The Secret of Joy - Melissa Senate (From pocketbooks for Blog Tour)Synopsis via Amazon:
As 28 year old New York paralegal Rebecca Strand's widowed father lays dying, he confesses a secret: he had an affair 26 years earlier when Rebecca was just a toddler. Now he wants Rebecca to deliver the secret stash of letters he wrote, but never mailed, to the daughter he fathered. Rebecca's lawyer boyfriend, Michael, is adamant that she forget the woman exists. He's sure the woman will be an opportunist who will demand half of Rebecca's father's million-dollar estate. But Rebecca, now without any family in the world, can't help but wonder about her one living relative. With her relationship with Michael in tatters, Rebecca drives from New York City to Maine to find Joy Jayhawk, who operates a Weekend Singles Tour service out of an orange mini-van that her regulars dub "The Love Bus." Enter a cast of lovable, colorful characters, from Joy's eccentric mother to the singles on The Love Bus, and a sexy carpenter for whom Rebecca finds herself unexpectedly falling in love...
My Thoughts:
This was a light, enjoyable read. I loved the small town setting and the comfort that goes with it. The characters were well written and I liked getting to know each of them and their stories. This is the kind of book you'd want to grab a blanket, a cup of hot chocolate, find a comfy spot on the couch and just get lost in.
The plot of the story and each characters reaction to it were believable and it was a heartwarming read. I found myself wanting to take a trip to a small coastal town and just wander around breathing in the scenery.
I think it would be great for book clubs also. Lots of room for discussion and it has a great discussion guide in the back.
Other Participating Tour Sites:
Books, Movies & Chinese Food: http://books-movies-chinesefood.blogspot.com/
Booking Mama: http://bookingmama.blogspot.com/
Frugal Plus: http://frugalplus.com/
All About {n}: http://www.bookwormygirl.blogspot.com/
Rundpinne: http://www.rundpinne.blogspot.com/
Brizmus Blogs Books: http://brizmusblogsbooks.blogspot.com
Psychotic State: http://www.psychoticstate.blogspot.com/
Books Reviews by Buuklvr81: http://www.buuklvr81.blogspot.com
Starting Fresh: http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/
A Sea of Books: http://aseaofbooks.blogspot.com/
That’s A Novel Idea: http://thatsanovelidea.blogspot.com
Book Junkie: http://myfoolishwisdom.blogspot.com/
My Book Views: my-book-views.blogspot.com
Drey’s Library: http://dreyslibrary.blogspot.com/
Me, My Book & the Couch: http://memybookandthecouch.blogspot.com/
Just Another New Blog: http://justanothernewblog.blogspot.com/
One Person’s Journey Through A World of Books: http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/
Booksie’s Blog: http://booksiesblog.blogspot.com
Book N Around: http://booknaround.blogspot.com
Keep on Booking: http://keeponbooking.blogspot.com
My Life In Not So Many Words: http://www.ziarias.blogspot.com/
Beth’s Book Review Blog: http://bethsbookreviewblog.blogspot.com/
Readaholic: http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/
My Reading Room: http://myreadingroom-crystal.blogspot.com
My Book Addiction and More: www.mybookaddictionandmore.wordpress.com
Crazy For Books: http://www.crazy-for-books.com
Bella’s Novella: http://www.bellasnovella.com/
Blog Business World: http://www.blogbusinessworld.blogspot.com
Reading at the Beach: http://ilratb.blogspot.com/
My Friend Amy: http://www.myfriendamysblog.com
Book Magic: http://bookmagic418.blogspot.com/
The Life (and Lies) of an Inanimate Flying Object: http://haleymathiot.blogspot.com/
So Many Books, So Little Time: http://purplg8r-somanybooks.blogspot.com/
Jeanne's Ramblings: http://www.jeannesramblings.com
Red Headed Book Child: http://redheadedbookchild.blogspot.com
Reading with Tequila: http://readingwithtequila.blogspot.com
Books, Gardens, and Dogs: http://maryinhb.blogspot.com/
Jens Book Talk: http://jensbooktalk.blogspot.com/
My Own Little Corner of the World: http://molcotw.blogspot.com/
Lit and Life: http://litandlife.blogspot.com
Entertainment Realm: http://entertainmentrealm.com/
Melissa Senate Webpage
7 comments:
I am loving all the great reviews I am reading for this book. A blanket, hot chocolate and this book sounds like a good plan! Great review!
This is a great post, Zia! You manage to give a synopsis of the book along with your thoughts, in a very succinct manner. Without being overtly verbose, the essence of the story is - simply - there.
It isn't often you read a review that is so thorough using so few words...and, it makes me want to read the book!
I'm very impressed.
Thanks for mentioning my blog too. I am going to post the list of other stops as well!
I really liked to book.
I'm packing this one for my upcoming vacation. Thanks for the review!
I am intrigued. This book sounds like a good read for when I want to cozy up to a story and loose myself in it. The Secret Joy is going on my to-read list.
Great review - I agree with the statement about hot chocolate, a blanket and the couch - I loved this one and it just gives you that warm fuzzy feeling.
My wife wants to read this book and she likes your review. Thanks for linking this up!
-CYM
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