Review: FLOAT PLAN by Trish Doller

FLOAT PLAN

by Trish Doller

Publication Date: March 2, 2021

Publisher: St.Martin's Press

Pages: 272

Source: Publisher

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Synopsis

Heartbroken by the loss of her fiancé, adventurous Anna finds a second chance at love with an Irish sailor in this riveting, emotional romance.

After a reminder goes off for the Caribbean sailing trip Anna was supposed to take with her fiancé, she impulsively goes to sea in the sailboat he left her, intending to complete the voyage alone.

But after a treacherous night’s sail, she realizes she can’t do it by herself and hires Keane, a professional sailor, to help. Much like Anna, Keane is struggling with a very different future than the one he had planned. As romance rises with the tide, they discover that it’s never too late to chart a new course.

In Trish Doller’s unforgettable Float Plan, starting over doesn't mean letting go of your past, it means making room for your future.

"The perfect escape. Fresh, funny, and romantic. I wish I could sail away with this book." - Meg Cabot, New York Times bestselling author of The Princess Diaries and Little Bridge series

MY THOUGHTS

I’m beginning to believe there are no coincidences. Books come to us we need them and for me that has happened, yet again, with FLOAT PLAN. 

I often focus on the emotional and sad elements in romance books because that’s where I am and that’s what I connect with the most. So before I get into all of that, I need to emphasize that this book is not one big book of sadness. FLOAT PLAN is a story of adventure and love and friendship and community and loss. It’s about Anna finding herself and new beginnings. It is all of these things and more, and anyone who reads it will find exactly what they need from it. Even if that is simply to be entertained. 

I loved going on this adventure with Anna and meeting the people that she met and seeing the places she visited. I loved watching her become self-reliant and problem solve during the days she sailed solo. 

And I loved Keane and how he proved there are men like him out there. I know. I married one of them. 

And I loved watching Anna and Keane fall for each other and feeling the joy they felt together.

My heart ached time and time again for Anna for her loss of Ben. When the life you have, or the life you think you’re going to have, is ripped from you, nothing is familiar. Even yourself.

THIS DID ME IN:

“I cried until my eyelashes hurt, because there is no longer a we and I’ve forgotten how to be me without Ben.” Then I got out of bed and started packing.“

FLOAT PLAN cracked me open and set off a chain reaction that led to the realization that I’m ready for more. I’m ready to live and create new memories. There were many thoughts that led me to that point and they all circled around and were jumbled up, but ultimately I’m ready to take some chances and I NEED to do the LIVING that I’ve wanted to do.

JUST THIS:

“. . I’m starting to understand how sadness and happiness can live side by side within a heart. And how that heart can keep on beating.” 

I’ve said this many, many, many times. Love and grief can exist in the same space.They have to or we can never fully live because grief never goes away. 

Reading FLOAT PLAN was a therapy session (or a few) for me, and it’s definitely a book that will stay with me. I needed this book more that I can even put into words. The power that books can have truly amazes me as they continue to guide me through this life. 

I loved it.

Author bio:

TRISH DOLLER is the author of novels for teens and adults about love, life, and finding your place in the world. A former journalist and radio personality, Trish has written several YA novels, including the critically acclaimed Something Like Normal, as well as Float Plan, her adult women's fiction debut. When she's not writing, Trish loves sailing, traveling, and avoiding housework. She lives in southwest Florida with an opinionated herding dog and an ex-pirate.

Buy link: https://read.macmillan.com/lp/float-plan/

Social Links: @TrishDoller on Instagram and Twitter

Disclaimer: I received this e-ARC from the publisher for review consideration. I was not compensated in any way other than the e-ARC provided. I've also purchased a finish copy for my personal library. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review: THE GIRL HE USED TO KNOW by Tracey Garvis Graves

THE GIRL HE USED TO KNOW

by Tracey Garvis Graves

Publication Date: April 2, 2019

Published by St. Martin's Press

Pages: 304

Source: Goodreads | Publisher

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Synopsis

Annika (rhymes with Monica) Rose is an English major at the University of Illinois. Anxious in social situations where she finds most people's behavior confusing, she'd rather be surrounded by the order and discipline of books or the quiet solitude of playing chess.

