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Venice Beach Romance #3
Much Ado About Mother
Look out, Venice Beach--the Wolf women are all together again. But when 70-year-old Virginia arrives with her teacup Chihuahua and unshakeable confidence, she senses trouble. Erinn is keeping secrets--like being broke and out of work--and Suzanna is paying too much attention to the wrong man--a Latino dance instructor who nearly broke her heart once before. Virginia's ready for the third act of her life, and she intends to make it rousing and romantic. Now she just has to convince her daughters to throw out their old scripts. If life has taught Virginia anything, it's this: there's more than one way to a "happily ever after". . .
234 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
About the author
Celia Bonaduce
14 books479 followersCelia Bonaduce has the coolest day job – a field producer on HGTV’s House Hunters. Her credits include other HGTV shows, including Tiny House Hunters, Where Are They Now and ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
If you’re sensing a theme – a love of houses – so did she. After her mother moved into a tiny house of her own, it seemed like a new book series revolving around what it’s like to live in a tiny house was nothing less than providential.
While Celia’s other books – the Venice Beach Romance series and the Fat Chance, Texas trilogy – are anchored in particular places, the heroines of the Tiny House Novels are off to discover life’s big mysteries while living tiny!
If you’re sensing a theme – a love of houses – so did she. After her mother moved into a tiny house of her own, it seemed like a new book series revolving around what it’s like to live in a tiny house was nothing less than providential.
While Celia’s other books – the Venice Beach Romance series and the Fat Chance, Texas trilogy – are anchored in particular places, the heroines of the Tiny House Novels are off to discover life’s big mysteries while living tiny!
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 1, 2014
Virginia Wolf, yes you read that right, and she is use to the shock and the jokes she gets from people. She is the widowed mother of Suzanna and Erinn, Grammy to Lizzy, and mother-in-law to Eric. Oh yes, we mustn’t forget mama to a Chihuahua with attitude Piquant. Her husband, Martin, passed away 8 months ago now she was alone in New York with a crazy dog, it was time for a change.
Suzanna and Lizzy were visiting Erinn when Suzanna finally mentions her mother was coming to town. Thinking it was still them against their mother, Erinn makes a snipe which Suzanna doesn’t like. In her head Erinn makes light of the fact that Suzanna is acting that way because she is one of “Them” a mom She ask why she’s coming and is told her response is along the lines of “Is there not phones and party lines she can use to talk to us?”
Virginia coming to Venice Beach worries Erinn so much she right away rents out her Santa Monica guest house in the back, on the same day an old boss comes to her with a job, with a catch or two. One being they will need her home to house kinda to house the aging child star who that will be making a comeback on their new cable show that Erinn will be a part of. In the mean time they want her right away in Cambria to film a segment for a new show about wine. Cary her old boss says she will direct the move in while she is gone. When she gets back she finds out that all hell has broken loose. This whole idea of not having a place for her mom to stay so she is not stuck with her has back fired.
Suzanna picks up Virginia and starts to see her mom in a whole new way as she starts to spend more time with her. Her mom is full of surprises like speaking Spanish and she starts being courted. Rio, Suzanna’s old crush and old dance instructor is back kinda of so she’s “floating” again. Which is not so good since she’s married but she feels Eric doesn’t see her. He knew about Rio from before and yet Rio is back and he is not jealous or anything or keeping an eye on him or giving Suzanna extra attention, instead paying more attention to Blu, Erinn’s housemate. Eric is being seen by Blu, which is making Suzanna see red. Eric seems to be soaking up Blu not leaving much time for Suzanna. (This is where I would have liked to really seen dialogue between the couple about their feelings.)
Then, there is Erinn who has a new love interest who is her age, a creative person like her and sought her out and yet the story line only danced around the romance. Christopher was quirky like her in some ways and I wanted to know more about him. I do realize it is “Much Ado About Mother” I just had my head set that there would be more romance.
There were so many funny, funny places in this book, I cannot tell you. This was blossoming time for Virginia as she finds her place and herself after the death of her husband, as well as finding a new relationship with each of her daughters. The only problems I had is I am not a huge animal person since I am allergic to most pets. Although I do have a, wait for it…A Chihuahua: Baby! That as Celia talked about Piquant and the Angora Rabbits to me it felt after a while it was too wordy.
I wanted to see more interaction between Eric and Suzanna, Erinn & Christopher, and Suzanna and Blu even for they all had love and at the least conflict. But, that it is just me. I am an all or nothing kind of gal, sometimes I'm like Erinn it’s not good.
Read this can decided for yourself but I know you will not want to miss the donkey joke Erinn tells Tiffany the assignment up in Cambria. Not to mention the special mother daughter moments Virginia and her girls have I love the line of comparison between her two girls. “You and Suzanna are two different people. You’re like a glass of champagne and your sister is like a glass of warm milk. Both fantastic but you can’t compare the two.” Erinn’s response “I just want to be a glass of warm milk sometimes. And I don’t know how.” This in response to not ever know how to be social. What a jewel, there is more dialogue just like this.
So worth the read, I give it 4.5 stars. Provided by Net Galley. Follow us at: www.1rad-readerreviews.com
Suzanna and Lizzy were visiting Erinn when Suzanna finally mentions her mother was coming to town. Thinking it was still them against their mother, Erinn makes a snipe which Suzanna doesn’t like. In her head Erinn makes light of the fact that Suzanna is acting that way because she is one of “Them” a mom She ask why she’s coming and is told her response is along the lines of “Is there not phones and party lines she can use to talk to us?”
Virginia coming to Venice Beach worries Erinn so much she right away rents out her Santa Monica guest house in the back, on the same day an old boss comes to her with a job, with a catch or two. One being they will need her home to house kinda to house the aging child star who that will be making a comeback on their new cable show that Erinn will be a part of. In the mean time they want her right away in Cambria to film a segment for a new show about wine. Cary her old boss says she will direct the move in while she is gone. When she gets back she finds out that all hell has broken loose. This whole idea of not having a place for her mom to stay so she is not stuck with her has back fired.
Suzanna picks up Virginia and starts to see her mom in a whole new way as she starts to spend more time with her. Her mom is full of surprises like speaking Spanish and she starts being courted. Rio, Suzanna’s old crush and old dance instructor is back kinda of so she’s “floating” again. Which is not so good since she’s married but she feels Eric doesn’t see her. He knew about Rio from before and yet Rio is back and he is not jealous or anything or keeping an eye on him or giving Suzanna extra attention, instead paying more attention to Blu, Erinn’s housemate. Eric is being seen by Blu, which is making Suzanna see red. Eric seems to be soaking up Blu not leaving much time for Suzanna. (This is where I would have liked to really seen dialogue between the couple about their feelings.)
Then, there is Erinn who has a new love interest who is her age, a creative person like her and sought her out and yet the story line only danced around the romance. Christopher was quirky like her in some ways and I wanted to know more about him. I do realize it is “Much Ado About Mother” I just had my head set that there would be more romance.
There were so many funny, funny places in this book, I cannot tell you. This was blossoming time for Virginia as she finds her place and herself after the death of her husband, as well as finding a new relationship with each of her daughters. The only problems I had is I am not a huge animal person since I am allergic to most pets. Although I do have a, wait for it…A Chihuahua: Baby! That as Celia talked about Piquant and the Angora Rabbits to me it felt after a while it was too wordy.
I wanted to see more interaction between Eric and Suzanna, Erinn & Christopher, and Suzanna and Blu even for they all had love and at the least conflict. But, that it is just me. I am an all or nothing kind of gal, sometimes I'm like Erinn it’s not good.
Read this can decided for yourself but I know you will not want to miss the donkey joke Erinn tells Tiffany the assignment up in Cambria. Not to mention the special mother daughter moments Virginia and her girls have I love the line of comparison between her two girls. “You and Suzanna are two different people. You’re like a glass of champagne and your sister is like a glass of warm milk. Both fantastic but you can’t compare the two.” Erinn’s response “I just want to be a glass of warm milk sometimes. And I don’t know how.” This in response to not ever know how to be social. What a jewel, there is more dialogue just like this.
So worth the read, I give it 4.5 stars. Provided by Net Galley. Follow us at: www.1rad-readerreviews.com
April 4, 2014
Who is afraid of Virginia Wolf with two daughters named Erinn and Suzanna? They both live in Venice Beach, California. When Virginia decides to leave the east coast for California, her daughter Erinn, immediately gives Suzanna reasons why their mother won’t be able to stay with her. Erinn goes as far as to rent her guest house and take a job assignment in Cambria for a few days.
When Virginia moves to Venice Beach, she has a feeling Erinn rented her guest house and took the job assignment because of her. Their relationship is cordial, but Virginia wants to reach out a little more.
Suzanna is happy to have her mother stay with her and her husband, Eric. This will be a good thing for their daughter, Lizzy. She will be able to spend time with her “Grammy.”
Since Virginia has been in Venice Beach, she has become very active in the community. The busy bee is an activist for saving a ‘historical tree’ in the business courtyard where Suzanna’s ‘The Rollicking Bun’ is located. In addition, she becomes involved in a project with rabbits. As if that is not enough to keep Virginia busy, she has also two admirers competing for her attention.
Things start to get a little shaky when Erinn feels threatened, because the ex-wife of Christopher pops up suddenly. While Suzanna is concerned about a reality TV star, named Blu, who is after her husband, Eric. But, Suzanna is also facing another dilemma. An old friend from the past, Rio, appears and she is dealing with old feelings.
Celia Bonaduce’s novel of family life and relationships has a good story line. The characters are likeable and the situations believable. I believe there should have been more dialogue between the characters. I found the story to be a tad bit wordy with thoughts and description. Overall, it is an enjoyable read. There is a sample from the next novel in the series, A Comedy of Erinn, at the end. I recommend this novel to readers of family life, love and relationships.
I received this book free from Kensington Books through the Net Galley Reviewer Program for an unbiased review.
When Virginia moves to Venice Beach, she has a feeling Erinn rented her guest house and took the job assignment because of her. Their relationship is cordial, but Virginia wants to reach out a little more.
Suzanna is happy to have her mother stay with her and her husband, Eric. This will be a good thing for their daughter, Lizzy. She will be able to spend time with her “Grammy.”
Since Virginia has been in Venice Beach, she has become very active in the community. The busy bee is an activist for saving a ‘historical tree’ in the business courtyard where Suzanna’s ‘The Rollicking Bun’ is located. In addition, she becomes involved in a project with rabbits. As if that is not enough to keep Virginia busy, she has also two admirers competing for her attention.
Things start to get a little shaky when Erinn feels threatened, because the ex-wife of Christopher pops up suddenly. While Suzanna is concerned about a reality TV star, named Blu, who is after her husband, Eric. But, Suzanna is also facing another dilemma. An old friend from the past, Rio, appears and she is dealing with old feelings.
Celia Bonaduce’s novel of family life and relationships has a good story line. The characters are likeable and the situations believable. I believe there should have been more dialogue between the characters. I found the story to be a tad bit wordy with thoughts and description. Overall, it is an enjoyable read. There is a sample from the next novel in the series, A Comedy of Erinn, at the end. I recommend this novel to readers of family life, love and relationships.
I received this book free from Kensington Books through the Net Galley Reviewer Program for an unbiased review.
September 23, 2014
This is a story about two daughters one a film maker and the other one married with a child and they find out that their mother is coming from New York to leave with the youngest one who is married. They have the better relationship. The older daughter who is the film maker is still working on her relationship with her mother since she was more in tune with their father but he has passed away. The mother also brings her dog and the daughter she is staying with have rabbits. When I was reading this book my sisters and I were finally moving our mother out of her home into a senior living center closer to one of my sisters, so parts of this story was actually more real and that is why it has taken me awhile to do the review. The writing was very good and the characters were well defined I was hoping for a little more with the older sister but I understand books so I am hoping for another book. As for the mother that story line I feel gets works out in this book as most families do now a days, and the mother and older daughter have a talk to work their so called differences. Which really were more true to life than she was thinking in her head. Overall a good story I am not big on all of the animal stuff but hey that is just me. I did like the little battering back and forth between some of the characters and some of the little sayings. Overall a good book. I got this book from net galley.
June 5, 2014
Celia Bonaduce's books are hysterically funny and insightful - although I don't know why they are considered "romances". I have to admit I would not have read the first book (The Merchant of Venice Beach) if a friend hadn't SWORN I would like it. I loved it - as I have the other two book in the VENICE BEACH ROMANCE series. The third book, MUCH ADO ABOUT MOTHER is possibly my favorite - and again, very light on the romances of the three main characters (there is some romance, but not enough, in my opinion, for hard core romance readers). But the humor, complex plots about everyday, and a mean-spirited chihuahua make for great reading. Anyone wanting a quick fun read about family relationships will love this book.
July 3, 2014
This was a fun and quirky romantic comedy read. The plot was enjoyable and even though this is part of a series I felt that this could be a standalone. The characters that the author brought in where funny and fit perfectly together and I felt that I could relate on how the dog got treated because I am an animal lover. You can see relationship that mother and one of daughter builds along the story and it is much needed when they are moved closer, even though the other one it has problems. What family doesn’t!!! In the end though this was a fun read and enjoyable. I recommend it if you want an afternoon read!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews