5 stars I was not previously familiar with this author, but I enjoyed this book immensely. I think one of the things I enjoyed most was the familiar way in which Devon and Clive bantered with one another. For example, early on Clive shows his humor by telling Devon, “I am sorry to interrupt your woolgathering. However, I was beginning to feel neglected.” Later, there’s a part where Clive is annoyed with something but before he can devote his attention to how he feels about it, he is interrupted. “Clive dearly wanted to get back to his pouting, and he was about to hit his stride.” Devon, who believes his wife died four years ago, is surprised to discover, with Clive’s intervention, that she is actually still alive and living in Scotland, working hard as a baker. Although they had an agreement that their marriage was one of convenience, Devon wants Ella back. However, he refuses to admit he might actually care about her because that goes against the image he has always portrayed of a man above affairs of the heart. While talking with Clive about how he is going to win Ella’s affections, Clive asks how he can be certain he won’t fall into his own trap. Devon explains: “I can, without a doubt, guarantee I will be in no such danger as falling into my own trap. For if I did, wouldn’t I be the biggest of fools?” Clive responds: “Well, I can see your point. After all, who would want to fall in love with a beautiful, smart, strong, articulate woman who has proven she can give you heirs and will hold to a bargain struck? It is preposterous really.” It was snark like this that caused me to chuckle and built a particular affinity for Clive. I would be interested in a book about him. As for this one, I definitely recommend it. 6-12-2021
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5 stars I received an ARC of this book from the author. This is the story of Brian, of Last Five Seconds, and Sophie, an aspiring model. Their first meeting does not go well. Brian is feeling like he wants to meet the woman with whom he is meant to spend his life. Clay is with Emily, Sam is with Grace, and Dane is with Charlie. He sees what they have and wants the same, but that is not going to happen with this crazy woman Sophie. Sophie has some issues and has deservedly earned the "crazy" moniker. She spends a lot of time apologizing for doing stupid hurtful things. Jade Jamison is really good at humanizing heavy metal rock stars, showing their insecurities and sensitive sides. It makes it impossible not to fall in love with these considerate, thoughtful guys. The things they do might be hurtful but are clearly self-protection. The women they meet often suffer from similar insecurities, and it's usually up to the men to pursue them. This book is no exception. I really enjoyed the story. It's not long, but it covers a long enough period of time and sufficient interactions to make the eventual love and respect believable. I recommend it. June 9, 2021 5 stars As usual, this is an emotional and engaging story from Tracy Sumner. Simon and Emma are the heroes this time around, but we are still treated to interactions with Julian, Finn, and Sebastian, as well as Delaney, Piper, and Victoria. Most of Simon’s interactions are with Finn, and I enjoyed their banter. The time-travel aspect of the story is handled well and avoids confusing repercussions common to many time-travel stories. That’s probably because time-travel is not the major theme of this story, just a contributing factor. It’s the poetic aspect of Ms. Sumner’s writing that I find particularly endearing and it’s statements like this one that remind me why she is one of my favorite authors: “His gaze immediately found Emma, looking like cream topping a fairy cake in a gown the color of sunlight and possibilities.” The theme of this one is letting go of the past to grab hold of a promising future so it’s fitting that time-travel is featured. Simon’s basic dilemma is best summed up when the narrator observes that circumstance “Made him feel the future was bursting with hope if he could forget the past.” Isn’t that the human experience in a nutshell? I consider myself lucky to have been chosen as Ms. Sumner’s editor. It makes work a pleasure and I look forward to everything she writes. I highly recommend this one (and all of them, if I’m being honest—and what better way is there to be?). June 1, 2021 5 stars I received an ARC of this book and found it to be a pleasant surprise. I don’t mean to imply that enjoying one of Ms. Pierce’s books is a surprise. In fact, I generally love her books, but they vary greatly in subject matter. This one is a contemporary romance with engaging characters, Scarlett the journalist and Jake the NASCAR driver. They have a history together, and as a courtesy, Scarlett gives Jake warning about a story about to come out that reflects poorly upon his family. For reasons neither of them seem to be able to explain (at least, until later), he invites her to join him at his family home to meet everyone else. His mother and older sister are particularly vile and frightening and there’s something very sinister about them. Meanwhile, the relationship between Scarlett and Jake is told from Scarlett’s POV, and because she only knows how she feels about him, she spends a lot of time convincing herself that he really doesn’t care about her and he’s just as bad as his mother and sister. Of course, this is a romance so the reader knows, on some level, that she is completely off the mark and he actually cares for her. The circumstances leading up to that revelation are both nerve-wracking and engrossing. At times the story is tense while other times it heats up romantically, but always there’s a sense of suspense because we don’t know quite what’s going to happen. I definitely recommend this book, and since it seems to be part of a series, I’m looking forward to reading more. May 29, 2021 |
Elizabeth J ConnorWriter. Editor. Proofreader. Archives
September 2022
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