Renee Carlino

Emiline is just trying to figure out her life after a childhood of tragedy. She is now a writer, still unpublished and and adjunct writing professor at UC San Diego. Her boyfriend, Trevor was an up and coming football star until his shoulder injury and now floats along in life. One day, Emiline's roommate Cara introduces her to a new bestseller called All the Roads Between by a mysterious new author. From the first sentence Emiline is blindsided, somebody has written about all of the nitty show more gritty ups and downs from her childhood. Only one person could have written something so specific about her life, Emiline's best friend, first love and the person who she has spent the last twelve years trying to get over, Jason. Will reading his book about her experiences help her get over her past or just bring back the memories that she has been repressing?

A story of love, loss, getting over it, and beginnings and endings. As soon as Emiline realized that a book had been written about her by her childhood friend, I went through the rollercoaster of emotions with her; anger, sadness, disappointment, love, relief, forgiveness and realization. Much like the book infers, I had no idea how anything would end. I really did like that there was a story within a story to tell of Emi and Jason's childhood adventures, instead of just flashbacks. This book made me feel so much, so quickly and I devoured each page just as quickly. This is a deep love story, but so much more. For anyone who has ever had to get over something from their past, Emi's emotional journey will seem all too real and familiar. Overall, a unique, powerful story that will have you gasping for air the entire way through.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. show less

Nope, this one wasn't for me. The first half was intriguing, but then it started playing into itself too much, being overly dramatic and taking itself too seriously.

What was up with the lung cancer thing? Why didn't she freak out and suspect it was true? Why didn't Cara and her aunts think that he was about to die? That was just glossed over.

Trevor??? What about Trevor? Where on earth did his addiction come from? There was no foreshadowing there--it seemed as though he was fully recovered show more from his injury. And that's how it ends? Um. No. That was way too simple and glossed over. And she was totally keeping him on the backburner just in case. Come on, girl.

And Jase? Okay, I get it, he saved her, they were in love as kids, la dee da. That doesn't translate into instalove twelve years later. Instalove is the worst. It's not at all believable, and to be honest, it was really darn CREEPY that he likely got his book to Cara, knew where Em lived, and basically presumed that she'd fall head over heels for him.

Also, I felt very uncomfortable reading about 15-year-olds having sex. Sure, I never like reading about people having sex, but really? Fifteen-year-olds? Can't we just leave some ambiguity? I do NOT need to be reading about fifteen-year-olds putting on condoms, nope nope nope.

Those were my main issues. Great premise, very poor execution, and I'm genuinely surprised to see how highly this has been rated. show less

Even though this is quite a predictable story, I actually enjoyed it! It is beautiful love story thanks to the chemistry between the main characters Kate and Jamie.

It is so well written and the story just flows so smoothly, that once you start reading you don't want to keep it down until it's finished. The setting of this book and the scenery described was so enchanting. I loved the way their friendship soon developed into a more intimate and meaningful relationship. And the ending was just show more too sweet!

Overall, a wonderfully light and delightful reading experience. show less

Shopping for Love was a sweet short story by Renee Carlino. It was exactly what I was looking for; something that I could easily squeeze in within one or two days and an easy page turner.

When getting into a short story you have to know that your character's are not going to be as developed, their storyline not as detailed and the pace will be faster. I found that this book made me still feel as though I was getting the whole story without feeling cut short.

You got a feel of each character show more and a bit about their background.

Hayden was our main character and really in a place of uncertainty. She was figuring out how to maintain on the path of success that she had started on. We know already that somehow she will fall for her client’s boyfriend but I thought it was interesting how it all played out. I expected there to be this betrayal of sorts but really most of the betrayal was in her head and I mean it’s not so bad. There were a few times a line was skated across but I loved the play on their attraction.

While Caroline was a fun character I wouldn't say that she is one that I would want to read another story about. For me she was bland and a bit boring but honestly that was her character and not anything to do with the writing. I think she was just stuck and you felt that reading along.

"I don't know why I ever doubted that we were right for each other."

Okay so there were a few times where Hayden was thinking and some things I just was like uhhhh okkkay... I mean sure sometimes with love or lust we go to extremes but this was one of those times that I was like calm down homie. I think she was just so desperate for love that she just latched on.

"You want to take care of me, Hayden?"
Blake hits all the boxes for love interest. He's crazy attractive, artistic, flirty and rides a motorcycle. He's a bad boy that is not a bad boy at all. I was completely drawn into this character.

If you are looking for a fulfilling short read, I’d recommend this book.

"There is no such thing as being overqualified if it's something you want to do." show less