Save Me by Lisa Scottoline

Save Me by Lisa Scottoline
Narrated by Cynthia Nixon

Review:
Melly is different than the other girls in her class. She doesn’t play with the American Girls dolls or wear cute dresses. She has a birthmark on her face that makes her an easy target to be teased by the other school children. And that is exactly what Amanda does the day Rose, Melly’s mother, volunteers as lunch mom. Rose witnessed Amanda smearing jelly on her face to make fun of Melly. Melly starts to cry and runs out of the lunch room. This isn’t the first incident of Amanda bullying Melly. Rose speaks to Amanda about her behavior just as another volunteer approaches. She scolds Rose saying the moms are not allowed to reprimand the children, it's the responsibility of the teachers. The volunteer leaves to find a teacher. The moment Rose, Amanda and two other girls are about to leave the lunchroom, the kitchen explodes .

Rose frantically tries to get the girls out of harm’s way so she can rescue Melly from the bathroom. Thinking she led the girls to safety, she sets out in search of her daughter. Relief sets in when she’s able to locate her and rescues her from the burning school. Minutes later Rose learns that Amanda did not make it out of the lunchroom. Soon the other parents turn on Rose for her negligence of not getting Amanda out of the school. Everyone begins to think this is Rose’s way of punishing Amanda for bullying her daughter.

When I first began reading Save Me, my expectation was it’s a story about a mother trying to save her daughter from the school bully. So I was very surprised when the storyline went into an entirely different direction. The plot is full of twists and turns, although it’s a little far-fetched, at times.

Narration:
My original intent was to read Save Me. Then I learned Cynthia Nixon narrated the audio book. I’ve heard glowing reviews about her as a narrator and decided to listen to the audio book instead. I’m glad that I did. Nixon did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life. Quite honestly, I think had I read the book, I may have skimmed and even skipped pages here and there. But Nixon kept me invested in the story. I will definitely seek out other books that she has narrated.

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Length: 11 hours
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Source: Library

Pinch Me by Adena Halpern

Pinch Me by Adena Halpern

Lily’s mother Selma and grandmother Dolly want the best for her. They really do. So it may seem a bit odd th?at they tell her to marry an ugly man. Better yet, just never fall in love. Lily takes heed to their advice and dates a lot of not nice guys (putting it mildly) and throws herself into her work. Then she meets Gogo. He’s kind and sweet and a perfect gentleman. Much to Lily’s dismay, she finds herself falling for him… hard.

It’s not surprising that he proposes during a romantic trip to Paris. When she tells Dolly and Selma about her engagement, instead of showering her with hugs and kisses and excitement about her upcoming nuptials, they inform her that their family is cursed. Yes, that’s right… cursed! If they marry a man they love, something bad will happen to him. It happened with Dolly’s husband and several of the men Selma married. In fact, both Selma and Dolly are holding back on their feelings with two men in their lives in fear that they too will become victims of the curse.

Lily finds all of this hard to believe. She informs Gogo (he too is skeptical) and he suggests they fly to Vegas to elope. Everything is going exceptionally well until Lily asks Gogo to pinch her because she thinks it’s too good to be true. And it is. After she feels the pinch, she wakes up alone and in this “life” Gogo is married to someone else and doesn’t know who is she. Maybe, there’s truth to this family curse after all!

Pinch Me is a creative and imaginative story that is filled with humorous antics. Lily will go to the extreme to fight for her happy ending. Whether you're new to this author or have read her previous works, you will enjoy reading this engaging tale. Recommended.

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Book Details:
Pub. Date: July 19, 2011
Publisher: Touchstone
Pages: 288
ISBN: 9781439171141
Genre: Fiction
Source: Publisher via Galley Grab

Review: On Maggie's Watch

On Maggie's Watch by Ann Wertz Garvin

Maggie is eight months pregnant when she and her husband Martin move back to her hometown. She reconnects with her former friend Julia. Maggie is a bit different now that she's back. She suffered a great loss that has changed her views on the world and as a result she becomes obsessed with protecting her unborn child.

She decides to organize her neighborhood watch program which leads to her discovery of a sex offender living in the neighborhood. Sicken by this, Maggie decides to take matters into her own hands to let him know he is not welcomed.

On Maggie's Watch is a portrayal of how unresolved grief can influence one's behavior. At first glance, Maggie appears to be unstable and it's easy to want to judge her, but when the reader learns of her past history and the loss she endured, it's understandable why she does what she does. Don't get me wrong, though. Some of her actions I found to be a bit over the top, but when I've reacted to a situation based entirely on my emotions, my behavior was irrational, but at the same time made sense to me.

I do have to admit, I didn't like On Maggie's Watch as much as I thought I would. I never warmed up to Maggie and at times found her to be exhausting. I did, however, want her to let go of the past so she could fully enjoy the birth of her child. Despite my frustration with Maggie, I still recommend On Maggie's Watch. The story was an emotional roller coaster for me: frustration to pity to sadness to happiness. My suggestion is to read On Maggie's Watch and decide for yourself.

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Book Details:
Pub. Date: November 2, 2010
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Pages: 304
ISBN: 9780425236789
Genre: Fiction
Source: Crazy Book Tours




I received a copy of On Maggie's Watch from Crazy Book Tours. Receiving this free copy did not influence my review in any way.

