman,’ but that it’s a ‘fresh start’ story. I love it when someone picks up and leaves to start over. Also, I already love this heroine. It’s clear she has a big heart and is just looking for a place to belong.
The Verdict:
Reckless is going to the top of my to be read list – I cannot wait to read this one!
I would love to know what you think of Amazon’s sample feature, and if there are any books you picked up that you may have otherwise passed on.
Books & Beauty Are My Bag 
I loved this post idea! You should keep this going!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! It was a fun one to do. I do plan on continuing. It ensures I get to read for fun!
LikeLike
Heck yeah! And you’ve always looked at samples before buying. You do with audio too, right?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, but only to get a sample of the voices. It’s really not enough to get a grasp on whether or not I’ll enjoy the story. I think it’s ten minutes for the sample, which is like four or five pages of the book. I need more than that! LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
It has been a really long time since I took the time to read a sample. I should probably do that more often. I haven’t read any of these authors yet but I look forward to your thoughts on these books!
LikeLike
I never sample…why not?! It would make such sense to do it! Dang, I should be mre like you
LikeLike
Samples are definitely helpful! I can’t think of specific examples, but I know I’ve decided against a couple of books because in just the little bit of sample available I knew I wouldn’t like it.
LikeLike
Love that cover for Rebel Heir. I don’t read book samples but audio ones are definitely hit or miss with what they offer. Whew!
LikeLike