Julie Carobini created a fun and light-hearted chick-lit novel with her debut, "Chocolate Beach"...but she has outdone herself with the sequel and I've fallen in love with her writing!
We met Gaby in Bri's story, but her character wasn't really fleshed out well. In fact, I didn't like her at all. I found her whiny, fluffy, and rather annoying.
But in "Truffles By the Sea", the tables have turned, and Bri is the one on my last nerve! Gaby has been through the emotional ringer...losing pretty much everything and having to start from scratch.
Now, don't get me wrong...Bri is a friend to her in times of trouble...but I like my friends to have a bit more to offer than brownies and truffles, although the spare room was a generous gesture!
But what Gaby needs is substance...instead, what she feeds on is foolish pride. She hides her trials and troubles from pretty much everyone, with maybe the exception of Livi, her one employee and bookkeeper (hard to hide finances from such a person without embezzling, huh?).
What will it take to get Gaby to fess up to her woes and ask for some genuine help and affection of the real kind? Not the physical, offered by Max. And not the enabling, offered by Bri (in her own, sweet way:-).
No, Gaby must learn what all of us women must learn...we're not Wonder Woman, Donna Reed, and June Cleaver all rolled up into one (although that would explain a LOT about my current weight issues!).
Gaby comes into her own in this wonderful sequel. I'm delighted to tell you I found Julie's sophomore release more enjoyable and substantial than her debut, and that one was fun! "Truffles By The Sea"is Julie's best work thus far, and I encourage you to keep your eye on this up and coming chick-lit author!
I'm giving this one four out of five bookmarks, with a single sweet pea as a charm...and you'll love it when you find out why...which you WILL if you leave me a comment with your favorite flower!
I'll draw a winner on March 15th (the day to win around here, it seems!)
Happy Reading!
Deena
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16 comments:
My two favorite flowers are "April's flowers" (since my birthday is in April) the fragrant and delicate Sweat Pea, and the Daisy.
My favorite flowers are roses, my mom has some at her house and they are beautiful when in blossom.
my favorite flower is daisies. i've been dying to read this book! i love chick lit and can't afford to buy it since i just got laid off! :( hsmuda[at]gmail[dot]com
I love ageratums. :)
Lilacs! But sadly, they only bloom briefly during the year.
I love mums -- they are hardly, come in beautiful varieties, smell great and are plentiful.
I have been reading this author's interviews and book reviews. They both are wonderful! Please enter me in your book giveaway. Thank you very much.....Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Lilac is my favorite flower! Such a sweet scent! Lovely! Please enter my in your drawing, too!
dbstout[at]juno[dot]com
Hydrangea, Lilac, Rhodys, Tulips..sorry got carried away. Great review.
Sorry that I forgot to tell you my favorite flower. I love cone flowers in all colors. Thanks,Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
My favorite flower is the sunflower.
Marilyn
Fmartin816 at comcast dot net
I'd like to read this book! Count me in!
Peonies are my favorite flowers... big and PINK! I used them in my wedding last year, which some thought was strange, but I was so glad I chose them! Thanks for hosting the giveaway Deena!
I love geraniums. Each Spring I get a pot and plant them. Lovely and bright. Thanks for the giveaway.
Great giveaway. Thanks. My favorite flowers are pansies. Love the purple and deep pink.
Wonderful novel which I have heard great things about. Thanks for this lovely giveaway. My favorite flowers are iris.
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