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:

Felicia the Geeky Blogger said...

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!

PoCoKat said...

Please enter me! Would love to read this book!

pocokat AT gmail DOT com

PoCoKat said...

Fan on FB

pocokat AT gmail DOT com

PoCoKat said...

Follow on Networked Blogs

pocokat AT gmail DOT com

scottsgal said...

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

scottsgal said...

follow on gfc
msboatgal at aol.com

Christina / Book Addict said...

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

Jen D. @ Not Now...I'm Reading! said...

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

Colleen Turner said...

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

Colleen Turner said...

I am an email subscriber.
candc320@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

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

Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com

Carol M said...

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

Carol M said...

I follow on GFC
mittens0831 at aol dot com

Carol M said...

I follow on Twitter - CarolAnnM
mittens0831 at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

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

Jennie said...

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

A Musing Mother said...

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

Linda said...

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

Thanks,

princesalinda22@hotmail.com

Katrina said...

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

Tales of Whimsy said...

Great review. I really liked this one too.

(not an entry)

holdenj said...

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

Heather said...

Oh I love Susan Mallery!!!
I would love to win this book

Heather said...

I also follow your blog

Ruth said...

Please enter me.
ruthaw_1974@yahoo.com

Ruth said...

gfc follower

Ruth said...

twitter follower
ruthhill74

Ruth said...

your friend on goodreads
ruthhill74

Ruthie said...

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

ruthiekb72ATyahooDOTcom

Ruthie said...

Email subscriber

ruthiekb72ATyahooDOTcom

Ruthie said...

FB fan...Ruthie B

ruthiekb72ATyahooDOTcom

Linda Henderson said...

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

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

I follow on Twitter as BookOwner.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

Sent Facebook friend request as myself (Linda Henderson)

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

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

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

I am an email subscriber.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

I follow on Networked blogs.

seriousreader at live dot com

rubynreba said...

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

rubynreba said...

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

Tena said...

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

tenasocal(at)aol(dot)com

Tena said...

GFC follower

tenasocal(at)aol(dot)com

Tena said...

fan on fb

tenasocal(at)aol(dot)com

Tena said...

follow on network blogs

tenasocal(at)aol(dot)com

Tena said...

follow you on twitter (crazybookslut)

tenasocal(at)aol(dot)com

Tena said...

your button is on my blog

tenasocal(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

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.)

Anonymous said...

An incredible author!

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