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Work in Progress
Psychologist Reese Morgan is a feisty workaholic who has devoted her life to helping seriously ill children. But the work is just one of many walls she has put up to protect herself from a childhood trauma and heart-wrenching grief. When the family support program she has struggled to build at the local hospital is threatened, Reese must find a way to face her past, accept her grief and embrace her future. Sparks fly when she comes face to face with a handsome visionary: the contractor who is set to demolish the children’s wing. Can Reese break down the walls of her own heart to let love in?
260 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
218 people want to read
About the author
Christina Esdon
2 books15 followersChristina Esdon is a hopeless romantic and dreamer extraordinaire. She loves to see the world through rose-colored glasses (literally) and has the uncanny ability to find humor and joy in the small things in life. When not writing, she can be found frolicking along the shores of Lake Huron, taking notoriously long bubble baths, or contemplating the next renovation to her home in Ontario, Canada. Work in Progress is Christina’s debut novel. You can visit her at www.christinaesdon.com
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 19, 2013
Reese Morgan hates her actual job, but loves the volunteer work that she does with the children's wing. When the children's wing gets shut down, Reese is forced to either accept her life as it is or let the world in and open up her heart.
Enter Josh, the contractor and architect who has been contracted to do demolition on the children's wing and intends to do demolition on the walls around Reese's heart. I have to say, he is one determined guy, most men would have walked away from a girl like Reese and said that the woman had serious issues. I definitely admire his tenacity! I think he is the perfect match for the stubborn and often pig-headed woman that Reese is. He definitely gave her a run for her money and challenged her at every corner.
In a world where most men want a one night stand and women are looking for Mr. Right, Work in Progress gives us the opposite. Josh is looking for the Mrs. Right, while Reese was looking for Mr. Right Now. And boy did it make things interesting, steamy, sexy, and HOT!
I am an absolute hopeless romantic. And I really love it, when love doesn't come easy, because let's face it, love isn't always easy; so why should it be easy in our books. Christina Esdon definitely gives me all the things I love about love. In Work in Progress you get the challenge (Reese-stubborn woman who doesn't want to let anyone in vs. Josh who is looking for the right woman), you get incredible chemistry and sexual tension that you can cut with a chainsaw! Seriously, these two are perfect for each other.
Work in Progress read like a Lifetime Movie! You watch those don't you? Well then you will love this. Christina Esdon does such an amazing job with creating and developing the characters that you can't help but imagine them all vividly in your mind. There were times when I was reading this that I swear I could hear Reese's heels clicking down the halls. It is that easy to imagine! Each character has a role to play and is just as vital to the story as the main characters. I got equally wrapped up in their stories, but the story of Josh and Reese is one that will live on in my heart for some time! I am already pestering Christina Esdon for book 2 Poetry in Motion.
If you are hopeless romantic and love your romances to be vivid, real and raw with emotion then Work in Progress is for you! Work in Progress definitely played with my heart strings, got my juices pumping and satisfied my desire for a love story. This is an absolute must read!
*Received free copy in exchange for an honest review
Enter Josh, the contractor and architect who has been contracted to do demolition on the children's wing and intends to do demolition on the walls around Reese's heart. I have to say, he is one determined guy, most men would have walked away from a girl like Reese and said that the woman had serious issues. I definitely admire his tenacity! I think he is the perfect match for the stubborn and often pig-headed woman that Reese is. He definitely gave her a run for her money and challenged her at every corner.
In a world where most men want a one night stand and women are looking for Mr. Right, Work in Progress gives us the opposite. Josh is looking for the Mrs. Right, while Reese was looking for Mr. Right Now. And boy did it make things interesting, steamy, sexy, and HOT!
I am an absolute hopeless romantic. And I really love it, when love doesn't come easy, because let's face it, love isn't always easy; so why should it be easy in our books. Christina Esdon definitely gives me all the things I love about love. In Work in Progress you get the challenge (Reese-stubborn woman who doesn't want to let anyone in vs. Josh who is looking for the right woman), you get incredible chemistry and sexual tension that you can cut with a chainsaw! Seriously, these two are perfect for each other.
Work in Progress read like a Lifetime Movie! You watch those don't you? Well then you will love this. Christina Esdon does such an amazing job with creating and developing the characters that you can't help but imagine them all vividly in your mind. There were times when I was reading this that I swear I could hear Reese's heels clicking down the halls. It is that easy to imagine! Each character has a role to play and is just as vital to the story as the main characters. I got equally wrapped up in their stories, but the story of Josh and Reese is one that will live on in my heart for some time! I am already pestering Christina Esdon for book 2 Poetry in Motion.
If you are hopeless romantic and love your romances to be vivid, real and raw with emotion then Work in Progress is for you! Work in Progress definitely played with my heart strings, got my juices pumping and satisfied my desire for a love story. This is an absolute must read!
