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My Favorite Souvenir

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From New York Times New Bestselling authors Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland comes a new, sexy standalone novel.

My planned trip for two unexpectedly turned into a trip for one. Rather than let my breakup get me down, I packed my bags and decided a week at a luxury resort was just what I needed.
But one calamity after the next, and suddenly I was stuck without a hotel room, along with a few hundred other people.
It looked like my fancy vacation was about to turn into me sleeping on the hotel lobby floor.
Until I overheard a gorgeous man pretending to be someone he wasn’t in order to steal a reservation from a guest who hadn’t shown up yet.
When I realized there were two rooms, instead of calling him out, I pretended to be his sister. That’s how the story of “Milo and Maddie Hooker” began.
We were the Hookers.
My depressing trip quickly made a U-turn into an adventure.
My fake brother spent the next few days showing me around his hometown. When it was time to leave, neither of us really wanted to go yet.
So, instead of flying back to our respective homes, we ventured on a road trip.
At every stop, we’d pick up souvenirs.
But as hot as our chemistry was, we never crossed the line.
Milo knew I’d just come out of a tough relationship and didn’t want to mess with a vulnerable woman.
So instead, at the end of our trip, we made a pact to meet again in three months.
It was always my intention to meet him.
But when I got back home, reality hit in a big way.
And I worried I may have lost my handsome stranger forever.
Was there a place for him in my future?
Or had the memory of him just become my favorite souvenir?

300 pages, Paperback

First published April 27, 2020

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About the author

Penelope Ward

82 books24.6k followers
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.

With over 2-million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty novels.

In 2014, Penelope’s fourth book, Stepbrother Dearest, became the #1 bestselling independently published Kindle ebook of the year on Amazon.com and was credited with igniting an entirely new subgenre of romance. Her 2016 smash hit RoomHate debuted at #2 on The New York Times Bestseller list. Penelope is an Audie Award Winner and three-time Goodreads Choice Romance of the Year Nominee. Her books have been featured in Entertainment Weekly and Publisher’s Weekly (Starred Review).

Penelope’s novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.

She can often be found chatting live with her readers in her private Facebook group, Penelope’s Peeps.

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5 stars
6,723 (46%)
4 stars
4,830 (33%)
3 stars
2,117 (14%)
2 stars
491 (3%)
1 star
232 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,517 reviews
Profile Image for Dilek VT.
1,545 reviews1,486 followers
Shelved as 'lost-interest'
May 5, 2020
I have read many reviews and have learnt 3 things that helped me to make my mind up about this book. Let me share them with you.

*********************************************

1.
After their road trip together, there is a separation between the hero and the heroine during which she continues to see her ex, giving him another chance. Actually this ex boyfriend dumped her before she met the hero. This is something I hate in a romance book. If someone dumped you, you don't give him a second chance - period.

And because of that separation, the intimacy and sexy times between the hero and heroine only begin towards the end of the book (appr. 80%).

*********************************************

2.
Also, the hero turns out to be her ex boyfriend's best friend!!! How stupid is that? How come she never heard about him or met him in their 3-year relationship?

*********************************************

3.
And lastly, what's these writers' obsession with fortune tellers? They butchered their novel Playboy Pilot with the fortune teller theme but I guess it wasn't enough that Playboy Pilot became an object of ridicule because of it since they are now doing the same thing here once again! Well, I guess they really have a silly formula in their hands.

*********************************************

Well then, I have made my mind up. Not reading it. Nothing about it sounds appealing any more. I will try to remember these writers with their better works such as Cocky Bastard.

*********************************************

Addition:

I have just been talking to my friend Carol and I have learnt that there is something else that would bother most readers:

The hero has a dead ex and not only he still suffers from his loss, he also feels guilty about it.
Profile Image for Mali Mor ❤️ The Romantic Blogger.
433 reviews571 followers
May 9, 2020
My-Favorite-Souvenir
Hazel's life took a turn after she got dumped by her fiancé, so she decides to go on their honeymoon in Colorado, alone. ❄
When she's about to return home – a storm disrupts her plans, and she finds herself in the hotel posing as a stranger to get a room – and meets Matteo, who has the same problem, so they both impersonating as brother and sister – Maddie and Milo Hooker. 💕

Matteo is a music teacher with a painful past who is intrigued by this beautiful stranger's story and decides she needs an adventure… And so, with their fake names, Maddie and Milo goes on a road-trip. 🍍💕

After they both lost so much, they finally feel… ALIVE. 😍
As the days goes by they don't want their time to end… but Hazel is still confused about her fresh breakup and Matteo doesn't want to be just a rebound – so they decide that if they feel the same in 90 days from now, they'll meet again at the same hotel, on Valentine's day.
But then everything goes to shit… 😱

Will they find the right timing? Or is the time spent together will be just a wonderful memory…? 🍍💕

📚 "𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙤𝙤 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙧 𝙙𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙣𝙤𝙬…𝙄’𝙢 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪.” 📚

