Happy Sunday :) Welcome to another "Grown-Up Sunday!"
This is my weekly meme where I get to feature my 'adult' reads and reviews with you!
This week's featured book is...
by Marisa de los Santos
Release date: November 28th, 2006
Publisher: Plume
Genre: Adult Contemporary and Romance
Format read: Paperback
SUMMARY
(from Goodreads)
When Martin Grace enters the hip Philadelphia coffee shop Cornelia Brown manages, her life changes forever. But little does she know that her new found love is only the harbinger of greater changes to come.
Meanwhile, across town, Clare Hobbs - eleven years old and abandoned by her erratic mother - goes looking for her lost father. She crosses paths with Cornelia while meeting with him at the cafe, and the two form an improbable friendship that carries them through the unpredictable currents of love and life.
Invoking classic movies to illuminate the mystery and wonder of love in all its permutations, Love Walked In, is an uplifting debut that marks the entrance of an enchanting literary voice.
MY REVIEW
Love Walked In is a recent re-read for me. It is one of those few books that I will never forget.
Not all love stories are the same, and this one is amazing and sincerely heartfelt. At first, you're rooting for the romance and love between Cornelia and Martin. The way that they meet is sweet, the way that they compliment each other so well is made for a storybook romance and even though it moves along quickly, it all seemed perfect. Until Martin's little secret walks through the door - his daughter, Clare. And Clare has a secret of her own - her mother has abandoned her and she has been living on her own trying to make things look like everything is normal for a few weeks now.
What I loved about this book is that we got to meet Clare before Cornelia does and my heart ached and crumbled for her. You want to scream at someone to go and help this little girl, save her from her loneliness and bravery. Seeing how Cornelia handles the situation by prioritizing Clare's needs and putting her relationship with Martin on hold was refreshing to see. It was quite clear to Cornelia that the little girl needed a stable environment, reassurance and care - and Cornelia went over and beyond doing what she could while they looked for Clare's mother and figured out what should be done for Clare's well being.
Cornelia seeks advice from her own family and ends up taking Clare with her to her childhood home. We then meet Teo, Cornelia's childhood best friend and long time crush - things get a bit more complicated for Cornelia, but that's okay, we like Teo... a lot! But there are some complicated issues surrounding Teo right now, and well, it would make for a great plot line for a soap opera, but one that is not too unbelievable. Regardless, I was rooting for them - it was hard not too!
Marisa de los Santos was able to capture both narrators beautifully by including from both, Cornelia and Clare. Cornelia, romantic and dreamy, but also logical and headstrong. And Clare was sweet, innocent and believable. And Marisa's background in poetry shines through and delivers.
This book will not only show you that not all love stories have to be the typical kind, but that it can also be the unconditional one, like the love for a child.
Not all love stories are the same, and this one is amazing and sincerely heartfelt. At first, you're rooting for the romance and love between Cornelia and Martin. The way that they meet is sweet, the way that they compliment each other so well is made for a storybook romance and even though it moves along quickly, it all seemed perfect. Until Martin's little secret walks through the door - his daughter, Clare. And Clare has a secret of her own - her mother has abandoned her and she has been living on her own trying to make things look like everything is normal for a few weeks now.
What I loved about this book is that we got to meet Clare before Cornelia does and my heart ached and crumbled for her. You want to scream at someone to go and help this little girl, save her from her loneliness and bravery. Seeing how Cornelia handles the situation by prioritizing Clare's needs and putting her relationship with Martin on hold was refreshing to see. It was quite clear to Cornelia that the little girl needed a stable environment, reassurance and care - and Cornelia went over and beyond doing what she could while they looked for Clare's mother and figured out what should be done for Clare's well being.
Cornelia seeks advice from her own family and ends up taking Clare with her to her childhood home. We then meet Teo, Cornelia's childhood best friend and long time crush - things get a bit more complicated for Cornelia, but that's okay, we like Teo... a lot! But there are some complicated issues surrounding Teo right now, and well, it would make for a great plot line for a soap opera, but one that is not too unbelievable. Regardless, I was rooting for them - it was hard not too!
Marisa de los Santos was able to capture both narrators beautifully by including from both, Cornelia and Clare. Cornelia, romantic and dreamy, but also logical and headstrong. And Clare was sweet, innocent and believable. And Marisa's background in poetry shines through and delivers.
This book will not only show you that not all love stories have to be the typical kind, but that it can also be the unconditional one, like the love for a child.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Marisa de los Santos
Marisa de los Santos was a poet for a very long time, with an MFA from Sarah Lawrence College and a Ph.D. from the University of Houston. Her first book, FROM THE BONES OUT, a collection of poems, was published in 2000.
She and her husband, writer David Teague, lived in Center City, Philadelphia for a number of years before moving to Wilmington, Delaware in spring of 2003. That summer, Marisa began writing what would become her first novel LOVE WALKED IN (Dutton, 2006). LOVE WALKED IN was translated into fourteen languages, was optioned by Paramount pictures, and was a trade paperback bestseller. William Morrow published her second novel BELONG TO ME in April 2008, and it was an instant New York Times Bestseller.
Marisa, David, and their two children, Charles and Annabel, live in Wilmington, where Marisa takes as many ballet classes as she can, volunteers at her kids' school, and is working on her (fourth?) novel.
This looks like such a good book! I *think* I might own it, but I'm not sure ... now I want to see if I do! I love a good adult romance. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
I keep hearing about this author...just scared to put yet another book on my TBR! LOL
ReplyDeleteWow, that was a great review, Margie! This might have to be my next adult read. I'm actually reading an adult book (gasp!) for a book club, and then I was thinking about finally meeting Daemon to fill the void that Jace left in my heart over the weekend haha. Have a great week! xo
ReplyDelete