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...

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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: A Girl Like You

by: Maria Geraci

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
What if you found out you were the ugly friend?

Emma Frazier is smart, hardworking, and loves her job as a journalist for a Florida lifestyle magazine. Emma knows she’s no great beauty, but she’s pretty certain she has a shot with her handsome new boss, Ben Gallagher—until Emma overhears a mutual acquaintance refer to her as the “ugly friend.” In an effort to reclaim her battered self-esteem, Emma decides to impress Ben at work by promising an exclusive interview with NASCAR legend, Trip Monroe.

Emma and Trip went to high school together and although it’s been fourteen years since they’ve spoken, Emma is certain she can score an interview with the elusive super star. But connecting with Trip turns out to be harder than Emma imagined. Her quest for the interview leads her back to her tiny hometown of Catfish Cove, where old secrets and a new romantic interest shake up Emma’s views on life and teach her that maybe the key to finding true love is as simple as accepting yourself for the person you were always meant to be.

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Well written, well edited, and even the cover looks professional. It pops and catches your eye. I had a real hard time not picking this up as soon as it arrived. Once I did, I couldn't put it down. I have lost sleep, and ignored the breakfast dishes...well all my housekeeping really. lol

All the characters are intriguing. You want to know more about all of them. But this is from Emma's perspective so you really only know a lot about her. The author does a good job keeping that consistent.

It's an awkward story, Emma is not the normal female lead. She was raised by 2 moms and no dad. Add to that it was in a small town, and she's not a size 0. In the beginning she overhears an acquaintance tell her best friend that Emma is "the ugly friend" which really triggers all her low self-esteem issues. I can relate to that.

Also Emma likes to go to the beach and read, she enjoys going out but also savors her nights in. I feel like Emma is like me only she got her poop together and got that journalism degree.

It's also not a normal romance book. She's in love with her boss, but he leaves with that skank who made the "ugly friend" comment. She dates a guy from her home town. She's kind of here and there and you really don't know who she is going to end up with. There are hints, but they are deliciously subtle. And that's where my review ends, because you will have to find out for yourself what happens to Emma.