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Talk of the Town
Poking around in the refuse center for pieces for her metal sculptures, Rosemary Wickum turns up a man--the local recycling wizard who accepts the challenge of winning her cold heart back to love.
156 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 1995
29 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Mary Kay McComas
46 books36 followersMary Kay McComas is an acclaimed romance novelist and the author of twenty-one short contemporary romances, five novellas, and two novels. McComas has received numerous honors and prizes for her work, including the Washington Romance Writers’ Outstanding Achievement Award and two Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times (one for Best New Novel and another for Most Innovative Romance Series). She has recently contributed to Nora Roberts’s J. D. Robb fantasy anthologies, with highly praised paranormal romance stories. McComas and her family live in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 1, 2017
I am sorry to say that even though this was a Kindle freebie, I really hated it. The female character was a snobby, stuck up, self righteous pain. The male character was a leech who was thinking with his anatomy rather than seeing the female for what she really was, ie ashamed of him because he was a garbageman. I get it that she had a hard time in the past but that doesn't excuse the fact that she felt superior to him and was just a general social climber. What I hated about the book was that the writer was trying to be moralistic and show that even if you are hurt from the past , you can still open up and accept love. However, the female character that she wrote was just too much into herself and what others thought of her partner and the fact that he was " a garbageman", to really make me think anything of her or see past that. She was very, very shallow and didn't deserve him.
I felt the writing was poor... some of the phrasing was very odd. It was meant to be 150 pages - it felt like 1050 ! 1 star because it was a freebie. Deplorable... sorry.
I felt the writing was poor... some of the phrasing was very odd. It was meant to be 150 pages - it felt like 1050 ! 1 star because it was a freebie. Deplorable... sorry.
March 7, 2014
A fun story with 2 likeable characters - Gary the garbage guy and Rosemary the scavenged sculptor. They would seem like a match made in heaven except Rosemary is caring a lot of baggage from growing up the daughter of a drunk and being a single mother. Good thing garbage doesn't bother Gary! An easy, enjoyable read!
March 20, 2014
This was a really sweet book. I loved the sense of humor of the hero, Gary. The author did a wonderful job of writing him and capturing his voice. My husband and oldest son both have that same sense of humor, smart-ass comebacks, etc. I felt Rose's frustration when trying to get a straight answer from him because I've been there!
I honestly can't say what keeps me from giving this more stars. Even though I enjoyed the story and the writing, there was something that kept me from being anxious to get back to my reading like I would be with a 5 star book. Rose sometimes got on my nerves with her thoughts on a "garbage man", but I understood where she was coming from once she explained herself. Not that it's right, but understandable. I don't believe that's what held this story back...you need that misunderstanding to get to the angst so they can get back around to the happy ending. That's how these stories work.
There was a fear, going into this book, that there would be a lot of dated references since it was published in the 90's. And honestly, some of the references made me think it was written in the 80's. But they were few and far between and didn't detract from the overall story.
Overall, this book has piqued my interest in an author I've never read before and I will most likely try another one of her books.
I honestly can't say what keeps me from giving this more stars. Even though I enjoyed the story and the writing, there was something that kept me from being anxious to get back to my reading like I would be with a 5 star book. Rose sometimes got on my nerves with her thoughts on a "garbage man", but I understood where she was coming from once she explained herself. Not that it's right, but understandable. I don't believe that's what held this story back...you need that misunderstanding to get to the angst so they can get back around to the happy ending. That's how these stories work.
There was a fear, going into this book, that there would be a lot of dated references since it was published in the 90's. And honestly, some of the references made me think it was written in the 80's. But they were few and far between and didn't detract from the overall story.
Overall, this book has piqued my interest in an author I've never read before and I will most likely try another one of her books.
March 22, 2014
So pleasantly surprised. I really loved this book. Especially the ending
please take time to read this. the author will make you fall in love again.
I did.5 stars. kudos to the writer.
please take time to read this. the author will make you fall in love again.
I did.5 stars. kudos to the writer.
March 28, 2014
I have never stopped reading a book before this one. I was surprised to see so many high ratings. Spelling and grammatical errors that I'm sure were done when it was made digital kept bugging me so much I couldn't get interested in the story.
March 26, 2014
This book made me chuckle from beginning to end. Mary's sense of humour and the hilarious banter between Rosemary and her garbage man makes for wonderful reading.
I recommend this book.
I recommend this book.
April 7, 2014
The Trash Collector
This was a great book. It was a romance but totally different than I have ever read. The main character discovers a lot about herself by the end.
This was a great book. It was a romance but totally different than I have ever read. The main character discovers a lot about herself by the end.
March 30, 2018
Amazing
I loved this story because it was filled with humor, anger and love. I am not a fan of romance but enjoyed this book very much.
I loved this story because it was filled with humor, anger and love. I am not a fan of romance but enjoyed this book very much.
May 20, 2018
Easy read
Nothing fancy, remotely realistic, or at all complicated, but a reasonable read on a sunny afternoon or away on holiday.
