Paris is Always a Good Idea by Jenn McKinlay - audio version

Paris is Always a Good Idea

by Jenn McKinlay

 ★★★★★

I want to start my review by saying the title first drew

me to the story. Then, I took a listen to the sample and

found the narrator to be pleasant. That is what it took

to get me to listen to Jenn McKinlay and her story,

Paris is Always a Good Idea. 

Chelsea Martin finds herself deep in hard feelings with

her family. We all find that happening sometimes. It's the worst.

It's even harder when you know you're behaving badly

and immature. You know you're doing it. But you just 

cannot help yourself. 

So Chelsea takes off on a trip. A trip full of mostly wonderful

memories. She is hoping that replaying the romance and

happiness from this trip will help her come to terms with the

family issues she is struggling with. 

She makes her way from Ireland to France to Italy. Only to 

find, of course, everything she is looking for is right back

where she started. At home. With her family.

The life she has built for herself. The people that make up 

that life. 

Great memories are good and all. But they aren't always

a part of your real long term life. It's a fun story. 

Constant fast pace. And of course, romance. 

I borrowed this from my library. 

Review by Lisa Hutson

Susan's Review of Kieran Kramer's Second Chance at Two Love Lane

From USA Today bestselling author Kieran Kramer, comes Second Chance at Two Love Lane, a fast-paced tale about the intoxicating effects of fame and what happens when a past romance is rekindled behind the silver screen.

Sometimes love is waiting in the second act...

In her professional career, Ella Mancini plays matchmaker at Two Love Lane but, in her personal life, she takes the stage at the Dock Street Theatre. Now she has a chance at a new role in a Hollywood movie that happens to be filming in Charleston—one that features a big-name actress, Samantha Drake. Long ago, Ella passed up a major audition while awaiting a marriage proposal. Not only didn’t she get the role; she never got the ring, either. Instead, her boyfriend Hank went on to become a huge film star…leaving her, and all her dreams, behind.

But now Hank’s back in Charleston, cast as the male lead in the same movie Ella’s in. In spite of the dramatic tension off-screen, he and Ella try to stay cool onset. But when their old feelings start to heat up—at the same time leading-lady Samantha tries to play cupid—all bets are off. How can Hank convince Ella, after all this time, that she’s the one he really wants to be with in real life—and that some happy, rom-com endings really can come true?

I love Kieran Kramer’s Two Love Lane series! Ella Mancini and Hank Rogers are featured in Second Chance at Two Love Lane. I enjoyed reading every page of this fast- paced story and adored the characters!

The prologue scenes which featured Ella, her father and Hank were full of love and emotion and set the scene for the novel perfectly. To celebrate Ella’s birthday, Mr. Mancini treats her to a Broadway show and to a special dessert. Mr. Mancini understands Ella’s creative spirit, her desire to act and he enjoyed making memories with his daughter. Hank introduces himself to Ella and tells her that they will meet again.

Ella Mancini and Hank Roger dated when she returned to New York after college. Things ended badly when Ella turned down an acting role because she thought Hank was going to propose. Hank chose acting over Ella and is now a big movie star. Ella moved to Charleston, South Carolina and opened Two Love Lane, a matchmaking business with her college friends Macy and Greer. Ella keeps busy with her Two Love Lane clients and she performs in Community Theater.

Kieran Kramer descriptive writing style, subtle humor and crisp dialogue blend perfectly in this novel. I adored the scene when Ella and Hank ran into each other. In less than 30 seconds he annoyed Ella by inviting her to lunch to catch up and then offered her a role in the movie. I imagined Miss. Thing dressed up as Queen Elizabeth and Ella’s Nonnas taking over Ella’s apartment to watch reality tv. I loved Ella’s Nonna Sofia and Nonna Boo; they reminded me of my great aunts. Nonna Sofia’s story of her shoe subtly introduces her desire for Ella—for Ella to marry the man of her heart. And of course, Hank hears every word.

Second Chance at Two Love Lane is a charming, engaging read. The Charleston setting oozes southern charm and old world traditions. Loved the friendship between Macy, Greer, Ella and Miss. Thing which has been an important part of each story in the series. They believe in the art of matchmaking and give each client a chance at love. The Mancini women, especially the Nonna’s, add so much depth and humor to the storyline. Everyone could see that Hank and Ella loved each other and deserved a chance at love—even Hank’s co-star Samantha played matchmaker for the couple. I loved that the story took place in seven days and that Kieran Kramer was able to write a fantastic story for Ella. Both characters had to learn to talk honestly with each other before they could move forward. The conclusion took me by surprise—in such a good way! The last few pages of the book are full of drama, emotion and a fabulous game of scrabble! I laughed and cried until the very last word! Second Chance at Two Love Lane has all the feels—it’s romantic, funny and heartwarming!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

Paperback ARC provided by the author

Review of The Hero by Robyn Carr

The Hero

by Robyn Carr

Book 3 in the Thunder Point series.

The Hero.



Actually, this wonderful story was full of heroes. Heroes here. Heroes there.
It was awesome. It was overflowing with Heroes.
So much so in fact, one of the heroes stories slipped over into the next book of the series.
 This is a book that calls to me when I am trying to go to sleep,
"How can you sleep with all this going on?"
 The book that taunts me when I am making dinner,
"I know what happens next and you don't, ha ha ha!"
The characters are so real and true that you pick up the phone to call them up to go out to lunch. Wait, did I say that?? No, I never really did that.

So much going on. The book did not have a moment of slow time.
It was all action, life, kids, construction, suspense, crisis and love.
Glorious wonderful love.
There is thunder and lightning, the beach, a small town more like a family.
Did I mention love? The story runneth over with great
people sharing love, advice and furniture.
I highly recommend this Robyn Carr story. I have not read the first
two books of the series. Or anything after Book 4. But it is easy
to fall in with who is who and the community of the story. Though,
I am pretty sure the rest of the series will probably also be wonderful.

Review by Lisa Hutson