The Hypnotist's Love Story

Ellen O’Farrell is a professional hypnotherapist who works out of the eccentric beachfront home she inherited from her grandparents. It’s a nice life, except for her tumultuous relationship history. She’s stoic about it, but at this point, Ellen wouldn’t mind a lasting one. When she meets Patrick, she’s optimistic. He’s attractive, single, employed, and best of all, he seems to like her back. Then comes that dreaded moment: He thinks they should have a talk.

Braced for the worst, Ellen is pleasantly surprised. It turns out that Patrick’s ex-girlfriend is stalking him. Ellen thinks, Actually, that’s kind of interesting. She’s dating someone worth stalking. She’s intrigued by the woman’s motives. In fact, she’d even love to meet her.

Ellen doesn’t know it, but she already has.

*May Contain Spoilers*

The Hypnotist's Love Story by Liane Moriarty takes the idea of a romance and twists it with complication. From two points of view, Moriarty gives readers opposing views of a budding romance. Though it isn't what readers normally expect as the two points of view are the current girlfriend and the ex-girlfriend, who can't seem to move on. 

Ellen is the current girlfriend of Patrick, a widower with an eight-year-old son. Ellen's personality blends the ideas of new age and classic. She's incredibly understanding, supportive, and tries to maintain a positive outlook on life. Readers will connect with her as she begins a new relationship, becomes intrigued by her boyfriend's stalker, and takes part in a complicated love story. 

Patrick is a father who lost his wife just months after their son was born. As it happened so suddenly, Patrick struggles to navigate the re-creation of his life. Though he doesn't get his own point of view, Ellen shares specific aspects about Patrick that will cast him in a certain light for readers. This means that for most of the novel, readers feel nervous (right beside Ellen) as it seems that no woman will ever compare to his first love. However, if this book does anything, it presents the complexities of relationships and when Patrick gets a chance to speak for himself, readers will form a new opinion of his character. 

Saskia is Patrick's ex-girlfriend and current stalker. What makes Saskia an interesting character is the fact that Moriarty makes it incredibly easy to understand why she acts the way she does. I always find it so interesting when I can connect, or at least understand, the 'villain' of a novel. And though Saskia doesn't seem evil, she does terrorize Patrick, making life hard for him to enjoy. Still, readers will feel a sense of understanding when it comes to Saskia, feeling sorry for her while simultaneously hoping that she can find a way to bring happiness back into her life. 

The plot of this novel follows the relationship of Patrick and Ellen, while Saskia interferes and inserts herself into their love story. Though there are a few side stories with supporting characters, that is the main storyline. I think readers who enjoy a surprising romance, or an unconventional plot will enjoy this novel. It's surprising, it's honest, and it has a happy ending. I would definitely recommend this book to readers who enjoy that sort of combination. 

Rating: 3.5/5 Cups

In a Jam

Andie Carson has to do three things to inherit her grandmother’s lottery winnings—sober up, spend a month running her grandmother’s Georgia coffee shop, and enter homemade jam in the county fair. If she can’t meet those terms, the money goes to the church, and Andie gets nothing. She figures her tasks will be easy enough, and once she completes them, Andie plans to sell the shop, take the money, and run back to Boston.

After a rough breakup from his crazy ex-fiancée, Officer Gunnar Wills decides to take a hiatus from women. All he wants is to help make his small town thrive the way it did when he was a kid. But when wild and beautiful Andie shows up, Gunnar’s hesitant heart begins to flutter.

Gunnar knows that Andie plans to leave, but he’s hoping to change her mind, fearful that if her coffee shop closes, Main Street will fold to the big-box corporations and forever change the landscape of his quaint community. But convincing her to stay means getting close enough to risk his heart in the process. Even though Gunnar makes small-town life seem a little sweeter, Andie has to decide if she’s ready to turn her world upside down and give up big-city life. One thing’s for sure—it’s a very sticky situation.

*May Contain Spoilers*

In a Jam by Cindy Dorminy was exactly what I wanted it to be! The book is a love story that's easy to slip right into and stay until the end. It was a perfectly enjoyable romance that I read in a single day. The characters were flawed but likable, while the plot was steady and interesting. 

