Coast Road

Posted on March 17, 2017 by opesopinions

coast

Author: Barbara Delinsky
Genre: Romance
Source: Purchased

Goodreads: Hailed as “a heartwarming story” (Star Tribune, Minneapolis), a celebration of what matters most in life, Barbara Delinsky’s profoundly moving New York Times bestseller is as richly textured and captivating as the Northern California landscape in which it is set.

Jack McGill chose his architectural career over his family, and returned home from yet another business trip to find that his wife, Rachel, had left him. Now, six years later, a car accident has left Rachel clinging to life, and she and their two daughters desperately need him. Putting work on hold for the first time in his life, Jack decides to sit by his ex-wife’s bedside. As he meets Rachel’s many new friends, and tries to cope with two teenage daughters and their problems, he learns more about a woman he never really knew, her expressive art, and the secret that made her leave. Much to his astonishment, Jack begins to see Rachel, his daughters, and the story of his marriage with new eyes.

Ope’s Opinion: The beginning of the book was interesting and got my attention. I was invested in the story and the characters and wanted to keep reading. Then it drug on and on in the middle. I think part of that was to show how slow time was moving for the characters, but I got bored after a while. Randomly, she threw in things about sex that were not inappropriate,but also did not add any dimension to the story or characters. The ending was cute and predictable.

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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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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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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.

Return to Willow Lake

Posted on October 14, 2016 by opesopinions

Author: Susan Wiggs
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Romance
Source: Kristin of Kritters Ramlbings

Goodreads: Sonnet Romano’s life is almost perfect. She has the ideal career, the ideal boyfriend, and has just been offered a prestigious fellowship. There’s nothing more a woman wants – except maybe a baby.sister? When Sonnet finds out her mother is unexpectedly expecting, and that the pregnancy is high-risk, she puts everything on hold – the job, the fellowship, the boyfriend – and heads home to Avalon. Once her mom is out of danger, Sonnet intends to pick up her life where she left off. But when her mother receives a devastating diagnosis, Sonnet must decide what really matters in life, even of that means staying in Avalon and taking a job that forces her to work alongside her biggest, and maybe her sweetest, mistake – award-winning filmmaker Zach Alger. So Sonnet embarks on a summer of laughter and tears, of old dreams and new possibilities, and of finding the home of her heart. At once heartbreaking and uplifting, Return to Willow Lake plumbs the deepest corners of the human heart, exploring the bonds of family, the perils and rewards of love, and the true meaning of home.

Ope’s Opinion: This is Lakeshores Chronicles #9. This is the first one I read and I did not feel like I missed a thing. Lakeshores #11 is on my shelf and I plan to read it soon.

Susan Wiggs writes such full characters with a lot going on in their lives. Her books always keep my attention from the beginning until the end. This book is no exception. I like that her female characters are not only looking for love, but they are busy doing other things. There is very little steamy sections in this book – which is a positive for me.

The mother – daughter relationship in this story is strong and reminds me of myself and my girls. It was awesome to see Sonnet put family before a job and other things pulling her in other directions. Her mother needed her, but wasn’t whiny about it and actually didn’t want to ask her daughter to give things up to be beside her. The whole relationship felt real and strong.

I am looking forward to more of Susan Wiggs.

All I Want

Posted on October 11, 2016 by opesopinions

Author: Jill Shalvis
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Romance
Source: BEA 2016

Goodreads: From the “awesomely, incredibly talented”* New York Times bestselling author of Still the One, comes a sexy new Animal Magnetism novel set in Sunshine, Idaho, where the sky is the limit when it comes to love.

Pilot-for-hire Zoe Stone is happy to call Sunshine, Idaho, her home base. But her quiet life is thrown for a loop when her brother’s friend Parker comes to stay with her for a week. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife special agent is a handsome flirt with a gift for getting under her skin. And the situation only escalates when Parker hires her to fly him around the area while he collects evidence on a suspected smuggler.

Now she has to live and work with the guy. But when they’re in the air, she sees another side of him. He’s driven, focused, and sharp. And while he enjoys giving commentary on her blind dates, she quickly realizes with a shock that it’s Parker who gets her engines going…

Ope’s Opinion: This is a very cute, easy read with a predictable ending. All that being said, it was also fun to read about these two finding their way to each other.

The beginning of the book was funny, it made me want to see where the rest of the story was going to go. Going on the journey was enjoyable way to spend my time. The dog was a great added bonus too.

This book was a great escape for me. Some times you just need a get away and that is what this book was for me.

Secret Child, Royal Scandal

Posted on October 3, 2016 by opesopinions

Author: Cat Schield
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Romance
Source: BEA 2016

Goodreads: The prince must produce an heir. Little does he know, he already has…

Christian Alessandro lives life in the fast lane. But royal duty calls, and the bachelor prince must settle down and sire the future king of Sherdana. That’s when a chance encounter with former flame Noelle Dubone yields a bombshell discovery: Christian’s already a father! Marrying Noelle will make his boy the legitimate heir. It’s a rocky reunion. The determined dressmaker refuses to fall in love—or in bed!—with Christian again, even as old, intense feelings return with a vengeance. But what the prince wants, the prince gets…

Ope’s Opinion: This is a quick easy review. The book is short and predictable and worth reading. Even though I knew where the story was going, it was fun to go with it! It did not need anymore pages or words – it was exactly as it should be.

Kiss Me

Posted on June 26, 2015 by opesopinions

Author: Susan Mallery
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Romance
Source: Emer Flounders

Publication Date: June 30, 2015

Goodreads: After Phoebe Kitzke’s kind heart gets her suspended from her job in LA, she swears off doing favors—until her best friend begs for help on the family ranch in Fool’s Gold. Unfortunately, sexy cowboy Zane Nicholson isn’t exactly thrilled by the city girl’s arrival.

Thanks to his brother’s latest scheme, Zane has been roped into taking tourists on a cattle drive. What Phoebe knows about ranching wouldn’t fill his hat, but her laughter is so captivating that even his animals fall for her. One slip of his legendary control leads to a passionate kiss, but she’s exactly the kind of woman a single-minded loner needs to avoid.

In his arms, Phoebe discovers she’s a country girl at heart. Yet no matter how much the small town feels like home, she can’t stay unless Zane loves her, too…but is this cowboy interested in forever?

Ope’s Opinion: This is part of the Fool’s Gold series. If you like the other books in this series, you will like this one. It is similar to Susan Mallery’s other books in this series. I liked it, but I prefer Susan Mallery’s Blackberry Island series and her Mischief Bay book.

Zane and Pheobe are the main characters. It is fun to watch them find what they have in common and let each other into their lives. There are a host of other characters in this book that keep the story moving in interesting ways.

The next book in the series is Thrill Me.

Rating: 3 – i like the book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.

Come Back to Me

Posted on May 6, 2015 by opesopinions

Author: Melissa Foster
Publisher: World Library Press
Genre: Romance
Source: Kristin of Kritters Ramblings

Goodreads: Tess Johnson has it all: her handsome photographer husband Beau, a thriving business, and a newly discovered pregnancy. When Beau accepts an overseas photography assignment, Tess decides to wait to reveal her secret—only she’s never given the chance. Beau’s helicopter crashes in the desert.

Tess struggles with the news of Beau’s death and tries to put her life back together. Alone and dealing with a pregnancy that only reminds her of what she has lost, Tess is adrift in a world of failed plans and fallen expectations. When a new client appears offering more than just a new project, Tess must confront the circumstances of her life head on.

Meanwhile, two Iraqi women who are fleeing honor killings find Beau barely alive in the middle of the desert, his body ravaged by the crash. Suha, a doctor, and Samira, a widow and mother of three young children, nurse him back to health in a makeshift tent. Beau bonds with the women and children, and together, with the help of an underground organization, they continue their dangerous escape.

What happens next is a test of loyalties, strength, and love.

Ope’s Opinion: Oh, this book really drew me in and kept me on my toes while I was reading. I could believe Tess’ story. I felt like I was with her the whole way. I did need a few tissues to make it through this read.

I kept thinking about what else I wanted to tell you about the book, but I don’t want to spoil it. There are surprises along the way.

The ending is still something I am not sure about. Would I have ended it that way? Still thinking about it….

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

Never Too Late

Posted on April 16, 2015 by opesopinions

Author: Robyn Carr
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Romance
Source: Little Bird Publicity

Goodreads: #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr examines the lives of three sisters as they step beyond the roles of wife, mother, daughter and discover the importance of being a woman first.

Clare Wilson is starting over. She’s had it with her marriage to a charming serial cheater. Even her own son thinks she’s given his father too many chances. With the support of her sisters, Maggie and Sarah, she’s ready to move on. Facing her fortieth birthday, Clare is finally feeling the rush of unadulterated freedom.

But when a near-fatal car accident lands Clare in the hospital, her life takes another detour. While recovering, Clare realizes she has the power to choose her life’s path. The wonderful younger police officer who witnessed her crash is over the moon for her. A man from her past stirs up long-buried feelings. Even her ex is pining for her. With enthusiasm and a little envy, her sisters watch her bloom.

Together, the sisters encourage each other to seek what they need to be happy. Along the way they all learn that it’s never too late to begin again.

Ope’s Opinion: Oh, Robyn Carr is such a good writer. Her books ( and this one is no exception ) are such a pleasure to read. When I hear the words “pleasure reading” Robyn Carr comes to mind. The title fit the story. It was not too late for several of the relationships.

I enjoyed all three of the McCarthy sisters and their men. Each one had their own story, but they were intertwined. The sisters relationships with each other was fun to read about too.

I know this was a romance book, so I expect some sex scenes ( that I am not fond of ). This book had a few too many and were too detailed for my taste. If it had not been for that part I would have given this book a five. So if you like steamy – you will like this book.

The ending was very satisfying. I liked where everyone ended up and who they ended up being with. Overall, a very good book.