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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
Trust Jewel to write not just “A Good Book” but a great one!
This is such a good series. Jewel is one of my favorites because of the way she writes, she is not a cookie cutter author, each story even within the same world is different, because she writes people with real emotion and vulnerability.
This book takes place in 1989, which to me seems not so long ago, and yet in reality it’s almost 40 years ago. I was the exact same age as Gabby at that time, and I remember being 19 in college, thinking I knew what I wanted, but in reality I didn’t have a clue. Gabby has dreams, unrealistic almost immature dreams and they are clouding her vision of what’s right in front of her. This story is Gabby’s journey of growth, and it’s not a smooth easy one, but in the end, with her own sort of faith she finds her way.
I am a fan of Jewel, I will drop everything and read her words whenever I get a chance. If you haven’t read her this series is a great place to start, but be warned once you do, you are going to want to read them all!
✩4
✦What to Expect✦
•Childhood friends to lovers
•Unrequited love
•The good girl/preachers daughter
✦Characters✦
•Gabriella Jacobson
•Ben Ashford
✦Fav Quotes✦
They didn’t know how much I ached to mean as much to her as she meant to me.
Only You You’re my first and last. My beginning and my end. My friend and lover.
We were young and stupid. Wild and free. Figuring out life one day—one happy accident—at a time.
✦Thoughts✦
I couldn’t put this one down, I stayed up until 2am reading.
Ben…. ALL THE FEELS.
Not me sobbing for him. It’s fine I’m fine!!!!!
The friendship between these two was so sweet.
I loved seeing Sarah & Eve make appearances. Eve cracks me up so much!!!
I also didn’t expect that twist/surprise at the end!
Overall I mostly enjoyed this one, but Gabby frustrated me at first. She was living in a fairy tale and was being incredibly naive, but she did grow on me once she got it together.
These two could be very frustrating at times, but given their ages & what they each were going through it wasn’t too surprising.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Sarah, Eve, and Gabby all grew up as preacher’s daughters, but each sister has a very different road to adulthood. The youngest, Gabby, is headed to college and thankfully her best friend Ben is going also. But he’s not reason Gabby chose this school, Matt is. Matt, as in her oldest sister Sarah’s ex. Gabby has crushed on Matt since she was little and hopes to get his attention now that she’s older.
Meanwhile, Ben has been harboring a secret. He is Gabby’s best friend and he has had to listen to Gabby go on about Matt for years. It’s been torture..as he has been in love with her since before he knew what love was. But no one expects the next turn of events..that will affect all of them.
All three of these books were so good. This one..grab a tissue. Only for sleep did I put this down. All three of them really, they were captivating. Great book and series!
Thank you #ValentinePR
Thank you #ValentinePR
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Jewel E Ann has a way of writing characters that just bury themselves deep within you & Gabby's story is no different. This series has quickly become one of my favorites & with good reason. These three sisters have complex journeys & the twists their stories take always surprise me. Set in 1989, Gabby Jacobson, the youngest daughter of the small town preacher, goes off to college to follow her crush, her sister's ex-boyfriend, but what she finds is that her heart already belongs to her best friend, Ben. She just didn't know it.
Unrequited love, the innocence of first love,e and the life-changing experiences that force one to change their set path are all dealt with carefully, sometimes shockingly & in such an emotionally raw way that this story just gripped me from beginning to end. I could not put this one down. I don't do spoilers, but at a high level, Ben & Gabby are best friends who turn into lovers, and the circumstances they find themselves in make them evaluate what they truly want in life & how to overcome the challenges, some self-inflicted, that drive them apart.
This story is both heartbreaking & beautiful. The emotional rollercoaster these two complex characters go on will hit you right in the heart - I felt all of Ben & Gabby's emotions. The pining, the steam, the heartache, the trauma - this story has it all. Jewel E Ann's plots typically shock me in some way, and this story is no different. I really appreciated both of Ben & Gabby's journeys & their growth is just spectacular.
This is a story that will stick with me for a while, just like the rest of this series. Sunday Morning series is truly special & I can't wait to see what Jewel E. Ann writes next!
💖 Friends to Lovers
📚 1989 College Setting
🫶 Unrequited Love
❣️ Love Triangle (kind of)
❤️🩹 Trauma & Healing
✌🏻 Dual POV
Unrequited love, the innocence of first love,e and the life-changing experiences that force one to change their set path are all dealt with carefully, sometimes shockingly & in such an emotionally raw way that this story just gripped me from beginning to end. I could not put this one down. I don't do spoilers, but at a high level, Ben & Gabby are best friends who turn into lovers, and the circumstances they find themselves in make them evaluate what they truly want in life & how to overcome the challenges, some self-inflicted, that drive them apart.
