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Dating Maggie
With her 25th birthday looming, Maggie Jennings makes herself a promise… She will get a boyfriend and an acting gig within the year or break-up with Tinsel Town for good! She has a cool job as a movie studio guide, and Botoxed blondes and traffic jams have even started to grow on her. She’s using a new dating app and has a dating vlog—but she yearns for more. Cliff Kincade is in L.A. for a wedding, but he’d much rather be back home at his Oregon ranch… Still stinging from a divorce, he’s gun-shy about women. But when he meets a cute, curvy tour guide, he’s surprised by the chemistry between them. His ranch keeps him in Oregon, though, and Maggie’s Hollywood dreams keep her in L.A., a situation that can’t possibly work. Proximity isn’t a guarantee a relationship will succeed—and distance isn’t a guarantee it won’t… Maggie and Cliff search for happiness in the arms of others, but fate has other ideas. She can’t stop thinking about the rugged rancher, and when her life takes an unexpected turn, sending her back to her hometown of Portland, she’s forced to make some serious choices. Maggie and Cliff both have dreams—and dreams are a wonderful thing—but what if they’re hoping for the wrong things, and love is waiting in the one place they’d never expect?
- GenresRomance
226 pages, Paperback
First published October 27, 2015
39 people are currently reading
501 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Greenway
17 books43 followersMy great passions have always included reading and writing. When not engaged in one of those past times, I enjoy baking, walks and time spent with friends and family.
As a kid I have a vague recollection of creating “magazines” with a pencil and ruled notebook paper. I made family members buy copies for a quarter. I’ve been writing a variety of things since then: marketing copy, plays, short films and online content.
Virginia Woolf would be proud that I’m now able to write-in a room of my own-under the clouds of the Pacific Northwest. Sometimes my husband and son pop in to check on me.
My debut novel will be published soon by Limitless Publishing.
As a kid I have a vague recollection of creating “magazines” with a pencil and ruled notebook paper. I made family members buy copies for a quarter. I’ve been writing a variety of things since then: marketing copy, plays, short films and online content.
Virginia Woolf would be proud that I’m now able to write-in a room of my own-under the clouds of the Pacific Northwest. Sometimes my husband and son pop in to check on me.
My debut novel will be published soon by Limitless Publishing.
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October 27, 2015
Finding love in LA – a hope, a dream or a challenge?
Maggie Jennings was about to find out.
Desperately trying to catch a break Maggie sets herself a tough challenge – find a man and a finally get the elusive acting break in twelve months or head home.
Now one of the two I would have settled for but she was determined and I give her ten out of ten of effort and enthusiasm.
So despite having a job that many would give their right arm for she is beginning to feel like she is treading water.
I thought Maggie was a great character, she helped to provide what I think was a fairly realistic look at life in LA, at fly on the wall look, so to speak on what it feels like to be trying to cut a break in Tinsel town.
Getting a job is something she can keep plugging away at but she goes all out to find her man and she makes a positive start when she turns to technology – everything has an app after all!!
Modern technology makes no difference to Cliff Kincade, he is out of his depth in LA – he doesn’t really want to be there, if it wasn’t for the fact that his presence is required at a wedding, he would still be at home on his ranch.
Trying to cut loose a little, he takes himself off to have a tour around the movie studios and it is there that he meets Maggie. Now Cliff isn’t interested in jumping back on the relationship bandwagon – recently divorced he has had his fingers burnt once on that front – the thought of another dalliance is the furthest thing from his mind, but he can’t help but be a little enamoured by the lovey Maggie.
With commitments destined to keep them apart, they take a bit of leap of faith and make a connection but it is short lived, because life sticks its oar in and they are faced with some tough decisions, or perhaps I should say that Maggie is faced with a tough choice.
Can she move on from her time with Cliff or has this rugged cowboy managed to leave his mark?
I loved the connection between the two of them. Their relationship was honest, it was engaging and it made me both smile and cry.
A well written and clever twist on the fixation with making it big in LA – sometimes accepting that what you want and what you need are two entirely different things is not as easy as you would think.
Maggie Jennings was about to find out.
Desperately trying to catch a break Maggie sets herself a tough challenge – find a man and a finally get the elusive acting break in twelve months or head home.
Now one of the two I would have settled for but she was determined and I give her ten out of ten of effort and enthusiasm.
So despite having a job that many would give their right arm for she is beginning to feel like she is treading water.
I thought Maggie was a great character, she helped to provide what I think was a fairly realistic look at life in LA, at fly on the wall look, so to speak on what it feels like to be trying to cut a break in Tinsel town.
Getting a job is something she can keep plugging away at but she goes all out to find her man and she makes a positive start when she turns to technology – everything has an app after all!!
Modern technology makes no difference to Cliff Kincade, he is out of his depth in LA – he doesn’t really want to be there, if it wasn’t for the fact that his presence is required at a wedding, he would still be at home on his ranch.
Trying to cut loose a little, he takes himself off to have a tour around the movie studios and it is there that he meets Maggie. Now Cliff isn’t interested in jumping back on the relationship bandwagon – recently divorced he has had his fingers burnt once on that front – the thought of another dalliance is the furthest thing from his mind, but he can’t help but be a little enamoured by the lovey Maggie.
With commitments destined to keep them apart, they take a bit of leap of faith and make a connection but it is short lived, because life sticks its oar in and they are faced with some tough decisions, or perhaps I should say that Maggie is faced with a tough choice.
Can she move on from her time with Cliff or has this rugged cowboy managed to leave his mark?
I loved the connection between the two of them. Their relationship was honest, it was engaging and it made me both smile and cry.
A well written and clever twist on the fixation with making it big in LA – sometimes accepting that what you want and what you need are two entirely different things is not as easy as you would think.
October 31, 2015
‘I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.’ Thomas A. Edison
Minor spoilers alert!!!
I liked so much about this debut novel starting with the opening chapter quotes from mostly famous people that I’d heard of like Jane Austen and a few by people who were unknown to me. I also identified with Maggie’s dating dilemma and her LA entertainment career plight. The humorous tone straight out of the gate was excellent as well as the realism all throughout the story. I jumped into Maggie’s skin wholeheartedly.
It was also very easy to sympathize with Cliff who’d married young to a woman who just didn’t envision the same future as he had. Luckily, Cliff and his ex-wife called it quits early enough before either became bitter. I liked the serendipity of how aspiring actress Maggie and rancher Cliff, who was in Los Angeles for a friend’s wedding, met on a film studio tour that she gave. From there, their story kept me thoroughly entertained and intrigued as to how they could make an opposites attract and a potentially long distance relationship something more than a simple fantasy. And although Maggie didn’t do tons of video diaries, I really enjoyed each one. Her last vblog was great and truly encouraging for those of us still trying to keep our hope alive;
I will, Maggie. I will. And I look forward to reading another novel by this promising new author someday.
Minor spoilers alert!!!
I liked so much about this debut novel starting with the opening chapter quotes from mostly famous people that I’d heard of like Jane Austen and a few by people who were unknown to me. I also identified with Maggie’s dating dilemma and her LA entertainment career plight. The humorous tone straight out of the gate was excellent as well as the realism all throughout the story. I jumped into Maggie’s skin wholeheartedly.
It was also very easy to sympathize with Cliff who’d married young to a woman who just didn’t envision the same future as he had. Luckily, Cliff and his ex-wife called it quits early enough before either became bitter. I liked the serendipity of how aspiring actress Maggie and rancher Cliff, who was in Los Angeles for a friend’s wedding, met on a film studio tour that she gave. From there, their story kept me thoroughly entertained and intrigued as to how they could make an opposites attract and a potentially long distance relationship something more than a simple fantasy. And although Maggie didn’t do tons of video diaries, I really enjoyed each one. Her last vblog was great and truly encouraging for those of us still trying to keep our hope alive;
The whole thing was like a fairy tale or the end of a reality dating show. As you know, I’ve had my fair share of disappointing dates. Thanks for sharing in my journey. I’ve loved reading your comments about your dating trials and triumphs. What I learned was that never giving up and never losing hope was key.
