Rum Punch Regrets

Abby George #1

by Anne Kemp

In just a few short weeks, thirty something Abby George has endured the death of her mother, was dumped by her fiancé, and got laid off from her job.

Stunned and seeking a shoulder to cry on, she turns to her perfect older sister, Leigh. But instead of comfort, Abby receives a surprise: Leigh needs her in the Caribbean to help with some mysterious personal business.

While assisting in the sale and repair of a bed-and-breakfast, Abby uncovers a few huge family secrets as she juggles an unexpected roommate, quirky locals, and nasty centipedes.

Abby's world is further complicated when two potential suitors enter her life. Can Abby get beyond her own pyscho drama long enough to open her heart to someone new? Or will she neurotically make her romantic life worse?

Packing nothing but her suitcases and a sense of humor, Abby George travels down an unfamiliar road, but it's all she can do to hang on for the ride...

Or will she wake up with "Rum Punch Regrets?"

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Ebooks, Romantic Comedy, Adult, Fiction

290 pages, Paperback

First published May 22, 2012

About the author

Anne Kemp is a bestselling author of romantic comedies. She loves reading (and she doesn’t it ridiculously fast, too!), gluten-free baking (because everyone needs a hobby that makes them crazy), and finding time to binge-watch her favorite shows. She grew up in Maryland but made Los Angeles her home until she encountered her own real-life meet-cute at a friend's wedding where she ended up married to one of the groomsmen. For real.

Anne now lives on the Kapiti Coast in New Zealand, and even though she was married at Mt. Doom, no…she doesn’t have a Hobbit. However, she and her husband do have a terrier named George Clooney and when she’s not writing, she’s usually with them taking a long walk on the river by their home.

You can find Anne on her website - come say hi! She’d love to hear from you: www.annekemp.com

On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest: @missannekemp

On TikTok: @annekempauthor


You can always find her www.AnneKemp.com.

Reviews

[Jasmine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Got this on a stuff your kindle day
It was a cute read but not much going on
Definitely made me just want to go on holiday 🤣

[Mrs Mommy Booknerd http://mrsmommybooknerd.blogspot.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adored Rum Punch Regrets. It made me wish I could run off and hang out in the Caribbean, just for a bit! I loved watching Abby stumble through the mystery adventure that her sister sent her on. I loved watching her make friends (some quite fun), find her passion, balance love interests, uncover deep hidden family secrets and ultimately find herself. When the novel ended, I found myself wanting more. So that is a sign of a great 4.5 star novel. I am excited to know that this is part of a series and the Abby George story will continue. I am a new fan of Kemp and I cannot wait to see where this story will take Abby and her crazy cast of friends and family!!!

[Diane Major · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a super book to read while I sat in the summer sun. It was fast moving and held me throughout. The book is warm and captivating, something that could be thoroughly enjoyed while relaxing on holiday around a pool. A Story of family secrets, sibling relationships and friendships on a Carribean Island. One can only wonder what Abby will get up to in the next book...

[Louise Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
This book was really good, a bit of romance, a lot of compassion for the characters and a whole lot of mystery. I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Anne Kemp introduces The Abby George Series with the short prequel novella, All Fruits Ripe, where the reader is introduced to main character Abby George and her sister Leigh. This fun little novella provides the reader with background information into the family dynamic and lives of Abby and Leigh, that whets the reader's appetite and interest into following Abby's Caribbean island adventure on St Kitts in the second book of the series, Rum Punch Regrets. With that being said, the reader can follow the series by reading the books in sequence, or they can just start by reading Rum Punch Regrets, as it is also a book that can stand alone. I personally like to read the books that are a part of a series in sequence, as I want as much background information as possible, and I prefer the flow and continuation of the story from book to book.

