Summer Secrets

Posted on June 24, 2015 by opesopinions

Author: Jane Green
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: BookSparks

Goodreads: Jane Green delivers her second blockbuster novel of 2015, a story of one woman struggling to right the wrongs of her past, with even more complications in the present.

June, 1998: At twenty seven, Catherine Coombs, also known as Cat, is struggling. She lives in London, works as a journalist, and parties hard. Her lunchtimes consist of several glasses of wine at the bar downstairs in the office, her evenings much the same, swigging the free booze and eating the free food at a different launch or party every night. When she discovers the identity of the father she never knew she had, it sends her into a spiral. She makes mistakes that cost her the budding friendship of the only women who have ever welcomed her. And nothing is ever the same after that.

June, 2014: Cat has finally come to the end of herself. She no longer drinks. She wants to make amends to those she has hurt. Her quest takes her to Nantucket, to the gorgeous summer community where the women she once called family still live. Despite her sins, will they welcome her again? What Cat doesn’t realize is that these women, her real father’s daughters, have secrets of their own. As the past collides with the present, Cat must confront the darkest things in her own life and uncover the depths of someone’s need for revenge.

Ope’s Opinion: This book was a roller coaster for me. It drew me in at the beginning. I was interested in the characters and where the story was going to take them. The middle part drug on for me. The AA meetings were too long with too much detail. When Cat went to Nantucket, I was back into the story.

I think Jane Green wrote wonderful family dynamics. She showed how each relationship effected the other people in the family. I loved Cat and Annie’s relationship.

The ending was very satisfying. It made the rest of the story worth reading.

Rating: 3 – I like this book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.

Stella Batts: None of Your Beeswax

Posted on June 22, 2015 by opesopinions

Author: Courtney Sheinmel
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Genre: Children’s books
Source: BEA

Goodreads: Can you keep a secret? Stella Batts has a lot of secrets to keep these days–there’s the secret of what really happened to her little sister’s pet fish, and there’s the secret school project she’s working on with her friend Lucy, and there’s the secret on the second floor of her family’s candy store. Actually, Stella doesn’t know the candy store secret yet, because her dad won’t tell her. Even though she’s eight years old, and that’s old enough to be trusted! Stella hasn’t told any of her other secrets all week, and some of her other friends are feeling left out. But that’s the problem with being told a secret: You have to keep it!

Ope’s Opinion: These are my girls I will be reading this book to. This book is so good adults will enjoy reading to children. Later those children will enjoy reading it themselves.

Stella learns about keeping secrets – when to keep them, when to share them, and who to share them with. It is a hard concept for children to learn. I thought there were several good real life examples in this book.

I am interested in reading more of Stella Batts books.

Rating: 5 – This book is so good it will be passed on and on and on….

Jesse’s Girl

Posted on June 18, 2015 by opesopinions

Author: Miranda Kenneally
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: Contemporary Young Adult
Source: Edelweiss

Publication Date: July 1, 2015

Goodreads: Practice Makes Perfect.

Everyone at Hundred Oaks High knows that career mentoring day is a joke. So when Maya Henry said she wanted to be a rock star, she never imagined she’d get to shadow *the* Jesse Scott, Nashville’s teen idol.

But spending the day with Jesse is far from a dream come true. He’s as gorgeous as his music, but seeing all that he’s accomplished is just a reminder of everything Maya’s lost: her trust, her boyfriend, their band, and any chance to play the music she craves. Not to mention that Jesse’s pushy and opinionated. He made it on his own, and he thinks Maya’s playing back up to other people’s dreams. Does she have what it takes to follow her heart—and go solo?

Ope’s Opinion: I have read a Miranda Kenneally book before. I really think she does a good job of writing from a young adults point of view. I like how slow Jesse and Maya took their relationship. They took time to know each other before the physical part started.

I loved watching Maya chase her dream of singing. It was a great idea to have her follow someone who is already there. It was good to see the positive and negative sides of the industry. I actually think the shadow program should be put into the school systems. It is an awesome idea to help students see what a job is really all about.

I like how involved Maya’s family is with her music. They are very supportive. It is great to see a story about teens that includes a positive family. I like how protective her brother is of her.

