Author: Marilyn Brant
Publisher: Kensington
Publish Date: December 1, 2011
Source: Crazy Book Tours
Why You're Reading This Book:
- You're an armchair traveler.
- You like a spot of romance.
- You're a Europe lover!
From Goodreads.com: "On her 30th birthday, Gwendolyn Reese is given an unusual gift by her eccentric aunt: a summer grand European tour arranged through her aunt's Sudoku and Mahjongg Club. Gwen reluctantly leaves her "almost fiancé" and heads to Europe with her aunt and a collection of offbeat club members.
Abroad, Gwen is slowly but surely transformed. She has conversations she'd never expected, is spellbound by London theater, touches a glacier, races through the Louvre, and shares a passionate kiss with a wild young physics professor. And when her old life comes calling again, she must choose between the practical choices she's always made, and a world open to infinite possibilities."
My Two Cents:
Oh this book is like sitting in the sun in the middle of a Roman piazza while eating a big scoop of gelato. It's lovely and something to be savored. Just about the only thing I didn't like about this book is that Gwen got to go to Europe for a month and I didn't. Yeah, I'm pretty jealous of this fictional character!
This book had so many of the elements that I love. There's travel. There's a character who is transformed. Gwen's transformation is so well written. At first, she's not really exploring all of her options. She's happy with the status quo or so she thinks. Eventually she realizes that if she's willing to put herself out there and try new things that life can seem a little more full.
The characters are fantastic. Gwen's Aunt Bea is a hoot. I loved all of the members of the S&M (which stands for Sudoku and Mah-jong in this case; thank you very much). I wasn't sure about Gwen at first. I wanted to urge her to not be afraid to live a little in the beginning but she really grew on me once she started changing a little bit.
Sigh, this was so good; like a vacation in a book!
Guys, read this book. It'll keep your winter blues away!
Oh my gosh this book sounds amaaazing! I love the cover too! If you give it a 4.5 rating I know it has to be great...I'm thinking some armchair travel sounds good right about now :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the lovely review, Meg!! I'm truly delighted that you enjoyed the book ;).
ReplyDelete@Kat @ NoPageLeftBehind This is a perfect winter book for when you just need a little escape!
ReplyDelete@Marilyn Brant I loved it! Thanks so much for stopping by!
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