Customer Reviews

Girls Night (Stp - Mira)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"Girls Night" had its charms, but it failed to really hold my attention. I found that I was flipping forward again and again to see how much more I had left to read. I felt that the sub plot overshadowed the romance. I had a very hard time connecting with Jillene and especially Vince. I did however absolutely love Jillene's daughters Claire and Faye. Vince's father Al was also a delight with his lady love Ianella. "Girls Night" was certainly not a bad read, but I wouldnt necessarily recommend it.

I started reading this book with high expectations due to the good reviews and can only say that I have not been so bored with a book in a long time. I found the plot formulaic, the heroine unlikeable, and, even though the book was marketed as a romantic comedy, it failed to tickle my funny bone even once during the entire reading. Despite the author's efforts to make the heroine seem tough, to me she came off as unreasonable and extremely incompetent. The only redeeming quality of the book was the likable hero but even that wasn't enough for me to recommend anyone to spend 8 hard earned bucks on this book.

I really enjoyed Girls Night. I haven't ever read anything by Stef Ann Holm, so when a friend recommended this book, I was a little leery, as I am with any new author. But, be assured, this book was in no way a let down! Girls Night is the story of Jillene McDermott is a widower living with her two daughters, Faye and Claire, and their dog, Sugar. Jillene runs a coffee shop called Java the Hut (I laughed when I first read this) that was originally opened by her late husband David. Jillene is really struggling to make ends meet. She has no money for anything, food, shoes, repairs for her shop. She is considering bankruptcy, but doesn't want to give in.

Then she meets local celebrity Vince Tremonti, a prolific true crime writer who has come back to Blue Heron Beach to get past some of his own demons. They meet in her coffee shop, and instant sparks. I loved the way they were atracted to each other right from the first, but Jillene was very shy, and neither thought it was the right time to get involved.

Vince was a great guy. He really struggled in this book. I won't say why, but the portrayal of his struggles, and his what he had to go through was very realistic. He didn't want to get involved with Jillene and her family, but he couldn't help himself. Love happens and there is not much you can do.

I was very happy with this book. It was a great story. It really portrayed Jillene as a strong, capable, modern day woman, who didn't have to rely on a man to fix things for her. She came up with her own solutions. Her daughters were great additions to the story too. They made wonderful characters. The side romance of Vince's father, Al, and a neighbor lady he had been in love with for a long time was just another great piece to this story. True, old fashioned romance was definitely alive in Blue Heron Beach. A well written story with good character development and plenty of chemistry.

I've loved Stef Ann Holm's historical romances for years. In her debut contemporary romance, she proves her versatility. Girls Night has all of the warmth and humor and magic of her historicals in a take-me-there contemporary setting.

Jillene McDermott is weighed down by life and definitely not looking for love until the handsome Vince Tremonti crosses her path. You'll laugh and cry with Jillene as she faces the ups and downs of falling in love, running a business, and raising two precocious daughters whose good intentions often cause hilarious results.

A really great read!

In Blue Heron Beach, Jillene McDermott worries about the future ever since her husband David suddenly died. David had taken care of the finances, but until his death Jillene had no idea how near fiscal meltdown their coffee shop Java the Hut is near. With two preadolescents to raise alone Jillene has no time for a personal life as her thirty-six hour days are consumed with her daughters and the shop.

However, Claire and Faye love their mother and fret over how alone she is. They decide she needs a boyfriend to lighten her life so they write a personal ad in absentia for Jillene. Suddenly men enter their lives, of which all are no good for mom except true crime writer Vince Tremonti. Though attracted to Jillene, Vince is in town to see his father not to make a commitment even if he cannot resist the lure of the three McDermott females.

There must be a googol of novels and movies (Parent Trap) based on the matchmaking machinations of children seeking a mate for their parent yet Stef Ann Holm keeps her contemporary tale fresh through strong lead characters. Though the two kids are typical of the theme as precocious yet almost adult like meddlers, the audience receives a wonderful second chance at love prime plot supported by the antics of the secondary characters (his father and her daughters). Fans of current day relationships dramas with a touch of humor, a bit of poignancy, and a lot of fun will delight in GIRLS NIGHT especially served with popcorn.

Harriet Klausner

GIRLS NIGHT by Stef Ann Holm

Courtesy of WWW.LOVEROMANCES.COM

GIRLS NIGHT by Stef Ann Holm was this reviewer's first taste of this author's writing. It can be safely said that there will be more Stef Ann Holm books read in this house. Written with a charm that is very welcome in this genre of books, the novel centered on Jillene McDermott and her life with her two young girls after her husband has passed away. She struggles to make ends meet, working at the coffeehouse that she and her husband tried to make a success, but upon his death, she discovers they are in so much debt she doesn't think they will survive financially.

While she and the girls make a go at it without dad, Vince Tremonti, a very famous crime-writer returns home to Blue Heron Beach, where Jill and her family also happen to reside. He's lived for years in Los Angeles but decides he needs a change of pace, and comes home to think things over. He wants to make a career change, due to the criminals he ends up dealing with because of the type of books he writes. He's also been a bachelor for a long time, going from one relationship to another but never really sticking with anyone for very long, and is not looking for someone to start up anything new. However, when Vince and Jill meet, there is a mutual attraction that neither wants to admit. Jill doesn't need to worry about dating now. She's got enough on her mind with her two daughters and a coffeehouse that is in the red. And Vince has a lot of unfinished business that needs to be taken care of, before he can move on with his life.

The two build up their friendship slowly, but Jill thinks he's got something going with the local real estate agent, and is surprised to feel that she's jealous of them. In the mean time, she needs to see to her girls' needs, and the scenes that feature the three of them are probably what really attracted this reviewer to the book. The scenes are very charming, showing the two girls as very cute, especially when they decide to put an ad in the local paper for their mother so she can find a date. The results are hilarious. These, and other situations, are what add up to make this book a worthwhile read.

Other characters involve the local townspeople, including Vince's father who is described as a sweetheart of an older man, running the local barbershop, as any old fashioned town would have. He has his own romance, wooing a widow who he has had a crush on for a very long time, but had held his tongue due to the fact that she was still married.

This reviewer gives GIRLS NIGHT 4 stars. It was a great introduction to the books of Stef Ann Holm, and hopefully her other novels are as good or better than this one was.

This book was just what I needed!

According the the snippet on the author on the back cover of the book, this is her first contemporary novel. This is probably why I had never heard of someone who captivates so well!

I loved so many things about this book - most of all, the warmth of all the characters. And everyone seemed so REAL. There is some kind of strange comfort to reading about Cheeze-Its, Barbie dolls, Al Pacino, Ray Bans ... I guess the pop culture references make the characters come to life.

I really enjoyed Jillene ... she was not perfect, and so like a real life mother and widow. I loved reading about Claire and Faye (Jillene's daughters ages 12 and 10) the relationship was brought to life with a series of scenes that anyone who has a sister could relate to.

Overall this was just a real pleasure to read, highly recommend!

This is my first book that I have read by Stef Ann Holm, I am so glad that I got a chance to read this book, a very enjoyable read. Jillene as two daughters Faye Claire they are so adorable. Jillene as been a widow for two years, her husband has left her in a finance debt she owns a coffee shop and she is barley making ends meet. Her two daughters know how lonely she is so they put up an ad for her and Jillene is getting all these weird phone calls from men she has no idea why they are calling she starts to freak out and then her daughter admit that they are the ones that put the ad for her, well needless to say she is not a happy camper she knows they mean well. When she is at the coffee shop she sees Vince Tremonti, at first she doesn't know who he is, he is the author of the book she is reading murder mystery when she finds out she is impress by him, she knows he is an ex cop, that's about as much as she knows. Before they get together they have to see if there relationship is wroth all this happiness that they both seem to find when they are together. The other part of the story that I loved is Vince's dad Al he is in love with Ianella when he is around her he feels like a teenage kid, it so sweet the way he acts when he is around her. A good read
Happy Reading Lisa

Jillene is a mother facing the trials of life as best as she can. She is a widow with two preteen daughters, a struggling coffee bar, and a mountain of her late husband's debts. While she may need a white knight, she does not really want any more complications like romance in her life. However, her daughters have different ideas and place a personal ad, hoping to find happiness for their mom.

The answer to their prayers comes in the form of Vince Tremonti, a true crime writer who fears his soul is becoming too dark from long exposure to the murk of humanity's basest elements. He has come home to try and find some peace with himself and his career. He finds himself continually involved in Jillene and the girl's lives, and falling in love reluctantly. Yet, he plans on making his stay a temporary one, so how can these three females fit into his world?

... With sweet characters and a pleasant setting, Ms. Holm makes her contemporary debut. Warmth and humor infuse this novel of small town life and love. No characters are larger than life, though the daughters seem too good to be true. You will find it easy to relate to the world that has been created here.

I have to wonder how many pages the author was required to write for this book. The story line could have easily been wrapped up in 175 pages. The title itself leads you to think it will be a different book, but it turns out to be your typical romance with lots of sexual tension. The jacket of the book even tells of a different kind of story, leading you to believe that this book will be edgy. It made me edgy just to have to finish it. I could have skipped over the entire middle and still have been at the same place. Get to the payoff, already!