Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Review - - It Happened on Love Street


It Happened on Love Street
By Lia Riley
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: April 25, 2017 
Reviewed by Maria Lokken
    





Why would a young, attractive, smart law school graduate leave the excitement of New York City, sell all her belongings and move to Everland, Georgia?  Why indeed? Well, it’s part one of her life plan. The town of Everland has offered her a clerkship and our heroine, Pepper Knight, believes it’s the perfect stepping stone toward a solid career and a steady paycheck. But when she arrives, nothing is as promised.  Left with no money and a lease on a rental cottage she can’t get out of, Pepper is stranded, everything she was counting on seems to have melted away into the hot Georgia sun.

However, all may not be lost, because she runs into the very sexy, very handsome, very, very, Rhett Valentine. Yeah, that was a double very because the author has created a character so swoon-worthy you need to catch your breath a few times before you turn the pages.

The opening of the book seems a bit forced but you will be handsomely rewarded once you get past the first twenty pages.  After the heroine and hero’s initial encounter there is so much to like about this book that you’ll want to get settled into your favorite reading chair, grab your snickers bar, and hope you don’t have any early morning appointments.

Let’s take the plot.  What I assumed would be a predictable story, was anything but. After the initial meeting the story opens up and breathes. Nothing is rushed and the pacing is perfect. Through the author’s deft use of dialogue, her quick wit and sense of humor, you meet a host of characters who are distinct, quirky and alive. You almost forget you’re reading and feel as if you’ve been dropped into Everland, Georgia and are a local resident watching the events of the day. It’s that seamless and that immersive.

Much of the book is concerned with Pepper’s inability to realize she cannot live everyone’s life for them, or be solely responsible for taking care of her family. As a storyteller, Ms. Riley writes movingly on the relationship between Pepper and her father. And she brings our heroine to the understanding that living one’s life is about taking a chance that each day you’ll find a way to make your own happiness. There’s nothing sentimental about this relationship, it’s honest and a perfect portrayal of what one hopes their relationship with their father would be or has been. There is a certain delight in seeing characters outgrow those things that have held them back, it gives this reader hope that all things are always possible.

So, let’s recap, Lia Riley has:
·       Created a heroine, that’s strong, beautiful, and smart.  Who in the end doesn’t give up herself to be with the man she loves.  That gets a A plus plus from me.
·       Created a hero who is a composite of every woman’s fantasy of what a caring, loving, I’m-so-into-you man should be. Whose words will take your breath away. Oh, and I forgot to mention, in the bedroom, it’s all about her. Yeah, he’s good there too.
·       A story with pitch perfect pacing.
·       A book with a sense of humor.
·       And a happy ending.

Lia Riley is a contemporary romance writer with a unique and exceptional voice.

It Happened on Love Street has a wonderful line from the heroine, Pepper Knight – “Her detour to Everland was a shortcut to forever.” I thought this was such a well-placed line encompassing many aspects of the book.  What are some of your memorable or favorite lines from books?




  

5 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for the great post.

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  2. Thanks, Maria! I've added this one to my buy list. :)

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  3. Great review! I've also added it to my list. My favorite line is, "When the day shall come that we do part, if my last words are not I love you--you'll ken it was because I dinna have time." It's Jamie Frasier. The funny part? I haven't read The Outlander. :) But the line just grabs me in the feels.

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  4. "My dear, I don't give a d*mn"

    "After all, tomorrow is another day"

    Can you tell I'm a Windie?

    denise

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