I liked this book a lot, although it wasn't what I was expecting. The cover and title lead me to believe the two main characters had a relationship that ended and were trying again. Instead it is about how they met. I was particularly amused by the online dating, which is how I met my husband!
Do-Over was not the usual romance novel. First of all it's more of my generation and what we face when life throws you a curve ball. The plot was amazing with normal people (not everyone looking like greek gods) that I can relate to. If you're looking for something with a lot of sex then this is not for you but I can tell you that you'll be missing out on a great story. Kate Vale is a new favorite author for me and I highly recommend this book to everyone who will listen.
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Gillian's Do-Over (Kindle Edition)
Do-Over was not the usual romance novel. First of all it's more of my generation and what we face when life throws you a curve ball. The plot was amazing with normal people (not everyone looking like greek gods) that I can relate to. If you're looking for something with a lot of sex then this is not for you but I can tell you that you'll be missing out on a great story. Kate Vale is a new favorite author for me and I highly recommend this book to everyone who will listen.
I enjoyed this story about mature adults who are getting back into the dating scene after the end of a marriage. The book was well written... The characters were mature adults dealing with everything from forced retirement to the long-term illness and death of a spouse, adult children, new dating tools such as internet social networking sites, and midlife career changes. The characters were interesting and the plot revolved around the characters and their relationships and lives. Kudos to the author for a good romance involving people over 45 years young.
Heat factor moderate.
Carrie Donnellson and Brain Flanagan make an incredible team as they deal with a life threatening wilderness ordeal. Back home again, they deal with additional difficulties as they sort out their feelings for each other, especially since Carrie is already engaged to marry a scoundrel, Quentin. That means Carrie will gain a wicked, demeaning mother-in-law too. This story reminds readers how people are often influenced and shaped by the flawed relationships of their parents.
Once again Vale creates a page turner complete with despicable characters, a best supporting actress friend who helps Carrie see a clearer reality, a whole host of friends and family you’d like to get to know and a couple who are made for each other.
Gillian, 46, has 20 years into her career as a successful office manager with an overbearing and inconsiderate boss. That less-than-stellar status quo gets shattered when said boss fires her out of the blue.
Now Gillian has to consider her life: Her son is grown and on his own; she has no job, no romantic partners since she divorced Quinn's father, no hobbies, and precious few friends. At the urging of her best friend Lauren and her son, Gillian pokes her head out of the cocoon she's been living in, and discovers she loves to draw, she enjoys dating, and a little adventure whitewater rafting is ... well. Two out of three ain't bad!
Gillian's self-discovery is aided by a series of online-dating-service flames, the ardent attentions of a strong, protective physician, Mo, and the unwilling regard of a handsome married attorney, Matt, whose wife is seriously ill.
Vale helps readers see the complexity of rebuilding a life, the complications of forming new relationships, and the difficulty of leaving behind old loyalties, in this careful weaving of realistic modern life with a whiff of fairytale romance. Readers can easily relate to Gillian's struggle to find her way among the flattering attentions of online beaus, her genuine affection for Mo, and the sparks that fly around the forbidden Matt. Matt's guilt and grief as he fights his attraction to Gillian is believable, too. Gillian's adventures and dilemmas give readers the feeling that maybe they, too, could try out a "do-over" of their own.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Got totally involved in the lives of the characters -- resonated with the plot (though not sure why, since I'm not divorced, nor is my dh anything like the not-so-dear xh in the story). The teens acted just like teens, and they made me cringe just because they were so real. Loved the ending....
Sam Hudson is a good cop. He tries to keep the bad guys away from the good kids, stop robberies, and keep his cool on the job. He tries not to be distracted by beautiful women he encounters responding to fender benders. Meanwhile, he's still hurting from his breakup with a girlfriend who couldn't live with the dangers inherent in his work.
Melanie Holmes is a good mom. When a minor traffic accident brings her into Sam's world, she's preoccupied by juggling two teens and a four-year-old, while getting back into the swing of working as a real estate agent.
When Melanie's her husband Victor's discontent overflows into infidelity with a nightclub stripper only a few years older than their son, and demands for divorce, Melanie finds that things get more complicated than she could've imagined - very quickly.
Before they know it, Sam and Melanie are caught up in a mix of difficulties neither of them signed up for - including the chemistry that keeps bubbling to the surface whenever they meet.
Vale stays true to her likable characters as they navigate the minefields of difficult custody arrangements, runaway teens, and a series of break-ins at a local grocery store that bring them into conflict with each other and people they both care about. Through it all, the choices each character makes independently build to an explosive - and ultimately satisfying - conclusion.
"Granddad's House" is a contemporary romance that will captivate you and have you wanting more.
While "Granddad's House" stands on its own, you will find Vale's characters so engaging that you will want to know more about them. Good thing that author Kate Vale has written (so far) four books in the "On Geneva Shores" series, which take place in the small Pacific Northwest town of Evergreen, Wash.
The story begins as we meet attractive redheaded Olivia Brown, of Brown Family Realty, conducting an open house. The handsome Southern architect named Beauregard Elias James is touring it on behalf of a client who wants to turn it into a B&B. Of course, Olivia knows not to reveal to him that the historic house is her family home, but, she does! Why, she asks herself, did she break one of her own rules with this incorrigible man with awesome green eyes? The family realtor business is central to the story line and that is where the author Vale's real life expertise as a realtor along with the many awkward situations that they find themselves is seamlessly integrated into the adept writing.
"Granddad's House" is an engaging read from page one that will make you laugh and cry as author Kate Vale portrays life's struggles and conundrums with poignancy and touching honesty that rings true.
Vale's writing captures germane issues that women face in today's world: being torn about decisions made between life for oneself and the caring for a beloved elder who has dementia, the strife of feeling the need to be in at least three places at one time, the far reaching effects of the Middle East Conflict, along with the emotional bonds of family and friends, and the myriad of tugs that women must face as they navigate modern life's complexities.
If you want to get to know characters who embrace contemporary challenges with integrity and passion, then look no further than Kate Vale's novels for a book about love and loss, friendship and family ties, and finding happiness. "Granddad's House" is an exemplary example of Vale's encouraging and fortifying stories. While her writing is inspiriting, it does cross over to sensuousness in order for readers to identify with the issues we deal with in confronting our own sexuality in our daily lives.
Kate Vale's relevant women's fiction story lines, believable characters and spot-on romantic flair assure that we will be hearing great things about this talented up-and-coming contemporary women's fiction romance author.
I loved this book. The story is very heartwarming, with Paul and Sally both fighting their demons to eventually find each other and love. Kate Vale has triumphed yet again, and I am very much looking forward to another book in this series.