Jonathan Hoffman joined the chess club and lost his first game--and his heart--to the shy and awkward, yet brilliant and beautiful Annika. He admires her ability to be true to herself, quirks and all, and accepts the challenges involved in pursuing a relationship with her. Jonathan and Annika bring out the best in each other, finding the confidence and courage within themselves to plan a future together. What follows is a tumultuous yet tender love affair that withstands everything except the unforeseen tragedy that forces them apart, shattering their connection and leaving them to navigate their lives alone.

Now, a decade later, fate reunites Annika and Jonathan in Chicago. She's living the life she wanted as a librarian. He's a Wall Street whiz, recovering from a divorce and seeking a fresh start. The attraction and strong feelings they once shared are instantly rekindled, but until they confront the fears and anxieties that drove them apart, their second chance will end before it truly begins.



My Thoughts

THE GIRL HE USED TO KNOW deserves 5 stars and more! Annika and Jonathan experience a love so genuine that it spills from the pages. It is tender, almost ethereal. I hope that everyone could experience a love like theirs.

I was in a state of complete awe as I read it - the pacing is perfection. And when I was rapt with too much emotion (and the tears started to fall), . . . I never do this, but I had to flip to the end of the book to get just a glimpse of what was to come for Annika and Jonathan. I HAD TO know what was in store for the characters and prepare my heart for whatever was coming their way.

Favorite Quotes:
"Let's take a nap." (page 114)

"I learned that the closeness of two people had no limits.
Out of all of the firsts I experienced with Jonathan, that was the one I treasured the most." (page 167)

THE GIRL HE USED TO KNOW was one of my most anticipated reads of 2019. Tracey Garvis Graves left a mark on my heart with ON THE ISLAND and now with TGHUTK, she did it again. It is incredible. It's one of those books that you hope will conjure up the same feelings that you had the first time reading it.

I know I'll share this book with friends and readers for a very long time. It's a story that I will always remember.

Disclaimer:  I received this ARC from Goodreads and the publisher.  I was not compensated in any way other than the ARC provided. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review: CHASER by Kylie Scott

CHASER

A Dive Bar Novel

by Kylie Scott

Publication Date: April 17, 2018

Published by St. Martin's Griffin

Pages: 288

Source: InkSlingerPR

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Synopsis

Given his well-earned bad boy reputation, Eric is having a tough time scoring.. When single Jean moves to town, she seems heaven sent by the sex gods. Only problem is, she not only wants nothing to do with him, but it turns out that she's pregnant.

Starting over in a small town, Jean is determined to turn her wild lifestyle around and be the kind of mother she always wished she'd had. Since local bar owner and all round hottie, Eric Collins, is now determined to steer clear of her pregnant self, it should be easy. When she goes into labour during a snow storm and her car slides on some ice, it's Eric who comes to the rescue.

There seems to be a bond between them now, but is it enough? And can Eric give up his manwhore ways to be the man Jean needs?

My Thoughts

I came at this book with so much enthusiasm and excitement because of how much I've enjoyed the first two books of the Dive Bar series. Kylie Scott made me a fan when I first read DIRTY and then when I read TWIST. This is a series I've come back to again and again. I even reread DIRTY right before starting CHASER just because I love it so much. 

I like that CHASER is told from Eric's point of view. In DIRTY and TWIST, he's not shown in the best light and has some major growing to do. When he meets Jean, he realizes it's finally time to do just that. To slow his roll and become a friend. He begins taking life and his role in the Dive Bar more seriously and it's wonderful to experience this through his perspective.

I LOVED Jean. The women of the DIVE BAR series know what they want and don't put up with what isn't working in their lives. They certainly don't need anyone to save them and Jean is no different. She's making a new life for herself and her baby.

Together, Eric and Jean are magic.They have an easy way of being around each other - the openness in conversation and the honesty that comes from friendship. It's not super angsty and there is a slow build, and I couldn't wait for them to get together.  

There are so many things I love about this book - the sense of community, the friendships, the brutal honesty, Joe's and Eric's interactions (especially with their mom), and the appearances of the other characters from the previous books and the opportunity to see that they're up to. And I need to know more about this Mal character because he sure is full of himself. I guess it's about time I picked up the Stage Dive series.

Like the other books in this series, I'm know that this is one that I will be a go-to read when I need a swoony book. Seriously I'm ready to read it again. I LOVED IT!!

