Doing It Over

Posted on February 3, 2017 by opesopinions

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Author: Catherine Bybee
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: BEA 2016

Goodreads: Voted Most Likely to Succeed, Melanie Bartlett ended up anything but. The down-on-her-luck single mom wants a complete do-over—is that too much to ask? With her family long gone from River Bend, strong, independent Mel is as surprised as anyone to end up in the quaint small town she once called home. But with her friends, Jo and Zoe, by her side, and a comfortable room at Miss Gina’s quirky bed-and-breakfast, she just might have turned the corner on a new life.

Wyatt Gibson never liked the big city. River Bend suits the ruggedly handsome builder just fine. Wyatt knows he’s home, even if that means being charmed by the appearance of Melanie and her spunky, adorable daughter. Is Wyatt’s calm devotion—even amid a coming storm—enough to convince Mel she may have found a home to call her own, a family that never leaves, and a true love to last a lifetime?

Ope’s Opinion: This book falls under the romance genre – it will not disappoint those who are truly looking for a romance ( there are some steamy parts ), but this book is so much more! It is a great story, some family drama, friendship and a little mystery. So if any or all of those fall into the genre you enjoy reading, this book is for you.

Also, this is the first of a series. This book is about Melanie, the next one is about her friend Zoe. It will be coming out January 24th, so we don’t have to wait too long!

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On Second Thought

Posted on January 26, 2017 by opesopinions

Author: Kristan Higgins
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Little Bird Publicity

Goodreads: Following in the footsteps of her critically acclaimed novel If You Only Knew , multi-bestselling author Kristan Higgins returns with a pitch-perfect look at the affection—and the acrimony—that binds sisters together

Ainsley O’Leary is so ready to get married—she’s even found the engagement ring her boyfriend has stashed away. What she doesn’t anticipate is for Eric to blindside her with a tactless breakup he chronicles in a blog…which (of course) goes viral. Devastated and humiliated, Ainsley turns to her half sister, Kate, who’s already struggling after the sudden loss of her new husband.

Kate has always been so poised, so self-assured, but Nathan’s death shatters everything she thought she knew—including her husband—and sometimes the people who step up aren’t the ones you expect. With seven years and a murky blended-family dynamic between them, Ainsley and Kate have never been overly close, but their shared sorrow dovetails their faltering worlds into one.

Despite the lifetime of history between them, the sisters must learn to put their differences aside and open their hearts to the inevitable imperfection of family—and the possibility of one day finding love again.

Ope’s Opinion: I really do like Kristan HIggins stories and style of writing. This particular one had too much detail for me. At times, there was so much detail, I lost the story line.

This sisters relationship was amazing! I have a sister and she is one I turn to and care about her opinion. I also have two adult daughters that I hope have the same kind of relationship.

These two strong, independent women are the kind of examples I really enjoy reading about. They supported each other through the difficult times.

I will be reading another Kristan Higgins. She is one of my “go-to” authors.

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More Than Friends

Posted on January 23, 2017 by opesopinions

more Author: Barbara Delinsky
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Romance
Source: Purchased

Goodreads: More Than Friends is a moving, unforgettable story of friendship, love, and forgiveness a classic from New York Times bestselling author Barbara Delinsky.

The Maxwells and the Popes have been friends forever. The women were college roommates, their husbands are partners in the same law firm, their kids have grown up next door to each other, and the two families share both vacations and holidays.

All is beautiful and serene in their “perfect” shared suburban Eden until a tragic accident forces these very close friends and neighbors to look more deeply beneath the surface. And when their idyllic lives are unexpectedly shattered by a moment that can never be erased or forgotten, their faith in one another and in themselves is put to the supreme test.

Ope’s Opinion: When I started this book I felt like I had read it before. I kept reading to see if I had. At the end, I was still not sure.

My daughter Kristin of Kritters Ramblings suggested I read the first book I put on my Goodreads each month. So this is the one that came up. It is definitely a dated book – there were no cell phones, no emails, and many other little things that let me know how old this book really is!!

The cheating happened in the beginning of the book. It felt like it happened haphazardly. There was no build up of attraction between the two. The rest of the book was the consequences of their actions.

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Pretty Little World

Posted on January 17, 2017 by opesopinions

Author: Elizabeth LaBan and Melissa DePino
Publisher: Lake Union
Genre: Fiction
Source: Little Bird Publicity

Goodreads: On a cozy street in Philadelphia, three neighboring families have become the best of friends. They can’t imagine life without one another—until one family outgrows their tiny row house. In a bid to stay together, a crazy idea is born: What if they tear down the walls between their homes and live together under one roof? And so an experiment begins.

Celia and Mark now have the space they need. But is this really what Celia’s increasingly distant husband wants? Stephanie embraces the idea of one big, happy family, but has she considered how it may exacerbate the stark differences between her and her husband, Chris? While Hope always wanted a larger family with Leo, will caring for all the children really satisfy that need?

Behind closed doors, they strive to preserve the closeness they treasure. But when boundaries are blurred, they are forced to question their choices…and reimagine the true meaning of family.

Ope’s Opinion: I started out reading this with a little skepticism. The thought of three families living together seemed a little odd to me. As I read, I bought into the idea. The families seem to really meet each others needs. The authors had convinced me this was going to work. Then too much intimate details of their sex lives was written into the story – this added nothing to the characters or to the story line. At that point, I was frustrated. I did finish the book. The ending left me up in the air.

The Magnolia Story

Posted on January 13, 2017 by opesopinions

Author: Chip and Joanna Gaines
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Biography
Source: Gift from my daughter Jennifer

Goodreads: Are you ready to see your fixer upper?

These famous words are now synonymous with the dynamic husband-and-wife team Chip and Joanna Gaines, stars of HGTV s Fixer Upper. As this question fills the airwaves with anticipation, their legions of fans continue to multiply and ask a different series of questions, like Who are these people?What s the secret to their success? And is Chip actually that funny in real life? By renovating homes in Waco, Texas, and changing lives in such a winsome and engaging way, Chip and Joanna have become more than just the stars of Fixer Upper, they have become America s new best friends.

The Magnolia Story is the first book from Chip and Joanna, offering their fans a detailed look at their life together. From the very first renovation project they ever tackled together, to the project that nearly cost them everything; from the childhood memories that shaped them, to the twists and turns that led them to the life they share on the farm today.

They both attended Baylor University in Waco. However, their paths did not cross until Chip checked his car into the local Firestone tire shop where Joanna worked behind the counter. Even back then Chip was a serial entrepreneur who, among other things, ran a lawn care company, sold fireworks, and flipped houses. Soon they were married and living in their first fixer upper. Four children and countless renovations later, Joanna garners the attention of a television producer who notices her work on a blog one day.

In The Magnolia Story fans will finally get to join the Gaines behind the scenes and discover: The time Chip ran to the grocery store and forgot to take their new, sleeping baby Joanna s agonizing decision to close her dream business to focus on raising their children When Chip buys a houseboat, sight-unseen, and it turns out to be a leaky wreck Joanna s breakthrough moment of discovering the secret to creating a beautiful home Harrowing stories of the financial ups and downs as an entrepreneurial couple Memories and photos from Chip and Jo s wedding The significance of the word magnolia and why it permeates everything they do The way the couple pays the popularity of Fixer Upper forward, sharing the success with others, and bolstering the city of Waco along the way

And yet there is still one lingering question for fans of the show: Is Chip really that funny? Oh yeah, says Joanna. He was, and still is, my first fixer upper. “

Ope’s Opinion: I am not usually a biography reader, but this one was a great one. Reading their story from both their perspectives was enjoyable. You could actually hear their voices as you read it.

This was a Christmas gift from my daughter Jennifer. I want to thank her for thinking of me when she bought this gift. It was a wonderful read about real people with real lives. It seems from the book that the tv show has not changed them.

Sleepless in Manhattan

Posted on January 5, 2017 by opesopinions

Author: Sarah Morgan
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Kristin of Kritters Ramblings

Goodreads: USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan introduces a sizzling new trilogy about three best friends embracing life—and love—in Manhattan

Cool, calm and competent, events planner Paige Walker loves a challenge. After a childhood spent in and out of hospitals, she’s now determined to prove herself—and where better to take the world by storm than in the exhilarating bustle of Manhattan? But when Paige is let go from the job she loves, she must face her biggest challenge of all—going it alone.

Except launching her own events company is nothing compared to hiding her outrageous crush on Jake Romano—her brother’s best friend, New York’s most in-demand date, and the only man to break her heart. When Jake offers Paige’s fledgling company a big chance, their still-sizzling chemistry starts giving her sleepless nights. But can she convince the man who trusts no one to take a chance on forever?

Ope’s Opinion: I know this book is in the romance genre, so I expect some sex scenes, but this one had a little too much concentration on that and not enough on the story line for me. The story was a great one, so that kept me reading.

This is the first in a series of three – each book is about a different friend. I did like it enough to want to read about the other two friends.

If you are a romance reader this is definitely a book you won’t want to miss.

The Marriage Lie

Posted on December 27, 2016 by opesopinions

Author: Kimberly Belle
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Mystery
Source: MIRA Books

Goodreads: Even the perfect marriage has its dark side…

Iris and Will’s marriage is as close to perfect as it can be: a large house in a nice Atlanta neighborhood, rewarding careers and the excitement of trying for their first baby. But on the morning Will leaves for a business trip to Orlando, Iris’s happy world comes to an abrupt halt. Another plane headed for Seattle has crashed into a field, killing everyone on board, and according to the airline, Will was one of the passengers on this plane.

Grief-stricken and confused, Iris is convinced it all must be a huge misunderstanding. But as time passes and there is still no sign of Will, she reluctantly accepts that he is gone. Still, Iris needs answers. Why did Will lie about where he was going? What is in Seattle? And what else has he lied about? As Iris sets off on a desperate quest to find out what her husband was keeping from her, the answers she receives will shock her to her very core.

Ope’s Opinion: Intense! That is the best way to describe this book.

When you are at the half way point of this book – go to the bathroom, get a drink, get comfortable and take a large breath because you are not going to put it down or breath until you are finished reading it!

I have loved Kimberly Belle books before, this was another great one! Try any one of her books.

Thank you Emer for sending this book.

Home Field

Posted on December 15, 2016 by opesopinions

Author: Hannah Gersen
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Fiction
Source: William Morrow

Goodreads: The heart of Friday Night Lights meets the emotional resonance and nostalgia of My So-Called Life in this utterly moving debut novel about tradition, family, love, and football.

As the high school football coach in his small, rural Maryland town, Dean is a hero who reorganized the athletic program and brought the state championship to the community. When he married Nicole—the beloved, town sweetheart—he seemed to have it all—until his troubled wife committed suicide. Now, everything Dean thought he knew about his life and the people in it is thrown off kilter as Nicole’s death forces him to re-evaluate all of his relationships, including those with his team and his three children.

Dean’s eleven-year old son Robbie is acting withdrawn, and running away from school to the local pizza parlor. Bry, who is only eight, is struggling to understand his mother’s untimely death. And nineteen-year- old Stephanie has just left for Swarthmore and is torn between her new identity as a rebellious and sophisticated college student, her responsibility towards her brothers, and feeling like she is still just a little girl who misses her mom. As Dean struggles to continue to lead his team to victory in light of his overwhelming personal loss, he must fix his fractured family—and himself. And what he discovers along the way is that he’ll never view the world in the same way again.

Transporting you to the heart of small town America, Home Field is an unforgettable, poignant story about the pull of the past and the power of forgiveness.

Ope’s Opinion: This is definitely a Friday Nights Lights books. If you enjoyed that show you will like this book. There is some football and the characters lives happen around the football and the field, but it is more about their lives then the football game itself.

This is a minor complaint – the chapters were too long.

Now I’ll Tell You Everything

Posted on December 12, 2016 by opesopinions

Author: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Genre: Young Adult
Source: Purchased

Goodreads: Alice McKinley is going to college! And everything, from her room to her classes to her friends, is about to change. Stoically, nervously, Alice puts her best foot forward…and steps into the rest of her life.

Just how crazy will her college life get? Will Alice’s dream of becoming a psychologist come true? Are she and her BFFs destined to remain BFFs? And with so many miles between them, will Alice and Patrick stay together…or is there a hot, mysterious stranger in her future? As Alice well knows, life isn’t always so predictable, and there are more than a few curveballs waiting to be thrown her way.

This is it. The grand finale. You’ve loved her, you’ve learned with her, you’ve watched her grow up through twenty-eight books. And now everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Alice McKinley will be revealed!

Ope’s Opinion: This was a very long book. Parts of it were deep and fun to read. Parts of it went fast – years past by quickly, but felt rushed. I think trying to fit all of this into one book was a bit too much.

This is one book where you did need to read from the beginning of the series or you would be lost on a lot of the background and the relationships that were wound up in each other.

Just Fine with Caroline

Posted on December 9, 2016 by opesopinions

Author: Annie England Noblin
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Romance
Source: Kristin of Kritters Ramblings

Goodreads: From the author of Sit! Stay! Speak! comes a tender, terrific novel complete with long-buried secrets, a three-legged pot belly pig, and an irresistible dog—an unforgettable story about love, friendship, and community. Perfect for fans of Mary Kay Andrews and Mary Alice Monroe.

Caroline O’Connor never dreamed she’d be back home in Cold River, Missouri, the Ozark Mountain town where everyone is ‘up your business.’…they mean well as they drive you crazy. She thought she’d left town for good, but now she’s back, helping to care for her New York born mother—struck with Alzheimer’s, and prone to saying and doing anything—and her father, the beloved local doctor frustrated he can’t cure his own wife.

As for Caroline, she’s doing ‘just fine’ coping with her parents, her brazen cousin Ava Dawn’s marital disasters, her mostly-deaf dog…and with Noah Cranwell, far-flung relative of a local family mostly infamous for running moonshine, an ex-veteran who’s come to Cold River with troubles of his own.

Caroline believes she knows everything about Cold River and the people who live in its hills and hollers … but sometimes life’s greatest surprises happen closest to home.

Ope’s Opinion: This story takes place in a small country town where everyone knows everyone else and their secrets – that they think they are hiding.

Noah’s and Caroline’s story line is romantic, cute and fun to follow throughout the book. Caroline’s mom’s story is sad and a little hard to read.

The foul language was unnecessary and added nothing to the story.

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