by Jamie Dell White ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 17, 2012
Strives to be both love story and crime novel, sometimes succeeding in the effort, sometimes not.
In White’s novel, misunderstandings and murder can lead to love.
Julie Ross is not the type of girl to have a one-night stand, but after literally running into the beautiful and charismatic Jake Reynolds, she can’t resist. But her night of passion leaves her nothing but brokenhearted and pregnant. Years later, Julie has become a successful lawyer, raising her young son on her own. But yet again her life is about to be thrown into turmoil as her childhood friend, Jenny, has just been accused of a heinous crime: killing her infant son. Intent on helping her friend and proving her innocence, Julie and her sister travel to Birmingham. And in a twist only found in romance novels and romantic comedies, Julie just happens to learn that the lawyer representing her friend is none other than Jake Reynolds himself. It’s hard to decide whether White’s novel is a crime novel disguised as a romance or a romance disguised as a crime novel. White’s experience as a real-life lawyer definitely informs her characters; Julie and Jake both come across as credible and competent lawyers. White deftly handles a complicated plot, juggling Jenny’s evil husband, Paul; corrupt police and prosecutors; and an abused mistress who knows the truth. It is only Julie and Jake's romance that feels underdeveloped. White sets up obstacles for the two that include Julie believing Jake was a cheating husband and Jake not knowing he has a son. With a relationship that feels built purely on sexual attraction and little else, their will-they-or-won’t-they storyline is the least interesting aspect of the novel as the reader guesses that a happy ending is in the offing. Still, other relationships in the novel—such as the friendship among Julie, her sister, and Jenny—give life to the melodrama. Their three-way friendship is an authentic look at female bonding.
Strives to be both love story and crime novel, sometimes succeeding in the effort, sometimes not.Pub Date: May 17, 2012
ISBN: 978-1469949741
Page Count: 228
Publisher: CreateSpace
Review Posted Online: July 30, 2012
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Share your opinion of this book
by Colleen Hoover ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 18, 2022
Through palpable tension balanced with glimmers of hope, Hoover beautifully captures the heartbreak and joy of starting over.
Awards & Accolades
Likes
124
Our Verdict
GET IT
New York Times Bestseller
The sequel to It Ends With Us (2016) shows the aftermath of domestic violence through the eyes of a single mother.
Lily Bloom is still running a flower shop; her abusive ex-husband, Ryle Kincaid, is still a surgeon. But now they’re co-parenting a daughter, Emerson, who's almost a year old. Lily won’t send Emerson to her father’s house overnight until she’s old enough to talk—“So she can tell me if something happens”—but she doesn’t want to fight for full custody lest it become an expensive legal drama or, worse, a physical fight. When Lily runs into Atlas Corrigan, a childhood friend who also came from an abusive family, she hopes their friendship can blossom into love. (For new readers, their history unfolds in heartfelt diary entries that Lily addresses to Finding Nemo star Ellen DeGeneres as she considers how Atlas was a calming presence during her turbulent childhood.) Atlas, who is single and running a restaurant, feels the same way. But even though she’s divorced, Lily isn’t exactly free. Behind Ryle’s veneer of civility are his jealousy and resentment. Lily has to plan her dates carefully to avoid a confrontation. Meanwhile, Atlas’ mother returns with shocking news. In between, Lily and Atlas steal away for romantic moments that are even sweeter for their authenticity as Lily struggles with child care, breastfeeding, and running a business while trying to find time for herself.
Through palpable tension balanced with glimmers of hope, Hoover beautifully captures the heartbreak and joy of starting over.Pub Date: Oct. 18, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-668-00122-6
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Atria
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2022
Share your opinion of this book
More About This Book
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
by Lynn Painter ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 12, 2024
Not worth the RSVP.
Two people who scorn love fall for each other while teaming up to help others escape doomed relationships.
When Sophie Steinbeck finds out that her fiance, Stuart, is cheating on her before their wedding, she knows calling it off is the right thing to do. But her dad is employed by Stuart’s father, and Sophie is convinced the boss is just cruel enough to fire her dad out of spite. The solution comes in the form of Max Parks, a wedding objector for hire—he shows up at the chapel and publicly accuses Stuart of infidelity. A drunken celebration following Sophie’s non-wedding leads to a connection between her and Max, and when they decide to team up to help other wronged brides and grooms, sparks begin to fly between them. But with Sophie having just gone through a disastrous engagement, and Max still reeling from a heart-shattering breakup, neither one wants a relationship…right? Painter builds a foundation for entertaining rom-com antics, but none of the pieces hold together. Much of the dialogue, especially the banter between Max and Sophie, is more cringey than humorous. The wedding objector plot—by far the most striking aspect of the novel—moves to the background as the book shifts to a flimsy fake-dating scenario, and since neither Max nor Sophie really needs the money, there’s little urgency to their finding new ceremonies to foil. In fact, there’s little tension at all. Even when Max’s ex-girlfriend reappears toward the end of the novel, it does little to add conflict. Readers who enjoy their rom-coms with a lot of spice won’t be disappointed, but it’s not enough to support an otherwise weak entry in the genre.
Not worth the RSVP.Pub Date: March 12, 2024
ISBN: 9780593638019
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Berkley
Review Posted Online: Dec. 16, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2024
Share your opinion of this book
More by Lynn Painter
BOOK REVIEW
by Lynn Painter
BOOK REVIEW
by Lynn Painter
BOOK REVIEW
by Lynn Painter
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.