I’m so in love and I wish that for all of you too. Keep getting out there.
I will, Maggie. I will. And I look forward to reading another novel by this promising new author someday.
November 4, 2015
The dating world can be difficult and challenging, as Maggie knows all too well.
Maggie is a charismatic young woman looking for success in an acting career. As the novel suggests, this novel follows her trials and tribulations in the dating world. Her love life is full of interesting situations and swift entrances/exits of men. However, when she meets Cliff, something tells Maggie things are about to change, even though she can't admit it right away.
I loved how Maggie was easy to relate to. As a twenty-something, I found it easy to connect to her quirks, her trials in love, and her desire to achieve her dreams. I found Maggie to be a very likable character. I also liked the modern connections to dating. Maggie makes videos about her dating life, which I found to be interesting. Cliff, of course, is a very charismatic, appealing man. I liked his "cowboy" edge; I think the author did a good job at not overdoing it. Cliff strikes the perfect, sexy balance between cowboy and modern stud.
My only criticism is that at times, the book moved too fast. There were some scenes I wish were a bit longer. I felt like the book moved too swiftly at points. I also felt like I wanted a little more depth in the dialogue at points. I would have actually liked for the book to be a bit longer so I could see more of the interactions between the characters at times.
Overall, though, I think this is a lovely read that twenty-somethings will see themselves in. This is a book about the modern woman and her struggles with love, work, and the trials of daily life. Dating Maggie is a quick, relaxing read that will make you smile and make you say, "Yes, I can relate to that!"
M. J. Greenway, in short, captures the true essence of living in the modern, upbeat world and finding love to quench one's desperate desires.
***ARC received in exchange for an honest review****
Maggie is a charismatic young woman looking for success in an acting career. As the novel suggests, this novel follows her trials and tribulations in the dating world. Her love life is full of interesting situations and swift entrances/exits of men. However, when she meets Cliff, something tells Maggie things are about to change, even though she can't admit it right away.
I loved how Maggie was easy to relate to. As a twenty-something, I found it easy to connect to her quirks, her trials in love, and her desire to achieve her dreams. I found Maggie to be a very likable character. I also liked the modern connections to dating. Maggie makes videos about her dating life, which I found to be interesting. Cliff, of course, is a very charismatic, appealing man. I liked his "cowboy" edge; I think the author did a good job at not overdoing it. Cliff strikes the perfect, sexy balance between cowboy and modern stud.
My only criticism is that at times, the book moved too fast. There were some scenes I wish were a bit longer. I felt like the book moved too swiftly at points. I also felt like I wanted a little more depth in the dialogue at points. I would have actually liked for the book to be a bit longer so I could see more of the interactions between the characters at times.
Overall, though, I think this is a lovely read that twenty-somethings will see themselves in. This is a book about the modern woman and her struggles with love, work, and the trials of daily life. Dating Maggie is a quick, relaxing read that will make you smile and make you say, "Yes, I can relate to that!"
M. J. Greenway, in short, captures the true essence of living in the modern, upbeat world and finding love to quench one's desperate desires.
***ARC received in exchange for an honest review****
November 19, 2015
Journey to Cherish
The life and times of Maggie Jennings! Oh, the woes of the modern dating world.
Maggie is a twenty five year old girl trying to find the perfect man and break into acting at the same time.
I think she is a glutton for punishment. How much pressure can one woman take? Constant audition rejections and then all those on-line date fiasco's – WOW!
As her hope diminishes, she gives up on one of her dreams, but which one is it?
Author M.J. Greenway has written a believable story of life and love in L.A.
This fast paced tale has all the makings a new age contemporary romance novel needs; charismatic characters, conceivable plots and a meaningful ending.
Stephanie Lasley, from The Kindle Book Review
The Kindle Book Review received a free copy of this book for an independent, fair, and honest review. We are not associated with the author or Amazon.
The life and times of Maggie Jennings! Oh, the woes of the modern dating world.
Maggie is a twenty five year old girl trying to find the perfect man and break into acting at the same time.
I think she is a glutton for punishment. How much pressure can one woman take? Constant audition rejections and then all those on-line date fiasco's – WOW!
As her hope diminishes, she gives up on one of her dreams, but which one is it?
Author M.J. Greenway has written a believable story of life and love in L.A.
This fast paced tale has all the makings a new age contemporary romance novel needs; charismatic characters, conceivable plots and a meaningful ending.
Stephanie Lasley, from The Kindle Book Review
The Kindle Book Review received a free copy of this book for an independent, fair, and honest review. We are not associated with the author or Amazon.
November 25, 2015
Poor Maggie - she just can't catch a break! From the moment her car won't start, to the string of unreliable jobs and even more unreliable dates! Everything that could possibly go wrong in someone's love life, happens to Maggie, including a date ending up in a coma!
But you don't need to feel sorry for her. She has this uncanny knack of being able to pick herself up and dust herself off regardless of the troubles surrounding her. The best hit for me though was, even though she wanted a boyfriend and kept putting herself out there, Maggie wasn't once defined by the men who came and went in her life.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Maggie's dramas because if for nothing else, made real life seem that little bit better. The perfect chick lit for an uninterrupted Sunday afternoon with a cup of tea read!
But you don't need to feel sorry for her. She has this uncanny knack of being able to pick herself up and dust herself off regardless of the troubles surrounding her. The best hit for me though was, even though she wanted a boyfriend and kept putting herself out there, Maggie wasn't once defined by the men who came and went in her life.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Maggie's dramas because if for nothing else, made real life seem that little bit better. The perfect chick lit for an uninterrupted Sunday afternoon with a cup of tea read!
November 25, 2015
Well I managed to complete this book despite struggling with it pretty much from the start. How I wish I hadn't bothered, it was terrible, the characters were dire and I felt nothing for them. The writing style was hideous, very juvenile, it was like reading a teenagers diary, cringeworthy. This is one of the worst books I've read lately and my first by this author, needless to say I will not be reading them again. I wouldn't recommend it at all.
May 30, 2016
Love this story
This was a cute story about Maggie's adventures in dating and trying to be an actress. She moved from Portland to Los Angeles to do the acting thing along the way she does a video diary of dating. It is funny. She meets Cliff while working in Los Angeles but he is from Portland. Things get crazy and they both have adventures along the way but things in the end change both of their lives. Love this book. Cute story.
This was a cute story about Maggie's adventures in dating and trying to be an actress. She moved from Portland to Los Angeles to do the acting thing along the way she does a video diary of dating. It is funny. She meets Cliff while working in Los Angeles but he is from Portland. Things get crazy and they both have adventures along the way but things in the end change both of their lives. Love this book. Cute story.
December 28, 2015
Maggie swears by her 25th birthday that she will have a man. She meets Cliff and they hit it off but their lives are in different states. Will they be able to make it work or will they move on with their lives?
I received a copy of the book for my honest review and I loved this book. It's a great romance book
I received a copy of the book for my honest review and I loved this book. It's a great romance book
June 4, 2016
S
Pretty good for light reading. More for younger readers. Enjoyed it anyway. Liked the central character. Farm setting was nice.
Pretty good for light reading. More for younger readers. Enjoyed it anyway. Liked the central character. Farm setting was nice.
November 4, 2015
3.5*. Review to come
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews