Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
The story carried me along. I can see how this would be in a series, though I don't need to read any more of them.
This series is my new mindless enjoyable reading material. Is it chick-lit? Yes, but very enjoyable mostly because the characters are well written and the relationships believable. Is it predictable, yes, but still able to tug my heart strings.
I always love a back-together book. This novel being a perfect example. The plot is totally beautiful. I mean, it may happen in real life which makes it more interesting to read. This is very well written. I was touched and i fell in love with Joe. =) He's such a softy on the inside. I wish every guy thinks of his girl like Joe does.
This is the first book I've ever read by Shannon Stacey. I tried reading one sometime back but that was about the time Romantic Suspense and I decided to separate and I didn't finished it. Since RS and I still haven't reconciled, I haven't picked up another.
But when I realized this was a straight contemp I decided to try it. Especially after seeing Lori's glowing review. Which, upon further inspection, is what was the deciding factor for me. Because I don't DO journalist heroines.
This heroine worked for me, however, because she was upfront right from the beginning about her motivations and the lines she was (and wasn't) willing to cross personally and professionally. She didn't have a hidden agenda - it was right there out in the open.
Keri and Joe were both mature characters. There was no big misunderstanding or immature antics on either side. Just two adults who had once loved each other and were battling nostalgia and attraction. Their conflict was a believable one, because 20 years had passed and they were different now than they'd been before.
Overall I found this to be wonderfully done. The characters are well drawn and believable, and I loved the way the family dynamics were portrayed.
But when I realized this was a straight contemp I decided to try it. Especially after seeing Lori's glowing review. Which, upon further inspection, is what was the deciding factor for me. Because I don't DO journalist heroines.
This heroine worked for me, however, because she was upfront right from the beginning about her motivations and the lines she was (and wasn't) willing to cross personally and professionally. She didn't have a hidden agenda - it was right there out in the open.
Keri and Joe were both mature characters. There was no big misunderstanding or immature antics on either side. Just two adults who had once loved each other and were battling nostalgia and attraction. Their conflict was a believable one, because 20 years had passed and they were different now than they'd been before.
Overall I found this to be wonderfully done. The characters are well drawn and believable, and I loved the way the family dynamics were portrayed.
OK, ignore this. I read maybe 10% before I dibsed out. So I can't really give any opinion on the book since I barely read any of it. But I already didn't particularly like Keri, and I wasn't really a fan of Terry....and since I have so many books on my queue, I decided it wasn't worth my time. I did like the glimpses of humour I got, but since I had a hard time relating to Keri at all, it just wasn't enough you know?
I absolutely adore this book! The sense of humor that the author has had me cracking up laughing throughout the entire book! I would highly recommend this book to everyone!
Every once in a while, I find a gem in the free Kindle book selections. I've been reading so many bad romances lately that it was good to pick up an exceptional story with two main characters that felt totally real.
Discovery: I really liked the second book in the Kowalski series (my review can be found here) and Joe and Keri were absolutely adorable in their few scenes. I’m glad I managed to find a copy of this book at my library.
+ Realistic storylines. This is one of the few contemporary romance novels I’ve read that nailed modern-day relationship and career issues. Joe and Keri’s post-college break-up is understandable, as are the situations they find themselves in a few years later. Keri is a focused career woman, but ball-buster she is not, which is a refreshing and welcomed change. Joe’s family aren’t picture-perfect people and I loved that this novel didn’t only tell me about Joe and Keri but about the people that helped them to become who they are now. I also appreciate the care Shannon Stacey took in bringing the two of them together–it wasn’t too rushed or too slow.
+ Supporting characters. I mentioned that the novel didn’t just focus on Joe and Keri and I think that’s one of its biggest strengths. The Kowalskis are a boisterous and loving family, which make them a delight to read about. I’m glad that Shannon Stacey didn’t underestimate her readers–each of the Kowalski siblings have believable flaws and problems that they all have to work through. None of these problems are solved in one fell swoop either. Did I mention how much fun it was to read about them? I started giggling more than once reading this book and it was great.
+ Writerly things. I have a soft spot for books with characters who are writers, and I’m so happy that this book did not disappoint. Both Joe and Keri seem involved and passionate when it comes to their craft. I’m especially enamoured with Keri’s career choices and the fact that she knows what she can and cannot let herself do.
- Terry Kowalski-Porter. I understand that she had issues of her own, but she was often the biggest damper on the fun I had reading this book. Those issues are resolved by the time the next book comes around, but judging this on its own, the scenes with Terry were the most difficult to get through. After 20-something years, she still hasn’t gotten over Keri “abandoning” her for other friends? It’s hard to believe.
Recommendations: This was a really fun, enjoyable romp of a book and most readers will have a great time watching Keri and Joe fall in love.
Rating: Very Good.
+ Realistic storylines. This is one of the few contemporary romance novels I’ve read that nailed modern-day relationship and career issues. Joe and Keri’s post-college break-up is understandable, as are the situations they find themselves in a few years later. Keri is a focused career woman, but ball-buster she is not, which is a refreshing and welcomed change. Joe’s family aren’t picture-perfect people and I loved that this novel didn’t only tell me about Joe and Keri but about the people that helped them to become who they are now. I also appreciate the care Shannon Stacey took in bringing the two of them together–it wasn’t too rushed or too slow.
+ Supporting characters. I mentioned that the novel didn’t just focus on Joe and Keri and I think that’s one of its biggest strengths. The Kowalskis are a boisterous and loving family, which make them a delight to read about. I’m glad that Shannon Stacey didn’t underestimate her readers–each of the Kowalski siblings have believable flaws and problems that they all have to work through. None of these problems are solved in one fell swoop either. Did I mention how much fun it was to read about them? I started giggling more than once reading this book and it was great.
+ Writerly things. I have a soft spot for books with characters who are writers, and I’m so happy that this book did not disappoint. Both Joe and Keri seem involved and passionate when it comes to their craft. I’m especially enamoured with Keri’s career choices and the fact that she knows what she can and cannot let herself do.
- Terry Kowalski-Porter. I understand that she had issues of her own, but she was often the biggest damper on the fun I had reading this book. Those issues are resolved by the time the next book comes around, but judging this on its own, the scenes with Terry were the most difficult to get through. After 20-something years, she still hasn’t gotten over Keri “abandoning” her for other friends? It’s hard to believe.
Recommendations: This was a really fun, enjoyable romp of a book and most readers will have a great time watching Keri and Joe fall in love.
Rating: Very Good.
I loved all the characters in this book and felt like I knew them personally. This book was funny and emotional but all in a very realistic way. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series!!