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adeselnaferreira's review
3.0
This is Regnery’s debut novel, a fairly nice and enjoyable book for Winter, mostly. One that you will read on your tablet/e-reader while drinking a nice hot cup of cocoa. The story itself had some morals and symbolism attached to it, however the author still lacks some balance and, we hope to see how Regnery will face the reviews and what she will change in the future.
The constant repetitions of what the characters are thinking turns the Reading a little dull and the idea that the country is nice and the city is bad and corrupts you is kind of old fashion. We get it that living in the country is nice (hey I am from the country), however the city has some nice points too. Why focus all that is shallow and horrible in one space?
The insta-romance between the main characters was also another thing that needed improvement. Although the starting point is nice, I would have changed, as an editor, the time they had to wait to get married by proxy. One weekend is not enough to create a solid attraction between two characters. But Regnery tries and we have to give her kudos for that. We may not believe 100% that they fell in love in just two days, but she compensates that with the rest of the book, making their longing and relationship solid.
The writer’s style is nice: solid, simple and effective. There are some humor parts, which turn the story a little lighter and Jenny’s brothers have some similarities with Julia Quinn’s ones from her books.
The characters also present the traditional dichotomy between country and city and, to a certain degree, stereotypical: Jenny is a strong woman, although she obsesses with everything and the author tries to make her too much “natural” (on the other hand, girls from the city are typically shallow). Sam likes to party and belongs to the big city, but something in Livingston attracts him.
In the end, the bigger picture remains: how important compromising is in a relationship and that one must swallow our pride for a greater good.
It is not an extraordinary book, but it entertains and it leaves a sweet taste when it is over. I am definitely waiting for the second one, starring one of Jenny’s brother.
The constant repetitions of what the characters are thinking turns the Reading a little dull and the idea that the country is nice and the city is bad and corrupts you is kind of old fashion. We get it that living in the country is nice (hey I am from the country), however the city has some nice points too. Why focus all that is shallow and horrible in one space?
The insta-romance between the main characters was also another thing that needed improvement. Although the starting point is nice, I would have changed, as an editor, the time they had to wait to get married by proxy. One weekend is not enough to create a solid attraction between two characters. But Regnery tries and we have to give her kudos for that. We may not believe 100% that they fell in love in just two days, but she compensates that with the rest of the book, making their longing and relationship solid.
The writer’s style is nice: solid, simple and effective. There are some humor parts, which turn the story a little lighter and Jenny’s brothers have some similarities with Julia Quinn’s ones from her books.
The characters also present the traditional dichotomy between country and city and, to a certain degree, stereotypical: Jenny is a strong woman, although she obsesses with everything and the author tries to make her too much “natural” (on the other hand, girls from the city are typically shallow). Sam likes to party and belongs to the big city, but something in Livingston attracts him.
In the end, the bigger picture remains: how important compromising is in a relationship and that one must swallow our pride for a greater good.
It is not an extraordinary book, but it entertains and it leaves a sweet taste when it is over. I am definitely waiting for the second one, starring one of Jenny’s brother.
trudyd's review
4.0
I fell in love with Katy's books last year (Thank you San Francisco Golden Gate Author event). I have been playing catch up ever since. I have enjoyed every one of them. So many wonderful books, so little time. This is the first book in her Heart of Montana series. It is a cute romance that takes place in a small town. Sam has come to Montana to be a stand-in for his cousin, Kristan, stuck in Afghanistan. Jenny is there as a stand-in for her cousin, Ingrid, at a different location oversea. Kristan and Ingrid want to get married but needless to say can't get back to Montana.
Jenny isn't happy with Sam when he shows up an hour late to the courthouse. The judge has left for the weekend. They have to reschedule for Monday. Jenny lets it be known how unhappy she is with the situation. Sam isn't thrilled to be stuck in Montana for the weekend either.
Sam follows Jenny to her small town in search for a hotel. Things begin to change when she spins out on the Highway. Jenny wants to show Sam she is sorry for her behavior. The romance begins with dinner and a walk under the stars.
