Love Finds You in Humble, Texas by Anita HigmanBack Cover Blurb: Trudie Abernathy is a little inelegent, and she's never had much luck in love. To make matters worse, her thirtieth birthday is fast approaching and her sister, Lane, has decided to "treat" her to a makeover and a blind date. Trudie is about to protest, but then she meets the kind and devastatingly handsome Mason Wimberley. In spite of Trudie's humble manner, Mason finds her attractive, funny, and smart. But there's one obstacle in the way of the budding romance: Lane suddenly decides that she's in love with Mason! Trudie has never been one to compete with her glamorous sister, even when it means giving up the things she wants. Will she be able to stay true to her humble self and find her heart's desire in the process?
Review time: Early on in this read I made the following note in the back cover: "it has a fairy tale feel that captures life's unpredictableness." It is that, and much more.
If you like stories where all, and I mean everything, turns out peachy and gets resolved, then you may really enjoy this story. For me, though, when I finished reading it, I wondered if "making everything rosey" was a prerequisite for the Love Finds You series written by various authors. I haven't read any others in this series, but now I'm wanting too, just to see if I'm correct in that assumption.
It is my experience that for all to turn out perfect in any novel, sacrifices in plotting and craft often takes place, making the read a little less enjoyable for some. Despite the fact that I felt the story was weakened by the fairy-tale feel, I enjoyed many of the twists and the way the characters related to one another. It certainly makes me curious enough to get hold of another of this multi-published author's books to see if this is her usual style. If it is, I'd be very surprised.
There is definitely entertainment and even "writerly" benefit to reading this fairy tale romance. So, if a love triangle involving two sisters and a very lovable man appeals to you, try Anita Higman's Love Finds You in Humble, Texas, and let me know if it suspends disbelief for you, or if you'd prefer a few threads left a little unravelled or not so nicely tied-up to keep it more real.
4 comments:
Thanks for the review. I've been seeing this book pop up on different blogs but hadn't heard anyone's take on it. I may add it to my growing reading list (thanks to Sherrinda's blog!).
The whole Love Finds You series sounds great. I don't mind a fairy tale feel as long as the pain and conflict are there. I love HEA's! LOL
What a cute cover too. I think it conveys that fairy tale essence you've labeled it with.
Thanks for the review!
Hi, Jody and Jessica:
Being multi-published affords authors some major room to deviate from rules and conventions, and in my opinion Higman has taken advantage of that earned status with this one. Though, she never head hops which is my biggest pet peave with some established authors. I can forgive everything except head hopping, and so I'm thankful that Higman didn't spoil the read with that.
I really like HEA's as well, Jessica, but that's with the romance aspect all falling into place. I like a bit of reality when it comes to life experiences of all the characters throughout the book.
Just remember when reading this that writers trying to break into the market would not likely succeed if they followed a few of Higman's deviated writing choices. We need to be far more careful, challenged, and creative!
But the story itself did delight, despite my surprise with some craft issues.
Good review, Eileen.
Post a Comment