Bookshelf Challenge: Status Update

Well, the "doom" part of the "Bookshelf Challenge of Doom" has apparently set in.  

My last challenge book ended in a DNF around the 40-page mark and since DNF posts don't make for terribly invigorating reading, I think I'm going to save the DNF reads for April and lump them together in one post at the end of the month.

Luckily, though not challenge related, I've been reading a crap-ton (that's a very scientific measurement, right there) of good books lately so I have some reviews coming in the next few days.  Expect hot Russians-lots and lots and lots of hot Russians.  Also, a sexy-as-hell prison inmate (no really), kraken (oh yes), and an adorably stuffy billionaire who needs to loosen up. April's been an excellent month for new books.

Bookshelf Challenge: Book #9

What did I read?

A Hopeless Romantic by Harriet Evans

(Genre: Chick Lit)

(Amazon||Goodreads||Author'sWebsite)

The synopses?

"Laura Foster is a hopeless romantic. Her friends know it, her parents know it - even Laura acknowledges she lives either with her head in the clouds or buried in a romance novel. It's proved harmless enough, even if it hasn't delivered her a real-life dashing hero yet. But when her latest relationship ends in a disaster that costs her friendships, her job, and nearly her sanity, Laura swears off men and hopeless romantic fantasies for good.  

With her life in tatters around her, Laura agrees to go on vacation with her parents. After a few days of visiting craft shops and touring the stately homes of England, Laura is ready to tear her hair out. And then, while visiting grand Chartley Hall, she crosses paths with Nick, the sexy, rugged estate manager. She finds she shares more than a sense of humor with him - in fact, she starts to think she could fall for him. But is Nick all he seems? Or has Laura got it wrong again? Will she open her heart only to have it broken again?"

Why was it on the shelf?

I am almost 100% certain that glitter is at fault for this one. Glittery fountain on the cover alert! It's so cheery! Also, chick lit was my first foray into reading anything remotely like contemporary romance so they have a special place in my heart. I need to read them more often.

Why did I finally read it?

I was in between books, looked at the shelves and went "that one!" For no apparent reason.  Also, I pessimistically thought I would DNF it and that it would be nice to free up 500-some pages of room on the shelves.  Why yes, I am sometimes horrible.  Oh, well.

Thoughts on the book?
This was more enjoyable than it ought to have been.  I mean, Laura is a straight-up dumbass for large swaths of this book.  But she's a rather lovable dumbass?  And her family and friends are great? And Nick is totally charming and adorable?  Yup, all those things.  I rather enjoyed it but I don't know that I'm going to run out and buy of Harriet Evans' backlist.

How's the challenge going?
Ugh, I have stalled a bit.  I got bogged down in highly anticipated ARCs and the latest BDB book but I'm hoping to tackle another book from the shelves this weekend.