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Finding Colin Firth
From the author of The Meryl Streep Movie Club, " a heartwarming, spirit-lifting read just in time for beach season" ( Kirkus Reviews ), comes a new novel about three women, connected in secret and surprising ways, who are in for a life-changing summer when rumor has it that actor Colin Firth is coming to their Maine town to film a movie.
After losing her job and leaving her beloved husband, journalist Gemma Hendricks is sure that scoring an interview with Colin Firth will save her career and marriage. Yet a heart-tugging local story about women, family ties, love, and loss captures her heart--and changes everything. The story concerns Bea Crane, a floundering twenty-two-year old who learns in a deathbed confession letter that she was adopted at birth. Bea is in Boothbay Harbor to surreptitiously observe her biological mother, Veronica Russo--something of a legend in town--who Bea might not be ready to meet, after all. Veronica, a thirty-eight-year-old diner waitress famous for her "healing" pies, has come home to Maine to face her past. But when she's hired as an Extra on the bustling movie set, she wonders if she's hiding from the truth . . . and perhaps the opportunity of a real life Mr. Darcy.
These three women will discover more than they ever imagined in this coastal Maine town, buzzing with hopes of Colin Firth. Even the conjecture of his arrival inspires daydreams, amplifies complicated lives, and gives incentive to find their own romantic endings.
Praise for The Meryl Streep Movie Club
"Consume with a bowl of popcorn and plenty of hankies." -- Publishers Weekly
"This is a fun, highly-readable story that begs to be discussed and should be a winner with book clubs!" -- Beth Hoffman , New York Times bestselling author of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt and Looking For Me
After losing her job and leaving her beloved husband, journalist Gemma Hendricks is sure that scoring an interview with Colin Firth will save her career and marriage. Yet a heart-tugging local story about women, family ties, love, and loss captures her heart--and changes everything. The story concerns Bea Crane, a floundering twenty-two-year old who learns in a deathbed confession letter that she was adopted at birth. Bea is in Boothbay Harbor to surreptitiously observe her biological mother, Veronica Russo--something of a legend in town--who Bea might not be ready to meet, after all. Veronica, a thirty-eight-year-old diner waitress famous for her "healing" pies, has come home to Maine to face her past. But when she's hired as an Extra on the bustling movie set, she wonders if she's hiding from the truth . . . and perhaps the opportunity of a real life Mr. Darcy.
These three women will discover more than they ever imagined in this coastal Maine town, buzzing with hopes of Colin Firth. Even the conjecture of his arrival inspires daydreams, amplifies complicated lives, and gives incentive to find their own romantic endings.
Praise for The Meryl Streep Movie Club
"Consume with a bowl of popcorn and plenty of hankies." -- Publishers Weekly
"This is a fun, highly-readable story that begs to be discussed and should be a winner with book clubs!" -- Beth Hoffman , New York Times bestselling author of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt and Looking For Me
319 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
46 people are currently reading
3221 people want to read
About the author
Mia March
26 books169 followersI'm the author of THE MERYL STREEP MOVIE CLUB (2012, Simon & Schuster) and FINDING COLIN FIRTH, Simon & Schuster, 2013 (a spin-off of TMSMC). I live on the coast of Maine, the setting of the novels, with my teenaged son and our sweet shepherd mix (Flash) and our very comical lap cat, Cleo.
Of course, I'm a huge Meryl Streep fan, and I've been swooning over Colin Firth since I first saw him in the BBC version of Pride & Prejudice back in the mid 90s. (I'm also crazy about Then She Found Me.)
I'm not only a movie fan--I'm a huge reader. My favorite books range from childhood favorites such as Anne of Green Gables and Little Women (I always liked to think those March sisters were my own :) and current favorite authors include Elin Hilderbrand, Marisa de los Santos, Beth Hoffman, Jennifer Weiner, Kristin Hannah, Anne Lamott, Richard Russo, Stephen King, Anne Tyler, Maeve Binchy, Claire Cook, Jennifer Crusie, Elizabeth Berg, and many more. I love big-hearted, emotional novels about life and love. I also love memoirs and all kinds of non-fiction. Life is non-stop learning! Feel free to email me at authormiamarch @ gmail.com
Of course, I'm a huge Meryl Streep fan, and I've been swooning over Colin Firth since I first saw him in the BBC version of Pride & Prejudice back in the mid 90s. (I'm also crazy about Then She Found Me.)
I'm not only a movie fan--I'm a huge reader. My favorite books range from childhood favorites such as Anne of Green Gables and Little Women (I always liked to think those March sisters were my own :) and current favorite authors include Elin Hilderbrand, Marisa de los Santos, Beth Hoffman, Jennifer Weiner, Kristin Hannah, Anne Lamott, Richard Russo, Stephen King, Anne Tyler, Maeve Binchy, Claire Cook, Jennifer Crusie, Elizabeth Berg, and many more. I love big-hearted, emotional novels about life and love. I also love memoirs and all kinds of non-fiction. Life is non-stop learning! Feel free to email me at authormiamarch @ gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 404 reviews
July 5, 2019
4.25 Stars → Three women, Bea, Veronica, and Gemma, experience a life-changing summer when Colin Firth comes to town to film a movie. I wasn't sure what to expect in this book, but what I found was a heartwarming story about motherhood, identity, loss, family, and magical elixir pies.
What's really at the heart of this book is Hope Home, a refuge for pregnant teens near Boothbay Harbor, Maine, that's approaching its 50-year anniversary. Veronica was a resident 22 years ago, and she gave up her baby for adoption, hoping for a better life for her daughter than she could give. Bea has just recently found out that Veronica is her birth mother, and she's come to town to learn her history. Gemma is at a turning point in her life, newly unemployed and pregnant, and doing a freelance story on Hope Home. She's conflicted about motherhood and at odds with her husband about how and where to raise their child.
I enjoyed and connected to all of the characters, and their conflicts were realistic and emotional ones. Lovely Maine setting too. FINDING COLIN FIRTH is a wonderful summer read with depth and heart. Enjoyed!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
What's really at the heart of this book is Hope Home, a refuge for pregnant teens near Boothbay Harbor, Maine, that's approaching its 50-year anniversary. Veronica was a resident 22 years ago, and she gave up her baby for adoption, hoping for a better life for her daughter than she could give. Bea has just recently found out that Veronica is her birth mother, and she's come to town to learn her history. Gemma is at a turning point in her life, newly unemployed and pregnant, and doing a freelance story on Hope Home. She's conflicted about motherhood and at odds with her husband about how and where to raise their child.
I enjoyed and connected to all of the characters, and their conflicts were realistic and emotional ones. Lovely Maine setting too. FINDING COLIN FIRTH is a wonderful summer read with depth and heart. Enjoyed!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
January 13, 2022
An engaging book telling the story of three women. Twelve months after her mother’s death Bea receives news that sends her life into a spin. Veronica is a pie maker who hopes that one day the baby girl she gave up for adoption at age 16 will one day want to know her. Gemma is struggling to build her career and stop her husband from taking control of their lives completely. These three women connect in various ways and each of their lives change. I loved this book. The characters were easy to relate to and become involved with. A delightful read that had me emotionally invested throughout.
January 1, 2014
I read about a fourth of the book and ran back to the room with my DVDs and gathered all my Colin Firth movies. I've spent all this weekend reading this book and watching his movies.
July 9, 2013
**ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest reveiw.**
“I have a birth mother. Her name is Veronica Russo. She lives in a place called Boothbay Harbor, Maine.”
One year has passed since Bea Crane lost her mom. A letter arrives written by her mom; a confession that rocks Bea’s entire world. No longer knowing who she is or what to think, Bea sets out on a journey to find answers to questions she never believed she would have…
“People will come and go from your life for all kinds of acceptable and crappy reasons…So you’ve got to be your own best friend, know who you are, and never let anyone tell you you’re something you know you’re not.”
Veronica Russo has finally come back to Boothbay Harbor after twenty-two years in hopes of facing her past and starting fresh. Working at the local diner and being a legend for her famous “elixir” pies, Veronica seems to be heading in the right direction. Though she never married, her heart being closed off at a young age; one day she hoped she would find the one man who would be her everything, her Colin Firth. She never had children…except the six pound baby girl she gave up when she was sixteen, but the hope hasn’t completely died there either. She keeps her information current so that if her daughter were to ever come looking, Veronica could be found.
“What a beautiful story of coming full circle it would be.”
Gemma Hendricks loves the city. Living in New York has always been a dream of hers and her husband, Alex. Now, his dreams have changed and Gemma can’t take the constant tension in their upscale NYC apartment. Getting shocking news, losing her job and hearing her husband talk about moving to the suburbs leaves Gemma feeling lost. Deciding she needs time, she leaves; escaping to her childhood vacation spot where she can just breathe. Meeting up with old friends also helps, and with a celebrity in town, maybe an interview would help get her life and career back on track…little did she know that her heartstrings would pull her into a story that could very well hit too close to home.
Can Gemma work her literary magic in order to bring mother and daughter together? Can she face her own new reality too? Can Bea make a future with her unknown past? Can Veronica really face what she’s been running from all this time…and what is in those pies?
What a breath of fresh air! I loved this book! Reading any story from multiple points of view always intrigues me and keeps me glued to the pages. Finding Colin Firth was no exception. I loved how each woman had her own separate story and backstory (which were wonderfully described and placed) and yet how they all intertwined. I laughed and I cried. The bonds that were forged and lessons learned truly touched my heart. Beautifully written and I absolutely look forward to reading more from Mia March.
**4.5 Feel-Good Stars**
“I have a birth mother. Her name is Veronica Russo. She lives in a place called Boothbay Harbor, Maine.”
One year has passed since Bea Crane lost her mom. A letter arrives written by her mom; a confession that rocks Bea’s entire world. No longer knowing who she is or what to think, Bea sets out on a journey to find answers to questions she never believed she would have…
“People will come and go from your life for all kinds of acceptable and crappy reasons…So you’ve got to be your own best friend, know who you are, and never let anyone tell you you’re something you know you’re not.”
Veronica Russo has finally come back to Boothbay Harbor after twenty-two years in hopes of facing her past and starting fresh. Working at the local diner and being a legend for her famous “elixir” pies, Veronica seems to be heading in the right direction. Though she never married, her heart being closed off at a young age; one day she hoped she would find the one man who would be her everything, her Colin Firth. She never had children…except the six pound baby girl she gave up when she was sixteen, but the hope hasn’t completely died there either. She keeps her information current so that if her daughter were to ever come looking, Veronica could be found.
“What a beautiful story of coming full circle it would be.”
Gemma Hendricks loves the city. Living in New York has always been a dream of hers and her husband, Alex. Now, his dreams have changed and Gemma can’t take the constant tension in their upscale NYC apartment. Getting shocking news, losing her job and hearing her husband talk about moving to the suburbs leaves Gemma feeling lost. Deciding she needs time, she leaves; escaping to her childhood vacation spot where she can just breathe. Meeting up with old friends also helps, and with a celebrity in town, maybe an interview would help get her life and career back on track…little did she know that her heartstrings would pull her into a story that could very well hit too close to home.
Can Gemma work her literary magic in order to bring mother and daughter together? Can she face her own new reality too? Can Bea make a future with her unknown past? Can Veronica really face what she’s been running from all this time…and what is in those pies?
What a breath of fresh air! I loved this book! Reading any story from multiple points of view always intrigues me and keeps me glued to the pages. Finding Colin Firth was no exception. I loved how each woman had her own separate story and backstory (which were wonderfully described and placed) and yet how they all intertwined. I laughed and I cried. The bonds that were forged and lessons learned truly touched my heart. Beautifully written and I absolutely look forward to reading more from Mia March.
**4.5 Feel-Good Stars**
July 11, 2013
Finding Colin Firth is an example of chick lit/beach reading at its fluffiest. The story follows three women who arrive (separately) in a small town in Maine just as a Colin Firth movie is being filmed. The movie set becomes one of the unifying themes across the three storylines, but it’s really a book about three women learning what’s important in life.
In general, the book is sweet enough to make your teeth hurt. The reunion of a daughter with her birth mother - a newly pregnant journalist trying to figure out what her life means in the face of impending motherhood - a woman resolving the emotional issues of her town with magical pies (?) while being unable to come to terms with her own problems - are all pretty basic storylines that all come to pretty predictable ends. There is a lot of repetition, and the themes and important points are almost shouted at you, so you can shut your brain off while you read it.
I’m not down on Finding Colin Firth because it’s soft. It’s that kind of book, and we all need to read that kind of book from time to time. It just feels kind of like a story written by a girl in high school who is trying to imagine some idyllic world to escape to – sure, people have problems, but they’re all easily swept away by the magic of friendship and the promise of seeing a movie star. The idea is great, but the execution could use a little work.
In general, the book is sweet enough to make your teeth hurt. The reunion of a daughter with her birth mother - a newly pregnant journalist trying to figure out what her life means in the face of impending motherhood - a woman resolving the emotional issues of her town with magical pies (?) while being unable to come to terms with her own problems - are all pretty basic storylines that all come to pretty predictable ends. There is a lot of repetition, and the themes and important points are almost shouted at you, so you can shut your brain off while you read it.
I’m not down on Finding Colin Firth because it’s soft. It’s that kind of book, and we all need to read that kind of book from time to time. It just feels kind of like a story written by a girl in high school who is trying to imagine some idyllic world to escape to – sure, people have problems, but they’re all easily swept away by the magic of friendship and the promise of seeing a movie star. The idea is great, but the execution could use a little work.
August 4, 2013
So far, it's not looking good. The author has written into this light-hearted book a terrible, grave, and even fatal mistake. Veronica, one of the main characters, is watching "Pride and Prejudice" on her dvd while there is much talk and thoughts on Colin Firth. The book is named for this man! But any true fan of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" and any fan of Colin Firth as Fitzwilliam Darcy would know easily that Veronica is watching the WRONG version! These are not the words uttered by Colin Firth to Jennifer Elhe, but of Matthew MacFayden to Keira Knightley right after he has walked across the field in the wee hours of the morning. I remember hearing them the first time as I watched this poor interpretation. I thought the words and execution ridiculous then. What is to become of the next 300 pages or so. I feel tainted already and I might not be able forgive this mistake. I cannot think why it is not mentioned at all in some of the samplings of reviews posted here already. Stay tuned to see if the book can resurrect itself!
Well, upon finishing the book, it was a quick and light read. I liked the book for that, but I would not forget the error made. You just cannot fool a Janeite.
Well, upon finishing the book, it was a quick and light read. I liked the book for that, but I would not forget the error made. You just cannot fool a Janeite.
October 17, 2017
I read this for a book club – willingly, because I like Colin Firth and this looked like a fun read. Then, early on I hit a major, unforgivable, unfathomable snag in the book: a character supposedly loves Colin Firth, loves his work, loves him as Darcy in the mini-series of Pride & Prejudice, which she has watched over and over. And over. And over. Then she “quotes” Firth's Darcy – except the quote is from Matthew Macfadyen's Darcy in his movie of Pride & Prejudice!!!! Do you see the problem??? All credibility is dashed to smithereens!!! How can I move beyond this and have any faith that the author knows what she's talking about??? Nevertheless I persisted, but I never forgot the error, not for one page of this novel. Glad to get that out of my system.
August 31, 2025
Nie zrobiłam DNF tylko dlatego, że zaciekawiła mnie fabuła. I gdyby tę książkę napisała Jojo Moyes, byłaby świetna, a tak…
Stylistycznie to jakaś masakra. Bardzo sztuczny język (nie wiem, czy to wina autorki książki czy autorki przekładu) i narracja dawały vibe hallmarkowej produkcji - przewracanie oczami na styl wypowiedzi bohaterek i bohaterów gwarantowany. Tak jak i na różne sytuacje w międzyczasie, mega sztuczne i krindżowe. A przez to czytałam ją dłużej niż bym chciała, bo po 30 stronach czułam już wewnętrzny opór bez niszczeniem moich szarych komórek dalej.
Stylistycznie to jakaś masakra. Bardzo sztuczny język (nie wiem, czy to wina autorki książki czy autorki przekładu) i narracja dawały vibe hallmarkowej produkcji - przewracanie oczami na styl wypowiedzi bohaterek i bohaterów gwarantowany. Tak jak i na różne sytuacje w międzyczasie, mega sztuczne i krindżowe. A przez to czytałam ją dłużej niż bym chciała, bo po 30 stronach czułam już wewnętrzny opór bez niszczeniem moich szarych komórek dalej.
January 3, 2015
The moment I saw this book I knew I had to pick it up. Awesome title, that’s for sure. I’m fascinated by the love everyone seems to profess for Colin Firth, especially to the extent of making a statue of him and putting it in the middle of a England Lake just to recreate the utterly famous Pride and Prejudice (great show, by the way, watch it if you haven’t already) scene. But I guess it’s understandable, Colin Firth definitely has something. Here’s a quote of the book that kind of captures him:
There’s a lot of references to Colin Firth in this book, a bunch of his movies are watched by the characters, there’s a Colin Firth fan club around (they wear "HAPPINESS IS COLIN FIRTH" t-shirts) and there’s a drunk guy shouting sightings of Colin Firth because he is supposedly in town filming a movie. By the way, quote from Colin Firth that opens the book:
So damn true.
This novel reminded me of The Husband’s Secret, a book I just read a few weeks ago and I totally loved. The structure is similar, we have three main characters narrating their stories, every chapter one of the three. The characters of both books felt real and you could relate to them, but whereas Moriarty’s writing compelled me from the first moment, Mia March didn't achieve that. Which isn't to say he writes badly, but definitely not as good as Moriarty. I know this comparison sucks and if I had read this book first I would have probably like it a little more, but what are you gonna do? The events in THB happened within a week and it felt like a month due to the many things that happened. But in FCF the opposite happened, it was a longer period of time but it felt like two days had only passed. The main problem is that there was a lot of repetition, meaning that one character told us what was going on in her head, then she told a second character and then this second character told someone else and so on. I know in life we are bound to repeat ourselves a thousand times but that why books need to condense stuff sometimes. See, this is where this book failed to deliver. In The Husband’s Secret the characters “helped” each other offering new layers, but in FCF it just felt a bit repetitive.
And I’m going to compare again, sorry. The stories in THS touched my heart even though I couldn't relate personally (which is why I loved that book), the ones in FCF are more easy to relate to (and less dramatic) but I didn't feel that connection to the characters that I did felt with The Husband Secret.
But overall, it was a good read, I quite enjoyed it and didn't take much time to go trough it. Recommended especially if you love Colin Firth because he is all over the place (not in person, but “spiritually”).
And now, I’m off to watch Pride and Prejudice again ;)
P.S.: This was a birthday gift (that I selected myself) from my cool aunt :)
“For me, Colin Firth all the way. He’s our generation’s Cary Grant - that swoon-worthy older actor, tall, dark and handsome, debonair but still very masculine and completely epitomizing everything a woman wants in a lifetime partner. Just look at how politely good looking he is. He’s so British!”
There’s a lot of references to Colin Firth in this book, a bunch of his movies are watched by the characters, there’s a Colin Firth fan club around (they wear "HAPPINESS IS COLIN FIRTH" t-shirts) and there’s a drunk guy shouting sightings of Colin Firth because he is supposedly in town filming a movie. By the way, quote from Colin Firth that opens the book:
I'm fully aware that if I were to change professions tomorrow, become an astronaut and be the first man to land on Mars, the headlines in the newspapers would read: “Mr. Darcy Lands on Mars”.
So damn true.
This novel reminded me of The Husband’s Secret, a book I just read a few weeks ago and I totally loved. The structure is similar, we have three main characters narrating their stories, every chapter one of the three. The characters of both books felt real and you could relate to them, but whereas Moriarty’s writing compelled me from the first moment, Mia March didn't achieve that. Which isn't to say he writes badly, but definitely not as good as Moriarty. I know this comparison sucks and if I had read this book first I would have probably like it a little more, but what are you gonna do? The events in THB happened within a week and it felt like a month due to the many things that happened. But in FCF the opposite happened, it was a longer period of time but it felt like two days had only passed. The main problem is that there was a lot of repetition, meaning that one character told us what was going on in her head, then she told a second character and then this second character told someone else and so on. I know in life we are bound to repeat ourselves a thousand times but that why books need to condense stuff sometimes. See, this is where this book failed to deliver. In The Husband’s Secret the characters “helped” each other offering new layers, but in FCF it just felt a bit repetitive.
And I’m going to compare again, sorry. The stories in THS touched my heart even though I couldn't relate personally (which is why I loved that book), the ones in FCF are more easy to relate to (and less dramatic) but I didn't feel that connection to the characters that I did felt with The Husband Secret.
But overall, it was a good read, I quite enjoyed it and didn't take much time to go trough it. Recommended especially if you love Colin Firth because he is all over the place (not in person, but “spiritually”).
And now, I’m off to watch Pride and Prejudice again ;)
P.S.: This was a birthday gift (that I selected myself) from my cool aunt :)
June 30, 2013
This book was not anything like I expected it to be. Although, I’m not entirely sure what it was that I expected. It’s a story of three women, all in different places of their lives, searching for answers. Their paths cross and the questions they all have revolve around the IDEA of Colin Firth.
For those of you who are not aware of who Colin Firth is (I can’t imagine there being many who do not know this handsome, charming man), he is a British actor best known for his role of Mr. Darcy in Pride & Prejudice and Bridget Jones’s Diary (yes, he was a Darcy in that one too!). Women are drawn to him for obvious reasons (Google him if you must!).
In any case, the three women that cross paths are all anticipating a movie production that will star Mr. Colin Firth. Gemma, a hard working woman who is seeking solace and comfort with a friend, is given the opportunity to be a journalist in the same town the movie is being made. While there, she is hell bent on getting the chance to interview Mr. Firth. Bea, a young woman who just found out that the people she’s known as her parents her entire life, are indeed not, and she sets out to this same town looking for her birth mother. Her birth mother just happens to be Veronica, the third piece to our puzzle. Veronica is looking for a fresh start and maybe a rom com romance to boot. It’s in their flaws and their desperation to be a part of a Colin Firth type movie life, that the three women find themselves and their complicated situations entwined with one another.
The story is moving, fun and, well… charming. It’s a sweet contemporary romance that reunites a mother and daughter, restores a woman’s faith in love and romance, and brings a family closer together. And, well, it’s got plenty of the dashing Mr. Darcy. What’s not to love?
Reviewed by Marie for Cocktails and Books
For those of you who are not aware of who Colin Firth is (I can’t imagine there being many who do not know this handsome, charming man), he is a British actor best known for his role of Mr. Darcy in Pride & Prejudice and Bridget Jones’s Diary (yes, he was a Darcy in that one too!). Women are drawn to him for obvious reasons (Google him if you must!).
In any case, the three women that cross paths are all anticipating a movie production that will star Mr. Colin Firth. Gemma, a hard working woman who is seeking solace and comfort with a friend, is given the opportunity to be a journalist in the same town the movie is being made. While there, she is hell bent on getting the chance to interview Mr. Firth. Bea, a young woman who just found out that the people she’s known as her parents her entire life, are indeed not, and she sets out to this same town looking for her birth mother. Her birth mother just happens to be Veronica, the third piece to our puzzle. Veronica is looking for a fresh start and maybe a rom com romance to boot. It’s in their flaws and their desperation to be a part of a Colin Firth type movie life, that the three women find themselves and their complicated situations entwined with one another.
The story is moving, fun and, well… charming. It’s a sweet contemporary romance that reunites a mother and daughter, restores a woman’s faith in love and romance, and brings a family closer together. And, well, it’s got plenty of the dashing Mr. Darcy. What’s not to love?
Reviewed by Marie for Cocktails and Books
January 26, 2020
At last, a 5⭐ read. why is this overrated? I mean, the story is so heart warming! I wished theres a movie adaptation to this.
The story switched between three main characters that crossed path with each other ; Bea, Veronica and Gemma.
But lemme sleep first. its almost 2am now 😂
The story switched between three main characters that crossed path with each other ; Bea, Veronica and Gemma.
