Customer Reviews

Labor of Love

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

LABOR OF LOVE
RACHEL HAWTHORNE
YA Romance

Rating: 4.5 Enchantments

Dawn Delaney has a broken heart. It was broken six months ago when she discovered her boyfriend Drew cheating on her at junior prom. Because of Drew, Dawn has completely lost faith in guys. She doesn't trust them anymore, except to break her heart.

Because of this, Dawn has sworn off all guys for the summer. Instead, she and her two best friends Amber and Jenna are going to New Orleans to help rebuild houses. The first thing they do when they arrive in Louisiana is visit a psychic who tells them that Dawn will meet a guy with a red hat and a nice smile, among other cryptic messages. Dawn dismisses this as rubbish - until she finds out this guy is real. Not only is he real, but he's also very interested in Dawn. But Dawn's afraid to get her heart broken again. Is this new cute guy the one to mend it?

I have never before read any of Rachel Hawthorne's novels before, and I have to say that LABOR OF LOVE was a good start. Like most teen romance novels, the plot is slightly predictable, but the end makes you sigh in content. I really came to understand Dawn and her reluctance to get involved with another guy. However, I didn't feel that I got to know the other characters very well; Dawn was the only character who was well developed. Jenna's and Amber's characters, as well as many of the other characters, seemed a bit confusing to me at times because I didn't really understand who they were. This isn't completely bad because this wasn't their story, but I would've liked a little more insight into their characters. Despite that, LABOR OF LOVE is definitely a good choice to take along to the beach if you're looking for a cute book to read.

Rachel Hawthorne has written many other romance novels for teens. She also writes romance novels under the pseudonym Jade Parker. [...]

This was a very cute book and I thorughly enjoyed reading it. Another well written book, Rachel Hawthorne.

Just read for the secind time, only in my new kindle instead. I think this is my favorite book by Rachel Hawthorne; I just couldn't put it down!!! I highly recommend this book if you are into romance with somthing more or a lesson and/or meaning to it. Enjoy. I know I definately did!

Quick read! This book is so cute!

It starts with 3 friend spending their summer before senior year rebuilding New Orleans. They get a psychic reading that is very unsettling for the girls. They see signs of their reading every where, from boys with a cute smile, to the "fire that doesn't burn".

They meet up with a group of boys who are there to help rebuild too. A few dates later, Sparks fly and a month later, a house is rebuilt. Is their any love to last, and what about all the details of the psychic reading.

IT is so good. I didn't want to spoil it! Must read!

I guess you get what you pay for! I should have probably been suspicious when I was able to buy this book for $2. And maybe it's my own fault for not checking out this author more before buying the book. But I figured that I like chick lit and I go through a ton of books, so any time I can find a cheap one, it's all the better. Right? Maybe not.

The first thing that I couldn't get past was that this was about 17 year old kids (though I shouldn't have been surprised if I had paid attention to the young adult tag). I'm can't quite figure out why it bothered me, but I apparently don't like teens in my chick lit. But what I hated more was the actual girls. I understand that Dawn had been hurt, but she was whiny and obnoxious. I actually found her even more annoying than I found Bella in Twilight..which I loved as a guilty pleasure despite despising the main character).

Some of the pages of the book were folded but that's okay with me. The novel had a good plot, not sure if that's relevant. It was quick to ship, I think but I do not rememberer. Overal, I was pleased with my order.

I absolutely loved Labor of Love. I don't like to go by the reviews because with every book I've read so far on my Kindle, the reviews and ratings are the understatement of the century. This novel is beautifully written and I wouldn't change a thing. There's plot twists and it's very unpredictable(in a good way that's easy to follow and really sweet and romantic). I was hooked with the first couple of chapters so I say BUY THE BOOK/eBOOK YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!!!!!!!!

Dawn is ready to start over in a new place, at least for the summer. And she has the perfect plan to help others start over too. She and her two best friends plan to help rebuild houses for people who have lost theirs due to hurricane damage. Her plan never included going to a psychic that seems to be predicting everything a little too perfectly.

One thing that isn't in Dawn's image of the perfect summer is a new guy. She is still hurt over what happened with her ex-boyfriend and she knows that if she lets herself feel for somebody again, she could get hurt again. Brady definitely wasn't in her picture perfect summer but he seems to be showing up all over the place. She can't seem to get rid of him. It seems to be a good thing for her summer but not for her heart?

Will things between Dawn and Brady ever work out or is he hiding something too? Will Dawn ever get closure with her ex so she can finally move on?

I love cute little romances. Simon and Schuster has their own romantic comedy series and so does HarperTeen. They are just the perfect easy summer reads when you are lounging by the pool or stuck inside on a rainy day. The only bad thing I can think of is how predictable they are but sometimes predictability is just what you need.

Labor of Love is one of my favorites out of this genre. It was cute but not too cute. There was more going on with the story than just Brady and Dawn's romance. I really liked the whole rebuilding houses part too. Dawn was just so into it and it's such a great thing for teens to do over their summer. Sadly, I have never been able to participate in something like that but I would love to. I also loved how Dawn really wanted to help make the new house seem like a home to the little girls that were moving back into it.

Overall, Labor of Love was just such a cute book. Rachel Hawthorne included the perfect mix of romance, comedy, and an underlying message of hope. If you are just bored and want something that you can just sit down and read, it is the perfect book. I definitely plan on buying more books by Rachel Hawthorne and in HarperTeen's romance series.

Interesting book!! I liked the whole deal with the fortune teller and the fact that they were building homes for those who lost them in the hurricane. Nice cute lil story line. This is something that I noticed while reading romance these novels....the main character is always sad and depressed because they are all alone in the love department but while they are sulking in there sadness their best friends always seem to fall in love before they do. In a way this kinda sucks for the main character cuz while they are trying their hardest to be happy for there friends they cant help but be a lil jealous. Its like they are getting love thrown in there faces. I think alot of that happens in Rachel Hawthorne's novels. That doesnt mean that the book wasnt good cuz it was...i just think that maybe this one was lacking something. It didnt really go all the way for me. It still is a really cute romance novel. It comes recommended.

How do you get over your first boyfriend - especially when he cheated on you?

A summer away rebuilding houses in New Orleans is Dawn's plan. But that was before she, Jenna, and Amber went to a psychic.

Now, there's a stranger with a red baseball hat in Dawn's future.

Later that day, she and her friends are in a bakery when an attractive boy with a great smile catches her eye. He also happens to be wearing a red baseball cap. The girls talk briefly with him and his friends and exit the bakery to explore the city more, but end up running into them again in a restaurant.

Could it be fate?

Rachel Hawthorne pens another delightful novel about interpreting life's signs and romance.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Rummel