Quite a Lovely Story!
345427
4.5 stars

" . . .it's amazing that something wild and untamed could be so beautiful."

There's nothing wild and untamed about Quinn Collins; she's living her dream as a small business owner in the small Michigan town of Harbor Pointe; enjoying her quiet, predictable, orderly, organized life that doesn't include any semblance of an interruption from a tall, handsome, sassy, flirty Olympic skier with a gargantuan sized ego and temper to match. It's the temper part that lands Grady Benson in trouble; shackling him to hours of community service with none other than . . .. Quinn Collins.

It's just too much fun to rile the beautiful flower shop owner. If he has be stuck in the middle of nowhere, instead of training for the Olympic ski team, Grady Benson figures that annoying Quinn Collins can at least provide some local entertainment. She has a plan and she is sticking to it, no "live and let live" with her, but as Grady catches glimpses of vulnerability beneath the surface, a new image emerges and it's not too far off from his own efforts to prove himself worthy.

Are their differences too great or can Quinn and Grady "just let go"?
2551936
What a wonderful story. I have read this book twice now!
2646441
I loved this story by Sherry Thomas, because though its a historical romance its not fluffy and sweet! Its very real, based on what did happen in this time, people forced to marry due to circumstances, who have to find a way to live together and build a life together with out even realizing it.  The story is beautifully told with the couple looking back over their eight years together and trying to decide what their future will look like.

I really thought the title is a let down as the story is not frivolous, but serious and the people are very realistic about their feelings trying to cope with hurt, realizations of what their emotions mean and the impact this will have on others.

A lovely book - read it!
2681461
What a beautifully written story...so warm and touching! I have placed it with my treasured books ...books I read over and over again!
107423
A lovely story that could only be written where it was.
2148590
What a delightful story! I recommend this book for all age groups. You don't have to be a child to enjoy Ozette's story. Relationships between the animals, the woodland sprites and the humans involved is so thoughtfully and lovingly told. Thank you to the author and the artists for crafting the narrative and the illustrations for Ozette's fans. I can hardly wait for the next book!
3291067
Choc Lit and their reading panel do have a bit of a talent for spotting something special that their readers will enjoy, and they've done it again with this lovely book. The story's partly the stuff of every girl's fantasies (and several rather older women's too...!) - meeting a famous footballer on a weekend break, living the high life for a while, and finding that he's not only gorgeous but also a really, really nice guy. But it's not just the stuff of fantasy - Rebecca's marriage is on the rocks, her plans for a family forgotten, while her husband Greg relentlessly pursues his career (and a few other things he really shouldn't be pursuing).

I really liked the way Rebecca's friendship with Abi was drawn - Abi's quite a character, but also one of the most genuine and supportive friends anyone could wish for. I also liked the twists and turns of Abi's own relationship with Nick, and the fallout from the stag do in Spain. Rebecca is a real well developed character - your heart aches for her, knowing what Greg is up to while she continues trying to discuss things with him. Jan's very good at depicting friendship actually - I also thought Alex's relationship with larger than life friend Kenny was really well handled. I do know some reviewers have felt that the portrayal of Greg left a little bit to be desired, but I don't really agree - people do change, particularly when circumstances change and a couple don't have anything in common any more. Thank goodness for Abi - but thank goodness for Alex Heath too.