This is a good read – definitely would recommend it to young adult readers.

Rating: Four Chairs – I like this book so much I know several friends to share with it.

Happy Blogaversary!!!!

Posted on June 16, 2015 by opesopinions

This is my 3rd Anniversary!!!!

When I started I thought I would try it for a year and see if I still enjoyed it. It is hard to believe I am still happily reading, reviewing and occasionally sharing about my family.

One of the things I like to do on the anniversary is to reevaluate my blog. Something that has been on my mind this past year is –

Please give me your opinion.

How long should a review be?

What needs to be included in the review?

Is rating a book necessary?

These are some of the things that I am reevaluating on my blog.

Conflicting Webs

Posted on June 11, 2015 by opesopinions

Author: Darlene Quinn
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press
Genre: Fiction
Source: Darlene Quinn

Goodreads: The Toddman-Taylor saga continues in a new direction, exploring love and loss, career and family, forgiveness and redemption in this stand-alone addition to the gripping Web series. Fast-paced chapters propel unforgettable characters through the turmoil of overlapping and often conflicting commitments.

Wedding bells are set to ring. April Toddman, the darling of the Jordon’s retail dynasty, feels blessed. Her handsome, amiable fiancé, Kyle Clark, is passionate and shares her dreams. No couple could ask for a more promising future. And yet, just days before they are to exchange their marriage vows, their perfect world begins to crumble. Fate steps in and puts April and Kyle to the test. Will they successfully thread their way through the conflicting webs to secure their happiness?

With unfamiliar ground beneath their feet, April and Kyle must confront an unrelenting tsunami of obligations: to other—to their budding careers—and to themselves.

A child without a mother . . . A wedding without a honeymoon . . . A mother without a family . . . Beloved characters old and new weave secrets, mistakes, accidents, and lies into intricate webs of conflict as they strive to protect the generation of tomorrow.

Readers young and old will be held captive by the bold decisions these characters make to take charge of their destinies.

Ope’s Opinion: This book started out a little slow for me. Once I did get into, I was absorbed in the story right to the end. Parts of it were very intense. There were a lot of characters in this book. Each one was well developed and had a large part in how the story moved forward and ended. At times I made assumptions on how things were going to turn out and each time I was surprised at the turns the story took.

This is my first book by Darlene Quinn. I did not feel like I was missing anything since I had not read the previous books. This book felt complete.

The ending left me wanting more. Not that it was a bad ending, I just wanted to know more. I guess that is because it is part of a series.

Rating: 4 – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.

Books on My Doorstep

Posted on June 10, 2015 by opesopinions

Yesterday was a very good book day!
These are what landed on my door step yesterday.

The second book in my
Booksparks Summer Reading Challenge
came in.

Inside is:

This one came in from Liz and Lisa after meeting them at BEA!!

status of all thngs

This book came from Valerie at Sourcebooks.
I met Valerie at BEA. She was very friendly and was
interested in what I liked to read.
Thank you Valerie!!

Married ’til Monday

Posted on June 9, 2015 by opesopinions

Author: Denise Hunter
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Christian Fiction
Source: NetGalley

Goodreads: With a big anniversary party in the works for her parents, Ryan will pretend to be Abby’s husband for just one last weekend.

Ryan McKinley has tried to move on from his ex-wife, Abby. He’s sulked, he’s gotten angry, and ultimately he bought her dream house. Big mistake. Living alone in the massive 2-story has only made him miss her more. When her parents call him out of the blue about their anniversary party in Summer Harbor, Maine, Ryan believes God has dropped a golden opportunity straight in his lap.

Abby McKinley never exactly told her parents about the divorce. A strained relationship with her dad has culminated in a distant relationship with her parents, but she’s finally succumbed to her mom’s pressure to make the drive for their 35th-anniversary party.

Then Ryan shows up on her doorstep, looking as devastatingly handsome as ever. When he insists he’s going to Seabrook, with or without her, Abby knows she can’t say no. Her parents still think they’re married and now Ryan knows it too. Besides, he only wants to check in with his best friend from college—her cousin Beau, who just lost his dad. It’s just a one-week road-trip with the man who broke her heart. What could possibly go wrong?

Ope’s Opinion: Out of all the McKinlely stories, this was the hardest to read. Abby had a lot of issues that I think a reader could relate to, but made it a little on the sad side.

Abby and Ryan had a road trip that was a reflection of their relationship – lots of ups and downs. There were several road blocks along the way and some detours. It was a long winding road ( could have been a little shorter ). Abby had to work through some issues.

The ending was expected, but also what you wanted. It was good to see where all the siblings were too. The McKinley series was an enjoyable family to get to know.

Rating: 4 – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.

Books from BEA

Posted on June 8, 2015 by opesopinions

There are always a few special books that draw me to BEA.
These are a few of my favorites from this year.

Publication Date: May 26, 2015
Love Kristan Higgins!

Publication Date: October 13, 2015
I will save this for the first snow!

Publication Date: August 1, 2015
This was an unexpected find.

Publication Date: August 4, 2015
This is a new author for me.
And the cover is awesome!!

Publication Date: January 2, 2015
Celeste Conway was fun to talk to at BEA.
I love the cover! I want to frame it.

Publication Date: May 26, 2015
Katie McGarry is a favorite of mine.

Eight Hundred Grapes

Posted on June 5, 2015 by opesopinions

Author: Laura Dave
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Fiction
Source: BookSparks

Goodreads: A breakout novel from an author who “positively shines with wisdom and intelligence” (Jonathan Tropper, This Is Where I leave You). “Laura Dave writes with humor and insight about relationships in all their complexity, whether she’s describing siblings or fiancés or a couple long-married. Eight Hundred Grapes is a captivating story about the power of family, the limitations of love, and what becomes of a life’s work” (J. Courtney Sullivan, Maine).

There are secrets you share, and secrets you hide…

Growing up on her family’s Sonoma vineyard, Georgia Ford learned some important secrets. The secret number of grapes it takes to make a bottle of wine: eight hundred. The secret ingredient in her mother’s lasagna: chocolate. The secret behind ending a fight: hold hands.

But just a week before her wedding, thirty-year-old Georgia discovers her beloved fiancé has been keeping a secret so explosive, it will change their lives forever.

Georgia does what she’s always done: she returns to the family vineyard, expecting the comfort of her long-married parents, and her brothers, and everything familiar. But it turns out her fiancé is not the only one who’s been keeping secrets…

Ope’s Opinion: I really hope this book is the first in a series. It has so many amazing characters that I would like to revisit. Laura Dave does a such a great job of developing each of the characters.

Watching Georgia struggle to figure out what she wanted and who she wanted kept me reading. I liked that she was not closed to forgiving and would listen to explanations even when things looked very messed up. Her whole family had different relationships to work out.

There is a lot of family drama in this book. Some of it seemed to be resolved by the end, but I think there is a lot more I want to read. Please Laura – tell me there is more!!

Rating: 5 – This book is so good it will be passed on and on and on….

One Wish

Posted on June 3, 2015 by opesopinions

Author: Robyn Carr
Publisher: Mira
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Kristin of Kritters Ramblings

Goodreads: Grace Dillon was a champion figure skater until she moved to Thunder Point to escape the ruthless world of fame and competition. And though she’s proud of the quiet, self-sufficient life she’s created running a successful flower shop, she knows something is missing. Her life could use a little excitement.

In a community where there are few eligible singles, high school teacher Troy Headly appoints himself Grace’s fun coach. When he suggests a little companionship with no strings attached, Grace is eager to take him up on his offer, and the two enjoy…getting to know each other.

But things get complicated when Grace’s past catches up with her, and she knows that’s not what Troy signed up for. Faced with losing her, Troy realizes Grace is more than just a friend with benefits. He’s determined to help her fight for the life she always wished for but never believed she could have—and maybe they can find real love along the way.

Ope’s Opinion: This is another good book by Robyn Carr. You know that Grace and Troy will be happy at the end, but getting there is always fun! Catching up on other Thunder Point characters was enjoyable too.

Watching Grace become independent after such a dependent childhood made me respect her character.

I am looking forward to the next Thunder Point book. I want to see how Grace and her mom work out their relationship. I also want to see all the new babies that are on the way. It should be another great read.

Rating: 4 – I like the book so much I know several friends to share it with.

Ope's Opinions

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