I have a soft spot with letters, specifically love letters.
When I read the synopsis of The Proverbial Mr. Universe, I was caught off guard. Who is this brilliant guy sending sweet messages to a lucky woman?
I couldn’t help but be intrigued with the story so I signed up and luckily, I was given a spot to review this fascinating novel.
The Proverbial Mr. Universe by Maria La Serra
Publication date: June 27th 2016
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Synopsis:
Dear girl with the red scarf,
Love was never meant to be conquered;
you have to surrender to it.
Trust me. After all, I am Mr. Universe.
When the universe conveys a message, you listen.
Olivia Montiano just caught her fiancé cheating. Now she is forced to question what she wants out of life and love. Striving to live up to her father’s unrealistic standards for the past twenty-three years, every decision she has ever made was with her father’s wishes in mind—until she finds mysterious, handwritten letters tucked away in places only meant for her. That’s when she realizes she’s been on the wrong path all along and gives her heart to a guy her father thinks is entirely wrong.
Washed-up abstract artist Nick Montgomery has had quite a few setbacks in life. He’s become accustomed to never needing anyone, thinking he’s just fine—until he meets the girl with the red scarf. She’s not his type. But the universe has other ideas. Nick has a secret he’s keeping from her, afraid it will bring their new relationship to a sudden halt.
Will they figure out what the universe holds for them?
Author Bio:
Maria La Serra, a fashion designer, turned writer, lives in Montreal with her husband and two children. She will try everything at least once, except for skiing, hiking or camping-okay anything relating to activities done in the great outdoors. The Proverbial Mr. Universe is her first novel.
Learn more about Maria La Serra and her works here:
https://maria-laserra.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15089882.Maria_La_Serra
https://www.facebook.com/authormarialaserra/
https://twitter.com/@authormlaserra/
What I like about the story:
Olivia and her unrecognizable self. I thought I might not like Liv but, then I find myself in her. Someone who is passionate with her craft and who is just waiting for an opportunity yet withheld by the problems in her family and most especially her fiance.
Mr. Universe to the rescue… Who have thought that you might fall in love and be inspired by a person who is sending you messages that perfect for your situation? I like this original concept very much.
Nick and his undeniable talent. A remarkable painter and a bartender at night, I still find Nick as a mysterious guy. I appreciate his efforts in pursuing Olivia and at the same time, he was not pushy.
Quotes to remember:
Nina to Liv
"Marriage is not a fairytale."
Homelessman to Liv
"Don't worry! You're lost. The best of us are, but you will find your way. The Universe is everything all that is tangible and all that is not. Sometimes it's easy to get lost in the scheme of things. The world is wondrous and mysterious, but he will reveal himself to you when he is ready."
Jessica to Liv
"You came out with me so I can shake some sense into you. Make you open your eyes. Have fun, Liv, you only got one life. You have been living with someone else's dream for far too long."
Nick's Dream
We are built to make mistakes, and we all deserve a second chance. I should know you don't always get second chance... so don't waste it.
Nick to Liv
"Everyone has many sides to them. One side is for everyone to see and the other parts we want to hide, what we don't want the world to see, it's our most vulnerable side and it is our true self."
"It's like I've been wandering around without a purpose, then out of the blue, I look up an there you are, and all of a sudden everything makes perfect sense. I feel like our souls knew each other."
Check out these pages for The Proverbial Mr. Universe sweet and inspiring messages:
12, 14, 18, 44, 55, 78, 107, 126, 142
Two of my favorite Mr. Universe's messages:
Page 23:
Dear Girl with the red scarf,
Sometimes people just show up in our lives without any explanation. But if you should find love begging at the door of your heart and choose not to open it, then there is a good chance that you will deprive yourself of some happiness.
I believe that nobody is terrified of love, only terrified of all the other crappy stuff that love brings along with it. Stop playing it safe, letting your mind rule where the heart is the only one could understand.
Taking chances is what love is all about.
Trust me, after all I am Mr. Universe
Page 117
Dear girl with the red scarf,
You can't search for love. Love pursues you. Nor can you force it. You have to be patient.
...Wait patiently for it. And just when you think it is not possible, it happens unexpectedly.
Just as the right time, with the right person. So let love find you.
Trust me, after all, I am Mr. Universe.
How it ends:
Rooftop+ Roshambo = let’s destiny and universe decide!
Verdict:
Another debut novel that I love! Congratulations Maria La Serra! After reading The Proverbial Mr. Universe, I couldn't help but have a huge smile on my face. It is brilliantly written and interesting story that I have fun reading from start to finish!
Visit these websites:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29532225-the-proverbial-mr-universe
Purchase:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/PROVERBIAL-MR-UNIVERSE-Maria-Serra-ebook/dp/B01EKNN748
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-proverbial-mruniverse-maria-la-serra/1123934224?ean=9780995097919
Don’t forget to join here:
Tour-wide giveaway (INTL)! Runs until August 4!
- 2x $10 Amazon gift cards
Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d04251231330/
Perk’s rating: 5/5
Thank you to Expresso Book Tours for allowing me to be part of this blog tour!