I love first sentences of novels. Whether it's "Anna Karenina" or "Gone with the Wind," give me a good first sentence and you've got me for the rest of the book. The converse is not necessarily true, but if the first page of a book doesn't draw me in it's less likely I will stay with the book. If this is shallow, I plead guilty. But there are so many books and so little time.
Bethany Chase, you had me at the first sentence of "The One that Got Away." "Every woman has one. The name you Google at two o'clock in the morning." You kept me through the last sentence. Though I'm a good thirty years beyond the main character of the book, Sarina Mahler, I, too, have a name I Google. It's not necessarily at two o'clock in the morning, but the sense that there is a "could have been" for romance stays with us.
"The One that Got Away" is warm, witty, sad and above all, real. It's not my generation, but the story absorbed me and kept me reading. It's a love story that will delight fans of romance novels, but it's also a family story and that aspect especially captured me.
Do I recommend this? Highly! And happily I have a copy to give to a citizen of Buttercupland. Just leave a comment -- perhaps whatever you're reading now or read lately -- follow Buttercupland on Google+, BlogLovin or Google Connect. Easy Peasy! Entries open through Thursday, October 22 and on Friday, October 23, I'll let the lucky reader know.
Please note: Disclosure in blogging...Bethany Chase is a friend of my goddaughter, who is sponsoring this giveaway. I've never met Bethany and the opinions are, as usual, all mine.
Autumn is definitely in New York. I'm in socks and it's just chilly enough to feel I'll be in socks for the next six months. Summer, I'm missing you.
As ever, thanks for visiting and wishes for a great weekend.
17 comments
Oh, wearing wooly socks sounds divine!
... but back to your review. After a two-year hiatus of being unable to focus, I'm just lately reviving my love affair with reading. I totally 'get' what you said about the opening line.... because, as you've pointed out, life is short and there's so much to be read.
I give a book one chapter and if does not grab me, it is put aside. We all need that something that sparks our interest and gets us involved and without that, why read on. Life is short.
Oh yes, I have Googled at 2am.
Sounds like a wonderful read:) Enjoy your week ahead dear friend, HUGS!
I am very much like you! I love the late Maeve Binchy, Irish author, but one of her books nearly put me to sleep on the first page! LOL! I am usually hooked for life if you give me a great first line or paragraph and I will get through a book like that quickly. Jan Karon is one of those writers, I feel like I know all the characters from her books.
I pulled out my socks too. I have so many, I love Halloween, Easter, Valentines, St Paddy's Day socks etc. I have so many but I need some Denver Bronco socks. Much cooler evenings and I was wearing my capri pants. Brrr....a bit chilly.
Watching football with my honey but had to stop by and say hello. Always love seeing you at my blog too. I will catch up on a few more posts and head back to my blog to finish a post I have been working on about being the Mother of the Groom.....
Love, love, love, this giveaway. I am never happier than when I am reading in the cooler weather. Thank you for sharing the giveaway.
Take care. I know you are rooting for those Mets!
Have a beautiful week my friend. Hugs, Anne
I just finished Jan Karon's newest book, "Come Rain or Come Shine" and LOVED it. I've read all her books and this brought in so many of the favorite characters you feel like you are at a loving family reunion the entire time you are reading.
Count me in for the draw
I am currently reading Lemongrass Hope. I am just over 1/2 way through and am enjoying it.
Sounds like a great book. Love this giveaway! In it to win it!
Followed on Bloglovin
I've been reading Mercy by Jodi Picoult. I like her books, but sometimes the subjects are just too heavy for me.
I'm just finishing up Marie Force's Fatal Series-fast paced and exciting throughout 9 books!
Sounds interesting! You know I love a good book. :) I just finished Roseanna White's The Lost Heiress and reviewed it on my blog. I always love her stories. She writes with such depth and emotion.
I follow you thru GFC.
I read a lot of true crime and Amish fiction, but I like trying other things too.
i am reading a lot of self help books right now, wake up happy is my current book
I am currently reading House of Leaves.
I am following you on google connect as Trisha McKee
looks like a great book
I just finished Dark Places. I'm about to start Why Not Me by Mindy Making.
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