The Big 5-Oh!

Title: THE BIG 5-0H!
Author: Sandra D. Bricker
Publisher: Abingdon Press
February 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4267-0235-8
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary romance

Olivia Wallace is nearing a landmark birthday—the trouble is that all her birthdays have been bad luck. There was the year her boyfriend was caught making out with another girl at Olivia’s birthday party, the year her husband died, the year she had a broken leg, and the list could go on.

This year, Liv’s best friend decides to help Liv escape the doldrums of the Ohio winter, and sends her down to Florida to house-sit her mother’s house. On the flight down, Liv meets handsome passenger, Jared Hunt, and is stunned to discover Jared is her next door neighbor in Florida. But then Jared’s twenty-five year old son decides to pursue Liv. Liv is flattered, but not interested in a boy half her age. Nor is she interested in the flirtatious octogenarian chasing her.

Jared Hunt’s wife died from cancer several years back, and he has never found another woman who measured up to her until Liv catches his eye. Liv keeps him laughing with her actions, but is there anyway that he can convince her to pull up roots and settle in Florida?

THE BIG 5-OH! is an adorable story that will keep your interest from page one. Liv is a realistic heroine who has a rough road, including a bout with cancer, including radiation and chemo. Cancer survivors will relate, especially with how unattractive Liv feels after having gone through that ordeal.

Add a dog with a lampshade collar, a rogue alligator, and a crazy cast of characters and you have a story that will keep you laughing. Ms. Bricker definitely knows how to write a romance that will have you laughing out loud while cheering the characters on. Don’t miss THE BIG 5-OH! Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $13.99. 273 pages.