On Second Thought

Ainsley O'Leary is so ready to get married—she's even found the engagement ring her boyfriend has stashed away. What she doesn't anticipate is for Eric to blindside her with a tactless breakup he chronicles in a blog…which (of course) goes viral. Devastated and humiliated, Ainsley turns to her half sister, Kate, who's already struggling after the sudden loss of her new husband. 

Kate has always been so poised, so self-assured, but Nathan's death shatters everything she thought she knew—including her husband—and sometimes the people who step up aren't the ones you expect. With seven years and a murky blended-family dynamic between them, Ainsley and Kate have never been overly close, but their shared sorrow dovetails their faltering worlds into one. 

Despite the lifetime of history between them, the sisters must learn to put their differences aside and open their hearts to the inevitable imperfection of family—and the possibility of one day finding love again.

I loved this story of sisters, both dealing with devastation in their personal lives.  Kate did not hesitate to have Ainsley move in with her after getting dumped by her boyfriend Ainsley is sure that Eric will get whatever he is going through out of his system and come back to her.  As she waits she discovers who she really wants to be and more about her family than she ever expected.  Kate struggles with being a widow after such a short marriage, wondering how and when to move on being sensitive to her husband's family. As these two sisters walk through what has happened there are tears, laughter, surprises and reconciliation.  This thoroughly satisfying story was told in the alternating voices of Kate and Ainsley.  Another gem from a favorite author.

Thanks to HQN Harlequin via NetGalley for this ARC. The book will be published Jan. 31, 2017

The Matchmaker (audio)

48-year-old Nantucketer Dabney Kimball Beech has always had a gift for matchmaking. Some call her ability mystical, while others - like her husband, celebrated economist John Boxmiller Beech, and her daughter, Agnes, who is clearly engaged to the wrong man - call it meddlesome, but there's no arguing with her results: With 42 happy couples to her credit and all of them still together, Dabney has never been wrong about romance.

Never, that is, except in the case of herself and Clendenin Hughes, the green-eyed boy who took her heart with him long ago when he left the island to pursue his dream of becoming a journalist. Now, after spending 27 years on the other side of the world, Clen is back on Nantucket, and Dabney has never felt so confused, or so alive.

But when tragedy threatens her own second chance, Dabney must face the choices she's made and share painful secrets with her family. Determined to make use of her gift before it's too late, she sets out to find perfect matches for those she loves most.

I discovered Elin's novels by reading The Castaways.  After enjoyed it so much I quickly looked for her previous books.  Elin's books are great for summertime -  this book was saved just for that, but with the early birth of my grandson it took me until now to get to this audio. The story is told in the voices of Dabney, Box, Clem, and Agnes along with a few of the couples that Dabney matched.  Nantucket is a character as well. Without spoiling the major plot, this book was different than what I expected.  I liked the secondary characters better along with the matched couples stories.  Erin Bennett did a fantastic job narrating that kept me engaged in the story.  I  hate to say it, about a loved author, but I may have put this book down if I was reading instead of listening. 

Author: Elin Hilderbrand
Published: July 2014
Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction
Source: Hachette Audio
Finished: 10/23/14


This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Mitch @Hachette Audio and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

The Surfing Lesson

Margot's reservoir of romantic feelings for her husband Drum is running dry. But while the family is on vacation in Nantucket, Margot finds an opportunity to potentially regain her romantic love for her husband - in the form of Hadley Axelram, his ex-girlfriend. She is counting on jealousy as a relationship defibrillator.

But after forcing her surfing-god husband to make plans for a surfing lesson with Hadley and her son, Margot is left to reminisce about the summer she fell in love with Drum, and the unexpected blossoming of their relationship. When she sees Drum and Hadley spending time together, will the spark reignite - and will her marriage be saved? Or will she find that love is truly gone from this relationship?

A digital edition short story about a wife coming to terms with her fading marriage, based on a subplot from Elin Hilderbrand's forthcoming novel BEAUTIFUL DAY

This audio short story was narrated by Therese Plummer who did an excellent job pulling me into the life of Margot and Drum, making me want to know what happens next. Elin always delivers a summer read that usually hits the spot. I look forward to catching up with these characters in Beautiful Day even though the book is not primarily their story.

Author: Elin Hilderbrand
Published: May 2013
Genre: Contemporary
Source: Hachette Audio
Finished: 8/13/13



This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Mitch and Hachette Audio and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

One Day In Apple Grove

Caitlin Mulcahy loves her family. She really does. But sometimes they can drive her to her last shred of sanity—from her dad (“I’m not meddling, I just want what’s best for you”) to her eight-months-pregnant older sister to her younger sister, who will do just about anything to avoid real work. Cait just needs to get away, even if for only an hour.

When she sees someone in need of help on the side of the road, of course she’s going to pull over. She might even be able to fix his engine—after all, the Mulcahy family is a handy bunch. She’s not expecting that former Navy Medic, Dr. Jack Gannon, and a little black puppy named Jameson will be the ones who end up rescuing her…

With a puppy as a prominent character, what's not to love! I loved returning to Apple Grove for Caitlin's story. She is fix-it savy, independent and loyal. Doc Joe has returned home to take over his father's practice, but has to deal with some serious issues.  I thought the author handled this aspect of the story very well.  I can't wait for Grace's story.

Author: C.H. Admirand
Published: June 2014
Pages: 320
Genre:  Contemporary
Source:  Sourcebooks
Finished: 6/16/13


This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

A Royal Pain

A life of royalty seems so attractive...until you're invited to live it...

Smart, ambitious, and career driven, Bronte Talbot started following British royalty in the gossip mags only to annoy her intellectual father. But her fascination has turned into a not-so-secret guilty pleasure. When she starts dating a charming British doctoral student, she teases him unmercifully about the latest scandals of his royal countrymen, only to find out—to her horror!!—that she's been having a fling with the nineteenth Duke of Northrop, and now he wants to make her...a duchess?

In spite of her frivolous passion for all things royal, Bronte isn't at all sure she wants the reality. Is becoming royalty every American woman's secret dream, or is it a nightmare of disapproving dowagers, paparazzi, stiff-upper-lip tea parties, and over-the-top hats?

A hilarious, fun book that ended up being very emotional. Bronte was so busy being an independent woman, that she had no clue that her insecurities were getting in the way of her happiness. A thoroughly enjoyable debut that is not all fluff!  I look forward to more from Megan.

Author: Megan Mulry
Published: November 2012
Pages: 338
Genre:  Women's Fiction
Source:  Sourcebooks Landmark
Finished: 10/30/12


This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Heather and Sourcebooks Landmark and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

The Garden of Happy Endings

After tragedy shatters her small community in Seattle, the Reverend Elsa Montgomery has a crisis of faith. Returning to her hometown of Pueblo, Colorado, she seeks work in a local soup kitchen. Preparing nourishing meals for folks in need, she keeps her hands busy while her heart searches for understanding.

Meanwhile, her sister, Tamsin, as pretty and colorful as Elsa is unadorned and steadfast, finds her perfect life shattered when she learns that her financier husband is a criminal. Enduring shock and humiliation as her beautiful house and possessions are seized, the woman who had everything now has nothing but the clothes on her back.

But when the going gets tough, the tough get growing. A community garden in the poorest, roughest part of town becomes a lifeline. Creating a place of hope and sustenance opens Elsa and Tamsin to the renewing power of rich earth, sunshine, and the warm cleansing rain of tears. While Elsa finds her heart blooming in the care of a rugged landscaper, Tamsin discovers the joy of losing herself in the act of giving—and both women discover that with time and care, happy endings flourish.

I picked up this book because of the author, having no idea what it was about, but knowing it would have a dog or two.  Another delightful read! The subject matter was a bit more heavy than her other books, but it was well handled and never preachy.  I thoroughly enjoyed every character and definitely felt that this book was/is very personal to the author.

Author: Barbara O'Neal
Published:
Pages: 398
Genre: Women's Fiction
Source: Random House/LibraryThing
Finished: 8/17/12

The Great Escape

Where do you run to when your life has fallen apart?

Lucy Jorik is a champ at never embarrassing the family she adores—not surprising since her mother is one of the most famous women in the world. But now Lucy has done just that. And on her wedding day, no less, to the most perfect man she's ever known.

Instead of saying "I do" to Mr. Irresistible, Lucy flees the church in an ill-fitting blue choir robe and hitches a ride on the back of a beat-up motorcycle plastered with offensive bumper stickers. She's flying into the unknown with a rough-looking, bad-tempered stranger who couldn't be more foreign to her privileged existence.

While the world searches for her, Lucy must search for herself, and she quickly realizes that her customary good manners are no defense against a man who's raised rudeness to an art form. Lucy needs to toughen up—and fast.

Her great escape takes her to his rambling beach house on a Great Lakes island. Here, she hopes to find a new direction . . . and unlock the secrets of this man who knows so much about her but reveals nothing about himself. As the hot summer days unfold amid scented breezes and sudden storms, she'll also encounter a beautiful, troubled beekeeper; a frightened young boy; a modern-day evil queen; and a passion that could change her life forever.

I eagerly awaited Lucy's story and was not disappointed. It was fun to to see where to and with whom Lucy ran off, and I was pleasantly surprised at how emotional the book was for me.  The secondary characters added to the depth of emotion as well as to the fun.  I loved the gathering of all the beloved characters at the end.  A must read for the summer.

Author: Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Published:July 2012
Pages: 432
Genre:  Women's Fiction
Source:  William Morrow/Hachette Book Group
Finished:  7/17/12

The First Day of the Rest of My Life

Madeline O'Shea tells people what to do with their lives. A renowned life coach, she inspires thousands of women through her thriving practice--exuding enviable confidence along with her stylish suits and sleek hair. But her confidence, just like her fashionable demeanor, is all a front.

For decades, Madeline has lived in fear of her traumatic past becoming public. Now a reporter is reinvestigating the notorious crime that put Madeline's mother behind bars, threatening to destroy her elaborate facade. Only Madeline's sister, Annie, and their frail grandparents know about her childhood--but lately Madeline has reason to wonder if her grandparents also have a history they've been keeping from her.

As the demons of the past swirl around her, a childhood friend with a gentle heart is urging Madeline to have faith in him--and in herself. And as she allows her resistance to thaw, the pain she expects pales in comparison to the surprises headed straight to her door. With one bold, unprecedented move, Madeline O Shea may just wake up out of the sadness and guilt that have kept her sleepwalking through life for so long--and discover that the worst thing that can happen is sometimes the very thing we desperately need.

I have seen this book listed as chick lit. It is definitely not lighthearted or fluffy. It deals with a heavy subject with grace and lots of emotion. It is hard at times to read, but impossible to walk away from as you want so much for these characters.  Some may view it as over the top at times, but it did not take away from the story in my opinion.  Warning:  you may need to be alone with a few tissues to get through the last 100 pages.

Author: Cathy Lamb
Published: July 2011
Pages: 480
Genre: Women's Fiction
Source: Library
Finished: 1/23/12
3 Bears