Friday, June 23, 2017

Book Review: All that Glitters...plus a special giveaway

By Melissa Amster

A has-been country music star. A divorced dad from a small town. Almost a decade of bottled up passion...

Country-music star, Dory Walker, never wanted to come back to the small town of Sycamore Bay. But after her fairy-tale life is flipped upside down, and her marriage becomes a casualty, she has no choice.

Harris Malone is a man with few commitments. He keeps a low profile most days while he cares for his young daughter and helps run his dad’s hardware store.

But when he and Dory run into each other at the local gas station, all either can think about is the searing kiss they shared many years ago.

Can a woman who only wants to rekindle her career and a man who enjoys a no-strings-attached lifestyle find everlasting love? (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Tracy Krimmer has easily become one of my go-to chick lit authors. I enjoy everything she writes, as her novels are genuine and feature flawed, yet lovable characters. When I heard that All that Glitters was about a country singer, I didn't even have to read the synopsis to know I'd want to delve right in! (I just went to Nashville recently, so I'm a bit more into country than I already was, as a result).

This novel drew me in right away and didn't let go. Dory basically hit rock bottom and was the victim of a country song (she lost her spouse, house, job, etc.) Back in the town she thought she left for good, she has to make amends with her grandma and best friend, as well as find a way to start over. "Complicating" things is Harris, the guy responsible for the most memorable kiss of her life. He also has new responsibilities and challenges in his life. I like that the story is partially told from his perspective, as I am used to Tracy just writing from the main character's point-of-view. From one of Tracy's previous novels, I chose Kellan as my book boyfriend. Well, Harris blows him out of the water. (And I don't even care that I'm 15 years older!)

The story carried a lot of surprises and kept me guessing. Some parts felt easier to predict, but others were a complete shock. I felt like Dory was constantly looking to escape, but I hope she'll find a way to stay put. I guess we'll find out more in the next book.

The only thing that didn't work so well for me was Laura. I liked her as a person, but she seemed way too mature for the age of seven. She seemed closer to being ten years old. I also don't reconcile the name Laura with that of a child of a Millenial. It seemed more popular for children in the seventies and eighties and I attribute it to women close to my age. (I'm even surprised when kids are named Melissa these days!) In any case, this did not take away from my enjoyment of the story.

Overall, I adored All that Glitters. It was a nice escape from everyday drama and am excited to read the next book in Tracy's new series!

My dream movie cast:
Dory: AJ Michalka
Tammy: Shailene Woodley
Mandy: Sarah Hyland
Harris: Emory Cohen
Grandma: Kathy Bates

Thanks to Lola's Blog Tours for the book in exchange for an honest review. There is a tour-wide giveaway for the book blitz of All That Glitters. One winner will win a $10 Amazon gift card! Visit the other stops on the tour.



For a chance to win, enter the Rafflecopter below:

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1 comment:

Janine said...

This sounds like a book I will enjoy