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Ariel F. (Madison, WI)
What are the chances?
What are the chances of two people in the same city having the same name and winning a house in a Home Sweet Home sweepstakes? This debut novel by Kelly Harms takes you thru their journey. Experience their joys, frustration, trials and tribulations as you go on their journey. Who is the true winner or are they both winners?
I enjoyed reading this novel. I recommend this for a book club or for solo reading. It is a quick read.
My local bookstore will be having Harms in for a reading and signing after her official announcement. I can't wait to meet her and hear her talking about writing this novel. And if we can
…more expect a sequel telling us what happens after the first year! (less)Warmth, frustration, love, trust, spirit - gently mix together and let flavors meld over the course of a year. Two women who share the same name each think they have won the HomeSweetHome Network's Free Home Sweepstakes. One is a scrappy fighter, the other an amateur chef. Both have had their share of misfortune and long for a second chance in life and yearn for a family they can call their own. When the real winner is revealed, the second homeowner-hopeful declares squatter's rights in order to continue living in a dream home on the coast of Christmas Cove, Maine. This is the world of The Good Luck Girls of
…more Shipwreck Lane, debut novel of Kelly Harms. It is a delightful read that entertains you from the first page to the last, welcoming you to small town New England, drawing you in to the lives of Janey and Nean Brown, and leaving you longing for more. (less)I really enjoyed this book. I laughed often and read it when I really needed to relax. I liked all the characters, especially Aunt Midge. She was wonderful, loved her sense of humor and how she handled the 2 girls. It was so interesting to see how the 2 girls finally evolved from how they started in the beginning of the book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wanted to enjoy themselves for a day or two just relaxing and reading this book.
I intend to pass it on to many of my book reading friends.
Thanks for sending me this book.
Beth B. (New Wilmington, PA)
Like a box of Cracker Jack -- a surprise in each chapter
Definitely do not miss this treasure!! Put aside the title that hides its true essence and immerse yourself in this story of three very unique women's journeys and their connection to a house, also a character of sorts. Each chapter begins with a gemlike quote by a cookbook author since food and its preparation are crucial to the plot. Warning: reading this will trigger salivation as well as a reminder of how much we connect food with memories of those we love.
Suggestions for a book club: come up with a better title and solve the puzzle of the foil-wrapped paper plate in the last chapter of section two.
…more Intrigued? I hope you are and will indulge in this creme brulee of a book. (less)A contest is being held where the winner would be given a dream home. The winner's name is Janine Brown. The only problem? There were two Janine Browns who entered the drawing. Janey, was entered into the contest by her Aunt Midge, is a shy woman who loves to cook. Nean is a down-on-her-luck sort of con artist who sees a way out if she wins this home. Both arrive to the dream house. Janey is the true winner and she and her Aunt Midge decide to let Nean stay for a while. After that, their lives take a very different turn from their normal way of life.
This book was a good read. Janey and Nean were interesting
…more characters, though I did want to slap Nean several times throughout the book. Aunt Midge was quite the character; she reminded me of Grandma Mazur from the Stephanie Plum books. This book was a mix of culinary tidbits, romance and a look at life.
I received a copy of this book from BookBrowse in exchange for a review. (less)This wasn't at all my normal reading material but that's what I enjoy most about Book Browse. It affords me the opportunity to get out of my normal genres (mysteries and spies) and try something totally uncharacteristic and new to me. This book qualified. I enjoyed it because it didn't have an abundance of characters to keep track of and really did a nice job of character development and the girls learning to be accepting of one another. When you have two 'would-be' winners of a house giveaway you know there's going to be fireworks. One Janine Brown had a penchant for attracting abusive 'bad boys' and the other
…more was dealing with the loss of her true love. Very divergent upbringing and lives but the author somehow made them tolerate each other (with Aunt Midge referring) and actually become fast friends and learn to take care of each other. While the ending is sad it seemed to be the fitting and the final piece to the girls emotional growth and development. As it turned out, Aunt Midge was probably the most positive influence on both of the girls. She definitely spoke her mind and you knew where you stood with her. (less)Aunt Midge said keep it interesting...and that is just what Kelly Harms did in this delightful story of the two Janine Browns who both entered a contest for a house and won it. But which Janine Brown was the true winner? As readers, we are all winners upon diving into this book. The characters are charming, realistically human (some lies to benefit one's self, a few drinks too many, sometimes making a fool of one's self), You can't help loving them all and hoping it all works out for them in the end.
Gwen C. (Clearfield, PA)
The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane
This is the perfect beach book! Have you ever succumbed to cooking shows on t.v. and bought exotic ingredients for an impossible recipe? Have you ever fantasized over living in a dream house and entered a sweepstakes to do so? If so, this is the book for you!
The premise is delightful: Janine Brown of Cedar Falls, Iowa, wins the Dream House Sweepstakes and relocates to Maine for a new start in life. Problem? There are two Janine Browns: shy-beyond-words "Janey" and in-your-face "Nean," both laying claim to the house. Throw in wonderful Aunt Midge and enjoy as the plot is cleverly organized into mix, simmer and
…more serve sections. The narration bounces between Janey and Nean, with each chapter headed by the perfect cooking quote for the contents.
Many books promise laugh out loud moments; this book delivers. Interspersed throughout the story are hilarious pop culture references and unforgettable scenes. I chuckled, howled, and yes, cried, at the appropriate moments. I'd love to meet the author. Anyone who could write this book is my kind of friend. I have been babbling about this book since I first picked it up. My girlfriends are waiting in line to read it. (less)
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