Rum Punch Regrets picks up the story where All Fruits Ripe left off: Abby George is a thirty-something LA girl who hasn't had a very good year. She lost her fiance to another woman, her mother passed away from cancer, she was laid off from her job, and she's basically penniless. Abby turned to her older sister Leigh for a sympathetic ear and for moral support, but instead she receives a "chance of a lifetime" proposal. Leigh asks Abby to fly to the Caribbean for a few months to oversee the repairs and sale of her island home. Surprise! Abby didn't know Leigh had a house in the Caribbean, it was a well hidden secret, as Leigh's second hubby, Daryl, doesn't even know the house exists. While Abby relishes a chance to have her own island fantasy adventure, she can't shake her gut feeling that there is a hidden agenda behind her sister's offer. Abby accepts her sister's proposal and embarks on a Caribbean island adventure on the island of St Kitts, only to find out that the Leigh's island "house" is really a Bed and Breakfast! And that's just the beginning of what Abby discovers on her island adventure: family dynamic with drama and secrets, new friendships, reasserting sibling relationships, romance, and a journey of self-discovery all waits her on the beautiful Caribbean island of St. Kitts!

Rum Punch Regrets is an entertaining fast-paced story that has enough drama, mystery and a touch of romance to captivate your interest. Written in a witty third person narrative, the reader is transported to beautiful Caribbean island setting of St Kitts, where they follow Abby on her island adventure full of drama, mystery, and romance. Rich in vivid details and descriptions, the reader can feel the warm island breeze sway through the palm trees as they lay on the sandy beach and sip a cool island rum punch! Abby's adventure will reveal more family secrets and drama, while also leading her on a journey of self-discovery that will change the way she lives her life.

With an engaging cast of characters that are realistic and fun, their antics, dialogues and interactions will keep you in stitches. Abby, Leigh and Ben (who is a renter at the B&B) are all complex individuals, the author does a really fine job of developing the characters, I found them to be intriguing and loved their different personalities. The supporting cast of characters: Maria, Ziggy, Tracey, Cutty and Buddy are bunch of fun people whose crazy antics and interactions makes the story that much more of an entertaining read.

I loved how the author weaves a captivating tale of mystery, drama and romance, she builds the story up to a cliff-hanger where she leaves the reader wanting more, knowing that she has once again whets their appetite for the next book in the series!

Rum Punch Regrets and The Abby George Series is a fun series that will captivate you from the beginning and leave you wanting more just like the refreshing island drink of rum punch does, knowing that you just can't have one!


Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...

[Mspar1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book enjoyable. A welcomed departure from emotional intense reading of late. Charming, engaging cast of characters, St. Kitts, an Inn and hidden family secrets. I liked it! Bought the series.

[Samantha March · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very excited when Anne Kemp requested to go on tour with CLP Blog Tours. I was crushing on her Abby George series, and couldn’t wait to dive into Rum Punch Regrets. As a travel lover, I was ecstatic to find out the novel was based in the Caribbean. The MC is thirty year old Abby George, who has been having some pretty rough weeks. Her mother passed away, she lost her job, and she was dumped by her fiancé. Whew! Her luck seems to be turning around when her sister offers to send her to the Caribbean to help clear up some mysterious baggage that she seemed to leave behind. Abby jumps at the chance to clear her head – but everything gets foggy upon arrival. Seems her sister forgot to mention she owned and was in the process of selling a bed and breakfast....and a few other major family secrets.
What a fun read! I loved the setting especially, and the details and pictures painted in my mind were amazing – and really makes me want to plan a vacation! (What’s that – a honeymoon calling my name?!) There was a lot of drama, some hilarious characters, and the mystery was my favorite part. Abby stumbles upon a huge secret while at the B&B, one that is life-changing for her and others. The third book in the series is a must-read, because not everything is tied up neatly at the end. Be sure to also check out the first book, which is a novella titled All Fruits Ripe. I will be anxiously awaiting that release!

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads!!!

As a whole, I enjoyed this book and the storyline but I didn't relate well to the main character, Abby, since she is probably the complete opposite of me.

I did enjoy the way Abby grew through the novel into the more assertive version of herself as well as frequently using her thoughts to develop her character. On the other hand, I easily predicted the "twists" without much thought so there were no surprises. I didn't like the very open ending either... until I found out that this book is part of a series. I have not read "All Fruits Ripe" but it seems as if you don't need it for this book. Besides, it's only a 30 page novella. I can only assume by the ending of this book that there will be more to come...

Overall, I enjoyed this book while I was reading it but I probably wouldn't go out of my way to complete the series.

[Nancy H · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Abby George finds herself out of a job and out of a cheating fiancé, her sister sends her to St. Kitts to help prepare a property, owned by said sister, for sale and for new owners. Abby thinks she is going to have a lovely, relaxing Caribbean island getaway, but instead finds herself having to help with her sister's bed-and-breakfast, not merely a house, a fact that her sister somehow 'forgot' to tell her. In addition, she has to share a pool house with a student going to vet school, and they do not get along. As the story moves along, Abby realizes there are deep, dark family secrets that her sister has also neglected to tell her, secrets that will affect Abby's future. This is definitely a page-turner with interesting characters and lots of intriguing situations.

[Lizette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nuanced characters, realistic relationships, interesting plot

Tongue-in-cheek perspective from Abby, our smart city girl, suddenly running a hotel on a hot, Caribbean island. Upkeep challenges, eccentric characters, the bewildering island speech and culture, relationship and family issues, and two interested men make this a realistic story. Surprises, mysteries, friendships, and romance make it a satisfying story.

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this story, it´s light hearted, has a believable plot and just warms one´s heart! The islands are really beautiful and the descriptions made by the author you just seem to be there. Looking forward to reading other books!

[Brittni Kitten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't need to read book 1 to understand what happens in book 2. Relatable characters and we learn very quickly how it got it's title. A hint of romance in this relaxing read, that has just enough twists to keep it interesting. What will Abby do next?

[Chelsea | chelseadennreads Dennison · Rating 3 out of 5]

BRIEF SYNOPSIS: When Abby’s sister Leigh asks her to go fix up a home she owns in the Caribbean so that she can sell it , Abby thinks this could be the fresh start she needs. It will be nice vacation after she lost her job and her fiancé. But Leigh left out a couple of details about this house, including that Abby will have to bunk with a guy she doesn’t even know. Who is not happy about her intrusion. While there, Abby stumbles upon family secrets, two attractive men, and some colorful locals who might just turn her world upside down.

I’m pretty sure I stumbled upon this while looking at some kindle daily deals and I’m a sucker for a book with a cute cartoon cover so I gave it a chance. This was a cute read and really wasn’t what I thought it was going to be at all. I think it is marketed as a romance, and there is definitely a romance plot, but there’s a lot more to it then that. I actually really enjoyed the family aspect of this story and enjoyed seeing Abby uncover secrets from her family’s past. I also loved seeing Abby learn to stand up for herself and vocalize the things she wanted. I’ve been reading a lot of romance heavy romances lately, so it was nice to read a book that still had the feel of a romcom but where romance wasn’t the main plot.

3⭐️
🚪Closed door romance

[Amy Grant · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have got to stop getting free books from my kindle app. When will I learn.

I was hoping for a fun, funny romantic comedy book. Kind of like a Emily Henry book. I bet the author was hoping she had created that book as well.

Abby is sent to St. Kitts to help her sister prepare a house to sell. What? Abby didn't know her sister had a house on St. Kitts! Turns out there is lots that Abby's sister Leigh has kept from her. The secrets keep getting unveiled. This should be interesting, right? Well, not really. Most are very easy to see through and the biggest one is only partially revealed...see book 2 if you want to know the rest of the story. No thanks.

But there is romance, right? Abby is instantly attracted to 2 different very hot guys who we never learn anything about really. And neither does she, unless there is a lot happening between the pages that the author doesn't reveal.

I found the writing to be very simple and inexperienced and predictable. The characters are flat, uninteresting and underdeveloped.

On the positive, it was a light-hearted read and that is what I was looking for.

[Kerry Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I received this book as a gift from my sister, who is friends with the author, and a frequent early reader of her work.

I’ve had a bit of a book hangover since I finished the last book I read and thought this would be a good brain break/candy/vacation palate cleanser to help me reset for my next reading adventure.

I believe Rum Punch Regrets is her first novel, published in 2012. I really wanted to love it - but I don’t. Anne’s voice reminds me a little of Janet Evanovich - but still needs some work. The plot is good and I love the cast of characters she introduces in this book, but I wanted more. The story didn’t always flow, and could benefit from some editing, and I’d love a little more depth to it, making Abby’s character more believable and relatable. Still better than I could write if I tried today, and I’m curious to read the other books in the series as authors also get more refined with practice and repetition! It’s been 10 years since this was written, and it did fulfill the book hangover medicine need!

[Rebecca Goss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me of my twenties with angst and then hope and then confusion. In the beginning, Abby is asked to go to the Caribbean to manage repairs to her sister’s property so it could be sold. She has just lost her job and her unfaithful fiancée left her with the expenses of the wedding that didn’t happen. Her sister has been keeping many secrets that turns all of their lives tipsy turvey. Abby initially seems depressed and without options. That changes to feeling overwhelmed with options and possibilities. I’m looking forward to reading more.

[Felicity · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easy read but not a particularly engaging one. It took me much longer than I expected to get through this. I think my main issue was the core character (and some of the supporting characters) were not that engaging for me. I think this one might be an acquired taste but not going back to try more of the series

[Lisa O Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Run Punch Regrets

This book made me laugh and cry. It was heart felt. But Abbys sister l wanted to slap a few time. Abby is learning a lot about her family and knows there is more to it. Plus her love life is on the up but it looks like it is going to get awkward. Loved the book onto book 2

[Madeleine Booth-Smits · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completed sucked in and couldn't put this down! I loved sassy, finding herself Abby. There were so many twists and turns I can't wait to read the next book to find out more!! I loved all the growing relationships as everyone navigated a crazy time. Now I want to go sit on a beach and drink rum punch!!

[Barbie Bumpus · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this on book on stuff your kindle day. The cover was cute so I thought I’d read it. That was a regret. I don’t like really long chapters. This book was too slow for me & very predictable. I thought this was going to be more romantic, but it wasn’t. I didn’t realize this was part of a series. I won’t be finishing the series. Also, the open ending wasn’t for me. I don’t recommend this one.

[Colleen Yarnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was the perfect start to my summer beach reading journey!

I’ve had this book for quite some time now and i thought it the perfect beach read for my recent move to Florida. It’s a light hearted book with all of the perfect tropes for a beach vacation or for just limin’ around the house.

[Melayna Arbona · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a book! It went so many different ways than I thought it was going to go! It was such a sweet book that shows how a family has each other’s back no matter what. I am rooting for Andrew and Abby in the next book, I really don’t want JD to win her over. Read it!!

[Yvonne E Wilkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not realize it wasn't a stand alone book or I WOULD NOT have read it. Not a fan of this kind of book. I liked the book but was so disappointed when I got to the ???end!!!!

[Malaka · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable

I skipped every other paragraph because it was just the same drivel over and over. 2 stars because I actually finished it, but wouldn’t recommend.

[Krista Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A winner

I thoroughly laughed so many times with this book. An excellent read. Can't wait to read more in this series

[Evie Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kind of easy going romance. Enough plot and connection to the characters to get lost in it.

[Kathy Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. There were so many great characters. Glad there were more in the series.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story, likeable characters, gorgeous setting.

[Ashley Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚BOOK REVIEW‼️
Rum Punch Regrets• Anne Kemp
@annekempauthor

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4.5/5 Overall
5/5 Writing Style
4/5 Love Story
0.5/5 Spice

👀 Convenience
🩵 Male-Initiated Romance
🏝️ Vacation Vibes

“𝐼𝓉 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒶 𝒻𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝒾𝓈𝒽 𝓇𝓊𝓈𝒽, 𝓁𝑜𝑜𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝒶𝓃𝓈𝓌𝑒𝓇𝓈 𝓉𝑜 𝓆𝓊𝒾𝑒𝓉 𝓆𝓊𝑒𝓈𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒽𝒶𝒹𝓃’𝓉 𝒷𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝒶𝓈𝓀𝑒𝒹.”

👥CHARACTERS👥
•These characters were SOOO CUTE! I loved the FMC and she reminded me a lot of myself. I absolutely hated Leigh.

✨PROS✨
•HEA
•Plot twist!!!
•Super cute summer read vibes
•This book is really led by strong female characters and I loveeee that!
•All the emotions

❌CONS❌
•I hated the sister, Leigh, for 99% of the book lol
•A little bit of a slow start but it picks up quick once it does.
•I wish it was spicier

Overall, I loved this book! I read it with my bestie which made it even more fun and I enjoyed this story line so much! Highly recommend 🩷

[Megan Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the idea. But man, main character is angry. It's just an ok book.