From the Bookshelf of Turning Pages At Midnight…

The Simple Life (Hometown Love, #1)

Tara Sivec

Start date: December 22, 2018

Finish date: December 27, 2018

Discussion: Buddy Reads

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What Members Thought

Nov 14, 2018 Stacie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

3 1/2 "Funny and Sweet" Stars!

...more

11 likes · Like · see review

Sep 26, 2018 Julie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc

Growing up in a small town, you find yourself dreaming of a future of ‘what could be’. Brooklyn was one such dreamer. Leaving that tiny town after high school was the best thing that happened to Brooklyn. That dream was quickly becoming a reality. Brooklyn is now writing for one of the biggest magazines in the country, attending the most desired parties, and has a boyfriend that others envy. From the outside, it all appears to the public that Brooklyn has it all. Or does she???

A revelation that Growing up in a small town, you find yourself dreaming of a future of ‘what could be’. Brooklyn was one such dreamer. Leaving that tiny town after high school was the best thing that happened to Brooklyn. That dream was quickly becoming a reality. Brooklyn is now writing for one of the biggest magazines in the country, attending the most desired parties, and has a boyfriend that others envy. From the outside, it all appears to the public that Brooklyn has it all. Or does she???

A revelation that is unexpected and explosive will change Brooklyn’s entire world. The job, boyfriend, and all the many party invites vanished in the blink of an eye. With her world crumbling around her, Brooklyn heads to the one place that can offer a reprieve from the turmoil brewing in New York. Montana offers Brooklyn a chance to regroup after having her life fall into shambles, while having a chance to spend time with her father and figure out where things go from here.

While Brooklyn has no plans to make Montana her permanent address again, she does want to spend her time wisely. While looking for something to keep herself occupied, Brooklyn finds herself looking for a job at the local pumpkin patch. This place holds so many memories for Brooklyn. After all, best friends always have your back even when time passes for you both. What Brooklyn didn’t expect was that the job she was inquiring about would revolve around her childhood crush and nemeses…..Clint.

It seems Brooklyn isn’t the only one back in town, and things just became a little murkier where Clint was concerned. Having a job during this transition is a must, but Brooklyn never planned on Clint being a part of the equation. Time tends to soften the perils of your past, but Brooklyn quickly finds out that she hold some unresolved feelings where Clint is concerned. Will Brooklyn’s tattered life lead her towards a future that she never expected?

When Tara Sivec announces that she is releasing a new book, my book senses always go on alert. One thing I have come to count on with Sivec is a reprieve from the typical romance novel, and The Simple Life was no exception. With a story plot that could easily pull you in during the very first chapters, this novel left me bursting with laughter at that antics of the two main characters.

Brooklyn and Clint are defiantly not your typical friends from the past. Each ventured outside of Montana to find a life that they thought would make them happy. What the two found was a world of ups and downs, and paths less traveled. Bringing them full circle and back to the place they once called home. The plot of the novel is full of antics that are sure to keep you engaged, blowing drink from your nose when laughing and smiling from ear to ear. Yep….it is definitely THAT kind of book!!

Seriously – there is nothing better than curling up with a book by Sivec and diving in like it might be your last read of the century. While I had no intentions of reading this novel in one sitting, I did find that my insane boughts of laughter were loud enough to wake everyone in the house at different times of the night. Something that left quite the impression come 6 am when no one wanted to get their day started!!

The simple joys of birthday cakes, cheerleading kicks, and other various moments in Brooklyn and Clint’s lives kept me giggling long after I closed that last chapter. In fact – I believe Cookie Monster might find a new home around here pretty soon!! Simply put – you definitely need to discover what lies between the covers of The Simple Life!! Well done Tara…..well done!
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6 likes · Like · see review

Sep 23, 2018 Amy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: review-books, 5-stars

I LOVED this book! Hands down one of the best rom-com's of 2018!

“Then Brooklyn walked back into my life, and it felt like I’d just woken up from a coma. Everything was louder, more colorful, brighter, newer, and more exciting. I couldn’t wait to wake up every day just to catch a glimpse of her.”

“She made me feel alive again for the first time in years.”

“You’re a pain in my ass. But fighting with you every day for a month has made me happier than getting along with someone else all my life. You d I LOVED this book! Hands down one of the best rom-com's of 2018!

“Then Brooklyn walked back into my life, and it felt like I’d just woken up from a coma. Everything was louder, more colorful, brighter, newer, and more exciting. I couldn’t wait to wake up every day just to catch a glimpse of her.”

“She made me feel alive again for the first time in years.”

“You’re a pain in my ass. But fighting with you every day for a month has made me happier than getting along with someone else all my life. You drive me crazy, you turn me on more than any woman I’ve ever known, and you make me laugh. You’re stubborn, and smart, and strong and independent…”

The Simple Life is everything I’ve ever wanted or needed from a rom-com. Have you ever read a book that just had you laughing until tears came out of your eyes? A book with excellent banter and explosive chemistry? A book where the characters gave just as good as they got? A book that gave you all the feels and you never saw it coming? For me, that is this book. The Simple Life is hands down one of the best rom-com’s that I’ve read this year.

From the moment I picked up The Simple Life I was HOOKED. I mean completely and utterly sucked into the life of Brooklyn Manning. The things that happened to this woman, I wouldn’t wish on anyone. But, I’d be a liar if I said she didn’t have me laughing my butt off. With her life in shambles, I was excited to see how she would turn things around. And when a unexpected job fell into her lap that had her facing off with her arch nemesis. I just knew I was in for one heck of a ride. And let me tell you, Brooklyn and Clint do not disappoint. I love, love, loved the banter between the two of them. It was just so entertaining. They didn’t hold anything back and I just lived for the moments they were together because I didn’t know what they would say next! And the sparks! OMG, the sparks!! They were everywhere and so palpable. You just knew that if these two were to get over themselves, that they would be dynamite. I loved the push and pull and the flutters they gave my heart. I was swooning all over the place and couldn’t wait to see these two figure things out.

The Simple Life was a terrific read from beginning to end. I easily devoured this book in just a few short hours. It was everything I needed and then some. It was smart. It was funny. The story-line was addicting and kept me on my toes. The characters were real, flawed and just totally stole my heart. This story made me laugh so much, my cheeks still hurt as I’m typing up this review. It had the perfect amount of steam and just the right amount of drama. Simply put this story made me fall totally head over heels and I loved every single moment of it.

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review* ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Oct 19, 2018 Yvonne V (Naughty Professora) rated it it was amazing

When Brooklyn’s NY life falls apart in a single punch, she moves back home with her dad to a small town in Montana. Once there, she’s not sure what to do with herself, so Dad finds her a job at the local pumpkin farm, run by none other than her bff’s brother, arch-enemy, and long-time crush - Clint Hastings.

Reading the banter and insults between these two takes me back to my very first Tara Sivec book (Seduction and Snacks!). The hilarity, the swoon – it’s all there.

This is a super slow burn, ...more

1 like · Like · see review