What do you think?
Rate this book
Turning Pages
With his pride and her prejudice, what could possibly go wrong?
When the arrogant Blake Hansen steals Addie Preston's promotion at the library, he pretty much rubs her nose in it. But Addie, who dreams of being a full-fledged librarian, decides to stick it out. She loves surrounding herself with books and keeping her father's memory alive in the building where they spent so much time together.
Soon, Addie learns that her beloved library will be torn down to make room for a larger facility, and she has to make a choice. Fight, or let go?
To complicate things, she finds herself attracted to Blake, who is engaged to someone else. Will Blake and Addie ever resolve their differences?
When the arrogant Blake Hansen steals Addie Preston's promotion at the library, he pretty much rubs her nose in it. But Addie, who dreams of being a full-fledged librarian, decides to stick it out. She loves surrounding herself with books and keeping her father's memory alive in the building where they spent so much time together.
Soon, Addie learns that her beloved library will be torn down to make room for a larger facility, and she has to make a choice. Fight, or let go?
To complicate things, she finds herself attracted to Blake, who is engaged to someone else. Will Blake and Addie ever resolve their differences?
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
6 people are currently reading
957 people want to read
About the author
Tristi Pinkston
228 books189 followersI'm a historical/contemporary fiction author, stay-at-home mom, homeschooler, freelance editor, and the owner of Trifecta Books.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
January 3, 2016
"Something had changed between us-we might actually have become friends.It was almost creepy."
This was really interesting and enjoyable!I loved the characters,their stories,the library,the romance,the friendships,the ending.I loved Addie and her family,I loved how they handled the death of her father and how they really care for each other.I liked how passionate Addie is about library and her job.It's funny that Blake loves Dune,I found it soooo hard to get into and eventually I gave up on reading it.(My mom loves it,tho.)My only problem with this book is that Blake's girlfriend was in the story for too long,I was actually beginning to worry.Everything else is pretty damn great.
Favourite quotes:
"I know I don't.I just...I don't have the ability some people have of making friends.I think I'm being friendly,and it doesn't come across that way."
I snorted.It wasn't very lady-like.
"That's what you call friendly?"
"Yeah.I know-it needs work."
"It needs surgery."
'And of course,Addie."
What did he mean by that-"of course, Addie?" Did he mean "Of course you remember this airheaded chick who attacked the mayor with cardboard and had to be bailed out of jail?" That's not what really happened,but how was I supposed to know what he remembered of the incident?
"I'll snap out of it. What if you put that last row under the window, and set the rocking chair right next to it, on the left?"
"That's exactly what I said to you not thirty seconds ago."
"I knew I got the idea from somewhere."
'What?"
"Nothing." He laughed."You were really hungry."
"I don't need to defend my eating to anyone.And just so you know,when I'm done with this,I plan to eat three whole cookies."
"Whoa." He held up his hands."Now you're pulling out the big guns."
"I don't mess around."
October 25, 2017
Cute!! Well it's like the modern version of 'Pride and Prejucide'. :))
So I guess a Jane Austen fan would like this book. :)
~●SPOILER!!
I really like the main leads cause Blake already had a girlfriend but he didn't cheat on her with Addie. So I had a lot of respect for them. :) ●~
I wish the book could have been longer and I wish the main leads could have interacted with each other a bit more.. But still I like this book a lot! ♡
So I guess a Jane Austen fan would like this book. :)
~●SPOILER!!
I really like the main leads cause Blake already had a girlfriend but he didn't cheat on her with Addie. So I had a lot of respect for them. :) ●~
I wish the book could have been longer and I wish the main leads could have interacted with each other a bit more.. But still I like this book a lot! ♡
October 29, 2014
I quite liked this book. Interesting characters and a story that the ending makes sense. A nice, clean read with a little romance thrown in. Plus the main character works in a library, and I love libraries!
January 2, 2013
I found this interesting more for the chance to see inside the life of a librarian than the story or characters. It sounds fun to be a librarian but not as glamorous as I always thought.
Addie feels very immature for the age she is representing, at least at first. Before long you discover that she is very mature in just about every facet of her life except boys. Her entire life is going through one massive upheaval.
The romance portion of the story felt near non-existent. Specifically between Addie and her chosen swain. He doesn't show any favorable signs of love or even mild interest. Even right before declaring himself I didn't pick up anything amorous. Maybe I was being really dense. He was definitely nice and friendly but he seemed to be that way with everyone. Then suddenly their relationship went from platonic to full blown. Hard to swallow.
At the very beginning of the book I ran across this quote below. I loved it because it reminded me of how I think when I am recommended a book. More often than not the recommendations aren't even remotely close to the type of book I read. My thoughts are so very similar to Addie's. I would rather do a something horrible than read this book. Thank you very much. So very funny to see it written in a book. This moment really set me up to thinking this book was going to be hilarious and great.
I enjoyed the book for the in depth look behind the scenes at a library but wasn't really captivated by the characters or story. It was a decent and relatively quick read.
Addie feels very immature for the age she is representing, at least at first. Before long you discover that she is very mature in just about every facet of her life except boys. Her entire life is going through one massive upheaval.
The romance portion of the story felt near non-existent. Specifically between Addie and her chosen swain. He doesn't show any favorable signs of love or even mild interest. Even right before declaring himself I didn't pick up anything amorous. Maybe I was being really dense. He was definitely nice and friendly but he seemed to be that way with everyone. Then suddenly their relationship went from platonic to full blown. Hard to swallow.
At the very beginning of the book I ran across this quote below. I loved it because it reminded me of how I think when I am recommended a book. More often than not the recommendations aren't even remotely close to the type of book I read. My thoughts are so very similar to Addie's. I would rather do a something horrible than read this book. Thank you very much. So very funny to see it written in a book. This moment really set me up to thinking this book was going to be hilarious and great.
I enjoyed the book for the in depth look behind the scenes at a library but wasn't really captivated by the characters or story. It was a decent and relatively quick read.
August 20, 2012
Once again, versatile author Tristi Pinkson has stretched into a new genre and has done so with aplomb. Her first foray into the young adult market is sure to be a crowd pleaser thanks to the quirky main character, Addie, who manages to always infuse humor into her real-life drama. This clever retelling of Pride and Prejudice will make you cry, and then laugh, and then growl with frustration at the stupidity of two people who are clearly meant to be together. The question is, will they ever see it?
November 28, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were great and easy to relate to. I laughed out loud throughout this book and also shed a few tears. (I know it's good when an author can make me do both!) The story move along quickly so I didn't get bored. I loved Addie, Blake, and especially Addie's mom. They were all very strong characters whether they realized it or not. I totally recommend this book! Plus I have a lot of new books to add to my to-read list thanks to Addie.
May 25, 2016
This is a REALLY GOOD BOOK. I actually read this book on Wattpad few months ago and it was AMAZING! Especially since the setting is a library. A LIBRARY!!! WHO WRITES A BOOK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF A LIBRARY?! NO ONE! They are way too busy with other stuff in relation to vampires or werewolves. But a LIBRARY?!?!?! NO.
That's what makes this book even more fascinating to read. It is much more realistic and true to the heart. GO TRISTI PINKSTON!! I ADMIRE AND RESPECT YOU!!!
LOVE THIS BOOK!
That's what makes this book even more fascinating to read. It is much more realistic and true to the heart. GO TRISTI PINKSTON!! I ADMIRE AND RESPECT YOU!!!
LOVE THIS BOOK!
August 14, 2012
Addie is a quirky character who's easy to relate to with believable conflicts and problems. The plot is engrossing with nice twists and turns and characters you want to root for. If you're looking for a light read for teens or anyone who is young at heart, I totally recommend this book!
December 16, 2012
A fun P and P spinoff which I found at wattpad. I loved the characters and the slightly changed plot. I liked the fact that the story was not directly lifted but that the backgrounds of certain characters were interchanged to make the book interesting. A fun light read!
November 27, 2019
This a young adult romance story and I loved it. I don’t remember reading young romance when I was a whole lot younger but I sure wish I had now.
This story was so good from beginning to end and very hard to put down because it was that good. I loved the hero a lot and I really loved the heroine. There are great secondary characters that are important to this story and it’s mostly in the library when these mostly older teens work as their jobs of course are in the library.
There are multiple life learning scenario’s in this story that teens especially need to know more about and life lessons that are learned but not by the advice of their friends but also knowing their friends are there for them.
This story has so much going on and our touch heroine is really a force at a young age in what she believes in on so many levels. I also laughed, cried, and laughed again.
I highly encourage young teen romance readers to grab this book. I also suggest parents of young teens to also read this book and if you love this genre of romance in general, you will love this story as well. I am in my sixties and really enjoyed it.
I am a beta ready for this author and was only asked to read this to help with problems, mistakes that sort of thing, but this is my own honest opinion and a review I wanted to do.
This story was so good from beginning to end and very hard to put down because it was that good. I loved the hero a lot and I really loved the heroine. There are great secondary characters that are important to this story and it’s mostly in the library when these mostly older teens work as their jobs of course are in the library.
There are multiple life learning scenario’s in this story that teens especially need to know more about and life lessons that are learned but not by the advice of their friends but also knowing their friends are there for them.
This story has so much going on and our touch heroine is really a force at a young age in what she believes in on so many levels. I also laughed, cried, and laughed again.
I highly encourage young teen romance readers to grab this book. I also suggest parents of young teens to also read this book and if you love this genre of romance in general, you will love this story as well. I am in my sixties and really enjoyed it.
I am a beta ready for this author and was only asked to read this to help with problems, mistakes that sort of thing, but this is my own honest opinion and a review I wanted to do.
April 7, 2019
4.5 stars
June 18, 2020
A girl dealing with death of her father and healing. Books were a big part of het life. I love the jane austin parallels.
September 13, 2021
I liked Beths review on this book. I feel like she does. I found the book in Dads book shed.
April 6, 2022
SUCH a cute, fun book! It was entertaining, brought me to tears a few times, and kept me flying through the pages to see how it would end.
December 9, 2012
Turning Pages by Tristi Pinkston is not only super adorable on the outside (I mean, just look at that cover!) but it is also a sweet story on the inside! The main character is a huge book nerd who happens to be dealing with some real-life issues. And let’s not forget that most of the book takes place in a library. It all makes me ask, what’s not to love?
I loved Addie as a main character! She was such a sweet, caring, passionate girl going through some of the hardest things she’s ever gone through in her life. Addie’s mom passed at an early age and when we first meet her she is also dealing with the recent passing of her father. Now her, her younger siblings, and her step-mom are forced to deal with life without him. My heart broke for this entire family! I could see more of Addie’s pain because obviously she’s the main character, but I was also able to see just how hard it was on everyone else. This only made it harder to bear when I learned of the financial struggles this family was going through. Regardless of all the pain and problems, there was an incredible amount of faith and determination on not only Addie’s part but from her step-mom as well. It was so nice to see such a strong bond between the entire family but Addie and her step-mom in particular; They were each others rocks.
On top of dealing with everything at home, Addie also has an incredible amount of work problems to sort through. Forced to deal with the potential tearing down of her beloved library and having to work with Mr. Blake “I like to steal Addie’s job promotion and continually insult her (albeit it unknowingly) on a daily basis” Hansen, let’s just say I gained a whole new respect for this girl! I loved the constant banter between the two of them. Addie is very independent and certainly has a mind of her own and Blake can be moody and rude without even realizing it. When Blake would accidentally say something rude to Addie and Addie would get all fired up about it, I couldn’t help but giggle. Soon their banter turns into a friendship. Addie finds herself in a jam on more than one occasion and Blake just happens to be there every time to help save the day. As you can probably infer from the summary of the book, feelings of friendship soon turn into feelings of something more for Addie & Blake. Blake’s engagement and Addie’s feelings for an old crush, not to mention the fact that HE IS HER BOSS only complicate things more! I do wish that there would have been a bit more between them romantically. I knew from the beginning there was going to be some type of romantic notion between them but I wish it would have shown up more throughout the book. It’s just that for a majority of the book they were sometimes bantering enemies and most of the time friends so a few more stolen glances, a few more secret touches, just something aside from the admitted feelings of love near the end would have really made the romance seem more evident.
Addie deals with so much from the very first page up until the very end of the book. Even though she was faced with one problem after another, I had no other option but to admire her strength through it all. Problems at home with her family, problems with her job, problems with her love life (or lack of it) would be enough to make any person go bonkers, and even though Addie certainly had her stressed-to-the-max moments she also DEALS WITH IT! She powered through everything like a true fighter. Tristi certainly did a fantastic job of turning this real-life book nerd into a fan of this book about a fictional book nerd. The main character is certainly one to admire and even through I thought the romance could have been spiced up a bit, there is still so many sweet, touching messages that readers can take from this story!
I loved Addie as a main character! She was such a sweet, caring, passionate girl going through some of the hardest things she’s ever gone through in her life. Addie’s mom passed at an early age and when we first meet her she is also dealing with the recent passing of her father. Now her, her younger siblings, and her step-mom are forced to deal with life without him. My heart broke for this entire family! I could see more of Addie’s pain because obviously she’s the main character, but I was also able to see just how hard it was on everyone else. This only made it harder to bear when I learned of the financial struggles this family was going through. Regardless of all the pain and problems, there was an incredible amount of faith and determination on not only Addie’s part but from her step-mom as well. It was so nice to see such a strong bond between the entire family but Addie and her step-mom in particular; They were each others rocks.
On top of dealing with everything at home, Addie also has an incredible amount of work problems to sort through. Forced to deal with the potential tearing down of her beloved library and having to work with Mr. Blake “I like to steal Addie’s job promotion and continually insult her (albeit it unknowingly) on a daily basis” Hansen, let’s just say I gained a whole new respect for this girl! I loved the constant banter between the two of them. Addie is very independent and certainly has a mind of her own and Blake can be moody and rude without even realizing it. When Blake would accidentally say something rude to Addie and Addie would get all fired up about it, I couldn’t help but giggle. Soon their banter turns into a friendship. Addie finds herself in a jam on more than one occasion and Blake just happens to be there every time to help save the day. As you can probably infer from the summary of the book, feelings of friendship soon turn into feelings of something more for Addie & Blake. Blake’s engagement and Addie’s feelings for an old crush, not to mention the fact that HE IS HER BOSS only complicate things more! I do wish that there would have been a bit more between them romantically. I knew from the beginning there was going to be some type of romantic notion between them but I wish it would have shown up more throughout the book. It’s just that for a majority of the book they were sometimes bantering enemies and most of the time friends so a few more stolen glances, a few more secret touches, just something aside from the admitted feelings of love near the end would have really made the romance seem more evident.
Addie deals with so much from the very first page up until the very end of the book. Even though she was faced with one problem after another, I had no other option but to admire her strength through it all. Problems at home with her family, problems with her job, problems with her love life (or lack of it) would be enough to make any person go bonkers, and even though Addie certainly had her stressed-to-the-max moments she also DEALS WITH IT! She powered through everything like a true fighter. Tristi certainly did a fantastic job of turning this real-life book nerd into a fan of this book about a fictional book nerd. The main character is certainly one to admire and even through I thought the romance could have been spiced up a bit, there is still so many sweet, touching messages that readers can take from this story!
February 5, 2013
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Disclaimers: I received this as part of the original book tour, but somehow it got lost in the mail, so I did receive a copy from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.
An Overview of the Novel: Addie has wanted to work at the library for years and thinks that she's finally going to be named Assistant Librarian only to be passed up for the arrogant Blake, who hasn't even worked at a library before. Addie is furious and automatically dislikes Blake.
But then she finds out the library is going to be knocked down and then rebuilt. Addie now knows why she was passed up for Blake, but that doesn't make her any less furious.
She's determined to save the library and walk away with her heart intact because there's no way she could actually be attracted to Blake is there.
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: I hadn't actually really read the summary before going into this book. So I went in without realizing it was a retelling of Pride and Prejudice. :) However, the fact that it was a retelling was quickly apparent. There were some notable differences in Tristi's re-imagining though, and it stood up on its own merits, which many P&P retellings do not.
What if Elizabeth's dad had actually been out of the picture and Elizabeth had actually liked her mom? What if Elizabeth hadn't been related to Lydia. Add a million more what ifs and you have the intriguing Turning Pages.
To say I'm always skeptical of retellings of Pride and Prejudice is an understatement, but I've also read several that I have loved.
I will admit for the first third of the novel I was thinking I might not love the novel. It was good, but it hadn't completely gripped me yet. But as I kept reading, I became more and more intrigued and I loved the ending.
I really liked Blake from the get-go so that was different than P&P because in that novel I was furious with Darcy in the beginning. Blake was actually just a charming young man who I liked from the beginning. On one hand it was nice, on the other hand I did like to hate Darcy. :)
As for Addie, I actually liked her character. There were several parts where I could find myself connecting with her. If you love reading and libraries, I definitely think she is a character you will enjoy reading about.
Tristi's writing is always fantastic. I've read books by her before (books on finance before for goodness sake and been riveted). Tristi is just a fabulous writer.
So why 3.5 out of 5 stars? I loved the book. I liked the characters and the way Tristi re-imagined the classic tale of P&P and I thought the setting she chose was fascinating. How many books take place at libraries? In my opinion, not enough. So why a 3.5 out of 5 stars? I just can't look past the first part of the novel that didn't quite grip me.
This novel was closer to a 4 though and there were so many parts that I absolutely love. I'd still recommend it to people who like retellings of P&P or those who are looking for a cute fun read that will elicit a few laughs.
In Summary: Tristi presents a cute retelling of the classic we all love. Her characters are gripping, her plot compelling, and her writing is masterful.
Warnings/Side-notes: Nothing this novel is perfectly clean.
The Wrap-up: I love Tristi's voice. Her writing is beautiful and I definitely enjoyed this one. If you like cute novels with deeper underlying themes check out this one.
Love,
Danica Page
Disclaimers: I received this as part of the original book tour, but somehow it got lost in the mail, so I did receive a copy from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.
An Overview of the Novel: Addie has wanted to work at the library for years and thinks that she's finally going to be named Assistant Librarian only to be passed up for the arrogant Blake, who hasn't even worked at a library before. Addie is furious and automatically dislikes Blake.
But then she finds out the library is going to be knocked down and then rebuilt. Addie now knows why she was passed up for Blake, but that doesn't make her any less furious.
She's determined to save the library and walk away with her heart intact because there's no way she could actually be attracted to Blake is there.
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: I hadn't actually really read the summary before going into this book. So I went in without realizing it was a retelling of Pride and Prejudice. :) However, the fact that it was a retelling was quickly apparent. There were some notable differences in Tristi's re-imagining though, and it stood up on its own merits, which many P&P retellings do not.
What if Elizabeth's dad had actually been out of the picture and Elizabeth had actually liked her mom? What if Elizabeth hadn't been related to Lydia. Add a million more what ifs and you have the intriguing Turning Pages.
To say I'm always skeptical of retellings of Pride and Prejudice is an understatement, but I've also read several that I have loved.
I will admit for the first third of the novel I was thinking I might not love the novel. It was good, but it hadn't completely gripped me yet. But as I kept reading, I became more and more intrigued and I loved the ending.
I really liked Blake from the get-go so that was different than P&P because in that novel I was furious with Darcy in the beginning. Blake was actually just a charming young man who I liked from the beginning. On one hand it was nice, on the other hand I did like to hate Darcy. :)
As for Addie, I actually liked her character. There were several parts where I could find myself connecting with her. If you love reading and libraries, I definitely think she is a character you will enjoy reading about.
Tristi's writing is always fantastic. I've read books by her before (books on finance before for goodness sake and been riveted). Tristi is just a fabulous writer.
So why 3.5 out of 5 stars? I loved the book. I liked the characters and the way Tristi re-imagined the classic tale of P&P and I thought the setting she chose was fascinating. How many books take place at libraries? In my opinion, not enough. So why a 3.5 out of 5 stars? I just can't look past the first part of the novel that didn't quite grip me.
This novel was closer to a 4 though and there were so many parts that I absolutely love. I'd still recommend it to people who like retellings of P&P or those who are looking for a cute fun read that will elicit a few laughs.
In Summary: Tristi presents a cute retelling of the classic we all love. Her characters are gripping, her plot compelling, and her writing is masterful.
Warnings/Side-notes: Nothing this novel is perfectly clean.
The Wrap-up: I love Tristi's voice. Her writing is beautiful and I definitely enjoyed this one. If you like cute novels with deeper underlying themes check out this one.
Love,
Danica Page
October 24, 2012
I received a copy of this book from the author so I could review it. I'll post my review on here after I write it.
This is not my review. Just some comments.
I read this in one evening. We're talking I ate dinner with one hand while I read this book.
Overall I loved the story that this book told but the librarian in me has a few comments/questions.
Undergrad library science classes are rare. There are only a handful of schools in the USA that offer them.
Was Mr. Blank (I forget his name I'll edit it later when I have the book handy) the library director? I know they have staff meetings in his office but it never point blank calls him that (also he doesn’t seem to be around a lot). I find it odd that Blake would be allowed to take over as library director since he has a business background not a library background. I know a few libraries that the director has a business background but we’re taking cutting edge libraries. This didn’t strike me as a cutting edge library. Instead of Blake being the assistant librarian (this job title is almost never used) it would have made more sense for his job title to be something like public services manager (so it made sense that he has a business background) or sometimes when a library is going through a major renovation someone is hired (temporarily) to be in charge of the project.
To me Addie seems younger than 19/20. Until she mentioned library science classes I had it in my head she was in high school.
Also while is varies by city it’s a little odd that the city could make such a decision and not include the library director and/or board. Instead of blaming the city it would have made more sense for the library board to make this decision and the staff be upset with the library board.
Also the staff for this library does not make any sense. I’m guessing Mr. Blank and Blake are the only full time workers and then there are 5 part time workers? I’m confused by the ages of the workers. They all seem to be young except the bookmobile driver. In most libraries the majority of the staff is older.
At the end of the book I was left wondering who the library director is. Blake said he’s staying during the library addition. Which brings up that fact that they would never be allowed to date.
This is not my review. Just some comments.
I read this in one evening. We're talking I ate dinner with one hand while I read this book.
Overall I loved the story that this book told but the librarian in me has a few comments/questions.
Undergrad library science classes are rare. There are only a handful of schools in the USA that offer them.
Was Mr. Blank (I forget his name I'll edit it later when I have the book handy) the library director? I know they have staff meetings in his office but it never point blank calls him that (also he doesn’t seem to be around a lot). I find it odd that Blake would be allowed to take over as library director since he has a business background not a library background. I know a few libraries that the director has a business background but we’re taking cutting edge libraries. This didn’t strike me as a cutting edge library. Instead of Blake being the assistant librarian (this job title is almost never used) it would have made more sense for his job title to be something like public services manager (so it made sense that he has a business background) or sometimes when a library is going through a major renovation someone is hired (temporarily) to be in charge of the project.
To me Addie seems younger than 19/20. Until she mentioned library science classes I had it in my head she was in high school.
Also while is varies by city it’s a little odd that the city could make such a decision and not include the library director and/or board. Instead of blaming the city it would have made more sense for the library board to make this decision and the staff be upset with the library board.
Also the staff for this library does not make any sense. I’m guessing Mr. Blank and Blake are the only full time workers and then there are 5 part time workers? I’m confused by the ages of the workers. They all seem to be young except the bookmobile driver. In most libraries the majority of the staff is older.
At the end of the book I was left wondering who the library director is. Blake said he’s staying during the library addition. Which brings up that fact that they would never be allowed to date.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2013
I have looked forward to reading this book for a while. I love Tristi's books and the humor she brings to her writing. I was not disappointed. I read this in a day because I was so stuck in the story.
Here is the synopsis:
With his pride and her prejudice, what could possibly go wrong?
When the arrogant Blake Hansen steals Addie Preston's promotion at the library, he pretty much rubs her nose in it. But Addie, who dreams of being a full-fledged librarian, decides to stick it out. She loves surrounding herself with books and keeping her father's memory alive in the building where they spent so much time together.
Soon, Addie learns that her beloved library will be torn down to make room for a larger facility, and she has to make a choice. Fight, or let go?
To complicate things, she finds herself attracted to Blake, who is engaged to someone else. Will Blake and Addie ever resolve their differences?
There are libraries, books, a little romance, and a lot of emotion throughout. In other words, the perfect book for me. Addie is a feisty girl who has lost so much and fights hard to keep her family together while struggling with school and a job. She's tough but she has a great sense of humor to go with it.
Blake is uptight but he rides a motorcycle —a confusing combination. He is always willing to help her out, even when she doesn't want it.
Melanie is always there for Addie—and Addie is there for her when she needs it most.
So many emotions went flowing through me as I read it. I miss my bookstore so the act of closing their library, cataloging the books, and lugging them around was strongly felt. Addie struggled through so many trials and I felt for her as one problem after another hit her.
I highly recommend this book to teens and adults.
Here is the synopsis:
With his pride and her prejudice, what could possibly go wrong?
When the arrogant Blake Hansen steals Addie Preston's promotion at the library, he pretty much rubs her nose in it. But Addie, who dreams of being a full-fledged librarian, decides to stick it out. She loves surrounding herself with books and keeping her father's memory alive in the building where they spent so much time together.
Soon, Addie learns that her beloved library will be torn down to make room for a larger facility, and she has to make a choice. Fight, or let go?
To complicate things, she finds herself attracted to Blake, who is engaged to someone else. Will Blake and Addie ever resolve their differences?
There are libraries, books, a little romance, and a lot of emotion throughout. In other words, the perfect book for me. Addie is a feisty girl who has lost so much and fights hard to keep her family together while struggling with school and a job. She's tough but she has a great sense of humor to go with it.
Blake is uptight but he rides a motorcycle —a confusing combination. He is always willing to help her out, even when she doesn't want it.
Melanie is always there for Addie—and Addie is there for her when she needs it most.
So many emotions went flowing through me as I read it. I miss my bookstore so the act of closing their library, cataloging the books, and lugging them around was strongly felt. Addie struggled through so many trials and I felt for her as one problem after another hit her.
I highly recommend this book to teens and adults.
September 16, 2016
This book was enjoyable. The best thing about it was the amazing emphasis on family. Though the book is a romance novel, the internal conflict is more about Addie trying to get over her father's death, and I loved how she supported her family in this, and in turn, her family supported her. I really loved those morals presented and the good family environment that was presented because not a lot of books seem to mention that.
The thing I didn't like as much about this book was that it was almost completely focused on Addie's internal growth. I do love that, and I did think it was amazing, which is why I liked it so much, but I felt like there should have been a little bit more external things weaved in with the internal. Maybe that's just personal preference; I don't know. I'm afraid I'm not making much sense right now.
But I also have to say that I loved the romance. I adored it, not because it was adorable and cute, but because it made sense and followed a natural progression. They started out being friends. In fact, I was almost unsure whether or not they would end up getting together in the end--and the thing is, I would have actually been satisfied if they hadn't. That's how well the romance was written, and how firm their friendship was. It wasn't love at first sight, and it didn't turn directly from hate to love, either. It went from dislike to friendship and eventually to love and that was wonderful.
So I think it was a really great book. It had so many things that I've been wanting to see in books, with the character development and family relationships and a real love progression, so I'm really glad that I read it.
The thing I didn't like as much about this book was that it was almost completely focused on Addie's internal growth. I do love that, and I did think it was amazing, which is why I liked it so much, but I felt like there should have been a little bit more external things weaved in with the internal. Maybe that's just personal preference; I don't know. I'm afraid I'm not making much sense right now.
But I also have to say that I loved the romance. I adored it, not because it was adorable and cute, but because it made sense and followed a natural progression. They started out being friends. In fact, I was almost unsure whether or not they would end up getting together in the end--and the thing is, I would have actually been satisfied if they hadn't. That's how well the romance was written, and how firm their friendship was. It wasn't love at first sight, and it didn't turn directly from hate to love, either. It went from dislike to friendship and eventually to love and that was wonderful.
So I think it was a really great book. It had so many things that I've been wanting to see in books, with the character development and family relationships and a real love progression, so I'm really glad that I read it.
June 3, 2015
Book provided by author for review.
Review originally published on my blog: AWordsWorth.blogspot.com
How do I love thee, let me count the ways ...
... You're about a girl who's going to school to be a librarian, and works in a library.
... You're a nod to my beloved Pride & Prejudice.
... You made me laugh out loud, garnering odd stares from the cat.
Seriously though, Turning Pages was a delight to read. Addie Preston is a girl after my own heart, working her way through Library School while also working to navigate life and its pitfalls. Her library is engraved deeply on her heart, in large part because it was a special place for she and her father -- whose death is still shockingly raw and new to the family. All the characters are written in the same, colorful, realistic style -- and Blake Hansen, the big city hotshot who sweeps in and steals Addi's promotion, is one amazing incarnation of our all-time favorite Darcy. The chemistry and dynamics between Addie and Blake (and the rest of the cast as well, for that matter) is fun and lively, and I really did laugh out loud at times.
With many nods to Austen's classic, you can imagine how the story will play out -- but there are shifts, and changes. Adaptations that bring the story into contemporary America, but add to the overall story experience rather than detract from the original idea. Honestly, the best way I can describe this is as a fun, breezy read that manages to handle some heavy heart-matters with a light - but effective - touch. A thoroughly enjoyable read, and I find myself wishing for more.
Review originally published on my blog: AWordsWorth.blogspot.com
How do I love thee, let me count the ways ...
... You're about a girl who's going to school to be a librarian, and works in a library.
... You're a nod to my beloved Pride & Prejudice.
... You made me laugh out loud, garnering odd stares from the cat.
Seriously though, Turning Pages was a delight to read. Addie Preston is a girl after my own heart, working her way through Library School while also working to navigate life and its pitfalls. Her library is engraved deeply on her heart, in large part because it was a special place for she and her father -- whose death is still shockingly raw and new to the family. All the characters are written in the same, colorful, realistic style -- and Blake Hansen, the big city hotshot who sweeps in and steals Addi's promotion, is one amazing incarnation of our all-time favorite Darcy. The chemistry and dynamics between Addie and Blake (and the rest of the cast as well, for that matter) is fun and lively, and I really did laugh out loud at times.
With many nods to Austen's classic, you can imagine how the story will play out -- but there are shifts, and changes. Adaptations that bring the story into contemporary America, but add to the overall story experience rather than detract from the original idea. Honestly, the best way I can describe this is as a fun, breezy read that manages to handle some heavy heart-matters with a light - but effective - touch. A thoroughly enjoyable read, and I find myself wishing for more.
November 22, 2012
Turning Pages is a cute story about Addie Preston, a college student who works at the local library. She hasn’t had the easiest life, which is probably why she finds such comfort in the books she loves.
Addie and her family are dealing with the recent death of her father in a car accident that also injured her step-mother. Addie’s own mother died when she was little, and Addie, her younger siblings, and her step-mom have to face the reality that they can’t afford to stay in their home. She was passed over for a promotion that was promised to her, and the city just announced it’s going to tear down her beloved old library and replace it with an expensive new building. Addie gets rejected by a boy she’s liked forever, she and her best friend have a falling out, and to top things off, the guy that was hired for her promised position is a bit of a jerk.
While Addie fights to save the library, she realizes that change always comes. She learns to hold tight to what is most important, to let go of things she can’t control and that some things (and people) are not as bad as they first seem.
I enjoyed Turning Pages as a clean read with good themes that I would happily hand to my 15-year-old to read. I liked Addie and related to her love of books and her beloved library. It was a good reminder that change is the only constant and people are what matter most.
Review originally published on www.ldswomensbookreview.com.
Addie and her family are dealing with the recent death of her father in a car accident that also injured her step-mother. Addie’s own mother died when she was little, and Addie, her younger siblings, and her step-mom have to face the reality that they can’t afford to stay in their home. She was passed over for a promotion that was promised to her, and the city just announced it’s going to tear down her beloved old library and replace it with an expensive new building. Addie gets rejected by a boy she’s liked forever, she and her best friend have a falling out, and to top things off, the guy that was hired for her promised position is a bit of a jerk.
While Addie fights to save the library, she realizes that change always comes. She learns to hold tight to what is most important, to let go of things she can’t control and that some things (and people) are not as bad as they first seem.
I enjoyed Turning Pages as a clean read with good themes that I would happily hand to my 15-year-old to read. I liked Addie and related to her love of books and her beloved library. It was a good reminder that change is the only constant and people are what matter most.
Review originally published on www.ldswomensbookreview.com.
November 28, 2012
Turning Pages, Tristi Pinkston's newest novel, is a story that will leave a smile on your face. Addie Preston, a college student who works at the local library has had a difficult life. After losing her mother at a very young age, she is faced with all the turmoil of dealing with her father's recent death. She, along with her step-mother, and younger siblings are faced with some difficult challenges. Then to compound the situation even further, Addie is suddenly passed up for a promotion she has desperately wanted-- Jr. Librarian. Blake, the man who "stole" her position then poses a whole new set of problems for Addie. This is definitely a fun book, written as a modern-day version of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Addie is a fun, quirky character that I can really relate to. As a young woman, I spent hour upon hour in my local library. I remember browsing the isles and taking comfort in the unique scents that can only be found in an older library. I loved that Addie's goal was to save the original library. I have always enjoyed old, historic buildings, and there is certain charm that is definitely lacking in the new, modern libraries. I also really liked Blake's character. He is witty and arrogant, and I found the romantic tension between him and Addie a perfect addition to the story. This is a fun, clean read, and I'd recommend it for anyone who's looking for a great addition to their Christmas list.
May 17, 2015
This book is a modern take on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and there are certainly some parallels, though it is not a slavish copy set in the modern era. Overall, this story is stronger on Addie’s (of course, the Elizabeth Bennett character) prejudice, than Blake’s (Mr Darcy’s) pride.
I loved Addie, I thought she was a terrific protagonist. Throughout the story she shows herself to be romantic (she smells rain, and loves it), vulnerable, sassy, determined, stubborn, funny, smart, and so, so wrong about many things – the best kind of leading lady. Another strength of the story is the depiction of the Addie’s grieving family and the practical after effects of the death of the main breadwinner. It’s bittersweet, realistically complex, and packed a stronger punch for that.
On the negative side, Blake’s fiancée was on the scene for too long for my liking, the split was too amicable, and Blake too ‘likeable’. Mr Darcy was insufferable until Elizabeth Bennett’s prejudice was cast aside and the truth exposed. Also, there is a whiff of moralising about sex before marriage between Addie and her friend. I felt this was shoehorned into the story unnecessarily.
Having said that, it’s a really good book. The writer has a number of novels published and it’s no surprise; she is very good at her craft. She created a set of characters, particularly the charming Addie and her family, who I really bonded with.
I loved Addie, I thought she was a terrific protagonist. Throughout the story she shows herself to be romantic (she smells rain, and loves it), vulnerable, sassy, determined, stubborn, funny, smart, and so, so wrong about many things – the best kind of leading lady. Another strength of the story is the depiction of the Addie’s grieving family and the practical after effects of the death of the main breadwinner. It’s bittersweet, realistically complex, and packed a stronger punch for that.
On the negative side, Blake’s fiancée was on the scene for too long for my liking, the split was too amicable, and Blake too ‘likeable’. Mr Darcy was insufferable until Elizabeth Bennett’s prejudice was cast aside and the truth exposed. Also, there is a whiff of moralising about sex before marriage between Addie and her friend. I felt this was shoehorned into the story unnecessarily.
Having said that, it’s a really good book. The writer has a number of novels published and it’s no surprise; she is very good at her craft. She created a set of characters, particularly the charming Addie and her family, who I really bonded with.
April 23, 2015
-An easy, interesting, super-enjoyable read that I flew through
-It's a well-written book, & the reason I emphasize this, is because, as popular as they may be, alot of the Wattpad "books" lack good writing
So this one was one of the best I've come across on Wattpad
-But as much as I loved it ( and Blake ;) I felt the romance could have been MUCH better developed and portrayed. Seriously, the first inkling or indication to any romance between Addie and Blake happened in chapter seventeen...which was waaay after the half of the book.
Absolutely no development of chemistry between the two save a few, sparse scenes, and yet the book ended with passionate confessions of everlasting love
[image error]
-For that reason, I find this book difficult to catalog...its clearly not romance, nor is it humor.
So the book was mainly just floating about between Addie's whining & oh-so-problematic life with bouts of romance and a sprinkling of humor.
-The characters were, though nice, extremely forgettable. Addie was strictly fine bordering on boring/lame. Blake was lovely & predictable awesome ♥
-Despite all, I really enjoyed it & it will definitely be somewhere on my
TRR To Re-Read list!
-It's a well-written book, & the reason I emphasize this, is because, as popular as they may be, alot of the Wattpad "books" lack good writing
So this one was one of the best I've come across on Wattpad
-But as much as I loved it ( and Blake ;) I felt the romance could have been MUCH better developed and portrayed. Seriously, the first inkling or indication to any romance between Addie and Blake happened in chapter seventeen...which was waaay after the half of the book.
Absolutely no development of chemistry between the two save a few, sparse scenes, and yet the book ended with passionate confessions of everlasting love
[image error]
-For that reason, I find this book difficult to catalog...its clearly not romance, nor is it humor.
So the book was mainly just floating about between Addie's whining & oh-so-problematic life with bouts of romance and a sprinkling of humor.
-The characters were, though nice, extremely forgettable. Addie was strictly fine bordering on boring/lame. Blake was lovely & predictable awesome ♥
-Despite all, I really enjoyed it & it will definitely be somewhere on my
TRR To Re-Read list!
April 2, 2013
reviewed on Clean Adult Fiction
This book was a fun and light read. Like many of you I'm a book lover so it was nice to have the main character be a librarian and obsessed with the library and books. When they met, Addie thought her new boss, Blake, was more into business than enjoying the library. Let's just say they didn't hit it off at the start. Plus Blake was engaged.
Poor Addie just couldn't let go of her library. I see why she was attached, but it still annoyed me at times since I'm the opposite of a pack-rat. I feel freedom from throwing things away, but Addie really didn't want the old library with all her father's memories replaced.
Blake and Addie had great chemistry. I loved their scenes together, laughing and cringing along with them. Turning Pages was a fun read, perfect for any library lover.
Content Ratings:
sexual: mild
language: none
violence: none
*I received this book from Inkberry Press. I am not paid for my reviews. My reviews are solely my opinion.*
This book was a fun and light read. Like many of you I'm a book lover so it was nice to have the main character be a librarian and obsessed with the library and books. When they met, Addie thought her new boss, Blake, was more into business than enjoying the library. Let's just say they didn't hit it off at the start. Plus Blake was engaged.
Poor Addie just couldn't let go of her library. I see why she was attached, but it still annoyed me at times since I'm the opposite of a pack-rat. I feel freedom from throwing things away, but Addie really didn't want the old library with all her father's memories replaced.
Blake and Addie had great chemistry. I loved their scenes together, laughing and cringing along with them. Turning Pages was a fun read, perfect for any library lover.
Content Ratings:
sexual: mild
language: none
violence: none
*I received this book from Inkberry Press. I am not paid for my reviews. My reviews are solely my opinion.*
February 3, 2013
This was a fun, sweet and cute story. I wanted to read something light to end my month of January and this was perfect. Addie Preston is going through many changes in her life. Her father died in a car accident three months ago, handsome but arrogant Blake Hansen has just been hired as the new assistant librarian (a position she was aiming for) and the city counsel has decided to tear down her beloved library to build a newer and bigger one.
Addie isn't happy about this and protests in all the ways she knows how, but as she and Blake work long hours together, things begin to change. The story is predictable with some minor similarities to Pride and Prejudice, but I thought it also funny and lighthearted. I loved the fact that Addie worked in the library, of course, and her joy in all things books. Apart from the fact that her Dad died, her family seemed a little too perfect with never any arguments or bad feeling, except for grief.
If you need a sweet story that moves along at a good pace, Turning Pages will not disappoint. It's a squeaky clean romance with good elements of friendship and family values.
Addie isn't happy about this and protests in all the ways she knows how, but as she and Blake work long hours together, things begin to change. The story is predictable with some minor similarities to Pride and Prejudice, but I thought it also funny and lighthearted. I loved the fact that Addie worked in the library, of course, and her joy in all things books. Apart from the fact that her Dad died, her family seemed a little too perfect with never any arguments or bad feeling, except for grief.
If you need a sweet story that moves along at a good pace, Turning Pages will not disappoint. It's a squeaky clean romance with good elements of friendship and family values.
November 11, 2018
Tristi Pinkston's Turning Pages makes my reader soul happy. Not only is the book free of profanity and other vulgarities, but the story is absolutely adorable. Addy is a bookworm on the verge of becoming a librarian when her job at the library is suddenly taken from her by the new guy, Blake. Blake is what Addy isn't; a businessman with a liking for sci-fi. Addy is a college student who takes solitude in books to escape the stresses of her life. Two different people forced to work together makes for one crazy story.
Think Pride & Prejudice, but LDS edition without officially being LDS.
Topics in this book include reading, loss, grief, family relationships, morals, friendship, death, and love.
5 stars all the way! One of my favorites!
________________
UPDATE (11/11/19): How can I not love this book? Turning Pages is wonderful. It is a story of loss, family, and love. Plus, Tristi Pinkston throws in the humor to show that while Addie Preston means well she is only human and makes tons of mistakes. I also loved that the author throws in nods to other book series such as Harry Potter.
Think Pride & Prejudice, but LDS edition without officially being LDS.
Topics in this book include reading, loss, grief, family relationships, morals, friendship, death, and love.
5 stars all the way! One of my favorites!
________________
UPDATE (11/11/19): How can I not love this book? Turning Pages is wonderful. It is a story of loss, family, and love. Plus, Tristi Pinkston throws in the humor to show that while Addie Preston means well she is only human and makes tons of mistakes. I also loved that the author throws in nods to other book series such as Harry Potter.
October 8, 2012
I received this book as part of the Goodreads First Reads Giveaways and as a librarian myself that was one of the main aspects that drew me into the story. I also loved that it was almost like a modern version of Pride and Prejudice. Another aspect I really enjoyed is that Blake rides a motorcycle. Seeing that I am a motorcycle librarian myself, I found that to be pretty awesome. The story is a cute one and it is a really quick read. It highlights some issues libraries face, especially regarding older facilities, budgets, and making the decision to cut back on staffing and hours because of not having enough funding. On the positive side of that, this book also highlights the library patrons in small community libraries who come to feel like family members and who love and support their libraries because of all the wonderful services the building and its employees provide to the community at large. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to fans of libraries and in romances in a similar vein as Pride and Prejudice.
January 24, 2013
This was a sweet, easy read, that was really enjoyable. I really grew to love Addie as a character, and loved seeing her grow and develop. Addie and her family are recovering from the death of their father. Addie's step-mom (the only mom Addie's ever known), is having an especially hard time, and recovering from injuries sustained in the car accident that killed her husband. Addie is a huge bookworm and was promised the job of head librarian at her local library. When the job is given to a new guy, Blake, Addie is very upset. Then to make matters worse, the library board decides to tear down the existing library, a building near and dear to Addie's heart, for a new modern building. Addie grows a lot through this book, as does her relationship with Blake. Addie learns to like herself, for who she is and not what others think of her.
In some ways, this is a re-telling of Pride and Prejudice, but in a more modern sense. I really enjoyed it. There were several laugh out loud moments - those always make me happy!
In some ways, this is a re-telling of Pride and Prejudice, but in a more modern sense. I really enjoyed it. There were several laugh out loud moments - those always make me happy!
February 8, 2013
What a cute story. This was a fun retelling of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Addie has had a pretty rough couple months in this story. Her dad died in a car accident and the families financial situation gets pretty rough, she doesn’t get the promotion she’d been expecting at the library that was basically promised her earlier, and the guy who did get it seems to be a pretty arrogant boss type guy. Her attempts to change the citiy leaders minds about tearing down the building don’t work. She has problems with her best friends brother who she’s been crushing on for years, and then her best friend even gives her some stress. But through it all, Addie is a character you can really love and get behind. She has some down moments, but it’s so refreshing to read about a girl who has values, morals, and goals and will stick to them no matter what. Her upbeat personality shines through and you find yourself rooting for her. It’s a very quit and easy read. A clean romance just like the Jane Austen version.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews