Girl's Night by Stef Ann Holm

Hero: Vince Tremonti
Heroine: Jillene McDermott
Category: Contemp
Page Count: 376
Grade: B
Buy It: Here or here.

SEEKING A BOYFRIEND, MUST HAVE BIG FEET
All Jillene McDermott needs is a little breathing room, and the only place she can find it is the bathtub. Her coffee bar, Java the Hut, is on life support, and raising two daughters alone is a full-time job, so quiet moments in the tub are a rare treat.

Knowing their mom deserves some happiness, Jillene's daughters Claire and Faye, write her a personal ad. But their good intentions go wrong and Vince Tremonti, the town's most famous son, has to step in as Jillene's "boyfriend."

Vince is a crime writer who is back in Blue Heron Beach to rethink the grim reality of his career, and he can't afford to get involved with anyone, much less a young widow with a ready-made family.

But thrown together, the two can't deny the mutual attraction and they realize there is more between them than a summer fling. Suddenly, lattes are not the only thing steaming in Blue Heron Beach.


Have you ever read a book and thought to yourself (or out loud, lol) 'they would NEVER say that!'? Well I know I have and that was one of the most refreshing things about this book. Jillene said exactly what she thought. And not in an annoying think before you speak kind of way. Just in the honest truth, lets not have lies complicate things way.

Here's an example:
"I can't." She put her fingertips over her mouth, a mouth bruised from kisses. Shoving herself off the counter she shook her head - a burning embarrassment on her face. Her speech stumbled and was just as unsteady as her legs. "Not with my girls just outside the door. I can't believe I let this happen. They'd never approve of what we were doing."
Vince didn't try to touch her further, but his voice was low and quiet. "They're the ones who threw us together, Jillene."
"Not for this." She buried her face in her hands but with no inclination to cry. "Don't you understand? They don't want a lover for their mother. They want a new dad."
The tick of his wristwatch on the windowsill was the only noise in the room for long, drawn-out seconds.
"I can't be that."
Her chin shot up. "Of course not."
"There will be somebody for you. You're a wonderful-"
"I hate your bullshit, Vince." She surprised even herself with the outburst of indignation.

See it's not that she's some big strong smart mouthed woman. She is just a regular woman that doesn't want any run arounds. She's a mom, she's a business woman, she's plain old a woman. And I loved her.

Vince is great too. He is a true crimes writer and is in a whirlwind of hurt and confusion when he stumbles upon Jillene. He has succeeded immensely in his profession until he picks a new case to write and his world crumbles. He soon finds out that he didn't really pick this case but the killer choose him. Through different events we see how this killer layed everything out from day one and his first kill so that Vince could write his book. He doesn't care that he's in prison, or that he is awaiting the death penalty, he just wants to be famous with a book on him written by Vince. Now Vince is stuck, he is contracted to write this story, and yet how can he? The only time his decisions aren't hunting him is when he is with Jillene and even her girls.But at 42 can he really change his ways? Can he dig his way out of the hole he is in?

This book was sooo great. It had funny stuff with Jillene's 10 and 12 year old girls, hot stuff with Jillene and Vince, a great sub plot with Vince's dad and his lady love, and everything else that went along with a widowed woman trying to save a struggling company and Vince trying to find his way in his predicament.

This is my second book by Stef Ann Holm and I can't wait to read more. Go get something by her, anything and enjoy. Although not related in a series here is the link to Leaving Normal, my first book by her that I also loved.

Leaving Normal by Stef Ann Holm

Shake it up a little!

At long last Natalie Goodwin's life is running just the way she wants it. Her new florist shop is all set for a grand opening, and her daughter is enjoying her first semester in college. The house is clean, the bills are paid and cooking dinner every night is now an option. Natalie admits she's just a teeny bit lonely, but recent dating experiences have left her convinced that Mr. Right does not live in Boise, Idaho.

But life has a big surprise for Natalie and he lives right across the street! Never in her wildest dreams did she think she could fall for a man nine years her junior, but then she has never met a man like firefighter Tony Cruz. He turns her well-ordered life upside down, and pretty soon things go from simmering to scalding. Just when the sparks begin to turn into a three-alarm blaze Natalie is caught unawares again -- Tony wants her and a child of his own.

A baby? At forty-three? Natalie is definitely all shook up.

At 43 Natalie is two years divorced, opening her very own business, and has sent her only child away to college. Life is good, and she is determined to enjoy it. Even if it is a bit lonely.
Tony at age 34 is two years married, with a young step daughter. He has been a firefighter for 8 years and loves it. He's been feeling a rift with his wife for sometime now and soon has to come to terms with that fact that his wife has been cheating on him and is leaving him. Taking away the child he's started to think of as his own.
Natalie and Tony at first glance seem totally different, age wise and what they want. Natalie is not only done having a family because of her age but also because she's never been able to conceive again. And if there is one thing Tony longs for it's a child of his own. But when Natalie offers an ear and friendship when Tony needs it most they connect, and after time things turn to more. But when Natalie lays it all out for Tony he decides to take his chances and just see where it all leads. Sparks fly in the bed room and emotions get confusing. Where will their journey take them?

I really enjoyed this book. Definitely a different pace than what I usually read but very good.
I love that there is an age thing but that it is not the only difficulty or even the biggest one that the couple have to overcome.
Tony is great, he knows what he wants and he also knows what the reality is. But that doesn't make him lose hope and determined to find a way to make it work.
Natalie is strong and independent and a bit scared. With good reason, it's taken her awhile to get to where she is independently and at her age it is a scary thing to fall for a man so much younger, who wants things she seems unable to give.
This is not a fluff read, nor is it a Chicky read. Neither is it a typical romance. It's real, real life. It shows that life isn't always easy, it'll hurt and it'll take you places you never expected. But even when we think most things are coming to and end for us more doors start to appear.
Pick up this book and enjoy. This is a new author for me, but you will definitely hear more about her cause she's just been moved up on my author list.

Grade- B

Isabel also reviewed this book, you can read that review here.

Leaving Normal by Stef Ann Holm

Shake it up a little!

At long last Natalie Goodwin's life is running just the way she wants it. Her new florist shop is all set for a grand opening, and her daughter is enjoying her first semester in college. The house is clean, the bills are paid and cooking dinner every night is now an option. Natalie admits she's just a teeny bit lonely, but recent dating experiences have left her convinced that Mr. Right does not live in Boise, Idaho.

But life has a big surprise for Natalie and he lives right across the street! Never in her wildest dreams did she think she could fall for a man nine years her junior, but then she has never met a man like firefighter Tony Cruz. He turns her well-ordered life upside down, and pretty soon things go from simmering to scalding. Just when the sparks begin to turn into a three-alarm blaze Natalie is caught unawares again -- Tony wants her and a child of his own.

A baby? At forty-three? Natalie is definitely all shook up.

Last of my rereads of my Stef Ann Holm collection. I've notices they all take place in a small town. That's cool. Don't mind that. The last books had the same themes. Someone escaping to the small town. In this one, both characters are settled in the town.

Now, I don't mind the younger man/older woman story line. I can understand the leading lady being uncomfortable and self concious about it. "Shouldn't he be with someone his own age." "what does he see in a woman my age?" etc. But don't DWELL on it. I hate that. He's already said he likes you and interested in you. Accept it and just go with the flow.

This one also had a sub plot with Natalie's father. Cute. He has an obession with Target, which I completly understand. Target is the best. I love it there.

I give this one a B-.

Pink Moon by Stef Ann Holm

The California coastal town is named for its romantic beauty and spectacular moon. People here know that when a ping moon appears, something unexpected happens. . .

When single mom Lauren Jessup sees a picture of Bella Luna on a postcard, a strange feeling comes over her. And she decides on the spot to move with her six-year-old son to the small town. Did she pick Bella Luna, or did it pick her?
Lauren soon realizes she's not cut out for the waitressing job she takes, but she's a good listener, and regular customer Nick DiMartino needs a sympathetic ear: his ex-wife has come back to claim their son. Lauren begins to believe she's found a real home here, even if staying means opening her heart to Nick, whose troubles threaten to end what has barely begun. But here in Bella Luna, under the magic of a pink moon, people soon learn to expect the unexpected.

This is another reread. Lauren kind of got on my nerves. She likes to move around a lot. And once she feels to comfortable, she gets scared and moves. Dragging her poor little boy with her. She's proud and doesn't like accepting help from anyone.

One thing I bugged me was Nick constantly saying Dude. It just didn't flow. I know I'll say dude, but it just comes out naturally. It didn't sound right coming from Nick. Kind of got annoying after a while.

Give a C+.

Undressed by Stef Ann Holm

As a deputy in Majestic, Colorado, Lanie Prescott doesn't see enough action issuing parking tickets, so she decides to accept a law-enforcement job elsewhere. On the night of her going-away party, the job offer is postponed, and Lanie is stick in her hometown -- unemployed.
Maintaining a brave face is hard -- especially when she meets her replacement. He's tall, he's gorgeous and he heart beats so fast she should be arrested for imagining all the ways she could use her handcuffs. Paul Cabrera left the Miami P.D. to distance himself from an old case that haunts him to this day. But his pursuit of a quiet life is hardly that with the sexy Lanie living next door.
When an unthinkable crime occurs in the small town, Lanie is back on theforce, and what began and an arresting attraction between Paul and Lanie turns into an internal affair of the heart. Suddenly, life in Majestic isn't so bad after all.

Another reread. I like this story better than Girl's Night. But the plot is similar.

Laine wants to be cop. She wants to catch the bad guys. Unfortunately, she is given all the mundane jobs to do. Meter maid, crossing guard. You see, the guys are protecting her. Her father was once a cop and died on duty. They don't want to risk her life too. But Lanie doesn't know that.

Paul is a cop transferring from Miami to Majestic. He's getting burnt out and needs a change. Plus there is a case kind of haunting him. He's looking for small town life.

On the night of Lanie's going away party, she breaks her leg, prolonging her stay in Majestic. She's hurt that Paul is taking her job (with a promotion to boot), but she can't help the attraction she feels.

So good story, I enjoyed it more. It's still making a trip back to the UBS though. B-

Girls Night by Stef Ann Holm

Seeking A Boyfriend
Must Have Big Feet

All Jillene McDermott needs is a little breathing room, and the only place she can find it is in the bathtub. Her coffee bar, Java the Hut, is on life support, and raising two daughters alone is a full-time job, so quiet moments in the tub are a rare treat.
Knowing their mom deserves some happiness, Jillene's daughters, Claire and Faye, write her a personal ad. But their good intentions go wrong and Vince Tremonti, the town's most famous son, has to step in as Jillene's "boyfriend."

Vince is a crime writer who is back in Blue Heron Beach to rethink the grim reality of his career, and he can't afford to get involved with anyone, much less a young widow with a ready-made family.

But thrown together, the two can't deny the mutual attraction and they realize there is more between them than a summer fling. Suddenly, lattes are not the only thing steaming in Blue Heron Beach.

This is book is a reread. I'm doing inventory with all my books. Deciding if I want to keep them or get rid of them to make room for new books.

Poor Jillene. Single mom, trying to handle a business. Her husband passed away suddenly leave her in a financial mess. She had no idea their finances were bad. (Ladies, always ask the hubby what's going on with the bills. Don't be left in the dark. If you are the one handling the books, let hubby know what's going on. This is your public service announcement.) She's doing her best trying to budget and not declare bankruptcy.

Vince is a true crime writer. His latest book is haunting him, so he comes home to clear his head. Turns out that the person he's writing about, wanted Vince to make him famous. Vince is having trouble living with that guilt.

This was a cute story. There is a sub plot with Vince's dad, which is touching. Then you have Jillene's daughters trying to help their mom in the dating world. This is a good read, I did like it, but it's not "Oh my god you have to read this!" reading material. C