This book was cute and the audio passed my time in a fun way, but… heck, what is it with these authors and the same repetitive pattern?? 😬
Right from the start, I could predict everything about to happen:
A hero with a painful past in which he lost someone important to him… He feels guilty… The only woman who manages to penetrate his walls after years of pushing everyone away is the heroine… A silly drama towards the end, that leads to a breakup, and then they make up… THE END. 🙈

In that, this book reminded me of 'Cocky Bastard', because the first part of the book was fun and sexy, compared to the other half that made me roll my eyes and hate (almost) all the characters in it. 😂😂😂

So while it's not the best book I've read lately, there is no doubt that these two knows what they are doing – because at the end of the book I was left with a big smile on my face. 😍
And, as always, their covers are AWESOME, right?! 🔥

So if you want to read a fun comedy with a story full of sexual tension about friendship and fate… this is the book for you. 🍍💕

• I listened to the AUDIO version. 🎧

▪️▫️▪️▫️▪️▫️▪️▫️▪️▫️▪️▫️▪️▫️▪️▫️

📖 ᖴOᒪᒪOᗯ ᗰE Oᑎ IᑎᔕTᗩGᖇᗩᗰ: https://www.instagram.com/the_romanti...

📖 ᐯIᔕIT ᗰY ᗷᒪOG ᖴOᖇ ᗰOᖇE ᖇEᐯIEᗯᔕ: https://books-romance.com/

📖 GOOᗪᖇEᗩᗪᔕ: https://bit.ly/3acMRMP

💕 לקריאת הסקירה בעברית, כנסו לבלוג: https://books-romance.com/ 💕
Profile Image for Patty ~ Wrapped Up In Reading Book Blog.
1,260 reviews10.1k followers
April 26, 2020
*****FIVE STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Authors}


I could feel the rapid beat of his heart through my chest…or maybe it was my heartbeat raging out of control against his. I couldn’t be sure because in this moment, there was no him and no me—there was only us.



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Fans of this amazing writing duo are in for another fun and steamy good time with ”MY FAVORITE SOUVENIR”. In an overly saturated genre, I sometimes feel like I am reading the same story, just with different characters, but that was not the case with this book. I fell in love instantly with the plot and the Hero & Heroine. Their willingness to throw caution to the wind and live a couple of weeks being utterly spontaneous made this a thoroughly entertaining read for me. Milo and Maddie’s insanely hot chemistry made the slow burn almost unbearably painful but it ended up being well worth the wait. I had the storyline clearly laid out in my mind before I got to the halfway mark and truly never expected the twist that the authors threw in. It turned a 4.5 star read into a five star one instead.


Here are my overall ratings:
Hero: 5
Heroine: 5
Plot: 5
Angst: 4.5
Steam: 4.5
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 5



”MY FAVORITE SOUVENIR” releases on April 27th. It’s stories like these that help to make self-quarantining less of a hardship.





Profile Image for Pavlina Read more sleep less blog  .
2,434 reviews5,107 followers
April 27, 2020
<3 5 STARS <3

My Favorite Souvenir was exactly what I needed!This period I'm a little bit moody and I can't find easily 5 stars read!I devour it, it was steamy,funny and emotional!The thing I loved the most in this story is the chemistry between the characters!

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I just couldn't get enough of them!I loved Matteo and Hazel so much, I liked how they met!Their story is refreshing and heartwarming.I connected immediately with both characters and I felt like I'm a part of their story!

This is another fantastic read from my favorite duo!It's exactly what you need, I highly recommend it!


 


  
Profile Image for Christy.
4,077 reviews34.5k followers
October 6, 2020
4 stars
“What if you met the right person at the wrong time?”

This was another great audiobook by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward. My Favorite Souvenir was fun, sweet, angsty, and steamy. I loved Mateos and Hazel. I love a good roadtrip story and the friends to lovers aspect was great. The ending had me smiling big!

October Audible Escape listen #5
Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Romance
Narrators: Andi Arndt & Sebastian York
Length: 8 hours and 45 minutes



Profile Image for Hulya Kara Yuksel.
986 reviews1,268 followers
April 29, 2020
It was quite fun and sweet but "Cocky Bastard" is still my No.1. ❤


Expected publication: April 27th 2020

-Cover Revealed-


BLURB :

My planned trip for two unexpectedly turned into a trip for one. Rather than let my breakup get me down, I packed my bags and decided a week at a luxury resort was just what I needed.
But one calamity after the next, and suddenly I was stuck without a hotel room, along with a few hundred other people.
It looked like my fancy vacation was about to turn into me sleeping on the hotel lobby floor.
Until I overheard a gorgeous man pretending to be someone he wasn’t in order to steal a reservation from a guest who hadn’t shown up yet.
When I realized there were two rooms, instead of calling him out, I pretended to be his sister. That’s how the story of “Milo and Maddie Hooker” began.
We were the Hookers.
My depressing trip quickly made a U-turn into an adventure.
My fake brother spent the next few days showing me around his hometown. When it was time to leave, neither of us really wanted to go yet.
So, instead of flying back to our respective homes, we ventured on a road trip.
At every stop, we’d pick up souvenirs.
But as hot as our chemistry was, we never crossed the line.
Milo knew I’d just come out of a tough relationship and didn’t want to mess with a vulnerable woman.
So instead, at the end of our trip, we made a pact to meet again in three months.
It was always my intention to meet him.
But when I got back home, reality hit in a big way.
And I worried I may have lost my handsome stranger forever.
Was there a place for him in my future?
Or had the memory of him just become my favorite souvenir?
Profile Image for NAT.orious reads ☾.
877 reviews381 followers
October 24, 2020
This book is for you if… you’re sick of the usual bad mouthed billionaire who’s got nothing better to do than be an asshole and gets the girl still.

