Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Once Upon a Summertime

Title: ONCE UPON A SUMMERTIME: A New York City Romance
Author: Melody Carlson                    
Publisher: Revell
June 2015
ISBN 978-0800723576
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Follow Your Heart #1

She's looking for her big break. She never imagined it would depend on a blast from her past.

Managing the Value Lodge in her hometown was not what Anna Gordon had in mind when she set out in the hospitality industry. But it's a safe choice for a young woman starting out her career.

Then, out of the blue, she gets the opportunity of a lifetime: a chance to reinvent herself and reinvigorate her career by moving to New York City. She applies for a management position at a stylish new hotel, The Rothsberg. But the city is full of surprises--not the least of which is discovering that Sean O'Neil, a once-upon-a-time crush, has applied for the very same position.

This sweetly romantic tale of dreams come true takes you through the storied streets of New York City--and into the depths of the human heart. 

ONCE UPON A SUMMERTIME is the first book in this series by award-winning author, Melody Carlson.  Ms. Carlson has her own distinct style of writing, and this fits right in with her voice. I liked that it was contemporary and a romance and that the characters knew each other beforehand. It gave more credibility to the romance. I also liked that Anna was forced out of her comfort zone. 

The story was very predictable. I knew what would happen before it did. Anna made a terrible mistake at the motel she was managing, though I know why she did. I also knew it would backfire. I was a bit surprised Marley was as accepting about Sean all things considered. The characters were rather one dimensional and the story was more told than shown. I think Ms. Carlson could’ve fleshed it out a bit more. It’s like she has so many irons in the fire they are getting a lick and a promise and not panning out.

Still, the premise was good, and it was a contemporary romance.

4 stars. Available in print, hardcover, and ebook. 320 pages.

I obtained this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. 

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