Review: Ten Beach Road by Wendy Wax

Ten Beach Road by Wendy Wax

Now that the hot, humid weather has arrived, my thoughts are turning to my summer reading list. As I began scanning my list, one author just grabbed my attention: Wendy Wax. Ms. Wax has been on my “new-to-me” author list for a while. I thought Ten Beach Road would be the perfect way to kick off my summer reading.

In Ten Beach Road, the reader is introduced to three women at various stages of life. First is Madeline. She’s a wife and mother and is looking forward to having an empty nest. Dreams fill her mind about what the future holds for herself and Steve, her husband, when she finds herself blindsided by her husband’s secret.

Next is Avery. She’s the co-host of the popular cable home improvement show Hammer and Nail. On the day she learns her contract will not be renewed, she is also told her inheritance from her father’s estate is gone. Now with no job or money, Avery is at a standstill for the first time in her life.

Finally there’s Nicole “Nikki”. She’s a successful matchmaker with offices in LA and New York. Business is well as evident by her lifestyle. Growing up with parents who could not afford the luxuries of life, Nikki promised herself that she nor her brother would ever go without. And now her worst fear has come true.

The three woman have are forced together when they learn their financial advisor stole their investments and made them co-owners of a run-down Florida beach house. Facing dire situations, the woman have no choice but to work together and trust each other in order to get back on their feet.

At first glance, Ten Beach Road can be viewed as a quick, light read. As the story unfolds, themes of self-growth and perseverance begin to emerge. Each woman is tested as they work together to rebuild the house to its original beauty.

So, if you’re heading out to the beach or the park or simply reading on your deck, Ten Beach Road is the perfect companion for a lazy afternoon spent reading.

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Book Details:
Pub. Date: May 3, 2011
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 432
ISBN: 9780425240861
Genre: Fiction
Source: Library

Pictures of You by Caroline Leavitt

Pictures of You by Caroline Leavitt

April. Charlie and Sam. Isabelle. Four lives that intersect as a result of a decision to escape one's life.

Pictures of You begins with Isabelle fleeing her marriage after she discovers her husband is having an affair. Luke is not the man her mother wants her to be with when she began dating him as a teenager. Instead of listening to her mother's warnings, Isabelle runs off with Luke and later marries him.

April is not the typical "girl-next-door" type. Which is why Charlie fell in love with her the moment he first saw her. The pair eventually marry and have one son, Sam. Sam suffers from asthma and finds himself always under his parents' cautious watch. Some may think April's parenting style is unconventional, but it's obvious she adores Sam.

That same fateful day Isabelle decides to leave her husband, April is also escaping her life. The two collide on a foggy day leaving April dead, Charlie and Sam grieving over her death and Isabelle feeling responsible for killing her. Weighed down with remorse, Isabelle seeks out Charlie and Sam. She wants to tell them how sorry she is for what has happened and asks for Charlie's forgiveness. Instead she finds herself drawn to Sam and begins a relationship with Charlie.

Pictures of You provides an inside look on how grief affects the living. For Charlie, he now is forced to raise Sam alone and to honestly look at his marriage and the woman he fell in love with. How well do we really know our spouse? Charlie is left with many unanswered questions surrounding April's death.

Isabelle initially isolates after the accident. When she starts picking up the pieces to move forward, she is given a second chance. Will she take advantage of this opportunity despite what has happened? Or will she wallow in self-guilt about the accident and the end of her marriage that she remains permanently stuck?

And Sam. How does a young boy grow up without his mother? April was different than the others moms. She took him out of school so the two of them could have an adventure. How will he adjust to Isabelle's and Charlie's relationship?

Pictures of You is by no means a light, quick read. Leavitt created characters so complex that I found myself slowing down to take in the story. I admit I was against Isabelle's and Charlie's relationship from the start. Leavitt's style of writing vividly painted the raw pain and deep loss both felt after the accident, that it was almost as though they were drawn to each other as two magnets. Yes, I understood their immediate attraction for each other, however I did not want to see them as a couple.

April is the link that ties Charlie, Sam and Isabelle together. Unfortunately the reader does not hear April's story in her own voice. Instead the reader learns about April through memories and other people's perceptions. From this, I found it difficult to like April and easy to judge her. I wish I could have read April's story in her voice, especially the events that led her to leave Charlie.

Despite my reservations with Charlie's relationship with Isabelle and not hearing April's voice, I still highly recommend Pictures of You. Leavitt will keep you up long into the night as you find yourself being pulled into the story.

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Pub. Date: January 25, 2011
Publisher: Algonquin Books (A Division of Workman Publishing)
Pages: 336
ISBN: 978-1-56512-631-2
Genre: Fiction
Source: Personal Copy

The Atlas of Love ~ Laurie Frankel

What makes us a family? Sharing the same mother and father? Our siblings or grandparents? What about the close family friend who, as long as you can remember, you called Uncle So and So even though he is not your mother's brother or your father's. And your best friend. . . is she family? She may not be your sister, but you certainly feel as though she is. In The Atlas of Love, the debut novel by Laurie Frankel, this question is pushed to its limits.

No matter how we plan our lives, right down to the smallest detail, our lives often take an unexpected turn. For Jill, this occurs when she learns she's pregnant and her boyfriend isn't thrilled to become a father. As he fades from her life, best friends Janey and Katie step in and offer to co-parent. The three friends are also graduate students and devise a plan that will allow each to attend and teach class, study and take care of Jill's baby. After Jill gives birth, neither woman is prepared for what comes next.

The Atlas of Love is told in Janey's voice. Janey is the peacemaker of the group. She definitely takes care of everyone (she cooks all the meals) and puts her friends' needs in front of her own. Katie is the romantic. She is looking to marry and have children. Each time she dates a new guy, she looks at him as being The One. And then there's Jill. She's the hardest one for me to describe. At times she can be kind and sweet, while at other times she's downright selfish and entitled.

Despite their planning, this new living arrangement begins to spin out of control. A medical emergency will cause each woman to evaluate her life as well as their friendship. As each woman begins her own journey, the meaning of family will begin to take shape. How each defines family will be different, however necessary as all three women begin a new chapter in their lives.

The Atlas of Love is a novel that should not be missed. Frankel is a talented author. I am looking forward to reading her future works.
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Book details:
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Pub. Date: August 17, 2010
Pages: 336
Source: Personal copy

When You Least Expect It ~ Whitney Gaskell

Sentence Summary: After several disappointing fertility treatments, India and Jeremy decide to adopt a baby.

My review: From the outside looking in, India and Jeremy appear to have it all. Jeremy gave up the corporate world to pursue his dream of becoming a science fiction writer. India is self-employed as a photographer. They have a good, solid marriage and are completely head-over-heels in love with each other. The one thing...one person that would make their lives complete is a baby.

Lainey is headed to L.A. She has big dreams of becoming a reality TV star. Her plans are set in motion and money has been saved. There's just one problem: she's pregnant. This is SO not part of her plan. Especially because Trav is the father. He certainly isn't "daddy material". To Lainey, her pregnancy is just a minor setback. She can give up the baby for adoption and still pursue her dream of moving to L.A.

When Lainey meets Jeremy and India, things immediately are awkward followed by complicated. As Lainey's baby bump grows, her relationship with the couple takes an interesting turn.

In When You Least Expect It, Gaskell tackles the subject of infertility. She illustrates the hopelessness a couple feels following several, unsuccessful fertility treatments, the financial worries of living paycheck to paycheck in order to adopt and finally the pure elation of holding your baby for the first time.

Lasting impression: When You Least Expect It is a book once you start, you will not put down until the last page is read. Told in alternating chapters, the reader can easily relate to the three main characters.

Reason for reading: I have several of the author's previous books on my TBR list. When I saw When You Least Expect It at the library, I immediately thought this would be a good book to introduce myself to the author's collection.

Recommend: Yes! If you're looking for a story with real characters and an engaging storyline, then you will definitely enjoy When You Least Expect It.

My rating: 4/5

Book details:
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Pub. Date: June 22, 2010
Pages: 320
Source: Library

Trust - Kate Veitch

Summary:
Susanna Greenfield has given her all to being a good daughter, sister, wife, and mother. Somehow, she's maintained her profession as a college art teacher, as well as rearing two headstrong teenagers and nurturing a twenty-year marriage to Gerry, a confident, ambitious architect. She's also the eternal peacemaker between her pretty younger sister Angie, former junkie turned born-again Christian, and their strong- willed mother, Jean. Just when Susanna is struggling to revive her creative career, a devastating accident rips apart the fabric of her world, exposing secrets which threaten to destroy both a marriage, and a life. Plumbing the rich emotional vocabulary of faith and betrayal, loyalty and forgiveness, Trust is the story of a woman's challenge to find her self. (From B&N.com)

My thoughts:
I first discovered Trust while browsing at Barnes and Noble. When it was offered as a tour selection from Crazy Book Tours, I knew I had to sign up. I enjoy reading books that deal with family dynamics.

It took awhile for me to connect with the characters, including Susanna. The beginning chapters moved slowly for me and I became impatient as I waited for the event to occur. I must say, though, after finishing the book, I realized the initial slow pace is crucial to the storyline. It was much easier to view Susanna's life as before the event occurs and after the event.

The second half of the story Trust was much better for me, although I still had not warmed up to Gerry (and I never did). Witnessing the transformation of Susanna was both heart-breaking, but yet inspiring. As the veil of illusion was lifted regarding her marriage, Susanna gained the confidence to become the woman she always wanted to be.

Book details:
ISBN: 978-0452296350
Pages: 357
Release Date: June 29, 2010
Genre: Fiction
Source: Crazy Book Tours

I received a copy of Trust from Crazy Book Tours. Receiving this free copy did not influence my review in any way.

Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives - Josie Brown

Book synopsis:

Lyssa Harper should have warned divorced DILF du jour Harry Wilder before she invited him to meet the mommies of the Paradise Heights Women's League Board. At least he brought cupcakes. Since taking the former Master-of-the-Universe turned stay-at-home single dad under her wing, Lyssa has been his domestic Sherpa, teaching him the ins and outs of life inside their gated community. She never dreamed her friends would bombard him with casseroles, leopard-print bikini briefs, and offers to rearrange his kitchen cabinets.

But Harry's presence soon stirs up trouble in paradise: if Harry and his wife, the neighborhood’s "perfect couple," can call it quits, what does that mean for other so-called happy couples, like Lyssa and her husband, Ted? When Harry sets boundaries with his new fan club, he is exiled from the ladies' clique. But Lyssa refuses to snub him. What she never expects is the explosive impact her ongoing friendship with Harry will have on her close-knit pals—and on her marriage.

My review:

Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives introduces the reader to the wealthy stay-at-home mothers. Or as I referred to them as the "mean mommies". Meet Lyssa, our protagonist. Immediately I liked her. Yes, at times she came across as a bit naive, however I didn't find it to be irritating or a distraction from the story. Next are Lyssa's friends: Brooke, Tammy, Margot and Colleen. Each woman appears to have the perfect life at first glance, but when the reader gets to know them, it's easy to see the flaws each works hard to keep hidden.

Lyssa and Harry first meet by accident at the neighborhood park. After several minutes of small talk, Harry breaks down and confides in Lyssa about the breakup of his marriage. From that moment on, Harry and Lyssa become friends. Thinking it's in Harry's best interest, Lyssa decides to introduce him to her friends. Little does she know, this introduction is the catalyst that will bring her to where she is supposed to be.

Reading Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives was like watching a television drama. Lots of gossip, back-stabbing, extramarital affairs and pettiness. As much as I liked Lyssa, I did not care for her so-called "friends". With friends like these, who needs enemies? At times, I found myself shaking my head and wondering why these women are taking things so seriously and going to the extreme to getting what they thought they deserved. Watching Lyssa's relationship with Harry continue to grow, despite the "mean mommies", made up for their cattiness.

Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives, was humorous at times and certainly entertaining. It's a good escape from your everyday hassles as you find yourself engrossed in other people's lives. When the book is over, and you say goodbye to your new friends, you'll realize your life isn't as bad as you think.

Book details:
ISBN-13: 978-1-4391-7317-6
Pages: 331
Year Published: 2010
Genre: Fiction
Format: Trade Paperback
Source: Publisher

The book was sent to me from the publisher for the author's blog tour. It has not influenced my review in any way.

The Art of Devotion - Samantha Bruce-Benjamin

The Art of Devotion is the debut novel of Ms. Bruce-Benjamin. The reader is introduced to Sophie and her children Adora and Sebastian. Their story spans across two decades and is filled with secrets, lies, betrayal and deceit.

The book is narrated in alternating voices: Sophie, Adora, Miranda (Genevieve's mother) and Genevieve. It begins with Genevieve's wedding preparations, the year is 1940. The reader is then transported back in time through a series of flashbacks that reveal the history of Sophie and her children; Adora and her charming husband, Oliver; and his lawyer and best friend James and his wife Miranda.

Oliver and Adora were the power "it" couple back in the day. They threw extravagant parties and everyone wanted to be included in their world. Their lives appeared to be abundant and perfect, however when the truth was revealed, all that remained were unhealed wounds, a trail of lies and a undeniable devotion between a brother and sister.

For me, The Art of Devotion was like watching a documentary of characters telling their perspectives about a family tragedy. At first glance, Adora seems to be controlling and self-centered. As she shares more of herself through her journal entries to Sebastian, she transforms into a broken and bruised woman who is not happy with the path her life is on.

Initially, I was drawn to Miranda. I quickly pitied her and felt Adora took advantage of her at every turn and Miranda had no choice but to accept it. By the end of the novel, my feelings for Miranda changed as I realized she was not the helpless victim, but in fact was more manipulative than Adora.

The Art of Devotion is a dark book about the extremes people will go for the love of another, a sense of belonging and the fear of losing it all. It shows how lies, deceit and secrets can tear a family apart and turn family members into complete strangers. The Art of Devotion would make a good book selection as it would spark conversation centered around family dynamics, loss, and how death can impact a familial structure. A reader's guide and discussion questions are included.

Please note: Samantha Bruce-Benjamin will stop by to answer any questions or respond to your comments.

Book details:
ISBN-13: 978-1-4391-5394-9
Pages: 378
Year Published: 2010
Genre: Fiction
Format: Trade Paperback
Source: Publisher

The book was sent to me from the publisher for the author's blog tour. It has not influenced my review in any way.

