Don't Explain

by Audrey Dacey

New England coffee-shop owner Caitlyn Murphy has a lot in her mug. Her business is failing miserably, her love life is non-existent, and her ailing mother needs constant attention. When a college crush, the heartbroken Michael Fitzgerald, wanders into her coffee shop and back into her life, everything starts to turn around, but his pregnant ex-fiancée will do her best to take the steam out of their brewing romance.

Genres: Romance, Amazon, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary Romance

246 pages, Paperback

First published July 25, 2012

About the author

Audrey Dacey is a devoted mother and wife who lives in Prescott, Arizona. She's lived in Massachusetts, Iowa, New Jersey, and Arizona.

When she's not writing, you can find her teaching English to teenage girls; running on streets and trails through mud and over walls; playing with her son; reading romance, the classics, or picture books; or lazily watching TV or checking facebook.

Audrey also cooks and quilts but can't always find the time in her days to fit them in.

Reviews

[Lyndi W. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh my god. This was so very tedious. In between every cliched trope you would absolutely expect from the story described in the blurb, we're told about every single mundane activity two people go through during various scenes.

And then she sat at the table and started eating. There was a tension in the air. Sexual, of course. Slowly savoring the food, she stole glances at him from across the table. Just get through this dinner and it'll all be okay. She took another bite of food. She thanked him for making her such a delicious meal. They both pushed their chairs under the dining table and took their dishes to kitchen, placing them the double sink. He started soaping up a wet dish rag while she scraped the bits of food off their plates into the trash can next to the fridge on the left side of the kitchen if you're looking at it from the dining room, which was decorated with orange flowers and a lovely muted gold that reminded her of a sunset she once saw back in college after a night of drinking with her best friend and sharing their dreams about oh my god who the fuck cares at this point?

It's like the most boring filler ever. Your book's not long enough? Add in a few sentences about unlocking a door. Or describe the step-by-step process of making a cup of espresso, because that's not a super boring topic to read about or anything. Maybe a paragraph about putting a doily on a plate.

Another issue I had with this story was how god awful painful it was to witness Caitlyn around Michael & Margaret. It was torture. It was so over-the-top and ridiculous, I could hardly stand it. Caitlyn was a doormat in college, but has apparently turned things around and is now a Strong, Independent Woman™. But as soon as Margaret comes along, well now she's a martyr and a doormat. Greeeat.

And honestly, I kinda hated Michael for making the choice he made. He was such an idiot, over and over. I was so happy when Caitlyn refused to take him back, I fist pumped the air. I'm not sure if I was happy over Caitlyn finally growing a backbone or Michael being rejected.

Either way, I'm not impressed with this story.

[William Bazzell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is taken for granted that romance novels don't need plots so long as they have characters, but Dacey shows the advantage of having both. By having an actual hook to draw the reader into the world she is able to impose an impediment on her lovers more significant than is usually found in novels of this genre. She does an excellent job laying the foundations for the last act twist in such a way that it is not obvious what she is doing, where so often authors telegraph their intentions by inserting an awkward early setup for an unsatisfying payoff.

If you are a fan of romance novels who enjoys a little more plot structure (without sacrificing the intensity of development of the characters and their love story), this is the book for you.

[Amber Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF

When I start rolling my eyes I tend to start skimming. And when I found myself flipping through pages without reading I knew I was done. I enjoy romances but they need either realism or a plot that excites me. This had neither. Its pure fantasy in the delusional stalker type of way.

[Clay Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not normally a reader of romance novels, but this made for a happy exception. Its creative structure belies the reputation for simplicity that defines the genre in the minds of non-enthusiasts. Dacey's settings are carefully drawn, and her love of the East coast comes through in her descriptions. Her characters are driven by strong and relatable motivations, and they're easy to care about. Which is great, except that Dacey doesn't flinch from piling up conflict, so the reader spends a lot of time squirming in his seat.

It's a good ride that no romance fan will want to miss, and even a non-romantic will find plenty to enjoy in Don't Explain.

[Nenette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is your standard chick-lit romance. It has all the ingredients to make the reader's romantic side resurface if in any case it has been sitting and brooding somewhere except in the heart.

Two long lost friends found each other after ten years. They fell in love but the past caught up and what they thought was going to be a perfect relationship seemed not bound to happen after all. Even if I don't mention it here, you'd know how the story will end. Standard or not, it was a fast and enjoyable read, perfect for a lazy weekend.

[Ruby Llewellyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! I write erotica so I prefer my sex a little raunchier, but it was a good, fast read and delivered on what it promised. I see that Audrey Dacey's next book is about the best friend character, whom I enjoyed in this one, so I marked Good Morning Heartache to read soon also.Good Morning Heartache

[Catalina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book wasn't too bad. I actually enjoyed it and had a hard time putting it down. There was plenty of drama to keep me on my toes and I really enjoyed all of the relationships. I like that Caitlyn was a strong character for some things and I feel like she acted accordingly. It was really realistic.

[Michelle [Helen Geek]]

Free on Amazon 10/202012.

[Victoria Lovell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good. Imagine running into someone you haven't seen in years that you were in love with the last time you saw them! Also portrays that "crazy" in people!