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The Evans Trilogy #1
Set Me Free
Disastrous love life aside, Charlotte Evans is rather content with her life. Her quaint little art gallery is plodding along nicely, and her sister Emily’s artistic career is about to take off, thanks to her tireless promotion. She even gets to see her best friend every day and drink his delicious coffee in the café next door.
But when dastardly property developer Craig Carmichael comes along, threatening to demolish her gallery and take everything away, Charlotte has an unexpected fight on her hands. Not only is she battling to stop Craig’s development, she’s also struggling against the mysterious magnetic pull that has her on a collision course with Craig himself.
Craig Carmichael is fighting the Battle for Boundary Street on more than one front. The tenants of the building he wants to knock down are mounting a strong case against him and in a hot-headed moment he put his career on the line for a project that is threatening to fail. If the project doesn’t succeed he will lose everything, but for some reason he’s having trouble maintaining his focus.
As their worlds begin to unravel around them, anyone could win. It’s what they might lose that has Charlotte and Craig wondering what it is they really want.
But when dastardly property developer Craig Carmichael comes along, threatening to demolish her gallery and take everything away, Charlotte has an unexpected fight on her hands. Not only is she battling to stop Craig’s development, she’s also struggling against the mysterious magnetic pull that has her on a collision course with Craig himself.
Craig Carmichael is fighting the Battle for Boundary Street on more than one front. The tenants of the building he wants to knock down are mounting a strong case against him and in a hot-headed moment he put his career on the line for a project that is threatening to fail. If the project doesn’t succeed he will lose everything, but for some reason he’s having trouble maintaining his focus.
As their worlds begin to unravel around them, anyone could win. It’s what they might lose that has Charlotte and Craig wondering what it is they really want.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2013
41 people are currently reading
537 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Collin
8 books158 followersJennifer Collin writes quirky, and sometimes gritty, love stories about ordinary people dealing with what life throws at them. She lives in Brisbane, Australia, with her husband, two noisy children and a cantankerous cat. She used to party, but now her idea of a good time is an uninterrupted sleep. These days, her characters do her partying for her, and she doesn't necessarily let them sleep.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
December 19, 2013
The cover was quaint and old-fashioned looking (1950s red dress). It was bright and assured me that I was getting chick lit.
The title made me think the lead character was in a disastrous relationship and she wanted out.
The blurb told me about the main characters: Charlotte Evans and Craig Carmichael and I instantly think they are going to end up together, no bad thing, the fun part is reading how they manage it. I loved the line: It’s what they might lose that has Charlotte and Craig wondering what it is they really want. But I haven't a clue as to how that, and the title, connect.
Chapter one opens with dialogue and immediately had my attention: "Why are you sniffing me?"
"Just checking to see if you've washed that man out of your hair."
It's a brilliant opening where the reader is introduced to two sisters Emily and Charlotte. Charlotte is the main character and owns an art gallery, Emily is her married sister and the artist who supplies her with paintings to sell.
Chapter two introduces us to the other lead: Craig Carmichael. He's stressed and over-worked and has the horrible job of telling the owners of an art gallery that their shop is going to be bulldozed--that shop is Charlotte's. She's jet-lagged and not thinking straight, and he's so smitten with her he fails to tell her why he's there, and instead ends up in her bed!
This is where my sympathy of the characters slip: a young woman (in chick lit they can't be slappers!) takes a stranger back to her house and bed, and has condoms readily available in her bedside drawer (indicating she does this often).
Her actions are blamed on her being jet-lagged and drunk but later, when she discovers the reason why Craig came into the gallery, has the nerve to call the guy all the names under the sun for sleeping with her. And no, before you think it's all one sided, I didn't like him either. He knew she was drunk, yet he still went back to her house and had sex with her. Eeeeeow.
I read on but the once-thought main story line has switched direction and now I'm not sure whose story this is: Emily, Charlotte's sister has discovered her husband's adultery, and we learn that Ben (Charlotte's best friend) has been holding a torch for Emily and is in love with her. The POV moves to these new characters, plus, Emily and Charlotte's mother, Diane, is on the scene and also has a POV. It's become confusing.
