Review: If You Must Know

 

* 1st book in a trilogy *

Amanda and Erin don't have the best relationship. Even though they're sisters, they couldn't be more different. Amanda resented the love their father showered on Erin. Erin never fit in with Amanda or their mother. 

But when push comes to shove, they start to be there for each other. Amanda's perfect life crumbles during the last month of her pregnancy. Both sisters start to take a look at the past to heal the wrongs. Trusting each other doesn't come naturally. Little by little, they start to understand past hurts. Hopefully they can come together to move forward.

My Thoughts: This family didn't function well together, especially after the death of their father. I admired the way they started talking again and looking out for each other. My heart hurt for both of the sisters and all the past pain they put each other through. I loved hearing about the Etsy shop ideas and the small business moments. I felt awful for Amanda and the choices she had to make in regards to her unborn child. She was very brave. I loved the dual narratives, hearing both Amanda and Erin's side of the story. Of course I loved learning more about Mo (Based on the author's dog). 

Cover Thoughts: Cute - makes me curious about the book

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your women's fiction collection - highly recommended

* I'm friends with the author

 

Review: The Wonder of Now

* Book 3 in the Sanctuary Sound Trilogy *

Peyton wishes she could go back  to life before - before cancer and maybe before she hurt her best friend. But wishes don't come true. She's embarking on a European book tour with her memoir about her darkest moments battling cancer. Peyton's not sure she can do it.

She's not thrilled about sharing her most private moments. She doesn't want to relive the pain and the fear again. But she has a job to do, as her publicist reminds her. He's there to make sure she stays on track; his no-nonsense ways are getting under her skin. They say opposites attract, could there be something brewing between them?

My Thoughts: I was really curious about this book because it the previous book, Peyton isn't really likable. Of course, Jamie Beck masterfully takes an unlikable character and turns her into someone you can understand, sympathize with, and root for. I loved seeing Peyton travel the countryside, eating in her favorite places. I loved how she bravely spoke about cancer, giving hope to those with cancer or their family members. I appreciated how she didn't want to talk about herself and her trials - how talking to bloggers wasn't her priority.  I can't imagine going through all that. I like how she worked to repair her relationship with Claire. It was nice seeing favorite characters appear again. I really liked Mitch. I enjoyed the banter between Mitch and Peyton. They were great at pushing each other's buttons and make each other see different points of view. I couldn't put this book down. I can't wait to read what Jamie Beck writes next.

Cover Thoughts: I love how it matches both Peyton and the other books in the trilogy.
Source: ARC sent for review
Library Recommendation: Jamie Beck should be on your library shelves.

Fresh Fiction Review: The Promise of Us

I reviewed Jamie Beck's new book:

"Another heartwarming tale from Jamie Beck!"

You can read my full review here.

Blog Tour: All We Knew

More than anything, Sara wants a child. But with each new failure, she looses a little piece of herself. Her husband, Hunter, seems more concerned about the family business than their personal life. She has no doubt that he loves her, but she's not sure that love is enough.

When her last option for a child of her own fails, Sara imagines the worst. But a new hope comes from an unexpected source. If all the pieces fall into place, she could have the family she's always dreamed of having.

Hunter's trying desperately to keep the family business from selling, but it's a tangled web. His ideas for the company have been turned down so far. He's willing to do the work to prove himself if he could simply have the opportunity. But lately he's fighting two battles - one at work and one at home. Could he lose at both?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book; it was beautifully written and tugged at my heartstrings something fierce. my heart broke for Sara. I felt sad for Hunter in dealing with all the family issues, particular the business, but there were times when I just wanted to smack him. I loved seeing familiar characters from the first book and I'm so looking forward to the next book and seeing how everything plays out. I had a hard time putting this book down. I really liked Sara's volunteer work. I loved her moments with Ty. All We Knew is different from many women's fiction books because the couple is already married, but they're going through a rough match. And it works really well.

Cover Thoughts: Beautiful
Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: Grab this series for your public library
Librarians: Jamie Beck is fantastic to host at your library for an author event.

A Night with Jamie Beck and Before I Knew

I had the pleasure of hosting Jamie Beck at my library for the Connecticut Author Trail program. She was lovely and fantastic. I really enjoyed it. I know Jamie through RWA (Romance Writers of America)

She talked about the difference between straight romance and women's fiction and how she writes a blend of the two. Jamie talked about how she became a writer - through a a job she didn't love and then staying home with the kids.

When she first started writing, she didn't tell anyone. After her first book was rejected, she joined RWA where she learned the craft of writing. Her second book was also rejected, but there was interest in it.

All the advice said to just keep writing, and we're so glad that she did!

The only bad thing about the night (besides the traffic) was that I forgot to snap a picture with Jamie!

Before I Knew is her latest book and the first in a family saga.Colby's mentally ill husband killed himself two years ago and she's still healing from all the pain. He wanted to keep his illness a secret, causing her to lie to her family for years. Now she's trying to start up a restaurant, hoping that a new challenge will bring purpose to her life.

Except the head chef is none other than Alec. Besides being an old family friend, he's also the brother of the man that her husband dared to his death. And the family's been estranged for the last two years.

Guilty about both men's death ate Alec alive, but he's happy to be given another chance. He certainly has ideas for the restaurant. He's also had feeling for Colby that never went away. Can they recapture their easy friendship and maybe even something more?

My Thoughts: I loved this book, I loved the two families torn apart by tragedy coming back together and healing. I loved that Colby was trying something new with her life and trying to make it successful - with the help from her family. Her family added both humor and more drama to the story. I'm looking forward to reading more about them. I enjoyed watching Alec put his life back together - with his ideas for the restaurant and his ideas for his family. I loved watching Alec and Colby become friends again and work together. I really enjoyed the behind the scenes look at the work it takes to create and start up a restaurant. Luckily book 2 comes out early next year!

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: Purchased

Library Recommendation: Public Libraries will want to grab this one! And also invite Jamie to chat at your library.

Adult Review: Worth the Wait

 * first in a series *

Vivi has loved her best friend's brother since the day she met him. Over the years, they've developed a special friendship. But lately things are off. David left on a business trip and hasn't kept up with anyone, even his family.

When Cat invites Vivi to her family's summer home for a week vacation,she has no idea her brother (and his girlfriend) will be there.

David works hard to insert himself back into his family's lives. But he's holding on to a secret that threatens to destroy him - terrible secret he can't share with his brother or sister.

But the time on the island is making him reevaluate all his relationships - including Vivi. Could he actually have feelings for her?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I loved the layers of family dynamics - how Vivi's family fell apart and how Cat's family took her in. I love that she had a relationship with all the siblings. I felt terrible for David and how learning the secret changed him. I like how he attempted to come back into his siblings' lives and how he kept that awful secret. I loved Vivi gaining more confidence and becoming stronger in her life. I enjoyed the flashbacks to their younger days, especially with Vivi's art. I liked Cat and Jackson, so I'm looking forward to reading the next books in the series to see them gain their happily ever afters.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: my Library

Library Recommendation: A fun summer romance about relationships that will be a welcome addition in public libraries.