From New York Times 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 … 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?
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3.5 ’s
This book took me down a different road to what I was expecting. If you are after a lighthearted fun get to know you road trip story, then you won’t find it here. This book is deeper and more dramatic. There seems to be two stages to the tale, and only a third is the travel side, the remainder is what unfolds when they discover their true identities. Personally, I would have liked more of the fun side, as stage two was too dramatic for me with it bouncing back and forth with the love triangle. I wasn’t a fan of the lies either, whether they are told face to face, or to omit to knowing facts. I did get a sense of familiarity about the story, it seemed somewhat predictable and a few things just did not feel genuine, I can’t get passed that they wouldn’t of worked out why each was in Veil. Having said that, if your favorite trope is second chance romances and plenty of angst, you’ll love this book. The crux of this story is two people finding themselves in an unusual circumstance and falling for each other on a short vacation. I enjoyed the cities and places they visited, as I’ve been to them as well, it was an awesome jaunt down memory lane. Then it’s about how they dealt with the ramifications each had to face back in the real world. The epilogue is super sweet and it made my heart sing for them. It was the best HEA they both needed.
I was very pleasantly surprised about this story when I read the synopsis it just didn’t sound like something I would be interested or would be interesting. I was absolutely wrong not only is the story grab you from the very first page the chemistry between the two characters is undeniable. you know a story is good when you’re reading and smiling from ear-to-ear laughing out loud. then all of a sudden your stomach is twisting and turning from being upset about the next thing that’s going to happen you’re even crying.so yes I can tell you it put you on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. I’d say it’s the best romance story of 2020.
Another hit by this lovely duo! This book has a lot of sweetness. There’s some angst too, though it’s a little different than what you may be accustomed to when you think of angsty reads. And of course, there is some sexiness. Though, not much actual action. Even if nothing was happening, the sexual tension was off the charts. But these two characters knew not to push the boundaries. Both are really good people who are slightly broken for different reasons and not really living life fully. Together they learn to heal and be the people they are meant to be. Of course not everything is as it seems and the little bubble they were living in pops, causing all kinds of chaos. Much of the book is enjoying their fun, spontaneous adventure, but when they go their separate ways, all hell breaks loose and that’s when all the feelings and emotions come into play. I wouldn’t say you’ll need any tissues, but you’re anxiety might spike a bit. Of course, I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that there is a happy ending, but getting there will leave you with doubts. This is a well written, well plotted story with all kinds of feels. It’s easy to read and hard to put down. Alternates between POVs.
Truly amazing. Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward’s books are full of romance, love, sweetness and so much more. But My Favorite Souvenir has adventure. From stuffed dead animals, to carnivals, to hazelnuts, and apples in trunks. This book is full of adventure for two perfect strangers who meet and decide to go on a road trip. No where in mind just going where the wind takes them. They become Milo and Maddie Hooker and leave their real lives behind. Hazel is getting over her cancelled wedding and not looking for any type of hookup. She is looking for adventure. Something she has not had in her current life. Traveling with Milo and Maggie you begin to see their relationship take root. He is the perfect gentleman. He knows what she is going through and he realizes that pushing her for a “one-night” stand no strings relationship is not what she needs. It isn’t until they meet the physic that he starts to let go. Hazel (Maggie) makes him want to live again. But in life eventually everything must come to an end. Their little adventure must end and they have to return to reality. But he suggests they meet back in 3 months at the exact place they are now. What happens when she returns to Connecticut may effect that meeting. Only time will tell.
Kudos to Vi and Penelope. Just let me know when your next adventure is and I will be there
Perfect!!
This book is sexy, fun, and emotional. Hazel(Maddie) and Matteo (Milo)’s adventure was not a traditional one. And their story had everything that almost made me bite my nails, wanted to reach the HEA, but having to read patiently. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
WHEW! I know many of you are fans of Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland. I love their independent books and also their collaborations. But sometimes you really love a book. I LOVE THIS BOOK. There is something so honest in pure in the connection we see between Mateo and Hazel as they shed the masks they’ve adopted in their day-to-day lives while getting to know each other under pseudonyms. Kind of ironic, right? But that’s the beauty of how they get to know each other; under a guise, they are able to shed pretensions and fears.
There is a fairy tale quality to the Milo and Maddie Hooker, how they explore the world and each other. When reality comes knocking, that’s when the angst really settles in. Watching Milo become Matteo and Maddie settle back into Hazel separately and individually shows how much their journey helped them connect not only with each other, but also their true selves.
They are many layers to these characters and this story. I think that is part of what makes this tale so beautiful. It’s a little messy, a little complicated, has a dash of heartache, and just the pinch of angst. But that’s the beauty of how these authors write. They lift up your hearts while also making you feel like this could have been your own personal adventure.
And my favorite souvenir? The ending!
This is 5 stars for me. Great writing by some of my favorite authors!
A chance encounter. Two total strangers, both wounded and in need of an escape. Hazel and Matteo become Hookers and the open road is their oyster! Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland have been collaborating long enough to create seamless stories that give the reader (me!) a much needed escape, too. I was charmed (I mean, have you seen Matteo?!) by these two characters, and easily fell into the story as they rediscovered their own smiles and gravitated to their attraction. Enter reality and more soul searching and just enjoy the beauty of this book. And Zara, because she knows things. 🙂 <
5 amazing stars! This road trip is definitely not like any you have been on! I truly loved every minute I spent with the Hookers! Hazel and Matteo become Milo and Maddie Hooker, brother and sister, to score the last hotel room during a snow storm in Vail. Get ready for the adventure to begin and plot twists you will not see coming! Pineapples, taxidermy, cowboy boots, rabbits, bears, and a psychic—oh my! Believe me when I say you need this book in your life! Keeland and Ward have truly knocked another one out the park, and have written my new favorite!
Beautiful and Riveting. Delightful and Sweet. Humorous and Wild. Sexy and Whimsical.
Able to induce heart palpitations and tummy flutters? Check. Engaging muscles in both the face and stomach from laughs and smiles? Check.
Angst? Check. Heartbreak? Check. Love? Check. Happily Ever After? Check.
Maddie and Milo (ahem) will make you fume and lust while they experience adventures through travel as they look ahead to new beginnings, but not before finding out that the truth may set them free. These two endure risks together as strangers in order to discover who Hazel and Matteo *winks* truly are. Just as they must learn what life and love is really about while navigating how to live rather than only exist and why they’re meant to be.
The premise and setting was twisty AND unique with a side of THE MOST ROMANTIC story I’ve enjoyed in a while, but it’s not a surprise when these two authors get together. This is my new favorite Pen & Vi novel! If you pick up a romance soon, snag this one because you won’t regret it!
My Favorite Souvenir is simply awesome. It’s a slow burn but boy does it burn hot and it’s so worth the journey.
It’s starts with two strangers stuck in a snow storm without any rooms to be had who pair up and pretend to be someone else to get rooms for the night. Before you know it Mateo and Hazel are now Milo and Maddie Hooker and they are off on an adventure. One that neither of them foresaw but that both of them need. Never telling each other their real names was part of the fun.
Flash forward and Milo and Maddie are bumping into each other again but as Mateo and Hazel and there is a whole more between them and a happy even after than just not knowing each others names.
This is a story about friendship, love and self discovery where the hero and the heroine discover
sometimes you have to pretend to be someone else to discover who you really are.
I feel for the characters and this story. Matteo and Hazel Aka Milo and Maddie made this book fun and exciting. Defiantly a slow burn but who doesn’t like anticipation? I couldn’t put the book down and that was a nice change in pace as I’ve been in a book rut. I was sucked in and couldn’t wait until Climax to see how this story was going to uncover itself and it did not disappoint.
Penelope and Vi are quite the writing duo and I always look forward to their next book!
I have voluntarily read and reviewed an advance complementary copy of this book.
My Favorite Souvenir is exactly the kind of romance I need in my life! 5 amazing stars to this romantic adventure! Sexy, funny and just enough angst to have you glued to this story!
Who wouldn’t love a spontaneous adventure with a sexy stranger?
That’s exactly what “Maddie and Milo” did, just through caution in the wind and lived In the moment.
Right from the start their chemistry was off the charts and omg the banter was both hot and funny.
Definitely a story to get lost in and the twist these ladies through in will definitely surprise you.
Loved!
I loved this one. I’m a big fan of both authors and pretty much one click whatever they write but this one so far is my favorite. This one has great characters with a sweet story. There are ups and downs and fun times all wrapped up in a prefect story. Hazel was suppose to be on her honeymoon but her finance called the wedding off. She decides to go on it alone but things don’t go smoothly. She ends up in a snowstorm with no hotel room. She meets a guy who doesn’t have room either. They pretend to be Milo and Maddie Hooker and take their room reservations. I loved these two. Hazel used to be a free spirit be she lost herself along the way and this trip and Milo (Matteo) brings out that side of her. Matteo is a nice guy who battles his past. These two hit it off so good I was disappointed when they went their separate ways but they have a plan to meet again. The book has a part 1 and a part 2. Part 1 was super fun to read, that’s where Hazel and Matteo meet and have fun. Part two is a little more heavy and has a twist in it. This one is definitely one you should pick up.
Two strangers.
A roadtrip of a lifetime.
One epic love story.
A++++++ once again for Vi & Penelope!
Oh my god, you could have cut the air with knife!!! The intense anticipation I felt right from the beginning had me gasping for breath, at times. I loved how this was a unique story line. I loved how Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland rendered me speechless once more. I loved how the attraction blossomed between these characters so achingly slowly. They possessed such burning awareness for each other. It burst off the pages. Everything about them and their journey just came together so imperfectly perfect. The suspense almost did me in. They just had this other worldly connection, and it was difficult to put this story down. All of the feelings were present in this book. Nothing was missed. The authors covered everything I crave in a story. It was different. It was crushingly intense. It was devastatingly beautiful. It has left its mark on me. I have been moved beyond comprehension again. Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland will have you believing you have read it all, then blindside you with the sheer magnitude of talent that these two authors possess. Brace to be struck breathless. 5 stars
I’m sure I’ve said this once but I will say it again these two authors always create something magical! I loved this story! It had humor, it was steamy, and it had some well place drama that just made the book perfect! I fell in love with these characters right from the start and then they I just fell in love even more as the story went on. There was some great banter and even better sexual tension that made the book hard to put down. I just need more and more! As for the storyline… I thought it was fun and had a unique twist! Right from that I was hook and didn’t want it to end! Standing ovation to these two author and this amazing book!
Hazel Appleton is on her previously planned honeymoon…unfortunately she also now has an ex-fiance’ and is snowed in. When she sees a chance to nab one of the last hotel rooms in Vail during a snowstorm, she takes it…even if it involves cozying up to a total stranger and pretending to be his sister.
These two literally become Milo and Maddie Hooker and adventures in Vail lead to a cross country romp. No real names. Just day by day fun. They start to make each other feel alive again and take risks. And along the way, they get to know each other and start to develop an attachment that is not going to be easy to break.
These two are no strangers to life throwing curveballs at them, and this time it is no different. The situation gets messier than they could have predicted. Choices will have to be made. Truths will come out. Feelings will need to be shared. And they will have to deal with any and all consequences.
She had become comfortable and unfulfilled in her old life and needs to figure out what path she wants to follow. She inspires him to get back out of his comfort zone and begin finding his passion again. But they are also both plagued with fears, insecurities, anxiety, and guilt.
Are these two answering the call of destiny or did they take a wrong turn along the way?
This is a slow burn, road tripping, new-friends-to-lovers romance. They are so much fun together. They have such infectious banter and give such good flirt. Their chemistry just sizzles under the surface waiting for a chance to boil over. But they are also just good, likable people looking for their person. There are some surprises and a good bit of angst to gets more prevalent as the story progresses.
I got sucked right into their story and I read this book in one day and enjoyed this fun escape. The road trip portions were my favorite. I had issues with a couple of things plot-wise that I had a hard time getting past. But Overall, it was humorous, sweet, sexy, and just plain swoon-worthy.
‘Milo’ was just a hoot, you never knew what he was saying next. Most of the time I was biting my nails, waiting for the real introduction, but I waited a long time. Now I really have to hold myself back, so I can not spoiler anything, but it is really hard. All in all, It was a nice journey for two lost souls who find there ways to there true selfs again. In the second half of the book, I have to say, she was far to forgiving and I did not like her friend very much and her crappy opinion. That was, because I was team Milo or Mateo and so not Brady, I don’t trust easily. But then the nightmares really began. It was a great book, with a lot of unforseen events. At the end I tried scrolling, because I wanted more, this could not be the end, give me more. Great work ladies, again.
“Listen, I want to be your ride or die, okay? So badly. But there’s only one thing I want more than that. And that’s for you to be happy, to live the life you truly want— whether that’s with me or someone else.”
When you start reading a new book and you either read the first couple of pages or the first chapter and you just know it’s going to be an amazing story and that you’ll fall in love with the main characters… Yeah this is how I feel about this book.
“Thank you for saving my ass,”
“No, Mads. Thank you for saving mine”
My Favorite Souvenir is by far the BEST and my fave book Penelope & Vi have EVER written!!! I absolutely love these 2 hookers haha. The book takes the number 1 spot with Playboy Pilot and the Rush Duet sharing the number 2 spot.
“What do Pineapples have to do with swinging?” Hahaha I’ll never look at a Pineapple the same way again.
I don’t quite know what to do with myself now because it’s only been a few days since I finished it but I miss Matteo/Milo & Hazel/Maddie so much.
“Listen to your heart. But mine? It will continue to beat for you until New Orleans.”(Oh my poor heart)
This book has made me want to go on the trip they went on and do all the things that they did.
“Better shut that mouth. Because you’re reminding me of another favorite position I’ve imagined you in a time or two during my showers.”(Fans self.. HOT DAMN)
BEST.BOOK.EVER!!! Well done ladies on another amazing read xx
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?
I freaking loved every page of this book! When these two author’s co-write a book you better believe it’s going to be something special and this book didn’t disappoint. Their story was so well written with a twist I didn’t see coming. Their adventures were so entertaining and I had several LOL moments. Please read this book, you won’t be sorry!!!