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Rewriting Monday
From New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas comes a suspenseful romance about woman seeking a second chance at life and love.
Reporter Pepper Malone moved to Bailey, Texas, after a news story nearly got her killed. Now she wants to be left alone to do her job in relative peace and quiet. But when the newspaper’s staff is targeted by a madman with a grudge against the media, Pepper is drawn back into the public eye—and into the arms of the paper’s handsome owner.
Reporter Pepper Malone moved to Bailey, Texas, after a news story nearly got her killed. Now she wants to be left alone to do her job in relative peace and quiet. But when the newspaper’s staff is targeted by a madman with a grudge against the media, Pepper is drawn back into the public eye—and into the arms of the paper’s handsome owner.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 2, 2009
63 people are currently reading
383 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Thomas
128 books2,497 followersI'm a New York Times and USA Today Best Selling author, wife, mother, in-law, grandmother, sister, friend, and owner of one fat cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
August 2, 2009
Sweet Romance with a Mystery to Solve"
Mike McCulloch owns the local newspaper, the Bailee Bugle. He's a man who has lived in the shadow of his older brother, who was the football star and the War hero. Even though his brother is gone and he knows his brother's secret, he cannot shake the legend his brother has left behind. The only bright spot in his life is his niece, Morgan who he has raised since his brother and his wife died in a tragic accident. Mike is a man that does what needs to be done regardless if it is what he wants to do. His life is passing him by until Pepper Malone waltzes into his office, breathing fresh air into his lungs, reviving him to take notice of other possibilities.
Pepper Malone is a big time reporter but got caught sleeping with the story. It wasn't intentional, but the result was the same. With her reputation in shambles she runs away to Bailee to check out an inheritance left to her by her aunt. Only her aunt isn't dead, but decides to stay in the small town for a while anyway. She applies for the job at the Bailee Bugle. She begins to realize how caring the town is and how much Mike has given up. She finds herself attracted to the mismatched-clothed Mike. To her surprise she becomes friends with him, a first in her book to befriend a man. She never let her guard down with a man. She always had one foot out the door, but Mike may be the one to stop her from running.
Not all is peaceful in the small town of Bailee. There is someone attacking the newspaper, putting all who work there in jeopardy. Mike is determined to find out who it is before he loses all that matters to him.
I loved the characters of this story. They're all interesting with a bit of back history to shape them. Mike and Pepper, despite their differences, they are good for each other. Mike is grounded and offers a place to call home, something Pepper craves. Pepper is a free spirit, breathing life back into Mike who forgot how to live. The secondary characters are wonderful, too. Lorie, the owner of the bakery cares about everyone in the town as if it is her responsibility to take care of them. I also like Heath, Lorie's ex-husband who is still in love with her. Their sweet story is endearing.
Ms. Thomas knows how to weave a tale with touching characters you want to know. The mystery unfolds, while your rack your brain trying to think who the culprit can be. If you're looking for a sweet sensual romance and a mystery of who-done-it, this story is not to be missed.
Mike McCulloch owns the local newspaper, the Bailee Bugle. He's a man who has lived in the shadow of his older brother, who was the football star and the War hero. Even though his brother is gone and he knows his brother's secret, he cannot shake the legend his brother has left behind. The only bright spot in his life is his niece, Morgan who he has raised since his brother and his wife died in a tragic accident. Mike is a man that does what needs to be done regardless if it is what he wants to do. His life is passing him by until Pepper Malone waltzes into his office, breathing fresh air into his lungs, reviving him to take notice of other possibilities.
Pepper Malone is a big time reporter but got caught sleeping with the story. It wasn't intentional, but the result was the same. With her reputation in shambles she runs away to Bailee to check out an inheritance left to her by her aunt. Only her aunt isn't dead, but decides to stay in the small town for a while anyway. She applies for the job at the Bailee Bugle. She begins to realize how caring the town is and how much Mike has given up. She finds herself attracted to the mismatched-clothed Mike. To her surprise she becomes friends with him, a first in her book to befriend a man. She never let her guard down with a man. She always had one foot out the door, but Mike may be the one to stop her from running.
Not all is peaceful in the small town of Bailee. There is someone attacking the newspaper, putting all who work there in jeopardy. Mike is determined to find out who it is before he loses all that matters to him.
I loved the characters of this story. They're all interesting with a bit of back history to shape them. Mike and Pepper, despite their differences, they are good for each other. Mike is grounded and offers a place to call home, something Pepper craves. Pepper is a free spirit, breathing life back into Mike who forgot how to live. The secondary characters are wonderful, too. Lorie, the owner of the bakery cares about everyone in the town as if it is her responsibility to take care of them. I also like Heath, Lorie's ex-husband who is still in love with her. Their sweet story is endearing.
Ms. Thomas knows how to weave a tale with touching characters you want to know. The mystery unfolds, while your rack your brain trying to think who the culprit can be. If you're looking for a sweet sensual romance and a mystery of who-done-it, this story is not to be missed.
October 16, 2024
3.5
It was a slow start and didn't really pick up until the halfway point. After that, I enjoyed it.
It was a slow start and didn't really pick up until the halfway point. After that, I enjoyed it.
March 20, 2010
Patricia Anne (Pepper) Malone arrives in Bailee, Texas after getting the boot from the Chicago newspaper where she'd been a reporter. She doesn't have much money and is glad to stay at her great-aunt Wilma's place while Wilma is at the local nursing home recovering from surgery. Pepper is still recovering from the Chicago incident that got her fired and needs to find a job. She'll stick around until she has enough money to find a new job in a new city.
Mike McCulloch runs the local newspaper and just happens to need a reporter. He also needs to find out who is trying to harm him and the newspaper. There have been mild threats but they quickly escalate to menacing and violent. So there's a mystery to solve.
Pepper and Mike, along with several enjoyable secondary characters, make Rewriting Monday a delightful and light mystery/romance. Jodi Thomas's story made me smile and laugh through most of the book. I really liked her writing style. The banter between Mike and Pepper was great.
I think Rewriting Monday would be a great beach read and I know it's a great middle-of-a-snowstorm read.
Mike McCulloch runs the local newspaper and just happens to need a reporter. He also needs to find out who is trying to harm him and the newspaper. There have been mild threats but they quickly escalate to menacing and violent. So there's a mystery to solve.
Pepper and Mike, along with several enjoyable secondary characters, make Rewriting Monday a delightful and light mystery/romance. Jodi Thomas's story made me smile and laugh through most of the book. I really liked her writing style. The banter between Mike and Pepper was great.
I think Rewriting Monday would be a great beach read and I know it's a great middle-of-a-snowstorm read.
July 17, 2021
So this started out as a 4 star read for me, but after about 100 pages, I was starting to get a little bored, and it felt more like a 3 star read. I found it hard to like Pepper. There was just something about her that bothered me. And Mike kind of made me uncomfortable because he was so awkward. All of his interactions with Pepper just seemed so unnatural. I actually ended up more invested in Lorie and Heath's relationship than Pepper and Mike's. However, as I kept reading, the story really picked up and I ended up really liking the ending, which is why I ended up rating it 4 stars. Morgan was probably my favorite character and the last 100 pages were really really good!
November 3, 2019
I liked the small-town and the characters. There's a little suspense that kept me reading.
September 1, 2018
I found this book to be a good mix of light romance, mystery, and intrigue.
July 22, 2017
This was a good beach read or listen. Johanna Parker is an excellent narrator and her voice made me stick with the book. Nice and relatively innocent book. Some mystery and relatively innocent love story. I love Jodi Thomas, she is proof that an author can write a good book without it needing to have R or X rated words or love scenes. I'm a fan of small towns and honest people, so it wasn't boring to me.
April 8, 2009
If you like contemporary fiction with a twist it wasn’t bad at all. I thought the book was OK. I personally prefer more thrill and action and/or passion. I suppose I’m an intense kind of gal who needs to feel that intense emotion coming from the characters within the story.
Like the reporter and the agent, I couldn’t help “profile” each person. Jodi did do an excellent job in creating her characters. Each one had different personalities and backgrounds. Thomas seemed to pair opposites together; Pepper & Michael (main couple), Lorie & Heath (2nd main couple), Sheriff & Toad, and even Audrey / Webster / Bob Earl / Orrie. Opposites in a relationship are always fun because you never know how the relationship may turn out and individuals tend to balance each other out. I did enjoy watching the couples evolve from beginning to end within the story. The uncertainty of who they were before, during, and after the events that threatened their lives and relationships was interesting. I thought I would be intrigued with Pepper and Michael’s relationship since they were the main characters but instead I was fascinated with Lorie and Heath’s relationship. Call me difficult… I found them to be the ones I wanted to read more about. It was this couple I imaginatively “pushed” and rooted on.
Would I rewrite my past as some of the characters wished they had? I’ve been tempted to wish things were different but then I wouldn’t be who I am or have the family that I have today if I had. I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason…
If you haven’t already, be sure to check out Jodi Thomas’ Author Guest Post .
Like the reporter and the agent, I couldn’t help “profile” each person. Jodi did do an excellent job in creating her characters. Each one had different personalities and backgrounds. Thomas seemed to pair opposites together; Pepper & Michael (main couple), Lorie & Heath (2nd main couple), Sheriff & Toad, and even Audrey / Webster / Bob Earl / Orrie. Opposites in a relationship are always fun because you never know how the relationship may turn out and individuals tend to balance each other out. I did enjoy watching the couples evolve from beginning to end within the story. The uncertainty of who they were before, during, and after the events that threatened their lives and relationships was interesting. I thought I would be intrigued with Pepper and Michael’s relationship since they were the main characters but instead I was fascinated with Lorie and Heath’s relationship. Call me difficult… I found them to be the ones I wanted to read more about. It was this couple I imaginatively “pushed” and rooted on.
Would I rewrite my past as some of the characters wished they had? I’ve been tempted to wish things were different but then I wouldn’t be who I am or have the family that I have today if I had. I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason…
If you haven’t already, be sure to check out Jodi Thomas’ Author Guest Post .
July 2, 2016
This was just OK. I'm pretty sure if it hadn't been narrated very nicely by Johanna Parker I would have given up just less than half-way through.
The deeply predictable nature of the story (I saw the *major* surprise coming about an hour into a 9 hour book) wasn't enlivened enough by the characters or the setting.
For romantic suspense, it had neither romance or suspense. And there was one super-annoying bit where
I don't recommend it unless you are struggling to sleep ... in which case Johanna's wonderfully soothing voice and the complete lack of plot or action will be perfect for you.
The deeply predictable nature of the story (I saw the *major* surprise coming about an hour into a 9 hour book) wasn't enlivened enough by the characters or the setting.
For romantic suspense, it had neither romance or suspense. And there was one super-annoying bit where
I don't recommend it unless you are struggling to sleep ... in which case Johanna's wonderfully soothing voice and the complete lack of plot or action will be perfect for you.
July 2, 2009
I really enjoyed this book. Not one of my favorites but a good read. I loved how a piece of my favorite book was inserted into this one. I would have liked to know more about the history of this town and a little more about what happened to Pepper before she went there. I've always enjoyed the history in Jodi Thomas's books. She definatley goes the extra mile with the makeup of the characters and the places they are from. Love the history she writes in these books. For me that's what makes them so great.
August 27, 2016
This was not a perfect story because I figured out the mysterious alley man's identity early on. I found myself enthralled however from start to finish with the primary as well as the supporting cast of characters the author graced this book with.
What really worked was how nicely everyone in this small town fit their roles and how easily a city girl from Chicago found her niche not only professionally but for the first time personally.
What really worked was how nicely everyone in this small town fit their roles and how easily a city girl from Chicago found her niche not only professionally but for the first time personally.
February 22, 2009
One of Jodi's best. Lush writing and great story telling. Jodi Thomas' ability to take you into the world of her characters and stories is remarkable. This book releases in April 09 and I highly recommend it.
April 27, 2012
I didn't like this nearly as much as the other contemporary Thomas books, but it was still a good book. Plot was just a little too predictable and I didn't really connect to the main character at all. But the switching of voice from first to third was interesting.
January 29, 2021
A better than expected little romance with a nice mystery added for flavor. Yes, it's contrived. Big-city newspaper reporter does something foolish that gets her fired and winds up in a really, really small Texas town that just happens to have a single opening at the weekly newspaper, which is run by a good-looking single man bent on not getting romantically involved with anyone. Stop me if you've heard this one before. But I really did like the characters and all the supporting cast. I was actually kind of sorry to say goodbye to them. If you're working on a book challenge and in need of a book with a day of the week in the title, you could do worse.
February 19, 2018
I thought I had read every book Jodi Thomas had written but came across this one and if I had ever read it I forgot it all. None of it sounded familiar. It was a great book, but then I am not surprised because I haven't read a book of hers that I haven't truly enjoyed. There was one character in this book that is in her Harmony Series and the Town of Bailee is also named in the series so feel like this was a lead up to the series along with Twisted Creek which is the next book on the list. If you are a fan of Jodi you will like this but you may have already read it cause its not new.
December 24, 2020
Challenge: Fall into Reading (2020) - Beloved Author (3). This standalone novel foreshadows Thomas' style in her Laurel Springs on Main and Harmony, Texas books. This time it is the town of Bailee, Texas, where sinister happenings threaten the town newspaper. An edgy story with characters who wish to rewrite their past just as the paper must rewrite reported errors on Monday. Personal growth leads to second chances as well as first chances for a few. A must read for those who love Jodi Thomas, and a nice introduction for new-to-Thomas readers.
February 18, 2019
I didn't expect this book to have such tense excitement, it sounded like a down home romance. Really good read, not gonna give anything away but this was a great comfy read, good romance just more excitement.
September 28, 2022
Audio. Typical romance. Characters likable, but you know exactly where the story ends. There was a bit of a mystery throughout and I didn’t figure out the culprit until close to the end. Good for listening while sewing - no brain power required!
October 16, 2024
Loved this story!
This story has twists and turns and lovable characters. The town is a place that anyone would love to call home. Jodi Thomas is so gifted. Her writing takes me away from daily life to an ideal place…
This story has twists and turns and lovable characters. The town is a place that anyone would love to call home. Jodi Thomas is so gifted. Her writing takes me away from daily life to an ideal place…
March 14, 2025
Romance, intrigue, mystery, and action
The characters were so real, I'd say I met them in real life. Everyone' yearnings and hopes started out fragile but ended up to be strong and solid. I guess I need to read it again!
The characters were so real, I'd say I met them in real life. Everyone' yearnings and hopes started out fragile but ended up to be strong and solid. I guess I need to read it again!
May 9, 2017
Awesome story.
January 1, 2018
Love her books
I have read a few of her books and have a hard time putting them down until I am done.
I have read a few of her books and have a hard time putting them down until I am done.
January 6, 2018
Another great Jodi Thomas Texas book. Noted that Bailey and her husband Carter McKoy are mentioned as ancesters in this book. I love how she connects the dots in her books!
March 28, 2018
3.25 (not quite 3.5! :D )
March 25, 2019
Full of love and intrigue, a fun read!
January 9, 2019
Loved it!
April 2, 2019
Really enjoyed this. Characters were great and interesting. The story was fun, heart warming and at times humorous. Bad guys, good guys, orphan, loners, and love! What more could a reader ask for?
November 12, 2021
Small town romance with lots of drama. Interesting twist at the end.
November 16, 2022
This book kept you interested and wanting to know what was going to happen next. Great book to read!
May 19, 2023
This one was not only a good love story, it was also an intriguing mystery. It took me a while to figure out who the alley man was.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews