Have you visited Mirabelle Harbor yet? If not, now's the perfect time! There's romance a foot between Julia and three prospective suitors! Check out my review and enter Marilyn's fabulous giveaway!
The One That I Want by Marilyn Brant
(Mirabelle Harbor, #2)
Publication date: July 2015
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Synopsis:
The summer after her beloved husband died in a car accident, Julia Meriwether Crane is still picking up the pieces of her life in Mirabelle Harbor and trying to help her ten-year-old daughter adjust to this difficult new reality.
After her best friend Sharlene—one of the well-known Michaelsen siblings—talks her into finally going out on the town again, Julia finds herself stunned to be the object of interest of several different men: The boy who’d broken her heart back in high school. The college ex she’d left behind. And most surprising of all, the movie actor she’d always fantasized about but had never met in person until now. Can one woman have more than one “great love” in the same lifetime? And, if so, how can she be sure which man that’ll be?
Sometimes the person you think will be best for you…isn’t the one you really want. THE ONE THAT I WANT, a Mirabelle Harbor story.
Purchase:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/That-Want-Mirabelle-Harbor-Book-ebook/dp/B0106BJVUW/
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/552940
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-one-that-i-want/id1016717611?mt=11
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-one-that-i-want-mirabelle-harbor-book-2
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1122220599?ean=2940150992863
Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/That-Want-Mirabelle-Harbor-Volume/dp/0996117814/
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/552940
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-one-that-i-want/id1016717611?mt=11
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-one-that-i-want-mirabelle-harbor-book-2
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1122220599?ean=2940150992863
Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/That-Want-Mirabelle-Harbor-Volume/dp/0996117814/
Review
★★★★ 1/2 stars
I love stories featuring love a second time around. It doesn't necessarily have to be with someone they've known before, but there's something infinitely more special about going into a relationship with past lessons and coming out stronger because of them. Julia isn't 100% ready to throw herself back into life, but knows she has to in order to help set the precedent for her daughter Analise. Both of them are struggling with grief after the sudden loss of Adam, Julia's husband and Analise's father.
My heart broke for both Julia and Analise. Most of us can relate to the shock of losing someone we love unexpectedly. Grieving is a process that takes time. I understood Julia's hesitance to be social and go out, while also grasping how important it was that she do it. I adored Analise. She might only be ten years old but she's a shrewd judge of character and an unexpected font of wisdom. I hated seeing her hurt but I enjoyed seeing her grow too as a result. I liked Julia. She's down to Earth, sincere, and a wonderful mother. I really liked how she put Analise first at a time when her feelings and emotions were conflicted (even if she was also protecting her own heart at the time too). I loved seeing Julia deal with her friends/support group. They were really there for her in every sense of the way.
I really enjoyed the story. I liked following Julia on her journey to opening up again and even finding a new love. I really liked how I really didn't know who/if she was going to find a new love until over half way into the book. I liked analyzing her interactions with the men from her life who had unexpectedly popped up again. There were only a few points where I felt the story could've been stronger. One dealt with a potential suitor. I wasn't sure when he became a contender for her affections in earnest. They had good chemistry, but I didn't really feel the sparks between them in the beginning. I also would've loved to see those who caused trouble for Julia, Analise, and her potential lover get their just desserts. I also would've liked to know more about a secret that was revealed to Julia and the effects of them on a potential relationship.
Overall, I really enjoyed the story. The characters are well written and easy to relate to. The story captured my attention from the first page and held it throughout. There were thrills, laughter, and some tears. I enjoyed seeing characters from the first book of the series making brief cameos and I may have an idea about whom the next book will feature. Marilyn Brant did a wonderful job at capturing all of the emotions of her characters and transporting me to Mirabelle Harbor. I loved visiting and can't wait to go back!
*Thank you to the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for them in any manner.*
Book 1 in the Mirabelle Harbor series, a standalone romantic novella called TAKE A CHANCE ON ME, is also out now and it's for sale *everywhere* for just 99-cents in celebration of the release of THE ONE THAT I WANT.
Here are the buy links for that sale-priced novella and some info on the story:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Take-Chance-Mirabelle-Harbor-Book-ebook/dp/B011W01AF0/
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/take-a-chance-on-me-marilyn-brant/1122325339?ean=2940151025256
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/take-a-chance-on-me-mirabelle-harbor-book-1
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/561319
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/take-a-chance-on-me/id1021377315?mt=11
Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/That-Want-Mirabelle-Harbor-Book/dp/0996117814/
My heart broke for both Julia and Analise. Most of us can relate to the shock of losing someone we love unexpectedly. Grieving is a process that takes time. I understood Julia's hesitance to be social and go out, while also grasping how important it was that she do it. I adored Analise. She might only be ten years old but she's a shrewd judge of character and an unexpected font of wisdom. I hated seeing her hurt but I enjoyed seeing her grow too as a result. I liked Julia. She's down to Earth, sincere, and a wonderful mother. I really liked how she put Analise first at a time when her feelings and emotions were conflicted (even if she was also protecting her own heart at the time too). I loved seeing Julia deal with her friends/support group. They were really there for her in every sense of the way.
I really enjoyed the story. I liked following Julia on her journey to opening up again and even finding a new love. I really liked how I really didn't know who/if she was going to find a new love until over half way into the book. I liked analyzing her interactions with the men from her life who had unexpectedly popped up again. There were only a few points where I felt the story could've been stronger. One dealt with a potential suitor. I wasn't sure when he became a contender for her affections in earnest. They had good chemistry, but I didn't really feel the sparks between them in the beginning. I also would've loved to see those who caused trouble for Julia, Analise, and her potential lover get their just desserts. I also would've liked to know more about a secret that was revealed to Julia and the effects of them on a potential relationship.
Overall, I really enjoyed the story. The characters are well written and easy to relate to. The story captured my attention from the first page and held it throughout. There were thrills, laughter, and some tears. I enjoyed seeing characters from the first book of the series making brief cameos and I may have an idea about whom the next book will feature. Marilyn Brant did a wonderful job at capturing all of the emotions of her characters and transporting me to Mirabelle Harbor. I loved visiting and can't wait to go back!
*Thank you to the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for them in any manner.*
Other Books in the Series
TAKE A CHANCE ON ME (Book 1)
Here are the buy links for that sale-priced novella and some info on the story:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Take-Chance-Mirabelle-Harbor-Book-ebook/dp/B011W01AF0/
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/take-a-chance-on-me-marilyn-brant/1122325339?ean=2940151025256
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/take-a-chance-on-me-mirabelle-harbor-book-1
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/561319
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/take-a-chance-on-me/id1021377315?mt=11
Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/That-Want-Mirabelle-Harbor-Book/dp/0996117814/
Dedicated personal trainer Chance Michaelsen falls hard for Nia Pappayiannis—his complete opposite and a member of the family that owns the Greek bakery just down the street from his gym. He considers their pastries to be the enemy of good health, but his attraction to Nia can’t be denied. In matters of the heart, would you risk it all? TAKE A CHANCE ON ME, a Mirabelle Harbor story.
AUTHOR BIO:
Marilyn Brant is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of contemporary women’s fiction, romantic comedy & mystery. She was named the Author of the Year (2013) by the Illinois Association of Teachers of English. She loves all things Jane Austen, has a passion for Sherlock Holmes, is a travel addict and a music junkie, and lives on chocolate and gelato. Look for all of the contemporary romances in her new Mirabelle Harbor series, beginning July 2015! Visit her website: www.marilynbrant.comAuthor links:
Giveaway
Great review, Chanpreet! This sounds like an emotional ride and very character driven, too! Glad you liked it! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Giselle! I can't wait to read more stories set in Mirabelle Harbor! :)
DeleteChanpreet,
ReplyDeleteThank you!! I'm so glad you enjoyed Julia's story and I truly appreciated your thoughtful review ;) . Thanks for taking the time to be a part of this tour and for your enthusiasm for the series!! You're wonderful! xox
You're welcome Marilyn! Thank you for your kind words, they mean so much to me! <3
Delete