When Claire Bradshaw decides to end her dead-end relationship of several years, she only has one place to go - back home to the tiny town of Palmetto Park. Claire keeps bumping into people from her past as she struggles to shake her "better than everybody" reputation, make peace with her enemies, and even attempts to rekindle an old flame. Claire gets to know her old friends all over again and gets to know more about herself as she starts over - right back where it all started.
Yaay! We're on to my second book tour and I couldn't be more happy to be OPENING this book tour!
As I had told the Author, Jessica Goodwin herself, I have nothing but good stuff to say about this book!
Can I just say that Claire is an absolute QUEEN in this book! She is such an empowering woman and I can honestly say when I was reading the revenge scene after she found out her boyfriend had been cheating, I was shouting in my head "YES GIRL, YOU SLAY!!"
When Claire left her big life and chose to start life again in Palmetto Park, I thought she was a tad crazy for leaving such a fabulous life, however, as I carried on turning the pages, I realised no fancy house, no fancy life, no fancy job, could ever live up to Palmetto Park. There's nothing I love more about books than when you feel like you're actually in the book... Palmetto Park pulled me in instantly. I love the cosy feeling of Palmetto Park, it may only be a small area to live in but if it's filled with people you love and genuine kind hearted people in general, it could be the most incredible and homely place to live!
We got to meet Claire's high school friends such as Daryl, Justin etc. , her high school enemy, Tiffany Ellicott, her number 1 haters, Virginia Wood and Polly Purvis and her high school romance, Cooper.
Daryl, Justin and Cooper were her closest high school friends who Claire used to sneak out for all the time as a teen. As soon as I was introduced to Cooper and found out he was her high school crush, I had the end already predicted and was very sure this flame was going to light right back up! Tiffany Ellicott and Claire were both cheerleaders in high school, however, that doesn't mean they could stand each other. Tiffany had pursued a relationship with Cooper in high school and always thought she was better than everybody. Virginia Wood and Polly Purvis were never big fans of Claire in high school, being a typical cheerleader, Claire would target these girls picking out their flaws, so when Claire see's how much they've changed, she insists on making it up to them. One of them wants nothing to do with it.
When Claire confronts her parents about leaving Steve, her dad, Chuck is thrilled with her choice as he was never Steve's biggest fan. Her mother, Connie, didn't approve of her choice and always felt the need to make Claire feel bad about not settling down and giving her grandchildren, like her sister Cookie had done. Cookie was a supportive sister and helped Claire get back on track with everything she wanted to do from now on. I was never thrilled when Connie was in the chapters as she was constantly doubting Claire and never failed to express how disappointed she was.
Claire ended up opening a Bed and Breakfast with her Aunty Nancy, called "The Triple B" and it ended up being a huge success! They had guests using their cottages every week and Claire was lucky enough to have her friends help set up the whole thing. Claire never knew if this would be the job for her but she enjoyed every second of it and when she wasn't hosting, she was planning a book, she was tired of reading others stories and wanted to create her own. I wish we did find out if Claire really did get a book published or at least started writing one!
Claire got the opportunity to beat Tiffany Ellicott when Justin and his parents hosted their annual Blueberry Festival. She signed up to be Blueberry Queen alongside Virginia and Tiffany who had been Blueberry Queen repeatedly for years. All she needed was a dress and a blueberry desert.
So, does Claire beat Tiffany Ellicott and win Blueberry Queen? Does she finally rekindle a flame with Cooper? I highly recommend you all to read to find out!
This is a book that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside and at this moment in time, I just want to go and live in a small town like Palmetto Park! Definitely has to be one of my favourite books I've read this year so far and I can't wait to read more of Jessica Goodwin's books!
I have reviewed this on Amazon and Goodreads and gave them 5 stars so please make sure you go and do the exact same!!
Thank you reading, I hope you enjoyed this review and are as excited as I am to read everyone's contributions to the book tour this week!
About the Author
Jessica Goodwin lives in northern Virginia near Washington, DC with her husband, son, and their two cats. She likes cookies, coffee, and anything that sparkles. If she could have any animal for a pet, it would be a T-Rex. She loves experimenting in the kitchen, going wine tasting, singing in the shower, and taking pictures of the baby.
Two of Goodwin’s books, ‘Here We Go’ and ‘The One Who Got Away’ have been on the Amazon bestseller list. In March 2012, her third book, ‘One of the Guys,’ received an Honorable Mention in Sapphire Star Publishing’s Month of Romance contest. These titles were originally published on Amazon under her former name, Jessica Strassner, but have been rereleased under the name Jessica Goodwin.
Goodwin is also a mom blogger with work appearing on Scary Mommy, Baby Gaga, and Mommy Effect. She hopes to someday write a humorous parenting memoir.
Until next time! :) - Shelby xxx
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