What do you think?
Rate this book
Revelation Cove #2
Hollie Porter Builds a Raft
raft (noun): when two or more otters rest together, often holding hands, so they don’t drift apart
Hollie Porter has put her old gig as a 911 operator and sad single girl in an attic-bound box, right where it belongs. She’s rebounded nicely from her run-in with Chloe the Cougar in the wilds of British Columbia, and this new life alongside concierge-in-shining-armor Ryan Fielding? Way more fun. After relocating to Ryan’s posh resort at Revelation Cove, Hollie embarks on an all-new adventure as the Cove’s wildlife experience educator, teaching guests and their kids about otters and orca and cougars, oh my.
When darling Ryan gets down on one NHL-damaged knee and pops the question of a lifetime, Hollie realizes this is where the real adventure begins. It’s all cake tasting, flower choosing, and dress fittings until a long-lost family member shows up at the Cove and threatens to hijack her shiny new life, forcing Hollie to redefine what family means to her. What is she willing to sacrifice to have one of her very own?
As Ryan’s words echo in her head—“Our raft, our rules”—Hollie has to face facts: a raft isn’t always tied together with blood and genetics. Sometimes it’s secured by love and loyalty… and occasional help from the clever creatures that call Revelation Cove home.
Hollie Porter has put her old gig as a 911 operator and sad single girl in an attic-bound box, right where it belongs. She’s rebounded nicely from her run-in with Chloe the Cougar in the wilds of British Columbia, and this new life alongside concierge-in-shining-armor Ryan Fielding? Way more fun. After relocating to Ryan’s posh resort at Revelation Cove, Hollie embarks on an all-new adventure as the Cove’s wildlife experience educator, teaching guests and their kids about otters and orca and cougars, oh my.
When darling Ryan gets down on one NHL-damaged knee and pops the question of a lifetime, Hollie realizes this is where the real adventure begins. It’s all cake tasting, flower choosing, and dress fittings until a long-lost family member shows up at the Cove and threatens to hijack her shiny new life, forcing Hollie to redefine what family means to her. What is she willing to sacrifice to have one of her very own?
As Ryan’s words echo in her head—“Our raft, our rules”—Hollie has to face facts: a raft isn’t always tied together with blood and genetics. Sometimes it’s secured by love and loyalty… and occasional help from the clever creatures that call Revelation Cove home.
395 pages, Unknown Binding
First published September 18, 2015
22 people are currently reading
522 people want to read
About the author
Eliza Gordon
25 books554 followersA native of Portland, Oregon, Eliza Gordon (a.k.a. Jennifer Sommersby) has lived up and down the West Coast of the United States. Since 2002, home has been a suburb of Vancouver, British Columbia.
When not lost in a writing project, Eliza is a copy editor, mom, wife, bibliophile, Superman freak, and the humble servant of three very spoiled tuxedo cats. Eliza writes stories to help you believe in the Happily Ever After; Jennifer Sommersby writes young adult fiction.
When not lost in a writing project, Eliza is a copy editor, mom, wife, bibliophile, Superman freak, and the humble servant of three very spoiled tuxedo cats. Eliza writes stories to help you believe in the Happily Ever After; Jennifer Sommersby writes young adult fiction.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
September 26, 2015
Favorite Quotes:
“Her eyes were hopeful, despite the smear of black and blue cosmetics that make her look like she’s been assaulted by Crayolas on a bender.”
“The harnessed power of this man’s smile could bring an end to our reliance on fossil fuels.”
“But… what if I don’t want to reproduce at all? Why is that everyone expects that as soon as you get married, you’ll start squeezing out mutant life forms?”
“I sneak into the lingerie section to find a little something for Ryan for the wedding night. No saggy, faded Hanes for Her with tired elastic under my dress. I’m a swanky bride, baby, all satin and lace for my undercarriage.”
“This disaster stuff – it’s a rare genetic anomaly. Some people have naturally straight teeth or curly hair or an affinity for math; my mother has the opposite of a Midas touch. It seems to have leaked into my DNA.”
“She’s adorned in so many animal prints – like she crashed into a safari or a blackjack table filled with Florida retirees escaped from their convalescent home.”
“You are a breath of the freshest air.”
My Review:
I adore Eliza Gordon, her books are just a delight to read and massively entertaining. I want to follow her around and sit at her feet while listening to her warble hilarious and pithy comments all day. I am sure she is constantly bubbling over with naughty fun. I do believe I am decidedly envious of those friends and family members who get to sit with her at the “big kid table” during holiday meals.
In reading her latest missive, I frequently smirked, chortled, and occasionally cackled. I was enchanted with Hollie Porter Builds a Raft, which is the sequel to her first, and one of my all-time favorite books, Must Love Otters. When reading series with a time lapse between books, I often struggle to remember the nuisances of the story as well as who the characters are, given my diminishing mental capacity, poor memory and massive reading list… but that did not prove to be a problem with this story, as Ms. Gordon’s quirky and amusing characters remained fresh in my mind, as if I had stored them in Tupperware and successfully burped their containers as directed. The writing was crisp, smart, and endlessly witty. I specifically enjoyed the amusing and clever banter between Hollie and Ryan, who are perfectly suited to humorous verbal sparring.
