Painful History, Excellent Chemistry, and Unexpected Drama
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
TYPE OF NOVEL: Persuasion Inspired Contemporary Romance
SETTING: Modern-Day South Carolina
SERIES: Wedding Planners #3 (can be read as a standalone)
SYNOPSIS: The plan was for Charlie Taylor to marry Jensen Worth as soon as she finished high school and follow him to Chicago, but instead they ended up breaking each others’ hearts and haven’t seen or spoken to each other for thirteen years. In that time Charlie graduated from Clemson, almost competed in the Olympics, and built a thriving wedding planning business with her two friends. But the one area Charlie hasn’t had any success is with relationships. Even though Jensen hurt her badly, a part of her heart still belongs to him and she is unable to be in a relationship with anyone else. But now Jensen has returned to Marysville, South Carolina and Charlie has to face him frequently within her circle of friends. Can they move on from the past and be friends? Or is the pain too deep and the risk too high?
NOTE: The relationship between Charlie and Jensen is very loosely inspired by Persuasion. The personalities of these characters only slightly resemble those of Anne and Wentworth.
WHAT I LOVED:
- An Interpretation on Persuasion: I loved how this story is just a little bit of Persuasion and a lot of L.L. Diamond’s own original slant. She takes the themes of overcoming past hurt and possible second chances and asks the questions: “would it have been right then?” and “can they go back now?” I really appreciated the realness and complexities of Charlie’s and Jensen’s relationship. It was developed beautifully – full of rawness, emotions, and lots of twists and turns.
- Charlie Taylor: I love Charlie! I love the combination of her tough exterior and physical strength with her extremely private emotions and sensitive heart. I loved seeing her devotion to those she loves, her responsible and practical nature, and her vulnerability. I admired her introspection of her own heart and feelings towards Jensen, and I appreciated her challenges of opening up about her feelings with others. I am definitely #TeamCharlie all the way!
- Jensen Worth: Oftentimes, I find Wentworth characters hard to fully like (especially when they are resentful and act like jerks!), but I had no problem loving Jensen. I loved that he was considerate and caring, yet he had the flaws of being impatient, single-minded, and not always communicating well. My heart went out to the painful experiences he faced as a child and as an adult. And I loved that he had a dog and was working on restoring an old house!
- Marysville Life and Family: With this being the third book in the series, it was wonderful to once again visit with friends and places that have become familiar. I loved hearing about the holiday celebrations and family gatherings that take place in Marysville and I loved seeing more of William and Ellie, and Brandon and Jena.
- It’s Not the End!: I’ve heard rumors about this trilogy continuing and I am so excited about it! I think Maggie might be the next character to get her own tale, but I am wondering/hoping maybe Micah will as well…?
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
- I got nothing.
WARNING: Since there are a few romantic intimate scenes and uses of strong language, I’d recommend this book for Mature Audiences. (Side Note: Ms. Diamond, I quite loved the romantic bits!)
CONCLUSION:
My romantic heart loved the emotional turbulence and relationship challenges in this story! Charlie and Jensen are a couple you cannot help but love and wish to see succeed! This contemporary Austen-inspired romance series by L.L. Diamond is full of charm, couples with chemistry, and Jane Austen connections! I highly recommend!
Thank you for this wonderful review, Meredith! Happy holidays!
My pleasure, Shelley! Thank you so much for checking out my review!
I totally agree Meredith, this is a fabulous series! I’ve loved every one and am really looking forward to number four!
I too love the romance in all these books and catching up with William and Ellie as well as Brendan and Jena! Lovely and well deserving of five stars!
I am thrilled to hear it, Glynis!! If there wasn’t a fourth book on the way I would definitely be heartbroken about the series ending! Thanks for sharing your love of this series with me!
I also read and enjoyed this series.
So glad to hear that, Sheilla!
Great review!
d
Thank you, Denise!
I’m so thrilled you enjoyed Charlie and Jensen’s story! I’ve loved writing every one of these but I’ve always felt a special connection with Charlie. Maybe because I’m famous for saying the wrong thing when I don’t mean to and Charlie is a bit rough around the edges that way. LOL! Maggie definitely has a story coming. Hopefully everyone will love her and Elliot as much as the other characters. I’ve thought of writing an HEA for Micah, but more as a short story/novella (wedding/follow up story). Micah definitely deserves someone special. I love Micah and Charlie. If I need something shocking or a bit crazy, they’re the perfect people to say it. 🙂
Thank you, Meredith!!!
I am so thankful you wrote this series – I love it! I love hearing that you feel an affinity for Charlie and I love how your Jensen wasn’t too resentful!
A Micah novella sounds brilliant! LOL! Yes, they are definitely freer with their filters!
What a wonderful review, Meredith! I need to read this series and will. I’m so far behind and my Kindle reads are growing faster than I can read them! I’m slowly working on it though.
Thank you, Carole! The great thing about this series is that you will consume each book really quick! They are light, entertaining, but not without tension and depth. Let me know what you think when you do get to read them!
I have the set sitting in my TBR stack and I need to get to them. Based on everyone’s comments, I better get started soon. I have loved any of L.L. Diamond’s contemporary stories I’ve read and enjoy revisiting them, either reading or listening to them again. Thanks for the great review, Meredith!
Thank you for reading my review, Michelle! I hope you get the chance to read this series soon! I know you will love it!
This is an excellent novel, as are the other two in the series, but L.L. Diamond’s writing is always exceptional. I too enjoyed the chemistry between Charlie and Jensen and the realistic way they fell back together, not without their bumps in the road. Thanks, Meredith for the insightful review that helps readers to know that they can’t go wrong with this series. I’m lucky enough to have read Maggie’s story, and I’m convinced it’s at least as good as “It’s Always Been You and Me,” so you have something great to look forward to very soon. I too sit on the list of those who’d like Leslie to think about a story for Micah.
I so agree, Suzan!! Thank you so much for sharing all your lovely thoughts, Suzan! I’m so excited about Maggie’s story and I love hearing your praise for it! I can’t wait! Oh yes! #TeamMicah