*Received free copy in exchange for an honest review
October 10, 2013
In her debut novel, Work In Progress, author Christina Esdon weaves a poignant tale about two people whose paths cross, and the gradual development of their relationship. It is an emotional story about healing and moving on from past traumas, learning to trust, live and take a chance on love.
Haunted by a traumatic past, Psychologist Reese Morgan has erected a self-protective wall around her heart, and has dedicated her life to working with seriously ill children. When the family support program that she has built in the children's wing at Westwood General Hospital is shut down, she has to learn to accept the changes and face her past in order to move forward with her life. Josh Montgomery is the architectural contractor who has been contracted to demolish the hospital's children's wing. When Reese and Josh's paths cross, sparks fly and Josh is determined to demolish the walls around Reese's heart. Can Reese come to terms with her past, lower her protective walls, and allow Josh's love into her heart?
Work In Progress is the perfect title for this wonderful story as the evolution of Reese and Josh's relationship develops through cycles of trials and tribulations that they work through and overcome. It's an intense and passionate story, you can't help but get drawn in and feel for Reese and Josh as their story unfolds. This isn't just a romantic love story, it is an emotional story about healing and moving on from past traumas, and learning to rebuild one's life and embrace trust and love in relationships. The passion, trust, understanding and love that is shared between Reese and Josh is breathtaking, it will pull at your heartstrings, and take you on a satisfying emotional roller coaster ride.
Work In Progress is the first book in the Westwood Novel series. Kudos to author Christina Esdon on a wonderful debut novel!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
Haunted by a traumatic past, Psychologist Reese Morgan has erected a self-protective wall around her heart, and has dedicated her life to working with seriously ill children. When the family support program that she has built in the children's wing at Westwood General Hospital is shut down, she has to learn to accept the changes and face her past in order to move forward with her life. Josh Montgomery is the architectural contractor who has been contracted to demolish the hospital's children's wing. When Reese and Josh's paths cross, sparks fly and Josh is determined to demolish the walls around Reese's heart. Can Reese come to terms with her past, lower her protective walls, and allow Josh's love into her heart?
Work In Progress is the perfect title for this wonderful story as the evolution of Reese and Josh's relationship develops through cycles of trials and tribulations that they work through and overcome. It's an intense and passionate story, you can't help but get drawn in and feel for Reese and Josh as their story unfolds. This isn't just a romantic love story, it is an emotional story about healing and moving on from past traumas, and learning to rebuild one's life and embrace trust and love in relationships. The passion, trust, understanding and love that is shared between Reese and Josh is breathtaking, it will pull at your heartstrings, and take you on a satisfying emotional roller coaster ride.
Work In Progress is the first book in the Westwood Novel series. Kudos to author Christina Esdon on a wonderful debut novel!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
Want to read
July 23, 2013Thank you for the free book. Can't wait to read it
November 3, 2013
Originally published at Reading Reality
There’s a cliche that goes “Be patient, God isn’t finished with me yet.” That cliche could be applied to all of the characters in Christine Esdon’s novel, Work in Progress. Also the term is equally applicable to architectural drawings and construction sites, and it serves as a metaphor for multiple places in the story as well.
In other words, there are lots of works in progress in this story. Every structure needs a bit of shoring up.
Reese and Nikki have been best friends since they were little girls, and unlike so many childhood BFFs, their near-sisterhood has continued into adulthood. They even own a house together. But there’s a tragedy in their shared childhood that seems to be keeping both of them from being all that they could be.
There used to be five of them. Five musketeers. Reese and Nikki, their brothers Chase and Drew, and Reese’s little sister Livvy. Until tragedy struck and Livvy died of cancer at the tender age of eight and the light went out of Reese’s world.
Chase has spent his adulthood running away from his grief. Ten years foot-loose and fancy-free, spanning the globe, couch-surfing from job to job and never being there for his sister Reese. Nikki has no confidence in herself, staying in a dead-end advertising job she detests where everyone dumps on her. Nikki’s brother Drew has become a nearly soulless corporate overachiever.
And Reese has let her grief and anger rule her life. She clings to the hospital where Livvy spent her last days, and volunteers as a child psychologist in order to remain near those last precious memories of Livvy. But she detests her regular job as a clinical psychologist, the only paying position she could get that allowed her to stay in Livvy’s presence. She’s never processed any of her anger and grief. Reese is living yet another cliche, a psychologist who very seriously needs a psychologist.
Her life is bound in the past. So she’s threatened when the hospital decides to disband the children’s wing, Livvy’s last hospital room, in order to combine services with the larger hospital in the next town.
Reese focuses her anger on the man who owns the construction company. And she runs headlong into all of his issues.
