Twenty-five-year-old Gavin Ellis has always had the love and support of his family ever since he was a little boy and couldn't stop talking about his penis. He's also always had their unsolicited advice and uncanny knack of embarrassing him at all costs. Now that he's an adult and trying to convince the love of his life to love him back, things haven't changed very much from when he was younger.
When Gavin's best friend Tyler suggests he make a to-do list of items that will ensure he wins the girl, Gavin is one-hundred-percent on board: after a few six packs.
After puking in the shrubs, a bad experience with Viagra, a Sex-Ed course gone wrong, and a slew of other mishaps courtesy of his family and friends, Gavin is pretty sure this list will be the death of him.
Sometimes, trying to make someone love you with a list isn't always the best idea. Especially when "Show her your penis" is the first "to-do" item...
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Review
I was super excited when I heard about the Chocoholic series...I knew if it was about Gavin as an adult it was going to be hysterical, and boy was it!! I don't know how she does it, but Tara Sivec never disappoints!! Every time I think, ok...she's done it all, there's nothing else she can dream up that would be as funny as this...but somehow she just does. And it's not as funny, it's usually funnier!! Let me just say that I don't think I'll ever be able to look at My Little Ponies the same!!!
This book quickly became one of my favorites and I'm already anxiously awaiting the next in the series. Thankfully, she writes super quick so I doubt I'll have to wait too long!! Don't add this to your TBR list...just bypass the list all together and start reading immediately! I guarantee you won't be able to put it down. (I suggest you start reading it early in the day, or you'll end up like me being up most of the night and then being a zombie the whole next day!!)
Review by Jillian
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You have said that most of your material comes from real life experiences. What is one scene from the Chocolate Lovers Series that was “really” you in the starring roll?
The bus sex scene in Futures and Frosting. Sad, but true. Sex on a bus is dangerous, people! I still have the scars and bruises to prove it.
Which one of your characters so you relate to the most?
Claire. She is so much like me. I never wanted kids and I only like mine because I have to. Just kidding. Sort of.
Is your husband the inspiration for any of the men in your books? If so, who?
He likes to tell people he’s Carter. I just smile and nod. He’s really more Drew than Carter, but don’t tell him I said that.
What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
Sex on a party bus in the bathroom while our friends were on it, pissed off because they needed to pee.
What was your first fan “moment”?
It’s still surreal to me that I have fans. It’s been a year and a half and I’m still shocked when someone sends me a message or takes time out of their day to come to a signing. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it! Every moment or interaction with a fan makes me want to pinch myself that it’s real and it’s happening to me.
What is your favorite thing about meeting fans?
They are so sweet and awesome! Just the fact that they WANT to meet me is amazing. I’m a soccer mom from Ohio and I’m kind of a dork. It still boggles my mind that they want to be anywhere near me LOL!
You write in so many different genres, do you find it difficult to switch? Is there a process you go though?
Sometimes it’s harder than others. Writing Love and Lists was harder for me than the other Chocolate Lovers books because the last book I released was Watch Over Me, which is my true story and it took a lot out of me mentally. It took a little time to find my funny again. When I switch over to serious, I have playlists that I listen to with really depressing music on it LOL! It’s so hard for me NOT to be funny and I have to catch myself sometimes when I’m writing more serious subject matter. I’ve had to learn the difference between snarky and inappropriate.
Which genre do you prefer to write?
I actually prefer to write romantic suspense. I really don’t think I’m funny at all and I always second-guess my funny and make people read it to reassure me. Romantic suspense just pours out of me. I love angst and drama.
Which is easiest to write?
Even though I love writing romantic suspense more, funny is easier to write. There is a lot of research involved with romantic suspense. A lot of time spent on Google. With funny, I can just spew all of my word vomit on a page LOL!
When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve always loved to read. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t read a book and think “I would have ended it THIS way or changed THIS dialogue.” I’ve written short stories and poems for years and always dreamed about people reading what I wrote. I never thought in a million years it would ever happen.
What did you do before you wrote? Do you write full time now?
I worked for a brokerage company for 14 loooooooong years. I assumed I would die in cubicle land. I quit my job last November and write full time now. It was the best decision I ever made.
What are your top 3 bucket list items?
1. To see one of my books on a shelf in a bookstore
2. Meet author Pamela Ribon
3. Have someone recognize me in the grocery store. When I have make-up on and awesome hair, of course.
Do your kids take after you or your husband?
Definitely me. My kids are bat shit crazy and will say whatever they’re thinking.
How do you balance motherhood and writing/traveling?
I don’t think I’m balancing it at all yet! I’ve been doing a lot of traveling lately and on top of all of my deadlines right now, I’ve forgotten what my kids look like. Being at home working though is the best thing ever. I can sit on the couch next to my kids and ignore them instead of sit in an office an hour away from home and ignore them.
If you were stranded on a deserted island you could bring one of your characters who and why?
Definitely Drew. He would be completely inappropriate and make the time fly by. He’d probably also get on my nerves so much that I could easily kill him and eat him without having to hunt for food.
If you could have a guilt free one night stand with one of your characters, who would it be and why?
Garrett from A Beautiful Lie. He’s the only one of my characters I swoon over. He’s a Navy SEAL so he’s automatically hot as balls. He’s tough and rugged but he also has a soft side that can make you melt.
Marry/Kiss/Kill
Tell us which character you would marry, kiss, and kill in each of your series:
Chocolate Lovers Series
Marry – Carter
Kiss – Liz
Kill - Drew
Playing with Fire Series
Marry – Brady
Kiss – Garrett
Kill - Milo
Would you rather…..
Live one 1,000 year life
OR
Live ten 100 year lives
Ten 100 year lives. I’d love to be able to do something different with each life.
Have the ability to read minds, but be illiterate
OR
Be able to read
Definitely be able to read. I don’t want to know what people are thinking. That sounds way too scary.
Fart with every step you take
OR
Have your past and future web browsing history posted daily on Facebook
Definitely fart with every step I take. No one should have to see my browsing history. It’s horrific.
Go back to the 1800s to meet your ancestors
OR
Go to the future to meet your Great Great Great…. Grandchildren
Go to the future, definitely. I’m pretty sure I already know my ancestors were boring. I’d love to see if my future grandchildren are as bat shit crazy as I am.
Always be freezing
OR
Always be sweating
Freezing. I can’t stand to be hot. I keep a fan on in our room year round.
Eat nothing but chocolate for the rest of your life (and still be healthy)
OR
Never eat chocolate again
I know I should hang my head in shame for this, but I’d be okay with never eating chocolate again. I’m not really a big chocolate fan.
Interview with Tara
We were thrilled to be able to interview Tara! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions.***************************************
You have said that most of your material comes from real life experiences. What is one scene from the Chocolate Lovers Series that was “really” you in the starring roll?
The bus sex scene in Futures and Frosting. Sad, but true. Sex on a bus is dangerous, people! I still have the scars and bruises to prove it.
Which one of your characters so you relate to the most?
Claire. She is so much like me. I never wanted kids and I only like mine because I have to. Just kidding. Sort of.
Is your husband the inspiration for any of the men in your books? If so, who?
He likes to tell people he’s Carter. I just smile and nod. He’s really more Drew than Carter, but don’t tell him I said that.
What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
Sex on a party bus in the bathroom while our friends were on it, pissed off because they needed to pee.
What was your first fan “moment”?
It’s still surreal to me that I have fans. It’s been a year and a half and I’m still shocked when someone sends me a message or takes time out of their day to come to a signing. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it! Every moment or interaction with a fan makes me want to pinch myself that it’s real and it’s happening to me.
What is your favorite thing about meeting fans?
They are so sweet and awesome! Just the fact that they WANT to meet me is amazing. I’m a soccer mom from Ohio and I’m kind of a dork. It still boggles my mind that they want to be anywhere near me LOL!
You write in so many different genres, do you find it difficult to switch? Is there a process you go though?
