I won this book through a LibraryThing giveaway.

This was a nice, light read. I enjoyed the underlying story that a quiet life in the country with close family and friends can be more fulfulling than the glamour and bright lights of the city. I also liked the setting and the close community of Harmony Grove and the emphasis on shopping local and farm fresh.

I do think that some aspects of the story could have used some more development. Some subjects seemed brushed over and sometimes
the story line seemed to jump too quickly. Brad's PTSD was mentioned but not really further developed and it also bothered me a little that one moment Julia 'hated' Brad and the next moment they were falling into bed together. However that is a common plotline used in romance novels so I can't be too upset by it.

Overall this was a fun read with likeable characters and a nice little lesson. ( )

***I received this book from a LibraryThing Giveaway***

Fast paced, a bit mushy but sweet beach read. ( )

When city girl Julia's blog becomes a hit, she is thrilled and then reality raises it's head. In spite of what she writes, she has no husband, she has no child, and her only country experiences happened when she was a child visiting her grandparents farm. Nothing she posted was true. When she hears her blog is going to be made into a television series she panics and heads to her grandparents farm where she thinks she can pull off the charade. She hadn't planned on running into the boy who was her childhood friend.

I enjoyed the book. The author writes with a great sense of humour. Her attention to detail makes it easy to visualize the people and places she writes about. It was a good book. I am very much looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
If there was one thing I could change, I'd ask the author to put a little more emphasis on the PTSD that her old friend endures. I applaud her for even alluding to the condition in the book
I know that it is not romantic in the least but there needs to be more awareness of this very real condition. An average of 22 veterans a day commit suicide to escape the horrors of the condition.
I'm off my soap box now and I will recommend the book to my friends. It is one of the books I know I will read again.

I received this book for free in exchange for providing an honest review ( )

Julia, the Good Life Book One by Sarah Krisch
*I received a free ARC of in exchange of an honest review*
booknerdloleotodo.blogspot.com

This book was a two star (ok) for me.
First, I loved Sarah Krisch’s writing. She drew me in completely. She had a great plot and very creative scenes. The characters were unique and quirky. What I did not like was Julia… She was so obnoxious… I really tried to give her the benefit of the doubt but it was hard to feel any sympathy for her. She was very superficial and a fake… I get that she is an actress and she made this blog and persona… but her “real” personality was lacking.
1) She basically steals her grandmothers’ ideas and blogs about them. She never gives her any credit. Ironically, she goes back to the farm and ask her grandparents to lie on her behalf. She is angry that Brad is living in the guest house.
2) She has an instant dislike for Derrick… because…? He works on her grandparents’ farm and helps them out? Or because he is staying in the guest house? I found Julia to be very immature and could not connect to how frivolous she was.
3) She has conversation with a developer and in that conversations SHE decides that her grandparents have to sell the farm…. Because…? They are old??
Brad I really liked. I liked that the other gave him many layers. He had his demons to work through and it was very endearing how he helped out Julia’s grandparents. Ethan the “husband” was so annoying he was more childlike than his real son. I could not deal with how annoying he was. I also found it very disturbing that Jaime (her fake son) called her “mom”.
Despite my little hang-ups. I thought that the author was very talented and would definitely read something by her again. ( )

Cute story of love but not just cheesy read; brings you back to the times when you were raised with Morals/Values/Ethics & how things were before.

Going through trials and tribulations of likes and wants and everything that comes with it.

To go back to a place filled with memories and look at things different but find yourself again in the process.

Great read was thankful to be asked to review and recommended to a friend.

Definitely would recommend. ( )