The story-line provides one hilarious, mortifying, and least expected adventure after another for the newly engaged couple. While Hollie is more than a bit of a Calamity Jane, once her long absent mother (Lucy) shows up out of the blue waving Hollie’s picture in the newspaper, we soon learn that Lucy bring a whole new level of disaster. Having grown up feeling as if she missed out by not having a mother around, Hollie soon learns that she appears to have been far better off not knowing her crass, loud, bling-loving, uncouth, fire-prone, hirsute, sticky-fingered, banshee shrieking, poker-playing, and somewhat obscene and felonious nuisance of a mother.
I was fearful that between Hollie’s accident prone tendencies and her troublesome mother’s shenanigans, my beloved BBF and the world’s most perfect man, also known as Concierge Ryan, would throw up his hands in surrender. I do just love that man! Thankfully he doesn’t, but Hollie almost does. I adored everything about this book, the colorful descriptions, the sparkling humor, the demon goat, the creative manner in which the chapters are titled, the cast of unique and interesting characters, and of course the otters. I was sad to conclude the book and am currently contemplating my plan of attack to campaign Ms. Gordon into continue their story with a series of adventures, as I don’t believe I could ever get enough of this charming pair.
“Her eyes were hopeful, despite the smear of black and blue cosmetics that make her look like she’s been assaulted by Crayolas on a bender.”
“The harnessed power of this man’s smile could bring an end to our reliance on fossil fuels.”
“But… what if I don’t want to reproduce at all? Why is that everyone expects that as soon as you get married, you’ll start squeezing out mutant life forms?”
“I sneak into the lingerie section to find a little something for Ryan for the wedding night. No saggy, faded Hanes for Her with tired elastic under my dress. I’m a swanky bride, baby, all satin and lace for my undercarriage.”
“This disaster stuff – it’s a rare genetic anomaly. Some people have naturally straight teeth or curly hair or an affinity for math; my mother has the opposite of a Midas touch. It seems to have leaked into my DNA.”
“She’s adorned in so many animal prints – like she crashed into a safari or a blackjack table filled with Florida retirees escaped from their convalescent home.”
“You are a breath of the freshest air.”
My Review:
I adore Eliza Gordon, her books are just a delight to read and massively entertaining. I want to follow her around and sit at her feet while listening to her warble hilarious and pithy comments all day. I am sure she is constantly bubbling over with naughty fun. I do believe I am decidedly envious of those friends and family members who get to sit with her at the “big kid table” during holiday meals.
In reading her latest missive, I frequently smirked, chortled, and occasionally cackled. I was enchanted with Hollie Porter Builds a Raft, which is the sequel to her first, and one of my all-time favorite books, Must Love Otters. When reading series with a time lapse between books, I often struggle to remember the nuisances of the story as well as who the characters are, given my diminishing mental capacity, poor memory and massive reading list… but that did not prove to be a problem with this story, as Ms. Gordon’s quirky and amusing characters remained fresh in my mind, as if I had stored them in Tupperware and successfully burped their containers as directed. The writing was crisp, smart, and endlessly witty. I specifically enjoyed the amusing and clever banter between Hollie and Ryan, who are perfectly suited to humorous verbal sparring.
The story-line provides one hilarious, mortifying, and least expected adventure after another for the newly engaged couple. While Hollie is more than a bit of a Calamity Jane, once her long absent mother (Lucy) shows up out of the blue waving Hollie’s picture in the newspaper, we soon learn that Lucy bring a whole new level of disaster. Having grown up feeling as if she missed out by not having a mother around, Hollie soon learns that she appears to have been far better off not knowing her crass, loud, bling-loving, uncouth, fire-prone, hirsute, sticky-fingered, banshee shrieking, poker-playing, and somewhat obscene and felonious nuisance of a mother.
I was fearful that between Hollie’s accident prone tendencies and her troublesome mother’s shenanigans, my beloved BBF and the world’s most perfect man, also known as Concierge Ryan, would throw up his hands in surrender. I do just love that man! Thankfully he doesn’t, but Hollie almost does. I adored everything about this book, the colorful descriptions, the sparkling humor, the demon goat, the creative manner in which the chapters are titled, the cast of unique and interesting characters, and of course the otters. I was sad to conclude the book and am currently contemplating my plan of attack to campaign Ms. Gordon into continue their story with a series of adventures, as I don’t believe I could ever get enough of this charming pair.
November 24, 2015
Hollie and Ryan have been together for a year and their relationship is moving right along. But when he pops the question, far from being the happy ending and off into the sunset, Hollie finds herself assailed with doubts.
Making matters worse, her absentee mother has shown up for the wedding and it's possible she's on the run; her ex-boyfriend is making sure everyone in the state sees a clip of her throwing up; her father's psychopathic goat still has it in for her; and even the Canadian government is trying to ruin her big day.
