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Making Buttons
High school sweethearts, Charlie and Jo Marie, are in love. But when Charlie walks away from Jo Marie, seemingly inexplicably, she struggles to understand how things could have changed so quickly. She holds out hope that he will come to his senses and return, but when he doesn't, she moves on, albeit reluctantly.
Years pass, and Jo finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage and faced with a decision that challenges her values to the very core. Feeling lonely and afraid, she makes the only choice she knows she can live with, which isn't accepted by everyone in her life- namely, her husband, with whom she can't seem to find any common ground.
Angered by her decision, her husband gives her an ultimatum. Jo knows in her heart she can't do the only thing that would make him happy, so she tries to "fix" the situation, as best she can. She fabricates a story and posts her lie on her social media page. Unbeknownst to Jo, this sets off a firestorm of challenges, and the first one is a doozy....
She has to figure out how to explain to a recently returned Charlie Anderson why she named him as the father of her baby.
Making Buttons is a full-length, stand-alone novel, filled with all the angst, laughs, frustration, and satisfaction you expect from a heartfelt contemporary romance.
***Warning: This book is recommended for readers over the age of 18***
It contains strong language and sexual content.
Years pass, and Jo finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage and faced with a decision that challenges her values to the very core. Feeling lonely and afraid, she makes the only choice she knows she can live with, which isn't accepted by everyone in her life- namely, her husband, with whom she can't seem to find any common ground.
Angered by her decision, her husband gives her an ultimatum. Jo knows in her heart she can't do the only thing that would make him happy, so she tries to "fix" the situation, as best she can. She fabricates a story and posts her lie on her social media page. Unbeknownst to Jo, this sets off a firestorm of challenges, and the first one is a doozy....
She has to figure out how to explain to a recently returned Charlie Anderson why she named him as the father of her baby.
Making Buttons is a full-length, stand-alone novel, filled with all the angst, laughs, frustration, and satisfaction you expect from a heartfelt contemporary romance.
***Warning: This book is recommended for readers over the age of 18***
It contains strong language and sexual content.
565 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2016
11 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Amelia Arbek
3 books7 followersBorn and raised in the Garden State, Amelia can be found tapping away at her keyboard every chance she gets, (which basically means after midnight.)
Due to the busy and chaotic life she leads, her main source of sustenance tends to be coffee, with espresso coming in at a close second.
Jacked up on caffeine and chocolate-vegan-scones from Whole Foods, her goal is to take her readers on a character driven, heartfelt, and deliciously sweet ride.
:)
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
Due to the busy and chaotic life she leads, her main source of sustenance tends to be coffee, with espresso coming in at a close second.
Jacked up on caffeine and chocolate-vegan-scones from Whole Foods, her goal is to take her readers on a character driven, heartfelt, and deliciously sweet ride.
:)
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 4, 2016
Book – Making Buttons
Author – Amelia Arbek
Series – None
Cliffhanger? - No
Publication Date – November 11, 2016
Genre – Contemporary Romance
Type – Stand-Alone
Rating – 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Complimentary copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
My Thoughts - Story
There is nothing I love more than a great second chance romance and “Making Buttons” has all of the ingredients to make my heart flutter.
Jo Marie and Charlie’s characters were so well written that I fell into this story with my whole heart and couldn’t wait to turn the page to see what would happen next to this couple.
Just when you think things are going to work out with them…another problem arises to be worked out.
I will have to say though that I honestly started to hate some of Jo Marie’s family for how negative and closed minded they were to the problems she had with Oren (her ex husband). There were so many jerks in this book, especially to Jo Marie, that I just wanted to take her and give her a hug for strength.
Oh, and yes, there was a time that I really thought Charlie was the biggest jerk for what he did to Jo Marie and thought there wasn’t any excuse to how long he waited…but as the story goes on, he does redeem himself in my eyes.
Re-Cap
Jo Marie and Charlie were in a relationship in high school until Charlie takes off and breaks Jo’s heart.
Years go on and Jo Marie ends up getting married but finds herself in a bad relationship, pregnant and decides to leave her husband and go home.
Little does she know is that Charlie for the first time in many years returns home to start his life.
The story revolves around these two while they fight to make things right again.
Reason for Reading – Author Request/Blog Tour
Story – 5 out of 5 Stars
Steam – 4 out of 5 Stars
Angst – 5 out of 5 Stars
Writing – 4 out of 5 Stars
Content Flow – 4 out of 5 Stars
Would Read More from Author? ALWAYS
Recommend To – Readers who love stories on second chances with a bunch of angst
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
Author – Amelia Arbek
Series – None
Cliffhanger? - No
Publication Date – November 11, 2016
Genre – Contemporary Romance
Type – Stand-Alone
Rating – 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Complimentary copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
My Thoughts - Story
There is nothing I love more than a great second chance romance and “Making Buttons” has all of the ingredients to make my heart flutter.
Jo Marie and Charlie’s characters were so well written that I fell into this story with my whole heart and couldn’t wait to turn the page to see what would happen next to this couple.
Just when you think things are going to work out with them…another problem arises to be worked out.
I will have to say though that I honestly started to hate some of Jo Marie’s family for how negative and closed minded they were to the problems she had with Oren (her ex husband). There were so many jerks in this book, especially to Jo Marie, that I just wanted to take her and give her a hug for strength.
Oh, and yes, there was a time that I really thought Charlie was the biggest jerk for what he did to Jo Marie and thought there wasn’t any excuse to how long he waited…but as the story goes on, he does redeem himself in my eyes.
Re-Cap
Jo Marie and Charlie were in a relationship in high school until Charlie takes off and breaks Jo’s heart.
Years go on and Jo Marie ends up getting married but finds herself in a bad relationship, pregnant and decides to leave her husband and go home.
Little does she know is that Charlie for the first time in many years returns home to start his life.
The story revolves around these two while they fight to make things right again.
Reason for Reading – Author Request/Blog Tour
Story – 5 out of 5 Stars
Steam – 4 out of 5 Stars
Angst – 5 out of 5 Stars
Writing – 4 out of 5 Stars
Content Flow – 4 out of 5 Stars
Would Read More from Author? ALWAYS
Recommend To – Readers who love stories on second chances with a bunch of angst
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
November 8, 2016
4.5 Stars
Jane
Making Buttons by Amelia Arbek was a great surprise! It has a bit of everything including a refreshing plot and great writing style. And as I found out, “Making Buttons” is the term used when worrying yourself sick basically!
The only downside is this was a very long book which could probably have been cut to half if the descriptive text wasn’t so excessive. I really struggled in parts and found myself skipping pages which I never do.
What happens when your first true love, the love of your life, the one you planned your future with, ups and leaves you without an explanation or a second glance back?
That’s what happened to poor Jo-Marie when Charlie, Jo-Marie’s high school sweetheart, her one true love up and left never to be seen or heard from again, when only the day before he was professing his undying love and telling her how she would always be his no matter what
Struggling to come to terms with the fact that Charlie left and finally realising he wasn’t coming back when he didn’t show up for her graduation, she spent the next few years moving through the motions of life, attending college to get her teachers degree, getting a job at a local school and occasionally hanging out with her best friend. She went on a few dates but nothing ever eventuated…Charlie had stolen her heart and in the process, left her broken.
That was until Oren a guy who she met in college and dated briefly pursued Jo-Marie until she finally gave in. After dating for a couple of years, Oren proposed and even though Jo-Marie never felt the same way about Oren as she did Charlie, she decided to take a leap of faith and said YES!T
The past few months she noticed Oren had been acting differently and seemed to be distant and cold toward her. Being Jo-Marie was Italian, and having been brought up in the traditional sense, Jo-Marie stuck it out and tried her best to make the marriage work. When Jo-Marie announced to Oren she was pregnant he lost his mind and told her she was to consider an abortion, as he didn’t want a child, it wasn’t in the plan! Leaving her husband she went back to her childhood home, much to the disappointment of her family and announced to her friends and family she was pregnant to her ex! Although she didn’t name names, everyone knew Jo-Marie only ever had one previous relationship before her marriage, but let them wonder, it wasn’t like Charlie would ever know what she wrote anyway?
After turning his back on Jo-Marie 8 years earlier, Charlie had lived every single day regretting his decision and torturing himself over the loss of the love of his life. He had returned to his home town on occasion where he would secretly follow Jo-Marie just so he could get his fill of her.
Now back home for good after doing 8 years of service and getting a qualification which would see him be able to start his own business and not be the guy with no future he was destined for and everyone presumed he would be, he found himself being congratulated on the expectant arrival of his child by passer-by’s as he walked down the main street…what is going on?
Although you can probably guess what is going to happen, Arbek threw in lots of twists and turns which made this book a game changer, catching me off-guard and being anything but predictable. With all the goings-on and antics between Jo-Marie and her siblings, including Gaetano, Jo’s older, very protective brother who was pretty broody to say the least and who probably deserves his own story at some stage, and her mother Lina…so traditional in the way she raises the kids, strict and no-nonsense, but nothing but unconditional love for her children nether less, had me laughing out loud.
The love story between Charlie and Jo-Marie is exactly that…true love, devotion, heartbreak and eventually happiness, but it’s what’s in-between that makes this book a winner!! If you can bear the excess script, this story will have you heart and soul <3
Jane
Making Buttons by Amelia Arbek was a great surprise! It has a bit of everything including a refreshing plot and great writing style. And as I found out, “Making Buttons” is the term used when worrying yourself sick basically!
The only downside is this was a very long book which could probably have been cut to half if the descriptive text wasn’t so excessive. I really struggled in parts and found myself skipping pages which I never do.
What happens when your first true love, the love of your life, the one you planned your future with, ups and leaves you without an explanation or a second glance back?
That’s what happened to poor Jo-Marie when Charlie, Jo-Marie’s high school sweetheart, her one true love up and left never to be seen or heard from again, when only the day before he was professing his undying love and telling her how she would always be his no matter what
Struggling to come to terms with the fact that Charlie left and finally realising he wasn’t coming back when he didn’t show up for her graduation, she spent the next few years moving through the motions of life, attending college to get her teachers degree, getting a job at a local school and occasionally hanging out with her best friend. She went on a few dates but nothing ever eventuated…Charlie had stolen her heart and in the process, left her broken.
That was until Oren a guy who she met in college and dated briefly pursued Jo-Marie until she finally gave in. After dating for a couple of years, Oren proposed and even though Jo-Marie never felt the same way about Oren as she did Charlie, she decided to take a leap of faith and said YES!T
The past few months she noticed Oren had been acting differently and seemed to be distant and cold toward her. Being Jo-Marie was Italian, and having been brought up in the traditional sense, Jo-Marie stuck it out and tried her best to make the marriage work. When Jo-Marie announced to Oren she was pregnant he lost his mind and told her she was to consider an abortion, as he didn’t want a child, it wasn’t in the plan! Leaving her husband she went back to her childhood home, much to the disappointment of her family and announced to her friends and family she was pregnant to her ex! Although she didn’t name names, everyone knew Jo-Marie only ever had one previous relationship before her marriage, but let them wonder, it wasn’t like Charlie would ever know what she wrote anyway?
After turning his back on Jo-Marie 8 years earlier, Charlie had lived every single day regretting his decision and torturing himself over the loss of the love of his life. He had returned to his home town on occasion where he would secretly follow Jo-Marie just so he could get his fill of her.
Now back home for good after doing 8 years of service and getting a qualification which would see him be able to start his own business and not be the guy with no future he was destined for and everyone presumed he would be, he found himself being congratulated on the expectant arrival of his child by passer-by’s as he walked down the main street…what is going on?
Although you can probably guess what is going to happen, Arbek threw in lots of twists and turns which made this book a game changer, catching me off-guard and being anything but predictable. With all the goings-on and antics between Jo-Marie and her siblings, including Gaetano, Jo’s older, very protective brother who was pretty broody to say the least and who probably deserves his own story at some stage, and her mother Lina…so traditional in the way she raises the kids, strict and no-nonsense, but nothing but unconditional love for her children nether less, had me laughing out loud.
The love story between Charlie and Jo-Marie is exactly that…true love, devotion, heartbreak and eventually happiness, but it’s what’s in-between that makes this book a winner!! If you can bear the excess script, this story will have you heart and soul <3
October 31, 2016
4 star review
Reviewed on behalf of 2 girls who love books blog.
I really enjoyed Making Buttons by Ameila Arbek. It was full of emotion, had a great storyline and some really great characters. I have to admit when I first started the book and read the note from the author about some of the content I almost didn’t read on for personal reasons but I am so glad I did. The title of the book ‘Making Buttons’ is referred to quite a few times and it takes quite a while before you actually understand what it means but once you do it makes you think. I’m pretty sure I make buttons myself!
The story is about Josephina (Jo Marie) and Charlie who were childhood sweethearts until one day Charlie left Josephine broken-hearted. They see each other again 8 years later but for Jo Marie especially so much has changed in those 8 years.
I loved Jo Marie, I thought that she was such a lovely person and I can only imagine how she felt when she had to make such an important life changing decision and by herself. I admired her for
standing her ground even if it meant other things had to go in her life.
I think it was pretty clear from the moment that Jo Marie and Charlie saw each other again that their love had never gone away and even the 8 years apart had not dampened the chemistry that was between them.
I thought Charlie was a great character, he honestly loved Jo Marie with all his heart and he did think he was doing the right thing by leaving her when he did. With everything that he does in the story it’s blatantly clear that it’s done with her happiness at the forefront of his mind. A real genuine person and I loved him!
This is the first book that I have read by this author and I was totally blown away by the story and how beautifully it was written. I was hooked from the very beginning and I couldn’t put it down. I would definitely recommend this book
Reviewed on behalf of 2 girls who love books blog.
I really enjoyed Making Buttons by Ameila Arbek. It was full of emotion, had a great storyline and some really great characters. I have to admit when I first started the book and read the note from the author about some of the content I almost didn’t read on for personal reasons but I am so glad I did. The title of the book ‘Making Buttons’ is referred to quite a few times and it takes quite a while before you actually understand what it means but once you do it makes you think. I’m pretty sure I make buttons myself!
The story is about Josephina (Jo Marie) and Charlie who were childhood sweethearts until one day Charlie left Josephine broken-hearted. They see each other again 8 years later but for Jo Marie especially so much has changed in those 8 years.
I loved Jo Marie, I thought that she was such a lovely person and I can only imagine how she felt when she had to make such an important life changing decision and by herself. I admired her for
standing her ground even if it meant other things had to go in her life.
I think it was pretty clear from the moment that Jo Marie and Charlie saw each other again that their love had never gone away and even the 8 years apart had not dampened the chemistry that was between them.
I thought Charlie was a great character, he honestly loved Jo Marie with all his heart and he did think he was doing the right thing by leaving her when he did. With everything that he does in the story it’s blatantly clear that it’s done with her happiness at the forefront of his mind. A real genuine person and I loved him!
This is the first book that I have read by this author and I was totally blown away by the story and how beautifully it was written. I was hooked from the very beginning and I couldn’t put it down. I would definitely recommend this book
November 5, 2016
ARC Review on behalf of the Emergency Book Blog..
Making Buttons is a sweet second chance romance; Charlie and Jo are high school sweethearts and very much in love.
She thinks they will be together forever; but Charlie has other plans for the future. Distraught for a what seems like forever Jo finally moves on with her life; meeting a man and that turns out to be something other than what she thought. She lives her life as a doormat always caving just to keep the peace, but when a life altering surprise forces Jo to grow some balls she makes an announcement and a decision that leads her back to her hometown and much to her surprise...Charlie.
Charlie has only ever loved one woman. 8 years ago he made the decision to better himself. A decision that took him away from his hometown and the love of his life.
When Charlie returns home he is blindsided by congratulations and anger for something he knows nothing about. Can he figure out what the hell everyone is talking about? Will he be happy when he gets his answers?
Can two people that have been so far removed but never apart, find one another again? Can so much hurt be forgiven and forgotten?
I'm not telling. You'll have to read the book yourself. LOL!
Making Buttons is a sweet second chance romance; Charlie and Jo are high school sweethearts and very much in love.
She thinks they will be together forever; but Charlie has other plans for the future. Distraught for a what seems like forever Jo finally moves on with her life; meeting a man and that turns out to be something other than what she thought. She lives her life as a doormat always caving just to keep the peace, but when a life altering surprise forces Jo to grow some balls she makes an announcement and a decision that leads her back to her hometown and much to her surprise...Charlie.
Charlie has only ever loved one woman. 8 years ago he made the decision to better himself. A decision that took him away from his hometown and the love of his life.
When Charlie returns home he is blindsided by congratulations and anger for something he knows nothing about. Can he figure out what the hell everyone is talking about? Will he be happy when he gets his answers?
Can two people that have been so far removed but never apart, find one another again? Can so much hurt be forgiven and forgotten?
I'm not telling. You'll have to read the book yourself. LOL!
October 29, 2016
I laughed, I cried, I made buttons.
Charlie Anderson sacrificed everything to become the man he needed to be to provide the life he wanted for the love of his life.
Josephina Tedeschi (Jo Marie) picked up the pieces of her broken heart and made herself move on.
The pull of their love was felt throughout the story. The desire was palpable between Charlie and Jo Marie and their willingness to wait until the right time to consummate their love was admirable.
The Tedeschi family members provided great depth to the overall story line.
The title was referred to early and often throughout the story. The full explanation of the meaning wasn't revealed until well into the book, which I felt was an odd choice.
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
Charlie Anderson sacrificed everything to become the man he needed to be to provide the life he wanted for the love of his life.
Josephina Tedeschi (Jo Marie) picked up the pieces of her broken heart and made herself move on.
The pull of their love was felt throughout the story. The desire was palpable between Charlie and Jo Marie and their willingness to wait until the right time to consummate their love was admirable.
The Tedeschi family members provided great depth to the overall story line.
The title was referred to early and often throughout the story. The full explanation of the meaning wasn't revealed until well into the book, which I felt was an odd choice.
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
Read
February 9, 2017I am so excited to offer this book to readers. It is a story that is near and dear to my heart, for a few reasons, but mainly because it was inspired by my grandmother. If she were still with me, she would call this contemporary romance a "love story."
She loved "love stories."
As do I.
With hopes that you enjoy this novel, and all of the characters within, I invite you to download Making Buttons.
:)
She loved "love stories."
As do I.
With hopes that you enjoy this novel, and all of the characters within, I invite you to download Making Buttons.
:)
November 29, 2016
Oh my gosh wow. This book was so amazingly written. I couldn't put it down I laughed,cried and smiled all throughout this book. Can't wait to see what other stories she comes up with
March 17, 2018
Making Buttons is a Contemporary Romance about love, family and second chances.
Jo Marie and Charlie are high school sweethearts but one day he decides to leave town and Jo ends up alone and heartbroken.
As times passes and Jo Marie realizes Charlie is not coming back, she reluctantly decides to move on, eventually meets someone else and gets married, but something happens that makes her reevaluate his relationship and go back to her hometown and her family.
Amelia Arbek’s gives us good characters (some of them like Luca are easy to love) and is interesting to learn about the the dynamic of the traditional italian family Jo is part of.
Jo Marie has an older brother (Guy), a younger sister (Giulia) and a younger brother (Luca). Her relationship with each one of them is really different but I found myself drawn to the parts of the story that showed interactions between Jo Marie and Luca, she’s protective of his younger brother and I found him mature for his age (there’s a reason for this but I won’t give anything away to avoid spoilers).
My perception of Charlie changed throughout the book and I ended up loving this character; yes, he makes mistakes but he also loves intensely, knows what he wants and is really persistent.
While I was reading this book I thought the story was going in a direction and then suddenly there were some twists that I definitely didn’t see coming but were interesting to read.
This story shows how true love can last, in life heartbreak sometimes happens, you can experience some regrets but at the end fighting for what you want is worth it.
I liked this book and if on the future Amelia Arbek writes a short story or a one-shot about Luca and Grace I would absolutely love to read it (Luca and Charlie were my favorite characters).
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Jo Marie and Charlie are high school sweethearts but one day he decides to leave town and Jo ends up alone and heartbroken.
As times passes and Jo Marie realizes Charlie is not coming back, she reluctantly decides to move on, eventually meets someone else and gets married, but something happens that makes her reevaluate his relationship and go back to her hometown and her family.
Amelia Arbek’s gives us good characters (some of them like Luca are easy to love) and is interesting to learn about the the dynamic of the traditional italian family Jo is part of.
Jo Marie has an older brother (Guy), a younger sister (Giulia) and a younger brother (Luca). Her relationship with each one of them is really different but I found myself drawn to the parts of the story that showed interactions between Jo Marie and Luca, she’s protective of his younger brother and I found him mature for his age (there’s a reason for this but I won’t give anything away to avoid spoilers).
My perception of Charlie changed throughout the book and I ended up loving this character; yes, he makes mistakes but he also loves intensely, knows what he wants and is really persistent.
While I was reading this book I thought the story was going in a direction and then suddenly there were some twists that I definitely didn’t see coming but were interesting to read.
This story shows how true love can last, in life heartbreak sometimes happens, you can experience some regrets but at the end fighting for what you want is worth it.
I liked this book and if on the future Amelia Arbek writes a short story or a one-shot about Luca and Grace I would absolutely love to read it (Luca and Charlie were my favorite characters).
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
January 17, 2018
Wonderful story of love and family and second chances
I thoroughly enjoyed Making Buttons. The characters are humanly flawed and relatable. I especially like the enduring nature of love and family that is portrayed and also contrasted with what often masquerades as love: fake, self-centered, and abuse.
I thoroughly enjoyed Making Buttons. The characters are humanly flawed and relatable. I especially like the enduring nature of love and family that is portrayed and also contrasted with what often masquerades as love: fake, self-centered, and abuse.
February 4, 2018
Making Buttons by Amelia Arbek is really great second chance romance book. The story of Josephina (Jo Marie) and Charlie is full of emotions and their journey had me hooked from the very beginning. You will have all the feels of first love and all the heart ache that goes with it. This amazing story shows love can and does win in the end.
~~~Belinda, Book Haven Book Blog~~~
~~~Belinda, Book Haven Book Blog~~~
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews