Customer Reviews

Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sandra Bricker's novel, Love Finds you in Holiday, Florida is about a widow breaking out of her predictable box and discovering a whole new side to life--a side full of surprises and fun.

Cassie Constantine goes to Holiday, Florida during the Christmas season to fix up and sell the vacation home she and her late husband owned. She has two goals: do some unpredictable things and prepare the house for the market. Romance was not on her list, yet when she meets Richard Dillon there's no denying the attraction between them. He's everything she's trying to leave behind, but he has a few surprises of his own.

Running throughout the book is a crossword puzzle that brings out different aspects of not only the story, but of Cassie, too. I loved seeing each new side of her and her responses to the revelations.

This is a wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable read that kept me turning the pages and wishing I had more time to read. I laughed my way through this and didn't want to see the book end. The characters are full of life and they kept me on my toes. It's not your usual romance and I loved it. I can't wait to read more of Sandra Bricker's books!

I have been pleased with all the books in the Love Finds You series and I had enjoyed Sandra Bricker's previous entry, Love Finds You in Snowball, Arkansas. I was excited to take a trip down to Florida and see what life was like down there. Stories about widows can be difficult to write. Do you want the character to be mournful all the time or is it too soon for her to get on with her life without looking disrespectful? This book is able to combine both in Cassie's character as we see her trying to move on but at a slow pace. There is a great cast of characters in the book. Cassie and Richard make an interesting couple, but the real stars are their neighbors. Being a community with older residents, the neighbors are quirky and zany yet it's obvious they care a lot about Cassie.

There's a lot of humor and awkward moments in the book that make it really fun to read. I think my favorite scene involves a snake and a naked lady. All I will say is that I was both giggling and squirming during that scene. I'm still shivering in disgust thinking about it now. If it was as half as fun to write as it was to read it, I wouldn't be surprised.

While I enjoyed this book, there were times when I felt that there were a few times when the story seemed a bit slow. It wasn't a bore to read at all, I just felt that some scenes could have used a bit tweaking up. There is also a crossword puzzle that is vital to the story that is featured throughout the book. While this is a creative way to make the story interactive, I felt that the way it was presented was a bit awkward. Overall though I really enjoyed this story and had a great time reading it. If I ever decide to retire and move to Florida, I would love to hang around with Cassie, Richard and the rest of the gang. Sandra Bricker has written another hit for the Love Finds You series.

When widowed Cassie Constantine's daughter can't come home for Christmas, Cassie makes a spur-of-the-moment decision to revisit the family vacation home in Holiday, Florida. She never much liked coming here anyway, so now that Zan is gone, she plans to prepare the house for sale.

Once in Florida, Cassie works on the house and on the final crossword puzzle that Zan left to her. He'd created one for every anniversary of theirs, and this one seems to describe her as lacking in spontaneity. Cassie sets out to reinvent herself, but she hasn't counted on her quirky neighbors deciding to set her up with young retiree, Richard Dillon. She hasn't counted on falling in love with Holiday...or with Richard.

For the record, I almost never give 5 stars. This is a light-hearted fun novel, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

This is the first book I had ever read by this author but it definitely won't be the last. Of all the Love Finds You books, this has to be my favorite. The characters are so real and the scenes described formed beautifully in my mind. I'm reading Always the Baker, Never the Bride at the moment and loving it as well.

Very enjoyable book. Romance, laugh out loud funny, and a happy ending. This was one of those makes you feel good books without making you a nervous wreck before you get to the happy ending.

With Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida, Sandie Bricker weaves a beautiful story of finding love in unexpected places. Cassie Constantine is looking to close the door on a chapter of her life after the death of her beloved husband, Zan. She goes to Holiday to renovate their vacation home in order to sell it, and ends up renovating herself in the process. Always practical and responsible, Cassie begins to take a few risks as she decorates the home according to her personal taste. She also takes a chance and reaches out to her lonely neighbor, Millicent. The biggest challenge comes when Cassie finds herself swept away by the handsome widower, Richard.
Cassie's journey as she opens her heart to love again will make you laugh, cry, and cheer for the God of second chances. This book is definitely a winner!

Ms. Bricker has created a delightful and funny story set in the small community of Holiday, Florida, where quirkiness abounds. The romance between two middle-agers shows that love can be found anywhere, even in the midst of seniors doing the hustle, snakes that find their way into houses, and a boat plowing into a dock. With a heavy dose of humor and just enough suspense to keep a reader turning pages, this is a great book to read during the holidays.

I thoroughly enjoyed this fun romance novel. Sandra pulled me in right away with homey, natural main characters and a host of interesting minor characters. She does an excellent job of portraying the seesaw of emotions that comes when a person finds new love after the death of a long-time, beloved spouse. The attraction between the main characters flows naturally, with a tug-of-war between the wants of the heroine when she first arrives in Holiday, Florida, and the wants that develop the longer she stays. I especially loved the element of mystery included in the story, and the scene with the snake was a scream (literally and figuratively). Overall, Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida is a well-written, fun read.
Suzanne :o)
[...]

Cassie Constantine has no plans to stay in Florida. She's just here long enough to sell a vacation house she shared with her late husband, and then she'll hightail it back to her gracious Boston brownstone. But then Cassie gets more than she bargained for with house renovations and wacky neighbors. Then there's Richard Dillon, the stuffed shirt she's paired with on the dance floor, who seems involved in a mystery... and makes her heart beat faster than the rhythm of the quick step. But the biggest surprise of all? The has-it-all-together Cassie finds herself in the midst of a personal overhaul. Will she let loose long enough to find new love in Holiday?

Cassie is in her 50s and it was easy for me to relate to her and some of the other characters in this book. She's going through a lot of changes in her life and doesn't know quite what to do with them. She meets this handsome man that she falls for but hears rumors that he is behind a scheme to buy up all the houses in the neighborhood and build a golf course. Of course, this lends fodder for some conflicts between Cassie and this new man that has her thinking she might want to live in Florida after all. The cast of senior characters are very funny and will keep you laughing at their antics!

If your ready for a break from the winter doldrums then this is the book to read. What a great gift for a friend or maybe even for yourself!

Love Finds You in Holiday Florida held my attention from start to finish. If you're in the mood for a romantic comedy, then this book is a must read. Sandra's humor had me laughing so hard I could barely catch my breath.
The characters are vivid and enjoyable and I was drawn into their lives. I've never been to Florida, but I felt like I was there when reading about Holiday. This book is a real treat!