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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ok, I've determined that Rachel Gibson is just not an author for me. This is the third in a row from her that I've actively disliked so it's going to be my last.
I thought both protagonists were selfish and completely unlikeable, had zero chemistry, and showed absolutely no signs of being in love with the other person.
I thought both protagonists were selfish and completely unlikeable, had zero chemistry, and showed absolutely no signs of being in love with the other person.
It's an American sports romance from the nineties, so you know the drill. Heroine: absolute sweetheart who's learned to be tough and frankly deserves the world. Hero: kind of a dick and redeems himself by the skin of his teeth at the end. Plot: well set-up conflict but the resolution drags on far too long, probably to create dramatic tension, only the problem is by 350 pages of delaying the inevitable I just want everyone to be happy. And does anyone else think Lexie is going to grow up a spoilt brat?
I do think that the problems in Georgeanne and John's relationship (Georgeanne being reluctant to 'share' Lexie, John being a domineering arse) were swept away by the all-powerful tide of love — I mean the novel did such a good job of showing the conflict between them that it gave itself the (incomplete) job of also resolving those conflicts. And I am not really convinced by the "oh it doesn't matter, they're in love, everything will work out" argument. The way I see it, love isn't a solution to your problems; it's the foundation on which you can solve them. Georgeanne deserves everything she wants, not least a declaration of love and epic proposal from the man she loves, but doesn't she also deserve to have her objections noted and her fears discussed?
Though Gibson does an admirable job of convincing us that love really is all you need.The secondary romance between Georgeanne's best friend and business partner, Mae, and John's friend and Chinooks goalie, Hugh, is a three-act plus tableau (they meet, he chases, they're engaged, they get married) whirlwind that is totally implausible and completely convincing. Take this conversation between Mae and Georgeanne: So the clearest function of the whirlwind secondary romance is to serve as a foil to the seven year distance the primary one takes. But also, it's to sell the idea that truly all you need is love. We don't know much about Hugh and Mae except that they love each other, but that's enough for us to believe that they'll work. With that persuasive logic, once John and Georgeanne realise their love for each other, their relationship will work too.
Anyway, if I can stop talking about form and start talking about normal romance novel stuff: I loved Georgeanne from the first page and when at her lowest moment shegot the catering job I nearly cried of happiness. She absolutely steals the book for me. The way she jumps from topic to topic in the stream of dialogue is masterfully done, and she carries herself with a kind of old world Southern sweetness that really endears her to everyone. It would've been easy for her to come across as annoying or antiquated, but she's neither of these things. And honestly? I think she deserves better than John. But he's the one she wants, so whatever.
I'm not sure why John's tragic backstorymarried his first wife because she got pregnant but then she lost the baby and eventually killed herself; his second wife was some five minute Vegas stripper thing was necessary because all it does is lead him to believe that you should only marry for love. Which is not exactly a controversial place to stand. I thought more could be done with John's character; maybe throw in some gaping insecurities and a stronger emotional progression to his falling in love with Georgeanne. But, alas, it does not go that way. Realising you love someone because you don't want anyone else to have them is possibly the most arrogant way to realise you're in love, so of course it's the way that John Kowalsky goes about it. He takes his bloody time about it as well, but I suppose that's just the way these stories work — really dragging out the emotions and the doubts until the grand finale.
But for all my moaning about how bleh John was and how frankly unromantic things went down, this was a pretty good story with memorable characters. It's a lot like Susan Elizabeth Phillips's [b:It Had To Be You|73070|It Had to Be You (Chicago Stars, #1)|Susan Elizabeth Phillips|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1297088239l/73070._SY75_.jpg|2268839] with the captain alpha male, the very feminine, secretly insecure heroine and the last-ditch grand gesture to pull things together. Here's hoping not every classic sports romance is too.
I do think that the problems in Georgeanne and John's relationship (Georgeanne being reluctant to 'share' Lexie, John being a domineering arse) were swept away by the all-powerful tide of love — I mean the novel did such a good job of showing the conflict between them that it gave itself the (incomplete) job of also resolving those conflicts. And I am not really convinced by the "oh it doesn't matter, they're in love, everything will work out" argument. The way I see it, love isn't a solution to your problems; it's the foundation on which you can solve them. Georgeanne deserves everything she wants, not least a declaration of love and epic proposal from the man she loves, but doesn't she also deserve to have her objections noted and her fears discussed?
Though Gibson does an admirable job of convincing us that love really is all you need.
"I thought you hated him."Do you see what I mean? It's horrifyingly romantic.
"I did, but I don't now."
"What happened?"
Mae looked as perplexed as Georgeanne felt. "I don't know! He took me home from a club last Friday night, and he never left."
…
"Of course you can't marry him now." Georgeanne held on to the table and pulled herself to her feet. "Last week you didn’t even like him. How can he possibly expect you to make such an important decision in such a short period of time? Six days isn't long enough for you to know if you want to spend the rest of your life with him.”
"I knew after the third night."
Anyway, if I can stop talking about form and start talking about normal romance novel stuff: I loved Georgeanne from the first page and when at her lowest moment she
I'm not sure why John's tragic backstory
But for all my moaning about how bleh John was and how frankly unromantic things went down, this was a pretty good story with memorable characters. It's a lot like Susan Elizabeth Phillips's [b:It Had To Be You|73070|It Had to Be You (Chicago Stars, #1)|Susan Elizabeth Phillips|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1297088239l/73070._SY75_.jpg|2268839] with the captain alpha male, the very feminine, secretly insecure heroine and the last-ditch grand gesture to pull things together. Here's hoping not every classic sports romance is too.
Decent chick lit. I get picky when it comes to fiction about hockey teams/players since I've been around them for a large part of my life. She does an okay job portraying them, but it was still a bit off.
Then again, the way hockey players actually behave would not really make for a good chick lit ;)
Then again, the way hockey players actually behave would not really make for a good chick lit ;)
Rating: 3.5 Stars
I started with Gibson's later work, and picked this book up because I enjoyed the books so much. This book sort of had my name written all over it. Second chance-sports-single mom romance - it had so many plot elements I love, and I did enjoy this book.
I really liked Georgie. She was sort of written off at a young age, and because of the rejection and the label, she set the bar low for herself. She enters into a loveless relationship, thinking it is the best she will get, and that she is incapable of taking care of herself any other way. But, when push comes to shove, Georgie is able to use her talents, and she is able to overcome some major obstacles to build a business, a home, and a sort of life for herself.
There were times when I loved John, and there were times when I really wanted to smack his face. Overall, though, I thought he grew over the years of separation, and he really stepped up to the plate, taking his new surprise role seriously.
I got a lot of what I love. The sweet and gooey, the adorable and sexy, the fun and drama. I smiled, laughed, and swooned, and that is really what I want at the end of it all.
I started with Gibson's later work, and picked this book up because I enjoyed the books so much. This book sort of had my name written all over it. Second chance-sports-single mom romance - it had so many plot elements I love, and I did enjoy this book.
I really liked Georgie. She was sort of written off at a young age, and because of the rejection and the label, she set the bar low for herself. She enters into a loveless relationship, thinking it is the best she will get, and that she is incapable of taking care of herself any other way. But, when push comes to shove, Georgie is able to use her talents, and she is able to overcome some major obstacles to build a business, a home, and a sort of life for herself.
There were times when I loved John, and there were times when I really wanted to smack his face. Overall, though, I thought he grew over the years of separation, and he really stepped up to the plate, taking his new surprise role seriously.
I got a lot of what I love. The sweet and gooey, the adorable and sexy, the fun and drama. I smiled, laughed, and swooned, and that is really what I want at the end of it all.
I wish Mae and Hugh were the main characters. Georgeanne and Lexi were fine, but John was not a likable love interest. Good father, shit lover.