Victoria's Promise by Julie Wright
Summary from The Newport Ladies Book Club Blog:
A luxurious mansion. Thirty stunning bachelorettes. One very eligible bachelor. All of the ingredients are in place for a successful reality dating show, and behind the scenes, Tori Winters is set to pull the romantic strings as assistant director of Vows. Despite her distaste for public exhibitions of love—which spelled the death of her last relationship—Tori intends to give the public exactly what they want: scintillating footage of a bevy of beauties vying for the attention of Christopher Caine. But Chris, a consummate Southern gentleman and the star of Vows, seems almost too good to be true—and soon, even Tori finds herself falling under his spell. Despite legal obligations to avoid fraternizing with the talent, it’s clear her feelings are anything but unrequited. With the support of her friends in the Newport Ladies Book Club, Tori must make a life-altering decision: is she willing to jeopardize all she’s worked for in order to embrace her own fairy-tale ending?
4 Stars
Read January 2014
Free e-book from one of the authors for an honest review
My Review:
I read this book just after I read Ruby's Secret. It was nice to keep the story going. The stories take place at the same time, just from another character's point of view. It was fun to see moments in the book I had just read from Victoria's perspective. It opened up the story so much. The collaborating authors did a great job of meshing the stories together.
This story had a lot more angst in it. That was somewhat expected in a story about a twenty-something year old as opposed to a 62 year old. I really had no idea how this story was going to end. I couldn't see a happy ending. The author did a good job of keeping me interested in the two main characters and their relationship even though it didn't seem that anything could come of it.
There were some great insider details about "Dating Shows". I have watched the Bachelor and the Bachelorette. I'm not an avid watcher, but have definitely seen a few seasons of each. I liked seeing a producers take on things that were happening in that kind of show. I can't imagine how true love is ever found in that environment. Good thing I'm already happily married and don't have to look for love on reality tv.
Warnings: Some drinking, drug abuse
I would let my 15 year old read this book. Just like the other Newport Ladies books, the subject probably wouldn't interest her. But the book is clean enough for her to read.
Ruby's Secret by Heather B. Moore
Summary from Goodreads:
Welcome to the Newport Ladies Book Club series:
At age sixty-two, life is finally beginning for newly widowed Ruby Crenshaw. Her son is grown and gone, and after long years spent as a loyal wife to her charming but unfaithful husband, she’s ready to live the life she’s always dreamed of. Her resolve is firm: she’ll never make the mistake of giving her heart to another man.
The first step in Ruby’s quest for a carefree lifestyle was to create the Newport Ladies Book Club, an unlikely gathering of women who have been her haven. Now she’s ready to take her new found independence a step further—along with her friends from the local senior center, Ruby is jetting off to a much-needed Greece adventure. What she isn’t prepared for is Gabriel—the group’s tour guide—a native Greek and a true gentleman. His unquestionable charm is hard to resist. But resist she must—because no matter their growing attraction, Ruby is not about to fall for charming again!
4 Stars
Read January 2014
Free e-book from author in exchange for honest review.
My Review:
At this point there are 6 books in the Newport Ladies Book Club series. I had read one of them before I read this book and that was over a year ago. I was concerned that they needed to be read in order, but I was reassured that each book could be read as a stand alone book.
That was definitely the case here. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story about Ruby Crenshaw. And, I liked getting to know the other ladies in the book club as well. Although the story was about Ruby, she has experiences and situations with her book club friends that help us to know those women as well as Ruby. I found myself just as interested in their stories as I went along. The author did an excellent job of intriguing me about these women. I will definitely be reading more books in the series.
Ruby was a woman who seemed like she had it all. But, she had a secret...she was miserable in her marriage. She was now a 62 year old widow and happy to find things to keep her busy and active. In an effort to appease her daughter-in-law, Ruby visited the Senior Center and quickly got involved with this unusual group.
The Seniors went on a trip to Greece where Ruby discovered that, although 62 years old and jaded to marriage, she had a heart that could still be touched. I loved Ruby's relationship with Gabriel. They developed a friendship that opened Ruby's heart in a way that she hadn't let herself experience. I loved some of the dialogue between the two.
This story was about relationships, people, and developing your best self. There were some serious issues explored, but also happy and sweet moments as well.
Warnings: Infidelity, violence that is talked about, mental illness
I would allow my 15 year old to read this book, but it is definitely adult, with adult situations that I do not think she would appreciate or identify with.