Overall.
Nothing is more appreciated in a bookworm's life than for the right book to appear at the right time. My Favourite Souvenir is a weightless yet meaningful story that managed to make me smile a lot more than I would have thought possible. I also gushed about the male love interest an above-normal amount. Hehe.



If it weren't for books like this one I'd think there's an unwritten law for every romance to feature an asshole billionaire bad boy with an awful temper and no manners and a random heroine in some sort of lame business environment. Thankfully, that's just the lifeless formula most of the romance authors out there use. Not so Penelope and Vi.

I was especially infatuated with Milo/Matteo because he's both gentle and strong without insulting his so-called love-interest 24/7. I like how Matteo as well as Hazel find it in themselves to have respect for each other's current situation and still manage to have a terrific relationship, both during and after their vacation trip.

I enjoyed about every fragment of this book except for that part where the heroine just keeps putting up with the ex-fiancé who cancelled the wedding last minute.


Although it's evident Hazel does not have feelings for him anymore despite his best (and worst) efforts, she just lets herself be dragged around to date after date. Just about every party had to suffer for that: Hazel herself, Milo and Brady. Although Brady definitely deserved it especially with what he did that made Hazel realise it was over for good. (I just now realise I already forgot whether that's for sure his name, that's how inconsequential I found him in the second part of the book.)

On a side note, I saw many people complaining that the actual sexy time didn't happen until the last fifth of the book. Personally, I don't see a problem with that. It went well with the story and made it all the better when it finally happened.

What’s happening.
‘What’s the point of beauty if you don’t share it with others?’

And nothing brings out the beauty in you like your potential soulmate. Somebody who, even when you're at the lowest of your existence, manages to make you see the good and beautiful in this world. Ladies, gents, and everything in between and outside of that binary, may I bring to you: Hazel and Matteo.
_____________________
5 STARS. Absolutely loved it. Memorable read that I'm likely to return to. Takes up space in my mind long after I've finished it. Oftentimes a particularly insightful read. Will recommend it with my last breath.

4 STARS. Would stay up beyond my typical hours to finish it. I found some minor details I didn't like, agree with or lacked in some kind but overall, this was enjoyable and extraordinary.
Profile Image for MELISSA *Mel Reader*.
1,388 reviews1,454 followers
April 28, 2020
4.5 Stars!
(ARC provided by author)

 photo 2161E361-1407-410C-A38A-A4B4EDDFF2B6_zpsojbshwxt.jpg

Hazel Appleton is a photographer living in Connecticut whose life has just been turned upside down. She used to be a passionate person who experienced everything life had to offer. Lately she hardly recognized herself, and needed to figure out what direction to take her life in next. She could use some time alone to do some soul searching, so she decides to take a previously planned trip for two by herself. She figures a few days out of town at a luxury resort would be good for her, but soon her vacation turns into a nightmare. Nothing goes as planned, and when she see’s an opportunity to fix the disaster she’s in, she takes it. This includes pretending to be the sister of another hotel guest who is in her same predicament. This is how the story of Milo & Maddie Hooker begins.

 photo EAF85C38-35AC-4711-9534-7781CBA8D5E9_zpstgbumynw.gif

Matteo and Hazel aka Milo & Maddie’s time in Colorado takes a spontaneous turn as they become more impulsive and have fun spending time together. They are really enjoying each other’s company, and don’t want their time together to end. They decide to take a road trip, and it’s the first excitement she’s felt in years. Their connection is intense from the moment they meet. Complete strangers help each other find their new paths and discover their deepest desires. They were both lost for so long, and felt alive again as they embark on a new adventure. Their time together is life changing, and what they feel is real, but Hazel is fresh off a break up, and not ready for a relationship. The timing isn’t right, but they are captivated by one another. Will they have a future together, or just become a wonderful memory?

My Favorite Souvenir by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland is an all new standalone contemporary romance full of explosive chemistry and sexual tension. It’s a beautiful, slow burn love story about fate, friendship, and second chances. I really loved this book and these characters, and adore these author’s writing!

 photo 708800B6-901E-4A2B-8B1A-C8DCD774F259_zpsqkbfrd0n.jpg

***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/3bGsGI8
Profile Image for ✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ .
2,209 reviews1,280 followers
April 27, 2020
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Hazel and Matteo.

Or rather Maddie and Milo.
Those are the fake names they give the hotel in Vail, Colorado in order to get the last rooms on that snow-stormy night.

Two strangers and two days of non-stop fun and talking in a snowy paradise.

But today they have to part ways. Right?

Nope. Both Hazel and Matteo are not yet ready to get back to their old lives.

ROAD TRIP!