Some say it only takes a moment to know. Some say it can take less than a week. Who knows what will happen in a small town where everyone knows Jenny. She has three older brothers. She is a school teacher. She has only been kissed a few times and nothing else. Does any of it matter? Sam leaves on Monday.
The romance has laughs, teasing, and so much more. By Proxy is a nice easy read that brought a smile on a bad day. The smiles just kept on coming.
Jenny isn't happy with Sam when he shows up an hour late to the courthouse. The judge has left for the weekend. They have to reschedule for Monday. Jenny lets it be known how unhappy she is with the situation. Sam isn't thrilled to be stuck in Montana for the weekend either.
Sam follows Jenny to her small town in search for a hotel. Things begin to change when she spins out on the Highway. Jenny wants to show Sam she is sorry for her behavior. The romance begins with dinner and a walk under the stars.
Some say it only takes a moment to know. Some say it can take less than a week. Who knows what will happen in a small town where everyone knows Jenny. She has three older brothers. She is a school teacher. She has only been kissed a few times and nothing else. Does any of it matter? Sam leaves on Monday.
The romance has laughs, teasing, and so much more. By Proxy is a nice easy read that brought a smile on a bad day. The smiles just kept on coming.
jbarr5's review
5.0
By Proxy, Heart of Montana Series by Katy Regency
First I fell in love with her knitted hat and his zippered fair isle sweater. I had read another Christmas story from the author and loved it.
I had never heard of a proxy marriage so it was interesting to read about it and look up other facts online. Love learning new things.
Sam is there in Montana and will be there longer than planned due to his late arrival and the judges early leave. Jenna is there to be the proxy for her friend Ingrid.
I like how each character gets their own chapter to describe things as they see it, after the initial shock has set in.
They agree to start over as they both were on the wrong foot from the beginning. He's left at the B&B and she heads home. He takes a walk outside and the territory is familiar to him. Love the part about the outside and the northern lights and all the detail of the nature.
Once in her familiar town and Yellowstone settings she begins to relax but her brothers hear she and Sam had dinner at a local place and they hound her the next day. All she can think about is Sam and she looks him up online and it seems as if he's got a girl back home-then why is he ogling her?
Love the loop around the area and the nature seen. They get the proxy marriage done and split to go their own ways.
They each suffer and realize in time what has happened and how to fix it..was going to suggest that the author continue the series with each of Jen's brothers getting a book and viola, the next is due out any day!
There was so much I loved about this as described above, so glad I was able to read it!
I received this book from the author in a contest she ran.
First I fell in love with her knitted hat and his zippered fair isle sweater. I had read another Christmas story from the author and loved it.
I had never heard of a proxy marriage so it was interesting to read about it and look up other facts online. Love learning new things.
Sam is there in Montana and will be there longer than planned due to his late arrival and the judges early leave. Jenna is there to be the proxy for her friend Ingrid.
I like how each character gets their own chapter to describe things as they see it, after the initial shock has set in.
They agree to start over as they both were on the wrong foot from the beginning. He's left at the B&B and she heads home. He takes a walk outside and the territory is familiar to him. Love the part about the outside and the northern lights and all the detail of the nature.
Once in her familiar town and Yellowstone settings she begins to relax but her brothers hear she and Sam had dinner at a local place and they hound her the next day. All she can think about is Sam and she looks him up online and it seems as if he's got a girl back home-then why is he ogling her?
Love the loop around the area and the nature seen. They get the proxy marriage done and split to go their own ways.
They each suffer and realize in time what has happened and how to fix it..was going to suggest that the author continue the series with each of Jen's brothers getting a book and viola, the next is due out any day!
There was so much I loved about this as described above, so glad I was able to read it!
I received this book from the author in a contest she ran.
jaimejustreadsromance's review
4.0
As a new blogger imagine my excitement when my first review request from an author comes through my email. It also just so happens that the description of the book includes my two favorite things, Romance and Christmas. Oh did I mention it features a military couple, which is obviously close to my heart because I am an Army spouse. I'll admit I was nervous because what if this book is bad and I can't give a new author love? I love giving love....
Now imagine me as I do a happy dance because the book turns out to be anything but a disappointment!! Yay!!
I love a well-written sweet romance and this is definitely that.
Sam & Jenny meet under strange circumstances but are instantly drawn to one another. They end up having to spend the weekend together but quickly decide to make the best of it. They both realize pretty quickly that the weekend just might not be enough but neither of them is willing to give up their lives in very different cities. Sam can tell that Jenny isn't completely happy in Gardiner but she lets him know pretty adamantly that she isn't meant for big city living and doesn't want to leave her family behind. Sam sees this as a declaration that they simply aren't meant to be. After a heated argument they part ways. Will the love they've discovered with each other be enough to sacrifice their old lives or are they destined to give up on the most real thing they've ever had?
I'm looking forward to the next books in this series. I'd love to read more about Lars, Erik and Nils (& Maggie) and maybe even an HEA for Paul? *hint*
If you love sweet romances set in small towns (ie Lucky Harbor series by Jill Shalvis, Fools Gold series by Susan Mallory, Lakeshore Chronicles by Susan Wiggs) then this is the book for you.
PS. I LOVE the cover!
*I received and ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review
Now imagine me as I do a happy dance because the book turns out to be anything but a disappointment!! Yay!!
I love a well-written sweet romance and this is definitely that.
Sam & Jenny meet under strange circumstances but are instantly drawn to one another. They end up having to spend the weekend together but quickly decide to make the best of it. They both realize pretty quickly that the weekend just might not be enough but neither of them is willing to give up their lives in very different cities. Sam can tell that Jenny isn't completely happy in Gardiner but she lets him know pretty adamantly that she isn't meant for big city living and doesn't want to leave her family behind. Sam sees this as a declaration that they simply aren't meant to be. After a heated argument they part ways. Will the love they've discovered with each other be enough to sacrifice their old lives or are they destined to give up on the most real thing they've ever had?
I'm looking forward to the next books in this series. I'd love to read more about Lars, Erik and Nils (& Maggie) and maybe even an HEA for Paul? *hint*
If you love sweet romances set in small towns (ie Lucky Harbor series by Jill Shalvis, Fools Gold series by Susan Mallory, Lakeshore Chronicles by Susan Wiggs) then this is the book for you.
PS. I LOVE the cover!
*I received and ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review
agrutle's review
4.0
I love my best friend and I would do anything for her but I don't know if I could stand in as a proxy for her wedding. Jenny is going to do just that. Her best friend Ingrid is overseas, her fiance is in Afghanistan and they want to get married. They just aren't close enough and can't get the time to do it, so they call their best friends and ask them to be their proxies. Kristian asks his cousin Sam to stand in for him and so it goes.
Sam was late to the appointment and they had to reschedule for Monday so Sam goes to stay in the small town of Gardiner where Jenny lives. They spend a great deal of time together, dinner and walks, just getting to know one another. Sam is a big city boy and even though he's falling hard and fast for Jenny, he just can't see that he could live in a small town. Giving up his city ways wouldn't work, right?
Jenny came home to take care of her sick mom and never left again. She's afraid. Sam is everything she wants but she can't bring herself to leave her family.
They fell in to love so easily. It was just natural, it wasn't forced or fake. You felt the pulls and you just know that they do love each other. They are just stubborn people. Sam can't leave Chicago and Jenny can't leave her family, so they become miserable people. They aren't happy but they won't be happy if they move to one or the other. Sometimes you have to miss something to truly understand what it means to you and what you will do to keep it in your life. This book was easy to read and the characters were easy too.
Sam was late to the appointment and they had to reschedule for Monday so Sam goes to stay in the small town of Gardiner where Jenny lives. They spend a great deal of time together, dinner and walks, just getting to know one another. Sam is a big city boy and even though he's falling hard and fast for Jenny, he just can't see that he could live in a small town. Giving up his city ways wouldn't work, right?
Jenny came home to take care of her sick mom and never left again. She's afraid. Sam is everything she wants but she can't bring herself to leave her family.
