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Morning Glory #1
Charmingly Yours
For Rosemary Reynolds, life in tiny Morning Glory, Mississippi, is just like the fabric store she runs: it seems she’s always waiting around for someone else to make the first stitch. Then a dear childhood friend passes away, leaving behind a gift that sends Rosemary on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Despite her mother’s protests, Rosemary heads to New York City for a stay in her cousin’s trendy Soho loft. On her first day in town, a wrong turn leads her to Little Italy…and into the arms of handsome, outgoing Sal Genovese. Sal’s mother wants him to marry a longtime family friend, but to him, Rosemary is a breath of fresh country air, and he’s happy to show her a good time. Soon, Rosemary is swept up in a world she thought only existed in movies. To turn a two-week fling into a forever thing, she and Sal will have to make every moment count.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 24, 2016
1345 people are currently reading
1720 people want to read
About the author
Liz Talley
69 books930 followersI unashamedly read, write and love romance books. I adore the weight of a book in hand and the anticipation of a happy ending. I love the journey, the word play and the magic of story. Nothing's better than reading a good book...except writing one. You can learn more about me and my award-winning romances at http://www.liztalleybooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 227 reviews
January 6, 2017
I don't remember how this came to my attention, but oh my, am I glad it did. Many elements of this story sound pro-forma if you simply list them, but Talley invests even the most basic background with real heart in ways that ended up making the entire story come to life.
Take the frame for the series: the ringleader of four friends passes away and gives each a bequest with a private note encouraging them in some way or another. Simple enough and a great excuse to give the women opportunity to stretch, find themselves, find love; so a great framework for related romance stories. But Talley makes it feel real for Rosemary in a way that is in turns empowering, yes, but also crippling and with all the grief you'd expect for the passing of someone truly loved and vital in your life. So in addition to finding love and finding herself, Rosemary is also finding the new normal without her cherished friend.
And what great characters. I fell for Rosemary immediately. She's so unashamedly small-town even as she takes on the adventure of spending time in New York. I love how honest she is, and daring in her honesty. I love that she's able and willing to communicate with the prickly New Yorkers and I loved the reactions she engenders (some positive, some negative, all interesting). And no, it didn't hurt that she's a true Southern Belle and unashamed of it, even when she feels like the rawest rube to hit the big town.
More surprisingly to me, I fell for Sal almost as quickly. He feels so out of place in his family and yet is unable to express why or what it is exactly that he is looking for. It was just so charming to see him respond to Rosemary and her frank enjoyment of his city. And I loved how much he enjoyed finding things to show Rosemary just because he thought something would make her happy. This engagement with each other is part of how the short two-week timeframe worked. That's pretty quick to buy strangers from essentially different worlds falling in love in a way that feels enduring and I wondered how well that'd work. I needn't have worried as this is yet another element that Talley handled with aplomb.
And I liked them both together, even though both characters have the same sort of identity crisis. Both are discontented with where their life has taken them and neither knows exactly what that means or what they need to do about it. Both have growing to do and both need to start with taking on the expectations of their families. This could easily have been tedious, but again, Talley makes it real and powerful and effective to the story without a hint of feeling like it's mere formula or manipulative
Anyway, I was deeply charmed and swallowed this nearly whole. I can't wait for the next and hope this is an indication of what I'll find in subsequent stories.
A note about Audible: I picked this up on Audible and that's no small part of my enjoyment of the book. It's narrated by Brittany Pressley and she does a fantastic job with both Rosemary's Mississippi Southern and Sal's New York accents. I'm a known sucker for the first and Sal's broad New York grew on me fast. Man I'd love to be a fly on the wall in their household and see the mangle their children end up with...
A note about Steamy: There are a couple explicit sex scenes. They aren't long and put this solidly in the middle of my steam tolerance. And yet again, Talley made these support the broader story and feel like an integral part of the whole.
Take the frame for the series: the ringleader of four friends passes away and gives each a bequest with a private note encouraging them in some way or another. Simple enough and a great excuse to give the women opportunity to stretch, find themselves, find love; so a great framework for related romance stories. But Talley makes it feel real for Rosemary in a way that is in turns empowering, yes, but also crippling and with all the grief you'd expect for the passing of someone truly loved and vital in your life. So in addition to finding love and finding herself, Rosemary is also finding the new normal without her cherished friend.
And what great characters. I fell for Rosemary immediately. She's so unashamedly small-town even as she takes on the adventure of spending time in New York. I love how honest she is, and daring in her honesty. I love that she's able and willing to communicate with the prickly New Yorkers and I loved the reactions she engenders (some positive, some negative, all interesting). And no, it didn't hurt that she's a true Southern Belle and unashamed of it, even when she feels like the rawest rube to hit the big town.
More surprisingly to me, I fell for Sal almost as quickly. He feels so out of place in his family and yet is unable to express why or what it is exactly that he is looking for. It was just so charming to see him respond to Rosemary and her frank enjoyment of his city. And I loved how much he enjoyed finding things to show Rosemary just because he thought something would make her happy. This engagement with each other is part of how the short two-week timeframe worked. That's pretty quick to buy strangers from essentially different worlds falling in love in a way that feels enduring and I wondered how well that'd work. I needn't have worried as this is yet another element that Talley handled with aplomb.
And I liked them both together, even though both characters have the same sort of identity crisis. Both are discontented with where their life has taken them and neither knows exactly what that means or what they need to do about it. Both have growing to do and both need to start with taking on the expectations of their families. This could easily have been tedious, but again, Talley makes it real and powerful and effective to the story without a hint of feeling like it's mere formula or manipulative
Anyway, I was deeply charmed and swallowed this nearly whole. I can't wait for the next and hope this is an indication of what I'll find in subsequent stories.