I wouldn't call this book a chick lit as the cover suggests, and it's clear that this story has a multi-story line. It's not as easy-reading as true chick lit with the many characters coming and going, but as I'm further in, it HAS become more interesting.
Whereas before I HATED the main characters, Charlotte and Craig, I now like them. In fact, I think I'm a little bit in love with Craig. In the end, he came across as a true 'chick lit lovable-but-with-flaws' character. Vulnerable but strong. Charlotte strengthened too and I've forgiven her sluttiness in the beginning.
Set Me Free also has a mystery element surrounding the gallery with Craig's business partner receiving backhanders, which implements Craig in its involvement. That is unfolded slowly, drip-feeding the reader until they HAVE to keep turning the pages to find out its conclusion.
Back to the title: It's clear that the title refers to the side dish of the book: Emily and her estranged husband. The blurb needs to clarify that this book isn't focused on Charlotte and Craig but rather two sisters and the men who are in love with them.
It has a few editorial and formatting problems such as typos and double spaces changing to single, and that being said I'm giving this book a very high three out of five (shame Amazon has no half marks). It's worth a read!
Read more at http://wisewords-bookreviews.blogspot...
The title made me think the lead character was in a disastrous relationship and she wanted out.
The blurb told me about the main characters: Charlotte Evans and Craig Carmichael and I instantly think they are going to end up together, no bad thing, the fun part is reading how they manage it. I loved the line: It’s what they might lose that has Charlotte and Craig wondering what it is they really want. But I haven't a clue as to how that, and the title, connect.
Chapter one opens with dialogue and immediately had my attention: "Why are you sniffing me?"
"Just checking to see if you've washed that man out of your hair."
It's a brilliant opening where the reader is introduced to two sisters Emily and Charlotte. Charlotte is the main character and owns an art gallery, Emily is her married sister and the artist who supplies her with paintings to sell.
Chapter two introduces us to the other lead: Craig Carmichael. He's stressed and over-worked and has the horrible job of telling the owners of an art gallery that their shop is going to be bulldozed--that shop is Charlotte's. She's jet-lagged and not thinking straight, and he's so smitten with her he fails to tell her why he's there, and instead ends up in her bed!
This is where my sympathy of the characters slip: a young woman (in chick lit they can't be slappers!) takes a stranger back to her house and bed, and has condoms readily available in her bedside drawer (indicating she does this often).
Her actions are blamed on her being jet-lagged and drunk but later, when she discovers the reason why Craig came into the gallery, has the nerve to call the guy all the names under the sun for sleeping with her. And no, before you think it's all one sided, I didn't like him either. He knew she was drunk, yet he still went back to her house and had sex with her. Eeeeeow.
I read on but the once-thought main story line has switched direction and now I'm not sure whose story this is: Emily, Charlotte's sister has discovered her husband's adultery, and we learn that Ben (Charlotte's best friend) has been holding a torch for Emily and is in love with her. The POV moves to these new characters, plus, Emily and Charlotte's mother, Diane, is on the scene and also has a POV. It's become confusing.
I wouldn't call this book a chick lit as the cover suggests, and it's clear that this story has a multi-story line. It's not as easy-reading as true chick lit with the many characters coming and going, but as I'm further in, it HAS become more interesting.
Whereas before I HATED the main characters, Charlotte and Craig, I now like them. In fact, I think I'm a little bit in love with Craig. In the end, he came across as a true 'chick lit lovable-but-with-flaws' character. Vulnerable but strong. Charlotte strengthened too and I've forgiven her sluttiness in the beginning.
Set Me Free also has a mystery element surrounding the gallery with Craig's business partner receiving backhanders, which implements Craig in its involvement. That is unfolded slowly, drip-feeding the reader until they HAVE to keep turning the pages to find out its conclusion.
Back to the title: It's clear that the title refers to the side dish of the book: Emily and her estranged husband. The blurb needs to clarify that this book isn't focused on Charlotte and Craig but rather two sisters and the men who are in love with them.
It has a few editorial and formatting problems such as typos and double spaces changing to single, and that being said I'm giving this book a very high three out of five (shame Amazon has no half marks). It's worth a read!
Read more at http://wisewords-bookreviews.blogspot...
October 13, 2014
Author Jennifer Collin thoroughly entertained me with her novel Set Me Free.
