Giveaway + Book Review - [Pinned Up] by C. Michelle

[BLURB]
The pumps are red satin with a peep toe, a shiny black contrast heel, and a ruffle detail at the vamp. The cat eyeliner with exaggerated lashes and the red lipstick on my porcelain face make the forties inspired look reach perfection.
I enjoy being a pin-up model…

C. Michelle’s vibrant debut novel, Pinned Up is full of snappy dialogue, edgy humor, and a lot of heart. This fun look into the world of a modern-day pin-up model is one wild ride!

Twenty-five-year-old Nina Moretti lives a double life of sorts. She’s a victim advocate during the day and as a side gig, lives out her 1940s fetish as a pin-up model in San Francisco, California. While she may not “do” serious relationships, she has fulfillment in her work and hanging out with her best friend, Kade—the greatest sidekick any woman could possibly want. All is well in Nina’s hectic, but satisfying life…

That is, until she meets Josh, a stunningly handsome man who has a notorious reputation as a ladies’ man. For his part, Josh is reluctant to commit to any woman, largely due to his loving, yet overbearing mother. Nina, however, sparks his interest in a way that no other woman has before. As they navigate the pitfalls of romantic entanglement, both come to realize their pasts are intertwined in ways they could never imagine. Perhaps, they have more in common than just their fear of relationships. What are two people afraid of commitment supposed to do?

[MY REVIEW]
4 Stars

Who doesn't like vintage pin-up girls and cars?

 

Nina is 25 years old and is a part time pin-up model. She doesn’t do relationships and she’s perfectly fine with that. Nina has her circle of friends and a very pushy mom, but life is good. Josh is a man-whore and isn’t shy about that. Nina and Josh go out on “non-dates” and despite Nina’s reluctance, she soon starts to have feelings for Josh. 

I was interested in Pinned Up because I found Nina interesting, I hadn’t read a Heroine as a pin-up model and I do love fashion, so it just seemed like this would work. We are first introduced to Nina and we get to know her a little bit. She has a best friend named Kade and their relationship is very close. I liked how Kade and Nina became best friends and even though the story was shocking and came out of nowhere I appreciated it. 

 Josh is the typical man-whore we romance readers love. The guy who could have any girl and does, but the moment he meets his match, it’s like blinders are on and that’s all he sees. I liked Josh. I thought he was caring, charismatic and sweet. I liked Nina in the beginning. I liked her circle of friends and even her pushy mother was entertaining. I also liked how upfront she was with Josh in the beginning and was very clear on how she didn’t do relationships and the “non-dates” they went on were cute. However, towards the climatic-ending, she bugged the crap out of me and I really wanted to slap her. I think her stubbornness was pushing me a bit. If you like angsty tension, you will get it. 

There’s a lot that goes on in Pinned-up. I would describe the first half as Nina and Josh getting to know each other and the second half Nina and Josh uncovering past issues and working past them. I thought Josh and Nina got on fairly quickly, also known as insta-love. It’s safe to say, you didn’t have to wait too long for the steam. 

I think Pinned-up will cater to a lot of people. There’s a combination of tension, vintage fashion, past issues and secrets uncovered. 

 My favorite quote… only because I tell my book friends this 

I’m a book whore. If you see me with an open book, I suggest you don’t bother me, especially if you can tell that’s an intense part of the story. Lord forbid you breathe loud while I’m reading… I will cut you

An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review

GOODREADS

[TEASER]
“Josh, we need to talk. You’re not the only man who makes my panties wet. Several…scratch that…more like countless men make my panties wet.” I confess.

Josh gives me an incredulous look and waits for me to continue. “I’m involved with numerous men, sometimes even a girl or two catch my attention.” I take a long pause. “Yes, they’re all in books and are fictional characters, but our relationships are real. I’m a book whore. If you see me with an open book, I suggest you don’t bother me, especially if you can tell that it’s an intense part of the story. Lord forbid you breathe loud while I’m reading…I will cut you.” My expression is humorless. There are some things in this world that you can’t take lightly, my relationship with characters is one of those things.

[ABOUT THE AUTHOR]

C. Michelle earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Master of Business Administration degree while working as a probation officer and counselor. She has also served her community as a Victim Awareness Program instructor and an Aggression Replacement Training (ART) facilitator. Her love of all things funny and romantic led to the writing of her debut novel, Pinned Up.
C. Michelle is currently writing her second novel and resides in northern California with her husband and three children.

WEBSITE - GOODREADS - TWITTER - FACEBOOK

**Giveaway is hosted by GCR Promotions
a Rafflecopter giveaway