But lemme sleep first. its almost 2am now 😂
July 26, 2016
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
3 1/2 stars. Colin Firth isn't really the story; just the bait., October 2, 2013
This review is from: Finding Colin Firth: A Novel (Paperback)
What Janeite would not stop dead in her tracks when she spies "Colin Firth" in the title of a book? Mia March's latest offering Finding Colin Firth: A Novel certainly set off all my bells and whistles. The smolderingly sexy British actor not only won our hearts when he emerged dripping wet from Pemberley pond as Mr. Darcy in the 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, he has had an acclaimed career, winning the best actor Academy Award in 2011 for The King's Speech. Who wouldn't want to find Colin Firth? But no, dear friends, this is not a "How to" book sharing tips and advice on how to track and successfully have a Firth encounter. Eeesh! It's a work of fiction about three women unknowingly bound together and whose lives intersect when the actor is slated to film a movie in a coastal Maine town. Daily rumors of Mr. Firth's arrival fuels fantasy and stirs the excitement in their lives and aspirations. (Just imagining spotting Mr. Firth in my little town sets this fan-girl's heart racing!)
A year after her mother's death, (who incidentally was a Colin Firth fan), 22 year-old Bea Crane receives a mysterious letter from her deceased mother, confessing she adopted Bea as a newborn. "...Now that I feel myself going, I can't bear to take this with me. But I can't bear to tell you with my final breaths, either, I can't do that to you. So I'll wait on this, for both of us. But you should know the truth because it is the truth." Shocked, Bea tracks down her birth mother to Boothbay Harbor, Maine and decides she must see this unknown woman for herself.
In Boothbay, Bea learns that 38-year-old Veronica Russo is an unmarried waitress-slash-magic pie baker-slash-Colin Firth fan who has only in the last year returned to her hometown. After years of failed relationships, her friends worry she will end up alone. "...she'd started saying what felt light-hearted but true at the same time, that she was holding out for a man who felt like Colin Firth to her. Her friend Shelley from the diner had known exactly what she meant. `I realize he's an actor playing roles, but I get it,' Shelley had said. `Honest. Full of integrity. Conviction. Brimming with intelligence. Loyal. You just want to believe everything he says with that British accent of his -and can trust it.'" Having failed to escape haunting memories of her youth, Veronica has come home to confront her past then "maybe her heart would start working the way it was supposed to. And maybe, maybe, maybe, the daughter she'd given up for adoption would contact her." Now back to those magic pies by Veronica... She calls them elixir pies claiming to cast hope, love or banishment- or anything that conjures up a solution to one's troubles. "For a heartbroken friend, Healing Pie. For a sick friend, Feel Better Pie. For a down-in -the dumps friend, Happiness Pie. For the lovelorn, Amore Pie." And they seem to work! On everyone except Veronica. At least so far.
After seeing her birth mother at the diner, but not brave enough yet to approach her, Bea decides to take a tour of Hope Home, a home for unwed pregnant girls where she was born. There she meets a Manhattan journalist, Gemma Hendricks. Upon first coming to town, the recently fired Gemma thought she could curry favor with her old magazine by scooping a coveted human-interest story on Colin Firth. Instead she is offered a free-lance gig at the local newspaper to write a story on the 50th anniversary of Hope Home. At a crossroads herself, Gemma has only just discovered she is pregnant but has yet to share the news with her devoted attorney husband. She loves living and working in the city but already knows her husband wants to move to the suburbs and start a family. "How would she ever get back what she had at `New York Weekly'? Alexander would realize this in a hot minute and argue her into that Dobbs Ferry house before she new it. He'd make his own case until she had no arguments of her own. And once she had the baby? He'd bombard her with articles about working mothers and bad nannies and reckless day cares."
Although this is an intricate concoction, cooking up a potentially emotionally heated story, it would be a failing indeed were I not to mention the elephant in the room. A glaring error, in fact. And I mean GLARING--Red-light GLARING error--in the beginning of the book. Veronica is baking a pie while supposedly watching the mini-series Pride and Prejudice. The Colin Firth, 1995, A&E five-hour version. March writes, "Fitzwilliam Darcy's face filled the TV screen. `If, however, your feelings have changed, I will have to tell you; you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on...'" Although it's not Austen's prose, this Janeite loves that line and all it's saccharine sweet sentiment. I know for a fact it's what the Matthew Macfadyen's Mr. Darcy from the Joe Wright 2005 version of P&P says to Kiera Knightley's Lizzy Bennet as they meet in a mist covered field at daybreak! So, I went back and made sure I hadn't missed something--something like, Veronica was watching the newer version. But no, she is supposed to be watching the Colin Firth version. Ugh! It is incredulous any author writing about the namesake of her book, or her editor, or the layers of people who read it before publication could let such an obvious blunder slip through unnoticed. From then on I had my doubts March was a fan of Colin Firth or P&P - and speculated maybe she wrote this bit of pastiche to take advantage of the current popularity and ready-made fan base of both. Prejudiced thereafter, I read any mention of Mr.Firth or his movies with a cynical eye, thinking this could be any popular actor and his movies dubbed in. Nevertheless, I soldiered on because honestly, I liked the premise--and was hopeful.
Did I enjoy the book? Hmmmmm... Yes, I did. It was an interesting story with strong plot lines. Although Finding Colin Firth: A Novel dealt with powerful issues regarding teenage pregnancy, adoption, marriage and relationship struggles with a happy ending for all, I must admit I never felt overly invested in any of the characters to really like them. There seemed no shortage of disjointed "telling" from the three main characters' point of view but scant, soulful interaction. Given the themes, I thought there would have been more depth. Pity. In short, it's a good book. Easy, breezy bit of chic-lit that I liked. Not loved.
Yes, there is a Colin Firth sighting, eventually, but then again, he's not really the story. Just the bait.
3 1/2 stars. Colin Firth isn't really the story; just the bait., October 2, 2013
This review is from: Finding Colin Firth: A Novel (Paperback)
What Janeite would not stop dead in her tracks when she spies "Colin Firth" in the title of a book? Mia March's latest offering Finding Colin Firth: A Novel certainly set off all my bells and whistles. The smolderingly sexy British actor not only won our hearts when he emerged dripping wet from Pemberley pond as Mr. Darcy in the 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, he has had an acclaimed career, winning the best actor Academy Award in 2011 for The King's Speech. Who wouldn't want to find Colin Firth? But no, dear friends, this is not a "How to" book sharing tips and advice on how to track and successfully have a Firth encounter. Eeesh! It's a work of fiction about three women unknowingly bound together and whose lives intersect when the actor is slated to film a movie in a coastal Maine town. Daily rumors of Mr. Firth's arrival fuels fantasy and stirs the excitement in their lives and aspirations. (Just imagining spotting Mr. Firth in my little town sets this fan-girl's heart racing!)
A year after her mother's death, (who incidentally was a Colin Firth fan), 22 year-old Bea Crane receives a mysterious letter from her deceased mother, confessing she adopted Bea as a newborn. "...Now that I feel myself going, I can't bear to take this with me. But I can't bear to tell you with my final breaths, either, I can't do that to you. So I'll wait on this, for both of us. But you should know the truth because it is the truth." Shocked, Bea tracks down her birth mother to Boothbay Harbor, Maine and decides she must see this unknown woman for herself.
In Boothbay, Bea learns that 38-year-old Veronica Russo is an unmarried waitress-slash-magic pie baker-slash-Colin Firth fan who has only in the last year returned to her hometown. After years of failed relationships, her friends worry she will end up alone. "...she'd started saying what felt light-hearted but true at the same time, that she was holding out for a man who felt like Colin Firth to her. Her friend Shelley from the diner had known exactly what she meant. `I realize he's an actor playing roles, but I get it,' Shelley had said. `Honest. Full of integrity. Conviction. Brimming with intelligence. Loyal. You just want to believe everything he says with that British accent of his -and can trust it.'" Having failed to escape haunting memories of her youth, Veronica has come home to confront her past then "maybe her heart would start working the way it was supposed to. And maybe, maybe, maybe, the daughter she'd given up for adoption would contact her." Now back to those magic pies by Veronica... She calls them elixir pies claiming to cast hope, love or banishment- or anything that conjures up a solution to one's troubles. "For a heartbroken friend, Healing Pie. For a sick friend, Feel Better Pie. For a down-in -the dumps friend, Happiness Pie. For the lovelorn, Amore Pie." And they seem to work! On everyone except Veronica. At least so far.