Hollie Porter Builds a Raft takes up where Must Love Otters leaves off. It's a cute and quirky, perhaps even whimsical tale about finding love and happiness. I have a lot of love for this series. Great story, well written.
Making matters worse, her absentee mother has shown up for the wedding and it's possible she's on the run; her ex-boyfriend is making sure everyone in the state sees a clip of her throwing up; her father's psychopathic goat still has it in for her; and even the Canadian government is trying to ruin her big day.
Hollie Porter Builds a Raft takes up where Must Love Otters leaves off. It's a cute and quirky, perhaps even whimsical tale about finding love and happiness. I have a lot of love for this series. Great story, well written.
October 6, 2015
Review posted on My Book Snack
5 Stars ~ A MUST READ for Must Love Otters fans!
If you adored Must Love Otters, you need to see what happens in the sequel. Hollie Porter Builds a Raft had more of everything I loved in Must Love Otters. Hollie gets into more quirky situations. Hollie and Ryan are blissfully in love in Revelation Cove, and they’re ready to take the next step in their lives as a couple. Things hardly go perfect for Hollie…ever! In addition to a series of mishaps that only Hollie Porter can get into, unexpected visits from certain people happen. Now she must deal with a boatload of issues on her journey to happiness forever after with Concierge Ryan.
I read Must Love Otters almost two years ago, and I was fine with the ending. I didn’t think I would need to revisit the characters until I started reading Hollie Porter Builds a Raft. Hollie’s happiness is threatened in more ways than one in one unfortunate situation after another. Don’t mind freakin’ Mangala the demon goat when there are cute otters! I guarantee the otter parts will absolutely warm your heart. Ryan is as swoon-worthy as expected, and he sweeps Hollie off her feet in the sweetest romance ever! She’s so lucky, and he really does get her weirdly, wonderful, and silly ways! They are truly each other’s rock. In this book, Hollie continues to remain close to her dad, and there are tear-inducing, touching father-daughter scenes where he is concerned.
If you’re in the mood for a romantic comedy that gives nod to nature and animals, Hollie Porter Builds a Raft will give you a balance of both the crazy and lovely feelings in one great read. It felt good to be back in Hollie and Ryan’s world again. The entire book felt like reconnecting with old friends. This is a delightful and worthy sequel. I can’t wait for more!
5 Stars ~ A MUST READ for Must Love Otters fans!
If you adored Must Love Otters, you need to see what happens in the sequel. Hollie Porter Builds a Raft had more of everything I loved in Must Love Otters. Hollie gets into more quirky situations. Hollie and Ryan are blissfully in love in Revelation Cove, and they’re ready to take the next step in their lives as a couple. Things hardly go perfect for Hollie…ever! In addition to a series of mishaps that only Hollie Porter can get into, unexpected visits from certain people happen. Now she must deal with a boatload of issues on her journey to happiness forever after with Concierge Ryan.
I read Must Love Otters almost two years ago, and I was fine with the ending. I didn’t think I would need to revisit the characters until I started reading Hollie Porter Builds a Raft. Hollie’s happiness is threatened in more ways than one in one unfortunate situation after another. Don’t mind freakin’ Mangala the demon goat when there are cute otters! I guarantee the otter parts will absolutely warm your heart. Ryan is as swoon-worthy as expected, and he sweeps Hollie off her feet in the sweetest romance ever! She’s so lucky, and he really does get her weirdly, wonderful, and silly ways! They are truly each other’s rock. In this book, Hollie continues to remain close to her dad, and there are tear-inducing, touching father-daughter scenes where he is concerned.
If you’re in the mood for a romantic comedy that gives nod to nature and animals, Hollie Porter Builds a Raft will give you a balance of both the crazy and lovely feelings in one great read. It felt good to be back in Hollie and Ryan’s world again. The entire book felt like reconnecting with old friends. This is a delightful and worthy sequel. I can’t wait for more!
September 25, 2015
Please see my full review with Lustful Literature but for now know that I adore this series and the author for giving me exactly what I asked for. Even after I’ve finished Hollie and Ryan’s sequel I have the same request- MORE. I won’t ever have enough of the crazy Hollie Porter and her love for otters and Concierge Ryan. Along with riding the wave as they follow the next steps in their relationship I fell harder for these two.
It was rib-tickling funny. From little Melody telling about her parents “Daddy says that Mommy turns her brain off sometimes too and that’s why he put a lock on the wine fridge.” To the tearful comparison of “makes my panty tarantula look like a daddy long-legs. Hers is serious Venezuelan jungle spider action.” and let’s not forget the very accident prone Hollie Porter. Don’t think she’s gone and turned a new leaf! “Reset the DAYS SINCE GENIUS HOLLIE’S LAST MEDICAL INCIDENT board.”
And all the little moments in between.
“If you come back with any diseases, the wedding is off Fielding.”
“The only disease I have is lovesickness.”
It was rib-tickling funny. From little Melody telling about her parents “Daddy says that Mommy turns her brain off sometimes too and that’s why he put a lock on the wine fridge.” To the tearful comparison of “makes my panty tarantula look like a daddy long-legs. Hers is serious Venezuelan jungle spider action.” and let’s not forget the very accident prone Hollie Porter. Don’t think she’s gone and turned a new leaf! “Reset the DAYS SINCE GENIUS HOLLIE’S LAST MEDICAL INCIDENT board.”
And all the little moments in between.
“If you come back with any diseases, the wedding is off Fielding.”
“The only disease I have is lovesickness.”
October 18, 2015
*2.5 stars
When I read the first book, Must Love Otters, I really enjoyed it till the cougar incident. This book had its funny moments just like the previous one but at the same time, I felt there were too many mishaps. Hollie is an accident waiting to happen, which apparently she gets from her mother. She's always finding herself in awkward or klutzy situations. Which can be funny or it can get old fast. That's how I found myself through this book. Beginning: I was liking it and chuckling. Middle: ok....not so funny now. End: oh, my...God!! Again?! I've had enough!! Her mother, by the way, was horrible. She was almost too much of a caricature. Leopard prints, stealing, fake nails, old suntanned skin, and wanting to be center of attention. Once again, just too much. Must Love Otters was much better. It looks like (maybe) there's going to be another Hollie Porter adventure but I think I might pass on it.
**Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When I read the first book, Must Love Otters, I really enjoyed it till the cougar incident. This book had its funny moments just like the previous one but at the same time, I felt there were too many mishaps. Hollie is an accident waiting to happen, which apparently she gets from her mother. She's always finding herself in awkward or klutzy situations. Which can be funny or it can get old fast. That's how I found myself through this book. Beginning: I was liking it and chuckling. Middle: ok....not so funny now. End: oh, my...God!! Again?! I've had enough!! Her mother, by the way, was horrible. She was almost too much of a caricature. Leopard prints, stealing, fake nails, old suntanned skin, and wanting to be center of attention. Once again, just too much. Must Love Otters was much better. It looks like (maybe) there's going to be another Hollie Porter adventure but I think I might pass on it.
**Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 9, 2018
Hollie and Ryan are back! They have been together for a year now (which we sadly didn't see). This time there is lots of swooning, annoying moms, and a wedding! Oh and otters, of course there are otters.
I just finished book 1 and I just had to continue with book 2 (which I started as first as there was no mention anywhere this was book 2). I left at the good part (the proposal) so I was dying to continue reading this one and see how it would end up (hopefully no puking this time).
And it was just so fun. We see how Hollie is enjoying her time at the resort, helping out as an educator (and doing an awesome job at it). She is really part of the family now, accepted and loved by everyone there. And she is also feeling very much at home, though of course missing her dad who still lives in Portland.
Of course this book is full of hilarious situations as well, though also some sadder ones (damn you demon goat). Hollie's life is still full of things that will make you laugh/shake your head. Like that one thing with the hot dog? Poor Ryan! Or that crow?
But we also see a very brave side of her when she goes against anything allowed to do that. It must have been a pretty tough decision for her, but I am very happy that she made it. Plus everyone else, mostly afterwards, was also very happy with her decision to just go for it.
I loved seeing Hollie get her wedding ready. Worry about dresses and costs about if she is ready, enjoy it as cake sampling is quite yummy and also dresses are quite gorgeous, happiness as she knows that soon she will be spending her life with Ryan.
There is also plenty of romance, sweet moments between Ryan and Hollie, and boy oh boy, these two are just so cute together. Their spark is still very much there and I just adore how they tease each other, make jokes. Plus, as Hollie said, how you can resist a guy who goes as far to sing Celine Dion songs to get into your pants? :P
At the beginning and middle of the book Hollie still calls Ryan her boyfriend but later she calls him her fiancé. Awww! *melts*
Haha, I just knew that Sarah's baby would come at THAT TIME. Of course, welcome to Hollie's life where things don't always go how it should go. :P Poor Hollie. She so deserves a moment away from all this craziness (though I am guessing craziness will just follow this girl). I just felt so terrible when things didn't go as planned. I was even holding my breath while reading, hoping that everything would be fine. Poor Hollie. :( I can imagine why she did what she did. I think I would have done the same. Sometimes it just gets too much. Sometimes you just need to go away, even if it is for a little bit.
The wedding? OMG it was just perfection, so sweet, so adorable, so oh man, I want my wedding to be like this. Ryan's plan was just the sweetest and I loved him more for it.
The epilogue? I am so happy that that was the epilogue, I was already worried a certain event would happen (have seen it happen too many times). I do hope that we get another Hollie/Ryan book about what is said in the epilogue.
-1 big fat star for the whole Mom/Lucy stuff. Can we for all that is holy just have one book somewhere that doesn't go into a sob story or forces the MC (aka the daughter) to just suck it up and maybe the mom has had a harsh life, boohoo. Can we just have a story where the daughter (or son) just goes F this and then proceeds to just get rid of the mother (nicely of course, but still, get rid of her)? Please? Because I was seriously pissed at Lucy and how shitty she acted, and how then later on she was all sweet and caring and sorry and blablablalablaalblaa. *snorts and rolls her eyes* I hated Lucy from the start, I never will like her, and sorry, I just found the whole turn around not to my liking. Plus again, how everyone was just pushing Hollie to accept her mom and not be so angry and negative. If that girl wants that, why are you all stopping her and making all kind of sobby excuses? Bleh. A lot of the shit could have been stopped if they had just gotten rid of the mom from the start. Is it that hard to say no in this world? Or to just not forgive someone for once? And I am very forgiving person myself, normally. But Lucy just annoyed me to no end.
But yeah, thanks to that -1 star the book only gets 4 stars, and that means that, sadly, I won't be adding this book to my physical collection. Which is a shame, as I will be buying the first book in paperback when I have a chance and I was hoping to add this one as well.
I still had lots of fun reading it. I laughed, I cried, I cheered, I laughed some more. I would definitely recommend this book (and the first one) to everyone!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I just finished book 1 and I just had to continue with book 2 (which I started as first as there was no mention anywhere this was book 2). I left at the good part (the proposal) so I was dying to continue reading this one and see how it would end up (hopefully no puking this time).
And it was just so fun. We see how Hollie is enjoying her time at the resort, helping out as an educator (and doing an awesome job at it). She is really part of the family now, accepted and loved by everyone there. And she is also feeling very much at home, though of course missing her dad who still lives in Portland.
Of course this book is full of hilarious situations as well, though also some sadder ones (damn you demon goat). Hollie's life is still full of things that will make you laugh/shake your head. Like that one thing with the hot dog? Poor Ryan! Or that crow?
But we also see a very brave side of her when she goes against anything allowed to do that. It must have been a pretty tough decision for her, but I am very happy that she made it. Plus everyone else, mostly afterwards, was also very happy with her decision to just go for it.
I loved seeing Hollie get her wedding ready. Worry about dresses and costs about if she is ready, enjoy it as cake sampling is quite yummy and also dresses are quite gorgeous, happiness as she knows that soon she will be spending her life with Ryan.
There is also plenty of romance, sweet moments between Ryan and Hollie, and boy oh boy, these two are just so cute together. Their spark is still very much there and I just adore how they tease each other, make jokes. Plus, as Hollie said, how you can resist a guy who goes as far to sing Celine Dion songs to get into your pants? :P
At the beginning and middle of the book Hollie still calls Ryan her boyfriend but later she calls him her fiancé. Awww! *melts*
Haha, I just knew that Sarah's baby would come at THAT TIME. Of course, welcome to Hollie's life where things don't always go how it should go. :P Poor Hollie. She so deserves a moment away from all this craziness (though I am guessing craziness will just follow this girl). I just felt so terrible when things didn't go as planned. I was even holding my breath while reading, hoping that everything would be fine. Poor Hollie. :( I can imagine why she did what she did. I think I would have done the same. Sometimes it just gets too much. Sometimes you just need to go away, even if it is for a little bit.
The wedding? OMG it was just perfection, so sweet, so adorable, so oh man, I want my wedding to be like this. Ryan's plan was just the sweetest and I loved him more for it.
The epilogue? I am so happy that that was the epilogue, I was already worried a certain event would happen (have seen it happen too many times). I do hope that we get another Hollie/Ryan book about what is said in the epilogue.
-1 big fat star for the whole Mom/Lucy stuff. Can we for all that is holy just have one book somewhere that doesn't go into a sob story or forces the MC (aka the daughter) to just suck it up and maybe the mom has had a harsh life, boohoo. Can we just have a story where the daughter (or son) just goes F this and then proceeds to just get rid of the mother (nicely of course, but still, get rid of her)? Please? Because I was seriously pissed at Lucy and how shitty she acted, and how then later on she was all sweet and caring and sorry and blablablalablaalblaa. *snorts and rolls her eyes* I hated Lucy from the start, I never will like her, and sorry, I just found the whole turn around not to my liking. Plus again, how everyone was just pushing Hollie to accept her mom and not be so angry and negative. If that girl wants that, why are you all stopping her and making all kind of sobby excuses? Bleh. A lot of the shit could have been stopped if they had just gotten rid of the mom from the start. Is it that hard to say no in this world? Or to just not forgive someone for once? And I am very forgiving person myself, normally. But Lucy just annoyed me to no end.
But yeah, thanks to that -1 star the book only gets 4 stars, and that means that, sadly, I won't be adding this book to my physical collection. Which is a shame, as I will be buying the first book in paperback when I have a chance and I was hoping to add this one as well.
I still had lots of fun reading it. I laughed, I cried, I cheered, I laughed some more. I would definitely recommend this book (and the first one) to everyone!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
February 18, 2018
Loved every second of this hysterical romp in the lives of Hollie Porter, Ryan, his family, the resort, her father and drum roll..... her long lost mother who left when she was a baby. What a hoot!!! I enjoyed jumping back into Hollie's life from book one: Must Love Otters. This series ( I hope there is another one in the future) rates up there with Stephanie Plum's books and Bobbie Faye's books. Not to mention... I needed a great belly laugh with a few Kleenex moments to cleanse my reading palate of deep thought titles.
January 10, 2022
Same zany style but this time we have a super emotionally manipulative and dramatic mother entering into the story. Our hero was so supportive and swoon worthy though. He's so nice. So lovely.
February 7, 2017
I liked this even a bit more than the first book. I think it's because I really enjoyed my time with Hollie and her man. Hollie is hilarious and her hockey player and her dad are two of the most likeable nice guys I've read about. They give me hope for fictional men, who just seem to be getting worse, imo. Even though I enjoy some sexy times in Romance books, I'm amazed when an author can make their stories sexy without all of the details. She gets it perfect in this book. Lucy almost knocked this book down a star cause she was way over the top but in the end I put it down with a big smile on my face.
September 13, 2015
I loved this sequel to "Must Love Otters". Ms. Gordon wrote living breathing believable characters. You WANT to know how Hollie and Ryan's journey continues and you buckle in for this fun rom-com ride. You even meet characters you'll love and hate (in all the right ways). This was a fun read. You won't regret it.
September 28, 2015
Full review to come:
This novel is an amazing sequel to Must Love Otters. I laughed so hard and loved every minute of it. Gordon does a phenomenal job keeping the story interesting and light while still dealing with some heavy topics concerning what makes a family, and I am hoping so very much that there will be a third in the series. Seriously, READ THIS STAT!
This novel is an amazing sequel to Must Love Otters. I laughed so hard and loved every minute of it. Gordon does a phenomenal job keeping the story interesting and light while still dealing with some heavy topics concerning what makes a family, and I am hoping so very much that there will be a third in the series. Seriously, READ THIS STAT!
August 16, 2016
Hollie Porter Builds A Raft is the sequel to Must Love Otters. This story takes place a year after Otters ends. We continue with the story of Hollie and Concierge Ryan and the next step in their relationship.
I think I enjoyed the sequel more than the first book. I'm a sucker for romantic comedies. This was sweet, fun and the perfect dessert for escaping a stressful day. Well recommended!
I think I enjoyed the sequel more than the first book. I'm a sucker for romantic comedies. This was sweet, fun and the perfect dessert for escaping a stressful day. Well recommended!
July 22, 2018
This is the third book by Eliza Gordon that I've actually read and I kind of see a pattern here:
1. She always writes weird/crazt/batsh!t Mom characters.
2. She always incorporates fun nature/animal facts in the narrative.
3. There's always at least one 'demon animal' in her 'verse.
But no matter. I did like this second book more than the first. The scenes with Mangala the Demon Goat are always my favorites, and maybe I kinda want more of them? What? Well.
I especially like how Lucy's character was like, 5% redeemed at the end of the book, though I do still found her overall presence absolutely grating.
This was a nice, sequel. Go read it.
1. She always writes weird/crazt/batsh!t Mom characters.
2. She always incorporates fun nature/animal facts in the narrative.
3. There's always at least one 'demon animal' in her 'verse.
But no matter. I did like this second book more than the first. The scenes with Mangala the Demon Goat are always my favorites, and maybe I kinda want more of them? What? Well.
I especially like how Lucy's character was like, 5% redeemed at the end of the book, though I do still found her overall presence absolutely grating.
This was a nice, sequel. Go read it.
October 1, 2015
**MEGAN'S REVIEW**
“It’s our raft, Porter. We can do whatever we want. We just have to float together.”
I love the feeling after finishing a book I’ve wished for and hoped for! So many of us asked for more and we got it. I was absolutely thrilled diving into Hollie and Concierge Ryan’s sequel!! It was an answered prayer!
The world of Hollie and Ryan (& the never forgotten otters) fell into my lap by chance and it’s one book that I remember every detail anytime the name is mentioned or when I see the cover. Now to have TWO books under this category I cannot begin to explain my ultimate high! What happens when you find your soul mate? Your partner? Your kindred soul? You make it lifelong….forever long…infinitely long. Da dum da dum……put in Hollie Porter terms, it means hold on because you know this will be a bumpy ride.
Hollie is one special character that will never be replaced and no other character will ever come close. This storyline will never have a sparring partner because Hollie will kick its butt. And boy did she! This sequel gave me everything I wanted and more. We had much more Hollie and Ryan. We had a glimpse into their next step in their relationship and we had more family….drama. Ryan’s family readily opened their arms to Hollie and without a doubt were on their side. But you know how mothers can be. Miss Betty was perfect, I wish no ill upon her. But another certain someone I would like to put on a crazy train!
“Everything you think she has? It’s fake. It’s a ruse. Everything you have is everything I want.”
Heavens, Lucy Collins came in like a tornado. Whacking everything down, full force without the first bit of slowing down. This woman was loud, obnoxious, intolerable, and family. Hollie handled her extremely well and by well I mean in perfect Hollie fashion.
“I’ll show you publicity when I feed you to the orca.”
Along with crashing mothers, seeing Hollie in her whimsical element along with her dashing Concierge Ryan, you completely get that they own each other. He understands her and loves her dearly. They are the type of couple that even though it’s a new relationship their bond is as if they have been together for years.
“Buy the dress, Hollie. And in three short weeks, I’m going to fall in love with you all over again. And then I’m going to tear it off you-”
“No tearing. It’s gorgeous. You may unzip it carefully.”
“And then I will unzip it carefully and make you the happiest woman in the world for that night, and every night after.”
Let’s face it. I’m such a huge fan of these characters that if Hollie sat in their boat and talked to the adorable otters for 200 pages I wouldn’t care. The way Hollie thinks and speaks is why this was a hit for me. I love her process. I love her thinking. I love the blurt outs. Who cares if it’s not proper or not what should be happening. If Hollie wants it one way let it be. The realm of Hollie Porter never looked so good!
It’s unique. Start to finish, everything in the middle. Hollie Builds a Raft doesn’t stray from its original predecessor. If you loved Hollie and Ryan from their start then you’ll happily dive straight in and will not be disappointed!
“It’s our raft, Porter. We can do whatever we want. We just have to float together.”
I love the feeling after finishing a book I’ve wished for and hoped for! So many of us asked for more and we got it. I was absolutely thrilled diving into Hollie and Concierge Ryan’s sequel!! It was an answered prayer!
The world of Hollie and Ryan (& the never forgotten otters) fell into my lap by chance and it’s one book that I remember every detail anytime the name is mentioned or when I see the cover. Now to have TWO books under this category I cannot begin to explain my ultimate high! What happens when you find your soul mate? Your partner? Your kindred soul? You make it lifelong….forever long…infinitely long. Da dum da dum……put in Hollie Porter terms, it means hold on because you know this will be a bumpy ride.
Hollie is one special character that will never be replaced and no other character will ever come close. This storyline will never have a sparring partner because Hollie will kick its butt. And boy did she! This sequel gave me everything I wanted and more. We had much more Hollie and Ryan. We had a glimpse into their next step in their relationship and we had more family….drama. Ryan’s family readily opened their arms to Hollie and without a doubt were on their side. But you know how mothers can be. Miss Betty was perfect, I wish no ill upon her. But another certain someone I would like to put on a crazy train!
“Everything you think she has? It’s fake. It’s a ruse. Everything you have is everything I want.”
Heavens, Lucy Collins came in like a tornado. Whacking everything down, full force without the first bit of slowing down. This woman was loud, obnoxious, intolerable, and family. Hollie handled her extremely well and by well I mean in perfect Hollie fashion.
“I’ll show you publicity when I feed you to the orca.”
Along with crashing mothers, seeing Hollie in her whimsical element along with her dashing Concierge Ryan, you completely get that they own each other. He understands her and loves her dearly. They are the type of couple that even though it’s a new relationship their bond is as if they have been together for years.
“Buy the dress, Hollie. And in three short weeks, I’m going to fall in love with you all over again. And then I’m going to tear it off you-”
“No tearing. It’s gorgeous. You may unzip it carefully.”
“And then I will unzip it carefully and make you the happiest woman in the world for that night, and every night after.”
Let’s face it. I’m such a huge fan of these characters that if Hollie sat in their boat and talked to the adorable otters for 200 pages I wouldn’t care. The way Hollie thinks and speaks is why this was a hit for me. I love her process. I love her thinking. I love the blurt outs. Who cares if it’s not proper or not what should be happening. If Hollie wants it one way let it be. The realm of Hollie Porter never looked so good!
It’s unique. Start to finish, everything in the middle. Hollie Builds a Raft doesn’t stray from its original predecessor. If you loved Hollie and Ryan from their start then you’ll happily dive straight in and will not be disappointed!
October 29, 2015
ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley
I adored Must Love Otters so I couldn't wait to read Hollie Porter Builds a Raft and of course, it did not disappoint. I loved it! It was highly entertaining even though it gave me serious anxiety. Crazy mishaps and over the top trouble seems to follow Hollie around and in this book there's something around every corner. Is it all a little overdone? Sure, but that's what makes Hollie's story so endearing. This book brought a smile to my face and gave me all the right warm and fuzzy feelings that I love to feel when I read a book. I don't think I could ever tire of Hollie Porter and concierge Ryan and hope this isn't the last we see of them!
I adored Must Love Otters so I couldn't wait to read Hollie Porter Builds a Raft and of course, it did not disappoint. I loved it! It was highly entertaining even though it gave me serious anxiety. Crazy mishaps and over the top trouble seems to follow Hollie around and in this book there's something around every corner. Is it all a little overdone? Sure, but that's what makes Hollie's story so endearing. This book brought a smile to my face and gave me all the right warm and fuzzy feelings that I love to feel when I read a book. I don't think I could ever tire of Hollie Porter and concierge Ryan and hope this isn't the last we see of them!
October 26, 2015
This one is filled with more zaniness that filled the first book. I can see why Hollie found reservation after reservation, but loved how Ryan batted each of them down. Nothing was a problem for him, just an obstacle to work past. The ending was perfect for them and showed how Ryan totally knew Hollie and what was perfect for them both.
Want to read
October 15, 2015....the continuing story of Holly and Ryan from
Must Love Otters
Must Love Otters
October 27, 2015
Review pending.
April 10, 2018
3.5 stars. A nice sequel to "Must Love Otters". Hollie's comedy of errors continues. Too much drinking as per usual, but they are all nice people who (mostly) love and care for each other. The humor is great, the Canadian setting interesting, and fiascos w/wildlife abound once again. I enjoyed this and will seek out more by this author.
Cover Art: Bland and does not reflect the quirky humor of the book. A good graphic designer could have done so much with that !
Cover Art: Bland and does not reflect the quirky humor of the book. A good graphic designer could have done so much with that !
February 4, 2018
2.5 stars
January 18, 2021
Very much want to be Hollie's bestie! Loved this book as much as the first!
Read
October 8, 2017I love everything Eliza Gordon writes. This sequel to MUST LOVE OTTERS was a fun comedy of errors, much like its predecessor. Just enough snark to keep me giggling and wondering, "How the hell will Hollie get out of THIS one?"
December 25, 2022
Reread December 24, 2022
Good Lord these otter books are fun. Hollie and Ryan are getting married after a second proposal (she barfed all over him the first time). Hollie's wayward mom shows up and fires and babies and baby otters ensue. I'm not sure I loved this one as much as the first (I wish there was more Ryan) but I did love it. 4.5 stars.
Good Lord these otter books are fun. Hollie and Ryan are getting married after a second proposal (she barfed all over him the first time). Hollie's wayward mom shows up and fires and babies and baby otters ensue. I'm not sure I loved this one as much as the first (I wish there was more Ryan) but I did love it. 4.5 stars.
June 21, 2016
I LOVE Hollie Porter! I cannot wait for the next installment in her life.
October 8, 2015
So Good!!! Book is hilarious!
December 4, 2021
Somehow from the first book to this one, main character Holly has become annoying and self obsessed. Ryan had almost no part of the book and when he was there, he was more like an accessory.
I found that Holly spent most of her time complaining and obsessing.
This is somewhere between closed door and mildly steamy. There isn’t anything descriptive, but they do talk about bedroom time in awkward ways.
Holly made every situation to be about here. Even after a very graphic child birth, she somehow turned it to where everyone had to drop what they were doing to comfort her.
Additionally, the cougar attack from the first book gets brought up SO. MANY. TIMES.
I was wavering between 2 and 3 stars, but what really sealed the 2 star deal was the slight at SeaWorld. It was an uncalled for and uneducated remark about an organization that does so much for animal rescue and rehabilitation. I only mention this because of a certain scene in the book that Holly praised herself on.
My recommendation? Stop at the first book.
I found that Holly spent most of her time complaining and obsessing.
This is somewhere between closed door and mildly steamy. There isn’t anything descriptive, but they do talk about bedroom time in awkward ways.
Holly made every situation to be about here. Even after a very graphic child birth, she somehow turned it to where everyone had to drop what they were doing to comfort her.
Additionally, the cougar attack from the first book gets brought up SO. MANY. TIMES.
I was wavering between 2 and 3 stars, but what really sealed the 2 star deal was the slight at SeaWorld. It was an uncalled for and uneducated remark about an organization that does so much for animal rescue and rehabilitation. I only mention this because of a certain scene in the book that Holly praised herself on.
My recommendation? Stop at the first book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2018
4.5*
Such a fun follow-up to Must Love Otters! I loved being back on the island with Hollie and Concierge Ryan, these 2 are just so cute. As they prepare for their wedding there are lots of obstacles to overcome, least of all Hollie's mother, who she hasn't seen in years. Add in an ex, a broken arm, a baby to be delivered, and a hungry goat, and Hollie and Ryan have their hands more than full as they try to pull off a wedding in 3 weeks. And that means we get all the laughs!
***Borrowed through KU.
Such a fun follow-up to Must Love Otters! I loved being back on the island with Hollie and Concierge Ryan, these 2 are just so cute. As they prepare for their wedding there are lots of obstacles to overcome, least of all Hollie's mother, who she hasn't seen in years. Add in an ex, a broken arm, a baby to be delivered, and a hungry goat, and Hollie and Ryan have their hands more than full as they try to pull off a wedding in 3 weeks. And that means we get all the laughs!
***Borrowed through KU.
May 31, 2021
I had enjoyed the first book and appreciated that this one kept the same voice and quick pacing without feeling old. As expected, some crazy things happen because Hollie is horribly accident prone. I also was very impressed with how Hollie & Lucy Collins relationship was handled. It was refreshing not to have a pushover character in that situation, which I feel it the general take for that kind of plot development. I'm willing to read the final book in the series, even though it follows a completely different and new character.
November 5, 2017
This is the sequel to Must Love Otters, which I loved, and I totally enjoyed this one too! I am not a fast reader but finished this in less than a week (may be a record for me) because I can totally relate to a woman whose life is anything but a smooth ride but who is caring and passionate about the things and people she cares about, and who doesn't want to imagine life with a man as loving and patient and perfect as her man. This book was a pleasure to read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews