Review: "The Best for Last" by Maria Geraci

Synopsis:

Welcome back to a world where smart heroines and hot heroes collide in the picturesque beach town of Whispering Bay!

Kitty Burke’s biological clock isn’t just ticking, it’s gonging. But who wants to be tied down by marriage and a minivan when you have an amazingly sexy boyfriend who worships the ground you walk on? Sure, Steve has never said those three magic words. But, Kitty knows he loves her. Some guys just have a hard time expressing their feelings, right? Right.

After three failed marriages, Steve Pappas is in no hurry to walk down the aisle a fourth time. As a matter of fact, he has no desire to ever say “I do” again. He’s a successful self-made millionaire, but despite the best of intentions, marriage is one arena he’s been unable to conquer. Kitty is funny, sexy, and whip smart—everything Steve has ever wanted in a woman and more. Their life is perfect the way it is now. So why rock the boat and ruin everything with a piece of paper that doesn’t mean anything?

When Kitty’s aging playboy father unexpectedly decides to tie the knot, Kitty realizes she’s been fooling herself. She does want it all—marriage, kids, but most especially, a man who isn’t afraid to openly declare his feelings. Can she convince her commitment-phobic boyfriend to take the ultimate chance? Or will she be forced to settle for Happy For Now instead of Happily Ever After?

Genre: Contemporary Romance

My Review:

The Best for Last is a humorous, fun, romantic, sexy book that brings you back to the beginning of the Whispering Bay series. A perfect read for a reader new to Maria Geraci and just right for a seasoned resident of Whispering Bay who wanted to know how Steve and Kitty got their start. I think I smiled the entire time I read this book, even during the times I felt like crying. I really loved how Steve couldn't win for losing with everything he was trying - it is so typical of a man unused to and uncomfortable with expressing his feelings. And Kitty's insecurities were also well done and fed into by the crazy, hilarious residents of Whispering Bay. What a great prequel to the series.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Links:

Goodreads • Amazon • Barnes and Noble • Kobo • iBooks • Google Play 

About the Author:

Maria Geraci was born in Havana, Cuba, and raised on Florida’s Space Coast. Her love of books started with the classic, Little Women (a book she read so often growing up, she could probably quote). She writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction with a happy ending. The Portland Book Review called her novel, The Boyfriend of the Month Club, “immensely sexy, immensely satisfying and humorous.” Her fourth novel, A Girl Like You, was nominated for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA ® award.

Her current addictions include watching the STARZ adaption of OUTLANDER to drool over Sam Heughan, hitting the beach on the weekends, and searching for the perfect key lime pie recipe (but not the kind they served on Dexter).

Website: http://mariageraci.com/

Book Tour and Giveaway: "That Man of Mine" by Maria Geraci

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That Man of Mine
Whispering Bay # 3

By: Maria Geraci

Releasing June 9^th, 2015

TKA Distribution

Synopsis:

When Mimi Grant becomes mayor of Whispering Bay, she gets a whole lot more than she bargained for. Her biggest concern? The city’s annual festival is in financial ruin and the former housewife doesn’t have a clue how to fix things. But, she’s determined to bring the sleepy beachside town into the twenty-first century.

Hunky Police Chief Zeke Grant isn’t happy that his estranged wife Mimi has just become his boss. But for the town’s sake, he’s willing to swallow his pride and let her order him around—to a point. Everything aside, he doesn’t count on someone from his past coming back to haunt him, forcing him to reevaluate what’s really important.

While Mimi and Zeke continue to butt heads on how to get things done, there’s one thing they can’t help but agree on: their chemistry is hotter than ever. However, when a robbery threatens to derail the annual festival, some of the town’s residents question Mimi and Zeke’s ability to keep Whispering Bay safe—as well as keep their war-torn personal life out of civic business. Mimi and Zeke must team up to solve the crime, and decide once and for all if it’s time to move forward with separate lives, or if true love really does conquer all.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

My Review:

That Man of Mine is a bit of a different kind of love story. Maria Geraci hits it out of the park with the story of Mimi and Zeke, married for 18 years, but on the verge of divorce. The book starts out with a FANTASTIC prologue, written from Mimi's point of view, that sets the stage for the relationship between Mimi and Zeke.

ONCE UPON A TIME there was a seventeen-year-old girl named Mary, who found herself in the family way. (No, not that Mary.) But, there was a similarity in their stories that women of all ages were all too familiar with. Both Marys had gotten inconveniently pregnant. One, by Divine Intervention, and the other…well, let’s just say it was the sex that had been divine.

I really enjoyed that Ms. Geraci writes a story of mature adults with their own family, struggling to keep it together. I think many readers will be able to relate to this story and see aspects of their own marriages in Mimi and Zeke's. How many of us wives feel like our husbands just brush off our problems and feel like they think they'll go away if they just ignore them. And how many husbands feel like they can't win for trying with their wives anymore. It is quite funny in the way Mimi and Zeke's separation is revealed - you typically expect the man to "ignore it until it goes away", but a slight misunderstanding results in Zeke blurting out their separation in a room full of people!!  Eek!

There are many laugh-out-loud aspects of this book, as in previous book in the Whispering Bay series, and most of them revolve around Mimi and Zeke's sex life. They've been married eighteen years and in a few short months, while they are separated, two specific sexual interactions, or relations (as Mimi's mother calls them) make the headlines of the Whispering Bay gossip columns!!

Ultimately, Mimi and Zeke find that compromise, and not right-fighting, is what will lead them back to each other, although they traveled a rough road to get there. I feel this is an incredibly realistic and insightful look into a love story that hasn't quite stood the test of time, but in the end, shows the true resilience of love in a long-standing relationship. Who knew that Mimi and Zeke needed a separation to spice up their sex life and strengthen their marriage - Maria Geraci did!

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Links:
Goodreads • Amazon • Barnes and Noble • Kobo • iBooks

About the Author:

Maria Geraci was born in Havana, Cuba, and raised on Florida’s Space Coast. Her love of books started with the classic, Little Women (a book she read so often growing up, she could probably quote). She writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction with a happy ending. The Portland Book Review called her novel, The Boyfriend of the Month Club, “immensely sexy, immensely satisfying and humorous.” Her fourth novel, A Girl Like You, was nominated for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA ® award.

Her current addictions include watching the STARZ adaption of OUTLANDER to drool over Sam Heughan, hitting the beach on the weekends, and searching for the perfect key lime pie recipe (but not the kind they served on Dexter).

Author Links: 

Website • Facebook • Twitter • Goodreads

Giveaway:
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Review: "Then He Kissed Me" by Maria Geraci

Synopsis:
Lauren Donalan was once Whispering Bay’s golden girl—the rich, bubbly blonde cheerleader who married the high school football star. When her mediocre marriage falls apart, she returns home and starts a vintage clothing business, determined to prove she’s more than just a pretty face with a trust fund.

Nate Miller may have been a nerd in high school, but now he has a beautiful girlfriend and is set to take over Doc Morrison’s medical practice. Still, the good folks of Whispering Bay find his no-nonsense approach more than a little unsettling, leaving his future in town a great big question mark. And things go even further downhill when his well-intentioned marriage proposal goes awry.


Lauren doesn’t need a man to complete her, yet when she finds herself set up on a date with Nate, she can’t help but notice how sexy and confident he is. In fact, every time the former introvert kisses her, she sees fireworks. But, only a big love will make Lauren change her mind about commitment. As Nate attempts to win Lauren over, a real estate co-op threatens Lauren’s business—and Nate’s ex still has a thing or two to say about their previous relationship. Now Lauren has to decide to go big or go home, in business, as well as in love.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

My Review:

I loved, loved, loved this book. After reading That Thing You Do, I was excited to see if Lauren would get her happily ever after and I am thrilled that she finds it with Nate. Lauren and Nate are both wonderful characters in their own way, and while one may not peg these two as soul mates when you first meet them, what you find is that their individual eccentricities are perfect together.

Nate is a bit of a nerd. Yep, I said that. He's a bit awkward around people in general, not just women. He likes to stick to "facts" and not spend time with those messy emotions and relationships. The irony isn't lost on me that at the beginning of the book he has been in a relationship for THREE YEARS. I think the only reason he has been with Jessica for all that time is that he's disengaged with the relationship and she never noticed, being the narcissist that she is! I love that Lauren was at the restaurant to bear witness to his very public humiliation by Jessica. What a perfect beginning to their relationship - although they didn't know it at the time. The author weaves a wonderful, funny story that navigates a relationship trying to start; a woman who struggles to figure out her first adult, mature relationship while observing her father degrading health; and a man who is trying to find his place in his medical practice and in Whispering Bay. I think that Nate is incredibly patient as Lauren tries to figure out how to approach her son about her relationship with Nate, and when Lauren continues to insist that Nate make sure his feelings for Jessica were done. I loved the scene between Nate and Jessica at his house when she refuses to leave, so he does! What a perfect way to deal with that situation, and a great way to make a powerful statement to Lauren about his feelings for Jessica, and for Lauren!

We get another humorous look at the Bunco babes as they welcome Lauren into their fold, play Bunco with their significant others, and welcome a new baby into the fold in a quite humorous way!

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Links:
Goodreads • Amazon • Barnes and Noble • Kobo • iBooks

About the Author:

Maria Geraci was born in Havana, Cuba, and raised on Florida’s Space Coast. Her love of books started with the classic, Little Women (a book she read so often growing up, she could probably quote). She writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction with a happy ending. The Portland Book Review called her novel, The Boyfriend of the Month Club, “immensely sexy, immensely satisfying and humorous.” Her fourth novel, A Girl Like You, was nominated for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA ® award.

Her current addictions include watching the STARZ adaption of OUTLANDER to drool over Sam Heughan, hitting the beach on the weekends, and searching for the perfect key lime pie recipe (but not the kind they served on Dexter).

Website: http://mariageraci.com/

Review: "That Thing You Do" (Whispering Bay) by Maria Geraci

Synopsis:

Allie Grant doesn’t believe in second chances. She does, however, believe in the power of a permanent paycheck. So when a tipster reports that the soon-to-be demolished senior center in her hometown is haunted, Allie hightails it to Whispering Bay to get the scoop that could secure her dream job at Florida! magazine. What she finds, though, is far scarier than any ghost. Cue her ex-boyfriend, sexy construction foreman Tom Donalan.

When Tom catches Allie poking around his construction site, he quickly realizes his former high school flame is just as feisty as ever. And, heaven help him, her irresistible, mile-high legs still take his breath away. But Tom isn’t about to delay the building’s demolition because of a silly ghost story.

With neither of the stubborn exes backing down from their opposing positions, sparks fly. And, underneath the surface, the fire of their old attraction burns as hot as ever. When strange things start happening with increasing frequency around town, even a tough skeptic like Tom is tested. The question is, can Allie and Tom stop fighting long enough to get to the bottom of Whispering Bay’s ghost problem—and the more important matter of mending their broken hearts?

Genre: Contemporary Romance, with just a touch of sweet paranormal thrown in!

My Review:

What a wonderful, sweet, quirky story. Maria Geraci was a new to me author when I picked up That Thing You Do, but she is now a permanent resident on my "always read" list. I think what I maybe liked best about this story is many times when you read a "first love" story, it's often the woman who has come full circle and is ready to reconcile with her first love. I like that from the beginning it was clear that Tom is drawn to Allie again and with just a little nudge by a friend from the past (why does it matter that she isn't alive anymore!), he is quick to do what he needs to to reform a relationship with Allie. While I believe Allie has unfinished business with Tom, I don't even believe SHE knows her feelings for Tom are still lingering below the surface. Tom and Allie's story weaves itself through a story of bunco babes, rebellious teenagers, friendly ex-wives, and lonely older townsfolk and comes out happily on the other end.

I like that the author portrays family life in a realistic way. Allie's "rose colored glasses" with regards to her brother's marriage are tainted by dealing with a rebellious teenager who is acting out due to tension in the house, and forced smiles and small talk that do nothing to hide the real tension in Allie's brother's marriage. I thought it was a realistic depiction in that the parents feel their issues are private, yet the kids are quick to acknowledge the problems to almost anyone who will listen. Through Allie's relationship with her niece, Claire, Allie realizes that she is no longer the teenager she was when she left town 12 years ago. She may be "going through the motions" of being a "grown up" but really, living paycheck to paycheck waitressing while she tries to make it big as a writer. Dealing with a irresponsible roommate. These aren't the true signs of a mature adult. It takes Allie coming home to realize that this is where she can truly mature into the person she is supposed to be - WITH the person she is supposed to be with.

And just like Allie, you couldn't help but love Tom's ex-wife Lauren. She is quirky but so sweet, you can't hate her - even when you KNOW she was the reason Tom and Lauren lost 12 years together. I think her life appears more together than maybe she is and I look forward to her story in an upcoming Whispering Bay installment. 

I loved That Thing You Do. The story is well written, well paced, and I was really able to get to know the characters through the words on the page. Maria helps the reader get into the minds and hearts of her characters and invites you to enjoy a sweet evening in Whispering Bay, and perhaps fill in as a sub with a crazy Bunco group. It's small town fiction with some romance thrown in, a friendly spirit who helps our heroine move forward with her life, and a teenage love that finds its way home again.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Links:

Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes and Noble - Kobo - iBooks

About the Author:

Maria Geraci was born in Havana, Cuba, and raised on Florida’s Space Coast. Her love of books started with the classic, Little Women (a book she read so often growing up, she could probably quote). She writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction with a happy ending. The Portland Book Review called her novel, The Boyfriend of the Month Club, “immensely sexy, immensely satisfying and humorous.” Her fourth novel, A Girl Like You, was nominated for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA ® award.

Her current addictions include watching the STARZ adaption of OUTLANDER to drool over Sam Heughan, hitting the beach on the weekends, and searching for the perfect key lime pie recipe (but not the kind they served on Dexter).

Website: http://mariageraci.com/