If You Ask Me by Libby Hubscher – a Review

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Description:
Violet Covington pens Dear Sweetie, the most popular advice column in the state of North Carolina. She has an answer for how to politely handle any difficult situation…until she discovers her husband, Sam, has been cheating on her. Furious and out of sensible solutions, Violet leaves her filter at the door and turns to her column to air her own frustrations. The new, brutally honest Dear Sweetie goes viral, sending more shock waves through Violet’s life. When she burns Sam’s belongings in a front-yard, late-night bonfire, a smoking-hot firefighter named Dez shows up to douse the flames, and an unexpected fling quickly shows potential to become something longer lasting.

A lot of people want to see the old polished Violet return—including her boss, who finds her unpredictability hard to manage, and Sam, who’s begging for another chance. But Dez appreciates Violet just the way she is—in fact, he can’t get enough of her. The right answers don’t come easily when Violet finds herself at her own personal crossroads. But maybe, by getting real, Violet can write her own happy ending.

Review:

If You Ask Me by Libby Hubscher is a standalone emotional romance novel. We meet our heroine, Violet Covington, who under the name, Dear Sweetie, is a very popular advice columnist; she gets an offer to write for a syndicate magazine, and rushes home early to tell her husband, Sam the good news.  Unfortunately, as she is early, Violet comes across her husband in bed with another woman, who happens to be a neighbor. Sam explains that he is happy with the girl next door, as he thinks he is in love with her.   An angry heartbroken Violet, throws him out, and gathers all his expensive clothes and prized Michael Jordan shirt and sets up her own bon fire in the backyard.

The firemen show up when someone complains about a fire, and Violet meets Dez, one of the firemen, who helps put out the fire; he is sweet guy, who listens as she explains her husband cheated on her.  A friendship begins, with Dez always being there for Violet if she needed help.  Violet, being angry and despondent, begins to write her column in a more severe way, not like Dear Sweetie; with her expressing her honest opinions on those written to her. 

Accidentally, someone reveals that Violet is Dear Sweetie, but though her harder responses to those in bad situations draws more fans, who are supportive of her change of heart.  She writes an article for a magazine which describes her finding her husband cheating on her, and how she has reacted, being angry and bitter.  The magazine is thrilled with Violet, and her popularity grows; but she is in a rough emotional period of her life.   It will be Dez, who begins to spend more time with Violet, being very caring, calm & dependable, always there for her, telling her to be herself, as she slowly begins to move on.  Dez was a gem, being such a wonderful and perfect person for Violet; but can Violet recognize that Dez is the one for her, or will she be afraid of trusting her feelings, and eventually walk away.

We watch Violet during this heart wrenching journey, as she tries to get past her anger and move on with her life; there were a number trigger warnings throughout; infidelity, anxiety, anger, grief, alcohol, just to name a few. I also really liked Violet friends, especially Kyra, Ashleigh, and others.  I did enjoy getting to see many of Dear Sweetie or Violet’s responses to those writing to her for help, and her responses.  Very Well done.

If You Ask Me is an emotional storyline, with some funny and heartbreaking moments.  Though it is considered somewhat of a romance, there is so many emotions going on. This was very well written by Libby Hubscher.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher