Book Review: "Starting Now" by Debbie Macomber

Book Description:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber returns to Seattle?s beloved Blossom Street in this heartfelt tale of friendship, renewal, and discovering what?s truly important in life. — For years Libby Morgan dreamed only of making partner in her competitive, high-pressure law firm. She sacrificed everything for her career?her friends, he... more »r marriage, her chance at creating a family. When her boss calls Libby into his office, she assumes it will finally be good news, but nothing can prepare her for the shocking reality: She?s been let go and must rebuild her entire life . . . starting now.

With no job prospects in sight, Libby reaches out to old friends and spends her afternoons at A Good Yarn, the local knitting store. There she forms a close bond with Lydia, the sweet-natured shop owner; Lydia?s spirited teenage daughter, Casey; and Casey?s best friend, Ava, a shy yet troubled girl who will shape Libby?s future in surprising and profound ways.

As A Good Yarn becomes a second home?and the women a new kind of family?Libby relishes the different person she?s become. She even finds time for romance with a charming and handsome doctor who seems to be her perfect match. But just as everything is coming together, Libby must make a choice that could forever change the life she holds so dear.

Warmly told and richly textured, Starting Now is filled with the promise of new beginnings and the unending delights of companionship and love.

My thoughts:

This is the latest book in the "Blossom Street" series.  This has been my second favorite series by Debbie Macomber.  The first being "Cedar Cove."  This one did not disappoint.  I couldn't put down the book.  Even though the author moves on with new characters she has a great way to bring back the original characters.

I loved Libby - I felt like I had to keep reading to see what happened next.  I 'watched' her grow as a person - loved it.  

The one thing I didn't like was the secondary plot with Ava - just wasn't my cup of tea, but it certainly did not take away from my thoughts from the book. 

If you haven't tried this series - give it a try.  The books in the series are:
"The Shop on Blossom Street"
"A Good Yarn"
Susannah's Garden"
"Back on Blossom Street"
"Twenty Wishes"
"Summer on Blossom Street"
"Hannah's List" (didn't really have to read)
"A Turn in the Road"

Happy Reading!

Book Review: "All He Ever Dreamed" by Shannon Stacey

 

 

 

Book Description:

 

 

Josh Kowalski is tired of holding down the fort better known as the Northern Star Lodge?while his siblings are off living their dreams. Now that his oldest brother has returned to Whitford, Maine for good, Josh is free to chase some dreams of his own.As the daughter of the lodge's longtime housekeeper, Katie Davis grew up alongside the Kowalski ... more »kids. Though she's always been "one of the guys", her feelings for Josh are anything but sisterly. And after a hot late-night encounter in the kitchen, it's clear Josh finally sees her as the woman she is.Katie's been waiting years for Josh to notice her, but now that he has, she's afraid it's too late. Giving her heart to a man who can't wait to leave town is one sure way to have it broken. But Josh keeps coming up with excuses not to leave?could it be that everything he's ever wanted is closer than he could have imagined?

 

 

My thoughts:

 

This is the sixth book in the series.  After my 'stinker' of a book I read last week, I knew this one wouldn't let me down.  And boy was I right!  I loved it!!  I don't want this series to end.... I love love love the characters and every storyline.

 

This book focused on Josh and his wanting to leave the family business and home to find his own dreams.  Enter Katie - he has always thought of her as a best friend.  She has been hiding her feelings for Josh for a long time.  But now Josh is seeing her in a new light. 

 

There is of course some bumps in the road.  What kind of book would it be without one?  =)  But it kep me from wanting to put the book down.  It was just what I needed to get over the 'stinker' of a book.

 

Happy Reading!

Book Review: "A Place Called Home" By Jo Goodman

Book Description:

IT'S WHERE YOU BELONG... — When Thea Wyndham and Mitchell Baker learn they've been named joint guardians for their late friends' three children, they're little more than acquaintances. Barely polite acquaintances, at that. Something about Mitch's forthright intensity has always left ad exec Thea feeling off-balance... more », while Mitch makes no secret of his disdain when Thea offers him financial assistance if he'll take sole guardianship.

Thea is far from heartless. She's just plain terrified of her new parenting responsibilities. Both she and Mitch are romantically involved with other people. Yet the more time they spend together, the less certain she is of her loyalties. There are complications and missteps, tears and laughter -- lots of it. And somehow, through it all, the dawning realization that the last place she thought she'd find herself could be just where she belongs....

This book I read for the Reading Challenge I am in.  This is the first and I can say last book I will read by the author.  I could not get into it.  I did not like the writing, the characters.  I did not finish the book.  I needed to move on, as I never wanted to pick it up.  And that is SO not like me.  It has been a long while since I didn't finish a book.

Have you read any 'stinker' books lately? 

Happy Reading!

Book Review: "The Last Boyfriend" by Nora Roberts

Book Description:

A new novel of a shared past, a fresh start, and a lifetime of love. — #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts introduces you to the Montgomery brothers -- Beckett, Ryder, and Owen -- as they bring an intimate bed-and-breakfast to life in their hometown. — Owen is the organizer of the Montgomery clan, r... more »unning the family’s construction business with an iron fist -- and an even less flexible spreadsheet. And though his brothers bust on his compulsive list-making, the Inn BoonsBoro is about to open right on schedule. The only thing Owen didn’t plan for was Avery McTavish...

Avery’s popular pizza place is right across the street from the inn, giving her a first-hand look at its amazing renovation -- and a newfound appreciation for Owen. Since he was her first boyfriend when they were kids, Owen has never been far from Avery’s thoughts. But the attraction she’s feeling for him now is far from innocent.

As Avery and Owen cautiously take their relationship to another level, the opening of the inn gives the whole town of Boonsboro a reason to celebrate. But Owen’s hard work has only begun. Getting Avery to let down her guard is going to take longer than he expected -- and so will getting her to realize that her first boyfriend is going to be her last…

My thoughts:

This is the second in "The Innsboro Trilogy."  I reviewed the first one in the series "The Next Always" here. I loved the first book.  I loved this book, but not as much as the first one. 

This book is about Owen Montgomery.  But in a way I loved, it just didn't focus on him and his 'love interest.'  It also picked up where the first book left off with Claire and Beckett and also the opening of the Inn. 

Owen is the type of person who has a plan - everything is scheduled out.  What he didn't plan on is falling for Avery, whom he has known since they were little kids.  They were boyfriend/girlfriend at age 5 or 6 and he even gave her a plastic ring.  Little did either one of them know that they would fall in love for real as an adults.

I enjoyed reading about this love story as well.  I can't wait to read how the author will tie up the trilogy.  As with most series I am sure I will be sad to see it end.

Happy Reading!!

Book Review: "Allergic to Death" by Peg Cochran

Book Description:

Preparing calorie-conscious meals for the dieters of Woodstone, Connecticut, Gigi Fitzgerald knows a cheater when she sees one. And when murder is on the menu, she's ready to get the skinny on whodunit ... — Business is looking up for Gigi's Gourmet De-Lite, thanks to her newest client, restaurant reviewer Martha Bernhardt. Martha has the... more » clout to put Gigi's personal meal plans on everyone's lips. But instead of dropping a few pounds, Martha drops dead from a severe peanut allergy ... right after eating one of Gigi's signature dishes.a

When the distractingly debonair Detective Mertz identifies traces of peanut oil in Martha's last meal, Gigi suddenly finds her diet catering business on the chopping block. Now she'll have to track down who tampered with her recipe before her own goose is cooked. Includes delicious -- and healthy -- recipes.

My thoughts:

This is a new author to me and a new series for the author.  It was time for a cozy again so I thought I would give this new one a try. 

I liked the background where Gigi prepares low calorie meals for people - sounds interesting.  It has the typical cozy plot so no surprises there. 

One thing about cozies and maybe it is just me but I usually don't have a clue who 'dunnit'.  =)  And I like it that way.  That might be me.  If I figure it out - kudos to me.  If not, I am usually surprised.

This book did hae some surprises in it. All in all it was a good book.  I will read the next one in the series. 

Happy Reading!