In this cozy romance, a small Colorado town “bad boy” has redeemed himself in the big city and comes back home as police chief. Single mom, Claire, ha...moreIn this cozy romance, a small Colorado town “bad boy” has redeemed himself in the big city and comes back home as police chief. Single mom, Claire, has started a small business and has built a nice life in the town she never left. The town’s long memories of adolescent indiscretions, family histories, relationships, and the general nature of small towns drive Claire and Riley apart, then pull them back together.(less)
The title is schmalztier than the book deserves. Having read a review of de los Santos’ Belong to Me, I figured I should read the first title before t...moreThe title is schmalztier than the book deserves. Having read a review of de los Santos’ Belong to Me, I figured I should read the first title before the sequel. The professional reviews on the print edition were not stellar so I’m assuming this is a “Better Heard than Seen” title: I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook performance despite finding Ikeda’s voice, as skilled a narrator as she is, not suited to the part of Cornelia. Movie and literary references were fun even though I am NOT a movie watcher. The hook for me was de los Santos’ stream of consciousness narrative style for Cornelia which was enhanced by Ikeda’s performance, if not her timber, and the steady, ordered third person voice of Clare mimicking Clare’s quest for keeping order in her life. All types of mothering and being mothered are explored and in true romance style, the ending left me feeling satisfied. Sequel: Belong to Me.(less)
This family based love story has solid Liam Campbell, MD holding his family together while his wife Mikaela is in a coma following a head injury. Hann...moreThis family based love story has solid Liam Campbell, MD holding his family together while his wife Mikaela is in a coma following a head injury. Hannah revisits the “appealing bad boy movie star” character (Home Again) but from a completely different angle, exploring what makes a marriage and how aspects of childhood impact relationships in adulthood. Classic Hannah: Momlit and heartwarming with a side of emotion.(less)
Cornelia & Teo are married, trying to start a family, and have moved to the upscale suburbs. Claire visits regularly. Cornelia, waiting to be in “...moreCornelia & Teo are married, trying to start a family, and have moved to the upscale suburbs. Claire visits regularly. Cornelia, waiting to be in “the family way” finds it difficult to fit in to suburbia and bonds with Lake, an intelligent, articulate waitress who has recently moved to the area with her very bright son. The fly in the ointment is neighbor Piper, who superciliously rules the neighborhood – but is a devoted friend to Elizabeth, dying of ovarian cancer. Oh, what a tangled web we weave… An entertaining tale!(less)
Four best friends with four different "man problems." In Robyn Carr's classic heartwarming style, we see Julie through a financial disaster, Marty thr...moreFour best friends with four different "man problems." In Robyn Carr's classic heartwarming style, we see Julie through a financial disaster, Marty through alienation from Joe and temptation from old boyfriend Ryan, Cassie trying to figure what part biker Walt has in her life, and Beth dealing with a second diagnosis of breast cancer. Entertaining as a TV series is entertaining, with a bit of zing.(less)
It's always sobering when you find yourself a cliche - but I kept following my kids asking, "did I ever say this to you?" Culled from their website, t...moreIt's always sobering when you find yourself a cliche - but I kept following my kids asking, "did I ever say this to you?" Culled from their website, this hilarious book illuminates the generation gap in all too real a manner. As Pogo said, "We have met the enemy and he is Us." Laughed until I cried.(less)
A three-hanky story (but I have three members of my family active military and my next door neighbor is a female helicopter pilot). Hannah excels in s...moreA three-hanky story (but I have three members of my family active military and my next door neighbor is a female helicopter pilot). Hannah excels in spinning stories about women's families and relationships between flawed but well-meaning people and Home Front is a solid if not complete work. The multigenerational web of pain, compensation, motherhood, women's roles, unresolved grief, forgiveness, and strength was a compulsive read for me, as long as I had my box of kleenex at hand. Yes, some of the characterization is skimpy but the story caught me and held me. Novelist identifies the storyline as "issue driven" undoubtedly referring to the dual PTSD storyline (and our country's inadequate support for returning soldiers) but it could just as easily be referring to women's lives in non-traditional roles.(less)
I loved the premise and the first few chapters -- then it got to feeling whiny and I flipped ahead to make sure it wasn't just a catalog of transgress...moreI loved the premise and the first few chapters -- then it got to feeling whiny and I flipped ahead to make sure it wasn't just a catalog of transgressions. I thought I'd empathize ... frankly, the list sounded so much like me BUT what I expected her to find was perspective: things weren't as bad as she felt. But no...we got whining and martyrdom and envy and eventually another list. I wondered why Joel wasn't unhappier (at the beginning) with the toxic, critical atmosphere. I skipped a lot of the middle and eventually just felt sorry for Mary that she didn't actually have any friends who empathized, supported, and helped her grow. Mediator, yes. Friend, not so much. Conclusion: there was potential here but the anger won out. (less)
This is a cute bit of momlit/chicklit with a recipe included that suspends reality but isn't that part of what makes fiction entertaining? The sisters...moreThis is a cute bit of momlit/chicklit with a recipe included that suspends reality but isn't that part of what makes fiction entertaining? The sisters are a bit wacky, the situations fairly believable (except maybe jail and novices advancing in a cooking contest). Though predictable, I wasn't reading this like a mystery -- I just enjoyed being along for the ride. Good beach entertainment. And I'll bet Grammy Syl's cake shows up around here next December!(less)
Pleasant summer read: escape to a summer on Nantucket with girl friends/sisters. It took me two tries to finish this - neither the characters nor the...morePleasant summer read: escape to a summer on Nantucket with girl friends/sisters. It took me two tries to finish this - neither the characters nor the plot sucked me in but it was a nice, predictable "bonding" on the beach type story. Cue the Chad and Jeremy.(less)
The writing was skilled, the premise interesting. The book wasn't. Other books kept calling me. It felt like sitting in the kitchen in a Catholic neig...moreThe writing was skilled, the premise interesting. The book wasn't. Other books kept calling me. It felt like sitting in the kitchen in a Catholic neighborhood and listening to the women gossip and complain. (less)
[audio] Goldy the caterer is at it again: trouble (and bodies) seeks her out, this time while catering at an authentic English castle reassembled in h...more[audio] Goldy the caterer is at it again: trouble (and bodies) seeks her out, this time while catering at an authentic English castle reassembled in her home town of Aspen Meadows, CO. Her homicide detective husband, Tom, is out of town when their window is shot out so teenaged-son Arch and Goldy move into the castle. I enjoy hearing Goldy's discussions of why she chooses particular foods for an event and her thoughts on preparation and presentation. The wacky characters of Aspen Meadows, set into the ski country of Colorado, continue to entertain. The mystery -- well, not so much. On this title, I tended to tune in and out.(less)
[audio] First in the Home Repair is Homicide, this book has a lot I would have thought would appeal to me: female protagonist, sense of place, "mom" p...more[audio] First in the Home Repair is Homicide, this book has a lot I would have thought would appeal to me: female protagonist, sense of place, "mom" perspective, a bit higher reading level than some cozies -- but I just couldn't get in to it. I was so disoriented I went to see if this really were the initial offering the series. Ellison does an adequate job of reading the title but there is just something here that doesn't click for me. However, if a print version of others in the series magically show up when I am in need, I'd be willing to give it another try.(less)
This is second in the Ruth Galloway (approaching middle age, single, heavy, pregnant and a bit absorbed by it, cat loving, forensic archaeologist who...moreThis is second in the Ruth Galloway (approaching middle age, single, heavy, pregnant and a bit absorbed by it, cat loving, forensic archaeologist who lives on the edge of the world where the sea meets the land) mystery series. The Janus Stone continued to engage me with Ruth's independent attitude, Harry's awkward but straight-arrow interactions, Cathbad's colorful interventions and a wonderful sense of place that frames the intricate cast of characters playing out the long-ago murder. I would recommend reading the series in order, since the development of the characters plays as large a role as the mysteries. This series has a more wry humor than similarly plotted Erin Hart or Tana French mysteries.(less)
I took this with me while traveling to my niece's wedding -- wasn't prepared for a "mature" wedding story! The premise is cute but Charlene was not an...moreI took this with me while traveling to my niece's wedding -- wasn't prepared for a "mature" wedding story! The premise is cute but Charlene was not an engaging character - while we were *told* why she was so controlling, we weren't really shown. The secondary characters (Jake, Gwen, Pam, even Stephanie, the whiner) were more engaging. Uncharacteristically for Ms. Carr, no real zing.(less)
I picked this up off the display, probably because it was about a middle aged couple, subtitled "A Love Story," and the jacket blurb. But I enjoyed it...moreI picked this up off the display, probably because it was about a middle aged couple, subtitled "A Love Story," and the jacket blurb. But I enjoyed it more than I should have, given the bleakness of the whole situation: I kept reading snippets to my husband laughing "this is us!" (without the infidelity, lesbian issues, financial problems, job loss...). A man's love story is different than a woman's (an awful lot of bathroom scenes) and don't confuse this with a romance! This has been called a "spare" novel which is true but it captures the day to day moments of a long term marriage which I found ultimately hopeful (though I doubt I'd want Art and Marion for friends). You have to have reached a place in your life that compromise is acceptable to appreciate Art and Marion.(less)
I'm a white woman of a certain age reading this novel that is classified as "African American fiction." I loved it - marked spots to read to my husban...moreI'm a white woman of a certain age reading this novel that is classified as "African American fiction." I loved it - marked spots to read to my husband, laughed out loud, stopped to think about some of the cultural implications. I appreciated this quick read as the story of one woman's midlife "readjustment" -- yes, there is a lot that is culture-specific but hey, that just gives me an opportunity to put a different perspective on things -- but there is a lot that is funny, heartwarming, thought-provoking, and inspiring. It won't appeal to everyone, but it has something to say, lightly and humorously, about maturing, body image, who we are, and how we become who we want to be.(less)
Eloisa James (a Shakespearean scholar who writes historical romances under the name of Mary Bly) chronicles the year her family spends in Paris. In sn...moreEloisa James (a Shakespearean scholar who writes historical romances under the name of Mary Bly) chronicles the year her family spends in Paris. In snipets, perfect for waiting rooms, beach reading, those with short attentions spans, and those who love to read parts out loud to partner, James shares an intimate view of Americans (Italian-born husband, wife, teen-aged son, 10 year old daughter) absorbing Parisian life. Breast cancer (treated) and a best friend (dying) of cancer were the impetus for the trip and plays a minor role. Armchair travelers rejoice! My alternate title: In Love with Paris.(less)
At their 20th Harvard reunion four women of the class of 1989 reevaluate their lives and relationships within the framework of the alumni "update" boo...moreAt their 20th Harvard reunion four women of the class of 1989 reevaluate their lives and relationships within the framework of the alumni "update" book. Red flags for language and some s3xual situations.(less)
Nice "gentle read" even if I did feel Annie/Buster/Deb came across as 15 years older than they were stated to be. Wonderful sense of place. Sort of fe...moreNice "gentle read" even if I did feel Annie/Buster/Deb came across as 15 years older than they were stated to be. Wonderful sense of place. Sort of felt like a Reader's Digest Condensed Book in that it skimmed the surface of so many issues. Good for "beach read" lists.(less)
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