Heather Walsh

At times this novel is preachy about the environment and how it is being destroyed. The first half of the novel could have been tightened without losing the emotion of the book. The Drake Equation was not a typical romance novel. It is a sweet romance in that the sex is behind closed doors but there is no other woman or outside influence trying to ruin their lives. Both Emily and Robert have growing to do. Emily reminded me of Jane Austen's Emma. She drove me crazy with her statistics and arguing for the sake of arguing and knowing everything. Robert calmly pointed out what she missed in her arguments. I think many romances are like this. Each is comfortable with the other and tells them what they would never tell someone else. They are different from each other so the conflict is how to find a middle ground. With Emily and Robert it turns out they are unable to find that middle ground. They had to step back from each other to realize what they would miss without the other. Both had to grow up, especially Emily. She was so gung-ho, which makes you want her in your corner, that she got on my nerves. She had to do some very deep soul searching to realize that Robert's point of view had validity. She also had to learn that most things are not black and white, but a shade of gray. When she was able to see that she grew up and could admit what she needed. Watching her and Robert reunite was beautiful. Both brought growth and truth to the relationship which will only deepen their commitment to each other.… (meer)

Emily Crossley is an independent woman who is dedicated to saving the earth. She meets Robert Drake a PR for a SUV manufacturer and although they are an unlikely pair to unite, sparks start to ignite a flame. When the demands of their jobs begin to rock the relationship, Emily is no longer sure of her passion for what she is doing and the pressure makes her wonder if she can save the relationship along with the environment.

Both Emily and Robert have such wonderful dry and witty dialogue that I was lured to get to know them better. I adore both characters with their very real life qualities however after a little while the story seemed to focus on the banter and was taking it's time to progress. In similar fashion of a Woody Allen movie I did like the style but occasionally desired them to forge on. An educational look at the environment that made Emily all that much more interesting. Robert had that great guy you would love to meet appeal so in light of these characters really connecting I did enjoy this honest contemporary love story book.

3 stars

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.… (meer)

Dented Cans was a quick and easy read but I wanted more to happen. The blurb refers to a big family secret that gets revealed during a miserable vacation to Disney World but that doesn't happen until the end of the book. The rest of the story just kind of breezed by with nothing to engage me. I think just about everyone I know can claim a dysfunctional family but the Sampsons really do have family drama and I think more could have been done earlier in the book to show why Hannah can't wait to get out of her small town.

Also there were little hints of more drama that never got fleshed out. I was left wondering about why her parents were so secretive about where they met. Why was Aunt Lydia staring at Ben so sadly. What really happened to cousin Eddie and where is he now? Why doesn't her Mom let anyone see the scrapbooks? Was something really wrong with Ben or are the sounds his way of coping? Overall this was a pretty good read but I feel it could have been so much more.

I recommend this one for anyone who loves dysfunctional family drama.… (meer)