#BookReview: A Very Accidental Love Story by Claudia Carroll
Reviewer: Samantha I received a review copy Summary: An original, funny and poignant story about those things in life that you just can’t plan for…‘A…
Book Review: Love me or Leave me by Claudia Carroll
Reviewer: Annie I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Summary: Two years ago Chloe Townsend was dumped at the…
In My Mailbox: Week of September 29
Title: The Fall of Our Secrets Author: Tracy Gardner Beno Received: CLP Blog Tours Synopsis: Laura and Nicole, childhood friends separated by mysterious circumstances, meet…
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow by Claudia Carroll
Annie and Dan have been the perfect couple for so long. But what happens when the honeymoon is over, the romance starts to wear off, and your husband seems to be married to his job more than you? That’s the way Annie is feeling, and is increasingly unhappy as the lonely days go by. Dan seems to put everyone and everything in front of his wife, so when Annie gets a huge opportunity, she wants, no needs, to take it. Annie is offered a spot on a Broadway show, a huge break for her, but it would mean leaving Dan behind for a whole year in their Irish village of Stickens, and living alone in the Big Apple. When the final straw pushes Annie over the edge, she flees Stickens and lands in New York, ready for a break from her marriage. But will a year apart be good for Annie and Dan? Or will it only lead to the demise of their union?
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow by Claudia Carroll is an enjoyable chick lit read. I really felt Annie’s pain in how often she was put on the back burner by her husband, and was rooting for her to get to New York and be her own person. I liked reading about someone struggling to find their independence, because I can relate to that pretty easily. Annie meets a great cast of characters when she gets to New York, and there is quite the subplot going with a cast mate who has a drug problem. I really didn’t know how this story was going to end. I couldn’t decide if I thought Annie and Dan would get back together, or if Annie would find a new man in New York. That made me more on edge to finish the book quickly and see how everything played out. Overall, I really liked this story, a bit slow at times, but a fun chick lit read that I think will inspire readers to never rely too heavily on a man. I would recommend!
[Rating: 4]
In My Mailbox: April 21
In My Mailbox: April 21
Title: Dancing on Glass
Author: Pamela Binnings Ewen
Received: From Pamela Binnings Ewen
Synopsis: In the steamy city of New Orleans in 1974, Amalise Catoir sees Phillip Sharp as a charming, magnetic artist, unlike any man she has known. A young lawyer herself, raised in a small town and on the brink of a career with a large firm, she is strong and successful, yet sometimes too trusting and whimsical. Ama’s rash decision to marry Phillip proves to be a mistake as he becomes overly possessive, drawing his wife away from family, friends, and her faith. His insidious, dangerous behavior becomes her dark, inescapable secret.
Title: She Makes it Look Easy
Author: Marybeth Whalen
Received: From Marybeth Whalen
Synopsis: Ariel Baxter has just moved into the neighborhood of her dreams. The chaos of domestic life and the loneliness of motherhood, however, moved with her. Then she meets her neighbor, Justine Miller. Justine ushers Ariel into a world of clutter-free houses, fresh-baked bread, homemade crafts, neighborhood playdates, and organization techniques designed to make marriage better and parenting manageable.
Soon Ariel realizes there is hope for peace, friendship, and clean kitchen counters. But when rumors start to circulate about Justine’s real home life, Ariel must choose whether to believe the best about the friend she admires or consider the possibility that “perfection” isn’t always what it seems to be.
Title: Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
Author: Claudia Carroll
Received: From Charlotte @ Avon Books
Synopsis: Absence makes the heart grow fonder … doesn’t it? What happens when two people decide to give themselves the year off … from each other? Annie and Dan were the perfect couple. But now the not-so-newly weds feel more like flatmates than soul mates and wonder where all the fun and fireworks went. When Annie lands her big break in a smash-hit show that’s heading for the bright lights of Broadway, she’s over the moon. Goodbye remote Irish village of Stickens, hello fabulous Big Apple! But with their relationship already on the rocks, how will Annie and Dan survive the distance? They’re hitting the pause button on their marriage. One year off from each other – no strings attached, except a date to meet in 12 months at the Rockefeller Centre to decide their fate. Will they both turn up? Or is it too late for love?
