Thursday

Already Home by Susan Mallery

Title: Already Home
Author: Susan Mallery
Pages:  368
Genre:  Women's Fiction
Source: Planned Television Arts
After nearly a decade as a sous-chef in a trendy eatery, Jenna is desperate for a change. She's supported her ex-husband's dreams for so long that she can't even remember her own. Until she sees a for-lease sign near her parents' home and envisions her very own cooking store.

Her crash course in business is aided by a streetwise store manager and Jenna's adoptive mother. But just as she's gaining a foothold in her new life, in walk her birth parents—aging hippies on a quest to reconnect with their firstborn.

Now Jenna must figure out how to reconcile the free-spirited Serenity and Tom with her traditional parents, deal with her feelings for a new love interest and decide what to do about her ex's latest outrageous request. In the end, Jenna will find that there is no perfect family, only the people we love…. [via GoodReads]
Let's start with the cover of this book... just look at it.... I mean, this is the type of book I'd buy just because of its stunning cover.  But once I opened its pages I knew that this is the type of book that you enjoy owning because you just want to own it.

When Jenna's husband betrays her, she leaves her home and career as a sous-chef in L.A. and returns to her small hometown in Texas to rebuild her life.  She decides to switch gears and opens a cookware store where she meets a slew of characters (some family, some friends, some customers) who play important roles in her coming to terms with the lemons life has given her. 

I love stories where the dynamics of relationships are the main focus and that is what you will find in Already Home.  Jenna's friendship with Violet, her love for her adoptive mother and that of her biological mother, even her feelings for a new suitor are at the forefront of this story.

Although Jenna is our leading lady, you also meet Violet, a young woman who begins working with Jenna with her own skeletons in the closet.  There is a lot going on and there are a lot of characters that you are introduced to that have their own side stories.  Ms. Mallery is an expert storyteller for what I would normally find to be too busy, was rather uncomplicated.  She gave you time with each of her characters giving you a chance to know them and understand them which helped in distinguishing each one separately and in the end relating to and connecting with them.  

As for romance, there was some romance, but it was almost like a side note. Instead, I found this to be a story about relationships, about friendships, about love, about finding and believing in oneself.  My only concern was that I found that it ended rather abruptly.  And while I do enjoy a happily-ever-after ending, I found that it ended on the right note -- leaving the reader feeling hopeful.  

All in all, this was a very well-written, emotion-packed story.  I loved its wonderful characters and surprisingly how much depth the story truly had.  A great introduction to this author - I'll definitely be looking for more from her.

My Rating:

GIVEAWAY: I have 2 copies up for grabs thanks to the folks over at Planned TV Arts/a division of Ruder Finn Inc.

As always, leave a comment for one entry. If you'd like extra entries just say so in your comment or separate comments (extra entries for followers, Twitter, sidebars, Facebook, etc.) ; and for putting my spiffy little button on your blog. Make sure to leave an e-mail address, especially if you are leaving a comment under Anonymous.

Rules: This contest is open to U.S. & Canada residents. International followers feel free to enter giveaway as long as you have someone in the U.S. or Canada willing to accept the book for you.  Winners will be drawn Friday, April 22.

46 comments:

  1. Don't enter me as I have read the book! I think your review was dead on and even though J is the leading character, it was Violet that I connected to on a more emotional level. It was a fantastic book!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Please enter me! Would love to read this book!

    pocokat AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Fan on FB

    pocokat AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Follow on Networked Blogs

    pocokat AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm the same - I'd buy this book on the cover alone too
    msboatgal at aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. follow on gfc
    msboatgal at aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Please enter me! Chris327@mac.com and I'm a follower! Thank you!

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  8. I enjoyed your review Nely. Count me in to win this emotionally charged story. =)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have this on my Amazon wishlist and would love to win a copy! Thanks for the great review and giveaway.
    candc320@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am an email subscriber.
    candc320@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous4:46 PM

    I've been interested in this one. It looks good! Thanks!

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. This sounds like a book I would enjoy! Please enter me. Thank you!
    mittens0831 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I follow on GFC
    mittens0831 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I follow on Twitter - CarolAnnM
    mittens0831 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous8:22 PM

    Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. This book looks and sounds great! lifeisshort.readfast at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am a blog follower, email subscriber and Goodreads follower. Just a regular stalker!

    ReplyDelete
  18. This sounds like a book I need to read. Please enter me in the contest.
    I do follow your blog.

    Thanks,

    princesalinda22@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Please enter me ... I follow your blog via my Google Reader page!
    katrinagormley AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great review. I really liked this one too.

    (not an entry)

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  21. Looks like a good book, something I'd like to read! Thanks for the chance to win!

    I'm a GFC follower.
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh I love Susan Mallery!!!
    I would love to win this book

    ReplyDelete
  23. I also follow your blog

    ReplyDelete
  24. Please enter me.
    ruthaw_1974@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. twitter follower
    ruthhill74

    ReplyDelete
  26. your friend on goodreads
    ruthhill74

    ReplyDelete
  27. You are right about the gorgeous cover! Please enter me, thanks!

    ruthiekb72ATyahooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  28. Email subscriber

    ruthiekb72ATyahooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  29. FB fan...Ruthie B

    ruthiekb72ATyahooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love Susan Mallery's books so I'd love to read this one.

    seriousreader at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I follow on Twitter as BookOwner.

    seriousreader at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Sent Facebook friend request as myself (Linda Henderson)

    seriousreader at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I am a friend on Goodreads as myself (Linda Henderson)

    seriousreader at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I am an email subscriber.

    seriousreader at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I follow on Networked blogs.

    seriousreader at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Sounds like a book I would enjoy!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  37. I follow.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  38. would love the chance to read this book, please enter me

    tenasocal(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  39. GFC follower

    tenasocal(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  40. fan on fb

    tenasocal(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  41. follow on network blogs

    tenasocal(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  42. follow you on twitter (crazybookslut)

    tenasocal(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  43. your button is on my blog

    tenasocal(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  44. Anonymous4:34 PM

    I agree, the cover is very eye-catching. It's beautiful. But unfortunately this isn't the book for me. I have a few of this author's book on my shelf that I can't wait to get to. Thanks for the review! (no need to enter me.)

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  45. Anonymous10:58 PM

    An incredible author!

    ReplyDelete