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Let the fun times begin!

What will happen to Hazel & Matteo?
Will there be a HEA?
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT ☺

══════════════════

description

Adorable!


I really enjoyed reading this.

But also...
The blurb tells us too much. Or maybe it's because we first have this cute snowy holiday - which for my tastes could've been the whole book. Just stay in town and fall in love.

But then we go on this road trip!

And it was super sweet again. Adorable and sparky and fun. But way too short. The whole road trip part and the souvenir part was too short - especially when we look at the title of the book.
The book should've just been Snow & Roadtrip. The End.

But nope.

We know that there are some things in both our darlings' pasts that we need to overcome before we can get to our happily ever after!

And some of those things are just ... not my thing.

First of all - and I don't care if I spoil here - we go to see a fortune teller! I was almost done with the book then. I just don't do that sh*t. As a fun joke thing - okay. But they believed everything and she told them so much true stuff about their lives and futures and past. Just ridiculous. I didn't sign up for a paranormal romance. I don't believe in any of that and Matteo just became totally ridiculous in my eyes after that.

The next thing. I also did NOT sign up for a love triangle romance. I don't do those.

And even though we highly suspect - or know - that Matteo and Maddie will end up together ... I HATED the scenes with Brady in New York. And that was almost half the book! Which no blurb told us about!

The blurb and title made me hope for a cute and fun romance with a bit of drama towards the end. And I did not get that at all.

BUT - I really liked the good parts. There were cute and funny and sparky moments. I didn't hate the love story. I just would've cut out Brady and the fortune teller and made the road trip last a bit longer!

It was okay the way it was - but I expected so much better.

Also - the writing ... I think I also remember noticing that in the last few books. I don't like the writing anymore. The conversations are so stilted. So formal. So long. No normal, young person would talk like that!

Another tiny thing I didn't like - no idea why though. Just my personal taste. I didn't like the fact that Milo/Matteo was a teacher. I just don't think teachers are sexy - no offense to all you hot teachers out there - I just never met one of these unicorns. My teachers back in the nineties could've all starred in Game of Thrones - and not in a good way.
Milo could've been so hot as a rock star - even a local bar singer. Or as a music journalist - that way they could've traveled together more later on! But not as a teacher.

BUT please don't let me stop you from enjoying this book. This is just me and my weird reading dislikes. It was a cute romance! TRY IT!

MY FAVORITE SOUVENIR was a sweet & fun slow burn love story! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Matteo - this one is MINE!! ☺

P.S. I LOVE that cover - but that goes without saying with all the Vi & Penelope books!!! LOVE THEM!

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💜 💜



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Profile Image for Heather Adores Books.
1,082 reviews957 followers
September 26, 2023
4.5⭐
Genre ~ contemporary romance
Setting ~ Colorado, NYC, Seattle, Connecticut
Publication date ~ April 26, 2020
Page Count ~ 352 (32 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 8 hours 45 minutes
Narrators ~ Andi Arndt, Sebastian York
POV ~ dual 1st
Featuring ~ road trip, slow burn, some steamage, love triangle, cheating references

*older read mini review*

Hazel/Maddie & Matteo/Milo pretend to be siblings, so they can get the last hotel rooms to wait out a snow storm. Then they're off on a road trip from Colorado to NYC to spend more time together.

Overall, I could have went without the 3rd act drama with Hazel's ex fiance and the fact that they really should've known who each other was, but other than that, I had a fun time with this one.

Narration notes:
I did not listen to this one, but am just giving the info above for reference. No doubt is was great though with Sebastian whispering in your ear.

Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Profile Image for Carol.
1,347 reviews248 followers
May 5, 2020
DNF at 33%.
Went into this blind...it has been a while since I have picked up a book from these two and I was really hoping for a pleasant and entertaining story...... nothing special...just a good solid read that I would enjoy... but at 33% in... I am throwing in the towel.
It is not a terrible read...but it just feels bland, formularic with M.C.'s that feel "plasticky" and oh yes...there is the obligatory dead ex!!!

Zoe was a decent skier, but she didn’t ski double-black-diamond trails like I did. Rather than stick to the regular trails with her, I told her I’d meet her at the bottom because I wanted to do one last run down the doubles. She insisted on coming with me. I didn’t fight her on it hard enough, so she came. Halfway down, she hit an ice patch landing a mogul and went off course.” I took a deep breath and swallowed. “She hit a tree. Broke her neck. She died instantly.”
"at 20% in we are treated to the story of the dead ex.....not so surprising from these two authors at this point!!!!!!.....it appears the hero lost his ex in a skiing accident that he feels responsible for."

at 32%...…
I looked up. My lip trembled as I nodded silently while Maddie squeezed my knee. I had always blamed myself for Zoe’s death, because I’d let her ski the double- black-diamond trail with me, even though it was too advanced for her. To this day, I’d still been ruminating about the what-ifs. If only I’d told her not to come with me, she’d still be here.


HONESTLY …..it is not even the dead ex that made me quit....it was the fact that I felt absolutely no connection to the central characters....I cannot even remember their real names as I write this!!!

I think I will just stick to rereads of these authors earlier books from now on...it's sad as both these writers are hugely talented IMO and capable of much better!!!!!

OMG...not to pile it on but I just read from a friend that this story gets even worse..see spoilers below.

Thank you...Dilek...so glad that I stopped the insanity when I did....also it frees me up to read your beautiful book recommendation. Love you, girl. xoxo
Profile Image for giulia ✿.
372 reviews366 followers
April 28, 2020
I'm so disappointed. The premise and the beginning of this book were amazing. I am a fan of this duo, I adore most of their books but this one wasn't at all one of them. My main issue started from 50% to a little bit before the last chapter. i save the first part and the ending because they were really cute but the way the mc knew she was attracted to Matteo but kept seeing her ex while he clearly flirted and called her his girlfriend without her saying anything against felt so unneccesary and stupid since we all knew she didn't care about her ex at all. Anyway overall it wasn't anything new or exciting, a plot I've seen many many times in the past and I was pretty much bored for most of it.
Profile Image for swedishruler B.
322 reviews146 followers
April 28, 2020
Sounds something like their best book to date “cocky” why do I keep trying this duo.

Ok let me say this is nothing like cocky because CHANCE is unique. These authors can write but their stuff have become formulaic for me. I already know what’s coming cause it’s the same stuff.
Matteo first love died and he was still hung up on her all the way thru the end. Hazel had a ex fiancé that she was not over.
What I’m saying it never is a fun and cute read since “cocky” it’s litter with too much of the same crap.
I admit I skimmed thru a lot of stuff cause my eyes were rolling and I needed to keep them in my head. 😆

Anyway. Moving on.
Profile Image for shirley ♡.
309 reviews172 followers
April 28, 2020

2.5 stars.

This is the first time that I don’t enjoy a book by these authors. The book started well, I was enjoyed it but after 30% I got bored. I liked the main characters but I couldn’t connect with their story.
Profile Image for Miftahul.
370 reviews181 followers
May 10, 2020
Dnf at 80%. I tried 😓, when i read the blurb it intrigued me so I decided to give it a try cuz plot’s like this is one of my favs. But unfortunately it was a no no for me. The story is about Hazel whose fiance recently broke off their engagement, so she decided to go to the hotel they booked and stay for a while to think clearly but when she was about to leave, all the flights got cancelled cuz of the storm and there are no rooms available in any hotels. she meets a stranger who uses a fake name to get the room of the people who booked it but they were not there yet. He takes the name “Milo Hooker” and Hazel to get a room pretends to be his sister “ Maddie Hooker” . And they became the “Hookers”. They dont share their names and when its time to leave, Milo suggests Hazel to meet him at the same place after 3 months when she is able to really get over her ex.

Spoilers ahead :

Later Hazel finds out that Milo’s actual name is Matteo and he is her ex fiance’s best friend but by that time she was friends with her ex again cuz he wanted a second chance. I was hooked till 10% but then it just got SO DAMN BORING! And there was a scene where it showed Matteo’s ex lover Zoe who died, her spirit contacted him and said it was not his fault that she died. Now thats the MOST UNREALISTIC SHIT i ever read in my whole life. Even highschool kids behaving like mafia is nothing compared to that.

Then there is Brady or whatever his name is, he is the mofo who dumped Hazel cuz he was attracted to another women and cheated on her. But he never told that to her, not even when he asked for a second chance and when Hazel got to know about it, she didnt say anything. Like ask him question, or be angry or alteast cut his dick and feed it to him. BUT NOOO. She didnt say anything, and by that time Brady got to know about Matteo and Hazel and he was pissed so he didnt even give an explanation about the other women. I swear that guy annoyed me so much, i wanted throat punch him. The worst part is that Matteo got to know about the whole his bff cheating on Hazel thing but he didnt tell her cuz he didnt want to “ betray Brady’s trust” 😶

It was a slow burn which was WAYY TO SLOW. Too boring and too cringe. There was no chemistry between the characters, both of them were annoying shits especially Hazel’s friend felicity. She was seriously suggesting Hazel to take Brady back; i really hate friends like that. This book showed a side of Matteo and Hazel who likes adventure but they really didnt do anything except stop at gas stations and searching for hotel, oh did i mention lusting on each other and getting naked infront of one another but saying they cant do anything cuz REASONS 😶😶😶.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Stacey.
1,446 reviews1,144 followers
May 17, 2020
I want to be a Hooker...

I absolutely LOVED the audio of My Favourite Souvenir and I want to go on a road trip like Milo and Maddy Hookers. The story was engaging and kept my attention from the start to the very end. The characters were lovable, a little jaded, but working to find their happy place again. The narrators are THE BEST! I'm really loving the audios that Andi Arndt and Sebastian York work on together. This story came to life for me and I had no problems picturing the characters, their lives and what they were experiencing together.

I went in a little blind and it had a lot to do with trusting these authors and narrators. I just feel like I can't go wrong with these combinations of authors and narrators working together. My trust may have had a wee bit to do with the very appealing cover, too. That cover model looks very trustworthy. 😉

My Favorite Souvenir was just a really easy listen. Sure, there were highs and lows but they were never too hard to handle and I had faith that they would come out the other side happy ever after...ing.

That ending was so good. I finished listening while I was out walking and I know I looked like a goof with the big grin I was wearing. It was just so sweet and left me with all the happy buzzes.

If you're looking for a new audiobook that will leave you with a smile on your face, I highly recommend giving My Favorite Souvenir a try.

Profile Image for Andrea Fleury.
959 reviews76 followers
May 25, 2020
Milo and Maddie met when she went on her honeymoon alone. Her boyfriend broke up with her just before the wedding. Since the honeymoon was paid for she went alone. Deciding she wants to cut her honeymoon short she checks out of the hotel. But a snow storm has hit the town. This is the story how she meets a stranger .who's not a stranger and Maddie is not her name. Confused... This book will keep you on your toes. It's wonderful.
Profile Image for warhawke.
1,386 reviews2,103 followers
April 25, 2020
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person
Rating:




Hazel Appleton’s day was getting from bad to worse. What supposed to be a relaxing vacation quickly turned into a nightmare when she was stranded in a blizzard with no hotel room. A (not quite) chance encounter with a handsome stranger Matteo, led to a roadtrip neither of them could ever forget. But a carefree life on the road couldn’t necessarily translate to real life. Now, they must decide if what they had was real or turn it into just another memory.



Matteo was charming, considerate, and sexy. I love him especially when he’s hurt. I liked how Hazel took things into her hand and made things happen for herself. But she annoyed me for a certain part of the book with how she handled the situation.

Hazel and I might not wind up with a happily ever after. In fact, I was pretty certain that wouldn’t be the case. Still, I couldn’t end this story right here.
Not yet.
Not like this.


I love roadtrip stories and this one was fun and entertaining. The main characters had great chemistry and along the way, they encountered some wild and wacky characters.

My Favorite Souvenir is a story of soul searching and taking chances. It would appeal to readers who enjoy a light and fun slow-burn romance.





🚗💋🚗 . . . (F)BR With Loyda . . . 🚗💋🚗






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Profile Image for Grecia Robles.
1,570 reviews395 followers
July 8, 2020
Tenía tiempo que no leía un libro de Vi Keeland, ya que el último libro que leí de ella me decepcionó y menos en colaboración con Penelope Ward ya que ella no es mi favorita de la vida.

La primera parte es muy aburrida realmente no pasa nada sólo ellos viajando y crenado recuerdos durante dos semanas. Las primearas escenas fueron divertidas pero después se desinfló todo y ya para la mitad del libro dije con toda la pena del mundo pero Vi Keeland ya no funcionas para mí has caído de mi gracia.

Pero la segunda mitad mejora hay más salseo, muy telenovelezco todo muy al estilo Penelope Ward debo reconocer pero subió mi interés y también la calificación final.

En un principio se me a figuró a otro libro de ellas Cocky Bastard pero ese libro no me gusta la segunda mitad la odié demasiado sobre todo a la protagonista y en este caso no, ella si me desesperó un poco pero nada grave.
Matteo el protagonista es lo mejor del libro creo que es de los protagonistas más dulces que han creado sí es sexy as fuck, sí haces combustión espontánea al verlo, lo típico aunque no tuvo el charm suficiente para enamorarme. Ando muy exigente oigan.

El epílogo me encantó fue lo que más disfrute y la propuesta muy original y eso le dio puntos extras.
Profile Image for Dali.
1,920 reviews542 followers
May 17, 2020
Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward deliver another unputdownable romance with their latest, MY FAVORITE SOUVENIR.

Even though her wedding never took place, Hazel decided to go on her honeymoon and enjoy a winter wonderland vacation, but a blizzard left her and a few hundred other people stranded and without a hotel room.

Just when she was about to give up, she noticed a very attractive man tricking the front desk into getting him a room. Instead of outing him, she feigned being his sister and got a room of her own pretending to be Milo and Maddie Hooker.
“So, the Hookers are going to a party, and we don’t even know what it’s for?”
“Does it really matter? Have any of the destinations we’ve hit mattered? It’s the experience, the thrill of the unknown. It’s never the destination.”

After a couple of fun filled days it’s obvious the two clicked and instead of heading their separate ways they decide to take an adventurous road trip together. But even though they were attracted to each other and admitted as much, Milo was aware that she was still confused and vulnerable because of her recent breakup.
It made me so much more attracted to him to know he put my emotional needs above his own physical ones.

Even without knowing their real names but wanting to be much more, they decide to meet up at one of their road trip stops in three months to pick up where the left off is it was in the cards. Will reality obstruct their happy dreams of a future together?
I really did love what our relationship had grown into. It was pretty crazy to think I’d only known her a little less than a week. Especially when I felt like she knew me better than anyone else these days.

As with every collaboration between Keeland and Ward, MY FAVORITE SOUVENIR is an utter delight to read. I literally could not put Milo and Maddie’s story down. Their story was packed with heart, passion and delicious tension.

Keeland and Ward have an extraordinary ability to draw you into stories you can’t help but devour. I was hooked by Milo and Maddie’s charming meet cute and fun adventures, I loved how the tension between them slowly but surely grew sky high and was totally caught off guard by the twist of fate when they went back to their real lives. I was sitting at the edge of my seat rooting for them even when the odds seem to be against them.

