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5.0 out of 5 stars
4.5 Stars: Wonderful second chance romance and first in a 6 book continuity series, April 7, 2008
This review is from: Sweetheart Lost And Found (Harlequin Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)
Shirley Jump's SWEETHEART LOST AND FOUND is the first book in the a multi-authored 6 book continuity series, The Wedding Planners. Shirley Jump's short romance is a fantastic introduction to the series and a great romance in and of itself. Humorous and heart moving, SWEETHEART LOST AND FOUND is a wonderful second chance romance tale of Mr. Straight-and-Narrow and Ms. Wild-and-Crazy meting years later.
Callie Phillips might work as the florist for the Wedding Belles wedding planners, but when it comes to love and romance, her broken heart has made her a cynic when it comes to love. When the wedding planners strike up a bet that all six women will get their own happily ever after, Callie knows that without a doubt, she will be the one to smash their dreams.
Jared Townsend believes in statistics. Whatever can be measured and quantified is real. Sitting in a bar with his trusty clipboard, Jared plans to bring science to bear on the question of love. Anything has to be better than watching his true love walk off with Tony. When suddenly Callie walks into the bar and his life to deliver wedding invitations to the bar owner, Jared knows he cannot let Callie walk away this time. Jared loved Callie many years ago and he knows her better than anyone. Something has changed in her. Can Mr. Straight-and-Narrow see beneath her cynicism and pain and break down the walls around her heart?
Shirley Jump does an excellent job introducing the new continuity series The Wedding Planners. The reader gets a glimpse at the six heroines readers will meet in future books but never at the expense of Callie and Jared's story. The friendship between the women adds a nice dimension to this romance and the character of Belle, the owner of The Wedding Belles is just priceless! The hero might be a bit of a nerd, but a sexy, smart and caring one. I found this hero quite refreshing. Shirley Jump captures the hero and heroine in their younger days and how life had changed them. The dexterity of this author's characterization in two different time periods makes their story both believable and quite moving.
Other books in the Wedding Planners Series
The Heir's Convenient Wife by Myrna Mackenzie (May 2008)
SOS Marry Me! by Melissa McClone (June 2008)
Winning the Single Mom's Heart by Linda Goodnight (July 2008)
Millionaire Dad, Nanny Needed! by Susan Meier (August 2008)
The Bridegroom's Secret by Melissa James (September 2008)
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4.0 out of 5 stars
a sweet story about second chances in love and finding that's most important in unlikely places, August 4, 2008
This review is from: Sweetheart Lost And Found (Harlequin Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)
Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques
In the delightful introduction to The Wedding Planners extraordinaire, we meet Callie Phillips, florist for the successful business, Wedding Belles.
Callie loved once, a long time ago, but was left broken hearted when she chose the wrong man and let go of the one of her dreams. She was the carefree and impulsive one whereas he was steady and secure in his plans. Now Callie has settled down and surprisingly loves her job as a florist, though she hides her cynical side behind a polished smile. Until the evening her life changes once more when a typical business errand turns into something more...
Jared Townsend believes numbers and statistics to prove validity, not emotions. Now his career has him sitting in a bar, clipboard in hand, ready to quiz couples and analyze their answers to determine what works in a relationship. The last thing he expected was to see Callie walk through the door, the one woman he's always loved and never forgotten. Now his plans have all gone awry and a new one is brewing. He's not going to let Callie walk out of his life again and will do anything to win her over.
There couldn't be two people more opposite than Callie and Jared, but that makes them all the more perfect for each other. Callie is the wild and crazy one, always looking for the next adventure. Jared is more about the tried and true and making that fit his dreams. He loved Callie more than anything back in the day and still regrets not fighting for her then. Now that he's found her once more, he's coming to realize sometimes you do have to strike out into the unknown to find happiness. Jared and Callie are perfect for each other. He helps to keep her grounded when the road starts calling again and she helps Jared learn to like change and trying new things. Too much of either is a bad thing but the right blend of both is perfection.
Sweetheart Lost and Found is a sweet story about second chances in love and finding that's most important in unlikely places. It also sets up the rest of the continuity series perfectly, introducing readers to each of the Belles yet never sacrificing Callie and Jared's story. All of the women are so very different yet they have forged a friendship no one can break. Shirley Jump keeps the story on alight note by interjecting moments of humor to bring a smile, or a laugh to our faces. I for one have ordered each new story as it's become available and can't wait to delve into the rest of the adventures for the loveable Wedding Planners.
© Kelley A. Hartsell, July 2008. All rights reserved.
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