Customer Reviews

All of Me

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

ALL OF ME concludes author Lori Wilde's Wedding Veil Wishes series which began with THERE GOES THE BRIDE, followed by ONCE SMITTEN, TWICE SHY and ADDICTED TO LOVE.

In the first book, THERE GOES THE BRIDE we are introduced to four friends; Delaney, Tish, Rachael and Jillian. In each of the stories one of the four friends make a wish on a magical wedding veil.

ALL OF ME is a poignant love story between Jillian and Tuck. Each of them have had their share of ups and downs, both needing salvation.

Jillian is a cynical, hardened lawyer who suddenly finds herself in dire need for a new life after her mentor and best friend dies and she loses her job. When she inherits a cottage far from her current life she hopes this is the answer to her prays.

Tuck has lived a charmed life up until recently when his wife dies. He retreats from his former life to a small town in Colorado. He's living in a neglected lake cottage which belonged to his wife.

The two must discover which of them is the true owner of the cottage and in the meantime come to terms with the sizzling chemistry they immediately feel for each other. The two clearly are attracted to each other but both have emotional baggage to deal with.

From their first meeting the two have a quick witty banter.

We are introduced to a few secondary characters who add charm and humor to the story. Ms. Wilde supplies just enough interaction with these characters and a very clear description of the town to give the reader an apt depiction of the setting.


Each book stands totally on its own so you don't have to read them in order. Once you've read ALL OF ME, and I recommend that you do, do yourself a favor and read the others. (If you haven't already!)


There Goes the Bride
Once Smitten, Twice Shy
Addicted to Love (Wedding Veil Wishes)

All of Me

This is the fourth and final installment in the Wedding Veil Wishes series.

I enjoyed the first three books of the series and the previous one (Addicted to Love) was my favorite. I had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, it falls flat for me. The characters are fine, the story is okay, but the details are terrible.

I was irritated with the way Jillian reacted to first meeting Tuck--it barely seemed to tip her radar. For someone who does not believe in magic and then the man in her dream enters her life, I would think she would be more shaken--maybe not visibly, but mentally. She just seems to blow it off.

The fertility storyline for Tuck's sister had to be the most annoying. I am very particular about these types of stories being someone who has dealt with all aspects of infertility. Although it started out with some inaccuracies, it ended terribly and made me want to smack Evie (Tuck's sister). I HATED this part of the book.
The premise of the story was obvious and when it was finally revealed, was blah. Nothing felt exciting or fresh. It was all just blah. Even the epilogue was blah. I ended the book thinking, "that's it?"

I rarely give poor ratings, but this one just failed for me. The chemistry between the characters was weak. The story was weak. I just did not believe in the story. I read it because it finished the series, but I would have been much happier had I stopped with the previous book.

Deeper than the average romance, this is the best of the series...too bad it is the last!

Struggling to cope with the death of his wife Aimee, architect Tucker Manning leaves for his self imposed exile to Salvation, Colorado. He hopes to grieve in peace at the lake house his father-in-law Blake gave him.

Houston attorney Jillian Samuels arrives to find Tucker there. She insists the lake house is hers as her beloved mentor Blake meant for her to inherit the Salvation home. Rather than fight in court, Jillian and Tuck reach an agreement to co-share the house for now until they can come up with a more suitable arrangement. Both are stunned by the attraction each feels from the first encounter. Whereas Tuck feels remorse and betrayal of his love for Aimee though she passed away two years ago, Jillian takes a chance on love if he allows her.

The fourth Wedding Veil Wishes tales (see THERE GOES THE BRIDE, ONCE SMITTEN, TWICE SHY and ADDICTED TO LOVE) is a warm serene character study. Jillian in a fully developed person, but the relationship drama is owned by Tuck as Lori Wilde goes deep inside his soul. Fans who appreciate a sometimes amusing but always pathos second chance at life (and love) will enjoy this profound contemporary.

