The Long Way Home by Mariah Stewart - I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with this author. Sometimes I really enjoy her books and sometimes I find them horribly dull at best. This was one I enjoyed. Ellie's father and fiance got busted in a Bernie Madoff style investment scheme and everything in her life exploded around her. Suddenly she found herself jobless, homeless, and a social pariah all at the same time. The only thing she can do is return to a beach house owned by her late mother and left to her. I do love a good life exploded/time to rebuild type story and this did not disappoint! Ellie is likable and easy to sympathize with. Cameron is a touch too perfect but in a nice way. I thoroughly enjoyed watching them together as they got to know each other, restored the old house, and Ellie discovered a family she didn't even know she had. Rating: Very Good
Suddenly One Summer by Julie James - I've been hearing raves about this series and finally decided it was time to give it a read. I was a bit confused by how exactly this one fit into the whole FBI/US Attorney series since the characters are a reporter and a divorce attorney but I still enjoyed the series. This is a couple who has some serious baggage when it comes to relationships but I liked watching them get to know each other even though the first portion of that included annoying each other. I liked the characters and enjoyed the book but I don't really feel like anything really stood out about it. However, I'm definitely looking forward to continuing this series and maybe getting an FBI agent or two in the mix! Rating: Good
Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe by Jenny Colgan - Colgan's books have proven to be the bookish equivalent of a warm cozy blanket on a dreary day and this one was no different. At the beginning of the book Issy, while very nice and sweet, is a bit of a stepping stone. She's not happy with her life but not fully aware of it. When she's unexpectedly laid off she takes a giant leap of faith and opens the Cupcake Cafe. Things aren't always smooth in the land of business running but there are a whole host of characters that form unlikely friends and were (almost) all people I loved seeing on the page. This was an absolute delight and made me remember just why Colgan has become a favorite in the last year or two. Rating: Very Good
I've enjoyed both of the Colgan books that I've read so far. I need to read more of hers. I totally agree with your description of them as "the bookish equivalent of a warm cozy blanket on a dreary day" -- hits the nail right on the head!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the Mariah S books but haven't read this one. I have read quite a few in this Julie James series but for some reason veered off. Like you love Jenny C and this one was so good on audio. I listened to the next one as well.
ReplyDeleteI really love the James cover. :) Sounds okay even if not a wow.
ReplyDeleteMariah Stewart is hit or miss for me and I've only read one Colgan book but it was decent. I've been eyeing Julie James for a while, may keep her in the maybe pile.
ReplyDeleteYour description of Colgan's books is spot on. I am glad you liked Meet Me At Cupcake Cafe. I look forward to reading it at some point. The Long Way Home sounds worth reading as well.
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