Nothing fancy, remotely realistic, or at all complicated, but a reasonable read on a sunny afternoon or away on holiday.
May 10, 2014
Este libro y yo hemos tenido un gran malentendido.
Yo pensaba que iba a versar sobre la historia de amor de dos personas del montón, es decir, dos personas que pueden ser tus vecinos del bloque, nada de billonarios o princesas por descubrir…y me he equivocado, jo que si me he equivocado…
Me explico: un basurero es la persona que recoge la basura de los contenedores, que va en un camión 6 días a la semana recorriendo toda la ciudad a unas horas intempestivas, y no lo hace por “mantener los pies en la tierra”, no, lo hace por necesidad (de tener un sueldo) y porque es su trabajo( muy digno, por cierto y muy necesario), con lo cual, permítanme que difiera, pero aquí el protagonista NO es un basurero, no, no, no… es, tal y como él mismo describe en las primeras páginas del libro, un empresario, que se dedica al mundo de la basura pero sobre todo al del reciclaje, y que va en el camión recogiendo basura SÓLO cuando le apetece porque ese NO es su trabajo. Él es super-jefe, y esta casi todo el día en una oficina y pegado a un móvil (o cabina por la época en la que está escrita la historia) aunque él mismo tampoco lo debe tener claro cuando se autodenomina basurero…. Aclarado esto ( o no) …me puede explicar alguien el comportamiento de la protagonista? Exactamente qué es lo que no ha entendido? Exactamente porqué se lleva TODO el puñetero libro despreciando ese trabajado tan honrado? Por dios santo!!!!! Que ella es la encargada de limpiar los puñeteros baños del café donde trabaja!
No, definitivamente no he cogido el “quit” de esta historia. Al final tenemos lo de casi siempre:
Tipo con dinero, estudios, empresario que se enamora de una camarera que no tiene donde caerse muerta pero tiene una vena artística que le da un poquito de glamour y aquí es donde está lo más original de la historia, ella se monta una peli en su cabeza y decide que él no es lo suficientemente bueno para ella…perdón!?
Por cierto, que el final ha sido el final que más ha tardado en llegar en la historia de los finales….
Para mí no ha funcionado, sobre todo porque los personajes no tienen muy claro quiénes son realmente…una pena…
Yo pensaba que iba a versar sobre la historia de amor de dos personas del montón, es decir, dos personas que pueden ser tus vecinos del bloque, nada de billonarios o princesas por descubrir…y me he equivocado, jo que si me he equivocado…
Me explico: un basurero es la persona que recoge la basura de los contenedores, que va en un camión 6 días a la semana recorriendo toda la ciudad a unas horas intempestivas, y no lo hace por “mantener los pies en la tierra”, no, lo hace por necesidad (de tener un sueldo) y porque es su trabajo( muy digno, por cierto y muy necesario), con lo cual, permítanme que difiera, pero aquí el protagonista NO es un basurero, no, no, no… es, tal y como él mismo describe en las primeras páginas del libro, un empresario, que se dedica al mundo de la basura pero sobre todo al del reciclaje, y que va en el camión recogiendo basura SÓLO cuando le apetece porque ese NO es su trabajo. Él es super-jefe, y esta casi todo el día en una oficina y pegado a un móvil (o cabina por la época en la que está escrita la historia) aunque él mismo tampoco lo debe tener claro cuando se autodenomina basurero…. Aclarado esto ( o no) …me puede explicar alguien el comportamiento de la protagonista? Exactamente qué es lo que no ha entendido? Exactamente porqué se lleva TODO el puñetero libro despreciando ese trabajado tan honrado? Por dios santo!!!!! Que ella es la encargada de limpiar los puñeteros baños del café donde trabaja!
No, definitivamente no he cogido el “quit” de esta historia. Al final tenemos lo de casi siempre:
Tipo con dinero, estudios, empresario que se enamora de una camarera que no tiene donde caerse muerta pero tiene una vena artística que le da un poquito de glamour y aquí es donde está lo más original de la historia, ella se monta una peli en su cabeza y decide que él no es lo suficientemente bueno para ella…perdón!?
Por cierto, que el final ha sido el final que más ha tardado en llegar en la historia de los finales….
Para mí no ha funcionado, sobre todo porque los personajes no tienen muy claro quiénes son realmente…una pena…
March 4, 2017
I find that as I am reading a lot more and putting off writing review, seeing as I’m finishing books in the middle of the night when I ‘should’ be sleeping, that writing reviews is getting more difficult. ‘Talk of the Town’ by Mary Kay McComas is not exception to this new conundrum. It’s been a minute since I finished it and went on to other books thinking I’d write my review later. And later became later, and later still. But here’s what I do remember. I liked this book. The premise was good. It was original and creative. Artist using recycled refuse meets trash mogul. He falls head over heels at first sight whereas she falls back into her daily life and routine punishing herself for a lifetime. He goes out of his way to win her heart. She gives in some then pushes away. The entire small town gets involved in their interplay. But to be fair, he helps push them all in.
I can actually say I learned a lot about the waste industry. So therefore I must count this title as slightly educational, for me at least, as well. The premise was good, wait I covered that. The writing was good. Not over the top stellar but also not lazy and unimaginative. My biggest issue with the story was more in line with the editing. There were typos and grammar errors. Also a few Kindle formatting errors. And while I do not hold the book responsible for those errors they did affect my rating.
‘Talk of the Town’ was an easy weekend read. I bit of education wrapped into an unlikely love story. A few fun surprises. A lot of town ‘gossip’. A whole lot of compassion and tenderness and love with a quirky old man and an incorrigible teenager thrown in for good measure. I can honestly say this is a story I would more likely than not re-read.
Originally published at https://fizzypopcollection.blogspot.c....
I can actually say I learned a lot about the waste industry. So therefore I must count this title as slightly educational, for me at least, as well. The premise was good, wait I covered that. The writing was good. Not over the top stellar but also not lazy and unimaginative. My biggest issue with the story was more in line with the editing. There were typos and grammar errors. Also a few Kindle formatting errors. And while I do not hold the book responsible for those errors they did affect my rating.
‘Talk of the Town’ was an easy weekend read. I bit of education wrapped into an unlikely love story. A few fun surprises. A lot of town ‘gossip’. A whole lot of compassion and tenderness and love with a quirky old man and an incorrigible teenager thrown in for good measure. I can honestly say this is a story I would more likely than not re-read.
Originally published at https://fizzypopcollection.blogspot.c....
September 14, 2015
The only reason I have this book was because it was free and it stayed on my tbr for a long time.
I love the characters. The heroine alone was presented to me in a way that did not fit any of the cookie cutter heroine yet she captured my attention from the get go.
Then comes the hero. His livelihood might not be the dream of every kid in school but he is passionate about it. I was enchanted at his dogged pursuit of the heroine and his courage to lay his heart out in the open for all to see. Which made me believe why the heroine finally trust another man once again.
Their falling out was very heartbreaking and very believable. And when the heroine finally did her grovel for the hurting hero, my heart went out to her. Which made me believe in the HEA.
I'm glad I finally read this book.
Recommended.
I love the characters. The heroine alone was presented to me in a way that did not fit any of the cookie cutter heroine yet she captured my attention from the get go.
Then comes the hero. His livelihood might not be the dream of every kid in school but he is passionate about it. I was enchanted at his dogged pursuit of the heroine and his courage to lay his heart out in the open for all to see. Which made me believe why the heroine finally trust another man once again.
Their falling out was very heartbreaking and very believable. And when the heroine finally did her grovel for the hurting hero, my heart went out to her. Which made me believe in the HEA.
I'm glad I finally read this book.
Recommended.
March 21, 2014
Definite 3.5-4 star story. Cute and heartwarming. It takes place in a small town. I definitely liked the hero more than the heroine. Gary was straight forward, funny, full of mischief, honest, and handsome. He told it like it was and he wasn't ashamed of his profession. Rosemary had more baggage and felt that people were judging her for past mistakes. But in reality they were just trying to offer support.
I found at times that it was a bit laughable that because Gary was a garageman (actually he was much more, he owned recycling centers, worked for the environment)that Rose acted like she was ashamed of him.
Gary taught her that no matter how you lived your life as long as you lived it honestly you were living it well.
I found at times that it was a bit laughable that because Gary was a garageman (actually he was much more, he owned recycling centers, worked for the environment)that Rose acted like she was ashamed of him.
Gary taught her that no matter how you lived your life as long as you lived it honestly you were living it well.
June 21, 2014
Garbage or Recyclables?
This was a very good book. The situation was novel and the characters were realistic and easy to relate to. I liked the author's creative figures of speech - "dumber than a barrel of hair," for example.
This was a very good book. The situation was novel and the characters were realistic and easy to relate to. I liked the author's creative figures of speech - "dumber than a barrel of hair," for example.
July 26, 2014
Sweet with a unique story
Sweet with a unique story
I've read many love stories, but this one had a unique story. I could see the ending coming, but I still enjoyed it very much.
Sweet with a unique story
I've read many love stories, but this one had a unique story. I could see the ending coming, but I still enjoyed it very much.
August 13, 2015
Fun, quick read. Could do with some editing though: some bits felt a bit too repetitive, typos, some characters could do with a bit more fleshing out, that kind of thing.
But not bad for a freebie, not bad at all.
But not bad for a freebie, not bad at all.
February 15, 2016
This is a great book with a push and pull love story and characters who became like good friends. This had my favorite small town setting with quirky characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a romance.
April 6, 2014
A bit difficult to follow at times but it made me smile :)
June 26, 2014
Easy reading with interesting characters.
August 14, 2014
A lovely love story, predictable but still fun read
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews