Adult Review: Starting Now

* Book 9 in the Blossom Street Series, but you could read this separately *

For years, Libby Morgan's been working her butt off hoping to make partner. When her boss calls her into his office, she never expected to be fired. He even told her to carve out a life for herself. She vows to find a job by the end of the day...but four months later, she's still looking for work.

She's decided to join a gym to get rid of the late night ice cream pounds and convinces her lawyer friend Robin to join her. Libby starts knitting again after visiting a yarn store on Blossom Street. After knitting several hats, she joins two teens in their trip donating them to the local hospital. 

There she's asked to volunteer to rock the babies. At first, it's awkward, but soon, Libby comes to love it. She's softening around the edges. While she's still looking for work, she's finding out more and more about herself. She has friends in Robin, Lydia (who owns the knitting shop), Lydia's daughter Casey and her friend Ava, and a doctor at the hospital. Could getting fired be the best thing that ever happened to her?

My Thoughts: Even though I knew it was coming, my heart broke of Libby in the beginning of the book. I enjoyed watching her discover a life outside of work. She blossomed into a well-rounded and wonderful person. It was just the type of book I needed to read as I too tend to let work consume me. I love the Blossom Street series for the blend of generations of characters, second chances, and a time to fall in love again. I wish these places and characters were real so could visit them!

Cover Thoughts: Cute - I love the yarn
Source: My Library

Review: Hannah's List (adult)

Hannah died last year, but she left her husband a letter to be opened on the anniversary of her death. He opens it to find an expression of love and something he never thought he'd find - a list of three women Hannah wants him to date. She wants him to move on and knows that this past year, he's been going through the motions, but not really living.

She knows him well. He's extremely reluctant to follow her advice. The first woman on the list is her cousin who owns a cafe on Blossom Street. He wanders into the cafe on morning for coffee. She isn't there, but he leaves a message at the counter.

The next woman is a nurse who made Hannah's last days comfortable. Michael speaks with her at a hospital children's picnic. She's recently divorced herself and understand what he's going through. They agree to dinner later in the week.

The third woman he calls cold, asking her to come into to paint a mural on the wall at his office. When she arrives late, he remembers her from the funeral. Everything about this woman annoys him and he can't understand how she made Hannah's List. He hires her and now must deal with seeing her in his office until she completes her project.

Will one of these women help him come out of his shell and bring him back to life?

My Thoughts: This isn't a book I normally review on this site, but I adore the Blossom Street series. They're adorable and heartwarming. I can't decide which one I like best. This one was amazing as well. I was a little shocked to see this book written in majority from a male perspective, but it works.

The Cover: I LOVE it - very cozy!

Source: my Library