I do not read a lot of romance, and I’m always very happy when it turns out to be a great choice. This was one a very easy and engaging read as instanI do not read a lot of romance, and I’m always very happy when it turns out to be a great choice. This was one a very easy and engaging read as instantly gelled with the characters. Set in Sydney, this was a relatable and realistic story with the unexpected and welcome addition of the MC being in the military. Drew is a Naval pilot and all-round nice guy. Georgie lives next door, running a company called the Pool Chicks, the perfect job of pool cleaning all around Sydney, unafraid to get her hands dirty.
These two are drawn to each other, but as Georgie is married, this is weaved in sensitively as they navigate the tension from both sides. Why is she always grumpy and mean? The ending seemed to be a little sudden to me, leaving me with one unanswered question – I wasn’t sure if I’d completely missed something along the way!
Georgie’s husband is not a good guy, his only redeeming quality being his work as a surgeon and volunteering his skills overseas pro bono, but that’s where the positives end. It raises the question as to how these two end up married in the first place, but we do see Georgie’s growth as the story progresses.
I enjoyed the letter aspect which featured, a refreshing bonus in this era of emails and texts messages, adding an extra layer to the growing emotions of those far away from the ones they love.
Drew’s dog is Mal is gorgeous, he’s the perfect match maker as Georgie unexpectedly embraces her neighbour’s fun-loving dog. This book comes with a trigger warning for animals which is almost It is hard to apply without spoilers – I read a review and knew straight away what the outcome was. So please don’t read this if you have sensitivities toward animals.
The banter and easy-going relationships between Georgie and Drew is contagious making for an easy flowing light hearted read. This does end neatly, welcomed by me as I read a lot of heavy nonfiction. This really hit the spot. As this is the author’s debut, I am interested to look further into Gabriella Margo’s further work as this was a well written and engaging read.
Many thanks to the author for my signed copy to read and review....more
This book wasn't for me, I did like the sound of the blurb, but the more it progressed (first third was the dullest from the point of view of Jade, a This book wasn't for me, I did like the sound of the blurb, but the more it progressed (first third was the dullest from the point of view of Jade, a young girl who is trying to live like a millionaire after a lotto scratch card win), the worse it became.
So shallow. She got herself into trouble but dare I say, this was bound to happen. She was awful!
Next we heard from Martha, the maid. This perspective very interesting in comparison to Jade. She was a meatier character, her substance and strength of character more real, which redeemed things a little. Conversely, Martha's husband wasn't a gem like she was, he let down anything good his wife was achieving from my perspective.
Greed and gluttony were the main players here, and those unfortunate enough to be involved were never going to fare well.
Isaac was a great character to loathe; he was written well, his motivations and evil palpable, I feel this was probably the biggest strength. I just couldn't bring myself to enjoy a shallow offering with much usage of omg, wtf as part of the text. I'm glad this was relatively short.
2.5⭐️
I listened to this on the Hoopla platform (this should have told me something, titles on this platform are rarely mainstream) and my public library. The narration, especially by Ginita Jimenez in the voice of Martha. She nailed it....more
A tiny glimpse into a stage show that was in New York at some stage. My audio Hoopla version did not state that it was abridged, but it must have beenA tiny glimpse into a stage show that was in New York at some stage. My audio Hoopla version did not state that it was abridged, but it must have been, or it is not this book at all.
I have just checked - this is the abridged but the silly Hoopla app does not state this..
I heard some jokes, some references to her paradies, just a quick stage show. She gets excited and kind of yells out to the crowd. Talks about liking the drunk mums, gave a shout out to them. 'Me like me some drunk mums'.
As a comedian (I never go to comedy shows) she's relatable and real, I think I'll listen to the full version on BorrowBox when I get the urge for a laugh.
One more quick side comment. I miss her on Audible as the girl in the ad! It's now a boring looking dude in an orange t-shirt. Eew. ...more
This is an audio only book, one which I easily listened to and grabbed lots of helpful things from. Brene Brown speaks well, she has a lovely conversaThis is an audio only book, one which I easily listened to and grabbed lots of helpful things from. Brene Brown speaks well, she has a lovely conversational tone where the reader feels like they are there. She's good at what she does, which is draw a reader in and really listen to her ideas. Whether you are a CEO or a student. She makes you feel comfortable.
She speaks of themes like she has in many of her books, and her TED Talks. Shame (she gave interesting examples of children learning this, among a lot of other behaviours from their parents), guilt, worthyness and perfection.
Perfection gets in the way of so much, and again, our kids learn this from us.We need to show them how to strive healthily. The author talks us through 10 guideposts in acheiving a good balance. Some easier done than others, but of course, this parenting gig is not meant to be easy.
Play, really play. I've been doing this lately and it's getting better. Work out what that 'play' is to your family, and try and implement it a little. Mine is kicking the soccer ball with my 11 year old. Show your kids that you struggle with things. We are not perfect beings. Maybe mention it at dinner or drop it in somewhere. They are allowed to fail too.
I myself do a gratitude list. Why not the family too? In an informal chatty tone, they need to understand the simple things are lucky to realise.
One thing made me smile. We don't need to be cool. We can tell our kids we understand they want to be, but no inappropriate parties just to fit in, things like this. She states they do not aim for coolness in their house, nor do they use certain derogerative words. It's not rocket science but I like the reminders, and life happens and we forget that as a family unit, we are first to shape our children.
I will revisit this audio book as it is accessible through my public library, via Hoopla.
Well recommended to families, therapists, students, healthcare professionals. I think of Gabor Maté when I think of this author. Lots of wisdom, and lots of mistakes as humans. Like we all do....more
This is exactly what I found this to be. I saw a review from my friend Kat and knew a fun read would lighten the load when I sometFunny Cute Sexy Light
This is exactly what I found this to be. I saw a review from my friend Kat and knew a fun read would lighten the load when I sometimes tend toward serious non fiction titles. Hoopla delivered via my public library, and I found this straight away.
Yucky characters such as an awful fiance to be, proposing on the Appalachian Trail while 'pretending' to be hiking - think food flown in and sleeping at hotels along the way. Poor old Olive, she's had 6 failed engagements, she also happens to be the grand daughter of an ex President of The United States.
Our cute protagonist Olive soon discovers a life that is worth more than this; and after experiencing unforgivable behaviour from this supposed fiancé while hiking the trail, she keeps on keeping on and teaches herself how to hike properly. Well, as much as she can without the correct gear.
Olive comes across a gorgeous ranger Jay, while a storm is brewing, and this sets off a beautiful and gentle story of two unlikely souls learning about each other, and the environment they are in. The side characters were great, and the descriptions of the trail, the way of life while hiking were believable and interesting.
I loved this romance story, it was funny and sweet and sizzly and easy to read which is one thing I love with my reading. Nothing to not love here. ...more
I read this needing a break from some heavy non fiction, a choice when I couldn't access my document of next to read books, which always helps with thI read this needing a break from some heavy non fiction, a choice when I couldn't access my document of next to read books, which always helps with the right decision. Although on my TBR, this book was no good, and I'm glad it was only a short one.
Robotic narration, repetitive narrative, wooden dialogue. All the things which I'm afraid I am associating with this author these days.
A picnic in the bush on horseback, teenagers go missing. All the families involved have their back stories quickly 'told' to us - this is where the author fails time and time again - regarding geography, wealth, family, marital status and sexual exploits.
Some unexpected and boring messy relationships, unlikely obsessive all day lovemaking (why does she always do this), with an ending seemingly focusing on a character not much involved throughout. This story was just a list of characters to throw into a greater whole, with not a lot of care or attention in the process.
I listened to this book via the Hoopla platform and my public library.
Another cheating, easy read from DS. I choose these at Christmas, so the season must be officially upon me!
As always, there is repetition, but this boAnother cheating, easy read from DS. I choose these at Christmas, so the season must be officially upon me!
As always, there is repetition, but this book was ok. It was fast enough given I can speed up my audio (thank you Hoopla and my public library).
Sydney was always well taken care of, after a rough trot with her first husband, divorced from him with two young girls, she meets Andrew, an ultra wealthy man with two daughters of his own. These daughters, twins, heavily spoilt with a vindictive nature learned from their mother, hate Sydney with a passion. This hate forms the basis of the novel but does lack gumption, wiht the reasoning being this is learned from their mother. Andrew dies without a will (Likely? I don't think so) which has not been updated since his first marriage.
The twins inherit everything, an extremely wealthy estate and all its belongings. This was sad, but made worse by Sydney refusing to question anything with her legal team. It got to the point where this rolling over by Sydney was repetetive and annoying, and where eyes began to roll.
Sydney was a successful fashion designer in her past life, but gave this up on meeting Andrew, to raise her family, somehitng that in hindsight, she would never do again.
This was standard fare, some lessons were learned, where Sydney put her all into blossoming and finding herself again. Another book ticked off the tbr, and an audio wrapt up in two days. Easy summer reading, and there's nothing wrong with that!...more
I read my friend Deanna's review here on GR, and I quickly found in on Hoopla, via my public library. I love my library!
These are so easy to listen toI read my friend Deanna's review here on GR, and I quickly found in on Hoopla, via my public library. I love my library!
These are so easy to listen to, and in this instance, the narrator was superb! There was even a sexy Irish lilt thrown in, and this made it such a fun listening experience. Kudos to narrator Thérèse Plummer, I will certainly look for more from her.
Maggie is the all American dream, she's a high achiever and had done remarkably well in College and of course has the all American cool guy as a boyfriend who she is absolutely sure will propose any moment! He is about to graduate as a pilot, and takes her out on an unauthorised flight. This was where my alarm bells started ringing and I thought this guy was not the man of anyone's dreams! I also really didn't like Maggie's mother.
I won't spoil the plot, but this was a feel good romance after much adversity, and I loved the character Ian, who enters Maggie's life when she needs it the most.
This is a feel good romance, and most enjoyable when sometimes we just need something good to listen to.
Maggie was a resilient fighter, and I loved the character of her sister, and her sister's attitude of not giving up and seeking help when she also needed it. Sometime we just need a feel good, am I right!...more
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