Suddenly in Love (A Lake Haven Novel, 1)

I usually love Julia London's writing but though isn't bad in this book, it lacks the usual snappy dialogue and delicious descriptions and strong emotional component of her previous work, both in contemporaries and historicals. That said, I enjoyed this story and read it happily to the end and didn't notice some of the weaknesses that occurred to me once I'd finished it. My main problem was the one dimensional aspect of the main characters: neither the H/h had any real depth. I kept thinking we were going to get it but everything stayed very superficial so by the end of the story I wasn't secure in my knowledge in who they were nor was I convinced that they would have their HEA. The other thing that was lacking was the trademark Julia London snappy dialogue: the conversations were pretty pedestrian and were easily forgotten. Finally there was a strange inconsistency in the story which an editor really should have caught -- or the author should have explained: why does she remain in the town which holds such bad memories for her?
That said, the problems listed above didn't impede my reading while I was actually reading it and I will continue reading this series.

I really enjoyed Mia and Brennan's "Everett" story. This book was full of wonder, redemption and lust that turns into passionate love. I look forward to reading more by this author. I highly recommend this story. This is a romance that has a whole different quality to it.

Brennan and Mia are lost, both personally and professionally. After the death of his best friend, Brennan is forced to step back from the limelight to find himself. Unhappy and exhausted from the constant touring, he decides to hide out in small town East Beach. Recently laid off, Mia's only recourse is to return home to East Beach and work for her aunt. Her dreams of becoming a famous artist seem to be fading fast and she's stuck trying to figure out what to do next. While it may seem as if they are from two different universes, Brennan and Mia are actually quite similar. They understand each other and are able help one another find a new focus in their respective careers. Mia lit Brennan's path from the land of the lost and Brennan helped re-ignite Mia's passion for art. I adored Suddenly In Love. The budding romance between Mia and Brennan was amazing. I loved that after everything the went through in the book, they were still able to find a common ground strong enough to build the foundation for their relationship. Both know that it won't be easy, but they are going to work and fight for what they have. My first Julia London book and I gotta say, I'm kind of hooked. The writing was fantastic. The characters were different and fun to discover. I've been wanting to try one of Julia's books and I'm glad I did.

I received an ARC copy in exchange for a honest review.

This book was every girls teen fantasy come true! Well, at least mine. Brennen (the rock star!) and Mia (misunderstood lost soul artist type) took a little bit to finally get together, but seriously, sometimes it takes a couple hundred pages to find yourself. The support characters are (mostly) endearing and very well thought out, which appears to be a trend with Ms. Julia. I thought this book was a great read, and very sweet as well. Which is refreshing in the S&M world we seem to live in now.

I really enjoyed Mia and Brennan's story. The characters were well developed and I was invested in their lives as the story progressed. The supporting characters added quirkiness and realness to the story and overall I think this is one that I will read more than once.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I liked that this wasn't the typical "Rock Star" book. The romance didn't happen on the road in between concerts with screaming fans, but during a rough time for both of the main characters. Mia is in a place where she doesn't know where her life is heading and Brennan is in a dark place after his fellow band-mate and best friend overdoses. I loved the interaction between Brennan and Mia. Some of their back and forth bickering had me chuckling to myself. I was happy it wasn't an insta-love, but a aggravating friendship that lead to romance between them. The ending was realistic to me because it kept in line with the characters wants and desires.

I can't wait to read the rest of this new series by Julia London.

Format: Galley Copy
Mia's life isn't going that hot. When she meets Brennan, she isn’t impressed. She thinks he's a crazy bum that's a tad egotistical. She has no idea that he's a famous person when he introduces himself as the son of the owner of Ross House. The fact that they are both unique and different ignites a bit of a connection between them. Mia’s considers herself a year-rounder, while Brennan is a summer person. Their attraction is undeniable and she decides to have a little fun even though he's considered a "summer person". Things between Brennan and Mia take off as he finds himself opening up to Mia in ways that he’s never done before.
Though I felt the story was a bit slow to start once they took off they went like a firecracker. I enjoyed how Mia came to accept who she truly was and it took two misfits that found they fit together.

Brennan Yates needs a break, after spending years touring the world as Everett Alden the lead singer of Tuesdays End he's worn out. He heads to his mom's new place in Lake Haven to disappear for a while. Imagine his surprise when a rather interestingly dressed groupie shows up in his kitchen.

Mia Lassiter has returned to Lake Haven (her childhood home) a failure, unable to make it in New York's art scene. The only thing she really seems to have a talent for is making her own clothes. The clothes that she now wears to work as the onsite project manager for her aunts interior design firm, who are currently renovating the Yates property. However, after running into a rude, smelly vagrant who acted as if he belonged there she may be looking for a new job.

Not the most promising of first meetings but from there Julia London takes on a modern day fairy tale. Who among us hasn't dreamed of being the girlfriend of the lead singer of our favorite band? At first Brennan has a hard time believing that she doesn't know who he "really" is but once he accepts it's not an act, he doesn't want to tarnish what they have by telling her the truth. Of course the truth won't stay hidden forever.

Brennan also has some competition from former high school hottie Jessie Fisher, who now owns a construction business and spends a lot of time chatting Mia up before finally asking her out on a date. Mia's cousin Skylar who has been causing trouble for Mia since high school is hanging around still causing trouble., or is she?

This book takes you on some twists and turns. Not your ordinary boy meets girl, falls in love, gets married and lives happily every after novel. This book is honest in a way that love stories usually aren't. Mia is damaged, she's been hurt in her past so she does not trust easily, Brennan has to work hard for every concession she makes. Once it grabbed me, which didn't take long to be honest, I couldn't put it down until I finished the book. If you're a Julia London fan you won't be disappointed. If you've never tried Julia London, this book is a great place to start.

I always enjoy Julia London's historical romances so I thought I would give this contemporary a shot. I absolutely loved it. Mia is an artist who is not doing so well at the moment. She ends up moving back in with her parents and working for her aunt. She meets Brennan and mistakes him for a crazy homeless person. He's not doing so well at the moment, either. I loved the characters. Good story. Couldn't stop reading.
* I received a copy from Netgalley for my honest review.

Mia has always been creative, and her clothes have always reflected it. This caused problems growing up in her small hometown, so she was happy to get out and pursue her dreams of becoming an artist. Ten years later, things haven't worked out as she planned. She is home, living with her parents and working for her Aunt's interior design business, and coming to terms with the idea that she doesn't have exactly what it takes to be a successful painter. Tasked with supervising on what could be the biggest job her Aunt has gotten, she is confronted with the client's son, and he makes a less than stellar impression.
Brennan has had a successful career as lead-singer of a popular band and is a bona-fide Rock Star. Restless and unsure where he wants his career to go next, he walks away and takes refuge in his Mom's new house. When confronted with the oddly dressed young woman, he instantly assumes she is a groupie trying to get close to him. When she not only doesn't recognize him, but is brutally honest about his appearance and behavior, it is the beginning of his journey back. Funnily enough, these two "get" each other and form a tentative friendship that slowly becomes more.
Mia and Brennan are two characters who are both searching for their place in the world and for a fulfilling creative outlet. Both have baggage and preconceptions about the future. They have to figure out their own mess before they can move on and figure out if they can make their lives work together.
This was an engrossing read, and I really liked the fact that these two took time to get to know each other as their feelings grew. I also like the fact that their HEA wasn't a given. This is a contemporary romance with strong characters and a well-written story. I am really interested in finding out who the next story in the series will focus on.
**I received an Advanced Reader's Copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.