Wednesday, February 20, 2013

You Had Me at Hello by Mhairi McFarlane

*****5 stars
"You Had Me at Hello" is a fitting name for this book. It will have you hooked from the first chapter on. I can even pin point the one thing that held me. McFarlane's writing is fresh and witty. This book reminded me of experiences with my first chick lit books of Mirian Keyes, Lisa Young, Sophia Kinsella. They were quick dialect, fun interaction between characters and you felt connected to the story. I truly enjoyed the way this was written, with excerpts from Ben's and Rachel's college years to give you enough back story. I have read some great books recently and I will definitely be adding this author to my watch list. Thank you for a wonderful escape :)

Book Jacket Summary:
What happens when the one that got away comes back? Find out in this sparkling debut from Mhairi McFarlane.
‘Think of the great duos of history. We're just like them.’
‘You mean like Kylie and Jason? Torvill and Dean? Sonny and Cher?’
‘I think you’ve missed the point, Rachel.’
Rachel and Ben. Ben and Rachel. It was them against the world. Until it all fell apart. It’s been a decade since they last spoke, but when Rachel bumps into Ben one rainy day, the years melt away.
They’d been partners in crime and the best of friends. But life has moved on: Ben is married. Rachel is not. Yet in that split second, Rachel feels the old friendship return. And along with it, the broken heart she’s never been able to mend.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Don't Want To Miss a Thing by Jill Mansell

****4 stars
She's back! Am an avid fan of Mansell. Found her books several years back and chewed through them all quickly. Love her quick wit and dialogue as well as real characters. One of my favorite attributes of her writing is her multiple characters, and interaction between. There never seems to be a lull in the book and you are always reading eagerly forward to see what comes next. This was a welcome escape as 2013 hasn't taken a great start for me. Please keep them coming :)

Book Jacket Summary:
An irresistible, heart-warming novel from the much-loved author of numerous Sunday Times bestsellers, including A WALK IN THE PARK and TO THE MOON AND BACK.. Dexter Yates loves his fun, care-free London life; he has money, looks and girlfriends galore. But everything changes overnight when his sister dies, leaving him in charge of her eight-month-old daughter Delphi. How is he ever going to cope? Comic-strip artist Molly Hayes lives in the beautiful Cotswold village of Briarwood. When it comes to relationships, she has a history of choosing all the wrong men. Leaving the city behind, Dex moves to Briarwood - a much better place to work on his parenting skills - and he and Molly become neighbours. There's an undeniable connection between them. But if Dexter's going to adapt, he first has a lot to learn about Molly, about other people's secrets...and about himself.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Ruscue Me by Rachel Gibson

***3 stars
Enjoy Gibsons book, especially love the characters and quick pace. A little taste of Sweet Home Alabama.

Book Jacket Summary:
She's 33, unmarried, and stuffed into a Bubble Yum pink bridesmaid dress. And the whole town wants to fix her up with anyone with a dental plan . . .
Who's going to rescue Sadie Hollowell now?
Everyone in Lovett, Texas, knows Sadie has always been a "notional" kind of gal. She got a notion to leave town ASAP and never visit her daddy (bless his heart) again. Now she's back and got the notion to invite a good-looking, hard-muscled, total stranger to her cousin's wedding. Better a stranger than some of the losers she's dated.
Vince Haven got his muscles the hard way—as a Navy SEAL in Afghanistan. He's staying in Lovett to visit his crazy aunt—the proprietor of the local Gas and Go. Before he can get the heck back out of the small town, his aunt makes him an offer he can't refuse. Maybe he'll stick around Lovett for a while. Maybe he'll make a "go" of the Gas and Go. Maybe he'll rescue Sadie out of that pink dress!

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

5 stars *****
I cannot begin to write a review that will do this book justice, but I will try. This is my second book by Jojo Moyes and I really enjoyed "Me Before You" so decided to read "The Girl You Left Behind". I am not going to tell you about the book as you can read that in the book description. What I will tell you is that if I were an author I believe this is the type of book each one wants to achieve in their writing. It isn't just about the characters, it is the entire story that pulls you in and keeps you reading. When you put down the book, you are drawn to return to it quickly and take on the emotional ambiance that the book is creating and feel yourself a part of the story. You are routing characters on and shedding tears for their pain and in confusion for how things can possibly work out. I know as I have finished this book that it will stay with me long after. A must read, just have a bit of time on hand because nothing else will get done while this is on your to do list :)

Book Jacket Summary:

What happened to the girl you left behind?

France, 1916. Sophie Lefevre must keep her family safe whilst her adored husband Edouard fights at the front. When she is ordered to serve the German officers who descend on her hotel each evening, her home becomes riven by fierce tensions. And from the moment the new Kommandant sets eyes on Sophie's portrait - painted by Edouard - a dangerous obsession is born, which will lead Sophie to make a dark and terrible decision.

Almost a century later, and Sophie's portrait hangs in the home of Liv Halston, a wedding gift from her young husband before he died. A chance encounter reveals the painting's true worth, and its troubled history. A history that is about to resurface and turn Liv's life upside down all over again . . .