This week I read two books by Melanie Jacobson. I often like to read something different in between books by the same author, but these two books were Inter-Library Loan (which I love and highly recommend) and both due early next week.
Smart Move by Melanie Jacobson
Summary from Goodreads:
The spark was undeniable the night Sandy Burke met the devastatingly handsome Jake. Conversation flowed easily, so after they parted, she waited eagerly for his call. It never came. A high-powered career woman at the ripe old age of twenty-seven, Sandy feels she has had her heart broken one too many times, and now the redheaded trendsetter is facing a major quarter-life crisis. After some introspection, Sandy determines that helping others may be the key to helping herself. When she's presented with a job offer in Washington DC as the director of New Horizons, a nonprofit organization benefiting women in poverty, it seems providential.
But now that she's moved, two major obstacles threaten the success of her first assignment: The first is her mother and her constant fog of less-than-helpful New Age advice. Secondly, plans to build another New Horizons outreach center have come to a screeching halt, thanks to the interference of a pesky lawyer and his attempts to reverse zoning approval for the building project.
After weeks of verbal sparring over the phone, Sandy is in for a shock when she comes face-to-face with her foe. The smooth voice at the other end of the line is a heart-wrenching blast from the past. In this twist of fate, Sandy sees the perfect opportunity to ensure the success of the outreach center — and to enact a little payback on this man she thought she'd left behind. And so the battle of wits begins. Will Sandy's "flirt-to-convert" plot sway her nemesis' determination to block the center, or will his charming and undeniably attractive ways convince the sassy redhead to give love a second chance?
But now that she's moved, two major obstacles threaten the success of her first assignment: The first is her mother and her constant fog of less-than-helpful New Age advice. Secondly, plans to build another New Horizons outreach center have come to a screeching halt, thanks to the interference of a pesky lawyer and his attempts to reverse zoning approval for the building project.
After weeks of verbal sparring over the phone, Sandy is in for a shock when she comes face-to-face with her foe. The smooth voice at the other end of the line is a heart-wrenching blast from the past. In this twist of fate, Sandy sees the perfect opportunity to ensure the success of the outreach center — and to enact a little payback on this man she thought she'd left behind. And so the battle of wits begins. Will Sandy's "flirt-to-convert" plot sway her nemesis' determination to block the center, or will his charming and undeniably attractive ways convince the sassy redhead to give love a second chance?
4 Stars
Read July 2013
LDS Fiction, Inter-Library Loan
My Review:
First off, how cute is this cover?! I want those shoes.
Second, I grew up in the D.C. area and could identify with some of the things the characters experienced, like working long hours to keep up with the demands, schmoozing, knowing the right people. I love where I grew up, but frankly it was too fast paced for me and I like a quieter lifestyle.
Third, the story has enough twists that I really didn't know where the author was going to take it. I wasn't sure whether there would be a happy ending or not.
Fourth, I read Twitterpated and the main character in this book is a secondary character in that book. I liked continuing her story.
Warnings: None
I would let my 15 year old read this book, however, I don't think she could identify with the subject.
Second Chances by Melanie Jacobson
Summary from Goodreads:
After walking out of a thankless job at a prestigious marketing firm, feisty California entrepreneur Louisa Gibson is going into business for herself. Lou's pioneering venture, The Mormon Bachelor, is a reality dating web series sure to be fabulous advertising for her new marketing firm. And as a bonus, she can solve a problem close to home: while Huntington Beach is crawling with eligible, sun-bronzed Saints, they've forgotten the vital skill of dating. Lou hopes the reality show will finally inspire this group of hangout enthusiasts to pair off. But shortly before filming begins, the unthinkable happens -- Trentyn, a.k.a. The Bachelor, gets a girlfriend. And Lou needs a new leading man -- fast.
Enter Nick, Lou's devastatingly handsome ex-boyfriend. He's the stereotypical actor: shallow, self-serving...and perfect for the job. A whirlwind of dating ensues, with Nick at the center of it all. Things are going according to plan -- that is, until Lou is forced to step in as a substitute bachelorette, becoming an unwitting cast member on her own show. Despite Nick's attempts to reestablish their friendship and the growing spark between them, Lou is determined to keep her distance. The show must go on -- but what's a girl to do when the Mr. Wrong of the past just may be the Mr. Right of the future?
Enter Nick, Lou's devastatingly handsome ex-boyfriend. He's the stereotypical actor: shallow, self-serving...and perfect for the job. A whirlwind of dating ensues, with Nick at the center of it all. Things are going according to plan -- that is, until Lou is forced to step in as a substitute bachelorette, becoming an unwitting cast member on her own show. Despite Nick's attempts to reestablish their friendship and the growing spark between them, Lou is determined to keep her distance. The show must go on -- but what's a girl to do when the Mr. Wrong of the past just may be the Mr. Right of the future?
4 Stars
Read July 2013
LDS Fiction, Inter-Library Loan
My Review:
I really enjoyed this "Mormon Bachelor" story. It explored the difficulty of the Mormon Singles Scene and the uncertainty of dating. What I really appreciated about this story was the growth of both characters. We heard of their dating experience from 3 years before. And it was wonderful to see them recognize things that they could improve in themselves as well as with their situations, work specifically. And, I wasn't sure how this story was going to end. The author wrapped it all up in the last few pages in a way I wasn't expecting. This story had a bit of a "Pride and Prejudice" feel in that the rejection of one character to the other instigates a change in both.
Warnings: None
I would let my 15 year old read this story, but like the other book, I don't think she would understand the situations and experiences of the characters. She hasn't been on a date yet, so how could she understand the difficulty of the dating scene?
I've really wanted to read both of these but my library doesnt have them. I'll have to check into the loan!
ReplyDeleteI love Inter-Library Loan! It is how I get all of the LDS books.
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