Title: The One That I Want (Mirabelle Harbor, #2)
Author: Marilyn Brant
Publication date: July 2015
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Synopsis:
The summer after her beloved husband died in a car accident, Julia Meriwether Crane is still picking up the pieces of her life in Mirabelle Harbor and trying to help her ten-year-old daughter adjust to this difficult new reality.
After her best friend Sharlene—one of the well-known Michaelsen siblings—talks her into finally going out on the town again, Julia finds herself stunned to be the object of interest of several different men: The boy who’d broken her heart back in high school. The college ex she’d left behind. And most surprising of all, the movie actor she’d always fantasized about but had never met in person until now. Can one woman have more than one “great love” in the same lifetime? And, if so, how can she be sure which man that’ll be?
Sometimes the person you think will be best for you…isn’t the one you really want. THE ONE THAT I WANT, a Mirabelle Harbor story.
Book 1: Take a Chance on Me
Book 1 in the Mirabelle Harbor series, a standalone romantic novella called TAKE A CHANCE ON ME, is also out now and it's for sale *everywhere* for just 99-cents in celebration of the release of THE ONE THAT I WANT.
Here are the buy links for that sale-priced novella and some info on the story:
Dedicated personal trainer Chance Michaelsen falls hard for Nia Pappayiannis—his complete opposite and a member of the family that owns the Greek bakery just down the street from his gym. He considers their pastries to be the enemy of good health, but his attraction to Nia can’t be denied. In matters of the heart, would you risk it all? TAKE A CHANCE ON ME, a Mirabelle Harbor story.
My Thoughts
The One That I Want is definitely a different kind of read for me, with the characters being in 30+ years old. It was a good kind of different, in a way that it was heartwarming. I absolutely love stories that greatly involve families and stuff, and this one absolutely had it. The way Brant portrayed the family dynamics was astounding and amazing. It was the one that made me love this book.
The character development was also good, although one of the characters made me wary of him already right from the start. In a way, the story was predictable, but it was great, nonetheless. I was very happy with how Julia grew as the story progressed, and in turn, she helped her daughter grow as well. The way the both of them learned to deal with loss and became stronger was simply beautiful. Moreover, the characters had their own flaws, which made me feel easier to somehow connect with them. And, Dane. I just absolutely love him! *squeaaaal!*
All in all, the reason why I couldn't give this a four star rating is because while I enjoyed reading it, I just can't help feeling that the story was not really realistic. When her past boyfriends suddenly talk to her and her life becoming like a soap opera, out of nowhere, while dealing with grief, I just don't think it really happens in real life. Also, maybe it was because that I think this one didn't leave a huge impact in me. But still, it doesn't make The One That I Want any less than an amazing story of loss and acceptance. I'm looking forward to the next installment of this!
The character development was also good, although one of the characters made me wary of him already right from the start. In a way, the story was predictable, but it was great, nonetheless. I was very happy with how Julia grew as the story progressed, and in turn, she helped her daughter grow as well. The way the both of them learned to deal with loss and became stronger was simply beautiful. Moreover, the characters had their own flaws, which made me feel easier to somehow connect with them. And, Dane. I just absolutely love him! *squeaaaal!*
All in all, the reason why I couldn't give this a four star rating is because while I enjoyed reading it, I just can't help feeling that the story was not really realistic. When her past boyfriends suddenly talk to her and her life becoming like a soap opera, out of nowhere, while dealing with grief, I just don't think it really happens in real life. Also, maybe it was because that I think this one didn't leave a huge impact in me. But still, it doesn't make The One That I Want any less than an amazing story of loss and acceptance. I'm looking forward to the next installment of this!
My Rating
About the Author
Marilyn Brant is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of contemporary women’s fiction, romantic comedy & mystery. She was named the Author of the Year (2013) by the Illinois Association of Teachers of English. She loves all things Jane Austen, has a passion for Sherlock Holmes, is a travel addict and a music junkie, and lives on chocolate and gelato. Look for all of the contemporary romances in her new Mirabelle Harbor series, beginning July 2015!Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Posts
3 comments:
Thanks for taking the time to read & review!
So glad you loved Dane!! :)
Great review, Pauline! This sounds like a fun read and very character driven. I like that you can see Julia grow as a character throughout the story - that's always important for this genre I find. Glad you liked it overall! :)
Great article, Thanks for your great information, the content is quiet interesting. I will be waiting for your next post.
Post a Comment
Hi there! Thank you for taking your time to read through our posts and comment. We really do appreciate every comment we receive, and we try our best to comment back! :D