My Favorite souvenir is a standalone contemporary romance, written by authors Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward. This is a perfect stay at home read. It is told from both points of view with a happy ending.

Amazon Paperback -> https://amzn.to/2KBFu6u

My super quick review/recap:
➵ Cover: 5
➵ Hero: 5
➵ Heroine: 5
➵ Sexiness: 5
➵ Feels: 5
➵ Plot/Pace: 5
➵ Overall rating: 5

* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *

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Profile Image for Fanny.
2,286 reviews54 followers
September 5, 2020



My Favourite Souvenir me dejo un regusto amargo, no porque la historia no sea linda y entrañable, sino porque se que si lo hubiera leido hace unos años, lo hubiera amado completamente, en cambio ahora no me provoco lo mismo, pese a eso disfrute leyendo sobre la relacion de Matteo y Hazel, solo que no de una forma tan profunda como esperaba.

La novela sigue la misma linea que los anteriores trabajos de este duo, el giro de tuerca me lo vi venir mucho antes de que sucediera y aunque admito que no me agrado al 100% la forma que tomaron las autoras para " solucionar " el conflicto, en general, My Favourite Souvenir me dio lo que queria : entretenimiento y un romance dulce con el que suspirar.

Hazel me gusto bastante, su personalidad me gusto aunque es verdad que quede con ganas de conocerla mas, siento que si las escritoras hubiesen profundizado en su personaje podia haberse convertido en una protagonista femenina muy memorable.

Con Matteo las autoras me sorprendieron, no es el tipico protagonista que este duo suele crear, es tierno, realista y adorable. Me gusto sobre todo que no tuviera el clasico caracter de macho alfa, fue un cambio muy refrescante.

Resumiendo, My Favourite Souvenir fue un muy lindo libro, lo lei en un pis pas y lo hice con una sonrisa todo el tiempo. Realmente lo recomiendo, seas o no fan de Vi Keeland y Penelope Ward.

3.5 Estrellas!
Profile Image for Jacob Proffitt.
3,125 reviews1,815 followers
June 17, 2020
You really have to give this one its premise for it to work, and that extends through the entire first part of the story. Hazel and Mateo meet under constrained circumstances by a little impromptu scheming for a soon-to-be cancelled reservation during a blizzard. So they assume the names of a no-show and decide to have a bit of letting-your-hair-down crazy time together for a while afterwards. And they maintain the assumed names so neither knows the other.

And I loved how they connected and worked together and had hijinks. I didn't quite buy some aspects of it, like how they'd maintain the pseudo-anonymity despite how well they connected. Or that Hazel would remain unsure of her feelings for Mateo because she might still be hung up on the idiot who dumped her. Frankly, her whole relationship with that phlegm-bait made zero sense once we finally meet him and that she'd be hesitant to give him a well-deserved boot to the head was an ongoing frustration.

Anyway, they part with a really dumb plan to meet back in NOLA in 60 days if they both still feel like it and they can reveal their real identities. And then a plot twist happens that I thought was pretty clever and that I would have liked a lot more if Hazel hadn't been all wishy-washy about her headcase ex. Seriously, I lost respect for her every time she gave that guy any space in her life. I don't care how remorseful he is about it, his coming back with a lame "I made a mistake" was so weak it wouldn't have moved duckling fluff with a tailwind.

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed Hazel and Mateo together. I liked how good they were for each other and how their growing trust built. And I liked that they were both explicitly interested in building an actual relationship like that was the actual point of being together.

And then a dark moment happened. And I'm sorry, but I just don't get not reaching out to someone you love for over a month if you actually love them. That doesn't work for me.

So in the end, this is a wobbly three stars and might have dipped more if the two protagonists hadn't been so very strong in the early story and I really, really wanted them to be together.

A note about Steamy: There are a couple of explicit sex scenes putting this, barely, in the middle of my steam tolerance. They were short and a little perfunctory, frankly, though that may just be that I didn't buy their excuses for not being together sooner. The delay felt weird and it mostly rested on Hazel's uncertainty regarding the ex so it tied into my problems on that score as well.
Profile Image for Seline.
535 reviews41 followers
April 28, 2020
Skimmed

When you keep reading stories that have been redone over and over again you just know what to expect. It becomes predictable, boring and NO FUN.
Profile Image for Bookgasms Book Blog.
2,834 reviews1,425 followers
April 24, 2020
My Favorite Souvenir is everything I love about romance books wrapped up in a charming, witty, smart, sexy, feel-good story of finding love just when least expected. Just when you thought life had dealt the worst of hands, you pick an ace and suddenly you’ve won the whole pot.

I devoured the tale of “Maddie and Milo Hooker” in mere hours. I couldn’t put down My Favorite Souvenir until I read the last word. I had to find out where the fun and fantasy of anonymity ended and real life began. Had to know they reached their happily ever after.