Josh Montgomery has planned his whole life. Getting the hospital construction contract is part of his plan for his company. Getting infatuated, or remotely interested, in the attractive, angry and extremely angst-driven woman who is so caught up in the children’s department of the hospital is not part of his life-plan.
But it happens anyway. The question is whether either of them can work enough progress to make a relationship worth the pain.
Escape Rating B: There’s Reese’s issues, there’s Josh’s issues, and then there are all the lovely, lovely side characters. Work in Progress is one of those books where the side characters are more than window dressing; they are an absolute treat.
And also the relationships among the women, Reese, Nikki and pediatric nurse Julia, cause this story to pass the Bechdel test with flying colors. These women aren’t just hanging around to talk about the romances in their lives, they talk about their careers, their families and their plans for the future in ways that don’t include men. They are well-rounded characters and not just devices to further the romance.
In some ways, Josh seems too good to be true, and in other ways, he needs some serious work of his own. He forgives Reese way more crap than is probably realistic, but, and it’s a very big but, he also does something huge that is supposedly for her, but does it without telling her, knowing full well that it’s way too large to get into without letting her know. It makes him come off as being either manipulative or paternalistic, with the weight coming down on paternalistic. He thinks he’s not telling Reese things because she won’t be able to handle the disappointment if it doesn’t work out, but again, that’s treating her like less than a responsible adult. Whatever crap she has, and it’s a lot, he’s making decisions that affect her life for her and not with her.
There’s a little too much of Josh overriding Reese’s objections and pushing too fast into a relationship that she says she doesn’t want. While we know from the omniscient perspective of the story that Josh is right, there’s a feeling that he’s taking Reese’s agency away, and it feels wrong. Her angry reaction is over the top, but not totally off-base.
They have to pull apart before they can have a chance, because Josh has pushed too hard and decided too much. Also planned too much, but then, that’s where his issues come in.
Reese’s anger pushes people away, Josh’s über planning mode pushes forward too fast. They both have progress they need to work toward. Watching them work, and watching their friends both help and sometimes hinder, is what makes this story interesting.
I hope there are future Westwood stories where we see the other characters work toward their own progress. These are all neat people, and I want to see them each get their own story.
There’s a cliche that goes “Be patient, God isn’t finished with me yet.” That cliche could be applied to all of the characters in Christine Esdon’s novel, Work in Progress. Also the term is equally applicable to architectural drawings and construction sites, and it serves as a metaphor for multiple places in the story as well.
In other words, there are lots of works in progress in this story. Every structure needs a bit of shoring up.
Reese and Nikki have been best friends since they were little girls, and unlike so many childhood BFFs, their near-sisterhood has continued into adulthood. They even own a house together. But there’s a tragedy in their shared childhood that seems to be keeping both of them from being all that they could be.
There used to be five of them. Five musketeers. Reese and Nikki, their brothers Chase and Drew, and Reese’s little sister Livvy. Until tragedy struck and Livvy died of cancer at the tender age of eight and the light went out of Reese’s world.
Chase has spent his adulthood running away from his grief. Ten years foot-loose and fancy-free, spanning the globe, couch-surfing from job to job and never being there for his sister Reese. Nikki has no confidence in herself, staying in a dead-end advertising job she detests where everyone dumps on her. Nikki’s brother Drew has become a nearly soulless corporate overachiever.
And Reese has let her grief and anger rule her life. She clings to the hospital where Livvy spent her last days, and volunteers as a child psychologist in order to remain near those last precious memories of Livvy. But she detests her regular job as a clinical psychologist, the only paying position she could get that allowed her to stay in Livvy’s presence. She’s never processed any of her anger and grief. Reese is living yet another cliche, a psychologist who very seriously needs a psychologist.
Her life is bound in the past. So she’s threatened when the hospital decides to disband the children’s wing, Livvy’s last hospital room, in order to combine services with the larger hospital in the next town.
Reese focuses her anger on the man who owns the construction company. And she runs headlong into all of his issues.
Josh Montgomery has planned his whole life. Getting the hospital construction contract is part of his plan for his company. Getting infatuated, or remotely interested, in the attractive, angry and extremely angst-driven woman who is so caught up in the children’s department of the hospital is not part of his life-plan.
But it happens anyway. The question is whether either of them can work enough progress to make a relationship worth the pain.
Escape Rating B: There’s Reese’s issues, there’s Josh’s issues, and then there are all the lovely, lovely side characters. Work in Progress is one of those books where the side characters are more than window dressing; they are an absolute treat.
And also the relationships among the women, Reese, Nikki and pediatric nurse Julia, cause this story to pass the Bechdel test with flying colors. These women aren’t just hanging around to talk about the romances in their lives, they talk about their careers, their families and their plans for the future in ways that don’t include men. They are well-rounded characters and not just devices to further the romance.
In some ways, Josh seems too good to be true, and in other ways, he needs some serious work of his own. He forgives Reese way more crap than is probably realistic, but, and it’s a very big but, he also does something huge that is supposedly for her, but does it without telling her, knowing full well that it’s way too large to get into without letting her know. It makes him come off as being either manipulative or paternalistic, with the weight coming down on paternalistic. He thinks he’s not telling Reese things because she won’t be able to handle the disappointment if it doesn’t work out, but again, that’s treating her like less than a responsible adult. Whatever crap she has, and it’s a lot, he’s making decisions that affect her life for her and not with her.
There’s a little too much of Josh overriding Reese’s objections and pushing too fast into a relationship that she says she doesn’t want. While we know from the omniscient perspective of the story that Josh is right, there’s a feeling that he’s taking Reese’s agency away, and it feels wrong. Her angry reaction is over the top, but not totally off-base.
They have to pull apart before they can have a chance, because Josh has pushed too hard and decided too much. Also planned too much, but then, that’s where his issues come in.
Reese’s anger pushes people away, Josh’s über planning mode pushes forward too fast. They both have progress they need to work toward. Watching them work, and watching their friends both help and sometimes hinder, is what makes this story interesting.
I hope there are future Westwood stories where we see the other characters work toward their own progress. These are all neat people, and I want to see them each get their own story.
February 13, 2014
NOTE: I received the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Where to begin, where to begin...
I want to start off by saying that I expected something different from this book. Firstly, I was told this was a clean romance novel. Ehhh.... Not.
Secondly, I expected a well edited, well structured novel, where the characters were realistic enough to actually capture my attention. Well... Not on the first two, and the third one could be argued upon.
Writing style:
I'm not a huge lover of third person POVs. Unless the writer can pull it off, and if that happens I usually end up LOVING the book. I'm sad to say that Ms. Esdon's writing could not grab me. The narrative sounded detached and observant to the point of crossing over to the non-fiction genre.
Story line:
I think that there was way too much going on in this book. I had to pay attention to three couples, one major and two minor ones, when honestly, it would've been so much better if couples two and three had been left to deal with in books of their own. I would've at least liked the book, if we only looked over Josh and Reece's shoulders, instead of having to deal unnecessarily too much with Drew and Julia and Nikki and Chase.
Other than the ginormous cluster that all those couples produced, I think the storyline has potential. It is, however, as the title says, a work in progress.
Themes:
- running away from problems is not the way to solve them;
- running away from people who love you can only hurt you and them;
- giving away your heart is not necessarily a bad thing;
- trusting a person can be a difficult idea;
- living in the past can ruin your future;
Characters:
Josh was literally too good to be true. Or perhaps he was too naive. Or too trusting. At any rate, I don't think that a man who's been played as many times as Reece played Josh, would actually endure more. Or ask for it. But he seemed to be so incredibly forgiving, I actually felt like slapping him across the face and shouting at him to get himself together. I mean, seriously? Are you a man, Josh, or are you not? And while I like considerate guys who can take a woman under the starry sky and promise her the world, I did not hold any such affection for Josh. To me he was unrealistic and I couldn't get past that.
Reece was one extremely confused woman. I understand where her pain lies and how it has sculpted her as a person. But come on! Even the greatest tragedy of your past can't be allowed to ruin your future! The way Reece was holding on to the death of her sister was way overdone. She was incredibly determined to just, I don't know, never go forward? For goodness sake, she didn't want the hospital room where her sister died to ever be changed!!! That's borderline psychotic! Guess what - remembering the past has nothing to do with leaving it control every waking (and not) moment of your life! So no, I did not have any sympathies for her either.
Nikki, Reece's best friend, only kept pushing her to date. And to eat. I'm not sure how I feel about this woman, except I think she's as stuck up on the past as Reece is, just not in the same way.
Chase, Reece's brother was one huge pain in the butt. I can't believe the plan is for Nikki to actually end up with him. The dude needs to grow up.
Julia and Drew are perhaps the only characters in this entire novel who make sense to me. Julia is overly romantic, trying to match all her friends. But when her prince charming comes knocking, it's a surprise to her. And besides, Drew isn't attempting to make it easy on her either. At any rate. I'd be curious about Julia and Drew's story.
In conclusion I want to say that this book has potential, but not the way it's written right now. The romance can really work and melt hearts, if only it gets more attention.
Where to begin, where to begin...
I want to start off by saying that I expected something different from this book. Firstly, I was told this was a clean romance novel. Ehhh.... Not.
Secondly, I expected a well edited, well structured novel, where the characters were realistic enough to actually capture my attention. Well... Not on the first two, and the third one could be argued upon.
Writing style:
I'm not a huge lover of third person POVs. Unless the writer can pull it off, and if that happens I usually end up LOVING the book. I'm sad to say that Ms. Esdon's writing could not grab me. The narrative sounded detached and observant to the point of crossing over to the non-fiction genre.
