Tag Archives: WomensFiction

On Ocean Boulevard by Mary Alice Monroe – a Review

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On Ocean Boulevard by Mary Alice Monroe – a Review

 

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Description:
It’s been sixteen years since Caretta “Cara” Rutledge has returned home to the beautiful shores of Charleston, South Carolina. Over those years, she has weathered the tides of deaths and births, struggles and joys. And now, as Cara prepares for her second wedding, her life is about to change yet again.

Meanwhile, the rest of the storied Rutledge family is also in flux. Cara’s niece Linnea returns to Sullivan’s Island to begin a new career and an unexpected relationship. Linnea’s parents, having survived bankruptcy, pin their hopes and futures on the construction of a new home on Ocean Boulevard. But as excitement over the house and wedding builds, a devastating illness strikes the family and brings plans to a screeching halt. It is under these trying circumstances that the Rutledge family must come together yet again to discover the enduring strength in love, tradition, and legacy from mother to daughter to granddaughter.

Like the sea turtles that come ashore annually on these windswept islands, three generations of the Rutledge family experience a season of return, rebirth, and growth. “Authentic, generous, and heartfelt” (Mary Kay Andrews, The New York Times bestselling author), On Ocean Boulevard is Mary Alice Monroe at her very best.

 

 

Review:

On Ocean Boulevard by Mary Alice Monroe is the 6th book in her Beach House series.  This is the first book I have read in this series, but it read very well as a standalone.  This story revolves mostly around two women, Linnea Rutledge and her aunt, Cara Rutledge taking place near Charleston, South Carolina.

Linnea returns home after losing her job, as well as breaking up with her boyfriend. She plans to stay with her parents, but stops to see her Aunt Cara, at Primrose Cottage, which has been a mainstay during Linnea’s childhood, and the memories of her grandmother, Lovie.

Cara is not home when Linnea arrives, as she is busy with her friends planning on her upcoming fancy and expensive wedding, which she privately prefers to be a simple small one.  Cara is 55 years old, and after being widowed for many years, she is happily in love with David, as well as having a young child, Hope, who David also loves.  When she finally comes home, she is thrilled to see Linnea, and together they talk about each of their own issues; Linnea always seeks Cara for advice.  What I loved about this story was the close relationships between most of the women, whether it be mother and daughter; aunt and niece, friendships- old and new and how when things get tough, these people will always find a way to be there for each other.  Beautifully done. 

What follows is following Cara’s life as things fall apart, when a terrible illness brings everything to halt, with her questioning the decisions she has made, including her upcoming marriage. We also get to see Linnea’s life changing for the better, as with some help from her aunt, she finds a temporary job that could lead to permanent employment, and a boyfriend she never expected to find. I also loved when Linnea also found two new friends upon returning home. 

On Ocean Boulevard also revolves around Cara’s Primrose Cottage on the Isle of Palms, which has so much meaning to her, as well as to Linnea, who always visits.  Again, since this is the 6th book in this series, the meaning of this cottage beach house is little lost since I have not read the earlier books, but I do see how much it means to everyone.  Monroe has created some wonderful characters, besides Cara and Linnea; such as Hope, Emmi, Flo, David, Palmer, Julia, Annabelle, just to name a few. I enjoyed the insights to the loggerhead turtles nesting, and the conservative groups to prevent plastics into the oceans.

On Ocean Boulevard was a sweet wonderful story, with fantastic characters, friendships, family, love; as well as various issues pertaining to environment or important home issues. Mary Alice Monroe has written a wonderful story that you will enjoy.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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Head Over Paws by Debbie Burns – a Review

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Head Over Paws by Debbie Burns – a Review

 

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Description:
Olivia Graham has signed on as a volunteer rescue driver for the High Grove Animal Shelter. Her first task is to transport dogs and cats that’ve been misplaced by flooding, but her aging car breaks down on the way to get them.

She’s picked up by veterinarian Gabe Wentworth, former EMT and firefighter, who’s also heading to the rescue site. After a bad breakup, Gabe’s embraced the hermit life. When he picks up Olivia, he can’t deny their irresistible mutual attraction, and his first thought is to run the other direction. But the more animals they help, the harder they fall for each other…

 

 

Review:

Head Over Paws by Debbie Burns is the 5th book in her wonderful Rescue Me series. Once again, Debbie Burns gives us another wonderful sweet story as we return to the High Grove Animal Shelter, where we also get to see many of the people we got to know in the previous books. 

Olivia Graham, our heroine, is traveling in a rain storm to try to get to the Animal Shelter to help transport dogs and cats to the shelter because of the flooding.  When her car breaks down, she meets Gabe Wentworth, our hero and local veterinarian, who picks her up, on the way to the shelter.  Gabe had his dog, Samson with him, who immediately fell all over Olivia; of course, Gabe himself was also attracted to the beautiful redheaded woman in the car with him.  The feeling is mutual, as the sparks flew between them very fast; and since both are animal lovers, it was a match made in heaven.

There was an amazing rescue attempt of a dog in danger of drowning during the flood, that Gabe and Olivia desperately worked to save him.  There were many hold your breath moments when we worried about Gabe, as well as the dog.   In a short time, Olivia found herself falling hard for Gabe, as well as the rescued dog, Morgan, whom she wanted to adopt. Olivia is a teacher, and though she was falling in love with Gabe, she wasn’t sure she would stay in town, since she needed a teaching job.   I loved them together, as they made a great couple, and also enjoyed the occasional POV of Morgan.  Cute.  Will Gabe convince Olivia to stay?

What follows is a wonderful sweet romance between Gabe and Olivia, with added the element of Samson and Morgan; and meeting Olivia’s sister Ava, as well as the characters we already knew from the shelter. Head Over Paws is a heartwarming, delightful, sweet romance with two very relatable people, involving an animal shelter and two adorable dogs.

Debbie Burns gives us another wonderful, delightful, sweet, heartwarming story that kept us hooked until the very end.  Head Over Paws was well written by Debbie Burns.  If you love animals, with a romance in the background, you need to be reading this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Not That Kind of Guy by Andie J. Christopher – Review & Giveaway

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Not That Kind of Guy by Andie J. Christopher – Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
State attorney Bridget Nolan is successful in all aspects of her life—except romance. After breaking up with her longtime boyfriend, she’s been slow to reenter the dating scene. To be honest, she has more important things to do like putting bad guys behind bars. But with her brother’s wedding right around the corner, she suddenly needs a date and fast. Lucky for Bridget, the legal intern is almost done with his program.

Matt Kido is dumbstruck by Bridget—total love at first sight—but there’s one problem. She’s totally off-limits while she’s his boss. But the moment he no longer reports to her, Matt decides to take a chance. An impulsive decision takes them to Las Vegas where, as the saying goes, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

Unless you put a ring on it.

 

 

Review:

Not That Kind of Guy by Andie J. Christopher is a romance standalone novel, though it seems like a series, as the lead characters were part of an earlier story.  I was not sure what to expect, as this was my first novel by Christopher, and I was pleasantly surprised as I thoroughly enjoyed this fun and sexy romance.

We meet our heroine, Bridget Nolan, a tough, smart, beautiful and successful state attorney, who loves putting bad guys (rapists) behind bars; but she is unlucky in love.  After a breakup with her childhood sweetheart, Bridget has no intention getting into another relationship, and just wants to do her job.  Her brother & future sister in law (previous book heroes) are getting married, and her family is pressuring her to bring a date. 

Matt Kido, our hero, applies for a summer internship for the state, and is assigned, much to her dismay, to Bridget. Matt Kido comes from a very wealthy family, who also controls a fellowship that Bridget was hoping to get.  He is also coming off a relationship with someone who cheated on him, and despite his ex-trying to win him back, he has sworn off any of her attempts.    Matt is immediately attracted to his new boss, a beautiful hot redhead, who is also a bad ass attorney that always wins her cases.  The attraction is immediate, though Bridget is determined to make sure she doesn’t become involved, especially since she is his boss, though in a short time working together, they do become friends.  

When Bridget is desperate to get a date for the wedding, Matt volunteers to be her date, only as friends to meet the family in Las Vegas for the weekend. With her ex also attending the get together, he angers Bridget, and she plays up to Matt; after drinking all night, they both wake up married.

What follows is a fun sweet romance between two unlikely people, who have so much chemistry between them, we knew it would not take long for them to succumb to their feelings.  I loved Bridget’s brother Jack, and Hannah (she was even more bad-assed); as it was fun to see them with Bridget and Matt.  I did not like Chris, the ex; nor Matt’s mother, who tried to break them up; I did like when the mother discovers what Matt’s ex did, and she changes her tune.  Lol 

Because of their lust for each other, they decide to stay married until after the wedding, once his internship is done, and he no longer works for Bridget, Matt will do all he can to win her over.  Will Matt succeed?

Not That Kind of Guy was a fun, enjoyable, sexy romance, with a wonderful couple, and great secondary characters.  I wholly suggest you read this book, as it was so well written by Andi J. Christopher.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Andi J. Christopher’s publisher, Berkley, is offering a paper copy of NOT THAT KIND OF GUY to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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8. Giveaway runs from  April 15 to 19, 2020

 

 

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