Welcome to The Bookish Babe's stop on the Finding Bliss Blog Tour!
My stop includes a review and tour giveaway.
Series: Stand alone
Category/Genre: Women's Fiction
Publisher: Amazon Publishing
Publication Date: 7/16/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 285
Source: Received from publisher for review
Chloe Carlyle has always longed for the perfect family.
Growing up with an alcoholic single mother, she has seen her share of heartbreak and disappointment, and is striving to build a new legacy for herself. After graduating from college, she takes a job working as a summer girl for the Reeds––a wealthy, accomplished family that personifies her American dream. Her summer takes an unexpected turn when the Reeds’ eldest son Tyler, the star quarterback for Notre Dame, shows up and turns her life upside down.
An ambitious young woman with a wry sense of humor, Chloe never imagined herself as the type to succumb to the looks and charms of the hometown hero, but she falls hard for Tyler, and is devastated when they part ways at the end of the summer. As she heads off to law school, Chloe tries to convince herself this was just a fling, but she can’t quite get over him. It’s not until Tyler contacts her out of the blue late one winter night that everything changes.
After doing everything in her power to build the perfect life, Chloe soon learns that there are things beyond her control. She must draw on inner reserves of strength as her life takes unpredictable—and sometimes heartbreaking—twists and turns, and she finds herself faced with decisions she never thought she’d have to make. Poignant, heartfelt, and emotional, Finding Bliss is a reminder that you don’t have to live a fairytale life in order to have a happy ending.
Finding Bliss is a book that leaves me struggling a bit to find the right words to express my feelings. It is one woman's journey towards finding love, maybe, but more importantly, finding herself.
Finding Bliss is not a love story. This is something that I had to continually remind myself while reading. Women's Fiction is a genre that I typically enjoy, but as a romantic, that is something that I always struggle with. Sure, there is usually romance in some form, but it is not the focus. Finding Bliss is a "big picture" story. It is not a romanticized account of her life. It was sometimes sweet and romantic, but also sad and troubling. It was real.
This is the first book of Silver's that I've read, and I really liked her writing style. It was very clean and inviting. I was immediately pulled into Chloe's head. I don't know if this was intentional, but Chloe was the only character that I felt drawn or connected to. There were several secondary characters: Chloe's mom, best friend Grace, the Reed family, Tyler and Cam, but I never felt as if I knew them. Grace was more of sporadic character. Chloe's mom, who was not mentally stable, was a strong influence into her personality and choices.
There were two men in Chloe's like, Cam and Tyler, but Finding Bliss is not a love triangle. Cam is a long-time friend and apparently had feelings for her, but I never felt that. I mean, I was told that he did, but I never got that sense of longing or sadness over an unrequited love from Cam. Tyler was...Tyler. I liked him and felt sorry for the position he was put in by his family. He seemed like a nice guy who genuinely cared for Chloe, but he also makes bad choices sometimes. I just don't know how I felt about him. Maybe it was the romantic in me, but I didn't want to believe that he could be selfish and just wrong. (Okay, at this point maybe I'm over thinking this!)
There were quite a few moments that I truly enjoyed Finding Bliss, and was so invested in Chloe's life. But at other moments, I felt as if I was missing a true connection. The ending left me hopeful, yet puzzled. I think I can see what the author was going for, but I didn't feel it. As I mentioned before, Finding Bliss is a realistic story. This is the story of a life, the good, bad, and ugly.
Purchase Finding Bliss at:
(I receive no compensation for purchases.)
GIVEAWAY
1 Kindle Paperwhite
1 FINDING BLISS ebook and 1 FINDING BLISS Paperback
Disclosure:
No purchase necessary. Must be 13 years of age and older
to enter unless stated 18 + years of age. Must reside in countries able to
receive eBooks via email. The retail value of the items is $131.57 USD. The number of
eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Winners will be
selected after July 31, 2013 randomly by Rafflecopter. Entries will be reviewed for
accuracy. Participating blogs and AToMR Tours are not liable for purchasing,
shipping or emailing the items, winner not receiving the items, or lost items
shipped/emailed. This sweepstakes is sponsored by the author and items will be
provided via email or shipped by the author. If the items are not claimed via
email within 24 hours of receiving notification the item will be forfeited with
no winner or an alternate winner may be selected at AToMR Tours discretion with
email verification by July 31, 2013. Any taxes associated
will be paid by the author unless otherwise stated. AToMR Tours has the right to
obtain and publicize the winners name and likeness. Void where prohibited by
law.
About the author:
A graduate of
Purdue University, Dina Silver has spent the past fifteen years feeding her red
wine habit by working as a copywriter in the advertising industry. In addition
to writing ad copy, she formed Dinas Ideas (dinasideas.com),
a greeting card company, in 2003. Dina serves as the sole writer and designer
for the business and has penned over 300 greeting cards since its inception.
I like the premise and that it's not over the top gorgeous story but rather realistic and portrays the hard parts of life. I don't know about the potential love interests as well.. I'm sorry that it didn't appeal to you in all the ways you wanted it to. I know how much you love your romance. I'm glad you were still able to enjoy parts of it:)
ReplyDeleteI don't read a lot of woman's fiction, but I do enjoy it. I like that it's a big picture story. It's too bad that you couldn't fully connect, but it does sound like a good story. Great review hon!!
ReplyDelete. (Okay, at this point maybe I'm over thinking this!) <= you are! Lol great review though! You should read one pink line, that will explain Grace and sydney.
ReplyDeleteWhat Hootie said. Grace and Sydney are in One Pink Line, so that relationship will make a bit more sense if you read that one. Tyler was a tough character for me. I liked him, but he was such a disappointment for me. But, you know how I feel about that kind of thing. I liked Cam. I think Chloe was just so focused on Tyler, that Cam wasn't a big deal. I do agree that she could have put more emphasis on his crush to give the reader more of a connection there. You should check out Kat Fight. It's my favorite of Dina's so far. Nice review, love dove.
ReplyDeleteGood review. Never heard of this book before but it seems interesting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway :)
This has an interesting premise... its a shame you couldnt connect with all of the characters. Great review!
ReplyDeleteHmm...I loved your review and how you explained your whole reading experience. It's hard when the connection to the characters isn't as strong but it's also nice that some parts still worked well for you. Don't know this book but the cover is sweet.
ReplyDeleteI love Women's Fiction and Chick Lit. Some people think it's not an "in" genre but I find books in this category relaxing to read. It has a chill pace and chick lit usually are ridiculous and funny. It's like cruising with the top down.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting the giveaway and stay romantic!
Sometimes this is exactly what I am looking for a realistic look at the good, the bad and the ugly of life. Wonderful review and I am glad you liked the author's voice.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really great book for someone who's looking for something different. I think I'm one of those people that needs that romance lol
ReplyDeleteI can appreciate the realistic story but I always end up feeling a little sad.
Thanks for the thoughtful review, Andrea. I'm glad that you enjoyed aspects of the book - Dina's writing, etc. and maybe you'll give her a second chance. I hope to read Finding Bliss soon. I read One Pink Line and loved it. Thanks again for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteHm it sounds like some of the emotions that were supposed to be conveyed in this one never quite hit their mark. I am kind of the opposite of you with romance, I usually find it refreshing when I read a novel and it isn't the focal point at all. I'll keep this one on my radar, but I'm not sure it would hit the mark with me either. Fabulous review, Andrea!
ReplyDeleteI don't think you're overthinking your review. I love it when you dig deep in your observations. I glad this was a realistic story. However, I can see how you had trouble connecting to it. A good story as to make you feel for the characters. It sounds like this was an okay read. Fabulous Review Friend :)
ReplyDeleteLindy@ A Bookish Escape
I'll admit I do find this interesting, but truth be told, me being a romantic I need my fairy-tale like romance! lol ;p Its too bad you couldn't connect to the characters or the ending. But, needless to say, if a story can be realistic, I guess that good for something right?
ReplyDeleteGreat review! :D
~ Maida
Literary Love Affair
Great honest review. I doubt I will pick this one up, I like my books heavy on the romance, LOL
ReplyDeleteHappy Reading :)
I don't read too much women's fiction either, and also prefer romance. I am sorry you didn't connect with it. Thanks so much for the honest review.
ReplyDeleteI don't think this would work for me because I need my romance! Thanks for the honest review, Andrea. I'd probably be another one who'd be missing the point if I picked up so I think I'll pass.
ReplyDelete