Story line:
I think that there was way too much going on in this book. I had to pay attention to three couples, one major and two minor ones, when honestly, it would've been so much better if couples two and three had been left to deal with in books of their own. I would've at least liked the book, if we only looked over Josh and Reece's shoulders, instead of having to deal unnecessarily too much with Drew and Julia and Nikki and Chase.
Other than the ginormous cluster that all those couples produced, I think the storyline has potential. It is, however, as the title says, a work in progress.
Themes:
- running away from problems is not the way to solve them;
- running away from people who love you can only hurt you and them;
- giving away your heart is not necessarily a bad thing;
- trusting a person can be a difficult idea;
- living in the past can ruin your future;
Characters:
Josh was literally too good to be true. Or perhaps he was too naive. Or too trusting. At any rate, I don't think that a man who's been played as many times as Reece played Josh, would actually endure more. Or ask for it. But he seemed to be so incredibly forgiving, I actually felt like slapping him across the face and shouting at him to get himself together. I mean, seriously? Are you a man, Josh, or are you not? And while I like considerate guys who can take a woman under the starry sky and promise her the world, I did not hold any such affection for Josh. To me he was unrealistic and I couldn't get past that.
Reece was one extremely confused woman. I understand where her pain lies and how it has sculpted her as a person. But come on! Even the greatest tragedy of your past can't be allowed to ruin your future! The way Reece was holding on to the death of her sister was way overdone. She was incredibly determined to just, I don't know, never go forward? For goodness sake, she didn't want the hospital room where her sister died to ever be changed!!! That's borderline psychotic! Guess what - remembering the past has nothing to do with leaving it control every waking (and not) moment of your life! So no, I did not have any sympathies for her either.
Nikki, Reece's best friend, only kept pushing her to date. And to eat. I'm not sure how I feel about this woman, except I think she's as stuck up on the past as Reece is, just not in the same way.
Chase, Reece's brother was one huge pain in the butt. I can't believe the plan is for Nikki to actually end up with him. The dude needs to grow up.
Julia and Drew are perhaps the only characters in this entire novel who make sense to me. Julia is overly romantic, trying to match all her friends. But when her prince charming comes knocking, it's a surprise to her. And besides, Drew isn't attempting to make it easy on her either. At any rate. I'd be curious about Julia and Drew's story.
In conclusion I want to say that this book has potential, but not the way it's written right now. The romance can really work and melt hearts, if only it gets more attention.
December 26, 2013
I had been told by a couple of friends that this book was really great, but that still didn't prepare me for just how good this book is. I received my copy from Christina Esdon and I begun reading just an hour later.
I struggled to actually put this book down once I started reading. to the point where my hubby actually threatened to take my Kindle and my phone(because of my reading app) off me because instead of going sleep I kept saying "just let me finish this paragraph", pages later I was still reading!
I found Work In Progress really easy to read. I found the scenes in this book very easy to picture in my mind. Christina Esdon has done a fantastic job of weaving more than one story into this book and each of the stories have been woven together in an amazing web, but all of them are really easy to follow and keep track of.
The characters are extremely well thought up. They all grow and develop both individually and as a group throughout the entire the book. I couldn't help but love the characters; all of them!
The two main characters are Reese and Josh, and what a couple they make; both can be stubborn and hot headed, as well as passionate about the things they love.
Reese Morgan's past has shaped how she lives her life, she hangs on to her anger to keep the hurt at bay. She hates her actual job but loves her time volunteering on the children's ward. Reese is angry and upset when she finds out that the children's ward is going to be demolished and the children moved to the neighbouring hospital after a short stay in the Palliative Care Department. Reese is also not looking for any kind of relationship, if anything she is only interested in Mr Right Now not Mr Right. But after meeting Josh will Reese's outlook change, will she finally let go of the past and allow her heart to feel?
Josh Montgomery is the man who now owns Montgomery Construction. He is very analytical and sticks to his plans to achieve his goals and solve any problems. Josh is however looking for Miss Right not Miss Right Now. He approaches dating in the same way he approaches a job; the first date is kind of like an interview; which determines if there will be a second date! That is until he runs into Reese. He tries to get to know Reese and time and time again he is pushed away, but Josh is very determined, his heart wants Reese. Will Josh manage to break through Reese's barrier of anger and hurt or will Reese manage to push him away so much that he gives up and walks away?
Overall Work In Progress made me smile, giggle and almost cry (I would have cried but there were other people around)! Christina Esdon's fantastic writing style made it so easy for me to conjure up some very vivid images in my own mind; especially of Drew and Josh!!
If you've never heard of Christina Esdon I strongly recommend reading Work In Progress. I'm glad I did and I'll definitely be getting the second book Poetry In Motion when its released; unless I can manage to get an ARC from Ms. Esdon *smiles sweetly and bats eyelashes at Ms Esdon* (sooo cheeky)!!
Read on for a peek at the amazing lady behind this truly amazing book!
I struggled to actually put this book down once I started reading. to the point where my hubby actually threatened to take my Kindle and my phone(because of my reading app) off me because instead of going sleep I kept saying "just let me finish this paragraph", pages later I was still reading!
I found Work In Progress really easy to read. I found the scenes in this book very easy to picture in my mind. Christina Esdon has done a fantastic job of weaving more than one story into this book and each of the stories have been woven together in an amazing web, but all of them are really easy to follow and keep track of.
The characters are extremely well thought up. They all grow and develop both individually and as a group throughout the entire the book. I couldn't help but love the characters; all of them!
The two main characters are Reese and Josh, and what a couple they make; both can be stubborn and hot headed, as well as passionate about the things they love.
Reese Morgan's past has shaped how she lives her life, she hangs on to her anger to keep the hurt at bay. She hates her actual job but loves her time volunteering on the children's ward. Reese is angry and upset when she finds out that the children's ward is going to be demolished and the children moved to the neighbouring hospital after a short stay in the Palliative Care Department. Reese is also not looking for any kind of relationship, if anything she is only interested in Mr Right Now not Mr Right. But after meeting Josh will Reese's outlook change, will she finally let go of the past and allow her heart to feel?
Josh Montgomery is the man who now owns Montgomery Construction. He is very analytical and sticks to his plans to achieve his goals and solve any problems. Josh is however looking for Miss Right not Miss Right Now. He approaches dating in the same way he approaches a job; the first date is kind of like an interview; which determines if there will be a second date! That is until he runs into Reese. He tries to get to know Reese and time and time again he is pushed away, but Josh is very determined, his heart wants Reese. Will Josh manage to break through Reese's barrier of anger and hurt or will Reese manage to push him away so much that he gives up and walks away?
Overall Work In Progress made me smile, giggle and almost cry (I would have cried but there were other people around)! Christina Esdon's fantastic writing style made it so easy for me to conjure up some very vivid images in my own mind; especially of Drew and Josh!!
If you've never heard of Christina Esdon I strongly recommend reading Work In Progress. I'm glad I did and I'll definitely be getting the second book Poetry In Motion when its released; unless I can manage to get an ARC from Ms. Esdon *smiles sweetly and bats eyelashes at Ms Esdon* (sooo cheeky)!!
Read on for a peek at the amazing lady behind this truly amazing book!
October 27, 2013
Work in Progress is an ensemble style romance that follows the stories of a number of characters including: Nikki, who works in marketing, is sick of her job and is in love with her flat mate's philandering brother, Chase, who has just moved in and who is trying to learn to stop running from his past; Julia, a nurse who is desperately seeking Mr Right, but has maybe spent a little too much time with her nose stuck in novels (Is that even possible?); Drew, Nikki's brother who is disturbingly reminiscent of Julia's gothic fantasy, except that he's also a bit of a hard nosed corporate type; not to mention beloved cats The Godfather and Holly Golightly, who rule their respective roosts. On top of that we have our main characters, Reese and Josh. Josh is a contractor, working on the hospital at which Reese works, and the two are instantly hot for each other. There are two problems though, Josh is a romantic and wants the lot, while Reese, a psychologist, is terrified of commitment and struggling to deal with her traumatic family history.
That might sound like a bit of a tangle, but Work in Progress is anything but a mess. Each of the storylines weave perfectly together in a way that makes this so much more than your usual romance. The benefit of this narrative style is that we get a romance with a hero and heroine who have actual real life friendships, and while the romance makes the arc of this story, the friendships are what bring it an extra dash of color and laughter.
An interesting point to note is that, unlike many books with multiple points of view, I didn't once find myself wishing I could return to a different storyline. The plot moved seamlessly from one character to the next as we followed Reese, Josh, and their friends.
At its heart, though, this is a romance and the main story is the development of Reese and Josh's relationship. I liked both of these characters. Reese is very real, with anger issues and a whole lot of trauma, but this just made her all the more relateable. Josh is really sweet and at times I just wanted to pinch his cheek, but he’s really sexy too and ready to push everything off his desk to throw Reese on top of it.
There is a lot of humor in the story, right from the beginning and Reese's "run-gasm", and I found myself laughing out loud throughout. BUT much of the journey is also quite heart wrenching (as Reese's commitment issues are rooted in the loss of her little sister when she was young), and for as many times as I laughed during this novel, Work in Progress also had me full on ugly crying. So don't read this one when you're in the mood for a straight feel good comedic romance, instead read this one when you want a laugh and a cry that will make you all the happier in the long run.
From its subtitle, I believe Work in Progress must be the first in a series of novels, though the rest are yet to be released. I hope this is the case, as I really want to know more about the future of Reese and Josh's friends.
That might sound like a bit of a tangle, but Work in Progress is anything but a mess. Each of the storylines weave perfectly together in a way that makes this so much more than your usual romance. The benefit of this narrative style is that we get a romance with a hero and heroine who have actual real life friendships, and while the romance makes the arc of this story, the friendships are what bring it an extra dash of color and laughter.
An interesting point to note is that, unlike many books with multiple points of view, I didn't once find myself wishing I could return to a different storyline. The plot moved seamlessly from one character to the next as we followed Reese, Josh, and their friends.
At its heart, though, this is a romance and the main story is the development of Reese and Josh's relationship. I liked both of these characters. Reese is very real, with anger issues and a whole lot of trauma, but this just made her all the more relateable. Josh is really sweet and at times I just wanted to pinch his cheek, but he’s really sexy too and ready to push everything off his desk to throw Reese on top of it.
There is a lot of humor in the story, right from the beginning and Reese's "run-gasm", and I found myself laughing out loud throughout. BUT much of the journey is also quite heart wrenching (as Reese's commitment issues are rooted in the loss of her little sister when she was young), and for as many times as I laughed during this novel, Work in Progress also had me full on ugly crying. So don't read this one when you're in the mood for a straight feel good comedic romance, instead read this one when you want a laugh and a cry that will make you all the happier in the long run.
From its subtitle, I believe Work in Progress must be the first in a series of novels, though the rest are yet to be released. I hope this is the case, as I really want to know more about the future of Reese and Josh's friends.
August 29, 2013
Sometimes you read a book and you think, “Eh, this book was okay.” Other times, you think, “I really enjoyed reading this book.” Or maybe even “This book was fantastic!”. For me, WORK IN PROGRESS by Christina Esdon was the latter of the three. It made me smile, laugh, cry, giggle, and even blush...yes, blush...read it, you’ll see why.
The story is the first of a series by Ms. Esdon, introducing us to the character Dr. Reese Morgan. Something in her past has moulded the way she has lead her life so far. So much so, that when Josh Montgomery “runs” into her life , she pushes him away time and time again. Talk about playing hard to get. Except the thing is, she really isn’t playing. She doesn’t want to be in a serious relationship. And Josh...well...Josh kind of does. Along with Reese and Josh, we meet a whole cast of characters that you instantly learn to love and want to know more about.
The book takes us through some ups and down. Hook ups and Break ups. It’s like the Circle of Life! Ha!
I read most of WORK IN PROGRESS while walking on a treadmill, which is not an easy feat, however, it made the time zoom by and when I realized it was already an hour, I wanted to keep going because I didn’t want to stop reading. I almost fell off the treadmill once during a certain scene that...um...caught me off guard...for reasons. ;-)
I do have to be honest and tell you that I was able to get an advanced copy of WORK IN PROGRESS to read. I was also able to read bits and pieces as she was writing it. It has been wonderful to watch this story transform into the final product. It does not change the fact that it is a great story and a great start to the series that you would be amiss to read.
I, personally, look forward to reading more of her work. And more about Dr. Reese…
*paging Ms. Esdon*
The story is the first of a series by Ms. Esdon, introducing us to the character Dr. Reese Morgan. Something in her past has moulded the way she has lead her life so far. So much so, that when Josh Montgomery “runs” into her life , she pushes him away time and time again. Talk about playing hard to get. Except the thing is, she really isn’t playing. She doesn’t want to be in a serious relationship. And Josh...well...Josh kind of does. Along with Reese and Josh, we meet a whole cast of characters that you instantly learn to love and want to know more about.
The book takes us through some ups and down. Hook ups and Break ups. It’s like the Circle of Life! Ha!
I read most of WORK IN PROGRESS while walking on a treadmill, which is not an easy feat, however, it made the time zoom by and when I realized it was already an hour, I wanted to keep going because I didn’t want to stop reading. I almost fell off the treadmill once during a certain scene that...um...caught me off guard...for reasons. ;-)
I do have to be honest and tell you that I was able to get an advanced copy of WORK IN PROGRESS to read. I was also able to read bits and pieces as she was writing it. It has been wonderful to watch this story transform into the final product. It does not change the fact that it is a great story and a great start to the series that you would be amiss to read.
I, personally, look forward to reading more of her work. And more about Dr. Reese…
*paging Ms. Esdon*
August 31, 2013
The author provided me with a copy of this book for my honest review
3 1/2 stars
Reese has dedicated her life to helping sick children and their families, while hating her real job working on the psychiatric ward. She lives for the moments when she can volunteer in the children's area, when the hospital shuts down the children's wing the carefully built walls that Reese has built around herself start to develop cracks. Josh the contractor/architect who was hired to break down the children's wing and rebuild into something else. When he sees Reese he wants her, but not for the night Josh is a forever kind of guy and he wants the happily ever after with her. Reese wants Josh, but only for a night she doesn't want forever and can't have a happily ever after. She would have to let someone in to have that, share her pain and secrets, Reese can't let the walls down because if she does then she just might fall apart. If she won't let them down herself, Josh is ready to demolish those walls and show Reese it's ok to trust a person and that letting someone in is the best thing for her. This book was interesting instead of the man being the one who doesn't want a relationship it was the woman, I really liked that. The scenes were very vivid and the characters were written realistically, I felt bad for Reese and at the same time wanted to smack her for being so short sided. Josh was sweet and caring he isn't an alpha male hero, but he still isn't a pushover. Danielle on Goodreads described it best when she said this book read like a Lifetime Movie, I couldn't agree more. It's a good read and I would have liked it more, but I felt that sometimes Reese was not being stubborn she was acting like an insensitive shrew. If you like a romance with emotional turmoil, hot love scenes and a happily ever after Work in Progress is the book to get.
3 1/2 stars
Reese has dedicated her life to helping sick children and their families, while hating her real job working on the psychiatric ward. She lives for the moments when she can volunteer in the children's area, when the hospital shuts down the children's wing the carefully built walls that Reese has built around herself start to develop cracks. Josh the contractor/architect who was hired to break down the children's wing and rebuild into something else. When he sees Reese he wants her, but not for the night Josh is a forever kind of guy and he wants the happily ever after with her. Reese wants Josh, but only for a night she doesn't want forever and can't have a happily ever after. She would have to let someone in to have that, share her pain and secrets, Reese can't let the walls down because if she does then she just might fall apart. If she won't let them down herself, Josh is ready to demolish those walls and show Reese it's ok to trust a person and that letting someone in is the best thing for her. This book was interesting instead of the man being the one who doesn't want a relationship it was the woman, I really liked that. The scenes were very vivid and the characters were written realistically, I felt bad for Reese and at the same time wanted to smack her for being so short sided. Josh was sweet and caring he isn't an alpha male hero, but he still isn't a pushover. Danielle on Goodreads described it best when she said this book read like a Lifetime Movie, I couldn't agree more. It's a good read and I would have liked it more, but I felt that sometimes Reese was not being stubborn she was acting like an insensitive shrew. If you like a romance with emotional turmoil, hot love scenes and a happily ever after Work in Progress is the book to get.
October 18, 2013
This was a great novel with so many interesting characters.. I couldn't wait to get home from work and continue reading the story. It was well-written, and only minor editing mistakes in my ARC. Reese and Josh were strong characters, and Josh's character was a nice change from the normal "successful business owner/playboy". The secondary characters made the story better. Usually, I skim through those parts because I don't find them very interesting, but the author does a good job of giving us glimpses into their lives, without trying to over-shadow Reese and Josh's story. Now I can look forward to reading their own stories. Nice epilogue/final chapter, and a great teaser into the next book in the Westwood series. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 30, 2015
The reality of the characters in Work in Progress is the strongest positive for the story. The interaction for Reese and Josh, the two main characters were hot, sexy and steamy. Josh was looking for Mrs. Right, a woman to have and to hold for a lifetime and she was looking for a Mr. Right, for right now or a hot encounter with no strings attached. With Josh being the contractor hired to remove the children's wing that Reese loved, the sparks and fun begins as they are attracted to each other through the conflict. The story is written with passion and finesse of the characters' feelings for a great romance that I highly recommend to anyone looking for a good romance.
September 3, 2016
I won this book in a giveaway. For me, it was a good book, well written and if not a bit slow-paced, but I never made a personal connection to the characters, and the storyline did not hold my interest. There was always something going on, but no earth shattering angst or conflict beyond the norm. The pace is what I consider slow, although there was interaction and dialog throughout, I think it may appeal to people that enjoy books about friendships and the struggles people have to nurture and maintain them. This is one I read over the course of a few days, a few chapters at a time. It was a nice romance, but just never engaged me to the point I couldn't put it down and walk away.
August 12, 2013
I loved this book! From the moment I started this book I didn't want to put it down because I had to know what happened with Reese and Josh. I spent the whole booking hoping that Reese would let Josh in so that she could be happy. I loved Josh from the start and just wanted things to work out for both of them. I loved watching how Reese changed throughout the book and where things went with her. I loved the authors writing and I can't wait to read more books by her.
*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*
*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*
October 7, 2013
This is one of the easiest books I've read in a while. It was charming and sweet and after a long day, it was just the thing to curl up with. It made me feel like a hopeless romantic as I was silently trying to set the characters up along with the author. Sometimes you just need a feel good book that feels as good as a chat with a girlfriend and this is just the ticket.
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