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Redneck Ex
With one twang of a banjo string, Summer Leigh Johnson's tidy, organized life in Barrow, Alaska is jolted back to the Ozarks when her coon-hunting, tobacco-chewing, bull-riding, redneck ex-husband asks for her help. She has two options: turn her back on him like he did to her eleven years ago, or help. Burdened with the curse of every southern woman--What Would Mama Do?--she goes to his aid. And what does she find? The man she fell in love with all those years ago and a second chance at love and family. The last time she gave her heart to Dwight, he flicked it aside like an empty can of Skoal. This time he's cradling it as gently as he would a speckled pup. It will take a lot more than Dwight's southern charm and good looks to convince Summer to stay.
322 pages, Paperback
First published December 22, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 7 reviews
October 2, 2018
The first half or maybe a bit more really pulled me in and I couldn't stop reading. The h, going back to help the H who'd hurt her so much came with a lot of internalised angst and I lapped it all up. Unfortunately I felt unsatisfied on how this unfolded after that, where the om was prominent (I really don't like OM love triangles) and neither the h or the H proved themselves to be particularly likeable. We get no real understanding of why he'd divorced her other than he didn't want her anymore. That requires super grovelling but there was none of that. The problem is with all that internalised angsting we see how much he'd hurt her and there's none of that venting back at him other than a conversation at the end. Authors, if you build up the emotional pressure in your readers you also need ensure the pressure is relieved in a controlled manner. The author build us up but then doesn't give us the justice we seek. She tries but it doesn't come off because one conversation isn't enough. Highly unsatisfactory. I need long and sustained grovelling.
I took this off my cheating shelf because while she refers to him as her cheating ex, she acknowledges there was no cheating as far as she knew and he denies it too. So its not one for the cheat list.
I took this off my cheating shelf because while she refers to him as her cheating ex, she acknowledges there was no cheating as far as she knew and he denies it too. So its not one for the cheat list.
January 29, 2012
This book was well written and I loved it. I highly recommend this book. I like a book that can make me laugh out loud. I will try to add more to this in a few days, I may even have to re-read it to do so.
June 12, 2012
I loved that this story was set in Barrow and the south. What a great combination.
November 17, 2013
Reviewed by Patti, Book provided by The Wild Rose Press, and Review originally posted at Romancing the Book.
It is with a sweet smile and a little bluegrass playing in the background that I pen this review. During this fantastic journey I learned many things I never knew and met plenty of characters that kept me grinning (sometimes giggling) as well as a few who tugged at my heart. I had no idea what to expect from this book and I went on quite an adventure. There are plenty of books out there about rednecks and also a plethora of books about ex’s but I was willing to hop right in and give it a go. I am very lucky that I did. Reading it was a joy.
At first meeting the character Summer Leigh Johnson I felt an immediate kinship with her. Right from the beginning you know that she was hurt very deep but she is clearly a sweet enough person that it hasn’t made her mean just cautious. I wanted to run interference for her and go bop Dwight on the head and tell him he doesn’t deserve a second chance. The first meeting of Dwight Sullivan is a shocker and for quite a bit I could not decide if I wanted to be his opponent in a boxing ring or his friend. I could not believe he would have the nerve to treat Summer the way he had. I have to admit that many of the nasty stereotypical man traits ran through my head and I just thought he must be some kind of idiot. I didn’t decide until very nearly the end so alas you must read the book and come to your own conclusion.
There are definitely some interesting plot twists. The author has these characters exploring some tricky emotional waters. This isn’t just a look into my eyes and you’ll love me again and all is forgiven. Not only in the relationship with Summer and Dwight but with other deep relationships throughout the story. Many characters have significance throughout the book.
Since reading Redneck Ex I’ve learned about some new things that I like and have discovered others that I want to learn more about. Each time I read it always makes me grow and that is a gift for which I will always be grateful. I would say if you are a reader who wants a perfect couple that meet, fall into bed and the story is done this probably isn’t for you. If you like to read something that has substance, characters that have a story to tell and have a full range of emotions including passion and love this is a complete package that I would highly recommend.
It is with a sweet smile and a little bluegrass playing in the background that I pen this review. During this fantastic journey I learned many things I never knew and met plenty of characters that kept me grinning (sometimes giggling) as well as a few who tugged at my heart. I had no idea what to expect from this book and I went on quite an adventure. There are plenty of books out there about rednecks and also a plethora of books about ex’s but I was willing to hop right in and give it a go. I am very lucky that I did. Reading it was a joy.
At first meeting the character Summer Leigh Johnson I felt an immediate kinship with her. Right from the beginning you know that she was hurt very deep but she is clearly a sweet enough person that it hasn’t made her mean just cautious. I wanted to run interference for her and go bop Dwight on the head and tell him he doesn’t deserve a second chance. The first meeting of Dwight Sullivan is a shocker and for quite a bit I could not decide if I wanted to be his opponent in a boxing ring or his friend. I could not believe he would have the nerve to treat Summer the way he had. I have to admit that many of the nasty stereotypical man traits ran through my head and I just thought he must be some kind of idiot. I didn’t decide until very nearly the end so alas you must read the book and come to your own conclusion.
There are definitely some interesting plot twists. The author has these characters exploring some tricky emotional waters. This isn’t just a look into my eyes and you’ll love me again and all is forgiven. Not only in the relationship with Summer and Dwight but with other deep relationships throughout the story. Many characters have significance throughout the book.
Since reading Redneck Ex I’ve learned about some new things that I like and have discovered others that I want to learn more about. Each time I read it always makes me grow and that is a gift for which I will always be grateful. I would say if you are a reader who wants a perfect couple that meet, fall into bed and the story is done this probably isn’t for you. If you like to read something that has substance, characters that have a story to tell and have a full range of emotions including passion and love this is a complete package that I would highly recommend.
July 31, 2012
Redneck Ex by Claire Croxton
Release Date: December 22nd, 2011
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Page Count: 311
Source: Complimentary copy provided author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
With one twang of a banjo string, Summer Leigh Johnson's tidy, organized life in Barrow, Alaska is jolted back to the Ozarks when her coon-hunting, tobacco-chewing, bull-riding, redneck ex-husband asks for her help. She has two options: turn her back on him like he did to her eleven years ago, or help.
Burdened with the curse of every southern woman — What Would Mama Do? —she goes to his aid. And what does she find? The man she fell in love with all those years ago and a second chance at love and family. The last time she gave her heart to Dwight, he flicked it aside like an empty can of Skoal. This time he's cradling it as gently as he would a speckled pup. It will take a lot more than Dwight's southern charm and good looks to convince Summer to stay.
What Stephanie Thinks: A romance between old flames blossoms in Redneck Ex, a novel about what a woman's values ought to be, southern hospitality, and true, destined love — the second time around.
Summer Leigh is happy. It's been eleven years since her prick of an ex suddenly claimed not to love her and sent her packing, but she's finally content with her new, successful life as an archeologist (with a doctorate!) in Barrow, Alaska. She's got everything she could possibly want: a tight circle of amazing, supportive friends, and her dream job, but every bit of composure she's had crumbles when she receives devastating news that Dwight, her ex-husband, has been hospitalized, and even more shockingly, that he's listed her as next-of-kin. What else can she do but go and tend to him, and maybe even try to find out what the hell he's thinking by asking her to be the one to come — even though he's the one who shattered her heart and soul years ago, and even though he's thousands of miles away?
Her trip to Germany is only the beginning though. About halfway through the book, she returns home, but finds she is plagued by her reunion with Dwight, who actually seemed glad to see her. But he's not sending her clear signals; one moment he acts like he's interested, the next, he's cool and unperturbed as ever. She won't let herself get hung up over him, and she certainly won't let him break her heart again. Or... will she?
Summer Leigh is the perfect example of someone who's experienced the heartbreak of being too generous, too kind, too sweet. She can't help it that she's such a good-natured person from tip to toe, even though she's got a strong personality and a smart mouth that make her seem otherwise. Now pushing 35, she radiates a vigor and vitality that she hasn't been lost since childhood, and it makes her such a memorable character. Dwight wreaking havoc on her peaceful life in Barrows may be wrecking her on the inside, but she's too strong to ever let it show. She also possesses a delightful self-deprecating humor. At times, however, her narration reads a bit too chick-litty for me (aka annoying). I mean, I understand Summer Leigh is a clever, but kind-hearted and sensitive girl, but her concern for her appearance (clothes, makeup, body image, etc.) is irritating and makes me wonder if she's got some growing up to do. It contradicts her compassionate, maternal side and makes her come off as superficial and feeble.
The storyline is obviously predictable — no huge surprises as the novel progresses — but it's a fun, substantial romance that makes my heart flutter at times, and my stomach drop at others. Croxton has such an effortless style, a voice I never got tired of reading. Though Summer Leigh and Dwight have some qualities I don't care for, or I feel could have been developed better, overall, they're likable, and clearly meant for each other. The first half of this book was really slow for me, but thankfully it picked up by the second half. In fact, I couldn't put it down once I was halfway through! I suggest Redneck Ex as an easy, down-to-earth read (i.e. one that isn't particularly thrilling, erotic, or haunting — just breezy, humorous, and full of sentiment).
Stephanie Loves: "Concerned that he was slipping back into unconsciousness, I said, 'Dwight, baby, don't go back. Stay with me.'
He squeezed my hand and smiled. Coughed again. Then said, 'You called me baby.'
Really? The guy's been unresponsive for three days and that's the first thing he says?
'I'll call you something else if you go back into a coma.' There were too many retorts running through my mind, so I had to grab something and throw it out there. I didn't think: you egotistical prat was nurturing enough."
— sharp, laugh-out-loud-able humor. Love it!
Radical Rating: 8 hearts - An engaging read; highly recommended.
Release Date: December 22nd, 2011
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Page Count: 311
Source: Complimentary copy provided author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
With one twang of a banjo string, Summer Leigh Johnson's tidy, organized life in Barrow, Alaska is jolted back to the Ozarks when her coon-hunting, tobacco-chewing, bull-riding, redneck ex-husband asks for her help. She has two options: turn her back on him like he did to her eleven years ago, or help.
Burdened with the curse of every southern woman — What Would Mama Do? —she goes to his aid. And what does she find? The man she fell in love with all those years ago and a second chance at love and family. The last time she gave her heart to Dwight, he flicked it aside like an empty can of Skoal. This time he's cradling it as gently as he would a speckled pup. It will take a lot more than Dwight's southern charm and good looks to convince Summer to stay.
What Stephanie Thinks: A romance between old flames blossoms in Redneck Ex, a novel about what a woman's values ought to be, southern hospitality, and true, destined love — the second time around.
Summer Leigh is happy. It's been eleven years since her prick of an ex suddenly claimed not to love her and sent her packing, but she's finally content with her new, successful life as an archeologist (with a doctorate!) in Barrow, Alaska. She's got everything she could possibly want: a tight circle of amazing, supportive friends, and her dream job, but every bit of composure she's had crumbles when she receives devastating news that Dwight, her ex-husband, has been hospitalized, and even more shockingly, that he's listed her as next-of-kin. What else can she do but go and tend to him, and maybe even try to find out what the hell he's thinking by asking her to be the one to come — even though he's the one who shattered her heart and soul years ago, and even though he's thousands of miles away?
Her trip to Germany is only the beginning though. About halfway through the book, she returns home, but finds she is plagued by her reunion with Dwight, who actually seemed glad to see her. But he's not sending her clear signals; one moment he acts like he's interested, the next, he's cool and unperturbed as ever. She won't let herself get hung up over him, and she certainly won't let him break her heart again. Or... will she?
Summer Leigh is the perfect example of someone who's experienced the heartbreak of being too generous, too kind, too sweet. She can't help it that she's such a good-natured person from tip to toe, even though she's got a strong personality and a smart mouth that make her seem otherwise. Now pushing 35, she radiates a vigor and vitality that she hasn't been lost since childhood, and it makes her such a memorable character. Dwight wreaking havoc on her peaceful life in Barrows may be wrecking her on the inside, but she's too strong to ever let it show. She also possesses a delightful self-deprecating humor. At times, however, her narration reads a bit too chick-litty for me (aka annoying). I mean, I understand Summer Leigh is a clever, but kind-hearted and sensitive girl, but her concern for her appearance (clothes, makeup, body image, etc.) is irritating and makes me wonder if she's got some growing up to do. It contradicts her compassionate, maternal side and makes her come off as superficial and feeble.
The storyline is obviously predictable — no huge surprises as the novel progresses — but it's a fun, substantial romance that makes my heart flutter at times, and my stomach drop at others. Croxton has such an effortless style, a voice I never got tired of reading. Though Summer Leigh and Dwight have some qualities I don't care for, or I feel could have been developed better, overall, they're likable, and clearly meant for each other. The first half of this book was really slow for me, but thankfully it picked up by the second half. In fact, I couldn't put it down once I was halfway through! I suggest Redneck Ex as an easy, down-to-earth read (i.e. one that isn't particularly thrilling, erotic, or haunting — just breezy, humorous, and full of sentiment).
Stephanie Loves: "Concerned that he was slipping back into unconsciousness, I said, 'Dwight, baby, don't go back. Stay with me.'
He squeezed my hand and smiled. Coughed again. Then said, 'You called me baby.'
Really? The guy's been unresponsive for three days and that's the first thing he says?
'I'll call you something else if you go back into a coma.' There were too many retorts running through my mind, so I had to grab something and throw it out there. I didn't think: you egotistical prat was nurturing enough."
— sharp, laugh-out-loud-able humor. Love it!
Radical Rating: 8 hearts - An engaging read; highly recommended.
November 30, 2013
I am not really a Romance Novel reader, but a friend of mine suggested this book to me since the author lives near me. For it being her first book I found it well written, but at points unbelievable. The author seemed to have backed herself into a corner a couple times so some parts felt forced, such as when they left Germany to go back to Arkansas. I felt disappointed as some events and how the main character handled them. As for the style, it is nice to see that the main character isn't some tall, thin, everybody has to have her type of character. She has some depth ( and girth) which I really appreciated. I do have a pet peeve about writers using too many similes and metaphors to get a point across, which many first time writers do, and she did a lot of in the beginning. But you can see her writing advance as the story continued. Which brings me to another point that was confusing as a reader, Dwight in the beginning was a very different Dwight then at the end. It was like she didn't like her character and she changed him half-way though to make him to her liking and didn't go back to the beginning to correct him. I know she wanted to show he changed from how he used to be, but isn't wasn't done quite right. Over all I am very happy with the book and its laugh out loud humor.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 7 reviews