I love Women's Contemporary Fiction, especially when authors such as Ms. Collins write the spectrum of emotions based upon life's real experiences. Often this genre is thought of as "Happily Ever After," and nothing more. Set Me Free has some ridiculously funny moments, as well as some heart wrenching ones. The only bad thing about books like these is that they end... but in this case it doesn't. Set Me Free is book one in The Evans Trilogy. Yay!!
We meet Charlotte Evans as she arrives back in Australia after a trip to Rome with her mother. Unlucky in love, once again, she uses travel as a way to escape and heal. No sooner does she land than she meets the oh-so-handsome Craig Carmichael. Things are looking up for the two of them, until they find out they are on opposite sides of a business deal.
Charlotte and Craig have depth of character and over the course of the book continue to captivate the other as their pasts are revealed. Life happens to everyone, and while Charlotte and Craig have their hands full of rescuing everyone around them, they take a little time to rescue themselves.
A very well crafted book. Open My Eyes, book two in The Evans Trilogy is available and a must read as well.
I love Women's Contemporary Fiction, especially when authors such as Ms. Collins write the spectrum of emotions based upon life's real experiences. Often this genre is thought of as "Happily Ever After," and nothing more. Set Me Free has some ridiculously funny moments, as well as some heart wrenching ones. The only bad thing about books like these is that they end... but in this case it doesn't. Set Me Free is book one in The Evans Trilogy. Yay!!
We meet Charlotte Evans as she arrives back in Australia after a trip to Rome with her mother. Unlucky in love, once again, she uses travel as a way to escape and heal. No sooner does she land than she meets the oh-so-handsome Craig Carmichael. Things are looking up for the two of them, until they find out they are on opposite sides of a business deal.
Charlotte and Craig have depth of character and over the course of the book continue to captivate the other as their pasts are revealed. Life happens to everyone, and while Charlotte and Craig have their hands full of rescuing everyone around them, they take a little time to rescue themselves.
A very well crafted book. Open My Eyes, book two in The Evans Trilogy is available and a must read as well.
February 5, 2016
This was an intriguing book. I really liked that it was a romance story, but it was also a well told story about life.
The author wasn't afraid to tell the story exactly as life is, filled with moments of detail that may not be overly exciting, but they lead to something brilliant, I liked that it was often all the little details that made something special.
The focus on art was a very unique story,especially as our character wasn't the artist, but instead was the gallery owner. We still got all the fun details about the artist and their struggle though, as the main artist in the gallery was the main character's sister. It made the story very interesting, as the main character was even more invested in making the gallery work, as she not only made her job work, but had the potential to make her sister as well.
I liked that the romantic side of the read didn't overpower the life story, as this made it more realistic and a lot easier to really get stuck in to. However, when we did have romantic scenes, they were also written very well. They were real, funny and very touching.
Overall, this was a fun read. I liked how real it felt and how exhilarating the romance side of the read was. I recommend giving this book a read!
*I received this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
The author wasn't afraid to tell the story exactly as life is, filled with moments of detail that may not be overly exciting, but they lead to something brilliant, I liked that it was often all the little details that made something special.
The focus on art was a very unique story,especially as our character wasn't the artist, but instead was the gallery owner. We still got all the fun details about the artist and their struggle though, as the main artist in the gallery was the main character's sister. It made the story very interesting, as the main character was even more invested in making the gallery work, as she not only made her job work, but had the potential to make her sister as well.
I liked that the romantic side of the read didn't overpower the life story, as this made it more realistic and a lot easier to really get stuck in to. However, when we did have romantic scenes, they were also written very well. They were real, funny and very touching.
Overall, this was a fun read. I liked how real it felt and how exhilarating the romance side of the read was. I recommend giving this book a read!
*I received this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
March 28, 2015
This author is a wonderful writer. The descriptions, the dialogue, the pacing - everything about this book was impressive. The romance was less than realistic, but that's what I liked about it - it was the perfect escape from a winter that seemingly will never end! Charlotte was a great character - a good person with a big heart, but not a doormat. And I really enjoyed that the book was not only about Charlotte, but her younger sister Emily as well. Possible spoiler alert: Although I do wish there was some more development of Emily's relationship with her husband Geoff (or the breakdown thereof), I hope that will be further explored in the next installment of the series. It bothered me that Emily never actually spoke to Geoff before moving out of their house. They were high school sweethearts and I thought, despite his less-than-admiral activities, she should have at least let him talk to her. Finally, several of the men in this book were swoon-worthy, Craig and Ben to be specific :)
I look forward to reading more of this series and this author in general.
I look forward to reading more of this series and this author in general.
December 3, 2014
I was really intrigued by this book and the clash between the corporate and small business worlds. There were several points during this novel that I had to stop and highlight some of the lines, because they were just that good.
This was a great story to escape into and I absolutely loved all the mentions of art.
I enjoyed the dynamics of all the different characters and felt like I was really able to experience Australia and get a taste of the culture and the country first hand through this book.
The romance scenes were filled with steam! The entire story was filled with many funny moments. I look forward to reading more from this author.
This was a great story to escape into and I absolutely loved all the mentions of art.
I enjoyed the dynamics of all the different characters and felt like I was really able to experience Australia and get a taste of the culture and the country first hand through this book.
The romance scenes were filled with steam! The entire story was filled with many funny moments. I look forward to reading more from this author.
November 2, 2019
Lots of tension!
I'm never sure if I would like this book but I was totally impressed. Th he story was compelling and as soon as I started reading I was hooked. This is a contemporary romance set in Australia. The main characters are Craig & Charlotte, her artist sister and her husband. Craig's Nana Gwen, his boss, and his friend Cassette aka Cassie. I didn't want to put it down.
I'm never sure if I would like this book but I was totally impressed. Th he story was compelling and as soon as I started reading I was hooked. This is a contemporary romance set in Australia. The main characters are Craig & Charlotte, her artist sister and her husband. Craig's Nana Gwen, his boss, and his friend Cassette aka Cassie. I didn't want to put it down.
January 8, 2014
At the same time as I read Set Me Free about a young art gallery owner in Brisbane’s West End fighting a determined and devastingly-good looking property developer I was devouring Beautiful Bizarre Magazine’s December issue and came across the striking paintings of Brisbane artist Emma Sheldrake. The three became entwined which made for an enchanting read. I have always enjoyed art and it is a feature of my novel Seldom Come By – in fact there’s more to come in The Iceberg Trilogy.
In Set Me Free by Jennifer Collin we meet Charlotte Evans who some years earlier moved from Melbourne to Brisbane to manage an art gallery to champion her younger sister Emily and other local artists. Emily’s paintings tend to be muted cityscapes that have a singular bright focal object – a bike, an umbrella, a geranium pot plant – that draws your eyes in.
Emma’s artwork on the other head is the opposite but equally magnetic: stylised colourful portraits yet with pale faces that lure you in due to the intensity of the model’s eyes.
The book opens with Charlotte returning from a holiday in Italy and on her first jetlagged night home has – what she hopes will not be – a one night stand with a man who comes into her art gallery just before closing.
The next day she discovers through her best friend, Ben, and Emily that a developer has bought the strip of buildings which house her gallery, Ben’s coffee shop and their favourite Vietnamese restaurant and intends to tear them down to put up a soulless homogenous shopping cum residential block. And the developer in question is none other than Craig Carmichael: one night her ardent lover, the next her guilty, standoffish, silver-tongued enemy. Charlotte’s cringing and regret were palpable and quite a poignant lesson. Would that she had prescience!
Setting this story up so the main characters were intimate before their conflict made for an interesting twist on this developer versus local community narrative which has also been covered by Australian authors Helene Young in Halfmoon Bay and Di Morrissey in The Plantation in recent years.
Charlotte also had a penchant for dancing, ala Dancing with The Stars style, and a love for all things 50s including her wardrobe. Who doesn’t love those fashions? A friend recently said to me: “I wish I lived in the 50s instead of being about to enter my 50s.”
This was a light, easy read that will dovetail into the sequel which I suspect will focus on Emily’s romance. If you like your local artscene and romances this probably will be a book for you.
In Set Me Free by Jennifer Collin we meet Charlotte Evans who some years earlier moved from Melbourne to Brisbane to manage an art gallery to champion her younger sister Emily and other local artists. Emily’s paintings tend to be muted cityscapes that have a singular bright focal object – a bike, an umbrella, a geranium pot plant – that draws your eyes in.
Emma’s artwork on the other head is the opposite but equally magnetic: stylised colourful portraits yet with pale faces that lure you in due to the intensity of the model’s eyes.
The book opens with Charlotte returning from a holiday in Italy and on her first jetlagged night home has – what she hopes will not be – a one night stand with a man who comes into her art gallery just before closing.
The next day she discovers through her best friend, Ben, and Emily that a developer has bought the strip of buildings which house her gallery, Ben’s coffee shop and their favourite Vietnamese restaurant and intends to tear them down to put up a soulless homogenous shopping cum residential block. And the developer in question is none other than Craig Carmichael: one night her ardent lover, the next her guilty, standoffish, silver-tongued enemy. Charlotte’s cringing and regret were palpable and quite a poignant lesson. Would that she had prescience!
Setting this story up so the main characters were intimate before their conflict made for an interesting twist on this developer versus local community narrative which has also been covered by Australian authors Helene Young in Halfmoon Bay and Di Morrissey in The Plantation in recent years.
Charlotte also had a penchant for dancing, ala Dancing with The Stars style, and a love for all things 50s including her wardrobe. Who doesn’t love those fashions? A friend recently said to me: “I wish I lived in the 50s instead of being about to enter my 50s.”
This was a light, easy read that will dovetail into the sequel which I suspect will focus on Emily’s romance. If you like your local artscene and romances this probably will be a book for you.
May 12, 2015
Charlotte and Emily Evans are sisters. Emily is an artist based in Brisbane and Charlotte moved from Melbourne to run the art gallery that showcases Emily’s work. Charlotte is less than lucky in love and escapes overseas at all opportunities to avoid disastrous relationships. But other than that problem, she’s enjoying life. She likes managing the gallery and her best friend runs the café next door but her life is turned upside down when she meets attractive Craig Carmichael. They meet and get to know each other under false pretences but it’s quickly obvious that Craig is the suave property developer attempting to knock down her gallery to make way for development. She enters into battle to save Boundary Street, her gallery, the café and the restaurant in their block. However, whilst she’s ready and willing to fight, she doesn’t count on her overwhelming attraction to Craig. Craig has placed his job on the line over this project and if he fails, he might lose everything. If Charlotte fails, she loses her job and gallery. The pair attempt to keep away from each other but cannot deny their attraction. Whilst battling the development Charlotte is reminded of what she loves doing best – drawing and designing art deco inspired architecture, and Craig learns that he’s making too many ethical compromises. This is a really fun story with laugh out loud moments and scenes that pull on your heartstrings. Charlotte is quirky and loveable and Craig, well, he’s rich and handsome and morally responsible and appears to have it all. Joining them along for the ride is poor Emily whose husband is cheating on her, Ben, the café owner who is secretly in love with Emily, their distant mother and a cast of other interesting characters.
September 25, 2015
This book, as well as the other two in the trilogy were entertaining, quick reads. The first one made me want to read the second and third, which is saying something!
Charlotte Evans is an independent, fierce woman that has an aptitude for picking the wrong guy. Just as she gets back from her overseas trip where she was working on forgetting her last fling, in walks Craig Carmichael. Quickly, Charlottes world gets flipped upside down by this charismatic man. But he could just as easily ruin her world. What will Charlotte do to keep her life, the gallery, and this man in check?
The book is funny and engaging, but fairly not-deep (I don't like shallow, because the book is NOT shallow). Jennifer Collins does a wonderful job of creating characters that are engaging and likable, which always helps to connect to a story. She also adds in lots of supporting characters, but gives them life still. So much so that the remainder of the books in the series are practically necessary to finish the lives of the Evans family.
I recommend this book to anyone that likes a good read without too much fluff. Some of the reviews pointed to heavy on the sex, light on the lessons but I disagree. I think that Jennifer was tactical in her scenes and the way that she described those intimate moments just gave more connection to the characters. She did a great job of helping the reader to feel the tension, the heat and the passion. Those were my favorite parts ;)
Charlotte Evans is an independent, fierce woman that has an aptitude for picking the wrong guy. Just as she gets back from her overseas trip where she was working on forgetting her last fling, in walks Craig Carmichael. Quickly, Charlottes world gets flipped upside down by this charismatic man. But he could just as easily ruin her world. What will Charlotte do to keep her life, the gallery, and this man in check?
The book is funny and engaging, but fairly not-deep (I don't like shallow, because the book is NOT shallow). Jennifer Collins does a wonderful job of creating characters that are engaging and likable, which always helps to connect to a story. She also adds in lots of supporting characters, but gives them life still. So much so that the remainder of the books in the series are practically necessary to finish the lives of the Evans family.
I recommend this book to anyone that likes a good read without too much fluff. Some of the reviews pointed to heavy on the sex, light on the lessons but I disagree. I think that Jennifer was tactical in her scenes and the way that she described those intimate moments just gave more connection to the characters. She did a great job of helping the reader to feel the tension, the heat and the passion. Those were my favorite parts ;)
October 19, 2013
**Reviewed for Round Table Book Reviews**
Set Me Free is an easy read about a woman trying desperately to keep her business from being taken over by a large city development company all the while she's falling for the man leading the development project.
Charlotte Evans is the owner of the art gallery. Business has slowed down a little, so she makes most of her money by holding exhibits of her sister's work (Emily), along with other up and coming artists. Her best friend, Ben, owns the coffee shop next door. In walks Craig Carmichael. He's leading this development project threatening to demolish the building they're a part of. Will Charlotte be able to protect her gallery and her heart?
It took me a little while to get into this story. I don't know if it's because I was just distracted or what. It's definitely not from the style of writing. Jennifer Collin did a great job with the flow of the story. The characters were well-developed which made them easy to fall for. Charlotte's sense of style and decoration reminded me a lot of my own. I love all things vintage and try to incorporate them in my life as much as possible. This was a very enjoyable read overall. I can't wait to read more and get to read about Emily's story next.
Set Me Free is an easy read about a woman trying desperately to keep her business from being taken over by a large city development company all the while she's falling for the man leading the development project.
Charlotte Evans is the owner of the art gallery. Business has slowed down a little, so she makes most of her money by holding exhibits of her sister's work (Emily), along with other up and coming artists. Her best friend, Ben, owns the coffee shop next door. In walks Craig Carmichael. He's leading this development project threatening to demolish the building they're a part of. Will Charlotte be able to protect her gallery and her heart?
It took me a little while to get into this story. I don't know if it's because I was just distracted or what. It's definitely not from the style of writing. Jennifer Collin did a great job with the flow of the story. The characters were well-developed which made them easy to fall for. Charlotte's sense of style and decoration reminded me a lot of my own. I love all things vintage and try to incorporate them in my life as much as possible. This was a very enjoyable read overall. I can't wait to read more and get to read about Emily's story next.
October 20, 2013
Cathy’s 5 Star Thoughts
REVIEWED FOR ROUND TABLE BOOK REVIEWS
Set Me Free by Jennifer Collins is a lovely, evocative, visual story. It unfolds slowly as we get to know the characters. And, there are a lot of characters. Each one is uniquely described and playing an important role in the story. Remove one character and the story would not tell itself. It would lose the sense of community and fit that is an integral part of the beauty of the telling.
Emily, the talented, witty, easy-going painter
Charlotte, the uptight, world traveller, caretaker and connector
Craig, the insightful developer, crafty yet moral businessman still living in his father’s shadow
Ben, the savvy player and barista extraordinaire
Geoff, the selfish oaf, lawyer and husband
And that is not even all of them…
The story is also filled with gorgeous descriptions of place. Ms. Collins definitely has a knack for seeing the beauty in ordinary places. The descriptions are so vivid that when I finished, I felt I had taken a holiday to Australia to stay with a friend and become a part of the community during my stay.
I highly recommend Set Me Free for the real story, real characters and lovely place it creates.
REVIEWED FOR ROUND TABLE BOOK REVIEWS
Set Me Free by Jennifer Collins is a lovely, evocative, visual story. It unfolds slowly as we get to know the characters. And, there are a lot of characters. Each one is uniquely described and playing an important role in the story. Remove one character and the story would not tell itself. It would lose the sense of community and fit that is an integral part of the beauty of the telling.
Emily, the talented, witty, easy-going painter
Charlotte, the uptight, world traveller, caretaker and connector
Craig, the insightful developer, crafty yet moral businessman still living in his father’s shadow
Ben, the savvy player and barista extraordinaire
Geoff, the selfish oaf, lawyer and husband
And that is not even all of them…
The story is also filled with gorgeous descriptions of place. Ms. Collins definitely has a knack for seeing the beauty in ordinary places. The descriptions are so vivid that when I finished, I felt I had taken a holiday to Australia to stay with a friend and become a part of the community during my stay.
I highly recommend Set Me Free for the real story, real characters and lovely place it creates.
May 28, 2013
I would like to thank Jennifer Collin for the opportunity in reading her first work. As a fellow author I understand how hard it is to get your work out there for others to read. We have pride in what we write looking at our work with the same pride with look at our children that we have raised. We hope others will fall into the world we create and enjoy the characters as much as we as writers do. I will be honest, it took me till the second chapter before I was hooked. Whether it was the fact my mind was distracted by outside influences or the storyline jumped between the characters I found it hard to follow, I will assume it was me because the rest of the writing was a joy. It was easy to fall for her characters and root not only for Charlotte and Craig to find happiness together but secretly cheer on Ben and his secret love for Emily. I am so happy this was the first in the series and will definitely not only purchase the next in the series but look forward to more to come from Ms. Collins.
April 17, 2014
Jennifer Collin won me over with this one! At first, I thought Craig, likable though he is, was such a jerk. He is plowing in to destroy people's lives and he seemed to think it was ok to do that. But his interaction with Charlotte kept me reading...and soon I found out, little by little Craig's real story and Craig's real motives and Craig's real dreams. As the novel progresses, the title Set Me Free glows brighter and brighter, solidifying into a cast-iron theme stitching this fun romp of a story together to mean so much more about the things Charlotte and Craig have done and how and why they are living the lives they are living. And I have to say, having read this just after I saw Captain America, Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans are perfect to picture as Charlotte and Craig! The secondary story in this which follows Charlotte's sister Emily is not finished...which is why I am about to start Collin's Open My Eyes, about Emily! Can't wait!
December 10, 2016
Luckily when I started this book I had the other two in the trilogy because I liked it so much that I wanted to read them right away. This chick lit is sweet, passionate and compelling. I like so much the stories in which between the protagonists is a love hate relationship.
The protagonists of this trilogy are three siblings Charlotte, Emily and Andy Evans. The first book is focused on the life of Charlotte. She runs an art gallery where displaying the works of her sister Emily. But Craig, an unscrupulous businessman, decides to demolish the building where they have their activities and she and her sister will have to fight hard to save it.Charlotte will have to fight even against her heart that beats for that man so fascinating.
It's well-written and doesn't really seem to have been written by a debut writer, she does a great job in vividly describing of this Australia town, she makes you feel like you are actually there.
The protagonists of this trilogy are three siblings Charlotte, Emily and Andy Evans. The first book is focused on the life of Charlotte. She runs an art gallery where displaying the works of her sister Emily. But Craig, an unscrupulous businessman, decides to demolish the building where they have their activities and she and her sister will have to fight hard to save it.Charlotte will have to fight even against her heart that beats for that man so fascinating.
It's well-written and doesn't really seem to have been written by a debut writer, she does a great job in vividly describing of this Australia town, she makes you feel like you are actually there.
May 22, 2014
SET ME FREE is a humorous story filled with quirky characters, characters I want to be friends with. From the beginning I was enthralled by the plot and excited to see how the author handled the uncomfortable situation. Charlotte and Craig are pulled together even as they stand on opposite sides of an important issue. Their chemistry jumps off the page and the compatibility through the roof. The supporting characters and their plots were just as enthralling and I can’t wait to read the next Evans story!
October 23, 2013
I give Set Me Free by Jennifer Collins 4 stars!!
I give this book four stars , because I really enjoyed it, Charlotte and Craig’s story is different. It had steamy parts in it , I really liked the whole set up of this story. I liked Charlotte’s character a lot, I liked how she was portrayed strong and not a weakling. I hate those women that are portrayed weak and helpless. This was a wonderful story, I think the author done a wonderful job with this storyline.
I give this book four stars , because I really enjoyed it, Charlotte and Craig’s story is different. It had steamy parts in it , I really liked the whole set up of this story. I liked Charlotte’s character a lot, I liked how she was portrayed strong and not a weakling. I hate those women that are portrayed weak and helpless. This was a wonderful story, I think the author done a wonderful job with this storyline.
April 15, 2014
Enjoyable read. I felt i knew the characaters and there are quite a few of them. Author did a great job developing the main and secondary characters. Craig and Charlotte were a hit with me. I thought the chemisty was evident. I will probably read it again and will recommend. The book is the first in a trilogy about the Evans siblings. There are some secondary storylines that are developed that will lead into the subsequent books.
May 22, 2015
Such a sweet story
The characters are well written n and the story line is perfect. I was laughing and angry and truly feeling for Charlotte. Charlotte is a character that many can relate to. So busy taking care of everyone around her that she forgets about her own self happiness and decides that keeping others happy is what keeps her happy. However in the end she realizes that is not TRUE happiness.
The characters are well written n and the story line is perfect. I was laughing and angry and truly feeling for Charlotte. Charlotte is a character that many can relate to. So busy taking care of everyone around her that she forgets about her own self happiness and decides that keeping others happy is what keeps her happy. However in the end she realizes that is not TRUE happiness.
May 4, 2015
Totally easy to see where this one is going but it's not like I was looking for a surprise, you know?
I really like the characters and I think we get to know them pretty well. It's also fun to read books set somewhere different than what I usually read.
Pretty quick read too.
All in all, cute story and worth the read if this is your thing.
I really like the characters and I think we get to know them pretty well. It's also fun to read books set somewhere different than what I usually read.
Pretty quick read too.
All in all, cute story and worth the read if this is your thing.
July 19, 2015
Easy to read and fun to follow the story through.
We join Charlotte as she tries to find out what she really wants in life. She's lost her way and realises after meeting the perfect guy for her that circumstances will get in the way of their relationship.
Will things work out for Charlotte or will life get in the way? Read it to find out
We join Charlotte as she tries to find out what she really wants in life. She's lost her way and realises after meeting the perfect guy for her that circumstances will get in the way of their relationship.
Will things work out for Charlotte or will life get in the way? Read it to find out
July 27, 2016
A solid contemporary romance novel. There were several storylines, and it is very clearly one of a series, but even on its own, this was a good book. There are a couple of relatively explicit sex scenes, but they are written tastefully. And, although it was relatively formulaic as a romance novel, there were other plot twists that were unexpected. I would recommend this as a fun summer read.
March 16, 2015
this was just okay for me. it had some romance in it but it never really took off. it stayed the same throughout the whole book. there werent any.major scenes to make you think and there was no angst. it wasnt terrible but it was definitely missing something
September 14, 2013
Bravo! I thought it was funny, quirky and entertaining.
August 15, 2013
No thanks! This is not a sweet romance. There are interesting characters. But the plot is not full of emotional depth. There is no romance. But there is raw language and sex!
April 11, 2014
Love this book
You never really know what your going to get in the free e-book like and this book was a total gem! I loved the humor the romance and the details.
You never really know what your going to get in the free e-book like and this book was a total gem! I loved the humor the romance and the details.
April 12, 2014
Craig and his love
This was a great book about a woman who did everything to support others but had no one to look after her. Along comes Craig as a for but irresistible.
This was a great book about a woman who did everything to support others but had no one to look after her. Along comes Craig as a for but irresistible.
April 11, 2015
I liked this book. It wasn't overly cheesy or romantically ridiculous. I don't I rolled my eyes once. Which is a difficult feat!
April 11, 2015
4.5 stars. Loved this. Definitely recommend if you enjoy contemporary romance.
April 28, 2015
4 stars
This was a fun read. I loved Charlottes fashion for the 1950's, I've always had a thing for that era, also. Cute little love story
This was a fun read. I loved Charlottes fashion for the 1950's, I've always had a thing for that era, also. Cute little love story
April 30, 2015
Enjoyable story with likable characters.
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