Written by authors Cassie Mae and Theresa Paolo under the pen names Becca Ann and Tessa Marie
Lexie Boggs needs out of her house… away from her alcoholic mother and far away from the “white trash” label that’s been smacked across her chest. She’s saved every penny from her multiple jobs so she can dart out of there as soon as she graduates. But there’s something else she wants so badly she’s willing to spend every dime she has. Her senior class trip and the chance to seduce the senior hottie, Sean Dixon.
Ryan Parker knows how much college means to his best friend, Lexie. He also knows Sean is a player on a search for how many girls he can get in his bed. So instead of letting Lexie drain out her piggy bank, he forks out the dough to get her on the senior ski trip. Not only because she’s his best friend, but because he’s face-planted in love with her.
When Ryan and Lexie get jammed in the same cabin, with one king-sized bed and a whole lot of history, Ryan fights to keep his feelings hidden, while Lexie discovers some of hers.
Wanna know how I know a book is good? That it’s worth more than 4 stars? I can feel it. Literally. It starts as this shaky almost tingly feeling in my arms and it travels all the way down to my belly. When the characters are sad, I’m sad. When they laugh, I laugh. It’s this connection… And I felt it. I definitely felt it while reading King Sized Beds and Happy Trails.
There are a few things you should know about Lexie Boggs:
1. She is obsessed with nail polish. She has so many bottles of polish that I’m surprised they’re not coming out of her ears. The color usually matches her mood. Well not the color exactly, but the name of the color.
2. She is deathly afraid of spiders.
3. Her parents leave much to be desired. Lexie’s mother is an alcoholic of the worst kind. I think Lexie is more maternal than she is. And Lexie’s Dad? Um, he split town long ago leaving only a mood ring behind.
4. Lexie is in love with Sean Dixon – at least she thinks she is.
5. Lexie’s best friend Ryan is always there to make the dark days a little brighter, even offering her a place to sleep when her mom is out of control. He’s also good at pointing out boogers…
6. Because of recent events, it is imperative that she goes on the senior ski trip.
There are a few things you should know about Ryan Parker:
1. He lives with his grandparents because his mother is a… well, let’s just say she gets around, and his dad is no longer living.
2. He would do anything to make Lexie happy, including doing anything in his power to get her on the ski trip; even if he has to shell out the money himself.
3. He’s become an expert at spider killing – mission impossible style.
4. He’s pretty handy when it comes to fixing cars.
5. He feels the need to flex any time Lexie grabs his arm. <~~~ This happens a lot.
6. He is in love with his best friend.
Now, knowing what you do, could you imagine these two characters having to spending an entire week in the same cabin with only one king sized bed? Through a twist of fate, that is exactly what happens.
Ryan has to spend time fighting his feelings for Lexie as she finally begins to realize hers.
If you know me at all, you know I love me some Becca Ann (Cassie Mae). I’m new to Tessa Marie (Theresa Paolo), but if this book is any indication of what she is capable of, I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next! For Pete’s sake, I went out to Walmart and bought a stupid amount of nail polish after reading this book. If that doesn’t say I loved it, I don’t know what does! J
I love Lexie. Even though life has beaten her down repeatedly, she keeps getting back up. There are times during the book when people remind her that she’s “trash” – their words not mine – and while words hurt, she’s able to shake off their comments with the help of her friends. Especially Ryan.
“Beating yourself up over something you can’t control. Your mom doesn’t define who you are. You do. And if you ask me, you’re pretty kickass.”
Ryan… Ryan should give lessons on how to be a man (and he’s only, what? 17?). He’s fiercely protective, loving and loyal. When things go wrong, or Lexie cries, he’s right there to pick her up and put her back together. He’s not a fixer, just a lover. I think he’d literally do anything for her. *sigh*
And now for the first time in ten years I can admit, I’m in love with my best friend. I love him. Always have, just been too scared to admit it.
This review wouldn’t be complete without talking about Nate and Kaylee.
Oh man. Those two cracked me up. Mostly Nate. Who wouldn’t want a wanna be magician? If puppy dogs could be magicians, that would be Nate. Adorably following his owner around while preforming ridiculous tricks with rabbits and copious amounts of scarves. I adored him.
Kaylee on the other hand, was a kick-butt friend. She’d drop anything for Lexie. On more than one occasion Nate found himself thrown out of his room for a little girl talk. Sistas before mistas! Am I right? She was/is an amazing friend.
When I was around 70% of the way through the book I wrote Cassie Mae to tell her that I LOVED the book and was super upset that I was nearing the end. Do you know what she told me? The story is not over yet! Don’t get it twisted. This book doesn’t end in a cliffhanger. There is just more Lexie and Ryan to come! I’m assuming there will also be more Kaylee and Nate. Hey, a girl can hope, right?!
This is such a sweet read. Please don’t let it slip right by! Support these two amazingly gifted authors by picking up King Sized Beds and Happy Trails.