They fell in to love so easily. It was just natural, it wasn't forced or fake. You felt the pulls and you just know that they do love each other. They are just stubborn people. Sam can't leave Chicago and Jenny can't leave her family, so they become miserable people. They aren't happy but they won't be happy if they move to one or the other. Sometimes you have to miss something to truly understand what it means to you and what you will do to keep it in your life. This book was easy to read and the characters were easy too.
lenoreo's review
2.0
2.5 stars -- *sigh* And so my reading slump continues. Which is weird, b/c I thought this would be a sure thing since I love other works by this author. I will definitely be taking the rest of this series off my wishlist, just in case....
I probably should have DNF'd this one from the first moment our heroine acted all judgey and rubbed me the wrong way. But there were parts of the romance I was enjoying, and I wanted to see if she would grow up a bit. Unfortunately, that just didn't happen. And then I thought about DNFing it at 60% when she was getting beyond judgey mcjudgerson and I still didn't...I definitely regret that.
So yeah. My main issue was with Jenny. And it was a huge issue. Sam kept talking about how kind she was, but she was only kind to *her* kind of people. I mean, the guy has one beer with lunch and she gives him a dirty look and then says "men will have their vices"?? It wasn't in a playful manner either. She was really put out and just put up with it barely. Sam was always feeling guilty for the life he led. It would be one thing if he just wasn't happy with that life anymore (which he wasn't), but she actually made him feel bad for his previous choices. For someone who is supposed to be so kind hearted and religious, that was awfully mean. Example #2 -- she was disgusted and heartbroken when she found out he lived with Pepper. He's a 29 year old man who was in a relationship!!! For realz??? And then there was how she treated Tess (who granted, was making moves on Sam while he was with her, but holy hateful). It just felt like everything about Sam and his lifestyle was wrong and evil and her only issues were supposedly her fear of leaving her family...because apparently no one else saw the other flaws in her character.
I just kept waiting for them both to grow up. I understand that they were going to fight and have differences, but the way they argued was so selfish and immature...I guess I just wasn't expecting that. Or at least it would have been nice to see some growth.
And it wasn't just Jenny that felt judgmental and holier than thou....the whole book had a judgmental feeling towards "big city life" and non-pure relationships. I don't mind if that's not who *you* are, but I enjoy all kinds of romance stories, and I don't appreciate being made to feel as though others are wrong.
My other main issue was the hugely drawn out ending. It felt very repetitive and contained a lot of rehashing of the previous story from both of their perspectives. It really wasn't necessary, and made the book feel ridiculously long and boring. Combine that with the judgemental feel of the book, and it just was a recipe for badness for me.
And there's my not so nice review. I hate reviewing books I don't enjoy....it makes me feel like a mean person, and I don't want to be a mean person. Obviously I am in the minority in this opinion, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt. But if you start feeling disgusted with Jenny like I was, then take my advice and DNF. It doesn't get better enough to make the little bits of fun and romance worth it. (At least in my opinion).
I probably should have DNF'd this one from the first moment our heroine acted all judgey and rubbed me the wrong way. But there were parts of the romance I was enjoying, and I wanted to see if she would grow up a bit. Unfortunately, that just didn't happen. And then I thought about DNFing it at 60% when she was getting beyond judgey mcjudgerson and I still didn't...I definitely regret that.
So yeah. My main issue was with Jenny. And it was a huge issue. Sam kept talking about how kind she was, but she was only kind to *her* kind of people. I mean, the guy has one beer with lunch and she gives him a dirty look and then says "men will have their vices"?? It wasn't in a playful manner either. She was really put out and just put up with it barely. Sam was always feeling guilty for the life he led. It would be one thing if he just wasn't happy with that life anymore (which he wasn't), but she actually made him feel bad for his previous choices. For someone who is supposed to be so kind hearted and religious, that was awfully mean. Example #2 -- she was disgusted and heartbroken when she found out he lived with Pepper. He's a 29 year old man who was in a relationship!!! For realz??? And then there was how she treated Tess (who granted, was making moves on Sam while he was with her, but holy hateful). It just felt like everything about Sam and his lifestyle was wrong and evil and her only issues were supposedly her fear of leaving her family...because apparently no one else saw the other flaws in her character.
I just kept waiting for them both to grow up. I understand that they were going to fight and have differences, but the way they argued was so selfish and immature...I guess I just wasn't expecting that. Or at least it would have been nice to see some growth.
And it wasn't just Jenny that felt judgmental and holier than thou....the whole book had a judgmental feeling towards "big city life" and non-pure relationships. I don't mind if that's not who *you* are, but I enjoy all kinds of romance stories, and I don't appreciate being made to feel as though others are wrong.
My other main issue was the hugely drawn out ending. It felt very repetitive and contained a lot of rehashing of the previous story from both of their perspectives. It really wasn't necessary, and made the book feel ridiculously long and boring. Combine that with the judgemental feel of the book, and it just was a recipe for badness for me.
And there's my not so nice review. I hate reviewing books I don't enjoy....it makes me feel like a mean person, and I don't want to be a mean person. Obviously I am in the minority in this opinion, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt. But if you start feeling disgusted with Jenny like I was, then take my advice and DNF. It doesn't get better enough to make the little bits of fun and romance worth it. (At least in my opinion).
jaimereadsromance's review
4.0
As a new blogger imagine my excitement when my first review request from an author comes through my email. It also just so happens that the description of the book includes my two favorite things, Romance and Christmas. Oh did I mention it features a military couple, which is obviously close to my heart because I am an Army spouse. I'll admit I was nervous because what if this book is bad and I can't give a new author love? I love giving love....
Now imagine me as I do a happy dance because the book turns out to be anything but a disappointment!! Yay!!
I love a well-written sweet romance and this is definitely that.
Sam & Jenny meet under strange circumstances but are instantly drawn to one another. They end up having to spend the weekend together but quickly decide to make the best of it. They both realize pretty quickly that the weekend just might not be enough but neither of them is willing to give up their lives in very different cities. Sam can tell that Jenny isn't completely happy in Gardiner but she lets him know pretty adamantly that she isn't meant for big city living and doesn't want to leave her family behind. Sam sees this as a declaration that they simply aren't meant to be. After a heated argument they part ways. Will the love they've discovered with each other be enough to sacrifice their old lives or are they destined to give up on the most real thing they've ever had?
I'm looking forward to the next books in this series. I'd love to read more about Lars, Erik and Nils (& Maggie) and maybe even an HEA for Paul? *hint*
If you love sweet romances set in small towns (ie Lucky Harbor series by Jill Shalvis, Fools Gold series by Susan Mallory, Lakeshore Chronicles by Susan Wiggs) then this is the book for you.
PS. I LOVE the cover!
*I received and ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review
Now imagine me as I do a happy dance because the book turns out to be anything but a disappointment!! Yay!!
I love a well-written sweet romance and this is definitely that.
Sam & Jenny meet under strange circumstances but are instantly drawn to one another. They end up having to spend the weekend together but quickly decide to make the best of it. They both realize pretty quickly that the weekend just might not be enough but neither of them is willing to give up their lives in very different cities. Sam can tell that Jenny isn't completely happy in Gardiner but she lets him know pretty adamantly that she isn't meant for big city living and doesn't want to leave her family behind. Sam sees this as a declaration that they simply aren't meant to be. After a heated argument they part ways. Will the love they've discovered with each other be enough to sacrifice their old lives or are they destined to give up on the most real thing they've ever had?
I'm looking forward to the next books in this series. I'd love to read more about Lars, Erik and Nils (& Maggie) and maybe even an HEA for Paul? *hint*
If you love sweet romances set in small towns (ie Lucky Harbor series by Jill Shalvis, Fools Gold series by Susan Mallory, Lakeshore Chronicles by Susan Wiggs) then this is the book for you.
PS. I LOVE the cover!
*I received and ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review
ashrocketship's review
1.0
Offensively bland writing, boring and/or unlikable characters, poor pacing, awful internal monologues, place-making less interesting than your average Wikipedia page, and no sex! The best parts were definitely the pages and pages and pages I skimmed so quickly as to barely be considered reading. The longest 165 pages of possibly my entire life. Truly awful.