Home Matters by Julie N. Ford:
According to her mother, Olivia Pembroke was born to be a star. But how is she supposed to be famous when she can't even get a decent acting gig? Her lucky break comes when she lands an audition for a wildly popular home improvement show. Even though she has no design training and has never even held a power tool, she refuses to let that stop her. She's confident that her destiny is finally within reach. When her affections are torn between her heartthrob co-host and the irritating, yet somehow endearing lead contractor, does she continue to reach for the stars? Or does she design a new happily ever after? One that leads not to the fading lights of fame and fortune, but to a love that will burn forever.
Tarah's Review:
This book sets up the rest of the series, and it does a nice job setting it up. Content wise this is a clean romance. There is some kissing, and description of a scantily clad woman who was probably in an intimate situation, but that's left up to you as a reader :)
Things I loved: it's a short, clean, romance. What's not to like about that? Olivia finds herself and becomes less shallow and selfish. I loved the HGTV stuff. I love watching things like that so it's fun to read about it too.
Things I didn't love: I didn't really feel like there was a lot to the relationship. It's hard for me to pinpoint when the characters changed their minds about each other. I didn't have a great initial impression of Pete, and that didn't change through the story-even though he did a lot of great stuff in the book.
Overall, if you have an hour of two and need a light, quick, romance, give this one a try.
Andrea's Review:
Home Matters is a cute novella. Olivia is a spunky main character, and the Southern touch/setting was fun. Some novellas are really lacking in certain aspects due to their shorter format, but I wasn't bothered by that in Home Matters. It may have been knowing that it was short that I didn't mind fewer details in the relationship.
This isn't a deep story, but it was a fun and quick read for me. There were some pretty funny situations, especially the first meeting between Olivia and Pete. I was embarrassed for Olivia, but couldn't help but laugh at the situation.
The passion in the story went a little further than I expected, but I was glad for the clarification that the main character "wasn't that kind of girl."
I used to watch quite a few home improvement shows, so Olivia's job was another aspect that drew me in to the story.
I liked the overall message about what is really important in life, being ourselves and making a difference.
Author Julie N. Ford:
Julie is a forty-something, dangerously close to becoming a fifty-something, graduate from San Diego State University with a BA in Political Science. In addition, she has a Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama, which has only made her better able to recognize the unhealthy, codependent relationship she has with writing. Professionally, she has worked in teaching and as a marriage and family counselor. She is the author of four women’s fiction novels, including Count Down to Love, a 2011 Whitney Award finalist. When she’s not writing, she entertains delusions of being a master gardener, that is, when she’s not killing the unsuspecting plants in her yard with her good intentions. She lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband, two daughters, a Betta named Bob, and a Scottish fold kitten, Ardweal.
The Ripple Effect Romance Novella Series:
Enjoy this exciting new series of clean novellas by six critically-acclaimed authors. "Like a pebble tossed into calm water, a simple act can ripple outward and have a far-reaching effect on those we meet, perhaps setting a life on a different course—one filled with excitement, adventure, and sometimes even love." Book 1: Home Matters by Julie N. Ford Book 2: Silver Linings by Kaylee Baldwin Book 3: Righting A Wrong by Rachael Anderson Book 4: Lost and Found by Karey White Book 5: Second Chances 101 by Donna K. Weaver Book 6: Immersed by Jennifer Griffith
Tour Giveaway:
Title: Home MattersAuthor: Julie N. Ford
Publisher: HEA Publishing
Published: February 2014
ISBN: 1941363008
Source: I received an eCopy in exchange for a review.
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