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27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Worth waiting for, February 12, 2010
This review is from: Starting From Scratch (Paperback)
Well, this was worth the loooong wait for a new Georgia Beers novel. They always leave me with a small ball of happy inside and are really engaging while reading them.
I'm not sure how she does it, but she always makes up characters I really find myself caring about. It was no different in this latest one. It is written in first person, a style I often have problems with, but it really worked for this main character, Avery. Her commentary on her life is often funny, but not annoyingly so. Beers finds the balance between funny and serious in a way that I found myself emotionally engaged and laughed and cried right along with Avery. She had me right from the first page
Firmly settled in the romance genre this novel follows Avery through the ups and downs of an emotional year that has her question some of the things she always thought she knew about herself. I found myself relating to her on different levels, mainly her introversion and her baking.
Delightful novel, romance done right and well. A wee bit predictable, but that's really down to the genre and in no way inhibited my joy while reading it. Beers' style is distinct in the lesfic world, and I'm already looking forward to her next one.
Two things I noticed that I don't usually notice: The back blurb is funny and sets the tone for the novel, it's perfect (usually I don't even read back blurbs). The acknowledgments are heartfelt and touching. They do make me curious about what the heck went on behind the scenes. Whatever it was, I'm glad Beers came out still standing and not quitting.
It looks like Beers found a new home at Bywater, it's really great that Susan X Meagher gave this novel a home at Brisk Press. I hope for all of them it sells like nobody's business.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Baking with Beers, March 21, 2010
This review is from: Starting From Scratch (Paperback)
I have always been a fan of action, assassins, and cops. And I tend to read every book that comes out with regards to those criteria. So, why this book? That left me 'scratching' my head as I started to read it.
Granted, I read all of Georgia Beers' books and have never been disappointed in any of them. And here is what I found with this book:
1. It pulls you in, very quietly, very softly.
2. You believe this is real life, that this could actually be you at some point.
3. And, it makes the everyday motions of a life count too.
I liked the book and the reality of the situation, the encounters with the supporting characters were genuine, and Avery and Elena's relationship followed a natural path. The metaphor of 'baking' is not lost on the reader...ingridients start from scratch exactly the same way, but it is the way you 'kneed' the dough that makes a life well loved.
This is a book well worth your shelf space.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must read romance, April 10, 2010
This review is from: Starting From Scratch (Paperback)
Just another woman meets woman kinda book, right? Wrong! This one really does pull you in, as noted by another reviewer.
I loved this book and will read it many more times.
The tone of the language felt real and current, using phraseology that I often use myself.
The wonder of realizing that you've fallen in love felt real in this book, not forced or out of sync as it can in some modern romances. Some novels read like a race to the relationship, then tragedy followed by an unbearably long period of angst that makes you want to just smack the characters in the head for all their stubbornness. The pace here tho felt more relaxed, and while there were moments of predictability, the end product is a strong story about personal growth mixed with finding love. Who could ask for more?
Now a word about the physical book itself. As with every book I've owned from Brisk Press, the finished product feels great. Those out there who crave the feel of a book in your hands know what I mean here. I don't know the financial impact of producing this final product but do know that few books look as good on my shelf, or feel as good in my hands as those produced by Brisk Press.
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