Disclaimer: I received this e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any way other than the e-ARC provided. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kylie is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. She was voted Australian Romance Writer of the year, 2013 & 2014, by the Australian Romance Writer’s Association and her books have been translated into eleven different languages. She is a long time fan of romance, rock music, and B-grade horror films. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet. You can learn more about Kylie from http://www.kylie-scott.com/

Links:

FACEBOOK | FACEBOOK FAN GROUP  

TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

Review and Giveaway: DARKEST NIGHT by Tara Thomas

DARKEST NIGHT

Sons of Broad #1

by Tara Thomas

Publication Date: February 27, 2018

Published by St. Martin's Press

Pages: 352

Source: Publisher | Netgalley

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Synopsis

In this first novel in the explosive, brand-new romantic suspense Sons of Broad series from Tara Thomas comes a novel of deadly secrets and hidden danger. In the sultry streets of Charleston, one family, ruled by its powerful, take-no-prisoners sons, has risen to the top. But a merciless killer is out to destroy them…and everyone they hold close…


SHE THOUGHT SHE’D LOST HIM FOREVER
Tilly Brock has learned—the hard way—how to take care of herself. Once a pillar of Charleston society, her family lost everything in the wake of a shocking scandal. And then Tilly lost the only boy she ever loved.

BUT NOW THAT HE’S BACK IN HER LIFE
Keaton Benedict is Charleston’s most notorious bachelor. But in spite of all his advantages—the money, the women,the family name—he longs for more: the heart of the young woman he still can’t forget.

THE DANGER HAS JUST BEGUN…
When Keaton re-enters Tilly’s life, after all these years, she is torn between feelings of doubt and desire. Can they put the past behind them and learn to love again? Tilly is willing to try. But Keaton is afraid that a vengeful enemy is watching—and waiting to destroy them. Can the rekindled flame of their love defeat the deadliest rival and light their way forward in the darkest night? 

My Thoughts

DARKEST NIGHT could be read as a sweet romance Keaton and Tilly if there weren't so many perilous situations at every turn. Their lives are surrounded with mysterious deaths and danger all around them. Keaton and Tilly reconnect by a chance encounter and their lives are thrust together. They weren't sweethearts, but there is a closeness of shared childhood experience that is undeniable.

Like the prequel novella, SHATTERED FEAR, this story has that creepy, freak you out suspense that puts you on edge. But I wanted more of it. A lot more of it. Just as the fear started to grab hold of me, the action would go in another direction not allowing that tension to grow. I needed more of that tension and action and psychological drama. And I needed it early on in the book.

But there is some drama for sure. Family secrets. Family deceptions. And family expectations. 

DARKEST NIGHT is full of secrets that have not yet been exposed and I'm looking forward to reading more about this family. Yes, I do wish that, as a reader, I would have been given more earlier on, but it has left me interested enough to find out where this story will continue.

Disclaimer: I received this e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any way other than the e-ARC provided. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

Tara Thomas’s love of books and writing started as a child and though she wanted to be an author, she decided a degree in science was more practical. After fifteen years in the pharmaceutical industry, she returned to her first love and hasn’t looked back since.

She writes erotic romance as Tara Sue Me. Her Submissive Series novels have been on both the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller lists. Her novel THE MASTER earned a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly, was awarded Best Romance of 2016 from Best Book Awards, and is a 2017 RITA Finalist for Best Erotic Romance.

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Review: SHATTERED FEAR by Tara Thomas

SHATTERED FEAR

A Sons of Broad Novella

by Tara Thomas

Publication Date: February 6, 2018

Published by St. Martin's Press

Pages: 86

Source: Publisher | Netgalley

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Synopsis

Welcome to the sultry streets of Charleston, where simmering desire and dark danger rule...

Forbidden love never felt so good...

She’s got a killer to catch.
He just might be it. 
Undercover detective Janie Roberts needs to find out for sure if Brent Taylor is a murderer.
Handsome, wealthy, and sexy-as-sin Brent Taylor. 
She’s got to get close enough to learn his secrets.

My Thoughts

I read A LOT of contemporary romance, it's nice to mix it up with some suspense and danger. That's why I wanted to start reading this new series by Tara Thomas. SHATTERED FEAR offered just enough of that desired suspense and danger to freak me out and make the hair stand up on the back of my neck. Talk about creepy. AND it has just enough romance and heat which I like in my contemporary reads. I mean WHAT is happening between Janie and Brent??!! This went somewhere fast and I wasn't expecting it at all.

The Sons of Broad series is sure to keep me on the edge of my seat. And I'm looking forward to reading more!

Disclaimer: I received this e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any way other than the e-ARC provided. Thoughts and opinions are my own.