Today’s Steals and Deals at AAR…..
There are so many good deals on books–and other stuff today! Use our links, please! It’s a way to support AAR!
This contemporary romance is a DIK for us. About it, Maggie wrote:
There is so much I loved about this novel. One of the best things is how the author uses her unrealistic plot point (being married is good for a career in the 21st century) realistically. It is made clear that the university coach demeaning Xavier as a singleton is being a jerk and providing him with fodder for a lawsuit. It is also made clear why Xavier is willing to put up with it; he doesn’t feel he has a lot of options to be promoted, and he sees this as his best chance. With Violet, we also see some practical applications to her wanting to be married. It’s almost impossible to use this trope effectively in a contemporary novel, but the author really does hit it out of the ballpark here.
Another positive is the maturity shown by both Violet and Xavier. I like stories about grownups who aren’t hot messes but actually know how to hold jobs, get themselves fed, and basically function as human beings. Xavier and Violet are both invested in their careers and put in the time necessary to build them. Violet’s job has especially demanding hours, and I appreciated how she is reflective enough to question how she would find time for someone like Xavier, who is based in a small town for most of the year. Major kudos to the author for showing both the good things about small towns and small-town living without in any way disparaging big cities and the high-powered careers of some of the people who live in them. Violet doesn’t see the people in her hometown as more caring, kind etc. (and not all of them are depicted in that light) than her successful friends and clients, which makes a refreshing change for most romances (and Hallmark Christmas movies). She also doesn’t tank or discredit everything she has built because of love.
It’s on sale for 2.99 here.
If you love historical fictions and stories about books, this book’s for you! Yes, it’s a harrowing read, but it’s exceedingly well done. We gave it a B+.
Madeline Martin gives us another look at how bibliophiles fared in the conflicts of WWII in her latest novel, The Keeper of Hidden Books. A view of love, loss, and occupation, this stellar story will have you appreciating the freedom and peace you enjoy and realizing just what it costs to have it.
It’s on sale for 2.99 here.
This contemp is a DIK at AAR. In her review, Lisa wrote:
The Love Plot is a warm and funny romance in which a determinedly independent hippie girl meets a kind-hearted veterinarian. It’s a spirited read loaded with personality and humor, and it’s bound to make readers smile.
Star Shine Meadow is, if you couldn’t tell by her name, the child of hippies who eschews commitment in favor of freedom because of her parents’ terrible relationship. She also hasn’t committed to a single career, but rather works part-time jobs to maximize her sense of liberty. She’s paid to sit on lines for rich people who want the latest exclusive gig, and she also plays costumed characters like Disney princesses for children’s birthday parties. Star plans to travel the world someday, and works with that in mind. While performing at a birthday party dressed up as Merida from Brave, she’s instantly attracted to a handsome veterinarian, whose orderly, job-dictated life is the exact opposite of hers.
Dr. Rafe Whitman just wanted to make an appearance at his niece’s birthday party without any fuss, but instead he finds himself bantering with the woman hired to entertain the kids. He realizes, suddenly, that Star might be the perfect way out of his family’s nonstop nagging. He’ll pretend to settle down all right – with Star, who will in turn receive the benefits of travel and more cash than she’s making as a line sitter/party actor.
It’s on sale for 2.99 here.