Do you remember how I loved the Pippa Croft books The First Time We Met and The Second Time I Saw You ? Well, I have news!

The First Time We Met is for one week only (28th July – 3rd August) will be 99p http://www.amazon.co.uk/First-Time-We-Met-Oxford-ebook/dp/B00HS983P0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405944770&sr=8-1&keywords=the+first+time+we+met

Also The Second Time I Saw You will be £1.99 for one week only (28th July – 3rd August)! http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Second-Time-Saw-You-ebook/dp/B00IICN1EO/ref=pd_sim_kinc_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=18PBRK6A7KFZSXWBZX5Z

You must, must, must read these books (although I apologise that you will be left eagerly anticipating the final instalment which is out later this year).  The perfect summer bargain!

Pippa has also very kindly written a guest post about her favourite fictional couples as she knows that I am rather in love with her own love story.  Over to the very lovely Pippa....

MY FAVOURITE FICTIONAL COUPLES

Kate sent me a lovely email saying she was touched by the love story in the Oxford Blue series and asked me to blog about my favourite fictional characters, I rubbed my hands together in glee at such a fascinating question (not really, but you know what I mean...)

And how hard can it be to pick one – or two – or three? In the end, I went by my emotional reaction to the novel. Did I laugh? Did I cry? Have I never forgotten how I felt when I read the book?

 

Liza & ????

Mixed Doubles by Jill Mansell

It’s hard for me to say why I loved this book so much, without giving massive spoilers. I read this one on a special wedding anniversary on holiday in St Lucia so I was probably in a gooey state anyway. All I can say is that parts of this book made me blub uncontrollably, in public, while lying on a sunlounger. Very embarrassing. The ending is a huge surprise. I met Jill Mansell afterwards and fangirled over the story and she told me something about the writing of it that will stay a secret. All you need to know is that the story follows the relationships of three women – all great fun but it was Liza’s story that had me in bits.

Octavia and Gareth

Octavia by Jilly Cooper

I realise that Octavia and Gareth may be a slightly controversial choice, judging by some Goodreads reviews and I’m not surprised. This short romance is definitely a book of its time, written in the 70s when attitudes towards women were very different – thank goodness. At first I loathed the selfish socialite, Octavia, and the blunt self-made man, Gareth. I remember thinking; do I really want this couple to have an HEA? But in this brief novel, Jilly Cooper achieves the impossible and made me long for Gareth and Octavia to have their happy ending more than any other romance. Both the hero and heroine do some outrageous things, and it all takes place in a time warp but Jilly pulls it off, with the chutzpah that only Jilly can. Reader, I cried when they got together. In a good way.

Elizabeth Bennet & Mr Darcy

Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

OK. So I wanted to put them first but was worried that people would see those names pop up – again - roll their eyes and assume I couldn’t think of anything else. But bear with me here. That’s just the thing. I can’t think of many readers who *don’t* love Lizzy & Darcy. I know their love story is now over 200 years old but it still captivates us in our millions.

We’re still trying to capture what’s so magnetic about the chemistry between the rich, repressed, aloof Darcy and the bright, incisive woman who - while not exactly ‘poor’ –takes an enormous risk in turning down the chance of lifelong security for herself and her family. All because, in a most contemporary way, she isn’t sure that he’ll make her happy.

We’re still wondering and analysing the masterfully written build-up and the journey from that black moment of refusal to the sparkling, life affirming joyous and oh-so-right ending. Many movies have been made, many novels written, many PhD theses submitted on that very topic so I’ll just say. Lizzy and Darcy are still my favourites.

The Second Time I Saw You- Pippa Croft

The Blurb
Lauren and Alexander's journey continues in the second novel in Pippa Croft's Oxford Blue romance series.

It's the beginning of a new term at Wyckham College, Oxford, and a fresh start for Lauren Cusack. Her fingers were badly burnt when a whirlwind romance with gorgeous English aristocrat, Alexander Hunt, became too hot to handle - and now she's determined to keep her distance.

Her resolve is shaken when Alexander appears on her doorstep - he's been completely torn apart by some devastating news. Lauren knows that she should stay away, but their chemistry is undeniable and she soon finds herself back in Alexander's arms.

Can Lauren handle the drama that comes with Alexander Hunt? Or will she have to sacrifice the most exhilarating passion she's ever known . . .

Fans of E L James, Tammara Webber and Beth Kery won't be able to get enough of Pippa Croft's Oxford Blue romance series. The First Time We Met and The Second Time I Saw You are the first two novels in the series, followed by Third Time Lucky, which is also available to pre-order from Penguin.

Pippa Croft is the pen name of an award-winning romantic novelist. After studying English at Oxford, she worked as a copywriter and journalist before writing her debut novel, which won the RNA's New Writers' award and was later made into a TV movie. She lives in a village in the heart of England with her husband and daughter.

The Review
It is really rare that I read books in a series back to back regardless of how much I love them, but I couldn't help myself when it came to Pippa Croft's Oxford Blue series.  I loved the balance of out and out drama and tantalising raunch in The First Time We Met (you can read my review here ) and showed no restraint-I just had to read The Second Time I Saw You right away.

We're taken back to Oxford for Lauren's second term of university.  This book delves deeper than The First Time We Met- probably because we are already familiar with the characters.  However, life has irrevocably changed for Alexander, and although are plenty titillating sex scenes for the fans of erotica there is also a strong story running through the book. 

Without giving too much away we find out more about Alexander's younger sister (who pushes boundaries in the way teenagers are wont) and life at Falconbury, and I loved this.  It felt like the series had moved on yet still had all the familiar elements that I loved about the first book.  There are secrets and lies throughout and as the story unfolds the links between the characters are more apparent.  It seemed that the characters all had to grow up quickly because of events in this book, and I enjoyed finding out more about Lauren's compassionate side.

I'm not going to lie, the ending almost killed me.  It is a complete cliffhanger which had me screaming 'NOOOOOOOOOOOOO' at the thought that I'll have to wait for the final instalment of Oxford Blue.

It's fair to say that I'm a fan.  Hurry up with part three Pippa, we're all waiting!

The Second Time I Saw You is out now, published by Penguin.

With thanks to Penguin for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

The Second Time I Saw You- Pippa Croft *Blog Blitz*

Publishing 22^nd May 2014 Penguin

It's the beginning of a new term at Wyckham College, Oxford, and a fresh start for Lauren Cusack. Her fingers were badly burnt when a whirlwind romance with gorgeous English aristocrat, Alexander Hunt, became too hot to handle - and now she's determined to keep her distance.

Her resolve is shaken when Alexander appears on her doorstep - he's been completely torn apart by some devastating news. Lauren knows that she should stay away, but their chemistry is undeniable and she soon finds herself back in Alexander's arms.

Can Lauren handle the drama that comes with Alexander Hunt? Or will she have to sacrifice the most exhilarating passion she's ever known . . .

(The Second Time I saw you is the 2^nd book in the Oxford Blue Series.)

 

 

About the Author

 

Pippa Croft is the pen name of an award-winning romantic novelist. After studying English at Oxford, she worked as a copywriter and journalist before writing her debut novel, which won the RNA's New Writers' award and was later made into a TV movie. She lives in a village in the heart of England with her husband and daughter.

 

Author Links

 

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

 

 

The First Time We Met is the first novel in the sizzling new Oxford Blue romance series from Pippa Croft.

When US Senator’s daughter Lauren Cusack arrives at the enchanting Wyckham College of Oxford University, she hopes to mend her broken heart by throwing herself into her studies.

But then English aristocrat Alexander Hunt walks into her life and everything changes. Handsome, brooding, and with his own dark past to escape, Alexander is exactly what Lauren doesn’t need – but she finds herself helplessly drawn towards him.

Both Alexander and Lauren know that they should stay away from each other . . . but sometimes desire is so powerful that it conquers all else.

The First Time We Met- Pippa Croft

 

The Blurb
The First Time We Met is the first novel in the sizzling new Oxford Blue romance series from Pippa Croft.

Senator's daughter Lauren Cusack is leaving Washington behind for the dreaming spires of Oxford University - and she's ready for a challenge. Now a fully-fledged Master's student, Lauren is determined to make the most of every single minute.

But then she meets Alexander Hunt, and everything changes.

A devastatingly handsome English aristocrat, Alexander is as brooding and enigmatic as they come. Lauren tries to resist his advances, but he has his sights clearly set on the young American, and what Alexander wants, he gets.

Caution soon gives way to mind-blowing passion and Lauren is drawn into Alexander's privileged world of glamour and status. But all that glitters is not gold - for Alexander is a man with a dark past, and desire may not be enough to conquer all else ...

The Review
I'd heard so many fantastic things about this book that I couldn't put off reading it any longer.  And once I started it I was engrossed.  Totally and utterly engrossed.  Here's what I loved about this book.

This is an unapologetic sizzling romance full of lust and desire.  I love a good steamy passion-fest and this was perfect.  Lauren Cusack is the stereotypical well-to-do American abroad, studying for a Masters in art at Wyndham College, Oxford.  However, studying isn't all she is doing in Oxford- Lauren is charmed by Alexander Hunt, the future Marquess of Falconbury, and he proves to be a major distraction...  To be honest, I can't blame her for falling for his charms.  He's all enigma and testosterone, completely masculine.  Yum.  There is so much sexual tension in this book.  Pippa Croft captures the overwhelming physical attraction between Lauren and Alexander and my kindle was steaming up when the inevitable finally happened.  It was hot.  REALLY hot.

However, The First Time We Met is not just out and out smut (not that there is anything wrong with that, I just like a bit of story with my sex scenes).  The rest of the Oxford set, Lauren's best friend Immy, arrogant posh toffs Rupert, Gideon and Piers, bitchy Valentina and a pervy professor are interesting characters who add depth to the story.  I also loved the university setting with the famous dreaming spires and Lauren's charming attic bedroom.  When we are later thrown into life at Falconbury, old money and prestige reign.  It is a competitive world, full of male bravado and opinionated women waiting to made snide remarks.  If you can imagine Made in Chelsea in a novel, you won't be far off The First Time We Met.  Sex, drama, elitism, but above all else, completely addictive.  I loved it and moved straight onto the second book in the series, something I rarely do! 

It's fair to say Lauren and Alexander had me begging for more...

The First Time We Met is out now, published by Penguin.

With thanks to Penguin for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.