A note about Audible: I picked this up on Audible and that's no small part of my enjoyment of the book. It's narrated by Brittany Pressley and she does a fantastic job with both Rosemary's Mississippi Southern and Sal's New York accents. I'm a known sucker for the first and Sal's broad New York grew on me fast. Man I'd love to be a fly on the wall in their household and see the mangle their children end up with...
A note about Steamy: There are a couple explicit sex scenes. They aren't long and put this solidly in the middle of my steam tolerance. And yet again, Talley made these support the broader story and feel like an integral part of the whole.
January 7, 2017
4 Stars!
Small town southern girl meets city boy, an Italian hottie! Cute romance peppered with lots of spice. Enjoyed this author's style and the audiobook narration was excellent. Definitely continuing with this series and will see what else this author has to offer!
Small town southern girl meets city boy, an Italian hottie! Cute romance peppered with lots of spice. Enjoyed this author's style and the audiobook narration was excellent. Definitely continuing with this series and will see what else this author has to offer!
September 13, 2016
Small town Southern girl discovers love and herself when a quest from a dying friend sends her on a journey to the Big Apple. I read Pat @ TBQ's Book Palace review and I had to read it. This book was a lovely blend of deep South meets NYC Italian. I enjoyed watching Rosemary engage with life for the first time and Sal decide to give love one more shot. The city was a powerful third main character in this humorous and passionate story.
Rosemary and her two remaining best friends receive letters from beyond the grave from their fourth friend, Lacey. She bequeaths them her charm bracelet and quest money with letters that guide them to go after their dreams. Rosemary gets the first opportunity to add a charm to the bracelet when she impulsively accepts her cousin's invitation to come to NYC and house sit for two weeks while she is gone. Lacey's letter spurred Rosemary on to stop treading water and really live. It doesn't hurt that Rosemary's mother smothering her makes a trip on her own feel like a breath of free air.
Her first night in town she has encountered a handsome Italian who invites her to eat dinner at his family's restaurant and then he takes her out dancing. Sal is amazing and she decides he is just what is needed to give her NYC vacation just the right touch. Fortunately, Sal is on board with her idea of a two week fling. They will play tourists and romp in the bedroom and then go back to their lives when it is over. And if she ends up going home with a broken heart, at least she will have the memories of something special.
Sal Genovese is as trapped and smothered as Rosemary in the life his parents are trying to mold him into- married the pushy, bossy Italian girl from a long-time family of friends, run the deli opening near the theater for his dad and conform to the expectations for his future like the rest of his family. Sal feels the bands tightening and he knows the life planned for him is not what he wants though he doesn't exactly have a plan of what he does want. It's not long into the fling with Rosemary that he wishes for something more and feels the pressure of knowing they come from two different worlds and soon she'll be going back to hers.
The author introduced three engaging women who are mourning their friend. I love the set up of a quest surrounding the charm bracelet and each gal getting her own story. Rosemary's adventure in New York was the full on romantic story that I love to read. Iconic is the word. It was NYC in film, music, and monuments. Sal was a swoonworthy dream come true- passionate, flirty, Italian chef with a close knit family and neighborhood.
Now while it seems this is Rosemary's story because it starts with her, it is really the story of two people who have to stop treading water and go after their dreams. Sal's been burned in the past by a woman from outside and it makes him second guess what is going on with Rosemary. Just like Rosemary is not sure of herself and believes what they have is too good to be true.
There is a magical realism feel to the story surrounding the deceased friend and the charm bracelet and the role of fate in this story, but I liked that it was not heavy handed and fit well with the plot and characters.
The solution to their big dilemma of how they could find a way across the distance was swiftly solved and not a real surprise for me, but I didn't mind because of all the other wonderful elements of the story. The author wrote 'place' well. NYC and Morning Glory were like strong secondary characters throughout.
All in all, a swoony romantic story and I can't wait to move on to the next woman's story and see what fate and the charm bracelet have in store for her. Contemporary Romance fans who like some passion, humor, culture, and heartwarming tone should give this one a try.
Rosemary and her two remaining best friends receive letters from beyond the grave from their fourth friend, Lacey. She bequeaths them her charm bracelet and quest money with letters that guide them to go after their dreams. Rosemary gets the first opportunity to add a charm to the bracelet when she impulsively accepts her cousin's invitation to come to NYC and house sit for two weeks while she is gone. Lacey's letter spurred Rosemary on to stop treading water and really live. It doesn't hurt that Rosemary's mother smothering her makes a trip on her own feel like a breath of free air.
Her first night in town she has encountered a handsome Italian who invites her to eat dinner at his family's restaurant and then he takes her out dancing. Sal is amazing and she decides he is just what is needed to give her NYC vacation just the right touch. Fortunately, Sal is on board with her idea of a two week fling. They will play tourists and romp in the bedroom and then go back to their lives when it is over. And if she ends up going home with a broken heart, at least she will have the memories of something special.
Sal Genovese is as trapped and smothered as Rosemary in the life his parents are trying to mold him into- married the pushy, bossy Italian girl from a long-time family of friends, run the deli opening near the theater for his dad and conform to the expectations for his future like the rest of his family. Sal feels the bands tightening and he knows the life planned for him is not what he wants though he doesn't exactly have a plan of what he does want. It's not long into the fling with Rosemary that he wishes for something more and feels the pressure of knowing they come from two different worlds and soon she'll be going back to hers.
