Thinking of You

Ginny Holland’s daughter Jem has headed off to university, leaving single mum Ginny with a severe case of empty-nest syndrome. To make matters worse, the first gorgeous man she's clapped eyes on in years has just accused Ginny of shoplifting. So Ginny decides to advertise for a lodger but what she gets is lovelorn Laurel, who can only talk about her ex-boyfriend. However Laurel has a dangerously charming brother, Perry, and add to that the offer of a great new job, and things are looking up…until Ginny realises that her potential boss is all too familiar.

Is it too late for Ginny to set right the first impression she made when Finn Penhaligon got quite the wrong end of the stick? And is either Finn or Perry quite what they seem?

Each time I read one of Jill's books, she further cements herself in my go to author library.  I related immediately to Ginny and her season in life.  She was surrounded by a variety of characters - some endearing, some annoying, all of whom provided humor, entertainment and a satisfying story.

Author:  Jill Mansell
Published: May 2013
Pages: 424
Genre: Women's Fiction
Source:  Sourcebooks
Finished: 5/17/13



This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Danielle and Sourebooks and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

Secrets

They drive each other crazy. And they both have something to hide. But we all have our secrets. It's just that some are bigger than others ...

Joe has a beautiful house, a great job, no commitments—and he likes it like that. All he needs is a quiet house sitter for his rambling old place by the sea. When Tess turns up on his doorstep, he's not sure she's right for the job. Where has she come from in such a hurry? Her past is blank, and she's a bit of an enigma. But there's something about her—even though sparks fly every time they meet. And it looks like she's here to stay ...

This was a great book that helped me find a few hours of needed escape during an intense time of stress. I loved Tess and Joe and rooted for them all the way, worrying that their secrets were going to get in the way of their relationship. I have quickly become a fan of British Chick Lit, and am glad Sourcebooks is a great source for finding these authors.

Author: Freya North
Published: January 2011
Pages: 496 (ARC)
Genre: Fiction/Chick Lit
Source: Sourcebooks
Finished: 1/5/12
3 Bears


This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Sourcebooks Landmark and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

Utterly Charming

In this thoroughly unique and irresistible romantic romp from a talented new author, a struggling Seattle lawyer, desperate to keep her fledgling law firm from going under, takes a case involving a strange but incredibly attractive man. Before she knows it, all of Nora's wishes come true, along with the realization that her client is Prince Charming...the real Prince Charming. There's just one problem: despite being a gorgeous hunk, he's a 1,000 year old magician who still has to deal with a Sleeping Beauty and one wicked stepmother before he and Nora can have a future together.

A fast, fun, magical read with great characters. Sleeping Beauty in the modern world. A perfect book to follow up after a couple of intense ones. Right book at the right time. I look forward to Emma's story in Thoroughly Kissed.

Author: Kristine Grayson
Published: October 2011
Pages: 308 (ARC)
Genre: ChickLit
Source: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Finished: 9-20-11



This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Danielle of Sourcebooks and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

Wish You Were Here

Newly appointed CEO Jack Thornfield can't believe his eyes when Beth Allen's resume drops onto his desk. Not only does Jack urgently need a new consultant, but he and Beth were also once very much an item, and Jack has never forgotten her.


There's just one problem - Beth probably never wants to see him again. Eight years before, when jack was leading a treaking holiday to Corsica, he fell in love with Beth - then a naive student. Three glorious weeks climaxed in a magical last night when Jack proposed. But then Jack returned home, and Beth never heard from him again.


Jack knows Beth has no idea who she has sent her resume to, but he can't resist the opportunity to see her again, even though it's asking for trouble. Office romance can be really messy when both your heart and your job are on the line.

This was the perfect book to read one evening when I could not sleep. It was a fun, fast-paced read with a great British voice.

Author: Phillipa Ashley
Published: June 2011
Pages: 300
Genre: Chick-lit
Source: Sourcebooks Landmark
Finished: 5-21-11
3 Bears



This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Beth at Sourcebooks Landmark and in no way influenced my review of this book.  These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.”

The Liberation of Alice Love

Alice Love keeps her life (and boss, and family) running in perfect order, so when her bank card is declined, she thinks it’s just a simple mistake. But shesoon discovers that someone has emptied every penny from her bank account, spending her hard-earned savings on glamorous holidays, sexy lingerie, and a to-die-for wardrobe, and leaving Alice with thousands of pounds worth of debt.

With her perfectly-organised world crumbling around her, Alice enlists the help of dashing fraud investigator Nathan and sets about clearing her name. But as she unravels the intriguing paper trail, she makes a shocking discovery: her thief is closer to home than she ever imagined.

Following the clues from London to Rome and LA, Alice edges deeper into a seductive new world, where honesty might not be the best policy, rules are made to be broken, and the power of a gorgeous cocktail dress shouldn’t be underestimated. Perhaps her alter-ego’s reckless, extravagant lifestyle is the one Alice should have been leading all along…

But as her little white lies begin to stack up, how far will Alice go to find the truth? And whose life, exactly, is she fighting for?

A fun, fast-paced, entertaining story about a women who finds herself  (and a little romance) after searching for a so-called friend that stole her identity.  I picked this book up while waiting to leave for an event and so wanted to take it along with me! As soon as I got home I stayed up to finish it!  A good vacation read.

Author:  Abby McDonald
Published: March 1, 2011 (US)
Pages: 417 (ARC)
Genre:  Fiction/Chick-Lit
Source: Sourcebooks Landmark
Thank you to April at Sourcebooks for this review copy.



This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from April at Sourcebooks Landmark and in no way influenced my review of this book.  These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

A Billion Reasons Why

After graduating college, Katie McKenna moved from her hometown of New Orleans to California to escape her haunting past. She had resolved to live a quiet life, marry a practical man, and leave all her "worldly" desires behind. Her life was perfect. She had a fulfilling job, a cute apartment, and a wedding to plan with her soon-to-be fiancé, Dexter. But then in walks Luc DeForges, her handsome ex-boyfriend. After rejecting Katie, Luc cornered the organic food market and became one of the most eligible millionaire bachelors. But now he's back and asking her to go home to New Orleans to sing at his brother's wedding. But Katie knows that Luc is not to be trusted. She doesn't plan on being used by him.

Katie's boyfriend, Dexter, is a practical man. He's safe. He's intellectual and punctual, and he'll be a good dad. There are a billion reasons why Kate should marry him. And Dexter will propose as soon as she gets her grandmother's ring from her mom. And Luc will provide her with a free trip home for just that purpose.

But can she resist the feelings she still holds for Luc? Can she face her past and come out clean? Can the passions she had as a young woman, which led to many of her past mistakes, still have a place in her life?

I do not read a lot of chick lit, but I will always pick up a Kristin Billerbeck book. I am assured of an interesting, spunky heroine, humor, a couple of quirky characters, romance and a happy (even if predictible) ending.  One thing I don't like is when the character's description does not match the picture on the cover.  Don't understand why that is done.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kristin Billerbeck was born in California to an Italian father and a strong Norwegian/German mother. Her mother tried to teach her to do things right, how to cook, clean, sew, and budget accordingly—all the things a proper girl should know in order to be a contributing member of society. Yet Billerbeck said she “failed miserably,” although her grandmother must still hold some hope since she gave her a cookie gun for her 40th birthday.

Billerbeck has authored more than 30 novels, including the Ashley Stockingdale series and the Spa Girls series. She is a leader in the Chick Lit movement, a Christy Award finalist, and a two-time winner of the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year Award. She has appeared on The Today Show and has been featured in the New York Times. She lives with her family in northern California.


Visit the author's website.
Book Details.

This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Audra Jennings and The B & B Media Group and in no way influenced my review of this book.  These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”