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112th out of 355 books
—
274 voters
The Big Five-OH!
Olivia Wallace has a birthday curse . . . or so she thinks. It was a broken heart on her 16th, a car accident on her 21st, pneumonia on her 30th, and a fall down a flight of stairs on her 35th. There were Ohio blizzards on her 38th, 39th, and 40th; and six days before her 45th, she lost the love of her life to a heart attack. Numbing grief stole that birthday and a couple...more
Kindle Edition
Published
(first published December 1st 2009)
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Sandra Bricker's The Big 5-0' details the challenges standing between about-to-turn-50 Olivia 'Liv' Wallace and a new love and life.
Liv feels stuck and blue and just plain Eeyorish about the future course of her life. Excerpts from a children's book about a woebegone donkey present Liv's rationalizations with a light touch.
During a Florida vacation, Liv dares to open herself to one new experience after another, including the possibility of love with Jared. The headlong rush of Jared's 20-somethi...more
Liv feels stuck and blue and just plain Eeyorish about the future course of her life. Excerpts from a children's book about a woebegone donkey present Liv's rationalizations with a light touch.
During a Florida vacation, Liv dares to open herself to one new experience after another, including the possibility of love with Jared. The headlong rush of Jared's 20-somethi...more
I really enjoyed this story!
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Olivia Wallace has a birthday curse . . . or so she thinks. It was a broken heart on her 16th, a car accident on her 21st, pneumonia on her 30th, and a fall down a flight of stairs on her 35th. There were Ohio blizzards on her 38th, 39th, and 40th; and six days before her 45th, she lost the love of her life to a heart attack. Numbing grief stole that birthday and a couple more to follow and, on the morning of her 48th birthday, she received the cal...more
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Olivia Wallace has a birthday curse . . . or so she thinks. It was a broken heart on her 16th, a car accident on her 21st, pneumonia on her 30th, and a fall down a flight of stairs on her 35th. There were Ohio blizzards on her 38th, 39th, and 40th; and six days before her 45th, she lost the love of her life to a heart attack. Numbing grief stole that birthday and a couple more to follow and, on the morning of her 48th birthday, she received the cal...more
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The Big 5-0h by Sandra D. Bricker
This book was a light and funny story about Liv, a cancer survivor who's dreading her 50th birthday. Liv is downtrodden, she's survived cancer and now she needs a spark of...something to rejuvenate her depressive state of mind. Her friend Hallie suggests that Liv do a home swap - use Hallie's mother's Florida home since Hallie's mother will be vacationing with Hallie and her family and her house will be empty. Liv agrees...more
The Big 5-0h by Sandra D. Bricker
This book was a light and funny story about Liv, a cancer survivor who's dreading her 50th birthday. Liv is downtrodden, she's survived cancer and now she needs a spark of...something to rejuvenate her depressive state of mind. Her friend Hallie suggests that Liv do a home swap - use Hallie's mother's Florida home since Hallie's mother will be vacationing with Hallie and her family and her house will be empty. Liv agrees...more
TOTALLY FUN READ!!!! Liv is turning 50 and she is dreading it. Well... not the turning 50 part.... just her birthday. Aomehow disaster strikes on every one of her birthdays.
She's been through a rough year when the book begins... just recovered from ovarian cancer/ chemo and is trying to getr psyched back up to go back to work as an OR nurse BUT.... she just cannot. So... like any self respecting woman... she takes the advise of her best friend and takes a holiday in Florida. Liv goes to her bes...more
She's been through a rough year when the book begins... just recovered from ovarian cancer/ chemo and is trying to getr psyched back up to go back to work as an OR nurse BUT.... she just cannot. So... like any self respecting woman... she takes the advise of her best friend and takes a holiday in Florida. Liv goes to her bes...more
Title: THE BIG 5-0H!
Author: Sandra D. Bricker
Publisher: Abingdon Press
February 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4267-0235-8
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary romance
Olivia Wallace is nearing a landmark birthday—the trouble is that all her birthdays have been bad luck. There was the year her boyfriend was caught making out with another girl at Olivia’s birthday party, the year her husband died, the year she had a broken leg, and the list could go on.
This year, Liv’s best friend decides to help Liv escape the dold...more
Author: Sandra D. Bricker
Publisher: Abingdon Press
February 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4267-0235-8
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary romance
Olivia Wallace is nearing a landmark birthday—the trouble is that all her birthdays have been bad luck. There was the year her boyfriend was caught making out with another girl at Olivia’s birthday party, the year her husband died, the year she had a broken leg, and the list could go on.
This year, Liv’s best friend decides to help Liv escape the dold...more
Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous! Did I mention, The Big 5-OH was fabulous? *smiling*
The Big 5-OH, is probably Sandra Bricker’s funniest most romantic story yet. Yep. You heard me. I didn’t think she could get any funnier or write a novel with even more romance in it than her other ones. But she’s outdone herself with this one.
Once again, my husband made me stop reading in bed because I laughed so hard I was keeping him awake. I was so bummed since I normally do most of my reading in bed. Then I th...more
The Big 5-OH, is probably Sandra Bricker’s funniest most romantic story yet. Yep. You heard me. I didn’t think she could get any funnier or write a novel with even more romance in it than her other ones. But she’s outdone herself with this one.
Once again, my husband made me stop reading in bed because I laughed so hard I was keeping him awake. I was so bummed since I normally do most of my reading in bed. Then I th...more
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Olivia is plagued with illnesses and disasters on her birthday. After recovering from cancer and soon to be returning to work, her best friend, Hallie, wants Olivia to celebrate a big milestone in a special way. The upcoming milestone is her 50th birthday; another one she is sure to be "cursed".
Hallie's mother, Josie, has a house on an island in Florida, simply the exact opposite of the snowy city Olivia calls home. The ideal of going to Florida for two weeks doesn't excite Olivia, much less go...more
Hallie's mother, Josie, has a house on an island in Florida, simply the exact opposite of the snowy city Olivia calls home. The ideal of going to Florida for two weeks doesn't excite Olivia, much less go...more
I almost passed this book by - the cover looked too ... not sure, childish maybe - until I read it was set, in part, in Sanibel Island, Florida. Having been to Sanibel several times, and having read a couple other books by this author, I decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did. It's a very sweet, easy to read, romance. It's running over with eccentric characters, and laugh out loud scenes.
Olivia is on a somewhat forced vacation in Sanibel Island, Florida. On the airplane she meets Dr Jared Hun...more
Olivia is on a somewhat forced vacation in Sanibel Island, Florida. On the airplane she meets Dr Jared Hun...more
Olivia lost her husband and soon afterwards was diagnosed with cancer. She is now at the end of her medical disability leave and is wondering whether she is ready to go back. Her best friend and next door neighbor, Hallie convinces her to go to stay at her mom's house in Florida while her mom is visiting her. Reluctantly, Olivia agrees.
Her vacation starts off on an interesting foot when she views a handsome man getting ready to board the flight that she is on. Things are looking up! Olivia's tw...more
Her vacation starts off on an interesting foot when she views a handsome man getting ready to board the flight that she is on. Things are looking up! Olivia's tw...more
Several days ago I wrote a review of Sandra's book Love Finds You in Holiday Florida. It was the first time I had read any of Sandra's books. I had been asked by Sandra to read her book and give a review of it. I read the book and gave it a rave review. Anyone who is middle-aged can relate to the characters in this book. Now I want to rave again about a brand-new book that I believe will be out in March. This book was sooooo funny! The cast of characters will keep you laughing to the very end....more
Although I am not turning 50, I found myself having several things in common with Liv. I am also approaching a significant birthday, have survived cancer, and often feel like my body's aging faster than it should. I also live in the land of big snows and wonder what it would be like to take off for Florida in winter. I too, must admit, to an inner "Pru." Prudence, the children's book character that mirrors Olivia in the book, is a lovable Eeyore-esque character who finds the cloud in every silve...more
This book was a waste of my time. Why didn't I stop reading it once I realized it was complete and utter fluff? Well, I have to finish what I started, its a blessing and a curse. The romance in this novel so unbelievable, the characters are unrealistic, I didn't buy any of the emotions at all. The editing was also poorly done with the author jumping from scene to scene with no resolution in the previous scene. It happened so much that I had to go back pages to see how we ended up on one side of...more
This book was ridiculous. Good thing it was a Kindle freebie. Christian fiction generally isn't my bag, and I didn't find this too over the top. But the story and the writing were just... silly. I know it wasn't supposed to be a Pulitzer prize novel or anything, but there were too many coincidences and cliches. How convenient that the heroine meets a handsome man on the plane who turns out to live next door to where she was staying?