Sometimes it’s harder than others. Writing Love and Lists was harder for me than the other Chocolate Lovers books because the last book I released was Watch Over Me, which is my true story and it took a lot out of me mentally. It took a little time to find my funny again. When I switch over to serious, I have playlists that I listen to with really depressing music on it LOL! It’s so hard for me NOT to be funny and I have to catch myself sometimes when I’m writing more serious subject matter. I’ve had to learn the difference between snarky and inappropriate.
Which genre do you prefer to write?
I actually prefer to write romantic suspense. I really don’t think I’m funny at all and I always second-guess my funny and make people read it to reassure me. Romantic suspense just pours out of me. I love angst and drama.
Which is easiest to write?
Even though I love writing romantic suspense more, funny is easier to write. There is a lot of research involved with romantic suspense. A lot of time spent on Google. With funny, I can just spew all of my word vomit on a page LOL!
When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve always loved to read. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t read a book and think “I would have ended it THIS way or changed THIS dialogue.” I’ve written short stories and poems for years and always dreamed about people reading what I wrote. I never thought in a million years it would ever happen.
What did you do before you wrote? Do you write full time now?
I worked for a brokerage company for 14 loooooooong years. I assumed I would die in cubicle land. I quit my job last November and write full time now. It was the best decision I ever made.
What are your top 3 bucket list items?
1. To see one of my books on a shelf in a bookstore
2. Meet author Pamela Ribon
3. Have someone recognize me in the grocery store. When I have make-up on and awesome hair, of course.
Do your kids take after you or your husband?
Definitely me. My kids are bat shit crazy and will say whatever they’re thinking.
How do you balance motherhood and writing/traveling?
I don’t think I’m balancing it at all yet! I’ve been doing a lot of traveling lately and on top of all of my deadlines right now, I’ve forgotten what my kids look like. Being at home working though is the best thing ever. I can sit on the couch next to my kids and ignore them instead of sit in an office an hour away from home and ignore them.
If you were stranded on a deserted island you could bring one of your characters who and why?
Definitely Drew. He would be completely inappropriate and make the time fly by. He’d probably also get on my nerves so much that I could easily kill him and eat him without having to hunt for food.
If you could have a guilt free one night stand with one of your characters, who would it be and why?
Garrett from A Beautiful Lie. He’s the only one of my characters I swoon over. He’s a Navy SEAL so he’s automatically hot as balls. He’s tough and rugged but he also has a soft side that can make you melt.
Marry/Kiss/Kill
Tell us which character you would marry, kiss, and kill in each of your series:
Chocolate Lovers Series
Marry – Carter
Kiss – Liz
Kill - Drew
Playing with Fire Series
Marry – Brady
Kiss – Garrett
Kill - Milo
Would you rather…..
Live one 1,000 year life
OR
Live ten 100 year lives
Ten 100 year lives. I’d love to be able to do something different with each life.
Have the ability to read minds, but be illiterate
OR
Be able to read
Definitely be able to read. I don’t want to know what people are thinking. That sounds way too scary.
Fart with every step you take
OR
Have your past and future web browsing history posted daily on Facebook
Definitely fart with every step I take. No one should have to see my browsing history. It’s horrific.
Go back to the 1800s to meet your ancestors
OR
Go to the future to meet your Great Great Great…. Grandchildren
Go to the future, definitely. I’m pretty sure I already know my ancestors were boring. I’d love to see if my future grandchildren are as bat shit crazy as I am.
Always be freezing
OR
Always be sweating
Freezing. I can’t stand to be hot. I keep a fan on in our room year round.
Eat nothing but chocolate for the rest of your life (and still be healthy)
OR
Never eat chocolate again
I know I should hang my head in shame for this, but I’d be okay with never eating chocolate again. I’m not really a big chocolate fan.
About the author
Tara Sivec is a wife, mom, chauffeur, cheerleading coach, soccer coach, babysitter, short-order cook, genius and albino squirrel hunter. She lives in Ohio with her husband and two kids. In her spare time she likes read, write and cover things in chocolate. Most of her material comes from real life experiences with family and friends. Lucky for them, the names have been changed to protect the innocent (aka, drunk).
Tara also writes under the pen name T.E. Sivec where she can be serious, suspenseful and not at all funny.
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