And they did, but, oof, it wasn’t a turbulence free trip. From their very first meet-cute to their pact to meet again, I couldn’t help but root for Maddie and Milo to figure things out and make their relationship real. They both had things to overcome from their pasts—pasts fraught with insecurities and getting over previous relationships.

But once they worked through the issues and finally realized what they had was real and true, Maddie and Milo never looked back. And that’s amazingly well written romance at its finest! ~ Missy, 5 stars

***

It was impossible not to fall a little bit in love with My Favorite Souvenir. "Milo" and "Maddie" lit up my Kindle with their chemistry which sparked and sizzled from the moment their paths crossed during their adorably unorthodox meet-cute, and only burned hotter as the story progressed. I found myself full-on heart-eyeballed and smiling moonily at my screen while they connected and began their super fun adventure.

It was impossible not to love them. They were both wounded characters in need of healing - but they weren't looking for that in each other. Indeed, this is a story of love found where it was least expected. And in some ways that turned their lives completely upside down. In other ways it put all the puzzle pieces snugly together. Their story is a bit of a rollercoaster, but their chemistry together was never dulled. When together, the story lit me up inside, it shone so brightly and was so much fun to read.

Some of the moments they were apart were harder for me to connect with. There are elements of this story that were not my favorite thing to read. I skimmed through some parts that dragged a bit for me, left me feeling impatient and irritated. I don't think it was poorly written or even necessarily untrue to the characters here - but there were some things I didn't love, and I kind of wish things had played out differently.

That said - those moments didn't take away from the gloriousness that was Milo and Maddie. By the end of the book that giant smile was pasted back on my face and I was wiping away happy tears. I loved every moment of them together. I loved their quirky, fun, and occasionally heart-wrenching story. But most of all I loved the very true way they loved each other, and how satisfying that was to read in the end. Definitely one of my favorites from this author duo and definitely worth checking out! ~ Shelly, 4 Stars
Profile Image for Jen (jensdreamylittlereads).
860 reviews99 followers
April 28, 2020
My Favorite Souvenir has stolen a piece of my heart and was such a wonderful, feel good adventure. This book was the exact escape that I needed in my life right now. I loved every second of this wonderfully quirky romance. From the moment I met these two characters, I instantly fell in love with them. Matteo and Hazel’s slow burn adventure romance swept me off my feet the first moment I started reading.

I absolutely loved everything about Matteo and Hazel’s unique, sweet, sexy, and swoon worthy love story. Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland created pure romance novel magic with My Favorite Souvenir. It truly was an epic reading journey from start to finish with the most beautiful, unique and unforgettable epilogue. Absolute perfection!
Profile Image for Lo Bookfrantic.
790 reviews589 followers
May 11, 2020

4★★★★Stars


Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person


 
“Life is too short to waste it with people you’re not passionate about or doing something your’re not passionate about.”


Hazel Appleton is trying to move on after a breakup that left her wondering about who she was and what she wants to do.  When Hazel decides to use that time to travel and use the best of her time she finds herself meeting a stranger which turns her time into an adventure.


“The way he said dirty sent a chill down my spine.  I loved the way it sounded coming out of this guy’s mouth.”



Matteo Duncan has been feeling lost for several years now; when he meets Hazel at a hotel in he never imagine the trip of his life will change his entire existence.  He wanted to stop time and stay on that trip as long as possible.  


”My heart had thumped inside my chest, and it made me realize how long it had been since I’d felt that kind of excitement.”



 
I completely fell for these two characters.  The book opens up with a super funny scene that had me cracking up the entire time.  When two strangers meet and become friends but strange things keep on happening while on their road trip that keeps connecting each other more it makes the story so enjoyable. The chemistry was on point and I found myself loving the connection.  The twist I actually didn’t guessed it right away and I found that it made the story fantastic.  


Overall; My Favorite Souvenir is a story about finding yourself and finding true love.  Readers looking for a light road trip second chance romance will find this book appealing. 

 

...This was a F(BR) with War...



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Profile Image for ✰  BJ's Book Blog ✰Janeane ✰.
2,837 reviews12 followers
April 22, 2020
ARC received for an honest review

Firstly - I love the cover. I don't usually even bother with the covers, however I love this duos covers.

This was like the tale of two books. The fun and flirty road trip with Milo and Maddie, and I really, really liked this half of the book.

Then we got to part 2, when our lovelies were back at home. And this I didn't like so much. I knew Milo and Maddie would get together in the end, what I wasn't expecting and didn't go for was the love-triangle aspect. This could just be me though.

I pretty much hated everyone in the second half (except for Milo). Maddie's ex Brady is a piece of work - and not a good piece. I disliked him from the minute we find out what he did early on, and every time he was on the page in the second half, I wanted to throw my book at his head. He made me ropeable. I was talking to myself, telling him to just eff off.

I got so completely frustrated with Maddie in the second half. Her flip flopping between Milo and Brady again made me want to throw my reader across the room.

I wish we had more of the road trip and the long distance thing rather than the triangle thing. Just extend part one and leave the douchebag Brady out of it all together. But this could just be me.

Part 2 really messed with my liking of this story unfortunately. But don't let this stop you from reading. I love Vi and Penelope's books, this one is just an anomaly for me.



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