Linda Poitevin

I have to be honest, I took this book as a freebie thinking it sounded interesting, but when the author then sent follow-up email after follow-up email, I started getting annoyed, so I was pre-disposed to "not like" it thinking anyone who was trying that hard to get my attention was going to be disappointing. I'm happy to say that wasn't the case. As I grumpily started reading, LOOKING for things that were wrong with it, I found myself saying, okay, not bad.

Let me give you my overall, then I'll point out some of my hiccups (and rationalizations - or not).
This book was well-developed, well written. The characters were relateable and likeable. The supporting cast wasn't as well developed, but they served their purpose. Except Sean. I liked Sean. You've got the good mother meets the nice guy, and you've got cute kids. This book is a nice piece of fluff without any heady stuff to worry about. They get the "yours, mine and ours" kind of conflicts and "what now?" kind of things, but nothing they can't handle.

1. What movie star would want to get involved with a woman with three kids, scooping congealed oatmeal out of the bathtub, to boot? Okay, one comes to mind.


2. The heroine is an architect. LET ME SEE HER HOUSE! I got to see the improvements she made, some of the decor, a lot of the kitchen, but the author posted a photo of her inspiration for Gwynneth (with two n's) house and I totally didn't see that while I was reading (and I saw the picture before I read). That being said, I did enjoy "her room."

3. Her ex-husband walked out on her. Now she's never going to trust another man again. Was that her only relationship? I did want to smack her upside the head a couple of times. She was so very VERY afraid to let anybody in. If I was trembling with fear walking into a romantic interlude, I would bolt for the door. That doesn't scream "oh my god you're so hot!" It says "I don't want this." In addition, it takes a special kind of man to stick around with what she put him through. It is NOT attractive in a heroine. The author did a good job justifying and showing everything, and I did relate to Gwyn working through it in her mind at the end, but it was a little too much for me overall.

4. The climax scene. Through the whole book we hear about what a shrew the ex-wife is. So she shows up to help the ex get his happily ever after? Hmmmm. Not buying that part. The daughter I could see, but also the time of day didn't work for me. How many people would show up in the rain, in the middle of the night? Didn't buy it. I could have done without the crowd.

One of the barrage of emails I received was "Did you read it yet? Because there's more!" Apparently the sage continues, or the supporting cast will be developed, but no, I'm not inclined to buy it. Not because I don't think it will be good, but because it isn't my cup of tea. I struggle with the millionaire/billionaire trope, which includes movie stars who are too good to be true. That makes it a personal preference, not a ding on the author. This story worked well when I was in a bad headspace with being overworked at the day job - no heavy thinking - but generally I prefer something more.… (mer)

I really enjoyed this book!
The concept of the unknown magic(k) within all of us is relateable on many levels. Claire has lived her whole life trying not to make waves, and what has it gotten her? Her husband leaves her right before her 60th birthday to start a family with a much younger woman. Her son is impatient with her and her daughter-in-law is constantly sending her articles on aging and declining health as if her best years are behind her. On her birthday, her young grandson gives her a gift that turns out to be worth more than the junk dealer who sold it to him expected - and its value lies in more than dollars. The pendant shows her the way to a house, hidden in the forest, guarded by a gargoyle and a shapeshifting wolf. Here, Claire struggles to accept that she's found the purpose in her life that she's been looking for as she is forced to learn how to use the magic(k) inside herself not only for her own protection, but to save her family and to prepare for the threat of a magical war.… (mer)