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tiggeruo's review against another edition
3.0
I usually summarize the main characters and my thoughts on each one and there parts in the book. For this book I won't do that because I feel like for the first portion of the book there were to many characters and to much going on. Towards the middle of the book it did come down to mother and daughter and there views, which is different for a book about life and romance. I felt with this book there was to many details and the book could have been from Caroline's and Dean's point of view and her and Dean's story and then another book written about Jamie and Chip's story to include the a different view to include the guys point of view and that may have made the story a little bit more interesting. I feel that the story lagged and the amount of detail even down to the design on plates, really took away from the story because it was to much and to overwhelming at points. There were good parts in the story but that was about half way through and then it went up and down from there. Over all I didn't like this book that much, I can't give it a one rating because it was not the bad. I would say this is about a 2 1/2 star for sure.
marbooks88's review against another edition
4.0
Life doesn't always follow the Blueprints you have drawn. Join mother & daughter Caroline & Jamie McAfee, the team behind the renovation show GutIt!, as they face life changes they never expected. Family, love, trust, respect, loyalty, and living life. Jamie and her mother Caroline confront all of these as their very core is rocked professionally and personally. Each much find their true self to find their way to each other. And all of this takes place in the course of a ew weeks. An enjoyable read that I highly recommend.
secretskeeper's review against another edition
4.0
First let me state that I got this as a Goodreads giveaway. Having said that however, I'm pretty sure I would've grabbed the book anyway. I've never read anything by Barbara Delinsky but the cover choice on this novel would've made me look twice.
The content of the novel kept me interested. I found myself liking the characters and rooting for them. I did question some things. Like why does Caroline and Jamie not talk so much if they have this best friend kind of relationship. But that all plays out in the end.
I did read the reviews prior to reading the novel and I think that played a role on how I viewed it while I was reading. There did seem to be a lot going on. One thing after another, but I didn't think it was too much. Some times, life happens that way.
Overall I think it was a well written story that had me entertained from the beginning.
The content of the novel kept me interested. I found myself liking the characters and rooting for them. I did question some things. Like why does Caroline and Jamie not talk so much if they have this best friend kind of relationship. But that all plays out in the end.
I did read the reviews prior to reading the novel and I think that played a role on how I viewed it while I was reading. There did seem to be a lot going on. One thing after another, but I didn't think it was too much. Some times, life happens that way.
Overall I think it was a well written story that had me entertained from the beginning.
minseigle's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book....it had a feel-good theme to it.
Mom and daughter are at odds, with each other, themselves, and age. It all comes together at the end though to leave you smiling.
Mom and daughter are at odds, with each other, themselves, and age. It all comes together at the end though to leave you smiling.
nobodysdoormat's review
3.0
I received an Advanced Reader's Copy from goodreads and so will ignore the errors.
It's an okay book. I neither liked nor disliked it. It's very difficult for me to provide a review of a book to which I seem to be entirely indifferent. There were a few passages that were wonderful to read but other than that it was average.
It's an okay book. I neither liked nor disliked it. It's very difficult for me to provide a review of a book to which I seem to be entirely indifferent. There were a few passages that were wonderful to read but other than that it was average.
hiltzmoore's review against another edition
2.0
So frustrated by this author. She has really great ideas, but they are ruined by over melodramatic, soap opera-esque bad writing. The grief parts of this book were good, and the concept behind a young career woman who needs to balance a very busy career with having motherhood thrust at her very unexpectedly while dealing with grief was intriguing to me. Unfortunately, this strong woman's problems are all solved by her mom and her man. The fact that these women were "independent, strong women" was shoved down the reader's throat, but their actions, including having their men (unnecessarily) at important business meetings, actually illustrated the opposite. The male characters were caricatures/ stereotypes and so easy to predict. This is the third Delinsky book I've read and they all frustrate me to no end because I want her to use her good ideas and rise above bodice-ripper chick-lit, but alas, I was disappointed yet again. I won this in a Goodreads First-Reads giveaway.
whaney's review against another edition
4.0
A great summer read! Loved the characters and story line.
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
Blueprints by Barbara Delinsky is a very charming novel about a mother and daughter whose close relationship becomes strained due to a job conflict. Their professional issues are further complicated by unexpected changes in their personal lives which puts even more distance between them. Although a bit of a slow starter, this compelling story quickly gains momentum and thunders its way to a delightfully unconventional conclusion.
Caroline MacAfee and her daughter Jamie are more than mother and daughter, they are also best friends. Both work for the family owned company, MacAfee Homes, and they also star in a popular reality show, Gut It!. Not long the current season draws to a close, Jamie learns that the show's producer wants her to replace her mom as the show's host when filming resumes in the fall. Jamie delays telling her about the switch and when Caroline learns the news from someone else, not only is she devastated but she also feels betrayed by her daughter. Before the pair can repair the rift between them, Jamie's father and stepmom are killed in an accident and she becomes the guardian of her 2 year half-brother, Tad. While Jamie is struggling to cope with her new role, Caroline begins taking over more duties at MacAfee Homes and the gulf between them widens when the two begin keeping secrets about their personal lives.
Caroline's marriage was doomed almost from the beginning but her divorce still did a lot of damage to her self-esteem. It was not until she took over hosting duties on Gut It! that she finally began to believe in herself and finding out that she is being replaced by Jamie really shakes her self-confidence. After her ex-husband's death, Caroline finds herself turning to her old friend Dean Brannick for comfort and when he reveals he would like more from her than just friendship, her long dormant libido comes roaring back to life. While Caroline is willing to give in to her newfound desire, she is in no hurry to give up her independence when Dean admits he would like to make their relationship permanent.
Jamie is way out of her element when she becomes Tad's guardian and she quickly discovers her fiancé Brad is unhappy with this unanticipated change in her life. Feeling like she cannot turn to Caroline for advice, Jamie gets helpful advice from single dad, Charlie Kobik. This new friendship forces Jamie to confront some unpleasant truths about her engagement and she impulsively makes a few decisions that shock everyone she knows.
There are numerous story arcs in Blueprints but all of the threads tie neatly together in the end. The change in dynamics between mother and daughter is necessary for them to grow in both their personal and professional lives. The romance aspect of the storyline is very sweet and although a bit rushed, the relationships are believable. Barbara Delinsky closes the novel with a lovely epilogue that is very heartwarming. All in all, an enjoyable, thought-provoking story that I highly recommend to anyone who reads contemporary women's fiction.
Blueprints by Barbara Delinsky is a very charming novel about a mother and daughter whose close relationship becomes strained due to a job conflict. Their professional issues are further complicated by unexpected changes in their personal lives which puts even more distance between them. Although a bit of a slow starter, this compelling story quickly gains momentum and thunders its way to a delightfully unconventional conclusion.
Caroline MacAfee and her daughter Jamie are more than mother and daughter, they are also best friends. Both work for the family owned company, MacAfee Homes, and they also star in a popular reality show, Gut It!. Not long the current season draws to a close, Jamie learns that the show's producer wants her to replace her mom as the show's host when filming resumes in the fall. Jamie delays telling her about the switch and when Caroline learns the news from someone else, not only is she devastated but she also feels betrayed by her daughter. Before the pair can repair the rift between them, Jamie's father and stepmom are killed in an accident and she becomes the guardian of her 2 year half-brother, Tad. While Jamie is struggling to cope with her new role, Caroline begins taking over more duties at MacAfee Homes and the gulf between them widens when the two begin keeping secrets about their personal lives.
Caroline's marriage was doomed almost from the beginning but her divorce still did a lot of damage to her self-esteem. It was not until she took over hosting duties on Gut It! that she finally began to believe in herself and finding out that she is being replaced by Jamie really shakes her self-confidence. After her ex-husband's death, Caroline finds herself turning to her old friend Dean Brannick for comfort and when he reveals he would like more from her than just friendship, her long dormant libido comes roaring back to life. While Caroline is willing to give in to her newfound desire, she is in no hurry to give up her independence when Dean admits he would like to make their relationship permanent.
Jamie is way out of her element when she becomes Tad's guardian and she quickly discovers her fiancé Brad is unhappy with this unanticipated change in her life. Feeling like she cannot turn to Caroline for advice, Jamie gets helpful advice from single dad, Charlie Kobik. This new friendship forces Jamie to confront some unpleasant truths about her engagement and she impulsively makes a few decisions that shock everyone she knows.
There are numerous story arcs in Blueprints but all of the threads tie neatly together in the end. The change in dynamics between mother and daughter is necessary for them to grow in both their personal and professional lives. The romance aspect of the storyline is very sweet and although a bit rushed, the relationships are believable. Barbara Delinsky closes the novel with a lovely epilogue that is very heartwarming. All in all, an enjoyable, thought-provoking story that I highly recommend to anyone who reads contemporary women's fiction.
drubyy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
dilldaise's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! It had a great mother/adult daughter relationship, which for me a lot of it hit home. It also had love interests, who I pictured to be great looking men and some surprises.
4.5 Stars
4.5 Stars