This story is both heartbreaking & beautiful. The emotional rollercoaster these two complex characters go on will hit you right in the heart - I felt all of Ben & Gabby's emotions. The pining, the steam, the heartache, the trauma - this story has it all. Jewel E Ann's plots typically shock me in some way, and this story is no different. I really appreciated both of Ben & Gabby's journeys & their growth is just spectacular.
This is a story that will stick with me for a while, just like the rest of this series. Sunday Morning series is truly special & I can't wait to see what Jewel E. Ann writes next!
💖 Friends to Lovers
📚 1989 College Setting
🫶 Unrequited Love
❣️ Love Triangle (kind of)
❤️🩹 Trauma & Healing
✌🏻 Dual POV
A GOOD BOOK was, well, a good book! I loved the late 80s setting and I really enjoyed the story.
Gabby has been in love with her sister’s ex-bf, Matt, for as long as she could remember. She even followed him to college hoping that her unrequited love will finally turn into more.
Ben, Gabby’s bff, is also attending the same college on a music scholarship. They’ve been best friends forever and he knows that she’s in love with Matt.
But one day Ben kisses Gabby and admits that he’s always been in love with her. That leaves Gabby all confused and she avoids him until she can make sense of her feelings. But during the time they were apart something life altering happens to him that has her running straight to her bff.
From that moment on, nothing is ever the same. As Gabby tries to be the best friend to him that she needs to be, she also grapples with the fact that she loves him, too — only for Ben to push her away.
Another significant event occurs that changes the course of her life forever. Once Ben finds out, it’s his turn to be there for Gabby. But is it enough? Can he be who he she needs him to be?
I was hooked from the very beginning and the twists threw me for a loop! I really enjoyed the story. I wasn’t expecting it to be so emotional, lol! I loved the underlying themes of growth, healing, and forgiveness and especially loved the ending!
Thanks so much, Jewel and @valentine_pr_, for the complementary book. All opinions are my own!💕
****ARC****
Thanks to Valentines PR for selecting me for this ARC. And a HUGE!!! thank you to the wonderful author for writing this amazing book. THANK YOU!!! ❤❤❤
4.5
Ben and Gabby.
I'm so sad to have to say goodbye to the series because I've loved every word and every second of this series. The thing with Jewel E. Ann, she's gonna bring the emotions and the twists and this book was no different.
Now, I know no spoilers so I'm gonna pick and choose my words carefully. From the first book; Sunday Morning, I always shipped Gabby and Matt, I mean this is a forbidden love series so that would've been quite top tier, her being with her sisters ex boyfriend. But that would be TOO EASY and we don't do that around here. We need the twists and turns. I didn't know that Ben existed and when you start reading the book, you will get that feeling that he was just the best friend she confides in but negative, he was inlove with his bestfriend and didn't want things to change so he didn't tell her. I loved how their friendship went from that to romantic. I loved how she would constantly show up for him. I loved how even though he acted like an asshole, he wasn't, he was just trying to "protect" her. I loved how she accepted him. I loved Ben in all the best ways. At times I wanted to knock him upside the head......BUT.....I didn't like what happened to him and I and everybody would have the same bad attitude towards everyone and everything if life ABRUPTLY changed. So while I wanted to beat some sense into him, I get it, my heart broke and broke and I just wanted to make it better for him. I loved the awareness as well because it is VERY serious. While he didn't want to accept the fact and he was still down about it, I really loved that he finally woke up when that other major thing happened. They both showed up for each other. They both loved on each other. They were just beautiful to be honest.
Overall I give this book a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5. This book made me feel loved, made me laugh, made me cry. The book was freaking incredible. Plus, we got to see the OGs, my favorites Sarah/Sunday and Isaac. One thing I want to say is that when it came to their dad, I was so proud in a way how he handled this whole situation because he's so used to his girls being unruly at this point and he thought Gabby would stay his little girl forever and he though that she woild just follow the rules and she did, just NOT FULLY lol. But go's reaction was less than with Sarah and Eve and I appreciated that. I really loved Ben and Gabby and I just want to say that after what happened happened, he showed up in the best way. He made up for all the times he pushed her away. He was just a top tier MMC and I loved that and she was a top tier FMC.
I loved loved loved this book and I'm sad to say goodbye to the series. I hope there will be more books BUT if not, I look forward to more of her books.
Thanks to Valentines PR for selecting me for this ARC. And a HUGE!!! thank you to the wonderful author for writing this amazing book. THANK YOU!!! ❤❤❤
4.5
Ben and Gabby.
I'm so sad to have to say goodbye to the series because I've loved every word and every second of this series. The thing with Jewel E. Ann, she's gonna bring the emotions and the twists and this book was no different.