After seeing her birth mother at the diner, but not brave enough yet to approach her, Bea decides to take a tour of Hope Home, a home for unwed pregnant girls where she was born. There she meets a Manhattan journalist, Gemma Hendricks. Upon first coming to town, the recently fired Gemma thought she could curry favor with her old magazine by scooping a coveted human-interest story on Colin Firth. Instead she is offered a free-lance gig at the local newspaper to write a story on the 50th anniversary of Hope Home. At a crossroads herself, Gemma has only just discovered she is pregnant but has yet to share the news with her devoted attorney husband. She loves living and working in the city but already knows her husband wants to move to the suburbs and start a family. "How would she ever get back what she had at `New York Weekly'? Alexander would realize this in a hot minute and argue her into that Dobbs Ferry house before she new it. He'd make his own case until she had no arguments of her own. And once she had the baby? He'd bombard her with articles about working mothers and bad nannies and reckless day cares."
Although this is an intricate concoction, cooking up a potentially emotionally heated story, it would be a failing indeed were I not to mention the elephant in the room. A glaring error, in fact. And I mean GLARING--Red-light GLARING error--in the beginning of the book. Veronica is baking a pie while supposedly watching the mini-series Pride and Prejudice. The Colin Firth, 1995, A&E five-hour version. March writes, "Fitzwilliam Darcy's face filled the TV screen. `If, however, your feelings have changed, I will have to tell you; you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on...'" Although it's not Austen's prose, this Janeite loves that line and all it's saccharine sweet sentiment. I know for a fact it's what the Matthew Macfadyen's Mr. Darcy from the Joe Wright 2005 version of P&P says to Kiera Knightley's Lizzy Bennet as they meet in a mist covered field at daybreak! So, I went back and made sure I hadn't missed something--something like, Veronica was watching the newer version. But no, she is supposed to be watching the Colin Firth version. Ugh! It is incredulous any author writing about the namesake of her book, or her editor, or the layers of people who read it before publication could let such an obvious blunder slip through unnoticed. From then on I had my doubts March was a fan of Colin Firth or P&P - and speculated maybe she wrote this bit of pastiche to take advantage of the current popularity and ready-made fan base of both. Prejudiced thereafter, I read any mention of Mr.Firth or his movies with a cynical eye, thinking this could be any popular actor and his movies dubbed in. Nevertheless, I soldiered on because honestly, I liked the premise--and was hopeful.
Did I enjoy the book? Hmmmmm... Yes, I did. It was an interesting story with strong plot lines. Although Finding Colin Firth: A Novel dealt with powerful issues regarding teenage pregnancy, adoption, marriage and relationship struggles with a happy ending for all, I must admit I never felt overly invested in any of the characters to really like them. There seemed no shortage of disjointed "telling" from the three main characters' point of view but scant, soulful interaction. Given the themes, I thought there would have been more depth. Pity. In short, it's a good book. Easy, breezy bit of chic-lit that I liked. Not loved.
Yes, there is a Colin Firth sighting, eventually, but then again, he's not really the story. Just the bait.
June 26, 2013
Filled with so much warmth and hope! 4.5 Stars!
I have to admit, I initially wanted to read this book because of the title alone. The title makes me think of many nights spent watching the movies of one of my favorite actors. Finding Colin Firth: A Novel turned out to be so much more than what the title suggests. The quaint tourist town of Boothbay Harbor, Maine is all abuzz! Colin Firth is coming to shoot some scenes for a movie. How very exciting! Boothbay Harbor is also where the lives of three women entwine and change forever. With alternating POV in each chapter, I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I got wrapped up in the stories of Bea, Veronica, and Gemma. I sympathized and cared about them so much that I kept hoping for the best for each of them as I was reading along.
Mia March has created a story full of warmth and hope. It's about unexpected pregnancy, adoption, facing and confronting demons, and accepting what is truth. This story has so many heart-tugging moments that will require tissues. It even has a tad of romance.
Although, having previously watched all the movies mentioned in this book provided a much more enriching reading experience for me, it's not necessary to have seen any of the movies beforehand to enjoy this book. I love how Mia March cleverly weaves the movie titles in such an enticing way that if you haven't seen the movies, you'll want to by the end for sure. So, for those who want to have a little fun and have their own movie marathons before, during, or after reading this book, here are the Colin Firth movies mentioned in no particular order:
Pride and Prejudice BBC miniseries
Bridget Jones's Diary
Love Actually
Then She Found Me
A Single Man
Girl with a Pearl Earring
Mamma Mia!
The King's Speech
This is my first time reading anything from Mia March. I found her writing to be witty and poignant. I'm looking forward to reading more from her. I'm sure this book will make a wonderful book club selection. There could be much lively discussion about not only what these women go through, but also about pies and Colin Firth!
***A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review***
I have to admit, I initially wanted to read this book because of the title alone. The title makes me think of many nights spent watching the movies of one of my favorite actors. Finding Colin Firth: A Novel turned out to be so much more than what the title suggests. The quaint tourist town of Boothbay Harbor, Maine is all abuzz! Colin Firth is coming to shoot some scenes for a movie. How very exciting! Boothbay Harbor is also where the lives of three women entwine and change forever. With alternating POV in each chapter, I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I got wrapped up in the stories of Bea, Veronica, and Gemma. I sympathized and cared about them so much that I kept hoping for the best for each of them as I was reading along.
Mia March has created a story full of warmth and hope. It's about unexpected pregnancy, adoption, facing and confronting demons, and accepting what is truth. This story has so many heart-tugging moments that will require tissues. It even has a tad of romance.
Although, having previously watched all the movies mentioned in this book provided a much more enriching reading experience for me, it's not necessary to have seen any of the movies beforehand to enjoy this book. I love how Mia March cleverly weaves the movie titles in such an enticing way that if you haven't seen the movies, you'll want to by the end for sure. So, for those who want to have a little fun and have their own movie marathons before, during, or after reading this book, here are the Colin Firth movies mentioned in no particular order:
Pride and Prejudice BBC miniseries
Bridget Jones's Diary
Love Actually
Then She Found Me
A Single Man
Girl with a Pearl Earring
Mamma Mia!
The King's Speech
This is my first time reading anything from Mia March. I found her writing to be witty and poignant. I'm looking forward to reading more from her. I'm sure this book will make a wonderful book club selection. There could be much lively discussion about not only what these women go through, but also about pies and Colin Firth!
***A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review***
January 28, 2018
Покрай сесиите стана модерно за мен да разтоварвам с нещо неангажиращо. Даже е жалко, че свърши по-бързо, отколкото е нужно.
Тази книга е обикновен безгрижен чиклит, но при определени обстоятелства - доста приятен. Трите героини имат донякъде преплитащи се съдби, темата е обща и Колин Фърт е по-скоро нещо като... посвещение или пък символ. Нямаше тъга, болка и други негативни емоции. Хареса ми как използват горкия господин Фърт за фенгърлщината си и съм изненадана, че всъщност описват всички фенски анализи, посветени на него, толкова точно. Явно и самата авторка си му е фен. Би ми се искало да разбера той самият какво би помислил за тази книга, наистина ми е много любопитно xD
Не ми харесаха малко дървените и статични реплики (може би това си идва с превода), седи малко неемоционално, ако изключим местата, в които Колин Фърт се споменава и всички веднага бързат да отбележат колко е висок, хахах. Имаше и малко проблеми с печатните грешки, особено към края (може би защото Колин Фърт много се бави с появяването си xD).
Образите като цяло не са много дълбоки, което и не очаквах от тях. Джема въпреки това малко ме дразнеше от време на време.
И аз все пак бих се запознала с господин Фърт, дори и да си "подредя живота" и всичко останало...
Друго по темата: http://knigoqdec.blogspot.bg/2017/08/...
Тази книга е обикновен безгрижен чиклит, но при определени обстоятелства - доста приятен. Трите героини имат донякъде преплитащи се съдби, темата е обща и Колин Фърт е по-скоро нещо като... посвещение или пък символ. Нямаше тъга, болка и други негативни емоции. Хареса ми как използват горкия господин Фърт за фенгърлщината си и съм изненадана, че всъщност описват всички фенски анализи, посветени на него, толкова точно. Явно и самата авторка си му е фен. Би ми се искало да разбера той самият какво би помислил за тази книга, наистина ми е много любопитно xD
Не ми харесаха малко дървените и статични реплики (може би това си идва с превода), седи малко неемоционално, ако изключим местата, в които Колин Фърт се споменава и всички веднага бързат да отбележат колко е висок, хахах. Имаше и малко проблеми с печатните грешки, особено към края (може би защото Колин Фърт много се бави с появяването си xD).
Образите като цяло не са много дълбоки, което и не очаквах от тях. Джема въпреки това малко ме дразнеше от време на време.
И аз все пак бих се запознала с господин Фърт, дори и да си "подредя живота" и всичко останало...
Друго по темата: http://knigoqdec.blogspot.bg/2017/08/...
October 14, 2013
This books main theme (other than finding Colin Firth) was about teen pregnancy and adoption but more importantly about the decision to seek out your birth mother. Hits close to home for me and I really likes how they handled it. FYI I found my Bio-mom and it completed me :)
August 26, 2015
4.5 stars! I'm surprised at how much I loved this book! I was in the mood for something light hearted and sweet and this was the perfect read! Really enjoyed all three characters stories so much. Definitely recommend if you're in the mood for something that's charming, with a lot of heart.
October 9, 2016
Gewoon een mierzoete chicklit in de categorie "drie vrouwen met een probleem, alle problemen zijn aan het eind van het boek opgelost". Extra ster omdat Coin Firth in de titel staat.
January 30, 2019
Picked this up for the title duhhh <3
A sweet and light read.
A sweet and light read.
June 21, 2021
“Honest. Full of integrity. Conviction. Brimming with intelligence. Loyal. You just believe everything he says with that British accent of his – and can trust it.”
We find ourselves in a small coastal town in Maine. Colin Firth is rumoured to arrive soon and shoot a new movie. Naturally everyone is DYING with excitement, the local hotel starts Firth movie nights, people apply as extras etc. etc. But despite these nice Firth references, the story takes a step back from the fandom and focuses on three women instead: a (birth) mother, her (adopted/estranged) daughter and a hesitant mother-to-be. Over pies, long conversations and a mutual love for all things Firth, the three form a very special bon and experience and unforgettable summer ...
While I wouldn't have minded more CF content, I found this to be a sweet and uplifting summer read. The book includes a lot of baking, a bit of fangirling, some romantic moments and tough conversations on motherhood. Quite the wild mix, but overall I liked it!
We find ourselves in a small coastal town in Maine. Colin Firth is rumoured to arrive soon and shoot a new movie. Naturally everyone is DYING with excitement, the local hotel starts Firth movie nights, people apply as extras etc. etc. But despite these nice Firth references, the story takes a step back from the fandom and focuses on three women instead: a (birth) mother, her (adopted/estranged) daughter and a hesitant mother-to-be. Over pies, long conversations and a mutual love for all things Firth, the three form a very special bon and experience and unforgettable summer ...
While I wouldn't have minded more CF content, I found this to be a sweet and uplifting summer read. The book includes a lot of baking, a bit of fangirling, some romantic moments and tough conversations on motherhood. Quite the wild mix, but overall I liked it!
July 10, 2017
3.5. This was a cute read (despite the lack of Colin Firth in it)! It focuses on three women: Bea, who recently found out she was adopted; Veronica, a baker who specializes in "magical" pies that returned home to face her past; and Gemma, a reporter who recently found out she is pregnant, but has been arguing with her husband over moving out of New York City. All three women are brought together to Boothbay Harbor, which has been selected as a filming location for a Colin Firth movie, which has a small effect on each woman. Fun, light read that is perfect for summer!
February 8, 2020
3,5* Когато започнах да чета тази книга заради мистър Дарси, изигран от Колин Фърт, ми стана интересно и започнах да търся филмите на актьора. Самата книга разказва за три жени, които по едно случайност са в същия град, в който пристига Колин Фърт, за да снима филм. Най-много ми хареса Вероника, принудена да даде детето си за осиновяване. Нейната история ме докосна и с интерес четях точно за нея. Другите две жени - журналистката Джема и осиновената Бий не успяха така ме развълнуват. Техните образи не ми се сториха задълбочени и леко ме дразнеха. Книгата не е нещо особено, но вдъхва надежда и показва, че човек трябва да продължи напред и да знае, че хубавите моменти предстоят.
December 19, 2013
It’s summertime in the small town of Boothbay Harbor, Maine. The coastal Maine town is preparing for a huge event – the arrival of British actor Colin Firth, who is making a movie in Boothbay Harbor. The movie crew has already started filming but no one has actually seen the actor, yet, but everyone is more than hopeful. When a casting call is sent out for extras, the townspeople all line up for their chance to meet their favorite actor as well as be part of his latest movie.
The book focuses on the lives of three women…
After losing her beloved job, journalist Gemma Hendricks decides to take a break from her everyday life and visit Boothbay Harbor for the weekend. Of course this means taking a break from her husband who is pressuring her to forget her career, leave their New York City lifestyle and move to the suburbs near his family. He wants to begin a family of their own and wants Gemma to be a stay-at-home mom. She adamantly refuses. Gemma doesn’t have a maternal bone in her body and fully intends to get a new job. In fact, she’s convinced an interview with Colin Firth will put her on the right track to achieving her goal. However, she doesn’t want to lose her husband and their marriage.
Twenty-two year old Bea Crane is shocked when she receives a letter from her late mother, a year after her death. The letter gives her news that her mother couldn’t bear to tell her when she was alive – Bea had been adopted. Her father, who passed away when she was younger, and her mother decided to keep the information from her. They loved her as if she were their own and gave her a beautiful life, but Bea is curious about her birth parents and her heritage. Her search for her mother leads her to Boothbay Harbor.
After a long absence, 38 year old waitress Veronica Russo returns to her hometown of Boothbay Harbor. She becomes very popular in town with her “elixir” pies, guaranteed to emotionally heal those who bake or eat them. She manages to land a job as an extra on Colin Firth’s movie and is quite excited to meet the actor, until she is faced with the secrets of her past.
This book is written by the same author who wrote The Meryl Streep Movie Club. I haven’t read that one yet, but this is set in the same place. It’s not a continuing series, so it really didn’t matter if I read the first one or not, but I plan to. It’s already on my Kindle.
I loved this book very much. I like Colin Firth, although not a huge fan, but I got a kick out of the Colin Firth “sightings” and the Colin Firth movie nights at the local inn. Now, I’m in the mood to watch one of his movies.
I felt as if I was in Maine with good friends, listening to their problems. Each chapter focuses on each of the three women. I enjoyed the author’s writing style and the incredible emotions she puts into each character. Readers really feel what each one is going through as they face their problems. The book touches on realistic issues such as teenage pregnancy, adoption and career vs. marriage. The author handles each one very well. She grabs onto your heart and doesn’t let go, even after you read the last page. I’m a new fan of Mia March and can’t wait to read the Meryl Streep book and see what future books this author writes.
FTC Disclosure: NetGalley provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
The book focuses on the lives of three women…
After losing her beloved job, journalist Gemma Hendricks decides to take a break from her everyday life and visit Boothbay Harbor for the weekend. Of course this means taking a break from her husband who is pressuring her to forget her career, leave their New York City lifestyle and move to the suburbs near his family. He wants to begin a family of their own and wants Gemma to be a stay-at-home mom. She adamantly refuses. Gemma doesn’t have a maternal bone in her body and fully intends to get a new job. In fact, she’s convinced an interview with Colin Firth will put her on the right track to achieving her goal. However, she doesn’t want to lose her husband and their marriage.
Twenty-two year old Bea Crane is shocked when she receives a letter from her late mother, a year after her death. The letter gives her news that her mother couldn’t bear to tell her when she was alive – Bea had been adopted. Her father, who passed away when she was younger, and her mother decided to keep the information from her. They loved her as if she were their own and gave her a beautiful life, but Bea is curious about her birth parents and her heritage. Her search for her mother leads her to Boothbay Harbor.
After a long absence, 38 year old waitress Veronica Russo returns to her hometown of Boothbay Harbor. She becomes very popular in town with her “elixir” pies, guaranteed to emotionally heal those who bake or eat them. She manages to land a job as an extra on Colin Firth’s movie and is quite excited to meet the actor, until she is faced with the secrets of her past.
This book is written by the same author who wrote The Meryl Streep Movie Club. I haven’t read that one yet, but this is set in the same place. It’s not a continuing series, so it really didn’t matter if I read the first one or not, but I plan to. It’s already on my Kindle.
I loved this book very much. I like Colin Firth, although not a huge fan, but I got a kick out of the Colin Firth “sightings” and the Colin Firth movie nights at the local inn. Now, I’m in the mood to watch one of his movies.
I felt as if I was in Maine with good friends, listening to their problems. Each chapter focuses on each of the three women. I enjoyed the author’s writing style and the incredible emotions she puts into each character. Readers really feel what each one is going through as they face their problems. The book touches on realistic issues such as teenage pregnancy, adoption and career vs. marriage. The author handles each one very well. She grabs onto your heart and doesn’t let go, even after you read the last page. I’m a new fan of Mia March and can’t wait to read the Meryl Streep book and see what future books this author writes.
FTC Disclosure: NetGalley provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
March 6, 2014
I loved The Meryl Streep Movie Club when I reviewed it last year and so I was desperate to read this one! In the end I downloaded this book on audiobook, having enjoyed the other audiobook by this author. This was such a lovely book, anyone reading even a little bit of it will be left with that warm and fuzzy feeling! Whether you are a fan of the author, or indeed of Colin firth, or not, this is definitely something you should be adding to your Wishlist.
The wonderful thing that first struck me about this novel was that it was set in basically the same town as this authors previous novel was set in. Now I like returning to previous settings and revisiting other characters from previous novels, rather than just having a straight sequel and it was lovely to be able to do so with this novel. We got the catch up with June, Isabel and Cat from the last novel and well as taking on the fabulous new characters of Gemma, Bea and Veronica. This novel features the Three Captains Inn just as heavily as the last one did, but also takes into account The Best Little Diner in Booth Bay, which sounded like a delicious place to be.
I loved the mix of characters in the book. They all had their flaws but all three of the women were genuinely likeable. I think I identified most with Gemma, unsurprising really when she is the same age as me and has similar aspirations to me. Veronica was feisty and independent and the romance she is involved in creeps up on her so surprisingly, she becomes completely endearing to the reader. Bea has had it tough and it seems she has found her peace in Booth Bay, something which I'm sure we would all find if we visited this charming coastal town!
The storyline centres a lot around babies and adoption. When the right time to have a baby is, and it is all held together by the lynchpin that is Colin Firth. This is hilarious but totally had me wanting to watch all of the films they were talking about, not to mention the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice! Along with the Inn, the book also covers a home from teenage girls who are pregnant and I think that this was really interesting because its not something that usually comes up in this kind of book very often, that's one of the reasons this author really stands out for me, she's not afraid to go completely out there with her concepts and the topics that she covers.
Overall this was a really nice read. There weren't many dramatic moments but it was definitely a page turner because you wanted to find out what happened to each of the characters and their problems. I was entirely pleased with the ending and I really recommend this book if you are looking for something light and fun, or if you are a fan of Colin Firth!
The wonderful thing that first struck me about this novel was that it was set in basically the same town as this authors previous novel was set in. Now I like returning to previous settings and revisiting other characters from previous novels, rather than just having a straight sequel and it was lovely to be able to do so with this novel. We got the catch up with June, Isabel and Cat from the last novel and well as taking on the fabulous new characters of Gemma, Bea and Veronica. This novel features the Three Captains Inn just as heavily as the last one did, but also takes into account The Best Little Diner in Booth Bay, which sounded like a delicious place to be.
I loved the mix of characters in the book. They all had their flaws but all three of the women were genuinely likeable. I think I identified most with Gemma, unsurprising really when she is the same age as me and has similar aspirations to me. Veronica was feisty and independent and the romance she is involved in creeps up on her so surprisingly, she becomes completely endearing to the reader. Bea has had it tough and it seems she has found her peace in Booth Bay, something which I'm sure we would all find if we visited this charming coastal town!
The storyline centres a lot around babies and adoption. When the right time to have a baby is, and it is all held together by the lynchpin that is Colin Firth. This is hilarious but totally had me wanting to watch all of the films they were talking about, not to mention the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice! Along with the Inn, the book also covers a home from teenage girls who are pregnant and I think that this was really interesting because its not something that usually comes up in this kind of book very often, that's one of the reasons this author really stands out for me, she's not afraid to go completely out there with her concepts and the topics that she covers.
Overall this was a really nice read. There weren't many dramatic moments but it was definitely a page turner because you wanted to find out what happened to each of the characters and their problems. I was entirely pleased with the ending and I really recommend this book if you are looking for something light and fun, or if you are a fan of Colin Firth!
July 11, 2013
Bea is still recovering over her mother’s passing. So you can imagine the surprise she gets when she receive a letter. The letter tells Bea that she was adopted. Bea decides to learn about where she came from.
Veronica regrets giving up her newborn daughter for adoption years ago. She works as a waitress in a diner. She is famous for her elixir pies. She teaches classes to people on pie making. Two of her newest students are widowed, Nick DeMarco and his daughter, Leigh.
Gemma has just received the biggest shock of her life. One that will change it forever…she is pregnant. Gemma should be happy and she knows that her husband will be overjoyed. However Gemma can not bring herself to be joyed or to tell her husband. She decides that a road trip to clear her mind will do her some good.
I have never read Pride and Prejudice. Although I have read several books loosely based around this story. Most of the books I just could not get into. So why would I try reading Finding Colin Firth? Well because I liked the concept of the book. I can tell you that I did like this book. Nonetheless As much as I enjoyed reading this book, I will still probably never fully understand the hype around Colin Firth aka Mr. Darcy.
I have to say that my favorite out of the three ladies was Veronica. She seemed so genuine and warm. She was comforting like her specialty elixir pies. The other two ladies, Bea and Gemma were nice also; it just took me a little longer to grow connected towards them. However all three ladies had good stories to share.
The romance between Veronica and Nick was sweet. Nick’s daughter, Leigh is precious. I am glad that Nick and Veronica found love again. While I was a little bummed that there was no actual recipes of any of Veronica’s elixir pies in the back of the book it does not matter as you can have fun making your own elixir pies.
I think that the way Bea went about getting to know Veronica was the best. It drew them closer to each other. The reason that I did not get close to Gemma in the beginning was even though I can understand her anxiety about having a baby, I could not see what she would just leave town and her nice husband without telling him first that she was pregnant. In the end I did like Gemma.
June 9, 2013
What a lovely thoughtful tale.
This is the first book I have read by Mia March, it won't be the last as I have already bought myself The Meryl Streep Movie Club after enjoying Finding Colin Firth, I am happily looking forward to returning to Boothbay Harbor and reading more about Isabel, June, and Kat's stories.
Mia March's writing reminds me an awful lot of Sarah Addison Allen's, they both have a style of writing that draws you in, with its warmth, intimacy and just a touch of magic. Mia has created a town and inhabitants that I would happily up-sticks and move to tomorrow if I could, and you almost feel like you are there with all the characters while you are reading.
This is book 2 in the series, so I am a little late to the party, but I don't mind I am just happy to have discovered another imaginative writer.
It focuses on Gemma, Bea and Veronica, all of them are dealing with major change to their lives, and it offers you their stories and the subsequent developments in their alternating points of view. Mia has bought them together quite cleverly as the main theme for all three women's emotional state is an interpretation of the same issue. Gemma is trying to come to terms with some major changes in her life, Veronica is looking to step forward from major events from her past, and Bea is looking to make sense of some major revelations of a loved one, from beyond the grave as it where.
This book wrapped around me like a warm blanket, the colourful descriptions of the town and its inhabitants, the upheaval of the film crews arrival and its ripple effect. To the sightings of Colin Firth, which made me chuckle as I have a soft spot for him myself. Well worth a read if you are looking for a heartwarming, well written, wish you were there book.
I was priviledged to be provided with a copy of this book through Netgalley, and for that I am happy to provide the above honest review.
This is the first book I have read by Mia March, it won't be the last as I have already bought myself The Meryl Streep Movie Club after enjoying Finding Colin Firth, I am happily looking forward to returning to Boothbay Harbor and reading more about Isabel, June, and Kat's stories.
Mia March's writing reminds me an awful lot of Sarah Addison Allen's, they both have a style of writing that draws you in, with its warmth, intimacy and just a touch of magic. Mia has created a town and inhabitants that I would happily up-sticks and move to tomorrow if I could, and you almost feel like you are there with all the characters while you are reading.
This is book 2 in the series, so I am a little late to the party, but I don't mind I am just happy to have discovered another imaginative writer.
It focuses on Gemma, Bea and Veronica, all of them are dealing with major change to their lives, and it offers you their stories and the subsequent developments in their alternating points of view. Mia has bought them together quite cleverly as the main theme for all three women's emotional state is an interpretation of the same issue. Gemma is trying to come to terms with some major changes in her life, Veronica is looking to step forward from major events from her past, and Bea is looking to make sense of some major revelations of a loved one, from beyond the grave as it where.
This book wrapped around me like a warm blanket, the colourful descriptions of the town and its inhabitants, the upheaval of the film crews arrival and its ripple effect. To the sightings of Colin Firth, which made me chuckle as I have a soft spot for him myself. Well worth a read if you are looking for a heartwarming, well written, wish you were there book.
I was priviledged to be provided with a copy of this book through Netgalley, and for that I am happy to provide the above honest review.
considering
May 3, 2013I'm excited about this one. Who doesn't like a man with a British accent?
After losing her job and leaving her beloved husband, journalist Gemma Hendricks is sure that scoring an interview with Colin Firth will save her lagging career and rocky marriage. Yet a heart-tugging local story about women, family ties, love, and loss captures her heart—and changes everything. The story concerns Bea Crane, a floundering twenty-two-year old who learns in a deathbed confession letter that she was adopted at birth. Bea is in Boothbay Harbor to surreptitiously observe her biological mother, Veronica Russo—something of a legend in town—who Bea might not be ready to meet, after all. Veronica, a thirty-eight-year-old diner waitress famous for her “healing” pies, has come home to Maine to face her past. But when she’s hired as an Extra on the bustling movie set, she wonders if she is hiding from the truth . . . and perhaps the opportunity of a real life Mr. Darcy.
These three women will discover more than they ever imagined in this coastal Maine town, buzzing with hopes of Colin Firth. Even the conjecture of his arrival inspires daydreams, amplifies complicated lives, and gives incentive to find their own romantic endings.
After losing her job and leaving her beloved husband, journalist Gemma Hendricks is sure that scoring an interview with Colin Firth will save her lagging career and rocky marriage. Yet a heart-tugging local story about women, family ties, love, and loss captures her heart—and changes everything. The story concerns Bea Crane, a floundering twenty-two-year old who learns in a deathbed confession letter that she was adopted at birth. Bea is in Boothbay Harbor to surreptitiously observe her biological mother, Veronica Russo—something of a legend in town—who Bea might not be ready to meet, after all. Veronica, a thirty-eight-year-old diner waitress famous for her “healing” pies, has come home to Maine to face her past. But when she’s hired as an Extra on the bustling movie set, she wonders if she is hiding from the truth . . . and perhaps the opportunity of a real life Mr. Darcy.
These three women will discover more than they ever imagined in this coastal Maine town, buzzing with hopes of Colin Firth. Even the conjecture of his arrival inspires daydreams, amplifies complicated lives, and gives incentive to find their own romantic endings.
February 14, 2018
I have to admit, I'm only about 70% of the way through the book, but Gemma's husband Alex is probably the best villain I've read in a long time. He is SO HORRIBLE to Gemma -- I mean, a real monster, who makes her feel worthless and values her as LESS OF A HUMAN than he is. What's most terrifying is how I think there are a lot of Alex's in the world; self-obsessed men who emotionally abuse their wives and think that's just how you treat women. It's so hard to read.
I'm excited to see how the book ends, but just couldn't keep my disdain for Alex inside of me another minute. SO EVIL. Who agrees?
Other than that, this book is lovely! A great story line, very unrealistic dialog and simplified motivations but a good candy read if there ever was one. I very much enjoyed.
Edit (spoilers!): WHAT! Alex is THE BIGGEST ASSHOLE for the whole book, and then at the end is like "Of course I'll be a stay-at-home dad?". V unrealistic. Super disappointed in the total lack of character development and nuance. Like, "everything just worked out because I woke up and realized I was being a huge asshat". Lazy. AF. Writing.
I'm excited to see how the book ends, but just couldn't keep my disdain for Alex inside of me another minute. SO EVIL. Who agrees?
Other than that, this book is lovely! A great story line, very unrealistic dialog and simplified motivations but a good candy read if there ever was one. I very much enjoyed.
Edit (spoilers!): WHAT! Alex is THE BIGGEST ASSHOLE for the whole book, and then at the end is like "Of course I'll be a stay-at-home dad?". V unrealistic. Super disappointed in the total lack of character development and nuance. Like, "everything just worked out because I woke up and realized I was being a huge asshat". Lazy. AF. Writing.
July 18, 2013
For some reason, maybe the title, I started this thinking it was going to be all fluffy and cuteness. Actually, it turned into quite a heart warming story. I think author did a great job of making the three main characters very realistic. They had believable problems - uncertainty, loneliness and insecurities. But they also had positive attitudes, strength of character and a belief that if they kept trying, things would work out.
Through their stories, we get to know each woman’s past and present. I really enjoyed spending time getting to know these ladies. My only regret is that their story had to end. Honestly, I felt so connected with them, it was sad to read the last page and know that I was saying goodbye.
Very nicely done. I think I’m going to have to go back and read Ms. March’s first book. She is definitely one to watch.
Thank you to Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books, via Netgalley, for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.
Publish date: July 9, 2013.
Through their stories, we get to know each woman’s past and present. I really enjoyed spending time getting to know these ladies. My only regret is that their story had to end. Honestly, I felt so connected with them, it was sad to read the last page and know that I was saying goodbye.
Very nicely done. I think I’m going to have to go back and read Ms. March’s first book. She is definitely one to watch.
Thank you to Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books, via Netgalley, for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.
Publish date: July 9, 2013.
March 3, 2014
It's a good story about adoption from several perspectives. That of the adopted child, the prospective adoptees and the pregnant mums thinking about giving up their children for adoption.
It's not super deep but it's not fluff either. I thought it struck a nice balance.
The title actually made me hesitant about reading it but the quote from Colin Firth sold it for me.
'I;m fully aware that if I were to change professions tomorrow, become an astronaut and be the first man to land on Mars, the headlines in the newspapers would read:'Mr Darcy lands on Mars'.'
It's not super deep but it's not fluff either. I thought it struck a nice balance.
The title actually made me hesitant about reading it but the quote from Colin Firth sold it for me.
'I;m fully aware that if I were to change professions tomorrow, become an astronaut and be the first man to land on Mars, the headlines in the newspapers would read:'Mr Darcy lands on Mars'.'
April 13, 2019
3.5/5*
Musím říct, že název byl trošku matoucí, ve skutečnosti tam o Colina Firtha moc nejde. Jedná se o celkem hezký oddechový román sledující život tří žen, nešlo o nic speciálního, z čeho si sednete na zadek nebo vás to nějak dojme, ale jinak hezký příběh.
Musím říct, že název byl trošku matoucí, ve skutečnosti tam o Colina Firtha moc nejde. Jedná se o celkem hezký oddechový román sledující život tří žen, nešlo o nic speciálního, z čeho si sednete na zadek nebo vás to nějak dojme, ale jinak hezký příběh.
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