The author introduced three engaging women who are mourning their friend. I love the set up of a quest surrounding the charm bracelet and each gal getting her own story. Rosemary's adventure in New York was the full on romantic story that I love to read. Iconic is the word. It was NYC in film, music, and monuments. Sal was a swoonworthy dream come true- passionate, flirty, Italian chef with a close knit family and neighborhood.
Now while it seems this is Rosemary's story because it starts with her, it is really the story of two people who have to stop treading water and go after their dreams. Sal's been burned in the past by a woman from outside and it makes him second guess what is going on with Rosemary. Just like Rosemary is not sure of herself and believes what they have is too good to be true.
There is a magical realism feel to the story surrounding the deceased friend and the charm bracelet and the role of fate in this story, but I liked that it was not heavy handed and fit well with the plot and characters.
The solution to their big dilemma of how they could find a way across the distance was swiftly solved and not a real surprise for me, but I didn't mind because of all the other wonderful elements of the story. The author wrote 'place' well. NYC and Morning Glory were like strong secondary characters throughout.
All in all, a swoony romantic story and I can't wait to move on to the next woman's story and see what fate and the charm bracelet have in store for her. Contemporary Romance fans who like some passion, humor, culture, and heartwarming tone should give this one a try.
February 3, 2020
Rosemary is from Morning Glory - the friendliest town in Mississippi. But now she's in New York and when she accidentally runs into an Italian guy before even arriving to her cousin's apartment, she's all in for something her mother wouldn't approve of.
While his mother already picked him a wife, a nice italian girl from a good family who's already planning the wedding, and his father bought him a Deli to run, Sal is pretty sure he doesn't want either of that. But he also doesn't know what he wants and lost the will to fight them.
And their little special night is an escape from their family's expectations, as they both know that the line's set. Whatever they are is over when she leaves...
A super light read with southern chick-lit vibes to it, lots of fun and many clichés - absolutely predictable - but also some little surprises and feels so authentic. For me it just had this unique, I loved.
That's mostly because of the characters. Rosemary and Sal are great, the Southern Belle and the flirty Brooklyn-Italian are both such originals. Their swoon-worthy moments and their awkwardness were such a joy, how he falls head over heels for the charming southern girl, old fashioned in such a unique way, was great and totally believable.
She and her southern sass are so adorable that I wanted to punch the stiletto-wearing, red lipped reality, when it hurt her by not playing fair. I also felt so sorry and felt her being miserable because her mother manipulated her into it. I absolutely loved the sweet girl showing her naughty side.
And charming Sal, who does all those swoon-worthy things but is trapped in a life he doesn't really want, told there was no romance, only the right thing to do. I started of thinking what a douche he is, for letting a woman he doesn't want plan a wedding he doesn't want. But with time, I got him and his history of bad decisions. And I loved the glimpses into the man he wanted to be, whenever they were together.
As much as this is a romance, it's also about personal growth. That and the "I love you"- "Take it back" kind of vibe was what made this truly special.
It ended exactly how I thought it would, that was the very first idea I had about where this would go. And I didn't like it. It's well done and makes perfectly sense, though. And a guy not knowing what he wants or where he belongs, finding the answer in a woman is just the perfect way to end this.
While his mother already picked him a wife, a nice italian girl from a good family who's already planning the wedding, and his father bought him a Deli to run, Sal is pretty sure he doesn't want either of that. But he also doesn't know what he wants and lost the will to fight them.
And their little special night is an escape from their family's expectations, as they both know that the line's set. Whatever they are is over when she leaves...
A super light read with southern chick-lit vibes to it, lots of fun and many clichés - absolutely predictable - but also some little surprises and feels so authentic. For me it just had this unique, I loved.
That's mostly because of the characters. Rosemary and Sal are great, the Southern Belle and the flirty Brooklyn-Italian are both such originals. Their swoon-worthy moments and their awkwardness were such a joy, how he falls head over heels for the charming southern girl, old fashioned in such a unique way, was great and totally believable.
She and her southern sass are so adorable that I wanted to punch the stiletto-wearing, red lipped reality, when it hurt her by not playing fair. I also felt so sorry and felt her being miserable because her mother manipulated her into it. I absolutely loved the sweet girl showing her naughty side.
And charming Sal, who does all those swoon-worthy things but is trapped in a life he doesn't really want, told there was no romance, only the right thing to do. I started of thinking what a douche he is, for letting a woman he doesn't want plan a wedding he doesn't want. But with time, I got him and his history of bad decisions. And I loved the glimpses into the man he wanted to be, whenever they were together.
As much as this is a romance, it's also about personal growth. That and the "I love you"- "Take it back" kind of vibe was what made this truly special.
It ended exactly how I thought it would, that was the very first idea I had about where this would go. And I didn't like it. It's well done and makes perfectly sense, though. And a guy not knowing what he wants or where he belongs, finding the answer in a woman is just the perfect way to end this.
May 24, 2016
I read this for review at All About Romance and gave it a C, so 3 stars here. I wrote:
"The language and dialogue in the opening of Charmingly Yours remind me of the old TV sitcom Designing Women. But while I enjoyed Designing Women, it took me multiple attempts to read the first chapters of this romance. The author seems to introduce a cast of thousands and most use endless similes – generally with a Southern reference. While things picked up eventually, the author’s writing style isn’t to my taste. Combine that with a hero I disliked for most of the book, and this was a tough read. "
For more of my review go here: http://likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/bookRev...
"The language and dialogue in the opening of Charmingly Yours remind me of the old TV sitcom Designing Women. But while I enjoyed Designing Women, it took me multiple attempts to read the first chapters of this romance. The author seems to introduce a cast of thousands and most use endless similes – generally with a Southern reference. While things picked up eventually, the author’s writing style isn’t to my taste. Combine that with a hero I disliked for most of the book, and this was a tough read. "
For more of my review go here: http://likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/bookRev...
February 11, 2022
3.5 stars This was a quick listen and an introduction to Morning Glory, Mississippi with its quaint cast of characters and each of their journeys. It reminded me a lot of The SisterHood of the Traveling Pants. Which is also confirmed in book 2. I enjoyed the narration and the story but it was a bit too steamy for this old lady. I don’t like to listen to all those intimate details when Im looking for an easy listen while I go about my day. I may read the remaining books at a later date as they are cute and I like the cast. I just won’t be listening aloud. 😃
This is another Kindle Unlimited! I have been getting my money’s worth.
This is another Kindle Unlimited! I have been getting my money’s worth.
January 13, 2022
Read at your own peril
In the beginning of book 1 it introduces you to 4 friends one of whom recently passed away leaving a legacy challenge for her 3 friends but book 1 only covers one of these 3. Otherwise I did like book 1 but now I am forced to read the rest of the series if I want to know how it ends.
In the beginning of book 1 it introduces you to 4 friends one of whom recently passed away leaving a legacy challenge for her 3 friends but book 1 only covers one of these 3. Otherwise I did like book 1 but now I am forced to read the rest of the series if I want to know how it ends.
December 1, 2022
Charmingly Yours was a charming 4.5 star read. I honestly read this because of the cover. I needed a book for a challenge with a pink cover and a book with a heart on the cover and this had both of those things. However, what a wonderful surprise and delight this book turned out to be. I absolutely loved everything about it. I felt myself missing New York City, where I first lived when I came to the USA. I could vision Morning Glory, small town southern USA. The narrative was so beautifully written and so very descriptive I could see the pictures that the words were giving me...the characters, the places, the cats, everything. Even the one character that we were supposed to boo was brilliantly written and was definitely the wicked witch. I laughed out loud. I cried. I felt so many emotions as I read this including not wanting it to end so was thrilled that there is a second and third in this series. If like me you have never read Liz Talley before, please give this a read. I hope that newbies to this author will find her as delightful as I did. If you are familiar with Liz Talley, you know what I am saying, and if you haven't gotten around to this book, I suggest it comes to the top of your TBR list. Thanks Liz Talley for an unexpectedly delightful read and I look forward to reading more from you in 2023.
May 27, 2016
This is a sweet plot full of southern charm that takes the reader from Morning Glory, Mississippi to SoHo, New York. Rosemary Reynolds is reeling after the death of one of her oldest friends, Lacy Gutherie. Lacy left a gift for her three best friends, Rosemary, Jess & Eden that will take each on an adventure. Rosemary is first. She is the owner of Parsley and Sage, a fabric design store. Her cousin needs a house sitter for her apartment while traveling and Rosemary agrees. Traveling to New York is a new experience for her and needless to say the first day both exciting and a little frightening. She gets her directions all mixed up and ends up in little Italy where she meets the handsome Sal Genovese. There's instant attraction between Rosemary and Sal, but a long time family friend emerges to cause tension for them.
I enjoyed this romance. It's full of southern charm, humor, and romance. The pace is consistent.
This is a story I would recommend if you love romance.
* I received this book from the author via Netgalley for a honest opinion without bias or outside influence. All opinions or thoughts are my own.
I enjoyed this romance. It's full of southern charm, humor, and romance. The pace is consistent.
This is a story I would recommend if you love romance.
* I received this book from the author via Netgalley for a honest opinion without bias or outside influence. All opinions or thoughts are my own.
May 13, 2016
This is truly a wonderful book and one you don't want to miss! It's the first in a series as a group of young women from a small town in Mississippi honor the life of a dear friend who has passed away. Her wish for them is to live their lives to the fullest. Her sage advice is taken to heart in this book by Rosemary Reynolds. A woman who has lived a very sheltered life to say the least. She jumps at the chance to go to NY and apartment and cat sit for her cousin. While there she meets Sal Genovese. An amazing guy who shows her how much fun being a little bad can be. Sal is a man who has always tried to live up to family expectations but feels he has always come up a bit short. Now his family is pushing him into marrying a friend of the family but the only woman on his mind is Rosemary. As their relationship develops you can't help but root for them. Will the distance and family expectations be too much for them to overcome???
This is definitely one I recommend!
This is definitely one I recommend!
September 27, 2021
2.5 STARS
If not for the sex scenes, I'd call this an old-fashioned romance. It just had a weird vibe like it couldn't decide what it wanted to be.
Rosemary had a good sense of humor about being a "fish out of water" in NYC. I really hate the overbearing, interfering parents trope, so I liked that Rosemary grew a backbone and confronted her mom early on.
Sal was the opposite, so wishy-washy. "I'm 30, should I decide what I want to do with my life or just let my parents decide for me?" Ugh, who would be attracted to that? He didn't even have the guts to tell his longtime friend that he's not interested in dating her, and then he's surprised she's causing problems?
The ending was sweet, and Sal does show some growth (albeit off page), but it seemed pretty drastic. Only in fiction!
If not for the sex scenes, I'd call this an old-fashioned romance. It just had a weird vibe like it couldn't decide what it wanted to be.
Rosemary had a good sense of humor about being a "fish out of water" in NYC. I really hate the overbearing, interfering parents trope, so I liked that Rosemary grew a backbone and confronted her mom early on.
Sal was the opposite, so wishy-washy. "I'm 30, should I decide what I want to do with my life or just let my parents decide for me?" Ugh, who would be attracted to that? He didn't even have the guts to tell his longtime friend that he's not interested in dating her, and then he's surprised she's causing problems?
The ending was sweet, and Sal does show some growth (albeit off page), but it seemed pretty drastic. Only in fiction!
January 20, 2017
Great read
Loved this book. Started listening to it when I was getting all my steps in. Listening just lets me get distracted and I walk more. Then I had to keep listening in my car on the way home, then I just had to see what was going to happen so I read the rest!
Anyway....
the story made me laugh out loud, snort, get mad, yell at the characters, and shed happy tears. I just got so invested in the characters. They weren't perfect and I guess that made them more realistic. There wasn't over the top drama just real life problems and finding yourself. I can't wait to read/listen to the next one. Sexy times, great humor, real emotions, and love!!!
Loved this book. Started listening to it when I was getting all my steps in. Listening just lets me get distracted and I walk more. Then I had to keep listening in my car on the way home, then I just had to see what was going to happen so I read the rest!
Anyway....
the story made me laugh out loud, snort, get mad, yell at the characters, and shed happy tears. I just got so invested in the characters. They weren't perfect and I guess that made them more realistic. There wasn't over the top drama just real life problems and finding yourself. I can't wait to read/listen to the next one. Sexy times, great humor, real emotions, and love!!!
December 30, 2017
Sweet story of a small town Mississippi girl visiting NYC for the first time. She meets an Italian pizza maker and they fall for each other in what is supposed to be a two week fling. I enjoyed my time with these two "shouldn't fit but do" lovers. Great main characters and just the right amount of angst for a romance that shouldn't work in a million years. Side character of a totally over protective mother about drove me crazy before it was over with. Heroine was college educated and owned her own business, her mom needed to butt out! Sweet, but definitely an adult read.
May 16, 2016
Love this new series by Liz Talley. A must read! Great characters and story line. Can't wait for the other books in this series!
Read
March 11, 2018Great book
Good read, very interesting. I was hooked from the beginning. I was eager to read each page and chapter. Reading this book give you a sense of imagination leaving you longing to read the other books in the series
Good read, very interesting. I was hooked from the beginning. I was eager to read each page and chapter. Reading this book give you a sense of imagination leaving you longing to read the other books in the series
November 30, 2023
LOVED!!! 6/5. 💜
June 7, 2016
I absolutely adored this book, it was most definitely as charming as the title. This is my first Liz Talley book and I can't believe I haven't read one of her books before now.
The girls in the book, Rosemary, Eden and Jess, are from a Mississippi city called Morning Glory, and have just lost one of their friends Lacy (the book starts with her funeral). She left them a charm bracelet and a letter each telling them to live their lives and not regret anything and to add a charm each to the bracelet when they were ready, before passing the whole bracelet onto someone who was in need of it, with no hope left.
This book is about Rosemary, who owns a fabric shop in Morning Glory and is so smothered by her Mother that she tends to do everything for a quiet life. Until Lacy dies and leaves the letters encouraging them all to do more. So an opportunity arises for Rosemary to look after her cousin's loft in New York, cat-sitting, and she jumps at it, and into a wonderful adventure.
She bumps into Sal, whose family run an Italian restaurant, purely by chance on her first day in the city, and they just click and set off on a lovely adventure for the two weeks Rosemary is in New York, where she throws caution to the wind and just lives her life - even getting a tattoo!
Both Rosemary and Sal are smothered by their families who expect them to be/do certain things with their lives and it was like a little pocket of magical time away from all expectations - even though Rosemary's mother turned up in New York at one point as she didn't think Rosemary could be trusted to look after herself! Luckily Rosemary had enough spine by this time to pack her off home again, and the magical journey continued with carriage rides through Central Park and dancing on a rooftop terrace to Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett.
There were some great characters, like eccentric Gilda, one of Rosemary's neighbours who used to work for Karl Lagerfeld and whose gay son's partner, Trevor, has his own interiors show on TV about home style that Rosemary loves as she also designs pillows from remnants of thrift fabric.
There were a few hiccups towards the end, which were inevitable, but they were sorted out eventually. There was such a lovely feel good vibe to this whole book that I really didn't want it to end, it makes you believe anything can happen and may just be waiting for you around the next corner. It left me with a lovely warm feeling and a big smile on my face and I just can't wait for the next book in the series. This one has gone straight onto my favourite books list. Loved it!
The girls in the book, Rosemary, Eden and Jess, are from a Mississippi city called Morning Glory, and have just lost one of their friends Lacy (the book starts with her funeral). She left them a charm bracelet and a letter each telling them to live their lives and not regret anything and to add a charm each to the bracelet when they were ready, before passing the whole bracelet onto someone who was in need of it, with no hope left.
This book is about Rosemary, who owns a fabric shop in Morning Glory and is so smothered by her Mother that she tends to do everything for a quiet life. Until Lacy dies and leaves the letters encouraging them all to do more. So an opportunity arises for Rosemary to look after her cousin's loft in New York, cat-sitting, and she jumps at it, and into a wonderful adventure.
She bumps into Sal, whose family run an Italian restaurant, purely by chance on her first day in the city, and they just click and set off on a lovely adventure for the two weeks Rosemary is in New York, where she throws caution to the wind and just lives her life - even getting a tattoo!
Both Rosemary and Sal are smothered by their families who expect them to be/do certain things with their lives and it was like a little pocket of magical time away from all expectations - even though Rosemary's mother turned up in New York at one point as she didn't think Rosemary could be trusted to look after herself! Luckily Rosemary had enough spine by this time to pack her off home again, and the magical journey continued with carriage rides through Central Park and dancing on a rooftop terrace to Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett.
There were some great characters, like eccentric Gilda, one of Rosemary's neighbours who used to work for Karl Lagerfeld and whose gay son's partner, Trevor, has his own interiors show on TV about home style that Rosemary loves as she also designs pillows from remnants of thrift fabric.
There were a few hiccups towards the end, which were inevitable, but they were sorted out eventually. There was such a lovely feel good vibe to this whole book that I really didn't want it to end, it makes you believe anything can happen and may just be waiting for you around the next corner. It left me with a lovely warm feeling and a big smile on my face and I just can't wait for the next book in the series. This one has gone straight onto my favourite books list. Loved it!
May 28, 2016
It is not often I get charmed by a book before I even open it. But the cover of “Charmingly Yours” drew me quickly into the world of Mississippi smooth southern charm versus New York Italian street smarts! It begins with sadness - three young women deeply mourning the death of the fourth “BFF.” But Lacy Guthrie had a final favor to ask of her girls - they needed to go out into the world and make their dreams happen! So with that prodding, Rosemary Reynolds exits her comfort zone of Morning Glory and embarks on an adventure to NYC to “loft” sit for her out-of town cousin. She literally runs into Sal Genovese in Little Italy, where he is handing out flyers for his family’s restaurant. There’s a zing of attraction….and before you know it, the demure Rosemary and the beleaguered-by-his-large-Italian-family Sal are “courting”.......well, having a sexy, romantic affair in the big Apple. Lacy and her “magic” at work!
As someone who grew up in the shadows of Manhattan and have worked/visited/lived there, I totally got the Little Italy vibe, with the scent of garlic and tomato in the air, the cannolis in the windows of restaurants. I felt like the characters in Sal’s family were people that have wandered in and out of my life. The reader has the benefit of both Rosemary’s and Sal’s point of view. You get Rosemary’s sense of loss of her friend, and the “sameness” in her everyday life. Sal was both lost and “found;” Sal did know what he wanted for the future, but he just couldn’t seem to grab onto his life as his own so he could do what he needed to do. Add in a villain with the ironic name of Angelina, Sal’s stereotypical pushy Italian mother (they do exist!) and things seemed grim for our couple. But Sal found his way; I have seen many a character fall in love in a book, but I so enjoyed watching Sal grow in this story - grow in love with Rosemary, grow a backbone, grow in confidence in himself. And Rosemary spread her wings and took a chance on love, on adventure, on life.
This was the first Liz Talley book I ever read, but it is most certainly not my last. The writing had a wonderful flow, with realistic dialogue between the characters. If you are looking for the perfect contemporary romance to immerse yourself in, I highly recommend this book! I am eagerly awaiting the next story - it will be an auto-buy for me!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As someone who grew up in the shadows of Manhattan and have worked/visited/lived there, I totally got the Little Italy vibe, with the scent of garlic and tomato in the air, the cannolis in the windows of restaurants. I felt like the characters in Sal’s family were people that have wandered in and out of my life. The reader has the benefit of both Rosemary’s and Sal’s point of view. You get Rosemary’s sense of loss of her friend, and the “sameness” in her everyday life. Sal was both lost and “found;” Sal did know what he wanted for the future, but he just couldn’t seem to grab onto his life as his own so he could do what he needed to do. Add in a villain with the ironic name of Angelina, Sal’s stereotypical pushy Italian mother (they do exist!) and things seemed grim for our couple. But Sal found his way; I have seen many a character fall in love in a book, but I so enjoyed watching Sal grow in this story - grow in love with Rosemary, grow a backbone, grow in confidence in himself. And Rosemary spread her wings and took a chance on love, on adventure, on life.
This was the first Liz Talley book I ever read, but it is most certainly not my last. The writing had a wonderful flow, with realistic dialogue between the characters. If you are looking for the perfect contemporary romance to immerse yourself in, I highly recommend this book! I am eagerly awaiting the next story - it will be an auto-buy for me!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 27, 2017
Charmingly Yours by Liz Talley is extraordinary. A novel about a group of close friends that are attending a funeral for a friend they just lost. Their best friend has written them a letter before she died, giving them a task of things she wants them to do and also provides them the ways in order to get the items done. For each thing they accomplish, they must add a charm to their friend's charm bracelet. After each woman gets her individual letter, they read it alone. This tale then focuses on one of the remaining friends. Rosemary Reynolds. She is a super sweet, polite, and always the good girl. Her mother mostly tries to keep her daughter in a bubble wrap world where nothing that the mom likes can change or hurt her daughter.
However, Rosemary Reynolds is a much tougher and sassier lady then all give her credit for...she goes to New York to have a little fun and to let loose before heading back home to her southern town. While in New York, Rosemary happens to run into a super sexy, funny, and great man. A man who instantly finds himself hopelessly falling in love, with her. Both hang out and soon the sparks are flying everywhere. What started out as a new friendship...soon turns out to be much hotter and sexier than originally planned. Hearts are on the line. Sal lives in New York working at his parents' restaurant and Rosemary is only visiting for a short time...when the time comes will Sal choose Rosemary or will he choose to live a life his parents want for him? Charmingly Yours is by far the most amazing novel ever. I laughed and cried so hard. The friends are so close to one another that it's like I'm one of them the group. They instantly pull me into the journey and I loved every moment of it. Liz Talley is a superb writer. I think of the last time I felt such strong emotions at such an early point in any one novel until I read this one. It truly blew me away. Overall, I highly recommend this novel to readers worldwide, and I look forward to reading the second novel in this series.
However, Rosemary Reynolds is a much tougher and sassier lady then all give her credit for...she goes to New York to have a little fun and to let loose before heading back home to her southern town. While in New York, Rosemary happens to run into a super sexy, funny, and great man. A man who instantly finds himself hopelessly falling in love, with her. Both hang out and soon the sparks are flying everywhere. What started out as a new friendship...soon turns out to be much hotter and sexier than originally planned. Hearts are on the line. Sal lives in New York working at his parents' restaurant and Rosemary is only visiting for a short time...when the time comes will Sal choose Rosemary or will he choose to live a life his parents want for him? Charmingly Yours is by far the most amazing novel ever. I laughed and cried so hard. The friends are so close to one another that it's like I'm one of them the group. They instantly pull me into the journey and I loved every moment of it. Liz Talley is a superb writer. I think of the last time I felt such strong emotions at such an early point in any one novel until I read this one. It truly blew me away. Overall, I highly recommend this novel to readers worldwide, and I look forward to reading the second novel in this series.
June 1, 2016
3 charming stars
There's gotta be more to life
This is something we all ask ourselves at one point or another. Rosemary Reynolds is one such person. She has lived a pretty boring and sheltered life in her hometown of Morning Glory Mississippi. Stuck in a rut, it's only when her best friend dies of cancer that she gets a new perspective on life so when her cousin invites her over to New York to babysit her cats she leaps at the opportunity. In two weeks Rosemary learns to live fearlessly and love wholeheartedly in the big apple. We follow her journey of self-discovery alongside a charming Italian named Sal Genovese on what it means to really LIVE.
Sal
Rosemary
I'll admit I found it difficult to get into the book in the beginning (too many characters introduced in the first chapter confused me) but once I got into it I liked the story. Rosemary and Sal are from different worlds but have one thing in common, they're both looking for their purpose in life which made their love story unique. I liked their silly banter and I just wanted both of them to win. I liked this book for the most part but I was left wanting. An epilogue would've done wonders for this book (don't worry there is a HEA) I just wasn't impressed with the ending.
A nice sweet romance but I doubt if I'll read the following instalments in the series.
There's gotta be more to life
This is something we all ask ourselves at one point or another. Rosemary Reynolds is one such person. She has lived a pretty boring and sheltered life in her hometown of Morning Glory Mississippi. Stuck in a rut, it's only when her best friend dies of cancer that she gets a new perspective on life so when her cousin invites her over to New York to babysit her cats she leaps at the opportunity. In two weeks Rosemary learns to live fearlessly and love wholeheartedly in the big apple. We follow her journey of self-discovery alongside a charming Italian named Sal Genovese on what it means to really LIVE.
Sal
Rosemary
I'll admit I found it difficult to get into the book in the beginning (too many characters introduced in the first chapter confused me) but once I got into it I liked the story. Rosemary and Sal are from different worlds but have one thing in common, they're both looking for their purpose in life which made their love story unique. I liked their silly banter and I just wanted both of them to win. I liked this book for the most part but I was left wanting. An epilogue would've done wonders for this book (don't worry there is a HEA) I just wasn't impressed with the ending.
A nice sweet romance but I doubt if I'll read the following instalments in the series.
May 23, 2016
This book is high on feel-good loveliness as Rosemary heads up to New York in search of a new her. She’s a woman who has become stuck in a rut, overprotected by her family, coasting along in a happy enough life, but without taking risks or really living. Until her oldest friend dies and her focus shifts. It’s time to stop being who her family want her to be and start living her own life – which is why she agrees to cat-sit for her cousin in New York for two weeks.
Where she meets Sal, a man who is also stuck in a rut, slowly coasting towards the life his family want him to live, but which he’s not so sure about. Rosemary is everything he shouldn’t want, and yet the two of them together are wonderful. They’re both good people, nice characters and too busy trying to sort their lives out to look for love. Except they’re perfect together.
That’s the thing about this book, it’s pure enjoyment from start to finish. The characters are largely nice people, and even those who aren’t have good reasons for the way they are. The families are close-knit, they all have people who care about them, and even the mean decisions have reasons behind them. It’s easy and fun to read, with plenty of humour and so much warmth.
If you need a comforting read that will make you smile and generally leave you feeling good, then give this a try. There’s a bit of heat, plenty of character growth and and ending that will make you smile. I thought it was lovely and I look forward to reading the next one.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
Where she meets Sal, a man who is also stuck in a rut, slowly coasting towards the life his family want him to live, but which he’s not so sure about. Rosemary is everything he shouldn’t want, and yet the two of them together are wonderful. They’re both good people, nice characters and too busy trying to sort their lives out to look for love. Except they’re perfect together.
That’s the thing about this book, it’s pure enjoyment from start to finish. The characters are largely nice people, and even those who aren’t have good reasons for the way they are. The families are close-knit, they all have people who care about them, and even the mean decisions have reasons behind them. It’s easy and fun to read, with plenty of humour and so much warmth.
If you need a comforting read that will make you smile and generally leave you feeling good, then give this a try. There’s a bit of heat, plenty of character growth and and ending that will make you smile. I thought it was lovely and I look forward to reading the next one.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
May 24, 2016
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Where do I start? I loved this book! Right from the beginning the emotion grabs you and sucks you in. It's a little bittersweet in the beginning with the loss of a dear friend and her wish to make sure her friends really get out there and live a good life when hers was cut short. I loved Rosemary and Sal. They are so different from each other, but at the same time, they are very much alike trying to fulfill a preconceived duty to family no matter the cost. I loved that Lacy sort of takes the tough love approach with Rosemary through her letter and calls her out about compromising her true self for the comfort of others, namely her mother. Sometimes our friends really do know us better than we know ourselves. The secondary characters are so outrageous at times but so believable. This book made me cry happy and sad tears, but it also made me laugh. At times, it even had me talking to the characters with my own sage advice, and that, my friends, is the mark of a great book.
Where do I start? I loved this book! Right from the beginning the emotion grabs you and sucks you in. It's a little bittersweet in the beginning with the loss of a dear friend and her wish to make sure her friends really get out there and live a good life when hers was cut short. I loved Rosemary and Sal. They are so different from each other, but at the same time, they are very much alike trying to fulfill a preconceived duty to family no matter the cost. I loved that Lacy sort of takes the tough love approach with Rosemary through her letter and calls her out about compromising her true self for the comfort of others, namely her mother. Sometimes our friends really do know us better than we know ourselves. The secondary characters are so outrageous at times but so believable. This book made me cry happy and sad tears, but it also made me laugh. At times, it even had me talking to the characters with my own sage advice, and that, my friends, is the mark of a great book.
February 7, 2016
I received an Arc for a honest review
Rosemary lived in Morning Glory Mississippi her whole life. When one of her friends from her group of girls passes away she leaves a bracelet and Rosemary gets it first. She decides to take a trip to NY by herself
Sal is an NY native he works in his family restaurant and they have his life planned out for him, he is a rebel though and wants to go his own way.
When Rosemary gets to NY, much to her Mother's disproval, she barrels right into Sal. This will change their lives for two weeks. Her experience becomes more than sight seeing, and the help she gets from her cousins neighbor put her business into another level. She lives up to her friends wishes for two weeks and it is an experience she will never forget.
With beach season coming this should be on our summer list It was a great story and had substance in my eyes it is a good read for everyone.
Rosemary lived in Morning Glory Mississippi her whole life. When one of her friends from her group of girls passes away she leaves a bracelet and Rosemary gets it first. She decides to take a trip to NY by herself
Sal is an NY native he works in his family restaurant and they have his life planned out for him, he is a rebel though and wants to go his own way.
When Rosemary gets to NY, much to her Mother's disproval, she barrels right into Sal. This will change their lives for two weeks. Her experience becomes more than sight seeing, and the help she gets from her cousins neighbor put her business into another level. She lives up to her friends wishes for two weeks and it is an experience she will never forget.
With beach season coming this should be on our summer list It was a great story and had substance in my eyes it is a good read for everyone.
May 31, 2016
Pure Enjoyment
CHARMINGLY YOURS is a refreshing, contemporary romance which held my interest from beginning to end. I was drawn to both Sal and Rosemary seeing many resemblances to my own life's journey. Their struggles were real, believable and very emotional. No one rooted harder for them than I!
CHARMINGLY YOURS is the first Liz Talley book I have read, and I am very impressed with her writing and her magnificent characters. I look forward to reading her past and future books, especially PERFECTLY CHARMING, book 2 in the Morning Glory series!
The premise of the story is
CHARMINGLY YOURS is a refreshing, contemporary romance which held my interest from beginning to end. I was drawn to both Sal and Rosemary seeing many resemblances to my own life's journey. Their struggles were real, believable and very emotional. No one rooted harder for them than I!
CHARMINGLY YOURS is the first Liz Talley book I have read, and I am very impressed with her writing and her magnificent characters. I look forward to reading her past and future books, especially PERFECTLY CHARMING, book 2 in the Morning Glory series!
The premise of the story is
April 3, 2016
I couldn't put this book down once I started it. I had to know what what going to happen to Rosemary & Sal. You will go through all kinds of emotions with this story. I laughed and I cried because I was moved by this story. I love the Southern Belle and the Italian New Yorker who are meant to be together. I wanted to punch Angelina and I wanted Rosemary's mother to cut the umbilical cord. Now I can't wait until the fall to read the second book in the series. Thank you Liz Talley for the ending and Kim Law for pointing me in the direction of another amazing book.
March 13, 2016
This book was refreshing and fun and I loved it!
Rosemary is a southern sweetie who has lead a sheltered life in the small town of Morning Glory, Mississippi. When her best friend passes away she leaves behind a gift that takes Rosemary on the adventure of her lifetime.. against her mother's wishes of course!
The story line was believable and funny, the characters were interesting and fun. I especially liked Grandma Sophie, she is a hoot!
Rosemary is a southern sweetie who has lead a sheltered life in the small town of Morning Glory, Mississippi. When her best friend passes away she leaves behind a gift that takes Rosemary on the adventure of her lifetime.. against her mother's wishes of course!
The story line was believable and funny, the characters were interesting and fun. I especially liked Grandma Sophie, she is a hoot!
June 1, 2016
Charmingly Yours was an awesome book. It was a sweet and wonderful book to read. I felt a lot of different feelings while reading this. Rosemary, a southern belle and Sal, a Italian New Yorker are meant to be together!
Charmingly yours was recommended to me by Kim Law and I truly enjoyed it. I am looking forward to the next book in the series!
Charmingly yours was recommended to me by Kim Law and I truly enjoyed it. I am looking forward to the next book in the series!
August 4, 2016
I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaways winner. This is one of those cutesy romance books with lots of corny-ish banter back and forth. Nothing too deep and serious, just on-the-surface flirting. I actually didn't read this book all the way through (I skimmed) because it was really annoying. The premise is good, but it's just too light and fluffy for me.
June 20, 2016
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway! It was a very cute, quick read, albeit predictable. Perfect for a summer day. I liked the main character Rosemary and would like to read the rest of this Morning Glory series when it comes out. Sweet romance story.
April 15, 2016
This was such an enjoyable read. Full review to follow!
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