Now, I know no spoilers so I'm gonna pick and choose my words carefully. From the first book; Sunday Morning, I always shipped Gabby and Matt, I mean this is a forbidden love series so that would've been quite top tier, her being with her sisters ex boyfriend. But that would be TOO EASY and we don't do that around here. We need the twists and turns. I didn't know that Ben existed and when you start reading the book, you will get that feeling that he was just the best friend she confides in but negative, he was inlove with his bestfriend and didn't want things to change so he didn't tell her. I loved how their friendship went from that to romantic. I loved how she would constantly show up for him. I loved how even though he acted like an asshole, he wasn't, he was just trying to "protect" her. I loved how she accepted him. I loved Ben in all the best ways. At times I wanted to knock him upside the head......BUT.....I didn't like what happened to him and I and everybody would have the same bad attitude towards everyone and everything if life ABRUPTLY changed. So while I wanted to beat some sense into him, I get it, my heart broke and broke and I just wanted to make it better for him. I loved the awareness as well because it is VERY serious. While he didn't want to accept the fact and he was still down about it, I really loved that he finally woke up when that other major thing happened. They both showed up for each other. They both loved on each other. They were just beautiful to be honest.
Overall I give this book a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5. This book made me feel loved, made me laugh, made me cry. The book was freaking incredible. Plus, we got to see the OGs, my favorites Sarah/Sunday and Isaac. One thing I want to say is that when it came to their dad, I was so proud in a way how he handled this whole situation because he's so used to his girls being unruly at this point and he thought Gabby would stay his little girl forever and he though that she woild just follow the rules and she did, just NOT FULLY lol. But go's reaction was less than with Sarah and Eve and I appreciated that. I really loved Ben and Gabby and I just want to say that after what happened happened, he showed up in the best way. He made up for all the times he pushed her away. He was just a top tier MMC and I loved that and she was a top tier FMC.
I loved loved loved this book and I'm sad to say goodbye to the series. I hope there will be more books BUT if not, I look forward to more of her books.
A Good Book by Jewel E. Ann is the final book in the Sunday Morning Trilogy. If you've read Sunday Morning and The Apple Tree, you are familiar with the Jacobson family and the dynamics between the sisters, Sarah, Eve, and Gabby. Gabriella Grace Jacobson is the youngest sister and, according to her, her parents' favorite child, but as we all know, parents don't have favorites. Grace's best friend is Benjamin Ashford, the musical genius with the perfect pitch and the keeper of Grace's secrets; she has had a crush on Matthew Cory, Sarah's ex-boyfriend, before they started dating, and it has continued, so much so that she follows him to the University of Michigan. Wherever Grace goes, Ben follows. She is studying Psychology, and Ben received a full music scholarship and is studying his life's passion, music. Grace's roommate, Olivia, demonstrates how the preacher's daughter is uneducated and inexperienced with sex. Grace has watched and documented her sisters' downfalls and believes that she will not be the one to bring shame to her family. She has doodled in the margins of her bible about how her life will turn out with Matt as her husband and what their wedding night will be.
Jewel E. Ann's storytelling plays havoc on emotions, and Jewel is a master player. Are you a believer in Destiny, Serendipity, or Coincidence?
As the story unfolds, the question lingers: Will it be the Poet and the Lawyer or the Poet and the Composer? The answer lies in the pages of A Good Book, waiting to be discovered.
Jewel E. Ann's storytelling plays havoc on emotions, and Jewel is a master player. Are you a believer in Destiny, Serendipity, or Coincidence?
As the story unfolds, the question lingers: Will it be the Poet and the Lawyer or the Poet and the Composer? The answer lies in the pages of A Good Book, waiting to be discovered.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
MORE THAN 5 STARS!!! It’s been a long time since a book made me feel ALL the things at once… and feel them so fiercely. Gabby and Ben’s story reminded me so much of my own “story.” I married my best friend. No “happy little accidents”, but it was him all along. I almost don’t have the words to express how much I love this story. 🥹
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh My Goodness! I don't know what Jewel E Ann puts into her books, but I swear they are laced with crack and they are my addiction. I absolutely devoured A Good Book. Like it literally landed on my kindle and I couldn't put it down until I consumed it. I had to know where sweet Gabby's story was going to take us.
A Good Book is the third and final book in the Sunday Morning series set in the 80's about 3 sisters whose father is a preacher. Sarah, the oldest. Eve, the middle child. And Gabby the youngest. After her two older sisters have moved out and on, Gabby is set to go to college where she follows her long time crush, who just so happens to be her oldest sister's ex-boyfriend. Luckily, she also has her best friend Ben who follows her. But Ben isn't only her best friend, he has been harboring a long time crush on Gabby. Oh what a tangled web we weave. And I was 100% here for it!!
I have loved this series from the start and have loved how each sisters' personality has shined through in their stories. But I knew Gabby's story was going to be unique. Her faith was strong and she held that part of herself close. She had been sheltered so much of her life, but we get to see her growing up, questioning and experiencing all the things that she has come to know about life, boys, attraction and love. She seemed immature at times, but it was so real and true to her character. I was happy to see that Jewel did not veer too much off-course for Gabby.
And then there is Ben. That music loving boy. That faithful and caring man. He would do anything for his best friend. Even watch her crush on another man, just to be close to her. I adored him. Enough said. He made me smile and he broke my heart. And my heart broke for him.
'Loving Gabriella Jacobson was easy. Being her best friend? Pure torture.'
But you can't have a Jewel E Ann story without something that may annihilate you. And boy, did JEA give it to us. I have to keep this part of the plot super vague as not to have any spoilers, but I will say that we get the ultimate imperfectly perfect friends to lovers story with some major angsty and emotional twists along with some sizzling chemistry and unexpected surprises.
JEA brought this series to a close with some great growth from each and EVERY character. From the main characters, to the supporting ones, everyone played a vital role in this final book. She did break my heart, but I always have confidence that she will put it back together. I have some deep love for this family and the sisters and I'm sad to see it all come to an end. But what an ending she gave us! Be prepared to laugh and smile and FEEL all of the emotions once she knocks you off your feet with a twist that will leave you breathless and questioning the journey. Have faith and enjoy the ride in this beautiful, yet messy coming of age love story.
Love was the most vulnerable emotion. It exposed the heart.
It stole breaths.
Made sane people crazy.
And in its unrequited form, love was so humbling.
A Good Book is the third and final book in the Sunday Morning series set in the 80's about 3 sisters whose father is a preacher. Sarah, the oldest. Eve, the middle child. And Gabby the youngest. After her two older sisters have moved out and on, Gabby is set to go to college where she follows her long time crush, who just so happens to be her oldest sister's ex-boyfriend. Luckily, she also has her best friend Ben who follows her. But Ben isn't only her best friend, he has been harboring a long time crush on Gabby. Oh what a tangled web we weave. And I was 100% here for it!!
I have loved this series from the start and have loved how each sisters' personality has shined through in their stories. But I knew Gabby's story was going to be unique. Her faith was strong and she held that part of herself close. She had been sheltered so much of her life, but we get to see her growing up, questioning and experiencing all the things that she has come to know about life, boys, attraction and love. She seemed immature at times, but it was so real and true to her character. I was happy to see that Jewel did not veer too much off-course for Gabby.
And then there is Ben. That music loving boy. That faithful and caring man. He would do anything for his best friend. Even watch her crush on another man, just to be close to her. I adored him. Enough said. He made me smile and he broke my heart. And my heart broke for him.
'Loving Gabriella Jacobson was easy. Being her best friend? Pure torture.'
But you can't have a Jewel E Ann story without something that may annihilate you. And boy, did JEA give it to us. I have to keep this part of the plot super vague as not to have any spoilers, but I will say that we get the ultimate imperfectly perfect friends to lovers story with some major angsty and emotional twists along with some sizzling chemistry and unexpected surprises.
JEA brought this series to a close with some great growth from each and EVERY character. From the main characters, to the supporting ones, everyone played a vital role in this final book. She did break my heart, but I always have confidence that she will put it back together. I have some deep love for this family and the sisters and I'm sad to see it all come to an end. But what an ending she gave us! Be prepared to laugh and smile and FEEL all of the emotions once she knocks you off your feet with a twist that will leave you breathless and questioning the journey. Have faith and enjoy the ride in this beautiful, yet messy coming of age love story.
Love was the most vulnerable emotion. It exposed the heart.
It stole breaths.
Made sane people crazy.
And in its unrequited form, love was so humbling.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A Good Book by Jewel E. Ann is the third book of her Sunday Morning series. Set in 1989, it is both a romance and a coming of age story.
I have loved this series so much and now we finally have Gabby’s story, the youngest of the three sisters of a small town preacher. I forgot that Jewel E. Ann lists a song at the start of each chapter all through this series. It’s such a fun little detail. I also forgot how much I love Grandma Bonnie, the Queen of keeping it real, and her advice to the girls.
I enjoyed this one but, wow, I was not at all prepared for this angsty, coming of age, friends to lovers story. I was pretty sure I had the entire plot figured out within the first three paragraphs (which, to be fair, I did), but what a roller coaster to get there in the end. I think Jewel E. Ann did a good job of capturing emotions that fit the ages and maturity level of the characters, even if it is frustrating at times for the reader.
Overall, this series will always hold a special place in my heart because Sunday Morning was my first Jewel E. Ann book and it was incredible to *feel* the story as it unfolded. I’ve enjoyed seeing each of the three sister’s stories throughout the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Sexual content