the setup…
Marni McGuire is a highly successful, long-term host of cooking show who’s pretty satisfied with her life now that she’s in her mid-fifties. Her only daughter Bella is pregnant with her first child and somehow thinks her mother needs love in her life, though she’s struggling in her own marriage because her hormonal emotional rollercoaster is driving her husband (and her) crazy. Marni was widowed when Bella was an infant and is divorced from her second husband. Her best friend Ellen who’s also her show’s extremely talented producer is equally content living a single life after having been her late husband’s caretaker for years. Unfortunately, Sophia, their promising young intern is in a relationship that is scary but she’s hiding that from them and her father. When Marni and Ellen find themselves in friends-to-lovers romances, they not only keep them secret but question whether they should disrupt their contentment.
the heart of the story…
The thing I liked about this story is how all of these women were talented, successful and had strong senses of self and self worth. Marni and Ellen’s reluctance to enter into committed relationships was born from their prior histories. Why take the risks when your life is working so well? It’s when they discover Sophia’s peril with a stalker crazy man she dated briefly that the women form a bond, opening up about their pasts that provide wisdom and insights, secrets they’d not shared before. Poor Bella was going crazy and needed her mother’s guidance.
the narration…
Plummer is a wonderful storyteller and I liked the voices she gave to these four women.
the bottom line…
I enjoyed this story about four strong women who form a bond as they face new crossroads in their lives, sharing with and supporting each other without judgment and always with respect and admiration. Sophia’s issues were a frightening illustration of what so many women face today and it has nothing to do with being weak or strong. I also liked the honesty of their relationships with the men in their lives who were a reflection of their own great choices (excepting Sophia). It was all highly relevant and insightful.
Book Info
- Release Date: January 23, 2024
- Narrator: Thérèse Plummer
- Audio Length: 9 hours, 49 minutes
- Publisher: Harlequin Audio
Listen to a Sample!
Blue Mood Café 
I don’t know if I could stop staring at the cover long enough to read this one but the story does sound very good. One that I could connect to. Excellent review!
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Thanks, Tessa💜 Don’t listen/read this hungry! The food descriptions are scrumptious sounding. And that cover is mesmerizing.
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I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from Robyn Carr. Wonderful review Jonetta!
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Thank you, Jodie💜 Her backlist is wonderful!
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wonderful review Jo, glad you enjoyed it!
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Thanks, Nicki💜
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Fab review! You made me regret not getting an ARC of this story now…
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Thank you, Yvo💜 I believe you would have enjoyed this one. Low steam😏
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Always a bonus. 😉
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I haven’t read much by this author. I did watch an episode of Virgin River and found it too over the top for me. I do enjoy Therese Plummer and this one sounds better with strong women.
Anne – Books of My Heart
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Carr is an auto read for me. And, the Virgin River TV series is far different from the books, though the casting is perfect.
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Great review Jo. I somehow missed this when it was available on NetGalley. I’ll be checking with the library and Hoopla though. 💕📚
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Thanks, Sandy💜 I got the audiobook from the library but also got the eBook for the blog tour.
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I guess it is a downside to living in New Zealand that a lot of the NetGalley titles that we used to have access to, are no longer available to us. 🤷♀️
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I agree, Sophia’s story was so frightening. I’m glad my daughter is in a relationship and not dating. Nice review.
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Thanks, Carla💜 The threats against young women are real and daunting. The laws need to be strengthened.
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