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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful, April 9, 2006
This review is from: Leaving Normal (Mira Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)
After forty plus years, Natalie Goodwin is finally ready to begin her own life. Two years after her divorce, she is busy opening her dream floral shop while her daughter is off attending her first year of college. Her home, family, and work are all in order. Although a little lonely, Natalie is happy doing what she wants for the first time.
Gun shy after her recent dating adventures, Natalie isn't looking for a man. Of course, that doesn't mean she can't enjoy looking at her hunky neighbor. Firefighter, Tony Cruz, is delicious eye candy and completely safe. He is nine years her junior and married - definitely not available! When Tony's cheating wife leaves him, Natalie offers him friendly comfort and understanding. What begins as friendship grows into much more. Will the duo be able to work through their age difference and its inherent problems? Can they discover what truly matters?
Leaving Normal is a realistic and emotional love story. I appreciated its authenticity and the completely believable firefighter elements. Tony and Natalie are genuinely real; they could be the people that you might know and like. While Tony might not be the perfect man, he is still to die for! He is a sweet hunk and a humble hero. Their relationship evolves gradually, and although this pace works with their storyline, the flow becomes sluggish with the additional side plots. I must admit that I wanted their physical relationship to progress more quickly. The heat is a gentle simmer that builds slowly, and if you don't mind this pace, it's a wonderful book. Sweet and inspirational, Leaving Normal gracefully explores the complexities of life and love.
Cheryl
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent mid-life romance, February 22, 2006
This review is from: Leaving Normal (Mira Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)
After nearly 20 years of marriage, Natalie realized that the love had left the relationship, and she and hubby Greg split amicably. Two years later, after already struggling through her transitional relationship, she is finding herself attracted to the very married and much younger sexy fireman who lives across the street.
When fireman Tony suddenly finds himself single, he realizes that he is not mourning the loss of his unfaithful wife, but the loss of a relationship, and vows that his next marriage will be to someone who can also be a best friend. While nursing his wounds, he often turns to the advice of his sexy "been there, done that" neighbor, and develops feelings for her. She is reticent - the age gap is too much of a cross for her to bear, and since he has expressed an interest in having a family, she feels she is beyond that stage. He soon melts her resolve and the two embark on a deep friendship that soon turns more serious, and a tragic series of events makes them question their motivations and choices.
Humor abounds as Natalie's sister is constantly trying to get her sister out into the dating pool, and her widowed father embarks on a new relationship that takes him out of his comfort zone (and away from the white cherry slushies he is so fond of).
Unlike many romance novelists, where the main characters fall in love in the span of a week, this one takes its sweet time developing a believable relationship. Holm has created an emotional story about of a couples' journey into uncharted territory, and the lessons they learn along the way. It is thought provoking and touching and guaranteed to leave you satisfied.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
complex well-written relationship romance, September 28, 2005
This review is from: Leaving Normal (Mira Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)
Natalie Goodwin feels it is time to repossess her life since her divorce is finalized and her daughter is a college freshman. She opens up the floral shop that she had placed on a back burner except in her dreams.
Although she is not interested in any relationships with men, Natalie admits to herself only that the younger married hunk next door is candy centerfold, look don't touch is her mantra. Tony Cruz finds the neighbor is beautiful, but he will only look too as marital vows mean something to him. That is until his wife dumps him for someone else. Instead of heartbreak, Tony pursues Natalie. However, as they fall in love, he wants children while she feels past that stage having a teen already in her life.
This second chance at love is a complex well-written relationship romance with plenty of issues to keep the lead duet apart. Natalie is filled with doubts that the younger hunk could desire her and feels she is letting down her beloved by insisting on no more children. Tony struggles to prove to his love that she is not a rebound, but does not hide he wants to pass his surname on. Throw in family members filled with concerns and that leads to the audience enjoying Stef Ann Holm's powerfully realistic and thoroughly entertaining relationship drama.
Harriet Klausner
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