And I found myself overly sensitive to the random Cincinnati ref...more
And I found myself overly sensitive to the random Cincinnati ref...more
Olivia Wallace has had a rough few years losing her husband and then fighting cancer. She's lost her joy for life. On top of that, she is turning 50 and is fearful of her "birthday curse" because many terrible things have happened on her birthday through the years. Her best friend insists she take a vacation to Florida so she can relax, get some sun and feel refreshed. When Olivia meets a handsome doctor in Florida, her outlook does get brighter and that's when the fun begins!
The Big Five-OH! i...more
The Big Five-OH! i...more
I have noticed that Sandra D. Bricker novels are like homes in the suburbs: it's all cookie cutter. They are all the same. There is always a widow or widower, this one had both, the rediscovery of love and faith in the Lord. Boy, is that hammer home.
I was raised as a Roman Catholic but it got a little ridiculous at one point. Everything was so convienent and saccahrine. Reading this novel was like watching a very bad Lifetime movie. Very bad. I was literally skimming the last 30 pages or so bec...more
I was raised as a Roman Catholic but it got a little ridiculous at one point. Everything was so convienent and saccahrine. Reading this novel was like watching a very bad Lifetime movie. Very bad. I was literally skimming the last 30 pages or so bec...more
This is definitely one of those "make you think" books. In some places it made me cry, others smile. I really enjoyed the "coming out of her shell" aspect of Olivia, and her relationship with Jared. However, the ending of the book seemed rushed to me, and left me feeling like it was just tacked onto the book. I am left with unanswered questions as to what happened with Olivia's future, things I feel the author could have easily addressed in a sentence or a paragraph. This book had 4 star potenti...more
I never would've thought to read this book if it wasn't free on Amazon, but it is a really sweet, funny story. Olivia is about to turn 50, and is freaking out not only because of the number, but because she believes she has a birthday curse. Her best friend convinces her to go on vacation to Florida, where she has some crazy adventures and manages to find love along the way.
This is a Christian book, with a predictable and-they-all-lived-happily-ever-after ending. If I read a lot of them, I'd pro...more
This is a Christian book, with a predictable and-they-all-lived-happily-ever-after ending. If I read a lot of them, I'd pro...more
This is a nice, sweet love story that makes a good beach read. Olivia seems to have a "birthday curse"--something always goes wrong. When Olivia is about to turn 50 her best friend and next door neighbor, Hallie, talks her into staying at her mother's house in Florida for a few weeks while her mother visits Hallie in Ohio. While in Florida Olivia has several adventures--an alligator on the patio, an elderly neighbor that insists on swimming laps in her pool early in the morning, and most importa...more
I fell in love with Sandie's writing when I read Always the Baker Never the Bride so I was eager to read The Big Five-OH! While my preference is literary fiction, there's nothing like a just plain funny book once in a while to lift the spirits. I laughed out loud many times. The characters are totally relatable and enjoyable, and I couldn't wait to see how it would all turn out in the end. I wasn't disappointed! A very fun read!
Had never read this author before. Came across it on my kindle and thought I would try it. I loved the book and the characters. I will definelty look for more of her work. What a funny light hearted book. The main character goes to Florida to rethink life before she starts work again. She lost her husband and survived cancer and is getting to start her old life again. She goes to Florida and meets new friends and a new man. She comes home to her responsibilites but feels unsure about what to do....more
I liked this story. It was fun, romantic and more elderly than most romantic stories. I liked the fact it concerned people "getting up in years". I think this is a group of people who are left out of most stories because people mainly want the ripped, handsome and beautiful young people. Which is okay too. It just showed a side to the older crowd that you don't normally see in books. It was a great, fun, short book that I enjoyed very much. And I was amazed that it had my hometown in it and I kn...more
Olivia Wallace is approaching her fiftieth birthday. Now probably this isn’t the kind of major milestone we look forward to–at least it wasn’t for me!–but we’re all going to get there sooner or later if we live long enough. But Olivia has a special dread for it, because she has a ‘birthday curse.’ Something has gone wrong around the time of many of her major birthday celebrations. Not little things, either. The death of her husband a few years back and, for her 48th, a diagnosis of cancer were o...more
Olivia (Liv) Wallace’s 50th birthday is fast approaching and she is getting nervous. Liv is convinced she has a birthday curse. Over the years on her birthday she has had her heart broken, a car accident, blizzards, her husband died and the last disaster was being diagnosed with cancer. What on earth would her 50th bring? Her next-door neighbour and best friend forces Liv to go and house and dog sit in Florida to escape from the winter and the birthday curse and to look at life from a different...more
After tackling a few heavy-duty novels this summer, I decided to opt for a little fluff, and this jumped out at me while browsing in the library (most likely because I am about to turn "The Big 5-OH" myself in less than a month!). The book certainly is fluffy, and I found myself rolling my eyes at some of chance happenings surrounding the heroine, but it has a good message about taking risks to change your life for the better and how it's never too late to find a second chance at love. Duly note...more
I really enjoyed this book! Since I recently celebrated my big
5-0h birthday, I could understand some of the things that Olivia was going thru.
She decided to "house-sit" for a friend who lives in Florida, while she is there her "room mate" is a dog with a lampshade collar, he is so cute! and Olivia finds romance when she dosent expect it..
I plan to read more of this authors books.
This story was well written with humor and compassion, and I give it a 5 star rating!
I gave "The Big 5-Oh" a whopping 5 stars because I thoroughly enjoyed the humor and storyline. I could relate to the character as we are at the same numerical point in life, although she is dealing with a little more drama in her life. The story was fresh and filled with quirky characters and lively dialogue that kept me laughing as I ran on the treadmill at the gym. Whether you are 50 or not, "The Big Five-OH" is OH so much fun that you will be glad you picked it up!
This was a “free” book for my Amazon Kindle App. I’ve read several of Sandra Bricker’s books, and some have been hits and some have been misses. This one was a HIT! Yes, the story is goofy/silly, but it really made me laugh. There is not one character in the book that I didn’t like, and it was just fun!
The side story of Prudence the Donkey (a children’s book written by one of the characters was cute and enjoyable.
This is a cute book that is a quick read.
The side story of Prudence the Donkey (a children’s book written by one of the characters was cute and enjoyable.
This is a cute book that is a quick read.
Once in a while you find a gem among the free Kindle books. This was one of those eventhough it was a predictable, mushy-everything-works-out-in-the-end love story. It was a funny escape, and different in that it featured a middle age couple which is refreshing when you are no longer a 20 or 30 something that most romances feature. It caught my attention for one of it's familiar setting near Cincinnati OH. It all adds up to a fluffy, funny read.
I'd read other books by Sandra B. and enjoyed them, and this was no different. A bit contrived, what ARE the odds that you end up living next door to the guy who intrigued you on the plane ride to your vacation, but it all ended by being tied up neatly with a feel-good ending. Something I needed and appreciated. Ms. Bricker is an excellent writer. I'd like to see her branch out into thrillers or something more meaty sometime.
I absolutely loved this! Great well-developed characters (some a bit quirky), good dialogue, and fun surprises. Although the plot line was predictable, it moved along at a comfortable, believable pace. Not many books get a five-star rating from me, but I could not put this one down. The main character was so fun and loveable that I just HAD to get to the end...for HER sake, and mine!
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