Today I am reviewing Home Again by Mariah Stewart for TLC Book Tours. While they have provided me with a free copy of the book, I am always encouraged to give an honest review.
From the publisher:
Publisher: Ballantine Books (July 27, 2010)
Dallas MacGregor is living the Hollywood dream. At thirtysomething, she’s an award-winning actress beloved by the public and bound for even bigger success. But when her soon-to-be-ex-husband, producer Emilio Baird, is caught in a sex scandal, Dallas’s charmed life turns tabloid nightmare. Determined to shield her young son, Cody, from the ugly uproar, Dallas seeks refuge in sleepy St. Dennis, Maryland—the Chesapeake Bay town where her happiest childhood days were spent. Reunited with her boisterous great-aunt, Dallas wants nothing more than to leave her Hollywood days behind. And when she crosses paths with local veterinarian Grant Wyler, her high school summer love, she finds he’s everything she remembers, and more—and that the spark is still there. But Dallas’s promising new life takes a troubling turn when the unimaginable happens and she finds herself living a mother’s worst nightmare—and Emilio storms into St. Dennis to save the day, along with his damaged career. Trapped in the unwanted glare of the limelight once again, Dallas discovers that it’s coolheaded Grant who is willing to risk everything to protect her and her son, and to secure the future they were always meant to share.
My review: This is one in a series of books about the fictional town of St. Dennis, Maryland. Ms. Stewart paints a lovely portrait of the town and of life on the Chesapeake Bay. For those of us unfamiliar with this area, Home Again provides us with a thoroughly delightful tour.
The story centers around the characters of Dallas, her son Cody, her great aunt who is also a former actress, and the two men in her life, Emilio and Grant. The characters are likeable, except for the obvious bad-guy character of Emilio, and each of them are looking for love and peace. The story follows them on their journey. This is definitely a contemporary romance that deals with the media, with YouTube, and life in the public eye. Mariah Stewart has many contemporary romances to her credit and she knows how to tell a story well.
I had one complaint: the occasional diary entry by the editor of the town newspaper turns up throughout the book and, though I didn’t read it, throughout the previous St. Dennis novel, Coming Home. They don’t really move the plot along and I found myself skipping them as the novel went on.
Home Again is deftly written with a well-plotted story line that should keep all you romance lovers engaged from beginning to end.
About the author:
Mariah Stewart is the award-winning New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of twenty-seven novels of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. A native of Hightstown, New Jersey, she lives in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania, with her husband, their daughter and their dogs.
Claudia,
Sounds like a good quick read. I would probably skip the diary parts, too.
Have a great week.
Carol
Hi Claudia, how fun to do a book review! Honestly, I’m not too fond of romances unless they are written around real life stories, but I do like the sound of a story that takes place so close to my home:)
Sending a sweet hello from Frog Hollow Farm. Your review of the book was very well done, I think you’re the perfect person to do something like that – you’re both honest and kind! This book sounds like one of those feel good quick reads which I honestly think we all need once in a while. Ciao, bella!
Sounds like an easy read and enjoyable book. I would probably forgo the editorial parts of it too. Thanks for reviewing it for us!~Hugs, Patti
I always love to read book reviews by friends in Blogland! I enjoy reading, whenever I can fit it in, and am always appreciative to hear what other readers think about the newest, latest and greatest literary works out there!.. So thanks Claudia! I’ll keep this book in mind!.. Enjoy your day! ~tina
Charming review, Claudia. I’m not much of a ‘romance’ reader, but this one sounds like it might be a fun quick read. I’m always interested in what someone has to say about books.
xo
~molly
This is a new
author for me,
Claudia, but one
I will check out
once I plow through
my current pile
of books! What a
FUN job you have to
do these reviews!!
xx Suzanne
These novelists always amaze me. They can churn these babies out with regularity. I admire that.
Brenda
Excellent book review! I think one of the best things about romance novels is the descriptions of the towns they’re set in.
sounds like a nice book with a little of everything in it. thanks for the honest review.
check out my blog as i have given you an award.
Cool, sounds like a fun read! I like that there is a Veterinarian in it ;)
Thanks for the review!
Hugs, Lisa
Honestly? This sounds like the type of book I avoid.