Andie is a lonely woman who mistakes drinking buddies for real friends. She has a problem and, even though she knows it, she doesn't see a reason to change. Like many of us in this world, she craves connection. Her grandmother offers that with Andie's inheritance stipulations. However, it takes a while for Andie to see it that way. Andie is a woman with a beautiful heart and giving spirit. She's nice and accepting to everyone she meets, but she also knows how to stand up for herself. With the rules of the inheritance in place, Andie's grandmother is determined to give Andie the chance at a better life through her own death. All Andie has to do is follow the rules for six weeks and then she can do whatever she wants. But, through the trials that accompany her relocation, Andie realizes that what she thought she wanted, isn't actually what she desires. Readers will have multiple chances to connect with Andie throughout the novel whether it be emotionally or through her personality. 

Gunnar shares the role of narrator with Andie and offers readers another main character to connect with. Gunnar is a recovering playboy who had his heart broken by his ex-fiance. As he keeps an eye on Andie, he quickly realizes that he's falling for her and wonders if she would ever consider permanently relocating to his small town. I think readers will connect with his personality and quick wit at the beginning, but soon realize that there are more layers to Gunnar than it first seems. Through his past, that threatens to come back and wreak havoc, readers will feel invested in Gunnar's character and want him to win over Andie for a chance at happily ever after. 

With these two characters and a fun supporting cast, I would definitely recommend this book to lovers of romance and those readers who enjoy a book that keeps them turning pages. This book pulls you in from the beginning and, as hurdles keep popping up, the urge to keep going just becomes stronger and stronger. 

Rating: 4/5 Cups

What's Next, Wednesday (98)

•  To play along share a book you've been looking forward to reading, whether it's new or has been on your reading list for a while.

I'm looking forward to...

In a Jam by Cindy Dorminy. As I've enjoyed this author's previous books, I am super excited to start this one soon! Andie is set to inherit money from her grandmother... but there are a few stipulations. One is that she has to stick around a Georgia town long enough that she just might fall in love. That's the stipulation I'm most excited about. I might have to carve out a whole day to assign to this book! Then I won't have to put it down. :) 

Death by Diploma (Chalkboard Outlines #1)

Emma Lovett leaves her philandering husband and crosses the country to begin her teaching career at a high school in Pinewood, Colorado.There, she meets Leslie Parker, a fellow teacher given to quoting Shakespeare to fit all situations, and the two become fast friends.

Arriving at work early one morning, Emma discovers the body of the school custodian, a man who reminds her of her late father. When the police struggle to find the killer, the ladies decide to help solve the murder. Their efforts lead them to a myriad of suspects: the schizophrenic librarian, the crude football coach, the mysterious social studies teacher, and even Emma’s new love interest.

As Emma Lovett discovers the perils of teaching high school, she and Leslie learn more than they ever wanted to know about the reasons people kill.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Southern Belle meets Colorado murder mystery in Kelley Kaye's Death by Diploma, the first in her Chalkboard Outline series. Emma begins teaching at Pinewood High School just before the school is struck by a tragedy -- one of the Janitors, Melvin, has been murdered. Leslie, Emma's first friend, is convinced that Detective Carl is too much of an idiot to close the case. This problem obviously has only one solution. Leslie and Emma: Pinewood High Detectives. 

Emma Lovett is a Southern girl who knows how to use her twang to get exactly what she wants. After leaving her husband, Emma decided to become a teacher and now she's living in Colorado with the rest of her life ahead of her. Emma's brave in a cautious way and readers will enjoy reading her internal mini-monologues. She has a good sense of humor, a big heart, and a love of teaching. Her sunny disposition is respectable because Emma has experienced things that could have taken away that smiling sincerity. but she doesn't allow that to happen. It seems to only increase her ability to care. 

Leslie becomes Emma's partner in crime solving and though she doesn't share the main character spotlight, she's very important to the story. Leslie has been teaching for a few years and she becomes a mentor of sorts for Emma. She's also a big comic relief and quotes Shakespeare quite often. Leslie also pushes Emma outside of her comfort zone, which I think helps Emma begin to really take charge of her new life. Readers will enjoy Leslie's attitude and laugh at her strict dispositions and random acts of cursing. 

It seems at odds with itself, but Death by Diploma is a rather light-hearted murder mystery. Emma and Leslie form a strong friendship, both develop love-interests, and they uncover the story of Melvin McManus, which is an interesting story by itself. There's lots of laughter in this novel as well as serious moments of sadness. It even has a bit of action and a surprise ending. Death by Diploma is a uniquely fresh murder mystery crossed with chick lit that will have readers quoting, or at least wanting to quote, Shakespeare by the final page.

Rating: 3/5 Cups