Book Review: After I Do: A Novel

by: Taylor Jenkins Reid

I kind of accidentally got this book to review. I didn't sign up for it, but Booksparks sent me the link from NetGalley. Hey, free book! No I didn't feel bad, I knew I'd review it for them.

I didn't expect to like it as much as I did. BookSparks kept talking about would you walk away from your marriage for a year? What would you do? Stuff like that. Well, marriage takes work. So, no I don't think walking away from it for any given time is a good idea if you expect to keep it going. Of course I have children so my perspective is also quite different from the main character.

I also think they blew the "I don't love you anymore" out of proportion. They didn't stop loving each other, not even for a minute. I mean, he kept writing her e-mails, he never changed his password. Wait, did I mention he didn't send them? They were collecting in his drafts folder. She kept logging in and reading them. Then she did the same thing, writing to him and saving the drafts. They really did miss each other. Didn't stop them from dating, though. That's the part I don't see a couple coming back from. Jealousy is never a healthy emotion.

So I don't think they stopped loving each other, they forgot how to talk to each other. Or they never really learned. He loved her so much he didn't want to tell her when he was sick of eating a certain kind of food. She loved him so much that she didn't want to tell him that she hated going to a ball game. The resentment just kept building because neither of them would speak up. That can happen. It's a difficult lesson to learn. In fact, we are still working on it in this house. I get that.

I loved that her family didn't just let her off the hook. They loved Ryan, they loved Lauren and told her that he was a part of the family. I don't know if they knew what was going to happen, but until it was final either way they weren't willing to let him go completely. Especially her brother. Ryan was there for him at a time when he really needed a man in his life.

I loved how the book dealt with not only Lauren and Ryan's issues, but the issues in the whole family. Lauren has one sister and one brother, their father left when they were little. I think that made it difficult for all 3 to have relationships when they had never really seen an intact loving home.

I just really loved all the characters, even the ones that got on my nerves. It was a book about a great family, a close family. And a loving marriage going through a rough patch. There were quite a few areas where I didn't know where they would end up. I mean, can you really walk away from your spouse for a year, date other people and then just come back together like nothing had happened?

This is a good one, I totally recommend it. It's not heavy on the romance, but there is a touch here and there. And not just for Lauren, either.

Book Review: Dear Jack...a Finding Emma Novella

by: Steena Holmes

Available at Amazon

Synopsis:
Dear Jack...a Finding Emma novella. The journal of a woman unwilling to let go.

Coming December 1, 2013

Dottie is a woman with a heart full of emotions but unable to express them unless through written word. When Jack goes off to war, Dottie is left behind having to be strong for their young daughter, Mary.

While Jack is away, she keeps a journal full of letters for Jack, for him to read when he comes home. Except, Jack has gone missing and leaves Dottie to fend for herself.

Were you one of the readers who wanted to know about the story behind Dottie and Doug? This is where you'll find out.

---

This was a unique experience. It's a very quick read, only a short story. It's written like letters to Jack in journal form. He had given her the journal to write in everyday that he was away. We learn about life during that time, the women left behind...the men left behind. Jack's friend couldn't serve in the war, so he was one of the few men around and it fell to him to help the women with the chores their husbands usually took care of.

I don't want to say too much more, I don't want to give it away. I found it a very easy read. It moves faster than a regular story because it's only a woman's nightly journal writing. She has a daughter, and that finds its way in a lot, she has his best friend who has promised to take care of them while Jack is away, and she writes about the other women in their neighborhood.

Jack and Dottie are characters from the novel Finding Emma. This is a interesting look into their past, and it gives some dimension especially to Dottie and even some clues to Mary.

Do you need to read Finding Emma first? Nope, in fact I didn't even remember the connection until I wrote this review. It stands alone just find on it's own.

Book Review: The Girls' Guide to Love and Supper Clubs

by: Dana Bate

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
Hannah Sugarman seems to have it all. She works for an influential think tank in Washington, D.C., lives in a swanky apartment with her high-achieving boyfriend, and is poised for an academic career just like her parents. The only problem is that Hannah doesn’t want any of it. What she wants is much simpler: to cook.

When her relationship collapses, Hannah seizes the chance to do what she’s always loved and launches an underground supper club out of her new landlord’s town house. Though her delicious dishes become the talk of the town, her secret venture is highly problematic, given that it is not, technically speaking, legal. She also conveniently forgets to tell her landlord she has been using his place while he is out of town.

On top of that, Hannah faces various romantic prospects that leave her guessing and confused, parents who don’t support cooking as a career, and her own fears of taking a risk and charting her own path. A charming romantic comedy, The Girls’ Guide to Love and Supper Clubs is a story about finding yourself, fulfilling your dreams, and falling in love along the way.

---

This book really touched me. It starts out with Hannah kind of having a dream life. She has a boyfriend who is doing well, she has a job that her family approves of. But it's not really perfect. He's kind of an ass and throws her out and she honestly hates her job. She loves to cook, that's where her passion lies.

So when she finds her perfect apartment, her friend starts pressuring her to hold a supper club. It's an illegal and secret dinner. I was hooked. I'd love to do something like that! But with 2 kids and a ratty old trailer, I'll have to live through Hannah for right now.

It's a good sign when you are cringing at all the bad choices a character makes but you still can't put it down. I read this book months ago, the cover caught me. I had some free time and library books but this cover just screamed "read me!" It really was a great chick-lit story. Romantic comedy? Fun, definitely fun!

Book Review: The Good Daughter

by: Jane Porter

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
Love was given to all, except herself . . . Kit Brennan has always been the most grounded of her sisters. A Catholic school English teacher for seventeen years and a constant giver, her decisions have been sound—just not very satisfying. Her fortieth birthday is right around the corner, causing Kit to consider some wilder notions, like skipping right past the love and marriage to raising a child all by herself . . . A girls’ weekend away is just the reprieve Kit needs from school, Mr. Wrongs, and life-changing decisions. It’s there that she meets a man who’s dangerous; a man who challenges who she thought she was, or rather should be. Kit wants to indulge herself this once, but with one of her students in crisis and the weight of her family’s burdens weighing heavy on her heart, Kit isn’t sure if now is the time to let her own desires take flight . . .

---

The Good Daughter continues from the 1st story, The Good Woman, but it's from a different sister's perspective. These books are about the Brennan sisters. The first was about Meg and the mess she creates by having an affair. This continues where that ended but now it's from Kat's perspective.

Kat is tired of waiting. She spent 10 years with a man who turned out to not really love her at all. He just wanted a girlfriend. She wanted a family. Now she's lost hope of ever finding someone. She does some real soul searching in this novel and makes some choices for herself even as she is watching her mom die from cancer. I do have to admit that I'm in love with this family. They aren't always perfect and it's presented in a realistic way. But they love each other and are close, it's the family I dream of having.

Jane Porter has such a smooth writing style that there are never any boring spots, it's a real page-turner. I love how she can seamlessly go from one story about one sister right into the next about another sister. She did give a little peek at how Meg is doing, too.

I truly love these Brennan Sisters books and can't wait for the next one. *fingers crossed* I can review that one, too! I wonder if she'll write about all the sisters?

Book Review: Love and Other Subjects

by: Kathleen Shoop

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
For every woman who thought she chose the wrong career…

In Love and Other Subjects Carolyn Jenkins strives for two things—to be the greatest teacher ever and to find true love. She’s as skilled at both as an infant chowing down with a fork. Carolyn’s suburban upbringing and genuine compassion for people who don’t fit effortlessly into society are no match for weapon-wielding, struggling students, drug-using colleagues, and a wicked principal.

Meanwhile, her budding relationship with a mystery man is thwarted by his gaggle of eccentric sisters. Carolyn depends on her friends to get her through the hard times, but with poverty-stricken children at her feet and a wealthy man at her side, she must define who she is. The reality of life after college can be daunting—the road to full-fledged adulthood is long and unscripted. Can Carolyn take control and craft the life she’s always wanted?

---

My first impression when I sat down to read this story was joy that it is a novel! My 2nd impression was, I love Carolyn! She is goofy, struggling with her career, and a bit socially awkward. I'm VERY socially awkward and I can't seem to figure out what I want to do with myself. Granted, she knew she wanted to be a teacher who makes a difference, but between the students and the principal, she was struggling through her first year.

"I made people laugh. Not because I was witty, but because I was ridiculous." - Carolyn in Love and Other Subjects.

When the story started, I kept waiting for her to quit and find a new career. She didn't seem to be a good fit, and she kept butting heads with Klein, the principal. She'd have to deal with him and then her students would do something horrifying. The stress she was under, I just gained so much respect for this character because she never gave up. She had a goal, and fought for it.

One evening, after having been shot in the foot with a BB gun, she met Jeep (aka Money). He was handsome and his very touch sent shock-waves through her body. She felt a "soul-slip"; which I think is the least cheesy soul-mate thing ever. But even this isn't perfect. They both keep messing up, too stubborn. I'll give him credit, he was very sweet and natural with her.

It's also really funny in many parts. Yes, crude, but I couldn't help but snort-laugh when she woke herself with very loud farts during her first sleep-over with Jeep. You end up wanting what's best for her, but who knows what that is? You just have to keep reading. I was nearly late for work last night, I just had to finish! lol

Book Review: This is How I Save My Life

by: Amy B. Scher

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
Fueled by her self-created motto "when life kicks your ass, kick back," a fiery 20-something woman with a debilitating, often misdiagnosed disease ventures to a tiny clinic in India for a controversial embryonic stem cell treatment. In hopes of saving her miserably failing body, she finds not only a world full of wandering cows, cultural mayhem and radical medical treatment, but also a piece of her life that she never even knew she was looking for.

Join Amy as she takes you on her heartwarming and often hilarious journey, wildly grasping at hope for health while still trying to remain focused on the journey. Find out how this experimental and widely criticized treatment saves her life. And, learn the life altering lesson Amy had to travel more than 10,000 miles from home to discover. A powerful and uplifting story of sheer determination when all hope appears lost. For anyone who believes in (or doubts) the existence of miracles and the infinite power of self-healing.

---

The book is brilliant. I'm in awe of this woman who spent so long losing a battle with Lyme Disease. She went to India for stem cell treatment. The stem cells used, are from a single embryo that was donated to the doctor from a couple who had embryos made up for fertility treatment. When they reached success, they wanted to give something back.

It's a very easy going book, being that it's mostly made up of blog entries that Amy wrote while undergoing treatment. And reading about her healing is just amazing. Why are we not doing this here???

It's also a wonderful study of the culture shock when a San Francisco gal goes to one of the largest cities in India, Delhi. I'm still in love with India, but I'm less eager to move there. lol

Amy doesn't really pull any stops. She's working her butt off to get rid of the Lyme and all the things that go along with it, and she's sharing it all right here with us.

Book Review: I Am Lucky Bird

by: Fleur Philips

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
When her mother mysteriously vanishes from the small town of Plains, Montana, 12-year-old Lucky Bird’s childhood comes to an abrupt end. Left to defend herself against her suddenly abusive grandmother, Marian, and forced to endure the twisted predatory games played out by Marian’s lover, Lucky soon finds herself trapped in a nightmare.

Even when she manages to escape, the outside world can’t take away the brutal images of her past. Still haunted by her mother’s disappearance and the trauma that followed, Lucky is easily led down a path of self-destruction—a path that only the intervention of a young stranger and his family can guide her away from. But first, Lucky will have to confront her demons, and the dark truths kept hidden.

---

I'm trying to think of a way to describe this novel. It's not a happy story, where everyone gets along and there's a separate bad guy or thing that they must unite to find themselves victorious. No, Lucky is a girl very much left to her own devices. And often, that's not a pretty sight.

I think I love these kinds of stories because I can honestly relate to the character. Even if she doesn't have anyone else in her corner, I'm there cheering for her to find her way out of the darkness.

Fleur (lovely name, isn't it?) has a sweet writing style that just grabs you and won't let go. And she uses the most unique font! I don't know what it is, but it's different. The paragraphs are separated and it's a font you won't see in any other book. It makes it feel like you are reading a diary or something other than a mass marketed paperback.

This isn't a pretty coming-of-age story, but it was fully worth my time. This is going in my library for keeps.

Book Review: The Good Woman

by: Jane Porter

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
The firstborn of a large Irish-American family, Meg Brennan Roberts is a successful publicist, faithful wife, and doting mother who prides herself on always making the right decisions. But years of being “the good woman” have taken a toll and though her winery career thrives, Meg feels burned out and empty, and more disconnected than ever from her increasingly distant husband. Lonely and disheartened, she attends the London Wine Fair with her boss, ruggedly handsome vintner, Chad Hallahan. It’s here, alone together in an exotic city, far from “real” life, that Chad confesses his long-standing desire for Meg.

Overwhelmed, flattered, and desperately confused, Meg returns home, only to suddenly question every choice she’s ever made, especially that of her marriage. For Meg, something’s got to give, and for once in her life she flees her responsibilities—but with consequences as reckless and irreversible as they are liberating. Now she must decide whether being the person everyone needs is worth losing the woman she was meant to be.

---

I read this a few weeks ago. I picked it up, and couldn't put it down...didn't matter that it wasn't due yet. Jane's writing in this story is so colorful. Meg is a type A personality, all the way. I'm not...and that could have ended the tale. But the way she is presented, you get to know Meg so intimately that you can relate even if you would never be in that situation.

Have you ever felt undesired, unloved and unappreciated in your family? All women can relate to that, and those are the keys to understanding Meg's dilemma. She's spent her entire life being the strong one, the one to take care of everyone. She blamed her parents for putting that pressure on her, but maybe she was just always high-strung?

It runs through the tale in a realistic way. We all have our problems, and times when life doesn't go the way we want it too. But you always have family, even if they bug the living hell out of you. And they will pull you to your feet, even if the regret threatens to drown you.

I adored this story and I can't wait to read "The Good Daughter" coming out in February.

Book Review: the boyfriend of the month club

by: Maria Geraci

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
This sexy, funny new novel asks: Can a woman find a modern-day Mr. Darcy in Daytona Beach?

At thirty, Grace O'Bryan has dated every loser in Daytona Beach. After the ultimate date-from-hell, Grace decides to turn her dwindling book club into a Boyfriend of the Month Club, where women can discuss the eligible men in their community. Where are the real life twenty-first century versions of literary heroes such as Heathcliff and Mr. Darcy?

Could it be successful and handsome Brandon Farrell, who is willing to overlook his disastrous first date with Grace and offers financial help for her parents' failing Florida gift shop? Or maybe sexy dentist Joe Rosenblum, who's great with a smile but not so great at commitment? Unfortunately, like books, men cannot always be judged by their covers...

---

BooksparksPR had given me Geraci's latest novel, A Girl Like You, to review. I really enjoyed it. Well they had a promotion where if I signed up for 4 books to review, I could choose 3 just for me from their stockpiles. So when I saw her 1st novel, I snatched it up!

I wasn't even planning on reviewing it. But seriously, this book made me laugh and cry. Grace has an Irish father and a Cuban mother, but there's no confusion with heritage. She works for her father at the long-time family-owned business, Florida Charlie's. Now that's where the conflict comes in. She loves the store and the history, but she also feels trapped while her brother is off being a successful tax attorney.

It's like a grown-up coming of age story. Her life has to get completely up-ended before she can figure out what she wants and who she wants. She also learns a lot about herself in the process. I read this book in just over a day, because I really couldn't bear to put it down. It read really fast too. It's not that the chapters were short, but I was enjoying myself so much it just poured into me.

Book Review: The Paternity Test

by: Michael Lowenthal

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
Having a baby to save a marriage—it’s the oldest of clichés. But what if the marriage at risk is a gay one, and having a baby involves a surrogate mother?

Pat Faunce is a faltering romantic, a former poetry major who now writes textbooks. A decade into his relationship with Stu, an airline pilot from a fraught Jewish family, he fears he’s losing Stu to other men—and losing himself in their “no rules” arrangement. Yearning for a baby and a deeper commitment, he pressures Stu to move from Manhattan to Cape Cod, to the cottage where Pat spent boyhood summers.

As they struggle to adjust to their new life, they enlist a surrogate: Debora, a charismatic Brazilian immigrant, married to Danny, an American carpenter. Gradually, Pat and Debora bond, drawn together by the logistics of getting pregnant and away from their spouses. Pat gets caught between loyalties—to Stu and his family, to Debora, to his own potent desires—and wonders: is he fit to be a father?

In one of the first novels to explore the experience of gay men seeking a child through surrogacy, Michael Lowenthal writes passionately about marriages and mistakes, loyalty and betrayal, and about how our drive to create families can complicate the ones we already have. The Paternity Test is a provocative look at the new “family values.”

---

This book is full of flavor. You feel their excitement at having a baby, but as you get in deeper and understand the relationship these men have...well, it's less black and white. I thought it was a brilliant portrayal about how our motivations aren't always so simple.

In the opening of the description it talks about the cliche, "having a baby to save the marriage." And that is what all their friends think is going on. And really, it kind of is. For one of them. For the other, it's about giving his parents a grandchild and continuing the family line. Are either of those perfect reasons for having a baby?

What motivates straight couples to breed? I see lots of accidents (Ivan is one of them - lol), just because it's the normal next step, and even today there are lots of save-the-relationship babies. Just because they are a gay couple doesn't mean they don't face the same hardships in deciding to have children.

This story does a great job showing the grey areas in relationships. And I wonder how much of it is true, in the gay community there is a LOT of casual sex still going on. That is what made Pat and Stu so rocky. For Stu's credit, he does make an effort to stay true to Pat once it comes out that Pat simply can't take that lifestyle anymore. It's a huge trust issue that comes back over and over again.

This is a very realistic and heart-wrenching story that will surprise you in the end.