I just finished reading Rich Amooi's Dog Day Wedding, a cute romance with a happily ever after ending. (I love a good HEA!) It starts with a jilted grI just finished reading Rich Amooi's Dog Day Wedding, a cute romance with a happily ever after ending. (I love a good HEA!) It starts with a jilted groom--yes, a groom left at the altar, not a bride--who is having the worst day of his life, and that's before he gets a traffic ticket as a result of helping an elderly woman retrieve a runaway dog. (This isn't a spoiler, as it's part of chapter one.) I've often seen dogs in romances, both as integral parts of the plot and as scenery. Precious (the dog in Amooi’s book) is both, and the dog park scenes show a familiarity that, as the owner of three dogs, made me smile. ...more
I enjoyed the glimpses of the island itself, and I'd love to go there on vacation!I enjoyed the glimpses of the island itself, and I'd love to go there on vacation!...more
Even though I knew who won the gold medal, I was on the edge of my seat. The research is meticulous (sometimes more than I wanted) but the inside detaEven though I knew who won the gold medal, I was on the edge of my seat. The research is meticulous (sometimes more than I wanted) but the inside details are fascinating. I could feel the weather in Poughkeepsie; I could see the boathouse in Washington. And I never knew how extensive the dust bowls were before. I was horrified by the parents of one of the major characters. (You'll know which one when you read the book! I kept picturing the family on one of those afternoon tv shows with an accusatory host.)
I'm participating in a challenge to read a book starting with each letter of the alphabet. This was the letter B....more
I enjoyed this book a great deal. You have multiple romances going on within the Malvaso family, and more are "planted" in this first book. I love theI enjoyed this book a great deal. You have multiple romances going on within the Malvaso family, and more are "planted" in this first book. I love the firefighter milieu. Sometimes you feel like an author just threw in a firetruck (to have hot firefighters), but Kathryn Shay has done her homework, and the details are all right. I will definitely be continuing with this series....more
The realism with which this story is told is what makes it remarkable. As the reader I was truly able to believe in the characters, the settings and tThe realism with which this story is told is what makes it remarkable. As the reader I was truly able to believe in the characters, the settings and the events as they unfolded through the 80 or so years of the novel. What a remarkable story, and the wry humor and heart of the immigrant culture in America is so well told. It was like eating a huge and delicious ice cream cone lick by lick, sticky, sated and a bit sad when it's gone....more
I enjoyed this book. I liked the family dynamic (even if some of them were less than likeable.) I thought the parts containing Gilly’s story were overI enjoyed this book. I liked the family dynamic (even if some of them were less than likeable.) I thought the parts containing Gilly’s story were over the top, but it toned down by the end of the book. The extended wine metaphor and Hale’s “article” added a deeper level. I was worried that Hale was going to choose the wrong guy for her HEA, but I agree with her choice and look forward to reading more books in the series. I took away one star for the editing. A book about a copy editor should get “hare lip” right!...more
This is a great idea, in theory. Where was Anne before Green Gables and how did she get to be the Anne that we know and love? I enjoyed how the detailThis is a great idea, in theory. Where was Anne before Green Gables and how did she get to be the Anne that we know and love? I enjoyed how the details Montgomery wrote about were fleshed out. I’d always wondered where Anne’s children’s names came from, and now I know. Budge Wilson has put a lot of thought into the story. Unfortunately, sometimes there’s too much thought. The original books (even Rilla of Ingleside, which is set during World War One) are sweetness and light. We don’t hear about abuse, violence (except for the slate incident), or bodily functions. Wilson pierces the veil of innocence. I enjoyed hearing more of the story- I love reading and writing books with continuing characters- but I wish the author had been able to capture L. M. Montgomery’s tone....more
An interesting book, but in small doses. I read this with someone else. That enabled us to have discussions about many of Diamond’s ideas. This is notAn interesting book, but in small doses. I read this with someone else. That enabled us to have discussions about many of Diamond’s ideas. This is not a book you want to read alone, but with a group of like-minded friends, because you’ll need to talk over some of his concepts. I enjoy reading how history impacts a society, and I try to do that in my books. This is a book to make you think, and then make you think some more. And then be very thankful that you were born here and now and not somewhere else. This book is a 5-star idea in a 3-star guise....more
Heavens to Betsy! I enjoyed Cate, but Betsy got on my nerves. I knew where the story was going--it follows the plot of Shakespeare’s Taming of the ShrHeavens to Betsy! I enjoyed Cate, but Betsy got on my nerves. I knew where the story was going--it follows the plot of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, and the updated names work well--but this was not my favorite book set in and among the Amish (or Mennonites)....more
My mother-in-law is a voracious reader, and I get her books when she’s done with them. Usually she goes in for dark and depressing, so that’s what I wMy mother-in-law is a voracious reader, and I get her books when she’s done with them. Usually she goes in for dark and depressing, so that’s what I was expecting. Was I wrong! The very sensible Don has decided to find himself a wife, meticulously constructing the perfect questionnaire to weed out unsuitable candidates. His best friend sends Rosie to see him regarding a completely different matter- the identity of her father- but confusion ensues in the best rom-com way. Not exactly a traditional romance, but quick and light, perfect for a rainy day....more
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