Personally, I Blame My Fairy Godmother by Claudia Carroll
What girl doesn’t love the Cinderella fairy tale? A young woman coming from nothing, living with her horrible stepmother and retched step-sisters, only to fall madly in love with Prince Charming and live happily ever after. Jessie Woods believes her life rivals the one of Cinderella. She didn’t have much as a child, but with the love and support from her father, she determinedly made something of herself. Working as a daredevil TV host, living in a mansion, and dating one of the most eligible bachelors, Jessie’s life couldn’t get better.
But it could get worse. When Jessie gets offered to accept a free car after one of her daredevil shows, she greedily accepts- on live TV. She is immediately sacked from her position, and with no job and the credit card bills becoming more and more demanding, Jessie is forced to cut back on her lavish lifestyle. Way back. And then more. After losing her house, she is forced to move in with her stepmother and her two grown daughters- still living at home with no husbands or social lives to speak of. To make it all worse, Jessie’s boyfriend will no longer return her calls. Can she still find a happy ending after all?
Personally, I Blame My Fairy Godmother by Claudia Carroll is a riot! I was laughing out loud at the crazy situations Jessie finds herself in- from working fast food to breaking and entering her ex’s house. The stepsister’s are a story in themselves, and the stepmother and her start-up internet business- genius! Though the story might be seem all light and comical, there is a lesson to be learned from many of the characters. The only part that sometimes got under my skin was the constant complaining about Jessie’s failed relationship. But I loved the stereotypes and the many comparisons to fairy tales. I thought that really worked for what Carroll was trying to achieve, and I definitely recommend this Brit Chick Lit novel!
[Rating: 4.5]
In My Mailbox: February 9
In My Mailbox: Week of February 9, 2011
Title: Like Casablanca
Author: Sylvia Massara
Received: From Sylvia Massara
Synopsis: What does internet dating and Casablanca have in common? Nothing, unless you go to Rick’s Cafe and find out what dating blogger, Cat Ryan, is up to. Cat’s doing research for her internet dating blog, and the place she chooses to meet her many dates is Rick’s Cafe in Sydney. But what of its disturbingly handsome owner, Rick Blake? What does he think, seeing her with a different man each time?
Title: Personally I Blame My Fairy Godmother
Author: Claudia Carroll
Received: From Charlotte Allen @ Avon Publicity
Synopsis: Jessie Woods absolutely believes in fairytale endings. So would you if you had a recession-proof career as a daredevil TV host, a palatial pink mansion, and the dream boyfriend.
But, quicker than you can say Cinderella, her life falls to pieces and suddenly her prince isn’t quite so charming, her party-loving friends disappear and even her faithful friend Visa no longer loves her…
Utterly heartbroken and jobless, Jessie is forced back home, to live with her stepmum and two evil stepsisters.
Title: Save As Draft
Author: Cavanaugh Lee
Received: From Amanda Ferber @ Simon & Shuster
Synopsis: Sent: Monday, February 14, 2011
From: Izabell
To: Reader
Subject: Save as Draft
Are we Facebook friends yet? I’m the wactress (waitress/actress) turned lawyer who lives her life online. (Don’t we all these days?)
Anyway, I’ve got this problem. . . . There’s this guy. His name’s Peter. He’s my best friend and co-worker, and we just started dating, which is potentially a huge mistake. But, that’s not all. There’s this other guy, Marty. I met him on eHarm, and he ran with the bulls in Spain. I can’t get him off my mind. What a mess. I’d love your advice if you can take a second out of your crazy, high-tech life. Shoot me an e-mail. Or text me. Or BB messenger me.
And friend me if you haven’t already! You can find me on Facebook under Save as Draft.
Izabell
Title: Irresistible Forces
Author: Brenda Jackson
Received: Via Amazon Kindle Shop
Synopsis: One week of mind-blowing sex on a beautiful Caribbean island. Of all the business proposals financial tycoon Dominic Saxon has heard, Taylor Steele’s is definitely the most tempting. All Taylor wants in return is for Dominic to father her baby. No strings, no commitments.just a mutually satisfying arrangement. Make that very satisfying. For a man with no intention of marrying again, it sounds ideal.
Taylor wants a baby, not a relationship. And sexy, intelligent Dominic seems like a man with perfect genes. Turns out, Dominic has perfect everything. Their “procreation vacation” is a whirlwind of sensual ecstasy. But when it’s over, will either of them be able to say goodbye?
Is it time for her to give up on the dream – or will Jessie learn that happy endings can come in the strangest of places?
