Waiting On You

Posted on September 16, 2016 by opesopinions

Author: Kristan Higgins
Publisher: Harlequin HQN
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Kristin of Kritters Ramblings

Goodreads: Does being nobody’s fool mean that you’re nobody’s love?

Colleen O’Rourke is in love with love… just not when it comes to herself. Most nights, she can be found behind the bar at the Manningsport, New York, tavern she owns with her twin brother, doling out romantic advice to the lovelorn, mixing martinis and staying more or less happily single. See, ten years ago, Lucas Campbell, her first love, broke her heart… an experience Colleen doesn’t want to have again, thanks. Since then, she’s been happy with a fling here and there, some elite-level flirting and playing matchmaker to her friends.

But a family emergency has brought Lucas back to town, handsome as ever and still the only man who’s ever been able to crack her defenses. Seems like maybe they’ve got some unfinished business waiting for them—but to find out, Colleen has to let her guard down, or risk losing a second chance with the only man she’s ever loved.

Ope’s Opinion: I started reading this before I went on my vacation to the beach and finished it while I was there. It was the perfect book for this vacation. Since I read Blue Heron one and two, picking up three was easy to get into. It was fun to see where all the characters are now.

Colleen’s story was a fun one to read. I enjoyed reading about her Lucas. They had a long complicated love story. Seeing their second chance at love melted my heart.

The ending was exactly what I expected and what I wanted. I am looking forward to the next one that Kristan Higgins writes.

Gridley Girls

Posted on September 13, 2016 by opesopinions

Author: Meredith First
Publisher: Sparkpress
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Kristin of Kritters Ramblings

Goodreads: Sometimes you have to go back before you can move forward. Meg Monahan was born to be a secret keeper. From the moment she became a peer counselor in high school, Meg has been keeping her friends secrets from sordid family drama to their sex lives that she never wanted to know. Flash forward to adulthood when Meg is a recruiter for the world s hippest (and most paranoid) high-tech company and now Meg is a professional secret keeper. When sudden tragedy strikes before Meg hosts the wedding of her childhood BFF, Anne Calzaretta, the women are forced to face their past and their secrets in order to move on to their future. In 1978, Meg, Anne, Jennifer, and Tonya were such close friends, they were known as The Group in their hometown of Gridley, California. But in ninth grade, their lives were changed forever. Loss, lies, and secrets separated them, but could not break their bonds of friendship. Thirty years later, Meg and Anne reminisce about those days dealing with parents, school, boys, sex, love, and betrayal. Anne remembers their freshman year as an easier time, but Meg, still feeling guilty about a betrayal of Anne s trust, is haunted. Even now, Meg is keeping a secret she s not prepared to face, let alone share. In her debut novel, based on true events, Meredith First tells a timeless story about the bonds of friendship, loss, and betrayal and the forgiveness that is within everyone. Can anyone really keep a secret forever?”

Ope’s Opinion: I enjoyed this book. I liked the flip from present to past. It was a great to way to learn about the past and understand how each character got to where they are in the present.

It was fun to hear the songs that brought to mind Meg’s events from the past. Songs always take me to places I have been.

I moved so much of my school years, so I did not have “the group” that these girls did, but it was fun to read about their relationships.

I would be interested in another book by Meredith First.

Swept Away

Posted on September 8, 2016 by opesopinions

Author: Robyn Carr
Publisher: Mira
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Lisa Wray of HarperCollins

Goodreads: The emotional story of a young woman’s journey as she leaves behind all the things she thought she wanted only to discover who she really is. #1 New York Times bestselling author ROBYN CARR explores the challenges facing women today as they are valued for what’s on the outside rather than the inside.

Jennifer Chaise is proud of her life. Coming from nothing, she’s used her beauty to her advantage and is swept up in a glamorous world of wealth and privilege as the mistress of a high-flying businessman. But when she walks in on a violent scene in their Las Vegas hotel room, Jennifer knows she can no longer ignore the truth about her boyfriend and she flees. Desperate to escape the men searching for her, she invents a whole new persona—with a new look and a new name—as she hides out in a small Nevada town.

Working as a waitress in the local diner, she finds a mentor in Louise, a retired professor who takes her in. As Jennifer begins to embrace a new life, she realizes how much was missing from her old one: a sense of community and purpose… But it’s not easy to simply disappear. Her neighbor Alex is a cop, and while he’s friendly enough, he may also suspect that Jennifer is not what she seems.

Although she is under constant threat of being discovered, Jennifer is surprised to realize that, for the first time, she’s genuinely happy. Suddenly this real world is all she wants. But will it be enough when her past catches up with her?

Ope’s Opinion: If you like Robyn Carr’s books you will definitely like this one. This is a very different one then I am used to her writing, but done just as well.

It took me a little while to really like and understand Jennifer. Her choice of life style ( dating married men ) made it hard to relate to her at first. Seeing her struggles when she was young helped me to understand her more.

There was one intimate scene, I could have lived without. If you took it out, the rest of the book would have been fine. I understand that was put in there for the romance readers that enjoy it – just not necessary for me.

The ending was predictable – which is part of Robyn Carr’s charm in her books.

Our Chemical Hearts

Posted on September 5, 2016 by opesopinions

Author: Krystal Sutherland
Publisher: Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Genre: Contemporary Young Adult
Source: BEA 2016

Goodreads: John Green meets Rainbow Rowell in this irresistible story of first love, broken hearts, and the golden seams that put them back together again.

Henry Page has never been in love. He fancies himself a hopeless romantic, but the slo-mo, heart palpitating, can’t-eat-can’t-sleep kind of love that he’s been hoping for just hasn’t been in the cards for him—at least not yet. Instead, he’s been happy to focus on his grades, on getting into a semi-decent college and finally becoming editor of his school newspaper. Then Grace Town walks into his first period class on the third Tuesday of senior year and he knows everything’s about to change.

Grace isn’t who Henry pictured as his dream girl—she walks with a cane, wears oversized boys’ clothes, and rarely seems to shower. But when Grace and Henry are both chosen to edit the school paper, he quickly finds himself falling for her. It’s obvious there’s something broken about Grace, but it seems to make her even more beautiful to Henry, and he wants nothing more than to help her put the pieces back together again. And yet, this isn’t your average story of boy meets girl. Krystal Sutherland’s brilliant debut is equal parts wit and heartbreak, a potent reminder of the bittersweet bliss that is first love.

Ope’s Opinion: It took me a little while to get interested in where this book was going to go. These characters are interestingly weird. It was good to read a story from a teenage boys perspective, usually books are written with the female as the main character. I liked it for a change of reading.

The secrets that were revealed were some what of a surprise and maybe a little unrealistic ( not that all books have to be realistic ). Murray’s Australian words and accent were sort of annoying.

It may sound strange, but the ending was my favorite part. It felt realistic and was a nice change from the traditional endings.

The Good Dog and the Bad Cat

Posted on September 1, 2016 by opesopinions

Author: Todd Kessler, Jennifer Gray Olson
Publisher: Coralstone
Genre: Children’s Book
Source: BEA 2016

Goodreads: A mysterious thief is stealing from the Lee family household and bakery and it’s up to little puppy Tako to catch the culprit. Tako succeeds in exposing Allie, a feisty cat, but when she gets thrown out of the house Tako begins to have second thoughts about the consequences of his actions. Tako may be the only one who can uncover the truth, but to do so he will have to fight the vicious river rats and learn there may be more to the mischievous cat than what meets the eye.

Ope’s Opinion: It was fun to read this to Emma. At first she did not realize the cat was the one taking things, then she did not realize what the cat was doing with the things. It was fun to watch her realize what was going on.

Emma’s Opinion: Emma worried about where the cat was when it wasn’t staying at the house with Tako. Emma has a big heart and doesn’t want anyone hurt. She did give this one her five finger seal of approval!

Don’t Tempt Me

Posted on August 30, 2016 by opesopinions

Author: Lori Foster
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: BEA 2016

Goodreads: Love comes along when it’s least wanted

Jason Guthrie has no time for entanglements—between helping out his widowed brother and teenage nephew and getting his hometown back on its feet, his days are spoken for. But his nights are another story… And when his lovely new neighbor, Honor Brown, reluctantly accepts his help in remodeling her house, Jason finds himself wishing his handyman skills could knock down the defenses she keeps building around herself.

Martial arts teacher Sullivan Dean knows real danger when he sees it—even when it takes the form of the gorgeous blonde helping her friend move in across the street. After putting his wayward past behind him to focus on teaching control to troubled kids, Sullivan has learned to avoid party girls like Lexie Perkins. But Sullivan can’t seem to keep his hands off the real woman behind that flirty charm—or keep his heart from landing at her feet…

Ope’s Opinion: I love how independent Honor is. I like stories of strong women, they are encouraging and set good examples. The renovations on the house was my favorite part of the story. The constant explicit sex scenes was my least favorite part of the story. I know this book is in the romance genre, so I expected some intimate relationships, but this just seemed to be too much of the focus for me.

I did like how Jason, his brother and his nephew helped Honor from the minute she moved into the house next door. They were really good neighbors to her, became friends and quickly moved the relationship on from there.

Lexie was a good friend to Honor, but her idea of relationships with men was way off for me. I wish she had more respect for herself and higher standards.

If you are a fan of Lori Foster you will probably love this book.

One True Loves

Posted on August 25, 2016 by opesopinions

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Publisher: Washington Square Press
Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction
Source: Kristin of Kritters Ramblings

Goodreads: From the author of Maybe in Another Life—named a People Magazine pick and a “Best Book of the Summer” by Glamour and USA Today—comes a breathtaking new love story about a woman unexpectedly forced to choose between the husband she has long thought dead and the fiancé who has finally brought her back to life.

In her twenties, Emma Blair marries her high school sweetheart, Jesse. They build a life for themselves, far away from the expectations of their parents and the people of their hometown in Massachusetts. They travel the world together, living life to the fullest and seizing every opportunity for adventure.

On their first wedding anniversary, Jesse is on a helicopter over the Pacific when it goes missing. Just like that, Jesse is gone forever.

Emma quits her job and moves home in an effort to put her life back together. Years later, now in her thirties, Emma runs into an old friend, Sam, and finds herself falling in love again. When Emma and Sam get engaged, it feels like Emma’s second chance at happiness.

That is, until Jesse is found. He’s alive, and he’s been trying all these years to come home to her. With a husband and a fiancé, Emma has to now figure out who she is and what she wants, while trying to protect the ones she loves.

Who is her one true love? What does it mean to love truly?

Emma knows she has to listen to her heart. She’s just not sure what it’s saying.

Ope’s Opinion: You know how some authors have a similar rhythm to their books and after you have read a couple, you sort of know where the story is going to go? Well Taylor Jenkins Reid is not one of those authors. Each of her books is amazingly unique. You will not know where she is going until she goes there.

If you have not read Reid before – go get any one of ( or all ) her books. You will not be disappointed in any one of them. One True Loves took me down a road I did not expect and I enjoyed the journey. She made me feel each character’s deep feelings.

Do you believe there is only one person in this world for you? If you do, read this book and see if you still believe it or if this book changes your mind….

The ending is wonderfully satisfying.

The Weekenders

Posted on August 22, 2016 by opesopinions

Author: Mary Kay Andrews
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Mary Ann ( a friend )

Goodreads: Some people stay all summer long on the idyllic island of Belle Isle, North Carolina. Others come only for the weekends-and the mix between the regulars and “the weekenders” can sometimes make the sparks fly. Riley Griggs has a season of good times with friends and family ahead of her on Belle Isle when things take an unexpected turn. While waiting for her husband to arrive on the ferry one Friday afternoon, Riley is confronted by a process server who thrusts papers into her hand. And her husband is nowhere to be found.

So she turns to her island friends for help and support, but it turns out that each of them has their own secrets, and the clock is ticking as the mystery deepens…in a murderous way. Cocktail parties aside, Riley must find a way to investigate the secrets of Belle Island, the husband she might not really know, and the summer that could change everything.

Told with Mary Kay Andrews’ trademark blend of humor and warmth, and with characters and a setting that you can’t help but fall for, The Weekenders is the perfect summer escape.

Ope’s Opinion: There was a nice blend of story and mystery in this book. I do wish the reader had been given more clues to attempt to figure out who did the murder. I did care about the whole Griggs / Nolan family. The characters were interesting and well developed.

I enjoyed the mother – daughter relationship between both Riley and her mother and Riley and her daughter. They were both loving and difficult – which felt very realistic to me ( with two daughters of my own ).

The murder wrap up of the story seemed to come to a conclusion too quickly for me. The rest of the story finished with satisfying ending. I have another Mary Kay Andrews sitting on shelf waiting to be read.

First Star I See Tonight

Posted on August 19, 2016 by opesopinions

Author: Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: BEA 2016

Goodreads: A star quarterback and a feisty detective play for keeps in this sporty, sexy, sassy novel—a long-awaited new entry in the beloved, award-winning, New York Times bestselling author’s fan-favorite Chicago Stars football series.

Piper Dove is a woman with a dream—to become the best detective in the city of Chicago. First job? Trail former Chicago Stars quarterback, Cooper Graham. Problem? Graham’s spotted her, and he’s not happy.

Which is why a good detective needs to think on her feet. “The fact is…I’m your stalker. Not full-out barmy. Just…mildly unhinged.”

Piper soon finds herself working for Graham himself, although not as the bodyguard he refuses to admit he so desperately needs. Instead, he’s hired her to keep an eye on the employees at his exclusive new nightclub. But Coop’s life might be in danger, and Piper’s determined to protect him, whether he wants it or not. (Hint: Not!) If only she weren’t also dealing with a bevy of Middle Eastern princesses, a Pakistani servant girl yearning for freedom, a teenager who just wants to fit in, and an elderly neighbor demanding Piper find her very dead husband.

And then there’s Cooper Graham himself, a legendary sports hero who always gets what he wants—even if what he wants is a feisty detective hell bent on proving she’s as tough as he is.

From the bustling streets of Chicago to a windswept lighthouse on Lake Superior to the glistening waters of Biscayne Bay, two people who can’t stand to lose will test themselves and each other to discover what matters most.

Ope’s Opinion: This is the first Susan Elizabeth Phillips I have read, so I was a bit concerned that I might have missed something from one through seven. It did not feel at all like it was part of a series. It could have been a stand alone from my perspective. I do like to pick up new to me authors at BEA – and Susan Elizabeth Phillips is one of the reasons.

The book started out slow for me, but that is part of what I think helped me not feel like I came in the middle of series. There were a lot of people to get to know. Piper is a interesting woman. She sure can think fast on her feet!

Although I thoroughly enjoyed this one, I am not sure I will follow this series as closely as her fan base does. But I do think I would read a stand alone by SEP.

Beach Town

Posted on August 16, 2016 by opesopinions

Author: Mary Kay Andrews
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Mary Ann ( a friend )

Goodreads: Greer Hennessy needs palm trees.

As a movie location scout, picture-perfect is the name of the game. But her last project literally went up in flames, and her career is on the verge of flaming out. Greer has been given one more chance, if she can find the perfect undiscovered beach hideaway for a big-budget movie. She zeroes in on a sleepy Florida panhandle town called Cypress Key. There’s one motel, a marina, a long stretch of pristine beach and an old fishing pier with a community casino-which will be perfect for the film’s explosive climax.

There’s just one problem. Eben Thibadeaux, the town mayor, completely objects to Greer’s plan. A lifelong resident of Cypress Key, Eben wants the town to be revitalized, not commercialized. After a toxic paper plant closed, the bay has only recently been reborn, and Eb has no intention of letting anybody screw with his town again. But Greer has a way of making things happen, regardless of obstacles. And Greer and Eb are way too attracted to each other for either of them to see reason.

Between an ambitious director and his entourage-including a spoiled “It Boy” lead actor-who parachute into town, a conniving local ex-socialite, and a cast of local fangirls and opportunists who catch the movie bug, nothing is going to be the same in Cypress Key. Now Greer is forced to make some hard choices: about the people and the town she’s come to care about, and about her own life. True love is only for the movies, right? Can Greer find a way to be the heroine in her own life story? Told with inimitable heart and humor, Mary Kay Andrews’ Beach Town is the perfect summer destination.

Ope’s Opinion: If you are a Mary Kay Andrews reader you will not want to miss this one. I really enjoyed the light, easy read.Definitely a good one to take the beach. I like her book The Weekenders a bit more.

If you are interested in behind the scenes on a movie set, you will love all the details that Mary Kay went into about the sets. At times I enjoyed this, at other times I got lost on the set and forgot about the story.

As usual, the ending was predictable, but that is what I expect with Mary Kay Andrews book. That is part of the charm of the book.

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Ope's Opinions

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