This was a lovely story, really well told - just to be nitpicky, I did think the Hawksley Manor stay, particularly the night at the club, were maybe a little more drawn out than they could have been, but the scenes in the restaurant were extremely funny (what horrendous people!) and really well written. I really look forward to seeing what Jan does next. OK, I do look forward to getting to know Alex better too - but this is a really good read from a first-time author well worth watching.
3987316
Not quite perfect - the pacing is a bit off at the end - but uttery charming and a total  joy to read. The relationships between the sisters are also refreshingly realistic  and charming. Could barely put it down because it was sp lovely and sweeta story. Look forward to more from this author!
1893324
Lovely story that I will be returning to reread many times in the future.
1487810
This is a beautiful story,one I enjoyed very much. Some of that is because the story line was similar to things happening in my family.
If you read this story "as a quick read " you will have yourself a pleasant story yet miss out on the richness brought by this author .This is not simply a much used tale of lovers reconnecting after long years apart. It is the portrayal in simple non preaching terms betrayal, hopes and dreams lost,disappointment and relationships fractured evev if thise cracks are plastered over. And what I truly love about this story is thethread of faith which even when dimmed reaches out to draw the prodical daughter home to love and forgiveness. Strong characters ,the restoring of family relationships, the recovering of the important values of life the love of Brenna and Luke and their willingness to trust again yes this is a moving motivating and enjoyable story. For some of us dealing with divorce and remarriage can be a problem yet it shouldn't be if we understand two things. Marriage vow says whom God has joined  let no man put assunder.but many marriages haven't truly been joined by God and no amount of wishing on our part will make things work. This story allows us to accept that God will forgive us our mistakes and give us a second chance at happiness.
Thank you for a beautiful story and several hours of pleasant reading. I thoroughly recommend this novella particularly for Christmas gifts .
4795752
This is such a lovely story.  As a school librarian, I used to read it to my second graders, but my 6-year-old grandson loves it, too.  Not only does it provide a gentle lesson on kindness and friendship and helping animals, but there's a lot of history there for a great discussion on life in colonial times.  The pictures provide additional details, and children can relate to Obadiah's feelings: being teased, losing money, growing independent, etc.
1450678
This was such a great story.  Although I am in my late twenties I related to the characters and enjoyed the story very much!  We all have hard times in life, and that is why this book will resonate with so many people.  The story was so positive and inspiring.  I feel so thankful for my life after having read this.

The characters were very entertaining and the story was really believable.  This is one book that I will read time and time again!
3910066
I just received my copy of  "The Oatmeal Boy" and I couldn't wait to read this sweet story! It's a lovely and wholesome story that is wonderfully entertaining. The author, Jeanette Foster, has a great knack for story telling combined with the art of rhyme. The illustrations, also by Jeanette are beautifully done!  I can't wait to read this delightful book to my grand babies and little friends!  We may even make some oatmeal!
515286
I really enjoyed The Governess of Highland Hall. It was set in... what is it called?... the Edwardian era I believe. -So would probably have similarities to Downton Abbey. Anyway, it was quite interesting, and I found that I really liked the way it centered on many different characters lives. First of all, Julia, the new governess. William, the master of Highland Hall. Sarah, William's sister. Ann, a nursery maid. The head gardener, the headmistress, the butler... so on. It made for quite the entertaining tale. I also very much appreciated the faith matters that flowed through The Governess of Highland Hall. That always makes a novel all the more worthwhile for me! :)

Lovely story, with enough drama and action to keep one's interest. I look forward to reading more from Carrie Turansky!
1887534
Love Me, Love Me Not is such a lovely story. Ive always loved swan girl stories and this was no exception. Ana and Pierce have known each other since they were young but Ana wants so badly to keep her friend in her life that she doesnt see Pierce for anything other than that. Her family of swans is in a feud with the foxes, an age old battle that goes on simple to go on, not because any of them remember why. I loved that the battles were taken to the school, an area the adults had marked as off limits to the fighting, and giving a very modern feel to the whole feud. The fact that Ana has so many relatives living with her, keeping their secret together, fighting like normal families and supporting each other like normal families, was very interesting to see. It was all far too relatable. I feel like I really want to talk about the whole story but if I do, Ill give everything away, so suffice it to say I definitely enjoyed the story and highly recommend it. Its a very quick read, I started it before bed and finished it the next morning before work. I kind of really want to see more of Ana and Pierceshould we start a petition for a sequel? I vote yes.
862053
received an ARC of "Magnolia Nights" and I'm so grateful to have been able to enjoy this lovely story! I was drawn in from the very beginning and am a sucker for a book where there's a house that is a character too. I was intrigued with Ellie's story and liked how it went back-and-forth between her childhood, learning about her mother and dealing with the consequences of everything she found out as a result of reading her mother's diaries. All because of the death of her horrible grandmother. She evolved from not really knowing how she wanted to handle the situation to finding long-lost family, falling in love and dealing beautifully with a difficult situation. Oh, I also really liked her relationship with Maddie and how she was a bridge between now and then. I really enjoyed the charming descriptions of Charleston and highly recommend this book.
337023
A beautiful story that felt like a true fairy tale I was fascinated by the images and the clear sense of magic throughout this book! I really enjoyed this one - I got a slightly more mature Narnia vibe, perhaps just more modern. The author builds a world and it felt like the animated feature was unfolding inside my mind. This is a lovely story! Recommended for all readers but DEFINITELY for this who want more stories of magic mixed with the modern world!