Other blogs participating in this blog tour:

http://www.bookwormygirl.blogspot.com/
http://thebooktree.blogspot.com/
http://maryinhb.blogspot.com/
http://armsofasister.com/
http://booktumbling.com/
http://detweilermom.blogspot.com/
http://literarilyspeaking1.blogspot.com
http://busyjulieblog.blogspot.com/
http://thestuffyouneedtoknow.blogspot.com/
http://www.teresasreadingcorner.blogspot.com/
http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/
http://frugalplus.com/
http://www.tarmyblogspot.blogspot.com/
http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com/
http://www.eclecticbooklover.com
http://notquitesusiehomemaker.blogspot.com/
http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/
http://bookswithcoffee.wordpress.com/
http://www.jewelknits.blogspot.com/
http://thegirlfromtheghetto.wordpress.com/
http://justanothernewblog.blogspot.com/
http://simplystacie.net/
http://mustreadfaster.blogspot.com/
http://booksiesblog.blogspot.com/
http://reminderlist.blogspot.com/
http://www.tableforseven-julie.blogspot.com/
http://my-book-views.blogspot.com/
http://www.amusingreviews.blogspot.com/
http://thisbookforfree.com/
www.chickwithbooks.blogspot.com
http://takingtimeformommy.blogspot.com/
http://www.luckyrosiescreations.blogspot.com/
http://juniperrbreeeze.blogspot.com/
http://myfoolishwisdom.blogspot.com/
http://www.jeannesramblings.com
http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/
www.bellasnovella.com
http://cuzinlogic.wordpress.com/
http://www.rundpinne.com

The School of Essential Ingredients - Erica Bauermeister

First of all, how gorgeous is this cover? I could picture myself reading on the bench while smelling the aromas seeping from the restaurant!

In Erica Bauermeister's debut novel, The School of Essential Ingredients, we meet a cast of characters enrolled in cooking class. Each student comes to class for various reasons, but walks away with more than learning how to cook a new meal.

The chapters are told from each student's perspective and can be viewed as an in depth character study. The author uses both the present and flashbacks to introduce the reader to each character's life. As each student assist Lillian, the teacher and owner of the restaurant, with making the meal, he/she begins to learn more about him/herself.

Lillian doesn't believe in cooking with recipes. Cooking comes from within; cooking is from the heart. Meals are made with essential ingredients that are not found in a recipe. Lillian shines in the book as she carefully chooses each student to assist with the making of the meal by using an ingredient that is connected to his/her life. Lillian is a wonderful teacher as she fades in and out of her students' lives, giving them as much or as little as they need to move forward.

Having read numerous outstanding reviews about this novel, my expectations were very high. I'm happy to say I was not disappointed. This is a fantastic novel. The author's writing style was lyrical and the words seemed to come off the page. A word of caution: do not read this novel while you are hungry! The author goes into great detail about how the meals are prepared and I imagined myself eating every meal.

I do hope Ms. Bauermeister is working on her second novel as I tremendously enjoyed her first.

Book details:
ISBN-13: 978-0-425-23209-5
Pages: 255
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Fiction
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased at Borders

I'm So Happy for You - Lucinda Rosenfeld

Wendy and Daphne have been friends since college. At first glance, it appears they are best friends. After spending a few minutes with them, one begins to wonder if they secretly despise each other.

Wendy functions better when Daphne is needy, helpless and a complete mess. She comes across as the caring "I would do anything to help you" kind of friend, when deep down she's thrilled that Daphne is miserable. From the beginning, I didn't like Wendy. AT. ALL. I couldn't decide if she's insecure, jealous, bitter and angry, passive-aggressive or all the above. She is so unhappy with her own life, that she can't express real joy for her friends.

Daphne feels she has to tip-toe around Wendy and continue being the "fragile" one as her life falls into place. As a result, Wendy becomes more sensitive about their friendship and feels Daphne is leaving her behind as she starts this new life. When the two friends finally have it out at Daphne's baby shower, the reader feels it is long overdue.

I'm not sure about this book. It was very hard for me to get in to as I really didn't care for any of the characters. The second half of the book was much better for me, as I managed to zip right through it. What I would have wanted to see was more of the book told from Daphne's perspective. The reader learns about Daphne through Wendy's eyes and I just wondered how tainted her description was. Alternating chapters where Daphne and Wendy both told the story would have made this more enjoyable for me.

Would I recommend I'm So Happy for You? Probably so, but with some hesitation.

Book details:
ISBN-13: 978-0-316-04450-9
Pages: 268
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Fiction
Format: Paperback
Source: Library

The Professors' Wives' Club - Joanne Rendell

My summary:
In Joanne Rendell's debut novel, The Professors' Wives' Club, she explores the relationships between four distinct women and the garden that bonds them.

My thoughts:
The Professors' Wives' Club takes place on the fictitious campus of Manhattan University. The reader is introduced to four women, in different stages of their lives, who meet and eventually form a treasured friendship. First there's Mary. She's married to Jack, the dean of Manhattan U and is also an English professor. She visits the garden as an escape from Jack's verbal and physical abuse. Next is Sofia. She's mother to Gracie and soon gives birth to Edgar. She's wife to Tom, an English Professor and a colleague of Mary's. Prior to getting married, Sofia was a top Hollywood agent. Third is Ashleigh. She's a lawyer in her family's law firm. She works hard and doesn't want any special treatment as her favorite uncle is one of the partners of the firm. She has a difficult relationship with her father, never feeling she's good enough for him. She's hiding a big secret from her parents and wants to come clean, however when he suffers a heart attack, she thinks remaining silent will be for the best...for him anyway. And finally there's Hannah. A beautiful model turned MFA grad student. Hannah is married to Michael but realizes she loves her in-laws more. Hannah does the one thing she never thought she'd ever do which causes her to rethink her marriage.

The story centers around the friendship that is formed by these four women. They learn to trust and depend on each other to survive their current situation. Together they protest against the destruction of the garden. Jack wants to tear it down in order to build a parking lot. But when the ladies discover the true motivation for tearing down the garden, they will stop at nothing to make sure it doesn't happen. As they come together to stop Jack, they find the strength to deal with their own problems.

The author's second book, Crossing Washington Square also takes place at Manhattan University. I'm looking forward to reading this novel as well. I wouldn't mind if the author brings back these four characters in this or future novels.

Book details:
ISBN-13: 978-0-451-22491-0
Pages: 321
Year Published: 2008
Genre: Women's Fiction
Format: Paperback
Source: Library

Not My Daughter - Barbara Delinsky

Teenage pregnancy has always been a controversial issue. What happens when three girls, with bright futures, form a pact and intentionally become pregnant? Who's to blame? Most importantly, what is the driving force for making such a pact?

In Barbara Delinsky's latest novel, Not My Daughter, we meet Lily and her friends, Jessica and Mary Kate, three academic achievers, well-liked by the students and faculty, and who are also pregnant. Lily is Susan's daughter. Susan gave birth to Lily at a young age and doesn't want her daughter to face any of the problems she had when she became pregnant. And one more thing: Susan is the principal at Lily's high school.

Teenage pregnancy is difficult to discuss and deal with as Susan quickly comes to realize. She's treated unfairly when it's revealed Lily is one of the girls who is pregnant. Susan's life is scrutinized at every angle and some feel she's not the right person to run the school as she cannot prevent her own daughter from getting pregnant.

Are Susan and the other mothers being treated and judged too harshly? Are parents to blame when an unwanted pregnancy occurs? Is the responsibility solely placed on the two individuals who are about to become parents? These are some of the questions Ms. Delinsky tackles in Not My Daughter.

I enjoyed reading this book. A look inside the three girls' reasons for becoming pregnant was both alarmingly and naive. I did want the author to delve deeper into the unknowing fathers' perspectives. How did these young boys feel after hearing these girls were pregnant? The author, however did spend some time with the father of Lily's baby and the growth of their relationship.

I recommend reading Not My Daughter. I'd also consider it as a book club selection. There's a reading guide included that will help facilitate a discussion.

Book details:
ISBN-13: 978-0-385-52498-8
Pages: 338
Year Published: 2010
Genre: Fiction
Format: Hardback
Source: Library

Family Affair by Caprice Crane

My synopsis
Brett and Layla have been together since high school. Shortly after Layla's mom passed away, Layla moved in with Brett and his family. It's now years later and Brett and Layla are married. While Layla begins planning their future, Brett questions his feelings for her. When did Layla stop being his wife and start being his sister?

My review
I'll be honest... sitting on my night stand (unread) are the author's two previous novels: Stupid and Contagious and Forget About It. When I heard about Ms. Crane's latest release Family Affair, I automatically added it to my TBR List. I thought it would be a light, fun read. Definitely a good book to curl up with on a cold winter day. Actually Family Affair ended up being more than that.

While reading Family Affair one question repeatedly came to mind: what makes a family? I'm sure if I asked ten people this question I would receive ten different answers. This is exactly what Layla struggles with. Layla's mother passed away when she was a teenager. Her dad left the family years before. So when she began dating Brett, it was natural that his family would welcome her as part of their family.

Initially I think Brett accepted this. As he grew older and left home, Layla always wanting to spend time with his family became a bit disturbing. So much so, that he began seeing her as his sister and not his wife. Doubting his love for her, he asks for a divorce. This decision drives a wedge between Brett and his family.

As the reader becomes a part of their antics to win the family's attention, Brett and Layla delve into their respective relationships with each family member and with each other. Narrated in alternating chapters, Family Affair is a refreshing read.

Book details:
ISBN-13: 978-0-553-38623-3
Pages: 348
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Fiction
Source: Library
Date Finished: January 1

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

Book Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Veronica "Ronnie" Miller's life was turned upside down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Three yeas later, she remains angry and alienated from her parents, particularly her father...until her mother decides it would be in everyone's best interest i she and her younger brother spent the summer with him in North Carolina.

Ronnie's father, a former concert pianist, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will be the centerpiece of a local church. Resentful and rebellious, Ronnie rejects all of his attempts to reach out to her and threatens to return to New York before the summer's end. But soon Ronnie meets Will, the town's local heartthrob, and the last person she thought she'd ever be attracted to. As Ronnie slowly lets her guard down, she finds herself falling deeply in love, opening herself up to the greatest happiness⎯and pain⎯that she has ever known.

An unforgettable story of love in all its myriad forms⎯first love, love between parents and children⎯THE LAST SONG demonstrates, as only a Nicholas Sparks novel can, the many ways that love can break our hearts...and heal them.

My thoughts:
When Miriam Parker, Hachette Book Group USA, offered me the chance to receive an ARC of The Last Song, I immediately accepted. I've only read A Walk to Remember and The Notebook by this author, however I've heard and read glowing reviews about his books. After reading the last page (and wiping away my tears), I knew I had to add his remaining books to my TBR List.

My first thought when I started reading The Last Song, was this is the perfect book to read to finish out the summer. I thought it would be light, but an enjoyable read. To my delight, it became so much more as I read more of Ronnie's story.

Ronnie and her brother Jonah are sent to North Carolina to spend the summer with their estranged father. Their father left his prestigious position at Julliard to pursue his dream of being a concert pianist. His time away put a strain on his family and eventually ended his marriage. He now calls Wrightville Beach, NC home.

Ronnie never forgave her father for ruining their family. In fact, she hasn't spoken to him in three years. She's livid that her mother is forcing her to do this. As soon as she sets foot in her father's house, she's determined to plan her return back to New York. As soon as she enters her father's house, she puts distance between them by spending her first night away from his home. It's on this night that she first meets Will followed by Blaze. It's this night that will change her summer.

The Last Song is told in four differing points of view: Ronnie, Steve, Will and Marcus. Through each perspective, Mr. Sparks reveals more of the story and at times flashing back to the past to provide more history. Each character has something to add to the events of that summer and reading it in his or her own voice adds to the realness of the story.

Early on I had a hint of how the novel would end. As I realized my assumption was right, it didn't prepare me for the emotions I felt as I continued to read. The Last Song isn't only about love. It's also about learning how to forgive yourself for your past mistakes so you can move forward. This is evident as Ronnie struggles to forgive herself for allowing her anger and hurt to prevent her from having a relationship with her father. During this summer, Ronnie realizes despite her behavior, her father's love remained unconditional.

Steve, Ronnie's and Jonah's father, spends time quietly reading his Bible. It's during these devotionals, that Steve has forgiven himself and draws closer to God. Mr. Sparks did a fantastic job of using Steve's devotions to illustrate that through God, new beginnings are possible, despite your past, if you have faith, believe and put your trust in God. He continues to illustrate new beginnings by restoring broken relationships between a parent and child, the destroying and reconstruction of a church and learning to love and respect yourself.

The Last Song is an emotionally charged novel, one that I highly recommend. I suggest you read with tissues nearby. It will grabbed the reader and won't let go until the very last page. I want to thank Miriam for the opportunity to review this book.

Book details:
ISBN-13: 978-0-446-54756-7
Pages: 390
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Fiction
Date Finished: September 6
Rating: A+

Real Life & Liars by Kristina Riggle

Book Synopsis:
Sometimes you find happiness where, and when, you least expect it.

For Mirabelle Zielinski's children, happiness always seems to be just out of reach. Her polished oldest daughter, Katya, clings to a stale marriage with a workaholic husband and three spoiled children. Her son, Ivan, so creative, is a down-in-the-dumps songwriter with the worst taste in women. And the "baby," impulsive Irina, who lives life on a whim, is now reluctantly pregnant and hitched to a man who is twice her age. On the weekend of their parents' anniversary party, lies will be revealed, hearts will be broken...but love will also be found. And the biggest shock may come from Mirabelle herself, because she has a secret that will change everything.

My thoughts:
I enjoy reading books about family dynamics. Each family member has his/her own role that allows the family to function. In Real Life and Liars, Ms. Riggle explores the depth of family relationships.

The story is told by the four main characters in alternating chapters. There's Mirabelle, the hippie, nonconformist mother; Katya, the oldest, materialistic daughter; Ivan, the insecure, middle son; and Irina, the youngest daughter without a sense of direction. The children come home for a weekend visit to celebrate their parents' wedding anniversary. As each child arrives, with his and her personal problems, Mira is also keeping a secret of her own. She's made her decision about her fate, and now she hopes her family can accept it.

Ms. Riggle did a fantastic job of writing each character and allowing him/her to have his/her own voice. Only Mira's point of view is written in first person and I thought that only added to the richness of the story. Readers will feel compassion for this family when Mira finally shares her secret with her children.

Real Life and Liars is an honest look into what makes a family a family. The Zielinskis are far from perfect. They may not see eye to eye on things, however when it's time to come together, they show up ready to support each other. I liked the uniqueness of each child and how he/she played a significant part to the family dynamic. As I read each scene, I could vividly picture each character in my mind and thought this would make a great movie.

Real Life and Liars is Ms. Riggle's debut novel which I highly recommend. The next time you're at a book store or your local library, pick it up. You won't be disappointed...it's that good!

Recommended for: a reader who is in search of his/her next great read.

Book details:
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-170628-8
Pages: 327
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Fiction (Family relations)
Date Finished: August 29
Rating: A

The Beach House by Georgia Bockoven

Synopsis:

The beach house is a peaceful haven, a place to escape everyday problems. Here, three families find their feelings intensified and their lives transformed each summer.

When thirty-year-old Julia, mourning the death of her husband, decides to sell the Santa Cruz beach house they owned together, she sets in motion a final summer that will change the lives of all the families who rent it year after year. Teenaged Chris discovers the bittersweet joy of first love. Maggie and Joe, married sixty-five years, courageously face a separation that even their devotion cannot prevent. The married woman Peter yearns for suddenly comes within his reach. And Julia ultimately finds the strength to rebuild her life—something she once thought impossible.

With equal measures of heartbreak and happiness, bestselling author Georgia Bockoven's unforgettable novel tells of the beauty of life and the power of love, and speaks to every woman who has ever clung to a child or loved a man.

My review:

I liked how the author wrote this book. The book is divided into parts; each part represents a summer month. During the month, different renters reside in the beach house and the reader is allowed a glimpse into their lives. Near month's end, the current renters prepare the house for the new renters, as everyone knows one another.

It was though I was reading three short stories in one book, however the author did a fantastic job of tying the renters' stories together. The Beach House is about picking up the pieces after a loss and beginning again.

Recommended for: anyone looking for a great read.

Book details:
ISBN-10: 0061727644
Pages: 379
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Fiction
Date Finished: July 5
Rating: A

Best Intentions by Emily Listfield

Title: Best Intentions
Author: Emily Listfield
ISBN-10: 1416576711
Pages: 338
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Fiction
Date Finished: June 6

First sentence: I lie in bed watching the numbers on the digital alarm click in slow motion to 6:00a.m., 6:01.


Is it possible that the world you carefully constructed can shatter in an instant based on an assumption you made after hearing a voice message on your husband's cell phone? This is what Lisa Barkley begins to think after hearing the muffled message from an unknown woman to her husband.

"Everything I was certain—well, almost certain—of just twenty-four hours ago, job, husband, the intrinsic netting of my life, is suddenly flimsy, insubstantial, everything I have taken for granted now seems up for grabs." (p. 49)

On the outside, Sam and Lisa are happily married with two daughters, Claire and Phoebe. Lisa holds a top position at a PR firm, while Sam is a journalist. They met and fell in love during college and married shortly after graduation. Their daughters attend private school on the Upper East Side.

Lisa never thought to question her marriage until she hears this voice message. She shares her concerns with her best friend, Deirdre. Deirdre does not share Lisa's suspicions and tells her it's probably nothing. Lisa tries to shrug it off, however she just cannot seem to let it go.

Meanwhile an old college friend comes to Manhattan to interview for a job and to celebrate his 40th birthday. Jack is Deirdre's former boyfriend and the four of them get together for a night of celebration and to reminisce. Jack and Deirdre entertain the idea of resuming their past love, only this time both have significant others. Jack is now married to Alice and Deirdre is in a relationship with Ben.

The four friends' reunion sets the stage for past secrets, betrayal and lies to be revealed. Can we truly leave our past in the past? If we try to correct past mistakes, are really doing more harm than good?

"The past is never really over. Our interpretation of it may shift like a kaleidoscope, it may inform us or lead us astray, it may bring comfort or delusion, and excuse to hate or a reason to love. Some of us race too quickly to try to escape it, some of us cling so tightly it blinds us to the present. but one way or another, it is always with us." (p. 331)

Best Intentions is a book that you can easily get lost in. I was captivated within the first chapter and began to wonder if Sam was truly having an affair. Without giving too much away, the novels twists and turns and I began to question each character's motive. At one point I truly felt for Lisa because I didn't know who was telling the truth and who was not. I have to admit, after finishing the book and finally knowing Sam's side of the story, I still had my doubts.

This is the first book I read by this author and it will not be the last. Best Intentions is one I highly recommend.

Life Without Summer by Lynne Griffin

Title: Life Without Summer
Author: Lynne Griffin
ISBN-13: 978-0312383886
Pages: 310
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Fiction
Date Finished: May 3

From the dust jacket: Tessa Gray's life changes forever when she loses her four-year-old daughter, Abby, in a hit-and-run accident outside her preschool. Once a vivacious, joyful mother and wife, Tessa now spends her days holed up in Abby's room, sleeping in her bed, clutching Abby's Tootsie Rabbit stuffed animal—anything to keep her memories close. As Tessa grapples with a terrible grief, made worse by the police’s insistence that the case is unsolvable, she finds solace in Celia Reed, the therapist her husband has pushed her to see, and in the journal she’s keeping, where she compulsively counts the “days without Abby” and maps out her plan for catching the driver who tore her family apart.

As Celia struggles to keep Tessa from getting caught up in a bleak crusade for answers, she finds that their sessions open the door to emotions that she’s spent years ignoring, forcing her to face the rising tensions in her life—her troubled teenage son, her alcoholic ex-husband, and her fragile new marriage. Celia begins to realize that she must come to terms with the tragic mistakes of her past and the choices that have led her family to their own brink of destruction.

A haunting portrait of two women whose lives converge unexpectedly when the answers one needs turn out to be the other’s only chance for peace, Life Without Summer illuminates connections between love, marriage, truth, and forgiveness no reader will forget.

First sentence: There's a thud as her little body collides with the steel fender.

Life Without Summer is the debut novel written by Lynne Griffin. Tessa is a young woman whose life stops when her daughter is killed by a hit and run driver. Tessa isolates in Abby's room, sleeps in her bed and slowly unravels as she tries to comprehend a life without her only child.

Celia is Tessa's therapist. While working with Tessa, Celia realizes her new marriage may not be as stable as she thinks and learns her son is battling his own problems. Meanwhile, her alcoholic ex-husband is still present in her life and her feelings towards him further complicates things.

Life Without Summer is written in journal entries. The narration alternates between Tessa and Celia. The reader is privy to each woman's struggle and pain as she tries to heal and move forward. I highly recommend this book.