Harriet Klausner

Posted January 15, 2009, 7:15 PM EST: It all starts with a magic wedding veil. Jillian receives it from Rachael who made a wish and the feell in love and got married, so she gives it to Jillian. This book is about Jillian who has 4 close friends but friends with only one co-worker. She feels like she can tell Blake her co-worker anything because he's like the dad she never had. When something happens to Blake she goes to Salvation, Colorado where she bumps into Tuck. They become roomates but there is definately chemistry there. She starts practicing as the local attorney and Tuck is the carpenter. They date others and then finally figure out that maybe they were meant to be......
Great story. Didn't want to put it down. The chemistry in this story is awesome. I love it.

Attorney Jillian Samuels enjoys her job but she is ready to get away for some much needed peace and quiet. Jillian doesn't realize just how quickly she will get that R & R. Jillian's mentor passes away and leaves Jillian with the keys to his cottage. It is located in small town Salvation, Colorado. So Jillian packs up her things and hits the road for Colorado.

Tuck Manning is getting over the death of his wife. What someone neglected to inform him is that his life would be suddenly in a up heave with a unwanted guest. So you can imagine his surprise when in walks a beautiful woman...claiming that she is the new owner of the cottage and for him to get out. Jillian agrees to allow Tuck to stay for a few days on the condition that he can produce the papers showing he is the supposedly rightful owner of the cottage. Besides Tuck is pretty handy with his hands as well as easy on the eyes.

All of Me is the latest release from contemporary and comedic author, Lori Wilde. This book is also part of the Wedding Veil Wishes series. I have to tell you that I have read several novels by Ms. Wilde and enjoyed them all. All of them have this great sense of humor. So I was excited to read this latest story. Sadly though this book missed some of its shimmer. While I thought Jillian and Tuck were good together I didn't feel the passion I kept waiting for. All of Me only had some of me and though it didn't win me over this time I hope that Ms. Wilde does next time.

There was some cute bantering, but little else. This was the worst in the series.

Jillian Samuels doesn't believe in love or happily-ever-after. The only things she believes in are her job and her friends. With her best friends all married with families, Jillian is completely set adrift when she loses her mentor and her job in quick succession. An inherited lakefront cottage seems to be her best chance to start a new life, until she finds the place already occupied!

Tucker Manning is living in his late wife's father's lake house, still mourning her death. He gave up his career to take care of her when she got sick, and he's never reclaimed it. Instead he works as a carpenter. He's furious when Jillian arrives, claiming to own his house.

Will sharing the cottage bring two lonely, damaged people together, or destroy them both?

All of Me is the final installment of the Wedding Veil Wishes series, and it's a fitting end. Outwardly tough but inwardly lonely and hurting, Jillian was easy to sympathize with. I felt the same way about Tuck, who couldn't seem to heal from the loss of his wife. There were several times when I wondered if they would ever be able to get past the sorrows they'd endured and move on to a happy future together. While there isn't a lot of external conflict, Jillian and Tuck's struggles with their own inner demons almost moved me to tears at a couple of points. There are a few mystical touches (the wedding veil and the inclusion of an interesting Native American ritual) that add a touch of magic to their relationship. As always, Lori Wilde did a stellar job of portraying the small-town atmosphere and creating wonderful secondary characters. Tuck's sister and her husband are especially well done, and their subplot is sweet. All of Me might not have a lot of action or even a lot of sex, but it's an emotional and fulfilling romance.


Cassie
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I so loved this book. Tuck was in such pain, I ached all over for him. But Jillian was his perfect match. Romantic and emotional, it was an excellent read.

The final book in the Wedding Veil Wishes series - where 4 women wish on an antique wedding veil and find their true loves. It was sounds like a silly concept but because each of the women don't take it seriously allows you to buy into the concept. In this book Jillian Samuels has a lot of change forced a pond her and decided to make a big move. She dreams of Tuck Manning while wearing the wedding veil - while Tuck is having a vision of her...

Both Tuck and Jillian have lots of baggage and this story takes them through their healing and romance. Great romance, fun dialogue- plus the scene with his Grandmother is what all of us have wanted to say at some point in our lives.... ENJOY!

Check out the whole Wedding Veil Wishes series; There Goes the Bride , Once Smitten, Twice Shy and Addicted to Love (Wedding Veil Wishes). Looking forward to her next series - The Sweethearts' Knitting Club due out November 2009 and The True Love Quilting Club - due out Spring 2010.